1. IF saint Paul (most gratious souerai­gne) being accu­sed of the whole Synagogue of the Iewes, by their Orator Ter­tullus, of diuers heynous cri­mes, both against Gods and the Princes laws, found notwith­standing such equitie in the Heathen President Festus, as hee answered his aduersaries, that is was not the custome of the Acts 25. [Page 4] Romans, to condemne any man before he haue his accusers present, and place to make his answer: and also such fauour at the Acts 26. Iewish King Agrippa, as he both licensed him to speak for himselfe, and afforded him fa­uorable audience: much more cause haue your Majesties Ca­tholick subjects, being accused of Ministers by their hired spo­kesman Bel, to expect the like yea greater fauour and equitie at your Graces hands. For if Romans, though heathens, thought it injustice to con­demn a particular man at the clamours of a whole Nation, before his accusers were pre­sent, and his defense were heard: and if Agrippa, albeit a Iew, and enemie to Christians, [Page 5] deemed it notwithstanding a Princes part, to giue audience to one accused of that religion, which he both hated and perse­cuted, how much more will a Christian Prince forbear to con­demn the vniuersal cause of his Catholick subjects, for the slan­ders and outcries of Ministers, and one hired Proctor, before their Accusers be brought face to face, and they haue time and place granted to answer for themselues? Wherein wee shall account our selues more happie then Saint Paul, because wee shall plead our cause, not be­fore a Heathen or Iewish Prin­ce, but before a Christian King, and such a one, as better know­eth the questions and customs of Christians, then King Agrip­pa [Page 6] did of the Iews.

2. Wherefore, seing of late one Th. Bel, (a fugitiue once from the Protestant religion, as he is now from Catholick) hath not onely accused, but also maliciously slandered the vniuersal Catholick cause, in a booke, which he hath dedica­ted to your Maiestie, and ter­med it the Downfal of Poperie, and withal challengeth, dareth, and adjureth (in which case our Blessed Sauiour, though Math. 26. whith manifest danger of his life, made answer) al Semina­rie Priests, al English Iesuits, and (as he speaketh) Iesuited Papists, to answer him, I haue presumed vpon your gracious fauour to accept his challenge, and am readie to performe it [Page 7] hand to hand, if your Majestie grant licence, and in the mean time to dedicate to your Name, this my Confutation of his ar­guments, and slanders, where­in I speake not for my selfe, as did Saint Paul before King Agrippa, but for the religion of your own Progenitors, and Predecessors, for the faith of your forefathers, for the cause of all Catholicks, and for the good, (I dare say) of your own Majesties person and King­domes. For though Bel calum­niate Christian Kings and Em­perours, with opening a window to all Antichristian tyrannie, and Catholicks generally, with thinking Christ to be killed a thousand times a day, and such like, yet especially he slande­reth [Page 8] the Popes, with vsurping power proper to God, and to depose Princes, and dispose of their Kingdoms at his pleasure, for to alienate your minde thereby, from the sea Aposto­lick: wherein he not only abu­seth your patience with telling you palpable vntruths, but also greatly harmeth and endam­mageth your person and realm, by endeauouring by his fals slanders, to auert your minde from the Popes, who haue been the most ancient, most assured, and most beneficiall freinds, which the Kings and realms of great Britanie haue euer had. Which thing that I may make manifest vnto your Majestie, I humbly beseech you giue me leaue to set downe some parti­cular [Page 9] examples, of the mutuall amitie, and kinde offices, which haue been betwixt the Popes and the Princes of this land. Wherein, if I bee somewhat longer, then men vse to be in Epistles, I hope the varietie and profit of the mattaer will make requitall.

3. Not long after the sea A­postolick S. PETER P. was setled in Rome, Saint Peter, the first Pope about the sixtie third year of Lippoman 29. Iunij tomo 5. CHRIST, came (saith ^a Simeon Metaphrastes, a Grecian writer about 800. years ago) into Bri­tanie, where hauing stayed long time, and conuerted many nations vnto Christ, he saw an Angel, who tould him, that the time of his departure was at hand, and therefore he shold return to Rome, [Page 10] where being crucified, he should re­ceaue the reward of iustice. When therefore he had glorified God, and giuen thanks, and stayed some daies with the Britans, setled Churches, and ordered Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, in the twelft year of the Emperour Nero, hee returned to Metaphrast. liued. Ann. 859. Baron. ibidem. Rome. Thus much Metaphra­stes: all which he professeth to haue taken out of ancient monu­ments, and to haue been publickly related. And withall addeth; that Euseb. Pamphili (the ancientest Ecclesiastical Historiographer) reporteth, that Peter was twelue years in the East, and twenty three years in Rome, and in Britanie, and in the cities of the West. So that, not onely Metaphrastes, but also Eusebius testifieth, that Saint Peter came into Bri­tannie. [Page 11] Neither hindreth it, that this testimonie of Eusebius is not found in any of his books now extant. For (as S. Hierom. sayeth) he wrote innumerable vo­lumes, which now are perished, in some whereof might be this testimonie. For it is no way li­kelie, that Metaphrastes should feigne it; both because he is ac­counted a saint, and honoured of the Grecians as such, and ci­ted in the Councel of Florence, as a man of great authoritie; as also, because there was no cause to moue him to feigne it; and lastly because hee might bee justly laughed at for feiging a thing wherein hee might bee easily disprooued. And that saint Peter came into Britanie, not only English Catholicks, as [Page 12] Harpesfield lib. 1. histor. cap. 2. Grecians, Italians, French, Spa­niards, Ger­mans, Po­lonians, Scots, English, say Saint Peter vvas in Britanie. Broughton lib. 1. cap. 24, and others doe affirme, but also strangers, as Iulianus Petri in Aduersariis, §. 495. Baronius Anno 46. and his Epitomizers, Spondanus, Bzouius, Bisiola, Bernardus Iunius in Chronico Morali anno 46. Biuarrus in Chronico Dextri Anno 46. Ciaconus in vita Sancti Petri, Guillimannus in suis Habpur­gicis lib. 2. cap. 1. Eiseingrenius Centuria 7. par. 7. dis. 8. Ches­neus in hist. Angl. l. 3. Posseui­nus in apparatu tom. 3. Lesleus in Paraenesi ad Scotos: And also learned Protestants con­fesse the same. For thus Cam­bden Protestants confesso it. in his Britanie p. 52. Of the credit of Simeon Metaphrastes, Cambden. and the Greeks Meneologie, our [Page 13] Ecclesiasticall writers report, that Peter came hither, and spread the light of the Gospel. And in his Remains pag. 4. The true Chri­stian religion was planted here by Ioseph of Arimathia, Simon Ze­lotes, Aristobulus, yea by saint Peter and saint Paul, as may bee proued by Dorotheus, Theodoretus, Sophronius. Spede lib. 6. cap. 9. Speed. Some ad, that S. Peter the Apostle preached the word of life in this Iland, as to others Gentils hee did, for whom God had chosen him, that from his mouth they might heare the Gospel, and beleeue, and that he here founded Churches, and or­dained Priests, and Deacons, which is reported by Simeon Metaphra­stes, out the Greeke Antiquities. The like hath Vsher in his An­tiquities Vsher. of Britanie c. 1. and 16. [Page 14] And also Baker in his historie of Baker. England pag. 3. Who addeth, that this and more is reported by Authors of good credit. And I ad that no graue Author denieth it; nor can any sufficient rea­son be brought, why it should not be beleued. So that, mere inctedulitie or obstinacie can bee opposed against it, which may be opposed against anie historical writing whatsoeuer; and so all historical belieef ouerthrowne. For who beleue in histories, what they will, and what they will not, beleue not, doe not beleue histories, but themselues.

