But God be praised , it hath pleased his maiestie , not to winke at this malapert calumny , but to note it with a coale , to their confusion that allowed of that lye , while by his owne hande writ , set downe in the margent of BANCROFTS book , page foresaid , iust ouer aboue these his most impudent assertions . For the K. he is not alte red : Ictus Piscator sapit . his crown & their soueraignty will not agree together , most plainely hee declareth the singlenes of his hart in this behalf , flat contrary to these impudent assertions in the words following .

MY SPEAKING , WRITING , AND ACTIONS , WERE AND ARE EVER ONE , WITHOVT DISSEMBLING , OR BEARING VP AT ANY TIME , WHAT EVER I THOVGHT .

Whereby , as he purgeth him selfe of al dissembling in times past , so hee protesteth , that his speaking , writing , and actions in approuing the present exercise of Discipline , are fully agreeing to his thought & minde , and therefore hee concludeth in these wordes following .

Ergo CASTS THE LIBEL , nequid asperius .

Which is as much to say , as , wherefore the D. assertions are vntrue , to vse no rougher tearmes , which after his accustomed maner , is subscribed as followeth :

I. R. That is , Iacobus Rex .

Which wordes vttered in Scottish after this sorte , if the Chaplaine shall goe about to misconstrue , or wrangle from this his true meaning , his M. hath faithfully promised to giue him such a categoricke , and simple answer by a plain lie in round english , as shall make him , and al his maintainers in this cause , to be ashamed that euer they medled with this matter . Thus god recompenseth the foolish , while hee maketh deceite to returne into the harte of them that forge euil .

And touchinge that truthles TVRINVS , of whome the Chaplain had the paterne of this pagean : he is presently as far out of his maiesties fauour ( let the Bishopists of England trust the intelligence giuen by him to them of the contrary , so much as they lift ) as euer before he semed to be in it . But whether he shal receaue the like recompense in the end , that that his predecessor did , at the the handes of that worthy emperor Alexander Seuerus , while being fastened to a stake , the cryer stoode thus crying to the people , smoke he solde , and with smoke he is punished , it resteth to his maiesties discretion to consider .

But yet I thinke that soe the Chaplaine will not let goe his holde : but wil alledge that in noe wise hee is to bee blamed for building vppon the testimony of this his author , in that declaration at least ( what euer the man be otherwise ) seeing , so publickly & vniuersally , in a maner , it was receiued by many of his betters , for the K. owne declaration , in so much , that it was printed again , & reprinted with a most odious preface at London , without any controlement , in so far as it concerned vs , red , & remarked diligently by many , & vigilantly insinuated to the view of som chief personages of the state , who were made so to like of it , & to thinke it to be of truth , like to som new gospel , that som , not of the most inferior of such , whoe are called children of the most high amonge them , haue not spared , as we heare , to take boldnes therby of late , in their publict Iudiciary trials reprochfully , to vpbraid our countrimen , in the persons of such as were tried before them , comparing them to Scottish men , who when the K. proclaimed a feast , wold needes haue a fast , or contrariwise , when the K. wold haue a feast , they proclaimed a fast , alluding to that false narration , touching the banketting of the French Ambassadour , set downe in that counterfait declaration . And last of al , for the perpetual triumphing memory thereof against vs , it was insert , worde for worde , in the Chronicle of England , compiled by HOLINSHED , and published to the posteritie in print . To the which I answer , that as the multitude of offenders authoriseth not an errour : so he shoulde not haue followed a multitude to doe euill , much lesse shoulde hee haue added euil to euil , and done worse then any that went before him : but before the publishing of so waighty a matter after such a maner , hee should without partiality haue examined the truthe of the thing to the bottome : and not otherwise so impotentlye haue suffered him selfe , to haue bene caryed away through the apish Imitation of men , perfitly knowne to him to be partially affected in this case : yea , and to speake further , howbeit the most part of the things contained in that slanderous libel , after due trial , had bin founde true , yet charity would rather haue buried , euen , the multitude of sins , then so bitterly haue blown abroad some ouersights , to the reproch of a whole reformed church . What could the veriest Papist of them al haue done more ?

