Three treatises religiously handled and named according to the seuerall subiect of each treatise: The mourning weede. The mornings joy. The kings reioycing. Published by R.M. minister of Gods word. Perused and allowed.

THREE TREATISES Religiously handled , And named according to the seuerall subiect of each Treatise : The Mourning Weede . The Mornings Joy . The Kings Reioycing .

Published by R. M. Minister of Gods word .

Perused and allowed .

Mira canam , Sol occubuit , nox nulla secuta .

The Mourning Weede thou tookest me fro , and madest me to reioyce . Psal . 30. v. 21.

Feare the Lord and the King , and meddle not with them that are seditious . Prou. 24.21 .

THOV SHALT LABOR FOR

LONDON Printed by Iohn Windet , dwelling at the Signe of the Crosse Keyes at Powles Wharfe , and are there to be solde . 1603.

The Contents of the whole BOOKE . 1 IN the first Treatise , is shewed what cause wee had of sorowing for the losse of our late renowned Soueraigne ; and thereupon called The Mourning Weede . 2 In the the second Treatise , are set forth the great and vndoubted hopes of our godly reioycing , vpon the proclamation and enioying of our most famous and rightfull King , who is the ground of our reioycing ; and therfore called The Mornings Ioy , the night of heauines vpon the death of our late beloued Queen beeing ouerpassed . 3 In the third and last Treatise , is noted and shewed the dutie of Subiects , and how they should study in all thankfulnes to requite by all meanes possible , so great a blessing , by fearing of God , and honouring of their Prince ; to Gods glorie , and comfort of our King : and for that intituled , The Kings Reioycing .

TO THE RIGHT Honourable , the Countesse of Derbie , his very Honourable good Ladie and Mistresse : R. M. wisheth all ioyfull consolation , of mind● and body , both here and for euer .

RIght Honourable , and illustrious Ladie , it is not the worthines , or any witty conceite , more then ordinary contained in this little and vnworthie worke ( if at least it be worthie to be called a worke ) that hath imboldned mee to present the same vnto your Ho . most fauourable perusing and protection , but your Honors former fauor hath partly emboldned me , and the singular Subiect , our late & dearest Soueraign , whereupon the first Treatise called the Mourning Weed is framed ( if needes I would presume to publish it ) hath deserued to haue the same presented to the eyes of your compassionate affection , so loyally affected , and so louingly beloued of her most gracious Maiestie , as you were .

Not beauteous Ladie , that I would hereby cause the fountaine of your moodie mind a fresh to bee broken vp , & the welsprings of your eyes to bedew againe your cherefull cheekes with brinnish teares , trickling downe your Honors face ; but rather therby to recomfort your sorrowful spirite with this special confection or consideration , namely that Princes ( though neuer so peerelesse ) are mortall and borne to die , as the freshest flower is in a moment withered .

Withall right Ho . this Meditation shall bring a true moderation to your Noble mind , to keep the golden meane , between vnmeasurable mourning , and vnreasonable reioycing ; neuer to reioyce more for any earthly glorie , neither to account better of any worldly honor , then vsually you doe of the fayrest flowers that any earthly garden can yeeld forth ; nor neuer to mourn more for the lacke or losse therof , then for the losse of those thinges , that are most fraile and subiect to fading : Labouring euermore to aspire ( as our late most gracious Soueraigne euer did ) to that true honour which is atchieued by humility , the keeper of vertue , and by religion or piety the Crowne of glory ; to the encrease of glory and fame to endlesse posterity in this life , and to the fruition of all ioy and perfect felicity in the life to come . Finally ( deare Madam ) this conceite shall also mitigate your sorrow , for your late derest Mistresse and Soueraigne ( if your Honor conceiue as the truth is ) that this Mourning weede is not made onely for your honors wearing , but as all the Ladies of honor , and others in this land , haue like cause measurably to mourne , for the losse of our late beloued Queene , & the more company , the more is the comfort as wel in wailing as reioycing , so all according to their leysure , place and calling , if their honors please , may take part with your honor in this weed , and so weare or teare the same , as it shal be thought meet , eyther to be perused or refused onely hoping your honor ( for the duty I beare you ) will accept my sincerity , howsoeuer any other ( that knows not my hart ) shal censure me hardly , for audacious temerity : crauing pardon for my rude tediousnes , and tedious rudenes , in all duty and loue , I humbly take my leaue : leauing your Honor and your Honors honor , my Right honourable Lord , together with your Honors Progenie , to the supreme and highest Maiesty ; and to the guidance of his Grace , that raigneth in eternity .

Your Honors more dutifully affected , then powerable to effect it ; Radford Mauericke . London , the 20. of May . 1603.

The Author to the Booke , in a Sonnet , shewing the summe of the same . BEing prest , passe on , though throngd among the presse Of Poems pure , and peereles bookes of prize ; Thy loyalty thy Prince may Patronize ; Thy course attire , doth parents want expresse ; Thy Zeale , may Zoilus tongue , and pen represse . I seeke no praise , so God be praysde by thee ; It s my reward , if King may honorde be . Shew solemnly , the cause of mourning cheare , For losse of Queene , so sweete vnto this land : Cause to reioyce , in heart with tongue and hand ; For kingly light , that shines to vs so cleare ; And for the Iubilee , assignde to vs this yeare , Prayse Maiesty diuine : pray subiectes to contend , To make King glad , that God to vs doth send . R. M.

THE MOVRNING WEEDE . The first Treatise .

WE reade in one of the Sonnets or Psalmes of King Dauid , that princely Prophet , and sweet singer of Israel , Weeping may abide at Euening , Psal . 30 5. but ioy commeth in the morning .

As if the Prophet should haue said , The changes and chances of this life , and of all mortall things , may be compared to nothing better , then to a day , and to a night , to a morning , and to an euening .

For as we see the experience thereof continually , The fairest and clearest day , hath oftentimes a cloud● ouercast it before night , and sometime a verie great storme or tempest arising ; as on the contrary , after the darkest and most tempestuous night , many times followeth a verie calme and Sun shining day . So likewise in the world , may bee seene and obserued as in a Glasse , the great alterations of Monarchies and Empires , of kings and kingdomes , of Princes and Potestates of the earth ; sometimes the Caldeans must haue all the swinge and sway of the greatest Empire in the worlde , Dan . 7 ▪ 4. sometimes the Persians , God disposeth of kings and kingdoms as it pleas●th him best . some times the Graecians , sometimes the Romanes : so in particular Countries and Dominions , one where a king raigneth , another where a Queen , some where many beare rule , and some where few ; and in some places people are more sauage then brute beasts , and will not submit themselues to any gouernment . Now according to the sundrie turnings and moouings of these higher Spheres , ( hauing all one Primum mouens , Vngouerned people more sauage then beasts . God the sole Monarch of heauen and earth , ) all other inferiour Spheres , are moued , turned about or changed . hence commeth alterations in kingdomes ; hence commeth changes of Kings and Princes , like as when one Planet setteth , another riseth ; when the Sunne or Moone are eclipsed in one Countrey , they shine the more brighter in another : When the Sunne in our Horizon is at the highest , hee declineth the more in some other Countrey contrary vnto vs , neuer staying long in one place : hence is it , that when it is Winter here , it is Sommer else where for it : when it is hote in one climate , it is cold in another . Herehence commeth either fruitfulnesse , or barrennesse , light , or darkenesse : so likewise , from God the first mouer and giuer of all things , God desp●seth of aduersitie and prosperity at his ple●su●e . commeth prosperity , or aduersitie , long liuing , or short continuing , much reioycing , or wofull weeping .

Of all which , the princely Prophet Dauid had experience , aboue all men that euer were borne , ( the sonne of God Christ Iesus , of whom hee was a true figure , excepted . ) And being about that time he composed the thirtieth Psalme , or not long before , in the greatest aduersitie that euer he was ( being expulsed out of his owne house and kingdome by his owne sonne Absolom ) and at that present , or a little before , he sung this Psalme , publikely by Gods great benefite and mercie restored , to his former prosperitie , and reestablished againe in his owne house and kingdome , to his owne exceeding ioy , and singular comfort of his subiects : he compareth the time of his expulsion and aduersitie , to a night or euening , which commonly is darke and tempestuous , and his restoring and prosperitie , to a day or morning , which is vsually bright and more pleasing : saying as I sayd in the beginning , Weeping or heauie cheare , may tarrie or abide at Euening , but ioy or reioycing commeth in the morning . How fitting this Sonnet of Dauid , may sort and agree with this present time , I leaue it at large to bee considered of , hasting to proceede on ( by diuine assistance , ) according as I haue purposed , and promised in the beginning of this booke .

Two things offer themselues to be discoursed of out of the foresaid sentence of king Dauid , namely of Sorowing and Reioycing : first of both of them ioyntly , as they are naturall affections , and then of euery of them seuerally in their seuerall places , or rather of the causes of each of them , according to the time and occasion , and agreeing with my present intention .

Sorrow , and Ioy , are two contrary passions in the heart , which maketh the minde of man either ioyfull or sad , sorie or merrie . And such is the force of either of these passions ( as Phisitions say ) if at least they be receiued into the heart suddenly , and vnexpected , that either of them may bring death or dissolution to the whole bodie , but in a contrary sort , as they are contrarie in nature : sudden sorrow arising of some great cause , pierceth the heart so vehemently with extreeme griefe , that causing it to call in all the naturall heate from the extreeme parts of the body , which being gathered togither , the heart presently closeth vp like a Pursnet , and so being as it were in a swoune , is not able to disperse and send out the same againe , wherevpon death is readie to approach : and either presently , or some time after , The danger of sudden sorow . according to the greatnesse of the griefe it had receyued , by little and little , the vitall spirits begin to decay , the extreamer parts begin to coole , and the whole bodie falleth to dissolution . Therefore it is good for euery one to take heede of sudden sorrow , that they set it not to neare the heart at the first , if they do , though they die not presently , as Rutilius did , whereof Plinie speaketh , or within certaine dayes , as foolish Naball did , who as the Scripture sayth , 1 Sam . 25. ●7 . His heart died within him , and he was like a stone ( assoone as his wife tolde him of Dauids intent to be reuenged of him , and his family , for his churlish answere , ) yet the griefe stil lurking in some corners of the heart ( which causeth it to send forth many a sorrowfull sigh ) is the cause of consumptions , which bringeth forth either a tedious life , or a hastened death : therefore it is truly said , Griefe hath killed many a man . Ioy contrary wise , Ecclus . 30.13 . if it be very great and sudden , may sometimes though not so often as sorrow doth , bring dissolution to the body , though in a contrary sort to sorrow ( as I haue said ) namely by reason of the extreame ioy the heart hath conceyued of some thing aboue present expectation , openeth it self wide as a purse , so that it sendeth forth more naturall heat to the vtter and extreamer parts then it hath strength to recall againe : by meanes whereof , the vitall spirites are so weakened , and the heart so distressed , that ( as euery man knoweth ) teares wil gush out ( in more abundance sometimes for ioy then for griefe ) and the body standeth amazed , as yeelding vnto death , if it bee not the sooner recomforted . As Diagoras is reported of by Gellius , to die presently through excesse of ioy . The inconuenience of sudden and vnexpected ioy . And I haue seene two sundry persons in great extremitie onely for ioy , but recouered : howbeit , I suppose that ioy which is so suddenly taken , doth not bring such detriment to the body or minde afterward , as griefe & sorrow do . In respect of these two extremities , wee are taught by the wise , a true mean & moderation , namely , to thinke dayly before hand , that we know not what newes may befal vs before night : yea , euery day and houre to pray to God for grace and patience , that so wee may neuer bee puft vp with prosperitie , nor throwne downe with aduersity , which is the part of a man full of prudency , paciencie , and pietie as Iob , and king Dauid were : & therefore were not throwne downe with the greatest aduersities , but with prayer and patience , they ouercame the same , and both might sing this part of the song ( as no doubt they did in their languages . )

Then didst thou turne my griefe and wo , Psal . 30.11 . vnto a chearefull voyce : The mourning weede thou tookest me fro , and madest me to reioyce .

And as it is before said , Weeping abideth at euening , but ioy commeth in the morning . Thus hauing spoken somewhat of these contrarie passions in generall , I will now begin to speake of either of them in particular . First of sorrow , in this first Treatise , or as I haue said , of the cause of our late sorrow . And forasmuch as the Scripture calleth kings nursing fathers , Esay . 49.23 . and Queenes nursing mothers of the church and common wealth : How can it bee that we the people of this land , & the natiue subiects of such a soueraigne , being now lately weaned from any longer sucking the sweete and tender paps of our late most dearest beloued Queene , Our late Qu . a most louing nurse to the land . who liuing , loued vs as dearely ( doubtles ) if not more dearly , then euer any nurse or mother loued her beloued babe , & dying , cared for vs better , then we could for our selues : yea , and through whose tender , and most motherly care all the while she liued & raigned ouer vs , we haue bin fed ( as I may say ) with the pappe of this land , with milke and honie ( as the scripture saith ) both in our soules and bodies , 1. Pet . 2.2 . I meane with the sincere milk of Gods worde ( as Peter cals it ) and with the sweetest Hony-suckles of all peace and prosperitie : how can it be ( I say the premises considered ) but that we and euery one of vs ; should sob and sigh in our souls for griefe of hart , & say as Dauid once said though happily in another sense , Psal . 131. My soule is euen as a weaned child that weepeth for his nurse : and as the same Psalmist saith in another place , I go heauily as one that mourneth for his mother , Psal . 35.15 . or as one that maketh a great and grieuous lamentation , about his mothers graue ?

We read in the Chronicles of the scriptures , that when king Iosias the ioy of Iudah died , 2. Chron . 35 24 , 25. all Iudah and Ierusalem mourned greatly for him , as great cause they had , their reasons , for that he put away all Idolatry from them , restored and established true religion amongst them , kept the greatest and ioyfullest Passeouer that euer king kept in Ierusalem before or after him , loued the land and his subiects most tenderly , and loued and serued God himselfe all the dayes of his life most zealously and deuoutly : insomuch that the holy Ghost regestreth & blazeth his praises in the booke of eternall fame , in this sort . Like vnto king Iosias was there no king before him , 2. King . 23.25 . that turned to the Lord with all his heart , and with all his soule , and with all his might , according to all the law of Moses , neither after arose there any like him . For this cause it is said in the Text , That Ieremiah the Prophet lamented Iosiah , and all singing men , and singing women mourned for Iosiah in their lamentations , and made the same for an ordinance vnto Israel , to be kept in remembrance vnto succeeding posterities .

Now beloued king , Queene Elizabeth compared with king Iosias . Iosiah neuer was more zealous for the law , then our late beloued Queene was and hath beene , both for the Law and the Gospel : Iosiah carefully purged his land from Idolatry , and our Queene with as great care from Id●latry & other rags of popery ; Iosiah pulled down the Idols which his p●ople worshipped , & our Queen pulled down the Idols in chur●hes , but specially that great Idoll of the Masse , which the most part of her subiects honoured : Iosiah had none , that I read of , that resisted him in his work , if any , but priuate subiects , & some of the Priests ; out Queene had not only her priuate subiects , and the most part of her Priests & Bishops , but also many and mightie forraine enemies , as the Pope a petty God on earth , and many other great Princes in the world of his confederacie , that for this godly fact of her Maiesties , sought continually the ruine of her selfe , subiects and country ; from whose malice and might , the Lord did euer protect her grace most miraculously . Iosiah erected , stablished and continued all his daies true religion , and the true seruice of God in his land ; the world knoweth , our Queen hath done the like in this land of ours : Iosiah caused the law to be read & published to the people in his time ; & her Maiesty hath caused both the law and the Gospel , to be purely preached all her dayes ; and at her death was as carefull to haue the same continued amongst vs till the day of doome , if the Lord in his mercie would graunt the same . In a word , Iosiah king of Iudah , neuer loued his subiects better then our late most gracious Queen Elizabeth ( for it comforts me to recite her name ) hath loued vs , her people & loyal subiects ; whose loue & loyalty was her Maties ioy & reioycing while she liued , and her comfort when she died : which caused her also before shee died , not onely as I haue said , to loue vs deerly , but to prouide for all our safeties after her departure hence most tenderly , that true religion might be preserued , and the publike peace of her country maintained , praying God , as heartely ( no doubt ) as euer Iacob prayed for his children in his death-bed , to blesse this land , and her people with all heauenly happines , and induring prosperity : Ieremy , 31.19 How then , should wee not weepe and mourne for the lacke & losse of such a mother ? Rahell the mother of some of the children of Israell , by a fine figuratiue speech is brought in , in the scriptures , mourning for her children after she is dead ; we therefore , the liuing children of this land , may well mourne for our dearest mother , not because shee is dead , for therein she hath but yeelded vnto nature , but because shee is no longer liuing to care for vs , and to comfort vs , and dayly to pray for vs , as heretofore she hath done .