4. Neither was this loue of S. Peter to our countrie extin­guished 2. Petri 1. by his death, but as himselfe promised to some, he [Page 15] had it in minde also after his departure, and miraculously assisted it in great necessities. So that truly wrote Malmes­bury lib. 1. Pontificum p. 209. S. Sergius first Pope, one thousand years ago, to our English Kings, that S. Peter was mindfull of them. And Pope Eugubin de Donat. Constan. Alexander II. to King William the Conque­rour, and Pope S. Peter Protector of Enhland. Alexander III. to King Henry the second, that England was vnder saint Peters protection, euer since Christs name was glorified there. And Pope Bede lib. 2. cap. 10. Huntington lib. 3. p. 317. Boniface I. writing to King Edwin, calleth S. Peter, his Protector. For when our coun­trie (about the year of Christ 611.) began to reuolt from the faith of Christ, and some Bi­shops had forsaken the land, and S. Laurence Archbishop of [Page 16] Canterburie was minded to fol­low them, Saint Peter appearing S. Peter committed Englishmen to S. Lau­rence. to him, and scourging him with sharp stripes, a great while in the close night, chalenged with Apo­stolical authoritie, and asked him, why hee would forsake the flocke which he himselfe had committed to him, and to what shepheard run­ning now away, he would leaue the sheep of IESVS-CHRIST, be­set in the midst of so many woulues. By thes stripes of saint Peter, and with these exhortations, Laurence, being stirred vp and encouraged, came boldly to the king early in the morning, and loosing his garment shewed him how sore hee was beaten, and how pitifully his flesh was torn. The King, as soone as he heard that for his own saluation the Bishop had suffered such greuous [Page 17] beatings, yea and that of the Apostle of CHRIST, he feared much, and afterward abandoning all worship of Idols, he embraced the Faith of CHRIST, and being baptized, endeauoured to keepe and maintaine the estate of the Church in al points to the vtter­most of his power. Thus S. Bede lib. 2. c. 6. who liued in the same age, in which this happened; and the same testifieth the king himself, in his Reiner. in Apost. charter yet ex­tant. Also Alcuin in Epist. 97. and our best Historiographers, as William Malmesburie lib. 1. Regum Angliae cap. 1. Henrie of Huntington lib. 3. pag. 326. Marianus in Chronic. ann. 617. Florentius Anno 616, Westmo­nasteriensis anno 616. And the Protestants confess it. same is confessed by Protestāts, [Page 18] as by Bishop Godwin, in the life of S. Laurence, Holinshed lib. 5. histor cap. 24. Isacson ann. 616. Weuer in his monu­ments pag. 245. who also ibid. pag. 246. rehearseth the Epi­taphe vpon the tombe of saint Laurence, in which the same is affirmed, and lastly, the Ma­gdeburgensian Centuriatours Centuria 7. cap. 10.

5. Not long before this, when S. Peter con­secrated VVestmin­ster Church. Sebareth, King of the East-Saxons, had built a Church in honor of S. Peter, in the place where now Westmonasterie stā ­deth, saint Peter came from Heaven, and himselfe dedi­cated the Church, and confir­med his dedication by a mi­racle, which long after conti­nued. Authors of this, are two [Page 19] ancient and holy kings Edgar, VVitnesse, tvvo En­glish Kings, and graue Authors. and S. Edward the Confessor, in their Charters made to that Mo­nasterie, as may be seen in Bi­shop Vsher in his booke de Pri­mordiis Eccl. Britannicae cap. 16. pag. 741, 742, and in vveuer in his Monuments pag. 450. Whereof I will rehearse the words of S. Edwards Charter, taken (as weuer saieth) outof the records of the Toure. The Church of S. Peter in Westminster, was anciently builded vnder Mel­lit, first Bishop of London, fellow and of the same time with Saint Austin first Archbishop of Can­terburie, and by blessed Peter him­self, with seruice of Angels, dedi­cated with the imprinting of the holie Cross, and vnction of the holie Trinitie. And king Edgar, [Page 20] as Bishop Vsher relateth, in his Charter auoucheth, that in the year 604, it was dedicated, not of anie other, but of S. Peter himself Prince of the Apostles, to his own honor. The same certifie saint Ealred, a most graue Author, (saieth Spelman) in the life of saint Edward, the Author of saint Dunstans life, William of Malmesburie lib. 1. Regum, and lib. 2. Pontificum, Capgraue in life of S. Edward, Otterburn, Walsingam an. 1378, pag. 213. and 214. Baronius an. 610. And are not two ancient and holie kings, and so many graue au­thors worthie to bee beleued? S. Peter re­stored the royal En­glish blood, to the crovvn. Likewise, when the Danes had oppressed England, vsurped the crowne, and driuen all the [Page 21] royal English blood out of En­gland, Saint Peter appeared in a vision, to Brithwold, a holy Bishop of Wilton, or (as some say) of Winchester, anointed saint Edward king of England, and foretold the yeares of his reigne, and the end of the fu­rie of the Danes, adding these most confortable words: The Our best Authors te­stifie it. kingdome of England, is the king­dome of God. Authors of this, are the aforesaid Malmesburie lib. 2. Regum cap. 13. and lib. 2. Pontif. pag. 249. Ealred in life of saint Edward. Westmonaste­riensis anno 1056, Capgraue in life of S. Edward, Polidor. lib. 8, Harpesfeld saec. 11. cap. 19. Ba­ronius an. 1043. And it is con­fessed Protestants confesse it. by Protestants, as by Bi­shop [Page 22] Parker in vita Stigandi, by Bishop Godwin in vita Brith­woldi, by Cambden in his Re­mains pag. 5, Holinshed lib. 7. cap. 15, by Isaakson anno 909. and others.

