A counterblast to M. Hornes vayne blaste against M. Fekenham Wherein is set forthe: a ful reply to M. Hornes Answer, and to euery part therof made, against the declaration of my L. Abbat of Westminster, M. Fekenham, touching, the Othe of the Supremacy. By perusing vvhereof shall appeare, besides the holy Scriptures, as it vvere a chronicle of the continual practise of Christes Churche in al ages and countries, fro[m] the time of Constantin the Great, vntil our daies: prouing the popes and bishops supremacy in ecclesiastical causes: and disprouing the princes supremacy in the same causes. By Thomas Stapleton student in diuinitie.

M. Fekenham.

The perfourming of his promise was as hereafter fo∣loweth. First there was a rumour spersed abroade very shortly after by his seruantes, that I had subscribed to certaine articles, tenne in number.

Second, there was by his seruantes a further rumour raised, of my recantation, time and place appointed therof to be at the Parishe Church of VValtham, where his L. did then manure and abide.

Thirdely, his L. did at his open table, and in the praesence of many, chardge me with the change of my Religion nine times, and beinge putte in further remem∣brance by one M. Denny who was a Sogener with him, his L. saied, that I had altered and chaunged my Religiō, not onely nine times, but nineteene times, and that I was of no Religion.

Fourth, his L. did permitte the saied M. Denny at his open table to to much to abuse me. Where the saied M. Dennie did openly and before manie, chardge me with these three crimes following. First, with incontinencie of life, thus saying: That if I had not as many children, as he, he did knowe, that I had deserued to haue so manie. Second, with glottonie, affirming that I was an Epicure. Third and last, with hypocrisie, and that I was a greate dissembler and an hypocrite. The saied M. Dennie being a man to me wholly vnknowen. His L. did shewe him self openly to be so well pleased with these his slaunderouse wordes, that he ministred iust occasion for me to thinke, that his L. had procured the saied M. Dennie therevnto.

Fifth, by so much the more I had good cause to thinke so, for that his L. did immediatly therevpon, viz. within one houre after, in fortifiyng the saied talke, commaunde me to close imprisonment.

Sixth and last, after that he had kept me sixe weekes in close imprisonment, by his L. complaint I am nowe at this present prisoner in the Tower, much contrary to his promise before made.

The premisses being true (lyke as they are all moste true) being to openly commited, and before to many wit∣nesses to be denied: your Honour may easily iudge, with what wisedome, discretion, and charitie I haue hene vsed, I being a poore man, the Q. Maiesties prisonner, and to

his L. committed (I dare boldly affirme) to be well vsed. It was very straunge to me, to see suche behauiour openly shewed at the table of such a man. Surely for mine owne parte, I was neuer so vsed, neither openly nor priuately at any mans table before in my whole life. My humble sute therefore vnto your Honour is, that proufe and trial may he had of my trueth herein, and what my deseruings hath bene for the whole time of mine abode there. In due search and examination hereof I doubt not but there shal fall out matter betwixt vs, either of much simplicitie and trueth, or els of greate crafte and falsehood: either of ho∣nest, vertuouse and godly, or els dishonest, vitiouse and vngodly vsage▪ and either of much light, learning, and knowledge, or els of very grosse ignoraunce, and palpable darkenesse: let it fall and light on the whiche side it shall happe, vppon the triall and examination made, I doubt not, but that your Honour shall haue a full shewe and a sufficient proufe made, of euery thing that hath passed betweene vs. There may be deniall made for a shifte and some short time: but for any long time it may not possibly endure, euery thing being so openly committed and done, so diuerse and manie beyng of knowledge and witnesse thereof.