GOOD Sir , and courteous freinde , since the tyme of my late deliuery from captiuitie , I haue often called to mynde , how desirous I founde you , to vnderstand the truthe of our intention , thoughe litle doubtfull of the iustnesse of our cause : but seing the suspitious Iealousy of guilty conscyences , permitted not such conuersation as accordeth with humaine curtesy : and that free speach is theare so fatr intolerable , that men are examyned by torture , not ouly of there indifferent woordes , but euen of their very thoughtes , and future actions , I wished oportunitie to giue you satisfaction , but vsed silence , to auoyde your trooble .

Well , seing it hathe since pleased God , to lend me lyf , liberty , and meanes to send vnto you ( which in so dangerous and watchfull a world is moste difficill to be founde ) I could not omitt to write at this present , whereby your self , and such others , as to whome you may with safty communicate it , may be the better satisfied .

It is to you very apparent , and wel knowne to the whole world , how it hathe of late pleased God , to dispose of mens actions , according to his owne pleasure : which we will rather accepte as a punishment for our sinnes , then take for a discouragement to our cause . Neither can our enimyes therein , receaue any occasion to be the more insolent , or to glory , in that they deserue not , sithe theire valour , neuer made our enterprise frustrate : themselues confessing , it was not donne by the puisance of man , but by the power of God : which they let not to say , may giue sufficient proof of their cause : not seeming to remember , how sundry examples can giue testimony , of diuers attempts misfortuned at the first , that afterward haue succeded wel : And of all others , that that of the children of Israell is the moste notable : They being comaunded , at two seuerall tymes , by God himself , to make war against the tribe of Beniamin , Iudic. cap. 20. were notwithstanding at bothe those tymes ouerthrowne , who yet at the laste preuailed , to the great foile and confusion of there enimyes . And to giue you an example neerer home , you may reade , Polid. Virgil . how the expedition that Iulius Ceaser made into England , not for that the Britaines had assisted his rebells robbed his treasure , or entruded themselues into his dominions : but only for that they had aydid the frenche , when he made war against them : came at the first to no effect , yet were those Britaines no whit the more assured of securitie , for the yeare following he returned againe , and gat the victorie .

God hathe punished vs for our sinnes which are great , but the punishment of our faultes , excuseth not your far greater offences , your superiours must wel knowe they haue deserued a plague , and their guilty consciences greatly feare to fynde it , howsoeuer they strugle and striue against God , as did Nemrode , when with his Giants he buylded the towre of Babilon , Gene. cap. thincking there was no other way to ouerthrowe there designementes , then a newe inundation .

Vaine are those persuasions of theirs , that our losses are irrecouerable , and that there remaineth for vs , neither hope nor comforte . Which yf it were so , yet are not they freed from deserued vengeance , and that it is not so , a litle tyme can make manifest . Such speaches only argue , that they haue made a resolution to run on in all impiety , and to trie to the vttermoste , whether Gods puisance or their vngodly practises can moste preuaile : where in they shall well fynde , that he can many wayes confounde the wicked , when themselues shall no way preuent it . Meane whyle , there outwarde courage is mixte with inwarde care , and there fayned Ioy with restlesse iealousy : who in seeming to feare nothing , are seene to start at their owne shadowes .

This intolerable feare is more manifested in your Englishe Gouernment , then in any state els in the whole world : the great impression thereof enforcing them , to all their spyings abroade , and inquisitions at home : searchings of houses more at midnighte then at noone dayes , apprehensions , examinations , and such daily exercise , and practise of the racke , 〈…〉 as neuer the like was hard of : still fynding by experience , that neuer more labour hathe bin employed to lesse purpose , those innocents only able to confesse no more , then that which concerneth their owne religion and conscience : notwithstanding all which , the remedies remaining ( rather to patche vp the state of a body so far infected , then to cure an incurable disease ) are principally grounded , vpon extreme tyranny , and deepe dissimulation .

