Aphorismes ciuill and militarie amplified with authorities, and exemplified with historie, out of the first quarterne of Fr. Guicciardine.

A BRIEFE INFERENCE vpon GVICCIARDINES Digression.

SIR, by yours of the xiiij. of Iune, you desire to know the reason why the Inquisition hath effaced that excellent Digression out of the fourth booke of GVICCIARDINE: and what in my poore opinion may be inferred thereof. Which I send you with this enclosed, for your priuate reading, being willing to satisfie the request of one I respect so much, though in the discourse I nothing satisfie either you or my selfe.

VNgracious children, borne of low and meane estate, when their fortune or industrie hath ad∣uanced them to honour, (be the meanes good or bad) they are euer ashamed of their pede∣gree, and will not acknowledge the humble e∣state and condition of their forefathers. What reason else the Church of Rome hath to raze the memory of her Ancestors out of historie, (the reuerend records of Antiquitie) I for my part cannot see. For this worthy Historian was one of her owne: a Catholicke in his profession, no man more: a re∣porter of things he saw or knew, no man truer: and a creature of the Popes, employed in honourable charges. By which Peece of his, thus vniustly rent and dismembred from the rest, you may see our religion naked in her infancie; lapped onely in the swathing clothes of innocencie; cherished in the warme bosome of securirie, and supported by the strong hand of Secular autho∣ritie. See what he saith, and beleeue what you see.

GVICCIAR. For the declaration whereof, and of many other things succeeding in future times, it is requisite that mention be made, what claime the Church hath to the cities of Romagna, and others which

she hath held heretofore, or possesseth at this day: And in what manner she is come to these earthly States and gouernments; being at first meer∣ly instituted for spirituall administration: And likewise that it be set downe as a thing of necessary dependance, what coniunctions and allian∣ces haue bene from time to time vpon these and other occasions, between the Bishops and Emperors of Rome.

THe necessitie of this Digression from the maine current of the historie, arose vpon this occasion. The LL^s. of Romagna, who held of the Church of Rome in Capite, had in effect for many yeares together withdrawne themselues from their obe∣dience vnder her dominion. For some of them refused to pay their yearly tribute, in recognition of their homage and fealrie: others paid it, but with much difficultie, and often out of time. But all of them in generall, without the Popes leaue (their liege Lord) would accept of other Princes entertainment, and put them∣selues and troupes vnder their pay: Non obstante that the warre in hand was against the Church. And likewise they had these Princes enterchangeably bound to them, to aide and defend them, though it were against the armes of the Church. Now therfore the Pope instāceth the French king to performe what he was tied to by Couenāt, sc. Of assisting the Church to recouer her right in Romagna: which the King willingly granteth: and sendeth Iuo d'Alegri with three hundred lances, and foure thousand Swisse vn∣der the Bailiffe of Dijon, to the Duke Valentinois the Popes son, for this seruice. The interest which the Church had to this State, and by what meanes it was lost, our Author thinkes it expedient to set downe here at large: and therefore one chiefe branch of this Digression, is nothing else but An authenticall Euidence of the Churches right to Romagna: a faire Charter how she holds it by a strong Deed of gift, with proofes of the validitie of the Conueyance and equi∣tie of the Tenure. And this branch I suppose she would haue suffe∣red to grow still and flourish. But then there is another, which shewes by good record, how her gouernment was at first meerly spirituall: which restriction she likes not, and hath stretched so

much, as she hath broken that True loues knot, which was be∣tweene Temporall and Ecclesiasticall Iurisdiction. Besides, a third branch there is, which laies open her ambitious purchase of greatnesse, and the meanes how she got it, which she would haue all men acknowledge for iust, and none to looke into the vnlaw∣fulnesse of the vsurpation. And these be the two branches, for whose sake, she hath iniuriously lopt off all the three.

GVICCIAR. The Bishops of Rome, of whom the Apostle Peter was the first, their power being layed by Iesus Christ in spirituall things, great in charitie, humilitie, patience, lowlinesse of spirit, and miracles; were not onely without all temporall power, but were persecuted by it: manifesting their name in nothing more then in the persecutions, which they and their followers endured. And thus they remained for many yeares obscure, and as it were vnknowne. For, although (through the multitude of people that were then in Rome, and the diuersity of the Nati∣ons, and their Religions) the proceedings of the Christians were little re∣garded, and some of the Emperors persecuted them not at all, except when it appeared their publicke actions or exercises could not be passed in silence; yet some of them, either through the crueltie of their nature, or their deuotion to their owne heathenish gods, persecuted them with all extremitie, as bringers in of new Superstition, and ouerthrowers of (their) true Religion.

THe Bishops of Rome in the primitiue time of the Church, were so, rather by Appellation from their meere spirituall function, then by Iurisdiction from their consistoriall au∣thoritie. For what Sea, what Chapter, what Diocesse, what Go∣uernment had they? who liued alwaies in obscuritie, & exercised their religion and seruice of the true God, onely by stealth, and in corners: or else being discouered, suffered vnder the heauie hand of persecution. Graue, Learned, Religious, Pious men they were; the office of S. Peter and S. Paule they executed, to instruct, and reprooue: by the imposition of hands, and those other so∣lemne and sacred rites vsed by the Apostles, they conferred the

holy order of Pristhood on others: that with them they might co-operate in that new planted Vineyard, to the building vp of those few penitent Christians, (whereof the greater part were poore, and obscure,) that came to them for comfort in matter of cōscience, or for direction in case of doubt. These they loosed from their sinnes, and confirmed in the truth: Others they repro∣ued and conuinced of their errors, and bound them from the participation of spirituall blessings, by vertue of that power which Christ had left them in his Church. Whereby, although they had an authoritie spirituall, and power of excommunication, yet a farther power of goods, limme, or life, a power of deposing Kings, and disposing kingdomes they had not: nor had S. Peter himselfe, from whom they striue to deriue their succession both in place and power. Of whose being at Rome, we greatly dispute not, for it inferreth nothing of consequence, to that they would insinuate. We know it was not Peters being at Rome that gaue her the Supremacie ouer all other Churches, but Romes greatnesse that gaue the occasion of that greatnesse, which is now attribu∣ted to Peter. For though it be true, that he had Superioritatem or∣dinis, before the rest of the Apostles, yet was he not Superior po∣testate, which the Popes haue since chalenged. And if (three hun∣dred yeares after almost) when Constantine embraced, professed, and maintained Christian religion, the Imperiall Maiestie had then resided in France, as it did fiue hundred yeares after, and there continued some fourescore yeares; orin Germany, where it hath bene euer since: we had had a Pope of Paris, or of Prage, instead of this that we haue now at Rome. But a fatall thing it hath bene to this citie to vsurpe ouer the world: First, by holding in a temporall subiection all the countries of her neighbour Prin∣ces: Since, by bringing into thraldome the hearts and conscien∣ces of Christians: First, by intruding vpon the inheritance of men; then, by incroaching vpon the heritage of Christs owne purchase. But say we graunt that Peter were Head of the Church, yet can it neuer be proued, that such a Clemens, such a Pius, or Innocentius, whose abhominable actions shew they had

their names 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, are the true successors of Peter. Except they can tie Truth and Pietie to a place, which is more then all their censing, hallowing, and exorcizing can doe. Rome her selfe is an instance, which from the integritie of those former times is become as Petrarch describes her.

Fontana di dolore, Albergo d'Ira, Scuola d'Errori, Tempio d'Heresia, Già Roma, hor Babilonia, empia eria. Per cui tanto sipiagne, esi sospira.

A Source of sorrow, Harbrough of ire, A Schoole of errors, Temple of heresies, Earst Rome, now Babylon, full of villanies, Forcing our teares of brine, and sighes of fire.

Succession therefore of place is a sandie ground, to build the marble materials of Truth vpon. For we see in this very se∣ction, that where Religion hath publike authoritie to main∣taine it, the whole State to professe it, and a long tract and conti∣nuance of time, to giue it countenance (be it neuer so false) yet power, vnitie, vniuersalitie, and successe, giues it the title of Truth. Such was here the seruice of false gods in the Romane Empire: And how it may now againe be applied to Rome, let other men iudge. But where a Religion is poore, obscure, discount enanced, oppressed, without any to protect her, or many to professe her, (be it neuer so ancient and true) it is wronged with the aspersion of Noueltie and Heresie. Such was here the seruice of the True God in the Church of Rome: And whether it be not now the Protestants case, against the false imputation which the Papist throwes vpon him, let the venerable Records of these Primitiue times be witnesse.

GVICCIAR. In which estate, famous for their voluntarie Po∣uertie, Integritie of life, and Martyrdome, these Bishops continued till the time of Syluester: In whose daies Constantine the Emperor being brought to embrace the Christian Religion, through the holy conuersation which was daily obserued in those that professed the name of Christ: The Bi∣shops now were freed from the danger wherein they had liued 300. yeares, and had libertie to exercise publickly the diuine Seruice, and rites

of Christians. Whereupon Christianitie began to spread it selfe marue∣lously, and the pouertie of the Clergie to diminish, through the reuerence which was borne to the good behauiour of the Professors, the holie lessons which our Religion containes in it, and the readinesse that is in men to follow either through ambition (oftentimes) or through feare, the ex∣ample of the Prince. For the Emperor Constantine hauing built in Rome the Church of S. Iohn in the Lateran, S. Peter in the Vatican, that of S. Paule, and many others in other places: He not onely adorned them with rich vessels and ornaments, but enfeoffed them also with possessions, and endowed them with other reuenewes for the maintenance of those Chur∣ches in their apparaments and buildings, and of the Clergie that serued in that holy Ministerie. So likewise others in times succeeding, being perswa∣ded, by Almes and Legacies to the Church to make an easie purchase of the kingdome of heauen, did either build and endow other Churches, or gaue part of their wealth to those already built. Yea by the law and ancient custome (following the example of the old Testament) euerie man paied the Church the tenth of his fruites: Men being stirred hereunto with great zeale, because at the first they obserued the Clergie themselues, to giue all they had to the building and adorning of Churches, or to o∣ther godly and charitable vses: Saue onely what was needfull for a meane sustentation of their life.

THe two glorious Lampes, Puritie of Doctrine in the Christi∣an Religion, and Integritie of life in the professors thereof, do now blaze and shine forth through the two thicke mists, of profane gentilisme, and corruption of manners. For, neuer was that Iustice, Vertue, and Worth of the old Romans so much adulterate and bastardized as now: Neuer such crueltie, lust, riot, and oppression in their Princes, neuer such base flatterie, false informations, and ignoble supplantations in their Senators; neuer so much vice in generall, raigning both in the Citie and State. These two therefore were the true causes of the Gospels entertainment, promulgation, and propagation. But all things haue their declination and decay, by the contraries to their life and growth. For as we obserue in naturall bodies, that natiue

heate and radicall humour are the causes of their increase and continuance; but the contraries to these do cause them to decay and die: So in the bodie Ecclesiastick, it is no maruell, if that pri∣mitiue heate of zeale to pietie and truth be growne colde in the Church of Rome, and that moisture of grace to vertue and ho∣nestie be quite dried vp, though she fall to an vtter ruine and de∣cay. As for her corruption of manners, her owne children out of their iust griefe haue expresly tainted her with all the staines of vicious life in the particular, and all the straines of ambitious vsurpation in the generall. I will exemplifie both with two instan∣ces out of this our Author.

GVICCIAR. Pope Alexander himselfe could not auoide his do∣mesticall misfortunes, which too too much afflicted his house, with tra∣gicke examples, lust, and horrible crucltie, euen in all barbarous manner. For hauing from his first entrance to the Papacie, resolued to lay all Tem∣porall greatnesse vpon his eldest sonne the Duke of Candie; the Cardi∣nall of Valence his yonger sonne hauing no disposition to Priestly functi∣on, aspired to the profession of Armes, disdaining that his brother should be preferred to that honour before him: being also much incensed because his brother shared with him in the loue of the Ladie Lucrece, courted by them both, and sister to them both. Wherefore pricked on with lust and ambition, (two powerfull ministers of all villanie) he caused him secret∣ly one night to be murthered, and to be throwne into Tyber. The fame went also, (if such an enormitie be to be beleeued) that not onely the bro∣thers, but the father also himselfe concurred in the competition of the Ladies loue; who so soone as he was Pope, taking her from her first hus∣band, as being now too base for a Ladie of her degree, he married her to Iohn Zforza Lord of Pesaro. And after, not enduring to haue her owne husband his Corriuall, he dissolued the mariage which before was con∣summate, suborning some to testifie before Iudges chosen for the purpose, (and them to giue sentence) that Zforza was frigidae naturae, and vn∣apt for generation.

