¶ A Christian declaration touching the Religion which the right reuerend Prince , the Lord Ghebbard , chosen , and confirmed Archbishop of Collen , Elector of the Empire , and Chancelor for the Prouince of Italie , Duke of Westphalie and Enghern , and proclaimed throughout his dominions , the 17. daye of Ianuarie . 1583.

WE Ghebbard , by the grace of God elected , and confirmed Archbishop of Collen , Chancellor for the prouince of Italie , Elector of the Empire , Duke of Westphalie , Enghern , &c. to the Estates , Earles , Gentlemen , Citizens , & subiects , of our Archbishoprike ingenerall , and to euerie one particular , and to all other vnder our obedience . Know you by this present , all aboue named , and euerie of you , as we neuer had nothing more in minde , since it pleased God to call vs to the estate & office of this our Archbishoppe , by a lawfull election ( which yet we also haue ) then the safegard and defence of this Archbishop sea and electorshippe , committed vnto vs by God , and likewise of Germanie , one part of vs , principally in that which concerneth the glorie of God : and hauing had most humble supplications & requests , made vnto vs by some of the Estates and Nobles of our dominions , ioyned with earnest sute of the most noblest Estates of this great and mightie Empire , to haue the Gospell publiquely preached , and the Sacramentes administred in all places of our dominions : as it is ordained and appointed by the word of God . Following the articles , and confession of Auspourg , and the christian exposition thereof , according to the will of God , which is that Iesus Christ his sonne , should of vs be hearkened vnto , and his commaundementes obserued and kept : that all Princes and Magistrates of this world ; might open their gates to the king of glory , that thereby we may learne to knowe our duety in the charge to vs committed , knowing there is no excuse for vs , at the last day , when Christ shall come in iudgement : what time we must render account of the charge and office wherein he hath placed vs . For if by vs the way of saluation should be stopt toward our subiectes , being nothing ignorant thereof , God which is a iust and seuere Iudge , vnto whose will and commaundement we are all bound to obey ( & that without dissimulation ) would not sée it vnreuenged .

We for these causes , vnderstanding the humble peticions of our sayd States and subiectes , are determined no longer to deferre the graunt of their iust and rightfull request , hauing had the aduise of our Lords and counsayle , and after great deliberation we haue permitted , to our aforesayd subiects , vnder the dominion of our Archbishop sea , of what state or condition soeuer , not only the libertie of their conscience ( alwayes agréeing to the word of GOD ) but also assuraunce by this our present ordinaunce , and by vertue therof , that they shall not be grieued , molested , or troubled in their personnes , dignities , honors , or goods , by any gouernors , Iustices , or other inferiour magistrates , whatsoeuer . For the profession of their faith , conscience , & rule of Religion , being according to Gods word & the confession of Auspurg . Graunting fréely to al prelats , Earles , Lords , Cities , & towns , with all other our commons & subiects vnder our Archbishop sea , & Electorship , ful libertie to vse publique preaching in all parts of our dominion , & to exercise the administration of the holy Sacraments , as it is ordained by the writings of the Apostles & Prophets , folowing the Christian exposition of Auspurg , & notwithstanding all impeachments of our Lieutenants and Magistrates , or other persons whatsoeuer : assuring for the same ( as it is the duty and office of a christian Prince ) of all and euerie vnder our dominion and iurisdiction , to defende and maintaine them through the helpe and grace of GOD , being certainly perswaded , that his almightie power hath béene the onely direction of this our christian enterprise , and that he will defend his glory and holy worde , against all the gates of hell .

