DAniel the man of desyres , & Iohan Boauerges or the sonne of thondre , bryngeth me to remembraunce of a mouth that vttered blasphemyes . A mouthe .

Thys mouthe ( sayth Daniel ) spake presumptuouse thynges . And hys horne ( whych is the power that maynteyneth hym ) made battayle agaynst the sayntes , yea , and gote the vyctory of them , tyll suche time as they had the kyngedome in possessyon . Dan. vii . To the Beast ( sayth . S. Iohan ) Dani. vii . was gyuen a mouthe , that spake great thynges and blasphemyes . And he opened that mouthe in blasphemye agaynst God to blaspheme his name , and hys tabernacle , and then that dwell in heauen . And power was gyuen hym to make warre with the sayntes , and to ouercome them . Apoca. xiii . Apo. xiii . Not only is thys to be verifyed vpon the Romysh Antichrist & hys synneful synagoge of spiritual calcars but also vpon suche pratlynge papystes as are hys dayly maynteyners . For consequently it foloweth in the same reuelacyon of . Apoca , xvi . S Iohan. And I sawe ( sayth he ) thre vncleane spretes , lyke frogges come out of the mouthe of the dragon , and out of the mouthe of the beast , and out of the mouthe of the false prophete , and they are spretes of deuels . Apo. A Papyst . xvi . Lo sir , the false prophete , whych is the wycked papyst , is so wele touched here , as is eyther the Beast or the Dragon .

Now to thys frantyck papyst than , whych on the .xxix. daye of Decembre last past , Conuenticles . in the house of a gentylman of hys affynyte within Hamshire , beynge in the full heate of hys frenesye , brast out into thys vnreuerent , blasphemouse ▪ and cōteptuouse talke of the Kinges Maiestie and of hys mooste godly procedynges . Blasphemy Alas poore chyld ( sayd he ) vnknowne is it to hym , what actes are made now a dayes . But whan he cometh ones of age , he wyll se an other rule , and hange vp an hondred of suche heretyke knaues . Meanynge the preachers of our tyme , and their maynteyners by lyke . For at the same season he had most spyghtfully rayled of one of them , beynge absent , A rayler . whych neuer in hys lyfe ded hym dysple asure , nether in dede nor in wurd , that he was able to burden hym wyth . The fyrst part of this blasphemouse clause toucheth the kynges hyghnes , the second hys honourable Counsell , & the thyrd , Marke i● . the true ministers of Gods wurde . By the fyrst is Gods name blasphemed , by the second is his tabernacle yll spoken of , and by the thyrd are they that dwell in heauen contempned . But thys pernycyouse poyson haue thys wycked papyst sucked out of the vngraciouse pappes of hys mother the synnefull synagoge of Rome , whose deuylyshe nature hathe it alwayes bene , to despyse those kinges that are not her mainteyners , to condempne those magistrates that wyll not become her slaues , Condicions & to kill those preachers that impugne her Idolatryes .

Concernyng the fyrst . In that thys frantycke papyst wyth poluted mouthe , A Chylde . reporteth the kinges maiestie to be a poore Child , he blasphemeth the name of God . For ther is no power ( S. Paule saythe ) but it is of God . And who so euer abuseth the power , abuseth the ordinaunce of God to hys dampnacion , Rom. xiii . Take hede Beare no wicked hart to thy kyng ( sayth Salomon ) neyther reporte any euyl of the gouernours in thy malycyouse anger . For if thou do , the birdes of the ayre wyll discouer thy wickednes , Eccls. x Double is the blasphemye of this furiouse papyst against the kynges highnes , in that he hath disdainously called him both poore and a Childe , in contempt of his most christen procedynges . Poore is as much to say as contemptuouse , Poore . abiect , wretched , forsaken myserable , or of such byrth as is nothynge estemed . And so is it taken in diuers places of the scriptures , whych all are farre vnsemyng the maiestie of a kynge . A kyng . And wele is it knowen to all the world , that neyther nature for her parte , nor yet fortune for her part , hath so left hym , hys hyghnes beynge the naturall sonne of so noble a kyng as his father was . Neyther is he destitute , but on euerye syde most habundauntlye replenyshed with the most graciouse giftes of god , Learned . specially wyth all kindes of good learning far aboue all hys progenytours , kynges of thys imperiall regyon .

