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Sect. 9. Further, it's no sin for the Romanists to take from those whom they count Heretics (from Protestants particularly) all that they have: This will not be Theft or Robbery, but an act justified by the Laws of their Church, which oblige them to do it; for this is one of those many punishments, which that Law will have inflicted on us; (k)the goods of Heretics are by sentence of Law immediately confiscated. There is no question of this amongst them; only as to the execution, there is some doubt, whether Heretics are bound in Conscience, as soon as they are such, to give up their possession themselves, and deliver all they have to Roman Catholics; or whether they may not without mortal guilt, keep possession, till the Papists see it fit to put them out, and seize on all they have. Their famous (l)Panormitan concludes that the Heretics are bound, under the pain of deadly sin, to do ⟨p. 361⟩this execution upon themselves, not expecting any other Sentence, or Executioner. And there is a pretty Army of Doctors (longa Doctorum phalanx) do maintain this with him: but Soto and some others determine, that they need not be so hasty to give up all they have of their own accord, but may stay for a declaratory sentence, and seizure upon it; but then a (m)general sentence will serve, without particular process or examination who are personally guilty, and a (n)sentence by some Ecclesiastical person may suffice.
Sect. 9. Further, it's no sin for the Romanists to take from those whom they count Hereticks (from Protestants particularly) all that they have: This will not be Theft or Robbery, but an act justified by the Laws of their Church, which oblige them to do it; for this is one of those many punishments, which that Law will have inflicted on us; (k)the goods of Hereticks are by sentence of Law immediatly consiscated. There is no question of this amongst them; only as to the execution, there is some doubt, whether Hereticks are bound in Conscience, as soon as they are such, to give up their possession themselves, and deliver all they have to Roman Catholicks; or whether they may not without mortal guilt, keep possession, till the Papists see it fit to put them out, and seize on all they have. Their famous
Panormitan concludes that the Hereticks are bound, under the pain of deadly sin, to do
⟨p. 361⟩
this execution upon themselves, not expecting any other Sentence, or Executioner. And there is a pretty Army of Doctors (longa Doctorum phalanx) do maintain this with him: but Soto and some others determine, that they need not be so hasty to give up all they have of their own accord, but may stay for a declaratory sentence, and seisure upon it; but then a
sentence by some Ecclesiastical person may suffice.
(k)Concil. Later. sub Innoc. 3. bona ipsorum ipso facto applicantur fisco, Angel. Sum. v. haeret. n. 5. sunt ipso jure, vel ipso facto confiscata Sylvest. v. haeret. c. 1. n. 12.
(l)Cujus regula est, quod ille cujus bona sunt ipso facto confiscata, non potest illa cum bona conscientia retinere, quia statim sunt acquisita fisco, in Soto de Just. & jure l. 3. q. 6. art. 6. p. 21.
But all of them agree in this, that Heretics lose all title and property in what-ever they possess, and that for them and their heirs; and this before any declaratory (o)sentence, even from the first day of their pretended heretical pravity, as the (p)Directory for the Inquisitors determines.
But all of them agree in this, that Hereticks lose all title and property in what-ever they possess, and that for them and their heirs; and this before any declaratory (o)sentence, even from the first day of their pretended heretical pravity, as the (p)Directory for the Inquisitors determins.
(o)Idem. ibid. v. paena. n. 3. Graft. l. 2. c. 11. n. 10, sine.Idem. ibid. v. paena. n. 3. Graff. l. 2. c. 11. n. 10, sine.
(p)Ut etiam tenet Director. l. 3. tit. 9. qui etiam dicit, quod dicta bona damnatorum propter haeresim, vel bujusmodi ad fiscum pertin•nt a Die commissi criminis, Sylvest. ibid. n. 13. Condemnatio illa vetro agitur usque ad articulum quo haereticus omni ignorantia nudatus, haeresim studio ass•ruit. Assertio est Jo. Aud. Sed nulla opus est authorum citatione: nam lex est expressa.—Et universalis usus & practica St. Senatus inquisitionis sic habet nempe secundum normam directori. l. 3. tit. 9. Soto. ibid. p. 23. vid. Sylv. ibid. n. 14. Graft. l. 2. c. 21. n. 17.Ut etiam tenet Director. l. 3. tit. 9. qui etiam dicit, quod dicta bona damnatorum propter haeresim, vel bujusmodi ad fiscum pertin•nt a Die commissi criminis, Sylvest. ibid. n. 13. Condemnatio illa vetro agitur usque ad articulum quo haereticus omni ignorantia nudatus, haeresim studio ass•ruit. Assertio est Jo. Aud. Sed nulla opus est authorum citatione: nam lex est expressa.—Et universalis usus & practica St. Senatus inquisitionis sic habet nempe secundum normam directori. l. 3. tit. 9. Soto. ibid. p. 23. vid. Sylv. ibid. n. 14. Graff. l. 2. c. 21. n. 17.
To lose all title to their Estates, may seem a small matter, considering that they lose all power and jurisdiction, all right to Honour and Fame, (they and theirs being infamous) to Liberty also, and Life it self: But because loss of Property is great in consequence, let us stay a little on it. All that these pretended Heretics have, being confiscated, they are liable to a Seizure presently; and though their convenience will not serve them to seize on all, a long time after; yet in the interim, the poor Heretics are responsible; for all the (q)mean profits (it may be in our case, for a hundred, or two hundred years past); and all this while, they have no power to alienate or dispose of their Goods or ⟨p. 362⟩Estates, by Gift; Sale, Will, or otherwise; yea, not of any of it, by way of Charity, for they are not their own to dispose of. Hence all Wills, Sales, Contracts, for this purpose, (it may be for some ages together) are (r)null and void. And if the Heretic will venture to alienate any thing he has, he that buys it, does it at his peril(s); for though it pass from hand to hand many years, yet it may be taken away from the Purchaser, with whom it is found, (t)without restoring the price that was paid for it: and he that sells it, is a Cheat, and (u)sins mortally, if he gives not the Purchaser notice of the hazard, and tell him, that when he sells his Estate, or Goods, he has no right to sell them. If the pretended Heretic dye, and leave what he has to his (x)Children, it is no better than if he left them another mans Goods which he had no title to. Yea, though the Children be (y)Catholics, they lose their portion. But who are those that may take from ⟨p. 363⟩Protestants (or others whom they count Heretics) what they possess? why, any that will: Authority is given to all who-ever to Rob, spoil, or bereave us. So Sylvester, and others, quoting the Rabbis of the Pontifical Law for it. It is their determination, that in point of Law and Conscience, (z)all that will, have Authority to spoil us of what we have. What he adds, is matter of caution for more plausible proceedings in the spoil and robbery. It seems safe that this be not done but by special edict of the Prince, or of the Church; this is convenient, least otherwise one might seem to do it, rather out of Covetousness or Revenge, than out of Justice and Obedience.
