ALbeit ( most Gracious Soueraigne ) I might be woorthily noted of presumption , in dedicating these my trauailes to your Maiestie , as wel for the basenesse of my skill & calling , as for the vnreuerent demeanour of the aduersaries that here I answere , vnworthie whom your Highnesse should deigne to loke vpon : yet , bothe bicause the matter entreateth moste of a Princes estate , and that vpon the chiefest point therof , belonging in general to al Christian Princes , but in especiall to your Maiestie , against whom they chiefly direct their malice , and in maintenaunce whereof your Maiestie direct your gouernement , and herein haue giuen a mirror to al christian Princes to folow , and be partakers in their common weales , of the lyke blessings , wherwith God hath beautified your Highnesse , and established youre authoritie : I thought it therfore not vnfit ( setting my self and them aside , with all such by matters as incidently fal out in disputation , betwixt the Bishop and master Feckenham , of me & these my aduersaries ▪ to con●…ecrate this argumente of Supremacie to youre moste excellent Maiestie , as to whom chiefly in your dominions , next vnder Christ it dothe pertaine . Which your Highnesse so nobly maintaines by practise of godlie gouernment , howe euer we by the word and argument do defend it .

There is no controuersie at this day betwixt vs and the enimies of the gospel more impughed , than this one of the Supremacie , nor more bookes compiled more libels scattered , more vaunts made of truth on their partie , more sclaunders deuised of oure doctrine , and your Maiesties Title , more secrete conspiracies and open treasons against your Royal person and state of the Realme : than our aduersaries make , only for this Supremacie . Shall Sathan then vse al this double diligence , in promoting the pride & tyrannie of his Antichrist , the man of sinne , the foreigne vsurper of all Christian kingdoms : and shall the children of God. be negligent in defence of the kingdom of Christ , of the Lordes anoynted , of the dutifull office and lawfull authoritie of their naturall Soueraigne ▪

Other meanes ( I graunt ) may be had to suppresse their furious dealing . And God bee blessed therefore that hath furnished your Maiestie with power , counsell , authoritie , law , wisedome learning , vertue , courage , and al other Princely habilities ▪ suffi●…iet to maintein your Highnesse Title , & protect that portion of Christes Church , which he hath committed to your most Gracious gouernment , in peace and truth prosperously , 〈◊〉 your enemies . Wherein as your Maiestie hath euer most z●…lously sought and set forth the glorie of god , ●…e hath so glorified you again , as he hath promised , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , glorificabo : that your highnesse may say as king Dauid sayd ▪ he hath deliuered you out of your enimies hands , and defeated all their purposes , he hath established you a kingdom here on earth in peace and righteousnesse , and hath prepared in heauen a Kingdom for you in glorie and eternitie .

Now although this be so clee●…e , that euen the enimies themselues confesse , God works with you , God fights for you , God hath taken your hart into his handes , that haue taken his quarel into yours : yet sith the 〈◊〉 do mutte●… & sclander your Highnesse , to take suche kind of Gouernment on you , as were not competent , as the Pope had wont to do , & your Highnes is furthest from : if this your claime be not proued to be groūdedon Gods word , if those enuious be not cō●…inced by euident arguments of the seripture , al the foresaid prosperitie is counted but earthly blessings , and such as other worldly Princes haue . All the due authoritie is 〈◊〉 but extorted violence : neither is the mouth of the adoersarie stopped , neyther is the mind of the subiect satisfied . And therfore when al is don ▪ there is no better mean●… to may 〈◊〉 this Title , than euen by learning & 〈◊〉 for to me it to the vttermost , and to fight wit●… the weapon of Gods word for it , whiche●…s sharpe●… to wo●…nde the aduersaries heart and conscience , than any two edged sword .

IT is nowe a good while since ( deare Christian Reader ) that this maister Stapletons Counterblast was blowne ouer the seas from Louaine , against the Reuerende father in Christe , the Bishop of Winchester , or rather against the Quenes Maiestie and hir Supremacie , & was thus farre answered vnto , as here is nowe set foorth . Which may easily be perceiued by the reading , for there is little or nothing altered , except a sentence or two here & there added , as things haue falne out since . I speake this , that thou shouldest not here loke for any great or exquisite penning , thinking that after so long a leysure some more notable and exacter answere should come forth . Our aduersaries vaunt much of their wittes herein , and chie●…y this my matefellow master Stapleton , to be verie fresh & pregnant in readinesse of answering , for he is his mothers sonne , and hath it on his fingers ends . Howbeit , I may say to these , as Apelles sayd to one , who when he had drawne a picture : Lo ( quoth he ) I did this apace . Some thinkes ( quoth Apelles ) it is so runningly done . And thus it falleth often out with our Lo●…anists writings , but Sat cito si sat bene , It is soone ynough if it be well inough , ( say I ) when all is done .