Their tyranny is chiefly extended , to the Catholiques of your owne country , of whome very many before , and sundry since our disastre , they haue cruelly executed : and by false lying libells after there deathes , haue soughte to insinuate that they were of conspiracie with vs , 〈…〉 albeit it pleased God to discouer this their great iniustice , euen in the very execution thereof , for two of that nomber wich were nexte after condemned to deathe for treason , condescending throughe frailty , to recant their religion , were forthwith pardoned , and restored to libertie . Which benefyte of lyf , all the others mighte aswell and as easely haue enioyed as they , yf the grace of God , had not in them bin the greater . Which euidently argueth for what cause they were condemned , since recantation from treason , after or afore condemnation to death , I neuer knewe could saue a mannes lyf , yf himself list .

Touching their dissimulation , being the grounde and substance of their , gouernment , and conteyning the infynite nombers of deceatfull practises , false fictions , and slaunderous lies , which aswell in the world abroade , as also at home , they haue artificially exercysed , in euery action , is suche a laborinthe to looke into , that it would rather require a whole volume , then a brief relation . I wil there fore leaue the nomber of those vnto such as by longe experience , haue made better obseruation then my self : & for breuitie only sett downe , some fewe notable examples of their vntrue speaches , familiar to your selues , wherewith they haue foughte to make odious to the people , to calumniate and condemne , such as themselues pleased . By which fewe you may receaue lighte to looke into the others , and to giue such credit to the like hereafter , as experience hathe prooued , the former to deserue .

It may therefore please yon ( amonge many late rumours of the lyke condition and qualitie ) to cal to remembrance what dispytefull pamphlets , and odious reportes , were bruited against the late duke of Northfolke , but you may wel assure your self , that neuer any one man of sence belieued , that the said Duke euer intended , to haue fyred London in fowre places .

You haue hard of images of wax hidden in the earthe , whereof bothe bookes and ballettes were spred aboute the country , that this was don by Catholiques , to consume the Queene , and some other : for the which cause , one Hardinge a protestant minister of Islington was apprehended , charged that he was a Papist , moste cruelly racked , and vniustly condemned to death . And yon haue vnderstood afterward , that one Elkes another protestant , confessed himself to haue bin the doer there of : yet not to destroy the Queene , but to obtaine the loue of some Londoners wyf .

So likewise of that other shamful and ridiculous rumour , raised against sundry honnorable Gentlemen , which being a litle to folishly handled by the accusers at the begining , The like was since b●●ched by M. stafford but t● woold not take . was for very shame in the end , lett fall and syncke away . Notwithstanding it was most terrible for the tyme , to heare tell , that the Queene , and the whole Courte , should haue bin blowne vp with gonnpowder , which was said to be conueyed thether in trunckes , and strawed vnder the rushes .

An infynite nomber of suche like blazes haue bin made , amonge which , the often kylling of the Queene , and the sundry plotts for the fyring of London , are no meane may-games . But how false and fayned soeuer they were , there turnes thereby haue bin serued to such purpose , that it hathe extended , euen to the losses of the liues and landes , of many of greatest vertue and honnour , in the whole Realme , Such deuis●● haue se●ued to exting●●●he the Auncient nobil●● . whose innocencies and vniuste suffrings , equytie and truthe , attend tyme to discouer , how confidently soeuer in the meane whyle , vntruthes are reported : how generally they may happen to be belieued , and how daungerous it be for any man in their first aduancement , any way to insinuate the contrary . The wiser sorte well seing by experience , whereunto all tendeth , are so sufficiently warned by others harme , that they dare not but seeme to say and soothe , whatsoeuer is agreeable to the humours of their superiours .

Wel knowing that any ly , be it neuer so absurd , must receaue free passage , yf so be , it fetche his first originall from the Courte .

