"I __________ , now in the presence of the Almighty God, the blessed virgin
Mary, the blessed Michael the Archangel, the blessed St. John the Baptist... and
my ghostly father, the superior general of the Society of Jesus, founded by St.
Ignatius Loyola, do by the womb of the Virgin... swear that His Holiness the Pope
is Christ's vice-regent, and is the true and only head of the Catholic or Universal
Church... I do renounce and disown any allegiance[ that is] is due to any heretical
King, Prince, or State, named Protestant or Liberal, or obedience to any of their
laws or magistrates, or officers. I do further declare the doctrine of the Church
of England, and Scotland, and of the Calvinists, Huguenots, and others of the
name of Protestant or Liberal, to be damnable, and themselves to be damned, who
will not forsake the same. I do further promise and declare that, not withstanding
I am dispensed with, to assume my religion heretical for the propagation of Mother
Church's interest, to keep secret and private all her agents, counsels, from time
to time, as they interested me, and not divulge directly or indirectly by word,
writing, or circumstances whatever. I do furthermore promise and declare that
I will, when opportunity presents, make and wage relentless war secretly or openly,
against all heretics, Protestants, and Liberals, as I am directed to; extirpate
them from the face of the earth; and I will spare neither age, sex, or condition,
and that I will hang, burn, waste, boil, flay, strangle and bury alive those infamous
heretics; rip up the stomachs and the wombs of the women, and crush the infant's
heads against walls in order to annihilate their execrable race. That when the
same cannot be done openly, I will secretly use the poisonous cup, the strangulation
cords, the steels of poniard, or the leaden bullets, regardless or the honour,
rank, dignity, or authority of the persons, whatever may be their condition in
life, either public or private, as I at anytime may be directed to by any agent
of the Pope, or the superior of the Holy Father of the of the Society of Jesus.
In confirmation of which I hereby dedicate my life, my soul, and my corporal powers;
and with this dagger, which I now receive, I will subscribe my name written in
my blood in testimony thereof; and should I prove false, or weaken in my determination,
may my brethren and fellow-soldiers of the militia of the Pope, cut off my hands
and my feet, and cut my throat from ear to ear, rip my belly open, and sulphur
burn therein, and all the punishments that can be inflicted on me on earth, and
my soul be tortured by eternal demons in hell forever. In testimony thereof I
take this most holy and blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist, and witness the same
further with my name written with the point of this dagger, dipped in my own blood,
and sealed in the face of the holy covenant."
