Glimpses of Christian History Presents Pastwords #97: An Apologie for the Oath of Allegiance by King James I ©2007

What a monstrous, rare, nay never heard of Treacherous Attempt was plotted within these few yeres heere in England, for the destruction of Me, my Bed-fellow, and our Posterity, the whole house of Parliament, and a great number of good Subjects of all sorts and degrees: is so famous already through the whole world by the infamy thereof, as it is needlesse to be repeated or published anymore; the horrour of the sinne it selfe doth so lowdly proclaime it. For is those crying Sinnes (whereof mention is made in the Scripture) have that epithet given them for their publique infamie, and for procuring as it were with a loud crie from heaven a just vengeance and recompense, and yet those sinnes are both old and too common, neither the world nor any one Countrey being ever at any time cleane voyd of them: if those sinnes (I say) are said in the Scripture to cry so loud; What then must this sinne doe, plotted without cause, infinite in crueltie, and singular from all examples? What proceeded hereupon is likewise notorious to the whole world; our Justice onely taking hold upon the Offenders, and that in as honourable and publique a forme of Triall, as ever was used in this Kingdome.

2. For although the onely reason they gave for plotting so heinous an Attempt, was the zeale they caried to the Romish Religion; yet were never any other of that profession the worse used for that cause, as by our gracious Proclamation immediatly after the discovery of the said fact doeth plainely appeare: onely at the next Sitting downe againe of the Parliament, there were Lawes made, setting downe some such orders as were thought fit for preventing the like mischiefe in time to come. Amongst which a forme of Oath was framed to be taken by my Subjects, whereby they should make a cleare profession of their resolution, faithfully to persist in their obedience unto me, according to their naturall allegiance; To the end that I might hereby make a separation, not onely betweene all my good Subjects in generall, and unfaithfull Traitors, that intended to withdraw themselves from my obedience; But specially to make a separation betweene so many of my Subjects, who although they were otherwise popishly affected, yet retained in their hearts the print of their natural duetie to their Soveraigne; and those who being caried away with the like fanaticall zeale that the Powder-Traitors were, could not conteine themselves within the boundes of their naturall Allegiance, but thought diversitie of religion a safe pretext for all kinde of treasons, and rebellions against their Soveraigne. Which godly and wise intent God did blesse with successe accordingly: For very many of my Subjects that were popishly affected, aswell priests, as layicks, did freely take the same Oath: whereby they both gave me occasion to think the better of their fidelitie, and likewise freed themselves of that heavie slander, that although they were fellow professors of one Religion with the powder Traitors, yet were they not joyned with them in treasonable courses against their Sovereigne; whereby all quietly minded Papists were put out of despaire, and I gave a good proofe that I intended no persecution against them for conscience cause, but onely desired to bee secured of them for eivill obedience, which for conscience cause they were bound to performe.

3. But the devil could not have devised a more malicious tricke for interrupting this so calme and clement a course, then fell out by the sending hither, and publishing a Breve ['Brief', a papal mandate less formal than a bull] of the Popes, countermaunding all them of his profession to take this Oath; Thereby sowing newes seeds of jelousie betweene me and my Popish Subjectes, by stirring them up to disobey that lawfull commandement of their Soveraigne, which was ordeinged to be taken of them a pledge of their fidelitie; And so by their refusall of so just a charge, to give me so great and just a ground for punishment of them, without touching any matter of conscience: throwing themselves needlessly into one of these desperate straites; either with the losse of their lives and goods to renounce their Allegiance to their naturall Soveraigne; or else to procure the condemnation of their Soules by renouncing the Catholike faith, as he alleadgeth.

4. And on the other part, although disparity of Religion (the Pope being head of the contrary part) can permit no intelligence nor intercourse of messengers betweene mee and the Pope: yet there being no denounced warre betweene us, hee hath by this action broken the rules of common civility and justice betweened Christian Princes, in thus condemning me unheard, both by accounting me a persecutor, which cannot be but implied by exhorting the Papists to endure Martyrdome; as likewise by so straitly commanding all those of his Profession in England, to refuse the taking of this Oath; thereby refusing to professe their naturall obedience to me their Soveraigne. For if he thinke himselfe my lawfull Judge, wherefore hath he condemned me unheard? And, if he have nothing to doe with me and my governement (as indeed he hath not) why doeth hee mittere falcem in alienam messem, to meddle betweene mee and my Subjects, especially in matters that meerely and onely concerne civill obedience? And yet could Pius Quintus in his greatest furie and avowed quarrell against the late Queene, do no more injury unto her; then he hath in this case offered unto me, without so much as a pretended or an alleadged cause. For what difference there is, betweene the commaunding Subjects to rebell and loosing them from their Oath of Allegiance as Puis Quintess did; & the commanding of Subjects not to obey in making profession of their Oath on theire dutiful Allegiance, as this Pope hath now done: no man can easily discern.