6. Neither was the singular affection towards our countrie, peculiar to saint Peter, but (as from a fountain) descended to his successors. For when the sweet sound of the Gospel here preached by him, had in time increased, and come to the ears of Lucius, then king here, he sending to Rome for Prea­chers, P. ELEV­THERIVS Pope Eleutherius the fourteenth Pope after Saint Peter, about the year Gordō 188 186, P Eleuthe­rius Legats conuert Bri­tanie. sent hither saint Fugatius and Damian, who instructed, and baptized the King, Queen, and [Page 23] most of the people, whereby our countrie became the first, which publickly professed the faith of CHRIST, as testifieth the learned Pamelius, in his notes vpon Tertullian against the Iewes, and the same saieth Leslcus, lib. 3. c. 27. Sabellicus Enneade 7. lib. 5, and thsrefore iustly deserueth the title of Primogenita Ecclesiae. This testifie Damasus in Pontific. Harpesfield saec. 1. cap. 3. saint Bede lib. 1. cap. 4, the Roman Martyrologe 26. Maij, and the Breuiarie on the same day, Marianus in Chronico, Huntington lib. 1. pag. 304, Ethelwerd an an­cient writer of the blood royal, lib. 1. Westmonasteriensis anno 188, and it is confessed by Pro­testants, Protestants confesse it. as by Bale Centuria 1. cap. 22, Cambden pag. 628, Cooper anno 180, Godwin in [Page 24] life of saint Austin, Stow anno 179, Parker in Archiepiscopis P. VICT. I. P. Victor I. Legatt con­uerted Scot­land. pag. 4. The like charitable of­fice performed Pope Victor I. vnto Scotland, sending thither his Legats at the request of king Donaldus, who baptized the King, Queen, and his no­bilitie, as testifie Boeth lib. 6. hist. Scotiae fol. 86. Genebrardus in Chronico, Holinshed in the historie of Scotland pag. 72, and others. And about the year 324. Pope Siluester, hauing P. SIL­VESTER anno 324. perfectly instructed our great Emperor Constantin, bapti­zed him, and cured him of his leprosie, as the same Empe­rour in his edict, and manie Monolog. Graec. Cal. Iun. Acta Liberi vita Siluestri Huntington l. 1. pag. 306. Elerentius anno 506. others testifie. Likewise about the year of CHRIST 400, Ninian, beeing taugth at Rome [Page 25] (saieth S. Bede lib. 3. cap. 4.) truly the faith, and mysteries of truth, was Capgraue in his life. S. Ninian Legat of the P. conuerted the Picts. thence sent to conuert the south Picts, who then inha­bited the best part of Scotland. And about the year 429, Pope Celestin consecrated Palladius, P. CELE­STIN I. Bishop, and sent him into Scot­land, where as yet was no Bi­shop; nor forgetfull of Ireland, sent thither that great saint Pa­trik S. Patrik, Legat of P. Celestin, conuerted Ireland. who conuerted that Iland to the true Catholick Faith, and is therefore iustly termed euen of Cambden in Hibernia 760. Bale Centur. 1. cap. 44. S. Germrn Legat of Protestants, the Apostle of Ireland. And whereas, at the same time, the Britons began to be infected with the heresie of Pelagius, the same Celestin suppressed Pelagian. in Britan. p Prosper in Chro. Baro. anno 429. Pope sent saint German, and saint Lupus, to confute, and suppresse that heresie, which they per­formed, [Page 26] both with disputations and miracles. Thus continued the exceeding loue of the sea Apostolick vnto great Brita­nie, al the time, that the Bri­tons possessed it al, or the grea­test part thereof.

7. But towards our English Nation, after it had conquered that part of great Britanie, which now is called England, it appea­red far greater. For whereas, not only the Bede lib. 2. cap. 2. Britons refused, but also al neighbour nations S. Gregorie [...]ib. 5. Epis 58. 59. neg­lected, to preach the Chtistian faith to our English ancestours, who euer before had been Pa­gans, and bondslaues (saieth saint Bede) of Idols, only Rome lib. 2. cap. 1. put forth her helping hand to draw them out of darknes P. GRE­GORIEI. anno 599. and slauerie of Idols. For no [Page 27] sooner, that blessed and holie Fa­ther, S. Gregorie, (as Bishop In life of saint Austin p. 3. God win calleth him) vnderstood, that the Bede lib. 2. cap. 1. Ioan. Diacon. in vita Creg. Angles, or English (whom for their beutie hee termed Angels) were Pagans, but forth with he went to the Pope of that time, and be­seeched him to send Preachers into England, offering him­self to be one. And obtaining licence thereof came on his voyage three dayes iournay to­wards England; but was recal­led at the great importunitie of the Romans, who were vnwil­ling to want so worthie a man. But neuertheles he forgot not his holie entreprise. For as soone (saieth saint Bede lib. 2. cap. 1.) as he was Bishop ouer the whole world, he made our nation the [Page 28] Church of CHRIST, which had been euer vntill that time, the bondslaue of Idols. And in the year 596. sent hither S. Austin, with almost fortie Monks more to preach; who being enter­tained by king Ethelbert, in short time conuerted both him, and his whole countrie. And that they preached the true faith of CHRIST, appeared by the miracles which they wrought in testimonie there­of, which were so manie, and so great, as it seemed (saieth saint Gregorie) that they imita­ted the vertues of the Apostoles by the miracles which they wrought; and they are so certain and vn­doubted, as they are not only testified by the sayed S. l. 9 epist. 56. 58. Gre­gorie, S. lib. 1. c. 32. lib. 2. c. 1. 2. Bede, and other an­cient [Page 29] Authors, but confessed euen by the most earnest Fox in Acts p. 105. Godvvin in life of saint Austin. Stovv in Chro. p. 65. Holinshed lib. 5. cap. 19. 21. 20. Spelman in Concil. p 93. Cambden p. 104. Pro­stants. Again, in the year 601, he sent more Preachers, and with them, al things necessarie for the ornament and seruice of the Church, as holie vessells, (saieth saint Bede lib. 1. cap. 29.) altar clothes apparel for Priests and Clerks, Reliks of holie Apostles and Martyrs, and many books: S. Gregor. sent. a Pall for Mass. and a Pall to S. Austin to vse only, (saieth S. Gregorie) at Mass, appointed him to be ouer al the Bishops and Priests of Britanie, and gaue him licence to insti­tute two Archbishopricks, and 24, Bishopricks. Besiids, he sent rich presents of diuers kindes to the King and Queen, and also sent order into France to buy Greg. lib. 5. epist. 10. such English youthes, [Page 30] as were there slaues, and to send them vp to Rome, there to be brought vp in wertue and lear­ning; wherein he gaue the ex­ample of the English Seminarie, which not long aftet our En­glish kings founded in Rome. Such was the exceeding loue of this blessed Pope towards our nation, whom we may wel, and must (saieth Saint Bede lib. 2. cap. 15.) call our Apostle, and may lawfully pronounce of him, that saying of the Apostle: Although he were not an Apostle to others, yet he was to vs, for the signe of his Apostleship, we are in our Lord.

