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.

To my Lorde Protectour and the rest of the kings Maiesties Counsaile.

MY Lorde, I perceiue by the letters whyche I late receiued from you, and other of the kinges Maie∣sties Counsaile, that yee be all sorie to finde so litle confor∣mitie in me touching the obseruation of his Maiesties la∣wes:* 1.1 who am well assured I haue offended no law, vnles it be a late lawe of your owne making, for the altering of matters of Religion, whiche in my conscience is not wor∣thy to haue the name of a Lawe, both for the kings honors sake, the wealth of the Realme, and geuing an occasion of an euill br••ite through all Christendome, besides the par∣cialitie vsed in the same, and (as my sayde conscience is ve∣ry well perswaded) the offending of God, which passeth al the rest: but I am well assured, that the king hys fathers Lawes were allowed and consented to with out compul∣sion by the whole Realme, both Spirituall and Tempo∣rall, and all ye executours sworne vppon a Booke to fulfil the same, so that it was an authorised Lawe, and that I haue obeyed, and will doe with the grace of God, till the Kinges Maiestie my brother shall haue sufficient yeares to bee a Iudge in these matters hym selfe: Wherein my Lorde, I was plaine wyth you at my laste beynge in the Courte: declaringe vnto you at that time, whereunto I woulde stande, and nowe doe assure you all, that the only occasion of my stay from altering mine opinion, is for two causes.

One principally for my conscience sake: the other, that the king my brother shal not hereafter charge me to be one of those, that were agreeable to suche alterations in hys tender yeares. And what fruites dailye growe by suche chaunges since the death of the King my Father, to euery indifferent person, it wel appeareth, both to the displeasure of God, and vnquietnesse of the realme.

Notwythstanding, I assure you all, I woulde be as ••othe to see his highnesse take hurt, or that any euill should come to this his Realme, as the best of you all, and none of you haue the like cause, considering howe I am compelled by nature, beinge his Maiesties poore and humble Sister, moste tenderly to loue and pray for him, and vnto this his realme, being borne within the same, wishe all wealth and prosperitie to Gods honour.

And if any iudge mee the contrarye for mine opinions sake, as I truste none doth, I doubte not in the ende, wyth Gods helpe, to prooue my selfe as true a natural and hum∣ble sister, as they of the contrary opinion, with all their de∣uises and altering of lawes, shall prooue them selues true subiectes, praying you my Lorde and the rest of the Coun∣sail, no more to vnquier and trouble me with matters tou∣ching my conscience, wherein I am at a full poynte, wyth Gods helpe, what soeuer shall happen to mee, intendinge with his grace, to trouble you litle with any worldly sutes but to bestowe the short time I thinke to liue, in quietnes, and pray for the kinges Maiestie and all you, heartily wi∣shing, that your proceedings may be to Gods honour, the safegard of the kings persone, and quietnesse to the whole Realme.

Moreouer, where your desire is, that I woulde sende my Controller and Doctour Hopton vnto you, by whom you woulde signifie your mindes more amplie, to my con∣tentation & honour: it is not vnknowen to you al, that the chiefe charge of my house ••e••teth onely vppon the trauails of my sayde Controller. Who hath not bene absent from my 〈◊〉〈◊〉 three who••e dayes since the settinge vp of the same vnlesse it were for my letters Patentes, so that if it wer•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for his continual diligence▪ I thinke my litle por∣tion would not haue stretched so farre. And my Chaplaine by occasion of sickenesse, hath bene long absent, and yet not able to ride.

Therefore like as I can not forbeare my Controller, and my Prieste is not able to iourney: So shall I desire you my Lorde, and the rest of the Counsaile, that hauinge any thing to be declared vnto me, except matters of Reli∣gion, yee will either wryte your mindes, or sende some tru∣stie person, with whome I shall be contented to talke, and make answere as the case shall require, assuring you, that if any seruaunte of mine owne, eyther man or woman, or Chaplaine shoulde moue me to the contrary of my consci∣ence, I woulde not geue eare to them, nor suffer the lyke to be vsed wythin my house. And thus my Lorde, wyth my hearty commendations, I wishe vnto you and the rest, as well to doe as my selfe.

From my house at Kinning hall, the 22. of Iune. 1549.

Your assured frend to my power, Mary.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈…〉〈…〉 letters 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Lords 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Coū∣••••yle.