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. Ho••ne.

As euerie Christian man ought to be carefull to auoide Periurie both in this and al other matters: euen so vvise men may vvell knovve, vvhat you meane by the conditionall case ye put, of the refusall by her highnesse Succes∣sours of this Title: vvhereto the holy Ghoste maketh you this plaine ansvver: Spes Hypocritae peribit: The Hypocrites hope shall perishe. You sprinkle this doubtfull case vvith a pouder of late experience, ••vhiche seasoneth your mater, De facto, non de Iure. For it is not lavvfull for any Christian prince to refuse (.554.)* 1.1 this Supremacie, vvhich is the beste parte of his princely Ministery, and seruice vnto God. Neither may be more bi••de his subiectes by lavve to become svvoren to the Pope and Poperye, than to the (••55.)* 1.2 greate ••urke and turkerie. For that the Pope is a more peril¦lous (.556.)* 1.3 ennemie vnto Christ, than the turke: and Popery much more Idolatrous, then turkery. And therefore there is no humaine Authoritie, that can dispence vvith the violation of this lavvfull Othe, made of duety vnto the Christian Princes.

This is a lamētable case I graūt, that subiectes should liue in cōtinual diso∣bediēce to the lavves of the prince, vvhether it happē for that the lavves be so vngodly, that a christian subiect may not vvith good cōsciēce obey thē (expe∣rience vvherof vvas of late made here in this Realme.) Or for that the stub∣bornesse of the subiect mainteined vvith a vvicked, and yet a vaine hope. be so stiffe, that vvilfully he liueth in a cōtinual disobediēce to the Godly lavves of his soueragine, vvherof experience is made novv at this time in you, and a fevve others of your (.557.)* 1.4 conspiracie There is good cause, vvhie ye should haue your very trust ād hope (as you saie ye haue, hovv vngratiousely soeuerye thīk) assured of the charity of our church nevvly reformed after the rule of gods vvord, vvherat ye Popish * 1.5 svvine grunte and groine. For you, in your ovvne self, haue perfect experiēce, that the supreme gouernour vnder Christ of this realm, folovving the exāple of her heauēly father, doth boūtifully, of her good∣nes, vvith much more patiēce, and lōg sufferīg allure you to dutiful repētāce. And hath further prouided sundry meanes and vvaies, vvherby to remoue your vvilful ignorance, and to endue you vvith sufficient knovvledge of the truthe, hovv ye might vvith salfe conscience receiue this dutifull Othe of a true sub∣iecte, vvithout all periurie.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The .554. vntruth. It is not lauful for any Prīce to take it.
• * 1.2

  The .555. vntruth. Horible and Pro∣testante lyke.
• * 1.3

  The .556. vntruth. Extreme slaunde∣rous, as al the world knoweth yea M. Horne him self,
• * 1.4

  The .557. vntruth. The com¦panie of catholy∣kes is no cōspiracy.
• * 1.5

  modestia vestra (M Horne) nota sit omnibus hominibus