HAving now almost finished my intended course of travell , and comming to cast vp ( as it were ) the short account of my labours , I shall heere endevour briefely to relate what I have observed in the matter of Religion , my time being chiefely imployed ( as was from the first my principall designe ) in viewing the state thereof in these Westerne parts of the world , their divided factions and professions , their differences in matters of faith , and their exercises of religion , in government Ecclesiasticall , and in life & conversation , what vertues in each kind eminent , what eminent defects . Moreover , in what termes of opposition , or correspondencie each standeth with other , what probabilities , what pollices , what hopes , what iealousies are found in each part for the advauncing thereof : and finally , what possibilities and good meanes of vniting , at leastwise the severall braunches of the reformed professours ( if vnitie vniversall bee more to be desired then hoped in such bitternesse of minde , & equalitie of forces as leaveth on neither side , either disposition to yeeld , or doubt to be vanquished . )

In the midst of these thoughts not intending to deliver a full report of all these points , which would too much exceede a reasonable proportion , but restraining my selfe chiefly to such parts and places as may seeme most nessarie for one of my Countrey to know . The Romane Religion

1 FIrst , the Roman Religion , framed in those middle times when there was no man to controll them , did light into the handling of such men as made their greatnesse welth and honor , the verie rule to square out the Cannons of faith , and then did set Clearkes on worke to devise Arguments to maintaine them .

2. This Religion seemeth notwithstanding at this day , not so corrupt in the very doctrine ( and in their Schooles , where yet manifolde oppositions doe hold them in awe , that hath caused them to refine it ) as it is in the practise here of , and in the vsage among themselves , wherein they are so gross : as that sundry men whom the reading of their Bookes hath allured , the view of their Churches hath averted from their partie .

3 I must omit an endlesse multitude of their superstitions and ceremonies , for they are enough to take vp a great parte of a mans life to peruse , beeing without vniformitie , and different in diverse Countryes , and withall so childish and vnsavourie , that as they argue seelinesse and rawnesse in their inuenters , so can they bring no other then disgrace and contempt to those exercises of Religion wherein they are stirring .

4 How they communicate divine honour to Saints & Angels , by building Churches , erecting Altars , commending prayers , & addressing vowes vnto them , in worshipping their Images , going in pilgrimage to their Reliques , attributing all kind of miracles both to the one & to the other , I will in this place restraine my selfe especially to Itali● , where it hath wrought this generall effect , that men have more affiance , and assume vnto themselves a greater conceit of comfort in the patronage of the creatures and servants of God , then of God himselfe , the Prince & creator ▪ And touching the blessed virgin , the case is cleare , that howsoever their Doctrine be in schooles otherwise , yet in all manner of outward Actions , the honour which they do vnto her , is double , for the most part , vnto that which they do our Saviour : where one professeth himselfe a devote or peculiar servant to our Lord , whole Townes sometimes , as Vienna , &c. are the Devoti of our Ladie . The stateliest & fairest Altars are hers , for the most part , where one prayeth before the Crucifixe , two pray before her Images , where one vowe vnto Christ , tenne vow vnto her , & not so much to her selfe , as to some particular Image of hers , which for some notable power and grace of operation of miracles they chiefly serve , as the glorious Ladie of Loretto : the devout Ladie of Rome : the myraculous Lady of Provensan● : the Annuntiata of Florence , all whose Churches are so stuffed with vowed presents and memories , as they are faine to hang their Cloisters and Churchyardes with them . And such as their vowes are , such are their Pilgrimages ; and to nourish this honour , for one miracle reported to be wrought by the Crucifixe , not so fewe , perhaps , as one hundred are voiced vpon those other Images , neither will I omit this no lesse certaine , though lesse apparant , that where one fasteth on Friday , which they account our Lords day , many fast on Saturday which they account our Ladies day , in honour to her . In all which the people do but folow their guides ; who , as in the measuring of their devotion by tale on beades , doe string vp ten salutations to our Lady , for one of our Lords prayers . So themselves also in their Sermons , make their entrance with an Aue Maria , yea a solemne divine honour which they have , most commendable , if it were well vsed : that at Sun rising , none , and Sunne setting , vpon the ringing of a bell , all men , in what place soever , house , fielde , streete , or market , doe presently kneele downe , and send vp their vnited devotions to heaven . This honour is by them chiefly intended to our Ladie , the devotion is the Ave Maria , and the bell that ringeth to it , hath also that name . They teach in pulpit , that nothing passeth in heaven without her expresse consent . That the stile of that court , is , Placet Dominae , that matters of Iustice come properly from Christ , and matters of Grace from her , that it was the vision of a holy man , that certaine that would have beene condemned by Christ , in regard they were her servants , have bin absolved by her intercession . So the principall streames o● affiance and love , are diverted from him , and turned vpon those vnto whom so great honour is not due , nor so vndue honour can be acceptable .

