THe Italians inhabite the right arme of the continent of Europe, which hath Spaine in place of the head, France for the stomacke, for the belly Germany, and Denmarke for the left arme: From that part of Italie which extendeth more to the South­ward, and from the other bounding North, with his two armes, which are parts of the maine, en­tring further into the Sea then the rest of the bodie, haue from all times the other principall partes of Christendome, sustained great ruines, cruelties, losse of goods and other oppressions: of the first, because it goeth farre beyond all Nations bordering Northward, in inuention, craft and worldly pollicie, witnesse Aristotle, Strabo, Caesar, Plinie, & other approoued Authors: of the second, in respect of their surpassing streight and corporall puissance, by reason of the colde situation of the place. That which produceth such effects in Italie, is the moderate tempe­rature of the clymate, situate in a subtill ayre néere vnto the sea euery where, without any excesse heate or cold: and beside, another cause is, the trading and great dealing that the Itali­ans haue with the people of Asia, of Affrica, and Europa, as also with the Ilanders, or a great part of them with whome they haunt, and liue. By reason whereof, besides that they are of themselues verie wittie & subtill headed, all cunning slightes, craftie conueyances, and deceitfull cosinages, are so proper and common to them, whereby they can fetch vnder other people, and are so cunning to finger from them their money, and can moreouer, so closely couer their actiōs, that of a thousand hard­ly one could euer come within them to perceiue their iugling. For as any deceit or cosinage finely handled, is not perceiued but of those which know it, and looke verie néere vnto it, decei­uing those which haue their eye but on the naturall and exter­nall [Page 2] shew: so there are none but those which curiously séeke out the beginning, the progresse and aduancements of the Romane and Italian gouernment, and the meanes whereby they haue drawne money from other nations of the earth, since the time of Romulus, to this present day, who can finde out their fet­ches and shifts, or discouer the maskes wherewith they are dis­guised, to aduance and enrich themselues by the ouerthrow and pillage of others. Albeit, it is not inough when we haue gone so farre, if besides we throw not away the mufflers which de­priue vs of sounde and true iudgement in things of this world, as are custome, hate, loue, obstinacie, and enuy, which are euen so many plagues & corruptions, ouerthrowing quite the iudge­ment and cleare vnderstanding of man in all things: for if cu­stome carry vs away, the Italian may preuaile, not only of an hundred, but of more then a thousand & fiue hundred yéeres, which was the verie time that Iulius Caesar an Italian, pilla­ged and ruined, not only France, but also all other parts of Eu­rope. Therefore we should deserue to be commanded and gna­wen to the bare bone, for euer hereafter, as wel as in time past, that could looke to these matters no sooner. The cause of all, haue béen but our blinde affections which peruert vs in true iudgement, the which now we must néedes cut off, to haue on­ly reason for our guide, which is the true & essentiall difference, that separateth man from other Animals, & maketh him iudge truly of all things: otherwise wee robbe our selues of the most excellent and precious iewell we haue, to become as bestiall as the bruit beastes. From hence springeth then also the cause of so great diuersitie of opinions in our Continent, the principall and chiefest part of the world, for that some suffer themselues to be gouerned by the cléere light of reason & vnderstanding, and other some let themselues be caried away headlong with their owne affections and customes, and this is the cause why the inhabitants of the Orientall. Asia vnder the dominion of the great Cham of Tartarie, whose Empire is two thousande leagues in longitude, do hold him for the sonne of God in earth, and why? those which liue vnder the great Turke belieue Ma­homet to be a greater prophet then Iesus Christ: and why? the Iewes scattered in great multitudes follow the customes of [Page 3] their fathers, reiecting the true Messias, to looke for another: and why? Christendome is so troubled by reason of the Romish constitutions, which some beléeue to be holie and necessarie to saluation, and others altogither contemne: being none other meane of reconciliation amongst vs, but to cast away these blinde mufflers of customes, hatred, and consideration of losse or gaine, & to suffer our selues to be directed by the cleare light of the heauenly word, by the vnsearchable workes of God, and by liuely reason clarified with authenticall histories of time. Putting but this in practise once, wee shall soone discouer, and cléerely sée with our eyes the wonderfull déepe subtilities of I­talians, and hereafter beware how we be ouerrought by their pollicies.

FIrst we will consider, euen as in the murther of Abell, committed by Cain, God did prefigure vnto vs, that the good should be persecuted by the wicked for his seruice sake till the end of the world: so also in the person of Romulus first founder of Rome, & murtherer of his brother Romus and Tassius his companion, as also in the person of Numa Pom­pilius, a most subtill and ingenious inuentor of a forged religi­on, to establish his owne gouernment. God would manifest vnto vs, that this nation should serue it selfe héereafter, with murthers and apparance of a counterfet religion, to laie hands on others kingdomes, and to snatch away the substance of o­ther peoples: for we sée euen as their first domination began at the first by effusion of bloud, and after by cloake of religion: so also it is come to passe, that the first glorie of the great Em­pire of the Italians, to the which all Europe was brought in subiection and made tributarie, was gotten by the great mur­thers so commonly committed in the time of Marius and Syl­la, contriued by Augustus Caesar, and by Anthony, which lustre being by long tract of time dimmed and extingnished, is [Page 4] by a cleane contrarie maner restored and restablished vnder a faire shew and cloake of religion.

NOw I pray thée Reader, be not persuaded, that I meane by this discourse contemptuously to blame the Popes of Rome in their owne persons, or any holy constitution in the Church of Rome: My desire is only to lay open the déep reach and subtiltie of the Romanes, who by a great foresight and im­mutable order, haue béen able so to handle their affaires, and to dispose of Popes, of Kings and Princes of the earth, in such sort that they haue got the head and rule ouer them, and fetch round summes of deniers out of their cofers, and from their commons besides. For proofe hereof, I will maintaine the like prepositi­on, that was held to Augustus Caesar, the greatest, happiest, subtillest, and most pollitike Monarke of the worlde. It was this, That he commanded indéed all nations, and all the world trembled at the excellencie of his nature, but yet that his wife commanded him, and his daughter her mother: giuing thereby to vnderstand, that it was they that ruled only, borrowing his name to authorise and establish what they listed. So I say, that whatsoeuer is ratified, published and receiued vnder the name and authoritie of the Popes, it is but the counsell and inuenti­on of the Italians of Rome, who to authorise their doings, co­uer them with the name of the Pope, and therefore must be attributed to them, as to the inuentors, persuaders, and contri­uers of that which procéedeth from his holines.

FOr confirmation of that which goeth before, and for demon­stration of the matter, let vs set before our eyes the estate [Page 5] of France, in the time that Katherine de Medicis, Quéene-Mother liued, and we shall sée, as in a cleare glasse, that she and her Councell of Italians got betwéen them the whole gouern­ment & disposing of all the affaires in France, into their hands, and like bloodsuckers sucked the bloud of the poore people so dry, as if it had béene crushed out in a wine-presse: so that by such crueltie, men perished in France by famine, nakednes, & hearts griefe, by thousands and millions, and neuer were there so ma­ny died by poyson of Serpents and other venimous beasts, nor by the crueltie of Tygers, Lybbards, Crocodiles, Lynres, Beares, and other deuouring beasts, since the creation of the world, as by their tyrannous crueltie, shewed whilest they bore the sway. This could not any one French man perceiue to come to passe, for so smal a matter, as to haue matched y^e daugh­ter of an Italian Duke with a younger brother of France: But herehence procéedeth it, that this nation is so ingenious and subtill, that vpon the least occasion which may be, it ma­keth way and meane to enterprise and effect the greatest mat­ters in the world, and moreouer, to laie the blame and grudge that commeth by their stingings & exactions vpon other mens shoulders: fine workemen I warrant you: that can so closely couer their dealings with the name & authoritie of great Pre­lates, Kings or Princes, that the hatred and blame may lie vp­on their neckes, and the profite be put in their owne purses. And sure this nation can make so sure way so far before hand, and so contriue their plots, that then at the length onely men can perceiue them, when it is cleane past their power to finde out any remedie to preuent them.

FOr euident proofe hereof, this Italinesse had not remained lōg time in France, but Monseur le Dauphin, who was to rule ouer vs, as lawfull heire to the Crowne, vanished quickly by some perfume, or by some other Italian deuise, [Page 6] thereby to giue entrance, and make a gap for the Italians to rush in, to the managing of the greatest partes of the affaires of France. And this occasion béeing redoubled by the death of King Henry, they tooke fast hold of her haire which groweth before, not letting her slip out their hands to runne after her, iudging the two best means to procure the gouernment of this estate to this woman and themselues, was first of all to bring vp those which should rule ouer vs in all lasciuiousnes and plea­sure, to make them more effeminate then their owne mother, and likewise in the ignorance of good letters and in well gouer­ning an estate, to the end that their Italinesse being more for­ward in knowledge of these things then they, (to the great ad­uantage of Italians) might sease wholly on the gouernment of the kingdome, and the entire disposing of all France: and secondly, to sow debates, & stir vp warres among the French, least that their vnion and concord might disturbe or not permit the rule, gouernment, and aduancement of a straunge nation ouer them, who could not suffer or permit any gouernment to the onely daughters of our Kings of France it selfe,

THese two breaches being made in the body of France, the Italians persuading themselues, that if then when they had yet no way to set in foote, which was but in the time of K. Henry, they were able to frame among them such disorder, that Francis the first, hauing left seuentéene hundred thousande crownes in his coffers, albeit he had paide ransome in Spaine: the said Henry hauing raigned but a while, had left his heire behinde him indebted fortie thrée Millions, which was a most straunge and maruellous debt, considering the great tributes which he had exacted of his subiects, of the employing whereof, there could be none account heard, notwithstanding the best friendes and louers of the communaltie, made a motion & were verie instant. They haue at this present farre more abilitie by [Page 7] the authoritie and subtilitie of their Italinesse, to prosecute the ruine and vtter subuersion of this estate: the which to bring to a low ebbe: they must fill full of ciuill warres, and so ouer loade with such heauie burthens of subsidies, taxes, and new rerea­ges, that they poore people remained quite ruined and troden downe, so that it could neuer since recouer foote againe: and the better to feare and torture them thereunto, to locke them vp in prisons, and there to make them rot miserably, if they did not pay their intollerable ransomes, excéeding in many partes of France, more by the third part then the yéerely reuenue of the poore Pesant did amount vnto: not disburdening him ther­by any thing at all of his charges in finding souldiers, of whom he was daily sore gnawen, deuoured, beaten, and oppressed, be­sides the extremitie shewed vnto him in paying the fines of his wine, without the which he could by no meanes be discharged. Thus this subtill nation hauing gotten on their side some Ita­lionate Frenchmen, to take their partes, and to fortifie them somewhat more: as also to laie part of the blame of these pil­leries on their backs, do all things at their owne will and plea­sure, to the enriching of themselues, and to the vtter ruine of the poore commons, who abide the greatest smart of all. And he which would desire to know what is become of all these ex­cessiue heapes of mony leuied in this kingdome: let him goe to Florence, to behold the sumptuous buildings which there haue béen erected by our ruines, and there let him sée the wondrous wealth wherein many Florentines swimme, which came but like poore snakes into France, and now how they haue altered their state. But if the people of France had had as much witte and wisedome as they: they should at the first haue laide their heads togither, and concluded to haue chased them backe into their owne countrey, and foreséeing the debates and quarrels that they began to sow euery where in France, haue sent them backe to their owne home: as they themselues once serued the French, when they were in their country, in like maner.

ALthough they haue béen alwaies voyd of all mercie and compassion towardes the poore people, hauing drenched them drie, and brought them to great miserie, yet they haue shewed as little fauour as might be to Churchmen, making them to be gnawen to the bare bone with tenthes, and to be puld a hole lower by sale of their goods, maintaining all ine­qualitie amongst them, making floods of riches to run downe the héeles of some Italianate spirits, their coherents, and as for those who take paines daily in diuine seruice, which the French Romans wil not meddle withal, nor so much as with the tip of their finger to turne ouer one leafe of it, they may haue a sore drowth, but the diuell a whit of drinke will they giue them to coole their thirst. Their Nobles they were saluted so often­times with summonings to assemble themselues, who held a­ny landes of the Crowne, to bee seassed for the affaires of the warres and paiment of souldiers, and withall put to such pin­ches and daungers, to ruine one another: with such extreame costs and charges raised by the vaine enhancings of their gold chaines of their Order, for all paiments and wages employed onely for the payes of the Italians, and other strange nations. As for the Officers, although that their offices were sold vnto them in the wane of the Italian power, ten times dearer then in the raigne of any former Prince or King, they were so flée­ced and pulled away by substitution of others, that did robbe them of all the profit and honour that might grow therby, who in their turne also were pilled and brought to nothing, by re­storing the mony that was sucked from them, that first bought them: so that by that time all their landes were counted, there was nothing to be laughed at on no side: but only the Floren­tines and their partners, who might wel laugh in their sléeues, hauing so much the more to drinke, filling their purses, with [Page 9] the emptyings of others, so that by such deuises they haue so well sucked out the substance of the French, that since the com­ming of this Italianesse into France: they haue picked more pence out of the coate of this people, then during the raigne of twelue Kings before. The tokens wherof most manifestly ap­peare, especially vpon the poore pesants by their nakednes, who go apparrelled but with old linnen cloth in the greatest coldes, and are besides constrained to humble themselues so low, as to liue vpon Oates and Pease like bruit beasts. The cause and originall of all these miseries procéeding of the marriage of one Italinesse in France, aspiring to make way for her adherents, and to get the Crown into her own hands, making our kings odious to the whole world: and this sheweth well, that they are so ingenious, that of the least occasion that may serue to fauour them: they know how to finde and fetch out greater ad­uantages, farre beyond the reach of any nation in the world beside. This thou shalt easily perceiue, if with the considerati­on of that which goeth before, thou cast but thine eye of vn­derstanding vpon the French, to sée how great a number of the Kings daughters haue béen married into Italy, as Madame Renee daughter of King Lewes the twelfth, to the Duke of Ferrara: others to the King of England, & into Spaine, to the Dukes of Sauoy, and of Lorraine. By meanes of whom, al­though they were all descended of farre more noble houses then her, yet the French could neuer by any such occasion tyrannise and impouerish these people, neuer making the least commodi­tie thereby, or get any other preferment: but to the contrarie, they still left behinde them verie much of their owne, as in the marriages of the King of Spaine, and of the Duke of Sauoy, where they got to their shares the fairest fléeces and conquests of France. And this may verie well shew how grosse witted we are in France, and how ingenious and subtill the Italian is at euerie opportunitie that may happen. Sée wherfore I wold faine be able to perswade the Popes, quite to forsake this nati­on to come into Swicerland, and into France, verie curteous and good people: to deliuer themselues from the yoake of that nation which is the most corrupt in the whole world: for if one onely Italinesse were able to chaine our Kings at Paris, and [Page 10] within a litle therabouts, and with one winke of her eye make tremble Constables, Marshals of France, gouernours of pro­uinces, and by the least word or letter alter the Parlaments of France, what may ten 1000. Italians do, enuironing a Pope? It is certaine, they may force his will by violence, depriuing him of his libertie in his gouernment of y^e church. Or if he bow not that way which they wold haue him, they wil not sticke to giue his holines some dramme of such perfume, as they did to the deceassed Quéene of Nauarre. This is the cause why com­monly we sée foure or fiue Popes to die, during the raigne of one Emperour. Wherefore he should do well either for loue of his life or his libertie to retire and come away from amongst them.

BVt to make a more liuely representation of the great wise­dome of the Italian, we must mount a litle higher to the be­ginnings, progresse, and aduancement of this admirable domi­nation, whether by degrées it hath eleuated it selfe in perceiuing the Tarquins their kings were verie vicious, and nothing va­lerous, they spied out matter inough quickly against them to be rid of them, so iumpe at that time fell out for their purpose the rauishment of Lucretia, perpetrated by Tarquinius their King: wherupon they made a commotion against him, by and by to thrust him out of his kingdome: not that they meant to restablish any other in his place, but to alter this forme of go­uernment (although it be absolutely the best, when kings rule as they should do, and behaue themselues well) and to institute another, which should exalt them (as they thought most like­ly) aboue all other peoples, and make them all tributarie to them. Now this was their order, to haue a Senate wherein men of the greatest spirites, verie well learned and experienced were only admitted, by whom euery yéere should two Consuls [Page 11] be chosen, who should alwaies haue the conduct of warres: and besides if any important affaires chanced, then was there elec­ted one to be a Dictator, and such a one as was most worthie of all Italy to command & to resist, whom soeuer came against the Romanes. So that if one Consull lost a battaile, the estate was not thereby ouerthrowne, because his fellow had muste­red in a readines another Army readie to fight and giue battell againe, so that if he also were vanquished, they had for all that good hope yet, being the Dictator to come, vpon whose valour and experience, they most of all relied, (as on Marius and Fa­bius,) for he set in incontinent for the third man. This is the reason, that when the enimies of the Romanes had gotten two fieldes against them, as diuers times did Pyrrhus and Hanni­ball, they were not dismaied for all that, and thought them­selues thereby neuer a whit the more ouercome, whereas con­trariwise, if any King, Prince, or common wealth had once had an ouerthrow by a battell in the field, they could not so soone re­couer their losse, but would iudge themselues straightwaies ruined, and ouerthrowen. By this meane, their domination séemed altogither inuincible, till by their owne Armies, by ci­uill broyles and domesticall iarres, they conspired their owne ruine and destruction.

ALbeit, that this so goodly order and forme of gouern­ment might haue béene sufficient to make them sur­passe all other people, yet they perceiuing that the brea­king of faith and promises, did worke the ruine of all estates, that made no conscience to violate them: the Italians well aduised hereof, as those that saw well inough that Faith was the most firme bande of humane societie: and that where it raigned not, euen did stand verie flipperie, and were alwaies staggering, tottering, and shakyng with feare, and mistrust: to the end to binde themselues most strictly to the obseruation of the same, and to make all the world belieue that they would [Page 12] inuiolably kéepe their promises, they builded a Temple of FAITH: to the which they gaue great honour and reue­rence. Whereupon euerie one assuring them selues in their fidelitie, desired their league and friendship, and to couer them selues with their protection and fauour, sparing neither tri­buite nor subiection to obtaine the same. This was a most rare péece of pollicie and wisedom, found out by them, whereby they bore sway, and drew profit from all other peoples: albeit otherwise the Italians were farre surpassed by them in num­ber & forces. Hereby may we then sée euidently, that they haue a spirite more sublimate and ingenious, then any other nation that liueth vnder the scope of the heauens.

BVt as all earthly thinges come in processe of time, to faile in glorie and naturall force, so this braue Signiorie which seemed to sway the whole earth, fell at last to decay and ruine, because at the first beginning they did but shaue and clip those which were subiugated and forced to take hold on the cordes of the empire, to make them a little gentler and tamer: afterwardes they fell roundly to fleying of them: besides the horrible and detestable cruelties of Nero, Caligula, Commo­das, Heliagabalus, and other such like monsters, made this nation odious, and spited of manie others, who beginning a little to discouer, that the Romaines had not brought them in subiection by any greater power or multitudes, whereby they excelled them too that waies, but rather had gotten the vpper hand, by sowing quarrels amongst them, by supprising them vnawares, and establishing among them a better order of mi­litarie discipline, then was before: they resolued with hazarde of their liues to ouerthrow their tirannie, and to pull downe their intollerable Domination to the ground. Amongst o­ther the people of the North, enuironing the left arme, I mean the Gothes, the Saxons, and Hungarians who hauing expe­rience [Page 13] of their strength, to bee farre passing that of Italians, obseruing a better order in their warfare then before, set for­warde and prosecuted so lustilie, the course of their hartie en­terprises, that they became in short time maisters of the citie of Rome, and many other partes of Italie. In like manner Arthure a most valiant king of England, accompanied with sixe hundred thousand men, victoriously ouerthrew Lucius the Romaine Senator, marching with no lesse number of souldi­ours then he, pretending to make the English tributarie, as they were before time. The Gaules likewise cast of their yoke, and the Almaines got from them the dignitie imperiall, into their owne handes, whereupon ensued the totall sub­uersion of this their first earthly violent, and forced Domina­tion, vnder the which, they had yoaked in the neckes of all the rest of the people of Europe.