5. But to draw neere unto his Breve, wherein certainly he hath taken more paines then he neede, by setting downe in the said Breve the whole body of the Oath at length; whereas the only naming of the Title thereof might as well have served, for any answere he hath made thereunto (making Una litura, that is, the flat and generall condemnation of the whole Oath to serve for all his refutation) Therein having as well in this respect as in the former, dealt both indiscreetly with me, and injuriously with his owne Catholickes. With me; in not refuting particularly what speciall wordes hee quarrelled in the Oath; which if he had done, it might have bene that for the fatherly care I have not to put any of my Subjects to a needlesse extremitie, I might have bene contented in some sort to have reformed or interpreted those wordes. With his owne Catholicks: for either if I had so done, they had beene thereby fully eased in that businesse; or at least if I would not have condescended to have altered any thing in the said Oath, yet would thereby some appearance or shadow of excuse, have beene left unto them for refusing the same: not as seeming thereby to swarde from their Obedience and Allegiance unto me, but onely being stayed form taking the same, upon the scrupulous tendernesse of their consciences, in regard of those particular wordes which the Pope had noted and condemned therein. And now, let us heare the wordes of his thunder.

POPE PAULUS the fift, to the English Catholikes.

Welbeloved Sonnes, Salutation and Apostolicall Benediction. The tribulations and calamities, which ye have continually sustained for the keeping of the Catholike Faith, have alwayes afflicted us with great griefe of mind. But for as much as wee understand that at this time all things are more grievous, our affliction hereby is wonderfully increased. For wee have heard how you are compelled, by most grievous punishments set before you, to goe to the Churches of Heretikes, to frequent their assemblies, to be present at their Sermons. Truely we doe undoubtedly believe, that they which with so great constancie and fortitude, have hitherto indured most cruell persecutions and almost infinite miseries, that they may walke without spot in the Law of the Lord; will never suffer themselves to bee defiled with the communion of those that have forsaken the divine Law. Yet notwithstanding, being compelled by the zeale of our Pastorall Office, and by our Fatherly care which we doe continually take for the salvation of our soules, we are inforced to admonish and desire you; that by no meanes you come unto the Churches of the Heretikes, or heare their Sermons, or communicate with them in their Rites, lest you incurre the wrath of God. For these things may yee not doe without indamaging the worship of God, and your owne salvation. As likewise you cannot without most evident and grievous wronging of Gods Honour, binde your selves by the Oath, which in like manner we have heard with very great griefe of our heart is administred unto you, of the tenor under written. Viz.

I A.B., doe truely and sincerely acknowledge, professe, testifie and declare in my conscience before God and the world, That our Soveraigne Lord King James, is lawfull King of this Realme, and of all other his Majesties Dominions and Countreyes: And that the Pope neither of himselfe, nor by any authoritie of the Church or Sea of Rome, or by any other meanes with any other, hath any power or authoritie to depose the King, or to dispose of any of his Majesties Kingdomes or Dominions, or to authorize any forraigne Prince to invade or annoy him or his Countreys, or to discharge any of his Subjects of their Allegiance and obedience to his Majestie, or to give Licence or leave to any of them to beare Armes, raise tumults, or to offer any violence or hurt to his Majesties Royal Person, State or Government, or to any of his Majesties Subjectes within his Majesties Dominions. Also I doe sweare from my heart, that, notwithstanding any declaration or sentence of Excommunication, or deprivation made or granted, by the Pope or his Successors, or by any Authoritie derived, or pretended to be derived from his or his Sea, against the said King, his Heires or Successors, or any Absolution of the said subjects from their Obedience; I will beare faith and true Allegiance to his Majestie, his Heires and Successors, and him and them will defend to the uttermost of my power, against all Conspiracies and Attempts whatsoever, which shalbe made against his or their Persons, their Crowne and dignitie, by reason or colour of any such Sentence, or declaration, or otherwise, and will doe my best endevour to disclose and make knowen unto his Majestie, his Heires and Successors, all Treasons and traiterous Conspiracies, which I shall know or heare of, to be against him or any of them. And I doe further sweare, That I doe form my heart abhorre, detest and abjure as impious and Hereticall, this damnable doctrine and Position, That Princes which be excommunicated or deprived by the Pope, may be deposed or murthered by their Subjects or any other whatsoever. And I doe beleeve, and in conscience am resolved, that neither the Pope nor any person whatsoever, hath power to absolve mee of this Oath, or any part thereof; which I acknowledge by good and full Authoritie to be lawfully ministred unto mee, and doe renounce all pardons and dispensations to the contrary. And all these things I doe plainely and sincerely acknowledge and sweare, according to these expresse words by mee spoken, and according to the plaine and common sense and understanding of the same words, without any Equivocation, or mentall evasion, or secret reservation whatsoever. And I doe make this Recognition and acknowledgement heartily, willingly and truely, upon the true faith of a Christian. So helpe me GOD.

