IT hath bene seene from the hegin­ning, There hath bene alwaies from time to time, a troublesome people in the world, and great mo­lesters of their neighbours, exāples folow. and [...] is proued most true, that among the nations there hath alwaies beene one seuerall people, farre surpassing the other in ambi­tious price, and tyrannicall policy, not seeking by neighborhood to quench their vn­lawfull thirst to rule: but quickning the flames of their vnnaturall dropsie by hawty rage, the one purchasing them deadly hatred abroad, the other continuall tumults at home, both endlesse vnquiet of their restles thoughts.

In the greene spring of the worlde (what time In the second raigne of Ori­fiel spirite of Saturne. The pride & tyranny of nimrod, sprōg of the seede of Cham. ambition thrusting out her monstrous head, began freshly to sow common discord among men, and general contempt of God himselfe.) Nimrod of the seed of cursed Cham, tearmed in holy writ a strong hunter: that is, such a one as compelled men to o­bay, either by force, or for feare, in loftines of mind forgetting himselfe to be mortall, and faining him­selfe, and fellowe Princes immortall, by ouer-mai­string his simple neighbours, reared a tower, whose strange height might match the top of heauen, and [Page] consequently (like God) ouer-looke the whole earth. But as he that sitteth aboue the Cherubins, and laugheth to scorne the fond deuices of world­linges, with woonderfull patience pampreth the proud a while, and suffreth them like coped Lyons to swing their short course, so when they begin to grow intollerable, neuer was their lift so lofty, but their fall is as low, if not lower, to the lowest nook of hell.

A present and perfect mirrour is this Nimrod, who when he had tyrannized ouer his commons, The effects of tyranny. vsurped ouer his neighbors, foraged their Coun­tries, neglected diuine rites extinguished true reli­gion, and in the mount of his pride (for such is the insatiable and swelling [...]come of ambition) op­posed himselfe against God, was suddenly thrown The fall of Nimrod first king of the world, and Emperour of the Chalde­ans. downe, despoiled of his Crowne, his glorie rent from him, his Maiestie impaired, his dominions translated, and all his stocke defaced by Assur, of whome proceeded afterward the Monarchie, and masterdome of the Assirrians. These gallants en­ioying the Empire, and his Metropolis Babilon, The example of the Assiri­ans proceding of Assur. more yeares then Nimrod, but with no lesse pride, thought it no offence with Nimrod to opresse their subjects, rob and spoile their friends, depopulate forraine countries, slaughter their neighbours, v­surpe ouer their Territories, and count all lawefull pillage which their swords could wrongfully pur­chase.

But as these caualiers dealt with the Chaldeans, Such measure as we meat to others, such measure shall be met to vs. so likewise are they measured vnto, and matched by the Medes, who perceiuing their discipline of [Page] warre, changed altogeather into delicate [...] ­nesse, their wealth reapt by prowesse, rupt on the backes of strumpets, and that their riches made them rechlesse, more apt to take their present case, then to delight in their former exploits, tooke har­tie grace, suddenly inuaded them, speedily con­quered The originall of the Median Monarchie, in the fal of wan­ton Sardana­palus. them, and forced the woman-like man, and vnmanlike King Sardanapalus, as he was sitting and spinning among his Curtizans, wittingly and wil­fully to end his owne life, which (as some Authors affirme) was the onely [...]eed that euer hee did to shew himselfe a man, spending the rest of his daies The Chalde­ans & Assiri­ans, the first that made was in the world. more like a woman. Thus were the vain glorious Chaldeans, and arrogant Ass [...]yrians the first seed­men of seditions, the stirrers vp of bloudy broyles, maintainers of deadly warres, and vsurpers ouer their neighbours, though happilie not so wille, po­litike, and cruell as they; yet as wise, as warlike, and more religious.