THey then perceiuing by their profound wisedom, that there was no meanes to be had, for the reestablishment of their first Domination, because the nations of the North most strong and warlike, had made proofe that the corporall strength of Italians, was farre inferiour to theirs, and that it was impossible to bring them euer so low againe by armes or force, to yéelde them that obedience they had done in former time: yet the Italians lay other ambushes for them, and be­gin to deceiue these people, to bring them vnder againe, by a victorie altogether spiritual, voluntarie, and nothing at all car­nall, tastiug nothing but a spirituall gouernment, and such a one as might guide men to life euerlasting: and to lay the foundation stones of this Domination: they must vphold that there is none other meane to be brought for the confirmation of the christian Church, but by establishing of a soueraigne Heade and vniuersall Bishop, in like manner forsooth, as it is in the Monarchies and Empires of the world. Perswading [Page 14] themselues, that if they had carried awaie this pointe once, they might verie well preuaile in the rest, séeing that Rome had béene the seate of the rulers and Emperours of the earth, they might rather then any other nation com by this prerogatiue, to dispose of christian people, vnder the cloake and authoritie of their vniuersall Bishop, at their owne will and pleasure, so that they might without euer striking stroke, or shedding bloud, be kinges, and make money come apace from al prouinces, which should protest to hold y^e christian part. And for a fairer shew and more credit of the matter, it were verie méete to publish by word of mouth, by reporte and writings, that Rome had béene the seat of S. Peter, and that he suffered martiredome there, so that thereby he had planted in that citie a more excellent dignitie and prerogatiue, then in anie other ci­tie of the world.

THese two pointes being once granted them, the Itali­ans might verie well dispose at their pleasure, of all chri­stiandome, putting on but the cloake and authoritie of their v­niuersall Bishops. This was an easie way for them to hold, for the recouerie of a more excellent Domination (being now spirituall and heauenly) then the first which they had lost, and by this prerogatiue might they make the purest and most pre­cions golde and siluer of all christianitie, to flie to Rome. It was most easie of all to make this currant among other Bi­shops: perswading them that all this did but encrease their dignitie and profit, and inuest them with a power to make heade against the kinges of the earth, to cast of their yoake, and neglect all their magistrates. By reason whereof, this in­uention was found good, and passed quickly without any con­tradiction: but there was onely a little strife betwéene the Bi­shop of Rome, and him of Constantinople, for the superiori­tie [Page 15] of them two. But yet on the Italians side, there was no meane to make them forgoe this dignitie, they would in no wise lay it downe, because they foresaw that therby they could make what doctrin they listed currāt throughout all churches, and their constitutions to be receyued euerie where, as the de­crées of their soueraigne and heauenly Court: they could make them selues redoubted and feared of the kinges, and princes of the earth, as though they were the onely Porters of heauen gates, and that no man coulde come in there, but by their leaue, meane, and fauour. To make the rest of the Clargie re­ceiue this inuention, there was no more adoe, but to performe it with a smell of the augmentation of their dignitie and profit, and they straight waies embraced it, with all ioy and glad­nesse: for whilest that men are liuing here in this earth, verie few are found, but will suffer themselues to bee infected with such plagues, which (as Galen saith) are Auarice and Ambi­tion, which bring vnto the soule that which the falling sick­nesse doth bring to the bodie. And if there be anie found a­nie found amongst the rest, which haue the glorie of God, and the saluation of men in greater regarde, it is in so small num­ber, that the greater part shall soone ouercome the better, and bring them quicklie to a contrarie bow.

TOuching the people (by whom I comprehend Nobles, Citizens and Pesants) in matter of religion, they will embrace that which their Pastors shall preach vnto them, or that wherein they haue béene brought vp, without making a­ny further choice: So that if a man be of the Empire of Tar­tarians, he will frame himselfe to the forme of diuine seruice that is there established: in like manner will hée doe that is borne among Turks & Iewes, Lutherians, and Catholiks: the worst is when he is grounded in one, he wil take no know­ledge, [Page 16] nor make none examination of anie other, but will haue them all in detestation, and shall be as glorious in his owne, as if he had found some pretious treasure of inestimable valour, especially when he hath his eyes dimmed by sensible, terrestri­all, and humaine religion.

The Italian is not here to séeke how to deale with him, he can handle the matter so well, that he will fetch some substance from him, without any warre or violence, and at his owne pleasure: and to effect the same, he hath no more to doe, but to winne to his side the Doctours and Priestes, which in­struct the people, who may teach them a religion which is al­together agréeable to their owne nature. But here is the point of controuersie, which hath and shall be euer betwoone God and men: that God wil be honoured with a seruice agrée­able to him selfe, and of the qualitie of his owne nature, to wit, spirituall, diuine, and heauenly: and wee humaine creatures, cleane contrarie will serue him with a seruice that is nearest and best agréeing to our owne nature: for it is his will, that when we adore and inuocate his holy name, we should lift vp our spirits aboue the heauens: and we desire to finde him here below on earth, in our Temples, vnder some visible forme, which we may sée and touch, because that our earthly nature taketh farre greater delight, in that which it séeth with the bo­dily eyes, then to transport it selfe in spirit aboue the azured heauens, so farre distant from vs. In like manner those which will make their prayers to the saintes of Paradice, take great pleasure to haue their images here below on earth, sauing a long iourney to goe into the kingdom of heauen to séeke them. God will haue his diuine seruice procéeding from his diuinitie, and such a one whereof he himselfe is the authour: and we take more delight in that which is humaine, and procéedeth from our owne braine, because it most consisteth in visible things, to be beholded with these our bodily eyes: as are sumptuous and goodly Temples, glistering with costly glasse windowes, triumphantinges, liuely pictures, images exquisitely carued forth, most precious clothes, of Arras, Chalices, Crosses of the finest Ducket gold, height of Piramides, Copes of crim­sin veluet, others of cloth of gold and siluer, which are thinges [Page 17] most pleasant to the eies to behold. And to delight the hearing with songs of Mnsicke, noyse of Organs, and sound of Belles: al these things are delectable in déed, and haue some shew of hu­mane wisdom, for all that haue they not God for any Authour: neither did Iesus Christ nor his Apostles euer institute or oc­cupie the like: rather they taught vs to despise the world, and all that is therein, to aspire vp to heauen, instructing vs to re­nounce our selues and all the lustes of the flesh, to do the holie and perfect will of God, to take vp our Crosse and wade tho­row many tribulations into the glorie of God. And this can­not we abide, we must haue a religion which wil helpe to aug­ment our dignities and earthly riches, that we may liue here in all voluptuousnes and securitie. And because the Gospell ta­ken in his puritie is quite contrarie to that, there is nothing in the earth that this nation hateth more, then to heare speake thereof: farre preferring a worldly felicitie present, which by no meanes they will forgo, vpon hope of any eternall, absent, and hidden ioyes which are to come.

HE that would thorowly examine the forme of Religion planted by the Italians, by the authoritie of their soue­raigne high Priest, shall finde all these things afore truely ob­serued amongst them. So that flying therby, with wings swif­ter and stronger then the wings of any Engle, they are able to beate downe to the ground those that are so sawcie as to with­stand in any thing, or gainsay in any wise the formes of their seruices, which they haue introduced to fetch vnder their subiec­tion, the greatest Potentates of the earth, and to draw thereby deniers and reuenues from them: imitating herein some craf­tie Phisition, who preferring a good bootie of siluer before the health of the sicke patient: will learne what meate and drinke pleaseth best his appetite, and hauing found, that he loueth cla­ret [Page 18] wine aboue all things, and sugar to make it haue a daintie taste, which he taketh: imagine that he goe visit the patient, who will straight begin to tell him, how he can get no recoue­rie of his sicknes, albeit he hath vsed much blood letting, taken many pilles, and other phisicke, which hath brought him verie low, and put him to much paine: this same impudent Phisition that tell him, that all that serued but to weaken him, & to take away his stomacke: and by mouing a question to the sicke pa­tient, shall aske him, if he loue not well good claret wine? He answering, with all his heart, this Phisition shall reply, that he will warrant him to recouer his health againe, if hée leaue taking these hard medicines, and those pilles so bitter in swal­lowing, and to get some daintie wine of most delicious taste, if he should send his man ten miles for some, to haue alwaies at the least, thrée or foure good bottles in his Celler in store. And bid him besides, least the vapours should sume too much to in­toxicate his head: to take Coriander comfits at the end of his repast, & assure him that this wil make him more lustie againe then all the phisicke in the world. I let you iudge with what audacitie the sicke shall dare to imbrace this counsell? But if it chaunce after he hath béen verie ill, and his sicknes begin to grow away, he come to recouer straight here vpon, how will he honour this Phisition? he shall neuer be able sufficiently to set foorth his praise. But in the seruice of God it is otherwise, we must eate the bread of affliction and sorrow, drinke the wa­ter of bitternes, which are verie bitter and loathsome drugs to swallow, as things much offending our taste, whereas in the seruice inuented by the Italians, there is nothing but y^t which is verie pleasant to our humane senses, and which doth verie well agrée with our carnall nature: and therefore do ignorant men imbrace with a most ardent desire, all that they inuent, which when they haue once receiued, is hard to be rooted out of them, because their eye sight is not quicke inough to discouer the marke whereat they shoote, which is only to beare rule, and to share and make boote of the money which they get from them.

THis is most manifest, for if any man inuent any new form of religion neuer knowne before in the world, apparelling himselfe after a straunge fashion neuer séene before, vsing ie­stures altogither rediculous and foolish: liuing after a most au­stere, to cruell and brutish maner, as do the Capuchians, Fu­cillians, and such like foolish orders of Friars, all shall be appro­ued and receiued by the Italians with great plaudities, so that such religions will serue them for a wall and defence for their kingdome and gaine: but if any one appeare or come neare them that dare speake against such abuses, and touch them to the quicke a litle, leaning vpon the pillar of that doctrine, which hath béen giuen from the terrestriall Paradice, they will shake a heauen and earth, and remoue all a world, to stop his mouth and kill him, with great exclamations, that he went about to sow new doctrines, and begin some new sect of religion: where­by we may cléerely sée, that vnder this cloake of religion, they do but aspire to be rulers; and to finger mony from other peo­ples and nations: and that all the warres and ciuill broyles which haue so long troubled Germany, Swicerland, all Flan­ders and France haue byn broched and begun by them for such matters, albeit, those who had the conduct thereof, enterprised them for the zeale they bore to their owne religion.

THat the Italians shoote at this marke also, I bring eui­dent proofe, that when they had set their matters in so good [Page 20] forwardnes that the Emperour and the other Christian kings had graunted this title of soueraigne high Priest and vniuer­sall Bishop to their Prelate of Rome: for to be a greater staie and pillar of the Christian Church, and to kéepe the other Bi­shops and Pastours in better order, and within the compasse of their dutie, they are not content to rest with that: passe fur­ther, and cause to preach and publish by word and writing, that their Bishop is Christes onely Lieftenant on earth: to whom all Scepters and Crownes must yéeld humble obeisance and be subiect, hauing full power to take them from whom he list, and giue them againe to others, as it may best please his Ho­lines. And touching the kingdome of heauen, hée hath it so at commandement, that he hath power to open it to some, and to shut it to other some: as he that kéepeth the keyes of heauen gates in his owne handes: as for Hell, his power serueth him as well to send thither whole Cart loades of soules, no man so bolde for his life as to aske him why nor wherefore. These things made Kings & Princes so sore astonished, that the Em­perours at their Coronation abase themselues so low, as they promise to serue the Pope, for Subdeacon to hold the stirrope while he get on horsebacke, and to leade his Horse by the bridle a litle while. A worthie péece of homage for the Italians to remember, who haue exalted their Sea and Bishop to so great preheminence. Of which act they may be well ashamed, as al­so of the dispossessing of Childericke, descended from Phara­mond, of the Crowne of France, to inuest Pipin, great Mai­ster of the Pallace, whome he had sent with his Army to suc­cour the Romanes, against other Italians, in recompence of his conquestes which hée forgaue the Pope, and the people of Rome, which was a reward out of other mens purses, for it cost Childericke full deare. He learned not this by the succes­sion of the Apostles, neither did he herein imitate Iesus Christ, for he himselfe paide tribute to Caesar: and he (whose heire and successour he saith he is) teacheth him another lesson in his first Epistle, Feare God, Honour the King. And S. Paul wri­ting to the Romanes, willeth that euerie soule bee subiect to the higher powers: and that in resisting them, they resist the ordinance of God. Likewise S. Iohn Chrisostome interpre­ting [Page 21] this place saith: that by these words, (Euerie soule) is meant Apostles, Prophets, Euangelists, Bishops & Monkes, none excepted. In like manner the high Priestes representing the person of Iesus Christ, did neuer enterprise to make such braueries against Dauid, Salomon, & their successours, kings of Ierusalem. Is it then likely that a Bishop or poore Monke should go about such high enterprises of his owne motion? wée may easily iudge that it is the Italians of Rome, who vnder the couering of their names, and by their subtill meanes extort from them such things to make themselues rulers, and get mo­ny vnder the maske of their authorities from other peoples and nations of the earth.

ALthough the Italians hauing aduanced their capitall Ci­tie and high Priestes to so high dignitie and soueraigntie, ought to haue rested content without encroching any further: yet such is the naturall inclination of this nation, that hauing an inch granted them, they will take an ell: they begin now to cast about and deuise some meanes to winde vnder their armes the neckes of Christian Kings and Princes, to bring them to be their tributarie vassals. To make way to this, considering that from the beginning the Popes were not admitted in the election of Emperors or the Kings of France, by reason wher­of, they could not so well master them, nor turne and winde them at their pleasure, because they durst not enterprise against them so fréely: the Councell of Rome taketh away this obsta­cle, and worketh so wel in the matter, that the election is trans­lated to the Priests of Rome, who are my Lordes, the Cardi­nals. That once dispatched, séeing themselues greatly aduan­ced thereby, they contriue other meanes which they sée more fit to effect their purposes, whereof one is to stirre vp warres and debates betwéene Christian Kings & Potentates, wherby [Page 22] they may destroy and weaken them selues, by their owne pro­per armes, and bow more at ease their neckes vnder the Ita­lian Domination. The other is by the Popes censures to set them together by the eares with domesticall and ciuill quar­rels, and in the meane time while they iarre, to get some pro­uince or kingdom from them into their owne handes: it is long since the Romanes vnderstood this practise: yea a good while before the domination of Caesar. For desiring to bring Greece in subiection, wherein there were two inuincible leagues, to wit: of the Achayans and Ethobians, who held so fast together, that it was impossible to vanquish them a­ny way by armes: they found out this hole to enter in, to make them fall to warres and diuisions among them selues, so to rui­nate their owne countrie, that they might more easily set foote into their prouinces. And if we looke well vnto the violeries that Caesar won on this side the mountaines, the Italians re­doubting the Switzers, more then any nation in the world, as Cicero saith in his Philippickes, we shall sée that Caesar charged them by surprise, at great disaduantage, and against the law of armes: they hauing passed the one halfe of their ar­mie ouer the riuer Soane, and the other remaining on the o­ther side of the riuer, could not come to fight: being as yet then no declaration made of open warre, betwéene the Switzers and him. Besides he tooke Ariomistius chiefe Captaine of the Almanes, and all his troupes at vnawares, and assailed them in time of truce: after to couer his sport, and to make the matter good, he saide that he had discouered, how they went about to surprise him. By meanes whereof hauing furnished his armie with two strong and warlike peoples, and hauing by diuisions that he sowed euerie where, got most of the Gawles on his side: being beside verie skilfull to kéepe good or­der of militarie discipline: it was an easiie matter for him to ouerthrow all other peoples. Amongst the rest the English withstood him most couragiously at the first, and gaue him re­pulse, but he went another way about with them, for before he departed, he kindled such quarrels and diuisions among them, in the which they were verie hote one against another before he returned to set vpon them againe: wherefore it was an [Page 23] easie mater for him to vanquish and conquest them af­terwardes.

THe Romane Councell hath got some more aduantage by this their pollicie and deuice, since the creation of their Pope: for pretending to bring all kinges, peoples and princes of christianitie, Catholikes, as well spirituall as temporall vn­to their subiection, vnder cloake of their Bishops, they haue spunne the thred of all the warres which haue béene betwéene the Emperours, and other christian princes, so to bring them on their knées, and to vndermine them that waies, that they must still of force haue recourse to them, as to a place of refuge and protection, the onely meane to pull downe their hautie sto­makes, and to set the Italian farre aboue them. To passe o­uer this plancke well, they haue giuen the name of Cardinals to the priestes of Rome, granting the sonnes and brethren of kinges and christian princes, to be honoured with the same title and estate: suffering them also to remaine with their traine amongst them. To the end that by these their crea­tures they might handle and turne the other at their deuotion, make them arme their people, and march against their neigh­bours at their pleasure, and disarme againe and retire, their forces when they should serue God. Considering also that by such persons, the Councels wils, and determinations of kinges and christian princes, to the which they are called, should thereby be reuealed and manifested to them. The quicke spirited Venetians, hauing long time since discouered this pollicie, being a people of Italie verie subtill, and well ad­uised, would neuer permit that any ecclesiasticall person should be admitted into their Councell, because they had all taken the oth of the Pope of Rome. Sée then it appeareth that the Ro­manes are priuie to all the counsels and enterpriser of the prin­ces of the earth, and of their highest and soueraine courtes, [Page 24] they discouer all their actions, as well as if they were present, where on the contrary, not one of these can come within them to vnder féele their consultations and dealinges, they are so close and secrete, whereby we may iudge clearely, how farre they surpasse all other people in inuention and subtiltie of wit.

