Page:Purgatory proved, illustrated, and set forth in a clear light (2).pdf/13



HOSE that are counted hereticks by Papists, are by law and right deprived of all they have, the Pope can authorize the orthodox members of the church, i.e. his own subjects, to take possession; and whatever means are necessary thereunto, he can legitimate and make lawful, as poisoning, assassinating, blowing up with gun-powder, &c. It is an approved thing among them, a case deliberately determined by the infallible head of the church, that the killing of kings and queens, excommunicated by the Pope, is no murder, nay that it is meritorious to destroy hereticks.

And, as they encourage the murder of such princes as they call hereticks, so they have a solemn form of preparing an assassin for his undertaking.

The person designed for the work, is secretly introduced into the meditary or oratory: there a knife wrapped up in linen is taken out of an ivory case, marked all round with various characters, together with an Agnus Dei. Upon this, as it is drawn out of the sheath, they drop holy water and consecrated coral beads upon the haft: granting an indulgence of delivering as many souls out of Purgatory, as he shall give wounds to the prince, whom they design to assassinate: Then they put the knife into the hand of the parricide, recommending it in these words, "Elect son of God,