The Pope confuted The holy and apostolique Church confuting the Pope. The first action. Translated out of Latine into English, by Iames Bell.

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,* 1.1 ye Pope of Rome? Howe long shall your fury and counterfeyte hypocri∣sie delude vs? 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 ••haue 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, behol∣ding daily with your eyes, so many, so manifest argu∣mentes, and playne demonstrations, as it were fore war¦nings of your vtter ouerthrowe, and can none of all the same mollifie your mynde any thing at all? Can they no∣thing 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 Sun∣shine 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 dar∣kened 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 onely secrete dete••minations, but the open speaches, and francke voyces of all the god∣ly, wherewith they doe generally all denounce, detest, and condemne you for the very Antichrist: doeth not the ap∣parant 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 al∣liaunce 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 pee∣res, 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 haue 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 Lucifer∣like 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 a∣gainst you, wyll not the most horrible downefal, and vn∣speakeable desolatiō frō aboue,* 1.2 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

Brimstoone: may none of all these force you to trem••le & quake for feare, and can you thinke that no one of the fore∣sayd scriptures do belong to you•• but al this notwithstan∣ding, 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 Christi∣an Princes, and nations therfore (whom this Babyloni∣call 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 inconueni∣ent 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 vs kings, and princes authorised in our est••tes by God him selfe too thinke that either wee may, with∣out due remorse of conscience any longer winke at, or without manifest preiudice of the ••••iuersall Churche, be∣hold or beare with this pompous pontificall arrogancie farre exceeding all kingly,* 1.3 yea chrise more monstrous then Tarquines pride, I say not in a kyng, but in a beg∣gerly Prelate, vnmeasurably vaunting himselfe, not on¦ly beyonde the pryde of Tarquine, but also aboue al hu∣mane 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 on∣ly Bishop so to raise his crest, as y^e challēging to himself

vniuersall Dictatorship, he shoulde so ouercrow his fel∣low seru••nts, as that all other Bishops and Councels, shuld sweare humble submission vnto him, vnto whose au∣thoritie 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 tro∣den vpon? 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 Pastor∣ship, as that nothing may sounde into mens eares more detestable, or permitted of vs, more perillous. In this case nowe let any reasonable person iudge, what the due consideration of our princely authoritie may exact of vs, what the present daunger of this our time may require of vs, and what the common calamitie of the distressed Church may commaunde vs to doe heerein.

Surely if one onely Roman Cōsul, for the dutiful loue he bare to the discharge of his dutie to the cōmon weale, thought it a matter intollerable to beare with the mischi∣u••us treacheries and treasons of Lucius Catiline a wic∣ked Citizen,* 1.4 practizing the subu••rsion of his owne natu∣rall 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 or¦deined guids of his people, and gardians of his religion, discharge our vocation more princely, or profite the Chri∣stian common weale more substancially, then in this so great a calamitie, I say not of one onely 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

Christian societie, yet that wee abandon an•• vtterly ••••∣nishe from all our territories and domini••u•• this Babilo∣nicall 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 onely 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 a∣gainst 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 vs long sithens in our Princely authoritie, to haue rāsackt this lazy Lacerane lub••er, or ••••••her mōstru∣ous myscreaunt, and to haue 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 sa∣tisfied with mans fleshe, may learne at the le••gth amydst that fleshe cormoraunt crueltie, some sparcke of humani∣tie and curtesie. If wee had thus done long heer••tofore, many thousandes of innocent Martyres had bene preser∣ued from that tragicall tyranny. And yet hauing so mer∣cilesse a slaughter of Christian blood, the infinite number whereof is not onely extant in Historyes, but also daily and hourely presented to our eares and eyes: This Anti∣christ notwithstanding liueth ••••ill, and continueth am••n∣gest vs, not so much by the ben••fite of the ayre that he ta∣keth, as through our owne default, and negligence: what sayde I? ••ee liueth: naye rather he florisheth, hee reig∣neth, hee triumpheth: hee is not onely conuersaunt and present in ech places of our Palaces, but also present, and President of our Counselles: He•• ••nacteth and com∣maundeth

what him listeth: finally he deuoureth our peo∣ple 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 vs with couert and craftie vndermininges, beholding with his eyes already the murthering of euery of vs, whom his hart hath ap∣poynted 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 sauadge∣nesse, but that he feareth, least the glorious Sunneshine of Christes renoume, will dazell and darken his counter∣faite kingdome. For his monstruous minde beeing enfla∣med 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.

* 1.5From hence ariseth all this storme of so greate Tra∣gedies: 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 won∣derfull craftily forged too entrappe, and beguyle seelye soules, vnder 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

chaunce at any time to wexe chole••ike and wroth. And because through suche preatie Buggebeares•• they haue heretofore accustomed to be dreadfull, and fearefull too o∣ther kingdomes and Monarchies, heereof came it that Pope Pius the fifth not long sithence, like Iupiter Olym∣pius with his fiery thunder boltes ••ut of his Castle of S. Angelo did set vpon poore litle England with a terrible Bull.* 1.6 In the which proude presumptuous attempte, hee practised with ••hamelesse slaunders and rayling repro∣ches first too defame the vertuous Lady Queene Eliza∣beth, thereby to procure her high••esse the hatred of for∣raine nations: and bey••g not satisfied therewith, endeuou∣red also to depriue her of her Regall Patrimony, and true inheritable kingdome: and not of her kingdome onely, but to bereaue her also of life, and for that purpose sollicited a∣gaynst 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,* 1.7 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 Sub∣iectes to rage against their Queene, to bring al vnto hur∣lie burly, finally too rende asunder their f••i••h and allead∣geance which by Gods commaund••mēt they owe to their lawfull Magistra••e, supposing too haue 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 suc∣cesse hitherto hee hath attained ••ith those Fr••ntike vp∣roares, 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 vnto vs: Euen of those reuerend Uicars I de∣maund this question. What if their power were agree∣able 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 vs, 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, name∣ly against Christians? If they deny it, what meane they then by those their craf••ie conspiracies, farre excee∣dyng Catilines currishnesse attempted, yea practized al∣so, 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 vn∣der that forged visor of Peter, what Scorpion they shrowde vnder tha•• Lyons skynne.

* 1.8But let vs proceede further. Goe too nowe: Admi•• that so great force of malice, so greedy rancour of re∣uenge 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 ma∣lignaunt agaynst them. For whatsoeuer the offence be, surelye it can not possibly bee matter of small im∣portaunce, that maye prouoke those moste holye Prela••es to growe into suche outrage against their

Christian Brethren, seeyng in outwarde semblaunce and behauiour, they doe so cour••giously braue them selues vpon the meekenesse of Christe, vpon the Faith of Peter, and the spirit of Paule.* 1.9 Wee 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 imaginati∣ons, to yeelde dewe obedience vnto Christ, &c.

First you see weapons named heere, not of one Paule,* 1.10 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 exer∣cised, not rashly against all persons, nor vpon euery 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 vnto 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 Aposto∣lique. But nowe, whereas that whole nation, to the vtter∣moste of their power, doth indeuour to become the Ser∣uants 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 haue enthronized him: that doth not thankfully acknowledge his Heauenly be∣nefites: that doth not yeelde dewe reuerence to his Sa∣craments: that doth not onely professe all obedience lin∣ked togither with faith, to be dewe vnto him, but also

repose all their affiaunce and confidence in him: Finally whereas in their churches, all matters, are so orderly ad∣ministred by them, as that no defect may be founde of any thing apperteining too the duetie of true christianitie:* 1.11 wherein nothing is admitted, that is not consonant to the sacred authoritie of the Euangelicall institution: I be∣seech 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 vpon, but the onely glory of Iesu Christ?* 1.12 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 vpon earth, would haue a speciall testimonie lefte behinde him, howe farre he was both in woordes, and deedes estraunged from crauing, or gro∣ping 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

more ouerflowing aboundance of glorie did ouerspreade him, by onely despising of glory.* 1.13 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 pro∣uoke him to take vengeaunce. O heauenly mildenesse of a meeke spirit woorthie of all reuerence and honour:* 1.14 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 vs compare the one with the other, to witte, the Uicar with his head. You haue heard how the Lord being not entertayned vpon the way, what he did, and what answere he gaue. But what the Pope woulde haue 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 ruf∣fler, and worne out euen to the bare stumpes, with much adoe shaking from her shoulders, that yoake of intollera∣ble 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 Can∣ker, hereof arise these Tragicall furies, wherewith he woulde seeme ready to deuoure, not the bodies of menne onely, 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 min∣gle heauen and earth together, and rake vpp from the deepe, those swallowing Sandes of gaping gulfe? Let vs 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 notwithstan∣ding is receiued: him doe they imbrace as their Lorde: his voice they doe acknowledge, and bee obedient vnto: but because they knowe not you (Sir Pope) if they re∣ceiue 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 ba∣nished:* 1.15 neither the Pope haue 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.* 1.16 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••e∣ing 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 ad∣uaunce the honor of your Lord•• ••••d Maister, and with∣all 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 other∣wise, and that you wil be exempt from the place of a ser∣uaunt 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 onely meanes, but authorised by the very sacred Scriptures: wherein we finde moste euidently, one onely Lord to be attended

vpon•• and one onely 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.)* 1.17 So also neither Peter himselfe,* 1.18 farre vnlike to an Imperious Apostle, c••ulde not at any time permit in the Clergie,* 1.19 the name of Lord∣ly 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 vnto, namely the same Lord, who being al∣wayes the greatest despiser of worldly pompe, would ne∣uer contende for honour and seignorie, but in al lowlinesse rather, would yeelde humble seruice to all persones, with∣out respect.

But loe a replie forthwith of some of this crew.* 1.20 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 haue his peculiar seignior, who according to Gods appointment, may exercise this function of bea∣ring gouernement and rule. But what is this to Peter? What is this to the Apostles, and Apostolique Mini∣sters: who be called to this function, to this onely 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,* 1.21 so ought the same charge be stretched no fur∣ther, 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 there∣fore take vpon 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 other∣wise 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 con∣sisteth in this onely, to direct the consciences of Chri∣stians, to employ all his studie and trauel to the enlarge∣ment 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 ser∣uant, not as a maister. It is one thing to beare souerain∣tie 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 commen∣dation of the godly: So Ministers of the Church also, such as being endued with heauenly giftes of spiritual bles∣sing, 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 vpon and accompanie godly and famous personages: I meane not any such dig∣nity notw^tstanding, as should raise thē to the state of prin∣ces, 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, no∣thing can be more seemely, nor more consonant for the or∣dinance 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

chiefe gouernour and heade, by whose authoritie and so∣ueraigntie, al others may be trayned vnder whom also se∣ueral offices, and charges may be seuerally distributed, as shal seeme necessarie and commodious, for the well or∣dering of euery weale publike. Hereof is it,* 1.22 That the higher powers do of right beare a necessarie preemi∣nence directly vnder God, as the Apostle witnesseth. And yet euen the selfe same powers are empale••, & com∣passed in within their prescripts, listes, limits, & boundes according to Gods ordinance. But as to that vniuersali∣tie, and Ierarchie ouer the whole Church of Christ:* 1.23 or to be onely and entier Lord, and ruler ouer our fayth, besides Christ onely, 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 vpon 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 eue∣rie good man? Or with what face at the length dare your selfe so arrogantly rayse vppe your crest so Luci∣ferlyke, as to bee magnified for the onely and princi∣pall 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 haue banished you out of theyr Coasts: I pray you heartely when it com∣meth to your minde, to make a true account, howe much they haue bene beneficial vnto you & others of your crew, whiles they were your vassals, tel vs 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.

* 1.24For why shoulde they so do? is it because you may graunt them saluation, and blesse them? But their salua∣tion is already plentifull, sufficient and euerlasting for them in our onely 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 Go∣spell, 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 haue hitherto accusto∣med, thrust vpon 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 bar∣barous tongue? That yee may scatter abroade the doc∣trine 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 with∣out 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 be∣gan first, and are best knowne? Heere of came that sacred decree of those godly Fathers in the Africane Councell as Cyprian doth testifie:* 1.25 That euery 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 euery pastor some particular

portion of the flocke shoulde bee appoynted, which euery of them shoulde rule and direct, rendering ac∣counte 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 haue vtterly re∣nounced it?

But happily the authoritie of the Pope is holden verie necessarie to choose Byshoppes, and to dispose o∣ther 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 notwithstan∣ding the Apostle Paule, writing to the Corinthians, doubted nothing at all to make the Apostles them∣selues subiect to the Church speaking on this wise:* 1.26 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 Pa∣pistes account altogither vnlawfull without the Popes annoynting, why shoulde it bee lesse lawfull for vs, to put the same in execution in our Churches, in ecclesi∣asticall 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 ne∣cessarie succession of personages, or Palles, but that which is purchased for the penie: and sithens no conse∣cration almost doeth passe there, that is not rather be∣smeared with Oyle of money, then with any Oyle else,

I beseech you•• what should be the cause, why the procee∣dings of our Churches may not bee adiudged more legi∣tima••e and cano••icall, being exe••uted according to the prescript ordinaunces of the Canons, not without due tri¦al of learning, good consideration of conuersation, com∣mon consent, and voyces o•• the Congregation? name∣ly,* 1.27 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 reque∣stes.

Which being agreed vppon, I demaunde what cause of iuste complaint you can alleadge against vs: ye Ro∣mane Bishop? or what iniury haue you susteyned at our handes? If none at all, why doe ye fret and fume, where∣fore 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 Ca¦ligula 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 cru∣eltie, nor of any your fearefulnesse too commit the facte: but from Gods onely merciful benignitie, which doth for the most part rebounde back malitious attemptes either vpon the wicked authours themselues, or as vapours and clowdes scatter them to naught. But goe to, let vs graunt vnto you that by this excluding of you, some par∣ticular Churche haue beene iniurio••s to your maiestie, which being neuerthelesse most vntrue, yet let vs 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.* 1.28 Of whom if you haue not yet learned the lesson, which ought to haue bin first & chiefly learned, too wit, To pray for your enimies, ye should at the least not haue forgotten the lesson next vnto the same: That what∣soeuer

iniury had bene offred you against equitie & right, yee may not be iudge yet of your own priuate grieuaūce, but haue 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:* 1.29 saith the Lord.* 1.30 So might you not in any wyse haue misdough∣ted, but that he vpon some good liking of your cause, vn∣dertaking the defence thereof, woulde of his sincere Iu∣stice both more orderly & more mightely haue repulsed the iniury, then your self were able too doo. For proofe wherof as there be sundry examples in the scripture, so a∣mongst al other that counsel of Gamaliel, wherewith he appeased the outragious insolency of the Pharisees from sleing the Apostles, ought to haue bin remembred agree∣ing with Gamaliel in counsel.* 1.31 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 on∣ly 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 vs 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 fauoura∣bly with the brethren yea though they were faulty, who albeit they be not Romaines yet bicause wee bee Chri∣stians, behooued you euen for Christes sake, whom we do woorshippe (though wee woorshippe not you) to haue had dewe consideration of the mutual amytie, and necessa∣ry 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 vs too bee hated of all,

and our common weales and kingdomes to bee rent a∣sunder 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 de∣teyne you more strongly within my warde, I doe argue with you on this wise, as that I may throughly con∣uince, not onely the whole substaunce of your challen••e agaynst vs 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 ge∣nerall agaynst your destruction, which you do see with your eyes, is not onely cleare of all blemish of rancour, but also conceyued and raysed vp in one vpon most vr∣gent 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 onely outstretched arme of the Lorde of Hostes: and so directed, as that without his godly assistance, so manie and so maruellous enterprises, could neuer haue 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 re∣membraunce 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

with 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 conti∣nually in so vndiscontinued and emp••ired a possession,* 1.32 who coulde ••uer haue suspected, or conceyued by any ne∣uer so light imagination, shoulde not also enioyed vnre∣moueable 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 plau∣sible 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 autho∣ri••ie of Paule, capemarchant withall: insomuch that who¦soeuer should but lo••ke awrie vpō the P••pe, might ••eeme not so much to preiudice his holinesse, as to be openly in∣iurio••s to Peter and Paule themselues. Moreouer there wanted not to this mightie Domitian,* 1.33 his feareful light∣nings, 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 co∣lour his crafty iugling, there were annexed to the premis∣ses, a sweete and amiable countenance of hypocritical ho∣linesse, a counterfeit sinceritie of vnspotted life, yea out∣warde 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 Massemon∣gers, did swarme togither, busied busily in fasting, in almes giuing, in Psalmes singing, in prayers and Masse mumbling, in their vnmaried life resembling An∣gelical

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 forci∣ble 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:* 1.34 all thinges were certifie•• by the industrie of wryting•• and hyred trauaile of wry∣ters: 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 lear∣ning, scarce anie vse of Bookes, or good litterature was in vre, except amongest a fewe Monkes onely, yea those also not verie manie: with whome likewise, the ve∣rie 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 A∣postolicall wryti••ges did proclayme touching Christ, nor touching his grace, and benefites: onely they were commaunded to beleeue that which the holy mother

Church 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 haue this Church to bee none o∣ther, but the Sea of Rome pardie, and that crew of Cloy∣sterers, 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 ne∣cessitie constrayned to obey, as so manie holie oracles proclaymed from heauen: whatsoeuer this Gentleman shoulde clogge the Christians withal, must with like ne∣cessitie 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 al∣beit Christ did promise that hee woulde bee alwayes present with his Church, yet must this bee an infal∣lible 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 onely Uicar.

