151 THE BULL OF PIUS V. "The Sentence Declaratory of our Lord Pope Pius V. against Elizabeth the pretended Queen of England, and the Heretics adhering to her: wherein also all her Subjects are declared ab, solved from the Oath of Allegiance, and whatever else due unto her: and those who hereafter obey her, are hereby anathematized. "Pius Bishop, servant of the servants of God, for a future memorial of the matter. "He who reigneth in the Highest, to whom is given all power in Heaven and in earth, hath committed one holy Catholic and Apostolic Church (out of which there is no salvation) to one alone upon earth, namely, to Peter the chief of the apostles, and to Peter's successor the Bishop of Rome, to be governed in fulness of power. "Him alone he made prince over all people and kingdoms, with power to pluck up, destroy, scatter, consume, plant, and to build: that he may continue the faithful who are knit together with the bond of charity, in the unity of the spirit, and present them safe and unblameable to their Saviour. "In discharge of which function, we who are by the goodness of God called to the government of the aforesaid church, do spare no pains, labouring with all earnestness, that unity and Catholic religion (which the Author thereof hath, for the trial of his children's faith, and for our amendment, suffered to be punished with so great afflictions) might be preserved whole and uncorrupt. "But the number of the ungodly have gotten such power, that there is no place left in the world which they have not endeavoured to corrupt with their most wicked doctrines; amongst others, Elizabeth, the pretended Queen of England and the servant of wickedness, hath assisted thereunto; in whom as in a sanctuary the most pernicious of all have found a refuge. This very woman having seized on the kingdom, and monstrously usurping the place of supreme head of the Church, of all England, and the chief authority and jurisdiction thereof, hath again brought back the said kingdom into miserable distraction, which was but even then reduced to the Catholic faith, and an hopeful condition. "For having by strong hand forbid the exercise of the true religion, which Mary, a lawful queen of famous memory had by the assistance of this see restored, after it had been overthrown by Henry VIII., a revolter from the truth: she following and embracing the errors of heretics, hath removed the royal council, consisting of the nobility of England, and filled it with obscure heretical fellows; hath suppressed the embracers of the Catholic faith; settled dishonest preachers and wicked ministers; abolished the sacrifice of the mass, prayers, fastings, choice of meats, unmarried life, and the Catholic ceremonies; commanded all the kingdom over, books manifestly heretical, and impious mysteries and institutions, according to the rules of Calvin, which she herself entertains and receives, to be likewise observed by her subjects. She hath presumed to throw bishops, parsons, and other Catholic priests out of their churches and benefices, and to bestow theirs and other church-livings upon heretics, and to determine of ecclesiastical matters: to forbid the bishops, clergy, and people to acknowledge the Church of Rome, or to obey the precepts or canonical sanctions thereof; hath compelled most of them to obey her wicked laws, and to abjure the authority and obedience of the Bishop of Rome: and by oath to acknowledge her to be sole governess, as well in spiritual as temporal affairs. Hath imposed penalties and punishments upon those who obeyed not the same: hath exacted them of those who persevered in the unity of faith, and their aforesaid obedience: and hath cast the Catholic prelates and parsons into prison, where many of them being spent with long languishing and sorrow, miserably ended their lives. "All which things, seeing they are manifest and notorious to all men, and by the clearest testimony of very many sufficiently proved, that there is no place at all left, either for excuse, defence, or evasion: we seeing that impieties and wicked actions are multiplied one upon another, and moreover that the persecution of the faithful, and affliction for religion, groweth every day heavier and heavier, through the instigation and means of the said Elizabeth: we therefore understanding her mind to be so hardened and obdurate, that she hath not only contemned the godly requests and admonitions of Catholic princes, concerning her amendment and conversion, but also hath not so much as permitted the Nuncios of this See to pass into England, are necessi tated to betake ourselves to the weapons of justice against her, not being able to mitigate our sorrow, that we are drawn to take punishment of one, to whose ancestors all Christendom hath been so much beholden. "Being therefore supported by His authority, who hath placed us (though unable for so great a burden) in the supreme throne of justice: we do out of the fulness of our apostolical power, declare the said Elizabeth, being the favourer of-heretics, with all her adherents, in the matter aforesaid, to have incurred the sentence of anathema, and to be cut off from the unity of Christ's body. "And we also declare her to be deprived of her pretended title to the kingdom aforesaid, and of all dominion, dignity, and privilege whatsoever. "And also declare the nobility, subjects, and people of that kingdom, and all others who have in any sort sworn unto her, to be for ever absolved from any such oath, and from all manner of duty of dominion, allegiance, and obedience to her. As we also do by the authority of these presents absolve them, and deprive the same Elizabeth of her pretended title to the kingdom, and all other things abovesaid. "And we command and forbid all and every the noblemen, subjects, people, and others aforesaid, that they presume not to obey her, or her monitions, mandates, or laws: and those who shall do otherwise than here commanded, we do involve them in the same sentence of anathema. "And because it would be a matter of too much difficulty to convey these presents to all places wherever it shall be needful, our will is, that the copies thereof, under a public notary's hand, and sealed with the seal of an ecclesiastical prelate or of his court, shall carry altogether the same credit with all people judicially and extra-judicially, as the presents should do if they, were exhibited or showed. "Dated at Rome at St. Peter's, in the year of Christ 1569, 24th February, in the Fifth year of our Popedom." LONDON: HARRISON AND Co., PRINTERS, ST. MARTIN'S LANE. By the same Author, Foolscap Octavo, 3s., GUY FAWKES; or a complete History of the Principles of the Conspirators, and some Notices of the "It ought to be read with attention both by young and old.”—Times. "We hope that this volume will find a place in all well-selected libraries.”— Church of England Quarterly Review. "In this seasonable work Mr. L. has given the fullest popular narrative of the Gunpowder Plot."-Record. By the same, in One Vol. 12mo. 6s. THE STATE OF POPERY AND JESUITISM IN ENGLAND, from the Reformation to the Period of the Roman Catholic Relief Bill in 1829. "We consider this little book to be exceedingly well timed, and highly deserving of perusal by all who are willing to understand the machinery which the Church of Rome puts in motion for the advancement of its cause."-Times. "A clear and practical development of the subtle workings of Popery."— Church of England Quarterly Review. "An opportune and very interesting work."-Conservative Journal and Church of England Gazette. "A useful volume of reference for the series of historical events connected with the subject.”—British Critic. "We do not know a modern work of the same size more opportune or more valuable."-Fraser's Magazine. By the same, One Vol. 8vo. Price 12s. A HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH EPISCO PACY, from 1640 to 1662, &c. "The author has executed his task with very creditable skill, with very laborious research, and with a moderation and impartiality, which entitle him to unqualified commendation. Mr. L. has been abused and misrepresented by one of the organs of that faction which seems to think, that to subvert the constitution, the shortest and most effectual method is by beginning with the Established |