THus farre Guicciardine of this vertuous sonne a Cardinall; and this holy Father a Pope: of whose death hee likewise

truly reporteth in this Historie, that he was poisoned by mis∣taking a cup which himselfe and his sonne had prouided for the dispatch of some other Cardinals, that stood in the way of their diuellish desseignes. This historie is extant in many Editions, to the shame of his memory, and staine of that Sea for euer. But the Oration of Pompey Colonna and Anthonie Sauello, two noble Gen∣tlemen of Rome, which they made to the citizens in the Capitoll, vpon the suppósed death of Iulius 2. is banished this historie by the Inquisition, whose proscriptions are like the Athenian Ostra∣cisme, that thrust out none but the best and most worthy. Which we may iustly call home againe, and fitly plant in this place, to batter the rotten bulwarke of the Popes pride and vsurped au∣thoritie. It is thus:

GVICCIAR. The Nobilitie hath bene long enough trod downe (O ye Romanes,) enough haue those generous spirits (whilome the conque∣rours of the world) liued in seruitude. The times past perhaps may in some sort be excused, by the awfull reuerence men bore to Religion: In re∣spect whereof, being accompanied with holinesse of life and miracles, our ancestors yeelded to the command of the Clergie, and willingly submitted themselues vnder the sweete yoke of Christian pietie, without force of armes, or violence whatsoeuer. But now what necessitie, what worthinesse of theirs can possibly couer the shame of our slauerie? What? The integri∣tie of life? the good example of those Priests, or the miracles they worke? What generations is there I pray you in the world, more corrupted, more polluted, with more brutish and beastly manners? In whom it seemeth miraculous, that God the fountaine of Iustice, suffereth their villanies so long. Is this tyrannie of theirs maintained by the sword? by the indu∣strie of men? or by their daily prouidence for the preseruation of the Pa∣pall dignitie? What generation of men is there lesse experienced in milita∣rie knowledge and practise? more giuen to slouth and pleasures? or more carelesse of the honour and good of their successors? There are onely two States in the world, that may fitly be paralleled one with the other: This of the Popes of Rome, and that of the Sultans of Cairo. Because neither the dignitie of the Sultan, nor the honours of the Mamaluches are here∣ditary,

but passing frōnation to nation, they are conferred vpon strangers. And yet this seruitude of the Romanes is much more shameful then that of Egypt or of Syria: For it couereth in some sort the staine of their disgrace, that the Mamaluches are a valorous & fierce people, accustomed to labors, and to a life free frō all delicacie. But whō do we Romanes serue? Drowsie and slothfull persons, strangers, and oftentimes most base, no lesse in bloud then in condition. Time it is now at length to awake frō so heauie a sleepi∣nes, and to remēber, That to be a Romane is a most glorious name, when it is accompanied with vertue: but that it doubleth the shame & infamie to him that forgetteth the honorable fame of his Ancestors. The way is now made easie vnto vs: because that vpon the death of the Pope they are at discord among thēselues, the mindes of the great ones are distracted, & the priestly tyrannie is now more then euer heretofore hatefull to all Princes.

THis detestation of theirs, and protestation against the Popes temporall Lordship ouer Rome, may Christian Princes iustly take vp against his spirituall tyrannie ouer them, & the Churches in their dominions, and say in the same tenour of words (Regall authoritie hath bene long enough troddowne, O ye Christians, long enough haue those generous spirits, &c.) Which Oration, whether it were theirs, or made by our Author in their persons (as Historians v∣sually do) it is not material: it plainly sheweth and truly, how the Romans themselues stand affected and conceited to that Court, who are daily eie-witnesses of the pride and filthinesse thereof; which the Bigots of this age, and in places far remote, either will not haue the patience to heare, or the grace to beleeue. They will not be perswaded but that the whole body of that Church is soūd, when her wise neighbors see how sick she is in the Head. So much are they hood-winkt and blind-folded by the Iesuites those mi∣neral Doctors, who haue digged very deep for plaisters to couer, not for salues to cure the vlcer; & haue brought a mischiefe, not a remedy into the Church. For no sooner had men appeared, whose skil was good to cure this foule leprosie, but straight starts vp this colledge of Quacksaluers to hinder the work: A Loiola for a Luther, a Rowlād for an Oliuer. And as the Turkish Bashas assured the army that the Ottoman Emperour was liuing, and in reasonable good

state of health, when he lay dead in his litter: so these Romish Ia∣nisaries perswade the poore people of our Christian campe, that all is wel at Rome, & that the Popes Holinesse is iust in his gouern∣ment, vpright in his Religion, and sound in his practise and con∣uersation of life; when he lies sweltring oftentimes in the soile of his rotten rule, and litter of leud life: Venting for truth, and to be receiued vpon pain of damnation, the sale-able but not auailable trash of his owne weauing. No maruell therefore though their owne Petrarch call for this direfull vengeance vpon his Court:

Fiamma dal ciel su le tue treccie pioua Maluaggia: che dal fiume e dalle ghiande, Per altru' impouerir sei ricca e grande, Poi chè di mal oprar tanto ti gioua. Nido di tradimenti in cuisi coua Quanto mal per'l mondo hoggi si spande, Di vin serua, di letti, & de viuande, In cui lussuria fa l'vltima proua.

Let fire from heauen on thy proud tresses fall, Thou wicked queane: who first on acornes fed, Art now growne rich and fat by others bread, Since to do well thou hast no ioy at all. Thou neast of treasons, wherein hatched lies All mischiefes broached through our Hemisphaere: In thee wine, slouth, and viands domineere, And lustfull riot playes her vtmost prise.

As for those other Doctors of that Church, whom we haue here among vs (the Secular Priests) though they retain still the old Lees of that corrupted Cask of the Romish Church, yet they appeare to be guiltles, nay rather haters of those furious nouelties brought in by the Iesuits (at least if their internal meaning agree with their ex∣ternal professiō.) But if they dissemble with vs, impaling their con∣sciences, & oaths of obedience to our King, within this parenthesis (Rebus fic stantibus,) & reseruing an implicite beliefe in the Councel of Trent, concerning the absolute necessitie of subiection to the Pope; such temporizing must needs be far frō the ingenuity & sin∣cerity of Christian Religion, & wherin they much abuse their dis∣ciples here among vs. For we are in good hope, that since they professe so much to retaine the old Leauen of ancient Religion,

they will not suffer thēselues to be infected with the new equiuo∣cations of the Iesuiticall Sect: but as they maintaine so obstinately the ancient errors of the Romish Church, so they will be loth to renounce the ancient honesty that the world (euen in the time of greatest blindnes) did so carefully preserue, namely, honestie mo∣ral to their neighbor, & due & faithful obedience to their Prince. So, though they be a little too homely with the first Table in the point of worship; they wil I hope (at least I wish) proue carefull & honest obseruers of the second: which, how little or much it may auaile them to their saluation, as I wil not take vpon me to deter∣mine, yet I am sure it cannot faile to make them proue morally honest men before the world. As for their Religion (the other cause considerable in this Section) it is now so farded and daubed with the counterfait parget of mens traditions, like the painted women of this age, that we may say of it, as an old Doctor of the Church said of them in his daies, Vereor ne Deus creatur ā non agnos∣cat suā. For Christian religion was at first like the garment of Christ without seame or rent, and the Church that professed it without Schisme or Faction: But now this Arke of Noah, like the Ship of Argos, is so peeced and patched by them, with the rotten rags & soiled shreds of sinfull mans inuention, as there is scarce any soūd timber of the old Truth remaining. First she was poore, then much added, after much altered, from better to worse, and now at the worst; like Daniels image, whose head was of gold, breast and armes of siluer, belly and thighs of brasse, legs of iron, feet part of iron and part of clay. She was at first the sacred bond that tied Princes to their people, in all lawfull administration of Iustice; & the people to their Princes, in all awful performance of Alleage∣ance: But now, the one oftē makes her the cloke of his ambition, and the other the colour of all their treasons: Vnder which pre∣tence, more Christiā bloud hath bin shed, then is at this day in all the States of Christendom. Christ left her with his Church poore and naked, clothed only with Simplicitie, supported by Faith, led by Humilitie, attended with Pietie, and armed with Constancie. For thus at the end of 300 yeares, did the Imperiall authoritie

finde her, like an Orphan child in the bosome of her poore mo∣ther the Church: But it entertained her as a deare Sister: and for the mutuallloue they bare, and the comfort they found each in other, like the Graces they enfolded and enclasped their armes of assistance together: like Co-heires, they parted the inheritāce be∣tween them: There was a diuision, but no discord; in the diuersitie of order, there was an harmonie of gouernment: their Motto was that of the blind man and the lame in Alciate, (Mutuum Auxiliū:) for Policie thought her selfe blind, without the direction of Reli∣gion; and Religion found her selfe lame, without the support of Policie. And thus they sate in their seuerall Courts of Iustice: the one in the Common Pleas of euery poore mans right: the other in the Consistory of euery good mans conscience. And now was the Church of Rome the mother of Truth, the nurse of Pietie, the sister of Policie, and protected by the sword and power of secular authoritie. But when Princes had once endowed her with great riches, enfeoffed her with faire possessions, & inuested her in the ioynt participation of their authoritie; then such was her pride, as no colours would serue her but Scarlet & Purple: and such her ambition, as no share would content her but all. Religio peperit di∣uitias, & filia deuorauit matrem. Since whē, she hath hatched and brought forth falshood in opinions, impietie in actions, treachery in couenants, & ambiguitie in oathes & promises: cherishing State-troublers, fostering King-quellers, & taking the double ed∣ged sword of authoritie into her owne hands. Princes resume your right: Take away the cause, if ye like not the effect: It is her part to teach onely; yours onely to command: Hers, onely to be holy; yours to be iust.

GVICCIAR. And then was the Bishop of Rome (ambition and pride not hauing yet seized on their hearts) taken generally for the chiefe of all other Churches, and of the Spirituall Iurisdiction, as the Successor of the Apostle S. Peter. Both because that citie by her ancient preheminence and greatnesse, kept still the name and maiestie of the Em∣pire: as also because from her, Christian Religion was spredd ouer the greatest part of Europe: and lastly because Constantine himselfe baptized

by Syluester, yeilded willingly that power to him and his successors.

NOW cometh the Church to haue her established Gouern∣ment, and a Head or chiefe thereof acknowledged. For she could not well subsist, but by order; and order cannot be, but by a graduall proceeding from the inferiour to the next, and so to the highest. This Head or chiefe was the Bishop of Rome. And herein he had a double power, one as a member of the Church, from Christ the Head: But this power was like the peace which Christ left his Apostles, (A peace of conscience, a power of con∣science,) a power in things meerely Spirituall, a power to binde and loose, to open and shut heauen gates: In which sence, euery poore Priest lawfully ordained is a Porter as well as S. Peter. But he had an other power as head of the Church gouernement, from the Emperor, the supreame Head of all worldly power within his dominions: A power of Oyer and Terminer in cases lia∣ble to the Consistory, as our Iudges haue vnder the King, in cases within their seuerall circuites: A power which the Emperor might well giue him, for it was not of matters originally and na∣turally Ecclesiasticall (which he and other Bishops haue immedi∣ately from Christ,) but of determining some ciuill causes in their Consistory, which he had by the Emperors indulgence: as also a coactiue power, both for the honour of Episcopall dignitie, and to make their Spirituall censures in more awfull feare and regard. And this power is like the lawes by which it ruleth. For as Ecclesiasticall canons and constitutions are positiue, abroga∣tiue, and transitiue into new: So is the power conferrable, changeable, and passable into another; Especially vpon the alte∣ration of the Supreme Imperiall power, frō whence it is deriued And if Constantine gaue it to the Bishops of Rome, for the three reasons alledged here by our Author, then may he when these reasons faile, or the power is abused, or ambition and pride sea∣zeth on the hearts of those Bishops, take it from them, and con∣ferre it vpon other Bishops: as our Constantine hath iustly done, vpon the Primates of our Church in England. So then the Pope

of Rome was the head of the Church Gouernement: the chiefe of all Bishops: the first and the last: what would he haue more? The first, in degree and precedence, the last in appellation, and Dernier Ressort, as the Parlament of Paris is to the other Par∣laments in France. Pasce oues, and Tibi dabo, onely gaue him Cla∣ues Regni, and Forum Conscientiae, (as also Accipite gaue the same to the rest of the Apostles:) for it Christ had intended him a far∣ther power, he would haue sealed his commission with a plainer text, and a stronger warrant. But the temporall authority, which allotted him temples for the exercise of Religion, and mainte∣nance of liuings for the religious, gaue him Claues canonum, and Forum iuris. The reasons why it was giuen him before all others, are here expressed: because Rome had now the Imperium and Em∣porium of the world, here was the seate of the Imperiall Maiestie, and here-hence was that heauenly commoditie (Religion) ven∣ted. For till Constantines time, Rome was the golden mine, where∣in the rich treasures of the Truth lay hid, and as it were buried, vnder the stormie tempest and blacke clouds of hot persecution: by the fire whereof it had bene so purified and refined from the drosse of all earthly vre, as now coming to light, and to the touch, it was found to be of good Allay, and passed currant from this great Mart, into most places of Europe. Now if this were one of the maine causes of that Churches greatnesse, why did she not continue it so still vnmingled and vnsodred? why suffered she it to be abused and sophisticate by her Clippers, and Coiners, and Forgers, and Faith-founders? why gaue she vs so iust cause to take no more Letters of credit from her Banckrupt checquer, and to returne no more Bils of due debt thither? why forced she vs to raise a Bancke of our owne vpon the Mercato Vecchio of the Pri∣mitiue ruines, and to forsake her whom we would haue called still mother, and remained her obedient children, and at her pappes, (as we did for long time) haue suckt the sweete milke of pure Religion and Piety? For although our ancestors the Brit∣tons were originally more beholden to the east Church, yet are we so ingenuous to giue her this title, in such sence as she must

acknowledge Greece for her Mother Church, and they both Ie∣rusalem for Grandmother of all: because (Primò Iudaeo) gaue her the prerogatiue. These then were the true reasons why the Pope had giuen him this Superioritie or Supremacie, call it whether you will: for, to be superiour ouer any whatsoeuer, is to be su∣preame ouer all. But this is the Title they so much affect, and we do not much grudge it them (in the true and genuine sence:) onely we complaine of the abuse in the administration, and put them in minde, though too late, that he must vse his power sparing∣ly, that would enioy it long. Now as pure Religion, and the Seate of the Empire were the two pillars whereupon the Popes greatnes was founded: so were they knit and ioynted together in such a couplement, as either the failing of the one, or remouing of the other, endangered the sore shaking, if not finall falling of this proud Building. For by translation of the Imperiall seate to Con∣stantinople, the Pope failed of that generall recognition of Supre∣macie formerly yeelded him. The Bishop of this place contested with him for the Title: and he of Rauenna likewise put his claime in suite, because here was the Court and Seate of the Exarchat: But now was the Emperour too farre off to be heard, and too weake to decide the question between these ambitious Prelates; and the Pope growne too great to quit the possession. Had he vsed it well, he might haue vsed it still: but hauing engrossed into his owne hands the Sole-gouernment of the Church, which at first was Aristocraticall in the Apostles, and after in the Patriarkes: he was not content with that power which all of them had, nor listed himselfe within the bounds of those wholesome lawes and Ca∣nons, which Truth and Antiquity had established for the Church∣gouernment; but assumed to himselfe the power of making and abrogating lawes at his pleasure, and to be aboue all Canons and Councels. And so whereas our Fathers of the Church, had in all pietie and prudent prouidence appointed these Councels as a Tribunitian power to restrain his more then Consular greatnesse; to syndicate and controll his imperious & violent proceedings: he takes vpon him, not only to stop the course of their power, but

