VISIS trium S. Theologiae Doctorum Anglorum testimonijs , quibus testantur hunc librum cui titulus : A Suruey of the new religion , à Rdo. D. Matthaeo Kellisono S. Theologiae Doctore & Professore conscriptum , nihil continere , quod fidei , aut bonis moribus aduersetur : sed plurima , quae ad fidem Catholicam stabiliendam , & Sectariorum errores profligandos faciunt ; dignum censui , quem & ego calculo meo approbarem .

YOV will meruaile peraduenture ( most dread Soueraigne ) howe a Preeste , whose very name hath now of longe tyme , been odious in your Realme of England , dareth bee soe bolde , as to appeare in the presence of so Mightie a Prince , sitting in a throne of Maiestie and terrour , crowned with a Diademe of greater glorie then hetherto hath stoode vppon the Kinge of England his head , & holding in his victorious hande a newe Scepter , by which he commaundeth all the Bretaigne Ilandes , & like a Neptune , is Lorde of the Ocean sea , which honour was reserued for your sacred Maiestie , the first King Iames of England , the only King Iames of England , and the only King of Scotland , and England . And it will seeme straunge vnto your Highnes , to see one of my coate & condition , amid the congratulations of all the Princes of Europe , saluting you with so longe a Proeme ; and euen then when their honourable Legates , haue so great and so importaunte affaires , to communicate vnto your Maiestie from their Lordes and Maisters , to intrude into your Chamber of Presence , so rude a Messenger , and euil-spoken Legate of myne , who speaketh only by signes of written wordes , and demaundeth audience in his maisters name , who is fayne to send bicause he dares not come : not that he doubteth of your Graces Clemencie , or his own Innocencie , but bicause such as he is , hauing been for so longe a tyme , forbidden all accesse both to their Prince and countrie , he dareth not approche so neare vnto your Gracious prefence , though he bee assured , that you are as milde a Prince , as mightie , and nowe as mightie , as any Prince of Europe . Yea , I may bee thought peraduenture , to wante both Face & forhead , who nether blush , nor ame abashed , to present so great a Prince with so litle a present , as is a booke of Paper ill printed , bicause in a straunge Countrie , and as ill indighted , bicause by one who hath liued longer out of his countrie then in it ; and euen at that tyme also , when all the Princes of the Christiane worlde , present your Highnes , with the rarest and ritchest guiftes , which sea and lande can afforde . But if it shall please your Highnes , to giue eare to your lowest subiecte , he will not doubte but to cleare him selfe of all these three inciuilities , which maybe supposed to haue been by him committed , and he will counte it noe small honour , to be permitted to speake for him selfe , before so Potente a Prince , and dares auouch it to be no dishonour for your Highnes to stoupe to so lowe a subiecte , bicause Princes , who by ascending can mounte no higher , as being in temporall Iurisdiction next vnto God , by condescending to their subiectes , do arise in greatnes , bicause therin only , they are greater then them selues , in ouercoming them selues . And from the first the Emperour Adrian will excuse me , who commended vnto Minutius his Proconsul of Asia , as a thing of importaunce , ne nomen condemnaretur sed crimen : that the name should not be condemned , but the crime . For , Tert. Apol● . c. ● . saythe Tertulian against them that hated Christians , in whom they could finde no other thing to hate , but the name , christian , which they should haue loued : S● nominis odium est , quis nominis reatus ? quae accusatio vocabulorum ? nisi aut barbarum quid sonet , aut infaustum , aut maledicum , aut impudicum . If the name he hated , what is the guilte of the name ? what accusation is ther of wordes ? vnlesse they sound of barbarisme , or vnluckines , or malediction , or vnchastnes . And therfore if Preest-hood be no offence , the name Preest , is deuoid of harme , and if Preesthood be noe treason , a Preest in that he is a Preest , can be no traitour : Vnlesse we will accounte Christe and his Apostles traytours , who were Preestes , and the first Preestes of the new lawe , & esteem after the same manner , of all the ancient Preestes both of England , and other countres , whome Kinges and Emperours haue honoured as their worthy , and haue loued as their moste faith-full subiectes ; who were so farre from being enemies to the crowne , that from their handes all Christian Kinges almoste , haue hetherto receiued their consecration , crownes , and Scepters . As for the second supposed , or rather presumed inciuilitie , that is so farre from deterring mee at this tyme , that I thinke now to be the very tyme , when the Legates of the Kinges of earthe , in their Lordes & Masters name , wish you a longe and a Prosperous Raigne , to salute you from the Great Monarche of heauen , whose Legate I ame , in that I ame a Preest , though a miserable sinner , in that I ame a Manne , and your Maiesties lowest subiecte , in that I ame an English-man . Nether can I thinke , that the Legate of the great king of heauen , whose Legacie you shall vnderstand a none ( your Highnes will pardon such Highe speeches , bicause it is the manner of Legates to vse them , for their Masters honour ) shal be denied audience of your so gracious Maiestie , when the Ambassadours of the Kinges of earth , who are but his Viceroyes , Lieutenauntes , and Tenauntes at will , are harde withe so fauourable a countenaunce , and such attentiue eares . And if I were neuer so base , yet is nowe the tyme of Coronation , when it is lawfull for your basest subiecte , to congratulate your new and highe dignitie , and when the poorest man in the Realme hath as good leaue to crie Viue le Roy , God saue King Iames , as any noble manne or Pere of your Realme . Nether is the thirde obstacle any obstacle at all : bicause although my present be small and your personage great , yet to accept of a subiectes litle present , is not to diminish , but to a grandize your Greatnes ; bicause in that , you are greater then your selfe , and likest the Greatest , who tooke in as good parte the widowes mite , as the ritchest Offringe . But yet I would not haue your Maiestie to esteeme of this my booke , only as of a bare bundel of papers ; bicause I present you withall , that humble harte , and sincere affection , which a subiecte can beare , or owe vnto his Soueraigne , and with my affection , I offer my selfe as your Maiesties most lowly & faithfull seruaunte ; which is a guifte so great , be the giuer neuer so vile , that the great King of heauen requireth , yea desireth no more at our handes , but esteemeth that we giue all , when wee giue our selues , and that wee giue noe litle , when wee giue our All , bee it neuer so litle . Nether is my present it selfe to bee misprised , nether can it of such a Prince , bicause the booke is not my present , it is but the boxe , the present is that which it conteineth . And if your Maiestie demaund of me what that is ? I answere ; not gold , nor Iuorie of India , not ritch , and orient pearle , for with such treasures your England , like an India aboundeth ; but it is that which is more worth , and which your India only wanteth ; and what is that ? It is religion ? the worship of God , the Saluation of your soule , the safetie of your Subiectes , the health of the body of the Realme of which you are the Heade , the strength of your Kingdome , the peace of your people , and the ritchest pearle of your crowne . This is the subiect of my discourse , these are the contentes of my booke , and this is my guifte and present , which amongest so many guiftes , which by so many and so mightie Princes are presented vnto your Highnes , I offer with all humilitie , hoping , yea persuading my selfe , that such a guifte as Religion , can not but be gratefull vnto that Prince , who is the Defendour of the faith , & Protectour of Religion . And bicause this vnhappie age hath been more frutefull then profitable , in deuising of religions , in so much that , as all is not golde that glisters , so now all is not religion , which is called soe ; least I may be thought to offer Counterfet for currante , and heresie for true religion , it is the Catholike Religion ( most noble Prince ) which I present , and which my booke conteyneth , and by many argumentes as occasion serueth , not only proueth , but also conuinceth to be the only sincere , and true Christian religion ; and vnmasking the new religion by a seuere , yet syncere Examination , declareth it to be nothing else but errour , and heresie , though vnder the painted face of a Reformed Religion , it hath deceiued some parte of the world , and especially your litle world , England ; which the Poete chose rather to calle a worlde by it selfe , separated from the greater world , then , a parte or parcel of it ; bicause like a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and litle world , it conteineth compendiously , and in a lesser roome ( which also is a grace ) all commodities and perfections , which in the greater are dispersed . But bicause I ame more in examining and refuting the new religion , then in confirming the olde ( bicause the good corne groweth easilie , when the weedes are extirpated ) I entitle it a suruey of the new religion . And if your Maiestie demaund of me , why I dedicate such a booke vnto you ? I can not wante an answeare , bicause I can not wante a reason . Flauius Vegetius will tell your Highnes , that it hathe beene euer the custome , to dedicate bookes to Kinges and Emperours ( as he him selfe did to Valentinian th' Elder ) bicause ( sayeth he ) nether is any thing wel begonne , vnless after God the King fauour it , nether doe any thinges , beseem Kinges better , then bookes , who as they gouern all , so if it were possible , should knowe all . For as in the head which guideth the wholle bodie , are all the sences , so a Prince , the head of the people , should be indewed with all sciences ; and as the Sonne , bicause it illuminateth the planets which vnder it rule , and guide the inferiour world , is replenished with more light then they , so the King who is the Sonne of his own world and Kingdome , from whom not only the people , but inferiour Princes also , are to receue their light and direction , should be illuminated with a greater light , and knowledge , then any of his subiectes : and therfore Cirus was wonte to say , that he is not worthy an Empire , who is not better , and wiser then the rest ; which also in effecte King Salomon surnamed wise , affirmed , when he gaue that holsome counsayle to his fellow-Kinges : Sap. 6. Si delectamini sedibus , & sceptris ( ô Reges populi ) diligite sapientiam , vt in aeternum regnetis : If you be delighted in thrones and scepters ( ô Kinges ) loue you wisdome , that you may raigne for euer : and to signifie this by an Embleme , God him selfe gaue his people for their first King , no other then Saule , who was higher then the rest of the people , by the head and shoulders . And seing that your Maiestie is not only a Kinge , but a learned King also , as by many monumentes of your rare witte , and learning , which the learnedst admire , doth plainly appeare ; to whom ought I of dutie to consecrate this my worke , but to such a King , who for his authoritie , can protecte it , and for his wisdome , can Iudge of it . Yea the verie subiect of my booke which is religion , seemed to require of right no other Patrone , then your most Excellent Maiestie , who by office , and Title , are the protectour of Religion , the champion of the Church , and Defendour of the Fayth . This common congratulation also , not only of your owne litle world , but also of all the Christiane worlde , this vniuersall ioy , these triumphes , these bonefyers , which the french-man calleth feux de ioye haue moued and stirred mee vp , to shew some signe also of my affection and ioye , wherwith my harte is so full , that my toungue can not be silent . All reioise ( most Gracious Prince ) at your Coronation , as though it concerned all , and the hope , which is generally conceiued of your Graces Bountie , hath not only passed your seas , but the Alpes also . The worlde admires the sweet prouidence of the Almightie towardes your Maiestie , whoe euen from your infancie hath protected you from many imminent dangers , as thoughe he had reserued you ( as no doubte hee did ) for the crowne of England . The world expected ether ciuil warres , or foraine inuasions , after the deathe of her Maiestie of late memorie , bicause the Heire apparaunt was not named , and though all men had their eyes , and expectations , and desires also , fixed on your Highnes person , yet they feared that which they desired , and hoped not without feare ; and yet conscience directing your Nobles , and God gouerning their conscience , without any bloud shed , without contradiction , yea with great applause of all , your Highnes is placed peaceably in your Regall throne ; and which is rare , England was so inamoured with your Princely vertues , and so moued by your vndoubted Title , that shee sent for you , as for her louing spouse , and hath betrothed her selfe so faste vnto you , that the death of your person , can not dissolue this Mariadge ; bicause her mariadge with your person , is the spousage with your noble posteritie . These great fauours and benedictions of th' Almightie towardes your Maiestie , make the world to thinke , that God hath culled you out for some good purpose , and that your Highnes to shew your selfe gratefull vnto him , will imploy your selfe in some honourable seruice for that Church and fayth , of which you are called the Defendour : in so much that if the general voice grounded only on the great expectation , which commonly is conceiued of you , were as true as common , I should not need at this tyme to be the Suppliaunte for the freedom , and libertie of your distressed Catholiques . And althoughe your Catholique subiectes at home , haue not yet obteined so great a benefit , yet so ritch hopes , and so firme confidence , do they repose in your Graces Bountie , that from the first day of your raigne , they hoped , that your Maiestie will proue another Moyses , who shall deliuer your Realmes and Kingdomes , from a worse then Egiptian captiuitie , I meane heresie , which makes the vnderstanding a slaue to errour , vnder a show of veritie ; yea that you will be vnto them another losue , who shall bring them to their lande of promise , the Catholique Churche , which is the lande of all Gods promises ; and that after a longe famine more then Iewishe , or Saguntine , not of body but of soule , you shal be another Ioseph , who shall store vs by your wisdome and authoritie , with the spiritual prouision of the true worde of God , true fayth , and sacramentes , by which the soule is nourished ; Yea that you will bee another Constantine to appease the boysterous storme of a longe persequution , and to repaire the ruines of the Catholique faith and Church of your Realmes , of England , Scotland