5 Their Liturgies being not vnderstoode by the people , are not able to holde them occupyed with any spirituall contemplation : for supply whereof they hold them to their charming with their beades in the meane season , which being so vnsavory a foode as it is , they vse it accordingly : when they are wearie of it , they entertaine the rest of their time with talke and mirth , which their Priestes themselves also at their leisures forbear not , not forgetting yet at certaine pauses to shew devotion , wherein their outward iestures are decent , reverent , and significant . And this honour is to be yeelded to the Italian nation , that hee is naturally not vndevoute , were his devotion duely guided and cherished , and not starved and quenched in the darke mist of a language , which hee neither vnderstands what is saide to him , not yet what himselfe sayeth .

6 The best part of their exercises of Religion , are their Sermons , wherein much matter , both of faith and piety is eloquently delivered , by men surely of wonderfull zeale & spirite , if their interior fervor were correspondent to their outward ●ervencie ; how beit they are sometimes mingled with so palpable vanitie ( as besides their other poverties , as forced allegories , and vnnaturall interpretations , wherin they are fervent , ) they have legends of Saints , and tales ( at which children with vs would smile ) solemnely historized in their Cathedrall Pulpits ; yet what religiousnesse soever is the peoples mindes may wholy bee attributed to their Sermons , whither the better disposed people doe resort .

This one thing I cannot but highly commend in that sort and order : they spare nothing , which either co●t car ▪ performe in inriching , or skill in adorning the Temple of God , or to set out his service with the greatest pompe and magnificence that can be devised . And although for the most part , much basenesse and childishnesse is predominant in the maisters and contrivers of their ceremonies , yet this outward state and glorie being well disposed , doth ingender , quicken , increase , and nourish , the inward reverence , respect , and devotion which is due vnto soveraigne maiesty and power . And therefore , howsoever some will not be perswaded in it , yet in the zeale of the common Lord of all , I chuse rather to commend the vertue of an enemy , then to flatter the vice and imbecility of a friend .

7 But to returne to the Church of Rome , and to come to the consideration of their penance and confession , out of which , so great good is promised to the world , and the want thereof so much vpbraided to their opposites . I must confesse I brought with mee this perswasion and expectation , that surely in this must needes bee a very great restraint to wickednesse , a great meanes to bring men to integrity and perfection , when a man shal daily , as it were , survey his actions , censure with griefe , confesse with shame , cure by councel , expiate with punishment , extinguish with firme intent , never to returne to the like again ; whatsoever had defiled or stained the soule , ( neither doubt I but it had this fruit in the first institution , & hath also with many at this day , yea and might perhaps have bin restored better in reformed Churches , to ther primative sincerity , them vtterly abolished , as in most places it is : ) Notwithstanding , having diligently searched into the meaning thereof in those parts , I finde , that as all thinges whereof humane imbecillitie hath the custodie and government , fall away , decaying by insensible degrees , from their first perfection and purity , and gather much soile & drosse in vsing : so this as much as any thing . For this point of their religion , which in outward shewe carrieth a face of severitie and discipline , is become of all others , the most remisse and pleasant , and of the greatest content to the desolutest mindes , the matter being growne with the common sort to this open reckoning ; What neede wee refraine so fearefully from sinne , God having provided so ready a meanes to be rid of it when we list ? yea , and the worser sort will say ; When wee have sinned we must confesse , and when wee have confessed , we must sinne againe , that we may also confesse againe , and with all , make work for new indulgences and iubiles ; making acount of confession , as drunkards do of vomitting : yea , I have knowne of those that carried shew of very devoute persons , who by their owne report , to excuse their acquaintance in matters criminal , have wittingly periured themselves in iudgement , only presuming of this present and easie remedy of confession , and others of more ordinarie note amongst them , who when their time of confessing was at hand , would then venture on those actions which before they trembled at , as presuming to surfet , by reason of the neighborhood of the Phisition , which Phisition also himselfe is perhaps more apparantly infected with the noysome disease his patient discloseth , then the patient , who is not anie way bettered by the connsell which the Phisition giveth .