But to drawe to my intended purpose , and to come to that , which concerneth the honnour of my owne soueraigne , the Kinge Catholique of Spaine : In those particulers whereupon I know you expect my awnswere , of whose myld and sweete proceedings , albeit the whole world hathe seene sufficient proof : whose very nature abhorreth rigour , and whose compassionate mynde neuer seeketh reuenge : who pardoneth such offences , that to much mercy is rather his faulte , then to seuere iustice : and forgiueth the greatest contempts , that subiects can comitt against there soueraignes : yet is he not free from the venemous tonges of stinging vipers , nor exempt from the lying libells of the malitious Englishe . Pardon me good Sir , that I speake of your nation as I haue cause , meaning only those that haue giuen the same : the foule mouthes of your ministers neuer spared to raile against his Catholique Maiesty , nor no contemptible rascall , to reuile him at his pleasure , nothing was more frequent then the defaming of my Kynge , nor nothing omitted that might make him most odious .

It was made a very cleare case , that you should all haue bin broughte vnder the bondage of straungers . Who had deuyded your country amonge them , & alotted to themselues , the landes and lyuings , of all the nobilitie and Gentlemen of the Realme : That your wyues and daughters should be violated . That we broughte irons to mareke your Children vnder the age of seauen yeares , to the end they mighte be knowne , to be come of the people of a Conquered country . And that your Goods should be robbed and taken from you , &c.

To answere all which ( since you somtyme vrged me , when the tyme nothing serued to giue you satisfaction ) I am now to desire you , firste to consider , that the question whether his Catholique Maiesty , hathe iuste cause or not , to make war against England , is so cleare a case , that no man honest and wise , can in his conscience doubte thereof . And yf we looke back into former tymes , we shall fynde great warres , inuasions , and conquests , achiued for farr lesse matters , then the longe taking parte with his rebells , or a nomber of other Englishe iniuries , that can giue sufficient cause vnto our Kynge , all which sinister dealings , hauing bin long shadowed , & shrowded vnder egregious dissimulations , are now lastly broken oute , into moste open & apparent iniustice , in the sighte of all the world : and in such foule and shamlesse manner , as is odious to all honest myndes : by filching and stealing of his treasure on the one syde , by sneaking , and encroaching , into his townes and countries , on the other syde : all after a very vile and theevis he fassion . Hauing gayned by force , no one towne they hold , not skarsly defended and kepte by valour , such as his maiesties forces hathe besieged : althonghe by treachery , periuty , At Bergues 〈…〉 . and coosinage , they hauesomtyme preuented intended exploits .

The iniuries then that his Maiesty hathe receyued , beeing so many , and so manifest , that long since he hathe had cause to attempte that , where vnto of latter tymes , he hathe bin more and more pronoked . It ●esteth to regard , whether this cause be giuen him , by the superiours or subiects . That it should proceede from the people , noman can deeme , that it comes from the prince , noman can deny . Whether the reuenge of the faultes of a fewe , should generally extend to the vtter ruyne , & subuersion of a whole nation , no reason can proue : neither hathe such reuenge bin alwaies comon to pagans and infidells , muche lesse once ment by a Christian king , and most clement prince . Looke whether his proceedings haue bin tyrannous , toward any of his owne subiects : and whether euer any haue entred into more outragious rebellions , then those of the lowe countries , who after there longe misdemeamour , did at the lenghte euen vtterly renounce & abiure him : receyued the Duke of Alençon of fraunce , inuested him into the Duchie of Brabant , and sware vnto him obedience . All which actions of theirs , hauing had suche successe , as commonly ensueth the equity of such causes : and many of their cities , since reduced vnto his Maiesties obedience , no one man of them all , hathe for any his former offences bin executed .

Truthe it is , that the Duke of Alua , did heretofore vse some seueritie towards them , yet not other then they had deserued , and for one executed by him , your iustice of England would haue hanged an hundreth , yf the like case had bin theirs . But notwithstanding that this was donne , by due and lawfull iustice , yet was it so farr disagreable to his Maiesties mynde , that the said Duke beeing called into Spaine : of all the Gouernours which since that tyme haue bin sent thether , no one , nor they all , haue vsed any thing lyke , the lyke seueritie : albeit there offences since , There cheifest cause of rebellion was for heresy , which no ●ne of their preuileges alowed . haue so farr exceeded there faultes afore , as the taking of armes ( in defence of their priuileges , as they then vntruly spake ) is different from the denying there soueraigne , & electing another . Yet such grace and fauour do they fynde , euen at this day , that yeilding themselues , and their cities vnder his obedience : they are not only absolutely pardoned , As those of S. Ger●●●enbreg , &c. but which is more meruelous , they are with great summes of mony ritchly rewarded . And such subiects of his , that as rebells do yet remaine out vnpardoned , are themselues the cause thereof , because they seeke it not .

