A thankfull remembrance of Gods mercy In an historicall collection of the great and mercifull deliverances of the Church and state of England, since the Gospell began here to flourish, from the beginning of Queene Elizabeth. Collected by Geo: Carleton, Doctor of Divinitie, and Bishop of Chichester.

A THANKFVLL REMEMBRANCE OF GODS MERCY. (Book 1)

CHAPTER I. (Book 1)

HAving a purpose to ob∣serue Gods great and merciful deliuerāces of the Church of England, and Gods holy protec∣tiō of the same, against the manifolde, most dangerous, most despe∣rate practises of the ad∣versaries, that haue with strange malice and cru∣eltie, sought the destruction thereof, and inten∣ding to fetch the beginning of this search from the beginning of the Raigne of Queene ELIZA∣BETH, of blessed memory: I knew no better way how to enter into this Narration, then to begin with the consideration of the State of Queene

ELIZABETH, at her first entrance; for therein will appeare a wonderfull Worke of God, and my intention is to obserue the great Workes of God, that God may be glorified.

When this famous Queene first entred,* 1.1 shee found the State much afflicted, and weakned. All the great States about her, were enemies. Friends none. King Philip, who offred his loue and kindnesse to her, and would haue married her, offering to obteine the Popes dispensation for him to marry two Sisters; as the like dispen∣sation was obteined by Ferdinand his great Grand-father, for h••s daughter Katharine to mar∣ry two Brothers, he offering this kindnesse, and being refused and reiected, grew first into dislike and discontent, afterwardes into hatred, and at last brake out into open Warres. The French King Henry the 2. with whom she sought peace, fell off also into open Warres. His sonne Francis having married Mary, Queene of Scotland, was moved by the Guysians to cause the Armes of En∣gland to be ioyned to the Armes of Scotland, & to professe the Queene of Scots the heire of England, and because Elizabeth was accounted by them an Heretike, therefore they sought to put her by, to set the Queene of Scots in her place, so should the French King haue England also. For the effecting of this, they sent their Armies into Scotland, pur∣posing f••om thence to haue subdued England. In so much that Sebastianus Martignius, a young Noble man of the family of Luxenburg, who was sent into Scotland with a thousand ••oote, and

some Companies of horse, could hardly be dis∣swaded from entring England presently. So that Spaine, France, and Scotland were enemies. The State was then much troubled and oppressed with great debt, contracted partly by Henry 8. partly by Edward 6. in his minoritie. The trea∣sure was exhausted; Calis was lost. Nothing see∣med to be left to her, but a weake, and poore State, destitute of meanes and friends. If shee would haue admitted the Popish Religion, then might all these difficulties haue beene removed But establishing the Gospell, shee vnderstood well that shee drew all these troubles vpon her owne head. Yet she gaue the glory to God, and in hope of Gods holy protection, she established Gods holy truth. And verily she did not serue God in vaine. For it is a thing to be wondred at, that the Land being then without strength, without Forces, without Souldiers, yea, without Armour; all things necessary should be so suddenly furni∣shed. She had provided Armour at Antwerpe, but King Philip caused that to be stayed. Yet was she not discouraged, but layd out much money vpon Armour, though she found the Treasury but poore. She procured Armour and weapons out of Germany. She caused many great Gunnes to be cast, of Brasse and Iron. And Gods provi∣dence and favour appeared in her protectio••. For new Mines of Brasse were found at Keswike, that had long beene neglected. From Whence there was not onely sufficient matter to supply her wants, but abundance thereof to be trans∣ported