The reas●… why this answere came forth no soner , are these . First , I kept it priuate to my self , abyding if either the Bishop , against whome it was made , or any other woulde aunswere to it . Secondly , I heard at the length , that Maister Nowell the Deane of Poules trauayled in it , whose learning and wisedome being suche as all the aduersaries could neuer withstand : I surceased to proceede any further . Thirdly , when I perceiued he set not out his answere neither , I thought it best to lay myne asyde also . Thinking that either he was stayed vpon som weightier consideration , than I did know : or else that he did thinke the boke not worth the answering at al ( as in very deed , to the lerned marker it is not ) & M. Nowel had answered Dorman in muche like matter before , which were the occasions why it slept so long .

But since that time , as many haue mused and talked much on the matter , so they haue not a little marueiled why nothing was said vnto it . The argument was great and waightie , not so muche whether nowe the Supremacie belonged to the Pope , as whether it pertained to the ciuil Magistrate , and whether the Queenes Maiestie did claime and hold it by right or no , The parties in controuersie were of note , as wel master Feckenham among the Papistes , as the Bishop of Winchester , whose estimation among vs , is not more for his authoritie , than his name among other nations for his learning . Nowe when Master Stapleton stept in lyke a lustie yoncker , and blewe vp this Counterblast betwene these twain , so hotly hallowing for answer out of hande to be made by the Bishop therto , & al this while had none : some did interprete it , that he was a very vnfit matche for so graue a Bishop , as ( to say the truth ) the match was nothing euen . And therefore I wite not the Bishop , if he vouchsafed not to answer him , especially seing home his booke was so pestred with scoldes and scorners Rhetorike . Neither will the horse of noble corage strike at euery brauling curre that barks at his heeles . But when others missecōstrued this to the worst , & said the Counterblast was so notably blown , that the Bishop durst not , nor was able , he nor any other to answer it : & when vpon the head of all this M. Saunders Latine volume commes forth , although chiefly on the Popes visible Monarchie , yet once again entring into this question of the Princes Supremacie , with fresh matter ( & as he bosteth ) with such inuincible arguments against it , that all are but vnlearned , starke fooles , and cleane madde that do defend it : and not thus content , so depresseth the Princes estate , that he will now proue the Pope hath interest to depose al Christian Princes , and release their s●…biects of their sworn obedience : which valiant champion vaunteth also , of his felow Stapletons noble peece of woorke , againste the Princes Supreme Gouernment , saying in his prayse : Quod argumentum ▪ Thomas Stapletonus omnium copiosissimè tracta●…it in ●…o Libro quen●… 〈◊〉 & eloquentia & doctrina refertum , contra Hornum Ps●…udoepiscopum Wintoniens●… edidi●… , whiche argument Thomas Stapleton hathe moste copiously handeled in that booke , whiche beeing replenished with all eloquence and learning , he set foorth against Horne the false Bishop of Winchester . So stornfully this rayling Papiste speaketh of the Bishop , and so he braggeth of his fellowes lerning and eloquence . All whiche considered , I thought it necessarie and more than high tyme , to answer these proude Phariseis , least the goodnesse of the cause should become distrusted , the truth suspected , the Prince slaundered , the Bishop defaced , the enimie encouraged , the godlie offended , the simple abused , and the whole estate euill spoken of , by too muche vnfrutefull silence , and ouerlong suffrance of such false and glorious pratlers . And although for these causes I was the willinger to sette it foorth , yet was I the more emboldned on the request of diuerse , that hearing I had trauailed in it , by their godlie persuasions vrged me the more thereto .

The chiefe of the Argument consisteth on the Supreme gouernement of Christian Princes in causes Ecclesiasticall . The occasion sprang of a controuersie betweene the Bishop of Winchester , and master Feckenham , about the Oth of the Supremacie . All which is extant abroade in a learned and pithie booke of the Bishops , answering to maister Feckenhams scruples . The issue they draue the matter vnto , was this , that maister Feckenham must be resolued for the Princes Supreme Gouernement in Ecclesiasticall causes , by any of these foure meanes , the Scripture , the Doctours , the Councels , or the Practise . The Bishop accepteth the offer , and maketh proofe of the Princes Supreme gouernment in Ecclesiasticall causes , not onely by any one , but by euery one of all these forsayd poyntes , as the Bishops booke is euident to testifie . Maister Feckenham that had made his promise to take the Oth vponany of these proues , and seing them all ( beyond his cunning and expectation ) proued , but neither mynding to keepe touche , nor able to answere : suborneth a chapman from beyond the seas , to wit , this Louanist maister Stapleton , ( if he may be called Maister , for order of schole degree , that is suche a renegate from God , and runnagate from his Prince ) who to saue maister Feckenhams honestie , if he woulde aduenture to relieue his cause : master Feckenham should to saue his credite , vouchesafe to relieue his neede .