It is further to be considered , that there is no Kynge in Europe , that hathe more different nations , of more diuers landes & languages to his subiects , then his Maiesty hathe . The entire Monarchie of Spaine , conteyning sundry kyngedomes , is gouerned in one moste flourishinge and peaceable estate , and the Prouince of Portugall , newly anexed there vnto , remaineth in more better condition , then it was in other tymes afore . The nobilitie thereof , notwithstanding some resistance at the first , after that they had maturely considered the cause , together with his maiesties mercyfull disposition , & lefte of to preferr the pretence of Don Anthonio : were not only receiued into his great grace and fauout , and confirmed in their owne auncient possessions , but were further gratifyed by his Maiesty , with sundry great honours and dignities . And the comon people eftsoones released of many great taxes and tributes , that their former princes had imposed vppon them .

He hathe of Italians , those of the Kyngdomes of Napl●s and Sicilia , the duchie of Millan , and of diuers Iles of the Mediterraneum sea .

He hathe Germaines , of the Duchie of Luxembourge : And Burgundians , of the higher prouince : beeing all gouerned in great quyet , and farr better estate , then euer vnder any other , their former Princes . Hauing found no conquest , thraldome , mutation , or inconuenience whatsoeuer to auoy them but fully enioy the comfortes and comodities of their countries , vnder the obedience of such a soueraigne , as hathe more better mighte & meanes to defend them , then any Prince his people in the world , moste free and farr from any lykelyhoode of rebellion . In which same obedience , his subiects of the Netherlandes , had doubtlesse longe liued , had they not bin situate so neere the noysome infection of their Englishe neighbours , whose pernitious venim , hathe not only anoyed them , but also Fra●●●ce , and Scotland , the nexte inhabitants on the ●ther sydes : And whose malice so exceedeth , were th●r● meanes according , that they would not leaue , neither Europe nor India , free from such infection .

And for a further proof , of his Maiesties mylde nature , and 〈◊〉 benignitie , I shall desire you to con●●der , that there is nothing that can possibly , more moue and stir vp the indignation of a Prince , then the open disloyall and repugnant insolency , of his owne people . And that no subiects in our dayes , haue exceeded his , all the world will witnesse . Notwithstanding all which , looke whether any bloudy , cruel , or vnchristian desire of reuenge , hathe apeered in him , and looke whether it be possible that more lenity mighte be shewed vnto such , then his Maiesty hathe donne . The truthe whereof , beeing so apparent , plaine & manifest , I leaue vnto your owne self in conscyence to discerne whether thease examples of his Maiesties proceedings , will not sufficiently awnswere , vnto all the calumnies and lies , that his aduersaries can possibly inuent to make him odious . Looke whether after such a generall reuolt wherein so many had so iustly deserued to loose bothe their liues , & liuings , whether their lands are deuyded to straungers , there wyues violated , their Children marcked with hot Irons , there goods robbed and taken from them , &c. Or rather , whether they do not liue in all securitie and quiet possession of their owne . And yf by reason of the restrainte of their trafique they are not presently in their former aboundance , they may wholly impute that vnto you , beeing the only cause theerof . But of the like compassion had of a Prince on his people , yon cannot shewe any examples paste or present , in the whole world .

This Sweete and gratious disposition of his Maiesty , beeing so publyke , & notorious , how is it possible , that euer such vnchristi● cruelty , could more be intended to the Englishe nation , then to any others : or that any man offence can imagine , why he should more hate them , then any his owne treacherous and rebellious subiects . His great wisdome well seeing , and obseruing , that the originall of this rancour , principally proceedeth from some fewe in present aucthoritie , whose vngratious designes are executed by persons , neither of honour , nor honesty . And others of the vulgar sorte of people , who with applause of their superiours , concurr in thease courses : he can well discerne , rather to do it of litle discretion , then of great malice : themselues not beeing of capacitie , to consider the equitie , or iustnesse of the cause . And his Maiesty espetially considereth , that great multytudes , are ouer borne , by the impious tyranny , of powrable persons , ontwardly to condescend to that , which inwardly they contemne : sustayning contrary to the nature of so noble a Nation , the generall reproche of particuler mens dishonorable actions : whose case doubtlesse , he dothe rather pittie , then desire to punish .

