Blacklo's Cabal discovered in severall of their letters clearly expressing designs inhumane against regulars, vniust against the laity, scismatical aganist [sic] the Pope, cruel against Orthodox clergy men and ovvning the nullity of the chapter, their opposition of Episcopall authority / published by R. Pugh ...

Opinion of the Clergy men in Paris Concerning the points in debate in Dovvay Colledge. (Book 52)

1 It appeares vpon reading the papers, & Letters directed to vs from Mr. President on the one side, & the Seniors of the Colledge on the other side, that both partys have sent their case to Rome: & therefore we judge it altogether impro∣per for vs to pronounce any determinate s••ntence.

2 It seemes to vs most necessary not only in regard of the vnsetled condition of our Ecclesiasticall affaires in England, but of the Seasonablenesse of this conjuncture, wherein it hath pleased God to give vs a supreme Pastour, who hath a particular inclination to helpe vs & doth at this present ex∣presse a desire to be informed of our affayres (as we are in∣formed by letters from Rome) that an Agent be sent to his Holines withall possible speed; which Person a. 1.1 cannot ap∣peare vsefully there without carrying with him the signature of some engagement to the effect of this proposed paper, now in question, from the Clergy of England, & together wi••h it from the Colledge of Doway, & that of Lisbone also, soon as it may be had.

3 In pursuance of this opinion of ours, we do presently write into England, for the hasting away of a fit Agent with ample instruction, concerning the state of our affaires & with the afore mentione Subscription of the Clergy.

4. In the meane time for the peace of the Colledge, we desire Mr. President b. 1.2 to suspend the vrging of any sub∣scription, till the Agent be ready to goe with the Vnanimous subscription of the Clergy, which we hope shall be hastned with all possible expedition.

• Wa. Montagu
• W. Clifford
• Thomas Carre Stephen Gough.

Notes

• a. 1.1

  Althô they doe not presume to decide the difference betwixt the two contend∣ing partyes, yet they ap∣prove what Dr. Ley∣bourne re∣quired & tacitly con∣demne the dissenters.
• b. 1.2

  This pro∣visionall ad∣vice to sus∣pend the ex∣action of the subscription is no blame to Mr. Presi∣dent who exacted it; but only a suspence of that affaire, to auoide greater disorders, which myght be feared though the refractorinesse of these, who having Vowed illegally obedience to the vsurpation of the Chapter, did adhere more tenaciously to that, then to their Duty their Lawfull Superiours, or the Pope, who appointed them.