A toile for tvvo-legged foxes Wherein their noisome properties; their hunting and vnkenelling, with the duties of the principall hunters and guardians of the spirituall vineyard is liuelie discouered, for the comfort of all her Highnes trustie and true-hearted subiects, and their encouragement against all popish practises. By I. B. preacher of the word of God. Baxter, J. This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A05770 of text S112228 in the English Short Title Catalog (STC 1596). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. This text has not been fully proofread Approx. 282 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 125 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. EarlyPrint Project Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO 2018 A05770 STC 1596 ESTC S112228 99847486 99847486 12523 2240929483

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 Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 2, no. A05770) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 12523) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 486:05) A toile for tvvo-legged foxes Wherein their noisome properties; their hunting and vnkenelling, with the duties of the principall hunters and guardians of the spirituall vineyard is liuelie discouered, for the comfort of all her Highnes trustie and true-hearted subiects, and their encouragement against all popish practises. By I. B. preacher of the word of God. Baxter, J. [20], 220 p. Imprinted by Felix Kyngston for Thomas Man, London : 1600. I. B. = J. Baxter. Reproduction of the original in the British Library. eng Catholic Church -- Controversial literature -- Early works to 1800. eebo A toile for tvvo-legged foxes: Wherein their noisome properties; their hunting and vnkenelling, with the duties of the principall hunters and guardian Baxter, J 1600 250 48844 475 0 0 0 0 0 97.25 D The rate of 97.25 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the D category of texts with between 35 and 100 defects per 10,000 words. 2012-11 Assigned for keying and markup 2012-11 Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2013-01 Sampled and proofread 2013-01 Text and markup reviewed and edited 2013-02 Batch review (QC) and XML conversion

A TOILE FOR TWO-LEGGED FOXES : Wherein their noisome properties ; their hunting and vnkenelling , with the duties of the principall hunters and guardians of the spirituall vineyard is liuelie discouered , for the comfort of all her Highnes trustie and true-hearted subiects , and their encouragement against all Popish practises .

By I. B. Preacher of the word of God .

CANTICLES 2.15 .

Take vs these Foxes , and these young Cubs which destroy these vines , while our vines bud forth .

2. CHRON. 15.8 .

Asa made a law in his time , that whosoeuer would not seeke the Lord God of Israel should be slaine , whether he were small or great , man or woman .

A Maxima .

As Poperie and treacherie goe hand in hand , whilest Poperie is kept vnder ; so Poperie and crueltie are companions vnseparable , if once Poperie get the vpper hand .

LONDON . Imprinted by Felix Kyngston for Thomas Man . 1600.

TO ALL FIRME AND FAITHFVLL LOVERS OF TRVE RELIGION and loyaltie , encrease of peace , and ioy in Christ Iesus .

MAnifold haue been the opinions of men , concerning the soueraigne good and welfare of mankinde . Different opinions about mans soueraigne good . Epicures . The swinish Epicures sought it in sensualitie and carnall delights ; and to couer their shame , haue bestowed great trauaile to disguise their lady pleasure , and to make her goe for an honest woman . Stoiks . The Stoicks placed their welfare in morall vertue , and in the right reigning of reason : as though man were made for himselfe , and not for common societie : & fearing least their surmised felicitie should fall to the ground , they haue sought to vnderprop it with health , wealth , strength , courage , measurable pleasure , &c. The Peripateticks Peripateticks . make two sorts of blessednes , the one consisting in action , which is politike or ciuill ; the other in contemplation , which they call wisdome . The Academicks Academicks . or Platonists mount somewhat higher , and considering that contemplation is but a continuall wrastling , sometimes against the obscuritie of things , and sometimes against the dimnes of our minds : say that felicitie is , to be ioyned vnto God , and to become like vnto him , who is the furthest end , the highest top , & the vttermost bound of all blessednes . Thus some of them haue groped in the darknes of this world , for that which cannot be found here : and others haue soared aloft , but yet far too short in finding out that resting poynt , whereat euery one ought to aime . True religion the meanes to attaine our well fare , and what true religion is . How then must we attaine vnto it ? surely by that which they knew not , that is to wit , true religion : which is the right rule of seruing God , & of reuniting man vnto him , that he may be saued : of the which true religion there be three especiall marks , so much the more worthy of deepe impression in our minds , because many foolish ceremonies haue disguised themselues in the attire of true religion .

The first marke is , The first marke of true religion . to worship the onely God of Israel : wherein behold how Sathan hath tyrannized ouer mankind , in making men forge as many gods , as they had fancies : as that people in Africke , who worshipped that which they met first in the morning ; or the Assyrians , that worshipped as many gods as they had townes ; or the Persians , Mans vanitie being destitute of Gods word . that worshipped as many gods as there be fires in the earth , or stars in the skie ; or the Aegyptians , that worshipped as many gods as they had plants or trees ; or the Romans , who subduing nations , wan their superstitions , & so became the sinck-pan of Idolatries . In a word , the diuell by Gods permission so deluded the world , that some made gods of their goods , some worshipped the beasts which God gaue them for their benefite , some builded Temples to their passions , some made gods of themselues , some deified their kings , as the Aegyptians their king Apis , the Babylonians their Belus , the Macedonians their Cabyrus , the Latines their Faunus , the Sabines their Saucus , the Romans their Quirinus : what Christians will not shudder at the rememberance of such mysteries , when Euripides could speake thus : Euripides . Thou Neptune , and thou Iupiter likewise , with other gods , whom faining words disguise , If that due Iustice vnto you were doone , both heauen & temples should be emptie soone . Then the first chiefe note of the true religion is , that the true immortall God be onely worshipped , who founded the earth , and stretched out his meat-line ouer it , who shutteth vp the sea within the banks , and boundeth the waters , who maketh light and darknes , holdeth backe the Pleiades ; and vnbindeth Orion , who spreadeth out the heauens like a curtaine , and maketh his chambers in the depths , who maketh the windes his messengers , and the elements his seruants . This I say is the true God , who in his worship admitteth no collaterall companions : and as for the rest , gods in name , and not in nature , they are like vnto dog leaches , which professe but the curing of one disease onely , or common craftsmen which professe but the skill of some one mysterie .

The second marke of true religion is , The second marke of true religion . that we serue this onely God aright . As for the Philosophers , they also were pricking at this poynt , but so that they were alwaies too wide or too short : for which of them euer said that God is a spirite , and ought to be serued in spirite ? True it is , they set downe many morall precepts for direction of mens manners : but when they come to the matters of God , they either speake of them dreamingly , or deeme of them ouerthwartly ; yea , the seruices of God , inuented by man , are but so many childish imaginations , not onely vnbeseeming the maiestie of God , but farre inferiour to the discretion of a man : as gamings , stage plaies , running of horses , sword playings , wrastlings , buffetings , and such like . Aristotle in his metaphysicks , commendeth a certaine answere of Symonides to Hieron . King of Sicilie , which was , that none but God ought to haue skill of things that are aboue nature , much lesse then to dispose of Religion , that is , to shew the meanes how to surmount nature . The countrie clowne should shew himselfe ridiculous , if hee should take vpon him to set downe how his Prince should be serued : and yet is he a man as well as his Prince , differing in state , and not in nature . What is to be said then of man , being a worme , & lesse then a worme , in respect of the euerliuing God , if he will needs prescribe him his seruice ? Surely as none can see the sunne , but by the helpe of the sunne ; so none can serue God , The third marke of religion . but by the light of his word .

There is a third marke , without the which religion ( although in it selfe the path to saluation ) is nothing else but a booke wherein we reade the sentence of our owne deaths . Therefore religion must shew vs a meanes to satisfie Gods Iustice : without the which , not onely all other religions , but euen that which conteineth the true seruice of God were vnauaileable . Indeed mans reason perceiued that some meanes was needful to make attonement : but what it was , reason was too shallow to finde out . The Platonists haue busied themselues about many clensings , but to small purpose : others say it must bee done by abstinence , good behauiour , Iupiters mysteries , &c. Hierocles said , that religion is the studie of wisdome , which consisteth in perfecting and cleansing our selues , that men may be at one with God : which perfection also , standeth in confession of sinnes ( as he saith ) but alas , whereas in religion we looke for life , vpon confession followeth death . Then to finde a planke to saue vs from shipwrack , religion sheweth three persons in vnitie , of one essence coeternal , and coequall in all respects : the Father as the ground and wellspring : the Sonne as the euerlasting word and wisdome of the Father : and the holy Ghost as the bond of loue , whereby the Father and the Sonne are linked together . The one of these must make attonement : for God himselfe must be faine to step in betwixt his Iustice and his mercie , and as he created vs at the first , so to create vs new againe : and as he created vs in fauour , so now to acquite vs from wrath : and as he vttered his power and wisdome in making vs , so now to vtter his wisdome and goodnes in repairing vs . But yet beholde a mysterie , this infinite godhead is not to discharge our disobedience , These speeches are vnderstoode by a communicating of properties , as the like , Acts 20.28 otherwise then with obedience , nor our vndesert , otherwise then with desert , nor our pride , otherwise then with lowlines , neither is he to purchase grace but by punishment , nor a crowne but by suffering , neither life but by death . Therfore would hee abase himselfe that hee might obey ; serue , that he might deserue , stoope downe beneath himselfe , that hee might become lowly ; become weake , that he might suffer ; become mortall , that he might die . Therefore was it behoouefull that our mediatour should be God and man : man to be borne vnder the law , God to performe the law ; man to serue , God to set free : man to humble himselfe to the vttermost , God to exalt himselfe aboue all things ; man to suffer , God to ouercome ; man to die , and God to triumph ouer death . And sythence it pleased him of his infinit goodnes to be humbled for vs , himselfe no way bound , needs must his obedience become a discharge for the disobedience ; his desert , a discharge of the vndesert , & his sufferings a satisfaction for the stubburnnes of them that beleeue in him . Now then if religion should but send vs to the true God , what were that more then the sending of an offender to the Iudge , or a laying of stubble to the fire , considering that God is infinitly good , and man infinitly euill . Secondly , and if in religion we should but reade the will of the creator , what haue we yet found since mankinde is corrupt from his roote , and rotten at the core ; but our owne enditements , arraignements , and condemnations ? Therefore this third note of religion , by making satisfaction for sins by the death of Christ , is the verie substance , and in shape of it , without the which it should be altogether vnprofitable . Now all this serueth first to shew you the tyrannie of Sathan ouer mankinde , and the horrible darkenes whereinto it is plunged , being destitute of the aide of Gods word and his holy spirit . Secondly , how greatly we are bound to receiue our gracious calling , and to promote Gods holy religion , by which we are brought to that soueraigne good , for the which wee were made and created , and without the which hauing all things else , yet are most miserable : for proofe whereof hast thou the authoritie and soueraigntie of a Prince . Let Princes say whether one rebellion of their subiects doe not more vexe them , No welfare to be found in this world . than all their honorable triumphs can reioyce them . Art thou exalted to honour ? let honourable persons say whether they bee not spitefull or spited , doing mischiefe , or receiuing mischiefe , ouermating or ouermated . Honour is but vertues shadow , a winde that makes many swell , but cannot satisfie . Art thou rich and wealthie ? Let Merchants say what wealth is worth , since sea can drowne it , fire consume it , pyrates and robbers bereaue vs of it . To loue riches , is to doe as children doe , which take their greatest delite in pins and checkstones : or as fooles , which should deeme the goodnes of an horse to consist in his strappings . Art thou beautifull ? Let the daughters of vanitie say whether the sunne doth not tanne it , or a starre doth not blemish it , or sickenes doth not waste it , or olde age doth not weare it . Beautie is but a vaine thing , and gladdeth more the beholders , then the hauers . Art thou strong and healthie ? Let al the world say whether mans bodie be not subiect to a thousand diseases , fraught with frailties within , wrapped in miseries without ; vncertaine of life , sure of death . Now what are all these and the rest , but resemblances of the apples that grow about Sodome , pleasant to the eye , and prouoking to the appetite , but vanishing into smoke , being touched with the teeth ? Therefore it is onely true religion that leadeth Prince and people , noble and vnnoble , rich and poore to true felicitie , and reuniteth them vnto God . Happie be that day , and blessed from aboue , in the which God gaue vs this token of his fauour : let that moneth be respected of God , and let it be the head of the yeare : let all such as loue their saluations , blesse that day wherein they were redeemed from the darkenes of Sodom , and of Aegypt , and the day starre of righteousnesse appeared vpon them : yea let it be made the beginning of the supputation of yeares , as we reade that the Iewes reckened their yeares from the yeares of Iubilee , and from the finding of the law in Iosiahs time : for then commeth the true yeare of Iubilee , the yeare of freedome and deliuerance from bondage , when the Gospell which is the glad tidings of saluation commeth vnto vs .

Furthermore , Temporall blessings haue accompanied religion . that nothing might bee wanting to make vs with ioye to receiue Gods holy religion , beholde since the Church hath begun to flourish , and to spread her boughes throughout the whole land , the common wealth hath neuer been endowed with more ornaments of ●eace , neuer lesse vexed with incombe●ances of warre , neuer like adorned with ●ountifull blessings . Why ? when our ●eighbour nations haue been infested ●ith martiall horror , clattering of ar●our , thundering of shot , when infants haue been drawne out of their mothers wombes , By looking a broad better behold your blessings at home . and dragged from their nurses breasts , when their wiues and daughters haue been rauished , their countries wasted , their cities sacked , their houses fired , their temples defaced , with many more such spectacles of dread and horrour : yet England hath remained still victorious without contention ; and thou famous London her Queene citie , confident without trouble : so that now it may be boldlie auerred , that mercy and trueth are met together , righteousnes and peace haue kissed each other . Now then ye noble Lords , graue sages , valorous captaines , resolute souldiers , braue gentlemen , worthie citizens , laborious comminaltie , shew your honours , your valours , your worthines , your trustines , and painefulnes in promoting that which is , and ought to be your glory ; rather hazard the last drop of your dearest blood , then see her dishonoured , without whom , all your honours are but vanities . Nay , Peace and plentie , the children of Religion . if you receiue her not as you should for her owne sake , yet respect her for her children ; and thinke it not too much to bestowe your wealth to maintaine her , your honours to countenance her , your authoritie to assist her , your wisdomes to pleade for her , against the prophane pollicie of that miscreant Machiuel , who is become a counseller amongst the greatest Statesmen of Eu●ope , against hellish Atheisme , which ●oeth about to perswade the world that ●here is no religion at all , and especiallie ●gainst that common strumpet , Romish ●uperstition , who is not ashamed to bor●ow religions name : So shall you shew a ●tudious zeale , and affectionate loue to●ards your Prince also , whose prosperi●ie is the pillar of your peace .

Lastlie , I haue in this treatise detec●ed treacherous dealings of Roman Ca●holikes , and manifested their dange●ous proceedings to the view of euery good subiect : the which I haue published vnder the patronage of all you that loue the Gospell , whom the Almightie protect with his power , and guide with his grace .

Yours in the Lord , I. B.
THE SVMME OF THE CHAPTERS . AFfliction hath been , is and shall be the common condition of Gods Church , and the lot of his inheritance . The lamb standing on mount Sion is more mightie to saue , then the enemie to destroy . The enemies of the Church are either cruell Tigres , or craftie Foxes . Househould enemies most hurtfull to the health of the Church . The true semblance betwixt a two-legged , and a foure-legged Foxe . An oration from olde Rainard to his Iesuiticall cubbes , and extrauagaunt Fox-priests : wherein his experienced wilines directeth them from curious contemplation , to treacherous practise . The semblaunce betwixt the Fox and the Lion Antichrist and Mahomet , in broaching their damnable doctrines , and leuieng many nations to their lawes . Of sundrie sorts of Foxes that are most of all troublesome to this our Church . Of the vnkennelling of the Foxe , and the duties of the Terriers vsed for this purpose . Two principall reasons why Foxes are suffered in the Church . Eight reasons prouing all perfit papists rotten-hearted subiects to true Christian Princes . Twelue reasons prouing by diuinitie , and true Christian pollicie , that Foxes ought to be tied shorter . Two principall gardiens of the vineyard , Magistrates , and ministers ; where first of the duties of ministers in hunting of the Foxes . Also see an enditement found against many Patrons of benefices . The dutie of Christian Magistrates as well Soueraigne as others , in purging of the Church from these noysome vermine . Two Toiles wherewith Foxes must bee taken : there see the miserable end of Traitors .
A TOILE FOR TWO-LEGGED FOXES .
CHAPTER . I.

Affliction hath been , is , and shall be the common condition of Gods Church , and the lot of his inheritance . The Lambe standing on mount Sion , is more mightie to saue , then the enemie to destroy .

THey do greatly abuse themselues , which are perswaded to see the Church in so quiet and calme estate , as to be without afflictions , either within or without , or both together within and without ; the contrarie experience whereof the histories of all ages doe sufficiently declare . For if we looke into her continuall course heretofore ; It is Bellarmines dotage to make outward prosperitie a marke of the Church . or consider what the spirit of God hath prophecied concerning the future state of the Church , wee shall finde that it hath beene from the creation of the world vntill this day , and shall be vnto the consummation therof , tossed to and fro with many cruell stormes , subiect to many afflictions and persecutions : for proofe and experience whereof , consider the estate of the Church vnder Adam . Churches persecutions . Was not righteous Abel a principall member thereof , vnnaturally murdered by the bloudie hand of his elder Brother ? Genesis . Thus first arose the tempest against the boate and little barke of Iesus Christ ; the same continued vnder Abraham , Isaac , and Iacob , vnder Moises , the Israelites tyranized by Pharao , Exodus . distressed in the wildernes , and diuersly tempted before they could take possession of the land of promise . If euer the Church enioyed a pleasant and a faire time of weather , Iosua . it was vnder Iosua and those which then ruled the people , being most triumphantly planted in Canaan together with the seruice of God : Iudges . afterwards vnder the Iudges vntill Samuel , for one day of faire weather ●n whole yeare of stormie and foule ; then behould the arke of couenant taken captiue , 1. Sam. 4.11 . Silo ruinated and all brought into an vtter confusion : howbeit God pittying his Church , raised vp Samuel , by whose ministerie this storme ceassed , 1. Sam. 7. and the schooles of the Prophets were reformed . But this Sunne was scarce vp , when horrible darknes was brought in by wicked Saule ; the priests themselues being massacred , the sorcerers restored , 1. Sam. 28.8 . the people exposed to ignominy , being no better then a bodie without an head ; 2. Sam. 2. vntill that Dauid houlding the scepter the welfare of the Church began to grow ; as also vnder Salomon , 1. King 6.7 8. &c. who furnished the Lords house ●oth within and without , with a most triumphant magnificencey , yet this happie state is ouerturned ; ten tribes ●gainst two , 1. King . 12. the sinagoges ruined to ●odge Iereboams calues in , the Leuits expulsed , the poore prophets constrained ●o be hidden in holes , 1. King . 18.13 . and there to be sustained with bread and water ; 1. King . 17.4 . Helias himselfe being brought to that extremitie , that he was faine to be fed with a Rauen. Now as for the kingdome of Iuda , there the faithfull seruants of God had no worse enemies than the Kings and the Priests , namely vnder Achaz and Manasses . 2. King . 16. 2. King . 21. What grieuous affliction did the Church sustaine , when in the daies of Ieremie , the Chaldeans wasted Ierusalem , 2. King . 25. spoiled the Temple , slew the Nobles before the princes face , put out his eyes , dishonorably led him away captiue to Babilon , leauing that populous countrie admired for prosperitie , a barbarous wildernes and dreadfull example of miserie ?

To come vnto the shipmaster himselfe , Luke 2.17 . what colde entertainment receiued he in this world , borne in a stable , from thence forced to flie into the deserts of Egypt , Math. 2.14 . Mark . 6.3 . Iohn 1.4 . brought vp and nourished in a poore carpenters house , in a citie of so small reputation , that it is demaunded whether any good thing could come from the same ? Luke 4.31 . From thence forced to retire himselfe vnto the rocke of Capernaum , Luke 9 58. not hauing an house wherein to put his head ; Luke 23. afterwards as a principall malefactour , crucified betwixt two theeues .

The Disciples were dealt withal much like to their Master , Acts. as is to bee seene partly in the Actes of the Apostles , Ecclesiasticall histories . and partly in the histories of those times , wherein Nero , Domitian , Dioclesian , and other tirants of the like disposition liued : But yet no time so bloudie , as since the child of perdition was borne , and hath vsurped tyranicall iurisdiction . For the Church could conuey it selfe into no corner of the wildernes , but this bloudhound hath found it out to pursue and persecute it : what bloud by him hath been shed , and what murders committed in these latter dayes , France and Flanders , England and Scotland , can sufficiently recorde . And this is the way wherein the whole Church truly Apostolike being in this world , Corint. 6.5 . Heb. 11.38 . Apo. 12.14 . as waifarers and wanderers hither and thither , must walke ; the same being foretold vnto the last day . Churches preseruation . Yet behold the conquering lambe Christ Iesus standing on mount Sion , is more mightie to defend , then the prince of darkenes to destroy : the Lord of Hosts cannot forsake his tabernacle ; Psal. 84. and though the little barke of his Church be tossed to and fro amids the seas of this troublesome world , yet he which holds the sterne is able to commaund both winde and sea : wherefore although from time to time it hath been hoysed to and fro with winde and waues , yet the Lord hath been continually assistant to the same ; so as it hath neuer been ouerwhelmed , neither can bee . For proofe whereof , see how the creator in the person of him who after was made our redeemer , and deliuerer , in person did runne after those two forlorne children Adam and Eue , after they had fallen away from him through infidelitie ; applying vnto that deadly wound so soone as it was made a remedie of immortalitie , farre more excellent then that whereof they had depriued themselues and all their posteritie . Looke further and behold Abraham , Genesis . Isaac and Iacob , mightely preserued , notwithstanding the infinit and daungerous by-wayes wherein they walked , Exodus . for the space of foure hundred yeares amidst most prophane people , multiplied vnto the number of sixe hundred thousand persons , beside women and children . Looke againe and behold the indauntable insolencie of proud Pharao vanquished by frogs , by flyes , by lice , at the shaking of the rod of one of the seruants of the Lord of Hosts . Behold afterward the Church pursued on drie land by an huge multitude of the Egyptians , swallowed vp of the red sea , which was as a wall on either side of the people of Israell . Behold what memorable and maruellous things did hee for his people in the wildernes , how hee sent bread from heauen , how with the stroke of a small rodde the most hard rocks cleaue to water , almost fortie yeeres long , this whole multitude . See and consider how it arriued at the riuer Iordane , passing the riuer on drie ground , Iosua . 3.6 . making the high walles of Ierichoe to fall downe before it , battering downe , dashing in peeces , trampling vnder feete thirtie Kings beyond Iordan , how victoriously they were placed in the land of Canaan , how they beate down their enemies sometime with an oxe goade , Iudg. 3.31 . Iudg. 7.20 . Iudg. 15.15 . 1. Sam. 5.4 . as did Samgar the sonne of Anath , sometimes with pitchers as Gedeon , sometime with the iawe bone of an asse as Sampson . God suffered the arke to be taken prisoner , but it was to th● ouerthrow of the Philistians Dagon : vnder the raigne of King Saul the Church did abide many a cold blast ; but he raised vp his seruant Dauid a King & prophet to refresh the same , who left hi● successor King Salomon , a figure of the true Salomon King of peace and eternall sonne of Dauid .

Now to passe beyond Salomon , we● shall finde the Lord no lesse assistant t● his Church then before ; yea euen vnt● the consummation of this world we● shall finde the nearer the time , an● tearme appointed of God approchet● for the execution of his promises , th● more ardent affection will he shew to his Church ; who although many time● he scourgeth and afflicteth the same , Why the Church is afflicted . he dealeth but euen as the husbandma● doth with his corne , which the oftene● it is winnowed and sifted , so much the more purer it is . Neither doth he set hi● enemies on worke to ruinate and destroy his Church , but as it were to vnthaw his people waxen stiffe , and be nummed through ouermuch ease , and to vnburden his Church of a grea● number of villanous prophane persons ●●ept into the same . For when the Chal●●ans laid Iury waste , led the people captiue vnto Babilon , insomuch as the Church seemed vtterly rased ; yet how captiue and prisonerlike soeuer they were , behould the Lord present with his Church , behould the royall edicts for the worshipping of the God of Daniel , behould the tirant Nabuchadnezzar , not being content to be the chiefest amongst men , made the vilest amongst beastes ; behould Babilon it selfe captiue , Israell restored and reestablished with great priuiledges , and restitution of their holy vessels . And thus if wee proceed , we shall euidently see how the Lord hath bin present with his Church in the spirit of comfort , assistance and deliuerance ; how hee hath beaten downe that great mount of the Romane monarchie , and daylie bloweth to ruine the beast moulded vpon this patterne , and seated in the temple of God vpon the verie same seuen hilles . The declaration whereof one Chapter cannot afford , nay the life of one man after an other can hardly performe it . But to let passe forren lands , and to speake of the great loue that the Lord hath shewed towards the Church and common wealth of England : Gods great mercies to England . I may truly say , happie are we , if we continue happie ; and blessed are we aboue al● other people , if we be still blessed of the Lord ; who , if insurrection hath been moued , hath suppressed it ; if conspiracie hath been intended , reueiled it ; 〈◊〉 treason hath been attempted , confounded it ; if war by forrain foes threatned , hath deliuered vs from it : wee dwel● still in saftie , though threatned by Spanish tiranny ; we triumph in garlands o● oliues , though threatned to weare the wreaths of Cypres ; we sing te deum with cheareful hearts , though forren cruelty haue threatned a mournfull miserere . O then let vs neuer forget the good things that hee hath done for vs ! the great kindnes that hee hath shewed to let his Church . Tell it to your children ; and them tell it to their posteritie , from one generation to another , euen the good things that the Lord hath don for England vnder the regiment of a gratious princesse : yea tel it how by his annoynted Debora he hath repelled the rage of ●●in , how by his Hester he hath hanged vp Haman , which sought to bring vs and our posteritie into perpetuall slauerie● ; and how by Iael a woman he hath striken a nayle into the head of Sisera , euen then when his mother and his wise ladies had thought he had been deuiding the spoyle . Blessed be that people whose God is the eternall , blessed be the Lord God which hath thus blessed Egnland , and greeted his children with so manifold consolations , Amen .

CHAPTER . 2.

The enemies of the Church are eithe● cruell Tigres or craftie Foxes . Household enemies are most hurtfull to the health of the Church .

