The prudentiall ballance of religion wherin the Catholike and protestant religion are weighed together with the weights of prudence, and right reason. The first part, in which the foresaide religions are weighed together with the weights of prudence and right reason accordinge to their first founders in our Englishe nation, S. Austin and Mar. Luther. And the Catholike religion euidently deduced through all our kings and archbishopps of Canterburie from S. Austin to our time, and the valour and vertue of our kings, and the great learninge and sanctitie of our archbishopps, together with diuers saints and miracles which in their times proued the Catholike faith; so sett downe as it may seeme also an abridgement of our ecclesiasticall histories. With a table of the bookes and chapters conteyned in this volume.

CHAP. XXVI. That the Kings of England from Edvvard 3. to Henry 8. vvere all Roman Catholick proued in particuler.

King. Edward. 3. XLIII.

1. THe 43. Christian King of Eng¦land was Edward 3. sonne to Edward 2. Began his reigne Anno. 1326. & reigned 51. yeares. He was (saith Walsin∣gahm Hist. Anno 1376.) amongst all the Kings

of the world renowned, benign, gentle, and magnifi∣cent, coragious of hart, humble, milde and very deuout to God. This man (saith Cooper Anno 1327. And Stow p. 438.) Besids all other gifts of nature was indued with passing comly hewty & fauor, of vvit prouidēt, circumspect & gentil, doing nothing without great wisdome & consideratiō. Of excellent modesty & temperance, and aduanced such persons to high dignity as did most passe others in integrity & innocency of life, in feats of Armes verie expert. Of his liberality & clemencie he shewed very many great examples. Breefly in all Princely vertue he was so excellent, that few noble men before his time can be compared to him. The like praise to him giue Fox Acts pag. 374. Bale Cent. 6. cap. 57. & others. He wonne the great battell at Cressie where he vanquished the King of France with two other Kings, tooke Calis, and at the same time ouercame the King of Scotts, and tooke him prisoner. And his sonne Edward sirnamed the black Prin∣ce with a very small army got the bat∣tell of Poitiers Wherin he tooke the French king, and after that entred into Spaine ouercame the king and draue him out of the Contrie. So that this king by him selfe and his company tooke two kings, slewe one, and vanquished three others.

Of all our English kings to Henrie

8. Fox of most all challengeth this King, and saith pag. 428. That aboue all other Kings to Henrie 8. he was the greatest bridler of the Popes vsurped power. During all his time Iohn VVicklef was maintained with fauor and ayde sufficient. Indeed King Edward 3. Anno 1374. made a lawe to forbid all procurement of English Benefices from the Pope: But the cause therof was, not that the King thought amisse of rhe Popes Au∣thority, but because he thought that the execution thereof in this point was incommodious, and inconuenient to his Realme. For other wise none of all our Kings haue auouched the Popes supremacie, (in which Prote∣stants account the essence of a Pa∣pist to consist) so cleare as he. For in his letters to the Pope extant in Wal∣singham Anno 1336, and others he wri∣teth thus, (Therfore let not the enuious or sinister interpretation of detractors made of your sonne finde place in the bowels of your mercie and sanctitie who will after the ancient custome of our predecessours, persist in yours and the See Apostolickes fauour vntou∣ched. But if any such sugestion made against your sonne shall fortune to come vnto your holines eares, Let not cre∣dit be giuen of your holy deuotion by

your holines therunto, before your sonne be heard, who trusteth and euer intendeth to speak the truth, and to iustifie euery one of his causes before your holines iudgement, whose au∣thority is aboue all earthly creatures which to deny is to approue an he∣resy.) Behould the King confessing first that it was hereditarie to him from his Anceistors to abide firmely in fauour of the See Apostolicke. Se∣condly, that he purposed euer to do soe. Thirdly that it was heresie to denie the Popes iudgement, praesidere omni humanae creaturae: To beare rule ouer all human Creatures. Oh when would this famous King haue thought that any of his Posteritie should make that trea∣son, which him selfe professeth all his Ancestors to haue held, and accounteth it heresie to denie. And Pope Benedict in his answer of this letter in VValsin∣gham pag. 124. saith thus. [Your Pro∣genitors Kings of England, haue ex∣celled in greatnes of faith and deuo∣tion towards God, and the holy Ro∣man Church, as her peculier foster-chil∣dren and deuoted sonnes, and haue preserued the splendor of their proge∣ny from any darkesome cloud. Be∣twene the state of your Kingdome

and also of the Kingdome of France we greatly desire to make a happy successe of peace and concotd. And against you my sonne I cannot shut vp the bowels of my Fatherly affection.) To which the King returned this answer in Walsingham pag. 130. (We haue reuerently and humbly accepted the letters of your Holines. Also with a cheerfull hart we do beseech your clemency, that if it please you, you will duely ponder our iustice and intentiō founded vpon the truth. And that we as occasion serued haue fauored the holy Roman Church in all fulnes of deuotion sound loue and gratious fauor, as you may coniecture of a most deuout sonne. For God is the witnesse of our cōscience that we haue desired to exalt & defend the ho∣nors and liberties of the Church.) And againe the king Anno. 1343 writing to Pope Clement in VValsing pag. 150. saith thus, (To his most holy Lord Clement by the diuine prouidence cheefe Bishop of the sacred Roman and vniuer∣sall Church, Edward by the same grace of God King of France and England and Lord of Ireland▪ deuout kisses of your blessed feete &c.) And then calleth him, (successor of the Prince of the Apostles. In∣fra. VVe and ours do desire and ought to reuerence your most sacred person

and the holy Roman Church. And pag. 15. Clement answereth him thus. My deerly beloued sonne yow haue knowne how to exhibit your sincere deuotion to our Lord and to your Mother the holy Roman Church, as of famous memorie your Progenitors the Kings of England haue done whilst they liued.] And Fox himselfe Acts pag. 383. setteth downe a letter of the K. and nobles to Pope Cle∣ment Anno 1343. thus. [To the most holy Father in God Lord Clement by the grace of God of the holy Church of Rome and of the vniuersall Church cheefe and high Bishop his humble and deuout children the Princes Dukes Earles Barons Knights Citizens and Bur∣gesses and all the communalty of Eng∣land assembled at the Parliament houl∣den at VVestminster the 15. day of May deuout kissing of his feete with all humble reuerence and humility. Most holy Father yow being so high and holy a Prelat and head of the holy Church by whome the holy Vniuer∣sall Church and people of God ought to be as by the Son beames illightened &c.] Behould the whole Parlament cal∣ling the Pope head and Bishop of the Vni∣uersall Church, and offering to kisse his feete with all humilitie and reuerence.

