Estote proditores. Goe kill your Prince
THE FIERIE TRYALL OF GODS SAINTS; ¶ (These Suffered for the witnes of Iesus, and for the word of God, (vnder Queene Mary,) ‘who did not worship the Beast, nor his Image, nor had taken his marke vpon their foreheads, or on their hands, or on their Garments, and these liue and raigne with Christ: Reuel: 20.4.’)
As a Counter-poyze to I. W. Priest his English Martyrologe.
AND THE DETESTABLE ENDS OF POPISH TRAYTORS: ¶ (These are of Sathans Synagogue, calling themselues Iewes (or Catholiques) but lie and are not: ‘These worshipped the Beast saying, who is like vnto the Beast? who is able to warre with him. Reuel. 13.4.’ ‘and these shall drinke of the wine of Gods wrath, and shall be tormented with fire and brimstone before the holy Angells, and before the Saints, because they worshipped the Beast and his Image. Re. 14.10. & 11.’)
Set downe in a comparatiue Collection of both their sufferings.
Herewith also the Concurrance and agreement of the raignes of the Kings of England and Scotland, since the first yeare of Q. Mary, till this present, the like before not extant.
AT LONDON, Printed by T: P: for Arthur Iohnson. 1611.
TO THE PRINCE.
TO THE PATRONAGE AND protection of the high and mightie Prince, Henry, eldest Sonne of our Soueraigne Lord the King, Prince of Wales &c. President of his Maiesties most Honorable Priuie Councell.
AS that in one place was well sayd by Heathen Tullie; Non nobis solùm nati sumus, sed partē patria, partem parentes, partem liberi, partem amici, partem propinqui & familiares, peculiaritèr sibi vendicant: So elsewhere was it spoken no lesse Christian-like. Non quid quis fecerit, sed quo animo & studio fecerit, ponderandum est. Of these sayings, the first seemed vnto me, to Challenge at my hands A speciall Dutie to my Prince and Country, which I knew not how to performe, but in this kind: The second I assumed as an Apologie for my weake and slender performāce of that Duty. If my desire (noble Prince) to pay that debt for which by obligation Diuine, Naturall and Nationall I stand obliged, hath transported me beyond that wherevnto I am able, of your Princely clemency, I humbly beseech you, winke at that amisse, and of your Heroicall and Magnanimous Spirit, Shield me from the Darts of the mightie and maleuolent. Your Kingly Father out of the goodnes of his nature, (for to iudge the worst, is dissonant to a good Disposition) hath been obserued to conceiue of things illment, (or which at least might be doubtfully taken) well: you certainly being the true Heire as [Page] of his Kingdomes so also of his vertues, cannot adiudge of that which is well ment, ill. The cause which I handle is not mine owne, but my Prince and Countryes, wherein what I haue done, I the rather vndertooke to publish at this time and in this Kind by reason of those encouraging Woordes of the reuerend, then Bishop of Chichester, now of Ely, in his Booke, Cuititulus est, Tortura Torti, in Epistola dedicatoria ad Regiam Maiestatem, his wordes are these, Iam, vbi in Discrimen adducta causa communitatis, Spectator nemo sit, Actor quis (que) &c. My Intentions herein are right, wherein I desire, prodesse principi & patriae, non obesse: If I faile in my purpose, that is not want of will, but of power: If I haue performed ought herein that good is, that same also is, Multò plus votis, quam factis. Therefore for that sometimes noble Q. Elizabeths sake, (for she deserued to be loued, etiam post mortem) whose fame shall neuer die, (nam virtus post funera viuit:) For the King your Fathers sake, who according to his names signification is, a Maintainer (of our peace): for the Common wealths sake, which is the Crowne of your Glory: For your owne sake who are our Hope, yeald me, as the reading hereof, so also your fauourable and Princely protection; then shall I not care for the faces of mine enemies.
TO THE PATRONAGE and protection (next vnto that of Prince Henry,) of the right noble L: and strong Supporter of great Brittaines happinesse; Robert Earle of Salisburie, Lo: high Treasurer of England &c.
THE REASONS (ESpecially) inducing me to expose my selfe to the wounding darts of malice and enuie, by publishing these Collections, are in number Fiue. 1 1 The vniust clamours of Papists so frequently crying out both in words and in writings of breach of promise, bloud, and bloudy persecution for Conscience. 2 The preseruation to my poore powre 2 of the Honour of our late Queene of famouse and blessed memory, and also of the honour of the Kings Maiestie, so vniustly by them taxed and reuiled, being set like Rabshakeh to rayle vpon the Hoast of the liuing God. 3. In regard of your Honourable selfe 3 who haue been chosen and singled out by wicked men both at home and abroade, as a Butt, whereat to shoote their venemous arrowes of slaunder, threatnings and reproch, by laying greuious, but false imputations vpon your Honour, of plotting Tragicall stratagems against Catholiques (so stiling themselues) and seeking [Page] 4 king the bloud of Recusants. 4. A Desire, quantum in me est, to cleare our late memorable Queene, our present Gracious King, your honourable selfe, and the whole State both then and now, as also the Ghospell which we professe from vniust bloud-shedding, or any desire thereof, rightly retorting it vppon themselues, in approuing by particular instances out of their owne I. W. priest his popish Martyrologe published Anno, 1608. your Honours Assersion to be true: That in the Raygne of those two Sisters, (to wit, Q: Mary, and Q: Elizabeth) of different religions, there was more bloud shed in the lesse then six yeares of the first, then in full forty and fowre of the later, as by the Register following 5 appeareth. And lastly a Generall ease intended vnto all, in vnderstanding the double account of his Maiesties Raigne of England and Scotland, and the Concurrance of the one with the other.
The reasons also wherefore I, (being vnro your Honour vnknowne, and with all, populorum, cum censu, tum doctrina penè infimus) presumed to shroud my selfe vnder your Hono: winges, are (Chiefly) likewise Fiue.
1 1. The Honorable report of your name, for many and excellent things are spoken of thee, for thy zeale to Religion, loue to the State, and more expected from 2 thee, most faithfull Councellor. 2. Because none can haue a better sence and feeling of anothers griefe, then he that hath felt the like Afflictions: Your Honour hath been by Sathans instruments threatned with vnavoydable Death, (But God who hithervnto hath, still defende you) and yet are those, who were sayd to haue vowed the enterprize, tearmed good men by those that in the libell seemed (but God forbid that euer the saftie or ouerthrowe of the State, should rest in their power) to dislike of the powder treason: therefore I doubt not but your Honour will defend the poore in a iust cause, if neede so require, against the rage and furie of [Page] the wicked and mightie. 3. In regard the cause,3 (your person excepted), is, Secundum quid, all one, for which your Honour hath been reuiled, mis-iudged, slaundered and menaced, with mine, for which happely I also may vndergoe the like, Namely, The Conscionable seruice of my Soueraigne in my meane, but contented place. 4. Yours Honours owne Position,4 That that seruant, whose faith and zeale in the seruice of his King, stands in awe of enemies, eyther for power, or enuie, is not worthy of protection, warranteth that these my meane, but daring-loyall indeauours, in behalfe of my Soueraigne, shall finde fauour with your Honour.
5. Because true Nobilitie (which were it not that I 5 speake vnto your Honor, I would say were seated in your breast) neuer respecteth the person of any man▪ but the qualities, affections, endowments, and intentions of the mind, and therefore myne owne priuitie to my owne thoughts, which telleth me, and that vppon good grounds, that your Honor deserueth well of the State in Generall, and doth loue it, and are generally in a recyprocall manner of them beloued, doth also assure me in particular, that nothing which is vertuous, can from a good affection be commended vnto so Honorable a Patron, and suffer shipwrack by Contempt. Your Honor hath elsewhere spoken in your owne person, That you would glory more to be alwaies found his Maiesties honest and humble subiect, then absolutely to command in any other calling, euen so I (the weakest of many thousands) desire nothing more (pardon herein Noble Lord my ambition) then that I may be able to performe some seruice vnto God, my Prince, Country, and the furtherance of the Gospell, and in them vnto your Honourable selfe: And herein Right Honorable Lord, namely, in Desire to do good, the poorest subiect his Maiestie hath (absit inuidia Dicto) may equallize his greatest Peere, for the Loue, Faith, [Page] zeale of the one, may be as great, firme, deuout as the other, the difference consisting onely in outward meanes to approoue them in both. The God of all power and might who exalted the Father of so honorable a sonne, to be Lord high Treasurer vnto so worthy a Queene, and the sonne of so honorable a father, to beare the same office vnder so Gracious a King on earth, the same God for his sonnes sake, through the Grace of his holy spirit, bind vp the sonne as I hope already he hath done the Father, in the bundle of his Saints, that (after your long and faithfull Seruice to your earthly Prince,) with the father, Sonne and Holy Spirit, you may enioy the true Treasure of eternall happines in the Kingdome of Heauen. Amen. Amen.
TO THE WELL affected, and loyall hearted Reader.
AS to the spirit and soule of man nothing internally then a good conscience can bee more comfortable; so externally, then a good report from others nothing can be more precious. And as for the first, euery one that will enjoye it, must himselfe alone by the vprightnesse of his owne actions, assure it vnto himselfe in the sincerity of his own heart; so, for the secōd, as it depends not vpō ones selfe alone, but vpon the tongues and reports of others, euery Christian by the rules of his profession is chargeable to his power to seeke the preseruation thereof towards others, whome hee knoweth to be wronged. This being graunted (as it cannot be denyed) if euery priuate mans good name so neerely touch him, as that for the [Page 2] preseruation thereof wee are all of vs to others reciprocally bound, and by law diuine obliged. How much more strictly then are all faithful subiects tyed, as much as in them lyeth, to maintaine the good name, honour, and reputation of their lawfull Soueraignes, by traytors, rebels, And antichristians, so vniustly, jmpiously, and jmpudently taxed both in words and writings. For as his Majestie is our King, by God appoynted to rule ouer his Brittish and Irish Israell, both in Church and common wealth: and as in dignity he is nulli secundus, nay more (for that may seeme to admit an equall) Primus inter omnes, without a mate, highest: euen so the blemish of good name, honour, and reputation in his Majestie, is of all others most dishonourable, most scandalous; as his Majesty is of all others most eminent, most conspicuous; and therefore by euery good subiect as occasion offereth it selfe (pro viribus) to be maintained. If a naturall father haue a bad name, though vndeseruedly, yet is that in the worlds eye (that cannot iudge thereof, but by report) a scandall vnto the children Our King is more, for he is not onely Pater familiae, a father of a priuate family, but he is, Pater patriae, a father of our Country; nay more, he is, Pater multorum gentium & regnorum, a father of many Kingdomes England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, and which is most, hee is a good Christian, & Christianae fidei Defensor, the chiefe Champion for defence of Christian faith, through whose sides [Page 3] the enemy seeketh to wound the whole Church of Christ, and to lay aspersions of bloud and tyrany vpon all such as with him professe the gospell of Christ.
The consideration whereof (as also a feruent desire to doe my Country some publique seruice, in helping (as much as in me lyeth) to stop the mouths of our common aduersaries the Papists, whose lauish tongs haue spit out aboundance of venome, and their pennes stung like Scorpions, not onely our late most gracious and woorthy Queene Elizabeth (of euer-blessed memorie, for the many vnspeakeable blessings that God with and through her bestowed vpon this and other Kingdomes) But also our present Soueraigne Lord and King, with both their state Ministers, by charging them as falsely, so maliciously with cruelty, breach of promise, bloud, and bloudy persecution for conscience) hath mooued mee to jmploye the best talent of my small ability to convince them of jmpudent and lying malicious slaunders and reproachfull vntruths. First in a few following lynes directed vnto all Romish fauorites, clearing my present gracious Soueraigne of breach of promise with Recusants, for toleration of Popery, wherein also I haue touched the ground of that slaunder, with the occasion and Authors thereof, with some other matters of speciall moment. Secondly, in a tabular computation, by a comparatiue collection of all such Martyrs as were burned in Queene Maries [Page 4] days, with all such Priests, Iesuites, & popish Recusants, as their Pseudomartyrologist I. W. Priest pretends (& but pretends) to haue byn executed in England (Religionis ergò) since the beginning of Q. Elizabeths raigne vntill this present yere 1608. I haue cleared the second accusation of cruelty, bloud, and bloudy persecution for conscience, evidently proouing by their owne account, vnto the vnderstanding of the most simple, that is not wilfully blind, that many more of the first sort suffered death, and were in fire consumed onely for their conscience, within the lesse then six yeares raigne of Queene Marie, then of the second, third and fourth sort (to wit, Priests, Iesuites, and Recusants) in 52. yeares since, and that not for Religion, but Ʋide Torturam Torti. paginis. 131.132. Treason. Whereby it appeareth how vnjustly our late woorthy Queene, our present gracious King & their State-ministers, haue been and are most jmpudently & falsely of bloud & cruelty accused & taxed.