also to hinder the calling of them, for curing such diseases as should grow in the Church; which we now see to be many in the members, but none so desperatly incurable as those in the Head. So that, as the Church gouernment changed from an Aristo∣cracie to a Monarchie; so likewise that of Rome is now altered from this to a Tyrannie. For all well reigled Monarchies admit a due mixture and temperature of the three Estates with the Prin∣ces power in all maine causes, such as those of abrogating olde lawes and customes, or establishing new, as by the Diets of Ger∣manie and Poland, by the Assemblies of France, and Parlaments of England, doth appeare. But where it is otherwise, and where the peremptorie will and wilfulnesse of the Prince shall be an abso∣lute law to the people, and be it right or wrong, with law or a∣gainst it, all must obey, or suffer; that power is meerly tyrannicall, as in this instance of the Popes proceedings is plaine. For he hath now taken from Princes the power of calling Councels, and from the Councels themselues their proper end and vse. Had they subsisted in their primitiue force and freedome (as those Parlaments, Diets, and Assemblies do) to ordaine and abrogate lawes in the Church, as the necessitie of times and vicissitude of things required, yea and to order and restraine the Pope him∣selfe, if in his gouernment he grew irregular and tyrannous; then had the Papists a better cause to defend, and wee lesse cause to complaine. For truly neuer was there gouernment in this world planted and vpheld with greater iudgement and policie, hauing true Religion for the Basis and firme foundation; and princely Authoritie for the stately roofe and safe couering of so goodly a building, had not the Church of Rome heaped so much stubble and straw of mans constitutions vpon the marble ground of Gods ordinance. But Euery tree which the heauenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted vp. For no policie of man can make any actions of his vnlike himselfe that makes them, (that is) perma∣nent and perpetuall: They haue their beginnings, motions, pro∣motions, and arisings, to a period, (as all Monarchies haue had) and then they decline, decay, perish and fall, with the swinge of

their owne greatnesse. Ruet & ipsa Roma mole sua: Romes Hierar∣chie must lie in the dust, like man that raised it vp to this pinnacle of pride: but Religion the groundwork must euer stand like him that layed it, Who is yesterday, and to day, and the same for euer: Who is, and that was, and that is to come.

GVICCIAR. It is further reported, that Constantine being for∣ced by the troubles of the East to transferre the seate of his Empire to Bisantium (now Constantinople,) gaue vnto the Bishops of Rome the absolute dominion of that citie, and many other cities and countries of I∣talie. The which report though the Bishops succeeding haue diligently la∣boured to maintaine, and by their authoritie is beleeued of many, yet of Authors of best credit it is much reproued, but much more by the matter it selfe. For it is manifest that then and long after, both Rome and all I∣talie was gouerned vnder magistrates deputed by the Emperors, as be∣ing still subiect to the Empire: yea and there be also that denie (so deepe is ignorance in Antiquities) all that hath bene said of Constantine and Syl∣uester, affirming that they liued in diuers times. But no man gain-saieth that the Translation of the Empire was the originall of the Bishops greatnesse: For the Emperors authoritie growing to be weaker and wea∣ker in Italie by the crosses and troubles they had in the East, the people of Rome withdrawing themselues from the Emperor, and therefore attri∣buting more to the Bishops, began willingly to yeeld them, not a plaine subiection, but a certaine kinde of obedience; though this appeared but slowly, by reason of the ouer-running of the Vandals and other barbarous Nations, by whom Rome being often taken and sacked, the Pontificall name was of long time base and obscure, as touching Temporall causes: So was the authoritie of the Emperour through all Italie, because he so shamefully left it abandoned to the Barbarians. Among which barbarous people, whose rauage and spoile was but like the furie of a sodain floud; that of the Gothes lasted 60. years. A nation by name and profession Chri∣stian, descended from the parts of Dacia and Tartaria: who at length being driuen out of Italie by the Emperours forces, she began anew to be commanded by Greeke gouernours, called of them Exarchs: who seated themselues in Rauenna an ancient citie, and in those daies verie rich,

and verie much frequented, by reason of the fruitfulnesse of the countrie thereabouts, and for that it was inhabited by diuers Captaines and men of command, euer since the enlargement it had by the great nauie that Au∣gustus Caesar and other Emperours after him vsuallie kept there: as also for that a long time it had bene the residence of Theodoricus king of the Gothes, and of his Successors; who in iealousie of the Emperours power, chose this place rather then Rome for the Seate of their Court, by reason it is more fitly seated vpon the Sea, and nearer to Constantinople: vpon which oportunitie of situation, the Exarchs likewise made that their re∣sidence, and deputed other particular Magistrates to the gouernment of Rome and other cities, vnder the title of Dukes. Hereupon all that in I∣talie was called the Exarchat of Rauenna, which was immediatly vn∣der the gouerment of these Exarchs, and had no particular Dukes.

THe Donation of Constantine hath here two strong parties, & is stifly argued on both sides. The Popes and their followers stand for the affirmatiue: Authors of best credit, for the negatiue. Those, come into the lists armed with authoritie: these, with the Truth. The Pope is here on the one side, and the Truth on the other. In this doubtfull case, Guicciardine though he were the Popes seruant, yet by his masters leaue he will forsake him, and leane to the truth, as Aristotle quit his master Plato: Charus a∣micus, charior veritas. So should we do; and not be such appren∣tises and bondmen to Ipse dixit, as to runne against the current of our owne reason and reading in matter of historie, when it is so authentically and demonstratiuely (as here) confirmed. It is true, the axiomes of our faith and Religion are 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 fidem in se habentia; obiects of the heart not of the braine; and therefore in these we entertaine faith and beleefe alone, we shut out rea∣son and sense: but in all other things we must be directed by rea∣son, which distinguisheth vs from all other creatures. But is here the Pope on the one side, and the Truth on the other? Then sure∣ly he may erre; and by maintenance & obstinacie make his error an heresie, euen in matter of faith, as some of them haue done. But this (forsooth) is not è Cathedra. A nice distinction, which

no reason can admit. For when he comes to the Chaire, to o∣pine and determine, he leaues not his passions and affections behinde him: he findes no more knowledge nor grace then he brought with him. Wherefore we acknowledge a reuerence and awfull respect to all Seates of iudgment, for Iustice sake, which is there by Gods ordinance to be duly administred, but we acknowledge no vertue in the place: I feare me they haue litle of that wood in Rome, whereof to frame their Tribunalles. The Chaire they say is hole-ly, but in a sence more sensible. As for this free Deede of gift whereby the Pope maketh his claime to Rome, it is clearely ouerthrowne and cancelled by this Euidence. Because both in Constantines time, and long after, not onely this City, but all Italie was gouerned by the Emperors Deputies, and the Roman Citizens vpon their defection and reuolt from the Emperor, gaue it to the Pope: but yet with tearmes of restricti∣on and limitation; he was not absolute. But what needs all this quarrell, and contention betweene the Popes on the one side, and best Authors on the other about this point, whether he had it by the Emperors free donation, or peoples consent with limi∣tation, or his owne violent inuasion? He hath now held it in sub∣iection (though not peaceable possession) aboue 800. yeares: a prescription long enough to iustifie a bad title, and no man at this day quarrels him for it: onely he would not haue vs search the Records, and looke into the Conueyance, where we appa∣rantly finde, how the decay of the Imperiall power was the rai∣sing of the Papall greatnesse: and may most iustly and fitly paral∣lell this his rising from so low an estate to his now sitting in his Pontificalibus in Rome, with that of the Turke: who, from a poore & base cōdition, with his maniple and rable of Tartars, incroach∣ing by litle and litle vpon the Asian Princes, and taking his ad∣uantage vpon others discord and weaknesse, is now come to sit Grand Signor at Constantinople.

GVICCIAR. In which time the Bishops of Rome hauing nothing to do with the temporall sword, and growing slothfull through their dis∣sembling

manners (which already had begun to swarue from their for∣mer spirituall reuerence) stoode as it were vassals to the Emperor: without whose confirmation, or of their Exarchs, they durst not exercise or take vpon them the Papacy. Nay the Bishops of Constantinople and Rauenna, (because commonly the Seate of Religion followeth the power of the Empire and of Armes) contested with the Bishop for superiority. But not long after the state of things altered, for the Lombards a fierce nation, entring Italy, made themselues Lords of Gallia Cisalpina, (which of them was called Lombardie) and of Rauenna, with all the Exarchat, besides many other parts of Italy, yea they spread their armes as farre as the Marquisate of Ancona, Spoletum, and Beneuentum, which had their particular Dukes. The Emperors meane while, partly through the troubles they had in Asia, not prouiding remedy for these mischiefs, part∣ly through negligence; Rome seeing her selfe abandoned, and the office of Exarchat now extinct in Italy, began to be gouerned by the aduice and power of the Bishop: who at length together with the Romans, being sore afflicted by the Lombards, ranne for succour to Pipin King of France. He passing Italy with amighty army, draue thē from part of their domini∣ons, hauing held it in subiection aboue 200 yeares; and gaue to the Bishop and Church of Rome, (as being his by law of Armes) not onely Vrbine Agobbio, Taro, and many other places adioyning to Rome, but also Ra∣uenna with her Exarchat: vnder which (they say) is included all that lieth from the confines of Placentia, neare the territory of Pauia, be∣tweene the riuer Pò and the Appennine hilles, the marishes of Venice, and the Adriaticke Sea, and from Rimini to the riuer Talfa then called A∣saurus. But after Pipins death, the Lombards troubling these Popes afresh, and that which was giuen them, Charles the sonne of Pipin (who after his great victories was worthily surnamed the Great) hauing vtterly destroyed the Lombards, confirmed his Fathers Donation to the Church of Rome; and during the time of this his warre reassured to the Pope, the gift of the Marquisate, and the Duchie of Spoletum, which comprehended the citie of Aquila, and part of Abruzzo. These things are deliuered for Truth: To which some Ecclesiasticall writers adde this also, that Charles gaue to the Church all Liguria, as farre as the riuer Varo, the furthest limit of Italy; Besides Mantoa, and all that which

the Lombards held in Furly, and in Istria: As much (saith some one) of the Isle of Corsica, and all the countrie which lieth betweene the cities of Luni and Parma. For which benefits the Kings of France being magni∣fied and extolled by those Popes, purchased the title of most Christian. And afterwards in the yeare of our Lord 800, Pope Leo with the people of Rome, (without any authority but his, who was as their Head) ele∣cted Charles Emperor of Rome: Separating this part of the Empire euen in title frō that of the Emperor of Cōstantinople; as if Rome and the West parts, not being defended by them, had need of an Emperor of their owne.

The State of the Empire had bene now sicke of a consumpti∣on for many yeares. The Dacian and Tartarian Gothes like two strong and maligne humours, had seazed vpon Rome, and other the more noble and vitall parts of Italy; they had intruded vpon the Emperors inheritance, rauaging and spoiling all that good∣ly countrey: but by his army and naturall forces (as it were,) the venome of those strong ingredients is againe driuen out, the office of Exarchat is established, and the bodie of the Empire somewhat recouered from this desperate weakenesse, though not wholly restored to the former state of perfect health and sound constitution. Yet for all that the Pope is not so great, but that he still continues the Emperors vassall, and dares not take vpon him the Papacy, vnlesse he be first accepted and confirmed by the Emperor, or by his deputy the Exarch of Rauenna. But shortly after the body of the Empire falles into a relapse, and the effect shewes that A recidiuation is more dangerous then the roote of a disease: for the Lombards a fierce people, assailing Italy afresh, tyrannize ouer her with more violence and fury then the Gothes; They pull downe the authority, and quite extinguish the office and name of the Exarchat; they domineere with more insolence and continue longer: for those stoode not in their strength a∣boue 60. yeares, these 200. at the least. Rome and the Pope smart vnder this scourge, and groane vnder this burden. They cannot helpe themselues, and the Emperor is not so farre offin place, as in abilitie and meanes to relieue them: They flee to France for

succour. The French King inuades, subdues, and expelles the Lombards, and giues to the Church Vrbine, Agobbio, Taro, Rauenna, and many other Signories. This then that our Author here sets downe out of authenticall record, is the Popes faire Charter of Romagna, with the Buttings and Boundaries precisely set downe: whose title thereunto is lawfull and good: for what can be freer then gift, if the Doner haue a propertie and right in the thing giuen? And what right can be more iust and lawfull then that of the sword vpon an vsurper? Besides, the sonne confirmes the fa∣thers donation, which makes the title the stronger: and reassures vnto the Church the Marquisate of Ancona, and Duchie of Spo∣letum. As for that other share in the Ligurian mountaines, Furly, and Istria, whereunto the Popes Proctors and Parasites haue entitled him, and wherewith no Secular power euer inuested him, it is but an Vtopian Signory of the Popes: and if he should put in his claime, the States of Venice, and Genoa, the Dukes of Sauoy, and Mantoa, with other Italian Princes, would quickly put in their barre. But for this munificence of the French Kings to the Church, the Pope returned him a tribute, not of money or ho∣mage, (for he held it as Lord Paramount, and so it was giuen him,) but of gratitude and thankfulnesse: In token whereof he gaue them the title of Most Christian: an honour which they in those times willingly accepted, and they and their successors since haue euer taken vpon them; yet was it not so sure to them and their heires, but that it might be lyable to forfeiture, if it pleased his Holinesse. For but 100. yeares since, vpon a displea∣sure taken against that King, he intended to take the title from him, and to bestow it vpon the King of England: the Bull was rea∣dy drawne for the Seale, and nothing wanted but the dispatch by messenger. And as here he resolued to take from that Crowne, that Noble title of Most Christian, which he chalenged to do be∣cause he had giuen it: so, much about the same time, and vpon farre iuster cause, many Christian Princes and States tooke from him his proud title of Supreme Head of the Church-gouernment o∣uer them and their subiects: because Princes had formerly gran∣granted

him that power for the generall good and benefit of the Church, which now they saw by their experience, and felt to their hurt, to be by him most grosly and shamefully abused. But so much haue our disloyall Loyolists benummed mens senses with superstitious stupiditie, as all that the Pope hath, must be beleeued to be Iure diuino; all that he saith, to be Gospell and truth; all that he doth, to be holy and iust. And herein none are so farre from reason and sence as we of this Nation, that are farre re∣mote from this Court, and see not the abuse: Nay we are so per∣uerse, as we will not beleeue what we see in this case; but they that are neare it, and see daily the contrary, are of contrary opinion. Let them reade but Guicciardines conclusion of this Digression, (which that Church hath most wrongfully effaced without de∣sert, and reproued without answer:) he was a worthy Gentleman, of a noble house, learned in the Lawes, experienced in the grea∣test affaires, well read in the most approued Authors, allowed of all wise men for his iudgement, beleeued of all good men for his truth; he wrote not but what he saw by proofe, or knew by reading; he complained not but vpon iust cause: Reade they him, (I say againe) and be satisfied in this point or neuer. For why should these poore ignorant men entrust those Ignatians onely, and none others, with the treasure of their dearest Iewels, their Knowledge, Iudgement, Conscience, Soule and all? Why may they not as well abuse vs with lies from Rome, as they mis-informe the simpler sort of Catholicks there, of vs? You shall see in some of their Churches, Tables hung vp to pourtray and expresse to the life, the seuerall persecutions of Catholicks here in England, in the late Queenes time, some worried to death in beasts skins by mastiffes: others pricked vnder the nailes with sharpe nee∣dles: others drawne in peeces with wilde horses: and almost all the seuerall sorts of torture represented vnto vs in history out of the ten first persecutions of the Primitiue Church; to bring the simpler sort there in detestation of vs and our Religion: as by leasing and insinuation they bring the simpler sort here into ad∣miration, or rather adoration of their Pope. But some of that