But this must be granted to be the fault of the people , yet a generall fault is it , and currant without controlement ; howbeit , neyther are Priests , nor the people to be more excused on their part . The Priests will tell the penitent , that God is mercifull , that whatsoever sinnes the penitent committeth , so long as hee continueth in the Church , and is not a Lutheran , there is , good remedie for him .

And for Penance , it consisteth ordinarily but in Ave-maries and Paternosters , with Almes-deedes by those that are able , and fastings by them that are willing ; yea , I have knowne , when the pennance for horrible , and open blasphemie , besides much other lewdnesse hath beene no other , then saying of their Beades thrice over , a matter of some houres muttering ; and which in Italy they dispatch also as they goe in the streetes , or as they Pardone and Indulgences . ride , or doe their buisinesse at home , making no other of it , then as it is , two lips , & one fingers work . But were the penance by the Priests enioyned , never so hard and sharp , the Popes plenary pardons sweepe all away at a blow : Now of these they have granted ( and this man especially ) so huge a number , as that there are few Churches of note in Italy , which have not purchased or procured a perpetuall Indulgence , by vertue whereof , whosoever shall at certaine set yearely daies , being confessed , and having communicated , or as in some pardons , having but only an intent to confesse and communicate in time convenient powreth out his devotions before som Altar in that Church and extendeth forth his hands in almes , in behalfe therof , ( which clause in al former grants was expressed , but is now left out for avoiding of scandale but is still vnderstood and practised accordingly ) hath forthwith remission of all sinne and punishment ; yea , if the worst fall out , that a man be so negligent as to drop into Purgatory at the time of his decease , which but by very supine negligence can hardly happen ; yet few Cities are there , wherin there are not one or two Altars priviledged , Prodefunctis , where for everie Masse , a soule is delivered , and so a great multitude of A●tisons must needes make their ware cheape . I will not heere warble long vpon this vntuneable harsh string , neyther will mention perhaps , the fourth part of that I have seene , much lesse rake old rustie stuffe out of the dead dust and darknesse , wherein time and shame hath suffered it to rest : onely for example sake , and for verifying what I have said , I will set downe some of that which is nowe in vse at this day , which is printed on their Church doores , and proclaymed in their Pulpits .

8 In the Ermitanes of Padua , their Preachers publish pardon of plenarie indulgence from Baptisme , to the last confession , with eight and twentie thousande yeares over for the time ensuing . The pardon of Alexander the sixt for thirtie thousand yeares ; to whom soever before the Altar of our Ladie● , shall say a peculiar Ave Marie . At the Sepulchre of Christ in Uenice , is a stately presentation , whereon is wrtten , Hic situm est corpus Domini nostri Iesu Christi ; ( yet inferring no reall presence there as I take it ) with verses annexed of , Conditur hoc tumulo , &c. There is hanged in a printed Table , a prayer of Saint Augustines , a very good one indeed , with indulgence for fourescore and two thousand yeares , granted from Boniface the eight , and confirmed by Benedict the 11. to whosoever shall say it , and that for every day toties , quoties , &c. ( which is somewhat worth ) that in a few daies a man may provide for a million of worlds , if they did last no longer then this did in Saint Francis Church . At Padua I heard a Reverend Father preach at large the holy history of the divine pardon of Sisa ab omni culpi & poena , granted by Christ in person at our Ladies suit , vnto Saint Francis , extending to all such , as having confessed and communicated , should pray in Saint Francis Church there , yet sending him to his Vicar , Pope Honorius that then was to passe it , with many other apparitions and delectable strang accidents of great content to pleasant minded hearers , which pardon is since enlarged by Sixtus the fourth , and fifth ( which both were Franciscans ) to all lay brethren and sisters that did weare Saint Francis Cordon , in what place soever . Gregory the thirteenth hath granted to the Carmine at Syenna , for everie Masse said there at the Altar of the Crucifixe , the deliverie of a soule out of Purgatorie , to the Carmine at Padua more liberally , for to everie one that shall say seven Aves , and seven Pater nosters , before one of their Altars on the Wednesday in Easter weeke , or kisse the ground before the Altar of the blessed Sacrament with the vsuall prayers for the exaltation of the Church , extirpation of heresie , and vnitie of Christian Princes , plenary Indulgence for himselfe , and the delivery of what soule out of Purgatory he pleaseth . To the fraternitie of the Altar of the Conception of our Ladie in Duamo , or the Cathedrall Church in Padua , confessing and communicating at their entrie into that societie , full remission of their sinnes at the houre of their death ▪ naming but Iesus with their mouth , or if they can not , with their heart : the like is ordinarily graunted to all other Fraternities . To everie Priest as often as he shall say five printed lines , importing that he wil offer vp the precious bodie of our Saviour , so many fiftie yeares pardon . By this Pope , this one amongst many others innumerable to the Friers , & lay Fraternities of both sexes of the Carmine in Syenna for everie time that they are present at their solemn Processions , plenary Indulgengences for all their sinnes past , and 40 yeares , & 7 daies over , to some for to come , & this for ever , with extent of like grace to all other , that by their presence shall honor those processions , but to last no longer then till the yeare of Iubile . Now besides these and infinite other of this stile , there are Indulgences more free , and lesse restrained then for time , place , or duty , to give them by grant from Pope Iohn the twentith , every inclining of the head at the name of Iesus , getteth twentie yeares pardon , a matter in Italy , no not at this time vnpractised . And to grace that ceremonie the more , I have heard sundry of their renowmed Divines teach in Pulpit , that Christ himselfe on the Crosse bowed his head , all Altars of station , which are in very great number , haue their certaine perpetuall Indulgences indifferent for all times , sundrie Crosses graven in Pavements of their Churches , have Indulgenges annexed for everie time they are kissed , which is so often by the devouter sex , that hard Marble is worne with it . The third and fourth Masse ( as they say ) is a preservative and ransome of his parents from Purgatorie , yea though they should be sung without any such intention , which causeth many warye men which would bee sure from Purgatorie , to make some one of their children a Priest alwaies . The saying of the Beades over , with a Medall or other trinket of the Popes benediction appendant , getteth plenarie Indulgence and deliverie of what soule out of Purgatorie one pleaseth .

