This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. Searching, reading, printing, or downloading EEBO-TCP texts is reserved for the authorized users of these project partner institutions. Permission must be granted for subsequent distribution, in print or electronically, of this text, in whole or in part. Please contact project staff at eebotcp-info@umich.edu for further information or permissions.
MY meaning is in this Paragraph, briefly to collect all obiections against the Society, whether they be generall or particuler, only excepting those against F. Coton, which are so many as that they may better be produced seuerally by thē∣selues. Only I thinke it needlesse to say any thing concerning English affaires, so well knowne to you, & wherin it seemeth the writer of this hath not had so
full information as might haue beene wished; and I would not also willingly insert any thing, which might offend his Maiestie or the State, especially because I know, that this is your desire also: and no doubt you haue seene F. Eudemon-Ioannes his booke, which cōteineth much more, then I can relate out of this. Wherefore omitting this I will relate the rest, in the same order that I find thē recited, because my leasure will not permit me to put them into any other method. I will also chiefly insist vpon those, as were fathered by Anti-Coton vpō particuler authors, for the other being affirmed without proof, need no o∣ther answere but a bare deniall; especially since we see, that this silence could not proceed frō want of will, or frō respect to any, since that in these other calum∣niations the greatest personages in France are named.
First then my Author affirmeth, that the heretikes of France giue out, that Mariana induced Rauaillac to giue that vnfortunate, and execrable blow, and that he knew the booke all by hart. To which he re∣plyeth, and will reply an hundreth and an hundreth tymes, vnder payn of loosing both honour and life that Rauaillac did neuer see, read, nor hear the name of Mariana, if it were not, when he was demaunded whether he had read him or not, & he answered, no: and that he knew not who he was, witnesse the Re∣uerend Fa. M. Coeffeteau: witnesse also the verball processe it selfe; yea my author addeth, that though Rauaillac had read this book, yet it is most false, that Mariana teacheth the murther, which this vnfortu∣nate parricide committed: yea in some sort it might haue bin wished, that Rauaillac had read Mariana; if
he could haue vnderstood him: for Mariana teacheth manifestly and expressely (as F. Gretzerus sheweth) that a lawfull Prince cannot be slain by any particuler man, by his priuate authority, saying nothing in that poynt otherwise then the Councell of Constance, and the Decrees of Sorbon. But his error was afterward, when he determined the publike iudgment to the ap∣probation of the learned, although in this also he hath limited his opinion to the case of necessity, and to the comon voyce, and vnder this condition, that the said publik iudgment cannot be had by other means. In which fearing notwithstanding, and perceyuing in some sort, that he was gone too farre, he submit∣teth himselfe not only to the censure of the Church, but also to the iudgment of any other.
Moreouer there can be no other reason giuen, why no soueraigne Prince hath taken exception against him hitherto, but because he speaketh onely of Ty∣rants, in the number of which they esteeme not them∣selues to be. And the Inquisition of Spaine, which o∣therwise is very rigorous, & the Pope himselfe, who as a temporall Prince should be as much interessed as others, haue not hitherto thought, that he deserued any further censure. Finally my Author noteth, how falsly and maliciously Anti-Coton slandereth Mariana, making him to meane by the iudiciall sentence, the deposition made by the Pope; and by the approbation of learned men, the counsaile of the Iesuits: of whome Mariana maketh no mention; and neyther the Pope, nor the Iesuites are once named through∣out those two Chapters, which treat of this mat∣ter.
The next obiection of Anti-Coton is not worth the reciting, for your Reuerend F. Generall and the Visi∣tour also, who gaue leaue that the booke of F. Maria∣na should be printed, cannot be blamed at all, since that F. Generall committed the matter to the Visi∣tours and Prouincials, as he vseth in such occasions: and he had no reason to vse any particuler diligence concerning this booke, before he had notice therof: which as he testifieth by his letter to the Prouinciall Congregation of France, was only after the booke was printed and published, at which time he gaue order presently for the correcting and suppressing therof. And this seemeth one chiefe cause, why it was neuer reprinted by any Catholike, and had bene long since extinguished, had not some Protestants beene more diligent and busy, then they needed. The Visitour also was not to examine the booke in particuler, but to commit it to three learned men, who partly by the authority and learning of F. Mari∣ana, and partly by the limitations and moderations which he vseth, might be induced to giue their con∣sent; but to these three, my authour opposeth 30. or 40. who allowed the 13. or 14. books of the Society, wherein the contrary doctrine is taught.
The next calumniation against your Fathers is, that they reigne in Rome. To which my Author an∣swereth, that this lying slaunder is iniurious to the Cardinals, and his Holynesse himselfe, whome to∣gether with the Iesuits he would make odious to all Ecclesiasticall persons. And besides euery man kno∣weth, that the Mr. of the sacred Palace, to whome the censure of books belōgeth, is of S. Dominicks Or∣der.
