'A letter of the Reverend Father Peter Iesuite'

<1r>

A letter of y^e R^nd Father Peter Iesuite, Almoner to y^e King of England, written to y^e R^nd Father le Chaise Confessor to y^e most Christian King, touching y^e present affairs of England.

Most R^nd Father, if I have failed for y^e last 15 days to obey yo^r orders, it was not want of Affection but health y^t occasioned y^e neglect, for w^ch I shal endeavour to make amends by y^e length of this. I shal begin where my former letter left of, & shall tell you that since y^e appearing of a letter in this town wrote by y^e prime Minister of Holland, w^ch declares y^e intention of y^e Prince & Princess of Orange in relation to y^e repealing y^e Test or (to speak more properly) their aversion to it, this letter hath produced very ill effects amongst y^e Hereticks, whom (at y^e return of o^r fathers from those parts) we had perswaded that y^e Princess would comply w^th every thing relating to y^e test y^t y^e King should propose to y^e next Parliam^t, in case he should call one (to w^ch I do not find his Ma^ty much inclined:) but y^e coming of this letter (of w^ch I have enclosed a copy) hath served for nothing but to encourage y^e obstinate in their aversion to that matter. The Queen as well as my self were of opinion against y^e sending of any such letters to y^e Hague upon this subject but rather that some person (able to discharge & to perswade) should have been sent thither. For all such letters when they are not gratefull produce bad effects. That w^ch is spoken face to face is not so easily divulged, nor are things discovered to y^e vulgar but what we should have a mind they should know: & I beleive yo^r Reverend^sp. will concur w^th me in y^e opinion. This letter hath exp|t|reamly provoked y^e King who is of a temper not to bear a refusall & who hath been used not to have his will contradicted, & I verily beleive this very affront hath hastened his resolution of recalling y^e English Regim^ts in Holland. I shewed his Ma^ty that part of y^e letter that related to y^e opinion of his most Christian Ma^ty upon this subject, w^ch his Ma^ty well approved of. We are in treaty to know y^e success of this affair & what answer y^e states will give. The King changeth as many Heretick officers as he can to put Catholicks in their places, but y^e misfortune is that here we want Catholick Officers to supply them, & therefore if you know any such of o^r Nation in France you will do y^e King a great pleasure to perswade them to come over & they shall be certain of employm^ts either in y^e old troops or in y^e new that are speedily to be raised, for w^ch by my letter I pass my word. Our Fathers are continually employed to convert y^e Officers, but their obstinacy is so great that for one that turns there are 5 that had rather quit their commands: but there being so many Malcontents (whose party is already but too great) the King hath need of all his prudence & temper to Manage this great affair, & bring it to that perfection we hope to see it in ere long. All that I can assure you is that there shall be no{illeg} neglect in y^e Queen who labours night & day w^th zeal an unexpressible diligence for y^e {prop}agation of y^e Faith , & w^th y^e Zeale of a holy Princess. The Queen Dowa <1v> ger is {illeg} {in} earnest, & fear makes her resolve to retire to Portugal to pass y^e rest of her days in devotion. She hath already asked the King leave, who hath not only granted it, but also promised that she shall have her Pension punctually paid & that during her life her servants that shee leaves behind shall have y^e same wages as if they were in waiting. She stays but for a proper season to embark for Lisbon, & to live there free from all storms. As to y^e Queen's being w^th Child, that great Concern goes as we could wish, notw^thstanding all y^e satyricall discourse of y^e hereticks who content themselves to vent their poison in libells, w^ch by nights they dispers in y^e streets or fix to y^e walls. There was one lately found on y^e Pillar of a Church y^t imported y^t such a day thanks should be given to god for y^e Queens being great of a Cushion. If one of these Pasquil-Masters could be discovered, he should have but an ill time of it & should be made to take his last fare-well at Tiburn. You will agree w^th me most R. F. that we have done a great thing by introducing M^rs Sylliere unto y^e Queen. This woman is totally devoted to o^r Society & Zealous for y^e Catholick religion. I will send you an account of this great affair & will use y^e method you