THe enemies of the Churc● of God are of two sortes either open and known persecutours , of whome it this place I purpose not to entreate ; these in holy scriptures ar● called by the names of Tigres , and Lions : or else they are couert and priui●● enemies ; Cantic . 2. Math. 7. Reuel. 20. and these are called Foxes Wolues in sheepes clothings , false ho●ned lambs . Of the first kind were th● Edomits , the Moabits , the Ammonits the Chaldeans , and Babilonians agains● Israel ; the Iewes , Arabians , Saracines Turkes and Tartarians , No strange newes to finde Foxes in the Church . Numbers 16. against th● Christian Church . Of the second so●● were in the time of Moses , Chore , D●than and Abiram , who , as it is written being in the midst of the vineyard , ●●ught to vndermine the same : such were the wicked priests and false prophets , Ezech. 22.28 . which promised peace when there was no peace , smoothered the sinnes of the wicked dawbed with vntempered morter , conspiring against the law , prophaning the temple , maintayning the iniquitie of the princes , opposing themselues against the true prophets , 2. King . 22. Ierem. 18. Math. 21.41 . as did those miscreants Zedechiah against Micheas , and Hananias against Ieremie : such were the Scribes and Pharisees , Essenians and Herodians , who stily ventured to entrap the Lord of the vineyard , who in the person of a redeemer came to take order for the same . And afterwards , although the principall hunters of these Foxes trauailed painfully to dresse and trimme the vineyard , the branches whereof were spred from East to West , and had prouided it of labourers to husband it ; Foxes most troublesome to the Church . notwithstanding , ( as their histories doe witnes ) they had alwayes more to doe i● the hunting of these Foxes , then against other open enemies whatsoeuer , ●●her within , or without the Church . If you looke into the infancie of the Church apostolike , Church apostolike anoyed with Foxes . Acts 15. such Foxes shal you finde , such namely which would match Iesus Christ and Moses together ; such Foxes , false Apostles , and false brethren were at Corinth , 1. Cor. 15. teaching that there was no resurrection at all , or else that it was alreadie past , as did Himeneus and Philetus ; Coloss. 2. such were some at Colossa , which were of opinion that the traditions of men were necessarie to be obserued , that the superstitious afflicting of the bodie , was a religious seruing of God , that difference should be betwix● meate and drinke and dayes , according to the Iewish custome ; 2. Tim. 2.17 . such were in Asia and in Crete , which mingled the truth with vaine fables and genealogies , who thought how such as beleeued might liue licentiously , which imps of Sathan are by the epistle of Iude worthely confuted . Iude verse 4. After these succeeded whole armies of Foxes , Armies of Foxes . heretikes of al sorts , some assaulting the diuinitie of the sonne of God , as Cerinthus , Ebion , & Arrius ; some his humanity , as Eunomius which taught that Christ had a body without a soule , and Apollinaris which taught that hee had a soule without sense . Others confessing both the one and the other , but diuiding Iesus into twaine , as Nestorius who taught that as Christ had two natures , so he had not one but two persons . Others making a monster of him , which should be neither God nor man , as did that dogge Seruetus , who said that Christ was but a figure of the sonne of God , and that his bodie was compounded of three vncreated elements , and so confounded both natures . Others degrading him from his office : others mingling the pure word with a million of errors : what shuld I say vtterly false , yea altogether monstrous .

But aboue all other , there is an olde gray Foxe , The old gray Foxe . which vnder the colour of the Church of Rome , and because the grace of God did sometime shine foorth there , doth seeke continually to supplant the vineyard of the Lord , whose crueltie , and subtiltie the silly lambes of Iesus Christ haue tasted of from time to time . This olde biting dog-foxe hauing hatched vp his cubs , and taught them their lesson , that is , to transforme Christian religion into policie , and policie into trecherie ; then fall they from contemplation to practise , and are readie to trudge from one countrie to another , like vagrant rogues , to what place soeuer it shall please the olde Foxe to send them . And as amongst the Scythians he was reputed the brauest gentleman that spilt most bloud : so is he canonized for the worthiest Catholicke , that can bring most soules to confusion . So that neuer were the fennes of Lerna so daungerous , neuer was that monster Hidra so pernicious to the neere inhabitants , as are these Foxe-cubs to the safty of the church , that is to wit , popish schoolemasters , Iesuits in profession , Ischariots in condition , seminaries of falsehood , stragling extrauagants , roguish pedlars of whorish merchandice ; The drift of priests and Iesuits . whose drift is nothing else , but to reconcile simple people to the obedience of the Pope , to powre into their harts pestilent opinions against her Maiestie , and the lawes of this Realme , to sound the secrets of inward intentions , to set discontented harts on fire with the flames of rebellion , to feede foolish humors with vaine hope of alteration : in the meane while , teaching rebelles to practise popular behauiour and to carry countenances frendly to conformitie ( howsoeuer their eyes dazell with looking for that which comes not yet ; nay , better their eyes were out of their heads , and their heads from their shoulders , then euer it shuld come : A posie sent from Rainard to his Foxe-cubs . ) els to what ende serueth that posie sent from ould Rainard to his cursed cubs , da mihi cor tuum & sufficit . Giue me thy hart and it sufficeth . O cunning olde Foxe ! thou knowest full well that the hart will carrie the hand when oportunitie serueth ; and what thy Foxlike wilines did foresee , that experience hath taught this kingdome ; namely that thy cubs as they repine at the princesse saftie : so are they and still will be , the first that will set foote in traiterous attempts .

God preserue the prince , her nobles , and the true subiects from wofull experience : nay , God giue them wisdome and courage to tie thy cubbes shorter ; else I can tell , it is an infallible maxima , Note well a Maxima . that yong cubs in time will proue old Foxes , and old Foxes if time serue , will proue cruell Tygres .

But is it true , can the Foxe strip himselfe out of the lambs skin , and play the Lion in his kinde ? can subiects hands acquaint themselues with tempering Italian physicke , and English brests giu● harbor vnto Spanish hearts ? Yea it i● too true ; and if time should turne , w● should finde the Wolues would put of their sheepes coates , and play the Wolue in their right kind , and show their rauenous nature by their cruell deedes ; a heretofore they did when reuerent ag● was not respected , Queene Maries daies . when flourishing youth was cropt in the prime , when womens weaknes was not spared : ( but more then barbarous crueltie ! ) whe● the tender babe springing out of th● mothers wombe was cast into the fire What shuld I range into so large a field there yet liueth many one , whose father , mother , brother , sister , kinsman o● frend , was through antichristian crueltie abridged of the natural date of the● dayes . Such was the calamitie of forme● times , and such are the times that thes● Foxes gape after , to quench their thir● with the bloud of the lambs .

O fie vpon you vnnaturall monsters ! that seeke the subuersion of your owne naturall prince , and countrie , which seeke your owne desolation , ruine and miserie . What meane you , vncircumcised Philistines , to labour to pull the house vpon your heads ? what hath bewitched you , that you should trust a trothlesse Spaniard ? I can iustly compare you to that mad musition that fell to tuning of his instrument when his house was on fire : or to the foole , that laugheth and maketh show of mirth , when he goeth to the stocks . The old Foxe his cognisaunce . I know that some of you weare the mark of the beast , as a crosse , an agnus dei , or some character of the babilonish whore , whereby you hope you shall be marked from Hugenotes , if that day should come that you looke for : so bould you are to trust a Spaniards courtesie . I can fitly apply the fable of the Lion vnto you , who being hurt by the Bull , commaunded all horned beasts to auoide the forrest vpon paine of his displeasure : amongst the rest the hare vnderstanding of this , made haste to be gone ; whom the Foxe meeting by the way , asked whither she footed so fast : in sooth ( quoth the hare ) I neither truly can tell , nor greatly regarde , so I were gone . What is the matter ( quoth the Foxe ? ) tush what a question is that ( saith the hare : ) as if thou were ignorant o● the late proclamation of the Lion , that no horned beast should remaine within the wood . What is that to thee ( saith the Foxe ? ) for thou art no horned beast . Mary that is true , but what if the Lion saith that mine eares be hornes , who then ? Euen so though you professe your selue● to be catholikes , though you haue the stampe of the beast , haue your crosses , your medalls , and such like badges ; yet I will warrant you , if your purses be well lined , you shall either burne fo● heretikes , or pay well for the faggots : whether you can say shiboleth or siboleth , it makes no matter , they will beare you downe that you are Ephramites ; and if the Spanyards say that your eares be hornes , no remedy you must to the pot as if you were protestants . Such are the Spanyards , such are their fruites , such is their treacherie , such is their tiranny aske them of the low countries , aske the Neapolitanes , aske the Indians , Spanyards courtesies are vnnaturall cruelties . and they can tell you of the execrable tirannies of the Spanyards , which as they surmount al credit , so I am not furnished with effectuall tearmes to display them . An other cost giues a watch-word to a wise man . What these helhounds haue done in the low countries , it is better knowne then I am able to report : yea it is extant how they haue curtalled the prerogatiues , ingrated vpon the liberties : what grieuous exactions they haue raised , what customes they haue imposed vpon all manuary trades , and mechanicall faculties , whereby gaine might grow to the inhabitants of Naples : in a little more then fortie yeares , what realmes they haue dispeopled in India , which now remaine as desolate wildernesses ; what millions of men , women and children they haue murdered ; in so much as they haue waged amongst themselues who should most brauely broch his sword in the blowels of an Indian , Sauage Immanitie . or with one blow most lustely strike off his head , giuing eight hundred Indian soules for one Moore , tearing in peeces men and women with mankind mastiues , broyling the Lord and nobilitie on gridirons with a soft fire vnderneath them , that howling & despairing in lingering torments , they might end their liues . Are not these warning peales sufficient to make you feare ? d● you looke for greater curtesie at Spaniards hands ? Will you follow the Hiaenaes voice ? or dare you swallow a Spanish baite ? are you so foolish to look● for grapes on thornes ? or so mad t● hope for mercie at the hands of mercilesse tyrants ? Learne learne to answe● than , as the Foxe did the sicke old Lion when he intreated him to enter into hi●den .

Nam me vestigia terrent , omnia 〈◊〉 aduersum spectantia , nulla retrorsum . The tracks and footstepps that I spy , makes me to doubt some traine , Sith all trace forward to thy den , but none tread backe againe .

But you are like affected to the Israelites , you would change both Moses an● Aaron , magistrate & minister , you are 〈◊〉 bewitched that you would change you Samuel for Saul ; nay more than that , you Christ for Barrabas ; which change yo● doe seeke for , although you pay you● heads to boote , if you should haue you desires . But I trust the Lord hath blessed England with wise and prouident coun●●ll , who may learne by your former practises to beware of afterclaps . For papists proue traitours apace . And so it is hie time they were prouided for .

CHAPTER . 3.

The true semblance betwixt a two-legged , and a foure-legged Foxe .

THe couert enemies of th● Church , because they accord in condition , and a●● like them in properties , ar● therefore called Foxes Now amongst many , The Foxe hath a foule smell . one propertie is that the Foxe hath a foule smell . Wherin the two-legged and foure-legge● Foxes agree as cubs of one kind : Men liues & religions are commonly alike neither can their conuersation haue 〈◊〉 sweet smell , whose religion hath a loth some taste : Wherfore behold a posi●● made first of popish doctrines ; then o● their liues ; by the smel wherof you ma● iudge of the soundnes of a Catholicke profession . Behold I say an hotch-potc● and miserable mingle-mangle , if yo● respect their religion , of al Sathans forgeries and diuellish heresies , as the● may serue the old Foxe his turne , A posie of popish doctrines gathered out of the desert of heresies . patched together like a beggars cloake made of a thousand shreds : Therefore with Carpocratian hereticks he is bold to set vp the Image of Christ and other Saints , with the Anthropomorphites , to paint God the Father like an old man with a gray beard ; with the Pelagian heretickes , to maintaine freewill , powre to iustifie our selues , and to fulfill the commaundements ; with the Messalians , to mumble his mattens , pater nosters , & seuen psalmes by number vpon a paire of beads ; with the Tatians , Cataphrygians , Montanists and Ebonists , to seeke sanctification in eating and not eating , in marrying and not marrying . Whereupon the Romish faith is founded . To be short , in manie things , he is Heathenish , Turkish and Iewish : so that whosoeuer is hot starke blind may behold , whereupon the Romane Catholiks build their faith : not vpon the doctrines of the Prophets and Apostles , but partly vpon the scriptures sophisticated and quintessensed in a lymbecke , to serue for a correctiue in the poysoned drench of the whore ; partly vpon such sayings of the ancient fathers as serue for their turne ; partly vpon the scum of gen●ral councels ; partly vpon the Caballa the Iewish Rabbins ; partly vpon the Tu●kish Alcoran , and lastly on the pr●found diuinitie of Ouid and Aristot●● In this manner skipping like mucke y●● from one place to an other , they pick what may best serue for their purpo●● euen as if a man would picke rotten o● of an apple , with this prouiso , that a R●mane Catholike hang as fast on the fo●●dation , as a thiefe on the gallowes , to w●● on his holy mother the Church of Rom● which can stumble no more then a ma● when both his eies are out . And this their inuincible Stratagema and P●●nopila , their strong furniture and fig●ting weapons of warre , which they v● for the defence of their religion : whe● by it may euidently appeare , that th● bottomlesse pit is open , and the diu●● is broke loose , and that the Pope is th● porter of hell gates . Beware then of t●● poysoned cup of the whore , Can. 2. Math. 7. Reuel . 20. Phil. 3. 2. Cor. 11.13 . Rom. 16. and th● wiles of such Foxes , Wolues in sheep● clothing , false horned lambes , maski●● hypocrites , deceiptfull workeme● craftie companions , cosening knaue● 〈◊〉 by dissembled zeale & palpable flat●●rie creepe into mens houses , winde themselues into mens consciences , lead away the simple captiue : beware of these scorpions with stings in their titles , who when they looke most de●●●rely , pretend greatest mischiefe ; ●●ound the sorest , when they speake the forrest ; with smooth speeches captiuate mens consciences , when they pretend greatest libertie . Let not your hearts be deceiued , there is no such vice as that which is hidden vnder the colour of vertue ; no such arrant strumpet as she that seekes to shrowd her selfe vnder the shew of a graue matrone ; no such Iudas kisse as with an Apostles face , nor fawning diuel as like an Angell of light ; no such enemies against the Church , as those which vnder the name of it , seeke the supplanting of the same .

To leaue their religion , & to speake of their liues : can there be a sweet behauior where there is no sound faith ? certes no , Corporall and spirituall whoredome companions collaterall . and therfore experience wil teach thee , that corporall and spirituall whordome 〈◊〉 hand in hand : for who more hot in the seruice of Baal , then wicked Iesabel ? yet was she but a painted harlot . It is needlesse to tell you some sweet parts plaid in the popedome , and to glance at the filthinesse of those chiefe chast fathers and maiden priestes , the smell whereof hath ascended to heauen , and annoied the Lord of hosts ; yet to the end you may know the birds by their kinde , the colts by their dammes , and the young cubs , by the smell of the old Foxes : I will giue you a little taste of the vnsauorie manners of holy Foxes , ( holie fathers say they ) whereof some haue been famous and renowned heretikes , some notorious blasphemers of God , some shamelesse scorners , some whore-hunters , adulterers , and sodomiticall beastes , some wretched and rauenous helhounds , some coniurers and Necromancers , Anastasius . 2. The old Foxes haue foule smels . as histories doe declare . Anastasius the second consented to the Nestorian heretikes , which denied the humanitie of Iesus Christ , and at last being stricken by the hand of God , did void his intrals , as did the heretik Arrius before him . Boniface the eight was in a generall councell holden in Paris , Boniface . 8. accused and found guiltie of three capital crimes , namely of heresie , murther , and symonie , and for these causes was dispossessed of the popedome : and afterwards cast into prison , desperately gnawing and deuouring his hands like to a dog ended his daies , for whom the diuels did wonderfully mourne and shed many a salt teare . For on the same day was heard in the prison where he died , called castrade S. Angelo , such horrible thunderclaps , and terrible stirres , as if all the Popes , Abbots , Prelats , Canons , Priests , Munkes , and Friers in hell had been singing his requiem . Pope Iohn the foureteenth , who with an Italian tricke pickt ouer the pearch Pope Alexander the fifth , Iohn . 14. and afterwards verie featly created himselfe Pope , was conuicted in the councell of Constance an apparant heretike , an vn godly knaue , an oppressor of the poore , a persecutor of the righteous , a stay to the wicked , a pillar to the barterers of benefices , a glasse to dishonestie , a vessell full of all vice , yea a verie diuell incarnate : and therefore put beside the cushion , and deposed from his aposticall seat . What should I leaue Iohn the dog Foxe , Pope Ioane the bitch-foxe . and spake of Ioan the bitch-Foxe from whom Monks , Friers , pole-shorn● Priestes , and the Romish spiritualty ar● sprung . This Ioane was well content t● be gotten with child by one of he Cardinals , and was deliuered in th● middest of the streete , as she was deuoutly treading in procession , by th● same token , that at this day there dot● remaine an Image of stone hewen ou● of the earth , as their histories do report and that the Popes in their processio● neuer doe passe that way , least that th● like might happen vnto them . Neuerthelesse for the auoiding of such a foul● chaunce the holy Church did ordain● two chaires to be hewen out of Porphy stone , where they vsed to feele fro● vnder , vtrum habet testiculos . But tha● custome is now left , for it may well b● that they make the matter manifest b● the brood of their bastards . Iohn th● thirteenth , Iohn . 13. was in propertie muc● like to Pope Ioan , who as he was descended of whores and knaues : so was h● no changeling , but did shew full we what stocke he came of , for he was s● vowed to incontinencie , that he maintained an open stewes : the Emperour ●●to causing a councell to be gathered , ●●erin he was complained vpon , & ac●●sed of many foule things , as that he ●●d committed whordome with two si●●rs , that he had made Bishops of chil●●en , that he had deflowred many vir●●s , that of Saint Iohns pallace at Late●●n , he had made an open stewes , that he ●●d offered vp wine to the diuels , and ●●playing at dice , had called for aide ●his graund Captaine the prince of ●●rkenes . But what can we expect at ●ir hands , who are so neare linked and ●●d with that foule fiend ? For is it not ●orded in their histories , that many them were Necromancers , familiarly ●●uainted with the diuels ? Search Car●al Benno in his bookes of the life and ●●ngs of Hildebrand , and he wil tel you ●●t many haue obtained the pope●ne through diuellish arts : as Sylue●● the second , Iohn the eighteenth , Iohn nineteenth , Iohn the twentith , Benet eight , Benet the ninth , Gregorie the ●enth , earst called Hildebrand ; who ●●pered his triacle so well , that as ●●d as fiue or sixe Popes by the Italian dram were broght to their bane , to the en● he might haue a beaten path to their places . Now to speake of the same knacks i● the popish cleargie descended from th● stocke of such grandsires before mentioned , it would be too tedious ; nay we may not imagine that those maide priestes which daily handle a breade god , can play legerdemaine , when the seeme to giue absolution .

But here the old Foxe will reply , th●● all the flowres in Priapus , that Dryad and Naiades , and Satyrus , that is , all th● flowres in hils , and dales , and many greene forrest , haue not so sweet a sm●● as a Catholikes conuersation . For th● old Foxe , Popish mortification liuely depainted . poore beast , abides the 〈◊〉 brunt of the weather ; his poore cu● haue such streight rules of liues as no● haue more , some of them not eating ●ny flesh a great part of the yeare , so●● of them eating no flesh at all , being leane as if they had lien seuen yea● diseased in their dens of Idolatrie ; others going woolward ; others doi●● perpetuall pennance , and whippi●● themselues a vie , who shall whip mo● others vtterly forswearing the maria●● b●ed , and vowing virginitie . Thus warrant you the Foxe doth loue mor●●fication as dearly as a dog doth a cud●●ell . Austeritie of life no true marke of the Church . And what if your Austeritie of life ●ere as you would make the world be●eue : yet come you not neare Baals ●riestes , who cut & launced themselues , ●hom notwithstanding the prophet ●lias mocketh with full mouth ; no nor ●et neare the superstitious Mahome●●nes of diuerse sortes .

But ye worlds deceiuers , ye painted ●epulchers , ye meale-mouthed coun●●rfeits , your priests indeed vow conti●ent liues : but O heauen ! O earth ! O ●●ousand millions of rapes , adulteries , ●●cestes , fornications committed vnder ●is goodly vow of virginitie ! You vow ●ouerty , but it is to nestle your selues in ●●llaces , and there to pamper your ●●lues at other mens charges . You ●atch in the night : but it is to sleepe in ●●e day . O what paines takes the olde ●●xe to ride on mens shoulders , and to 〈◊〉 vp his feet to haue his pantofle kissed , tel ouer so many thousands of crowns 〈◊〉 come tumbling in on euerie side ! O ●hat paines he takes to haue the spoile and bootie of so many millions of soules so miserably bewitched ? O what a marke of mortification is it in the reuerendissimies , to haue their tailes caried vp by their trainebearers , and to ride vp and down in their coaches with their concubines ? Alas for pittie , those religious men which merit both for themselues , and for others , how ill be they lodged in their princely chambers ? poore men alas , how are they famished , when the world is together by the eares who shall bestow most vpon them , and their hands so troubled with the gout , that all is fish that comes to net ? O the small warmth they haue in their Iacobine chambers ! how ill be they clothed in their cold cassockes ! O what hunger abide our English popelings , and poore catholickes , in abstaining from a peece of restie bacon , to feede of dainties that are fetcht out of farre countries ? how pale faced are they , in drinking the strongest wines they can come by ? a● what great price do these Romanistes rate paradice at , when thus they doe worke to be seruiceable ?

Here whilest we giue them the challenge for seeking the kingdome of heauen in their drunken dotages , and stinking cesterne of their owne traditions : they in the meane while most wickedly slaunder vs , that we disioyne amendement of life from remission of sinnes . And why so ? because we settle the consciences of men on him , who hath paied so deare a price for them . But as touching our doctrine compared with theirs , we will make him Iudge , who shall iudge vs all by his word . And as for our liues we acknowledge that we haue too great cause to humble our selues before the highest maiestie . But as for them , their Sodom & Gomor , their plaunches and swinesties of all impietie , their harbours and lurking holes of idlenes , and all manner of dissolution , yeeldeth such a lothsome smell , as doth infect both heauen and earth .

The second propertie of the Foxe is wilinesse , The second propertie of the Foxe is wilines . and this is one of his vnseparable accidents . To find out all his deceipts is almost as difficult as to sound Sathans depthes : and therefore , if in this I be too short , it is no meruel , for the Foxe is full of subtletie . Amongst many his properties of cunning compassing , The Foxe woorieth aloofe from his den . this is reckoned one , that he dare not woorie neare his den , least timely watch should take him tardie : In like sort these subtill seducers wander farre and wide , & compasse sea & land , whereby to make a Catholike after their own profession .

Secondly , Rainard raungeth in the night , The Foxe raungeth in the night . & keepes his den in the day : In like maner the two-legged Foxes dare not abide the day light , but seeke lurking holes , & wander in by-waies , marching on like maskers with shamelesse frontes in stead of visors , disguising themselues , lest wonted attire should broach their wiles , & marre their mummings .

Thirdly , the craft of the Foxe appeareth in this , The Foxe fasteneth on the yong lambs . that he loueth to fasten and feede vpon the yoong ones , the poore lambes of little force to escape his crueltie : of like condition are the spirituall Foxes , they fasten vpon such as are poore in knowledge , and weake in faith , that they may more easily peruert and draw them to errour . For suruey bona fide the dealings of priestes , Iesuites , Seminaries , or other seducers ; see and consider whether they reade not in the steps of the old serpent : The dangerous practises of Foxe-priestes and Iesuites . seeke they not to seduce poore simple women , that they may intise ●heir husbands , as Eua did Adam ? Ma●ame must be recusant , and Mounsire a monthly church-hant . The meane gen●lewoman or yeomans wife forsweares ●he Church , Practise of papistes . and faceth out the force of ●ur lawes ; the good man of the house ●eepes into the Church for feare of a ●ine , setting more by his dames pater no●ter in her closet , then any Christian exercise in the congregation : as if our ●awes were made to rule men , and not women , husbands , and not wiues . This shuffling would be suspected ; for thus ●●ngender Foxe-cubs , who threaten fu●ure danger .

If simple men be recusants , Marke this . and re●ounce our felowship , many not great●y regard it ; because either they want ●uthoritie , or their purses be not well ●ined : but be not deceiued , for such lit●le sparkes may serue the Popes turne , ●y being kindled to a flame , and that is wilines is a ware of . The Iuie cree●ing along the ground , beginning at ●he first to compasse the lowest part of the oke , at the last , by getting ground , ouerpeereth the highest branch , pierceth still the pith , sucketh the sap , to the ruine of the whole trunke : so these subtill Foxes by insinuation , and sugred speeches seeke first to enter into the consciences of persons inferiour ; hoping by daily addition , of newe addicted fooles to the fleshpots of Egypt , to fortifie their faction : but indeed the marke that they leuell at , is to rase vp the foundation of our peace , and to ouer-peare the head of her royall person .

Fourthly , the subtiltie of the Foxe is herein discerned , because perswading men vnto vertue , and reuoking them from vice , The Foxe is a counseller for his owne aduantage . he doth it for his owne aduantage , and then especially seeketh the spoile of the Church . So that fitlie they may be resembled vnto theeues , trauelling by the hie way , and lighting into true meaning companie , can talke of simple dealing , of sober liuing , of the reward of the vertuous , of the punishment of the vitious , to the intent that vnsuspected they may take their bootyat vnawares ; or to the craftie gamester , who suffereth the simple man to winne for a while , that afterward being greedy of play , he may lurch him as he listeth : Euen so these deceiptful workmen speake some good things , but they intermeddle euill things ; they speak the truth but to scatter lies , & to root them in mens harts , as Sinen in Virgil mingled falshood with truth , that he might more easily entrap the Troians ; they speake peace with their mouths , but haue conceiued mischief in their harts ; they can say salue frater with Ioab , & aue Rabbi with Iudas , when their purpose is to stab with the one , and to betraie with the other . To conclude , they are deceiptfull merchants , which vtter euill wares , and set them out with lying words to make them saileable . Wherefore as Paul commaunded the diuel to silence , although he spoke truth , least that his vttering of truth might aduantage his lying , and gaine credit to his kingdome ; and as Iesus Christ sharpely rebuked the diuel , saying vnto him , we know who thou art , teaching vs not to giue eare vnto the diuell although he tell the troth : so let the rulers which regard the honour of the highest , labour earnestly to hinder the course of these seducing spirits which are scattered in our land , and to put the diuel to silence in them , that his people be not beguiled and drawne away to straunge worship .

