CHAP. XLV. Their designs to divide us, or sow Heresies among the Vulgar, and then draw them to some odious
CHAP. XLV. Their designs to divide us, or sow Heresies among the Vulgar, and then draw them to some odious practices.
D etect. 36. Another of their Practical frauds is in seeking to Divide the Protestants among themselves, or to break them into Sects, or poison the ductile sort with Heresies, and then to draw them to some odious practices, to cast a disgrace on the Protestant Cause.
In this and such Hellish practices as this, they have been more successful than in all their Disputations. But whether the Cause be of Heaven or Hell that must be thus upheld, I leave to the considerate to judge.
What they have done abroad in this way, I leave others to inquire that are more fit; But we all smart by what they have done at home.
Yet this I may well say, that if their own secular Priests are to be believed, (as Watson and many more) It is their Jesuits that have set many Nations in those flames, whose cause the world hath not observed. And I may well set down the words of a Priest of their own, John Brown, aged seventy-two, in his Voluntary Confession to a Committee of Parliament, as it is in Mr.
Prynne's Introduct. p. 202.
Saith he [The whole Christian world doth acknowledge the prediction which the University of Paris doth foresee in two several Decrees they made Anno 1565. When the Society of Jesuits did labor to be members of that University: Hoc genus hominum natus est ad interitum Christianae
Reipubliae & subvertionem literarum. They were the only cause of the troubles which fell out in Muscovie, when under pretense to reduce the Latin Church, and plant themselves, and destroy the Greek Church, the poor
King Demetrius and his Queen, and those that followed him from Polonia were all in one night murdered by the monstrous Usurper of the Crown, and the true progeny rooted out. They were the only cause that moved the Swedes to take Arms against their lawful King Sigismund, and chased him to Poland: and neither he nor his successors were ever able to take possession of Sweden. For the Jesuits intention was to bring in the Romish
Religion, and root out Protestants. They were the only cause that moved the Polonians to take Arms against the said Sigismund, because they had persuaded him to marry two sisters, one after the other; both of the house of Austria. They have been the sole cause of the war entered in Germany since the year one thousand six hundred and nineteen, as Pope Paulus 15th, told the General of their Order, called Vicelescus, for their avarice, pretending to take all the Church lands from the Hussites in Bohemia to themselves; which hath caused the death of many thousand by sword, famine and pestilence in Germany. They have been the cause of civil wars in France, during all which time moving the French King to take Arms against his own subjects the Protestants, where innumerable people have lost their lives, as the siege of Rochell and other places will give sufficient proof. For the Jesuits intentions were to set their society in all Cities and Towns conquered by the King, and quite to abolish the Protestants. They were the cause of the
murder of the last King of France. They were the only projectors of the Gunpowder Treason, and their Penitents the actors thereof. They were the only cause (namely Father Parsons) that incensed the Pope to send so many fulminate Breves to these Kingdoms, to hinder the Oath of Allegiance and lawful Obedience to their temporal Prince, that they might still fish in troubled waters. Their damnable doctrine to destroy and depose Kings, hath been the cause of the Civil wars, likely to befall these Kingdoms, if God in mercy do not stop it] So far the Popish Priest.
You see here, if their own pens are to be credited, those very Actions of the Swedes, Germans, French, which they cast as a reproach in the face of the Protestant; (as you may see in a Book called The Image of the two
Churches) were indeed their own, and to be laid at their own doors. I omit abundance of better proof, because I will give them the words of none but themselves in this.
How far they were the causes of the old broils in Scotland, Knox, and Spotswood, and all their later Histories will tell you.
How busy they were in England in Queen Elizabeth's days, the Popes Bulls, and the many Treacheries committed signify. Even in King James his days, who wrote against them, they so far prevailed, as to cause him to swear to those Articles for Toleration of Popery, in order to the Spanish
Match, which you may read in Prynne's Introduct. p. 44,45. Yea so far as to prevail with King James before the Lord's of his Council to say, that [His
Mother suffered Martyrdom in this Realm for the profession of the Catholic Religion; a Religion which had been publicly professed for many ages in this Realm, confirmed by many great and excellent Emperors, and famous in all Ecclesiastical Histories, by an infinite number of Martyrs, who had sealed it with their blood: that the Catholics well knew that there was in him
a grand affection to the Catholic Religion in so much that they believed at Rome that he did but dissemble his Religion to obtain the Crown of England: That now he had maturely considered the penury and calamities of the Roman Catholics, who were in the number of his faithful subjects, and was resolved to relieve them; and therefore did from thenceforth take all his
Roman Catholic subjects into his protection, permitting them the liberty and entire exercise of their Religion, and liberty to celebrate the Mass with other
Divine offices of their Religion without any inquisition, process or molestation from that day forwards.] And so he goes on restoring them to their estates, commanding all Officers to hold their hands, and for what cause so ever it be, not to attempt to grieve or molest the said Catholics neither in public or private in the liberty of the exercise of their Religion, upon pain of being reputed guilty of high Treason, &c.] Prin. ubi sup. p. 30, and Mercur. Gal. To. 9, p. 485.
So far prevailed they with Prince Charles our late King, as to cause him to write that Letter to the Pope which you may read Mercur. Franc. To. 9. An.
