THe thinge ( most Gratious Soveraigne ) which wee and all true English hearts haue long wished , & which ( now ) wee would most gladlie perswade The aime and drift of this book , and the method thereof . your highnes vnto , is this : That it would please your Grace with all convenient speede in Parliament , to cause all titles and claimes to the Crowne of England after your Maiesties decease , throughlie to be tried & examined : And then forthwith ( by sufficient authoritie thereof ) to declare and make knowne to your subiects , in whom the right to succeede you resteth . Concerning which point , as this discourse is like to want all kinde of eloquence : so also it will want all order and methode . First , we will set downe the reasons and arguments , which , ( as we conceiue ) ought to moue your Highnes to yeelde heerevnto : which done , wee will confute all the obiections of anie force , which wee can imagine haue beene , or can be made to staye you from yeelding herevnto .

First , we presume that you will easilie yeelde , that it is your duetie to doe that , The first argument . Princes ought to obey God . which God by his written word , hath enioyned all Christian Princes to doe : and that therein the setling of the Imperiall Crowne is enioyned to all such Princes , as a most necessarie dutie , plentifully and diuerslie it appeareth . For first , therin it is an vsuall thinge with the holy Ghost , to cal you Princes , Gods , & nursing Fathers Psal. 82. Esay 46. 23. and nursing mothers vnto his Church . What Princes are to learne in that they are called Gods and nurses by the holy Ghost . Which names and titles , as they proue the honorablenesse and lawfulnesse of your high callings , against all Anabaptisticall spirites : so they are giuen you , to teache you your duties , and what you ought to bee towardes the people committed vnto your charge : Namely , that your dutie towards them is , to be as gods and naturall fathers and mothers : for the resemblance that is betwixt the office of God towards man his creature , and parents towardes their Children , is the ground & certaine cause , why these high names are communicated and giuen vnto you by the spirit of God . Now , who is so simple but he knoweth and wil confesse , that God not onlie careth and prouideth for his people for the present time , or some certaine season onlie : but also for al times & seasons . And it is most euident , that nature hath taught parents to think that they do not their duties , vnlesse they prouyde ( not onlie ) what they may , for the good of their children whylest they them-selues liue : but also for their wealth and prosperity , to the vttermoste of their powers , after their death . Wherefore , if your Maiestie would bee iustlie honoured with these high and regarde-full titles , and haue right ( indeed ) vnto them : then you see , that it is not enough for the tyme present , while you your self liue , to prouide for the safetie and welfare of your subiectes , what you may : but also that you are bound to doe what lyeth in you for their peace & safetie , wealth and prosperitie after you bee gone . And how can this be by anie meanes The conclusion of the first argument ioyned with an exhortation . more conueniently , then by yeelding to this motion : yea , if this be not yeelded vnto , ( you beeing of that rare wisdom & fore-sight that you are : ) you cannot choose but see , that immediatlie after your death , there is nothing else to bee looked for , but extreame confusion and subversion of the whole estate of this your noble land . As therefore you are our head , shew your self to haue dutifull care and loue to your bodie , that if you may help it ( as by yeelding heerevnto in time you may ) you leaue it not headles , as a dead trunk . And seeing God hath ordayned you our nursing mother , wee your children cry vpon you , & most earnestlie beseech you , that by neglecting this motion , you vnnaturallie leaue vs not vnto the evident spoile of the mercilesse bloodie sword . And seing God hath honored you with his owne name , most deare soueraigne , take heed , you doe not vnto him , & vnto your self that dishonor for lack of listning to this counsell , contrary to his wil & nature , to leaue vs your people wittingly & willingly at random , to the rage & furie of hell & helhounds .

But to proceed , secondly in the word it is also written , That hee hath denyed The second 〈…〉 . 5. 8. the faith , and is worse than an infidell that prouydeth not for his owne : as Maisters of families are bound to prouyde for their families after their death , therefore the Queene for her kingdome . namelie , them of his familie : where , this word [ prouydeth ] biddeth not onlie such ( whiles they liue ) to prouyde what they may for the necessary good of theirs , during their owne liues : but also , after they be gone : as reason , nature , and experience hath taught ( in al ages ) all Christian housholders to take it . Now , what be your subiectes , and al the inhabitantes of your noble dominions , else , but your Graces Royall familie ? Doubtlesse , you are the Mistresse , head , & housholder appointed of the Lord , to this honourable familie . And you may not think that the holie Ghost hath thus tied & bound pettie housholders to care , and to prouyde thus ( euerie way ) both for their owne time , and after , for their small and little families : and that he leaues such mighty parents and housholders as you Princes be at libertie to prouyde for the good of your Politique families , but for as long , and as little a tyme as you list . Nay , without all doubt , hee that hath thus taught care and prouision to bee made for the lesse , he would not ( in anie case ) haue the greater neglected : yea , certaine it is , that seing vnder this penaltie , euerie meane housholder is to prouyde for his familie : much more stronglie , such as you are , be therefore bounde to prouyde for yours . wherfore , to make your successor known , being an especiall meane to prouide for the good of your people , as most certain lie it is , you see by this place that you are bound thervnto most strictly , as you are desirous to be counted our Christian Queene and Mistresse , and as you would bee loath to bee accounted of the Lord , one that had denied the faith , & so worse then an infidell : euen so , in no case , you may not omitte this Christian point of prouision for vs .

Furthermore , Saint Paule giueth this as a generall rule to all Christians , of The 3. argum . Philip. 4. 8. what degree soeuer , that they woulde think of , and seek after what things soeuer , Princes are bound to seek after things that be iust ▪ ho are honest , iust , and of good report , to the end that they might practise and performe the same . Of which kinde , to nest and commendable , of which sort is this especially to make their successour knowne . make your successour knowne in manner afore-said , is one : for who can denie , but that it is honest , iust , and of wonderfull good report , for a Christian Queene , to haue that care , and tender loue towards her naturall subiects , as for their peace & tranquillity , and to preuent infinite most euident euils , that otherwise shee seeth they must needes fall into , to establish where , and in whom , the right of succession to the Crowne resteth ? Wherefore by this rule of the Apostle you are to thinke of it , and carefullie to go about it . The iustnes of this conclusion wil cleerlie appeare vnto you , if you doe but a little weigh with your self , first how honest a thing it is for you , to seek by such a lawfull meane , to preserue your natural subiects and dominions : secondlie , how iust a thing it is that you should , in this so great and weighie a controuersie , determine in whome the right is ▪ and thirdly , of howe good and honorable report it must needs be , that you therein & thereby should shewe your selfe most louing and carefull ouer all your subiects , in so honorably prouyding for their good & safety : both during your owne time , and after .

Moreouer , least you should think , that wee goe about by these argumentes to The 4. argument . The president of Moses and Dauid , who established their successors before they died . perswade you to that which others of your place haue not thought themselues ( vpon consideration of the same , or the lyke arguments ) bound to shewe themselues mindeful of : may it please you further to call to minde , that it is written to the everlasting commendation of Moses that famous and first publick governour of the people of Israell , that hee vnderstanding that shortlie he should die , and foreseeing into what confusion that people would be brought , if hee should leaue them without a knowne successor , made this earnest prayer vnto the Lord , saying : Let the Lord God of the spirites Numb. 27. 16. ●● . of all flesh , appoint a man ouer the congregation , who may go in and out before them , and lead them out and in , that the congregation of the Lord , bee not as sheepe without a sheep-heard . And that it may appeare how well this care of his ( to make his successor knowne before he died ) was liked & approued of the Lord , it followeth immediatlie in the same place , that the Lord gaue him direction Numb. 27. 18. to appoint Ioshuah , the sonne of Nun , to be the man . According to which direction , it is recorded also in another place , that Moses most willingly & faithfullie did ordaine him to succeed him . By this president & good example , Nathan Numb. 27. 22. 23. Deut. 31. 5. had a good warrant to moue Bathshebah ( as the fittest person to make the motion ) to go vnto king Dauid , and to put him in remembrance of the dangerous consequent of not notifying in his life-time , who should succeed him . Who beeing therevpon mooued by her to declare who it should be , as it appeareth in the storie , most readilie and speedilie , in most solemne manner , caused Salomons 1. King . 1. from the 11. verse vnto the 41. verse . title to be published to be the right , and the next . And so danger was preuented , though Adoniiah was then vp in armes for it : & olde Dauid went vnto his graue in peace , and the kingdome was established to Salomon his sonne , and most notably it flourished in his time . There was likelie then to haue bene great contention about the title of succession amongst the sonnes that Dauid had by diuers wyues : and so great perill to the kingdome The comparison of Israell and England . and subiects of Dauid . The consideration whereof made Dauid carefull to end the controuersie in his life-time . But now amongst vs , the contention for the crowne , when God hath once taken you hence ( if by like meanes by you it be not preuented ) is like to bee amongst the children of diuerse families , and therfore the more deadlie : and consequentlie the more dangerous . Wherefore as the state of Israell then mooued Dauid to make his successor knowne : so nowe the state of England ought to moue you : for herein , he did but that which Moses example taught him to doe : and therefore that , which as a king he was bound to doe . Againe it is euident in the story that the Lord did lyke and allowe of his so doing , and therefore there was obedience therein to the Lordes will : for mans owne will-works , he neuer delighteth in . An example then it is to follow in the like case to all good Kings and Queenes : and as a mirrour , it remayneth still to all such to teache them to doe the like , when like neede requyreth . For whatsoeuer is written in the Scripture , Application of the former examples to her Maiestie . Rom. 15. 4. is written for our learning . Think therefore ( moste gratious soueraigne ) that these facts of Moses and Dauid are thus recorded in the holiestoric , not onlie that you should knowe that God his Magistrates thus gouerned : but especiallie , that hereby you may learne to gouerne to the safetie of your subiectes , as they did . Thus you see , that neither perill to their persons , nor feare of Eclipsing of their owne present honors could stay either of these from gouerning to the safetie of their people : and yet they had sufficient wisdome to foresee what might befall them that way . And therefore , if it were vertue and obedience to God in them : and so , no worke of supererogation , as sufficientlie it hath alreadie appeared : how can it be but a falt and disobedience to his holy will in your Maiestie , if ( vppon so vrgent and iust occasion as they or euer any Prince had ) you refuse to doe as they did ?

