The Pope Confuted, Part 1 (1 of 2)

The Pope Confuted · Part 1 (1 of 2)

A DEFENCE OF THE holy and Apostolyke Church, against the Bishop of Rome. THE FIRST ACTION.

HOwe long at the length wil you abuse our gentle suff… raunce,The vniuersall Churche dooth complain… or expo…ulate with the Bishopp of Rome. ye Pope of Rome? Howe long shall your fury and counterfeyte hypocrisie delude vsus? What kynde of inordinate licentiousnes is this, that so much diste…pereth you? What doeth your outragious insolencie import? what doeth it practize? whether will i… ra…nge… what measure or ende of this your int…llerable … and tyranny shall we looke for at your handes at the last …hauehave you so shamefully shaken off all shamefastnes… all feeling and insight of humanitie and common reason: that knowing both heauen and earth conspired against your destruction, through your monstruous and manifold treacheries, horrible and vnmeasurable murthers, beholding daily with your eyes, so many, so manifest argumentes, and playne demonstrations, as it were fore warnings of your vtter ouerthrowe, and can none of all the same mollifie your mynde any thing at all? Can they nothing at all restraine you from …trage? what? doeth not this so palpable lightsomenesse of Christes Gospell, this so glorious maiestie of the trueth glistering as the Sunshine in midday, manacing, I know not what horrible confusion of your kingdome, the pompe of your tottering Throne already rent asunder, and for the most parte darkened and lef… succourles: doeth not the blood of so many Martyres, the testim…nies of so many Doctours: the … of the people: The secrete determinations, and foreiu…gementes, yea not onelyonly secrete dete…minations, but the open speaches, and francke voyces of all the godly, wherewith they doe generally all denounce, detest, and condemne you for the very Antichrist: doeth not the apparant gestures and frowning countenances of all sortes of men: doth not the sting of your owne conscience at the least, nor any regard of shame: doeth not the friendly alliaunce of so many Cities vnited in one, with vnseparable hands of mutuall league, apparaunt euen to your face, the dayly protest…tions of all people, the Launces and Swoordes of princes, sharpened with deadly hate, and …et an edge agaynst you, and euen nowe bending theyr mayne force to your destruction, the prepared power of people and Nations: the inwarde heart burninges of the greatest dominions of the worlde, yea theyr very nayles scar…ely restrayneable from your present …aking in peeres, doth nothing of al these, no one of all these (I saye) mooue you any io… atal?

But admit that all the aforesaide threatnings, wherof I hauehave spoken before, as depending vpō the only pollicie and force of men, may little preuaile with you, who darest proudly presume of your selfe, I know not what Luciferlike title aboue man, what then? wyll not the iudgemen… of the mightie Lorde of Hostes, at the least will not the fearefull wrath of that terrible Iudge, being enflamed against you, wyll not the most horrible downefal, and vnspeakeable desolatiō frō aboue,The beast mentioned in the Apocalipse the 13… & 14. Chap hanging ouer your head… the most manifest Oracles of pr…pheticall Scriptures cause you to be appalled… What? whē you reade the down fall of the beast mentioned in the Apocalips, when as be holding the Prophet call Tables, you heare with your eares, & see with your eies, that hellish lake of euerlasting destruction, boyling out vnquenchable flames of fire and p. 2Brimstoone: may none of all these force you to trem…le & quake for feare, and can you thinke that no one of the foresayd scriptures do belong to you… but al this notwithstanding, doth this Tragicall Prelate r…ffle on in rage, free in fury, maske in madnesse, nor wil this Apocalipticall beast by any meanes be managed?

And be it also, that our most merciful father do as yet hold back his long lingering reuenge, shal wee Christian Princes, and nations therfore (whom this Babylonicall Strumpet hath so long bewitched with her poisoned doldrenche of abhominable fornica…ion) beholding with our eyes so many Christian Countries, so …iercifully and monstrously rent a sunder, wittingly and w…llingly suffer our selues to bee led thus continually by the lips, & mooseled with such mockeries? If the aun…ient nobilitie of the Romanes could think it a matter much inconuenient to tollerat the hautines of Luci…s Tarquinius a king yea their natural Liege, lawful Lord & King, raunging somwhat more insolently then was seemely: what shoul… mooue vsus kings, and princes authorised in our est…tes by God him selfe too thinke that either wee may, without due remorse of conscience any longer winke at, or without manifest preiudice of the …iuersall Churche, behold or beare with this pompous pontificall arrogancie farre exceeding all kingly,The pompe of the Pope. yea chrise more monstrous then Tarquines pride, I say not in a kyng, but in a beggerly Prelate, vnmeasurably vaunting himselfe, not only beyonde the pryde of Tarquine, but also aboue al humane power, nay rather aboue all whatsoeuer is called God? For what greater arrogancie of any mortal man, since the first creation of mākind, hath euer bin heard of, or what more greeuous iniurie euer offered to the church of god, or Fistula more cōtagious might be imagined, thē that in this equal, & euē esta…e of bishoplike fūctiō, one only Bishop so to raise his crest, as y^e challēging to himself vniuersall Dictatorship, he shoulde so ouercrow his fellow seru…nts, as that all other Bishops and Councels, shuld sweare humble submission vntounto him, vntounto whose authoritie all humane creature shoulde assubiect it selfe: at whose hecke Princes must yeeld their Scepters and Segniories: yea Emperours also must of fine force, stowys to the grounde, and geue their neckes to bee troden vponupon? Which malaper… saucinesse being of it self no lesse absurde, then execrably haynous, is so altogeather voyd of all feeling of common sense, so also in all respects contrary to the nature and office of Bishoplike Pastorship, as that nothing may sounde into mens eares more detestable, or permitted of vsus, more perillous. In this case nowe let any reasonable person iudge, what the due consideration of our princely authoritie may exact of vsus, what the present daunger of this our time may require of vsus, and what the common calamitie of the distressed Church may commaunde vsus to doe heerein.

Surely if one onelyonly Roman Cōsul, for the dutiful louelove he bare to the discharge of his dutie to the cōmon weale, thought it a matter intollerable to beare with the mischiu…us treacheries and treasons of Lucius Catiline a wicked Citizen,Ci…e…o against Catilin…. practizing the subu…rsion of his owne naturall countrey, to wit, one only Citie, and for this cause could with his Coūsels preuent his attemptes, with his only authoritie, suppresse his insolencie, and with maine force vtterly ouerthrow his outrage: in what one action may we, wh… ̄ the maiestie of the Lorde of Hosts hath ordeined guids of his people, and gardians of his religion, discharge our vocation more princely, or profite the Christian common weale more substancially, then in this so great a calamitie, I say not of one onelyonly Citie, but in this so vniuersal an ouerthrow of the whole world, and general massacre of al Christian religiō, that with all expedition we not only seclude, if not at the bestout of al partaking of p. 3Christian societie, yet that wee abandon an… vtterly … nishe from all our territories and domini…u… this Babilonicall Hydre, so monstruously raging with fyre & sword, so broyling, and imbruyng all places with fa…gottes …nd goare, so tumbling in the bloody butchery of the godly, not onelyonly exacting humbl… submission of Kynge… and Keysers, but manacing also, and threatening, yea most arrogantly checking and mating them to …hei… beards… as euen the selfe same, whome by sundry approoued …n… manifest testimonyes of holy scriptures, wee can not but iudge to be none other thē the very vndoubted Antichrist.

But whereof shall I here complayne me first? Or against what shall I be able to exclaime sufficiently? O grosse worlde, O blockishe blindnesse of these dayes: I say not drousie slumber of Princes: Undoubtedly it behooued vsus long sithens in our Princely authoritie, to hauehave rāsackt this lazy Lacerane lub…er, or …her mōstruous myscreaunt, and to hauehave throwen him quit… ou… of our coastes, into the …auadge Wildernesse, yea …n …to the cruell Caniballes, that so he that can not possibly bee satisfied with mans fleshe, may learne at the le…gth amydst that fleshe cormoraunt crueltie, some sparcke of humanitie and curtesie. If wee had thus done long heer…tofore, many thousandes of innocent Martyres had bene preserued from that tragicall tyranny. And yet hauing so mercilesse a slaughter of Christian blood, the infinite number whereof is not onelyonly extant in Historyes, but also daily and hourely presented to our eares and eyes: This Antichrist notwithstanding liueth …ill, and continueth am…ngest vsus, not so much by the ben…fite of the ayre that he taketh, as through our owne default, and negligence: what sayde I? …ee liueth: naye rather he florisheth, hee reigneth, hee triumpheth: hee is not onelyonly conuersaunt and present in ech places of our Palaces, but also present, and President of our Counselles: He… …nacteth and commaundeth what him listeth: finally he deuoureth our people as his pray, and our selues hee scorneth for do…trelles and fooles. And because hee can not with open attempts worke our destruction, he pursueth vsus with couert and craftie vndermininges, beholding with his eyes already the murthering of eueryevery of vsus, whom his hart hath appoynted to the sworde: And euen those hath he appointed whomsoeuer he vnderstandeth to be more addicted too set foorth the glory of Christ, then to vphold his pompe. The continuall course whereof doeth euidently bewray him to be the vndoubted Antichrist. Otherwise what may it bee, that shoulde so cruelly teaze him to such beastly sauadgenesse, but that he feareth, least the glorious Sunneshine of Christes renoume, will dazell and darken his counterfaite kingdome. For his monstruous minde beeing enflamed with intollerable desire of superioritie, sithens it hath nowe aduaunced it selfe to that loftinesse of estate, cānot easily suffer to be remoued from that rotten clayme of staring statelinesse. And because he perceaueth that in this gladsome kingdome of the Gospell, he can no longer now reteine the same without bloodshed, and butcherie of thousandes of soules, hereof commeth it, that as many as he perceiueth to be true professoures of the worde, euen so many he recompteth for his open aduersaries, whom he thinketh conuenient to cutte of by practise, and pollicie whatsoeuer.

