TO the indifferente Reader .

IT IS one poynte among other o● very bare brokers , to extol immoderatly very base wares . And it is not the guise but of needye & distressed warryers , The aduersaries pouertie . to receaue wi●h trompet to place of dignitie , euerie ragged and wandering fugitiue . Which two thinges notwithstanding , ( with no smal discredite of their owne cause ) some aduersaries of ours haue followed of late , in soe greedye receauing and aduauncinge to the pulpet , with measureles commendation , one Iohn Nicoles , farre vnfitte ( in mine opinion ) for soe great a doe , beinge but a reiected thing of the contrarie parte , a séelie grammarian , and twise reuolted minister . Whose recantation , or rayling , rather , inuectiue , published not long since from the Tower of London , In februarie Ano. 1581. I coulde more willinglye haue pittied then aunswered ( knowing the mans féeblenes as I doe ) but only for that , he surchargeth with slaunder soe manie other men , yea Princes and states , in that his declamation , as it was harde for me ( whiche before god in my conscienes knewe all or moste of it to be forged ) to hould my peace in soe manyfest vntruthes , and by silence to yelde credite to the manye malytious and reproche●ul reportes .

The dealing also of our aduersaries in this case and she like , moued me not a little to answere , whoe shame not to proclaime triumphes vpon soe base conquestes against their mother the Catholique Church , whoe hath borne them and brought them vp , and whoe , if she would but a litle folow the same course , Different dealing in Catholiques & their aduersaries . not in falshed and malice , as they doe , but in euident truthe , ether by noting the knowen vices of her enemies ( which rather she soroweth and hartely be wayleth ) or in vaunting the gaine of suche as daylye , by goddes g●ace returne againe from rebellion : she might easely in bothe these things , matche and ouermatche the lauishe tongues of her reuoulted children , were she not restrained by charytie in the one , and by grauitie in the other . For touching the first , who doth not knowe that if in lewe of this and the like , t●● notable infamous a●tes of ministers preachers onlye , in this one Realme of Englande , for the space of one doson years past , Looke the crowne off●●● and other lyke recordes . w●re ga●hered into some one booke , ●or the vewe of the worlde : they would be more in quantitie , and in qualitie more haynous , then al that they haue gathered by great laboure & muche falshod , in their seueral bookes , out of the liues of the worste Catholiques , for these thowsand yeres past , ouer all the whole worlde ? And yet these men ●or●oothe , came as prophetes to re●orme vs and our f●thers liues , and ther●ore in reason should haue liued more exactly them selues . And touching the second , who dothe not sée , the great varietie of important learned personages , which from time to time , vppon trial of the truthe , doe retourn● vnto vs , euen from their ministerie , and they also of other qualitie and talente , then séelye Iohn Nicols , whoe , in good soothe , is not worthe the taking vp , being sounde in the stréete , and yet we vaunt not of eache thing in printe , nor sturre we tragedies vpon litle trifles . We are contente to leaue this to our aduersaries , whose fraude or feruor is , to make mountaines of molehilles , and greate speache vppon small matter .

If any man wil doubt wh●ther such returne of Protestantes be made vnto vs or noe , as I noted before : passing ouer other places , let him cast his eye , but vpon these Seminaries , and Colleges on this side the seas , where English studentes are , and he shal finde a great and principal part therof , to haue bene in times past , not onely of there religion , but also towardes there ministerie , Ministrye to Preisthode . whoe on the contrary , can not shew me any one Préest in these later yeres perverted by them . I add ( in these later yeres ) for that , albeit in the beginning of heresie , when first the banner of sedition was raysed agaynst the Church , great multitudes of people reuolted together ( as in al commotions is wonte to happe , by some generall fa●se sugg●stion of the principal rebels ) : Cause of former reuolting and present re●urninge . yet afterward , the heate being past , and more calmer consideration coming in place , men haue staied them selues , and harkened to the cause , and diuers also returned , which in the first furie ranne out with the rest , of which two sortes , both the one and the other remayne better fortified for resisting of lyke error for the time to come .

The meanes which haue bene vsed generally , to preistes taken these later yeres ( for I wil conceale tower matters in particuler ) for the withdrawing of them in religion , haue bene many and strong , and qualified in both extremities of rigor , and allurement , promises , and minaces , and yet ( so great is God his goodnes ) no one , I say not any one , hath vnto this day faultered . But of ministers which haue offered them selues to vs in this time , it were long to recount the particulares , and yet haue we nothing to compell them vnto our part , except euidence of truth , n●r any thinge so allure th●m , excepte pouertie and honestie .

It is no maruaile then ( all circumstances considered ) if such s●ore be made of one Iohn Ni●ols , a ●●●●gate of their owne ●ampe . For euen the Egle her selfe must baite on flées when she can finger no fethered fowle . If any one man of more sufficiencie might haue bene gayned , why Iohn Nicols was preferred to the pulpit . Iohn Nic●ls had bene spared ; but séeinge it could not be , and that som●what at that time must néedes be v●tered , for the more defacinge and bringing in hatred the Catholicke religion : some of zeale were content to vse his person , for the auowchinge of that , which ether he or other could deuise for that purpose , and so was his recantation published , with common fame that he was a Iesuite of greate learninge and renowino , to which recantation I am now bréefly to answere according to the chéese pointes thereof , which in effect I finde to be thrée : A Deni●i●n of the book 〈◊〉 to three part● the one in vaunting of him selfe : the second in s●ander●nge of others : the thirde in willinge of certaine controuersies , by ●●bling them before he vnderstood them .

Vauntinge of him selfe .

The first 〈◊〉 For the better vnderstanding of this first parte , as also to see , how litle cause this litle man had to trouble vs with bragginge , it ●ot be amisse to sett downe in wordes , some shorte progresse of his lyfe , declared by him selfe to his felowes in Rome , and publiquelye knowen to others there , namelie his course from Wales to England , from Englande to Flaunders , from Flaunders to Rome , and from Rome , to the pulpit in the tower of London , wherein I wil speake no●hing , but such as is commonlie knowen , or confessed by him selfe . Other matters suppesed of greater importance , I wil vtterlie ●mit . If hereafter vpon trial they breake forth vnto the world , I shal take no comfort therein , for in good sooth I much pittie the man , and wish● onelie his repentance to pardone , and not his infamie to desperation .

