Thou art the man MARFORIVS , I looked for , though I little thought to meete thee so suddainly vpon the Exchange .

Euer since you tooke shipping at Grauesende , I haue had the disease of a Marchants wife , so loue sicke in your absence , that myne eye was neuer pulde from the Wethercocke , and longing like a Woman for your returne , I neuer sawe gale of wind blow merrilie out of the East , nor heard any Ship shoote off her Ordnaunce in the Thems , but I ranne presently to the water side to discouer your comming in ; I wonder how I missed you ?

Neuer maruaile at that , I haue learned to maske it ; while some of Martins good freendes stood watching for me at Lambith bridge , I came to an Anker in Sandwich Hauen . But of fellowship tell me , howe hath my Countercuffe beene intreated ?

It requireth a Summers day and a Winters night to tell you all . It was verie welcome to the Court , thankfullie receiued in both Vniuersities , the Citties of the Land doe giue you good speeches , as for the Countrey , after the plainest manner , with hart and good will they are ready to greete you with a Cake and a cup of Ale in euery Parrish . This onely is the thing that greeueth them , they know not what Pasquill is . They desire in all places of the Realme to be acquainted with you , because they would bring you intelligence thicke and threefolde , to further your volume of the liues of the Saints .

I thinke I shall prooue a state man , my packets come in so fast alreadie , that I beginne to swell in Bookes as bigge as Surius . If any desire to knowe what I am , tell them that I was once a Barbour in Rome ( as some report ) and euerie chayre in my shop , was a tongue ful of newes . Whatsoeuer was done in England , Fraunce , Germanie , Spaine , Italie , and other Countries , was brought to me . The high and secrete matters of Lordes , Ladies , Kings , Emperours , Princes , Popes , & Monarchs of the world , did ring euerie day as shrill as a Bason about my doores . In memory whereof , as Mercurie turnd Battus to a stone for bewraying his theft , it is thought that one Pope or other , mistrusting the slipprines of my toung , blest me into a stone to stoppe my mouth . Others affirme , that the Cittie of Rome , to requite mee with honour when I dyed , erected me a little monument of stone , with a bodie , heade , and hands thicke and short , answerable to my stature , and set it vp in the open streete , where I assure you I haue stoode manie yeeres in the rayne , my face is so tand with the Sunne , and my hyde so hardened with the wether , that I neither blush when I byte any man , nor feele it when any man byteth me .

I wonder how you were able to continue there ?

To heare euery mans talke that passed by , was better then meate and drinke to me . In steede of apparrell , in Summer I wore nothing but paper lyueries , which manie great men bestowed vpon me to their great cost , in Winter , I care for no colde , because I am a stone .

I beseeche you Sir tell me , how came you into England ?

Beeing once somwhat busie with Signor Iacomo , about a pretie wench kept at Frescata for the Pope his Fathers tooth . Gregorie the thirteenth , terque quaterque , shooke his white head at me with such a terrible looke , that I was a feard hee would haue smytte my head into Tyber with a Thunderbolt . Neuerthelesse , the olde man beeing of a mylde disposition , and very mercifull , I receiued a pardon for that fault . At the last , hearing the Schollers of the English Seminarie merrie , as they returned from thier Vineyarde , and full of fine tauntings when they talked of the Sectes and opinions spronge vp in England , I stole out of Rome by night , to make tryall my selfe of the trueth of theyr reports . When I came to England , for the good will I carried to my olde occupation , I entred at London into Sprignols shop , where the first newes I heard among two or three Gentlemen , as they were a trimming , was , of a Martinist a Broker , the next doore by , which with a face of Religion , hauing gotten other mens goods into his hands , was but newe run away , and left his wife to the charitie of the Parrish . With this ridings , I grew verie inquisitiue to know what Martin was ? A knaue quoth one ; a theefe quoth another ; he teacheth the Courte a Religion to robbe the Church . And some of the Cittie that fauour him , apt Schollers to take such an easie lesson , begin to practise theyr cunning vpon their neighbors . Hauing gotten this thred by the end , I neuer left winding til I came to the paper that made the bottom . I frequented the Churches of the Pruritane Preachers , that leape into the Pulpit with a Pitchfork , to teach men , before they haue either learning , iudgment , or wit inough to teach boyes .