When the virgin daughter of Iphtah Iudge of Israell , Iudges 11.40 . was according to her Fathers rash vow eyther put to death ( as many hold ) or kept onely from marriage ( as Tremelius thinketh ) the virgin daughters of Israell her fellowes , went foure times euery yeare , while they liued , out into the wildernesse , that there they might bewaile her Virginity . That Virgin doubtles , neuer loued Israell halfe so well , as our Virgin Queene hath loued England ; therfore let our enemies giue vs leaue to mourne a while , & let all the Virgins in this land , establish it for a law in their hearts , to mourne yearely in measure vpon the day of the death of their fellow Virgin , ( in respect of their virginity ) though while she liued , Our English Virgins may yearely mourn for the losse of a Virgin Queene . far aboue them in authority .

And here I cannot but remember a certain note which is to be read in our Chronicles , whereby it seemeth that our Queene deceased , was by diuine inspiration perswaded to liue and die a Virgin , for at a time of a Parliament , in the first entrance of her Maiesties most happy raigne : There was an earnest motion made by the speaker of the Parliament , by the consent of both houses , to moue her Grace to marriage , without any limitation of time when , or person whome she should marry with , leauing that ( as it was meete for Subiectes to doe ) to the excellency of her wisedome in due time to consider of . The manner of this motion ( because it was simple ) and the mindes of all the mouers , ( because it proceeded from their loues , and tended to succession , and so to the great good of the land , as it might be hoped ) her maiesty liked & allowed of exceedingly well : But to the matter , which was for her grace to marry , her answere was so excellent , that me thinks I could willingly recite it ( verbatim ) worde for worde . Her Maiestie intended to lead a Virgins life from her tender yeares The summe was , That from her Maiesties yeares of vnderstanding , she had chosen ( as she said ) that life of Virginity , as most pleasing to her minde , to serue God in ; that to that day , her minde so continued , notwithstanding many honourable offers made her grace , both by the Prince ( as shee said ) and others for her great aduancement : That if her mind were not resolued otherwise in time to come to marry , for the benefite of succeeding posterity , yet her Maiestie did not feare or doubt , ( wherein surely wee may note a diuine working ) but that almighty God would so worke in her hart , ( to vse her own wordes , ) and in the hartes of your wisedomes ( meaning her Councellors no doubt , & nobilitie of this land , ) that as good prouision ( saith she ) may be made in conuenient time , whereby the Realme shal not remaine destitute of an heyre , that may be a fit gouernour , & peraduenture saieth her Maiestie more beneficiall to the Realme , then such ofspring as may come of mee : Lastly , sayeth her Grace ( and euen with a secret ioy shee seemes to speake it , ) for me it shall be sufficient , that a marble stone declare , ( as I doubt nothing , but with all care and cost will now be prouided ) that a Queene hauing raigned such a time ( vncertaine scarsely hoping then she should raigne in such peace and prosperitie fortie and foure yeares ) A marble stone , ( sayeth she , now the richest Adamant more fitting ) doe declare and make knowne to all posterity , Queene Elizabeth her owne Epitaph , made by her Maiesty 44. years before ●●e died . that a Queene hauing raigned so long , liued and dyed a Virgin . With this aunswere , and many thanks , and leaue of her Grace , the Speaker and the rest departed , who whether they should , or did more wonder at her Maiesties prudency , or chastity , I cannot tell .

Such a Queene had we once , such a Queene had we lately , such a Queene haue wee lost , Prudency and Chastitie matcht together . as the world hath not now the like , for a nurcing mother to this land : who then dare blame vs for mourning and weeping not I say still , for the death , but for the lacke of such a mother ? Mourning in mea ure commended . yea , no doubt , mourning in measure , in faith and in the feare of God , for the losse of our Parents of our body naturall , or of the body politike , is agreeable to the law of nature , allowed of by the law of Nations , consonant to the will or law of God , and confirmed by infinite examples as well diuine , as prophane .

Christ himselfe the patterne of all pietie , wept & mourned at the death , Iohn 11.35 . though not for the death of his friend Lazarus : and may not wee mourne then , though not for the death , least God thereby be offended , whose will therein is effected , yet at the hearing of her death , and at the funerals of our best beloued & most worthy to be loued Queene , who was not onely a friend and defender of our whole Countrie in generall , but specially , and in particular , a faithfull friend of the fatherlesse , and a firme defender & redresser of the widdows cause , and all other that she knew oppressed or in any aduersity ? A Rule for mourning . Notwithstanding ( herein I say still ) there must be a meane and measure obserued , and to obserue the same , this rule may bee prescribed , to mourne as Christians , and not as the Heathen and Papistes doe , with crossing and praying for the soules of their friends departed , as though they had no hope of their eternall saluation .

Luk . 23.28 . Moreouer , when the women of Ierusalem wept and wayled exceedingly at the crucifying of Christ , ( & what true christian could behold the same wi●h out weeping ) because in their wailing happily they did not consider the true cause of their mourning , which should haue been for the miseries that were to come vpon them , and their posterity , Therefore Christ himselfe reproueth their we●ping .

So doubtlesse should God be offended , if we the people of this land should onely weep and mourne for the death of our Queen , and not for our selues , and for our children , for our sinnes , and for our vnthankfulnes , which as otherwise we were vnable , so for our sinnes peraduenture many of vs vnworthy , to haue so great a ioy , and rich a Iewell any longer to raigne or remaine among vs.

For who knowes not that her Maiestie , Queene Elizabeth a peereles Prince . while she liued was a Prince of peerelesse prise , & who seeth not , ( with griefe I speak it ) that the multitude of this land are a people , ( as Esay sayde of the Iewes ) loden with iniquitie ? Esay 1 4. And therefore though the Lord haue most assuredly receiued her maiesties soule vnto his owne most glorious maiestie , and sacred selfe , and hath yet intended as I trust for his names sake , and for his gospell sake , and for his sons sake , in whose name all the faithfull night and day , offer vp their zealous prayers vnto God , to bee longer mercifull to this land , yet that letteth not , but that euery one in this land , euen the best of vs all , as well Pastors , as people , magistrates , as common subiectes , eyther for our manifold sinnes committed , or for many good duties neglected and omitted , or for both , together with the manyes of the multitude , that haue slept almost , if not altogether Endimions sleepe in sinne , and all searefull security : we all I say together , and euery one of vs in particular , may with the Prophet Ieremie , take vp a lamentation , though not ( as I remember still ) for the death of our good Queene , yet for feare our sinnes were the cause , that God would not suffer her maiestie ▪

Mans dayes determined with God , how long they shall last .

Iob . 14 , 5.

any longer to raigne , or remaine among vs.

And yet herewithall the godly may take great comfort , and the enemie hath no cause to reioyce , that as wee by Gods word are assured , All our dayes are numbred , so the threed of her Maiesties life was drawne out , till there was not one inch or ende thereof leaft vpon the spindle ; and the lampe of her life gaue light so long , The Lampe of her maiesties life burned , so long as the oyle of nature did endure . as the oile of nature with in her did endure : notwithstanding the Pope and Papistes by all pestilent practises , haue sought and assayed , and the seekers haue payde full deare for their labour , with all kind of instruments to cutte off this golden threed , they cared not in what place , whether in the beginning , middle , or last ending thereof , and haue spued out all kind of poyson , & in all pestilent sort that the diuell could deuise , to delay the oyle of the Lordes own annointing , that so the light of this glorious lampe might haue been extinguished , before the darke night of naturall death approched , and before her Maiesties dayes , which God appointed her before shee was borne , were determined and fulfilled .

Also in this we ought greatly to reioyce , and to prayse God for the same , not onely for that , as I haue said , her Maiesties life was drawne out euen vnto declining old age , very neare to the age the Scripture long since appointed out to a man , euen threescore and ten yeares , but also , Psal . 90.10 for that her grace in all peace , happines and prosperity raigned and ruled this Realme with all magnanimitie , prudencie , and regall authority , to the ioy of her Subiects , and griefe of her enemies , Her Maiestie had as long & happie a raigne as any Prince n this land , either since or before the conquest . so many years almost as any , and farre more yeares then many of her Predecessors , since the time of the Conquest , or before .

And as her Maiestie while shee liued , and raigned as Gods Lieutenant here on earth , was for her most rare giftes of body and minde , of nature and grace , worthily acknowledged & accounted of , as the onely wonder of the world , Our Queene the wonder of the world . so we may be assured almighty God ( through the rich merites of his sonne ) hath now receiued her Maiesties soule , with great triumph , and with no lesse reioycing both of saintes and Angels , from this valley of teares , into his heauenly Hauen of eternall rest , to raigne with the Trinity , in all enduring and endlesse felicity .

And though her Maiestie were a Virgin and a mayden Queene , yet was shee the mother of as many loyall and obedient children and subiectes , Loue requited with loue . as euer was any Prince in Christendome : and this loue of her Maiesties louing Subiects was not lost , for neuer was ther prince in the worlde , or vnder the heauens , that loued and cared better for her Country , people , and louing Subiects , then her maiestie hath done , during all the time of her most gracious and happie raigne , yea all they that knew her Maiestie know ful wel , and they that were euer neare her grace , know better , but the God of heauen the sounder of all secret thoughtes , as her Maiestie sayd in her prayer before Cales Voyage , knoweth best of all , The continual care her Maiestie had for the good of her countty and people . the ardent loue and affection , the continuall care and carking , that her Maiestie had for the good of her country , and her most louing subiects : yea such was her Graces care for vs , and ouer vs , night and day , that shee did euen wither and weare out , not onely her beautie , but her mind and body in continuall study , and caring for her countries good , and the preseruation therof : yea surely which is most of all , ( and I may not omit it ) such was her loue and desire of her Subie&es safety , that Pelican like , Anno ▪ 1588. Her Mai●stie camped in the field , resolueth to resist the force of her foes . she could & was alwayes contented , if need had or did require , to haue ventured her life , in token of her loue , and for our sakes to haue spent and spilt her dearest bloud , as besides many testes and Testimonies , Tilbury fieldes shall witnes for her maiestie , so long as this earthly Globe endureth .

Well , all this maketh our mourning to encrease the more , for the more her maiestie cared for vs , the more cause had we to loue her , the more we loued her while shee liued , the more is our sorrow now , not for that shee is dead , but for that she liued no longer among vs , and that such a flower should be pluckt so suddenly from vs. For indeede our late beloued Queene of England , was a flower for sweetnes , full of fragrancie : for shew , full of all beuty and maiestie : for sap , full of all sobriety ▪ for vse , indued with all vertues excellencie .

Such another Queene as her Maiestie , was yet neuer seene ( I suppose ) in earth to rule and raigne in any kingdome ; And such another flower as her Maiesty was ( sure I am ) neuer florished in our English garden . Out alacke , had wee but one earthly light vnder the Moone , and must thou darke death needes eclipse it , for quencht it thou hast not ? had we but one Iewell in this land , and must thou needs steale it away on a sudden , while we slept in all sinfull securitie ? Had wee but one choyse flower in our garden , and must thou needes gather it ? well , thou hast done thy worst , and wee haue this to solace our selues withal , in the midst of our sorrowes . Since the greatest light in the world , the Sunne I meane , is subiect to eclipsing , the richest Iewell in the earth is subiect to stealing , the freshest and fairest flower , that euer grew in that gallant Garden of Eden is subiect to withering . Kinges and Princes dying comp red vnto flowers withering . Esay 40.6 . And the greatest king and Monarch of the worlde , is but as a flourishing flower of the fielde , and therefore subiect to dying : flowers are but flowers , though neuer so fresh and fragrant , and flesh is but flesh ( as Esay saith ) though neuer so gallant . Thou dire death , but stately Sergeant ; herein thou hast but done thy dutie , ( as our Queene mortall by nature , The off●ce of death . hath but yeelded to necessitie ) which is , to arrest Kings as well as Clownes , for Kinges are borne , and therefore Kinges must die : and to take Princes and Potentates , as well as people and Subiects , down from the stage of this life , to rest a while in the atiring house of their graues , till others that succeede in the next scene of this earthly Tragedy , haue plaied their Pageants , and so discend downe vnder the cloth of mortality , to accompany their fellowes that went before them : Singing most solemnely passing downe the Stage , that sweete Song of Barnard , The end of al earthly glory . to all people whom they leaue behind them , Dic vbi Solomon ? and all the people answering with this pleasant Applaudity , Sic transit gloria Mundi .

The End of the Mourning Weede .

The Mornings Joy .

WHEREIN THE CAVSES OF ALL OVR reioycings for the happie proclaiming , and present enioying of our royall king , are briefly and plainly described .

Prou. 20.28 .

Mercie and truth preserue the King .

LONDON Printed by John Windet , dwelling at Powles wharfe , at the signe of the Crosse keyes 1603.

GAVDIVM POPVLI , HVMILIME CONSECRATVM REGI : COR PLEBIS

MOst noble and renowned king , most deare and vndoubted soueraigne , neuer was this sage sentence Happie is that realme where either Philosophers be Kings , or kings philosophers , more truly verified then at this time ; nor neuer had nation more need then we the people of this land , duly to consider of it , in al thank fulnes towards God , and in all loue and loyaltie towards your Maiestie .

The consideration whereof hath euen compelled mee ( the vnworthiest of your Graces ministerie ) to compile , though in a most rude and ill-digested sort , ( either for want of leysure , or learning , or both ) this present pamphlet , sprowting forth into three braunches , carrying their titles according to the chiefe argument , or subiect whereupon they are framed .

The middle braunch ( wherevpon vertue vseth to rest ) drawing her sweetest sap from you our singular good soueraigne , and therefore as due to your Maiestie , ( not in my name , that am altogither vnworthy to be named ) but in the name and behalfe of all the ioyfull subiects of our Deuonian Countrey or Shire ; the same is presented , ( an vnworthie present truely for a king ) to the most leasurable pervsing ( if at least euer there may be leysure allotted to looke vpon it ) and to the princely protection of your gracious fauour : the rather , for that your grace is not onely a fauourer , but a father vnto all those that seeke by any means ( how simple soeuer ) to further the proceedings of the Gospell .

Most humbly praying your royall Maiestie , fauorably to passe ouer al the imperfections of this rough and vnfiled worke , pardoning the workman for his loue and loyalties sake ; and finally to receyue this poore mite , of a ministers good meaning , into the treasury of your noble mind ; among the rich iewels of the learneder sort of this land , that either are , or may be offered : nor for the repairing , but for the comforting & refreshing of you our king , & vnder God vnto vs a most sacred sanctuarie . Beseeching the supreme Maiesty , who sitteth in the mercie seate , in sancto sanctorum , betweene the Cherubims , to blesse your highnesse with a glorious raigne , and to make the people of all your Graces Dominions , zealous , thankful , and obedient subiects , first to God , next to your Maiestie ; Amen .

