THe state of this Realme considered, and specially such accidentes touching the same, as late troubles haue ministred, do make it dayly more and more e­uident how precious and how deare a iewell is the safetie of the Quéenes most excellent Maiestie our most louing and beloued soueraigne Lady.The Q. preci­ous. Compare the time of her most noble and gracious go­uernement, with ages long agoe passed, and specially with the miserable and dan­gerous dayes immediatly preceding her most happie & comfortable reigne: call to memorie the weaknesse & perils wherin the common weale stoode, before her high­nesses comming to the crowne: wey the infinite benefites, both bodily and ghost­ly, that the whole realme and all her sub­iectes haue and do daily receaue by her meanes: thinke vpon the greuous and vnspeakable miseries that we all shalbe like to susteine by losse of her vnualuable presence: it shall be plaine that he is wil­fully blinde that can not sée, he is wicked­ly malicious that will not acknowledge, he is obstinately stone harted that shall not with sorrow and trembling déepely [Page] imprint in carefull hart, those motions and thoughtes that such consideration shall lay before him.The Queenes good go­uernement. Remember the quiet of conscience, the comfort of true seruing of God, the fréedome of the Realme, the deliuerance from foreine thraldome of soules, the escape of the heauie yoke of strange dominion, the recouerie of welth, the benefite of peace, the common and egall distribution of iustice, the familiar cherishing of Nobilitie, the good preser­uing and loue of the Commonaltie, the mutual and tender kindnesse at home, the amitie and awe abroad, the swéete enioy­ing of all these commodities: match here­with the danger and feare of losing them: how can it then be, but that the minde shall be marueilously distracted? Great and full of diuersities are the sittes of a passioned louer, but yet greatest where reason ruleth least. Farre greater to a good minde must be the panges of con­sideration in thys case, but yet greatest where reason ruleth most. The silly lo­uer is transported (as they complaine poore soules in their dities) somtyme with ioyes of hys enioying, sometyme with feare of his forgoing, there is no meane or order of his excessiue affection, and all [Page] is because the abused creature hath set his felicitie in a wrong conceite: But if such vaine, short, repentable, and feble delite of fansie haue such force vpon the minde of man, how much more ought the déepe, wise, naturall, and true impression of the eternall comfort of soule, the good and safe estate both of the common weale and of the priuate hauiour of him selfe, and of those thinges and persons that he holdeth dearest, yea and of hys posteritie for euer, worke more mighty, violent, and continu­ing effectes in the minde of an honest good man, that setteth hys thought vpon iuste and assured groundes? All these contem­placions can not but fill a good Christians and a good subiectes eye with sight and knowledge, how vnestimable a treasure our Quéene, our I say Quéene Elizabeth, is to the Realme of England,Resest sol­liciti plena timoris amor. and the same can not but pearce hys hart with strong feare and care for her preseruation, so farre as surely it were able (as in the dumme borne sonne of Cresus) to breake the stringes of a tyed toung, to drawe speach out of the most barbarous and ru­dest subiect, to crie out at her highnesses perill, and with such noyse as he is able to make, though it were but as a goose of [Page] the Capitole, to geue warnyng to the watchmen of the toure of all our safeties. This hath moued me to forget how vn­skilfull and how vnapt I am to treate of matters so farre aboue me, and onely to remember how méete it is for all men to thinke of those thinges that touch them so nerely. Neyther do I altogether allow of the manerlinesse of that good fellowes cur­tesie, that would not vnlocke a gate to the kyng, but made the kyng to staye there, while he ranne two miles to fetch a more worshipfull man to open it. And farre more discommendable had such good ma­ner ben, if the kyng had then ben nerely and egrely pursued by an enemye. When traiterous affection so boileth in subiectes hartes, as it can not be conteined in sto­make, but must breake out into open re­bellion, when the very humor that féedeth such treason is so strong and so angry, that neyther lenitiues of clemencie and bountie can allay it, nor purgatiues of ho­nestie and loyaltie can expell it, it is hye tyme to looke to the health of the body. When the furie of treason outrageth so farre,A figure of the Nor­thren rebel­lion. that it ouerfloweth all the banke [...] of discretion, and all the boundes of re­membring theyr owne perill: when they [Page] drawe euery ambitious popular witte in­to their fellowship, lyke an eatyng canker or infecting sore: when they can not tary the auantage of theyr owne tymes, the ripenesse of their deuises, the redinesse of their aydes, the fitnesse of seasons, nor o­ther circumspections of policie: when the stay or seuering of their heades can not holde them, but that, like an Adder when her head is cut of, they will still be wrig­ling with theyr tailes and threaten a sting­ing, when being vanquished, they yet finde some newe resorters vpon olde ho­pes: surely it must néedes appeare to be a wonderfully malicious poyson of treason that possesseth them, and so a great necessi­tie to know who be enuenimed with it, the causes of the disease,Sero me­dicina pa­ratur, cum mala per longas in­ualüere moras. and the signes of the infection, that conuenient cure may be applied, or for the vncurable some good or­der may be prouided, that the head and hart may be preserued. It is now hie time therefore, when traitors them selues haue geuen warning of their owne treasons, to search the confederacie, yea and as mi­ners follow the signes euery way as they spred in the ground till they be guided to the trunke or body of the metall, so to fol­lowe the apparances of suspicions and likelihodes, till it appeare plainely what [Page] light made the shadowe, or what fire raised the smoke. It is not good tarying till the flame mountyng in the ayre aboue the house teppe, the principalls and pillers consumed, and eche part so embraced with fire that no ayde dare approch, do plainly declare the whole building past hope of re­couery. Fyres oftentimes negligently ra­ked vp, stickes endes not throughly quen­ched, embers not regarded, a candeles end not looked vnto, haue brought many an ho­nest man to pitifull calamitie. I like there­fore better the honest wisedome of those that study how the Queene may stand and not fall, then the reaching policie of those that deuise how them selues may stand when the Quéene is fallen. God pre­serue her highnesse long, for her fallyng would make a Samsons poste with vs all, yea and rightly a Samsons poste, for no dout it woulde broose them too, that be bu­siest to pull it downe. I haue thought good therfore, as a faythfull subiect, staying my whole trust of well doing vpon the well continuing of thys blessed estate, without other respect, or rather prospect beyond it, to disclose in briefe collection of the com­mon brute of good and honest men, that loue thys estate and be carefull for it, so much as I haue noted, or rather common [Page] experience & euident truth hath opened, concerning the dispositions of sundry dan­gerous thinges, doinges, and persons, a­gaynst God, the Quéenes, highnesse, the Realme and her most noble gouernment, to the entent that vpon laying abrode of their faultes, them selues may be refor­med, or her highnesse by warning so ar­med, as they may be lesse dangerous, that is to say, more restrayned and dishabled, and her maiesties true subiectes more strengthened and emboldened.

Surely all true Christians and all true Englishe subiectes ought to beleue,True cou­clusions. and may wel know, that these are true conclu­sions.

First that euery papist, that is to say, e­uery one that beleueth all the Popes doc­trine to be true, is an enimie & traytor, a­gaynst the maiestie and honor of God, a­gaynst the crownes and dignities of all kinges and temporall princes, and against the wealth and safetie of all ciuile king­domes, policies, and common weales.

Item that euery such English Papist is a traytor to the Quéene of England, and hateth her life, wisheth the alteration of her gouernement, and liueth in hope of an other world, which euen by an ordinary [Page] byword, it is sayd that them selues doo call theyr Golden day.

Item that euery such Englishe Papist is a speciall traytor to the realme of Eng­land, and hath no regarde into what slaue­rie, conquest, subiection to foren tyrannie, dishonor or other miserie it be throwen, so that theyr false idolatrous and superstici­ous religion be restored, with libertie to spoyle and murder, without respect of dignitie, age, sexe, learning, reuerence, ho­nestie, or nature.

Item that no clemencie, gentlenesse, be­nefites, or louing dealing, can winne a Papist while he continueth a Papist, to loue her maiestie, how much so euer he dis­semble, nor bring them to ascribe theyr safetie to any her benefites, nor to any prayse of her owne goodnesse, but either to theyr own dissimulation, practise, and fals­hed, which some call cunning, or to the ho­linesse of theyr cause, for whom God for­soothe so prouideth as his anoynted ones may not possibly by any law, or at least exe­cution of law, be touched: where in deede, if they continue still vnpunished, it must be thought that God so purueyeth▪ because the punishmentes of this world are not sufficient for them. But yet in the [Page] meane time it serueth to make them vnex­cusable, by whose default so dangerous wolues remayne in the flocke.

Item that Papistrie hath this propertie of heresies, contrarie to the nature of Gods truth: that is, to be throwen down with aduersitie, and to florishe with indul­gence and lenitie.

Item that as it is reason that the owner of a shepebiter mastife, knowing his dogs qualitie, should either hang vp his dog, or paye for the shéepe that his dog wori­eth, so those that haue notorious Shepebi­ters, murderers of Gods flocke, in theyr custodie and power, must make theyr ac­compt, either to hang vp or otherwise dis­patch their curres, or ells to answere to God for the bloud of his shéepe, both such as they haue destroyed, and such as they may destroy by any possibilitie hereafter.

Item that all aduises to great persona­ges, to persuade neutralitie or an enter­teyning of contrary sides in religion with vncertaintie of countenance and fauor, is the way to supplant assured safetie, to make sure enimies and vnsure frendes, to yle open to parasites & traytors, to be vn­knowen to other, and to be vnhable to dis­cerne what other be to them.

[Page] Item that timorous policie is the worst policie that may be, what soeuer the cause be, good or bad, and worst of all it is in best causes: wherein as her maiestie hath nei­ther want of constant magnanimitie, nor cause of feare, so is it méete that her eni­mies haue no stomake to contemne her, nor by excesse of clemencie to misconstrue her goodnesse as lacke of daring.

Item that by the great nouelties and alterations of times that haue happened within our memorie, there is risen a com­mon policie among people, to ioyne to strong and safe sides, whereby they are a­liened from the fearefull, and therefore it is to be prouided, that there be a boldnesse of safetie to serue the Quéene truely and zelously, and an assurednesse of danger to her enemies.

Item by boldnesse and sharpe executi­on vpon enemies, the frendes are encora­ged, and contrariwise if the dangerous traytor be not remoued, the true subiect may be left in perill, and thereby the rest of good subiectes disabled, or at lest discou­raged to venture so farr agayne, and the fréedome of consultation in the meane time for preseruing the prince empeched.

Item that it is truely sayd Improbum [Page] hominem praestat non accusasse quam absoluere. It is better not to meddle with a dangerous noughty man, than to let him goe: for what were it els than to set a house a fier and runne away by the light?

Item that occasions and fitte opportu­nities ouerslipped are not recouerable.

Item that many times it is as small an offense to geue a warrant to kill a true man, as to pardon a murderer or traytor, as a wise shepeherd will rather geue leaue to a hunter to kill the best lambe in hys flocke, than to let goe a foxe or a wolfe.

Item that the liues of kinges and prin­ces are the liues and soules of theyr king­domes and common weales, whereby they are to consider that in being prodigall of theyr owne safeties in excesse of clemen­cie to traitors, or in securitie of exposing theyr persons to perils, Largiuntur ex a­lieno, they be liberall of that which is not theyr owne to geue.

Item that no traytor is more perilous, than he that wresteth the law to rayse an vnderminer of the princes crowne to her danger.

Item that he is iustly to be suspected that shall practise with any vayne deuise of [Page] pacification, or colored clemencie, to rebat­or blunt the edge of the princes sworde, or so to tye it in the scaberde that it may not be drawen for her defense, as if such qua­lifiers, hiders, and clokers, should séeke to abuse that most reuerend and holy signe of maiestie to no good ende or other end than God ordeined it.

Item that God can not well take it, if he be lesse zelously serued than the diuell, that there be lesse feruencie shewed by tru­ly learned princes for auauncing of Gods honor against his enemies, than hath ben by abused and deceiued princes for setting vp of the kingdome of the diuell and Anti­christ.

Item that Gods commandementes of placabilitie and forgeuenesse extend to our owne enemies, but not to his enemies, a­gainst reuenge of priuate displeasures, and not against seueritie & sharpe execution in cases of Gods honor and common weales: wherein is alway to be noted, that the Prince is so not a priuate but a publike person, as no attempt against her safetie can or ought to be accompted a priuate cause.

The full proofe and larger explication of these conclusions, though it be easy, as a [Page] thing which not onely all conuenientie of reason affirmeth, but also dayly experience laieth before all mens eyes that haue a frée consideration not accombred with corrupt zeale and affection, so yet surely were it a méete thing to be handled by some such man, as could adde thereto such ornaments of speche, such strength of eloquence, and pith of persuasion, as myght not onely be vnderstoode & beleued, but be felt & mouel Here any most excellent orators special-vertues might be well employed. A fit argument sure it were to shewe witte and knowledge, but specially truth and good meaning. But till some fitte person shall take in hand to bestow his more profitable trauayle that way, let vs yet for vnlading of some of the abundance of our entier de­uotion for Gods truth, for her maiestie, and our countrey, haue some remem­brance of the particularities thereof.