I pray you Sir , why doe you call them Pruritanes ?

A pruritu . They haue an itch in their eares ▪ that would be clawed with new points of doctrine neuer dreamed of and an itch in their fingers , that woulde be noynted with the golden Aenulatum of the Church . I knowe they are commonly called Puritans , Three marks of a Puritan . 1. and not amisse , that title is one of the marks they beare about them . They haue a marke in the head , PRO. 30. 12. 2. 3. they are selfe conceited , They take themselues to be pure , when they are filthie in Gods sight ; They haue a marke in the eye , theyr lookes are haughtie ; They haue a marke in the mouth , a yerie blacke tooth , they are A generation that cursse their father .

How now Caualiero ▪ are you com to Scripture ?

Doost thou thinke , Marforius , that Pasquill hauing stoode so manie yeeres in the streets of Rome , heard so many famous Clarks ; especially father Sware the Spaniarde , and the sifted Greeke witte of Father Augustine , and hauing spent so much time in priuate reading the best Bookes that night stirre vppe my deuotion , I would skippe ouer the Booke of all Bookes , the holie Bible ? No , no , I haue that volume in my hands , when many a Martinist hugges a drabbe in his armes , as you shal perceiue by the liues of the Saints . I tarrie but for one packet of information from Essex side , and that worke shall come out of the Presse like a bryde from her chamber , spangled & trapt , with a full caparizon of the ornaments of this present age .

The Owles Almanack is expected at your hands as well as that .

That is a peece of seruice not to be neglected in his time . I haue there sette down all the vpstart Religions in this Land . The Anabaptists , the Family of Loue ; the seuen capital haeresies for which som haue beene executed of late yeeres in Suffolke ; the diuersities of Puritans and Martinists , with a number more which you shall heare of when that Booke is Printed . A lamentable spectacle it will be , to see so many faces in one hoode . But GOD knoweth , ( before whom I stand ) I desire not to cast it out as a block in the waies of men , for any to stumble at , or to stand at defiance with all Religion ; but as a Sea-marke to discouer the quicksands of newe Religions .

I haue heard that Bernardin Ochin , a man of great learning , whom I knewe in Rome to be the first founder of the order of the Capuchines , being once tucht with the finger of Gods spirite , began to detest the superstitions of the Church of Rome , and fled to Geneua . The same man had a desire also to visite England , and during the time of his remaining heere , he found so many blind Sects and Religions within the land , that he turned backe like a dogge to his owne vomit , and in some sorte he fell into the biace of the Church of Rome againe . Vnhappie man , that beeing once lightned , looked backe to that Scicilian Aetna , that spues vp sinoake and sulpher into the world , to put out the eyes of men ; Vnhappie England , that by the diuersities of opinions in Religion , sette so many handes to his shoulders to thrust him downe , that was so ready with a turne , to ouerturne . Howe these newe pampred factions at this day , haue shaken the harts of many of her Maiesties louing people , and made them Chamaelion like , capable of any faith saue the right , I leaue it to them that looke into it .

Take heede what you say , it is a common report that the faction of Martinisme hath mightie freendes .