To this we may ioyne another, which followeth a little after; that your Fathers in France are in publik hatred or disgrace; which my Author affirmeth to be false, if by publike hatred he vnderstand not the cha∣ritable affection, which the Hugonots beare them, who (if they were hated by others so much) should not need to take so great paines, to inuent and publish slanderous libels against them, without intermission, velut agmine facto. But the truth is that both King and Queene do honour them with particuler affecti∣on, togeather with all the Princes and Great men of the Court, as also the rest of the Nobility, and three parts of the whole Sate, besides 30. thousand Schollers whose parents cannot be fewer.
But let vs heare more. There are aliue at this day (saith Anti-Coton) in Paris aboue 2. thousād witnesses, who will testify, that Iames Clement ordinarily frequēted the Iesuits, and that some of them accompanied him euen to the towne ditch, when he went out of Paris to giue the blow: But my Author answereth the improbability & absurdity of this calumniation; because there was no sense, that the Iesuits should shew themselues in that manner, as well for their owne safety, as not to bring the other into question. Secondly the Court of Parli∣ament may seeme to haue byn very negligent, if a∣mong 2. thousand witnesses, they could not get one to discouer the complices. Thirdly this calumniator himselfe may iustly be called in question, why he did not bring forth these witnesses sooner. That which followeth of Pope Sixtus 5. his speach, and concer∣ning Guignard, is affirmed without proofe, and some things of most importance are plaine falsifications,
and grounded only vpon flying and vulgar reports, as would appeare, if the processe it selfe might be seene. Of which sort that also seemeth to be of his be∣ing placed among the martyrs of the Society, since that (as my Author testifieth) he is not so much as in those catalogues which were printed at Rome.
Wherefore these and such other fraudulent & ma∣licious inuentions are sufficiently confuted by that, which is certayn; that the Fathers of the Society for∣sake father and mother, leauing their riches, and hopes of preferment, go to the Indies and new found land; are vsed and loued by the greatest Princes of the world, honoured in Italy, France, Spayne, Polo∣nia, Germany, Aethiopia, Iaponia, China; where they haue very many Colledges, and are exceedingly desi∣red in all places, being esteemed one of the chiefest vpholders of the faith, sent by Gods prouidence in the same time that Luther and Caluin apostated; and therefore no meruaile, though they be so hated by Hereticks, and persecuted by all Schismatikes. I shal not need to tell the Reader, how falsly the booke inti∣tuled De iusta abdicatione Henrici 3. is insinuated to be written by a Iesuit; since that it is manifest, that they had nothing to do with it, no more then with that other of Franciscus Verona Constantinus, who wrote the Apology for Iohn Chastell.
Anti-Coton writeth pag. 28. that F. Fronton du Duc, had affirmed to Monsieur Cazaubon, that, it were better that all Kinges should be slayn, then that one Confession should be reuealed. All which notwithstan∣ding is conuinced of falsity by a letter written by Monsieur Cazaubon himselfe to the same Father in
these wordes: Quod scribis de Anti-Cotono, ego ve∣rò palàm dixi apud multos, auctorem libri, quisquis ille sit, parùm sibi, cùm illa scriberet, cauisse, quòd me non adierit: si fecisset, numquam dixisset ea te mihi dixisse, quae profecto non dixisti. Concerning that, which you write of Anti-Coton, I haue openly sayd before many, that the Author of that booke, whosoeuer he be, prouided not well for himselfe, when he wrote so, in not repayring to me: which if he had done, he would neuer haue sayd, that you sayd those thinges to me, which certeynly you sayd not.
I will not omit that friuolous obiection, that be∣fore the Society was in the world, no man had euer heard, that the liues of Kings were assaulted vnder the shadow of Religion; which my Author deseruedly calleth an out∣ragious and iniurious lye, ioyned with a manifest contradiction; for if he speake absolutly of violent death, can he be ignorant, that the Caesars, Neroes, Domitians dyed such? Hath he neuer read the history of that Countrey, in which they be recited (an horri∣ble, detestable, and lamentable thing) by dozens? Did not the Satyricall Poet write long since, as the meanest schollers know,
Ad generum Cereris sine caede & sanguine pauci Descendunt Reges, & sicca morte Tyranni?
And if he vnderstandeth it of the pretext of religi∣on, and conscience, is not this a cloke, that is now worne out, hauing bin vsed so much? Is not this the pretext, vnder which all factious and rebellious spi∣rits haue euer couered their reuolutions, rebellions and murthers? Is not this also to contradict himselfe, hauing in the beginning of his Libell told vs, that
Lewes Duke of Orleans brother to King Charles the 6. was slayn by Iohn Duke of Burgundy, and this mur∣ther defended by Iohn Petit vnder the colour of con∣science?
