BEcause a number haue been desirous , to vnderstand the successe of my iourney to Roome , and a number beside are doubtfull , whether I haue béene there or no , albeit the proofes thereof , sufficiently are extant to be séene : as well to content the one , as remoue the doubte of the other , I will ( God ayding mée ) héere set downe such a certaintie thereof , that if it happen not to please bothe , yet , if they will , it may profite bothe .

When as desire to sée straunge Countreies , as also affection to learne the languages , had perswaded me to leaue my natiue Countrey , and not any other intent or cause , God is my record : I committed the small wealth I had , into my purse , a Trauelers wéede on my backe , the whole state and condition of my iourney to Gods appointment , and beeing accompanied with one Thomas Nowell , crossed the Seas from England to Bulloine in Fraunce . From thence we trauelled to Amiens , in no small daunger , The Camp broken vp , the soldiers met with vs , & robbed vs , & hardly did we escape with our liues . standing to the mercie of dispoyling Soldiers , who went robbing and killing thorowe the Countrey , the Campe beeing by occasion broken vp at that tyme . Little they left vs , and lesse would haue done , by the value of our liues , had not a better bootie come then we were at that time : the Soldiers preparing towards them , whome they sawe better prouided for their necessitie : offered vs the l●ysure too escape which we refused not , béeing left bare enough bothe of coyne and cloathes . But as then we stoode not to accoumpt on our losse , it suffised vs that we had our liues : whereof béeing not a little glad , we set the better legge before , least they should come backe againe ; and robbe vs of them too . This our misfortune vrged vs to remembraunce , of our former quiet béeing in England , carefullie tendered by our Parents , and loouingly esteemed among our ●●éends , all which we vndutifullie regarding , rewarded vs with the rod of our owne negligence : béeing as then fearefull of all company on the way , Many men robbed and slaine by the Soldiers , which made vs trauell in no small feare . such cruell and heauy spectacles was still before our eyes , but yet this did somewhat comfort vs , we had nothing woorth the taking from vs , but our liues , which we had good hope to saue , either by their pittie , or our owne humble perswasion .

When we were come to Amiens , we were giuen to vnderstande , that there was an olde Englishe Préest in the Towne , whose name was Maister Woodward : of whome we perswaded our selues for Countrey sake , to finde some courtesie , in hope whereof , we enquired for his lodging , and at last found him . After such salutations as passe betwéene Countreymen at their méeting , I began to tell him , howe we had left our Countrey , for the earnest desire we had to sée forraine Dominions , The Preest of whome I haue made mention in my Discouerie of Campion . howe we had béene spoyled by the way , of all that we had , and that we hoped for some fréendship at his handes , which if God vouchsafed vs safe returne , should not be cast out of remembraunce .

Alas my freendes ( quoth he ) I am your Countreyman I will not denie , but not such a one as you take me for . I am a poore Préest , and héere I liue for my conscience sake , whereas , were thinges according as they should be , it were better for me to be at home in mine owne Countrey . And yet trust me , I pittie to sée any of my Countreymen lacke , though I am not able any way to reléeue them : there be daylie that commeth this way , to whome , according to my hability , I am liberall , but they be such , as you are not , they come not for pleasure but for profite , they come not to sée euerie idle toye , and to learne a little language , but to learne how to saue bothe their owne and their fréendes soules , and such I would you were , then I could say that to you , which ( as you be ) I may not .

Trust me Sir ( quoth I ) I hope we haue learned to saue our soules already , or else you might estéeme vs in a verie bad case . If you haue ( quoth he ) it is the better for ▪ you , but I feare me one day , they that teach you to saue your soules after that manner , will pay for it déerelie , and you with them for company .

With these wordes , he began to wexe somewhat melancholie ; which I perceiuing , and remembring that our necessitie , stoode not in case to pleade pointes of controuersie ▪ rather sought to please him in hope of some lyberalitie , then to contend with him ( we béeing vnable ) and so fall into farder daunger . Whervpon I desired him , not to be offended at any thing we had sayde , for we would gladlie learne any thing that might benefite vs , and beside , would follow his counsaile in any reasonable cause . Then he began to be somewhat more gentlie disposed , saying , he could not greatlie blame vs , if we were obstinate in our opinion , comming from such a young Hell as we dyd , but he had good hope , that ere long it would be harrowed .

