The tragical history of Jetzer, or A faithful narrative of the feigned visions, counterfeit revelations, and false miracles of the Dominican fathers of the covent of Berne in Switzerland, to propagate their superstitions for which horrid impieties, the prior, sub-prior, lecturer, and receiver of the said covent were burnt at a stake, Anno Dom. 1509 / collected from the records of the said city by the care of Sir William Waller, Knight ; translated from his French copy by an impartial pen ...

The PREFACE.

Reader,

IF thou hast taken a Surfeit with too liberal feeding upon the late nauseous Pam∣phlets, perhaps this Novel, season'd with Delight and Profit, may awaken and re∣vive thy Languishing Appetite. A Narrative whose Truth as far transcends the modest Faith of Protestants, to believe, as the now-despaired Ingenuity of Papists to acknowledge: For the former cannot easily suspect those Horrid Impieties should harbour in the Breasts of others, to which they were never conscious in their own: And the latter can never want Confidence to deny those Villanies which they had the Malice to contrive and project.

I do not obtrude this story upon the belief of the World on my single Credit, but can produce the whole State of Berne to attest it: The Authentick Certificate of Salvator de Meligotis, Publick Notary to his Holiness the Pope, and his Highness the Emperour, to avouch it; with the Records of the Executions of the Principal Actors in this Tragedy, to confirm it: Nor can I fore-see what may Reasonably be Objected against its Credit, which being admitted, would not equally shake the Repute of all History.

Our Modern Catholicks, 'tis true, have a Catholick Answer ready cut and dried to all Indictments drawn up against them, grounded upon Matters of Fact; a short, flat, and peremptory Denial! And, as when they slander stoutly, they hope some dirt will stick upon the most Innocent; So when they deny valiantly, do hope some dirt will rub off when it's dry, from the most peccant.

'Tis no longer than since the first Discovery of the late present Plot, that a Ca∣tholick Gentleman avow'd it to a Person of Honour here in Town, that the Massa∣cre in Ireland was not made by the Papists upon Protestants, but that, whatever our Records say, or our Eyes saw to the contrary, the Cruel Hereticks Butcher'd the In∣nocent Catholicks: And all this he Asserted with such earnestness, as almost storm'd the Belief of that Honourable Personage: so great is the Advantage the Impudent have over the Modest, in contests of this Nature managed before the Vulgar, that loud Vociferation supplies the place of Evident Demonstration.

Casaubon assures us, that in his Time, when the Powder Plot was fresh in every Mans memory, when the Witnesses were alive, the Jesuites bore him down, that the whole was a meer trick of State, to render their Cause odious to the People, and their Persons obnoxious to the Laws: And therefore desired him at his coming for England, to assure King James, That their Sacred Order had a marvellous Venera∣tion for His Majesties Person and Government.

Wonder not then, if Father Gavan, in his Dying, or rather Lying speech, thus boasted: That, that Wise and Victorious King, Henry the fourth of France, the Royal Grand-father of our present Gracious King, in a Publick Oration, which he pro∣nounced in Defence of the Jesuites, Declared, that he was very well satisfied with the Je∣suites Doctrine concerning Kings, &c. Yes! no doubt he was very well satisfied, when their Treasonable Practises had so clearly Commented upon the Text of their Equi∣vocating Principles; and he felt the Consecrated Dagger stick in his Royal Heart: But however, all true Protestants pray, that His Majesty may be satisfied in their Do∣ctrine at cheaper Rates.

I Question not but the Politick Prince knew how to sprinkle them with a little of their own Cheap, Complemental Holy-water, and could discern the ungracious knife in their Hands, when nothing but Gracious Prince was in their Mouths; for so do the Americans sometimes speak the Devil fair, not out of love to him, but for fear of a Mischief from him.

I should not therefore be at all surprized, if in confutation of this Narrative, they should bring over a score of well Instructed Young Boys (yet Old Knaves) to affirm, and, if need be, to swear, that Jetzer, whom our Story places at Berne, was all that while Resident at St. Omers; and that they saw him every day for two or

three Years together (excepting those few he was in the Infirmary) Dine at a Side-board Table by himself: And if you Object, that this was a hundred Years a∣goe, they can be a hundred Years old in a moment, when their Superiours please, and the Cause requires it. Nor would it stagger me, should they swear by all that they have made, or left Sacred, that there never was such a Man in the World as John Jetzer, but that he was as pure a Romantick Person as Sir Edmund-Bury Godfrey: Only I would Humbly Advise these Gentlemen, to lay the ends of their Lies a little closer together, lest they ravel out; and that they would walk by their own Old Celebrated Maxim, Si non caste, tamen caute: To be a little more cautelous, if not Consciencious; for they that frisk and caper so nimbly in their Evidence, will find Truth, one time or other, too nimble for them, and, perhaps, trip up their heels.

