The historie of the defendors of the catholique faith Discoursing the state of religion in England, and the care of the politique state for religion during the reignes of King Henrry 8. Edward. 6. Queene Marie. Elizabeth. And our late souereigne, King Iames. ... With all, declaring by what means these kings & queenes haue obtained this title, defendor of the faith, and wherein they haue deserued it ... By Christopher Lever.
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Title
The historie of the defendors of the catholique faith Discoursing the state of religion in England, and the care of the politique state for religion during the reignes of King Henrry 8. Edward. 6. Queene Marie. Elizabeth. And our late souereigne, King Iames. ... With all, declaring by what means these kings & queenes haue obtained this title, defendor of the faith, and wherein they haue deserued it ... By Christopher Lever.
Author
Lever, Christopher, fl. 1627.
Publication
Printed at London :: By G. M[iller] for Nicolas Fussell and Humphrey Moseley, and are to be sold in Pauls Churchyard at the signe of the Ball,
1627.
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Subject terms
Church of England -- History -- Early works to 1800.
Great Britain -- Church history -- 16th century -- Early works to 1800.
Great Britain -- Church history -- 17th century -- Early works to 1800.
Cite this Item
"The historie of the defendors of the catholique faith Discoursing the state of religion in England, and the care of the politique state for religion during the reignes of King Henrry 8. Edward. 6. Queene Marie. Elizabeth. And our late souereigne, King Iames. ... With all, declaring by what means these kings & queenes haue obtained this title, defendor of the faith, and wherein they haue deserued it ... By Christopher Lever." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/a05382.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed May 28, 2024.
Pages
descriptionPage 191
OF QVEENE
MARIE, AND
of the alteration of the State
in the beginning of her
Time.
CHAP. XVIII.
FIRST, I am now to change
my Argument, and to
write not of mercy, but
of misery, of the aduersity,
not of the prosperity of
the Gospell, and how the
Catholike Faith was offended and not de∣fended,
by the Successor Queene Marie, who
made the most miserable change in the state
of England, that euer that Nation indured;
descriptionPage 192
she defacing the glorious worke of her Pre∣decessor
of K. Edward her princely brother,
extinguishing the lights of Truth, whereby
men were directed in the way of life, & ob∣scuring
al knowledge in the mist of Ignorāce,
and blacke error, in which blindnesse the
Christian world had for many yeares wan∣dered.
This Eclipse being now againe (by
the interpositiō of her darke time) brought
vpon this Nation. So that no light of Truth
was in her time to be seene, saue onely at the
burning Stakes of Martyrs, which holy fire
did kindle a Religious zeale in many Spe∣ctators,
that beheld the mercilesse crueltie
of the tormentors, and the Christian pati∣ence
of holy Saints tormented.
Secondly, And therefore I am not (as be∣fore)
to declare wherein Queene Marie hath
defended the Catholike Faith, because shee
neuer defended it in the least particular: but
(of the contrarie) how shee did bend the
powers of her endeauour, both against the
profession and the professors of true Chri∣stian
Faith, seeking by all violent and bloo∣die
meanes, to depresse the prosperity of
descriptionPage 193
Religion, whereof (by the dignity of her
place) she was made defendresse. And in
Truth it doth grieue me that I am to write the
dishonor of this Queene; which willingly I
would auoide, were the cause any other but
Religion, & but that the declaration of these
times, do tie me to a necessity of Truth, from
which I dare not aberre: for it were an euill
presumption in any one, to presume to write
History, & then to obscure the truth thereof
vpon what cause soeuer. For thereof would
issue a double inconuenience. First he should
wrong the vnderstandings of men in mis∣reporting
the Truth, & also lay an euil impu∣tation
on his name, in suppressing the know∣ledge
of Truth; which is the life and true mo∣uing
soule of all Historie.
Thirdly, And this I write in fauour of Q.
Marie, because of her extraordinary indu∣ments
of Nature. God hauing giuen her so
much Maiesty, and princely spirit, as might
serue to rule the greatest command in the
world; & if to her other gifts, God had giuen
her the knowledge of his Truth, she had well
deserued to haue bene named most excellēt,
descriptionPage 194
& to haue exceeded all the famous Queenes
in the world, saue her sister the most famous
Elizabeth, who hath exceeded her and al the
world in the honour of true deseruing.
Fourthly, Yet notwithstanding, all these
rare excellencies of nature merit little but
only pittie: for if the best beauty of nature,
haue not the benefit of grace, the greatest or∣naments
therof, are (then) but punishment
to them that so enioy them. And therefore
they that haue not the gifts of grace, haue
nothing of worth though they haue all that
nature can giue them: and happie had Q.
Marie bene if nature had giuen her lesse, and
grace more; because any little breath of
Gods Spirit is more worth than all other
blessings whatsoeuer; For nature adornes the
body, & grace the soule of euery one that
hath it, & commonly where the power of wit
& great spirit is in any one Subiect, not mo∣derated
by grace, they are then meanes to
make the enioyers of them most dangerous
instruments, because nature cannot moue it
self to good, but naturally to euill; and as the
naturall motion is more easie to the mouer
descriptionPage 195
than the violent. So the gifts of nature are
more inclinable to euill than to good ends,
being moued to euill by their owne proper
motion, but to goodnesse by the motion of
grace, which in all naturall things is violent
& against nature. And therfore was the Q.
more dangerous, hauing so much of nature,
because she was therby armed for euill, the
want of grace making her runne her natural
course, & her great spirit & other naturall in∣duments,
spurring her forward in her euill
passage, whereby she became enemie to her
self, mouing her self to her own destruction.
Fifthly, But that which made Q. Marie mon∣strous
in her euill, was the two much credit
she gaue to euill counsell, suffering her selfe
to be transported, by the violent spirits of e∣uill
and reuengefull men, who conceiuing a
grounded displeasure for some hard vsage
they indured in K. Edwards time, now take
aduantage to reuenge the cause for which
they had indured displeasure; & these men
(like euill spirits) breathed the spirits of in∣dignation
into the Queenes heart, & moued
her to effect most bloodie & horrible deeds,
descriptionPage 196
to the great displeasure of God, and disho∣nour
of her princely place.
