A supplication exhibited to the most mightie Prince Philip king of Spain &c. VVherin is contained the summe of our Christian religion, for theprofession whereof the Protestants in the lowe Countries of Flaunders, &c. doe suffer persecution, vvyth the meanes to acquiet and appease the troubles in those partes. There is annexed An epistle written to the ministers of Antwerpe, which are called of the confession of Auspurge, concerning the Supper of our sauiour Iesus Christ. VVritten in French and Latine, by Anthonie Corronus of Siuill, professor of Diuinitie.

To the most mightie and most victorious Philip King of Spayne .

HAuing had certayne intelligence aswel by common report , as the speciall letters of diuers Citizens of Antwerpe ( most mig●tie Prince , and my most dread soueraigne ) how miraculously , farre beyond the exspectation of man , God had made a way for the frée passage & preaching of his holy Gospell in your Maiesties lowe countreys , I determined with my selfe at the earnest persuasion of my friends ( setting all my other businesse aside ) to take my iourney thither : both that I might be partaker with many others seruing God there sincerely and truely , of that great ioy and consolation which ●hey receiued and enioyed through the excéeding mercie and goodnesse of almighty God , powred vpon your graces subiects : & withall to my simple power further as much as in me lay this spiritual buylding of Gods house , considering that God had appointed me to this vocation . For since my departure out of Spaine , which is now .xij. yéeres past , I protest vnto your highnesse truely & sincerely , that there was nothing in the whole world that I more earnestly desired & prayed for , than that which at this present I behold & sée before mine eies , trusting that this singular grace & benefit of God shal not alwayes be conteyned in this so smal a countries , but from thence in processe of time shall be deriued into your M. whole realme of Spayne , so that the true & sincere knowledge of Iesu Christe may there likewise shine & be manifested , & therwith al superstition & all blinde & false worshipping of God banished & exiled , which by the wilfull ignorance of men , & for wante of the knowledge of Gods worde were crept into our religion , and like wéedes had quite ouergrowen it . Finally I haue good hope that this chaunge & alteration of the world shal stir vp your Maiestie to heare the pitiful complaynts & lamentations of your faithful & obedient subiects , & to haue compassion of the calamities of so many miserable soules , as ( being your most faithful and obedient subiects ) are notwithstanding oppressed with diuers kindes of torments , persecutions , banishment , confiscation of goods & landes , & ( that more is to be lamented ) are before their cause lawfully heard , against right & reason condemned , & executed most horribly by the moste extreme & cruell kindes of death that can be deuised . The office and duety of Princes and Magistrates , touching the cause of religion . Iosue . 1. Deuter. 17. As for the iudges which sitte in this commission of life and death & in this wise condemne the poore innocents , they beare your grace in hand that the determinations of these causes , dothe not appertaine to Kings or Princes , notwithstanding that the holy Scriptures teach the contrary , and shewe that it is the office and duetie of Kings , Princes , and all other rulers and Magistrates , chiefly and before all other things , to sette foorth good & true doctrine accordyng to the lawes conteyned in the first table , and the same so set forth to authorise and cause to be published : and consequently , to gouerne their subiectes with Iustice , and with equitie to defend them . The whiche thing it is vnpossible for any euer to performe without the true knowledge of Gods diuine Maiestie , as the very Heathens themselues iudge , which were only learned & instructed after the law of nature . Justitia ( sayth Tully ) nec in regno nec in Repub: retineri , Cicero lib. 1. de natura deorum . aut conseruari potest , nisi iactis ante verae pietatis fundamentis . Vnneth can iustice be kept or maintayned , either in kingdome or commonwealth , but where true religion is first of all planted and rooted . And truly this is the very same true doctrine , & seruice of God , which I sée preached in your Maiesties low countreys , which causeth me assuredly to hope that all other thinges will haue like happie successe , & that your Maiestie by this occasion will vnderstande and determine this cause , and purge Christian religion , in banishing and rooting out all the abuses and errours which haue crepte in by little & litle , and corrupted al Christendome . Wherefore ( most noble Prince ) vpon my comming to Antwerpe many men did greatly meruayle , thinking it a thing scarse credible , that one of the Spanish nation , borne & bredde there , shoulde embrace the Gospell so desirously , and so earnestly maintayne it , that he boldly durst professe himselfe a publicke Preacher of the same . And forasmuch as the bruite of this strange noueltie was so common , that it came to your Maiesties eares ( as I coniecture ) and perhaps many a false slaunder and misreporte added therewith all , I thought it not amisse for me to take occasion , of this my comming to Antwerpe , to breake this long silence whiche I haue kepte these whole .xij. yéeres , to the entent to purge my selfe vnto your Maiestie , and to iustifie the doctrine which I professe , and that by writing . Wherefore in most humble maner I beséeche your highnesse ( my gracious soueraigne ) to take in good parte this writing of mine your most humble and faithfull subiect , wherin I haue declared the causes aswell that moued me to departe out of Spayne , as to resort hither into your countrey of Flaunders . For I take God to witnesse , my comming to your Maiesties citie of Antwerpe was not for any desire of newfanglenesse , or to disquiet the state , but by the preaching of the Gospell to pacifie them that were offended , to make a quiet end of quarels and controuersies that were risen among them , & to my power to caulme & appease the hurlyburly whiche was nowe begon , to cause vnitie , & peace , where was discorde and dissention , and to discharge the duetie whiche I ought bothe to God and to your Maiestie : as I doubt not , but your highnesse shal in tyme right well perceiue . But chiefly my desire was in very déede , to professe openly and to preach the doctrine of our Lorde and Sauiour Iesus Christe accordyng to the measure of his grace , & the knowledge that he had giuen me therin . And now concerning the first point , that I haue purposed to entreate of , I wil ●eclar● vnto your Maiestie the causes that enforced me to departe out of your most flourishing realme of Spayne . For I am not ignorant that the time of my departing is very well knowen , and much noted of many men , aswell for the number of vs that fled at the same tyme , as for the colour that was made to our Countrymen , of our necessarie departure , but yet without allegation of any cause certayne . Many had good cause to meruayle most of all at me● that I among the reste so voluntarily departed into exile , considering there was not onely no apparaunt cause of feare for mée , of any open accusation for Religion to be had agaynst mée , but not so muche as any suspition at all , yea rather beyng in so good credite , with diuers personages bothe Worshipfull and Honorable , as fewe menne of my cote and callyng were , so that this my necessarie departure is not to bée termed a constraynt or enforcement , beyng not dryuen therevnto by any Officer or Inquisitour , who liked of my presence and company very wel , and gaue me friendly entertaynement : but it was my conscience that vrged me therevnto , which by the beyng lightned by Gods spirite , did séeme to be in continuall torment , and felte as it were a hell in it selfe , to be miserably ouerlayed with so huge a Masse of superstition and idolatrie as long time and much labour would not suffise to declare . Wherefore of many things I will shewe to your Maiestie a few in excuse of my selfe & for mine owne purgation , moste humbly beséeching the same to encline your gracious eares , & with patience to heare this my declaration , to the ende , that your grace may of your selfe , the better iudge of my cause , and descerne whether this my departure out of your graces Realme of Spayne , deserue blame and condemnation , and not rather pardon and commendation . Secondarily , that I might shew some proofe of my Faith & doctrine to your highnesse , I will briefly declare vnto you certaine articles of our religion , and for the residue will at all times at ●ur Maiesties commaundement be ●ost ready to do the like . And first to ●ppe vp vnto your grace all thinges ●●om the very beginning , I will shew you how miraculously , and after how ●●range a maner the Lorde did open ●he eyes of my soule , and made me to ●ée the truth . What time the Empe●our your Maiesties Father of famous memory , had nominated D. Ae●idio the chiefe chanon & preacher in the Cathedrall churche in Ciuil , D. Aegidio accused of the Monkes . to bée Bishop of Tortose , the Monkes of Civil beganne so greatly to enuy it , or rather so furiously to rage thereat , that whereas they were not in any wise able to hinder him of that preferment wherevnto the Emperours maiestie had aduaunced him , they conspired togither in what sorte they might best accuse him for a sower of heretical doctrine , after he had obtayned the Bishopricke : For vntill that time D. Aegidio for his preaching was thought to be an Apostle , and for his godly conuersation and life , iudged of his very enimies to bée a paterne for all oth●● Preachers to folow & direct thēselu●● by . After this conspiracie was put 〈◊〉 practise , whole thrée yéeres were spe●● in quarrelling , & entring billes of co●playnts against him , during al which 〈◊〉 time ( good man ) he lay in pryson , paciē●ly , and manfully abyding all kinde o● affliction and miseries that were layd vpon him . At what time for mine owne parte , whensoeuer I either behold his estate or heard it spoken of , I thought in my conscience that he was well and worthily serued , and I also meruellously abhorred to heare him , yea but once named , as one commonly reported to be a sower of Luthers heresies , and a sworne enimie agaynst the Pope . In this opinion , or error rather , I remayned a long time , till one of the Inquisitours to whom his cause was specially recommended by priuate letters sente from the Emperour , An Inquisitour discouereth the secretes of the Inquisition . began to make his complaint to me of the iniurious dealings & wicked demeanour of certen of his felowes , that were ioyned togither with him in commission , aswel concerning other matters whiche pertayned to their of●●ce , as especially in their procéeding agaynst D. Aegidio , who as ( he sayde ) was both a good man and a true christian , & better learned by a great deale than his aduersaries , for all their glorious tithes of Doctorship , declaring moreouer , that he vnderstoode right well out of what forge these quarrels and false accusations were coyned , and that the Monkes durst neuer haue bene so bolde as to attempt so to set themselues against him , but that they were bolstered & vpholden by a certen Bishop . Beside this , he made report vnto me particularly , in how many things the holy Inquisition ( as they call it ) had dealt very cruelly with suche as were accused . The whiche things it were requisite and necessarie for your Maiestie ( most rightuous prince ) throughly to vnderstande , that your Grace might knowe the common Prouerbe in your tong to be true , No es todo or● lo que : reluze , It is not al gold that glistereth : and that this highe consistory and holy house of Inquisition ( as the terme it ) is most wicked and voyde 〈◊〉 all holinesse . For whiche consideration he tolde me further , that he had both dispatched himselfe out of the charg● of that office , and refused the fée therof to the end that he might haue his frée election to be present onely in special matters at his pleasure , & beyng now farre stroken in age , he might not be compelled to deale in all affayres . And yet to the end that he might be an ayde and succour to some , whom otherwise his companions would with tiranny haue oppressed , he was content to be named in commission , and reteyne the authoritie still . For suche was their madnesse and furor ( sayde he ) ioyned with frowardnesse of minde , that they would procéede to condemnation of men innocent & guiltlesse , without hearing and debating their cause . Whereof he sayd there was euidence sufficient in the cause of D. Aegidio , wherein forasmuch as they were ignorant themselues and vnderstoode not what was right & what was wrong , what was in religion true and what false , they did therefore all the Monkes to counsell , that they ●ight weigh the causes , and by preiu●ice giue their verdites , whiche they ●ommonly call the Qualifications , be●ng knowen to be moste enuious enimies against that good man , & to beare hote malice towardes him stil boyling in their brestes . And as for D. Aegidio truely , ( sayd he ) if he be an heretike , as his aduersaries do reporte him , I confesse that I am an Heretike also : For I am fully persuaded in my conscience , that he teacheth no other doctrine than the very woorde of God , in the whiche opinion his good life and conuersation agréeing with his doctrine , doth the rather confirme me : neither thinke I any Preacher of them all within the whole Citie , that doth more euidently , both in woorde and déede , expresse true pietie & godlinesse than he doth . For whiche of all the Canons in the whole Colledge bestoweth his yéerely pention more liberally , & to better or more godly vses than doth D. Aegidio , by whose good deuotion and almes , poore widowes are holpen , fatherlesse children cherished , a great number of pouertie relieu●● This speach so grauely procéeding fr● so fatherly a personage , besides one o● so great credit & authoritie ( to declar● the truth to your Maiestie ) did notwithstanding greatly moue me & offend me , when I hearde him vtter al these things against such men whom I did both honor in my hart , & estemed to be the very pillers & supporters of the church & the true & sincere iudges of christianitie , howbeit partly the authoritie of him that spake it , & partly the good will which I know him to beare me , & the credite of his report , hauing experience hereof himself , & seing it with his eies , wrought not a little with me on the other side , the rather to giue eare vnto it & to enquire further therof : whervpon after more talke had of these matters betwixt him and me , I requested him to helpe me to the sight in writing of the accusations & the articles layd against D. Aegidio , with the determinations of the diuines or Qualifications ( as they terme them ) the which he graunted me very willingly & therwithal gaue me the ●y of the Apologie made by the same D. ●gidio in his own defence & purgation . 〈◊〉 the reading wherof I fel in a marue●s admiration . The Doctrine of D. Aegidio . For Aegidio that cō●ly was accompted to be an enimy to ●hrist , referred al his writings to the ●ly & euerlasting honor and glory of Christ , confessing the singular ioy & con●●rt of christen men & women , only to con●st in his death & passion , & in the continual ●mebrance & meditation thereof . He was called an infidel , & yet he extolled with highly , & set forth the force & vertue therof which is quite contrarie to al hipocritical & pharisaical workes , & the sundry sortes of superstition which men had deuised to please God withall . To be short , most mightie prince ) the writings & workes of the man did so greatly inflame my minde , the me thought I did euidently sée the very true & liuely image of christ crucified expressed therin , since which time I had a gret desire to haue some conference with the said D. Aegidio & diligently to peruse his sermons & expositions vpon certain bokes of the holy scripture , whiche when I compared with the S●mons & writings of the popish Pri●● and Monkes eyther treating of Pu●gatory , or the Popes Bulles , or rath● Burles ( as they were well and wo●thily termed ) or written in aduaunc●ment of mans merites and superstit●ous workes , i. Scoffes . I noted so great a diuer●tie betwixt them , as is betwixt day an● night , light and darkenesse , truth an errour : finally , betwixt the doctrine 〈◊〉 the holy Ghost and the deuice of man braine . When I was in this touched 〈◊〉 so earnest a zeale of pure religion , I ha● also other friends whom the Lord vse as meanes & instruments to enflame my desire of further knowledge , the which was first kindled in me by the working of the holy spirite : for by this occasion I came first acquaynted with D. Constantino , whose learning , grauitie , wisedome & profounde knowledge in Diuinitie , no man knoweth better than your Maiestie : surely al Spayne had him in great account , and admiration therefore . I came also acquainted with Gasper Baptista , a very honest and iust man : with Garcia ab Arias : with Maestro Scobar : Iuan Goncales : and diuers other , very learned and godly preachers . Besides this I did with great diligence inquire for Luthers workes and other wryters of the Protestantes , which the Inquisitours themselues did lende me at the first very willingly , as one of whome they had no maner of suspition . Wherein I did acknowledge the singular prouidence of God , who to cure my blindenesse , made the Inquisitours themselues his instruments , and by their handes gaue me suche bookes for my better instruction , which they had before taken from others . By meanes wherof it came to passe , that in shorte space I profited greatly in the knowledge of true and perfect religion . Then began God to open the eyes of my vnderstanding , & to giue me ( as it were ) certain spectacles , by meanes wherof I espied many horrible & abhominable things which before time were vnknowen to me , and no such things in my iudgement . And , to declare to your Maiestie by what wayes God did leade me as it were by the hande to a further knowledge of his truth . I will in the beginning shew vnto your good grace the means wher by I first attained to perceyue the tyrannous dealing of the Pope and his Inquisitours . For when I weyed with my selfe , and pondered in my minde the great darkenesse and ignorance that we were in , I considered how necessary a thing it were for vs to be instructed in the holy and sacred Scripture which God had left for the encrease and confirmation of our faith : The Lay people inhibited the reading of holy scripture . On the contrary part , when I perceyued howe the Pope and his Inquisitours with all the reste of their sect , laboured tooth & nayle to kéepe men from the reading of the worde of God : & when I dayly hearde cruell Edicts and Proclamations published against suche as had either Bible or Testament in their mother tong , I straightway bruste out into these wordes with my selfe , saying : Are these the decrées & Edicts of the true Ministers of God ? God expresly by his word commaundeth that all men should read the Scriptures : & these men directly do countermaund it . Iosu . ● . God apointing Iosua to be the ruler and guider of his people , enioyneth him to take his lawe as a rule to direct & order all his enterprises by , & the people would not receyue him , but with condition that he should guide & gouerne them according to the prescript worde of God : wheras the Inquisitours are growne so bold , that they dare inhibite Princes and Magistrates the reading of the Scripture . I reade in Iohn that euery man ought to search the scriptures , Iohn . ● . for asmuch as they do beare witnesse of Christ . The Inquisitours beare vs in hande that it is onely meant of the learned sorte whiche vnderstand Latin : & that it is punishable with death for any other man to presume to read than in their mother tong . Moreouer Paule taught me that the iust man liueth by his faith , Rom. 4. & 10. & in another place that faith is gotten by hearing the word of God . The Inquisitours teach the contrary , that the faith & belefe which the church holdeth generally is sufficient for the behoofe of euery particuler person . The comm● and Popis● catholicke fayth . And if a man had asked them the question what maner of faith that is , & which is the true church , they did answer , in effect the same , which the Pope , the Cardinals , the Bishops and Inquisitours declare by their fruites , and represent in person , of whose fayth and workes they woulde haue all other men wholy to depend . And truly this inhibition of reading the holy Scriptures me thought did sounde much both against all good reason and policie . For what Prince and potentate is there in the whole worlde , that woulde thinke it an indifferent matter to commaunde his subiects to obserue & kéepe his lawes and ordinances , whiche neyther his officers wil suffer them to reade , nor to haue in theyr custodie ? For if that were so , then shoulde eyther the Prince be suspected to go aboute to intrappe his people within the daunger of lawe , or the Rulers vnder him thought not only not obedient subiects , but rebelles against theyr Princes will , considering that it is a very harde and a difficulte matter to kéepe lawes , except a man be skilfull and conuersant in them , and by meanes thereof vnderstande them perfectly . What ( thought I with my selfe ) Mahomet was neuer so cruell against his secte and followers . The Turkes more cunning i● theyr Alcorane that Christians are in the Bible . For he left his Alcorane in wryting as a compendious and brief Abstract of his sect and heresie , to the end that euery one , both old and yong , learned and vnlearned , Lay man or Clergie man , might learne in theyr owne naturall language to know and to follow the doctrine & religion of him whome they had chosen for their Captaine and supreme head . How much more requisite were it then that the most rightuous lawe and most sacred worde of our God should be redde , and in perpetuall meditation with them that professe themselues to be schollers of his schoole , and members of his Church ? To be shorte , as I was in this cogitation , I became fully persuaded in conscience that the Pope and his Cardinals , the Inquisitoures and their adherents , and all the other their complices and confederates in the like tiranny , were the professed enimies of Gods kingdome and his glory , sworne traytours against the Maiestie of Christe , and the very meanes and instruments of Satan , wherby he inueigled many miserable soules , spoyling them of the foode & sustenaunce of their spirituall life which consisteth in the worde of God , and compelling the poore flocke of Christ to begge the crummes of that heauenly bread at the hands of Monkes & Friers , who tempering the same with their pharisaicall leuen , made it bothe foystie and vnsauery foode : and yet not withstanding , made their marchandise thereof , and solde it to the people at a very high pryce : And here began I to conceyue a great griefe in my conscience , and to féele ( as it were ) a corosiue at my hart , beholding the common people and the foolish superstitious women runne by flockes here and there vp and downe to get them ghostly Fathers , that might comfort and heale their wounded and guilty consciences . I considered further that these tyraunts had forcibly entred and intermedled within other mens iurisdictions and liberties , taking vpon them the interpretation of holy scriptures , and yet in such sorte that they neuer opened their mouthes to preach the worde to the common people , but at their owne pleasures and their beste leasure at certayne times in the yéere , as most commonly in Lent , Aduent Sondayes , and a few other festiuall dayes . But O good Lorde what kinde of Scripture is it they preach ? such as they make their markettes of , and sell for money , prophaned with all kinde of Idolatrie and superstition , corrupted with the idle deuises and constitutions of mans brayne , seruing onely for the aduauncement and commoditie of the Pope and his champions , without bringyng any quietnesse to afflicted consciences , or any perfect knowledge and instruction in the misteries of Christian religion : for all there sermons and actions respect no other end .

And nowe I leaue it to the consideration of your Maiestie ( moste mighty Prince ) to weighe and consider what kinde of knowledge of God this people can haue ingrauen in their hartes that haue suche Pastors and Schoolers to teache them ? What m●ner of knowleg● of God is in papaci● For myne owne parte I muste néedes confesse , that the same God that by his holy Spirite hath wrought this alteration in me , hath bene defaced by them , and spoyled of his greatest and moste meruelous workes , Mercie & Iustice . For these lying Doctors and teachers made him a cruell and seuere God against such as coulde not make satisfaction for their sinnes with money . And if their doctrine be true which teach vs that those men are more acceptable in the sight of God , that make sumptuous & magnificiall foundations of Abbeys and Monasteries , that make large and ample donations for the maintenaunce of the same , that buylde Chappels and Aultars in Churches , that finde lights and giue siluer lamps , that giue money to the maintenaunce of the Quyer , that found perpetuall chaunteries and Diriges , that giue fayre and rich suites of Copes : woe is me therefore , what shall become of poore labourers & handycraftes men , of the poore ploughman and others , that get theyr liuing hardely by sweate of their browes , that neither haue any money to bestow to suche vses , nor scarcely sufficient to buy bread for their family ? with what face or countenaunce dare they presume to apeare in presence before such a golden God , and ●ne so desirous of presentes , hauing no●hing to present him withall ? Surely the mercy that suche a God will shewe shall ●xtend but to a fewe . Againe me thought ●hat that God of whome those Doctours did preach vnto vs , was not perfectly iust and rightuous , that woulde pardon the transgressions against his holy will and commaundement , for gold or siluer or other presents whatsoeuer , considering that it is a great shame for a man of any credite or honestie to bée brybed with rewards , and to pardon a trespasse for money . For what can be more vile , The blasphemous consequences of the Popishe doctrine in their opinions they holde of the Deitie . or deserue greater reproche , than that a man should make the transgressing of the law , but a money matter ? And yet the God of the Papists according to their doctrine ( as though he were not contented and satisfied with the euerlasting sacrifice and obedience of his sonne Christ ) selleth his grace and fauour for money , is content to pardon the greatest and moste horrible offences that can be , to him that giueth most money , and in respect of masses , oblations , pilgrimages and suche like babl●● content to be reconciled vnto vs , and to b● at a perfect vnitie and attonement wi●● vs . Wherevpon I gathered and concluded , that the conscience of man shoulde 〈◊〉 the sight of such a God be in a perpetual and continual feare and terrour , alwaies restlesse , hopelesse of finding any place o● stay in the mercies of God . But if any b● the direction of Gods holy spirite had any assuraunce and certen affiaunce in suche goodnesse and mercies of God , hée was straight-way called arrogant and presumptious heretike that durst presume to put such a confidence in God , who was so wayward and daungerous to please , that the moste precious presentes that can be wil scarce content him . The which things I perceyued to tende wholy to this ende and purpose , to kéepe them in continuall awe and dispayre , and by this meanes to compell menne to runne with quaking and tremblyng consciences to theyr confession , Incertenty and weaknesse of fayth bree●eth distrust & dispaire of grace . as to a moste safe and holy sanctuarie . And to kéepe them in this perplexitie , they did abuse many places of Scripture framed alwayes to their own ●yne and profite . For this doctrine ●the stirre menne to séeke to merite the ●race of God by all meanes , which these ●edlers make their markets of & retayle 〈◊〉 euery body . Moreouer me thought ●e coules and hoodes of Friers and Monkes , the Vestimentes and Belles ●f the Churches and suche lyke , were ( as I may terme them ) Mercers signes to direct a man by where hée mighte sée ●hoyce of suche wares , and buy the grace and fauour of God of what sorte or price it pleased them . And what kinde of fayth then dothe your Maiestie thinke that these menne can haue , whiche being blinde themselues , follow them that be blynde guydes ? A definition of fayth after the Romishe doctrine . For theyr doctrine of fayth in effect is , that it is nothing but a certayne persuasion imprinted and setled in the harte of manne , by meanes whereof they holde for a suertie that what soeuer the Popes holinesse , the Cardinales and the reste of the Clergie do and beléeue ( for these say they are the Church ) that same is the very wil of God . And this faith they call Fidem implicit● that is to say , the common & generall fai● meaning hereby that wée may not be ●quisitiue of the Articles and points of r●ligion , but that we must depende vpon ●ther mens fayth , and beléeue as they b●léeue . Moreouer if the mind of man we● at any time troubled and out of quiet , other by the threatnings of the lawe , or b● the guilte of our owne consciences for o● misdéedes hauing not vnderstoode th● meruellous force of faith in Christe , an● the frée iustification that commeth by him I beséeche you what playster did they apply to our wounded consciences ? The Popes playsters and remedies for sin . For soot● we must make confession of our sinnes t● them , and make a generall rehersall of a our misdéedes , and leaue not out one , bu● shriue our selues wholy of al. The which thing besides that it is a very harde & a difficulte thing to do , will sooner dryue a man to desperation , than yéelde to our afflicted soules any kinde of comforte and consolation : except perhaps some special men of learning and discretion whiche know the true vse of confession , do qualifie the matter some maner of waies . But 〈◊〉 concerning the matter of our frée iu●fication and reconciliation with God ●rough the bloud of our sauiour Iesus ●hriste , not a woorde I warrant you ther● , for it brought them neyther morsell 〈◊〉 theyr mouth nor penny to their purse . ●ouching repentaunce , how many sub●le points and nice quiddities haue they ●uised of their owne brayne quite and ●eane against the woorde of God ? to the ●nd to flatter the rich and wealthie of the worlde , and to lull them asléepe in their owne sinnes and filthie abhominations ,

Contrition is the depe sorow of the hart & dread of conscience springyng from the knowlege of our sins . The Doctrine of Attrition nourisheth sinne .

Attrition is a motion in man , mouing to the disliking of sinne .

teaching them that although they haue ●o perfect Contrition of harte for theyr sinnes , that before God it is sufficient to haue a little Attrition , that is to say , a kind of disliking of themselues , for that they had a pleasure in wickednesse and sinne , and in continuyng therein . This Attrition ●oyned with a little shrifte was a meane and an emboldening , as me thought , and a kinde of prouocation of théeues to continue in their theft , adulterers in their adulterie , and of other wicked persons to commit sinne and to continue in the sam● For they beare the people in hande no●withstanding al this , that they might ha●● a ready & spéedy way to heauen , and r●● poste if it pleased them so they would pa● for it , and if they could not reache thith● without a bayte , they shoulde be sure 〈◊〉 méete with no worse an hostery by th● way than Purgatorie . The whiche pla● the Diuel & his Ministers haue erected 〈◊〉 robbe Christe of al his gestes , and to defraude them of that heauenly banquet tha● he hath fréely prepared vpon the Aulta● of his crosse , by offering vp his body ther● for a sacrifice & shéeding his most innocē● bloud a propitiation for our sinnes . Bu● as concerning Iustification & Sanctification of man , and the inwarde affection of the harte , whiche God specially requireth of his children , these Preachers speake not one worde . For so ofte as they preached of good workes , they named vnto vs , workes meritorious , workes that iustified , and of Supererogation , whiche they sayde were acceptable before theyr God , who ( as they fayne him ) is better pleased when we eate fish than flesh , The superstitious workes of the Papists . when 〈◊〉 go woolward than when wée weare a ●nē shyrt : when we sléepe vpon a straw ●dde than vpon a bedde of downe : when ●e go a long pilgrimage , as to S. Iames of ●mpostella , or some other suche Idoll , ●an if we go a short iourney to any other ●e . As for true faith , such as worketh 〈◊〉 Charitie or sure and stedfast hope , or ●rfect loue , whiche is more carefull for ●e commodities of other than for his owne , 〈◊〉 mortifying the olde man with whom we must kéepe a continuall conflict & battayle , God ( say they ) was not so greatly carefull . By this bayte ( moste mightie Prince ) is the most part of Christendome ●oth trayned into the Church of Rome & ●etayned therein , for these teachers haue very greate care ouer the body but none at all ouer the soule , that is to say , are very ●arefull in outward ceremonies , wherein ●he more busie the better Christian , the more Hypocrite the deuouter is he accompted and more religious .

As for the matter of regeneration and new birth in Christ , No regeneration without fayth . they declare euidently , that they neuer receiued benefite th● of , nor so much as conceyued the misteri● For they do onely inquire thereof at t●● tune of their baptisme , when the infa● hath neyther sense nor vnderstandyn● nor will , nor faith to receyue Christ , a● yet are they as proude and as bragge 〈◊〉 may be , and by their doctrine make oth● to growe in lyke pride , and bring them 〈◊〉 beliefe that they haue put vppon the● Christe vndoubtedly , bicause they ha● bene outwardly wasshed with the visibl● Element , and that the kingdome of he●uen is theyrs of duetie , after they haue r●ceyued the Sacrament of Baptisme though they neuer had any sense or perceuerance of the sprinckling of the blou● of Christe , nor that testimony of a go● conscience that S. Peter requireth of the● whiche be baptized in Christe and sprinkled with the deawe of this grace . Bu● howe many wayes this Sacramente i● abused and prophaned , for breuitie sak● I wil omitte to speake of at this present . Yet may it please your grace thus much to consider , to what great boldenesse an● impudencye these workers of iniquitie ●re growen with practise , and professe to ●oniure diuels oute of the bodyes of in●ants ( whome God reckneth among his owne ) and that with the vnsauery breth ●f theyr corrupte stomacke by laying ●pittle vpon their faces , casting salte in ●heir mouths , annointing their forhead ●nd shoulders with filthy oyle , as thou●he Christ our sauiour had at any tyme ●nstituted any such thing .

I sawe moreouer , that in stede of con●●rmation vsed in tyme paste in the pri●itiue Churche , to strengthen the noui●es in the fayth by some Cathechisme ●nd exposition of the articles of Chri●tianitie , suche as was thoughte moste ●pte and conuenient for that purpose , re●pecting their capacities , there came in ●lace a foolishe and an apishe imitation ●f the like , or to terme it more aptly , a ●ery ridiculous counterfayting of the ●ame . The Popish maner of confirming children . For the Bishop arayed wyth hys Rontificalibus doth firste binde the childes ●orheade that is to be confirmed , or doth ●lindfold hym rather , and then giueth hym a blowe on the chéeke to putte hym in mynde that hée departed from vnder hys handes , and receyued of hym confirmation , the blinde to followe the blynde that waye whyche shoulde leade them to destruction . And this abhominable ceremonye they are not ashamed to call a Sacrament of the newe Testament , and sette it in lyke place and degrée with those whiche Christe hymselfe had instituted .

Of lyke presumption and arrogance I perceiued likewise that they had delte in the case of mariage , The solemnization of mariage , a ciuile matter , and of mere pollicy . the first institution whereof , albeit , it did procéede from God , yet is it a matter ciuile and politike . For it maye bée contracted and solemnized before the ciuil Magistrates , aswell as in the face of the congregation : forasmuch as it importeth no other thyng , but that the people maye vnderstand that the coupling is iuste and lawful , their faith and truth being plight on both partes by eche of them to the other , and the banes openly asked , before that the whole Church be sufficiently aduertised thereof . Whereas these good schoolmaisters of ours doe affirme that matrimony is a Sacrament : not of any zeale ●hey haue of giuing that honour to that ●oly institution ( which call maried folks worldly and carnall and imperfect Chri●tians ) but bicause they would raise some ●duantage to themselues of euery thing ●hat they might get any profite by , and ●herefore they say it is no lawfull mari●ge , except the Prieste haue hys share in ●oney . And who séeth not moste mani●stly these mens arrogant and shamelesse ●●pudency , whych contemne , & disprayse t●at honorable estate of holye wedlocke , 〈◊〉 the ende that they might aduaunce , ●nd bryng in estimation theyr filthy and ●ncleane single life , and the abhomi●able vowes of theyr counterfaite cha●tie , verifying in themselues the same ●hyche hathe béene long a goe foretolde ●y the holye Apostle : and on the o●er syde doe terme it by the name of 〈◊〉 Sacrament , 1. Tim. 4. that they may make their ●●ynes the greater . Or is there anye ●yng that they wyll bée afrayde and ashamed to attempt , that where Christ hath instituted onely two Sacraments , Ceremonies turned into Sacramentes . haue presumed to make fiue moe , and of certain holy ceremonies which the auntient fathers vsed wyth greate deuotion and reuerence , and with good discretion , they haue made their gaine , and set the sacraments to sale , promising grace and saluation by such means ; hauing no one word in scripture for their warrant that the promisse of God is ioyned to anye of these their newe inuented Sacraments .