But let him vnderstand it as he will (saith my Au∣thor) we returne it vpon him, & say truly, that before Caluin preached at Geneua and others of his sect at Ro∣chell, Nimes, and Mont-auban, no man had heard tell eyther of the conspiracy of Amboyse for the treason of Meaux; nor the surprising of Orleans, Bourges, Lyons and of so many other Cittyes: nor of the battels of Moncontour, Iarnac, & S. Denis, or of so many Lance-knights & Reystres called into France against France; & this against the State, vnder the shadow of religion, & by those, who cal themselues the Reformers of the world. Wheras the Society is no more cause of that, which is obiected, then the other Religious Orders, which came into France a little before, or in the same time, or a little after it. We may likewise say, that be∣fore the Apostles begā to follow our Sauiour, ther was no speach of the treason of Iudas, & yet it followeth not from hence, that S. Peter & S. Iohn are to be bla∣med. Must the concurrence of times communicate all the sinnes which are committed, to al that are then a∣liue? If this reason were of force, we should by the same, attribute to the Fathers the perfection of al me∣chanical arts, & warlike exployts, of Policy, Philoso∣phy & Diuinity &c. which haue flourished since the Society begā. As therfore this would be a great presū∣ption in them to attribute these things vnto thēselues so likewise it is an intolerable malice in others to im∣pute vnto thē those infamous attēpts. I wil not go for∣ward
(as my Author doth) to confute this fellowes fooleries, who compareth France to the temple of A∣donis, the Iesuites to Lyons and Tygers, and Spaine to a desert or wildernesse, out of which they should come.
Wherfore omitting this, and comming to his par∣ticular obiections, my Author sheweth at large out of Fa. Richeome, how vnprobable it is, that any of the Society were of Chastels Councel, since than no force of torment could euer bring that yong man to confes∣se any such matter, which no doubt God would haue brought to light, how obstinate soeuer the offēder had bin, if they had bin faulty. Anti-Coton also falsifieth the Registers of the Court, making them to affirme, that Chastell had studied Diuinity vnder F. Gueret; wheras that Father at that time had not heard one yeare of Diuinity himselfe. He affirmeth likewise out of the same, that Chastell had confessed his being in a chamber of meditations, painted round about with diuels; wheras there was neuer any such chamber at all, as they can testify who visited the Colledge, and among an hundreth thousand Schollers which the Society hath had in France, no one can be produced, that euer did see any such Chamber. And what can be more desired to shew the innocency of the Society, then that F. Gueret himselfe, who was thought most guilty, was sent back being cleared by the Court, after both ordinarie and extraordinarie examinati∣ons?
As for their expulsion, which notwithstanding ensued heerupon, and the Pyramis which was ere∣cted to their disgrace, my Author sayth, that he will
not say with some, that it proceeded from the sway of the time: nor with others,
Pyramidem Rex stare vetat, ne quaerito causam, Indicta causa pulsus & ordo fuit:
But he will only say, that he had rather yeeld to the iudgment of the Court, then censure it: and that there cannot too much rigour be vsed, to make the crime of treason detestable. And he addeth, that the King himselfe had a different iudgment from this Ca∣lumniator, when treating of their Institute, and di∣scoursing of the vtility therof, he sayd in presence of the Lord Condestable, and many others, who may remember it: that if the Iesuits had known him sooner, they would haue loued him sooner, and if he had knowne thē sooner, he would haue reestablished thē sooner. And another time, that if he were to be a Religious-man and liue a contemplatiue life, he would be a Carthusian: and if he were to liue religiously in the world, and imploy him∣selfe in action, he would be a Iesuite. This was at Bourg∣fontaine, in the presence of Monsieur du Perron Lord de la Guette, and after of his priuy Counsell, a perso∣nage whome his Maiesty honoured with a singular goodwill, togeather with a great estimation of his iudgment and wisdome.
Much more might be sayd to this purpose, there being as many proofes of this great Princes good opi∣nion of the Society, as there haue bin Panegyrikes and Apologyes heard made by him for this Order; yet my author contenteth himsefe with a piece of a letter written by his Maiestie to the Mayor & Magi∣strats of Rochell in these wordes: Chers & bienaimeZ, ayant experimenté en plusieurs villes de nostre Royaume
la probité, suffisance & modestie des Peres Iesuits, lesquels en leurs moeurs, doctrine & commune conuersation, font veoir, qu'ils n'ont rien deuant les yeux que l'honneur de Dieu: Nous auons trouué bon d'enuoyer en nostre ville de la Rochelle pour y prescher, le Pere Seguiran, Predicateur de leur Compagnie, reuestu de toutes les qualiteZ, qui peuuent rendre vn homme digne de cette charge. En date du 17. de Septembre 1606. signé HENRY, & plus bas, Ruzé.
Deare and welbeloued, hauing experienced in ma∣ny Cittyes of our Kingdome the vertue, sufficiency and modesty of the Fathers of the Society, who in their behauiour, learning and common conuersation doe declare that they haue nothing before their eyes but the honor of God: We haue thought good to send to our Citty of Rochell to preach, F. Seguiran a Prea∣cher of their Society, endued with all the qualityes, which may make a man worthy of this charge or of∣fice &c. Dated the 17. of Septembre 1606. signed HENRY, and vnderneath, Ruzé.
Now (saith my Author) who is so blind, that seeth not, or so wicked that graunteth not, that this onely iudgment ought to be of more force, then all the calumniations of the world? For this was written after he had heard a thousand times, in a manner, all the euill of the Society which is sayd at this day, & af∣ter he had exactly and carefully made triall of them.