Nor haue I ought herein written to giue satisfaction to any such (for let them sincke in their owne sinnes) as being ouer deeply bewitched with Romes jdolatry, doe hold that all Treasons, all Rebellions, all Attempts, vi, aut fraude, against the persons and states of our late Queene Elizabeth, and our now present King, both were and are not only lawfull, but meritorious: But to enforme such of them as being of a milder temper, (and yet looking that way) willingly confesse and acknowledge, that all such as haue beene or [Page 5] are guilty of such crimes, haue deseruedly been punished; but yet doe, or at least seeme to conceaue that their Priests and Iesuites haue suffered onely for their Consciences, and therefore their persecution (they being many in nomber) is (in their judgement) great and lamentable. Which were it graunted, or could (as it neuer can) bee prooued that they all dyed for their conscience onely, (which yet is a conscience mis-enformed) yet doth the nomber of our true Martyrs in lesse then 6. yeres of Queene Maries raigne, (although it should be permitted vnto them to take also into their number those fifty and two lay persons, (for so many I thinke there are) registred with the Priests and Iesuites in their owne Martyrologe) not onely equallize, but exceed the number of theirs in full fifty yeares since, by the number of almost 100. persons. Insomuch, that if the numbers of persons suffering, and the number of yeeres of both sorts wherein they suffered bee compared, and the cause of all their sufferings admitted to be alike just or vnjust (of which there is no comparison) yet did the cruelty of Queene Marie and her popish Clergie, out-strip Queene Elizabeth and king Iames conjoyned, more then tenne for one; and therefore learne, you that haue any sparke of grace remaining in you, to be good subiects to your King, and cease now at last to taxe your soueraigne any more of persecutiō, whose heart bleeds that he is forced to draw bloud from others for their jntollerable demerits.
[Page 6]As for the truth of these collections whereat perhaps (and not vnlike) some popish spirits will take Three conversions of Eng: part 3. in many places. exception; vnderstand that Mr. Foxe that sometime reuerend Father of our Church, is my Author, whome for the number of such professors of the Gospell as were burned in Queene Maries dayes, I haue soly followed, who albeit happily (for it is almost jmpossible to bee otherwise) in some things in so large a volume, hee might commit some small errour in some particular cicumstances, because no Historian can possibly be present euery where with his owne eyes and eares, but must of necessity giue credite vnto the relations of others in many poynts; Yet the grauity of his person, his excellent learning, his great reading, his worthy and sober cariage, his sound judgement, and therein his wise choyce of Authours, and the generall report of his honest and religious mind, by an vniforme consent of all such as knew him, freeth him from taxation of any wilfull and grosse errour, or willing mistaking, and from any malicious assertion against the Papists without a probable ground, throughout his worthy woorke, in whose behalfe I thinke it needlesse to bestowe much paines, because the honester and greater sort are honestly already of him perswaded, and for the rest as they are for number fewer, and their honesty little worth, so ate they many of them wilfully obstinate and will not bee perswaded.
[Page 7]As for the other sort, to wit, popish Priests, Iesuites, and Recusants, such as haue beene executed since the beginning of Queene Elizabeths raigne (as I. W. pretendeth for religion) vntill the yeare 1608. they are coppyed word for word out of a booke called The English Martyrologe by J. VV. Priest Anno. 1608. English Martyrologe, by the authority of the popish supervisors (as it should seeme) allowed, vnles the nameles author thereof I. W. Priest doe belye them. Wherin I haue dealt as truely with them to a letter as I could, saue onely that I haue left out one person, and in steed thereof added two, to wit, William Watson and William Clarke, both Priests executed at VVatson, and Clarke, executed at VVinchester in An. 1603. Novemb. 29. Winchester Novemb. 29. 1603. I know not how by the Pseudomartyrologist omitted, for he might as well haue enrolled them as those which he hath done, being all alike, traytors to their Prince and Country. Nor am I disposed to cauill for that I find diuers of their Priests noted in that his Martyrologe by one name which yet I find set downe in our Chronicles by an other name, as for example, in An. 1585. Ianuary 21. Edward Transam, and Nicho. Wodfine, Stowe. so by this our Martyrologist noted, are by others named Edmund Barbar, and Nicholas Deuorax, which I note chiefly for this end, that none might be deceiued in thinking that more haue been executed, then in deed haue been, because one and the same persons are in their and our writings noted by different names, for they haue so many false names, that amongst them all I find not one good and [Page 8] true. He that at Henry Garnet had 6. names, to wit, Ga [...] net, VValley, Darcy, Roberts, Farmer, and Phillips. Likewise Edward Hall alias Old [...]orne. Likewise Oswa [...]d Tesmund alias Greenway. Likewise Thomas Garnet alias Rookwood, alias Sayer, with many others. London is called Richard, at Rome is called Iohn, he that at Rhesmes and Doway is called Peter, in England is called Saul; he that in the Iesuites cells is Sainted for his resolution, is at Tyburne hanged for his treason. I haue I confesse transposed some of both sorts, both of our Martyrs and their traytors, but only for this end that I might reduce them to our account, which beginneth the yeare on the 25. of March, according to the tabular Register following, whereas both Mr. Foxe & the Pseudomartyrologist began the yeare the first of Ianuary; As for example, Mr. Foxe hath noted Iohn Rogers the first Martyr in Queene Marie her dayes, to haue suffered February 4. 1555. which yet according to our account was in the yeare 1554. Likewise the Pseudomartyrologist hath in his Martyrologe noted William Richardson to haue beene executed Feb. 27. 1603. which might seeme to be in the first yeare of King Iames, which yet was in the latter end of Queene Elizabeth, and in the yeare of our Lord 1602. according as in that yeare in the table following you may see.
Now hauing compared their numbers together, I could not but admire their jmpudency in that voyde of shame, modesty, religion, christianity, they dare so publiquely and vnjustly without blushing, reuile and slaunder so gracious a Princesse as was noble Q. Elizabeth, and so mercifull a King as is our Soueraigne Lord K. Iames, confidering that so many more suffered in the lesse [Page 9] then six yeares raigne of Queene Marie onely for religion, then haue sithence by their owne account beene executed in fiftie yeares of two succeeding Princes (and those not for religion but for their treasons) the number of the true Martyrs noted in print, being in all by this account almost 300. and the number of their Seminary Priests, Iesuites, and Recusants, by their own account not fully 200. which (number and time considered) is more then tenne for one. Nor is there a greater disproportion in the number, then in the causes of their sufferings, the former suffering only for their conscience, the latter for their treasons.
I am not ignorant that our aduersaries do taxe Mr. Fox of many Three conversions of England in page 426. and many pages therof besides vntruths and many strange matters, whose errors, if any such were, I will not maintaine, but somewhat excuse by way of recrimination, by cyting out of this my popish Author some such stories of his Saints Miracles, as I find in his sayd Martyrologe expressed (which he hath diuided according to the moneths of the yeare) leauing the truth and likely-hoode to thy censure.
¶ Popish Miracles.
ANd first in the moneth of Ianuary;Ianuary 7▪ Page 7. I find this storie, that when Saint Chad Bishop of Litchfield dyed, his brother Ceds soule (who was before Bishop of London) was seene to descend [Page 10] from heauen with a troupe of Angels, to accompany the same to heauen.
Another.
Ianuary. 11. Page 10.ST. Egwine Bishop of Worcester, made a payre of Iron shackles, locked them close about his legges, then cast the keyes therof into the Riuer of Seuerne, and so went to Rome with Offa King of Mercia: desiring of God, that the said shackles might not be loosed from his legges, vntill he had made satisfaction for all the sinnes of his youthfull yeares: and in his returne backe, as he came ouer the sea, vpō a soden a fish leaped into the Ship wherein he sayled, which being taken and killed, the foresayd keyes of the shackles that hee had throwne into the Riuer, were found in the fishes belly, which hee applying to his shackles, forthwith vnlocked them.
Another.
Ianuary 14. Page 12.IN North-wales the commemoration of S. Beno Priest, who leading an Eremiticall life in the west parts of England, was by an Angell admonished to goe into Wales to a Noble man called Trebuith, S. Wenefrides Father, who gaue him a part of his lands and possessions to build a Monasterie, as also his Daughter Wenefride to be instructed and brought vp in a religious manner: whose head being soone after cut off by Cradocus sonne [Page 11] to Alane King of the same Country, for not yeilding to his vnlawfull lust, he miraculously set on againe, shee liuing fifteene yeares after.
Another.
ST. Elfled virgin, and afterward Abbesse;Ianuary 20. Page 18. it happened vnto her that before shee was chosen Abbesse, shee being in the Church at Mattins before day, with the rest of her sisters, going into the middest according to the custome, to reade a lesson, the candle wherewith shee sawe to read chanced to be put out, and therevppon wanting light, there came from the fingers of her right hand such an exceeding brightnesse vppon the suddaine, that not onely her selfe, but all the rest of the Quire might see to read by it also. And hauing another time giuen much to relieue the poore, whereby her chests were emptyed, being therefore for her lauishnes checked by the Procurator of the house, she made moane to the Lord, and her Chests were againe myraculously filled as before.
Another.
ST. Wereburge;February 3. Page 32. she vpon her death bed commanded her body to be buried at Hamburge, but contrary to her will it was carried to the monastery of Trickingham, where (the gates fast locked) the same was kept and watched very carefully. [Page 12] But see a woonder, they that kept it fell into a sleepe, so as the people of Hamburge comming in the night to fetch the bodie away, the gates of the Church and Monasterie were opened without hands, of themselues, and so they carryed the bodie and buried it at Hamburge, as before she requested.
Another.
March 17. Page 17.ST. Patrick: he obtained by his Prayers, that no venomous creature should liue or breed in Ireland.
Another.
Aprill 3. Page 86.ST. Richard Bishop of Chichester: he dyed at Douer in Kent, his body being brought to Chichester, so shined with Miracles that (besides others) he raysed vp three dead men againe to life.
Another.
Aprill 9. Page 92.ST. Frithstan; one euening as hee was saying Masse, as he walked in the Churchyard, when he came to the words, Requiescant in pace, the voyces in the graues round about, made answere aloud and said, Amen.
Another.
May 2. Page 116.ST. Pyran: he sustained tenne Armies of men for eight daies with the flesh of three Kine, and also raysed diuers dead men to life.
Another.
ST. Sewell:Maye 18. he for his integritie and innocency of life was such, and so acceptable to God, that it pleased his diuine Maiestie in signe thereof, to worke miracles by him both aliue and dead; and among others, it is recorded, that lying on his death-bed he turned water into wine, by onely blessing it.
Another
KIng Henrie the sixt:Maye 22. Page 134▪ his veluet Hat which he vsed to weare, being put on mens heads that were troubled with the head-ache, they were presently cured.
Another.
ONe of the souldiers that led S. Alban to his death,Iune 2 [...]. Page 167. repented when he saw the constancy of the Martyr, & asked him forgiuenes, which the persecutors beholding, they grieuously tormented him for the same, but he following S. Alban to his death when S. Albans head was cut off, he tooke it vp and embraced it in his armes, and thereby was immediatly cured of all his wounds.
Another.
ST: Swithine: he,Iuly 2. Page 178. when by a mischance a woman had broken all her egges, made the signe of the crosse ouer the same egges, and immediatlie they all became whole againe.
Another.
Iuly 25. Page 202.THe heads of Wiaman, Vnaman, and Sunaman, being cut off and cast into a poole by the enemies of Christ, S. Sigfride on a time walking by the poole and deploring their deaths, on a suddaine there appeared three miraculous lights vppon the water, which encompassed the vessell wherein their sayd heads were; which he seing, presently leaped into the poole, and embracing them wept and sayd, Vindicet Deus. Whereto one answered, Vindicatūerit; another replyed, in quem? the third added, in filios filiorum.
Another.
August 6. Page 216.A Monke of a certaine Monastery whereof S. Alexander was, comming to the said Alexanders tombe to pray, and hauing an vlcer in his breast which was now growne to a fistula; Alexander appeared vnto him brighter then the Sun, with two Crownes, one on his head, and another in his hand. The Monke demaunded what that double Crowne meant? he answered: The Crowne in his hand is for the temporall Crown which he forsook for Christs loue (for he shold haue bin king of Scotland, being next heire thereto, as the story reporteth) the other on my head, is that which I haue receaued common with other Saints. And that you may be assured of the verity of this vision, you shall be presently cured of your infirmity; and hauing thus spoken [Page 15] and the other jmmediatly healed, he vanished away.
Another.
ST. Decuman first passed ouer the Riuer of Seuerne miraculously with a faggot in steed of a boate,August 27. Page 233. and afterwards was slaine by a Pagan and his head cut off, which hee tooke vp from the ground and carryed it to a fountaine where hee was woont to wash it.
Another.
ST. Dunstan: hee on a time,September 7. Page 244. when the diuell appeared vnto him in the likenesse of a yong woman tempting him to vncleanesse, tooke a paire of pincers which lay by him, and caught the diuell by the vpper lippe, and so holding him fast, and leading him vp and downe his chamber, after diuers jnterrogatories droue him away.
Another.
ST. Osith: shee after that the Danes had cut off her head,October 7. Page 372. tooke it vp in her hands and carryed it three furlongs to a Church of S. Peter, and S. Paul, whither when she came all jmbrued in her owne innocent bloud, she fell downe, and so ended the course of her Martyrdome.
Another.
ST. Keyna: she by her prayers turned a wood full of Serpents into stones,October 8. Page 374. still retayning the likenesses of Serpents: Also she being ready [Page 16] to depart out of this world, an Angel came downe from heauen, and put vpon her a white garment wrought with Gould, bidding her to be in readinesse to enter into the kingdome of her celestiall Spouse.
Another.
Nouēber 20. Page 320.ST. Edmund: hee hauing his head cut off by the Danes, and cast into a wood neere by amongst bryars and bushes, the Christians afterwards seeking for the same, lost themselues in the same wood, and calling one to another, where art? where art? the head answered, Here, Here, Here, by which they found out the same.
Another.