Sixthly, for it cannot be imagined that a La∣die
of her spirit, being (in humane respects)
mercifull & compassionate, would haue en∣tred
her gouernement with such tyrannie &
terror; bearing in both hands destruction, &
(like Reuenge her self) entring the stage of her
gouernement with fire & blood) had she not
bene moued thereto by euil perswasion. Nei∣ther
can it be but the Q. conscience would
condemne the course of her violent procee∣ding,
& that she would iudge the large effusiō
of christiā blood, stood not with the honour
of her name, nor with the Truth of Religion:
yet so powerfull is the authority of them we
trust, (especially in the case of Religion and
consciēce,) as that many times we suffer our
selus to be led against our own perswasiōs, by
a reuerence we beare to other mens opiniōs
Seuenthly, And this no doubt was the
cause why the Queene was so resolued in
in her bloodie persecutions, shee giuing cre∣dit
to their perswasion whom shee reputed
most Reuerend, and Learned; and they per∣swading
her, she could not discharge the of∣fice
descriptionPage 197
of her Soueraigne place, nor defend the
Catholike Faith, but by the extirping the
Protestant Religion, which (in their opinion)
was Heresie in the highest degree: neither
could shee (as they thought) suppresse the
generall fauour, that profession had got in
generall estimation; but by seuerity & rigo∣rous
laws, wherein they were farre deceiued
For it is impossible that any Pollicie of man
should be able to supplant Gods Husban∣drie,
which he hath made prosperous: the
Truth whereof is manifest in the experience
of these persecuting times, when as the death
of one holy man was the life of many. God
raising a holy generation out of the ashes of
his holy Martyrs, the Church not decresing
but increasing by the stroake of persecution.
And in this case was the Queene counselled,
as Rehoboams was by his young states men,
to make the yoake of persecution heauie: &
whereas her Father did chastise with rodds,
she should correct with scourges: and this
was the euill counsell wherewith the Queene
was ordered, for shee made her yoake hea∣uier
than all her Predecessors had
descriptionPage 198
done, and (in truth) insupportable for any
true Christian Professor.
Eightly, And therefore this Counsell
of theirs may haue Pollicie but no Piety, for if
the State in King Edwards time, had vsed
Gardiner and Bonner with like seuerity, and
had taken from them their euill liues, which
they had iustly forfeited, then had not these
euill Ministers bene the cause of so much
blood shed, neither happily, should the
Queene haue had any such as they, to haue
prouoked her to such dishonour and vn∣godly
practise; for it is needfull Pollicie, that
the haughty spirits of men, that haue autho∣rity
and greatnesse, must either not be offen∣ded,
or being moued to offence, must bee
then made sure from taking Reuenge. And
it had bene good for the Christian State,
that the ambitious spirit of Winchester, had
either not bene discontented, by his disgrace
and imprisonment, or being so offended, to
haue made him sure from reuengefull pra∣ctise;
and if this had thus come to passe, no
doubt much Christian blood had bene sa∣ued,
which by his meanes perished. Neither
descriptionPage 199
had the Queene come into that ignominy
of blood and cruelty; shee being in her own
Nature rather inclined to pittie, and mer∣cifull
respect then otherwise. And therefore
though the time of Queene Maries gouerne∣ment,
was the most bloodie persecution that
euer was in this Land, (I thinke) euer since
it had a Christian Prince, yet was this Ladie,
otherwise disposed in her owne Nature;
neither would shee haue made her name so
monstrous in blood, had not her consci∣ence
perswaded a necessity, shee being so re∣solued
by their perswasion, who (shee
thought had authority to iudge her.
Obseruations
Diuine.
Pollitique.
Morall.
FIRST, Diuinity doth admit no distin∣ction
of men, but the difference of good
and bad; for Gods fauour doth not look
as mans doth; men iudge by externall, but
God by internall euidence. God is no accep∣ter
of persons, but men accept nothing but
descriptionPage 200
the persons of men: and therfore it is often
seene, that thus God and the world diuide
their seueralls; God markes his with Grace,
the world hers with Nature and Fortune.
Secondly, It is a pollicie of long practise
and large proofe, that Priests, Iesuites, and
men of spirituall function, are appointed for
State designes, as the most pregnant and con∣uenient
m••n; for they haue this odds, that
besides their helps of learning, and much ex∣perience;
they haue alwaies the reuerence
of their profession, which vndoubtedly (with
people of their owne faith) doth gaine them,
and their perswasions extraordinary credit.
Thirdly, It is a prouidence worthy of eue∣ry
particular man, not rashly to be moued to
any fact or opinion, by the loue or reue∣rence
we haue to the persons of them that
would perswade vs; because in this case we
doe not satisfie reason, but affection.
descriptionPage 201
CHAP. XIX.
In what particulars Queene Marie
did most offend the Catholike
Faith.
FIRST, to remember euery par∣ticular
grieuāce in this Queenes
time, were a labour infinite, nei∣ther
is it my purpose to trauell so
largely therein, as others before mee haue
done. And therefore I will (onely) reduce
to memory, some particulars of most conse∣quēce,
referring him that shal require further
satisfaction, to the ecclesiasticall writings of
those times, wherein they are largely dis∣coursed:
neither among these the euill for∣tunes
of the Duke of Northumberland, nor of
his Sonne and daughter, the Lord Gilford
Dudley, and the Ladie Iane his Wife, because
descriptionPage 202
the Duke hath worthily deserued his for∣tunes,
and therefore did not receiue wrong
from the Queene and State. And though
the Ladie Iane and the Lord Gilford her Hus∣bād,
were forced to take the enterprize, they
themselues being meerely passiue in that bu∣sinesse,
yet hauing proceeded therein so far
as they did. I see not how Queene Marie
could giue them life and secure her selfe, es∣pecially
considering the present condition
of the State, how inclineable it was then to
imbrace any occasion of quarrell.
Secondly, That wherein the Queene did
first offend the Christian Faith, was in taking
into her protection, such who had before
declared themselues enemies to truth and
Religion, and this was at her first comming
to the Crowne, giuing liberty and honour
to such men, whom her princely brother had
before imprisoned, & degraded; for by this
she opened hell, & let loose those euill spirits
which King Edward had shut vp; who brea∣thing
Reuenge, set the Kingdome in com∣bustion,
burning and bloodying the holiest
and best members thereof, to the dishonour
descriptionPage 203
of the Prince and Nation; the discomfort of
holy Christians, and to the discountenance
of the Catholike Faith, and this (in a double
respect) was euill in Queene Marie: First, [ 1]
(hereby) shee gaue an assured demonstrati∣on
how (in the case of Religion) shee was af∣fected.
Secondly, shee armed reuenge in [ 2]
in these men, giuing it authority, and the
countenance of great place, wherewith they
became most terrible.
Thirdly, And with this prologue, did
Queene Marie begin the Tragedie of her
life, fitting her with actors who had well lear∣ned
their parts of blood & persecution; out∣truding
them of much better merit, whom
shee found in honourable and Reuerend
places established, as Doctor Cranmer Arch-Bishop
of Canterburie, the Arch-Bishop of
Yorke, the Bishop of VVinchester and many
others, giuing their dignities and places to
their greatest enemies; men not compara∣ble
to them in learning and holy life, excee∣ding
them onely in cruelty and blood: who
hauing gotten the sword of authority (once)
into their hands, would not sheath it, before
descriptionPage 204
it had bene made drunke with the blood of
Saints, nor before the measure of their sins
were full, whom God (for the pleasure of his
will, and for the glory of his Saints) did suf∣fer
and for a time forbeare.