For conclusion of this point, I must not omit to tell you, that the decree against Chastel was not abso∣lutly censured at Rome, as Anti-Coton obiecteth: for the late king was certified by letters from thence, that they censured nothing belonging to the fact,
which they detested as much as any in France; but that which they censured, was a clause of the De∣cree defining and determining, what was heresie, which appertayneth not to the Parliament of Paris, but to the Church of God, and the chiefe Pastor thereof.
Thus much for Chastell: after whom Anti-Coton returneth to one Barriere, who intended to haue mur∣thered the late King before he was admitted to the Crowne by Paris and other Cittyes. And it seemeth, that he imparted this his designe among others to F. Varade Rector of the Colledge of the Society at Paris: which Citty being at that time in warre with his Ma∣iesty, the Father could not by any meanes giue aduise: & yet my Author doth not altogether excuse him in this as his Maiestie himself seemed to do, causing him to be warned, that he should depart from Paris, whē he was to come thither, and neuer calling him in que∣stion for it afterward. This is the most, that can be probably belieued against this Father. For the rest, which Anti-Coton affirmeth, of his perswading and adiuring Barriere by the Sacraments of Confession & Communion, conteyneth many absurdities, contra∣dictions and falsifications, as my Author sheweth: and it is certayne, that the R. Father Seraphin Ban∣qui, who went to his Maiestie expressely to discouer this plot, auouched, that Barriere himselfe had told him, that a Father of the Society at Lions affirmed, that he could not enterprise the killing of the King without damning himselfe. And his Maiestie himself often testifyed, that he had first word of that attempt from one of the Fathers.
That which followeth of the Iesuits rūning from chāber to chamber crying: Surgefrater, agitur de reli∣gione; Rise brother, our Religion is in daunger; is euidētly conuinced to be false by the circumstance of the time, since it is sayd to haue byn betwixt 8. and 9. of the clock at night, when the Iesuits vse not to be in bed. And besydes, if it had bin true, what could Anti-Co∣ton or any other calumniator haue made of it? But he wanteth matter, which maketh him goe to the grāmer schollers, and accuse them for making compositions against the King, before he was admitted, in time of the league, which may very well be true in part; but it is false, that after the reduction of Paris to the Kings obediēce, there was any such matter, and much lesse, that any was forbidden to pray for him: but many are yet liuing, who can testify, that there was earnest prayer made for his prosperity, and in parti∣culer the R. Father Clement du Puy, their Prouinciall in the Prouince of France ordayned, that the Pensio∣ners of the colledg of Clermōt, who were about 200. should euery day in the morning say the prayer, Quae∣sumus omnipotens Deus, vt famulus tuus Henricus Rex noster &c.
All the obiections, which are made against Alex∣ander Hayus a scottish Father, appeare sufficiētly to be fictions, by his deliuery out of prison; as likewise that which he addeth of the Fathers sending children into farre countreys, since that he whom he nameth, dealt with no Iesuit, (for the party charged as the se∣ducer, was not of the Society at that time.) That which followeth were of more importance, if it were true; and therfore no meruayle though it be so eui∣dently
cōuinced of falshood. Anti-Coton bringeth the Duke of Sully for a witnesse, that this Noble man him∣selfe perswading the late King not to recall the Iesuits, was answered by him, Giue me then security for my life; which my author, not without cause, calleth a slaun∣der died in crimson. For the sayd Duke hath testified, both before the Queene herselfe, and the Lord Chan∣cellor, and the Lord Villeroy, and many others, and in particuler to F. Coton, that he remembreth no∣thing of that, which the Anti-Coton maketh him say to the King, or the King to him.
After some other obiections concerning England, which I am resolued to omit, at length he commeth to the Reuerend Father Baldwin now in the Tower, and is not afraid to affirme, that he had some intelli∣gence with Francis Rauaillac, who (sayth he) had byn in Flanders somewhat before his cursed enterprise. Wher∣as my Author sheweth, that Rauaillac was particuler∣ly asked, whether he had byn at Bruxels; to which he answered: that he was neuer out of the Kingdome, and that he knew not where Bruxels was.
From England he goeth to Polonia, affirming, that the Iesuits haue perswaded that King to vse such violēce, that he hath byn in danger to loose his King∣dome: which my Author calleth a manifest falshod, for Polonia was neuer in the memory of man so pros∣perous; nor euer King more beloued, and respected, or more peaceable in his Estates; yea he hath entred into Moscouia, where at this present he obteyneth very great victories. And as for Sweden, euery man knoweth, that his vncle Charles withholdeth it a∣gainst all right & iustice, not in respect of the Iesuits,
about whome there was neuer any question; but by reason of the Dukes heresie and ambition: shewing by his proceeding (which is most certaine) that out of the Catholicke Church there is no true fayth at all.