sent me, w^ch I think admirable. I can send you nothing certain of y^e Prince & Princess of Denmark. He is a Prince w^th whom I cannot discourse about religion. Luther was never more earnest then this Prince. Tis for this reason y^t y^e King who doth not love to be denyed, never yet prest him in that matter. His Ma^ty thinks that we Fathers should forbear before he undertakes to speak to him. But this Prince, as all of his Nation, hath an aversness to o^r Society; & this antipaty {sic} doth much obstruct y^e progress of o^r affairs, & it would be unacceptable to complain hereof to y^e King at present to trouble him, thô he hath an entire confidence in us & esteems & looks upon o^r Fathers as y^e Apostles of y^e Island. I mention nothing particular of Scotland, but desire that Father Thomas would give yo^r R. F^sp an account thereof. As for Ireland, that Country is already catholick, yea all y^e Militia are so. The Vice-Roy merits great praise. One may give him y^e honour that he is a son worthy o^r Society, & I hope will participate of its merits. He informs me that he hath himself wrote to yo^r Rev^sp of these matters how things go there. Some Catholick Regim^ts from those parts will speedily be sent for {sic} over for y^e Kings guards, his Ma^ty being resolved to trust them rather then others, & may do it much better in case of any popular commotion, against w^ch we ought to secure o^r selves y^e best we can. His Ma^ty doth us y^e honour to visit o^r College often & is most pleased when we present him some new converted schollars whom he encourageth w^th his gracious promises. I have not expression enough to let you know w^th what devotion his Ma^ty communicated the last College days & a heretick cannot better make his Court to him then by turning to y^e catholick faith. He desires that all y^e religious of what order soever they be, make open profession (as he doth) not only of y^e Catholick religion but also of their order, not at all approving that Priests or religious should conceal themselves out of fear; & he has told them y^t he will have them weare y^e habit of a religious, & that he will take care to defend them from affronts, & y^e people are already accustomed to it, & we <2r> begin to celebrate funerals w^th y^e same ceremonies as in France, & it {is truly} a miracle to see that no body speaks one word against it, no not so much as y^e ministers in their pulpits, in so good order has y^e King managed the matters. Many English hereticks resort often to o^r sermons, & I have often recommended to o^r Fathers to preach now in the beginning as little as they can of controversy because that provokes, but to represent to them the beauty & antiquity of y^e catholick religion, that they may be convinced that all that hath been said & preached to them & their reflexions concerning it hath been all scandall. For I find as y^e Apostle saith, they may be nourisht with milk not being able to bear strong meat. Many have desired me to give them some of o^r prayers & even y^e holy Mass in English, w^ch I intend to do to satisfy the meaner sort, of w^ch y^e greater part doth not understand Latin: but to take away their testaments, w^ch is a matter of moment & that we may not at y^e beginning, we must permit them to have them for a time till they part with them of themselves. I shall need, R. F. councell {in}|upon| this point & not in this only but also in a great many other matters that dayly press me. For you may easily beleive that I have often more business then I can well dispatch & one must walk w^th so much caution² & circumspection¹ that I have often need of your fathersh^ps wise councell. But y^e L^d & the good Virgin do strengthen me as there is occasion. The B^p of Oxford has not yet declared himself openly. The great obstacle is his wife w^ch he can't rid himself of, his design being to continue Bishop & only change communion, as it is not doubted but the King will permit & o^r holy Father confirm, so I do not see how he can be farther usefull to us in y^e religion in w^ch he is yet, because he is suspected & of no esteem amongst y^e hereticks of y^e English Church, nor do I foresee that y^e example of his conversion is like to draw many after him because he declared himself too suddenly. If he had beleived my counsel w^ch was to temper for a time he would have done better. But it is his temper or rather zeal that hurried him. There are two other Prelates that will do no less then he, but they hold off a little to see how they may be serviceable to y^e propagation & produce more