To lose all title to their Estates, may seem a small matter, considering that they lose all power and jurisdiction, all right to Honour and Fame, (they and theirs being infamous) to Liberty also, and Life it self: But because loss of Property is great in consequence, let us stay a little on it. All that these pretended Hereticks have, being consiscated, they are liable to a Seisure presently; and though their convenience will not serve them to seise on all, a long time after; yet in the interim, the poor Hereticks are responsible; for all the (q)mean profits (it may be in our case, for a hundred, or two hundred years past); and all this while, they have no power to alienate or dispose of their Goods or ⟨p. 362⟩Estates, by Gift; Sale, Will, or otherwise; yea, not of any of it, by way of Charity, for they are not their own to dispose of. Hence all Wills, Sales, Contracts, for this purpose, (it may be for some ages together) are (r)null and voyd. And if the Heretick will venture to alienate any thing he has, he that buyes it, does it at his peril(s); for though it pass from hand to hand many years, yet it may be taken away from the Purchaser, with whom it is found, (t)without restoring the price that was paid for it: and he that sells it, is a Cheat, and (u)sins mortally, if he gives not the Purchaser notice of the hazard, and tell him, that when he sells his Estate, or Goods, he has no right to sell them. If the pretended Heretick dye, and leave what he has to his (x)Children, it is no better than if he left them another mans Goods which he had no title to. Yea, though the Children be (y)Catholicks, they lose their portion. But who are those that may take from ⟨p. 363⟩Protestants (or others whom they count Hereticks) what they possess? why, any that will: Authority is given to all who-ever to Rob, spoil, or bereave us. So Sylvester, and others, quoting the Rabbies of the Pontifical Law for it. It is their determination, that in point of Law and Conscience,
(q)Talis clausula ipso jure vel facto, operatur restitutionem fructuum medij temporis—n•ma Die commissi criminis, non facit fructus suos, sed statim debentur fisco Fell. in cap. Rodolphus de rescript. Graff. ibid. n. 21.Talis clausula ipso jure vel facto, operatur restitutionem fructuum medij temporis—n•ma Die commissi criminis, non facit fructus suos, sed statim debentur fisco Fel. in cap. Rodolphus de rescript. Graff. ibid. n. 21.
(r)Dona•io vel alienatio facta per haereticum ante damnationem non tenet—sicut facta damnatione bona alienare non possunt, sic nec ante illam a die commissi criminis, Sylv. ibid. n. 14. Habetque eousque vim talis sententia, ut omnes contractus, nempe donationes, venditionis, atque alij, etiam causa dotis, quos haereticus ab illo articulo secerit, hab•antur pro infectis, Soto. ibid.
(s)Navarre. c. 17. n. 106.Navar. c. 17. n. 106.
(t)Si haereticus alienavit, fiscus vel inquisitores non tenentur restituere pretium emptori, quia •ff•ctus damnationis re•ro trahitur, Sylvest. ibid. fiscus nullo emptoribus restituto pretio sibi adjudicat dicta bona. Soto. ibid. res quaelibet per delinquentem ali•nata a fisco vindicari possit a die commissi criminis, pretio ipsi emptori minime soluto. Graft. ibid. n. 17. Non solum revocabit rem▪ pretio non restituto emptori, qui emit ab haeretico: verum etiam nec •i qui emit, quantumcunque per plures manus transierit, a qui non habuit jus vendendi, haec Jo. Manald. Archidiaconus, & Jo. Andreus & idem. Directorium in Sylvest. ibid.Si haereticus alienavit, fiscus vel inquisitores non tenentur restituere pretium emptori, quia •ff•ctus damnationis re•ro trahitur, Sylvest. ibid. fiscus nullo emptoribus restituto pretio sibi adjudicat dicta bona. Soto. ibid. res quaelibet per delinquentem alinata a fisco vindicari possit a die commissi criminis, pretio ipsi emptori minime soluto. Graff. ibid. n. 17. Non solum revocabit rem pretio non restituto emptori, qui emit ab haeretico: verum etiam nec i qui emit, quantumcunque per plures manus transierit, a qui non habuit jus vendendi, haec Jo. Manald. Archidiaconus, & Jo. Andreus & idem. Directorium in Sylvest. ibid.
By this we may understand in what condition Protestants are, by the Laws of the Romish Chuich, and how Papists are obliged to look upon us, and demean themselves towards us. No Protestant from the (*)Prince to the meanest Subject, has any Title to Lands, Houses, Money, or any thing else which they possess; or can justly call it their own. All rules of Righteousness, which concern property, are void: Papists owe them no observance. In reference to us, we are not capable of Injury upon this account; whatever they do against us, in respect of our Estates, they wrong us not, they sin not, for we have no Title. If they take from us any thing, or all we have, they steal not ought from us, they rob us not, because they take nothing from us that is our own. If they burn our Houses over our heads, and fire Towns and Cities (as they have done, and their famous (a)Simanca says they may do) they ⟨p. 364⟩do us no injury, they sin not on this account, because the Houses and Goods consumed, are none of ours. If they deprive a Protestant Prince of his Throne and Dominions, they sin not; he is by their Law and doctrine but an Usurper, and had no just (b)title to his Crown. If they draw any of his Subjects into war against him, at home or abroad, they do him no wrong; for they are (c)not his Subjects, no more than the Popish Clergy, who are sworn to another Sovereign. Or if he intrust them with the commands of Forts (d)or Garrisons, they may betray them to the Romanists, and not wrong him, because they were not his. If they take all (e)places of trust, or profit, from Nobles or Commons, they do them no wrong, because they had no right to them, nor have their Children after them any, for some generations. If they pay no (f)Debts to Protestants though they were not only under the obligation of a promise, but of solemn Oath, they may justify it, they owe them nothing. If Trust be reposed in them, or any thing be (g)deposited in their hands, or they borrow any thing of us, they may detain it; they need not restore it, for they have nothing of ours. In a word, there can be no Parliaments, or Convention of the three Estates of a Nation, because there are none in that capacity. As there are no persons ⟨p. 365⟩of Honour for Peers, all being (b)infamous, so can there be no Free-holders to choose, or to be chosen for Commons, since there are no Proprietors.