For the first article that defineth pa­pistes, that accuseth thē of treason to God, to kings, and to realmes, if it be well wey­ed it can not but quickly be séene for vn­douted truth. Though it be true, that eue­ry one that holdeth any one error or arti­cle of doctrine that the Pope teacheth, va­rying [Page] from the worde of God, is in that article a papist, as for example the heresie of transubstantiation,Not all Papistes traitors. the blasphemie of po­pish masse, or any such other, yet compt I not euery such a one wholy a papist with­in compasse of this article, that is, vnder ti­tle of a traitorous Papist, but such a one as holdeth all the Popes doctrine to be true, that the Romane church erreth not, that it hath rightfully such superioritie and pri­macie in others kingdomes and diocesces as it hath proudly claimed & vsurped, and that Christians are bound to referre their fayth vnto it, and to hang vpon the Popes determinations. Many men otherwise good & honest subiectes are not yet purged of all errors wherwith Rome hath infected them, & must haue their tyme to be bet­ter instructed. But those that are perfect Papistes,Which Papistes, be traitors that publish the Pope to be head of the church (which yet in dede is no member of the true church) and would haue vs with an implicite & bond faith, to depend vpon that sea, & for that reason will refuse by all lawful meanes to confesse the right of Princes in their kingdomes ouer all their subiectes, they be perfect traitors in deede, yea and the learned sort of them [Page] be wilfull heretikes & traitors.Learned Papistes wilfull traytors. For though in the darke tymes, when controuersies of religion were not brought into searching, the streame of error caried men awaye without douting, yet since that by deba­ting the light hath bene euidently opened, and men haue sought and throughly exa­mined the matter, there is no learned pa­pist but he knoweth he mainteineth error, and in defending and spreading the same he defendeth and spreadeth, and so directly, aduisedly, wilfully, and maliciously, put­teth in execution to his vttermost power, hye treasons against God, against kinges, and kingdomes.

Against God I cal them treasons,Treason offence a­gainst ma­iestie. though our law, the iudge of ciuil treasons in England, haue no such name, because the na­ture of the offence so properly receaueth that title, and also the vsuall name of hye treason in iure gentium, in the common law of nations, and in other languages, doth so playnely expresse it. Hye treasons are in their true nature, offences against hye maiestie, that is, either to the destructi­on of the persons, or denyall and deface­ment of the iust dignities and authorities of those that beare the name of maiestie, [Page] and to whom the hyest dutie of obedience faith and alleageance extendeth. And there­fore is treason called Crimen lesae maie­statis, the crime of violating or abating of maiestie. Greater maiestie than the maie­stie of God can not be, therefore hyer and verier treasons then against God can not be.Treason against God. His person can not be destroyed, or tou­ched: his dignitie, honor, glorie, and autho­ritie, may be sclaundered and blasphemed, and his subiectes, that is, mortall men, may be withdrawen from their due obedi­ence, and drawen into rebellion against him. And this I say is hye treason to God, to violate or abate the maiestie of God: and this do papistes. For though God be king of the whole world, and so is rightly called the Lord by vniuersall name, yea e­uen of deuilles: yet is hys chirch hys more proper and certaine kingdome, whereby he is more restrainedly and aptly called our king and our father, and so more fitly called our head in respect of the body, which is his chirch and not the rest of the worlde. In this kingdome hys hyest dignitie is to be the onely head thereof, which the Pa­pistes take from him, and deriue it to their Pope. And though with gloses they excuse [Page] it, that theyr Popes take it not from God, [...] vnder God, as his vicars, yet must they be admonished, that wythout sufficient deputation and warrant from the kyng himselfe, (which the Pope hath not) the subiect to thrust himselfe into go­uernance of the kingdome is hye treason, where he that being a stranger would seke to conquere it, were but an enemy. And so is it rightly to be sayd that the Turke is to God an enemy, and the Pope is to God a traytor, and all his adherentes principall traytors, for treason admitteth no accessa­ries.

Also one great part of Gods maiestie standeth in making of lawes, to gouerne his kingdome, that hys shéepe shall heare hys voyce and no strangers. Against which poynt of maiestie, as it is hye treason to publish lawes and proclamations in ciuile kynges names against their wyll, so are papistes hye traytors in publishing and re­ceauing lawes, proclamations, and decrées from a climing and vsurping tyrant to bynde Gods subiectes the chirch, wythout the wyll and warrant of God.

Also rebelliously to burne, destroy, tread downe, or deface in great contempt, [Page] the commissions and lawes of temporall kynges, is an hye offence against maiestie, and therefore papistes, that dishonor and discredit the word of God, and destroy the bookes thereof, are hye offenders agaynst hys maiestie.

Also hie treason it is for the subiect to leuie warre agayst hys soueraigne, and to destroy hys lande, hys faythfull subiectes, and true liege people. And therefore Pa­pistes in their persecuting and murderyng of Christians with open hostilitie, haue shewed themselues hye traytors to the vni­uersall King of Christians.

Also where the counterfaityng of prin­ces handes and coynes, and the clipping and abating the value of their true coynes, and the vttering of such forged and abated coine, is hie treason: what lesse name than hye treason agaynst God, can we geue to papistes, that haue counterfait the writing and coynes of God, and geuen out false commissions, false patentes and false char­ters in stede of his worde, that clippe from the dignitie and sufficiencie of hys word, that haue coyned false heresies, abated true doctrines, & so do publish and vtter them.

Also if corrupting and counterfaityng [Page] of Princes seales, and geuing out or an­nexing his seales to false charters of theyr owne in the Princes name, be hye trea­son: are they not hye traitors to God, that corrupt his seales his Sacramentes, and set forth new priuate institutions of their owne, as Masses, and such bagages, in stede of them, I meane not onely the in­uenters and forgers, but also the recei­uers, publishers, vtterers, and cariers a­brode of such abhominable vntruthes?

Also what greater offense agaynst Ma­iestie can be, than to commaunde the Princes subiectes not to beleue the Prin­ces word or writyng, nor any thyng that shall passe by his authoritie, without such offenders confirmation and allowance: And that the Princes word and writyng suffiseth not to direct the subiectes dutie, without such offenders explication and addicions: And that such offenders may adde at their pleasure: And that such addicions are to be holden equal with the Princes word: And that the Princes word must euer be so taken as such offen­ders expound it, & none otherwise? Then must the Papistes, in theyr discredityng the word of God, in their dishablyng it as not sufficyng to the instruction of our [Page] fayth, for the saluation of our soules▪ in theyr clayming false and vndue authoritie to theyr traditions, and in their restray­ning the word of God to their expositions though directly against the word & against the spirite of God, nedes be accompted hye traitors agaynst Gods maiestie.

Also the greatest honor and dignitie that God hath and chalengeth ielously to hym selfe among men, is the redemption and iustification of man. The Papistes, which draw that from God to man, from grace to workes, as they are most hay­nous and blasphemous traitors to God in denying his frée graciousnesse therin, so are they most arrant theues to Christian men in robbyng them of the benefite therof.

Also if to deny that the Prince ought to enioye the stile, kyngly name, and dignitie of the realme, with al preeminences to they same belongyng, be hye treason: are the not hye traitors to God, that take from God the name of our onely Iustifier, and from Christ the title of our onely redemer and Aduocate, and from the holy ghost the office and stile of our onely true and suffi­cient Instructer?

Also seing that to defile the kynges wife [Page] is hye treason, wherby the succession of hys crowne may growe to dishonor and oncertaintie: are not Papistes then hye traitors that haue made the church the spouse of God, to commit so many fowle spirituall whoredomes, with idolatries, heresies and yeldyng her selfe to be abused of strangers?

So appeareth it euidently that, if vio­latyng of maiestie: if denyng the kyng to be the onely kyng and hed of hys owne realme: if vsurpyng supreme gouernance without the kynges assignement: if ma­kyng and receiuyng lawes and proclama­tions, in the kynges name, without hys warrant: if destroyeng and defacyng in contempt, the kynges charters: if le­uyeng warre agaynst the kyng, within the realme, and murderyng hys subiectes: if counterfaityng the kynges coyne or seales: if annexyng hys seales to false wri­tynges: if abatyng hys coyne, by clippyng or otherwise: if vtterance of such forged, or abated ware: if discredityng the Prin­ces word and authoritie, and auauncyng their owne aboue it: if denyeng the kinges right to hys kyngly office: if takyng from him hys royal stile name & dignitie: if cor­ruptyng hys wife with adulterie: if any of [Page] these, if all these together, be hye treason: Papistes are hye traitors to the maiestie of almightie God.

But these parhappes may be thought to be but allegoricall or figuratiue trea­sons, (so litle the matters of God do moue vs) and in the eye and consideration of the law of the realme they are none other, yet are they in very dede truely treasons & of­fenses agaynst the hyest maiestie,Kinges should haue care of Gods honour. euen the same maiestie by whom kynges do reigne and are vpholden, and the same maiestie for which kynges ought to be carefull, if they will haue hym to prouide for theyr maiesties. Yea they are the very sedes of ciuil & temporall treasons. For vndouted­ly, as no man breaketh out into actuall sinne agaynst men, that hath not first yel­ded to an assent to offend God: so no man procedeth so farre as to commit treason a­gaynst the Prince,Papistrie sede of ci­uile trea­son. that hath not first con­ceiued a traiterous minde to rebel against God. And as of ordinarie course and na­turall necessitie it foloweth, that full and strong sedes, throwen in ground fit for them, cherished with conuenient moi­sture, and comfortable heate of norishyng sonne, must rankly growe and bring forth herbes or wedes of theyr propre kynd: so [Page] these traitorous sedes layed vp in fat soile of Papistes bosomes, if they be watered with welth and indulgence, and shyned vpon with the cherefull glimses of oppor­tunities, will surely bryng forth the frutes of theyr owne qualitie, treasons agaynst princes.Heresies punished by tempo­rall law. And for this respect, other offenses that haue in tymes past ben wrongfully supposed to be of this nature, haue ben al­so punished by the lawes of the realme. In ancient order of Letes, and other courtes, they haue ben enquired vpon before trea­sons done to the prince. They haue had theyr seuerall formes of punishmentes, yea in some cases they haue ben, and in some places and causes they yet be, ex­empted from the Princes power to par­don. They haue bene termed by speciall names of heresies and blasphemies: and theyr punishementes, byside temporall peynes, haue ben extended in opinion to the further reuenge of the eternall Ma­iestie, whoes crowne and dignitie they haue ben thought to violate. And surely, if in discernyng which were heresies and blasphemies, they had not erred: if they had not mistaken, and executed the true man for the traitor: the generall care which was pretended to mainteyne truth [Page] and the church, stode well with the dutie of Christian Princes, as viceroyes and de­puties iustly zelous for theyr superior or rather supreme Lord king of kynges and Lord of lordes, the true monarch of whole vniuersalitie. And though the same late & new deceiued antiquitie swarued from true iudgement of the persons and causes, I can not well sée howe that should be a warrant to disburden Princes of imita­tion of that zele, when it is ones ioyned with right vnderstandyng, no more than the wrongfull hangyng of a true man by mistakyng hym for a thefe or a murderer, ought to be a discharge for the very thefe or murderer, when he is afterward taken in dede. And without doubt more hole­some and profitable it were for these here­ticall traitors agaynst God,Mercie to punish Papistes. I meane the Papistes them selues, to be in this lyfe, by some sharper law and execution driuen to repentance, than to be repried or reser­ued to arrainement before the last iudge, whoes knowledge can not be deciued, whoes iusties can not then be entreated, whoes execution hath neither end nor measure: and so a litle more hardnesse with them a while, would be a very bene­ficiall and mercyfull sharpnesse.

[Page] But now let vs come to that part that toucheth men more nerely than any loue of God.Papistes traitors to kinges and king­domes. Let vs sée how they be traitors to kinges and kingdomes. If we haue minde to sée that Papistes, which holde all the Popes doctrine, to be true, are traitors in déede to kinges and kingdomes, it beho­ueth to call to minde what be the Popes doctrines, doinges & practises concerning the crownes of kinges and states of king­domes. Popes haue chalenged, and Pa­pistes that affirme the Popes to be frée from errour,Traito­rous doc­trines of Popes for kinges and kingdoms. their doctrine to be true, and their authoritie to be lawfull, do also holde that it is their due which they chalenge, that is, to haue the authoritie of both swordes, spirituall and temporall, the one in exercise, the other in power: to haue the disposition of all the crownes of Chri­stian Princes: to haue the iudgement of deciding to whom the right of any king­dome belongeth: to haue power for dis­obedience to him, or by hys discretion, to transferre the crownes of kings to whom he will: to haue lawfull power, to geue kingdomes to prey, spoyle, and conquest, to such as can inuade and possesse them: to haue power to assoile and discharge Chri­stian subiectes, from fayth and allegeance [Page] to their lawfull and naturall soueraigne Lordes, Kinges, and Princes: to haue power to geue leaue, yea commaunde­ment, blessing, reward, forgeuenesse of sinnes, and heauen it selfe, to subiectes to rebell against the Prince, to depose the Prince, disherite and destroy him: that there is of common right, and by the mere lawe of God, reserued to the Pope a spe­ciall subiection, resort, appellation, and o­bedience of one great part of all Princes subiectes, yea and of all subiectes of all Princes in one great part of their causes. Be not these hainous treasons? And these can not be denied to be the naturall and very treasons of all Papistes, that is to say, of all that depend vpon credit of the Pope, that holde hym for Gods vicar, for Peters successor, for whom Christ prayed that hys fayth should not faile, that applie to him this title ad quem persidia non po­test accedere, to whom falshode can not reach, that holde hym for a constant rocke, an assured preacher of truth, an apostoli­call man, if he be not some other thing than a man, to whom our belefe is boun­den, with such other false titles, where­with Popes them selues haue garnished them selues and their parasites haue ouer­loden them.