Which things since they are thus; it must evidently appeare unto you by the words themselves, That such an Oath cannot be taken without hurting of the Catholike Faith, and the Salvation of your Soules; seeing it conteines many things which are flat contrary to Faith and Salvation. Wherefore wee doe admonish you, that you doe uterly abstaine from taking this and the like Oathes: which thing we doe the more earnestly require of you, because we have experience of the Constancy of your Faith, which is tried like Gold on the fire of perpetuall Tribulation. We doe well know, that you will cheerefully under-goe all kind of cruel Torments whatsoever, yea and constantly endure death it selfe, rather then you will in any thing offend the Majestie of GOD. And this our Confidence is confirmed by those things, which are daily reported unto us, of the singular vertue, valour, and fortitude which in these last times doeth no lesse shine in your Martyrs, then it did in the first beginning of the Church. Stand therefore, your Loines being girt about with veritie, and having on the Brest-plate of righteousnesse, taking the Shield of Faith, bee yee strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might; And let nothing hinder you. Hee which will crowne you, and doeth in Heaven behold your Conflicts, will finish the good worke which he hath begun in you. You know how hee hath promised his Disciples, that hee will never leave them Orphanes: for hee is faithful which hath promised. Hold fast therefore his correction, that is, being rooted and grounded in Charitie, whatsoever yee doe, whatsoever ye indevour, doe it with one accord, in simplicitie of Heart, in meekenesse of spirit, without murmuring or doubting. For by this doe all men know that wee are the Disciples of Christ, if we have Love one to another. Which Charitie, as it is very greatly to bee desired of all faithfull Christians; So certainely is it altogether necessary for you, most blessed Sonnes. For by this your Charitie, the power of the Devill is weakened, who doeth so much assaile you, since that Power of his is especially up-held by the contentions and Disagreement of our Sonnes: We exhort you therefore by the bowels of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whose Love wee are taken out of the Jawes of eternall Death; That above all things, you would have mutuall Charitie among you. Surely Pope Clement the eight of happy memory, hath given you most profitable Precepts of practising brotherly Charitie one to another, in his Letters in forme of a Breve, to our welbeloved Sonne M. George Arch-priest of the Kingdome of England, dated the 5. day of the moneth of October, 1602. Put them therefore diligently in practise, and bee not hindered by any difficultie or doubtfulnesse. We command you that ye doe exactly observe the words of those letters and that yee take and understand them simply as they found, and as they lie; all power to interpret them otherwise, being taken away. In the meane while, wee will never cease to pray to the Father of Mercies, that hee would with pitie beholde your afflictions and your paines; And that hee would keepe and defend you with his continuall Protection: whom we doe gently greet with our Apostolicall Benediction. Dated at Rome at S. Marke, under the signet of the Fisherman, the tenth of the calends of October, 1606, the second yeere of our Popedome.

THE ANSWERE TO THE FIRST BREVE.

First, the Pope expresseth heerein his sorrow, for that Persecution which the Catholiques sustaine for the faiths sake. Wherein, besides the maine untrueth whereby I am so injuriously used, I must ever avow and maintaine, as the trueth is according to mine owne knowledge, that the late Queene of famous memory, never punished by Papist for religion, but had their owne punishment was ever extorted out of her hands against her will, by their owne misbehaviour, which both the time and circumstances of her actions will manifestly make proofe of. For before Pius Quintus his excommunication giving her over for a preye, and setting her Subjects at liberty to rebel, it is well known she never medled with the blood or hard punishment of any Catholique, nor made any rigorous lawes against them. And since that time, who list to compare with an indifferent eye, the manifold intended Invasions against her whole Kingdome, the foraine practices, the internall publike rebellions, the private plots and machinations, poisonings, murthers, and all sorts of devises, et quid non? daily let abroach; and all these wares continually fostered & fomented from Rome; together with the continuall corrupting of her Subjects, as well by temporall bribes, as by faire and specious promises of eternall felicitie and nothing but booke upon booke publikely set forth by her fugitives, for approbation of so holy designes; who list, I say, with an indifferent eye, to looke on the one part, upon those infinite & intollerable temptations, and on the other part upon the just, yet moderate punishment of a part of these hainous offenders; shall easily see that that blessed defunct Lady was as free from persecution, as they shall free these hellish Instruments from the honour of martyrdome.