Touching the blessed Sacrament of the Lordes supper ( mercifull God ) howe many abuses did I manifestly sée broughte into the holy mysterie by the blinde superstition and arrogant presumption of men , in the celebration whereof lyke as they vse in baptism , al things are said and song in a barbarous and an vnknowen language , so that they which had n● knowlege in latin could vnderstand nothing , but onely sée a fewe gesture lyke iuggling knackes . The Masse a sacrifice propitiatorye . They perswaded th● people that the Masse was a sacrifice propiciatory , that is to say , that the wrat● and vengeaunce of God was appeased , and himselfe reconciled therewyth , and by this means , solde the graces and blessings of God for mony to men desperate and vnrepentant . Besids this , they made thys medicine serue to satisfye for the sin of all men both for quicke and deade , a doctrine no where to be founde in all the holy scriptures . And to the ende to perfect their iniquitie , and to accomplish it fully , they taught vs further that these massemongers and sacrificers had suche power and abilitie committed vnto them , that immediatelye after the wordes of consecration ( as they call them ) or sacramentall wordes , and by the vertue therof , they were able to fetch Christ from heauen with a trice both fleshe , bloude , and bone , and the same Christe breake in péeces with their handes , offer , sacrifice , eate , teare with their téeth , and deuoure , whereas he is nowe immortall , impossible , omnipotent and euerlasting , The councell of Trē● in the time of Iul. 2. th● 2. & . 3. Canon . and death hath henceforth no power ouer hym .

Besids this , in the administration of this Sacrament the people was defrauded of one parte , to wit , of the wine , the Sacrament of his bloud , contrary to the prescript forme and institution of Christ : the which albeit the fathers in the late councell of Trent did acknowledge and confesse , yet notwithstanding ( say they ) for certaine speciall causes , the holy mother Churche of Rome hath determined the contrary , that it shall not be lawfull for all Christians to receyue the cuppe whyche is the Sacrament of Christes bloude .

Moreouer I was sore agréeued to behold the abhominations committed ther in the adoration of a péece of breade , and that with such kinde of worship and honor , as God by his commandement hath specially reserued to himselfe . This God of theirs made of breade and dowe was caried I say , about in solemne procession through towne and streates , with candle and torch light , with ioly chaunting and iangling of bells , it was caried to the sicke & diseased , it was a preseruatiue against the plague , it was good againste all thunder & lightning by land , against stormes & tempest by sea , it was caried about the ●ields to make them yéelde the more fruite , to driue away caterpillers & other suche venemous worms , which didde destroy , & eate vp the corne in the eare : to be short I didde sée a horrible and a monstrous manye of abuses , Idolatries , superstitions , buying and selling that the Monkes and Priestes vsed , and all for vile lucres sake . And thus briefly out of a number of the lyke , I haue sorted a fewe ( moste noble Prince ) wherewyth I was moued ( or to saye more truely ) enforced to forsake youre Realme of Spaine , to my great griefe , as being my natiue countrey , the soile that I was borne & bred in , wher I had the comfortable presence of my friends & kinsfolk , being not in very perfect health , but hauing a erased bodye , disposed to diuers infirmities . Notwithstanding I shrōk not for al this , but tooke this trauaile vpon me , and was content voluntarily to goe into exile , to the end that I might bestow the residue of my lyfe in the declaration & exposition of the causes of thys my departure .

Whereof if I shoulde haue chaunced t● haue bene preuented by death , yet my dying in a straunge Countrey should be an argument and testimony to them that shoulde remaine behinde me , of what affection I was towardes true religion , and so shoulde amounte at the leaste to a secrete profession of my faith , accompting it better for me to suffer any kinde of aduersitye wyth Gods chosen people , than to continue among the flesh pottes of Egipt , Heb. 11. and there to cherish my body , and to hang vppon theyr sléeues , and to be vnder their countenaunce , which delight in nothing so much as in the sauour thereof , séeing suche things ( as saith the Apostle ) be brittle and laste but a little season , and vanishe awaye lyke smoke .

And what shall it auaile any man , I beséeche your Maiesty , if he win the whole worlde , and wallow in all kind of worldly pleasure at will , and lose eternall life , yea and hys owne soule . For if the delights and pleasurs of this world be momentane and shorte , then surely our miseries and calamities that we suffer here ●n this world manfully in the defence of ●he glorie of God , are lesse than the ex●éeding ioys that God hath prepared for ●s , wherof he hathe giuen vs good assu●aunce .

Among the reste of their abuses and ●eremonies whyche be infinite , Worshipping of Images . if a man ●houlde goe aboute to peruse them al , I had almoste vnawares ouerpassed the worshipping of Images and Crosses , a matter very necessary to be remembred , considering the horrible Idolatrye that they brought in vnder the cloke and coloure of certayne blinde distinctions of Latria , dulia , hyperdulia , in worshippyng stockes and stones with honour and reuerence , not alonely the Images of their Saints ( as they call them ) but the reliks , and the counterfaits of such Images as haue bene heretofore at any time , or in any place had in reputation , as appeareth manifestlye by the Images of oure Lady ( as they call hir ) of Montserat and Guadaloup , whiche are not onely sought vnto with great deuotion and reuerence , but also their pictures and portrature drawne to the likenesse and similitud● of the same Idols . Besids this , the thin● that I maruelled at moste of all , was t● sée where dyuers pictures represente● all one Idoll , yet one to be had in mor● peice of the common people than the other , wyth more deuotion to bée soughte vnto and worshiped , more richly presented with iewels & ornaments , as it is easy to sée throughout your whole Realm of Spaine .

The vows of Nunnes and Friers And here it maye please youre Maiesty also to call to mynde their doctrine of Monkery and cloystering , and theyr vowes of perpetuall chastitye , obedience and pouerty , the whyche of what soete and condicion they bée , and howe much they auaile and helpe a man to the better seruing of God , I referre all men to the consideration of their dissolute and vncleane liues , that take these vowes vppon them , to iudge and to estéeme .

But that whyche is moste worthe the ●●rking , and oughte leaste to bée forgotten , is that these false and lying do●ures , to the ende that their rules and ●ders of Monkery shoulde be the more ●dde in price and estimation wyth all ●en , haue so farre passed the limits and ●undes of modestye and shamefaste●sse , that they haue not bene ashamed 〈◊〉 affyrme , and to preache openlye , that ●e profession of Monkerye dothe purge man as perfectly , and maketh him as ●ghteous before God , as Baptisme , Monkery 2 second baptisme by the Papists religion . ●d that other Christians are but once ●ly regenerate , but Monks and Nunnes ●gyther wyth theyr coules and vailes ●e receyue ( as it were ) a seconde or double regeneration : O moste hor●ble blasphemy , and intollerable in chri●ian eares , what a deuillishe arrogance ●nd presumption is this , to bée so mala●erte to compare the dreames and fan●asticall rules of Benet , Frauncis , Domi●icke and suche lyke , wyth the moste sa●red institution of Baptisme , yea and ●o place them in lyke degrée therewyth , ●heras our Lord & sauiour Iesus Christ hath instituted and ordeined Baptis● for a signification and a seale to vs that true oblation and w●shing by 〈◊〉 whiche Christe the immaculate lam● that was slaine for our sakes , Looke in the bookes of Caiet. did wa● and clense his Church , by shéeding h● moste precious bloude . But if any m● woulde enter straightly into the exam●nation and tryal of their liues , that ha● bene so often washed and regenerate . I feare me he should find it too hote a ●uour to suffer any time without a spe● all good perfume . And therfore to spea● my fansie briefly , this their filthy a● vncleane lyfe is a greate euidence a● proofe , that by this seconde regenerati● they are become the im●s of the Deuil that before peraduenture hadde som● marks and tokens of adoption in Chris● The whiche thyng was no small grief● vnto me to sée the good and godly ord●● and profession of Monkes that was 〈◊〉 tyme paste to be so fondly defiled by the● of oure tymes , and so quite altered fro● their firste institution . For there is no● so ignorant , that hath bin any thing conuersaunt in any antiquities and aunti● histories , The fyrste original of Monkerie . Looke in the tripartite historie but he may sée that the per●uted Christians in the first infancy of ●e Churche to auoide the crueltie of the ●thnike Princes , and to the ende they ●yght serue God wyth more fréedome , ●nd with lesse feare , did accustomablye ●ée into desert places : wherevppon they ●oke their names at the firste , and were ●alled Monkes , as men solitary and se●uestred from the companye of men , to ●ue aparte from other in more perfecte ●tudy , and meditation of Christes religion , and in more safety and securitie to ●nstruct others in the same . Afterwards ●n processe of time the sages of that tyme ●onsidering the great vse that the Church shoulde haue of learned men to teach and instructe the people in the Principles and precepts of Christianity , caused certaine schooles to be erected , and for the better training vp of youth , bothe in the knowledge of holy scripture , and vnder good discipline , they did place suche men as liued solitary before incertaine Colledges or Monasteries , to this ende and purpose , Chrisostome in his booke that hee wrote agaynst them that dispraise the solitary lyfe of Monkes . that out of those places as from storehouse they might alwais choose a● and able ministers & pastors for the co●gregation to preache the gospel a bro● among the people . But after corruptio● and ignorance was crepte in , and th●● Poperye hadde gotten the vpper hande Gods worde was layde asyde and neglected , and the youth bestowed all theyr time in chaunting and howling both day and night , and in so blinde ceremonies full of superstition and Idolatry , contenting themselues wyth a coule , the badge , and cognisaunce of their second regeneration . Is it possible then that ther shuld be any man liuing eyther so farre from God , or so carelesse of his owne saluation , that beholding daily with his eyes so greate and so horrible a corruption , and deprauation of all thyngs , and knowing them to bée contrary to the Maiestye of God , odious in his sighte and abhominable , wyll notwythstandyng continue therein , and be partaker wyth others of theyr wickednesse . I passe euer , that the Gospell was made a playne marchaundise an open shop therof kepte in Chur●s to buy and sell , and to exchaunge 〈◊〉 other wares , the most precious bloud Christe .

For what other thyng ( I beséeche 〈◊〉 ) are their proclamations , and In●gences , Remission and forgiuenesse ●ynnes , dispensations , processions , 〈◊〉 rogations , bulles and suche other ●e , but an open sale of Christes bloud , 〈◊〉 it were by the drumme and standerd ? 〈◊〉 so muche that the deade can not reste ●ietly by them , but they wyll haue ●em in by hooke or by crooke one waye 〈◊〉 an other . For as thoughe it were a ●●all matter to deuoure , and at a mor●ll to choppe vppe the quicke to gnawe 〈◊〉 theyr bones ( and as the Prophet ●yth ) to breake them in péeces , and ●st them in a potte to make themselues ●oath wythall , they wyll also resem●le the Crowes , What it is to deuoure the deade . and praye vppon ●e deade carkasses . For what is to ●ée called a deuouryng of men a liue if ●hys be not ?

That no man be he neuer so pore without present pay might either haue his ch●● christned or bishopped ( as they term 〈◊〉 nor any be priested nor maried , nor ●●ceiue the Communion , nor be anoyl● lastely , ( which is a moste euident arg●ment of the insatiable couetousnesse 〈◊〉 these gréedy cormorants ) might not b● buried and layde in the earthe , which 〈◊〉 common to al men , except these fellow had their mony paide afore hande : b● specially if a poore man ought any pe●tithe , firste fruite , or any other Church duety , he shoulde not haue Christian b●riall before he hadde satisfied therefor● And then also I beséech you what chantic did they shewe to the deade ? after a● this forsoothe they woulde make the executours pay for their Masses and D●●ges for their singing and chaunting , fo● crosse and crosse cloth , for bell and candle light , for soule knells , for sensing , fo●beare and beare cloth , wyth infinite other polling recknings , that these shauen Syres , and these pedling Mercers ha● learned in the schoole of Satan their Syre● And this is the cause ( moste myghtye Prince ) why a number haue willingly ●parted out of your Maiesties Realme 〈◊〉 Spaine , sorowing to sée before theyr ●●es , so manye and so horrible abuses in ●e Popish Church , and hauing no hope 〈◊〉 redresse in so curelesse a case : for suche 〈◊〉 durste either priuyly or openly make ●eyr mone to others , or declare their ●dgement in religion ●asted the Inqui●●ours tiranny therfore : some being exe●●ted by fire quicke , some strangled to ●●athe , some perishing vppon the racke , ●nd other their tormentes inexplicable , ●me by the filth and corruption of the prison , others moste cruelly intreated at ●he Gaolers handes , and yet of all the ●est , this is most slaunderous and grea●●st dishonour to your Maiesty , that all ●●ese tyrannies are countenaunced with ●our aucthoritie , and by vertue of your ●ighnesse commission : as the common ●●ying is , that your Maiestye is the au●hor thereof , and the Inquisitours but ●oure instrumentes . For they saye that ●our Maiesty hath straightely charged ●nd commaunded , that all suche persons as shall holde opinion that these thinge● that be aboue named bée abuses , and desire to liue in that fréedome of conscienc● wherein God hathe placed vs by the Gospel of hys sonne Christe , shoulde suffer imprisonment , tortures , death in most● cruell sorte that can be deuised . And therfore it behooueth your Maiesty greatly ( most gracious Prince ) to take notice of this cause : ( which our aduersaries , for the respect of their own priuate lucre , séek by al means to kéep from your knowledge fearing that our cause being knowen they gaines would ceasse ) before your grace authoryze by Commission suche vniust● Iudges , and not to permitte that they shold sit of life and death ouer them , who can best declare to your grace the subtill practises of thys generation , bycause they knowe them best . Kings and ciuile Magistrates oughte to heare and determyne the causes of suche as are accused for religion .

It is reported in histories that Hadrian the Emperor , who knew not Christ , nor his religion , neuerthelesse woulde not reiecte the supplications , and bylles of petition exhibited vnto hym by the Christians . Neyther did Pontius Pilate that Iewe , enter into iudgemente of ●ure Sauioure Christ , before he hadde ●y orderly Processe , and as it were ●y due fourme demaunded of the par●ye hym selfe , what hys cause was , ●utting apart out of the place of iudge●ente all his accusers .

Festus and Felix twoo chiefe Rulers among the Romaynes , and Lieutenauntes of the Prouynces , woulde ●ot condemne S. Paule till they hadde wyth pacience hearde hym pleade hys owne cause .

Neyther woulde youre moste noble progenitoure and late Emperour Charles the fyfthe , of moste famous memorye , bée quiete in hys mynde , before ●ée hadde hearde Luther speake for ●ymselfe in hys Maiestyes owne presence . And also ( as it is reported of ●enne of verye good credite , ) dyd pri●ately séeke to vnderstande the whole ●ate of hys cause at Luthers owne ●outhe .

Whervpon Pope Paulus the thirde of ●hat name , began to haue him more than halfe in a ielousy , and to conceiue some displeasure towardes hym frowned vppon him fouly therefore , in so much that he lette not to threaten the Emperour t● remember hym for suffering an heretike to speake in hys presence , though in hys owne cause . The whyche is an euident argument of a full weake and an vniuste quarrell , when a man refuseth to haue his cause referred to the debating and determinations of indifferent iudges . For if the Pope and his Clergy maintaine a righteous quarrell , why dare he not referre it to the iudgement of Kings and Princes ? why fléeth he the triall therof : why is he afraide to come to conference , and haue hys cause fréely debated in a generall councell , where the controuersies of religion might be debated and disputed of , and euerye man be hearde to speake his opinion according to the truth of the Gospell , without feare or danger of their tyranny ? What impediment was ther thinke you , why the East churches of Greece , Macedonia , Asia , Africa , Constantinople , and Antioche woulde not gyue their consent to the primacie of the ●pedo me , not giue their consent , naye 〈◊〉 at moued them with might and maine ●withstande that ambitious nation of 〈◊〉 Romishe Supremacie , by vertue ●●ereof ( say they we may displace kings ●o Emperours from their Kingdomes 〈◊〉 Empires , wée maye spoile them of ●●ir Crownes , we may take the sword ●t of their handes , and dispose all that ●●me at our owne pleasures , and at our ●illes giue the spoyle thereof where it ●●easeth vs : And yet Princes and Po●●ntates being drunke with the Babilonicall harlot , doe kisse hys féete , honour ●im in earth like a God , and so do terme ●im the God of the earth , their most ho● father and supreame Bishop , and be●●g falsely perswaded that hée can not ●●re , doe therefore thinke that the poore ●rotestants are iustly condemned by his ●ome , bycause they will not fall downe ●nd worship the enimy of God , thinking ●hat all Princes may with very good iu●tice , and with a iuste conscience execute ●ll things that are commaunded by him , and that the inquisitours likewise m● doe the same by vertue of theyr commision .

O mercifull God , what a blyndne● is this ? O how sharp are thy iudgmen● ( O Lord ) that hang ouer our heads , the men being worse blinded inwardly , as in more grosse and palpable mists of i●noraunce , than the outwarde mistes a● darkenesse that the people of Egipt we● in , shoulde notwithstanding thinke the did as perfectly sée the truthe as the Su● at middaye , and on the other syde iudg● them to be blinde that haue the true an perfect light , euen the spirite of Christ ▪ giue light to their vnderstandyng . Who senses also and vnderstandyngs they da● go about to blind , and to captiuate lea● happily they shoulde espie their iugling and treacheries , naye plucke their ey● rather out of their heads , molest , vex , di●quiet , torment , kill and slea those by fin● and sworde , and by all kind of torments whome God accompteth to bée of hy● flocke , and hathe béene maruellously carefull and tender ouer to bryng them vppe , to foster and cherishe them , and 〈◊〉 encrease their number , and for whose ●ke Iesus Christe the euerlasting sonne 〈◊〉 the almightye father hath shedde hys ●oste precious bloude to worke their re●●emption and saluation . And then began 〈◊〉 thus to thinke secretely wyth my selfe . What meaning haue these fellows with ●●em ? If wée bée heretikes ( as they ac●ompt vs to be ) why haue they no com●assion of our soules , forasmuch as they ●éeke not only not to saue our bodies , but work our vtter destruction ? Why do they putte vs to death , perseuering in oure opinions and iudgementes , whyche they ●all Hereticall , especiallye beyng per●waded as they are , that our opinions be damnable ? The Inquisitours labour to destroye both bodie and soule . Why labour they not ra●her to teache vs the truthe , and to bring vs backe into the ryghte pathe agayne ? Why are they not contented to spoyle vs of oure lyues , but imagine howe they maye doe it in moste despitefull and cruell sorte that can bée deuised , to the ende , that they myght driue men into desperation , whose saluation they might driue men into desperation whose saluation ought of Christian charitie to be moste deare vnto them . Now● surely so it hath pleased God to order it , that these men shoulde bestirre them i● this sorte like furies and helhounds , that they maye declare themselues to bée th● séede and generation of Sathan their Sire , who hath bene a murtherer from the very beginning , the broode of Cain subiecte to the curse , of whome God in the laste daye at his comming to iudgement , will aske a strayghte accompte for the innocent bloud of his Saints shedde here in earth by them , and reuenge al the whole , from innocent Abel , to the very laste of his Prophets and Martyres . As our sauiour Christe doth moste manifestly declare , speakyng to the Pharisies : Verily I saye vnto you , it shal come vpon thys generation from the bloud of iust Abel , to the bloude of Zacharias the sonne of Barachias , whome you haue slaine betwixte the Temple and the Aultar . Wherefore in most humble manner , I pray and beséech your Maiestie ( most gracious soueraigne ) not to defile nor embrewe your ●ndes with the bloud of your moste in●cent subiects , nor to permit and suffer ●y longer that these limmes and mini●ers of the Deuill , the deadly enimies 〈◊〉 God shoulde abuse your gentlenesse ●nd good inclination any longer . Let not 〈◊〉 great and so horrible cruelties be pra●ised and countenaunced wyth your au●horitie . Cast not the shéepe committed ●nto you by God , into the mouthes of ●hose moste rauening Wolues , leaue not ●ehinde you so lamentable a memoriall to your posteritie , that your grace should be registred among them that volunta●ily , and after their owne luste and pleasure , haue by all meanes persecuted the true Christians , the children of God , and put them to death , lette it neuer be saide that good men haue bene vniustly oppressed without cause knowen , but only pretended contrary both to Gods lawe and mans , and that in your Maiesties moste Princely throne and consistory . For besides that this corrupte kinde of dealyng in the seate of iudgement will séeme most monstrous most detestable and most vnreasonable to them that shall follow : there is a worse thing greately to bée feared , least God the Lord of hostes the moste myghtye and strong defence of Israell , will laye so greate and so horrible Plagues , vpon these moste cruell and vniust Iudges , and vppon their issue , theyr realms and dominions , that it shal remain as an example for al posterity that shall come after , & the memory of them shal not be worne out while the world endureth . The miserable ends of them that persecuted the Churche . No more then is the memory of Pharao that was drouned in the depth of the sea , or of Nabuchodonozor that was transformed into a brute beaste , or at the leaste ( whyche is as much in effect ) giuen ouer to brutish and beastly delyghts and exercises , or of Holofernes , whose heade was striken from his shoulders by the hands of a séely woman , or of Herode , that was eaten vp with wormes , of Nero , Caligula , Iulianus & other like tyrants . It is therfore a good lesson in this case to beware , & to be wise by other mens examples . For it is a great grace of God to learne by the mishaps of other men , as it were at the handes of a scolemaster what is best for our owne behoofes . The whiche your grace may easily learne ( most mighty prince ) if it may plese you to cast your eie aside , & to behold the miserable calamities whiche in youre memorie haue hapned vnto them that haue persecuted and vexed the church of god . Nam tua res agitur paries cum proxmus ardet , as the common saying is , When thy neighbours house is on fire , take héed of thine owne .

But to returne to my purpose , these are the chiefe occasions that enforced me to leaue Spayne , and to betake my selfe to the wide worlde , and to wander as a Pilgrime and stranger in forrain countreyes . In the whiche trauayle for the space of tenne yeares , besides great sicknesse , I haue suffered extreme Pouertie , and haue bene constrayned to becom as an infant again , and to learne to speak strange languages to be able to vnderstand others , & to expresse mine owne mynde . The which things notwithstanding , trusting in the mercies of God , I haue bothe willingly and paciently accepted and suffered , knowing assuredly that the Disciples & souldiours of Christ cannot be in better estate and condition than their Maister and Captaine hathe bin . And this is the cause why the world that is naturally enclined to malice and spight , refuseth to be at league with me . For if I were a worldling , then surely woulde the worlde embrace me as one of his broode , would commend and extoll me , would sette me alofte in honour and authoritie , would endue me with riches , and would yéeld me at full al other commodities and pleasures , as it is accustomed to do to his own . But I for my part render vnto almighty God moste hartye thanks , for that it hath pleased him fréely , and of his mere grace without anye desert of mine , to imprinte in my hearte true and perfecte faith , by the which I do not onely stedfastly beléeue in his dearly beloued sonne , and in his Gospel , but also do manifestly abide & suffer al thinges for his name sake , and am made partaker of his Crosse . Howbeit in all thys my long trauayle there is nothyng that séemeth to me so vnséemely , as that suche as be aboute your Maiestie and of your Counsel shoulde vse suche diligence , sparing neyther for labour and coste to apprehend , and to clappe in prison a number of vs Spaniards that haue fled your Realme , and one also among the reste . For it is manifeste and verye apparant , that by them there haue bin diuers spies and searchers sent abroade to apprehend vs , and that there haue béene no small summes of money spent about the same . And yet notwithstanding , God hathe so blinded them , that neither they knew , ne being present among them , nor wist not well either what to doe or speake , for the which cause the Lordes name be praised for euer . For neyther haue I hidde my selfe in corners in thys tyme of my absence , nor lurked in obscure places , but God hath giuen me such spirite , and such boldenesse of courage , that neither in Italy , Germany , Fraunce , Sauoy nor presently being in your Maiesties lowe Countrey of Flaunders , I haue eyther disguised selfe or dissembled my religion . Naye I haue openly , fréely and boldely , preach●● the Gospell in the moste famous Cities where I haue trauailed , and in a greate and wonderfull audience , yea before the moste noble Princes , and moste honourable personages of all Europe , wyth the liking and commendation of many , and with good opinion and credit for my conuersation . Albeit I acknowledge right well mine owne weakensse , and confesse my selfe to be subiecte to manye infirmities , and guiltie thereof in the sighte of God , knowing that I am defended of that most corrupt and cursed roote of the old Adam , and that al my déedes of themselues bée vile and naughtye , abhominable before God , & accursed vnlesse they bée shadowed and couered wyth righteousnesse and innocencie of our Lorde and sauiour Iesus Christe . Notwithstandyng ( moste mighty prince ) my conscience pricketh me not for any thing that I oughte to bée ashamed to shew my face among men , nor any cause I thanke God to make me hide myselfe and kéepe in corners . And when I was in Spaine I thanke God I did not only lyue there blamelesse , but also voide of al suspition of crime . Although I must ●éeds confesse that fearfulnesse of my fleshe , and natural frailty was some let & hinderaunce vnto me that I did not openly preache & professe the truth of Gods gospell at the first , after it was reuealed vnto me : In so much that the Inquisitours themselues , could not bée perswaded of sixe moneths after my departure , that I had changed my Country for religions sake , thinkyng me veryly both to haue a good opinion of their procéedings , and to bée a perfect Catholike after their Romish sect . Notwithstanding these pursiuants & searchers made such ernest pursute after me , and that by expresse commaundement from the Kyngs mouth ( as they moste falsely pretended , ) as they wold or should haue done agaynste the greatest thiefe and cutte-throate , or counterfayter of the Kyngs coigne or the rankest traitour to youre Maiesty that could be , whereas I ( god be thanked ) was frée from these and all other suche lyke offences : as I reporte my selfe to the Inquisitours themselues and to their own promoters , or of anye of these matters , thought I knowe them otherwise , and in other to specte to bée my deadly foes and aduersaries . And why is that I beséeche you Forsoothe I wyll not beléeue the Pop● and hys Chapleines . And that is suche 〈◊〉 sore matter in my fansie , that I thinke I coulde not aske a greater bowne at Gods handes , than that it might bée m● chaunce to testifie and to seale vppe m● faith wyth the sheadyng of my bloud . I● is causelesse therefore an myne opinion , that these furious & raging mad brayns doe thirst after my bloude so hotly , althoughe they knowe assuredlye that my beliefe and persuasion bée quite contrary to their superstitious deuises and Idolatries . Moreouer the power and authoritie of Rulers and Magistrates séemeth to haue certain bounds and limits within the whyche it is contayned , so that it reacheth not so far as the minde and conscience of man beyonde the rule of Gods lawe , as appeareth more plainely by the expresse rule and commaundement of Christe , where hée sayth : Giue vnto Cesar that which is Cesars , and vnto God that which is his . And therefore kings and princes can require no more at their Subiectes handes , than that of righte is their duty , to wit , obedience of their subiectes towardes them , and their lawes , the due payment of taxe and tribute , and in their behalfe to spare neither body nor goods . Mary the heart and conscience and religion that resteth therein , is an other manner of matter , and is in the hands of God alone , who guideth and gouerneth the mind of man with his holy word and scriptures , teaching them both , what opinion we muste haue of him , and what kinde of worship and honour we oughte to yéelde him . Wherefore in most humble maner , I pray and beséech your Maiesty ( moste mercifull Prince ) not to accompte that to be a faulte that is so farre from offence , howsoeuer your false informers will beare you in hand the contrary . And this sense and féeling of a pure and vpright conscience , hath comforted and confirmed me from time to time , and hathe brought me in case that neyther I feared any indifferent Iudges , nor doubted to goe into other of youre Maiesties dominions , to the ende that to my power I might doe good both to your Maiesty , and to my fellowe subiectes . Specially calling to my minde , and considering the greate tumultes and vproares , and the cruell warres that this chaunge and reformation of religion had caused both in Germany , Scotlande and Fraunce . The which I thinke hath fallen vpon vs partly for our sinnes , and partely the rashe boldenesse of some that were in hope belike to bring their purposes to passe by contention and strife , and being hot and egre soughte to plant religion and building vp of the Churche of Christe , with force and strength of armes , imagining that the same were the means of the gouernement and administration of a ciuile common wealth , and the buildyng and maintaining of Christian religion : which being spirituall and heauenly , néedeth not these contentions and tumultes for planting & defence therof . And therefore after my firste commyng into youre Maiesties lowe Country , being perhaps not altogither ignorant in these affaires , I did bende the whole force of my witte in my sermons to calme and pacifie the common people , and to bring them to an vnitie and attonement togyther , exhorting them to giue themselues to peace and brotherly charitie , to beare one with another , and to forget all quarrels till it might please God so to worke in your Maiesties hearte , that eyther in youre owne presence , or beefore some discrete and indifferent Iudges deputed by your Maiestye , or in some generall assemblye of the states in Parliament youre Maiesty woulde permitte your poore and miserable subiectes , to complaine themselues of the tyrannye that is practised againste them , and that heauye yoke of bondage with the whiche they are oppressed by the Bishoppe of Rome .

And truely so farre as I can gather bothe by the talke and behauiour of youre Maiesties Subiectes of the lowe countreis , they had rather choose to haue frée accesse to make theyr supplications and complaints to youre Maiestie , and haue libertie to maintaine and retaine among them the Gospel of Christ , though it coste them a greate parte , yea theyr whole substance to purchase it , than to stoupe and yéelde their necke to the heauy yoke of Idolatry and tiranny of the Papists But at this present , partely for feare of war and persecution , and partly of your highnesse displeasure , they are content to bée quiet and to kéepe silence , waiting a good time when your Maiesty woulde bée so gratious vnto them as to permitte them to serue God duely , and in that sorte that he hymselfe hath in his holy word prescribed and appointed .

Wherfore ( moste dradde soueraigne ) at my firste commyng , my chiefe desyre was to teache and to perswade the people to refraine from the dooing of suche like things , as before my commyng had bin rashly & lightly attempted by some , to wit from the breakyng and plucking downe of Images , the ouerturnyng of Altars and Churches , and Monasteries ( as they call them . ) For one thought it was very reasonable and conuenient for vs , if we will serue and worshippe God , Iohn . 4. and call vpon him as he hath appoynted vs to doe , that is in spirite and in truth , to permitte and suffer other also to liue somewhat after their owne liking , and forasmuche as they are perswaded , that they can not without offence to God reiect these superstitious and Iewish ceremonies , to let them alone there wyth for a time , and to take their fill thereof , yelding for a season to their infirmities and ignorance , and praying to god for them , that it would please hym to lighten their vnderstandings with the shining beames of his glorious Gospel . And after that by the good examples of our modesty and our conuersation of life , to moue , to allure , and to enflame them to embrace true religion , and forsake their olde Idolatrye , and false seruice of God .

And bicause your Maiesty may briefly vnderstande the chiefe articles of oure religion wherein wée dissent from the Pope and his popelings , I will kéepe the order well neare in declaring my minde concerning true religion , that I haue heretofore obserued in the discourse which I haue made in detecting their errors and abuses , the whiche declaration shall only containe that doctrine which I haue learned and taken out of the word of God and holy Writ , and endeuoured myselfe accordingly , to preache and sette foorth to your Maiesties subiects . And for breuitie sake , I will not debate nor amplify the proofes and reasons that I haue for the confirmation of our religion , but wil briefly and summarily , and by the waye ( as it were ) will lightly touch the arguments taken oute of the holy scripture , that make for the proofe of our parte , and the disproofe of our aduersaries . Wherby it shall remaine as a testimony to our posteritie , and appeare most manifestly , that the inquisitours of Spaine haue vsed great iniustice , and abused their commission in persecuting mée for an heretike , and therewith also your Maiestye maye well perceiue what kinde of doctrine it is that I woulde haue preached vnto your subiects .

And bycause perhaps it would be too ●ong and too tedious to entreate of all the points particularly that are at this daye called into controuersie , I will only handle fiue or sixe of the chiefe articles , and moste necessary of the religion wée professe , wherevppon all Christes religion wholy dependeth , and is sustained : and that your Maiesty may also more easyly iudge the oddes betwixt our doctrine and our aduersaries : I will as briefly as is possible , lay before you their proofes and arguments taken out of their own works , and speciallye oute of that booke whiche one Ruardus Taperus Ruardus Taperus . a diuine of Louane chiefe inquisitour for the lowe Country , hathe in the name and behalfe of all the Diuines , and Romishe Clergy dedicated vnto your highnesse , the whyche séeing it is authorized by youre Maiesties priuiledge , I truste all men of that part wil bée contented to take the proofes and confirmations of the Romishe reilgion out of the booke , as out of the storehouse of their diuinity . For at this daye , it is a very hard & a difficulte matter to gather any certaine doctrine oute of the reste of popishe diuines , consideryng they doe in so many poyntes dissent and disagrée among themselues , one condemnyng an other , in so muche that certaine famous Vniuersities haue especiallye noted and coted the errors of these men that were accompted the sure stakes and pillers of the Churche of Rome , as for example , Thomas Aquinas , the Maister of the Sentences , Durandus Scotus , and suche other whom the Romish Clergy hath in greatest price and estimation .

Of the word of God , the holy scripture , and the authoritie therof , & the reading therof in the mother tong .