1623, p. 509,510, and in Prynne's Introduct. p. 38, which I have no mind to recite: and also they prevailed with him to swear to the Spanish conditions, and also that he would [permit at all times, that any should freely propose to him the Arguments of the Catholic Religion, without giving any impediment: and that he would never directly or indirectly permit any to speak to the Infanta against the same.] What a hand the Papists had in the late Innovations, and wars in England, and Scotland, and Ireland, is too evident. How they designed the reducing of England to the Pope in the Spanish, and after in the French match, and how in prosecution of it, they had their Nuntio's here at London, and erected their houses of Jesuits, Capuchins, and Nuns; how far they
instigated the Court and Prelates to silence, and suspend, and banish Godly Ministers, and to ensnare them by the bowing to Altars, by the Book for dancing on the Lord's days, and many such things; how far they urged them on against the Scots, I had rather you would read in Mr. Prynne's Works of Darkness brought to Light, and Canterburies Trial, and his Rome's Master piece, and his Royal Favorite, then hear it from me: And if any reader be disaffected to the reciter of it, let them at least peruse impartially the Evidences produced by him.
It was one of their own Religion, who in remorse of Conscience opened the Plot in which they were engaged, to Andreas ab Habernfield, Physician to the Queen of Bohemia, who told it Sr. Will. Boswell, the Kings Agent at Hague; which was to subvert the Protestant Religion, and set up Popery, and reconcile us to Rome; and to that end to attempt the perverting of the King, and to engage us in a war with Scotland, and if the King would not be perverted, then to poison him.
The Jesuits (of whom four sorts were planted in London, and had built them a College, having Cardinal Barbarino for their Protector) crept into all
Societies, and acted all parts, (save the peace-makers,) and being a foreseeing Generation, they looked further before them then the short witted men whom they over-reached. When they had by the Countenance of the Queen got so considerable a strength at the Court, and so much interest in the Prelates, and influence on all Ecclesiastical affairs, they set afoot the foresaid innovations in worship, against the Lord's Day, &c. and the foresaid persecutions of faithful, yea and conformable Ministers; and still they went Dilemmatically to work, thinking to make sure which way ever things went, to effects their ends. They see that either their first attempt would prevail without opposition or not: If it do, then the Calvinists, and
Puritan, and Protestant Preachers will be removed, and the places filled with Arminians, and masked Papists, and ignorant men, unable to resist them, and ductile worldlings, that will always be on the stronger side, and their ends will be easily attained. But if there be any Opposition, Murmuring,
Discontents, either it will provoke the Discontented to open Defense and Resistance, or not: If not, their Discontents will hurt none but themselves. If it do, then either they will be crushed in the beginning, or able to bring it to a war. If the first; then we shall have the Day, and this to boot, that they will lie under the Odium of Rebellion, and be trod the lower, and be the less able ever to rise: and we shall be able with ease to drive on the change to a higher degree, in Opposition to so odious a party. But if they he able to make a war of it, either they will be conquered, or conquer, or make Peace.
The last is most unlikely, because Jealousies and Engagements will presently be multiplied, so that an apparent necessity will seem to lie on each party not to trust the other: And the flames are easier to be kept in then kindled: And if so unlikely a thing should come to pass, yet it must needs be to our advantage. For we will openly all appear for the King, and so in England and Ireland we shall be considerable: He will remember that he was helped by us, and look on the Protestants and Puritans as Rebels, and take his next advantage against them, or at least be at a greater distance from them then before: For such a war will never out of his mind, nor will he think himself safe till he hath disabled them from doing the like again.
But if one part conquer it will be the King, or the Puritans (for so the Protestants must now be called) If the King prevail, then will the Puritans be totally trod down, and we by whose help the victory was got, shall certainly be incomparably better than we are, if not have presently all our will. For our fidelity will be predicated: the Rebells will be odious: So that
their very names will be a scorn, and there will be no great resistance of us (For saith Mr. Middleton in his Letter to the A. B. of Canterb. in Prynne's
Introduct. p. 142,143. The Jesuit (at Florence, lately returned from England, who pretends to have made a strict discovery of the state of England as it stands for Religion) saith, that the Puritans are shrewd fellows, but those which are counted good Protestants are fair conditioned honest men, and think they may be saved in any Religion.) But if the Puritans get the day
(which is a most unlikely thing) yet shall we make great advantage of it; For 1. They will be unsettled and all in pieces, and not know how to settle the Government: And saith the Jesuits Letter, found in the A. B. of Cant.
Study in Prynne's Introduct. p. 89,90. [Our foundation must be Mutation: this will cause a Relaxation; which serves as so many violent diseases, as the Stone, Gout, &c. to the speedy destruction, &c.] 2. We shall necessitate the Puritan Protestants to keep the King as a Prisoner, or else to put him to death; If they keep him as a Prisoner, his diligence, and friends, and their own divisions, will either work his deliverance, and give him the day again by our help, or at least will keep the State in a continual unsettledness, and will be an Odium on them. If they cut him off (which we will rather promote, lest they should make use of his extremities to any advantage) then 1. We shall procure the Odium of King-killing to fall upon them, which they are wont to cast upon us and so shall be able to disburden ourselves. 2.
And we shall have them all to pieces in distractions. For 3. Either they will then set up a new King, or the Parliament will keep the power, changing the Government into a Democracy. The first cannot be done without great concussions, and new wars; and we shall have opportunity to have a hand in all. And if it be done, it may be much to our advantage. The second will apparently by factions and distractions give us footing for continual
attempts. But to make all sure, we will secretly have our party among the Puritans also, that we may be sure to maintain our Interest which way ever the world go] The event with common reason and many full discoveries show, that this was the frame of the Papists plot.