Decēber 23. Page 350.ST. Inthware: she hauing her head cut off by her owne brother Bana vppon a day as shee came from Church, because shee was accused by her stepmother to be an harlot, her jnnocency was presently testified by this, for that she presently tooke it vp in her owne hands and carryed it to the Church from whence shee came. Adde hereto also their late coyned (Death deseruing for the fact) woonder of Garnets face in a wheat strawe. Vide librum cuius tituli pars est, Vera historia de admirabili spica. Rightly englished, A fabulous story of a fained straw, first divulged by a foolish Iack-daw.
Many more such grosse and palpable lying woonders are therein expressed, which I am [Page 17] weary to recount, and I almost wonder that they themselues are not ashamed to record for truths; but as herein, so also in their false accusations of Queene Elizabeth and King Iames, by vnjustly and maliciously taxing them with bloud, breach of promise, and bloudy persecution for conscience, they are most jmpudent and shamelesse, yea past shame and past grace; for as a Reuerend D. Barlow in his answere to M. Broughton. Father of our Church elsewhere vpon another occasion (though more rightly applyable to this generation) said, Qui semel modestiae limites transilijt, knauiter fit impudens. But the Priests and Iesuites in this poynt of jmpudency surpasse, and one maine reason hereof, as I take it, is because they hold the laye Papists, of whome they haue their maintenance, in such a thraldome of jgnorant obedience, as that they dare not for feare of damnation read any booke whereby to enforme them in the truth, but only such as their traiterous and seditious vn-ghostly leaders shall permit: And so if they can hold the good opinions of their maintainers, they will neuer blush at whatsoeuer themselues say, or whatsoeuer bee said of them by others.
If any friend shall thinke that this my labour might well haue beene spared, because the liues of the Martyrs, the proceedings against them, & the times and causes of their sufferings are already by Mr. Foxe in his large Booke thereof more fully expressed; or otherwise should thinke that I do the Papists too great a grace, by placing [Page 18] them in the same Booke with the true Martyrs of Christ; to him in friendly manner I thus replye, and first to the first. That though his allegation bee indeed true (for I willingly confesse that hee hath deserued much for his extraordinary paines that wayes, and hath compassed so much and such variety of matter therein, as that I cannot say whether were greater,1610. his labour or the Readers profit) yet cannot euery mans purse reach so great price as is that The booke at large (worthy to be writtē in letters of gould) is this yeare newly and well printed by the Companie of Stationers in London. Booke at large; and besides I haue not medled with any matter of Historie contained therin, but only haue borrowed out of him the names of such as were in Queene Maries daies burned, as I haue likewise out of their Martyrologist the names of their Priests, Iesuites, and Recusants, for vnlesse I should set downe their names, I could make no good comparison of their numbers in opposition one to the other, which is the especiall end whereat I aime.
Secondly, although that twentie or thirtie yeares since many hundreds of Thousands of persons were liuing that could viva voce beare record how cruelly and vnmercifully the Professors of Christs truth were dealt withall in Queene Maries daies, and could also (if any seducing Priest or Iesuite had accused their Soueraigne of cruelty) haue thus replyed, Away vild harlots, belie her not, for Queene Elizabeth was a mercifull Queene, but mine eies haue seene the aboundance of bloud shed in Queene Maries raigne onely for conscience, wherwith ye were neuer glutted, [Page 19] but now these Viue-speakers in Christs cause being by time consumed, it is more needfull to preserue by these neuer-dying memorials, the remembrance of their sufferings, especially seeing the aduersarie is so busie by all meanes that the Pope, the Diuell, or hell it selfe can possibly deuise to exalt their faction, and to bring a scandall both vpon our Soveraignes, vs, and them.
And to the second poynt; That it is a Grace vnto the Papists and Romanists to haue their Priests and Iesuites ranked with the true Professors, I answere thus: It is not the punishment, nor the place, but onely the cause that maketh a man famous for vertue, or for vice jnfamous, loued of God for his owne free graces, or hated of God and good men for their villanies.
If the Iron barres whereon Catesbies and Fercies heads are fixed and nailed on the Parliament house, be a grace vnto them or any of their fauorites, because they possesse the highest places of that Honourable house; such grace haue all the kings enemies. If Garnets scaffold because it was raysed aloft for more publique view, were an honour vnto him or any of his Iesuited society, such honour haue all that are, were, or hereafter shall be his partakers. If London bridge or Newgate grace that faction, because their friends dismembred limbes are so highly thereon aduanced; let Crowes and Rauens likewise deuour all them that deserue the like grace for the like jnfidelity. Lastly, if Iudas their fellow-traitor can any whit [Page 20] at all grace them because he is noted in the booke of God, (but with this foule addition, Traitour) let them likewise take him and make him a brother of their Company, or rather jncorporate themselues into his Society, but let all that beare ill will to the Church of England, and the Kings Majestie as a principall member thereof; let I say, their ends (oh God) be like vnto their master Iudas, and let their bowels breake in sunder that would eat out the bowels of thy Church of England; and let this blacke word of Traitour bee the jndelible spot, neuer to bee washed away, wherewith I brand all English Italionated Priests and Iesuites, and their Abbettors, Adde to these also the Iacobine Fryer and Rauilack, the two murtherers of two French kings Henry 3. & Henry 4. (for these are also Sons of one Father the Pope, the Deuill their Grandfather, and those before, their brethren in iniquity, neuer to be spoken of but to their shame with posterity,) the felicity of whose Raigne (namely Henrie the 4.) and peaceable gouernment, free from danger of any desperate attempt of stabbing or poysoning, or other attempt of perill to his person by any of Romes fauourites, our english Popish Recusants (scienter loquor) before that inhumane and hellish fact committed, pleaded and strongly argued to proceed from that lenitie of his, in permitting a freedome of conscience to his subiects in matter of Religion; whereby they would inferre, that if our Kings Maiestie would desire to liue securely [Page 21] from any such attempts, not needing to feare perill either by stabbing, poysoning, powder, or otherwise, then let a toleration be graunted; but how sound their conclusion is, France hath felt, England may feare, and all the world is amazed thereat.
For if the King of France being a Papist, and at most but suspected to affect the Protestant Religion, could not yet be secure in his person, how much lesse can our King expect any assurance of saftie by a toleration, his Majesty being himselfe a professed Protestant, and directly opposite in Faith and Religion. Nay it might rather bee much feared, that it would bee a meanes to pull Gods just judgements vpon him and vs, for permission of such false worshippe of the true God; for so wee may read in diuers places of the Old Testament, that when the Rulers of the people fell away from God, God sent vpon them many plagues, miseries, and oppressions by their enemies. And thus much in answere to the second poynt, which my friend may obiect.
TO THE WHOLE rabble of English-borne, Romish male-contents, and disturbers of this State.
NOT HOPING hereby to reclaime you (that are already by Sathans witchcrafts seduced) from your many dangerous and pernitious errors, which cleaue more fast vnto you then the skinne vnto the flesh, or the flesh vnto the bones, for that were Extra spem sperare, a hope without any ground: Nor yet in bitternesse of spirit (onely) purposing to rayle vpon you as many of you most jmpudently haue done against your owne Mother, for that were want of charity: nor any waies intending to giue satisfaction vnto your vnsatisfiable obstinacy and wilfull-willing blindnesse, by reasoning scholastically, or propounding and framing logicall (or as you vse sophisticall) arguments to conuince your follies, for that would be in me presumption; For what am I that after so many rare wits, and vnrefutable iudgemēts in matters Diuine, as haue already laboured your conversion, I should hope [Page 23] of better successe therein then they before haue had?
I rather conclude with Abraham, who told the rich man that desired a messenger to be sent from the dead to the liuing to warne them that they might auoyd the like daunger of comming there, That if they will not belieue the Prophets, neither would they belieue though one came frō the dead: so if you will not be perswaded by the scriptures, and the strong and vn-answerable arguments of such excellent Diuines as haue already laboured your convesion, neither will you be perswaded though Christ himselfe should descend from heauen in person to confute you.
But my scope and drift herein is, (pro viribus) First to preuent the fall of those who yet stand but are ready to fall. Secondly, to free my late Soueraigne Queene Elizabeth, that sometimes peerelesse Prince, and my now dread Soueraigne the Kings Majestie, and their State-ministers from many false and Serpentine jmputations, layd vppon them by men of your rancke, of bad spirits, whose throats are open Sepulchres, wherein to burie true Honour, Faith-keeping, Grace, Mercie, Pittie, Piety, Protection, Truth and Religion in eternall obliuion; breathing out from thence (as from the fournace of Hell) insteed thereof nothing but Dishonour, Breach of promise, Disgrace, Crueltie, Bloud, Want of deuotion, Oppression, Heresie, and Irreligion.
These are the motiues that enforced my pen, [Page 24] these the reasons of my non-silence, who otherwise could haue been contented quietly and securely to haue reposed my selfe in the joyfull contemplation of Gods manifold blessings and mercies of an extraordinary nature towards this Nation, by continuance of the Gospell amongst vs, Which, that it is the Truth, and that he himselfe with his owne right hand hath planted it, and defended it by the power of his owne arme, the many strange Miracles (for such say you must needs approoue the Truth) which himselfe from time to time since before the beginning of Q. Elizabeths raigne vntill this present hath wrought, doe euidently confirme and prooue.
The Miracles that god hath wrought for confirmation of his gospell.For is it possible that our late famous Queene of euer-blessed memorie, and our now Soueraigne the Kings Maiestie, should haue escaped the many pitts that haue beene digged for them, and not haue fallen therein? Is it possible that Queene Elizabeth, full of yeares but fuller of Renowne, should haue liued vnto a gray-headed age, and quitely dying in her bed, to be maugre all her enemies, brought in peace vnto her graue? Is it possible that this present State wherein wee liue should now haue a Being, seeing that Hell, the Pope, Recusants, [Vt obiter notē. The word Recusant, (now so cōmon) vntill the 11. yere of Queene Elizabeths Ragine, was altogether vnknowne, (as may appeare by all Statutes and Acts of Parliament before that time made, wherin there is not a word thereof at all) vntill which [Page 25] time all Papists, some very few excepted, (notwithstanding, that the Religion then professed in the Church of England, was the very same that it was in the former yeares of her Raigne) came ordinarily to our Churches, nor was disparitie of religiō any cause of Recusancy, vntil such times that the roaring Bull of Pope Pius 5. (for then the land began to swarme with Recusants) was published, and Queene Elizabeth by him Anathematized: Then the case was suddenly altered, those who before frequented our Churches, now withdraw themselues from our Society; Those who before yeilded obedience to hir Maiestie, now would not acknowledge her for their lawfull Queene; herevpon followed jmmediatly the rebellion in the North, and other dangerous conspiracies by your faction. And to proue that Religion was not the cause of their Recusancy (besides that which hath beene aboue sayd) Scotland will testifie, wherein albeit there haue beene and are many knowen Papists both men and women, yet in all the time of King Iames his Raigne there, nor yet since he raigned here, haue any of thē absented thēselus or refused to come to our Churches in Scotland, & yet I make no question but you will say that the Romish religion is one and the same there that it is here: you must needs then graunt, that not religion but the Popes pleasure (vnto whose girdle you are tyed) is the cause of Recusancy, and it behooueth his Maiestie to haue speciall regard vnto [Page 26] you that are Recusants, and by all good meanes that he can to assure his owne estate, in another regard then only that you will not, interesse sacris, with vs, for Recusancy and Treason are so linked one in the other, and compacted, that hardly can hee bee a Recusant that is not a Traitour likewise. See more hereof if you please in the 130 and 131. pages of Tortura Torti.] Recusants, Seminarie Priests and Iesuites, Traitors and seditious persons haue conspired against it, had not the Lord himselfe miraculously defended it, and maintained his Truth?
I need not instance particular deliuerances, for who is he amongst vs that remembers not many? But yet I cannot without ingratitude to God,Two miracles of miracles. our most gracious preseruer, ouer-slip in silence those two myracles of myracles,The 1. to wit, Our deliuerance from Spaines (so falsely by them tearmed, but blessed be God therefore) inuincible Armado, The 2. An. 1588. and from the mynes of fire and Gunpowder prepared by ympes of Hell, for Englands Funerall An. 1605. which latter but that mine own eyes haue seene their preparations, I should (with Thomas) scarcely haue belieued:The Iesuits reported in Spaine that there was no such matter as the gun-powder Treason. Related by the L Cooke at the Earle of Northumberl. conviction, in the Star-chā ber. Iune 27. 1606. Childish and strawish Myracles. And no maruell though in Spain the report therof can with many hardly be credited, for some at our own home that haue not with their owne eyes seene it, or with their eares heard the Delinquents, Viva voce, confesse it, can hardly, yet conceaue halfe the malice therof, it seemes to those that haue any sparkes of humanitie, so passing cruell and incredible. These [Page 27] if the Gospell must needs be confirmed by myracles, are true myracles.
These are no counterfait jugling trickes, or Popish jmpostures to delude the simple, such as were the Sicknesse-healing Child, or the Picture of the Traitour Garnets face in a wheat strawe, found perhaps amongst a Popish Taylors wiues shreds, or brought in in the belly of a Griffin or Gryfō, intēding thereby the ruine of Troynovant, as were the armed men of Yore in the bellie of Synons woodden horse, for Troye the old its Destruction: such as these we leaue to you to jnsert into your Legenda Aurea, or Legend of lyes.
As for persecution for conscience,In your supplication to the kings Maiestie, Anno. 1603. & An. 1604. in many places thereof: as also in diuers other treasonable bookes since by you set forth and dispersed. against which in diuers of your pamphlets you so loudly cry, the comparison of times for continuance wherein, of persons for numbers in those times, how many, whose bloud on both sides haue been shed, and the causes (partly) wherefore, in the following Table will appeare. But the grounds of religion, contained in the holy Scriptures of the old and new Testament, penned by the Prophets and Apostles, on which we build our faith, and the refutation of errors and false doctrine maintained by Romish Recusants, Priests, and Iesuites which in former times and in these times also haue & do cause so great disturbances & persecutions of the Church of Christ, I leaue to bee defended by those graue and strong pillars of our Church, and learned Fathers of our Clergie, whose soundnesse in doctrine all the Papists in [Page 28] the world are vnable to evince.