All the world knoweth that his Maiesty hathe euer had a most singuler affection to the Englishe people , and your selues by experience haue perfectly found it . There could neuer kynge condescend to conditions more honorable & profitable for you , then his Maiesty did at his beeing in England . I suppose monsieur of fraunce , in his late mocke mariage , neuer offred you the like . His Maiesties actions were withoute dissimulation , as the consequence well declared , for beeing maried to your Queene , and proclaymed Kynge , yet soughte not to setle himself in the Crowne : nor to possesse any portes , townes , or castells , in the whole countrie . But after the deceasse , of the moste vertuous Queene Mary his wyf , gaue place and quyet entrance vnto the Lady Elizabeth . Giuing also vnto her , all his said wyues Iewells , which himself mighte iustly haue claymed and kepte . And presently after her coming to the crowne , he then being vpon conditions to conclude a peace with the frenche kynge , vppon the taking of S. Quintines , did moste earnestly stick , at the rendringe of the towne of Calis , to the Englishe againe : she hauing at that present her ambassadors there , and as it seemed , for the same purpose , but after his Maiesty had so earnestly vrged this matter , that vnlesse it mighte be graunted there could be no accorde the french then flatly confessed , that notwithstanding the Englishe ontwardly solicited for Calis : yet they had secretly assured them , that their Queene cared not therefore : which his Maiesty afterward founde so in dede , and perceaued the fraude , that it imported . But to leaue thease deuyses , to other like dooble dealings , let vs returne to the tyme , when our Kinge remained with you in England : and see with what affable curtesy he entreated you , what great liberalitie he vsed to all sortes in generall , and what honorable pensions he gaue to all your Noble men in particuler , with infinyte other fauours : among all which , the sauing of this womans lyf , who beeing comitted , and in case to be condemned , not for religion , for she had and hard Masse , First with 〈◊〉 . pretending to be Catholique : After with others , as the letters found 〈◊〉 her testified . but for conspiringe of treason , and rebellion , against her soueraigne , and sister : was● benefyte ( as it seemeth ) not best bestowed , b●●ause it hathe bin woorst requyted , sundry other signes of his moste affectionate fauour , hath he sh●wed to your nation : and of all others the great●st is , that he hathe had so longe patience , to reuenge so many iniuries , as from thence he hathe receyued , Notwithstanding all those , he hathe euer contyn●ued his princely , benignity , neuer hurti●g nor hating , the good for the euill , but relieuing nombers with very large entretainements , who hauing abandoned , the comodities of their country , for their conscyence , and religion , haue 〈◊〉 themselues to liue in his dominions . Yea his bounty and beneuolence , in very meere giftes , and liberalities , to sundry nations in generall , are so great : that he freely giueth away by the yeare , more then the Queene of England can yearely dispend . What should I be tedious to stand vppon those points , that his enemyes intend , to haue bin his intention : or the termes of tyranny , that euery hedge minister , can amplyfy against vs .

That you should all haue bin broughte vnder the bondage of strangers , who had made deuision of your lands and lyuings amonge themselues , as thoughe all Spaine , and Portugall , the Indies , east and west , Italy , and the lowe Countries , yea almoste half the world , were so pestred with people : that there were no habitation lefte for vs , but that we must needes by daunger of sea and land , seeke to take it from you perforce : whereas you may well knowe , there hathe no necessitie constreyned vs , to abandon our landes , and liuings , in our owne naturall and ample country of Spaine , which we prefer before any septentrionall region . And albeit we were enforced to change our residence , yet can we make choise of many places , as frutefull and pleasant as England is , and obtaine them , with farr lesse difficulty . It may be , that this persuasion of danger to loose there landes , hathe moued sundry of your gentlemen of late dayes , to sell away theirs , and to purchase more assured credit , haue sett themselues forward in great brauery , to be seene in your seruice , for the which I doubte not , but they haue bin rewarded ▪ with kynde courtly countenances : and are in possibilitie , so soone as occasion shall require , Protections are the best rewards that they are to expect . with easy sute ( for there full recompence ) to obtaine protections , that no officer shall arrest them , when they shall haue lesse mony then land .