[Page] Consider the ordinarie practise of Popes and Papistes accordyng to these doctrines,Traite­rous do­inges of Papistes against kinges and king­domes. and than shall you sée, that from the most hye treason which the Pope committed against hys soueraigne Lorde the Emperour, the renting and destructi­on of the Empire, all the victories and suc­cesses of the Saracens & Turkes against Christendome, all the tearyng away of most noble and large kingdomes and pro­uinces from the body of Christianitie, all the subduing and thrallyng of infinite Christian soules to Mahomete and the de­uill, all the deposinges, murderinges, tur­moyllinges, ciuile warres, debates be­twene Christian Princes, shedinges of Christian bloud, indignities and oppressi­ons of Christian kinges and Emperours, conquestes, rebellions, and mischiefes, for these v. C. yeares and aboue, are wholly or chiefly to be imputed to the treasons of Popes and Papistes. All sometime most learned and noble Grecia yet lamentably rueth it. All Africa the mother of most con­stant Martyrs féeleth it. The Germane Emperours, with most hainous repro­ches and foule treading in their neckes, may not forget it. The kinges of Fraunce and Spaine, bothe at home in their natiue [Page] kingdomes, and abrode, as well in Na­ples, Sicile, Lombardie, as in other terri­tories of Italie and of the Empire, haue sharply felt it. The Lordes and states of Italie haue bene daily and long shaken with it. The kinges of England haue bene poisoned, whipped, beaten with roddes, murdered, deposed, the land geuen in con­quest, enterdited, made tributarie, robbed, pilled & scraped of their treasure, brought into slauishe subiection, depriued of honour and estimation, euery way most villa­nously abused. To let passe the elder times and further realmes, let vs speake nothing of deposing of olde Emperours, erecting of new, setting the sonne against the father, the subiect against his Lord, making them come barefooted them selues with theyr wiues and children long wayting with submission in colde frostes, treading in their neckes, spurning of their crownes, and a thousand such abhominable prides of Popes and slaueries of Princes. Let vs deale, but with our selues, and with our owne féeling, knowledge, and memorie. The accursing of king Iohn, the receauing him vassall, the making his Realme sub­iecte and feudatarie to the Pope, the ar­ming [Page] his subiectes against him, the poyso­ning of him at length, the geuing the land to the French Kinges sonne, the inuading thereof by the Dolphine of Fraunce, his so long possessing a great part of it, the re­bellion of the Barons to take the French­mens part, all the mischiefes that fell in all this while, were they not the good workes of Popes and Papistes? The great diuision of the two noble houses of Yorke and Lancaster, which cost so much English bloud, that there remaineth no house of hie or meane nobilitie, that hath not smarted for it, so many foughten fieldes within the Realme, so long and so great vncertaintie which side were true men and which were traitors, and for how many daies or houres they should be so estéemed, such desolation and miseries, to whom are they to be imputed, but to the Popish Clergie and Papistes, and among other to Tho­mas Arundell Archebishop of Canterbu­rie that traitorously practised the depo­sing of his lawfull soueraigne Lord king Richard the second? But come yet to la­ter times. How was the Quéenes ma­iesties most noble father assalted by the Pope and Papistes? His Realme was [Page] interdited and geuen away to him that could catch it. Legates, and one notable Englishe traitor, were sent about to per­suade Christian Princes, to inuade Eng­land, to destroy and depose King Henrie, and to take the Realme in reward for their labour. When Charles the late Emperour was setting forward against the Turke, Cardinall Pole being sent by the Pope, made a solemne Oration to him, which is yet extant in Print, to persuade the Emperour to turne his pre­pared power from inuading the Turke, and to bend it against King Henrie the viij. as one worse then any Turke. What turmoile was raised then by the Northren rebells against him, whereof some by his elemencie (a good example) haue liued to this day to raise a new rebellion? How troubled they her maiesties most excel­lent brother with vnhappie seditions? How vexed they and how endangered they the Realme and the Quéenes owne per­son in her sisters time? What might Charles the Emperour haue done for re­couerie and enlarging of Christendome, if his force that way entended had not by Popish practise bene peruerted sundry [Page] waies and times, to the sheding of Chri­stian bloud and wasting of Christen­dome, and to the ouerthrow of his victo­rious course? What tempestes hath the late conspiracie of Trent blowen vp in Christendome, that can not yet be quie­ted, and all because the Pope hath in­stilled an opinion into his Papistes,Pope tea­cheth to keepe no fayth. that Princes, if he dispense with them, are not bound to kéepe fayth and promise, no not the word of a king, wherby no peace can yet be assured? Whereof yet riseth one good admonition, to trust them no more, and to be well ware of them, and specially to thinke of this one particular, that wicked persons which haue geuen occasion of dangerous rebellions against the Quéenes maiestie their chiefe and onely succour and refuge, will neuer be witholden by any respecte from attemp­ting or procuring to be attempted any most hie and hainous treason and mis­chiefes, against our soueraigne Ladies safetie, if auantageable opportunitie may serue them, so long as such persons are infected with Papistrie, and can thinke the Pope hable to pardon or rather wil­ling to reward them, yea so farre as they shall suppose them selues not onely to [Page] winne the kingdome of England therby, but also the kingdome of heauen. It is perilous to thinke what traitorous rage may do, being armed with dronken su­perstition. It is a sore thing to consider the impotentie of ambition, specially when it is ioyned with the furie of rea­sonlesse loue. The common experience is, how dangerous those knottes of théeues be where there is a woman in the companie. Thus is it plaine, that for as much as the Pope claimeth such wrongfull vsurpation and tyrannie ouer kinges and realmes,Ladie of North. and sith Papistes holde that he saith true, and claimeth but his right, and can not erre in discerning it, all such Papistes are traitors to all kinges and kingdomes.

As for the second conclusion,English Papistes traitors to the Q. which accuseth English Papistes of treason to the Quéenes maiestie, it is sufficiently proued, for that it is as a particular with­in a generall, included in the former. Yet for the speciall confirmation of it, it hath certaine priuate and seuerall reasons. It is well knowen how they sought her graces death in her sisters time: what practises, what fetches were vsed for it: what examinations, what searchinges, [Page] were to finde color of her destruction, yea (if it be true, which is credibly sayd) how farre without color they proceded, if God had not miraculously kept her, to the preseruation of this Realme and the comfort of whole Christendome. But to make some demonstration of their ha­tred to her maiestie by reason, and after to descend to the examples and practi­ses, let vs examine the causes.

Whereas the Papistes holde, that the Pope is head of Gods vniuersall Church, and that such authoritie as the Quéene claimeth in England ouer ec­clesiasticall persons and in ecclesiasticall causes, as due to her highnesse in right of her crowne, is not due to her, but be­longing to the Pope, in so saying they must say that her maiestie claimeth an vn­iust tyrannicall power. And whosoeuer shall so say, though not in the same silla­bles, is an vniust and an errant traitor, and can not loue her that hath pulled downe him whom they call head of their Church.

Also where Papistes affirme the Chirch of Rome to be the true Catho­licke Chirch of God, and that, as out of Noes Arke there was no safetie from [Page] drowning, so out of the Romane Church there is no escape of damnation: is there any hope, that they so thinking can or do loue her highnesse, that hath dismem­bred them from the body of that Chirch, and plucked them out of that Cocklorelles boate?

Where Papistes holde the heresie of transubstantiation, and the bread to be Christes naturall bodie, the blasphemie of Popishe Masse to be an auailing sacri­fice for quicke and dead, the Popes par­dons to be hable to deliuer them from hell and damnation:Traian. is it likely that they loue her whom they thinke to depriue them of so great treasures?

Where the Papistes holde our whole forme of seruing of God,Papistes take not the Q. for Queene. which forme the Quéenes maiestie hath prescribed and deliuered to her subiectes, to be schisma­ticall, our lawes in spirituall thynges no lawes, our sacramentes no sacramentes, our Bishops no Bishops, our Clergie no Clergie, surely they thinke our Coro­nations no Coronations, our Quéene no Quéene, or at least they are sory she is so.

Where Papistes beleue a Purgatorie, and that Masses, Diriges, and such other gainfull marchandise of the Popish Clergie, [Page] be beneficiall for their frendes soules and their owne, and do in the meane time imagine that theyr fathers, grandsires, grandames, wiues, and other frendes soules lie frying in vnexplicable tor­mentes, and the Quéenes maiestie hol­deth from them the onely meane to release them: thinke you such persons grudge not at her excéedingly?

Where the Pope hath accursed the Quenes maiestie as an heretike and schis­matike, all those Papistes which suppose that the Pope hauing the disposition of Gods sentence and the thunderbolt of ex­communication in his hand, can not erre, do also suppose that the Quenes highnesse (our Quene Elizabeth I meane) is not lawfull Quene of England, for so must all Papistes hold, that hold the Pope to say true, for the Pope doth not so accept her.

And true it is that the refusall of the othe for the acknowledging her Maiesties supremacie ouer ecclesiasticall persones and in ecclesiasticall causes,Papistes refuse the othe, be­cause they beleue not the Q. ti­tle to the crowne. is for very good reasons to be suspected, that for the most part it is but coloured with pretense of conscience for ecclesiasticall causes, and to be thought that in very deede it depen­deth chefely vpon this poynt, that sith her [Page] Maiestie hath bene suspended, excommu­nicated and declared out of the church by the Pope, they thinke her Maiestie not lawfull Quene of England. For the like example or preiudice haue the like Pa­pistes geuen heretofore at many times, and namely when Elizabeth Barton, that hipocriticall harlot, sometime called the holy mayde of Kent, with whose false traitorous practises were fowly spotted and entangled More and Fisher the new Romishe Saintes, published as a reuela­tion from God, a traytorous article sug­gested vnto her by popishe Priestes and Monkes,In the sta­tute of her atte [...]nder. with whom she carnally and fil­thily liued, that the Queenes Maiesties most noble father after a time by them li­mited, was not King of England one houre in the sight of God. The like in­terpretation did Papistes make of king Iohn. And Papistes haue published that Gospellers, whom they call heretikes, ought not to haue any office among Gods people, much lesse a kingdome.

And this poynt is well to be considered that they which take from the Quéenes maiestie the supremacie ouer ecclesiastical persones and causes, do transferre the same iurisdiction to the Pope, for they ne­uer [Page] yet bouch saued to geue it to any other▪ and I am sure that after so many parables and examples of bées and beastes and o­ther thynges, they will not now haue any particular church hedlesse and destitute of a supreme gouernor, either vniuersall like a monarch as they wold haue it, or speciall vnder God of eche kingdome or dominion as Gods good disposition hath sorted it. If then the Pope haue in theyr opinion any ecclesiasticall iurisdiction in England, he must haue Ius excommunicandi lawfull power and authoritie to excommunicate in England, without which the ecclesia­sticall power can not stand. Which power if he iustly haue, and hath excommunicate and accursed the Quéene, either by speciall name or generally vnder title of heretikes of which sort he estemeth her, then hath he therin done pro suo iure as he lawful­ly myght do. And this beyng so supposed true,Papistes draw obe­dience from the Q. then is it good to consider what is ta­ken for Gods law and the law ecclesiasti­call De vitandis excommunicatis, for shonnyng of excommunicate and accursed persones which yeld not to any repen­tance submission or reconciliation to that church, forsothe that euery Christian in peyne of excommunication de iure [Page] (wherein to dye is thought to dye in state of damnation) is bound to withdrawe from such accursed persons not repen­tyng, all frendly or louyng company and countenance, all ayde and relefe, all ser­uice and obedience. Which doyng, for these good subiectes of England to put in execution toward the Quéene,Papistes meritori­ous trea­son. were a ve­ry meritorious act: But what doth it me­rite? the iust peynes of treason for brea­kyng theyr due allegeance, and eternall damnation (if they repent not) for resi­styng Gods lawfull ordinance. This géere goeth sore, it is very euident and playne, that by necessary consequence, to this confession of traitorousnesse they must be driuen, if they will continue Pa­pistes, that is will affirme the Popes sen­tences not to erre, or will geue the Pope any spirituall iurisdiction in England.

Wherfore these refusalles to acknow­ledge her maiesties lawfull power by othe,Refusers of the othe, mete to be well exa­mined. would be well looked vnto, and the pretenses, colors, and causes of such refu­salles would be well examined, namely in such as shall haue to do with iustice and gouernyng the contrye, but specially with those that shall haue accesse into her hygh­nesse houshold and presence. And well it [Page] would be sought what defense of dispen­sation, Popish dispensati­ons to dis­semble. or toleration they haue for theyr dis­semblyng theyr purposes in not yet execu­tyng the Popes sentence agaynst her, and what deuises they haue for warrantyng of theyr consciences in suspendyng such treasons till stronger opportunities, what absolutions or instructions Popishe A­postles haue brought at theyr secret step­pyng into England agayne. For such salues are not vnlikely to come out of hys shoppe that dispenseth with breach of fayth, yea that openly proclaymeth that there is no fayth to be kept with Christes frendes & hys aduersaries, hys shop I say that can geue grace to haue consecrated altarstones or superaltares for hys traito­rous frendes in enterdited landes to haue masse without peril, his shop that can send out badges with leaue to sweare and vn­sweare with so liberal permissiō, as to say, Geue me thy hart and it suffiseth. And well may it suffice, for the hart will cary the hand too, when opportunitie serueth, & when theyr Golden day approcheth, of which they make so great accompt. Such good fellowes would be well looked vpon?

And for as much as Papistes accompt theyr Popes decrées the voyce of Gods [Page] spirite frée from error, it is to be weyed, how farre we must nedes thinke they suppose the Popes curse to haue extended agaynst our most noble Quéene & realme, with whoes publike seruice and prayer, yea where nothyng is vsed but the vndou­ted word of God and agreable with it, they can not finde in theyr hartes to com­municate, but abhorre it as schismaticall. They would be opposed with a few inter­rogatories. Interro­gatories for Papistes. It would be enquired, whe­ther they thynke our Quéene lawfully Quéene of thys realme before God, not­withstandyng the Popes sentence? And whether they thinke the Popes sentence to reache any nerer vnto her hyghnesse, then if it had béen the sentence of the By­shop of Toledo, or the Byshop of Paris, and not geuen by the Byshop of Rome or vnder hys authoritie? And if it reach nea­rer, then how farre it reacheth? And if it extend to cases touchyng her hyghnesses crowne and dignitie, or the seruice and o­bedience of her subiectes, or so farre as it were treason for any English subiect to put it in execution in England: then whe­ther the Pope in so presumyng, and publi­shyng that he doth but as he lawfully may do, haue iudicially erred, & in matter [Page] both of fact & doctrine passed hys boundes or no?