In like violent actions succeeded the Medes, and The Persians, Greekes, and Romanes, re­sembled in pride, & tyra­ny to the Cal­deans, Assiri­ans & Meads. Persians, after them the Greekes, and Romanes, so that the worlde hath hitherto neuer wanted some one nation: sometime it hath had mo, that haue beene scourges, whippes, and terrours vnto the residue. But at this present day, whether our age doth want one, especially beautifull Europe, in ma­ny quarters, whereof the glorious light of the gos­pell At this presēt time the sou­thern part of Europe affor­deth a proud disturber, and injurious mo­lester of his neighbour Princes. shineth most cleerely, that seeketh to bannish and blemish her splendent beautie, that vexeth the other noble princes vniustly, disquieteth his neigh­bours both by sea and land maliciously, vsurpeth ouer Crownes, kingdomes, and countries moste [Page] impudently, gouerneth his owne tyrannicallie, committeth massacres incessantly, breatheth out bitter threates opprobriously, snatcheth at all gree­dily, and aymeth at all with violence, and armes, aske his owne dominions first (for hee nameth all how euer it be gotten his own) and next all the estates of Christendome will answere with one consent, and readily deside the controuersie. But Papistes, or Neuters. some will say, who either know little, or heare lesse, or see least of all, for that happily, or rather vnhap­pily, they are of purpose ignoraunt, deafe for the nonce, and wilfully blind (as in this point a great number are) Sir I neither know nor heare, nor see any such matters in Christendome, as you menti­on: but to make further triall, let vs examine the attemptes and practises of all kings christened: and see who it is, that is guiltie of these moste heinous The right tearmes of Re­cusantes, and Traytors. crimes you obiect, beginning first with the moste worthie, the king Catholicke, eldest in yeares, mightiest in power, richest in substance, and moste The Aduersa­ries argumēts to proue the innocencie of king Philip. deuout in religion: He for that he is a catholicke, and piller of the Churche, loueth, imbraceth, and nourisheth the Gospell: He for that hee is by na­ture milde, and taught by Gods lawes not to mur­ther, seeketh no mans bloud: He for that his Ance­sters haue been iust, and peaceable, liueth with hys neighbour princes vprightly, and louingly: He for that he cleaueth vnto the Pope, cannot erre, but is full of compassion: He for that hee tendreth his Iesuites hath learned to be humble and meeke: He is full of charitie, and therefore not couetous: He is olde and decrepit, and therefore cannot in­uade, [Page] much lesse vsurpe, or do violence, all which vntruthes in a word or two, shalbe confuted.

If he did sincerely loue, imbrace, and nourishe The former reasons con­futed. the Gospell, would he xxxiii. whole years togither molest the Prince, enuie the people, and disturbe the Realme, that generally aboue all other loueth, Meant by the Queene and people of England. imbraceth, and nourisheth the gospel? If he loued, imbraced, and nourished the Gospell, woulde hee seeke by all meanes possible to hinder the rightful possession, and orderly proceedings of a king, who The moste christian king of France. these manie yeares hath impouerished himselfe by seeking to plant the Gospell, and so manie times hath, and yet daily doth fight, and hazardes his Cuius contra­rium, verum est. life for the Gospel?

But so truely he loueth, imbraceth, and nourish­eth the Gospell, as he burneth and bannisheth out of his territories, infinite swarmes of riche Iewes, sworne enemies to the Gospel. The Gospell willeth vs to yeelde vnto Caesar those thinges that are Cesars, and vnto God those thinges that ar Gods: but he teach­eth them all together trea­sons, rancor, and matice a gainst their Soueraigne. Among all these nations the Spaniards swordes haue beene busie.