NOw I come to another deuice of theires, by the which they haue so cunningly triumphed ouer the kinges of the earth, neuer striking stroke for the matter, and without any daunger at al, and yet they haue brought them vnder as much or more then euer the auncient Romanes did by their Tro­phées and great victories, to wit: by excommunication, with the which they so frighted them, that if they had neuer so little displeased them: by and by they were threatned with rebellion of their subiectes, to haue their scepters taken from them, and others to be inuested therewith incontinent, hauing no way in the world to resist or saue them selues, but in humbling them selues vnder the greatnesse of their Bishops, yéelding them selues to be the Popes vassals, or in paying them otherwise some great and intollerable tributes. By this meanes they exacted from Iohn king of England, that all his subiectes should pay him a penny sterling for fire, for the murther by him committed on the person of Arthure Duke of Britanie, his owne Nephew and heire, which tribute the Italians mi­ned from them, more then the terme of trhée hundred yeares, albeit the fault of this murther was not in the people, & there­fore they payed this tribute verie vniustly, and against all rea­son. Yet they found meanes to augment this tribute verie much, by the death of the Archbishop of Cauterburie, who was executed by command of the king. Yet had the Italians nothing to doe in the matter, hauing no interest at all therein, being neither his heires nor children. Another tribute was [Page 25] exacted of the Polonians, for the murther committed on the person of Stauislaus their Arch-bishop, to, which is paide for S. Peters tongue. The Pope hauing thundered by excom­munication against the duke of Venis, he was faine to make him quiet, to créepe on all foure like a Dog, hauing a rope a­bout his necke, to be absolued. The kinges of Nauarre, and Granade for disobeying him, were dispossessed of their king­domes, which were bestowed on Ferdinand king of Spaine, yet the Italians did not forget themselues in this match, as in déed they must nener: for it was vpon this condition, that they should afterwarde be held of their Pope of Rome. Pope Nicholas excommunicated the kinges of Naples and Sicilie: and making them turne ouer a new leafe, inuested the Duke of Aniow brother to Lewes the ninth, yet not forgetting him selfe, as we saide before: vpon condition to pay him eight thou­sand ounces of gold yearely reuenue. He excommunicated al­so Philippes le Bel king of France, because hee would not hold his kingdom of him, as his vassall: but he being discended of the race of Hue le grand Countie of Paris, quaked not a whit at the matter, but with a magnanimious courage, pro­per to the kinges of this race, constantly resisted, and neuer trembled at the hearing thereof, as other christian kinges did, whose great magnanimitie hath béene continued by his suc­cessours. This was the cause that the Italian Councell laide their heades together to doe their vttermost to ruine this Mo­narchy, by forraine forces, making it to bee assailed on euerie side, and hauing set the Armies of the Empire of Spaine and England, to thrust this race out of their kingdom, which sée­med to them inuincible. But perceiuing all that tooke not effect, as they did wish, they haue filled the State full of ciuill warres, thereby to weaken and diminish the force of this king­dome, and to make way to inuest some other with y^e Crowne: who should thinke him selfe borne vnder an happie planet, and greatly beholding to them, to come by it so easily, yéelding him selfe therefore there vassall and homager, hauing purloy­ned a kingdome by there meanes. Who also would be easily entreated to let slip the accords confirmed betwéene our kings and the popes for the priuiledges, and liberties of the French [Page 22] Churches, and touching the presentations of Benefices, reser­ned to the Nobilitie and other patrones of the Layty, onely translating them ouer wholy to the Pope, and so to enrich more and more the citie of Rome. And by this meane we should sée this flourishing kingdom parted, as a bootie & pray, betwéene the Italian: kéeping for his part, the spirituall, and his confederates who shoulde haue the temporall for their shares.

THat this hath béene the drift of the Italians, the proofe is most manifest in this, that although Charles the ninth, and Henrie the third of this name his brother, were the most religious obseruers of the ceremonies of the church of Rome, and more precise then any kinges that had béene before them, sparing nothing to ruine and rout out the religion of the pro­testant Huguenots, not so much as their owne persons, life, treasure, nor liuings, nor their faith and honour beside, which is more. Yet for all that, could they neuer winne the fauour and good will of the Italians, nothing neare other princes, who had wrought little in comparison of them. And what was the cause hereof but that the Italians foresaw that a race of auncient, and so long time inuested with the Crowne of France: would neuer abide that they should haue anie rule or prerogatiue ouer them nor in no waies permit that the li­berties and couenants made betwéee their predecessors, the kinges, and the Popes for the benefit of their kingdome should be infringed. This is the reason why the Councell of Rome hath sought all meanes possible to enstall other princes in their roome, and to bring it to passe: haue emploied all their Prea­chers, begging Friers, and other Ecclesiastikes, to vomit out all kinde of blame and shame most opprobriously against the [Page 27] said King Henry the third deceassed, placing him in the rancke of the most abhominable tyrants, & murtherers of the world, whome by their count, hee should surpasse in the periode of all mischiefe: extolling aboue the heauens with the highest titles of praise which they could deuise, some other Princes, thereby to adiure them, and make euerie one honour them, loue them, and make much of them. But to shew that the Italians and their partners meant no good, not onely to the deceased Kings person, but also to all his race in generall, sée wée not plainly that when they had by treason caused him to bée murthered, they continue their selfesame practises towardes those of the house of Bourbon, issued of the last sonne of S. Lewes, called Robert Countie of Clermont? vpon whom, seeing they can laie no blame, for that they are the true and lawfull heires of this Crowne, they thinke to disherite him who is the eldest son and heire, whose place he holdeth and representeth: vpon a cou­lour onely that he beléeueth not as much or more in the Con­stitutions of the Church of Rome, as in the word of God, and by this text, they win the good will of the people, and of other ignorant people. But when they contemne those of this house, making warre against them, who haue béen most zealous and affectionate to their Constitutions, who haue also for defence thereof, exposed their liues and goods to all daungers, as haue done the Dukes of Mont Pensier, both father & sonne: do they not shew, that they are thorowly resolued to destroy this race, and to translate this Crowne vnto some other progeny? Tou­ching the Kinge, who is at this present: they should neuer be able to attaint or staine him with note of any crueltie, tiran­ny, nor any other insufficiencie to rule, for to blame him for sticking to that religion wherein he hath béen brought vp, it is not likely they will, for the same reproch would fall vpon their pates, if they should not perseuere in these. But he offreth them faire, and more then they will accord to, that is to be heard in a place of frée assembly, to eramine louingly all these thinges, & to stand to that which shalbe awarded for both sides. Wher­in he sheweth, how impudently and falsly, they argue and con­demne him to be an heretike. And as for those who magnifie and exalt the ofspring, and descent of other houses to make the [Page 28] world beléeue that this whence he is descended, is base, poore, and of no name, they are lesse able to speake of the great, high, and noble families of Christendome, then are Bats and Moles to discourse of the greatnes, height, essence, beautie, and admi­rable operations of the Sunne: for séeke among all the Em­pires of the Assirians, Persians, Grecians, Romans, Almans, Iewes, Tartarians, Mahometans, and ouer all the face of the whole world beside, and you shall not finde a King of greater race, nor of more auncient family then this, hauing had xxviii. Kings in his house before him, and all lineally in race mascu­line: and of his mothers side being the issue & heire of a Quéen, who with her mother the sister of Francis the Great, excelled in wit, learning, and hautie courage, all other Christian Prin­cesses, that euer haue béen before them. And touching the great bountie and vertue both in time of warre & peace of the house of Bourbon, neither Kings nor Princes, since the death of S. Lewes, but this race hath farre gone beyond them, as all the Cronicles of France shall witnes sufficient. And touching his wealth, he hath alway had twentie times as much as hath had any aduersarie he hath, hauing at y^e time of his succession more then a million of rent, by his patrimony and yéerely reuenue, which he might haue multiplied to as much more, if hée would haue pinched & sucked his subiects, by taxings, sales of Offices and rearing of tributes, as some Italians haue caused to bee done in France. Let them then laie away these false cloakes wherewith they disguise the truth of things, and let vs beléeue for a troth, as it is true indéed, that the Italians séeke nothing els but to translate the Crowne into some other house, which will bow their neckes vnder their commandements, and suffer them to fish this Realme for siluer, to plant amongst vs the Spanish Inquisition, to admit the Councell of Trent, and to take the right of presentations from the Nobles, to finger them themselues, and wipe their noses of the best and swéetest pro­fits that belong to the Realme.

BVt I cannot so often call to minde the conquest of the new world, as I wounder at the great subtiltie of the counsell of Rome, and againe at the more then great simplici­tie in the Spanyards and Portingales behalfe: for the Itali­ans perceauing to their great griefe their Domination and tributes, to bee cut of in the East and North partes, as well by the conquests of the Turke, as by the preaching of. Lu­ther, as also Pope Alexander the sixt had set in his foote at the parting of stakes, and made the diuision: geuing on halfe to the one king and the other to the other, reseruing for him­selfe the séesimple, principall Iurisdiction and Souerayntie, making these two Kinges consent to bee his vassals, and to holde their countries of him, although he had neither right of seruice, nor of possession, and was not the discouerer neither. Yet sée, this parte was handled with such cuning and craft, that the Italian became therby Souerayne Lord of twise so much soyle and country as all Christendom vnder the name of their Pope, And by what meane? you shall not finde it to bee by his great trauels, perils, and expences, but by the laboures bloudshedings, and armes of the Spanyardes who venture bodyes and goodes, exposing themselues to infinte perils, trou­bles and hazardes, to shipwracks of the sea, in danger of many Pyrates and Rouers before the can come thether: and when the are once there and entred into the country, fainte to fight many combats and battels, and worse then all this, to fall in­to many strange and incurable diseases, which procéede of chaunge of ayer and habitation, when men transporte them­selues into farre countryes, where the clymate is of farre more excessiue heate and colde then their owne was. Now whileste these nations endure these trauels and sorrowes, worse then twenty deathes, the Italians are at whome in there sumptuas [Page 18] and braue pallaces, out of all daunger, passing the time in al vo­leptuous pleasure, neuerthelesse they haue the most pretious and fayrest fléece of their conquestes reserued for them, euen as well, as if they themselues had bine the onely attempters and atchiuers of theise so hawty and dangerous exploytes. But let vs looke a little yf there were euer any Kinges or Em­perours, who griped so easily whole countries and kingdomes from others, as these doe: Cyrus, one of the first, after hee had sustayned infinit turmoyles and trauels, lost his life and had his head put in a bole of bloud, to quench it so insaciable desire of blood: Alexander the great found himselfe in oftē Ieo­perdies to lose his also, and was many times ouer matched, and put to the worst. Iulius and Augustus Caesars, the most politicke and wisest heads of the world, neuer made any con­quest but by bloody fightes and victories, exposing themselues to a thousand dangers both by sea and land: But now the counsell of Rome taking there ease at thir owne home, neuer approching any dāger for the matter, haue inuested themselus with the Seigniorie and Domination of the greatest countres that euer haue bine conquested by the sword. O subtill heades, more subtil and cawtelous then subtiltie it selfe. O that the high reache of thine inuentions are eleuated many degrées abone all other nations of the earth. O that thou forséest long before the euent of things, and canst choose the gaynest wayes to attayne thy desires: few or none there be that can discouer thy mean­ning, thou winnest first the heart of the greatest part of those; the third of whose ruine thon meanest to spin: afterwardes to vnderprop thy selfe against those that refuse thy Domination, and will not become thy tributary vassals. Thon wilt knowe all things, and yet thou wilt kéepe other people in such igno­rance, that they shall know nothing: thus thou vsest them at thy pleasure, lest they should bewray thée in thy subtill shifts, and beware of them hereafter. This is they reason why a long time thou hast layd a blocke in the way, that all matters of great consequence either concerning Religion, or otherwise of any other great importance could not be registered but in thine old mother toung the Latine, and sore against thy will it hath bine if the haue bine written or Printed in any other language [Page 31] because that it maketh a breach, and sheweth a readie way for many to come to discouer the fertilitie of thy spirit, abounding with so many subtilities, fetches, drifts, and deceites. Sée this is the cause also why thou wilt not permit the nations of the new conquested countries to vnderstand any thing concerning religion or matters of State, that thou maist lead them by the noses, and handle them as if they were so many bruit Animals that had neither wit nor reason.

NOw we haue sufficiently spoken of the Dominations of the Romanes, we will passe to the next point touching the extraction of the Quintessence of purses, where ye must note that I take purses, for the gold and siluer that is put in them, speaking by a figuratiue spéech, for I borrow these termes by a similitude: for euen as in all liquers, be it of Wines, Oyles, Plants, Sulpheres, Allums, Antymoines, and other Myne­rals, they who are skilled to draw out the tinctures or proprie­ties, and can seperate them from the terrestriall and elementall bodie, as could that great Philosopher Paracelsas Gesnerus, and he that wrote the booke intitled, le Medecin Liebant: these haue the swéete fruition of the finest and most precious part of the bodies and naturall substances, whereof the more celestiall and spirituall part is called Quintessence. In like maner the Romanes hauing learned by incomparable skil and artistry, to draw vnto themselues the most noble portable, the most desirable and fairest coyne of all Christendome, leauing the grosser, and more terrestriall sort of baser monies to the Kings, Princes, and people of Christendome for their vsage, appropriating to themselues the more spirituall and celestiall part, which they can tell how to seperate from the temporall and earthly: are verie well said to draw the Quintessence out of their purses▪

TO shewe this by a familiar example, regarde but a man that is of base condition, who hath onely but fiftie or six­tie crownes of yéerly rent for a péece of land that he holdeth by féefarme, lying within the demaines of some Baron or Coun­tie, he will make more account of that péece, then of thrée or foure times so much lying among Pesants, or that he gathe­reth among country Farmers, bragging of it euerie where. Now sée we some Bishop, or poore Monke comming to bée Pope, to haue rentes and tributes out of the kingdomes of Spaine, Portugall, Naples, Sicily, and Polonia, and as hée was woont also out of the kingdome of England, where as all Christian Kings and Princes take no tribute: but for the most part of poore, base and miserable people their subiects, readier to take then to giue, and this must they do by Taxes, Subsidies, Fiftéenes, and such like paiments. Herein we may sée the mar­ueilous excellencie of the Popes tributes aboue those of all our Kings. And to shew how the swéetest mony and most desired of all, goeth still to the partes of Rome: marke but the com­mon fashion of euerie one, that falleth into want of mony: hée wisheth straight but to haue a hundred or two of crownes out of the Abbots or Bishops purse, who is next to the place where he dwelleth, as being such fellowes which haue least néed, and yet haue the greatest plentie of all: albeit, they may wish for it long inough before they haue it to fill their purses, because they can deuise no shift proper for the obteining of their desire, although they be his verie next neighbours. But the Italians, they can worke such a way, and handle their matters so well, that they can scrape & hooke to them a thousand crownes from one place, and twise as many from another, the distance of an hundreth leagues or more, and the difficultie of passing ouer the mountaines cannot hinder them a iote.

YEt to prooue better that the name of Quintessence, is pro­perly attributed to the gold that they share from other peo­ple of Christendome, I pray thée gentle Reader, consider that the substance of Quintessence is of so celestiall a nature, that if it be not verie closely kept, and enclosed within some vessell for that purpose, it léeseth straight the vertue, and flieth away by vapours into the ayre: so this gold which they fetch so farre to Rome, hath such an excellencie more then all other money hath, and hath both value & vertue, none like it, that we haue: not onely for that it is leuied with such wonderfull celeritie, and vnusuall spéed. (For when they purchase any collection of mony, or any other Bull of an Abby or a Bishoppricke, they spare no Horse flesh to gather vp the summes taxed, & hauing gotten them vp once, they must go in post, and chaunge Horse so often, that it séemeth the Flie with a Swallowes wings: no height of mountaines, no rough, narrow, stéepe, stony, hellow, crooked, nor raggie waies, no depth of snowes, nor hardnes of yse or frostes, no riuers that can staie or stop the passage of this mony, it must to Rome, it must flie, it must not créepe on the face of the earth: and sure it is of a wonderfull swiftnes in com­parison of the heauines, delaie, and long time that the monies of Kings, Princes, and other great Estates are in getting into their coffers, whē oftētimes before they can get it in, they must force the good wil of their subiects, & be driuen to chuse out men that shall sit vpon their Subsidies & other Imposts, & others to collect the same, they which will not take such charges vpon them but by great constraint, and being vrged by necessitie, and then the poore people paie such summes sore against their will, putting it of as long as they may. Then must there be strai­ning of moueables, and much heauing & shouing to haue them againe, hatred, despleasure, anger, ill will, much adoo, and great delaie on euery side, so that it will aske commonly thrée, or foure [Page 38] moneths at the least, to collect, and deliuer in these Deniers to the receipts, although it might easily be carried thither in thrée or foure houres: and in verie déede may be saide to march but with wodden legges, in respect of the swift course and great ce­leritie, of that which is transported to Rome. This may verie well shew, that the qualitie and nature thereof, is farre more excellent and pretious, then of that coine which the Kings and Princes of the earth possesse. Yet some may peraduenture re­ply, that that which commeth by the sale of offices, approcheth verie néere the nature thereof, I will confesse so, but I will al­so answere, that such trafficke is but an Italian tricke and in­uention, for that by all lawes and ordinances, both of God and man, all such sales are forbidden as most pernicious, and great­ly damageable to the common wealth, and matters most vn­worthie & vnbeséeming all good Christians, that haue the feare of God before their eyes.

I Thinke I haue said inough of the Domination and filching of mony, wherewith the Italians haue a great while pre­uailed to fill their pockets, & to master the world. Now must I speake of the meanes wherwith they serue their turn to main­taine thēselus in their estate, & to make it good against al other. And albeit, in inuention and deuising, the yare so cunning, and can passe and make séeme good to euerie one, that which they haue inuented and deuised: yet are they farre more expert in kéeping their estate, and can remoue and preuent all lets that may endamage them to hold their owne. Foreséeing then that they had intangled the people of Europe within their Domi­nation, vnder the pretence and cloake of religion, there was no more likelihood that the people might euer pull their neckes out of their yoake, being farre grosser and harder to receiue anie chaunge, then the people of Affrike: séeing also that all that they feared was, lest that some, addicting themselues to the con­templation [Page 39] of Gods workes, to the studie of Philosophie, and to the reading and perusing of the holie scriptures in the lan­guage wherein they were written, might view all the religi­ons that are vsed vnder the scope of the heauens, and séeke out the first causes, principles, and inuentors thereof, and hauing curiously examined all, might make these conclusions: viz. that all religion is either diuine or humane: that the diuine is procéeded from God, the other from men: that by the diuine, there is nothing required at our hands but to offer our selues, soules, and bodies to God, to do that which is his will, which is to follow vertue, and to flie vice, to call vpon him and adore his holie name, and for our sinnes, I haue recourse vnto the mercie that he offereth vs in Iesus Christ, the which he offe­reth vs fréely without our mony or riches, onely enioyning vs charitably to helpe and loue one another. On the other side, ca­sting their eyes vpon humane religion, they shall sée that all re­ligions that men haue, whether they be Pastors of the church, or who soeuer they be: for their authours, tend onely but to get rule, & to draw away the substance of those that embrace them, and are fitter to tye men by the féete to this earth, then to car­rie them vp to heauen, where the seate of God is. Concluding likewise this: that, that religion is best, by the which God is best serued: then it must néedes follow, that following his will declared by his word, he is better serued, then by the traditions of men: wherefore we must not go beyond that, as being the onely obiect of faith, and as being the onely thing which agre­eth with his Doctours and Preachers in all the partes of the world, to wit, the Firmament, with his admirable greatnes and beautie almost incomprehensible: the Planets placed be­twéene it and vs: the ayre, and that which is engendred there­in, the earth, the water, and the creatures which liue and moue in the same, altogither setting forth from the one ende of the world to the other, the greatnes, maiestie, wisdom, prouidence, power, and bountie of God the Creator and preseruer of the same. On the other side, seruing to conuince vs of weakenes of spirit, of ignorance, of blindnes, and vncapablenes to compre­hend his essence, his profound wisedome, and the meane wher­by he hath created all these things, how he conserueth them in [Page 36] their being, and how he worketh euery daye in the diuersitie of so many things which we sée before our eyes, to learue vs thereby, that it is an intollerable auragancie, and presumption in men to thinke to be his councellers, to make lawes, like lictle Kings, in his Church, which he calleth the Kingdome of heanen, and his Spowse: to there great shame which name themselues seruants in the same, by whome agreat ouersight and rashnes (not to be borne with all,) goe about to establish in it certaine humaine Constitutons, as though they weere to commād and not to obay. For séeing that it is his Spowse: ser­uantes must not be so saucie as to make Lawes for her to bee at their checke. Séeing then that hée is the soueraigne King, and him before whome all things are present, no man may enterprise such things without encroching vpon his kingdom, reputing himselfe of greater wisedome then hee, who is his creatour, which are greuous offences deseruing very great punishments, and cleane contrary to our dutie towards God, which is to shew our selues, humble, lowly and glad to bee taught by him, and to tremble at his words, as this Dampish earth an insensible and deafe creature taught vs, at the publi­cation of the law, when it reeled, trembled and was readie to shake in sunder at the voyce of God. Moreouer what fayre shew soeuer they can set on the Constitutions of Pastors, the shall alwayes be humaine, and whosoeuer obayeth them, o­bayeth but men and there inuentions. But he that woulde looke with a vigilant eye to the neere examination and déepe sownding therof: shal easily discouer, that their only purpose is to amplifie there authoritie more and more still, and to drawe coyne from people secretly, selling that at an hard and deare rate which God geueth vs fréely, and offereth vs most gratis. And this is the reason why the Italyans fearing lest the publi­cations of such doctrine altogether heauenly and diuine, would make there Domination shake from the top, quickly turne it vp side downe, and soone diminish all the profits that the reape out of the countries of all Christendome, by meanes of their reaching inuentions: they haue therefore by a most subtill péece of prouidence toke order in the matter that the Doctrine and lessons of these men come not to light by remedies which [Page 37] séeme to be the fittest in the world for their purpose.