In this calamitie of state and time: I pray you what other knowledge could the rude and vnlettered mul∣titude attaine vnto, 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 king∣dome? 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 Phi∣losophie.* 1.35 Thou art Peter, and vpon this Rocke will I build my Church. I haue 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, vnto whom onely 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 Catho∣like 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 vnlet∣tered, and vnskilful multitude to wander vppe and downe by whole heapes, into any amazed errour what∣soeuer? 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 Coun∣sels 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 argu∣mentes haue heretofore declared. For how often hath attemptes bee••e giuen, euen of the most puissant Mo∣narchies, Kinges, and Potenta••es of the worlde, to snaffle this intollerable ambition of popane arrogancie,

yet voyd of al successe notwithstanding. For immediatly vpon 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 tray∣terous re••cu••tyng of theyr Subiectes at home, haue surceassed all the sorte of them ••rom further ex∣ploites.

Examples whereof, albeit in number infinite,* 1.36 may easily and readily ••ee vouched, if out of Fraunce, Ger∣manie, Cicilie, Austriche, ••e w••ulde reckon vp all, and euery 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.* 1.37 William of Nor∣mādie, wearing the Cro••n of this land .500. yeres agoe or very neere theraboutes, this Romishe tyrannicall Ie∣rarchie (whereof I spake before) began too growe some∣what more lof••ie then before, against whose hauty arro∣gancy Henry the first of that name,* 1.38 a learned and puis∣sant Prince of courage, beganne somewhat to bende his browes. After whose death his successour Henry the second did set himself against the Pope,* 1.39 in more forcible ma••er. But Pandol•• the Popes Legate forthwith quali∣fied the king. Not long after succeeded Iohn king of Englande,* 1.40 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,* 1.41 who might••ly laboured to stay the Romishe money markettes exceeding all measure and meane within his owne king∣domes. This was a woorthie enterprise certes, well be∣seeming the noblenesse of a most worthie king. But the in••atiable pride of the Pope gate the vpper hande not∣withstanding.* 1.42 King Henry hath his counsels (quoth the

Pope) so haue 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:* 1.43 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,* 1.44 Italy it selfe to this day yet can in no wise digest? What else was the destruction of those two Moonks burnt at Auynyon vnder Pope Innocent the sixth? What other cause did consume to ashes Williā Sawtre••, Swinderbie, Thorpe, G••al∣ter, 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 Lau∣diuēsis, Iohn Poliacensis, Armacan, Peter de Vineis, the Archbishoppe of Tullensis,* 1.45 of whom Auentine ma∣keth 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 wax∣yng

more 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,* 1.46 and Ierome of Prage••* 1.47 parta∣kers of the same Martyrdome, vnder colour of Sūmons to the Councell, by the Emperors safe conduit: with tray¦terous 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, Ali∣ances & Confederates, wherof you were seased in so long, & continued a possession vnuanquishable almoste against all attemptes whatsoeuer hitherto, seeme somewhat cra∣zed 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,* 1.48 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 key∣s••••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 Cal∣uin, 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 onely outwarde and worldly pollicie, cannot espie any besides Luther and the Lutherans. But ther is an other that couer••ly vnder∣mineth 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.* 1.49 Whom the Lorde (sayth S. Paule) shall de∣stroy 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 Trage∣die, who ••etteth foorth vpon 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, & prea∣ching 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 vnto you, I wyll nowe cal you home neere vnto your owne selfe, and wyll come euen too that time somewhat more familiar to your re∣membraunce, 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,* 1.50 fore tolde by reuelation of the heauenly Oracle shoulde befall vpon you: Namely, That after one hun∣dred yeeres then next ensuing, you shoulde render an ac∣count

to God, and too him, of the mischieues which you wrought. If yee will deny this to be true, it wilbe open∣ly 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,* 1.51 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 forewar∣ned in his prophesie.

There may bee annexed heereto one other note, though not altogeather of so great importaunce, yet per∣haps not altogeather vnworthie to bee remembred:* 1.52 to wit, the same whereof the same Iohn Hus maketh menti∣on in his booke of Epistles, and was reuealed vnto 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 after∣wardes 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 re∣store 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 con∣temne 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 Mar∣tine 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 vs pro∣ceede too the discouerie of those thinges, worthie of con∣sideration, 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,* 1.53 in most exquisite maner, ve∣ry straunge, then yea neuer heard of before, was discoue∣red, to the vnspeakeable commoditie of well natured di∣spositions, and such as were desirous of learning: then the which kinde of skil, as amongest al other manuel occupa∣tions 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 with∣out some speciall counsel, and singuler prouidence of god, the onely author thereof. For the supercelestiall wisdom, perceiued plainly the lamētable misery of the state of chri¦stianitie: wherin the very foūdatiōs of the Apostolike disci¦pline were vtterly vndermined, and translated into, I can not tell what, vnsauory suttleties, crabbed and fruitlesse quillities:* 1.54 it beheld likewise what, and how monstrous fogges of darknesse, and pestiferous errours, violently whirled by blinde fury, cloked with counterfaite hypocri¦sie, fortified with tyrannous impietie, ranged euery where vncontrouled, euen too the vtter ro••tyng out, and subuer∣tion of sincere and true pietie: howe all thinges were o∣uerwhelmed with grossenes and barbarous rudenesse: hee sawe also religion defiled with all deformitie: in the

Churche nothyng sounde in doctrine, scarse any tytle voyde of corruption: the true woorshippe of GOD conuerted to a gaynful merchandize: the faith of the Go∣spell 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 Bishop∣ly and Princely Seignory in place of Christes true reli∣gion, which ought too haue beene one vniforme and gene¦rall to all, crept in particular rules of Fraunces, Do∣minicke, Brigit and sixe hundred other strange religions besides. In steede of true worshipping of God, innume∣rable feastes of Saints were celebrated in steede of true inuocatiō of Gods holy name, Pilgrimages were vow∣ed, Iubiles, Stations of Saints, Reliques and worship∣ping of Images.* 1.55 Finally in the place of Christ, the Pope bare dominion not only in temples, but euen in the consci¦ences 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 Ma∣thematikes haue 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 autho¦ritie without all question. What needeth any long pro∣cesse? 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 haue beene learned, but Canons Lawes, Decrees, and Decretalles of the Pope,

vppon these were the nymblest and finest wittes employ∣ed. By these were all causes Politike•• Ciuill, and Eccle∣siasticall, both publique, and priuate determined in chur∣ches, in Iudgementes, in Consistories, common plea∣dings, & 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, Immu∣nities, to Graces, to Expecta••iōs, to Preuentiōs, yeere∣ly 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, Sacra¦ments gelded, newe chopt in place, one parte of the Sa∣crament craftily conueied from the vse of the Layitie, praiers pattered and mumbled in an vnknown language, priuate Masses in steede of the holy Communion ium∣bled 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 vpon 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 depen¦ding vpon Christe only and faith in him, but to bee pur∣chased

with righteousnesse of workes, redeeminges of merites, and pardons for siluer and coyne.

For reformation therefore of these so many,* 1.56 and so horrible outrages, seeing they seemed nowe in no case tollerable: it seemed good to the Almightie Maie∣stie, too yeelde his mercifull countenance at the length. For albeit Antichriste must of necessitie haue his time to play his Pageant in: yet coulde not the mercy of the fa∣ther deny y^e gracious cōsolatiō to his church, vnto 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 calami∣ties. 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 blood∣dy battell: but as I sayde before, sent downe from aboue this inestimable Iewell of Printing intoo the earth:* 1.57 which shoulde first disclose the liuely welspringes of pu∣rest 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 euery where: Paule, Peter and other Doctours Expositours of soundest and purest Diuinitie, were con∣uersaunt 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 en∣terchange of maners, what a beautifull countenance of all thinges ensued, and floorished euen vppon the so∣daine.

* 1.58Heere 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^tstan∣ding, neither forged vpon any newe Anvyle (as you are wont to slaunder vs) 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: a∣gainst 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 de∣rayed 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:* 1.59 and yet not hee onely and alone, but a great number of worthie personages together with him, excellent men both in faith and learning: all which asso∣ciated 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 o∣thers•• but the only glory of Christe, iustif••yng theyr doc∣trine by the vndoubted and most pure fountaines of gods woorde. There was no cause nowe, why you shoulde so

furiously 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 haue yeelded most hartie thankes too the Lorde, beeyng the husband of his most deare spouse the Churche, and haue inforced all your aide, helpe, pow∣er and pollicie withall to the enlarging of his glory ac∣cording to pietie, and as the duetie of your function did exact and bind you vnto.

But what helhounde nowe,* 1.60 what Beelzebub prince of darkenesse hath so bewitched you with madde frensie, that you shoulde so monstruously with so horrible ou••rage rushe vpon 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 bre∣thren, for whose safetie Christe himselfe did vouchsafe to giue 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 cru∣eltie, and sauagely tortures, which within very fewe yeres, by the murthering practises of your execrable cor∣merauntes within Christendome, with vnquenchable and Wooluishe Tyranny not as yet ceassing to embrue it selfe with al maner of horrour, vpon 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 worship¦pers of Christe yee proude Prelates. Forsooth by the lawe I suppose,* 1.61 which the Scribes and Pharisees de∣nounced long si••hens, We haue a law, and by our lawe

they must die. In deede you haue a lawe for burning of Heretiques decreed at the requeste of Pope In∣nocent 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 de∣crees.

But if you minde thus to proceede, why then also an∣nexe vnto 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 de∣maūded to rēder a true account of this their butcheries: what doe these silly ones, whom they doe so cruelly per∣secute, publishe or preache in all theyr writings, bookes, and sermons else, then this one thing altogeather: name∣ly, 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 onely 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 vnto 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 Ty∣rantes in like maner impugning the Gospell of Christe:

So also may ye right well perceiue (if I be not deceiued) that the selfesame may not only euen nowe of all likely∣hood chaunce vnto you, after theyr example, but is alrea∣dy also for the more parte come vpon you. For who is so senselesse, that entryng into due consideration of the mat∣ter 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 fic∣kle & slippery foundation, are of themselues fallen to the grounde without any resistaunce or humane force:* 1.62 on the other side how our simple buildinges, though in outward apparaunce very slender and weake, haue 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 sim∣ple degrees, by little and little, haue with a wonderfull ouerspreading surrounded al nations of the worlde, and be now at the length aduaunced and had in prise in prin∣ces Pallaces & Courtes. All which may bee sufficient argum••nts to enduce you to know that God himself doth march in field for vs, & frō aboue deride al your treche∣ries to scorne: and withall that the trueth it selfe is of so forcible power, as that no maner of humane forces what∣soeuer, no not the gates of Hell can possibly ouer∣throwe it.

For I beseech you tell vs 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 horri∣ble embruing your selues in so many bodies and bowels of Christians, howe muche hath it preuailed you? yee haue 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 practi∣ses, what monstrous deuises haue not ••eene attempted by you? or what mercilesse outrage haue not beene cou∣pled 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••sti∣nesse?

Go to, and what successe else haue 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.

* 1.63In Fraunce, i•• Flaunders what brainsick•• broi••es of Warres and Conspiracies haue yee procured? wherein yf you haue 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:* 1.64 and against Englande that tray••erous ••enne∣gate Stukeley: and in Irelande that Rogyshe Re∣be••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

ones, whosoeuer woulde dare testifie Chri••te in theyr mo••thes. For this was the onely marke of all your practises: This seemed the onely 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 vs, all ••ossible and immortall thankes too Iesu Christe our Lorde, and mightie Conquerour, who by the v••speakeable power of his Godhead, hath so merci∣fully confounded those unscheuous Ministers of your malice and M••ssac••e: who by his euerlasting wise∣dome 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 shame¦ful downefall.

Whiche beeyng of it selfe nowe so euidently ap∣paraunt in the eyes of all men, more bright then the Sunneshine in midday, yf as yet yee feele it not sen∣sibly, ••er••es you are starke blinde: But yf you see it in deede, what mon••trous and forlorne shameles∣nesse is this, too bee so insatiable bru••••••she as not to bee contented too broche suche Plag••es not onely a∣gainst men without any theyr desertes, vnlesse you pro∣claime 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 vnder your y••ke all other Prin∣ces 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 a∣ny thing amongest the creatures so great, or in the whole frame of y^e world so mightie, so forcible of power, or so de∣fencible 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 haue ouercome the world:* 1.65 And dare ye conspire now with t••e wo••ld and make a counter pro∣clamation, Be of good cheare I haue ouercome Christe? Surely, to confesse as trueth is, yee haue bestirred your s••umpes in your office, treading vpon, and oppressing the weake mēbers of Christ so lustily, as that y^e conques•• seemed to haue fallen almost iumpe into your hands. For I confesse indeede that by your meanes many thousandes of godly personges haue 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 vs 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.* 1.66 And immediatly after: These shall fight against the Lambe. But too what successe came this so greate a hurly burly at the length?* 1.67 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 haue seene ma∣nyfestly 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

triumph in Maiestie. As for the a di••erse f••••••, and eue••••ie powers of this worlde, this most milde Lamb•• o••r vic∣torious conquerour, hath oure alr••ad••e throw••e ••owne, in his owne person by the power of his resurrec••ion.* 1.68 In his Saintes he shall then at the ••ength fully and most ab∣solutely ouercome, w••enas haui••g destroyed the death•• he shall wipe away all tea•••••• from the eyes of the fayth∣ful his elect.

In the meane space, sithens it cannot otherwise be, but that his Church must bee continually conuersant a∣middes the campe of the mal••gnant, traueling and moy∣ling, 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 soden∣ly 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 as∣sure themselues most of the victorie. Whereof hauing as∣sured 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, re∣presented to the view of the worlde, then a fewe yeare•• past in H••nrie the French king:* 1.69 and foorthwith after th••••, in Marie Queene of Englande,* 1.70 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 euery 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••i∣on: and either scattered to naught the moste pestiferous Counsels of your conspiracies, or rebounded them backe agayne vpon the Authours heades, to their vtter confu∣sion 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 Sigis∣monde 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Em••erour,* 1.71 but chiefly Iulian the Cardinal••* 1.72 In which your frantike and fu••iouz, Iorme of ouerage, when as you had coup••d vp•• the poore silly Bohemi∣ans within a certeine straight, and on 〈◊〉〈◊〉 partes enuyr••∣ded with a triple a ••iny of most valiaunt Saxons to ouer∣runne that little handfull of wretches, hauyng to their Capteyne Cisca only,* 1.73 or rather Christ him selfe: And whereas charging fyue seuerall and mightie onsettes vp∣on 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 cowar∣dize 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 migh∣tily 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 o∣ther good thinges in merueilous abundaunce of treasure,

honour, and tra••••uillitie to the full, after his ha••t•• de∣sire: vpon the sodeine, i••m••diatly af••er the Mar••yrdome of Iohn Hus, & that conflict which the Bohemians (••or∣tune chaunging her ch••ere) was ••nforced to taste of the same sauce in his owne dominio••s, and domesticall cala∣mi••i••s, which hee broached befo••e for the other p••ore members of Christ.* 1.74 But vpon ••••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.* 1.75 In which councell albei•• was ••o smal•• hope con••ei••••d, that your Romishe authoritie shoul•• haue 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 outra∣g••s which are innumerable? what shall I speake of the st••te of Geneua,* 1.76 which being oftentymes circumuented by you, and your wicked counsels and craftie practi••es chiefly, and as often d••••••ered by Gods onely 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 be∣sieged by him,* 1.77 of whom they might of al likelihoode haue 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 onely 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.