Childishnes in a kyng , is reproued by the mouth of God , & giuen many times of him to the people as a cursse , Esay . iii. plage , or scourge for their vnfaithfulnes . I shal giue you children ( saith the Lord ) to be your princes , & babes shal haue rule ouer you . Esa. iii. That is , ye shal haue for your disobedience in neglecting my lawes & commaundementes , men to your gouernours , that are dyssolute , rashe , wanton , and carelesse , yea men vnexpert and vnexercysed in pryncely affayres , Vnwyse . and men whych wyll not regarde your commen welthe but folow their owne lustes . Wo be to such a land ( sayth Salomon ) as hath so chyldysh rulers , and whose princes are early at their bankettes . Eccls. x , These be those rulars whose lyues are wanton , actes lycencyouse and iudgementes babyshe , wherby theyr commen welthes in the end , Ruyne , are brought to confusyon . Yea , S. Hierome sayth , that these are suche worldly gouernours , as neglectynge Gods holy preceptes , do set vp the vayne tradycyons of men synnefull . And though all these chyldysh wayes be detestable in a kynge yet is not the chyldehode of youthe in him to be reproued . For so might kynge Iosias haue bene reproued , Iosias . whych began to reigne in the .viii. yeare of hys age iiii , Regum , xxii . and kynge Dauid discommended , Dauid . for being the yongest of his brethren i. Reg , xvii , whose prayses are neuertheles habundaunt in the scriptures , Ioas. Ioas beyng but .vii. yeares old was a kyng also , and for the tyme of his youth pleased God , what though in hys age he ded otherwyse . ii . Par. xxiii

In England here , kyng Henry the , vi , was but .viii. yeares old , king Henry the third , ix , yeares olde , and kynge Edwarde the third scarse , xv . yeares of age , iii. Kynges when they were crowned kynges , yet was there neuer chronycle writer , nor yet honest , faythfull , and obedient subiect , that euer called them poore chyldren . But with reuerence and honour , euen from the first daye of their reignes , toke them alwayes for whole and persyght kynges , lyke as the sacred Bible holdeth of the afore named kinges , Iosias . Ioas & godly Iosias , in the .vii. and .viii , yeares of their ages , iiii , Re. xi , et . ii . Pa. xxxiiii . What shuld this franctyck papyst here meane than , so blasphemously to report our most noble & wurthie kinge Edwarde the .vi. in the , xv . yeare of hys age , and , v , yeare of his reigne , without al honour and reuerence , but that he hath done on the vnshamefast face of hys whorysh mother , Babylon , the monstruouse madame of Rome whych is full of the names of basphemye , Apo. xvii . Hym hath our eternal God most graciously gyuen vnto vs in the latter age of his noble father , not without euydent miracle , and wyll preserue hym , no doubt , to his owne glorye and welthe of thys realme , in spyght of all hys popysh enemyes , if we be not vnthankefull . Educacion . Hys wurthie educacion in liberall letters & godly vertues , & hys naturall aptenesse in retaynyug the same , plenteously declareth him to be no pore child , but a manifest Salomon in princely wisdom . Hys sober admonicions , & open examples of godlines , at this day sheweth him , mindfully to prefer that welth of his commens , as wele gostly as bodyly , Relygyon , aboue all foren ▪ matters . Marke what his maiestie hath done already in religion , in abolishing the most shameful idolatries of Antichrist , besides his other actes for publyque affayres , & ye shal find at this day , no christen prynce lyke to hym .

Now foloweth the second part of the blasphemouse sentence of this frantick papist , whiche is , Blasphemy that the actes put fourth now a dayes , are vnknown to the kyng , & that he wyl change them whan he cometh of age . Thys not only toucheth the kinges wurthie maiestie , whiche is gods hygh minister , in iudginge him chyldysh , mutable , & inconstaunt , but also it pearceth hys most honorable counsel , which are vnder him , Ioseph . as was Ioseph in Aegipt , the staies of his people . Ecc .xlix. as consentinge to the same , So is Gods tabernacle by him blasphemed . For if that tabernacle of God be with meane men , as , S , Iohan sayth , it is . Apo , xxi . Moch more with the councel of a christen king , which is gods high magestrate , & thei his assistentes . They that despise that rulers ( saith the Apostle Iude ) & speake euil of them which are in autoryte , Rulers . shal suffre that vengaunce of eternall fyre . Whan Michael that archangell stroue agaynst the deuyll , Sathan . & disputed about the body of Moyses , he durst geue no rayling sentence , but sayd . The Lord rebuke the , But such ( as is here this pratlynge papyst ) speake euyll of those thynges whych they knowe not . And what thynges they knowe naturally , as beastes which are without reason they corrupt in them selues . Wo be vnto them , for they haue folowed the way of Cain , Cain . & are vtterly giuen to the errour of Balaam for lucres sake , and shal perish in the treason of Core . Iude .i ,