and Ireland . And I also armed with the same hope , and bidden by your Bountie , and constrained by necessitie , to be bolde : in the name of all your Catholike subiectes of whome I ame the leaste ; in the name of the Catholike Church , of which I ame a member and you a Defendour , in the name of all Catholike Princes , yea of al the Christian world , which hath conceiued such an expectarion of your Gracious Goodnes ; in the name of the Great King of heauen and earth , by whom you raigne , and by whom you were preserued and reserued for this Croune & scepter ; that it would please your Maiestie , to caste a Gracious regard vppon the great affliction of your loyall , naturall , and moste anciente subiectes , the Catholikes of your Realme , and to bende your most compationate eares , to their humble & suppliaunte petition , who desire nether landes , nor liuinges , nor offices , nor pardon for offences , but libertie for their conscience , whose restrainte they counte more greeuous , then imprisonment , yea death of their bodyes , and not to contristate them with a heauie repulse , at this tyme especially , when euen theeues and murderers , are pardoned so Graciously . Our zeale towards Christe , & his Churche , the loue of our Religion , the desire of the saluation of your Maiesties Person of your louing Spouse , our moste Gracious Queene , of your Royal Children our Noble Lordes , of your Kingdome also our deare Countrie , moueth vs to desire your Highnes , to restore whollie tha● Religion , which your Glorious predecessours maintened with Crowne , Scepter , & Sworde , as for the defence the● of , they were all sworne at their sacre● Coronation . But if it shall not stand● with your Graces pleasure , to graunte v● so much , wee moste humblie desire o● our knees , libertie only of our conscience , and Religion , which the nature o● bothe requireth , Nether ( as wee hope ) will your Maiestie condemne vs of to great presumption , for demaunding that , which hath been so longe denyed vs , bicause there is no Prescription against conscience , when conscience is enforced and your princely Prudence wel perceiueth , that necessitie on our parte is importune , Bountie on your parte imbold●neth , and the Religion on your most Noble Progenitours parte , for which we plead , promiseth a Gracious graunte For if it much skilleth , fro● what tre● the graffe or frute is taken , why shall it not much importe , to come of a Catholique Race ? True it must be , which the Poet sayeth : Fortes creantur fortibus , & bonis ; Hor Flac. Est in ●●uencis , est in equis , Patrum Virtus , nec imbecillem feroces Progenerant Aquilae columbam . I graunt that Religion is supernatural , and is not transfused with flesh and bloud , but infused by God , with consent of our will , and operation of Grace ; but yet children are naturally bent , to like of that in which their parentes haue excelled . And truly , for zeale towards the Catholike Religion , almost all the noble Kinges of Scotland , which were your Highnes progenitours , are most famous ; as the Valiaunt and noble Malcolmus , and the blessed saincte Marguerite his spouse , Histoire abbregée par Dauid ●hambre . King Dauid who builded 15. Abbeyes , & erected 4. Bishop-rickes , Iames the fourth your Great Grandfather , surnamed protectour of the faith , Iames the fifte your Graundfather , a moste iust King , and liberall to the poore ; to omit diuers others not only of Scotland , but also of England , yea and Fraunce also , and namelie that warlike and moste Catholike Howse of Guise , to which you are allyed ; but of all , your Glorious Mother is moste renowmed ; who , as for her goodly personage , she deserued to b● Spouse to a King of Fraunce , and for he● Princely qualities and Roiall bloud , wa● worthy a double crown in Earth ; so fo● her Zeale in religion , and more then manly Fortitude shewed for the defence o● the same at her death , She deserued the third Crown in Heauen , called Aureola Martyrum . Is it possible then , tha● your moste Excellent Maiestie , beholding such rare vertue in your Mother should not desire it in your selfe ? Or tha● you should not loue to liue in that Religion , for which she loued to dye ? I haue hard of some that were belonging to her , and entertained by her , when she was rather detained , then entertained in England , that she spent many howen in prayer , shed many teares of sorowe gaue great almes of charitie , and vsed diuers meanes of prouidence , that your Maiestie might bee made a Catholike , and amongest other She deuised the meanes that you should be baptized , Nicol Burne in his preface to king Iames the sixt . and confirmed by a Catholike bishop . That ranne still in her mynde , that was deepest i● her harre , and oftenest in her mouthe , fo● that she fetched many a sighe , and sighe● out many a wishe : and as liuing for thi● she shed many teares , so dying , no doubte , she offered no litle parte of her innocent bloud ; which as it cryeth vengeaunce before God against her enemies , so like a pleasing sacrifice ( as we