CHAP. XLVII. Their exceeding industry to pervert men of Interest and power
CHAP. XLVII. Their exceeding industry to pervert men of Interest and power.
D etect. 38. Another of their Practical Frands is, In their exceeding industry for the perverting of men of Power and Interest, that are likely to do much in helping or hindering them.
Swarms of them are busy day and night, for the seducing of Princes, and Nobles, and Rulers of all sorts, and of Commanders in the Armies. Of their diligence abroad we may know somewhat by their success on diverse of the German Princes, and the late Queen of Sweden, and on many of the Nobles of France, and such others.
At home we have smarted by the fruits of their industry. What abundance of assaults were made on the late King? From his going to Spain, and the Popes Letters to him there, and to the Bishop of Conchen to take care for his seduction, and so all along to the last, I need not mention. And what
Noblemen or Persons of Interest in England lay not under assaults and solicitations in those days? And are all the Jesuits and Friars dead? Or have they not still the same cause and industry as then? Is the Court, or Councils of the Land, or the Nobility, Gentry or Army now free from their fraudulent
solicitations? How far they have prevailed time will fullier reveal: but what they will endeavor we may easily judge. And certainly the number of Seekers and such other Sects among them, doth tell us that they have not lost their labor.
If these lines shall fall into the hands of any of our Rulers or Commanders, I entreat them for the sake of their souls, and the Commonwealth, to be prudent and vigilant in a matter of such consequence. I do not intend to entreat them from error unto truth without sufficient light and evidence: But that which I desire is but reasonable; 1. That you would not be too confident of your own understandings to deal with such Jugglers in your own strength, without assistance. They have made it their study all their days, and are purposely trained up to deceive: whereas you are much wanting in their way of study, and much unfurnished to resist; how highly soever you may think of yourselves.
2. That you would read a little more the learned solid writings of our Divines against the Papists, such as Dr. Fields, Crakenthorps, Ushers,
Chillingworths, Jewels, Rivets, Chamiers, Ames, Reynolds, Whittakers, and such like, beginning with Sir Humfrey Linds Via Devia, & via Tuta, (& du
Plessis of the Church, and his Mystery of Iniquity, and Dr. John White. &c.) 3. That you will not hearken to Papists secretly, nor masked, nor coming to you by indirect and Juggling ways: but open their persuasions, and call to some able studied Divines to deal with them in your hearing, if needs you will hear them, that so you may hear one side as well as the other.
4. That you take heed what Retainers, Servants, or Familiars are about you: For some that pretend to be acquainted with these men, are much mistaken, if they be not more frequent at your elbows, and in your Bedchambers, then many do imagine. If they cannot be of your Councils, and
your near attendants, they will rather be your Porters, or the Grooms of your Stables, then they will be kept out. We fear not anything that they can do in an open way, in comparison of their secret whispers and deceits, when there is nobody to gainsay them. Had they the Truth, we should be glad to entertain it with them. It is not therefore Truth in their mouths that we are afraid of: But seeing the Nations and our Posterity have so much dependence on your Integrity, we call for so much Justice at your hands, as that you will not cast open your ears to each deceiver, especially in secret, or on unequal terms: Let not all our peace and safety be hazarded by the self-conceitedness, or imprudence of you that are our Rulers. Seeing it is you that must give us Laws, or set the Vulgar the pattern which they are so much addicted to imitate; We adjure you in the Name of the most High
God, that you be not too forward and facile in hearkening to Seducers, and corrupting those Intellects which the whole Nation hath so great an Interest in: and that you be not henceforth as children tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive, Eph. 4:14. But we beseech you mark them which cause Divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which you have learned, and avoid them. For they that are such, serve not the Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple, Rom. 16:17,18. Hearken not to everyone that saith, Lo here is Christ, or Lo there is Christ; here is the Catholic Church, or there is the Catholic Church: As if Christ were divided, or the Catholic Church were more then One? Or it were confined to a Sect or Party, whether Papal or any other, and did not contain all Christians through the world? All parts of this Church are not equally pure, but all are
Parts: Be you of the purest part, but do not therefore take that part for the
whole: much less the polluted part. Have compassion on the diseased and tumified part: but do not therefore so far doat, as to love the tumor or disease, and say that none is the Church but this. We are willing to be as Charitable to that Proud Throne of Rome, and usurping Vice-christ, as will stand with the safety of our souls and of the Church. But God forbid that we should therefore be so blind, as to run into their Pest-house, and drink the poison by which they are thus tumified and intoxicated.
Look on their Principles, and see what an aspect they have on Christ, on the Catholic Church, and upon Princes? Look back on their Practices, and see what their Principles proved in the fruits? Yea what need we go further for a warning, then to remind you of that which one would think should be deep and fresh in your minds; even what they have brought upon Kings,
Queens, Lord's, Prelates, and this whole Land? But this leads me to the next Detection.