And again Fox pag. 387. setteth downe an other letter of King Edwards to Pope Clement in this sort. [Most holy Father, we desire your holines, and in as much as lieth in vs, require the same, that yow that supplie the place of the sonne of God on earth, and haue the gouernment of all Christen men &c.] What could be more clearly spoken for the spirituall supremacie of the Pope? And this same Roman religion of his is euident by many other waies. For he founded (saith Stow pag. 439.) the new Abbey neere to the Tower of London, where he placed white Monks to the honor of God and our Ladie according to a vow by him made being on the Sea in great perill. And a Nonrie at Detford. Cambden. addeth pag. 333. a Frierie of Carmelits. He instituted also the order of the garter in honor of God and Saint Georg, and among other rules apointed, that when any of the Knights died the Kinge should make a thousand Masses to be saide for his soule, and others many hundreds according to their De∣gree. He offered (saith Fox pag. 396.) after the blind (saith he) superstition of those dayes in the Church of VVestminster the Vest∣ments wherin Saint Peter did celebrat Masse. His Confessor was Thomas Bradwardin,

whome Bale Centur. 5. cap. 87. accounteth a Papist. Finally as Walsingham. An. 1376. writeth he dyed thus. The King when he could not speake, with verie great reuerence taking the Crosse did kisse it most deuoutly, som∣times stretching forth his hand in signe of crauing pardon, and other times also letting fall from his eyes plenty of teares, and kissing most often the feete of the Crucifix. And after his death Pope Greg. 11. lit. in Walsingham Anno 1378. calleth him, Catholicum Principem & Pugilem fidei. A Catholick Prince and Champion of the faith.

And so euidently was this King and the Realm in his time Roman Ca∣tholick, as Fox Acts pag. 377. vpon a letter of the King to the Nobles of France maketh this note: Note the ignorance of the time. And pag. 396. The blinde superstition of those daies. And pag. 424. This is out of all doubt that at vvhat time all the world was in most vilde and desperat estate, and that the lamen∣table ignorance of Gods truth had ouershadowed all the earth, VVicklef stept forth &c. Behould here manifest that before Wicklef there was not one Protestant in the whole world. And how ill a Protestant he was shall hereafter appeare. And pag. 425. In this so horrible darknes of ignorance (saith Fox) at what time there seemed in a manner to be no one so little a sparke of pure

doctrine left, VViclef sprong vp, through whome the Lord would first raise vp again the world which was drowned in the depth of human tradi∣tions. In like sort Bale Cent. 5. cap. 85. saith, This age was shadovved vvith the darknes of great ignorance, and blinded with more than Diabolicall fooleries. And Cent. 6. cap. 1. the midnight of errors and a dim vvorld. And cap. 8. In these times darknes of great ingnorance possessed the vvorld. cap. 23. The common blindnes of the time vvas in aduancing the Idolatrie of the Popish Masse. As for the discontentment which some time this king had with the Pope, that was not for any matter of religion, but because (as Cooper saith Anno. 1343.) The Pope gaue diuers Bishopricks and Benefices in Eng∣land, which the king thought not expe∣dient for his temporall estate. And as for the fauour which VVicklef found in his time, that proceeded rather from the Duke of Lancaster who gouerned all in the olde age of the King, and for a time vpheld VVicklef, not vpon any liking of his heresie, but to spite therby some of the Bishops whome he hated, as Stow Anno. 1376, (wtih whome Fox agreeth p. 393.) testifieth in these words, The Duke of Lanc∣aster laboring as vvel to ouerthrovv the liberties of the Church, as of the Cittie (of Lōdon) called vnto him VVicklef, &c. And when these con∣tentions betwene the Duke and others

were appeased. He commanded (saith Fox pag. 400. Edit. 1596. VVicklef to submit him self to his Ordinarie. Which clearly ynough de∣clareth the Roman religion of that Duke, which also other wise were euident by the honor wherwith he was receaued by the Cardinals and Bishops in the Popes Courte, Stow pag. 399. And by his Con∣fessor Iohn Kinningham a Carmelit, who (saith Bale Cent. 6. cap. 4.) first impugned Wicklef. And Cent. 7. cap. 26. saith that Gualter Disse (than who none in Antichristi negotijs actuosior, more busie in the rules of Anti∣christs) Confessor to the Duke perswaded him for the loue at least of Papistrie to make war in Spaine, which then fauored an Anti-pope: to which purpose Pope Vrban sent the Duke a standard and made his Confessor his Legat, and gaue him authoritie to preach the Crosse with ma∣ny Indulgences for all them that would follow the Duke. At what time (writeth Bale out of Purney a wiclefist thē liuing) Inualuit tunc Antichristi furor prae caeteris tempo∣ribus. Antichrists furie preuailed more than in other times. More ouer Polidor lib. 19. saith that two Hereticks were burnt in Lon∣don in this Kings time, whome Bale Cent. 5. cap. 74. calleth seruants of Christ. In this Kings time liued the vertuous Ladie Mary Countesse of Saint Paule, a woman

(saith Stow pag. 437) of singuler exam∣ple for life, who builded Pembrooke hall in Cambridge, and S. Iohn of Brid∣linghton, of whome we will speake in the next kings time. In this Kings time liued that witty schoolmā William Occham.

King Richard. 2. XLIIII.