REX ET REGINA BEATI A Almighty God in mercie hath , H All Englands ioy renewed ; N Not our deserts , but blessed loue , E New blessings hath bestowed , N No naturall dew , but heauenly rain . N Now Albion land may see , A A King , a Queene , a Prince , a Peer , R And yeare of Iubilee . R Religion long to Englands ioy , Y Remained hath in deed : E Exceedingly God doth it keep , P Enduring to our seed . G God haue the prayse , & still our prayer , R Giue grace ( O God ) to heare : I Indue our hearts with loyalty , Y Inure our soules to feare ; N Nothing but thee , and thee alon . N Now ioy we much to see : A King , a Queene , and noble Prince , C All regall in degree . E. God saue our King , our Queene , and Prince , God shield them from annoy : Confound ( O God ) all Popish pride , Thine enemies ( Lord ) destroy . R. M.

THE MORNINGS IOY . The second Treatise .

IT is reported , and agreed on by many wryters of antiquity , One Phoenix in the world at one time . that there is but one Phaenix in all the worlde at one time , which bird after she hath liued a long time ( some write 600. yeares ) by a secret instinct of nature , being readie to die , maketh her nest higher in the toppe of the mountaines then euer before ( like as they report the Swanne singeth sweetest when her ende is neerest , ) euen so high that with the reflex of the Sunne , and beating of her wings , both she and her nest are set on fire , and so burned into ashes ; out of whose ashes they say , springeth and ariseth a new Phaenix : And it is no lesse assented vnto by all Nations and people of the world ( except Papists ) that knew our Queene , Our late Queene while she liued , a rare Phoenix . her wisdome , learning , and religion , that shee was while shee liued , the onely Phaenix , among all the Kings and Princes of the world .

Now see wee then the wonderfull working of God , and so see it , that wee may vnderstand it , and so vnderstand it , that wee may remember it , and so remember it , that while wee liue , wee may not forget to prayse God for it . The matter and the manner whereof is this .

So long as our Phoenix Queene liued , and flourished in health and strength of nature , another Phaenix for vs was not to bee founde , no nor to bee spoken of : but no sooner began shee to decay , and to yeeld vnto nature , but presently as yet were out of the Ashes of her burning zeale , and loue towards vs , shee with the care of her noble Councell , Our kings most right & lawfull successor to the Emperiall crowne of England . and others of her Nobilitie pointeth vs out a succeeding Phoenix , a moste sure and certaine successour , and right inheritor , to the Imperial Crowne of this Realme ; no forreiner , but of the royall bloud , his owne Grandmother being borne and bred in this lande ; and the eldest daughter of our late Soueraignes grandfather , king Henrie the seuenth of famous memorie , and of as famous renowne for many speciall vertues , and princely qualities , as any king of this land that I haue read of , eyther before or sithence the Conquest .

Our king Iames a most noble Phaenix Who this new and noble Phoenix is , Proclamation with sound of Trumpe , hath euery where proclaymed ; and the heartes of all true Subiectes acknowledge , with as great ioy and reioycing both in Cittie and Countrey , as can bee wished or desired .

It is Iames the sixt of that name , by Gods grace King of Scotland , and by Gods speciall prouidence and appoyntment , the first of that name , King of England , France and Ireland , defender of the faith ; so that now we may boldly and in the sweetnesse of our soules say , as dutie bindeth vs , God saue King Iames , our Noble King .

We read much in the Gospel of Iames and Iohn , Math . 4.21 . they were two disciples , and nere kinsmen to our Sauiour Christ , according to the flesh .

Nowe , when our Sauiour was dying on the Crosse , in the greatnesse of his loue , Iohn . 19.25.26 , 27. commended the cure and care of his beloued mother , to his cosin and Disciple S. Iohn : but when our late Queene the Mother of our Countrey died , shee in all her loue committed , or at least earnestly wished , the care and gouernment of all her children and louing subiects to be committed ( to whom also of right it belonged ) to the godly care of Iames king of Scotland , her Maiesties neerest and dearest coosin , Our king Godson , and neare coosin to our late beloued Queen . and most louing Godson : which king Iames , though he be not an Apostle , and the brother of Iohn , yet I am sure , and Gods euerlasting name be praysed for it , his Maiesty is a perfect Protestant , and of the very same religion that Iames the Apostle was ; hauing both one God , one Christ , one faith , one baptisme , yea and vnder God , as well able , if not more able , to keepe and defend all good Protestants , his beloued subiects , from the power and tyranny of the Pope and Papists , as euer S. Iohn ( by any naturall gift he had ) was able to saue and defend the beloued mother of our Sauiour , from the rage and persecution of Herod , Pilate , Cayiphas , & all the rabble of Priests , Scribes & Pharisies . And here I cannot but remember a prettie tale of certaine women going on Pilgrimage to Saint Iames of Compostella , or some such like place , who all the way ( the wind being hard in their faces ) prayed God and Saint Iames , the winde might turne ; but their praier was neuer heard , vntil they returned home , and by meanes thereof the winde was worse in their faces homewarde then before . The Papists praying to Saints doth them no good So truly these many yeares the Papistes haue prayed God and Saint Iames , the winde might chaunge in our Countrey : and now being chaunged , their faces may bee neuer the warmer by any thing I knowe , by the chaunge of our gracious Queene , vnto our godly King Iames , except they agree with his Maiestie in Religion . Whose Graces most noble and worthie prayses if I should but once beginne to report , by reason of mine ignoraunce and insufficiencie , I should rather eclipse and darken , then any way open or reueale the same as appertayneth ; besides the incurring of a great suspition , A Minister ought to take heed of flatterie . of that grieuous vice of adulation or flatterie , which a Minister of the Gospell , ( aboue many other vices ) ought to beware of .

And if it were or had beene my purpose , to passe away the tyme , and to fill out the Page with Publishing of prayses ; then I might put ouer all the rest that I yet intende to speake or write of , vntill an other yeare . I meane the reporting of the most deserued prayses , of our late peerelesse Prince , and renowned Queene Elizabeth , would bee a labour so infinite , which thing indeed ( if I were worthy and able ) I might do the more lawfully , and therein nothing offend against duty , seeing as the saying is , The vertues of the godly doe neuer dye . post funera virtus ; after death , the vertues of all godly Princes and good people , may be published , and sounded out with the golden trumpe of eternall fame .

Howbeit , to the performing of such a work as the reporting and publishing of her Maiesties more then deserued prayses ; seeing I know mine own insufficiency , and want of skill , and also acknowledge mine owne saplesse barrennes , and inabilitie for such a purpose , I do therefore willingly leaue and assigne ouer so great a taske ( in due and conuenient time , with sound and mature deliberation to bee performed ) either to the most clarified wits of our purest Poets , and rarest Chroniclers of our age ( those who all their life long haue drunke of the sweetest streames , The worthiest vnworthie enogh to report her Maiesties worthy and deserued prayses . that spring out of Parnassus hill ) or to the finest Academians ( either diuines or other ) that England or all Europe yeeldeth , whosoeuer they bee , that haue diued deepest , into the profundity of all artes and sciences .

And it may be ( I speake it not to discourage any for the greater the worke , the greater also is the glory of him that doth well finish it ) onely I say it may be , when they haue throughly considered euery way as appertayneth , not all her Maiesties best deserts , & worthy prayses ( for who can number them ) but the rarity of her wisedom , and varietie of all excellent kindes of knowledge and learning ( for there were few tongues in Christendome , but eyther her Maiestie spake them eloquently , or vnderstood thē perfectly : Her Maiesties singular knowledge in the tongues very admirable . when this ( I say ) and such like as I cannot thinke of , shall come into their mindes , before they publish the same with conding praises to the world , it may be they may say ( though not publickly , yet priuately to themselues ) Hic labor , hoc opus est , such another taske we neuer tooke in hand before .

For my part , seeing I haue intermedled , not presumptuously , but dutifully and louingly , ( as God knoweth my hart ) in this kind of businesse : I will craue leaue of the learned to draw my necke out of such a yoke , concluding this poynt with that sweet saying of Salomon : A good name better then a sweet oyntment . {αβγδ} melius est bonum nomen , quam vnguentum bonum . A good name and a glorious fame , arising of true vertue , & grounded vpon good desert , is farre better and sweeter then any precious oyntment , though compounded with the purest spices : as that oyntment was , which the law commaunded to be made for the anointing of of Kings , Exod 30.23.34 . Priests , and Prophets . That oyntment will smell throughout all the house where it is , though locked vp neuer so closely : and this oyntment of her maiesties fame , I doubt not , wil smel the world throughout , and giue a most oderiferous sauor in the nostrels of all succeeding posterities , mauger the mallice and malignitie , of al Antichristian Iesuites , or pestilent Papists wheresoeuer . Yea , I am more then assured , Math . 26.13 . that as Christ said of Maries annoynting of him with that precious boxe of ointment of spicknard wheresoeuer the Gospell be preached , there her fame for that fact shall euer be reported ; So I say , I doubt not to affirme it , the glorious fame of our late renowned Queene , for her first establishing , The glorious fame of our late renowned Qu . touching her care in religion shall euer be remembred . publishing , and most constant confessing , of the Gospell of Christ : ( Notwithstanding all the might and mallice of the diuell , Antichrist his sonne , and al his adherents ) together with her Maiesties sound perseuerance therein , euen vnto the end of her daies and her most Princely care as long as life did hold , for the continuance and propagation of the same Gospell , and true religion in al her Maiesties realms , territories , and dominions , after her grace ; decease , and naturall dissolution . This worthy worke of her Maiestie ( I say ) the Chronicles of all ages and in all Christian kingdomes shall report , to the increase of her fame , and good encouragement of all other Christian kinges and Princes in Christendome , to doe the like by her Maiesties example , or to be ashamed before men and Angels , if they doe the contrary , so long as printed paper shall endure .

Now then to proceede on with our purpose , no sooner ( as wee haue said ) was our most fortunate and female Phoenix disolued , but presently anew Phoenix , of the more worthier gender , and of the same royall bloud was published and proclaimed , so that before we could well consider , and therefore lesse mourne for the death of the one ( the life and light of the other approching ) our mourning was changed into most vndoubted hopes of reioicing ; so that heauines and bitter lamentation abiding at euening , The ioy of our new king ●xpelled the cloud of sorrow we had conceiued vppon the death of our late Qu . ioy and exceeding cause of godly reioycing came in the morning ; therefore may this little Treatise , howsoeuer impolished rightly be called The Mornings Ioye : First in respect of the ioyes alreadie apparant , as also for the ioy of the great hopes wee are hereafter to expect all which are already I trust truly conceiued , in the harts of al the godly of this land , & by Gods speciall prouidence , & the zealous prayers of the faithfull , may be euery day more and more cherished , increased and continued , to the glory of God ( who hath began it ) and to the great greefe of the godles , that in hart and mind much repine at it , howsoeuer God doth bridle their affections , and suffer them not to breake out into open rebellions .

And for this cause do I the rather call many of our hopes , vndoubtedly conceiued & already in esse , but hopes of expectancy , that none may haue cause to vpbraid me , that I should Canere Triumphum , ante victoriam : for though I be young , yet am I not altogether ignorant of the subtill sleightes of Sathan , who now , as euer heretofore ( since he was cast out of heauen and euer will doe , till hee bee chayned fast in hell ) hath with all his sleights , Sathan ●eekes to st●p all godly purposes in the beginning . might and malice , endeuored to crush the braines of all godly purposes ( entended for the good of Gods Church and children ) in their swadling cloathes , Gen. 3.1 . as I may say . So hee dealt with our first Parentes in Paradise : So with the godly Patriarkes : So with the children of Israel , when they were to come out of Egypt , and in the wildernes : causing the multitudes much to murmure , and to rebell against Moyses and Aaron , Exodus 16. c & 32.1.19 . but most busily while Moses was in the Mount , stirred vp the people vnto most grosse Idolatrie , to this ende ( as the olde Fathers haue thought ) that Moses might be ouer heate in his zeale , in beholding their cursed Calfe , and so breake the Tables of the law , as indeede hee did , wherein their greatest good was intended and included . So afterward , when they should enter into the promised land , ten of the twelue searchers sayd , The land of Canaan indeed , is a very good land , Numb . 23.28.29 . flowing as God had saied , with milke and honey : but the Cities thereof were strongly walled , and mighty Giants and Anakins inhabited them , so that it was impossible to ouercome them .

So after when the Iudges ruled , Iudg 5 31. 1. Kin . 6.1 . & 15.12 . none but godly Debora could bring peace and rest to the Church and common weale forty yeares : So after the kings were crowned , none but Salomon must builde the Temple of the Lord , 2. Kin . 3.4 . & 22.2 . None but a few of the kinges after him , as Asa , Iehosaphat , Ezechiab , and Iosia must purge the land from Idolatrie , and stablish the law , and true religion among them . So after that the Iewes ( for their sinnes and Idolatrie ) had been wel scourged of God in Babilon by seuenty yeares captiuity , no king but Cirus and Darius , Ezra 1.1 . & 53. must restore backe these captiues , none but Ezra , Zorababell , Nehemiah , zealous to conduct them home to their owne Country againe , to build their Temple , Nehe . 4. and to restore religion : when they were returned , how by the malice of the Deuill were they let and hindered , by the Captaines beyond the riuer , certain yeares together , for the setting forth of so glorious a worke ? The repayring of Gods temple alwayes hindered by the worse● sort . after they beganne to repaire their walles and to reedifie the Temple , how subtle and malitious enemies had they both at home and abroade ? insomuch as they were faine to worke with their instrumentes of labour in the one hand , and with their swordes to fight in the other . And all those stirres and vprores in the Church of God , from time to time , haue beene wholy raysed , deuised and set on , for the disturbing of euery good worke begunne , by the might and malice of the Deuill , and all wicked Princes and people that euer he coulde procure on his side , which euermore are the greater number in the world , and not the least in the visible Church of God . Neither was the might or mallice of the Diuell halfe so great in the time of the law , as it hath beene since the Gospell began . No sooner was Christ the corner stone borne , Mat 2. ●6 . but all the babes bloud in Bethelem , and all the coastes thereabout must be spilt for his sake : While this sweet babe Iesus was in the armes of his mother , she must flye into Egypt from the rage of Herod that bloudy persecuter . & 14.14 . No sooner must Iohn Baptist point out Christ to be the Lambe of God , that taketh away the sins of the world , but presently by the Deuils procurement , Mat 4.1 . he must loose his head for his labour . No soner is our Sauiour baptized and sanctified with the visible presence of Gods spirit , for the great worke of our redemption , Christ our king tempted how should we be free . but the Diuel which is a Prince in all Countries , ( and feareth no colours ) taketh him in taske , hand to hand , to trie whether he can fight for his faith or no , or whether cowardlike , he will yeelde the field , before his Souldiers be gathered together , or the Maine Battaile be set in any order . No sooner came our Sauiour to publish the glad tidinges of the gospell , but the Diuell , Luk 4.29 . and his Souldiers would haue thrust him downe from a steepe hill to haue broke his necke : when hee was at home , his friende , by the Deuils assignement grieued him , when he came to Ierusalem , & 6.7 . the Iewes persecute him , neuer leauing him till they deliuered him vp to the Gentiles , Ioh . 19.23 . to be slaine and crucified for the sins of the world , as God his Father had preordained him . So did the same Sathan deale with his Apostles and Preachers presently after the death of Christ while the gospell yet continued , among the Iewes , first stoned Stephen , Acts 7.1 . c . 12.2 . slew Iames with the sword , and because that pleased the people , made Herod to cast Peter the Apostle into prison also . Likewise when for the infidelity and grieuous vnthankfulnes of the Iewes , The Gospell by Gods speciall appointment and permission , was to be published among the Gentiles ( which thing the Diuell neuer dreamed of , for hee had thought to haue kept vs Gentiles for euer in his dungeon of darknes , and ignorance of God and all godlines ) then hee rageth out of all reason , and without all measure , then for the greater triall of Gods children , and for the punishment of the Gentiles , that would not belieue the Gospell , stirreth vp most grieuous persecutions , The Apostles drink of their Maisters cup . so that none of the Apostles that followed Christ , escape Scot free , & most of them put to cruel death for the preaching of the gospell . But nothing I suppose euer made the Deuill more madder , then Paul the Apostle . Of the Gentiles , because throgh ignorance he was first of his owne band , and a persecutor of the Christians ; but on the sudden by Gods speciall grace , called miraculously ( by Christ himselfe ) To be a chosen vessell that he might be sent farre abroad among the Gentiles . Act. 9.1.15 .