Lastly, so he loueth, imbraceth, and nourisheth the Gospel, that he maketh his Iesuites, and Shaue­linges forget all Gospel, and mangleth, and massa­creth all true professors of the Gospell. That hee is milde by nature, and seeketh no mans bloud, First aske his slaughtered sonne, and wife, aske the millions of Moores, and poore Portingales, aske thousands of Neopolitanes, and Dutchmen, aske Frenchmen, and Italians, yea and the English, that haue been tortured, and tormented to death by him, and they all but that he hath made them sure inough from crying, would with their wofull cries, and greeuous clamours resolue you, or at the least all Christendome yet liuing, that haue noted [Page] his drifts and dealings these fortie yeares, will sup­plie their office? How peaceably, and louingly he liueth with his neighbour Princes: how full of compassion, humble and meeke hee is, and whe­ther hee do vsurpe, and offer violence, England, Each of these countries had their partes but these 33. whole yeares he hath had continually a fling at Eng­land. France, Flanders, Poland, the Venetians, ech duke­dome in Italie, Aragon, Portugall, Nauarre and Bearne, yea, and the bookes that are daily printed in them, and sent abroad from them touching our present matter doe testifie: and hauing so many au­tentique witnesses, what neede I more proofe in an open cause? Only this leaue I request to thinke that the prophesie that was found in the Vniuersi­tie A prophesie found in Por­tingall. of Conimbua in Portingall, in the raign of Dom Emanuell, is verified in him, that the little King of Parrius Rex Austri per sin­gula climata mundi, Nobi­lis ingenii di­citur, sed ta­men omni Eu­ropa fietterro­ri vt rector A­uerni. the great South, should be renowned through out the world for his pollicie, and redoubted in al chri­stendome for his tyranny; for whome (notwith­standing he possesseth at this day more large ter­ritories, and greater store of wealth, then anie of his progenitors, or any other prince Christian euer did, and al his proud Partizans thundring out whole worldes of threates: little England, the no­ble and victorious Queene of England, the hono­rable Nobilitie of England, the valiant Gentlemen If England feare God, and be true within it selfe, it may boldly bid a fig for the Spaniard. of England, the true hearted commons of Eng­land relying vpon God the defender of their right, do bid a Figge, in respect of anie great danger, or strange detriment, they can inflict either vpon her royall person, or her loyall subiects at home, or her Maiesties approued friendes abroad, which action that it is both princely, politique, and discreet, [Page] as also christianlike, sincere, and charitable, shall appeare by the sequell. First therefore to proue The Spaniards guile. that the Spaniardes, as it is their guise, rather thundereth rigorously, threatneth terriblie, and spitteth out his spight vennemously, then mea­neth (as they say) good earnest simply, howe euer he holds our Iesuites in hand, to make thē persist in their wicked exploits: we will be so bold, as to consider his owne domesticall affaires, the late ac­cidents, and crosse businesse that befell in Aragon, & other places, and see whether in likelihood he be able now to performe, as whilome in the eares of Great garboils of late betwen the Spaniards and the Ara­gonians, be­tweene the Portingals & Castilions. the world hee boasted. For who doth not heare that listeth to hearken after newes, what vncouth troubles, dangerous skirmishes, daily mutinies, and plentifull effusion of bloud, haue lately happe­ned betweene the Spaniards, and Aragonians, be­tween the Castillions, & their other vassals: the te­nor wherof shal briefly be touched. Antonie Teretz The common rumor is for stabbing a lu­stie younker fauoured of the King of Spaine. Secretarie to the king of Spaine, vpon what occa­sion is yet vncertaine (for that it is the Spaniardes dissembling nature, to minde and reuenge one thing, but to pretend another) being committed to prison, found the meanes partly through his wife, who daily had accesse vnto him, and partly by his letters directed to his friendes about the Court, that he escaped, some say in the habite of a Countriman, who being secretly conueied to Sa­ragosa The occasion of the first ri­sing in Aragō in Aragon among his friends, made known vnto them, howe indirectly, or rather iniuriously the king and inquisition proceeded against them contrarie to iustice, and the priuiledges of their [Page] Realme, to what purpose they did it, and to what effect it would insue, if it were not remedied. As of small drops, rise great flouds, and of a sparke is kin­dled a great fire: so of this (in mans iudgement, but a small mole-hill is made so great a mountaine that it may bee a secret iudgement of the Lorde, to cause to spring from thence, either so great a floud, that may drowne all Spaine for their sinnes, or so forcible a light fire, that may purge & purifie them from their dregs.