8. Neither was this great good, so happily begun, and planted in our nation by saint Gregorie and his Legats, neglected by the Popes his successors, but [Page 31] rather diligently watered and furthered by them, as appea­reth by the letters and messa­ges of diuers of them sent vnto our Princes, and Bishops to that purpose; as of Pope Boniface in the year 618. of Pope Hono­rius P. HONO­RIVS I. anno 635. in 633, of Pope Agatho 679, Pope Zacharie 746, Pope Adrian 789, an others. But most of all it was increased by Pope Bede l. 3. cap. 7. Godvvin in vita Birini. Parker in Antiquit. cap. 10. Cooper an. 636. Ball centur. 13. cap. 4. P. VITA­LIAN anno 668. Honorius his sending hither in the year 635, that Apostolical man S. Birin who conuerted the West-Saxons; and by Pope Bede l. 4. cap. 1. Godvvin in vita Theo­dori. Parker in vita Theod. Vitalian, who in 668, sent hither those holie and great learned men Saints Theodore and Adrian, by whose teaching, Englishmen, in short time, became the best learned of rhat age, and were [Page 32] the beginners of the Gordon anno 791 Genebrard. [...]ib 3. saec 8. S. Antonin. [...]ib. 14. c. 4. Palmerius anno 791. Spondanus anno 1334. Bossius l. 21. [...]ap. 6. P. LEO III [...]nno 808. Amoinus [...]ib. 4. c. 94. Regino in Chron. Baronius anno 808. Vniuer­sitie of Paris, and consequently the chiefest fountain of learn­ing which since hath been in the West. After this, Eardulf, king of the North beiond Hum­ber, being driuen out of his kingdome and countrie, Pope Leo III. in the year 808. sent Cardinal Adulf his Legat into England, who by the help of Charles the gteat his Embas­sadours, restored him peacebly, P. LEO IV an. 847. or Gregor. 4. anno 817. into his kingdome. Not long after, Pope Leo IV. Malmesb. [...] 2. Pontif. [...]. 242. Baronius anno 847. dispensed with King Ethelwoulph, for to marrie, which he (being a sub­deacon) could not otherwise doe lawfully. And at the same Kings request, crowned his sonne Asserius in vita Alfredi Ethelvverd lib. 3. cap. 3. Malmesbur. l. 2. Reg. c. 2. Stovv p. 99. Alfred king, adopting him for his sonne; who after­wards, [Page 33] for his most worthie acts, both in war, and peace, was surnamed the great, and for al things, became the rarest Prin­ce, P. MAR­TIN I. anno 883. Florentius anno 884. VVestmon. anno 883. Godvvin in vita Pleg­mundi p. 17. that England, (and perhaps Christendome) euer had. Like­wise, Pope Martin, at the sute of the same King Alfred, relea­sed the tribute, which the En­glish Seminarie then in Rome paied, and sent to the King manie gifts, amongst which, was a good peece of the holie cross.

9. In the year 990, when Ri­chard Marquis of Normandie, had purposed to inuade En­gland, and make war vpon king Ethelred, Pope Ihon xv. anno 990. g Malmesb. lib. 2. Reg. cap. 10. p. 64. Baronius anno 990. Ihon XV. sent his Nunce, and letters to take vp the matter, who hap­pily brought them to aggree­ment. [Page 34] And about the year 1059. P. NICO­LAS II. anno 1059 Pope Nicolas II. granted to king Edward the Confessor, and to his successors the Surius in vita sancti Edvvardi Bale Cent. 2. cap. 52. Capgraue in vita sācti Edvvardi. P. VR­BAN II. anno 1094. aduousion and protection of the Churches in England. And in the year 1094. Pope Vrban II. in a councel at Bari, appointed, that S. Anselm Archbishop of Can­terburie, and his successors, should sit in Councels beside the Archdeacon of Rome, who sitteth before the Pope, adding this most honorable speech: let Malmesbur. lib. 2. Pontif. p. 223. Godvvin in vita An­selm, latine. vs include in our compass this man, as Pope of an other world: where­as before it was vnkown (saieth Malmesburie) what place be­longed to our Archbishop. And the same place did Pope Paschal P. PAS­CHAL II. anno 1102. Malmeshur. lib. 1. Pont. p. 224. II. confirme in a Councel at Rome, about the year 1102. [Page 35] And besides this, diuers others dignities, and priuiledges haue been granted to the sea of Can­terburie, by the Popes, as to be Primats of al Britanie, Legat [...] born, and the like.

10. Moreouer, in the year 1098. the Scots obtained of P. VR­BAN II. anno 1098. Genebrard. in Chron. Pope Vrbain II. for their Prin­ce, that hee might haue the name, title, and anointment of a King, as the Baronius anno 1000. Bale Cent. 2. part. 145. Hungarians and Polonians had obtained for their Princes, about the year 1000. wherupon King Edgar was then first anointed King of Scotland. And about the year 1107, Pope Paschal II. Malmesb. lib. 5. Reg. p. 163. Gordn anno 1101. Boeth lib. 2. fol. 261. writing to king Henrie I. amongst other things, promiseth so to fauour him and his sonne, as what (say­eth he) hurteth you or him, may [Page 36] seem to hurt the Church of Rome. And in the year 1152. when king P. EVGE­NIVS III. anno 1152. Stovv anno 1152. Godvvin in vita Theo­bald. P. ADRI­AN IV. anno 1160. Par. an. 1155 Bale Cent. 2. Giraldus Cambrens. in Hibern. lib. 2. cap. 6. Io. Sarisbur. lib. 4. c. 42. Stovv anno 1160. Cambden in Hibern. p. 762. Parker in vita S. Tho. P. ALEX­ANDER 3. anno 1171. Houeden lib. 2. p. 528. P. LV­CIVS III. anno 1183. Houeden lib. 2. p. 628. Stephn, hauing vsurped the crown of England, endeavou­red to cause the Bishop to crown his sonne Eustace, thereby to exclude for euer the lawfull heyr, Henrie II. Pope Euge­nius III. sent commandment to the Clergie, not to medle in that matter; whereby it was hindred. In the year 1106, Pope Adrian IV. gaue vnto King Henrie II, the dominion and gouernment of Ireland, and sent vnto him the Bull of his grant, with a ring of gold in token of the inuestiture. Which grant, at the request of the said king, Pope Alexander III. con­firmed to him and his heirs. And as for Pope Lucius III, his [Page 37] good will appeareth by the great praise, which he giueth to the said king Henries ancestours, whom he affirmeth to haue far exceded the rest of christiā Prin­ces, in warlik power, and noble­nes of minde. Which affecti­on continued also in his succes­sor Pope Vrban III. of whom P VR­BIN III. anno 1185. Houeden lib. 2. p. 631. Stovv anno 1185. the said king Henrie the second obtained manie things, where­of one was, that hee might crown which of his sonnes he would, King of Ireland; which he confirmed by a Bul, and in token of his good wil and grant, sent him a crown. And lastly when not only the King of France, but also his own sonnes, and nobles, had conspired a­gainst the said king Henrie II, and had inuaded his dominions [Page 38] withfar greater power, then he P. CLE­MENT III. anno 1189. Houeden lib. 2. p. 652. VVestmon. anno 1189. was able to resist, Pope Clement III, in the year 1189, sent a Cardinal to procure peace, who excommunicated the hinderers of peace, and threatned to in­terdict the kingdom of France, vnles the king made peace with England.