In conuerting of whome , Paul neuer laboured more faithfully , then the Diuell laboured diligently , to raise vp persecution against him , and all that followed and beleeued his doctrine : Acts. 14.19 . at Derby , at Lystra , Acts 27.1 . at Iconium , and at many other places , till they came backe againe to Ierusalem ; where , because his persecutors could not haue their will , and wreake their malice then vpon him , 2 , Tim . 4.17 they send him bound vnto Rome ; where hee made the Gospell , and the profession thereof famous , throughout all the Iudgement Hall , by his sound disputing , and constant preaching , whereat his first aunswere before the tyrant Nero , all forsooke him ▪ but the Lord strengthned him , and for a while deliuered him ( to shew his power ) from the mouth of that Lyon .

When the Apostles were all persecuted or put vnto death , was Sathan yet quiet ? No doubtlesse , for then the ten most cruell persecutions , soone after their disceasing , The glory of kings to haue care of Gods Church and children . woulde not haue so long continued , to the great slaughter of Gods best beloued children , vntill it pleased God of his great mercie , to raise vp Constantius the Emperor , & Constantinus his sonne , to calme that so great tempest , & to comfort the heartes of Gods children , who were fled into the wildernes , and corners of the earth for their reliefe and succour .

But that old red dragon , woulde not there yet suffer them to be quiet : But still with greater rage then before , persecuted the woman , Reu . 12.6 . The Church ( I meane ) which euen in that time of straitenesse , had brought forth not a man child only , but many thousand children , both of men and women , which neuer bowed their knees vnto Baal .

So true is that saying , the bloud of the Martyrs is the seed of the Church , And thereupon it is finely said of one .

Sanguine fundata est ecclesia , Sanguine caepit , Sanguine succreuit , sanguine finis erit . Gods Church with bloud of Abell shed , Was all begord , and ouer spred ; The like befell , in age succeeding , And shall doe still , in church continuing .

For when that fearefull beast , hauing 7. heads , and 10. hornes , the old Romaine Empire which raysed these ten cruell persecutions , was wounded and abased : another beast which was Antichrist , which had two hornes like the Lambe , Reu . 13.1 & 11 & 18.3 . Antichrist a bloudy beast though he plead the simplicitie of the Lambe . but spake like the Dragon ( of whom he learned to bee cruell and bloudy , like the former beast ) was set vp & honoured , with whome all kinges of the earth , for the space of 500. years , committed most filthy fornication , til the light of the gospell by those bright lamps , began to shine out of Germany , whose beames like the sun in the morning , did make bright these our Northern Regions , God causeth light to shine out of d●rknes whereat the Diuell and Antichrist his sonne haue grieuously stormed , and like vnto the wilde Boare , hath from time to time , since hee was first cast out , sought and laboured by all means possible to breake in againe into the Lordes vineyearde , to wast , roote out , and destroy those pleasant plantes , which by the space almost of fifty yeares preaching haue beene deeply planted in these our Countries ; and now I trust , The pure gospell preached in England during the raign of King Edward and Queene Elizabeth , and I trust shall be continued till the end of the world , in despight of the diuell and Antichrist . shal be watered a fresh with the sweetest spring of celestiall comfortes : which no doubt will cause the Diuell to bestirre himselfe a new , and Antichrist his Captaine to muster his whole Company of Iesuites , Seminaries , & Papists at home , and all the professed enimies of Christ , & our country abroad , who with tooth and naile , ( as they say ) will striue against this happy successe , of ours , endeuouring by all meanes possible , to turne all our hopes of reioicing , into heapes of slaughters & most assured causes of mourning , if it lay in their powers , or if God for our sinnes and vnthankfulnes , should permit them so to doe .

2. Cor . 2.11 . Wherefore , seeing ( I say ) wee are not ignorant of these Diuelish sleightes ( as S. Paul saieth ) nor of the secret malice of our Popish enemies , though they can happily like the snake , ( for want of strength ) lye quiet in the bosome of our Country , till they may bee better warmed and cheered to thrust out their Stinges against vs.

These things ( I say ) considered , haue caused me to strike my saile of reioysing , so lowe as possible I can , and to call these great thinges which the Lord hath begun to doe for vs , and I trust in his good time will finish the present possession , and further hope of reioycing , which if our aduersaries had but halfe the like cause , would in all their writings haue published for mountaines of ioyes : notwithstanding for Zions sake , I could not bee still , Esay . 62 1. and for Ierusalems sake would not holde my peace , till in the zeale of my soule , I had laboured both priuately in mine owne charge , and publiquely in this simple sort , as I haue done , to stirre vp the hearts of Gods children to a ioyfull reioycing in the Lord , and to all kinde of thankefulnesse and readie obedience to God and our King . From whom , The sap of our ioy included in the vertues of our king . as in the roote or stemme ( next vnder God ) all the sappe of our ioy and comfort springeth vp , and many flourishing branches of heauenly and earthly blessiings bud forth to the comfort of our Church and common-weale wherein we liue .

When the Iewes a long time had Iudges to rule ouer them , though some of them , 1. Sam . 8.19.20 wise as Debora , and holy as Samuell , yet they still cryed out , Giue vs a King to raigne ouer vs , as all other Nations haue .

So long as our Debora raigned ( which was foure yeares longer then Debora iudged Israel ) and thereby all peace and prosperitie heaped vpon vs , and our land , yet there were that cried out , Giue vs a king to raigne ouer vs , as all other Nations haue . Nowe God in his mercie hath giuen vs a king , and our eies haue seene him to our hearts content , and in good time wee doubt not , will crowne his Maiestie to raigne ouer vs , and wil they yet be contented think we , that before were grieued ? I thinke not ; but how soeuer they be discontented , if Gods will herein bee once effected , sure I am , therein wee shall haue such a blessing , as this lande hath not enioyed in that respect , About fiftie yeares gone since king Edward died . this fiftie yeares ; so that if God will , this may bee called our yeare of Iubilee ; though our enemies hoped happily , it woulde haue turned to vs a yeare of miserie . Whose hope ( I doubt not ) God will frustrate , as hee hath in this , that many yeares before it came , they counted and called , the death day of our Soueraigne , a golden day : but the God of Heauen seeth their malicious mindes , and I trust will cut their combes shorter , that take felicitie to crow and crie for the death of Princes , but to our purpose .

A King God bee thanked wee haue proclaymed , and trust shortly with ioy to haue him crowned , and peaceably established in his kingdome ; whereat our aduersaries in deede haue no cause to reioyce , eyther at home or abroade ; when it shall bee reported in other Nations , that England hath nowe a King raigning ouer them , The great causes of our reioycings ; 1 Taken from our King , as a stately stemme or tree of vertue . which for his prowesse ( if he bee prouoked ) dare to looke any King of Christendome in the face ; which for his learning and Religion , is able to leade vs vnto the liuing waters of comfort , which for his sexe is able By the helpe of his God , to leape ouer a Wall , and likewise able to trauell abroade to see the coastes and strength of his Countrey , Psal . 18.21 . and valour of his Captaines , to enquire out and learne the manners of his Subiects and people , as well they that rule vnder him , as they that are ruled : to sitte in his seate of iudgement , when it pleaseth him , to aduaunce iustice , and to grace his Maiesties most worthie Iusticers . All these things our enemies may talke of , to their terror , but euerie good subiect may thinke of it to his comfort , this therefore is the roote and cause vnder God of all our reioycing .

What other hopes of our reioycing are their like to budde out of this stately stemme ? Manie more then I can thinke of , and many more then I will speake of ; and of them that I purpose to remember , I will rather poynt at them , then speake of them : we may ascend from the stemme , 2 From the branches of our Kings posteritie . to consider of the liuely braunches alreadie sprowting from this noble stemme ; hauing the greenest Oliue Tree , and of the sweetest kinde growing with our king in his Graces Garden , Gods great blessings vpon our King in his princely posteritie by the fruitfulnes of so flourishing a Queene . with Oliue braunches rounde about his Table : these blessed braunches , are alreadie knowne to bee two sonnes , and two daughters , of most singular hope , and God knoweth howe many more his Grace may yet haue to his owne comfort , and great stay of this lande ; whome it may please his Maiestie to make Dukes and Princes of his Realmes and Dominions , which may lead his Armies to the terror of his enemies , while his Maiestie may manage the other affayres of his Countrey , liuing with his subiects in peace and quietnesse ; yea to succeed in their fathers throne , when the father of spirites shall call him to his mercie , which is not euen nowe vnthought on ( as the examples of the Emperours teach ) when his Maiestie shall be in the midst of his royaltie ; Lapi●aries vsed to come vnto the Emperors the day of their coronation : earnestly inquiring what kind of stone they would haue their tombs erected with , to put them in mind of their mortalitie . as also it appeareth ( to the perpetuall renowne of his Grace ) by his Maiesties sweete and most singular instructions alreadie giuen vnto prince Henrie his eldest sonne , who naturally , if God giue life , is to succeed in his fathers roome . These things in the fear of God may be thought on , and are no small hopes of reioycing .

From the braunches we may take some comfort in the Leaues , which are our next and nearest neighbours , the Scots ; who as they are one language almost with vs , so may they by Gods good grace , bee ioyned togither in great loue and friendship with vs , 3 From the leues which are the Scots our neare countrey men , and of one language and religion with vs. seeing no Sea parteth vs , but one bordereth on an others Coasts ( which heretofore hath beene the cause of much discorde and bloudshed , as our owne remembraunce can tell vs , if the Chronicles of both Countreys did not reporte the same ) all this by the blessed benefite of GOD , and by the carefull regarde of the King and Nobles of both our Countreys , maye bee turned to the great good and comfort of both our Realmes , for nowe though wee bee two seuerall kingdomes , yet wee all are but the Subiectes of one King , and the people of one God ; in whose feare we ought to liue together in all godly peace , and for whose faith wee ought to fight together in the time of warre ; these also are no little hopes of reioycing .

May wee not looke downe againe from the leaues to the barke of this goodly Cedar of our English Lebanon , 4. The bark of this godly tree , our Kings alies & confederats . which are our Kings alies and confederates : The noble King of Denmarke , a good friend to England , his Graces brother in law , and the Queenes naturall brother , all her Graces children Nephewes and neeces vnto that King , besides the league and friendship our Kings Maiestie hath with many other Christian kings and Princes , which may be a stay to the state of our land , against the power of the pope , as the barke causeth the strength to the tree , by holding in of the sap .

Hence ( if God will haue it so , The fruit of Peace , if it please God to grat it among christian princes and our sinnes crie not against it ) may come greater Traffick with many nations , then lately wee haue had ; Trafficke may bring profit , and profit comfort and content to many poore subiectes of our Countrey , which complaine they are impouerished , that they can haue but little for their labour , the world is so dead they say , for want of trafficke : howbeit I feare rather it is by reason of the couetousnesse of the richer subiectes , both Mar●hauntes , and others through an insatiable desire of gaine : where by money is brought into a fewe mens handes , by to vnreasonable enhauncing of the price , of all forraine commodities ; Couetousnes . the roote of euill , and the cause that commodities passe not , but at an excesse rate , for the poorer sort . so as the commons of our Countrey , cannot haue them at any reasonable rate : euen for the redresse thereof , surely ( wheresoeuer the fault or cause be ) the common sort of this land , haue great hope to see it bettered , which may well be called , The poore peoples hope of reioycing , wherof God grant they may not be frustrated .

So here then we may be assured to our farther comfort , that if there be such vertue as we haue spoken to be expected , from the root , stem , branches , barke , and leaues of this goodly Tree . What hope may wee conceiue of the blossomes which begin already so gloriously to breake out , Good beginnings , are as it were certaine Pledges , of as good proceedings and better endings . yeelding forth abundance of all comfortable fruit , to the glory of God , and greatest good of this land .

And these fruites , if they be of the rightest kind , as we are most ascertained they are , must either issue out of the sap of true religion , or out of the pith of al purity of life and conuersation ; the one following the other , Pietie breedeth purity , as puritie adorneth piety . as the shaddow doth the substance : these like two fountaines springing forth from the garden of Eden , will greately cheere and refresh the church of God , and exceedingly beautifie and adorne the flourishing estate of our common weale ; when euery one both in life and religion , both magistrate and subiect , Good Maiestra . good subiects , good pastors , good people . both pastor and people , will haue an eye to the king , to frame their maners and religion , according to his best likin● as the Poet saith , Regis ad exem plum , totus componitur orbis . Well , blessed bee God for these our good and more then great hopes of reioycing , which are doubled and encreased for that our enemies the Pope and Papists I meane especially , haue not yet reioyced ouer vs , as they had hoped , nor haue any cause to tryumph in all insulting sorte , as their maner is : Neither I trust euer shall haue cause to reioyce , so long as God shall keepe vs from their Idolatry , and infidelitie ;

A cursed tree yeeldeth forth cursed fruit . Such a mother such a daughter .

Idolatrie euermore the cause of Gods childrens captiuity

the one being the roote of the other . Infidelity , ( which springeth through want of the true knowledge of God ) is the roote , and Idolatry is the cursed fruit , that springeth from so crabbed a tree : for which two sinnes , God euer hath , and euer wil , deliuer ouer his church and chosen children vnto captiuity , either of body or of mind , or of both .

God preserue and purge this land , from al popish Idolatry , and then howsoeuer God punish vs , and this land for our other sinnes ( which are many and grieuous ) with other temporall punishments , as daily we see and deserue , and worse are to be feared , except we repent , yet of Gods mercy , for his sonnes sake , and for his Gospels sake , we shall bee preserued from all popish tyranny ; except it be for partaking , or to much suffering them in their Idolatry : For these Iebusites will euer be pricks in our eyes , and thornes in our sides , and as some of them daily desire , so will they continually seeke to worke our destruction , that they may reioyce at our miseries , which of all miseries , to the godly minded , none may be compared thereunto .

For what I beseech you else is meant by the often and earnest prayers of Gods Church and children , euery where to be seene in the scriptures , that God would not deliuer them vp into the hands of the enemies of Gods truth , Psal . 94.3.4 & 115.2 . & . l 33.3 4. least they should say in dirision of God and all godlines , Where is now their God ? The reason surely is , for that as I haue said , all the chastisments and corrections , whether it be warre , Pestilence , famine or fire , or whatsoeuer else God laieth vpon his Church and children , as wel as vpon the wicked for their sinnes , or for their tryall , or for examples sake , none of them in singular , nor all of them in generall , are any thing comparable either in griefe or greatnes , The taunts of Gods enemies , the greatest greife of Gods children . to this plague or punishment , to be deliuered vp into the hands of Gods enemies , & the enemies of the truth and the Gospell , ( as the Pope & all professed Papists are ) to be mocked , spited , and derided as Christ our Sauiour was , before , and at the time of his death . Math . 27.39.40.41.42.43 . Haile king of the Iewes , Tell vs who smote thee : Come downe from the Crosse , if thou be the Sonne of God : He saued others , himselfe he can not saue , & the like : As the Philistians mocked Sampson , Iudges . 16.30 . when hee plucked downe the house vpon their heads for their labour . As Dioclesian the tyrant , and Iulian the Apostata , taunted the persecuted Christians . As the Babylonians in most scoffing sort , sayd vnto the poore persecuted Iewes , Sing vs one of the songs of Sion . Psal . 137.3 . In a word beloued , as the Papists once heretofore in this land , for that we would embrace their Idoll the masse , haue had their fill of despising and reuiling of Gods elect and chosen : So now seeing they haue beene curbd and kept in with such a longing desire of an alteration , if now ( I say ) God should suffer them to haue their willes ouer vs , the true professors of the Gospell , they would surely insult ouer vs , more then euer before , not with fire & fagot onely , for that Gods chosen feare not , but with the speare of their tongues , they would pierce our soules , when wee should euery where heare them say vnto Gods Saintes : Where is your religion ? Where is your communion ? Where is your preaching ? Where is your Gospell ? Where is your God ? O God of glorie defend the true professors of thy Gospell , from this despite of our soules , and then dispose of our bodies and goods as it pleaseth thee .