But to come somewhat nerer to Pa­pistes, alway supposing such Papistes as I haue before specially described, I shall in one thyng moue myne owne conceite for a question in law, referring it yet to the correction & iudgement of such as be lear­ned in law, of which sort I trust there be none that haue not already by theyr othes acknowledged the Quéenes maiesties full authoritie and so haue declared that them selues be not giltie.Papistes traitors by statute. The statute made in the first yeare of the Quéenes maiesties reigne, the vj. Chap. sayth thus: And be it &c. that if any person or persones at anie tyme after the sayd first day of May next to come, by any writing, printyng, ouert dede or act, maliciously, aduised­ly and directly do affirme that the Quenes maiestie that now is ought not to haue and enioy the stile, honor, and kingly name of this realme &c. shalbe de­med and adiudged hye traitors. I take it by the same Statute that such an affir­mation that the Quéenes maiestie ought not to haue and enioy the crowne of Ire­land, is hye treason, for that the kingdome of Ireland is of ryght perteinyng to the [Page] crowne of England, and the title therof is belongyng to and parcell of the stile, ho­nor and kingly name of this realme, and is in the Quenes maiesties vsuall stile so plain­ly expressed. And so thynke I so much as is conteyned in the Quéenes maiesties royall stile, or as the law doth in anie wise say to be parcell of the stile, honor or kingly name of this realme. But the Quéenes iu­risdiction ouer ecclesiasticall persones & in ecclesiasticall causes within this realme, is parcell of the ancient right of the crowne, and so part of the stile, kingly name or honor of this realme, and so it is acknowledged in the first statute of the same Parliament, where it is sayd, May it &c. for the resto­ryng of the rightes, iurisdictions and preeminences apperteinyng to the im­periall crowne of this your realme &c. Item, for the restoryng and vnityng to the imperial crowne of this realme the auncient iurisdictions, authoritie, supe­riorities and preeminences to the same of right belongyng and apperteinyng, Also the authoritie of Rome is in sundry places of the same first statute recogni­sed to be vsurped, which can not be if the Quenes supremacie do not of right per­teine to her croune. Which act is also in­titled [Page] An act for restoryng to the croune the auncient iurisdiction ouer the state ecc [...]esia­sticall &c. Moreouer the same her maie­sties right is playnty expressed to be par­cell of the stile, honor and kingly name of this realme in the vsuall stile as it is set out at large in her maiesties Iniunctions, and also conteyned in the commonly written stile vnder thys clause et cetera, which wordes et cetera can not be referred to no­thyng. And therfore I playnly gather that to play the good plaine Papist, to affirme the Popes hedshyp of the Church of Eng­land, or to denie the Quéenes supremacie in her owne realme, so farre as her maie­stie by the law hath it, and as it is incident to her croune, is to play or rather in good earnest to be a hye traitor.

As for the maner of affirmation (ma­liciously, aduisedly and directly) menci­oned in the statut: if it be affirmed by a man sober, it wil easelie enough be iudged to be aduisedly and maliciously. And I nothing doubt that the terme directly doth not restrayne to the same forme of syllables, but at least to any plaine, cer­taine, or indicatiue proposition concluding or expressing the same effect.

But now how haue these good fellowes [Page] shewed their good affection in practise?Practises of Papists against the Q. For sothe some, the great ghostlie fathers, whereof some yet liue et insidiantur sa­luti bonorum & reipub. and lie in waite for destruction of the state and of good sub­iectes, refuse to acknowledge her Maie­sties authoritie, and that so doubtfully, as it is not expressedly certaine, how soeuer it be consequently euident, whether they sticke at the matter of the supremacie, or the very title of the crowne.

Other some are such,Storie. as one of them, euen openly in her Maiesties hiest court of Parliament made such mone that his counsell was not followed in Quene Ma­ries time to hew vp the roote, as all men plainly saw and vnderstood his greefe that the Quenes Maiestie was not in her si­sters time dispatched. And it is sayd that some other made graue motions for her disheritance.

Other,Lonanists. because they can not get her highnesse to cesse to be their lawful quene, them selues haue deuised to cesse to be her actuall subiectes. Because they can not shift her Maiestie from her crowne, they haue shifted them selues out of her high­nesses dominions, and are fled beyond the oseas. [Page] Some being there send hether their heretical,Seditious writers. seditious and traitorous bookes, yet licenced there against good president of Princes, and against the example of her Maiesties honorable demeanour toward the same Princes, which by them selues or their Officers, rather ought to haue re­strained such doinges, then to leaue so shrewd occasion of taking harme them sel­ues by the like. In these bookes her right is impugned: her faith is defamed: her go­uernement is discredited: her honour is touched: her Maiestie is many wayes vi­olated and abated: the Religion that her highnesse holdeth and publisheth, is called schismaticall, heretical, deuellish, and with as many ill fauored names as they can re­herse, being yet in such eloquence perfecte oratours: the Preachers and professers of the religion that her highnesse setteth forth and professeth, are termed worsse then Infidels: her title of supremacie ouer all her subiectes is defaced for an vsurped and vndue name. And yet forsothe they thinke this geare gayly colored, and there­by conducted to haue safe passage among her subiectes, if they can say, not that the Queene is an heretike, a schismatike, [Page] worse then an Infidel, not to be heard, not to be obeyed, not to be esteemed to haue in dede the holy places and offices whose title she beareth, but pardie that al they be such that holde the same religion which the Quene doth not only hold, but also aduise, commaund & procure to be holden. They thinke it trimly handled, if they do not say that the Quene chalengeth and vsur­peth a proude, wrongfull and false title, but onely that her Clergie haue fastened vpon her such a title, which it is well kno­wen that with free conscience she vseth. They thinke them selues cunning fel­lowes, and their bookes well warranted in England, if they do not call the Quene in plaine speache Tirant, Infidel, Arrian, and such like, when vndirectly they implie it, and do applie to her cause the examples of pagane, Arrian, tirānous and wicked Kinges and Emperours. Who seeth not this so grosse a mockerie offered to so wyse a Prince? as if for good maners sake they would forbeare to say that Iohn is a foole, and onely say that he that is in Ihons skinne is a foole. God rid their skinnes of vntrue subiectes. This is done like fine men, all together as suttle and as false, as [Page] our late Rebelles, that rising in armour with actuall rebellion against her Maie­stie and her gouernance, would yet nedes proclaime that they were true and faith­full subiectes, well disposed persons, and had very good meanings. Yet were those false traytours somewhat more curious of their honestie and truth than these good writers, for those Rebelles yet reserued one sure starting hole, to defend their fast­nesse to the Quene, because they haue not told vs what Quene they meant.

An other companie of good sure men at home,Spreders of seditious bookes. receiue these goodly bookes, sprede them abroade, rede them in audiences and corners, commend them, defend them, geue them great praises for learning and substantialnesse, as matters vnanswera­ble, they amplifie them, they set them out, much like to false seditious talebearers that during this late rebellion spred ru­mors in the quiet partes of the Realme, what numbers of thousandes these re­belles were, how armed, how horsed, what rank riders, what mighty strong, ac­tiue and couragious fellowes, what Gi­antes, as if all the rest of England were but shepe: what wonderous confederates, what aydes, by land, by sea, from Hierusa­lem, [Page] and no man knoweth whence, I thinke euen out of Purgatorie, as the po­pish Festiual telleth, of the dead felowes in the churchyard that rose with their spades, shouelles, & other tooles that they vsed in their life, to defend him that was impea­ched by theeues to say De profundis for their soules. And all this was no more but to discourage the Queenes true sub­iectes and soldiers, and to rayse vp in dout­full men inclined to papistrie, a daring to ioyne themselues to such a supposed strong side and faction. And yet these be not ta­ken for seditious, as they are: the reason is because they are not yet hanged as they ought.

An other knot of such good companie be common rumorspreders,Spreders of rumors. of whom the publike fame is that there be or haue bene certaine notable and noted walkers in Paules and such places of resort,Good chirch will it neuer be. so com­mon that the very vsuall places of their being there, are ordinarily knowen by the names of Papists corner, and liers bench, sauing that I heare say now of late many of them flocke more into the middle isle, which is supposed to be done partly for bet­ter harkening, and partly for more com­modious publishing. The suspition, [Page] grudge & talke goeth among the Quenes good subiectes, how such fellowes be the coyners of newes: In the beginning of the rebellion, how lustie they were, how their countenances, their fléering, their flinging paces, their whisperinges shewed their hartes: how they had newes of euerie en­crease, of euery going forward, and of eue­rie auantageable doing of the Rebelles: how they haue newes out of Fraunce and Flaunders with the soonest, God knoweth what they send thether, and with what re­ciprocation they requite suche newes a­gaine: how they had newes of the late horrible murder ere it were done, as if they had ben accessaries before the fact:Clubbe. Basto. how they write letters at home directed to them selues: how with these prety letters, while they be fresh bléeding, that is, so scarcely drie that the ink blotteth, with their great countenaunces, with their taking vpon them wonderous intelligence and great insightes in secretes of Princes, as if they were Kinges cousines, and with their of­fringes of wagers, and such other bragge­ries, they deface (as men say) all that can be brought or reported neuer so truly of [Page] any good successe to the Queene or her frendes.

And other sort there is,Ouer­thwart Papistes. like kestrelles or troutes, they euer flye agaynst the wynde, or swimme agaynst the streame, in quéene Maryes time great Gospellers, now great Papistes, [...]op. &c. men that would euer séeme wy­ser than the present world, and wold faine be noted to sée some singular thing, when for the most part themselues are the most vayne and singular fooles that liue. No gouernement pleaseth them, & as they be content with no world, so are they mete to liue in none. But let them beware the sinne against the holy ghost, it is a perilous thing. God graunt them to see the horror of it, so farre as it may auayle to their tymely repentance, before that mere apo­stasie bring them into it.

There is feared to be an other suttle sort,Papistes counterfai­ting Gos­pellers. that are in déede of no religion, and yet at sundry tymes and places, to some se­cretly, to some openly, to some one where to some an other, much like the deuided counselles in Edwarde the fifthes tyme, would séeme of all religions. These be most enclined to papistry, eyther because God will not vouchsafe that such dissem­blers [Page] féele true religion, or that they be rancke papistes in déede, howsoeuer they a­buse men wyth other shew for purposes, or (which I rathest thinke) for that they are persuaded that the Popish faction eyther for multitude, for welth, for foreine alli­ances, or for hatred to the Quéene and her gouernement (which they perhaps would wishe to be ouerthrowen as all perfect pa­pistes would) or for other respectes, is more commodious for their desire and am­bition or for the toyes in their heades, to rise to vātage in an other world. Such be­like haue a good mynde to the aduise that Lentulus wrote to Catiline, Auxilium petas ab omnibus, etiam ab infimis, séeke helpe of all sortes, yea euen of the meanest, they make much of al sides. Such can I compare to notable pyrates, that wil euer haue within boorde men of all na­tions and flagges of all Princes and coun­tryes. If he méete with Englishmen stron­ger than himselfe, out goeth a flagge of England and Englishmen aboue hatches, that he may passe in peace, likewise he doth with the Frenchman, Scot, Flemming, Spanyarde, or other, and many tymes he doth this not to much to passe peaceably [Page] himselfe, as that he may the more vnpro­uidedly set vpon hym whom he desireth to spoyle. So happeneth it sometymes that such a counterfait papist, as my Lorde of Westmerland and other, finding the plain shew of papistry not so commodious pro­fitable or safe for hym by reason of many occurrentes that may happe to haue ouer­taken hym, till he were ready for his pur­pose, hangeth out a flagge of Christianitie, dealeth with the Bible & other good bookes as the decayed knight did to whom Bishop Cranmer vpō a good hope gaue fifty pound yearely pension to cherishe his toward­nesse, he setteth hys men of that nation a­boue hatches, he deceaueth good men that be not filij huius seculi, no children of this world, those he abuseth with protesta­tions: and God wote with the same fayth that teacheth to kéepe no faith, while in the meane tyme for all this, of their certayne purpose of pyracie, of their prouision pre­paration and furniture, of their former de­uises, nothing is chaunged, their other company though vnder hatches yet still be ready till the opportunitie of mischiefe biddes them start vp sodenly like the chil­dren of the earth that rose by miracle of the [Page] serpentes téeth that Cadmus had sowen. These be watchers and reach euer to an o­ther world, they prouide for succeding of tymes to come, imagining what day shall follow the dreadfull night. They woulde be looked vnto by the present day light, be­fore the night come. These to speake plain­ly be they (if any such be, as of such mind al perfect papistes be) that are weary of her maiesties gouernment, & fal to deuising by planting a hope of strange titels to vnder­myne her maiesties estate, such as hang vpon the hope of Rome after her decesse, which hope they know can not haue ef­fect, while her highnesse lyueth and reig­neth, to whome almighty God graunt to lyue & reigne while the world lasteth, in person or in succession of her owne most royall body. Of this sort was Gardiner that abused K. Henry with a false flagge of religion, when he made hys booke of true obedience. Of this sort was Boner when he fauned vpon the L. Cromwell, & made a notable preface to Gardiners booke. Of this sort was Tonstall, and the rest that wrote against the Pope, Pole, and all pa­pistry. Of this sort are all those Catilines companions Papistes that beare a glosing [Page] shew of obedience and waite for a tyme to vtter their malice, till they droppe away into Manlius campe, or tary with Lentu­lus, Cethegus, Ceparius, and the rest to murder the Consul Cicero, or set the Ci­tie, I meane the Realme on fire.