Iohn Nicols therefore was borne at Cowbridge in Wales , A Narration of Iohn Nicolls . and afterwarde a minister in the weste partes of Englande . In which arte how he behaued him selfe , I am not to dis●●●●e or reueale , onelie him selfe vs●●●●en to declare , how that he p●●●ched commonlie certaine sermens of one ●●●brooke as his owne , and thereby 〈◊〉 ●hered o●n on of very good and 〈…〉 Also , that he procur● 〈…〉 benefices by Simonie an● that M. deane of Powles and he coulde neuer agrée , which I suppose was for noe good demeanure on his part . But in trade of time , beinge enforced to departe England , ether for his conscience , as he would pretend , or for worse causes as some suspect , he passed ouer to Flaunders , and there applyinge him selfe to the religion and manners of the place , plaied some time the souldier and some times the minister , vntill beinge werie of both , he departed thence , and passing by Cambraie , ( being holpen by the liberality of English men there ) he tooke his walke towardes Italie , where he serued a Bishop for certaine monthes , and finallie , after a space , he came to Rome , attired ridiculouslie in an old cast purple cassoke doune to the ground , geeuen him by the same Bishoppe .

Iohn Nicolls behauiour at Rome . Being come to Rome , and deuisinge how to get some credit there , thought it best to offer him selfe to the inquisi●tion voluntarilie , and so he did , by the conduction of one M. Moris , accusing himselfe gréeuously , for that he had ●orsaken the Catholicke Church and fal●len into heresie , makinge him selfe also a minister of the same , for which faulte he craued pardone , and for more satisfaction both to God and the world● he desired most earnestlye , to be admitted to a recantation or abiuration of his former errors , which was graunted vnto him . He abiured therefore with al t●e vehemencie he could deuise , and after that , made sute to be receaued as scholer , into the Englishe Colledge or Seminarie there . Wherunto , albeit for his apparent insufficiencie some dela●e and difficultie were made , yet finallie he was admitted , and deliuered ouer ( as the manner is ) to the posers to trie what studdie he was fit for , who found him verie raw in the latine tonge , and therefore determined him to the studie of Rethorike and Humanitie : wherein hauinge spente some time , he was aduaunced to the studie of Logique , but not beinge able to wade in so greate matters , he was remoued againe thence , as non proficiens , and shifted of to the studdie of certaine cases of conscience more easie for his capacitie , wherein , Iohn Nicolle habilitie in learninge . notwithstanding , he profitinge litle or nothing , the Colledge began to be werie of him , and the rector , taking occasion of the romane aier , which this fellow was perswaded that it 〈◊〉 his wit , as also wronght some distemperature in his bodie , 〈◊〉 hansomlie ridd she Colledge of him vnder 〈◊〉 , that the S●minarie of 〈◊〉 in ●●●unce was more conu●●ient 〈◊〉 ●●alth . Iohn Nicols therfore depar●●ng Rome towardes Rh●mes , in the companie of some other Englishe men whose iornie late ●o England , f●ll into consideration vpon the way , as is thought , what disgrace would ensewe vppon this departure , and so betooke him selfe to a new resolution , which was , to slippe secretlie from his companions , which he did , néere vnto a citie called F●ligno in Umbria or the Dukedome of Spoleto , and so came directlie into Englande , where in shorte space he mett with Sir Ow●n Hopton , whoe conuerted him soone after in the tower of London .

Collections out of the premises . By this it appeareth firse , that Ioh● Nicols was no Iesuit , nor yet Preist , nor yet so learned and principal a man as was geuen out . Se●endlie it appeareth , that his recantati●● now , is noe great noueltie , séeing he hath practi●sed the like before with such facilitie : nor hath the tower of London more certaintie in this , then had the Romish Inquisition hold in the other , but rather much lesse , this being made in prison , the o●●●r in libertie : this vpon feare , the other voluntarie . Lait●●e , it séemeth ( the mans importance beinge no greater th●● appeareth ) that this his reuolution néeded not to be celebrated with such triumphe of printing , preaching , and presence of noble men , except it were onelie for the honoringe of his conuertour and patron Sir Owen , whose good nature séemeth to be , to make great store of a litle gaine , especiallie if it come far of , and from Rome , as this did .

It appeareth further by consideration of the premises , that Iohn Nicols his vauntes powred out in his booke to his owne commendation , are as voide of probability , as fraught with vanity , especiallie those , which imply great habilitie , as to preache before the Pope and others , with sufficiencie in the learned tongues , &c. whereof I must speake a word or two for the discrying of his lacke of modestie , wherof I shall be forced to complaine often in the sequel of min answer . First therfore to begin with the principal matter which he reporteth for his credit , to wit , his oration and sermon befor the Pope , let vs heare what he saythe . Iohn Nicols vaunt of preaching b●●ore the Pope . I had before that time ( saythe he ) made an oration and a sermon in the latyne tongue , presented before the Pope and fower Cardinales , and before all them that were with the Pope in the consistory . If you my bretheren yet prisoners within the tower , denye the assertion therof , yet to your shame and my credit , they that goe to Roome for pleasures sake , maye safely goe to the Popes Protonotori● , dwelling fast by S. Peters Churche in the inquisitorye Pallace , or to anye of his cla●kes , and there make inquisition of my name , which is registred in three great paper volumes , of such as are alwayes present writing in chambers , to whome all men without daunger maye resorte , where turning to my name , they shal finde the sermon and oration , contayning tenne sheetes of paper , for the which the Pope gaue me great thankes and soe did the Cardinalls , with all the reste . Héere you sée a longe childishe recitall , with manye particulers , much vanitie , little witt , and lesse trueth . He woulde make you beléeue that he had bene bothe oratour and preacher to the Pope , which , if you saw but onelye his visage , you would hardlye geue any credite vnto . I could improue him also by the testimonies of almoste an hundreth Englishe men , that tyme presente in Rome , but his owne particulers shall sufficiently confute him .

Firste he putteth not downe whether his oration and sermon were one or two thinges , but if they were twoe , then it is to be vnderstoode , that sermons are not made before the Pope in the Consistorie , but in Constantines hawle within the Popes palace by Toletus onelye , Toletus The Pop● preacher . a famous learned man , of the Societie of Iesus , or in his absence by some other equall to him selfe in learninge , and appoynted by lyke authoritye . Orations are made sometimes in the Consistorie , but onelye vppon the comminge of ambassators , and for matters of estate , excepte the frydayes in lente , when chosen men of eche order of religion haue plac● to preache in the latyne tongue . Soe that hitherto I sée not how Iohn Nicols could come to preache before the Pope , and fower Cardinals in the Consistorie , both in respecte of the causes alleaged , and also for that I could neuer yet finde soe few Cardinals in the consistory with the Pope , as fower twise or thrée times tould . The rest which he addeth implieth manifest contradictions & impossibilities . For the Popes Protonotorie dwelleth not in the Inquisitorie Palace , by S. Peters Churche , nor hath he any thinge to doe with that Palace , and much lesse dothe he kéepe clarckes wrytinge there in chambers : for onelye the Inquisition hath to doe there . If Sermons and Orations made to the Pope , were to be regestred in paper volumnes ( as they are not , and muche lesse in thrée at once as Nicols sayeth , his was ) yet this nothing appartayneth to the Popes Protonotorie , or to his clarckes . How the Pope also should geue Iohn Nicols such thanks for his stuffe , Improbabilities of Nicol●●aun●e . as he sayeth , he did , I can not conceaue . For in the Concestorie , the Popes place is so farre distant from them , which come thither to make orations , as he can not speake vnto him , nor doth he vse to thanke any man that speakethe before him , what soe euer he be : much more impossible is it , that the Cardinalls and the rest in the Consistorie , should geue him thankes for it , as al they wil beare me witnesse which know the place , and presence of the same . Greate learned men , and famous Oratours , haue departed thence without particuler thankes , albeit they did their matters with greate commendation , suche is the grauitye and state of that place . Soe that all this longe tale of Iohn Nicolls , hath not onelye noe probabilitie , but in déede noe possibilitye of truth .