11. Likewise in the year 1193, when king Richard I. was taken prisoner, as he came from the holie land, by the Duke of Au­stria, P. CELE­STIN III. anno 1193. VVestmon. anno 1193. Houeden p 773. Polid. l. 14. Paris anno 1195. Stovv anno 1195. Pope Celestin III, at the said kings request, excomuni­cated the Duke, and enioyned him to release the couenants, which hee had compelled the king to make, and to send home the pledges: Who not obeying the Pope, he soone dyed miserably, and was left [Page 39] vnburied vntil his sonne had sent home the pledges, and sworn to stand to the iudgment of the Church. And in the year P. INNO­CENT III anno 1207. Paris anno 1207. Stovv anno 1207. 1207, Pope Innocent III. sent to king Ihon an eloquent Epi­stle, and diuers pretious jewels: And in the year 1215, when the Barons had extorted from the said king, certain Paris ann. 1216. Polidor. l. 15. Stovv anno 1215. Godvvin in vita Steph. Lang. Bale Cent. 3. p. 260. charters, and liberties, the same Pope, at the kings request, disannul­led those charters, and excom­municated the Barons, who had rebelled against him. And when the said Barons had cal­led in Lewis the Prince of Fran­ce, King Ihon put al his hope in the Popes Legat. Paris anno p. 377. chosen him their king, and yeelded the chiefest cities and holds into his hands, so that England was in manifest dan­ger to be lost, the said Pope [Page 40] sent his Legat to assist king Iohn, and to forbid the French vpon paine of excommunica­tion, to enter into England, which he stoutly performed, and was a great means of sa­ueing England. In the year P. INNO­CENT IV anno 1258. Paris anno 1254. Stouv anno 1254. 1258, Pope Innocent IV. be­stowed the royal title of the kingdomes of Naples and Si­cilie, vpon Edmund sonne to king Henrie III, and by a Cardinal, sent to him the inue­stiture P. ALEXANDER IV. anno 1257. VVestmon. anno 1254. Bale Cent. 4 p 290. Paris anno 1254. thereof. And in the year 1257, Pope Alexander IV. sent messengers to Richard Duke of Cornwal, brother to the said king Henrie, for to goe into Germanie to receaue it, which he did, and was crowned at Aquisgran. And in the year 1292, when the Barons had [Page 41] wrested from the said King Henrie 3, certain liberties, Pope Vrban IV, at the said kings re­quest, P. VR­BAN IV. anno 1292. Stovv anno 1262. Bale Cēt. 4. p 293. 326. Paris p. 1322 sent a Legat to accurse those Barons, who had rebelled in defense of those liberties.

12. In the year 1272, at the petition of king Edward I. Pope Gregorie X. excommunicated P. GRE­GORIE X anno 1272. VVestmon. anno 1272. Polidor. l. 17 VValsingā Ypodig. anno 1273. Guy of Montfort, for killing the kings cousin germain in his return from the holie land, condemned him of wilful and priuie murder, of sacriledg and treason; declared him to be in­famous and incapable of anie office in the commonwealth, disinherited his posteritie to the fourth generation, and ex­communicated al those, who entertained him, and interdi­cted their dominions. And in [Page 42] the same Kings time, was Camden in Canta­brig p 435. Cambridge, of a schole, made on vniuersitie by the Pope. And vnder Edward II. Pope Clement V. apointed, that in Oxford should be read two Le­ctures Clement tit. de Magistris cap. 1. of the Hebrew, Ara­bick, and Chaldaick tongues, and authorized it for one of the foure famousest Vniuersities in Christendome. Also in the year 1316. Pope Ihon XXII. at the P. IHON XXII. anno 1316. Polidor l 17 Stovv anno 1316. VValsin­gam. anno 1312. 1317. said king Edward II. his request, sent two Legats to make peace betwixt England and Scotland, and to reconcile Thomas Earle of Lancaster to the king; who excommunicated the Scots, be­cause they would not aggree to peace, And in the same year, at the same kings petition, the Pope confirmed al the ancient [Page 43] priuiledges of the Vniuersitie of Cambridg, which of long time they had enjoyned, by the benefit (saieth Anno 1317. Stow) of the Popes predecessors.

13. Moreouer in the year 1489, Pope Innocent VIII. P. INNO­CENT VIII. anno 1489. Godvvin in Episc. Bathon. n. 42. sent a Nunce to appease the the dissension betwixt the king of Scotland and his people, but before his arriual, the king was slain. And about the year 1504. when there arose a contention betwixt king Henrie VII. and Ferdinand king of Spain, about precedence of their Embassa­dours P. IVLIVS II. anno 1504. Spondanus anno 1433. Volateran. Comin ventura. Stovv 1505 Bacon. in Henrie 7. with the Pope, Pope Iu­lius II. hauing heard both Em­bassadours, gaue sentence in favour of the king of England. And in the year 1505. sent to the king, a sword and cap of [Page 44] maintenance, as to a defender of the Church. But as no king of England deserued better of the sea Apostolick, then King Henrie VIII. did for long time, so none receaued more honor from thence then he. For he receaued not only from Stavv anno 1514. Pope Iulius II, in the year 1514. a sword and cap of maintenance, for defending him against the king of France, but also of P. LEO X. anno 1521. Stovv in Chron. Onuphrius in Chron. Pope Leo X, in the yeat 1521, the most honorable title of DEFENDFR OF THE FAITH, for his writing against Luther. Which title, as it is more hono­rable then the title of most Christian, or Catholick, giuen by Popes to the kings of France and Spain, so was it euer most highly estemed by king Henrie, [Page 45] and Stovv anno 1547. engrauen on his tombe, where is left out the title of his supremacie.