fruit while they continue undiscovered. That w^ch doth us most harm w^th y^e Lords & Gentlemen is y^e apprehension of a Heretick Successor. For as a Lord told me lately, Assure me of a Catholick Successor & I will assure you I & my Family shall be so too. To this purpose the Queen's happy delivery will be of great moment. Our Zealous Catholicks already lay two to one that it will be a Prince. {illeg} does nothing by halfs. Every day Masses are said on this occasion. I {illeg} <2v> {gained} a great point in perswading the King to place o^r Fathers in Magdalen College in Oxford, who will be able to introduce y^e schollars in y^e Roman Catholick Religion. I rely much upon Father Thomas Fairfax to whom I have given necessary instructions how he ought to govern himself with y^e heretical youth & to take care in the beginning that he speak not of any thing that may terrify. And as I have told you, a Religious hath need here of great prudence at this time that y^e King may hear no complaints that may displeas him, & therefore we dare not at p^rsent do all we shall be able & bound to do hereafter for fear of too much allaraming {sic} y^e mobile. I like well that Father Alexander goes to stay some months at y^e Hague incognito under pretence of solliciting for a place w^ch is not soon to be got there, & have given him letters to some of that part, Father \Smith/ that is there now (by reason of his great age) not being able to do all he ought & wisheth to do, & is also too well Known there, & I shall often impart to you what I shall learn from those Quarters, of w^ch I shall weekly receive something of moment. So long as the two parties are in so bad intelligence together as at present they are (for my part to speak freely upon this Topick to yo^r R^nd Fathers^hp) I am of opinion that we should rather endeavour to moderate then aggravate differences between them, thô I do not in this matter altogether concurr w^th the sense of y^e French Embassadour who considers wholy his Masters interest. But we are necessitated to take other measures & such as \perhaps/ may not always agree w^th y^e interest of France in this matter: And I think y^e aggravating this breach at p^rsent to be also prejudicial to y^e Catholick Religion it self. For the great designe we have so long aimed at is (according to y^e example of France{)} to take from y^e Hereticks all hopes of a leader or any other protection then what they must expect from their own King w^ch they finding themselves exposed to his pleasure will the more readily subscribe to his will. But this misunderstanding between us will occasion an opportunity to the Hereticks to set up y^e Prince of Orange for their chiefe. And let me assure you not to deceive o^r selves, the religion of England as well as the Presbyterian themselves regard the Prince of Orange as their Master, & his person is already so powerfull in both y^e Kingdoms that it will appear terrible to any thinking person should things come to extremity, which may never happen if matters are not pusht on too far, but managed with moderation. And I desire therefore w^th great deference {to yo^r} better judgment that this matter might be hinted to his Christian <3r> Majety {sic} as oportunity {sic} shall serve & am sensible it must be done w^th very great caution. I can tell you nothing at present concerning y^e certainty of calling Parl^t it requires so many things to be considered of, and measure to be taken y^t his Maj^ty ought to be well assured of y^e success before he convene them together, I am not of opinion w^th many other Catholicks who say y^t by calling y^m y^e K hazzards nothing, for if they will not answer y^e ends he needs only prorogue them (as is usuall {sic} done) but it is my Opinion (& y^e sence of many others) y^t his Majesty hazzards much, for if it should unfortunatly happen y^t they should in their Assembly refuse to comply w^th his Majesty's desire it may be long enough before he compasses his ends by way of a Parl^t & perhaps never, & then remains no Expedients or other means but by violence to execute the orders of his secret Councell w^ch must be supported by his Army y^t on {illeg} Pretence of an {Excaniting} may be cald together w^th y^e least jealousy or suspition, so you see most R: F. y^t we do not want work in these Quarters & y^t I must be supplied with your good Prayers, w^ch I beg of you all all & from all those of our society his Majesty is so desirous y^t things may be done in order & upon a sure foundation so as to be y^e more lasting y^t he makes {illeg} great