And what power and interest they had in the Kings Armies and Counsels in the wars, is a thing that needs no further discovery. But had they any
Interest in the Councils and Forces of the Parliament? Answ. It will be expected that he that asserteth anything in matters of this moment, should prove it by more than moral evidence of greatest probabilities: and therefore
I shall be sparing in my Assertions: but yet I shall say in general, that though the business would be troublesome, chargeable and tedious, to call together the Witnesses that are necessary, yet Witnesses and Evidences may be had, to prove that the Papists have had more to do in our affairs, then most men are aware of, without any positive Assertions; therefore I desire them that can see a cause in its effects, but to follow these streams till they find the Fountain. 1. Whence came those motions against the Ministry and Churches into our Councils? Whence was it that so many men of note did call the friends of the Ministry [Priest ridden fellows] and the Ministers
[Jack Presbyters] to teach the Nation to bring them into scorn? I well know that all this came from Hell. But whether by the way of Rome. I leave to your inquiry. Yea, whence was it that motions have been made to pull down all the Ministry at once? Was this by Protestants?
2. Whence came the doctrine contended for by Sir H. V. and others, against the Power of the Magistrate in matters of Religion, and for Universal Liberty in Religion? I know the Papists are not for such liberty in Spain, or anywhere, where they can hinder it: but with all I know, that it is one of their fundamentals, that such matters belong only to the Pope and
Prelates, and Magistrates must but be their Executioners; and I know that its truly the Magistrates Power for which the usurping Pope contendeth: and I know that the Papists are most Zealous for Liberty of Conscience in England, though deadly enemies to it elsewhere.
3. And whence came the Hiders Body of Divinity, that hath infected so many high and low? How come so many called Seekers to seem to be at a loss; whether there be any Scripture, Church, or Ministry? Or which be they?
4. How came we contrived into a war with Scotland and Holland, when we could keep Peace with Spain? With them, or us, or both, there was some sorry cause.
5. How came our Armies so corrupted with principles of impiety, Licentiousness and Anarchy, that so many turned Levelers (to say nothing of all the rest), and rose up against their Commanders, and were fain to be subdued by force, and some of them shot to death, and many cashiered? &c.
6. How came it to pass that Papists have been discovered in our Armies, and in the several parties in the Land?
7. And where are the swarms of the English Jesuits and Friars, that are known to have emptied themselves upon us from their Colleges beyond
Sea?
8. How came it to pass, that the Petitions of the Protestant Presbyters of London, and of other Protestants for the Life of the King, could not be heard? But that the Levelling party carried on their work, till they had set the foreign and domestic Papists on reproaching the Protestants as Kingkillers? And had (though very falsely) turned the odium of that horrid kind of crime upon the innocent Protestants, which the Papists are known to be most deeply guilty of: And now in all Nations they make the ignorant
people believe, that the death of that King was the work of the Protestants or Presbyterians, and the blot of their Religion.
9. Whence came it to pass, that Levelling went on with continued success till the House of Lord's, with the Regal Office was taken down, and an engagement put (on all those ductile souls that would take it) to be [True to the Common-wealth, as established without a King or House of Lord's?]
10. Whence came it that the Weekly News Books contained the Letters of the Agents of the Agitators from France, telling us how good men the Jesuits were, and how agreeable to them in their principles for a Democracy, (which they vainly call a Republic, as if there were no Common-wealth, but a Democracy) and telling us what exceeding meet materials for such a Common-wealth the Jesuits would be. The Agencies of particular men with Jesuits I shall purposely omit.
11. Whence came it that all the maddest dividing parties had their liberty; and the reproach and envy was most against the united Ministry? And if the Lord Protector had not stepped in, they had been likely to be taken down.
12. And whence came it that Sexby, and others, that have been Soldiers in our Armies, have confederated with Spain to murder the Lord Protector?
And whence came their Jesuitical Treasonable Pamphlets (such as Killing no Murder) provoking men to take away his life?
Much more may be proposed tending to a discovery, how far the Papists have crept in among us, and had to do in our affairs. But I think God hath yet much more in season to discover. Truth is the daughter of time.
As concerning the death of the King, I shall not meddle at this time with the Cause, nor meddle with the Reasons brought for it or against it. But, suppose as bad of it as you can, the Providence of God hath so contrived it, that nothing but ignorance or blind malice can lay it upon the Protestants,
Episcopal, or Presbyterian, that strove so much against it, and suffered so much for it as they have done. When many on the other side, charged the Scots, and the imprisoned Ministers of London, with those that were put to death, for going too far on the other side, in manifesting their distastes: Of which I take not on me to be judge, but mention it only as Evidence that clears them from the deed.
And to vindicate the Protestants openly before all the world, and to all posterity, from that Fact, it is most publicly known, 1. That both Houses of Parliament in their Protestations engaged themselves and the Nations, to be true to the King. 2. That they openly professed to manage their war for King and Parliament: Not against his Person or Authority, but against Delinquents that were fled from Justice, and against evil Counselors. 3.
That the two Nations of England and Scotland did in the midst of the wars swear in the Solemn League and Covenant to be true to the King. 4. That the Committees, Commanders, Ministers and people through the Land, professed openly to go only on these terms, as managing but a defensive war against the Kings miscarriages, but an Offensive against Delinquent subjects. 5. In that it was known that the Army was quite altered (not only by a new modelling, but) by an intestine Jesuitical corrupting of multitudes of the Soldiers, before this Odious fact could be done. 6. And it was known, that the corrupted part of the Army, though the fewer, did so excel the rest in industry and activity, that thereby they hindered their opposition. 7. And it is known that the Jesuited part (that afterward so many of them turned
Levelers) did draw into them the Anabaptists, Libertines, and other Sects, upon a conjunction of Interests, and by many sly pretenses, especially tying all together by the predicated Liberty for all Religions. 8. And yet after all this, the world knows they were fain before they could accomplish it, to
Master the City of London, to Master the Parliament, to imprison and cast out the Members, and to retain but a few that were partly of their mind, and partly seduced or over-awed by them, to join with them in the work. 9. It is known that before they were put out, and imprisoned by the Army, the Commons voted the Kings Concessions in the Treaty to be so far satisfactory, as that they would have proceeded on them towards a full
Agreement. See Mr. Prynne's large Speech in the House to that end. And if they had not suddenly been secluded and imprisoned, they had agreed with the King. 10. And it is well known to all that dwell in England, that before and since the doing of it, the thing is disowned, distasted and detested by the main Body of the English Nation, Nobility, Gentlemen, Ministers and people: Yea, to my knowledge multitudes that are now firm and loyal to the present Power, supposing it to be set over us by God, (and therefore would abhor the like practices against them) do yet detest that fact that intervened and made way to it. So that experience may satisfy all men, that Protestants, even those called Puritans, were the Enemies, and not the Actors of it. 11.