That which followeth of Transiluania is a meere fiction; neyther can he produce any such letter, as he feigneth of the Baron of Zerotin; neyther were the Fathers euer suspected of any conspiracy against that Prince; yea F. Alfonsus Carillo was his Confes∣sarius, vntill he sent home the Lady Catherine of Austria, and did put his cosen Balthazar Battorius to death. And at this present al (besides the heretikes) do much desire that the Fathers of the Society may re∣turne to Coluswar, otherwise called Claudiopolis, & to Fayrwar otherwise called Alba-Iulia. By all which this slander is made manifest, but by nothing more, thē by that, which is added, of putting one of the Fa∣thers to death; for neuer any heard of any such, be∣sides F. Martin Laterna Confessarius to King Ste∣uen Battorius, who being sent by his Maiesty into Transiluania, was taken vpon the sea, and put to death by the Pyrates of Duke Charles, who styleth himself King of Sweden. Because this calumniator could find no colour to charge the Society with any thing against the house of Austria, he taketh a new course, and will needes giue the reason therof to be, because their Generall is a Spaniard, to whome they vow blind o∣bedience. But my Author sheweth, that it is false, that the Generals of the Society are always Spaniards, as appeareth by the last, who was of Liege; and al∣though this who is now, be a Neapolitan; yet he is of
the noble house of Aquauiua, sonne to the Duke of Atri, Vncle to the Cardinall Aquauiua now liuing; which family hath alway byn esteemed to fauour the French. It is also vntrue, that in the Society the first vowes are made to F. General, but immediatly to the Superiours of that place, which in France are French∣men, who cannot be thought lesse faythfull to their King, then the Spaniardes to theirs: and how their vow of obedience is to be vnderstood, hath bin al∣ready declared.
There remayneth yet Venice, concerning which Anti-Cotō chargeth the Iesuits to haue byn the begin∣ners of the last troubles betwixt that Commō-wealth & the Pope: wheras it is manifest out of the bookes of Friar Paul & the rest of that crew, that the cause of those difficulties were, for that his Holynes would not permit the reall libertyes, and personal immuni∣ties of the Church to be infringed and violated: for which cause he had imposed a locall & personall in∣terdict vpon that State. Neither did the Fathers of the Society proceed any further, then the Capuchins and Theatins, who tooke it not to belong to them, to cen∣sure the Popes proceedinges, but rather to obey his Decrees, vntill the Common-wealth had made their remonstrations, and supplications to his Holynesse. And wheras this calumniator addeth, that the Iesuits wrought against the Common-wealth at Rome; my Author sheweth, that the late King of France (in all mens iudgments) a most iudicious Prince, commā∣ded the proofes of this, and other obiections to be e∣xamined; but nothing could be gotten, but silence, as that renowned Prelate the Cardinall of Ioycuse, to
whome this whole affaire was committed by his Ma∣iesty, can witnesse.
Finally the Society can be no more blamed for ha∣uing legacies and lands in that State, then in any o∣ther, or then all other Religious Orders: Yea, if we speake of their house in Venice it selfe, it was not ca∣pable of any rent, or land whatsoeuer. And here my Author hath iust cause to wish all men to informe thē∣selues throughly of the truth before they giue eare to the calumniations and fals reports which the enemies of the Society are wont to raise.
This (sayth he) was the lesson, which our great Henry gaue to all those, whome he saw ill affected vnto them, saying often.That it was sufficient to know the Iesuites, for to loue, e∣steeme, and defend them. In so much, as all the Prin∣ces and great Lords of France can testifie, that they haue often heard him speake of the Society with such great affection, and such honorable commenda∣tion, as could be giuen to any Religious Order.
Hauing thus wandred vp and downe forraine Countreys, this Libeller returneth home to France, and for conclusion of his second Chapter heapeth vp ten lyes in one narration, concerning the erection of a Colledge of the Society in Orleans. First, that they sent one of their Fathers to preach in that Citty the time of Lent; wheras it is manifest, that this prouisi∣on of Preachers belongeth to the Bishops themselues; & besides he mistaketh Lent for Aduent. Secondly he affirmeth, that the Cittizens were not well content, nor satisfied with the Fathers preaching; wheras it is certayne, that his Auditory was very great, and his sermons much applauded; in so much, that he could
hardly excuse himselfe from preaching the next Lent also, although there was another very eloquent, and learned man appointed. Thirdly (saith Anti-Coton) in steed of studying, this Fa. busied his braines in sear∣ching out and intertayning such, as had yet in their hartes any remainder of the old leuen of the league. This is a most malicious lye, and such an one, as on∣ly the Hugonots will belieue, whom the late King cal∣led the leaguers of his time. And the truth is, that the Father was alwaies ordinarily eyther in the Church, or els in his chamber, as those of the Lord Bishops of Orleans house, where he had his lodging, will testify. Fourthly (sayth this calumniator) this Iesuite gaue out, that it was the Kinges will, that they should be established in that Citty; wheras the King had dis∣patched his Letters Patēts to this purpose aboue foure moneths before, and had sent them to the Lord Bi∣shop, and Mounsieur Decures. Fiftly he saith, that the Iesuites talke was of driuing out the Monkes of S. Sampson, that they might get their Church. But my Author answereth, that this treatie was in the behalfe of the Reuerent Fathers of S. Francis of Paula his Or∣der, commonly called Minims or Bon-homs, & that all was done with due and lawfull circumstances, and with consent of the parties: and if afterwardes some desired, that it might be imployed for a Colledg of the Society, it was with the same conditions. Sixt∣ly, like vnto this is that which followeth of displa∣cing Monsieur the Mareshall of Chastres Gouernour of that Citty &c. for there was no such matter. Seuēth∣ly, he addeth, that the Fathers vsed much importu∣nity with the King to this effect: wheras it was his