5. But now having sacrificed (if I may so say) to the Manes of my late predecessor, I may next with S. Paul justly vindicate my own fame, from those innumerable calumnies spred against me, in testifying the truth of my behaviour toward the Papists: wherin I may truly affirme, that whatsoever was her just and mercifull Governement over the Papists in her time, my Governement over them since hath so farre exceeded hers, in mercy and clemency, as not onely the Papists themselves grewe to the height of pride, in confidence of my mildenesse, as they did directly expect, & assuredly promise to themselves liberty of conscience & equality with other of my Subjects in all things; but even a number of the best and faithfullest of my said subjects, were cast in great feare & amazement of my course & proceedings, ever prognostication & justly suspecting that sowre fruit to come of it, which shewed it selfe clearely in the powder - Treason. How many did I honour with knighthood, of known & open Recusants? How indifferently did I give audience, and accesse to both sides, bestowing equally all favours and honors on both professions? How free & continuall accesse, had all ranks & degrees of Papists in my Court & company? And above all, how frankly and freely did I free Recusants of their ordinary payments? Besides, it is evident what strait order was given our of my own mouth to the Judges, to spare the execution of all Priests, (notwithstanding their conviction,) joyning thereunto a gracious Proclamation, wherby al Priests, that were at liberty, and not taken, might goe out of the country by such a day: my generall Pardon having bin extended to all convicted Priests in prison: whereupon they were set at liberty as good Subjects: and all Priests that were taken after, sent over and set at liberty there. But time & paper will faile me to make enumeration of all the benefits and favours that I bestowed in generall and particular upon Papists, in recounting wherof every scrape of my pen would serve but for a blot of the Popes ingratitude and Injustice, in meating me with so hard a measure for the same. So as I thinke I have sufficiently, or at least with good reason wiped the teares from the Popes eyes, for complaining upon such persecution, who if he had been but politikely wise, although he had had no respect to justice and Verity, would have in this complaint of his, made a difference betweene my present time, and the time of the late Queen, And so by his commending of my moderation, in regard of former times, might have had hope to have moved me to have continued in the same clement course. For it is a true saying, that alledged kindnes upon noble minds, doth ever worke much. And for the maine untruth of any persecution in my time, it can never be proved, that any were, or are put to death since I came to the Crowne for cause of Conscience: except that now this discharge given by the Pope to all Catholiques to take their oath of Allegiance to me, be the cause of the due punishment of many: which if it all out to be, let the blood light upon the Popes head, who is the onely cause thereof.

As for the next point contained in his Breve concerning his discharge of al Papists to come to our Church, or frequent our rites and ceremonies I am not to meddle at this time with that matter, because my errand now only is to publish to the world the Injury and Injustice done unto me in discharging my subject to make profession of their obedience unto me. Now as to the point where the oath is quarrelled, it is set down in few, but very weighty words; to wit, That it ought to be cleare unto all Catholiques, that this oath cannot be taken with safety of the Catholike Faith, & of their soules health, since it containeth many things that are plainely and directly contrary to their faith & salvation. To this, the old saying fathered upon [inputed to] the Philosopher may very fitly be applied, Multa Dicit, sed pauca probat: nay indeed, Nihil omnino probat. For how the profession of the natural Allegiance of Subjects to their Prince can be directly opposite to the faith & salvation of souls, is so far beyond my simple reading in Divinitie, as I must thinke it a strange and new Assertion, to proceed out of the mouth of that pretended general Pastor of all Christian soules. I reade indeede, and not in one, or two, or three places of Scripture, that Subjects are bound to obey their Princes for conscience sake, whether they were good or wicked Princes. So said the people to Joshua, As we obeyed Moses in all things, so will we obey thee. So the Prophet commanded the people to obey the King of Babel, saying, Put your neckes under the yoke of the King of Babel, and serve him and his people, that yee may live. So were the children of Israel, unto Pharaoh, desiring him to let them goe: so to Cyrus, obtaining leave of his to returne to build the Temple: and in a word, the Apostle willed all men to be subject to the higher powers for conscience sake. Agreeable to the scriptures did the Fathers teach. Augustine speaking of Julian, saith, Julian was an unbeleeving Emperour: was he not an Apostate, an Oppressour, and an Idolater? Christian Souldiers served that unbeleeving Emperour: when they came to the cause of CHRIST, they would acknowledge no Lord, but him that is in heaven: when he would have them to worship Idoles and to sacrifice, they preferred GOD before him: But when hee said, goe forth to fight, invade such a nation, they presently obeyed. They distinguished their eternall Lord from their temporall, and yet were they subject even unto their temporall lord, for his sake that was their eternall Lord and Master. Tertullian saith, A Christian is enemie to no man, much lesse to the Prince, whom hee knoweth to bee appointed of God: and so of necessitie must love, reverrence and honour him, and with him safe with the whole Romaine Empire, so long as the world shall last: for so long shall it endure. We honour therefore the Emperour in such sort, as is lawfull for us, and expedient for him, as a man, the next unto God, and obtaining from God whatsoever hee hath, and onely inferiour unto God. This the Emperour himselfe would: for so is he greater then all, while he is inferiour onely to the true God. Justine Martyr; We onely adore Lod, and in all other things cheerefully performe service to you, professing that you are Emperours and Princes of men. Ambrose; I may lament, weepe, and sigh: My teares are my weapons against their armes, souldiers, and the Gothes also: such are the weapons of a Priest: Otherwise neither ought I, neither can I resist, Optatus; Over the Emperour, there is none but only God, that made the Emperour. And Gregory writing to Mauritius about a certaine Law, that a Souldier should not be received into a Monastery, nondu expleta militia, The Almightie God, saith he, holdes him guilty, that is not upright to the most excellent Emperour in all things that he doth or speaketh. And then calling himself the unworthy servant of his Godlinesse goeth on in the whole epistle to shew the injustice of that Law, as he pretendeth: and in the end concludes his epistle with these words: I being subject to your command, have caused the same Law to bee sent through divers parts of your Dominions: and because the Law if selfe doeth not agree to the Law of the Almightie God, I have signified the same by me letters to your most excellent Lordship: so that on both parts I have payed what I ought: because I have yeelded obedience to the Emperour, and have not holden my peace, in what I thought for God. Now how great a contrarietie there is, betwixt this ancient Popes action in obeying and Emperour by the publication of his Decree, which in his owne conscience he thought unlawfull, and this present Popes prohibition to a Kings Subjects from obedience unto him in things most lawfull and meere temporall; I remit it to the Readers indifferencie. And answerably to the fathers spake the Councels in their Decrees. As the Councell of Arles, submitting the whole Councell to the Emperour in these words: These things we have decreed to be presented to our lord the Emperour, beseeching his Clemencie, that if we have done lesse than wee ought, it may be supplied by his wisedome: if any thing otherwise than reason requireth, it may be corrected by his judgment if anything be found fault with by us with reason, it may be perfected by his aid with GODS favourable assistance.