That s a bragge Marforius , yet if there be anie such , I shall find them in the end , and against the next Parliament , I will picke out a time to pepper them . Though they were as high as the maste , as sure as the tackling , as profitable as the fraught , and as necessarie as the sayles , when the shippe is in danger , ouerboorde withall . What meaning soeuer some men haue in it , I am assured , that it can neither stand with policie nor with Religion , to nourish anie faction in ciuill matters , much lesse in matters belonging to the Church . Quid prodest si vos contineat vna domus , DIVISION . et separet diuersa voluntas ? What auaileth it , ( saith one ) for men to be shrowded vnder one rooffe , if they be not of one hart ? One secret faction in a Realme dooth more hurte , then any generall plague or open warre . The pestilence and the sword are two heauie scourges in Gods hand , that deuoure many thousands of men in a little time , yet they reach no further then the bodie , but a faction deuours more , and sweepes away both bodie and soule together . Though the Iewes at the siege of Ierusalem , were pressed by their enemies without the walles , One of these factions was the faction of the zealous reformers . and punished with such a mortalitie within , that the carkases of the dead did dunge the ground , yet they neuer went to the wall , till they grewe to be factious , & fell to taking one another by the throate . Giue me leaue a little Marforius , to shift my sayles , and come towardes Italie . They that were wise prophecied long before of the state of Rome , that it should neuer decay but by diuision Which came to passe . For when the factions of Sylla and Marius , Caefar and Pompey , Anthonie and Lepidus brake foorth , the florishing Cittie beganne to cast her lease . The great Empire of great Alexander , like a flame of fire in a heape of flaxe , when it was at the highest , did shed it selfe suddainlie in the ayre , and came to nothing by the dissentions of those that succeeded him . The proude neck of the Graecians , for all their wisedom , was after the like manner brought vnder the Persians and Macedonians . If we rolle our eyes at one side into the bosome of our neighbour Fraunce , wee shall perceiue , that although it were many times inuaded in the skyrts of the Countrey , by the Romans , yet it remained inuincible , till Caesar toke holde of the discords within the Realme . My head is full of water , and my cheekes be wette , when I thinke vpon Constantinople , whose particular iarres , layde her gates open to the Turke , vnder whose captiuitie she groneth to this day .

A faction in a Kingdome may wel be compared to a spark of fire , Note it catcheth hold at the first in some obscure corner , in a Shoppe , in a Stable , or in a ricke of Strawe , where it lyeth couert a little time , but by little and little it gathers strength , till it reare it selfe vp to great houses , Pallaces , & Princes Courts , and at last it rageth and ouerruns whole Citties & Countries , without quenching , before they be vtterly ouerthrowne . In the time of Iustinian the Emperor , about the credite and aduancement of two colours , Blewe and Greene , there grew in Constantinople two mightie factions , which made such a head the one against the other , that in one day it cost many thousandes of men their liues , and the Emperor himselfe was brought in great hazard , both of his Empire and his owne person . Vpon as light an occasion in the Dukedome of Florence , for the two colours of Blacke and White , verie pestilent quarrels began there , and the factions of the Bianchi and the Neri , breaking forth like a lightning out of the Clowdes , scourde & wasted the Country where they went . These were but litle sparks in the rushes , Note gentle Martin . that euery man treadeth on , and very trifles at the first , yet you see how foule a Cockatrice may be hatcht of so small an egge . If I shoulde rip vp the stomacks of some in England , when wee consider the brawles , the Garboyles , the tragicall exclamations for Church apparrell , may wee not say that England is falne into that fantasticall faction of Florence for Black & White ? Wher had this brable his first beginning , but in some obscure corner , in the tippe of the tongue of some blind Parlor-preacher in the land , in shoppes , in stalles , in the Tynkers budget , the Taylors sheares , and the Sheepheardes Tarboxe ? I doubt not Marforius , but it will wither where it sprang , and ende at where it began , in shame , and ignoraunce . Thou knowest that the surest proppe of all Princes , is to promote true Religion , and to keepe it inuiolable when it is established , for this is the well tempered Morter that buildeth vp all estates . He that honors me , ( saith God ) I will honor him . But this chopping & changing of the Religion of the land ( which was acquited of accusations in the time of the famous K. Edwarde the fixt , and now aduaunced by the happy raigne of the Queenes most excellent Maiesty , & approued by the wisedom both spiritual & temporal , of the whole Realme , & confirmed by a generall consent in the high Court of Parliament ) is nothing els , but to picke out the Morter by little and little , that at the next pushe , Martin and his companions , might ouerthrow the state , and make the Emperiall crowne of her Maiestie kisse the ground .