A defence of the Church of England against the seditious Bulles of the Pope.From hence ariseth all this storme of so greate Tragedies: here hence come those dreadfull thunderclappes, and deadly flashes of scorching curses, & yet not so muche to be feared of any, as to be scorned of all. They call them Bulles: To witte Pardons and Popishe Libelles wonderfull craftily forged too entrappe, and beguyle seelye soules, vnderunder the visor of Peter and Paules autorities. For this is the very gunshotte wherewith these holy Fathers doe vsually auenge the rancour of theyr heartes, if they p. 4chaunce at any time to wexe chole…ike and wroth. And because through suche preatie Buggebeares… they hauehave heretofore accustomed to be dreadfull, and fearefull too other kingdomes and Monarchies, heereof came it that Pope Pius the fifth not long sithence, like Iupiter Olympius with his fiery thunder boltes …ut of his Castle of S. Angelo did set vponupon poore litle England with a terrible Bull.Pope Pius …e fif…h raging against Elizabe…h Queen of Englande. In the which proude presumptuous attempte, hee practised with …hamelesse slaunders and rayling reproches first too defame the vertuous Lady Queene Elizabeth, thereby to procure her high…esse the hatred of forraine nations: and bey…g not satisfied therewith, endeuoured also to depriue her of her Regall Patrimony, and true inheritable kingdome: and not of her kingdome onelyonly, but to bereaue her also of life, and for that purpose sollicited agaynst her, trayterous treachours both within her owne Realme, and abroade.

There passed not many dayes, before that Gregorie the thirtienth a whelpe of the same litter,Pope Grego…ie 13. enflamed against England and the Queene of Englande. pursuing the platfourme of his Predece…sour Pius, gaue attempte not much vnlike to the first, sparing no trauayle, nor cost, no attempt vnassayed, whereby he might teaze vp the Subiectes to rage against their Queene, to bring al vntounto hurlie burly, finally too rende asunder their f…i…h and alleadgeance which by Gods commaund…mēt they owe to their lawfull Magistra…e, supposing too hauehave founde here some suche Asseheades forsooth, who woulde more easily h…ue been induced to reuerence those Apish flashes of Momus smokes, then to derid… them as bab…es. Bu… what successe hitherto hee hath attained …ith those Fr…ntike vproares, tumbling and tur…oyling all thinges, I meane n…t here to stand vpō. This on… thing would I fain learne of them, whereof I doe earnestly …raue an answe…re. I mean not heere the answer of any one priuat pe…son alone, neyther of Pius, nor yet of Gregory: But I appeale to all that Romish Sea in generall, which powreth out such Prelates vntounto vsus: Euen of those reuerend Uicars I demaund this question. What if their power were agreeable to their will, and were able in very deed to preuayle against them, as farfoorth as they accurse them in words… and as they do denounce in those their mu…derous bulles, wherin they belch out against the subiects of that realme, suche horrible exclamatious, and accurse them downe to hell, drowne them in the bottomlesse gulfe of euerlastyng flambes, and throwe them out to bee deuoured with the swordes of the furious. Let them tell vsus, would they do it in deede? Or would they put it in execution, if they were able? May it be possible, that any suche crueltie coulde euer enter into the thought of any Christian heart, namely against Christians? If they deny it, what meane they then by those their craf…ie conspiracies, farre exceedyng Catilines currishnesse attempted, yea practized also, to bring suche murders to passe? But if they confesse it, which indeede they can not couer with any colourable cloake: Certes they doe sufficiently (lyke Rattes by theyr p…epyng) bewray themselues by their owne doome, what spirite they bee off… what monster they fo…ter vnderunder that forged visor of Peter, what Scorpion they shrowde vnderunder tha… Lyons skynne.

A complaint against the Popes of Rome.But let vsus proceede further. Goe too nowe: Admi… that so great force of malice, so greedy rancour of reuenge myght pearce so deep…ly into the Apostolicall breastes, importyng the …er ruyne of the godly. I wo…lde then fayne learne of them, vppon what theyr des…r…e at the length they become so maliciouslye malignaunt agaynst them. For whatsoeuer the offence be, surelye it can not possibly bee matter of small importaunce, that maye prouoke those moste holye Prela…es to growe into suche outrage against their p. 5Christian Brethren, seeyng in outwarde semblaunce and behauiour, they doe so cour…giously braue them selues vponupon the meekenesse of Christe, vponupon the Faith of Peter, and the spirit of Paule. 2. Cor. 1…2 Cor 1Wee doe reade in the Scriptures that the moste holy Apostle S. Paule him selfe doth in the mightie power of the spirit, thunder out, That the weapons of our warrefare be not carnal, but mightie in spirite, to the subdewing of strong holdes wherewith we doe suppresse euil thoughtes, and doe subdewe all power, extolling it selfe against the wil of God, and leade captiue all thoughts and imaginations, to yeelde dewe obedience vntounto Christ, &c.

First you see weapons named heere, not of one Paule, What the power of the Church is and how farre it stretcheth.nor of one Peeter, but our owne weapons (saith he) that is to say, general weapons, common with the vniuersall Church of Christ: which are then at the leaste to be exercised, not rashly against all persons, nor vponupon eueryevery light occasion, but euen when necessitie vrgeth, against those (if any shall happen to bee…) which doe waxe insolent and stifnecked against the knowledge of God, and their dewe obedience vntounto Christ. Of which sorte if any may be founde faultie in that Realme, that may preiudice the grace of Christ, surely I will not in any respect abridg… condigne correction, according to the censure Apostolique. But nowe, whereas that whole nation, to the vttermoste of their power, doth indeuour to become the Seruants of Christ: whereas there is not one so much, that doth not prostrate him selfe to the maiestie of the Sonne of God, and to his diuine Godheade: that doth not worship him in Spirit and trueth, yea and worship him there where the Scriptures hauehave enthronized him: that doth not thankfully acknowledge his Heauenly benefites: that doth not yeelde dewe reuerence to his Sacraments: that doth not onelyonly professe all obedience linked togither with faith, to be dewe vntounto him, but also repose all their affiaunce and confidence in him: Finally whereas in their churches, all matters, are so orderly administred by them, as that no defect may be founde of any thing apperteining too the duetie of true christianitie:The Pope cruelly raging against the godly without all cause or reason. wherein nothing is admitted, that is not consonant to the sacred authoritie of the Euangelicall institution: I beseech you (Syr Pope of Rome) what woulde you desire more? What? seemeth it not sufficient in your conceite, that Christ, who alone preserueth the estate of his church be glorified in his owne Church, vnlesse the pompe of the Pope be enterlaced with the glory of Christ, & reuerenced with semblable obedience? And from whence els come these tumultes, these flashes of lightening, and stormes of of thunderboltes raysed vpp? Is it bicause they doe yeelde their obedience too Christe, as it behooueth them to doe? or bicause they humble not thē selues to the Pope? If the glory of Christ be your glory, as of right it ought to be, what needeth any contention then? why doe you no… cast downe your proud Peacockes tayle, and call your selfe backe againe into the societie of generall obedience? But if ye thinke it not sufficient, that the sonne of GOD may be magnified without the Romish Bishop, why then surcease from hencefoorth to be taken for the seruaunt of Iesu, and the heire of Peter. For what other thing did Peter or Paule vaunt vponupon, but the onelyonly glory of Iesu Christ?Philip. 1.Phil 1 Whether by occasion (sayth he) or in truth, so that Christ be preached, herein do I reioyce, and will reioyce. What say you to this? That Christ himselfe, whiles hee dwelte here vponupon earth, would hauehave a speciall testimonie lefte behinde him, howe farre he was both in woordes, and deedes estraunged from crauing, or groping after glorie, who embasing him selfe of his owne freewill, euen to the ignominie of the Crosse: by howe much he disclaimed from the title of glory, so much the p. 6more ouerflowing aboundance of glorie did ouerspreade him, by onelyonly despising of glory.Io… .1. I do not seeke (saith he) myne owne glory, but there is one that seeketh and iudgeth. Agayne the same Christ being on a time despised, and cast out from that most churlish city, did not so attempt any matter of reuenge therefore, as that hee seemed very greuously offended with them which did prouoke him to take vengeaunce. O heauenly mildenesse of a meeke spirit woorthie of all reuerence and honour:Luke .… You knowe not (sayeth hee) of what spirite you bee, The Sonne of man came not for too destroy, but to saue mens liues.

Now let vsus compare the one with the other, to witte, the Uicar with his head. You hauehave heard how the Lord being not entertayned vponupon the way, what he did, and what answere he gaue. But what the Pope woulde hauehave done in this case, if he had beene present, furnished with like power to be auenged, I doe not here discusse. Truely how he behaueth him selfe at this present, little England alone may be a sufficient testimonie: which hauing now ouer many yeares beene plagued with that Romish ruffler, and worne out euen to the bare stumpes, with much adoe shaking from her shoulders, that yoake of intollerable thraldome, durst pr…sume at the last to cast from out her territories, this T…oian horse, and reduce her estate to the auncient iberties. Hereof springeth that Canker, hereof arise these Tragicall furies, wherewith he woulde seeme ready to deuoure, not the bodies of menne onelyonly, but the very soules also, if hee were able. Goe to nowe, and what cause can this …remshape… Uicar vouch at the length, why hee shoulde thus mingle heauen and earth together, and rake vpp from the deepe, those swallowing Sandes of gaping gulfe? Let vsus nowe see what the mater is.