But why should I speake of Charles the great, to whome not one Councell, but sixe severall Councels, Frankeford, Arles, Tours, Chalons, Ments & Rhemes did wholy submit themselves? and not rather speake of all the generall Councels, that of Nice, Constantinople, Ephesus, Chalcedon, and the foure other commonly so reputed, which did submit themselves to the Emperours wisedome and piety in all things? Insomuch as that of Ephesus repeated it foure severall times, That they were summoned by the Emperours Oracle, becke, charge and command, and betooke themselves to his Godlinesse; beseeching him, that the Decrees made against Nestorius and his followers, might by his power have their full force and validitie, as appeareth manifestly in the Epistle of the generall Councell of Ephesus written ad Augustos. I also reade that Christ said, His kingdome was not of this world, bidding, Give to Caesar what was Caesars, and to God what was Gods. And I ever held it for an infallible Maxime in Divinitie, That temporal obedience to a temporal Magistrate, did nothing repugne to matters of faith or salvation of soules. But that ever temporall obedience was against faith and salvation of soules, as in this Breve is alledged, was never before heard nor read of in the Christian Church. And therefore I would have wished the Pope, before he had set downe this commandement to all Papists here, That, since in him is the power by the infallibilitie of his spirit, to make new Articles of Faith when ever it shall please him; he had first set it downe for an Article of Faith, before hee had commanded all catholikes to beleeve and obey it. I will then conclude the answere to this point in a Dilemma.

Either it is lawful to obey the Soveraigne in temporall things, or not.

If it be lawfull (as I never heard nor read it doubted of) then why is the Pope so unjust, and so cruell towards his owne Catholikes, as to command them to disobey their Soveraignes lawfull commandement?

If it be unlawful, why hath he neither expressed any one cause or reason thereof, nor yet will give them leave (nay rather hee should commaund and perswade them in plaine termes) not to live under a King whom unto they ought no obedience?

