welnéere of all Italy is cleane shut out of the kingdom of Naples the Dukedom of Florence Ferrara Mantua Millaine Parma Vennis the state of Genua c. so that to come to his segniorie of Bologna he is driuen to the lower way by Racâ—…onati Maddona de Loreto Ancona and by exchange with the Duke of Vrbin patcheth a passage so that in respect of her ancient limits this proud Eagle is welniâ—…h brought into the case of Platoes cocke with neuer a feather on her back the end of this Eagle shall be confusion the text so saieth the lion shal rebuke her vnrighteousnes rent her asunder shal deliuer the rest of the people of trouble make theÌ„ ioifull The Lion of England euen King Henry the 8. and his posterity hath made a faire reuealement of this prophesie the godly expect that the Eagle shall vanish to nothing with the thundering blasts that the English Lion hath shal storme vpoÌ„ her she feareth the same therfore bendeth all her secret forces to disquiet the Lion S. Augustine long ago séeing certaine english boies to be sold as slaues in Rome thus prophesied bene vocantur angeli quia nitent vt angeli in quo regno euangelium dei florebit they are properly called English-men because they shine as Angels in which kingdome the Gospell of Christ shall floorish The learned Doctor Erasmus writing a paraphrase of the foure Euangelists dedicated the first to the Emperour the second to the french King the third to the noble King Henry and the fourth to the Emperours brother the Pope was wiped out of his trauell as one not destined to haue the protection of this pretious iewell To King Henry the eight he dedicated his paraphrase of S. Luke and in his Epistle wrote that he had sent him Luke the Physition by circumstances reputed his Maiestie through his godly and religious procéedings to be the spirituall Physition that by the working of the holy Ghost purged the soules of many from the grosse errors of Antichrist I leane not so much to these moderne prophises although there be a common Prouerbe Vox populi vox dei the Scriptures giueth light sufficient that from these partes the Gospell of our Sauiour should be visibly reuiued In the fourth Chapter of Cantica Canticorum be these words Vp thou north wind and blow vpon my Garden that the smell thereof may be caried on euery side yea then my beloued may come into his Garden and eate of the sweete fruite that growe therein This winde is vp at the Almighties call his commission is well blasted abroade This noble King Henry as it is interpreted this Lion this winde ordained and sent of God first shooke the wicked tyrant of Rome first blewe the blast that hath almost blowne his authoritie out of all Christendome The Pope in his quarrell almost armed all Christian princes against this Lion but they feared or failed to do him hurt In the Popes quarrell many seditions were sowen in England in fearing the communaltie that the King would begger them with impositions The Northerne men openlie rebelled and the whole realme was in armes readie bent against their proper intrailes but God frustrated the deuisers counsels and preserued vs from the wilfull murther of our selues When the kings power and the rebels were ready to méete he parted the armies with a suddaine swelling of the water while after a parle the Rebels were willing to acknowledge their faults and with the kings gratious pardon departed to their owne houses a wonderfull prouidence of God that would not haue the rebels perish in their ignorance nor the good subiects murthered in so vnnaturall a battaile The vngratious Cardinal Poole stirred a great power in France but the french were more afraid to venter then was king Henry in his aged daies that they woulde enter into England His mind was inuinsible and euen of God all his procéedings were blessed their happy successe testified no lesse who in the 37. yeare of his triumphant raigne ended his life in peace whose death made England vnhappy in that the most toward and godly prince Edward