Fourthly, in restoring the Nurseries
of all abominations, the Abbeyes and
Monasteries she had in giuing; she did much
offend the Catholike Faith; because those
assemblies were found to abuse the name of
holinesse, making it a cloake to couer the
bodie of their wickednesse: who (like horse∣leeches)
sucke the blood and best mainte∣nance
of the Kingdome, to support their la∣zie
and most licentious trade of liuing; and
in this did the Queene not onely offend the
truth of Religion, but also the prosperity of
her State in being so euill a president, and in
giuing so much wealth to idle and altoge∣ther
vnprofitable people, and not onely idle
but euill vsers of their riches & large possessi∣ons;
to the high offending of God, the wrong
to Christian Religion, and the impoueri∣shing
of the Common-Wealth: all which
respects the Queene ought carefully to
haue regarded.
descriptionPage 205
Fifthly, Againe, the Queene restoring them
did condemne the gouernement of her Fa∣ther,
by whom they were dissolued, her
making them of such necessity in a Christi∣an
Kingdome, made him an euill doer to
suppresse them, whereby she did dishonour
her Father in that wherein he was most ho∣nourable,
he deseruing the honour of his
new stile, in this and in his act of Supremacie
onely; both which she vtterly disclaimeth,
damning the deed, and the honourable me∣rit
of her Father, building againe that euill
foundation, which he to his honour had cast
downe. And therefore if he by suppressing
them hath deserued to bee stiled Defen∣dor
of the Faith: shee then by supporting
them, may be iudged to haue offended that
Catholike Faith whereof she was made De∣fendresse.
Sixthly, But that which is most worthy
of sad remembrance in this Queenes time
was the alteration of Religion: she reducing
the Church of England to their former con∣dition
of Popish Idolatry, which (in the
happie time of King Edward) had bene dis∣continued,
descriptionPage 206
she inhibiting al her subiects vp∣on
grieuous paines, to acknowledge that
profession of Religion, which she found in
the State established, binding them to seuere
lawes, to that Romish obedience which for∣merly
they had abiured.
Seuenthly, And in this she did oppose her
selfe with al violence against the Catholike
Faith, as if she meant at one blow to bee the
death of faith & true religiō; she disclaiming
the good & proclaiming the bad; destroying
Gods holy Temple, to build the groaues &
altars of Idols, & this she did with such appe∣tite,
that her gouernement was scarce begun
before this was finished. So easily is mās na∣ture
carried by violēce & forcible pursuit, to
execute the most wicked and vngodly ends.
Eighthly, And as this alteration of Reli∣gion,
was greatly to the offence of Catholike
Faith, so was it also very preiudiciall to the
State, the Kingdome hereby loosing the
Lordship of it selfe, which King Henrie with
much hazard, & great trauel had recouered.
And assuredly if the Q. consciēce could haue
bene perswaded, she would neuer for any
descriptionPage 207
cause, haue giuen the Pope or any other Po∣tentate,
the supremacie of her own state, and
among all other least of all to the Pope, who
hath no principality proper, but onely a
gouernement compounded of many thefts;
he hauing taken from euery christiā Prince
somwhat of reuenew or dignity to make vp
the measure of his greatnes. And it was great
ouersight in the Q. to commend the trust of
her state to the Pope, whose ambition & aua∣rice,
hath made him euer inclineable to de∣ceiue:
for when the couetous hath the trea∣sure
in keeping, it is hard to make him ho∣nest;
& he that hath nothing but by theft, wil
be glad to imbrace oportunity & fit occasiō.
And therefore by thus altering religion, she
did not only offend the Catholike faith, but
dishonor the English nation, binding it againe
in the bonds of forraigne power from which
her brother had redeemed it.
Ninthly, And from this act of Q. Maries did
proceed another equally euill or worse,
whereby she hath got a name of blood and
crueltie, and whereby she hath run her selfe
into the highest degree of euill and this
descriptionPage 208
was the persecution of holy and faithfull
men; slaughtering Gods Saints, with such
fury and heathenish heate, as may well de∣clare
the Religion and Faith of the persecu∣tors.
For there is no profession of Christian
Religion in all the world, except the Papisti∣call
that thinke to merit by murder, blood
and persecution: neither is there any that
haue made their names so odious, by the ef∣fusion
of Christian blood as they, whereby
they haue made themselues the friends or
Antichrist, but enemies to God, and to the
truth of his holy Gospell. God hauing com∣manded
his seruants to suffer, and not to in∣flict
afflictions; for a Christians profession,
is to beare the Crosse, and not to make it;
and in euery euill worke holy men must suf¦fer,
and wicked men doe, for such was the
condition of Christ the Lord of Christians,
bearing the rebukes of all men; applying his
sacred hands to heale the infirmities of
men and not to wound and destroy them,
and as (in the Nature of God) his mercie
doth reioyce ouer all his workes, so all the
sonnes of Grace delight in the workes of
descriptionPage 209
mercie, and abhorre the deeds of miserie,
and desire to preserue and not to destroy
the Images of God, nor the Temples of
his holy Spirit, for such were these holy
Martyrs, who in this time of Queene Mary,
witnessed the truth of their Christian pro∣fession,
in the burning flames of persecution
and cruell torture.
Tenthly, So great was the persecution in
these times, as that no Sex, no age, nor any
condition of men were spared, the blind, the
aged, and the Infant sleeping in the holy
death of Martyrdome: And if wee may be∣leeue
the remembrance of those miseries as
they are recorded, then children new borne
at the stake, did perish at the stake, little (but
holy) Martyrs giuing their liues, as soone as
they had them for the witnesse of their Lord
Christ Iesus, and his truth, an example of
strange and incomparable crueltie, yet did
the enuie of these times reach further, to the
Sepultures of holy men deceassed, where
the persecutions euen there also would tri∣umph,
raking vp the bones and ashes of
good men, and after with great Ceremonie
descriptionPage 210
and acclamation burne them; a reuenge
very admirable, and such as onely the mal∣lice
of the diuel could deuise. For the Graue
is euery mans Sanctuarie, from which no
man nor no offence can take him, without
the breach of the Lawes of Nature and hu∣manitie:
and to persecute and burne mens
bones the life hauing long before left them,
is a Iudgement most mercilesse, for the
doome of Nature will haue one man to die
but once, neither ought reuenge to reach
the graues of our greatest enemies; it being
enough for any that his enemy is dead, but
more then crueltie to reuiue his death and
to make him die againe. And therefore as
Iob did blame his vncomfortable friend, be∣cause
they did persecute him as God, and
were not content with his flesh. So wee may
lawfully condemne this Popish persecution,
because they reuenge like Diuels, and are not
content with the Death of them they loue
not, but will then persecute the body, when
they cannot the soule. God hauing ta∣ken
that into his bosome of mercie, and into
the saftie of his protection.
descriptionPage 211
Eleuenthly, And if we truly consider the
bloody persecution of Queene Maries time,
and with what vehemency it was moued, it
will appeare to be of like crueltie with them
of the heathen Emperours in the Primitiue
Church, not for the number though very ma∣ny,
but for the manner and cruell circum∣stance.