The Pope of Rome is banished out of English soyle, in that hee woulde be a Ruler, I confesse: but as a soiourner, he is not excluded. But Christ notwithstanding is receiued: him doe they imbrace as their Lorde: his voice they doe acknowledge, and bee obedient vntounto: but because they knowe not you (Sir Pope) if they receiue you not, why should you storme at it? You require pardie that they shoulde couple you with Christ in their worshipping. But put the case, that Christ can in no wise bee receiued into England, vnlesse the Pope be banished:Christ can not be receaued vnlesse the Pope be banished. neither the Pope hauehave any possible footing there, except they thruste Christe cleane out of their Coastes: Whether of these two thinke you conuenient to bee obeyed by them, since they can not possibly serue bothe at once? Iohn the most worthy Prophet of all Prophets, yea more then a Prophet, doth cry out in the Desert: It behoueth that he increase, and that I doe diminish. Iohn .3. Chap.And will you not permit the glory of Christ to growe forwarde in his owne Temple, vnlesse your pompe be made copemate of his glory? Who b…eing his humble seruant & faithful freend in deede, as in outwarde apparance and words you doe professe to be… why then, indeuour as seruiceably and faithfully to aduaunce the honor of your Lord… …d Maister, and withall accept as louingly of your followe seruauntes, who dutifully serue the same Lorde and maister whome your selues doe professe. I beseech you Sir, is not our request agreeable with equitie? But if the matter go otherwise, and that you wil be exempt from the place of a seruaunt as no fit member of our Church, but doe require rather, to bee enstalled a Lorde ouer our fayth: then knowe ye for certaintie, that your banishment from our Kingdomes is not procured by our onelyonly meanes, but authorised by the very sacred Scriptures: wherein we finde moste euidently, one onelyonly Lord to be attended p. 7vponupon… and one onelyonly fayth to be directed by. Euen as wee reade in the same Apostle else where: Not bycause we are Lordes of your fayth (sayth he.)Ep…e. 4. So also neither Peter himselfe,2. C…r. 1. farre vnlike to an Imperious Apostle, c…ulde not at any time permit in the Clergie,1. …eter 1. the name of Lordly estate: neither did euer presume to chalenge any such title to himselfe, as the which he reproued verie sharpely in others. For he right wel remembred what Lorde hee was disciple vntounto, namely the same Lord, who being alwayes the greatest despiser of worldly pompe, would neuer contende for honour and seignorie, but in al lowlinesse rather, would yeelde humble seruice to all persones, without respect.

But loe a replie forthwith of some of this crew.Sau…ders in his Ierarchical Monarchy… What (say they) do we not call them Lordes commonly, who, as Gods Ministers, do exercise princely authoritie, and regiment ouer the earth? Yes truely: and therefore let euerie prouince hauehave his peculiar seignior, who according to Gods appointment, may exercise this function of bearing gouernement and rule. But what is this to Peter? What is this to the Apostles, and Apostolique Ministers: who be called to this function, to this onelyonly ende, to profite the congregation of Christ, and not ouerrule them, as Princes and Potentates: to nourishe and feede the flocke of their Lord, not Lordly, and loftily to ouercrowe them, as Lordes of the flocke? For their estate is not an estate of stately domination, and tyrannical superioritie, but an office, a charge, and a shepeherdes estate. And as it is a charge,How the charge of a Sheapeheard… is limited and howe it ought to be discharged. so ought the same charge be stretched no further, than for whose sake properly it is vndertaken: so also neither ought it be applied otherwise in any respect, then as it shall apperteine to the proper and peculiar benefite of the flocke. For neither the Scholemaister may therefore take vponupon him to ouerrule his pupilles, as Parents do their children, or as Princes their subiectes: bycause his office is to instruct thē in learning: neither is he otherwise worthie the place of a Schoolemaister, then in that respect that he may teach good and wholesome doctrine. In like maner, whereas the office of a godly pastor consisteth in this onelyonly, to direct the consciences of Christians, to employ all his studie and trauel to the enlargement of Christes kingdome, he ought for this cause abide vnremoueable within the bounds of his charge, & therein behaue himselfe as a shepeheard, not as a Lorde: as a seruant, not as a maister. It is one thing to beare soueraintie by publike and Christian authoritie: an other thing to be a seruant, in feeding the flocke, and to be subiect to the state: And yet neither doeth this kinde of seruice want his proper and peculiar dignitie. As in all common weales the most renowmed & famous actions do of their owne nature, allure the wel liking, and laudable commendation of the godly: So Ministers of the Church also, such as being endued with heauenly giftes of spiritual blessing, and the mightie power of Christ Iesus, though they groape not greedily for promotion, shall neuer yet bee destitute of their due honour and reuerence, which of it owne nature doth alwayes attend vponupon and accompanie godly and famous personages: I meane not any such dignity notw^tstanding, as should raise thē to the state of princes, nor make them Lordes of the earth, ne yet aduaunce them to Monarchies, nor so much as priuiledge them frō due obedience to the state, nor to the Lawes and Statutes of the higher powers.

Therefore as concerning the prerogatiue of Princes, sithens there is so great a number of Regions. Nations, and people, such a varietie of Lawes and tongues, nothing can be more seemely, nor more consonant for the ordinance of God, then that in al societies and estates of Nations, a special preeminence, and singular superiority should be yeelded to some one personage, as to a certaine p. 8chiefe gouernour and heade, by whose authoritie and soueraigntie, al others may be trayned vnderunder whom also seueral offices, and charges may be seuerally distributed, as shal seeme necessarie and commodious, for the well ordering of eueryevery weale publike. Hereof is it,Rom. 13.Rom 13 That the higher powers do of right beare a necessarie preeminence directly vnderunder God, as the Apostle witnesseth. And yet euen the selfe same powers are empale…, & compassed in within their prescripts, listes, limits, & boundes according to Gods ordinance. But as to that vniuersalitie, and Ierarchie ouer the whole Church of Christ:One onelyonly vniuer…all head of the vniuersall Church. or to be onelyonly and entier Lord, and ruler ouer our fayth, besides Christ onelyonly, we acknowledge neither king nor keyser, whatsoeuer. And what was he then that at any time hath authorised you (yee Prelate of Rome) to bee chiefe gouernour, and Lorde ouer the vniuersall Church of Christ, so farre and wide ouerstretched, ouer the face of the whole earth? Or who euer besides you hath beene heard of, that durst presume vponupon so prowde a Title of superioritie, eyther in the Apostles tyme, or in the whole succeeding age, vntill this your chalenge, without great reproche and greeuous controulement of euerie good man? Or with what face at the length dare your selfe so arrogantly rayse vppe your crest so Luciferlyke, as to bee magnified for the onelyonly and principall Bishoppe, and Monarchie of the whole state of Christianitie, vnlesse ye were Antichrist him selfe? In this case therefore, aduise and bethinke your selfe well, yee Romish Prelate, what ye nowe doe, or rather what ye ought to doe. If yee thinke that the credite of your Maiestie is crackt by them, bycause they hauehave banished you out of theyr Coasts: I pray you heartely when it commeth to your minde, to make a true account, howe much they hauehave bene beneficial vntounto you & others of your crew, whiles they were your vassals, tel vsus now this one thing, what secrete insolencie lurketh in that authoritie of your maiestie, that may by an vnauoidable necessitie enforce them to the lyke superfluous pillage any longer.

The vniuersall Ierarchie of the Pope serueth to no vse in the Church of Chr…s…e.For why shoulde they so do? is it because you may graunt them saluation, and blesse them? But their saluation is already plentifull, sufficient and euerlasting for them in our onelyonly Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ. Is it because you may geue them remission of sinnes? but the same is also geuen them freely in the faith of the Gospell, without any other ayde. What is it then? Because you may preach the woorde of God to Gods people? or is it rather because ye may, as ye hauehave hitherto accustomed, thrust vponupon them mens traditions, pelting gloses, and olde wiues tales in steede of Christes Gospell? that yee may rob the lay people of the woorde of God, with holding it fast lockt from them, in an vnknowne and barbarous tongue? That yee may scatter abroade the doctrine of Diuelles? But the Lorde be highly thanked for it, there lacketh no store of godly personages amongst them, which are able too execute that holy function of preaching Gods woorde, and do execute it indeede without ayde of the Laterane Bishopp freely, and with good successe: yea so muche the more freely, by howe muche they bee seuered from your tyranny by distaunce of place. What is the cause thē? that ye may determin their causes and controuersies? But where may controuersies bee more happily decided, and more speedily ended, then where the speciall circumstances of the greeuances began first, and are best knowne? Heere of came that sacred decree of those godly Fathers in the Africane Councell as Cyprian doth testifie:Cyprian the first booke, the third Epistle. That eueryevery mans cause should bee pleaded in the same prouince where the offence was cōmitted, wher also might be both accusers and witnesses of the cryme. And for this cause it was decreed further: That to eueryevery pastor some particular p. 9portion of the flocke shoulde bee appoynted, which eueryevery of them shoulde rule and direct, rendering accounte of his proceedings therein to the Lorde &c. In their Englishe affayres therefore what interest may the Romishe Inquisition challenge, sithens the States of his owne Nation of Affricke hauehave vtterly renounced it?

But happily the authoritie of the Pope is holden verie necessarie to choose Byshoppes, and to dispose other orders Ecclesiastical: for this they mainteyne for inuiolable, that all maner election of Bishops is vtterly vnlawfull, except they bee consecrated by the Romishe Sea. But what is this else, then to robbe the Churche of her lawfull right and interest in her free election, and to yeeld ouer the Church her selfe (which ought to be the Spouse of Christ) a seruile bondmayde to the Pope, and not the Pope to the Church? when as notwithstanding the Apostle Paule, writing to the Corinthians, doubted nothing at all to make the Apostles themselues subiect to the Church speaking on this wise:The Church in respect of soueraigntie, is aboue Apostles and Ministers. 1. Cor. 3.1 Cor 3 All thinges are yours (sayeth he) whether it bee Paule, or Cephas, or Apollo, whether they be thinges present or things to come, but you are Christes, (hee doth not say, you are the Popes) and Christ is God. Briefely, as concerning that laying on of handes, which the Papistes account altogither vnlawfull without the Popes annoynting, why shoulde it bee lesse lawfull for vsus, to put the same in execution in our Churches, in ecclesiasticall elections, and ordering our owne Ministers and Pastours, then the Cardinalles of Rome in the choise of their Pope? For sithens in Rome it selfe is no such necessarie succession of personages, or Palles, but that which is purchased for the penie: and sithens no consecration almost doeth passe there, that is not rather besmeared with Oyle of money, then with any Oyle else, I beseech you… what should be the cause, why the proceedings of our Churches may not bee adiudged more legitima…e and cano…icall, being exe…uted according to the prescript ordinaunces of the Canons, not without due trial of learning, good consideration of conuersation, common consent, and voyces o… the Congregation? namely,… 1…. for as much as the Lorde hath promised wheresoeuer two or three doe agree together in any one thing in his name, that the Father will graunte them theyr requestes.