Further we reade that when Esay the Prophet brought Hezekiah word that he should set his house in order , for that hee should die : that the king wept sore : of Esay . 38. 1. 2. The fift argument from the example of Ezechiah , who wept when he heard that he should die , becaus then there was no heire apparant to succeed him . which his weeping , S. Augustine vppon Esay affirmeth this to bee the principall cause , that if then he had died , he had died without an heyre apparant . And very well may it be so , for if it had so falne out to his griefe he foresawe , that not onely great calamities and troubles therevpon would haue ensued to his people , but also , that it was some testimonie of the Lords wrath towards him , if in him God should haue ceased from performing his promise to Dauid , of neuer leauing him without one to sit on his throne after him : which caused him rather to weepe , then the newes of his death , saieth Augustine . And to vse a good proofe for the truth heereof , this is certaine , that Manasses his heire that succeeded him , was not either borne or begotten when he so wept . For it is said that he was but twelue yeares old when he began to raigne ▪ and Ezechiah vppon his repentance had 15. yeares added to his life , after thus he had wept . Least therefore your Maiesty haue iust cause bitterly to weepe , for the denying of this mercie to your naturall people , euen then , when you woulde moste gladelie haue comfort and consolation : and doe moste ferventlie craue it at the Lords hand : Sweet Ladie , prouide aforehand that there may be one known , who of right is to sit vppon your throne after you , when you be gone to the Lord .

The rather ( most noble soueraigne ) The sixt argument from the example of her Maiesties father , King Henrie the eight . your Maiestie is to take these examples to heart , and to imitate them : because your owne most noble Father King Henrie the eight of famous memory , shewed himself , as appeareth not onelie by diverse statutes made in his time , and by him produced to that end : but also by his wordes ( yet in Chronicle ) to his great ●●●●ton pag. ●●76 . honor and renowne , most carefull & willing to imitate the same : for it is chronicled that hee saide thus in Parliament to his subiects . When wee remember our mortalitie , and that we must die , then do we think that our doings in our life-time are cleerlie defaced , and worthie of no memorie , if wee leaue you in trouble at the time of our death : for if our true heire be not knowne at the time of our death , see what mischief and trouble shall succeede to you and your children . Marke ( gracious Queene ) your deare father in his wisdom fore-saw wonderfull miseries immediatlie and directlie arising , from his leaving of his subiectes without succession knowne , and established : and that of his compassion and commiseration that therein hee had of his naturall subiectes , hee was a prouoker of them , that therein sufficient order might bee taken , to preuent it . Marke also , that hee contented not himself with ruling of them well , and protecting of them in safetie & peace whilest hee himself liued : but that his care for them stretched to their children & childrens children . God ( for his Christs sake ) grant your grace to proue his naturall childe heerein . But that it might appeare , that vppon sound aduise and good experience he had spoken the former words , he addeth a dole-full president , saying vnto his Nobles : The experience whereof some of you haue heard , what mischief and man slaughter continued in this Realme betwixt the houses of Yorke and Lancaster : By which dissention , this Realme had like clearlie to haue bene destroied . O Christian and sweet words , worthie such an heroicall and mightie Potentate of the world : truly , worthy to be written in letters of gold and alwaies to be carried and drawne in a Table before the eies of all his successors to the worldes end : for though the things done by him in his life-time , for the good of his people , were manie and great , euen such as ought neuer to be for gotten : yet see , he counted al them clearlie defaced , and worthie of no memorie , if before his death ( to prevent the mischiefs that otherwise would ensue to his subiects ) hee did not make knowne vnto them , who of right ought to succeede The lamentable euils that befell this land by the dissension of the houses of Yorke and Lancaster proceeded hence , that the right of succession was not cleered and established . him : yea , it seemeth by his speach that he was of opinion , ( as indeed it may be well gathered ) that all the euils that came to this Land by the dissention of the two houses of Yorke and Lancaster ( whiche were infinite ) arose even hence , that ther had not sufficient care bene taken to mak publiklie knowne , and to establish the right of succession : and it seemeth also , that he feared no lesse evils to ensue after him , if hee ( in his life-time ) shewed not himself carefull in this point . And trulie , Madame , we think there is none that dulie The application and enforcing of this example of K. Henry 8. to her Maiestie . considereth in what termes the title of the crowne after you standeth nowe amongst vs , but he presentlie seeth , that if it were so dangerous then when your father vttered these words , he hauing then issue of his owne bodie to leaue the Realme vnto , without further determination & declaration of his right heire : that it cannot , but be far more dangerous for you , nowe to leaue it quyte without establishment , to whomsoever can catch it . The fore-sight of mischief to ensue , by reason of not making knowne in his life his certain heire apparant , was reason of sufficient waight and force to moue , incline , and to binde your noble fathers heart ( notwithstanding he could foresee , and forecast as wiselie as anie the reasons to the contrarie ) to bee most forward to determine it : & therefore so should you his naturall daughter and heire do vpon the like ground , and bee therein likewise affected . Otherwise you see ( your owne father being your iudge ) that al your noble acts done in your life time are not onlie blemished , but also clearlie defaced , and worthy of no memorie . It is glorious for you to bee the daughter and heire of so noble a king , in so noble a kingdome : but trulie farre more glorious to bee also his naturall daughter and true heire , in his princelie affection towards your subiects . And therefore as you are his naturall daughter and true heir in the one , so shewe yourself to bee as naturall also in the other .

Thinke not ( moste deare soveraigne ) The 7. argument from the examples of the heathen . The heathen by the light of nature did see this duty to be necessarie , and performed the same to their subiects : much more ought Christian Princes to do the same . that this was anie singularitie in your father , and that you may doe well enough though you be not like him therein : for besides that therein he did but as the examples of Moses and Dauid taught him , and bound him to do : he did that which verie nature it self vsuallie hath taught even heathen Princes from time to time to doe . For we reade that it was an vse amongest the Medes and Persians , when they went but forth to battel ( therein being some danger of their life ) before they went , to make knowne who shoulde succeede them : insomuch , that the better to make him knowne , he was appointed to raigne in the stead of the Prince absent ▪ vntill his returne , as was Cambyses , in the rowme of Cirus , whilest hee went to warre against the Scythians : and Darius long-hand , in the rowme of Xerxes , whilest he warred against the Greeks . Hence also it came , that wee reade that the Romane Emperours when otherwise their successor was not known , did in their life-time adopt them heires , to whome by order of that gouernement , they caused the right to succeede them to be established . Suetonius . Thus Iulius Caesar adopted Octavius Augustus , and hee Tiberius Caesar . Dion . Spartianus . Nerua , Traian . Adrian , Antoninus Pius : and hee againe Antoninus Philosophus . And for further proofe of the force of the light of nature , yet remaining in a meere naturall man to teach him this lesson : it is written in Chronicle that the Emperour Tiberius Caesar a little before his death said : That of all the griefs and troubles that the greuous pangs of death brought with it , this greeved & troubled him most , how to preserue the kingdome committed to him of trust : and also to see the inheritance thereof conveied vnto him , to whome of right it did appertain : concluding with these words , This is the dutie of a king . Oh what a strange thing were it then for a Christian Prince , hauing not onelie light of nature , but also the light of the word shining vnto her to direct her heerevnto : if ( all examples both divine and humaine , forraine and domesticall , of all ages and times provoking also therevnto ) she should not , or would not suffer her self to bee drawne vnto this Christian dutie : trulie , strange it were : yet ( God forbid ) but that wee should conceiue verie good hope , and ere it be long , see and vnderstand according to our hope , that we your subiectes shall finde you willing , for your and our good to deale effectuallie heerein , and that spedilie .