Twelfthly, Againe the Queene in marrying
with King Philip of Spaine, may bee said to
haue offended the Catholike Faith, because
by that meanes shee tooke away all hope, to
be reclaimed from the stiffe defence of Po∣pish
superstition, the King of Spaine being in
most neare confederacie with the Pope. And
this how preiudiciall it was to the profession
of the Catholike Faith, may be easily consi∣dered,
hee being chosen to assist the Queene
in her defence of faith, by whom the ene∣mies
of faith were principally to be suppor∣ted,
and one so nearely bound to the Popes
fauour, in respect of State practise, the Pope
and the Spanish King being one anothers
Ladder, whereby they haue ascended the
steps of reputation and worldly greatnesse.
descriptionPage 212
13. Againe, if wee regard the care of
State, the Queenes marriage with the Spanish
King, was not for the prosperitie and ho∣nour
of the English Nation, but rather a
meanes to depresse the glory thereof. For
howsoeuer the Queene and the State, did ar∣ticulate
with King Philip, thinking thereby
they had secured the souereigntie of Eng∣land,
by binding him to certaine Limitati∣ons;
yet was that no assurance, but onely a
false colour, to blinde and satisfie the grosse
vnderstandings of the vulgar, lest by Rebel∣lion
and tumult, they should oppose them∣selues
against that purpose; for it is not to
be thought, that any obligation can binde
such men, as aspire soueraigntie, neither is it
in the practise of great States, to binde
themselues, but onely for aduantage, and
then to cast off their bonds, when their pra∣ctise
is ripe, and when they dare discouer
their true intentions. For bonds to him that
hath power to breake them, rather offend
then profit, and in great Spirits, the remem∣brance
to bee tyed to any Conditions, doth
beget in them a desire of Libertie, and pro∣vokes
descriptionPage 213
them to breake that faith, where∣unto
they are obliged. And from this mar∣riage
of Queene Marie what could be hoped,
but either ciuill strife in disposing the Suc∣cession,
which by this meanes might haue
had many Competitors, or else that this
Kingdome and the dominions thereof be∣longing,
should haue bene vnited to the So∣ueraigntie
of Spaine, which already (like
Hydra) is become monstrous in largenesse;
hauing vnited to that one body many heads
many large dominions. And if this had suc∣ceeded
(which no doubt was the expecta∣tion
of Spaine) then had the glory of this
Isle euen then perished, and our condition
had bene alike miserable as is now that
heretofore famous Kingdome of Portingale,
and other great States by him obtained.
And this kingdome which heretofore hath
benee the supporter of that, should then haue
stood at discretion loosing the soue∣raigatie,
and fortunate honour which
worthily had made it very famous; the
ambition of that State rising by the fall of
ours; the misery of this raysing the
descriptionPage 214
glory of that, and we of Conquerors should
haue bene seruants, and slaues, to that peo∣ple
whom before we had conquered: and
they (by our oppression) should haue
wanted a power to haue restrained them
from the generall Conquest of Christen∣dome,
the which by vs hath principally
bene letted, and by them most desirously
pursued. And therefore (in respect of Pol∣licie
and the practise of State) this marriage
of Spaine was very hurtfull for our Nati∣on,
ayming directly at the vtter ouerthrow
of the English Monarchie; wherein Queene
Marie was neither Poilitique nor Holy, not ho∣ly
in not defending the Catholike Faith,
combining her selfe so neerely with the
Popes Confederate; and not pollitique, in
hazerding the honour of her Kingdomes, in
the hands of one so dangerous, as the King
of Spaine then was, who already was so
great, as made him iustly feared, and his
proceedings suspected. God (of his good∣nesse)
disposing otherwise of this businesse,
deriuing still a Succession of Kingly power
within our selues of our owne nation and of
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our owne Kingly line; to the better defence
of the Catholike Faith, and to the perpe∣tuall
honour of this our English Monarchie.
14. Lastly, Queene Marie in her vehe∣ment
and vniust persecuting her most vertu∣ous
Sister the Ladie Elizabeth (afterwards
Queene) did hereby very much offend
the Catholike Faith, because among all
the Religions at that time in England; this
Ladie was chiefe, not onely for holinesse of
life, but also for her eminence of place, and
dignity; being heyre apparant to the
Crowne, and in whom the hope of King
Henries issue onely remained. And there∣fore
the right of Succession remaining in her
Royal person, made her more than a priuate
one, and made the euill of her Sisters perse∣cution
more monstrous, being directed a∣gainst
the life of one both holy, and a Prin∣cesse,
and to whom God had purposed, to
giue the inheritance of these kingdomes,
and the office to defend the profession of
faith, and holy worship. And if wee but
remember the most gratious gouernement
of this Ladie, the time shee was Queene,
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and how nobly shee hath defended the
profession of Faith and Religion, wee shall
thereby iudge how much euill Queene Marie
had done, if the euill practise against her Si∣ster
Elizabeth had preuailed. Neuer any
Defendresse nor euer any Queene in the
world, hauing finished Gods quarrell with
more honour, or with better resolution
than shee did. And therefore if this holy
life had perished, the glory of her honoura∣ble
actions had bene preuented, neither had
the world euer seene the admirations of her
time, nor the seuerall states of christendome,
euer had so noble a Patronesse to support
them, in their iust quarrells, against the aspi∣ring
insolencie of the ambitious: nor had
the holy Saints on earth liued secure, vnder
the late protection of her mercifull wings,
whose holy faith shee hath victoriously de∣fended
against all oppositions, cutting off
(not by Pollicie) onely (as did Iudith) but
by her power the head of Holophernes (Ido∣latrie.)
And thus triumphing in the spoyle
of Gods enemies shee hath purchased,
an euerliuing name of honour, and an
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euerlasting inheritance in heauen, with God
and with the Children of Faith, whose
quarrell shee hath most honourably defen∣ded.
15. And Queene Marie in seeking to
destroy so holy a life did not the office of
her Christian place, nor defend the quar∣rell
of Faith whereunto her title bound
her.