And as for the vehement exhortation unto them to persevere in constancie, and to suffer Martyrdome and all tribulation for this cause; it requireth no other answere then onely this, That if the ground be good whereupon hee hath commanded them to stand, then exhortation to constancie is necessarie: but if the ground bee unjust and naught (as indeed it is, and I have in part already proved) then this exhortation of his can worke no other effect, then to make him guilty of the blood of many of his sheepe, whom he doeth thus wilfully cast away, not onely to the needlesse losse of their lives, and ruine of their families, but even to the laying on of a perpetuall slander upon all Papists; as if no zealous Papist could be a true Subject to his Prince; and that the profession of that Religion, and the Temporall obedience to the Civill Magistrate, were two things repugnant and incompatible in themselves. But evill information, and untrue reports (which being caried so farre as betweene this and Rome, cannot but increase by the way) might have abused the Pope, and made him dispatch this Breve so rashly. For that great Citie, Queene of the World, and as themselves confesse, mystically Babylon, cannot but be so full of all sorts of Intelligencies. Besides, all complainers (as the Catholiques here are) be naturally given to exaggerate their owne griefes, and multiply thereupon. So that it is no wonder, that even a just Judge sitting there, should upon wrong information give an unrighteous sentence: as some of their owne partie doe not sticke to confesse, That Pius Quintus was too rashly caried upon wrong information, to pronounce his thunder of Excommunication upon the late Queene. And it may be, the like excuse shal hereafter be made for the two Breves, which Clemens Octavius sent to England immediatly before her death, for debarring me of the Crowne, or any other that either would professe, or any wayes tolerate the professours of our Religion; contrary to his manifold vowes and protestations, fimul & eodem tempore, & as it were, delivered uno & eodem spiritu, to divers of my ministers abroad, professing such kindnesse, and shewing such forwardnesse to advance me to this Crowne. Nay, the most part of Catholikes here, finding this Breve when it came to their handes, to be so farre against divinitie, policie or natural sense, were firmely perswaded that it was but a counterfeit Libel, devised in hatred of the Pope; or at the farthest, a thing, hastily done upon wrong information, as was before said. Of which opinion were not onely the simpler sort of Papists, but even some amongst them of best account, both for learning and experience; whereof the Archpriest himselfe was one. But for solving of this objection, the Pope himselfe hath taken new paines by sending foorth a second Breve, onely for giving faith and confirmation to the former: That whereas before, his sinne might have bene thought to have proceeded form rashnesse and mis-information, he will now wilfully and willingly double the same: whereof the Copie followeth.

TO OUR BELOVED SONNES THE ENGLISH CATHOLIQUES, Paulus P.P.

Beloved Sonnes, Salutation and Apostolicall Benediction. It is reported unto us, that there are found certaine amongst you, who when as wee have sufficiently declared by our Letters, datted the last yeere on the tenth of the Calends of October in the forme of a Breve, that yee cannot with safe Conscience take the Oath, which was then required of you; and when as wee have further straitly commaunded you, that by no meanes ye should take it: yet there are some, I say, among you, which dare now affirme, that such Letters concerning the forbidding of the Oath, were not written of our owne accord, or of our owne proper will, but rather for the respect and at the instigation of other men. And for that cause, the same men do goe about to perswade you, that our commands in the said letters are not to be regarded. Surely this newes did trouble us; and that so much the more, because having had experience of your obedience (most dearely beloved Sonnes) who to the end ye might obey this holy Sea, have godlily and valiantly contemned your riches, wealth, honour, libertie, yea and life it selfe; we should never have suspected that the trueth of our Apostolique Letters could once be called into question among you, that by this pretence, yee might exempt your selves from our Commandements. But we doe herein perceive the subtiltie and craft of the enemie of mans salvation, and wee doe attribute this your backwardnesse rather to him, then to your owne will. And for this cause, wee have thought good to write the second time unto you, and to signifie unto you againe, That our Apostolike Letters, dated the last yere on the tenth of the Calends of October, concerning the prohibition of the Oath, were written, not onely upon our proper motion, and of our certaine knowledge, but also after long and weightie deliberation used concerning all those things, which are contained in them; and that for that cause yee are bound fully to observe them, rejecting all interpretation perswading to the contrary. And this is our meere, pure, and perfect will, being alwayes carefull of your salvation, and alwayes minding those things, which are most profitable unto you. And we doe pray without ceasing, that he that hath appointed our lowlinesse to the keeping of the flocke of Christ, would inlighten our thoughts and our counsels: whom we do also continually desire, that he would increase in you (our beloved Sonnes) faith, constancy, and mutuall charity and peace one to another. All whom, we doe most lovingly blesse with all charitable affection.

Dated at Rome at Saint Markes under the Signet of the Fisherman, the x. of the Calends of September, 1607. the third yere of our Popedome.

THE ANSWERE TO THE SECOND BREVE.