The Foxe craftily disswades from religion and loialtie . Another of their wiles is in their manner of perswasion , first , against religion ; & secondly , against loialty . Against religion by whispering into the eares of the seduced , Church agreement , councels consent , fathers harmony , teachers credit , vniuersality , antiquitie , vnity , apostolical traditions , all which an alblasted Moter hath trict trimly in colours , hauing put as it were an new coat vpon an old deformed bodie ; as if , where the asse had put vpon him the Lions skin , the world could not discerne him by the length of his eares : but the name of God be magnified , he is discouered , and his new vernished leaden dagger stabd in the intrals of his holy mother . My purpose in this pamphlet is rather to discouer the wickednes of English Italionates , then to dispute against the wilfull obstinacie of any Catholike champion : yet because this is the dust that Master Allablaster , with others more , cast in the eies of our countrimen to put them quite out ; or at leastwise , to bleare them : I will briefely scatter it , and so proceed in my former course .

Church agreement , an old Motiue to the popish faith , remoued and confuted .

BY the Church they would haue you to vnderstand the Church of Rome , The Catholickes in their brags vnderstand by the Church the Romish Church . for her eminencie ; and then when they tell you that the Church agrees , the Church degrees , the Church cannot erre : all this in their language is to be spoken of the Romish Church . Now , if this proud Moter , or any other of his fraternitie , can bring you any prophecie or promise by which this her priuiledge may appeare , that Rome is the mother Citie of the vniuersall Church , Vrge this against a Romane Catholike . as she was of the ancient Romane Empyre ; as also , that this is her prerogatiue , that she cannot erre : them haue they done some thing ; but they may assoone find Paradise in hell , as anie such text in the scripture . Contrariwise she is poynted at , 2. Thes. 2.3 . Apoca. 17. as by that finger to be the seat of apostasie , by Saint Paul . 2. Thess. 2.3 . vers. and by Saint Iohn in the Apocalypse ; Rome the sea of Apostasie . yea by many auncient fathers , Greeke , and Latine ; albeit they in their times saw not that was before their eyes . Againe , if it were lawfull for men , why should Rome rather be chosen then Ierusalem , the first and the auncientest of the Churches , called of the prophets the citie of God , Esay 2. from whence the word of God should goe fourth into all the world , founded by Saint Peter and the rest of the Apostles ; or rather than Antioch , Acts. where were named the first christians , and where it is apparant that Peter and Paul liued ?

Sirs , what can you say for your selues ? faith sometimes florished at Rome . And what then ? so did it at Ierusalem , at Antioch , at Ephesus , &c. But was not Ierusalem turned into Ieruskaker ? Was not Bethel , that is , the house of the Lord , turned into Bethauen , the house of iniquitie ? Is not the candlesticke remoued from those famous Churches of Asia , Ephesus , Pergamus , Thiatira , Philadelphia , &c. These places are altered for wickednesse , and Rome for bad life and bad religion . And thou Rome , though sometimes faithfull , art now the Queene of pride , the nurse of ●dolatries , the mother of whoredomes , ●he shop of heresies , Romes abhominations . where the ente●ance into Gods house , that is , the scrip●ures , wherein he hath placed his eternall truth , is forbidden vnto his people , where the Church is not onely made a place of merchandise of mens soules , ●ut is changed into a shop of more ab●ominable Idolatrie than euer was amongst the pagans themselues : where ●he true Iesus Christ is changed into a ●ead and sencelesse thing , hauing nei●her head nor feete , which cannot keep ●t selfe from the talents of theeues , nor ●et from the teeth of mice and rattes , which perisheth of it selfe , if it be not ●he sooner deuoured .

But here some fauorit of poperie will ●ell you , What if the Pope sit in Peters chaire . that the Pope sits in Peters ●haire : answere him , that so did the Pharisees in Moyses seate , Matt. 23. yet neuer ●he better , no iot the holier for all that : ●o that I may iustly say to him , as did Themistocles to a certaine od Seriphian , who obiected to Themistocles , that his ●lory receiued greater brightnes from the renowne of his country , then from the merit of his vertues : not so said Themistocles ; for if I were a Seriphian I would not liue without renowne , and if thou werest an Athenian , thou couldest not liue without shame . In like sort say , if Saint Peter were at Rome , he liued not like the Pope , and if the Pope sit in Peters chaire , he liues not like Saint Peter ; but euen as Neanthus , hauing gotten Orpheus his harp , iangled and iarred so long , that whereas hee looked for the trees to skip , he brought the dogges about his eares : euen so the Pope hath so long boasted of Peters succession , that the simple discerne his doublings , and nouices in religion , begin to espie his Iugling .

But some man will say , is there the● no certaine visible place , Whether there be any certaine place on which to builde our beliefe . on which a Christian man may depend so farre as to say we must beleeue , and doe that which is taught and commaunded in such a place ? Christ resolueth this demaund , but answereth not that it is Rome , or any other place : but saith he where the dead bodie is , thither the Eagle gather themselues together : and what i● this dead bodie , but Iesus Christ and him crucified , besides which , I wil know nothing saith the Apostle ? vnderstanding by the name of , Christ his person , and by the word of crucified , all his sufferings for vs , vntill that last crie of his which shaked both heauen and earth . Math. 27. This concerneth doctrine . Now for outward seruice ; heare him answering to the woman of Samaria , whose demaund was , Iohn . 4. whether they should worship in the Temple of the Samaritanes , or of the Iewes ; that for a time it was the Temple of Ierusalem , and none other which God had chosen to be worshipped in . But saith he , the time is come that men shall worship neither in this mountaine , nor in Ierusalem ; but the true worshippers shall worship in spirit and in truth : that is to say , they shall serue God with a pure spirituall worship , without distinction of place . By this , I trust the ignorant shall be able to descry what the Catholcikes meane by their Church agreement ; as also how to keepe themselues vnsnared by such Moters as goe about to entangle them . As for our selues , we giue the Church of God all her true honour ; confessing that whosoeuer hath not this true ancient Catholike and Apostolike Church to his mother , the same hath not God to his Father .

Councels consent , a false chalenge of a Romane Catholike , with a caueat how councels are to be gathered and receiued .

THe Catholiks make many a goodly Brauado , and whosoeuer is willing to be deceiued , may beleeue them vpon their bare words . The ancient fathers in an holy wisedome , haue called Councels as befitted their times , for th● abandoning of heresies , and establishing of truth : such were these old Councels , the first Nicene , the Councel of Constantinople , the first Ephesine and such like , which we refuse not but theirs are latter , and are n● better many of them , then if th● whoremasters & whores were gathere● together to take order for the stewes But let vs consider , whether all Councels serue for a Catholickes comfort Many hundred yeares agoe the Councell of Constantinople decreed , that Images placed in the Church should be ouerthrowne and dashed in peeces . Councels condemning popish opinions . The Councel held at Eliberis in Spaine in the time of Constantine decreed , that women should not frequent vigils , that Images should be banished out of the Church , and that nothing should be painted on the wall to be worshipped .

The Councell of Gangrens , accursed them that condemned the priests mariage .

The third Councell of Carthage decreed , that the chiefe bishop should not be called the prince of priestes , or highest priest , but onely the bishop of the chiefe sea .

The Councell of Hippo decreed , that the bishop of the head sea , should not be called the chiefe priest ; that no scripture should be read in the Church , but Canonicall .

In a Councell holden at the Citie of Pize , both Gregory & Benet were deposed , & Alexander the fifthe lected Pope ; they notwithstanding holding still the title of papalitie , and so a lease of Popes vntill the comming of Constance .

At the Councell of Basil , Pope Eugenius concluded an hereticke , deposed , and a Duke created Pope in his place .

Thus they crake much of the authoritie of a councell , and bleare mens eies with so glorious a name , when as indeed their drunken superstitions by them are vtterly condemned . It is truly said of many Councels , that In nomine Dei incipit omne malum . How councels are . Therefore are they to be receiued with this caueat , tha● they be gathered in the name of Christ , decree according to his rule , & aim● at his glory . So shall they be no othe● wise receiued , then they bring the iudgment of Christ ; and the Pope shall b● put to silence , who for all shew of pr● and con , will determine for his purpos● wheresoeuer he is president .

Gerson and Panormitanus , not new protestants , but ancient fathers , being at the Councell of Basil , where it wa● argued , what authority a Councel hath decreed , that we must rather beleeu● one simple man alledging the scripture than an whole Councell to the contrarie : the thing it selfe is ratified in the grea● Nicene Councell , where many woul● haue forbidden priestes mariage , and onely Paphnutius being vnmaried , & alledging the scriptures which allow mariage in al men , did euince the contrarie .

The harmonie of fathers , a false motiue to poperie .

IT cannot be denied , but many fathers stand hard for their Catholike ●eligion , as father Piggius , father Hosius , ●ather Lombard , father Thomas , father ●cotus , father Caietan , Fathers pleading for the Romish religion . one of the best Car●inals ; father Bellarmine , father Staple●on , and many more hireling villaines , which are at the Popes pay , which al●hough in many things they agree no ●etter then Herod and Pilate , yet can ●hey consent to degrade Iesus Christ from his office , as well as the other did ●o bereaue him of his life : So that you ●ee what a consent of fathers here is , ●or the defence of a Pope-holy faith ▪

But there are other auncients , as fa●her Moses , father Dauid , Esay , Ieremie , &c. In a word , our fathers are the Pa●riarches , Prophets , and Apostles ; and when they shall proue that we dissent from these auncient fathers , that is , our worship , our faith , is not builded vpon the foundation of the Prophets and Apostles , as on the other side that theirs is ; then haue they spoke to the purpose .

Now if they meane by fathers consent to bring in Augustine , Chrisostome , Cyprian , Basil , Athanasius and the rest , with one accord to make their plea for poperie , then shamelesse beastes , they are conuinced alreadie by the friendes of the bridegroome , and confounded of their owne consciences , if they haue any at all .

Lastly , for this point , how farre the auncientest and holiest men next after the Apostles are to be listened vnto ; heare Augustine himself , How farre the ancient fathers are to be harkened vnto by the iudgement of Augustine . where he saith . That the testimonies of Cyprian and Agrippinus , are not to be alledged ; as if it were not lawfull otherwise to thinke ; if they perhaps shall speake otherwise then the truth doth require . And in an other place he saith : That we ought not to beleeue the Catholike Doctours , if they shall auouch any thing contrarie to the Canonicall scriptures : and confesseth that in his owne bookes many things may be found , which without rashnes may iustly be censured .

Teachers credit , a popish snare to entangle the ignorant , and a baite to drawe them from searching of the scriptures .

O Foxes full of all subtiltie ! for hence it is that you haue forbidden the scriptures to be read in the vulgar tongue , and such as all Christians vnderstand ; The common faith of the Catholike . and moreouer haue taught ●t to be sufficient to beleeue what your Church beleeueth , without inquisition what it is , and to credit your teachers without search of the scriptures : but pro●ided a man haue a good meaning , re●erre himselfe to the articles of your ●aith , kneele downe before a crucifix , ●e apt to say an Aue Maria , or a Pater ●oster ; O then behold a merit by and ●y atchieued , Iohn . 4.24 . 1. Cor. 16.13 . Ephes 16. 1. Pet. 3.9 . and Gods wrath appea●ed ! Is this to serue God in spirit , and ●n truth ? Is this which you teach the ●aith by which we stand , & which must ●eat backe the fierie darts of the enemies ? namely , to build vpon the affi●nce of Bellarmine , Stapleton , Allablaster . Indeed if you could bring the matter to this passe , that in stead of , Sic dicit Dominus exercituum : sic dicit Dominus Deus vester Papa , that is , in stead of thus saith the Lord of hostes , thus saith your Lord God the Pope , and in stead of , os Domini locutum est , The next way to make all the world papistes . the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it : Os Bellarminianum ve● Stapletonianū dixit , the mouth of Bellarmine or Stapleton hath said it : then is i● likely that all christendom shal be papists shortly ; nay Atheists perhaps , for I am sure of all your teachers , the Pope mus● haue the credit . And then what if his holines be as deuoutly minded as Paul th● third ; Paulus . 3. who lying on his death bed , said he should shortly vnderstand whether there were a God in heauen or no , wherof he had alwaies doubted : or as Iohn 22. who taught that mens soules did sleepe with their bodies : Iohn . 22. Iohn . 23. Atheists . or Iohn the twentie three , who taught that men died after the manner of beastes ; for which heresie and many more flagitious deeds , he was depriued of his papall iurisdiction , in Concilio Constantiensi . What if the Pope were thus minded , and so would proclaime it : I say vndoubtedly all the world , as noster magistellus Allablaster would beare vs in hand , are bound to beleeue him . But wee are taught to search the scriptures , 1. Iohn 5. and to try the spirits , both by commaundement and example ; by the light whereof all this your darknes hath been and shall be discouered . Iohn 4.

Vniuersalitie , a false marke of the true Church .

THere are no greater deceiuers in the world then they , who to discerne the true Church ( members whereof wee ought to be , if we will be saued ) from the false ( from the which we ought to separate our selues , if we will not be damned ) stand wholy vpon a multitude . For if in worldly affaires more fooles are to be found then wise : how is it then , when the point concerneth supernaturall goodnes and wisedome ? If the aduersarie will not credit Christ himselfe , speaking in plaine tearmes of the broad way which leadeth to destruction , through which many passe ; and the narrow gate that leadeth vnto life which fewe doe finde ; yet perpetuall experience might better teach them , then to stand vpon vniuersalitie , as a marke of the true Church : when the deluge came vpon the world , The greater number the worser . whether was paucitie or multitude a marke of the Church ? what was Abrahams house in comparison of the Cananites ? what was Israell ( to comprise hypocrites in the number ) in respect of the whole world ? what Church was the multitude a marke of , when Christ being in the earth in his person , the rulers reiected him , and the multitude cryed away with him , away with him , crucifie him , crucifie him ? what multitude was the number of sixescore persons , when the Christian Church began ? To conclude , when these proude boasters of their great numbers , shall well haue counted what they are in comparison of the rest of the world which acknowledge not the Messias ; then may they proue , if they will not maliciously erre , that the multitude is rather to be suspected , then reckoned a true note of the true Church .

Antiquitie of religion , a vaine brag of Romaine Catholickes .

MEn , time without mind , haue accustomed to commend them●●lues vnder the name of antiquitie , specially vnto the ignorant , whose ●gnorance also they doe abuse : and ●●us it commeth to passe by Gods iust ●●dgment , that they who will not suffer ●hemselues to be taught , take many ●●mes that for latter , which was for●er , and for new which is old : such are ●●ey of whom Peter speaketh , who said ●f that time when a man spake vnto ●●ē concerning the comming of Christ 〈◊〉 iudge the world , that all things were ●s they are now since the first fathers , ●hich thing is false , saith he : 2. Pet. 3.4 . for they ●●ould know that the world was not ●reated in such sort as now it is , and ●hat God hath alreadie executed an ●orrible Iudgment on the corruption ●hereof . Ier. 44.17 . In like sorte they reproched ●eremie , that he had mard all with his ●ew preaching : yea , and when they ●eare Christ himselfe , they say what kinde of new doctrine is this , Mark . 1.17 . Iohn . 5.39 . but he bids them search the scriptures , for they speak of him . In like sort , say these great asses that will know nothing , what new doctrine is this you teach ? where was the new Church of yours threescore yeares ago , before Luther ran out , and like a fugitiue fled from his mother ! behold their common language . We answere them that primum quodque verissimum . The protestants would that the prophets , Christ , and his Apostles should end all controuersies . And we will appeale vnto Moses , Dauid , the prophets , apostles , and auncient fathers to be tried for the antiquitie of our religion , if they dare put the controuersie by them to be ended . Looke what forme of seruice was in the Tabernacle and Salomons temple in their time ; and whether it commeth nearer our seruice , or the Popes portuis : they read Moses and the prophets , and expounded them , and doe not we so ? we haue nothing touching the substance of religion , but we are able to proue it from the scriptures for antiquitie ; so cannot they their transubstantiation , purgatory , inuocation of Saints , prayer for the dead , or any such pelting trash . But as for their Masse , it is like a beggars cloake made of a thousand patches , The Masse like a beggars cloake . one patch being fiue-hundred , an other foure-hundred , an other three-hundred yeare old . The vine which the Lord transported out of Egypt , hath been a long time in the hand not of vineyarders , but destroyers , from whom it now being taken , restored and husbanded by the seruants of the eternall , the enemies cry out with full mouth , that all is new which is against their corruption . We here then doe protest , that in the times of our fathers there was a Church , that is to say , a number of the children of God , as it were secret and shut vp ( as may be proued by writings from age to age , that there were some who opposed themselues against those superstitions and idolatries ) which by little and little , gat the vpper hand in the West Babilon , called three hundred yeares agoe by one of their owne Poets a temple of heresie , in the which , the Lord for this , suffered not that baptisme should be vtterly taken away and abolished .

We protest further , that in our time in which it hath pleased God to display the banner of his truth , there doth sti● remaine some of the elect buried , as 〈◊〉 were in the middest of this Babilon who in respect of the eternall counse● of God , appertaine at this present vnt● the true Church ; but by little and litt●● as it pleaseth God to draw them out 〈◊〉 this gulfe , are actually made membe● of the same . Lastly we protest , that tho●● great personages which the Lord of h●● goodnes of latter yeares hath raised vp haue not built vs a new Church , as the falsely call it , but haue gathered together the poore sheepe , who were scattered amongst the Wolues .

Vnitie falsely pretended a marke of th● Romish Church .

The Lord Iesus speaking of himselfe sayeth that he came not to sen● peace vpon the earth , Math. 10.34 . but rather diuision ; which diuision is the foyling o● Sathan , the breach of his peace , and th● ouerthrow of his kingdome . 1. Cor. 11.16 . Saint Pa●● saith , that heresies must be , but yet f●● the benefit of the beleeuers . The d●sciples followed Christ , but yet the people euen then , were diuided into Pharisies , Sadduces , Herodians , Essenians , Nazarites , and Samaritans . Therefore if the aduersaries meane to finde out a Church where there should be no diuision , nor diuersitie of opinion , let them say where it is : If they say it is theirs , it is a lowd lie : what vnitie is that when the black-fryers are against the grayfryers , and the crouchet against them both , and all for their browes ? what vnitie is it , when Canus is against Caietan , and Bellarmine against them both ? what vnitie is it , Non tànta nobiscum quam secum est contentio . when some amongst them for their sects are called Thomists and othersome Scotists , &c.

Truth it is , the catholiks would faine haue vnitie amongst themselues , and therefore they , Dealings of papists to maintaine their vnitie . if there be any thing that condemnes any poynt of their Popish opinion in the bookes of their writers , they blot it quite out , as their dealing is to bee seene in the writings of Ferus , one of their honestest .

To be short , betwixt the iarres of the Romaine catholikes and ours , this is a difference worthie your diligent obseruation , that ours are pettie iarres in matters of discipline , all of vs houlding the foundation , which is Christ crucified : Theirs are capitall , concerning saluation it selfe ; like vnto Herods and Pilats , wherein both were against Christ ; or like vnto those of the Stoickes and Epicures , wherein both were against Paul .

Apostolicall traditions made a masking weede for popish vnwritten verities .

The aduersaries to gaine some credit for their owne speculations ring out as lowd , as they can , this word of Apostolicall traditions ; whereo● they produce diuers examples scattered here and there throughout Sain● Paules epistles : as of the vaile of women , of the order of speaking the word of God in the assemblie , of collections gatherings for the poore and almes . To giue direction for this point , it is on● thing to make lawes to tie mens consciences to , as to say , this you must beleeue , and not beleeue , do , and not do vpon paine of condemnation : and an other thing , to haue respect vnto ●hat which is requisite for vse and pra●tise , as well of the doctrine as of the dis●ipline , which God the onely lawgiuer ●ath ordained requisite : I say accor●ing to time , place and persons , which ●eing subiect to varietie ; yea to con●rarietie , somtimes the Lord of the new ●ouenant , ( if I may say so ) could make ●o certaine nor perpetuall ordinances , ●eeing this pollicie is accidental and not ●f the substance , either of doctrine or gouernment of the Church . Wherefore ●t pleased him in respect of this , to giue generall commandement , that what●oeuer he ordained should be executed ●rderly . Contrariwise , the Scribes and ●harisies not contented to sit in Moses ●haire , that is , to deliuer the doctrine ●nd discipline taught by the ministerie ●f Moses , would needs make lawes for ●he consciences of men , and so adde ●omething of their owne vnto the ser●ice of God ; whereupon the Lord had ●ather scandalize and offend them , then ●ubiect his disciples vnto them , shew●ng that he accounted not the vsage of ●uch traditions indifferent , but called them the abolishing of the diuine ordinances , and a leauen to be taken heed of . I speake concerning the new couenant , because vnder the old , the Church being enclosed within the limits of one people , of one countrie , of one holy place , the Lord not only set downe the doctrine of the seruice and gouernement of the Church as touching the substance , but particularized the ordinances according to persons , times , and places , inuiolately to be obserued , without adding to , or clipping from ; & le● this suffice concerning the soueraignti● of him who hath written in his thighes the King of Kings , and Lord of Lords

All which if it be true , as it cannot b● denied , then those Apostolicall traditions , and goodly vnwritten verities which the new vpstart Moter Mouns●● Allablaster , or any other birds of his fether , shal whisper into the eares of the●● followers , are but so many sacrilegiou● degradations from the royall or prophetical state of our Sauiour Christ , an● a tyrannicall vsurpation ouer the port●on and heritage of the Lord ( seruing th● head of the Church , as Sampsons companions serued him ) against the expresse commission deliuered vnto the Apostles , against the expresse example of Saint Paul : and therefore their new ordinances , vnwritten verities , Apostolicall traditions , in lieu of being obeyed , are to be held accursed , and had in execration , by the ordinances of God . Deut. 18.20 . Galath. 18. though they should be taught by the Angels of heauen themselues . Deut. 18.20 . Gal. 1.8 .

Hitherto for the preseruing of the vnlearned sort from the pestilent perswasions of craftie companions , as creepe ●nto mens houses , and captiuate their consciences , whom I beseech by the care of their owne saluation , to beware of these Foxes and woorkemen so deceiptfull .

Although the aduersaries would beare vs in hand that the naile they do driue at , is to bring men to their Ca●holike religion ; yet experience hath ●aught vs , that the principal marke that ●hey aime at , The leuell of popish deuices . is to moue them to treason or rebellion , crimes so capitall in ●hemselues , and execrable , as barbarous ●eeds must they be , that liue to do them them : kingdome , prince , and people , lamentably miserable that liue to suffer them . And hereupon it comes to passe , that in stead of disputation to proue their faith , they bring vs dispensations to withdraw from loyaltie ; and in lieu of reasons to confirme their religion , they bring vs treasons to entrap the Realme , Prince , and Nobles : whereof they haue been alreadie iustly conuicted , though faine they would be canonized in the popish Kalendar as martyrs , & in the aray of Euangelick & Apostolicke reformers .

But howsoeuer they would faine couer disobedience , vnder the cloake of freedome of conscience ; treason , vnder the colour of religion ; and rebellion , vnder the shadow of a Catholicke profession ; yet magnified be thy name , O God our king , and protectour , who hast allotted them successe answerable to their sinister meaning , taken them in the pit that they had digged for others , and hanged them as Haman vpon the gallowes , whereupon they thought to haue hanged Mordecay .

The Foxe is rauenous and greedie . Another propertie of the Foxe is , that he is rauenous and greedie on his prey : euen so these vnsatiable sea-gulfs vnder pretence of long praier , haue deuoured widowes houses , The Pope like The Philistians Dagon . and gotten to themselues the goods of this world , through counterfeit merchandice . The Philistians Dagon was said to be like a man in the vpper parts , but from the ●auell downeward , like a fish : That Dagon of Rome is neither flesh , nor fish , but as he flesheth himselfe in bathing ●n the blood of innocent martyrs ; so ●he maketh all fish that comes to net , by fashioning religion as may best serue for the inriching of his coffers . And ●herefore it was wittily answered of an Abbot , who being asked , Papa cuius par●is orationis : said that he was participij par●is , and why thinke you ? What part of speech the Pope is . quia partem ca●it à clero , partem à seculari , partem ab vtro●ue , that is , this word Pope is a partici●le , that is , of the qualitie of those that ●ut forth their hands on both sides the ●ish , for he pils the spiritualty and pol●eth the temporalty , & without meane ●nd measure part-stakes on both sides , ●o the great woe of the world . The ex●erience of this is sufficiently tried by ●he taxes and valuing of benefices , whereout the old Foxe must haue his share . To let slip many of the scraps , which he so carefully gathereth vnder the table of the beneficed like a dog , onely the first fruits , which the Prelats , Bishops , Abbots , & other benefice buiers haue allowed the Pope , haue amounted in Fraunce yeare by yeare ( as it is reported ) but to tenne times an hundred thousand crownes : and then ponder what a monstrous masse of money all other countries , vnder his vsurped tyrannie , doe bring in ; for you must thinke they are serued with the like sauce . It is well knowne how the treasure of this Realme was transported , when the ambitious Prelate Cardinall Woolsey conueied two hundred and fortie thousand pounds sterling out of the kings Exchequer at one time , for the relieuing of Pope Clement , whom the Duke of Bourbon , after the sacking of Rome , drew forth of the Castle of Saint Angelo , & detained him prisoner in the Emperours armie . What should 〈◊〉 speake of the reuenewes that are paid him , euerie yeare of the strumpets of Rome , amounting ( for ech paid a ducate ) aboue fortie thousand ducates ? What should I speake of that which is brought him in the chamber of penance , where ●emission of sinnes is rated at reasonable reckoning ? What should I speake of his daily dispensations granted for ●he grossest sinnes , such mercandize is daily thrist to the Romish Pilates and ghostly fathers ? But especially the polluters of the name of Iesus . And hereby it is come ●o passe that the olde gray Foxe is be●ome the Lord of the whole earth , and ●et not contented , daily coyneth new ●eates out of Sathans forge , whereby to ●ncrease his pompe and pride . His Car●inals , Bishops , & Abbots , are become Princes and Lords of whole countries ; ●is Munkes , Friers , and Massing priests , ●hat with begging , what with singing ●aue raked no small heapes together . What , call you this Peters successor ? O ●uantum mutatus ab illo ! I will neuer be●eeue that Peters chaire can conteine so ●onstrous a monster . Peter forsooke ●he world and followed Christ , the Pope ●ath renounced Christ and followed ●he world . Peter had neither gold nor siluer , but he had gifts and graces ; the Pope hath neither gifts nor graces ; but he hath so much siluer as he can find in his heart to shooe his concubines palf-freies therewith . Peter would not suffer captaine Cornelius to crouch vnto him : the Pope is in his ruffe , rides on cockhorse , is caried on mens shoulders , treads on Emperors neckes , keeps a quoile like the Diuell in euerie kingdome of the world : so that now the Diuell and the Pope are both one , and agree as well as two heads in one hood . The diuell promised Christ all the world if he would fal downe and worship him ; the Pope promiseth heauen and earth to those that will fall downe and adore him .

