THis little Booke ensuing , was addressed to Cardinall Poole in Anno. 1537. whiche when I had redde , and well perused ( knowing the impression almost spente ) I déemed it worthy a new imprinting , bycause it was written by two auntient Fathers , and learned Diuines , who vouched their authorities from the sacred word of God . Alas , that Arrogancie , which is mother of al mischiefes , & direction to most heresies and treasons , the denial I meane of the supremacie of the Quéene , far surpasseth all other Heresies and Treasons , and without repentance , bringeth destruction of body & soule . Howbeit ( the more to be lamented ) it is ouer rife in England , for it is not only the opinion of diuers old men , but of many yong men , which are destitute of learning , voyde of grace , & ignorant of knowledge , and yet hold opinion , that the Pope is , and ought to be the supreme head . What blinde sorte of euill disposed Papistes be they ? nay rather , what Romishe Rebels are they ? which ( contrarie to the word of God ) had rather haue a forraigne Pope their head , than oure most dread and soueraigne Lady , the Quéenes most excellente Maiestie , whose Subiectes naturallie we are , vnder whose obeysance we are borne , vnder whose protection we liue , and vnder whose mightie power ( next God ) we rest defended from all forraigne Enimies , in suche sorte , as by the lawes of God , by the lawes of Nature , and by the lawes of the Realme , we are bounde to obey hir , and none other . These things considered , I can not but maruell how those Papistes dare so presumptuouslie extoll that enimie of Christe , the Pope , as to call hym Gods Vicar on earth . What Pope hath coniured them ? or what Deuill hath bewitched them , that they are so mightilie affected to the Pope ? and so slenderlie regard their naturall liege Lady the Quéenes Maiestie ? Sure I am , that by denying the Supremacie , they haue broughte themselues into Premunire , and from thence grow into farther mischiefes , from whence their holy Father the Pope , with all his Colledge of Cardinals , can not deliuer them . And what else commeth of this Papisticall Religion , but murmuring , contention , strife , sedition , rumors , lewde practises , and priuie conspiracies , to put discord amongst them that liue in peace , and lastly open Rebellion , if they were able to bring it to passe ? For want of which habilitie , they nowe vse Prophecies , Coniuration , Nicromancie , Piromancie , and Calculation , wherto they attribute great credite . They séeke out Witches and Sorcerers wheresoeuer they may be found throughout Christendome . Their determinations and elusions they hold in great priee , and with their diuelish crafts , they séeke to delude thée , and all the Subiectes of the Quéenes most excellente Maiestie . Wherefore , I wishe all menne to beware , howe they kéepe company wyth Papistes : for euen as the Lepres infect others with theyr foule disease : so doe the Papists infect many , with their pestiferous euill councell , and worse example . They resemble likewise the venemous Toade : for as the foule Toade can not abyde the swéete tast of the fruitefull Uine , so can not they abide the true tast of the doctrine of our sauioure Christe , the flourishing Uyne of eternall life , but wrest the sacred Scriptures , to serue their turnes , preferring the Pope aboue Emperour and Kings , falsehoode before truth , darkenesse before light , ignoraunce before knowlege , a Masse no Communion , a Dirge no Sermon , a Concubine no Wife , Bulles and baggages , before the sincere word of God . The figures of these are sette out at large in this Booke , as in perusing thou shalte finde . And our English fugitiue , runnagate Papistes , whiche are beyonde the Seas , sende into this Realme of Englande , Bulles , Pardons , Beades , Latin Primers , Papisticall Books , Superaltares , Pictures of Sainctes , hallowed Graynes , Crosses , Agnus Dei , wyth Sainct Iohns Gospell in them : and thrée or four droppes of Balme , Font water , and of a hallowed Candle , done by the Pope , dothe make all these holy Reliques : so as ( I thinke ) if the paring of the Popes nayles were sente into England , it would be thought no small iewell amongst the Papists . But let this passe , and sée nowe what oure home Papistes sende them againe . I wéepe to write : they cause , that many Gentlemen , and some of greate Worship , doe send their sons to Doway , to the Uniuersitie of Louaine , to Rheynes , to Paris , yea , and some to Rome , to nuzel them in Idolatrie , and roote them in Papistrie . And great are the summes of mony , whiche yearely goe hence for the finding and maintayning of those yong Gentlemen : and farre greater is the charge whiche relieueth the Papistes that are there , for the number is greate , and they are very liberally and bountifully rewarded out of England by the Papists here : For many Papists sell their lands , and employ their great summes of money in banke , contrary to the expresse word of God , The Iewes entred in the time of King William the Conquerour in Anno. 1067. and were expelled in the raigne of K. Edward the firste . 