Heere some perhapps wil aske , howe then , hath this tale noe ground or colour at all whereuppon it was founded ? to which I answere , yes , but such a ground as his best frendes are least beholding to him for it , and such , as greatlie discouereth his shamelesse disposition . Marke the Stratageme . You haue harde sometimes of scholmasters which make thei● boye● kisse the rodde , wherewith they were beaten : euen soe dothe Iohn Nicols with the protestantes . Iohn Nicolls abusinge his new frendes . For hauing made voluntarilie and malitiouslie , an abiuration of their religion in the Inquisitorie palace of Rome , containinge ten whole sh●etes of reproche and slaunder , would now make them yeld thanks for the same , by callinge it a sermon before the Pope , in the Consistorie . If he gett credite by this dealing , as he pretendeth to doe : his hap is good , to deale with men so fauourable to his order . For suerlye , if he should haue dealt soe in some other countries , where ministerie is not sufficient to excuse dishonestie , it would rather haue fallen out to his coste , then his credite , and the deludinge of suche men , would haue bene thought worthier of pillorie then printe .

After this , he maketh a second vaunt of an other sermon which he made in the latine tonge , Iohn Nicols se●mon at dinner time . requested ( as he sayeth ) by the Prefect of studies , vpon the festiuall daye of Peeter ad vincula , certayn● Englishe doctors of the Cittye and some of the Popes chappell , with other straungers being present at dinner . He telleth not in what place he made this sermon . You maye parhaps imagine it to hau● bene in sum great auditorie , for that h● mencioneth Festiuall daye , Doctors , Popes chappel , and strangers . But I wil open the misterie , that you maye iudge of his vanitie whoe trobleth you with suche toyes . The Prefect of studies in the Englishe romane colledge , is wonte to commande ( and not to request ) the studentes committed to his charge , to write some thing for the excercise of the latine tongue , & to recite it in the halle , at the time of dinner , and this excercis● the vnlearnedst of all the Colledge audideth not . Amongest whom Ihon Nicols , vppon S. Péeters daye ad uincula , was commaunded to doe the same : and behould he hathe published it in print , with manie falshodes and vanities annexed . For , that he preached , it is false : for it was only an excecise of learning . That he was requested , is false : for he was commaunded . That it was festyuall daye in Rome , is false : for they kepe it not holye daye there .

That he preached there against faithe and the newe testament , as he aftarward affirmethe , is most false , as they which were present canne and doe , testifie . Nowe , that this sermon , was before Englishe docters of the cittye , is vanitie : for there could not be aboue some one , for the rest were departed the cittie : and for Englishmen to dyne there , was an ordinarie matter : that some of the Popes chappel were there , is a notable vanitie : for that they were onlye two séely singing men , hired seruantes of the Colledge to teache the studentes to sing , at such time as they wayted not at the Popes chappel . That there were other straungers present , is noe lesse vanitie : for that they were but ordinarie seruantes of the house , one , the manciple , and thother the master of the chappel in the colledge , which bothe are citizens of Rome , and yet not strangers .

Thus you sée what importante stuffe this felowe bringeth to praise him selfe withal . But whatsoeuer he braggeth or lyeth of him selfe , yet maye you gesse what a sufficient preacher he is , by that , that his felow studentes , vsed commonly to recreate them selues , with his sermons , which he would at their appointment , vtter , extempore , Iohn Nicols stoole doctryne . from the top of a stoole , and namely those sermons which he had preached before in Englande in time of his ministrie , repeatinge them with all actions and gestures which he had vsed before . He would tell also by name , how he had flattered this or that man present at his sermon . Which properties made him so contemptible and rediculous in al mens iudgmentes , as they would not haue imploied him , among all other , to preache in earnest , before anye graue auditorie , albeit his learning had bene sufficient to performe it .

But nowe because we talke of learninge , some man parhaps may saye , that Ihon Nicols séemeth to haue his part in that , espciallye in the tongues , for that in his epistle dedicatorye to sir Owen Hoptone , he alleagethe one sentence in gréeke , and another in hebrew , out of the byble , whiche argueth that he hathe skill in bothe . To whiche I aunswere , that this is also a vaunte of vanitie , and a méere fantastical florishe of folye , which Iohn Nicols and his fauorours thought good to vse for the casting of a miste before some mens eyes , and for more probabilitie of that , which with full mouth was geuen out , of his excéedinge great knowledg and facilitie in these tongues . But I know and can auouch the contrary , for I am priuie to his defect , not only of wit and discretion , but also of knowledge in these tonges , whereof he vaunteth , and if I were not , yet could I easely make coniecture , both of the one and the other , by these two sentences , which he putteth downe for shewe of great● knowledge .

For towchinge the first , which is discretion , marke the circumstances of the matter . Iohn Nicolls discretion . He had made in that epistle , a long impertinent request , that Papistes would leaue their errours and imbrace the truth : for performance whereof , he biddeth them neuer to forget two sentences : the one out of Dauid . Psal. 34. He that loueth life and desireth to see good daies , let him keepe his tongue from euill , and his lippes from speaking deceipt . The other of S. Paul : 1. Cor. 6. You are bought with a great price , glorifie therefore God in your body and in your spirite which are of God . What pertayne these two sentences to the matter which he handleth ? or why should thes be kept more in memorye by the Papists , than other sentenses of the scripture ? and much more , whye must these sentenses be alleaged in strang tongues , the one in Gréeke and the other in Hebrewe ? especiallye to that man , whose greate busines may hardlye permitt him to vnderstande ether of them , and perhappes was ouermuch troubled with the latine before ? but this is Iohn Nicols discretion , to haue no con●ideration ether of man or matter .

Now for the seconde ( which is his skill ) it discrieth it selfe in this one litle sentence which he hath put doune in Hebrew , Iohn Nicolls skil in hebre● which ( besides the false ortographie in diuers words ) he hath so mangled and peruerted in wryting it out , as ther is no sence at all lefte in the same . For where as the wordes in the Hebrewe texte doe stande thus . Psal. 34. ver. 13.14 . What man will ( haue ) life and loueth dayes , to see good ? keepe thy tongue from euill and thy lippes from speakinge decepte . He hath soe corrupted it , as it standethe thus● Dayes louinge lyues willinge man what good to see and thy lippes from euil thy tongue keepe decepte from speaking . Is it likelie ( thinke you ) that this Doctour hath any great skill in the tongue , which coulde not write out two lines without so many grosse and absurd errors ? But these are the florishes , wherewith the eares of the simple people are fedd instéed of better learning .