Crueltie another propertie of the Foxe . Another propertie of the Foxe is crueltie , wherein the two-legged Foxes doe farre exceed the other , and of that Christendome once hath had most lamentable experience : for this is vndeniable , that as poperie and subtiltie goe hand in hand , whilest poperie is kept vnder ; so poperie and crueltie are mates vnseparable , if once poperie get the vpper hand . Here my louing countrimen , though former triall hath giuen you good cause not to trust an old Fox ; yet by gleaning a few eares out of a full sheaffe , it shall not be bootlesse to giue you a warning by others . Amongst the rest as not the least notorious , Boniface the eight may be remembred , who raigned in the time of the Emperours Adolphus and Albertus , Boniface 8. beares the bel for barbarous crueltie . this prouerb in those dayes passing of him , intrauit vt vulpes , regnauit vt leo , mortuus est vt canis , that is , he entered as a Foxe , raigned as a Lion , and dyed like a dogge . It came to passe on a time in the citie of Genoa , that he had in hand the Archbishop Procherus vpon the day commonly called ashwednesdaie , who being enflamed against him maliciously , because he tooke part with the Gibellines , which assisting the iust title of the emperiall maiestie , withstood the swelling insolencie of the popedome , did vse him with such cruell courtesie , as followeth : that whereas he vsed these words to other , memento homo quod cinises & in cinerem reuerteris ; that is , remember man that thou art ashes , and into ashes thou shalt returne , he casting ashes into his face , thundred out this terrible threatning , memento homo quod Gibellinus es , & cum Gibellinis in terram reuerteris : that is , remember fellow that thou art a Gibelline , and with the Gibellines thou shalt to the pot . Deus bone , tantaene animis caelestibus irae ? is it euen so sirs ? can Pope holie harts harbour such cruell hate ? then Lord deliuer vs from the crueltie of two-legged Foxes . If you reade Iohn Carion in his Chronicle , and other writers , you shall finde how louingly Pope Alexander the third , vsed the Emperour Fredericke Barbarossa , Alexender 3. his crueltie against the Emperour Fredericke Barbarossa . who after he had anathematized him with the horrible curse of Simei , and thundred his ratling excommunication against him , tooke him in the end within the towne of Venice , trode vpon his necke euen with his feete , who for the establishing of his authoritie , did openly pronounce before the people this saying in the Psalme , Super aspidem & basiliscum equitabis , & calcabis leonem & draconem , that is , thou shalt ride vpon the Aspe , and the Basiliske , the Lion and the Dragon shalt thou treade vpon . Likewise was Franciscus Dandalus Duke of Venice , excommunicated and banished by Pope Clement the fift , Clement 5. his crueltie against Franciscus Dandalus duke of Venice . and enioyned to a certaine pennance , which was that he should goe ●long the Popes pallace vpon his knees , with a coller about his necke ●ike a dogge . Who would thinke they ●ould confirme this rough crueltie , by ●laine scripture ? but yet they can , after ●he exposition of the Church of Rome : ●or wot you what is written in the ●ight psalme ? thou hast put all things ●nder his feete , sheepe and oxen , A prettie Romish commentarie . yea ●ll the beasts of the field , that is , Chri●tians , Iewes , Turkes , and Tartarians ; ●he foules of the aire , that is , the soules ●nd Saints departed ; and the fishes in ●he sea , that is , the soules that are in purgatorie . And this is it , which Cardinall Poole being the Popes lieutenant at the councell of Trent , did fortifie by the words of Christ , that he would make Peter a fisher of men , which after the sence of the Church of Rome , is to be vnderstood thus : that he would driue all Emperours , Princes , and Potentates into the Popes net to broyle them , or frie them , euen as his holines should thinke best for his owne diet . The Lord deliuer England from such fishing , least after fishing , come frying ; and the Foxes bring faggots .

But what should I speake of forraine Princes ? how lycenciously & presumptuously hath he dared to controll the mightie Princes of England , infringing their liberties , and incroaching vpon their prerogatiues , wherin if he were at any time withstood , he straightway cast about to depose them ? As King Iohn was most miserablie vexed by Innocent the third , King Iohn vexed by Innocent third . and forced at last to resignethe crown with al his title of soueraignetie both in England and Ireland . Henrie 2. suspended from his crowne . As Henry the second was suspended from his crowne , and for the space of foure dayes went barefoote to Thomas Beckets Tombe , dieng the rough stones with his bloud . What a solemne oration made Cardinall Poole , being sent by the Pope to Charles the Emperour setting forward against the Turke ? whose purpose was to perswade the Emperour to turne his prepared power from inuading the Turke , and to bend it against King Henrie the eight , worse then any Turke , as he said . What blustering stormes of rebellion hath that late councell of Trent blowne vp in christendome that cannot yet be appeased ? Councell of Trent of the bellows of rebellion . And all because the olde Foxe ●ath perswaded his young cubbes that ●hey may lawfully deuoure the lambs , ●hat is , the Pope hath powred an opi●ion into the papists , that if he dispence with them , The harmonie of Popish doctrines and dealings . they may lawfully breake ●romise . And heerein their doctrines ●nd dealings iarre not one iot , for what ●oe they teach ? that the Pope hath the ●isposition of the crownes of christian ●rinces , that he hath the right of de●iding to whom any kingdome belongeth , that he hath lawfull powre to giue kingdomes to such as can conquer and get them , that hee hath authoritie to ●ischarge Christian subiects from their ●utifull loyaltie to their lawfull prin●es , that he hath power to giue leaue , ●ea blessing , reward , immortalitie and ●ternall felicitie to such rakehels and ●ebels , as attempt the tearing of the ●rowne from the Princes head . And what is the practise of our papists ? they sauour rebellion , they ioyne in conspiracie with strangers to conuey the crowne to a forrainer , they agree with the enemie in faction , to offer our cuntrey to a pray .

I cannot more fittly compare them , then to those kinde of Scorpions and little Serpents which Pliny and Aristotle mentioned to be in Mesopotamia , which neuer hurt or harme strangers , but deadly sting the naturall inhabitants : nay , of worse condition they are than the serpents , for they haue venome to hurt others , but not themselues ; bu● these , to hurt their princes , their noble● and people , are content to hazard their own states . Farre more bewitched thei● that foolish fellow , who was wel contented to bee depriued of one of his owne eyes , so that conditionally he might depriue his companion of both . It seemeth to me , that he which framed the picture of Furie as followeth , meant to describe these desperat dealings ; who is painted with a sword in his hand for his greedie desire of reuenge , and desperatly rusheth vpon a Iaueline , murdering himself whilest he seeketh the spoyle of another .

Countrimen degenerous ( if not so farre alienated from loyaltie , you are vnworthie of the name of countrimen ) what drunkennes hath couered your spirits , that you should wooe the Spaniard to worke your woes , No trusting to a Spanyards courtesie . cruelly wish your owne euill , by opening your gates ●o strangers , & prostrating your wealths ●o the courtesie of him who hath vowed your ouerthrowes ? It is an olde saying , that he blameth Neptune without cause , who hauing once made shipwracke , wil ●enture to the sea the second time : you haue had triall of the Spanyards disposition euen in Queene Maries daies , his courting tearmes were but painted co●ours to deceiue your simplicities ; when he spake most faire , he ment most false●y , and when Spaine began to shew ●reacherous , England began to seeme suspicious , whereupon in happie time ●hey parted . If these be forgotten , take notice by your neighbour nations , and ●ook to your own house when thy neigh●ours is on fire . What should I here re●ort out of histories , their crueltie laid vpon the Indians , which as they surmount all credit , Beware by others harmes . so am I not furnished with words effectuall to display them , sometimes raging amongst themselues , who with one thrust of a sword should braueliest paunch an Indian , sometimes rosting them aliue with soft fires , sometimes murthering them with mankind mastiues , sometimes a shambles of Indian mans flesh , and causing them to eate one another .

Amongst the rest , there is a strange storie of an Indian Lord , flying from the I le Hispaniola into the I le Cuba , who was by the Spanyards so hotly pursued , An holie hypocrite . that at the last hee was apprehended and tyed to a stake to be burned , where a deuout fransciscan Frier began to enforme him in his catholike religion , telling the Indian noble man , that if he did beleeue those things he taught him , he should goe to heauen presently , and enioy euerlasting happines ; else no way but to hell to endure perpetuall torments . The Indian Lord making a pawse at the matter , asked him whether the Spanyards went when they died to heauen ( quoth the Fryer ) because they die in the catholike faith . The noble man hearing him say so , answered forthwith , that he would not go to heauen , nor haue any fellowship with s● bloudie a nation .

Mournfull Mexico for the desolation of thy nobles in whom thy ioy and glorie did cheifly consist , thou hast warned succeeding posteritie to beeware of trusting Spanish courtesie . Mo●enzuma King of Mexico , his thousand presents were not able to keepe him from Giues and wrongfull imprisonment . These examples teach you , that ●f you let this cruell Tirant but to tread ●pon the shoore , his desire will not be satisfied vntill he haue footing with●n your walles , and if once hee tread within your walles , he will harbour in ●our houses , and haue his hands in your ●reasuries ; nay , though you would giue ●im as many presents as Motenzuma , ●hey should not bee able to redeeme ●our feete from the Giues or necks from ●●e Rope . A vaine reply . But some man will answere ●●e , that these were heathenish creatures , ●ithout God in this world ; but they ●re catholikes , of the Spanish faith and ●rofession . I confesse indeede that the ●panyards greatly pretend the vp●olding of the catholike faith , but their ●eeds declare that they wholy entend ●e encrease of their priuat commoditie . Their large proffers are but Sodoms fruite , Spanish proffers like Sodoms fruit . for they although goodly in show , yet being handled they fall to ashes : these beautifull in outward appearance , touched , turne to poison , to the ouerthrow of them that credit them . For looke a little into the Low countries , hath their catholicke religion freed them from Spanish inuasion ? Are not many of them willing to entertaine any religion , and to forsake al to please the King of Spaine ? and are they for all this at better peace ?

Their long and multiplied grieuances may teach you ( vnlesse vtterly vndocible ) that the catholike religion is but a Spanish masking weede , to obtaine his purpose ; and that howsoeuer he promiseth you , to set the crowne vpon a Popish head ; yet his captaines , & souldiers shal cast lots for your liues , his gentry and nobles for your liuings , and you as many as should liue , should be slaues & drudges , euermore suspected , and distrusted , from which seruitude neuer to bee deliuered , vnlesse your wiues should conspire . Lastly , if other nations haue so felt these furies , though scarce thought to haue done him any wrong , what treacheries , what cruelties , Spanish hearts most bitter against English men . what villanies must we needes looke for , to be performed vnto vs of him , whose malice is multiplied according to the number of so many supposed receiued harmes , and foule dishonours . Then countrimen Italionated , or Englishmen Spanyardized , let me thus much perswade you , that the benefit of your treason , ( if vnhappilie successe should answer your sinister meanings ) ( which God forbid ) is that your countrie should be desolate , your selues feared or suspected , and the garland of your peace shall adorne the heads of your deadlie foes ; your stately houses shall harbour stinging serpents , a thing lamentable , but yet a iust reward of traitors .

CHAPTER . 4.

An oration from olde Rainard to his Iesuiticall cubbes , and extrauagant Foxe-priests , wherein his experienced wilines directeth them from curious contemplation to treacherous practises .

DEare sonnes , before I take my leaue and last farewell , I cannot choose but reuiue the remembrance of my auncient loue , not that by recounting my abundant fauours which from time to time you haue tasted , I meane vpbrayd , but rather to recomfort my selfe , whose loue towards you , by nature or forwardnesse to fit you to further seruice , is so well recompenced with diligence , to execute what I shall giue you in charge . You know sonnes , how I haue erected seminaries , and to what end , ( which mine enemies doe call bad conuenticles , no better then cockatrices to hatch treason ) in these I neuer thought any cost too dear , Not causelesly . whereby either to make your bodies fit for trauaile , or to helpe your natures inclination with fallacious art , for the accomplishment of our purpose . And now my sonnes , it is hie time that you fall from contemplation to practise , which is to transforme religious superstition , into policie ; Popish practike diuinitie . and policie into treason , wherein let none of you scorne your old fathers direction ; for though your yonger yeares be riper in art , yet my experience may teach you in treasons to bee acted . English you are , and to England must I send you , whose Albion clifts seeme to me a farre off like rockes of pure Diamond , where some right dearely loue me your olde father , Too many . and from the depth of their entire affection , shall embrace you my deerest children . And more shal , the more thou art discouered . But the greatest part pursue me with deadly hate , tearming me no better then a bloudsucking Canniball , a robber of Churches , Fit titles for thy Foxe-ship . a patrone of heresies , a father of falshood , the brocher of quarrells , the head master of mutinies , the seede-man of sedition , the infringer of liberties , the controller of Princes , the enemie of Christ , the monster and astonishment of nature , enchayning Christian soules in miserable thraldome , and more then Aegyptian seruitude .

But the time may come when all this may be repaid , the hope whereof is vnto me , as it were a restoratiue , to reuiue my faint and languishing spirits , which hope doth depend chiefly vpon your cunning , Two reuiuing cordials for the old Foxe his heart . in compassing ; and cunning consisteth in this which followeth : first , that you worke vpon such as are fit to be added to our catholike faction ; and secondly in the manner of the performance . Those that are the likeliest to be fitted to this frame , that is , to lend an hand when oportunitie strikes alarme , ( I speake not sonnes of those who alreadie are deuout catholikes , earnestly expect , and hartily pray for successe of our cause , Who are likeliest to be framed to popish practises . ) either are male contents , whom enuy or inconstancy may make desirous of a change ; or loose professours , proculstants , who haue lent their loue to voluptuous delites or prodigalities , children , whom extreme want hath made desperatly minded ; or wanton wanderers , whom long trauail hath depriued of naturall affection .

And thus began Mahomet to strengthen his state , The Lion and the Foxe iumpe in the manner of strengthening and enlarging their kingdomes . by ioyning himselfe with the angrie souldiers of Heraclius , stirring vp their minds against the Emperour , and encouraging them in their defection : whereupon in processe of time it came to passe , that although many could not abide him for the basenes of his birth , Mahomet his beginning . and odiousnes of his former life ; yet growing from a thiefe to a seditious souldier , and from a seditious souldier , to be a captaine of a rebellious host ; his Mahometicall force began to subdue mightie people . Now as you must strike with Mahomet whilest the Iron is hot , and worke those with diligence , whose inclination you finde pliable ; so must your wisedome appeare in the manner of this worke , wherein I would haue you to propound to your selues , The old Foxe sendeth his cubbes to schoole to the Lion . the deceitfulnes of that damned wretch before named : I would not for all this world it were knowne my sonnes , you followed so base a pattern of a cousening knaue , for an example of Imitation . This Mahomet not onely to gratifie his companions , but also the more easilie to allure all nations , receiued all religions , the pertinacie of Arrius , the errour of Nestorius , The religion of Mahomet . the vaine inuention of the Thalmudists : therfore from the Iewes he receiued circumcision , from the christians sundry washings as it were Baptisme , & with Sergius , denied Christ his diuinitie .

Secondly , to enlarge his kingdome , he made such lawes as were fit to win , The manner how Mahomet enlarged his kingdome . and allure the vilest , as to his Arabians , base wretches accustomed to liue vpon the spoile , he alloweth theft , and setteth a law of reuengment : Hurt him , which hurt you , he that killeth his enemie , or is killed by him , entreth into Paradise : he permits hauing of many wiues , diuorcement for trifling causes , promiseth Paradise to them that giue liberally , and fight for his sake .

Thirdly , mistrusting his fall , with many bulwarkes hath he fenced his law , Three bulwarkes of laws mahometane . that no way be open to subuert it . First , by commaunding to kill them which speake against the Alcoran . Secondly , by forbidding men to conferre with a contrary sect : And thirdly , by prohibiting credit to bee giuen to any of a contrarie religion . Now sirs , why should not we preuaile as well as this deceiuer , whom for example I haue mentioned to you my children ? Mahomet an example of imitation to the Pope . haue we not as wany motiues , as plausible Rhetoricians to perwade ? for first as he ; to allure all nations receiued all religions , so I your old father , haue found out such a religion as is compounded of all sorts , that all might be pleased : and therefore our enemies haue called it the trusse and budget of heresies . Secondly , Why mans corrupted nature doth so easely incline to poperie . our doctrines are as mightie to preuaile as euer were the lawes of Mahomet . If their old men be couetous , their yong men voluptuous , their nobles ambitious , and the common sort ceremonious , The Catholickes faith fit for a couetous heart . we haue such allurements as are able to winne them . To the ritch couetousnes with craft and crueltie , & the rest of her factours : we haue coyned a purgatorie the fire of our gaine . For the voluptuous . For dissolute and idle to no-things . To feed the voluptuous , our religion admits simple fornication , and our practise hath erected a stewes . To draw on the riotous , the dissolute & idle do-nothings : we haue ordained many odde holy daies , halfe holy daies , at Rogation to carry banners , after Pentecost to go about with Corpus Christi play , to ring at All hallowes , &c.

For such as would not see their sinnes . To keepe men from the sight of their sinnes , we haue taught them to mince it , and that the first motions are no sins , vnlesse they goe with consent , that some are venial , & need but an asperges of holy water , or a bishops blessing . To win ambitious heads that faine would be aloft , For aspiring heads . you must teach that my power is to giue kingdomes to such as can conquer them , to free subiectes from loyaltie , and to giue immortalitie to such as can plucke the crowne from the princes head .

For wilfully ignorant . If the people will know nothing , to fit their humours , we teach that Ignorance is the mother of deuotion , that Images are bookes for lay men , that knowledge of the scriptures makes heretickes , & that it is sufficient for them , that their faith be foulded vp in our Romish Church beliefe , without vnderstanding or knowing what it is .

Lastly , least simplicitie either in Church-seruice , Outward painted seruice of the popish Church meere pollicy to steale mens hearts . or administration of sacraments should breed contempt , we haue added many petite matters to make them more-commendable , and our followers more deuout : as in our Churches , gilded Images , altars , super-altars , candlestickes and such like : In our massings and Church seruice , golden garments , costly colours , straunge gestures . Trash , warbling , numbering of beads , &c. in our priestes , square caps , bald crownes , great hoods ; in our orders , crossing , annointing , shauing , forswearing wedlocke , &c. In our baptisme , washing of hands , salting , spatling , exorcising , crossing . In receiuing , to come with beards new shauen , & an imagination of a body where none is .

And lastly , Foure bulwarkes of papisme . least this our iugling should be espied , we haue made as strong fences for papisme , as euer did that wicked beast for Mahometisme : for first , we haue buried the scriptures , least , by that light , our darkenes should be discouered .

Secondly , Church-seruice we haue thrust vpon seely people in a straunge language : Sonnes you know well why for Simon Magus was neuer detected before Christ was preached in Samaria .

Thirdly , we haue forbidden our followers to conferre with the Hugenotes , for they are alwaies striking at vs with the scepter of the word , and still crie , to the law and the testimonie , &c.

Fourthly , we haue an argument drawne , à fasciculis , which we commaund to be formed in a new moode and figure against such as speak against our traditions . Vaine hope , vncertaine promises . Absolon a courtlike politike a patterne for popish priestes . And what can we doe more , yea what doth there else remain , but that you doe all diligence , feeding your fauorites with strong hope and large promises , standing at the court gates with Absolon , the liuely image of courtly politickes , seeming to pittie the peoples estate , when his ambitious humour did greedily aspire after his fathers kingdome : Euen so you my sons , tell them that their religion is good , and their cause is good , & how I your father & theirs do pittie them ; and that if I had the disposition of the crown , plentie should follow the scepter , and peace should follow plentie ; there should be no distrust of secret treason , nor feare of forraine inuasion . But aboue all , see that you nourish in them a strong perswasion of Spanish loue , and an earnest desire of Indian gold , that euen as Philip made the Athenians beleeue , that he pretended enmitie against the Plotenses , and Olynthians , when he meant to ride vpon the backe of all Grecia : so must you make them beleeue , that the purpose of the Spaniard , Beleeue them that list . is onely to reforme religion , and to passe no further . And thus there being a coniunction of English plots , with Spanish practise , how should we but preuaile , except sonnes , with my elder brother Baalam , we haue laboured to curse where the Lord neuer cursed , and detested where the Lord neuer detested : and I your olde father be constrained in the end , to roare with Iulian the Apostata , saying , vicisti Galilaee vicisti . I say no more vnto you , but walke closely , and keepe your selues in tenebris : for your predecessors , I know not whether to ascribe it to angrie stars , the influence of the heauens , neglect of oportunitie , want of secrecie , by too great securitie haue had so sinister successe , that in stead of supplanting a kingdome , they haue broken their neckes at Tyburne , and in stead of reconciling sowles to our Romish faction , Not so , but iust reward of treason . their heads haue been vnited to an halter : This crueltie haue they sustained for my sake , whom therfore I haue crowned with martyrdom , as your elder brother Campion & the rest , the remembrance of whom ( in whose endeuours I haue heretofore placed my hope , of effecting that whereunto I now imploy your selues ) doth but increase my sorrow and griefe .

CHAPTER . 5.

Certaine semblances betwixt the Foxe , and the Lyon , Antichrist , and Mahomet , in broaching their damnable doctrines , and leuying nations to their lawes .

FOr as much as the couert enemies against the Church , do most of all deceiue simple people , by shrowding their deformities vnder the mantle of deuotion , I haue thought it pertinent to set downe these semblances following , betwixt the Pope & Mahomet , the which throughly pondered of euerie Christian man , are sufficient to bring him to a full detestation of the Romish religion .

This Mahomet was an Arabian souldiour , and tooke wages of the Emperour Heraclius , to serue him in his wars . In a mutinie he was chosen to be a commaunder of a rebellious host , so base a vassall was he , that the people of Mecha who worship him at this day , condemned him to death for his murders and robberies . Mahomets confession of himselfe . Yea he confesseth himselfe what he was , namely an Idolater , an adulterer , giuen to leacherie , subiect to women , in such manner as it is a shame to report . This is that prophet without prophesying , The first semblance in their manners . that lawmaker without miracles , that irreligious former of religion , that man without God , which hath by his ignorance choked the truth , and by his violence inforced falshood . That many of the Popes haue bin as desperate and damnable varlets as euer was Mahomet , Some Popes as verie varlets as euer was Mahomet . the legends written by their owne secretaries doe beare witnesse . Amongst whom , that monster Boniface the eight carieth the bell : of whom themselues giue testimonie , that he entered like a Foxe , ruled like a Lion , and died like a dog . Whosoeuer listeth to rake in the dounghil of Popes , shall finde some of them to be starke Atheistes , as Paul the third , some blasphemers and sodomitical knaues as Iulius the third , some whoremasters as Iohn the 12. who abused his fathers concubines , some necromancers as Syluester , who was made Pope , auxilio diaboli , by the aide of the diuell . Yea so holy are these vnerring fathers , that one being demaunded , why in their suffrages they praied not for Cardinals and Bishops ? that , saith he , is to be vnderstood , vbi oramus pro schismaticis & haereticis , where we pray for schismatickes and heretikes .

The meanes whereby Mahomet deceiued the world , were as followeth . This new Captaine many could not abide ; his manners were so monstrous : besides , he was vexed with the falling sicknes ; therefore to redeeme himselfe from this contempt , pretended a diuinitie in his doings , faining himselfe to conferre with God , and so to be rauished out of himselfe : and that he was no more a prince elected through fauour of souldiers , but a messenger of the Almightie . Hauing laid this foundation politickely , he beginneth to make a mingle-mangle of all religions : For to allure the Iewes , he exalted Moses , and retained circumcision ; not to estraunge the Christians , he confessed Christ to be the spirit , word and power of God ; to please the Nestorians , he said that Christ was not verie God , nor the sonne of God , but that he had indeed the soule of God .

The Foxe laieth a foundation for his absurdities and blasphemies , The second semblance in the ground plot of enlarging their kingdomes . much like that of the Lion : for as Mahomet coosened the world , in making it beleeue that he entered communication with God , when he fell into his fit of the falling sickenes : so the Pope whilest he maketh thousands beleeue that he is Gods vicar , as the other made his beleeue that he was , and is Gods messenger , and that he cannot erre in giuing sentence , though he may slip as a priuate person , poisoneth the Church with pestilent opinions , and draweth whole cart-lodes of soules after him into hell fire . The groundworke once laid , that the Pope cannot erre : then like to Mahomet beginneth hee to make an hotch-potch of heresies , as to worship Christ and other saints , with the Carpocratians ; to worship the virgine Marie , with the Collyridians ; to paint God like an old man , with the Anthropomorphits ; to hold freewil , and a possibilitie to fulfill the commandements , with the Pelagians ; to restraine meats to daies and times , with the Montanistes , and Manichees ; to condemne mariage with the Tatians and Cataphrygians ; and in many pilgrimages , praier to the dead , Iustification by workes , to shew himselfe a right Mahometane .

The third semblance is in the likelihood of their blasphemies against Christ , The third semblance in broaching their blasph●mies . for Mahomet fearing I say , least that he should alienate the Christians , confessed Christ to be the spirit , word and power of God , but not verie God , nor the sonne of God , and himselfe to be the seruant of Christ : but yet so , that in the end he preferreth himselfe before him , and maketh himselfe the last refuge , for mankind to flie vnto .

The Pope denieth not the person of the great sonne of God , for then should he not be Antichrist ; but yet if you marke well how he degradeth him of his dignities , you shall see that Christ is much alike beholden to them both , and that euerie one may vnderstand what his flatterers giue him , and what he chalengeth . Let vs heare what is written . Christopher Marcellus said to the Pope , and it pleased him well , Tues alter Deus in terris : Thou art an other god vpon earth . Againe , it is written of him , Dominus Deus noster Papa , Our Lord God the Pope . In the proheme of the Clementines fol. 3. Papa , id est , admirabilis , nec Deus nec homo , quasi neuter es inter vtrumque . The Pope is so named , because he is wonderfull , thou art neither God nor man , but as it were a neuter betwixt both . Againe , Excepto peccato omnia potest quae Deus , except sin he can doe all that God can doe . He can make holy that which is vnholy , pardon sins , iustifie the wicked , dispense against the old and new Testament . Againe , Omnis potestas data est mihi in terra : All power is giuen to me in earth . Now I report me to all them , whose iudgement is not quite peruerted , whether Mahomet euer did or could speake more blasphemously against the honour of God or Iesus Christ , than these diuellish Doctors .

But we must remember here that as Mahomet hauing renounced the person of the sonne of God , yet calleth himselfe his seruant : So the Pope claiming supreame iurisdiction in all causes , and throughout all countries , yet vaileth bonnet , and stoopeth his stile , calling himselfe seruum seruorum Dei . Of whose shamelesse hypocrisie or dissembled humilitie , this Distich hath been framed worthie remembrance , Roma tibi quondam suberant Domini Dominorum : Seruorum serui hunc tibi sunt Domini . Time was o Rome when Lord of Lords , Did yeeld thee fealtee : Time 's past and seruants seruants now Thy Lords , and masters be . The fourth semblance is in their laws .