Now for this Breve, I may justly reflect his owne phrase upon him, in tearming it to bee The craft of the Devil. For if the Devil had studied a thousand yeres, for to find out a mischiefe for our Catholikes here, hee hath found it in this: that now when many Catholiks have taken their Oath, and some Priests also; yea, the Arch-priest himselfe, without compunction or sticking, they shall not now onely bee bound to refuse the profession of their naturall Allegiance to their Soveraigne, which might yet have beene some way coloured upon divers scruples conceived upon the words of the Oath; but they must now renounce & forsweare their profession of obedience already sworne, and so must as it were at the third instance forsweare their former two Oaths, first closely sworne, by their birth in their naturall Allegiance; and next clearely confirmed by this Oath, which doeth nothing but expresse the same: so as no man can now hold the faith, or procure the salvation of his soule in England, that must not abjure and renounce his borne and sworne Allegiance to his naturall Soveraigne.

And yet it is not sufficient to ratifie the last yeeres Breve, by a new one come foorth this yeere; but (that not onely every yeere, but every moneth may produce a new monster) the great and famous Writer of the Controversies, the late un-Jesuited Cardinall Bellarmine, must adde his talent to this good worke, by blowing the bellowes of sedition, and sharpening the spur to rebellion, by sending such a Letter of his to the Arch-priest here, as it is a wonder how passion and an ambitious desire of maintaining that Monarchie, should charme the wits of so famously learned a man.

The Copie whereof here followeth.

To The Very Reverend Mr. George Blackwell, Arch-priest of the English: Robert Bellarmine Cardinall of the holy Church of Rome, greeting.

Reverend Sir, and Brother in Christ; It is almost fourtie yeares since wee did see one the other: but yet I never bene unmindfull of our ancient acquaintance, neither have I ceased, seeing I could doe you no other good, to commend your labouring most painefully in the Lords vineyard, in my prayers to God. And I doubt not, but that I have lived all this while in your memory, and have had some place in your prayers at the Lords Altar. So therefore even unto this time wee have abidden, as S. John speaketh, in the mutuall love one of the other, not by word or letter, but in deede and trueth. But a late message which was brought unto us within these few dayes, of your bonds and imprisonment hath inforced mee to breake off this silence; which message, although it seemed heavie in regard of the losse which that Church hath received, by their being thus deprived of the comfort of your pastorall function amongst them, yet withall it seemed joyous, because you drew neere unto the glory of Martyrdome, then the which gift of God there is none more happy; That you, who have fedde your flocke so many yeeres with the worde and doctrine, should now feede it more gloriously by the example of your patience. But another heavie tidings did not a litle disquiet and almost take away this joy, which immediatly followed, of the adversaries assault, and peradventure of the slip and fall of your Constancie in refusing an unlawfull Oath. Neither truely (most dear Brother) could that Oath therefore be lawfull, because it was offered in sort tempered and modified: for you know that those kinde of modifications are nothing els, but flights and subtilties of Satan that the Catholique faith touching the Primacie of the Sea Apostolike, might either secretly or openly be shot at, for the which faith so many worthy Martyrs even in that very England it selfe, have resisted unto blood. For most certaine it is, that in whatsoever words the Oath is conceived by the adversaries of the faith in that Kingdome, it tends to this end, that the Authoritie of the head of the Church in England, may be transferred from the successour of S. Peter, to the Successour of K. Henry the eight. For that which is pretended of the danger of the Kings life, if the high Priest should have the same power in England, which hee hath in all other Christian Kingdomes, it is altogether idle, as all that have any understanding, may easily perceive. For it was never heard of from the Churches infancie untill this day, that ever any Pope did command, that any Prince, though an Heretike, though and Ethnike, though a Persecutor, should be murdered; or did approve of the fact, when it was done by any other. And why, I pray you, doeth onely the King of England feare that, which none of all other the Princes in Christendome either doeth feare, or ever did feare?