the sixt his only sonne and heire of the Crowne was of so tender age CHAP. 5. A sommarie of the most excellent gifts of King Edward the sixt THe godly and most toward yong Prince King Edward the sixt being but of the age of nine yeares began his raigne the 31. of Ianuarie 1546. This prince in his tender age was indued with such towardnesse wisedome learning and all goodly gifts as Europe seldome or neuer fostered the like By reason of his tender yeares the Duke of Somerset his vncle was made Protector both of the King and his Realme who for the discretnesse of his speach the wisedome of his behauiour and vertue that accompanied all his actions was worthely reputed to be better able to gouerne at tenne then many princes at thirtie yeares of age There wanted no gift of nature learning or education that might renowne a good King but that mightely grew in his yong yeares as the vndoubted heire not only of the crowne but of all the vertues of his most noble father He aduanced the Gospell to which by Gods holie spirit his godly father gaue frée passage in England whose deuout zeale witnessed that this heauenly blessing was no lesse planted by his Grace by his godly councels and wisedome By his especiall request and letters the Citizens of London erected thrée néedefull Hospitals viz. for the sicke and aged they erected S. Thomas Hospitall in Southwarke for the fatherlesse child and infant they erected Christes Hospitall and for the sturdy vagabond they erected Bridewell by his godly meanes this charitable worke was sowne His wonderfull victory against the Scots may not be forgotten where was slaine 13000. Scots and but 60. Englishmen And truly if his subiects would haue béen imitators of his pietie charitie temperance and other christian duties their enuy ambition crueltie and other gréeuous sinnes had not so highly moued Gods wrath as that his vengeance would not suffer vs in any perfect yéeres to enioy this right gratious King Edward sample of all goodnes and by his death for a time reaued vs of the fruition of the Gospell the foode of our soules and in place of both to further punish our vnthankefulnesse he sent vs a prince that held a hard hand ouer vs that not only stopped the passage of the Gospell but persecuted the godly professors thereof euen Quéene Mary good King Edwards sister part of whose actions followeth CHAP. 6. An abstract out of the proceedings of Queene Mary LADY Mary the eldest daughter of king Henry the eight began her raigne ouer the realme of England the sixt of Iuly 1553. Touching her naturall disposition she was vertuouslie and well giuen but by reason that her bringing vp was vnder Papists and her youth throughlie instructed in the superstitions of Papistrie anone after that she was setled in her
gouernment of Fraunce no otherwise then the auncient statutes of the Danes Britans or Saxons doe at this day the Gouernment of Englande This vnnaturall Lawe had a barbarous beginning for the reporters thereof confesse that anno 420. the Franconians hauing abandoned their Countrey inhabited along the Rhine and especially about Treues The manners of these people being barbarous they liued vnciuilly without Lawe Which considered by Pharamonde their first Kinge the sonne of their Duke Marcomir He chose foure of the principall men of the Sicambrians whom he authorised by their wisedomes to giue a Law vnto the people The names of these foure were Vsucast Losocust Salgast and Visogust These foure made the Lawe Salique by which Lawe Emperiall gouernment say they is taken away from the daughters and heires of the Kinges of Fraunce This dead Lawe and many other to as little purpose were reuiued to bury the true and lawfull title of King Edwarde the 3. to the kingdome of Fraunce in the right of Quéene Isabell his mother the daughter heire of King Phylip le bel But King Edward nor his successors would not loose their right vpon such canterburie suggestions And some of them subiected the Frenchmen to English