IN the yeare 1377. succeeded King Ri∣chard 2. Nephew to Edward 3. by his sonne Edward the black Prince and reigned 22. yeares. He passed (saith Coo∣per An. 1377. and Stow pag. 439.) all his predecessors in bountie and liberality. His Ro∣man religion is most manifest. First be∣cause he was crowned at a Masse wher∣of Walsingham Anno 1377. setteth downe [unspec 1] the beginning of the Introit, Graduall, Epistle, and Offertorie. Had a Franci∣scan Frier for his Confessor, Stow pag. 458. In the Commotion of Tiler went to Saint Edwards Shrine, prayed be∣fore the high Altar, offered and Con∣fessed him selfe to an Anchor, Stow pag. 459. and gaue to the said Shrine a Ruby then esteemed worth a thousand Markes pag. 593. Made foure Kings

of Ireland knights at Masse pag. 501. And made the Earle of Northumberland sweare to him vpon the host after Masse p. 520. But most of all is his religion certain by his owne letters to the Pope and by his lawes and Acts against the Wicklefists. Fox Acts p. 590. setteth downe his letters to Pope Boniface 9. thus. To the most holy Father in Christ and Lord, L. Boni∣face 9. by the grace of God high Pope of the most holy Roman and vniuersall Church, his humble and deuout, Richard by the grace of God king of England and France, and Lord of Ireland, greeting and kissing of his blessed feete. And. pag. 511. he citeth an Act of Parlament then made to declare that Vrban was true and lawful Pope; And pa. 556. saith, King Richard procu∣red letters Apostolicall from the Pope for the con∣firming of certain statuts of his. And pag. 431. ci∣teth a letter of Greg. 11. written in this kings time to the Vniuersitie of Oxford, wherin the Pope saith, that England doth not onely florish in power and aboundance of riches, but is much more glorious and shining in purenes of faith, accustomed alwaies to bring forth men excellently learned in the knowledg of holy scriptures, grauitie of maners, men notable in deuotion, and defenders of the Catholick faith. The like commendations

he giueth in an other letter to king Richard. Yea to testifie the Roman Ca∣tholick faith of this time, and to stop the mouth of some Ministers, who are not a shamed to say the Pope giueth leaue to sinne, It pleased God this present yeare 1608. to raise (in a maner) a knight of that time, and to make him speake. For digging to make a graue in Saint Faiths Church vnder Paules, they found the Coffin of Sir. Gerard Bray brook the cords wherof were fresh and the herbs of good sauor, and vppon his brest a Pardon granted vnto him of Pope Boniface of that time, intire and whole in these words. Boniface Bishop seruant of the seruants of God. To his be∣loued sonne Gerard Braybrook the yonger Knight and to his beloued daughter in Christ Elizabeth his wife, of the Diocese of Lincoln, health and Apostolicall blessing. It hath proceeded from the affection of your deuotion wherby yow reuerence vs and the Roman Church, that we admit to our fauorable hearing your petitions, those especially which concerne the halth of your soules. Hence it is that we inclining to your requests, do by the Tenor of these presents easely grant to your deuo∣tion, that the Confessor whom ether of yow shall thinck good to chuse shall by authoritie Apostolick giue to yow a plenarie remission of all your sinnes of which yow shalbe in hart contrite and confessed, once onely at the point of your death: Yow persisting

in the sincerity of faith, in the vnity of the holy Roman Church, and in obedience and deuotion to vs and our Successors the Bishopps of Rome cano∣nically elected. So notwithstanding that the said Confessor concerning those things, of which satis∣faction shalbe imposed vpon ether, He inioine it to be done by yow, if yow return from perill of death, or by your Heires, if yow then chance to passe from this world, that which yow or they are bound to performe as is aforesaid. And least (which God forbid) in regard of such fauor, yow be made more prone to committ sinne, VVe will that if by any such confidence yow should fortune to transgresse, that the foresaid Indulgence shall not any thing profit yow. Therfore let it altogether be vnlaw∣full for any man to infringe this our graunt and will, or with rash bouldnes contradict it. If truly any shall presume to attempt it, lett him know he shall incurre the indignation of Almighty God and his most blessed Apostles Saint Peter and Paul. Giuen at Rome, at S. Peters, the 9. of Iune, in the second yeare of our Popedome.

Behould, gentle Keader, this ancient pardon, and consider by it: First, the high esteeme that our Catholick Anceistors made of the Popes pardons, in so much, that this worshipfull knight would send to Rome to procure a particuler one for him selfe and his wife. Againe how vn∣truly Ministers say, that Popes giue par∣don and leaue to sinne, seeing this par∣don

could not auaile for any sinnes com∣mitted vpon hope of the pardon. But▪ espetially I would haue thee consider Gods wonderfull disposition in the con∣seruing and reuealing of this Pardon at this time. What thinckest thou that this Knights graue should be neuer opened till this day? That the Pardon should be preserued from corruption so long lying in the earth? That that onely Coffin in which this Pardon was, should haue the cordes so long time sound & the flowers so long odoriferous, what thinck we this Pardon auailed to the soule of this Knight (for which purpose it onely was giuen) when it wrought such benefit to his dead corps.

But now to come to the Kings lawes and Acts against the Wicklefists Fox Acts pag. 441. saith, The King adioined his assent to the setting downe of an Ordinance which was indeede the very first lawe which is to be found made against religion and the professors therof. bearning the name of an Act made in the parlia∣ment Anno 5. Kichard 2. vvherin (saith Fox) VVicklefs doctrine is called heresie, and notorious errors and slanders, to ingender (saith the Act) discord and dissention betvveene diuers estates of the realme. And order is taken for to arest and imprison such till they amend. Ibid Fox citeth the letters patents of the King against

Wicklef and some other there named, or any other noted by any other proba∣ble suspition of heresies Again pag. 460. King Richard writeth to the Shr••efe of Northamton against the VVicklefists thus. [VVe willing therfor to withstand the Defenders and maintainers of such heresies, Do will and command as wel the fornamed as namely the forsaid Iohn VVoodward to bs apprehended, straitly charging the same to be imprisoned by their bodies, or otherwise punished as shall seeme good to the Iustices.] And pag. 504. he setteth downe the Kings Com∣mission in these words. [VVe by our spe∣ciall Letters Patents in the zeale of our faith haue giuen authoritie and licence vnto the forsaid Archbishops, and all and euery of his Suffragans to arest all and euery one of them that will preach or mantain any such Conclusions repug∣nant vnto the determination of our holy Mother the Church. And in other let••ers chargeth all not to hinder the Bishops of hereford in suppressing the Lolards. Yea pag. 406. Edit. 1596. Fox citeth a lawe made Anno 2. Richard 2. for bur∣ning of VVicklefists Thus (saith Fox pag. 505.) King Richard taking parte with the Pope and the Rom••sh Prelats, waxed som¦what strait and hard to the poore Christians