By this we may understand in what condition Protestants are, by the Laws of the Romish Chuich, and how Papists are obliged to look upon us, and demean themselves towards us. No Protestant from the (*)Prince to the meanest Subject, has any Title to Lands, Houses, Money, or any thing else which they possess; or can justly call it their own. All rules of Righteousness, which concern property, are voyd: Papists owe them no observance. In reference to us, we are not capable of Injury upon this account; whatever they do against us, in respect of our Estates, they wrong us not, they sin not, for we have no Title. If they take from us any thing, or all we have, they steal not ought from us, they rob us not, because they take nothing from us that is our own. If they burn our Houses over our heads, and fire Towns and Citys (as they have done, and their famous (a)Simanca says they may do) they ⟨p. 364⟩do us no injury, they sin not on this account, because the Houses and Goods consumed, are none of ours. If they deprive a Protestant Prince of his Throne and Dominions, they sin not; he is by their Law and doctrine but an Ʋsurper, and had no just (b)title to his Crown. If they draw any of his Subjects into war against him, at home or abroad, they do him no wrong; for they are (c)not his Subjects, no more than the Popish Clergy, who are sworn to another Soveraign. Or if he intrust them with the commands of Forts (d)or Garisons, they may betray them to the Romanists, and not wrong him, because they were not his. If they take all (e)places of trust, or profit, from Nobles or Commons, they do them no wrong, because they had no right to them, nor have their Children after them any, for some generations. If they pay no (f)Debts to Protestants though they were not only under the obligation of a promise, but of solemn Oath, they may justifie it, they owe them nothing. If Trust be reposed in them, or any thing be (g)
(*)A Constitution of Pope Paul 4. subscribed by all the Cardinals, declares that all Prelates and Princes, even Kings and Emperors fallen into Heresy, should be, and should be understood to be deprived of all their Benefices, States, Kingdoms and Empires, without farther declaration, and uncapable to be restored to them, even by the Apostolic Sea•; and their Goods, States, Kingdoms, and Empires shall be understood to be common, and to belong to those Catholics who can get them, Hist. of Counc. of Tr. lib. 5. p. 409.A Constitution of Pope Paul 4. subscribed by all the Cardinals, declares that all Prelats and Princes, even Kings and Emperors fallen into Haeresy, should be, and should be understood to be deprived of all their Benifices, States, Kingdoms and Empires, without farther declaration, and uncapable to be restored to them, even by the Apostolick Sea•; and their Goods, States, Kingdoms, and Empires shall be understood to be common, and to belong to those Catholicks who can get them, Hist. of Counc. of Tr. lib. 5. p. 409.
(a)Institut. Cathol. Tit. 45. Sect. 13.
(b)Tenens regnum contra formam juris & mentem papae dicitur tyrannus, Mascon. de imper. Reg. pars. 1. c. 2. Propter haeresin rex non solum regno privatur, sed & filij ejus a succession regni pelluntur. Simanc. ibid. tit. 9. Sect. 259. Post latam sententiam declarativam de crimine haeresis, injuste princeps possidet regnum, & principatum, & excercet jurisdictionem in subditos: tenenturque subditi eximere se ab ejus obedientia, & bellum gerere contra illum, si virus illis suppe•ant, Bannes in 22. q. 10 p. 614. Yea, Bannes says, it is the more common opinion with Aquinus and his followers, that before the sentence declaratory, Subjects may lawfully, if they have strength, exempt themselves from the power of the Prince. p. 590.Tenens regnum contra formam juris & mentem papae dicitur tyrannus, Mascon. de imper. Reg. pars. 1. c. 2. Propter haeresin rex non solum regno privatur, sed & filij ejus a successione regni pelluntur. Simanc. ibid. tit. 9. Sect. 259. Post latam sententiam declarativam de crimine haeresis, injuste princeps possidet regnum, & principatum, & excercet jurisdictionem in subditos: tenenturque subditi eximere se ab ejus obedientia, & bellum gerere contra illum, si vir•s illis suppe•ant, Bannes in 22. q. 10 p. 614. Yea, Bannes says, it is the more common opinion with Aquinus and his followers, that before the sentence declaratory, Subjects may lawfully, if they have strength, exempt themselves from the power of the Prince. p. 590.
And as no Laws can be made, can be valid, there being none who have any power to make them: so there can be no Aids or Subsidies granted, or required, since they cannot be given or required of those who have nothing of their own to give.
Thus by the Popish principles, the foundations of the civil constitution in England, and other Countries in like circumstances, are quite blown up, as if they had been at the mercy of Faux. And those who will follow their conduct, must hold, that we have no Government, no King, no Subjects, no Parliaments, no Laws, no Liberties, no Property; and indeed, none of the rest, because not this last. And all that will be true to the Doctrine and Laws of Popery, must believe this, and may lawfully deal with us accordingly; they sin not if they do, there is no Conscience in the case to hinder them, or secure us; nay, they are bound to do it, if that which they account most sacred, can oblige them, and that as soon as they can. That which restrains them, is not the fear of God, but of the penalties of our Laws, which yet are of no more force by their determination, than the agreement of a company of Robbers, or the constitutions of mere Usurpers, which will stand in their way no longer than till they can master the power which bears them up; against that which the Roman Decrees and Edicts have made equity and justice, in despite of the Laws of God and Nations.