For Mahomet in his Alcoran commandeth his followers to kill the infidell , The fourth semblance in the likelihood of their lawes . to auenge themselues , and to take no wrong ; and telleth them that whosoeuer killeth his enemie , shall haue the greater share in paradice : he permitteth the hauing of many wiues , & diuorcement for trifling causes : by which damnable waies he hath enlarged his kingdome by his successors , and partly by fraud , partly by force hath brought a great part of the world vnder his tyrannicall subiection .

Now see whether the Foxe and the Lion agree not as wel as two heads vnder one hood . For as Mahomet commaunds to kill , and promiseth paradice to them that kil most ; so the Pope giues authoritie and power to kill the true Christians , and promiseth immortalitie to them that murther their naturall princes .

Secondly , as Mahomet commaundeth his to auenge themselues : so the Popes doctrine is not farre short of it , when he teacheth it to be the counsell of Christ not his commaundement , to loue our enemies .

Thirdly , as that damned wretch alloweth the hauing of many wiues , and diuorcement for trifling causes : so the Pope although he admitte not Polygamie , yet simple fornication with him is no deadly sinne . He erecteth stewes and brothell houses : yea the sinne of Sodome hath been allowed by some of these maiden fathers , Ioan. Rauisius Textor in his booke called officina . and gelded bishops , as by Sixtus the fourth , who also gaue licence to all the generation of the Cardinall of Saint Lucie , ( who was his huntsman ) to vse this sodomiticall filthines in the three hot monthes of the yeare , namely , Iune , Iuly , and August . What should I tell you , that Iohannes de Casa an Arch-prelate , and grand-captaine , writ a booke in commendation of it ? Of Catholike O shamelesse harlot to magnifie that in writing , the onely thought wherof , ought to wound the heart with horrour !

Thirdly , as Mahomet permitted diuorcement for trifling causes : so is it a cleare case that the Pope in this point hath also contradicted the doctrine of Christ .

Lastly , as he promiseth paradice to the vilest creatures ; so the Pope granteth his pardons de paenitentijs iniungendis , that is , to a man before he sinne ; and what is this but with Mahomet to open heauen to the basest villaines in the world ?

The which vntollerable beastlines of them , God hath raised vp diuers of their owne countrie to displaie .

Venalia nobis Templa , altaria , sacra , Coronae , Ignes , thura , preces , coelum est venale , Deusque .

Thus englished : Wares of all sort , are here to be sold , Buy what you will for money downe told ; Churches , priestes , offerings , altars , and crowne , We passe for quicke sale , all cities and townes , Fire , frankencense , dirges and pardons from paine , Hell , Heauen , God , the Diuell , we giue all for gaine . Fontana di dolore albergo d'ira , Schola d'errori ètempio d'heresia .

That is to say .

A gulfe of griefe , a rocke of furious rage , And take it in briefe , a schoole or common cage Of errours most strange , faire Rome to looke vpon . But marke well the change now beastlie Babilon . O dungeon most deepe of fraud , deceite and guile . O cage fit to keepe hot hate and vengeance vile . Where vices preuaile , and vertue lies starke dead ; Where sinne with full saile , all states hath long misled . O whirpoole of hell , o foule and stinking Iakes ! Such as in thee dwel , all goodnes quite forsakes . A rare and strange world wonder thou wilt of all be thought , If Sathan keepe thee vnder , and Christ set thee at nought . O nest of deulish treason , from whence all vices issue ! O enemie to reason , and fatall foe to vertue ! O drudge to drowsie drunkennes , and surfetting excesse ! O shrowd of shifters shamelesse , as whores and such like guesse .

I will knit it vp with this pretie Pasquil .

Roma quid est ? amor est . Qualis ? praeposterus . vnde hoc ? Roma mares , noli dicere , plura scio .

The first semblance is in cloaking their falsehood , The first semblance in cunning cloaking of their knaueries . for Mahomet notwithstanding his impietie , and blasphemies , saith that his doctrine is answerable to the old and new testament ; but yet so , that no man examine his lawes vpon paine of death : as if one paying money , should charge the receiuer neuer to looke vpon it in the daylight ; and I beseech you , who would not suspect such paie ? euen so dealeth the Pope , for they count it heresie for the vulgar people , to reade the scriptures in a knowne language : and as for them vnto whom they must refer themselues , they haue scarce seene the couerings of the bookes , for the greatest part of them . In deede there be some wallet brethren , who are still chattering , vntill their chappes be made vp : but as for the scriptures , they either are buried , or els yelled , howled , censed , adored , clouted , and patched vp in a strange language , and vpon some solemne feast day , sophisticated ; prouided that their laytie , neither suspect , nor sifit them , but that they haue a good meaning , and refer themselues to their articles .

The sixt semblance is in the likelihood of their bulwarkes , for the fence of their kingdomes . Mahomet commands first , The sixt semblance in making like fences for their falsehoode . to kill them which speake against his Alcoran . Secondly , hee forbiddeth to confer with a contrarie sect . Thirdly , that no credit bee giuen to any of a contrarie religion . In like sort the Pope murders them that contradict his owne constitutions . Secondly , hee forbids his catholikes to confer with the protestants . Thirdly , hee hath buried the scriptures , least their light should discouer his darknes : and least the common people should espie his Iugling , he commands them not to meddle with the word of God . There needeth no more to make men grow suspicious of the popish religion , then these things well weighed .

CHAPTER . 6.

Of sundrie sortes of Foxes that are chiefly troublesome to the Church of England .

FOr the better auoyding of these enemies so pestilent and pernicious , it is furder to be considered , that sundry sortes of them are crept into the Church , to supplant and vndermine it : for some are heretikes , either denying the person of the great sonne of God , or degrading him from his offices , and infecting his word with a million of errours , of whom hath been intreated before , and more shall be spoken hereafter . Others are schismatikes , who without cause depart away from the communion of the Church : others are hypocrites , or counterfeit christians , reformed in name , but more than deformed indeede , who by their scandalous manners , and wicked examples , waste and destroy the vines , especially the yong ones . Which sort of Foxes are otherwise called scabd sheepe , and are compared to leauen which sowreth the whole lumpe , of which the Apostle giueth vs a rule , in the person of the incestuous sinner , that we should not companie together : If any that is called a brother be a fornicatour , 1 Cor. 5.11 . Hereticall Foxes recusant papistes . or couetous , or an Idolater , or a railour , or a drunkard , or an extortioner , with such an one eate not .

Of Foxes infected with heresie , which do especially disturbe the church of England , there be two sorts ; the one called recusants , because they haue forsaken our fellowship ; the other churchhaunts , who with false hearts frequent our assemblies , temporizing for feare of a fine , or furder penaltie . The first sort plead Baals cause with open mouth , despise the Lords temple in Ierusalem , post from Dan to Bethel to please Ieroboam , hate our congregations , and count it damnable to tread in our assemblies . If these Foxes were as sharply punished , as they are easilie discouered , we shuld not haue so many Masses , neither so many goe to Masse ; and yet Masse rated at so round a reckning . I need not stand to mark out these malapart merchaunts , their practise betraies them , they show outwardly how they are affected inwardly ; old doting dames , and yoong minions , old foolish fathers , and yoong boyes , that cannot tell why they were borne , speake bouldlie for Poperie in defiance of the Gospel , refuse the Church , and checke the reprouer , make a mocke of the ministerie , and scorne true religion ; and yet haue peace and prosperitie . If a prince be misused , death is thought too smal a punishment for the offender ; if a man be so wicked as to procure an insurrection , or raise a rebellion , he must loose his head for it , and good reason : But whereas God hath soueraigne dominion ouer all , a worme of the earth shall set himselfe against him , deface his maiestie , rob him of his honour , blaspheme his blessed name , yet escapeth without seueritie of punishment , and that is no good religion . These are those wretched people that haue sould themselues to be vassals of iniquitie , and haue receiued the stamp of the beast in their foreheads , that are readie to lie in waite for the Lords annoynted , and haue cursed Dauid to his face . These are the sonnes of those bloudie fathers , that haue murdered the prophets . These are the posteritie of Amelech , vnworthie to liue amongst Israell , which haue serued Baal Hamon , and haue runne vnto the golden calues of Dan and Bethel . These are the relikes of Iebus , and the remnants of the Hittites , that haue bin pricks and thornes in the sides of righteous men , and will be kniues to our throats if that might come which their harts faint in waiting for : but the same God that hath hitherto preserued vs , detected their dissembled zeale , and sheathed their sworde in their owne intrals , shall still continew our most gratious protectour , vnlesse the ouerflowing streames of our sinnes stop the course of his mercies , and eclipse the brightnes of his fauour , which hitherto hath shined vpon vs . Church papists .

There is an other sorte of Foxes in nature , not much different from the former , but yet not so easilie described , neither are they oftentimes reputed as they are .

A token sent from the old Foxe to his yoong cubs . It is not many yeares agoe , since there came a token from the old gray Foxe to the cubs of his kind ; wherein was printed the fiue wounds of Christ , with this poesie , fili da mihi cor tuum , that is , sonne giue me thy hart : whereby it appeareth that either Rainard was so well disposed as to maintaine dissimulation , or els his brood were in a wrong boxe , for they tooke his embleme in no other meaning . Therefore haue they learned to temporize , and with double hearts to halt on both sides , hauing one for God , and another for Baal ; one for the prince , Temporizing papists described . and an other for the Pope ; one for the Masse , and another for the communion . The manner of these for the most part is to peepe into the Church once in a month , but preaching their queasie stomakes cannot away with , especiallie if Idolatrie and papistrie be discouered . I cannot more fitly compare these , than to cunning watermen , who looke one way , when they take their iourney an other : or to Cacus that notorions robber , of whom it is recorded , that he was wont to drag beasts backward into his Caue by their tailes , to the intent that by contrary tracke of their feete , he might be freed from the suspition of felonie : euen so the popular demeanour of these hollow minded votaries , lookes one way , when their secret plots and practises tend an other ; and when they come to the Church , they doe but drag backward with Cacus , hiding their hollow hearts vnder show of conformitie : yea howsoeuer these deepe dissemblers in outward appearance , show milde and gentle , promising all loyaltie to their prince , agreement to gouernment , and consent to religion ; yet trust them not , for a Foxe will show himselfe a Foxe , when time serues his turne .

The poets wittily faine , that when Iupiter had made man , A poeticall fiction fitlie applied . being delited with such a cunning peece of workemanship , he demaunded of Momus finde-fault , what he could spy , in so fine a feature and curious frame , out of square and worthie iust reproofe : Momus commended the proportion , and comely disposition of the lineaments ; but one thing ( saith he ) I like not well , that thou hast forgotten to place a window in his brest , through which we might behold whether his heart and his tongue did accord . If a window were framed in the brests of these discontented catholikes , that her maiestie and the state-guiding counsell , and all the true friends of this kingdome might know their secret intentions ; or if their consciences were as deeply sounded , as they may be iustly doubted : then I know full well that many false hearts would be found lurking vnder painted hoodes , and cakes of foule cancred malice , vnder meale mouthed protestations ; neither would it bee troublesome to finde out a two-legged Foxe ; or if the coles of long festered choler were of that condition , as that being heaped together in their malicious minds , they could blister their tongues , or scald their lippes , we should neede no further search to finde out a Romaine catholike . Howbeit although they haue no windowes in their brestes , wherethrough wee may see into euery corner of their consciences , how they packe and shuffle now ; and ( as it is greatly to be feared ) meane to cut also if Poperie should get the vpper hand ; yea although they shrowd their wicked deuises with a vaile of obscuritie , and contriue their cruell crafts in tenebris : yet if that foresight and circumspection be had , which the subtiltie of such househould enemies requireth , I doubt not but it shal be easie to espie the Woolfe , though he wander in sheepes clothing , by the manner of his howling ; and the Asse , though he iet in the Lions skinne , by the length of his eares .

Before I proceede further , A linsie woolsie religion . I will here admonish that kinde of our gospellers that are of a linsie woolsie religion , common pedlars and patchers of Christ his coate , which had no seame in deede : Who because they are better affected to the state then the former , I would be loath to tearme them Foxes ; and yet hauing no warrant for a particoloured profession , I may not honour them with the title of sound Christians : you shall know them by these colours . They hold it a matter of charitie to say God haue mercie on the soules of the dead : and show them their errour ; then they reply , what shall we bid the deuill goe with them ? Their aue maria sticks close betwixt their teeth , though their Pater Noster was forgot many yeeres agoe . They cannot be well perswaded of children dieng without Baptisme : therfore they cry out for headlong hast to the ministration of this sacrament . They wil not beleeue that it is a sinfull and superstitious thing , to sweare by the Saints , and euery other creature ; and when they are tould that it is a robbing God of his honour , they fall a woundering at the verie first principles of religion . Thus the Serpent gets his ground by creeping , and where Sathan cannot get an ell , he will take an ynch ; hoping by little ynches of superstition , in the end , to make vp an ell of Idolatrie : and thus by little and little , Poperie hath stolne into the Church . Those that are thus tainted , I exhort in the feare of God to reade the scriptures , and to heare his word , the knowledge whereof , is able to purge them from these filthie dregs of the Babilonish cup.

Hauing spoken of Foxes hereticall , Foxes schismaticall . who most of all endaunger the saftie of the Church : it followeth that we entreat of Foxes schismaticall , which of late yeares haue peeped out of their denne , to the disturbance of our peace . These are they whom in auncient time they called Catharists , as also the Donatist Browinsts , Brownistes . wee commonly call them : imagining a perfect beautie of a Church in this world , and seuering themselues from all others , as if in their particular conuenticles this perfection were to be found ; in whom behold a two fould errour . First , in that from the Churches blemish , by indirect consequence , they conclude her nullitie . Two fold errour . This is a grosse absurditie . Secondly , in that these mote catchers see a mote in the eye of an other , and will not see the beame in their owne eyes ; this is blind singularitie . For if they speake of manners , they should know that how corrupt so euer they are , either in the pastour , or in the sheepe , they may not inforce this outragious conclusion , that where such corruptions are found , there is a nullitie of the Church , so long I say as the life of the Church is , that is , so long as the truth is there taught . Christ his truth the life of the church . Math. 23.2 . Of this the Lord himselfe is witnes , speaking to the Scribes and Pharises , so long as they sit in the chaire of Moses , that is to say , so long as they teach the doctrine of Moses , doe you ( saith he ) that which they say , but doe not that which they doe : although there be no cause , but that a man may withdraw himselfe from such infectious companions : as Paul admonisheth , 1. Cor. 5.11 . Psal. 17.4 . Psal. 1.1 . as Dauid sheweth by his owne practise , and warneth vs to do the like .

Againe , if they speake of imperfection of doctrine , many circumstances are to be considered before wee depriue any assemblie , great or small , of the name of a Church . In the Church of Corinth , not onely touching manners , the discipline of the Church was loosly obserued ; 1. Cor. 15.17 . sinceritie of preaching , by an affected kinde of babbling was much prophaned : but also a pro and con houlden , touching the resurrection of the flesh , an article of such weight , that withouten it the preaching of the word should be in vaine ; and yet Corinth houlds the name of a Church . The Galathians were most of them turned aside by the false Apostles from free iustification , which is the principall ground-plat of the christian Church ; and yet notwithstanding , Saint Paul giues them the name of a Church . The like is to be seene by that which the Apostle writeth to Timothie , 1. Tim. 4. 2. Pet. 2. Iude. also by the second of Saint Peter , and that of Saint Iude , that there were home-bred enemies , and false Disciples in the bosome of the Church ; which for all this , neither lost the name , nor nature of true Churches . But the case is otherwise in a body rotten in the noblest parts , as the synagogs of the Iewes , which stubbornly resisted the preaching of the Apostle ; from which for this cause he disioyned the Church of Ephesus : or as that sinfull assembly , that sits vpon the seuen hills , Acts. 19.9 . From what Church we ought to separate our selues . and opposeth it selfe directly against the kingdome of Christ , whose name with a desperate impudencie , it boroweth ; for which cause we haue it in iust execration , following the doctrine of the Apostle . But I neede not to pursue these schismatikes , the name of almightie God bee magnified , this land is well washed from them . O Lord , show mercie still to this Church , and send vs also a stronge purging pill for Poperie and superstition : Then shall wee see Ierusalem in prosperitie , and the hearts of thy faithfull seruants shall be replenished with gladnesse .

Foxes called scabd sheepe . The last sort of Foxes are those which before I called scabd sheepe , Saint Paul prophecieth of these , that in the last dayes should come perillous times , 2. Tim. 3.1.2.3 men should be louers of their owne selues , couetous , boasters , proud , cursed speakers , disobedient to parents , vnthankfull , vnholie , without naturall affection , truce breakers , false accusers , intemperate , fierce , despisers of them which are good , traitours , headie , hy minded , louers of pleasures more then louers of God , hauing a show of godlinesse , but haue denyed the power thereof : these are they which giue the Lord Iesus after a sorte the curtesie of Iudas . Math. 26. These are like to Simon the sorcerer , who walkt with Phillip like an Apostle , Act. 8. but wrought with money , like a wordling : like to Achabs wife , who went most demurely when the would speake with the Prophets . Why hypocrits are well likened to Foxes . And surely as in other respectes , so in this these pargetted professours of the gospell are rightly called Foxes : because as the Foxe his skin is more worth then his carcasse ; so their skinnes , that is , their outward profession , is more worth than their conuersations . Truth it is , these after a sort haue cast off the Pope with his superstitions , The Idolatrie of gospelling hypocrites . but they haue not put vpon them Iesus Christ with his righteousnes . They haue renounced the Idols of wood and stone , but harbour Idols as dangerous in their hearts , couetousnes , theft , crueltie , fornication , vncleannes , wantonnes and such like goddesses . There is a mightie generation of these kind of Foxes in this land , and these late yeares of scarcitie and dearth hath laid open the hearts of many of them , These deere years haue laid open many deceitfull hearts . who contrarie to their holy professions , and to the power of religion , haue taken their aduantage of the time , and made a pray of the poore without all mercie , not caring to passe away their birth-rights for Esaus soup , nor to sell paradise for a licorous morsell . But what should I need to broach the hypocrisie of this people , since they themselues without common care of their holy callings , to the great shame of themselues , haue cried at the market crosse ? But ye Gourmandisers , Grubbers and grinders of the poore , ye craftie priers into the needie mans extremitie , to make your gaine of his paine , and your commoditie of his miserie , you cunning contriuers for priuate profit , ye artificiall forgers of dearth and famine , deuourers of mens quicke and liue flesh ; how long wil you presume to come into Gods house , as if you were of it ? Ye false fingerers , sellers with false sleights , false measures & false weights , terrigenae fratres , adorers of your God Mammon , when wil you shake off the cloake of hypocrisie ? Ye tiplers & tauern hunters , ye epicurean companions , & beastly belli-gods , ye quarrel broachers , and action threatners ; ye bellowes of hell fire , which liue by setting others on pleading , which beat your braines to lengthen the perchment as long as you can ; how long shall the Lord suffer you to appeare in his house , in which there is nothing but peace and equitie ? Ye leasemongers & rent-rackers , ye enclosers and make-beggars , neuer well at ease vntill yee haue taken possession of Naboth his vineyard ; ye towne-batterers , ioyners of house to house , and land to land , vntill there be no place for the poore , when will you leaue to come to Sermons for a shew , and to make religion a cloake for such horrible impietie ? You are bastard children , and not the true generation of Iacob : Therfore presume not to say that you are the sonnes of Abraham : for if you thus walke , the diuell is your father . It is you that haue opened the mouthes of our enemies , whose blind charitie layeth so hard to your lame faith : you haue caused the gospell to be ill spoken of , and the name of our God to be blasphemed ; the Lord reforme your hearts , and grant you greater mercy . On the other side , you that by the grace of God are not guiltie of this great contempt , be diligent , earnest , true , and faithfull in your duties towards Almightie God , who in the day appointed , shall set you with his Angels for euer to praise him , and shall cast the polluted and vncleane out of his Church . This great God , and righteous iudge saue vs from the temptations of Sathan , that we may cleaue vnto him in faith and truth . Amen .

CHAPTER . 7.

The vnkenelling of the Foxe , and the dutie of the terriers .

HAuing before declared the conditions and manners of these Foxes which destroy the vines : it followeth next in order that we speake something concerning the vnkenelling of these Romish Foxes , which of all other are most daungerous to the state , both of Church and Common-wealth . The which we shall performe the better if we still compare a Foxe with a Foxe . Now first of all it is well knowne to Foxe-hunters , that the Foxe holds the strongest couerts , that he flieth from the field as a beast which trusteth not in the swiftnes of his legs , Properties of a Foxe when he is in chase . nor the strength of his bodie , that he wheeleth about the thickets , and though he find none other helpe but a bush , he wil flie to it for his safegard : so it is with this kind of cattell for being hunted , they runne abroad here and there , but especially fly from the fields into the woods , Whither the two-legged Foxes flie being hunted . enquiring where there is one that makes no conscience of his ministerie , that will be content for handfuls of barley , and morsels of bread , for tyth cockes , and tyth sheaues to cloake a Catholickes knauerie ; enquiring also where there is an vntaught people , fit for all religions , and all princes raignes , and consequently apt to swallow a bait of poisoned perswasion ; that is a couert for a Catholick , thither flock the Foxes , and feed without feare .

Againe , another propertie of the Foxe is , How the Foxes make their kenels . to make his denne in the ground that is hard to dig , as in galt , clay , or such like earth , the passage into his earth being streight , and going very farre in before it come to his couch , hauing also many holes thorow which to vnearth himselfe : Euen so it is with this kind , they make their burrowes strong , they haue so many streight passages , so many muses , so many winding corners , so many turnings , so many interturnings , and starting holes , that it is a matter full of difficultie to find the couch of a Catholicke , Hard to vnkenell a Foxe-priest . especially of a Priest or Iesuite : In so much as I may iustly say of them , as Caesar said of the Scythians , difficilius est inuenire , quam superare , It is harder to find them than to foile them . For experience hath taught vs , that when it hath beene a matter vndoubted that a Foxe priest hath beene readie to say masse , and therefore his denne hath beene compassed , the terriers haue winded him , and all his pretie trinkets haue been found prepared for so great a peece of worke : yet in the ende the Foxe would not be found . Perhaps he serues the hunters now and then , as the fish called the Cuttle serues the fisherman , which when she is like to be taken casteth forth a slimie humor like vnto ynke , and so darkning the vpper part of the water , and dazeling the fishermans eies , marres his aime , and escapeth the daunger . Which sithens it is so , the greater the care ought to be , that there be such godly wisedome and cunning in hunting them , such toiles , such nets as are fit for such seruice , that there be such ministers as are able to handle the sword of gods word with both , hands , that is to say , be able to confirme the established , Great need of good Foxe-hunters . to reclaime the back-sliders , to confute the aduersarie , and if the will of God be , to transforme the Foxes into sheepe ; such magistrates as haue a zeale to fence and hedge in the vineyard of the Lord of hostes , from the subtill inuasions and vnderminings of these noysome vermine ; such toyles as are able to hold both the great and little Foxes . For where blinde guides are placed in the watch towre , and the basest liues are in the highest roomes , there Foxes indaunger the flocke , and many times finde more fauour then stands with the preseruation of the sheepe , or safe continuing state of the best affected subiectes .

Pursiuants Parators . In this place fit occasion is offered to speake ( neither may I passe it ouer with silence ) of a couple of terriers appointed for the hunting and vnkenelling of these Foxes , whose true and hot hunting of them , as it is rightly to be commended where it is to be found : so the contrary doth breed great corruption in the Church , and is much to be lamented .

For the better redressing of these deformities which are too manifest , & bringing of these terriers into good hunting : it would be carefullie respected of them that haue power to reforme it , that they buy not their places : for this is an approued truth , that they will sell deare in the retaile , which they bought in the grosse : that is , will sucke profit out of the vilest things , & cut mens garments off by the skirts for desire of gain : & hereby haue rushed horrible inconueniences both into church & commonwealth .

Againe , the Foxe hath many wiles wherby to make these Foxe-hounds at a fault , or to hunt counter ; & especially he hath a mixture made of cogworth broad way , Vox populi . & penimate together with a few ratle flowers called goold maries , or mary-goolds , which being steeped in a little diuels milke , & cast into their eies makes them starke blind , & stops their sents : & hence it commeth to passe that popery beareth such swindge , because papists can pay wel , & that adultery & fornication scape without punishment , because wantons haue money . I say no more , let this be a watch-word to them whom it especially concerneth

CHAPTER . 8.

The principall reasons why God suffereth home-bred enemies to be in the bosome of his Church , fit to be considered of such as are not throughly perswaded in this point .

IF the Christian Church be impugned by open enemies , as Iewes , Turkes , Tartarians , and such as haue openly renounced the person of the great sonne of God , and are cut off as rotten members , men not greatly regard it : But when such as are bred and nourished in the bosome of the Church , seeke to vndermine and supplant it ; those household conflicts & home-bred battailes are they which trouble many in these daies . Household conflictes trouble many weake Christians . O say they , here is so much arguing and disputing , such diuisions and diuersities of opinions , that a man knowes not which way to turne himselfe . To helpe such , as without any good cause are thus put to a gaze : They must first vnderstand that it is the will of God that his Church shall not be free from these inward offences ; and secondarily , know the principall reasons why he will haue it so .

Although our God , as he is the God of order and not of confusion , commendeth and deliuereth vnto vs his discipline ; yet notwithstanding he suffereth the hypocrites for a time to haue their being amongst the faithfull , vntill the full restoring and reforming of his kingdome in the last day . The Church shall not be free from offences . Math. 13. Which thing is taught by that of our Lord Iesus Christ , where he resembleth the kingdome of heauen to a net cast into the sea , and gathering all kind of fishes , &c. to a field , wherin whilest the good husbandman soweth his wheat , the enuious came and scattered his teares . The Apostles also haue foretold the same , that the Church of God shall be pestered with pestilent enemies , and that they shall come with an efficacy of errour . This know ( saith saint Paul ) that in the latter daies some shall depart from the faith , 1. Tim. 4.1.2.3 . and shall giue heed vnto spirits of error and doctrines of deuils , which speake lies through hypocrisie , and haue their consciences burned off with a hot yron , &c. But there were false prophets , saith Saint Peter , 2. Pet. 2.1.2.3 . also among the people , euen as there shall bee false teachers among you : Which priuily shall bring in damnable heresies , euen denying the Lord , that hath bought them , and bring vpon themselues swift damnation . The mysterie of iniquitie began to worke in the Apostles time . 1. Iohn . 4.1.2 . Thus the misterie of iniquitie began to worke in the Apostles times , as appeareth in Col. 2. & Galath . 1. Therefore Saint Iohn exhorteth not to beleeue euerie spirit , but trie the spirits whether they are of God : for many false Prophets are gone out into the world . And why should this trouble you so much ? Doe you not see that the cockle & the corn growe both in one field , the lillie and the thorne both on one ground , the blossome and the blast both on one tree , the flowre and the weed both in one garden , the sheepe and the goates doe feed both in one pasture ? know you not , that in one arke were beasts cleane and vncleane , and that the Apostle saith , that in one house be vessels of honour , and vessels of dishonour ? then wonder not to see the good , and the bad mingled together ; but consider the reasons , giue God the glorie , and take heed to thy faith .