Moreouer we protest before the maiestie of almightie God , which is the searcher of the hearts and raines , that we haue not taken in hand this godlie and christian enterprise , moued by ambition or desire of honour , or any other thing to our particuler profit and commoditie : but for the glorie of Christe Iesus our onely sauiour and redéemer , and the aduancement of his holy word , and for the eternall felicitie and saluation of our subiectes , which he hath giuen vs in charge . Neither haue we done it to rayse discord and discention in the common wealth , but rather to set and establish one christian order , in the Churches and Schooles of this countrey , as it is thought conuenient , by the counsayle and aduise of the principall of our Estates : minding to take delyberation and aduise vpon the reformation of the Churches and Schooles of our sayd Archbishop sea , & Electorship , at the first assembling of our States & Lordes , as soone as oportunitie shall serue . Admonishing the while all those vnder the óbedience of our foresayd Elector , which shall be moued to imbrace and follow the religion established at Auspourg , and the expositions of the same , agéeing to the worde of God , behauing themselues in all modesty , as it becommeth all such as are led by true christian zeale . Forbidding them expresly , that they shall doo no wrong nor iniury to any in déede , or in wordes , to the ende that euerie one of them maye liue quietly and peaceably one with an other .

And for the perticular safegarde of our person , if it come to passe by the will of God , that we should ioyne our selues in mariage , to the end that none might take occasion to blame vs , as doing the same against our duety , séeking thereby some perticular profite or commodity , or that our intent were , to leaue to our heires some aduantage , to the preiudice of our sayd Archbishop sea , or Electorship , and to gratifie the same against all reason or henestie . We protest by this our publique writing , and before the eternall & euerliuing God , that the same was neuer our purpose or intent : that is to say , to drawe vnto our heires , our sayd Archbishop sea , or to bring them to any right of the same succession , or for any other perticular profite to their commoditie .

And for this cause we will haue it openly declared , by the publication , of this our present ordinaunce , that whosoeuer shall hereafter come , the election ought to remaine at libertie , vnto the consent of the rest of our most noble Electors ( as heretofore it hath béene ) and after our decease , to be resigned without force . And for this cause , all and euerie of our subiectes and other personnes vnder the obedience of our Archbishop and Electorship , shall vnderstand , that they are not held , or bound to owe any obedience , or in any respect to reuerence , any man whatsoeuer ( as their true and rightfull Lord ) tyll such tune , as by the consent and councell of our Electors , the Prince which shall succéed , be lawfullie and righfullie chosen . And that they shall not acknowledge , or take for their Prince , any that shall enterprise to take it in hand , without the ordinarie and lawfull election of our aforesayde Electors , and the expresse declaration of him which shall succéede , by their aucthoritie : as it hath béene obserued by long and auncient custome ( notwithstanding any disposition heretofore made by vs , or any other preposed ) against this our present ordinaunce : but without regard therof , we vtterly at this present , and for the time to come , declare them of no effect . Abrogated and abolished them in the straitest manner and forme that maye be , being ready at all times to conferre , and take more deliberation vpon the same , with our aforesayde Electors and States of our prouince , making them such confirmation and assuraunce of this our present promise , in such maner that no daunger , nor feare , or other damageable enterprise maye come or happen , for any such matter by vs , or by our heires . Therefore , we charge and commaund , all and euerie of our Lordes , gouernors , magistrates , Iudges , Treasurers , Receauers , Consulles , Citizens , commons , and all in generall , diligently , and straitly , to obserue this our present commaund , that euerie one may be maintained according therevnto . And that they may neither hurt , or doo iniurie to any , nor they of any , be iniuried or molested , for whosoeuer shall herein be found faultie , shall incurre our indignation and displeasure , and shall not escape most grieuous punishment : for this is the truth of our last charge and commaundement . In witnesse whereof , we haue published , and imprinted , and sealed with our seale , this our present declaration , causing it to be caried into all partes and places of our dominions , vnto such , as shall make it known to all . Giuen at our Citie of Bonne , the .16 . daye of Ianuarie , in the yéere of our Lord . 1583.

¶ Pope Gregorie the 13. to our right reuerend and beloued brother , Ghebbard Archbishop of Collen , Prince , and Elector of the Empire .