FIrst, to preuent lest any should attaine to so great know­ledge in the holy Scriptures, that they should finde out of themselues the most perfect and onely wholsome meanes of saluation to consist therein, and to despise all other hu­maine seruices: the haue caused all that concerneth the Diuine seruice to be written and pronounced in a tongue out of vse with all nations, the vnderstanding whereof cannot be attay­ned, but in consuming many yeares great trauels, and much cost, to thende to kéepe the people still in ignorance of the true way to serue God. Taking good héede not to translate it into Italian, lest by and by they should proue to lerned to suffer the councell of Rome, to handle them as they haue done. And be­side all this to vse the matter so, that the that vnderstand La­tine should not learne to much by the lecture of the Epistles and Gospels, the haue set downe an order that the shall sing thē with such a Note, that those which vnderstand the tongue very well otherwise, shall not vnderstand much more in that place, then the ignorant people: for to speake troth the councell of Rome vseth the word of God no further, but so fare as it will serue for there Domination and enriching in other partes of Christendome, and would be willing that whatsoeuer ther­in is contained importing any disaduantage to their dealinges, had bine cut of fiue hundred yeares since, for that they haue no néede of it, obseruing therein verie well the saying of a certaine Philosopher vsed in these speaches: Take heede leste in seek­ing to much the Heauen, yee loose not the earth. Which is as much to say: that they must prefere earthly things before the kingdome of God. As we sée the Italians doe, interpreting or reading Gods commandements when the cutof the de­fences made in the law of God, againste Images: whereof one is, not to make Images, another not to bow downe to them, [Page 43] and the third not to worship them. Would they euer do this, thinke you, but that they foresée that the true vnderstanding of this commandement, wold coole & fréeze the zeale of those that bring offrings to the worshipping of their Images, with the which they licke their lippes full swéetly. But they will not I warrant you, peruert or misconster this article. Thou art Pe­ter, and vpon this Rocke will I build my Church. All the world shall heare, what these wordes signifie, they will want no Trumpets for the matter, that they may therby be Domi­nators and Kings, and fetch in mony by Cart lodes to Rome: such force and vertue haue those wordes, so sure a staffe vnto them is the rocke of S. Peter. Sée then this is one mean most ingeniously inuented, to containe the people within the obedi­ence of the Romane Councell.

BVt iudging that to be a sufficient remedy to withhold lear­ned men, who by reading of the holie scriptures, by true contemplation of thinges created by the handie worke of God, and by the great harmony of both these, ioyned togither, should be brought to the knowledge of the Creator, and to the true seruice conuenient for his holie name, and so fall to be opi­natiue, reiecting the Italian Domination, and by such meanes shake their so sure gouernment, & make it totter a litle. Against whom being men well armed with sound arguments, it were a most dangerous thing for the Italians and their suppostes to deale by way of disputations: yet sée they haue defenses & ram­paries to let them, for making any breach in their Dominati­on. First to make them hold their tongues: no more but to giue them some fat benefice, some Abbey or Priory, and to schoole them a litle with this lesson, that the veritie which they saie, they know, is but poore and bare god wot, wearing but a thrid bare coate, neuer able to make a man rich: (as it was appa­rant indéed in him who was the Veritie it self, hauing no place [Page 35] to hide his head in:) that beside it had the world, all Kings and Princes of the earth for enemy. On the other side, he that wold be employed for Rome, she had to command all ouer y^e world, and had the bestowing of Bishoppricks, Abbies, Priories, and Parsonages, to aduance and make happie all those that imbra­ced their part. Now of a great number few or none stand out with them, but are ouercome with such temptations, & if there be any that will not yéeld to them, we sée by and by that the Bishops and their Officials haue them in chace, and do their vttermost to inflame the Magistrate against them, to put them to death, as did the Priests of the old law, against Helias, Ie­remias, and the rest of the Prophets, & their successors, against Christ. But if the Magistrates chance to wincke at them, the Councell of Rome, hath caused Ecclesiasticall Counsellers to bee admitted into all Courtes of Parlament to aduise, stire vp and inflame all Presidents, Proctors of the King, and all other councellours to make open warre with fire and sword against such people, not without sore charge to the Iudges, to looke vn­to them, menacing their negligence herein with double punish­ment. By reason whereof, it shalbe heard for them to escape their handes. Whereby appeareth, how great the carnall wise­dome of this nation is, to maintaine and hold fast their reue­nues and Domination.

NOt to be destitute of any one aide that might stand them in stéed, they found meanes to arme themselues with the greatest Forces y^e Christen men may yéeld, when they percei­ued that by such fellowes as are abouesaid, Princes, Cities and common weales might be puld from them, which were no fish for Prouosts, Controllers, nor Sergeants mouthes: they bac­ked themselues better with the most strong redoubtable and puissant forces of all Christendome, as with the K. of Spaine for the head, with the King of France for the stomacke, and the Emperour for the belly, which are the principall parts of Eu­rope. So that if a man open his mouth to speake against their [Page 40] Domination, you shall sée the Catholike straightway, thun­der downe all with his Inquisition, & euerie man haue a fling at him. Is there any that will set vpon them by main strength for any other matter? Be the Lombards, Venetians, Neapo­litans, or whatsoeuer they be, they will but whistle at Rome, and by and by ye shal sée marching to their succour the Armies of these mightie Princes aboue named. But the Romans, they will make themselues poore when they should paie them, and recompence their trauels: they can abide nothing worse then that. For Childericke the King of France, for sending them aide, lost the Crowne of France. And as for satisfaction for a­ny other aide that other Kinges of France haue giuen them, they neuer put their hand to their treasures yet, to recompence them: nor neuer adioyned any Duchy or kingdome to their Empire: but haue alwaies béen pulling from them. But in re­compence of all their labours, losses and expences, they haue giuen this word (THRISE) which is vsed in forming a su­perlatiue, to the King of France: although hée had as much and more authoritie to take it to himselfe, then the Romanes to giue it him. And to the King of Spaine they haue giuen this word (Catholike) which he might haue taken himselfe if hée would haue challenged it, no man to say nay. These names haue continued from father to sonne, as if they came by inhe­ritance, by which the Italians haue plaied and wrought vpon, as well the one as the other, as though the bare names had a­ny vertue or operation in them, to transforme the persons, and to make them any other then they were, which should bee a most manifest abuse. But when that a man hath any qualitie of great vertue or vice, he may verie fitly haue some name of honour or dishonour attributed vnto him. As S. Lewes was so called for his holines of life. Philip le Bel, for his excéeding beautie: and Philip le Hardi, for his hardines & valour. But all this cannot be translated to their heires and successors, be­cause they are but qualities of speciall persons, and are proper to them onely, from whom they cannot passe. For as it had bin a most absurd thing to haue termed Commodus an Empe­rour of Rome, and a most cruell tyrant, a Saint and a Philo­sopher, because Marcus Aurelius his father, for his rare ver­tues, [Page 41] sagesse and eloquence was so named: so also is there none apparent reason why the Councell of Rome, should denomi­nate for flatterie, indifferently all the successors of this crowne, Kinges most Christian. No more then with the Epitheton that was giuen to Charles le grand, (1. the great.) And as for the title of Catholike, it was falsly attributed to the King of Spaine, because it signifieth as much as vninersall King: that is, King euer all. Whereas at that time he was King only but of the Spaines; for as yet then raigned the King of Portu­gall: and beside he is not so much yet neither as King ouer all Christendome. Although that such Epithets haue béene verie vnfit, & falfly attributed indifferently to all: yet we sée by such toyes and deuises, they haue with a wet finger drawen more Forces to their succour out of these kingdomes, then at this present twentie millions out of any other Princes purse, would do out of all Germany. By giuing them only these names and titles, they make them march when they list, vsing them like the great Canary Dogs, which are tied fast with a long chaine and a coller. As for the Emperour to kéep him vnder, they haue bestowed on him some kingdome or Princedome, to make him their owne creature and vassall, yet vnder the name of their Pope, to set him forward, or pull him backe as they list, and at their deuotion. And all this to the end, that if any went about to shake or endomage their Domination at the head, hée should straight assaile and bee shaken off by the Catholicke King, if he came against the breast, the most Christian King should trownce him, if he made at the bellie, the Emperour should teare him: so that he should be met withall what way so euer he came. Turne ouer & read the Histories of the memo­rable actes and déeds of all nations in the world, and finde none that euer hath so iusteled Kings and Emperours by a volunta­rie Domination, to make them march, without any pay at all, as hath done the Councell of Rome. I speake not only by these but by an infinit number of others, so he haue bin glad to obey and follow them at all times, whensoeuer they stood in néed.

BVt the sublimation of the Italian spirit is remarked to flie farre aboue all other nations of the world, herein especially, that perceiuing a few yéeres since, there were found many men of great spirit in the Councelles of these Monarkes, who disco­uering their drifts, began to counterchecke them a litle, not stir­ring a whit at the first sound of the Trumpet, comming from Italy, as they were wont to do in times past, they haue made a cunning prouiso for this matter, drawing into their confede­racie and league, certaine younger brethren of the best houses of the Princes in Christendome, who being not surcharged with too much reuenues, nor too great gouernments, to imploy themselues, runne like swift footed Greyhounds at the first call, that is made for them. To make them march with more then humane expedition, they must be charmed with praises up to the heauens, far higher then the praises of many of those which the Paynims held for Gods in this world. Comparing them with the most worthy and valiant warriours which euer haue béen, terming them the verie portraitures of Alexander, in diligence and hautinesse of courage: verie Images of Augu­stus Caesar, in subtilitie and wisedome, and in zeale for the en­larging and glorie of the Romane Church: true imitators of Constantine the great, resemblers of Charlemaine, and as great warriours as euer was the Romane Fertorius, to resist and stand out boldly against all humane powers. And to set a better hue on these so high commendations, if there be to be found any externall beautie or corporall force in these Princes, that must not be forgotten in no wise, but extolled to the ninth degrée: likewise, for the antiquitie of their houses, the great Alliances with other Princes, the noble and famous acts of all their predecessours, all this must be curiously dilated, not one little forgotten. And besides, to passe them vp with the winde [Page 43] of such vaine praises, and to eleuate their courage aboue al that is vnder Luna, they forget not to abase and disgrace as much as they can, the spirit, courage, and valour of these thrée great ones, of whome I spake but now, as though they had not the wit to enterprise any great exploites of armes: as though they had no magnanimitie, diligence, force nor wisedome at all, to execute such matters: notwithstanding the place and dignitie they kéepe, and the great meanes they haue in their power: but they if they had their roome, it were inough to make them be­come Monarkes of the whole world. The verie breath of these so high commendations, doth so set on fire all the parts of their soule and bodie, that it serueth them for winges to flie when they go about any affaires for the Councell of Rome; who for their part, to the ende to giue them féete to staie and stand sure­ly vpon, must not forget to aduertise them, that if they haue a­ny brethren or children, they may promote them to the digni­tie of Cardinals, so that they shalbe sure to haue as much Ec­clesiasticall reuenue as their backe will beare, so they may fill their houses full of coine, which had but in meane quantitie be­fore. Now euerie one may thinke, that whilest they go about these things, Coursers of Naples, Damasco swordes, plumes of feathers, and precious stones, the rarest and dearest are also presented them, as those only who are worthie to possesse them. But aboue all, when they vnderstand that all that shalbe their owne that they can conquest, which is temporall, and that the Italians passe not but for the spirituall, then they are set on fire with an inextinguible zeale. Then appeares there such a sodein chaunge, and straunge metamorphosis in these Princes, that a man would thinke that some new soule had entered into their bodie, and dispossessed and chased out that which ruled there be­fore: for then treading vnder foote the naturall affection, that they bore to their countrie, their swéete mother, who hath brought them vp tenderly, and nourished them more delitiously then all others: then farewell the homage and loyaltie belon­ging to those whom God hath set in place for their superiours, and the straight bond of amitie towards all their kindreds and auncient friends, without any regard of those, who haue béen their planke to preferre them to so high degrée and ranke of ho­nour [Page 44] which they possesse, such younger brethren, neglecting the oath giuen to their Prince, transported with a most vnquench­able heate, and zeale, without all gouernment of reason, cast themselues headlong to embrase the affaires and practises of the Roman Councel, with so violent affection, y^t all their thoughts, discourses, and imaginations, are occupied in nothing els, but still how to continue the same. So that the feruent zeale to ad­uance the Roman Domination, doth consume and gnaw them night and day: falling into such disquietnesse for the furthering therof, that they haue not so much as the patience to abide any good aduertisements. But like as they were transformed into more naturall Romanes; set their wits to deuise a thousande things for their good and conseruation: refusing not to sustaine all perils and daungers of bodie and goods, all watchings & tra­uels for their sake. Making no doubt of conscience to set king­domes and prouinces any waies on fire: either by working their ruine by their owne armes, or by forraine Forces, or to do worse, to stirre vp théeues and murtherers, who by treason and at vnawares, do shed the blood of those, who kéepe them­selues fast locked within townes, causing all lawes and bonds (both diuine and humane) of amitie and consanguinitie to bée violated, persuading themselues that such butchery & murther, may any way aduance the Italians: or els that such cruelties should be to them onely sacrificers of swéete sauour, and serui­ces most agréeable. Sée then y^e arrows that be readie drawne, made by this most ingenious nation, to the ruine and confusion of those, who dare once open their mouthes to speake against their profits or Domination.

THe Councell of Rome hauing long time found that ma­ny Cardinals, Bishops, and Colledges did not stir at the first word, that they hard from Rome, to set vpon Princes and [Page 45] commonweales, although they were their own creatures dou­ble bound vnto them: first hauing ben aduanced by Kings and princes by their leaue, & next, for feare to loose the fairest fethers that they weare. They inuent, or howsoeuer giue place to o­ther kinde of fellowes, which they receiue into the number of Cleargy men, that will make no such delaie as the other: I meane their begging Friars, a most laborious kind of people, supporting all trauel and paine, and doing so much good abroad, that they will swell out incontinent, and haue at a baie those that do but thinke any euill against the kingdome of the Ro­mish Constitutions. Let them hide themselues neuer so well, they are sure to be drawne out of their dennes by this kennell, who can open and discouer so well, that in the twinkeling of an eye, they will set in an vprore all Christendome, exclaime a­gainst Kings, Princes, and peoples, yea, against Bishops and all other Cleargy men, that will not execute their resolutions and commandements. Greatnes nor highnes cannot amaze these fellowes, they will speake their pleasure, and that which is in their heades, what soeuer come of it. Neither feare they that their Prebends be taken from them, or that any other fine be set on their head: for there is no more to be gotten of them, then of the shauing of an Eg-shell. Besides, they néed neither gold nor siluer by the way to spend, for their lodgings are pro­uided before where they shalbe relieued without a penny cost, neither feare they any confiscation of their goods, nor that any infamy fall vpon their children, for that they haue none at all. Sée how they may be bold with all securitie, to speake any con­tumelious reproches, and ignonimious slanders on Princes, outraging them in their persons, caring not a point, & making a small matter to do it.

BVt because this great rabble had not taken vpon them the instruction of youth, wherin certaine learned Schoolemai­sters being emploied, discouered many things to the great [Page 46] diminishing of the Romane authoritie, to make vp this breach, the Italians brought in Iesuites of farre profounder learning then the begging Friars, and with the same haue peopled the most famous Vniuersities of Christendome, who being so much followed by studentes, take no hire of them that heare them, contenting themselues only with the gaine of their pen­sioners. They hold opinion, that the Bishop of Rome is aboue the Consuls, by this meane altogither ouerthrowing the au­thoritie thereof. As for their Disciples, they tie them so fast by the héeles, with the cords of the Italian superstitions, that they put them in such feare that they tremble againe, if they trans­gresse the least of them neuer so litle: and the more easily to strike this feare into their hearts, they robbe the tender youth of all iudgement and vse of reason. For to iudge truly of anie question in controuersie, we must diligently heare and weigh the reasons on both sides, all affection laide apart. These on the contrarie, hauing brought their Disciples to belieue in the Ca­tholike and Romane Church, they conclude thus thereupon, that they stop their hearing, and giue none eare to any one, who soeuer dare speake against the Popes authoritie, nor a­gainst the ceremonies which he hath instituted, nor dare once so much as to reade any booke, which may call them in doubt, as not altogither necessary to saluation: and that he which fea­reth the plague, ought to flie from such places & persons which are infected: so they before all thinges must take héede, not to heare any, nor receiue any bookes which may go about to re­moue them from their opinion in one iote. These are their propper foundations and grounds, whereby they do not onely depriue their Disciples of all iudgement, but also of the vse of all their natural sences, wherwith God hath indued man to make choice of things, and to know how to put a difference betwéen good and bad: by this meanes, they make them not onely dull spirited; but altogither as brutish beasts in heauenly and diuine things, fighting directly against the instruction of S. Paul, who teacheth vs to proue all things, praising in this place of scrip­ture, the diligence of those that did examine the Prophecies, to know if Christ were the true Messias. And whereas the Pro­phets did not cease to exclaime against the abuse of the Sacri­ficators [Page 47] and Priests of the olde law: S. Iohn Baptist in like maner: Christ also the soueraigne Prophet, the Apostles who euer cried out against the false pastors. And S. Augustin com­plaining of the multitude of ceremonies which were entred in­to the Church at his time: and besides we haue séene hereto­fore many Bishops, Doctors and Pastors do the same in con­temning the greatest part of them. These on the other side, hold all good, and maintaine them, not onely ouer & aboue the word of God: but further thē this, beside y^e word of God. By reason wherof, if the Catholikes looke not about them, to bestir them­selues otherwise then they haue done since the entrance & crea­tion of these Iesuites, to shake off the yoke of the Italian Do­mination, it will soone be restablished in the highest degrées of soueraintie that euer was since it began. And there shalbe nei­ther King nor Prince be he neuer so strong nor mightie, but the Romans will make him tremble at one winke of their eye: and will put them in as bad feare as the poore Israelites were at the publication of the Law, when they shall threaten them with the thundrings & lightnings of their Romish excommuni­cations, to discharge all their subiects of the oath of their loyal­tie, to inuest others with their kingdomes and principalities, so that the Italians shall triumph ouer them, as they did ouer the Duke of Venice, trailing him with a cord about his neck, for his disobedience to their Romish Bishop.