of the contrary side of VVicklef, and saith that though none were burnt vnder him, yet some were condemned, diuers abiured, and did pennance. And pag. 513. saith. King Richard those to serue the humor of the Pope. To this Bale Cent. 6. cap. 1. addeth, that Wicklef was banisht for ••ome yeares. And cap. 77. that Anno 1382. Wicklef was condemned by ten Bishops, and fourty four Diuines, and twenty Lawyers. And cap. 82. saith, that King Richard at the commandement of Boniface 9. & Cent. 7. cap. 11. gathered a great Councell Anno 1392 against the Wicklefists. And Fox pag. 507. and Walsingham An. 1395. & others write, that King Richard being in Ire∣land, left all as sone as he heard increase of Lollards, and calling the cheefe of them vnto him threatned them greatly, if they followed Lollards any more, and making one of them sweare therto, the K. swore to him, that if he broke his oath, he should die a foul death. So earnest was that King against those, whome Protestants ac∣count now their brethren. And albeit he consented to the Law made Anno 1391. against those that procured or brought any excōmunication of the Pope against any, yet that Law was not made to deny any point of the Popes authority, but be∣cause (as Polidor saith l. 20) many were vexed

dayly for causes which they thought could not be known at Rome easely, The King and Lords Tem∣poral and Commons (for the Lords spirituall rec••amed as Fox witnesseth pag. 512.) thought it expedient that in this point the Pope should not vse his authoritie. Besides that when Pope Boniface 9. sent to haue these Lawes recalled, the King (saith VVal∣singham in Ypod••gmate, Anno 1391.) Vt si∣lius obediens. As an obedient child, determined to fulfill the Popes demaundes, but the Knights of the Parliament would not abrogate the Statute against Prouisors, because they would not haue English Benefices at any time giuen to strangers. And the times of King Richard were so manifestly Roman Catholick, as the Kings Attorney in the araignment of Garnet calleth thē the midni••ht of Poperie. Bale Cent. 6. cap 96. saith that Almost all that were in those darck times did erre through igno∣rance of Gods lawe. In this kings time dyed Saint Iohn of Bridlington whose life is written in Capgraue who (saith Bale Centur. 6. c. 63. Caelesti Theologiae assiduus cultor adhaesit. And VVilliam Fleet an Austin Frier, who was ca∣nonized as Bale Cent. 6. c. 41. reporteth out of Sabellicus.

Henrie 4. XLV.

IN the yeare 1399. succeded king Henrie 4. granchild to king Edward 3. by Iohn Duke of Lancaster, and dyed Anno 1413. hauing reigned 14. yeares. He was (saith Po∣lider lib. 21. of a great corage, & after the ende of ciuill warrs entertained all most gently. The same hath Cooper Anno 1399. and Stow Chron. pag. 424. His Roman Catholick religion is most notorious. For as Fox Acts pag. 523. and others write, he made the Statute ex officio. Where is apointed. That who so euer is conuicted of (Wicklefs) heresie be∣fore his Ordinarie or Commissioners, that then the Shriefes. Maiers and Bay lifs of the Cittie, Con∣trie, or Towne, shall take the persons after senten∣ce is pronounced, & cause them openly to be burned in sight of the people. And pag. 517. Fox setteth down the Kings Decree in parliament, wherin he professeth to be zelous in reli∣gion, and reuerent louer of the Catholick faith, And minding to roote out all here∣sies out of his Kingdom, And ther com∣mandeth one VVilliam Santrey a con∣uict heretick to be burnt, which perhaps is he whome Bale Cent. 6. cap. 75. saith was burnt in Smithfield An. 1401. In this tyme was burnt saith Bale Cent. 8. c. 5. that relaps William Swinderby a smith in London

for denying the reall presence, & a Tayler the same yeare 1410. for the same cause Fox pag. 481. nameth his brother Iohn Badby burnt then, who (as VValsingham. ypodig. pag 174, who then liued, writeth) said that the Eucharist is not the body of Christ, but worse than a toade or a spider, And perhaps he is that VViclesist of who∣me that graue Author Thomas VValden who (was ther present) reporteth Tom. 2. c. 63. That standing befor the Archbishop & Bishops in presence of the Duke of yorke & many nobles, he said that a Spider was more to be worshipped thā the Eucharist, and sodainly from the top of the Church came a great spider & sought to enter into his mouth, & would scarce be kept out by any mans helpe. Moreouer Fox Acts 5. 8. saith that this King was the first of all English Kings, that began the burning of Christs (VViclef) Saints for standing against the Pope. That K. Henrie burnt VViclefs Saints is euident, But he was not the first which burnt such as stood against the Pope, as appeareth by what hath bene sayd of Ed∣ward 3. And finally he concludeth that this king was bent altogether to vphould the Popes Prelacie. And therfore in his Considerations, Considerat. 10. saith, Pro∣testants rather dyed than liued in the dayes of King Henrie 4. And when the Lollards

or Wicklefists requested him (as saith Walsingham An. 1410.) either to alter, or mitigate the forsaid Statute, he answered them that he would rather inforce it. And when they proposing to him the same bait, as Protestants did to King Henrie 8. desired him to take away the Church liuings, because with them he might maintain 15. Earles, 1550. Knights, 6200. Squirs, and 100. Hospitals, he detesting their malice commanded them to silence.

King Henrie 5. XLVI.

IN the yeare 1413. succeded K. Henrie 5. sonne to King Henrie 4. and died An. 1422. hauing reigned 9. yeares. He was (saith Polidor lib. 22.) the onely glorie of that time, then whome none borne ether for greatnes of courage or for vertue was more famous or excel∣lent, whose loue euen yet remaineth amongst men. The like commendations giue to him Walsingham, who then liued Histor. pag. 465. and ypodigm. pag. 178. Cambden Brit. pag. 442. calleth him Optimum Principem. Stow pag. 595. Victorious and renowned King. He wonne the great battel of Agincourt, and greatest part of France with Paris, and was apointed by the French King Regent of France, and heir after his death.