obedience And to this day the Armes and Imperiall title of Fraunce are ioyned to the honour of Englande To what purpose doth the law Mentall in Portugal forbid feminine gouernment King Philip deriueth his title from Marie the daughter of Iohn the third of that name king of Portugal and by that title is possessed of the kingdome It is God that disposeth kingdomes and the works of busie heads that vnlawfully séeke to withstand the law of nature in succession To be briefe this inuectiue prooued but a scare-crow it was indiscreatly written and negligently regarded King Francis or more truely the family of the Gwyses ancored their hope vpon the Popes sentence and in all the kings patents and other instruments caused to be intituled Frances of France Scotland England and Ireland king and in his shield quartered the Armes of England and to conquer the kingdome Come era apparente as Guiccerdine reporteth dyuers french forces were daily conuayed into Scotland who tooke and by force kept the strong townes and fortrises there The inhabitants oppressed thus with straungers were for their owne safegard driuen to sew vnto the Quéenes maiesty of England for aid to expel the french who sought the spoile and subuertion of Scotland The malicious purpose of the Guyses ioyned with commyseration of the daungerous affiction of Scotland the Quéene whereof was married and gouerned in France and so barred to vse the lybertie of her Crowne bound the Queenes Maiesty by the vertue of honour pollicie and charitie to sucker them with expedition To accomplish which matter her Maiestie sent a sufficient power towards Scotland by the Duke of Norfolke as generall who remained at Barwicke and the Lord Greay of Wilton being Liuetenaunt entred into Scotland and with her royall power ioyned with the Scots against the french who were soone weary of the English-mens comming But almightie God had set downe a more milde order to honour her Maiesty with the vanquishment of her enimies then by dynt of sword to accomplish which her highnesse sent Syr William Cycill knight at that time her Maiesties principall Secreatorie and nowe Lord Treasorer of England for the full knowledge of whose excéeding worthynesse I retourne the good reader to the Athenians commendation of the Philosopher Euxin and with him accompanied the learned and graue Gentleman Master Doctor Wotton to treat with the french who with their wisedomes so vanquished the french as to the quietnesse and safetie both of England and Scotland they forced them to depart with this following dishonour as Guicherdine reporteth who if he be pertiall it is in fauour of the french First that the King and Quéene of Fraunce and Scotland should leaue the Armes and title of the King of Englande and Irelande and that within sixe monethes at the furthest they shoulde cancell and renewe all their writings and instruments if there were any so made with the former Armes and Titles Further that the Realme of Scotland should be gouerned by the Counsell of twelue persons of the Nobilitie of the said kingdome whereof seuen shoulde bée nominated by the Scotish Quéene and siue by the thrée estates of the Parliament That the iniuries and trespasses committed on either part during the commotion should be forgotten and for the better assurance should be confirmed by the said Parliament That the Garrisons of french souldiers should retourne into Fraunce sauing onely in two fortes sixtie a péece subiect to the Iustice and paie of the Parliament of Scotlande That euerie man shoulde be restâ—…red to his office in the saide Realme and that no french man should haue any more office benefite or administration what so euer in Scotland That the french shoulde not at anie time conuay Munition of warre or souldiers into Scotlande without consent of the saide Parliament with sundrie other straight obseruaunces on the behalfe of the french which Guicherdine concludeth Con grandissimo vantaggio honore della regina Inglese with the greatest