O deare Christians , Gods great mercy in deliuering and keeping vs still from Popish ●i●anny my soule cannot sound the depth of this mercy , if God haue determined , as I hope he hath , to deliuer vs from this misery , in not leauing vs to the will of Gods enemies , and to continue yet longer , the light of his Gospell among vs , not only for the confirmation of their faith , that are already of vnderstanding to acknowledg the mercie of God in calling them , Babes and sucklings shal praise God for his mercy in continuing his Gospell among vs but also for the sweete sakes of many millions of little seely soules , either little babes or others , which are vnder yeares of discretion ; yet by reason of the care of their Christian Parents , more by custome and imitation , then by any knowledge & discretion , holding vp their lilly white hands towards the heauens , with lisping lips , make their seuerall prayers and supplications , daily for Church , king and countrey : yea many of them surely , of very tender yeares , with more zeale and knowledge , ( often times ) then thousands of very aged people , that all the time of their youth were misse-led , and misled in ignorance and Idolatry . How much therefore are wee bounde to prayse God for this mercy of al mercies , if it please his Maiestie to grant , that neither the trees that seeme to be fast rooted , may bee shaken with the boisterous blastes of persecution ; nor these tender springs , beginning to sprout out , may not be nipped with the cold frostes of popish deuotion .

Such a blessing as this is , so long time as heretofore to bee secured , A rare blessing and now a fresh to be protected vnder the flourishing branches of so princely a defender of Christs true faith , from all the rages and reuilings of our Antichristian enemies , I know not whether the Chronicles of all ages , either diuine or prophane , haue recorded the like , neither can I well conceiue , if this blessing bee continued and fully effected , as God grant it may , whether for the same , we the true professors of Christ , haue more cause to reioyce , then our enemies the papists , both at home and abroad , haue cause for euer more to be ashamed and confounded : For let the Papistes assure themselues , ( as Hamans wife could tell her husband , Ester . 6.13 . when it was to late , after all the assignements were sealed , for the destruction of Hester , Mordacay and the Iewes ) that if our Mordecay be of the stocke of the Iewes , that is of the truest religion , as they knowe well enough hee is , then Haman if hee procure not the Kinges fauour , the sooner in embracing true religion , may bee hanged on his owne gallowes : Yea and Mordecay and all the Iewes may take better courage to resist & represse the Popish Babylonians , by all meanes possible , as farre as lawe and Christian charitie , and religion will giue them leaue . Neither let them thinke otherwise , but that if the Lord prosper this his owne worke , it is to breake the pride of their power , and to make them see ( except they will still bee blinde ) nay to feele with their handes ,

The workes of God are admirable , but good for his children euer .

God strongest when mans helpe is weakest .

except the deadliest palsey of darkenesse haue taken them , the power of Gods owne might , what hee can doe against his enemies , when it pleaseth him , how and when he can bring the same to passe , when they least thinke of it , and when it seemeth there is least power in the reason of man to effect it . This God doth for his owne glory especially , for the good of his children continually , and finally for the conuersion or confusion of his foes .

And here though there bee great cause , I will not spend paper further to presse any professed Papists , English Seminary , or Iesuite in this realme , then is fitting , by vpbrayding them , as they would vs surely outragiously , if they had but halfe the like aduantage ouer vs , for their vaine folly , and fruitles fury , in designing , seeking , wishing , and contriuing ( like vipers of the vilest broode ) the death , the vntimely death , yea the vnnaturall death , of their and ours late deerest Soueraigne , seeing it may bee , some of them may liue so long , to publish the same themselues , more to the prayse of God , in preseruing her Maiestie , then any pen can expresse , after her Grace hath slept a while in her graue , Our late Qu . a most mercifull Prince . that shee was the most mildest & mercifullest Queene , if not too mercifull ) that euer ruled or raigned in christendome , euen to them of their owne faction , which thing they would neuer confesse while her Maiestie liued : A vilde slaunder of the Papists . but rather by most vile and slaunderous libels euery where spred abroad , like as they are now continued , do report ( but how vntruely , God and all the world knoweth ) that her sacred Maiestie was a bloudy Prince , and that her Maiesties more then a Solomonicall peace and regiment , was a time of tyranny , Esay 5.20 . and persecuting gouernment . But woe be to them ( saith the Prophet ) that call good euill , and euill good ; and wo be to their souls , if they speedily repent not that thus haue slaundered , and yet cease not to slaunder the Lords anointed , and quiet tranquilitie of our Countrey .

O slye serpents and brood of Adders , with tongs more poysoned with the venom of the Pope , then the taile of a Scorpion ! could you , or now can you , count the dayes of our late beloued Queene , bloudy , that neuer drewe drop of bloud from the gracelesse traitors against her life , Crowne and dignitie , but euer with sorrowe and griefe of mind ?

And could you not haue considered ( though with silence haue passed it ouer , for who takes pleasure to remember it ) the riuers of bloud , that were shed by that bloudy Bishop of Rome , your sweetest father in heauen or earth , and other bloudy Bishops of our land , in the raigne of Queene Mary , and before , as in all other countries in Christendome : Can you be content to call that kind of gouernment tyranny , where neuer any are put to death but either for fowle felony , or most treasonable trechery , None put to death i● England , ●ut f●●●e●ony or treson and can you call the popish and Catholicke regiment , mercy , that neuer are satisfied , nor neuer will be satisfied ( in persecuting onely for religions sake ) the poore Saintes of God , Reu . 6.10 . whose soules still crie vnder the altar for vengeance , with all kind of torments and tyranny ? I am a subiect , and my life is free , except I offend the law : yet if it can be proued , that euer any man woman or child , was in all the raigne of our late soueraigne , put to death onely for religion , I say I will willingly leaue my life for that , to the disposing of him that can proue it .

Let the Pope therefore leaue off for shame , to Canonize ranke traytours , for singular Saints ; The Pops haue made many seely saints in th●n tim●s . such as in former time , Thomas Becket was ( if not many more mischieuous traytours ) and let his vnholine be resolued , that this saying is as true as old , Non mors sed causa mortis facit martyrem : that it is the constant dying in the defence of the Gospell , and true religion of Iesus Christ , that hath made so many Martyrs in the world , and that it is the Romish religion , and his Antichristian pardons , blasphemie , pride , and periurie , that hath set so many Christian Princes by the eares , and caused many seely subiectes traytourously to rebell against their Soueraignes , and so to sinne against their owne soules , P●o . 20.2 . ( as Salomon sayth ) And let all those that contrary to their alegeance to God and their Prince , haue hithervnto submitted themselues to the papall sup●emicy , become good subiectes , to their king and countrey , as Gods word euery where commaundeth them , Vnhappie they whome other mens harmes make not to beware . and the fearefull end by the iust iudgement of God inflicted vpon rebelles and traytoures at all times , doth warne and admonish them , whereof we haue purposed to speake somewhat in the next Treatise .

At this time ( I say ) in stead of vpbraiding them , 2. Kings . 6.17 . for this their so great folly and fury , I will exhort all good Ghristians to pray for them , that the eyes of their vnderstanding may bee opened , as the eyes of Elisha his seruant were , that they perceiuing more to bee with vs then with them , nay , God to bee with vs , God present in mercy to helpe his people euer and not with them , nor neuer will bee ( except in iudgement ) vntill they by true repentance , and acknowledging their grosse and grieuous errours in Popery and Idolatry , turne cleane away from the Pope ( the diuels darling ) and so become true and vnfayned professours of Christ his Gospell , Gods sweete Sonne , and our onely Sauior .

And here let men and Angels iudge , betweene the Doctrine of Popery , and piety , which is true Christianity , and between the professors of the one , and the publishers of the other .

The Christian courses that wee euer take with them , are agreeable to the Gospell of Christ , which wee professe ; and the vngodly courses they hithervnto haue taken with vs , are agreeable to the decretalles and decrees of the Pope , whome they acknowledge to be the Vicar of Christ : but in truth , is that Antichrist , And man of Sinne whereof Paul long agoe prophecied ; The Apostle P. pointeth out the Pope for Antichrist . one that doth altogether oppose himselfe against Christ and all they that do professe his name : The Lord twise or thrise , hath miraculously heretofore ( like as he hath Scotland and other countries ) deliuered this land of ours , from their tyranny , and now againe ( we hope ) for euer , 2. Thes . 2.4 . wil saue vs from their cruelty ; not for our merits , but for his owne mercy , which thing cannot but bring great cause vnto vs of all godly reioycinge .

Now as I may not , nor minde not , to vpbraide these Papistes farther ( as I haue said ) then is fitting ; so it is my part and agreeable with my duty , The duty of Protestants . earnestly to call vpon all professed protestants , aswell Pastors as people , that they be more zealous in the publishing and professing of the Gospell , then heretofore they haue beene ; that they liue more sincerely in their liues and conuersation , then heretofore they haue done ; aboue all things , that they would adorne themselues with the vertue of humili●ie , in humbling of themselues , and their soules before God , who graciously hath begun , continued and in good time will finish this good worke , to the praise of his owne glory , if wee dayly pray , and prayse his Maiestie for the same .

Also here all carnall Gospellers , Carnall gospellers reproued . and luke-warme professors , are to be raised out of their sinful security that lye sleeping in the barke of Gods church , caring nothing for any stormes or tempests that beat against it , they neither feel them , nor feare thē ; if in a calme and with a pleasant wind , they may sayle ouer the Seas of this worlde , they are well content to bee called professors : but if the stormes of aduersitie blow vpon them , Acts. 27.30 . and the tempests of persecution , for the gospell sake , once beginne to pinch them : then like the Marriners that were with Paul in that great shipwracke ; they had rather leape into the seas of sinne , to the hazarding of their soules , then tarry any longer in such an olde vessell , as the Arke of Gods Church is , for feare God will not bee so good as his promise , in sauing and preseruing them from all dangers both of soule and body .

Not example of multitudes , but the truth of Gods word ; must euer guide our consciences in religion . These are the Newters and Omnifidians of our time , that will hold with the most as they say , and wheresoeuer the maine battell is pight , they will be sure to be of the Rereward , or in the left wing , that as they see cause , they may flee to which side they imagine to be the strongest .

The third and worst sort of all , are the Nullifidians , or Atheistes of our time . The Rogues , the Ruffians , the Tossepots , and Drunkardes , which as they scoffe at God and all godlinesse , The Atheistes scoffe at God and all godlines . so care they not of what religion they be , but weigh not whether there bee any religion at all , farre worse then the Turkes , The Turke acknowledge a God , but deny Christ to b●e their Red●emer . that acknowledge there is a God , but allow none but Mahomet to bee his Prophet : farre worse then the rest of the Heathen , that worshipped so many kind of Gods , as there were Diuels in Hell to entise them : euen iumpe with the Barbarest people of all nations : that liue worse then beastes without law , without ciuilitie , without common honesty , as our common tospots and drunkards do .

These are the very mockers of our time , which walke after their owne lusts ,

Tossepots and drunkards worse then beasts

2. Peter . .4 .

and say ( as Peter foretold : ) Where is the promise of Christes comming vnto iudgement ? But those scoffers of God and his Ministers , shal feele and finde one day , that there is a God , that there is but one true religion , which we teach , that there shall be a generall iudgement : yea they may feele it too soone , that there is now a God in heauen , that seeth their sinnes , and hath a great & grieuous controuersie against them for the same . Hosea 4.2 . And though in his mercy , hee spare his chosen awhile , and will suffer himselfe to bee entreated , that his gospell may yet longer continue among vs : yet let them know , that God hath punishments inough in store , whereof we haue but too many examples dayly to plague them for their sins , & to make this whose land to mourne for their transgressions .

God will raine down vpon the wicked ( saith Dauid ) fire and brimstone , storme and tempest , this shall bee their portion to drinke : and againe , Psalm . 11.6 . Psalme 68 21 God will wound the heade of his enemies , and the hairie scalpe of such as goeth on still in his wickednes : They shall goe downe into hell , and all people that forget God . Let them not imagine , because God doth spare them , The longer God stayeth from punishing , the soter shal be their punishment that repent , not . that therefore hee cannot punish them ; nay surely , the higher the hammer is lifted vp , the greater is the stroke when it falleth ; and the longer God forbeareth these Atheistes , the sorer will his iudgement bee , when it commeth , ( as the heathen could faine , Their Idoll Gods to haue leaden feete , whereby they note a slownes in punishme●t , but to haue hands of brasse , or of Iron , to pay home when he striketh ) In a word , the richest and proudest Atheist in the world , is but as clay in the hand of the Potter , which God will bake in the ouen of his wrath , and with his iron mallet , will crush them in peeces to their endles woe in this life , and to their eternall perdition in the world to come , except speedily they repent and amend their stinking , sinnefull and wicked liues ; Ehr. 12.29 for our God is a consuming fire ; and if his wrath be kindled , yea but a little , blessed are all they that put their trust in him .

So that wee may conclude this point , as also the premises , touching this second part , as the godly at this day , haue great cause to prayse Gods mercy , if it shall please his Maiestie to speed and prosper his handy worke , and to continue the light of his gospell longer among vs , when our aduersaries thought and hoped it should haue beene put out in obscure darknes ; so the wicked and godlesse , that haue no feare of God before their eyes , may feare his iustice and iudgementes that hang ouer their heads : and as the wicked the more and the longer God staieth from punishing them , the more a great deale doe they encrease their sins and vnthankfulnes : Gods blessings shold encrease our thankfulnes . so the godly & the truely faithful on the other side , the more the Lord ladeth them with blessings , the more they stirre vp their soules in all zeale and thankfulnes to praise his goodnes for the same , eyther priuately or publikely , as the benefites are conferred ; whereof we haue so many examples in the Psalmes of Dauid for praysing of God : as , I will sing of the Lord , and praise his name , I will tell of all his wondrous works from day to day . O my soule praise the Lord , and all that is within me praise his holy name , O my soule praise the Lord , and forget not all his benefites , Psal . 103.1.2 Praise the God of heauen , for his mercy endureth for euer .

And a thousand such like , by whose example , as ( I haue saied ) we the church and children of God in generall , and euery one of vs in particular , that are partakers of his mercy , and of all these hopes of reioycing , may sing day and night to the praise of our God , as Dauid teacheth vs in the Psalme , wherupon we began this treatise : I will magnifie thee O Lord , for thou hast exalted me , and hast not made my foes to reioyce ouer me . Psal . 30.1.11.12 . Thou hast turned my mourning into ioy , thou hast loosed my sacke , and girded me with gladnes : Therefore shall my tongue praise thee without ceasing : O Lord my God , I will giue thankes vnto thee for euer .

The End of the Mornings Ioye .

The Kinges Reioycing : WHEREIN IS SET FOORTH THE Dutie of Subiects , towardes GOD and the KING .

Matth . 22.21 .

Giue to Caesar , the thinges which are Caesars , and giue vnto God , the thinges which are Gods .

Prou. 20.2 .

The feare or wrath of the King , is like the roaring of a Lyon ; he that prouoketh him vnto anger , sinneth against his owne soule .

LONDON Imprinted by Iohn Windet , dwelling at Powles Wharfe , at the signe of the Crosse Keyes . 1603.

To the right honorable Sir Iohn Popham Knight , Lord chiefe Iustice of England , and one of the kings Maiesties most honourable priuie Counsell , R. M. wisheth all terrene and heauenly blessings , to be multiplied and continued .

HAuing verie audaciously ( though with all loyaltie and religiously ) consecrated the middle and next preceedent part of this poore Pamphlet , to the gracious protection of our Soueraignes most princely clemencie , as his Maiesties most proper due ; I haue now presumed vpon many reasons more then I mind to rehearse , to pray your Lordship to bee a protector of this latter part ; not that I doubt , but that his Maiestie will also protect the same ( as the former , & the whole with the part ) but because I haue purposed with my selfe ( though hauing no such president ) to make a particular dedication of this booke ( suppose as little and vnlearned as may be ) according to the particular subiect of euery part .

