You are hartilie welcome good sir with all my hart .

How farre purpose you to trauell this way by the grace of God ?

As far as Nodnol if God permit .

What place is that I pray you , and where is it scituate ?

It is a famous citie ; and the chiefest place in Dnalgne , haue you not heard of it ?

No truely . For I am a stranger , and newly come into these countries , onely to sée fashions , and to learne the state and condition of those things whereof I am ignorant .

What country man are you , I pray you , if I may be so bold as to aske ?

I am of the country and nation of the Idumeans , a cruell , fierce , and seruile kind of people .

I haue béene in those countries my selfe ere now , and therefore it is maruell that you knowe me not .

Me thinke I should knowe you , but yet I cannot call your name to remembrance .

My name is Amphilogus somtime of your acquaintance , though now you haue ( through tract of time , which is Omnium rerum edax , A deuourer of al things ) forgot the same . But notwithstanding that you haue forgot me , yet I remember you very well : is not your name Maister Theodorus ?

Yes truly my name is Theodorus , I neither can , nor yet will euer denie the same .

What make you in these countries , if I may aske you without offence ?

Truly I came hither to sée the country , people , and nation , to learne the toong , and to sée ( as I told you ) the state generally of all things .

I praie you then giue me leaue ( vnder correction ) to aske you such necessary questions , as are incident to my purpose , and which may serue for my better instruction in all the foresaide premisses ?

Go to then , aske on in the name of God , and I will addresse my selfe to satisfie your reasonable requests in any thing I can .

What be the inhabiters of this countrie ? Be they a vertuous , godlie , and religious kinde of people , or other wise cleane contrarie ?

Surely they are as all other countries and nations be for the most part , inclined to sinne , and wickednes , drinking vp iniquitie as it were water , but yet I am persuaded that albeit all flesh hath corrupted his way before the face of GOD , yet is there not any nation or countrey vnder the sunne that for pride , whoredome , droonkennes , gluttonie and all kinde of oppression , iniurie , and mischiefe , may compare with this one country of Dnalgne , God be mercifull vnto it , and hasten his kingdome that all wickednes may be done away .

Then as in all other countries , where euer I haue trauelled , so in this also , is verified the old adage , namely , that the first age of the world was called Aurea aetas , the golden age , for that men liued godlie , & in the feare of God , the second age was called Argentea aetas , the siluer age , for that men began somewhat to decline , and fall from their former holinesse , and integritie of life , to sinne and wickednes : the thirde and last age , which is this that we are fallen into , is and may iustlie be called Ferrea or Plumbea aetas , the yron or leaden age , in as much as now men are fallen from all godlinesse whatsoeuer , and are as it were wedded to iniquitie , committing sinne without any remorse , and running into all kinde of abhomination and impietie , without restraint . All which things dulie in the good hart of a faithful christian considered , & weied , may easilie persuade a wise man to think their destruction to be at hand , except they repent .