And it is well known how the Protestant Ministers that had engaged in the war for King and Parliament, were so great Adversaries to the putting of the King to death, that they opposed it, and dissuaded from it, and thereby drew the Odium of the Corrupted part of the Army upon them; and that the London Ministers unanimously concurred in an Address to the Lord Fairfax to prevent it, and printed their abhorrence of it, and published it to the world: And that many of them were imprisoned, and Mr. Love beheaded, and many others put to death, or other sufferings, for being against these designs, and endeavoring to oppose the progress of them. 12. And lastly, it is known, that the Kingdom of Scotland disowned it from first to last, and so far proceeded in opposition to it, and in adhesion to the ancient line, as
cost them the miseries of a grievous war, and a conquest of their Kingdom.
I speak but of the matter of fact that is known to the world. So that it is against all human Reason and Equity, that when we have all sworn to the contrary, and endeavored it, and the Parliament men of one Kingdom are secluded, and Imprisoned for it, and the other Kingdom conquered for it, and the Protestants still generally disown it, that yet it should be charged on the Protestants, or their Religion, that they put to death their King. This is most unreasonable in justice; especially from those men that were the causers of it.
I do therefore leave it here to posterity (having been myself a member of the Army four years, or thereabouts) that it was utterly against the mind and thoughts of Protestants, and those that they called Puritans, to put the King to death; the twelve Evidences fore-mentioned are undeniable Arguments that it was the work of Papists, Libertines, Vanists, and Anabaptists, and that the Protestants deeply suffered by opposing it; as the face of Scotland and England sadly testify to this day. And yet (though we have such open
Evidence that this cannot be charged on our Religion or us), I must needs add, that every wise man sees that the Case itself much differs from the Papists. If the Body of a Common-wealth, or those that have part in the Legislative Power, and so in the Supremacy, should unwillingly be engaged in a war with the Prince, and after many years blood and desolations, judicially take away his life as guilty of all this blood, and not to be trusted anymore with Government, and all this they do, not as private men, but as the remaining Sovereign Power, and say they do it according to the Laws; undoubtedly this case doth very much differ from the Powder-plot, or Papists murdering of Kings, and teaching that its lawful for a private hand to do it, if he be but an Heretic, or be but deposed, yea or excommunicated
by the Pope. A war and a treacherous murder are not all one: Nor is a part of the Sovereign Power all one with a private hand, or foreign Prelate, pretending to a Dominion over the lives and states of Princes, and over the Kingdoms of the world, and that the Vice-christ, and Vice-God on earth.
It is a grievous case that the Senate or Body of a Nation should think themselves necessitated to defend themselves, and the Church and State against their Prince, or any that act by his commands. It will strongly tempt them to think that the end is to be preferred before the Means; and that it ceaseth to be a Means which is against and destructive to the End: and that it is essential to a Governing Power to be for the common good: and therefore that it is no Authority which is used against it: It will tempt them also to think that God never gave power to any against himself or above his
Laws, or against the Ends of Government. And a Senate or the Body of a Nation will be apt to think themselves fit to discern when the public safety is dangerously assaulted; and will hardly be brought to trust any One to be the final Judge of their Necessity, as thinking such a public Necessity proves itself, and needs no judge but sense and reason to discern it. And if they also think that the fundamental Constitution of the Government doth make the Senate the highest Judge of the safety or danger of the Republic, and so that the Law is on their side, and that it is Treason against the Common-wealth (and as Politicians say, against the Majestas Realis) to rise against them; the temptation then is much the stronger. And where the Legislative power, and highest Judicial power is by the Constitution of the Government divided between the Prince and Senate, and so the Sovereignty divided, many will be ready to think with Grotius de jure Belli, lib. 1. s. 13, p. 91, that the Prince invading the Senates right, may justly be resisted, and may lose his right: Quod locum (saith Grotius) habere censeo, etiamsi
dictum sit, belli potestatem penes Regem fore: Id exim de bello externo intelligendum est: cum alioqui quisquis Imperii summi jus partem habeat, non possit, non jus habere, eam partem tuendi. Quod ubi fit, potest Rex etiam suam Imperii partem belli jure amittere.] And indeed when a war is once begun, the difficulty of re-uniting is exceeding great: If a Prince engage either hired strangers, or fugitives, or homebred delinquents, or others, to rise up against the Senate or people, either its lawful to Defend themselves by Arms; or not. If not (especially if they have a share in the Sovereignty) then is his power absolute and unlimited, and neither Laws nor anything below are any security against his will to the common safety
(The contrary whereto our late King declared in his notable Answer to the nineteen Propositions.) But if their Defense be lawful, then if their Soldiers must know before hand, that if they do purchase a victory by their blood, when they have all done they must be all Governed by him whom they have conquered, and lie at his Mercy, they would hardly ever have an Army to defend them: For who will do the utmost that is possible to exasperate him that he knows must rule him when all is done? I speak not this by way of Justification, or any way deciding such cases as these, but leaving that (as a controversy that I am not here to decide) to the judgment of others, I only show the world again that there's a great deal of difference between such a war and conquest of a Prince by the Senate and Body of the people, and their allowing Popes to depose them and alienate their Dominions, and private men to rebel, and to murder them, if the Pope consent, or excommunicate them. Whether they were in the right or wrong, I am not the judge, but surely it was the judgment of the Parliament, that upon the Division, the power was in them to defend themselves and the Commonwealth, and suppress all subjects that were in Arms against them;
and that those that did resist them, did resist the higher powers, set over them by God, and therefore were guilty of the damnation of resisters: And this they assured the people was the Truth. And the forecited concessions of the King, (against the nineteen Propositions) acknowledging their part in the Legislative power and defense of the people, (which is known to be the highest part of Sovereignty,) did much incline many to believe the Parliament: Especially knowing that they had so long exercised the said
Legislative power, and that we were all governed by Laws of their making.