That the Speeches of the lately Executed Jesuites made such deep Impressions on the Minds of some, has created me no trouble: yet I shall tell the Reader a great secret in his Ear, provided he will keep it to himself: That they that would seem to believe the Plot least, do really believe it most: And they that pretend to be∣lieve the Jesuites Speeches most, do indeed believe them least. They know better than we the Plot to be true, the Speeches to be a Lye; but it's an ordinary Policy to let the Hue and Cry fall, when the Officer that should spread it, is the Person described by it: They that plead so Zealously for the Merit of their Good Works, are unwilling to receive according to the demerit of their bad ones; and many that will claim an undeserved Heaven, are more modest than to be Ambitious of a deser∣ved Halter.

But there are a sort of well-meaning, though less discerning Protestants, who are unwilling to believe, that any can be so far Debauch'd in Conscience, as to as∣sert an apparent falshood, or deny a plain Truth, in that great moment which is their last on this side Eternity; and these are cumbred with such a large measure of mi∣staken Charity, as to hope the Lion is not so fierce as he is painted, nor the Jesuite so profligate a wretch as he is represented.

For (1.) Humane pity is so deeply radicated in our Beings towards those that suffer hard, though deserved punishments, that the Eye taken up with a lamentable Object, conveys with imperceptible speed to our Hearts those impressions of Com∣miseration, that we have no leisure to call in Aid from our Reasons, to undeceive us, that we may be capable of forming a right Judgment, and discern between the Penalty and the Cause, which indeed makes the Martyr.

It was a Judicious Observation made by King Charles the First, in his Advice to his Son, who now Reigneth, That an Oppressed Party are commonly assisted by the vul∣gar Commiseration, which attends all that are said to suffer under the Notion of Religion. And though Protestants generally clear themselves of having Prosecuted these Je∣suites for Religion, but Treason; yet I confess my self singular in that point, and must beg their Pardon to assert, that they suffered for a most Essential point of their Reli∣gion, viz. that Principle which obliges them to unhinge, and overturn all Government, to Advance their Pseudoeatholicism, and to extirpate Heresie: or, as 'tis more Ele∣gantly worded, by their late Secretary, and now Saint, Coleman: For the Conver∣sion of three Kingdoms, the total, and utter subversion and subduing of that Pestilent Heresie that has Domineer'd over a great part of this Northern World a long time, and of which there were never such hopes of success since the Death of their Queen Mary.

(2.) And how many simple Souls might be drawn to judge favourably of them from their Zealous Prayers for their Gracious Prince? Who can lightly believe, that the poyson of Aspes should lurk under their Tongues, when nothing but Honey and But∣ter dropt from their Lips? Or that the Design of the Heart was Crucifie him, Crucifie him! to whom they sung such Hosannas, if not Hallelujahs.

(3.) To this we might subjoyn, That the words of the Dying have commonly great force and weight upon the Hearts of the surviving.

(4.) Add hereunto, how difficult it is to conceive another should be Guilty of those Crimes, to which their own sincerity and Innocency has preserved them perfect

strangers: And if the great Des-Cartes judg'd it an unanswerable Argument to prove the existence of a Deity, because we can frame an Idaea, or form a Notion of such a Being in our Minds: Why may not some judge it an irrefragable Proof of the ut∣ter Impossibility of such Horrid Villanies, of which we can find no tracks or foot∣steps in our own Souls.

And yet notwithstanding all this, and much more that might possibly induce us to give Credence to their Oratory, I can see nothing but unacquaintedness with their Principles and Practises, that could contribute to our delusion into this Cha∣rity. First therefore, Those notorious falshoods which appear in their Protestations, do utterly destroy the credibility of all the rest: For if I can demonstrate the one half to be a Lye, I have small encouragement to presume the other half to be a Truth.

I shall begin with confident Father Harcourt, who, when he was just Launching out into Eternity, denied that he wrote the Letter concerning the dispatch of Sir Ed∣mund-Bury Godfrey; this he denies with the same Confidence with which he denies the rest: And yet Mr. Dugdale swears he saw a Letter from him, wherein were these words, This Night Sir Edm. Godfrey is dispatch'd! From which Letter he Relates it to his Companions as a piece of News. And a Person of unquestionable Credit swears he heard the same Reported as from Mr. Dugdal, the Monday Night, or Tuesday Morning, and yet in London or Westminster, the Protestants knew nothing what was become of him till the Thursday following.

I shall next urge that loud Lye of Father Gavan, who tells the World at his last Gasp, That not one Jesuite, except Mariana, holds that it's Lawful for a private Per∣son to kill a King: with equal Truth might he have affirmed, that there was never a Jesuite besides Mariana: For Suarez, Bellarmine, &c. who were Grandees of that Order, held the same, or worse; unless he thinks it worth the while to cheat poor silly Protestants with an Equivocation, in that word [Private Person] when he hat's Commissioned from the Pope is a Publick Executioner.