RIght reuerend & beloued brother , the great & woorthy personage , procéeding from the Noble house of Truchces , your auncient & honorable progenitors , as well in auncient time , as of fresher memorie , hath left vs sufficient witnes of the worthines thereof , and nobilitie of their blood : whose affection and constancie , hath alwaies béene manifestlie declared towardes the catholique faith , but principallie , by Cardinall Augustus , which held the first seate hereof , vnder whose discipline you haue béene most religiouslie and holilie brought vp , as it was conuenient for the holie Church of Rome , in such manner as there was no small hope conceaued of you , trusting that you will shew your selfe a person worthy so noble a race , by the like instruction : from whence hath growne the fatherly good will , which hitherto we haue borne vnto you : which we haue not onely since that time entertained , but also in like manner augmented , by the meanes of the good report of honorable personages : which promised vnto vs all things with you most excellent & iust . After it came to passe , that you were elected by the charter of Collen ▪ to the dignitie & Archbishop sea of this church , and although that election was disturbed by sundrie & manifold difficulties , in such sort that it was not onlie stronglie withstoode , but in a maner vanquished & made vaine . Neuerthelesse , we vsed such benignitie towards you , that all impeachmentes reiected , we approued and allowed the iudgement and election , made by the same charter for you . Increasing the force and vertue of our Apostolique confirmation : by reason whereof we are persuaded , that there is none which ought to beare greater reuerence to the holie seate of Rome , nor that ought to be a greater obseruer of the ecclesiasticall discipline , then you , hoping that we should haue had great helpe , through your constancie & fidelitie . But it doth greatly displease vs , and merueilously grieue vs , that our hope therein is not onely weakned and made lesse , but also vtterly lost . And further , we vnderstand from day to day , by the letters of many , and the report of diuerse , such thinges of you , so vnworthy the dignitie & degrée wherein you are , that without great shame , we are not able to expresse it . And although verilie we haue oftentimes refused to beléeue such vnworthy reportes , yet the daylie clamor hath constrained vs greatlie to doubte thereof , being afraid of your fall , which now we wil no longer dissemble , wherfore we doo admonishe you , that you would haue a regard and a foresight to your honour and saluation ( while it is time ) and if possible you haue gone any further , then reason required , spéedilie withdraw your selfe , that those things which heretofore hath béen declared of you , may be proued false ( which is our onlie desire ) & that you will openly manifest your mind & ful intent , inwardlie conceiued in your hart : to the end , that your good name , princelie parentage , & the ecclesiasticall order , be not by your means for euer stained , with ignominius reproch , by the aduersaries of our honor .

Againe , consider your duty towards God , which hath raised you to the dignitie and degrée of the sea Apostolique , which you should cherish with singuler affection and fauour , and for the same it is that you ought to spend your blood in all christian profession : For by how much the more you are of hie calling , and honourable estate , by so much the more is your fault greater , then any others , when you fall from any parte of your duety . And by so much the more , wil your fault be greater , as you were of honour and dignitie , in the church of God , and in great aucthoritie with the Princes of the Empire . Consider then what troubles and daungers procéedeth from such new remoouings of thinges , and how héedfull the prudent and godlie man ought to be , from hazarding so lightly his honour , state , dignitie , and his soule , whereof there hath béen so many straunge and wonderfull examples in our time , which may make vs to be better aduised in our dealings , but if we haue possible suffered somewhat to much in former time , attribute the same to our affection towards you , and to the desire we haue had of your honor and dignitie . Neither doo we any thing doubt , but that this our fatherly kindnes , shall be receaued of you with that effect which it ought to be , for many good reasons and iust causes : and that you will not forgette to shew due reuerence towardes this holy seate , that we maye acknowledge you , for our déere and beloued sonne , as heretofore we haue done , which wil be an occasion to vs greatly to reioyce : and because we haue not thought it sufficient to send our letters onely , we haue sent our reuerend Brother , the Archbishop of Treues , to take his iourney towardes you , to conferre more at large , of these our affaires , who shall more cléerelye discouer vnto you our will , counsayle , and intent , to whome we are assured that you will giue both faith and credite .

Giuen at Rome , at saint Peters in the yéere of our Lord 1582. the 17. day of December , and in the 11. yéere of our Pontificalitie . Io. Baptista Canobius .