* 1.78What then (will some one say) will God allowe se∣ditious 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 de∣fence of their lines as against their liege Lorde, neither did the king himselfe deale against them for any their mis∣demeanour agaynst him, but at the onely instigation and commaundement of the Pope. Wherefore if in this forraine quarell, which the Subiects withstoode, they had beene ouerthrowne, yet ought they not haue beene deemed rebels for standing in their owne defence: neither if the king had va••quished, the victorie could haue beene iudged his owne, but rather the proper and peculiar con∣quest of the Pope onely. For the contention betwixt them did not growe vpon this,* 1.79 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

yet 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 condi∣tions 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 for∣reine power, and yeelde their humble alleageaunce to their naturall Kyng onely, 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 one∣ly 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 deliue∣red cleare from the treacherous thraldome of all Romish rakehels. For in all humaine actions we may not so sim∣ply prye into the maner of proceedings what is done: but the cause rather, the purpose, the ende and marke where∣vnto they be directed, must be duely considered: which be∣ing thorowly weyed, what coulde the king require (I be∣seech you) more accordant for his estate? Or what grea∣ter 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 considera∣tion of the necessary circumstances, myght of his singu∣lar iustice, haue so accepted of the equitie of their cause, as that nothing could haue 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.

But leauing Fraunce a whiles, let vs cast our eyes nowe vpon Germany, where also I knowe not whether more famous exploytes, as farre more euident demon∣strations of Gods victorious conquestes, then those other spoken off before, be more euidently discernable. For who can be so wilfully obstinate against the trueth, so blockish of iudgement, so voyd of wyt, who duely entring into the practizes of the very same Saxons, whom ye your selues a litle earst dyd wage against the Bohemians, being at this presen••e muche more eagerly sharpened, and set on edge against your owne person: who also aduisedly be∣holdyng the friendly leagues of so many Princes, so many regions, and so many Cities linked together, with suche impregnable bondes of mutuall amitie, can not easily discerne, that this merueylous pla••••e of so great conclusions coulde neuer haue beene so firmely combyned together, without Gods good will and heauenly wisdom, and therefore also to haue bene procured to this end chief∣ly and onely, to snaffle and hale backe that brutishe and more then sauage outrage of your execrable, and moste barbarous beyonde all measure raging tyranny, and cru∣eltie, verifiyng herein the Prophecie of the Propheticall Apostle in the Reuelation vttered concerning the kings that shoulde detest and hate that whorishe strumpet,* 1.80 and should make her desolate and naked, and deuoure her fleshe, and burne her to ashes. &c,

But why doe I heere mention kinges, people, nati∣ons and Empyres enflamed with ••otte desire of reuenge against this Babylonicall Sea, sithens I may more ea∣sily referre you ouer to one onely,* 1.81 I say not a Monarche, but a silly, bare, vnweaponed Monke: as the which being

ayded with no Garrison of Souldiours, voyde of money and men, without all helpe of humaine force, did so migh∣••ily cracke the credite of your Crowne through the onely breath of the holy Ghost, and simple preaching of the worde onely (as Dauid did heeretofore ouerthrowe Go∣liah) that no power of yours were it neuer so great, could once so muche as pinche him, not all the droaues and shauen swarmes of sworne Uotaries, Bishoppes and Cardinalles coulde suppresse him: no not all your most picked and choyse Champions were able once to quaile him. On the other side, hee poore silly contemptible man, onely, and alone dyd so scatter abroade all your de∣uises, confounde your Counsels, ransacke your stately Turrets and blazing brauery of your magnificent Mo∣narchy: finally, dyd so rase to the grounde that your Crowing Castle of Babylonicall presumption, that if hee preuayled not to the vtter extirpation thereof, yet hath hee thorowly crazed her best and stoutest Pillers, which being propt vpp at this present, with a very fewe rotten ruin••us postes, for a small season as it were, see∣meth scarcely able to endure her fatall fal euen now prea∣••ing on apace.

These, euen these, yea and many other the lyke be manifest argumentes of Gods grieuous iudgement a∣gainst you: which I suppose you doe plainely perceiue as precedent forewarninges of your fatall ende, yee Ro∣mishe Prelate. As for the successe of the sequele which hereafter will ensue, and seemeth euen nowe to boad farre more bl••stering broyle, I leaue here to prognosticate, neither do I disclose all that I may. This one thing dare I affi••me. Though all the Monarches of the world shold ••olster you vpp, yea though Luther had neuer written against you, yet the very stones, beleeue mee, woulde haue cryed out agaynst you: and though the same Sax∣on had holden his peace, yet the verye stones would••

not haue bene silent. Finally, though ye abounde in all pompe and felicitie of the worlde, and were magnified with as muche glory, as our Lorde Iesus refused at the handes of Satan shewed vnto him long sithens, vppon the toppe of an high Mountayne: yet your so many, so monstruous mischiefes, treacheries, fraudes, lyes, de∣ceiptes, treasons, your so manifolde murthers, massa∣cres, spoiles, and pillages of people, bloody butche∣ries, sauadge slaughter of innumerable Martyres, your intollerable oppressions, vnspeakeable crueltie, vnmea∣surable couetousnes, execrable hautines, and Luciferlike pryde, can by no meanes possibly escape the iust and most sharpe scourges of the almightie reuenge.

If our Lorde and Sauiour thought it not amisse in his Gospell to charge so grieuous a clogge vppon him, who so euer shoulde displease the least of those litle ones, that beleeued on him, as that it should be easier for him to be cast downe headlong into the bottome of the Sea with a Milstone about his necke: what shalbe saide of them, which doe proudely treade vpon the neckes of the migh∣tiest Emperours that beleeue in Christe, which thruste kinges out of their kingdomes, cursse Christian Cities and Nations to the pyt of Hell, procure the vtter distruc∣tion of all people great and small, deuour innocent blood, consume the bodies of holy ones to ashes, finally, pursue to the very roote all peace, amitie, and concord, from out the whole state of Christian societie. Wee reade in the Actes of the Apostles, that Herode, because at the faw∣ning florishe of foolishe flatterers, filling his eares with these wordes:* 1.82 The voyce not of a man, but of God: he raised the Creste, and was puft vpp with pryde, nor woulde acknowledge him selfe to be a man, nor w••ulde giue God the praise, was m••st horribly plagued. Nowe if it may bee lawfull to make a comparison of like exam∣ples one with the other, which of these two shall wee say,

was more insolently arrogant agaynst the glorie of God•• Herode, or Nicholas Pope of Rome the fif••h of that name, who on a time in a publique Oration solemnely vttered by Ladislaus a King, was contented to accept this greeting: the woordes whereof I will set downe as the Historie recordeth them.* 1.83 Where (sayeth the King) shall I beginne mine Oration? I am not able to expresse worthie woordes wherewith I do adore thee the onely prince of Christians, king of kings, and God on earth. &c. And againe•• immediately after: I doe ac∣knowledge this day the most happie of all others to haue shined vnto vs, wherein we haue obteyned from aboue, to beholde, and with sounde iudgement, and vndoubted fayth to woorshippe so mightie and so soueraigne a God, &c.

Not much vnlike herevnto was that glorious title attributed to Pope Iulius the seconde by Christo∣fer Marcellus in a publique sermon,* 1.84 Thou art our shepe∣heard (sayd he,) our Phisition, our gouernour, our ho∣nour, to be briefe, thou art an other God on earth, &c. Could euer any more blasphemous voyce be attributed to any person, or vouchsafed of any man, then that a mortall man shoulde bee woorshipped of a man for an immortall God on earth? which blasphemous speaches were y••t so not altogither refused of those prowde Peacockes, and so nothing at all reprehended, that Ladislaus was for none other cause at all, esteemed and dignified with the title of a Catholike king.

But what recken I vp one Nicholas, or one Iulius, as though this were the example of one, two, or three Popes onely, as though it were not an easie matter, rather in this one Glasse to beholde the whole cluster of all the rest of the same crewe?* 1.85 who for the most part nooseled vppe in the same Stye, haue not spared to couple with their vnspeakeable pride, like vnshamefast

shamelessenesse, as that they blushed nothing to offer t•• the mouthes of most mightie Monarches, not their hands onely to be kissed, but their filthie feete also, wherewith they scarcely dayned to touch the grounde: which shame not to rende in peeces the sinewes of Gods lawes, and so to embase them, as vile and of no valour in respect of their durtie decre••s, that they spare not to proclaime the breach of their Canons, for a speciall sinne agaynst the holie Ghost:* 1.86 which tremble not to chalenge vnto themselues one selfe same consistorie equall with God: which com∣maunde all their actions whatsoeuer, to be exempt from all controlment of mortall men: which vaunte themselues to bee kings of all kings, and to beare soueraigntie ouer them as subiects: which enforce Kings and Emperors to attende and accomplishe their commaundementes: which vouchsafe their clawbackes not only to call them, but also to woorship them as Lordes of Lordes: which can suffer and allowe not onely themselues to bee called blessed, but their Sea also most heauenly: finally which sitte in the Temple of God not to teach, but to reign•• and to beare rule: to whome sufficeth not to bee named Ministers or Bishoppes, no, nor yet Archbishoppes, or Patriarches, vnlesse beeing inuested in the vniuersalitie of all power, they enforce to bee subiect also vnto their luste and be••ke, of verie necessitie the vniuersal Church of God wheresoeuer ouer the face of the whole earth, yea and all humaine creatures withall,* 1.87 vnder paine to bee excluded from all hope of Salua••ion, insomuch that they receyue of their owne Subiectes lesse obe∣dience,* 1.88 than themselues do•• owe of duetie to GOD himselfe.

Wherein I knowe not what I may imagine first, or whereat I may woonder s••fficien••ly: whether at the prodigious insolencie of the Popes, or the too much drowsie carelessenesse of the other Bishoppes: who con∣trarie

to all equitie and right, contrarie to all authoritie of most sacred Scriptures, contrarie to the approued cu∣stome of their ancient predecessours, and prescript orders of the Primitiue Church, woulde so wilfully admit this so manifest an iniurie agaynst themselues, and so per∣••icious a plague agaynst Christes Church. And but that our Sauiour himselfe not onely by most plaine president of his owne life, but also by expresse commaundement had restrayned his Apostles from this profa••e desire of Lordlinesse, and had called them backe to an vtter dete∣station of this worldly pompe, and most humble abace∣ment of minde, with incredible loathsomnesse alwayes abhorring the things which were accounted mightie and gloriouse in this worlde:* 1.89 Certes I should lesse haue won∣dered at this your greedy grasping (you men of Rome) af••er this vniuersal title of vniuersal regiment. But now what is there, I pray you, vnder the Sunne more re∣pugnant to the rules and pre••eptes of Euangelicall doctrine? more cōtrarie to the perpetual cou••se of Chri••ts meaning, and directorie leuell of Christes Religion? more odious to the mildenesse of the spiri••e? whose voyce vttered in the most holy Bookes of the Gospel, if may not obtaine any credite and authoritie with you: let vs at the least ••rie t••e matter by the testimonie, and iudgement of the graue Fathers, and learned Doc••ours of the primiti••e Churche. Amonge••t al the which, what one did euer e••dewe you (Sir Pope of Rome) with this a••hominable, I woul••e say, honourable tytle of the vniuersall heade of all Christians, wheresoeuer vpon earth? who euer did yeeld vnto you, the iuris••iction of both s••ordes? who euer graunted vnto you that speciall pre∣rogatiue of summoning Councels? who euer limitted all the wor••de to bee your peculiar Diocesse? who euer sub∣scribed to that fulnes of your absolute power ouer al other

Bishops? who did euer pronounce, or so much as dreame, that you shoulde not onely be greater, and better than all other Patriarches and Kings, and all and euerie humane creature, but also farre aboue all councels? who euer so much as in woorde hath vttered that the higher powers of all Emperours & kings (vnto whom the heauenly Ora∣cle hath commaunded all and euerie soule to bee subiect) should begge their estate to be authorised at your handes? who assigned you to be arbiters & iudges of purgatorie? who hath euer at any time lo••ked fast within the cubbard of your breast all maner of iurisdiction, or euer admitted you only expositor of Scripture and Lord of our fayth?

From amongest the whole antiquitie of those reue∣rende fathers before mentioned,* 1.90 if you can vouche one credible person, besides them that eyther haue beene Bi∣shoppes of Rome, or such as bee mates of your owne marke, ye shall winne the garlande. But if you cannot, as hitherto you haue not, then eyther must you of necessitie relent of your claime, or wholy relinquishe that ti••le, and vtterly disclaime from this chalenge of antiquitie. And bycause I will not ouerwhelme you with multitude of testimonies, which I might lawfully vrge agaynst you one after another: let it not bee yrkesome vnto you Ro∣manes, from amongest a great number to hearken vnto one, to witte, your owne onely Bishoppe of Rome Gre∣gorie:* 1.91 for I suppose none of you to bee ignoraunt of that which hee wrote vnto Iohn Bishop of Constantinople, and to other Bishoppes concerning the same matter, whereof you mainteyne so hoate a contention: and (if I be not deceyued) you contende about the onely and vni∣uersall prerogatiue of ecclesiasticall iuris••iction: which you doe so vnseparably glew fast to that Romish Chaire, that whosoeuer sit therein, must of necessitie beare soue∣raig••tie ouer all other Bishops, and must be reputed and taken for the highest heade of the vniuersall Churche.

Wherein I pray you beholde, yee gentle companions, howe iniuriously and vnhonestly you abuse both the name of Christ, and the simplicitie of Christians, when as you require vs to that, which we can neither with safe consci∣ence yelde vnto you, nor, if wee did so, you could accept without great iniury to others, and your farre greater in∣famy and shame, as shall appeare by this one wyt∣nesse whome I haue cyted, to wytte, Pope Grego∣rye.

Who beyng on a tyme, in a Letter sent vnto him from Eulogius Archbishopp, saluted by the name of vni∣uersall Pope, with great i••dignation reiecting that glo∣rious greetyng of proude Prelacy, dyd so not accept of that which was offred, as that he woulde not admyt the worde of commaundyng:* 1.92 very earnestly requiryng him that from thencefoorth hee shoulde neuer vse any suche voyce of commaunde, nor any other surname of glo∣rious vniuersalitie in any his wrytings:

Because (sayth hee) I knowe what I am, and what you bee: for in function you bee my brethren, in conuersation my fa∣thers.

And so lykewyse annexeth this sentence tou∣chyng the title on this wyse, which I doe in this place more willingly set downe, because not only the proce••∣dyng of Gregory herein might appeare, but also the cause and consideration that mooued him theretoo.

Be∣cause (sayeth hee) so much is derogated from your digni∣tie, as is more then reasonably yelded to any other. I doe not desire to bee honoured in wordes, but in good lyfe: neyther doe I accompt that to be honour, wherein I doe knowe my brethren to bee any iotte abridged of their ho∣nour. &c.

I would wishe therfore all such as with so gaye a countenaunce of religion doe striue so lustely about the prerogatiue of the Romish Sea, to haue an especiall re∣gard and consideration of the wordes of Gregory in this place.

My honour (sayth he) is the honour of the vniuersal

Church:* 1.93 my honour is the flourishing honour of my bre∣thren: then am I honoured aright, when due honour is not denied to euerie particular brother. For if your holi∣nesse do cal me vniuersall Pope, you renounce your s••lues to be the selfe same, which you yeeld vnto me in name of vniu••rsalitie. But God forbid. Let speeches that puffe vp to arrogancie, and empaire Christian cha••itie, be aban∣doned, &c.