Maiesties owne motion to prefer Orleans before Char∣tres, because he thought that a Colledge would be more profitable in that Citty, in respect of certaine families, which were reported to haue changed their Religion not long before. Eightly, the next lye is, that his Maiestie graunted this Colledge vn∣der condition, that the Cittizens should be brought to giue their consent: whereas in deed, there is no such word in the Patents, which are absolute, with commendation of the Society, and testimony of the good, which their Colledges cause in all partes. Ninthly he bringeth in one Touruile an Aduocate, prouing that in France a man could not loue the King and the Iesuites both: but this is altogether false, and it would proue, that neither the Cittyes, and Parla∣ments, which haue receaued, and do willingly re∣taine the Society, should loue their King; yea that the late King loued not himself, since that he shewed thē such extraordinary kindnes & fauours, founding thē Colledges in diuers places at his owne charges, and resoluing to place them in all the principall Citties of his Kingdome. Finally he concludeth, that all the Cittizens concurred iointly in the same opinion, cō∣cluding, that the Society should not be admitted: wheras indeed they were neyther all of one opinion, nor gaue an absolute deniall; but only excused them∣selues for want of meanes, offering to receaue them willingly, if his Maiestie would prouide for them. Neyther is it probable, that they would answer other∣wise, vnlesse we should measure them by the Hugo∣nots, who possessed that Citty in former times. And thus we see, that my Author had reason to affirme,
that Anti-Coton must needes be verie shameles, since that he calumniateth so impudently; and ill habitua∣ted, since he doth it so often: and finally of little ta∣lent, since he doth it so folishly.
In his third Chapter Anti-Coton goeth about to shew, that the Fathers of the Society were guilty of the murther of the late King of France, which is so incredible a calumniation, and so easily conuinced by many testimonies, and circumstances, that it is a wonder how any could be so impudent, as to auouch so manifest an vntruth: but yet let vs examine, at least so much as may carry any colour of truth, of which sorte, that which he affirmeth of Fa. Comelet is not; and the words of Fa. Hardy are wrested to a wrong sense, for he only affirmed, that Princes were subiect to death and other casualties, as well as mea∣ner men.
In like manner that which he bringeth against Fa. Gontier is only proued by the testimony of a dead man, or els by such a witnesse, as openly giueth him the lye, I meane Monsieur de la Grange Secretary to the Prince of Condie, and the matter is cleere in it selfe: for he maketh Fa. Rector at Perigeus, where those wordes should be spoken, Fa. Saphore, which is al∣togeather false. Monsieur de Guron, whom he stādereth to haue dealt with the Preachers in Paris, that they should preach seditious doctrine, is a very vertuous and deuout gentleman, and will maintayne against him and al the world, that this is a meere slaunder: yea the Duke of Sully auoucheth, that it is most false, that euer the Curates of Paris came with any complaint to him, either in this, or any other matter. And if Mon∣sieur
de Guron had giuen any such seditious discourses, they would haue byn published, aswell as others of lesse importance.
But aboue all, the falsitie of this calumniation ap∣peareth, in that he maketh the late King not only to dissemble the matter, but also to reward the chiefe malefactor by making (as he saith) F. Gontier his Preacher, & giuing him a pension: both which are al∣so most false. For this Father was no more the Kings Preacher afterward, then he had byn before. And as for the pension, not only he, but Fa. Coton him∣selfe neuer had any, it being against the institute of the Society, that any of them should take any thing in recompence of the exercise of their function, & much lesse, that any of them in particuler should haue any rent, reuenue, or pension. True it is, that the late King esteemed highly the rare qualities, and excellent talents of F. Gontier, and especially his great zeale, courage, and constancie in Gods cause: and all that euer the Lord Mareshall Dernano sayd of him, was; that he could haue desired, that the remonstrances made before his Maiesty at S. Geruas, had beene in camera charitatis, as his words were, witnesse the Queene Regent her selfe, who was present and heard them.
Thus much for Fa. Gontier: after whō Anti-Coton commeth to Fa. Aubigny, and is not ashamed to a∣uouch that Rauaillac iustified vnto this Father, that he had told him in confession of his intention to giue a great stroke, shewing him the knife, hauing an Heart engrauē vpon it; wheras the Registers of the Court it selfe do witnesse, that Rauaillac being demanded a∣bout
F. de Aubigny, answered, that he came to him one day after Masse in the month of Ianuary, he being in the Church, & that he declared vnto him certaine visions: and he deposed, that the said Father answe∣red him, that he should make no account of them, fearing least his head were crazed; willing him to say his beades, and that if he had any thing to say to the King, he should go to some Noble man to procure audience. Vpon which the said Father and he being confronted the eighteenth of May, he charged him not with any other thing, only adding, that the Fa∣ther had bidden him to haue care of his braine, and to eate some good broathes, that he might be able to sleepe. And the day before, the Iudges hauing enqui∣red of him, whether he had not demanded of F. de Aubigny, if he ought not to confesse such visions, as exceeded the common course, and namely about kil∣ling Kings: the sayd offender answered, noe. Being demāded, whether he had no other speach with him, and if he neuer saw him but that time: he likewise answered, noe. Being demanded againe, when the Father was present, why he went rather to him then to any other: he answered; Because he had vnder∣stood, that this Father was a friend to the brother of a certaine Religious Woman.