application in y^e Shires & Corporation Towns to get such persons chosen for y^e Parl^t as may be favourable to his Ends, of w^ch he may be sure before y^e time to debate & y^e K. will make y^m promise so firmly, & exacts such Precaution from y^m in writing y^t they shall not be able to go back, unless they will thereby draw upon themselves his Majesties utmost displeasure, & make y^m feel y^e utmost of his resentments & I have here inclosed some effects of his Majesties endeavours in this matter w^ch is an address w^ch y^e Mayor & Sheriffs & Burgesses of NewCastle in y^e County of Stafford have presented to y^e K. See y^e Gazet where this Corporation as well as Gloster & Tukesbury & others in their Adress promise to choose such Members as shall comply w^th his Maj^ties desires if all cities were in as Perfect obedience as this we should quickly have a Parlim^t called (w^ch y^e Catholicks & Non Conformists expect w^th great impatience) but since this cannot be sd of many of y^m y^e K.^s secret Councell thinks good to wait for y^e Q.^s delivery y^t they may see a successor who may have need of y^e whole protection of y^e most Christian K. to support him & maintain his rights, & by y^e Grace of God we hope y^t this Prince treading in his Fathers steps may prove a worthy son of our society like his Father who thinks it no disgrace to be so called as to y^e other things most R. F. our Fathers w^th me as well as generally all y^e Catholicks w^th w^t grief do we hear of y^e disunion <3v> between his holiness & y^e Most Christian King, how doth my head in imitation of y^e Prophet, become a spring of tears to lament night & day.

The schisme y^t I foresee coming to y^e Church, is it possible y^t our holy society should not stand in y^e breach, & prevent y^e mischief y^t this difference may occasion in y^e Church, & y^t no body can reconcile & judge y^e Priesthood & y^e people, y^e Father & y^e Son, y^e Eldest son of y^e Church w^th y^e vicar of Iesus Christ upon earth, w^t a desolation & w^t advantage to y^e Hereticks must this occasion. they already bid us convert y^e children of y^e Family before we convert strangers, & I must w^th grief confess they have but too much reason for w^t they say, & y^t if there doth not come some present assistance from above I foresee this affair will occasion great prejudice in y^e North nor have we any hope y^t his \British/ Majety {sic} will interest herein openly he receiving so little satisfaction from his holiness in some of his demands made by his Embassador at Rome (w^ch (merryly speaking) ought to have been granted so great a K. who first made y^t step w^ch his Predecessors for a long time were not willing to undertake in sending his Embassador of obedience to Rome, yet for all \this/ our holy father had not any Particular Consideration of this submission & filiall obedience so y^t I dare not mention this matter but by way of discourse, dayly expecting y^t of himself he will \be/ making some proposalls therein. I doubt not R. F. of yo^r constant endeavour to accomodate this matter, whereby to take away from y^e hereticks (more especially the Hugonots of France) this occasion to laugh & deride us, & we should think y^e change much for y^e worse if insted of y^e French Kings going to Geneva, he should march to Rome, w^t may all this come to especially since y^e Marquiss of Laverden hath been so passionate in his discours of y^e Cardinells Counceller {sic} as to call y^m impertin{illeg}|ates| so far to forget his duty & reverence to y^e holy Father y^e Pope himself as to say he doted as y^e hereticks do confidently discours in these parts: I have caused some Masses {to}|of| y^e Holy Ghost to be sd, y^t God would please to inspire y^e discontented parties w^th y^e spirit of Peace & concord, they did acquaint me some time since y^t Madam Mentenon did take upon y|h|er y^e title of daughter of y^e society by vertue whereof they may command her by vertue of obedience to use her credit & eloquence w^th y^e K. to encline him to an accomodation to \in/ this matter, in y^e mean time I hear y^t at Rome many eminent persons endeavor y^e same thing w^th his holiness, who says he cannot recede from w^t he hath done, otherwise it were in effect to submit to y^e Article made in France w^th y^e Clergy in 1682 {&} consequently of too great moment to recant, & therefore a submission ought to come from y^e son & not from y^e Father. I recomend my self R. F. to yo^r prayers & blessing desiring you will continue to supply me w^th yo^r salutary Councells & rest for ever yours.