But to the matter, newes being brought vnto the King, and inquisition of the escape of the secretarie & that he had gotten Aragon, a strong Mandamus The light fire of the gospell was sealed to the Vice-roy, to make all speedy and diligent search after him: wherein the Vice-roy prooued so painefull, that once againe the Secreta­rie THe double diligence of the Viceroy. was taken and cast into prison, no doubt, but much more narrowly watched then before. The holy Fathers of the Inquisition, the catercappe de­uils, Doctors (I should say) that like bloudy but­chers, continually thirst after bloud, thinking them selues sure, and all things in safety: whilest they are preparing to sit in iudgement vpon the said Antho­nie Teretz, and dispatch him in the way, were sud­denly encountred by a multitude that lay closely in ambushe for the purpose, in and about the Cittie from the Countrey and mountaines there about, whereby the Secretarie was re-deliuered, many of the holy Fathers slaughtered, their Couches some of them burnt, some hackt and hewed in peeces, their seruants scattered, the Kings and Vice-royes powers discomfited, and to the number of 150 per­sons [Page] slaine. The King hauing intelligence of this great dishonour and vnfortunate repulse, standing vpon thornes till he were reuenged, forthwith dis­patched a band of 4000. against them; who know­ing that the boon of a tyrant is bloud, and his grace nothing but death, resolued euerie man to trie the last dice of fortune, and so die, then yeelding, bee brought into a second slauerie. In fine, so well the The rendering of the citties & kingdomes of Catalonia and valentia. citizens and kingdom of Aragon demeaned them­selues against the kings forces, that they drew vnto them the citties and kingdomes of Catalonia, and Valentia also: which three kingdomes are vppe in arms against the King, partly to reuenge the deaths of those noble personages, whome most cruelly he murdered: and partly to defend their antient rites, and priuileges: and vpon many and waightie con­siderations, haue elected them (as some report) a new King.

be these.

• The Duke of Ossune.
• The Duke of Ferill.
• The Countie of Orgus.
• The Countie of Micas, gouernor of Granado.
  • strangled and burnt
• The Archbishop of Corduba con­fessor to the King.
• The Bishop of Cadis.
• Don Francisco Lapeto, president of the Kings counsell.

Don Vasques Secretarie to the state, is fled with 7. Nobles more, and Anthany Teretz also, whose discourse ye haue heard is fledde, and safe with the French King, who is his rightfull Liege. These vn­expected tumults, and sudden claps of war, though they haue bin of short continuance, yet haue they bene very combersome and bitter vnto the Spani­ard, and haue not onely caused great hart-burning against him with the Laiety, but also some rancour of the Cleargy, as may appeare by this probabili­tie.