Where there is a diuision fostred , there can be no continuaunce of the present state , MATH. 12. GOD himselfe hath taught it vs . Martins cheefe practise , in the Prouinces of Englande where I haue wandred , is , to perswade the simple , that her Maiestie layeth such a logge vppon their consciences , as they ought not beare , whereuppon they presume to make a shrewde scruple of their obedience , and begin to bounde like a Colt that would cast his ryder . Hath God powred so many blessings , vpon the Church of Englande , by the very often , and very miraculous preseruations of her sacred Maiesties royall person , and therby giuen testimonies out of Heauen to the Religion of the Lande , and dares Martin attempt to make a doubt bothe of it , and her ? Credit me Marforius , this bursting the sinew of peoples obedience to their naturall Prince , cannot be doone , but for a mischiuous intent , what visor soeuer they sette vppon it . I would faine knowe what should be the reason , that so manie hundreds of thousands in this Realme , haue hetherto humbled themselues at the feete of one person ? can it be because shee is mightier then all they , she beeing but one , & they many millions ; she a woman and they men ? Is it any terror , thinke you , of the big bodied Holberders that guarde her Maiestie ? No Marforius , if there were not some wonderful matter that withhelde them also , euen they might be giuen ouer to a reprobate sence , to bende euery man the point of his Holberd at her . If we search it till the worlds ende , we shall find no other cause of this sweet harmonie of peoples harts , that remaine faithful and flexible to the shaking of her princelie finger , but onely this , the Religion of the Lande . When Martin shall be suffered to displace GOD , that now dwelles in the bosome of her Maiesties louing people , and buz slaunders of Religion into theyr eares , whereby they may conceiue , that her highnesse by the maintenaunce of the Gospell , hath shutte vp their saluation in close prison , and that it mooues God in his wrath to drawe the Sworde against her and the Realme , ( as Martin himselfe auoucheth ) what other consequent may we looke for , but that euery Pruritane transported with the heate and the ignorance of his zeale , wyll be as readie as a Papist , to lift vp his hande against her , which mischiefe I beseech God to returne into their bowels . How odious and how dangerous innouations of Religion are , Secretarie Machiauell , a politick not much affected to any Religion , discloseth by the example of Fryer Sauanaroll . He was a man like Martin , sprong vp in such a time as Martin , when Spayne , Fraunce , Rome , Arragon , and the Emperour , entred a league to make warre altogether vppon the Venetians . Sauanarola boasted of Reuelations , and secret conferences , held betweene the holy Ghost and him ; Martin brags hee is a speciall man , raysed vp on a suddaine by the spirit of God for the good of England , as if GOD had beene a stranger to vs all this while . Sauanarola made a bragging proffer , which he neuer performed , that he would passe through the fire , for the confirmation of his doctrine ; Martin hath vaunted he wil seale his opinions with his hart blood , but you may see by the starting holes hee seeketh , that hee neuer meant to keepe hys promise . Sauanarola brought himselfe & his followers to confusion at last ; and so will Martin . I muse howe any state man can abide to heare of innouasions in Religion where the truth is preached ? There is but one God , which cannot be deuided , if he could , hee were not GOD . All his graces tende to a gathering together of Gods people in a vnitie of Faith , 1. COR. 2. 12. not to a scattering into diuers Faythes , wherein the principall grace of a Martinist consisteth . Looke vnto the Heathen , the accusers of Socrates , made choise of this accusation aboue all others , as a matter very worthy of death in him : that he was a fellow that sought to sette a newe stampe of his own vpon theyr Religion . One of the first Lawes that Romulus layd , as a ribbe of yron into his gouernment , was , Deos peregrinos ne colunfo .

Take a patterne if you wyll , from priuate Families . What a pittifull thing is it to see , two Religions in one house ? where the Father and the Sonne , the Husband & the Wife , the Maister and Seruaunt , are of diuers faythes , the ioynts of that house begin to gape , and the fall of that house is to be feared . The diuersitie of opinions in so high a degree as is Religion , cannot choose but diminish the loue and respect , that the one of them should carrie vnto the other . The Sonne will be carelesse of his dutie to his Father , whom hee takes to be a reprobate ; the Father will make but slender reckoning of the Son , that beleeues not as hee beleeues . The Wife will giue little reuerence to that Husbande , whom she imagineth to be damned ; The Husband wil be rough and rigorous to such a Wife as obeyes not him ; The Seruaunt wyll neuer giue due honour to his Maister , when hee iudgeth him to be the bondslaue of the deuill ; The Maister will as hardlie protect that Seruaunt , whose hart he perceiues not to bee with him .