to other Countries. The stone called La∣pis Calaminaris, whose vse is needfull for working in Brasse, was also at the same time first found in England. There was provision made at home also for the making of Gunne-powder. Which was done first here by her Commandement. For be∣fore it was bought and imported. Berwick be∣fore her time, was weake, and had but fiue hun∣dred Souldiers: She fortified the Towne, made the new inner Wall, and increased the number of Souldiers, and their stipends, that provision might be made for the training vp of experien∣ced Souldiers and martiall men. She provided a Navie, the best furnished that euer England sawe. Neither needed she to doe as her Father and An∣cestours were wont to doe, when they wanted Shippes, to send for Shippes and hire them from Hamburg, Lubeck, Dantisk, Genua, and Veni••e; for she had them ready at home to serue her. Yea all the good Townes vpon the Sea-coast, beholding this incredible alacritie, and forwardnes in their Prince, strived also to imitate the same, and there∣fore with great chearfulnesse and readinesse built Shippes for Warre. So that in a short time, the Queenes Shippes and those of the Subiects ioy∣ned together, rose to such a number, that they were able to imploy twentie thousand men in Sea-fight at once. The Noble-men, the Gentle∣men, and Yeomen, did all striue to answer so no∣ble a resolution of their Prince. And therefore great store of Armour and Weapons were every where provided. And braue spirits were bred

and inabled to service, whereby they became an helpe and ornament to their Countrey. So that Queene Elizabeth was quickly growne so strong, that all her adversaries were not able to hurt her. And was not this a great worke of God? That so weake a Woman should be able to defend her selfe against so many, so potent enemies? Yea, and not onely to match them, but to master them? This was Gods doing. Behold what it is to trust in God, and not in an arme of Flesh. God will haue his great Workes to be had in remem∣brance, that all men, especially Princes may be taught to know that their safetie is not in world∣ly policie, but in God which never forsaketh them that trust in him. Here then we haue a Worke, for which we are bound to glorifie God. Elizabeth, a Prince, at the beginning weake, de∣stitute of friends, vnfurnished of treasure, vnpre∣pared of all things, had in no other accompt of her great neighbours round about her, but as one left as a prey to the strongest that would inuade her and her kingdome: yet preparing her heart to God, giuing God the glory, establishing his truth in her Land, trusting in him: She was in a few yeares made strong against her enemies; they feared her more then she feared them. This is an example can hardly be paralleled. It was a worke o•• God in defence of his Church here, and we yeeld all glory and prayse vnto God for his mer∣cies shewed herein. From this example, Princes may take a worthy instruction to rest vpon God, and to seeke his glory, and know assuredly, that

when they are at the weakest state, if they giue their hearts to God, and their service to his true Religion, God will raise them to greatnes, who hath promised to honor them that honor him,* 1.2 and threatned, that they that dishonor him, shall be despi∣sed. Before I leaue this example of Gods protectiō of this noble Queene in her first entrance: Let this be remembred, that as all the great Princes adioyning, with the Pope and all, were her great enemies, so there were no friends able to helpe her: for they that were friends, and would haue helped if they could, stood all need of her help. The Scots were sore troubled with the French Armies procured by the Guysians, but shee hel∣ped them, and protected the King in his mino∣ritie, and freed that State from the tyranny of the French governement. The Low-Countries, were tyrannised by the Duke D' Alva who chan∣ged their governement, and inhibited their mee∣tings in councell. For to speake somewhat of the ancient governement of that people, to stop the common imputations cast vpon them by such as are not well affected to them: Their go∣vernement was by a generall assembly of the States: Their governours were such as were borne within the 17. Provinces, no strangers. These were anciently the Clergie, the Nobility, and the Deputies of the Provinces, and of good Townes, meeting together in their generall As∣semblies. These so meeting made lawes and or∣ders whereby that State was governed. The De∣puties were sent to the generall Assemblies, by