Besides at other times being vrged by the Iudges to declare those, who had any way assisted him in this crime, or to whome he had imparted his purpose: his answere was, that since his being in prison many had prouoked him to make this acknowledgment, and in particuler the Lord Archbishop of Aix: but he was neuer mooued by any, neither did euer any speake
with him of any such matter. And the 27. of May his sentence being pronounced, and he exhorted to preuent the torment by confessing the complices, he tooke it vpon his soule, that neither man, nor wo∣man, or any other besides himselfe knew of it. And being laid vpon the torment, he beseeched God with a loud voice to haue pitty of his soule, and to pardon his offence; but yet not otherwise, then if he had not concealed any thing. Which he often repeated after∣ward vnder the oath, which he had made vnto God and the Court. And before he was deliuered to the Doctors, he likewise sayd, that he was not so mise∣rable to retaine any thing: if he had not declared it al∣ready: knowing well, that he could not obtaine that mercy of God which he expected, if he should con∣ceale any thing, and that he would not haue indured the tormēt inflicted vpon him, if he had knowne any thing more. And being in the hands of M. Gamache and M. Filsacke Doctors of the Sorbon, he gaue them leaue to reueale his Confession, and to print it also; that it might be made knowne to all, which the said Doctors declared to be: That none but he had giuē the blow, that he had not byn intreated, sollicited, nor induced by any, neither had he imparted the matter to any. He acknowledged that he had com∣mitted a great fault, for which he hoped mercy at Gods handes, it being greater then his sinne, but that he would not expect any, if he had concealed any thing. And finally, immediatly before his e∣xecution, he confirmed with an oath, that he had discouered all, and that not any in the world had induced him, nor he spoken, or imparted the mat∣ter
to others. And he alwayes persisted saying the same in the middest of his torments: yea after he had byn drawn halfe an houre with horses, he not∣withstanding perseuered in this deniall.
That which Anti-Coton saith of the Preachers, who might seeme to haue moued him, is a meere fi∣ction: for he neuer made mention of them, but when he affirmed, that if he were so much forsakē by God, as to dy without declaring his cōplices, he would not thinke to be saued, nor that there was any paradise for him: because saith he, Abyssus abyssum inuocat, as he had learned of the Preachers, and therfore this would be to double his offence. Besides if he had blamed the Preachers, as Anti-Coton affirmeth; he could not meane those of Paris, since that it appeareth by his confession, that he departed from Angoulesme the last tyme but one of his being there, 13. daies before Christmas, and returned againe before Lent: since that, he confessed and communicated at Angoulesme the first sonday in Lent, and did not set forward from thence to Paris, vntill Easter day; and came not to Paris vntill a weeke after: by which it appeareth, that he was not in Paris in the time either of Aduent, or Lent. And finally this accusation belongeth no more to the Iesuites, then to all other Preachers, and may be applied by a Calumniator to any of them in particuler.
It were but a folly to stand vpon that reporte, which he affirmeth to haue byn of the Kinges death at Prage and Bruxells a weeke or fortnight before it happned. For to omit the like examples, which my Author produceth, who seeth not, that such rumours
vse to runne vpon diuers occasions? though indeed the letters which Anti-Coton alledgeth from Prage to this effect, are feigned, as the sonne of him to whō they were said to be written, testifieth. The Prouost of Petiuiers affirmed by this Calumniator to haue byn in faction a Iesuit, doth not any way belong to them; and was as deuout, as Anti-Coton himselfe seemeth to be, not hauing byn at Confession for the space of eight yeares.
The smiling countenance, which this slaunderer attributeth to the Fathers, were indeed true teares, as those, to whom they imparted their griefes, can testifie: and when they were presented by Monsieur de la Varanne, who was cōmanded by the Queene her selfe to bring them, F. Coton who spake in all their names, was interrupted with his owne and the other Fathers sighes and teares.
It is also false, which some giue out, that a prin∣cipall personage, and officer should will them when they went to Fleche (to carry the Kings hart) not to forget the tooth which Chastell had strook out some yeares before. For the Fathers did not so much as see, or speake with that personage, and he was to wise to let any such words escape him. No lesse foolish, and false is the next obiection concerning the Fathers be∣ing absent from the Kings Funerall, as appeareth by the certification which followeth: I the vnder∣written do certifie those, to whome it appertaineth, that the Fathers of the Society residing in Paris, came togea∣ther to S. Germain of Auxerois, which was the place appointed for the orders of Religion to meet in, the day of the Funerall of the late King, the great Henry the fourth,
and presented themselues to me, that they might haue a place among the rest of those, who assisted in the Funerals: which was denied thē, least it might cause confusion, since they were not inserted in my roll, because it is not their custome to assist in such actions any more then the Car∣thusians & Celestines. Which when the sayd Fathers had vnderstood, they went to the Louure, and into the Hall, where the body with his partraiture lay, and there they sprinkled holy water vpon it, and prayed for the soule of his Maiestie. Dated in Paris the 29. of September, 1610. Guiot Rhodes Great Maister of the Cerimonies of France.