But, as I said, these vaine pretexts are but the trappes and strategemes of Satan: Of which kinde I could produce not a few out of Ancient Stories, if I went about to write a book and not an Epistle. One only for example sake, I will call to your memory. S. Gregorius Nazanzenus in his first Oration against Julian the Emperour, reporteth, That he, the more easily to beguile the simple Christians, did insert the Images of the false gods into the pictures of the Emperor, which the Romanes did use to bow downe unto with a civill kind of reverence: so that no man could doe reverence to the Emperours picture, but withall he must adore the Images of the false gods; whereupon it came to passe that many were deceived. And if there were any that found out the Emperors craft, and refused to worship his picture, those were most grievously punished, as men that had contemned the Emperour in his Image. Some such like thing, me thinkes, I see in this Oath that is offered to you, which is so craftily composed, that no man can detest Treason against the King, and make profession of his Civill subjection, but he must be constrained persidiously to denie the Primacie of the Apostolike Sea. But the servants of Christ, and especially the chiefe Priests of the Lord ought to be so farre from taking an unlawfull Oath, where they may indamage the Faith, that they ought to beware that they give not the least suspicion of dissimulation that they have taken it, least they might seeme to have left any example of prevarication to faithfull people. Which thing that worthy Eleazar did most notably performe, who would neither eate swines flesh, nor so much as fame to have eaten it, although he saw the great torments that did hang over his head; least, as himselfe speaketh in the second booke of the Machabees, many young men might be brought through that simulation, to prevaricate with the Law. Neither did Basil the great by his example, which is more fit for our purpose, carry himselfe lesse worthily toward Valens the Emperour. For as Theodore writeth in his History, when the Deputy of that heretical Emperour did perswade Saint Basill, that he would not resist the Emperour for a little subtiltie of a few points of doctrine; that most holy and prudent man made answere, That it was not to bee indured, that he least syllable of Gods word should bee corrupted, but rather all kind of torment was to be embraced, for the maintenance of the Trueth thereof. Now I suppose, that there wants not amongst you, who say that they are but subtilties of Opinions that are conteined in the Oath that is offred to the Catholikes, and that you are not to strive against the Kings Authoritie for such a little mater. But there are not wanting also amongst you holy men like unto Basil the Great, which will openly avow, that the very least syllable of Gods divine trueth is not to be corrupted, though many torments were to be endured, and death it selfe set before you. Amongst whom it is meete, that you should bee one, or rather the Standerd-bearer, and Generall to the rest. And whatsoever hath beene the cause, that your Constancie hath quailed, whether it bee the sudainnesse of your apprehension, or the bitternesse of your persecution, or the imbecillity of your old age: yet we trust in the goodnesse of God, and in your owne long continued vertue, that it will come to passe, that as you seeme in some part to have imitated the fall of Peter and Marcellinus, so you shall happily imitate their valour in recovering your strength, and maintaining the truth. For if you will diligently weigh the whole matter with your selfe, truely you shall see, it is no small matter that is called in question by this Oath, but one of the principall heads of our faith and foundations of Catholique Religion. For heare what your Apostle S. Gregory the Great hath written, in his 24. Epistle of his 11. booke. Let not he reverence due to the Apostolique Sea, bee troubled by any mans presumption: for then the state of the members doeth remaine entire, when the head of the faith is not bruised by any injury. Therefore by S. Gregories testimonie, when they are busie about disturbing or diminishing, or taking away of the Primacie of the Apostolique Sea: Then are they busie about cutting off the verie head of the faith, and dissolving of the state of the whole body, and of all the members. Which selfe same thing S. Leo doth confirme in his third Sermon of his Assumption to the Popedome, when he saith, Our Lord had a special care of Peter, & prayed properly for Peters faith, as though the state of others were more stable, when their Princes mind was not to be over come. Whereupon himselfe in his Epistle to the Bishops of the province of Vienna, doeth not doubt to affirme, that he is not partaker of the divine Mystery, that dare depart from the solidity of Peter who also saith, That who thinketh the Primacy to be denied to that Sea, he can in no sort lessen the authority of it: but by beeing puft up with the spirit of his own pride, doth cast himself headlong into hel. These & many other of this kind, I am very sure are most familiar to you: who besides many other bookes, have diligently read over the visible Monarchie of your owne Saunders, a most diligent writer, and one who hath worthily deserved of the Church of England. Neither can you be ignorant, that these most holy & learned men John bishop of Rochester, and Tho. Moore, within our memorie, for this one most weightie head of doctrine, led the way to Martyrdome to many others, to the exceeding glory of the English nation. But I would put you in remembrance that you should take hart, & considering the weightines of the cause, not to trust too much to your owne judgement, neither be wise above that is meete to be wise: and if peradventure your fall have proceeded not upon want of consideration, but through humane infirmity, & for feare of punishment and imprisonment, yet doe not preferre a temporall liberty to the libertie of the glory of the Sonnes of God: neither for escaping a light and momentarie tribulation, lose an eternall weight of glory, which tribulation it self doth worke in you. You have fought a good fight a long time, you have well-neere finished your course; so many yeres have you kept the faith: doe not therefore lose the reward of such labours; do not deprive your selfe of that Crown of righteousness which so long agone is prepared for you; Doe not make the faces of so many yours both brethen and children ashamed. Upon you at this time are fixed the eyes of all the Church: yea also, you are made a spectacle to the world, to Angels, to men; Do not so carry your selfe in this your last acte, that you leave nothing but laments to your friends, and joy to your enemies. But rather on the contrary, which we assuredly hope, and for which we continually powre forth prayers to God, display gloriously the banner of faith, and make to rejoyce the church which you have made heavie; so shall you not onely merite pardon at Gods hands, but a Crowne. Farewell. Quite you like a man, and let your heart be strengthened. From Rome the 28. day of September, 1607.

Your very Reverendships brother and servant in Christ, Robert Bellarmine Cardinall.