There be two principall reasons , why the Lord suffereth these houshold enemies to be in the midst of his vineyard , the first is for the probation and trial of his seruants , whether they be vnfainedly coupled vnto him , in the spirituall bond of faith and of loue . Deut. 13. If there arise amongst you ( saith Moses ) a Prophet , or &c. Thou shalt not harken vnto the words of that Prophet , or vnto that dreamer of dreams . For the Lord your God proueth you , to know whether you loue the Lord your God with al your heart & with all your soule . And indeed it is necassarie that we be kept in continual exercise of faith and praier , of patience , and constancie : and therefore is it said , that the Lord would not cast out before his people of Israel any of the nations which Iosua left when he died , that through them he might proue Israell whether they would keepe his waies to walke therein or no ? And to this effect Saint Paul saith , 1. Cor. 11. that there must be heresies that they which are approued might be knowne . 1. Corin. 11. Where also that of Augustine is worthie remembrance , let vs vse heretikes ( saith he ) not to that end to approue their errours , but that by defending the Catholickes doctrine against their deceits , we may be more watchful and warie : because it is most truly written , there must be heresies , that the tried & approued may be manifested or discouered from the holow harts amongst you . Let vs vse this benefit of Gods prouidence : for heretikes are made of such as would erre or be naught , thogh they were in the Church : but being out , they profit vs exceedingly , not by teaching the truth which they know not , but by stirring vp the carnall in the Church , to seeke truth , and the spirituall to cleare the truth . Thus then it is apparant , that both the weaker and the stronger , the carnall and the spirituall may profit by heresies and schismes which the Lord suffereth in his Church ; the one by learning , the other by teaching : for they shall trie our faith , and our loue , whether we be counterfeits , & dissemblers ; whether we wil be suddainly wind-shaken ; whether we will forsake the truth , and follow falsehood ; or whether faith be grounded in our hearts or no ? For like as in the time of Moses , God suffered great magitians to be in Aegypt , that he might make his owne power more euident in Moses : so he suffereth heretikes , as sorcerers or enchanters , to be in the Church , that the power of praier , of faith , of loue , of zeale , might be more apparant . A crab oftentimes carrieth the coat of an apple , and is not well knowne but by the taste ; copper hath the colour of gold , & is not so well tried as by the touch : an hypocrite may lurcke vnder the shadow of a beleeuer , and is not throughly manifested vntill his faith be tried ; but the beliefe of Gods children is like vnto the glaze-worme which glittereth most brightly in the darkest night , or like the lampe that giues most light in the darke . But some will say , alas we are no clearkes , and in these diuisions and disputings , here is euery one alledging scripture for himselfe , what shall we doe , or what course shall we take that are vnlearned ? For the better helping of you in this hazard , first looke whether euerie one alledgeth scripture or no ? for that goeth for scripture many times , with the Catholicks , which is no more to be found in the booke of the Bible them Paradise in hell . Secondly , know them to be false teachers , which for confirmation of doctrine of faith alledge any other testimonies , ouer and besides the scriptures : for mans writings are no further to be credited , then they bring warrant from the word of God , which containeth the whole counsell of God touching our saluation . If they reply , that all is not written which the Apostles taught , answere them with that which is said by the Apostle , who requireth nothing besides the scriptures to make the man of God complete : then compare their vnwritten traditions with Gods written truth , the light will straight discouer their darknes . Thirdly , if the interpretations be repugnant , so as one or more of them must needs be erronious ; then conferre scripture with scripture , and expounde , scripture by scripture , as Christ teacheth ; and lastly , referre the whole vnto the correspondency of the articles of faith , the briefe abridgments of christian religion : and then if thou bringest with thee a teachable minde , and a desire to learne in humilitie , thou shalt not erre , but finde Christ in his owne home , that is , in his word .

The second reason why the Lord suffereth his Church to be troubled with deceitfull companions , is his proportionable iustice against the vnbeleeuers : And that Saint Paul meaneth when he saith , that when men haue no minde to obey God and his truth , 2. Thess. 2.10 . hee sendeth them false prophets euen with an efficacie and speedines of errour . The beguiling of Achab showeth this euidently . Who is it , saith God , that shall deceiue Achab ? as if he should say , I see that he will needs be drawne vnto the bottome of hell ; for the wretch was defiled with his Idols , had peruerted Gods seruice , was full of all stubbornnes , 2. King . 22.2 . and malice against the prophets , would receiue no admonition . Therefore God seeing him a man forlorne , sendeth a lying spirit to beguile him . But here marke one thing especially comfortable to Gods children , that when God had giuen Sathan commission to execute his vengeance vpon the vnbeleeuers , he not onely giueth him leaue to punish them with losse of goods , sicknes of bodie , &c. but giues powre to leade them into errour , vtterly to deceiue them and to carrie them away with lies . This is apparant in the historie of the triall of Iob where Sathan his first commission is to touch his goods , and the second , to touch his body : but he may not meddle with his soule . Thus you see , it standeth both with the manifestation both of the mercie and iustice of God , to send deceitfull workmen into his Church .

CHAPTER . 9.

Eight reasons vnaunswerable , prouing all perfect papists rotten-hearted subiects to all true christian princes .

THere is a kinde of people , who faine would that Dauid should alwaies sing of mercie , that as it may seeme by excessiue clemencie , our Soueraigne might nourish a serpent in her owne bosome . Wherefore , although this matter hath been handled heretofore of such learned and godly men , as tender the saftie of her Maiestie , and the flourishing state of her trustie and true harted subiects ; yet since the argument fits this place so well , I haue thought good to lend my hand to my brethren , and to proue , that no perfect papists can be sound & faithfull subiects to their christian princes . And I say perfect papists , because that euerie one that is blemished or holdeth any one errour or article of doctrine that the Pope holdeth , as perhappes purgatorie , or prayer for the dead , is in that article a papist . Yet I count not euery one that thus is taynted , within the compasse of false heartednes to the realme , or vnder the title of traiterous papists : for manie , otherwise sound subiects , are not purged from all infections , wherwith the whorish Church hath poisoned them : wherfore the consequent reasons must be vnderstood of perfit papists , whose hearts since they be Italianated , I thus frame my first reason to proue them rotten hearted subiects .

The first reason , prouing perfit papists traiterous subiects to Christian Princes .

ALl good subiects which obey for conscience , as euery one ought to doe , must haue their consciences enfomed by the word of God .

But perfit papists hate our assemblies , despise the preaching of the word , which should direct their consciences both in dutie towards God , and loyaltie towards their prince ; and in stead thereof , entertaine a strange worship .

Therefore perfit papists cannot bee sound hearted subiects . I haue heard wise men say , that there is no knot of theeues so dangerous , as when there is a whore in the companie . There is none so arrant a whore in the world as the strumpet of Babilon , Perfit papists the woorst knot of theeues and why . who is an actuall dealer in wicked and vngodly practises against all Kings and kingdomes . Then whether hearts hating Gods truth , which should rightly enforme them , and carousing of this whorish cup , which doth strangly enchaunt them , be faithfull to her princely person or peace of this realme , I commend it to the iudgment of all them that loue our prosperitie .

The second reason .

THey that beleeue the Pope to haue the disposition of Gods sentence , Papists beleeue the Popes sentence of excommunication against the Queene . doe also suppose that Queene Elizabeth is not lawfull Queene of England , because the Pope doth not accept her so .

But our Romish catholikes beleeue that the Pope hath power to anathematize , and to dispose the sentence of excommunication , and consequently hold that her Maiestie is not lawfull Queene of England , because the Pope doth not so accept her . Therefore perfect papists are traiterously minded to the happie state of England .

This reason would be deeplie pondered , for since the old Foxe hath excommunicated and cursed her royall person , and the yong Foxes beleeue also according to his distilled opinion into their mindes , that hee doth this pro suo iure ; then this is the consequent , that all their kindnesse and courtesies , all friendly countenances and conformities , all loyaltie and allegiance , all seruice and obedience , is but from hollow hearts extorted , and not in any true loue performed , either to the saftie of the Queenes Maiestie , or to the fortifying of this land against foraine danger ; because they carrie no other opinion of her and her louing people , than the Pope himselfe hath published . In good sooth this geare would make worke for the hangeman , if it were thoroughly sifted : for of necessitie to this confession of traitorousnes must all be driuen , that meane to continew perfect papists .

The third reason .

THey that carie a countenance conformable to her Maiesties lawes no longer then it stands with the Popes pleasure , Papisty obedience but at the Popes pleasure . can bee no true harted subiects .

But perfit Papists obey her Maiesties lawes no longer then it stands with the liking of the Pope , as the Iesuit Hart sometimes confessed .

Therefore perfect Papists can bee no good subiects .

Here let the true subiects vnderstand , that the Pope hath powred an opinion into his papists , Greater cause to feare then to trust them . that Kings and princes , if he dispence with them , may breake their faith and promise : that nulla fides est seruanda cum haereticis , no faith is to be kept with Gods friends and his foes ; that Papists with liberall permission may sweare and vnsweare , if aduantageable oportunitie doe occurre : which since that they do beleeue to stand in his power to dispence withall , and that he is both able to pardon them , and willing to reward them ; yea that it is within his reach not onely to giue them the kingdome of England , but the kingdome of heauen also : then let them sweare , their protestations are not worth the paring of a rotten apple , their obedience is but at the Popes ad placitum : Whereupon ariseth a good caueat , that we rather tie short then trust a two-legged Foxe .

The fourth reason .

THey that receiue , entertaine , read and recommend such lying libels and hart-stealing pamphlets , Papists reade and recommend popish libels . as wherby her Maiesties right is impeached , her regiment reuiled , her title of supremacie defaced , her faith defamed , christian religion nourished by her called hereticall , deuilish and damnable , and the professours thereof worse then nullifidians and infidelious Atheists , can be no good subiects .

But this is the dealing of our perfect Papists .

Therefore the conclusion followeth , that such can be no good subiects .

Manie wicked and traitrous pamphlets haue beene scattered in this realme to darken the glorie of the Lords annoynted , to weaken the good willes of her highnes louing subiects , to winne worthlesse male-contented malicious wretches treacherously to conspire with our sworne enemies , whereby to fortifie the Romish faction . These haue and doe want no fauourers to scatter them in corners , to send them to their louers , to commend their substantialnes as matters vnaunswerable , both such merchants as send them , and such brokers as vtter such Babilonish wares , are right worthie to pay their heart bloud for custome .

The fift reason .

THey that receiue pardons , Papists receiue pardons to free them from loyaltie . absolutions and such like stuffe to exempt , and free themselues from loyall obedience , are but subiects in show , watching their times to worke their owne willes .

But our absolute Romaine catholikes receiue pardons and absolutions , to acquite them from dutifull allegiance .

Therefore shake a perfit papist out of the masking weede of his pretended conformitie , and then shall you finde that an heart deuoutly affected to the Romish religion , is as deeply infected with the venome of treason .

Gregorie 13. Pius . 5. Sixtus . 5. The dealings of the Popes is not vnknowne , of Gregorie the 13. Pius 5. and Sixtus 5. who labouring our subuersion by Englands vnnaturall children , haue sent their pardons and absolutions to free them from subiection ; a thing abhorring from all religion , hated of the heathen , the age present loathes it , and succeeding posteritie shall be astonished to heare of such cruelties .

The sixt reason .

The Pope erecteth seminaries for the hatching of Foxe-priests , and catholikes receiue them to nursing . THey , for whose catholike good the Pope pretends the erecting of his seminaries , and therefore receiue from thence such subtill treacherous and disloyall wretches , as infect them with poyson , and perswade them to treason , cannot bee faithfull and true hearted subiects .

But the Pope maketh his catholikes beleeue that he erecteth seminaries for their good , and they also receiue and entertaine his Iesuits and Foxe-preists , issuing out of those dennes of Idolatrie .

Therefore the conclusion followeth , that such can be no good subiects .

Parsons , Campion , and Hart , Parsons . Campion . with the rest , cast in the Popes mould and fitted for the seruice of the beast that sits vpon the seuen hilles , haue wanted no entertainment in this land in their times , although there were nothing more intended of them then this , namely to set the subiects against their prince , & Englishmen against their owne countrie , as leaue was giuen to Parsons and Campion by Gregorie 13. 1580. Aprill 14. to interpret the Bull of Pius quintus .

The seuenth reason .

THey that are wearie of these dayes , Papists gape for a golden day . and liue inhope of another world , which in their ordinarie by-word they call their golden day or yeare of Iubilee , can be no faithfull subiects to her , by whose gracious gouernment these dayes are continued .

But the papists are wearie of these daies , and languish in looking for their golden day , which almightie God send them in leaden haste .

Therefore papists can bee no good subiects .

That the papists are wearie of these dayes and times , wish the death of her Maiestie , and alteration of state and gouernment ; there needes no further proofe then their conspiracies , Beleeue them without further proofe . their treasons and secret attempts , their platformes and practises for forraine inuasion : whereby it is euident , that these are the dayes of their griefe and sorow ; and that they regarde the saftie neither of prince nor countrie , so they may returne to the flesh pots of Egypt , and eate their fill with peaceable freedome .

The eight reason .

THey that regarde not into what subiection , slauerie , shame and dishonour her highenes , Papists regard no state , so that poperie may preuaile . her kingdome and subiects be brought vnto , so that ●heir blinde worship and pageant of papistrie may bee erected , can bee no good subiects .

But perfect papists neither regard Maiestie of the prince , nor dignitie of the nobles , nor grauitie of age , nor difference of sexe , nor excellencie of learning : so that poperie may be set vp in stead of the Gospell .

Therefore such can be no good subiects .

The desperate dealings and damnable practises of papists heretofore prooue plainly , Wofull experience . that allegiance to their prince cannot keepe them from treason ; the dutie of loue to their naturall countrie cannot withdraw them from fauouring rebellion at home nor lincking with straungers abroade ; that the dutie of obedience of children to parents , or of parents affection to children cannot keepe them from vnnaturall crueltie ; that the dutie of mutuall loue , and societie betwixt the husband and wife cannot remoue them from monstrous immanitie ; that the dutie of kinde and naturall pittie cannot stay a papists hands from murdering feeble sexe , tender babes or reuerent age : lastlie , that the duty of familiaritie in youth , of frendship in grauer yeares , of continuall societie during all the life passed , cannot stay a papists hands from sacrificing his dearest frendes . Nay , which is more , not onely are they contented to yeeld their bracelets and earerings to the framing of the golden calfe , as did Israell , nor to offer their frends in sacrifice , as did that vnnaturall King of Moab in offering his sonnes to asswage the ire of his angrie Gods ; but to make their owne liues a pray to their enemies , as did the Athenians , when they accorded by casting of lots to giue themselues to bee deuoured of that gastly monster Minotaurus .

Wherefore since it is so cleare a case , that the consciences of these catholikes are altogether Romish ; that they hold the Popes excommunication against our dread soueraigne the Queenes Maiestie to be lawfull ; that they yeeld their obedience no longer then durante beneplacito of the Pope ; that they receiue and recommend such libels as deface our Church , abuse her highnes person , and all her louing subiects ; that they receiue pardons to exempt themselues from dutifull obedience ; that they receiue and entertaine the enemies of this realme , Iesuits & seminarie priests ; that they looke for a golden day and long for an alteration ; that they care not to conspire at home with traitours , and to plot abroad with straungers , whereby to conuey the crowne to a forrayner : sithens I say , this is so , then two conclusions do follow , first that euery perfect papist is a secret traitour to his prince and countrie . And secondarily , that it is a safer way to trusse then to trust a two-legged Fox . Our gracious God that hath hitherto protected vs , blesse her Maiestie and her honorable priuie counsel , that through their wisdomes , zeale and courage Gods glorie may be promoted , the vndermining of these Foxes , which destroy our vines , soundly sifted , and secret traitours sharply punished . Then shal England lesse feare her ruine ( which God forbid ) by strangers force , when vengeance deserued shal strongly sease on household foes ; nay els may England more suspect the weakning of her present state , by nourishing a viper in her owne bowels , then Spanish power or any els , who gnash their teeth at her peace and welfare .

CHAPTER . 10.

Twelue reasons prouing by diuinitie and true Christian pollicie , that Foxes must be taken .

THe thing that our Catholickes chiefly doe aime at , is that her highnes , and her counsell may be deceiued , by erronius pretence of pollicie , and colour of clemencie , that they may lurke vnder the shadow , and be nourished as a Serpent in the bosome . It is therefore heedfully to be respected , that the Church of the diuell be not maintained with indulgence , & multiplied with foolish mercie ; but that it be kept vnder with sharpnes of discipline and correction , that it grow not to such rankenesse as to choake the true Church . Foolish mercy may marre all , and clemencie may be great crueltie , when it ouerfloweth to the hazard of Gods Children . Where seueritie saith , one goeth into loosnes , their edifying goeth into destruction , custom goeth into corruption , law into contempt , mercy is laughed , and godlinesse goeth into hypocrisie , execution of lawes against Gods enemies , and the enemies of this Church and Commonwealth , is the marke that is leuelled at : and why should it not be hit , since diuinitie and godly pollicie wil haue it so ? Wherfore although this point hath been no doubt handled religiously and zealously of the learned both in preaching and in writing : yet since it fitteth this place so well , I purpose to speake of it briefely and distinctly , and proue that both diuinitie and Christian pollicie require that sharpe execution be vsed in punishing the enemies of the Church .

The first reason prouing by diuinitie , that lawes ought sharpely to be executed vpon papistes , and all idolatrous heretikes .

God commaundeth Foxes to be 〈◊〉 . THat which the Lord commandeth must be don without mammering , staggering , doubting or delay . But he commaundeth Foxes to be taken , and execution of lawes to be done against them .

Therefore Christian Princes and Magistrates doe but their duties in rooting out such noysome vermine , as destroy the vines .

If there arise among you , &c. Deut. 13.1.2 . Cantic. 2.16 . Deut. 7.1.2 . Galat. 5.12 . Take vs the Foxes , the little Foxes , which destroy the vines : when the Lord shall haue brought into the land whither thou goest to possesse it , &c. I woulde ( saith the Apostle ) they were cut off which trouble you .

The second Reason .

THat which the godly magistrates haue done in defacing the Lords enemies , and defilers of his worship , Presidents for Christian rulers . that ought stil to be performed of Christian rulers in the like cause .

But they haue remoued & destroied the enemies of his truth , and peruerters of his seruice , as their examples may be remembred .

Therfore Christian magistrates in the same cause ought to shew the same zeale .

When the golden Calfe was erected to Idolatrie , Moses Moses . willed them to arme their hands , and to sheath their swords in the intrals of their nearest kinsmen , to make hauocke of their liues ; and he calleth it a sanctifying of their hands to the Lord . And how ? What manner of holines was that ? Truly euen to kill the Idolaters , and to put the corrupters of religion to death . And whom commaunded he to doe it ? Euen the Leuites , euen those which ought to haue been the mirrours of all pitie and compassion ; euen the priestes which God had dedicated to himselfe , must be the executors of his rigor . And vpon whom ? Euen vpon their owne kinsmen . Thus the mildest man that euer was behaued himselfe against Gods enemies , for he was zealous in the cause of the highest . This was much , but Asa Asa . did as much as he . For he put away the Sodomites , and banished the Idolaters out of the land , he remoued Maacha his mother , and tooke the crowne from her head , because she offered sacrifice to Priapus ; and gaue commandement , that whosoeuer would not worship the Lord God of Israel should be slaine , from the greatest to the smallest . This was much , but Iehu did as much as Asa . For he killed all the Prophets of Baal , and suffered not one of them to liue ; he defaced the Temple of their Gods , and made a draught house of it for euer . What wonderfull things did those good Kings Ezekias and Iosias in their daies ? The one spared not an Idolater in the land ; the other being but a young prince , was so zealous in the behalfe of his God , that he put the idolatrous priestes to death , burnt their bones and sacrificed them vpon their owne Altars , as the bookes of the Chronicles and Kings of Iuda do declare . These are good presidents for Christian princes to follow : neither was there more need at any time to draw the sword against prophaners of the Lords seruice : For there is sprung vp a mightie generation of wicked and disloyall men to disturbe vs , of disobedient and vntoward children to prouoke vs , of deceitfull and halting hypocrites to disquiet vs , of Romish Baalims & stragling extrauagants , to withdraw vs from the worship of our God .

The third Reason .

Papistes conuicted of high treason . HIgh treasons are in their true natures offences against the highest Maiesty ; for treason is called crimen laesae maiestatis , that is , tending either to the destruction of their persons , or defacement of their dignities .

But the papistes although they denie not the person , yet debase they the authoritie of the sonne of God . Therefore papistes are guiltie of highest treason .

How many and how horrible treasons they commit against Iesus Christ , it will be too long to rehearse : yet because euerie one to whose vew these my labours shal be offered , may see how iustly they are conuicted , I will but glance at some of the chiefest .

First of all therefore vnderstand you , ( I speake to the vulgar sort which doe not so thoroughly conceiue of these matters ) that the Apostolicall Church of Rome hath degraded our Lord Iesus of all his degrees : Christ degraded of all his dignities by the Catholiks . his dignitie royall , his state propheticall , and his priesthood . In respect of his dignitie royall , wee say that vnto him alone it appertaineth to commaund and forbid , Iohn . 13.13 . 1. Cor. 5.4 . Apoc. 3.7 . to iudge and absolue , hauing the keyes to open , & to shut ; so that it is not lawfull for any , no not for the Angels themselues to make a law to bind the conscience , nor to establish in any point concerning the substance of it , the gouernment of the Church . The reason is euident , because we are forbidden to ad or diminish any thing from the commaundementes of the lawgiuer , as also to make new ordinances , Deu. 4.2.12.32 Esay . 29.13 Coloss 2.8 1. Cor. 7.23 . and all the commandements of man in the matter of this spirituall kingdome , are once for all declared to be nullities .

Now these traitours incroch vpon his prerogatiues , Papistes traitours against Christ his roiall dignitie . Christ more be holden to Pilate then to the Papistes . Math. 26. by ordering the estate of the house of this king contrarie to his owne expresse will , in eclipsing some of his lawes , in establishing others altogether new : So that Christ may seeme to be much and more beholden to Pilate , then to these kind of teachers : for he writ him king of the Iewes , though he knew not what he did , for which cause the Pharisees were angrie with him ; but these write him king of the Church , yet they crown him with thornes , and giue him a reed in steed of a scepter . As for his propheticall soueraigne authoritie , by the spirit of whom all the auncient Prophets spak , who afterwards plenarily in his owne person declared the will of his father , & hath since his ascending into heauen vntill he returne not to teach , but to iudge , continued to declare the same vnto the world by his faithfull Apostles : how is it possible more in this point to betray him whom we are bound to heare in paine of extermination , Papists traitors to Christ his Propheticall state and how . then first by falsifying that which he preached , both by adding to , and clipping from ; and secondly , by forbidding his word to be read vnto all nations & kindreds in a knowne language ; fearing ( say they ) least men should become heretikes , that is , least light ingender darkenes , and truth lying ? and what is this , but neither to enter themselues , Math. 5. The priesthood of Christ according to the scriptures . nor yet to let others , and to hide the light vnder a bushell ? The third office which is his priesthood , consisteth in two principal points : In our redemption & in his intercession ; our redemption hath two parts , expiation , and sanctification . In expiation behold foure speciall points : first , that the word betokeneth a full and entire paiment of all that is due vnto God .

Secondly , that which is due , is death according to the sentence giuen by God himselfe , Gen. 2.17 . Rom. 5.12.6 23 vnderstanding by death not onely the separation of the soule from the bodie which is called the first death ; Genesis . 3.19 whence followeth putrefaction of the bodie in the graue : but the second death also , which is the frightfull yre and malediction of God reuenging with all perpetuitie sinne in the bodie and soule of the sinner , which horrible state is eternall in the diuell and the damned .

Thirdly , this expiation betokeneth not the payment for one sinner , but for all sinners , I meane the elect which haue been , are , or shall be to the ende of the world , not of one sinne , but of all sinnes : except that against the holy ghost which is vnpardonable .

Fourthly , this paiment was to be offered by him , who in respect of himselfe should be no way bound to this malediction , but a pledge & suretie for others .

Now of sinnes or debts to be paied , there be two kindes ; Hebr 7.22 . some originall , some actuall : originall sinne must be considered in two diuers respectes , first touching the corruption of the whole man , which is as it were the essence of this sinne . Secondly , touching that which followeth it , namely , that which makes vs children of wrath , worthie of the curse of God from our conception . This is it we teach and build out of the word of God .

In this , behold how many waies the papistes play the traitors . How the papistes play the traitors against the priesthood of Christ . For first demaund of them how the fruites of this originall rancour are washed away : they wil tel you by the sufferings of Iesus Christ . Wish themselues further to declare their meaning : then the diuell sheweth his hornes , that before appeared like an Angell ; and there ariseth by and by a smokie distinction out of the bottomlesse pit , Popish distinction of sinnes mortall and veniall . of sinnes some mortall , some veniall , whereby the glorie o● Christ his passion is darkened . For veniall sinnes ( say they ) deserue but temporall punishment , whereof a man by some displeasance of them is washed with an holy water sprinckle , or a Bishops blessing , or with saying à mea culpa , or by some petite penance , &c. Thus these Catholicke physitions in steed of vsing one purgatiue remedie , without which euerie sinne becommeth deadly , cast mens soules into a lethargie depriued of all true sense and motion : as the emperiall Practickes vse the medicine which they call Narcoticall , that is to say , Popish distinction of sinnes going before Baptisme and after . such as benumme and dead the diseased , vntill they become past feeling . They haue a second distinction of sinnes going before baptisme ; and of sinnes committed after , as also between the guilt and the paine satisfactorie : Popish distinction betwixt guilt & plaine satisfactorie . and all to this end to derogate from Christes worke of our redemption , and to make that which proceedeth from vs , of some worthinesse and merit , How sinnes going before Baptisme are pardoned according to the schoole of Rome , and how after . which they call a worke of condignitie .

