Even Goodman, the Protestant Bishop of Gloucester, wrote[72]:--"After Sixtus Quintus succeeded Clement Octavus, a man, according to his name, who was much given to mercy and compassion. Now to him King James did make suit to favour his title to the crown of England, which as King James doth relate in his book, _Triplici nodo triplex cuneus_, the Pope did promise to do." James said that he would show favour to Catholics[73] "were it not that the English would take it ill, and it would much hinder him in his succession; and withall, that his own subjects in Scotland were so violent against Catholics, that he, being poor, durst not offend them. Whereupon the Pope replied, that if it were for want of means, he would exhaust all the treasures of the church and sell the plate to supply him." And again, says Goodman of the English Catholics and King James[74]:--"And certainly they had very great promises from him." Nevertheless,[75] "he did resolve to run a course against the papists," and "at his discourses at table usually he did express much hatred to them." [72] _The Court of King James I._, Vol. i. p. 82 _seq._ [73] _Ib._, p. 83. [74] _The Court of King James I._, Vol. i. p. 86. [75] _Ib._ p. 87. Father Gerard writes that[76] there were "particular embassagies and letters from His Majesty unto other Princes, giving hope at least of toleration to Catholics in England, of which letters divers were translated this year into French and came so into England, as divers affirmed that had seen them." He was also "well assured that immediately upon Queen Elizabeth's sickness and death, divers Catholics of note and fame, Priests also, did ride post into Scotland, as well to carry the assurance of dutiful affection from all Catholics unto His Majesty as also to obtain his gracious favour for them and his royal word for confirmation of the same. At that time, and to those persons, it is certain he did promise that Catholics should not only be quiet from any molestations, but should also enjoy such liberty in their houses privately as themselves would desire, and have both Priests and Sacraments with full toleration and desired quiet. Both the Priests that did kneel before him when he gave this promise (binding it with the word of a Prince, which he said was never yet broken), did protest so much unto divers from whom I have it. And divers others, persons of great worth, have assured me the same upon the like promise received from His Majesty, both for the common state of Catholics and their own particular." [76] _Narrative of the Gunpowder Plot_, p. 24.