Which being agreed vppon, I demaunde what cause of iuste complaint you can alleadge against vsus: ye Romane Bishop? or what iniury hauehave you susteyned at our handes? If none at all, why doe ye fret and fume, wherefore doth your choler boyle so monstrously? to what ende are those thunder clappes of bulles, and warlike wild sier scattered abroade, wherewith like a most vnmercifull Caligula ye seeme ready bent to scorch and cut all our heads from our shoulders at one blow, if you were able? The stay wherof surely proceded not of any relent of your crueltie, nor of any your fearefulnesse too commit the facte: but from Gods onelyonly merciful benignitie, which doth for the most part rebounde back malitious attemptes either vponupon the wicked authours themselues, or as vapours and clowdes scatter them to naught. But goe to, let vsus graunt vntounto you that by this excluding of you, some particular Churche hauehave beene iniurio…s to your maiestie, which being neuerthelesse most vntrue, yet let vsus imagine it to be euen so. It behooued you notwithstanding to call to your remembrance of what spirite ye were of… if at the least ye belong to Christe, whose vicar you doe challenge your self to be.…th. 5. Of whom if you hauehave not yet learned the lesson, which ought to hauehave bin first & chiefly learned, too wit, To pray for your enimies, ye should at the least not hauehave forgotten the lesson next vntounto the same: That whatsoeuer p. 10iniury had bene offred you against equitie & right, yee may not be iudge yet of your own priuate grieuaūce, but hauehave committed the same wholy to be auenged of the Lorde. For so you reade commaunded by Gods owne mouth, Vengeaunce is myne, and I wil rewarde:Deut. …2.Deut 2 saith the Lord.Roma. 12. So might you not in any wyse hauehave misdoughted, but that he vponupon some good liking of your cause, vndertaking the defence thereof, woulde of his sincere Iustice both more orderly & more mightely hauehave repulsed the iniury, then your self were able too doo. For proofe wherof as there be sundry examples in the scripture, so amongst al other that counsel of Gamaliel, wherewith he appeased the outragious insolency of the Pharisees from sleing the Apostles, ought to hauehave bin remembred agreeing with Gamaliel in counsel.Actes 3.Acts 3 If that which these men do, be of men, or the counsel of men, it will come too nought of it self. But if this coūsel be of God, thē shall I as wickedly as in vayne striue against it, as one not only rebellious against men, but against God himselfe.

Al which I do hither too debate with you in such sorte, as if you had iust cause of complaint, were it neuer so litle against vsus for empayring your dignity: which if it were true, yet doth not the Apostolique grauitie vsually let loose the reynes of priuate reuenge so grieuously, nor any of the scripture enstruct therevnto. The milde lenytie of the Gospel wold rather allure too deale more fauourably with the brethren yea though they were faulty, who albeit they be not Romaines yet bicause wee bee Christians, behooued you euen for Christes sake, whom we do woorshippe (though wee woorshippe not you) to hauehave had dewe consideration of the mutual amytie, and necessary bondes, that ought too bee betwixt Christians, if at leste yee bee a true Christian your selfe. Certes this rayling, and slaunderous reproches, wherewith yee doo practize, and procure vsus too bee hated of all, and our common weales and kingdomes to bee rent asunder withall, and brought to vtter confusion, doeth i… no respecte beseeme the profession whereinto you are entred.

But to come neare to the purpose nowe, and to deteyne you more strongly within my warde, I doe argue with you on this wise, as that I may throughly conuince, not onelyonly the whole substaunce of your challen…e agaynst vsus to bee most voyde of reason, and fraught full of follie and pride, but also to make it appeare by most euident demonstration, that all this so mightie a confederacie of Nations and people, conspiring in generall agaynst your destruction, which you do see with your eyes, is not onelyonly cleare of all blemish of rancour, but also conceyued and raysed vp in one vponupon most vrgent and necessarie causes, and vndertaken with no lesse feare of God in respect of true pietie, is not so much procured by men, or by mans Counsel, as directed altogither by the onelyonly outstretched arme of the Lorde of Hostes: and so directed, as that without his godly assistance, so manie and so maruellous enterprises, could neuer hauehave beene possibly atchiued, in so short space, and with so good successe. And to the ende you and the complyces of your conspiracie may bee made more assured of the proofe hereof: open the eyes of your remembraunce at the last, and beholde on euerie part the manner and maruellous frame of the proceedinges therein.

First I suppose, no man is ignoraunt, into what amazed admiration all Nations were caryed with that your notorious state of Empire, with that woonderfull masse of Maiestie and loftinesse of seate, so richly enstalled, so gloriously enthronized, with so manie and so magnificent fortifications enuironed, yea (as it seemed) established with scriptures & countenanced p. 11with the authoritie of Peter and Paule, as long as it held soueraigne ouer the whole worlde in assured securitie. All which so wonderfull power, so puyssant maiestie, so large outstretched dominion of popish Ierarchie, which stoode so long by the space of fiue hundred yeares continually in so vndiscontinued and emp…ired a possession,How great an… incomparable the state of the Romish sea was by the space of 500. yeares. who coulde …uer hauehave suspected, or conceyued by any neuer so light imagination, shoulde not also enioyed vnremoueable continuance euen to the worldes ende? For better confirmation of which Empire, seuere and sharpe lawes were enacted, dreadfull decrees, yea most horrible torments prouided, for the punishment of such, whosoeuer would but once hisse agaynst the Popes holinesse, though he playe… the ruffian ne…er so rudely. A sweete and plausible title of the Catholike and Apostolike Church was pretended: the power of the keyes was chopt in among: the vndoubted succession of Peter, not without the authori…ie of Paule, capemarchant withall: insomuch that whosoeuer should but lo…ke awrie vpō the P…pe, might …eeme not so much to preiudice his holinesse, as to be openly iniurio…s to Peter and Paule themselues. Moreouer there wanted not to this mightie Domitian, Domitian a mō struous tyra…t.his feareful lightnings, wherewith he might out of his heauenly Capitol amaze the tim…rous soules of weake princes: finally that nothing might lacke, to braue out his power, as to colour his crafty iugling, there were annexed to the premisses, a sweete and amiable countenance of hypocritical holinesse, a counterfeit sinceritie of vnspotted life, yea outwarde resemblance of true religion, thereby to dazel more easily the eyes and heartes of the vnlettered. And for this cause to garnishe this pageant to the full, whole skulles and droanes of Monkes, Friers, and Massemongers, did swarme togither, busied busily in fasting, in almes giuing, in Psalmes singing, in prayers and Masse mumbling, in their vnmaried life resembling Angelical puritie, surpassing all humaine condition. In the Churches how religiously were al things solemnised too reclaime men to their lu…e?

But amongst all the rest, no one thing was more forcible to the establishing of the power and continuaunce of this kingdome, then the ignorance of that blinde age, and the penurie of learning and iudgement. For in the Schooles was nothing …aught but colde and friuolous suttleties: In the Councels nothing decreed, but by the prescript rule of the Pope alone: neither was any sounde heard in the Temples of any thing almost besides stage-like ceremonies and mens traditions. And what maruel then, if, the pure and eloquent sciences, both sacred and prophane, being vtterly exti…ct, barbarous blindnesse had ouerwhelmed all things, with gro…se ignoraunce, whereby no man coulde become either more expert in learning, or more vertuous in manners, when as neither bookes, nor authours were extant, out of the which anie such supplie might be furnished? For as yet came not to light that most happie, and heauenly Iewel, to witte, the Arte of Printing bookes:The happie inuen…ion of the …rt of printing. all thinges were certifie… by the industrie of wryting… and hyred trauaile of wryters: yea the same also not obteyned without greate charges and costes. Whereby it came to passe, that the poorer sorte being vtterly barred of atteyning learning, scarce anie vse of Bookes, or good litterature was in vre, except amongest a fewe Monkes onelyonly, yea those also not verie manie: with whome likewise, the verie same written bookes remayned rather in Libraries fast chayned a rotting, than worne out with any they… handling. In the meane space the common people did neither reade, nor heare what the Euangelicall and Apostolicall wryti…ges did proclayme touching Christ, nor touching his grace, and benefites: onelyonly they were commaunded to beleeue that which the holy mother p. 12Church did beleeue: Which was not altogither amisse if they had concluded vppon a true Church, according to the right patterne thereof. Nowe these learned and great wise men woulde hauehave this Church to bee none other, but the Sea of Rome pardie, and that crew of Cloysterers, amongst whom that triple holy Pope must needs be acknowledged for heade, and Lorde ouer all: whose decrees all and euerie person what soeuer must be of necessitie constrayned to obey, as so manie holie oracles proclaymed from heauen: whatsoeuer this Gentleman shoulde clogge the Christians withal, must with like necessitie be vndertaken and borne without grudging. This ympe they iustified to be the only Priest of the Leuitical ra…e, yea the verie bonde of Christian societie, besides whome they affirmed was no fayth, no hope, no, nor any Church at all. Who so shoulde depart from this Church (as much to say) from the Pope, might not otherwise hope for eternal saluation by anie meanes: whatsoeuer the Pope should speake or doe, could be no errour, neither ought he bee iudged of anie person: And that Christ did reigne in heauen, the Pope must reigne in earth. And albeit Christ did promise that hee woulde bee alwayes present with his Church, yet must this bee an infallible rule, That hee coulde not dispose the riches of his grace, in the gouernement of his Church otherwise, than by the dispensation of this Gentleman his onelyonly Uicar.