aduauntage and honour of the Quéene of Englande a victorie no doubt of great glorie and honour Whereby her Maiestie not onelie deliuered her owne Countrey from the daunger of inuasion but also fréeed Scotlande from the bondage of forraigne Gouernment and thus her enemies hungring after an vnlawfull spoyle lost the disposement of an assured benefite which fortune befall to all those that miswish her Amen CHAP. 9. Of her Maiesties peaceable victorie against the rebels in the North ioyned with her quiet vanquishing of sundry other conspiracies to the vniuersall benefit of England PIus Quartus who succéeded Paulus 4. in the Popedome finding an abasemeÌ„t of the glorie with which his predecessours were honoured and fearing with all that the example of England Scotland Denmarke and Germanie would draw other Nations from the obedience of the Romishe erronious Church to the profession and receiuing of the Gospell of our sauiour Iesus Christ the life of the soule and destruction of this accursed Antichrist laboured with the consent of manie Princes to reuiue the Counsell or more properly the conspiracie of Trent A conspiracie I may iustly say the pollicy whereof was to kéepe vnder the glorious merite of our sauiour Iesus and to aduaunce to the highest degrée of reuerence the painted Idolatrie of the Pope And appointing for his Legates 5. Cardinals who with a great number of Bishops and other doctors of their Church the eyght day after Easter 1561. beganne this vnholy Counsell And truely as in the intent of their assembly was séene this saying of the Psalmist The kinges of the earth stande vp and the rulers take consell togither against the Lorde and his annoynted So likewise in their vaine idle successe this continuance of the Psalme is further séene He that
a she vvolfe The empire of the Meades chaunged into Persian Iust. lib. 1. The empire â—…nslated into Macidonia The enuy of Alexander Alexander poysoned thorough Enuy. Thessalus a trâ—…i terous Phisition A necessary note for Prâ—…ces Kinges for there owne saâ—… tiâ—…s are bound to fauour their subiects Hippias a tyrant of Atheâ—… VVhere the feare of God stayeth not the loue of mony maketh passaâ—… for any mischief Counsels of K. â—…dinando The misery that follovved the incertainty of Alexanders succession A cruell part of Tamberlaâ—…ne A good counsel reiected The hugenes of Alexanders monarchie The greatnes of the Romane empire The nature of ambition One poyson remedy for an other Ruffâ—… pâ—… 〈◊〉 death Pollisie of Sâ—…licon Stilicons drift discouered Stilicons treason punished Rome sacked by Alaric Rome taken by the vandals Rome taken by Euriles and Toringnes Rome taken againe by the Gothes Rome taken againe by the Gothes Anno 830. Rome vvonne by the Sarizins Rome won by the Duke of Burbon Policies of the Popes to wâ—…nd out of obedâ—… 〈◊〉 and same of Constantinople The Priâ—… eleâ—…tours Apoc. 1â—… Can. si Papa de stâ—…et 42. Apocal. 17. 18. The names of the mountaines where Rome was builded 〈◊〉 2. circâ—… 〈◊〉 Apocal. 17. Thes. 2. 2. Dan. 11. A â—…able moralâ—…zed by the Pope Pro. 8. VVis 6. Psall 144. Dan. 2. 4. 5. Ierem. 25. 27. Rom. 13. Pride and cruelties of the Pope Looke in the Cron. of Germany Apol. of the prince of Orange Epitaph of Boniface the Pope The Popes war â—…ant or letter vvritten in the 2. booke of counsels â—…o 810 Rob. barnes cronicle Euseb Nanc Psal. 19. Lopes de goâ—…or in his hist. of â—…nd A daungerous policie of the pope Anno 1070. Cerimoniae Eccles Rom. lib. tit 〈◊〉 A presumptuons commandement A good â—…ing bound vnto the law A pleasant aunsvvere Anno 740. This taxe vvas peter pence Anno 1181. Apoc. 17. Apoc. 15. Vnâ—…nty of Mâ—…omets linage The vvicked counsel of the monek Seâ—… Mahomet an Athâ—…ist A damnable pollicie A matter is better vnbegun then not effectually followed A pleasing persvvasion of Mahomet Mahomets death Califus and Hali successours of Mahomet He vvas borne in a tovvne of Samarie called Tricon Tâ—…rt de here Lib. 1. cap. â—…0 Act. 8. S. Iustin. martyâ—… in his Apologie Iose. de bel Iud The Popes souldiers The Pope drâ—…ueÌ„ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Plat. de vita Gâ—…eg 9. Sab. 