If Christ be in the middes , when .ii. or , iii. pryuate men be collected in his name , as he saith , he is , Mat. xviii . much more amonge the faithful counsel of so vertuouse & Christen a king , Councell . Who can than deny them to be the tabernacle of God ? specially whan they wyth all endeuer possyble , haue sought and yet daily seketh , clerly to bannysh out of thys christen realme , the manyfolde abhomynacyons of Antichrist , or idolatryes without nombre . Which he by his smoky locustes , Locustes , the monkes and shauen prestes , hathe craftely planted here , contynually from tyme to tyme , euer sens the dayes of that wycked Emproure Phocas . Phocas , Who can denye them ( I saye yet ones agayne ) to be that seyd tabernacle or chosen mansyon of God , eyther that congregacion amonge whome he dwelleth by promesse . Luke , x , et . Ioan. xiiii , Whan they so earnestly labour , to place here in England , the true relygyon agayne , and to set vp hys true worshippinges , as in the primatiue church of the faythfull Bryttayues , Brytans . fyrste planted by them ihat were hyther sente by Christes Apostles , Asia . and fashyoned after the perfight rules of the .vii. churches in Asia , the filthy corrupcions of those Romysh Idolatours , in the power of hys wurde taken from vs . If God doothe not dwell wyth them , that thus dayly seketh hys glory , wyth whome doth he dwell ? Than hath thys arrogaunt papyst wyth poluted mouthe , Blasphemy blasphemed the tabernacle of God , in reportyng them , nowe to make actes wythoute the kynges knowledge , concernyng relygyon , or els at thys day to buylde that hereafter they wyl breake . And thys that enemy hathe done to brynge them in hate of the commen people , as though not regardynge hys Maiestye , they now went about not to establysh them , but deceyue them in the same . A Beast , Suche is the mad frenesy of so brutysh a beast .

But vnworthy are suche reprobate vessels of so godly Magistrates . Of thys are we certayne & sure , The Councell . so many as haue Gods knowledge , roare those ragynge raylers what them lusteth to the contrarye , wyth lyes after theyr leude lykynges , that had it not bene in the feare of God & theyr kinges true obedyence agaynst the wycked Antichrist , they coulde neuer haue propounded so godly lawes . And hauyng God presently assistent vnto them , as all they haue which seketh hys only glory , Gods honour . they can not be so far to hys heauenly wyll contrariouse , as their vyle report is , in the quarel of that horrible monster . No , they are no suche wauerynge reedes , as for a Christen commen welthe , are thys yeare of one mynde , and the nexte yeare wyll be of an other . No truly , it standeth not so wyth the vnchaungeable wysdome of Christes sprete , Constaun● wherin they haue earnestly wrought , for tyme of the prosperouse raygne of our present Iosias . Theyr foundacion haue they set vpon so sure a rocke , euen vpon Gods wurd , that neither winde nor water , stormy tempest , nor wether , can ouerthrowe it , Math. vii , Strong . Neyther shall the great gates of hell , nor yet the stronge power of Sathan , euer preuayle agaynste it . Math , xvi , Neyther yet the deuyls vnholy vycar at Rome , wyth all hys curssynges & cuniurynges , calkynges and coblynges , brawlynges and bablinges , massinges and mutterynges , Images and Idolles , pardons and purgatory , with the deuil and all of hys other sorceryes , Sorceries , whych these graceles papistes contynually gapeth for yet ones agayne , as the hongry hownde for the carreine , & the ful fed sowe for her puddel . But as Baldad the Suhyte sayd vnto pacyent Iob. The hypocrites hope shall come to nought , Hys confydence shall be destroyed for he trusteth in a spyders webbe . Baldad . Iob. viii The sober abydynge of the ryghtouse ( saith Salomou ) shal turn him to much gladnes , but the hope of that vngodly shal perysh . pro , x.