And againe in another place, writing to the Bishop of Constantinople, requireth him to be well ad∣uised what he enter vpon, bycause in that presumptuous rashnesse the vnitie of the whole Church is peruerted vpside downe:* 1.94 and thereby aryseth a flat denyall of the generall grace powred vpon all indifferently. And forth∣with after:

For what else be your Bishoppes of the vni∣uersall Church, but the Starres of heauen, aboue whome whilest thou presumest to exalt thy selfe by prowde title of stately souereigntie, what emplie these woordes else, but that I will ascende into heauen, and will exalt my Seate aboue the Starres of heauen? &c.

Adding moreouer in the same epistle no lesse wisely, then considerately an admonition both to himselfe, and the other Bishoppes.

Let vs bee afrayed (sayeth hee) to bee recounted of that number, which prowle for the highest Seates in the Synagogues, and gape after greetings in the ma••ket place, and to bee called of men Rabby: For there is but one maister, but all you be brethren.

What coulde haue beene vttered by Gregorie more distinctly, and more ap••ly for the purpose? of whose authoritie if you make any reckoning, as rea∣son is you shoulde: why may not wee as lawfully vse the same authoritie ouer you, and by the same woordes exhort you (yee bre••thren and fathers of Rome) as wel as hee? First that no vaine opinion conceaued of that S••agelyke state make you stande too much vpon

the Slippers of reputation, as though the Chaire of estate, which you chalenge to bee at Rome, shoul••e make a difference betwixt your brethren and you (for by the place (sayeth Gregorie) you bee all brethren. Moreouer, that you esteeme not so highly of your owne honour, as that you become iniu••ious to the rest which are ioyned with you in the same felowshippe and equa∣bilitie of dignitie: but iniuried they bee, by the testimo∣nie of Gregorie, when your aduauncement ariseth by the abacement of your brethren, and when as the gene∣rall grace powred out vpon all indifferently is abridged by you. Last of all, wee doe admonishe you not with∣out cause with Gregories owne woordes: That you ••x∣alt not your state so arrogantly aboue the Starres of heauen: that is to say, That yee extoll not your selues so loftily with a presumptuous brauerie of superioritie a∣boue other Bishoppes, least the olde Prouerbe maye bee verified of you at the length,* 1.95 whereof Solomon maketh mention: Hee that buildeth his house too high, seeketh the ruine thereof. But why do I vouch this one testimonie of Gregorie onely, when as neuer any one so much of all Gregories predecessours was euer heard of, which woulde take vppon him the name of vni∣uersall Bishoppe, or the heade of the vniuersall Church?

But loe here a sodaine rebounde backe againe to Saint Peter, not much vnlike the tale whereof report is made by Esope in his fables, of an Asse wrapt in a Lions skinne, looking as a Lion vpon other little beastes what (say they) was not Peter the chiefe pla∣ced Bishop amongest the Apostles? Was not the prin∣cipalitie ouer the rest,* 1.96 graunted him by the Lorde him∣selfe, whome wee doe succeede in the same succession of Sea? Whereof hearken I pray you what Gregorie teacheth plainly. Truly Peter the Apostle (sayeth hee) i••

the first member of the holy and vniuersall Church, Paul, Andrewe, and Iohn, what els be they then par••icular heades of other seuerall Churches? And yet vnder one head they be all members of the Church•• And to shut vpp all at a worde. The holy ones before the lawe, the holy ones vnder the lawe, the holy ones vnder grace, all these are members of the Church, appointed to consummate & make perfect the whole body of our Lord: and there was neuer any one that durst presume to call him selfe vni∣uersall, &c. Heare therefore, yea heare (ye Popishe Pre∣late) if credite may be giuen to Gregory, that besides Christe there is no heade of the Churche that ought to bee reputed for vniuersall, appliable neyther to Paul, neyther to Peter, nor to any other of all the Apostles. And dare you yet challendge to your selfe, that, which Gregory dareth not yelde to the chiefest Apostles, which also the scripture it selfe denieth vnto them? Byd adue to those vaineglorious titles of proude hautinesse, which doe (as Gregory sayeth) buddle from out that fil••hie puddle of vanitie. Let vs well consider of the matter it selfe.

And because the principall proppe of all your tot∣tering Monarchie consisteth in Peter alone: may wee bee so bolde as to parle a fewe woordes with you tou∣ching Peter him selfe: whome to confesse, as you doe, to be a principle member of the Church,* 1.97 and the first that was called by the name of an Apostle: yet this wyll wee not graunt surely, that hee was heade of the Churche, or the vniuersall Apostle. The one where∣of Gregory doeth discharge him off, the other the in∣fallible trueth of the sacred Scripture doeth vtterly de∣ny him. For what can be more manifest, or more sub∣stantiall, then that true saying of Paule, wherein he holdly pronounceth that the Apostleshyppe of Peter

stretched not out generally ouer all:* 1.98 but was streighted to the boundes of the Circumcised only, limitted thereun∣to, as it were by specially lotte: and that vnto him selfe authoritie was geuen directly from the Lorde to bee an Apostle of the Gentiles: which also Christe himself & the holy Ghoste doe verifie to bee true by an vndoubted Ora∣cle: when as leauing Peter in his natiue Countrey, hee commaunded Barnabas and Saule to bee separated vn∣to him, for the woorke whereunto he had called them? Nowe what kinde of woorke was this else, but that they shoulde bee sente foorth a farre of vnto the Gentyles? whereby appeareth without all controuersie: that this ge¦nerall charge, and ouersight of the whole worlde was not more peculiarly layde vpon the shoulders of Peter, then vpon Paule, Barnabas and the other Apostles. Heereof also came it that to bee the Apostle of the Gentyles, was properly and peculiarly ascribed vnto Paule, and not vn∣to Peter by the generall testimonie of all men. In like maner Chrysostome making mention of Paul:* 1.99 And he tooke vnto him as alotted the vniuersall Prouince of the whole, and in him selfe hee bare all men &c, And where is nowe that speciall Prerogatiue of superio∣ritie which you Romish Rutterkins so gros••y rake too your rotten Sea, vnder the cloke of Peters authoritie. whereupon also you vaunt your selfe altogeather as vnad∣visedly? God (saith Paule) doeth not accept of any person: and will hee accept of any place? Paule acknow¦ledged no maner of Superiorie in Peter aboue the reste of the Apostles, testifiyng plainly that he auayled him no∣thing at al: and that they ioyned handes as fellowes of one societie. And will the successor of Peter bee so foole hardie, as to admit no mate in the ministery of Christes commission with him? what horrible iugling, lying and legerdemaine is this? what more then shamelesse and whorish impudencie is this?

But to surceasse those vehement, yet deseruedly im∣putable bitternesse of speache, let vs de••le somewhat more mildely: and I will nowe so frame my ta••ke with you, not after any clamorous and brawling maner, wherewith neuerthelesse I might most iust••y exclaime a∣gainst you, as against the most sworne enemie of Christ: but that I maye seeme too debate with you better then you doe deserue, coldly as it were, and with soft and calme woordes.* 1.100 And ••irst this wyl iustifie against you: That ••ur graunde Captaine, and most woorthie Soueraigne Authour of our redemption, left no such lawe, custome, nor President: neither was of any suche minde at anye time, that in his Churche any of his Ministers shoulde so stand vppon his Pantobles, as presuming vpon any singularitie of Lordlinesse, shoulde bee so bolde too enter alone vpon any soueraigntie, or stately controulership o∣uer the other ministers and pastours of Christe.* 1.101 If these woordes spoken by Christe his owne mouth be true, As the liuing Father sent me, euen so do I also send you: Then must this also bee most true: that sithens by this speache hee noted no one particularly, therefore ought no person challendge any such prerogatiue, as to execute heere his office, as his onely Uicar on earth. And yet I alleadge not this to the ende, I woulde perswade to dis∣anull, or roote out of Gods Churche, receiued and ap∣prooued degrees, estates and orders of the Churche, nor those degrees of superiour placing in holy Churches dis∣cretely deliuered from the auncient Fathers, namely: That in euery Diocesse shoulde bee some one superinten∣dent ouer the inferiour Churches, vnto whom the reste might resorte for Counsell and for auoyding of schismes. But what is this too that maiesticall royalltie of Sain•• Peter? or too that prerogatiue of Uniuersalitie too bee resiaunt in one only Sea, which the Romane Prelate pruneth vpon of the whole vniuersall Churche we gayne∣say

no decent, nor necessarie orders in execution of Eccle¦siastical discipline. But these proude peacockes plumes and Luciferlike loftie lo••kes of this Uniuersall I••rar∣chie, neyther dyd Christ bring into the Churche nor the Apostles vsurpe at any time. What meaneth this, that our Lorde himselfe in his Gospell dyd vrge no one com∣maundement more precisely and more earnestly, amongst all other preceptes and documentes, then too drawe the mindes of his Disciples from al desire of glory, and am∣bition vnto most humble abacement, lowlinesse, and hu∣militie? as when hee willeth them too bee contented with the lowest places at feastes and banquettes: when as in his owne person hee washeth their feete, alluring them thereby to followe his example? and againe where hee exhorteth them to bee as mildly minded as little chil∣dren:* 1.102 and when as hee commaundeth them too shunne the first places in the Sinagogues,* 1.103 and stately salutations in the Streates:* 1.104 when as hee calleth them backe so busily,* 1.105 to abandon the pride and hautinesse of this worlde:* 1.106 too eschewe the mightie thinges of this worlde, to imbrace the basenesse of the Spirite, and paci∣ently to susteyne all iniuries of aduersaries? When as Peter also forbad so expresly: That yee become not Lords ouer the Cleargie, and Paule likewise, not too frame their life according to the fashiō of this world: I haue now declared sufficiently, howe that the very meaning of Christe, and the continuall course of his dis∣cipline in the holy Scriptures, coulde neuer digest that vniuersall and more then kingly ambitious seeking of superiorite of this Sea. Now would I faine learn what you ean replie against it: what answere yee can make, sir Pope? & what ye haue to alleadge, yea what can yee ima∣gine to colour this glorious title withal? what? was not Peter (wil ye say) prince of the apostles? what a ieast is this? As though the apostles were not al of one spirit? all

of one callyng? or as though ye can vouch any one place in all the Scriptures to iustifie that Peter was inuested in any superioritie of power, aboue the rest, which either he receiued at any time, or which Christe euer gaue him? Or as though the times were suche in theyr dayes, as woulde permit the holy Apostles to be so idlely disposed, as once to think or to dreame vpō any principalitie, being as then in hurly burly, turmoyled and broyled with daily feares and continuall perrils? Yet I wyl not denie, but Peter hath byn sundry times blazed out with that braue name of Prince of Apostles,* 1.107 in many mens writings and Commentaries, wherein I doe not altogether condemne the godly affections of those writers: but I note heerein theyr phrase of speache, which in my iudgement seemeth to bee none otherwise, then as the vsuall and dayly speach importeth, wherein we customably call him a Prince of his Arte, that excelleth in the facultie which he professeth singularly aboue others. The Grecians doe say thē Too beare the bell, which do surpasse all others in any maner of science. As if a question be mooued, who is the chiefe or Captaine of the schoole, some one or other is noted foorthwith: yet is hee not therefore a Prince ouer his fellowes, nor his fellowes subiect vnto him. After the same maner of speach vsually and dayly in vre, wee call Cicero the Father of eloquence, and prince of the Latine excellencie:* 1.108 Homer the Captaine of Poeticall finnesse, vnto whom notwithstanding wee attribute not for that cause, any preheminence or state of gouernment in com∣mon weales where they were cōuersant aboue that which was peculiar vnto them.

And yet too returne againe vnto Peter: where dyd Christe at any time euer dignifie Peter with anye suche Title of honour, as to name him prince of the Apostles? when? before what auditorie? in what Chapter? with what proofes and argumentes can you fortifie it too bee

true? I will make thee (sayth Christe) a fi••her of men:* 1.109 hee dooth not say, I will make thee a prince of men, or a Lorde of Fishers: neither was this spoken so precisely to Peter alone, but was also in the plural number vttered to the rest ioyning them in one,* 1.110 I will make you fishers of men. And although afterwardes powe•• were giuen to Peter, by name, to become a fisher and a feeder, yet doeth this make him neuer a deale the rather a prince o∣uer men•• then transforme men themselues into fi••hes and sheepe.* 1.111 If the Lorde had vttered these woordes in that sense, meaning thereby to aduaunce Peter to chaire of e∣state: why did hee not also geue him togeather with that vniuersall principalitie, riches and power, meete for the dignitie and renowme of so mightie maiestie? But O most famous Prince of princes Peter, who beeing so poore a Peter was not able to blesse a poore begger with one crosse of coyne, when hee craued his almes. Nay ra∣ther, O sing••lar man of God, who as neuer gaped after any worldly riches, promotion, or pompe, refusing them vtterly as baggage and pelfe, so hee neuer affected anye Titles of singular preheminence, but despised them al∣wayes.

We speake not this, as though we were willyng to haue any iotte of Peters due authoritie empayred, who doubtles was one of the chiefest Apostles: but because you do so blockishly patche vp that mootheaten beggerly cloake of beeing Prince of Apostles, too couler that disguised visor of your pretensed fulnesse of absolute pow∣er, and there withall make the whole Churche of Christe your bond maiden and thrall. For this cause thought I good too beate vppon this point so muche, not against Peter, but against you for him, & on his behalfe. Which Peter if were nowe in Rome euen at this instaunte, woulde so nothing at all acquaint himselfe with any those braueries, wherewithall you now blaze forth his armes

as that he woulde more bitterly and chidingly inueigh a∣gainst you, then hee did once agaynst Simon Magus. Whom as he condemned with his money and merchan∣dize, so woulde he much eagerly curse you all in the same bit••ernesse of speache, Thy money be with thee to thy vtter destruction.* 1.112 For what think•• you, woulde hee ac∣cept of those royalties of S. Peter? woulde he presume to intermeddle with the two Swordes of Ciuill and Ec∣clesia••ticall gouernment, or fulnesse of Dominion? woulde he require to be enstalled in the highest place, as Iudge ouer the Cleargie? or would he take vpon him so much, as though it weee not possi••le for him too erre, and as though the treasury of all wisedome and vnderstanding were to be s••ught from him as from out the only Trea∣surer thereof, as though the spirite could finde no certain and co••stant place of aboad, but within his only breast•• woulde hee euer endure too bee called or worshipped as King of kinges, Prince of princes, or chiefe head of the Churche? woulde hee euer take vppon him too maunt so high, and in such arrogant wise, as to tread so proudly vp on the neckes of Emperours with his feete, as Pope A∣lexander the 3. did?* 1.113 woulde hee compell kinges & Po∣tentates to kisse his handes and feete? woulde he vaunte himselfe to be greater then all Councelles aboue al chur∣ches, and Lorde ouer all the people of Chri••tendome? woulde he dare to bee so blasphemous as Hostiensis and the forgers of ••he Decretalles,* 1.114 too affirme that God and the Pope had but one consistorie?* 1.115 and that the Pope is of power to doe all whatsoeuer God can doe, Sinne onely excepte?

