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That this is a consummation which Popery has always devoutly panted after and anticipated as not unattainable, is put past a doubt by the Memorial of the Reformation of the Church of England, &c. by Robert Parsons, written in 1596, and first published by the Rev. E. Gee, in 1690. See particularly Part I. chap. ix.
are inserted in an Index promulgated for the very purpose, that all the faithful every where may easily know what books are condemned at the fountain of infallibility! And if the subjects of Rome, residing in happy Protestant England, should think that they are out of the reach of the tyrant over sea, and that his restrictions upon their reading are null and void, be it known, as this honest fellow-religionist will tell them, that although, by the toleration of his holiness, the Bulla Cænæ and the Index with its Rules are not enforced in this country, yet those who read books condemned by the Vicegerent of Deity without license from him, or others deputed by him, are guilty of a grave offence against a precept of the Church. And now, humble, devoted servant of your Church in Italy, fly, like the busy bee, from flower to flower, in the garden of literature, and read at your pleasure, or rather, if a terrified conscience will suffer you, the various works, (particularly in Latin, or Italian, or French, or translated into any of those languages,) contributed by the pens of such Reformers, Historians, Poets, and even Philosophers, whose names appear in an Index of prohibited books published with the sanction of the reigning pontif, particularly the last! His holiness, indeed, cannot legislate, or rather execute here as he likes: but you will not be able to commit a grave offence against a precept of his and your Church, without some compunctious visiting. I am not speaking of those who profess your faith, but believe no more of it than a Protestant does.