16. In respect of State likewise, was this
very euill in the Queene, because by this in∣iurie
to her neerest blood, shee sought to
hinder the lawfull succession. For the La∣die
Elizabeth being dead, it might proue
quarrelsome, who should next inherit.
Queene Marie hauing no issue to succeed
her, was like to leaue the State to much
trouble, and to many Competitors. And
if Queene Elizabeth had not succeeded, hap∣pily
our Nation had not bene so famous in
the honour and reputation of warlike exer∣cise
as now it is, neither had it flourished in
the glorie of Learning, nor in the trauell of
industrious artes as it hath, nor had there
bene that peace, that plentie, and that secu∣rity
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which presently we enioy; nor happily
had the State bene thus left as by her it is, to
a Prince of peace, full of hopefull issue, by
whom and by whose posterity, England may
hope neuer to want a noble Defendor of it,
and of the Catholike Faith. And therefore
God onely bee praised who did preuent
the euill, that euill men intended against
that Ladie, against this Nation, and against
the Catholike Faith. In all these respects may
appeare the euill gouernement of these
times, and how the Queene was led by di∣shonourable
meanes to an end most dan∣gerous,
the cause (as I haue said) was onely
the too much trust the Queene gaue to
euill Counsell whereby shee was violently
carried against her owne Nature, to most
vnchristian designes; for her conscience
did perswade her, that those things were
of absolute necessity, which (in truth)
were altogether vnlawfull. And this was
the Bishop of VVinchester Stephen Gardi∣ners
care, to set an edge on the Queenes
offence, and to fit her for the stroake of
persecution, whereto in her Nature she
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was not fit. And this hee did by the
authority of his Religious place, where∣to
the Queene had speciall reuerence,
framing her selfe to doe that onely,
which in her abused conscience, shee
thought was necessarie. For there is
nothing can perswade like conscience,
which in men of all Religions will desire
satisfaction and ease. And though our
conscience iudge falsly of Truth, yet
cannot that Iudgement bee vnsatisfied,
whithout Torment and much affliction:
neither is there any so powerfull to per∣swade
vs, as them of whom we conceiue a
reuerend opinion, and thinke Religious
and holy; because the opinion of ho∣linesse
taketh away all suspition. And
therefore many times men seeming de∣uoute,
and verie precise, are best
able to deceiue; because they are best
credited; the greatest pollititians working
their most damned proiects by men profes∣sing
sanctimonious life: this being euer
a foundation in that vile Art, that pretence
and false couller are the hands of Pollicie,
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whereby shee effecteth that which other∣wise
were impossible. And if wee remem∣ber
the number of Conspiracies, and
Treasonous designes attempted in this last
age of the world, we shall scarce finde any
one wherein men professing Religion
were not principalls, either plotters or
practisers. The experience of the time,
finding such men most fit instruments
for such desperate attempts; because
they dare doe any thing, and can keepe
counsell, and as it is ieastingly said of playes,
they are not pleasant without a Foole; so it
may bee seriously said of Treasons, they
are not bloodie without a Priest, these men
hauing got them a name of admiration, for
acting the most horrible parts of blood and
treason; wherein they haue approued
themselues forward but most vnfortunane.
And by these men was the better nature of
Queene Marie much abused, making her
(by their euill counsell) become odious to
posterity in shedding without mercy the
blood of many holy Martyrs, treading vpon
the face of truth, & dignifying Idolatrous &
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euill seruice. Vnfortunate Queene to be de∣ceiued
by these euill Ministers; but woe vn∣to
them by whom the offence came; happie
had shee bene, if they had neuer bene, and
happie were we, if with vs they were not, for
where they are, there is Faction, Conspira∣cie,
and Treason; and it is they and their
house onely (that is the house of Poperie)
that troubleth Israell.
Obseruations
Diuine.
Pollitique.
Morall.
FIRST, There is nothing in this world,
that can continue prosperity without
all interruption. For the Spouse of Christ
(the Church) had neuer any such immunity,
but (like all other things, and for the worke
of Gods glorie) she doth often vary her
State, and like the Sunne often in clouds, and
sometimes in Eclipse. The reason is the will
of God who hath determined to leade vs
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through this wildernesse, our pilgrimage to
new Ierusalem.
Secondly, It is the Popish Religion, but
no Religion, to destroy and not correct,
to iudge without mercy, and to bee ter∣rible
in the prosecuting their persecuti∣ons.
But our most diuine and sacred Lord
Christ hath said Blessed are yee when ye suffer
these things. Surely then cursed are they that
doe them.
Thirdly, The iudgements of God haue
relation to mens offence, being the effect
of that cause, and therefore who knoweth
but that God in iudgement to K. Henrie, gaue
him this contrariety in his Children, to
condradict and countermand one another
in the forme of their gouernements, because
the King himselfe was so full of contrarietie
and vnsetled constancie, at one time perse∣cuting
both professions.
Fourthly, To reinduce the P••pall autho∣rity
into the English State was a maruellous
improuidence in the Queene, and so direct
against all rule of State, as that questionlesse
the Queene in this made her iudgement
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yeeld to conscience (as she deemed it) which
if she had not bene a woman, she would ne∣uer
haue done, or at the least neuer so done
without all limitation
Fifthly, The Marriage of Queene Marie
with Spaine, was an oportunity for Spaine
to depresse the glory of this Nation, for if
the Queene had had issue by him, the
principality had bene translated to such a
Prince, as may yet iustly bee feared, to
what extremities his growing Empire in∣tendeth.
Sixthly, The Queenes error in these pro∣ceedings,
was to receiue her State instructi∣ons,
from such Counsellors as did labour
onely to frame her to their owne designes,
not regarding the publike benefit of the
State. For doubtlesse had the Queene bene
ordered by her Pollitique State, or by any
one Counsellor in the State of honourable
quallity, she had not giuen so much of her
title and Maiestie to Rome and Spaine as by
the perswasion of her Clergie Counsell she
did.
Seuenthly, So full of labour, strife and
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error is their life that vndertake the charge
of much businesse and great place, that the
Morall Philosophers doe pronounce them
most happie and rich that can bee content
with blessed pouerty.
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CHAP. XX.
Of certaine Discontents whereat
Queene Marie tooke great
offence.