14. And though Queen Eli­zabeth had vtterly cast of the Popes freindship, yet he for­soke not her. For Pope Pius P. PIVS IV. anno 1560. IV. supposing, that she had re­uolted from that sea, rather for fear that her title to the crown might be called in question, because one Pope before had declared her birth to be vnlaw­ful, then for dislike of the reli­gion, which in her fathers and sisters days, she had professed, sent à Nunce to promise her al fauour touching her title to the crown, and 1562. soone after, an other to request her to send her Deuines to the Councel of Trente, with promise of al se­curitie [Page 46] and libertie. Neither P. CLE­MENT VIII. anno 603. may I leaue your Maiestie out of the number of the Princes of this land, who haue tasted the loue of the sea Apostolick, because out of your own grate­ful minde, you haue Procla­ [...]at. anno [...]egni. 1. publick­ly professed your self behol­den vnto Pope Clement VIII, for his temporal cariage and diuers kind offices towards you. Besids, he hath (as is reported) cen­sured al such, as shal molest your grace, and hath often times professed, that he would willingly giue his life for the eternal good of your countrie, which is the greatest loue, that one can bear, (as our Sauiour testifieth) to his freind. Oh how great enemies are they vnto England, who seek by fals slan­ders, [Page 47] to make such freinds odious vnto vs.

14. By this which hath been said, (omitting much more for breuitie) your Maiestie cleer­ly seeth, how greatly, and how continually, the sea Apostolick hath euer fauoured the Christi­an Princes of this land: how manie, and how great benefits, both spititual and temporal, Popes haue bestowed vpon them, and in their dangers and distresses, according to their power, assisted them, Popes haue more bene­fited Engl. then al Christdēome hath done. Weigh (I beseech your grace) in the balance of your prince­lie wisedome, the foresaid be­nefits, with such, as your self or ancestours haue receaued from the rest of Christendome, and you shal finde, that the sea Apostolick alone, hath more [Page 48] benefited England, then al Christendome besids, and con­sequently, that the forsaking the Popes freindship, hath more endammaged your realm, then if it had forsaken the rest of Christendome. But especially (I humbly beseech your Ma­jestie) weigh them with such, as Bel or anie Minister can shew you to haue receaued from their two seats of pestilence, in Wittenberg and Geneua. What kingdoms haue they bestowed vpon you? vnto what Imperial or Royal dignitie haue they exalted you? from what Paga­nisme haue they conuerted you? what enemies haue they appeased? what assistance haue they afforded you in any need? what good, litle or great, haue they [Page 49] brought to this land? Nay what mischiefe haue they not brought? That one Apostata & firebrand of sedition, Knox, sent from Geneua, brought more mischief to your grand­mother, your B. Mother, to your Father, and Kingdome of Scotland, then I can rehearse, or your Majestie without great griefe can remember. Ministers pretend the loue of the Gospel, as the cause of persuading you from freindship with the Pope: but yet dissuade not from Cenference at Hampion court p. 80. 81. freindship with the Turke. They pretend also your Graces secu­ritie; but the true cause indeed, your Majestie descried and dis­couered in Knox, to wit, their own securitie and aduancemēt, which they fear would be en­dangered, [Page 50] if you kept your an­cient and surest freind, and therefore with your losse (as your Majestie perceaued in your Grandmothers case) they worke their owne wealth and securitie. And thus much of the Popes.

15. As for the Christian Prin­ces of this land, though they haue been of foure different, and most opposite nations, to wit, Britons, English, Danes, and Normans: yet haue they al aggreed in keeping the lea­gue of freindship with the Pope, being officious vnto him, and accounting him their especial freind. Of the British kings of K. LV­CIVS. this land, first is king Beda lib. 1. cap. 1. Lucius, whose particular affection to­wards the sea Apostolick, is eui­dent by that, he neglecting [Page 51] other Christian Churches neer CONS­TANTIN the Great. vnto him, he sent so far as to Rome for preachers. As for Con­stantin the great (the immortal glorie of rhe British kings) his extraordinarie loue and affe­ction vnto the sea of Rome is more notorious, then I need rehearse. For he not only gaue vnto the Pope, the gouern­ment of Rome, and of a good part of the West, (as besids In edicto. Eugubin dc Donat. Constant. Genebrard. in Chron. Ciaconus in S. luest. 1. Victorellus in notis ad Ciac. himself and Latin Histriogra­phers, both Photius in Nomocan. Greecks, and Abraham Abben Efra. Iewes professed enemies to the Pope doe testifie) but also serued him as a lackey, holding his stirrop, and leading his horse by the bridle. Cad wallader also the last British king in England K. CAD­VALA­DER ann. 652. hauing left his countrie went no whether but to Rome, and [Page 52] there ended his days. And if the histories of those ancient times were more perfect, or the Britons had raigned longer in this Iland, no doubt but wee should haue more examples of their deuotion to the sea Apo­stolicke, as appeareth by Salo­mon K. SALO­MON. Argentreus hist. Britan. lib 2. c. 27. Baron. anno 869. their king in litle Britanie, after they had been driuen hence by the Saxons, who wri­ting to Pope Adrian II. begin­neth his letter thus. Domino ac beatissimo Apostol. sedis Rom. Ha­driano, Salomon Britannorum rex, flexis genibus, inclinatoque capite. And sendeth him his statua in gold with diuers rich gifts and money, promiseth a yearly pen­sion, and acknowledgeth his Royal title to haue been giuen to him by Popes. This was the [Page 53] loue of the British king vnto the sea Apostolick.

16. To the British kings suc­ceded the Saxons or English as wel in their loue and reuerence to the sea of Rome as in their K. ETHELBERT anno 597. Kingdome. For king Ethlebert, at the verie first, receaued saint Gregorie his Legats verie cour­teously, prouided them of al things necessarie and freely li­censed them to preach, vsing these gracious words, worthie to be imitated of your Majestie, For so much as you are come so far to impart vnto vs such know­ledg, as you take to be true, we wil not trouble you, but rather withall courtesie receaue you. After him, king Osuin, hauing per­fectly K. OSVIN anno 665. learned, that the Church of Rome (saieth saint Bede) lib. 3. cap. 1. [Page 54] was the Catholiek and Apostolick Church, sent thither in the year 665 a Priest to be consecrated Archbishop of Canterburie. And in a conference about the obseruation of Easter, hearing, that the keyes of heauen were giuen to S. Peter, concluded thus: I will not gainsay such a [...]b. 3. cap. 25. [...]aronius [...]nno 664. Porter, as this is, but as far as I know, and am able, I wil couet in al points to obey his ordonnance. And in the year 670. He bare (saith S. Bede) such loue and affection to the Apostolick sea of Rome, as if he might haue escaped his sicknes, he purposed to goe to Rome, and to end his life in those holie places there.