Howbeit , yet the better to hasten you to this resolution , that wee to our comforts may see the effects thereof : First , let your pitifull and merciful heart enter into consideration of the miserable state , that you shal leaue ( euerie way ) your dominions The 8. argument is the avoyding of manifold calamites like to ensue her Maiesties death , if the successor be not before knowne & established and subiects of all sorts in , if you should bee translated hence to the Lord , before you haue yeelded vnto this present motion , and effected it . Whereof , when we thinke , wee may tremble everie iointe . For when that day shall come , ( which God for his mercies sake put far off , and graunt that wee neuersee ) then straight al the competitors and their partakers wil bee vp in armes : and the common people that are not acquainted with their titles , will then of necessitie be at their wits end , not knowing what part to take : and yet some they shal be driven to followe : so that presentlie , the whole Realme wil be rent into as many shivers , as there be competitors , at the least . And thus , while the title to the crowne is in trying in the fielde by the dint of bloodie The lamentable miseries of civil warr● . sword , one part will consume & deuoure another , and so the land is like to be everie way so weakned , that it may easily become a praie to any of our forraine malitious enemies . Oh the riuers of blood , which then by these doleful consequents will ouerflowe euery where this noble Iland , the strong men shall be slaine in the fielde : children and infants murthered in euerie towne , honest matrons & maides euerie where ravished : then also strong holdes shall bee razed and burned with fire : faire buildings in cittie and countrie defaced , & made even with the ground , the riche shall not bee able to say , this is mine : but they aswell as the poore , shall think themselves happy , if they may haue their life for a praie . To bee short , then , then alas , all the mischiefes that the mischeevous wit of man can deuise , will be practised amongst your louing subiectes by one towardes another without controlement . For all the bandes of all good order and Policie will then be broken asunder : Religion , and all the good exercises thereof , will be laid in the dust , with small hope of euer rysing vp againe : and neither God nor man will be regarded , but ( according to the variable suggestions of Satan ) all kinde of villanies wil be freelie in euerie corner committed . Oh therfore , but once to think that this land is like to come to these woful calamities , will teare anie godlie , pitifull , or natural English hart in peeces . Beholde therefore ( most gracious Ladie ) your Nobles & Commons , yea , euen all your people , men , weomen , and children , lye prostrate now before your feete , most lamentably , & humblie beseeching you to saue them , and to preserue them from these heapes of confusions , and chaos of miseries : and most instantlie with bitter teares , beg at your handes , that you leaue them not , ( who are now most readie to lay downe their liues for you ) in this lamentable & miserable case , to lose their liues with all that they haue : and all , at the beck and pleasure of euerie furious peasant . Remember , that Moses tooke the people without a certaine knowne head and governour , as sheepe without a sheep-herd , and that your most noble father fore-saw that no better then the fore-rehearsed calamities , would be the state of this land , if hee had died before hee had made his heire knowne : yea , that hee imputed all the miseries that this land had abode , through the contention betwixt the two houses of Yorke and Lancaster , to this : to wit , that the order & right of succession , had not bene ( in former time ) carefullie enough looked vnto , & made publikely knowne . And so you may perceiue that herein we doe not forecast more perils , then these wise and graue persons haue done in the like case . Yet for further That calamities doth befal any nation where the Prince dieth without a knowne successor proued by the example of the Israelites . The booke of Iudges . ground of this our fore-casting of perils , the whol book of the Iudges of Israel serueth most fitlie : for through that book we see , how that when soeuer they were left without a knowne gouernour ( as in those times they were often ) they fell into extream miseries , & were straight brought into slauerie vnder the hands of their enemies , the Cananites , the Moabites , the Midianites , the Amalekites & Philistins : in which state sometimes they continued 18. yeeres , sometimes 40. yeeres : sometimes more , sometimes lesse . Wee reade also that Alexander the great , when hee Of Alexanders empire . Arrianus . Q. Curtius . had made himself the greatest Emperor in the world , yet dying , not determining of his successor before hee died , but leaving his noble Empire to them that could catche it , and hold it : that therevpon , immediatly after his death , there grew most hote , fierce & bloodie warres amongst his noble Dukes & Captaines : and so in the end , his kingdome or Empire was rent and torne into as manie severall kingdomes , as he had noble Dukes able to take them , and keep them . Wee Of Scotland after Alex. 3. read also in the Scottish Chronicles of Alexander the third king there , who lived in the time of Edward the first King of England : that hee dying , leauing his heire and successor vnknowne , it came to passe , that vppon his death his kingdome was torne into two parts , the one part following one Bayllioll studied to make him King : and the other fauoring one Brussius , sought to advance him . But in the meane time , whiles thus the title was in debating , it appeareth in the storie , that the whole kingdome was brought to extreame desolation . But what need we ( in this case ) to peruse forrain stories . O that your Maiestie would but remember And of England after Lucius and Gorbodug . the miserable state of this land after King Lucius , and after the death of King Gorbodug and his two sonnes , Ferrex , and Porrex : for you shall in those hystories finde , that the root and fountaine of all those lamentable miseries of 15. and 50. yeares civill dissension , grewe of this : that then , the land was left without a certain known successor . Yea , infinite be the stories in all Chronicles , that lay forth most doleful sequels alwaies of this . And sure wee are , such is your Maiesties wisdom , that you must needs fore-see that if you should so leaue vs , it wer neuer more likely , that thervpon would follow the extreamest miseries that euer befell kingdome . Wherfore once again ( most mercifull Lady ) cast your pitifull & merciful eies vpon your noble Realme , & all your subiectes , who with stretched out hands cry vnto you to shewe mercie vnto them in this point : in delaying no longer to the hazard of the spilling of all their bloode , and losing all their good , to make knowne vnto them , who of right is to succeede you . O sweete Ladie , let this long longed for , and looked for most necessary drop of mercie , drippe nowe at last downe from you , to the chearing and comforting of all your true English subiects : and so shal you establish your throne in mercie , and purchase vnto your self , the moste glorious title of a most mercifull Queene , to the comfort of your owne conscience , both before God and man , and to your perpetuall good name and fame with all posteritie . The 9. argument is from the safety , honor and profit which will ensue the establishing of a successor both to her maiesty and to her subiectes .

But to prouoke you the more easilie to yeeld to shew this especial point of mercy , consider yet further , that so to do , is not onlie verie necessarie , both for you & vs , in respect of both our safeties : and also that it is not onlie profitable to vs , but also euen very profitable and honorable to you , both in respect of God & man . That it is verie necessarie and profitable for vs , the contemplation of the good that wee shall reape , and quyetlie enioye by it : and the viewe of the euill that directlie shall therby be turned from vs , maketh it most euident . And that it is necessary for you also , yea profitable & honourable , as we haue said , diuersly it may appeare : for first it cannot be denyed , that amongst all the meanes that otherwise Princes haue amongst men in this world , to make them selues strong by , and to sit safe in their throne , this is a principall one . That they alienate not the hearts of their subiectes from them , by their vnkinde and mercielesse dealing towardes them . For howe stronglie soever Salomon left his sonne Rehoboam established in his kingdome : yet hee ▪ by listning rather to the counsell of young greene heades about him , then Princes that woulde establishe their thrones must deale kindlie with their subiectes , & plant in their hearts lone and affection . 1. King . 1● . to the advise of the graue and auncient : and so by his vnkinde and hard answere to his subiects , alienating the heartes of them : grew so weak , that a mean man , a servant of his , Ieroboam by name , rose vp against him , and ten Tribes of twelue , farre the greater part of his kingdom , revolted from him , & did cleaue to Ieroboam : and neither hee nor anie of his successors , could euer recouer them againe . And on the otherside , there is no one thing in the foresaid respect more necessarie , profitable , and honorable to anie King , Queene , or Emperour , then so to behaue themselues towardes their subiects , as that thereby , there may bee bred and nourished in them , an heartie & vnfained loue and affection towardes their soveraigne . For by this meanes chieflie , Princes grow strong and invincible , for thereby they finde , that not the bodies on lie of their subiects be theirs at commandement , but their harts also . And when occasion serues , by experience they learne that the heartie good-will and liking of their subiects towards them , is a farre better and stronger meane of their preservation , then either riches , strong Anno 1588. when the Spanish fleet was in the narrow 〈◊〉 holdes , or any such outward thing whatsoever , as lately your Maiestie hath had good experience thereof .

And therefore in all stories it appeareth , that those kings that haue carried anie note of wisdome , haue alwaies studied most carefullie for the heartie loue of their subiects . Now then , seeing the not making your successour known , is a matter of such dangerous and perilous consequent to all your good and kinde subiects : and the establishing of succession , the verie ordinarie meane to prevent these dangers and perils towardes them , and also to continue your subiectes and their children in quiet and peace-able possession of all the good things they now enioy : your wisdome may easilie conceiue , that there is no one thing whereby you can more greeue , daunt , & alienat the harts of all your subiects , then by not going about to preuent their destructions , by making your successour known . For that will cause them to think , that you loue them no farther , then for your owne safetie sake : for that ( in not doing thereof ) you shall shewe your self carelesse what shall become of them after your time which thing , of what force it will bee to abate their hartie and true loue and affection towards you , your wisdome will easilie ghesse . And you may also heereby perceiue , that there is no readier way to binde your subiects more tenderly to loue , and reverence you even in their secrete chambers : and so to bee readie most willinglie rather to die them selves in your quarrell at all times , then that anie danger or perill should come neere you : the● forth with in Parliament to cause this great controversie lawfully to be determined and so the right of succession made publikely known . For heerby your subiects cannot but see that you loue them , even for their owne sakes , and that you loue them tenderlie and vnfainedlie : yea , this wonderfull mercy and kindnes would make them in al thankful manner , to acknowledge and confesse , that you had not onelie by this meanes preserved them from all the fore-saide evils : but that you had also by this godlie meanes , euen giuen them againe their liues , their wiues , their children , their lands , their goods , and their countrie : yea , & that which is most pretious therewith , the fruition of the glorious Gospel of Iesus Christ . Which two-folde good would so inflame their heartes towardes you , that never Prince had more loving and heartie subiectes , then your Grace should haue . Doeth it not then follow , that it is necessarie , profitable and honorable for your owne self to yeelde to this motion ? Againe , necessarie it is , because otherwaies you take the onelie high way to abate the loue of all your faithfull subiects , which is most necessarie for you to haue : especiallie , these dayes and times considered , when you haue so manie enemies both at home , and abroad : secrete , and publike . Profitable also it is , in that wonderfullie , it will strengthen the heartie good-will and loue of your subiectes towards you , which will be at all times a most strong meane of defence & refuge for you , against all your enemies . And how can it choose bot bee very honorable vnto you to do so honorable , profitable , and necessarie a thing vnto yourself , your people , and countrie ? Further , the truth heereof may and will more clearly appeare vnto you , if it fall out ( as most likelie it will ) that the right of succession be found and declared to bee in a Protestant : He meaneth the king of Scots . for then , not onelie be that meanes should you make the harts of euerie true Protestant like the heart of a Lyon , ready and courageous at al assaies to performe the dutie of faithfull subiectes : but you should so break the neck of the Popishe hope of their golden day , that the despaire thereof would presently cause most of them ( in reverence bee it spoken vnto your Maiestie ) either to hang , or conforme themselues : and the rest woulde also giue over all detestable practises against your noble person : yea , they would be glad to pray with vs , & to vse all good meanes with vs for your preservation . Great reason may moue it : for they will feare , least it will bee much worse with them when you are gone , vnder your successor , then it is nowe vnder your so happie gouernement . And therfore we may now conclude , that to make your successor knowne , is a thing moste necessarie , profitable , and honorable for your self .