The Préeste vsed many circumstaunces , of the Popes lyberality to our Countreymen : as also what Treasons was toward her Maiestie and the Realme . Then he willed vs to walke with him , and he would bring vs where we should lodge that night , at his charges : all the way rehearsing vnto vs , how beneficiall the Pope was to our Countreymen , and howe highlie we might pleasure our selues , our fréendes and Countrey , if we would followe his councell . Beside , such horrible and vnnaturall spéeches , he vsed against her Maiestie , her honourable Councell , and other persons that he named : as the verie remembraunce maketh me blushe , and my heart to bléede . To all which we gaue him the hearing , but God knowes , on my parte , with what anguishe of minde : for I would haue perswaded my selfe , that duety should haue with-helde the Subiect from reuiling his Princesse , and nature from slaundering his owne Countrey : but it suffiseth , where grace is absent , good qualities can neuer be present . When wée were come to our Lodging , he talked with our Hostesse , what she should prouide for vs , and afterward taking his leaue , tolde vs he woulde haue more talke with vs in the morning : in the meane time , we should thinke on that , which he had opened to vs , and resolue our selues on a certayne determination , for he meant vs more good then we were beware off . A little suffiseth hunger , where necessitie is mistresse of the feast . He béeing departed , we fell to such simple chéere as was prepared for vs , which was simple in déed , scant sufficient to the good stomackes we had to our victualles : but because we had soone done , we went the sooner to bed , sparing as much time as we could , in remembraunce of the Préestes woordes , tyll the wearinesse of our iourney , compelled vs to take our rest .

In the morning , the Préest sent a poore fellow , whom he kept to make his bed , and r●n about on his errandes , to our lodging , that we should come vnto his Maister presently , because he had occasion to goe into the Town , and his returne was vncertaine , therefore he would speake with vs before he went . Upon these so hasty summons , we addressed our selues towards him , finding him in his Chamber , reading vpon his Poetesse , to him we gaue thankes for his courtesie , promising to requite it if he came where we might doo it . In bréefe , among great circumstaunce of talke , wherein he manifested the treason toward England : he behaued him selfe in spéeches to vs , according as I haue already declared in my Discouerie of Campion , There you maye reade his woords , at large set downe . where you may perceyue the Popes determination , & our Englishmens vnnatural consent , to be Traitors to their own Princesse , to shorten her life , & ouerthrow their natiue Countrey , where they were borne .

When he had mightily besieged vs with a multitude , as well threatninges as perswasions , to conforme our selues vnder that obedience : as well to auoide perill that might otherwise happen , as also to gayne somewhat towarde our reléefe , we promised him to doo as he would haue vs , & to goe whether he would appoint vs . Whervpon he presentlie wrote two Letters to Doctor Allen at Rheimes , one of them concerned our preferment there , howe we should be entertayned into the Englishe Seminarie , and take the orders of Préesthood , because we might doo good in our Countrey an other day . The other Letter was of such newes , as he heard out of England , howe matters went forewarde to their purpose , and beside , other thinges which I am not to speake of héere , because they are not to be read of euerie one .

These Letters finished ▪ and sealed vp with singing Cake , he delyuered vnto vs , saying : I thanke God that I am ordayned the man , bothe to saue your Soules , and a number of your fréendes héere in England , whome I could wishe : héere present with you , for that I pittie their estate , as well that they are in , as that which is wurse , and I feare mée will fall on them shortlie .

I put vp the Letters , and gaue him to vnderstande , that we could hardlie trauell from thence to Rheimes , hauing nothing wherwithall we might beare our charges . Trust me ( quoth he ) & I haue done as much for you as I am able , for I haue nothing héere but to serue mine owne necessitie . When we offered to sel our Clokes : he could find money to buie them . Then we offered to sell our Cloakes , which the Soldiers against their willes had left vs . In déede ( quoth he ) to trauell in your Cloakes will doo nothing but hinder you ; I will send my man to a fréend of mine ( as much to saye , as his Chest ) to sée what money he can gette for them .