17. But what he could not through death perform the valiāt [...] CED­ [...]ALLA [...]no 6; 9. Prince Cedwalla did in the verie [Page 55] flour of his age, and prosperitie. For in the year 689, Forsaking his kingdome (saieth saint Bede) he went to Rome thinking it to be a singular glorie, and renoune for him to be regenerated with the Sa­crement of Baptisme, at the sea Apostolick: and withal conceaued hope, that as soone as by baptisme he was cleansed from sinne he should depart from this world to immortal ioy: Which by Gods prouidence was performed, and he honorably buried, by the Pope in S. Peters Church. Not long after him to wit in the year 709. two English kings, Coen­red, and Offa, forsooke their K. Coenred 3706. K. Offa. kingdoms, went to Rome, and there became Monks, cōtinuing (saieth saint Bede) at the Apo­stles lib. 5. cap. 10 K. Ina ann 726. tombes, in praying, fasting, [Page 56] and dealing alms vntil their dying lib. 5. cap. ij Baronius anno 729. Ethelvverd lib. 2. cap. 13. Malmesbur. lib. 1. Reg. cap. 2. Polidor l. 4. Stovv in Ina. p. 96. day. Ina, alias Hun, successor to king Cedwal in his king­dome, succeded him also in his deuotion to the sea Apo­stolick. For after he had raigned (saith Bede) 37. years, he gaue ouer his kingdome, and went him­selfe to the tombs and monuments of the Apostles in Rome, as in those dayes manie English, both of the Nobilitie, and Commons, spi­ritual and temporal, men and wo­men, were wont to doe with great emulation. Neither went he on­ly to Rome, but became there a Monke, and was the first, that paied the Peter pence, appoin­ting that euerie householder of K. Ina gaue the Peter pence. his kingdome, who had thirtie pennie worth of cattle of one sort, should pay yearly one [Page 57] pennie to Rome. Which mo­ney, English Se­minarie in Rome 900 years since VVestmon. anno 727. 764. was partly for the Popes vse partly for maintenance of an English schole or Seminarie, which he then built in Rome, for bringing vp of English youths there in vertue and learning.

18. Not long after, about the year 750, saint Richard king K. RI­CHARD anno 750. Surius to. 1. Baronius anno 750. forsoke his kingdome, and lea­ving his two sonnes in Germa­nie, with saint Boniface an En­glisman, the Popes Legat there, went himself in pilgrimage to Rome, but dying in the way at Luca, is there honorably buri­ed. And the year 775, king K. Offa anno 775. Malmesbur. lib. 2. Reg. cap. 4. VVestmon. anno 194. Polidor l. 4. Fox p. 101. Offa, though a warlick Prince, went to Rome, and imitating the example of king Ina, in­creased the English Seminarie [Page 58] begun by him, and imposed the like pension of Peter pence, vpon his kingdome of Mercia: as Charles the great, about the same time, imposed vpon Fran­ce the like tribute to be paied to Rome. The loue and affe­ction of king Kenulph, a wor­thie K. KE­NVLPH anno 808. Malmesbur. l. 1. Keg. c. 4. Baronius anno 828. Prince, and successor to king Offa, appeareth by his re­deeming the Popes Legat, taken of Pirats, in the year 808. and by his submissiue letter to the Pope, wherein he humblie cra­ueth his blessing, as al his Pre­decessors had, desireth to be adopted for his sonne, as I (saith rhe king) loue you like a father, and embrace you with al obedience. And protested to be willing to spend his life for the Pope. K. ETEL­VVOLPH anno 855.

19. After him king Ethelwolph, [Page 59] in the year 857. went to Rome, tooke with him his best beloued sonne Alfred, to be instructed (saith Westmonaster) of the VVestmon. anno 854. Ethelvverd lib. 3. cap. 3. Stovv anno 839. Ingulfus Bale Cent. 2 p. 113. Asserius in vita afredi. Pope in manners and Religion where he aboad a whole year, and procured his sonne to be crowned of the Pope, and ado­pted of him for his sonne: he also notably repaired the En­glith Seminarie at Rome, which had been burnt a little before, & confirming the guifts of king Malmesbur. lib. 2. Reg. cap. 2. Stovv anno 839. Fox p. 136. Ina and Offa, imposed the pen­sion of Peter pence vpon al En­gland, which was afterward paid vntil the later end of King Henrie VIII. About the same K. BVR­DRED Ethelvverd lib. 4 cap. 3. Malmesbur. lib. 1. cap. 4. Stovv anno 875. time king Burdred leauing his kingdome went to Rome, and was there buried in the English schole. Neither would King [Page 60] Canute, though a Dane, be K. CANV­TE anno 1032. Florent. anno 1031. Matmesbur. lib. 2. c. 11. Ingulfus. Huntington lib. 6. Marian. anno 1033, Stovv in Canute. found vngratefull to the sea Apostolick, but went to Rome, in the year 1032, confirmed the payment of the Peter pence, gaue great gifts of gold and sil­ver, and pretious things to saint Peter, and obtained of Pope Iohn immunitie for the English Seminarie. And finally, King Edward Confessor, last but one, of the Saxon bloud, would haue K. EDVV­ARD son­fessor. Ealred in vita Ed­vvardi. Baronius anno 1060. gone to Rome in pilgrimage, had not his people vpon fear of the Danes inuasion, hindred him; yet sent he Embassadors to Rome, with great presents, and confirmed al the duties and customes belonging thereto in England. And thus continued the English Kings, al the time of their raign, in singular affe­ction [Page 61] and deuotion to the sea Apostolick.

20. To whom, as the Norman K VVIL­LIAM Conquer. anno 1066. Malmesbur. lib. 3. Reg. Ingulfus p. 900. Stovv in Harald. p. 131. Princes succeded, so they fol­lowed them in their pietie and religion. For besids, that they paied the Peter pence, in parti­cular Willam the Conquerour, having subdued and slain king Harald in the year 1066, sent K. HEN­RIE I. Malmesbur. lib. 1. Pontif. pag. 226. K. HEN­RIE II. anno 1180. Rob. Mon­tensis. Genebrard. anno 1180. Sigebertus anno 1163. Neubrigens. lib. 2. c. 14. Bale Cent. 2 cap. 94. Holinshed anno 1163. Baronius anno 1162. straight his standard to the Pope as to his particular freind. And king Henrie I. professed by his Embassadour to Pope Paschal II. that England was a peculiar prouince of the Church of Rome, and paied vnto her yearly tribute. King Henrie II. about the year 1180, together with Lewis king of France led Pope Alexanders horse, and with great pompe cōducted him through the citie [Page 62] Tociacum. King Richard, Coeur K. RI­CHARD I Polid. l. 14. Genebrard. [...]n Chron. Stovv. [...]ale Cent. 2 [...]. 104. Houeden [...]. 609. de Lion, at the exhortation of the Pope, went in person to the holie land with an armie of thir­tie thousand foot, and fiue thou­sand horse: in which voyage he conquered the kingdome of Ciprus, and citie of Ptolemais, and ouerthrew the Souldan in a great battel; and the like en­terprise afterward tooke king Edward I. in the year 1241. King K. HENRIE III. [...]tovv anno [...]241. Henry III. placed the Popes Legat in the most honorable roome of the table at a publick banquet in Christmas betwixt himself and the Archbishop of Yorke: and afterward with great pompe (saith Stow) and innume­rable companie of nobles, and trumpets sounding before brought him to the sea. How deuout king [Page 63] Richard II. and Englishmen K. RI­CHARD II. Stovv anno 1407. in his time were to the sea of Rome, appeareth by their buil­ding an hospital there for receit of English Pilgrims, instead of the foresaid Seminarie, which (as it seemeth) was destroyed in that great burning of Rome in the year 1084.) in the place whereof S. Thomas of Canter­burie had before built a Chap­pel in honour of the blessed Trinitie. This Hospital was afterwards, in the raigne of king Henrie VI, and Henrie VII reedified, and much in­creased, and lastly in the year 1570 was much bewtified, and augmented both in buildings and reuenews by Pope Gre­gorie XIII, and by him con­verted to the ancient vse of a [Page 64] Seminarie, retaining stil the obligation of an Hospital.