Thus by the Popish principles, the foundations of the civil constitution in England, and other Countrys in like circumstances, are quite blown up, as if they had been at the mercy of Faux. And those who will follow their conduct, must hold, that we have no Government, no King, no Subjects, no Parliaments, no Laws, no Libertys, no Property; and indeed, none of the rest, because not this last. And all that will be true to the Doctrine and Laws of Popery, must believe this, and may lawfully deal with us accordingly; they sin not if they do, there is no Conscience in the case to hinder them, or secure us; nay, they are bound to do it, if that which they account most sacred, can oblige them, and that as soon as they can. That which restrains them, is not the fear of God, but of the penalties of our Laws, which yet are of no more force by their determination, than the agreement of a company of Robbers, or the constitutions of mere Usurpers, which will stand in their way no longer than till they can master the power which bears them up; against that which the Roman Decrees and Edicts have made equity and justice, in despite of the Laws of God and Nations.
Sect. 10. Moreover, they may bear (i)false witness, either privately, or in open Court, for their advantage; and if it do not much wrong another, it is but a small fault; so that if it do no wrong at all, it will be less than a small fault. On this account they may bear false ⟨p. 366⟩witness against a Protestant, or any other, whom they count Heretics, even when Estate or Life is concerned; for by their Laws and Doctrine his life is forfeited, and his goods confiscated, and so though by false testimony he lose both, yet he has no wrong, because he had no right to either. They may use fraud and deceit in bargains, to get what a Protestant sells, for little or nothing, yea, or to cheat him of all he has; for the deceit is not considerable in point of Conscience, but for the wrong it does; and here is no wrong in the case, for he cheats the Heretic of nothing that was his own, and so do's him no injury. They may use perfidiousness in breaking Compacts, Agreements, or Promises; for Perfidiousness, when it is (k)officious, and does but a little injury to those concerned, is one of the least sorts of faults by their doctrine; therefore, when it does no injury at all, it is less than the least: but by breaking promises, or any such Bond of faithfulness, which concerns the Estate of a Heretic, they do him no injury, because he has no Estate of his own, by their account. So that if a Papist should make a thousand promises, and confirm each of them with an Oath to a Heretic, that he will pay what he owes him, or restore to him what is his own, he sins not, though he never pay, nor restore a farthing of it; because nothing is due to a Heretic, nor is there any thing he can call his own. And this is not my inference only, but they themselves declare it to be the consequence of their principles; and what they (l)deliver in express terms, amounts to as much as this charge comes to.
Sect. 10. Moreover, they may bear (i)false witness, either privately, or in open Court, for their advantage; and if it do not much wrong another, it is but a small fault; so that if it do no wrong at all, it will be less than a small fault. On this account they may bear false ⟨p. 366⟩witness against a Protestant, or any other, whom they count Hereticks, even when Estate or Life is concerned; for by their Laws and Doctrine his life is forfeited, and his goods confiscated, and so though by false testimony he lose both, yet he has no wrong, because he had no right to either. They may use fraud and deceit in bargains, to get what a Protestant sells, for little or nothing, yea, or to cheat him of all he has; for the deceit is not considerable in point of Conscience, but for the wrong it does; and here is no wrong in the case, for he cheats the Heretick of nothing that was his own, and so do's him no injury. They may use perfidiousness in breaking Compacts, Agreements, or Promises; for Perfidiousness, when it is (k)officious, and does but a little injury to those concern'd, is one of the least sorts of faults by their doctrine; therefore, when it does no injury at all, it is less than the least: but by breaking promises, or any such Bond of faithfulness, which concerns the Estate of a Heretick, they do him no injury, because he has no Estate of his own, by their account. So that if a Papist should make a thousand promises, and confirm each of them with an Oath to a Heretick, that he will pay what he owes him, or restore to him what is his own, he sins not, though he never pay, nor restore a farthing of it; because nothing is due to a Heretick, nor is there any thing he can call his own. And this is not my inference only, but they themselves declare it to be the consequence of their principles; and what they (l)deliver in express terms, amounts to as much as this charge comes to.
(i)Soto. de. just. & jur. l. 5 q. 7. art. 4. supra.
(k)Cajetan. Sum. v. perfidia.
(l)Si aliquis promisisset eis haereticis solver sub paena vel juramento certo die, non tenetur ut Gloss. Et hoc intellige, si est manifestum ipsum in haeriticam incidisse perfidiam, & dicit Phil. ide• etiamsi est occultus; dummodo probari possit—Panormitan. ibid. vult, quod a die commissi criminis sunt liberi, Angel. Sum. v. haeret. n. 15. Armilla. v. haeres. n. 1. Sylvest. v. haeret. n. 14. He that fails, being bound by Oath or otherwise, to make payment, sins not, because the Creditors Heresy hath discharged him. So Ovandus in 4. dist. 13. prop 30.Si aliquis promisisset eis haereticis solvere sub paena vel juramento certo die, non tenetur ut Gloss. Et hoc intellige, si est manifestum ipsum in haeriticam incidisse perfidiam, & dicit Phil. ide• etiamsi est occultus; dummodo probari possit—Panormitan. ibid. vult, quod a die commissi criminis sunt liberi, Angel. Sum. v. haeret. n. 15. Armilla. v. haeres. n. 1. Sylvest. v. haeret. n. 14. He that fails, being bound by Oath or otherwise, to make payment, sins not, because the Creditors Heresy hath discharged him. So Ovandus in 4. dist. 13. prop 30.
Sect. 11. Thus they leave little that can be sin in Papists, one towards another, but less towards Protestants. 'Tis no sin not to keep Peace or Faith; not to observe either Truth or Honesty towards Heretics. 'Tis no deceit to equivocate with them in private dealing, or ⟨p. 367⟩public transactions; 'tis no Dishonesty to cheat them of what they have; 'tis no Perjury to break Oaths with them; 'tis no Theft to rob or spoil them; 'tis no Inhumanity to burn their Houses over their Heads; 'tis no Murder to kill them; in a word, 'tis no sin for all Relations to deny them, what God hath made their respective duties.
Sect. 11. Thus they leave little that can be sin in Papists, one towards another, but less towards Protestants. 'Tis no sin not to keep Peace or Faith; not to observe either Truth or Honesty towards Hereticks. 'Tis no deceit to equivocate with them in private dealing, or ⟨p. 367⟩publick transactions; 'tis no Dishonesty to cheat them of what they have; 'tis no Perjury to break Oaths with them; 'tis no Theft to rob or spoil them; 'tis no Inhumanity to burn their Houses over their Heads; 'tis no Murder to kill them; in a word, 'tis no sin for all Relations to deny them, what God hath made their respective dutys.