BVt whosoeuer would not make himselfe obstinat against his owne good and saluation, might easily helpe himselfe out of these Iesuits halters, setting before his eyes how that they alledge things contrary to that which they professe & cause to be executed indéed. For this is the summe of their Doctrins, that euery one most firmly abide in his owne Religion, with­out hearing any thing to the contrary, and neuerthelesse they haue enflamed the Spanyards to kill thousands and Millions of the new world, because they would not change there Reli­gion, [Page 48] to embrace another. And as it is proper to shifters, de­ceauers, and those that haue not loyall Marchandises, to deale in secret, asmuch as they can, and closely to couer there action, to sell there ware in darke places, to thende to kéepe the truth of the matter hidden, lest their abuse should bée discouered: so theise which feare so much the examination of their Doctryne conuince themselues, that it is not sownde, nor allowable. Whereas that man that séeketh but the glorie of God, with­ont any respect of any Domination, or wordly profit, will take singular pleasure, séeing his Doctrine examined by the worde of God, and with the workes that he hath created, and like­wise be delighted to maintayne and defend it against whosoe­uer would dispute to the contrarie. For all this, this would ne­uer the Church of Rome permit, her pollocie is so great here­in, albeit Italy is replenished with a great number of verie learned men and great Schollers, as well in Philosophy as in any of the lawes: and very desirus to maintayne any dispute against heretikes, (as the tearme them) who are so themselues, to giue them their right title and definition, and against all those that goe about to diminish or speake against there king­dome and gaines, for that the repute not others for such. For the are not so grosse witted as the Almons, who dispute about the Consubstantiation and Infinity of the bodie of Christ a­gainst the confession of the Switzers and Frenchmen, with­out hope of any profit or Domination to bee gotten thereby: But the Italian smelling out any profit or gaine in that which is propounded, he will agrée to all, and repugne onely in that whereby he thinketh to receaue any dommage. Which is a most cleare and manifest proof that there is nothing, but world­ly wisedome in all that he pretendeth and goeth about.

[Page 49] TO make this more apparent, we must note that when the councel of Rome, wil neuer accord to haue there cause defended in any open audience against there aduersaries, what other thing thereby may be inferred, but that they secretly yéeld that there cause is scant good, for the are not so grosse witted, nor so much blinded, as the Iesuistes Schollers of whome I speake euen now: but as crafty Layers of good meanes and habilityes, finding there low matters like to goe against them, prolong the indgement and curry fauour with the Iudges as much as the can: yet séeing the plantifes sue them hard, they will labour tooth and nayle to referre there cause to those of the counsell, hoping by fauour and instance of them, they may soner win there processe, then in any open au­dience. And if the perceaue that all this doe not auayle, what will the doe? the will hyer some manslayer, to kill there aduar­sarie by some villanous treacherye: euen so this counsell so crafty & politick, vnderstanding of an assembly of states, or any general day of hearing, ether in Germanie, France, or Spaine the send in continent thether, and what by fauour and corrup­ting with bribes, the will vse the matter so, that nothing shall there be debated, which concerneth any way the kingdome of Rome: vnlesse it tende to the aduauncement and furtherance of their Domination. And if therebe any Chancellours or o­ther learned personages, who haue authoritie and meane to moderate and order matters as they would haue, they are sa­luted with congratulations, and promises of great rewardes, and by that meanes wonne to their side. As for murthers, they haue spilled more humane blood since Iohn Hue Bohemian rose vp in armes, to challenge his Domination against them, then all the quarrels and manquellers since Noes flood, in all the broyles, brawles and quarrels that they haue made. Take onely but the battels that they caused to be giuen by the Em­perours against the Bohemians, and against the Almans: the persecutions in England, the warres of France and Flan­ders, and all those that the cruell and bloodie Inquisition hath destroied, both in Italy and Spaine: and the slaughters that haue béen in many townes of France, and in many other pla­ces by their meanes onely, and you shall finde that they are [Page 50] cause of the death of more then a million of men: and woemen: and all becanse the would kéepe there cause from debating in Parlaments and nationall Councells. Whereby we sée they hane all deuises and craftes in their heads so ready, which may serue them to preserue their Gouernment & continue their pur­loyning of mony from other nations: who in no wise can come neere them to practize any such subtilties, they are so grosse, and such sléepy heades, that their is none amongst but the best spirits, not subiect to be passionate, who can discouer there iug­ling, and fine conueances.

THis nation and there partners enuiyng the Gouernment of the good French, who being wearied with so many trou­bles and miseries, were amiably vnited to liue peaceablly toge­ther, Catholikes and Protestants, the borrow the Eloquence of some Italionate Frenchman, who falsely termeth himselfe the Catholike Englishman, abusing the true vse of this gift by the which (as Caecero saith) men which were altogether rude, rusticall, cruell and sauage are transformed into a more swéete and socyable nature, to vse it as a trumpet and torch to giue allarum, and to kindle the burning coles of chol­ler, and vengeance in the herts of all Catholikes to make them run headlong into heat and rage of stomack like vnto a Bare rauished of her whelpes, to sack and destroye all those who dare open there mouthes against the Italian Domination, vnder the name of Popes: caring not by this pernicious councell to make all Christendome so weake: that it might without great resistance be inuaded of the Turckes, to abolish the name and remembrances of all Christen people for euer: for by his coun­cell hée goeth about to make the Catholikes beléeue, that it shall suffice them to flie like dogs vpon the Hugonots, to pull out there throates to rout out there names, and to van­quish them quite for euer: But this there cursed, craftie and [Page 51] captious councell, hath not had such issue as they would haue wished or looked for: it hath but abridg the life and hastened the death of those that first tooke it in hand as namely of the Duke De Ioyeuse, and the Lord de Saint Sauueur they bée most affectionate partners, with great ignominie and dishon­our of so shamefull a flight of so many, who accompanied them both in there actions: As also with the great reproch. disgrace and ouerthrowe of men giuen to the Duke, De Aumalde and all his toupes at the battell of Senlis, without speaking of fiue or six armies beside, which without euer striking stroke by sicknesse and long trauels ruined of themselues. Besides the Parisians inflamed and bloodily bent to destroye some bo­die els then the Catholike Englishman shot at, haue gotten but trauels, troubles, and inestimable charges by their malice, hauing suffred the enimie to come and beate them into there owne gates, to saise vpon there néerest townes, with out euer lending ayde to any. And further then all this, they haue séene there owne suborbes pillaged, and there forces, which the iudged inuincible, destroyed before there faces, at the battell of Yury being in chaunted by the venimous and pestilent Elo­quence, both of there pernicius Englishman, and also by the blooddy sermons of one Francis Pinsenac very like vnto this false and pretended Catholike, vnlesse as I may gesse it be the very man himselfe, or his familiar frende of Orleans that hath put forth this blooddy booke: which may rauish and quite cary away with the force of his liuely Eloquence agreat part of the Catholikes that reade it, to enterprise the slaughter and man­quelling of those, who doe not adore all that commeth from Italy, Where I might spare it if any good had euer come to Fraunce by it, or by any that are imployed on that parte. But séeing that it séemeth that this nation is created for the scourge and extreme ruine of the more Northren people, when he ta­keth so their parte, making it good to the vtter ruine and ouer­throw of vs all. Doth he not discouer, that he beléeueth neither hell nor heauen? But is a villanous Atheist prefering the worldly profit and honour, which he draweth from this par­tie before the loue of his countrie, for the which as Caecero, sayth, Euerie honest man ought not to refuse death. And [Page 52] not as this wretch, to hasten it ruine. O verie rare & séede of a viper: who séemest not to haue bine borne for any other good, but the destrution of thy Countrie, which thou oughtest to loue more deréely then thine own life. O pernicions Phisition, whose Phesike is an hundred times more dangerous then the malladie it selfe: who in stéede of a gentle purgation ministres Antimoyne not prepared, & ranke poyson, making thy selfe ignorant, that séeing a sect is so farre growen, that it is able to holde out by ware, and that it cannot be rooted out by publike Iustice, how it must bée left and referred to the Di­uine Iustice & not to kindle a cyuill warre there vpon, which doth but kil and corrupt men and bring al Religions to naught beeing the greatest plague and the extremest callamitie, into which men may run thēselues hedlong. But out of what schole hath he set this his blooddy and tragicall doctrine? Not out of this great and faithfull law giuer Moyses, who saith Thou shalt not kill: nor out of the Royall prophet Dauid, coun­celling men To flie from euill and doe good, seeke peace and ensue it: Nor out of the other prophets, who haue endured greuous persecutions, and neuer moued any of ther dissiples to persecute againe or take any vengeance at all, nor of all the sectes of philosophers, as of Socrates, Plato, Pythagoras, Aristotle, and others, who alwayes laboured all the could to wine men to peace, quietnes, goodnes, gentilnes, and mildnes whereas this fellow will imprinte in there hartes all rage, cru­eltie, outrage and madnes: whereby appeareth, that he is a very limme and instrument of this olde and subtile Dragon, who made Cayne conceaue in his harte the murther of his owne brother Abell, the same which moued the preists of Ie­rusalem, vnnaturally to sawe in twayne in the middest, this heauenly and diuine Prophet Esaye, and to persecute the pro­cesse and condemnation of Ieremie, He sheweth himselfe set­on by a more blooddy spirit, then euer were Marius and Silla, who shed so much of there owne Citizens boodes: but rather more like to Phalaris, Catiline, Nero, Commodus, and o­ther such cruell and saluage beastes, al together voyde of all hu­manitie towardes there owne countrymen. His shamelesse impudencie, and his so insatiable thirst after blood, is so appa­rant [Page 53] that it is not to be hid: for he representeth himselfe as a Standerbarer of Christs catholike church, who ought to here his voyce, and doe after his commandements: who pronoun­ceth in the fifth of S. Mathewes Gospell that The mercifull, pittifull, and peace makers are blessed, and that we must forgiue, if we wilbe forgiuen. And the Apostle S. Paule writing to the Romans teacheth vs To haue peace withall men, without taking any vengeance, which belong onely to God: And that if our enimie hunger we shonld giue him to eate, and if he thirst we should giue him drinke, surmounting his malice, by our mildnes and mercy. And last of all S. Iohn in his first Catholike Epistle, saith, That he which hateth his brother is in Darkenes, and cannot tell whether hee goeth, because the Darknes hath put out his eyes.

SOme were then to examine this bloodie booke, wherewith he would infect all Christendome, with the rage and rancor that possesseth his furious stomack, wherby he goeth about to set the people of France togither by the eares, to destroy one another, like fierce Dragons and cruell Tygers, it argueth his cowardly, most dastard & effeminate spirit, for these are things that are neuer in a man that hath any magnanimitie or great­nes of courage in him: Wherein he sheweth that he is the ve­rie disciple and trumpet of the maligne spirit the diuell, that in shape of a filthie and stinking hée-Goat, vseth the like spéeches vnto sorcerers & witches, who hauing forsaken Iesus Christ, go vnto his sabboths to do him homage, where he giueth them none other lessons, but to put in practise vengeance, murthers, and cruelties, whose footesteps he followeth right, pretending [Page 54] to ouerthrow in man all the cléere light of reason and vnder­standing, & vtterly to extinguish that which maketh him fore­sée in his actions, whether they tende to his honour, profit, and securitie or no, before he vndertake them, to abse and make him stoupe to blinde beastlie and furious passions, so to make men flie one at another like mad dogs & cruel beasts, when we sée any aduantage of the side that we take: for his drift is, to make the Catholikes roote out the Hugonots, as a people not to be tollerated in religion: yet there is no people vnder heauen that agreeth so well with them as they: be the Iewes, Turkes, or Tartarians, against whom thou shouldest rather scum of the froth of thy furie and heate to combat, and employ the floud and force of thine eloquence, then conspiring the total ruine of Christians, against those who receiue and allow of all the bookes of the Bible, & the foure first Councels, with whom hauing none other quarrell but for humane Constitutions, thou oughtest rather to take part. And furthermore I say, that the truest and best Catholikes and Protestantes, are for the most part the surest and best friends that any Citie or common wealth hath, & there is but the Cockle which groweth among this good wheate, and other dogs and hogs, who smelling out any commodious profite by the Italians and their supposes: much like himselfe, who for rewarde of his forged crimes and lies: smelleth out some Crosiers staffe, miter, or Abby, vnder a false maske and shew of religion, passing not to be recognished for the true sonne of the father of lies, and auncient slaunderer the diuell, when maliciously and vntruly he bringeth the migh­tie Princesse Elizabeth, for an example of wonderfull crueltie against Catholikes, to make our French Nation conceiue a great hatred and feare of our King: wherein I thinke, that his father the diuel would haue béen ashamed himselfe to haue pub­lished such impudent lies, for as much as this gracious Prin­cesse the Quéene of England, and our King of France, whom he representeth as her imitator: haue neuer béen accused of any blame and reproach, but to haue béen too mercifull and pittifull towards such pestiferous mates, and seditious spirits, as is hée himselfe, whom I should haue made knowne for the most per­nicious and damnable enemy of all Christendome, that euer [Page 55] was on any side whatsoeuer, as him that hath fastened the au­thour of his hope vpon a particular and temporall commoditie, caring nothing at all to be cause of the subuersion of the com­mon weale, and to depriue himselfe of life euerlasting. But be­cause I am preuented by others that haue answered the booke, I will not enter further to confute any particularitie thereof. I thinke now by a most manifest and briefe description, I haue set before the face of the Readers, as wel the meanes as instru­ments, by the which the Italians know how brauely to con­serue and maintaine their Domination, to the great shame and dishonour of those that are subiected thereunto as slaues: wher­fore it is now conuenient to manifest and propound the reme­dies, by the which all noble and gentle spirites, louers of their owne libertie, may easily deliuer themselues from their slauery and thraldome.

AS it were a smal matter for a Phisition to be able braue­ly to discourse of the causes, beginnings, augmentation and nature of any disease, if he should not giue remedies to cure the same: so it shalbe requisite to set downe the meane where­by men might as well in times past, as also hereafter, throw a­way this Italian yoke, & kéep their mony in their purses, with­out enriching strangers with it: for this matter, I will begin at the foundation stone, vpon the which they haue built, aug­mented and eleuated there so great and loftie Dominatious, that it hath no boundes here on the face of the earth, as haue the kingdomes and empires of Emperours and Kings: but be­ing eleuated (if we will belieue them) as high as heauen gates, shutteth & openeth them euen as they do the doores of the Con­sistorie at Rome. In some this foundation stone is, that Saint Peter had his Apostles seate at Rome, and there was marti­red: whereof followeth, that the Romane Bishop is his suc­cessour, and hath vniuersall charge ouer the whole world. For [Page 56] the first I deny, séeing that neither the Acts of the Apostles, nor any other of the Epistles of S. Paul, hath made mention ther­of: & that he himselfe witnesseth that he was the Apostle of the Iewes, called to those that were of the circumcision. For the se­cond, y^t he was martired there I cōfesse, for that those of Rome and their Emperours, to make a triumph of Iesus Christ, and of his doctrine, & to quench their insatiable crueltie against Christians, had caused S. Peter to be transported to Rome, from another place where he was detained first prisoner, to put him to death ignonimiously, and make him a publike spectacle to the world. But for hauing by this crueltie and iniustice, de­priued the world of so famous & excellent seruant of God, that they should be reputed his successours, there is no reason at all: nay contrarie, I will stand to it, they ought therfore altogither to be disinherited: for was there euer any man so impudent, that for hauing murthered another, would dare to challendge his succession? And if he had béen borne at Rome, and appoin­ted Apostle to the same place, which he was not, neither they haue made themselues vnworthie of all successorie, right and title. For this were a prettie matter, that for vsing all crueltie, and committing bloodie murthers against the seruants of God, men should get domination and principalitie, as well in earth as in heauen, it were farre wide to say so, and the greatest ab­surditie in the world, that men might imagine. Nay contrarie, Christ menaceth great punishment for the like matter, when he cried out, Ierusalem, Ierusalem, thou which killest the Prophets, thereby denouncing her ruine and ouerthrow by the fire of Gods vengeance, foretelling her destructiō to come, and the miserable estate wherein she is at this present houre. If then this were sufficient to depriue Rome of her succession, yet furthermore, were she worthie to be depriued for her rebel­lion against the Gospell, and the doctrine of S. Peter, wherein she hath perseuered since the death & passion of Christ, hauing brought foorth the most detestable monsters for Emperours, as Tyberius, Nero, Calligula, Commodus, and Helioga­balus, which haue euer béen remarked to liue vnder the vaute of the heauens: who as cruell beasts estranged and degenerat from all Christian blood, by reason of y^e enormitie of their liues, [Page 57] could not suffer any such cleare light to shine there néere them, being also set on by their sacrificing Priests, Pagans, and Ido­laters, who only taught publikely at Rome, soone to extinguish the same. But if there were any good Bishops there, they laie close, and did not openly discouer themselues, and were no part of the bodie of this people, being indéed sent thither, from diuers other partes: personages of great learning and eloquence, ra­ther to make residence there, then in any other part, for that this citie was stil replenished with learned men, cunning Phi­losophers, and Pagan Oratours: against whome it had not béen for Pastors meanely learned to haue disputed without o­uerthrow and conuiction. Yet all this hath nothing eleuated the Italians, aboue any other people of Christentie, for hauing Domination ouer them, but rather it bringeth lower and aba­seth them, as a testimonie of their great resistance and rebelli­on to the truth, and the teachers thereof.

BVt if ye come to aske me, what Nation hath more right to haue the Sea of an vniuersall Bishop erected in it, then Italy? I answere, that as Italy hath made it selfe vnworthie, by bringing forth the murtherers of S. Peter, and of other ty­rannous and persecuting Emperors, hauing a long time made resistance to the Gospell: so those haue best deserued it, who being pushed forward with an holie zeale of Gods glorie, and of the saluation of men, hauing abandoned their liues, king­domes, and treasures, to make passage for the Gospel through­out the whole worlde, in destroying the doctrines of Pagans, and all idolatry which had raigned before, more then two thou­sand yéeres, all ouer the world, except only among the Iewes. Now what nation hath that béen, of so hautie and magnani­mous courage, which hath done God so signall a péece of ser­uice. Surely it was England, which hauing brought forth that [Page 58] great, and thrise sacred Constantine, who of a Pagan that hée was, making profession of the Christian faith, and receiuing Baptisme, straight began to warre vpon Maxentius the Ro­mane Emperour, a most cruell murtherer, and a great per­secutor of Christians, whome he vanquished, and planted the true Gospell and kingdome of Christ, not onely in the Ile, his natiue countrie that bred him; but also at Rome, the recep­tacle of all Idolatrie, and from thence made passage for it vnto Alexandria, the capitall Citie of all Affrica, to Constanti­nople, and all that countrie bordering towards Asia, enlar­ging the kingdome of the sonne of God, farre and wide (which séemed at that time to be banished out of this worlde, by the continuall warres of the Romans) destroying and ouerthrow­ing wheresoeuer he went, that of Sathan, shewing himselfe to be the Executour of that which Iesus Christ had foretold in the twelfth of S. Iohn, saying: Now is the iudgement of this world, now shall the Prince of this world be cast out. O that the wonder of thy holie and almost diuine enterprises, do make thée go farre beyond all humane creatures? for the light that thou madest to shine in the world, surmounteth as much that of the holie Kings of the old Testament, as doth the light of the Sunne, the cléernes of the Moone. And as for that which the Apostles and other faithfull Pastors which went before thée, it was alwaies diuined, and entermingled with the dark­nes of superstitious Idolaters, which had full course among the Emperours and Kings of the earth: but thou great Instru­ment of the Eternall, thou hast chaced farre out of thy sight, all the sacrifices & seruices that men did dedicate vnto the diuil, according to the witnes of S. Paul, who saith, that the Gen­tiles did sacrifice vnto him. And more then this, it is thou great Monarke, that hast so firmely planted and established this light in the world, that what assaults so euer haue béen made to ex­tinguish it, yet could it neuer altogither be put out and defaced. If then one so great and diuine a benefite had procéeded from Rome, as is from England, who could imagine how great prerogatiues and honours almost diuine, they would challenge from other people, whereas neuertheles the Emperour sprung out of Italy, haue euer béen the most signall persecuters of Ie­sus [Page 59] Christ, and of his Martirs: for all that they haue cast such cloudes ouer the eyes & iudgement of other peoples, that they made themselues onely déemed worthie to haue the Sea of the vniuersall Bishop: and by meanes of this prerogatiue, haue made all the Kings & Princes of the earth, kisse the Pantofle of their Prelate and Bishop. What would they haue done, I pray you, if they had fought as much for the aduancement of the Gospell, as they haue done for the suppression and extingui­shing thereof? It is verie likely they would haue exacted ho­nours and homages, more then diuine of those which should liue vnder the obeisance of their Domination. For this nation craueth neuer so litle subiect to worke vpon, to make it selfe to be wondred at, and to bring the Septentrionall & Occiden­tall peoples vnder their coram and subiection, for that they are people lesse ingenious, and nothing to compare so subtil as they are, which is a thing altogither straunge and wonderfull.