An other leud sort eyther depraue what­soeuer the Quéenes Maiestie and her most honorable Counsell doth for the safegarde and commoditie of the realme, [...] of the Q. good do­inges. or of things which they can not deface, they transferre the praise to other, being desirous as it were by false flattery to créepe into ambi­tions bosome, to raise vp a faction against her highnesse: as if her Maiestie do any popular or beneficiall act to the com­monaltie, by and by they imagine some one or other whom they would make an Absolon whether he will or no, to embe­sell the peoples loue, seyng full well but not caring at all how they burden with great suspicious those whom they lode with false praises & perhaps draw into vn­iust harmes those whom they claw with vntrue flatterie. Howbeit I trust all men of credit and greatnesse, haue taken héede and will beware that wrongfull praises and imputations raise not their mynde, [Page] to a wrong way of climing, for surely such popularities and hanginges by the vayne ayre, are not auancementes but precipitations. But such is the corne pou­der of treason wherewith these popish ru­mor spreaders hartes be double charged, that it must nedes breake forth, and com­monly to his destruction or great danger of singeing that ministreth the fire.

An other sort exercise their rayling tonges,Railers vp on the cler­gie. which by great vse at tables and o­ther places, they haue made very slippery, voluble, & flowing, in vntrue defacing the clergie of the realme, their liues, examples mariages, & doctrines: some tell of the li­beralities of times past, some of the old mery world. And all this is but to this end, to driue into subiects a lothing of present go­uernment, & a misliking of the state wher­in our good prelates & preachers are main­teined. Papists in places of credit. An other spitefull dangerous sort being placed or rather left in places of good countenance and credit, either in Colle­ges, houses of studie, offices in the grea­test houshold, in Courtes, in Cathedrall churches, worshipfull roomes in the coun­trey, and such like, with the very shew of their countenance, with their liking or [Page] disliking, pulling forwarde or pressing down, open preferring or secret pinching, so handle the matter that many times it is more safe, or at least more commodious and auantageable to be taken for a Pa­pist, than for a Christian. For well you wot how men will smell men of their owne faction. And sometyme by these meanes, vnconstant Gospellers for ne­cessitie or profites sake, become yelders, and dissemblers, till at length by Gods grace forsaking them, and by his iust plage ordinarilye lighting vpon yelders and halters, they slide by degrées from hypocrites to playne apostataes, which are in déede the most desperate kinde of Papistes. And if this be not redressed, in vaine the Preacher preacheth, in vaine the Prince and Counsell setteth forth true doctrine.A gentle prouerbe. Let [...] haue their wordes. For this they can say: when the Preacher hath sayd, he hath done, but con­tinuall execution carieth away the power, credite, and people. Trow ye these be good meaning men to her Maiestie, that so per­secute & vndermine the religion, whereof her Maiestie is vnder God, and by Gods prouision, the great base and meane of stay in this Realme?

[Page] But aboue all other dothe it not plain­ly appeare what hartes papistes beare to her maiestie, when papistes them selues and notorious open traitors and rebelles made their plaine accompt, that to rebel a­gainst the Quene, to practise the alterati­on of her gouernement, the ouerthrow of her estate, the displacing of her counsell, the foysting in of a farre worse in her stead whosoeuer it be, and the destruction of her persone, is the very naturall humor, affec­tion and desire of papistes? Consider the rebellious Earles, loke vpon their compa­nie and assistantes, viewe them wel, note their ensignes of woundes and crosses, the inscriptions about them, In hoc signo vinces, in this signe thou shalt ouer come, abusing the wordes of Constantine to en­coragement of their false hipocrisie. Note their procedinges, their tearing and bur­ning the booke of God, their breaking the Communion table, their prophaning of Churches with vile Idolatrie, their erec­ting of abhominable Masse, their chaplens leud and seditious sermons, and chefely rede their first proclamation. Find you not there, in their proclamation, where their trust was reposed? forsothe in men of that [Page] sort which they call the old and Catholike religion, to whome their proclamation was directed. Finde you not there in their proclamation, the summe of their com­plaint▪ the cause and color of their rebelli­on? forsothe that euell disposed persones a­bout the Quéene haue ouercome the old and catholike religion within the realme. Finde you not there, in their proclamati­on, the declaration of their intent & pur­pose? forsothe to restore old customes and liberties to the Churche of England. If these be true pretenses, then is papistrye being the ground thereof, plainely, flatly, and truely treason. If they be not true, but false and vaine colors, abused by these re­bels to deceiue and drawe moe subiectes to take their partes, then sée what folow­eth, then must it nedes consequently be e­uident that they them selues yet supposed & knew papistrie to be the very likely and apt color and meane to allure men to re­bellion and treason against the Quéene, as the very kindely baite,Treason the natural humor of Papistrie. and as their na­turall affection daily gaping for such op­portunitie, howsoeuer at this time incon­uenience of season, vnripenesse of matter, vntowardnesse of aide, vnredinesse of pro­uision, unfitnesse of guides, preuenting of [Page] counsels, stay of their heds & colors, with other good meanes of gods merciful proui­dence, repressed their vnhappy courages, which yet daily l [...]ke for new time & cir­cumstances of lesse encombrance. But in the meane time as God gathereth his glo­ry out of al things, yea euen out of sinnes, so let vs out of this great euell yet gather some good, a good example and a good lesson to learne to know that papistrie is treason and he that is infected with treason is a traitor, and so to prouide agaynst them thereafter.

Whense come I pray you the prophe­sies commonly talked of in the beginning of her most gratious and blessed reigne,Traito­rous pro­phecies. how many yeares and how many months her maiesty should continue? Whense came the leude coniurers conference with the deuill, how long the Quéenes high­nesses gouernement and this religion should endure? Commeth not this geare from traytorous affections of those well disposed persons? Commeth it not from the same fountayne of treason, from whense did flow the supplications which the late monster Gardiner penned and preferred in Quéene Maries time, for restitution to the heyres of the northen re­belles [Page] that rose in her most noble fathers daies, yea and adding the consideration of theyr restitution to be, because they were in armour agaynst the king her father for defense of religion (meaning Papistrie) and for reuenge of iniuries and dishoners (as they sayd) done to her mother? Com­meth it not from the same affections that haue raysed the great and lamentable tu­multes in the realme? And trow you the same affection still lodgeth not with the same opinion? I am halfe afrayd, that out of this fountaine should also spring a few blinde demie prophecies enterlaced in prognostications,Prognosti­cations. as Nestradamus and o­thers pretie bywordes and this that lately hath written: Alas the Moone shall be called in the house of enemies and pri­son, wherby is like to happen to vs spe­cially to the common people much ad­uersitie. &c. and some other such toyes to fill the peoples heads with buzzes. But let the best of such be construed. Yet I would for frendshippe and learninges sake tell those authors, if I were ac­quainted with them, that such vanities might be spared, and onely so much out of that art would be set out to the people as is commodious and fitte for them to sée, [Page] and lawful & standing with good discretion for the writers to publish. Such a writer might happe to be a man so holden suspec­ted of Papistrie as he mought so encrease the misdemyng agaynst his owne person shrewdly. I speake nothing of the prog­nosticating toy of a mariage sent vp to be printed. But let vs sée moe examples.

Remember I pray you Gardiners ser­mon at Paules crosse in Quéene Maries time vpon this text Hora est iam nos è somno surgere, Gardiners traitorous sermon. It is now time for vs to rise out of sléepe. There he shewed how God dispenseth eche thing and eche successe in conuenience of times, he decla­red what wayes had bene attempted for restitution of the Popes primacie in Eng­land, wherein he diuers wayes falsely defamed King Henrie with intentes of submission, such was the byshops impu­dence. He named the rebellions in the North in King Henries tyme, and in the West in King Edwardes time, which he clothed with cleanly names, as enterpri­ses and assemblies, as our late rebells doo in both their first and second proclamati­ons. But sayth he, the houre was not yet come. He by way of obiection wondered how the people could without rebelling [Page] beare such iniuries oppressions and rob­beries which they susteined as he sayd in the fall of money and otherwise in King Edwardes reigne.He did not foresee the fall of Rose pens to no­thing. He answered him selfe, that the houre was not yet come. But now (sayth he) the houre is come, now is the time for vs to wake from slepe, as who should say.Accipe nunc [...], et cri­mine ab v­no [...]ce omnes. Long haue we slept, or long haue we winked, long haue we bene holden in awe, glad to dissemble our treasons and to semble good subiects, long haue we borne our soueraigne Lord a faire face, as if we acknowledged his due authoritie and detested the enimie to him and to all Kinges the Pope, long haue we cloked and hidden our zeale, wayting for a good houre. Now the dreadfull King Henrie is dead, the hopefull King Ed­ward is taken away, the Christian nobili­tie entangled in snares of law specially if it may be partially and violently vsed, the prince and tyme fauoreth our side, a mightie foren match is made for the van­tage of our part, now the sonne of our vic­torie, and the day of our triumph shineth vpon vs, now is it tyme for vs to wake from sléepe. Though the time once were, specially in the L. Cromwelles dayes, when we in shew abhord the name of [Page] Papistes, and would commonly say we had as leue be called traitor as Papist, and bring actions of the case for our purgati­on, yet now is the time that we glorie in these titles, either of Papist in respect of these tymes,Filii huius mundi. or of traytor in respect of those tymes. Let vs not now lese our oc­casion, for we shall neuer haue the like a­gayne, specially for that so much of the no­bilitie snared with treason are yelded to our [...]. Note this geare well, for Papistes did neuer beare her maiestie greater countenaunce of loyaltie, neuer serued her with greater shew of faythful­nesse, neuer protested more truth and good meaning, than those did to King Henrie the eight and to King Edward, which af­terward yet openly shewed what secret disloyaltie vnfaythfulnesse and vntruth had so long lurked in their bosomes. Geue once the like opportunities, and be bold that you shall haue the like speches, for they haue still the like hartes and like expectations. They comfort them selues with this, that the remembrance of these thinges will one day be pleasant vnto them, and in the meane tyme (as Cicero sayth) oculis designant ad caedem vnum­quem (que) nostrum, they note euery one of [Page] vs with theyr eyes and register vs to be destroyed. Let vs therefore take the con­trarie course to them. Where they looke for an other tyme, let vs doo our endeuour to mainteine this tyme, where they reach with expectation to altering of gouerne­ment, let vs bend all our force, policie and meanes of seruice to the defense of thys e­state. Where they pray for change, special­ly of Quéenes, let vs pray for continuance of her highnesses reigne. Where they hyde rebellious stomakes, let vs shew true and faythfull hartes. Where they desire that her maiestie and her Counsel may be deceiued with flattering and erronious pretense of policie, pacification, and colour of clemencie, that vnder that shadow they may lurke and be norished as serpent in bosome, let vs praie to God to geue iudge­ment to discerne them, to search the bot­tome of the late treasons, that they may be shaken out and vsed as dangerous vi­pers. Where their trust is in their Pope and Popishe treasons and conspiracies, let our confidence be in God and his pro­uidence, not shrinking from the same with our best courage and prudence. Where they will not sticke to vse all sut­tle vndermyninges, and will not lose the [Page] vantage of times, that they may one day triumph in cruel violence, let vs pray that on this part be vsed all good policies, that Gods offred meanes & good opportunites be not refused or ouerslipped, that God rent not the kingdome from his anoynted for sparing his enemies, but that it may long flourishe in the handes of his most noble and vertuous handmayde our most excellent & gratious Soueraigne Ladie. Thus is it euident by reasons and exam­ples, what hartes Papistes beare to her maiestie.

The third conclusion,English Papistes traitors to England. that such Eng­lish Papistes are traytors to the realme of England &c. hath receaued two proues already, the one in the generall treasons of all Papistes to all realmes, wherein England and English Papistes are in­cluded, the other in their traitorous mindes to the Quéenes maiesties person and dignitie, which is the hyest treason that can be to the realme of England. Yet are there some other particular doinges more specially to enforce it, namely the experience that hath bene of theyr casting away the care of their countrie, no all o­ther naturall affections, to the end with all immanitie & outragious vnnaturall cruel­tie [Page] to torment Englishe Christians and to subiect the realme to foren power for their false religions sake. I am sure there are enow and to many that can remember both that they haue red in credible histo­ries, and séene in lamentable experience, how the Papistes haue shewed them selues so addicted to their supersticion, and so captiued to an vndue reuerence of their tyrānous Pope, that they haue for it re­iected the care of country and of those to whome naturall dutie bound them.

It is certayne that that Englishe man which can be contented for Papistrie to rayse or fauor rebellion in our countrey: to ioyne in conspiracie with strangers, to helpe to inuade and spoyle our countrey: to conuey the crowne of our countrey to a forener: to agrée with them in faction that offer our countrey to prey spoyle and conquest: to colour foren subiections of our countrey with false titles of wrested law, to submit his fayth to that potentate that hath accursed and geuen our coun­trey, theyr soules to the diuell their bodyes landes and possessions to them that can catch them: to beleue or fauor them that spred all vile dishoners agaynst our coun­trey: to take his part as the most holy one, [Page] that claymeth to him selfe from our natu­rall prince the obeysance of one great part of her subiectes, yea & of all her subiectes in a great part of theyr affaires: to assent that a foren vsurper shall by deceaueable shewes of false religion haue ordinarie meanes by colors of sutes, resortes, an­nates, frutes, pensions, inuestitures, and other infinite craftes to robbe our coun­trey of treasure: to like wel of his doinges and to hold that he doth no more than he lawfully may doo, which beyng an alien a foren byshop shall take vpon him to ex­tend hys curse to the prince of our coun­trey and all the people thereof, and that he hath power to discharge the subiectes of the realme from their fayth and alle­geance, and hath authoritie to binde theyr obedience to whome he will, and is able to geue heauen to rebelles that shall venture theyr liues in wasting and de­stroying our countrey: he I say that can yelde hys consent to these doinges & thin­kinges, must néedes be a traitor to hys countrey. And such a one is euery such English Papist as I haue described, and can be none other if he hold the Pope for a true teacher and haue good opinion of of the Popes doctrine and examples. And [Page] to defend that we ought to yelde our saythes or submission to the Pope, is in generalitie to affirme all these mischiefes and treasons. And such as be of that minde, as all such Papistes bée, can not in true iudgement be seuered from trai­torous watchers to put the same in execu­tion when so euer they may haue times and meanes to beare them harmelesse.