The thirde or last part of that most wycked sentence , whych thys malygnaunt papyst with blasphemouse mouthe hath vttered , Blasphemi is thys , that when the kynge cometh to age , he will hang vp an hundred of such here tyke knaues , meanynge the true preachers of our tyme . As we le in reproche of men godly , obseruynge the Gospell , as in contempt of the true ministers of Gods wurd , Poyson . haue thys furyouse enemye & sonne of Beli aloute vometed that poyson , whyche hathe longe tyme lyen boylynge in hys papystycall stomack . Neyther hath he abashed in the heate of that frenesye and forgetfulnesse of reason , to abuse the christen modestie of our godly and innocent kynge , in iudgyng him acompanyon herafter , with the most cruel tyrauntes of the worlde , Antiochus , Herode , Caiphas , Nero , Tirauntes Domycyane , Traiane , & hys bloudthurstie father of Rome , whych in their wycked tymes , malycyously murthered vp the true witnesses of God And thus are they whych dwell in heauen , most spightfully of this brutish babler blasphemed , as is towched in the texte of . S. Iohan. A babler . Apoca. xiii . In manye places of the holy scripture , is the congregatyon of the faythfull called heauen , or the kyngedome of heauen , chefely in the prophecyes and the parables of Christe , for so muche as God is inuysybly the inhabytour , ouersear , Heauen . and gouernour therof , Math. xiii . et . xxv . Who then can denye the true preachers , whych are the dystributers of Gods mysteryes , to be dwellers in the same .

Saynt Paul is not all behind , in boasting him self to be one of them , which also was a preacher , Our conuersacion ( sayth he ) wher so euer we remain , A preacher is in heauen , from whens we loke for the sauyour . Phil. iii , If ye be rysen agayne with Christe , seke the thinges whych are aboue , wher he sytteth on the right hand of god , Set your affectyon on thynges that are in heauen , & not on tryfles whych are here on the earthe . Col , iii. These are they , which in the houshold of god , what he is are the profitable buylders the fyshers of men , the feaders of the flock , the salte of the earth , the light of the world , the clowdes full of moysture , the starres , lanternes , and candelstyckes , that stewardes , searchers , and releuers , the kepers of the vyneyearde , planters , tyllers , sowers , and repers of the Lordes haruest , Helpers . yea the helpers of Christe , & vpholders of his church . All these names & offyces do the holy ghost giue them , and a great sort more in the scriptures , reportynge them also wurthie of double honour , whan they labour in the wurde i. Timoth .v. In sprete and veryte teach thei our heauenly father to be wurshipped . Shadows . Ioh iiii . and not in the beggerlye shaddowes of mennes tradycyons . They haue the holye angels for their fellowe seruauntes and brethreue , for hauynge the noble testimonye of Iesu in their mouthes . Apoc. xix . These are no heretyke knaues than , neyther yet wurthie to be hanged , as thys Popysh scismatyck do both iudge them and wishe them , A Papyst . in the hastie sprete of his whote stomacked mother . So hath he them blasphemed that dwelle in heauen , whych is the congregacion of god .