hope ) it cryeth for conuersion of your Maiestie , and your Kingdomes , to that religion , for which it was shedde . So that , as sainct Ambrose sayed once to sainct Monica , who was allwayes praying , weeping , and wishing for saint Austines her sonnes conuersion , who then was a Manichee ; Filius tantarum lachrimarum perire non potest , I may say of your Highnes ; to wit , that the sonne of suche a Mother , and Prince of such a Princess , and Inheritour of suche vertues , such examples , such teares , such vvishes , can neuer perish , that is can not but bee a Catholique . This her zeale towardes religion , these her desires & wishes , these her prayers , and teares , and aboue all , her Glorious Martyrdome ; will euer bee before your Graces eyes , to moue your harte , if not to admitte wholy the Catholike religion , at least to permitte it , at least not to persequute it , which she loued her selfe so well , and wished to your Highnes , so hartilie . And truly ( moste Gracious Liege ) such is our repose in your goodnes , that if ther were noe other motiues , then your Glorious mothers example , your Catholike subiectes miserie , and your owne innate clemencie , we would not at all despaire , of a graunt , of our petition ; but seing that , the thing we request , concerneth not only our good , but your graces honour also , and the true felicitie of your Kingdome , wee hope confidently , not to suffer a repulse in that , in which your Highnes also hath a parte , and for which not only wee , are humble suppliauntes , but your selfe also , to your selfe , and for your selfe , are an Intercessour . And first , he graunt of our petition , shal be most honourable for your moste Excellent Maiestie . King Lucius was the first king Christian of our Countrie , and the first king , that laboured in the conuersion of it , with Pope Eleutherius , by whose Counsail , and preachers which he sent , he extirpated idolatrie , and planted Christian Religion : and for this glorious facte , his name and fame , is , and euer shal be , moste renowmed , both in heauen and earth . King Ethelbert was the second king , who by the meanes of Pope Gregorie ( by Popes alwayes countries haue been conuerted ) and twelue Monkes of sainct Benedictes Order , the second tyme restored this Countrie again , vnto the same Christiane , and Catholike Religion , the which by the inuasion of the Saxons , was againe become Idolatricall , and Pagane ; and he is noe lesse glorious , before God and men , for so honourable an enterprise . But if your Highnes shal be the third King , who shalle againe reduce this countries to the same ancient Religion , you shal be as much more glorious , and your name as much more renowmed , Th 2.2.4.10.4.6 . as heresie is worse then Paganisme , and more hardly extinguished . William the Conquerour , from whome your Maiestie is worthilie descended , is reckened amongest the Worthies of the worlde , and written in the liste , and catalogue of the moste Warlike Kinges , for that famouse conquest which he made of your litle worlde . But if your Highnes shall get the conqueste of heresie , your honour shal be as farre more greater then his , as the conquest of mens soules and myndes , is more glorious , then subdewing of bodyes . In such a Conquest , the warre is Christes , the victorie is his and yours , the crowne yours only , not in earth only , but in heauen also . You haue the occasion offered ( ô mightie Prince ) by which you may make your name and fame immortall , let not such an opportunitie passe ; if you can atchieue so glorious a Conquest , as you can if you will ( bicause the body of your Realme will follow the will of their head ) you shall be more Glorious then all the Kinges of England before you . If it please your Maiestie , to set before your eyes , those Glorious Champions of the Churche , Constantine , Theodosius , Pepine , Charles , all surnamed Great , more glorious for their victories ouer heresie and idolatrie , then for conquestes of Countries , more renowmed for propagating the ancient Catholique Religion ( for it was not Lutheranisme nor Caluinisme which they promoted ) then for enlarging their dominions ; you will easilie perce●e , that it is muche greater honour , for your Highnes to consorte with them , rather then with Constantius , and Valens , those Ariane Emperours , enemies to that Church , which they defended , & enriched , and Leo Isauricus , & Constantinus Copronymus , those infamous Image breakers . And if you please to call to mynde the Catalogue of the noble Kinges of England , Lucius , Ethelbert , Egbert , oswald , oswine , Alfred , and many others before the Conquest , with William the Conquerour , and so many Henries , Edwardes , and Richardes , after the Conquest , all your Noble predecessours ; so mightie in force , so ritch in treasure , so noble of byrth , so fortunate in warres , so couragious in fyght , so glorious in victories , so wise in Gouernment , so iuste in punishing , so mercitall in pardoning , so vpright in life , so zealous in Religion ; who