21. The affection of King K. HEN­RIE IV. Stovv anno 1409. Henrie IV. appeareth by his letter to the Pope in the year 1409, which he beginneth thus: Most holie Father, our recommen­dations in humble wise premised. And afterward; Hauing taken with our said sonne, and also with our Prelats and Nobles, ma­ture deliberation, we beseech with al humilitie, and require your cle­mencie (whose state and honor vpon diuers causes, as a deuout sonne of the Church, so far as we might with God, we haue euer embraced, and doe embrace) by the expresse and whole assent of the estates afore­said, &c. And as for king Henrie K. HEN­RIE V. V, he in the year 1416 sent his Embassadours to the General [Page 65] Councel at Constance, at whose procurement it was there ordai­ned (saith Stowe) that England Stovv 1416 should obtain the name of a Nation, and be one of the fiue Nations, that owe their deuotion to the Church of Rome, which thing vntil that time, men of other Nations for enuie had Note this. letted. Behold, what an honor, king Henrie V, the Alexander of England, and Conquerour of France, in his most flourishing and triumphant time, accoun­ted it to owe deuotion to the Church of Rome; which now Ministers would account so dis­honorable. And for king Henrie K. HEN­RIE VII. Bacon. in Henr. 7. VII, your Majesties great grand­father; his affection is euident by the sword and cap of main­tenance sent to him from the Pope, anno 1505.

22. But none of the kings of K. HEN­RIE VIII. the Norman blood, euer shewed so great signes of loue and affe­ction to rhe sea Apostolick, as king Henrie VIII, did for a long time. For first in the year 1511, he wrote to the French king, to de­sist from molesting Pope Iulius II, and in the next year, sent an armie of ten thousand men into Onuphr. in Iulio 2. Stovv anno 1511. 1512. 1513. France for the Popes defence. And in the year 1513, he went himself in person, with a royal armie, and conquered Turwin, and Tournay. And not content to defend the Pope with his sword, in the year 1521, wrote an excellent booke in his defence against Luther. And again, in the yeare 1527, when Pope Clement was taken prisoner by the Emperors soldiers, he gaue [Page 67] monthly 60 thousand Angels, to the maintenance of an ar­mie, for the Popes deliuerie. And in this singular affection towards the sea Apostolick, con­tinued he vntil the 22 year of his raigne anno 1530, when not vpon anie iniurie offered by the Pope, or dislike of his religion, which (except the matter of su­premacie) he defended to his death, and persecuted the Pro­testants, but only vpon occasion of delay (saith Stow) made by the Stovv anno 1530. & seq. Pope in his controuersie of deuor­cement, and through displeasure of such reports, as he heard had been made of him to the court of Rome, and thirdly pricked forward by such Councellers to follow the example of the Germans, he first forbad the procurement of anie thing [Page 68] from Rome, and soon after pro­hibited al paymēts, and appeals to Rome, and lastly, tooke vpon him that supremacie, which al his Christian predecessours had acknowledged to bee in the Pope.

23. Thus your Majestie seeth, how long, how honorably, and how profitably also vnto both parties, hath the mutual amitie and league of freindship betwixt the sea Apostolick, and the Prin­ces of al the foure Nations, that haue swayed the Scepter of En­gland, cōtinued and flourished: and how of late it was broken by one Prince, vpon meer passion, contrarie to the example of al his predecessors, and successors also, except one child, & a woe­man. What dangers & troubles, [Page 69] he and his kingdome incurred thereby, and how his progenie (according as Friar Paeto, and House anno 1533. Elston did then foretell him) is now consumed, and his crown translated to an other royal line, against which in his time he Hungtinton lib. 6. p. 359. made verie sharp war, I need not heer declare. Only I will say, that himself, being after more free from passion, laboured to be reconciled to the sea Apo­stolick, and employed therein Bishop Gardiner, (as he profes­sed in a sermon at Pauls Cross) and had easily obtained it, if he would haue acknowledged his fault, and done penance. What remaineth for me to conclude this long Epistle, but prostrat at your Majesties feet, humbly to beseech you, for your own good, [Page 70] and in the name of the foresaid Christian Princes, as you are the head of the 5 natiō, which (accor­ding Hungtinton supra. to Gods prouidēce, foretold by a holie man manie years ago) hath attained to the rule of the land, so you would continue that most ancient, honorable, and profitable league of freind­ship, which was betwixt them al, and the sea Apostolick. Who (I beseech your grace) will giue you more faithful councel, then your own Progenitors and fore­fathers? Who can giue more safe and secure direction in go­vernment of your Kingdome, then your own predecessors, who so happily, and so long time gouerned it? who are so worthie to giue you example, or whom can you with so much honor [Page 71] imitate, as so manie, so valiant, so prudent Princes? And yet they al, with one voice, coun­sel and request you to follow in this so important a matter, not so much themselues, as the counsel of the wisest king, rhat euer was, yea of God himself, in these words: Thine owne freind, Prouerb. cap 27. and thy fathers freind, see thou forsake not; especially such a one, as hath euer been, not on­ly your own freind, and parti­cularly your blessed Mothers freind, but of al your Christian forefathers, who as they haue left vnto your grace their crown and kingdome, so haue they also bequeathed their faith, re­ligion, and freindship with the sea Apostolick, as no smal por­tion and stay of their inheri­tance. [Page 72] We esteem your publick acknowledging of Rome to be the Mother Church; and your Speech in the Rarlament self to be beholding to Pope Clement VIII, for his temporal cariage, and kinde offices, as sparks of a greater fire of loue in kind­led Proclamat. An 1. regni. in your princelie hart to­wards that sea, which we beseech Almightie God so to increase, as it may one day burst forth to your own good, and the vniuer­sal joy of Christendome: Our Lord IESVS long preserue your Majestie, with al grace, health, and prosperitie.