The fellowe tooke our Cloakes , after his Maister had whispered him in the ear● , and went downe the staires , returning quicklie with two French Crownes , which the Préest deliuered to vs , with fow●e or fiue French Soules out of his owne Purse , Great lyberalitie . so , willing vs to do● his commendations to Doctor Allen , and to labour earnestlie in that we went about & Maister 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 we parted , he into the Towne , and we in our iourney .

When we were about thrée or fowre myles from Amiens , we sate downe on the side of a hyll , recounting what the Préest had sayde to vs , as also the cause why he sen● vs to Rheimes : the remembraunce of the true and vndoubted Religion , vsed in our owne Countrey , and wherein we were trayned vp , was of force sufficient to perswade vs from yéelding to that , which we iudged rather to be a mummerie , and derision of the true . Doctrine , then otherwise : So that ( notwithstanding many matters my companion alleadged vnto me , what daunger we might come vnto , if we went not to deliuer the Letters , as also the harde penurie we should 〈◊〉 in trauell , béeing destitute of money , apparell , an● 〈◊〉 other néedefull thinges ) by the onelie appointment of God wha no doubt put it in my minde at that tyme , This to be true , albeit he nowe be my vtter enimie , I am sure he will not denie . I willed him to followe the , and come woe , want , miserio , or any other calamitie , I would n●●er leaue him to the death . But if any exercise might get it , any paines compasse it , or the extreme shifte of begging attayne it : I would doo all my selfe , whereby to maintaine vs , onelie that he would but beare me company , for I would trie all meanes that might be , ere I woulde forsake my Faith .

This to be true , I am sure and certayne himselfe will not denie , who séeing my earnest in treatie , and the promises I made to the vttermost of my 〈…〉 to goe with me , and so we left the way to Rheimes , and went on strayte to Paris .

In Paris we mette with a French man , who coulde speake a little broken Englishe , and he conducted vs where my Lord the English Ambassador laie : to whome I gaue the Letters and after certaine talke he vsed with vs , he bestowed his Honourable lyberalitie vppon vs , wishing vs to returne backe againe into England .

Leauing my Lord , It is a good help , to meet a freend in a straunge Countrey , when a man is in some neede . and walking into the Cittie , we met too certayne English Gentlemen , some of them for the knowledge they had of me in England , shewed them selues verie courteous to me , bothe in money , lodging , and other necessaries . And through them we became acquainted with a number of Englishe men more , who lay in the Cittie , some in Colledges , and some at their owne houses : where vsing dailie company among them , sometime at dinner , and sometime at supper , we heard many girdes and nippes against our Countrey of England , her Maiesty very vnreuerently handled in woords , and certayne of her honourable Counsell , vnduetifullie tearmed .

Great talke they had , about Doctor Saunders , who they sayde , eyther as then was , or shortlie would be , arriued in Ireland , howe he had an Armie of Spaniardes with him , and howe him selfe vnder the Popes Standarde , would giue such an attempt there , as soone after should make all England to quake , beside , there were certaine Englishe men gone to the Pope , for more ayde , if néede should be , at whose returne , certaine Noble men English men , then béeing in those partes , whose names I omitte for diuers causes , would prosecute the matter , with as much spéede as might be .

Any subiect , that hath either feare of God , or loue to his prince would quake to heare their Trayterous deuises .

The Deuil wanteth no instruments to helpe his cause .