Concerning that dishonour wherewith very frequētly but falsely (as is well Tortura Torti. Page 83. approued by the then Bishop of Chichester) you taxe your Soueraigne Lord the Kings Maiestie for breach of promise with Recusants, concerning a toleration of Popish religion, that (quantum in me est) I may confute such vnjust exclamations against his Majesties Person and his Honour, I will briefly touch that poynt, by declaring not onely vnto you, but vnto all the world that shall take notice hereof,The Starre-chamber. what mine owne eares heard in an open Court (of mercy I may say rather then of justice in this case) debated and censured.
The case stood betweene the Kings Majestie & a great Peere of this Land, amongst whose many grosse slippes and jnglorious acts, this poynt was as the rest (all which his Majestie was pleased, nay (as sayd the Lord Cooke then the Kings Attourney) commanded that they should not otherwise bee handled then as matters of Contempt) ripped vp and scanned. His name I could particularly instāce, but because it pleased my Soveraigne to deale with him not in rigor of law & justice but meerly in Grace, I hold it not my part (othewise then what for clearing of the truth I needsly must) him by name to disgrace.
Wherfore that I may helpe to wash away those aspertions of dishonour, vnjustly throwen vpon his sacred Majesty by men of bad spirits, and that like spots and staines neuer to be done away, they [Page 29] may seat themselues within the muddy Circle of the duskie Moone, their true Centre, and not eclipse the bright honour of our splendant Sun & glorious North-star, I will here relate frō whence by much probabilitie, this error at first sprange.
This noble fore-remembred Personage,Omne animi vitium tanto conspectus i [...] se crimē habet, quanto maior qui peccat habetur. whose greatnesse addes a greatnes to his fault, (if I may linke Nobilitie with such jgnoble actions) ambitiously (as it should seeme) affecting a singular greatnesse, not at all regarding Religion (as some haue thought) further then as it might serue him as a ladder to promotion, was in shew outwardly a seeming Protestant, but vnder-hand and couertly, willing to be held a Papist, jnsomuch that by his close carriage hee was very honourablie thought of by his Majestie, & chosen by his Majestie to be very neere vnto him, and yet neuerthelesse highly accompted of and respected amongst the Romanists for a sure friend of theirs, vpon whom they might hold a Dependance; Testified hereby, that with his owne hands he deliuered and presented their Popish Supplication vnto his Majestie at Theobalds, for a toleration in Anno. 1603.
And that I may not seeme maliciously of my selfe without a ground to taxe him herein of ambition, obserue with me,The now L. Cooke. that at his tryall (by one for his learning judicious, for his knowledge experienced in matters of State) it was by euident arguments prooued that his proceedings argued a manifest Discontentmēt, and withall that all [Page 30] discontentments proceeded from either want, disgrace, or ambition; but not from want, for his possessions and yearely revenues were exceding great; not frō disgrace, for his Majestie had many waies graced & highly honoured him; (which graces as he then did, so I now could particularly jnstance, but that thereby I must needsly discouer his person) and therefore of necessitie from Ambition.
Likewise as then by one was obserued his ambition in his jntentions and thoughts, so by another of higher rancke and dignitie was noted his dissimulation in his actions,The Lord Archbishop of Cant. for said he, there are in all his proceedings, Vestigia manifesta, & vestigia occulta, giving withall an jnstāce herein, That this great personage had admitted T. P. that Archtraitor to be a Pentioner, The word thē vsed was, To hold an Axe ouer the Kings head. but yet without hauing any oath administred him, either for his allegeance, or yet for his particular discharge of that place whereunto he was admitted, and yet vnderhand giuing out that he was sworne, wherevpon he jnferred thus, That wheresoeuer things were palliated which were, or fayned to be which are not, there alwaies is some deceit. At which time he was by a third honourable personage taxed expreslie for his Hippocrisie, The L. Zouch. as being Iacke on both sides, whereby hee had made himselfe odious to both Protestants (so tearmed) and Papists: nor yet (though these are jnough) are these all. But to returne to our purpose and matter in hand.
Before he ascended vnto that height of honor [Page 31] (which then by the Kings speciall favour he was advanced vnto) I meane in Queene Elizabeths time, when his predecessours carriage had givē just occasion of the successours further disgrace, then [at this very time was the same person imployed vnto his maiestie with letters from Garnet the Iesuites Prouinciall, who had about that time receaued the Popes Breues to this purpose, Quandocun (que) contigerit miseram illam faeminam (meaning Q. Elizabeth) ex hac vita exire, &c. that whensoeuer that wretched woman should die, the papists should not admit of any other to inherite, how neere so euer in bloud, vnlesse he were a (Romish) Catholique, and not so onely, vnlesse he would also sweare to vphold to his power the popish Religion. But the Kings happie acceptation with his good Subiects, caused those to bee converted into ashes, and then come other Breues enioyning their obedience to his Maiestie, but Coacta virtus non est virtus, Gramercy horse when you cannot choose, then obay. This is that Obedientia, ex necessitate, nempe ferreâ jlla & coactâ, which Bellarmine noteth Recognitionum, pag. 16. And how long this? vntill they be able to cast him out whō they were forced to receaue. And your Watson soone attempted that which hee knew his vnholy Father the Pope hartily wished. Hee was a lowe man in person, but he aspyred high when he thought to bee Lord Chancellor of England: but missing that, hee was aduanced to the Gallowes for preferment, but I thinke being purblind, he missed the waye that hee meant] I say did this double-hearted Lord jmploy [Page 32] T. P. the Traytor vnto the Kings Majestie then King only of Scotland, with certain letters of advise, but much in the behalfe of the English Romish Catholicks, aduising him that he should at such time as it should please the Lord to call him to the possession of this his kingdome (which as now he doth, so long Lord grant he may quietly enjoye) giue faire promises and hopes of tolleration vnto the Papists, thereby (as he therein pretended) to prepare a more easie entrance for his Majestie when time should serue.
The Kings Majestie (not as then suspecting the depth of this his Councellors drifts, but vnderstanding him simply) returned him an answere, with thankes for his advise, but withall jnferring a clause directly (as since it appeareth) contrarie to his Councellors expectation. His Majesties words in answere to the letter, were in effect as followeth.
‘Whensoeuer it shall please GOD in his due time to call mee to the possession of my right in England, I purpose not to make any jnnovation in the State, or to alter the Lawes and Ordinances thereof, &c.’ Wherevppon a wise man would (as the LL. did) haue thus jnferred: No alteration in the State, no changing of Lawes and Ordinances therein established; why then no toleratiō of Poperie, no allowance of Recusancy; & not because it pleased the kings Majestie out of the meeknesse of his Spirit (voyd of guile and double dealing) to returne him thankes for his [Page 33] aduise (although hee did not so much as make shew that he liked thereof) therefore to conclude that a toleration should be granted.
But he in his ambition besotted with his own follie, not expounding his Majesties words as he meant, but as he himselfe conceited them, because he so (as it should euidently appeare) wished that it might bee, did so farre exceed the limits of his commission, and was so farre vainely transported,Ʋide Tortûr [...] ̄ Torti Pag. 83. Prom [...]ssa nescio quae commē ti sunt quae tamen nulla suerunt & quod factū nunquā est, id fuisse tamen factum in vulgus spargebant. as that at T. P. his returne from the Kings Majestie, it was amongst the Papists divulged (though falsely) that the King had also by the sayd T. P. giuen directions to the afore remembred great Personage, by word of mouth to wind himselfe into their favours, (for that was the word) and to giue hopes of toleration in his Majesties name vnto Recusants, and herehence chiefly arose that scandall of the kings Honour, that he had broken promise with Recusants. For the better confirmation whereof, and that his Majesty neuer intended any such matter of toleration,vide the Earle of Northamp. printed speech at Garnets arraignment in pag. 1. of A [...]a Conferre herewith Watson the Priest his confession vnto the Honourable Lord the Lord of Northampton at Winchester; who being by the Earle (by his Majestie therevnto appoynted) examined vpon the poynt of promise of toleration, freely confessed that albeit he were by some falsly accused to be the Author of that report, yet it was most true that hee could neuer at any time draw any comfort from his Maiestie in the point of conscience.
[Page 34]All which notwithstanding (besides the just cause that the Powder-treason, and other dangerous conspiracies against his Maiesties life and kingdomes, hatefull to God and all good men, gaue,The Earle of Salisburie in his answere to certaine scandalous papers. of an hard hand ouer the Papists) yet let any of you (that I may vse the words of an Honorable Counsellor) even the most jmpudent & brazen faced amongst you, shew any the least prints (if you can) of bloody steppes in his Majesties Course: Nay rather I may much more truely say, hee is a man composed all of mercy, and not of any earthly element, subiect to passions and disturbance, but in a farre more diuine manner then ordinary men, resembling his Maker, for good Kings and mercifull are the most liuely representatiue jmages of the Deitie, which causeth as the wicked without warrant, vpō Gods mercies, so Traitors and miscreants without reason vppon his Majesties Clemency jmpudently to presume, to their more just condemnation.
And here let me tell you (yet voyd of any desire of bloud or bloudy courses, as God can beare record vnto my foule, but onely admiring the mercies of our King) That I greatly doubt whether any Prince in the world (King Iames excepted) if the like treason as was the Powder-treason, had been plotted against him by persons of another religion or sect whatsoeuer, would haue suffered either man, woman, or child of so dangerous and damnable a profession, to haue breathed within his Dominions, especially if the [Page 35] grounds of their religion (as doth that of yours by euident proofes elswere convinced) do allow of any such doctrine and enterprises.D. Reynolds in his preface before his cō ference with Hart. D. Morton, M. Stocke, with many more.
This Powder-plot-treason was in it selfe, in the eyes of some of the actors therein, so horride and detestable, as that one of your owne Iesuites from an apprehension of the jmmane cruelty thereof, (not mooued with any commiseration of their miseries, who were by their designes destinated to the rage thereof, but proceeding from a trembling feare least it should be discouered) could say to his fellow in profession and action,Greenewell, & Garnet. That if it were discouered it would be the vtter ruine and dissolution of their Society.
Remember also Robert Winters dreame and the horror thereof,Reported at his arraignmēt in VVestminst. Hall Ianu. 27. 1605 mentioned in the Earle of Northamptōs speech in the first pag of L. how it terrified his very soule with the gastly appearance of some of his consorts. And forget not the fearefull vengeance of God in suffering their faces to be so vgly disfigured with Gunpowder in Littletons house, who had prepared a Destructiō for this whole kingdome with the same matter and Substance; and then conclude that God is iust, and therefore in his justice did punish their wickednesse with the inventions of their owne braines.
Was it not time to lop those ambitious aspyring thoughts of Watson the Priest and his confederates,Confessed vnder his owne hand in an examination openly read in the Star-chā ber at the cō viction, of the Earle of Northumbert. Iun. 27. 1606. as also to clippe the winges of the Powder-Treason contriuers and their fauorites, the first affecting in his owne person the high Chancelorship of England; and the latter building [Page 36] their hopes aboue the Moone,Confessed in diuers examinations vnder their hands openly read the time and place aforesayd. amongst themselues concluding to set vp a Protector of their own choosing out of the number of those Popish Lords, that by them were intended should bee preserued from that generall destruction of their sulphurious fire, all of them directlie ayming at the vtter ruine and destruction of this noble and renowned Iland, and to make desolate the most glorious Kingdome that is couered by the Heauens.
Simile.But as the most fruitfull trees beare their tops lowest, and the most barren and vnfruitfull shoote vp highest, euen so is it amongst men. Those that are most emptie of vertue and laudable qualities, aspire in their ambition to places of highest honour vncalled, whereas the more worthy and vertuous would in their humility refuse them being jmposed, were it not onely for this, that they may thereby be the better jnabled to do good.
Admit that the Kings Majestie had in a religious pollicy promised a toleration▪ before he were fully seated in his kingdome, or come into this Kingdome, nay that hee had so also meant indeed, as some of you haue falsely and jmpudently giuen out; yet had he not, for your extreame ill carriage and disloyall demeanour, just cause to haue reuoked it? For before that liberty could be established for you, there must needes haue beene a repeale made of those Lawes and Statutes formerly made against Recusancy, which as they were by act of Parliament confirmed, so [Page 37] must they haue been by the like authority disanulled.These forward spirits (as they wold be thought) for the Kings Succession would yet haue bereft vs of his head before the Crowne had adorned it. Tortura Torti. Page 84. But your Watson and Clarke thought to make a shorter cut then so, by preventing the King in the performance of that which Watson himselfe knew full well the King neuer purposed nor promised, albeit it should seeme by Watsons owne confession, that he had much laboured and jmportuned his Majestie therein. Since which time also, if his Majestie had promised the like (as some of your faction haue falsely giuen out) was not that matchlesse Powder-treason plotted, contriued, furthered, and assisted by beasts (for men I cannot call them,See the Catholique supplication to the kings Maiestie in Ann. 1604 neere beginning thereof. but rather deuils) of your religion, both Priests, Iesuites, and (as you stile your selues) lay Catholiques, a sufficient warrantise without prejudice to his honour, to recall such a grant as might giue protection to Caterpillers, Degenerate persons, Miscreants, Vipers, Monsters, and not men, and whatsoeuer name more odious, that also; yea vnworthy to bee called by the name of any of Gods creatures, for they persist in their created natures, but the other do not but are degenerated from men to Devils.