The Roman religion of this Victorious and vertuous Prince is notorious. First [unspec 1] because (as Fox saith pag. 569.) he made a Statut An. 2. That all and singuler such as were of Wiclefs learning, if they would not giue ouer should suffer death in two manner of kinds, That is, They should be first hanged for treason against the king (against whome they rebelled) and then burned for heresie against God. Secondly, [unspec 2] this king (saith Fox pag. 675▪ in all his life and all his doings was so seruiceable to the Pope and his Chaplins, that he was called the Prince of Priests. These were the Lollards who as Walsing. saith Hist. pag. 435. were wont to say. Now the Prince of the Pri••sts is gone, now our enemy is departed. Thirdly he hanged and burnt Syr [unspec 3] Iohn Owldcastel called Lord Cobham, whome though Fox account a principall martyr of his, yet his brother Stow p. 581. calleth him the publick enemy. And he was so phantasticall at his death, as he talked of his own rising to life the third day pag. 582. He burnt also diuers other Wicle••ists ex Bale Centur. 7. cap. 5. And Fox pag. 481. telleth that being yet Prince he was at the burning of the forsaid Iohn Badly, and commanded fier to be put to him when he would not recant. Fou••••hly, he [unspec 4] built three Monasteries VValsingham. Hist. pag. 452. as Beethlem for Carthusians,

Sion for Brigittings, and another for the Caelestins. which two last orders came [unspec 5] new into England in his time. Fiftly his ghostly Father and whom he most trusted and in whose armes he died (saith Ba••e Centur. 7. cap. 84.) was the great Clerk and gretest aduersaire of the Wicklefists [unspec 6] Thomas VValden Prouinciall of the white Friers. Sixtly being to giue the battle at Agincourt, the night before (saith Wal∣sing Hist. pag. 438.) He and his soldiers spent the night in making their cōfessiōs, and prouiding for their soules. And in ypodigm. pag. 188. telleth how at harflew they had a folemne procession before the blessed Sacrament. Of this religion was that English King and English soldiers who won that glorious bat∣tell, who conquered France, and made [unspec 7] England renouned. Finally This King as Stow faith Anno 1416. sent his Embas∣sadors to the Councel of Constance, where Wickleft and his doctrine were condemned, and there procured it to be ordained, that England (saith Stow) should obtain the name of a nation, and said one of the foure Nations that owe their deuotion to the Church of Rome which vntill that time men of other Nations for enuie had letted. Behould Christian Reader how the most victo∣rious that England euer had, and Eng∣land

in the most triumphant time that e∣uer she enioyed, stroue to be accounted a Nation that owed deuotion to the Church of Rome, and accounted that a principall honor. And at that time did God blesse our Nation with greatest vi∣ctories, with hapiest successe, with largest Empire that euer since or before she obtained. And these times were so euidently Roman Catholicke, as the Kings Attorny in the araignment of F. Garnet calleth them the verie midnight of Poperie. And Fox in Considerat 10. saith Protestants rather died than liued vnder this King In this Kings time liued that great Clerk Thomas Walden, who (as Bale said Cent 7. cap. 84.) conuerted the Duke of Lituania with all his people to popisme and as he repor∣teth out of Diuers is canonized.

King Henry. 6. XLVII.

THe 47. Christian King was King Henrie 6. only sonne to King Henry 5. began his reigne Anno 1422. and reig∣ned 38. yeares.. He was (saith Cambd. in Brit. pag. 345. The best and most pious Prince. and pag. 257. A most holy King a patern of Christian pietie and patience King Henry 7. so admired his vertues as he dealt with Pope Iulius

to canonize him. Fox pag. 716. saith, I doubt not but King Henrie 6. was a good and quiet Prince Stow pag. 595. saith, he was of nature gentle and meeke suffered all iniuries patiently. pag. 624. alwaies na••urally inclined vnto good pag. 705. after his death worshiped by the name of holy King Henrie, whose red hat of veluet (saith he) was thought to heale the head ach of such as put it on. In both states he was patient and vertuous, that he may be a pattern of most perfect vertue. He was plaine and vpright onely giuen to pra••er and reading of scripture and almes deedes. Of such integritie of life as the Bishop that had bene his Confessor ten yeares auouched that he had not all that time committed any mortall crime. So conti∣nent as suspition neuer touched him. Far from couetousnes so religiously affected that on princi∣pall holy dayes he would wore sackcloth next his skin. He pardoned one who had thrust him into the side with a sword, and of his naturall inclina∣tion abhored all vices as wel of body as of minde. Thus do Protestants commend this holy king. And his Roman religion is manifest. For Pope Eugenius sent to him a goulden rose as to a Catholick Prince, Stow pag. 635. And vnder him were diuers Wickle∣sists burnt An. 1415. 1430. 1431. 1428. And Bishop Pecock made publickly to recant 1457. and had his bookes burnt before his face, ex Bale Centur. 7. cap. 75. Godwin in Bishops of Chichester, Fox Acts Edit.

1596. pag. 605. & sequen. setteth down the names of diuets VVicklefists, wherof some were burnt, some whipped, some made abiure the••r heresie vnder this king. And pag. 644. he setteth downe publick letters of the King dated An. 18. Regni where he auoucheth the burning of one VVhite a VVickle••••t, & calleth him Traitor to God.

King Edward 4. XLVIII.

THe 48. Christian Prince was Edward 4. of the house of York, who began his reign 1460. and reigned 22. yeares. He was (saith Stow pag. 689) of noble courage and great wit. pag. 722. a goodly personage princely to behould, of hart coragious, politick in counsell, in aduersitie nothing abashed, in prospe∣ritie rather ioifull than proude, in peace iust and mercifull, in war sharpe and fierce. His Ro∣man religion is manifest, For (Bale saith Centur. 8. cap. 34.) That his Confessor was Iohn Stanborn a Carmelit. Qui totus iurauerat in Romani Pontificis authoritatem: who wholly swore to the Popes authoritie. And Fox Acts Editione 1596. pag. 659. putteth one Iohn Goose a VVicklefist burnt vn∣der him. And Ibid. noteth that since the time of King Richard 2. there is no reigne of any King

to be assigned hitherto wherin some good man or other hath not suffered the paines of fier for the re∣ligion of Iesus (Wicklef) Besides Stow pag. 690. saith that King Edward vvent crowned in VVestmenster in the honor of God and S. Peter, and the next day in paules in the honor of God and S. Paule. And his daughter Brigit became a Nonue polidor lib. 24.

