The plots of Jesuites

Contzens Plot, to cheat a Church of the Religion established therein, and to bring in Popery without noyse or tumult; which was mentioned in the Preface to the Apologie and is taken out of the second Book of his Politicks, ch. 18, 19. p. 103, 104, &c.

MOst of the things before spoken touching the con∣servation of Truth and Religion, are profitable to reduce wanderers into the way. Yet they must be diversly applyed by Politick men. 'Tis difficult to finde out truth, but 'tis more hard to perswade him that erreth: Yet 'tis the duty of a Prince even in this to bestir himself earnest∣ly, that wicked opinions be taken away.

The first means. What Musicians observe in tuning their instruments, gently setting up the strings by little and little; and what in curing diseases, Physicians practise, abating noxious humours, by degrees and pauses, the same must be done in a Common-wealth, labouring un∣der the malady of errours. Although I approve not lingring bootlesse proceedings, since they often beget a desisting from the design. What ever means can be used, my counsel is, that they be attempted; but in a soft and sure pace, for fear of a precipice. Here milde commands and admonitions do very much further the work.

The second this. 'Tis no hard matter for any Prince in Europe, to call back mens mindes to the Ancient rites of their Predecessors, if he list. A matter heretofore held impossible to be effected: but now men begin again to love the old Religion. Nor can they be so held in by their Ministers, but that many do every year turn to the Catho∣lick unity. What they once most greedily desired, they

now cast aside with disdain. This levity of the vulgar to admire new things, and contemn old, is fatall. Many Provinces in Germany have endured many Religions: now they retain none, being intent on the will of their Go∣vernours. One cause of this is, as I said but now, Levity and Ignorance of the Truth. Another, the impossibility of hol∣ding people long ignorant of the lewdnesse of heresies; and that they finde hereticks to shift t••••••r opinions every year. 'Tis as if you should set a company of blinde men to run a race; sooner will all misse then one get to the mark.

Thirdly, Arch-hereticks are to be banished the Com∣monwealth; at once, if it may safely be done; if not, then by degrees. Boysterous windes being sent packing, the sea will become calm: and errour which wanteth a protectour, will soon be ruined.

In alterations I have observed these twelve things fol∣lowing, for the most part out of the History of the change of Religion in the Palatinate, the Acts of Marpurg, and the Edict of Brandenburg. 1. They concealed their purpose of alte∣ring Religion, and rooting out Lutheranisme; not so that the wiser sort could not perceive it, but that the com∣mon-people might not see it, and raise tumults. 2. By the art of the Zuinglians some were suborned, who should crave the exercise of the Reformed Religion, and that with many sugared humble words; That the Prince might not be thought to be of his own accord inclined to odi∣ous novelty, but onely graciously indulgent to liberty of conscience, and to love and cherish that. Facility in a Prince is commonly extolled; even when he yeeldeth to those things which are fitter to be denyed. 3. One Church, or so (and not above) was petitioned for: That this suit might not seem harsh to the multitude, who in the mean time were to have many more, and were not very solici∣tous of any. 4. Notwithstanding the jealousie of the Lutherans did here oppose it self, seeing that with the Church the maintenance would be withdrawn; therefore they think of a conference and pacification. They assemble in the Court, the matter is debated before the Princes Coun∣cel:

a notary and witnesses are denyed them. [But this course is by no means to be approved, for each part ought to have liberty. Otherwise, if men be born down with the power of the stronger side, the Victors shall ever be esteemed to have had the worst cause. This was the case of the Arminians in Holland: whereas they who had the advantage of the Princes favour, if they had indeed be∣leeved the goodnesse of their cause, ought to have entred the lists upon equall terms.] 5. An Edict was publish∣ed that none should cast aspersions upon another, but by all means cherish peace and concord. This proved an effectuall engine to further the mutation: for hereby none durst contradict the Calvinists, no not so much as name them; and the Prince was not traduced as a Patron of heresies, but applauded as a Lover of peace. 6. A Dispu∣tation was appointed in the Ʋniversitie. 7. All this while there was no open shew of making Zuinglianisme heir to Lutheranisme; but onely this, that peace might be setled: for nothing was desired but that the Lutherans (retaining all their dignities and revenues) would vouchsafe to sit in Consistory with the rest, and consult as Brethren; which when they refused, they were accused as proud and disobedient to Authority, and seemed to deserve a dismission. Hitherto things were thus carryed, that trial might be made what the people would bear: for if any tumult had arose, a fair excuse might have been made for all things hitherto. 8. When the people of Heidelburg petitioned for the continuance of their Lutheran Prea∣chers, the matter was passed over in silence, without answer; and care taken, that those men who were peti∣tioned for, should be traduced as too furious and heady. And the people were fed so long with hope, till at length they laid aside all care of Lutheranisme and hope together. 9. When all things now seemed ripe, the Lutherans were commanded to depart from their Parochial charge, and all the Churches bestowed upon the Calvinists: Nor durst they complain, for if they did, they were banished. But now betaking themselves to domestick cares, they onely

sued for a pension, immunity from taxes, and the like: The Calvinists in the mean while laughing, to see a matter of such height and consequence, brought so low as to make such humble and abject petitions. 10. Whereas the young Scholars of the Universitie were Lutherans, upon them also they practised with divers arts. Sti∣pendiaries, such as were maintained at the Elector's charge) were put to their choyce; whether they would be Calvinists or be expelled. And thus an exceeding great alteration came on a sudden without any tumult; for the Countrey Preachers followed the motion of the su∣periour wheels. 11. When the Lutherans (Professours in the Universitie, and Country Preachers) refused to yeeld up their dignities, the Prince told them, He wondred at them, seeing he had never taken them into his protecti∣on, nor given them any new possession of their places. (For in that Countrey, all places and offices become void upon the death of the Prince, and the power of bestow∣ing them is in the Successor.) 12. In Hassia they went on very slowly, and by little and little. Nor was Calvinisme offered them at once, but onely a small part of it. And the people come on much more willingly, if at the same time they be whistled another way, as to Arminianisme, or some other Sect which may seem more odious. Lastly, both sides fell to writing; but that party which was most favoured at Court, quickly prevailed. And the wickednesse of the Lutherans (which upon all occasions was made known) did much advance the cause of their Adversaries.

The fourth means which I have seen put in execution heretofore, and still kept on foot, is this: viz. That such as are adverse to the Romane-Catholick Religion, be put by their honours, dignities and publick offices. Nor is this unjust, That he who hindreth the welfare of the Common-wealth should be kept from the honors and commodities of it. Men guilty of great crimes are thrust from their dignities; why then should blasphemers, and contemners of Truth be admitted thereto?

A fifth means. Let those particular Tenents which hear ill among the vulgar, and at first sight seem absurd, be culled out, and load laid upon them.

A sixth. Make profit of the quarrels of erring men.

A seventh. Let all secret Conventicles and publick meetings be strictly forbidden.

Eightly. By the severity of Laws and punishments compell the obstinate to duty; but let the rigour of laws be slowly drawn out, unless where there is danger of a contagion. Let those which be most dangerous be taken away, the rest by the Authority of the Prince will soon be brought into order. Within these few late years, a hundred thousands have been converted to the Romane Religion in France; in Germany more. Not one of the Ger∣mane Princes that hath assayed to draw his Subjects on to the Catholick Religion, hath ever met with any power, resisting his Decrees in that behalf made and executed. Onely the Netherlanders broke out into Rebellion: but the cause thereof was not Religion alone, nor was that pretended; but their priviledges and liberty. The Domi∣nion of a forain Nation over them (a thing abhorred by ingenuous men) and the exaction of Tenths stirred up that people to sedition.