Hetherto as you see , Iohn Nicols laboreth to gett him selfe some creditt of learning for his preferment . Now shall you sée , what shift he maketh to procure and gaine some opinion of honesty , which he feareth to be the more difficult point , and therfore pleadeth more earnestly for the same , especiallie that men shoulde thinck , this his last conuersion to be trew , sincere , hartie and zelous , and not spotted at all with hypocrisie , or dissimulation . The which , albeit he should meane as he speaketh , yet al men wil not straight way beléeue him therein , for that th● reward of a knowen liar , is , not to be credited when he telleth a tru●● 〈…〉 less● will they truste that , which he ●●●eth of his vndoubted perseuerance vnto the e●● , for if the Apostle say truly , ●ac . 1 that , ●●●●o ●ble harted man is vnconstante in ●●l his wayes . The is it also likelie to be true , that a double or triple tonged man after so many recantations , will not be verie certaine in all his promises .

Why his former protestations should haue more likelyhood of sincere meaning then this , How vnlikely that Iohn Nicolles ●ealeth plainly . I haue geuen some reasons in another place , séeing they were voluntarie , made in libertie without hope of reward . But why this renegation should be more credited then the former , I sée no reason at all , except onely because it is the last , and so wil remayne vntill he make another .

But he taketh away all suspition of dissimulation , by askinge vs a certaine vnanswerable qnestion . How can I ( sayeth he ) be a Protestant outwardly and a Papist in hart with a minde to be saued ? This question ( I say ) were hard to answere , were it not that he answereth it himselfe in his owne booke a litle before , where talking of his preachinge in Papistrie , he vttereth these wordes . Thus I did wilfully fight against Gods worde , albeit my conscience cryed within me day and night , that , this is not the ●ighte way &c. These wordes ( I say ) doe answer the dout , for if he cold dissemble again●● his conscience then , why may he not also now ? if he could speake one thing and thinke an other then , what shall let him to doe the same now ? if you respecte his wordes , they were then more vehement bitter and reprochfull against the protestantes , then they are nowe against vs : if you consider his meaning , he saythe it was dissembled , I thinke it was as he spake , but howsoeuer it was , neyther wordes nor meaning had certaintie them , and muche lesse nowe . For you knowe the saying , Cicero . Qui semel verc●undiae limites transierit , eum gnauiter impudsntem esse oportet . 1. Timo. 5. And S. Paule geueth but a hard sentence of those which haue broken their first faythe and promise . And as for that he addeth , of his minde to be saued , it is of small importance , for I thinke , that rare , trobleth him litle , as it maye appeare by the reste of his dealinges , which I shall haue after occation to touche .

Slaunderinge of others .

WE HAVE had a vew in the former part , The secod● parte . of the one side of Ihon Nicols his tongue , verie smothe , as you sée , & cléere in his owne praise . But now if we turn vp the other side also , we shall finde it no lesse cankered and venimous in the slander of his neighboure , then the former was currant in his owne commendation . And here before I passe any further , very gréefe of minde enforceth me to ●●eake a word or two in detestation of a certaine familier propertie of Ihon Nicols , which is wilful & malitious detraction● For as it is a great faulte to fauour detraction in any degrée , or to vtter easily a true reproche to the infamie of any man : soe to deuise lyes and slaunders without any reason or ground at all , and to auouche them of a mans owne knowledge , as Ihon Nicols dothe , is a poynt of a very deadly resolution , made , within the den of a desperat harte . What cause I haue to vtter these wordes , shall appeare in the sequel of this part , which for more perspicuites sake , I will reduce vnto certaine genaral poyntes , acording to the diuersitie of parties which are slandered in the same .

But first by the way I am to examine a reproche layd down by Ihon● Nicols in the very beginning of his booke against all Catholiques , by which you shal haue a gesse of his truthe in reportinge other maters héerafter . A tast of Iohn Nicols truthe in reporting . He saithe therfore amongest other thinges in his preface , that Catholiques hould the soule of Aristotle to be in purgatorie , thence to be deliuered by dirges and masses . And this is the first and formest of his reportes against vs , the whiche howe malitious , grosse and impudent a slaunder it is , all the world can witnesse , which séethe our bookes wherin we hould more then the plaine contrarie . For we are soe farre of , from saying that infidels or heritiques goe to purgatorie , as also we teach that manie . Catholiques departe hence straight to hell for their wicked lyues , and onlye such goe to purgatorie , as dye in the fauoure of God , This place is soe interpreted by saynte Aug in psa 37. & li. 21. de Ciu. ca. 26. & li. de fide & ope . cap. 10. & in psal 80. but haue not donne such penance for their sinnes , as Goddes iustice requireth , and therfore they are to be purged by fire after this lyfe and so saued , as S. Paule signifieth 1. Cor. 3. by the interpretation of the holye Fathers . We teache then ( as it maye appeare in the Councell of Florence in li●eris vnionis , Orig. ho. 12. & 13. in Hiero. & ho. 25. in Nu. & ho 6 in Exod. Greg. lib. 4. dia. cap. 39. Beda in ca. 3. Luc. ) that there are thrée sortes ●f men which dye : one verye good , which ●oe straight to heauen : one verye euill which goe straight to hel : one meane be●wixt both , which goe to purgatorie , and ●here may be reléeued by the pietie of the ●iuing This was the doctrine of the Ca●holicke Church twelue hundred yeares ●ast , sett doune by S. Austen a chéefe do●tour of the same Church in , dyuers pla●es of his workes most plainlie , as in his Enchiridion cap. 110. Whose wordes are these . Doctryne about the dead in S. Austens time . Nether is it to be denyed , that the ●oules of the dead are releeued by the pi●tie of their liuinge frendes , when the sa●rifice of our Mediatour is offred for them , or ells almes are geuen for them in the Chruch , but yet , those things profit only those , which deserued whiles they li●ed , that these thinges might profit them after their death . For there is a kinde of ●yfe , nether so good , but that it may need ●hese thinges after death , nether so euill , ●ut that these thinges may profit it after death . But yet there is another kinde of ●ife so good , as it needeth not thes things : ●nd againe another so euil , as it can not be holpen by those things , when it is o●● gone . Wherefore , in this lyfe all me●●e● is to be gotten , by the which a man may be releeued or oppressed , after this lyfe● But let noe man hope to obtaine that , at God his ●ande after he is dead , which he neglected while he was aliue . Wherefore these thinges which the Church doth vse for the commending of the dead , are no● contrarie to the saying of the Apostle ( a● we shall stande &c. ) for that eche man whiles he was yet liuing in flesh , ● . Cor. 15. gate him selfe this merit , that those thinges might profit him . For they do not profit euery man : and why doe they not profit al , bu● onely for the dīfference of lyfe which ec● man did lead in his body ? therfore , when sacrifices ether of the aulter , or of any o●ther almes , are offered for all those tha● died in baptisme , for the very good , they are thankes geuing : for the not very euil they are propitiations or intreatinges fo● pardon : for the very wicked , althoug● they helpe not the dead , yet they comfor● in a sort the liuing . Hitherto are S. Au●sten his words , and he repeteth the ver● same againe in his seconde question t● Dulcitius , and the like , in his 21● booke o● the citie of God the 24. chapter . Wherby it appeareth that his Church taught them , as directlye against our aduersaries , as we teach now . But of these matters we shal haue occasion to speake more in the thyrd part of this answere . Onely here I meant to confute the slaunderous lye of Iohn Nicolls , and to geue you some shewe of his shamelesse forhead , wherewith I must haue often combate hereafter in this second part , which now I beginne , according to the diuision promised before of the principall parties slaundered in the same , which for methods sake may be reduced to this order . The order of this secund par● First of the Pope , secondlye of the Cardinalls , thirdly of the prists and religious folks , fourthly of the English studentes in Rome , ●iftly of particuler persons , lastely of the citie of Rome it selfe , for that all these haue tasted of the whippe of Iohn Nicols tongue without exception .