Church (better experienced in our State-affaires, and more im∣partiall in their affections to vs) wonder at our stupide credulity; others that stand ill affected to our Country, laugh at our simpli∣citie, and feed the humour euen at their owne charge, expecting when it should proue the predominant Qualitie in the body of this our famous Iland, and by the fiery inflammation thereof, set the whole in combustion. For who is so mad to thinke, it is our soules health they seeke? They seeke not vs but ours: they seeke not the poore, but the great ones: they are wise in their generation, for they know one of these drawes with him a thou∣sand, and the taking in of one principall Fort, brings vnder con∣tribution the country round about. And they are wise in our ge∣nerations also, for they know what Stocke in our country is fit∣test to plant on, and which timber in our Forrest is aptest to make their shafts of, that the common enemie may haue his quiuer full of them when we meete him in the Gates of danger. They are moreouer wise in our naturall inclinations: for although the Masculine sexe be more worthy then the Feminine, either in a Grammaticall con∣struction or a Ciuill, yet they choose this latter, as the apter for their end and purpose, because it is the easlier mis-led, and the hardlier reclaimed; the weaker to resist by reason, and the stron∣ger to persist in wilfulnesse: new-fangled in their opinions as in their attire, louing nothing that is vulgar, no not the truth. And lastly, they are wise in our Oeconomicall administration, for they know that mothers gouerne here in chiefe in the hearts of chil∣dren: Fathers but prouide for them, mothers feed them; fathers are austere, the mothers indulgent; fathers haue the awe, mo∣thers the loue; fathers haue the eye, but mothers the heart: from whom with their milke they sucke this Veriuyce, where with the teeth of many great families are set on edge, and whereby with∣in these few yeares their number is increased here among vs to a greater proportion (it must needs be a weed it groweth so fast) then history can summe vp vnto vs in Rome of good Christians, vpon the account of the first three hundred yeares. But returne we to our history. That prenominall Frontlet of Most Christian,

the French King weares still as the fairest gemme of his Dia∣deme: So is the Reall honour of the Imperiall Maiestie confer∣red here vpon him. The Pope and the people of Rome giue the French this Title. For who but the Romanes should choose an Emperour of the Romanes? And therefore he had not this power alone, much lesse of himselfe, but ioyntly with the rest of the citizens; And so by consequence, not as he was Head and gouernour of the Church, but as he was Bishop of that citie: for it was his place in Rome, and not his office in the Church, that gaue him this power; which was not of ordination onely in him∣selfe, but of suffrage with the rest. And surely most consonant it was to the necessitie of the times, that as in the minoritie and weaknesse of the Church, the Emperor allotted her a Guardian ofher owne, to bring her vp well, to maintaine her rights and priuiledges, & to defend her inheritance in his Court of Wards from the intrusion of others, vnder the safe-gard and protection of the supreame Imperiall Maiestie: So now the whole State of this citie of Rome both Ecclesiasticall and Ciuill, in this vtter de∣cay of the Imperial power, should choose them a temporal Head of their owne, vnder whom both those States of that Towne might rest secured from the incursions and inundations of for∣raigne and fierce Nations, wherunto formerly it had bin subiect.

GVICCIAR. By which separation, the Emperours of Constanti∣nople neither lost Sicilia, nor those parts of Italie, which running from Naples to Manfredonia, are listed with the sea; for they were still vnder those Emperours. Neither for all this, was that power taken from the Emperour, That the election of the Pope should not stand good without the confirmation of the Emperour; in whose name Rome was still gouerned: Nay the Popes in all their Bulles, Priuiledges and Grants, expressed the Date in these formall words (Such a one our Lord the Emperour raigning.) In which easie Subiection or Dependance, call it whether ye will, the Popes continued till the successe of things embolde∣ned them to take the rule themselues. For the power of the Emperours beginning to decline, first in the Successors of Charles (while yet the Em∣pire

was among them) through their discord and ciuill warre: and after by being translated to the Princes of Germanie, not so powerfull as were those other successors of Charles, by reason of the greatnesse of the king∣dome of France: The Pope and people of Rome, by whose Magistrates she now began to be gouerned (though not without much trouble and tu∣mult) derogating by all meanes as much as they could from the iurisdi∣ction of the Emperours, established for a Law, That the election of the Pope should be no more confirmed by them. Which Law for many yeares was obserued or broken, according as by the alteration of their affaires the Imperiall power increased or diminished. The which growing to some strength in the race of the Othoes of Saxonie (Gregorie being likewise a Saxon and chosen Pope) through the loue he bare to his countrie, and hate to the Romanes for the persecutions he had endured by them, trans∣ferred to his owne nation the power of choosing the Emperour, in such forme and manner as it is vsed at this day: forbidding the Emperours e∣lect (to reserue to the Pope some prerogatiue) to take vpon them the Ti∣tle of Emperour or of Augustus, vntill they had receiued the Imperiall Crowne. Hence grew the custome of their going to Rome to be crowned, and till then to vse no other Title but King of the Romanes, or Caesar. But afterwards, when the Othoes line was extinct, and the power of the Em∣perors diminished, by reason the empire remained not hereditarie in great Princes, then began Rome openly to draw her necke out of the yoke of the Emperors obedience, and many other cities with her rebelled, during the raigne of Conradus of Sueuia. The Popes of Rome also seeking to enlarge their owne power, became as it were Lords of Rome, though many times through the insolencies and dissentings among the people of Rome, they found many oppositions. For the repressing whereof (by the fauour of Henrie 2. Emperour, and then at Rome) the Pope by a law now made, transferred the power of choosing Popes vpon the Cardinals onely.

THe glasse of time from Christ to vs is halfe runne out: the Empire is rent in two parts both in title and inheritance. The West Empire is giuen to France, the East is left to Con∣stantinople: he of the West possesseth nothing of the firme inheri∣tance, but the Imperiall Preheminence and Prerogatiue he re∣taineth

still, in a sample and large manner as before. For, con∣cerning his Preheminence, all the Popes Bulles, Briefs, and Grants had their date running after this Tenor: (Such a one our Lord the Emperor raigning.) And as touching his Prerogatiue, he still confirmed the Election of the Pope: without him the act was inualidous and frustrate, the new Elect vncapable, and the place voide by law. But by whom was the Pope elected? By the people of Rome: a mutinous, seditious and rebellious multitude: the people and the Emperor make the Pope, the people and the Pope make the Emperor. In both which elections, the people seeme to haue the more actiue part, the Emperor and the Pope the negatiue onely. But is the Pope elected by that many-hea∣ded monster the multitude, that will sing Osanna at noone, and cry Crucifige at night? comes he in by such an election, where the multiplicity of voyces ouerswayes the validitie of reasons? where commonly the greater part giue their Placet to the vn∣worthier partie? Then surely many of our Forefathers feared iustly, that the Holy Ghost (whom they pretend to be President in all their Councels) had no Seate in such Sessions: and there∣fore denied the necessity of this Consequence; that being once Pope, all Christians are bound in conscience, and vpon paine of damnation, to obey him. But now cometh in a new election of the Pope, by a new translation of the Empire, which after some 80. yeares residence hereditary in the successors of Charles the Great, is transferred from France to Germany, and there made E∣lectiue. For these Princes being none of them so powerfull as a Monarch of France, the Emperor begins to lose his strength, and the Pope dares to take much more vpon himselfe then he was wont, and to detract much more from others then in right he ought: he takes from the Emperor the prerogatiue of confir∣ming the new elect Pope, and from the Romans that double po∣wer which they had: Of electing the Emperor (which he giues to certain Germaine Princes,) & electing the Pope of Rome, (which he giues to the Cardinalles:) and surely had he reserued to the Emperor his former right in the confirmation, this maner of ele∣ction

had bene much better then that other: not much vnlike our elections in the Church of England by the Deane and Chapter, confirmed by the King. For these Cardinalles were at the first simple Vicars or Prebends of seuerall parishes in Rome: but as the case now standeth, the election is altered à malo in peius, because they are not all as at the first, meere Church-men: some of them are not entred into any spirituall order (saue that of Deacon) and many of these he chooseth out of great houses, and of Prin∣ces bloud, without respect of age, learning or piety; being so yong (as the philosopher saith) both in yeares and manners, as they are Inidonei auditores moralis philosophiae, much more Indigni Cardines sanctae matris Ecclesiae. These men he dignifieth with ti∣tles, endoweth with reuenewes, and inuesteth with great offices and tot-quots of Church-liuings, to maintain their riot & pomp: that they may backe him with their great families and friends to support his vsurped authority and pride: which he voweth to hold fast, like Iulius 2, if not with Peters keyes, yet with Paules sword: If not by threates and excommunication, yet by warre & bloudshed: like the enraged witch of Greece, Flectere si nequeat Superos Acheronta mouebit, if God will not hold him vp, the diuell shall: when paper and lead lose their force, he tries what fire and powder can do. Now if these be the Princes Electors of the Pa∣pacy, what hand can Christ haue in their election, but his with∣drawing hand of long sufferance? where the choice is only in the Cardinalles, and the better part of these ouerborne by the grea∣ter, and these carried away with particular respects of enuy or malice, or to their proper ends of ambition and couetousnesse. Two third parts of the Consistory are sufficient to make a Pope, and be he neuer so insufficient or vnworthy, yet the election is Canonical. Looke into any of their Conclaues or Sessions for an election, you shall commonly finde three or foure seuerall heads of Factions (Minions to three or foure precedent Popes) by whom they had their greatnesse, and by it their followers: A∣mong these you shall obserue such iealousies and emulations, such supplanting and subornation, such canuasing for voyces,

such setting of stales, such working of friends, such vndermi∣ning of opposites, such promises and threates, such iugling and false play, that we may truly say of the most of them, as is recor∣ded of one; They enter like Foxes: with more cunning and chea∣ting then is vsed in the choise of any other Magistrate, in any state whatsoeuer. Nay there be such proficients and crafts∣masters in this art, as haue writ comments vpon this text, and gi∣uen the Cardinalles a method and rules, how to carry this busi∣nesse with finest conueyance, for effecting their purpose, and e∣lecting a Papable creature of their owne. Surely these men may well choose him the Prince of the Churches State in Italy (as be∣ing Peeres of the same) and make him Supreme Gouernor of all causes aswell Ecclesiasticall as Ciuil, in those her Signories & Do∣minions: But to make him Head and Gouernor of the whole state of Christs Church they cannot. Let them hold the power and prerogatiue of the Palatines and Castellans in Poland (where the Scepter is likewise eligible) to choose him Head ouer themselues and States, not ouer others, whom they little knowne and haue lesse to do withall. For what haue the Emperors to do ouer vs? much lesse the Pope (his Vassalle) and the Popes Vassalles least of all: who had all their authority and gouernement originally from the Emperor. If they will not approue our Bishops and Priests because they haue not their ordination from them, as they had heretofore: why should we submit our selues to the Pope, or admit of this his election? For if this by his Cardinals be good, what was then that former, when the whole citie of Rome, Clergie and Laitie, chose him, and the Emperor confirmed him? But if both be allowed for good, and the authority exercised by both maintained for iust and lawfull; why should not the digni∣ties and orders in our Church be sacred and holy, though the or∣dination be altered? whereinto none can enter among vs, but he must first acknowledge an inward calling, and be approued for his conuersation of life, and sufficiencie of learning, besides other things necessarily required by our Canons. But what cal∣ling call ye that I pray you of the Pope here in Conclaue? For he

comes not to Peters chaire at Christs call, (Sequere me,) as Peter did: But a yong Cardinall of the later edition, and (perhaps) worst condition, a Nephew to the last Pope, and a Fauourite of the time, comes with his followers, out-numbers his opposites, and names his man: Dixit & factus est; The businesse is at an end: Onely the rest come in for company, or for feare, when they see they cannot preuaile. For in the Cardinalles Conclaue, as in Plutos Parlament, there must be a consent. Adfremuit Proser∣pina, allatrauit Cerberus, asciuit plebs, fic apud eos sanciuntur omnia: The whole Conclaue conuenteth, euery faction propoundeth, the strongest preuaileth, the whole Quire consenteh, and then Te Deum, the new Pope is chosen. A new Pope indeede, and a new kinde of Pope, farre vnlike those of former times. For now he absolutely shakes off the yoake of obedience to the Emperor. The citie of Rome it selfe also with many other great townes runne into manifest rebellion against him: and this holy Head of the Church, becomes chiefe head of the faction, as ap∣peareth in this next section.