the Suffrages of the people, and vpon cause they were recalled by the people, and other sent in their roomes. This manner of governement, some of the Dukes of Burgundy, and some others disliked, as giving too much power to the peo∣ple, and to little to their Dukes: and therefore laboured to change it, but could not. Charles the fift Emperour would gladly haue changed their governement, but when he saw that it could not be done without the commotion of the whole State, he left it vndone. Philip 2. Anno 1549. Iuly 8. tooke his oath, which he made and re∣nued againe Anno ••555. to keepe, maintaine, and preserue these Countries in their ancient rights, priviledges, and customes, without brea∣king them or suffering them to be broken, in a∣ny sort or manner. But when the Duke D' Alva was governour there vnder the King, he practi∣sed the contrary, and professed that the King was not to governe them, as his ancient inheri∣tance, but as vpon a new conquest, making what lawes he would, and setting what governement best pleased him. Whereupon his whole drift and practise was for a newe conquest of all the Provinces and Townes. The pretence of religi∣on was sought: but it was resolved by the Coun∣sell of Spaine, to change the whole governement, and to erect a new. This appeared aswell by the Dukes open profession, as by those designes which he practised vpon the persons of some of the Nobility, and vpon the good Townes. For when the Earles of Egmont and Horne, were ap∣prehended

and putto death, mistrusting nothing because they knew no cause to mistrust: they that did this, could not pretend religion, because these Earles were of the Popish religion. they could not pretend any disloyalty against them, for their firme loyalty and their great services to the King, made them so confident; onely it was thought that these Noble men would neuer yeeld to the change of the government of that State, therefore they were cut off. The like ap∣peared in the strange surprises and cruelty practi∣sed against many Townes, which were of the po∣pish religion. For divers townes that were firme to the Spaniard in the point of religion, and in obedience to the King, when armies were sent to them, intertaining the armies in all obedience, opening their gates, shewing all loue and friend∣ship to the Spanish armies: were of a suddaine surprised, and brought to vtter ruine. The Spa∣niards, killing and massackring all, taking their goods, abusing their wiues and daughters, as the manner of such barbarous men is in a new con∣quest, ex••rcising more cruelties against their pro∣fessed friends, then they could doe to their ene∣mies. Such barbarous cruelties were practised against the Townes of Machlin, Maestrich, Zut∣phen, Naerden, Antwerp, and others, who were their friends, agreeing in the same religion with them, holding as then, their obedience firme to the King: yet were they spoyled, killed, ransac∣ked, and overthrowne like enemies. Which strange cruelty declared that it was not religion

that moved this cruelty, but that which the Duke D'Alva did openly professe, that the King must hold all the Low-Countries by a new con∣quest, that so he might change the governement, and impose what lawes he would.

It may seeme a strange vse of the Popes Au∣thority which King Philip made, when from the Pope he got a dispensation of that oath, which he had taken at his entrance into the Low-Coun∣tries. This is an vse of a Pope fit indeede for them that would doe whatsoever they list with∣out conscience, or the feare of Gods lawes or mans. If such an vse may be made of the Popes power, then Popish Princes must needes in the sight of the world, seeme to haue a great advan∣tage over others. But if they may so dispense at their pleasure with oathes and promises, then may all those of their religion see plainely that there are neither humane nor divine bands or securitie that can binde Papists: for when they please, the Pope will free them from all bands of conscience, from the lawes of God, of man, of nature, of nations. But God will not be thus served. And therefore by Gods iust iudgements they that rely vpon such vngodly practises, loose more in the ende, then they gaine by such pro∣fane dealings. This was the cause of their trou∣bles in the Low Countries. That state being then so tro••bled, could yeelde no helpe to Queene Elizabeth, yet did shee yeelde helpe to them.

The King of Denmarke, and the Protestants in Fraunce, were not able to helpe her, nor to

helpe themselues without her meanes. This must needes be acknowledged an extraordinary blessing of God, to make her able to withstand the greatest enemies, and to helpe all that were distressed for Religion.

This famous Queene though troubled by forraine states in the beginning of her Raigne, yet had great peace and quietnes at home. This was the fruit of true religion: her Subiects lived in peace, and tranquilitie; no motions then at∣tempted. Only in the fourth yeare of her Raign, Arthur Poole, and his brethren comming of the race of George Duke of Clarence, who was bro∣ther to Edward the fourth, and Antony Fortiskue, who married their sister, with some other of that conspiracie, were brought to their tryall, for that they had conspired to flie to the G••ise in∣to France, and thence to come with an Armie into Wales, and there to declare the Scottish Queene, to be Queene of England, and Arthur Poole Duke of Clarence. All which they freely confessed at their tryall: yet protesting that it was not their purpose to execute this designe, as long as Queene Elizabeth lived: who as they supposed should dye within a yeare; for so some cosening Astrologians had told them. Whereup∣on they were condemned, yet their liues were spared in respect of their blood. Wherein wee may acknowledge the goodnes of God in disco∣vering such a plot, before it tooke strength, and the noble nature of the Queene, that dealt so nobly with her owne blood.