But wee said it was necessarie , profitable and honorable also in respect of God or before him . And this may be most easilie and stronglie prooued : for besides that al the reasons that hitherto we haue vsed , doe proue the same : wee say confidentlie now further : first , it is necessarie for Princes aswell as for others to doe those things that are pleasing and acceptable to God : and therefore , when they shall sit vppon the throne of their kingdomes , they are commanded to haue the booke of God , and to studie it , & not to departe there-from either to the right hand , or to the left : and they are willed , yea , they namelie , especiallie to bee wise and learned , and to shewe their learning and wisdom in serving the Lord in feare . And that this is a thing both pleasant & acceptable to God , we neede not proue it againe : for we haue alreadie proued it sufficientlie both by reasons and renowmed examples : and therefore in this respect , it is necessarie before God . Secondlie , that also it is profitable before him , heereby it is evident : for it is a thing ( in No surmise of hurts to ensue or hope of purchasing gaine should draw vs from that which is right and equitie before God deede and truth ) alwaies most profitable for Princes to obey the will of God : and most hurtfull and vnprofitable to refuse so to doe : for it is written Psalme the 2. verse 12. as vttered to Kings . Kisse the Sonne least he bee angrie , and so yee perish out of the way , if his wrath bee kindled , yea but a litle . And wee reade that 1. Sam. ● . 30. God said vnto Eli , a governour of Israel , Them that honour mee , I will honour ▪ & they that despise mee , shall bee despised . And we read that Azariah the Prophete 2. Chro. 15. 2. said vnto King Asa : The Lord is with you whiles yee are with him , and if yee seeke him , hee will bee found of you : but if yee forsake him , he will forsake you . This is a caveat , even to Princes : for a praesident therof , Saul to his woe and David to his ioy had experience . And diverse was the successe of King Salomon , and of king Asa prosperous whiles they followed the way of the Lord : but desperat , when they went from them . At a word , al the Kings of Israell and Iudah did alwaies ( as it appeareth in the holie storie ) finde this most true , that it was alwaies most profitable for them to obey the Lord , and to doe whatsoever hee woulde haue them . This setling of the succession that we are therefore now moving you vnto , being a thing ( as doubtlesse it is ) which the Lord of dutie requireth at your handes , and which you haue heard proved so to bee , both by places of Scripture , examples out of the same , and sundrie other strong reasons : you are to resolue with your self ( whatsoever the wit of man can say to the contrarie ) that it will be most profitable vnto you to yeeld to the Lord , both speedie and willing obedience theerein . As long as you walke in his waies , hee Psal. 9● . 11. 12. hath given his Angels charge over you , that you shall not hurt your feet against a stone : and therefore , in this you neede not to be afraide . You remember , we are Proverb . 8. 1● Psal. 82. 1. sure , that the Lord hath said in his word , That by him Kings raigne : and that it is written , that hee sitteth amongest you Dan. 4. 2● Gods , and iudgeth you : yea , that he is so King of kings and Lord of Lords , that he setteth vp and throweth downe , whom , when , and how it pleaseth him .

Wherevpon your Grace may perceaue , that the moste safe and profitable way for you to preserue your person and honour , is by all good meanes to keepe this King of Kings on your side . He that hath a good farme , and hath none other holde thereof , but at his land-lords pleasure , A similitude enforcing her Maiestie , by naming her successor to obey God . the best policie for him wee woulde think , is , to please his land-lord . And this is the case , Madame , betwixt you and God , in respect of your kingdome . Wee must needs therefore even of harty good will , and of aboundance of desire that we haue , that you may long raigne over vs , beseech your Maiestie , to weigh with your selfe whither it bee not likelie , that this your land-lord and soveraigne iudge will be angrie with you , and lay to your charge one day , all the blood that shall bee shed , and all the evils that shall bee committed in this land , for want of a knowne successor , if you doe not what lieth in you in time by making him known to prevent al those dolefull cruelties that will ensue thereof . Even the light of nature coulde teache the heathen Philosopher Cicero to write in his Offices , that hee is aswell faultie , that letteth not the doing of an evill or iniurie , being able to let it , as he that doth it himself . Oh provoke not the Lord ( sweet Ladie ) even in respect of safetie and profite to your self , to bee offended with you , for this your great vnkindnes towards him . Remember , that in respect of the present dangerous and evill dayes that we now liue in , and in regarde of our enemies , neither you nor we had euer more cause to seeke to please him , and to keep him on our side . Hitherto , never Prince had more cause , then you : nor subiects in respect of their Prince , then we , to confesse that if he had not beene on our side , our enemies . long ere this , had swallowed vp both you and vs : for it is he that hath discovered , yea , detected and confounded all the devises and conspiracies ( hitherto ) of your enemies and ours it is he that giveth vs peace at home , and victories abroad . It is he that doeth keepe all evils from vs , & continueth al good things vnto vs . And if he continue on our side stil , we need not to be afraide whosoever bee against vs , for hee both can and will protect vs , and confound them . Then , an hundreth on our side shall discomforte a thousand : and the weakest meanes shall bee strong enough to withstand and to prevaile against the mightiest , as the holie stories doe most comfortablie teache vs . But if hee bee occasioned to departe from vs , and leaue vs to our selves , then al things shall and will fall out cleane contrarilie with vs , as there wee learne also . Assure your self therefore , that to shewe your self a merciful Queene to your subiects in this so waightie a point , and this work of great mercie & loue , the which all your people craue with teares , added vnto your former good services of God : it will binde God in his mercie ( for his promise sake ) not to slake , or withdrawe his moste mercifull protection from you : but to enlarge his favour everie way towards you . Bee hartilie sorie therefore ( good Prince ) that you haue not beene provoked by his marvelous former protection of you from evident dangers , manie and sundrie times , to shewe your self thankfull vnto him , in performing this so necessary and profitable a dutie , ere this . Think not because ( as yet ) he hath spared you , and not called you to accompt for it that therefore he misliketh it not : for his long suffering must bee construed to amendement : or else , it is an heaping of 〈◊〉 ● . 5. vengeance , against the day of vengeance . They are but flatterers , doubtlesse , whosoever they be , & so shall you finde it in the end , that would perswade you otherwise : neither can they bee , ( the premisses considered ) either sound friends to their country , or loving subiects to you , which either haue bred or nourished in your Royall heart , an vnwillingnes to yeelde to this moste necessarie and profitable motion .

But to grow to an end of this our first part : lastlie wee advouche , that to yeelde your best furtherance to make your successor knowne , is an honorable action , Princes are no lesse bound to protect their subjects , then subiects are bound to obey their Princes . both before God & man . It is honorable for you before man , because as it is your subiectes dutie to yeelde you all loue and dutifulnes , to the preservation of your noble person and estate : so it is your duty againe to yeelde vnto them protection for them & theirs by what good meanes you may : amongst which , this is a principall good meane . And who can denie , but that it is honorable for a Prince , not to be behind with his subiects in any dutie , especiallie then , not in this , which is so necessarie and profitable for them : nay we are sure , you your selfe will confesse , that it were verie dishonorable for a Prince to looke for , and willinglie & wittinglie to receiue at the hands of his subiects , all tokens & fruits of perfect loyall loue and to requite them withal ▪ to leave them all for want of a knowne successor to extreame confusion and desolation . And seeing there ought to bee such true loue indeede , and such true mercie extended on your part , even towardes them towards whome it is due in equity , as certainlie it is in you to your subiects , euen in making your successor known : it cannot be but that so to doe , before the Almightie , who is the fontaine of al true loue , and delyteth more in true mercie , The conclusion of the former part of this book , con●evning a breefe recapitulation of the reason before set downe . then in any other thing , it is a thing most honorable for you so to doe Wherefore to conclude , you see that your titles given you in the word , that your place & charg over vs as your familie , that the honestnes , iustnes and the goodnes of the report that it carrieth with it that the examples both sacred & profane , forraine and domesticall : that the miseries otherwise like to ensue vpon the whole land : and nowe lastly , that the necessarines , profitablenes and honorablenesse of the thing it selfe , both with God and man , to your self , aswel as vnto vs : ioine hands together , earnestlie to moue and stirre vp your Maiestie , to yeeld vnto vs this dutifull mercie . Now then , these reasons considered , wee may say vnto you , and doe , as Bathsheba 1. Reg. 1. 20. saide in the like case to king Dauid . You our Soueraigne Ladie knowe , that the eyes of all England are on you , to the end that you should tell them who should sit on your throne after you ▪ God grant that England may find that kind and melting heart in your maiesty , whereby they may receiue as comfortable an answere from you , as Israell did then from David .