FOr manifest proofe hereof, I shall not néede to séeke out but one onely familiar example, well knowne of all, of the decea­sed Admirall of Castillon, who was reputed a man of as great counsell & experience, as was any in France: But the Quéen­mother and her Councel of Italians, hauing a quarrell at him aboue all other, made it well knowne, that the best French pollicie and craft, could hardly auoyd the subtill snares and em­buscadoes of the Italians. For séeing that by force of armes, they could neuer preuaile to vanquish or ouerthrow him, they resolued to prouide for him, baites of peace and truce: by the first conclusion whereof, they seised into their owne handes, all the Cities, Castles, and all the munition that was in them, which al the Forces of Italy, had not bin able to take in twen­tie yéeres. Perceiuing this, they deuise to set againe vpon the Prince of Condie and him, as persons destitute of refuge, to retire themselues, with any Forces, but yet the Lord De la [Page 60] Noue, by his great wisedome and accustomed valour, stood in some good steed here, hauing seised againe the towne of Orle­ans into his handes: they perceiuing the Army of this Prince raunging almost in the hart of France againe, straight iudged, that they had halfe taken them napping alreadie by this hooke, and that they might hereafter verie well ouertake them. Ha­uing cast this hooke to them the second time, they surprise them once more: and so dispossesse them quite by this bait of a second peace, of all their strong Forts and holdes once againe. Wher­by many began greatly to mistrust them: but to take away all suspition, they practise quickly a confirmation of their former peace, by conclusion of a marriage, by this vtterly to ruine and cut the Admirals throat. He trusting to it, was ta­ken in the net that was laide for him. So that this may well shew, that all our subtilitie is but a sluggish slight, in compari­son of the quicke carriage of the Italians, by reason that their clymate is more Meridionall, and the region of France more Septentrionall. True it is, that this great workeman of the world, hathenriched those that inhabite the more Northren countries, with many other goodly gifts, as to be more strong, more faire and lustie, witnes many great Philosophers & lear­ned men, and this might serue vs for instruction, that séeing we are endued with more strength, and are the greater number, we should chace them out of France, and not suffer them to v­surpe any Domination ouer vs at all, nor to accompany any of our Princes or great Lordes, that might trouble or alter our state. This is a verie good preseruatiue to saue and deliuer our selues from their wiles and subtill slightes. Verie true it is, that it is a great shame for them who name themselues Christians, and haue béen baptized to vse so much treacherie in their dea­lings, whereas their auncestours who were but Pagans, and knew not God, did kéepe their faith inuiolable to all, to bee a greater credite vnto them in all their actions whatsoeuer.

LEt vs come now to the point I spake of, how that I did not purpose to blame y^e Popes persons, nor dispute against their title of vniuersall Bishop, referring those that would take delight in such disputation to the Treatise of the Church, made by the L. of Plessis Mormay. But this is the pointe that I proue, that séeing the Italians hold him for the vniuersall Bi­shop of Christendome, it must néedes follow by the nature of contraries, that he can be no more particularly tied to Rome, but that he is also as well Bishop of France, of Germany, and Spaine, who cannot be conuersant and particularly resident in all these places at once. Therefore his Sea ought no more to be at Rome, then in other places; but he should wander ouer all Christendom, as did the Apostles, séeing that they hold that S. Peter Apostle of the Iewes, came to Rome, being six hun­dreth leagues distant and more, from the place from whence he came. So that if the Pope be resident any while in Italy, hée ought to do the like also in other prouinces & countries: other­wise he should depriue them of the right which vnto them ap­perteineth. Wherefore they should neuer abide that the Ro­manes onely should kéepe to themselues the Bishop common to all: to preuent them, least by that prerogatiue they should rule the world at their will, and dispose and alter all things at their pleasure. This shall verie well shew, that whatsoeuer we cōceiue and persuade our selues of the subtilitie and pollicie that is in vs, they shall stil for euer farre go beyond vs. Witnes the compositions made betwéene King Henry the second, & those that inhabite but the néerest borders of Italy, who retain some sparkes and beames of their subtilitie hidden in them. As the Duke of Sauoy, to whome this King with the assistance of those, whom he déemed the best aduised and most sage parsona­ges of France, yéelded vp a great country which he and his an­cestours [Page 62] had conquered with infinite charges, combats, & victo­ries. And yet without any blow stroken by y^e agréement of one marriage all was rendered: & all Lumbardie likewise by the same pollicie. Must not then hereafter all Forthren peoples a­wake themselues out of their so fluggish dulnesse, & not suffer themselues to be ouercome with y^e sugered words of this natiō, although they be enterlaced with y^e swéetnes of religion, or pro­fit of the common weal? And aboue all things to take héed how they deale with them in any case, for they will be sure to haue the surest ende of the staffe. But if euerie nation had practised this in times past, and taken resolution of that which concer­neth either their affaires of Estate, or of religion, neuer ma­king the Councell of Rome priuie thereunto: out of how great miseries, troubles, calamities, warres, quarrels, diuisions, and hatreds, should Christians haue saued & deliuered themselues? But at the least, we shalbe preserued in time to come, by expe­rience of these oppressions that are past, which cannot chuse but be to our great good and profit.

WHen we come then to remember, how they make the people belieue that the Church cannot stand without an vniuersall Bishop: who without euer looking to that which might follow thereupon, allowed verie well of all that: They incontinent hauing this aduantage, made him proper to them­selues, & by such deuise haue vsurped a domination ouer all the world: & prepared a way to fetch great summes of money out of all parts of Christendome, vnder the name and authoritie of this their Bishop. Whose authoritie notwithstanding they ne­uer make conscience to abridge, when they smell any profit for themselues: how did they practise in the great Pardons which were sent abroad in the time of Charles the eight, and Lewes the twelfth, by the which generall remission of all sinnes was [Page 63] giuen, and Paradice opened to all those, that would go in pil­grimage to Rome: Wherein I say, that they did limit and re­straine the power of their Bishop: for being vniuersal, as they maintain, so also is his power extended ouer all, and not restrai­ned or tied within Rome. Wherefore did they this then? but for a fine deuise, to enrich their Citie, by the concourse of diuers straunge peoples, who flocked thither from all partes of the world, to go into Paradice, preferring by this meane, the in­uentions of men, before the commandements and decrées of God, and the way that he sheweth them to attaine to heauen. This is an euident token, that this nation being most subtill, measureth all things, as they sée they may turne her to profite, and augment her authoritie.

NOw if there had béen in other nations any craft or sutil­tie, any thing néere like to that of Italy, after they had perceiued how by this prerogatiue they were brought vnder the iurisdiction of the Italians, and dreyned of their money by this country, if they had straight pretended that the vniuersall Bishop ought as well to visit, and be resident among other na­tions and principall parts of Christendome, as at Rome: and in case the Italians wold not consent, to haue told them plaine, that euerie nation should haue procéeded to the election of an other, in euerie seuerall countrie: as the Frenchmen for their part, who held that the Gospell was first brought vnto them by S. Dennis, and that therefore he is their Apostle, to consti­tute the Sea of their Bishop at the Temple of S. Dennis for France: and for Spaine at S. Iames Church in Gallitia: so in like manner for other nations. And in case hereupon, they should enter into choller and storme at this, they might be an­swered, that S. Panl did admonish the Corinthes to follow him, euen as he imitated Christ. And in good faith, it is honour [Page 64] inough for these Romish maisters, in imitating them, to esta­blish the like order & gouernment, as they allow best of among themselues: for truth it is, that the true manner of honouring and worshipping of Saintes, consisteth in doing our vttermost to imitate and follow their footesteps. According to this, euen as they wold neuer consent to be depriued of their Pope, with­out whom they cannot beare sway in the world, and purloyne money from other nations not so quick spirited as they: so in like maner, if the French would looke well into their affaires, it were necessarie for them also to make a Pope among them­selues, to serue their own turne. And by the example of the Ro­manes, they should endeuour their vttermost, to raunge vnder their iurisdiction, not onely a whole kingdome, but also other nations more Septentrionall, who are lesse ingenious then they, and principally this might be effected by the Prouensals or Gascons, being a people more meridionall then the other Frenchmen. As for y^e English, although by reason of the great trafficke they haue into all partes by sea, they are not a people altogither so dull spirited and grosse, yet they confesse, that the French haue subtilly recouered that of them, by conclusions of peace, which they by great victories had conquered from them before. So that it is verie like by this meane, that if in imita­ting the Italians, there were a Pope constituted but in France onely, yet he should haue vnder his iurisdiction, England, Scot­land, Ireland, Norway, Friseland, and all the Netherland. By this shift, they might fetch in coyne from these parts, after the example of the Romanes and the people of Italy, who haue had a hand of such people: whereas if the French had practi­sed such conter-pollicies, whereas the Italians contemne them at this day, as grosse and barberous: they would haue made as much of them, otherwise as a nation and people as pollitike, craftie, and subtill as themselues might bée. All which is to shewe, how farre they excell vs in inuention and subtiltie of spirit.

BUt if any obiect, that the Italians would neuer endure y^e, for because he were first in possessiō of one only Pope: I agrée well to that, so they were the stronger: but when we sée that many of our Kings haue passed cleare through the countrie of Italy, without any contradiction, and gone as farre as Naples, and that those that at any time went about to with­stand them, were by and by ouerthrowne, wee must néedes thinke, that it were great disaduantage for them to deale that way, but if on the other side, they would go to dispute and com­bat of wordes, to discide whether the succession of S. Peter and the lieftenancy of Christ be tyed to Rome, or no: we shall néede but to sende them to combat in this dispute with the Lutherians, who maintaine according to the saying of Virgil, that the propertie and true description of Rome is to containe seuen mountaynes, thereby geuing vs to vnderstand that it is the Citye remarked in the Apocalips, to be the seate of Anti­christ: Now in y^e towne of Saint Dennis in France, there is no such matter, therefore such qualitie cannot be attributed truely to the Pope as the haue giuen him. But some may reply, y^e the people would neuer beléeue so much in any other Pope as in him of Rome, to that I answere: that if they had made one of as subtill a preist as him of Bellouet, if no man had gone about to descrye his knauery (as some did) he might haue ea­sily preuailed for that poynt: for there was neuer any Pope of Rome, who for his owne persons sake, nor for his miracles, that euer was so followed with so great troupes, as was he of whome I now speake. But if they went about to terrifie the French Pope, by excommunications and interdictions, so that he would but practize y^e like against theirs of Rome; it is most certayne, that whosoeuer would but looke on the one and the other, should sée the Italians farre more black in the face and more melancholike, and the French farre more cherefull and [Page 66] Iocande then they. Sée her then in mine aduise are medy which being put in practise of vs as it ought, will ruinate the Domi­nation of the Italians and the counsellof Rome, in the per­sonnes of there Popes, which likewise would quit cut of the way whereby the transport all our siluer from vs, As for those who would not nor could not away with the Pope, shall by that meanes kéepe themselues exemted from there Dominati­on, without paying them any mony at all, no more then y^e pro­testantes doe, which will haue nothing at all to doe with them. And here I will aduertise the Readers of a fine deuise to feare the Romans, and to make there Popes tryple crowne shake on his head, if they had but the newes carried them, how that the most Reuerend Cardinall of Vendome were elected Pope in France: it would make them all quake for feare, and put them in worser case then if an Army of ministers should goe thether to set vpon them: But if any Frenchman should, to make them more certayne of it, tell them againe that hée were wonderosly affectionate to the masse and to the ancient ceremonies, they would thinke him more asse and sot then sot­tise it selfe, because that is no part of the greife that tormenteth them, but the name of their Pope onely. And if the Spanyard likewise would but follow this example, the lead of Rome that the haue sold for a dearer price then the finest golde in the world, which men come to séeke so curiously out of all partes, shonld tarie with them at Rome, to help them to make there gutters of there houses, cestrenes to hold there water, or Car­racters to print what they please withall.

BUt because the Italians is so subtill and wary, that hee will slip none occation, but he will take it fast by the haire assone as it is present, and will neuer let go his hold til he haue made thereof all the commodityes that it may yéeld: sée he de­leth [Page 67] hardly with his owne countrymen to there great hinderance and losse. Now they detayne a good peece of their gayne from them, who making vp part of tbe body of the commonwealth, hold there assemblies a parte, and neuerthelesse the themselues are present at the assembles of others, who moreouer can of themselues publish and by there owne reasons confirme that which they will haue established and set downe▪ no man so har­dye as to open his mouth to speake to the contrarye, which is the easiest meane to obtayne any thing whatsoeuer a man would haue in this world. For look into the Soueraigne courts and other Iurisdictions, where in there are many learned and eloquent Lawyers, although they bee suspected to pleade the weaker causes: yet so it is, that if they haue this aduantage to propounde onely that which concerneth the iudgment of the cause, being no aduerse partie or aduocate that dare speak any thing to the contrarie: they wilbe sure to discourse and pleade in such sorte and with such dexteritye, that the Iudge and the Assistances shalbe so rauished & caryed way by there reasons that they shall obtayne victorie of the cause, were it neuer so vniust. Now the Roman Ecclesiasticke hauing won this ad­uantage to himselfe to the great preiudice of the Nobilytie and the Commons, and hauing beside giuen light and instrution to those of other Countyes to doe the like, haue robbed all other Estates of there goods and dignityes; tryumphing and swim­ming in riches themselues vp to the chin: caring not a straw to goe against there profession which should bee by contempt of the world to afpire to heauen. For proofe hereof, there was a president who was verie curious to count al the reuenue of the Kingdome of France, and hauing made his computation, he found that the some did amounte to twelue thousand Millyons and that the Ecclesiasticks, who are not the hundreth parte of the people carried away seuen parts hereof: Whereas in the old testament they had but a tenth: neuer speaking of any oblations that the haue at Baptismes, churchings, confessi­ons, and the great ransomes that thy extort after the death of the deceased husbandes of poore widowes, orphans and pupil­les, vnder the coullour and pretense of their long prayers: all which ought in déede to be employed to the instrution of chil­dren [Page 68] and the marriage of poore parentles maydens: besides in all the Churches of Cittyes, a man of any honour cannot scape there nets, but he must leaue behinde him some halfe Teston, a matter of two groates if he will not be in disfauour of these Ecclesiastickes. Touching any charges, watchings and tra­uels that they should be at, to teach, reprehend and comfort the people as S. Paule requireth, these great pillers of the Church, the Cardinals, Bishops, and Abbots, they draw back and will not come neare them, and yet it neuer ingendereth any re­morseof conscience, to take fiftie thousand crownes of yearely reuenue, referring the exercise of their charges to their courts, who after their example discharge themselues by their Vicars, and their Vicars, they hang all vpon the begging Fryers, so that the Nobillitie and the people be well serued betwéene them all by this shift, which sheweth verie well that they can deuise shifts & meanes now for their commoditie in this world.

TOuching the Magistrates to whom they are bound to giue all honour, and yéeld them all subiection, they robbe them in part of their Iurisdictiō exempe themselues from their power, and taking themselues the prerogatiue of honour, that they owe vnto them. And further, that which is to bee noted more strange, in stéede of supporting the poore Priestes who haue all the heauie burthen of their charges vpon there backs, they still ouer loade them with so many seruises, and cut them out so great quantitie of matter to sing, that those of Cities, in lesse thē ten or twelue yeares become so hoarse, that they are not able to serue any longer, but must be cast off to goe séeke where they can, by reason wherof, seing them at some sollemne feast, surcharged with such quantitie of seruices, whereas they sing on their part: for my part I bewayle their miserable con­dition, estéeming it worse, then that of poore flaues and cap­tiues in the Romane Gally, and cannot chuse but argue those [Page 69] of great inhumanity, who haue ouercharged them with so hea­uie burthens: not only against all good reason, but also against the ordinance of the sonne of God, and the briefe forme of prai­er that he hath taught vs: but also against all humane order, obserued in tendering of petitions vnto Kinges of the earth, which are abridged with as fewe and short wordes as may bée possible. Sée wherefore it were most necessarie to stop y^e course of such Italian influences, not to suffer our selues to be hand­led at their deuotion, and not to depend any longer of them, as heretofore we haue done: but to finde out the remedies hereof, it is not an easie matter amongst the Northren people, because that such drugs do not grow amongst them, no more then do the Palme-trées and their Dates. But euen as one countrie bringeth foorth oftentimes poyson, and the preseruatiue far the same, euen so, he that would preserue himselfe from their do­mination and draught of mony, that they vse to draine out of other prouinces, shall borrow a good péece of wisedome, found out at a time of great néede by the common people of Rome, to restraine the course of the domination of their Senatours, who had them before at aduantage, to villanize, abase, and re­duce them into bondage and slauerie, at their pleasure. The common people perceiuing that they had their counsell apart, where they might take secret deliberation, to increase their authoritie, and to pull downe & gnaw the people, which should be hard things for them to remedie, because the Senat did con­sist of verie learned men, great Orators, and full of maiestie, aduised themselues to create Tribunes for their owne defense: which should oppose themselues to the ordinances of the Se­nate, in case they did any thing diminish their libertie, & should kéepe the Senators short, that they should not tirannize ouer them, nor draw their substance from them, as before time was their common practise. By this meane the people was no more exposted in pray to the Senate, but maintained still themselues in their owne liberties: for euen as the bodie of man is verie well at ease, when none of the Elementall qualities doth suffer it selfe to be ouercome with the contrarie: so that common­wealth euermore flourisheth, when none of her partes do suf­fer it selfe to be in subiection to the other.