As then the gouernment of Common-weales , was first drawne from the gouernment of priuate houses , so that which is the ruine of priuate houses , growes in time to be the ruine of Common-weales . I haue taken a little paine to visite diuers of the Courtes , Benches , Sessions , that are helde in this Lande in her Maiesties name , by vertue of her authoritie , but I neuer saw so bolde , so-open , so-barbarous contempt of magistracie , in any other part of the whole worlde , as I haue seene heere . Such canuaces made , such stales set , such traynes layde , such platformes drawne by the factious , to bring theyr Superiours into contempt , and yet they prooue so ridiculous in euerie steppe they tread , that I am ready to stand on my nose when I trace them out .

I was once in Antwerpe , when great sute was made to the Masters of the English house , ( by a Gentleman then emploied in the Queenes affaires ) for the entertaining a Preacher among them , both to teach & to minister the Sacraments there vnto them . The request was soone graunted , & Trauars , a fellow that delighteth in obliquitie , was the man that was brought thither , when he came , he had neither taken the Orders of the Ministerie , nor any lycence to preach , according to the gouernment of the Church of Englande , but ran into a corner among the French to receiue it there . At last , one of the Ministers of those Churches , came with him to the companie , and made a sollemne protestation before them all , that he founde Mast Trauars a fitte man for the deuiding of the word , and deliuerie of the Sacraments . Hac oratione finita . Sweete Maister Trauars , quem oneris causa nomino , for I beare him on my backe till my tale be ended , at the first iumpe read a Statute made in Scotland ( for Church gouernment ) to the naturall Subiects of the Queene of Englande , and tolde them he woulde followe that . I would gladly be resolued in this place , whether Trauars dyd not begin very pretilie to play the Pope , in taking vppon him to discharge her Maiesties Subiects of the allegiance they owe to theyr naturall Prince , and in stealing away from the crowne of England , as many english harts as would harken to him , to translate them at his pleasure to a forraine power ? As he layde his foundation in dissention when hee began to be a builder in Gods house , so hath his worke vnto this day prospered , the whole frame I perceiue is fallen vppon him . They that were discreete , ventured couragiously to sette a leauer at him , & neuer gaue ouer till he was remooued .

Speake softly Caualiero , I perceiue two or three lay theyr heades at one side , like a shyp vnder sayle , and begin to cast about you , I doubt they haue ouer-heard you . This Exchange is vauted and hollow , and hath such an Eccho , as multiplies euery worde that is spoken by Arithmaticke , it makes a thousand of one , & ympes so many feathers into euery tale , that it flyes with all speede into euery corner of the Realme .

All the better for me , when I lacke matter to talke of , I may resorte hether to take vppe a little newes at interest .

I maruaile Caualiero , that you presse not the Martinists with much Scripture , they are great quoters of common places if you marke them .

Therin they are like to a stale Curtizan , that finding herselfe to be worne out of credite , borroweth the gesture of a sober Matron , which makes her to euery one that knowes her , the more abhominable ; for the common sorte whistle at her for her pride , and the grauer sort spyt at her for her impudencie . Howe whorishlie Scriptures are alleaged by them , I will discouer ( by Gods helpe ) in another new worke which I haue in hand , and intituled it , The May-game of Martinisme . Verie defflie set out , with Pompes , Pagents , Motions , Maskes , Scutchions , Emblems , Impreases , strange trickes , and deuises , betweene the Ape and the Owle , the like was neuer yet seene in Paris-garden . Penry the welchman is the foregallant of the Morrice , with the treble belles , shot through the wit with a Woodcocks bill , I woulde not for the fayrest horne-beast in all his Countrey , that the Church of England were a cup of Metheglin , and came in his way when he is ouēr-heated , euery Bishopricke woulde prooue but a draught , when the Mazer is at his nose . Martin himselfe is the Mayd-marian , trimlie drest vppe in a cast Gowne , and a Kercher of Dame Lawsons , his face handsomlie muffled with a Diaper-napkin to couer his beard , and a great Nosegay in his hande , of the principalest flowers I could gather out of all hys works . Wiggenton daunces round about him in a Cotten-coate , to court him with a Leatherne pudding , and a woodden Ladle . Paget marshalleth the way , with a couple of great clubbes , one in his foote , another in his head , & he cryes to the people with a loude voice , Beware of the Man whom God hath markt . I can not yet find any so fitte to come lagging behind , with a budget on his necke to gather the deuotion of the lookers on , as the stocke-keeper of the Bridewel-house of Canterburie ; he must carrie the purse , to defray their charges , and then hee may be sure to serue himselfe .