Of the Pope .

Iohn Nicols for lacke of matter rather then malice , could haue bene content ( as it séemeth ) to passe ouer with silence the Pope which now is , but onely for breaking the custome of his companions , and offending the appetites of his compartners , whoe coulde not haue take● well the omittinge of the Pope , beinge the principall obiecte of their diuinitye . For which cause , he is enforced to folow the custome , and to saye sumwhat against him , be it neuer soe litle , false , or impertinent . But before he commeth to bite his person in particuler , common vse teacheth him , to snarre at all Popes in general , which he doth with this vsual reproche . You shal haue no Pope ( saithe he ) that teacheth the people howe to liue in the true feare and loue of God . Which he attemteth not to proue , but taking i● as a thing cléere & euident , and as a prin●●●le graunted in their owne scholes , he commeth to Gregorie the thirteenthe saying● An vnthankful confession . Paraduenture nowe you wil saye that this Pope is a holye man : Although I am indebted vnto him 50. or 60. l. in monie , yet will I not , nether can I , but speake the truthe of him & cet . In which wordes he semeth to me , to saye thus muche . Paraduenture you will saye , & the worlde will beare witnes , that the Pope which now is , is a most iust , wise , liberall , and vertuous man , and I my selfe haue proued the same , besides the ●recepte of fiftie or thréescore poundes in liberalitie from him , yet now , because I am in hope of greater gaine in England , and because I shall not otherwise procure me credite , or content my benefactoures : I must lye , and rayle , one crashe against him also , though mine oune conscience condemne me for it , and the whole world be witnes of my slander .

But héere before I passe any furder , I must deliuer vnto the Christian Reader , An aduertisment of S. Ansten about the Pope . from as learned a man as euer liued in Christ his Church , an aduertisement most necessary for thes our times , wherin , euery tonge is exercised in deprauing of him , whoe , if he were the worst liu●● in the world , ( as God be thanked is altogether contrarie ) yet were he to be reuerenced for his place and dignitie , I meane the Pope or Bishoppe of Rome . The aduertisment is from S. Augustine that famous and learned piller of Christ his holy Church , whoe , being troubled with heretiques and renegates in his time , as we are now , which inueighed against Rome and her Bishops as ours doe , ( for alwayes the malefactour detesteth the lawful iudge ) warneth Christians , not to thinke the worse of the authoritie and docttrine of the Bishoppe of Rome , or of his sée Apostolicke , if at any time his lyfe should be wicked , or if heretiques ( which alwayes séeke to slaunder him ) should bring matter of truth , towching euil lyfe , against him . Wherefore , hauinge reckoned vpp for proofe of his faith , the succession of Bishops of Rome , from S. Peter vnto Anastasius which was Pope in his time , and confirmed the infallibilitie of that succession by the promise of Christ to S. Peter . Vpon this rocke wil I buyld my Church &c. Math 16. He addeth : To this order of Bishoppes ( of Rome ) which is deriued from Peter to Anastasius , Aug. epist. 165. ad gene which now sitteth in the same chaire , if any traytour , in those times had crepte in , A wiked Pope spottethe not the popedome yet should it haue bene noe preiudice to the Church , and to innocent Christians , to whome , our Lord forseeing , sayed of euil prelates : Doe as they say , but doe not as they doe , for they say and doe not . Math. 23. And this Christ sayed , to the end , that the hope of the faythfull should be certayne , and neuer shaken with the tempest of sacri●egious scisme , beinge placed in God , and not in man . By which wordes we sée , that the euill lyfe of anye Bishoppe of Rome , ought not to deminishe our reuerence or obedience towardes him , noe more then if he were a Sainte .

But in an other place , S. Austen dealinge agaynst a raylinge heretique , as I doe nowe , handleth this matter more properly to our case . If all ( our Bishops ) ( sayeth he to Petilian the Donatiste ) through out the world were such as thou most vaynely doest cauill : yet what hath the chayre of the Church of Rome done agaynst thee , in which Peter sate , The Bishoppe of Rome sitteth in Peters chayre , which heretickes call the chayre of pestilence . and in which at this day Anastatius doth sitt ? why doest thow call the chayre or see apostolicke , the chayre of pestilence ? If thow doe it for the men , whom thow thinkest to speake the Law , but not to doe it : did our Lord Iesus Christ , wrong or iniure the chayre wherein the Pharases sate , for the Pharases ? of whom ( notwithstand●ng ) he sayed : They say and doe not . Math. 23. Did not he commend that chayre by Moyses , and yet ( reseruing the honour to the chayre ) reproued the Pharasees ? For he sayeth . They sitt on Moyses chayre : Doe as they say , but not as they doe , for they say and doe not . If you ( heretickes ) would thinke on these things , Apply this to our time . you would neuer blaspheme the chayre apostolicke , in whose communion you are not , for the men , whome you infame . But what is this other , then not to know what to say , and yet you can not but speake euill ? This farre S. Austen against Iohn Nicols and his felowes , whoe fill vp bookes with reproches and slaunders of the Bishoppe of Rome .

