Actes and monuments of matters most speciall and memorable, happenyng in the Church. [vol. 2, part 1] with an vniuersall history of the same, wherein is set forth at large the whole race and course of the Church, from the primitiue age to these latter tymes of ours, with the bloudy times, horrible troubles, and great persecutions agaynst the true martyrs of Christ, sought and wrought as well by heathen emperours, as nowe lately practised by Romish prelates, especially in this realme of England and Scotland. Newly reuised and recognised, partly also augmented, and now the fourth time agayne published and recommended to the studious reader, by the author (through the helpe of Christ our Lord) Iohn Foxe, which desireth thee good reader to helpe him with thy prayer.

¶The Counsaile to the Lady Mary, the 27. of May. 1551.

AFter our due commendations to your grace, although the same receiueth not aunswere so soone, as perchance was looked for vpon the returne of your graces seruaunt: Yet we doubt not, but youre grace vnderstanding that where we haue matters of estate pertaining to the Kings Maiestie in hand, as in deede we haue had of late, the dif∣ferring of the answere in a matter being no greater, requi∣reth to be borne withal. And touching the answere of your graces letter for D. Mallet, we pray your grace to vnder∣stande, that although you write he was indited, but not condemned, and so seeme to take exception at the maner of his imprisonment, yet if they which enformed your grace of that maner of reason in the law, were as well disposed to please your grace with truth, as the reason in deede is not true, then should they haue told your grace that by the Acte of Parliament, if either Mallet haue bene conuicted by the othes of twelue men, or that the fact hath bene noto∣rious, then the punishment doth follow iustly. The trueth of the one and the other way of conuiction in this case is notorious enough, besides his flying from the processe of the lawe. And where your grace, to releeue him, woulde take the fault vpon your selfe, we are sory to perceiue your grace so ready to be a defence to one that the Kings lawe doth condemne. Neuerthelesse, he is not punished because your grace bad him, and willed him to do that which was an offence: but he is punished for doing it, and if we should not so see the Kings lawes executed without respecte, it might appeare that we too much neglected our duty, and for that your grace taketh it as a discredite to your selfe, that he should be punished for that you bad him do, alled∣ging to him that you had authoritie so to do, and so pro∣mise made to the Emperour, it hath bene both written, and sayde to your grace, what is the truth in that behalfe: and howsoeuer that your grace pretendeth your licence to haue Masse said before your selfe, for a time of your recon∣ciliation, it had bene so far out of reason for to haue desi∣red that whosoeuer was your Chapleine might say Masse in any house that was yours, when your graces selfe was not there. For so is D. Mallets offence, for saying Masse at one of your houses, where your grace was not, whych thing as it was neuer graunted, so do we not remember that euer it was demaunded. The sute that hath bene at a∣nye tyme made, either by the Emperous Embassadour that dead is, or by him that now is, was neuer but in re∣spect of your grace, and not to be taken that the Empe∣rour or his his Embassadour meant to priuiledge mayster D. Mallet or any other to say Masse out of your presence. Wherefore as we do plainely write to your grace, so do we pray you to take it in good part, and thinke we be as ready to do our due reuerence towards your grace in any thyng wee may doe with our dutie to our maister as any youre grace may commaund: and of suche wisedome we knowe your grace to be, that ye should iudge the better of vs, for that we be diligent to see the lawes of the Realme execu∣ted, wherein resteth the strength and safegard of the kings Maiestie our soueraigne Lord and Maister.