But these reasons notwithstanding , yet The latter part of this treatise , containing answeres to certaine obiections arising from difficulty of knowing , & perill in naming the knowne successor . your Maiestie will say , or think ; that such is the difficultie of determining this great controversie ▪ who of right is to succeed you : and such perill there is in it to your person and honor , that the consideration thereof cannot but make you afraide & some-what loath to go about it . Wherefore we beseech you , let now the obiections that arise from these two heades , of difficultie , and perill , bee heard , weighed and examined : that so it may the easilier be determined , whither your Grace ought to yeelde to the setling of the succession by force of the former reasons , or to stay from so doing through the weight of those . The difficultie of determining The difficulty consisteth of two parts . this point , ariseth partlie of the doubtfulnesse and ambiguitie of the title it self , and partly of the supposed impatiency of the Competitors , in hearing their titles crost , in debating , and spoken against . To this we answere : first , that the The obiection of the former difficultie taken away , because the right of the title is plaine and easie to the skilfull . obscuritie and difficulty of the title it self by the wise and skilfull in the Lawes of this Realme , will as easilie bee removed , as the drosse is severed from the gold , by the skilfull finers : or as the bright shining of the sunne doth cause the cloudes to vanish and flee away . Indeede , as it cannot be descried how much gold is in the lump before it come to the hands of the finers : and as the sunne , though it bee ( indeed ) the moste excellent ornament of the firmament is not seene in his bewtie , whiles it is shadowed with clouds : even so in this case , vntil the baser titles be descried and severed from the purest , by the skilfull learned : and the clouds wherwith the best title is darkened , removed by them : it is hard either to espie the right , or to determine of it . But grant that it bee never so hard and difficult to determine who hath the best right : yet ▪ it beeing so great a point of equitie and iustice , as it is , that he should haue the title that hath best right vnto it : & it being ( also ) as it is an especiall & chief point of exceeding mercifull iustice , the which of all others , as we haue proved , you the soveraigne and high Iudge and minister of iustice amongst vs , are bound to see iudged : both in respect of your dutie to God , & your people : you may not think , that the hardnes to performe such a dutie , can breed anie exception , or dispensation vnto you , to exempt you from going about it : but it ought ( rather ) to force you the more spedilie and throughlie to take it in hand : for the more hard and The difficultie of the title ought to bee so farre from being a barre , that it ought rather to provoke her Maiestie to the searche thereof . doubtful it is , so much it is the more dangerous . And therefore , the more care ought they to haue that stand at the helme . Now , as for the supposed impatiencie of the Competitors , while the title is in debating , and the dangerous consequents therof , alleadged to proue such The second braunch of difficultie answered . difficultie therein : as that therefore it were not safe and good for you to deale in it , least so the inconvenience of civill warre might arise in your daies , which we labour so much by moving you herevnto , to prevent after your death : we answere : first , that there is no Competitor so voide of reason , but he is resolved that some one hath the most and best right . Secondlie , hee cannot but in his conscience be perswaded that whosoever he be both reason and iustice would that hee should haue it . And lastlie , we say that it is verie vnlikelie that there can grow anie impatiencie , especiallie , likelie to breede anie great danger , either to your state or person : when that ( in a lawfull Parliament ) everie man shall indifferentlie be heard to say what he can for his title : and onelie inquirie is made , where the best right is , to the end that there it may bee setled and established . For thus may everie one of them see , that there is no in-iustice or iniurie intended against anie of them , but the right is only sought out , to be given to the rightfull owner : & that therefore , none hath anie iust cause to be offended , but rather every one hath good cause to be glad and ioyfull thereof : for that both his person and posterity shal be preserved thereby . And yet if anie such impatiencie should appeare , without anie great difficultie might it be staied by you in your life time , from bursting out into anie dangerous effect . Whereas , if you shoulde depart from vs before the determining of this wofull question : then , there woulde bee none amongst men to stay the furie thereof , but the bloodie and devouring sword . Oh , most dolefull iudge . Allas , what can anie ambitious competitor be able to doe to perill your state or person , seeing his title dashed , or put further of then he looked for , albeit hee were never so impatient , you raigning and living : yea , you having also by entring into this so honorable an action , made your selfe mightilie much stronger by your iust deserving then ever you were before : aswel in pleasing god , as by binding not onely him & his , whose title you haue cleered : but also all your subiects to loue you at their hearts , most deerlie : and therefore , to backe you against all dangers , most couragiouslie & faithfullie . No , no , there will be none of them ( if you take this course ) but they will evidentlie see thereby , that you and your freends are grown so strong , that for anie of them to burst out of due order , were but even willinglie to bring vppon them-selves and their families , vtter destruction . Adonijah was vp in armes for the crown , when his father David lay on his death bed : and hee had gotten Ioab , the mightiest captaine of Israell , and Abiathar the high Priest on hisside : and yet when David had ( according to the order of the governement ) setled & established Salomon to succeed him : though before Adonijah was grown to strength , and so by possibilitie able to haue withstoode both his father David and Salomon , yet , when he heard thereof , he and al his partakers were so dasht and crusht , that everie one straight ranne home to his house : and Adonijah himselfe tooke sanctuary : and so this broile notwithstanding , David continued out his time in peace , and Salomon his sonne raigned manie yeares triumphantlie after him . Howe much more , if Queene Elizabeth yet in health and prosperity , doe once by this orderlie meane establish the succession , will all aspiring Adonijahs , howe strong soever they haue made themselves before , stay from beginning to doe , as Adonijah did : least they bee inforced with shame , as he was , to giue over straight againe . Let this example encourage you ( most noble Queene ) not to bee afraide of the crossing and disappointing ( in this case ) of all the proud Adonijahs in the world : for no doubt of it , if you do herein seeke to please God , and benefite all your subiects , as he did , God beeing the same nowe that hee was then , you may confidentlie look for the same blessing at his hands that David had : that is , peace in your owne daies , and for ever after wealth and prosperitie to all your dominions after you .

Now , this obiection drawne from the difficultie of determining this matter , thus answered : let vs nowe proceede to the rest , which are grounded vppon the perill ( heerby ) supposed to ensue to your noble person and dignitie . And concerning The obiection grounded vppon perill of naming of the successor , confirmed by 3. reasons . your person first it is feared , that the knowne successor , partlie through his owne longing after the highest place , & partlie through the provocation of others , will breede perill to your person . And it is likelie , that ( in this respect ) your feare is encreased by your owne experirience , in your sisters time , when it may be , you were provoked by some to hasten your course . Another feare may growe also , by the sundrie examples of these Princes , as namelie , of Edward the second , deposed by Edward the third . King Richard the second , by Henry the fourth . Henrie the sixt , by Edward the fourth . And of Edward the fift , murthered by Richard the third . And , as for your honour and dignitie , perhaps you imagine ( your successor once knowne ) it will every day more and more decay : in that , as you know it to be a proverb , that men honor the sunne rysing , and withdrawe it from the sunne setting . Even so you think , subiects are given naturallie to prefer their new maister , before their olde mistresse . These haue bene the cheef causes & reasons , that ( hitherto ) haue staied you from listning vnto this motion , as we suppose , and ( yet ) make you afraide to yeelde therevnto .

Before wee come to the answere to these obiections , which ( in effect ) we do thinke are al that can be vsed in this case , wee protest vnto your Maiestie , that such is our tender loue and loyall affection towardes your Maiesties noble person , and to the preservation thereof , in long life and princely honor ; that vnlesse we were most fullie perswaded , that the yeelding there-vnto ( notwithstanding these obiections ) woulde not at all proue perilous , but rather very beneficiall and profitable to the safetie and securitie , both of your person and honor , albeit wee had given leaue vnto our selues some-what to haue thought of this motion : yet would we never haue proceeded thus farre therin : for we wish your dayes to be extended as far as Methushelahs , in all princelie honour and felicitie : and we covet not to liue one howre after you . This truly & faithfully protested : to these obiections we answere Answered generallie 3. waies . first generallie , and then particularlie : for generall answere vnto them we say , first , that the perill vpon these grounds supposed to arise either to your person or honor , is but an imagined or supposed perill , & that also inferred but by probable arguments , not by evident demonstration : which being so , doth not discharge you from doing so necessarie , profitable and honorable a duty to God & to your people , as this is , where-vnto you are nowe moved . Secondlie we say , suppose there were asmuch perill vnto your person , as is pretended : yet the peril of your worthy Realme , beeing so great and palpable as it hath beene proved to be , through the want of the establishment of a knowne successor : it may not therefore be left vndone : for , never so evident a perill , ( your wisdome knoweth ) freeth any from doing of that dutie , that the Lord enioyned them to doe : for obedience to his will is to be preferred before our owne honour Confirmed by the example of Esther . and safetie . Alwaies Queene Hester , the wife of Ahashuerosh king of 127. provinces , vnderstanding into what extreame perill her countrie people the Iewes wer brought by the meanes of Haman , put her life and honour in evident perill , wittinglie and willingly deserving death by law , to prevent the danger towardes her naturall people . For to the hazard of her life ( as appeareth in the storie ) she came into the Kings presence without leaue , ( the which was death by the Lawe ) to make meanes for their safetie , saying , that if I perishe , I perish , therby carrying a resolute minde , that though shee did perishe , yet not to omit to doe what possiblie shee might for the safetie of her people . In deede , shee prepared her selfe to this action with long fasting and earnest praier : and so wee woulde wishe all such weightie and necessarie services to God & our countrie ( especially when there is feared some danger and difficultie in the accomplishing of them ) to bee taken in hand , But this storie sheweth especially , seing this is reported of her in the Canonicall Scripture to her commendation , that heerein she did well , & that others may lawfullie , and ought , even though they bee Queenes , to offer themselves to perill for the good & safetie of their countrie : when otherwise , without their so doing , it must needes come to some extreame miserie . What doubt can there be of this , seing we read that even the light of nature hath taught Codrus Athen . Decij Rom. manie heathen Princes to offer themselves to extreame perill for the good of of their country . And your Maiestie hath And of King Henry the 8. a Christian and domesticall example of your noble father hereof : who spak these naturall words to his nobilitie and commons : Grafton pag. 1278. namelie , For your defence my tresure shall not be hidden , nor ( if necessity require ) my person shal not be vnadventured . And so ( Madame ) giue not your maiesties kind subiects cause once to imagine , that a conceit onlie of fear to peril , either your person or honour , can or will stay you from doing so great a duetie as to perserue all your most loving subiects and whole countrie by this meanes from vtter confusion and desolation : otherwise palpably sene to be vnavoidable , & ready to come vpon them euerie howre . Nay , how can it be , but you having so oft , yea , so miraculouslie and sensiblie found God readie to protect and saue you from manie perils : but you must needes gather to your comfort , that much more ( if you honour him in this case ) hee will shewe that both hee can and will preserue you from all your enemies . Therefore let not your noble heart perswade it self for fear of perill either to your person or honor , to omit the doing of that , which in al honour , dutie , and conscience both to god and man , you are most bound to doe , for the furtherance of Gods glorie , and safetie of al your people and countrie . Howbeit , for a third generall answere to these obiections of peril : the making your successour knowne , hauing such reasons to warrant and iustifie the doing of it , as we haue shewed : so farre off it is , that there is any peril ( indeed ) therin , or therby , like to arise vnto you , that it is an especiall meane of your safety & honor . For out of what fountain spring al the calamities & ruines of princes , but from the neglect of Gods glorie , & of their dutie to the people committed to their charge ? or what castle and tower of defence proved ever so safe to princes , as the favour of God , and loue of his subiects ? which he vouchsafeth ever to them that preferre his will before their owne , and obedience to him before their own safetie . Let all histories , both sacred and profane , be perused , and it shal be throughout all ages found true , God give th● blessing to those that obey him in actions that seeme verie dangerous . that those princes ( even in shew and apparance of greatest perils ) haue alwaies beene most safelie protected & preserved by the Lord : which for doing their duties to God and their people , haue hazarded themselues . And therefore , in doing this so needfull , mercifull & honorable dutie , your Maiestie needes not once doubt of Gods providence & protection towardes you therein : but boldlie ( this shew of perils notwithstanding ) and confidentlie resting on the Lords safegarding of you therein : you may when you wil most safelie go about , and effect it .