So that those that did obey the Parliament, did verily think that they obeyed the highest power that upon the division was left in the Common-wealth; and that they had the Laws on their side, and did adhere to the Common good, which is the end of Government.
And as they have thus caused our wars, and miseries, and scandals, so have they continued to multiply sects among us of all sorts; so that there is scarce a sect but is a spawn of the Jesuits and Friars; and scarce an honest party but they creep in among them to work their ends. And here I shall briefly mention some of the parties with whom they have insinuated to work their ends, and then some of the sects that they have bred or animated.
1. As for the old English Bishops and conformable Ministers, who were of the faith and doctrine publicly here professed, I confess I find but little evidence that ever the Papists had much to do with them, save only to instigate them against the Puritans, and draw some of them to a compliance with such as did out-go them. Yet in their times Bishop Goodman of Gloucester was suspected to be a Papist, and so professed himself by his last Testament at his death, since the wars.
2. As for the Presbyterians, I do not see any reason to think that ever the Papists had any interest in them of any men, there being none that they
more hate then these two sorts (the old sound Episcopal men, and the Presbyterians) But yet both in France and Scotland they have cunningly wrought upon them ab extra, alarming them into disturbances by the wildfire which they have cast in.
3. As for the new Episcopal party that followed Grotius (Arminius in doctrine) and the Greek Church, and were for a reconciliation with Rome, on those terms (which doubtless Rome would never have yielded to) the interest that the Papists had among them, and influence that they had on them or their proceedings, is evident from what is said before; and much from the copious Proofs produced by Mr. Prin in his forementioned Book
(Canterburies Trial, with the Introduct.) The Jesuits Letter cited by Prin, ib. p. 89, saith [Now we have planted that Sovereign drug Arminianism, which we hope will purge the Protestants from their heresy, and it flourisheth and bears fruit in due season.] The Articles exhibited in Parliament against many of the Bishops will tell you by their works who were the instigators of them. Of themselves I know of none but Goodman that hath professed himself a flat Papist; and I shall not think it my duty to suspect any one man of holding an Opinion which he professeth not himself, unless the evidence be very strong to move suspicion. But that many Papists were at work with them in that pretended Reconcilement, Francis. à S. Clara and diverse others put us past doubt. And that Papists crept into places in the Church under the garb of conformable Arminians, is too well known. It is no wonder therefore that Dr. Bailey, Dr. Goffe, Dr. Vane, Hugh Paul de Cressy, and many more of them did openly revolt when the game seemed to be spoiled that was plaid underboard. It had been far less hurt to us I think if all the rest had been as open.
As for the King himself that was their Head, if any conjecture that he was a flat Papist, as I have heard many rashly say, I think there is much evidence to confute them. 1. That very Letter to the Pope (forementioned) on which the suspicion is most grounded, if you mark it exactly, doth intimate no more than a desire of a union and Reconciliation, with some additions that may bear a tolerable sense. 2. His own Profession of the Protestant Religion is sufficient evidence. 3. His Disputation with the Marquess of Worcester cleareth it. 4. His speech at death, and Papers since published clear it more.
So that I think we may be confident that he was no nearer to Rome then was the reconcilable part of the Greeks: and that he desired no more than Bishop
Bromhal, and other of his Bishops offer them, to have the Church governed by Patriarchs, and the Pope to be Principium Unitatis, &c. If any would know what Party Grotius was of, I desire them carefully to peruse but these places in his writings (which I have cited elsewhere) Discus. Apolog. Rivet. p. 255, & p. 7, & vot. pro Pace, p. 1,2,3. And of his friends in England among the Bishops in Paris and all France, in Germany and Poland. See
Discus. Apol. Rivet. p. 16, and my Discovery of Grotius Religion.
Yea for my own part I am persuaded, that the Papists were as much afraid of King Charles and the Grotian design, as of anything that of long time hath been hatched against them. They are not all of a mind at home. The French and moderate party no doubt applauded the design, and liked such writings as S. Clara's, and would gladly have married England and France in Religion. But others (the Italian, Spanish Jesuited party) might easily foresee what danger was in brewing for them. Had France, England,
Sweden, Denmark, and the German Lutherans agreed together, to bear down the Calvinists as irreconcilable on one side (as Grotius intimates it necessary) and the Italians and their adherents that set up the Pope above a
Council, on the other side, it would have made the Pope afraid, as no doubt he was. For though he was glad that we would draw nearer him, and make him the Head in any sort, yet he knew not how to stop so great an inundation as was like upon the union to over-flow him. And hence was the malice of the Jesuits against the life of the King (and withal that he was fain into such hands where he was like to do them little service.) Secret.
Windebanks Letter recited by Prin, ubi sup. tells us that it was the Jesuits that were the death of Father Leander, and so were the Enemies of Francis.