Your impudent ministers , whose mouthes are made the trompets , to sounde oute vntruthes : can tell you as confidently , as had they bin of the Kynges counsell , into what great bondage you should haue bin broughte , and how-much you liberty , should haue bin abridged . Maruell not that these companions , call your reformation a conquest : and condemne the moste Clement Kynge of the world , of intended cruellty it behoueth them moste , to speake in this matter , and to exercyse to the vttermoste , the loudnes of their lying , because it concerneth aswell their owne benefyte , as those from whome they receaue their instructions , perhapps in deede , the large liberty that they take to them selues had bin somwhat abridged , & many a Royall and Noble sermon lefte vnmade , The ordinary prices of sermons . wherewith thease wedded priests of Baal , do maintaine their women , and new generation .

This bondage semeth to be the more grieuous , because it is said to be vnder straungers : would to God there were lesse difference , betweene Christian and Christian , and more discord , betwene Englishe , The rebelles 〈…〉 Flaunders . and Turke , you haue not had so fewe , as fyfty thowsand straungers amonge you , more then twenty yeares together , and therefore you mighte the better beare , a smaller number .

That your wyues and daughters should be deflowred , is a matter , that more men then ministers cannot brooke , and yet seldome amonge soldiers not guyded by good disciplyne , this plague in particuler is incident , but hereunto can I tell you , that your liberty of the late Gospell hathe prouyded a more sufficient remedy , to auoyde this inconvenience , then any other : insomuch that such of the soldiers themselues , as were so ill disposed , could tell , that they should fynde harlots more then enoughe , alredy prouided .

Those tirrible tales , that we broughte Irons wherewith to marke your Children , vnder the age of seauen yeares , to the end they mighte be knowne , to be the race of a conquered nation , do doubtlesse sounde moste lamentably : but to comforte you herein , thus much may I say , that albeit a man do vtterly refuse to belieue them , I dare warrant him , he shall neuer be damned , for that incredulitie : but by the way I could wishe you to note , that yf they did not thinke they had framed the people to belieue what they list they would neuer feede them with such palpable vntruthes , and yf therefore you shall thinke them , to haue as litle honesty , as they thinke you to haue witt , you shall do them no iniury at all .

That your goods should be robbed and taken from you , you neede not greatly feare , for it semeth that now of late , more then here-tofore , her Maiesties collectours and receyuers , haue taken such order to take it from you , to saue it from vs : that they haue sent it oute of England to Zealand , and other places ouer the seas , wherefore you needed not feare this misery : but rather haue hoped , that Spanish pistolets , should haue bin more comon and currant in England , then euer they were afore . To the other ridiculous , and friuolous forgeries , that we broughte halters to hange you , and whips to whip you , I can say litle , other then that I am very sory , that in all this ample prouision , we forgat to bring whetstones to giue to those that told you this , and bables for such as did belieue them .