Sect. 12. Finally, natural Corruption, after Baptism, has nothing in it that can be charged with sin, no, not in wicked men, who afterwards by mortal sin, are quite destitute of grace. So that by their doctrine, a fixed averseness and contrariety to God and holiness, an habitual enmity against him, (*)a propenseness to all ungodliness and unrighteousness, is no sin; an inward temper and disposition, though it be most Impious, Atheistical, Rebellious, Filthy, Treacherous, and Bloody, has no sin in it; an inclination to deny God, to speak all evil of him, to depose him, to advance Lusts and the Devil before him; an inclination to Adulteries and beastly uncleanness, to murder and barbarous cruelty, to the most prodigious wickedness against God or man, is no sin. Yea, though it be not transient, but constant and habitual, though it be strong and impetuous; though this corruption be reigning not subdued or mortified; though it be active and fruitful in all the powers of the soul; though it hurry the lower faculties into rebellious commotions, and follow the superior with frequent and strong impulses, and exert its power and malignancy both in thoughts and affections; yet if the inward motions have not consent, there is no more sin in their acts, than in their principles.
Sect. 12. Finally, natural Corruption, after Baptism, has nothing in it that can be charged with sin, no, not in wicked men, who afterwards by mortal sin, are quite destitute of grace. So that by their doctrine, a fixed averseness and contrariety to God and holiness, an habitual enmity against him, (*)a propensness to all ungodliness and unrighteousness, is no sin; an inward temper and disposition, though it be most Impious, Atheistical, Rebellious, Filthy, Treacherous, and Bloody, has no sin in it; an inclination to deny God, to speak all evil of him, to depose him, to advance Lusts and the Devil before him; an inclination to Adulteries and beastly uncleanness, to murder and barbarous cruelty, to the most prodigious wickedness against God or man, is no sin. Yea, though it be not transient, but constant and habitual, though it be strong and impetuous; though this corruption be reigning not subdued or mortified; though it be active and fruitful in all the powers of the soul; though it hurry the lower faculties into rebellious commotions, and follow the superiour with frequent and strong impulses, and exert its power and malignancy both in thoughts and affections; yet if the inward motions have not consent, there is no more sin in their acts, than in their principles.
(*)Qui ita est habitualiter dispositus, ut adveniente occasione, committeret peccatum mortale, non peccat mortaliter—non sufficit habitualis aff•ctus ad p•ccan•u•—ut peccatum reipsa cont•ahatur, Bonacin. de peccat. d• 2. q. 3. p. 5. n. 3. i•i. alij commun•ter.
In all these evils Papists may live and dye, and in many more, which I purposely wave, least, I be too tedious; and many more too, than I have taken notice of, even in plain violations of every part of the Divine Law, the rule of Righteousness and Holiness; and yet wipe their mouths, and say they have no sin at all, but are as holy as their Church requires them, and as sure of salvation as their doctrine, and the power of delusion can make them. Though any Protestant, who allows himself ⟨p. 368⟩but in a very small part of these enormities; we will give them leave (or they may take it from Scripture) to count him an ungodly and unrighteous wretch, who can have no good Conscience towards God or man, nor any hopes of Heaven (continuing so) but such as will delude him.
Sect. 13. But if they have not legitimated wickedness enough already, they have expedients at hand to do it, for much more; they are furnished with devices to justify all the sin in the world, or at least in their Church, when they please to use them: Let us instance in two or three.
Sect. 13. But if they have not legitimated wickedness enough already, they have expedients at hand to do it, for much more; they are furnished with devices to justifie all the sin in the world, or at least in their Church, when they please to use them: Let us instance in two or three.
That power which they challenge for the Pope herein, is notorious. We heard Bellarmin tell us before, that if the Pope should command Vice, the Church must practice Vice, or else sin against her Conscience. And he says expressly elsewhere, that (m)in a good sense, Christ gave to Peter a power to make that which is sin, to be no sin; and that which is no sin, to be sin: and what he gave to Peter, they will have us believe he gave to Popes. So that it seems, Christ hath given Peter, and consequently his Successors, the Popes, power to Authorize any sin and wickedness: only we are to understand this in a good sense, which let any man do if he can. They declare, that he can dispense not only with positive but divine Laws, and so make the transgressions thereof to be no sin. To omit the many testimonies for this, produced by others (and which some of themselves count extravagant) let us hear Sylvester (who seems modest in comparison) (n)the Pope has power in all things purely positive, and in some pertaining to divine Law, because he has all Laws in his own breast, as to interpretation and dispensation. Where what in his assertion seems restrained, in the reason of it (fetched from the Canon Law) is unlimited, he has all Laws in his own breast, it seems to import that they are all in his power, and at his pleasure; so as he may either interpret them, or dispense with them, ⟨p. 369⟩as he thinks fit. Some of them, in reference to natural and divine Laws, make show of denying this in general; but then they grant in particular instances, what is sufficient to make good the general charge. There is no command of the first or second Table, wherein they do not hold the Pope may dispense, unless it be the first; and to question his power of dispensing there, is no great disparagement to him, since they deny it to God himself. There is no doubt amongst them, but he can dispense with (o)Oaths, and make it no sin to break them, though they acknowledge the (p)obligation of an Oath to be by divine Law. And no wonder it has been so ordinary a practice, since they hold that this condition is still presupposed in (q)the Oaths, If it shall please the Pope. And though they conclude Vows to be more obliging than Oaths, yet they (r)teach, the Pope may dispense with the accomplishment of solemn promises made to God, and so can make both Sacrilege and Perfidiousness to God lawful enough.