And that is one chiefe reason , why I haue chosen your honour , being a chief Iusticer in this land , at your best leasure , to consider of this same part , that particularly is appropriate vnto your honourable place .

By title I grant , this part is called , The Kings reioycing , but therein is shewed that the ioy of the King , shal be the subiects obedience , and the subiects obedience , shall be chiefly by the meanes of your Lordships , and others of your Lordships associats , in the seuerall seates of iudgement , the subiects well ordered gouernment ; & specially by the good execution of as many good lawes , as euer had land , but how well executed in many places , or at least , how carelesly contemned of the vulgar sort eu●ry where , I doubt not , your honour knoweth , and the hearts of the godly lament it .

I purpose not to be tedious , knowing your honours continuall imployment for your countries good ; yet because I desire to be vnderstoode ( and hard it is , and aboue my grosse capacitie , to be plaine and briefe ) I therefore humbly pray your Lordship , to permit a few lines more to bee drawne out , for the vnfolding of my minde , minding onely to make knowne , two or three contagious diseases abounding in our Westerne Common-weale , the like may be ouer all the land .

The first is , that vniuersall prophaning of the Sabboth , among the multitudes : but because herein I am much comforted , by meanes of the late religious Proclamation , published in part for the repressing thereof , therefore for that matter , I will stay my pen , in patiencie , and expectancie of the good that I pray may come thereof : and no doubt will come , if it be as well executed in the Countrey , as it was right well intended from the Court . But here I may say of the bodie politique , as Physitions vse to say of the bodie naturall : The extreemer parts are euer coldest , when the naturall dispersed heate is drawne in , to comfort the heart : as contrarie wise when the heart is sound , and full of strength , able to send forth natural heate sufficient , then the extreame and externall parts , are full of of comfort and courage . We therefore that inhabite the extreamer parts of this Countrey , are naturally subiect to this infirmitie : that the vigor and force of lawes ( bee they neuer so good ) leaue their best effect neare where they first spring out , and coole euer in carriage , and decay in execution .

But we are now in great hope ( nature being in her best perfection , and in the spring of the yeare ) the heate of that godly zeale , grounded vpon true knowledge , and hidden in the heart of our renowned king ; will cause a dispersion of aboundance of good iuice to the chearing and refreshing of euery good member , euen the fingers and toes not excepted : but rather extraordinarily shall be comforted and regarded .

The next sicknes of sinne , that swims in our Countrey , is diuelish drunkennesse , which is dayly increased by an insufferable sort of Alehouses ( as our Country cals them ) being alwayes maintained by the meaner sort ; who are nourished by that tipling trade in idlenesse , and by means of their pouertie not powerable to free their houses from drunken Tossepots at any time , but when the drunkardes please : neither can the Tiplers keepe any good order in their houses , as by law they are bound , neyther any forfeyture can be taken from them , vpon their poore recognisances ( hauing nothing to pay , and many times not bound at all ) what coyle or ill courses soeuer the drunkards keepe , tossing the pots from morning to euening , and from euening to midnight , holy day and working day to them is all one .

The seede of this sinne , was first sowne in Citties and Townes , but now multiplied among the Commons in euerie p●rish . And I know not how it should go further , except like a sea , it ouerflowe the whole continent of this Country which is greatly to be feared ; vnlesse it be spedily and prudently repressed , and redressed .

My pen cannot expresse , nor these Papers containe , the flouds of mischiefes , that dayly flow out of this Bacchalian Ocean . For , besides that it makes the drunkards senselesse in their sinnes , poore in their purses , beggering themselues and their posteritie , to speake nothing of their raging , and rayling in their drunkennesse vpon the Magistrates , and Ministers at large , and I would we Ministers might be quiet from disturbances in our charges , & churches raysed by them ( to such an height of impietie are some of them come vnto , by reason of so long impunitie ) Besides all this ( I say ) and many more inconueniences that I spare to speake of , there are two mischiefes and grieuances , that flow out of this floud , more faster then they will be bayed backe againe in haste .

The one is generall , the other more particular . The generall causeth corne and graine to grow to an excessiue prise , a greate deale more euery yeare , then there is cause ; and when God sendeth his blessing in aboundance , for the good of many , it is turned to a grieuous curse , by a sinfull suffering of a few caitifes , to mispend it , and wast it more by one drunkard in a day , then would well suffice twentie honest laboring people a whole weeke : yea sure I am I speak within compasse , for I know more , that forty poore folkes liuing vpon their labor , do not drinke so much good drinke in a yeare ( if at least they drinke any other then water ) as one Tospot doth drinke in a weeke .

The particular grieuance , which growes out of this generall is , that there is no measure obserued in selling of drink , & as ill order in the Country as may be for the assise of bread . Drink , the drunkards must needs haue , only fit f●r drunkards ; and that is such dagger-Ale ( as they call it ) as almost no ciuill honest subiect can abide to drinke it ; by reason it is so raw fulsome and headie ; and no poore creature can vsually buy much of it , by reason they vse to sell with the most , but a pint for a pennie ; and so contrary to all law and conscience , in euery two pence , the poore are robd of one pennie ; and no body inriched by it at the yeares end one halfe penny . This abuse in measure and maner of the drinke , I grant is somewhat redressed in Cities & townes corporate , where there is any good gouernment , but as common in country parishes as the Cartway . And when any poore complaines of this abuse , they say ( those whom I thinke might redresse it otherwayes ) complaine to the S●ssions , when the poore people ( God knowes ) haue not so much money as to bring themselues to that place : and if they had , perhaps they feare least they should bee put out of countenance , when they come thither by some Cunstable , or some higher officer , that directly or indirectly , may beare good will to the offending partie .

The last , but not the least sinne that I mind here to speak of , is that grieuous blaspheming of the name of God , by cursed swearing and swearing curses ; to speake nothing of periurie ( seeing there is law to punish it , but too seldom executed ) but as for swearing and cursing , rending and tearing the blessed bodie of Christ in peeces , and blaspheming of Gods most holy Maiestie , this land doth mourne , and the Church and children of God do grone for griefe , that there are no stricter lawes made , to punish so cursed and crying sinnes .

God of his mercie moue the hearts of all Magistrates , according to their place & callings , to be mindfull of their duties herein , & zealous for Gods glory , more then for our Countries good : to whose grace I commend your honor , and all those that are deare vnto you . Recommending also those poore complaints of mine made for Zions sake , and my Countries weale , to your honorable constructions , and grauest consideration , to seeke and see the redresse thereof , as the place whervnto you are called shall require , and according to the trust that is reposed in your honour by the king himselfe , in whose seate you in iudgement sit ; so that his Maiestie may be eased , iustice equally ballanced , the vicious punished , the vertuous supported , and euery loyall subiect cheared and comforted thereby : which he grant , that hath hitherunto graced your honor with so good report in this world , & will not leaue you vnrewarded in the world to come , if you continue constant in a true course of iustice , accompanied with that meeke mistresse of mercie , as the cause and occasion shall permit .

Your Lordships right humbly affected , and euer in the Lord to be commaunded ; Radford Mauericke . London . 20. of May . 1603.

THE KINGS Reioycing . The third Treatise .

IT remayneth nowe , that as hitherto wee haue spoken of the chiefe cause of our Euenings Sorrowing , and of the greate and vndoubted hopes , that by Gods goodnesse wee haue receyued of our Mornings Ioy ; so also we should speake or intreate of such speciall dutyes , as wee are bounde to performe , whereby wee maye learne to requite againe in some sort , these greate hopes of Reioycing , by a certaine reflecting , The dutie of subiects . or rebounding backe againe the like into his bosome , who vnder GOD , hath beene preserued to bee the ground or beginning of these our hopes , and the continuer of the same wee trust , and heartily pray for .

For as it is agreeable both with reason and nature , for all trees , hearbes , and plantes , with a soueraigne kind of fruit and fragrancie , in time conuenient ye●lded foorth ; to requite with a certaine reciprocall retribution , the sweete and comfortable refreshing of the Sunne beames , and heauenly influences , whereby they are cheared and refreshed , being as it were dead before through colde , yea and their life and sap buryed , in the verie bowels of the earth .

So likewise , it is agreeable both with grace and Religion , for the people and Subiects of any soueraigne , for the ioyfull comfort and refreshing they are to receyue , yea and dayly doe receyue from the Sunne-shine beames of his Maiestie , to yeeld back againe some fruit of their refreshing , the sweetest kind wherof , & best pleasing to his tast , wil be perfect obedience , and all louing loyaltie : with the fragrancie whereof , I trust our King is alreadie comforted : The applauditie of the people at the comming of our King . seeing his Maiesties comming was , and is as ioyfully and thankfully accepted of the greater and better sort of this lande , as euer any King that was crowned in Christendome : and howe soeuer it bee thought or reported , that his Maiestie may haue some secrete foes ( as what Prince is without them ) yet I doubt not to affirme it , his Grace shall haue as many louing and loyall hearts in Englande , As loyall and obedient subiects in England as in any nation in Christ●ndom . as any other king or Prince in the Worlde whatsoeuer , which cannot chuse but bring greate cause of reioycing to his Maiestie .

And to the end the number of thē may be dayly increased , to Gods glory , and his Maiesties comfort and safetie ; I haue purposed by Gods grace , to proceede on with this third discourse , taking for the ground of my speech , that short but sweet and singular sentence of saint Peter . 1. Pet . 2.17 .

{αβγδ} . Deum timete , Regem honorificate . Feare God , honour the King .

By which playne place of the Apostle , wee may note a difference betweene {αβγδ} and papa ; as euery child may see , and doth know , the difference betweene the King and the Pope . Therefore surely either S. Peter was deceiued in commanding al subiects next vnto God , to honour the king , or else the world hath beene , and yet is , in a great and grieuous errour , in leauing their dutie & allegeance vnto the particular kings and Princes , of al christian countries and prouinces : by meanes of which error and most diuellish doctrine of popery , to teach people that the power of the Pope , that bloudy Bishoppe of Rome , and very Antichrist , is aboue the authoritie of all other kings and potentates in the world ; yea many times commaundeth subiects ( as now they say a new edict lately is published for such a purpose ) vpon payne of the Popes great curse , Killing of Princes more grieuous then paracide . to take armes and to rebell against their most louing and naturall Prince ( being a greater sinne , then it is for a childe to kill his father ) I say this dangerous errour and damnable doctrine , hath beene a long time the greatest cause ( if not the onely cause ) of all the warres , that Christian Princes haue made one against the other , this many yeares in Christendome .

And the Papists haue no greater nor better colour to shaddowe and couer their so grosse errour from the sight of the common people , yea from the vnderstanding of Kinges and Princes , such as for the largenesse of their dominions ( if they knew their owne authority , they haue giuen them vnder God ) are and might bee , accounted among the Monarchs of the worlde . The Papists colour their trecherie vnder the Popes supremacy . I say , they counterfait all this trechery and tyranny , as well ouer the bodies , as the soules and substances of christian people , onely with this cloake and colour ( forsooth ) That the Pope is Christ his Vicar here on earth , Saint Peters successor in the papall seate , and therefore must haue ( quo iure nescio , nisi iure diabolico ) By no commaundement that wee can reade of , but of the diuels , all the supremacy of , and ouer all Christian Kings and Princes whatsoeuer .

Howbeit my meaning is not here , by shewing the Pope not to bee Gods generall Vicar of all the world , nor Supreame head ouer kings and kingdomes , thereby any thing to diminish the honour and lawfull authoritie that might bee giuen to the Bishop of Rome ; if hee onely contented himselfe with that Ecclesiasticall Iurisdiction , to that Sea belonging ; as the Fathers and Bishoppes of that Church , long before the papall supremacy was bred , haue contented themselues , or as the learned and reuerent Bishops in these our Churches , doe content themselues with , of whome ( together with the whole ministrie ) God himselfe hath a speciall regarde , ioyning them in honour next vnto kings , Psal . 105.26 . 1. Sam . 12.5.6 . 2. Kin 45.1 . Psal . 105.15 . as Moyses and Aaron , Saul and Samuel , Dauid and Nathan ; And of them as of kinges , giueth this commaundement , Touch not mine annoynted , so doe my Prophets and Ministers no harme ; Exod . 20.12 . It is the very commaundement of God to honour our Parents , as well of our soules , as of our bodies , and so much the more , by how much the soule is greater then the body : and this caution hath the more neede to bee vrged , because in the d●yes wherein we liue , the reuerent Pastors and Ministers of the Church , are euery where contemned , and nothing reuerenced and regarded as their calling doth require . And as touching the Popes generall pretended supremacy , seeing God of his mercy hath opened our eyes , The English papists deceiue ignorant people . and by the light of his word hath caused vs to see their iugling , wee may well say vnto the vrgers of this errour , as Aristotle in his Ignorance , said of the Scriptures , multa dicunt , sed quomodo probant : They say much , but the proofe of all Scripture , and the authoritie of all the godly , learned , auncient fathers of any antiquitie , are against them , as in the sundry writings of the rarest men of our age , are euery where to bee seene , which here to repeate , is not my purpose , nor fitting for so little a worke , as this Treatise is .

Onely this may satisfie any sober and indifferent reader abundantly ▪ nay may well make any Papistes whatsoeuer , to looke into this thing more seriously , then happily heretofore they haue done , to see how contrary the Pope is to Saint Peter , whose successor he saith he is ,

The Pope and S. Peter contrary in doctrine , a● in m●ners and co●uersati●n .

2 Thes . 13.

( thogh to proue it soundly , may make the stoutest champion the Pope hath , to sweat lustily ) The Pope as a God in earth ( and as S Paul prophecied of him though he were Antichrist and the Sonne of perdition : yet he should sit as God in the temple of God , shewing himselfe that he is God ) commaundeth all kings to obey his vnholy holinesse , and all subiects rebell against their kings and Princes , if they deny him that authoritie .

The pope commandeth kings to obey him in his papacy , & subiects to rebell against their princes S Peter commaundeth obedience to princes . Saint Peter the Apostle of Christ , and a S. in heauen , commandeth all people in the world , next vnto the feare of God , to honour and obey the king : Now as I sayd before , if {αβγδ} had beene Papa , then not the King , but the Pope must haue beene honoured , next vnto God , but before wee beleeue their doctrine , either they must reproue S. Peter of great ignorance , in the tongue wherein he wrote ; or else , that all the interpreters that haue translated this text , as well on their owne side , as of ours , haue greatly deceiued the world ; for in all languages it is reade in this sence , as we haue it in English , feare God , honor the king , not the Pope . But if Peter had beene deceiued in this place , ( as God forbid we should think so , whose tongue and pen were gouerned by the holy Ghost ) what say we then to that which goeth a little before in the same Chapter ? Where he commaundeth subiects to submit themselues in all obedience , to all maner of ordinances ( that is to all rule and gouernment , ordained by God ) for the good of man for the Lords sake , {αβγδ} , saith Saint Peter , 1. pet . 2 13. Siue Regi , whether to the King , as vnto the Supreame gouernour ( no Pope nor Prelate aboue him ) or vnto other Magistrates as vnto them that are sent of him , for the punishments of euill doers , and for the prayse of them that doe well ,

Againe , what shall we say to S. Paul ( who spake with more tongues then they all ) he was not deceiued I hope when so earnestly hee called vpon the christians in his time , not onely to obey , but to pray for kinges , I exhoxt therefore , sayth the Apostle , that aboue all things , prayers , supplications , 1. Ti . 2.1.2 . intercessions and giuing of thanks , be made for all {αβγδ} , pro regibus ( saith the Apostle ) for kings and al that are in authority , that we may leade and liue vnder them ( not vnder the Pope ) a quiet and peaceable life in all godlines and honesty .