You saie verie well . Therfore I would wish them to take héed to themselues , and to leaue their wickednes before the Lords wrath be gon out against them , for let them be sure , that when the measure of their wickednesse is full , then will the Lord cut them off from the face of the earth if they repent not , and truely turne to the Lord . The wise man saith , that a little before destruction come , the hart of man shall swell into pride , and wickednes . Our sauiour Christ saith , when men flatter themselues , and saie peace , peace , al things are well , we néede not to feare any thing , then euen then shall sudden destruction fall vpon them , as sorrow commeth vpon a woman trauelling with childe , and they shall not escape , bicause they would not knowe the Lord , nor the day of his visitation . Which thing we sée to be true through al the histories of the sacred Bible , for when the Sodomits , and Gomorreans had filled vp the measures of their iniquitie , and faciate themselues in sinne , then came there fire and brimstone raining from heauen vpon them , and their citie , and consumed them all , from the vpper face of the earth . When all the worlde in the daies of Noah , was giuen ouer to sinne , and wickednes , immediatelie came the floud of Gods vengeance , and destroied them all , eight persons to wit , Noah , his wife , his thrée sonnes , and their wiues , who serued the Lord in true simplicity of hart , onelie excepted . The Hierosolimitanes when their sinne was ripe , were they not confounded , and put to the edge of the sworde ? When Pharao the king of Egypt his sinne was ripe , did not the Lord harden his hart to pursue the Israelits , and so drowned him , and all his retinue in the read sea ? Herod and Nabuchadnezer swelling in sinne , and rising vp against the maiestie of God in the malice of their harts , was not the one stroken dead in a moment , and eaten vp with worms , the other deposed from his kingdome , and constrained to eate grasse with the beasts of the earth , with the like examples , which for the auoiding of prolixitie , I omit . By all which it appeareth , that when destruction is néerest , then are the people the securest , and the most indurate and frosen in the dregs of their sinne , and being so , the sequele is either confusion in this life , or perdition in the world to come , or both . And therefore I beséech the Lord that both this country , and all others may repent , & amende euerie one their wicked waies , to the glorie of God and their owne saluation .

Is this country fruitfull , and plenty of all things or barren , and emptie ?

There is no nation or country in the world , that for store , and abundance of all things , may compare with the same , for of all things there is such plentie ( God haue the praise thereof ) as they may séeme to haue néede of no other nation , but al others of them . In so much as if they were wise people ( as they be wise inough , if they would vse their wisedome well ) to kéepe their owne substance within themselues , and not to transport it ouer to other countries ( as many couetous wretches for their owne priuate gaine doe ) they might liue richly and in abundance of all things , whilest other countries should languish and want . But hereof more shall be spoken hereafter .

I pray you how is this country adiacent , vpon other countries ?

It lieth inuironed with the occean sea rounde about , vpon the one side eastwarde , it bordereth vpon the confines of France : vpon the other side westward , vpon Irelande , towards the septentrionall or north part vpon Scotland , and vpon the south side , it respecteth Germanie . And is inhabited with thrée sundrie sortes of people , Englishmen , Cornishmen , and welchmen , all which if not in lawes , and constitutions , yet in language doe differ one from another . But as they doe differ in toong , and spéech , so are they subiect ( and that Patrio iure , By iustice , & law ) to one Prince , and gouernour onely to whom they owe their allegeance .

Is the country quiet , peaceable , and at vnitie within it selfe , or otherwise trobled with mutenies , wars , and ciuill dissentions ?

The whole lande ( God be praised therefore , and preserue hir noble Grace by whom it is gouerned , and maintained ) is , and hath beene at peace , and vnitie not onely within it selfe , but also abroad for this foure or fiue and twenty yeeres . During all which time there hath beene neither wars , inuasions , insurrectione , nor any effusion of blood to speake of , except of a fort of archtraitours , who haue receiued but the same reward they deserued , and the same that I pray God all traitours with their complices may receiue hereafter , if they practise the same , which they haue done . The like continuance of peace was neuer heard of not this hundred yéeres before , as this country hath inioied since hir maiesties reigne the Lord preserue hir grace , and roiall Maiestie for euer .

Are the other countries , lands , and nations about them ( for as I gather by your former intimations this country is scituate as it were in the centrie , or midst of others ) their friends , and welwillers , or their enimies ?