builte so many goodly Monasteries , erected so stately Churches , founded so learned Colleges , enacted so holsome lawes and wise statutes , and got so many , and so straunge victories in Fraunce , and other Countries , euen vnto Palestine ; your Princelie wisdome will easilie see , that greater wilbee your honour to ioyney our selfe to these worthies , then to stande so nakedly accompanyed , with three only of your Predecessours , who haue protected the new Religion , and ruined what they haue builded ; wherof the first was not wholly for the new Religion , bicause by Parlament he enacted six Catholike Articles , and at his death founded a Masse for his soule , the second was so younge , that he was rather ouerruled than ruled , the laste was but a woeman : and though they wanted not Guiftes of nature , which might beseem princely authoritie , yet for persequuting the Catholike faythe , and following other pathes then their predecessours had troden , theyr names are not eternized with that immortall fame , which their predecessours haue purchased by their Religious Actes . Secondly ( Redoubted Prince ) the Catholike Religion wil be greater securitie , for you temporall State . For● your Highnes dare relye vppon them who by Religion , Cal. l. 3. Inst c. 19 §. 14. l 4. ● . to § 5.23 . 27. may disobey you● Lawes and Ordinaunces ( as I haue in my sixte booke demonstrated ) much mor● may you put your truste and confidence in your Catholike subiectes , whom conscience and religion , byndeth to obedience . For they are taught by Religion , that Authoritie is of God , 1. Pet. 2. Rons . 13. and that in conscience they are subiect vnto it , and bound to obey kinges , though otherwise difficile and harde to please , not only for feare , but for conscience also . And this obedience they giue not only to Christian , but also to Pagane Kinges , such as all were , when sainct Peter , and sainct Paule commaunded vs to obey them , E● . Eus. Wee are taught ( sayed sainct Policarpe to the Proconsul ) to giue to higher powers that honour which is dewe to them , and not hurtfull to vs . Apol. c. 3. & 〈◊〉 S. apulam . Wee ( sayed Tertulian to the Ethnikes ) pray for the Emperour , and reuerence him nexte to God , and more then we doe your Goddes . To be breefe , ( as I should bee with a King , if the matter did not enforce me to be longer then I should be ) giue vs ( sayeth sainct Austine ) such Iudges , such magistrates , Epist ● . ad M●r ellinū . such souldiours , such subiectes , as our Religion requireth , and Princes shall raigne securely , and their kingdomes shall flouri●h more happilie , then Platoes common welth . And bicause Religion , good , or badde , beareth a great sway in the rule of mans life ; the Professours of the newe Religion , must needes be more prone to disobedience , and rebellion , then wee ; bicause Religion , which serueth for a bridle to vs , is a Spurre to them . Wherfore by Catholikes , all your Predecessours haue been serued with great fidelitie , both in warre and peace : and your glorious Mother , if she were liuing in Earth , as she is better liuing in . Heauen , would not lette to witness , what affection she hath found amongest the English Catholiques , and would warraunt your Grace , that they will neuer bee false to the Sonne , who haue been so true to the Mother . But if your Highnes doubte of our fidelitie , we will bynde our selues by corporall oathe , to obey your lawes in all temporal causes , and to defend your Roial Person , your Deare Spouse our Gracious Queene , and your towardlie Children , our Noble Lordes , with the laste droppe of our bloud : and this our oathe we shall be contented to diuulge to all the Princes of Europe , yea all the Christian worlde . And as your Grace may accounte of vs as of your surest , so not of your fewest nor weakest subiectes ; for notwithstanding this longe persequution , wee are so many , Apalog . c. 37. that as Tertulian sayed to the Paganes , of the Christianes of his tyme ; we fill your Courtes , your Vniuersities , your Cities , your Townes , your Villages , yea your prisons , not for theftes or murders , but for Religion ; only wee haue lefte the Churches to the Ministers , bicause in them is practised and preached a Religion , which our consciences can not brooke . Yea a greater parte are wee , then any particuler secte in your Maiesties Realme , and wee are linked in Religion to all Catholique Princes and countries about you , who will bee more louing neighbours , if they see that wee their bretherne , synde this desired fauour at your Graces handes : and the noblest and mightiest of them , wil be more desirous to ioyne in mariadge with your Royall posteritie : wherby howe your Kingdome shal be strengthned , and your Dominions enlarged , your Princely wisdome easilie perceueth , and you haue an example in the noble Howse of Austria . Your Noble Brother of Fraunce that now raigneth , may be a president in this matter , who though he was once an enemie to the Catholique Religion , yet findeth more faythfull correspondence in