That their damnable practise doth rightly moralize the tale of the Husbandman, wherein hee is fabled to haue found a Snake stiffe and almost dead with cold, and to haue brought him home in his bosome and warmed him by the fire, which after recouering began to hisse at the good man of the house for his paines, and would with his venomous tongue haue stung him to death, who [Page 38] had before saued his life; which plainely bids King Iames beware that he nourish not vipers in his own Kingdome, I pray God not in his Court.
You seeme in some places of your writings to taxe Queene Elizabeth, and in her all true professors of religion for a backward and frozen zeale towards the Kings Majesties rightfull succession in these his kingdomes,See your supplication to his Maiestie, Anno. 1604. chap. 5. Also in the first part of Engl. three Conversions, neere the beginning thereof. & to blazō your own forwardnesse in his Majesties behalfe: but know, you false-hearted and degenerate men, that king Iames knowes how to judge of spirits, and to hold you but hollow-hearted vnto him now, because whiles you were yet Queene Elizabeths subiects, you were then so vnto her, and to esteeme of our late Queene Honourably, and of vs as faithfull Subiects then vnto her, so now no lesse vnto him. And albeit that for some reasons of State vnto her selfe best knowen, and which no doubt but his Majestie now very well vnderstandeth, it pleased her to conceale the kings right from the multitude, yet I verily perswade my selfe that his Majesty did neuer so much as conceiue a thought that Queene Elizabeth did euer purpose or intend to debarre him in his right of lawfull succession. And in this poynt your fellow Catholiques thought to cast a Bone between his Majesty and his good subiects, but you are made to swallow it your selues, and some whose throats were to little it choaked. Nor may I here let passe vntouched that Propheticall speech of that worthy Matriarke (Honourable amongst women) Q. Elizabeth, [Page 39] who when in the first yere of her raigne shee was motioned to dispose her selfe to Marriage, that her subiects might enioy an happy issue of her own body, like as Abraham when his Sonne Isaac sayd, Behold the fire and the wood, but where is the Lambe for the burnt offring? Gen. 22.7. replyed, Deus providebit mi fili; So shee (Abrahams daughter by fayth) likewise, Fideles mei subditi, my louing and faithfull Subiects, although you may justly fear what may be the euent of my disposednes to a Virgin life, yet be not depressed with care that way, nor dejected with sorrow, but trust in God, for Deus providebit, hee euen God, euen that God who made Sarahs barren wombe fruitfull, and he who, although I should marrie, can cause my wombe to be barren, He, who had another meat to eat that his Disciples knew not of, Ioh. 4.32. Euen he I say will provide you a king of his owne choosing, whome you do not so much as dreame of, My Fathers Will must bee done, Ioh. 4.34. I the Lord will bee their God, and my seruant David shall be the Prince amongst them. I the Lord haue spoken it, Ezech. 34.24. Which that your eyes haue, after 44. yeares after that, seene accomplished, do ye and your vn-holy father the Pope fret out your heart-strings, (for so God blesse, curse ye and spare not) but let all good and faithfull subiects say alwaies, The Lords name be praised. Her own words (worthy to be written in letters of gold) are recorded by Io. Stow in his Annalls of Eng. in the beginning of her raign.
[Page 40]And to draw to an end with you, because you harpe so much vppon two strings, to wit, breach of promise and bloudshedding;Mentioned in M. Fox his booke of Martyrs in the very beginning of Q. Maries Raigne▪ remember the vowes that Queene Marie made to the Suffolke men (by whose ayd shee was setled in her Kingdome) and her violation thereof, although not forced therto by any Conspiracy of the Gospellers then, or any attempt (by persons different to her in religion) against her person after her right once proclaimed; and withall forget not how much bloud her breach of promise cost, and hauing waighed both in an equall ballance of an jmpartiall and not prejudicate judgement, If then you justly can, vrge both and spare not, but in the meane space view in the Table following with the eyes of pittie the Catalogue of them, whose bloud was by her and her bloudy Ministers so cruelly, only for religion, shed and exhausted. And so wishing that you would be, but little hoping that you will be, good Subiects vnto his Majestie; as I found you so I leaue you, voyd of Religion, emptie of honesty.
By him that affords you as good means to know me, as your Martyrologist hath done me to know him.
❧ A Briefe Collection of such Martyrs as within the (lesse than six yeares) Bloudy Raigne of Queene Mary were burned in England for the profession of the Gospell of Christ Iesus.
¶ Opposed to the following English-Romish Martyrologe of I. W. Priest.
❀ Drawen jnto such an order as that at one viewe you may behold the yeare of our L: God, the yeares of the Princes Raignes both of England and Scotland, the Names of those that suffered, the day and moneth wherein they suffered, and the places of their suffering.
¶ A Table very necessary for all Lawyers, Scriueners, Clarkes, or whosoeuer else desire vpon any occasion to know how the double account of the yeares of the Raignes of the Princes of England and Scotland, since the first yeare of Queene Marie, vntill this present yeare of our Lord 1611. doe agree and concurre. The like before not extant.
¶ But more especially published to prooue, vnto the vnderstanding of the most simple, that Poperie is a false Bloudy, Antichristian and Mercilesse Religion, whose professors delight in shedding the Bloud of Gods Saints; and on the contrary, that the Gospell which we now in England professe is the Truth, and hath for truth beene confirmed with the bloud of many more Martyrs (in lesse then sixe yeares space) then this Popish Priest in his Martyloge with any shew of truth can (though falsely) pretend to haue suffered in England for Religion in 50. yeares since.
THE FIERIE TRYALL OF GODS SAINTS:
| The yere of our L. God begining by this account Mar. 25 | Q. Mary her Rai. of Engl. beginning Iuly 6. 1553. | Q. Mary her Raig. of Scotlād begining Decē. 18 1542. | The Names of such Martyrs as were burned in Eng. in Q. Maries Raign, for the profession of the Gospell. | The day of the mō neth wherin they suffered. | The places where they suffered. |
| 1553. | Iuly 6. Mariae Angli. 1 | Decē. 18 Mariae Scot. 12. | |||
| 1554. | Iuly 6. Mariae Angli. 2 | Decē. 18. Mariae Scot. 13 | Iohn Rogers, burned. | Feb. 4. | in Smithfield. |
| Lawrence Sanders, burned. | 8. | at Coventry. | |||
| Io: Hooper Bish: of Worcest: and Gloucest: bur. | 9. | at Gloucester | |||
| D. Taylor, burned. | eodem. die. | at Hadley. | |||
| Tho: Tomkins, burned. | Mar. 16. | in Smithfield. | |||
| 1555. | Iuly 6. Mariae Angli. 3 | Decē. 18 Mariae Scot. 14. | William Hunter, bur. | Mar. 26. | at Burntwod. |
| Tho: Higbed, bur. | eodem die. | at Horndon | |||
| Thomas Cawston, bur. | eodem die. | at Rayly. | |||
| William Piggot, burned. | 28. | at Braintree. | |||
| Stephen Knight bur. | eodem die. | at Mauldon. | |||
| Iohn Lawrence, bur. | 29 | at Colchester. | |||
| D. Farrar Bish: of S. Dauids bur. | [...]0 | at Carmarthē | |||
| [...] White, bur. | eod. [...]. | at Cardiffe | |||
| George Marth, bur. | Aprill 2 [...] | at Westchest. | |||
| William Flower, bur. | eodem die. | at Westminst. | |||
| Io. Cardmaker, & Io. warne, b. | May 30. | at Smithfield. | |||
| Io. Simson, bur. | June 10. | at Rochford, | |||
| Io. Ardley, bur. | at Rayly. | ||||
| Tho Hawkes, bur. | at Coxhall. | ||||
| Tho. Wats, bu. | at Chelmsford | ||||
| Iohn Tooly digged out of his graue, & bur. | eod. fe. tēp. | ||||
| Nicholas Chamberlaine, bur. | June 14. | at Colchester. | |||
| Thomas Osmund, bur. | 15. | at Māniugtre. | |||
| William Bamford, bur. | 15. | at Harwicke. | |||
| Io. Bradford, & Io Leafe, bur. | 15. | in Smithfield. | |||
| Ioh. Bland, Io. Frankesh, Nicholas Sheterden, & Hum. Middleton, bur. | July 12. | at Cāterbury. | |||
| Margerie Pullie, Nicho. Hall, & Christo Waide, bur. | 19. | at Tunbridge at Rochester. | |||
| Dirrick Caruer, bur. | 22. | at Lewis in S | |||
| Tho. Iues [...]n, bur. | eod. fe. tēp. | at Chichester | |||
| Iames Abbes, bur. | August. 2. | at Bury. | |||
| Ioh. Denly, bur. | 8. | at Vxbridge. | |||
| George Tankervile, bur. | 26. | at S. Albons. | |||
| Patrick Packhingham, bur. | 28. | at Saffronwalden. | |||
| Iohn Newman, bur. | 31. | ||||
| Rich: Hooke, bur. | eodē mēse. | at Chichester. | |||
| Rich: Colliar, Wil: Cooker, Wil: Hooper, Henry Lawrence, Rich: Wright, and Wil: Store, bur. | eodē mēse. | at Cāterbury | |||
| Ely: Warne, bur. | eodē mēse. | at Stratf: Bow | |||
| Robert Smith, bur: | at Vxbridge. | ||||
| Steph: Harward, bur. | at Stratf: Bow | ||||
| Thomas Fust, bur: | at Ware. | ||||
| Wil: Haile, bur: | at Barnet. | ||||
| Wil: Allen, bur: | at Walsigham | ||||
| Roger Coo bur: | mēse Sept. | at Yexford. | |||
| Thomas Cobbe, bur: | at Thetford. | ||||
| Rob: Streater, George Catmer, Anth: Burward, Geo: Bradbrige, and Iames Tutty, bur: | eodē mēse. | at Cāterbury | |||
| Io: Goreway, and Tho: Hayward, bur: | eodē mēse. | at Lichfield. | |||
| Rob: Glouer, and Cornelius Bongey, bur: | Septēb. 20 | at Coventry. | |||
| Bishop Ridley, and Bish: Latimer, bur: | Octob. 16. | at Oxford. | |||
| Wil: Wolsey, and Robert Piggot, bur: | eodem die. | at Ely. | |||
| Iohn webb, George Roper, & Gre: Parke, bur: | Nouē. 30. | at Cāterbury. | |||
| Io. Philpot Archdeacon, bur: | Decē. 18. | in Smithfield. | |||
| Thomas Whittle, Barthelet Greene, Iohn Tudson, Io. Went, Thomas Browne, [Page] Isabell Foster, and Ioane Warren, bur: | Janu. 27 | in Smithfield. | |||
| Iohn Lomas, Anne Abbright, Ioane Catmer, Ioane Soke, and Agnes Snoth, bur: | 31. | at Cāterbury. | |||
| Thomas Cranmer Archbish. of Canter. bur: | March. 21 | at Oxford. | |||
| Iohn Spicer, Wil: Cobberley, & Io: Maundrell, bur: | 24. | at Salisbury. | |||
| Ioane Trunchfield, and Agnes Potten, bur: | eodē mēse. | at Ipswich. | |||
| 1556. | Mariae. Ang. 4. | Mariae Scot. 15 | Iohn Harpoole, and Ioane Beech, bur: | Aprill. 1. | at Rochester. |
| Iohn Hulliar, bur: | 2. | at Cambridge | |||
| Rob: Drakes, Wil: Tymmes, Rich: Spurge, Tho: Spurge, Io: Cauell, & George Ambrose, bur: | 24. | in Smithfield. | |||
| Christopher Lyser, Io: Mace, Iohn Spencer, Simō Ioyne, Rich: Nichols, and Iohn Hamund, bur: | 28. | at Colchester | |||
| Thomas Drury, and Thomas Crooker, bur: | May 5. | at Gloucester | |||
| Hughe Lauerhoke, and Ioh. ap Rice, bur: | 15. | at Stratford-Bowe. | |||
| Katherine Hull, Ioane Horns, Eliz: Thackvell, and Margery Ellys, bur. | 16. | in Smithfield. | |||
| Tho: Spicer, Ioh: Denny, & Edmund Poole, bur: | 21. | at Beckleys in Suffolke. | |||
| Tho: Harland, Ioh: Oswald. Tho: Auington, and Tho: Read, bur: | Iune. 6. | at Lewis in Suffolke. | |||
| Tho: Whood, and Thomas Mylles, bur: | 20. | at Lewis in Suffolke. | |||