As for sinnes going before Baptisme , they grant that they are pardoned throughly in regard of the guilt , and the paine , and that by some meanes of the vertue of the sacred water with the action it selfe of Baptisme . But as for the sinnes committed after baptisme , the guilt and trespasse is pardoned ; the paine satisfactorie remaines to be paid partly in this life , partly after death ; but in a coyne which hath the Popes image and superscription : In this life by pater nosters , Note well . aues , pilgrimages , fastings , foundations , and other paines imposed in eare confession : after death he must pay the remainder in purgatorie . Yea but he that is there ( they say ) can merit no longer , what shall become of the poore soule then ? Why he must be fetcht out of the fire by praiers , and good works of the liuing : And what good works are those , Masses , Requiems , Dirges , holy water , and such great deuotions . But how many shall fetch them out ? They cannot tell that , & yet they haue taxed seuerall mortall sinnes at a certaine number of daies and yeares . But what if he be come out alreadie ? Tush that is not the losse of a requiem or masse ; It shall be set vpon the tale of another score to be allowed other . But who hath the bestowing of them ? For , sooth the merchant royall of pardons the Pope holy father . Cold comfort for poore papistes . But what shall become of the poore that is able to giue nothing to haue these great deuotions after his death ? Mary he were best to merit well in his life ; for no peny , no Pater noster : vnlesse it please the Merchant to bestow an almes of his ouerplusse . Then if all this be sound , wherto serueth the satisfaction of Christ ? O sir , wot you not why ? to make all these afore named pretie trinkets auaileable , and to send you for a season into purgatorie , where as you should haue gone into hell for euer . O treason !

Besides , the spirit of lying hath so controuled , and countermaunded the obligation once made for all by Iesus Christ , that he hath borne men in hand that the same must euery day be really and actually reiterated . And whereas the supper of the Lord was ordained , True vse of the Lords Supper . first , that we should be made partakers of that mysticall vnion of Iesus Christ together with all his merits vnto eternall life ; and secondly , to celebrate with solemne thankesgiuing his onely and holy sacrifice once for all made : they insteed of this haue thrust in their Masse , wherein they say their priestes make a full satisfacton both for the quick and dead , Popish priests do more by their Masse then Christ by his merits , if you list to beleeue them . which Masse of theirs is of greater efficacy then the first oblation which the sacrificer himselfe offered vpon the crosse , seeing in his ( as they say ) the paine satisfactorie is reserued still to be paied : but theirs maketh an entire satisfaction . O intollerable treason ! Alas O Lord , how long wilt thou beare it ?

The second point of our redemption is sanctification . The protestants doctrine concerning sanctification . It is also called regeneration or new birth , because by it we become new men , as touching the qualities of the soule . For as man made not himselfe at the first , but the power of God the creator ; no more is man able to make himselfe a new creature , but this is by the power of him , who is made vnto vs sanctification . 1. Cor. 1.30 . For the bringing of this to passe , we teach that the corruption of nature in the first Adam , is abolished in the flesh of the high priest , the second Adam ; in whom wee being vnited by faith , fulfill the law by meerely free imputation . 1. Cor. 1.30 Secondly , the Lord Iesus Christ drawing vs vnto him by his holy spirit , formeth in vs both to will and to doe , Ephe. 1.18 Psal. 51.12 . 2. Cor. 5.17 Act. 26.18 Ephes. 5.8 enlightening the eies of our vnderstanding , framing a cleane heart within vs , making vs from the head to the foot new creatures , bringing vs out of darkenes into light , and from death vnto life .

Altogether the Catholicke Sophistes contradict this truth , Ephes. 2 1.5 The sophists absurdities touching new birth . teaching that our nature is not wholly slaued vnto sinne , but onely feebled by the fall of the first man . And so they make our nature but like a lame man , and the grace of God as a paire of crutches to establish their owne merits .

Againe , they say that originall sin is really abolished by the water of outward baptisme with the words , and the Chrisme , &c. as much say they of actuall sinnes going before baptisme , Note well and loth them . in those that are of ripe discretion before they be baptised : prouided alway that they be not in mortall sinne . Thus first they see not our originall malady . Secondly , they sophisticate the remedie both in making a miserable mingle-mangle of mans pure naturals & Gods supernaturall grace . Thirdly , in giuing power to a sound of words , sprinkling of water . And lastly , in substituting their own toies in the place of the Lord Iesus . Fie on them presumptuous traitors .

Protestants doctrine touching Christ his intercession . There is yet his intercession , which is so called , because the vertue and power of his sacrifice is alwaies before God . Secondly , because all the prayers of the faithfull are presented in his name , in whom alone they are sanctified . This is our doctrine . The Catholickes on the other side will haue their referendaries , Christ degraded of this honour by the Catholickes . masters of requests : It is presumption ( say they ) to rush so boldly before the king of kings , and therfore we must beginne with the vshers of his presence , or with the groomes of his chamber , and who be these ? the greatest place they giue vnto the virgine Marie , and what authoritie , I pray you ? Roga patrem , Iube natum . Beseech the father , commaund the sonne . And Iure matris impera . Commaund by thy motherly authoritie . Then they muster all the saints , and haue assigned to each his sundry charge , one must be a Baal or patrone ouer this country , & another ouer the next ; one ouer this town , & another ouer that ; one placed ouer this science , & another ouer that ; one for the head ach , another for the tooth ach , &c. Michael patronizeth the French , Andrew the Burgonians , Iames the Spanyards , George the English , Saint Ambrose , with his staffe and his whip watched ouer Millayne , the three Kings ouer Cullin , Dionis ouer Paris , Goele keepes scout watch at Bruxels , &c. Ale knights and drunkards haue Martin and Vrban for their good Lord , and many a solemne peale , and drunken pull is vpon their euens for their sakes , the shoomakers haue Euispin for their Baal , and the millers Arnold for theirs , and Taylours , which loue good fellowship must haue Goodman for theirs , Anthonie must keepe the hogges , Loy horses and kine , and Hughe must keepe the dogges . What should I blot more paper with these dotages , you may see by this , beloued countrimen , what the Iesus Christ of the Church of Rome is , from which the mercie of God hath withdrawne vs , to serue the true sauiour of the elect . In a word , the papists doe as they in Pilates house did , who called Iesus Christ by the name of King and Prophet , but it was when they bufetted and scourged him . Iohn 19.1.2 .

The fourth reason .

An horrible sinne to acquite the offender . IF he that quitteth the offender when he seeth him guiltie , be as much to blame before God ; as he that oppresseth the innocent : then christian rulers may not acquire idolatrous worshippers , which are the worst kind of malefactours , as was proued in the former argument .

But hee that lets the offender goe with impunitie , doth trespasse as he that tyes the halter about the innocents necke .

Therefore christian rulers must sharply punish papists , who are idolatrous worshippers .

1. Sam. 15. King Saul was reproued as well for sparing Agag King of the Amalechites , as for killing the prophets ; Achab branded with the blacke marke of infamie , as well for sparing Benhadad , as killing of Naboth .

The fift reason .

IT stands not with diuinitie , Magistrates feruent loue to religion , is made apparant by execution of iustice against Church enemies . that christian rulers shew lesse feruencie , and zeale for the seruice of God , then papists and pagans for the worship of the deuill .

But where catholikes ( as they desire the tearme ) haue libertie , and are not seuerely punished , there christian magistrates shew not so much zeale for the promoting of the kingdome of Christ , as antichrist and heathens doe for the kingdome of the deuill .

Therefore , &c.

What they haue done and day lie doe for the maintenance of idolatrie , either in their blind zeale , or their malitious hearts , Christendome knoweth too well . Romes Pantheon , out of which was excluded the God of the Hebrewes , because he would admit no companions collaterall , should teach Christ his Church a good lesson , which worshippeth the God of Israel : that is , to be zealous for his honour , and to punish sacrilegious worshippers .

The sixt reason .

Rulers should more regard Gods honour then their owne . IT stands not with diuinitie , that christian rulers be more carefull of their owne honours , then of the Lords glorie .

But they carefully regard ( and good reason also ) that their places and persons be respected as dutie requireth .

Therefore by like reason , should they aduance the honour of God , and much more .

These reasons are naturally drawne from diuinitie , the which none may or dare deny , who is perswaded that there is any diuinitie at all ; the consequent proue the same by christian pollicie .

The first argument prouing it to be good christian policie to take two-legged Foxes .

Impunitie discourageth the true subiects but animateth the false . THat which discourageth the frends of the Church and giues life to the aduersaries , cannot be warranted nor maintayned by christian pollicie .

But not to punish Church enemies , or remoue secret traitours , discourageth the true subiects and animateth the false hearted .

Therefore forbearance of household foes can be no good pollicie .

The second argument .

TO leaue prince , nobles , Dangerous nourishing a serpent in the bosome . and best affected subiects in danger , by nourishing a serpent in the bosome , can be no good pollicie .

But by vaine deuise to blunt the edge of the sword of iustice , or by cloaking , qualifying , or concealing , to cause that it is not drawne against these intestine serpents , is to endanger prince , nobles , and true hearted people .

Therefore no good pollicie .

The third argument .

THat mildnes and mercie , Excessiue clemencie causeth contempt of authoritie . whereby the aduersarie may seeme to suspect her maiesties magnanimitie , and consequently to contemne her authoritie , can carrie show of no good pollicie .

But the effect that excessiue clemencie worketh in our catholikes , is either to suspect her courage , or to misconster her kindnes , or to despise her soueraigntie .

Therefore such forbearance can be no good pollicie .

The fourth argument .

Forbearance of Foxes , a meanes to make them forecast and fortifie themselues . TO giue the enemies of a kingdome leaue to forecast , and leasure to fortifie themselues ; and so consequently to leaue the true subiects by this meanes in perpetual and needfull feare of some new attempts , can be no good pollicie .

But forbearance of these househould enemies , giues them but leaue to practise , and time to renew their force ; in so much as when one tempest by Gods gracious prouidence is ouer past , there is feare of another .

Therefore such forbearance can be no good pollicie .

It is not safe trusting a traitour , but rather extreame folly to beleeue that such as plot for a kingdomes conquest , can be reuoked with mercie , or leaue the hould of their hope , before they be at the last gaspe .

The fift argument .

TO be confederate with the people of strange worship , Prophane pollicie to bee confederat with people of a strange worship . for the strenghthening and vpholding of a kingdome in peace and prosperitie , is no christian pollicie .

But to forbeare papists in hope of their assistance against forraine enemies ( if such neede should presse vs , which God forbid ) is to be confederate with people of a strange worship . Read the 30. and 31. chapter of the prophet Esay , there see how the Israelites entred league with the Egyptians , and what was the end of it . Then conferre the same with our times , and consider what kingdomes , what princes , what cities , what people haue been ouerthrowne , because they haue so confederated to their owne destruction . The reason is , because God hath been out of the league .

The sixt argument .

No perfect peace by kindling of Gods wrath and swaging of mans . TO continue a realme in prosperitie by kindling of Gods wrath and asswaging of mans anger , cannot stand with christian pollicie .

But by slacknes of punishment against Church enemies , Gods wrath is kindled , howsoeuer mans may seeme to be asswaged .

Therefore , &c.

If wicked tyrants ( as one saith ) be onely rods in the hand of the Lord , according to that of the prophet , O Assur the rod of my furie , and the staffe of my wrath ; then should the hand rather be pacified then the rodde : but if it were possible that the rodde could bee pleased against the will of the hand , then were it to be feared that the hand should cast the rodde away , and take a beetle or a mawle or an hammer or an hatchet and beate vs to powder .

Many more reasons might be vsed to this purpose ; but these I thought at this time to alledge : alwaies for mildnes and mercie reseruing a prerogatiue to my gratious soueraigne and her honorable councell , a worthie vertue to a faithfull subiect , but dangerous to a traytour . For sedition groweth by suffering , and clemencie is a spurre to rebellion .

I doe not disallow the sweete temperature of seueritie with mercie : Seueritie tempered with mercy . But yet it must not bee forgotten that the liues of princes , are the liues of their common wealths , whereby they must learne that being prodigall of their owne estates , largiuntur ex alieno , as a learned man hath said : they giue that which is none of their owne to giue . And therefore I dare auouch it , that it is diuinitie and true christian pollicie , to punish Gods , and her highnes enemies ; and that her Maiestie and all christian princes in punishing of them shall retaine neuerthelesse ( by Gods word ) the names of milde and mercifull gouernours : for if the children will needes bee so vnnaturall as to make their mother smart ; the mother shall show her selfe naturall in ministring due correction .

It is not good trusting them any longer , who haue giuen her highnes , and her realme so many earnests of their traiterous affections , and forewarnings of their couert confederacies : no , no , it is wisdome rather to follow the examples of miners , which pursue the signes euery way , It is wisedome to prouide a medicine before the sore . as they spread in the ground , till they be guided to the trunke or bodie of the mettall : euen so to follow the appearances of suspitions and likelihoods , vntill it be manifest , what light made the shadow , or what fire made the smoke . A candles end not warilie snuffed , a few imbers carelesly couched , a few stickes not thorowly quenched , haue brought many an househould to extreme woe and miserie ; wisedome will not stay till the flame being fed , ouerpeere the hiest part of the roofe , but will quench it before the strongest pillars be consumed : then looke where the inconuenience lyeth , and let Foxes rather be tyed short , then hazard the deuouring of the flocke ; rather slippe off the branch sodainly , then hazard the perishing of the whole bodie ; so shall you take a good course ; then treason and trecherous practises will not be so rife , and such queasie stomackes as cannot brooke good counsell , and wholsome exhortation ; but following euery disordered humor will be glad to keepe themselues within the compasse of christian dutie .

CHAPTER . 11.

Two principall gardiens of the spirituall vineyard , by whom the Foxes must be taken , ministers and magistrates : wherein first of the duties of the ministers , with an inditement found against many patrones of benefices .

THere be two principall hunters , which the Lord of the vineyard vseth for the taking of these Foxes , Ministers and Magistrates ; the one by the word , the other by the sword : By the word in reprouing their false doctrine , by the true ; and in seeking to transforme them into sheepe : by the sword , in cutting off the putrified members , least by their meanes the whole bodie be hazarded .

The first hunter is the Minister , whose mouth and ministerie the Lord hath alwaies vsed to declare his will , Ministers hunters of the spirituall Foxes . and therfore they are called his mouth ; which for this cause in the holy scripture are diuersly named , men of God , seers , prophets , planters of the Lords vineyard , builders of his house , watchmen ouer his Citie , husbandmen , Pastours , Doctors , Ambassadours , friendes of the bridgrome dealers in the marriage betweene Iesus Christ and his Church , dispensers of the mysteries of God : whose charge is vnderstood generally by the words of watching , and feeding ; sometime more distinctly , by attending vnto the word and praier ; Act. 6.4 . 2. Tim. 3.16 . sometimes by the words of teaching , improuing , correcting , and instructing ; sometimes by these words of watering and planting . Therefore the Apostle calleth not this charge a dignitie , 1. Cor. 3.6 1. Tim. 3.1 but a worke or busines . And here orderly to proceed , let me beseech you that are the chiefe fathers in our Church , preferred to your places for your wisedome , learning and grauities , ouerseers of the flock bought with the precious bloud of Iesus Christ ; Act. 20. whose securitie in this busines hazardeth the health of the Church : but circumspection shall daunt the pride of these wicked ones that seeke to bring vs into Babilon . The wicked walke on euery side . The papists speake proudly and neuer more proudly ; young ymps that neuer beheld papistrie in her brauest ruffe , but haue sucked poyson from their mothers brests , are not afraid to vomit blasphemies against the almightie : let such Foxes be hunted , helpe to reforme this , for Gods glorie ; and seeke the recouerie of him that hath troad his foote awrie : let not carefull preaching be choaked through desire of ambitious aspiring , nor common care of the Church made sleepie through hungring after priuate profit : why should they sleep and take their ease , who ought to watch both for themselues , and for others ?

Againe , I will speake to you , learned brethren , that hauing taken charge of christian soules , properly are called hunters of the spirituall Wolues in sheepes cloathing , and deceitful Foxes ; see that you oppose your selues against all theeues and robbers that seeke the spoyle of the Lords flocke ; against all tyrants that oppresse them ; al hypocrites in show godly but indeede prophane persons , that giue offence by their deformities : So shall you shunne those shamefull reproches , which by Gods iust iudgment are fallen vpon many in these dayes ; yea so shall you shunne the great curses denounced against them which doe the worke of the Lord negligently ; and when the prince of pastours shall appeare , you shall receiue an incorruptible crowne of glorie .

And that you may the better performe this , beware of the loue of this world : it is like Aqua fortis , if once it catch the heart roote ; it will eate out all goodnes , all care , all loue , all zeale , and indignation against sin . Hence groweth nonresidencie , swallowing downe of steeples as easie as the hungrie doth his crummes . Loue of the world choakes care of painfull preaching . Hence instead of hunting the Foxe , there is hunting for promotion and preferment , hunting for the profits and pleasures of this present life , hunting for honour and for hundreds , scratching of consciences in beating of the bushes for many benefices , wheeling about the thickets to spie the couch of a prebendary or a deanrie , &c. and therefore hath it come to passe that some which haue had salt in them , that is vnderstanding , knowledge , and zeale , haue lost it through the perswasion of him that said ; All this will I giue thee if thou wilt fall downe and worship me ; there being now no more relish in them then there is tast in the white of an egge : And what shall we say then of them , that neuer had any salt at all in them , neuer any loue , any knowledge , any zeale ? surely they be vnprofitable seruants , worthie to be cast out of the temple of God as filth and dounge .

For what breedes greater contempt against God , or discredit to his Gospel ; what more reuiues a catholikes hope to returne vnto Babilon ; or encourageth the traitours to the accomplishment of their practises , then the blindnes , ignorance and impietie of the ministerie ? how commeth it to passe that foolish people retain their old liking to their fathers old faith , & yong imps haue the like opinion powred into them ; and consequently , as it may seeme , easie to be drawne from their dutifull loyaltie to the loue of a stranger ; but because they haue wanted such as should rightly enforme them ? can the inestimable treasurie of a mightie prince be seene in the beggarlines of a base Embassadour ? can the aduersarie of the Gospell be drawne from falsehood , and errour by him that knowes not ( I had almost said beleeues not ) the truth ? can a papist be reduced from his worshipping of idols by him , that is no better then an idoll himselfe ? can the carnall gospeller , the wanton libertine , the prophane heart , the beastly Epicure be brought to continencie , modesty and sobriety , by such which rather binde them in the cordes of iniquitie ? Lastly , if to know God , and according to that knowledge to serue him , be the ground-worke of all true obedience ; how is it then possible , that they whose consciences were neuer seasoned with any religion , should yeelde either to God or their prince any dutifull subiection ? Saint Paul saith that he had begotten the Church of the Galathians ; Gal. 4.9 1. Cor. 4.15 . and called himselfe the father of the Corinthians in regarde of the ministerie , because hee had begotten them by the preaching of the Gospell . Such fathers such children , such as are the seedmen , such seede they doe sowe . Where olde wilie Foxes , such as whose loue to religion may be iustly suspected , are admitted into this great calling , there poperie is sowne in stead of the Gospel ; and Foxes growe vp in steade of sound christians : where blinde guides are made ministers , such as haue no more knowledge then idolles of woode and stone , preachers as they call them , of idiots ; there must needes bee poore knowledge of God , and suspected dutifulnes to the prince . The great hurt and dishonour that these bring to the Church of God , no man can with effectuall words display it ; nor plentie of teares lament it , all sermons , exhortations , reprehensions , doe rather aggrauate their condemnations , then worke any reformation .

We reade that the Emperour Commodus was so cunning in darting , that hauing gotten stones for the exercise of his hand , many citizens did assemble to see him throw , whose dexteritie was such that hee neuer cast at wilde beastes , and missed his marke , nor gaue any wound that was not deadly : It is to be wished that euery one that rebuketh sinne should leuell so straight as did this Emperour , that neuer threw but he hit , neuer hit but he wounded ; so should the reader with the Romans neither see one monster twise galled , neither any sin recouer the first wound . If darters at deformities could wound as deadlie as they aime directly , this monstrous monster had been vanquished long ere this day : but alas it liueth , ô yet it liueth , & liueth to nourish papisme , atheisme , and epicurisme .

If any maruaile at this , how such are aduanced to houlde the helme as are scarce worthie to sit in the sincke ; hoysed into Moses chaire , that are more meet to sit at Gamaliels feete ; called to feede with the dugge of the Gospell , before they themselues be well weaned ; and sent to fight the Lords battles before they haue one stone to sling against Golias ( that is one scripture to resist the tempter withall : ) let him vnderstand that this is either , because the heartes of patrones are limed with the loue of this world , which makes them not care whom they present ; or many Bishops haue such motes in their eyes , that they cannot well see whom they blesse .

I am loth to rake in this dounghill of buying & selling of benefices , the which is a sufficient testimonie ( if there were no more ) that men haue as much true loue to religion , as euer had Machiauell . Fiue sorts of patrones of benefices . There are diuers sorts that giue spirituall promotions in this land , some are our great Catholickes , whose care to send good ministers into the Church , I durst sweare for them , is as great as the Foxe euer had to feede the lambes . And how can it stand with their blind religion to send good ministers into the true Christian Church ? but rather to dishonour and deface it by sending in the basest , such as haue neither Vrim , nor Thummim , neither brighnesse of knowledge , nor vprightnes of life . It is said that Ieroboam made Israel to sinne , that is , to contemne religion : and why ? because he made priestes of the basest of the people . Therfore the diuell knowes well , that if he can get priestes to be made of the refuse , he shal bring people to condemne preachers , and prophecying priests , and religion . Here let our Bishops be circumspect to sift narrowly when the patrone giues the Foxe for his cognisance .

There is a second sort of patrons open adorers of their god Mammon . Mammonistes patrones described . These are as good to Gods Church as the former . Indeed I must confesse , that when they giue their spiritual promotions , all their care is to get a man of gifts : O gifts , gifts , & nothing at all respected with these Merchants but gifts . My meaning as no mystery , Si nihil attuleris ibis Homere foras . If you haue no gifts , the passage is plain & you must pack . Can we find , saith Pharao , such a man as this ? ( meaning Ioseph , for his excellencie ) in whom is the spirit of God , Gen. 41.38 . thou shalt be ouer my house . And can we find such a man as this , saith a sacrilegious patrone ? meaning a Sir Iohn lacke Latin , lacke learning , lacke conscience , whose friendes can pay wel , or purse is wel lined , or wil so friendly part the stake . Pharao , cruell Pharao , heathnish Pharao in the gouernment of his Kingdom preferred Ioseph for inward grace : but these christians ( for so they vnworthily are called ) in giuing spirituall promotions for the benefit of Christ his Church , regarde nothing else but outward gaine . For when the match is made , this patrone must haue the tyth corne , Gleabe land ; and the house peraduenture , if it be fit for a gentleman ; with tith wooll and lambe , if it be from the pastures : And what shall the poore parson haue ( as they call him ? ) forsooth a little od money , tith calues , tith geese and a few egges at Easter . And how then ? graundmercie must the seelie sheepe say to the butcher , that hath cut his throat . I will say to these as Simon Peter said to Simon Magus , Acts 8. thou and thy guifts perish , which thou receiuedst to giue so vnworthily , to the great dishonour of the Church : and he and his guifts perish , which he gaue to make a way for himselfe to that place in the Church , whereunto by the iudgment of his owne heart there was neuer any abilitie or aptnes .

To show that honour onely ought euer to accompanie vertue , the heathens built a temple to honour , and adioyned thereunto another built vnto vertue , that so , whosoeuer would go vp into the temple of honour , should passe through the temple of vertue : monstrous it is that christians in profession should be worse then heathens in practise , they would enter into the temple of honour by vertue , wee by bribes . If you thinke this to be no sin , heare the Lord complayning by the prophet Malachie in plaine tearmes , Mal. 3.8 . that the taking away the tithes and offerings from that end they were appoynted vnto , was a robbing and spoyling of him , yea euen such a spoyling , as he would visit with a great and grieuous curse . It is no lesse now , so long as authoritie ratifieth the same to the maintenance of the ministerie , and therefore vndoubtedly will haue a sharpe reuenge .

Balthasar escaped not the reuenging hand of God when he fell to feasting and carrusing with his princes wiues , Daniel . 5. and concubines , in the vessells of gould taken from the temple , but euen then espies the fingers of an hand writing vpon the wall before his face , that his kingdome God had numbred and finished , and weighed him in the balance and found him too light ; and therefore diuided and giuen his kingdome away to the Meedes and Persians . Read your sentence rob Churches . And doe you which eate the corne of the barne and drinke the bloud of christian soules , that solace your selues with the spoyle of the Church , thinke to escape the sentence of the almightie ? It is a sure thing ( if you could spie it ) that the Lord hath diuided , blowne vpon it , and scattered that which by such sinister means you haue gathered together ; neither shall it prosper ; but as it hath been gotten ouer the deuills backe , so shall it be spent vnder his dammes belly : and as it came in vpon a post rowling and tumbling on euerie side ; so the Lord shall open the cage and it shall away againe , hauing caught winges like an eagle . But if perhappes you escape the sentence writing a diuision here , you shall bee sure without repentance of the sentence of confusion else where .

Dauid standing in great distresse for water would not drinke of the water of Bethleem , because it was gotten with the daunger of some few mens temporall liues : See your sinne soule murderers . but you drinke and eate that which is gotten with apparant hazard of life eternall of hundreds and thousands .

Can you for conscience reply ? nay the power of hell is not able to denie it . The foule carion rauen is your cognisance which flew out of Noahes Arke , and returned not againe ; but was detained with the filthie stench of drowned carcasses : euen so do you which thus seeke the spoile of the Church , Dulcis odor lucri ex re qualibet , the sauour of gaine is sweet , if you can sucke it out of the vilest things , euerie baggage or garbage is good enough for you .

There is a third sort which hauing no sense nor feeling of this sinne , Benummed and sencelesse patrones . bestow Church-liuings not as caring for the Church , or respecting the edifying of the flocke of Christ , but as they are moued by kindred , by fauour , by affection , by suits : Your practise proues you Atheistes . so they do bestow sufficient liuings vpon vnsufficient persons . I say , not caring whether the people sinke or swim , stand or fall , liue or die , be saued or damned . The Lord Iesus sets it downe as a note of the ministers loue , that he feeds the flocke : In like sort is it the patrones loue to cause the flocke to be fed . Contrariwise it is want of loue in the minister , if he do not feed : and what is it in the patrone , if by his carelesnes this come to passe ? It is a fault to giue the calling to him that is vnworthie , & no fault to giue the liuing vnto him ? In the sixth of S. Markes gospell it is said of Christ , that going out & seeing a great multitude of people gathered together , he had compassion on them , because they were like sheep without a shepheard : It is a necessary consequence , that if Christs bowels earn to see his sheep depriued of a shepherd , that he will make your hearts ake that are the cause of this horrible sinne . I am ashamed to rehearse how the Church of god is abused by you , who in bestowing your Church-liuings giuing them not to ministers , as ministers ; but as to your sons , or your seruants or your kinsmen , or to some other that by some by-desert hath gained your fauours : and yet behold you would faine seeme friends to religion and pretend many good motions . But to be plaine with you , your motions are like vnto the grashoppers , that no sooner giues an hop vpward , but down he comes againe ; your words may seeme heauenly , but your practise is earthly .