We were soone entreated to take the iourney on vs , because we thought , if we could goe to Roome , and returne safelie againe into England , we should accomplish a great matter , the place béeing so farre of , and the voyage so daungerous . Uppon our agréement to vndertake the trauell , we receyued of euerie one lyberallie toward the bearing of our charges , By their perswasions and liberalitie , they win a number daylie to them . and Letters we had to Maister Doctor Lewes in Roome , the Archdeacon of Cambra , and to Doctor Morris , then the Rector of the English Hospital or Colledge in Roome , that we might there be preferred among the English Students . Taking our leaue of them , and yeelding them thankes for their greate courtesy , we iournied to Lyons , where in the house of one Maister Deacon , the wordes were spoken by Henry Orton , one of them condemned , and yet liuing in the Tower , which in my other booke I haue auouched . From thence wee went to Millaine , where in the Cardinall Boromehos Pallace , we found the lodging of a Welshman , named Doctor Robert Griffin , a man there had in a good account , and Confessor to the aforesaid Cardinal . By him we were very courteouslye entertained , There are Englishmen almoste in euery ●ittie by the waye . and sent to the house of an Englishe Prieste in the Cittie , named Maister Harries , who likewise bestowed on vs very gentle acceptaunce , as also three English Gentlemen , who lay in his house , being very lately retourned from Roome : they likewise both in cost and courtesie , behaued them selues like Gentlemen vnto vs , during the time that we made our abode in Millaine .

Our comming to Millayne was on Christmas euen , and hauing lyen that night at an Osteria where Maister Harryes appoynted vs , on Christmas day we dyned with Doctor Griffin , where we had great cheere , and lyke welcome . The talke that Doctor Griffen had with vs , being at dinner with him . In the dinner time , he moued many questions vnto vs , as concerning the estate of England , if we heard of any warres towardes and howe the Catholiques thriued in Englande : and at the laste ( quoth he ) haue you not séene three Gentlemen that lye at Maister Harryes his house ? Yes that we haue ( quoth I ) to vs they séeme meruailous curteous , and offer vs such freendshippe as we haue neuer deserued . Oh ( quoth he ) if all things had fallen right to their expectation , they would haue béene iolly fellowes . I am sure you haue heard what credite Captaine Sukelye was in with the Pope , and howe he was appointed with his Armie , to inuade England : he being slayne in the battaile of the King of Portugall , thinges went not forwarde according as they should haue done . These three Gentlemen came foorth of the North partes of England , An vnnaturall desire of men to seeke the ruine of theyr owne Country . taking vpon them to goe forward with that , which Stukely had enterprised , which was , to haue the Popes Armie committed to theyr conduction , and so they would ouerrun England at their pleasure , then they would make Kings and Dukes and Earles , euery one that they thought well off . To helpe them forwarde in this matter , they purchased the Letters of Doctor Saunders , Doctor Allen , Doctor Bristow , and others , who thought very well of their intent , & therfore furthered them in their Letters so much as they might , to Doctor Lewes , The secret seducing Preestes , win a number to ioyne in theyr trayterous intent , Doctor Morris , Doctor Moorton , and diuers other Doctors and Gentlemen at Roome , all of them verye earnestly following the sute hereof to the Popes holines , informing him , how they had already wun such a number in England , to ioin with them when the matter came to passe , the graunting them his holines Army , they would presently ouerrun all England , and yeelde it wholly into his hand . But when the Pope had scanned on this hasty busines , well noting the simple and arrogant behauiour of the men , and their vnlikelihoode , of performing these thinges : euen accordinge as they deserued , they were denyed theyr request , & sent away without any recompence . The Pope seeketh to accomplish his desire , by the Subject that must betray his owne Country . The Pope was not to truste to any such as they , he well knowes England is too strong yet , & till the people be secretely perswaded , as I doubt not but there is a good number , and more & more still shal be , by the Préests are sent ouer dayly , and they must war within , while other holds than play with out : till then England will not be conquered any way .

Other talke we had , not heere to be rehearsed , but truly it would astonishe a heart of Adamant , to heare the horrible Treasons inuented againste her Maiestie and this Realme , and so greedily followed by our owne Countrye men . But some perhaps will demaunde howe wee behaued our selues to come to the knowledge of such trayterous intentions , iudging that they would rather kéepe than secret , then reueale them to any : to aunswer such as so doo question , thus it was .

When I was at Paris , The meane , wherby they made me acquainted with al their deuises . the Gentlemen tooke me to be a Gentlemans Sonne héere in England , whom I refuse héere to name , but as it séemed , they were some ▪ what perswaded of him : I perceiuing they tooke mee for his Sonne , called my selfe by his name , where through I was the better estéemed , and beside , loued as I had béene he in deede . When they vnderstoode my fellowes name to be Thomas Nowell , they whispered among themselues , and sayd vndoubtedly , he was kin to Maister Nowell the Deane of Paules : and if they wist certainly that he were so , they woulde vse him in such gentle order , as they woulde keepe hym there , so that one day he shoulde stande and preache against his Kinseman . This suppose , seruing so wel our necessitye , we were glad to vse : which made vs well thought on of all , and kéeping company so familiarlye with them , we were made acquainted with a number more matters then may heere be expressed .