9 For to speake also somewhat of their life and conversation , Their conversation of Italian Romanistes . & as briefly as may be ( being a theam Itake very smal delight to handle ) neither being of any great profit to be knowne & yet being knowne sufficiently to all men , too much to some , who not content to spot themselues with al Italian impurity , proceed on to impoyson their Country also at their returne hither , that we need not marvaile if those rare villaines which our ancestors never dreamed of , do now grow frequent , and such men as they would have swept out of their Cities and streets , as the noysome disgrace and dishonour of them , and confined to a Dungeon or other desolate habitation , doe vaunt themselves now , & with no meane applause , for the onely gallants and worthie spirits of the world .

But to touch so much of their lives as shall bee necessarie for this purpose , and rather the causes then the effects themselves , it is not to bee marvailed , if the glorie of their Religion , ( consisting most in outward shewe , and the exquisitenesse in the number of intricate dumbe Ceremonies , if their devotions being not seasoned with vnderstanding requisite , but prised more by tale then by weight of zeale , if as by the vertue of their Sacraments , of their actes of pietie , being placed more in the verie massie materialitie of the outwarde worke , then in the puritie of the heart from which they proceede ) it is not , I say , to bee marvailed though the fruites also of their conversation bee like vnto those rootes , rather such as may yeelde some reasonable outwarde obedience to Lawes , then approove that inwarde integritie and sinceritie of that fountaine from whence they issue . For although in their civil carriage one towards another , they have especiall good vertues , well worth the imitating , beeing a people , for the most part , of a grave and stayed behaviour , very respective and curteous , not curious , or medling in other mens matters , besides that auncient frugalitie in their dyet , which to their great case and benefite they still retaine .