Yet for your Maiesties full satisfaction The obiection of peril answered particularlie . let vs ( by your Graces patience ) proceed to lay before you in order as they were propounded , the weaknesse of everie one of these obiections . The first feare , ariseth from the longing that is supposed wil be in your successour , ( when hee is once knowne ) after the highest place . The second , from the provocation that hee is like to haue that way by others . Wherin first , wee will answere the obiection concerning his owne ambition : and then , the other , concerning provocation by others . It is supposed in the obiection that it cannot be , but that there will bee such a desire to climme in the once made knowne successor , as will perill the present Prince . Wee grant , that naturallie fleshe & blood is prone to be so affected : but yet this is certaine , that where the sprit of God is , this corruption of nature The knowne successor doth strengthen the present Prince . is so bridled , that it bringeth foorth no dangerous fruits to the present governor Let King David beare witnesse heerevnto , whose succession beeing appointed Confirmed by the example of David . and confirmed by God , and hee himself long time most iniuriouslie and cruellie persecuted by the present king Saule , and he having oportunitie twise to haue slain his enemie , and to haue saved his owne life , and also to haue taken the crown : yet neither the glorie of a kingdome , the desire of revenge , nor the care of preserving his owne life , could make him once to lay hands on the Lords annointed , to perill him . Nay , not onelie the spirit of God in Gods children : but also naturall pietie , and humanitie hath so much prevailed And of the heathen . in this case , that we read that Antoninus Philosophus beeing made the known successour to Antoninus Pius in the Romain Empire , hearing that Antoninus Capitolinus . Pius did lye in most extreame miserie , even wearie of his life , and to be ridde thereof , had commanded one of his men to kill him . This Antoninus Philosophus hearing thereof , with a forcible hand staied that vnnatural murther : for the which fact the story saith , that the present Prince with furious words rebuked his successor bitterlie : and that yet his said successor answered him againe thus , Were I worthie to succeede so noble a Prince in so high a dignitie , if I did not vse my best endeuor to preserue your life , seeing it in perill ? No surelie , I were not worthie thereof . Loe , heere , an heathen knowne successor , not by nature , but by adoption ( as it is cleere in the storie ) for al that which is obiected against a known successor , hath not onlie not perilled , but preserved the life of him that had made him his successor . And infinit be the examples in all stories of such as beeing next to succeede , yet haue never perilled the present governour : and in comparison , verie few be the examples to the contrarie . And why then may not your Maiestie , rather presume to finde the like good affection in him , whome you shall make your successour , then otherwise ? Trulie , the reason is verie strong that maye bee yeelded , to proue why he wil as little perill you , as David did Saul , or Antoninus Philosophus the other Antonine , that was in the place before him : for who soever it be ( the title now standing so doubfull as it doth ) when you haue cleered his title , and by Parliament authority established it : he must of necessity confesse and take himselfe so bound to you therefore , as though you had ( even ) given him the kingdome : for the which your wonderfull goodnes and bountie , if there be but common reason and nature in him , it will binde both his heart , tongue and hands from ever contriving any thing to your perill . Yea , who can bee so monstrouslie brutish and voide of reason , as having received such a benefit at your hands , as the cleering of his title to such a noble kingdome ( so much also to the good & safetie of al your subiects ) but he will thinke that by this meanes you must needs so winne the hearts of all your subiects , and binde them to such an heartie loue and thankfulnes in such fast sort to you : that if he should once but offer you vnkindnes , he should be thought generallie a monster amongst men , and so not worthie of common life : and then to be had in a generall contempt amongst all degrees . Which so being , were it likelie that ever he should get anie strength to perill your person ? And for further strengthening of this reason , we are perswaded that if all stories wer perused , there could hardlie any one example be found , wher the present Prince was peri●led by the meanes of that successor , who had his title to succeede cleered vnto him by the present prince , it being obscure & doubtfull Few Princes hurt by their successors thus established . before that time . And this will bee your Graces verie case , if that it shall please God to stirre vp your hart to make your successour knowne : and even thus much shall he stand bound vnto you . Againe , who soever it shall please God to The successor whither Protestant or Papist , or neuter would not hurt her Maiesty , the one for conscience , the other for feare . lay it vpon , he is like to be either Protestant , papist or neuter : if the first , then Religion and conscience will keepe him in due order : if he be either of the latter , yet then also , feare to lose all that they haue alreadie , whiles they seeke more , or to make their state worse then it was before ( by all good reason and likelyhoode ) will cause them patientlie to waite for their time . But to put this feare quite out of feare , good meanes would be vsed to reforme and bridle this ambitious inclination in the once known successor : and so And if he should how he might bee restrained . to prevent all perill thereby . As first , a sharpe and severe law would be made , to take away his life ( if he be a subiect ) and quite disable his issue also , that shall contriue the perill of the present Prince , or anie way consent there-vnto . Secondlie , he would be vsed honorablie and courteouslie of the present prince : for if the present Prince want issue , hee is ( then ) his childe , by adoption , and heyre by lawe . Thirdlie , he is vertuouslie and religiously to be brought vp ( if he be vnder yeeres ) and to haue about him alwaies some trustie and faithfull freends and counsellors to the present Prince , to direct him in a good course , and to descrie him if he begin but to treade awrie . And lastly , where these means wil not serue , there , restraint of libertie vnder straight & trusty guarde ( if hee owe alleageance ) may well and lawfullie be vsed . And thus , the daunger that might arise to your maiesties person by the proper motion of a known successor hath his answere , That which followeth is that which might ensue by their means The knowne successor can not be able to hurt her Maiestie by the provocation of others . who were likelie to pricke him forward to perill the present Prince , eyther hoping for further advancement by him , or els ( vppon what sinister conceite so ever ) desire to see an alteration : wherein wee shall not neede to trouble your Maiestie with manie words : for if fidelitie be planted in the heart of the successor , or hee kept within the boundes thereof , by the meanes and reasons afore-said : the provocations of others shall be in vaine . For though Davids servants were readie 1. Sam. 24. 5. to provoke David ( when he had Saule at advantage in the caue ) to kill him , saying , Nowe is the day come wherof the Lord said vnto thee , I will deliver thine enemie into thine hand . Yet David therby woulde neither bee mooved to suffer them to doe it , neither would hee doe it Ver. 7. himself , saying , God forbid , that I should touch the Lords annointed . But it may be said ▪ that all successors be not Davids . Truth it is , but yet , what so ever they be , by the meanes afore-said , this danger of yeelding to the provocation of any , may well be prevented . And this still remaineth a comfort to your Maiestie , that the Lords arme of protection and defence wil not be shortned towards you , for the performing of this so acceptable a service of mercy & compassion towards his people & yours . And sure you may be ( if God defended wicked Saule , when godly David was to succeed ) that more assured shal his defence be over you , studying by this godlie way to please him . The daungers that can arise either of his owne motion , or through the instigation of others ( suppose the worst ) must eyther be by open hostility , or secrete practize . By open Neither by open hostilitie . hostilitie & force , he will never attempt it : first , because he must needs see that you haue possessed iustlie and deservedlie the hearts of your subiectes , through your manifold and vnrecompensable desertes : and lastlie , through this deserved loue of yours fastlie knit vnto you , he shall never be able to grow to anie strength to stand against you in the fielde because taking a viewe of your subiects , though hee shall finde amongst them some mal-contents , some for religion , and some otherwise : yet , when he hath mustered them all together in his minde , he shall finde them not one handfull to those that will like so wel of their present state , that they wil never be brought to hazard that sweete and peaceable governement that they presentlie enioy vnder you , for a change : for the number of those that loue you for religion sake ( God be thanked ) are great : & these will , you may be sure , liue and die in your defence most willinglie : and worldlings there be verie manie , wee thinke , more then eyther Papists or Protestants : and those ( sure ) take such ioy and pleasure in the things of this world , that they can never bee brought to hazarde the quyet possession & fruition thereof , which they now possesse and which they must needs see , they do hazard , in consenting to treason : for sure to prevaile they can not be . And if they shoulde , neither can they be sure to better their estate , for there will be then so manie rake-helles to please and satisfie with other mens goodes , that for satisfying of them , they maye iustlie feare , that they must parte with some of their owne goodes . And if the knowne successour bee a Protestant ( as Whither he be a protestant there is great ods it will so fall out , when the matter commeth to determining ) The Scottishe King . the● , all kinde of Papists , whither they be Papists of state , or of conscience , will refuse to ioine with him , least they feele his little finger heavier , then they haue felt your whole hand : and least he make their yoak much heavier , then you haue done . And whereas you ( so they keep their fingers from treason ) beat them but with rods , as a mother doth her children : hee shal then beat them with whippes , as slaves and dogs : for , they can never hope for more mercie at the handes of anie Christian Prince ( differing from them in Religion as you doe ) then they finde at your hands . But suppose , ( which we hope is impossible ) that the right to succeede , shall bee found in a Papist : yet , by open Or Papist . force hee were never able to endanger you . For besides that he shall be forsaken both of the sound Protestant , and of the worldling also : of the one for his Religions sake : of the other for the loue he hath to his possessions , he should finde among them of his own faction a number so politicke , that they might perhaps giue him the looking on : but ioine with him they would not , nor durst not , for feare of had I wist : and so hee should finde those that durst stand forth with him in the field indeed , but verie few in number , and them of the weakest in wealth and strength .

Howsoever therefore it fall out , your highnesse need not to feare anie danger by open hostilitie , at the knowne successors hand , albe it he were much provoked therevnto , or be prone enough thervnto of himself . And this is an especial reason no English successour can be of sufficient wealth , to maintaine warre with you , within your owne Realm . And if the successor fall out to be a stranger , he will rather seek by all friendlie and good carriage to requite your gratious and faithful dealing with him , and so more and more procure the loue of you and of your subiects , then by such hostility alienate your owne and your subiects hearts and minds from him . And as for the danger by secrete Nor secret practise . practises , great hope there is , that men considering howe manie that way haue come to confusion , for feare of the like rewarde , wil not dare to meddle that way anie further . And surelie your Maiestie hath iust cause to comfort your selfe against al the secrete dangers which may bee intended against you for well doing , with the most wonderfull and mercifull experience of God his protection , which you manie times haue had against such : though flowing from manie subtile and malitious hearts & heades . For you may be sure , that God will not take lesse care of you , and protect you the lesse , but rather much the more , for adding this heroicall and princely vertue , of preserving your people and state , to all your former noble deedes . Vse you therefore ( sweet soveraigne ) the best & speediest meanes that possiblie you may , to prevent the perill of all your subiectes , and in your well doing , you may rest safe and secure vnder the shadow of the Almightie , and so put your onlie trust in him : and then shal you bee like mount Sion , that shall never bee moved .