But now let vs sée , what this accuser bringeth in particuler , against his benefactour the Bishop of Rome : ( for I will passe ouer al general reproches , wherein ech hereticke aboundeth according to the measure of his owne inuention . ) Firste he chargeth this Pope , The first crime obiected by Iohn Nicolls againste 〈◊〉 Pope . with takinge away certaine marchandize from Turkes , in his hauen of Ancona , whereupon ensewed the lyke intreatie towards Christians , from Turks in Constantinople . But this is a false charge , fayned of him selfe , or receaued from some his lyke , in some tauerne vppon the way , as he passed by . For the Pope hath no league at all or truce with the Turkes , whereby ether Turkes repayre to his dominions , or his subiectes to the Turkes . Wherefore if he stayed any Turkishe vesle at al , ( as I can not learne that he did ) it must néedes be some pyrate , and not any marchant . Whereby it appeareth , that which he addeth , to be of his owne inuention , that the Turkish Empe●our should writ a letter to the Pope , desiringe restitution of his goodes , and yet could not get it , whereby he was enforced to stay Christians goodes in Constantinople &c. This I say is inuented , to bring the Pope in hatred .

For first , the Emperour of Turkes vseth not to write letters to Princes , of so smale matters , as the stayinge of one priuate shippe is , and much lesse to the Pope , with whom he hath no league , as is sayed . Secondly , if he had writen any such letters , it had bene harde for Iohn Nicols to know it , beinge of so bas● an estate in those countries , as he was , excepte onely by some tauerne or barbers shoppe , where princes matters are more talked of , then vnderstood . Thirdly , if the Turkishe Emperour had wroten ( as Iohn Nicols saieth ) yet is it not credible that the Pope would haue sturred him agaynst Christians , by denyinge so iuste a demaund , which in conscience he could not doe , séeinge he hath not onely doonne more , of him selfe , then that commeth too , but also procured other Princes to doe the lyke , and that without anye letters of soe greate a Potentate as the Turke is , namely , at my being in Rome , I saw a great man of Swetia deliuered from the Inquisition , The Popes iustice and clemencie . with restitution of his monie which was taken at Millaine , and also an Englishe shippe or two , deliuered from Naples , which had béene seased on , there , by the Inquisition , for their misdemenaur before : which all was donne by the Popes request , albeit they were taken in other Princes dominions . Some also , which now lyue in Englande , fallinge into the Inquisition in those countries , can geue testimonie of the Popes iustice , in restoringe them their owne , vppon their dimission .

Finallye , the Pope hauinge noe subiectes of his owne dominions in Constantinople ( as I noted before , ) coulde not hurte Christians there , by staying a Turkishe shippe in Ancona , for that other Princes , hauinge league with the Turke , as the French men , Uenetians , Florentines , and other , they must haue enioyed their liberties , how soeuer the Pope and Turke had disagréeed .

But now , how farre of the Pope is from voluntarye hurtinge of Christians in Constantinople , and how carefull to doe them anye good he can , especially those which are in seruitude there , it may partlye appeare , by this which I sawe him doe my selfe , at my béeinge in that Citie . There passed through Rome towardes Uenice , and soe to Constantinople , fortie Turkes , delyuered from the Gallies in Naples , vppon exchaung of soe many Christians to be delyuered from lyke bondage in Constantinople . These men béeinge verye poore , made supplycation to this Pope for some reléefe , Liberal alme● geuen to Turkes . whoe gaue them fiue hundred frenche crownes , willinge them to procure soe muche courtesie as they might , to Christians abydinge in their Emperoures dominions . By which it maye appeare , howe vniustelye he is slaundered by his malytious and vngratefull scoller .

The seconde crim obiected . The seconde crime wherwith Ihon Nicols chargeth this Pope , is , That he should put a certaine Countie out of his liuing , in Macerata , not paying him halfe the valew : for the preferring of his sonne Iames to the same . But this is more apparently false then the other was before , for that the world can witnes that there is noe suche facte done , & that the Popes sonne Iames , hathe noe suche countie . Reasone also teacheth vs , that it cannot be true , for that Macerata being vnder another Prince his dominion , to wit , vnder the duke of Urbine , the Pope hath nothing to doe , touching Counties possessions ther , to displace them from the same . And in places and times when iust occations hath bene geuen of gaining of greter matters then Ihon Nicols talketh of , as of the dukedoms of Ferrara & Urbine them selues , which for wante of ishew , were like to turn again vnto the Church , from whence first they were geuen : this Pope hath well shewed how farr of he is from all extortions , séeing he hath confirmed again to the former families , in respect of their vertues , the sayde states and dukedomes , which lawfullye he mighte haue taken .

And as for his sonne Iames , whome Ihon Nicols saith , He hath raysed from a begger to a marques , able to spend thirtie thowsand crownes by the yeare . True it is , The Popes sonne . that this young gentleman is well able to liue partly by his owne friends , before the presente dignitye of his father , being of a worshipfull and welthie familie , and espetiallye by the Kinge of Spaine , whome he serueth , and from whome he hath receaued diuers good prefermentes . It was reported also , that the howse of Sforza , in which he is matched by mariage , had some talke with the King , about exchanging or buying a certaine state for his children in the Kingdome of Naples . But yet nothing is done , soe that bothe are false , that he was a begger before , or that he is a Marques now . Nether could Ihon Nicols vnderstand of these matters , but only by the seruants of the Romaine Colledg , whose lippes are larger commonly in suche reportes , then their knowledge certaine : as also we maye sée , in Ihon Nicols him selfe whoe pretendeth noe small priuitie to this mans coffers and abilitie , which notwithstanding he could not learne but by them onlye which knew it least . For albeit this man be the Popes only sonn , begotten in matrimonie before his fathers Priesthode : yet his fathers moderation is such towardes him , ( as also towardes the rest of his kinne and carnall frendes ) : as his verie enemies can not reprehend it , and good men are maruailousllye edified by it .

The third crime obiected . The thirde accusation , wherwith Iohn Nicols presseth his benifactor the Pope , is , For taking from a moncke two pretious stones , worth a hundreth thowsande crownes , whiche he had broughte from India , and presented to this Pope , which he acepting of , in stead of rewarde , put the monke in prison for departinge his Abby without licence . And this is accounted a great point of iniquitie , which is maruelous , the partie wronged being a monke , from whome to take not onlye moueable goodes , but also his Abbye and lyfe too , had bene noe offence in a protestant Prince , by the cannons of new diuinitie . Marye in the Pope all thinges must be haynous . But yet before indifferent iudges , I might aske this question . If the matter had bene true , and if the Pope had taken these iewels from the monke , as from his subiect not capable or fitt for soe great riches , and had also punished him for leauing his cloister without order : what lawe or reason maketh this matter so haynous as is obiected ? but I am perswaded , that all this whole tale is ether false or mistaken . For diuers which were in Rome since and before Iohn Nicols , doe reporte no suche thing to haue happened in their time , but onlye that a Spanishe marchant , which dwelleth at the foote of Trinitie hill , towardes Porta del populo , Iohn Nico● changinge a marchant to a moncke . brought a Iewel not longe since from India , of some good valew , and being accused by the letters of certaine Bishopes of India , that he had gotten the saide Iewell wrongefullye , was put in prisone by the Pope , vntill he had layde the same in safetie to abide the trial of lawe : which thing happening at Iohn Nicols being in Rome , mighte geue him occasion to erre in his reporte , and to turne that to a moncke , which hapned in a marchante . Especiallye his capacitie being not of the cléerest cléerest to distinguishe matters , and his intelligence of affayres , comming vnto him from such obscure parsons , as easily might huddle vpp chalke for chéese . And in very déede it séemeth not a matter probable , that a pore monke should light vppon Iewels of so great value , and be suffered to wander the countrie with them , as Iohn Nicols reportethe .