And there bee also amongst them , as in all other places , some men of excellent and rare perfection , yet can it not bee dissembled , but that generally the whole Countrey is strongly overflowne & overcome with wickednesse , with filthinesse of speech , with beastlinesse of actions , both governors & subiects , both priests & Friers , each striving ( as it were ) with other in impudencie therin , even so farre forth , that what in other places woulde not be tollerated , is there in high honor , what elsewhere even a lose person would be ashamed to confes , their priests and Friers refraine not openly to practise , yea , if any man forbeare the like , they finde it very strange , & hold integrity for little better then seeliness or abiectnesse . I cannot heere forget the saying of an Italian Gentleman of verie good qualitie , but in faction Spanish , at my first entry into Italy : namelie that the Italians were excellent men but for three faults they had : in their lust they were vnnaturall ; in their malice vnappeasable , and that they would deceive all men . Vnto which he might truly have added ; They spend more vpon other men , then vpon themselves , they blaspheme oftner then sweare , and murther more then revile or slaunder : notwithstanding , this testimony I yeelde , not onely willingly , but gladly to them : ( for what ioy could it be to the heart of any man , to see men fall irrecoverablely from the love and lawes of the Creator : ) That at one time of the yeare , ( namely at Lent , ) they are much reformed , no such blaspheming or durty speaking , their vanities of all sorts reasonablely laid aside , their pleasure abandoned , their apparrell , their diet & all things else composed to austerity & state of penance . They have daily their preaching with collection of almes whereof all men resort : and to iudge of them by the outward shew , they seeme to have generally a great remorce of their wickednesse : in so much , that I must confesse , I seemed to my selfe in Italy , to have learned the right vse of Lent , there first to have discerned the right fruit of it , and the reason for which those sages at the first did institute it ; neither can I easily accord to the fancies of such ( as because wee ought at all times to leade a life worthy of our profession ) thinke it therefore superstitious , to have one time wherein to exact or respect it more then another : But rather doe this conceive , that seeing the corruption of the times and wickednesse of mans nature is now so exorbitant , that a hard matter it is , to hold the ordinary sort of men at all times within the lists of piety , iustice , and sobriety , it is fit therefore that their should be one time at least in the yeare , & that of a reasonable continuance , wherein the season it selfe , the vse of the world , and practife of all men ( for even the Iewes and Turkes have their Lent , though different ) the commaundement of superious , and in some the verie outwarde face and expectation as it were of all thinges , should constraine men ( how wicked and retchlesse soever ) for that time to recall themselves to some more severe cogitations and courses , lest sinne having no such Bridle to checke it at anie time , should at length waxe headstrong and vnconquerable in them ; that on the other side being thus necessarily invred for a while , at least wise to make a bare shewe of walking in the pathes of vertue , they might afterwardes perhaps more sincerelie , and willinglie persist , or at least wise returne more readily vnto them some other time . And verily I have sundry times had this cogitation in Italie , that in great loosenesse of life , and decay of discipline in those partes , it was the speciall great mercie and grace of God , that the severitie of Lent should be still preserved , least otherwise the flouds of sinne growing so headstrong , and outragious , and having no where , either bound or banke to restraine them ; might plunge that whole Nation into such a gulfe of wickednesse , and bring them to that last extremitie , which should leave them neither hope for better , nor place for worse : yea & I was so farre from thinking the institution of Lent superfluous , or the restraint in it vnprofitable , that I rather inclined to like the custome of the Greeke Church , who besides their great Lent , have three other Lents also in the yeare , though the other neither so long , nor yet so strict a generall observation . Two things are further to be added in the honour of Italie : Their Monasteries seemed , for the most part , to bee greatly reformed of that they have beene , and of that they still are in Fraunce , and other places , where their loosenesse of government , and often scandalles ensuing , dooth breed them a reputation cleane contrarie to their profession , and the reason is whi●● the Monasteries and Covent of Friers are not reformed : there is a feare that the Pope hath , that over-great severitie woulde cause a great number to disfrier themselves , and flie to Geneva , vppon hope of more lybertie , which hee estemeth an inconvenience , more to be shunned , then the former mischeife . An other thing verie memorable , and to be imitated in Italie , is the exceeding good provisions of Hospitals and houses of pietie , for olde Persons enfebled , for poore folkes maimed or diseased , for Gentillitie impoverished , for travellers distressed , for lewd women converted , for children abandoned , which the devotion of former times have founded and enriched , and this present age dooth verie faithfully & discretly governe , and if it were not for those houses , in the number , goodlynesse , and great revenewes whereof , Italie exceedeth anie one Countrey in the world , it might be said to be p●ore and miserable : for though it be incomparably the richest Nation in Christendome at this day in all the West parts , by reason of their long peace , and their neighbours long warres , yet considered that their welth there , is so ill digested , and so vnequally divided in the bodie thereof , by the infinitenesse and eversucking veynes of their taxes and customs , carrying all their blood to the higher partes , and leaving the lower readye to faint , starve , and wither , It is not vntruly sayde , that the rich men of Italie are the richest , and the poore the poorest creatures , that any one Countrey can yeelde againe , both which in a well pollicied state were to be avoyded . Besides these Hospitalles , they have their houses of free loane to the poore , which is some helpe , seeing Italie of all other places is most infected with Vsurie ▪

