A letter written by a Iesuite to the Queens Majestie, March, XXII.: Wherein he useth divers subtle insinuations to Her Majesty, for the Kings Majesties repealing and recalling of the lawes and proclamations against the Iesuits, priests, and recusants. With a brief consideration of the reasons, intimated in the letter, and a just confutation of them.

THE JESUITES LETTER TO the Queens Maiestie.

Most mighty Princesse;

IT hath alwais bin accounted honourable, for great personages to have pitty and compassion of afflicted and distressed souls; but especially if they were guiltlesse and innocent, and suffered for good, yea for Gods cause.

A most fit occasion of exercising this heroicall act is now offered to your Majesty, by the manifold molestations inflisted upon English Catholiques, the truth of whose religion and innocency is brief∣ly convinced in our many Treatises; for which cause I have thought it no presumption, to com∣mend them to your Royall Protection.

The History of Hester is not unknown to your Majesty, and wee doubt her example deserveth no lesse imitation then admiration, by her mediation with King Ahasuerus, the Nation of the Iews was delivered from an universall overthrow; and why should not Queen Marie prevail as far with King Charles, for ancient and Christian Catholiques.

Can any doubt, but that he would extend the Golden Rod of Clemency towards the dearest Spouse; yea rather divide his Kingdome then de∣ny her request: his Majesty is already informed of former services performed by Catholiques both to his Grandmother of happy memory, and himself, for which they crave no other recompence: or re∣ward, but the recalling and repelling of such Pro∣clamations and Laws, as their Adversaries have procured against them.

This did Queen, Ester obtain of King Ahasuerus for the Jews. Thus wee Catholiques beseech your Majesty to motion for us; but yet notwithstan∣ding that earnestnesse, which good Mordicheus u∣sed, who spared not to tell the Queen, making some difficulty? That though she held her peace, the Iewes should be delivered by some other meanes, but that she and her Fathers house should perish; onely wee will urge that which immediatly fol∣loweth, who knoweth whether this was the cause of your Majesties comming to the Crown, that you might be prepared against such a time.

This also we add, which makes the matter more easie: we desire no mans harm but our own good, we wish for no mans fall that we may rise: wee would rejoyce, but would have none to sorrow: when our Country was seperated from the Ca∣tholique Faith, and Church of Rome, all was done by great force and violence, wee hope when we shall return, all will bee compassed with a con∣trary

course: and we would willingly admit that Exposition, which one hath made of St. Edwards Vision; if it had no other difficulty in it then this. Two Monks which this holy King had bin fami∣liarly acquainted with in NORMANDIE, and were now Saints in Heaven, appeared to him, and told him of his Countries, comming to a better e∣state, by proposing unto him this Probleme; A green Tree being cut from the body, let it bee se∣parated the space of four Acres from the Root, which when mans hand compelling it, no necessity urging it, returning to the body, shall come again to the ancient Root, and taking sap, shall flourish, and bear fruit again then, &c.

By this green Tree, saith my Author, wee may very well understand the Kingdome of England: of which St. Edward, and those holy Monks cen∣sured the cutting it from the body, was dividing it from the Sea Apodilique, for the space of four Acres, that is, for the time of four Princes Reigns, King Henrie, King Edward, Queen Eliza∣beth, and King James.

Wherfore now what are we to expect, but that without all compulsion, or constraint, it should return to the body and root again, and begin to flourish with Catholique Doctrine, and bear fruit of good works, by receiving the S••p of Grace, which cannot bee out of the vertue of the Catho∣lique Church, which consisteth of the foresaid head and Members.

Thus he, and howsoever (as I said) the rest may be exproved, we should like passing well this faci∣lity and sweetnesse without force and violence; and therfore doe earnestly wish, that as the seperation between King Henry and Queen Katherine, was a great beginning of that other breach: so the inse∣parable love of King Charles and Queen Marie might restore us to the ancient union, The very at∣tempting of this Noble and Godly Enterprise, deserveth immortall praises.

Henricus Rosas Carolus Regna. O that we might add, & Maria Ecclesias.

Your Maiesties most faithfull servant, and humble Orator, M. C.