| Thomas Moore, bur: | June. 26. | at Leicester. | |||
| Henry Adlington, Lawrence Pernham, Henry Wye, Wil: Halliwell, Tho: Bowyer, George Searle, Edm Hurst, Lyon Cawch, Ralph Iackfon, Iohn Derrifall, Iohn Rowth, Elyz: Pepper, and Agnes George, bur: | 27. | at Stratford Bowe. | |||
| Roger Bernard, Rob: Lawson and Adam Foster, bur: | 30. | at Bury. | |||
| Iulius Palmer, Io: Gwyn, & Thomas Askine, bur: | Iuly 16. | at Newbery. | |||
| Katherine Cawches, Guilian Gilbert, Perotine Massey, and the said Masseys Infant breaking violently out of the Mothers wombe into the fire, was taken out once and presently throwne againe into the fire, & bur. | 18. | in the Isle of Garnsey. | |||
| Tho: Dungale, Iohn Foremā, & Anne Try, bur: | eodem die. | at Greensted. | |||
| Ioane Wast, bur: | August. 1▪ | at Darby. | |||
| Edw: Sharpe, bur▪ | Septem. 8. | at Bristow. | |||
| Iohn Hart, Tho: Rauensdale; as also a Shoomaker and a Currier, bur: | 24. | at Mayfield. | |||
| A Carpenter, bur: | 25. | at Bristow. | |||
| Iohn Horne, and a woman, bur: | 27. | at Wootonvnderhedge. | |||
| Wil: Waterer, Steph: Kempe, Wil: Hay, Tho: Hudson, Wil: Lowicke, and William Prouting, bur: | Janua. 15 | at Cāterbury. | |||
| Ni: Final & Mat: Brabridge, b: | 16. | at Ashford. | |||
| Io: Philpot, & Thomas Stephens, bur: | in Janu. | at wye. | |||
| Martine Bucer, & Paulus Phagius bones digged vp and with their bookes bur: also Peter Martyrs wiues bones remooued and buried in a dunghill. | Febru. 16. | at Cābridge. | |||
| 1557. | Mariae Ang. 5. | Marioe Scot. 16 | Tho: Loseby, Henry Ramsey, Tho: Thirtle, Marg: Hyde, & Agnes Stanly, bur: | Aprill 12. | in Smithfield. |
| Rich: Sharpe, & Tho: Hale, bu: | May 7. | at Bristow. | |||
| Steph: Gratwicke, Wil: Monāt, & one King, bur: | eodē mēse. | in S. Georges field. | |||
| Ione Brabridge, Wal, Aplebly, & Petronell his wife, Edm: Allen, & Kath: his wife, Ioa: Manings, & a blind maid, bu: | Iune 18. | at Maidstone. | |||
| Ioane Fishcoke, Nich: White, Nich: Pardue, Barbara Finall, Brabridge his widdow, wilsons wife, & Alice Benden, bur: | 19 | at Cāterbury. | |||
| Rich: Woodmā, George Stephēs, Wil: Mainard, Alex: Hosmā, Thomasine Wood, Mar: Morris, Iames Morris, Denis Burgis, Ashdōs wife▪ & Groues wife, bu: | 22. | at Lewys in Sussex. | |||
| Simō Myller, & Elyzab: Cooper, bu: | July 13. | at Norwich. | |||
| Wil: Bongor, Wil: Purcas, Th: Benold, Agnes Siluerside, alias Smith, Helene Euring, Elyzab: Folkes, Wil: Mount, Alice his wife, Rose Allyn, [Page] and Ioh: Iohnson, bur: | August. 2. | at Colchester. | |||
| Rich: Crashfield bur: | 5. | at Norwich | |||
| A woman, and one named Fryar, bur: | 20. | at Rochester. | |||
| Tho: Benyon, bur: | 27. | at Bristow. | |||
| Ralfe Allerton, Iames Austoo, Marge: Austoo, and Rich: Rooth, bur: | Septem. 17. | at Islington. | |||
| Agnes Bongor, & Margaret Thurston, bur: | eodem die. | at Colchester | |||
| Ioyce Lewis, bur: | eodē mēse. | at Litchfield. | |||
| Iohn Kurd, bur: | 20. | at Northamp. | |||
| Iohn Noyes, bur: | eodē mēse. | at Layfield | |||
| Cycely Ormes, bur: | 23. | at Norwich. | |||
| Iohn Halingdale, Wil: Sparrow, & Rih: Gibson, bur: | Nouem. 18 | at Colchester. | |||
| Iohn Rough, & Margery Mearing, bur: | Decem. 22 | in Smithfield. | |||
| Iohn Warner, Tho: Athoth, Io: Mylles, Nich: Holden, Iohn Ashdon, & Tho: Spurdance, bur. | eodem An. | in Chichester Diocesse. | |||
| 1558. | Mariae Ang. 6. | Mariae Scot. 17. | Hugh Fox, Iohn deuenish, & Cuthbert Simson, bur: | March. 28 | in Smithfield. |
| Wil: Nicholne, bur: | Aprill. 9. | at Hereford. | |||
| Wil: Seaman, Thomas Carman, & Tho: Hudson, bur: | May. 19 | at Norwich | |||
| Wil: Harris, Richard Day, & Christian George, bur: | 26. | at Colchester | |||
| Henry Pond, Raynold Eastland, Robert Southam, Mat: Richardby, & Roger Holland, bur: | June 27. | in Smithfield. | |||
| Richard Yeoman, bur: | July 10 | at Norwich. | |||
| Robert Mylles, Steph Cottō, Robert Dynes, Ste: Wight, [Page] Iohn Slade, & Wil: Pikes, bur: | Iuly. 14. | at Brainford. | |||
| Iohn Cooke, Robert Myles, Alex: Lane, & Iames Ashley, bur: | eodē mēse. | at Bury. | |||
| Thomas Bembridge, bur: | eodē mēse. | in Winchester Diocesse. | |||
| Alex: Gowch, and Alice Driuer, bur: | Nouē. 4. | at Ipswich. | |||
| Phil: Humfrey, Iohn David, Hen: Dauid, and a woman named Preest, bur: | eodē mēse. | at Exceter. | |||
| This yere the 17. of Nouem: dyed Q. Marie. | Iohn Corneford, Christopher Browne, Io: Herst, Alice, Snoth, and Kathe: Knight, (alias Tynley) being (as sayth M. Fox) the last that suffered in Queene Maries Raigne, were burned. | 10. | at Cāterbury | ||
| The whole number of Martyrs burned in 5. yeres of Qu. Maries Raigne, by this account is about 260. |
A Beadroll of all such traiterous Priests, Iesuits, and Popish Recusants, as by I. W. Priest in his English Martyrologe are by him recorded for Martyrs in this Kingdome, since the first yeare of Queene Elizabeth vntill the latter end of the sixt yeare of King Iames our now Soueraigne Lord his Raigne.
❀ Drawen jnto such an order as that at one viewe you may behold the yeare of our L: God, the yeares of the Princes Raignes both of England and Scotland, the Names of those that suffered, the day and moneth wherein they suffered, and the places of their suffering.
¶ A Table very necessary for all Lawyers, Scriueners, Clarkes, or whosoeuer else desire vpon any occasion to know how the double account of the yeares of the Raignes of the Princes of England and Scotland, since the first yeare of Queene Marie, vntill this present yeare of our Lord 1611. doe agree and concurre. The like before not extant.
¶ But more especially published to prooue, vnto the vnderstanding of the most simple, that Poperie is a false Bloudy, Antichristian and Mercilesse Religion, whose professors delight in shedding the Bloud of Gods Saints; and on the contrary, that the Gospell which we now in England professe is the Truth, and hath for truth beene confirmed with the bloud of many more Martyrs (in lesse then sixe yeares space) then this Popish Priest in his Martyloge with any shew of truth can (though falsely) pretend to haue suffered in England for Religion in 50. yeares since.
[Page]THE DETESTABLE ENDS OF POPISH TRAYTORS:
| The yere of our L. God beginning by this account Mar. 25. | Qu Elizab. her Raig. of Eng: beginning No. 17. 1558. | Q. Mary her Raig. of Scotlād begining Decē. 18 1542. | The names of Traitors as were executed in England in Queene Elizabeth Raigne. | The days of the moneth wherein they were executed. | The places where they were executed. |
| Nouēb. 17. Eliz. Angl. 1. | |||||
| 1559. | Elizab: Angl. 2. | Mariae Scot. 18. | |||
| 1560. | Elizab. Angl. 3. | Mariae Scot. 19 | |||
| 1561. | Elizab: Ang. 4. | Mariae Scot. 20 | |||
| 1562. | Elizab. Ang. 5. | Marioe Scot. 21 | |||
| 1563. | Elizab. Ang. 6. | Marioe Scot. 22. | |||
| 1564. | Elizab. Ang. 7. | Mariae Scot. 23 | |||
| 1565. | Elizab. Ang. 8 | Mariae Scot. 24. | |||
| This yere Iuly 28. H. L. Darly was proclaimed Ki. and on the morrow after hee married the Qu. Marioe Scot. 25. | |||||
| 1566. | Elizab. Angl. 9. | In this yeare of our L. god Iune 19 [Page] was our (now) Kings Maiesty Borne, & Christenned the 18. day of Decem. following. | |||
| The 10 of Febr. following the K. was murthered by traitors | |||||
| 1567. | Elyzab. Ang. 10 | This yeare in the moneth of Iuly Q. Mary being prisoner in Lochleuine willingly resigned her Crown vnto [Page] James the yōg Prince, our now Soueraigne Lord & King, he was thē but two yeares old. | |||
| K. Iames his Rai. of Scot. being the 6. King of that name. | |||||
| Iuly. 29 Iacobi. Sexti Scoto. 1. | |||||
| 1568. | Elyzab. Ang. 11 | Iacob. Scoto. 2. | |||
| 1569. | Elyzab. Ang. 12 | Jacob. Scoto. 3. | |||
| 1570. | Elyzab. Ang. 13 | Jacob. S [...]oto. 4. | Iohn Felton. | August. 8. | in Paules Church yard. |
| 1571. | Elyzab. Ang. 14 | Jacob. Scoto. 5. | Iohn Story. | June 1. | at Tyburne. |
| 1572. | Elyzab. Ang. 15 | Jacob. Scoto. 6. | |||
| 1573. | Elyz: 16 | Iacob: 7 | Thomas Woodhouse. | June 19. | at Tyburne. |
| 1574. | Elyz: 17 | Iacob 8. | |||
| 1575. | Elyz: 18 | Iacob: 9. | |||
| 1576. | Elyz: 19 | Iaco: 10 | |||
| 1577. | Elyzab: Ang: 20 | Iacob: Scot: 11 | Cuthbert Mayne. | Nouem: 29 | at Launston. |
| Iohn Nelson. | Feb. 3. | at Tyburne. | |||
| 1578. | Elyzab: Ang: 21 | Jacob: Scot: 12 | Thomas Sherwood, | Febru. 7. | |
| 1579. | Elyzab: Ang: 22 | Iacob: Scot, 13 | Anno. 1577. in the moneth of Ianuary, was published a Proclamation against Seminary Priests and Iesuits, and for calling home the Queenes subie&s from forraigne Seminaries, where they remained vnder colour of studie. | ||
| 1580. | Elyzab: Ang: 23 | Iacob: Scot: 14 | |||
| 1581. | Elyzab: Ang: 24 | Iacob: Scot: 15 | Euerard Hanse. | July 31. | at Tyburne. |
| Edmund Campion. | Decem. 1 | at Tyburne. | |||
| Alexander Bryant. | |||||
| Ralphe Sherwyn. | |||||
| 1582. | Elyzab: Ang: 25 | Iacob: Scot: 16 | Iohn Paine. | Aprill 2. | at Chelmsford |
| Thomas Ford. | May. 28. | at Tyburne. | |||
| Iohn Shert. | |||||
| Robert Iohnson. | |||||
| Thomas Co [...]tam. | May 30 | at Tyburne. | |||
| William Filby. | |||||
| Luke Kirby. | |||||
| Lawrence Iohnson. | |||||
| William Lacy. | August. 22 | at Yorke. | |||
| Richard Kirkman. | |||||
| Iames Tompson. | in Nouem: | at Yorke. | |||
| 1583. | Elyzab: Ang: 26 | Iacob: Scot▪ 17 | Richard Thirkhill. | May. 29 | at Yorke. |
| Iohn Slade. | Octob. 30 | at Winchester | |||
| William Hart. | at Yorke. | ||||
| Iames Laburne. | at Lancaster. | ||||
| William Carter. | Janu: 11. | at Tyburne. | |||
| George Haddocke, Io: Mundine, Iames Fen, Thomas Emerford, & Iohn Nutter. | Feb. 12. | at Tyburne. | |||
| 1584. | Elyzab: Ang: 27 | Jacob. Scot. 18 | Iames Bele. | Aprill 20. | at Lancaster |
| Iohn Finch. | |||||
| Richard White. | Octo. 18. | at Wrixam. | |||
| This yeare also were 21. Iesuits and Seminary Priests banished the Realme, Ianu: 21. | |||||
| 1585. | Elyzab: Ang. 28 | Jacob. Scot. 19 | Thomas Aufield. | July 6. | at Tyburne. |
| Thomas Webley. | |||||
| Hugh Taylor. | at Yorke. | ||||
| Marmaduke Bowes: | |||||
| Margaret Clitherow. | in March. | at Yorke. | |||
| N. Hamelton. | at Yorke. | ||||
| Rob: Bicardine. | |||||
| Edward Transam. | Janu. 21 | at Tyburne. | |||
| Nich: Woodfine. | |||||
| This yeare also were 32. Priests & Iesuits banished the Realme, Sep. 19. | |||||
| 1586. | Elyzab: Ang: 29 | Jacob. Scot: 20. | Richard Sergeant. | Aprill 20. | at Tyburne. |
| William Tompson | |||||
| Iohn Adams. | Octo. 8. | at Tyburne. | |||
| Iohn Low. | |||||
| Rob: Debdale. | |||||
| Rob: Anderton. | at Tyburne. | ||||
| William Marsden. | |||||
| Francis Ingleby. | at Yorke. | ||||
| Stephen Rowsam. | at Gloucester | ||||
| Iohn Finglow. | |||||
| 1587. | Elyzab: Ang: 30 | Jacob. Scot: 21. | Thomas Pilchard. | in March. | at Dorcester. |
| Iohn Sands. | at Gloucester | ||||
| Iohn Hamly. | at Chard. | ||||
| Alexander Crowe. | at Yorke. | ||||
| Robert Sutton. | at Stafford. | ||||
| Edmund Sykes. | |||||
| Grabriell Thimbleby. | |||||
| George Dowglas. | |||||