In this calamitie of state and time: I pray you what other knowledge could the rude and vnlettered multitude attaine vntounto, but that which others taught them? And then also what other thing was beaten into the eares of the people, then that, which by all maner of meanes might auaile to amplifie the maiestie of that popish kingdome? The brauerie whereof whoso could blaze out wit… most loftie titles & stateliest style, was adiudged the most profound and delicate diuine. And then these notable and inuincible oracles were finely sifted out, not of any light trash, but coonned out of the verie bowels of diuine Philosophie.The proppes a…d …il…ers of the Romish religion. Thou art Peter, and vponupon this Rocke will I build my Church. I hauehave prayed for thee Peter, that thy faith should not faint: Feede my sheepe. Ergo the most holy father the Pope of Rome is enthronized the vniuersal Prince of the Romish Sea, vntounto whom onelyonly are giuen the keyes of al maner iurisdiction. The Romish Church hath taught thus: Th…s hath it seemed good to the vniuersall Bishop, who carieth about with him the holie Ghost within the cubbard of his breast. These be the traditions of the holie fathers. Ergo this is the Catholike Church.

In good fellowship gentle Reader, what …tronger force of illusion coulde possibly bee seene at any tyme? In so maruelous a confusion of thicke and darkened clowdes, what coulde bee more easie, than for the vnlettered, and vnskilful multitude to wander vppe and downe by whole heapes, into any amazed errour whatsoeuer? euen as a man hauing first pyked an others eyes out of his heade, might easily leade him then to breake his necke where him ly…ted. Herein vnlesse the most mightie Lorde Creator of all thinges, and gouerno…r of all thinges, looking downe from aboue, had put to his helping han…e in time, what coulde all the Counsels of men agreeing togither in one, all their forces and powers conspiring togither preuayle agaynst that so mightily for…ifyed force of popishe Monarchie, by such a continuall course of succeeding yeares established? the proofe whereof manie greate and probable argumentes hauehave heretofore declared. For how often hath attemptes bee…e giuen, euen of the most puissant Monarchies, Kinges, and Potenta…es of the worlde, to snaffle this intollerable ambition of popane arrogancie, p. 13yet voyd of al successe notwithstanding. For immediatly vponupon an assay made, princes being s…a…ed, eyt…er through feare of further perill, or lead on …he blinde side by cra…ty collusion, or zeale of Religion, or circumuented by trayterous re…cu…tyng of theyr Subiectes at home, hauehave surceassed all the sorte of them …rom further exploites.

Examples whereof, albeit in number infinite,It is proou…d by plaine demō stratio…s that the ouerthrowe of the p…pishe Sea came not of m…n, but frō God the v…ye author thereof. may easily and readily …ee vouched, if out of Fraunce, Germanie, Cicilie, Austriche, …e w…ulde reckon vp all, and eueryevery particular King and Emper…ur… bearing the names of Phillip, Lewes, Otto, Henry, Fredericke as wee might: yet passing ouer for this present for…aigne princes, we wil co…tent ourselues with a brief Catolog…e taken out of our nati…e Countrey Mo…um…ntes, suche as shal su…ice for this present purpose.William conquerour. William of Normādie, wearing the Cro…n of this land .500. yeres agoe or very neere theraboutes, this Romishe tyrannicall Ierarchie (whereof I spake before) began too growe somewhat more lof…ie then before, against whose hauty arrogancy Henry the first of that name,Henry the f…ste king of Englād a learned and puissant Prince of courage, beganne somewhat to bende his browes. After whose death his successour Henry the second did set himself against the Pope,Henry the 2. king of Englād in more forcible ma…er. But Pandol… the Popes Legate forthwith qualified the king. Not long after succeeded Iohn king of Englande,Iohn king of England. who was much more eagerly sharpened a…gaynst the Pope: but this force preuailed nothing at al. After them reigned Henry the thirde of that name,Henry the 3. who might…ly laboured to stay the Romishe money markettes exceeding all measure and meane within his owne kingdomes. This was a woorthie enterprise certes, well beseeming the noblenesse of a most worthie king. But the in…atiable pride of the Pope gate the vpper hande notwithstanding.Mathevv of P… ris a chronicl…. King Henry hath his counsels (quoth the Pope) so hauehave I my councel also.

What shal we say to this, that the same hath beene earnestly impugned by learned and graue diuines, (as wee finde recorded in Histories) to call backe that moste insolent tyranny of that proude Peacocke, to some meane and reasonable order, wherein these also did but beate the ayre and loose their labour:Diuines put to sil…nce. As many as g… saide the Pope, were m…r…yred with …r… or tortures. for either they were pricke foorthwith to prison, or raked to recant, or tormen…ed with tortures, compelled to bee mute. Amongest whom innumerable names of godly Martyres, besides the Valdenses, Albingenses, Merindolanes, Bohemias be registred of recorde. What other cause procured the death of that godly martyr Ierome Sauouarolla, whose worthie sermons published in the Italian tongue, and printed at Uenice,Out of the chronicles of Henry of Euforde. Italy it selfe to this day yet can in no wise digest? What else was the destruction of those two Moonks burnt at Auynyon vnderunder Pope Innocent the sixth? What other cause did consume to ashes Williā Sawtre…, Swinderbie, Thorpe, G…alter, Bruite a very learned young man, Iohn Badbie, Lorde Cobham right honorable of parentage, and infini… others partakers of the same persecution? What other matter raked out of graue Iohn Wicklife being buried long before? In which Catalogue let bee numbred also, whom for reuerence due vntoo them I may not forget Tauler, Wesel, Groningensis, Hilton, Isenua, William de Sancto amore, Nicholas Oremmus, William Laudiuēsis, Iohn Poliacensis, Armacan, Peter de Vineis, the Archbishoppe of Tullensis, The Chronicle of Iohn Auen…e 7. booke.of whom Auentine maketh mention.

But I passe ouer these as being ouer auncient, whom if I shuld rehearse by particularities… mine Oratiō wold scarce find an end. I wil draw neare to these yeeres, wher with we be better acquainted, in the which I knowe not, by what meanes the impietie of this Romishe fury waxyng p. 14more rype in riot, rusht abrode into the worlde, but euen then chiefly, whereas by your trayterous treacherie, and mercilesse crueltie, you haled too the s…ake the most worthie Father Iohn Hus, Iohn Hus.and Ierome of Prage … I…o… … …rage …partakers of the same Martyrdome, vnderunder colour of Sūmons to the Councell, by the Emperors safe conduit: with trayterous practice, yee Romane Popes cannot deny to bee procured by your meanes. If I demaūd the cause of this tyranny, what aunsweare wyll you make? wherein had they offended? what was theyr crime? did they any way blasphemously abuse them selues agaynst the name of Christe? nothing lesse. But for that the good men moued in conscience in discharge of theyr faith and dutie, durste aduenture to pinche the pride of the Pope. To suche an vnspeakable outrage coupled with insatiable sauagenes, was the vntreatable insolency of this Babylonicall strū pet, crawled vp at that season: that neyther it might bee law…ull for any person whatsoeuer, once too dare quacke against her: yea though he did so, yet shoulde hee little preuaile.

Wherefore if that so mightie power and outstretched Dominion of your stately state (the like whereof was neuer hearde of to beare sway on earth by any memory of man) fortified and established with so great authoritie, suche huge Hostes, Armies, Treasures, Munitions, Aliances & Confederates, wherof you were seased in so long, & continued a possession vnuanquishable almoste against all attemptes whatsoeuer hitherto, seeme somewhat crazed nowe, & brought on knee: I suppose by this time you are not ignorant (yee Pope of Rome) of the very cause, that brought this plague vppon your neckes,The decay of Romishe Sea to bee imput…d not to men but God only. and fatall confusion to your Sea. It is come to passe surely not by any humane force, nor puissāt princes power, not by any brunt of battell strong, nor Armies huge of kings or keys…s train, not by any wits of mē or wily worldly diriftes. …nd yet happily you do imagine that poore Luther was chiefest ringleader of this roast, and his Copemate Caluin, with others were procurers of your bane. Beleeue it not Pope, those were but stones throwne against you, but what hand directed those stones to your destruction, you vnderstande not. You respecting onelyonly outwarde and worldly pollicie, cannot espie any besides Luther and the Lutherans. But ther is an other that couer…ly vndermineth all your pompe, whom yf hitherto as yet you coulde not discerne by most euident demonstrations, nor conceiue by any reasons reach, you may nowe perceiue at the length as bright as the Sunne, out of Sain… Paule what he is.2. Thes. 2.2 Thess 2 Whom the Lorde (sayth S. Paule) shall destroy with the breath of his mouth. When you heare the Lord himselfe named, you see the very authour of the Action it selfe: not Luther, not Caluin: but that most mightie and …ighest workmaister of the whole Tragedie, who …etteth foorth vponupon the Stage, ministers of his will, whom he will. Againe when you heare the breathe of his mouth: therein you may beholde both the meane and order of subduing the enimie, not by any force of armes, nor earthly power, but by influence diuine, & preaching the woord.

But if you cannot be induced to beleeue this to be true by this testimonie of Paule, which as being farre fetch… you will conster not to apperteine vntounto you, I wyll nowe cal you home neere vntounto your owne selfe, and wyll come euen too that time somewhat more familiar to your remembraunce, wherin Iohn Hus liued, of whom I made mention before. Since when yee cannot but remember what hee, euen then, when as being long …ost & turmoyled from poste and piller, by your treacherie and execrable furie,The prophesie of Iohn Hus against the pope fore tolde by reuelation of the heauenly Oracle shoulde befall vponupon you: Namely, That after one hundred yeeres then next ensuing, you shoulde render an account p. 15to God, and too him, of the mischieues which you wrought. If yee will deny this to be true, it wilbe openly iusti…ied to your teeth not only by al Historiograp…ers, but also by that auncient peece o… coy…e, which is yet vsually currant, engrauen with the names of Iohn Hus, and Ierome of Prage. It remaineth nowe too make proofe of this by the sequell thereof: which if you suppose to be worthie of credite, …it downe then, and make a true computatiō of the yeeres succeeding,In the yeere of our Lord 141… I… the yee… of our Lord 1517 and compare them with those yeeres where in Luther made the first shew of him self, when as he made an open challenge against the Popes pelting Pardons… for it was the very next yeere ensuing that hundred yeere whereof Iohn Hus forewarned in his prophesie.