'Tis I confesse the opinion of some Politicians, That men are not to be compelled. But those which so advise are in an errour, and give counsell not against the safety of Religion onely, but even of the Common-wealth. For by a wholesome Law men may be over-ruled, that they shall not doe evill. And a good Law will soon reduce those, who being of tender years, are either not at all, or very little tainted with heresie. And so if a compul∣sory Reformation should not doe good upon old men, it may make the younger Catholick. And I know many Children have been a means of converting their Parents. There are many examples of this in Bavaria, Stiria, Carin∣thia, and the Low-countries.

Ninethly. Care is to be taken for integrity of manners, and purity of life. For the filthy lives of Romane Clergy∣men,

have made, augmented, and still do uphold heresies. And oftentimes in my disputes with Hereticks, I have observed, that after very weak arguments they fall to accusing the ill lives of our Clergy-men, and speak of things which can neither be denyed nor defended. If the Bishops be not able to amend this, God will send an aven∣ger, who wil take away the wicked men and their wicked∣nesse both together. Thus have the Turks got possession of Asia, Aegypt, Greece, &c. And Religion will be rooted out of Europe, unlesse the manners of men be answerable to the sanctity of their Doctrine.

CHAP. XIX. Other helps there be, which wisdome may suggest, according to the variety of time and place. The Sinenses are taken with the Mathematicks; the Ja∣ponians with Ethicks; the Americans with Ceremonies and Musick: All wayes are to be tryed.

And first Musick. Paulus Samos••••enus turned certain Ecclesiasticall hymnes into obscene and enticing rimes. Thus the Arians and Pelagians destroyed the faith and discipline of the Church. Why then should not an Or∣thodox Prince make use of that for curing, which Im∣postours have found out to be a means of destroying?

Secondly. Before the banes of Matrimony be publickly asked, Let both the man and woman be ordered and com∣pelled to yeeld an account of their faith. Upon this occa∣sion they may be instructed in the true [Romane] Religi∣on: and so while they promise to continue in the Church, and ever to hold fast the Ancient faith, they are by degrees fastened to the truth, and cannot but love it.

Thirdly. To this of Marriage other things are to be adjoyned. Let no Ceremonies, but those of the Catho∣lick Church approach the Font. Let none have the ho∣nour to be God-fathers, unlesse they have given good te∣stimony of their sincerity in the faith. Let no man have the honour of Christian buriall, unlesse he hath been a partaker of the Sacraments of the Church.

Fourthly. If it fall out, that wandring souls must be leisurely reclaimed, and by art; and that the Propa∣tors

of perverse opinions cannot be put from the places they once enjoyed; then let an Orthodox Magistrate so bring it about, that the instituting, presenting, confir∣ming and examining of such men be committed to him. For so he may chase away every one that is apt to doe mischief. Some wrangling Fellows that regard not con∣troversies between Romane-Catholicks and Protestants, and study onely to enrich themselves or to comply with the Prince, he may (safely, now and then) set over those Churches. So shall he be able to abate the rage of heresie, and yet not be troubled to remove the unlear∣ned: For by that means errour will grow into con∣tempt. And because unskilfull men are wont to erre often, all constancy in errours will be taken away by this means.

Fifthly. Likewise, let him nourish the differences of Preachers which are in errour: and let him so work, that they may often conferre and wrangle. For by this means, when all shall understand that there is nothing setled and certain among them, they will joyne in truth.

Sixthly. Many other means there be, which prudent care will dictate to a Prince of its owne accord. All those things which draw love and honourable esteem to the Prince, are of use, to fetch over the people easily to embrace his opinion in matters of Religion. Of this sort are, his easing them of taxes, excise, speedy supplies to any part of the Countrey spoyled by fire, provision of victuals, and other necessaries. Hereby it will come to passe, that what ever they esteem distastfull to the Prince; they will hold in detestation. If a Prince make use of these means, he may in a short time root out the Pro∣testant Religion, although in the beginning it seem too strong for his Laws or Him.