S. Clara and his Book, (which caused it to incur a Roman Censure) So that with one part of them that is the best way, which the other is more afraid of then of Protestants. We see it by the Jansenian contest. We see it in that Cassander, Erasmus, Vives, &c. are excellent Catholics with some of them, and Heretical and vile with the rest.
4. The persecuted Nonconformists of the Protestant party, though they were most adverse to the Papists, yet had some of the Popish brood at last crept in among them, not only to spy out their minds and ways, but to head the party, and sow among them the seeds of further discontent and error, and to make them a Nursery for various sects. For everywhere by their good wills the Jesuits will have some. If you ask me for my proof of this, I shall at this time give you but these two. 1. The fruits that sprung up from among them, and the manner of Production, (of which more anon.) 2. The words of the Jesuits Letter recited by Mr. Prin, Introd. p. 90. [I cannot choose but laugh to see how some of our own coat have re-encountered themselves: you would scarce know them if you saw them; and it is admirable how in speech and gesture they act the Puritans: The Cambridge Scholars to their woeful experience shall see, we can act the Puritans a little better than they have done the Jesuits: they have abused our sacred Patron St. Ignatius in
jest, but we will make them smart for it in earnest. I hope you will excuse my merry digression, for I confess to you I am at this time transported with joy, to see how happily all instruments and means, as well great as lesser co-operate to our purposes.] Yet cannot I hear of any considerable infection among this party that way before Sir Henry Vane's days.
5. How far they crept into all Societies under the name of Independents, is opened by so many already in Print, that I shall add no more of it.
6. And its a thing notorious, that they have crept in among the Anabaptists, and fomented that Sect. The story of the Scottish Missionary that pretended himself a Jew, and gave the Anabaptists the glory of his
Conversion, and Rebaptizing at Hexham, and was discovered at Newcastle, is published and commonly known: (whether he be yet in Prison, or released, I know not.) And too many more have more cleanly plaid their game. And though many of the more sober Anabaptists would not be so useful to the Papists as they expected, yet multitudes of them too far answered their expectations.
If you ask now what the Papists get by all this, I answer, you see in the Instance but of this one sect, and the products of it. 1. By this means our
Councils, Armies, Churches have been divided, or much broken. 2. By this trick they have engaged the minds and tongues of many (and their hands if they had power) against the Ministry, which is the enemy that standeth in their way. 3. They have thus weakened us by the loss of our former adherents. 4. They have found a Nursery or Seminary for their own
Opinions, which one half of the Anabaptists too greedily receive. 5. By this they have prepared them for more and worse. 6. By this means they get an Interest in our Armies, or weakened our own. 7. By this they have got
Agents ready for mischievous designs (as hath been lately too manifest.) 8.
By this they have cast a reproach upon our Profession, as if we had no unity or consistence, but were vertiginous for want of the Roman pillar to rest upon. 9. By this they have loosened and disaffected the common people, to see so many minds and ways, and hear so much contending, and have loosed them from their former steadfastness, and made them ready for a new impression. 10. Yea by this means they have the opportunity of Predicating their own pretended unity, and hereby have drawn many to their
Church of late. All this have they got at this one game. What then have they got by all the rest?
I shall next tell you of some of those Heresies or parties among us, that are the Papists own Spawn or progeny; Either they laid the Egg, or hatched it, or both.
And 1. It is most certain that Libertinism or Freedom for all Religions, was spawned by the Jesuits, who hate it in Spain and Italy, but love it in England. I have met with the masked Papists myself that have been very zealous and busy to promote this Liberty of Conscience (as they deceitfully called it.) For by this means they may have Liberty for themselves, and Liberty to break us in pieces by sects, and also Liberty under the Vizor of a Sectary of any tolerated sort, to oppose the Ministry and doctrine of truth.
2. But the principal design that the Papists have upon our Religion, at this day, is managed under a sort of Jugglers, who all are confederate in the same grand principles, and are busy at the same work, and are agreed to carry it on in the dark, and with wonderful secrecy do conceal the principal part of their opinions; but yet they use not all one vizor, but take on them several shapes and names, and some of them industriously avoid all names.
The principal of these Hiders are these following. 1. The Vani, whose game was first plaid openly in America in New England, where God gave in his
Testimony against them from Heaven upon their two Prophetesses, Mrs.
Hutchinson, and Mrs. Dyer: The later brought forth a Monster with the parts of Bird, Beast, Fish and Man, which you may see described in Mr. Welds
Narrative, with the discovery, the concomitants and Consequents. The former brought forth many (near 30.) monstrous births at once, and was after slain by the Indians. This providence should at least have awakened
England to such a Godly Jealousy, as to have better tried the doctrines which God thus seemed to cast out, before they had so greedily entertained them, as in part of Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, and many other parts they have done. At least it should have wakened the Parliament to a wise and Godly Jealousy of the Counsels and designs of him that was in New
England, the Master of the game, and to have carefully searched how much of his doctrine and design were from heaven, and how much of them he brought with him from Italy, or at least was begotten by the Progenitor of Monsters. Such extraordinary providences are not to be despised. They had a great Operation in New England among those wise and godly men that saw them, or were near them, and knew the ways of them that God thus testified against. That which healed them should have warned us. But God had a judgment for us, and therefore we were left in blindness, to overlook that Judgment that should have warned us. They are now dispersed in Court, City, and Country, and what God will suffer them, and the Papists by them further to do, time will discover.
2. The next sort of Hiders, are the Paracesians, Weigelians, and Behmenists, who go the same way in the main with the former, and are indeed the same party, but think meet to take another name, and fetch their vizor from Jacob Behmen: of their life of Community, and Chastity, and Visible converse (as they profess) with Angels, you may see somewhat in
the Narrative of Dr. Pordidge of himself, together with Mr. Fowlers of him.