1291. as the Iewes did in the time of King William the conqueror , & employ the foule increase or vsurie therof , to the reliefe of other Papists beyond sea . Moreouer , their Buls , pardons , and such other néedlesse , or rather damnable baggage , trash , & trumperies , are ouer dearly bought , althoughe indéede they be nothing worth , nay worse than naught . For in the raigne of Quéene Mary , I my selfe did know a Gentlewoman , that gaue .xx. pound for a Bull that she might not come to Church , yet was shée as Catholike as the beste of that sorte : but the matter was , for that the priest of the parish and she were fallen out . Truly that Bull was a fit Make for a Cowe , or hir charitie , and aswel worth .xx. pound , as an Owle is worth an ounce of fine gold : and euen of that value be the rest of his Bulles , pardons , and sanctimonies , and graunted vppon as greate considerations . For it is bruted by the Papistes , that the traiterous varlet Felton is canonized for a Saint at Rome , & so was Thomas Becket , a Prelate , as traiterous , as Felton the Papist was : but Felton obtained the Popes great grace , for the setting vp of a Bull , which then was newly brought into England , and for his reward , was faire hanged , drawen , and quartered ( and had no more harme : ) yet that Bull begat many Calues , both Bull Calues , and Cow Calues , whiche it is high time to wayne , for they make suche a bleating , that no man can take rest , or lyue quietly by them , vnlesse peraduenture they receyue the Bulles rewarde . And if it be true that Felton is Saincted , then is it for his Treason sake . And what Traytor then would not loue such a Pope as can make Saincts of Diuelish Traytors ? or who can but feare suche a Pope , as can make Diuels of Saincts ? for with his holy pardons ( if he lie not ) he maketh Sainctes , and with his terrible curses ( if he say true ) he maketh Diuels , so as Sainctes and Diuels are at his pleasure . And the Pope can do more than this too , for he can send Soules to Heauen , and take Soules out of Purgatorie , for that ( as he sayeth ) is the bayting place by the way to Heauen , or to hell . And what is that the Pope can ( not ) do ? forsooth nothing at all : for as great is his authoritie and power in making of Sainctes , as a Coblers skill and arte is , to make Mappes of the whole World : And I beléeue there are as manye Sainctes in Heauen made by the Popes , as there are blacke Swannes swimming in the Thames . But for all the Popes magnificence , and superabundant authoritie , I had rather be a Collyer at Croyden , than a Pope at Rome , for in my iudgement , it is better to haue a blacke body like a Collier , than a blacke Soule like a Pope , for vnlesse the Pope washe himselfe cleane in the bloud of Christ , with the droppes and teares of repentance , onely trusting in the merites of Christes Passion ( which he can not allow sufficient to saluation ) hée shall neuer sée the ioyes of Heauen , but in post hast he must néedes goe to his second Sea and patrimonie in Hel , to the blacke féend Lucyfer his fellow companion for Pride , and whose faithfull Uicar he approueth himselfe héere : for as all men know , in Hell there is no redemption . Now I conclude & demaund , what foolish senselesse Papistes are , they that beléeue the Pope can help them , where he can not help himselfe ? for we beléeue in God , who sayeth , Subditi estote omni humanae ordinationi propter Dominum , siue Regi tanquam praecellenti . &c. Be subiect to all humane ordinance for the Lords sake , whether it be to the King , Pet. Epist. 1 ▪ Cap. 2 . or to the most excellent . &c. making the King to be most excellent vnder God , by which words of Sainct Peter , it is manyfest that Peter did not chalenge to himselfe any primacie : why then should we yéelde it to the Pope , that only chalengeth ( and yet wrongfullie ) to be the successor of Peter ? No no , it is the right , and next God , belongeth to our most dread soueraigne Lady the Quéenes Maiestie ( whome God long preserue ) and to none other , through all , or any hir Highnesse Realmes or Dominions . And againe , by special prouision or Premunire Anno. 16. Rich. 2. ca. 5. it is set downe , that such as purchace or pursue in the Court of Rome Bulles , Instrumentes , or suche like , shall be out of the Quéenes protection : yet , notwithstanding that both the Lawes of God and Man are against it , Papistes will be Papistes , spéede as they spéede may . Whereto I pray thée ( gentle Reader ) haue a speciall regard , and amongst the rest , marke our double faced Papistes , whiche Ianus like , in Court , and else-where , doe make their boast to be the Quéenes Maiesties faithfull subiects , comparable with the best Protestantes : but when it commes to the tryall and touchstone , to know what they thinke of the Supremacie , then they cleaue to the Pope , hauing no feare of God , no loue to the Quéene , nor no dread of iustice : for in denying the Supremacie , they take from the Quéenes Highnesse hir Maiestie , regall authoritie , and the due obeysance which she ought to haue of hyr Subiectes ▪ and most trayterouslie they renounce theyr faith , loyaltie , seruice , and obedience , whiche they owe to hir excellencie , so as they make themselues quicke sacrifices to the Deuill , and manyfest Traytoures to the Quéene . For to saye the truth , Papistes were the cause of the last Rebellion in the North , whyche was the ouerthrowe of the auntiente house of Westmerlande , and the deathe of the Earle of Northumberlande , and manye other , as Norton , Markamvielde , and others , whyche haue steyned themselues with Treason , and vndone their houses for euer . There were also at that time many Bayliffes and Constables , to the number of thrée hundred or vpwarde hanged , whiche well deserued it , in that they commaunded menne in the Quéenes name , to goe to that Campe , the Camp where the Rebels lay . But Northerne men may say , that euill is that camping where the Gallowes winnes the Goale . These thyngs will not be forgotten in the North partes these hundreth yeares . And therefore take héede Papistes , and thinke that Northerne men will not Rebell , for they haue payde for their learning . You maye not vaunt as you were wont to doe , saying , you were sure that all the North would take your partes , for if you make your reckning so , you recken without your hoste , for neyther Lordes nor Lurdeynes can rayse them , withoute commaundemente from the Prince . Therefore ( good Subiectes ) vouchsafe to reade this little Booke , whereby you may learne to obey the Quéenes Highnesse truely , and to detest the Popes fayned holynesse vtterly .