But what should be said to a bellie that hath no eares , that poore DEMAS ( if he be no woorse ) hunting appearandly for promotion to some Prelacie ( as the manner is ) is so incorporate with that companie of climers to preferment ( as they call it ) and imbracers of this present worlde , that he is as corrupt , & partial in this case , as the proudest of them : so that of one , ye may learne all : Otherwise , if there had bene but a sponke of sincere judgement in him : as worthelie hee might haue suspected that marueilous heape of most horrible accusations , to haue bene incredible in a Churche , namely , where so long the truth hath beene sincerely preached and professed : So , he needed not to thinke it any strange or new thing , for crafty miscreants , hauiug credit in Court , and church , to finde the meanes many times , to abuse the names of Princes and excellent men : yea , and of God himselfe , as cloakes to couer their diuelish , and naughty deuises . Whereof , let these examples be witnesses , to wit , of IOAB , IESABEL , HAMAN , GEHASI , the old Prophet of Bethel , and all the false Prophets , false Apostles , and false teachers that euer spake , or speak the vision of their owne heart , and not out of the mouth of the Lord : and who ran and runne when the Lord hath not sent them .

And last , touching the printing againe and reprinting of that forged declaration at London , and ioyning it to the chronicle of England , where through some , whome the Lorde hath called Gods , thinking all cock sure , take occasion of vpbraiding the Ministerie of our Countrie when it pleaseth them : As these shall die ignominiously like men , except they repent : So , what honour those haue procured thereby to their Country , & what credit to the chronicle therof , let them brag of it , when the vprightnes of our cause sufficiently cleared by this and the like writings , shall iustifie it selfe to their faces , and the true storie thereof , that shall remaine registred to all posterities , shall witnesse the honesty and duetifull dealing of our Church in al things , to their shame .

Thus much then being spoken , touching the former of the Chaplains two witnesses : let vs nowe come to the other , his inconstant Countrey-man ( as hee describeth him , R Browne for as for mee , hee shall bee no woorse , then he himselfe maketh him ) the naming of whome , belike , might doe his cause more harme , then his testimony can doe it good , and therefore he contenteth him self , with a very slender description of him : so that not without a note of reproch in the end he sendes him packing in these wordes following . This mans opinion heerein ( saith he ) I knowe wil be greately contemned , because I thinke hee hath bin of an other judgement , &c. Howebeit let him finde what fauour at their handes he shall : I must indeede confesse , that if this matter had onely depended vppon his report or opinion : I would not at this time haue made mention of him . Wherby you see what a wethercock he maketh of him , and howe rediculously he leaueth him , to beg credite where hee may finde it , for he can giue him none . Here I omitt to make mention of the Iar , that is fallen out since betweene our Chapleine , and his suborned witnes , for that , that vpon no fair promise of recompense , hee coulde procure newe furniture at his hands , of some more particular matter against the newe onset , that with long preparation he hath intended against vs : Seeing then , that no mans pen nor tong can more discredite this his second witnes , then he doth him self ( partly by the wordes aboue rehearsed , & partly by the D. words following in his declamation , where he flatly again maketh him to be of a changeable humor . ) If he drink no better by his meanes , then hee hath brewed , let him blame himself , vnderstanding that euil aduise is worst to the aduiser : I will not speake at this time of the shameles falsehoode that is alleadged out of the testimonye it selfe , which whensoeuer it shal be particularly examined , will make the D. repent that euer hee cited such a testimony , & specially , where most impudently it is affirmed , that hee hath knowne the Kinge in greate danger , and feare of his life by their lordly Discipline , the contrary whereof , as it is cleerely knowen to al the worthie persons , Ambassadors of England , who haue had their long residence here amonge vs , and priuate intelligence of al our affaires , after an other manner , then euer his wandring witnesse coulde attaine vnto : so is it many wayes affirmed by the K. himselfe , and daylie experience , God be praised , doth confirm the same .

Both the Chaplaines authors then , being such prettie fellowes , as hath bin declared , I trust it be not hard to bee seene , how little credit is to bee giuen to his declamation , grounded vppon their railing reports ( to leaue the demonstration of the falshood of the matter vttered by them , to the owne time and place . ) For he should haue considered , that of how little credit soeuer he was himselfe , yet it behoued his witnesses to be free of infamy , according to the saying , a Proctor may be infamous , but not a witnes . But it seemeth , that either he was not greatly careful of his own name , who would repose vppon the cracked credits of such defamed persons , in so waighty a matter , or els he thought ( as GYGES did , by means of his ring ) to walke inuisible , as in a cloud , that none could or would espy his nakednes . But good man , he is far deceiued , as by the answere to his seuerall asseuerations ( if neede be ) more throughly & sensibly he shall vnderstand .