But now to come to the view of their Ecclesiasticall government , how it is referred to the conduct of soules to their true happinesse ( which should be the naturall and proper end of that regiment , whereof I can say little , ) and how it is addressed to the vpholding of their worldly power , and glory of their Order , to the advancing of their part , and overthrow of their opposites , which I suppose to be the chiefe point they now respect ; as I thinke it may be truly said , that there was never yet state framed by mans wit in the world , more powerfull and forcible to worke those effects , never any more wisely contrived and plotted , more constantly and diligently put in practise and execution , that if the foundation bee free from vntruth and dishonestie ( for rottennesse of heart is an infirmitie which will ruine all strength builded thereon ) their outward meanes were sufficient to subdue a whole world . Now as in every Art and Science there are some certaine propositions , vpon the vertue whereof all the rest depend , so in their Art also they have certaine assertions which as indemonstrable principles they vrge all to receive & hold in this maner . ● That they are the church of God , within the which there is great facility , and without which there is no possibilitie of salvation . 2 That divine prerogative is granted vnto them abve all the people in the world , which doth preserve them everlastingly from erring in matters of faith , and from falling from GOD . 3 That the Pope being Christes deputie , hath the keyes of heaven in custodie , to admit in by Indulgence , & shut out by excommunication , as he shall see cause . 4 That the charge of all soules being committed to him , he is thereby made soveraigne prince of this world , exceeding in power and maiestie all other princes , as far as the soule in dignitie doth exceed the bodie , & eternall things surmount things temporall : and seeing the end , is the ruler and commander of whatsoever doe tend vnto it , and all things in this world are to serve but as instruments ; and the world it self but as a passage to our everlasting habitation . 5 That therfore he that hath the managing of this high honour to be the supream conductor vnto it , hath also power to dispose of all things subordinate as may best serve to it , to plant , to roote out , to establish , to depose , to bind , to loose , to alter , to dispence , as may serve most fitte for the advancement of the church , and for the atcheving of the soules felicitie , wherein whosoever oppose against him , whether by Heresie or Schisme , they are no other then verie Rebels or seditious persons , against whom he hath vnlimited & endlesse power , to proceede to the suppressing , ruining and extinguishing of them by all meanes that the Common-welth of God may florish in prosperitie , and the high way to heaven bee kept safe and open for all Gods loyall and obedient people . In these poynts no doubtes or questions are tolerable And whoso with them ioyne in these , shall find great connivence , in what other defect or difference soever : this being the very touchstone by which all men are to be tried , whether they be in the Church , or out of the Church ; whether with them , or against them : and by this plott have their wits erected in this worlde , a Monarchie more potent then ever any that have bene before it : A Monarchye , which intitling them ( de iure ) to all the world , layeth a strong foundation thereof in all mens conciences , ( the onelie firme ground of obedience in the worlde ) and such a foundation , as not onely holdeth fast vnto them whatsoever it feazeth on , but worketh outwardly also by engines , to weaken , and vndermine the states of all other Princes howe great so ever , and that in such sort , as by possessing themselves of the principall places , the hearts of their subiects ( as being those from whome they have their principall good , even the happinesse of their soules ) to incite vppon everie conscience a gaynest their naturall Soveraigne at pleasure , and by a writte of Excommunication to svbdue , or at leastwise greatly to shake whom they list , without fighting a blow , without leavying a Souldier ; & lastly , a Monarchie which as it was founded by meere witte , needeth not anie thing but meere witte to mainetaine it , which enricheth it self without labouring , warreth without endangering , rewardeth without spending , vsing Colledges to a great purpose , as others can fortresses , & working greater matters , partly by Schollers , partly by swarmes of Friars , than else they could ever doe by great garrisons & armies . And all these maintained at other mens charges , for to that rare poynt have they also proceeded , as not onely to have huge rents themselves out of other mens states , but to maintaine also their instruments out of other mens devotions , and to advance their favorites , vnder the faire pretence of providing for Religion , to the verie principall preferments in forraine Princes Dominions . That no man need find it strange , if finding the revenew of skill and cunning to be great , and their force mightie , especially what they worke vpon simplicitie , and ignorance . They inclosed in times past all learning within the wals of their Cleargie , setting forth Ladie Ignorance for a great Saint to the Laitie , and shewing her vnto them for the true mother of Devotion . And assuredly , but for one great defect in their pollicy , which was hard in regard of their owne particular ambition , but otherwise not impossible to be avoided ; That they choose their Pope lightly verie old , and withall , without any restraint of all Families and Nations , whereby they are continually subiect to double change of government : The Successor seldome prosecuting his Antecessors devices , but eyther crossing them through envie , or abandoning them vpon new humour , it could not have been , but they must have long since beene absolute Lords of all : which defects notwithstanding ( so strong was their pollicy by reason of the force of their Cardinall fonndation : ) That no Prince , or Potentate ever opposed against them , but in fine , even by his owne Subiects , they eyther maistered him , or vtterly brought him to good conformitie , by great losse and extreamitie , t●ll such time as in his latter age the bottom of the foundation it selfe being stoutly discovered , hath given them a sore blow , hath changed in great part the state of the question , and hath driven them to a re-inforcement of new inventions and practises .

