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[ 1] ABout the year 1618. there came over into England that very learned, though unfortunate man, Marcus Antonius de Dominis, Arch-bishop of Spalato, Primate of Dalmatia, &c. Which, (as he was wont to glory,) was St Hieroms Native Country, as well as his.
2. This great Scholar, (after he had so pro∣foundly asserted the truth of Christian Religion, as it is professed and practised in the Church of England, in so many particulars against the errors and Corruptions of the See of Rome, in his Learned and laborious books, De Republica Eccle∣siastica; and had also from the Kings bounty received so great incouragements for his honora∣ble supports, as the Deanry of Windsour and Mastership of the Savoy, besides many rich and yearly presents, not only from the Bishops and Clergy, but also from the Nobilitie and Gentrie.) Was so far wrought upon by that Polititian Count Gondamar, the Spanish Embassador then in Eng∣land, and other instruments of the See of Rome, (that sought his ruin under some specious pre∣tences,) as to take up a resolution of returning to Rome; and could not be disswaded from it by his true friends, that really endeavoured his security. Among whom Bishop Morton was neither the least nor last, who very earnestly ad∣vised him, both by word and writing, no•• to ven∣ture himself upon such a hopelesse and h••ssardous journy.
3. The Arch-bishops pretence was very plau∣sible and commendable (and how real he was in, it, must be left to God,) namely▪ to negotiate an unitie in Religion between the Church of Rome
and the Church of England, upon those moderate grounds which he had laid down, and so well defended in his learned and laborious Works printed here at London. He applauded himself in the excellency of the work, in removing the Schism; and of the honour in becoming a Re∣pairer of the breach, and of the reward which is promised to the peace makers. And he thought himself the more likely to go through with his work, by reason of the seasonable opportunitie he had at that time, when Gregorie the fifteenth was newly chosen Pope who had been of his old and intimate acquaintance, brought up in the same School and College with him. And however, he was resolved to make an attempt; because if he failed in it, he hoped he should lose nothing but his labour; for as for his Indemnitie, Count Gondamar had promised him the securitie of the King of Spain his Master. But how well that promise was perform'd, will appear by the Sequel.
4. While he was swelled up full with this promise and these hopes, Dr Morton the Bishop of Lichfield and Coventrie coming to visit him, had this ensuing discourse with him▪ (among many others) which I have often heard him repeat with pleasure, and shall therefore insert it; and the rather, because it shews us of how
little authority the Council of Trent would be, if it were not for the terrour of the inquisition. Leichf. Domine quid tibi in animo est? Anne con∣vertere Papam? Atque etiam conclave papale? Spal: Quid ni domine? Anne existimas eos dia∣bolo•• esse, ut non possint converti? Leichf: Minime Domine; nec puto dominum Spalatensum deum esse ut hoc possit praestare: Nostin enim concilium Tri∣dientinum. Spal. Novi domine, & ausus sum tibi dicere, Millies Mille sunt, etiam in Italia, qui huic concilio fidem nullam adhibeant.
5. This discourse (and many other) having passed between them, they parted friendly. And not long after did this Bishop reinforce his argu∣ments, with an addition of m••ny more, in a long and learned Epistle to him. Wherein, (among other Motives to diss••ade him from his journy) he used one, wherein he shewed himself a true Prophet, concerning the entertainment he was like to have at Rome. Which proved to be, that before he g••t to Rome Pope Gregorie the fifteenth his old friend, was dead, and a successor chosen in his pl••ce; by whom this Arch-bishop was impriloned in Castro St Angelo. Where he died, not without strong suspition of murder or poyson: And his body was afterward burnt, (as of an He∣retick▪) in Campo Fl••ri.
6. I could here start a problematical question concerning this learned Arch bishop. Whether or no did he ever retract his works, which he pulished in print? If he did, why did they at Rome bu••n his body for Heresie? If not, then they abused him in his life time, as well as after his death, in the manifesto which they put forth in his name, which was so learnedly answered by Dr Crakanthrop. There is but one way of avoiding this Dilemma, (and that will bring them into a greater strait than either of the other,) namely, That they burnt him after his death for what he retracted in his life time; and if they own this, they must withal proclaim their unjustice▪ ••nd cruelty to the world. Let them take it in which sense they will, his reasons and arguments laid down and urged in his learned works will more condemn their cause than the altering of his opi∣nion, (supposing but not granting that he ever altered it,) can tend to their advantage. ••is many clear and convincing Authorities, from the holy Scriptures, Councels, argumentative to any indifferent person that is not ••ilfully pre∣possest; then his own dubious perhaps impo∣sed) autho••ity can countervail.
7. His Manifesto, (if it was his) consisteth only in affirming or denying in bare words: in his Works, whatsoever is affirmed or denyed,
is backt with such convincing and irrefragable arguments, as no man hath taken the boldnesse in above fortie years since they were written, to undertake the answering of them.