What? would he euer bee so carried away too beastly scraping of riches on heapes by right, or by wrōg to rake vp whole hoordes of mon••y, honors, possessions, gar••i∣sons of at••endants? to prowle for the glory of this life, for the pompe and royaltie of the worlde, Miters, Cros∣ses,

Pillerz, Hats, Attires, Passes, precious stones, as these triple crowned Lordings vse to do? what is that most milde disciple of Christ, the very same Peter (I say) and his companiō Paul were aliue now, which haue so often, by so many their writinges allured vs too humble ob••di∣ence of Princes: woulde they euer haue saide as Pope Hadrian did:* 1.116 That Emperours do ••e••gn•• by them? or as Clement the 5. in the Councell of Vien••a••* 1.117 That the in∣terpretation of all lawes was res••aunt within their only breast? or woulde they euer ha••e beene so monstrously in∣solent, as hauing first suttlely s••ipe their no••ks frō out the collers of all priuiledges and immunities of ciuil magi∣strate, afterwardes presumptuously ••o inforce Kings and Emperours vnder thei•• yoke, and to mannage them lik•• bondslaues? aduaunce to chaire of estate, depose, blesse, curse, commaunde, countermaund, rewarde, punishe, banish, restore, throwe vp, cast downe, tr••ade vpon with ••••••••hie feete, and whit••e into the bottomel••sse ••ytte of he•• whom they listed, by their potencie papall? Finally to•• passe ouer infinite like ••reache••ies, wo•••••••• Peter or Paul vnder colour of Catholike obedience, haue euer ••umbled togeather in so horrible a confusion, Peeres and people, kinges and theyr subi••ct••, yea prin••es against prince••, wi••h such deadly and bloddy battel••, and ••ent asu••rer the communion, and peace of the Churche, with suche ciuill mutines, disordered discordes, seditious Butles, horrible warres, cruel cursinges as the Romishe Ru••••ians haue doone, geeuing therin most exe••rable examples of hor∣ror to•• to popular & common in all p••a••es at this present.

For what should I here rehearse the tragical furies of those s••aming firebrāds: as of Zacharie,* 1.118 who supplā••ing y^e lawful king Chilpe••ick the French, planted Pipyne in place: Gregory, Pascalis, Innocent 2. Calixte 2. Alexan∣der 3. Celestine 3. and of al other the rabble of rakebels, whom needeth not to name particularly one after other?

For what shal I say of that Innocent the third, who first founded that Faggotlawe too frye the poore carkasses of Christians, who gathering together a garrison of Soul∣diers, with the ayde of xii. Abbottes, in most sauage ma∣ner, murdered at one time an hundred thousand of Albin∣genses, or thereaboutes. Of which number he broyled to ashes a hundred and lxxx persons: not because they reuol∣ted from Christe, bu•• only because they woulde not yeelde their necks to the Romish halter againe: when as also he became so treacherous a Traitor against his own Liege Lord the sonne of Barbarossa, as to threaten him eyther to bereaue him of his imperiall Diademe, or else that the Emperour should dispoyle him of his Papall Crowne. And afterwards to prooue his threatnings true, he procu∣red Otto Duke of Saxon to bid him battell: by meanes whereof, how cruel, how many, & how mercilesse massa∣cres ensued, what slaughter, what effusion and confusion of Christian blood, people and nations, I meane not here to stand vpon. Thus dare I affirm vnto your fac••, Innocēt, Thou didst neuer sucke such serpentine poyson & woluish bloodthirstinesse from thy predecessor Peter, nor hast e∣uer read any the like horrours committed by any the A∣postles. Saint Paule woulde neuer haue rebelliously re∣uoulted against his soueraigne, if he had liued then: nor masked in such mischieues against the godly.

Neither were their successours any better reclaimed of crueltie, to wit, Honorius. 3.* 1.119 Gregorie 9.* 1.120 Vrbanus 4.* 1.121 who because they would shew thēselues Curres of the same kinde, it is incredible to report, with what outragi∣ous tumul••es they troubled the Empire against Otto, Fredericke and Manfred, teazing Lantgraue kyng of Turinge against Frederick: and ioyning in Armes with Charles against Manfred. When Frederick was dead Conrade gouerned the Empire,* 1.122 whom Pope Innocent the 4. curs••d with Bel, Booke and Candle: Conrade

being po••soned by Manfred succeded Conradine his sonne in the kingdome of Sicil and Sweueland: against whom Clemēt the fourth inwardly sw••lling with vene∣mous crueltie,* 1.123 caused Charles to wage warre, to the vt∣ter vndoing of the said Conradine. Who a••ter many skirmishes being vanquished, & taken prisoner with Fri∣derick Duke of Austriche, who came to aide him with his power: vpon notice thereof giuen by Charles, recei∣ued this comfort from the Popes holines, to witte, that they should be both chopt shorter by the heads. For this was the verdict of the Pope, most detestable of all crea∣tures, more like a Tygre then a man. The life of Con∣radine (quod the Pope) is the death of Cha••les•• the death of Charles is the life of Conradine. By meanes whereof it came to p••sse that both those innocent yong noble princes, two most anciēt & famous families, kings of Sweueland and Sicil, were not only ouerthrowen from their kingdomes, but also most cruelly bereft of life, to the vtter extirpation and roo••ing out of the whole race & po••••eritie at one blowe, by one onely cankred conceipt of a caterpiller pope.

These t••agedies being finished, Charles entreth vpō Sicil: the conquest whereof as was compast with cruel∣tie•• s•• continued but a while in peace and tranquillitie. F•••• ••s by the cursed crampes of that mercilesse brothel vnmerciful Innocēt, the forsaid Charles was allured first to raze out the whole race of Frederick, with the swal∣lowing sword of furious French: after the same sort Ha∣drian & Nicolas. 3. procured the Germans, the Spany∣ards, & Peter of Arragon against the same Charles: who putting Charles to flight, & taking his sonne prisoner, brought the matter to such passe, as that at the sound of a bel,* 1.124 aboue 8000. Frenche (which were at that time in guarrison in Sicil) were miserably slayne, and hauocke made of man, woman & childe, without pitie or mercy.

And yet for all this could not this Scorpionlike ser∣pent

of Romish riot bee any thing appeased, for Pope Martin the 4. takes partie again with the French:* 1.125 prac∣tiseth with Philip the French king, to pursue Peter king of Arragon: commaundes him to inuade his kingdome: him self soundeth the alarme, and giueth the onset. They rush eche vpō other as cruel Tigres, gr••edy of the pray: all handes be embrued with goare: amiddes which hurly burly, skarse one whole yere was ouer past before y^e pope Martine dieth.* 1.126 After whose death Honorius 4. the next successor, practised with Rodolphe king of Romans, to come speedely to Rome, and receiuing at his handes the name, and maiestie Imperiall, to chase the Frenche and Spanyardes out of Champaigne, Calabre, Apulia, and Sicil, and to vnite the same to the Roman Empire. By meanes of which tumulte of the Pop••, the whole na••ion of Italy, & state of Germany, had byn rēt in pieces, with horrible slaughter of the people, if death had not snatch•• away that pestiferous Pope betimes.* 1.127 What should I rehearse here the furies of Nicholas 4. who bicause hee would not be altogether vnlike his forerunners, was cō∣tented to annexe to the infamous contum••ly of the popes maiestie, & to the euerlasting reproche of his own name, this shamelesse acte: To wit, To proclaime the great curse against the Earle of Tyrol, besides many o••he•• his mischieuouse treacheries against him: vpon none 〈◊〉〈◊〉 cause, but onely, bicause the Earle would not yelde ouer his true and lawful inheritance, to the Bishop of Tridēt, who made chalenge thereto contrarie to all ••quitie, law, and Iustice.

But I can not say whether any one of all the rable a∣fore rehearsed,* 1.128 may seeme to exceede Boniface the 8. in pride & in villanies: Who was so mōstrously puft vp with pride, & beyond all imagination, vnmeasurably sw••••••en with vnshamefast insolencie that he shamed not to inter∣dict Philip the French king, by his legate, fortified with most arrogant bulles, commanding him, as hee woulde

answere the authoritie Papane, to resigne the kingdome of Fraunce to the Sea Apostolike. What more impud••t demande could haue byn imagined of the most villanous Pyrate of the worl••? What more currish commande de∣liuered from any, though more madde then a march hare? What action more resembling the Turkish fury? certes there could nothing haue byn done, or deuised more disa∣greeable, and lesse beseeming an Apostle or the successor of an Apostle. In good felowship (pope of Rome) speak euen for the reuerence ye beare to S. Peter & S. Paul: Did the Apostle Peter giue euer any such president whiles he liued? Or if he liued nowe, would he commit any such outrage, as did Pope Clement 5.* 1.129 without all regarde of shame, who procuring the Emperour Henry 5. to main∣teine most cruel battaile against Robert king of Apulia•• whiles the two princes were by the eares, turned his tip pet, and ioyned in armes against the said Emperour, on the behalf of the said king? or would Peter haue byn euer s•• mad, as with the next Pope folowing, Iohn the 22.* 1.130 by b••ll proclaimed him self father and prince of all Christē∣dome, chiefe legate of the high God? or vaunted him selfe to be of full power and highest authoritie able to dispose kingdomes & Empires, where, and vpon whom him li∣sted? Who in the end of his bul gaue in special cōmande∣ment to Lodowike the Emperour to relinquish the Em∣pire within three monethes, and to resigne the name and title of a king: not presuming from thencefoorth to reen∣ter vpon any such dignitie, without his speciall license, & warrante: vpon refusall whereof hee further chargeth all his nobles, & estates, aswel spiritual as temporal, to abā∣don their king, and compell him to yelde his necke, vn∣der the yoake of Apostolical obedience?

I should neuer skarsly finde an end of this beadrol, if I should decipher out of histories, al that I could, touching Vrbane the 6.* 1.131 Clement,* 1.132 Martine the 5.* 1.133 Pius the 2.* 1.134 Sixtus the 4.* 1.135 Iulius the 2.* 1.136 Paule the thirde,* 1.137 and such like, the

number wherof being infinite, I passe ouer: if I should (I say) rippe abroade the wofull, and no lesse loathesome remēbrance of al their cruel tragedies, schismes, broiles, conspiracies, horrible treasons and rebellions, against kings & Emperours: Massacres, murthers, & pillages of people: practises of warre: subuersion of Monarches & nations: the remēbrance thereof would be no lesse loath∣some then tedious. But I leaue all this to a more ample treatie, for the manifestation whereof, according to the marueilous varietie of their treacheries & abhominatiōs, I doute me, whether any time, toung, or pen may suffice. For what mischief hath at any time these many yeeres now, byn executed in all Christendome? what treachery or treason hath long sithence troubled, & wasted kingdomes, and Empires: which this holy famous successour of Pe∣ter, hath not either for the more part fathered, & furthe∣red, or byn the chief procurer & piller? I beseech you, tel vs plainely, holy father: What abhomination hath your Sea byn cleare of? What iniquitie wanted to fulfil your rage? what destruction did not your practises procure? What crueltie spared your Consistories to put in execu∣tion: how many slaughters of most innocent Christians, how many flames of skorched martyrs, how many bloo∣dy bucheries of your owne naturall brethren remaine at this present manifest testimonies of your infamo••s sa∣uadgenesse, and damnable horror? To passe ouer in si∣lence meanewhiles, those couert packes of your pestilent impietie, which for very shame I spare to speake. O most holy, yea, thrise most sacred successor of ••hapostle Peter: Nay rather, O beastly, and shamelesse impudency of an harlot past all shame: O most insolent, and forlorne arrogancie of a most vile varlet, dare you for shame once take in your mouth the name of Peter, of Paul, of Christe, or of any of his Apostles, or of the catholike church by any meanes? Whose life is not onely not cor∣respo••dent, but the whole state, and course of doctrine,

also direc••ly discrepant, from the liues, and preachings of Peter and Paul: who doest practise al wayes possible to shake asunder the prescript lawe of the Gospell, to chaunge the countenaunce of Christes schoole, to con∣founde the peace of Christians, and the libertie of Chri∣stian churches: and to deface the life of the godly, with shamefull slau••ders and lyes? For what els emporte? whereunto tende these your so many peeuish puppettes in your churches? your so many pelting patrones in hea∣uen? so many blasphemous brayings in your prayers, and worshippings? so many sowterly sacrifices in Mas∣ses? so many sauadge sacriledges in sacramentes? such horrible bloodthirstinesse in your iudgements? such wol∣uishe rauening in your decrees, but to forclose vs all sal∣uation in heauen, and all peace on earth? And yet after all those your abhominations, and cruelties, dare you be so presumptuously arrogant, as to take once the name of Christ in your mouth, holding al others in subiection, and chalenge to your selfe onely the keyes and authoritie of lieutenantship by him whom you doe persecute in all your actions of life with fier & sword? And why do ye so at the length sir I beseeche you? is it because like a la∣zy lurdeine ye loiter in the chayre where Peter once sate?

A trimme and skilfull shift of lieger de mayne,* 1.138 I promise you, as though it maketh ought at all to the matter, in what place a man sit, so that he sit in Christ: that is to saye, so that he teache sounde doctrine. Or as though bicause in politique gouernements the ciuil law hath ordeined, that a king should succeede a king in his throane, as he is neerest of blood,* 1.139 the same course ought to be reteined in ecclesiasticall gouernement by like title of succession? It is not dignitie (sayth one) nor the place of the godly that maketh a bishop, but the good life: nor is euery one to be accepted for a Doue, that can say, peace be vnto you. The grace of God is promised

to true holinesse and true faith, not to any chaire or succes∣sion: for the chaires do not make the churche, but be sub∣iect to the ordinance of the church. Wherein considera∣tion must be had, not of the continuance of the place, but of the sinceritie of the successor. For as Chrysostome tea∣cheth, The chaire dignifieth not the prieste, but the priest dignifieth the chaire. The place doth not sanctifie the man,* 1.140 but the man doth sanctifie the place. He that sit∣te••h worthely in the chaire, doth receiue the honor of the chaire: but hee that sitteth vnworthily, doth commit an heinous iniury against the chaire. &c. Ierome also vt••e∣ring the like wordes almost:* 1.141 They bee not sonnes of saintes which sit in saintes places, but such as do prac∣tise the maners and liues of saintes. And therefore their grossenes is worthely to be scorned, which, as is vsually accustomed in state politique, so in the spirituall king∣dome of Christ, do entangle the church of Christe by hu∣maine constitutions to a carnall necessitie of externall succession, and enforce all iurisdiction so vnauoydeably to Peters chaire onely, as that whosoeuer sit not therein, be he otherwise neuer so godly a pastor, may not be accomp∣ted Peters successor in any wise: and that whosoeuer sit therein, be he neuer so barbarous a brothell, neuer so swi∣nish a pigge, altogether vnlike Peter in his whole course of conuersation, must yet of necessitie be suppreame head of the church, the true and vndouted successor of Peter, as it was concluded by that detestable decree of the coū∣cell of Constance:* 1.142 then the which what can bee vttered more blockish or brutish? As though the wisdom of God, whose propertie is, and alwayes hath byn most free to worke where it pleased, might be poss••bly empaled, or hedged in, by any ordināce of man, or limited to any cer∣tentie of place, as the which by extraordinarie meanes, vtterly breaking or inuerting ordinary courses of things doth many times dispose the riches of his grace, after a

certein preposterous maner and waye, beyond all ••ope, & contrary to the opinion of man, namely in things apper∣teining to God, not after the appointement of man, but according to his owne good will and pleasure.

On this wise in times past refusing Cayn, Ismael, & Esau and others, to whom the honor of priesthood & pro∣mised seed appertained by right of ordinary succession, he made choyse of Abel, Isaac, Iaacob, to whom the ordi∣narie succession was not dewe. So also reiecting the fa∣mily of Saul, he translated the kingdome into the ofspring of Dauid. In like maner supplanting the synagogue of the Iewes, he planted the Gent••les in order, contrary to order, displacing the naturall oliues, and placing in the wilde. And will you so strictly vrge, and choake vp as it were, within so narrowe a pinfolde, the incomprehensi∣ble, & farre outstretched grace of Christ, to one place, and to one chaire: That where all other churches may erre, the onely Romishe Churche may in no wise slippe her foote? which also may moreouer so replenishe that one Romishe vicar with al her absolute fulnesse, that she may not emparte any parcel thereof to any other pastours be they neuer so godly and true worshippers of Christ.* 1.143 If the case bee such that this ordinary antiquity of dayly succession do auayle so much before God, to the obteining of grace: Manasses did long sithence succeede Dauid,* 1.144 Caiphas succeeded Aaron.* 1.145 Certes the Iewes can con∣••ey vnto themselues far more auncient pedigrees,* 1.146 and the same also neuer discontinued from Abraham, thē you can fetch from Peter:* 1.147 Yea the Iewes blushed nothing at al to vrge Christ with the very same argumēt:* 1.148 crying out with open mouth,* 1.149 we be the seede of Abrahā: Abraham is our father &c. But what coūter buffe did the scripture giue them for this? God is of power out of these stones to rayse vp childrē to Abraham. And so he did indeed. And is not God as mighty nowe, and as powerable to rayse vp successors of Peter whome he wil, and where he

will? yes no doubt: and so he doth continually.