It is easie then to be seene , how far short the Chaplaine hath come in probation of the alleadged treasonable outlandish practises , of men of the new gouernment ( as scoffingly he calleth the vrgers of Reformation ) whereof he would seeme to take such feare , that except good order be taken to preuent the like at hoame , thinges will grow to some extremities , pag. of his booke 83. And therefore I trust the Q. M. and her honorable Councell , will see this surmised proposition of danger of outlandish practises , by the meanes of Christian Discipline , to be somwhat better proued , before they will feare any danger to insue to their state through the same : yea , and I thinke , if they knew , but euen so much , as heere truly I haue set downe to you ( Sir ) in this short discourse , touching this matter , as the cause of christian disciplin shuld euen be the better liked of them all , seing it , & the fauorers of it , to be so shamefully belied : So the D. patrons in this case , shuld pride themselues but a little , of that slanderous declamation , & thinke them and their cause but smally beholden vnto it , what euer hath bene their opinion thereof before .

For let any wise man iudge , if one eg can be more like another , then the D. maner of reasoning is to that forme : that REHVM SHIMSHAI , & the rest of the men bejond the riuer , vsed in a letter to K. ART AHSHASHTE , for hindering the building of Ierusalem , EZ. 4. saue only , that the iudgement of them beyond the riuer , was found to be in the authentik bokes of the chronicles , according as was alleadged by them : & our chaplains argument leaneth only vpon the counterfeit , & forged chartales of known and confessed infamous persons , & a false Chronical grounded thereupon . Wherefore , if their authentike books of Chronicles , did not truly conuince Ierusalem to be a rebellious citie to kings and prouinces , of what force should this Chaplaines infamous libel be ( I pray you ) against the good brethren of England , to proue that they will be rebellious to their Princes , if that christian disciplin be admitted to haue place within that land ? For as Ierusalem was not a rebellious citie to kings & prouinces indeed , howbeit the books of their Chronicles did beare so : So the exercisers of christian discipline in Scotland , are not necessarily to be accounted rebellious to the K. for exercising of the same , howbeit , the bookes of the register of the acts of Scotland did containe the same . Howe much lesse then , ought false surmised forgeries of known infamous men haue credite in that case ?

And if the enuy of the sect of the Nazarites vrged by prophane TERTVLLVS , is not sufficient to beare downe PAVLE , as a seditious mouer of the people , because he professed , preached , and followed Iesus of Nazaret , whom the Iewes most iniustly & wickedly slewe , as a seditious person , and blasphemer , by the meanes of two subborned false witnesses , Why should the good brethren of England , that seeke reformation , be charged with a mind hereafter of sedition , by the meanes of Discipline , because the Church of Scotland , in respect of the same Discipline exercised in it , is vniustlie , condemned of sedition , by the hie Priests of our daies , two false witnesses being alleaged for that purpose , by their TERTVLLVS at Pauls Crosse ? I see no reason why they should . Let not the comparison be odious , because , I compare not the persons in themselues , but in the causes , which haue their own likenes & agrement in some proportion . I haue insisted the more in this matter , bicaus , your cause and ours , are most neer linked togeather . For the aduersaries would terrifie her M. from admitting of christian discipline within her realm , for fear of like inconueniences to fal out therby to her quiet gouernment , which are falsly alledged to haue fallen out by the same , to our K. & state . How be it , it be not good logicke , to charge the good cause of discipline , with any infamy , by reason of the faults of the Ministers & fauourers thereof , yea , euen put case they were sufficiently proued , seeing that is but a sophisme from the person to the cause , ( as they say ) How much lesse then , ought it to be condemned , when the aduersaries ar not able , do their best , to blot euen the persons , by accusing of whom , they labor to condemne the cause . But I perswade my selfe , that all this their paralogizing , and false maner of reasoning shal helpe them , and hurt vs as little in the ende , as the sophistry of REHVM and his companions beyond the riuer , helped their cause , & hindred the bulding of the Temple : & as the smooth Rhetoricke of TERTVLLVS , preuailed not against PAVLE , no more shall their course alwaies preuaile against the good cause in Englande . Wherefore , let GAI and ZACHARIAS do their parts faithfully , and without fainting , exhort al men acording to their callings , to further this holy building , not doubting , but God in his time , shall mooue DARIVS fully to authorise the building of Ierusalem : howbeit , through the injury of these daies , men may bee forced to leaue of building for a season : And let PAVL stand stoutly to the defence of his iust cause , saying confidently : Neither can they prooue the thinges , whereof now they accuse me . Act. 24. 13. And TERTVLLVS , & his maintainers shall finde themselues disappointed , and PAVL by little , and litle , shal grow to some greater liberty , and his cause shall preuaile in the end .