The most clean and moderate piece of their doctrine that hath been lately published, is Mr. Bromleyes Way to the Sabbath of Rest; or Treatise of Regeneration.
3. Another sort of the Hiders are those called Seekers, among whom I have reason to believe the Papists have not the least of their strength in England at this day. They practice the lesson that Boverius in Apparat. ad
Consultat, taught Prince Charles long ago [Primum est, ut quoniam vera Religio tibi inquirenda est, antequam ad eam investigandam accedas, omnem prius Religionem apud te suspectam habeas: lubeatque tamdiu à
Protestantium fide ac Religion animum ac voluntatem suspendere, quamdiu in veri inquisitione versaris—] We must suspect all Religion it seems, and be first of no Religion, if we will become Papists. A fair beginning! We must then be unchristened, and suspect Christ and Scripture, that we may be espoused to the Pope. And this is the Papists work by the Seekers, to take us off from all, or from our former Religion, and blot out all the old impressions, that we may be capable of new. And if they can accomplish this, they have us at a fair advantage. For he that is not a stark Atheist or Infidel, but believes that he hath a soul to save or lose, must needs know the Necessity of seeking his Salvation in some Religion or other: and therefore take him off from this, and you must needs bring him to some other: And he that could prevail to take him off his old Religion, is likeliest to have so much interest in him as may also prevail to bring him to another. And the Papist thinks that on the pretense of Unity, Antiquity and Universality (of which indeed they have but a delusory show) they can put as fair for him that is once indifferent as any other can.
Of these Seekers there are these Sub-divisions, or Sects. The first and most moderate do only profess themselves to be Seekers for the true Church and Ministry; holding that such a Church and Ministry there is, but they are at a loss to know which is it. A likely thing it is indeed, that men that take themselves for extraordinary wise, should think there is existent such a Church and Ministry as they predicate, and yet have no conjecture which it is. As if they should believe that there is such a creature as the Moon, but be not able to know it from the Stars.
The second sort of Seekers are to seek whether there be any Organized Political Church, or any Ministry, or any Ordinances proper to a Church at all, or not. Not denying them, but Doubting and Seeking; that so when they have found them at Rome, they may prove but Finders, and not gross changelings: And withal they yield that private men may Declare the Word, and pray together, and read the Scripture. The most rational and modest that hath wrote for this way, is the Author of [Asober Word to a Serious People]
A likely thing indeed it is, that so rational a man should heartily believe, that Christ hath planted so excellent a Ministry, and Church, and Ordinances as himself describeth, and to those standing necessary uses which he mentioneth, even instead of Christ, to take men into the holy
Covenant, and yet that all should be left but for an Age or two, and that ever since there is no such thing, or at least, no certainty of it. The Style shows us that this Author is no such dotard as to think as he speaks.
3. Another sort of Seekers are those that do not only Doubt of, but flatly deny any Ministry, and Political Churches, and Church-ordinances on Earth, as things that are lost in a Universal Apostasy.
4. Another sort of Seekers do not only doubt of, or deny these Particular Churches and Ordinances, but also they are to seek for the Universal
Church itself, and the holy Scriptures; yea many of them not only Questioning them, but flatly maintaining, that we have no certainty that the Scripture is true, or that we have the same that was written by the Apostles, or that there is such a thing as true Ministry, or State of Christianity in the World. Hence it is that some of them pour out so many reproaches against the Ministry and the Holy Scriptures, as you may find in Clem. Writer, in two ignorant Pamphlets, that have scorn in the very Titles, as well as through the bulk; one called, The Jus Divinum of Presbytery; and the other
Fides Divina: In which he maintaineth the cause of the Infidels. The opinion which this sort of men openly profess, is, that no particular man is bound to believe the Gospel, but those that have themselves seen Miracles to confirm it: and therefore in the first ages when Miracles were wrought, those that saw them were bound to believe in Christ, and at the second coming of Christ, when again he shall be witnessed by Miracles, it will again become a duty to be Christians: but not to others that see no Miracles, however they may hear of them. This doctrine Clem. Writer hath professed to me with his own mouth. But I may not censure him to be so weak as to believe himself. It's possible that such a silly soul may be found, that shall think that Christ came into the world to set up Christianity as the true
Religion for those only in an Age or two, or more, that saw Miracles; but it's unlikely that a man that hath any considerable use of his reason should be so silly. Who will not despise Christ that thinks he came on so low a design? Who would not be an Infidel, that thinks ten thousand Infidels are saved for one Christian? Yea who can be himself a Christian, that thinks that he is not bound to be a Christian, because he sees not Miracles? It's most evident therefore that this is but a Juggle, and that such are either
Infidels or Papists. Infidelity is the thing professed, and therefore that we
take them for Infidels, they cannot blame us: But yet in Charity I hope (and not without cause) that some of this Profession are but Papists; though others I have found to be desperate Infidels.
A fifth sort called Seekers also there are, that own the Church and Ministry, and Ordinances; but yet suppose themselves above them: for they think that these are but the Administrations of Christ to men in the passage to a higher state, and that such as have received the Spirit, and have the Law once written in their hearts, are under (as they call it) the second Covenant, and so are past the lower form of Ordinances, Scripture, Ministry, and visible Churches.