That power which they challenge for the Pope herein, is notorious. We heard Bellarmin tell us before, that if the Pope should command Vice, the Church must practice Vice, or else sin against her Conscience. And he says expresly elsewhere, that (m)in a good sense, Christ gave to Peter a power to make that which is sin, to be no sin; and that which is no sin, to be sin: and what he gave to Peter, they will have us believe he gave to Popes. So that it seems, Christ hath given Peter, and consequently his Successors, the Popes, power to Authorize any sin and wickedness: only we are to understand this in a good sense, which let any man do if he can. They declare, that he can dispense not only with positive but divine Laws, and so make the transgressions thereof to be no sin. To omit the many testimonys for this, produced by others (and which some of themselves count extravagant) let us hear Sylvester (who seems modest in comparison) (n)the Pope has power in all things purely positive, and in some pertaining to divine Law, because he has all Laws in his own breast, as to interpretation and dispensation. Where what in his assertion seems restrained, in the reason of it (fetch'd from the Canon Law) is unlimitted, he has all Laws in his own breast, it seems to import that they are all in his power, and at his pleasure; so as he may either interpret them, or dispense with them, ⟨p. 369⟩as he thinks fit. Some of them, in reference to natural and divine Laws, make shew of denying this in general; but then they grant in particular instances, what is sufficient to make good the general charge. There is no command of the first or second Table, wherein they do not hold the Pope may dispense, unless it be the first; and to question his power of dispensing there, is no great disparagement to him, since they deny it to God himself. There is no doubt amongst them, but he can dispense with (o)Oaths, and make it no sin to break them, though they acknowledge the (p)obligation of an Oath to be by divine Law. And no wonder it has been so ordinary a practice, since they hold that this condition is still presupposed in (q)the Oaths, If it shall please the Pope. And though they conclude Vows to be more obliging than Oaths, yet they (r)
(m)In bono sensu Christus dedit Petro potestatem faciendi de peccato non peccatum; & de non peccato peccatum, in Barkla. c. 13.
(n)Sicut habet papa (potistatem) in omnibus pure positivis, & in quibusdam pertinentibus ad jus divinum, quomodo dicitur omnia jura habere in scrinio pectoris sui de const. licet. l. 6. quantum scil. ad interpretationem & dispensationem. Sum. v. dispense. n. 7.Sicut habet papa (potistatem) in omnibus pure positivis, & in quibusdam pertinentibus ad jus divinum, quomodo dicitur omnia jura habere in scrinio pectoris sui de const. licet. l. 6. quantum scil. ad interpretationem & dispensationem. Sum. v. dispens. n. 7.
(o)In votis autem & juramentis dispensat it, ac poterat quidem, quod erat in aedisicationem. Canus. pars. 6. Relect. de paenit. p. 371.
(p)Reader vota, juramenta servare, juris est divini & naturalis, idem. ibid. p. 370.Reddere vota, juramenta servare, juris est divini & naturalis, idem. ibid. p. 370.
(q)Subintelligitur—si placuerit papae ut in D. C. Venientes. de jurjur. immo in omni juramento excipi ur authoritas superioris, Sylv. v. juram. 3. n. 1.
The Pope can dispense not only with rash Oaths or Vows, but those that are best, and their obligation most unquestionable. If any (says Rosella, after others) do Vow or Swear any thing, that may lawfully be observed, the Pope should not alter it, when there is no cause; yet if he do release such (though without cause) the release holds good, because he is above positive Law, and also can dispense against the divine Law, so that he dispense not against the Gospel, and Articles of Faith (Sum. v. juram. 1. n. 4.) But if he do that too, he may stand to it, for many teach that the Pope is not forbidden to dispense against the Gospel, but only not to destroy the Gospel. (v. papa. n. 3.) and we must conceive (if we can) that he may take away the obligation of the rules of the Gospel, without destroying it.
However, as to Oaths and Vows, he can totally (they say) dissolve the Obligation, Quem admodum potest ipse Deus, even as God himself can; because it is likely that God, as he had cause, gave his own power to ⟨p. 370⟩bis Vicar; otherwise he had not been a good Father of his Household, if he had left his Flock without a Shepherd, who could, as occasion serves, provide for them in all (even to license: Perjury and Perfidiousness to God himself) as Pope Innocent argues, but whether with more reason or Blasphemy, let others judge. Whereupon, Hostiensis saith, that seeing God and his Vicar have the same consistory, the Pope can do in a manner all that God can do, the Key not erring; for Christ says generally to Peter, Whatever thou shalt bind; and saying whatever, he excepts nothing. ibid. n. 1.
However, as to Oaths and Vows, he can totally (they say) dissolve the Obligation, Quem admodum potest ipse Deus, even as God himself can; because it is likely that God, as he had cause, gave his own power to ⟨p. 370⟩bis Vicar; etherwise he had not been a good Father of his Houshold, if he had left his Flock without a Shepheard, who could, as occasion serves, provide for them in all (even to license: Perjury and Perfidiousness to God himself) as Pope Innocent argues, but whether with more reason or Blasphemy, let others judge. Whereupon, Hostiensis saith, that seeing God and his Vicar have the same consistory, the Pope can do in a manner all that God can do, the Key not erring; for Christ says generally to Peter, Whatever thou shalt bind; and saying whatever, he excepts nothing. ibid. n. 1.
There is not any thing in the world which they count more inviolable than their Vow of Religion; yet he may dispense with this, and the reason is considerable, Because Religion derived its being from the Authority of the Roman Bishop; he therefore who gave it, may take it away: So P. Innocent and their Canonists generally, ibid. n. 4. Hostiensis and others, seem to speak extravagantly, when they say, the Pope can do as much in a manner as God himself: But this may pass for a modest speech, if they will have him to do more; and more he can do, if he can make contradictions to be consistent. One instance of it we have in the question, whether the Pope can dispense with a Monk to have secular propriety. Rich. de S. Victore says, it is essential to a Monk to want it; and so a contradiction to be a Monk; and have it: yet others say the Pope can do it, and render those consistent enough, and so make one to be a Monk, while he is none. Idem. ibid.
There is not any thing in the world which they count more inviolable than their Vow of Religion; yet he may dispense with this, and the reason is considerable, Because Religion derived its being from the Authority of the Roman Bishop; he therefore who gave it, may take it away: So P. Innocent and their Canonists generally, ibid. n. 4. Hostiensis and others, seem to speak extravagantly, when they say, the Pope can do as much in a manner as God himself: But this may pass for a modest speech, if they will have him to do more; and more he can do, if he can make contradictions to be consistant. One instance of it we have in the question, whether the Pope can dispense with a Monk to have secular propriety. Rich. de S. Victore says, it is essential to a Monk to want it; and so a contradiction to be a Monk; and have it: yet others say the Pope can do it, and render those consistent enough, and so make one to be a Monk, while he is none. Idem. ibid.