GVICCIAR. To the greatnesse of the Pope, now also happened this new augmentation. For the Normans of whom the first was Wil∣liam Fierabacchio, hauing got from the Emperors of Constantinople the Countries of Puglia and Calabria: Robert Guicciadorno one of that race, either to strengthen himselfe with some colour of Religion, or to be more able to defend himselfe against those Emperors, or for some other respect; restored Beneuentum to the Church, as to it of right belonging: and ac∣knowledged to hold the Duchie of Puglia & Calabriain fee of the Church of Rome: whose example one of his family imitating, and driuing Willi∣am one of the same stocke out of Puglia and Calabria, he recognized to hold those Prouinces in fee of the Church, Anno 1130, vnder the title of the King of both Sicills: The one on this side the Faro, the other be∣yond: The Popes not refusing, for their owne particular ambition and profit, to cherish and maintaine the tiranny and vsurpation of others. For which cause, pretending yet further (as the ambitious desire of man is neuer staied) the Popes also began to depriue some of those kings,

that were not obedient to their commandements, and to grant those kingdomes to others. By this meanes they came to Henrie sonne of Fre∣dericke Barbarossa, and from Henrie to Fredericke the 2. his sonne, all three successiuely Emperors of Rome. But Fredericke becoming a sharpe scourge to the Church, (in whose time sprang vp the two factions Guel∣phes and Ghibellines, the Pope being head of the one, and the Emperor of the other) the Pope after the death of the Emperor granted the Inuesti∣ture of those kingdomes to Charles Earle of Aniow and Prouence, impo∣sing vpon them a yearely tribute of fiue thousand ounces of golde, and with condition that thence after none of those Kings should accept to be Emperor: which condition is euer since expresly specified in all their In∣stalments. The kingdome of the Isle of Sicil being afterwards possessed by the Kings of Arragon, was in short time freed of that Tribute, and of the Recognition to be held in fee of the Church. It is also a report (though not so true as what hath bene said hitherto) that Mawde the Countesse, a rich Princesse in Italie, gaue to the Church that part of Italie which is li∣mited by the riuer Pescia, and the Castle of San Quirico on the one side, and by the riuer of Tyber, and the neather sea on the other, now called the Patrimonie of S. Peter. Others also adde, that she gaue to the Church the citie of Ferrara, but neither is this certaine. But that yet is more doubt∣full which some one hath written, that Autopert King of the Lombards, in their most flourishing time gaue to the Church the Cocceian Moun∣taines, wherein they say is included Genoa, euen as farre as Prouence. And that Lutiprand a King of the same nation, gaue her Sabina, a coun∣trie neare Rome, Narni and Ancona, with diuers other places.

NOw comes the Church of Rome to be entitled to both the Sicils, that is, Sicilia it selfe, still so called, and almost all that which at this day is called the kingdome of Naples. She had that of Romagna lawfully: how comes she by this? By the grant of an vsurper a tyrant. She giues him the title of King; and he yeelds her the homage and fealtie of a Vassall, as to his supreame Soue∣raigne. Thus for a time they hold good quarter and correspon∣dencie together comme Larrons en Foyre. But friendship baptized in Ambition and Tyrannie, is quickly renounced: for not long

after she depriues these French (Successors of Guicciadorno,) and inuesteth the Dutch (Successors of Barbarossa) in these king∣domes; The father, sonne and grandfather, all three Emperours successiuely. But the holy Father is displeased with this vngraci∣ous grandsonne, vpon some misdemeanour of his, and now in reuenge he begins to play Rex (it is not yet fiue hundred yeares since:) Now he begins to thunder and lighten like angry Ioue, & laies about him on all sides with his Keyes in the one hand, and his Sword in the other: the Histories are full of the troubles and miseries of those times. But why did not he this before? Had none of those Christian Emperours formerly failed of their du∣tie to the Empire, when they left Rome abandoned to the vio∣lence of the enemie? or of their obedience and awfull reuerence to the Papacie, when they placed and displaced Popes at their pleasure? If he had as great power before, why did he not vse it when he had as great cause? If he had it not then, why doth he now vsurpe it? The death of Henrie 3. in France, and failing of the fire-worke here in England, will answer vs easily to this point. For the Pope, As he neuer approues a mischiefe till it be done, so he neuer chalengeth a power till he be able by the sword and fine force to maintaine the vsurpation. As here with his faction of Guelphes he did, against the Emperour and his Ghibellines. But this furie against Frederick hath some colour of iustice; he might vpon a forfeit giue or take Naples to whom or frō whō he pleased, for he was the chiefe Lord (though by grant of a tyrāt) but now of later years he wil giue the West Indies to Spaine, and the East to Portugall: he will giue Great Brittaine to him that can get it, and a new world (if there be any) to him that can finde it. The vndertakers know well enough, they be not his to giue, (except from him that said, All this will I giue thee.) But euery false Pretext is a iust Title to the sharpe sword of Ambition once vnsheathed: so that it is euident, there was neuer so couetous a taker, nor so prodigall a giuer. But if he will needs be giuing, let him do it of his owne: let him giue out of Romagna; his title hath here bene tried, and proued lawfull: Or out of S. Pe∣ters Patrimony (a faire portion in Tuscanie) which is here some∣what

doubted, though neither trauersed nor euicted from him. Onely I would intreate him to spare Naples, it is in a good hand alreadie, and one that will hold it hard vnder his nose, and in spite of his teeth, though his Holinesse be much grieued at it.

GVICCIAR. Thus as the state of things varied, so varied the estate of these Popes with the Emperors. For being at first for many ages persecuted by the Emperors, and after freed from this terror by the con∣uersion of Constantine, they tooke rest: and attending onely to spirituall matters, they liued as it were meerly subiect many yeares vnder the shadow of the Emperours; and continued long after in low estate, being quite debarred from medling with them, by reason of the Lombards great∣nesse. But after that by the meanes of the kings of France they had obtai∣ned a temporall power, they yet held strict amitie with the Emperors, and depended wholly vpon their authoritie, so long as the dignitie Imperiall continued in the Successors of Charles the Great, both in memorie of for∣mer benefits giuen and receiued betweene them, as also in regard of the Emperours greatnesse. After the declination whereof, they separating themselues wholly from their friendship, began to make open profession that the Pontificall dignitie was rather to giue lawes to the Emperours, then to take them. And therfore hating aboue all things to returne to their former subiection, and that none of the Emperours might attempt their former right, either in Rome or elsewhere (as some of them, either of greater force, or of more noble spirits had essayed to do) they opposed them∣selues openly by force of armes against the Emperors, being assisted with those tyrants, which vnder the title of Princes (with the cities which had freed themselues) had quit their alleageance, and acknowledged no lon∣ger the authoritie of the Emperor. Hereupon it grew, that the Popes ta∣king more and more vpon them, and vsing the terrour of their spirituall armes for temporall occasions; and interpreting that as the Vicars of Christ vpon earth, they were aboue the Emperours; and that the charge of worldly matters in many cases appertained to them, they sometimes depriued them of their Imperiall dignitie, and stirred vp the Electors to choose others in their roomes: and on the other side, the Emperors either chose, or caused to be chosen other Popes.

THis Recapitulation or Summary of what hath formerly bin said, brings vs to the full period of the Popes height and greatnesse, (though his ambition be boundlesse, and his pride vvithout period.) For now he vvill no longer take lawes of the Emperours, but as Vicar of Christ vvill giue lawes vnto them. He proues it out of good authors, The Tyrants and Rebels in Italie: and by strong arguments, Fire and sword, cursing and excom∣munication, armes temporall and spirituall. But he carries it not so easily away: for the Emperour encounters him at his owne wea∣pons: Fire against fire, sword against sword, father against son, Ghibelline against Guelphe, with the effusion of much Christian bloud; and all the miserable effects that bloudie warre brings with it. Where is now our great Law-giuer, by whose whole∣some and peacefull ordinances the whole Church should be go∣uerned? Where is this great Shepheards care of Christs little flocke, that sends them thus to the shambles of death and de∣struction? Our Lator-Legis and Pastor-Gregis, is now become a Legi-rupa and Sangui-suga. He hath turned Pasce oues to Vesci san∣guine: he hath passed his commission (as Caesar did,) and is wa∣ded vp to the chinne through the bloudie Rubicon, and so is be∣come Rebell to his Soueraigne Lord the Emperour, as also to the state of the Church, whereof he had the gouernment by commission Here therefore it is not amisse to consider as Ga∣maliel did, whence the Pope had this commission, whether of God, or of men? If of men, it must proue as other gouernments haue done: if of God, it must haue the foundation in Humilitie, the raising in Iustice, and the continuance in Peace, as the Gos∣pell had: out of which holy Roote can neuer grow such ranke weeds of Pride, Iniustice and Warre. But to say (as they of the Romish Church write) that if Christ had not left this Gouer∣nour to his Church, he had left the sheepe without a Shep∣heard; hath no necessitie of consequence: vve may rather in∣ferre, that it had bene a committing of the Lambes to the VVolfe. But a care he had of his Church, and so he testi∣fied: a Gouernour hee promised, and so hee performed.

A Gouernor that should euer comfort vs in all our tribulati∣ons and afflictions, and that should euer continue vs in his Truth, (The Spirit of Truth) to direct and guide vs in all the waies of Godlinesse, Verity, and Vertue. This Gouernor he sent within ten daies after his Ascension. Other then this to rule in Chiefe in the inward man, the Church hath none; and he ruleth still in the hearts of her children, and euer shall.

GVICCIAR. The state of the Church being much weakened by these discords, and no lesse by the residence of the Court of Rome for 70. yeares together at the citie of Auignon, as also by the Schisme which fol∣lowed the Popes returne into Italie: many great men vsurped vpon the cities in their owne countries, though in subiection to the Church, espe∣cially those of Romagna: which vsurpers the Popes either pursued, or not being able to ouercome them, made Grants of those places to the same men; To hold of the Church in fee; or else set vp other heads against them, and gaue (these) the inuestiture. Thus began the cities of Romagna to haue seuerall Lords, vnder the title for the most part, of Vicars of the Church: So the gouernment of Ferrar a being giuen by the Pope, to Azzo d'Estè, was after granted him vnder the title of Vicar: whose familie in processe of time was dignified with more noble titles. So Bologna being taken by Iohn Visconti Archbishop of Millan, was after granted him by the Pope, vnder the title of a Vicariat. By like meanes, in many ci∣ties of the Marquisate of Ancona, of the patrimonie of Saint Peter, and of Vmbria, (now called the Duchy of Spoleto) there start vp seuerall Lords either against the Popes will, or with his forced consent. The like variations happening also to the Imperiall cities in Lombardie, it fell out very often that according to the current of the times, the cities of Ro∣magna, and others of the Churches state, reuolting openly from her go∣uernment, would acknowledg to holde those places in fee of the Emperor: And those that held Millan, Mantoa, and other Imperiall cities in Lom∣bardie, would acknowledge to hold them in fee of the Church. And in these very times Rome was gouerned of her selfe: though the Church held still the name of the gouernment. For albeit at the first when the

Popes returned from Auignon into Italie, they were obeied as Lords of the towne: yet notwithstanding the Romans shortly after, choosing the office of the Banderesi, fell to their old obstinacy. Whereupon the Popes hauing litle authoritie there, left the Towne, and resided elsewhere: vntill the townesmen being impouerished, and fallen into great disorder, through the absence of the Court; and the yeare 1400. approaching, in which they hoped (if the Pope were at Rome,) there should be great con∣course of all Christendome, by reason of the Iubiley: they made humble supplication to Pope Boniface, that he would returne; offering to abolish the office of the Banderesi, and to submit themselues wholly to his obedi∣ence. Vpon which conditions he returning, and the Romans attending to the gaine of that yeare; he possessed himselfe absolutely of the gouernment of that citie, and put a Garrison in the Castle of S. Angelo. Whose Suc∣cessors, though till the time of Eugenius they had somewhat to do, yet af∣terwards they gouerned that citie at their pleasure without any fur∣ther trouble.

WE haue formerly seene by what right the Church of Rome holds her temporall Inheritance in Italie: Here we see how wrongfully it is wrested and wrung out of her possessi∣on, and vpon what occasion. The Lords of Romagna, and other parts of Italie, see her much weakened by her forraine warres with the Empire, and her intestine garboiles within her owne bowels by a Schisme, as also that she is farre from them, and the Court resident at Auignon, (the very reason of the Churches re∣uolt from the Empire) they take the aduantage of the time, and euery one gets a fleece. It was vniustly done of them, (though she were iustly serued, that had manie times done the like vpon the Empire.) There is like reuolt in manie Imperiall townes of Ita∣lie: they all change their Copie. The Popes rebells acknowledge to hold of the Emperor, and the Emperors to hold of the Church. Rome also will not be ruled, she will haue officers of her owne: and were it not that she is poore of her selfe, and cannot liue without the residencie of the Court, she would no more then others liue vnder the presidencie of the Pope. But necessitie

driues the Romans to accept him for their Soueraigne Lord: & iealousie of another reuolt, makes him to keepe them in awe, by his Garrison in S. Angelo, (as now in these later times he forceth the world to obedience, by his Legionaryes of S. Loyola.) Thus by a long series and tract of time, hath our Author brought vs from the infancie of the Chuch, and publick maintenance there∣of by Imperiall authoritie, (the true time of the Churches Iubi∣ley) to the yeare of our Lord 1400. the second Iubiley of the Churches Institution. For it began not till 1300. when it was or∣dained by Boniface 8. to be celebrate and solemnized euery hun∣dreth yeare: after that it changed to euerie fiftieth by Clement 6. and since to euerie fiue and twentith by Sixtus 4. The true rea∣son of the Institution is here giuen vs, and the same (one of them) that we giue for our Marts and Faires; not to draw people from sinne, but to draw multitudes to Rome; not for the good of Gods Church, but for the enriching of that Citie and Court. Though the citie I must confesse, affords vs the better ware, and cheaper peniworth: for there we haue foode, raiment and lodg∣ing for our money. But on the otherside of the Faire (which is no better then a Fripperie of the rotten rags of mans inuention,) as we haue nothing without money, so we haue nothing for our monie, but the ballets of Indulgences and Pardons, babies of Saints-pictures, Rattles of Beads and Medals, with other such hobby-horses, and trash, fit onely for such as wipe their noses on their sleeues; which the chapmen themselues stop mustard-pots withall, howsoeuer the simple, religious, pious, honest Buier, holds them as they cost him, (deare.) And thus hauing likewise brought the Popes Holinesse to this yeare of Iubiley, (a true Iubi∣ley to him, who neuer till now could be peaceably possessed of Rome) our Author leaues him, and shuts vp this graue, learned, and necessarie Digression, with a worthie, iust, and Christian complaint, in this conclusion following.