I must not omit Devout Father Ireland, who brazen'd out the Court, and Hector'd the Kings Evidence with one Witness upon another, that he was in Stafford-shire from the beginning of August till September; and produces Testimony from the Coachman to the Knight, and all to defeat the Evidence given in against him, and yet at last Providence has given in undeniable Proof that he was in London the 19th. of August, by a Person that then and there conversed with him, and whose Oath is so fortified with other concurrent Evidence, that nothing can be Objected against it.

Father Whitebread was a Person whose Life and Conversation was a grand lye, he could Act any Religion, Personate any Sect, put himself under any shape, and when he had done all, be a sincere Catholick.

Secondly, It concerns all Protestants better to study the Popish Doctrine of Au∣ricular Confession, and Judicial Absolution, before they pretend, or presume to Judge of a Protestation, That the Jesuites are as Innocent of the Crimes laid to their charge as the Child unborn: For if Adultery, Murder, Sacriledge, Incest, with whatever wears the most odious Character amongst Immoralities, may upon Confession to a Priest be remitted; and that Remission in the Court of Heaven, and Conscience imports a full discharge from Crime and Penalty: what might hinder these Fathers at the Gallows to protest their own Innocency as to any Treasons, when they had, no Question, provided for their Absolution before-hand? To this purpose, let it be Observed,

1. That Father Blundel, in his late intercepted Letter boasts, that he had Ab∣solved these Condemned Fathers in Newgate. And 2. Because they might have oc∣casion to make use of a lye or two just under the Gallows, which in strictness could not be Absolved before committed. It was observed that these five Jesuites laid their Heads together at their last moment, and who can then once doubt but that they might Absolve one another for any Lye they had told in their dying Orations. And 3. Let it be noted, that Mr. Langhorn, who suffered alone, and therefore could

not have the benefit of Absolution in the extreame moment, and Article of Death, durst not venture to cheat the World by an extempory Speech, but referr'd to a Paper ready drawn up, for which he might have easily antecedent Absolution, and did perform Penance, as the stripes upon his back discovered at his Execution, do abundantly witness.

Thirdly, It's past all Dispute, that the Molinists, or Jesuites need not boggle so squeamishly at the killing of Kings, from their own avowed Doctrine of Probable Opinions, viz. That one Doctor of their Church is enough to make an Opinion probable, so as to secure the Conscience in following it. But then I add, The Jesuites have one of their own famous Doctors Opinion with them in this case, viz. That it's Lawful for a private Person to kill a King (for so Mariana determines) therefore their Consci∣ences are too scrupulous to accuse them of Mortal sin, if they had pursued an Opi∣nion so probable, and withall so gainful and Advantageous to their Cause, as this had been, if success had answered their endeavours and expectation.

Fourthly, Their Doctrine of Equivocation will heal a greater Wound in the Con∣science than what an useful lye can make there: And when we have the Judgment of an Infallible Pope himself, that such are the Principles of the Jesuites, they must either renounce his Infallibility, or their own Honesty. I shall give the Reader but two of their Maxims, as I find them Condemned by Pope Innocent the 11th. March 2d. 1679.

1. A Man either alone or before others, may either when he is asked, or of his own ac∣cord, or for his Diversion, or any other end, swear that he did not do a thing that he really did, having a secret meaning, either of some other thing, which he did not do, or of another way of doing it, or of any other Truth which he adds to it: In which case he is in truth neither a Lyar, nor is he Perjur'd.

2. A just cause of using those secret meanings is as oft as it is necessary, or profita∣ble, for the preservation of Life, or Honour, or saving ones Goods, or for any other Act of Virtue, so that the concealment of truth, seems in that case expedient, or desira∣ble: Upon which two Jesuitical Principles I would make a few Remarks. 1. A Jesuite may swear he did not what he really did; did not meet at the Consult, though he did: Did not write such a Letter, though he wrote it: Did not pay such a sum of Money, though he paid it. 2. That his way to come off with a dry Head in this Conflict must be by a secret meaning, (for if he be such a Fool to tell the World what he means, he spoils the Game.) And these secret meanings are reducible to three Heads. 1. I did it not! I swear I did it not, upon my Salvation, as I expect Mercy from God I did it not: That is, I did not steal the King of Spain's Gold out of his Mines at Potosia. 2. I did it not! Before God, Angels, and Men, Heaven and Earth, I did not Conspire the Death of the King, nor the Subversion of the Pro∣testant Religion: That is, I did it not with an intent to be Hang'd for't. Or 3. I did it not, no, I did it not, upon my Soul! That is, I did it not, without Advising with my Ghostly Father about it: Or I did it not, without first begging a Blessing, and saying Mass for the good success: Or I did it not, without an Oath of Secresie that I would never Reveal it, for the severest Torments that could be inflicted upon me.