On All-Saints day last, there chanced a Iesuite A pleasant, sto­rie of a Iesuite and a frier con­firmed by cer­taine persons of sufficient credite, who haue receiued the truth of all these mat­ters. (which order is most odible to all other Cloyste­rers) to preach in Saragosa before diuers men of account in the citty, who among other matters be­gan busily to handle the present mutinies, and vn­reuerent rebellions of the land, against their Soue­raigne, and holy Fathers of the inquisition, shew­ing the emolument that came by them, and incon­ueniences that would ensue, if they were resisted: concluding with this corollarium, that it would be meritorious, both for their bodies & soules, peace­able to the Realme, profitable to themselues, their wiues, children, and kinsefolkes, yea, and auailable for their landes and liuinges (for which they were now in contention) if they wold quietly lay down those armes, and readilie betake them to the mercy of his Catholique Maiestie, and fauour of the holy inquisition. A. Frier happilie hearing him, and wa­rilie noting more then the common people, (al­though generally enough was noted) in his Epi­phonema, or shutting vp of his matter, not mistru­sted [Page] approched the Pulpit, and suddenly threwe a chain or coller of puddings about the Iesuits neck, A pudding is too good meat for a trai­terous Iesuite. crying out good people, heere is meete dinner for the Iesuits good sermon: which deed notwithstan­ding there were present men of authority of the Citty, and questionlesse very many of the currant stamps, yet generally it was so well taken, that out of the Church, the Iesuit was haled into the street, and there disguised in a fooles coat, carried vppon mens shoulders to bee scorned vp and downe the Citty, and whether hee escaped with life, is not yet signified. And here by the way I wish all men, that either heare or read these truthes, truly and duly to consider, what great cause Don Philip of Spain hath either to pretend, or practise any inuasion, vpon a­nie K. Philip if he looke about him, at this time hathsmal cause to broch new broiles. Prince forraine this yeare, hauing so much ado at home, not onely with his temporaltie, but also with his darling and sweet nurserie his sacred and spotles spiritualtie. Thus far concerning the state and affaires of Aragon: nowe let vs see what is and hath beene done this yeare in Portingall. A Roceio is an open place, where gentle­men walke for their plesure in Lisbon. Portingal gentleman walking in the Roceio of Lis­bon, espied a base Castilion of such proud and pre­sumtuous demenor, so fantasticall in his attire, lof­tie in his looks, and slow in his pace, (as though he had bin treading of measures) could not long bear him, but bearded him, and iustled him, wherevpon The originall of the last dis­sentions in Portingall. the mater was debated by Stafford law, the Portin­gall slaine, and the Spaniard escaped into the Ca­stle. Immediatly certaine Portingall Gentlemen of his familiars swore reuenge, & not long since haue had their wils. For on S. Mathews day last, finding [Page] a crue of Castilions reuelling in a brothell house, suddenlie set vpon, and slewe fiue of them, which caused the other Castillions of the Castle to come downe in extreame heat of choller, and offer great violence through the cittie, vntill the great multi­tudes of Portingals that were hastilie swarmed to­gether, made them betake them to their heeles, and euer since more watchfullie, & warilie guard their But thus it is not ended: for since we haue had knowledg of diuers other bickerings. castle. The mater being brought in question before the Cardinal (who now a while keepeth warm the K. of Portingals seat,) & being found that the Spa­niards were chief masters of misrule and mischiefe, (as they are alwaies) they were punished seuerelie, but all in vaine: for old rankor is not easilie forgot­ten, A Paradox. King Philip to inioy the crown of Por­tingall, especi­ally commit­ted these three most damnable iniquities, first he betraied to death his own Nephew, next set paking the Cardinal, and lastly exiled and keepeth in exile the right heire. nor the antient malice between those two na­tions lightlie forgiuen. For it is impossible, & may passe for a Paradox to thinke that those two Nati­ons, the Portingall and Spaniard will euer be fullie reconciled. F [...] as often as either they shal remem­ber, or their cronicles report the fraudulent feats of false Philip against his neighbour K. and kingly ne­phew Don Sebastion so braue a yong prince, & only hope of the Portingals, record the dāned vsurping of the spitefull Spaniards, & miserable exile of Don Anthony lawful, and indubitant heire, now fauou­red and fostered by her Maiestie: so often as they shal either speake, or thinke vpon the cursed acts of Christophero de Moyra one of the Kings fauorites: as often as they shall either heare or thinke vpon the heapes of their poore countrey men, that haue bin within this 13. yeares most desperatly murthered, and of their owne intollerable seruitude they in­dure at this instant, they will haue as good and fell [Page] stomaks; as euer they had at the Ile of Terferes, what time the braue and wise gentleman Don Cyprian Fi­guredo Christo de Moyra sent a counterfeit cooke into France to poy­son Don Anto­nie. This gouernor gaue the king of Spain great battailes, and ouercame in both, liuing now with his King in Eng­land. Vasconsalus was gouernour there to the Spa­niards cost, to rip out their harts, and eat them with salt. Wherein I aduertise all those of our Nation, that without any sufficient triall of their detestable deeds, and knowledge of their crabbed nature, are such great friends, and stout fauorites of the ene­mies of the world, not to bee deceiued, but as they be men, and should haue the spirite of reason, so to bee gouerned and guided by reason. Suppose the Spaniard as they wish (but God be praised he is ve­rie far from) should make a conquest in this land, and bring all to his bay, as hee hath done in other countries ouer whome hee vsurpeth: Would hee (tro yee) spare this more then them? No: hee will finde fiue hundred times more cause to [...]ce and ransacke our citties, to pill and pole our country, to murther and massacre our people, then theirs. For they were his neighbours; we meer strangers: they haue bene sometime his friends; wee alwaies (as he counteth) sworne enemies: they are of his owne religion, wee altogeather contrary: they haue the Pope to mittigate his wrath, if hee be to fierce; wee haue both Pope and Pope-lings to in­cense him vnto further ire, that hee may be more frowarde: so that whatsoeuer the Pope and hee could doe, that they would doe say they) promise they, sweare they neuer so much to the contrarie) and whatsoeuer they will doe, may not bee gaine­said as vnlawfull. Wherefore let all English hearts and true hearted English-men, say with the Poet.