Thys little Booke or Letter , was written in Anno 1537. and in the thirtith yeare of the Raigne of our late Soueraigne Lorde of famous memorie , Kyng HENRYE the eyght , at what time Reginalde Poole was made Cardinall , for Cosma and Damian , by Paule the third , Bishop of Rome : so as the Papistes can not mislike it for the noueltie , for it carieth some antiquitie , and was written aboue fortie yeares sithence . Thus for my part , I fare like hym whiche hathe founde a Purse or Capcace of another mans , and then like a playne true dealing man , maketh enquirie who is the owner of it . Euen so doe I cause thys little Booke to bée newe Printed , that the right owners may be knowen . And sithence they be dead long agoe , that the Quéenes good Subiectes maye haue it amongst them , as the authoures meante it in their lyfe time . And thus I ende , praying God to endue hir Maiestie with perfecte health and all felicitie , long and triumphantly to raigne and rule ouer vs , and to turne the heartes of Papistes , and to make them all good Subiects , to the glorie of God , and strength of the Realme . Amen .

THou séest ( right gentle Reader ) in the fourtéene short lines last before written , the argumente of the Booke or Letter whiche was written to Cardinall Poole , which my right Worshipfull and approued good friend , when he had perused , and ioyed to sée and reade , desired greately to perticipate his benefite vnto thée , chiefly bycause the wéede whiche at that time choked the minds of the subiects of the triumphant King of immortal memorie , Henry the eyght , our late Soueraigne Lorde , touching the Supremacie , now eftsoones breaketh forth , to the intollerable annoy of the déere and louing subiects of our most dread , naturall , and soueraigne Lady Elizabeth , by the grace of God , Quéene of Englande , France , and Irelande , defendor of the faith , and in earthe of the Church of England and Ireland next and immediately vnder Christ , the sole , and alonely supreme head , the daughter and vndoubted heire of hir saide late father , King Henry the eyght . But what haue I said ? Supreme head in earth , of the Church of England and Ireland next vnder Christ ? Yea forsooth , what make you then of the Popes holynesse may be your demaund : I aunswere , that I make of the Bishop of Rome ( so farre forthe as he be a Christian , and the seruaunt of God ) the like and as large accompt for his circuit ( though not with so great dutie , bycause I am an Englishman , and not of his Dioces ) as I make of any Bishop in Englande within his iurisdiction , vnder oure sayde Soueraigne Lady , so long as the same Bishop of Rome kéepeth him within his compasse , and acknowledgeth himselfe subiect to the King of that Territorie : but so farre forth , as he standeth harlot like vpon the type of hys worldly pompe , I take him to be that Antechrist , whiche Paule calleth the man of Sinne , and child of perdition . You may further aske me , howe if the Pope himselfe be King there ? I answere , that how if , with how if not : for if Christ , whose Uicar on earth the Pope claymeth to be sayth , Iohn . 18. My Kingdome is not of this world : the Pope ( if he be not Antechrist ) can not haue kingdome in this world . Me thinkes I sée the Papist smile in his sléeue ( for in déede he is a smooth faced fellowe ) at this my simple conuersion , saying , that I haue framed a goodly argument , that is , bycause the Kingdome of Christ is not of the world , therefore the Popes holynesse may not be a King in Christendome , as if it should be said , bycause the Kingdome of HENRYE the eyght reached not ouer Europe , therfore ELIZABETH his right heire , may not be Quéene of England and Ireland . Let me smile wyth him againe ( I pray you ) for I will yéelde him that Kingdome in Christendome , which Christ did weare the earthlie Crowne of : let him likewise yéelde to euery King royaltie in his owne Kingdome . That I will yéelde it , the Papist laugheth agayne , and so must I to , for in déede , for me to yéeld to the Pope a terrestiall Crowne in earth , and for the Pope to yéeld vnto me a celestiall Crowne in Heauen , haue both like warrant , and like follie , and may be equally laughed at , if damnable things include iest : for I , without treason to my Prince , can not thinke the one , nor he , without Treason to Christ , grant the other : for Christ hathe reserued the Spirituall Supremacie of his vniuersall Churche vnto himselfe , and the terrestiall gouernement of his people to earthly Princes , vnder whome they are gouerned , and tryed