William Warmington

a Dorsetshire Man born, was, as a Member of Hart hall, (then presided by one, who was always in animo Catholicus,) matriculated, 20. Dec. 1577. aged 21. or more, having been there a Student for some time before. Shortly after he left the Nation, and his Religion, and spending some ye [•] s in a Seminary, in Philosophical and Theological studies, was made a Priest, and sent into the Mission of England; but being soon after taken, he was with others conveyed on Shipboard in the Month of Feb. 1584. and sent beyond the Seas with great menaces of utter ruine, if they return again. Afterwards being noted in Foreign Countries by those of his own Nation for his learning and piety, he was made Chaplain to Cardinal W. Alan, with whom continuing till about the time of his death, did return again into England, being then, as he stiles himself, An Oblate of the holy Congregation of S. Ambrose, and did execute his Function very zealously among the Brethren. At length being apprehended by two Pursevants 24. Mar. 1607. and committed Prisoner to the Clinke in Southwark, the next day, according to the English accompt, by the Bishop of Londons order, he entred somewhat more deeply into consideration of the controversie about the Oath of Allegiance, than he had done before, while at liberty. So that in the end making sufficient proof of his Loyalty towards his Majesty, by accepting of the Oath, when it was required of him, he did thereupon premeditate and provide reasons for so doing; and at length reducing into method, for the help of his memory, certain notes in scattered papers that he had collected concerning that matter, did frame thence a compleat discourse. At length, after it had laid by him for some time, did publish it under this title, tho he knew ’twould displease his Holiness, who in his breves had either admonished or prohibited all Rom. Catholicks to take the Oath of Allegiance, or to teach the lawfulness of it.

A moderate defence of the Oath of Allegiance: Wherein the author proveth the said Oath to be most lawful, notwithstanding the Pope’s Breves, &c.—Printed by permission of the Superiours, in 1612. qu. Whereunto is added, The Oration of P. Sixtus 5. in the Consistory of Rome, upon the Murther of K. Hen. 3. the French King, by a Fryer.

Strange Reports, or News from Rome.—Printed with the former book.Clar. 1612. Upon the publishing, of these things, the Friends of the author Warmington, and his kindred of the Rom. Perswasion, became his Enemies, and withdrew from him all the benevolence they used to allow him. Warmington therefore being put to his shifts for maintenance, for this his Loyalty and Obediencce, petitioned (d)(d) Rog. Widdrington in his Disputatio Theologica de jur. fidel. cap. to Sect. 4. p. 397. the King for some allowance. His petition thereupon was received, and he commended by his Majesty to Dr. Bilson Bishop of Winchester, with order to take him to himself to his own house, there to provide for him. The Bishop obeyed, Warmington lived with him, wanted nothing, had his liberty as he pleased, and freedom of his Religion.