But nowe let vs come , accordinge to your desire , to the causes why that declamation of D. BANCROFTS , so far as concerning Scotland , is not answered , wherein howbeit I am not to prejudge the church of Scotland , yet for your further satisfaction , I haue thought good to set downe the causes of the delay , so far as euer I coulde learn or perceiue . And first you may be assured that it was not for lacke of habilitie in the meanest of a thousand in Scotlande to haue confuted that calumnious chartale , fraughted with as many lyes almost , as it hath lines , I. W. that it was not answered : howsoeuer it pleaseth som of your grand DD. ( very learned men , T. C. ye may be sure , if they be not far deceued ) reprochefully to point out some of our wel approoued brethren , and especially one , by the note , of like an vnlearned , yea then , a very vnlerned Scot : Whome yet notwithstanding they neuer hard nor sawe , more then D. BANCROFTE did heare and see the Church of Scotland , and the things wherewith most rashly hee doth charge it : But who is so bold , as they say , as blind bayard . Yet if any ARISTARCHVS among them , hath taken occasion of the writing of anye brother here , so to speake , let it bee judged by the learned , what iust cause he had so to do : & I doubt not , but he shal be found to haue had litle learning , and lesse conscience in so doing , which is spoken , not so much for the Apology of any man at this time : as to note the disdainefull contempt of these hauty persons . For he must be of very rare learning , as not a few can beare me witnes , in whom this sort ( for I speake not of all ) of the generation of Bishopists will acknowledge any learning to be , if once directlie and seriously , he oppone himselfe to their pride : For as there is nothing , wherin they commonly boast them selues more , then in the beard , & shew of learning : as thogh who forsooth but they onely : So is there no shaft that oftner flieth out of their bag against others , then the boult of lack learning . Howbeit , if it were not for auoiding of vncomly , and vnchristian rendering of reproch , for reproch , it were no hard mater shortly to decipher the profound science of those two especially , who were chief authors of that reproch , & to let them vnderstand , of what form & classe among the learned , learned men indeede , did euer esteeme them to bee , notwithstanding , all the windye volumes written by them : For Scribimus indocti doctique , &c. Howbeit , yet I deny not so much knowledge vnto them otherwise , as shall bee a witnes against them , if they vse it not better , & as might profit the Church in some measure , if they had grace to imploy it to the right end .

But to returne to our purpose , as the answer was not delaied , for lacke of sufficient qualified men amongest vs for that , & for a greater purpose , God be praised , if need be : so it was thought needles , & superfluous , here amongst our selues , where the truth of those things alledged in that Pamphlet were so clearly known , as there needed no other confutation of them , then the shamelesse impudencie of themselues : And as for the answere , in respect of others , it was delaied first , as I take it , for auoiding of vnhappy contention , that is woont to arise vppon suche occasions , wherby it might haue come to passe , that daungerous alteration might haue bene wrought betweene the two Realmes , as a godly and wise man of yours , commending the discretion of our men in that case , did not conceal , in a letter written to som of good account in our Countrey , not long ago . For the firebrand of selfeloue , and great ardency of men , in defending their owne sayings & doings whatsoeuer , suffereth them not many times , so much to regard the truth and peace of the church , as their own stincking estimation : whereof , there is too great proofe in manifolde lamentable examples , aswell of antiquity , as of our own daies , both far and neer , to the timely admonition of vs all , if aduisedly we consider of the counsaile of gods spirite , saying : The beginning of strife , is as one that openeth the waters , therefore or the contention be meddled with , leaue off : Which howbeit more fitly , it may be applied to the aduersaries ( in this case ) the persuers then to our Church , yet no man I trust , can blame the Ministerie of Scotlande , to regard it greatly , so long as there is any hope that the truth , and their innocencie may be in faftie without their answere : otherwise , they are not ignorant , that , there is no les danger , alwais to keep silence , then neuer , as HILARIE speaketh .