Peace , Caualiero , your tongue will be slitte if you take not heede , I haue heard some say , you should wringe for this geare if the Queene were dead .

Tushe , thou art but a crauin Marforius , if thou-feare that ; hadst thou but one droppe of that water in thine eye , which the Seruaunt of Elisha the Prophet had , when he discouered so many Chariors of fire about his Maister , thou shouldest see the Prayers of the Church of Englande , flie vppe into heauen for her Maiestie , and returne againe with Oliue-branches in their mouthes ( like the Dooue that was sent out of the Arke ) to bring tydinges of peace and long life vnto her highnesse . These wonderful preseruations of her royall person , which the eyes of this Land euery day behold , are euident tokens , that GOD hath a worke for her to doe ; there is a nayle to be knockt into Siseraes head , before she be called from the earth . But when extremitie of age shall ende her dales , I am of the minde of many thousandes in this Land .

What is that ?

He shal doe me a pleasure that cuts my throate .

I perceiue your abode in England , hath made you participate with the nature of an Englishman , where you sette downe your reste , you are verie resolute , and it appeareth by your conceit , you were able to range a fayre battaile of Scriptures to charge your enemies , if you were driuen to lead your forces out .

It greeues me Marforius , to behold , that by reason of this newe faction , crept into the harts of the most vnlearned of all the Ministerie , the Preachers of England begin to strike and agree like the Clocks of England , that neuer meete iumpe on a point together . Whereby either the hearers of these contentions , should say , as the Auditors of the Philosophers did in times past , that the truth is buried in a pitte where it cannot be founde ; or els be perswaded at the last , that GOD hath mockt them , and left the way of saluation vnto men , as vncertaine , as the way of Hanniball in the Alpes . It is very strange , that the Gospell hauing beene planted in this Lande by those reuerend By shops that are gone to GOD , men that watered their labours with their owne blood , Christ seeing this pernicious impugning of all that , which by his Saints and holy Martirs he hath left vnto vs , hee should be now compelled to come ouer our shinnes with the same rebuke that hee gaue to Phillip and the rest of his Disciples , IOHN . 14. 9. Haue I beene so long with you , and haue you not knowne me ? Hath Christ been so long so freelie , so learnedlie , so zealously preached in this Land ; and must wee nowe on a suddaine , ( as if God had shewed vs a iuggling cast ) grope for him againe in a Puritans budget , stuft full of rayling & reuiling Pamphlets ? I am sure the Apostle teacheth me , IAME . ● . 17. that the wisedom which is of God , is Pure and Peaceable : if it be pure , it cannot communicate with that taste of the deuils tongue , which is a slaunderer by his occupation . If it be peaceable , it is without faction , & neuer runs into the dangerous gainsaying of Core , whose sinne could not choose but be very great , because the punishment thereof was very great . But I feele by the pulse of a Puritane when I touch him , that his disease is the very Apoplexie of the Donatistes , Quod volumus sanctum est . What soeuer they like , is Apostolicall , be it neuer so bad : and and what they mislike is Diabolicall , be it neuer so good .