What? say they, did not the Scribes and Pharisees sitte in M••yses chaire,* 1.150 whom Christe commaunded to hearken vnto? He doth so commande in deede: but when they teache the truthe: neither doth he commaunde so, in respect of the chayre, but in respect of the doctrine. Moreouer why did Christe and his Apostles sequester them selues from the selfe same Iewes, Scribes and Pharisees, if that succession could not erre? What saye y••u to this, that Christe him selfe being reiected of the ordinary priestes, who enforced the selfe same argument, ought not to be hearkened vnto, if your Romishe Pha∣risees may be credited in their lustie vaunte of succession? Goe to, and what shalbe sayde of the Apostles then, who hauing no maner of right in ordinary succession, were the first founders of the churche of Christe, and renounced vtterly the ordinary priesthood? To be briefe: If to sitte in a place, bee of such efficacie and force, I suppose the temple of God be farre more honourable then the chayre of Peter. And yet in this very temple of God, Antichriste must haue his chayre, according to the testimony of the propheticall scriptures. Shall Antichrist be there∣fore called holy Antichriste in respecte of his seate? To conclude: Let it be as forcible as it may for the church, to haue what seate, or what foundation it will, so that it holde fast the liuely spirite of Christe, his holy worde and sacramentes, by the which it is begotten sanctified, and made holy.

* 1.151But you will saye, Peter taught at Rome: I heare you well,* 1.152 but taught hee no where els then in Rome?* 1.153 Moreouer too confesse that hee taught at Rome, did hee teache there as an Apostle, or els as a Bishop? Let the bishop of Rome vnloose me this knotte. But this is out of all question: If Peter taught at Rome at all, standing or sitting in a chaire, surely he taught alwayes Iesus

Christ. But you, holy father, sitting in the Romish chayre at Rome, what teache you, but the doctryne of deuils? Peter did boldly proclayme to the worlde the manyfest scriptures of God, which he receaued by diuine inspira∣tion of the holy Ghost, being an eye witnes of the things which he heard and taught: But what doth your holines bray foorth else to the people, but fryuolous ceremonies, and fruitlesse traditions of men? If Peter came at any tyme to Rome, he came not thither, vnlesse he were sent by God, or called thither by men: and then also came too mynister, not to beare soueraignty: to work, not to skrape riches togither: as a trauailer, not as an ydle sitter. But who euer called you to this stately stage of chayre lorde∣lynesse?* 1.154 Goo ye, saieth the Lorde, not into the Citie of Rome, but intoo the whole worlde: speaking not too Peter alone, but to all his Apostles: and preache, not the ceremonies of the lawe, not traditions of men, but the gladde tydings of sauing health: not to the Ro∣maines only, but to euery creature. In which vniuersall embassy Peter togither with the rest, of his fellowe la∣bourers did mightely behaue himselfe in the ministery of the Gospel, according to his duety and the nature of his function: leauing no ••otte of the vttermoste of his duety vndone, wherby in his wandring abroade amongst people and nations, hee might teache al that hee might, not onely publiquely but priuately also in euery house: might be earnest in season and out of season: might sowe abroade f••••re and wyde, the most ioyefull message, and gladde tydinges of peace: might perfourme the woorke of a true Euangelist: might approue himselfe too bee a trusty seruaunt of Christ: might become an ouersear ouer the house of Israel, might receaue the woordes and em∣bassy of God, and the same so receaued, might fayth∣fully deliuer to the people: might shewe himselfe to bee salt of the earth, light of the woorde: not feeding him∣self,

but the flocke: not seeking his owne glory or priuate l••cre, but the only honor of Christ: not entruding him∣selfe in to the publique affaires of ciuil pollicie, but ser∣uing the Lorde: not exercising soueraigntie ouer the ser∣uauntes of God, nor procuring that others shoulde my∣nister vnto him, but that after his maisters example, hee might become seruaunt to others rather, and in no respect aboue any other, but acknowledging al other bishops to be equal with him: and in dignitie & name calling them fellow elders yelding his dewe obedience to Princes as being sent of God: giuing vnto Cesar things appertey∣ning vnto Cesar: whome also he disdained not to call by the name of his Lorde and Soueraigne.

* 1.155On this wyse (except I be deceaued) Peter spent his tyme, which as was a charge of al others most labour∣some, so was there in the worlde nothing more humble & base. If we leuel our Popes lyues now by this rule and perpendicular: I beseeche you, what one thing doo they in Rome now, wherein they may seeme not only not to be Peters successors, but meere straungers rather, and a∣lyens vnto him.* 1.156 Esay the prophet doth wonderfully com∣mende the feete of the Apostles preaching vpon the tops of mountaynes, and proclayming peace bringing glad tydings, and preaching saluation. Nowe as for these, whither go they? vnto what people and nations flee they as clowdes? what peace proclaime they? Nay rather what peace do they not ouerthrowe? what good tydinges preache they? Nay rather of what mischief are they not the very authors? what wholesome doctryne teache they? the Gospel of Christ? nay rather they locke vp the Gos∣pel fast in prison•• They challenge to themselues the pro∣pertie of the keyes: but therewith they shut vp, not open the kingdome of heauen: They make themselues trea∣sorers of woonderful, yea inestimable treasures of the Churche, as if they were the onely treasorers of heauen∣ly

treasory: And what good or commendable iewelles of pryce doo these famous iewellers deliuer out of these treasories? Forsooth for pure gold, drosse & chaffe: Po∣pishe pardones for the grace of God: for Christ his most precious blood, ragges and reliques of Saincts. Peter did gaine vnto Christ at one preaching three thousande ••oules: but howe doo these merchauntes choppe and chaunge their wares? what gaine yeelde they? nay what losse rather? It was not without cause that a certaine Is∣raelite Prophet seemed so grieuously offended against that sorte of sheaperdes, which did feede themselues, and not the flocke:* 1.157 which cloathing their bodyes with the woolle, & pampering their paunches with the milke, made litle accompt of the seely sheepe: the weak they strengthened not: the sick they healed not: nor boūd vppe the broken and brused: nor sought that which was lost: but with cruelty and with rigour did rule o∣uer them.

In like maner what doo these else then ply their paun∣ches delicately, not caring what become of the flocke whereof not one so much becōmeth better by their indu∣stry not one restoared to health: not one a title so much the more learned towardes the kingdome of God: them∣selues teache nothing, nor can disgeste others that teache soundly and truly: the woorde of God they deliuer not, but keepe it close from the people: they take no paines at al, only they lie lazilie at home like dumme dogs lu••king in their Laterane, measuring and apporcioring by ynch∣meale as it were all the compasse of purgatory, and all manner the punishementes thereof: where they plundge some poore soules intoo deepe pittes, boy∣ling with fire and brimstone: other some for a fewe pence they plucke out againe. They appoint spe∣cial and priuate Masses to be solempnly mumbled vp in all corners of their Churches: they sitte bussing about

their holy mysteries, whyspering in an vnknowne tongue: the sacrament they blaze aloft, to the gaze of the people, not to be eaten, but to be worshipped of them: and the same also in open daylight they carry abroade a pro∣cession vppon a whyte ambling palfray attended with torchelight, belles, and banners, if any solemnytie or tri∣umphe happē to be. With besmeared greasy fingers they consecrate oyle, waxe, salte, water, belles, chalices, al∣tars and coapes. They make open markets of iubiles, Graces, immunities, expectations, preuentions, An∣nates, palles, bulles, indulgences and pardons.

What? do they thinke these knackes to be sufficient warrants towardes the creation of the vicar of Christ? or to the establishing of Apostolicke succession on earth? and that some one wretched caytif, not for any singular excellency of fayth, or vertue, wherein hee surpasseth o∣thers, but for a most fryuolous tytle of place, and chayre only, wherein hee may bee enstalled, which may aswell happen to the most doltish asse in the worlde, as to some woorthy or famous personage, may of right clayme so∣ueraigntie ouer the Churche of God, for sitting in that chayre onely, and therein vaunt himselfe to be the chiefe Prelate? Bishop of Bishoppes? and head of the whole vniuersal Church? Wherein hee may thinke it lawefull for him to do what him lusteth? through the which slip∣ping his neck out of the coller of his dewe obedience to the higher powers, he may presume to enforce vnder his yoake kinges, and countreys, and therby set al nations in vproare, with fire and sworde: and vsurpe more then lordly controllership ouer al other Churches, and himself lyke a tragical king vppon a stage, sitting in a golden chayre, crowned with a tryple crowne, garnished in a coape of tyssue, with kingly scep••er in hād, twoo swords, and a golden Dyademe beset with pearle and precious stoanes, ryde lyke a lurdei•• (lordling I would say) vpon

noble mens shoulders? O swee•••• Sainct Peter. Is this to succeede Peter in Apostleshippe? is this to sit in Peters chayre without any sparke of Peters quali∣ties? or is it to sit in the chayre of pestilence? And what if the Turke spoyling the Pope of the same chayre should sit therein?* 1.158 would the dignitie of the place make him Peters successor foorthwith? or what if the Pope himselfe, as hee sitteth in Peters chayre, had also nowe in possession Peters fisherboate: shoulde hee therefore for Peters fisherboate, become any whi••••e the more skilful fisherman? Wherein to my simple con••eite see∣meth to haue chaunced too the Pope a matter not much vnlike to that, whereof wee reade mention made by Lu∣cian, of one Neanthus the sonne of Pittacus:* 1.159 who ha∣uing Orpheus harpe, altogither (••ccording to the olde prouerbe) an asse vpon the harpe: conceauing a vaine & foolishe opinion of himselfe, was perswaded that imme∣diatly vpon the sounding of the harpe, hee shoulde make wooddes and rockes to runne hopping after him. This cockeborrel clowne theref••re w••ndering abroade ouer hilles and dales, and merueling that ••he woodes, & rocks would no•• sturre out of their place, at the so••••de of the harpe, but stande stil as before vnmoueable, neuer left stryking, stre••ching, thumping, and sounding the harp, vntil at length, hee made himselfe to bee loathed of the brute beasts, with the h••rshe and confused noyse, & skra∣ping the s••rings: and so became a pray to dogges, which tare him in pieces, and did gnaw his flesh and boanes in∣to gobbets. And what els dooth this Romishe pre∣late present vnto vs with his stately stoole,* 1.160 whervpon h••e doateth no lesse fondly franticke, ••hen the seely caytif vpō his harpe? For what shold let it, but that Orpheus harpe may aswel make a cunning harper, as Peters chayre an holy bishop: if wee haue therein no further consideration then of the material chayre?

But heere loe againe a freshe reply of a long and ne∣uer discontinued succeeding of bishoppes rusheth out a∣gainst vs: wherby they sucke out the very source, and wel∣spring of their succession euen from the Apostles them∣selues: and to countena••ce out the matter amongest the auncient doctors are alledged as champions of valour, Tertullian, Irene, and Augustine, who doo not a little ad∣uaunce the dignitie of ecclesiastical succession. They doo yeelde to the Church honor in deede: but how? and when? forsooth in their disputations to confirme the antiquity of the scriptures, against such as did vtterly deny them. Let vs also consider the tyme when they did so: foorsooth euen then, when as the very auncient integritie of godlinesse, vertue, true religion, and sinceritie of doctryne was re∣siaunt in the succession of Bishoppes: and when as yet the Sea of Rome taught nothing else, but that which was agreable too the Catholicke doctrine, approued and allowed in Christian Churches. Hithertoo yet was no cause giuen why they shoulde make any special com∣plaint against that Sea: the fundation whereof they had hearde say might bee attributed too Peter espe∣cially, by••ause they perceaued that the countenaunce thereof auailed much to the appeasing of schismes. But if Augustine and the other auncient Fathers were lyuing nowe, and shoulde heare and see these horrible he∣resies, monstruouse maskinges, and peeuishe puppettes, wherewith this holy Sea ouerwhelmeth the whole world at this present, they woulde chaunge their note, and sing a farre other manner of song of the intollerable pryde and ambition of this Sea: and woulde with no lesse ve∣hemency of spirite, then other godly mynisters at this present,* 1.161 bende themselues tooth, and nayle against the same. And y••t touching that beadrol of succession where∣vppon they bragge as neuer at any time discontinued: with what face dare these Romish Rutterkynes face it

out with a carde of tenne as it were, which hath beene so many yeeres turmoyled with schismes, encombred with so many chaunces and chaunges of bishoppes, eche striuing against other for the title of that Sea: where many tymes three Popes, and for the more parte twoo Popes haue challenged the chayre: not vnlyke lusty gal∣launces who bee ielouse of theyr paramoures: in so much that it coulde not bee easily discerned who ought to bee receaued for the true Pope: that I speake nothing meanewhyles of al those which by fraude, by symony, by violence, by murthers, by witchecraft, necromancy, and diuelishe practises, I say not, haue crept couertly in, but rudely rusht vppon the foresaide succession. To passe also ouer, that filthy discontinuance of the same Sea, wherin was chopt into chayre as successor, not Iohn a bi∣shop, but Ioane that shamelesse strūpet: whose successors they must needes confesse themselues to bee euen as yet, if to deriue the succeeding order of successiue Prelates, from the direct lyne of the predecessors, bee of so greate emportaunce.

But of Peter and his succession ynough nowe: whome albeeit wee yeelde to haue sometyme sitte as Bishoppe in Rome (which maketh not so greatly to the purpose) yet what is that to the Pope of Rome nowe? forsoothe Christ gaue charge, you 〈◊〉〈◊〉 s••a, of his sheepe to Peter. This is true indeede: but it was to the ende hee shoulde feede them, and not to plucke their skinnes from of their backes: But you feede not, but suck the blood of Christs sheepe, and yet requyre to be accompted Christes vicars and Peters successors? And thinke you in this so glo∣rious a light of good learninge and Euangelicall do∣ctryne, to finde such blo••kish bussardes, whome yee may persuade that your bragges bee true, wherewith yee may bee able too bleat? the eyes of men any longer with that glauering shadowe of vaine tytle and name?

If you bee of that minde: by your leaue syr, you doo erre wonderfully, if at least the ••ishop of Rome may, possibly erre. But I w••l not say you do erre, if you see it not•• but I wil boldely affirme, you are starke madde rather. For what shal I say? doo yee not perceaue howe your coun∣celles ••ee discouered? da•• yee not feele your craftes, fraudes, disceits, practi••es, robberies, lyes, filthinesse, crakes, vanities, errours, blasphemies, d••uises too bee l••ide open before al mens eyes? Is it not apparaunt vn∣to you that mens consciences do nowe perfectly beholde your cankred malice and cursed conspiring against Christes Gospel? ••hat I neede not meane whyles rippe abroade your dayly murthers aswel olde as newe, wher∣with your vnquencheable tyranny of sauadge bloodthir∣stines seemeth as yet altogither insatiable. These outra∣gies so many, and so manifest hee that seeth not with his eyes, him wil I not account so much blinde of sight as voide of vnderstanding: he that doth not detest them, him may I wel iudge, to bee not onely not acquainted with any partaking of ciuil humanitie: but an vtter alyen and straunger to al vertue, godlynes, and pieti••. Your trayte∣rous treacheries are more notoriously manifest to al peo∣ple and tongues, then may any longer be coloured: more execrable then can bee borne withal. Your counterfayte hornes these many hundred yeeres nowe couer••d with cloudes w••erw••th you haue hidden a rauening blo••dsuc∣ker vnder the visor of a meek•• lambe, be appara•••• nowe, yea beleue me, pope, they not only more apparā••ly glis••er in mens eyes, then the sunne shine in midday: but a••so are become very bables & mockeries in euery mans month: in so much that no man is ••o poore blinde but doth easily discerne•• no man so blockishe, but dooth hartely la••gh them to sko••ne.