For this cause doth the same Apostle ex professo , commaund the christians that were at Rome ; where now Antichrist dwelleth ; That euery soule , that is , Rom. 13.1 . that euery singular person , of what degree soeuer indued with soule , Do submit himselfe to the authority of the higher powers , yeelding the reason thereof , because there is no power but of God , because the powers that bee as Kings and princes on earth , are ordained of God : ( per me regnant reges , saith the wisedome of God in Salomon ) Therefore whosoeuer they be , though it bee Antichrist himselfe , that resisteth these powers , resisteth the ordinance of God , and they that resist procure vnto themselues damnation . Therefore it must followe , that the Pope hath no soule , or else if he disobey Princes by the Apostles doctrine , hee procureth to himselfe and all his adherents , that repent not betimes , for their disobedience and rebellion , condemnation ; as oftentimes by due desert , and by the iust iudgement of God in this life , and eternall condemnation both of body and soule , They that fear God wil leaue the Pope and honour the King . in the worlde to come : Therefore whosoeuer will saue his body from condemnation , and his soule from damnation , let him leaue the Pope , learne to feare God , honour the King .

If this were not sure and sound doctrine , the king of kings Christ Iesus the sonne of God would neuer haue said . Mat . 22.21 . Giue ye to God the things that are Gods , and giue vnto Caesar , that is , vnto Emperours & kings the things that are Caesar . He would neuer haue suffered Herod and his souldiers , so spightfully to haue mocked him , nor Pilate hauing his authoritie from the Emperour , so vniustly to haue condemned him , nor the Centurion so cruelly to crucifie him , nor neuer would haue rebuked Peter ( beeing a priuate man ) to fight in his Masters quarrell , Math . 26.52 . against publicke authoritie as he did . Againe , if this doctrine to reuerence and honour kings ( not Popes ) were not authenticall ; al the Patriarkes Priestes and Prophets in the old law , were either very lowly , in so reuerencing their kings and princes , or much deceiued in obeying them as they did : Abraham though the fathers of the faithfull , and as a prince of God , reuerenced the kings of Gerar , called Abi-melch , which was a word of great honour , Father King , because kings are the fathers & defenders of their countrey & subiects . Isaacke , and the rest of the Patriarkes did the like , Gen. 26.30 . both there and in Egypt . So did all the Priestes and Prophets , which were farre aboue all Popes in dignitie and authority , honor the Kinges of Iudah , and Israell , Nathan the Prophet , 1. Kin . 1.23 . when hee came with Bethsheba to Dauid , bowed his face to the ground before the king . Which example of Nathan I note the rather , because it proueth that ciuil honour ( which this Countrey yeeldeth to their Kinges , more then other Countries ) is not a fault in vs , who haue such warrant for it , but rather a fault in other Countries ; who giue not their kinges such due honour and reuerence , as Gods word alloweth ; not that we make our King a God ( for we admit no Idolatrie ) but acknowledge him for Gods Lieutenant ouer vs , to whome we owe all honour next vnto God , and therefore shew it withall outward reuerence , that we can possiblie . Samuel also honoured Saule , though he were a wicked king , and Iehoida that good High Priest , not onely honored , but carefully preserued Ioash the yonger king of Iudah , when wicked Attaliath killed almost all of the kinges seed besides him .

These and infinite like examples , wee haue of Christ himselfe , his Apostles , Patriarkes , Priests , & Prophets , to warrant and confirme this doctrine of ours , against the Pope and Papists ; that kinges ( yea though they be tyrants as Nero was ) are to bee obeyed and prayed for , by yeelding our bodies vnto their gouernment , ( though our soules bee free and not to bee constrained to doe any thing contrarie ( especially in Religion ) vnto Gods commaundement , Act. 4.19 . for then we haue a rule ; Better to obey God then man , notwithstanding , by no means ( I say ) may Subiectes resist or rebell against the authority , which kinges haue immediately from God , and to whome onely they are to giue account of their godly or carelesse regiment : but rather wee must yeeld our bodies to the Tormentors , and so lay downe our liues meekly and quietly , We ought rather to laye downe our liues quietly then to disobey the princes authority . for the comfession of the truth ; if by the authority of the supreme king of any country it be persecuted and contradicted , as the holy Martyrs and Saints of God in all ages haue taught vs plainly in al their sufferings , wherein they are made conformable , as S. Paule saith , vnto the sonne of God . And therefore whosoeuer they be , that impugne this doctrine of honoring and obeying of Princes , they are not conformable , but cleane contrarie to God and his sonne ; and who so is contrarie to Christ the sonne of God , must needs be Antichrist , and not the true Vicar of Christ , nor the successor of Peter , who hath taught vs aboue all thinges , next vnto the feare and seruice of God , to honor the king .

Diuine worship due to God . Ciuill honor to kings To God we owe all diuine worship and seruice ; To kinges all ciuill honour and obedience . And this we may be assured of , where God ( who is king of Heauen ) is not rightly worshipped and serued ; there the king ( who is God on earth ) is not honored : as on the contrary , where the king ( who is God his Vicegerent here on earth ) is not honored and obeyed , their God ( who placed him in that authority ) cannot be serued ; for this cause is it , that S. Peter exhorteth vs to both these duties , with one breath , and in two wordes , in saying ; Feare God , A true Method in teaching . honor the King ; obseruing also a true Methode , and order in his teaching putting the best and chiefest duty which is to feare God in the first place ; psal . 111.10 . for the feare of God ( saith Dauid ) is the beginning of wisedome , a good vnderstanding haue all they that do thereafter , the praise of it endureth for euer .

The feare of God ( saith Salomon ) is the end of al things : Eccle . 12.13 . Heare the end of all , feare God and keepe his commaundements , for this is the whole dutie of man : the reason , because all other duties to our king , to our country ; to our selues , to our neighbours , are included in the same : The feare of the Lord , ( saith the Sonne of Sirach ) is glory and gladnes , and reioysing , and a ioyfull crowne .

The feare of the Lord , maketh a merrie heart , Eccle . 1.11.12 . and giueth gladnes and ioy , and long life : Who so feareth the Lord it shall go well with him at the last , & he shall finde fauour in the day of his death . This feare of the Lorde , whosoeuer hath rooted in his heart , will neuer rebell against his Prince & countrie : but will pray and prayse God for his kinges good gouernement ; will obey all good and godly lawes , not onely for feare , but for conscience sake very carefully ; wil with like care and conscience , pay all tenthes and taxes duely , and cherefully , for God loueth a cherefull giuer : contrariwise , who so feareth the Lord , will neuer thinke euill of the King in his heart , ( as Salomon saith ) will neuer speake euil of him ,

Ecclesiastes 10 20.

We may not think or speak euill of the King .

no not in his priuy chamber , least the birds of the aire bewray him , lastly , wil neuer with purse , hand , tong , or heart , helpe them , succour or relieue them , that are enemies to their king and Countrie ; seeing the healer oftimes is worse then the stealer , but rather detect them and reueale them , according to his oath and allegeance .

These thinges , if we carefullie obserue , we shal not need to feare the sword of the Magistrate , for as Paule saieth ; Rom. 3 . 3● Princes are not to be feared for well doing , but for euill ; wilt thou be without feare of the power ? do well then , so shalt thou haue praise for the same , for he is the Minister of God for thy wealth ; but if thou doe euill , then feare , for he beareth not the sword for nought , for he is the Minister of God , to take vengeance on him that doth euill .

Wherefore ye must be Subiect ( saith the same Apostle ) not because of wrath onely , v. 6.7 . but also for conscience sake , & for this cause pay ye also tribute for they are Gods ministers , applying themselues for the same thing . Giue to al men therfore their dutie , tribute to whom ye owe tribute , custom to whom ye owe custom , feare to whom ye owe fear , ( as vnto God ) honor to whom ye owe honor ( as vnto the king ) according to S. Peters former saying : Fear God , honor the King , so shall God blesse his people , and the king take ioy and comfort in his Subiectes .

God the supreme Monarch of heauen & earth . Another reason why God must be feared and serued , is because God is onely king of heauen and of earth , the supreme Monarche , to whome all other kinges & Princes owe homage , and from whom all kingdomes are held in Capite vnder him .

The Lord is King ( sayeth Dauid ) the earth may bee glad thereof , Psal . 8.87 . yea the whole multitude of the Iles may reioyce thereof : Againe , the Lord is king , be the people neuer so impatient , he sitteth between the Cherubims , Psal . 89.1 . be the earth neuer so vnquiet . Againe , The Lord is King of old , the helpe and succour that commeth vnto particular nations by their seuerall kinges and gouernours commeth from him , who disposeth of kings and Princes at his pleasure , granting eyther in his mercy , or iustice , such kind of gouernement , or gouernors , as best pleaseth him .

Hence commeth it to passe , Diuers gouernments in sund●y common weales . that there are so many sundrie regiments and gouernements in the world vnder sundrie kings and gouernours ; yet all haue but one supreme king and gouernor to direct thē . There are vsually three kinds of gouernement spoken of among the learned , whereof some dispute whither of them is the better : The first , is a gouernment of a multitude , which by no meanes can bee beneficiall for the common weale , A Democracie or popular gouernment . nor bring any quiet securitie to themselues , by reason of the multiplicity of mindes , which can neuer agree , according to the saying , Quot capita , tot sententiae : This kind is near that which the Greekes caled Democratia , the Latines popularis potentia , a gouernment as I haue said of too many , and very hurtfull to the common weale .

The second is a kinde of gouernement of many , but not of so many as the former , but a more higher kinde of gouernment , as might be the Nobility of the lande ; but how dangerous such a gouernment is , not onely to the whole Country , but euen to themselues , by reason of enuie and ambition : This Country of ours , who haue had seuen Dukes or Kinges at one time can testifie ; & wee that neuer proue it , cannot imagine the woe and calamity it bringeth with it . This kinde of gouernement is like vnto that which the Greekes call Aristocratia the Latines Optimorum potentia , An Aristocracie , or gouernment of the Nobility . a gouernement as I haue saide of the Nobility and Peeres of the Realme .

The third sort or kind of gouernment , is that which the Greekes call Monarchia ; the Latines , vnius principatus , A Monarchie which of all other is the best gouernement . that is , as we call it : Monarchie or sole gouernement , of one onely King or Queen , as it shall please God to appoint , which sole gouernour or gouernesse , because the gouernment may be the better managed and ruled , chuse euermore and take into their Priuie Councell , so many of the noblest , Noble Councelors an ornament to the king , a great benefite to the Country . wisest , learnedst and grauest persons in their Realme , as shall be thought fit and conuenient , to helpe in that their alone or sole gouernment . And of all kind of gouernments in the world , when euery other kind of gouernment is debated of at large , This onely and sole gouernment of one onely king and chiefe gouernour ( that may commaund all the rest ) is of all gouernments the wost excellentest for authority , as comming nearest to the diuine gouernment , and most sweetest to the communaltie , for the preseruing of order , and conseruing of all peace and happie tranquilitie .

This gouernment to be the best of all other is not onely proued & sound true by experience , but by inuincible reasons , drawne from God and his Creatures ; as , because there is but one God , One God one gouernment . and therefore an order and vnity of gouernment obserued in the diuersity of all thinges ; therefore there should be but one king , and sole commaunder in a Country , least if there be more then one , there may be contrariety in commandements , and so no certainety in obseruance .

So likewise as there is but one Sunne in the firmament , One Sun , one sole gouernor . yet all the starres and planets in the heauens are lighted by it , and all other inferior bodies are chered and comforted with it .

So though there be but one sole gouernour in a Country , yet all the Nobility which may bee compared to the starres , are enlightned with it , and all the commons are very greatly comforted thereby . Againe , One soule in one body , one King in one Country . as there is but one soule in mans body , and in the soule reason sitteth as a King to rule the whole communalty of affections that are in a man , so shoulde there bee but one sole gouernour in a common weale , by whose authority onelie all disorders should be oppressed , and all peace and prosperity maintained .

This kinde of a sole & Monarchiall gouernment , is also prescribed vnto vs by brute beasts , & voyde of reason . The Bees as the Poet well noteth , haue onely one king or gouernour in euery seuerall Hiue The Bees haue b●t one gouernour in one Hiue . or commonweale , which follow their Captaines leading and direction continually : and as their common weales are encreased , so new kinges are crowned with sound of Trumpet ( as it were ) the night before they take their leaues from their old hiues .

Beastes follow one leader . The heards of tame beastes ( both sheepe and cattell ) are well pleased to haue one of the best of thē all with a bell to goe before them .

The Lion likewise is acknowledged to bee a king , as it were ouer all wild beastes in the earth , and the Whale aboue all fishes in the sea .

Birdes obserue like order . The birds also of the heauens are seen to obserue the like order , as among the Cranes , and geese one among all the rest , ietteth , & as it were marcheth on statele before them all .

This secret force of nature , in vnreasonable creatures , teacheth vs that haue reason , that a Monarchie or sole gouernment in one kingdome , such a gouernment as we haue in this land , is of all other the best , & that none other gouernment whatsoeuer is comparable thereunto .

These things ( with leaue of the learned ) I haue the rather noted to this end , that the common sorte for whose sake this Treatise is entended , seeing the happy estate wherein they stand , & the blessed gouernment vnder which they haue liued these many yeares , and now by Gods speciall grace and prouidence like to be continued , may rest thankfull vnto God , and dutifull to our king , that with ioy he may gouerne vs , and we with all peace and prosperity , both in Church and common weale , all factious innouations and rebellions , eyther in Church or common weale auoided , may long and long vnder his Graces raigne inioy the light of the Gospell , and the auncient liberties of our Church and country , wherein we liue : which thing wee can neuer enioy if the Pope or Papist ( which God forbid , as I hope hee will ) should eyther by home-bred contentions , or forraine inuasions bring vs , our land & religion vnto their subiection .

And here wee cannot giue sufficient thanks vnto the goodnes of our God , God is chiefly to be praysed for this good worke begun ; and to bee prayed vnto , for the full effecting therof . not onely for that hee hath begun this good worke , but thus farre effected it , and we trust will finish it , for his owne glory in such a calme of quietnes : so that no tumults , commotions , insurrections , or rebellions , haue beene at all raysed in our land , eyther by idle rogues , whereof this land is yet to fall , ( which neede not bee , if these holesome laws , with so great care and hope established in the two last parliamentes of our late Maiesties raigne , for the suppressing of them , were so well executed as they ought , and as it was well intended ) neither by any ill disposed persons , as Bankruptes or Drunkardes , which buz into the braines of poore distressed people , that between the changing of kinges , there is no gouernment in the kingdome , but that all thinges are common , and euery man may do what he list : which how pestilent and diuelish a dotage it is , I would haue euery christian subiect well to consider : and withal to know , that the death of one Prince , is the life of another , and that by the death of any Prince or king , the lawes of the land doe not dye ; as a body Politike , is euery liuing : but the lawes are euer of force vnto succeeding ages , vntill by another Acte of the same force they be repealed : Looke then , whatsoeuer offence is committed against the common law of the land , is in due time to be punished by the force of the same law , ( though it be not any priuate Subiects dutie in this case to discusse , who shal punnish , but to take heede none do offend ) and the ignorance of any shall not excuse any offender whatsoeuer , seeing all persons are bound to their perils , to take notice of the lawes and good orders of the countrey : yea I am sure euery man is bounde to maintaine the peace of the land ; nay , this warning may be giuen , that an offence , that may soone bee pardoned , during the raigne of a mercifull Prince , being wilfully committed during the change of a Prince , is to bee punished with more rigor and seuerity then before , specially if it tend to the stirring vp of any strife or tumultes among the multitude ; which being once flocked together , though but by a few at the first , to worke any mischiefe , is like the raging of the sea ; and being once kindled and stirred to worke their will , The raging of the multitude like fire and water breaking out of order . are like vnto fire that breakes out at the Chimley top , and not to be quenched with water , till it haue burned and consumed whole houses , townes and citties : therefore it is truely saide , fire and water are good seruitors , but cruell commaunders : so the multitude of a common weale , are very profitable for the same ; for a King cannot be without Subiectes , so long as they are ruled and kept vnder by order and gouernment ; but if they once breake loose with the raines on their neckes , they presently fall into all kinde of out-rage and riot , into all mischieuous practises and villanies , so that no pestilence for killing , spreading abroad , and infection , may be compared vnto it , according to the saying , Pessima Pestis seditio , of all plagues sedition and ciuill dissention is the worst ; yea farre better is the gouernment of a tirant , though neuer so full of cruelty , A Tyrant gouerning better then the rage of the multitude . then this lawlesse outrage of the communalty ; for a tyrant hath but one will , though neuer so wilfull , & sometimes he may thinke on the rage and spoile hee hath done ; but the miserable multitude , as they are many men , knowing not one anothers minde , no nor many times their owne ; so they know not what they would haue , nor what to doe , nor whether they runne ; til at length , like vnruly Coltes , they runne themselues out of breath , and like wilde Deere that are chased by the King , and wounded in their consciences , fall downe in euery bush , lamenting their folly and fury ; The miserable condition of Rebels . their wiues and children , crying out at home , and wailing for their miserie , that they haue lost their husbandes , their Fathers , their goods , their landes , their liues , and their liuinges , with a thousand such like calamities , that no tongue can expresse , or pen write of sufficiently .