12 Howbeit those positions being the ground of their state , and the hope of their owne glory , in them they admit no shadow of alteration , but indevour still per fas & nefas , euen by all the meanes in the world to strengthen them , and ( amongst their manifold adversaries ) hate them most of all other , who have laboured most in stopping of that foundation . And seeing that by reason of this bookish age , they have not that helpe of ignorance which in times past they had , they cast about greatly to soake and settle them in mens perswasions and consciences by another way : They tell men , that the very ground whereon we build our perswasion of the truth of Christianity it self , are no other then credible : That the proofes of the Scripture to be the word of God can be no other at this day than probable , onely being impossible for any wit in the world to produce , exact , necessary , and infallible demonstrations : Eyther that the holy Apostle Saint Paule had his calling from above , or that those Epistles were of his writing , so likewise in the rest , and that the chiefe proofe that we have therof , is the testimony of the church , a thing which their very adversaries are forced to confesse . Now that this probable perswasion of the truth of Christianity doth afterward grow to an assurednesse therof , this issueth from an inward operation of Gods divine spirit , the gift whereof is faith ; and that faith being a knowledge , not of bare science , but of beleefe , which searcheth not the particular necessitie of the veritie of things delivered , but relieth in generall vpon the approoved wisedome , truth and vertue of him that doth deliver it . Then surely , whosoever will have necessarie proofe of the severall Articles of Religion , doth but wittily deceive himselfe , and by over-curious indevour to chaunge his faith into science , doth loose that which he seeketh to perfect : If then without faith there is no possibly of Salvation , this surely must needes be the hie way to perdition . Now seeing christianitie to be a doctrine of faith , a doctrine whereof all men , even children are capable , as being grosse , and to be beleeved in generall : The high vertue wherof ●s in the humility of vnderstanding , and the merite in the readinesse of obedience to imbrace it ( for these have beene alwaies the true owners of faith . ) And seeing the outward proofes are no other than probable , and of all probable proofes , the Church testimonie is most probable : what madnesse were it for any man to tire out his soule , and to waste away his spirites , in tracing out all the thorhy paths of the controversies of these daies , wherein to erre is no lesse easie than dangerous , what through forgery abusing him , through Sophistrie transporting him , and not rather to betake himselfe to the right path of trueth , whereunto God and Nature , Reason and Experience doe all give witnesse : and that is to associate himselfe to that Church , whereunto the custody of this heavenly and supernaturall trueth hath beene from heaven it selfe committed , to weigh discretely which is the true Church , and that beeing once found , to receive faithfully and obediently without doubt or discussion whatsoever it delivereth . Nowe concerning the first point some doubt might be made , if there were any Church Christian in the world to be shewed which had continued from Christs time downe to this age , without change or interruption , this only excepted : But if all other have had their end or decay long since , or their beginning but of late , if theirs bee founded by the Prince of the Apostles , with promise by him , That hel gates should not prevaile against it , but that himselfe would be assisting to it , vntill the consummation of the world , which hath continued on , now to the end of a thousand sixe hundred and foure yeares , with an honourable and certaine line of two hundred and fortie Popes , all beeing Successours of Saint Peter ; both Tyrants and Traitors , both Pagans , and Heretiques , in vaine wrestling raging barking , and vndermining , if all the lawfull Councels that ever were in the world , being the general Senates of Gods officers and Ministers have from time to time approved , obeyed , and honored it ; if God have so miraculous●y blessed it from above , as that so many sage Doctors should in●ich it with their writings , such armies , yea millions of Saints with their holines , of Martires with their blood , of Virgins with their puritie , should sanctifie and seale it ; if their Church have beene a ruine alwaies to them that opposed against her , a stay , repose , and advancement to all her followers ; if even at this day in such difficulties of rebellions and revolts of her neerest children , yet she stretcheth out her armes to the vttermost corners the world , embracing whole Nations into her bosome ; If lastly in all other opposite Churches whatsoever , ther be nothing to be found but inward dissention and contrarietie , change of opinions , vncertaintie of resolutions , robbing of churches , robellion