King Edward. 5. XLVIIII.

THe 49. Christian Prince was Edward 5. soune to Edward 4. a child of a 11. yeares old, who liued not many dayes after his Father. As for the religion which this child had, it may easely appeare by what hath bene said of the Father.

King Richard. 3. L.

IN rhe yeare 1483, the 50. Christian Prince was Richard 3. brother to Ed∣ward 4, who tooke the Crown & held it two yeares. The qualities of this K. are notorious in all Chronicles. And his reli∣giō is known both by what hath bene said of his brother. And as Polidor l. 25. he be∣gan a Colledg in Yorke of an hundreth Priests.

King Henrie 7. LI.

IN the yeare 1485. succeeded King henry 7. of the house of Lankaster, and reigned 23. yeares. He was (faith Stow) a Prince of meruailous wisdomme, police iustice temperance and grauity. Fox Acts. pag. 729. saith the same. His Roman Catholicke religion is euident. For Fox setteth downe diuers Wicklefists burnt or otherwise punished vnder him, as pag. 731. four. wherof one the K. caused to be brought before him, but when he would not be perswaded, was burnt. And pag. 774. he reckneth di∣uers others, & others abiured and burnt in the cheeke. Wherupon Considerat. 10. he saith, Protestants rather died than liued vnder King. Henry 7. And p. 776. saith thus of K. Henrie 7. othervvise a prudent and temperat Prince permitted the rage of the Popes Clergie so much to haue their wills ouer the poore flock of Christ as they had. Ibid. The persequution began novv in the Church to be ••oat and he attribut∣teth the death of the K. to the persequu∣tion (forsooth) of the Gospellers. Mo∣reouer pag. 799. He roporteth out of G. Lilly. how Henry 7. Anno 1506. send three solemne Orators to Pope Iulius 2. to yeald his obedience, Ex more (saith Lilly)

to the See of Rome. And Stow p. 811. writeth that Pope Iulius 2. sent a cap of mainte∣nance, and a sword to King Henrie 7. as to a Defender of the Church. And Fox pag. 799. saith that Pope Alexander 6. and Pius 3. had before done the same. King Henrie 7. builded also three Monasteries of Franciscans Pollidor in vit. In this kings time liued Iohn Alcok Bishop of Elie, A man (saith Godwin in his life) of admira∣ble temperance for his life and behauior vnspotted and from a child so earnestly giuen to the studie, not onely of learning, but of all vertue, and god∣linesse, as in those dayes neuer any man bore a greater opinion and reputation of holines, He liued all his time most soberly and chastly subduiing the temptations of the flesh by fasting studie and praier and other such good meanes.

King Henrie 8. LII.

KIng Henrie 8. sonne to king Henrie 7. began his Reign An. 1509. From the which time to An. 1530. he continewed an earnest Roman Catholick. For (as Fox saith pag. 789.) From Anno. 1509. to 1527. diuers VVicklefists were presēted, troubled & imprisoned. And pag. 836. He setteth downe a letter of king Henrie Anno 13. To all Maiors Sherifes, Bailifs, and Constables, and other

officers to assist the Bishop of Lincoln for punishing Hereticks according to the lawes of holy Church. And Bale Cent. 8. cap. 62. saith, that two were burnt An. 1515. for the matter of the Sacrament. And cap. 75. that Barnnes was made to recant Anno 1525. And likwise Bilney, Garret, and others An. 1527. Stow also and others write how king Henrie Anno 1511. wrote to the French king to desist from molesting Pope Iulius 2. and in the next yeare sent an army of ten thou∣sand men into France in the Popes defen∣ce. And An. 1513. VVent himself in person with a royall army & conquered Torwin and Turney. And not content thus man∣fully to haue aduentured his person to defend the Pope with his sword, did in the yeare 1521. write also an excellent booke in his defence against Luther. The originall wherof I haue seene in the Po∣pes Librarie with the Kings subscrip∣tion therto in these bad verses, if I wel remember.

Hunc librum Henricus Leoni decimo mittit In signum fidei & pignus amicitiae.

This booke to Leo tenth King Henrie the eighth doth send In testimonie of his faith, and token of a freind.

For which booke Pope Leo gaue to him & his successors for euer the glorious title

of Defender of the faith. And again in the yeare 1527. When Pope Clement 7. was taken prisoner, he gaue monthly 60. thou∣sand angels, for the maintenance of an army for the Popes deliuerie. And after this made long time suit to the same Pope that he would by his authoritie pronoun∣ce his mariage with Queene Catherin to be none, and diuorce them, which he not granting, King Henrie (as yow shall heare in the next Booke) renounced the Popes authoritie, and made him self head of the Church, and yet remained in all other points a Roman Catholick. Whervpon Bale Cent. 8. cap. 80. saith, that King Henrie did admitt the Doctrine of Antichrist euen in the matters of greatest moment, and did retain the contagious dreggs. By such phrases this wrech vseth to vnderstand Papistrie. And Fox pag. 1291. granteth, that Obits and Masses ap∣peare in his will. And as he saith pag. 1135. made it high treason to deny the reall presence, and fellonie to defend mariage of Priests, breaking of vowes, or to condemne Communion in one kinde, priuat Masse, or auriculer Cōfession, with∣out all benefit of abiuration or Clergie. VVhich Lawes were seuerely executed by him. And at his death would gladly haue bene reconciled to the Roman Church, as Bishop Gardiner (with

whome he delt about that matter) prote∣sted openly in a sermon at Pauls Crosse. And so Catholick was the people of England in his time euen after his reuolt from the See Apostolick, as when the Vicar of Croidon a most famous preacher of that time, tolde them in a sermon at Pauls, that as they had denyed the supre∣macie of the Pope, so in time they would fall to deny other points of the Catholick faith, euen the reall presence of Christ in the blessed Sacrament, The people at that word cryed out. Neuer Neuer Neuer. which yet now we finde too true.