SEing that the Church ( as saith the holy Apostle ) is builded vppon the foundation of the apostles and prophets whyche is Iesus Christ , that heauenly and euerlasting worde , it is reasonable and conuenient , that we also shoulde beginne the grounde of our confession and faithe of that worde of euerlasting lyfe , wherevnto the Churche leaneth , and wherein shée reposeth hir whole trust and ●fiaunce . Firste and formoste , therfore ●e confesse that the word of God which ●e Grecians call 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 was before all ●ings , and from the beginning , Why Christ was called the worde . Iohn . 1. 1. Iohn . 1. Heb. 1. Math 2. Heb. 7. Luke . 2. the whi●e both was with God , and was and is ●od it selfe . The same worde we con●sse was incarnate , and conuersaunt , ●nd continuing heere among vs a long ●me , to the ende to reconcile mankinde 〈◊〉 his father , and to preache vnto them , ●hose name was called Iesus , that ther●y might bée signified vnto vs , that re●mption and euerlasting saluation was ●●rchased for vs by the benefit of hym , ●he same surnamed Christe , to signifie ●nto vs the anointing of the euerlasting ●riesthood of his kingdom that endureth ●r euer , Hebr. 9. & of his most certaine and true ●eaching . And forasmuche as the same ●ernall and almightie God can neyther 〈◊〉 séene nor comprehended in the com●sse of mans vnderstanding , he determi●ed and perordayned to distribute , and ●stowe vppon men the treasures of hys ●isedome and grace by thys hys Legate and Ambassador sent from aboue . Wher● vppon he is worthely termed the word o● God , begotten of God from euerlasting and before the creation of Heauen an● earth . This is the same Iesus , that from the beginning spake vnto the Patria●ches and Prophetes , imparting to them the will of his father , being the very so● of God , the shining brightnesse of his fathers glorye , the expresse Image of hy● substaunce , who vpholdeth and may●tayneth all thinges by this his most myghtye woorde , and by the whych all thynges were erected , bothe visibl● and inuisible . And by thys worde beyn● the eternall and liuely worde , we mean not any such thing as can be eyther set● down in paper , or written with inke . Fo● our meaning is that that word only m●● be written with inke , whiche either procéeded foorth of hys owne mouth , beyn● here in Earthe , or out of the mouths 〈◊〉 some of hys ministers at hys wyll an● appointment . And thys worde to wit● that was spoken by his mouth or by hy● Prophets , and set downe in writing , w● also terme , and that rightly and worthi● by the name of the holye scripture : ●yche is the onely way and meanes directe vs to true holinesse , and ther●e of right we call it holy , to make a ●ference betwixte it and the worde ●t procéedeth from man , whiche of the ●turall frailty and infirmitye of man , ●commonly ioyned wyth corruption ●d error .

Wée doe moreouer acknowledge ●d confesse , that the same worde or de●ration of the wyll of God is contay●d in the bookes of the olde and newe ●estament or couenaunt , whyche are ●yuered vs by hande , to the ende wée ●ye knowe and discerne the true God ●m the false and fayned Goddes and ●olles , Psalm 19. Rom. 1. Hebr. 11. whiche man hath deuised of hys ●one brain . And though the contempla●n & view of things created bring some ●ht to the vnderstanding of man , to make ●m to acknowledge and confesse the ●yght and power of hys creator , yet is not of anye suche force , as of it selfe ●one to bée able to imprinte in oure harts the perfect and absolute knowled● of hym , it was therefore verye requi●● and necessary for vs , both to be lightn● with his holy spirite , and instructed 〈◊〉 his moste holy word : for out of this fo●●taine issueth all the knowledge that 〈◊〉 haue of God , and is conueyed into ou● mind , which otherwise coulde in ●o ca● be comprehended of men , and that is 〈◊〉 true and the onely meanes wherby 〈◊〉 may imprint and engraue in our heart the true and perfect presence of our G● and creatour .

And that is the order that God hi● selfe hath appointed and obserued fro● the very creation of the worlde , and vi● in teaching Adam and Abell to repro● the sinne and offence of Cain , to open a● declare his will to Noe , and afterwar● to his peculiar & chosen people , to who● he would in more familiar wise and mo● sencibly reueale and manifest hymsel●

How diuersly God hath reuealed hymselfe . For God by diuers and sundry mean● hath made his will manifest vnto me● somtime by worde of mouth and speac● procéeding from his diuine substance , 〈◊〉 when he spake to our forfathers in suche ●te , as they conceiued it with their out●rde senses : sometime by the secreate ●orking of the holy spirite : sometime dreames and visions , and yet all these ●dry means wrought one effect , to wit , ●oste sure and certayne perswasion to 〈◊〉 schollers , that eche of these were it ●rde , inspiration , or reuelation , did al●aies cary with it an infallible veritie , ●océeding from the secret hart and will god , who can not deceiue men no more ●an he can lay aside his Godheade from ●m .

Whereby it came to passe , that the ●atriarches and Prophets by force of ●ys perswasion , were so confirmed and ●engthned , that such times as it pleased ●od , they shrinke not to seale vppe the ●ne heauenly word with the sheding of ●eir bloude : Wyth the lyke fayth and ●rtaine perswasion , they didde likewise ●ue some of theyr writyngs and monu●entes to the posteritie to the ende that ●yng moued by the studie thereof , wée ●ght be more conuersaunt in the schoole by the study thereof we might bée 〈◊〉 conuersaunt in the schoole of God , in 〈◊〉 which he wil no lesse instruct vs by 〈◊〉 holy spirite , than he did in time past 〈◊〉 elders and forefathers , that thereby 〈◊〉 may vnderstande and beléeue , that th● hathe bene , is , and alwaies will bée , 〈◊〉 only Church , and one only truth , tho● it appeare sometyme more euident th● at another : suche is the maruellous p●uidence of God , to apply himselfe to 〈◊〉 capacities .

And that he giueth vnto his discipl● and hearers , by this meanes we confe● that by the ministerie of that heauen● worde , whyche God commaunded to 〈◊〉 committed to writing , and to remaine 〈◊〉 the posteritie for euer , bothe in the ty● of the law , and of the Prophets , we c●fesse I say , that we do wythout all scr●ple sincerely , and from the bottom of o● heartes , acknowledge hym to be the tr● God the maker & gouernor of al thing● as our forefathers in like sort haue do● before vs . We say moreouer and affirm● that this same word is the most certain● rule wherby to direct al our dooings , and ●herto we ought to refer all the thoughts ●nd imaginations of our harts , least we ●eing deceiued & led awaye wyth the in●abilitie of our own wits do wander and 〈◊〉 astray , through our own fond fantasies imaginations . If then the word of God , The authority and credite of scripture where it proceedeth ●nd holy scripture be none other than the ●octrine procéeding out of the mouth of God , and from his holy spirite , I beséech ●ou what can bée more absurde than to ●ake it of no greater aucthoritie , than ●he Popes and general Counsells wil e●éeme it ? wheras we ought on the con●rarye rather to estéeme the Counsells ●hemselues , if they represent the church of Christ to haue al their force , credite , and ●uthority of the worde of God . Further●ore we do affirme ( albeit the spirite of God be tied & bound to no outward thin●es ) that notwithstanding that same spi●ite hathe both promised and determined ●o teache the Churche no newe doctrine ●ther than it hathe taught oure forefa●hers , the whyche it hathe lefte remaynyng wyth vs as a touche stone to examine and try the true motions an● inspirations of the holy spirite , from th● false and heathnish , and suche as the lu● and curiositie of our owne fleshly fantasies doth cause and worke in vs .

And forasmuche as thys was th● mind and will of our God , that by mean● of this word , we shuld al come to knowledge hereof , we do accompt it sacriledg● and highe treason , to withdraw men , eyther by perswasion or otherwise by authoritie to inhibite them the reading therof : where as it oughte rather to bée wished , that aswel women as men , the ignorant as the learned ( at the least suche as professe themselues to bée Christians ) shoulde be occupied bothe day and night in the meditation thereof , eche in theyr owne vulgare tongue , and not these alonely , but also Turkes , Iewes and all other of any Countrey or nation whatsoeuer , throughout the whole world .

The holye Scriptures are obscure to that wilful and vnregenerate . But if any be so impudently bolde as to accuse and blame the wisedome of God , saying , that he hath deliuered vnto vs his woorde in great darkenesse and difficultie , so that many therby fall into many great errors , we detest him as a blasphemer , and a most false flaunderer of the Maiesty of God , and one cleane voide of Gods spirite , and wanting that moste comfortable and shining light whereby hée might be able to beholde and sée the misteries of God .

Of the knowledge of God gotten and attained by the word of God .

FRom the very beginning and creation of all thynges when God firste made mankinde , to the end that he might be partaker of the knowledge of hym , The firste degree in knowlege of God . he ordained and appointed , as it were thrée formes or degrées in hys schoole : in the firste wherof he set before his eyes to behold and take the full view of his wonderfull worke , the huge masse of the whole world , that the varietie and abundaunce , of all things shoulde be as it were an alphabet to induce him to the knowledge & contemplation of his might , power , Psalm. 1● . eternitie , & diuinitie , that as the prophet doth witnesse , the Heauens , the Earthe , the Sunne , Moone Starres , Sea , and all other things contained therin , doe nighte and daye , and wythout ceassing , declare the glorye and excellencye of our Lorde and God , neyther is there any country or nation so brutishe or so barbarous that is not able to conceiue this bothe wyth outwarde eyes , and by secrete imagination , the whiche thing also maketh them vnexcusable in the sight of God , that he may wyth iustice condemne them , for that they hauing by this means the knowledge of God , yet did not worshippe him accordingly , nor shew themselues thankfull for hys benefites bestowed vppon them , as he hath deserued at their hands .

The seconde degree . To the second forme or degrée in thys schoole do properlie apertain those whom god hath specially & peculiarly chosen to be his people , to whom it hath pleased hym to exhibite himselfe to bée knowen in moste familiar wise , in the whiche I do also place all dissemblers and hipocrites , whiche haue not onely from time to time bene mixed with good , but sometime also haue had the chiefest place of preheminence in the same congregation , and abusing their authoritie haue oftentimes oppressed the better sorte , as for example , suche were the Scribes , Pharisies , high Priestes of Ierusalem in Christes time . And in our daies the Popes Cardinals , Popish Prelats , Monkes and Priestes , and the rest of the Popish Clergy representing the same , their predecessors whiche altogither ascribed themselues into thys number , and moste commonly frequent the congregation to reade or heare the worde of God . Which wheras they ought to vse and exercise or apply to their owne saluation , and the peoples , yet notwithstanding ( the more is the pity ) they do so abuse , that they séeke after nothing so muche as their owne aduauntage , that they maye the more easely satisfye their owne lustes , desires , and pleasures . And if anye good and godlye man haue the zeale and courage to discouer thys their trecherye , and tell them theyr faultes , whyche are cloked vnder the pretence of vertue , they laboure by all meanes possyble , and practise agaynste hym all extremitie they can , whose purposes and imaginations , Sapien 2. The hatefull speaches of the vngodly against the vngodly . the spirite of God hath described in these wordes : Lette vs treade the iuste men vnder our féete , and let vs priuily lay snares for hym , forasmuche as he is againste vs and our profitte , and casteth vs in the téeth with our misdéeds , and bringeth our conuersation to light , to our greate reproch & infamy . He vaunteth & boasteth himselfe to haue the knowledge and understanding of God , and maketh as though he were the sonne of God , and séemeth to bée ordayned for this purpose , to obiect our faults against vs : And how greate a corroziue is he to vs I beséech you , hauing chosen a lyfe quite contrary and diuers from vs . Hée estéemeth vs no better than he doth copper coigne of a counterfaite stampe , and abhorreth to doe or say as we say , and do as much as a man would abhorre a most filthy sincke , or the very pitte of hell . As for the iust & righteous men , he reckneth them moste happy euen in their end , and braggeth of God to be his father : let vs therefore examine the matter , and trye whether the doctrine hée preacheth bée true or no , and lette vs sée what issue it will growe vnto . For if the iuste man be the childe of God , he will defend him and take hym from amids hys aduersaries .

Lette vs séeke to persecute him , and to practise all kinde of punishments and iniuries vpon him to trye his pacience : let vs execute him by some infamous kinde of death , if it be true that he teacheth , God will aide and assist him . These thinges , and suche like , haue the wicked imagined in their mindes , and haue erred bicause their owne frowardnesse hath blinded them .

These are the wordes & sayings of hipocrits ( moste mighty Prince ) who terming themselues the examiners & inquisitors of other mens belief & faith , haue practised no lesse indéede than they haue promised before in wordes . And to these ( no doubte ) the reading of holye scripture is tourned into bitternesse and poyson , and their eyes dazeled with the bright beams thereof doe waxe daily more blinde than other . For whereas by meanes of holye scripture the sacred worde of God , they ought to acknowledge the true God to be bothe iuste and full of compassion : they fansie I wotte not what , but a kinde of Godhead they doe imagine , that is without both these two chiefe vertues . And in stéed of oure Lorde and sauiour Iesus Christe , doe substitute another Christe , whome they lure from Heauen to flée to their fiste at a becke to earne themselues pence . Moreouer , forgetting that onely and euerlasting sacrifice of Christe , they bring in place thereof very arrogantlye their owne merits and workes of supererogation , and where they ought to extoll the excellencie and maiesty of Christ as it becommeth them , beyng the verye true sonne of God , the heauenlye Prophet , the chiefe and euerlasting Prieste , the Prince and gouernour of all things , the spirituall king of godlye minded consciences : yet notwithstanding they spoyle him of all the ornaments of hys Princedome , his sacrifice , and his office of prophesie , in conclusion , these miserable dissemblers , though they enter into thys seconde degrée and order of God with others of Christes disciples , to heare and receiue the doctrine of our Lord and Sauiour , yet doe they not acknowledge truly , and as they ought to do their own ignoraunce and infirmitie , nor that greate benefitte of Christ bestowed vpon mankinde , as for faith they knowe no whitto therof , nor can not giue and exact accompt by what means we are reconciled to God .

But suche as our Lorde and Sauiour Christ hathe chosen , The thirde degree proper only to the electe . & by adoption made his own , they perceiue and know al truth after God hath remoued them out of the first and second order and degrée , where they had some small entrance and instruction , & giuen them more perfect learning and vnderstanding in the thirde , for it is not the knowlege it selfe of things created that are obiecte to our senses ( whyche bée naturallye blinde , and dazeled before they bée opened & lightned with the spirite of god ) that is able to bring a perfecte , and absolute knowledge of the truth , no nor the Scriptures themselues wythout the Spirite of God , can not open to vs the gates of Heauen , and the waye to euerlasting saluation : bycause the weakenesse and imbecillitie of mans witte , staying it selfe and resting in the view and contemplation of the bare and naked Elements or letters , is not able to reache to the force , efficacie , and sense of the same : for the worde of God is like a sharpe two edged sworde , whyche if a man drawe out againste the olde Adam , it dispatcheth him altogither , and cutteth all his lustes and concupiscences : but if a man strike with the scabbarde , it hurts not , onely the stroke maketh a sounde , and woundeth not . And truly if the course of our life wer in this wise , and thus appointed it were nothing but a shadowe , a counterfaite , a vizarde of hipocrisie , whiche happeneth not to the children of God , who being indued with Gods holy spirite , are able to iudge and estéeme all things , and are themselues notwithstanding iudged of none . For they haue the perfecte knowledge of Gods holye wyll depely imprinted in their minds , the whiche the spirite of God hathe ingrauen in their heartes by the reading of his holy and sacred worde .

And hereof doe arise ( moste mightie Prince ) so sundry sectes of religion , The originall cause of the controuersies aboute religion . hereof growe daily innumerable questions and controuersies , and herevpon do the ●nquisitours bende their force agaynste ●os , as against heretikes and seducers of others , wheras we on the contrary side , are certainly perswaded that they walke in moste horrible darkenesse , being enimies to the glorye of God , and earnest promoters of their owne vayne glorye , corrupters and deprauers of the word of God , the which bicause they vnderstand not aright by the direction of his holy spirite , they referre to their owne commoditie and aduauntage , and make it serue their owne ambition , and moste filthye abhominations . What can be then more shamefull than to appoint suche iudges for the deciding and determination of the causes of Gods children , whome so good a father hathe so well instructed in his precepts and commaundements , that they haue not learned it according to the dead letter , but in spirite and truth , that and haue after a sorte put on Christe , by whose Gospell they are assured that they are reconciled both to him and to his father ? It resteth nowe to compare the doctrine of the true children of God , that are guided by his spirite with theirs , who as they are very hipocrites indéede , so do moste falsely affirme , that they wholy depende vpon the aucthoritie of the holye scriptures , such is their blindnesse and ignorance , that hauing learned of the wisedome of the flesh , as it were at the hands of a schoolemaister , nothing but that whiche is worldly and carnall , yet notwithstanding they brag of themselues moste arrogantlye and impudentlye that they haue the true knowledge and vnderstanding of scriptures , the whyche they doe daily more and more corrupte & depraue with their sophisticall gloses and philosophie , or to speake more truly with their own dreames and fantasies .

Of the creation of man , and of his estate in innocencie , and fall into synne .

THe children of God , and such as are taught by his spirite out of his word doe confesse , that God in the beginning ●reated man of nothyng to hys owne Image and likenesse , that hée shoulde bée ●ufre and vpright , and zelous of his glorye . In the whiche estate of originall iustice ( as they call it ) he continued vntill he of his owne accorde abusing that frée will whiche God had giuen him , that hée mighte be perfecte in his kinde and nature , did swarue and decline from God , and being deceiued by the flattery of the Serpent , made himselfe thrall to that wicked and tempting spirite .

And this voluntarye transgressing of Gods holye lawe and wyll , bothe broughte man into a moste miserable condicion , and remoued him from the estate he was in , in honour , and defaced the image of God in him , that is to saye , made him vniust vnfaithfull , an enimy and a rebel against God , and spoiled him of the other graces and ornaments he had bestowed vpon him in his former estate .

Of originall synne , and howe it is conueied throughout the whole posteritie of man .

BVt this calamitie and misery rest●● not alonely in the firste man & woman , and there stayed , but by reason tha● they were the séede and stocke whence issued all mankinde , the blemishes an● corruptions of oure firste parents doe s● sticke in vs , and from them are conueyed to al their posteritie , that al the of spring and issue of Adam is no lesse defiled with his corruption and filthines , than if they had bene both parties , and guiltie to the offences committed by theyr fyrste parents .

And for this cause also , is that called originall synne that is deriued and descended from our firste parents to all the posteritie , both bycause it is oure owne , and caste vppon vs as by discent and inheritaunce from oure auncestours , and is the roote and originall of all other vices , whether they be generall infirmities common to all men , or proper and peculiar to singular persons . Rom. 5. The force and strength whereof is such , and so greate , ●at it maketh a man rude and ignorant 〈◊〉 the holye misteries of God , voide of ●e heauenlye light , resty and stiffe nec●●d against the will of God , vnkind and ●nthankefull towardes a moste merci●ll and louing father : and finally in the ●erformaunce and fulfillyng of hys will ●nd commaundement , not onely weake ●nd féeble , but as it were vnapt and vn●ble .

And to the ende we maye beholde the ●uely image and patern of that man that ●eing borne of Adam is not regenerate ●n Christe : A description of mans corruption before his regeneration . sée howe Paule describeth ●uche a manner of man vnto vs : Al saith hée , bothe Iewes and Grecians are entangled in the snares and bonds of sinne , there is not one iust man to be founde among them , there is none that vnderstandeth any thing , none séeketh after God , all are gone astraye , and giuen to iniquitye , Rom. 3. Psalm. 14. Psalm. 53. Psal. 5. & . 9 Psalm . 140. Psalm. 12. there is not one that embraceth righteousnesse : Their throate is like an open sepulcher that deuoureth men aliue , with their mouth they speake leasing , and flatter with their tongue , Psalm. 39. Psalm. 36. Esay . 19 Prouer. 1. Psal. 13. & . 35. Collos. 2. the● lippes are annointed wyth the poyson 〈◊〉 Adders : Their talke is ful of cursing a●● bitternesse : their féete moste swifte 〈◊〉 shead innocent bloud : finally their wh●● life is moste miserable , that care neyth● for godlynesse nor good religion . Lo th● is the beste description that can be ma● of man , and therefore no man may be 〈◊〉 bolde , vnlesse he be altogither shameles● as once to whisper a worde of mans fr● will to good , of workes preparatiue ( 〈◊〉 they terme them ) merits deserued ex congruo & condigno , and suche other sophistical and Dunsical deuises , except he wy● altogither flatter and deceiue hymselfe and séeke to draw other into like destruction .

But to speake the same in more plain● termes without any curiositie , wée say● that in man is the whole bodye of synn● ( as the very wordes of the Apostle are ) whyche like vnto a leafe of paper , whervppon if neuer so little filthye and stinking oyle be dropped by little and little ●preadeth so into al parts that the whol●●d euery parte thereof is ouerspreade ●th the filthinesse of the same : euen so ●e say that originall sinne is not a hurte , ●●ime , or griefe in any speciall parte in ●an , but an vniuersall blindenesse or ●rkenesse in the witte and vnderstan●ng of man , as touching the knowledge 〈◊〉 God , and suche as bréedeth in man a ●aywardne●●e against the will of God , ●nd an imbecilitie and weaknesse to per●urme those thyngs whyche God hathe ●●mmaunded vs to doe .

And to define this corruption in few●●ordes , wée muste thus thynke , that ●here is no parte in man from heade to ●ote voide of thys execrable wickednesse ●nd detestable waywardenesse and per●ersenesse , as the Apostle in the place I ●ited before , hath noted wyth greate vn●erstanding , quoting togither diuers and ●undrye places of holye scripture verye ●ptlye and wiselye to the same intent . Oute of thys fountayne also infynite ●ices issue and spring vppe in the mindes of the elect .

The infection and contagion wher● the verie best and moste godly men , The firste sort of sinners . y●● the greatest sainctes them selues , ha● sensibly had experience of in themselu●● boyling in the myndes of men , yea eu● the moste perfecte that euer haue bée● like a burnyng fyre , or a flaming fo●neys . And the infection is wroughte them thrée maner of wayes especially First and formoste it stirreth vp certa● inwarde motions , The firste imagination o● wickednesse is very sinne in it selfe . affections , desires a● cogitations contrarie to the law of G●● though the will in all pointes be not f●ly consenting therevnto , then followe● immediatly a great tumulte in the mindes of the elect , so great and so veheme● as cannot be vttered in wordes , hauyn● a moste feruente desire to be released 〈◊〉 the length , and set at libertie from thi● corruption . The whyche motions a●● affections of the mynde , the holy script●res doe testifie bothe to be sinnes , & su●● as prouoke the wrath of god , whom w● ought to worship and reuerence , with al● our minde , wyth al our soule , & with al● our strength : notwythstanding oure doing Doctours to pacifie mens mindes ●nd qualifie their faultes , haue coyned ●ertaine distinctions , of thrée kindes of ●otions and affections of the mind , in the ●●rst , second , and third degrée , as thoughe ●hey myght by this meanes escape the ●udgement of God , & the horrible threat●ings denounced againste the transgres●ors of the lawe of God . Secondarily af●er the same motions doth ensue the con●ent of mans will , the mother of concu●iscence and luste , equall in nature to the ●ynne itselfe , as our Lorde himselfe hath ●aught vs .

And yet these false Doctors valewing ●ll thing by their owne weight and mea●ure , The Popish distinctions of sinnes by degrees . haue in this behalfe likewise inuen●ed certaine differences of delectations , ●n quantitie and measure , some to be sin●le , some double , some long time , some ●horte , heaping to themselues damnation ●n tyme to come , for their wilfull error ●nd ignorance .

Of Actuall synne as they call it .

CAste of all after the other two , vp● starteth a thirde kinde of sinne , nam●ly that beside the motion of the mind a●● the willing inclination of the same is ●ctually committed in déede , of which so be worshipping of Idolls , blasphemy a●● cursing othes to the dishonor of God , a●● prophaning of his moste holye name , so persticious adoration , and pilgrimages as also the other trespasses committed ●gainste the commaundementes of the s●conde table , the whyche bée so grosse a●● palpable , that the very heathen philos●phers were moued againste them , and a●waies detested them bothe in worde a●● déed , yet haue our diuines in this part all founde out a verye fine and a subtill d●stinction betwixte mortall sinnes , and v●nial , pretending venial syns to be such 〈◊〉 a drop or twoo of holye water , the sign● of the Crosse , and such other trifling an● ridiculous ceremonies might purge an● clense vs of , and by that meanes lulli●● vs a sléepe , flatter vs in oure moste gréeuous and horrible synnes , wherevppo● haue growen greate and more gréeuous ●ynnes among the Christians . than euer ●id in any common wealth , that was on●ye gouerned and guided by philosophers ●eing méere pagans , and such as had no ●anner of vnderstanding in Gods holy ●isteries .

In summe , the learned sorte and well ●isposed will confesse , that the Popish do●toures haue erred moste shamefully in his doctrine touching originall synne of motions of the minde , and differences of ●ynnes , and haue béene ignoraunt not on●ye of the nature and qualitye thereof , ●ut also how miserable effect it wrought ●n vs , wherin being both deceyued themselues , and leading other into lyke error , being the cause of al the infirmities that bée in man , whyle they goe aboute to applye remedyes , they haue heaped erroure vppon errour , as shall bée héereafter declared in his due and conuenient place .

Of the miraculous meanes that God vsed to repayre the fall of man .

OVr Lorde and God , like a moste louing and merciful father perceiuing that hys creature and workemanshippe , beautified with so manye notable giftes and graces , prouoked by the crafte and subtilty of Sathan , was voluntarily fallen from him and his commaundement , vouchedsafe to open his iustice and mercye towardes vs , that as by the one hée might punishe the synne and transgression of man , so by the other , heale and close vppe oure woundes againe . Wherevpon he putte in execution his eternall counsel , to punish the rebelling and disobedient nature of man , and his fall from him according to his desert , not in the person of him that became so disobedient , and shranke from God , but in the newe and celestiall Adam whiche might bée a fitte intercessor and mediatour béetwixte all mankinde and God , being both God and man . For it was requisite and necessary for the reconciling of these twoo togither God and man , that the other seconde Adam shuld be true and very perfect man , subiect to all infirmities of man , yea vnto death it selfe , to the ende that he might suffer the paines appointed by the iuste iudgement of God , for oure worldly and sinfull fleshe , as also that he should be the very true son of God , to ouercome death , sinne , and the worlde , treade downe the gates of hell , ouerthrow al the kingdome of Sathan , and as Paule saith , to be giuen vppe for our transgressions , and rise againe for our iustification , Roman. 4. Rom. 4.

The whiche mercye and abundaunte goodnesse of God , was in expresse wordes declared to the firste man , when it was tolde hym , that the séede of the woman shoulde in time to come breake the heade of the serpente , Genes. 3. and the same was renued by often promisse made to diuers afterwardes , but especiallye to Abraham .

This celestiall Adam I saye , hath bene ●y diuers signes and misteries signified vnto vs of olde , that by this means al men might comfort them selues with a most ●ure and certaine hope , and an vndoub●able perswasion of Gods promisses .

The description of Christe after the Popishe Churche beli●fe .

ANd thys is oure opinion and beliefe concernyng Christe , whereof it is a worlde to consider howe manye infinite questions the Diuines of oure dayes or Sophisters , rather to terme them more aptly , haue curiously and vainely handled , whyche are not onely not profytable for the staying and stablishing of our faith , but foolishe and ridiculous , and do withholde manye Iewes , and other of forren nations from the Christian faith , in so muche that a man woulde rather thinke they described some fantasie , o● dreame , or vision : than Christ oure Messias and Sauioure , by the wonderfu● power of God , sente from aboue . W● spend many yeares arguing in schooles in what termes wée muste speake o● Christe . Whether thys propositio● bée true , Christe was from the béeginnyng , whether it bée more aptely● sayde , that hée is compounded o● bothe natures , or consysteth , or is commixte , or knitte togyther and combined : or as it were gellied , or moul●ed , or coupled and conioyned . Howe muche better were it to omit these moti●ns and vaine questions , Rom. 2. and to content ●ur selues with that which the Apostles ●aue taught vs , whiche affirme vnto vs 〈◊〉 plaine termes , that Christe accordyng ●o the fleshe was made or begotten of the ●éed of Dauid , and is the true son of God ●lmighty according to the spirite : and so ●y thys meanes contenting our selues with this simplicitie of speach should en●euour our selues to expresse Christ him ●elfe , that is to say , practise moste perfect ●olynesse and innocency in our liues and ●onuersation . Besides this in how darke ●nd doubtfull termes do these blind Sco●istes dispute and reason of the foure in●tants of nature , as also where they goe ●boute to proue that this worde person ●oth not signifie relatione Origenis , neyther ●he common relation &c. Many more examples of like impious and wicked dis●utations procéeding from the idle curio●itie of this Scotist , might here be alledged , but bycause the matter it selfe is blasphemous and too vnreuerent in r●spect of the person of Christe , but also 〈◊〉 vttered with suche termes , as the common people can in no wise vnderstande for our mother tongue will not ministe● words to vtter so fond and nice conce●● withall . I haue thought good to retourn● to matters more euident , leauing the● and other such like toys as the religio● is full fraught . For to what purpose is 〈◊〉 vainely to spende the tyme aboute disputing of Gods greatenesse , and howe infinite he is , of soch motions and mere imaginations as these be , or of the relation and foundacions of the Trinitie , and th● vnspeakeable beginning of the worde whether it tooke being at an instant , o● by processe of tyme , by waye of procéeding or generation . These and such other like , what vse I beséeche you , can the● haue either to the building or beautifying of the Church of God ? notwithstanding sée the mischiefe how this their philosophie preuaileth , and those ioyly diuines thinke vs altogither vnlearned , bicause we hold our selues contented onl● with the pure and perfect word , reiecting ●homas Aquinas with his curious questi●ns , Scotus with his subtil and sophistical ●rgumentes , Durandus with his follies , ●nd diuers others of that sorte with their ●oste impudent vanities .

Of the lawe of God , and the force therof .

AFterwards when god perceiued that mankinde was become almost sense●esse , in so much that he neither was tou●hed with his own misery and calamity , ●or of himselfe vnderstoode what should become of him , except their mindes were cherished and comforted with the hope of his promisses , besides to the ende that hée might chose vnto himselfe a people , as it were specially and peculiarly apart from the rest . After he had deliuered the Israelits out of the captiuitie and bondage of Pharao , he made a lawe which he established and published in mount Sinay .

The force wherof , was to awake such as slept securely in synne , The vertue and efficacie of the lawe . to accuse and reproue them , to proue whole mankinde guiltye before the throne and Maiestye of God , that thereby they mighte learne to séeke righteousnesse and innocencye ( whereof they were altogither destitute ) at the onely mercies of God , when euery one should acknowlege in his own conscience , & know by his own experience , the naturall corruption & deprauation of his minde by the iudgement and manifestation of the lawe . Secondarily , to the end that the faithfull and chosen of God shold be taught by the law , as by a most excellent and learned schoolemaister , what exercises and dueties God requireth at the handes of hys children , bycause no man shoulde deuise of his owne fantasie and imagination any newe seruice of God other than was by the law of God prescribed and appointed .

The summe and effecte of whiche doctrine , albeit the holy Apostle hath plainly and sufficientlye declared in hys Epistles , yet haue these vnlerned doctours broughte in méere Iudaisme and Paganisme into Christian religion . For they teache vs , that the lawe was giuen vs onely to this intent , that we shoulde ●alke in good workes , by the which men night not only be acceptable in the sight ●f God , but iustified also before him .

And herevpon they take occasion to ●aunder vs , as though we should affirme ●ood workes to be néedelesse , and shoulde withdrawe men from the studye and ex●rcise of vertue , and lette them loose to all ●icenciousnesse . Whereas we studye all we can , and vse all our endeuour to shew ●he people , that suche as bée regenerate , oughte duely to beée conuersaunte in good workes , and in godly exercises , bothe to tame the lustes and concupiscences of their myndes , and to engender a mutuall loue and charitie among men : as also confirme and establish euery particular mans conscience in the perswasion of his election , and to retaine Gods spirite the better in their mindes by whose good motion and direction , their willes mighte the rather bée alwayes pliable and conformable to doe all good and godlye exercises of true godlynesse and vertue .

And yet wée flattely denye , that these works be the cause of our iustification but rather the effectes , the signes and tokens of true faith settled in our heartes euen as by good fruites it appeareth tha● the trées bée good where they doe procéede .

Of the Ceremonies and Sacrifices of the olde Testament .