If they were hanged for teachynge the truthe of God and impugnyng falfe relygyon , Hangynge they shulde haue the same rewarde for wele doynge that their maistre Iesus Christe had afore them , For he for that verytees sake , was most spyghtfully , shamefully , and contemptuously hanged vp betwyn , ii , theues , in the commen place of their executyons , as though he had bene a greate malefactour , so whote was the malyce of the holye clergie than against him , Diuerse of hys Apostles for maynteynyuge his doctryne , Apostles come to the same hygh promocyon of hangynge , specyally Peter , Andrew , Bartylmew , Philyp , and Simon , as the historyanes of them hath written , because they shulde seme no better then was Christ their maister . Amonge their disciples the nombre so excedeth of them that were hanged for the testimony of Iesu , that it wold axe to much tyme to rehearce them . Disciples . And this vyle kinde of hangynge , was no dishonoure to them . How shulde it now then become a dyshonour to these , in the same iust quarel ? As the cause made that contemptuouse death in them gloryouse , so shulde it also do now in these men , in the syght of the Lorde & his electes , Psal. Cxv , But thys syghte is not gyuen to suche reprobate vessels , Syght . as is thys furiouse papist , whose malice hath vtterli made him blynd . Sap. ii . Yea , so frantyckly and beastly blyude , that he shameth not to attrybute vnto our most godly and vertuouse kynge , that kynde of tyranny , whych is of al other the most wycked & blasphemouse . But far other is the gentyll nature of our religiouse Iosias ▪ Iosias , whych hath already ouerthrowne the hyll aulters , broken in peces the Idolles , destroyed the relygyouse buggery , restored the boke of the Lorde , set vp hys true wurshppyynges , and kept suche a passouer to that Lorde as neuer was afore , iiii . Reg. xxiii , et ii . Apoynted . Paral , xxxiiii . Of God is he appoynted to turne the people agayne , & to take away al the abhominacions of the vngodly . Ec. xlix .

Breuely to conclude the matter . These iii. blasphemyes , whych thys malycyouse papyst in one wycked sentence here vttered are those .iii. iii. Spretes vnclene spretes , the like frogges came out of the monthe of the false Prophet , Apoca , xvi . And they are not all vnlyke to the wylde fyre , smoke , & brymstone , whych the terryble horses , or fat pampered vp locustes of Antichrist e●●me●ed , Apo. ix , for fearce , Locustes . noyfull , and stynkynge are they , yea furyouse , erronyouse , and full of infamye , accordynge to the sygnifycatyons of wylde fyre , smoke , and brymstone . Not only hath it spronge of the doctryne of deuyls , so blasphemously to abuse the maiestie and power of a kinge , Abuse , the estate of his honourable counsell , and the godly offyce of hys preachers , in iudgynge them chyldyshe , inconstaunte , and heretycall , but also it hath rysen of errour in the hipocresie of that Romysh Bishop Whan the iust man Simeon both beheld & wurshypped the maiestie of Gods sonne in the little babe Iesu , Simeon . he called not him a poore chylde , but the sauer of the worlde , the syght of the gentyles , & the glory of Israel , Luc , ii , A faythfull true subiect wyll reuerently respect in a kyng , not what he is of nature , A kyng . but rather what he is of gods election and ordinaunce . Rom , xiii , Neyther is he for his tendre youthe to be contempned , hauynge gods knowledge , as he hath in wondrefull habundaunce . Christ Iesus gaue thankes to his heauenly father , bicause he had hydden godly wysdome from the wyse and prudent , & geuen it vnto babes . Wysdome Math. xi . whan Prophecye ( saythe Salomon ) is in the lyppes of a kynge , hys mouthe shall not go wronge in iudgemente . Prouer. xvi .

¶ He is proued a Papist .

THat it may apere to the reader , that thys maliciouse fellowe is not here called a papyst wythoute iust cause , I wyl declare what a Papyst is , and by what frutes he is chefelye knowne . A Papyst . A Papyst is he that in lyfe and doctryne maynteyneth the Romyshe Popes dyuelish tradycyons , contempnynge the pure testamente and Gospell of Iesus Christe . As we saye in the vnyuersyte , that he is a Platonyst , Ciceronyst , Scotyst , or Thomyst , that defendeth the doctryne of Plato , Doctrine . Cicero , Scotus , or Thomas against them that holdeth not the same . Thys frantyck fellowe is of the same kynde of doyng Ergo he is a wycked and an obstynate papyst . Wycked , for so muche as he dishonoureth god , and obstynate , because he dysobeyeth hys kynge . Frutes . The Minor , whych is the seconde part of thys argument , is proued true by hys cursed frutes . For a false Prophete , or popysh hypocryte whether ye wyl is alwayes knowne by hys wycked frutes Christe sayth . Math , vii , et Luce. vi . In , ii . specyall poyntes shall ye knowe a ranke papyst , whych he hath firste of hys father the great Antichrist of Rome , and than of hys mother hys malignaunt synagoge . For the naturall chylde foloweth father & mother . And these are they breuely , as afore is touched , ii . Pointes He blasphemeth God , and contempneth the christen magistrates . Of thys are euydent examples , in the Chronicles of our christen nacyons , yea , innumerable , specyally of thys realme of Englande .