GVICCIAR. By these foundations, and by these meanes, being raised to an earthly power, casting off by litle and litle, the remembrance

of the soules health, and the lawes of God, and bending all her thoughts to worldly greatnesse: No longer vsing the Spirituall power, but as an in∣strument and minister of the Temporall: Their cares and endeuours were now no longer a sanctitie of life, no longer a propagation of Religion, no longer a zeale and charity towards their neighbour: but armies, but warre against Christians, managing their sacrifices with bloudie hands and thoughts, and augmenting of treasure: New lawes, new trickes, new sleights, to get money on euery side: To vse the spirituall armes without respect for this onely end: To prophane sacred things without shame, for this onely purpose. The great wealth lauishly bestowed vpon them and their whole Court, was accompanied with pride, luxury, dishonesty, lust, and abhominable pleasures. No care of their successours, no thought of the perpetuall dignitie of the Papacy. But in steade thereof, an ambi∣tious and pesaforous desire to exalt their children, nephews and kinred, not onely to excessiue riches, but to Principalities and Kingdomes. No longer conferring dignities and preferments vpon men of desert and vir∣tue, but selling them alwaies as it were to the most giuer, or casting them away vpon persons apt for ambition, for lust, and for shamefull plea∣sures. By which acts of theirs, the Papall reuerence being vtterly decaied in the hearts of men, and yet notwithstanding their power being still supported by the effectuall and powerfull maiestie of Religion, and aided much by the meanes they haue to gratifie great Princes, and those great personages which are about them, by preforments and other Ecclesiasti∣call grants; whereby knowing themselues to be in great respect among men, and that who so takes armes against them purchaseth much infa∣mie, and oftentimes the opposition of other Princes, with small gaine whatsoeuer be the euent: and that if they conquer, they vse the victorie as they list; and if they be conquered, they haue what conditions they will: Ambition pricking them forward, to take from their neighbours both priuate estates and Principalities, they haue bene very often and of long time, the instruments to stirre vp warre and new combustions in I∣taly. But to returne to my former purpose, from whence my iust sor∣row, and the publicke losse haue transported me, more farre then be∣comes the rules of History, &c.

THus farre Guicciardine: and where he leaues, take we vp our complaint: and if Protestant Princes haue vsed that power which they haue immediatly from God, to reforme these abu∣ses, to redresse our wrongs, and to vindicate their right out of the hands of this Vsurper, who can iustly chalenge them? For seeing the Church of Rome hath incroached and intruded yeare by yeare, by little and little vpon this Free-hold and Prerogatiue of Princes, as the yeare it selfe doth winne certaine minutes and seconds, which in long tract of time breed a great alteration: they were forced to reforme the Churches in their owne seue∣rall States, as neare the truth and custome of the Primitiue Church as they could, euen as Rome hath reduced the yeare ten daies nearer to the Iulian account: yet neither are these Re∣formations without some small blemish, nor those Reductions without some small error, that both Rome and they might in all humilitie confesse, All that is of man, to be vnperfect like himselfe. Let God be true, and euery man a liar.

OVr defection is therefore not from what she was, but from that she is; from the Authoritie she at last vsurped, not from the Religion she at first receiued: That, she cannot in iustice e∣stablish but in her owne proper dominions, where the Sword of France hath made her absolute Princesse: This, God of his goodnesse hath left free to the world, to be maintained by the Scepter of Christian Princes, whose right of inheritance hath made them as absolute as her selfe. So that our Contestation with her, and Protestation against her Papall tyrannie, is in the end like that in former times of the Barons of this Land (though not in the nature, because theirs was against their naturall liege Lord and Soueraigne) who contested for their Franchisements and Liberties which were granted them by the Magna Charta, and deriued from those good old lawes of Saint Edward the Confessor. For this High Priest would take from vs that immunitie and freedome we had at first, of owing our obedience to none but God, and our King, and would bring vs vnder the yoke of his

forraine Iurisdiction, which in the good old world of the Primi∣tiue Church was not so, and whereof we are freed by our Great Charter of the Gospell; Giuen vs by the Father, Penned by the holy Spi∣rit, Sealed by his deare Sonne, and witnessed by the death of many thou∣sands of Martyrs.

WHy then should the Papist inferre (I call him not Catho∣lick, for to be a good Catholick is to be a good Christian, but to be a Papist is to be a Romish Statist, a disciple of the Ie∣suite, not of Iesus:) why should he vrge (I say) that we renounce our Religion to God, by quitting our obedience to the Pope, vvhen wee see no such correlation betweene them? Nay we plainly discouer a manifest Antithesis and opposition of the Pre∣cept of the one, to the Practise of the other. Surely, let them say what they can; to be a Catholick and to be a Protestant, are not two seueral Religions in the root: both are Christians, both build their faith and profession vpon Christ. He is the Rocke where∣upon they stand: he is the Truth, vvherein they agree; other truth then in him there is none. But many falshoods there are, as those of the Turke and Persian, who differ much in disputable points, yet are professors of one and the same prophane Maho∣metan Religion. The Turk holds himselfe the onely Mussullman, i. true beleeuer; and the Persian to be an hereticke, and in a dam∣nable way: So thinkes the Papist of the Protestant, but, id populus curat scilicet. As for vs, we are not so vncharitable to condemne all them of the Catholick Religion, because they differ in dispu∣table points from vs; nor so ignorant in our owne, as not to be alwaies able and readie to iustifie it for the same which was plan∣ted by Christ, taught in his word, confirmed with miracles, and professed in the Primitiue Church. Now whatsoeuer concerneth Religion, belongeth either to God or to Caesar: The matter and foundation (which is the truth) to God, who hath the Mini∣sters of his word to deliuer it: the manner and forme of exerci∣sing it (which is the gouernment) to the King, who hath those Ministers of the word, the Ministers of his power, to put it in

execution. Of this neither ought the Papist to robbe him, nor the Anabaptist to denie him. Giue vnto Caesar what belongeth to Cae∣sar, and giue vnto God what belongeth to God. God spake these vvords and said, I am the Lord thy God, &c. Here is the mat∣ter of Religion, By God. All that the Lord commandeth by his ser∣uant Moses, that will we doe: here is the obedience both of Priest and people, in the forme and manner: By the hand of Moses and Christian Princes, not by the mouth; not to teach them the truth, but to rule and gouerne them vnder the truth, and according to the vnchangeable and eternall lawes and ordi∣nances thereof.

WE haue not therefore quit our first Colours of Christia∣nitie, vve fight still vnder the Standard of the red Crosse, like true Christians, vvhich will euer dare to display it selfe for the maintenance of our Religion, and honour of our State: and I as∣sure my selfe there are many thousands amongst vs (vvhom they presume to be sure their owne) vvho vvhen they shall see those Colours flying in open field, will with vs flie in the face of the common enemie, though he bring the Banner of the Crosse keyes before him. For howsoeuer they be nuzled and mis-led by their corner catechizings in matter of beleefe and conscience, yet if they be not wilfully blinde, they may perceiue with vs, that the Pope seekes not to rectifie the Church in our State for the truths sake, but to re-gaine his vsurped authoritie in our Church for his profits sake: vvould we but giue him this, he would giue vs leaue to beleeue what we list.

WE march still therefore with all good Catholicks vnder him that is and was their Leader and ours from the begin∣ning. We may differ from them in apparelling, arraying, and em∣battelling our men: but our weapons are faith and works of piety, as theirs, and our end is all one: We fight for life. Here is the chiefe and maine point we stand on, We will haue a Prince of our owne, to go in and out before vs: We will haue a Lieutenant

of our owne, vnder Christ our Generall, in this our Christian warfare, to gouerne our campe, and keepe vs vnder military Discipline: we like not the Venetian manner, to haue a forraine hireling chiefe commander of our troupes: We feare no vsurpa∣tion as they do. God and his Right hath made our King what he is (next himselfe vpon earth) in these his dominions: he will be no more, he ought be no lesse. And therefore him do vve follow, vn∣der him will we serue, and vvith him will we fight, as in all his bat∣tels of Honour and State, so much more in an action of such con∣sequence as this, Of life or death euerlasting. If the Pope and his Cardinals haue clipped the vvings of the holy Ghost, (vvho they say is President in all their Conclaues) that he cannot flie ouer the Alpes to fetch a fit man for that holy Sea, (for now of late they haue resolued, That no Tramontano shall be Papeable,) vvhy may not we likewise establish by law, that no cause of ours shall by a Tramontano be determinable? vvhy should not we clip his wings of Ambitiō that would still flutter ouer vs, & pare his nailes of Auarice that would still be scratching from vs; so high moun∣taines, a large Continent, and a maine Sea being betweene vs?

Seeing therefore the Sunne of Righteousnesse shineth vpon this land with the bright beames of his Gospell, which nei∣ther abrogateth vvholesome and ciuill lawes, nor abridgeth the power of Princes ordained by them: seeing he hath drawne the Romish foggie mists of superstition and error from our eies, and hath rained his sweet dewes of blessings vpon vs, in a religi∣ous King, a hope-full Prince, a peacefull Gouernment, a prudent Councell, and a powerfull State, able vvith his Sword to maintaine his right against vvhat enemie soeuer to his power or peace: and seeing that nothing is vvanting to make vs the hap∣piest people on earth, but an vnanimous and vniforme concur∣rence in the Seruice of our God, and obedience of our Soue∣raigne: let vs all like true Israelites follow this our Moses out of that Egyptian bondage; let vs ioyne with the hearts of obedi∣ence and hands of assistance, in so iust a quarrell, for so good a

Prince, against so Imperious an vsurper. Let none of vs be any longer abused and ensnared, yea and gulled by these prosessors of Lysanders doctrine, who taught that children must be decei∣ued with Chance-bones, and men with Oathes: So these, with the old stampe of the diuells oracles at Delphos, of aequiuocall am∣phibologies, and mentall reseruations, cosen and delude the world.

BVt Rome hath preserued a forme of a Church, and kept the bookes of Gods law, and Records of our Religion, from the fury of Barbarians, and ruines of time, else how had we knowne either the law or the Gospell? They say very well, we acknow∣ledge it so, and we thanke God for it, that made her the meanes: But what then? Did not the old Iewes preserue the old Testa∣ment for the Christians? Else how had these knowne, but by those venerable and sacred Records of Antiquitie, all the Pro∣phecies which are there registred from the beginning of the world, of their true Messias, which haue since bene fulfilled in his coming? Were Christians therefore so bound to the Iewes, or Rome to Ierusalem, as not to forsake them when they had forsa∣ken their fore-promised Redeemer? and not to seeke a new citie of Peace in Christs holy Gospell? Nay rather Rome had a feare∣full example by them, that such old treasurers of the Truth may become Bank-rupt of all Faith and Pietie: that she may preach to others, and be her selfe a cast-away. Had they any such war∣rant, not to erre, not to fall? Ought not she with more care to haue preserued Religion in all Puritie, and professed it in all Hu∣militie? Be not high minded, but feare: For if God spared not the naturall Branches, take heed least he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the bountifulnesse and seueritie of God: Towards them that are fallen, seueritie: but towards thee, bountifulnesse, if thou continue in his bountifulnesse: otherwise thou shalt also be cut off. A memorable caueat and fearefull threat, from that Diuine, and Diuining Spirit of the blessed Apostle, euen to this verie Rome with which we haue now our contestation. For such is our case

with her, as was hers with the Iewes: we haue forsaken her, be∣cause she hath forsaken her first Faith. The faithfull citie is be∣come an harlot. Let her therefore no more vpbraide vs with her three Conuersions of this our Land, we can more iustly chalenge her of thirtie subuersions she hath attempted vpon it. For, to at∣tacke vpon the life and person of a Prince, to giue foment to treasons, and encouragement to Traitors, yea and reward also; what is this but to seeke the subuersion of the whole State? As for the last Fire-worke, all the powers of hell were combined in the conspiracy, and but hell it selfe can afford it a fit name, as but Heauen alone could preuent the danger. A Frier first inuenter of such hellish and sulphurious powder, and a Priest the latest pra∣ctiser to put it to the vtmost proofe: What worke call ye this, ye workers of iniquitie, that sets a stigmaticall brand, and an in∣delible staine vpon your order for euer?