Thus the Land within rested in great quietnes, for some yeares. The Church was established, and increased, learning flourished, godlines and true pietie prevailed, Popish ignorance was dri∣ven into corners. The Papists that then were, were content to keepe themselues quiet. Either they kept their Religion private to themselues, or els they came to our Churches, as most of them did. But the enemy of all goodnesse envy∣ing this peaceable state of England, stirred vp the Pope to giue occasion to new troubles, and to wrap the Kingdome into dangers. Whereby as the Church hath beene more troubled, then it was before, so the Papists haue got nothing by the bargain, but lost much, by stirring vp the peaceable inclinatiō of the Prince against them, and by provoking the State to make severe lawes to curb•• them. Who might haue liued quietly, if they had not procured their owne trouble.

Paulus IIII. was Pope when Queene Eliza∣beth began to Raigne, this Pope was not trouble∣some against her. His successor was, Pius IIII. who seemed to be a moderate man. For he was moved by the Count of Feria, who served the King of Spaine, to excommunicate Queene Eli∣zabeth, but he thought it not good to proceed to such extremities. For seeing the Popes authority is a thing consisting rather in the conceits of some men, then in any truth and substance: If it should once appeare that this thunderbolt of ex¦communicate, whereby he hath so much terri∣fied the world, should proue idle, ineffectuall

without all po••er, then might this great autho∣ritie fall into contempt, and so be made ridicu∣lous. Whether for this cause or what other, he would not be perswaded to vse this extremitie against the Queene,* 1.3 but sent Letters, shewing some loue and kindnesse, by an Abbot Parpalia, by whom also he sent certaine secret Mandates. Which what they were was not openly knowne. But some acquainted well with State affayres then, reported that the Pope offred to recall and disanull the sentence as vniust which was given against her Mothers marriage, and to confirme the English Liturgie by his authoritie, granting also the vse of the Sacrament vnder both kindes, so that she would ioyne her selfe to the Romane Church, & acknowledge the Popes supremacy. And for the effecting hereof, a great sum of gold was promised to some that should be vsed as in∣struments for this purpose. But Queene Eliza∣beth remaining SEMPER EADEM, ever like her selfe, vtterly denied to haue any thing to do with the Pope.

But the next Pope, Pius V. that succeeded, tooke another course, whether a better or worse, let the event declare. For in the yeare 1569. he sent out an excommunication against her, and all adhering to her,* 1.4 wherein her subiects were ab∣solved from the Oath of their Alleagance, and from all other offices and duties, and that all that should obey her were accursed. Which thing brought more trouble vpon the Papists, then vp∣on the Queene, or any of her obedient subiects.

And hath openly declared to all the world, that the Popes curse is a thing proceeding from pri∣vate splene and malice, and now nothing feared but contemned, when all men may see that the Popes curse is turned by the favour of God into an extraordinary blessing, and that the Pope is not Christs V••car in these ministeries, because he is contrary to Christ, and Christ contrary to him. The Pope cursing, and Christ blessing, the Pope seeking thereby to destroy the Queene, Christ maintaining her, made her stronger after this cu••se then ever she was before. Yet it is true that many troubles did rise thereby, but God turned them all vnto her good, that men may vnder∣stand the fruit of true Religion established, which bringeth the protection of God with it.

Notes

• * 1.1

  She entred Anno. 1558.
• * 1.2

  1 Sam. 2. 30.
• * 1.3

  An. Dō. 1560.
• * 1.4

  This Bull was dated Anno Dom. 1569. Quinto Cal: Mar••.