Daniel ones prophecyed of that vnshāfast faced vsurper , The Pope that he arrogantly shuld stande vp agaynst the Prynce of Prynces , ( whych is God in his Christe ) and yet in the ende shulde be destroyed wythoute hande , Dan , viii , Saint Paule calleth hym Gods great aduersary , the wycked one , the man of synne , and the sonne of perdycyon , reportynge of hym , that he shulde exalte hys fylthie seate here in earthe aboue god , and hys dongyshe decrees aboue Gods set ordynaunce , to the vtter dampnacyon of thousandes , for not beleuynge the truth , ii . Thes ii . Saynt Iohan in hys reuelatyon , Thess. ii . calleth the churche of that aduersarye , great Babylon the mother of all whoredome and abhomynacyons done vpon the earthe , yea such a fylthie whore , as hath both subdued to her obedyence the kynges of the earthe , and also made them dronke with the wyne of her fornycacyon , Apo , xvii . Apo , xvii . If yefynde in thys frantyck fellowe , these naturall condicyons , naturally planted , what els can ye iudge him but a naturall chylde of that father and mother , and so an obstynate papyst ? The propyrtie whych he hath of that vnhappye father and mother , is to blaspheme God , and in that he hath shewed hymselfe plenteouse First by a chaplayne whych popyshly mynystred in hys hyred benefyce . Thre knaueryes . Secondly by conueyaunce of certen ymages in hope of a change ; And thirdlye in iudgyng it a fowle heresye to write any thynge in reproche of the Byshopp of Rome .

Concernynge the first , Vpon the , xx , day of September last past , I was ( as he wele knoweth ) at seruyce there , A Prieste . to beholde the workemanly conueyaunce of hym and that popysh chaplayn of his , and to know what wholsome frutes I shulde fynde after that tyme , of their .ii. plantinges . Such an other ape of Antichriste as that prest was , neuer sawe . I afore in my lyfe , for he coulde not reade a Psalme , neyther yet speake Englyshe , beynge an allyen , an Armoricall or frenche Britayne . Conuaiaunce And to excuse hys most beastly ignoraunce , his own self was compel led , I being ther present , to slauer out the .ii. lessons of the Byble , with no small stutting & stāberyng , turnyng his arse to the people after the old popysh maner , to helpe forward the kynges most godly procedynges . More apysh toyes & gawdysh feates , Feates . could neuer a dysarde in England haue plaied ( I think ) than that apysh prest shewed there at the communyon . He turned and tossed , lurked and lowted , snored and smirted , gaped and gasped , kneled and knocked , loked and lycked , with both his thombes at hys eares & other tryckes more , that he made me , xx , tymes to remembre wylle Somer , Wyl Sommer . Yet of them both , that prest semed that more foole a great deale And to amende the matter , he had than a new shauen crowne , which I rebuked him for , By thys I proue hys maistre , iii , vertues a mocker of God , a deceyuer of the people , and a contempner of the kynges iust procedynges .

Concernyng the second , which is the craftie conueyaunce of certen ymages in hope of a change . Images . In that poynt hath he also notable folowed both father and mother , to be proued a naturall papyst . For God hath he blasphemed in sekynge to vphold ydolatry , and the kynge hath he contempned in so derydyng hys most godly ordynaunce . The kynge hath commaunded , and that by acte of hys parlement , that all yma es shulde , An Acte not only be remoued out of the churches of Englande and Irelande , but also that they shulde be defaced , mangled , and vtterly be destroyed for theyr abhomynacyons . How is thys wurthie commauudement obeyed , whan they are so subtylly conuayed , and so craftely retayned aloft in the belfreye or steple , and neyther deformed nor yet altered ? Parauenture he wyll saye , that he was neuer of counsell in that propre poynt of conueyaunce . Suttle foxe Wherin he doth lye most falsely For who is more of counsell in a noughtie matter , than he that knoweth it , and yet wynketh at the doynge therof ? The abolyshyng of ydolles , is a churche matter , and chefely perteyneth to religyon . If it had touched either offeringes or tithes , I doubt it not , but he woulde haue stande fourth for the chefe head of the parryshe , and no man so hardie to haue medled afore him therin . Chefehead Why was he not then of counsell in thys reckenynge . He remayned as maistre and heade of that churche , by the space of more than , ii . yeares after . Wolde not hys syght serue hym to se so fowle a blot , in so long tyme space ? Well sir , whan thys matter came ones to a tryall afore the iustyces at wynchestre sessyons , a man that had bene dead more than , ii , yeares afore , was able to discharge him of that horrible contempt of Gods wurd , Conueiaunce and hys kinges procedinges . So workemanly doth one hounde of that race lycke an other in this age .