Objection . But your owne experience yet feareth you . Answere . Trulie ( Madame ) in our opinion , there is small reason that it should . For , first , what meanes soever were vsed vnto you , to provoke you to hasten your own course : yet experience of the sequel hath made it appeare , that you patiently tarried your time : and that your sister lived , while God himself ended her daies . And secondlie , no maruaile though you had manie ( then ) to egge you forward to aspire to the highest rowme : & great wonder were it now , if anie should bee found that would moue him ( whom you should cause to be published your knowne successor ) to attempt anie thing against you For at her handes , you received hard imprisonment , & were as a sheepe appointed to the slaughter : whereas your known successour ( at your hands ) is to receiue this incomparable benefite , to haue his title to the crowne after you , cleered by you , the which lay hid , and in controversie before . Her regiment was verie vnfortunate An opposition betwixt her Maiesties gouernment , & her sisters . and bloodie , and yours is ( Gods name be blessed for it ) prosperous and mercifull . Shee patronized Antichristianitie , which is a speciall meane to provoke God , to vndermine the estate of those Princes that doe so : and you countenance the truth , and the glorious Gospell of Iesus Christ , which is a principall meane to moue God ( for the good of his Church ) as tenderlie to preserue you ; as the apple of his eie . Shee , by her mariage with a stranger , had almost brought this land into wonderfull danger , if God ( by making her time short heere ) had not prevented it . For shee woulde haue cast out her olde inhabitantes , and haue had this Iland to haue become a dwelling for strangers : much like vnto an vnnaturall nurse : whereas you maintaine it in peace and prosperitie , most like vnto a natural nursing mother , for the vse of the auncient inhabitants thereof . Which strange doings of hers considered , no mervaile it is , though our countrie-men then , to shorten and to prevent those intolerable evils , wished rather you in place , then her : and verie great wonder were it we say , that anie now ( especiallie once worthie to bee regarded ) shoulde wishe rather your knowne successour to weare the Diademe , then your selfe : for these are things of great moment , both to stay others from giving him anie such counsell , and to with-hold his heart from ever consenting therevnto . And therefore , the differences of the times thus considered , together with Gods protection of your sister in her place , till God himself ( with his owne hand ) put an end to her daies : these differences notwithstanding ( we say ) may encourage you , rather by your owne experience to make your successour knowne , then otherwise : for that God that heerein shewed himselfe both able and willing thus to protect & preserue your sister from all the dangers and perils intended against her , by all those that would faine haue had you in her place : no doubt of it , much more easilie can and will protect you , a nursing mother to his true church from al perils and dangers that can arise either from your knowne successor , or from his provokers .

And therefore , to come to your last argument concerning perill to your person The 3. argument that some kings haue bene deposed by their successors answered . by making a known successor , drawn from examples of certaine kings in this land , deposed by their successors . The answere therevnto , is moste easie : for what are those fewe in comparison of infinite numbers that had known heires and successors , and yet were never endangered by them ? And why then should not your Maiesties noble heart ( especiallie alreadie having had so often & so sensible experience of Gods goodnes towards you ) rather take encouragement by the more examples to make your successor known , ( it being a thing every way as it is , becomming your person and honour to do ) rather then discouragement therefrom by the fewer ? Trulie we must needs thinke God being so readie at hand to help you , as you haue alwaies found him hitherto , and the thing beeing as it is , a most especiall point of your Maiesties dutifull service vnto him : that if ever God preserved Prince for so doing ( as hee hath manie ) you should perswade your self , that heerin also he would preserue & protect you .

But as for these examples , they are little or nothing to the purpose in hand : for never a one of these that deposed their predecessors , were ( by them ) made and declared to bee their heires apparant , or their successors , their titles being doubtfull and lying in suspence before : whereas the question now in hand is , Whither the present Prince , whose successor is made knowne by him , and is also advanced to that cleere hope by him , is to feare anie such perill from the successor ? In which case , wee haue shewed in our reasons before , that hardlie in anie storie anie such example can be found . Yet seeing these examples are alleadged it shall not be amisse ( some-what ) to consider of them . Edward the third was but 15. yeres Edward 2. deposed by his sonne Ed. 3. and how . olde when his father was deposed , and therefore not likelie to bee contriver of his fathers deposing . Nay , who so readeth Grafton pag 213. 214. 215. the storie , he shall finde that he was deposed by his Nobilitie and commons , as one ( in their iudgement ) not worthie to be a king . Their reason was ▪ for that he was altogether ruled by the lewde counsell of the two Spensers , Robert Baldock , Pierce of Gauestone , and other ill counsellours : whereby he vainelie consumed the treasure of the land , and overthrewe King ●ich 2● deposed by Hen ●● why Grafton pag. 401. the nobilitie and state . And king Richard the sec. was deposed , not by one whome he had made his knowne successor , but by Henry the fourth : no successor to him by right , but an vsurper , and that for his great misgovernment , as it doth appeare in the storie by 28. articles obiected against him at his deposing : wherein his nobility and commons shewed , that they liked rather to haue an vsurper to raigne over them , that would preserue the crowne & them , then a rightfull king , that would perill the crowne and state also . So Henrie Hen. 6. deposed by Ed. 4. the sixt was deposed by Edwarde the fourth , who had a present right to the crowne , and was neither heire apparant nor knowne successor vnto him : but he was deposed for the causes , for the which God is often angrie with princes , namelie ( as witnesseth the storie ) for being to much advised by the wicked counsell of William de la Poole , Duke of Suffolke , by whose meanes ( as the historie saieth ) the good Duke of Glocester , the kings vncle , was put to death : and the countries that the crown of England did then possesse in France , were delivered and loste : hee beeing the swallower vp of the kings treasure , wherby the warres were not maintained , and the expeller from the King of all good and vertuous counsellours , and the bringer in , and the advancer of vitious persons , common enemies & apparant adversaries to the publike weale . Heere be manie hard points discovered in a counsellour , the which a Wise Princes will look narrowlie into the affections of their counsellers . wise Prince will narrowlie looke into : least anie of his be infected with anie of these faults . His wife also and others did likewise so over-rule him , so that the state was ( by his evill governement ) greatlie troubled & vexed , and the nobility much perilled . Nowe , King Edwarde the fift was murdered being but a childe , by his Ed 3. murthered by Rich. 3. wicked and trayterous vncle , Richard the third , who was neither his heire nor successor by right . So that these examples rather proue , that there is perill to the present governor from secret , ambitious , and vnknowne competitors , than from known successors : for three of these were neyther heyres nor successors by right , to them whome they deposed : and the fourth had the Crowne throwne in his lappe , both vnlooked and vnwished for . And in deede and truth princes are in far more danger , succession not beeing established , then when it is setled . The reason is forcible , for the neglect thereof produceth the disfavour of God , and his subiects : whereof we haue a good example of David , who before he did establish the succession in Salomon , was in farre more danger then afterwards : for before , first Absolon , then Adoniiah were vp in armes for the crown , but Salomon once setled in the title of succession , we reade of no more such dangerous attemptes in his time . And certaine it is that your Maiestie hath beene in much more danger hitherto ( the title to succeed you beeing vndetermined ) then you can be by anie likelyhoode , when soever it shall be declared who hath the right of succession . And so by this that is said alreadie , it sufficientlie appeareth , that the perilles by having a known successor , are rather shadowes of perilles then perilles in deede : whereas by concealing of the succession , and not declaring where it resteth , your Maiestie knoweth , a successor how weaklie soever supposed , yet mightilie supported , both by domesticall traitours and forrayne enemies , hath bred you manie evident and dangerous perilles . The Lord be blessed , who hath delivered you out of their snares & pits , and hath intrapped themselues therin . But you haue no cause yet to thinke ( moste gratious Ladie ) but that the popish faction , which other malcontents , having nowe lost the staffe of their hope , but that they ere this haue The Queene of Scots . busied themselues to finde another : for you may assure your selfe , the more silent you are to make knowne your successor , the glader are they : for they thinke they may thereby the more boldlie set vp one to themselues in their owne conceites : wherein , when their devises and plots are come to anie ripenesse , former experience hath taught you what to looke for from them , or at their hands . God preserue you alwaies from them and their treacheries , and giue you grace ever to beware of them , and never to trust them . Againe , what daunger is there that you can suppose to be likelie to arise by making known your successor , that evidentlie ariseth not of keeping him vnknown : for it is to bee thought , that where the best right is , it is well knowne to him that hath it . Then the more the right of his title be sought to bee suppressed and concealed , the more ( it is likelie ) it will stirre the coales of wrath in his heart , and the sooner it will cause him to put forth himselfe , least he should ( by silence ) misse of that which he accounted his right . And will not the concealing therof cause manie to flatter themselues that they haue a title : and so danger may spring vnto your Maiestie from manie fountaines , and from some perhaps that are not thought of . And all reason perswadeth , that there is lesse daunger to be feared from him that hath right to succeede especiallie being bound vnto your maiestie for publishing and manifesting of his right , then by one that is grieved & offended with your maiestie , for hiding and suffering his title to lie hid . And every one seeth that the danger that ariseth from one , & him known , is easilier prevented , then that which ariseth from manie , & some of them also vnknowne . It were questionlesse therefore ( everie way ) the safest way for your maiestie , to binde him that hath the best right to succeed to you , to all loue and thankfulnes towards you : and consequently ( by that kinde meanes ) from seeking to endanger you anie way : but especiallie by your kind cleering & declaring his right : and then also , to put out of hope all others , that now wrongfully imagine they haue right there-vnto : whose ambition may stirre them vp to seeke the diademe . This ( as I haue plainelie prooved ) is the way that best pleaseth God , & that standeth best with the discharge of your dutie , both to him & to your people : and therfore it cannot be , but that it is farre more safe for your noble person so to doe , then otherwise : because as al stories & experience teache , it is alwaies the safest way , both for Prince & subiect , to please God : and verie dangerous to thinke that there is more safety in following our owne devises and phantasies , then his will and pleasure . Saule ( you know ) was threatned for that he had broken Gods commandment , to haue his kingdome rent from him , and it was so . And the rather may you see , that there is no reason in respect of perill to your person , to stay you from thus doing : because ( not onelie ) it hath beene made to appeare manifestlie vnto you , that they are rather phansied perils , then perils in deede . And now lastlie , evident reason hath shewed you , that what soever those perils be , yet the same , and rather greater , are more iustlie to be feared of the not setling of the succession . Wherefore we conclude , that ( notwithstanding the former obiections ) there is no sufficient cause why you should not make your successor knowne , in respecte of anie perill to your person : seeing wee haue rather proved it much more safer , then perillous for your highnes so to do .