| 1588. | Elyzab: Ang: 31 | Iacob. Scot: 22 | William Deane. | August. 28 | at Myle-end-greene. |
| Henry Webley. | |||||
| William Gunter. | eodem die. | at the Theat: | |||
| Robert Morton. | eodem die. | at Lincolns-Inne Fields. | |||
| Hugh More. | |||||
| Tho: Acton, alias Holford. | eodem die. | at Clarkēwel | |||
| Richard Clarkson. | eodem die. | ||||
| Thomas Felton. | at Hownslow | ||||
| Rich: Leigh, Edward Shelley, Hugh Morgan, Rich: Flower, Robert Martyn, Iohn Rocke, & Margaret Wade. | Aug. 30. | at Tyburne. | |||
| Edward Iames. | Octob. 1. | at Chichester. | |||
| Ralph Crochet. | |||||
| Robert Wilcockes. | eodem die. | at Cāterbury. | |||
| Edward Campion. | |||||
| Christo: Buxton. | |||||
| Rob: Widmerpoole. | |||||
| William Wigges. | eodem die. | at Kingston. | |||
| Iohn Robinson. | eodem die. | at Ispwich. | |||
| Iohn Weldon. | October 5. | at Milēdgreen | |||
| William Hartley. | eodem die. | at Halliwell. | |||
| Rich: Williams. | |||||
| Robert Sutton. | eodem die. | at Clarkēwel. | |||
| William Spencer. | |||||
| Edward Burden. | |||||
| Iohn Hewyt. | |||||
| Rob: Ludham. | at Darby. | ||||
| Richard Simpson. | |||||
| Nicholas Garlicke. | |||||
| William Lampley. | at Gloucester | ||||
| 1589. | Elyzab: Ang: 32 | Iacob. Scot. 23 | George Nicols, Rich: Yaxley, Tho: Belson, Hū: vp Richard. | ||
| July 5. | at Oxford. | ||||
| Iohn Annas. | |||||
| Robert Dalby. | |||||
| Christopher Bales. | March. 4. | in Fleetstreet. | |||
| Alexander Blake. | eodem die. | in Gr: In. lane | |||
| Nicholas Horner. | eodem die. | in Smithfield. | |||
| 1590. | Elyzab: Ang. 33 | Jacob. Scot. 24. | Myles Gerrard. | Aprill. 30. | at Rochester. |
| Francis Dickinson. | |||||
| Anthony Myddleton. | May. 6. | at Clarkēwel | |||
| Edward Iones. | May 6. | in Fleetstreet. | |||
| 1591. | Elyzab. Ang. 34 | Jacob. Scot. 25 | Edmund Gennings. | Decem. 10 | in Grays Inn Fields. |
| Swithin Welles. | |||||
| Eustach White. | Decem. 10 | at Tyburne. | |||
| Polydor Plasden. | |||||
| Bryan Lacy. | |||||
| Iohn Mason. | |||||
| Sidney Hodgson. | |||||
| Momfort Scot. | Iuly. 2. | in Fleetstreet. | |||
| George Bisley. | |||||
| William Dickinson. | July. 7. | at Winchester | |||
| Ralph Milner. | |||||
| Edmund Ducke. | at Durham. | ||||
| Rich: Holiday. | |||||
| Ioh: Hagge. | |||||
| Rich: Hill. | |||||
| William Pykes. | at Dorcester. | ||||
| William Pattison. | Iann. 22. | at Tyburne. | |||
| Tho: Portmore. | Feb. 21. | in Paules Church yard. | |||
| This yeare also in the moneth of Octob: was published a Proclamation against Priests and Iesuits. | |||||
| 1592. | Elyz. 35 | Iaco. 26. | Roger Ashton. | June. 23. | at Tyburne. |
| 1593. | Elyzab. Ang 36 | Jacob. Scot. 27. | Iames Burden. | March 25 | at Winchester |
| Anthony Page. | Aprill 30 | at Yorke. | |||
| Ioseph Lampton. | Iune. 23. | at Newcastle. | |||
| William Dauis. | in Sep [...]em. | at Beumaris. | |||
| Edward Waterson. | |||||
| William Harrington. | Feb. 18. | at Tyburne. | |||
| 1594. | Elyzab: Ang: 37 | Iacob. Scot. 28 | Iohn Cornelius Mohum. | July 4. | at Dorcester. |
| Tho: Bosgraue | |||||
| Patricke Samon. | |||||
| Iohn Carey. | |||||
| Iohn Ingram. | |||||
| Thomas Boast: | at Newcastle. | ||||
| Iames Oldbaston. | |||||
| Robert Southwell. | March 3. | at Tyburne. | |||
| 1595. | Elzyab. Ang. 38 | Jacob. Scot. 29 | Henry Walpole. | ||
| Alexander Rawlins. | Aprill. 17. | at Yorke. | |||
| George Errington. | at Yorke. | ||||
| William Knight. | |||||
| William Gibson. | |||||
| Henry Abbots. | |||||
| William Freeman. | |||||
| 1596. | Elizab. Ang. 39 | Iacob. Scot. 30 | N: Auleby. | ||
| N: Thorpe. | |||||
| 1597. | Elyz: 40 | Iaco. 31 | Iohn Buckley, alias Iones. | Iuly. 12. | at S. Th: Wa: |
| 1598. | Elizab. Ang. 41 | Iacob. Scot. 32 | Thomas Snow. | at Yorke. | |
| Christoph: Robinson. | |||||
| Rich. Horner. | |||||
| N: Grimston. | |||||
| N: Britton. | |||||
| 1599. | Elyz: 42 | Iaco: 33. | Math. Hayes. | at Yorke. | |
| 1600. | Elizab. Ang. 13 | Jacob. Scot. 34. | Christopher Wharton, with a namelesse Woman. | May. 18. | at Yorke. |
| Iohn Rigby. | July 21. | at S: Th. Wa: | |||
| Robert Nutter. | in June. | at Lancaster | |||
| Edward Thwinge. | |||||
| Thomas Sprot. | in Iuly. | at Lincolne. | |||
| Thomas Hunt. | |||||
| Thomas Palaser. | eodē mēse. | at Durham. | |||
| Iohn Norton. | |||||
| N: Talbot. | |||||
| Iohn Pibush. | Febr. 11. | at Tyburne. | |||
| Roger Filcocke. | Feb. 27. | at Tyburne. | |||
| Marke Barkvvorth. | |||||
| Anne Lyue. | |||||
| 1601. | Elyzab: Ang: 44 | Iacob. Scot: 35 | Robert Middleton. | at Lancaster. | |
| Thurstan Hunt. | |||||
| 1602. | Elyzab: Ang: 45 | Iacob. Scot. 36 | Francis Page. | Aprill 29 | at Tyburne. |
| Thomas Tichborne. | |||||
| Robert Watkinson. | |||||
| Iames Ducket. | |||||
| N: Harrison. | in Aprill. | at Yorke. | |||
| N: Bates. | |||||
| Mar: 24 being the last day of the yere 1602. by the account of Eng: dyed Queene Elizab: | William Richardson. | Feb. 27. | at Tyburne. | ||
| The whole number of such Priests, Iesuits, and Recusants, as were executed in all the time of Queene Elizabeths Raigne, being 44. yeares and 4. moneths, according to the Martyrologists owne account, (as he falsely pretends for religion) amounts but to 180. | |||||
| 1602. M [...]: 24 Iacob: Ang: 1. | KING IAMES HIS Raigne of England. | ||||
| 1603. | Iacob: Ang: 2. | Iacob: Scot▪ 37 | William Watson. | Nouem: 29 | at Winchester |
| William Clarke. | |||||
| Stowe. | This yere also was published a Proclamation against Priests and Iesuits, that they should depart the Land. | ||||
| 1604. | Iacob: Ang: 3. | Iacob: Scot: 38 | Lawrence Bayly. | in March. | at Lancaster. |
| Iohn Shuker. | in August. | at Warwicke. | |||
| Robert Griffold. | |||||
| 1605. | Iacob: 4. | Iaco: 39. | Thomas Wilborne. | at Yorke. | |
| 1606. | Iacob: Ang: 5. | Iacob: Scot: 40 | Edward Oldcorne. | Aprill 7. | at Worcester. |
| Ralph Ashley. | |||||
| Henry Garnet. | May 3. | in Paules Church yard. | |||
| Robert Drury. | Febru. 26. | at Tyburne. | |||
| This yeare also was published a Proclamation that all Iesuites and Seminary Priests, should depart the Land. | |||||
| 1607. | Iacob: 6. | Iaco: 41 | Mathew Flathers. | March 21 | at Yorke. |
| 1608. | Iacobi. Ang. 7. | Jacob: Scot: 42 | George Geruis. | Aprill 11 | at Tyburne. |
| Thomas Garnet. | June 23. | at Tyburne. | |||
| 1609. | Iaco: 8. | Iaco: 43 | And thus endeth J: VV: Priest the Pseudo-Martyrologist, by whose account there haue suffered since the first yeare of King James, of these Popish Traytors (as he falsely pretends for Religion) to the number of 13. | ||
| 1610. | Iaco: 9: | Iaco: 44. | |||
| 1611. | Iaco: 45 | ||||
| 1612. | |||||
| 1613. | |||||
| 1614. | |||||
| 1615. |
A POST-SCRIPT TO THE WEL AFFECTED READER.
IT may bee that some of Antichristes broode will here crye out with open mouthes and say, [...]ut there are many of our Catholique Martyrs, who haue suffered persecution for their consciences that are not here mentioned. Here is a Collectiō indeed, to set down some, and leaue out the rest: where are those Earles of Northumberland and Westmerland with their followers? where the Bristow in his motiues 15. Chap. 73 calleth these Martyrs. Aboue 1000 of thes saythe lay Catholiques in their Suplicatiō to the Kings Maiestie 1604. abandoned their liuīgs rather then they would chāge their religiō. Also the three cōuersions of England, part the first, page 264. Bishops, Deanes, Archdeacons, Canons, and other Ecclesiastical persons? where Doctor Lopez, Parry? where many of the Gentry, as Abington, Babington, Tichborne, Sauadge and their fellowes? and of late where the Lords Cobham and Gray? where Digbie, Percy, Catesbie, Tresham, Rookewood, the Winters, Litletons & their followers, With diuers others both of the Nobilitie and Gentrie, who for their consciences in seeking to aduance the (By them so falsely called) Catholique religion, haue suffered Martyrdome, some by death, some by imprisonment, some by banishment, some by losse of liuings, some one way, some another? So condemning these collections with the author thereof to the fire, as sometimes their forefathers did the Gospells confessors before registred. [Page 2] 1 To stoppe whose mouthes let this suffice: First, that I neither propounded to my selfe, nor promised to them, to set downe herein the names of any other in Queene Mary her Raigne, then onely of such as meerely for their consciences in professing CHRISTS Gospell were in those dayes with fire and fagot martyred and burned, not at all medling with such as either were attainted or executed for treasons and rebellions, either against her person, state or dignitie, whom no good Christians wil seeke to excuse, in so doing, nor of any other in Q. Elizab. or King Iames their raignes, thē only of such Seminary Three conuersions page 265. Of Priests aboue 100. haue Sealed the confession of their faith with blood within 40. yeeres. Priests Iesuits & Recusants, as I find recorded by their martyrologist I. W. Priests whom many simple Papists being seduced by their false teachers giue out to haue suffered onely for Religion and their consciences, although that in all of these Priests and Iesuites, men of iudgement may easily discerne the contrarie, and as for many of them, the most simple cannot be ignorant that knoweth any thing, nor the most shamelesse denie, that is not past all shame, that they were executed for plotting and contriuing, for knowledge of, and concealing most barbarous & the like before vnheard of treasons, whereas true martyrdome indeede consisteth ferendo & patiendo, A small nū ber in comparison of 278. martyrs in lesse then sixe yeeres. non in agendo, in bearing patiently, and suffering afflictions for CHRISTS cause, but not in plotting and attempting the liues and ouerthrowes of Kings and Countries, their lawfull and Liege Soueraignes and natiue (though of them hated) habitations and byrth-place: witnesse for proofe hereof, 1. Ballard, 2. Watson, 3. Clarke, 4. Garnet the Iesuites Prouinciall, 5. Hall with others, the first of these was a chiefe actor and plotter in Abingtons and Babingtons Conspiracie. Anno 1586. the second & third in Cobhams and Grayes, but more properly (for they are the first mouers alwaies) in Watsons and Clarkes their owne conspiracie, Anno, [Page 3] 1603. The fourth and fift in the Gunpouder treason, which onely to name is instar omnium the most damnable bloodie plot that euer was contriued (and I hope in time will proue as their owne Greenwell prophesied, the very breakneck of all Papists that will not bee recalled) Anno, 1605. although I greatly feare that there are many in this Kingdome, who, now GOD in his mercie hath defeated them, seeme to condemne the plotte, but yet would with all their hearts haue wished that it had taken effect, Talia etenim nunquam probata antequàm acta, for such attempts as these (to wit the Gunpouder and others treasons,) are neuer liked of, vnlesse they bee acted, but if performed, then applauded with Vide Pope Sixtus the 5. his oration vpō the death and murther of Henry the 3. French King, by a Fryar. Panegyricke Orations.