3. I would note, That not onely the Preservation of Life, or Honour, or Goods, is a sufficient Warrant to use these Equivocations, and Mental Reservations, but the subserving, or preserving any Act of Virtue: How Necessary then are these Equi∣vocating tricks for the preservtion of the Church, the propagating of Religion, the securing their own Dear Order from Ruine in any Quarter of the World? And thus you see the new Invention to wash a Black-moor, and to make the blackest Rogue as pure and Innocent as the Child unborn.

But for further, if not fuller satisfaction, I shall refer the Reader to the follow∣ing History, wherein he may run and Read, these, with other Observables. 1. That if the Dominicans (in those days the most Religious of Papists) would stick at no Villanies to secure and advance their Interest, the Jesuites (who in our days are the worst of Papists, if not of Men) will certainly boggle at nothing that may

promote their Designs; for a few drops of Pious Intention will make that wholsome to a Catholick, which would otherwise poyson a thousand Hereticks.

2. If then when the Art of Equivocation was raw and rude, not well digested, nor methodiz'd by our Famous Casuists the Jesuites, yet it could do such Miracles, sup∣press the Truth, blanch the most odious Villanies, delude Magistrates; what may we not expect from this Miraculous Art of sincere Lying, Religious forswearing, when it has been cultivated, sublimated, improved, opera & studio, by the great Industry of our Loyalists? Magistrates may flatter themselves, that with the Barnacles of a strict and well-worded Oath they can hold a Jesuites Nose to the Grind-stone, but when they have done their best shall find, the Fathers of that Society have the true Lu∣naria, which will open the strictest, strongest Locks or Fetters wherewith Consci∣ence can be restrained.

3. How easily may a set of false Miracles, a gang of Counterfeit Revelations be contrived in a Covent, and we poor Fools of the Laity never the wiser? For here they are all of a piece, sworn Brethren in Iniquity, knit close, as the scales of Levi∣athan; and to them do we owe those Legions of Legendary Miracles, and Apocry∣phal Revelations, which have imposed upon the World, and were either the For∣geries of lying Monks, or the Delusions of malicious Devils. And as our Astrologers perhaps begin Innocently with the Stars, but not finding Fate and future Events written in the rubrick of Heaven, conclude with the Devil, and inverting the Pro∣verb, Piece out the Foxes skin with the Lions tail: So did our Monks jest so long with Counterfeit Apparitions from Heaven, till at last they got Real Apparitions from Hell; and that which at first was single Knavery, in the issue grew up Complicated Roguery.

4. We must imagine, that whilst Mens Consciences were under the Conduct of those Ecclesiasticks, thousands of Pious Frauds have been imposed upon the easie and superstitious belief of the Ignorant Vulgar, for though some of their Forgeries have been detected, yet multitudes were so cleverly carried, that there is no possibility now to discover the Imposture, and we have this onely Remedy left us, to betake our selves to the unerring Word of God for our Guide in matters of Faith and Practise.

5. We may hence Learn to what height of Obstinate passive Valour a Doting Monk, baited up to the Spirit of Martydom, may arrive; and to what desperate Sufferings a Zealous Bigot, soak'd in Superstition and Implicite Faith, may be car∣ried out: Perhaps few Martyrs endured more for the Truth than these for a known lye, whose Consciences once Sealed up with Oaths and Sacraments of Secresie, have defied whatever Tortures could be applyed to them to screw out an Ingenuous Confession of the Truth.

6. What Prejudice these Friers by their lying Miracles have done to the Christi∣an Religion is unconceivable; for Atheistical Spirits seeing so many Miracles pro∣ved Forgeries, would gladly perswade themselves and others that all that are quoted in confirmation of the Christian Doctrine, are equally to be suspected and rejected.

7. Lastly, Observe we hence how unmovably constant the Papists have been to their main Design, who though they produce Miracle against Miracle, Revelation against Revelation; the Franciscans striving to out-vie the Dominicans, and these again to out-do those; yet all agree in Calculating their spurious Miracles and Ap∣paritions for the abetting some of their Superstitions and Heresies, Worshipping of the Virgin Mary, Saints, and Angels, the Doctrine of Purgatory, and the Mass a∣bove all, which because they cannot be Justified from Heaven, must be Justified as they can; and rather than left Naked to shift for themselves, shall be warranted from Hell.

But the Reader will find these, with many other particulars, through this en∣suing Narrative, wherein the Translator has kept so Superstitiously to the Text of his Author, that he fears nothing more than to be Condemned for spoiling the Lan∣guage, whilst he has bound himself up to a rigid and Exact Rehearsal of the Truth.