This then is all wherwith Iohn Nicols chargeth the Pope , which notwithstanding , may wel be called nothing , Iohn Nicols accusations proued to be nothing . in the consideration of indifferent iudges . First , for that they are but triflinge matters in respecte of the manifould great affayres of Princes , whose troublesome & infinite dealinges , are subiecte to suspion of greater iniquities , if they should be called to iudgment , before the tribunall of our imaginations . Secondly , for that , if they were bothe great and haynous , and also true : yet were they noe preiudice to religion , whose slaunder héere is sought , for the reasons aleaged by S. Ausstē before . Lastly , for that they are false , & supposed only by Iohn Nicols , as may apeare by that alreadie hath bene answered , and also by some thinges which herafter shall ensue . For thanked be the holy prouidence of our mercyfull Sauiour , he hath blessedly prouided for the malice of our time , by placing in that rowme , soe vertuous and iust a man , as maye stopp the barking chappes of all his spitfull and slaunderous enemies , especially in this crime of couetous iniquitie , obiected against him by the shamles ingratitude of him only , who confesseth the receipt of more lberalitie from him in few monethes , Greate ingratitude . then he could haue gotten at home in many yeares . I saye Pope Gregorie is greatly wronged , to be charged with that vice , wherof neuer Prince in mans remembrance , hath had so many testimonies of the contrarie vertue . The monumentes of his bountefulnes , pietie and excéeding liberalitie , are extante to the vew of euery manes eyes , whome malice hath not blinded .

I could héere fill vpp bookes , with recital of infinit particulers knowen to the worlde , and confessed by his enemies , which would séeme wonderfull vnto the reader , touchinge his munificence and woorkes of charitie , but the place serueth not , and parhaps it may héerafter be declared by others . Nowe it shal be enoughe to note only in two or thrée wordes , the deuersitie of wayes , wherby this holy man powreth out his liberalite to the néedye , and then let the indifferent reader iudge , whether it be likely , that he which estéemeth soe litle his owne , will vse extorsion for the spoyling of others .

There is a vertuous preacher in Italie , named Iulius Rasius Hortinus , Iulius Rasius Hortinus . whoe about two yeares past , made certayn colections of things done in Rome . This man notethe that the Almes and charitable déedes of this Pope , are of two sortes , the one , certaine , firme , and standing , & openly knowen to the world : the other , secrete and vncertaine , geuen out only as occasions doe require . For the which notwithstanding , this Pope euerie yeare , layeth a side one hundrethe thowsand crownes , albeit manie times this sum is not sufficient for that purpose . He reckoneth vpp manie perticulers to proue this his saying , The Popes extraordinarie deedes of charitye . which I omitt . As for example , that within the space of fiue yeares , he gaue extraordinariely ( besides his standing pensons to that purpose ) aboue two hundred t●owsande crownes to one good worke onlye , which was , to the reléefe of poore widdowes , and to the mariage of orphane girles and other , whiche without that helpe had bene in daunger to haue fallen ( for néede ) , to a lewde kinde of life . The like occasions are innumerable wherin his ayde is demaunded , as in the often necessities of pilgrimes that come to that cittie : of Christians taken by the Turkes and Moores : of poore people fallinge into miserie within his dominions , and also for the faythe abroade : of hospitales , religious howses , Churches , Colleges , schooles , confraternities , and the like : which all in their néedes , make recourse vnto him and are neuer reiected without some reléefe .

But nowe for his certaine and standinge woorkes of mercye , they are farre greater without all comparisone . For first as Rasius notethe , Ca. de principum vita . there are aboue thrée thowsand parsons which haue their dailye maintenance out of his palace of Vatican , The Popes ordinare expences in deede● of cha●itye . wherof verye fewe are his owne seruantes , for that they haue their standinge wages besydes , but they are but they are such , as liue abrode in the citie , and receaue thence , euerie seconde day , their portions of bread wyne and raw fleshe , to the valew of a crowne a wéeke , for which purpose the Pope , besides the wines of his owne dominions , buyeth euery yeare , a thowsand and fiue hundred butts of wine out of the Kingdome of Naples , whereof the Kinge Catholicke geueth him the custome . Besids this , the numbers are maruelous of English men , Straungers releeued . Irish men , Scotts , Flemings , Germans , Hungarians , Slauons , Gréeks , Cypriotes and others : which being molested for their consciences at home , repayre to him for succour , whereof none are reiected , but all holpen accordinge to their necessities and his abilitie , as some of them haue 30. crownes a moneth , some 20. , some 15. , some 10 , some 6 , and none lesse then 4. , which I haue hard of .

Besides all this , are his standing pensions to hospitalls , and to sundry orders of poore religious howses , which beinge in great multituds , must néedes be very chargeable vnto him , especially his munificence being , to geue so abundantlye as he doth , and such liberal portions : for I vnderstand of one religious howse only in that citie , which receaueth yearely from him aboue 5000. crownes in ordinarie almes , besides all other .

After this , are schooles and learned men , Vniuersities & learned men maintayned by him in dyuers places , but principally in his vniuersities of Rome , Bononie , and Perusium . For example : in Rome , he hath Muretus , Muretus . and in Bonony , Sigonius , Sigonius . both men of great name , and intertained by him with seuerall stipendes , of litle lesse soome then of 1000● crownes yearly . The other readers also of these vniuersities , are many , and very sufficient , depending , all , or the most parte , of the Popes exhibition : as in Rome , there are 30. readers in the Colldge named Sapientia , Rasius cap. de colleg . and the meanest of them , hath yearely for his lecture 100. crownes : and the most , much more . And besides these , he geueth very large entertaynment , to many learned men of all professions in Rome it selfe , as Deuines , Lawyers , Oratours , Poetes , Antiquaries , Gretians , Hebritians , Arabians , and Sirians , which remayne there for the ornamente of that citie .