There was a tyme peraduenture heeretofore, whenas these foggy misles of blundered ignoraunce did dazel the

eyes of men, when as that most happy facultie of im∣printing & reading of purer sciences, most fatall to your sacred Sea, was not yet published abroade in the world, wherein some place and time might haue beene reserued to cloake your palpable darkenesse. But nowe sithens the gladsome dawning of mo••te resplendisaunt veritie discouereth it selfe, wherewith you may see mens vnder∣standing illumined and eyes enlightned through Gods wonderful bountie and mercy: sithens remaineth no foxe∣hole nowe in these Regions wherein you may shroude the daseled drowsinesse of your eluishe errors:* 1.162 what other hope may you conceiue of those rotten ragges of moste barbarous grossenes••e, and lothsome pilfe of filthie super∣stition, but that yee geue place vnto fortune, and abide some better chaunce? And being conuinced with the truth it self, if ye can not be reclaimed to chaunge your mindes, yet for very shame chaunge your chaire at the least, and runne away into some desart, and from thence conueigh your selues into some vnknowne nations, who haue not hytherto tasted nor beene deluded, with those Romishe gewgawes, stagelike statelines, & masking myzemases: you can now no longer deceiue bs, as men that haue been more then enough ouerridden and galled with those your misdemeanours. Perhaps poore Christian carkasses may bee pinched with the crampes of your tyranny. Certes their heartes bee nowe so altogeather estraunged from that common Iuggeler Rome, and from that false fornicator Sea: as that no hope remaineth now, for euer recouering them againe. And to the ende yee doe no lon∣ger vainely stroke your selues yee Romane Bishoppes with false opinion of assured securitie: vnderstande yee for certaintie, that the worlde is turned quite con∣trary, wherein yee may see the heauenly trompe of the glorious Gospell preuailing against you, your craftie packing, your false forged doctrine, your hypocrital holy∣nesse,

your rauenous raging, your suttle masking can no longer nowe creepe in corners. The very vnlec∣red multitude of Chris••ians doth beginne nowe too open theyr eyes, & too beholde the lightsome brightnesse of the trueth. Gods people is otherwyse instructed nowe then heeretofore, when all the speaches of those Popishe Pre∣lates were holden for Gospell, and when the chiefe foun∣dation of religion was grounded not vpon Gods worde, but vpon the Popes authoritie. But nowe who can bee so witlesse a wayward, so senselesse a dottard, that canno•• easily perceiue your errour in religion, your rebelling in conuersation, and your pride of life? who also beholdeth it, & doth not from the very bottome of his heart detest & abhorre you? And heerein surely the matter is come to a good issue, That suche a durtie religion is fathered vpon so drowsie a dotterell: for suche is the religion, as nothing can be more superstitious, nothing more estraunged from Christe: Suche is your life, as nothing can bee more pernicious too the tranquillitie and peace of Christi∣ans.

Wherfore sith you can in no wise be ignorāt of the dead∣ly hatred of all godly personages, set one fire against you, procured by your own mischieuous and infamous villa∣nies, and which you haue long sithens deserued: What other Counsell will ye that I geue you, but as I said be∣fore, to make a necessarie choyse of one of these two: ey∣ther to be of the minde to flee the Countrey wherein yee remaine now, or to chaunge the religion which you haue wickedly defiled? But being fully perswaded that you will accept neither of them, and perceiuing you too bee of that sorte, whome neither shame of the worlde can driue too your duetie, nor feare of God can restraine within the bounds of modestie, nor any maner of curtesie can re∣claime from crueltie, wander on in your purposed race as much and as long as you will for mee: I wyll geue you

••••ee scope to raunge in that Maze of Turkishe impietie wherein yee ruffle: and too lulle your selues asleepe in those brainsicke broyles wherein yee triumphe, neyther am I any thing at al disquieted with your barking bulls and bloodthirstie curses,* 1.163 which you haue vomi••ed out so seditiously against Christian Churches, without any great daunger thanked be God. Nor am I ought terri∣fied with your accusations as falsly forged, as fraught ful of poyson, neyther moued with these your filthie slanders and vnspeakeable raylings wherewith you haue currishe∣ly gnawne many Godly Princes,* 1.164 and of late also back∣bitten and slaundered the moste Soueraigne Ladie and Princely Paragon of England the Queenes Maiesties person chiefly, then also her noble kingdome and renow∣med nation.

WIth infamous slaunders layde vnto our charge by you (to speake no more now as of my ••elf, but in the person of her highnesse:* 1.165 for so take it nowe as though not I, but the Queenes Maiestie called you too accounte for your shamelesse impudencie against her) if wee had re∣ceiued of any other besides this Romane Antichriste: we woulde thinke it not amisse to frame some more speciall speaches in defence of our innocencie. But as now what coulde haue beene more excellently applyed, to the right commendation of our renowme, what coulde haue been more effectually added to the increase of our euerlasting honour, then to bee thus accursed of you, being the moste cursed enimie of Christ aboue all other, with whō no man can possibly be in league, vnlesse he be a sworne enimie vn¦too you: neither can any man be otherwise acceptable vnto him, except hee bee at deadly foade with you? So that for this cause chiefly aboue all other, wee doe yeelde moste heartie and humble thankes too the high and euerlasting Maiestie, in that it hath pleased hym ••o vouchsafe vs this so great and vnspeakeable honor.

For why shoulde wee not Iudge our selfe too bee highly honored in this behalfe, more then in any thing else togi∣ther with other godly and holy ones of my Lorde God for this, that t••is Sebah doe••h so vnmannerly rage a∣gainst vs, persecuting vs so vnciuilly with his bulles, not so muche for any our deserte, as for the defence of Christe and his Gospel which we do prof••sse. In which kinde of crosse, whereas two things occurre to be duely considered of eche godly Christian: not onely what iniu∣ry is offered, but also by whom, and for what cause it is susteyned: Then as often as we haue recourse to this last poynt, we are not a little recomforted against your chole∣ricke curses, by the sweete speeches of the gladsome Gos∣pel:* 1.166

Blessed are they that suffer persecution for righ∣teousnesse sake: and when men curse you, speaking al euill against you, belying you for my sake•• &c.

With which kinde of persecution sithens yee are now purposed to proceed•• against vs, you could not by any meanes haue vttered any one more manyfest a token of true consolati∣on, and certaine assurance of infallible comfort, then by this grosse rankor of minde conceiued against vs: which doeth assure vs of Christes vndoubted benignitie, high fauour & grace powred foorth vpon vs for the same. For if to be euil spoken of for doing good vnto others be accoun¦ted for a princely ornament, euen with the most re••ow∣med Princes: and if there can bee no greater prayse at∣tributed too any person then to be slaundered and repro∣ched of the wicked: then questionles to bee maliciously & vndeseruedly maligned of this Antichristian Atheist, we think it not so much a cōmendation meet for a Princesse, as a renowme rather wel beseeming an Empresse, which also we do plainly confesse to be one of the fayrest flowers of our floorishing garland.

Wel then (ye Prelate of Rome) forasmuch as ye shame nothing after your wōted want of discretiō so vnaduisedly

to scatter abroad all slanderous reproches against kings and queenes, tel vs I beseeche you, what that so great haynousnes may be, that causeth you to bray out so vndis∣cretly against vs. Wee heere say yee haue called vs in your Bulles, Bondmaiden of all wickednesse: and ac∣cuse our kingdome too bee the refuge of all Heretiques. Good God, what strange and monstrous shamelesnes is this? Dare this Babylonicall Strumpet bee so voide of shame, as to condemne others of wicked life, which when shee hath throwne out all maner of cursed speaches and slaunders, that her lying choler can imagine, shall yet neuer bee able too discharge one halfe of her vgly abho∣minations, wherewith she swarmeth on all partes most horrible and euidently apparant? For what common Channel or Sincke can be more vnsauery then your life and Court? But as concerning your owne loathsome filthinesse, wee referre you ouer to answere for your selfe before the high Iudge. In the meane time too speake somewhat for our selfe, in fewe woordes be ye thus satis∣fied. First, that neither it is, nor euer hath beene any our nature or qualitie, to make boast of our good life before God, as the Pharisees vse too do: for wee dare not pre∣sume vppon any suche innocencie: And yet on the other side, wee wyll not so condemne our conuersation before men as we think it when it is at the worst to be in any re∣spect so stained or blame worthie as yours is. Now when we name you, we meane not one particular person only, not Pius the 5. nor Gregory the 13, but we comprehend therein the whole rabble of that rebellions Gallantes al∣together: neither do we simply condemne the whole Sea or succession of Romane bishop? namely that Sea which in the sweete nurcery of the pure and primitiue Church was euer highly commended & praysed by sundry mens writinges, and iudgementes: suche a one as the Poet Ennius maketh mention of,

* 1.167Autentike lawes, and sages gray, Keepe Rome in state and ciuill stay.

But we speake of this Rome, which ruleth the roast a•• this present, so fouly fallen from the aun••ient steppes of her auncestours, from faith, from grauitie, from reli∣gious life: not that other auncient Rome long sithens buried, raked in graue, and worne out of memory: but a certayne chaungeling fr••mshapen Rome, nowe of late start vp, so altogeather vnlike too that former, by howe much that first florished in grau••ty, discipline, vertue and trueth: and this other wallowing & weltring in vanitie, riotte, riches, pride, ambition, extortion, licentiousnesse, and filthie delightes of this worlde, seemeth vtterly for∣lorne, hauing no sparke of remembraunce or countenance almost of the auncient int••gritie, no partaking with Christe: nor any maner of affinitie with Christes Apo∣stles.

In which Sea, I meane the Sea of this present age, wee may easily discerne the vsual practises of that Ro∣mishe Antichriste not vnknowne too the whole worlde. Neither doth this holy father therefore rayle vpon vs so barbarously, because he thinketh vs to be so licentious in deede, as he slaundereth vs maliciously in words, neither would he reprooue vs one iot•• the more for that cause, though we were in very deede much worse then wee are: nay rather wee shoulde bee so muche the more dearely be loued of him, by howe muche wee resembled him neerest in leawdnesse and loosenesse of life. But there lurketh an other snake in the greene grasse,* 1.168 which bicause he neither discloseth in his Bulles, nor the simplicitie of the godlye can easily discerne, we wil franckly make knowne to the whole worlde. And this it is: If wee woulde yeeld our

person and our kingdome to the Romish Halter, and suf∣fer the marke of the beast to be sealed vpon our forehead, af••er the maner of some Princes, and with as great affec∣tion as they doe: Certes no kinde of inordinate licenci∣ousnesse, were it neuer so abhominable, might be any such estoppel to barre vs out of the number & Beadroll of his dearest Sonnes & Daughters: but shoulde bee beautifi∣ed with as much of the Apostolike blessing, as the dearest dearling of all the crue. Now because wee haue shaken of these peeuish Papane fe••••ers, and betaken our selues to that Emperiall standarde of true religion, vnder the which wee haue chosen to aduenture our life for Christes glory and honour, rather then to remaine in thraldom vn∣der the Pope: Heerof commeth it that we be reproched with this foule name, to wit, a Bondmaide of all treache¦ry: this is it that makes him to boyle with so hotte hart-burning against vs. And thus muche hytherto nowe of that which you may conceiue either vttered already a∣gainst you by the renowmed Queene of Englande, or at the least as muche as her highnesse might iustly speake vnto you: which neuerthelesse if had beene set downe by her owne penne, woulde haue beene muche more artifici∣ally and princely deliuered, if her highnesse woulde haue vouchsafed so much to haue embased her Maiestie, as too deale with such a monster,

Nowe I returne vnto my selfe, and the publique defence of that little Ilande, which with cursed mouth you doe slaunder too bee the kingdome of Here∣tiques: expressing heerein the very shape and conditi∣ons of that frowarde Phormio in Terence, who alone marring the whole Action, and for the same cause apprehended too cleare him selfe before the Iudge, became first an accuser of others. Semblably and with no lesse shamelesse impudencie this Laterane not

Terentian Phormio accuseth them for Heretiques & A∣postataes. And why so I pray you? because they haue reuoulted from Christe at any time, denyed or shronke co∣wardly from faith? No, not so, but because they haue for∣saken that sacred Sea of Romishe Churche, wherein they were once settled. Yea, is it so? Shall there bee no Church then, but that only Churche of Rome? Shal they bee all accounted to be without the body of Christe, which doe acknowledge Christe for their supreme head? What? is it of more emportance to be slaues vnto the Pope, then to bee souldiers vnto Chris••? No: But they affirme, that there is no Churche, where the Pope is not head. What Church then I pray you, was that in Asia and Palestine before Peter euer sawe Rome? Yea put the case Peter had neuer seene Rome in all his life: shoulde there there∣fore haue beene no Churche at all? Doth the state of Bi∣shops make the Churche of Christe to be a Churche, or doth the authoritie of the Churche make Bishops? But they say there is no hope of saluation without the church: I do heare it, and confesse it to be true: yet this is no good argument to prooue, that there is no Church at al, except it be subiect to the Pope. I adde moreouer, That where they say, that there is no hope of saluation without the Church:* 1.169 that this saying is to be construed to apperteine to that church only, which is the very vndoubted spouse of Christe, and which is also married vnto Christe her hus∣bande, not because saluation is so necessarily tyed to the Churche, as though the Churche bestowed it of her owne meere liberalitie and bountie: but for the mutuall & immutable coupling together of the head with y^e body. Whereby it commeth to passe, that whosoeuer is made partaker of sauing health in Christ being the head: the same can in no wise bee a straunger from the socie••ie of the Church. And againe, neither can such a one be an outcast from the Church, vnlesse hee bee first cast off by

Christ the heade and prince of the Church.

Which beeing concluded vpon: with what argu∣ments nowe doth this counterfeyte successour of Peter conuince vs for outcasts and Apostataes from partaking with the bodie, who through fayth bee engraffed into Christ? Who bee not seuered from the true and Catho∣like fayth of Christ? For if nothing else make an vtter separation from Christ, but obstinate rebellion from Christian fayth and Christian conuersation: what trea∣cherous rebellion eyther in our doctrine, or in our ma∣ners can these Romanistes espie in vs, so blame worthie, which may not much more iustly be rebounded vpon their owne backes? Forsooth (say they) bycause wee holde not the Catholike fayth.* 1.170 Go to then. Sith they stand•• so nicely vppon this poynt: let vs faythfully discusse, what maner of fayth that is which they call Catholike. If the same be the Catholike fayth which Athanasius dooth sette out in his Creede,* 1.171 or which the Councell of Nyce did determine vppon for inuiolable••* 1.172 From which article of the Creede can you shewe that they haue reuolted?

But here againe some iangling Iay of this Sea will vrge, that bycause they holde not the Catholike fayth of the Romaine Church,* 1.173 therefore they holde not the true Catholike fayth. Well sayde. Hereby then I do perceyue that it auayleth no whitte to bee accounted Christians and Catholikes, vnlesse they be Romanistes also. Let vs learne therefore of these Romanistes, what it meaneth to be a Romanist. Truly I beleeue it is thi••: That the Pope of Rome must of necessitie be accounted for the very and vndoubted vniuersal Bishop of Bishops: the Pope of Rome must be esteemed chiefe head & gene∣rall Lorde of the whole Catholike Churche: vnto whom and vnto all whose commaundementes, statutes and de∣crees, all people and nations must bee buxam and bon∣naire

vpon paine of damnation. Is it so in deede? who∣soeuer reteigne not this fayth, though he holde fast and firmely m••in••eyne all other thinges agreeable with the holie ordinaunces of God, and all the Articles of the Creede, and fayth of the Church: shall not the same bee adiudged for Catholike? No, Sir I trowe. But if this be true: surely neyther the Churches of Alexandria, of Antyoche•• of ••erusalem, of Constantinople, of Af∣fricke, nor yet that auncient Church of little Brytaine, shall be reckoned for Catholike. To what purpose then spake Basil these woordes, where making mention of the Church in his Epistles hee sayeth:* 1.174 The Catholike and Apostolical Church abandoneth &c. When as yet notwithstanding in that Church of Greece, which hee auoweth to bee Catholike and Apostolike, the stately loftinesse of Rome had not so highly aduaunced it selfe? And therefore wee must needes scrape out of the Ka∣le••der of Catholikes,* 1.175 Basil, Athanasius, Nazianzen, Tertullian, Augustine, Cyprian, Eusebius, Theodo∣rete, and all 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the most famous Bishoppes of the Greeke and Latine Churches: all which though doub∣ted nothing, but that they were true Catholikes, yet did no one of them professe himselfe to bee a Romanist after this rule. Neither can the grosse ignorance of ma∣nie learned Fathers be any wise excused, who first fra∣med the Articles of our Creede vnto vs.* 1.176 For if no Church ought to be reputed for Christian or Catholike, but that which is of Rome: then were those auncient Fathers much to blame, who, in setting downe the Ar∣ticles of the Creede, did neglect and so lightly passe ouer this vpstart Article of the Romish Sea: that where we bee commaunded to beleeue one holy Catholike and A∣postolike Church, they did not in like maner commaund vs to beleeue the Romaine Church withal.