And the danger that might come vnto your honour thereby , is also the lesse to The other branch of the obiection grounded vpon perill , concerning the decay of the princes honor & dignitie , if the successor should bee made knowne , answered and refuted . be feared : for that no act can be more honorable , then that whereby you shoulde provide for the continuall safetie of your kingdome , and people ? And who can ( with a reverent opinion ) think that ever your Maiestie would desire to maintaine the full brightnesse of your glorie , by hazarding the glorie of God ? and the vtter overthrow of your kingdome ? For who knoweth not but that your Maiestie hath read and heard not onlie how farre noble King David in dauncing before the arke , was content to debase himself ? thereby 2. Sam. 6. 14. to advaunce the glorie of God : but also , that verie heathen Princes haue often bene found ready with their lives ( as pretious Codrus Athen . Decij Rom. as their honour ) to redeeme the safetie of their countries . As for the reason to proue it perillous to your honour , in that as men are given rather to honor the Sunne rysing , then the setting therof : so , it is thought in this case , that they are given to preferre their newe Maister , before their olde Mistresse : but these be arguments of smal moment : for the Barbarians that doe worship the Sunne , doe aswell fall flat on their faces , when it setteth as when it riseth . And reason teacheth wise men rather to honor that sunne , the rysing whereof hath already much benefited them : then that which they cannot tell , whither it will benefite them in like measure , or no : Indeede , if the sunne setting hath bene all the former day , but a glowming and vn-comfortable Sunne : then there is some reason , why the next daies Sunne rysing ( in hope that it wil be more comfortable and lightsome ) shuld be rather honoured , then the other . But if the sunne setting , hath beene all the day before , a cleere , lightsome , and comfortable sunne , all wise and honest men will bee so farre in loue with it , that they will be exceeding loath to parte with it , and will highlie honour it , setting : and also dolefullie mourne , when it is set . And the like affection , wise and discreet men cannot carrie to the next sunne rysing , for that they know not whither it will proue comfortable , or not vnto them . Let your Maiestie therefore goe on , as your Grace hath begunne : in sending forth the glorious beames of the Gospell of Christ , thoroughout your dominions : and now , and this kinde comforte to your loving and kinde subiectes : to wit , to make your successor knowne : and assure your selfe , that you shall be more infinitlie honored , setting , for these benefits alreadie received : then the next sunne rising can be possibly ( whosoever he be ) for benefites but barelie hoped for . And further you know , that though manie things bee moste desired , when they are new : yet manie are greatliest esteemed , when they are olde . But what if some light persons doe withdraw ( then ) some honour from you , and giue it to your successor ? what can that eclipse your honour ? when ( by making your successor knowne ) you are grown great and mightie ( with a setled and vn-remoueable loue ) in the heartes of all the graue , faithfull , and godlie wise men of the land . And what losse of honor can it be to you , to lose a little at the handes of vaine and light persons , who are of verie small or none accompt , and to get ten thousand times more honour at the hands of the other : namelie , of all your graue , wise and faithfull subiectes : yea , and to gaine immortall honour both with God and man also , by doing so famous and worthie a deed . Thus we hope your Maiestie , doeth plainelie see , that there appeareth as litle force in this obiection , as in anye of the former , and that therefore wee may conclude also , that the perill in the setling of the succession , is nothing so dangerous to your Princelie honour and dignitie , as the contrarie .

And certainlie ( deere soveraigne ) the The last arg. the establishing of a successor will take away all forraine conspiracies . Proved . surest meanes to kill the hearts of all your enemies both heer , and in forraine countries , and to stop their greedie hungring to advaunce anie to the Diademe , and also to stay their bloodie desires to take away your Maiesties life , by murther of your noble person , or anie other wicked meanes , is the setling of succession onlie . The reason is , the cheefe cause and ende that moveth traiterous Papists and your forraine enemies to hunger so eagerly after your life , is this : they are certainelie perswaded , and it is holden for a resolute opinion amongst them , that if they could bereaue your Maiestie of your life , that then your good subiects had no one ( onlie ) head to cleaue , and resorte vnto for succour : but should ( by inclyning to sindrie factions , and following of as manie heades at the least , as there woulde bee claimers of the crowne ) growe to civill warre and vnnaturall division : and so bee readie everie one of vs , to cut one anothers throat : and then , were we easily all over-runne by them , and the common enemies the strangers . The onelie good & surest meanes to alienate all their minds , from intending the murther of your Maiesties person ( the which otherwise they will never cease to practize ) is , to settle the succession of the crowne , successiuelie to as manie , one after another , as the Lawe shal take notice of , to be inheritable thervnto . For thereby they shall see , that they are never a white the nearer winning of the goale , though they should take away your Maiesties life . For that notwithstanding , yet no civill warre or discorde within this Realme ( the onelie cause of their greedie thirsting after your Maiesties blood ) were like to ensue therof : for that your subiects wits and mindes would not thereby bee distracted , seeing they then should know , and be certaine what head to leane and cleaue vnto : and woulde so be all vnited in one minde , to follow one , and the selfe same head . Manie therfore & great are the benefits which your Maiestie , and the whole Realme should reap by the present establishment of succession : for assoone as this were done , those English traitours which are vsed by the strangers , as wicked instruments , to shorten your Maiesties daies , would presently desist from practizing of that vile enterprise , & your Maiesties enemies will likewise desist from hyring and pricking anie forward therevnto : for that no civil warre ( the onlie mark wherat they aime ) would ensue thervpon . And further they should see , that ( by executing their malicious & longed for attempt ) the Realme shoulde be governed by such a man , who ( in their They closelie meane the King of Scots , who in everie mans judgement is moste able to defend it ; but chieflie in the opinion of strangers . opinions ) would defend it more strongly and stoutlie , then anie woman . Further , the consideration heereof by the straungers , will be ( heere after ) a good meane to stay their purpose of comming againe , if they heare of it before : if they heare of it after their landing , it will hasten them faster away , then a thousand peales of gunnes : for small is their hope of over-running this land , without the advantage of domesticall warre amongst our selues . And it is not like , that they will leaue off with this dishonour , but will ( another yeere ) giue a newe onset . Lastly , admit that they will presume vppon their owne strength , without this advantage : yet , the establishment of the succession will so effectually and vnfainedly winne vnto your Maiestie , the hearts of all your Nobilitie and commons ( some handfull of desperate Papists and Male-contents set a side ) and so reconcile their minds one towards another , which are now distracted by favouring and inclyning to sundrie titles , that the whole Realme ( without al doubt and difficultie ) will put on hearts like vnto the hearts of Lyons , and so stick whollie and hartilie together for the defence of your Maiestie , & this their noble countrie . If the setling of the succession proue not the surest and best meanes for your Maiesties present safetie , and also for the discharge of your dutie to God and your people , therby banqueting with the most daintie dishe of a quiet conscience : and for the winning to your Maiesty of an honorable name and fame throughout the whole world : and for the knitting of all your subiectes hearts fast vnto you , with loue deserved , and so vnremoueable : let our heades pay our ransome , for stirring vp your Maiestie heere-vnto .

Wherefore ( now ) to grow to an end , A recapitulation of the arguments going before , with a pithie exhortation annexed therevnto . ( most gratious soveraigne ) if obedience to God , examples of Kings , both Christian and heathen : yea , and of your owne deare Father , or care and compassion over all your owne naturall liege people , ( otherwise ) sure to come to extreame confusion , the necessarines , profitablenes , & honorablenes of the action , to the eie of the whole world , and to your self also , & both before God & man : together with the weaknesse of all obiections that can be made to the contrare , be of any force and accompt with your Maiestie , as ( wee doubt not ) but they are : then ( Princelie Ladie ) denie not to your most mercifull God this thankfulnes : but ( in thankfull consideration of all his benefites bestowed vpon you ) yeelde in moste effectuall manner to this holie , naturall , and moste needfull motion : denie not this Princelie mercie and dutie to your noble Realmes and Dominions that haue bred you , and hitherto maintained you in all honour , & princelie estate : and without the which , you could not , nor cannot bee preserved , and so maintained . And so , not we only , but all your people , one and other , that haue anie true feare of God , or loue to their whole countrie generallie , or anie naturall care to posteritie , night & day , with teares & gronings in most lamentable and pittifull manner doe cry and call vpon you ( sweet Ladie ) in this point , for mercie , as ever there was anie sparke of true mercie in your princelie heart , that you will ( now ) with speede shew mercie on vs all , & all our wiues and children , kindred & friends , & al our whole posterities : but especiallie to shew mercie vppon our soules : for that otherwise as all your true & faithfull subiects , cannot but perish with the sword : even so our soules will surelie sterue for want of the Word : yea , we ( in most fervent manner ) humbly beseech you , & God chargeth you to shewe mercie in this point ( if in anie ) to his whole Church throughout Christendome . For it will receiue great strength by the establishment of the succession heere . Alas ( if you should not ) what sinne & impietie were it in you , when ( by this onelie meane ) you may prevent vnavoidable perils to your whol people , & noble Realme , to suffer so manie thousands of your loving subiectes , ( who woulde willinglie haue shed their bloode in your defence ) to haue their blood most cruellie spilt , by sundrie cruell and bloodie battailes : yea , to suffer such a florishing Church and common-wealth ( by your vnkinde leaving it without a known successor ) to be spoiled of al policie , order , government , and Religion , and to be brought to vtter desolation Oh , ( in so dangerous times especially as these be , in the midst of secrete enemies at home , and mightie and malicious abroad ) provoke not ( moste noble soveraigne ) the wrath of your kinde God vppon you so iustlie : neither offer any such vnkinde occasion of alienating the affections of your best subiects from you , so deservedlie : it tending ( so much as it doth ) to the weakning and perill of your self : but in the feare of God , and of desire everie way to please him , and to the discharge of a good conscience , take in hand ( and that without delay , because delay breedeth danger ) this most godly , honorable , and naturall action . And stil to whet you therevnto , in stead of a finall conclusion wee leaue these short questions to be considered of by you , and answered betweene God and you in your secrete chamber .