To Pope Gregorie the .13 . Ghebbard Archbishop of Collon , Prince , and Elector of the Empire , sendeth greeting .

I Haue vnderstood by your letter , your fatherlie affection , and worthinesse of such a Prelate , but in this principally , that you will not lightlie giue place , to vntrue tales , neither faith to the euill reports spread abroad of my actions and déeds . For if it were sufficient to accuse , who should be in these corrupted dayes excused , wherein the most godliest men , are assailed with enuie ● and what is he that can defend himselfe against the conspiracies of euil willers , I acknowledge you as a good father , exhorting me to perseuere in the faith , integrete good discipline , and obedience vnto the Chatholique , Apostolique , and true beléeuing Church . Giuing me aduertisement of the great and manifold daungers , falling on those , which are desirous of nouelties , which folowing their disordinate lustes and affections , are drawne from the company of the Apostolique church . Wherefore my duty is to accept of your charitable & holie admonitions , knowing that which is said by Salomon , that he which refuseth discipline , hath no regarde of his owne soule : but he that harkeneth to correction , shall obtaine knowledge . I must néedes confesse , that I haue béene ouer slacke and negligent in thinges appertaining to the saluation of my soule , the rest of my conscience , and the duetie I owe to the glorie of God , and the dignitie of the Church .