Well, that Papistes haue found so much mercie at the Kinges handes (notwithstanding this their more then heathenish crueltie) as they haue, let them blesse God and thanke his Maiestie, and I pray God they may make a good vse thereof, but let vs that are his faithfull subiects, reioyce in God for his and our owne deliuerance from so eminent danger, ascribing all glorie and thankfulnesse to God therefore, and vnspeakeable mildnes and forbearance in our King, whom no barbarous attempted cruelties, (for then the Gunpouder treason neuer was any more horrid, more hellish) can prouoke vnto rigor, hee is so loath to bee of his very enemies accounted cruell.Ne misericordia in inimicos fit crudelitas in se suos (que) But Lord grant thou Ne incidat in Scillam cupiens vitare Carybdim, that his mercy towards his foes proue not crueltie to himselfe, his Friends and good subiects. For this I may iustly say, that for a mercifull King in forgiuing his enemies, whom yet hee hath power to destroy, England may boast her selfe aboue all the nations of the world.
Secondly if Papists will haue, besides these Priestes,2 [Page 4] Iesuits & Recusants by their Pseudomartyrologist noted, all other traitors and rebels to bee likewise enrolled, let them name as many as they can, and register them themselues, and take them into their number, for well I knowe that (vnto honest men) the more they name, the more infamous will they bee, because their horrible and damnable treasons are vnto all good men (to whom onely I intend this Post-script) so odious, and vnto the world so apparant and palpable, that their names cannot but with disgrace bee recorded, whereas none, who were in Queene, Mary her raigne burned, did suffer for any other cause (as the Papists themselues cannot deny but that they falsely call vs heretiques) but onely for matter of religion; nor can they bee iustly accused of any to haue attempted against the life of their then Soueraigne Lady Queene Mary, or to haue denied her for their lawfull Queene but so, (Non obstante religionis disparitate, although they differed in religion) to haue acknowledged her, so to haue prayed for her, in all humilitie submitting their neckes, as good subiects, to the yoake of temporall obedience to her Maiestie, and like true Christian martyrs, their bodies to the fire, for the onely profession of the Gospel of Christ Iesus, whom in their bodies, goods and spirits they serued.
3 Thirdly, as I take not vpon mee to see downe precisely the name of euery particular Priest, Iesuite, and Recusant, that suffered in Queene Elizabeths, and King Iames their raignes, nor yet the iust number of those blessed Martyrs that were burned in Queene Mary her raigne, but so many on [...]ly of both sortes as are for them in I. W. Priest, his English Printed in Anno 1608. as hee saith, Permissu superiorum. Martyrologe, and for vs by that worthy man Maister Iohn Fox in his booke of Martyres recorded: So I am most certainely assured, that if I should nominate all those persons who [Page 5] in lesse then sixe yeeres raigne of Queene Mary were Vide Fox his booke of Martyres in Queen Maries raigne. famished for want of meate, imprisoned, dyed in prison, forced to flye, whipped, tortured and tormented onely for matter of religion, and some of these by the very handes of bloodie Bishoppe Bonner himselfe, they would farre exceede the number of all such Priestes and Iesuites, as the Papistes can produce to haue endured in England any kinde of torture or corporall punishment whatsoeuer for religon, (as they falsely pretend) or otherwise for these fiftie and odde yeeres since.4
Fourthly, and lastly, no Priestes are Vide the Lord Burleigh late Lord Treasurer his booke intituled Execution of Iustice for treason and not for Religion. condemned simply for being Priests, but if being borne his Maiesties subiects, they shall take that order vppon them by authoritie deriued from the Sea of Rome, and afterwards shall returne into his Maiesties Kingdomes Earle of Northampton in his prīted speech at Garnets arraignemēt in the fourth page of the letter GG. to withdrawe and alienate the hearts of his subiectes, (for so they all doe) from their due allegeance.) And for this lawe there is great reason. For as Queene Elizabeth was formerly (nominatim) by the Pope Excommunicated, and therevpon by the seducing of Priestes and Iesuites, (the firebrands of Christendome) exposed both in her person and state to all daungers and treasonable practises that could by villaines bee deuised, and her Kingdomes as the Papists hold, Their refusall of the Oath of allegeance proueth what they hold in this point, and the Popes gift of Ireland to the King of Spaine, mentioned by Azorius the Iesuite in his institut. moral. confirmeth it. subiect to the Popes disposing, so likewise the Kings Maiestie although hee bee not for ought I knowe, by the Pope, by name excommunicated as yet, as Queene Elizabeth was, Yet by the generall excommunication whereby all Heretickes (for such a one they hold his Maiestie to bee directly) are anathematized, hee standes at this instant excommunicated.
[Page 6]And therefore Papists holding opinions, as they doe, that it is Vide Faux his confession with others mentioned in the afore quoted page by the Earle of Northāpton. Confer also herewith Catesbies answere to Garnet in the last page of R. and also in the last page of T. of the former booke. his words are; If it were lawfull not to admitte of the Kings Maiesty at first warranted by the Popes Breeues then was it also lawfull to cast him out. lawfull for subiects to kill their Soueraignes, and take armes against them, so by the Pope excommunicated, holding him no longer to bee their King by lawfull right of ruling, then the Pope pleaseth; which is onely thus qualified, Rebus sic stantibus; cùm deerunt vires, as long as they needes must, and that they dare doe no otherwise for feare of their neckes. Is it not then great reason (to you that in CHRIST haue learned to obey I speake) that his maiestie should as neere as hee can, preuent such daungers to himselfe and his State? But here it may bee the Priests will reply and say: Wee are bound by oath, and therefore in conscience, to goe whether soeuer those of whom wee receiue our Priestly Orders, shall enioyne vs.
But first answere me; who enforced you thereto, either to leaue your country or to take that order? Did Queene Elizabeth? doth King Iames? doe you not that of your owne voluntarie wils contrarie to your own known countrie lawes.
Secondly, whether that single (sinnefull I may say) Oath bee of sufficient authoritie to dissolue that treble bond of allegeance, in which by being his Maiesties borne subiects, you are bound by lawe This trebble bond thē selues whiles they laboured to seeme good subiects, acknowledged in their supplication to the Kings Mai [...]stie, chap. 5. neere the end thereof. Agreeable hereto is the Earle of Northamptons sound maxime in the last page of FF. in his speech to Garnet. diuine, naturall and nationall.
Thirdly, if you before knowing the daunger thereof will yet voluntarily take such oaths; where then is the fault? in the Prince that vppon good and warrantable grounds shall in a religious policie, to preuent the hazard of his owne, and his subiects states and liues, cause such a lawe to bee enacted, or in the Priestes that shall [Page 7] Scienti & volenti, non fit iniuria. wilfully and in a resolute determination of working their countries ouerthrowe take such an oath? And here for a shutting vp of all, giue me leaue, (because the Papists hold so much of the Popes authoritie against Princes by him excommunicated,) to insert Besides this Priestes confession agaīst themselues, see also for thy better confirmation in this point, the iudgement of two great Counsellors of state in their seuerall writings published by the Earle of Salisbury in his answere to certaine scandelous papers in the third page of C. and the Earle of Northampton in his speech at Garnets Arraignement, in the letter HH. in diuers pages thereof. two questions with their answeres, propounded by the right reuerend father in God the late Lord Bishoppe of London, vnto Thomas Garnet, Aliàs Roockwood, Aliàs Sayer a Seminarie Priest, at the time of the saide Garnets arraignement at the Sessions-house without Newgate in London vpon Thursday the 16. of Iune 1608.
The first question was this. Whether the saide Garnet had euer read any authors whatsoeuer, vntill some hundreds of yeares after Christs time, that did hold that the ende of Excommunication tended to a depriuation of life.
The second question was this. Whether if the saide Garnet himselfe helde lands, which by lawfull and lineall inheritance had descended from his auncestors vnto him, it were lawfull for the Pope, Garnet being by him excommunicated, to giue the lands vnto whom hee pleased? Garnets answere vnto the first was vncertaine, for saide hee, I remember not well what I haue reade concerning this point.
But vnto the second question hee answered directly, Noe. Why then, mildely replied the Bishoppe, what reason haue you Maister Garnet, to hold that the Pope hath more authoritie ouer the Kings Maiestie, being your Soueraigne, then ouer you being but a priuate person, and his Subiect.
This Thomas Garnet is the last that our Pseudomartyrologist. I. W. Priest hath noted in his Beadroll to haue suffered in King Iames his raigne.Garnets reioynder was silence, hauing first by a concession in his owne case graunted, that the Popes authorities was of no force herein. Thus much for satisfaction [Page 8] in this point vnto all men out of the mouth of Thomas Garnet Seminarie Priest. To this purpose see also Iohn Hart Seminary Priest, his wordes in his Preface before his D. Reignolds conference with Harts, in Harts owne Preface therto. conference with Doctor Reignolds. Nor may I here neglect that offer which Pope Paulus the fourth made vnto Queene Elizabeth in the beginning of her Raigne, who when he perceiued that his vsurped authoritie and Primateship grew in England contemptible, condicionally that hee might hold that power here that vniustly hee had before done when this land was drowned in Poperie, would haue beene contented, and caused the Queenes Maiestie to vnderstand that hee would be pleased, that all matters for religion should be administred in the same manner that then they were, (being the very same then per omnia, that now it is) onely his Supremacie must bee acknowledged, for that indeed, not Religion, not godlinesse, not any thing but pride and ambition to be in the eyes of the world aboue all, both was and is the cause of his raging madnesse.
But that noble spirited Queene, whose religion was founded vpon a rock, Christ Iesus being the chiefe corner stone, by whom all her building was ioyned together, scorned to be beholding to that Italian Priest for the exercise of that religion, which were it lawfull by his dispensation, she would and could by the power of God and her owne authoritie, maintaine against him, and all the power of darkenesse and hell it selfe, without being beholding to him.
Let those Prince whose either Pusillanimitie, or weaknes of their estates, or small assurance of their subiects loues, or want of courage to withstand his yoake of intrusion, or whose vnlawfull Relation of the state of religion in the west part of the world, neere the beginning therof. mariages and thereby illicite, issue and succession, must bee legitimated by a more illegitimate dispensation from his vnholinesse, that the [Page 9] power and sword of the one, may vphold the authoritie of the other, that his authoritie may reciprocally helpe to keepe that Crowne vpon the head of him and his successors, who otherwise were thereof by their owne and Gods lawes vncapable, verifying thereby that olde Prouerbe, Clawe me and I will claw thee: Let thy vsurped authoritie maintaine my illicite mariage, and my power and purse shall maintaine thy vsurped authoritie. Let such as expect Azorius in his institutions, part. 2. booke 11. chapt. 5. Donations of other Princes Kingdomes from their grand trā slator of Empyres the Pope, the diuels substitute, as Philip the second of that name King of Spaine did, vpon whom Pius Quintus, (or rather Impius intus) the diuels vicegerent then at Rome, conferred the Kingdome of England (but all the craft was in the catching) instanced and approued as an act lawfull, by Azorius the Iesuite in his morall institutions, part second, booke eleuenth, chapter the fift, circa medium capitis.
Let such Princes I say adhere to the Pope, & subiugate their neckes to his trampling, but let those, whose cause is good, succession lawful, spirits more m [...]gnanimous, and of a better mettall, their subiects hearts generally, firmely assured, the word of God which is trueth it selfe on their side, power and abilitie to withstand (and offend) him and all his vnholy confederates, free Princes next vnder God in their owne Dominions. Let these I say all learne of that renowned Queene Elizabeth this resolute saying, rare amongst men, but not to be paralleld by any woman, If my religion be allowable? (if my mariage lawfull, if my succession rightfull,) by the Popes Dispensation, then is it so also without it, and God willing, I will maintaine it without him, who of his power can make it no more lawfull or vnlawfull then of it selfe it is without him? for against the word of God there lieth no Dispensation. And let great, Great Brittaines King make it known for an honour to him and his posteritie that great,
Thus holding Poperie to be an hotch-poch of new religion coyned in the mints of the Babylonish whore, who contendeth to aduance her Kingdome A strange thing that the Pope claiming to bee but Christs Vicar, should yet challenge a larger power thē euer Christ himselfe did, for Christ confessed, that his Kingdome was not of this world, and yet the Pope will be a disposer and setter vp and puller downe of Kings and Kingdomes at his pleasure. aboue the Kingdome of Christ, by all meanes that themselues, or hell it selfe can inuent, by crueltie, by blood, by deceit, by abusing the word of God, by equiuocation, by what not? yea she hath so taught her brats, the Priestes and Iesuites, and infinite others by them seduced, to sweare and forsweare, to promise and protest, by whatsoeuer can bee named, (although they haue no purpose to make good any of their vowes in this kind) as that they haue almost left no means whereby a man may be assured of anothers intentions, although he vowe it neuer so seeming seriously.
Call to minde the great and serious protestations that In his booke of Quodlibets. Watson the Priest made in his Quodlibeticall questions, Here was, Mel in ore, fel in corde: a smooth tongue, but a treacherous heart. That albeit he differed in religion from that which was professed in the Church of England, yet if either Pope or Spaniard should seeke by hostile meanes to inuade his countrie, hee would willingly spend his substance, nay his dearest blood against any such as should attempt it, and yet he himselfe was the first afterwards as I remember that came to the gallowes for violating it. If I could find any thing that good is in either Priests or Iesuites, I would commend them for it, but because I cannot, holding them all to bee traytors in heart vnto his Maiestie, and their fauourers to be scarcely good subiects, I will end for their cōmendations with the words of a late, but wittie Conclaue Ignati, in Apologia pro Iesuitis, ad finem libri adiecta. Satyrist; F [...]uet illis, quisquis de illis tacet.