Concerninge the thirde , that it is a great heresie , Heresy . to write ought in reporche of the Bishopp of Rome , In the weke afore Christmas last past , as he chaunced to be in the house of the forseyd gentylmau af hys owne affynyte , where he myght alwayes be bolde to do hys lewde feates , hys accustomed frenesie came sodenly vpon him . In that heat wherof , he most shamefully reuyled a seruaunt of that house calling hym heretyke and knaue , because he had begonne to studie a parte in suche a Comedie , A Comedy as myghtely rebuked the abhomynacyons and fowle fylthie occupienges of the Bishopp of Rome , Moreouer he requyred hym , in hys own stought name to do a lewde massage , whych was to call the compiler of that Comedie , both heretike and knaue , concludynge that it was a boke of most perniciouse heresie , That boke was imprynted about .vi. yeares a go , and hath bene abroad euer sens , Abroade . to be both seane and iudged of men , what it contayneth . And thys is the name therof . A Comedie concerning . iii. lawes , of nature , Moyses , & Christ . etc , Therin is it largely declared , how that faythe lesse Antichrist of Rome with his clergye , hath bene a blemysher , darkener , confounder , and poysener , Lawes . of all wholsom lawes . And that wyth ydolatricall Sodometrie he hath defyled nature , by ambytyouse Auarice he hath made Gods commaundements of non effecte , and with hypocrytycall doctryne peruerted Christes moste holye Gospell . Thys is wele knowne to al men . How commeth than an heresye , thus to report or wryte ? By lyke this fonde fellaw , hath learned of Lanfrancus and fryre Walden , Lanlfrancus . Walden , that he is only an heretyke , whych in doctryne dyssenteth from the synagoge of Rome , Guido , Or els of fryre Guido in hys boke De heresibus , that he is a most perniciouse heretyke , whych sayth , that the Romysh pope is not heade of the christen churche , neyther maye make lawes for the christyanyte , But he neuer yet marked the wurdes of Athanasius , athanasius that they are the most wycked sorte of heretykes , whyche persecuteth Christes true seruauntes .

Other argumentes are there els , to proue thys wycked fellawe , a natural child of that father & mother , & so a most spyghtfull Papyst . In the tyme that stought Steuen Gardyner was Byshopp of Wynchestre , Steuen . Gardiner . and made hauocke of Christes poore stocke , no man was so madde as thys madde fellawe , to searche and to seke , to accuse , to reuyle to shame , and to brynge menne in daunger of deathe , for their Christen beleues sake . A Sawle . No where was anye sessyons wythin Hamshire , but he was alwayes there agaynst them , conducted by that prestes , pratynge and scoldynge , stuttinge and stam berynge , with frothe yssuynge out on both sydes of hys mouthe for anger . The supersticyouse Nonnes of Wynchestre , Nonnes . dysobeyenge both the Byshopp and hys chaunceller concernynge their apparell , and vtterly contempning the preachinges that are now had their daily resortes to him , and became as flickering culuers about hys house . The preachers of Gods wurde there , were nothynge els wyth hym , as he fat on the ale benches , but heretykes & knaues , vagaboundes , traiters , apostataes , & runnegates , A bloud . with bloud and soule , that he wold laye hys dagger on their faces . No man knoweth this to be more true then I do , vpon whome he not only bestowed these vncomelye names , and that a great sort of tymes , but also in that open streate at Wynchestre , comming sodenly out of an house of purpose vpon me , A Ruffyan he sette hys one hande vpon my Bearde and bosome , and hys other hande sometyme on hys Dagger and sometyme bent it ouer my heade , as thoughe he wolde haue buffetted me on the face , wyth suche madde exclamacions as I neuer hearde of man of Bedlem , besydes the vnreasonable spoyle that he had made afore that of my house , A spoyle , Yet neuer in my life ded I offende hym , to my knowledge , neyther in my dede nor my wurde .