But your letters hath serued me as a spurre , pricking me forward , & greatly prouoking me , that all dissimulation laid aside , & all superstition by me reiected , I am minded openly to declare ( euen as you haue admonished me ) that which I haue conceaued in my heart , & considering the faith I owe vnto GOD , that hath called me to this his degrée , that which I owe to the church Apostolique to my countrey , & the publique wealth thereof , and also to my selfe , knowing the saying of that great and holie man Augustine to be true , and worthy to be had in memory , that there is none that doth more harme to the flocke of Christ then such as counterfetteth the lambe in the roome and office of the ministerie , the same is cited 83. distinction , the second cannon . For as much then I am come to the age , wherein I am able without the aduice of others to gouern my selfe , and by the onely will of our Lord Iesus Christe , which hath vouchsaued to call me to the great charge of an Archbishop : and as it is a thing proper to the nature of a christian man , to inquire and followe after the trueth , I am setled in the furtheraunce of this good worke , without musing at all , on any custome or humaine authority : finding by the holie scriptures , and among the ecclesiasticall histories , that this which we haue commaunded to be done , becommeth him which is the child of God : and which is also required in the office himself hath already established , that is to say , Iesus Christ , which is the only way , the trueth , and the life , in whose name , as also with the Father and the holie Ghost we are baptised : to whome appertaineth the catholique church , hauing redéemed the same by his precious blood . Upon this foundation is the church sustained , being also beautified and inriched with most excellent tytles , which he hath giuen by S. Paule in the first to Timothy , the third chapter : calling her the house of the liuing God , the fortitude & strength of the trueth . Then the Romane church which was in the time of S. Paule , and certaine yéeres after , was of great renoume and estimation , for the faith they had in Iesus Christ , and at that time taught through the whole world : the which faith was her onelie ornament , insomuch that the Priests & Elders of the same Romane Church , plainly confessed , writing to S. Ciprian in his 7. epistle of his 2. booke , in these words , That letting the honor & praise decay , which S. Paule gaue to the Romanes , was a great & grieuous crime , and that it had béene lesse shame , neuer to haue had those prayses spoke of , or preached abroade , then after the publishing thereof , to lose the honour of such high commendations . Therfore as often as it comes in question , to speake of the pure , true , Apostolique , and vniuersall church : reason requireth , and all wise men giueth counsaile , that we ought to discerne betwéene that , which is grounded vpon the head corner stone , Christ , vpon the holy Gospell ( the honour and name wherof shal endure euerlastingly : ) and that which is the bastard church , going against the trueth ▪ worshippeth God in vaine , following after the commaundements & traditions of men . And therfore the golden rule of Tertullian , hath euer pleased al good and vertuous men , saying , that the first hath béen alwayes the truth , & that which came afterward corrupted , and that is it which hindeth mee to the othe which I haue made , which othe dooth commaund , that I must acknowledge the sayde Apostolique church , which holdes the ancient beléefe of the Romane church , agréeing to the beléefe of Nice , and of Constantinople , which dooth acknowledge and beléeue one baptisme for remission of sinnes , by the blood of our Lord Iesus Christ : which is our onely purgatorie that cleanseth vs of all our sinnes , which receaueth no other traditions then this only , that are appointed by the Apostles , leauing & deliuering faithfully , that which they receiued from our Lord Iesus Christ . After whose example I am bounde by my othe , to take the holy scriptures , interpreting and understanding the same , not after the sence or interpretation of any Bishop or Councell , whatsoeuer , but after the vnderstanding and exposition of the true , Apostolique , and holy mother Church , that ( I say ) which hath followed the steps of the holy Apostles . Whervnto the auncient Fathers hath from time to time consented , so that without any blemish to the othe which I haue made , I am addressed after this rule , & bound to this foundation , neither will I receyue or beléeue any thing , which is not brought from the same , wheresoeuer it was written , whether at Rome , or at Trent , being reasonable to prefer these auncient things with new , the truth with falsehood , & the traditions of the Apostles , with the commaundements of men . For our lawes as it dooth euidently appeare in the 15. distinction of the third canon : doth not alowe these auncient and most renoumed Councelles the like aucthority , as they do to the holie Scriptures & Apostles , which sayth thus : The holy church of Rome , after the writinges of the old and new Testament , which we receiue for certaine rules , doth not forbid but that we may receiue the Councell of Nice , of Constantinople , Ephesus , and of Chalcedonae . Thus haue I hytherto shewed , what was the band and foundation of that othe which I lent , vpon the which I protest , that ( by the grace of God ) I will not starte nor turne , from the true faith in Iesus Christe , nor seperate my selfe from the holy and Apostolique church , to the which I do owe all reuerence , as I wil doo all my life : in remembrance of that which I did vowe in baptisme to God , and promised to the Church . For the rest , it is out of doubt betwéene all good and learned men , that whatsoeuer we haue promised or sworne , if it be wrong & contrarie to our first faith , receyued in baptisme , that it bindeth vs not at all , this ( I saye ) is to be seene by the rule of the right cannon Lawe , that is to say , that an oth taken against good and godlie workes , bindeth not : and following the right cannon , the othes that are made against good déeds , drawes vs vnto sinne . Wherevpon the Maister of Sentences hath wiselie sayd , in the 39. Distinction after Saint Hierome , that an othe hath three proper companiens , veritie , iudgement , and iustice , and if any of these lacke , it is not a true othe , but a false othe : But Gratiam giueth these aduertisements vpon the déede of an oth , Euil promises ( saith he ) breakes faith , chaunge therfore the the ordinaunce of euill and dishonest thinges , and do not that , which thou hast vnwiselie promised , for that promise is against God , which is accomplished with wickednesse .