It is an old saieng and true : Ex incertis , & ambiguis rebus optimum tenere sapientis est : Of things vncerteine a christian man ought to iudge , and hope the best . They hope wel that all are their friends and welwillers : but it is thought ( and I feare me too true ) that they are so far from being their friends ( Nisi verbo tenus , From mouth outward onely ) that they haue vowed and sworne their destruction , if they could as easily atchiue it , as they secretly intend it . Which thing to be true , some of their late practises haue ( yet to their owne confusion , Gods name be praised ) proued true . For how manie times hath that man of sinne , that sonne of the diuell , that Italian Antichrist of Rome interdicted , excommunicated , suspended , and accursed with booke , bell , and candle , both the Prince , the Nobilitie , the Commons , and whole Realme ? How often hath he sent foorth his roring buls against hir Maiestie , excommunicating ( as I haue said ) hir Grace , and discharging hir Highnesse liege people , and naturall subiects from their alleageance to hir Grace ? How often hath he with his adherents conspired and intended the death and ouerthrowe of hir Maiestie , and Nobilitie by coniuration , necromancy , exorcismes , art magike , witchcraft , and all kind of diuelrie besides , wherein the most part of them are skilfuller , than in diuinitie ? And when these deuises would not take place , nor effect as they wished , then attempted they by other waies and meanes to ouerthrowe the estate , the Prince , nobles , people , and country : sometime by secret irruption , sometime by open inuasion , insurrection , and rebellion , sometime by open treason , sometime by secret conspiracie , and sometimes by one meanes , sometimes by another . And now of late attempted they the ouerthrowe and subuersion of hir Maiestie , people , country , and all , by sending into the realme a sort of cutthrotes , false traitors , and bloud thirstie Papists , who vnder the pretence of religious men ( in whom for the most part there is as much religion as is in a dog ) should not onely lurke in corners like howlets that abhorre the light , créepe into noble mens bosoms , thereby to withdrawe hir Maiesties subiects from their allegeance , but also mooue them to rebellion , and to take sword in hand against Prince , country , yea and against God himselfe ( if it were possible ) and to dispense with them that shall thus mischieuouslye behaue themselues . And forsooth these goodlie fellowes , the diuels agents , that must worke these feates , are called ( in the diuels name ) by the name of Iesuites , seminarie préests , and catholikes , vsurping to themselues a name neuer heard of till of late daies , being indéed a name verie blasphemously deriued from the name of Iesus , and improperly alluded and attributed to themselues . But what will it preuaile them to be like vnto Iesus in name onely , or how can they , nay how dare they arrogate that name vnto themselues , wheras their doctrine , religion , and whole profession , togither with their corrupt liues and conuersations are directly contrarie to the doctrine , religion , life , and profession of Christ Iesus ? There is nothing in the world more contradictorie one to another , than all their procéedings in generall are to Christ Iesus , and his lawes , and yet will they vnder the pretence of a bare and naked name , promise to themselues such excellencie , such integritie , and perfection , as GOD cannot require more , yea such as doth merite Ex opere operato , Eternall felicitie in the heauens . And thus they deceiue themselues , and delude the world also with their trash : but of them inough .

Surely that country had néede to take h●ed to it selfe , to feare , and stand in awe , hauing so manie enimies on euerie side . And aboue all things next vnto the seruing of God , to kéepe themselues aloofe , and in any case not to trust them what faire weather soeuer they make them : but rather to thinke thus , that when they flatter them the most , then intend they the most mischiefe against them . The swéeter the Syren singeth , the dangerouser is it to lend hir our eares : the Cocatrice neuer meaneth so much crueltie , as when he fawneth vpon thée , and weepeth , then take héed , for he meaneth to sucke thy bloud . The stiller the water standeth , the more perilous it is . Let them remember it is an old and true saieng : Sub melleiacet venetium , Under hony lieth hid poison . Sub placidis herbis latitat colube● , vnder the pleasantest grasse , lurketh the venemoust adder . Take héed of those fellowes that haue Mel in ore , verba lactis , swéet words , and plausible spéeches : for they haue Fel in corde , and Fraudem factis , Gall in their harts , & deceit in their deeds . So falleth it out with these ambidexters , these hollowe harted friends , where they intend destruction , then will they couer it with the cloke or garment of amity & friendship , therefore are they not to be trusted .

You say the truth . For I am thus persuaded , that he who is false to God ( as all Papists with their complices and adherents are ) can neuer be true and faithfull , neither to prince nor country . Therefore God grant they may be taken héed of betimes .