BVt they say, He that is not in the Bosome of the Church, is in the bowels of perdition: He that is not saued in the Arke, pe∣risheth in the waters: He hath not God for his Father, that hath not the Church for his Mother: Without the Church there is no saluation. So say we: and that there is no damnation, disinheri∣ting, drowning, or destruction, to them that are in this bosome of safetie, ship of assurance, family of the faithfull, and societie of the elect. But these propositions, howsoeuer they be spoken of the visible Church by the ancient Fathers, yet most sure it is, that they meant not to tie thé to the Church of Rome. For S. Cypri∣an vsed one of those Maximes professedly against Stephen the then Pope of Rome. And the Councell of Basil proued the Pope (who would needs be aboue the Councels) to be a Schismaticke and rent from the Church, because he ought to be subiect to the Church, Quanto matre inferior est filius. Could they but per∣swade vs, that these Maximes of the ancient Father's were meant of the Church of Rome onely, and necessarily tied thereunto; we would come flocking thither in such full troupes, as they neuer had the like Iubiley there; and would all be humble suitors to his

Holinesse, that the Porta-Santa might not be shut vp, so long as fiue and twenty yeares together, we would haue a continuall and perpetuall Iubiley in Rome: wherein we would make no doubt to preuaile, hauing so good pleaders in our behalfe, as that whole Court and Citie, who would be glad to pay well for the purchase, and yet be sure to get well by the bargaine. But this they shall neuer be able to perswade, that all that are vnder the Popes protection and Benedicite are safe, as vnder the seuen∣fold shield of Aiax, from all those perils which befall him who is fallen from the Church: nor they that are vnder his maledi∣ction and curse, are liable to all those spirituall dangers, from which a Child of the true Church is free. Wherefore, while the Church of Rome appropriates to her selfe whatsoeuer is said of the Church Catholick, either in the Scriptures or Fathers, she doth but imitate the frantick Greeke, who when he saw any ships arriue in the Port of Athens, supposed them all his owne, and (without any warrant from the Custome-house) would offer to make seazure of all the wares. So she without any warrant of the Dogana-Santa of Gods word, or custome of the Primitiue Church, will seaze vpon this rich and heauenly commoditie, and others must haue it but at second hand: She will haue the fee simple of the Inheritance, and other Churches must hold of her by Copie, and in Base seruice. Now what is this but to tie Christs Church to a particular place and people? And what is that but meere Donatisme, which admitted no Church in those times but that of Aphrica? Is it not Catholick and vniuer∣sall both in place, and profession? Hath not Christ his Church in Constantinople, Cairo, Rome, and Geneua? in Europe, Affrick, Asia, America, and places yet vnknowne? Or hath God made all the world, but this little Angle of Europe, (and by their reckoning) not a moitie of that neither, for nought but perdition? Nimis altum sapiunt. This is to presse into the Sanctum Sanctorum of Gods secret counsailes, where none but the high Priest of our soules may enter: This is to dare looke God in the face, which Moses himselfe not could nor durst aduenture. Let them looke lower

where they are, lest they fall lower then they are. It is onely knowne to him who are his. His mercy is ouer all his workes, by this he will be glorified as well as by his iudgments, euen in pla∣ces farre remote, where the sound of the Gospell hath not yet bene heard. Let them not therefore shut Charity out of Hea∣uen, though in this iron-age of the world she be almost quite banished the earth already. Let the poore Fugitiue haue that place of refuge.

VVHerefore let not Rome lay claime to the whole inheri∣tance, who had iust title but to an elder daughters part, which she may also forfeit by breaking couenants. For I am perswaded that what the ancient Fathers gaue peculiarly to her, when she shined more gloriously then her yonger sisters in the beauty of pure Religion & white Robes of godly conuersation, if they were now liuing, they would againe take from her, vpon this plaine discouery of her defection and deformity. It is repor∣ted, that Angelo the famous Artizan of Italy, drawing the pi∣ctures of S. Peter and S. Paule, for a Cardinall, a good friend and benefactor of his, pourtraied them with very red and high co∣loured faces; whereas neither the Scripture, nor any Ecclesiasti∣call history, nor any originall Tablet describeth them by such complexions: being asked the reason, Because (quoth he) if they were now liuing, they could not but blush at the pompe of you Cardinals, the pride of this Court, and the abuses of this Church in generall.

AS therefore they cannot proue vs out of the Church, no more can they shew vs fallen from her vnity. From theirs we professe a diuision, and are now as heretofore readie to iustifie our parting. But Schisme or diuision in our owne Church we haue none: we liue vnder the obedience thereof in all awfull∣nesse, with a more willing and lesse forced subiection then they: For what she commandeth we readily obey, and were it but a matter in different before the commandement, we now hold it

a matter of conscience: because we acknowledge she hath this power ouer her owne children, by Gods holy ordinance, which bindes vs in this strong Tie of obedience, by the vertue of his word. We likewise reuerence the Order of Priesthood, that hath the ordination from her, and acknowledge the power & vertue thereof: we confesse to haue our Initiation into Christianitie, & to be made the members of Christ by Baptisme from the Priest: from him to haue our incorporation into Christ assured vnto vs by the blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist, or of the Altar, call it whether you will, (for the one is but an Appellation from the A∣ction, the other from the Place where it is sanctified.) From him we haue our Reconciliation to our Mother the Church, after our fall, by confessing our sinnes vnto him, and being absolued by him: knowing that if our confession be true, our contrition heartie, and repentance vnfained; he hath power by Gods or∣dinance to restore vs to the state of Grace, and to receiue vs into the bosome of the Church, otherwise not: For his Absolution is not absolute, it is but ex Hypothesi. Nay we farther confesse, that we cannot haue the participation of any of these graces & blessings, but by his Ministerie onely; for this is Gods holy ordi∣nance in his Church, whereof we professe & maintaine ours to be a principall member. So that we haue not cast off the sweete yoke of Christian gouernmēt, nor are we those Libertines they would faine make vs: for whatsoeuer our Church enioyneth, that will we, & must we do. If she commaund vs to an Anniuersa∣rie & stationarie confession of our sins to the Priest, vve vvill o∣bey: for we ought to go to him in case of doubt for instruction, & in case of conscience for comfort; and so we do: We are not such enemies to Auricular confession, as they take vs: but it is true, the Cubicular confession which their Priests vse here a∣mong vs, we do not allow, nor do I thinke the married Catho∣licks in Italy would euer admit it. If she commaund vs to adorne our Churches with beautifull Tablets & Apparaments, to decke our Priests with seemly Copes and Vestiments, to grace our Seruice with Musicke of voice, Organs, & other Instruments;

and to burne Frankinsence and other sweet odours in our Tem∣ples, (so it be not to driue away ill Spirits and Hobgoblins) all this will we do, as well and as vvillingly as they. For all these do stirre vp the spirits and powers of mans soule to a more liuely offering vp of his liuing sacrifice of prayer, praise and thankes∣giuing to God. These their Church enioyned, and many things more, as in themselues (Adiaphora) vpon very good reason, and to a most godly vse, till the abuse by corrupt vsage grew to hurt the Church more, then the vse at first did it good: and therefore may be abolished, as all other constitutions of like nature in that Church may be, and haue bene euen by Rome her selfe. As for their praying to Saints, worshipping of Images, and other Ido∣latries, our Church hath cancelled those Canons: for we Prote∣stants haue not our Deos maiores, minores, and Medioxumos, our Demi-gods, and gods of a higher straine and larger size, as the Heathens had. Our God is not like Baal, that must be wakened with loud crying, nor like the gods of earth vpon earth, that must be sued vnto by mediation. His Court is alwaies where himselfe is, euery where: vve need no Postillions to send to him, nor Fauorites to speake for vs. VVe know not vvhether S. Peter can heare our Catholicks here in England and them in Italie all at once; no more then when he was at Alexandria he could heare or see them in Rome. And of their other punie and paper-Saints, S. Rocke, and S. Stocke, and such like, we doubt much more. Those silly soules therefore and poore Christians that preferre their suites by such Solliciters, were in poore case, if they could not enter the Presence but by their meanes: but this King of Kings is a searcher of the heart, and finding (that) sincerely affe∣cted to him, doth no doubt accept them. This is our charitable construction of them; and let this be their best comfort, till God who hath touched their hearts with the heate of Christian zeale, enlighten them also with vnderstanding.

AS for the Schisme and Rent among our selues, vvherewith they vpbraid vs, it is not in principles of Faith, nor their con∣clusions:

it is onely in matter of Church-policie: it is not growne to a Partie, it hath no Head, as theirs haue had when there were three Popes, and so three Heads at once. It is but of such as are fallen from one extreame to another: from the Tyrannie of Papisme to the Anarchie of Anabaptisme, or to the ••aocrasie of Iohn a-Knoxe or Iohn a-Stile. A thing which is naturall in the reuo∣lution of Ciuill States, and so likewise of Ecclesiasticall. But our Church neither alloweth their Opinion, nor suffereth their Practise. They are sequestred and vnder censure, and liable to what the Canons of our Church layeth vpon them, which in matter of faith or obedience to gouernment, ought to binde the consci∣ence of all that are vnder her subiection: and therefore Maius peccatum habent. For all Churches Constitutions agreeable to Gods word, are sacred and inuiolable vnder the gouernment where they are established, vntill they be abrogated by the same Authoritie: But Christians in other States are no way bound vn∣to them: nor we to those of the Romane Church, more then they to ours. Might we but agree in the principles of Faith, and their conclusions, this difference of Gouernment might well be per∣mitted, without any rent in Christian Religion, it would onely hinder the Rents of the Popes Checquer. In many of which Principles though they and we differ much, and wherein both their side and ours haue bin too curious and busie; yet seeing the difference in most of them is rather De modo essendi then de Esse rei, (how it is so, then not to be so at all,) I see not at all why any of them should so censure vs, or we them, if there were as much true charitie as pretended zeale amongst vs.

NOw concerning these Disputable points of Religion, I would to God they and we had trauelled lesse therein: In some things it is superfluous to know much, in some things dangerous to search ouer-farre. When one offered the Philosopher to teach him the Art of Memory: I had rather (quoth he) thou wouldst teach me the Art of Forgetfulnesse: So in many of these cases, a simple ignorance is better then a curious knowledge: and in

such a sence as this we agree with them, that Ignorance is the mother of Deuotion. For that Apple of the Tree of Knowledge is a dangerous fruite to taste, it hath a sweet relish but a sowre di∣gestion; it pleaseth the pallate, but it breedeth corrupt bloud. Our first parents but tasted thereof, and all their childrens teeth were set on edge: it is a windy fruite, it puffeth vp: and this swelling Impostume bred in the braine, falleth like a Catarre vpon the heart, where it quencheth the natiue heate of true Zeale, and dri∣eth the Radicall humour of spirituall Grace. Two Doctors of Physicke sate at table together, and a third man in their compa∣nie, who had no learning at all in their Art, but a better stomack then both they to his meate. The one of these was a Galenist, the other a Paracelsian. In the midst of the meale they fall in argu∣ment: The Galenist discourseth of the Retentiue facultie in the stomack, how the meate is there depressed for a time, and made fit for digestion; how thence a milkie iuyce is sucked by the Me∣saraicae venae, which is forthwith conueyed to the Liuer the work-house of bloud; thence to the Heart, the store-house of spi∣rit; and so these two (the Liuer and the Heart) like two carefull Pourueyers, send of their prouisions by the Veines and Arteries (as by two common Roade waies) into euery part of the litle common-wealth of mans body. The Paracelsian, a professor and practiser quite contrary to the other, as well in his 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, as in his 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; in his order of Diet, as in his manner of Cure, opposeth himselfe tooth and naile against all these assertions: partly out of opinion that the right was on his side, but more, out of a contentious humour and splene which he bore to the o∣thers profession. They fall from argument to railing, so to cha∣fing, and at last to bitter warre and deadly defiance: whereby, the meale they then made was hindred in the digestion, Choler in∣creased in the one, Melancholy in the other, and the bloud in∣flamed in both: so as they were both taken away (without say∣ing Grace) desperately sicke; the Galenist of a shaking Agew, and the Paracelsian of a Dead Palsey. But the third man that sate by all this while, and vnderstood not the cause, though he saw

the quarrell, he would not therefore meddle betweene them, but fell heartily to his meate, while they fell hard by the eares; rose, and gaue God thanks, and with the strength of that meals meate, went on with good speed to labour out his daies worke in his vocation, vntill the euening, when with his fellow labou∣rers he receiued his daies wages. Thus is it with the great Rabbins in Religion, and the simple, honest, ignorant Christian. Let vs therefore striue to do more, and studie to know lesse: Let vs fall to prayer and to practise, and leaue the pen and the presse. For it is a pre∣sumption to thinke we can pearce the marble hardnesse of Gods secrets with the leaden Screw of our dull vnderstanding, or sound the bottomlesse depth of his Diuine Mysteries with the Plommet of our short-lined, and short-liued reason. He was a good Philosopher that professed no more knowledge but this; Hoc scio, quòd nihil scio. So may he be a good Christian, who let∣ting passe all transcendent and swelling knowledge, glories only in this; to know Christ crucified: resolues onely in this, to liue alwaies to him that died once for all: and desires onely this, the fruition of a better life, by the merit of that precious death. Here is the Faith, Hope, and Charity of a Christian, which three are all, in him that is all in all, in the worke of our saluation.

IT is therefore vnnecessary and vnprofitable to strain our wits, and beate our braines as they do, about many of their super∣fluous and friuolous controuersies. That sacred vessell of the purest wine, wherewith our soules are comforted to eternall life, the blessed Virgin S. Mary, what auaileth it them (when they all know, she was a naturall daughter of Adam) to search and dispute whether she were borne in originall sinne, or without? whereupon their Seraphicall Doctors haue written so much, to amuse the readers, and abuse the time, which they should rather spend in the meditation of Gods Mercy with re∣ioycing, or of his Iustice with trembling. Let them reade the Scriptures, which are able to instruct and correct, that the child of God may be perfect. For here they may vnderstand all is fit

for them to know, and may finde some thing not fit they should vnderstand. Scriptura omnibus accessibilis, there is thy liberty, and the doore open to thee; enter boldly, and gather of the fruite of this garden of Eden, from these lower boughes; Paucis penetra∣bilis, there is thy restraint, & the brasen gates barred vpon thee: beware thou presse not into this priuie Closet, nor pearch so high as this vpmost fruit, lest a worse thing befall vnto thee. What is needfull for faith and good life to saluation, is there so plainely laied open, as euen the simplest may vnderstand: Other abstruse secrets and hidden mysteries therebe, so closely lockt vp, as the wisest themselues cannot attaine, may not attempt. So that, as the world made for vs by God, is the Mirrour of his power and pro∣uidence: So this word left vs by him, is the onely true glasse, vvherein we behold his vnspeakable mercy, and vnsearchable wisedome.