MOreouer , whereas the corrupte and peruerse nature of man was suche , that of hymselfe hée coulde not putte hys whole affiaunce and truste in God , thinking it a matter of very great difficultie , almoste of impossibilitie to bée delyuered from the bondage and slauerye of Sathan , the tiranny of sinne , and the yoke of the lawe , whiche required a paye aboue his power , The figures of the olde testament , shadowes of Christe . to wit , puritie , sinceritie and holinesse bothe of mynde and bodye : the Lorde did institute Ceremonies , and sacrifices , and burnt offerings , by the whiche men shoulde be admonished and putte in mind , that he standeth in néed of some mediatour and redemer , by whose means he might bée loosed out of all the bondes and snares wherein he was entangled , & ●taine true and perfect libertie . And to ●e intent that he might be led as it were ●y the hand , to the knowlege of his Mes●as and Sauiour , Heb. 6.7.8 . he set before his eyes ●sible ceremonies , wherein as in a Ta●le , wée mighte beholde the person , the ●ffice , and the moste singuler and super●●cellent effects of the said Sauiour and ●edemer Christ Iesus , to wit , the sacri●ice and order of sacrifying , the Sanctu●ry , the propiciation , the vaile , the table , ●he shewe breade , with other suche lyke .

Of the Popishe Ceremonies .

ANd now I beséech you , compare the Popishe Ceremonies and these togi●her , and no doubte ye shall well perceiue ●t to be true , that Augustine complayned of in his time , that they are growen to so great a multitude and swarme , that they are not onely equall in number with the Iewish ceremonies , but also doe excéede them far : neither haue our churchmen bin contented to fetche a great part of theyr Ceremonies from the Iewes , but ro●bed the Pagans , and the idolatrous Et●nicks , also of theirs to patch vppe the● heape , as appeareth moste euidentlye 〈◊〉 their sacrifice of the Masse , as ther ter● it , for it is botched and clowted , parte● with the superstitious ceremonies of t●● Iewes and the Gentiles , but chiefly an● principallye of the rites instituted 〈◊〉 Numa Pompilius .

Arnobius a verye auntient Doctour wrote an Apollogie in defence of Christian religion , Arnobius in his third booke contra Gent. wherein hée sayth that th● Ethnickes founde verye greate fault with the Christians , bicause they neithe● dedicated their churches to god , nor builded altars , nor set no incense vpon them nor had no vessell of siluer and golde t● serue for holy vses , wherwith they migh● do seruice vnto God , and beautifie their Temples . But if those that blamed this want of these things among the Christians in those times wer now aliue in our dayes , and should behold the popish ceremonies in their Sinagogs , they coulde scarcely beleue them to be Christians , or at the leaste they coulde finde no suche ●aulte with the Romishe religion nowe , ●s they founde with the Christian religi●n then . But forasmuche as the wordes of Arnobius containe in them a most no●able and excellent doctrine againste the horrible idolatry and superstition of our times , I wil here annexe a fewe leaues out of Arnobius , to the intent that youre Maiestye myght more euidentlye sée in what sorte they of the most auntient and perfectest Churches , and that were nighe vnto the Primitiue church and to the Apostles times , did serue god , & how much their seruice differed from the pomp and multitude of ceremonies vsed of the Pope in his church : Now ( saith he ) that I haue generallye declared what wycked and blasphemous opinions you houlde of youre Gods , it followeth consequentlye that I speake somewhat of youre Temples and youre Sacrifices , and other the consequences that depende héere vppon , for thys is a matter whyche you are wonte speciallye to challenge vs for , and to laye to oure chardge as a horrible impietie : That wée buylde 〈◊〉 churches for diuine seruice , we set vp 〈◊〉 grauen nor paynted Images of anye 〈◊〉 the Gods , we reare no altars , nor sprin●kle no bloud of fatlings therevppon , n● burne no incense , nor bring in no cor●● nor wine to bee poured into cuppes , th● which things we omit and leaue vndon , not of any wicked and godlesse intent , o● for any contempt againste God , but bycause we thincke and are certaynely perswaded , that if they be Gods indede ( and worthy that name ) they do either laugh at these kinds of worshipping and seruice as follies and fantasies , or else are greuously offended with them , if there be in them either of these affections , the one or the other , either disposition to reioycing , or motion to indignation and displeasure : for bycause you shall vnderstande what opinion wée haue of the verye name of God , and howe we iudge thereof , we are perswaded , that if they be Gods in déede , ( to repeate the same ioyntly togither agayne ) they bée indued wyth all kinde of vertues moste perfectly , and most abundauntly , as wisedome , iustice , grauitie , ( if wée maye wythout blame gyue them suche termes of praise and commendation , as we vse towards men ) excelling in al inward gifts , without néeding the help of any external things , forasmuche as the fulnesse and perfection of all happiness● and felicitie is absolute in them that they are frée from all affections , voide of anger , not moued wyth luste or sensualitie , harmefull to none , not delighted wyth the miseries and calamities of others , not fearing men with straunge and rare visions , not chargyng them wyth theyr vowes , nor sending signes of threate and anger , to the intent that men shuld make sacrifices of expiation , nor plagues or pestilences or other diseases by the infection of the ayre , nor making dearthe by droughtes , nor presenet at the sheading of bloude by warres , or vnpeopling of Cities , not partial , as fauourable and inclining to some , & contrariwise frowning vppon others : but rather yelding equally and indifferently to either parte , and affectionated alike in good will towardes all , for it is an argument of a weake and féeble nature , to be subiect to contrarieties : and the determinations of Sages concerning this point hath béene , that they whiche are touched with affections , haue sense and féeling of grief , and sorrowe , either more or lesse : and that it is not possible , but that they whiche are any wayes subiect to affections , are subiect also vnto mortalitie . The case then being thus , howe can we iustly be thoughte to contemne God , séeing wée denye that any can bée déemed woorthye that name , excepte he be iuste and vprighte , and such as is praise worthye and honorable in the iudgement and estimation of them that be best affected ? But yée will obiect against vs perhaps , that we build no temples for seruice of them , nor worship their images , nor offer them no sacrifices , nor burne them no incense , & what I pray you can you require more at our hands ? or what greater worshippe or honour can wée yéelde them , than to place them in the same degrée , in the which we put the chiefe Lorde and supreame head of all , by whome the very celestiall bodies haue their being as well as we ?

For doe wée honour hym wyth building of Churches and Temples , or doe we slay any sacrifices for him , or present him with any other things , wherof ther is no sounde reason to be yéelded , but onlye a foolishe continuance of a blinde custome . For what follye and madnesse is it to measure the Maiestye of God by our necessities : and for bicause suche thinges séeme for the vse of man , to yéelde them therefore vnto God , who gaue the same vnto man , and to be perswaded that by thus dooing thou doste hym honour , and not rather greatly dishonour hym .

To what what vse then I pray you , doe we séeke so much for Temples and churches for Gods vse ? or what néede was there say you , why they shoulde either be built at the firste , or nowe be repaired ? do they fréese wyth the colde in Winter , or broile in the heat of Sommer , or can the cloudes drowne them with raine , or are they tossed with whirlewindes , or afraid to be inuaded , or ouercome with enimies , or rente in péeces wyth wilde beastes , that therfore there shuld be cause to kepe them in close house and defende them by stone walles : for what are these Temples I praye you , in respect of men , and in oure féeble iudgement very huge and vaste : But in comparison of the might and Maiestie of God , a little small corner , or rather a straighte and a very narrowe hole . The firste builder wherof , if yée liste to knowe them , The firste builders of temples . was either Ph●roneus the Egiptian , or Merops , or as Varro wryteth in hys treatie of wounders , Aeacus Iupiters sonne : be they therfore builte wyth marble , or beautified wyth golde , or adorned with Iewells and precious stones , or shine lyke the Sunne beames ? they be all but earth and duste , and made of verye filthe , and the vilest matter that can be , neither is God therfore delighted wyth them , bycause you estéeme them of greate price , nor for the vilenesse and basenesse thereof , woulde therefore refuse to dwell within them .

This is the temple of Mars saith some , that of Iuno , that of Ladye Venus , héere dwelleth Apollo , here Hercules , there Summanus . Is not this a great and principall dishonour , to tye God to a house and dwelling place ? to make hym a roofe to shroude himselfe vnder ? to deuide it into parlors and chambers , thinkyng them necessary things for hym , that serue for mans vse , and for the séely vermin of the earth , as Cats , Antes , Wezels , and the fearefull mouse : but wée builde them no Temples ye will say for that purpose , to kéepe them from rayne and stormes , or from the heate of the Sunne , but that wée may haue nigher accesse vnto them , and behold them , and make our petitions and praiers vnto them euen face to face . For if we shoulde call vppon them in the open ayre , and out of couert , saue onely the cope of Heauen , they are deafe , they heare vs not , and excepte a man come nigh vnto them when he maketh his praiers , they stande still as thoughe no man gaue them a worde : but wée are of a far contrary opinion , that if they were gods worthy that name , they could and wold , yea they oughte to heare vs from anye place of the whole worlde , whatsoeuer a man shoulde speake vnto them , were it neuer so secretly , as well if he were present by them ? yea to anticipate by theyr foreknowledge , whatsoeuer anye man shoulde secretly imagin in his mind . And as the Stars , the Sun , and Moone , when they mounte alofte , or appeare vpon the face of the earth , are immediatly present , and shine to all alike , euen so is it requisite , that the eares of God should be open to all , nighe to heare the petitions of all , though they come from diuers countries , yea and those farre distant asunder . For this is the nature and propertie of God , to fill all places with his power , and to be wholy euery where , not péece meale in any place , not to be absent and present at diuers times , not to go suppe in Ethiopiae , and after a wéeke or two , to returne home again to his owne habitation . The which if it were otherwise , then farewel al hope of helpe and relief , when we shal be left in a doubt and vncertaintie , whether that God heareth our prayers yea or no , when soeuer wée doe make sacrifice of Prayers , or Thankesgiuing vnto hym .

As for example , lette vs put the case , that there is a Temple of some one god , in the Isles of Canare , another dedicated to the same God in the furthest parte of Thyle , likewise another among the Ethiopians , and an other in that parte of the worlde that is furthest distante from them .

If so bée that all these at one selfe same instaunte , dooyng their sacrifices and Ceremonyes , and makyng theyr petitions , aske euery one of them some thyng at Gods handes , accordyng to theyr owne necessitie , what hope can they haue to the obtayning of theyr petitions , If God doe not heare the prayer that is made vnto hym by eche of them alike , or if distaunce of place coulde hinder the praiers of them that call vppon hym , that the sounde thereof shoulde not perce hys eares ? for either muste he be present no where , if it bée possible for hym to bée secluded from all places or else muste he be in one onely place , bicause he cannot giue ear indifferently to all in generall , and giue them the hearing alike , and so muste it consequentlye followe , that eyther God aideth none at all , if by reason that he is occupied some other way , he haue no leisure to heare them , or heare the sutes of some , and sende the rest empty away , and heare not them . Moreouer these goodly Temples that are garnished with golde , and beautified with high stéeples and pinacles , be sepulchers for deade carcasses and places to laye ashes and bones in , is it not then very plaine and euident , that either you doe worship them that be dead in stéede of the liuing God , or doe moste horrible and shamefull villanye to the Maiesty of him , whose Temples you file with the ashes and bones of the dead ?

These are his wordes moste mightye Prince , worthy no doubt to bée written in golden letters , or rather to be imprinted in the tables of our heartes .

Of the comming of Christ & of his gospel .

BVt to retourne to our purpose , and to speake of the wonderfull misterye of our redemption : After the fulnesse of ●ne was come , Iohn . 1. Hebr. 1. Luke . 1. Math. 1. Gene. 3.15.17 . in the whiche the proui●●nce of God hadde determined to helpe ●ankinde , the whiche was bothe heauy ●aden and oppressed wyth the burthen 〈◊〉 sinne , and pressed downe into the bot●●mlesse pit of hell , assailed on euery side ●ith the tiranny of the Deuill , and con●icted by the sharpe and seuere sentence ●f the lawe . Oure heauenly father sente ●is onely begotten sonne , the euerlasting ●orde , the power and wisedome of the ●ather into the earthe , the whych worde ●hroughe the vertue of his holye spirite , ●y a wonderfull and miraculous means ●ée willed to become man in the wombe ●f the moste holy virgin Mary , that the ●ame Christe whiche had bin tofore eftsoones promised to the Patriarches and prophets of the olde Testament , the whiche also by the faith and hope they had in him , attained euerlasting life , shoulde at the length come into this worlde the very true and naturall son of God , and of the virgin , conceiued first in hir wombe , and afterwards brought foorth by hir into this worlde to be the very son of G● and verye man , that by this meanes 〈◊〉 might take away the sinnes of manki●● and that by the sacrifice of hys death , 〈◊〉 by his obedience , he might make atto●●ment betwixt God and man , to the int● that he shoulde no longer bée accompt● gods enimie , but be estéemed as his ch● and become inheritour of hys heauenl● kingdome , and partaker of his diuine ●●ture euerlastingly .

And the whole summe and effecte 〈◊〉 this doctrine concerning the great ben●fite of our redemption consisteth speci●●ly in two points . For fyrste wée doe a●knowlege the wonderful purpose of God heuenly prouidence , in that he vouchedsa● to redéeme vs from the horrible domin● of the deuil , that by the obedience & by t●● death of the latter , and the heauenly Adam , the rebellion , and disobedience 〈◊〉 the former earthly Adam might be qui● and discharged , and that the most filthi● spots and staines , not onely of his misbeliefe and incredulitie , but also of all hyposteritie , might be spunged with the mos● precious bloud of that immaculate lambe . Secondarily we are taught by the prea●ing of the Gospell , howe and by what ●anes we may bée partakers of this so ●eat mercy & reconciliation offered vn● vs by Christ , as also howe thankefull ●e ought to be towardes hym that hath ●uaunced vs to so great an honour . In ●umme , what soeuer our Lord and Saui●●r Iesus Christ hath either done or spo●en , it tendeth all to the same ende and ●ope . The originall of sects & heresies . From the which many following ●●eir owne waies , are caried awaye into ●iuers & sundry contrary opinions of reli●ion . For the Iewes & Turkes , & others ●heir likes , doe not acknowledge Christ ●o be their mediatour . Another sort there ●s , that can not vnderstande by what meanes they might apply the benefite of ●he mediatour to themselues , that is to say , howe to putte on Christ , and arme themselues wyth his righteousnesse and innocencie , without the which none can be accepted with God : and herevpon riseth the grounde of the great controuersie betwixte vs and the Papists .

What is cheifely in controuersie betwix● vs and the P●pistes .

ANd thus standeth the case ( most ●ble Prince ) betwixt vs and them , n●●ther is the quarel aboute a tale of Rob● Hoode , as the common prouerbe is , or 〈◊〉 Purgatorie onely , or the eating of fles● or fish , or about lighting of wax tapers 〈◊〉 noone tide , or Bishops rochets , or Mon● coules , for we coulde well be content 〈◊〉 permit them these things , so they wou●● not enuy vs the enioying of Christe , n● shadowe and extinguishe his most clean● and shining light , and most pure doctrin● with their darke and obscure diuinitie , and yet I thinke wel , they wold be content we shoulde wholly enioy Christe , s● they might lose nothing therby from thei● paunches , nor from their purses , whiche thing they stande in feare of excéedingly , if the people shuld once espie their falsehoode , their hipocrisie and dissimulation detected and brought to light . For wherto else serueth the great honor and pomp of the most reuerende fathers my Lords the Cardinalles ? their greate traine and guarde aboute them ? howe shall the Bi●ops kitchen be beated , if you quenche 〈◊〉 fire of Purgatory ? nay how shal there 〈◊〉 in it either flame or smoke , if the fewel 〈◊〉 Purgatory faile them ? O what a cold ●d frosty Ice will there be among them , this their yearely reuenue goe to de●ye ? This is it that maketh the Monks ●d priests tremble and quake for feare , ●a to fall to vtter desperation . For as ●r the glory and honour of Christ , they ●t not a strawe by it . Seing therefore ●ere is no controuersie betwixt vs , con●●rning the former parte of our religion , ●●at is to say , concerning the person of ●●e mediatour , it remayneth that wée ●●eate of the latter part , to wit , how and ●y what meanes wée maye attaine vnto ●hat vnestimable benefite of almightye God bestowed vpon mankinde by hym , ●hroughe our Lorde and Sauiour Iesus Christe . For our aduersaries neither can nor will not ( I dare say ) affirme the con●rary , but confesse vs to agrée in the first point with the primitiue Churche , and the most auntient and catholike fathers , forasmuch as we detest al the erroni●● opinions , and heresies wickedly and m● blasphemously inuented againste the ●uinitie and humanitie of Christe , w●●ther they sauor of Iudaisme , Turcis●● or Paganisme .

Of the Popishe Baptisme .

BVt if we shulde demaunde of ou● aduersaries this question : Wh● ways a man should take to become p●●taker of this singular benefite of Chr●● that he might be clothed and armed w● his righteousnesse and innocencie , to b● able to stande before the throne of t●● Maiestye of God , the moste righteou● iudge : they will answere hervnto I suppose , that men must be washed with t●● Sacrament of Baptisme , and haue a f●lishe sir Iohn to breath vppon them , an● crosse them in their foreheade wyth h●● moste filthie spittell , that the Deuils b● these means might be cast out of the bodies of the babes : they muste haue sal●● cast into their mouths , that so they migh● he made partakers of the heauenly wisedome : they must haue a waxe taper putte 〈◊〉 their hands , that the lighte of fayth ●ght shine vpon them , the which is increa● in them , & made more forcible , as the ●●dell excéedeth in greatnes & quantitie . ●r in this the Popes paradise , faith , and 〈◊〉 grace of God is solde by weight and ●easure as wax is . Their head is also , I ●ot nere why , knit rounde about with a ●ece of a white linnen rag , as who saye , ●ey did by that meanes put on the sincetie and innocencie of Christe , and are ●oreouer greased with oile , & become as ●uldiors , & captains , & standerdbearers , ●●at shuld giue vp their names , and take ●ages , & fight for Christ : for the consecra●ion wherof , a sort of bishops must méete ●nce a yeare , and assemble togyther to make that holy oyle , and close it in a box , ●nd commit Idolatrie vnto it , by doing it ●uche reuerence , as if God himselfe were within it . Laste of all , their eyes are an●ointed with the filthy and stincking spit●ell of the priest , belike to blind the séely in●ants , or so to dim their sights , that they shal not be able to behold the heauenly light .

O what prety toying and iugling 〈◊〉 is ? what coniurations , what wiche 〈◊〉 and inchauntmentes ? and yet notw●●standing , when they haue done all th● their fond ceremonies , they say plainl● those infants which be baptised on th● sorte , do foorthwith receiue faith , and 〈◊〉 come Christe Iesus brethren , Gods ch●dren , newe creatures , Christes stand●● bearers , shine with the light of heau●● be indued with heauenly wisedome . ●●nally what are they not become , so th● paye liberally : for this is the proclama●on they make , giue and it shall bée giu● vnto you .

Of the true vse of Baptisme .

ANd nowe I beséeche youre Maiesty of your gratious clemency and go●●nesse , not to thincke mée to speake the●● things of anye delighte I haue in raili●● or in slaundering of them . For God i● my witnesse , that I am ful sorie and he●uy at my hearte , to sée them so blinde , an● so obstinat , in defending so many abuse● and foolish superstitions : notwithstandin● the people must néedes be informed here●f , that they may vnderstand how shame●ully , howe ridiculously , & in how sundry ●●ints the Sacrament of Baptisme hath ●ene prophaned and defiled , whyche oure ●auiour Christe did institute to be so ho●ye and sacred euen in the highest degrée . That thereby he might notifie vnto vs , ●nd giue vs assurance , that his Churche ●nd congregation is purged and clensed from all spots and staines , by meanes of ●is moste precious and innocent bloude : 〈◊〉 that by this wonderfull expiation , hée ●ight take hir to himselfe , to be his wel●eloued spouse , being voide of blemish , or ●ny deformitie . And therefore whereas Christe commaundeth hys Apostles to ●aptise in the name of the father , the son , ●nd the holy ghost : It hath no such con●truction or meaning , to ascribe the bene●ite of our regeneration to the Element : ●hat is to say , the water , but rather that ●he greate and infinite mercy and loue of ●ur heauenly father , might be made manifest and knowen , who for the clensing of vs from oure sinnes , hathe not spared the bloude , no not of hys onely begott●● sonne : moreouer , that we shuld perswa● our selues by thys seale and token , th● we are most certaynly chosen and receiued into the societie and felowship of th● heauenly couenaunt , and so by this me●nes should reape all the fruite and for● of this sacrament in our soules . For w● are not of opinion , nor may not be so perswaded , that this is brought to passe , 〈◊〉 opere operato : that is to saye , for the w●●thinesse of the worke wrought , ( as th● schoolemen terme it ) but put our whi● truste and confidence in the onely me● and goodnesse of almightie God , we ha●● our faith more and more confirmed a● strengthned by baptisme , by the which faith we beléeue assuredly , that our he●uenly father hathe adopted vs into t●● number of his children hathe pardon● vs all oure offences , hathe endewed 〈◊〉 wyth his heauenly grace , hathe clens● all the filth and corruption of our soule● that wée from thencefoorth being whol● dedicate and consecrated to serue hy● and deliuered from the feare of all o●● ghostly enimies , shoulde leade a iuste , an ●neste , and an holy life before hym that ●●th bestowed these so many , & so greate ●●nefits vpon vs . And thus much brief-concerning Baptism , wherof by gods ●ace I maye entreate more largely at ●ne other tyme hereafter .

Of Popishe Penaunce .

IF any after baptisme do verely perceiue & féele in his conscience , that thes●●eir vaine deuises and fonde ceremonies ●herof we haue spoken by occasion , and 〈◊〉 oportunitie serued , haue ben little or ●thyng auaileable vnto them , and that ●ese , and such like distinctions of theirs ●oad culpam as to the fault , quoad reatum ●s to the guilte , quoad veniam as to the ●ardon , bée méere friuolous and foolishe , ●nd as the prophet saith , nothing but soft ●illows for the people to leane vnto and ●ée lulled a sléepe on : if any I saye being ●hus affected , fynd a trouble in his con●cience concerning his saluation , & begin ●o muse vpon some means how he maye ●scape the iudgement of God wherwith his conscience is striken and astonied , 〈◊〉 and by they bid him leane to a rotten p●● that is to say , to penance : but good Lor● what can be more contrarye to true p●nance , than this which they appoint hy● vnto , whiche is nothing but a méerē d●ceipt and iuggling , and deuises imagi●● by them to picke mennes purses , no 〈◊〉 this is but a weake plancke to saue a 〈◊〉 from shipwracke , and helpe hym to la●● but to sincke rather to the bottome of t●● Sea .

Of the partes of popish penance , namely of the fyrste parte , called contrition .

PEnaunce they teache vs , hath th● partes , Vide compend . theolog . lib. 6. cap. 4. Ruardi Tapart . Pet. Lombar . Sent. 4. Scotus in 4. sentent . Tho. Aquin. in sent. laus . contrition of hearte , confess● of mouth , and satisfaction of workes , 〈◊〉 who so desireth to vnderstand the reas●● of this diuision , let him resorte to Thom● Aquinas , Durandus , and Scotus : in th●● bookes , whiche they wrote of the ques●●ons of diuinitie , but to discende to t●● particularities , Contrition ( say they ) is griefe voluntarily conceiued , for syn● committed wyth a purpose to confe● them , and make satisfaction for the same . ●his definition is moste like Autentical 〈◊〉 . They say moreouer , such may be the ●eatnesse and force of contrition , suche ●at it is able not only to purge the fault ●●d quiet it selfe , but to remoue the pu●●shement due for the same , and that twoo ●ayes . First for the charitie sake , which 〈◊〉 the very true cause that bréedeth sor●w and griefe , which charitie spreading ●ir braunches far in compasse , bringeth ●orthe contrition , and meriteth partly re●ission of the payne . Secondarilye , for ●he sense of that griefe , prouoked and stir●ed vp by the wil in the very Contrition . And forasmuch as this sorrow and griefe ●s very greate and gréeuous , it is effectu●ll also and auaileable to take away both ●he offence and the punishment : likewise they mince the sorrowe of contrition into thrée partes , one to be deficient , another sufficient , the thirde preeminent , wherof the firste driueth downe to the pitte of hell , the second raiseth him vp to purgatorie : the thirde hoiseth hym vppe to Paradise . 〈◊〉 Moreouer , contrition differeth from attrition , as faith framed from that whic● is vnframed , and they are al doubtfull 〈◊〉 this point , whether contrition maye ri●● of attrition , or whether there may bée any place in Hell , Purgatorie , & Paradise for contrition , whiche question is as y● vndecided . And this is welnéere the sum of this doctrine , oute of the whiche I bee●séech your Maiesty to consider ( most gratious Prince ) what commoditie , comfort or reliefe can come to a troubled conscience ? how shal a man be able to escape ou● of so many difficulte and intricate questions ? or how shall a man haue any remedies of his sorrowes at his owne hands , or staye hymselfe vppon the strength o● man ? For the will of man ( whence they saye contrition doeth spring ) is more inclining and yéelding to luste and concupiscence , than to any sorrowe or pensiuenesse . Howe can it then possibly come to passe , that a man shoulde vse the same to the beating down and mortifying of most horrible and detestable vices ? Finally in all this péece of doctrine , not one worde of Christe Iesus , and his holy spirite , nothyng ruleth , but onely the will of man , ●e sorrow and griefe of man , the heaui●sse of the hearte , pensiuenesse , charitie ●nd laste of all attrition , which is trans●urmed into contrition , as it were by inbantment and witchcrafte .

Of true contrition according to the word of God .

HOwe be it Gods worde teacheth vs , that Contrition is the wonderfull worke of God , Ezechiel . ● and that the conuerteth the hearte of the synner accordyng to hys ●nfinite goodnesse and mercye , breaketh ●t , mollifyeth it , which otherwise of it owne nature woulde become harder than ●flint , stubborne , rebelling , obstinate , Psalme . 51. and prone to all mischiefe : It is he that of a stony heart maketh it softe as fleshe , apt to bend , tractable , and pliable to his moste holy will . And therfore Dauid acknowledging hys offence praieth vnto God that he would create a newe hearte in him , the whiche God neuer despiseth nor contemneth , if it bée humble and lowlye .

Wherfore almightie God , to the ●●●tent that hée myghte abate and pluck● downe the pride and hautinesse of man● mynde , he doth firste vse the threats and terrours of his lawe , and looketh with the burning and fierie eies of his indignation and displeasure , as those can tell by experience , whiche do truly and hartyly repent , that they haue so long continued in the seruice of Sathan , and the palpable darkenesse of popish errour , for they vnderstande right wel by what steppes and degrées their heauenlye father hathe aduaunced them to the excellency of regeneration , and newe birth in Christe , that is to say , to bée partakers of the righteousnesse and innocencie of Christe , which is the onely path to passe to by the Kingdome of heauen .

Of popishe confession .

THe seconde parte of Penaunce they say is , to bée shriuen of a Prieste by auriculer confession : ●●de com●nd . theo●g . lib. 6. ep 25. Ru●●d . Tapart . 〈◊〉 confess . and this they affirm to be a Sacrament of Christes institution in the : 16. and 18. of his Gospell , after Mathew . Albeit it appeareth by Iames ●t there was a farre other vse thereof . ●hey say moreouer , that it is necessarye to saluation , and that we must not onconfesse the sinnes themselues , but all 〈◊〉 particular circumstances of the same , ●d speciallye those whiche be said to ag●auate the synne , whiche bée in number ●téene , and is to be séene in the writings 〈◊〉 these archdoctors and maisters of this ●eir superstitious facultie .

And this auricular confession say they ●th very greate and manifolde effectes , The fruites of Popishe confession . deliuereth vs from eternall death and ●mnation , it healeth and salueth the ●oundes of our soule , it causeth the pre●nce and assistance of Gods holy spirite ●ithin vs , it openeth vs the gates of pa●dise , it couereth and shadoweth oure ●●nes , it obtaineth the mercy and fauor 〈◊〉 God , it maketh the hearte merry and ●yfull , it procureth vs many friends and ●●tercessors to God Almightie , it purifi●th our conscience , it dissolueth the league ●nd amitie we were entred into with the ●euill : forasmuch as the sinne conspired betwixt the deuill and man , is discouered and reueled , it reconcileth god vnto man , it is the way that leadeth vnto saluation , 〈◊〉 taketh away sin , & satisfieth for the same , in that a man abideth the shame in reuealing the same vnto a prieste : last of all it preserueth a man from falling into sinne againe , euen ( as to vse their owne similitude and comparison ) when the r●●ten tooth is drawen , the reste that remaineth continueth more faste and sure . O foolish fantasies , O deuillish inuentions , O most detestable doctrine , deuised to entangle and to destroye séely ignorant soules .

For if it were true that they professe , what néede haue wée I beséech you of th● fauour and grace of God ? what néede w● to flye so fast to Christe , as to oure chi●● anker and staye ? whereto shall the hol● ghost seru● ? what force shall he haue , 〈◊〉 what shall be his office , if one shrift wi●● serue vs in stéede of all , and bring th● moste wicked and desperate person tha● is into the state of grace , and the inher●ting of the kingdome of heauen ? Wha● is to blaspheme God ? what is to abu●● ●●e worlde ? what is to confound heauen ●nd hell togither , if this be not ? And yet ●e blynde worlde more blinde than a ●ock , doth condemne those that reueale ●ese abuses and deceiuable leasings , & ●●rseth them to the very death , to endure ●l punishments and the moste horrible ●orments that can be deuised . They tell 〈◊〉 we muste confesse at the least once by ●ere , Cap. omnia vtriusque sexus &c. de sum . Trinttate & fide Cath. Extr. de poenitent . & remiss . vpon paine of excommunication to Priest that hath two kays in his hand , he one the kay of knowledge to discerne ●etwixte good and euill , the other the po●er and aucthoritie to bind and to loose .

The misterie of this confession is , that ●he Prieste representeth the presence of God , whych inwardly doeth couer those ●nnes whyche the penitent reuealeth to ●he Prieste by mouth , the whiche neither ●he priest dare presume by any means to ●eclare , nor cannot onlesse he haue learned them of some other . They make a difference ●ikewise betwixt sins & the absolution of ●ins . For some only the pope can remit , some ●her be that the archbishops may , some that the ●ishops & their suffragans as they call them , some the Curates & Parish priests : m●ther are the foure orders of the Frier● Mendicantes behind with their part . Sem potius m●nducantes . For they haue likewise a certain bull and dispensation , which some call the great se● or mother of all Indulgences and Pardons , by the whiche they haue a large Charter and commission to remitte al● sinnes both past and to come , if a ma● woulde giue credite to that they profess● and vndertake . And nowe youre grace maye sée ( moste mightye Prince ) howe manye wayes mens eyes bée blinded t● make them continue in theyr superstition still . Albeit the true and sincere vse of confession , if it were among vs , w●● ( no doubt ) tourne vs to muche good : but Sathan hath bereft vs therof , and left ●●stéede of it , a moste dangerous and p●●stiferous abuse of the same .

Of the christian Confession .

THe greate abuse of Confession being declared , it foloweth now consequently to treat of the true vse of the same : fo● asmuch as repentaunce is the first step● degrée to the atteyning of Christes righteousnesse . Let vs therfore now consider ●me sorts of christen confession , that the ●orld may sée how causelesse we are ac●used of our aduersaries , for misdemea●our in the point of confession .

And to procéede herein orderly , fyrste ●e declare & teache vnto the people , that ●he law of verie right exacteth of vs per●ect righteousnesse & holines of life : Rom. 7. which ●erfection the weakenesse & infirmitie of mans frailtie , without the grace & helpe of god , is in no wise able to perfourme . The which being opened & made manifest vnto vs by the spirite of God , driueth vs into a doubt whiche way we might best turne vs , for neither can we deceiue God by our false glosing and lyes , neither hide our offences & sinnes from him , being the searcher of the heart & reins : from whose eies no darknes , nor couert can hide vs , more than the leaues & branches of trées could shadow our first parent Adam from his sight in time past , of the which sorte most properly , your superstitious fastes and praiers , watching & other like exercises of the bodie , wherewith many a man dothe foolishly perswade himselfe , that h● is sufficiently armed and defenced : notwithstanding our God lyke a moste louing and mercifull father , will not suffer his children to be swallowed vp of desperation , Genes. 3. as was Cain and Iudas , but crieth vnto vs with a loude voyce , Adam where art thou ? the whych sound of hys breath perceth into the very secret of our hearts , that he might continue his bountye and goodnesse towardes those whome he hath once vouchsafed the benefite of adoption through Christe , at the whiche voice and sounde , the godly minded and well affected people of God , startling as it were at the noise and crack of the thunderbolte , like men sore dismayed and disquieted bothe in body and minde , forgetting bothe meate and other the necessaries of this life , and ouerthrown gr●u●ling as it were with the terrible sounde of the brasen trumpe in the mount Sinay , or else by extremitie of most exquisite torments driuen perforce to make their confession , Exod. 20. do fréely acknowlege and confesse before the father of mercies , both themselues to bée the children of Adam , and ●one to all kind of wickednesse and mis●●iefe like vnto their forfathers , who re●cting the commaundement of God , and ●oste presumptuously affecting thinges ●oper to the maiesty and glory of God , ●ent aboute moste impudently and im●ously to spoile God of his diuine know●dge , to witte , the knoweledge of good ●nd euyll , & to take it vnto himselfe , that 〈◊〉 to saye , to bée able to discerne by ●he corrupte and peruerse iudgement of ●s owne foolish braine betwixte good and ●ul , and to determin what thing is plea●●ng God , and what vnpleasant vnto him . To be shorte , The true order of confession . man set in the sight of God ●oth plainly confesse that he hath followed the ●teps of his auncestour Adam , one that hath ●éemed rather to loue vertue & godlinesse , ●han followed them effectuously , and in ●abouring to couer hys nakednesse , and hide his abhominations , hathe vsed no other couerture , than the leaues of fig trées , that is to say , hath shadowed his moste monstrous & horrible offences against god with no other thing , but only with a pretence of wisedome , discretion , diligence , hone●● merites , and mortifications .