Aurea libertas gemma preciosior omni.

And whilest they haue it, imbrace it, & not betray it, but hazard lands, liues, lims & all, to maintain it. Finally, let those regions, ouer whome the Spani­ard alreadie tyranizeth, be exāples vnto vs, whose cofers are alreadie impouerished, whose people are mightily impaired, whose liues are not theyr owne, whose landes vpon euerie light quarrell are confiscate, whose antient-rightes are contemned, peculiar priuiledges infringed, wholesome lawes violated, and all in all corrupted: then may we cou­ragiously say, God the Lord of hostes (who is, and hath alwaies been our defender) is our right, and cheerfully vaunt, a Fig for the Spaniard.

We haue hetherto discussed howe vnlike, and vnable the Spaniardes is in respect of the foresayd troubles, which as yet on no part are fully pacifi­ed, to pursue his determination: nowe let vs prie a litle more narrowly into matters of no lesse con­sequence, and by examining them wee may easily coniecture, what he is able to effect. The scarcitie therefore of bread, and defect of all other store of Wonderfull great dearth throughout all Spaine. victuall, wherwith Spaine, especially the sea-coasts thereof, this present yeare haue beene plagued, woulde rather haue beene a terrible warning to anie other Prince of corrigible nature, to haue humbled himselfe vnto almightie God, and to continue in praier for the auoydance of so great a miserie, then to prepare and threaten bloudy wars against his neighbour Princes, better able for the present to maugre, and indure armes then he: yea [Page] the flourishing kingdome of Naples, which for his God punish­eth the peo­ple sometime for the trans­gressions of the Prince. woonderfull fertilitie was wont to be tearmed the Garden of the world, hath these two yeares so ill prospered, not onely in her corne, and fruites, but also in her vintage, and other prouision, that it is found not to yeeld the third part that it was wont: whereby the people perish moste lamentably, the Nero Empe­ror of Rome, when hee saw the Citie fla­ming with fire, laughed and soong verses contai­ning the de­struction of Troy. land is wasted pitifully, and all in all lament ruful­ly: onely Philip who should be more grieued, and pensiue then the rest, like his great grandsier Nero, when he sawe Rome on fire, is so farre from mour­ning, that he rather mocketh, and triumpheth risit Sardonico. But say that neither these plagues of swelling sedition, or pinching famine, happily sent by God himselfe to none other ende, but to relent his stonie heart, and set him at peace, with other Princes that seek after, and delight in peace, can quallifie his hautie humour, or quench his hot desire of reuenge: Let vs yet weigh if there be not occasions of as great moment to moue and molli­fie him, except he meane his people, shippes, artil­lerie, and warlike furniture should rather perish by warre, then consumed through famine. Who is In Flanders, France, and England. ignorant of the great slaughters of Spaniards, that haue beene committed within these foure yeares? who is ignorant of the huge losse, both of men and ships he hath sustained in this last Indian voyage? who doth not knowe that he that inioyeth much, hath need of Argus eyes, Mercuries braine, and Hercules strength to maintaine it? and who doth not knowe that his storehouse of Sicilie for this The Sicillons made him plainly an­swere, they had not corne enough for themselues. [Page] yeare is emptie? Seeing then Spaine cannot pre­sently sustaine, muche lesse relieue, or repaire suche infinite losses both of men, shippes, artille­rie, and all other prouision of victualles, within The Duke of Florence will haue a saying to the Spa­nish Lantado, for abusing his colours, defeating the people of the prouision of their corne, and manie o­ther iniuries The last pope finely, and wittily deni­ed the king of Spaine ma­nie requestes: These and such like dea­linges haue caused the deathes of 5. Popes within these 17. monethes. her owne boundes, seeing suche innumerable cares depend on their neckes, and that they can­not indure them without the assistance of others: Let vs nowe reason what possibilitie they haue to be succoured by others, and beginne first with their owne neighbours. It is possible they may command a few hungersterued slaues in Naples, and the partes adioyning (whereof they haue the gouernment) but in other partes of Italie, especi­ally Genua, Florence, and Venice, where he is loued, as the Diuell loueth holy water: he may command, and go without, and intreating, obtain as man [...] bands of men, and thousands of crowns, (which some suspect was the deathe of the last Pope) as a chicken can holde in hi [...] fist. As for France and Flanders, therein his iolly brauo haue such gallant counterbuffes daily, the one part by the most Christian mirrour of chyualrie, the french king, the other by the puissant and politicke prince Graue Maurice, that they looke for aid of him, who Sigismund king of Po­land maintai­neth the tu­multes of the Iesuites at Gacow, wher they haue beaten downe and rased the Churches of the reformed religion. is himselfe aidlesse, rather then anie way finde themselues of strength to succour their haplesse Monarches. Likewise Germanie, and especially Poland, in manie corners, whereof he hath closely couched his rabbles of Iesuites, and set all in vp­rores, are so vnable, and vnapt to succor him, that they are skant able to defend themselues. Finally [Page] from England, wherinto dayly he sendeth whol heards, and hundreds of Iesuites, Seminaries, and Priests to disturb our peace: althogh her Maiestie euer louing, & longing after peace, hath sought alwaies rather to gratulate him, then anie way to grieue him: yet in anie of these attempts he is to hope for no helpe, except hee woulde imploy Philip man­tained Iohn Marilian hy [...] Embassadour three whole years at Con­stantinople to increate for peace, which at length was obtained in suche sorte, that neither Christian nor Turke thoght it would con­tinue, for both Princes ap­plied them selues to the time, rather then that ey­ther of them desired anie friendship of other. his forces to better vse, then onely to seeke the spoyle, and effusion of christian bloud. Princes of former yeares liuing together in a­mitie, and linked with the sweete chaine of chri­stian-like charitie, were woont to leuie all their powers against the vntamed Pagons, and enne­mies of Christianitie, but hee hath beene lately conuinced to doe quite contrarie: howe then of Christians can he looke for courtesie. But some will obiect, and say, Tush Philip is ric [...] he possesseth whole Mines of coine, he is the gol­den Cheuallier, he needeth no mans courtesie. Let him but holde vp his finger, hee shall haue friendes, followers, and souldiers inowe: this argument is both weake, and slender, and hath partly beene refelled before: therefore in three wordes with the Poet, thus briefly I con­fute it. Malo virum pecunia, quam pecuniam viro indigentem. Hetherto concerning hys businesse at home, and condition with his bordering neighbours. Nowe let vs looke what hope the Spaniardes hath to enterprise anie inuasion, or conquest in respect of England.