While we were in Millaine , The treason against England , was common in euery Englishmans mouth . wee visited Maister Doctor Parker , who likewise told vs the same tale that Doctor Griffin had before rehearsed , beside , he tolde vs that Préestes were appointed from Roome & Rheimes for Englande , and that ore long they should be sent . Soone after we departed thence , to Bologna , Florence , Scienna , and so to Roome , wher how we were receiued the Chapter following shall amply vnfolde . Thus , as well to certifie the incredulous , as also to content those desirous howe I attained to Roome : I haue breeflye doone my good wyll to please bothe .

You haue hearde heerein , howe at sundrye places , and by seuerall spéeches , there was a generall agreement of Treason , expected and daylye looked for , to the harme of our gracious Soueraigne , and hurte of her whole Realme . All these matters wee heard before we came to Roome , from whence the treason shoulde cheefely procéede : we séeing such deuillish deuises to be talked on by the way , we might well iudge Roome to be Hell it selfe , in that all thinges should goe forwarde , as it was there determined . You are not altogether ignoraunt of their intentes at Roome , for that my other booke hath truely reueled some of their traiterous and disloyall practises : and such as modestie will suffer me to vtter , and you to reade , you shall here finde faithfullye discoursed .

OUr entraunce into Roome , was vppon Candlemas euen , when as it drew somewhat towardes nighte : for which cause , we refused as then to goe to the English Colledge , taking vp our Lodging in an Osteria somewhat within the Cittie , and determining to visite the Englishe house on the next morning . On the morrowe by enquiring , we founde the Englishe Colledge , where after we were once entered , wee had a number about vs quicklye ▪ to knowe what newes in England , and how all matters went there . Not long had we stoode talking with them , but one entred the Colledge , A present of holy Candls brought from the Pope to the English Students . with a great many of war Candles in hys hande : who gaue them to vnderstande , that the Pope had sent to euery Scholler in the Colledge a Candle , which that day at high Masse he had hallowed , for it was Candlemas day . They receiuing them with great account , both of the Popes fauoure , as also the holines they credited to consist in the Candles , went euery one to lay them vp in their Chambers : in the meane time Maister Doctor Morris the Rector of the house came to vs , to whom we deliuered the Letter sent to him on our behalfe from Paris , which when he had read , he said we were welcome , allowing vs the eight dayes entertainment in the Hospitall , which by the Pope was graunted to such Englishmen as came thether . Then hee brought vs to Doctor Lewes , the Archdeacon of Cambra , to whom we deliuered his letter likewise , and with him we stayed dinner , ignorant whither he were an Englishman or no , for that he gaue vs our entertainment in Latine , demaunded a number of questions of vs in Latine , and beside , dined with vs in Latine : whereat we meruailed , till after dinner , he bad vs walke to the Colledge againe with Doctor Morris , in English . We were no sooner come to the Colledge , but the Schollers , who had already dined , and were walking together in the Court , came about vs , euerye one demaunding so many questions , that we knewe not which to aunswer first : at last , one of them tooke my fellow aside , and one of the Priestes lykewise desired to talke with me , because he sayd he knew my Father well enough , The talke one of the Priests had with me in the Garden . vsing the name that I did , so , he and I sitting together in the Garden , among other talke he asked of me , wherefore I came to Rome ? Truste me Sir ( quoth I ) onely for the desire I had to see it , that when I came home againe , I might say , once in my life I haue béene at Roome . Then I perceiue ( quoth he ) you come more vpon pleasure then any deuotion , more desirous to see the Cittie , then to learne the vertues conteined in it : in sooth I see , you remaine in the same wildnes you did , when I lay at your Fathers house , but I doo not doubt now we haue you heere , to make you a stayed man ere you departe , that your Father may haue ioy of you , and all your freends receiue comfort by you . In deede Sir ( quoth I ) I haue alwayes addicted my mind to so many youthfull deuises , Mine owne tale , which so well as I could , I made to agree with the Preests discourse . that I little regarded any religion , which my Parents séeing , and fearing I would neuer be bridled : sent me ouer to Paris , where I should remaine at my booke . But there I found Gentlemen of mine acquaintaunce , who wished me to trauell hither , whereto I quickly gaue my consent , béeing ( as I haue told you ) desirous to see a thing so famous . I thinke very well ( quoth he ) of your woordes , aswell for your Parents sake as also your owne . But this I will say vnto you , there ought none to come hither , the place being so holy , auncient , and famous , but onely such as with earnest endeuour , séeke and thirst after the Catholique faith : beeing heere taught and mainteined , according as Christ ordeyned it , the Apostles deliuered it , Peter himselfe planted it , and all the Fathers of the Church since , haue followed it . Heere may you beholde , what vnreuerent speeches they can affoorde her Maiestie . They must denounce that damnable heresie , crept in to the Church of England , that proude vsurping Iezabell , ( meaning our bread & gracious Princesse ) whom ( quoth he ) God reserueth to make her a notable spectacle to the whole world , for keeping the good Queene of Scots from her lawfull rule : but I hope ere long , the Dogs shall teare her flesh , & those that be her props & vpholders .