And this is ( moste gratious Princ● the confession which we learne out of t●● worde of God , namely that whiche G● hymselfe doth force out of mans my●● by the vertue and efficacie of the law● as it were with certaine pricks and st●ges , when man is compelled by the m●tion of Gods holy spirit , to acknowledg● and confesse hymselfe to bée inwarde● corrupted , and defiled with sinne : A●● out of this confession , lyke as oute of 〈◊〉 spring or head do issue diuers other sort● of confession .

Priuate confession . Firste when a man calleth to mynd with howe greate and howe manifold● sinnes he is defiled , and howe sore an aduersary the decrée and sentence pronou●ced in the lawe is vnto him , wherevppo● he bewaileth his sinnes vnto God daily , Psalme 52. and brusteth out into these wordes of the holye Prophet : O Lorde , I was conceiued in iniquitie , and in sin hathe my mother conceiued me . Creat in me ( O Lord ) a newe hearte , and a right spirite within me , ●●tified in thy sight . And wyth the publi●ane humbleth hymselfe , saying on thys ●ise , Lord be mercifull vnto me a sinner , ●nd with the prodigall childe : O Lorde 〈◊〉 am not worthy to bée called thy sonne ●c . And these be the confessions whyche ●he elect of God ought to make daily vn●o God , both with hart and tongue , who ●auing tasted the singuler mercy of God ●owarde them , call vppon hym wythout ●eassing , that they might euerye daye bée more and more purged from the filth and ●tayne of sinne .

The seconde kinde of confession is very Christianlike , when a man is so sore touched and stong in his conscience wyth the sense of sinne , that hée perceiueth hys fayth to fainte and waxe weake by the terroure of the lawe , as it were wyth a continuall assaulte and batterie wherby he is compelled for wante of sufficiencie in himselfe to praye aide of another , into whose bosome he might poure all the secrete griefes of his hearte , as to his most faithfull and assured friende , to the ende , that he might receiue some present remedie for his wounded conscience . The w●●che kinde of confessing , God hathe commaunded to bée obserued and kepte in hi● Churche , to beate downe the prou● and arrogant opinion of learning an● wisedome in man , that euery man might thinke humbly of himselfe , forasmuch as they stande very many times in néede of the aide , comforte , and aduice of other . And this confession or conference in hy● whose conscience is wounded or troubled , may be very well had and vsed with the pastours , doctours , and preachers 〈◊〉 the Churche , hauing assuraunce of they● faithfulnesse in their vocation , and likelihoode , Esay 50. that they are called to that function and ministerie by the holy spirite , tha● they might confort and cherish the weaklings , by their discrete language , as th● prophet saith . The thirde sorte of confession is when the faithfull disciple of the holy ghoste doth plainely confesse his offences before men of a certaine earneste and vehement zeale , of humbling himselfe , considering therewithall , that God the sercher of mans secrets , dothe know an● sée the same already : and in this imagi●ation perswadeth himselfe , that all the ●reatures of the worlde woulde conspire ●gainste him , Open confession and voluntary . if he himselfe shoulde not ●penly confesse & declare to al the world ●n such sorte as the posteritie that commeth after him , might know them likewise . And that Dauid vsed this kinde of ●onfession is manifest by the .32 . and .51 . psalme , which séeme to be committed to writing , to the ende that it bothe mighte be a president of publike confession vnto ●ll men , & that men might likewise therby vnderstand , into how greate and heinous sinnes , that beloued of the Lorde , and specially elect to gouerne his people did fall and yéeld himselfe . Daniel . 9. In like maner is that notable confession of Daniell , and that of Paule wherby he is not ashamed to confesse of himself that he was a blasphemer of god , & a persecutor of hys church . Austine likewise in a certaine little treatise , 1. Timoth. ● . reckneth vp al his offences euen from his very first comming to mans estate : And this kinde of confessing openly of themselues doth greatly declare the great modesty and lowlinesse of minde in the confessor , worthye greate praise and commendations , and partly it is a great comforte vnto others that are greuously loden with the heauy burthen of sinne , to driue them from dispaire by hope in the mercies of god , whiche they sée other in like case haue atteyned before them .

There is also a fourth kinde , when euery one in the face of the congregation folowing the minister , Confession in the face of the congregation . doth secretly confesse himselfe before God , to be compassed rounde aboute wyth manifold sinnes and offences , and wrapped in moste palpable mists of ignorance and blindnesse , beséeching God from the bottome of hys heart to lighten his mind and vnderstanding , by the preaching of his Gospel . For so he perswadeth himselfe , and firmelye beleueth , that remission of sinnes is published and wrought by the preaching of the Gospell , and that onely throughe the sheading of the moste precious bloud of the immaculate lambe .

Priuate reconciliation . There is yet also one other manner of confessing , whiche we may call reconciling our selues vnto our neighbour , whē●e both confesse our selues to haue offen●ed him by word and déede , and pray par●●n and forgiuenesse of our trespas com●itted according to the prescripte com●aundement and direction of our Lorde ●nd sauiour Iesus Christe . Math. and ●ames . 5. but it wée committe any open ●ime , so that the shame and slaunder therof ●oth redounde to the Churche , Publike penaunce for publicke offences . and is of●ence vnto others , the godlye doe not re●use in suche a case to make open confes●on : the whiche custome , both the olde ●athers in time past didde obserue them●elues , and deliuered ouer to their posteri●ie , as appeareth by the Cannons that ●reate of penaunce . The obseruation ●nd execution whereof , the Churche of Rome omitting and neglecting , brought ●n a corrupt custome in place therof , that some one Prieste or Chaplayne shoulde secretely shrine suche as had offended openly , and heare their confession in corners , for sauing of their honesty , and their good name , whereby did growe two most notorious and shamefull abuses : for by means that priuate and auriculer confe●sion came in place of the open declaration of faultes , bothe all good order , a●● discipline went to wracke , and most m●serable tiranny beganne to vsurpe in th● poore afflicted consciences . Secondari●● in that there were certaine penitent●●ries appoynted at Rome , or rather p●●lers of pardons that retailed their Indulgences for mony to euery man that lif●●● to buy them , whereby oure aduersaries muste néedes be driuen to confesse , th●● causelesse they call vs heretiks , and mo●● falsely , séeing wée are so farre from abrogating confession , that in place of one fa●● and superstitious kinde of confession , b●● teach sixe kinds , all allowed by the tru● worde of God .

O Popishe satisfaction .

AMong all the residue of the articles of Christian religion , thys one concerning satisfaction , as it hathe béene wonderfullye depraued and prophaned aboue the reste , so hath it caused great controuersies to arise now adayes in the Church through the blindnesse and ignoraunce of men , and therefore the matter 〈◊〉 selfe requireth a longer treatise , than ●e proportion of this volume will well ●eare . Notwithstanding , forasmuch as 〈◊〉 is a matter of no small importaunce , 〈◊〉 beséech your grace ( moste renowmed Prince ) to heare wyth patience before ●ou giue credite to the false and vntrue ●ccusations of oure aduersaries .

There be auncient reports , that in the ●ime of the primitiue church , which was most ful of holinesse & puritie : ther were moste seuere decrées and constitutions made , and a very sharpe and bitter kinde of penaunce , appointed for suche as committed any heynous or gréeuous crime , whereby offences did growe to the congregation , besides the open confession of their faultes , and a certaine satisfaction to bée made for the same , whiche was a long time in perfourming to their greate shame & reproch . The which kind of discipline being a long time exercised & confirmed with great diligence against notorious offenders , came to ruine at the length throughe couetous bishops , the brought in place thereof these solemne sortes of satisfaction with gold and siluer . Howbeit the turning of it into a money matter , was n●● receiued into the Churche , Good intentes the cause of errours . but vnder a pretence of deuotion and charitie : for the reuenues were bestowed vppon the building of Churches , the redéeming of Captiues , the foundation of schooles , for training vp of the youth in Christianitie , an● certaine other good and charitable vses , as séemed to them . In like manner , after their example doe the Spanishe inquisitors gather togyther summes of money vnder the counterfaite cloke of religion , which they leuie of those whom they call the reconciled penitents , to release them the Sambenite , a kinde of garment with twoo red crosses , whych they had before ( as parcell of their penaunce ) enioyned them to weare .

And this custome hathe preuayled euer since the Bishoppes firste spoyled the Churche of this aucthoritie , and chalenging it vnto themselues , beganne to kepe a consistorie , whether they summoned al open and notorious offendors to appeare before them , enforcing them to sue for ●ardon , or to speake more according to ●e very truth of the matter , to purchase ●eir charters of pardon by money : the ●hich thing if either they omitted , or re●●sed to doe , they were forthwith exclu●ed from the companie and fellowshippe ●f the congregation , and pronounced ex●ommunicate persons .

But Gods people and his flocke , de●esting this so slaunderous and shameful ●aines , began by little and little to con●emne this pelting pedlarie of penaunce , 〈◊〉 so muche that no man woulde confesse ●ny thing of himselfe , but by constraint , ●ea and that not til such time as he were well nighe conuicted manifestlye of the ●acte . Wherevppon the Bishoppes and Clergie perceyuing that a greate péece of their gaines beganne daily to decaye , made a solemne Canon , that once by yere , euery one shoulde confesse himselfe to the bishop . This decrée is ascribed to Innocentius the first , for the more credite and estimation whereof , they bare the people in hande in their sermons ( but falsely ) that it was taken oute of the holye scripture , and so at the length by the preaching of gréedye Priestes this goodly auricular confession by little and little gathered hart , Cap. omnis vtriusque sexus &c. and was commonly receiued of al , vnder the danger of incurring deadly sin , and vppon paine of excommunication ( as they call it ) to all such as should contēn● the same .

Then within a while after the Bishoppes obtaining thus muche , and vsurping thus tirannicallye vppon Christian consciences , they brought in a doctrin for their owne aduauntage , wherevnto they gaue a false name of satisfaction , the firste branche therof had a faire shewe , and in apparaunce liked euery bodye , to witte , that they shoulde abstayne thencefoorthe from suche sinnes as eftsoones they hadde committed before . The second was , that restitution shoulde be made of goods euill gotten , whereby a large gappe was opened for the couetous Clergie : for if either the parties died , or they absent , to whome these goodes wrongfullye gotten did of right appertaine , the matter was lefte sothe ordering and will of the Bi●hop , euen as the Pope doth nowadays with his charters of pardons and indul●ences , or rather wyth the verye bulles ●hēselues of composition , or reconciliation , ●s be termeth them : for whatsoeuer hath ●ene filched , robbed , or gotten by extor●ion or vsurie , or by anye other vniuste meanes taken or wythholden from anye persons that bée either dead , or if they be aliue and vnknowen , so that the parties ●sing suche vniuste and extreme dealing , will paye sixe rialls of plate to the Pope , they shall not onely bée frée from all danger of lawe , but also from all faulte and blame . The thirde branch is so much the worse , as it is more perillous & daungerous for the soule , wherein consisteth not alone the losse of a little siluer , but of our soule , when as men are taught that they may make satisfaction for their sins , by fasting , watching , almes , pilgrimage , building of Chappells , & singing of masses , all which notwithstanding they must be at a price with their confessor , for euery of these , whervnto they do annexe the works of superer●gation , as the chiefe groundsells & foundations of the building , as for example : I● any enter into religion & become a N●● or a Frier , and vowe perpetuall chast●tie , pouertie , and obedience .

Compend . Theolog. lib. 6. cap. 29 Ruard . Tapart . art. 6. de satisfactione . But to knitte vppe the knotte of thi● their doctrine of satisfaction , it consisteth speciallye vppon thrée pointes : The crucifying of our bodies , almes , and praiers whether wée perfourme them in proper person , or redeme them with present pa● for it is a mart and a portsale of al thi●●ges , yea of the very grace and fauour o● God .

And hereof forsooth come these greate commodities , if it be worth credite that they say , firste almes doth easyly obtaine the fauour of God : fasting and mortification of the flesh , the release of the paine and laste of al , prayer doeth quite extinguishe the reliques of the crime , whych Christe had lefte remaining in our conscience , béeyng vnperfectly purged . But wheras some of the richer sort , and more tender and delicate than the rest , neither coulde nor woulde awaye with fasting , scourging , and other meanes of taming the flesh , and besides , had verye little ley●●e to spare from their other affaires , The appl●cation of Monkes merits . to ●stowe in prayer , one part of these thrée ●rued in stéede of all the reste , that is to ●ye , almes or rather a superstitious kind 〈◊〉 liberalitie , by the whiche , they mighte ●alenge and applye vnto themselues , the ●erits and good workes of Monkes , the ●hich in their great store and abundance , 〈◊〉 nedelesse and superfluous for themselues ●nd supererogatorie ( as they terme them ) ●ut for other men wonderous necessarie ●or they saluation .

But some wil men say , what shal be●de these of daintie and delicate persons , The occasion of establishing Purgatory . ●hat are soddainly swapte vp with death , ●re they can haue these merits of Monks ●applied vnto them , and enioye them in ●heir full perfection : for it séemeth theyr soules shoulde be in present peril of eternall damnation , as who say , they may in good time take vp their Inne in Purgatorie , whence they maye easyly escape , when it shall please the Popes holinesse to open the treasures of Christes bloude , and applye vnto them the merrites of Saints , and the monkes to commun●●● 〈◊〉 vnto them largely and liberally parte 〈◊〉 their good workes , and playe with th● giffe gaffe lyke good fellowes . And th● is welnéere the summe of the Popish doctrine concerning satisfaction , to pa●● ouer a thousande dreames and blasph●mous lies , whyche these men haue de●sed againste the redemption of Christ● perfected moste absolutely by the shedi● of his moste precious bloude .

Of the satisfaction for sinnes , according to the word of God .

IF your maiesty ( most mighty prince ) haue with any diligence considered 〈◊〉 obserued , that which hath bin said lately before : your highnes vnderstandeth right well , that there was no mencion made at all of the benefit bestowed by Christ our sauiour , wheras the scriptures do minister vs no other comforte to our afflicted consciences , than the redemption of oure lord and sauiour Iesus Christ , Hebr. 7. Psalm 110. that euerlasting prieste after the order of Melchizedeck , whiche offered vp himselfe to the iustice of god a propitiation for al the sins 〈◊〉 mankinde , the burthen wherof , Esay . 53. he layd ●d caried vpon his own shoulders , as the ●ophet Isay saith , & therfore gaue vp his ●dy to bée broken , to bée sacrifized , and ●fered to God his father .

And to the intent the matter might be ●ade more plaine and euident , bycause 〈◊〉 is of so great and singuler commoditie , ●e muste repeate a little of that is sayde ●efore concerning the estate of man in sin , ●●oued with repentaunce and sorrow for ●he same . For when hée is sommoned to ●ppere before the iudgement seat of god , & ●ath put in baile to answer vnto the law and iustice of god , for his forth comming and apperance , & hath no cloke to couer his sins , not so much as a poore fig leafe , he is enforced at the length , Confession of our owne misdeedes . as it were one that were tormented gréeuously on the rack to confesse his manifold and great offences , & to acknowledge his nakednesse & misery , being astonied with the iudgement of god , not that a man should fall into despayre , ( considering God willeth not the deathe of a synner , but hys life and saluation ) but to the ende only that hée might as● the knowledge of his sinne and transgr●sion , bring him vnto repentaunce .

Then after a mans mynde i● th● prepared , the spirite of God beginneth 〈◊〉 to possesse him , that he accompteth him 〈◊〉 be wholy his , pardoneth all his offences maketh him one of Gods housholde , The beginning of the feare of God . a●● electeth him into the number of hys ch●dren . And yet notwithstanding he remoueth not from the eyes of his soule , th● liuely Image of God in anger and di●pleasure , whose voice and countenaun● was wonte to amaze him , and make hi● whole body tremble thereat , bycause 〈◊〉 ofte as the minde shal be ouercome with the prouocations and allurementes 〈◊〉 sin , the terrible sounde of his thundering voice and the sighte of hys sterne countenaunce shoulde so appall hym , that he shoulde shunne and auoyde synne by al●● meanes .

The giftes and graces of the holy ghost . Agayne the same holy spirite of God , to the intent that man should remoue , from him and quite abandone all feare , doth set as it were before the eies of man , Iesus Christe and him crucified , that hée might bée fullye perswaded that all hys sinnes be purged by his death and passion . But forasmuche as man being miserable both by his owne nature , and by the sense of his sinne and conscience therof , doth iudge himselfe to be verye farre from God , and can hardly be perswaded that the benefit of Christ doth appertain vnto him , therefore the holye ghoste laboureth to perswade him , that almightie God is reconciled vnto man , and doeth tender hym wyth singular loue and affection , and afterwards openeth the eies of man , béeyng in thys blindenesse , that hée may beholde , and sée by faith Christ Iesus the earnest of his saluation , last of al breaketh the peruerse frowardnesse and obstinacie of the minde , that the same being somewhat instructed and comforted with the hope of Gods promisses , maye wholly submitte hys will vnto Christe , and imbrace him moste willingly , as the onely phisition of al his diseases and maladies .

And this worke of the holye Ghoste , Degres of regenera●● on . wherby the reason , vnderstanding , mind , and will of man is instructed in true pietie and godlinesse , we may well terme by the name of Faith , not any weake opinion or vaine imagination of the worde of God , but a firme and constant perswasion , by the whiche we are assured , that we are beloued of god , and adopted to be his sonnes , and inheritours of his heauenlye kingdome , that by the benefite of this latter Adam , we may be as it were remitted into oure former estate of oure auncient inheritaunce , namely innocen●ie , righteousnes , and euerlasting felicitie , the whiche was loste by the mischeuous acte of the firste Adam , Christian ●aith . the same faith doth teach vs , that after we be reconciled and at one with God , there is nothing more gréeuous or offensiue vnto God than iniquitie and sinne , and that wée bée deliuered from the yoke and bondage of the Deuil , Luke . 1. ●itus . 2. onelye vppon condition that wée should thencefoorth leade a godly , righteous and sober life .

The whiche faith being thus planted in mens mindes by the holy spirite , is like an instrument or hand , wherby wée apprehend Iesus Christ , or as our mouth to receiue and eate Christ , that moste swete foode of our soules : and whosoeue is endued with this repentance , is not now to be ascribed and thought one of olde Adans ofspring , but by meanes of this faith , is so linked and coupled with Christe , How v● be couple with Christe . that he is reputed and taken as a brother vnto him , so that Christe and a Christian man doe make as it were one spirituall body . For we may not call it in question , but verily beléeue that what Christ praied for vnto his heauenly father in the .17 . Iohn . 17. of Iohn , he obtained the same at his hands .

But after this greate and nighe affinitie is brought to passe and fast knitte with the bonde of faith , Regener●tion and inwarde baptisme and of the holye ghost , then doth the heauenly father looke vpon man , being otherwise a sinner , with the eies of mercie and grace , & perceyuing man to be clothed and garnished with the moste beutifull and precious garment of Christ , that is to saye , the innocencie and holines of Christes flesh , and taking delight in the moste fragrant smell thereof , dothe bothe perfecte his felicitie , and rewardeth him with the inheritance of his heauenly kingdome , euen as in time past the Patriarche Isaac delt with his yonger son Iacob , ●es . 27. when he felte hym arayed in the garments of his brother Esau .

Therefore when man hathe obtained this honour , nowe standeth hée no more in feare of Gods terrible examples againste synners , & his seuere and straight iudgements , but perceiueth Christ to be appointed by God a iudge of all men , who is ioyned vnto man by a strong faith : for what sentence may wée thinke in reason , that the redemer of the whole bodye will giue against his owne members , when as this aucthoritie of life and death is not committed vnto him of our mercifull father , not to destroy and condempne those that put their truste in him , but to saue and preserue them rather , and to enriche them wyth the benefite of euerlastyng life .

●hryste Iudge to ●itte the ●ythfull . Hée therefore takyng vppon hym the partes both of an aduocate and a iudge vnto man , doth easyly absolue vs of all our offences , and pronounceth them iust , for whose sake hee offered hymselfe vnto death , Iohn . 5. that hée might satisfye the iustice of man : notwithstandyng this pardon procéedeth not of anye mans merits or good workes , ( for all that be borne of the olde Adam are guiltie of disobedience & rebelling agaynste God ) nor of anye fastings , or watchings , or pilgrimages , or satisfactions , or offrings , or masses , or merites of holye men or holye women , muche lesse of Monkes or Nunnes , Free Iustification throughe faith . ( for what are anye of all these able to perfourme , that is not of hys owne nature damnable , and simply to be abhorred ) but it is that alonly swéete and comfortable voice , Thy faith hath saued thée , Luke . 7. departe in peace and securitie , Christes chardge which he gyueth to the sinner that is co●uerted an● beleeueth . and beware henceforthe and sinne no more , leaste a worse thing fall to thée : whiche is as muche to saye , that after thou hast receiued grace from heauen , and doste beléeue that thou arte partaker of my redemption , be thou farre from al guilte and crime , and from the paine due for the same , and that of frée grace and mercy wythout all respecte of deserte , & yet in suche sort that thou haue earnest consideration howe dearely thou oughtest to estéeme that bonde whereby thou arte fast ioyned vnto me , in whych respect thou arte adopted vnto the number of the children of my father , to be an inheritour of the kingdome of heauen , a member of my bodye , and a partaker of my righteousnesse , and therefore sée thou bring forth the fruites of innocencie , and of repentaunce , such as shal bée agreable vnto the roote of liuely faith , and returne not to thy olde naughtinesse , least some worse thyng happen vnto thée .

Loe , thys is the sentence of Christe ( moste gratious soueraigne ) whiche the faithfull here pronounced , and doe receiue by faith , wherevppon they receiue such solace and comforte in their minds , that if they happen to be troubled in conscience with remorse of theyr sinnes , they séeke none other remedy than out of the worde of God , whence perfect healthe is onely to bée soughte and founde . The whyche doctrine so necessary and comfortable ( moste mightie Prince ) hath so inflamed the hearts of your Maiesties subiectes in the lowe countreis , with such a feruent zeale of pietie and godlinesse , that understanding howe shamefully they haue bene abused in a matter of so greate importance , they make this humble petition vnto youre Maiestie , that it woulde please the same to permit vnto them onely the libertie of theyr consciences , and the preachyng of the Gospell , whereby they might without pillage or tiranny , be conducted the safe and ready way to eternall saluation . And surely it séemeth a very vnreasonable matter , that so honest and godly a zeale shoulde bée persecuted with so greuous exactions and penalties , and not rather be both fauoured and furthered with his due praise & commendation . And therfore your maiestie hath earnestly to consider , howe almightie God w●ll deale with those persons , which do so cruelly torment and murder men that are both created after his owne likenes , and redemed with the most precious bloud of his only son , for none other cause , but onely for that they professe this heauenly doctrine .

Of the doctrine of Iustification , as the Popishe Church doth teach it .

●ompend . ●heolo . ve●itatis . lib. 6 . ●ap. 32 . ●igh . x 2. hom. 2.2 . ● . 12 . Ru●r . ●ap . act. 8 . ●onc . Trident . ●ap. 7. FOr the better vnderstanding of thys whole matter , and the cause of the greate diuersitye of opinions hereabout , I will with as muche breuitie as I can , declare the determinations of the Papistes concerning Iustification . Fyrste they define it in this wise : that Iustification is the passage of a synner from vnrighteousnesse vnto righteousnesse , wherof they say there be foure partes , that is to saye , motion of fréewill , contrition , infusion of grace , remission of sinne . The two firste to procéede from him that is to bée Iustified : The latter two from the Iustifier : and those two first , to be as it were the causes preparing the harte of man to receiue the grace of God . Moreouer , they say that there bée thrée principall causes , which concurre in the Iustification of sinners , namely God , the sinner , and the Church , God which poureth out his mercies , wherby the sinne is forgiuen , and sheweth his iustice exacting a satisfaction , eyther in this life or after , that is to saye , in Purgatorie , Luke . 10● the which ●oo vertues ( as they glose ) are signified 〈◊〉 those two disciples , which Christ sent ●efore hym into euerye Citie and place , ●hether he himselfe shuld come , Luk. 10. ●or that ( say they ) which then was done ●rporally , is now perfourmed spiritual● . Also on the behalfe of the sinner , there ●●e twoo thinges required , loue and sor●we , the which ( say they ) are lyke the ●ones of the Mille wherewith sinne i●●ound , as was figured in Deutero. 24. Deut. 24. ●ikewise there be two things that come ●●om the Church . The merits of Christe ●nd of the Saintes , holy men , and holye ●omen , who forasmuche as they hadde ●ore store of good works , than they stoode 〈◊〉 néed of themselues , left the surplusage 〈◊〉 the custodye of the Churche , that they ●ight be destributed among such as wā●ed . Secondarily , the church by the hands ●f the Pope , and of Byshops , graunteth ●ardons and indulgences vnto sinners , ●uaileable so farre as the wordes of the ●ame doe purporte . And yet among these ●octours , there haue béene some whiche haue affirmed faith to be the foundation of oure Iustification , and yet seruing vs in steade of a preparatiue , to apprehende and receiue the fauour and loue of God , wherof righteousnesse doth procéede , the which he gyueth vs in consideration of our loue towardes him . Here I omit an infinite number of curious questions , Vide summam Theolog. Alexand . de Ates . art. de Iustifie . which rather make the doctrine of our iustification obscure , than bring any light to the understanding therof , specially to such as being indued with the spirit of god séeke after true righteousnes , with the whole affection of their heart as may appeare most euidently , aswel by the councel of Trent as also by the Interim , offered vnto the Protestantes . It shall bée sufficient to touche onely by name the palpable mists wherewithall the schoolemen blinde the eies of the simple people . As when they dispute whether a man bée iustified in a moment , or it require a long processe of time ? whether Christe after his resurrection coulde doe any merite to make vs righteous beefore God yea or no ? whether this word Iustification is to be construed largely or strictely in the fifth to ●he Romaines , where the Apostle saith , Rom. 5. ●hus béeing iustified by fayth , wée haue ●eace towardes God throughe our Lord ●esus Christe ? whether Iustification be 〈◊〉 motion to the atteynment of perfecte ●ighteousnesse , or of vnperfect ? with such ●ther like foolish stuffe , wherin they spend ●heir time idelly & vnprofitablye . For in ●l this , there is not one worde I warrant ●ou of Christe the sonne of God , the true ●nd onely Iustifier of mankinde , whose Gospel ought to be spred euery where , & ●ound in all places , but specially in their ●ares , whiche are almoste pressed down ●o the grounde , with the weight of theyr ●ins , and by the law cited and sommoned to appeare before the maiesty of god in his consistory & seat of iudgement . For wherto serue al these subtil points & quiddities , if we be not instructed by what means we may be deliuered from the tiranny of sin , the threatnings of the law , the dominion of Sathan , the feare of death , nor the pit of hell : for this I say is the true and sounde doctrine whiche wée oughte bothe to learne oure selues , and to teache others .

Of Iustification according as wee are taught out of the word of God .

WHerefore that the matter grow 〈◊〉 more obscure , What Iustific●tion is and bée amplified 〈◊〉 arguments , lette vs content oure selu● with the simple word of God , and them learne the true fruite and profite of th● doctrine , rather than vaine ostentation ▪ For Iustification is nothing else but certaine diuine worke , whereby God r●ceiueth vs to grace and fauour , ( thoug● we be the ofspring of olde Adam and pa●takers of his corruption ) and doth frée● make vs his children , brethren vnto Chri●● by adoption : And wée are not ignorau●● that a man cannot be iustified , vnlesse h● bée present in person : so that none ma● execute the matter by an atturney or a●signe to receaue righteousnesse in his behalfe . Neither doe wée estéeme a man t● be a blocke or a stone , senselesse and with out witte or vnderstanding , but to bée 〈◊〉 creature endued with with , will , and reason , whereby hée may bée able by knowledge to discerne and haue will to receiu● what soeuer good thing God of hys goodnesse and fatherly kindnesse doth bestow ●●on him .

And therefore they that in this matter ●nto the question of frée will , The renouation of our will and vnderstanding . doe be●●ye their owne vnskilfulnesse , séeing 〈◊〉 euerye man knoweth right well in 〈◊〉 own conscience , how blinde he is bée●● hée bée engrafted into Christe , and ●e wilfull and obstinate in withstan●●●g the will of God , till he be reclaimed 〈◊〉 the mercifull goodnesse of oure God . 〈◊〉 in this respect we say wée haue great ●●de of the motion of Gods holye spirite open the eies of oure heartes , bothe to knowledge oure maladie , and to craue 〈◊〉 helpe of the heauenly phisition to mol●ye oure heartes , mindes and willes , ●at wée myghte imbrace the playster ●ouided for vs by that heauenly phisiti●● to be a perfecte salue for all men . The ●hiche worke of the holy ghost , we call 〈◊〉 the name of Faith , by onely meanes ●d helpe whereof man is engrafted in●● Christe and made partaker of hys ●ghteousnesse , and by the benefite there● is prouoked , with a frée & ready harte wholy to be inflamed wyth the loue 〈◊〉 zeale of god , vnderstanding that throu● his grace , he hathe obtained that hoe w●vnnethable to doe by his owne nature

And then doth almightie god besto● twoo especiall benefits vpon man , the 〈◊〉 in assuring him that all his sins are cle●sed with the bloude of his son , the other beautifying him with his owne righte●nesse & innocencie . The which the Apos● dothe in moste manifest wordes decla● vnto vs , and citing the t●stimony of D●uid , Psalm. 32. where he saith : Blessed is the 〈◊〉 whose iniquities are remitted , and h● sins couered . Blessed is the man to who● the Lorde imputeth not his sinne , and forth , as followeth consequently in t● same psalme . 3● .

The firste sentence may bée resemb● to the common forme vsed of course places of iudgement , when as Princ● and Magistrates of their singuler gra● and fauour do pardon persons attaynt● of fellonye .

The seconde séemeth to bée borow● of the clothyng of a naked bodye , in th● cure heauenlye father doth in like sorte ●uer oure filthinesse and abhominati●s with his heauenly innocencie .

The thirde hathe a kinde of similitude 〈◊〉 likenesse vnto the dealing of credi●●s , whyche hauyng bookes of their ac●mptes , and the names of their det●rs , doe crosse the summe , and make it ●●scharged . In lyke manner doeth the ●nly Apostle teach vs , that the note booke foure sins is to be blotted forth , & the obli●ation that was to be shewed against vs , is ●aced and cancelled by the bloud of Christ ●nto all those that with a liuely faith ac●nowlege so great a benefit , & with true ●bedience apply our selues to perfourme ●is will . But forasmuche as man throu●he this wonderfull worke of God , The doctrine of freewill as the Papists teache it . doth ●onfesse the acknowledging of his synne , ●nd his hartie repentaunce and sorowe ●n béeing so bolde and carelesse to of●ende agaynste the Maiestye of God , ●othe in worde and déede , therefore the ●ate wryters in Diuinitie doe fayne ●hat these workes , and thys zeale hathe hys originall of mans industrye , wisedome , and freewill only , by the w●che he receiueth faith , as it were by h● owne preparation , and so by means th● of maketh himselfe a member of Chri● And bycause wée preache and teache t● people , that this agnisyng , confessi●● sorowing , and repenting of sinne , are 〈◊〉 to be estéemed & called the works of ma● that they be notwithstanding reputed 〈◊〉 procéede from the force and power of go● holy spirite , who prepareth the hart an● will of man to conceiue them firste , an● after to put the same in practise : Therfor● doe they lay heresie to our chardge mos● vniustly and impudently , as they doe 〈◊〉 vntruly , slaundering vs most falsely , tha● wee reiecte good workes , and moue me● to slouth and contempt of their dutie t●wards God . Howbeit , your Maiesty , 〈◊〉 it please you to enter into your own co●science with the earneste consideratio● hereof may easily be iudge herein , wh●ther it be a matter that consisteth in th● fréewill of man to offer hymselfe in th● Courte of almightie God , and before hi● Maiestie to confesse hys sinne , a thing 〈◊〉 odious and abhominable in the sight of God , or to sorrowe hartily for his sinnes , and to fal to amendment with due repentaunce , or to be vexed and tormented in conscience for the horriblenesse of sinne , or to embrace Iesus Christe wyth suche fayth , humilitie , and reuerence as wée oughte to doe , that is to saye , as our only sacrifice & propitiation of our sins once offred for vs : for who so is able to performe the things of what value or estimation so euer they bée , him doe I accompt rather lyke vnto God , than vnto man .