against Governors , confusion of orders , nothing to be attended but mischefe , subversion , and destruction ( which they have well deserved , and shall assuredly have ) whereas contrary , in their Churches , the vnitie vndivided , the obedience vnforced , the resolvtions vnalterable , the most heavenly order reaching from the height of all power , to the very lowest of all subiection , with admirable harmonie , and vndefective correspondencie , al tending to the same way , to the effecting of the same worke , did promise no other than continuance , increase , and victorie . Let no man d●●bt to submit himselfe to this glorious spouse of God , ●● whose head is the blessing of God , in whose hand is the power of God , vnder whose feet are the enemies of God , & to whom round about do service all the creatures of God . This then being accorded to be the true Church of God , it followeth that shee be reverently obeyed in all things , without further inquifition , having this warrant , That whoso heareth her , heaeth Christ , and whosoever heareth her not , hath no better place then a Publican or a Pagan . And what folly were it to receive the Scripture vpon the credit of her authority , and not to receive the interpretation also vpon her authority and credite ? And if GOD should not protect his Church alwaies from error , and peremptorily command all men to obey her , then had hee made but slender provision for the Salvation of mankinde , to whome errour in matter of faith is certaine damnation ; which conceipt of God ( whose care of vs , even in all thinges touching this transitorie life , is so plaine and evident ) were vngratefull and impious . And hard were the case , and meane had beene his regard of the vulgar people , whose wants and difficulties in this life will not permit ; whose capacities will not suffice , to sound the deepe and hidden mysteries of divinity , to search out intricate controversies , if there were not other , whose authority they might rely on : Blessed therfore are they which beleeve and have not seen , the ●●erite of whose religious humilitie and obedience , doth exceede perhaps in honour and acceptation before God , the subtill and profound knowledge of many other . And lastly , if any man , either in regard of his vocation , or reason of his leasure , list to studie the controversies , let him take heede he come not with a doubtfull minde vnto them , ( for diffidence is as the sinne of rebellion ) let him be stedfast in faith , let him submitt his owne reason to the Churches authoritie , being the house of God , the pillar and ground of truth , let him be fast and immoveably built vppon that foundation , and let his end onely bee this ; to furnish and arme himselfe in such sort , as to bee able to withstand and overthrow those heretiques , when , they shall at any time chose or chance to encounter , This is the maine course of of their perswading at this day , whereby they seeke to re-establish that former foundation : In the vnfolding whereof , I have beene the longer because triall hath taught mee that not by some mens private election , but as it should seeme by common order ▪ direction , or consent , they have relinquished all other courses , and doe hold them to this as the most effectuall meanes , by the way of perswasion to worke this designe . In considering whereof , there commeth to my minde , that diversity which a wise Philosopher hath intimated in the wits of men ; That some are of so sharpe , deepe , and strange discourse , that they yeelde not their assent vnto any thing vntill they have found out , either some proper demonstration for it , or some other certaine proofe whereon to ground it ●suredly , Others are so shallow and weake in that faculty , that they feare alwaies errour : and therefore doe more willingly accord to whatsoeuer some of account for wisdome doe barely affirme , then to any thing which this reason alone ( which they suspect ) inferreth . Now these latter exceeding the other , as farre in number , as in worthynesse and honour of nature , they are exceeded by them ; the Romanist taking a course so fitting to the feeble and fearefull humour of this sort , do greatly sway with them , wheras if they meet with one of the former , of more tough constitution , that wil not be carried away with those plausible declamations , nor yeeld his consent in grosse , without particular examinations , they bestow smal cost on him as having small hope to prevaile : wherein I holde them wise in the rules of pollicy ; that having found by certaine and vnfaileable experience , that the ignorance of the Laity was the cheefest and surest finewe of their greatnesse and glorie , they now beeing not able to keepe them longer in that blinde ignorance , doe cunningly endevour so to leade them out of the briars , as to enter them withall into a second kinde of ignorance ; that beeing not content to see vtterly nothing , at leastwise they may bee perswaded to resigne vp their owne eye sight , and to looke through such spectacles as they temper for them .