The first, and chiefest reasons therfore, where­with [Page] his Partizans, and partakers vse to induce him, and hale him on (whether of his owne will he is readily inough inclined) are these three Three reasons our English Traytours vse to vrge to Phi­lip. in number. The first is drawne from the weake­nesse of her Maiesties Nauie. The second of a supposed euill contentment of a number of peo­ple in the land to serue the Queene, and hir go­uernment against her enemies. Lastly, and most principally of a great strong partie, that will be found heere in the fauour of them for religion A meere fable and of no likelihood. that wil take armes against her highnesse, vppon the sight of the Catholique Nauie on the coasts of England: all which that they are but imagi­ned surmises, and vntrue reportes, hath alreadie bene proued, Anno. 1588. at what time the cou­ragious force, and forcible courage of our Na­uie sufficiently appeared, when as at the first en­counter with the mightie Spanish Armada, our Some say it was their Viceadmirall: but how euer it was, a most huge barge. simple Fleete of Fish-boates (as it pleased them to tearme it) tooke their Viceadmirall, and for the space of 8. or 9. dayes togither, so scattered, slaughtered, sunk, & chased them, that they were forced to flie from the coastes of Flanders neere Calice, towards the vnknowne parts of the cold North: all their hopes, all their buildings, foun­ded but vppon a conceited conquest, vtterly o­uerthrowne and (as it were) with an Earth­quake, all their costes, and comfortes by the omnipotent, and outstretched arme of God, brought to the ground. As to the second branch of their hope depending vpon opinion of some [Page] great miscontentment of manie, and sundry per­sons against the Queenes Maiestie, the proofe of the contrarie so appeared the selfe same yeare, both of her Maiesties actions to maintaine the liking of all her people, and of the generall ear­nest deuotion shewed to her Maiestie, by all e­states, Noble and meane, rich and poore, prote­stantes and papists, as I thinke no prince christe­ned euer had greater cause of comfort in her people.

