Letter from Fr. Bartłomiej Pawłowski to Jan Jabłonowski regarding the counteraction of heresy in Świecie

[P. 2] Most Illustrious and Noble Lord Voivode of Ruthenia, My Great Lord and Benefactor. When the grace of the Most Illustrious Pastor of the Kujawy diocese placed me at the head of the Świecie deanery and made me a participant in the pastoral care for souls, this greatest concern of my life took hold of me, that I might not only lead the entrusted flock properly, so that it would not be disturbed by the roars of predatory lions, but also, guarding it against the ruinous plague of heresy, might present it pure to the Supreme Good Shepherd. Therefore, when I see how in the town of Świecie, subject to the jurisdiction of Your Illustrious Lordship, my Benefactor, heresy is spreading to the detriment of the Church of God in houses bought there and by the heretics arriving in them, and the number of Catholic people is significantly dwindling due to the lack of housing, and I also receive reports that all this is happening with the tacit consent of the municipal magistrate, being unable to bear such a great injury done to the holy Catholic faith, the Church of God, and even [P. 3] to the Lord God Himself by the heresy encroaching upon a Catholic town, I humbly submit a request to Your Illustrious Lordship, my Benefactor, as the most zealous defender of the Catholic faith and at the same time the lord of this place, that you, Most Illustrious Benefactor, for the sake of the zeal with which you burn for the holy Catholic faith, would not deign to allow the infection of this town with such a harmful plague, being certain that the Lord God will reward this zeal to Your Illustrious Lordship with a precious reward. For which, and for the second time, humbly beseeching Your Illustrious Lordship, my Benefactor, for the sake of the orthodox faith itself, I do not cease to implore the Divine Majesty with my unworthy prayers for his long-term health, with the desired, friendly influences of the Heavens. Your Illustrious Lordship's, my Benefactor's Lowest servant, unworthy Sepulchrine, [+] Fr. Bartłomiej Pawłowski, Official of Bydgoszcz, Dean of Świecie, Parish Priest of Serock. In Serock, July 26, 1700. PS For God's sake, my heedless Benefactor, prevent this, my Lord, for it will not be long before you must stand before the judgment of God, and even now you will have to account for such failings, not indulging this predatory pack of wolves, killing the souls of Christ in that region. [Address:] To the Most Illustrious and to me Greatly Gracious Lord and Benefactor, His Lordship Jan Jabłonowski, Voivode and General of the Ruthenian lands, my gracious lord – to be delivered urgently.

[S. 2] Iasnie Wielmozny M[o]s[ci] Panie Woiewodo Ruski Moy Wielce M[o]s[ci] Panie y Dobrodzieiu. Kiedy mię Pańska Iasnie Wielmoznego Diecezyi Kuiawskiey Pasterza łaska Decanatowi Swieckiemu praefecit, et Pastoralem Animarum curam participare fecit, ta mię naywiększa w zyciu moim tenet solicitudo, abym nie tylko Gregi commisso nalezicie praeesse, ne rapacium rugitibus Leonum disturbetur, ale tez iego à pestifera haeresis infectione strzegąc, onze Supremo Bono Pastori purum praesentare mogł. Więc gdy widzę w Miescie Swie- ciu Iurisdictyi W[aszej] M[os]ci Iasnie Wielmoznego Dobrodzieia, damna tam do Kosciola Bozego haeresim w skupionych tamze Do- mach y przybywaiących do nich heretykow ampliari, Numenum zas ludzi Katolickich ob angustiam pomięszkania zna- cznie attenuari, y tę odbieram relacią ze się to wszystko per conni- ventiam Magistratus Civilis dzieię, nie mogąc tantam Wia- rze Swiętey Katolickiey, Kosciolowi Bożemu a nawet y [S. 3] y Samemu Panu Bogu, per irrepentem w Miasto Katolickie haeresim, irrogatam injuriam pati, W[aszej] M[os]ci Iasnie Wielmoznemu Dobrodzieiowi iako zelosissimo Fidei Catholicae Propugna- tori, a oraz mieysca tego Panu pronus supplikuię abys Ia- snie Wielmozny Dobrodzieiu pro eo, quo o Wiarę Swiętą Ka- tolicką exardescis, zelo, Miasta tego tak szkodliwą nie raczył dopuszczac inficere zarazą, będąc tego pewien yz Pan Bog eum zelum W[aszej] M[os]ci Iasnie Wielmoznemu Dobrodzieio- wi pretiosa mercede remunerabitur. O co y powtornie W[aszej] M[os]ci Iasnie Wielmoznego Dobrodzieia per ipsam Orthodoxam Fi- dem unizenie upraszając O iegoz Długoletne, przy poządanych przyiaznych Niebios influenciach zdrowie niegodnemi modła- mi moiemi Boski błagac Maiestat nie przestawam W[aszej] M[os]ci Iasnie Wielmoznego Dobrodzieia Naynizszy sługa Bozo-Grobca niegodny [krzyżyk] X. Bartłomiej Pawłowski Official Bydgost[iensis] Dziekan Swiecki Pleban Serocki. W Serocku 26 Iuly 1700. PS Dla Boga Jmć niebaczny [?] Dobrodzieiu zabiegay WMPan temu boć tam nieza- długo przydzie stawac na sąd Bozy, a do te- raz będzie dac rachunku z takowych defektow nieokładaiąc się tey drapieżney wilkarni w owey stronie dusze Christusowe zabiiącey. [S. 4, adres:] Iasnie Wielmoznemu a Mnie Wielce M[o]s[ciwemu] Panu y Dobrodzieiowi J[ch] M[ościów] Panu Janowi Iabłonowskiemu Woiewodzie y Generałowi Ziem Ruskich MM Panu pilno nalezy.