ACcording to this, there is no more effectuall remedie to preuent the Ecclesiasticke, least he gnaw the rest of the people: then to chuse out in euerie towne some learned and ver­tuous man, which is not of the same qualitie, not too much ad­dicted to ceremonies and superstitions, who must haue an eye to their counsels, constitutions, and preachings, and who must also discouer their end: to the end they may sée whether they go about any thing to the preiudise of the Nobles, of the Magi­strates, or of the people: and if they do, to withstand them ther­in, hauing power and authoritie to assemble the people, to ad­uertise them by spéeches and Orations in their Temples, how that they go about to deceiue them. If in the time of Constan­tine the Great, such Protectors had béen chosen, they would neuer haue permitted the Ecclesiasticks vnder shadow of Pur­gatorie and praiers for the dead, to haue depriued the lawfull heires of so many Counties, Lordships, Barronies, Féefarms, and other landes, whereof they haue robbed and spoiled them, nor that the goods of Hospitals giuen to the poore, should be ea­ten and swallowed downe by them: for although that they would not contradict such doctrine, yet perceiuing that vnder the colour thereof, they pretended to make trafficke and sale of the kingdome of heauen, and to sell for faire readie mony, life euerlasting: they would haue gainsaid them, and reproued such théeues, who vnder a false apparance of bringing men to heuē, pretended to picke their purses, & to make them loose that which they had on earth: they wold haue taken order at the least, that the poore should not die for hunger, languishing and crying, sée­ing the Priors of Hospitals to deuour their good, singing and making merry. Sée then this is a good remedie whereby wée might kéep fasting the Italian and the Ecclesiastick, and make them content themselues with their owne, and to kéepe within [Page 71] their owne limits. For to hope that euer they will reforme themselues, they neuer did it yet, nor neuer will. For if you looke since the death of Iousa to Iesus Christ, betwéene which there is more then a thousand yéeres, you shall finde that the Ecclesiasticks neuer ceased to corrupt the true seruice of God. By reason whereof, he gaue them ouer into the hands of their enemies. And how to restablish them, he raised vp Iudges and Magistrates: how also after they had Kings, he inspired many to reforme and reduce his true seruice, hauing béen abastardi­zed by the Ministers and ordinarie Priests of his Church. And why, I pray you, were Prophets sent? But to accuse and con­uict the ordinarie Pastors of their impietie, rebellion, and dis­loyaltie. After the maner of which Prophets, S. Iohn Baptist termeth them a generation of vipers: and Iesus Christ cal­leth them, théeues and robbers. And S. Paul in his time, cried out against their abuses. And in the time of Constantine, they had diuided Christendom into more then twentie seuerall sects, all which this holy parsonage cut off in his time, reducing them all to one vniforme confession at the Nicene Councell. By whose example, Kings and Magistrates ought to set to their handes: and out of the miserable dissipation wherein we liue, to restablish one true way for the seruice of God, as Mo­ses did command them: to wit, that they should meditate in his law day & night, to kéepe it themselues, and to cause others to obserue it also. And not to expect till the Pastors reforme it: whereof a great number séeke but to enrich themselues, and to sway ouer others.

ANd to take away the doubt that some may propose, to wit, if such Tribunes are necessarie among those who haue cast off the Popes yoke and haue Ministers. It is cer­tain, that the reason is all one: for to be persuaded, that they are [Page 72] of better borne, and of more gentle nature then the sacrificing priests, issued out of the race of Abraham, there is none appa­rance. But to go no further then to the Apostles themselues, if we looke but to the marke that they leuelled at before the As­cension of Iesus Christ, and before he had sent downe his holie spirit vpon them, we shall sée that they were enflamed with an ardent desire to be promoted, to rule & beare sway. So that, if once they be tollerated to set downe articles & constitutions in the Chnrch, euery one thinking himselfe wisest of all, and farre to go beyond his predecessours, will endeuour to inuent and bring in some new article, so that they will procéed so farre at the last, that the Church shall finde it selfe replenished with hu­mane traditions againe, in stéed of the Romish Ecclesiasticall constitutions before abolished. And so it shall fall out as a thing most naturall and common to all Pastors, that they will cause their owne inuentions to be obserued more strictly, then the commandements of God, and the preceptes of his most sacred wore, as well by depriuing their shéepe of the Lords Supper at their pleasure, as also by their publike exclamations in their Sermons. So that also the violence that some vse in séeking out curiouslie, those which had transgressed some articles of their discipline, hath made men and women by thousandes to reuolt from their Churches: and most true it is, that he which too curiously séeketh out the doings of other, often forgetteth to examine his owne, which is quite contrarie to S. Paules in­struction, who treating of the Lords Supper, commaundeth Euerie one to trie himselfe. Whereupon the leagued Cau­tons of Swisserland, one of the best peoples in the world, haue abridged their Ministers of this power, which they of France labour to establish amongst them euerie where. But if there were Protectors of the Magistrates, Nobles & Commoners, might not they verie well stop the course and progresse of these matters? teaching them this lesson, that séeing they attribute to themselues none other qualitie or condition, but to be the ser­uants of the liuing God, that there is nothing more repugnant to their profession, then to presume to make lawes in y^e church, which is the kingdom of God. And that there was neuer anie seruant to King nor Prince, that durst attempt to vsurpe anie [Page 73] such prerogatiue, how well soeuer he was fauoured of y^e king. And who was euer so sawcie a seruant, that being left to serue and wait vpon the spouse of his Lord, forgat himselfe so much, that he would rule ouer her by his own lawes and ordinances? And what greater blindnes can there be, then to thinke to light by our counsels the fountaine of all light and wisedome, which is eternally resident in God? Who if he would be assisted with any other counsellers in the gouernment of his Church: hath he not Angels and Archangels by legions? Hath he not Noe that great Heralt of iustice, Abraham the father of the faith­full, Moses, Enoch, and Helias, the Prophets and Martyrs, and more then fiue hundreth of the faithfull beside, which rose from the dead after the death of Iesus Christ, as witnesseth S. Paul. All which in knowledge, holines, and experience, go a great way beyond the best and greatest spirits that may créepe on the face of the earth, in the prison of their bodies. And by such and such like reason, to kéepe them within the boundes of their vocation, which is, that in shewing themselues faithfull Em­bassadours and messengers of God, they may in nothing goe beyond the commission that they haue in charge.

FOr confirmation hereof, and to proue that there is more doctrine and instruction in one onely Epistle of S. Peter and S. Paul, nay to speake of lesse, in one onely Chapter, the fift to the Galathians, then the most perfect and holi­est men in the world could euer accomplish or fulfill. And to the end that the Pastors should endeuour themselues to roote out the fruits of the flesh, and to plant those of the spirit, they are at large set downe. First to wit, for the fruits of y^e flesh these: Ad­ultery, fornication, filthines, dissolution, idolatrie, empoi­sonings, enmities, strifes, enuies, anger, quarrelling, sediti­ons, sects, murthers, gluttony, drunkennes, & such like. Se­condly, for the fruits of y^e spirit, these: Charitie, Ioy, Peace, Pa­tience, [Page 74] Clemencie, Bountie, Faith, Mercy, and Temperan­cie. Sée then here is more worke cut out in this one Chapter, then they and their disciples will euer be able to do, and in do­ing this, they shall but do their dutie: beside consider all the in­struction of the whole Bible, and you shall sée a bottomles sea of doctrine, wisedome, and good lessons to teach vs to liue well, séeing that this onely Chapter doth teach vs more then any man in the world hath béen able to performe and follow truly. But he that would in good earnest come to the reformation of the life of men, here is the soueraine meane, to pull vp by the rootes out of their hearts, all incredulitie, the mother of all vi­ces, to plant therein faith, the spring of all vertues, as the Lord Du Plessis Mornay, hath verie well aduised in his booke, Of the veritie of Christian Religion: wherein he hath wrote a most diuine péece of worke. For who is he that regarding the shortnes and vncertainty of this life, who firmly beléeuing that there is an euerlasting ioy and felicitie, into the which, all the faithfull and vertuous enter: and that there are likewise eter­nall paines prouided for the vniust, and vicious, who wold ven­ter to wallow in all vice, to be depriued of so great a benefite. This is the marke at the which all pastors ought to le [...]ll: and not to make traditions and lawes, séeing there are so many in holie scripture, that in examining our life by the perfection of them, we are cléerly conuicted and attainted of our owne imbe­cilitie and insufficiencie to fulfill them. For my part, when I sée an assembly of pastors congregated to make lawes, to bring and conduct men more easily to life euerlasting, then the Pro­phets and sonne of God, and his Apostles did (although they are taken for Angels in respect of the rest of the people) mée­thinkes I sée as an absurd a thing as if the fiftéene score blinde folkes of Paris should take vppon them to goe mend all the ill highwaies of Christendome, to make them fairer and straigh­ter then they are: as cunninger and more skilfull to do it, then those that haue béen emploied about it heretofore. But if you will obiect, that Ministers haue made good lawes by their disci­pline, against dansing, masking, and dicing. I yéeld, that at the first fight, it hath a faire shew and apparance, but examining it néerer, you shall finde that they take away therein, the autho­ritie [Page 75] of the Magistrate, and vsurpe that which appertaineth properly to the Kings and Princes of the earth: to whom on­ly it belongeth, to make inholitions vpon such things, to cause them to be obserued by penalties and by priuation of the Lords Supper, for that is exprefly prohibited by Gods word, and so by consequent out of their commission. Moreouer, the Eccle­stastickes haue euer had this deuice, subtilly to intrude them­selues to the making of lawes, & to haue matters of small im­portance, still referred to them, thereby to haue a gap to mat­ters of greater consequence, as the Tribunes may make ample relation hereof, and proue it by many sundry examples.

WHerefore if we do not take some order for the peace and tranquilitie of Christendome, by some such meane as I haue set downe, in vaine otherwise shall we looke for any firme and assured concord. For those who aboue all other, ought to séeke for reconciliation betwéene God and man, & afterwards, betwéen themselues, are nothing els but the verie instruments of trouble & sedition, kindling the fires of discord euery where, to set all in flame and conclusion. For to stay till of their owne motions there fall out some accord betwéene the Councell of Rome and the Lutherians, and betwéene them againe and the Caluinists, touching our Lords Supper, that will neuer be no more then betwéen Caiphas and the Apostles of Iesus Christ, wherefore if there be none other to step in amongst them, mo­ued thereunto by pittying the ruine of other Estates, which I haue named, who must craue aide of the greatest Kings and Christian Magistrates, to make them hold their tongues, they will trouble heauen & earth about this disputation of the Sup­per (a matter neuertheles verie easie to be accorded betwéene them.) For we all agrée to this, that the faithfull taking the [Page 76] bread & the wine from y^e hand of their Pastors, receiue by this meane the verie bodie and blood of Iesus Christ, to be vnited with him, and made flesh of his flesh, & bone of his bone. What is it that is yet in controuersie, but onely the maner and forme how that commeth to passe? Now the Capernaits, desiring to comprehend the maner of this eating, Iesus answereth them, that, The words that I speake vnto you are spirit and life. As if he should say vnto them: there is none but those who vn­derstand the operation of the diuine spirit, and how he giueth life vnto all creatures, who can comprehend how that is done. But our soule which is detained prisoner in this bodie, she can­not so much as conceiue how the spirite of God being infinite and incomprehensible, hath it operation in all y^t is in the world: nay, that which is farre lesse, we cannot imagine how the An­gels of heauen, and the spirituall Damons, employ their For­ces to execute the iudgements of God, nor the temptations of the wicked spirit against vs: nor how a legion of diuels may be in one onely man, nor after what maner they lodge in him. And yet thinges farre lesse then all these, cannot we compre­hend, as the essence of our soule: and whether it be within vs or about vs. For how it can so quickly stirre and remoue all the members of the bodie: nor also by what force the Adamant which is in the rocks of y^e North, can draw vnto it yron, being in a ship more then ten or twentie leagues of. And whereas he calleth his words Life: it is to giue vs to vnderstand, that as our humane vnderstanding cannot conceiue, how God inspi­reth life to all creatures, and giueth it to some liuing creatures in the belly of their dammes, giueth it to an infinit number of litle Animals, Locusts, and little Flies, and no man can com­prehend the forme and maner how he doth it, nor so mnch as this, how many liuing creatures being pend in and depriued of all externall light, for all that sée most cléerely: so likewise must we conclude, that God worketh in this Sacrament by a di­uine operation, and altogither incomprehensible, which man cannot comprehend, nor shall not comprehend whilest he is re­sident in this Elementall and corruptible bodie. It should suf­fice vs to know what S. Paul teacheth vs: that, there is in vs an interior and an exterior man. So that in this Sacrament, [Page 77] euen as the exterior, receiueth the signes of bread and wine, so the interior receiueth the bodie and blood of Iesus Christ, for the nourishment of euerlasting life, without making any dée­per search of the maner how it is done. This point so conclu­ded vpon, it shalbe méete for the peace and tranquilitie of Chri­stendome, that the Tribunes should humbly entreat Christi­an Kings and Potentates to imploy the power and authoritie that God hath bestowed vpon them, to bury in perpetuall ob­liuion, all these meanes deuised by the Ecclesiastickes, be it of Transubstantiation, Consubstantiation, Infinitie of Chri­stes bodie, and many other quiddities, the fountain of troubles and diuisions in Christendome, by this meane to preuent the Italians, least for things wherin they haue none interest, they ruine also other Estates of this Continent. And if any debate should fall out betwéene the Tribunes and the Ecclesiastickes, and that they could not agrée, that the King should assemble a good number of men of profound knowledge and great experi­ence, and especially those that are best affectionate to the bene­fit and quiet of their countrie, and without any interest in this controuersie. The which should not be moued by the outragi­ous cries, and violent passions of mutinous and seditious prea­chers. And to séeke out such fellowes as Messieurs Budee, de l'Hospital, de Pibrac, and Monsieur Groulard, who is at this present first President of Normandy. And looke what the King shall resolue by the counsell of these learned men▪ to cause thorowly to be obserued. And to go about these matters so se­cretly, that the Italians heare no inkling thereof, least they by their craftie conueiances, hinder not the happie successe of this busines. To foresée this well, it shall néede but to make the world belieue, that these assemblies were made for some other purpose, and that some new occurrence had fallen out, and gi­uen occasion to treat of religion, all vnder one.

IF we doe not vse these or the like remedies, our hope shalbee in vayne to expect for any goodly effect of Synodes or Assem­bles of the Ecclesiastickes, because there shalbe alwayes but one or two of the most learnedst and eloquentest: albeit the be all of one nation, who shall dispose and carrie away all things at there lust, all the rest seruing but to say Amen, and to sub­scribe to there aduise. For when any one amongst them hath got aname to be profoūdly learnd & to bemore subtil indisputing then others, no man dare gayne say him, y^e tremble al vnder his authoritie: & if he besome what styrring & ambitious, & desirous to beare sway: he wil make thē receaue what Articles & lawes he list, for y^t hauing studied matter ynough to defend himselfe w^t Arguments to reach vnto his purpose, y^t others shal litile think of, and perfaming his matters with a litle apparant benefit for them, they will let him carry them away so, and subscribe to whatsoeuer hee would haue them. For that among them there are few or none, who are accaustomed at such an instant readylie to contradict and resist. But it goeth not so with Ma­iestrates the greatest number whereof being brought vp and exercized to plead in contradictorie iudgement, will not suff­er themselues so easily to be caried away, but can tell how to withstand one another, what studie soeuer any partye hath employed and come neuer so well prouided. Wherefore it is a dangerous case to repose any confidence in the decisions of Ec­clesiasticall Assemblies, which in the olde Testament, neuer wrought anie other effect but kindled the fire of persecutions, first against the Prophets and afterwards against Christ him­selfe, his Apostles and infinite others of his martirs: and so conclude, such Assemblies haue neuer bine but a plancke for the Italians to passe to establish all there new Constitutions such as are not yet altogether receaued in all parts of Christendome thereby to sway ouer, and gnaw to the bone all Christen peo­ple [Page 79] it followeth then hereby, that to take away the occasion of this abuse, we must haue recourse to Soueraigne Princes and to there Maiestrates, when it comes to the question of establishment of the Christian Church, for so God did himselfe as we finde in the olde Testament, and not to rune to Past­ors who being once out of the true way, will alwayes goe worse and worse and euer come into it againe.

BVt because the Italian is so quick and pliable, that there is no good order so well established, but hee can alter and bring to confusion, either by séede of diuisions or by corrupting persons by flattery, giftes and remuneratorie promises as well Magestrates as other protectors of the people, employ­ing their vnto some Ecclesiastickes or others, we must néedes séeke out and vse some surer and perpetuall Remedy against them, And because as I haue proued that there Domination and great somes of mony they dreine out of other countries hath no foundation but the bare cloke of Religion, by reason wherof to preuent lest they surprise vs, we must be very care­full and diligent to choose out the truth, for that the derill trans­formeth himselfe into an Angell of light, and is an Ape to the workes of God, to rob and deceaue vs. But not to bee decea­ued, we must at the first consider and examine curiously al that is proffered and presented to vs for the way of saluation, of what side soeuer it bee, to choose the best, otherwise our choise shall alwayes be doubtfull, hauing no knowledge of neither of the wayes which we might take. For in matter of Relligion all haue one desire and shoot at one and the same marke, which is to come the ioyes of heauen and in this they all agrée, but they disagrée of the waies and the forme of seruices that they ought to follow. And because they Counsell of Rome, teach­eth one kinde of waie and maketh manie take that roowte [Page 90] with a goodly forwardnes, that they set them in thitherward, and an externall forme of seruice, which with great delight, fée­deth humane sences very much, practizing all kind of murthers and cruelties, on those that séeke to climbe to heauen any other waies: There is also an other sort of men, who by liuely rea­sons and great persuasions, go about to fetch backe from them as many as they can, to lead them thither by other paths: but the Romanes, to preuaile in this matter, say, that y^t way whih they teach, is the broad and wide way, wherein the Fathers haue passed, the which is also more common to a great num­ber of people. The others they say, that this great way where­of they estéeme so much, is that which leadeth to perdition, and many there be that enter in. And that the way of saluation is verie narrow and straight, and few there be that go that way. And if that they which follow the great and large way, finde it to be the better, they will not hinder them for going that way: but yet requisite at their handes, that they will suffer them peaceably to go by their straight and narrow way, which they take to be the surer passage.

NOw in this conflict, if we looke onely but vnto men, and to that which is on earth, we shall find our selues much trou­bled, and thinking to chuse the best way, we shall take y^e worst, and neuer reach thither whither we minde to go. And if in this iudgement we depend vpon Ecclesiastical Pastors, one shal al­low one way, & others shal teach another, grounding thēselues diuersly on places of the scriptures, and the Doctours of the Church. In such diuersitie, what should it then be néedful to do? we must lift vp our eies, cogitations & thoughts vpon on high, to other Maisters & Preachers, who teach vs not by the eares as mortall men do: but by the eyes of a visible, certaine & im­mutable language: and aske neither gold nor siluer, nor domi­nation ouer vs for their paines: but fréely offer vs their instruc­tion, [Page 91] with great bountifulnes and blessings towards vs, if we take it thankfully, and we neuer néede to make any long and tedious pilgrimages to finde them out. But it sufficeth to but go forth of our habytacles, builded by the workemanship of men, to enter into the great Pallace and Temple of the liuing God, made with his owne hand, in the midst whereof, he hath placed vs: to know and admire the wonderfull excellencie of his workes, and to yéeld him the glorie and honour that he de­serueth. In doing this, to make our selues worthie beholders of the same, when we shall comprehend with all admiration the omnipotencie, wisedome and bountie of their framer, who shineth in the same most gloriously: and although that vppon the earth and in the waters of the sea, his sagesse, vertue, pow­er and bountie, is most amply proued vnto vs: yet would hée giue vs more ample testimonies in the concauitie and extendue of the heauens, to draw vs néerer vnto him, hauing set there two great lightes, the one lower, the other higher, to the ende that by them as by the Ladder of Iacob, we should go to finde him out in his heauenly Tabernacle, to do him homage, and to yéeld him all the loyaltie, wherein we are bound vnto him, as holding our life & al our goods besides of him, putting our selues still vnder his protection. And therefore to carry all reuerence and due obedience towardes his lawes and commandements, hauing our recourse vnto him when we are oppressed, or that we fall into any necessitie or sicknes, giuing him thankes so oft as euer he bestoweth any benefits vpon vs, in celebrating the praises that the greatnes of his workes deserue. By the consi­deration whereof, we shall perceiue our owne infirmitie, to learne thereby to humble our selues before his diuine Maiestie, and still to haue in admiration the superexcellencie and depth of his wonderous workes.