There may bee annexed heereto one other note, though not altogeather of so great importaunce, yet perhaps not altogeather vnworthie to bee remembred:The Prophetical dreame of Iohn Hus concerning the Romish Sea. to wit, the same whereof the same Iohn Hus maketh mention in his booke of Epistles, and was reuealed vntounto hym in a dreame many yeeres before! Namely: That in the Temple named Bethleem, whereof hee was Minister, he shoulde with pencill in hand very artificially paint the Images of Christ, and his Apostles: which being afterwardes razed, and s…rapte cleane out by the Pope, and his Cardinalles, immediatly sprang vp many Painters, expert men in the same arte, which shoulde not only restore the same Images much more beautiful t…en before, but also that the number of the …ame Painters shoulde be so great, that from thencefoorth they seemed too contemne the violence of the Cardinalles, and theyr Pope also. I meane not heere to discusse the certaine …uentes and interpretations of dreames: But this is to be …ōdred at surely, to see howe notably and aptly the seq…ele was in all points answerable to the diuination touching those personages. And thus muche hytherto of Iohn Hus and Ierome of Prage: whom not long after succeeded Martine Luther mentioned before: raised vp doubtles by the most euidently discernable prouidence of god. But of him wee shall treate more at large heereafter, in place fit for the same, God willing. In the meane time let vsus proceede too the discouerie of those thinges, worthie of consideration, whiche hapned in that meane entercourse of time.

For after the slaughter of Iohn Hus, xxiiii. yeeres were scarse expired, before that through the singular prouidence and incredible benefite of God, the famous science of printing Bookes,The Art of printing beganne in the yere 1440 in most exquisite maner, very straunge, then yea neuer heard of before, was discouered, to the vnspeakeable commoditie of well natured dispositions, and such as were desirous of learning: then the which kinde of skil, as amongest al other manuel occupations no one science was deliuered to the vse of mankinde more excellent and more incomparably beneficial, for the capacitie, and industry of man: euen so ought we to iudge of the same, that it was not in vaine raised vpp, nor without some speciall counsel, and singuler prouidence of god, the onelyonly author thereof. For the supercelestiall wisdom, perceiued plainly the lamētable misery of the state of christianitie: wherin the very foūdatiōs of the Apostolike discipline were vtterly vndermined, and translated into, I can not tell what, vnsauory suttleties, crabbed and fruitlesse quillities:By what meanes and occasions the Churche of Christe wa…re couered. it beheld likewise what, and how monstrous fogges of darknesse, and pestiferous errours, violently whirled by blinde fury, cloked with counterfaite hypocrisie, fortified with tyrannous impietie, ranged eueryevery where vncontrouled, euen too the vtter ro…tyng out, and subuertion of sincere and true pietie: howe all thinges were ouerwhelmed with grossenes and barbarous rudenesse: hee sawe also religion defiled with all deformitie: in the p. 16Churche nothyng sounde in doctrine, scarse any tytle voyde of corruption: the true woorshippe of GOD conuerted to a gaynful merchandize: the faith of the Gospell turned into outwarde and Apish Ceremonies. The Churche it selfe cleane transformed out of kinde, intoo a kyngdome, not like to that of Plato, but into a Bishoply and Princely Seignory in place of Christes true religion, which ought too hauehave beene one vniforme and generall to all, crept in particular rules of Fraunces, Dominicke, Brigit and sixe hundred other strange religions besides. In steede of true worshipping of God, innumerable feastes of Saints were celebrated in steede of true inuocatiō of Gods holy name, Pilgrimages were vowed, Iubiles, Stations of Saints, Reliques and worshipping of Images.Errors and confusion in the popes doctrine. Finally in the place of Christ, the Pope bare dominion not only in temples, but euen in the consciences of men. Christ sate in heauen, but the Pope Christ his vicar reigned on earth, in power surmounting all Kings and Monarches so much, by how muche the Mathematikes hauehave apporcioned the Sunne to exceede the Moone in quantitie, to wit, seuentie times seuen. He was accounted the only fountaine of all iurisdictions, from whose fulnesse behooued all Bishops to drawe their authoritie without all question. What needeth any long processe? Assoone as the Church began to chaunge his head, and the Pope ganne too take vppon hym the place of Christe: foorthwith came to passe, that togeather with this newe heade, vpstart suche a femshapen visour of religion, as scarse any one iotte of the auncient discipline remained vnpolluted. For the Scriptures beeyng now commaunded too silence, nothing coulde be heard, nothing coulde bee deliuered, too feede the humours of suche, as woulde hauehave beene learned, but Canons Lawes, Decrees, and Decretalles of the Pope, vppon these were the nymblest and finest wittes employed. By these were all causes Politike… Ciuill, and Ecclesiasticall, both publique, and priuate determined in churches, in Iudgementes, in Consistories, common pleadings, & Councels. Godlines, which tofore was enstalled in the spirituall enstruction of the minde, and in the true conuersation of Christe, was nowe posted ouer too other gewgawes, which should hold mens senses captiue, and not edifie theyr consciences: whereby neglecting the thyngs which only auayled to the obteining of saluation, the vnlettered multitude was carried away into (I know not what) newfangled mysteries, too Oyle, too Waxe, Salte, Water, to the Moone shining in the water, to Cowles, to Belles, to Chali…es, Temples and Aultars cōsecrated with the Popes blessing, to Iubiles, Immunities, to Graces, to Expecta…iōs, to Preuentiōs, yeerely Pentions… Palles, Indulge…ces, Bulles, Pardons: and to surceasse heere too reckon vpp the infinite rabble of the remayning ragges, wherewith they had peruerted all things, cleane contrary to Chri…tes institution, Sacraments gelded, newe chopt in place, one parte of the Sacrament craftily conueied from the vse of the Layitie, praiers pattered and mumbled in an vnknown language, priuate Masses in steede of the holy Communion iumbled vp in all corners of Churches, where the Priest not imparting any portion to the people, but vttering it too the gaze, to bee tooted vponupon and worshipped, first lifteth it aboue his Crowne, then swalowes it downe alone, not in remembraunce of the Lordes death and passion, but whole Christe fleshe blood and bone to the saluation of body and soule. For this Article was the very sinowes, bones, and marrow of most absolute religion: couple here with satisfactions, Purgatorie pickpurse, the vnblooddy sacrifice of the Masse, assurednesse of saluation, not depending vponupon Christe only and faith in him, but to bee purchased p. 17with righteousnesse of workes, redeeminges of merites, and pardons for siluer and coyne.

For reformation therefore of these so many,The meanes that God vsed to ouerthrowe the Pope. and so horrible outrages, seeing they seemed nowe in no case tollerable: it seemed good to the Almightie Maiestie, too yeelde his mercifull countenance at the length. For albeit Antichriste must of necessitie hauehave his time to play his Pageant in: yet coulde not the mercy of the father deny y^e gracious cōsolatiō to his church, vntounto y^• which it had obliged it selfe with an euerlasting couenant, but that it must releeue her necessities, beyng surprised now with suche miserable, and almost vnrecouerable calamities. And to the ende he might bring the same too passe most commodiously without any vproare: hee stirred not vp Princes to armes, neyther prouoked he to blooddy battell: but as I sayde before, sent downe from aboue this inestimable Iewell of Printing intoo the earth:By what meanes the noblest science began to be reuealed in this later age. which shoulde first disclose the liuely welspringes of purest doctrine, and publishe abroade too the worlde, the auncient authours of learned antiquitie, and withall shoulde deliuer at large to the open viewe of all men the bookes of holy Scriptures, and the purest and grauest Fathers of the Primitiue Churche, and those also in suche great abundaunce, and at so reasonable prices, as that no man coulde be of so poore abilitie, not to bee able too buye for a fewe pence whatsoeuer booke him listed, and to peruse them for his instruction. By this meanes, Maugre the Pope and his Cardinalles, began Christe by little and little, too bee made familiar to the worlde: the Prophetes and Euangelis…es sounded into mens eares eueryevery where: Paule, Peter and other Doctours Expositours of soundest and purest Diuinitie, were conuersaunt dayly in the eyes, and handes of the people: which beeyng aduisedly read ouer, and growne at length to some acquaintaunce, is almost incredible to beleeue howe woonderfull a light of doctrine, howe vnsatiable a greedinesse to learne, and to reade, what a sodaine enterchange of maners, what a beautifull countenance of all thinges ensued, and floorished euen vppon the sodaine.

The champiōs of the christian warfare were …aised vp by God.Heere loe that infinite number of Painters whereof I made mention before out of the dreame of Iohn Hus. Heere lo… those painted Images in the temple of God spoken of before, ingrauen nowe in the mindes and harts of Christians: being not of any new inuention, notw^tstanding, neither forged vponupon any newe Anvyle (as you are wont to slaunder vsus) but euen the selfe same, which were by you yea by your owne selues scraped and blotted out were nowe restored againe to theyr former integritie: against the which from hencefoorth all the whole broode of Papistes shall neuer bee able too preuaile againe. Moreouer after these Painters before rehearsed, sprange vp many others, the number whereof encreaseth dayly, which yeelde most commendable trauayle with as good successe, partly too restore the auncietie, sinceritie and puritie of good literature, partly too reedifie the derayed crazes and ruines of the aunciente Churche of Christe.