Not thus yet satled in all thys ragynge furye , A beast . he procured the clarke of my parrish of bishops Stoke a man that knoweth not his A. B. C. & .ii. more as vnlearned and popish as he was , to indyghte me at Wynchestre sessions , for not hallowing the funte at the baptyme of a Childe , wyth candel lyghte , salt , oyle , creame , and waxe droppinges , as in the popysh tyme , notwythstandyng the kynges inhybycion concernynge all suche papystycall beggeryes . He caused them to report there , to the rediculouse Rydiculus wonderment of all men learned , that I should haue sayd than , that the wurd of God was hallowed ynough alredy , But that Gods wurd at any tyme should be prophane and nede hallowyng , or els that it hath bene hallowed , it is their blasphemouse and beastly opynion , and not myne . Foolysh , I thynke a more folysh & vnlearned a sentence , was neuer vttered of any man . Se how depely the Lord hath permytted these papystes to spew fourth their owne rydyculouse shame . Yet was it not so doltish and brutish , but it toke place there , and was wele allowed . They that could do nothynge in matters of truthe for the kyng at the sessyons afore , Sessions . coulde in the popes secrete quarell at that sessions , for falshehode fynde me wurthy an indightment , & wurkmanly made it out . And it wanted no circumstaunce that myght be deuysed to aggrauat the matter . For there was I called an obstynate persone , a sedycyouse fellowe , a trobler of thys whole realme , a prophaner of of the sacramentes , Slaunders a deprauer of the kynges boke , a slaunderer of hys procedinges , an abhominable example gyuer , & a contempner of the kynge and hys crowne . Al the papystes of England , had neuer at that bench so muche layed agaynst them , And all for pretermyttynge that one poynte of olde papistrie If thys conueyaunce Conuaiaunce be not sumwhat wurth I report me . Well , he hath made his boast , that for doynge of suche feates , he can lacke no lyuyng . Twentie prestes within Hāshire , ( he saithe ) wyll rather giue me vp their personages and profyghtes , vpon a small pensyon , than I shulde be without a dwellinge house . And he that shall seke hym at thys day shall fynde him tabernacled in one of their personages , Found out what though he hath protested by othe , that he wyll be no longer a papyst .

Thus haue I set out thys frantyck papyst A Papyst . in hys owne lyuely colours , agreynge to hys most maliciouse frutes , to make him knowne to others , and to cause hys other companyons to be a shamed of hys lewde lunitick waies . If he be not a papist , which with poluted mouth , in defence of papistrie blasphemeth the kynges Maiestie , his honourable counsell , & the preachers of gods wurd , signified by Gods name , Gods tabernacle , and then that dwell in heauen , who is a wicked papist ? If he be not a false prophet , that euometeth such .iii. filthy frogges at ones , as this busy babler hath done here in one blasphemouse sentence , who is a false prophet ? If he be not a malignaunt membre of Antichrist , that so malicyously and madlye defendeth hys noughtye quarell , wyth pratlynges and scoldynges , stuttynges and stamberynges , Antichrist . supportynge supersticiouse Noonnes and other Idolaters in theyr open Idolatries , conteptuouslye reuylynge the preachers wyth dagger in hande or fyst on theyr faces , besides indightmentes , I wold fayne knowe who were a member of Antichist ? Thau shall it be no slaundre to thys frantyck fellow , to be called a papyst , a false prophete , and a malycyouse lymme of Antichrist , iii. Persons but a most manifest truth , consideryng he hath played al those franticke partes at tymes so stoutlye . None other is the tree that bryngeth sowre crabbes , than a crabbe tree , neyther yet the yll manne that wurketh wyckednesse , but a wycked fellawe . The eternall God chaunge the hatefull hartes of suche papystycall enemyes , God graunt as thys is one , and send them more gentyll myndes in obeying hys heauenlye truthe , that they may at the latter becom of so headye and malycyouse Saules , moste gentyll and pacient Paules , to the glorye of his most holye name , Amen .

☞ Thus endeth the Expostulacion or complaynt against the blasphemyes of a franticke papist of Hāshyre , Compiled by Iohan Bale Finis .