Let be called to minde the treasons of the clergie agaynst Henrie the second, and specially the vile practises of the two traitorous byshops of Lincolne and Here­sord agaynst Edward the second. But principally how as I haue aforesayd the Dolphin of Fraunce by color of title ge­uen him from the Pope for King Iohns disobedience to that apostaticall seate, in­uaded and long possessed a great part of England: how the deceaued barons of England, both at that time specially, & at some other times seuerally, at the Popes will and vpon pronouncing of his curse against the king, forsooke their allegeance, looke part with the frenchmen, spoyled their owne countrey, and like most vnna­turall children, at an adulterous stop fa­thers bidding did thrust theyr swordes in­to their mothers bellie. Remember Cardi­nall [Page] Poles message to the Emperor: the rebellions raysed in that time, and since: the late practises in Queene Maries dayes, to bring the realme in thraldome to the most insolent and intolerable na­tion, and to transfer the inheritance of the crowne, with not onely disheriting but also destroying the true and naturall heire: their great sorrow, that it was not performed: the great trust that our Pa­pistes in all their countenances and spe­ches shewed them selues to haue of the good successe of Henrie the french king, whome God tooke away before his accom­plishment of thretened enterprises against this realme. Let not be forgotten their glorienges in their champion of Guise. It is yet fresh and raw in remembrance, how openly they vttered their as it were applaudinges, gratulations, and cherefull significations of fauor to that side, euen then when, as it is well knowen, the same familie of Guise sought, vnder co­lor of his kinswomans title, and by that foren title which was made the title and fundation of this last rebellion,Romish religion. to inuade this land, to ouerthrow the Quéenes ma­iesties estate, and to transport the crowne of our countrey to strangers.

[Page] Let it be considered what good practi­ses these late Rebels haue had with stran­gers to the hazard of their countrie,Rebelles confedered with stran­gers. euen so far forth as they feared not in their pro­clamations, with a litle colorable forme of pennyng, to brag and put their confede­rates in hope of strangers coming to in­uade and destroy the realme, which by a prety, gentle, false terme they call refor­ming the realme. Let it be well weyed what they meane to the realme, that vn­der colour of succeding do so far vnder­mine the head of our country, that by ray­sing some to a hope of the next succeding, they conuey the countenance, fauour and supportation of a great corrupt nomber of suche as may frame them selues any hope of gaine that way, to other persones that by such kindled ambition may be the more hastely enboldned. Such mad hopes made lewd bokes to be published in print to entitle strangers to our crowne, and to geue aduise to cherishe the amitie of Fraunce to this ende that the rebellious nation of England (as they terme vs) may by that meanes be tamed,Prouing of [...]. if we wyll not contentedly yeld to such subiection. It is not nothing that the same bookes were ambiciously published in Paris, and set vp [Page] vpon euery post and piller, and by men of great place and charge most earnestly de­fended, when on our Quéenes Maiesties behalfe they were required to be suppres­sed. I speake not yet of the worst bookes, well knowen to the best persons.Plures ad­orant so­lem orien­tem quam occiden­tem. This to doo is to shew vs a Sunne rysing to whose worship they would faine draw vs from our Sunne declinyng, as they sup­pose. No, no, our Quéene is our true Sunne: and what soeuer shinyng thyng they wold set vp in her tyme, it is no right Sunne,Mutantem regna Co­meten. but an vnlucky Comete. And it is not yet noone, I trust, with our Sunne: or if it be, I hope yet God will lengthen the day to our Sunne for his honors sake, as he dyd to Iosua, and the rather shall all good subiectes haue cause so to hope it, if the residue of the day may be so spent as Iosua spent it, and for which purpose God dyd prolong it, to rid the world of Gods enemies. Let it be suspected what hopes of preuention, anticipation & most dread­full mischief, which I feare and abhorre to name, the encouragement of such suc­cedyng, which is the worke of Papistes, may minister where the onely person of our most deare and precious soueraigne Ladie standeth without any moe meane [Page] stayes of her most honorable and ioyfull issue betwene them and their desired ef­fect the vtter vndoing of vs all, and special­ly where the power of reuenge may by possibilitie fall into their handes for whose sake it should be attempted. It is no small mischiefe, danger, and apallyng of fayth and courage, when our prince must be de­fended agaynst those that by possibilitie may aspire to hope to haue colour to be our Princes them selues and to wreke it vpon good subiectes that serue our Quéene truely. What kindnesse or naturalnesse will doo, hath béen abundantly shewed al­ready diuerse wayes. And in the late murderous mischief, a most foule presi­dent, but a most perfect lesson, this one thyng is much to be noted, that it was here by rumor reported as done, before it were done there, which argueth that the conspiracie extended hither, and how farre further (or rather nerer) is good to be quick­ly and earnestly searched, and by the same example to be remembred, what harme the losse of vsyng occasion hath bredde, when it might haue so béen preuented,Nouissi­mus error peior pri­ore. that neither he had bene murdered, nor the Quéene encombred. I dispute no titles. I [Page] haue no reache beyond our Quéene. I can sée nothyng beyond our Quéene but a Chaos of miserie, therfore I am lothe to looke so farr. My onely care is, as my pray­er is, & all good subiectes ought to be, for our Q. Maiesties preseruation. What other title so euer be pretended, be it good or bad, if it shall once threaten danger to the Q. Maiestie whose title and gouernance we know to be true and haue felt to be good, I wish it destroyed and put out of hope, least it hope to sone, to fast, to much, to hye, and ioyne with to many.

Record I pray you the anathemaes of the conspiracie of Trent, theyr cruell and dangerous practises agaynst this realme, and agaynst all other of Christian profes­sion, the Popes sentences agaynst our Quéene and Countrey, and all this well liked of, and holden for holy by our owne vnhappy Papistes. Remember the deui­ses to put the same sentences and conspi­racies in execution, in Fraunce and Flan­ders all at one tyme.Haud rec­te tempo­ribus diui­sa sunt tibi ista, Daue. Consider the con­currence and euennesse of tyme of this re­bellious enterprise in England, and that late murderous and haynous attempt in Scotlande. But to pyke a litle more [Page] good out of the late ill déede of horrible murder. What say the Quéenes good subiectes to be the cause, why after our rebelles vanquished, the Regent was slayne, that should haue bene done before to serue our rebelles and their conspira­ters turne. For sooth their traitors there and some conspiraters here Englishe or Scottish saw full well the sincere frend­ship of the Regent to the Quéene, that not­withstandyng all the practises from hense to the contrarie, he mynded to deliuer our rebelles, whereby the counselles and com­plices both here and there must haue bene disclosed, they politikely prouided, by assent to murder that noble gentleman betimes, whose bloud added to other bloudes so crye to God, as it is perilous to draw to much into societie and partnershyp of those a­gaynst whom such bloud so crieth. This is the common feare of good subiectes: and to feare to much rather then to little, may be more folly, but it is lesse fault. It may haue lesse cause, but it hath more truth ho­nestie and fayth. Wey well if these be the meanes that my lordes of Northum­berland and Westmerland, and their com­pany haue sought to bryng the vnityng of [Page] realmes and crownes, and to worke the effect of theyr proclamations both for state and religion, which doyng such men brag to be so beneficiall, & sith the same and the titles thereof reach not so farre as by any these meanes to make such vnityng in the person of our most noble Quene, nor such attemptes for religion and other effectes can be atcheued with her likyng: then what successe is to be looked for of theyr de­uises and what marke is it to be feared they shoote at? They and such other Pa­pistes and ambitious practisers may per­haps iustly and truly say, protest & sweare that they entended not the effect of such purposes while her Maiestie liueth, for it may be that they meane peraduenture that her hyghnesse should not lyue so long. God preserue her to outlyue all them that haue lyued to long. This example is terri­ble, and would be profitably vsed.

You can not forget how the Pope claimeth,Popish clergie no good sub­iectes. and our Papistes do graunt him the superioritie ouer Ecclesiasticall per­sons. Theyr obedience is thereby with­drawen from theyr Prince, and from the seruice of theyr Countrey, & they exemp­ted from theyr duties to the Prince and [Page] realme. Like is the referryng of all ecclesi­asticall causes to the Pope as to the su­preme iudge and ruler. Great wrong ther­by is done to the Realme, great with­drawyng of the bodyes of subiectes from presence to serue and defende the Realme, and great transportation of the treasure: the foule examples whereof in pilfring and scrapyng within the Realme, to serue the vnsatiable couetise of Rome, appeareth by the many lamentable complaints in theyr owne histories, with which enormities and oppressions as most burdenous and perilous to the Realme, our Parlamentes and specially Conuocations, haue before tyme found them selues meruelously agre­ued. And yet this heuie & ouerchargeable yoke must be reduced agayne by our Pa­pistes, Harding. yea and our new angeles of Lo­uaine, with whom the euil sprites at home do accord, can terme these intollerable ex­actions, but a small pitance or trifle to acknowledge our good will to our mother church, and can call the reasonable misly­king or iust gronyng thereat as a niggard­ly grudgyng. Liberall men, I assure you, and no maruell, for they be of hys faction,Wolsey. that sometyme bragged that the aduaun­cyng [Page] of hym selfe to the throne of Rome, should cost hym all England. So small a thyng these Papistes accompt it to ven­ture all England at a cast. And good rea­son haue they, for they venture it at the perill of other mens losses, for whosoeuer reigne here by their treason, they are lyke to kéepe or increase theyr wealthes and dignities.

Let it be thought vpon how much these fellowes esteme the common knot of fide­litie to the Prince, whereby the peace of the land is holden together, and eche mans due propertie is preserued, which beleue that the same faith is dissoluble at the will of a foreine priest.

Let also this descendyng gradation be considered concernyng Papistes and their hope,Traitours not true to theyr owne fellowes. how true they will be to their Coun­trey, that are not true to God: how true they will be to their good Prince, that are not true to their Countrey: how true they will be to any subiect, that are not true to their Prince: and thereby let theyr confe­drates beware that they be not made bot­tels, first filled & then emptied, & afterward hanged vp by the walles. Let the Duke of Buckingham in king Richardes tyme, [Page] and infinite other beate this wisdome in­to theyr head, to know how ill a tyrant or one that atteyneth a crowne by mischiefe and wrong, can beare to liue detbounden to those that aduaunced hym, or subiect to their reproche, & being once fleshed in mis­chiefes by theyr helpe how litle conscience he maketh to procede further and specially vpon them whom he knoweth in hys con­science in ioynyng with hym to haue well deserued it. Let them well digest the vicont of Melunes admonition on hys death bed to the English barons in the be­ginning of the reigne of king Iohns heire. And let them neuer say that they the late rebels and theyr complices had no such in­tētion to ouerthrow her Maiesties estate, sith the thinges expressed in their first pro­clamation can not be done while her Ma­iesties estate continueth, who hath so ho­norably oft protested to preferre Gods truth aboue her crowne and lyfe, which God long preserue.

Let all Englishmen, thinke of this and beleue it as experience hath taught it, that where Monkes and religious persons changed their surnames and had many o­ther solemne ceremonies at their professi­ons,Monckes forswore theyr coun­trey and na­turall dutie. which they sayd dyd signifie their ver­tuous [Page] renouncing of worldly and carnall fansies,Therefore many Bi­shops wold not be con­secrate till they were made Monkes. the same pretense of signifiyng was vtterly false, like the pretense of re­fusing the othe to the Quéene: and the very true meaning such as is proued by the con­sequence of their déedes, was no other but that euery perfect Papist doth take vpon him a zeale, for defense of their God the Pope and his heresie to throwe away all due and naturall beneuolence and fayth to Prince, Countrey, parentes, frendes, and all those iust and due respectes, whereunto God by the law of nature hath bounde them in this world: and this must so be, for the other true vowe of renouncing, was made before in Baptisme, and remayned still in force.

To all these inconueniences and trai­torous absurdities they must nedes be sub­iect which hold that the Church of Rome is the true Catholike Church of Christ, and that the Catholike Church of Christ can not erre.

The horror of their cruelties to the peo­ple of their country,Cruelties of Pa­pistes. of whom their country consisteth, whose liues they haue regar­ded no more then shéepe, yea no more then fleaes, and that with such delite of torment [Page] as if they still cryed out as the heathen ty­rant did fac vt sentiat se mori, let him fele that he is dying, & as the Pope himself did that caused some of his Cardinales to be tormented in such maner by speciall cō ­mandement, that he being in a garden vn­derneth saying hys deuotions, might heare them cry: all this I referre to the large, faithfull and learned explication of that good diligent and vertuous man Master Foxe in his Booke of Actes and Monu­mentes of the Church, where as in a glasse doth euidently appeare what nature or any kinde, respect to kinne, reuerence, pi­tie, loue, or countrey, reigned or rather re­mayned in the furious hartes of Papistes, how smothly soeuer the hypocrites wyth Crocodiles teares or wild Irish laughter, do faine, flatter and abuse those in whose power they be, till they haue their time of auantage. Though the remembrance of these thinges be bitter, yet is it holsome. And therefore let it not out of their hartes that haue harty care, and specially charge of their countrey.

That clemencie and gentlenesse can not reclaime them from traitorous minds while they continue in Papistrie,Clemencie can not winne a Papist▪ is as [Page] plaine and as true a forme of speach, as if a man sholde say they must nedes be tray­tors, so long as they be full of treason, for treason and Papistrie are vnseparable while they be kept vnder, euen as crueltie and Papistrie are vnseperable when they are gotten aboue. Yet for some more ample opening of the truth of this conclusion, let vs somewhat more wey their qualities with reasonable consideration and confe­rence of their doinges.