In the seuenth cannon of our lawe , we haue a rule giuen , which we ought straitlie to obserue , not onely for the regard of othes , but in all the actions of our life ( that is to say ) that if by the sutteltie of our craftie enimie , we are falling into any faulte , we must séeke to escape it , by that meanes which we sée is least hurtfull and daungerous : thus you sée , that the olde and auncient Fathers hath generally concluded , that all vndiscrete and vnlawfull othes , ought not to be obserued and kept : and that it is more tollerable for to breake an othe , then to perseuere in the sinne of fornication . The same is also learned by the aucthority of S. Augustine that if faith be not obserued , to the intent to returne to the right waye , it cannot be called the violating of faith , for as much that the same is not true faith , which is requisite to commit sinne . It is easie to shew by many learned men , and also by the holie scriptures , and by the auncient Doctors , that partly the slacknes and slouthfulnes : and partly by the couetousnes and malice of many Popes , sundrie things hath crept in the Romane church , as Platinus ( though otherwise greatly affectionated to the Roman seat ) certifieth that those things do not agree to the Apostolique & catholique church , but they are notably iniurious against Iesus Christ , which is established for to be the redéemer of peace , by the faith in his blood , & also most idolatrous , which whosoeuer should followe of a trueth , should sinne greeuouslie against God : and yet as Arnobius sayeth in his seuenth booke against the Gentiles , that ▪ we ought to forgiue liberally and fréely , though it were against the Church , and against our owne conscience . For these thinges then , I am not drawne through any cause by you , ( as many other great & woorthy personages hath taken occasion , to withdraw themselues ) not from the catholique church , but from the corruption & abuses , which turneth vpside downe the foundation thereof . I wil not for this time enter into long disputation , but I would rather come to the crime , wherein I fell my selfe by you most accused . I sée , I sée , or at the least , I féele a certaine smell , that cannot be lesse then a sinnefull thing , the peine whereof , craueth the losse of my life , or of my charge and dignitie : for the which I am accused among you , which maketh me most odious , & maketh the world to thinke , that I reiect all discipline , all duety , and all honour , but the shame thereof ( falselie accusing me ) maketh your selues almoste to blush . Which is , because I am purposed to marie , which S. Paule neuerthelesse affirmeth , to be honourable among all men : and which is also sette in the Romane church , among the number of the Sacramentes . But whensoeuer I am minded to accomplishe this thing , what shall I doo , or enterprise against the examples of the holy Apostles , and their rules and decrees ? What doo I against the aduise of Clement , Alexandrian ? or against our owne Lawes , in the .28 . Distinction , the .11 . and 12. Chapters , where mention is made of the wiues of Priests , and Deacons , being aboundantly contained in the .17 . cannon , as it was decreed by the Councell of Gangar , that , If any reiect a maried Priest , being of opinion that he ought not to offer , because he is maried , and for that cause will not come to his seruice , let him be accurst .

Moreouer , those words spoken with great grauitie by Paphuntius , in the Councell of Nice , are commended in the second parte of their decrée , which did not feare to call mariage the second degree of chastitie . Wherefore is it then that the aucthoritie of Siricius or Pelagious , should be of greater waight among vs , then that of the Apostles ? Of generall Counselles ? Of auncient Fathers before mentioned ? Or of GOD himselfe ? Which plainly pronounced , that it was not good for man to be alone . What follie , or what madnesse I praye you is it then , to endure rather adulterers , fornicators , and Sodomiticall liuers , in the ministerie and church of Christ , then those which hath true & lawfull wiues , following the commaundements of God ? From what spring , or from whose mouth came the same doctrine , which forbiddeth and condemneth mariage ? It appeareth by the eleuenth chapter of Daniel , vers. 36. 37. and the first of Timothy , the fowrth chapt . ver. 1. 2. 3. Aeneus Silueus , in his discription of Germany , witnesseth that the holy bishoppe Vldricus , strongly withstoode the lawes of Celebat , against the Popes of his time , writing an Epistle vnto Pope Nicholas , wherin he greatly complained that the chiefest Prelates , and Priests ( namelie of Italy , ) were so much giuen to lust and lecherie , that they would not abstaine from deflowring , maid , wife , or any other , nor spare theyr owne kindred , but commit sinne against nature , with the masquelin sort , & also with very brute beasts : and there he declareth an historie worthy the noting , that Pope Gregorie the first , being he , that did first forbid ecclesiastical persons to marie , sending afterwarde , certaine fishers to fishe in a mote , hard adioyning to a Nunrie , they founde more then six thousand childrens heads that had béene throwne therein , which when Gregorie sawe , and perceyued the wicked fruit of his Celebat , sorowing to heare the same , he brake that decree , alledging the sentence of S. Paul , that , It is better to marie then to burne : Adding also , that it is farre better to suffer mariage , then to be the cause of murder . The Abbot Vspergus also in his Chronicle , maketh mention of an epistle in the most renoumed councell of the ecclesiasticall states at Bresse Nore , made against Heldebrand , wherin among other things , was a complaint made , that he deuorsed spyrituall persons from theyr wiues , & vnder this detestable Pope , the Churches were in great daunger , & also he declared that they were not bound in any promise to the Pope , for it is a greater thing to make a vow to obey God , and the catholique church , then to submitte our selues to the will and pleasure of any Pope , whatsoeuer . For these reasons , I that knoweth my duetie towarde Iesus Christe , and his Church , I am determined to take the lawfull way and remedy , permitted to all manner of men ( without exception ) against euill and disordinate lustes , as it becommeth a true bishop , and a man of noble race to doo : to the ende , that I may keepe my soule chaste , and arme the same against all allurements of the flesh . Therefore am I determined to enter into mariage , not being mooued by any light or disobedient minde : but after long tryall made of my selfe , I haue knowne that it is not good for me to liue vnmaried . Which gifte is not permitted to all , nor for euer , ( that is to say , to make so long a triall of themselues : ) I am resolued , following the lawes of the church aboue mentioned , to leaue that vndiscrete vow of the Celebat , which is not in my power to performe , estéeming that this is lawful for me , for the auoiding of a greater euill , and for the better obseruing & accomplishing the vowe of chastitie , which I made vnto Iesus Christ : and in so dooing I haue framed my selfe according to the commaundement of God , submitting to his prouidence , and staying to his protection , not caring what euill men may iudge , nor for the threatnings , daungers , or any other thing whatsoeuer , hauing in memorie that which Theodorus hath written in his fourth booke , the tenth chapter , of the auncient Christians . Whiche dyd knowe no greater griefe then the renouncing of pietie : and although the tyrants went about raging and running vpon them , as stormes , or tempestes , yet could they not be shaken or put backe from pietie and godlines . Therefore , in all extremities , I haue recourse to the iudgement of those which hath right intelligence and knowledge . Unto whome I doo appeale and submit my selfe , after the example of Iustinus Martyr , in his Apolligie for the Christians . In this submission most rightfull and iust , that by those which religiously feareth God the trueth alone is reuerenced , and to the same , all and euerie thing must be agréeing .