I shall neuer forget that man of God , Maister Iohn Foxe , who though he neither sought Benifice nor Bishoprick in the Land , yet when some of the faction came vnto him with a Scottish Minister , and brought him certaine Articles of Religion , ( coyned in a Mint among themselues ) desiring him to set his hand vnto them , the teares rolling downe plentifully vpon his face , he reiected them all with a sharpe reproofe . An other time , when Paget fawned vppon him , full of play , like a wanton whelpe , whose worme was not taken out of his tongue , the good Father , enccuntered him in London in an open streete with this geeting , God send thee a right minde to thy crooked gate . A good Prayer beleeue mee for this dogged generation , that is euer barking against the Moone , and as men that are troubled with sore eyes , they think any light or Religion better & wholsomer then that they haue , because they want learning to discerne and iudge of that they haue . Yet they think I warrant you , to carrie all away with censoricall lookes , with gogling the eye , with lifting vppe the hand , with vehement speeches , when the Wine which they broach vnto the people , is the very poyson of Dragons , and the gall of Aspes , prest from a bitter Grape that neuer came out of Gods Vintage .

Aquitanicus Prosper found this to be the cause of all contention in the Schooles of Philosophers and Rhethoritians Seipsis ducibus vtebantur . Euery one that had a whirlegig in his braine , wold haue his own conceit to goe currant for as good paiment , as any infallible grounde of Arte ; And I perceiue the priuie traine that giues fire vnto all this Gunshot , that hath beene so latelie discharged at God , and good men in the Church of England , is an ouerweening that Martin hath of himselfe , when he would haue that to be the meaning of the holy Ghost , that his mastership imagins . It pleaseth his worship , in his Proem to his cokish conclusions , to make himselfe merry with the Bishop of Winchester for saying , I am not of opinion , that , Vna semper debet esse aconomia Ecclesiae , yet presently he fetcheth his seas himselfe , and leapes very boldlie ouer head and eares , when hee auoucheth , that Christ , his Apostles and holie Martirs , are of opinion , that the gouernment of the Church , should alwaies and in all places be one &c. without setting downe any one testimonie of Christ , or Apostle , or holy Martir in that behalfe . Good Byshop , his opinion must be refused , and Martins opinion must be receiued ; euery Goose of mast Martin must goe for a Swan , and whatsoeuer he speakes , must be Canoniall .

But for all that , though Martin forgot himselfe suddainlie in that streine , beeing somwhat eager of his Game , when hee tost the learned Fathers opinion like a ball with the Rackit , and made full account to bandie the whole Bishoprick away , yet in other places he quoates Scripture .

Hee coateth Scriptures indeed , for he is light of foote , & ouer-runs them Marforius in euery place . Qui in Euangelio quod vultis creditis , vobis potius quam Euangelio creditis . They that beleeue what soeuer they lust in holy Scriptures , are a generation that giue more credit to themselues than to the Scriptures ; therefore it were good ( saith a godly father ) for such people , to tell the worlde plainlie , that they make no reckoning at all of anie Scriptures . And I assure thee , if that man may be taken for a fugitiue and a Rebell , that runnes to the enemie and forsakes his Prince , those simple creatures may worthilie be denounced to be runnagates from God , and from her Maiestie , that forsake this sweete gouernment , vnder which they haue manie yeeres enioyed the true preaching of the Gospell , to be speake them a new fashion of Religion at Martins shoppe . Yet is there nothing so familiar in their mouthes , as Templum Domini , and Verbum Domini , The Temple of the Lorde , and the worde of the Lord : they take the word by the nose with a paire of Pinchers , & leade it whether soeuer it pleaseth them . But there wil be a day of account , when GOD , ( by whose finger the worde was written ) shall reuenge the forcible entries they haue made into his possessions , & punish euery forrow they haue plowed vpon his backe . They are the very Spawnes of the fish Saepia , where the streame is cleere , and the Scriptures euidentlie dyscouer them , they vomit vp yncke to trouble the waters , and labour to bring Religion to this passe , that as Appio the Gramarian reports of himselfe , he called forth Homer out of his graue , onely to aske him what Countriman he was , and who was his Father ? So now we must either burne all the Bookes and famous Libraries in the worlde , and take Martins assertions for vndoubted Maximes , or els fetch vp the Apostles by coniuration , to demaund of them whether we be right or no ?