Considering that this country of Dnalgne is enuied abroad with so many enimies , and infested within by so many seditious Papists , and hollowe harted people , it is great maruell , that it can stand without great wars , and troubles . Belike it hath a wise politike prince , and good gouernors , either else it were vnpossible to preserue the same in such peace and tranquillitie , and that so long togither . I pray you therefore by what prince is the same gouerned , and after what maner ?

The whole realme or country of Dnalgne is ruled , and gouerned by a noble Quéene , a chaste Maide , and pure Uirgin , who for all respects may compare with any vnder the sunne . In so much as I doubt not to call hir sacred breast the promptuarie , the receptacle , or storehouse of all true virtue and godlines . For if you speake of wisdome , knowledge and vnderstanding , hir Grace is singular , yea , able at the first blush , to discearne truth from falsehood , and falsehood from truth in any matter , how ambiguous or obscure soeuer : so as it may iustly be called into question whether Salomon himselfe had greater light of wisedome instilled into his sacred breast , then hir maiestie hath into hir highnes roiall minde . If you speake of learning and knowledge in the toongs , whether it be in the Latine , Gréeke , French , Dutch , Italian , Spanish , or any other vsuall toong , it may be doubted whether Christendome hath hir péere , or not . If you speake of sobrietie , modestie , mansuetude , and gentlenesse , it is woonderfull in hir Highnesse , yea , so affable , so lowly and humble is hir Grace , as she will not disdaine to talke familiarlie to the meanest , or poorest of hir Graces subiects vpon speciall occasions . If you speake of mercie , and compassion to euery one that hath offended , I stande in suspence whether hir like were euer borne . If you speake of religion , of zeale and feruencie to the truth , or if you speake of the vpright execution or administration of iustice , all the world can beare witnes , that herein ( as in all godlinesse else ) hir Highnes is inferior to none that liueth at this day . So that hir Grace séemeth rather a diuine creature , then an earthly creature , a vessel of grace , mercie , and compassion , whereinto the Lord hath powred euen the full measures of his superabundant grace , and heauenlie influence . The Lord increase the same in hir Highnes roiall breast , and preserue hir Grace , to the end of the world , to the glorie of God , the comfort of hir Maiesties subiects , and confusion of all hir enimies whatsoeuer .

What is hir Maiesties Councell ? It should séeme that they must néedes be excellent men , hauing such a vertuous Ladie and Phenix Quéene to rule ouer them ?

The Councell are Honorable and noble personages indéed , of great grauitie , wisedome , and pollicie , of singular experience , modestie and discretion , for zeale to religion famous , for dexteritie in giuing counsell renoumed , for the administration of iustice , incomparable , finally , for all honorable and noble exploits inferior to none , or rather excelling all . So as their woorthie déedes through the golden trumpe of fame are blowne ouer all the worlde . The whole regiment of the Realme consisteth in the execution of good lawes , sanctions , statutes , and constitutions enacted and set foorth by hir royall Maiestie , and hir most honorable Councel , and committed by the same to inferior officers , and maiestrates to be put in practise , by whose diligent execution thereof , iustice is maintained , vertue erected , iniurie repressed , and sinne seuerely punished , to the great glorie of God , and common tranquilitie of the Realme in euery condition .

Is the lande diuided into shires , counties , precincts , and seuerall exempt liberties , to the ende iustice may the better be maintained ? And hath euery county , shire , and precinct , good lawes in the same for the deciding , and appeasing of controuersies that happen in the same , so that they néede not to séeke further for redresse than in their owne shire ?

