I Haue offered here vnto thy sighte ( Gentle Reader ) some kind of taste , such as it is , of the generall Imbarment of al our English Ships nowe wrongfully withhelde , ●●●…lt the Portes of Spaine , from our countreymen , by their Kinges Commission . For me , being a poore Englishe subiect , omnium postremissimus , to define , or search the cause it appertayneth not : onely of this am I sure , that no such trouble , or aduerse perturbation happeneth at any time vnto gods people , which his prouident wisedome doth not determine , both foreséeinge the beginninge , the cause , the meanes , and continuance , and limiting the end or escape out of the same . Wherein neyther chaunce , nor fortune , nor luck , nor disposition of man hath mastery , but onely the gouernemente of the Lordes prouidence . It is but folly therefore to bee mooued with the vnrighteous course of this wicked worlde : for wée sée that euen from the beginning the wicked broode of the Serpent haue allwaies whetted their téeth against the womans séede : and that the children of darkenesse sometimes vexe , sometimes persecute , sometimes preuail against the children of light . Howsoeuer the cause hereof procéedeth , whether for the punishment of our sinnes here in this life , or for our vigilant watch , or for our triall of faith , or for discouery of wicked and hollow hartes , or in fine for confusion of the aduersary : this is certaine it is the Lords doing , as the trouble , so the deliuerance , and it is marueilous in our eyes . The Prophet Dauid founde the experience hereof in the deserte of Maon : whome Saul and Doeg , and whole armies compassed in on euery side , they hemmed him in , and came about him like stinging hornets : but yet vnlooked for , when hée thought himselfe lost , yea when the gates of death had taken holde vpon him , the Lorde of his especiall grace deliuered him , and set his féete in a large roome . For God had sworne by his holinesse he would not faile Dauid . And how can it be , but that the same our God hauing likewise in the same promise through Christ reconciled vs his seruantes vnto him , and bound himselfe vnto vs , yea euen the force , and power likewise of all his creatures , for hee hath all power in his owne hand , how can it be , but that he doth and will protect especially , yea and wonderfully his seruauntes , that truely feare , and beleue in his holy , blessed , and almighty name .

This spirituall goodnesse , and liuely feeling of faith , because it wanteth in the children of this worlde , where God wonderfully buildeth , they wilfully pluck down , and in reaching a naturall compasse , they ouer reach themselues , trusting and who ly depending vpon their worldly pollicy , and deuise . Hereby they haue confidence in the strength of their owne hand , but distruste in déede that our God is sufficiente almighty , and so by hooke , or by crooke , and extraordinary meanes perform their vnrighteous will , but vse violence & force against their Christian Faith . But whatsoeuer is rightly good , that , is of God , and what God will haue performed in performance thereof he woorketh alwayes like vnto himselfe , for he is good : and therfore whatsoeuuer is of him and his gouernment it is finished by good meanes , and hath his successe profitable , and good : as for the contrary , though it séeme good and profitable for the time , according as they would haue it , yet in finall account , it prooueth méere losse , and vtter confusion , as they iustly deserue it .

In these actions lieth the triall of faith , and in such extremities , or baites of temptation is discerned the note , and difference of good spirites , and bad minded men . The one séeketh helpe , and thrusteth , or shooueth his wil and purpose forward to some , though simple proofe , and that with iniuries , wickednes , and shipwracke of conscience : the other waiteth the Lordes leysure , with long , faithfull , and patient looking till he come . As the Henne ouer her Chickens , so doth the Lord ouer these hys seruants spread his winges , and especiall prouidence : for he couereth them as with a cloud in the heat of the day , and guideth them as a piller of light in darkenesse , hée is vnto them a springing well in time of drought , and a safe , or easie path and way in extreame daunger , yea through armies of men , and maine floudes of the red Sea .

The exploit lately attempted , and performed by some of our countreymen Marchantes , and Mariners , and chiefly encouraged therevnto by Rouland Randall master Gunner of the same Shippe , who lately , and most happely escaped the violence and bondage of the Spanyards doth sufficiently declare the same . For whereas certaine English Shippes , the nomber as yet vncertaine , are at this present generally through al the dominion of Spaine imbarred , and arrested by King Philips Commission to his vse and seruice , when and where , and against whom it shal best please him , and are to that end watchfully and strongly garded that none should scape , our men spoyled of their force , and power : it pleased notwithstanding the Lord our God most wonderfully , when all hope was past , to deliuer a Ship of London called the Violet from the rage , and tyranny of their oppressors : the truth wherof is thus as followeth .

The 25. of May last past this present yeare of our Lord 1585. the aforesaid Ship called the Violet , with eight other Ships were at road in the Harbor or Quince of S. Sebastian . The Shipp was in burthen of 130. Tunne : which but a little before hauing vnbarcked her Marchandise , was now bound to England againe , and had to that end receiued in threscore Tunne . The English men in the Ship being thus occupied about their fraight , and the master Gonner Rouland Randall being on land , there came vnto them the Chorage of Dore , the Captaine of the Towne , so called , with the kinges Commission to stay the Ship , & take the sailes a shore : which they supposing to haue sufficiently performed , they departed .

The next day they came aboord againe , and called for a note of the furniture and shot . The master Gunner espying such a nomber in the Ship , plied him thither , and after many speeches he gaue a note therof , but not in such sorte , and so fully as they were furnished indéede . Certaine English Marchants came a boord the same time to make merry , but this newes was to them a bitter sause for their good chéere . The note of the shot that then was giuen was 8. Kalicuers , & 8. cast pieces , which they would haue had away , but that M. Yong became bound for the stay of the same and the Ship . The same day we heard that the Primerose M. Bondes Ship had escaped . Which escape so encouraged vs , considering the great suit we had made to get our discharge and could obtaine no fauor , that euery man in the Ship bound himselfe to other to stand to al extremities , and when time and winde serued , either to loose our liues , or finde a passage : Emboldned the rather by the forwardnes of Randall the master Gunner , who left nothing vnassayed , or vnready for his part .

The Spanyardes albeit they had surprised all our sailes , as they thought , with sufficient bonds , yet for more security they enuirened vs with force by sea & by land : 6000. men within and without the wals were attendant on this seruice : thre nights before our aduenture , besides them that gaue assault , as you shall vnderstande in the verses followinge . But yet it pleased God to geue vs a gale of wind for passage , and so we aduentured our liberty through the midst of our enemies , who made a wonderfull shootinge and crying , O Anglois , Anglois .

After which our escape , a Pinnase followed vs with a Flag of Truce , wherein the Captaine had sent an English Marchant with letters for our returne : bindinge the same marchant in 18000. crownes not to escape . This marchant and other Spanyards coming aboord our Ship found , as they said sufficient power to withstand all their force , and so were glad to depart with aunsweare as followeth in the verses .