But to leaue all such absurd lies , to the wisdomes of the creditors , it is more necessary to see whereunto they serued , & whether theire further meaning , may thereby be made manifest . The truthe is , and easely it dothe appere , that they were not only inuented , to make them moste odious , that ment you least euill : but also to blynde and bleare , the eyes of the people , by putting into there heades , the feares of future miseries , to the end they should the lesse behold , there owne present calamyties , and those that by their improuident practises are sure to ensue , albeit they neuer had neede to feare any forraine enimy : but to leade dryue and dispose of you , as of brute beasts , withoute soules , sence , or vnderstanding : where & to what , themselues like and allowe , euer prouyding to keepe you in ignorance , and principally of that , which moste concerneth your owne comon welfare : as amonge others it plainely appeereth , in the prohibiting vnder great paine , & deuising of othes of association , that none may once moue , or call in question to knowe , who is to succede their Queene , after her deathe : as thoughe it were treason to say she should die , or an insufferable cryme to knowe that , whereof they mighte receaue comforte , of continuing their owne quyet , after her decease . And as thoughe they desyred all felicity to end with them , not caring what confusion , ciuill discention , and bloudshedd , mighte afterward fall amonge the Englishe , by the Englishe themselues . A resolution doubtlesse moste indurable , and vnchristian : vnnaturall is that father , that throughe inordinate auarice , leaueth his family to fall to all discorde and discention . But impious is that prince , that in preseruing disordered pleasure , leaueth the people in such possibilitie to be killed , in the confusion of so many competitours .

But lett vs looke into lesse matters then thease , and see whether they deny not , the very priuileges of reasonable creatures , prohibiting by publyke comaundement , that none may once aske or enquyre , how thinges do ordinarily passe in the world abrode . Neither to demaunde , heare , read , or write , any newes of any matter whatsoeuer , be it true or vntrue : yea scarsly of that , which toucheth mens priuate negotiations . The only restrayning of which free speech , is of it self a very euydent and sufficient signe , of a Tyrannous estate , and a markable suspition , of sinister dealing . By this brydle you are rayned and broughte , to all beastly & slauishe seruytude , withoute any knowledge or consideration , either of reason , cause , or conscyence , of that wherein bothe your bodies and soules are employed : and somuch of your substancontributed , which to the menaginge of thease vniust quarrels haue bin so great and so grieuous , that it hathe exceeded all the former subsidies and exactions , that any seauen of your princes predecessours , haue had of their subiects , to make their lawfull warres . You pay , what they please to demaunde , you beare what they list to lay vppon you , you are made to say and soothe , to whatsoeuer they will , be it neuer so false , fonde , and vnlykely : you are pressed , compelled , vnpaied , clapte vnder hatches , and caryed you knowe not where , nor to what end , & when such of you as are lefte aliue , do returne home againe ( yf not caryed sick throughe the streats of London by whole carte loades , in the Lord of Lecester his Trophee ) you see how you are rewarded , and how your creditt and condition is encreased , by that it was afore .

You are cutt of from all trade and trafique , with the moste ritche , and opulent countries aboute you , retaining no hope of any outward comoditie , other then can be gotten by robbery and piracie . The prosperitie whereof you fynde such , that you see your selues no whitt thereby disburdened , of any your encreasing subsidies , and exactions .

This great misery and dayly desolation , dothe more and more make , your Gentlemen bare , and your Marchants banckrupte , it consumeth the Comons , and continually wasteth the wealth of the Realme : As wisemen do see , thoughe they dare not say it , and all men do fynde , thoughe they do not see it . It would exceede the compasse of a letter , to lay open vnto you euery important affliction , but that shall not neede , for experience will teach you to descerne them , each day more then other , and you shall further feele the smart , before you fynde the remedy .

Wo woorthe the causers of your calamities , who for their owne priuate ambitious desire to rule , haue run on , in all desperate and dangerous attempts whatsoeuer : and haue lastly by violence , drawne vppon their owne heades , that which neither themselues , nor the whole Realme can vphold .

Where are now those infallible groundes , that your great Machiauelist , laide downe at the begining , when he so boldly presumed to alter religion , and to begin his new Gospell , with an extraordinary gouernement , whose resolutions to continew the Republique , were according to the direction of the vnholy Ghoste , in the determyninge of religion .

The first was , to establishe their estate , by maintayning rebellions of the subiects of France , Flaunders , and Scotlande .

That failing , the second was , by the credit that they had in the lowe Countries , to giue and transpose parte thereof to the frenche : and thereby to kindle a warr , betweene the two houses , of fraunce and Spaine .

This failing , then to ioyne with , and to giue portes and succours , to all pirates , to vex and anoy the said two houses , yf they should ioyne .