his Catholique subiectes , then in all the rest , and by permitting bothe , is serued of bothe , and serueth him selfe of bothe . Thirdly ( moste Gracious Soueraigne ) to admit the Catholique Religion , or at least to permit it , is your greatest safetie for your conscience . For as you are a Prince , so are you a Christian Prince , and therefore a champion , cap. 4.9 . and ( as the Prophet Esaie sayeth ) a Foster-father of the Church ; and as the Kinges of Fraunce euen from Clodoueus , the first Christian Kinge of that Realme , haue beene called Christianissimi , for their good offices towardes the Catholique Church , Genebrar l s. Chron. Baron . to 9. Annal. and the kinges of Spaine , From Ferdinande , yea from Alphonsus , yea as some thinke , from Recaredus , for extirpating Arianisme , and propagating the Christian faythe , Geneb l. 4. Chron. Sleid l 3. Georg. Lilius in Chr. Angl. are surnamed Catholike ; so the Kinges of England , from King Henrie the Eight , your Graces great vncle , for his Catholike , & lerned booke , written against Luther , & other his most honourable seruices , which he perfourmed for the Catholike Church , are called Defendours of the Faithe , that is , the Catholike faith . Wherfore your Maiestie , first bicause you are a Christian King , Secondly bicause you● are a Defendour of the faithe , are to see that the right worship of God , and the true Christiane religion , be practised in your Realme . This the honour of God , vnder whom you raigne , this the good of his Church , whose Champion you are , this the saluation of your people , whose King you are , this the spiritual health of the body of your Realme , whose head you are , requireth . For if in any countries it be true , that the inconstaunte people , changeth withe the King , in England it is moste true , as we haue seene by diuerse changes of religion , in this Vnhappie age : and so , in your Maiestie , it lyeth , to saue or not to saue your people , which so admireth your authoritie , and Princely vertues , that your will is their lawe , and your law , their rule of religion . And where can your Grace finde a securer hauen , for the Saluation of your selfe , and your subiectes , then the Catholike Church ? In which soe many Martyrs haue dyed , so many Doctours haue taught and preached , so many virgins haue liued in flesh , like Angells , and so many sainctes haue wrought so straunge and wonderfull miracles : by which so many heresies haue been condemned , so many Councels called , so many Ecclesiasticall lawes enacted , and such goodly order and discipline established : For which so many monasteries , Churches , Colledges , Vniuersities , and hospitalles , haue beene builded & founded . In which so many Emperours , Kinges , and Princes haue liued , raigned , dyed , and ( as it is to bee hoped also ) haue beene saued ; and against which , so many cruel persequutours , in vaine haue raysed forces , and vsed tormentes , and so many heretikes haue raged and railed ; which is descended from the Apostles , & can proue a continuall succession of her pastours , and religion , from them , vnto this daye . Wheras the new Church began but yesterdaye , and her Preachers with her , who also can not proue their mission , nor distinguish them selues from false Prophets ; whose doctrine hath all the markes of heresie , and is rather Antichristian then Christian , plucking at Christes Diuinitie , spoiling him of many Honourable Titles , to wit , Redeemer , Spiritual Phifitian , Law-giuer , Aeternall Preest , Iudge of the quicke and dead , equalizing euery Christian with him , making him an ignoraunt , desperate , and damned man : which hath nether Preest , nor sacrifice , nor in effect , any sacrament , no prayer , not so much as our Lords prayer , no , nor a sermon , according to their doctrine , nor any of the essential partes of Religion : which is blasphemous in many pointes against God , iniurious to State and Authoritie , fauourable to vice , and bending to Atheisme ; all which pointe● I haue proued in this booke . But if you● Maiesties pleasure , or leisure , be not such as by perusing this booke , to informe your selfe , which is moste likely to be the true Christian religion , if it shall please your Highnes , to commaund a conference or disputation , which hathe euer bee● the vsual meanes to determine controue●sies , ( as appeareth by the disputation o● Helias with Baals Prophetes , ● Reg 18.10 8. Act. 7.9 17. 18 19. 20. Aug ep . 