There is a fourth sort of patrons which professe religion , These would haue you thinke they loue the Church , and so they do . & yet many of them smutched with this blot . These go beyond the rest , in this that they would be glad the people should be fed with knowledge and vnderstanding : but as the mammonist before named , cares not whom he presentes , so he may reape the profit ; if he cannot compasse it to make it plainly temporall : so this patronizer makes a pause ( you must thinke ) to find one sufficient to take the charge : These spin hypocrisie finely . but indeed that either an haruest may quite his cost he hath been at , by many suters ; or else to get a good one as cheape as he can . It was once said , religio peperit diuitias , sed filia deuorauit matrem : that is , religion brought forth riches , but the daughter deuoured the mother . The times are altered , & religion mournes , because her best seruants want their wages . For they neuer gaue so fast as now they take away , Sublatis studiorum praemijs ipsa studiae pereunt , saith Cornelius Tacitus . and substraction is become a great part of patrons study . The conclusion like to follow such polling premisses , is the decay of learning , piety & religion , & the bringing in of al Atheisme , error & Barbarisme . For they which would study diuinitie aboue all , when they see that the Church hath scarce the fauour of an ordinarie ward , yea when they behold the contempt , the beggerlines , vexation and miserable want of the ministery , are glad to fall to phisicke , or law , or some other trade . Gen. 48 7 What shall I say of you ? You are worse than Pharao , for he had a care of his priests howsoeuer the world went with the rest . You are not so kind to ministers of the gospel as Iesabel that painted harlot , 1. King . 18.19 . These shall rise in iudgement against you . Iud. 17. was to the prophets of the groues , for she fed foure hundred at her table : you are not half so religious , as Micha was superstitious , for he maintained his priests . You shew that you haue lesse loue to religion then they papists haue to superstition . The kite is your cognisance , who being greedy and rauenous , yet mounteth aloft as though he would touch the gliding clouds ; but yet when he flieth a matchlesse pitch , he hath his eies fixed below on the earth , spying and prying for a carrion carcasse : euen so you soare aloft in your contemplation , and in a certain counterfeit sanctimony seeme to be raised and carried aboue the clouds ; yet so long as you can find in your harts to play the part-stake patrons to spoile the Church , & to seeke to enrich your selues by such robberies ( they are no better ) it is an infallible signe that you are worldlings and earthly minded , seeking your owne gaine and priuate profit . For Gods loue let this be reformed , that we may know you by another cognisance . The last and best sort of patrons are such as account them worthie of double honour which rule well , The best sort of patrones . 1. Tim. 5.17 . that hold the labourer worthie of his hire ; that no man goeth to warfare on his owne charges ; 1. Cor , 1 , from the 5 , verse to the 15 that husbandmen should eate of the fruit of such vineyardes as they themselues planted ; that sheppeheards should eat of the milke of their owne flockes ; that sowers of spirituall things , which are the greater , are well worthy to reape carnal things which are the lesser ; that they which serue at the altar are worthie to liue by the altar . These for their cognisance may fitly giue some rare bird ; I had almost said the blacke Swan : but it shall be the Eagle , for she mounteth on hie and falleth not on the ground , but to seeke her necessarie food , and being satisfied straightway soareth aloft : euen so the minds of these are occupied in heauen , all superfluous cares being cast apart , they indeed wish the prosperity of Ierusalem , & the happy florishing state of the Church . O Lord almightie encrease the number of these ; and in thy mercy conuert , or in iustice confound such Church-robbers as sauor nothing but their own gain , as daily indeuour to take away the reward of knowledge & are the death of thousand thousands of souls : stir vp O Lord thy faithful seruant our dread soueraigne , that with Nehemiah she may thrust out all such Eliashibs as abuse the Church in this manner , Nehem. 13.14 . and euerie Tobiah linked in affinity with them , that thy seruants may haue their own portions , and that thou maist not be mocked ; so we thy workmanship and sheep of thy pasture , for so great a mercy , shal praise thee fer euer . Amen .

CHAPTER . 12.

The dutie of Christian Magistrates , as well Soueraigne as others , in hunting and taking the two-legged Foxes .

THere be two sorts of men , which say that the charge of Religion belongeth not to the office of the magistrate . First , they which vnder pretence of their annointed cleargie , and priuiledged priesthood cannot abide to haue their abuses reformed . Secondly , they which eyther are infected with some heresie , or else are willing to dally with heretikes . The first sort doe onely require of the magistrate to maintaine and defend their degrees . The second sort holdeth , that the magistrate ought onely to meddle with the maintenance of publike peace , and not to regard what others beleeue or not beleeue . But the true Church teacheth that the charge of publike religion doth not in part , Charge of religion belongeth to the Magistrate . but principally , and most of all belong vnto the magistrate , which thing the holy scripture approueth . Moses the first generall magistrate of the Israelites , God gaue the order of religion to Moses not to Aaron . who did not represent the person of a priest , which was put vnto Aaron , but of the superiour power like vnto the authoritie of a king , did giue the order of al religion vnto the people , & appointed vnto Aaron & the order of the priests what they should do , & what they should not do . Wherby it appeareth that the care of the order of religion doth rather belong vnto the superior magistrat , then vnto the degree of priesthood .

I know they will say , that Moses did dispose all these things at Gods commaundement . It is true : but I will be answered againe , why God gaue not the commaundement for order of religion vnto Aaron , whom he had consecrated to be a priest , rather then vnto Moses ? So then this rather sheweth that the charge of the institution and gouernance belonges vnto the magistrate ; but the institution , charge and ministration , belongs vnto the priests . Againe , after the death of Moses , the charge of religion belonged not to Eleasar the Priest , but to Iehosua the magistrate , who was of the tribe of Ephraim , Iosua . 5 and not of Leui , by whose commaundement the children of Israell were the second time circumcised , the Ark of God carried by the priests , the altars builded , the people sanctified , and the rest of the lawes fulfilled , which Moses prescribed . Againe , Iehosua charged them to feare the Lord , Iosua . 8 and to serue him with an vpright and faithfull heart . Iehosua charged them to rid out of the way all straunge gods , Iehosua renewed the couenant betweene God and his people , and compiled the words of the couenant into the booke of Gods law .

True it is that the office of magistracie and priesthood both were ioyned together in the person of Samuel , 1. Sam. 1. but yet he being at that time the chiefe man in Israell , iudged and determined as a magistrate , taught and sacrificed as a priest .

Dauid a patterne for good magistrats , The ordering of religion by Dauid . and vnto whom Christian rulers ought to haue an eie for godlinesse , 2. Sam. 6 had the authority of disposing & setting forth true religion , 1. Chro. 16 1. Cho. 22.23.24.25 he recouered the Arke of God from contempt receiued in the time of Iudges , & of Saul , & placed it more comely : he appointed Priests , Leuites , singers , and doore-keepers , to minister in the tabernacle of the lord . He aduised kings to looke vnto their duties : Psal. 2 And now ye kings vnderstand , be learned which iudge the land , serue the Lord in feare , &c.

Salomon did beare the highest charge in religion , Salomon , Asa and Iehosaphat tooke charge of religion . not onely in building the Lords Temple , but also in consecrating & hallowing of the same . What should I speak of Asa , who hauing the charge of religion did rid away the Idols out of all the land of Iuda & Beniamin , 2. Chro. 6 2. Chro. 15 2. Chro. 29.30.81 &c. And of Iehosophat , who tooke away the hil-altars and groues out of Iuda : Of Ezechias , who following the footsteps of his father Dauid in the beginning of his raign the first yeare and first moneth , opened and refurnished the gates of Gods house , commaunded the priestes to heare him , & to become holy , to cleanse the Lords house , and to rid all filthines out of his sanctuarie , appointed Leuits with cymbals Psalters & harps , according to the ordinance of the king his father . The like is written of Iosias , who vsed the same power & authority in the like case . Now then since it is so cleare , Iohn . 12.18 Rom. 13.1 that kings & princes are the seruants of God established in authority , & girded by him with a bawdrier to the end , that not only honesty of life should be maintained , opposed to violence & dissolution ; but that the true seruice of God should be aduanced contrary to idolatry & superstition : Therfore they ought with all the power which God hath giuen them , to vphold the holy ministery & worship of God , as wel in vprightnes of discipline , as purity of doctrine ; that both may be conformable to the word of the Lord testified by Christ & his Apostles , without adding or clipping or altering : & consequently bridle as much as they can , & punish according to the exigence of the case , the perturbers of the peace of the Church . For religion belongs not to the left , but to the right hand of a prince ; neither is there any crown so curiously wrought or cunningly set with precious pearles , that can half so beautifie a princes person , as to seek to promote the glory of the lord , and to take these Foxes which seeke to vndermine his vineyard . The seruants of Benhadad king of Syria , 1. King . 20 Traitors make mercy the groundworke of mischiefe . what wrong soeuer they had offered to Israel , yet fallen into the lapse , would reuiue and recomfort themselues with these words : Behold we haue heard say that the kings of Israell are mercifull kings , let vs therefore put sackcloth about our loins , and ropes about our neckes , and go to the king of Israell , it may be that he will saue our liues . Thus standing vpon what may be , and not what ought to be , what peraduenture he would , and not what they deserued , they make mercie the ground plot of mischiefe . But the king is reproued , and it is told him , thy life shall go for his life , and thy people for his people : No lesse are those runnagate ruffians to be regarded with them which welcome and intertaine them . For as the practise of the one is to steale away the hearts of subiects , so the mark that the other aime at , is to lend them their hands against their countrie , if time should serue their turne . The Almightie God preserue her Maiestie , and euermore increase all zeale in her for the punishment of his , & her enemies ; that as Asa commaunded all such to be slaine as would not serue the God of Israell ; as Darius deliuered Daniel , 1. King . 15 Daniel 6 Daniel . 4 2. King , 19 2. King , 23 and cast his enemies into the den of the Lions ; as Nabuchadnezzar serued him , who by proclamation forbad any in his Dominion to blaspheme the true and very God ; as Ezechias and Iosias serued him by ouerthrowing the groues , and the places that were set vp contrarie to Gods commaundement : So she with Dauid , hating Gods enemies with a perfect hatred , may seeke to root them out more and more : and as alreadie she hath broken downe the lofts , that were builded to idolatrie , ouerthrowne , polluted , and defiled the altars , defaced the vessels that were made for Baal , and for the host of heauen ; so she may cut vp the verie roots of iniquitie , and expell the Cananites , that the Common-wealth of Israell be not troubled . O let not the glozing speech of any ambitious parasite dazle her highnesse eies , nor boulster vp poperie by a false perswasion to further clemencie ; but let him be dishonoured in a day that is not truly zealous for the honour of his God : and let him die the death that wisheth not her Maiesties throne to stand steadie as the seat of Salomon ; and you that feare the Lord , and loue his truth , say Amen . Furthermore as the foresight of her Highnes most honourable counsell hath appeared in shielding vs from forraine foes : so ought their chiefe circumspection to be seen in shielding vs from domesticall feare . Then shall we being free in our bowels from sedition at home , be stronger to withstand forraine power abroad .

It is not a safe thing to lay the bridle vpon the necke of such dangerous practitioners , by whom both prince , your selues , our liues , our countrie , our fortunes may be hazarded in an instant : execution of discipline is a perfit mithridate against al dangerous conspiracies , insurrections , seditions , rebellions , and all popish pollicies . Correct saith Bensyra a wise man with a nod , and a foole with a club : there hath been mildnesse and lenitie shewed long enough ; there hath been becking and nodding , and notting long enough ; but the froward will not receiue information : What remaineth then but an hammer , or an hatchet , or a club , execution I meane of Iustice , against these household enemies ? Your H. shall rightly propose to your selues the example of Moses , who for the like cause hanged vp the princes of the people , teaching thereby all good rulers to make them examples in suffering , who haue been the ringleaders in offending .

Here also to you the graue sages of this land may rightly a lesson be read : I meane the Iudges placed ouer Gods people to iudge soundly & substantially betwixt brethren and brethren ; vnto whom God hath after a sort lent his name and his seat , The dutie of Iudges in hunting the Foxe . to teach you chiefly to regard and maintaine his owne honour . If it be your duties to punish theeues , murtherers , and such like perturbers of the peace of the Common-wealth , then much more the vnderminers of the Lords vineyard , grosse Idolaters , hollow hearted votaries , disloyal persons , whose liberties & prosperities in a Christian Church what can it elfe argue , but that iustice is turned into iugling ? and true religion , either into heathenish prophanenes or Romish superstition ? You may not forget that Iustice is pictured with a paire of ballances in one hand , and a sword in the other ; to teach you that Iustice must returne to iudgement , whether in regarding the good , or punishing the euill . Improbum hominem praestat non accusasse quàm absoluisse . It is better not to haue accused , then after accusation to acquite the malefactour : but to dally with Church enemies , presageth future daunger , and in time may proue fatall to the state . Let Moses also be your president , who punished idolaters against God , as sharpely as traitours against himselfe . O Lord ! that a traitour to the kingdome of Christ Iesus should find a friend in a Christian Commonwealth ; but of Iudges , Magistrates , and gouernours , it were vntollerable . Shall a poore theefe packe to Tiburne for fiue shillings , and one that if it were in his hand would strangle or cut the throat of the Church , escape scot-free ? Tully truly said Magistratus indicat virum , authoritie declareth a man what he is , whether he loue equitie or briberie , iustice or crueltie , Authoritie trieth a man . religion or superstition . If a Lion his pawes , if a Wolfe his iawes will betraie him ; if he loue the Church and religion he will draw the sword against her foes ; if he be an ambodexter , he careth but a little for her friends . Here therfore I require you , that as you serue God in feare , and loue his truth in heart ; that so you would promote his glorie in zeale , and punish the offender according to the exigence of the case : for as it is an horrible sinne with Pilate to iudge Christ guiltlesse , and then to condemne him ; with Festus to approue Pauls cause , and then to leaue him in prison : in like sort it is a wicked thing in words to sentence the enemies of Christ , and indeed to turne them loose to liue at their pleasures like Foxes amidst the flocke , to try what hauocke they can make of all .

I may not pretermit in this place , the great care and conscience that ought to be in election of Magistrates in Cities , Burrowes , and Townes endewed with such priuiledges . Iethro points out the properties of them which should beare rule : Thou shalt choose out amongst all the people men of courage , Exod. 18 fearing God , and hating couetousnes , and them shalt thou make gouernours ouer the people . The Israelits desired God to graunt vnto Iosua , Iosua . 1 being newly made their gouernour , an heart to go in and out before them . A necessarie praier ; for what an vgly thing were it to choose Verres a theefe to inueigh against robberie ; Crassus a miser to make his plea against couetousnesse ; Gracchus a traitour to giue sentence against treason ; Nero a tyrant to declaime against crueltie , that is , to picke out such to punish sinne as are more worthie of punishment themselues , like vnto the whore hunting Iudges of Samaria , mentioned by Ieremie ? Ier. 5 And I would to God that such were not the election in many places where officers are chosen , Vntollerable abuses committed in manie places . as if men would picke rottennes out of an apple , where election is made a matter of formalitie , where wealth not wisedome , riches not religion , sufficiencie to feast them , no abilitie to gouerne them , is the leuell of their choice . Hence grow such swarmes of Atheistes , Epicures , & Papists in many quarters of this land , as it is lamentable to behold . For the reason why wicked men abound , is because wicked men beare rule .

Lastly , All good subiects must be Fox-hunters . euerie good Christian that desireth the free passage of the gospell of Iesus Christ , in respect whereof , all pompous glorie is no better then dounghill filthinesse ; and euerie good subiect that desireth the prosperitie of her Royall person , and peace of this Realme , must shew forth the power both of religion , and loyaltie in this worke of setting the toyle wherewith to take these Foxes . And that you may do it with alacritie and cheerefulnesse , doe but consider how the diuell , the Pope and the Turke , haue giuen their consentes to supplant and vndermine , or else openlie to assault and inuade this vineyarde of the Lorde . Let there bee a sacrifice proclaimed to the Queene of Heauen , there will be no spare of cost or trauaile : Young men will cut woode , children will gather chippes , women will fetch water , olde men afforde wheat , one will knead dough , another heat the Ouen , and all to sacrifice ( I say ) to the Queen of heauen : Yea , there liueth many amongst vs , whose hearts are full of bitternesse , because they may not sing salue regina . These are they that vse wicked consultation in holy places , prophane our Temples by lewde conference , and make the house of praier a denne of theeues . Priuie markes of Romish Foxes . These are they that construe euerie accident to the aduantage of their owne purpose . These are they that by their whispering tales woulde put men in feare , when there is no cause of feare ; thinking to make men affraid of scarre-crowes . But the name of God be praysed , who is vnto this land , euen a wall of Brasse , who as he hath giuen vs religion from heauen as a crowne ; so hath it pleased him to strengthen this kingdome with loyaltie as a strong defence : and yet more magnified be thy name O Lord our fortresse and deliuerer , who when disloyall persons haue been founde endeuouring to prostitute our beautie to a straunger , hast discouered the conspiracie , and brought deserued destruction vpon the deuisers ; so Lord we beseech thee still to watch ouer vs . Amen .

CHAPTER . 13

Two Toiles wherby Foxes must be taken , 1 The word truly preached : 2 Good lawes duly executed . The miserable end of traitours .

THe gardiens and keepers of the spirituall vineyard ( as hath been declared ) ought to be in continual chase of these hurtfull beasts , and not to leaue them vntill either they be transformed into sheepe , or else driuen quite out , The word of God the first toile wherewith to take Foxes . that the whole flocke be not hazarded . Now the first meanes to effect this , is by pitching the haies and setting the toiles of the word of God , by the light whereof their darknes may be discouered ; as also by the fire thereof , the chaffe of their lies and falshood may be consumed . Hereby you may see the necessitie of such a ministerie as is able to handle the sword of the word with both hands ; as is able to beget his people in the faith , to confirme the established , to strengthen the weake , to reclaime the back-sliders , and to confute the aduersarie , that the enemie may no sooner peepe out his head , but the sworde of the spirit may be readie to cut it off .

Yee famous Vniuersities , eternized in Honours booke for deepe learning , and feruent loue to Religion ; Almightie God make you still fruitefull , that from you both as sisters endowed with like priuiledges , crowned with like honour , may proceed Foxe-hunters into euerie corner and quarter of this land . Your children hitherto haue receiued all chalenges of Romane Champions , and chased this noysome vermine that haue laboured to poyson the synceritie of our faith . Worthie Whitakers Whitakers . of neuer dying fame , small cause hath Rome to vaunt her Bellarmine , or Louan to admire her Stapleton , ( ours had he not been enchanted ) by thee both wounded .

Profound Fulke , Fulke . whose truth and great trauaile the Church of God hath tried , many a Foxe hast thou had in chase , not able to abide thy hot pursuite . Who euer gaue the dare , and thou diddest not receiue the challenge ? Humfrey Humfrey . of much reading , in thy time wast thou a chiefe hunter of the Romish Foxe . How oft from chaire of truth hast thou confuted their lying falsehoods ? Reynolds , Reynolds . as thou hast Rainard the olde Foxe and his cubs in chase ; so God , according to his good will , giue thee long life still to hunt and pursue them , that by the fire of Gods word , the chaffe of their lies may be consumed . I might take occasion in this place to vrge soundnes and synceritie , in setting this toyle of the word . For it is not decrees of Popes , nor determinations of Councels , not Cicero his eloquence , nor Aristotle his philosophy , Gods word purely preached , transformeth Foxes into sheepe that can conuert a sinner , or transforme a Foxe into a sheepe : but it is the law of God truly taught and opened , that reduceth men from their errours and deformities , and bringeth them into the perfit path of health and saluation : I say the preaching of the word , accompanied with the assistance of the spirit . For it is not in man , neither in whole nor in part , to draw men vnto God , to open their eies , to bore their eares , to illumine their minds , or open their hearts : No , no , to fit the ground to receiue the seed , to make it bud and blossome , and bring forth fruit , is the worke of the onely sonne of righteousnesse , who giueth repentance , and remission of sinnes vnto his Israel .

If the wicked and vngodly will needs be so wilfull , Good lawes a needfull toile whereby to take Foxes . as to refuse the ministerie of the word ; then the Magistrates must pitch the toiles of Gods lawes , which are the verie life and soule of the Commonwealth , as Tully saith in his Oration for Cluentius : Neither is any commonwealth more able to vse her owne parts without the helpe of good lawes , then the bodie of a man can exercise the due operations without vnderstanding : And therefore is it said of Aristotle that the sunne is not more needfull to the world , then good and wholesome lawes are to the preseruation of the Commonwealth . For as the sunne by his heate , and influence doth nourish plantes , trees , and hearbes ; comfort also and giue strength vnto them , to exercise their seuerall properties : so good lawes nourish and maintaine the flourishing state of kingdomes ; as on the other side without these , there can be nothing else but disorder and vtter confusion . But yet it may not be forgotten , Execution the life of the law . that as good lawes are the liues of Commonwealths : so execution is the life of the lawe ; for lawes are better vnmade then vnkept : and our lawes seeme like to Spiders webbes , where-through the buzzing Bees , Hornets , or horse-flies doe breake ; but the poore feeble flies hang fast . If this were not so , you should haue fewer Gentlemen theeues , fewer Gentlemen adulterers , fewer Gentlemen idolaters . And who knoweth not that although a Citie were defended with walles of Brasse ; yet if there want men and munition , in time they will be beaten downe : euen so though lawes were neuer so wisely made ; yet if they want such as shall vrge their obedience and defend them , they will soone prooue nothing worth . Therefore the saying of Solon is worthie remembraunce , who being asked when the Commonwealth did most flourish , aunswered , when the people obey the Magistrate , and the Magistrate obeyeth the lawe .

Againe , for the right proceeding in iudgement against hereticall persons , Two things to be reproued in an heretike : you must consider that there be two things worthie to bee reprooued in an hereticke-seducer ; for a difference is to be made betwixt the seducer , the grand Captaine or Ringleader , and the poore seelie wretch seduced . Now in the seducer there is first his heresie ; and secondly , the scatteringe of his heresie , whereby he goeth about to infect and poyson others . These seed-men of superstition and hereticall scatterers , must be better looked vnto , that the multitude may be saued from seduction : Seducing heretikes . or else great danger will growe not onely to Christ his Church by poisoning and peruerting the puritie of religion ; but to the state of the land , by daily addition of strength to the Romish faction . It is too well knowne how fast our Papists doe encrease in many parts of this land ; and how daily one draweth another into the pit of perdition : surely the fault is either in the minister or magistrate , or else in both . But this is a sure thing , that as Poperie getteth ground ; so the Gospell looseth ground : and where superstition swimmeth , there religion sincketh . Lastly , whether they wish the life or the death of her Maiesties person , by whose most gracious gouernment true religion is continued , who are so hotly deuoted to superstition ; let the former reasons against all perfect papists determine . Seduced people . As for the seduced and poore deceiued wretches , all meanes are to be practised for their conuersions : but when as once it is proued that they are not onely ignorant , but obstinately and wilfully ignorant , and that the more they be forborne , the lesse they are reformed ; like vnto the vine that prospereth with no pruning , or the hearb that withereth with watering : what can remaine else , but that where milde and temperate medicines can take no effect , there be vsed violent meanes , as sharpe corosiues : and why not cauterie & incision , least that greater inconuenience grow either by example , which giueth encouragement , or by corruption which comes by their companie . Therefore the wholesome counsell of the Poet is to be hearkened vnto , where he saith : Cuncta prius tentanda , sed immedicabile vulnus When incision is to be vsed . Ense recidendum , ne pars sincera trahaetur . To salue the sore , first trie each way ; If curelesse thou it see ; Then cauterize , least sounder parts Therewith attainted be . For experience plainely teacheth , that the Cancer consumes the Rose , the Caterpiller eates the fruite , the sore eye infects the sound , that pitch defileth , that leauen sowreth , that scabde sheepe infecte the flocke . I will end this point , affirming thus much , that since all may in freedome doe well without feare : it were lamentable that any should haue libertie to doe wickedly with fauour .

I will speake a little of the miserable end of traitors , and so conclude : The miserable end of traytors . in reading either the booke of God , or other histories , we shall hardly find that traytors haue closed vp their eyes with honour . Sellam conspired against Zacharias the King of Israel , and slew him : but within one moneth after , he himselfe was slaine of Manahem . 4. King : 15 Peka conspired against Pekaiam , but after was slaine of Oseas . But what should I light a candle at noone day ? We our selues are eye-witnesses , that very seldome traitors go down to the graue in peace . Ambitious Richard the vsurper , because he was notorious , Richard the Vsurper : shall here be remembred , who to make the way to his hautie desire of Soueraigntie , spared neither age , affinitie , nor degree , vntill he had got the regall diademe : and then thought he himselfe so surely grounded , that he might bid defiance to heauen and earth : but see his end ; he was slaine in the field , and being disarmed and stripped , was throwne ouerthwart an horse backe , with his face downeward , and daubed with dirt , brought from Bosworth to Leicester , and there in stead of a princely funerall , had for his Herauld infamie , shame for his shrouding sheete , and neuer dying obloquie for his sepulcher .

Sir Iames Tyrrel mounted aloft , Sir Iames Tyrrell . Myles Forrest Iesabel sentenceth Traitours . for murthering the young King , was himselfe beheaded by Henry the seuenth : Miles Forrest a cursed catife , did rot away peece meale : Iesabel although an abominable wretch , yet truelie thought that a traiterous life could seldome end with an happie death . Had Zimri peace that slew his master ? Which speech , although it were grounded vpon a false coniecture , because that burthen by Gods appointment was laide vpon the house of Achab , and Iehu particularlie deputed to that charge , whereas Zimri had no commission to goe so far : yet implieth it this much , that shee thought treason an odious crime , and that vengeance must needes follow it at the heeles ; and haue we not had most manifest experience of it in this land , within these few yeares ? How many Iesuites in profession , Iscariots in practise , haue visited Tyburne ? How many Foxe-priests haue taken their farewell at the gallowes ? And although Rome hath lately beautified them with the title of Martyrs , whom either male-contentednes or malice , caused to be treacherous to their Prince : yet is it a thing euident , that rebellion not religion ; treason not truth ; hath brought them to the halter . The almighty God that gouerneth heauen & earth , stil dissipate their deuices , and confound their counsels , that all such as seeke by treason to supplant Englands state , by sedition to sell her honour , or by rebellion to scatter her peace , may still receiue such iust reward for their demerits , as heretofore they haue done . Amen .

FINIS .