MAny other such vselesse questions as that former, they tra∣uerse among themselues and canuas Pro & Contra, where∣with their tedious volumes are farced, which I will passe ouer, and touch onely a difference or two betweene them and the Protestants in more materiall points, as in that of Iustification. They will haue no Faith without good workes, no more will vve; nor we good workes without Faith, no more will they: If they tie good vvorkes to Faith, and we it to them, then hitherto we agree (de facto,) and the difference is no more (be it spoken with∣out offence,) then to tie the hose to the doublet, or it to the hose. Had they staied here (which they might well haue done,) the quarrell had bene at an end, or rather none begun. But vvhen they vvould needs proceed farther, to define (de modo) how vve are iustifed; and standing so much vpon good vvorkes, vvould attribute their Iustification to the merit of their righte∣ousnesse: vve were then forced to enter the lists, and stand for the truth of Iustification by Faith; yet not ascribing it to the merit of Faith, but to the obiect of Faith, namely the merit of Christs redemption. But let them and vs leaue to striue any longer, ex∣cept

it be in vvell doing. Let vs both striue to haue both, so shall vve both be iustified: but if vve vvant either, let vs assure our selues vve haue neither. Let it suffice vs in this point, to know that vve are iustified before God through the onely mercie and grace of our Lord and Sauiour Christ Iesus, vvho in the vvorke of our Redemption, Iustification, and Sanctification, is Alpha and O∣mega, the first cause and the last. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life: The Way, vvhereby vve vvalke righteously: The Truth, vvherein vve beleeue stedfastly: The Life, vvhere on vve hope e∣ternally. The vvarrant of our actions, the Buttresse of our Faith, the Anchor of our hope. Christ is the roote, Religion the tree; Faith, Hope and Charitie the branches; good workes are the fruite. Faith is the hand that layes hold on the cause: Charitie the foote that runs on in the course: Hope is the eye that lookes for the goale. Let vs then neither looke backe vvith Lots vvife from this citie of Zoar, this Castle of comfort; nor prie farther vvith these gazers aboue the Moone. Let no man aduenture to enter this deepe, (how, or vvhy the great God doth all things,) vvhich is not to be vvaded vvithout danger of drow∣ning: Be no man so hardie to towre so high, vnder paine of pre∣sumption, and arrest of high treason to the highest Maiestie, vvho vvill haue the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 of his secret counsailes and vvill belee∣ued and obeyed: but the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 thereof neither pried into nor examined.

COncerning that great mystery of the blessed Sacrament of Christs precious bodie and bloud, where with the true receiuers are nou∣rished to eternall life: that sacred Seale which he hath fixed to the hand-writing of his last Will and Testament, for performance of all Legacies promised vs in himself, and keeping of all couenants between him and vs: if it be a Mystery, why do they & we labour to search so farre? If we apply it to the same vse as they, why do we quarrell so much? For, both they and we acknowledge, that when we receiue this blessed Sacrament worthily, and with that faith and probation of our selues which S. Paul enioynes to eue∣ry

Christian man in the performance of that action; we are there and at that time made truly & really participant of the very true and reall bodie of our Sauiour: (but by the mouth of faith, and after a spirituall maner.) Which two conditions, diuers of the most learned and moderate of that Church do freely acknow∣ledge. And therefore so farre are we from holding this holy Sa∣crament to be a bare signe (wherewith they slander vs,) as we freely confesse, by the receiuing thereof worthily, to haue a true, liuely, powerfull, and effectuall coniunction with his precious bodie and bloud: whom, as well in our hearts, as in all our exte∣rior actions we adore and worship. This is therefore the quarrell that vve vvish may be taken vp betweene vs: vvhich vvee may vvell do, if vve vvill both confesse vvith reuerend S. Austen, that Christ is there; but how? Misericordia quadam occulta. He is there; that is his mercie and infinite power: We know not how; that is our weaknesse and definite knowledge, till we shall see him in his glorie face to face: Then shall vvee no more see darkly as through a glasse.

NOw, as they haue tired themselues, and troubled the pure streames of Religions current, with the puddle of their owne braine, and froath of their Philosophie, in such disputations of controuersie as these, vvhereof vve neede not be instructed in some, and in the rest vve ought not be inquisitiue: but to rest in the high mysteries of Gods ordinance, as in God himselfe; (be∣leeue that he is a Trinitie of Persons in an vnitie of Substance,) & dispute not how it is, or doubt how it may be: So haue they cloyed and surcharged the consciences of Christians vvith vvhole cart loads of Canons, Iniunctions, and Constitutions, more to the hurt then good of the Church, and more to the fettering then bettering the soules of her deare children. Heretofore in our lawes of England, this was a strong Conueyance; I giue from me and mine, to thee and thine. And this a good Assurance, In signe this is sooth, I seale it with my Tooth. And this a full Attestation, Witnesse Maude my wife. Do the great Deeds & Indentures with all their

Ifs and Prouisoes make the Tenures more strong now adaies? VVere not couenants then as vvell kept as now? vvere Titles so often tried? So is it with the Canons and Constitutions of the Romish Church. Their Canonists haue done as much hurt vvith their Decretals, Paragraffes, and Glosses, as their Schoole∣men vvith their Questions, Distinctions, and Sophistrie. Good lawes neuer so much broken, as since so many bad made: ne∣uer so key-colde in charitie, as since they grew so fire-hot in Disputation.

BVt these Lawes and Ordinances of theirs are not binding, (as hath formerly bene said) saue onely vnder their Iuris∣diction by vvhose Authoritie they are made: nor ought they be perpetuall, but onely so long as they quadrate vvith the conditions of the time; and that there redound lesse hurt to the Church by the execution, then good by the abolishing thereof. I will giue onely one instance, as I haue done in the former. VVhat if the Church of Rome forbid Priests marri∣age, because they may be more freed from vvorldly cares, and attend better to the Function vvhereto they are called? Shall this Law therefore stand perpetuall? vvhen by the cor∣ruption of mans nature, and iniquitie of these euill daies vvherein we liue, experience hath shewed vs too many hor∣rible and abhominable facts in seuerall kindes of beastly and vnnaturall lust, vvhich their Priests haue committed by being thus restrained? Maculantur coitu illicito cum ipsorum grauissimo peccato: vbi cum propria vxore esset castitas. Vnde deberet Eccle∣sia facere sicut bonus Medicus, vt si Medicina (experientia docen∣te) plus officiat quàm prosit, eam tollat. Atque vtinam idem esset in omnibus Constitutionibus positiuis. This is the Vote of a deuo∣ted Catholicke of their owne. Besides, vvhat if coniugall fel∣lowship be forbidden Priests in Italie, and prostitution of har∣lots permitted, for feare of ouer-charging that Land with peo∣ple vvherewith it swarmeth alreadie? (as by their owne Pro∣uerbe appeareth: Troppo feste, troppo tempeste, troppo teste.)

Shall it therefore binde vs here in England vvhere they haue no power to commaund, nor vve like cause to be prohibi∣ted? For, we haue not the fourth part of people that they; nor they the moiety of good arable and pasture ground that we to maintaine them.

THere remaines yet one other thing, vvherein they of the Romane Church haue much preiudiced the sinceritie of Christian Religion, and that is, Their Miracles. For, as they haue bene too full of their Canonicall Constitutions, and too free of their Philosophicall Conclusions, vvherewith their great Tomes and Volumes are loaden, like Cardinall Campegius Sumpters (vvith much trash but litle or no Treasure:) So haue they bene too lauish and vulgar in their hyperbolicall Mira∣cles. A great Miracle sure it is (if it were true) that they should grow so thicke in the Popish drie Territories, and thriue so litle in this moist Climate of ours. For if we haue one in an age, it is but of a Straw, and yet not worth a straw vvhen we haue it: A miracle but of foolish fancie and vn∣setled imagination; such a one as the Eye of conceit may dai∣ly see, if it looke vpon broken clouds; and the Eare of credu∣lous fancie hourely heare, if it listen to the ring of Bells. But let them no longer scandalize the Truth, nor thinke to co∣sen the vvorld vvith this counterfet kinde of coyne. Their Golden Legend of leaden lies is no more current. Men are no longer babes to take such Counters for good paiment, or so simple to beleeue they see a man in the Moone. Let them if they be wise, stampe vs no moe miracles of this Mint, least vvhile they endeuour to make men beleeue vvhat they see to be false, they be hardly trusted in vvhat is true. I dare vn∣dertake there be more of these iuggling Miracles to be seene in the countries of Poperie, then there haue bene houres since Christ vvrought his first Miracle at Cana in Galile: as appea∣reth by the Crutches, Armes, Legges, and other Gambolls hung vp for shew thereof in all the Churches and Chappels

of Italie; some of which haue bene so palpably forged, and so notoriously discouered, as all the Figge-leaues in Italie and Spaine are not sufficient to couer their nakednesse; where∣of the modester sort are much ashamed, confessing them to be pia mendacia, and the vviser sort laugh at them. Of this kinde of stuffe Rome it selfe is stuffed more then any place else; vvhere for my part I beleeued verie few, but onely this (which Colonna obserued before out of Guicciardine.) That it is a Miracle God suffereth the pride and abhomination of that Sea so long vnpunished. But of such miracles as this the whole earth is full: All the workes of God, from the great Frame of the vvorld to the most small and contemptible creatures, are Miracles of his Power: the stay and vpholding them in their first being, are Miracles of his Prouidence: the punishing of the wic∣ked, and protecting his children (especially those he hath set to raigne ouer vs) are Miracles of his Iustice; vvhereof this our Land can yeeld the world two famous and vnmatchable Instances, in the late Queene of happie memorie, and our Soue∣raigne Lord the King that now is; by their seuerall, many and miraculous deliuerances, such as Rome can shew none. Where Theophylacts Cuppe, and the Italian Figge hath made quicke dispatch of diuers Popes in a short time. VVhat should I speake of those great Miracles of Gods infinite Mercie? The sen∣ding of our Sauiour into the world, his Incarnation, Resur∣rection and Ascension; and all other workes of his, as Rai∣sing the dead, Curing the diseased, Restoring the lame and blinde to their limmes and sight, registred to vs in the sacred Chronicle of his holy word? These indeed were truly Mira∣cles, such as all Christians are bound to beleeue and con∣fesse. As for those of the Romane Church, there is neither Truth in the Fact, nor Benefit in the Beliefe. I will onely in∣stance in one of my particular obseruation, and so conclude. In a Towne of Italie where I abode foure moneths, was a poore Trades-man, who liued in the place full seuen yeares, and had neuer spoke, being generally taken to haue bene

deafe and dumbe from his birth. This man vndertooke a Pilgrimage to the Ladie of Loretto, the most famous and re∣nowned Shrine in Europe, and comparable (if the Papists haue any) to that of Mahomet in Mecha. They say she is as rich in lewels and Treasure, as famous in her Miracle-facul∣tie: I speake this but by relation, I had not the leisure to go thither, but the good hap I had (though no great happinesse) to see her Girdle at Prato, among many thousand moe that came to see it, (as they yearely do vpon the seuenth of Sep∣tember:) a rich one I assure you it is, and such as you haue none in Court. Saint Thomas had it of our Ladies gift, and carried it with him into India, and a Merchant got it from Saint Thomas, and brought it to Prato; where likewise is to be seene the Scull of Saint Anne, our Ladies mother; two singu∣lar great blessings to so little a Borough. Thus lies the Legend in the storie, but it is no part of this our Miracle: no more is that which is reported of this glorious Shrine, namely that the Chappell wherein it stands, was first transported by Angels ouer the Mediterranean Sea into Slauonia; where, because that slauish nation did not receiue it with due reuerence, or (which is more like) rewarded it not with due beneuolence, it was a∣gaine by the same Porters carried sticke and stone ouer the Venetian Golphe into Italie, where now it workes wonders, and is not yet wearie. Among which this is not the least, where∣of I now relate. For this our Mutolo after some few weekes stay, many Orisons of his owne, and much prayer and fasting of the Fraternitie, receiued (forsooth) the readie vse of his tongue and hearing; and returned to the Towne whence he went while I was there, as perfect a prater of Italian as the best. A Miracle of no small wonderment, and worthy Duke Hum∣freys obseruation, who discouered a counterfeit Ceco (that made the people beleeue he was borne blinde, and had got his sight at Saint Albons Shrine) because he could readily tell him the colour of his gowne: So this Companion, though the strings of his tongue had bene loosed, yet should he not presently

haue spoken so perfect language, without the greater miracle. Inquiring what Countreyman he was, I found him to be borne in the Marquisate of Ancona hard by Loretto: I needed no more for my satisfaction in this Miracle. For it is a thing vsuall among them, to suborne such counterfeits and Spiritati to worke vpon, for the more frequenting of their shrine, and better larding of their fatt.

ANd thus Sir haue I answered your letter, though not your expecta∣tion, in matter of higher predicament then I ought to meddle with my vnwasht hands: And therefore I submit my selfe to better Iudgments, and commit you (for better information) to them are able to instruct vs both. You see, I beleeue not their Miracles: I am not bound to their Canons: I trouble not my selfe with their Controuersies: I yeeld the duty of a Child to none but my Mother the Church of England: I owe the Allegiance of a Subiect to none vnder God, but my King. Will you haue in one word the whole Summary of Religion? Loue God a∣boue all, and thy neighbour as thy selfe: There is the Law and the Pro∣phets, and in them thy lesson. Christ came into the world to saue Sin∣ners, whereof thou art one: There is the Gospell, and in it thy comfort. Of other things besides these take thou heede my Sonne, for there is none end in making many bookes, and much reading is a wearinesse of the flesh: Let vs heare the end of all: Feare God, and keepe his Commandements, for this is the whole dutie of Man. Hoc fac & viues.

R. D.