47. Ruf. l. hist of Christ with the Iewes , of Sainct Paule with Iewes and Gentils , and of the ancie● doctours in Councels , and out of Councels , with Ethinkes and heretiques ) you● Maiestie shall finde diuers of your C●tholike subiectes , bothe at home an● abroad , who will present them selues a● such a disputation , if you shall but pleas● to commaund . Lastly suppose your Highnes should persequute the Catholiqu● religion ( as God forbid , so Glorious Prince should receue so fowle a disgr●ce ) besides the dishonour wher wi●● your noble Crowne and Name shoul● be obscured , besides that you can not pe●sequute this Religion , but you must mak● warre against your Noble progenitou● euen your Glorious mother , you shou● sooner make a conquest of all the Cou● tries about you , then extirpate this Re●gion ; whose nature is to gather greater force , when greatest furie , is armed against it . This Palme-tree ( O Mightie Prince ) the more it is pressed , the higher it groweth ; this Camomile the more it is troden , the thicker it groweth ; This wallnuttree the more it is beaten , the more frutefull it waxeth ; this corne , by treshing , is seuered from the chaffe ; This gold , by a fierie persequution , becometh purer , and brighter ; This Arke by a raging Deluge , mountethe the higher ; Killing of Catholikes ( moste Clement Prince ) is but cutting of boughes , from that tree , which reacheth from sea to sea , and this cutting is but lopping , the tree afterwards in height is taller , and in boughes fuller ; and this spilling of Catholikes bloud , is but watering of Christs Vinyarde , in which , for one Catholike cut of , many an hundred springeth vp in the place . Those Neroes , Domitians , Diocletians , and Maximians , can beare witness of this , of which the laste twoe , hauing gathered great force , and prouided all the Engines and Instrumentes of crueltie , that a cruel harte could deuise , made full accounte of a conquest of the Christian race , and engraued this their presumed victorie in Marble pillers in Spaine , with this Inscription : Diocles . Iouius , Maximin . Hercules , Caess . Aug. amplificato per Orientem & Occidentem Imperi● Rom. Eus l. ● . c. 13.25 ▪ 6 29. Zon 3. par. Annal. Sur. 10.6 . die to Decemb. Aidus Man post Schol in comm Caes . Bar ann 204 & nomine Christianorum deleto , qui Remp. euertebant : But they counted their Chickins , before they were hatcht , triumphed before the victorie , gaue a blaze before their light went out , and exalted their hartes before their ruine ; depriuing them selues of their Empire , for the disgrace , which they conc●iued in such a foyle , and dying a death so miserable , that it seemed the beginning of their Hell . And those your Predecessours , who haue persequuted the litle Flocke of the Catholiques of your Realme of England , would assure your Grace , if they were liuing , that this litle parte of the catholike Churche , followeth the nature of the wholle● bicause notwithstanding so many confiscations of their goods , so many confininges , & imprisonmentes , and banishmentes of their parsons , soe many tortures , and deathes of their bodyes ; Catholiques , and Catholique Preestes , are moe at this present in your Realme , then they were fourtie yeares since . It must be true which sainct Leo auoucheth : Non minuitur persequutionibus Ecclesia , Ser in nat. Apost. sed augetur , & semper Dominicus ager segete ditiori vestitur , dum grant quae singula cadunt , multiplicata nascuntur : The Churche by persequutions , is not diminished but augmented ; and alwayes our Lords feeld is clad with a ritcher Haruest , whilest the graynes which falle , spring forth again more multiplied . And the reason is , bicause that must be perfourmed , which Christe promised : Mat. 16. Portae inferi non praeualebunt aduersus illam : the gates of hell shall not preuaile against her . Her enemies are dead , rotten and forgotten , she standeth sure vppon a rocke , alwayes the more glorious , the more she is assaulted . But I craue pardon mosthūbly of your Gracious Clemencie , for my tedious petition . The miserie of our state , and the importaunce of our humble supplication , required a longer , but your rare Clemencie and humanitie ( which hath allready wonne you the hartes of your people ) demaunded a shorter . Wherfore I shall desire your Highnes , only to imagin , that in this petition , your Catholique subiectes are not alone ; your noble progenitours and Predecessours , your moste Glorious Mother , all the Catholike Princes , to whom you are allyed , and their Catholike Countries which border vppon you , the wholle Church of God , the Saintes of your Realmes , the bloud of Martyrs , shed in the same , & for the same , the miserie of your moste ancient subiectes , your Highnes honour & securitie , both for the temporal & spiritual state of your Kingdome , demaunde this also with vs . Yea this your owne selfe , so Gracious a Lord towardes all , requireth of your selfe : wherfore vsing no other Intercessour , than your selfe , wee desire your Grace to harken to your selfe , which if it shall please you to doe , wee make noe doubte of our moste humble petition . In the meane tyme we shall pray to him who hathe the Hartes of Kinges in his Hande , Prou. 21. to bend your compassionate harte towardes your Catholike subiectes , and so to rule it and inspire it , that you may be a King according to his harte , that you vnder him may rayne long and prosperously in the Realme of England , and hee by you in the Church of England , and that so you may raigne vnder him here for a tyme , as you maye raigne with him herafter for all eternitie .