If clemencie and benefites should be hable to reclaime them, it must be for some regard that they must haue of the dutie of thankefulnesse, for benefites receaued of those persons from whose sincerely louing minde toward them, and not from any foreine enforcing cause, they accompt the benefites to procede. Wherein is to be searched, how much they are likely to e­steme such dutie, by their weying other & nere duties, and agayne how well they ac­knowledge from whence this clemencie and benefites haue proceded. For if the hiest and greatest duties of kindnesse moue them not, then is small accompt to be made of their thankfulnesse for temporall commodities, or at the least for bare suffe­ring [Page] them to liue vnpunished. And againe if the same impunitie and other beneficiall doinges, be thought to come enforced from other, or craftily wonne by their owne po­licie, or so to come from your selfe as you could not chose, then is your thanke fo far lost as there is no hope that euer any such meane can reclaime a Papist.

Surely he that regardeth not the hyest dutie, will neuer regarde the meanest. The dutie of the loue or feare of God can not hold a Papist from blasphemie against God. The dutie of faith & allegeance to his Prince can not kéepe a Papist from trea­son to his Prince. The dutie of deare loue to his natural countrey can not withdraw a Papist from assenting to, yea and procu­ring the spoyle, destruction, bondage, and alienation of his countrey, as I haue al­redy proued. The dutie of kinde and na­turall pitie can not stay a Papist from murdering the feble sexe, nor the silly ten­der infancie, nor reuerend eldest age. The dutie of familiaritie in youth, of frendship in grauer yeares, of continuall societie du­ring all the life passed, with heapes of mutuall commodities, can not pull backe a Papist from immanitie of sacrificing his derest frendes. The dutie of honor of Chil­dren [Page] to parentes, or loue of parentes to children, remoueth not a Papist from vn­naturall crueltie. The dutie of entier loue and felowship betwene man and wife, hol­deth no place in the hart of a Papist. No dutie of kinred, no estimation of learning & vertue, no good respect that moueth good men to loue & compassion, once toucheth a stubburne Papist. Al these duties we haue sene broken, yea neglected and throwen away by Papistes. And is there hope that clemencie can so farre winne them, as to hold them in truth to the Prince, from whom they receiue it, if opportunitie serue to bring them out of her danger, or her highnesse into their danger, which God forbid?

Whensoeuer (which God graunt neuer be) her Maiestie person should stand in theyr curtesie, it is euident that then the gate were open to their de­sires, to theyr florishing, to theyr con­quest, to theyr abilities of reuengyng, and to their perfect triumphyng. And will they, trow you, omit all these that they so earnestly gape for? will they let passe any occasion that may bryng these? and all in respect of her gracious clemen­cie, and benefites? no no, that will not be. [Page] It greueth me to thinke and I abhorre to write what opportunities they are lyke­ly to séeke and vse, hauyng now pressed so farre as they haue alreadie done with theyr enterprises, shadowed with such hopes as theyr proclamation hath vttered.

But admit kyndenesse were in them for benefites where they impute them. It is as well knowen as a common prouerb that, where her Maiestie of her singular goodnesse of nature (which yet were farre greater goodnesse, if it be directed to the onely preseruation of good men, and not further stretched and abused to the cheri­shyng of euill and dangerous men) hath forborne and restrayned execution of law agaynst them, which yet are the lawes made expressely for her Maiesties safetie, theyr ordinarie saying is, you can haue no law agaynst vs, God so prouideth for vs hys chosen anointed, that you can haue no law, or if you haue, you can not execute it, god so preserueth theyr side forsoth & so bri­dleth her Maiesties power, by hyw own in­stinct or by theyr owne meanes of policie.

Sée the examples of theyr thankeful­nesse. Did euer those Papists, whose liues were saued by good Byshop Cranmers meanes, who were brought vp, who were defended, who were aduanced, who were [Page] shelded from harme & perill by hym, ones requite hym with one drop of kyndnesse? And yet they spake hym faire in hys pro­speritie. Auayled the great liberalitie of kyng Henry the viij. to rayse vp any kinde remembrance in Papistes, that were great in Quéene Maryes dayes, to stay them from assentyng to the captiuitie and danger and sekyng the bloud of hys most noble daughter our most gracious soue­raygne Ladie? And yet duryng kyng Hen­ryes reigne, they shewed a seruiceable face, as if they would haue spent theyr bloudes, to kepe wrong from hym and hys, and dyd serue agaynst Papistrie it selfe, till theyr treason and Papistrie was rype to be aduaunced. Are not the great doers of thys last rebellion and conspira­cie, those of whom her Maiestie hath most well and bountifully deserued? And yet while they were in her presence, they were as desirous as any that be now about her to haue her Maiestie thinke of them as of good and faithful subiectes. Yea when they were nere the execution of theyr treasons, beyng suspected and examined therof,Periuri (que) arte Sino­nis. de­nyed it, and made vehement hye protesta­tions with great othes of theyr purpose to the contrarie, and theyr readynesse to [Page] subdue them that should breake the peace, as in her Maiesties proclamation appea­reth. The successe of whoes doynges, so shortly folowyng, amounteth to as much as if they had playnly sayd,Vnum nôris, omnes nôris. what soeuer viser of faith, whatsoeuer promysse of true allegeance, what soeuer assurance of wordes, what soeuer employeng them sel­ues agaynst theyr owne partes till perfect readinesse, what soeuer iudgyng and con­demnyng of theyr owne faction beyng not yet strong enough, Papistes do pretend, it is to no other end but to insinuate them selues into fredome from mistrust, and to draw her Maiesties eyes to looke an other way, to bryng her into a securitie till the danger be vnauoidable, as I trust it neuer shalbe, if good subiectes sticke well toge­ther to her hyghnesse, which shalbe so long as her Maiestie shall as she doeth sticke well to God & her good subiectes, & not to suffer them to be dishabled to defend her.

Surely when Papistes are come so far, that the wyfe can procure the murder of her husband, the father of hys sonne, the mother of her child, the frend of hys dea­rest frend, and so in all degrées of coniun­ction, shall her Maiestie looke to haue cle­mencie and liberalitie requited with loy­altie [Page] at theyr hands, that already bost that they receyue no clemencie or goodnesse of her, but by theyr owne cunnyng meanes, or by a superior enforcement?

And truly of this theyr great vnkynd­nesse, there is one great reason while Pa­pistrie remayneth in them, Earthly thynges must geue place to heauenlie, and transitorie to eternall. They esteme the voyce of the Pope as the voyce of the eter­nall God. Whyle her Maiestie actually reigneth ouer them, they suppose not them selues to lyue vnder her hyghnesse as sub­iectes, but to be holden as captiues, and so with all theyr fained shewe they beare to her a seruile reuerence,Papistes obedience vntrue. euen altogether such as the bond Mores haue done to the Spanyardes, and as Gardiner and hys fel­lowes dyd beare to kyng Henry the viij. and to kyng Edward, and my Lordes of Northumberland and Westmerland and theyr companie with these that haue drop­ped to them since or shall hereafter shrinke lykewise from her, do beare to her selfe. They are ready further at theyr God the Popes voyce, whensoeuer they may be ha­ble to shake of her yoke and gouernement, with opinion of meritoriousnesse, as the [Page] vyle Monke that tempered a tode for hys naturall kyng, and as doctor Mackerell in tymes past, and some other both then and since haue openly vttered. Agayne where they suppose theyr auncesters and frendes soules, for lacke of the helpe which the Quéene kepeth from them, to lye in vn­speakeable peynes: where also they sup­pose their owne soules to lacke their ghost­ly comfortes, them selues to be cut from Gods church beyng seuered from the pope the hed thereof: chiefly where they thinke not onely them selues, but also theyr chil­dren and posteritie for euer, to be by the settyng forth of this Religion which the Quenes hyghnesse auaunceth, drawen in­to a continuall dangerous streame and vnrecouerable state of damnation. And where all this whyle they are further per­suaded (as they must nedes be, if they think the Romane church catholike & the Pope the hed therof, and the catholike church and the hed thereof to be preserued from possibilitie of error) that by force of the Popes sentence and for schismaticall and vnrepentant swaruyng from hys church, her Maiestie is not in Gods sight iust Quene of this realme, with remembring [Page] how farre they thinke they may or ought, when they dare, to shonne her as a person excommunicate, and to withdraw from her all ayde, relief, seruice and obe­dience: is it, trow you, to be thought that such benefites as they receiue in clemen­cie and otherwise, which yet they impute to Gods preseruing them for the holynesse of theyr cause, or to theyr owne policies in deceiuyng her, are hable to weye downe those depe and eternall considerations of miseries which they beleue them selues to sustayne by her meanes? It is not possible, beyng so persuaded of her right to the croune, and of the Popes power ouer her croune and person, as they be. Whyle they thinke them selues true Israelites, the chosen people of God, and the Pope theyr Moses or rather Christ, what accompt make they of the prince, whom they serue, other than as of Pharao? or make they any more conscience of withdrawyng all du­ties from the Prince and theyr whole con­trey, than the Israelites dyd of robbyng the Egyptians, how fayre soeuer they spake, promysed, or bound them selues when they borrowed theyr iewelles? Ma­ny such examples haue ben seen in her [Page] Maiesties most noble progenitors dayes, but most chiefely and most euidently in her owne.

Of lyke truth it is that Papistrie being an heresie,Papistrie encreaseth by lenitie. or rather a bondle made vp of an infinite nomber of heresies, must nedes haue the propertie of heresie, to florish with indulgence and lenitie. We sée the lyke example in the sect of Arrians, which vnder hereticall Emperours excedingly encreasced, and beyng ones condemned & restrayned by punishment, hath worne away to a few. So farre as kyng Henry the viij. went in reforming religion, which was to abolish the primacie of Rome out of this realme (a noble conquest) with cer­taine grosse idolatries: dyd not the seueri­tie of hys lawes, the awe of hys person, & the dred of due execution, so hold downe those partes of Papistrie which he sup­pressed, that they durst not ones shew them selues in hys dayes? and yet in the same tyme the greuous law of sixe Ar­ticles made agaynst Gods truth, and sini­sterly procured by Popish clergie, nor yet the earnest inquirie, nor cruell executyng of it by Byshops & other, could hold downe the truth of the Gospell, but that it brake [Page] out more and more vpon them. The rea­son is, that Papistrie and Christian truth haue two seuerall endes: truth respecteth heauen, and Papistrie the world. Wherby theyr aduentures & enterprises are com­monly diuerse: the Papist dare boldly set vpon any mischief, where he hath hope to auaunce hys falsehode: The Christian dare constantly abyde any torment to geue witnesse of Gods truth. And such qualitie of Gods truth haue the auncient fathers described, when one of them cal­leth the bloud of Martyrs the water to water Gods garden, an other sayth that they encreace with cuttyng downe, and o­ther in other maner haue expressed the same meanyng.

But now being vnder a Christian Prince in dayes of rest (blessed be almighty God, and long preserued be her maiestie the in­strument of it) as it is not mete that Gods Church, after Iulian the Apostataes maner, be persecuted to make it encreace, but holden downe with good discipline for maners that it grow not wilde and runne out into wantonnesse, so is not the Church of the Deuill to be mainteined and multi­plied with indulgence, winking and slack­nesse [Page] of correction, but with good seueritie to be restreyned, that it grow not to such ranknesse to choke the true church in dede. The licentiousnesse of Papistes speach is great,Papistes dangerous­ [...] cheri­shed. they dare do and say they care not what, they haue their assemblies and or­dinary conferences together, their leude and seditious bookes, and such courage as the truer sort of her Maiesties part are o­uercrowed, as the good preachers dayly complayne, and so long I pray God they complaine not that God heare them, and be angry that other heard them not. Po­pish priestes, who sometime triumphed that they were so estemed Popish, and by that meane got those thinges together, enioy the great ecclesiasticall liuinges without recantation or penance, yea and in simoniacall heapes: Cathedrall Chur­ches are stuffed with them, as dennes of theues: they are in offices: the meaner sort depend vpon them, and partly by ex­ample, partly by common desire to crepe into fauour of their superiors, and partly also for that the great ones are loth to haue other about them, are perilously in­fected: the very spyes and promoters of Quéene Maries time, without change of [Page] their opinion are cherished & marke men against an other day. Mercie may haue her excesse, and clemencie may be great crueltie, when it ouerfloweth to the good mans danger.

Yet is not my minde that for mens bare opinions or mistakinges in contro­uersies of religion,No cruel­tie for sim­ple opini­ons. being otherwise honest and ciuile men, & where the same extend not to participation of treason, or to those Articles that implie a dangerous mea­ning to the state, they should be byandby destroyed, but restrayned from insolence and licentious spreding of their errors, and with doctrine & examples be reduced, but specially that confidence be reposed in men that be better assured. Such ma­ner of crueltie were to imitate Papistes, rather than to correct Papistes. Meaner punishmentes than the paines of treason ar meter. Conuenient discipline, comming after good teaching, were profitable. But those of them that in tyme past haue bene shepebiters,Old shepe­biters pe­rilous to be kept. and hetherto shew no true repentance, it is likely that they haue the common qualitie of olde shepebiters, they will neuer leaue it, and they cannot be kept without danger of the flocke and [Page] state. Of this may Gardiner and Boner (whom God hath sent from hence, I dare not say taken from hence) be notable ex­amples. Many moe there haue bene and be: and some of those that be, remaine not onely in her Maiesties power, but also in her charge.

The other Conclusions following haue great difference from these wherof I haue made some explication. Of these yet no­thing so large an explication haue I made as truth is well and easily able to furnish, nether can I so well make it as the expe­dience of the cause asketh to geue the van­tage of eloquence to the goodnesse of the matter, to helpe to draw it into credit and effect of well mouing. But being as it is, rude and true, great conning and finenesse is the least nedefull, where those for whom it is most intended are so wise as it is farre more easie for naked troth to enforme them, than for any gay speach to leade them. This is the diuersitie of the articles declared,Matters of facte not knowen but [...]. and of the articles remayning: those that be past conteyne matters of fact, doinges, maners, and dispositions of men abrode, the certainties and circumstan­ces whereof cannot be vnderstoode of any [Page] the wisest men in the worlde by way of contemplation, but must be brought vnto them by relation of true and faithfull sub­iectes, by common rumor and speach of the honest sort, or some such other meane of intelligence and experience: by reason wherof I haue ben bolder of things con­sisting in doing, and tossed in talke abrode, to gather luch a certaintie of report of things, for the better considering of danger to her Maiestie and the estate, as is in dede the very common and ordinary burden of euery honest mans hart to sée them, and necessarie thynges to be layed before those that may amend them.