FIRST, there is no man in this
life, (especially if he be of great
place or great spirit) that can
free himselfe from occasions
of discontent, wherein euery man may make
triall of his owne vertue, and exercise his
Christian patience in his moderate bearing
them: For there is no victory equall to that
a man hath of himself, neither any seruitude
so base as to be ouercome of Discont••nt. And
therefore the most worthy men haue euer
triumphed ouer Fortune, thinking it a deba∣sing
of their Noble spirits, to be vanquished
by so meane an enemie. And howsoeuer
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such men (in common Construction) are
reputed most miserable, that haue most
cause of griefe, yet in true vnderstanding it
is otherwise: and then especially, when the
grieued hath patience (that true part of
Man-hood) whereby he is able to make the
greatest burden of griefe easie. For so did
the famous men in old time by manly Con∣stancie,
and so doe Christians now by pati∣ence
support a liuing courage, in the middest
of greatest extremities: Yet euer must this
moderation be regarded, that as our griefe
may not vtterly deiect vs, so wee must haue
sense to feele and apprehend it, least in the
one extreame wee proue cowherds, in the
other Fooles. For griefe is the true phy∣sicke
of the minde, which being well ap∣plied
doth correct and heale vs, but other∣wise
it doth destroy and make desperate,
and in this case doe men reuenge them∣selues
on themselues, and double the
measure of griefe wherewith they are af∣flicted.
Secondly, And this was Q▪ Maries punish∣ment,
who doubtlesse did verie much af∣flict
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her selfe in the remembrance of her
euill fortunes; some whereof I will relate,
not obseruing the order of the time, where∣in
they were occasioned, but ranke them ac∣cording
to their degrees in greatnesse, and
as the Queene found them most offensiue.
And as the greatest, I remember first the
trouble of her Conscience, whereby she be∣came
enemie to her selfe, and hatefull to her
former proceedings, iudging them much
more violēt, then the cause required, or then
might stand with the honour of her name,
and with the discharge of Christian Con∣science,
and this shee vnderstood by a gene∣rall
sense of mercy, whereto in her Nature
shee was inclinable, and from which shee
was violently moued by the breath of bad
perswasion. For though the Queene was
made to beleeue, that her vehement perse∣cuting
the Protestants Religion, was necessa∣rie
for both states of Church and kingdome:
yet when Christian blood was shed in that
abundance, it much repented her; that shee
(by that meanes) had giuen her name so
bloody a remembrance. And in this case
descriptionPage 228
might she say of Gardiner and Bonner (as Ia∣cob
did of his two Sonns,Simion and Leui)
that they had made her name odious to e∣uery
mans eares, and that therefore they
were Children of Blood. And surely the re∣morse
of conscience, for her bloody gouern∣ment,
did very much afflict the Queenes
minde, whereof shee would oftentimes giue
demonstration, and by words of dislike, wit∣nesse
how much she did distaste the furie of
persecution, and the generall waste those
fires had made in her Kingdomes.
Thirdly, Neither need this seeme strange
to any that Q. Marie should dislike her selfe
in her owne practise, because wee know that
Princes (though they haue soueraigne pow∣er
ouer their Subiects; yet hath it such limi∣tation,
as that Princes themselues, somtimes
are not free, nor can compasse those ends,
which most desirously they would; & some∣times
are they forced to that they would not.
The reason is, because no prince in the world
can support himselfe, without the assurance
of his Subiects: and when the State is in
Faction (as then it was for Religion) it is
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most dangerous for the Prince, to Discon∣tent
them by whom he is principally suppor∣ted.
And Queene Mary taking vpon her
the protection of the Romish Religion, did
then binde her selfe to the heads of that fa∣ction,
lest by discontenting them, she should
haue runne her selfe into a generall offence,
and so haue hazzerded the fortunes of her
State. And this was to the Queene so great
offence, as they onely can conceiue, who
haue endured the torment of an offended
conscience.
Fourthly, Another cause of Queene Ma∣ries
discontent was King Philip her husband,
who either in truth or as she thought, did
not so louingly respect her as the sacred
bonds of marriage required, neither had
shee issue by him according to her owne
hope, and the expectation of her Subiects,
and this did very much offend the Queenes
patience, being by the Nature of her Sex
most inclinable to apprehend such discour∣tesie,
and the rather because of her princely
place, and the great spirit of Maiestie, which
shee wanted not. For the Kings not regar∣ding,
descriptionPage 230
or his cold regarding her did conclude
that (in his opinion) she wanted of that wor∣thinesse
he had formerly imagined, and that
shee did not merit the truth of his loue and
most kind affection, whereto his bond of
Marriage did binde him, his not regarding
her, debasing her in worth and estimation,
whereat shee might worthily take offence;
the rather because the Queene in her owne e∣lection,
had preferred him to her loue, and
to the honour of that Marriage before all o∣ther
Princes in Christendome, communica∣ting
with him the honours of her Crowne
and Dignities, to the hazzard of her life and
State, being contrary to the generall liking
of her Subiects, and for which had bene ve∣ry
dangerous Rebellion in her kingdome.
And therefore this offence taking of the
Queene, was very causefull, and vpon iust
consideration conceiued; shee hauing done
so much for him that deserued so little, and
he not recompensing the merit of her high
deseruing.
Fifthly, A third cause of Queene Maries
griefe was the losse of Callis, a towne of most
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importance for the English State, especially
considering the quarrell of those two king∣domes,
England and France, who (besides the
English claime to that Crowne & Dignity)
haue euer had an honourable Contention
to exceed each other in the reputation of
Armes and warlike exercise; neither is it in
reason to bee hoped that these two warlike
Nations shall alwayes conspire peace, and
for euer forget the emulation and glorious
conquests of former times, hauing these
maine prouocations to hinder it, the neare∣nesse
of place, the equallity of power, the
difference of Religion, and the claime to the
lawfull inheritance, the least of which occa∣sions,
may serue to incense a forward spirit
with desire of honourable Warre and Con∣quest.
And then considering the importance
of the Towne of Callis, for the English wars,
and how by hauing it, the passage was euer
open to enter that kingdome: and being re∣couered
by the French, England may be then
said to haue lost the key, by which it hath
heretofore so easily entred, In these respects
had the Queene good cause to grieue at so
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dishonourable a losse, and the rather it be∣ing
lost by a meane power and in little space,
which had bene honourably defended ma∣ny
years against the whole power of France,
and what other enuie soeuer to the glorie of
her predecessors, the disaduantage of her
Successors and her owne perpetuall disho∣nour.
Sixtly & lastly, the rebelling of her subiects
did very much discontent her, because shee
thereby vnderstood▪ how her gouernment
was disliked, by many of her best Subiects.
For though it bee not a necessary Conclu∣sion,
that where there is Rebellion, there
the State is misgouerned: yet is Rebellion e∣uer
a cause that the gouernment is suspe∣cted,
and those grieuances that are able to
prouoke such numbers of people against
their Souereigne, are generally belieued to
arise vpon more then common considera∣tions.
And therefore it is required in the per∣son
of a Prince, not onely to bee of worthie
deseruing, but also to seeme to be such, be∣cause
it is most needfull for them to satisfie
opinion, without which no Prince in the
descriptionPage 233
world can be said to be great.