As I came through Fraunce Marforius , I was desirous to ryde from the one ende to the other of Clara Vallis , where I found the last will and Testament of S. Bernard , standing in this forme vpon his Tombe . S. Bernards wil standing at thys day vppon hys Tombe . Tria vobis fratres , obseruanda relinquo , quae vt potui obseruaui . Primo . Nemini scandalum feci , si quando incidit sedaui vt potui . Secundo . Minus semper sensui meo quam alterius credidi . Tertio . Laesus de laedente nunquam vindictana petii . Ecce charitatem , humilitatem , patientiam , vobis relinquo . Bretheren ( saith he ) there be three thinges that I bequeath vnto you to be obserued , which as well as I could I haue obserued my self . First , I neuer gaue scandale vnto any person , if I did , I pacified the matter to my power . Secondlie , I stood vpon mine owne conceite lesse then I did vpon other mens . Thirdly , when I was wronged , I neuer sought reuenge . Beholde , Charitie , Humilitie , and Patience I bequeath vnto you . This good Father shall ryse vppe in iudgment to condemne Martin . Had he beene fearefull of giuing anie Scandale vnto the worlde , his vncharitable Pamphlets had neuer seene the Sunne , Had hee giuen lesse credite to his owne censures and opinions , than to the censures and opinions of better men , so many good Scriptures had neuer been wrested , so many flowers in Gods Garden had neuer been defaced . Had he been ready to suffer wrong without wringing of reuenge out of Gods hand , he would neuer haue thundred & lightned at so many rare men , whose learning and vertue is a pricke in his eye , and a strong watch that intercepts euery passage vnto his Hierarchie . Let him swell while he burst , with the worde in his mouth , so long as hee breaketh the rule of Charitie , and cares not whom he strike , so the edge of his tuske may haue a lighting place , wee may easily see what is within him . Infaelix lolium & steriles dominantae auenae . Scripture is often in the typ of his tongue , but Cockle is the graine wee reape with him . It is the propertie of Martin & his followers , to measure Gods mouth , by theyr owne mouth , as you shal see in the May-game that I haue promised you : for there you shall haue a number of strange Notes vpon the Text , some of them gathered from William Dike at S. Albanes , in his clarklie Paraphrases vppon S. Luke and S. Iohn , some haue beene brought me from other places , & some I gathered my selfe , in an assemblie of the brotherhood at Ashford in Kent . I went thether with a Student of Cambridge to a sollemne exercise , and comming in the habite of Schollers , we pressed somewhat boldly into their companie to dine with them , assuring our selues to finde some new seruice at theyr Table . When the Dinner was doone , one of them read a Chapter , euery man keeping his place still ; The roome was full of Artificers , men and women , that sate rounde about vppon stooles and benches to harken to it . The Chapter was , the 1. Cor. 3. which being read . The reader began first to vtter his conceit vpon the Text , in short Notes , then it came to his next neighbours course , and so in order Glosses went a beging , and Expositions ranne a pace through the Table , till they came to me , whom they desired to open my mouth among the rest , I vtterly refused to vndertake the taske , notwithstanding , I was so wonderfully vrged , that I coulde not any way shift them off , and somewhat I spake among them . When I came to the ende of my cariere , my companion was requested to pricke it for company with his freendes . I needed no Minstrill to make me merrie , my hart tickled of it selfe , when it came to his turn , because I knew him to be a Gentleman well studied in Philosophie , but he had not yet medled with Diuinitie . He chose the thirteenth verse of the Chapter to discourse vpon . Where the Apostle saith , Euery mans worke shall be tryed by fire . But to see how brauely hee trotted ouer all the Meterors bredde in the highest Region of the ayre , to see how louingly hee made the sence of the Apostle , and Ouids fiction of Phaetons firing of the world to kiss before they parted , and then howe souldier-like hee made an ende of his manage with a double rest , was sport enough for vs to beguile the way , as we trauailed backe againe from thence to Canterburie .