Whereof there are but too many most lamentable and tragicall examples , in the Chronicles of all nations and ages , al which mischiefes & miseries as I haue saie before , are many times set a broach by one or two brainsicke heads , and graceles persons of the very vilde and rascaller sorte , such as was Iacke Strawe ( for they take pleasure to make their names to agree with their maners and bringing vp ) or Wat Tyler , whome the Maior or Burgesse of London slewe , to the euerlasting prayse of that Citie ) in the raigne of king Richard the seconde : such as Iacke Cade , Iacke Cade the like . who was slaine at Hothfielde , and brought to London in a Carte , where hee was beheaded , in the raigne of king Henrie the sixt : such as was Perken Warbecke , that vilde wretch , Perkin Warbecke a vilde wretch . who faigned himselfe at the first to bee of the royall blood , but afterwarde openly confessed his villanie , where hee was borne , and by whome set a worke , in the beginning of the raigne of king Henrie the seuenth : Ket a great rebel in Kent . Such an other was cursed Ket the Commotioner in Kent , in good king Edwarde the sixt his dayes , at what time ( with griefe I must speake and penne it , because it is to the shame of my natiue Countrey , though done tenne yeares before I was borne ) these cruell Commotions were here in Deuonshire , Commotions in the west Countrey raysed first by a rascall at Stamford , strengthned and incouraged by the Cornishmen , and most valiantly resisted by the Citie of Exceter ( worthie of all prayse for the same ) beeing verie straightly and hardly besieged fiue Weekes togither , vntill the kinges power came downe into that Countrey , vnder the conducting of the Lorde Russell , and the Lorde Gray , who most honourably and valiantly repressed those Rebels , and put many of the Ringleaders of that route , to death for examples sake , to take heede howe they take Armes agaynst their king , and stirre vppe tumults and Commotions in their natiue Countrey , bringing a perpetuall blot of infamie vnto their posteritie ( though they were Gentlemen some of the ayders of these Rebels of good account in their Countrey ) neuer to be razed out , so long as there is Paper and printing continued in the world . From such like tumults , commotions , and miseryes , the Lord ( I say ) and to his glorie bee it spoken , hath of his tender loue and mercy towards vs , hitherto preserued this Countrey , while this great and glorious businesse hath beene a working , to the endlesse renowne of those our worthie nobles , The wisdome of worthy nobles and councellors of this land . and most noble Councellors , who haue not done this worke of the Lord , and for the king negligently , but with al godly wisdome and prudent policie , watching and waking while we slept , for the quiet of our Countrey , & therein for the good of vs all , busying their brains with continuall care , at that time when multitudes of carelesse people , tossed their pots , and past ouer the time in all filthinesse of sinne , and most fearefull securitie ; not knowing , lesse fearing , the imminent daunger hanging ouer their heades , if God of his mercie did not withstand it .

Howbeit , as we cannot but withall thankefulnes acknowledge these businesses to bee so quietly accomplished , and the headinesse of the people staied by the good care of the Nobles and Councel ; The preaching of the Gospell , a hinderance to rebellion . so yet we must ascend to some higher cause , yet still vnder God , which no doubt , is the publique preaching of the Gospell , from time to time instructed , and perswaded the people vnto loyalty and obedience , shewing them by many examples the commoditie or discommoditie thereof .

And this note I remember the rather , for that it is recorded in our Chronicles ( by a man of good iudgement and sound religion ) that the chiefest cause of all the Commotions in the dayes of King Edwarde the sixt , as at other times , was ( as hee thought ) for want of good Preachers in euery Parish , that might by the worde of God diswade the people from such great outrages , The causes of former commotions for want of good instructions . and frame their hearts vnto true Religion , and so consequently vnto obedience .

It was not therefore the true Preachers of the Gospell in King Edwards dayes , that troubled Israel ( as they were slandered ) but rather the want of godly preachers , by reason of the ignorance of former times , and the multitude of Baalams Priests yet remaining , 2. King . 19. who neuer were called to Iehues sacrifice , as they deserued ) that intised and encouraged the people vnto Rebellion ; who if they had beene as well promoted for their paines ( as the Parish Priest of Saint Thomas neare Exceter was , A rebel well rewarded . being hanged for a rebel in chaines vpon the top of the Tower by the commaundement of the Lord Russell , who was Lord and Patrone of that parish ) many other happily by their example , would haue taken breath , before they did euer aduenture to take such another like enterprise in hand : no , no , it was not the preachers nor the preaching of the Gospell , that was any cause of those rebellions , no more then Tenterton Steeple ( as good Master Latimer then preached before the king ) was the cause of stopping of Sandwitch hauen : but it was the peoples contempt of Gods worde , and that good gouernment which was begunne . And also their crying for the Masse againe , which made the Lorde in his wrath to punish this lande , with such cruell dissentions , and at length to take away that noble King , The peoples great contempt of the Gospell a chiefe cause that God took away good king Edward so quickely from vs. that young Iosiah , in the prime of his dayes ; whereupon followed an alteration in Religion , and after that a most hote and grieuous persecution . If therefore there shoulde yet followe , ( as God forbid it ) any hurly burly , or rysing before or after our king is established in this Kingdome , it will not bee caused , by the Preachers and Ministers of the Gospell , ( who euer since they heard of the newes proclaimed , The desire of the faithfull . haue not ceased earnestly by preaching and instructing the people , and continually by praying as all the faithfull besides haue done ) both publikly and priuately , that the Lord would prosper and finish this his owne worke , so well begunne , to the glorie of his owne name , to the great comfort of our king , to the continuance of the Gospel , & to the confirming and establishing of all peace and tranquilitie to our Country : if therefore ( I say againe ) we haue any disorder or trouble now while this businesse is a working , it will surely be caused by them that either vse or cry daily for the Masse , or by them whereof I haue lately spoken , that care neither for Masse , nor Mattens , for God nor man , so they might be at libertie , and take their swinge in sinne without controlment .

And here I cannot but maruaile what perswasion , should beewitch some professed Papists of our Realme , A vaine imagination of Catholicks . to thinke or imagine , that if there bee an vprore or priuate dissention in our countrey , wherby the publike enemie should also take footing , that they should bee freer from the rage of the rascall souldiers , and rude people , rather then the professors of the Gospell , whereof I doubt not there are twenty , if not a hundred , for one professed papist ; surely , if they looke for any safetie , except they ioyne with vs in defence of our Countrey ; as by nature they are bound ( though they loue not our religion ) they will bee as greatly deceiued as the Picts , Picts deceiued . a barbarous people in Scotland were long agoe , at the first comming of the Scotish nation into that Countrey , were deceiued and like to bee destroyed too , as well as the Scots their neighboures and confederats ; by the politique perswasion of the old Brytaynes of this land : who cunningly counselled ( as the Scotish Cronicles report ) these foresaid Picts , who before had made a league with the Scots , and married their daughters ( being all inhabitants , as yet they are of the same Countrey ) to pike quarrels , and so to make warre with the Scots , that were newly come out of Ireland , and now in league with thē ; that so while they both ( as indeed they were ) being at warre among themselues , and their forces weakned , the Brytaynes might the sooner ouerrunne them both , and so conquer and ouercome their Countrey , as by warre they began to procure .

But when this policy of the Brytaines , nothing good for the Picts or Scots , was ( as the story sayth ) reuealed by some that brake from the brittish camp vnto the Picts , the Picts were very sory , that they had so highly offended the Scots , Vnnarural warre . their alies and neighbours ; both by making many cruell bickerings among themselues , as also by yeelding , nay desiring priuily the olde Brytaines , to come to aide them , in their warres against their friendes , their wiues , fathers , kinse-folke , and brothers the Scots : also their wiues and children came vnto them with most lamentable cries , requesting that they should not fight against their friends , nor yet ioine with the Brytains because now they knew them to bee their greatest foes : thus being in a most miserable case , as hauing the Scots who were the stronger , and greater number in present fight with them ; and the Brytaines with a great armie houering ( as the Kyte did ouer the fighting frog and the mouse ) and hiding themselues in the mountaines , neither ayding the Pictes , as they promised , nor fighting against them , till the Scots had more weakned them ( that so they might fall vpon both of them at one time ) they Pictes ( I say ) being in this sore distresse ; fall to entreate their old friends ( who are euer better then new ) the Scots to pardon their errour , seeing they were deceiued by the Brytaines ; also to consider of both their dangers , and that a new league might be confirmed betweene them ; whereunto the Scots soone assented ( as being best for them ) and so ioyning both their forces together , with much adoe they expelled their common enemies , which if they had continued diuided , would surely haue ouercome them speedily .

I would to God the papists of our Countrey , these I meane , The Papists may be warned by the Picts . that haue promised and determined to holde with the Catholikes ( as they call them ) when they come to fight against this land , for I perswade my selfe , their may be many papists in opinion that are not of that mind to fight with our enemies , but who so is , I say ( I pray God there bee none of them ) my desire is that they would , easing my pen of this labour , which beginneth now to grow heauy towards the end of his taske , like a tired horse too fast ridden towards the end of his iourney ; they would , I say , but take so much paines as to particulize this prety story of the Picts ; who liued with the Scots , as the papists do with vs ; who are bound by the lawe of nature to vs , as the Picts were to the Scots ; who haue matched with our daughters ; and our children haue matched with theirs ; who haue been first perswaded by the Catholicks , as the Picts were by the Brytaines ; and haue since entreated the Catholicks , as the Picts did the Brytains , to bring their forces to fight against vs ; and in the end if they should haue their desire , as I hope neuer they shall , they shall be assured to be aswel deceiued by the Catholicks , as euer the picts were by the Brytains ; seeing the Pope & Spaniards purpose , was not so much to helpe our Papists , but to haue the Papists & Protestants ( if possible they could ) together by the ears , that so they might haue the vantage of vs both , to our vtter confusion .

My earnest desire therefore , I say againe is , that the Papists by particular applying this fitting story vnto themselues ; would but imagine how fearefull their state would be , if they should haue their desires ; how lamentably their wiues and children ( our sisters and daughters ) would cry vnto them , when they should see them begin to take armes against their fathers that begat them , and against their mothers that bare them in their wombes , A meditation for Papists . against their brothers , and sisters that lay in one belly , against their louing nephews , & neeces , that neuer thought them harme . When they shall not see , but feele themselues foole deceiued by those Catholickes , whome they best trusted , when they shall most bitterly entreate vs Protestants ( which are farre the greater number , and whome God I trust will defend for his Gospels sake ) to take pitie vpon their distressed estate , being either killed or left destitute of the Romish Catholickes , and vnworthy of any mercy at the hands of the Protestants , whose liues they hunted after these many years , and whose countrey they haue betrayed or sought to betray , into their enemies hands ? Let them in Christ ( I beseech them ) but meditate a while vpon this matter , seriously ( and as in such a case they ought to do ) and then let them tell mee , or their priuate friends , how this little medicine hath wrought in their stomackes .

If this cannot perswade them to consider of their cursed courses , I know not in the world what course any man shall take with them to doe them good .

They might also call to remembrance that fearefull history ( for I know they reade histories ) of the first originall and setting vp of the Turkes Armie in Christendome , The originall of the Turkes being a great number of souldiers ; first hired to the warres by Christians , that waged battle one with another , but in continuance of time by the iust iudgement of God also , these Turkes or Sarasens , but rather Hagarens grewe so populous & mighty , that they conquered the countrey ( whereunto they were first hired , and entreated , as the Catholickes are entreated to come hither , by our Iesuites , Seminaries , and recusants ) by meanes whereof the third part of Christendome as we too wel know haue beene ouercome by the said Turke , who is a terrour to Nations , and Gods scourge vpon the world , specially vpon these countries that haue inclined vnto Popery .

My dutie to my countrey-men , though they be Papists ; my loue to their children and posteritie , that are many of them no doubt good Protestants , and good members in the Church and commonweale ; and my zeale for Gods glory ( which I chiefly respect ) & no priuate affection or grudge , to any person liuing ( as God knoweth my hart ) hath caused me as it were a little to digresse ( though not altogether from the purpose ) and with a wearied hand , to stretch out these lines much longer , then at the beginning I thought of , and therefore will now returne backe to conclude this discourse , with that which I entended ( for I haue not lost my selfe in seeking and striuing to the vttermost of my poore power to saue other ) desiring also from my soule that God will giue them repentance , 2. Tim . 2.26 . and that they may Come to amendment out of these subtill snares of the diuil and Antichrist , by whome they are held captiues in the deepe dungeon of darknes , til God of his mercy cause light to shine out of darknes vnto them , in the face of Iesus Christ .

The last maine poynt that we pursued , was to stir vp our selues and soules , to all kind of thankfulnesse : for that God hath yet been so mercifull vnto vs , and this land , to bring so great a worke to passe , for the good of this our Church and countrey wherein we liue , with so great peace and quietnes , & without any tumults or domesticall troubles . The cause of which happines , next vnder God , we ascribed ( for his glory also ) to the faithfull publishing of the gospell : The next to the carefull regard and prudent policie of the Counsell and Nobility .

The third that I haue thought on , I will speake of in a word , and so conclude this little and vnlearned Treatise , & that is , The diligence and godly care of the Magistrates both of Church and common weal in each seueral shire worthy to be remembred . of the exceeding diligence of the wise and worthy Gentlemen and Magistrats of each seuerall shire and City , ioyned with the heedful and painfull imploiments of the reuerent Bishops of each dioces , that slackt not the time , but with all speedy expedition , ( setting their soules in all loue and loyalty , as well as their hands and bodies to this labour ) publishing and causing our King to be proclaimed in euery publicke place , according to the proclamation , before there was any certaine newes among the multitude of the death of our late Soueraigne : at which newes of a new king , The good newes of our King expelled the sorrow for our late dread soueraigne . the hearts of the commons were so settled , and at the newes of that king , are and were so cheared , and their minds so confirmed in the right of his title , and in loue of his religion ; that it booted not for a few priuate men , or for many ( though they had had neuer so great a purpose ) once to haue moued , to haue made any muttering or rebellions , for the stopping or hindering of so godly a purpose . This beloued , surely was the Lords doing ( though euery one that followed and furthered the same , may not bee depriued of their due and deserued prayse ) whereby such a heauenly flash of light and ioy , hath expelled and dispersed that darke cloud of heauines ( which on a sodaine was fallen vpon euery loyall subiect , for the late decease of so sweete a soueraigne ) that in consideration thereof ( and God grant we may long consider of it , and so be thankfull to God for it ) we may well say , and conclude as we began in the first Treatise , Weeping endureth at night , but ioy commeth in the morning . Now to God the giuer and finisher of this ioy , and to Christ Iesus his Sonne ( for whose Gospels sake this ioy is encreased , ) and to God the holy Ghost ( whose Spirit seale the same in our hearts ) to God ( I say ) Immortall , inuisible , and onely wise , be prayse in the Church and congregation of his Saints , from this time forth and for euer , Amen .

FINIS LIBRI . Citiùs vereor , quàm bene . Laus Deo . Viuat Rex .