Seuenthly, Againe, the Rebells had such
forward successe in their attempting, as
thereby they did much distresse the Queene,
and threaten the fortunes of her state. For
if the proiect had proceeded according to
their plot, and as it was deuised by the chiefe
Conspirators; the issue was likely to haue
proued much more dangerous. But Sir
Thomas VVyat one of the chiefe Conspira∣tors,
imagining the proiect was reuealed, dis∣couered
himselfe in Armes, before the pra∣ctise
was Ripe, and before the time agreed
vpon; whereby he was vnassisted by his o∣ther
Confederates, and the practise by this
meanes became abortiue and perished by
vntimely birth; which in likelyhood had
otherwise succeeded, if the whole power of
the Conspirators, had bene vnited. Sir
Thomas onely with his Countrie-men of
Kent, hauing done so much as may seeme
to haue wanted but little, to haue fini∣shed
the whole businesse. And this no
doubt was GODS worke, who is
enemie to euerie euill practise, bee the
descriptionPage 234
pretence neuer so fare and reasonable.
Eighthly, Those and many other occasi∣ons
of Discontent, had Queene Marie, where∣by
God gaue her to vnderstand, how much
he was displeased with her bloodie gouerne∣ment,
and whereby (it may be) he had mer∣cie
on her weakenesse, in laying these gen∣tle
corrections on her, who had deserued the
seuerity of his angrie Iustice; she being most
vniust & most seuere in her persecuting the
Children of faith, whom by the authority of
her princely place shee was bound to pro∣tect.
The God of mercy be for euer praised,
who hath ended in this Kingdome the mise∣rie
of persecution, making it die in the
Death of Queene Marie, in whose gouerne∣ment
it had got authority and life; and may
it euer please God to deriue vpon his Church
of England a perpetuall succession of holy
and resolute Defendors of the Catholike
Faith, to the honour of Gods diuine Ma∣iestie,
the good of his beloued Children (the
Children of Faith) and the true glorie of the
English Nation, Amen.
descriptionPage 235
Obseruations
Diuine.
Pollitique.
Morall.
FIRST, Gods temporall afflictions are
mercies, for they doe but remember vs
our sinnes, and inuite our repentance;
yet they haue contrarie effects in contrarie
subiects. For to some they are physicke to
others poyson, they rectifie some and de∣stroy
others. This difference haue the elect
and the reprobate.
Secondly, The common pretenced quar∣rell
in all Rebellions, is either Religion, or
vsurpation of Empire; yet neither of these
can giue successe to such treasonable at∣tempts,
because they that would alter and
transpose of Gods gouernement, and his of∣ficers,
doe but fight against his prouidence,
and contradict God in his owne appoint∣ments.
In this case then, the best Pollicie is
for men with patience to suffer, and let God
with victorie doe.
Thirdly,Discontentment is such a sicknesse
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in the soule, as that where it is vnmodera∣ted,
there is a necessarie distruction. There∣fore
the wise Morall man will oppose this
enemie with reason, and inuincible pati∣ence
and outtrude him from all society with
his thoughts. For if there be any thing on
Earth that can resemble hell it is Discon∣tent.
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CHAP. XXI.
OF REBELLION.
FIRST, It is not in my purpose to
reckon vp the seuerall opinions
of men in this argument neither
to discourse at large herein, but
onely to report my owne Iudgement, and
that which I think is answerable in this que∣stion
to Religion and holy reason. For if this
controuersie were disputed, according to
the Pollitique practise of time, and not by the
rules of Religion, and reformed iudgement,
it would be then verie controuersall, and re∣quire
large circumstance, because the
Matchiuells of these times, diuersly disagree
in their seuerall iudgements, but if men de∣sire
onely to satisfie conscience, to such men
the testimonie of God is sufficient, which
descriptionPage 238
ought to square the practises of all degrees
of Christian men, and to determine all con∣trouersies,
be they neuer so important; But
this tryall hath not alwaies authority in go∣uernement
meerely pollitique, for Religion
and Pollicie, are two diuers (or rather in full
opposition) and that (many times) in the
practise of State is commendable which
in the iudgement of Religion is most dam∣nable,
because they conspire not one, but
disagreeing ends, neither can the quarrell
of these two be euer reconciled, but onely by
these conditions, that Piety may command
Pollicie, and that such Pollicie may bee onely
in Christian States allowable as may be ser∣uant
to the worke of holinesse, and iudged
lawfull by the sentence of true Religion. And
if these respects, had regard in Christian
States, then should not Christendome haue
had that dishonourable imputation, to bee
reputed (of the barbarous Nations) vnfaith∣full
and full of dishonourable practise:
wherein the Popes haue especially abused the
Christian Faith, who (vnder the outward
face of holinesse) haue contriued and effe∣cted
descriptionPage 239
Conspiracies and Treasons of most
horrible report, and such as neuer were the
like by men or diuells inuented.
Secondly, And these euill Ministers doe
arrogate to themselues, authority (which
they would deriue from God) not onely to
license Rebellion in a Christian State, but al∣so
to command it vpon paine of damnati∣on;
a power which neuer any Christian
Prince durst challenge, and a pollicie, where∣by
they haue principally inriched them∣selues,
with wealth and dignities, taken at
the spoyle of Christian Princes; and where∣with
he doth yet vnderprop the falling state
of his Empire. And this how vnequall it is
with Gods Word, may appeare to any
iudgement, there being no example in the
Storie of the Bible for his imitation, where
any Priest did euer challenge any such soue∣raigne
authority.
Thirdly, And in respect of State practise,
there was neuer any thing more dishonou∣rable,
then for Princes and free States to en∣ter
voluntary into a seruitude so base & sla∣uish,
taking their honours from their owne
descriptionPage 240
heads, to dignifie their mortall enemy, and
to feed his ambition, which (like Hell) can∣not
be satisfied, who hath euer fed vpon the
bowels of their wealth, and on the blood of
Saints, and doth glorifie himself in the spoile
of Christian Princes, and thus will doe, vntill
God shall please to destroy him with the
breath of his displeasure.
Fourthly, The example of K. Dauid may
suffice to conclude against this doctrine, who
notwithstanding he had Gods promise to in∣herit
the kingdome of Israel, being by the
Prophet anointed (by which God did crown
him King) and knowing moreouer, that
God had forsaken his master Saul, hauing
taken his good Spirit from him, whereby he
was Anathemate, and interdict by the sen∣tence
of God himselfe; yet did not Dauid
(for all this) conspire against his master Saul,
but onely sought to secure his life, by with∣drawing
him from the kings presence, who
hee assuredly knew did seeke after his life.