The whole land indéede is diuided ( as you say , into shires , connties , and seuerall precincts , ( which are in number as I take it 40. In euerie which shire or countie be courts , lawe daies , and lée●s ▪ as they call them , euery moneth , or euery quarter of a yéere , wherin any controuersie ( lightlie ) may be heard and determined , so that none néeds ( except vpon some speciall occasions ) to séeke to other courts for deciding of any controuersie . But as there be good lawes if they were executed dulie , so are there corruptions , and abuses , not a few crept into them . For sometimes you shall haue a matter hang in sute after it is commenced a quarter of a yéere , halfe a yéere , yea , a twelue month , two or three yeeres togither , yea , seauen or eight yeeres now and then , if either friends or money can be made . This deferring of iustice is as damnable before God , as the sentence of false iudgment is , as that blessed martyr of God Maister Latimer hath said in a sermon made before King Edward the sixt . Besides this deferring and delaieng of poore mens causes , I will not say how iudgement is peruerted in the end . I réed them take héed to it that be the authors thereof . Therefore the reformed churches beyond the seas are woorthie of commendations , for there the Iudges sit in the open gates , stréets , and high waies , that euery man that will may speake vnto them , and complaine if he haue occasion . And so farre from delaieng , or putting of poore mens causes be they , as they will not suffer any matter how weighty soeuer to hang in sute aboue one day , or two , or at the most thrée daies , which happeneth verie seldome . But if the lawes within euery particular countie or shire were duly administred without parcialitie , and truly executed with all expedition , as they ought , and not so lingred as they be , then néeded not the poore people to run 100.200 , yea 300. or 400. miles ( as commonly they doe ) to séeke iustice ▪ when they might haue it néerer home : through the want whereof , besides that their sutes are like to hang in ballance peraduenture seuen yéeres , they hauing spent al in the end fall to extreme beggerie , which inconuenience might easilie be remoued , if all matters , and causes whatsoeuer were heard at home in their owne shire , or countie with expedition . And to say the truth , what fooles are they ( yea woorthie to be inaugured fooles with the laurell crowne of triple follie ) that whilst they might haue iustice at home in their owne country , and all matters of controuersie decided amongst their neighbors and friends at home , will yet go to lawe two or thrée hundred miles distant from them , and spend all that they haue to inrich a sort of gréedie lawiers , when at the last a sort of ignorant men of their neighbors must make an end of it whether they will or not . This me thinke , if euerie good man would perpend in himselfe , he would neither go to lawe himself , nor yet giue occasion to others to doe the like .

I gather by your spéeches that these people are very contentious and quarellous , either else they would neuer be so desirous of reuenge , nor yet prosecute the lawe so seuerely for euery trifle .

They are very contentious indéed . Insomuch as if one giue neuer so small occasion to another , sute must straight be commenced , and to lawe go they as round as a ball , till either both , or at least the one become a begger all daies of his life after .

But on the other side , if they shuld not go to lawe , then should they sustaine great wrong , and be iniuried on euery side .

Indéed the lawe was made for the administration of equitie and iustice , for the appeasing of controuersies & debates , and for to giue to euery man ( Quod suum est ) That which is his owne , but being now peruerted & abused to cleane contrarie ends ( for now commonly the law is ended as a man is frinded ) is it not better to suffer a little wrong with patience , referring the reuenge to him who saith : Mihi vindictam , & ego retribuam , Uengeance is mine , and I wil reward , than for a trifle to go to lawe , and spende all that euer he hath , and yet come by no remedie neither ? Our sauiour Christ biddeth vs if any man will go to law with vs for our cote , to giue him our cloke also , and if any man will giue thee a blowe on the one cheeke , turne to him the other , whereby is ment , that if any man will iniurie vs , and doe vs wrong , we should not resist , nor trouble our selues , but suffer awhile , and with patience refer the due reuenge thereof to the Lord .

Why ? Is it not lawful then for one Christian man , to go to lawe with another ?

The Apostle saith many things are lawfull which are not expedient , and therfore although it be after a sort lawfull , yet for euely trifle it is not lawfull , but for matters of importance it is . And yet not neither , if the matter might otherwise by neighbors at home be determined .

Yet some doubt whether it be lawfull or no for one Christian man to go to lawe with another for any worldly matter , bringing in the apostle Paule rebuking the Corinthians for going to lawe one with another .