A paper of the names of such noble men of her Maiesties Then drawing a paper out of his pocket , he sayd , I haue a Bead role of them heere , who little knowes what is prouiding for them , & I hope shall not know , till it fall vpon them . Then he read their names vnto me , Counsell ▪ whom they meant to persecute , when their intent came to passe in England . which , that all may perceiue the villainous & trayterous mindes of our owne Countriemen : so many of them as I can call to memory , I will set down , euen in the same manner as he read them . But first I must craue pardon of those honourable personages , to whome the words doo offer great abuse , and whom I vnfeynedlye reuerence and honour : that they would not admit any euill conceite against mee , but in the noble nature wherewith they are dayly adorned , I , béeing but the reporter , I desire thee gentle Reader , to vse some reuerence in reading these vndecent woords , because they are truly set downe , after the order as they were there spoken may be pardoned and not reprooued . First , ( quoth he ) héere is my Lord Keeper , the Bacon hogge , the Butchers sonne , the great guts , oh he woulde fry well with a Faggot , or his head would make a fayre showe vpon London bridge , where I hope shortly it shall stand . Next is eloquent Maister Cecill , Lorde Treasorer , you shall shortly see if he can saue his owne life with all the wit he hath : had it not béen for these two before named , England had gon to wracke long since . Then heere is the Earle of Leicester , the Queenes Ostler , & his brother Ambrose Dudly , a good fat whorson , to make Bacon of : with other words of my Lorde of Leicester , not here to be rehearsed . My Lord of Bedforde , he forsooth is the Queenes Coozin , we will sée how finely his Coozin & he can hang together . Sir Fraunces Walsingham , & Doctor Wilson , they be her Secretaries : for euery warrant they haue suffered , to apprehend any of our Priestes , our fréends or other , by that time they haue counted their reckoning , they shall find they haue a deere payment . Sir Christopher Hatton , he pleased the Queene so wel , dauncing before her in a Maske , that since that time he hath risen to be one of the Counsell : with other words , which I referre for modestie . Sir Fraunces Knowles , and other of the Counsell whose names I well remember not : he gaue them many a heauy threatning . Then opening the paper farder , at the end therof was a great many of names , of Magistrates & other belonging to this Cittie , Euery one that was named in the paper , the manner and order of of their death was appoynted . among whome was Maister Recorder , Maister Nowell Deane of Paules , Maister Foxe , Maister Crowlye , & sundry other , whose names I cannot very well remember , and therefore am loth to set downe any thing , but that whereof I am certainly assured : but verye well I remember , there was no one named , but he had the order of his death appoynted , eyther by burning , hanging , or quartering , and such like .