And when opportunity was offered him so
fit, as that he at one stroake, might both haue
reuenged the iniuries of his greatest Enemy,
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and vpon such an Enemy, as stood betweene
him and a Kingdome, yet would he not de∣stroy
him being vrged thereto by the earnest
perswasion of his follower, but withstood
both them and opportunity, induring the
trouble of his Conscience, for presuming to
cut off (not his Masters head, but) the lap of
his garment only.
Fiftly, Another time Saul pursuing after
Dauid to destroy him was found by Dauid
and Abishai, sleeping with his speare at his
head, as if occasion should haue led Dauid to
an opportunity most fit, and thus haue per∣swaded
him. See, here is thy enemy sleeping,
and here is a weapon to destroy him; which
aduantage when Abishai would most gladly
haue imbraced, he was disswaded by Dauid,
with this answere;Destroy him not, for who
can lay his hand vpon the Lords Anointed, and
be guiltlesse: whereby hee concludeth it to
be impossible for any man whosoeuer, to
conspire the death or dammage of his soue∣raigne,
with the testimonie of good consci∣ence.
And this opinion of King Dauids, is
aduerse to the practise of the Romane State,
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which hath often laid their hands of blood,
and death vpon the Lords annointed; nei∣ther
haue they euer done as Dauid did, de∣nie
the offer of fit occasion to reuenge,
wherein they are answerable to their Italian
prouerbe. If thy enemie be vp to his knees in wa∣ter,
reach him thy hand to helpe him: But if hee
stand vp to the Chinne, set thy foot vpon him to
destroy him.
Sixthly, Now if King Dauids example and
authority will not serue, because he was but
Man, I will then produce his witnesse, who
was both God and Man the Lord Iesus; who
commanded the Iewes, to giue obedience to
Caesar in all those duties which respect Soue∣raignty;
though Caesar did not acknowledge
the Iewish Religion, but rather did persecute
that profession. Neither did he perswade re∣bellion
against the Romane state, though in
his diuine wisedome he did foresee that the
Kingdome of the Iewes, (which he so much
loued) should be vtterly wasted by the pow∣er
of the Romanes, whereby hee would teach
vs, that as by God (onely) Kings do Reigne,
so by him onely are they both supported,
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(and as he shall onely please,) are they dis∣planted
and deposed from their dignities.
Seuenthly, It is euident then, by the testi∣monie
of them who are most holy and abso∣lute,
(that no earthly man by the authority
of his place) hath or can giue license, to con∣spire,
against any Soueraigne power what∣soeuer,
and the reason is, because there is no
power but from God, and the powers that
be are ordained of God: and therefore to
resist that power, is to withstand God and his
ordinance, and to condemne the forme of
Gods gouernement. And such are all they,
who goe about to translate authority, where
God hath not giuen it, and to throw downe
and depose them whom God hath esta∣blished,
and such are all they who either plot
or practise Rebellion, Conspiracie, or Trea∣son,
or that can giue allowance thereto. Trai∣tors
they be to God, Traitors to their Prince,
Traitors to their Countrie and to them∣selues,
Traitors whom God will withstand as
Traitors, and iudge as Enemies.
Eighthly, And though the Pope challenge
to be able, to giue that dispensation, which
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Iehu had giuen him of God; yet is that one∣ly
presumption in the Pope, for neither is he
God to giue any such warrant, neither is he
Gods Prophet, whose authority we may trust,
neither doth God reueale his will immedi∣ately
to the Pope, as he did to his Prophet
Elisha, neither haue his Iehues euer had
that fortune and prosperous successe, as had
this; God confounding many thousands of
their damned and Rebellious practises, to
the honour of his name and to the shame of
all such euill Ministers, for this is an vnan∣swerable
argument, that the Popes power to
dispence in this kinde is not from God, be∣cause
many of their practises succeed not,
which if they were from God they must of
necessity prosper. And therefore neither
Prince, Priest, or Pope, can giue dispensati∣on
in this kinde. God onely being able to
make that lawfull, which without his speciall
direction is most damnable.
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CHAP. XXII.
A Comparison betweene Queene
Mary of England, and the
Queene-Mother of France,
Katherine de Me∣dices.
THESE two Ladies, of all
whom the Histories of
our times record, are
nearest sutable to a para∣lell;
hauing beene both
of them honourable in
place of dignity, both of them admirable
in endowments of Nature, and
both of them transported by ill counsell,
too much effusion of Christian blood, by
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persecution of the Protestant Religion in
the seuerall precincts of their gouerne∣ment.
I desire not to disparrage the me∣morie
of noble personages. Historie will
speake vnpartially; and the Christian hearts
which reade or heare of their persecutions,
will compassionate the troubles which holy
men haue endured: and though the sense
of sorrowes bee past and not sensible to
them who indured them; yet will the
knowledge of them beget a kinde of sense
of those sorrowes which other men haue
formerly sustained; and (according to
our affections) as wee loue or hate the
cause it selfe, so shall wee giue our cen∣sure
of the Authors of the persecutions.
I forbeare therefore to prosecute the com∣parison
in particulars; the more, because
I pittie the frailty of their Sexe, which ha∣uing
but weake iudgement, is the lesse able
to make resistance against stronge tempta∣tions.
I onely deplore their ill hap, to sucke
the milke of so venimous a breast as the
Church of Rome; which is indeed the
Circe of the world, transforming men
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by her enchanted potions into beasts, and
metamorphosing euen the innocent dispo∣sition
of gentle Ladies, and Princesses into
a Leonine and Tiger like sauagenesse;
that Lupa Romana, which as shee first foste∣red
Romulus with the teats of a shee-Woolfe,
so nurseth now all others with the like
milke, and propoundeth the highest re∣wards
of heauen to them that will most play
the hell-hounds vpon earth; shee which puts
Princes vpon persecution of the Church vn∣der
colour of zeale for the Church, and
stirres vp Subiects to rebellion by pretense
of piety, and giues the lawrell of Martyr∣dome
vnto Treason: to her we are to im∣pute
the miscarriages of these and many
other worthyes, whose better nature was
empoysoned by bad principles instilled into
them: especially we may commiserate her
of France, because her persecution there
feasted Saint Bartholmew with more Christi∣an
soules at one Supper, then perished by
Queene Mary the whole time of her life:
pray we almighty God, that the bloud suc∣king
tyranny of that Romish strumpet may
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haue an end; that shee may bee no longer
drunken with the bloud of the Saints, nor
the Princes of the earth no more intoxica∣ted
with her cups of abominations; and so
passe we from this sorrowfull and sad theme
to the ioyfull times of blessed Queene ELI∣ZABETH.
Notes
Q. Marie. The change shee made in the Church of England.