And a sixth sort of Seekers there are that think the whole company of believers should now be over-grown the Scripture, Ministry and Ordinances: For they think that the Law was the Fathers Administration, and the Gospel Ministry and Sacraments are the Sons Administration, and that both these are now past, and the season of the Spirits Administration is come, which all must attend, and quit the lower forms. The DavidGeorgians were the chief that taught the world this lesson, their Leader taking himself to be the Holy Ghost. All these sorts of Seekers are bred or cherished by the Jesuits and Friars. And the truth is, when a man is made a Seeker, he is half made a Papist: As a Dog when he hath lost his Master will follow almost anybody that will whistle him; so when men have lost their
Ministry, Church and Religion, they are easily allured to the Church of Rome: For they are a body as conspicuous to a carnal eye as any other. And who will not rather be of the Roman Church and Religion then of none?
4. Another sort of Hiders are the Quakers; an impudent Generation, and open enough in pulling down; but as secret and reserved as the rest in asserting and building up. What interests the Papists have in breeding and
feeding this Sect among us, hath been partly proved from the Oaths of Witnesses, and Confessions of Friars, and somewhat I have spoken of it in three several Papers against them. The Doctrine of this fourth sort is the same, or scarce discernible from the rest.
5. A fifth sort of Hiders, are those Enthusiasts, that shun the affected bombasted language of Behmen, and such like, but yet give us much of the body of Popery, Headed by an infallible Prophetic Spirit, instead of the Pope. Such as the Authors of the Book against the Assemblies Confession, owned by Parker, but said to be written by a London Doctor: And many such Doctors I know and hear of abroad in England. They take on them to be adversaries to the Pope; but they are friends to his Doctrines, and maintain the necessity of an infallible living Judge, and send us to Prophets for this infallible judgment. And could the Papists bring men once to this, it's an easy matter to strike off the feigned Prophetic head, by disgracing such as mere Fantasticks, and to set on the ancient Papal Head, which only will agree with the Body which they have received. So much of the Libertines and the Hiders of their Religion, (of several sorts).
3. Another sort that are spawned by the Papists, are stark Heathens, Atheists, or Infidels: These carry their judgment as to the positive part as close as any of the rest, and are grown in England to a far greater number and strength then is commonly imagined. It is not only Leviathan or his
Ocean that is guilty of this Apostasy, (however they use the name of Christ) but abundance that lurk under several names. A great while I knew not what to make of this close Generation; but now I have found out that which should make a believing tender heart to bleed: even gross Infidelity, causing them secretly to scorn at Christ and the holy Scripture, and the life to come, as bitterly as ever Julian did: And this is crept so high, and spread so far,
that it is dreadful to those few that are acquainted with its progress. Some that have lately professed to turn Papists (for what ends I know not) are known to be stark Infidels: And some that have long gone for leading men with them, have satisfied us by their writings that they are Romanists of the most ancient strain; even of the Roman Religion that was ancienter then
Peter and Paul. And many of the unsettled sort of Protestants, are so far forsaken of God, as to Apostatize to the same condition. Montaltus the Jansenian takes the Jesuits for false unworthy calumniators, for giving out that they have long had a design at Port-Royal to overthrow the Gospel, and set up Infidelity and mere Deism. But I am sure they deserve much harder words of us in England, between them, for doing so much to destroy the Christianity of many, in order to the setting up of Popery. I do not charge it all and only on the Papists. I know the Devil hath more sorts of Instruments then one: But that they have had a notable hand in this Apostasy, we have good reason to satisfy us. Not that they desire that men should be absolutely and finally Infidels: But 1. They would make the world believe, that all must be Infidels that will not receive the Christian Faith upon the Roman account and terms: And in order to this they industriously seek to disgrace the Scripture, and overthrow all the grounds of the Faith of such as they dispute with. And so make them Infidels in order to the proof of that their affirmation. 2. And then they think that they must take them off all Religion
(as Boverius afore cited) to prepare them for the Popish Religion. 3. And the malice of some of them is such, that they had rather men were Infidels then Protestants; or at least they will venture them upon Infidelity in the way, rather than not take them off from being Protestants. And no wonder, when they allow Infidels so much more charity than Protestants, as to their salvation, as all the Authors cited by S. Clara before do signify: And when
Rome burneth Protestants, but giveth toleration for Jews. And thus by these Devilish devices, the Hiders in England that keep close their Religion, are discovered at last to be one part of them Infidels or Heathens, and another part of them Papists. And no wonder if they would lately have introduced the Jews here into England, and if they have so many other designs to promote this Apostasy.
4. Another sort that Popery hath here hatch or cherished are the Socinians; a Sect with whom both Papists and Heathens do join hands, as the Bond of their Conjunction. Yet I know that they were not bred at first by Popery: and I know that the genuine Papist that holds fast the Articles of their Faith, must needs disown the Socinian: But however it comes to pass, I am sure there are too many of late (self-conceited men, innovators in Philosophy) that have reduced their Theology to their novel Philosophy, and expounded
Scripture by such conceits as suit with the Socinians.
I shall say nothing of the Millenaries, the Levelers, and many such like.
But here in the close, I would desire any Papist that is conscious of the promoting of any of these fore-mentioned abominations, to tell us whether this be like to be the way of God? Or whether Peter or Paul did ever take such a course as this to plant the Gospel, or build up the Church? And whether it be like to be the Cause of God that must be maintained by such means? Is not their damnation just, that say, Let us do evil that good may come thereby? Should not the means be suited to the end? Hath the glory of God any need of a lie? This course will never ingratiate your opinions with any wise considerate men. This is but working with the Devil for God: like one that doth consult with a Witch or Conjurer, to find the goods of the Church when they are stolen. Do you think God needs the Devils help? Or is it like to be help that comes from him? But the truth is, it is your bad
Cause that requires these evils means: and it is your bad hearts that set you on work to use them: Though you think perhaps that you do God service by it, yet you know not what Spirit you are of. Christ owneth not such ways as these, and therefore his servants will not own them.