On this wise new sound sciences, cowpled with pure religion, merue…lously floorishing in dayly encreasinges, in very fit time and place stept foorth Martine Luther into the worlde:The first appe…ng of Luther. and yet not hee onelyonly and alone, but a great number of worthie personages together with him, excellent men both in faith and learning: all which associated in one, and vndertakiug so rightfull and necessary a patronage of the distressed Gospell, where as they taught nothing else therein either to themselues, or to others… but the only glory of Christe, iustif…yng theyr doctrine by the vndoubted and most pure fountaines of gods woorde. There was no cause nowe, why you shoulde so p. 17furiously rage against your own brethren the Christians, yea and that without all deserte, and like to troublesome Dauus in Terence turning and turmoyling all thinges vpside downe, rayse vp suche monstrous tempestes, and scorching whirlewindes of hot persecutions. Nay rather it behooued you to hauehave yeelded most hartie thankes too the Lorde, beeyng the husband of his most deare spouse the Churche, and hauehave inforced all your aide, helpe, power and pollicie withall to the enlarging of his glory according to pietie, and as the duetie of your function did exact and bind you vntounto.

But what helhounde nowe,The Pope being the scourge of the Gospell setteth himselfe against Christe and his …ospel. what Beelzebub prince of darkenesse hath so bewitched you with madde frensie, that you shoulde so monstruously with so horrible ou…rage rushe vponupon the godly seruantes of Christe, contrary to the expresse woorde of your God, yea without all regard of charitie or shame, and in steede of a christian shephear… become a most butcherly bloodsucker of your owne brethren, for whose safetie Christe himselfe did vouchsafe to giuegive his owne life? for what man is able eyther by speach to expresse, or recorde in memorie the infinite thousandes of most holy martyres deuoured with vnspeakeable crueltie, and sauagely tortures, which within very fewe yeres, by the murthering practises of your execrable cormerauntes within Christendome, with vnquenchable and Wooluishe Tyranny not as yet ceassing to embrue it selfe with al maner of horrour, vponupon the silly flock and sheepe of Iesu Christe: I woulde very faine learne this one thing of you, by what lawe at the length, or by what interest doe you presume too challenge too your selues so mercilesse an in…ole…cie in deuouring the faithful worshippers of Christe yee proude Prelates. Forsooth by the lawe I suppose,Iohn .15. which the Scribes and Pharisees denounced long si…hens, We hauehave a law, and by our lawe they must die. In deede you hauehave a lawe for burning of Heretiques decreed at the requeste of Pope Innocent the thirde: And in your Courte all bee deemed heretiques, whosoeuer be of opinion, that the true meanes too attaine saluation, ought too bee sought and taught out of Christes Gospell, and not out of the Popes decrees.

But if you minde thus to proceede, why then also annexe vntounto theyr stakes where they burne, the same title with the same Inscription of Pilate, Iesus of Nazareth King of the Iewes. For if your inquisitors may be demaūded to rēder a true account of this their butcheries: what doe these silly ones, whom they doe so cruelly persecute, publishe or preache in all theyr writings, bookes, and sermons else, then this one thing altogeather: namely, to beate into the deafe eares of the people our Lorde and Sauiour Christe crucified, King of all kinges, to the ende they shoulde glorifie him, and in him onelyonly repose all hope and affia…nce, as vppon a most vndefesible shoot-Anker of eternall saluation? And heerein I pray you, what so haynous or greeuous matter lurketh, as may seeme worthy so many, and so horrible tortures?

But I will referre this maner of accusation vntounto that place of my …reatie, wherein shalbe vttered the greeuous complainte of all nations touching your vnmeasurable crueltie, and I will bende my penne too that wherein your senselesse insensibilitie seemeth as woorthily to bee scorned, as your Tyranny too bee detested. For what kinde of foolishnesse, or rather madnesse is this, accor…ing to the olde Prouerbe, to kicke against the pricke, and …o… offer …ambate against God? wherein the more fiercely ye vrge, the more deeply yee wound your selues: the which as hath heretofore vsually hapned too all Tyrantes in like maner impugning the Gospell of Christe: p. 19So also may ye right well perceiue (if I be not deceiued) that the selfesame may not only euen nowe of all likelyhood chaunce vntounto you, after theyr example, but is already also for the more parte come vponupon you. For who is so senselesse, that entryng into due consideration of the matter it self, viewing with vpright eye the beginnings and proceedings of our cause, doeth not euidently see, howe those your stately …urrets mounted vp aloft, from so fickle & slippery foundation, are of themselues fallen to the grounde without any resistaunce or humane force:God himselfe fighteth against the outrage of the Pope. on the other side how our simple buildinges, though in outward apparaunce very slender and weake, hauehave beene raysed vp euen from the first foundation hytherto, maugre the malice of al Emperours, of al Kinges, of all Popes, yea of all potentates and people almost: and howe by simple degrees, by little and little, hauehave with a wonderfull ouerspreading surrounded al nations of the worlde, and be now at the length aduaunced and had in prise in princes Pallaces & Courtes. All which may bee sufficient argum…nts to enduce you to know that God himself doth march in field for vsus, & frō aboue deride al your trecheries to scorne: and withall that the trueth it selfe is of so forcible power, as that no maner of humane forces whatsoeuer, no not the gates of Hell can possibly ouerthrowe it.

For I beseech you tell vsus to what yssue at the last is all this execrable fury come after so many your murders, and slaughters of the Lordes flocke, after that your horrible embruing your selues in so many bodies and bowels of Christians, howe muche hath it preuailed you? yee hauehave murdered …illy poore men, and bereft simple weake women of life wi…hall: of which blo…ddy butcherie, it is so farre of for you too bee able to yeelde any reasonable cause, as that by how muche the more narrowly you vrge it… by so much the more discerneable it doth bewray your insolencie, wherin, but that the migh…ie hand of the Lor… had beene assistaunt encountryng your diu…lis…e practises, what monstrous deuises hauehave not …eene attempted by you? or what mercilesse outrage hauehave not beene coupled too those your de…ises to bryng a general… confusion of all estates, and degrees of people? what one Iland throughout all Europe, what region hath not now long sithens be…ne set on flame with your Faggottes and fier? what Prince of people these many hundred yeeres now or Emperour, hath not yeelded himselfe Uassall and slauishe Executioner of your insa…iable bloodthi…stinesse?

Go to, and what successe else hauehave all these so many, so mightie Massacres attained too in fine, but abridged your Treasures, and thereby cowpt vpp into na…rowe Streightes your lauishe loftinesse? And by howe muche the more beas…ly your fu…ious madnesse b…st…r…eth it self, so muche the shorter becommeth your …orce, and the more you plundge your selues into vnrecouerable hatred and de…estations of all nations.

The Pop…s vproares in France a…d Flaunders.In Fraunce, i… Flaunders what brainsick… broi…es of Warres and Conspiracies hauehave yee procured? wherein yf you hauehave not atchieued your purpose, yet wanted not a most forewarde … too fu…t…er all treacheries, nor vnweer…able endeuour to… perfo…rme… For what else dyd your madde minde… meane when you stirred vpp against the Frenche Guy…e … and the house of Lorrayne? and agai…st the Fleminges, the Dukes of Alba a…d Austriche, two Mo…sters of Mars:The pop…s practises against Englād. and against Englande that tray…erous …ennegate Stukeley: and in Irelande that Rogyshe Rebe…l Iames Fitz Morice with your braying Bulles? What dyd… your… Treacherous conspiracie emporte, or gro…e after, but an vtter rootyng out of all godly p. 20ones, whosoeuer woulde dare testifie Chri…te in theyr mo…thes. For this was the onelyonly marke of all your practises: This seemed the onelyonly ende of all your D…uelishe dryf…es: namely that it myg… be lawfull for you in blooddy wise too triumphe ouer the Publique calamitie of all the Godly.

For which cause wee render, as becommeth vsus, all …ossible and immortall thankes too Iesu Christe our Lorde, and mightie Conquerour, who by the v…speakeable power of his Godhead, hath so mercifully confounded those unscheuous Ministers of your malice and M…ssac…e: who by his euerlasting wisedome dooth dayly roote ou…, and scatter too naught the blooddy bruyngs of your beastly conspiracie: who b… his vnsearchable Counsell dooth …rushe you on al sides enuironed aboute with suche S…reightes, that yee can not nowe once hysse so muche agaynst his Churche, but that it shall redounde to your greater damage and shameful downefall.

Whiche beeyng of it selfe nowe so euidently apparaunt in the eyes of all men, more bright then the Sunneshine in midday, yf as yet yee feele it not sensibly, …er…es you are starke blinde: But yf you see it in deede, what mon…trous and forlorne shamelesnesse is this, too bee so insatiable bru…she as not to bee contented too broche suche Plag…es not onelyonly against men without any theyr desertes, vnlesse you proclaime also open warre against your God, against his woorde, and against his trueth? And w…at thinke you too gaine thereby at the last? weene you that hauing en…ared and brought vnderunder your y…ke all other Princes of the worlde by your Fraudes, Deceiptes, Lyes, Man…es and Threatnings: that you should with pollicy preuent or with power put to flight the most high and mightie God, which is the Lorde of Hostes? Is there any thing amongest the creatures so great, or in the whole frame of y^e world so mightie, so forcible of power, or so defencible with Counsell, that can eyther escape his eyes, or bee able to resist his will? The Lorde did long …thens make this proclamation by the trompe of his Gospel. Be of good cheere, I hauehave ouercome the world:Io…n… 16. And dare ye conspire now with t…e wo…ld and make a counter proclamation, Be of good cheare I hauehave ouercome Christe? Surely, to confesse as trueth is, yee hauehave bestirred your s…umpes in your office, treading vponupon, and oppressing the weake mēbers of Christ so lustily, as that y^e conques… seemed to hauehave fallen almost iumpe into your hands. For I confesse indeede that by your meanes many thousandes of godly personges hauehave beene cut of, and consumed too ashes, in somuch that scarse any one parte of all Europe ha…h escaped, too bee ouerwhelmed and ouerflowen with whole streames of Christian goare. And this is euen the same, whereof the heauenly Prophet forewarned vsus long sithens in the booke of the Apocalips: And I saw (quoth hee) a woman drunken with the blood of the Saintes, and with the blood of them that suffered for the name of Iesu. Apoca. 17.And immediatly after: These shall fight against the Lambe. But too what successe came this so greate a hurly burly at the length?The lambe a …onquerour. And the lambe (sayth hee) shall ouercome them, for he is Lorde of Lordes, and king of kinges.