So for Sanctifying of the Lords day, there can be no doubt of the Papal power herein, since they count the command for it (s)positive; for that he can dispense in all (t)positives, is with them unquestionable. Nothing is necessarily required by the Precept for Sanctifying of this day, but the hearing of Mass, and abstaining from servile works: ⟨p. 371⟩The Pope, if he please, may turn these into working days, for he can Abrogate them. And since the people, by their Divinity, are not obliged to any other public worship, but the Mass, and that only on these days, he may discharge them from all Conscience of public (u)worship, and disengage them from tendering any unto God, for he can dispense with the Mass. They make it indeed, sometimes, a character of Antichrist, to put down the Mass: But it is not fit the Pope should want power to be Antichrist at pleasure; and why should they be angry with us for thinking him so already? since with them, herein, he may lawfully be Antichrist when he list. And he may do as much for the Clergy and Monastics: All the solemn worship necessary and proper for them, is that of their Canonical hours; but (x)the Pope can order that they shall not be obliged to say their Service. 5So Sylvester after others concludes; he adds indeed, that though the Pope can discharge them from this Service, yet he cannot disoblige them from making some recompense to their Benefactors for not praying for them; 6but for this (he says) they need not trouble themselves for the least prayer that can be, will suffice for that. So an Ave Mary may serve (that serves generally on all occasions) a prayer (if it may be so accounted) of one petition to the Virgin, and not a word to God, not a syllable for their Benefactors; they may be as well without it. And so others leave them determining without any reserve, that the Pope may dispense ⟨p. 372⟩with their divine Service, and may do so validly, without any cause too. So that the Pope, when he list, may leave no public worship of God in the whole Roman world; and when he does this, it will be no sin wholly to neglect it. He can dispense against the universal state of the Church, so the Law of their Church will have it. Only says Panormitan, he should not deface it; but there's no danger of that, though he should destroy it (as he has done indeed;
So for Sanctifying of the Lords day, there can be no doubt of the Papal power herein, since they count the command for it (s)positive; for that he can dispense in all (t)positives, is with them unquestionable. Nothing is necessarily required by the Precept for Sanctifying of this day, but the hearing of Mass, and abstaining from servile works: ⟨p. 371⟩The Pope, if he please, may turn these into working days, for he can Abrogate them. And since the people, by their Divinity, are not obliged to any other publick worship, but the Mass, and that only on these days, he may discharge them from all Conscience of publick (u)worship, and disingage them from tendering any unto God, for he can dispense with the Mass. They make it indeed, sometimes, a character of Antichrist, to put down the Mass: But it is not fit the Pope should want power to be Antichrist at pleasure; and why should they be angry with us for thinking him so already? since with them, herein, he may lawfully be Antichrist when he list. And he may do as much for the Clergy and Monasticks: All the solemn worship necessary and proper for them, is that of their Canonical hours; but (x)the Pope can order that they shall not be obliged to say their Service. 5So Sylvester after others concludes; he adds indeed, that though the Pope can discharge them from this Service, yet he cannot disoblige them from making some recompence to their Benefactors for not praying for them; 6but for this (he says) they need not trouble themselves for the least prayer that can be, will sufficē for that. So an Ave Mary may serve (that serves generally on all occasions) a prayer (if it may be so accounted) of one petition to the Virgin, and not a word to God, not a syllable for their Benefactors; they may be as well without it. And so others leave them determining without any reserve, that the Pope may dispense ⟨p. 372⟩with their divine Service, and may do so validly, without any cause too. So that the Pope, when he list, may leave no publick worship of God in the whole Roman world; and when he does this, it will be no sin wholly to neglect it. He can dispense against the universal state of the Church, so the Law of their Church will have it. Only says Panormitan, he should not deface it; but there's no danger of that, though he should destroy it (as he has done indeed;
(s)Dicimus omnia Christianorum festa, etiam dies dominicos solo humano jure—id quod etiam sent it, Turrecrementa, Archidiaconus, S. Thomas, Waldensis, Navarre. c. 13. n. 1.Dicimus omnia Christianorum festa, etiam dies dominicos solo humano jure—id quod etiam sent it, Turrecrementa, Archidiaconus, S. Thomas, Waldensis, Navar. c. 13. n. 1.
(t)Quae sunt de jure positivo, potest summus Pontifex, etiam sine causa tollere & abrogare, & quamvis male faciat, factum tamen validum sit, Canus. ibid. p. 972. Sylvest. juxta mentem, S. Thom. v. papa. n. 15. vid. Angel. Sum. v. papa. n. 3. Universaliter potest dispansere—contra statum universalem Ecclesiae.
(u)Sequitur posse pontisicem in hoc praecepto (de missa audienda) dispensare, cum Ecclesiasticum sit, he adds only dispensare cum aliquo ut nunquam in toto vita missam audiat, etiamsi possit, neque ulla rationabili causa impediatur, non potest esse expediens, Suarez. tom. 3. disp. 88. Sect. 2. p. 1140. Hinc patet summum Pontisicem posse dispensare in praecepto audiendi missam, Tom. 1. disp. 4. q. ult. punct. 11. n. 6. Bonacina. aiunt communiter Doctores posse consuetudine vel humana potestate abrogari, Idem. in 3. precept. q. 5. n. 4.Sequitur posse pontisicem in hoc praecepto (de missa audienda) dispensare, cum Ecclesiasticum sit, he adds only dispensare cum aliquo ut nunquam in toto vita missam audiat, etiamsi possit, neque ulla rationabili causa impediatur, non potest esse expediens, Suarez. tom. 3. disp. 88. Sect. 2. p. 1140. Hinc patet summum Pontisicem posse dispensare in praecepto audiendi missam, Tom. 1. disp. 4. q. ult. punct. 11. n. 6. Bonacina. aiunt communiter Doctores posse consuetudine vel humana potestate abrogari, Idem. in 3. praecept. q. 5. n. 4.
(x)Quarta causa (a recitando divinum officium excusans) est dispensatio papae juxta Cardinalem Turrecrematam, neque aliud sentit Cardinalis Florentinus. Navarre. c. 25. n. 102.Quarta causa (a recitando divinum officium excusans) est dispensatio papae juxta Cardinalem Turrecrematam, neque aliud sentit Cardinalis Florentinus. Navar. c. 25. n. 102.