Surely I am of opinion , that they which be enimies and impugne this doctrine , and ( for that wée mayntayne the same ) do persecute vs with fire and fagot , haue either had small sense of Iustification , or else are some newe founde people descended into the Earthe , I wotte nere whence . For if they haue not had some sensible perseueraunce and féeling of the principles of Christian religion in themselues by experience , I councell them for a time to be quiet and refraine to speake , and aduise them rather to praye vnto almightie God that hée woulde instruct● them by his holy spirite in suche thinges as they are ignorant of , and yet will bée prating rashely and babling either after their owne conceite and imagination , or as they haue heard other men talke , will moste impudently affirme the same : but if they will deriue their pedigrée from God , lette them permitte vs to be ( as we are ) men contenting our selues with such knowledge as is conuenient for vs . For we do willingly confesse , that we are the children of Adam by nature , disobedient vnto the will of God , senselesse in oure owne corrupte nature , so peruerse and obstinate , that vnneth we wil be brought to repentaunce , so hardned in harte , that wée can not be broken with the sense of sinne , finally of suche pride and arrogancie , that wée can scarcely bée drawen to confesse our sinnes : to be shorte , enimies to our own saluation , vnlesse God of hys fatherly fauour and grace vouchsafe to correcte and amende the malice of oure froward nature , and to enable and make vs apte to doe suche workes . Why doe they then enuie vs thys humilitie and lowlinesse of harte , in that we thinke we ●oe greatly honoure our God , when wée referre all thinges to hys gratious goodnesse and mercie ? But if they thinke thys ●ure humilitie be excéeding , and more ●han néedefull , is this so horrible an offence , that we shoulde therefore be thoughte worthie of all punishments and tormentes that can be deuised be ac ompted infamous , banished , imprisoned , hanged and burned ? Surely this their fierce and barbarous crueltie , may be a sufficient declaration vnto your maiestie , that this is no godly zeale in the Papists ( as they call it ) but rather an excéeding choler & heate of stomak , boiling in their enuious & malicious breasts . The other benefit of our iustification is our coniunction with Christ : Our communion & fellowship with Christe . for it is not inough for a man to be onely absolued of his sinne , but it is also requisite and necessarye that hée bée marueilously renuee , & shew a new obedience , the which nothing can worke in them , saue only the power of god through our L. & sauiour Iesus Christe : & this is the second effect of faith , which the holy ghost hath poured into our harts by the which a man being made frée from the feare of all enimies & danger of damnation , doth wholy possesse Iesus Christ , Luke . 1. Roma. 8. the very sonne of God and man , to the intent hée might liue in hym , not in walking after the fleshe , but in holinesse of spirit , and that he should thenceforth work righteousnesse in the sight of God , & of his son Christe , through whose bloude shedde , and sacrifice offred hée is purged and clensed from all hys offences and filthinesse . Last of all , that to declare himselfe bothe mindefull and also thankfull , for so greate mercifulnesse , and louing kindnesse shewed towardes him , he shoulde on the other side retourne loue backe againe towardes God , and be zealous in seruing and honouring him .

The whiche doctrine the Apostle doth plainely sette forthe in hys epistle to the Romaines , in these words : Ther remaineth now no condemnation ( saith he ) vnto suche as be engrafted into Christe Iesu , that is to say , those that walke not after the fleshe , but after the spirite : for the liuely lawe of the spirite , whyche is in Christe hath loosed me from the bondage of sinne and death . For that whiche was impossible to the lawe through the infirmitie of the fleshe , Rom. 8. God by sending hys owne sonne into fleshe , of likenesse and similitude vnto our sinful fleshe , hath after a sort destroied sinne by sinne in the same fleshe , that the iustice of the lawe might be accomplished in vs whiche walke not after the fleshe , but after the spirite , for those that be addicted vnto the flesh , haue their mindes bent vppon fleshly desires , but they that be renued in spirite doe followe the motion and direction of the spirite , and the desire of the fleshe , is death and destruction : contrariwise the desyre of the spirite is peace , ioye , and life euerlasting : For the desire or affection of the fleshe is againste God , neyther is it nor can not bée obedient vnto the lawe of God . Therefore suche as are giuen to the flesh can not please God , howbeit you walke not in the fleshe , but in the spirite , if so be the spirite of God be within you . And who so hath not the spirit of Christ , is none of his , but if Christe be within you , then is the body dead as concerning sinne , but the spirite aliue or rather life it self for righteousnesse sake . Wherfore if the spirite of hym that raysed Christs from deathe abide in you , the same also will restore you and your mortall bodies vnto life , bicause of the spirite that dwelleth in you : wherefore brethren wée are nowe no more subiecte vnto the fleshe , to liue after the luste thereof : For if ye liue after the desires and concupiscentes of the fleshe , yée shall dye the deathe , but if contrariwise by the power of the spirite , you conquer and subdue the lusts therof , you shall liue in most perfect felicitie : for al whosoeuer is directed by the spirit of god are numbred among the sonnes of God .

Here dothe Paule moste notably and largely declare the seconde parte of oure Iustification , and the end also of our coniunction with Christ Iesus , namely that we shoulde leade our life , not after the motion of the fleshe , and the voluptuousnesse thereof , but according to the direction of the holy spirite , the which moste profitable and comfortable coniunction & felowship with him , if we had and did enioye , we would not fall to such vayn and néedelesse questions as we do . 2. Timoth. 9. For what profite is in the subtil questions and difputations , whether the righteousnes of a Christian man be a substance or an accident , a qualitie inherent , or only in vs by imputation ? Thom. Aqui. 1.2 . q. 113. whether the iustification of the wicked and vngodly , be only the forgiuenesse of the sin or no ? whether infusion of grace be requisit in the remission of the fault ? or whether the motion of fréewill be not also requisite thervnto ? whether the wicked be iustified in an instant , or in processe of time ? whether iustification of grace do go before in order of nature & such like quiddities and subtil niceties ? except wée haue the vertue & efficacie of Christ Iesus imprinted in our harts , Ephes. 3. which we trust is in the harts of the faithful beleuers as Paule prayed for the congregation of Ephesus , & who loueth his churche dearly , as the same apostle saith in another place , and that we be the members of his misticall body . The same Paule doth likewise testify in the epistle to the Corinths , that Christe dothe speake in him , whose power and vertue the Corinthians also did 2. Cor. 13. perceiue in his speache , and warneth them that they shoulde giue eare vnto Christe dwelling within them , for otherwise ( saith hée ) Christe will reiecte and refuse you Moreouer , Iohn . 17. our Lorde and sauiour Iesus Christe did likewise make his earnest requeste vnto his father , and no doubt but he obtained it , that those which were his might bée so coupled togyther in so sure and faste a bande , that as hée and his father were one , so they might also be one . The manner and order of whiche societie , Cyrill a very auntient doctour , dothe very largely entreate of , in hys treatise vppon the .17 . Chapter of the Gospel after Iohn , whether I referre the reader concerning the same .

And now I cannot otherwise thinke but that these phrases of speache vsuall in Paule and diuers auntient writers in the Churche , shall in these our dayes be thought somewhat absurde and vnapte , forasmuche as all labour now adays not to profite religion with the true and perfecte exercises of the mind , but with ceremonies and suche like trashe , deuised rather for vaine shewe and ostentation , than vppon any godly purpose . Wherevppon it groweth , the oure aduersaries acknowledge no other communion of the body of Christe , saue onely that whiche they say is exhibited in the holy supper vnto vs al. As they likewise know no other regeneration , than that whyche they thinke is giuen in baptisme , nor any other righteousnesse or iustification , than that which is hid in Christe , who is so farre distant from vs , as heauen from earth : wheras notwithstanding he that hathe not putte on Christe , is voide of all iustice and innocencie , the only pathes that leade vs vnto God , neyther is it meruayle , that these sayings of the Apostles and other the faithfull haue béene vnknowne vnto diuers . For it is as easye a matter to teache the blinde to conceiue the brightnesse of the shining Sun beames , Ma● blind without● the right o● the spirite . by the comparison of other creatures , which he hathe neuer séene , as to teache men these things , and perswade them therein whiche are onely addicte to the naturall diseases of the fleshe , and therefore I doe moste hartily pray and beséech those that moue and prouoke youre Maiestie to persecute vs by all kind of torments and cruelties , that they woulde firste learne the reason and cause of oure Iustification in the schoole of oure sauiour Christ , before they procéed to condemne vs to be heretikes , vnworthy this life , or the societie and fellowship of men .

Of good workes after the doctrine of the Papistes .

AFter they haue thus fowly & shamefully erred in thys chiefe foundation of our faith , touching satisfaction and iustification , they cannot possibly deliuer vnto vs anye true and certayne doctrine of good workes : and yet notwithstandyng , wée haue better cause to bewaile their blindnesse and vnmercifulnesse , than to ieste thereat , who falsely slaundering vs with the reiecting of good works , haue taughte a doctrine of theyr owne deuise concerning the same most pernicious and hurtefull vnto man .

Therfore this they lay for the ground worke of this their doctrine , that a man ●ustified , maye safely and lawfullye per●ourme that which is riquired in the law ●f God after their owne fantasie , and ●ccording to the power and strengthe of ●heir owne will , that they by the aide and assistaunce of Gods grace are able to do workes meritorious de condigno ( as they call it ) . In the mean while not one word of Christe Iesus , The ●●rc● degrees of merites . Merita d●gna . and the presence of hys holye Spirite in the heartes of the faithfull , wherevppon procéedeth all oure power and strength whatsoeuer , the fruites of which fréewill they cal merites digna , De Congr●●o and therof do make thrée sortes . The first sort they terme to be of congruence , De Condig●o . wherby we prepare our selues to receyue the grace of God : The second of c●ndigniti● , ( as they call it ) or of deserte , for bicause that the doer and worker thereof is worthye the grace of God , and the increase therein . The thirde kinde comprehendeth both the other two sorts of merits , the whiche being compared with the rewards propounded for the same , do easyly match them in worthinesse & excellency .

Concerning the first sort they teach v● that a man of his ownefrée motion & wil● may without the grace of God prepar● and able himselfe to receiue the grace o● God , so that a man onely doe hys endeuour and good wil. Again , this preparation contayneth thrée partes : The first● that a man shoulde ceasse to committ● sinne . Secondly to abate his lust and w●● to sinne . Thirdely to endeuour hymself● to imbrace righteousnesse : likewise ( the● saye ) that thrée things are requisite in a man to the doing of a meritorious acte : the minde that worketh it , the frée will that moueth the minde : the intention and purpose respecting a good end : but of God and of hys holy spirite , not one worde I warrant you .

And the workes that issue out of thys roote deserue thrée things , remission of sin , encrease of grace , and possession of life euerlasting , the which we merit by meane of charitie , & the excellencie of the work : likewise of good works ther be two sorts either of commaundementes , or but only of counsell or supererogation ( as they terme them ) bicause a man is not bound 〈◊〉 doe them , but that Gods will is that 〈◊〉 shoulde merite so much the more . And ●ese be the workes ( saye they ) whyche ●hriste taught hys disciples in the .5 . Math. 5. Works of supererogation . of ●athew in this wise : Blessed be the poore 〈◊〉 spirite , for theirs is the Kingdome of ●eauen : Blessed are they that mourne , or they shall receiue comforte : Blessed ●re the méeke in harte , for they shall in●erite the earthe : Blessed are they that ●unger and thirst for righteousnesse sake , ●or they shall be satisfied . Blessed are the ●leane in hearte , for they shall sée God : Blessed are the peacemakers , for they ●hall be called the children of God : Bles●ed are they that suffer persecution , for ●heirs is the kingdome of heauen : Blessed are ye when men persecute and reuile you , and speake all euil vppon you , slaundering you moste falsely for my sake : reioice & be glad , for great is your rewarde in heaue : for so hauen they persecuted the Prophets in olde time . But by these and other like places of holy scripture vnconstrued , they gather the order and lyfe of Monkerie , the vowes of chastitie , ob●dience , pouertie full of all superstition , 〈◊〉 this kind of life ( say they ) is perfecte an● most acceptable vnto God , insomuche 〈◊〉 they contemne al other things in respect , and call al other Christians , worldlings and secular and lay people .

Workes of mans deuice and inuention . The residue of their good workes ar● to fast in the holy time of Lente , to abstein from the eating of flesh at certain tymes in the weke , which they cal the ho●● wéeke , to whip and scourge themselues , to buylde Chappels , found Chauntries , giue lampes & candle-lights to set before saints in mid day , to go on pilgremage●sing Masses , & such execrable workes of superstition . Of which things this saying of Esai may wel and aptly be verified against them that vse them : Esay . 1. Who hath required these things at your hands , & that not without a cause : for this kind of seruice is so far from being acceptable vnto him , that they are most odious & hatefull vnto him , as may appeare by the many fold plagues & punishments , which he layeth daily vpon vs , & that most worthily . Therfore if our aduersaries finde fault ●ith vs , bicause we teach not the people 〈◊〉 do such works , we are very wel con●nt to sustein that accusation of theirs . ●or let them denounce against vs condem●tion neuer so great nor so oft , our god ●ne doubt not ) will absolue vs : let them ●rsecute vs neuer so extremely , he will 〈◊〉 our defence and buckler : let them put 〈◊〉 to most cruel deaths , almightie God ●il restore vs vnto life again thorough ●hriste Iesus , who is our only life . Fi●ally though they burne vs to ashes , he ●hat raysed Iesus Christe from death , ●ill likewise rayse vp again oure bodies ●ute of duste and ashes , for the spirites ●ake that dwelleth in vs . Rom. 8. Roma. 8.

Of the good woorkes of a man that is iustifyed .

FIrste we protest and affirme , that our aduersaries do most falsly slander vs , where they say of vs that we contemne the doing of good works , and that we persuade the people that they ar made holy and righteous in Christe , and th● it skilleth not how they liue . For we proteste the contrary , that that doctrine 〈◊〉 neyther the doctrine of the Gospell , 〈◊〉 our doctrine , forasmuche as it appeareth manifestlye in scripture , that a good t●● muste bring forth good fruite , whereby 〈◊〉 may appere that the roote therof is god ▪ And the Apostle doth plainely teache 〈◊〉 the cause , why Christe hathe deliuere● vs from the tiranny of sinne , and by h●● righteousnesse made vs righteous , whe● he saith on this wise . For wee also som● time were madde , stubberne , wandering out of the waye , seruing diuers lusts an● vanities , liuing in malice & enuie , hatefull , one at deadly hatred wyth another● but after that the goodnesse and abundan● loue of oure Lorde and Sauiour Iesus Christe was manifested towardes men , he saued vs not for the good workes that we our selues had done , but of hys ow● frée grace and mercie , by the fountain of regeneration , and by the renouation of the holy Spirite , the whiche he poured vpon vs abundantly by his sonne Christ , that being iustified through his grace , we shoulde bée made heyres of euerlastyng life according to hope . Also in an other place he saith , that the grace of Almightie God our sauiour was declared , that men laying aparte all worldly pleasures shuld wholy bende themselues to true and perfecte goodlinesse , righteousnesse and sobernesse , looking for the happy hope , and the glorious comming of our lorde God . If these things then be true ( as we beléeue them to be moste true ) what impudencie were it to affirme , that a man shuld liue idelly in the houshold of God ? truely wée affirme , that a man not indued wyth the spirit of regeneration , or berefte of that grace , is altogither vnable to do or speak any thing that can please God , yea so muche as to acknowledge Iesus Christe in his hearte , vnlesse hée haue in hym Gods holy spirite , and therfore we déeme those things that haue béene declared by vs , as touching merits of congruence , and of condignitie , and suche other lyke fonde and foolishe distinctions , to be méere deuises of mans vaine heade , to make sinners become hipocrites and counterfaiters of holinesse , whiles they vnderstand not the darke mistes of their ignorance , and bée senselesse , as touching their owne misery and destruction , which they cannot escape , neither by these works preparatorie , nor by any diligence or worldly wisedome , but by the onely goodnesse and mercye of God , whiles hée moueth oure mindes with forcible motions , and openeth oure eies that wée should sée the most miserable estate and condition we be in , & wade out of this moste filthy puddell and sinke of all sinne , where we are almost drewned , and be washed with the moste precious bloud of the immaculate lambe , that we may our selues be new creatures , the whiche thing we call properly regeneration and newe birth , or sanctification rather if ye liste so to terme it .

The coniunction of Christe and his members is spirituall . And after wée bée iustified and thus renued , wée are so vnited and knitte in Christ with the band of his holy spirit , that our works that we do afterwards ought to be accompted Christes works , & in that respect are most acceptable in the sight of God , but least any should fondly & vainely imagine and dreame hereof with himselfe , when he heareth vs speake of thys coniunction & felowship with Christe , we do not hereby mean any kind of transformation or transsubstantiation of the bodye of Christe , into oure bodies , as if it were néedful , that the true humilitie of Christ , shoulde be laide aside and vanish awaye : God forbid .

But for the true and right vnderstanding of thys misterye , wée requyre a spirituall man , suche one as hathe bene instructed by the holy spirite to discerne and iudge of things rightely , Math. 28. and as they ought to be in due place and order , so that he maye be able to conceiue and comprehend in the vnderstanding of his mind Iesus Christ , our redemer the son of god very God and very man , glorified and sitting at the right hand of his heauenly father , hauyng all power committed vnto hym bothe in heauen and in earth , the whiche throughe faith , hath hys continuall abode and dwelling in the heartes of hys elect & chosen people . And who so is iustified on this sorte , occupy not themselues in buildyng of Chappells , in saying of Masses , in wandering on pilgrimage , nor spende their whole life in such like superstitious exercises , but referre all their actions and enterprises and cogitations to that seruice , whiche they knowe God requireth at our handes : speciallye they endeuour themselues firmly to retaine in their myndes the perpetuall and continuall meditation of the wonderfull coniunction they haue with Christe , The badge and token of our regeneration . whose spirite witnesseth vnto our spirit , Rom. 8. The holy spirite in the mindes of the regenerate . Esay . 59. that we are the children of God , brethren and heires annexed with Christe , the whych testimony is a strong assurance , and most certaine earneste and seale of oure election , and of Gods gratious goodnes , as Esaias doth teache vs of the couenaunte which God hath entred with vs . Neither is there anye other meanes to retaine this affiance and adoption , than the continuall calling vppon the name of God , The encrease of faith . The mortification of the fleshe . ioyned with the reading and meditation of holy scriptures , and the mortifying of our olde Adam , and extending charitable almes towardes our neighboure . Brotherly charitie . And to the intent we may orderly learne whiche be the good workes of him that is regenerate and borne againe in Christ , they may be referred to these thrée principall pointes , the encrease of faith , the desire of mortification of the fleshe , and the societie of man , consisting in the duties of loue & charitie of one towards an other : to the which places al the works , & studies of the electe and faythfull bée referred and aptely applyed , as Paule doth teache Rom. 12. Rom. 12. Galath . 5. Galath. 5. Colos. 3. Coloss 3. where hée saith : If therfore ye be risen againe with Christe , séeke after those things whiche be aboue , where Christe sitteth at the right hande of God , set your affection on thinges aboue , & not on things on the earthe , for you are dead , and your life is hid with Christe in God : whensoeuer Christ whiche is oure life shall appeare , then shall you also appere with him in glory . Mortifie therfore your earthly members , fornication , vncleannesse , wantonnesse , euil concupiscence , and couetousnesse , whiche is the worshypping of Images , for the which things sake the vengeance of God is come vpon the children of disobedience . In which vices ye also walked sometime when ye liued in them : but nowe put ye all wrath , enuie , malice , blasphemie , filthy communication out of your mouthlye not one to another , after ye haue put of that olde manne and hys workes , and putte ouer the newe man , whiche is renued into the knowlege , according to the Image of him that made him , where is neither Iewe , nor Grecian , circumcision nor vncircumcision , Barbarian , Scithian , bonde nor frée , but Christe is all are all : put ye on therefore ( as it becommeth the electe of God , holy and beloued bowels of mercie , kindenesse , humblenesse of minde , longsuffering , forbearing one another , forgiuing one another , if any haue a quarell against another , euen as Christ hath forgiuen you , so also do ye , & aboue a● things put on loue , which is the bond of perfectnesse , let the defence of god haue victory in your harts , to the which we are also called to be one bodye : and sée that yée bée thankefull , let the worde of Christ dwell in you abundauntly with all wisedome , teaching & admonishing your own selues with psalmes and himnes and spirituall songs , singing and giuing thankes and praises vnto god in your harts , & whatsoeuer yée shall doe or say , do it in the name of the Lorde Iesu , giuing thankes vnto God the father throughe him . And these saye I , are the good workes of the faithfull , not the superstitious ceremonies of hypocrites . Behold ( most gracious soueraigne ) summarily and briefly the righteousnesse of a Christian man , from whom all these controuersies , almoste throughout al Christendome , haue gone as out of a heade or spring , & specially in youre maiesties lowe Countries , whereby youre highenesse may well perceiue ( if it maye please you to make comparison of oure doctrine and theyrs ) that it is no trifle that is in question béetwixte vs , neither doe wée contende of pleasure or will in a matter , wherein we hazarde bothe life and goods , nor it is no small or peltyng quarrell for riches or anye possessions . For they that follow thys profession , and are zealous in this religion are disinherited of their auntient and rightefull inheritaunces : But herein consisteth the knotte of all oure controuersies , in that we affirme all our whole studye and endeuoure to tende to this ende , that wée might perfectely and absolutelye enioye , that moste perfecte and absolute benefit of Christe bestowed vppon vs , and wholly possesse and enioy him , in such wise as our heauenly father hath giuen him vnto vs : and that we shoulde moste diligently , and aboue all things take héede that wée be not broughte in opinion to purchase our saluation by golde or siluer , by the vaine and superstitious doctrine of men . And now I referre it to your Maiesties good iudgement and consideration , whether this our most iuste defence and well meaning , and our earneste zeale of godlinesse haue deserued thus sundry wayes to be persecuted , by imprisonment , exile , rackes , tortures , fire and sworde , to rid vs out of the waye , whiche haue no other care of oure lyues , but that wée maye fyrste and principallye gyue God hys due honoure , that is , to worship hym in spirite and truth , and nexte thereto , sub●itte themselues with all humilitie vn● your Maiestie , be obedient vnto you , Iohn . 4. ●nd doe to your highnesse all loyall and ●utifull seruice with most willing minds , ●nd hartie good wil , as faithfull subiectes 〈◊〉 their naturall Prince . It maye there●ore please your Maiestie of your grati●us goodnesse to consider whether it b●e a matter incident , and apperteining to your ●ffice and princely vocation with equitie ●nd fauour , to heare and to dete●mine ●his so waightie a matter , where●n consisteth the life and safetie of youre Subiects , or to permitte them to be taken ( as it were ) perforce , out of your Maiesties hands and iurisdiction , and without declaration of any iust cause , to be tormented with all kinde of tortures and exquisite deuises of tirannye , whose onely request ●s to haue the controuersie , for the waightinesse therof , decided by your maiesties determination and defi●●tiue sentence . The wise sentence of Salomon vppon the two harlottes . It is writen of Salomon that puisaunt and wise Prince , vnto whom manye men resorted out of farre Countries only to sée him , for the reporte was made of him , & the admiration that all men ha● him in for his passing and excellent wisedome , when the two poore women wer● in strife for the liue childe , to whyche o● them two it shoulde appertaine , that h● disdained not to call them before him into his chamber of presence and estate , to ende the controuersie by his moste wise 〈◊〉 notable sentence & iudgement . Whos● example herein ought to be a president● to directe your maiestie in this our case● and to moue your grace to the deuision 〈◊〉 determination of al quarrels & controuersies now depending betwixt your maiesties Subiects . For as that most wise Kyng did easily discerne betwixte the true mother & the false , after he vnderstoode that the harlot forced not , The Romish churche is no mother but a stepdame . if the King shoulde award that the liue childe should be deuided into two parts : euen so may your maiestie easly perceiue that the church of Rome ( which falsely challengeth vnto hir selfe the name of the Catholike Churche ) is not the true mother that bringeth foorth Gods children , bycause shée doeth not onely not shewe some louyng affection , and pitifull compassion towardes ●hose , being not contented ( notwithstan●ing she make accompte of them as of hir ●un ) to sée them dailye condemned & exe●uted most cruelly , but also moueth and stirreth vppe Princes and Potentates , ●o practise all tyrannye vppon them , ar●eth and entertayneth men of warre to ●estroy them , bloweth the coales , and kindleth the flame hirselfe lyke a moste cruell stepdame , to consume the children that belong not to hir . If then the Pope be our holy father , if he be the shepheard of Gods flocke , why doeth he rather desire to kill them , than with moste louing and gentle persuasion labor to allure them home to the folde of Chr●ste . And therefore we make our humble request & petition to your maiesty ( most gratious & our most dread soueraigne , to imitate this example of Salomon , & to take vpon you the hearing & deciding of our cause : & forasmuch as this mother Churche of Rome , or to terme hir more aptly and truly , this stepdame , is procéeded so farre in crueltye and furour , that she tormenteth , mangleth , destroieth , hangeth , draweth and burneth those whome it hathe pleased almight● God to send into the worlde , and of hy● goodnesse & fatherly prouidence to grau● the fruition of this life , we moste humbl● pray and beséeche your grace not to committe the matter ouer to hir to be determined , doe not putte the sworde into h●● handes , nor gyue hir no suche countenaunce or aucthoritie , whereby she ma● vtter hir spite and malice , and wreak● hirselfe vppon your Maiesties poore subiectes . For the iudgements whiche shée vseth and desireth to putte in execution , are suche as all lawes both of god and of man doe abhorre : lette any man who 〈◊〉 liste peruse all auntient monuments , and I beléeue he shall not finde anye Record wherin hath bene vsed anye suche procéeding in iudgement , that the partie accused , shuld be made iudge and haue power to condemne his accuser , as we sée by experience is vsed and practised by the Romishe Churche in these affaires : For we protestantes ( as we be called ) haue iuste cause to complaine of the popedome , with all his appurtenaunces , whyche hath bere●te vs of our life , & the saluation of all the ●ithfull , that is to saye of Christ Iesus , ●hiche hath made ( as it were ) porte sale 〈◊〉 him , and chaunged hym into infinite ●tes of sundry shapes and formes . Not●ithstanding al the Kings and Princes the world almost did put in commissi●● and aucthoritie to iudge of this cause , ●em whiche both be accused by vs and ●r greatest aduersaries : we reproue the ●ste councels , and conuince them of er●r and vntruths , and yet are wée posted ●er to be iudged by them : we blame the ●ardinals moste worthily , for that they ●ue their handes and mouthes embru● , and their clothes stayned with the ●oud of Martirs , and they are appoin●d iudges ouer vs , to determine the mat●r depending in controuersie betwixt vs ●nd them : we accuse the Bishops of sa●ilege , that whereas they ought of dutie 〈◊〉 féede the flocke of Christe , they do féed ●emselues and their own bellies , and yet ●ey fit in iudgement hereof , and are not ●shamed to pronounce sentence of vs , to ●e tormented and oppressed by al means and for the furtheraunce and spéedie ex●cution therof , they sticke not to entertai● an army , & to make pay with our spoiles nor shame not to iustify the same to be agreable to equitie & conscience . In whic● case I wot not whych way to tourne m● what to do or say , or deuise in such a cas● Is this according to the iustice , equitie , i● differency , that shulde be in such a prince , a● your maiesty is , that iustice & equitie shoul● be so long peruerted without redresse & du● correction , & be countenanced with your commandement ( as these men affirme ) whic● they abuse to the spoiling of men of the● liues , liberty & goods . And whereas othe● princes wer letted , either by sedition or c●uil war & other troblesom affairs , that the● haue no leisure to attend to our cōplainte● against the papists , with such patience & indifferency , as they ought to do in suche 〈◊〉 case , it semeth that god hath reserued & commi●●ed the same vnto your maiesty , that you shul● lay aside al other your affairs & diligently be occupied herein . And in this behalfe I besech your maiestie to take héed lest if i● be great to your dishonor , to stand in ned● o● the repetition of the example of forraine & ●●nike Princes in this case : The care that the heathen princes had in deciding their subiects causes We reade ●ithridates sometime K. of Pontus did ●rne . 22. sundry languages , to the ende that might be able to read & vnderstand the ●●plications exhibited vnto hym , by any his subiects , of what nation or country ●euer they were , and do iustice to eche of ●e accordingly . Phillip the king of Ma●onie thought it the chiefest thing that ●pertained to the maiestie of a king , to 〈◊〉 daily in his chaire of estate at certaine ●ures to minister iustice to all his sub●cts according to equitie : whose son Alex ●●●er folowing his fathers steps , did be●ow certaine houres of the day , to heare & ●termine the complaints & quarrells of ●s subiects , vsing to stop the one eare , bi●use ( as be said ) he reserued it for the defen●●nt . Then if those heathen princes the knew ●t Christe , nor Christian religion , did 〈◊〉 greatlye endeuoure themselues to ap●ease the controuersies that arose among ●heir subiectes . Howe muche the rather ●ight your maiestie , being a Chrstian K. 〈◊〉 encline your eares , and vse al diligence to decide this quarrell of so great impo●taunce , that it concerneth the saluatio● of all . But I moste humbly beséech you● maiestie diligently to peruse the precept that Moses wrote by Gods expresse commaundement , concerning the institutio● and dutie of a Prince , Deut. 17. Deut. 17. speakin● to the Israelites in this wise : When tho● art come into the lande whiche the Lor● youre God giueth you , and enioyest 〈◊〉 and dwellest therein , if thou shalt saye I will sette a King ouer me lyke as a● the nations that are about me , then tho● shalt make him King whome the Lord thy God shall choose , euen one from amō● thy brethren shalt thou make King ou● thée , and thou maist not set one which i● not of thy brethren : but he shall not mu●tiplye horses to hymselfe , nor bryng th● people agayne to Egipt , to encrease th● number of horses , forasmuch as the lor● hathe saide vnto you : Ye shall hencefort● go no more that waye , also hée ought no● to multiply wiues to himselfe , least hy● hearte tourne away , neither shall he gather him siluer and golde too muche , an● when he is set vpon the seate of his kingdome , he shall write him oute a copie of this law in a book before the priests , and it shall be with him and he ought to reade therein all the dayes of hys life , that hée may learne to feare the Lorde , and obey all the wordes of this lawe and these ordinances , for to do them , and that his hart arise not againste his brethren , and that hée tourne from the commaundement to the right hand nor to the lefte , but that he may prolong his dayes in his kingdome , he and his children in the throne of Israel . Whereby your maiestie may easily p●rceiue what is the proper and peculiar office of Kings and Princes , and what affection they oughte to beare towards the study of holy scripture , wherein is contained the expresse will of God , that all men alike shoulde giue themselues to the earneste s●●dy and care of religion , pietie , iustice and equitie , againste whyche lawe of God they offende , whyche denye the reading of holy scripture , and the decidyng of controuersies in religion to appertaine vnto Kings and Princes ? It is your office ( moste mightye Prince ) to take awaye from these vniuste iudges of the Romishe Courtes , if a manne maye call them iudges , that are manifestly deprehended in sacrilege . ) It is your office I say , to take from them this authoritie of iudgemente , as due to youre selfe , and other princes in their dominions of auntient right , that your maiestie might with indifferencye determine all these controuersies , bring home again peace and tranquilitie vnto your countreis , reléeue and succour poore men that are moste cruelly persecuted , racked , spoiled , wounded , and condemned to the stake , breake the furye and outragious tiranny of these Termagants , whiche vnder the colour and pretence of Christian religion , doe persecute those that accompte nothyng so deare or precious vnto them as Christian religion . Otherwise vnlesse youre Maiestie prouide some presente remedye for these calamities , what other issue can youre Maiesty looke for of these things , but that in stéede of moste faithfull subiectes to obey you , and such as wil be prest and readie to spende both life and goods in yours Maiesties quarrell : you shall in the ende be no kyng of men , but onely of corses , some hanging on the gibbet or gallowes , some murthered in corners , some burned vnto ashes . For this one thing haue the inquisitours and their complices béene deuising and practising continually , and ( no doubt of it ) will ( as they haue begun long since ) bring to passe that these spoils of mens goods , wherby youre Maiestie , and youre Kingdome shoulde haue reaped greate commoditie shall be transported into forraine Countries to the greate decay of you and your realme of Spaine . And what doeth youre Maiestye thinke to bée the destruction of your people , the decaye of your realme , the empairing of youre Maiestye , and dammage to youre moste royall person ? if thys bée not the verye confusion of all , they that preferred the Monarchie , that is to saye , that kynde of gouernement , and that state wherein one ruleth , were moued so to do by the similitude & likenesse of mans body . For the king or chiefe ruler in a common wealth maye aptely bée resembled to the heade in the naturall body , the Subiectes likewise to the inferiour members . And this similitude besides the resemblaunce of preeminence , and of subiection , doeth sufficiently declare vnto vs howe greate concorde , and what affection ought to bée betwixt the rulers & the subiects : how vnresonable a thing is it them , & how vnsemely that the King shoulde wyth hys owne handes delyuer hys owne sworde into the handes of a madde man , wyth the whiche , he may cutte in sunder the members of the Princes owne bodye , mangle them , disseuer them one peece from an other , and yet hée as one without sense beholde it with his eies and permit it ? who woulde not iustly meruaile at so greate follie and madnesse ? or can youre Maiestye be ignorant hereof , that you are the person that playeth the same part in committing to the inquisitors your aucthoritie and power , as it were a naked sword into their handes , wherewith they maye cutte and hewe in péeces your Subiectes , the very members of that bodye , wherof youre Maiestie is the heade , to the greate decaye of your people , and weakening of your estate ? For example wherof , it may please your maiestie to consider the kingdoms nexte aboute , whose power and strength , being by these means empaired and decayed , both by lande and sea , haue fallen into moste miserable calamities , and haue bene constrained to praye aide of their enimies to succoure them in their extremities . I omitte here to declare howe farre this disagréeth from the good and iuste kinde of gouernment , described by the wise and beste learned in those affaires , for subiectes to bée not onely not defended , preserued , and vnder the protection of their soueraignes , nor aduaunced by them , but spoiled , oppressed , and most cruelly put to death and murthered .