Master Stapleton hauing better furniture of sale eloquence , than store of grounded learning , and yet more learning than grace well to imploy it , in acknowledging the manyfest truth , taketh vpon him to aunswere the Bishop , and deuides all the matter into foure Bookes , whereof this is the fyrst , that here is answered . This doone , he conceiueth suche apride of this his exquisite piece of worke , that we must needes haue some fyne new name for this fyne newe booke , ( singular heads ye know , must haue singular inuentions ) and bicause the Bishops name is M. Horne , he entitleth his worke forsooth a Counterblast . And yet somwhat truer than he himselfe wist , beeing in deed a blast , scarce worth a Counter , if the reader well examine it .

And that ye maye the better perceiue , this volume deserues so rare a name , for these two rare gifts , eloquence and learning , for which maister Sanders so highly extolleth him ( Mulus mulum scabit : ) And sith these two champions beare now the bell for eloquence among the Papists , the one for English , the other for Latine : I haue sorted maister Stapletons eloquence by it self , consisting on certain Common places folowing , that we may the easier iudge of the substance of his learning , whiche otherwise we should not so well discerne , it is so poudred with his eloquence . His eloquence ( I confesse ) I haue sayde but little vnto , nor can say muche , nor would say ought vnto it , as one that neuer was trained vp in the scholes and arte therof . As for maister Stapleton goeth beyond maister Saunders , and withoute all comparison is an A perse Doctor in it , and therfore I set it asyde , the better to viewe the learning , to the whiche I had more especiall regarde , for when all is done , the Eloquence settes it out , but the Learning proues the matter . And though it be not replyed vpon with suche learning as many other better coulde , that rather shoulde haue doone it , yet haue I endeuored truly , simply and playnely to answere it , and ( I hope ) to the contentation of the modest Reader , that rather respecteth the boul●…ing out of the truthe , the staye of his conscience , and the glorie of God , than either the estimation of learning , or the shewe of eloquence .

Nowe although the Supremacie be the principall matter , yet the importunitie of maister Stapleton hath once or twice caried me perforce away with him , to purge our selues of certain auncient Herekes that he layeth to our charge , and crieth so faste vpon vs for answere , and sayeth we styll slinke from it , as though we hearde it not , and therefore I haue here at large made aunswere to it , which makes the volume aryse the bigger . In somuche that I thought , for all maister Stapletons exclamations , to haue lefte it out , or put it in one of his Common places . But that Maister Saunders commeth rufflyng in wyth the like argument , and therefore I lette it stande as it did . And I truste I haue cleerely disburdened vs , and iustly burdened them therewyth , tyll they shall be hable to discharge themselues therof . I desyre ( good Reader ) but euen indifferencie in thy iudgement .

Last of all , since Master Sanders hath compiled his great volume of the Popes Uisible Monarchie , in the second book wherof he entreth into this argument of the Princes Supremacie : I haue chosen out of the second booke . 4. chapters of the state of the Ciuil and Ecclesiastical power , in the Original , in the Use , and End of both : of the Interest and superioritie of either state : chiefly of that he would not only defeate the Prince of all gouernment in matters Ecclesiasticall , but also clean dispossesse hir Maiestie of hir Crowne . For , maister Saunders , to mayntein the trecherous fact of P●…us the fift , the last Pope , ( if Cardinal Bon Compagnion , Pope Good fellowe , as the talke wente , be not deade ) woulde proue , that Bishops may depose their Princes , and assoyle their subiectes from their allegeance . Whiche poyntes as they draw nerest to the present argument , and in deed are for learning ( suche learning as it is ) the principall pointes of all his volume , I thought good to ioy●… them vnto Stapleton , and so in one answer , answere both , though both be answered seuerally , as they drawe neere or farre , in resemblance or varietie of Argument , example , or similitude aboute this matter . Wherein what is doone , I committe vnto thee ( good Christian Reader ) to iudge as God shall moue thy heart , and besecche thou him , to moue it to the best , That the truth may appeare , that the falshode may be detected , that thou mayst be edified , that the Prince may be obeyed , that the Gospel maye be prospered , and that God aboue al things may be glorified nowe and for euer .

THat all master Stapletons whole volume ( as well therein himselfe termeth it , a Counterblast ) is indéede but a verie blast , blowne out to encounter the graue and pithie 〈◊〉 of the right reuerende father in Christ Robert Bishop of Winchester , to ●…he Libell of M. Feckenhams scruples , for refusall of the othe of the Quéenes Maiesties Supremacy : & withall to blow out , ( thereby to darken the clearenesse of the truth ) these light clowdes without moysture whereof Saint Iude prophecied : I haue good Reader , or euer I enter into the ●…laying of the Counterblast , gathered togither by themselues ( as it were in a table of common places ) all those blastes wherewith his Counterblast is puffed vp , and haue sorted them in seuerall windes and blastes , whereby thou mayste knowe , as it were by a chart , into what coast he is alwayes caried , and by what gale of winde he sayleth : so shalt thou the better finde , in what créeke he setteth footing , whether on fast or on foggie grounde . Which that it may the better appeare , beholde the most or principall of those windes , wherwith M. St in this his first booke , and so encreasing more and more in the residue ( as we shall likewise sée when we come therto ) blu●…ring like an other Aeolus , bloweth forth his Counterblast .