Queene Marie LIII.

AFter K. Henrie the eight succeeded in the yeare 1546. King Edward the sixt his sonne, a child of nine yeares olde, which childe wanting the vse of per∣fect reason, and vnfit to gouern him self, was the first Protestant Prince that euer was in England, and turned the Roman religion which his Father had left, (though maimed in one principall point) to open Protestancie. Not for the miracles or rare vertues of the Prea∣chers therof, or their conuincing their aduersaries in disputation, as King

Ethelbert changed his Paganisme into the Roman religion, as is before shewed, but because the Lord Protector and his complices thought it most sutable to their humors, and most fit for their aspi∣ring pretences. But how vnfortunat this exchange was, not onely to the soules of this King and principall Actors therin, but also to their liues and bodies, yow may reade in Stow, where yow shall see that the very same yeare 1548. that Pro∣clamation was made for receauing in both Kindes, the Lord Admirall (a cheefe agent in the change of religion) though brother to the Protector, and Vnkle to the King, was beheaded for a Traitor, And the next yeare 1549. VVhen Procla∣mation was made against Masse, sone after also was Proclamation made against the Protector him selfe, the principall author of the change, and he cast into the Tower. And in the yeare 1552. when the newe seruice booke of Common prayer begun in Pauls, the said Protector was beheaded, And the next yeare the King died, and the Duke of Northum∣berland (an other principall actor in the change of religion though against his own conscience, as he openly declared at his death) was beheaded for treason, and Cranmer and Ridley and other fauo∣rers

of that change were depriued of their Dignities, and sone after burnt. This was the rufull end of the first setters vp of Protestancie. For maintenance wherof albeit a new Queene was proclaimed, Nobles sworne, and the strength of Eng∣land gathered, yet in short time almightie God ouerthrew it again without any bloodshed by one vertuous woman Q. Marie, who all the time of her life liued so chastly and religiously, that all her ene∣mies could not to this day fasten the least suspicion of vice vpon her. And whome euen Protestants write to haue Bene of nature and disposition verie milde and pittifull. VVhich argueth that they wel deserued the seueritie which shee shewed towards them. And so earnest a Roman Catholick shee was, as the Protestants write of her, that there was, Not these thousand yeares a more obedient daughter to the Church of Rome than she was. VVherby yow may iugde of the impudencie of Doctor Reinolds who in his Confer. pag. 583. denieth, not onely all the former Princes, but euen Queene Marie euer to haue alowed the Popes absolute spirituall supremacie, (or as he speaketh) the Popes Monarchie, but onely to haue granted him such a preheminence, as the Duke of Venice hath in that state. But with her in the yeare 1558. ended all

the glorie of Catholick Princes of Eng∣land. Who (except King Henrie 8. for a few yeares, and King Edward 6.) had continewed from the yeare 598. till the forsaid yeare 1558. the space almost of a thousand yeares. And after rose a new kind of Protestancie, differing from that of King Edward the childs time. Not (as I said before) through any miracles or strange vertue of the Preachers therof, or their ouercomming their aduersaries in Disputation, but against the will of all the Bishops and a great parte of the No∣bilitie, by the counsel of meere Lay men, and the authoritie of a woman, who was induced to make this change, not for zeale of religion (which shee little regar∣ded) but to assure her state the more, be∣cause shee feared if she acknowledged the authoritie of the Church of Rome, her birth might be called in question. But of the cause, maner, and meanes of erecting Protestancie, we shall speake more in the second booke.

Epilogue.

HItherto (gentle Reader) thou hast heard 53. Princes of England succes∣siuly, beleeuing and professing the Rom.

Catholick faith, besides 70. and more others, who reigned ouer certain partes of England, whiles it was deuided into diuers Kingdoms, whose names onely I will here set downe. Kings of Kent 13. Ethelbert, Edbald, Ercombert, Egbert Lotharius, Edricus, VVith••ed, Edbert, Edilbert, Alri••us, Edilbert-pren, Cuthred, and Baldred. Kings of the East Saxons 9. Sebert Sigebert Sigher S. Sebba, Sighard, Senfred, Offa, Sclred, Swithed. Kings of Eastengland 13. to wit Redwald, Carpwald, S. Sigebert, Egris. Anna, Ethelere, Ethelwald, Adulph, Elwald, Beorna, Ethelred, Saint Ethelbright▪ S Edmund, kings of middle England 17. Namely Peda, Vulpher, Ethelred, Coenred, Ceolred, Ethelbald, Bernred, Offa, Egfert, Kenulph, Saint Kenelm, Ceolwulph, Bernulph, Ludecan, VVithlof, Bertulph Burdred. Kings of the Northpart of England 18. Edwin, Saint Oswald, Oswin, Oswi, Egfrid, Alfrid, Ostred, Kenred, Ostrie, Ceolwulph, Egbert, Ostwuld, Mollo, Alred, Ethelbert. Alswald, Ostred, Athelred, and some kings also of the South Saxons. Consider I pray thee now the number of these kings which is aboue 120, far aboue the smallest number of two Protestant Princes. Consider their sex and age, who almost all were men and of mature yeares, VVheras of the Prote∣stant Princes, one was a childe, the other a woman. Consider their wisdome and

valour, in which they were inferior to no Princes in Christendome. Consider their vertue, which was so great, as there are more Kings of Ingland Saints, than of all Christendome besides. Consider the end for which they first embraced the faith, which was nether to enioy their lust, nor to get any Church goods, nor to assure their temporall state, but to gaine heauen. Consider the Counsellors, whose aduise they followed herein, were not ignorant and laye men, but vertuous and learned Diuines. Consider the motiues which drew them to the Catholick reli∣gion, to witt, rare vertue, great learning, admirable miracles of their first preachers. Finally, consider how long they conti∣newed in their faith, to wit almost a thou∣sand yeares, and how almost in euery Kings time here liued some notable men, who with rare vertue and miracles haue confirmed their faith.