Last of all , and aboue all , are his Seminaries , and Colledges which he hath erected and founded vpon his owne charges , for the vertuous trayninge vppe of youth , as well in other countries as in his owne . Seminaries in Rome . And in Rome , the Seminaries are manye which he hath erected . Wherof the first is Seminarium Germanicum : Germanicum for the vse of Germans , which cost him 37. thowsand crownes , the first yeare , and now hath endewed it with twelue thowsande crownes a yeare , of annuall rentes . The seconde is , Hebreum . Seminarium Hebraicum for the vse of yonge Iewes , conuerted to the fayth , wherein they are brought vppe in exacte studie of diuinitie in the Hebrew tongue , vnder Christian Rabbines , for the confutinge of their nation , when they come to be of sufficient ●nowledge . The thyrde is , Seminarium Grecum , Grecum . wherein the children of the Gréekes are brought vppe , gathered from dyuers partes of the worlde , and are instructed by learned men of their owne language , together with the latine tongue , for the confutinge of their countries errours , and for the conuertinge of such iufidells , as liue there amongest them . The fourthe is , Seminarium Anglicanum , Anglicanum . for Englishe men onelye . The fifte is , Seminarium Hungaricum , Hungaricum . for Hungarians and Slauons . The sixte is , Seminarium Belgicum , Belgicum . newlye begoone for Fleminges . The last is , Seminarium Romanum , Romanum . for the Italians , wherein their is greate stoare of most goodlye youth , albeit the most parte of this Seminarye liue not of the Popes charges , and this is all with in Rome it selfe .

But nowe , if we looke into other countryes , this Pope hath manye more monumentes of his munificence , Seminarie● out of Rom●● especiallye Seminaries mayntayned at his charges , as the Englishe men in Rhemes : Rhemes . the Scottishe men in Paris : Paris . the Frenche men in Auinion : Auinion . the Zuisars in Lucerna : Lucerna . the Bohemians in Prage : Prage . the Duche men and Polonians in Uienna : Vienna . and in dyuers other places hath he the lyke , espesially in Germanie , which nowe I doe not remember . But it shal be sufficient to haue named these , for here hence we may gather a coniecture of the reste .

Now then , this being soe , let the vnpartial Reader iudge , how likely a matter it is , that this Pope disboursing his owne so abundantly abrode , will pelfe vniustly from other men at home , as his scoller Iohn Nicolls , for good will , accuseth him .

Noe , noe , this slaunder hath no iote of lykelihood , as I noted before , but was vttered for customes sake , & for pleasing of their humours , whoe féede of reproch against the sea of Rome , and against the man sitting there , whatsoeuer . God geue them his grace , for the ●uringe of their Phrensie .

I woulde here ende , to speake of the Pope , but that I am enforced to adde a worde or two , towching an impertinent quarrell , which Iohn Nicols picketh to him , for his Pontificalitie , that is , for the reuerence which Christians in respect of his rowme and dignitie , exhibite vnto him , which beinge in deade a very reasonable thing , and such as may be geuen without flattery , and receaued with out pride : yet the malice and enuie of heretiques can not beare it , but in greate ●eate of speach they inueigh agynst it .

Iohn Nicols , here towcheth two pointes : the one , that men knéele downe● as he passeth by : the other , that he is borne vpon mens shoulders , of both which I will speake .

And for the first I answere , Kneling doū● for the Popes blessinge . that séeinge we knéele downe to temporal princes and gouernours , in respecte onely of the high gouernour , whom they represent , not expecting any thing from them excepte temporall commodities : much more of righte may we knéele downe to a spiritual magistrate , whoe gouerneth by a higher title , them the temporal doeth , for that , he is the instrument and ang●ll of God , by whom al heauenly giftes and benedictions are deriued vnto vs . He succéedeth in the place of Adam , Enoch , Noe , Abraham , Melchisedech , Isaac , & Iacob , of moyses and Aaron , of all the holy Prophetes , of Christ and his Apostles , to delyuer Gods blessings vnto vs , if we humbly séeke the same . For which cause , it hath alwaies bene the fashion of Christians , to aske with humilitie the benediction of priestes , and if of all priestes : then much more of the highest Priest of all . And this is the cause whye men doe knéele downe vnto the Pope , not to addore him , as malice slaundereth , but to reuerence him in honour of Christ , whose person he beareth , and to receaue by him Christ his benediction , whose rowme he possesseth .

This I saye is the cause whye men knéele downe vnto him , which thinge , whosoeuer reprehendeth , must néeds doe it more of enuie then of reason , séeing he cannot but graunte , that some honour is to be geuen vnto him which blesseth another , for that S. Paul sayeth : Heb. 7. That the better alwaies blesseth the lesser . And of reason , we must néedes thinke , that the blessinges mentioned in the scripture as receaued at mens handes , for example of Melchisedech by Abraham , Gen. 14. of Isaac by Iacob , Gen. 32. of Israell by the ●wo sonnes of Iosephe , Gen. 32. of Iosue by the two tribes and a halfe , Gen. 49. and of Salomon by the whole congregation of Israell , 3. Reg. 8. were receaued with some externall reuerence , 2. Paral. 6. especiallye that of Aaron , which is more lyke vnto ours , for that he was hygh Priest , and also for that he is reported in scripture to haue Blessed the people afte● sacrifice , Leuit. 9. by extending out his hand , w●ich ceremonie whiles he did ( and being high Priest ) it is like the people shewed some externall reuerence , by bowinge them selues or the lyke , séeing good men were wonte in that time , to cast them selues vpon the grounde to honour other vpon lesse occasions . As Iacob to Esau , Iosue . 7. 1. Reg. 20. 25. Iosue before the Arcke , Dauid to Ionathas , Abigail to Dauid and the lyke .

Now , towching the second , which is , that at certaine high festiuall dayes , Bearing of the Pope on men● shoulders● he is borne from his palace into S. Peters Church , ( for at no other time or place is that thing vsed ) it is a matter so reasonable ( the circumstances considered ) as can be offensiue to noe indifferente wise man , and much lesse geue occasion of such inuectiues and e●clamations , as are vsed against it , or rather agaynst all religion for this one thing .

The matter standeth thus : At certaine principall feastes of the Church , the Pope vsethe to leaue his priuate chappell , and to come d●wne to seruice in Saint Peters Church● At which time such greate multitudes of people expecte him théere , to receaue his benediction , and verye manye also , to sée him , whiche neuer sawe him before , beinge strangers & come from farr countries to visite thos holy places : as it is impossible for him to passe in , and out , thoroughe the preasse , and to be seene to geue his benadiction to all , excepte he should ether ride or be borne in his chayre . And to ride , it were very vnséemly and inconuenient , hauing to passe thorough all S. Peters great church , where the moste preasse is , and also for the passages of stones and steres . Wherfore they haue vsed alwayes , to lyfte him vpp in his chayre , and soe to conuaye him thorough the multitude , and this is all the matter , which is soe much exclaymed at . Which notwithstanding , being done vppon such considerations and necessities as I haue saide ( for at all other times he goeth on foote or rideth ) it rather noteth malice in them that maligne it , then conuincethe pride in him that admitteth it , or anye faulte at all in the wel meaning Christians , who vppon soe iust causes doe both● desire and o●fer it .