It is not vnlike , but that this vnreuerent matter will offende some in the reading , that men of honour , and worshippe , and those of credite and countenaunce , shoulde haue their names published in print in suche sorte : I haue had the iudgement of those , of worshippe and learning , on this behalfe , and they haue sayde , how it is necessary , that theyr owne wicked spéeches should be set downe , for an example to all men , howe they abuse her Maiestie , her honourable Councell , and learned and discréete Maiestrates , whereby their trayterous dealings may be the better discouered . And to them thus vndutifully regarded , it can not séeme an offence , considering , that Christe vnto his chosen vessels hath sayd . Math. 5.11 . You shall be mocked , scorned , and reuiled for my sake : but doo you reioyce and be glad , for your rewarde is the greater in the kingdome of Heauen , and you remaine blessed .

There are other heere , to whom the like charge hath beene , giuen to iustifie that I doo not report any vntrueth . Then putting vp his Paper agayne , he began after this manner . As I haue sayd before , so now I saye the same , such as come to this holy place , must faithfully bende his life and conuersasion , to honour and reuerence our prouident and holy Father the Pope , in all thinges , that shall like him to commaund , to holde and confesse him the vniuersall supreme heade of Christes church , & embrace his decrees , as the onely ordenance & will of God . For he is the person of God on earth , and he can not sinne , because the spirite of diuine grace guideth him continuallie : he hath aucthoritie ouer all Kinges and Princes , to erect and suppresse whome he pleaseth , and that shall England well knowe ere long , that he hath such power and aucthoritie . To honour and obey him , to be a true and faithfull member of his Church , and to liue and die in his cause , this ought to be the intent of all that commeth héere .

This long Tale , contayning a number of more circumstaunces than I can vnfolde : made me studie what aunswer I should make him , which after some pause , came foorth as thus . Credite me Sir , I am but a Nouesse in these matters , and therefore you might as well haue disputed with me , in the déepest Schoole points that is , and I should haue censured bothe alike . Nay ( quoth he ) I thinke not your ignoraunce so great , albeit it séemeth great enough , though you haue béene looselie brought vp , yet you haue béene with me , bothe at Masse , and at Confession diuers times , at such time as I serued my Lady B.

Beside , A number of places he tolde me heere in Englande , where preestes haue entertainement . there are a great many of Priestes in England , as in Warwickshire , at Maister I. T. in Staffordshire , at Maister G. of C. and at S. T. F. in the same shyre : all these be neere your Fathers , and not one of them but visiteth your Fathers house , three or fowre times euerie yéere , as they dyd when I was there ( for there is no long tariaunce in one place for a Priest , but he must shifte styll , least he be taken , ) and I am sure your Father would sée you duelie confessed .

Nowe I was put to so harde a shifte , that I knewe not well what to say , I knewe none of these men he named , but one , and he in deede had a Priest , who after his long raunging about his Maister the Popes businesse heere in England , I thanke God , I haue caused to be stayed . Likewise , I knewe not the Gentleman , whome ▪ bothe they at Paris , and he sayde , to be my Father , neither where he dwelt , It was only God , that framed my aunswers to agree with the Preests demaunds . nor what he was : which made me stand in feare to be disprooued , hauing auouched my selfe before to be his Sonne . Wherfore , referring my case to God , who had so prouided for me tyll that time , in his name I resolued my selfe on this aunswer , not knowing howe it might happen to spéede .

In déede Sir , I can not denie , but that I haue oftentimes heard Masse , as also béene at Confession , but my deuotion thereto hath béene ●ender , An excuse seruing very fit for my purpose , and lyked the Preest well enough . as you your selfe haue séene , knowing me to be so wilde , and , as it were , without gouernment : but when you departed from my Fathers , I taried there but a small time after you , for I obtayned leaue of my Father , to goe lye at London , at a Kinsemans house of his , because I would studie the French tongue , to haue some knowledge therein against I went ouer , for my Father tolde me long before , that I should goe to Paris , and studie there . When I was at London , I grewe in acquaintaunce with diuers Gentlemen , in whose company I frequented many delightfull pastimes : so that I could hardlie refraine them , when my Father sent for me , to the intent I should trauell to Paris .