Consider I say all this, and then iudge whither the Catholick religion of so ma∣ny and so worthie Kings, or the Prote∣stant faith of one Child and one woman, be more likely to be good and to come from God. Can we thinke that so many Princes of mature yeares and iudgment should be blinde, rather then one child & a woman, that these could see that in so

few yeares which all they could not per∣ceaue in a thousand? That these two should hit vpō Gods truth for temporall endes, rather thā they for spirituall? That that should be Christs faith wherto these two were moued by wordly (if not vi∣tious) motiues, thē that wherto they were moued by heauenly vertue and miracles? That that should be Gods truth which be∣gan but the last day, rather thā that which hath continewed heere this thousand yeares? Finally that a Child and one wo∣man are gone to heauen, & so many ver∣tuous Princes with all their Archbishops Bishops Prelats Diuins and Clergy, with all their Queenes, Princes, Nobles Com∣mons and Ancestors for these thousand yeares, not withstanding all their wisdom, learning, miracles, vertuous liues, and good deedes are gon to hell for want of true faith in Christ? were (as the ancient Father Tertullian saith to certain Here∣ticks of his time) so many millions chri∣stened in vaine, beleeued in vaine, serued God in vaine, and are dead in their sin∣nes. Perhaps some will say that the for∣sayd Princes and our Ancestors beleeued so much of the Christian faith as is neces∣sary to saluation. But then it euidently followeth that the Protestant faith is not the Christian faith. Because (as I haue

shewne before out of the confession of Protestants) those Princes knew not so much of Protestancy as that which Pro∣testants account the soule head and foundation of their religion and without which they say all is lost, To wit, Iustificatiō by onely faith. Yea they are by Fox & others plain∣ly denyed to haue known the Protestants faith, and affirmed to haue held diuers pointes quite opposit to Protestācy. How then could they be saued by any point of Protestancy who knew not so much as the foundation therof, and with other points of their beliefe ouerturned it? Wherfore others ashamed to condemne so many, so worthy, and so vertuous Christians to Hel, and yet not daring to afford them hope of saluation lest they should condemne their owne religion, an∣swere, that they will not iudge their for∣fathers, but leaue them to Gods iudge∣ment. But these ether are ashamed to vtter what they thinke, or haue no firme faith at all. For if they firmely belieued their Protestant faith to be Christs faith they must needs thinck that all that haue died without it are damned, for without true faith it is impossible to please God, or (which is a spice of Atheisme and right Antichristianitie) that there are more waies to heauen than by Christ and his

faith, that there are many faiths, many baptisms, many Christs, many Gods. From which irreligious athe∣isme God deliuer my deere country. And thus hauing sufficiently shewed how Saint Austin was our English Na∣tions first preacher and what qualities he had fit for such a function and what kind of doctrine his was and how it hath continued in our countrie euer since, l••t vs now vew Luther and his doctrine & see whither they haue the like or rather quite opposit qualities & conditions, that after hauing weighed both, we may the berter iudge wher∣of to make our choice.

Notes

• VVorthi∣nes of K. Edvvard 3.
• Po••d. l. 19.
• His victo∣ries.
• Otterbor∣ne in Ed∣vvard: 3.
• King Ed∣vvard. 3, accoun∣teth it heresie to denie the Popes suprema∣cie.
• The same saith Pope Greg. 11. in VVal∣sing. p. 104. Kings of England especiall children of the Rom. Church.
• K. Edvv. 3: Professeth to haue euer fa∣uored the Pope.
• Professeth the P. is Bishop of the vni∣uersal Church.
• The vvhole Parlament calleth the Pope head of the vniuersal Church.
• K. Edvv. 3. plainly professeth the Popes suprema∣cie.
• The Ca∣tholik end of K. Ed∣vvard. 3.
• Protest. confesse K. Edvv 3. time to haue bene Cathol.
• All the vvorld ignorant of Pro∣testancie.
• In a ma∣ner no one litle spark of Protestan∣cie. VViclef first raised forsooth the vvorld
• VVhy K. Edvv. 3. some time discon∣tented vvith the Pope.
• VVhy the D. of lan∣caster a vvhile fa∣uored VViclef.
• The Cath. religion of the D. of lanca∣ster:
• Saints.
• Qualities of K. Ri∣chard. 2.
• His Rom. Religion.
• Kings Richards lavvs a∣gainst vviclefists vvhom Protest. account their brethren.
• K. Richard gathereth a Councel against VViclef. VViclef condem∣ned by 10 Bis∣hop•• 44. deuines 20 lavviers.
• K. Richard leaueth all to sup∣presse vvi∣clefists.
• Saints.
• VVorthi∣nes of K. Henrie 4.
• His Rom. Religion.
• Miracle f•••••• not of the B•• sacrament
• K Henrie 4. vvholie bent to the Pope.
• VVhat baite the VViclefists Proposed to K. Henrie. 4. to ouer∣throvv re∣ligion. The like offer ma∣de Prote∣stants vvhich Syr Thom more confuted.
• The rare vertues of K Hen∣rie. 5.
• His Rom. Religion.
• The vali∣antest Prince of England called the Prince of Priests.
• Confessiō of sinnes befor vic∣torie.
• England in her most tri∣umphant time ac∣counted it great honor to be estee∣med a Nation that ovved deuotion to the Church of Rome.
• Saints.
• The pietie of K. Henrie. 6.
• Polid. l 24. saith ma∣nie mira∣cles vvere vvrought¦ly his bodie.
• His Rom. Religion.
• Valour of K. Ed∣vvard. 4.
• His R••m. Religion.
• K. Ri∣chards religion.
• VVorthi∣nes of K. Henrie. 7.
• His Rom. Religion.
• Holie 7 men.
• K. Henrie 8. zeal in defence of the Pope.
• K Henrie 8. nevver a Protestāt.
• Sleidan Englil. 13. fol. 174.
• Most seuer of all Engl. Kings a∣gainst He∣retiks.
• Zeal of our grand fathers touching the real presence.
• The ill end of the kringets in of Pro∣bestancie.
• Protestan∣cie ouer∣throne by a vvo∣man vvi∣thout any bloodshed. Vertue of Q. Marie. Author of danger. positions l 2 cap. 14. Her Rom. Religion. In the arraign∣ment of F Garnat. D Doue lib. of Re∣cusancie vvil haue Bellarm. to be a Protest. or at lest no per∣fect Papist.