Nowe I addresse my selfe to you Pope Gregorie , to the ende I may obtaine of you this my purpose , ( being most chaste and according to the discipline of the true and auncient Catholique Church ) some protection and defence . Therefore I doo earnestlie pray and beseech you , that of the same affection which it hath pleased you to admonish me , that you will take my part in my most iust enterprise , remembring that those which smothlie flatters you , ( a sort of bribe takers , which dooth but lightlie and softlie touch the moste daungerous woundes ) bee not those that dooth most honour , and reuerence vnto you and the Church : but well are they , which Plutarch speakes of , in his Trentes of the difference betweene the flatterer and the friend : which boldlie and lyberallie speaketh , admonishing , and rebuking , not according to theyr owne appetie and desire . What am I then that should speake or brall against the Popes ? if they take all that they say out of the word , lawes and commaundementes of God , and out of the writings of the Apostles and Prophetes , vppon which doctrine , the Church and the Popes , ought to be founded and builded ; by GOD which hath the sufferaintie ouer Kinges and Popes . Oh that it were the good will and pleasure of him , that I might see the daye , that you would not take the care to oppresse me , and all other men , louers and followers of the doctrine and life of the Apostles : but rather that you should earnestlie vndertake to cast farre away from you , so many vanities , so many idolatries , simonies , and sacrileges , and cut off these effeminates , fornicators , and adulterers , drunkardes , and idle personnes , which our owne lawes dooth excommunicate , to the ende that the Romane church , might recouer her auncient dignitie , and that peare and tranquilitie might come againe , among all Christians . that many grieued and wounded consciences might finde rest and consolation . Nowe as it is commonlie sayde , that of a poore gardener , or a simple man , something may be heard of reasonable sence : so I hope that you will not take this my small admonition , otherwise , then with a fatherlie , religious , and equitable hart : which is made vnto you by one of your Brothers in Iesus Christ , and an Almayn , which could neuer dissemble , wherevppon , I praye God to kéepe you in his protection .

FINIS .