5Utrum papa facere possit quod praedicti non teneatur ad horas? Laud. & Jo. de Lig. senserunt quod papa hoc potest, &c. Sum. v. hor. n. 9.
6(y) Sed circa istam suppletionem non oportet esse multum scrupulosum, quia consurgit ex naturali lege potius quam Ecclesiae praecepto; ut reompensetur benefactoribus: quod etiam per minimam orationem fieri potest, ibid. n. 5.
all that will, have Authority to spoyl us of what we have. What he adds, is matter of caution for more plausible proceedings in the spoil and robbery. It seems safe that this be not done but by special edict of the Prince, or of the Church; this is convenient, least otherwise one might seem to do it, rather out of Covetousness or Revenge, than out of Justice and Obedience.
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(u)Navarre. c. 23. n. 89. Sylv. ibid.Navar. c. 23. n. 89. Sylv. ibid.
(x)Nihil habebunt de bonis parentum filij, nec etiam agnati Angel. ibid. n. 7. Si aliquis sit declaratus haereticus, statim potest sieri executio in bonis ejus, exclusis filijs, etiam de legitima. Graff. ibid. n. 10.
(y)Si habue•int Catholicos silios nibilominus confiscantur secundum Gloss. in. Sylvest. ibid. Angelus. ibid. Quinimo veniunt privandi ipsi filij Catholici etiam legitima ita notatur per Genzelinum—quem sequitur, Zabarella & ratio est, quia legitima est quota bonorum, quae pater habebat tempore mortis, sed pater eo in tempore nihil habet quando bona sunt confiscata, Graff. ibid. n. 9.
(z)Si aliter fieri non potest, manu armata sunt eis omnia bona auferenda ut, 23. q. 3 c. 1. Sicut tamen dicit Raynuc. & Gosredus licet Ecclesia videatur dare generalem authoritatem Omnibus expoliandi eos: tamen satis videtur tutum, quod non fiat nisi speciali edicto, vel principis vel ecclesiae: ne aliter videatur quis potius ex cupiditate vel ultione, quam ex justitia & obedientia pugnare, Sylvest. ibid. n. 13. Infidelitas haereticorum est pessima, utrum infideles qui non recognoscunt dominium Ecclesiae licit possint suis rebus spoliari? Resp. Hostiensis, quod sic per illud Mat. ult. data est mihi omnis potestas, &c. quam quidem transtulit in vicarium suum, Angel. Sum. v. infidel. n 3. & n. 7.Si aliter fieri non potest, manu armata sunt eis omnia bona auferenda ut, 23. q. 3 c. 1. Sicut tamen dicit Raynuc. & Gosredus licet Ecclesia videatur dare generalem authoritatem Omnibus expoliandi eos: tamen satis videtur tutum, quod non fiat nisi speciali edicto, vel principis vel ecclesiae: ne aliter videatur quis potius ex cupiditate vel ultione, quam ex justitia & obedientia pugnare, Sylvest. ibid. n. 13. Infidelitas haereticorum est pessima, utrum infideles qui non recognoscunt dominium Ecclesiae licite possint suis rebus spoliari? Resp. Hostiensis, quod sic per illud Mat. ult. data est mihi omnis potestas, &c. quam quidem transtulit in vicarium suum, Angel. Sum. v. infidel. n 3. & n. 7.
deposited in their hands, or they borrow any thing of us, they may detain it; they need not restore it, for they have nothing of ours. In a word, there can be no Parliaments, or Convention of the three Estates of a Nation, because there are none in that capacity. As there are no persons
infamous, so can there be no Free-holders to choose, or to be chosen for Commons, since there are no Proprietors.
(c)Vassalli haereticorum ipso facto liberantur, Angel. Sum. v. haeret. Sylvest. ibid. n. 14. principibus apostantibus a fide non est obediendum, Aquinas 2. 2. q. 10. Concil. Lateran. cap. 3.
(d)Absoluti sunt subditi a debito fidelitatis etiam custodes arcium Simanca, ibid. tit. 46. Sect. 73. Concil. Lateran. ibid.
(e)Angelus. Sum. v. haeret. n. 8. Sylvest. ibid. n. 14. Concil. Lateran. infra.
(f)Si quis promisisset eis solver certo die sub juramento, vel paena, non tenetur ut ibi notat gloss. Sylv. ibid. Angel. ibid. n. 15. Armilla. v. haeret. n. 11. Ovandus. infra.Si quis promisisset eis solvere certo die sub juramento, vel paena, non tenetur ut ibi notat gloss. Sylv. ibid. Angel. ibid. n. 15. Armilla. v. haeret. n. 11. Ovandus. infra.
(g)Simanca. ibid. tit. 45. Sect. 27.
(b)Ipso jure sunt infames, ut neque ad publica offi•ia sen consilia seu ad eligendos ad hujusmodi aliquos; neque ad testimonium admittuntur. Sunt intestabiles etiam, nec ad successiones admittuntur, Angel▪ Sum. n. 21. ibid. For this there is a decree of one of their general Councils (that of Lateran under Innocent. 3) involving not only Heretics themselves, but expressly all the receivers, defenders, and favourers of such. Ex tunc ipso jure sit factu• infamis, nec ad publica officia seu consilia, nec ad eligendos aliquos ad hujusmodi, nec ad testimonium admittitur, sit etiam intestabilis, &c. cap. 3. in Crab. Tom. 2. p. 948.Ipso jure sunt infames, ut neque ad publica offi•ia sen consilia seu ad eligendos ad hujusmodi aliquos; neque ad testimonium admittuntur. Sunt intestabiles etiam, nec ad successiones admittuntur, Angel▪ Sum. n. 21. ibid. For this there is a decree of one of their general Councils (that of Lateran under Innocent. 3) involving not only Hereticks themselves, but expresly all the receivers, defenders, and favourers of such. Ex tunc ipso jure sit factu• infamis, nec ad publica officia seu consilia, nec ad eligendos aliquos ad hujusmodi, nec ad testimonium admittitur, sit etiam intestabilis, &c. cap. 3. in Crab. Tom. 2. p. 948.
teach, the Pope may dispense with the accomplishment of solemn promises made to God, and so can make both Sacriledge and Perfidiousness to God lawful enough.