There remaineth yet the obiection of Monsieur the Mareshall of Chastres, Generall of the forces sent from France to Cleues, whom Anti-Coton affirmeth to haue beene diswaded from that iourney by the Ie∣suits. But this Nobleman hath discharged them fully and plainly from this calumniation in the presence of the Queene Regent, the Earle of Soissons, and of all the Court; and besides hath giuen the Fathers a testi∣mony to the contrary vnder his owne hand. Thus this Calumniator endeth his third Chapter, and in the fourth I find nothing to this purpose.
In the fifth he inueigheth chiefly against F. Coton in particuler, only at the later end he hath an obiecti∣on or two concerning the riches & want of learning of the Society in France. To which my Author answe∣reth briefly, that excepting the Colledge of Fleche which was founded & endowed by the late King, there is not any house in all France, in which euery one may haue allotted twentie pounds for his expen∣ces by the yeare, accompting not only their meate,
drinke, & apparell, but also their Libraries, Infir∣maries, Sacristies, Viaticums, intertayning of stran∣gers and other publike charges. In proofe whereof, and for preuention of this slaunder, Fa. Coton hath giuen a note of all the goods, which the Society hath in France, to the Lo. Chauncellour, the Lo. of Sully and the Secretaries of Estate, graunting & yeilding all that is not specified in that Roll, to any that can find it out. And whereas Anti-Coton speaketh of aboue an hundred thousand Crownes in rent, pro∣cured by the Society in the space of seauen or eight yeares since their Reuocation: My Author in his owne and the rest of the Fathers names, maketh a free gift and donation to him of all, that shalbe found to belong to the Society in France, surmounting the summe of fifty thousand, vpon this cōdition, that he will supply so much, as wanteth to make vp that sum∣me. And as for the Nouiship in the Suburbs of S. Ger∣main, within the precincts wherof Anti-Coton saith a prety Towne might stand: the truth is, that the whole house, courts, and gardens are not aboue 30. fadome square.
Finally he concludeth his whole rayling dis∣course with telling vs, that the Fathers of the Soci∣ety are ignorant persons, and will ouerthrow lear∣ning, and is not ashamed to charge the Lord Car∣dinall Peron, as Authour of this slaunder. But it were a folly to say any thing in the disproof therof, the whole world being witnesse to the contrary, which would farre sooner approue that encomium of the Lo. Abbot of Tiron, who as Monsieur Yuete∣aux the Kings master reporteth, was wont to say, that
Imperium litterarum est penes Iesuitas. The empire of learning is among the Iesuits. And the concourse of schollers to their Schooles doth testify the same, which this foolish fellow would perswade men to proceede from not taking any thing, eyther for washing or for candles: as though the flower of the nobility would be moued with such toyes: and this could be a motiue for so many Parents, as in time of the Fathers absence from France, sent their chil∣dren to their Schooles in other Countries.
For conclusion of this Paragraph it will not be amisse to note, how falsly Anti-Coton in his Epi∣stle Dedicatory to the Queene Regent, auoucheth these his calumniatiōs of the Society, to be the testi∣mony of her Maiesties highest Courts of Iustice, the cōsent of the greatest part of her Cleargy, & among them, euen of the Sacred Faculty of Diuinity, and in a word the common vniuersall outcry of all her people. For it appeareth by that, which hath bene said, that this is so farre from being true, that no one honest, or ciuill man can be produced for the proofe of any one of these slaunders. And besides my Author noteth, that the Registers, & procee∣dinges of the Court conuince the contrary. To which he addeth the funerall orations of Monsieur d'Angeres, Monsieur de Ries, and Monsieur d' Ayre: the attestations of Monsieur de Paris: the deputation which the Cleargy hath lately made in the person of my Lo. Archbishop of Ambrun for the assistance of the reestablishment of the Colledge of Cler∣mont: the assembly of the Doctors of the Sorbone the 23. of August, and those of the two Faculties of Phisick, and the Cannon Law in the moneth of
September following, the yeare 1610. in which they agreed that the Fathers of the Society should teach with them in Paris, being incorporated to the Vni∣uersity. All which we might finally confirme with the Letters Patēts of this King; for the establishing of all that, which his Father granted in fauour of the Society.
Pag. 39.
Coeffeteau
Pag. 42.
Pag. 44.
Pag. 48.
Pag. 72.
Pag. 106.
Pag. 42.
Pag. 116.
Pag. 119.
Pag. 121.
Pag. 123.
pag. 124.
Ibidem.
Pag. 78. 81. & 125.
Pag. 126.
Pag. 128.
Pag. 145.
Pag. 147.
Pag. 150.
Pag. 158.
Pag. 160.
Pag. 161.
Pag. 164.
Pag. 243.
Pag. 247.
Pag. 21.
Pag. 309.
Pag. 306.