Aristotle in the bookes which he wrote of the state of common weales recordeth ( not without great detestation of so horrible a facte ) that certaine Barbarians in time paste vsed this maner , that whosoeuer entred into any place of regiment , before all things shoulde take a solemne othe , that he shoulde do , nor saye nothing in fauour and behalfe of the people , nor séeke to kéepe concorde and loue among the people , as though loue and felowship would rather cause breach of lawes , than hatred and enmitie . What would Aristotle saye then , if hée were alyue among vs againe ? Is it not like hée would saye that the Princes of Christendome are of the same minde , affection and purpose , and that they had determined , conspired , and vowed the same with a solemne othe , that the people shoulde haue none more deadly foe and enimy vnto them , than the prince and ruler , by whose sufferance , commandement or negligence or dissembling , or authoritie , euery good man shuld either be hanged , or banished , or imprisoned causelese , & without desert or crime eyther of fellonie , or murder or adultery , or anye suche like offences , but onely bicause hée is contented ( wyth hazarde of life and goodes ) rather to obey the commandement of God , than in leauing them to folowe the vaine fantasies and deuises of mans braine and the doctrine of false hipocrites , the whiche thing shoulde bée more manifeste than the lighte of the ●aye euen to Princes themselues , if before they were haled so violentlye to most horrible execution , they myght be herein the defence of their cause and innocency .

Béesydes , what pleasure can a prince take which feareth not to incurre the hatred of hys Subiectes , and whose conscience pricketh hym , that hys people loue or regarde hym not as theyr father or Captayne , but hate him as their ennimye : how can it bée , that that woman shoulde beare anye good affection towardes hym , whose tyranny hath bene the cause that theyr béeloued husbandes haue béene haled out of theyr armes , and putte to moste cruell deathe ? howe can children honor hym that haue séene their parents most cruelly persecuted and slaine before their faces , & al by his vnmercifulnesse . Will not all the whole people bée loath to put their life and goods in ieopardye for him , who hath wronged and iniuried them most spitefully ? The consideration whereof , if it be but of small force to moue your Maiestie thoughe they be very weightie and worthy the marking of all sortes of people : yet let the name of Christian religion , of Christian beliefe , yea the name of Christ moue you , wherwith we flatter and please our selues , and vaunt our selues aboue other . This barbarous tyranny leaue it to infidells , the very name of Christe shoulde be of force sufficient to moue your Maiestie beléeuing in Christe , and therof bearing the name of a Christian , to haue an earneste zeale , and ardent affection to embrace mercie , charitie , and méekenesse of heart● What was meant by the ceremonie of the olde lawe , when it was commaunded that Princes , For what purpose kings wer anoynted . ere they tooke vppon them the gouernement of the state , should be annoynted wyth oile ? anye other thing but in following the qualitie of the oile , they shal deserue the good will of the people , by lenitie , mildenesse , and gentlenesse and consider that the vertue of the oile is to supple the olde sores , not to make any gréene woundes . And doubtlesse Christian Princes oughte to be so muche the more of gentlenesse , mildenesse , and cherefulnesse , bycause they haue in chardge the people of God , the flocke of Christ , and ●is beloued spouse the Churche , whyche ●●ey ought with their power and might ●oth to defende and aduaunce . And here ●t is worthy the noting , to shew the diffe●ence whyche Christe putteth betwixte Christian and Ethnicke Princes in these ●ordes : The Kings of forrayn nations saith he ) doe beare rule ouer them , in so muche that they bée both gracious wyth ●he people for their greate authoritie , and ●y an honourable title are called 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , that is to saye , beneficiall . Howbeit I woulde haue you bend another waye , ●hat the more one of you shall excell another , hée béehaue hymselfe so muche the more lowely , and perswade himself , that ●he rather occupyeth the place of a minister vnto other , than a ruler of others : and this lesson did Christ teache his apostles , howe muche more reasonable is it than to apply this to al Princes and magistrates ? For they are not sette beside their chaire by this commandement , but are called to the consideration of the●● owne weale , and to moderation and bountifulnesse , that calling often to their remembraunce , and duely considering tha● they haue obtained this preeminence aboue others by the onely grace and f●● of God : and that they ouer whome the● beare rule , are not brute beastes , but 〈◊〉 created of God , of the selfe same nature that they themselues be of , and that the● shal be herafter partakers al of one kingdome , and are the brethren of Christe , whiche did aswell shead his moste precious bloud for the moste base and simple soule , as for the moste mightie King an● Prince of the worlde : Finallye that they are the members of one Churche , as i● they were the partes of a naturall bodye , whereof none ought proudlye to aduance it selfe aboue the reste , but with all modestie of minde , temperaunce , mildenesse and gentlenesse guide and gouerne their common wealth , to the common weale of their subiects , & yet in such wise , that they do or enterprise nothing contrary to the commaundement of god , who is king , & Lord Param●unt aboue al other kings , & prin●● of the earth . It is reported by the hi●riagraphers , that when Octauius Au●stus hearde a flatterer on a tyme , call 〈◊〉 lord , he refused the title , desiring rather be accompted a fellow citizen and ma●strate among his subiectes , than to bée ●ffed vp with pride of so hautie a name . ●owbeit we without flattery desire to gyue ●to our princes the most honorable and ●rincely stile that wée can deuise , foras●uche as wée knowe that their power ●d aucthoritie is established by Gods ●orde , The authoritie of the Magistrate proceedeth from God . Rom. 13. so that they in like sort would take ●tie and compassion vpon their poore sub●●ctes , making their humble supplicati●●s , and in moste lamentable wise com●●ayning themselues vnto them , and not ●●ffer them before the cause bée hearde , ●r that they haue pleaded in their owne ●efence , to bée so wrongfully and shame●ull putte to execution . And if this reason ●ught to moue al Christian princes to en●line to mercy , howe much more oughte your Maiestie be persuaded to extend mercye & fauor towardes your poore afflicted subiectes . For with howe many notabl● and princelye giftes and ornaments ha●● God blessed and endewed your Maiestie● to the ende that being so furnished y●● should employ them to the defence of hy● Churche , either in part or in whole wit● suche feruente zeale , as appertaineth 〈◊〉 that behalfe .

I omitte here the occasion I ha●● offred to speake of the excellencie , and antiquitie of your maiesties house and familie : I will not enter into the discour●● of the moste notable and famous victorie● and triumphes of your moste noble progenitors , namely and especiallye of th● moste redoubted Emperour father vnt● your maiestie , whose famous memori● wyll bée conueied to al the posteritie & continued for euer : one only vertue will I speake of , which I thinke praise worthy among the residue of your moste noble qualities & ornaments namely your maiesties moste honourable inclination to gentlenes , curtesie and bountifulnesse , which the hipocrits & pharisies vnder the cloke & shadow of religion go about to extinguishe i● your grace , & rob your maiestie of the due ●erued renowne & commendation for the ●ne , and by taking the sword out of your ●iesties hand abuse the same , to the great ●rogation of your maiesties honour , to 〈◊〉 sheding of muche bloud in your domi●ons both far and néere , boasting that ●ey doe it by lawfull commission , and 〈◊〉 your Maiesties aucthoritie and war●t . If they that be your maiesties mor●ll enimies durste enterprise thus much , ●n would in no wise suffer it , & can your ●aiestie abide that these so shamefull ●ings should be not only attempted , but ●t in execution by , and against your own ●aturall subiectes , vnder your maiesties ●ountenaunce , and vnder coloure of your ●ucthoritie ? And nowe that your maiesty ●ath intelligence herof , it behoueth you to ●e vigilant , & be redie & willing to with●tande these iniuries in this wise offered ●o your subiectes , to the performaunce wherof , your Maiestie hathe no néede of ●nye prouision in warlike sorte , nor no ●rmed men , nor greate barbed horses to ●erue in fielde , to the endomaging of your realme and spoile of your towns and p●ple , neither yet to entertaine any stran● and forraine souldiors . For your real● is full of many faithfull and moste obe●ent subiectes . Neyther is it any forrai● Countrey appertaining to your swor● enimies , that you shall inuade hereby , 〈◊〉 aboute the banishement of Turkes a● Infidells oute of youre Realme and t● confines therof , but to remoue and aba●don out of all Christian congregation all idolatrie , and doting superstition , a● the vaine fantasies and deuises of ma● idle braine . And therfore our quarrell ●ing not agaynste bodylye ennimies , b● ghostly and spirituall , wée shall haue 〈◊〉 vse either of brasen péeces or pikes , 〈◊〉 stéele armoure , Armour and weapons vnnecessary instruments to remoue abuses . one onely sworde w●● suffise vs , to witte , the sworde of t● Spirite , euen the worde , by the whyc● wée maye easilye brydle Sathan , a● breake his iawes , quench his fiery dart● deface all Idolatrye and superstitio● and plucke it vppe by the rootes . T● whych sword both beautifull and to t● eye , and seruiceable to be vsed , if it plea● your maiestie to take about you , I hope & 〈◊〉 it wil shortly come to passe , that you ●●l bring all your subiects of youre lowe ●ūtreys without the losse of any one man 〈◊〉 sheading one drop of bloud to be most ●edient to the law & word of God , as they ●me bin heretofore most loyall , with all ●●etifull submission vnto youre Maie●es edicts and ordinances , whose dayly ●ayers vnto God are only that it would ●ease youre Maiestie to entermedle in ●ese matters that are in controuersy , and 〈◊〉 determinine them with equitie as it ●all séeme beste to your wisedome , vsing ●fficient iudges on either parte , that by ●iendely and indifferent comparison of ●●th the doctrines of the Papists , and of ●e Protestants , the euill part may yelde 〈◊〉 the good , and your Maiestie sitte an in●ifferent arbitratour betwixt them .

But perhappes our aduersaries will ●ake answere , that there is henceforth 〈◊〉 cause of triall by disputation , for asmuch as our religion hath ben long ago ●●ndemned by many generall Councels , and by all vniuersities namely and principally at the councell of Constance , at which tyme by the sentence and awa● of that Councell , Iohn Husse , and Hiero● of Prage , were burned for maynteyn● that error which Luther of late ren● likewise at the counsell of Trent was ●●thers heresy condemned , so that there ●●maineth nothing , but present deathe 〈◊〉 them that shal shewe themselues diso●dient to the decrées and determinatio● of councels , forasmuche as they are ●●come rebells , and haue fallen from t● faith of their holye mother Churche : the whiche it is not vnknowen , how th● all this their tiranny they shew to war● vs , hathe taken hys originall and beg●ning , whiche if a man woulde enter m● narrowly into the consideration of , a● diligently weighe the words thereof , t● shoulde easily perceiue there is no suc● matter of importance , why princes shu● not be forwarde and willing to defen● their subiectes from those lyons mouth which beare themselues so bolde , & boa● of the name of the Churche , touchin● the preiudice of the Vniuersities , whic● accompte oure doctrine hereticall , and so condemne it . They do al know rig●t wel , and their consciences maye beare them sufficient record , that they speak not what they thinke , but for feare of punishment , or losse of their prefermentes and dignities , or confiscation of goods , or for shame , or losse of lyfe , are enforced agaynste their conscience , as might appeare most manifestlye in the condemnation of that moste learned and godlye Doctour Iohn Egidio of Arragon , chiefe Cannon preacher in the Cathedrall Churche in Siuil , where certaine that were iudges and arbritratours in the matter ( whom the Inquisitours do call Qualifiers of the cause ) repenting themselues of the iniurie offered to that good and godly man , did afterwardes make protestation accordyng to the truth : whiche was also the cause that a certayne diuine called Maestro Blanco was burned , and Doctour Constantino de la Fuente after he had bin long time tossed to and fro , and vexed by the inquisitours , and caught a great sicknesse by reason of the continuall filth and stench of hys prison , at the lengthe tooke hys death of the same . And for the selfe same cause lykewise were Ieronymo de Caro , and Luys de Metina , bothe Monkes of the order of Sainct Dominick , executed wyth dyuers other learned and godlye persons , whose names youre Maiestie is right well acquainted withall . It may therfore please youre highenesse to consider thus muche , that if these men hadde indifferent iustice ministred vnto them , and frée pardon of spéeche , to speake frankclye what they thoughte , they woulde haue spoken most notably in defence of the truth . For the diuines and clergie of Spaine , had sufficient trial aswell of their excellent learning as of their singuler vertue . And here I omitte to speake of the great residue , who agréeing in the same profession of faith , whiche the Protestantes of Germany doe professe , dydde with greate constancye of hearte , and stoutnesse of courage ende their miserable life by a far more ioyfull and glorious deathe amiddes the flames of fire . And among these diuines there , and vniuersitie , you shall perhaps fynd some good men , and yet some so simple and rude ●diots ( God wot ) that they thinke it againste Gods forbod , to bée but one dram wiser than their maysters , ( whyche like shepe that followe the belwether ) depend wholly either of the Deane or rector ( as they call him ) of the Vniuiuersitie , or of ●he Abbot or prior of the couent , or some famous and notable doctour or graduat . And who knoweth not , that these bée the Popes owne tender dearlings , which besturre them on al sides to kepe the coales of Purgatorye alwayes alyue ? What iudgement then can they gyue on the other side : for the other partie , whiche acknowledgeth no other Purgatorie , than the bloude of Iesus Christe , by the whiche all men of all tymes and ages were purged from the filthe of theyr synnes , and delyuered from eternall deathe and damnation . Concerning the councell of Constance , all the world knoweth of what disposition Pope Iohn was , and what earnest suters & Antipopes against hym for the popedome , and what decrées and constitutions were made at the same assembly , as also how all they that were at the same counsell wer affected in religion , it is euident to all the worlde , in that they condemned those men to be burned , who laboured earnestly to haue enormities of the churche reformed , and came not thither nother of themselues wythout sendyng for , but vnder promise of their safeconducte , safely to returne again . In somuch that that counsell is termed of many men in theyr writings a petie counsell , declaring therby that it was not an assembly of the pastors and ministers of the Gospell , for the reformation and amendemente of the decayed estate of the Churche , but rather of furious and diuellishe persons to ouerthrowe the poore remanent of the church , forasmuche as at the same most troublesome time , thrée Popes were at greate variance and dissention among them selues , proclaymed open warre one agaynste an other , were all of them remoued , and in their places was Martine the fifte substituted Pope .

But to speake somewhat in a generalitie concerning counsels , it is a playne matter , that he that is guiltie will neuer giue sentence against himselfe . And therfore the Counsell of Trent , whyche was purposely summoned & assembled agaynst them that impugne the authoritie of the Pope maye aptely be resembled to a confederacie of theues and murderers , whiche assemble themselues togither in wods and deserte places , and there condemne also the inhabitantes bothe of the Town and Countrey aboute them , for that they lye in waite for them , and séeke to bring them before the Magistrate to examination . For what other thing do the Popes in all theyr counsells they call ? Fyrste and formoste they appoint some strong Citie for the purpose , they prouide garrisons of Souldiours to guarde , and to defende them from forraine force , they banishe al out of that assemblye , that would any wayes disagrée from them , or if they admitte them , it goeth néere to cost them their liues . And when they bée met togither , and mounted into their seats , thence they sende their threates and curses lyke shunder boltes thicke and thréefolde , to the greate disturbaunce and anoy of all the world , threatning excommunication , warre , destruction , banishement , murder , and lastly fire and fagots . But to whom I beséeche you , do they send these their fiery dartes ? Forsooth euen vnto suche a● with hartie sorrowe and griefe doe complaine againste them , and accuse them o● moste horrible sacrilege , whereby they haue berefte the poore Christian people of their onely health and comforte Christ Iesus , for their own commoditie and aduantage , that they might with more securitie satisfye theyr filthie mindes with riote , ambition , and all kinde of abhominable luste . Wherefore I referre the matter to your most gracious consideration and iudgement , whether anye such● councells and determinations oughte t● bée of suche force and power , wherein they claime vnto themselues , as it were by a speciall prerogatiue , an authoritie and iurisdiction aboue al Christian princes and Emperours , by vertue whereof they might commaund Princes , and rob and spoile their subiectes bothe of life and liuing at theyr pleasure : howe muche more conuenient wer it to follow the example of Constantine , who hauing intelligence of the great quarrells & controuersies that were betwixte the Arrians and the Christians , did not refer the matter to the aucthoritie of the Pope , but by hys owne authoritie called a councell , frée for euery man to resorte vnto , and sate himselfe meane betwixte two parts , as an equall & indifferent iudge and arbitratour betwixt them : & when he had caste all the voices & sentences of euery particular man into one barrell , hée set them on fire , declaring himselfe to be chiefe & head of the councell : & when the matter had bin long time debated on both sides , he found a means to bring al to an vnitie , til Sathan began to stur in the same matter , & so set them at variance , & raised new troubles again . But if it be a matter of impossibility , or of great difficultie to call a generall councell togither , yet surely it is the office & duty of euery christian prince by some conuenient & sufficient assembly of his own subiects to procure peace & tranquilitie vnto the church , by taking away al superstition and idolatry , which corrupt the puritie & simplicitie of Christian religion , and are cause of muc● vexation & vnquietnesse in the same . An● therefore nowe it behoueth all our king● and Princes to followe the good exampl● of theyr predecessors , in employing thei● care and study about preseruing and restoring the true worshippe and seruice o● God , as did diuers Christian Emperors namely Theodosius , Iustinianus , Charles the great , and sundry others , whose diligenc● is singulerly and highlye commended o● the auntient Fathers , specially of Augustine in the booke of the reproofe of the Donatistes . Epist. 73. Pope Leo in hys .73 . epistle doeth earnestly aduise the Emperor so to esteme of his princely estate , and dignitie , as committed vnto hym , not only for the gouernaunce of Cities by ciuile pollicie , but also for the defence and aduauncement of the Churche by ecclesiasticall discipline . Gregorye the firste dydde maruellouslye commende the diligence vsed by Ricaredus king of the Gotthes , in rooting out the heresie of the Arrians . Isidore sometyme Bishoppe of Siuill ( as Gratian reporteth ) said that princes shall be plagued in time to come , for suffering the Churche to goe ●o ruine , which god committed vnto them ●o foster and cherishe ( as saith the spirite ●f God by the mouth of his holy prophete Esay . ) And there is no man that doubteth ●ut that the Pope will doe all that lyeth ●n him to hinder the assemble of prouinci●ll counsells . Whereby hee doeth manifestly bewray bothe the weakenesse of his ●wne cause , the vanitie and corruption of his doctrine , and the dispaire he hathe in ●che of both . For who knoweth not , or hath not hearde tell of the greate comminations which Paule the third sometime thundred partely by letters , and partely by his Legates agaynste the Emperoure your Maiesties father of famous memorye , onely bycause hée determined to call a Nationall councell of the states of Germany , to the intent to reconcile and bring to vnitie the Princes of Germany , whose religion and profession we teache & maintaine in your Maiesties lowe countries : but if the Pope doe truste to the equitie and right of his cause , why is he so loath to haue it bearde and debated , & so fearefull to put it to comprimise and arbitr●ment of Princes ? Why trauaileth he t● haue their bookes burned of whome he 〈◊〉 accused . For if oure accusations be● vaine , bée false and fained , what caus● hathe hée to feare them ? Doubtlesse the● woulde fall of themselues wythout any force . Forsooth the Pope and his clergy and the Inquisitors perceiue right well that the people , whyche in tyme to for● haue bin blinde and ignorat , haue now● their eies and vnderstandings opened , t● sée and perceiue their iuggling trickes and moste horrible abuses : and therefor● they haue no care , nor zeale at all of promoting true religion , but onely laboure● to suppresse oure writings , and to stoppe the passage vnto Princes eares , that the people cannot haue frée accesse to make their complaint to the soueraigne prince , practising all meanes they can deuise to entangle the consciences of men in theyr moste durtie dregges of superstitious ceremonies , and treading vnder their féete the moste comfortable Gospell of oure sauiour Christe . It maye please your Maiestie therefore , to consider and weighe ●hat greate profite can arise to youre ●ealme by these their cruell and horrible ●dictes and proclamations . For admitte ●hat youre graces Subiects do embrace ●he Romish religion by force and coertion , ●urely those that loue true Religion sin●erely , The inconueniences that ensue where religion is forced . and from their heartes will suffer all extremitie before they will submit themselues vnder that yoke of Tiranny againe . But if you doe still licence the inquisitors to vse their accustomed crueltie towardes them , howe déepely shall youre grace heape vengeaunce vppon youre owne heade , in suffering so manye of youre Subiectes to perishe , for whose cause Almightye God doeth so bountifully blesse all nations , and multiplye the fruites thereof infinitelye , for their sustentation and nourishement : as for their soules they are frée , notwythstanding from sense of any of these torments whiche the bodye endureth , as maye appeare moste manifestly by that notable saying written in the book of wisedom . The soules of the righteous be in the hands of the L. & ther is no torment that toucheth them . Verily in the iudgemente of the foolish 〈◊〉 they séeme to dye , and their ende is thoughte to be euill , and their departure fro● among vs to be miserable , where as 〈◊〉 very déede they are in safetie . For thoug● they be tormented in the sight of men , ye● great is their hope of immortalitie , an● for a little punishment suffered here , the● attaine to merueilous greate benefites 〈◊〉 for God dothe trye them , like as golde i● tried in the fornace , and finding them fi● for hym , accepteth them as a pure and 〈◊〉 perfecte sacrifice . And therefore at suche 〈◊〉 time as god shall take care of them , they 〈◊〉 shall shine & shall run like sparkes of fire in dry réedes , they shal iudge the nations , 〈◊〉 gouerne the people , and be vnder the perpetuall protection and safegarde of God , vppon whom , whosoeuer repose theyr truste , they shall vnderstande the truthe , and of louing affection cleaue vnto hym wyth all faythfulnesse : for grace and peace shall happen vnto hys holy ones , and hys Electe shall bée hadde in regarde , but the wicked and vngodly shall bée punished according to their owne de●tes , for neglecting the truth and god●●nesse , and forsaking the Lorde . For they ●at despise wisedome and learning , are ●iserable , and their hope is vaine , theyr ●●oure loste , and their workes fruitlesse ●nd vnprofitable . Thus farre that wise mā●ste wisely . Moreouer , if your maiesties ●ubiectes of the lowe Countries , either ●r weakenesse of minde , or frailtie of bo●ye , fearing the extremitie of torments , ●hall rather fall from the knowne truthe , ●nd renounce Christe and hys religion , ●han patientlye and manfullye to suffer ●eath , your grace shall encrease the facte ●nfinitely in greatnesse of mischiefe ( forasmuche as your grace thereby shall not onely destroy their bodies , but also theyr soules , to euerlasting death and damnation . In whiche respect a farre more perillous iudgement dependeth ouer youre heade by the hande of God , who hath spoken by his son Christ in this wise : Looke with what measure yée measure vnto other , by the lyke it shal also bée measured vnto you . O moste terrible and feareful iudgement , if that moste seuere a● iuste Iudge , doe purpose to execute th● same vpon our bodies , and soules , an● in his wrath drawe oute his sworde 〈◊〉 shew vengeance vppon vs . Besides this who séeth not howe greate a blotte an● stayne it is to the name of a christian , t● practise so great tyranny which maket● forreyne nations , as the Turks , Iewes and Indians to abhorre christianitie , a● the cause of so greate troubles , warres and persecutions . What shall I néed● here to reherse that hence as out of a hea● and spring infinite quarrels , dissentions and mortall enmities haue issued an● procéeded . Forasmuch as no continuanc● of tyme can be able hereafter to wear● out of the memorie of the posteritie , th● horrible crueltie and tyrannie that hath bene practised by confiscation of goodes & landes , rasing of houses to the ground , destroying of families , and lastly in burnyng their corses , after long and lothsome imprisonment .

Lykewyse who wold not deme those Princes to bée moste vnhappie whome , their subiects haue in hatred and disdayn , ●●se persons although they be strongly ●arded , can not for al that be quiet in their ●nd . For the most sure and safest defence 〈◊〉 Prince , consisteth in the loue & good 〈◊〉 of the people , and they ar thought to 〈◊〉 strengthned accordignly as they bée ●nded : And to haue so many souldiors defend them as they haue trusty frends ●illing subiects to obeye & serue them . ●st of al , The armor of Christians against persecution by silence and hope . whereas all the professours of 〈◊〉 Gospell are not all alyke taught and ●structed in true pietie and godlynesse , 〈◊〉 so muche that manye are withoute ●at Christian pacience whiche GOD 〈◊〉 earnestely requireth in tymes of ad●ersitie and persecution , in commanding 〈◊〉 rather to praye for oure ennimyes 〈◊〉 persecutoures , than to reuenge in●rie wyth doyng the lyke againe : they 〈◊〉 saye , eyther for impacience of mynd , 〈◊〉 for the hatred they beare vnto suche ●fences , doe putte on theyr Armoure ●gaynste theyr owne fellowes and com●anyons , and dare presume to committe ●he tryall of the quarrell to the sworde .

Albeit in my opinion this is a thing fa● vnfitting the godly zeale , mildenesse p●ence and forbearyng that shoulde be i● Christian man . But yet forasmuche it doeth come to passe many times , I séech your Maiestie ( moste gracious so● raine ) to weigh and consider how ma● greate mischiefs and inconueniences ensue of this ciuill dissention and disco● robbing , spoiling , and murdering wi● out measure , honest matrons are corr●ted , chaste virgins defloured , mens goo● and substauece taken perforce , all kin● of murther and manquelling put in pr●ctise and exercise , some by the sword some by fire euen in their owne house some shall be slaine with the sworde , so● burned with their houses ouer their head● sowe drowned in the riuers , whereby t● aire infected with the filthy corruption 〈◊〉 the dead carcasses , bredeth a plague , wh●che is alwayes incident vnto warres , an● commonlye accompanyed wyth great dearth , bycause where tumultes and v● rores be raised , there can be no tillage husbandry maintained . And what then when the countrye and common weal●●ath bene so sore shaken and wasted , it is ●ot possible within twentie yeres or mo , 〈◊〉 recouer the losse , and to be in as perfect lighte againe , as it was before : for af●er that weapons haue putte lawes to si●ence , and men acquaynted themselues with spoile and rapine , and the sheding ●f bloude , it is a verye harde matter to ●ring the people to order , and agréement , ●nd vtterly to breake them of their olde ●aunte , that they learned in war. Forced religion hardly taketh depe roote In the hear● Moreo●er , what shold it auaile either your ma●estie or vs youre subiects ? or what estimation would Christ haue of it , if men shoulde by violence , and by tyrannye bée brought to allowe of the Popish doctrine ( admitting it to be true . ) For whosoeuer professe anye religion against theyr own consciences as we sée by daily experience , do neuer embrace the same sincerely , and from their heartes , but contrariwise become more frowarde and waiward , or to what purpose is it to ouercome a man by extremitie of tormentes , and by feare of deathe and to make him recant , and saye that the Romishe religion is consonante wyth the Gospell of Christe , or rather to be the very Gospell it selfe , if the partye notwithstanding be contrarily affected in his h●arte , and thinke with hymselfe secretely and in his owne conscience , that he is to be detested as the very and vndoubted Antichriste , and that all hys adherents , which séeke to driue simple men to their moste filthy doctrine by terrors & by tormentes , bée the Popes féed hangmen and executors . As for example , your maiestie knoweth full well , and can testifye , that those whiche haue continued in youre maiesties realme of Spaine to this day , both Iewes and Turkes , could neuer be brought by compulsion , or by anye violence to allowe of oure religion . And albeit they were baptised , that is to saye , outwardely washed wyth the element , yet notwithstandyng they neuer forsooke their olde heresies , but embrace them tooth and naile , in so muche that the Inquisitours haue worke inough wyth them , and are plentifully enriched with the eschetes that growe vnto them by th● Iewes and Turkes : and therfore it is a playne matter , that there is no true religion except it be freely & sincerely receiued and beléeued . For the outward shew and behauior of the body , be it neuer so Saintlyke in appearaunce , is altogyther both vnprofitable to the partie , and displeasant and odious vnto god , The way to winn● men to Christia● religion . except the sincere affection of the heart & conscience of man bée ioyned with that outward profession : that which we cannot attaine vnto , but only by leni●ie , grace , & mercie , gentlenesse , & by frendly conference & persuasion , by the imitation of honesty , and integritie of life , by pouring out praiers vnto god without ceassing , the 〈◊〉 wold please him of his infinite goodnes & mercy to encline & mollifie their harde heartes to the study of true religion , & to take awaye al threates of torments , al feare of ●ire and murdering one of another : And I dare auowe it to youre Maiestye ( moste gracious soueraigne ) that they whyche goe aboute so to moue you vnto ●rueltie , bearyng you in hande , that to ●ée the onely waye to make peace in youre lowe countrie , those I saye I dare auowe , and doe openly proteste , do gy● you suche councell , as is muche against● the weale of youre Countrey , and most derogatorye to youre honour and princely Maiestie , séeking onely to enriche an● aduaunce themselues by your incommodities , and to sette other men togither b● the eares , that they maye in the mean● while fall a rifling and scambling , and obtaine a greate praye . And why can we not learne to beware by other mens examples ? hathe not experience proued i● true euen in our nexte neighbours adioyning , that wheras some proude and ambitious counsellers , that soughte thei● owne priuate lucre vnder pretence of religion , did moste cruellye entreate man● good and godly persons : they themselue● haue séene , that the mo they persecute● and putte to deathe , the mo did arise an● spring vp againe daily , as it were of th● ashes of the other . For it is moste true that was sometime saide of a wise and godly person , that the bloude of the martyres is the séede of the Gospell . Wher● Stephen was stoned to death , Act. 8. the blind● Pharisies thought that the Church was ●tterlye destroyed : notwithstanding it came otherwise to passe , that it encreased wonderfully thereby , Hereto maye in a sorte be applied that of the Poet. Nitimur in vetitum semper cupimusque negat●●d est . Wee striue for that wee moste are forbidde . as testifyeth saint Luke in his booke that hée wrote of the ●ctes of the Apostles . Wherevppon that perverse and wicked councell beganne to ●e condemned , as a thing that had done muche harme , and no good at all , not onlye to the Churche , but to the common weale . And therefore after that Princes had graunted libertie to euery one fréely to say their opinion of religion , and that was determined and resolued vpon , that was moste consonant vnto the worde of God , peace was foorthwyth restored again , and had continued , if it had not turned all thinges topsie turuie agayne , by vnruly Popes .

But forasmuche as I knowe myne owne weakenesse and my poore estate , I can hardely hope that my aduice can haue anye credite with your Maiestie : howbeit I moste humbly beséeche you to vouchesafe in this one pointe to followe the example of them that be sicke and diseased , who perceiuing by proofe that the prescr●ptions of the experte Physitions doet● them no good , will sometyme vse the aduice also of the empirikes , as they cal● them , and those that be merely Practic●oners , bycause it happeneth sometym● that chaunce is better than cunning , an● that these shal doe more good by theyr experience , than the other by methode an● booke learning . As did lykewise Pharao i● my opinion , who when he could not lern● the interpretation of his dreame at th● handes of his witches & soothsayers , wa● not ashamed to aske counsell of poore Ioseph , that was in prison and bandes , b● whose diuine wisedome and foretellyng he prouided for the dearth that was t● come in Egypt . Wherfore consideryng my poore estate , being brought almost to penurie in these moste miserable dayes , and that I am not greately fauourous with your highenesse , I doubte not but those that be of your maiesties counsell will deride my trauaile bestowed herein , & disdain therat , that I shuld be so bold as to presume to perswade your maiestie to things cleane contrary to the aduise is giuen you by them : but time ( I trust ) shal declare which of the two is the better counsell . For whereto goe they aboute to perswade you ? forsoothe that youre Maiestie would establish a law , wherby your subiects of the low countries ( whom they falsly charge with the crime of heresie ) shoulde be most cruelly entreated & put to death : but I to the contrarye rather , and that you should rather giue eare vnto Christ , who willeth you and all men to vse mercie , gentlenesse , & compassion euen towardes those that shal erre out of the waye . Besids , your maiesty ought to consider that this crowne & scepter is not giuen you to the intent you shold kill & destroy your subiects , but to defend & preserue them , so that both pure religion & ciuile gouernement may be maintained among your subiects : neither is there any thing that I more earnestly desire & pray for , than that your Maiestie according to your honorable inclination to gentlenesse & mercy engrafted in you by nature , and the duty of a christian magistrate , shuld be a mean to pacifie al these ciuile warres and cruel persecutions in youre lowe countries , till you might in your owne person , make final ende of all controuersies , and determine all matters of religion by some lawfull parliament of youre Princes and estates . By whiche pacification , as it were by a kind of truce , there shal not only nothing happen derogatory to youre highnesse , but al they that dissent from vs and from oure holsome aduise and councell , shall easilye see , and perceiue , that they will not onely vndoe the common wealth , but also cary many soules with them into vtter destruction : and then shall the sequele of the matter plainly declare , whiche of vs hath giuen youre Maiestye more honeste and profitable aduice . Albeit wée oughte to praye vnto God moste hartilye , that hée suffer not their moste pestilent and pernicious councell to take that effecte , that they meane and séeke for .