Hereby you perceiue well ynough (holie Father)

into what combersome straightes and abs••rdities, you haue whirled your selfe by your blinde vnaduised rash∣nesse. For first•• if no certaintie of saluation bee to bee ho∣ped for out of the Church, which Church must be without all question that same verie Church of Rome, as you frame your arguments, and that the Church of Rome be none other but the same which is ••trayned and streighted to the vniuersal commaundes and decrees of the Bishop of Rome: now then you do exempt out of the priuiledge of the Church, not that one English Nation alone, foreclo∣sing them all passable way to saluation, but togither with them also you do exclude out of the number of the Catho∣likes, infinit other famous learned Clearkes of the aun∣cient and pure age of the Church, Doctours, Patriar∣ches and Bishops, yea amongest these also all the Bi∣shoppes of Rome as many as were Gregories p••edeces∣sors. But what neede manie prooues in a matter of it selfe so manifest and well knowne? Undoubtedly si∣thence Christ woulde vouchsafe to lay the first founda∣tion, yea and to builde vp that beautifull and euerlasting buylding of his owne hou••e vppon none other ground∣woorke, than vpon that cor••er stone of Christian fayth, and Christian confession: And if Paul doubted nothing to recompte the same fayth to bee the onelie and infal∣lible shoote anker of saluation: by what lawe then will he adiudge them as outcastes worthie to be banished from the Catholike and Apostolike Church, which professe the self same fayth of Christ, that the Apostles and other Ca∣tholike Churches did profe••••e?

But the Pope (I suppose) will denie,* 1.177 That to be∣leeue in Christ, and to worship him in heauen as our one∣ly heade sufficeth to true fayth and saluation, vnlesse we doe withall professe the Pope of Rome to be chiefe heade of the Church here on earth, and our selues generally

all to be members of the same Church. If it be so: that the fayth of Christ be not suff••cient ynough for the fayth∣full vnto saluation, except the pompe of the Pope bee propt vp togither with the Maiestie of God: what can bee more agreeable with reason, then to make vs here three Tabernacles,* 1.178 one to Christ, an other to the Pope, and the thirde (and good will) to the Cardinals? To con∣clude: This also ministreth no small cause of maruelling, why the Pope doth not require vs likewise to correct the fourme and wordes of our Baptisme: for as much as the fayth which we haue vowed to Christ in our Baptisme, auayleth nothing to enfranchise vs, nor to make vs free denezens of the Catholike Church, except to this neces∣sitie of fayth, be tyed withall an other tagge of humble obedience to the Pope of Rome: That wee correct (I say) the wordes of our Baptisme, That whosoeuer bee baptized in the name of the Father, of the Sonne, and of the holy Ghost, be baptized also in the name of our most holy Lorde the Pope. But if this bee true, the cer••en∣tie whereof cannot be denied: That wee were neuer ad∣mitted into the participation of holy Churche in the Popes name, and that the want thereof is no maner of Estoppell to barre vs any way from being vnited vnto Christ as members of his bodie: howe dare that lying mou••h be so monstruously impudent, as to condemne the seruaunts of Christ for Heretiques to exclaime agaynst vs as Apostataes and runnagates from the Church? to accuse kinges and Quee••es to bee supporters of Here∣tikes? Nay rather by what reason or Scripture will he defen••e himselfe so, that all the worlde may not plainly perceyue him to bee the verie selfe same, whome Saint Paule in his Epistle to the Thessalonians doth by most euident demonstration forewarne them shoulde come:* 1.179 who sitting in the Temple of God, shoulde keepe a sturre

not as a minister of Christe, but most arrogantly vaunt himselfe to be as a God. Which woordes sithence doe so in all pointes accorde with the life and manners of the Pope, as that they can not seeme to signifie any other. Let the Pope bee throughly well aduised first, howe hee may bee able to cleare himselfe before God, before he accuse others before men. But an other time shal serue more fit for this treaty, hereafter more at large God willing.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The vniuersall Churche dooth complain•• or ex¦po••••ulate with the Bishopp of Rome.
• * 1.2

  The beast men¦tioned in the Apocalipse the 13•• & 14. Chap
• * 1.3

  The pompe of the Pope.
• * 1.4

  Ci••e••o against Catilin••.
• * 1.5

  A defence of the Church of En∣gland against the seditious Bulles of the Pope.
• * 1.6

  Pope Pius ••••e fif••h raging a∣gainst Elizabe••h Queen of Eng¦lande.
• * 1.7

  Pope Grego••ie 13. enflamed against En∣gland and the Queene of En∣glande.
• * 1.8

  A complaint a∣gainst the Popes of Rome.
• * 1.9

  2. Cor. 1••••
• * 1.10

  What the po∣wer of the Church is and how farre it stretcheth.
• * 1.11

  The Pope cruelly raging against the god¦ly without all cause or reason.
• * 1.12

  Philip. 1.
• * 1.13

  Io•••• .1.
• * 1.14

  Luke .••••
• * 1.15

  Christ can not be receaued vnlesse the Pope be ba∣nished.
• * 1.16

  Iohn .3. Chap.
• * 1.17

  Ep••e. 4.
• * 1.18

  2. C••r. 1.
• * 1.19

  1. ••eter 1.
• * 1.20

  Sau••ders in his Ierarchi∣cal Monarchy••
• * 1.21

  How the charge of a Sheape∣heard•• is limi∣ted and howe it ought to be dis∣charged.
• * 1.22

  Rom. 13.
• * 1.23

  One onely vni∣uer••all head of the vniuersall Church.
• * 1.24

  The vniuersall Ierarchie of the Pope serueth to no vse in the Church of Chr••s••e.
• * 1.25

  Cyprian the first booke, the third Epistle.
• * 1.26

  The Church in respect of soue∣raigntie, is a∣boue Apostles and Ministers. 1. Cor. 3.
• * 1.27

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 1••.
• * 1.28

  ••••th. 5.
• * 1.29

  Deut. ••2.
• * 1.30

  Roma. 12.
• * 1.31

  Actes 3.
• * 1.32

  How great an•• incomparable the state of the Romish sea was by the space of 500. yeares.
• * 1.33

  Domitian a mō∣struous tyra••t.
• * 1.34

  The happie in∣uen••ion of the ••rt of printing.
• * 1.35

  The proppes a••d ••il••ers of the Romish religion.
• * 1.36

  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.
• * 1.37

  William con∣querour.
• * 1.38

  Henry the f••••ste king of Englād
• * 1.39

  Henry the 2. king of Englād
• * 1.40

  Iohn king of England.
• * 1.41

  Henry the 3.
• * 1.42

  Mathevv of P••∣ris a chronicl••••.
• * 1.43

  Diuines put to sil••nce.

  As many as g•••••• saide the Pope, were m••r••yred with ••••r•• or tortures.
• * 1.44

  Out of the chro¦nicles of Henry of Euforde.
• * 1.45

  The Chronicle of Iohn Auen∣••••••e 7. booke.
• * 1.46

  Iohn Hus.
• * 1.47

  I••••o•••• •••• ••rage••
• * 1.48

  The decay of Romishe Sea to bee imput••d not to men but God only.
• * 1.49

  2. Thes. 2.
• * 1.50

  The prophesie of Iohn Hus a∣gainst the pope
• * 1.51

  In the yeere of our Lord 141•• I•• the yee•••• of our Lord 1517
• * 1.52

  The Propheti∣cal dreame of Iohn Hus con∣cerning the Ro¦mish Sea.
• * 1.53

  The Art of prin¦ting beganne in the yere 1440
• * 1.54

  By what meanes and oc∣casions the Churche of Christe wa••re couered.
• * 1.55

  Errors and con¦fusion in the popes doctrine.
• * 1.56

  The meanes that God vsed to ouerthrowe the Pope.
• * 1.57

  By what meanes the no∣blest science be∣gan to be reuea¦led in this later age.
• * 1.58

  The champiōs of the christian warfare were ••aised vp by God.
• * 1.59

  The first appe∣••••ng of Luther.
• * 1.60

  The Pope be∣ing the scourge of the Gospell setteth himselfe against Christe and his ••ospel.
• * 1.61

  Iohn .15.
• * 1.62

  God himselfe fighteth against the outrage of the Pope.
• * 1.63

  The Pop••s vp∣roares in France a••d Flaunders.
• * 1.64

  The pop••s practises a∣gainst Englād.
• * 1.65

  Io••n•• 16.
• * 1.66

  Apoca. 17.
• * 1.67

  The lambe a ••onquerour.
• * 1.68

  The double con¦quest of C••ri••••: One in his own person alr••adie past, the other in the Saintes yet to come.
• * 1.69

  Henry the frēch king being hurt in the eye with a shiuer of a launce died.
• * 1.70

  Queene Mary of England.
• * 1.71

  The Pope pro∣cure•• warre a∣ga••••••t 〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.72

  E••p••rour. Iu••ian the Car∣dinall.
• * 1.73

  Cisca Capteine of the Bohemy∣ans.
• * 1.74

  The example o•• ••od•• ••••n∣gea••••ce 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Iu∣lian the Ca••di∣nall.
• * 1.75

  The Councell of ••as••••.
• * 1.76

  The state of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 often∣tym•••• ••eliue∣r••d fr••m ••he ••o••es treche∣••••••••.
• * 1.77

  The siege of Rochel.
• * 1.78

  The Citizens of Rochel defēded.
• * 1.79

  Rochel defen∣ding it self, was for the kings behoofe not a∣gainst the k••ng.
• * 1.80

  Apoca. 17.
• * 1.81

  Martine Lu∣ther.
• * 1.82

  Acts .12.
• * 1.83

  Cocleus In the historie of the Hussians. 11•• booke.
• * 1.84

  Ex Tomo 14. Conc. pag. 66••.
• * 1.85

  The Pope•• pride.
• * 1.86

  ••••. Quest. ••. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.87

  De Ma••••rita••e: ••na.
• * 1.88

  Ex Tomo Concil. in oratione Ste∣phan Patra••••∣••••••••is.
• * 1.89

  Luke. 1••••
• * 1.90

  The ancient fa∣thers agaynst the Popes su∣••remacie.
• * 1.91

  Gregories te∣stimony against the Popes su∣premacie.
• * 1.92

  Gregory in his seuenth booke the 30. Epistle to Eulogius.
• * 1.93

  Gregorie in the same place.
• * 1.94

  Gregorie in the 4. booke the 38 Epistle to the Bishop of Con∣stantinople.
• * 1.95

  Pro. 17.
• * 1.96

  Greg••ry in his 4 booke the 38 Epi••tl•• to Lu∣••o••.
• * 1.97

  Peter was nei∣ther head of the Church, nor vniuersall Apo∣••••l••.
• * 1.98

  Galat. 2.
• * 1.99

  Chrys••st. vpon Paules Ep••∣stle to the Ro∣man••s.
• * 1.100

  The vniuersall Iurisdiction of the Pope confu¦ted.
• * 1.101

  Iohn .6.
• * 1.102

  Luke .14.
• * 1.103

  Iohn .13.
• * 1.104

  Matth. 23.
• * 1.105

  Luke .16.
• * 1.106

  Matth. 5.
• * 1.107

  In what sense Peter was cal∣le•• prince of the Apostles.
• * 1.108

  Peter called prince of the Apostles, as Ci∣cero was called prince of elo∣quence, in re∣••pect of e••cel∣lencie not of su∣per••oritie.
• * 1.109

  Mat. 4.
• * 1.110

  Luke 5.
• * 1.111

  Iohn. 21.

  Peter made fisher of men not prince of men.
• * 1.112

  Actes .8.
• * 1.113

  Pope Alexan∣der the 3.
• * 1.114

  H••stiensis.
• * 1.115

  Extrauagan d•• e∣••ect•• & electi po∣••••state.
• * 1.116

  Hadri••n.
• * 1.117

  Cl••m••nt. 5••
• * 1.118

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.119

  Hon••rius. 3.
• * 1.120

  Gregory. 9.
• * 1.121

  Vrbanus. 4.
• * 1.122

  Innocent. 4.
• * 1.123

  Clement. 4.
• * 1.124

  All the French in Sicile, yong and olde, were slaine at the sound of a bell.
• * 1.125

  Martin. 4••
• * 1.126

  Honorius. 4.
• * 1.127

  Nichol••s. 4.
• * 1.128

  Boniface. 8.
• * 1.129

  Clement .5.
• * 1.130

  Iohn .22.
• * 1.131

  Vrbane .6.
• * 1.132

  Clement.
• * 1.133

  Martine .5
• * 1.134

  Pius .2.
• * 1.135

  Sixtus .4.
• * 1.136

  Iulius .2.
• * 1.137

  Paulus .3.
• * 1.138

  The succession of the Pope discouered and confuted.
• * 1.139

  2. Quest. 7. Om∣nes.
• * 1.140

  Dist. 40.
• * 1.141

  ••erome writing to Helyodore.
• * 1.142

  The councel of Constance.
• * 1.143

  The ordinary succession pre∣fiteth nothing in the sight of God.
• * 1.144

  Ma••asses.
• * 1.145

  Caiaphas.
• * 1.146

  The I••wes.
• * 1.147

  Iohn .9.
• * 1.148

  Mat. 3.
• * 1.149

  Lu••e 2.
• * 1.150

  Mat. 23.
• * 1.151

  Iames .1.
• * 1.152

  Ephe. 5.
• * 1.153

  No resemblāce betwixt Peter and the Pope.
• * 1.154

  The state of the chayre of the Romish Mo∣narchy••
• * 1.155

  Betwixt the Pope and Pe∣ter.
• * 1.156

  Esay. 5. 2.
• * 1.157

  Ezechiel .34.
• * 1.158

  It is not the chayre, but the good life that maketh a man Apostolical.
• * 1.159

  Neanthus sonn•• of Pittacus.
• * 1.160

  The continu∣ance of succee∣ding Bishops in the Church, is no sufficient cloke to coulor error.
• * 1.161

  The ordinary succession of pope•• hath bin discontinued & broken of.
• * 1.162

  The light of doctrine and trueth restore••
• * 1.163

  The Pop••s Bull••s against the faithf••l s••r∣uants of Christ••
• * 1.164

  The slaunders of the Pope a∣gainst the Queene of England••
• * 1.165

  The Oration of Queene E∣lizabeth to the Pope.
• * 1.166

  Matth. 5.
• * 1.167

  L••••ius.
• * 1.168

  The cause of the Popes ma∣lice against El••zabe••h Queene of England.
• * 1.169

  How this say∣ing [without the Churche, is no hope of saluati∣on] must be con¦••trued.
• * 1.170

  The C••thol••k•• fay••h.
• * 1.171

  Athanasius Creede.
• * 1.172

  The Nycene Creede.
• * 1.173

  The Romish fayth.
• * 1.174

  B•••••••• in his 78. Epi••••le.
• * 1.175

  The Catholike church amongst the Grecians e••empt from the Church of Rome.
• * 1.176

  We read in our Cree•• the holy and Catholike Church, but not the Romain Church.
• * 1.177

  The onely fai••h and do••trine of Christ doth v∣nite C••risti••••s to the C••u••ch••
• * 1.178

  Three Taber∣nacles.
• * 1.179

  ••. Thessal. 2.