Secondly , the answere was deferred , as I take it , in hope of due redresse to be put to that offence by the Q. M. and her Honourable Counsaile , who our men thought ( as they thinke yet ) esteemed so of their friendship , that they wold not suffer them to lie vnder any opprobrie vnremooued , so farre as lay in them , neither would suffer them to receiue any iniurie vncorrected , at the hands of any whome they might command : For there are not many years past , since it plesed her M. not without signification of a thankful mind , by her letters , to acknowledge the Ministers of Scotland by name , to be hir most louing & trusty frends in Christ ( as yet God be praised they continue to this day , which is not vnknown to her M. & faithful counsellers ) in regard whereof , they yet expect the due amendement of that wrong , and that so much the more , as they haue bene put in hope thereof , from thence by writ , purposly written to that effect , from some great personages , who , howbeit nowe they rest from their labours ( to the no small forewarning of the present state of Englande , if the matter be well marked ) yet our men think , that they shal not lack such fauour in that Counsaile , as shal procure redresse of that iniury in due season , in respect of the good opinion they vnderstande ( and that euen by writ of late ) her Majestie and Counsaile , yet retaine of the Ministery of Scotland , & their christian friendship toward them , & that estate .

Thirdly and last , a secret bridle of God ( who ruleth the actions of men acording to the dispensation of his prouidence ) staied them from answering , for causes known onely to himselfe , as they so sensiblie in a manner haue perceiued ( especially they , who were priuie to the matter ) that the knowledge thereof , may sufficiently satisfie the minde of any modest man , who wil acknowledge the prouident dispensation of God to be such , as howsoeuer the heart of man purposeth his waye , yet the Lord doth direct his steps .

This much I thought meet ( good Sir ) to impart vnto you , touching the dangerous rashnes of D. BANCROFT , in slandering our whole Church so vnaduisedly , after such a publicke manner , and that vppon the naked reportes , of two such infamous witnesses ( partlye , by manifest demonstration of trecherous dealing in one of them , and partly by his owne confession , touching the other ) as are not to haue credite against any particular Christian , much les , against a whole Church , a King , and a Realme : As also touching the causes of the deferring of the answere therevnto , so far as I vnderstand , which things , if they were known to the D. and his complices , ( but euen as heere rudely they are set downe ) they might peraduenture let them haue experience ( which is a fooles , though not a foolishe maister ) that they haue run to far headlong into these slanderous and new deuises : and so hearafter might learne more aduisedly and charitablie , to deale with their neighbours and brethren , who haue deserued no suche things at their hands : Yea , it is very like , if these same things were read , or summarily and shortly reported in her Majesties hearing , either by your selfe , or som other good Christian , who hath credite and fauour about her royall person ( For alack good princesse , the trew report of things , especially in these & the like maters , commeth seldome to her eares , a common calamitie of princes , whoe commonly of all others in the world , are most destitute of faithful persons aboute them , trewlie and without flattery to informe them of the truth of matters as they are in deede . ) If these things , I say , were truly known to her M. I surely perswade my selfe , that those lordly brethren of DIOTREPHES , who rule or rather tyrannise aboue their brethren with violence & cruelty , should be quickly charmed from authorising such rashe libertie of publicke rayling , and defaming of a whol neighbour church , which alway hath so well deserued of the present state of Englande , and their proude hornes should be hastely hamered downe , that they should not be able hereafter , to thrust with side and shoulder , and push all the weake with their hornes , til they haue scattered them abroad , and to make such hauocke of the Churche , by a disguised persecution , as presently they doe : Yea this much at least , I doubt not shoulde be graunted , that ( all bitter inuection and persecuting of the good brethren of England , that are of the same judgment with vs , A louing chalenge of disputation , surceasing ) the controuersie should be decided by the word of God in a lawfull assemblie , and brotherlie conference , appointed by the supreme Magistrates to that effect : Otherwise , if this come not to passe ( which God forbid ) as we must not cease to commend the troubled estate of those our christian brethren , to GOD in our priuate and publicke praiers , so must we not leaue the iust defence of our honest cause of Christian Discipline , which ( touching the substance thereof , whiche chiefly is in controuersie ) hath no les warrand to be continued perpetually within the Church , vnder this precept of Christ , feede my sheepe , then hath the preaching of the worde , and ministration of the Sacraments , and so consequently floweth no more from the authoritie of the Ciuill Magistrate then they doe , whateuer formall professours in worde , but not admitters of the yoake of Christ on their neks indeed , cry out to the contrary . This much ( good Sir ) I thought good by writ to answere to your letter , after this manner , here before set downe , both to satisfie you and others , touching this matter in some measure , which if it shall seeme good to you , ye , either by your selfe , or by some other , may briefly impart vnto her M. Farewell ,