as golde in the furnace : and happie is that lande and people , whyche haue a godly Prince on earthe , to beare the sway , and haue Supremacie héere nexte vnder God : and amongst the happyest , we Englishmen most happie , in our gracious Quéene ELIZABETH , whose lyfe and Supreme gouernemente , I beséeche the almighty Lorde long to continue ouer vs . And the same God , for hys Chrystes sake , hathe bestowed that supremacie on oure Quéene within hyr owne Realmes , whiche the Pope falsely chalengeth , through all Christian Regions . For there is no power but of God , and therevppon Sainte Peter sayeth in hys firste Epistle to the Romanes , the seconde Chapter , as in the former Preface is alleadged , Be yee subiect to all humane ordinance for the Lords sake , whether it be vnto the King , as to the most excellente . &c. Nowe if the Kyng bée most excellente , who maye bée hys supreme ? If Peter ( whose successoure the Pope claymeth to bée ) dothe putte it from hymselfe to the Kyng , howe then can the Pope wythout shame , challenge it ? sithence in the spirite of truth , Peter ( foreséeyng the Pryde of the Pope ) séemed , before any Pope was , to forewarne of the incomprehensible Pryde of the same Pope .

Thou mayest aske of me , by what authoritie the Kings of the earthe holde thys supremacie ? I saye , the wordes of Saincte Peter graunte it . Thou sayest agayne , that texte is often alleadged . I aunswere , thys little Booke following wyll shewe thée manye other authorities , and to that purpose it is imprinted agayne . But bycause thou shalte not runne emptie so farre , lette mée demaunde of thée a question or two . Who delyuered to the Israelites the Lawe of God ? Aaron the Prieste thou wilte saye , and true . Of whome dyd Aaron receyue it ? of Moyses thou knowest . And of whome dyd Moyses take it ? euen from the holy hande of Almightie GOD . When Idolatrie fell amongst the Israelites , who redressed it ? not Aaron I warrante you , but Moyses ? who directed the Arke of God I pray you ? no Priest of them all I assure thée , but Kyng Dauid hymselfe . And thus from tyme to tyme , and at all tymes , the Kyng from the hande of God , and the Priest from the King , receyueth authoritie . Vnus est enim Legislator & Iudex , qui potest perdere & liberare . For there is one Lawgiuer , which can destroy and saue . He wil not varie , his word is permanent . He hath appointed al earthly power to the Kings of the earth , & their hearts are in his hande . Then reade this little booke , and be fully satisfied in the premises . But bycause the grauity of the Authors , only admonish an Archtraytor to renounce his follie , & againe , to become subiect to his liege soueraigne Lorde , whose bounty the traytour had largely felte , and whose liberalitye he had with treacherie requited : I summon thy déepe iudgement , perfectly to ponder both the one and the other , and to satisfie thy selfe in that , whiche the touchstone of truth , the sincere word of God , shall be thy warrant in , and giue me leaue , sithence my calling claymeth not so sage direction , to touche his Papacie , and the paltrie thereof , in playner tearmes , without Premunire : for I promise thée , I wil obserue the lymits of humanitie , to my vttermost endeuor , & wil not be long in that I will write , reade them as thou likest , & way them as thou wilt , always remembring , that the marke thou must hit , is set and fully expressed in thys booke , & the reste is but a worke gathered by a lesse skilfull workeman , only set down , bycause an olde matter shal not come out , without some new addition . I make no argument of my worke , bycause I will not stande long vpon any one thing : neither doe I will thée to reade more than thou well likest of , bycause the old worke is it , which only is commended to thée . But if thy grauitie will permit thée , thou shalte finde in some of my pamphlets matter to delight thée , & yet not digressing from the pretended purpose . If from the same the falshood of the Pope be any thing at al detected , my laboure is not lost . If Christ be at all glorified , I haue wonne a conquest . If thou accept it , I haue to thanke thée , and am hereafter at thy request , to do for thée what I can . In the meane space I commend thée to the almightie , and praye thée and all men to rest humble peticioners to the euerlasting God , to length the prosperous raigne of our most merciful Quéene his seruaunt and our supreame soueraigne on earth , in perfect health of bodie and Soule , twice natures course to rule and raigne ouer vs . AMEN .