The other conclusions that follow, wherin I neither haue nor will wade so farre, are matters of consultation and me­ditation. The effect therof, which is the safe preseruation of the Quéenes royall Maiestie and the realme, the auoydyng of dangers that threaten the same, the esta­blishyng of assurednesse, boldnesse, courage and fréedome of her hyghnesses most good counsellers and subiectes, the taking auan­tages of opportunities and occasions, the wedyng out of deceiuers and vndermy­ners, the defense of her Maiesties honor [Page] & dignitie, the meanes to answere charge toward God, & namely in dealyng with men as they be affectioned to or agaynst God, this effect I say of those other conclu­sions I know doth continually occupie her Maiestie and her most honorable counsel­lers in thinkyng on them and prouidyng for them: therfore it shall no further occu­pie me and other meane subiectes than in prayer and readynesse to serue as her Ma­iestie and her counsell shall sée fit to em­ploy vs. I will not therfore in discoursing of them encomber my selfe and other. It shall suffice me, and so ought it to content all other, to know as we do know, what a wise Prince we haue, what good Counsell she hath chosen, how well they haue go­uerned, what frute we haue had of it, so as nothyng is left to vs, but to geue thankes, to beware that our owne sinnes geue not the occasion of losse and change, to serue dutifully and to pray deuoutely.

Howsoeuer the nature of Papistes hath shewed it selfe, that they are most glo­sing traitors till they haue theyr aduan­tage, and most cruell tormenters when they haue obteyned it: howsoeuer it be true that though her Maiestie heape them [Page] with infinitie benefites and cherish them with vnmeasurable and dangerous cle­mencie, though they crepe and crouch, and with theyr promise of fayth which they thinke bound to kepe no fayth, speake ne­uer so faire, and for the tyme dissemble theyr zele, holdyng them contented with glorious and false shewes of policie to per­suade a certaine traitorous temper and pe­rilous neutralitie (if they repent not their error and change not their Religion) they hate her, they watch theyr tymes, they transferre the prayses of her good gouerne­ment to those that neuer deserued it, they be redy to vndermine her estate while she lyueth, as they did with her brother, and to defame and deface her beyng dead as they dyd with her father: howsoeuer they now hide, or hereafter vtter theyr stomackes: it is on the other side true that though her Maiestie should shew to Christians in bo­dylie and temporall thynges great hard­nesse, yet is it so recompensed and ouer­weyed to vs in the fréedome and ioy of our consciences, that we must and will still loue her how much more then beyng our so good, louyng and benefici [...]ll seueraine?

It is we that depend vpon her, it is [Page] we that thinke it shalbe more easy and better for vs (euen in respect of our world­ly life, and benefites, though there were not a greater prospect beyond) to die at her fote in her defence than to ouerliue her Maiestie, the same being expressed by her enimies. Gospellers be they, whom though her maiestie can by no meanes make to cease to loue her, yet by ouermuch cheri­shing of Papistes, she may make lesse strong to defend her. Our case is such as her Maiestie may be assured of vs,Onely Christians true to the Queene. that we stand for her, not only as for our Prince, our louing soueraigne, our mother, our countrey, our hauiours & possessions, but also for the liues, and (that most is) for the seules of our selues, our wiues, our chil­dren & posterity for euer. If any of this part haue bene seduced by Papistes, as perhaps there be, error I hope it is and not malice, And as it is error, so is it mete to be forsa­ken as error, I meane not onely forsaken in pursuing, but also in defending, succo­ring, pacifiyng and helping. For let such make their accompt to finde no truth, de­fence, mercy, nor kindnesse in Papistes, when they get aboue, howsoeuer their [Page] present turne be serued. To late shall they wish for the good Prince, whom their own follies shall haue lost. Let them remem­ber the policies of Charles vsed with Maurice and other for assurance of religi­on against the confederates of Smalcald. Let them remember the Fremingham promises for not altering religion. Let them remember that the very pro­misers eyther in dede shall not be ha­ble, or will be glad to say they are not able to kepe promise with them, or if they would faine kepe promise they may hap to be sent after their predecessors. Let them remember the keping of e­dictes and word of a king in other places, by meane of persons somewhat allied. Let them remember that them selues shall not dare to chalenge such promises, no more then the Crane his reward for pulling the bone out of the wolues throte. Let them remember they shall haue to do with such as thinke not themselues bound to kepe faith with them nor any of our side, & can haue a dispensation at their pleasure. It is we therefore that pray God to geue her Maiestie iudgement and all timely [Page] meanes of intelligence, to discerne her [...]nemies, and courage to vse such opportu­nities of times as God throweth vpon her.

It is we that with thankes to God do acknowledge that God hath so guided the successe of this late rebellion, as if he should haue sayd to her maiestie, [...]oe daughter, al though necessitie of mine ordinance, and the disposition of thinges for my glorie (which shalbe in the end also your benefit) be such as there must be a traitorous re­bellion in your realme, yet this will I do for you: you shall vnderstand it in tyme: you shall haue the meanes, whereby they should accomplish their entent, in your owne power: you shall make your owne match: you shall haue the choyse to name the parties your selfe, that shalbe the leders and doers of it, euen the weakest of credit, wit, and power that you can chose to with­stand you: you shall chuse the tyme, when they shall attempt it, the most vnsea­sonable for them, either to procede in their owne doinges together, or for hauing aide to resort to them, either of foraine ene­mies or domesticall traytors: you shal chose the place where you would haue it begon, [Page] such as lyeth best for danger of contagion of other, easiest for your selfe to enclose, hardest for your enemyes to come to, and nearest borderyng vpon your best foreine frendes: they shall want furniture, your selfe shall haue abundance: your good and true counsellers shall nobly and truely stand by you: your nobilitie shalbe prouo­ked to reuenge dishonor & slanderous suspi­tions throwen vpon them by the rebelles and therby shall haue cause to striue who may best serue you: your good subiectes shall euery way shew theyr zeale in your seruice: your poore clergie shall poure out theyr deuout prayer for you and I will heare them: I will guide the successe to your victorie: your enemies shalbe so sna­red, as the victorie well folowed, the trea­son well examined, the faultie well remo­ued, the roote well & cleane hewed vp, you may sit frée from traitors whyle you lyue, and your good & true counsellers and sub­iectes may be set in safe abilitie and en­couraged to serue you truly and stand faythfully and boldly by you. Sée now that you fayle not me nor your selfe, and neither by missuser, nor nonvser, forsake [Page] me, nor lose the benefites that I haue so prouided for you.

We therefore acknowledge all these things to haue so come to passe, and dout not that her Maiestie will euer with in­uincible constantie so prouide that those most noble Counsellers be mainteyned to serue God and her without feare, and be so cherished as they may with delite and frée carelesnesse and assurednesse of their owne estates from perill of reuenge or any other assault, bend them selues wholly to studie for her highnesses preseruation. We pray God to geue her Maiestie euer the hart to suspect his truth whatsoeuer he be, (if any euer be as I trust there shall not) that shall practise to abate any credite of these most true counsellers, or shall in­sinuate or geue any aduise to stay the true and perfect serching of the bottome of these treasens to forbeare the full destruction of the roote thereof, or to extenuate her Maie­ [...]ies perill, and to say to euery such a one if any smoke or glimse of signification may thereunto leade, et tu ex illis es. Thou art also one of them. We confesse it is time, and we pray, that all her Maiesties subiects by othe and al other good meanes [Page] may be assured vnto her, and that al titles, all bondes, knottes▪ alliances, colours and pretences to her Maiesties danger may be cut of, what shew soeuer they make, kno­wing and hartely desiring it may be re­membred, that no common law of nati­ons, no title of anoynted, or what soeuer face they set vpon it, may be warrant for for any perilous creature, Papist, Bishop, Priest, runaway, gentleman, marchant, or other, man or woman, to be dangerous to her Maiestie in her own realme. We know well that a gallon of Rats bane in an Apothecaries shop will not hurt a man halfe so much as an ounce in his bellye. We are not so madde to haue such a fonde longyng for the flesh pottes of Egypt, for marie & marie bones that we wold with the rebellious Iewes desire to returne a­gaine to the land of Egipt the house of bon­dage & forein slauerie both of body & soule, to suck them, and that not for lacke but for lothing of fine natural and holesome foode. We pray that we may once see euery ti­tle destroyed, whatsoeuer it be, either in ciuill respect or ecclesiasticall, that hath or shall any way threaten her Maiesties danger, that hath or shall any way clayme [Page] the crounerom frm her hed, or her power out of her hand, that hath or shall seke any dispossession of her estate and the inuasion of her land,Romane tyrannies and cruel­ties. & specially the titles and lewd hopes of Romish Popes that haue by no­torius wickednesse excedyng the olde Romane Emperours shewed them selues vnmete to lyue among Christian people, much lesse to gouerne them, that haue by murrible and vnnaturall murders and hoactise of poysoning and other mis­chieues shewed that them selues and their Papistes are not to be wonne with kinde­nesse to be true to the Queene, that could not be holden by nature from slaughter of t [...]eir own, as by many euident histories appeareth, yea where their treason may be rewarded with a kingdome, yea with the kingdome of heauen: those fained and wicked titles (we say) of Romish vsur­pation, that haue interrupted the blessed yea [...]e which we haue so long enioyed, that haue drawen into conspiracie,Treasons of Papists. alliance & knottes of fauour those of whom her Ma­iestie hath well deserued, that hath armed the rebell against lour most good swete so­ueraigne Ladies life, croune, and dignitie, and put weapon in traytors handes to cut [Page] true subiectes throtes, and vtterly to de­stroy the wealth, safetie and honor of England.

We pray that we may see when those that shall wrest or procure to change law, to erect the courage of any dangerous Vi­per to such endes, or to any aspiring hope of preuenting and vndermining, vnder whatsoeuer colour, name, pretēce or shew in proclamation or otherwise, or to the safegard of their persones that haue so at­tempted, may be declared and executed as enemies to this estate, and to the Quenes safety. We pray that we may se such laws prouided for her highnesses preseruation, & the same so executed without restraint or slacknesse for any respect as the hope of Papistes, such as be enemies to God, the Quéene, and the realme, may if they re­pent not, be cut of for euer. We pray to liue to sée that none may haue place, office nor accesse into her Maiesties court nor houshold, no nor once to her presence, that shall not be well knowen to fauour both God and her, so far as any circumspection and policie may prouide it. We pray God that we may once sée the administration, yea and studie of law and iustice wholly [Page] taken from those that shall not be knowen to fauour the law of God, and to acknow­ledge her Maiesties right, that is head of law and iustice in the realme. We pray God that her Maiestie and her Counsell may haue such particular knowledge of men that her enemies may be weakened, and her frendes strengthned, al auantages vsed for her safetie, all neutrall aduises sus­pected for surtle vnderminings. We trust it wil be so, for God hath not drawen these late mischiefes into light for nothing. But afore all thinges we pray God to send vs true repentance, more ioyfull receiuing of his Gospel, and more vertuous ensuing it, least as we lost our best king with liuing ill, so we may lose our best Quene with li­uing worse. And that therewith it may please him to direct all the doinges of her Maiestie and Counsell to procéede in their good aduauncing his glorie and preserua­tion of the state, which without ielous cir­cumspection for preseruing the Queenes most royall person can not be done, and that such good meanes and prouisions as God offereth to that end, be not refused or neglected, which were to tempt God, to forsake his cause, to betray our noble [Page] Prince, and to geue away or rather cast away the realme.

These be the dayly and nightly prayers of good subiectes. And while we busie our selues with these praiers, we do after our principall confidence in Godes good­nesse, rest our selues vpon the trust of her Maiestie and her most honorable Coun­sell, for whom we prayse God, and to them we referre the guiding of vs and ours, ready to follow them, when we are com­maunded with the vttermost of our pow­er and perill, knowing how they spare not their vttermost endeuour and perill, with susteyning the most vnpleasant life, God wot, that may be, for our sakes, for our quiet, profite and defense.

Consider these thinges ye that haue bene and haue not yet ceased to be such Papistes,Good coū ­sell to Pa­pistes. remember how in that state ye be neither true Christian men nor true English men, wherby if ye repent not you are not worthy to liue in the kingdome of England, and you are sure not to come in the kingdome of Heauen. Let euery good thing moue you to truth and to your pre­fitte. Let euery euill thing fray you from treason & from eternall vndoing. Learne [Page] religion of God alone, render your alle­geance to your prince alone, liue in bond of countrey with English men alone. Ac­knowledge how God hath sent his truth to shine vpon you, her maiestie hath pou­red all benefites of her good gouernaunce among you, her true subiectes desire euery way both in soule and body to be comfor­table to you. Put of onely the cankerd affection or rather passion of inhumanitie. Doo but once come home from those arti­cles that can not stand with out treason to the prince and state, bynde not your selues, your soules and fayth to the autho­ritie of any mortall and sinfull man, geue euer infinitly to God, resort faythfully to him, pray deuoutely to him, to shew you his truth by his owne worde. And so I dout not but hauing once forsaken foreine subiections, and being once so farre vnpa­pisted that ye may come into the number of true subiectes, for the rest God shall ac­cord vs, and shall reueale vnto you sinceri­tie of all truth in time, and in such time as shall be the greatest comfort that euer you felt in your liues. And so yet till other er­rors be purged by Gods grace working by the hearing of his word, we shall al goe vn­der [Page] the gentle yoke of our naturall soue­raigne, there let vs draw louingly toge­ther, and then saye and sing merily God spede the ploughe of England. Amen.

¶God saue our Queene Elizabeth, and con­found her ene­mies.