But to draw towardes an end ( moste excellent Prince ) I beséeche youre Maiestie for oure Lorde and Sauiour Iesus Christes sake , the redemer of mankinde , that you woulde in so weightie a cause as this , call vppon God for the aide and assistance of his holy spirite , who ( I trust ) will not faile you , if you committe your selfe wholy vnto him in all your dooings and enterprises , and do not followe the rude multitude , nor the importunate exclamations of these doctors , be they neuer so many in number , that can cry nothing , but crucifige , crucifige , war , warre , fire , fire , euen as it is reported of Achab , who rather folowing the iudgement of .400 . prophets , than the will of God , rashely and vnaduisedly entring into battell perished in the fielde : Micheas alone preacheth the truthe againste 400. false Prophets . 1. Reg. 22 : Psalm . 34. Wheras if hée had rather leaned vnto the councel of poore Micheas : albeit in the eies of the world simple and abiecte , it had bene far better with him . For God oftentimes reueleth his secrets and hidden misteries , to base and obscure persons , and hideth them from the wise and noble in this worlde , neither oughte we to iudge of councell by the wisedome , or multitude , or nobilitie of men , but by the onely feare of God , who communicateth his secrete misteries to them that feare and reuerence him , & that saying of an olde writer , is very true , that those whiche will well guide & gouerne the common wealth , must not so much haue regard to the multitude of voices , as to examine and try them by the waighte & truth , whether they leane therto , or be grounded of couetousnesse , hatred and ambition . And vndoubtedly if there be anye nation & country vnder your maiesties dominions , that deserueth to haue your fauour & clemencie extended towardes it , it is this youre maiesties country of Flaunders , whyche hath brought vp the most famous & noble Emperor your maiesties father , & nourished your maiestie almost from your tender infancie , and borne so faithful allegeaunce towardes you , that she may worthily think hirselfe to be preferred before al other : how can your maiestie then , but shew pitie & compassion towardes youre faithfull & obedient subiectes , the inhabitantes thereof , howe can you suffer the bloudthirsty ouer them , & not deliuer them , how can you but giue eare vnto their pitifull complaintes , which they doe dailye make vnto you , crying oute in moste pitious sorte , that they are most cruelly entreated , tormented & murdered by youre ministers and officers . What shal it néed me to rehearse their most curteous vsage & entertainment towardes strangers of al nations & countries wherein they doe far excéede al other , Flaunderrs a place of good entertainment . & doe allure & draw therby great resorte vnto them , in so much that there is none more worthy to enioy perfect peace & tranquilitie than this ? For wher haue the Italians the best entertainment ? veryly in Flaunders : where do the Frenchmen soiorne moste to their contentation & pleasure ? forsooth in Flaunders : where is the moste famous & plentifull marte for the Almains the englishmen , the Scots , the Turks ? where but in Flaunders ? I reporte me to youre selfe al ye that be of the Spanish nation , what good cause you haue to estéeme Flaunders , as youre moste deare and tender nourse , whiche hathe aduaunced you to highe preferments and dignities , and prouided you wealth to enriche you abundauntlye .

For in what place of the world haue ye bene better aduaunced by mariage than here in Flaunders , whether your respect , honestie , or pleasure of societie ? where haue euer anye suche virgins so beautifull and amiable in countenaunce , and so well borne , bene so fréely bestowed in marriage , euen vnto such as had nothing to take vnto , by meanes whereof they haue afterwardes attained vnto greate wealth , and bene aduaunced to places of dignitie and honoure . And therefore I maye well exclame against vnthankfulnesse , forgettyng so greate benefites , permitte suche moste pestilent and cruell enterprises , to bring those men in daunger both of life and landes , that haue deserued so well at youre handes . And for the other , wyth whome yée deale so vnthankfully , what opinion can they haue hereafter of suche vnthankefull people , causelesse , yea contrary to their deserte , to enter into their countrey , inuade , spoile , waste it : and whereas they ought by all meanes to procure the Prince to extend mercy and clemency towards the subiectes , do incense the Prince againste them : and with the breath of their malicious breaste puffed into hys eares , doe kindle hys wrath and indignation , to vse crueltie and tyrannye towardes them , whose most iust cause ( being a quarrel of religion ) could neuer obtaine to come to hearing , as right & reason is it shold , least they might be thought to giue sentence of the cause before they heard it debated .

But of a number of moste horrible facts to remember vnto your maiestie one , I beséech you to giue eare to a thing that happened at Antwarp in mine own sight and presence , but to my great griefe and sorrow , the twelfth of March anno . 1567. When as certayne Cities of Henhault wer sacked and spoiled , by desperate and furious persons , and all the Citizens in great daunger and distresse , the inhabitants thought to flée and to leaue to their ennimies bothe houses and goods , rather than 〈◊〉 yéelde to theyr furie and rage . And therfore escaping through the fields is the number of .1000 . persons , and hearing that the horsemen woulde set vppon them , they determined to drawe as nighe to Antwarpe as they coulde , thinking thereby either to saue themselues , or to obtaine some reasonable conditions of peace : but if the enimy shoulde make any assault vpon them and offer any violence , they determined rather manfully to resiste , than cowardely to yéelde .

Albeit this determination of their● in mine opinion doeth muche differ from the pacience that is commaunded vs in the Gospell : but indéede all that professe the Gospell , doe not followe the preceptes of the Gospell . When as the poore soules hadde fledde vnto the walles of Antwarpe , as it hadde béene to a Sanctuarye , hoping that by meanes of the Lordes of the Towne , there myghte some order bée taken for theyr safetye , and the auoiding of theyr presente perill , a greate number of horsemen and footemen fell vppon them on a sodayne , beyng wythout armoure and weapon , and hauyng more confidence of their safetie in flighte , than in fighte , shewed vs a moste lamentable spectacle of a moste bloudy and cruell slaughter , neyther vsing mercye towardes them that prayed mercye : nor pitying th●● complayntes and lamentations that fell prostrate at theyr féete , and caste away their weapons : nor regarding them that fledde , and hidde themselues in caues and corners ( whych thinges are wonte to assuage the furor of the most fierce enimy in the world ) but ranne some of them thorow with their swords , others they fiered in the barnes and out-houses where they fiedde to hide themselues : other they shotte at wyth pistolets and barque busiers : others they drowned in the riuer , others they hanged vppon gibbets , other they caste into moste filthye dongons , where they dyed in moste miserable tormentes .

The Citizens of Antwarp beholdyng this sorrowfull sighte from the walles of their Citie , bewailed theyr case , and this most piteous sight , with such shrikes vppe to Heauen , and suche signes of sorrowe and compassion , as was possible to bée vttered . For the women behelde their owne husbands slaine most miserably beefore their faces , the children saw the throates cutte of their owne fathers al other their kinsemen , or allies , or friend and acquaintaunce moste cruelly slayne and murdered , in so muche that it séemeth to be rather a rauening of brute beast●● than a skirmishe of men , and conflicte of Christian people . The whiche most horrible examples of crueltie and brutishe butcherie , if your Maiestie had behelde and séene , it coulde not be , but you should haue ben preuoked to sheading of teares , and inwardly moued with pitie and compassion towardes them . For men by nature wil haue compassion one of another , and howe muche then ought youre highenesse sincerely and vnfainedly to vse the like towardes youre naturall and Christian subiectes .

In the mean while , they of Antwarp pretending to helpe and succoure these poore afflicted , so beset on euery side with their enimies , some broke the bridges , some locked the gates of the Citie , other that would be thought to be more faithfull and loyall to your maiestie , than the rest , sent certayne spies , who vnder the pretence of friendly talke , should betray the poore and miserable wretches , others gatte them into cockbotes and whirries , to compasse them by water , that were already beset on euery side by lande , and so stoppe their passage all wayes , pretending that they didde all this , leaste they shoulde be worse thoughte of , as béeyng scarcely your maiesties dut ful and faithfull subiectes .

What opinion thinke you , would the Turkes and Iewes , and other forraine and vnchristned nations haue of Christian religion , if they shoulde eyther haue séene these thinges , or at the leaste , if it come but to their eares , what affection coulde they beare towardes the name of a Christian ? what way woulde serue to bring them to embrace , and to professe the Gospell , when they themselues deale more indifferently with vs in the lyke cases ? For those whome they haue ouercome , they either permit to departe paying theyr raunsom , or kéepe them in prison vntouched . But wée false harted and Pharisaicall Christians , leaue no barbarous and deuillishe tyrannye vnpractised towardes oure bret●ren and euen Christians , onely bycause they will not embrace the Romishe religion , but cleaue faste to the commandements , and doctrine of almightie god . And what more ? Forsooth the whole Citie of Antwarpe riche in treasure , beautifull in buildings , very populous , and of greate resorte was in great daunger and perill of vtter subuersion , if almightie God of hys goodnesse had not put to hys helping hande at that instant , and preserued the citie . For the protestants being touched with that vnworthy fight of the miserable slaughter of their parents , brethren , kinsemen , allies , and friendes , put themselues in armour to the number of fiftéene thousand : and to helpe them in this distresse , some practised to open the gates of the Citie , and to issue oute and rescue them , some placed men in array in the streates , other filled the houses wyth armoure and armed men to be in a readinesse for defence , that they myghte saue themselues , and the Citie from the ennimy , if they should offer anye violence , yea some of them were in suche a furye and rage , that they moste desperatly broke into the common armory and store house of the citie , and into those places where were certaine péeces , specially mounted to kepe off the ennimye . In whiche greate confusion and hurlye burly of the whole citie , what feare think you the whole Citizens wer in ? for mine owne parte I wot , what I then thought , and thinke yet , that I neuer sawe a more horrible and lamentable sighte in all my life , than to sée euery man readye to run another through without respecte or choice . In the which tumultuous sedition , what profitte coulde youre maiestie hope shuld growe vnto you ? or what woulde the ouerthrowe and destruction of the Citie haue auailed you , beyng either the chiefe Citie vnder youre Maiesties dominion , or at the leaste not inferiour to the beste and chiefest whatsoeuer ?

But to let these thinges passe , and to consider diligentlye wyth oure selues , what is the iudgement of God in these our affaires ? for we must doubtlesse one day al appere before hys dreadefull seate of Iudgement , and giue an accompte of our déedes be they good or bad . And what shall it auaile vs , if we flatter our selues in oure owne deedes , or pleade not guiltie to the facte , and the Iudge find vs giltie , and pronounce sentence vpon vs of euerlasting paine and woe .

Neyther doe I speake these things , as allowing the rashe & vnaduised attempts of these Protestantes , which go about to resiste force by force , & as it wer to driue backe one naile wyth another . For I know , ( I thanke God of hys grace therfore ) howe greate pacience , lowlinesse , and humilitie the Gospell requyreth of them that will be professours thereof : but I bring it in rather to this ende and purpose , A perillous matter to ●riue a multitude ●nto de●paire . to giue your Maiestie to vnderstand howe perillous and dangerous a matter it is for Princes , that their subiects shuld bée driuen to extreme desperation . It is an olde sayde sawe : The multitude is a monster wyth manye heades , whyche beyng distressed and in despaire of life , forgetteth both himselfe and hys duty towardes God , and rayseth manye tymes greate tumultes and vproares . And therfore many mightie Princes and Monarches haue oftentimes either pardoned or winked at those matters , wherein the whole multitude hathe bene faultie , bycause ( as saith the Poet ) They haue no other hope , but boldely giue the aduenture and trye extremities , when all extremities are feared . So that a common errour séemeth as it were of good righte to challenge a generall pardon , althoughe the prince wer very well able to reuenge and punishe the same . As wée acknowledge your Maiestie to be : but that god of his infinite goodnesse and prouidence hath endued your grace with such méekenesse and mercifulnesse , that if there were anye that were obstinate and rebelling againste you , you were not onely able to subdue them with youre maiesties might and power , but also to win them by your moste gracious vertues and bounties .

Albeit in this case here is neither feare nor suspition of any rebellion , when as youre Maiesties subiectes for the auoyding of present perill doe flée their countrey , desiring nothing more hartily than that they might haue accesse to your maiestie , and pleade their cause before you , and professe the Christian religion , and shewe their dutifull and obedient hartes to your maiesty , as vnto their most dread and redoubted soueraigne .

But what thing should be of greater force to moue youre maiestie , The clemency of Charles the ●ifte towards the Spaniards ●hat rebelled . than the example of the Emperoure your father , who perceiuing ciuile war to bée a bréeding , al Spaine in a tumulte , not muche after he was crowned king , woulde neyther bée auenged of the iniuries of the people , nor chastise them by his lawe , but established the Lawe 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 and made open proclamation , that al shoulde be bothe forgiuen and forgotten : whereby he gatte suche good will , and so obtayned the heartes of his people , that the remembraunce of his excéeding loue and clemencie towardes his subiectes , will endure while the world lasteth . As I doubt not but youre Maiesties subiectes of the lowe countries woulde in lyke case doe , if they might haue experience of lyke clemencye and pardon at youre graces handes .

But perhappes some of youre counsellors aboute you , hearing mée speake so muche in commendation of a generall pardon , will suspecte that I goe aboute craftylye to insinuate my selfe into youre graces fauour , and thinke that I pleade not so muche the common cause of my Countreymenne , as mine owne priuate case , for the satisfying of whom , and to the intent that they maye plainelye vnderstande my verye hearte and conscience , I aunswere in this wise , wythout all dissimulation : That I haue a greate desyre and an earnest affection towardes my deare countrey , and my dearely beloued parents and friends . and féele the lacke of them , by being absente from them , and wishe with all my hearte that almightie God would vouchsafe so to shine vppon youre Realme of Spaine with the beames & brightnesse of his gospell , that al Idolatry & superstition might be remoued thence , & quite abandoned , so that al we whych are banished , and liue in exile from oure natural countrey , mighte returne thither in safetie againe : for otherwise ( as the case is at thys present ) wée ought rather choose to remayne : in pouertie , penurie , néede persecution , banishement , and to suffer al other extremities that shall betide vs patiently ; than to defile oure soules with wicked and superstitious Idolatrie .

And for mine own part , I haue much to giue God thanks for , and by his grace will be alwaies mindefull of hys greate Graces and bountyes towardes mée , that hathe of his prouidence so aided and assisted me in al this my pilgrimage , that suche as had neuer séene mée , nor knowne me before , haue bene very beneficiall towardes me , as if they had bene fathers vnto me , or some speciall friendes . And therefore I haue no cause to thinke my selfe a straunger or pilgrime in those places , whether the Lorde hymselfe hathe broughte me , and so prouided for me , that he hath stirred me vp many friends and wel willers , in places wher I do becom , who like so well of me and my company , that they bothe visite manye times very curteously , and entertain me lesse friendly , when I resorte vnto them . The whiche thyng was a speciall occasion that moued me to go to Antwarp : for I went not thither of any vnconstancy or flitting brayne , neyther came I beefore I was welcome vppon any purpose to trouble the state of the common wealth with nouelties and innouations , or to helpe forwarde the tumultes that then were raysed and to make them worse . For I protest vnto youre Maiesty vpon myne othe , and will besides proue by euident testimony , that I was earnestly required by many mens letters and entreaties to come to thys Citie aboue foure moneths ere I came thither , and therfore if your maiestie haue conceiued anye sinister opinion of my comming thither , by meane of some false and vntrue reportes , I besech your maiestie to remoue the same . For this is , and euer hathe béene , and shall be my minde and will , to serue and obey your maiestie , and especiallye to preach the Gospell of peace . As for tumultes , sedition , rebellion , and discorde , I abhorre them from my hearte , and detest them worse than a tode , or present plague : neither was I euer of that minde , that any good coulde arise to the encrease and setting forwarde of the Gospell , by sedition and discorde : but that it was a great hindraunce rather to manye weake consciences , and an vtter vndooing to the whole estate of the common weale , as I haue alwaies thoughte and taughte bothe priuately and openly , as often as opportunitie serued me thereto . Mary true it is , that I am at this present purposed to departe againe : for though the great good will and curtesie which the Citizens and others of this Countrey doe shewe mée , as also the earneste zeale and affection they beare towardes mée , doeth ioye mée maruelously : yet notwithstanding séeing suche preparation on eche side of men for war : and hearing nothing but the sound of armoure , and that there is nothyng in euerye mans mouthe , but horse and armoure , and Souldiours , shotte , and pellet , and preparation to besiege , and to batter holdes and castels , to make ●poile and hauocke of all , to kill and slaye ●n all sides , I thoughte it better for mée to wante my deare friendes , than to bée tossed in thys sorte , and ouerwhelmed with these tempestuous troubles .

Finallye he that is faultlesse and giltlesse in his own conscience , hath no néede to craue any pardon . And I take God to my iudge and recorde , that I haue pretermitted no part of my duty ( as I trust ) that appertayned to me to shew towards my Prince and Soueraigne . Neither wyll I at anye tyme when occasion shall be offered , be afraide or ashamed to shew my face in youre presence , or beefore anye whome it shall please youre Maiestie to appoint to enquire of my faythe and conscience : bycause I sustayne my selfe wyth assurance of an vprighte conscience : the whyche if it shall in anye pointes disagrée from the determinations of the late councell of Trent , or from the Romishe doctrine , I force no greatly thereof , sith they are aduersarie● to the doctrine of the Gospell : Neyther resteth it in the power of man to bée abl● to beleue euerye thyng , what hymself● willeth or listeth . For the spirite of God ingrafteth and imprinteth in our heartes and mindes , whatsoeuer is requisite and necessarye for vs to beléeue , whose suggestion I earnestlye wythstoode aboue twentye moneths before I departed ou● of Spaine , when as by my poore worldly wisdome and pollicie , suche as it was , I foresawe long before what greate perills bothe of life and goods hung ouer my heade , if I should forsake the Popes religion , and flée to Christes folde . For as the Apostle warneth vs : Such as wyl purelye and sincerely worshippe Christe all their life , shal incurre the hatred and displeasure of manye . Howbeit there is a singular comfort remaining vnto those that are faithfull in Iesu Christe , whiche reuealeth their consciences , when they are assured , that these things happen not vnto them throughe their owne deserte .

Neither is there anye man I thinke , moste mightie prince ) which in his own ●orrupte sense and iudgement would not ●ishe to followe some pleasing and plau●ble religion , suche as shoulde fansie the ●eople , and offende none . But forasmuch ●s it hathe so pleased Almightie God by ●ys diuine prouidence , to saue mankinde ●nd to preserue hym from euerlasting pe●ill throughe Iesus Christe crucified , so ●hat they bée partakers of hys death and ●assion , to the ende they might bée lyke●ise partakers of hys resurrection : it re●teth not in the power of the elect , & those ●hat are adopted into the inheritaunce of ●he euerlasting Kyngdome , to suppresse ●he force of the spirite , and to hinder hys worke , or breake his purpose and course , which vseth his force and efficacy in their mindes that bée thus elected and chosen , forasmuche as calling and adoption of God is franke and frée , without respecte ●f fauour or desert of any : for God whom ●e will , doeth lighten , and whom he will ●e blindeth : and who is then able to resiste hym ?

And doeth not youre highenesse thin● that your subiectes of the lowe countrie are hartily sorie and inwardely grieue to sée your Maiestie abhorre their relig●on , whiche is built of so sure and certai● a grounde , woulde they not be conten● with al their heartes to purchase your fauoure and good will , wyth the losse of a that euer they be worthe , that it myght be lawfull for them wyth safe conscienc● to serue God sincerely , according to hy● prescript worde● ? suppose you it not 〈◊〉 maruellous griefe vnto them to want their owne naturall Country , their parentes , children , and wiues , and to wander they wotte not whether , without an● certain place of abode & resiance , & to hau● their life in hazard euery houre ? Howbei● they are miserably tormented in their conscience , and do féele terrible threates o● gods spirit , that set before their eies the euerlasting torments prepared for them , tha● for fauor and pleasing of men , forsake th● knowne truth , or defile the seruice & honour they owe vnto God , by intermedling it wyth Idolatrie and superstition .

Wherefore in moste humble manner , I ●eséeche youre Maiestie ( moste gracious Prince ) to haue compassion vppon youre ●oore afflicted subiectes of the low coun●ry , whiche séeke to liue wyth a frée con●cience , who if they coulde bée perswaded that the doctrine of the Romishe Church were pure and holy , or holsome for their soules , I am very well perswaded , and ●are affirme vnto youre Maiestie in their behalfe , they woulde neuer giue you , nor ●ny of your officers , any occasion at all to be displeased wyth them , much lesse haue a will to trouble and ouerthrow the estate of youre common wealth , by tumultes and ciuile warres , the whiche notwythstanding are laide to oure chardge , and that by the iuste iudgement of God .

But to conclude thys matter nowe at the lengthe , and ceasse from troublyng your Maiesty any longer with my long speach , I thinke , and am verily perswaded , that if it myghte stande wyth youre good pleasure to vndertake the hearyng of thys cause , you shoulde easilye iudge of it your selfe , that this holye and godly zeale of your subiectes is not onely to be acquit and discharged of al punishement , but rather worthye to be greately estéemed and highly commended . And i● you haue regarde to your owne honour● and kingly Maiestie ( which as the Philosophers teache , shoulde be farre from tyrannie ) if you consider those moste excellent giftes and graces of your Maiestie● most royal heart , among the which your clemencie , lenitie , and gentlenesse , i● surpassing all the reste : ( whiche are many tunes wanting in men of high estate , and such as are placed in aucthoritie ) you● oughte rather to employe the same to the safegarde of all your Subiectes vniuersallye , than to the hurte or destruction of anye one . For consider , that you are not to deale with brutishe and sauage beasts , but with those , which by the handy work of almightie god , are made like vnto your self in shape , are endued with naturall reson , as youre selfe , and be euen as you , Christians in profession and name , and your very brethren in Christe , hauing the same redemer and sauior that you haue , being endued with the selfe same spirite , and they professing obedience to the commaundements of God , as your maiestie doth , beyng also your naturall subiectes . and submitting themselues like true and dutifull subiects to your Maiesties lawes and ordinaunces , and haue not bin vnfaithfull at any time , or in any point hitherto , but séeme naturally to be enclined to all lowlinesse , loyaltie , sinceritie , simplicitie , truth , & curtesie , but especially to a singular kinde of obedience and dutifulnesse , whiche hath appeared so abundantly in them towards the magistrates and rulers , that they haue rather chosen to endaunger themselues , and to hazard all , and suffer greate extremitie , than to resiste your highnesse , or your highnesse officers . For it is euident , and to be proued , that wythin these .30 . yeares , there haue bene executed for religion to the number of thirtye thousande and aboue , who in al their torments and anguishes , were neuer hearde to vtter any one word that sounded to sedition and tumult , or to the reuiling of any of their tormentors & persecutors , but contrarywise did hartily forgiue them the wronges and iniuries they had done them , and praied mos● earnestly to almightie God , at the very● laste instante of their life , for their conuersion and saluation .

Who then can bée so harde or stony● harted , as not to pitie these men , and they● cases ? but weighe wyth youre selfe diligently , and consider further what they woulde haue , where aboutes they goe , and what they desire . Is it for the maintainaunce of anye heresies agaynste the worde of God and holy scripture ? no forsooth : what is it then ? forsooth a moste iuste quarrell that youre maiestie , who are placed of god , their supreame head & gouernour ouer them , might haue the hearing , debating and determination of their cause , the which thing , if you haue no conuenient leysure presently to do , by reason of youre Maiesties manifolde & waightie affaires : The petition of those of the low countries . yet that it woulde please you to permitte them in the meane while to enioye the libertie of their consciences , the preaching of the Gospell , and exercising of true vertue and godlines , receiued by tradition from the Apostles and Bishops of the primitiue Churche , and that they mighte haue youre Maiesties protection & warrant for the same , for the better safetie & suretie in this case , & if it please your maiestie , further to enter into the search hereof , and to see howe great & horrible abuses and superstitious ceremonies , the pope would intermedle wyth our religion : you shall easily perceyue how vnreasonable a matter it is . For it is very vnfitte and vnconuenient , that in the pure church of Christ , the most filthy & abhominable rites and customs of worshipping their idolles & false gods , should be retained , which thing he laboreth earnestly to bring to passe .

And in the meane season , while the matter is referred & wholy reserued , till youre Maiestye maye conueniently haue the ordering therof , they of the religion , of the refourmed Churche and congregation in the lowe Countries , proteste , that they will do nothing in case of religion , to the offence of the consciences of the other sorte , which either of ignorance or for feare of afterclappes , sticke still to their popish ceremonies , and haue determined with themselues not to gainesaye nor withstande it : but will rather in way of charitie and brotherly loue , estéeme of them , as of their brethren , or deare friends , and praye vnto God for them continually , that hée woulde vouchsafe hereafter , when his good pleasure shall be , to lighten their heartes and vnderstandings wyth the light and shining beames of hys gospell . And they doe also greately mislike the bolde attempts of children , and foolish women , and other abiect persons , that haue presumed , contrary to the willes of the wiser sorte , of their own heads without aucthoritie or commission to plucke downe and to breake Images that stoode in the Popish Churches , the which rashnesse and headinesse , they do in no wise allowe , but thinke it a matter very inconvenient , and farre vnmete for them to doe whiche desire to fauour and further common peace and tranquilitie among the people .

But perhaps some will obiect agaynst me , Whether men of diuers religion maye be at peace one with another . that where as be men of diuers religions , there can in no case vnitie & concord be maintained . But this question is not proper to this time and place , but requireth some especial discourse at large , wherof I purpose godwilling to entreat , at some other conuenient leysure , & to dedicate it in like case to your Maiestie . And yet thus much wil I say by the way , that those men , whiche be of that opinion , do greate iniurye and wrong to Christian Princes , in derogating from them that wisedome , & worldly pollicie , whiche we may plainly sée to be in the aduersaries of our religion . For who is ignorant , that the Turke doeth not onely permitte thrée seuerall sortes of religion in the Citie of Constantinople , but dothe séeke to maintaine them ? and yet there is as greate diuersitie béetwixte them as is béetwixte chalke and chéefe . For howe muche trowe you dothe the Turkes Alkoran differ from Moses lawe ? Or what affinitie & likenesse hathe either of these twoo wyth Christian religion , séeing that bothe those sectes detest and abhorre Iesus Christe our redemer & high priest ? notwithstanding it is a maruellous matter to consider what greate loue , what peace , what amitie and friendship is among them in these common and ciuill affaires . How much more likelye is it then , that they which are partakers of one selfe redemer and sauior , the same Gospell , the very same spirit , & beliefe & profession , should liue and dwell togither in amitie and concord , considering they differ not so muche in the groundes and chiefe articles of religion , as in the constitutions of man , the worship of idolles & false gods , & certain foolish and vayne superstitions and ceremonies .

The Pope giueth entertainmet to Iewes & lewishe ceremonies What should I néed here to rehearse , that the pope himselfe is not ashamed not only to entertayne in his owne Citie and country , the Iewes , who be the very professed enimies of Christ , to fauour them , to cherishe , to take them into his profession , but which is moste shamefull and abhominable aboue al other , to appoint the certaine churches , streats and dwelling places apart from the Christians , in which they may fréely & without controlement or interruption of any , renue the olde ceremonies and sacrifices of the Mosaicall law , the which are wholy abrogated and dissanulled , by the commyng of Messias & sauiour Iesus Christ , by which exercises , who is there of so simple consideration , but hée maye easilye perceiue howe foule a spotte of impietie and ignominie it is to the blemishing of the name of Christe . For if those things be of any vertue and efficacie nowe in these daies : then was it in vaine that Christe tooke thys fleshe vppon hym and came into thys worlde , and that his most confortable and wholesome sacrifice , which he did vpon the aultar of his crosse , is to be estéemed , but of little price . O notable lying and blasphemy , O moste horrible mischiefe and villanye vnneth to be satisfied wyth all the most terrible torments and punishments , that man can deuise or endure .

Wherefore , if thys holye man maye for hys priuate lucres sake , and onlye for hope of a little peltyng commoditye to bryng so hatefull and detestable a kinde of religion into his countries and seignories , and into the societie and felowship of Christian people . How muche more reason is it , that youre Maiestie shoulde embrace and receiue twoo manner of religions within youre Maiesties Realmes and dominions , whyche haue some likenesse and agréement togyther , forasmuch as they do both acknowledge and confesse al one redéemer and sauiour of mankinde , differing in effect only herin , that the one sorte affirmeth that we be fréely and of méere grace and fauoure reconciled to God the father , by the redemption of oure Sauioure Iesus Christ , without any respecte of oure merites , or paimentes of money ? the other addeth to the perfecte and absolute worke of Christ , many other ceremonies and circumstances of their owne good déedes & merites . The which controuersie might very easily by compounded betwixt them , if it woulde please youre maiestie to entermedle in thys matter , and to vse that aucthoritie which of right you ma● , the whiche good worke and enterprise of reconciling these two Churches toguther that are at this iarre betwixte themselues , I am verily perswaded , would be moste profitable to your countrey and subiects , moste acceptable vnto God , m●ste glorious to your highenesse , and sounde most to the continuance of youre honour and renowne , to all the posteritie , that euer youre Maiestie coulde or maye take in hande . The fame and memorie whereof will for euer be recorded in the writings & remembrances of al men and the sound of your praises therfore mount alofte and ascende aboue the skyes . By occasion wherof , youre subiectes of the low countries , in all things most dutifull toward youre Maiestie , and mindefull of so great a benefite bestowed by youre highenesse vppon them , your poore vassalles will be more and more inflamed in hearte and minde to pray vnto God continuallye for youre Maiesties most happy , prosperous and flourishing estate in abundaunce of honoure and felicitie . But forasmuche as the heartes of Kings and Princes bée not in their owne power and willes , but in the hande of God to dispose and tur● them as it séemeth best to his holye wi● and pleasure , as well sayeth Salomon . Omitting many other reasons wyth th● which your Maiestie might be drawn t● haue compassion vpon your poore subiect● miserably oppressed & complayning the● selues most lamentably , I will conuert●● and direct my selfe and my whole spech● to Almightie God , our moste mercyful● and gentle Father , in moste humble wise beséechyng his fatherly goodnesse , that he woulde vouchesafe to looke vppon vs moste myserable caytifes wyth hys mercifull eies of compassion and pitie , not as vppon the offspring of our olde parent Adam , but rather as vpon hys dearely beloued children engrafted and implanted into the bodye and stocke of hys béeloued sonne Iesus Christ , through whose only mediation , intercession , and benefite oure heauenlye father putteth all oure offences oute of hys remembraunce , by the whyche wée haue prouoked hys wrathe and indignation againste vs , for the whych wée are dayly plagued , while Kyngs and Princes , who oughte moste carefullye and tenderlye to tender the weale of Christes Churche , forgetting theyr duetye in that behalfe , doe offer the same to the spoile and rauine of moste deadlye ennimies and desperate cutte-throates : euen hym I saye , the father of oure Lorde Iesus Christe , I moste har●ily and humbly beséeche to stirre vppe youre Maiesties mind with some sharpe ●ricke and touche of hearte , to vndertake the hearing and debating of thys quarrell , that hée woulde inflame youre mynde wyth some feruent zeale and affection of hys holye Spirite , that youre Maiestye by meanes thereof béeyng excited and prouoked to séeke the honoure , and glorye , and encrease of hys sonnes Kyngdome , beséeching him in lyke manner , that hys holye Spirit abidyng alwayes and remainyng wyth you , hée woulde graunte vnto youre Maiestye a moste happye and long lyfe vppon Earthe : And as hée hymselfe was raised vp from deathe moste gloriouslye , so likewise hée woulde exchange this your mortall and corruptible ly● wyth the fruition of his heauenly an●●ternall lyfe , and make you partaker that euerlasting ioye and blessednesse which he hath prepared for all those , whych wyth a sure and an vndoubted fayth , embrace hys Heauenlye promises .

FINIS .