So tha… it appeare…h heereby plainly, that there shoulde come a greeuous and continuall combate against Christe and his Saintes: which also we hauehave seene manyfestly come too pa…se already many yeeres sithens: And we trust vndoubtedly, that the same last daye of glorious conquest is not farre of, wherein the lambe shall p. 21triumph in Maiestie. As for the a di…erse f…, and eue…ie powers of this worlde, this most milde Lamb… o…r victorious conquerour, hath oure alr…ad…e throw…e …owne, in his owne person by the power of his resurrec…ion.The double conquest of C…ri…: One in his own person alr…adie past, the other in the Saintes yet to come. In his Saintes he shall then at the …ength fully and most absolutely ouercome, w…enas haui…g destroyed the death… he shall wipe away all tea… from the eyes of the faythful his elect.

In the meane space, sithens it cannot otherwise be, but that his Church must bee continually conuersant amiddes the campe of the mal…gnant, traueling and moyling, as it were agaynst al assaults of the enemies, which neuer ceass… to assay… her with their ba…terie, yet thi… comfort is l…st, that it commeth m…ny times to passe, that in the hote… of all the ski…mish, the victorie is sodenly snatched out of the enemies …andes, a…d the holy ones depart the field with honour: and trueth it selfe tost and …m…yled, yea driuen as i… were to the har… h…dge by the aduersa…ies, doth re…ouer her stand… in despight of the enemies boardes, and pu…hent to flight, when they assure themselues most of the victorie. Whereof hauing assured proofe in sundrie calamiti…s, and distresses of the church many times heretofore: emōgst al other was neuer any one pre…dent more app…r…nt and more glorious, represented to the view of the worlde, then a fewe yeare… past in H…nrie the French king:Henry the frēch king being hurt in the eye with a shiuer of a launce died. and foorthwith after th…, in Marie Queene of Englande,Queene Mary of England. and some others else where in this our later age. To proue the same to be true, sith so m…ny t…imonie… be exta…t eueryevery where, … whereof yo… … behold… with your eyes, the rest being recorded in hystories as you cannot lai… remember, you may well concey… by the …me, wh… i… eyther to be hoped for of you and yours her…after, or else what you and yours ought spe…dily reforme… For howe often now these many yeares hath the moste excellent Maiestie of our merciful God tamed your manifold and treacherous furies, snaffled your practizes, subdued your sacriledges, pollices and deuises, deluded your fraudulent expecta…ion: and either scattered to naught the moste pestiferous Counsels of your conspiracies, or rebounded them backe agayne vponupon the Authours heades, to their vtter confusion and shame?

First call to your remembraunce what outragious tumults and bloody battels after that slaughter of Hu… and Ierome of Prage, two most co…san… and godly Mar…re…s … ment…ed, bee procure… against the Bohe…ans … by the conduct and fy… ebra…e of your fury Sigismonde … Em…erour,The Pope procure… warre aga…t … but chiefly Iulian the Cardinal… E…p…rour. Iu…ian the Cardinall.In which your frantike and fu…iouz, Iorme of ouerage, when as you had coup…d vp… the poore silly Bohemians within a certeine straight, and on … partes enuyr… ded with a triple a …iny of most valiaunt Saxons to ouerrunne that little handfull of wretches, hauyng to their Capteyne Cisca only,Cisca Capteine of the Bohemyans. or rather Christ him selfe: And whereas charging fyue seuerall and mightie onsettes vponupon them, and with all sounding fyue cowardly retyres, and fyue tymes vanquished by them, you made the glory of their victory more famons by your shamefull cowardize and fleeing the fielde: Can any man bee so wilfully poreblinde, as n…t to discerne easily, that their cause was not only most euidently allowed by Gods owne doome, but was also by his only ayde and assistaunce most mightily defended and preserued …gainst your tyranny? That I make no mention meane whiles of the mishappes that chaunced to the same Emperour Sigismonde, after that his seruice employed on your behalfe, who otherwyse woorthie to bee registred amongest the moste famous Princes, whereas hee florished before amongest all other good thinges in merueilous abundaunce of treasure, p. 22honour, and tra…uillitie to the full, after his ha…t… desire: vponupon the sodeine, i…m…diatly af…er the Mar…yrdome of Iohn Hus, & that conflict which the Bohemians (…ortune chaunging her ch…ere) was …nforced to taste of the same sauce in his owne dominio…s, and domesticall calami…i…s, which hee broached befo…e for the other p…ore members of Christ.The example o… …od… …ngea…ce … Iulian the Ca…dinall. But vponupon …lian the Cardi…l… your mightie Maiestie did muche more sharpely auenge it selfe, for not long after those warl…ke vproa…, hee was miserably slaine in …he Turkishe warres.

Immediatly herevpon assembled … councell a… … procured chiefely agai…st the Bohemians. The Councell of …as….In which councell albei… was …o smal… hope con…ei…d, that your Romishe authoritie shoul… hauehave wonne the Spurres… and beene … for (…: yet so it came …o …asse beyond all men… iudg…ments, by the only hand… … of God, … con…ra…, and … against the …asilians … Y…t dyd no… … …htie God lea…e the p…or… Basilians succo…les i… their … and righteous cause, standyng a…a…nst …he fo…c… … aduersaries as it were against the huge hos…ed… Sennache…ib.

…hat shall I here rehearse the …est of your outrag…s which are innumerable? what shall I speake of the st…te of Geneua, The state of … oftentym… …eliuer…d fr…m …he …o…es treche….which being oftentymes circumuented by you, and your wicked counsels and craftie practi…es chiefly, and as often d…ered by Gods onelyonly as…istaunce, may be a sufficient argu… to proou…, that your …an…e was no lesse odio…s to God, then your tyranny p…rnicious to mē. And yet I know not certeinly whether the maies…y of the Lord of Hostes dyd at anytyme more comfor…a…ly, or more magnif…cently …wre abroade the riches of his mercy, then in that …a…e s…ege of Rochell… the Godly Citizens and inhabitantes whereof being greeuously besieged by him,The siege of Rochel. of whom they might of al likelihoode hauehave bene swallowed vp easily without dint of sworde, yea though hee had slept soundly in his Pauilion: yet in this lamentable case and dispeired estate, being myserably distressed, as well for want of foode, as enuironed with succourlesse siege… the fa…herly hande of the Lorde did so nothing slacke his ayde and fatherly care of preseruing his people, as that by a woonderous miracle, relieuing them with vnspeakeable abundance of fish, did not onelyonly at one instant deliuer them from fa…ine, but also from all peril and daunger of the enemie. Hereof what eche might may iudge of their cause, euen by the testimonie of God himselfe may easily appeare.

The Citizens of Rochel defēded.What then (will some one say) will God allowe seditious commotions, and vpro…res of subiectes agaynst their naturall Princes? No verily, I confesse it. But I doe vtterly …enie, that this defence of the Citizens of R…chel was to be iudged a rebellion agaynst their king: forasmuch as neither the Citizens vndertooke the defence of their lines as against their liege Lorde, neither did the king himselfe deale against them for any their misdemeanour agaynst him, but at the onelyonly instigation and commaundement of the Pope. Wherefore if in this forraine quarell, which the Subiects withstoode, they had beene ouerthrowne, yet ought they not hauehave beene deemed rebels for standing in their owne defence: neither if the king had va…quished, the victorie could hauehave beene iudged his owne, but rather the proper and peculiar conquest of the Pope onelyonly. For the contention betwixt them did not growe vponupon this,Rochel defending it self, was for the kings behoofe not against the k…ng. neither the king should beare soueraigntie ouer the French, but that neither king, nor subiects might become vassals to the Pope. Neither did the Subiectes put on armes to the ende to abridge their liege Lorde and king of one dramme of his Maiestie: nor p. 23yet to dispossesse him of his soueraigntie, nor to bereeue him of his due honour, not to spoile him of his right of gouernment, nor yet to force him to yelde to suche conditions as listed them. Nay rather to this ende dyd they mainteyne their defence, that it might be lawful for them as subiectes to obey their owne and one only gouernour on earth, exempt from all other hautie vsurpation of forreine power, and yeelde their humble alleageaunce to their naturall Kyng onelyonly, and not to two Monarches in one kingdome: and that their liege Lorde would permyt them quietly to enioy suche priuiledges and lawes, which his highnes had established amongest them. To this onelyonly ende tended all that honest and necessary defence of the subiects: so that now may appeare manifestly, that their entering into armes was not against their Kyng, but rather altogether for their kynges behoofe: Yea on such conditions en…ered into, that they might thereby establish the Maiestie of their Prince in perfect freedome deliuered cleare from the treacherous thraldome of all Romish rakehels. For in all humaine actions we may not so simply prye into the maner of proceedings what is done: but the cause rather, the purpose, the ende and marke wherevnto they be directed, must be duely considered: which being thorowly weyed, what coulde the king require (I beseech you) more accordant for his estate? Or what greater tokens of most humble obeysaunce coulde the subiect yelde more glorious for their Lorde? Wherefore sithens it pleased the heauenly benignitie in so perillous a tyme, and daungerous a case, to vouch…afe his me…ifull ayde, rather to the preseruation and deliu…ry of the distressed Citizens, then too that moste arrogant in…lency of the Pope: the kinges Maiestie entering into due consideration of the necessary circumstances, myght of his singular iustice, hauehave so accepted of the equitie of their cause, as that nothing could hauehave bene giuen from ab…ue more beneficiall for his Crowne and dignitie, more peaceable for the freedome of his subiectes, and more commodious for the preseruation of his peace & sauegard of his nation.