Now to the last point, that there shalbe found heere in the Realme a strong partie of Catho­liques to ioyne against the Queene, and assist the inuaders, by the former relations of the generall great, and feruent loue of all the land toward her excellent Maiestie, of the great offers of ser­uice, made by the whol Nobilitie of their good­ly shewes of braue men, and stately steedes, of their infinite costes and expences, of the vniuer­sall forwardnesse of the commons in all actions, and of their prompt mindes to execute all due­ties of good subiectes, euen vnto the losse of their liues, this their foundation is weake, fee­ble, and of no force, and therefore no waie to be feared.

We haue already proued by manie reasons, and those substantial inough, how vnlike and vnable the Spaniard is, both in respect of himselfe, in re­spect of the helpe of his neighbors, and in respect The Spaniard vnlike to con­quer England for three rea­sons. of our own right, and might, to master and mo­lest vs with anie huge hurt, or singuler scath: all [Page] which notwithstanding are thus, for that we of­ten see man proposeth, but God disposeth, to be vnderstoode, and restrained that they may and shall proue true, so long as we serue God truely, Si Deus no­biscum quis contra nos. The Spaniard is not yet brought so low, but that he may rise, rage and reigne again, if we be not thankefull to almightie God, pliable to our coun­tries peace, and watchfull for his com­ming. Nam qui se­mel caepit esse hostis, & ite­rum erit, si nactus fuerit occasionem. liue in loyall seruice, and dutifull obedience to­ward our Prince louingly, honour our Magi­strates reuereutly, liue togither charitably, and detect and discrie wicked treasons, and obstinate traytors willingly: otherwise the Lord will re­new, reuiue, and increase the Spaniards strength exceedingly, cause him preuaile mightely, and triumph ouer vs spightfully, so that no man a­midst all that hath beene spoken, is so farre to presume, that either he omit anie iote of christi­anlike seruice toward almightie God, or loyall obedience toward his naturall Prince, or sacred honour toward the supriour Magistrate, or sin­cere loue towardes his home borne neighbours, but as wee were seene not yet a Prentice yeares Anno 1588 sithence, (at what time the minds of many were daunted with a sodaiue feare of the enemie) to serue God deuoutly, obey our prince cheerfully, reuerence the Magistrat discretly, & liue and loue together faithfully, so to cōtinue, & (if need once againe require) to spend lands, lims, liues and all as then wee profered readilie for God and our countrey, and not to hatch treasons closely, nou­rish traitors couertly, succour fugitiues wilfullie, or support shameles runnegats continually, men of no conscience, sworne enemies to God, their Prince, and countrey: which that we may do to [Page] the glorie of the eternall GOD, comfort of our dread Soueraigne, ioy of our vigilant Magistrats weeding out of hypocriticall rebels, wholesome Thus if we doe, then may we boldly bid a Fig for the Spaniard, ey­ther a figge of his owne, or, as they say vna higa Ita­lians. preseruation of mutuall charity at home, & god­lie consolation of our poore distressed bretheren abroad, the Lord of hosts in mercy grant for his sweet sons sake, to whom with his Christ our on­ly peacemaker, & the holy Ghost our comforter, be al honour, lawd, praise, and thankesgiuing for all his vnspeakeable louing kindnesses extended on the sinfull people of England both nowe and for euer, and let all that feare his name, and wishe the blessed peace of his Church, say in de­uout zeale, and zealous deuotion of spirit,

Amen.