ALthough that the lightnings, thunders, cloudes, raine, snow and haile, which are engendred in the middle regi­on of the aire, yéeld such ample testimonies of the power, boun­tie, and prouidence of God: yet mounting a litle higher, to the torches of heauen, whereof the néerest vnto vs is the Moone, kéeping continually the course that God hath assigned her, to giue light in the night, and to moysten all bodies: and from her let vs mount higher by degrée and degrée, to euerie Planet, till we come to Saturne, eleuated highest of all, and from him to the starry firmament, and we shall sée a number of those that are farre bigger: for we cannot contemplate the firmament with his blazing torches, infinite almost in number, may wée cannot behold at one time the one halfe, but we shall be raui­shed to admire the force and greatnes of the maker, who hath framed a péece of worke so excellent, aboue al other wondrous things? Now we haue béen ledde so high with our bodely eyes which can go no higher, we must haue recourse to the eyes of our vnderstanding, the which being lightned and conducted by the brightnes and light of Gods word, shal make vs mount yet higher into two other heauens, to come where S. Paul by a traunce and rauishment of the diuine spirit, saw Iesus Christ the sonne of Iustice, and many other vnspeakable things in the glorie of God, hauing full confidence and beliefe, that in his es­sence being diuine, infinite, omnipotent, glorious, & quickning all things, according as Dauid witnesseth: comprehendeth in him all things, without being comprehended of any, and that in his perfect light and glorie, all Angels and blessed spirits are lightned and liue. But because that his infinitie, maiestie, glo­rie, and brighnes, cannot be beholded of vs, for that it would ra­uish all our sences, and our sight is not able to endure so pure and bright a light: whereof Eliseus & Isaias being great Pro­phets, [Page 93] hauing beheld but one onely beame, haue béen throwne downe to the ground, and not able to stand to behold it any lon­ger. But I must returne from this bottomlesse sea of glorious brightnes, and come againe to the torches of heauen, which hée hath set in his great Pallaice, wherein he hath placed vs crée­ping vpon the earth, to receiue instruction at their handes: and for breuities sake, I will go no further then the cleare and pure Sunne, as the most perfect & accomplished image of his Crea­tor and maker, which representeth best vnto men, the wonder­full profoundnes of his great vertues.

ANd first I say, that euen as men cannot comprehend the quanty of his essence, being a thousand times greater then it appeareth to our eyes, as by demonstrations all Astrono­mers proue, nor likewise the qualitie thereof, nor the manner how it casteth his heat and light ouer the whole world. So al­so can we conceiue neither by our vnderstanding nor exteriour secnes, the greatnes or qualitie of the diuine essence; nor how it hath produced it operations in the creation of the world, in the conseruation of the same, nor the manner how it worketh to create in the faithfull the new man, which fighteth against the flesh. Likewise as this great celestiall light is in perpetu­all operation and mouing, to runne his great race about the whole world, alwaies doing good, and bringing infinit commo­dities to other creatures: so God is alwaies watching and in action for the benefit and preseruation of his creatures. Moreo­uer, as when a thicke cloude hath depriued our sight of his beames for a moneth togither or more, and that this let being taken from vs, we begin to sée his beames againe, which bring a certaine ioy or gladnesse vnto vs, and driue the cold far from vs: so the faithfull neuer séeke to behold God in his works and vertues, but that they receiue great pleasure and delectati­on. And besides, as when this diuine image retireth back from [Page 94] vs into Capricorne, the Caldes comming from the North­parts, and from the frozen sea comming to afflict all liuing crea­tures, spoyling our mother the earth of all her trimme and good ornaments, and making her naked and vgly to behold: so when God angry at our sinnes, taketh his holie spirit from vs, the prince of this world, of the aire, the God of this age, the ruler of darkenes, which is, the diuel commeth to assaile, and enuiron vs, to tempt vs and bid vs battell, and to annoy vs many other waies. But as this great celestiall light goeth not from vs to forsake vs: but to distribute his light to the people which liue vnder the North Pole, and that by his long absence, wée know better the benefites that wée receiue by his presence: so God sometime holdeth his face from vs, to the end that desiring him we should séeke for him, & shewing vs his countenance againe, we should taste better what a benefit it is to enioy alwaies his presence. For as this blazing torch comming towardes, being leaped backward to approach vnto Cancer, beginneth to re­nue the face of the earth, and to beautifie her with gréennesse, and with an infinit number of hearbes and floures of diuers co­lours, giuing life to many hundreth thousand millions of little Annimals, to serue for foode to birdes and fishes, to féede their young withall, who by an harmonious melodie, full of all ioy and gladnes, celebrate the bountie of their soueraigne the Sun, which they receiue by such instrumēts as it pleaseth him to vse to heate againe that part of y^e earth, from whence he had absen­ted himselfe so farre, wherein he magnifieth the omnipotencie, bountie and wisedome of his maker, which hath attributed to him so many vertues, to the end that we should wonder at him in his so beautifull and perfect workemanship: so also he pulleth downe our presumption, for that we cannot shew any such like péeces of workemāship, nay, we cannot so much as conceiue by our vnderstāding, how he giueth life to so many liuing things, and how one onely floure is cloathed with such diuersitie of co­lours. If it be so, then the greatest and quickest vnderstandings are surmounted by the operations of one of the creatures of the Almightie: how shall wée comprehend those of the diuinitie, whereas it worketh in vs of it selfe, as in Baptisme, the water of regeneration, or in the Lordes Supper, in the eating of the [Page 95] bodie of Iesus Christ, or in the vnitie of the thrée persons in one onely diuine essence? Wherby appeareth that this celesti­all bodie is to vs of it selfe a most excellent Preacher, to make vs leaue of the vaine disputes of the maner hwo God worketh in y^e sacraments, to content our selus simply with the ordinance that he hath giuen vs in instituting them, and neuer to go fur­ther for the matter.

THis same Preacher also reproueth the spirit of me, of a most brutish errour, when men being drawne by him to the knowledge of the most high God, by an eleuation of their spirits towards the highest heauens, they turne their backe to him, séeking him here in earth, in buildings made by the handy worke of men, forgetting the lesson of S. Steuen, the first Mar­tyr, which was: that God did not inhabite in Temples made with the handes of men. Which the Sunne can likewise proue vnto vs by an argument á Minore ad Maius. Thus, if it be so that all the forces of men are not able to build an house big i­nough to enclose and containe me: how is it then that they are so foolish and presumptuous to thinke to lodge him that is infi­nite, and hath his dwelling in the inaccessible light, of the which I am but a sparke? how dare they thinke that he may be con­tained nor comprised in houses made by men, and that the tem­ples built by them, and that their tapers and candles are more agréeable to him then we his great lightes, who without wax­ing old or consuming, do distribute continually to the world, so great and admirable a light? For as for their temples they are but earth: and grant that they be vawted with stone, couered with bricke, leade, or state, yea were it with gold and siluer; all that is taken out of the bowels of the earth. So that all your buildings stand you in no more stéed then earthes and holes do to the Foxes, that is to preserue you from the iniuries of the [Page 96] vehement heate, raine and cold: but you are not in any wise by their meanes the néerer to God, nay rather when you are in his temple of the world, they let you, that you cannot behold his wondrous workes, putting as it were a barre betwéene hea­uen and you. And as for the images that ye place within them in contempt of vs, by your most detestable ingratitude, séeing that God doth preserue you by me and the rest of the celestiall lightes, and doth bestow on you all kinde of blessings, is it not then a great ouersight in you, that in forsaking vs who are the workemanship of the Creator, ye will preferre before vs ima­ges made by the deuise of men, albeit they approach in nothing, neither in matter, greatnes, qualitie nor effects, to those that are the handie worke of God. For first they are made of an earthly and dead substance, which commeth nothing néere our greatnes: without any mouing or operation: and without the heate and light which we haue. Moreouer, they are but ly­ing Doctors, as Ieremy the Prophet saith: For they haue no power, life, wisedome, light, nor bountie, neither can they sée any thing: is it not then falsly done to go about to represent by them Almightie, who is the welspring of life & light: and him, who is all goodnes it selfe, & afterward to translate vnto them the honour that appertaineth vnto him? Further, one is pictu­red that he is thrust into the side, and blood issuing out, which was neuer so: another sheweth a laughing countenance, and neuer laugheth. Other are pictured with eyes, and they sée not, some with eares and they heare not, and others with a mouth and yet they speake not at all. Whereby appeareth, that there is no veritie in their witnesse, and that all that they can do, is but to transport the mony aut of our purses into the Italians handes, or to some other of their supposes emploied in their ser­uices onely. Nor we for our parts, being the true celestiall ima­ges, do not represent any lye to your eyes, and the testimonie that we yéeld to the Almightie is most true: wée haue not re­quired any oblations of your gold or siluer, nor any other ser­uice or adoration, as the Italians haue done by their dead ima­ges: and nothing els do we request at your hands, but that you will yéeld to the Almightie▪ the glorie and honour of all things as apperteineth to him, not giuing away any part thereof, to [Page 97] any creature that euer was, or is at this present vnder the fir­mament. Sée here briefly, what is the instruction and lesson of him who marcheth as King among other Plannets.

COme we now to this great, gilden, and azured Heauen, whose spéech is all one as before, publishing from one Pole to the other, and ouer all the world, that what account soeuer men make of their earthly Temples, they come nothing néere it in beautie, greatnes, long continuance and lust. For the grea­test tempell that euer was built, was but of halfe aleague in lenght, and the Astronomers afferme that their is fiftie nine Millions of leagues from the earth vnto they starry Heauen, and from they other side as much wherby it should follow that my roundnes should containe verie néere thrée hundred fiftie and fowre Millions of leagues, and yet for all that cannot con­taine the infinite essence of God, How then doe men suffer themselues to bee abused worse then brute beasts by the Ro­mans and their Italian Councell, who make them beléeue that they can shut him into there pipes in their Temples, to behold him therein, and to carrie him vnder their Canapes to thende to rob you by this meane of your mony, and altoge­ther to begiule you. They same heauen being round and e­qually distant in all partes from they earth: doth manifest vnto men that their is no one place more nere to him or his heauen­ly glorie, then another. In this he conuinceth of a shamefast­lie and falsehod the Roman Counsell, and those that maine­taine it, who to approch to God, caused in times paste great toupes of men to trot so farre as Ierusalem and Rome, to goe the soner into God almighties Paradice, although indéede this was but a maske and shift found out and practised by the Ita­lians to aduance and increase their Domination, and so to fish mony out of Iudea Syria: notwithstanding by this consinage [Page 96] [...] [Page 97] [...] [Page 89] they haue caused to perish in these voyages, that they made them to vndertake both Christian Kings and Princes, and more then two millions of men, speaking not of their great trauels, perils, maladies, and other sorrowes: besides that they haue made them endure, whose chaunce it was to returne from so long a vyage. These are then they goodly and they Celesti­all lessons which are giuen vs from aboue, as most excellent preseruatiues against the craft and cautelous dealing of the I­talians, by the which if we be not al together out of our wites, we shalbe by them set at all libertie and winde our neckes out of their Domination, and by they same meanes will kéepe our mony in our purses, to helpe vs at our néede, and also to doe our freinds good, and these that we shall sée stand in any great necessitie.

BVt to the one that we may be armed on euery side, God hath not onely prouided for vs these heauenly instruction: but also to instruct vs more familiarly, hee hath left vs his A­postles and Prophets to teach vs all after one manner, and by the same lessons, of they number of which if we will take the most heauenly, to wit, King Dauid in his Canticles, I saie they Prophet, S. Luke and S. Iohn in their Gospels, S. Paul to the Romans and to they Galathians, and S. Peter in his first Epistle; we shall finde they swetest harmony and goodly­est Concordance that may be deuised to be found amongst all the Preachers of his worde that are in the world. And sée this is the true touch stone, wherby we must examine all they wri­tings and doctrines of men: that is to wit: whether they a­grée with they testimonies that God giueth of himselfe by his creatures: which as they publish that all things are procéeded from a supreme and former cause that doth maintaine and pre­serue them: so also must hee giue him the hommage of all his [Page 91] benefits, and to haue recourse to him as to a bottomeles foun­taine, to lade out of him all blessings, as well spirituall as tem­perall, confessing his greatnes, bountie, and excellencie, in re­spect of his great and admirable workes, to humble vs, and to tame this pride growing in vs by nature, in exalting him as the giuer of all that which wee haue, to depend wholy on his good pleasure, and most holy will: And to make proofe of this great concordance: the royal Prophet Dauid speaketh vnto the eter­nall to this effect: Call vpon me when thou art in trouble and I will helpe thee, and thou shalt worship me. Wherein we see a strict commaundement to call vpon God, and to gine him thankes, as an act properly due to the diuinitie and incommu­nicable to all the rest of his creatures: as hee speaketh in ano­ther place, To thee O God, who art aboue in the heauens, we lift our eies.

For to shew vs the forme of calling vpon him, which is not to haue our spirites fixed heere in earth in the workes of mens hands: but to eleuate them towardes the heauens, as Christ himselfe vsed saying: Our Father which art in heauen, and so foorth: And as for faith, that it onelye ought to looke vp to God: this Prophet verie well prooueth. In God is my soule well pleased, he onely is my safegard, and the rocke of my defence, he is my sauing health, and my strong fortresse, so that I shall not fall, for hee holdeth me vp. And if we regard well, a great part of the Psalmes, and amongest the rest, the 104. and 118 to what do they tend but to magnifie the excellence, beuty, and greatnes of the workes of God? And surely, there is no thing so excellent for man to practise, as to exercise himselfe in the contemplation of them, to giue the praise and honour ther­of vnto his Creatour. And all the rest of the Psalmes tend but to extoll the admirable vertues of the liuing God, as his boun­tie, power, mercie, iustice, liberalitie and clemencie. Moreouer, there are certaine principall verses amongst the rest, which by the riches of an immitable eloquence, do praise, set forth, and a­boue all things aduance his holy and diuine lawe: shewing that the soueraigne felicitie of man consisteth in the mediation ther­of day and night: forcing himselfe with all his heart, thorowly to obserue the same. But after that hee hath thus spoken of [Page 94] God, of his workes, and of his law: what saith hee, I pray you concerning men, and of his owne person? when he saith. What is man? hée is a thing of naught, and all that he worshippeth is but vanitie: & in another place, the same kingly Prophet saith: All are gone out of the way: they are all corrupt, there is none that doth good, no not one. And speaking of his owne person, although hee were the most holy king that euer raigned ouer Gods people, he saith: Be mercifull to me O God a pore sin­ner, &c. and that his mother hath conceiued him in sinne, pray­ing God to wash him, and to purge him from all his iniquities, as him onely that could doe it.

Now hauing thus much spoken of man and of his doings, to abate and pul down his pride and presumption, and not to leaue him there, but to prepare him to séeke all that which he wan­teth in the person of his redéemer: imbracing him by a true and liuelie faith, as being him that to satisfie the diuine iustice, shuld carrie all our transgressions and sinnes vpon his owne backe, as Dauid describeth in the 22. Psalme, and the Prophet Esay in the 53. Chapter of his prophecie, which they did set downe before the comming of Christ, and after his death his Apostles, wel I haue prooued by a most admirable consent and vnity. He that wil then no more submit himselfe vnder the Italian yoke, to be raunged vnder their Domination: let him read quicklie the aforesaid bookes, and consider and ponder them well in his mind, weighing diligently euerie word, and euerie sentence one after another: and conferring aduisedly the beginning with the middle, and the end. Let him examine this doctrine with o­ther instructions that God doth giue vs particularlie both in heauen and in earth: not to approoue and make them serue to our fantasies and opinions, but laying all them wholie aside, to take their instructions, and simplie to follow their lessens. In this doing, he shall learne that we are all Burgesses and felow-Citizens of the great Temple and sumptuous pallace of our God, and that by the consideration of our vicious and poore na­ture, he shall be taught to mount aboue the heauens, to inuo­cate vpon God, and to obtaine by this meane, all things wher­of he shall stand in need. And from thence, comming vnto his most holy and sacred word, magnifiyng it as the onely instru­ment [Page 91] of our saluation, and a perfect declaration of the counsell and will of God towards men: and hauing the knowledge of these thinges, no man shall be able to withdrawe vs from this way of warshipping GOD on high, to séeke him in Temples, buildings, and other places of this earth, but if we goe to those places that shall be onely to make profession of our faith, to bée assistant at publicke praiers, to heare the word of God, to ex­amine whether the Doctrine that is taught vs be conformable to these Doctors, of whome I haue now spoken: which when we shall finde, we shall imbrace as diuine and of God, and put­ting vs againe in mynd, and confirming those things which the preached, we shall receiue it as most heauenly doctrine: but if it tend to exalt men and their works only to please them with­all, we shall receiue it as procéeding from the presumption and ouer-sight of men, who take themselues to be wiser then God, and for such stuffe as may entangle the people in the nets of ser­uilitie, and fill onely the purses of worldlie Pastors: wherefore, without any regard from whence it procéedeth, whether from Coucels or Synods, or frō any other sort of Ecclefiasticall per­sons whatsoener, wee will reiect it, thinke our selues no more hounden vnto the obseruation thereof, then to the dreames and tales of olde women. On the other side knowing that life euer­lasting is giuen vs by the grace of God in our Lorde Iesus Christ, and is offered gratis to all men: what ginnes soeuer the Italians and such like can lay to drawe our money finely from vs, we shall goe by them well enough, making as though wée sawe them not, and as though wee neuer heard talke of them, These are then the most sure & certaine remedies, by the which all true Christians may easilie winde themselues out from the Italian Domination, and make a prouiso, that their money be no more transported to Rome, but tary at home iu their owne purses.

VVHerhfore thou Spaniard, hauing they place of the Head, which workest all that thou canst to reduce [Page 94] vnder thy Domination other nations which should be the eye of Christendome, thou oughtest to haue as much wit as any other people, It is not then agreat blindnes for thée to behold thy selfe in such slauerie to the Roman Counsell, that thou art no more then the executour and drudge of their wills, and that they make the tributarie to them in huge & infinit sumes of mony, wheras thou diddest neuer get one penny from them. And thou French man which art the hart of Christendome from whom should flow all motions of vertues to encourage the other partes, thou hast almost suffered thy selfe to bee ouer­come vnder the spirituall Domination of this nation, by their flatteries and cautelous shifts, suffering them to put a knife in­to thine owne handes to destroye thy selfe, to set all in combu­stion and ruine, to thend that they may fish in thine ouerthrow and destruction? As for Germany, the seat and residence of the Empire, to the which the Apostles and the first Byshops of Rome yeelded all obedience and subiection, what greater co­wardlines, shame and dishonor can there bee on her syde, then that in degenerating from their ancient Cesars, and other Ro­man Emperours, vnder the which all the world did tremble: they are at this present becom the slaues and vassals of Rome, and brought so low as to be glad to hold the Styrrop of some filthy Monke, who hath been chosen Pope. And if heretofore you haue had the eies of your wit and vnderstanding so much dimmed by the darknes of the time, suffering your selues to be made so very fooles, that they might vse you at their pleasure, now in this great light which shineth at this present, and is not yet gone from you, amend your former faultes to recouer your honor, and seeke to rule and sway ouer them another while in your turne, and to get from them againe vnder some colour whatsoeuer all the money they haue in their fingers of yours and your people paying them now at the last home ac­cording to their deseruings and cursed intentions: and that ac­cording to good rule that they haue a long time kept in Chri­stendome, they may haue their due desart at the last paid them to the vttermost.