〈◊〉 par 3. A reâ—…rd for Coâ—…tiers An â—…ous reâ—…ge A proud request Originall of the Turkes Pom. Mel. Lib. de Cosmo 1. cap. 18. The Turkes infected with Mahomets religion Godfrey Bulloyne Ottoman 1. Succession of the Ottomans Orâ—…an 2. â—…at 3. The enuie of the Emperour and nobles first sure foundation of the Turkes Empire Baiazet who slew his elder brother Soâ—… Victorie against the Christians Constaâ—… 〈◊〉 beâ—… 〈◊〉 Christians ouercome Miserie and ouerthrow of Baiazet Calapin Christians ouerthrowne Mahomet 6. Christians ouercome Turkes ouerthrovvne Bassa a 〈◊〉 Lord of 〈◊〉 Christians ourthrovvne Originall of the Ianissaires Mahomet 8. Constantinople conquered Io. Vaiuode Turkes defeated Christians ouercome Determination of the siegniorie of the christians in the East Fraunce the antient refuge of the pope Baiazet 9. Christians ouerthrovvne Beginning of the Sophy his empire Selim 10. Paracide Inhumaine murâ—… This battaile vvas the 24. of August 1514 The Soudan ouercome Soliman 1â—… Soliman his vâ—…tories The Hungâ—…ans slaine Selim 12. Mustafa Bassa cosen to the theâ—… vvhich honge on the left side of Christ. Aâ—…urath 13. murdred 5. of his brethren Camp fâ—…o de his tuâ—… Originall of Tamberlaine Tamberlaines first attempts Enuy 〈◊〉 of Tamberâ—…es kingdome Tamberlaine king of Persia. Tamberlaines conquest Tamberlaines militarie discipline Creatâ—…es of Tamberlaines army Battaile betvveene Baâ—…t and Tamber lâ—…ine Courage of Bâ—…iazet Baiazetâ—… ouer throvv anâ—… misery A notable example Tamberlaines order at assaults A great cruelty Enuy ende of Tamberlainâ—…s kingdome Baptis Ignatius Ios. Simler dâ—… râ—…epub Swiâ—… Henry king of Portugall a Cardinall A senere iudgement of king Henry The king of Spaine his owne iudge Dâ—… Anthonio â—…de king by the 3. estates K of Spaines greedy desire of rule K. Anthonio put to â—…light A good example for traitours Tim. 2. cap. 3. Vertue the cog nizance of a gentleman Policie of the Medices A necessarie counsell to be followed 〈◊〉 Iudas kisse Iuâ—…ian de Medicâ—…â—…ne Assemblie of the Segnewâ—… Fury of the multitude The archbishop hanged Barnard Baudin hanged The ground of the Florentine dukedome Enuy of the Gwyses firste cause of the troubles of Fraunce Deuision of Scotland â—…cre of Parts Murther of the king of Scots Tyrannie of the Spaniards in the â—…ovve countrie A staffe is soone found to strike a dog The prince of Orange diuelishly murthâ—…red Admonition to England and English men Pollicy of the Athenians to â—…dle enuy A pollicie of Demosthenes to get audieÌ„ce Varietie delightfull to the reader A law of Socrates Pitty vvithout charitie Ciuill vvarres of the Romans Honour giuen to peacemakers Octauian Chanius Preter Iohn A speciall honour The benefite of histories All the kinges named Henry of Englande vvere vvorthy kinges An. doâ—… 1400. Henry the 4. A 〈◊〉 for â—…es Enuy of Nâ—…o Rom. 13. Iosep. bel Iude. Reg 1. 26. 1485 Antiquitye a great beauty of vertue A necessarye â—…onsideration King Henry the 7. compared to Alexander Seuerus 1509 1513 1521 Acts Cap. 9. Acts and Monuments Esâ—… 4. cap. â—…2 1530 Vide Chro. of England Cant. Cantico cap. 4. 1546 A vvonderfull victory in Scotland Muskelborrough feeld 1553 A godly poâ—… 〈◊〉 Câ—…p 〈◊〉 1. Sam. Cap. 〈◊〉 The protestants neuer rebelled in England The Papists cruelty without measure Comfortable examples for the godly in time of persecution Her Maiesties thankes-giuing Her Maiestie visibly blessed with the eight beatitudes in the 5. of Matth. A prouidence of God in taking avvay of seditious paâ—…ls Lodo. 〈◊〉 Comment lib. 〈◊〉 Lod. Guic. 〈◊〉 Com. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lib. 3. The law Voconia in Rome â—…avv 〈◊〉 in Fraunce lib. sec de Aâ—… veâ—…d 10 2â—… The law Mental in Scotland Lib. 3. 1560. Articles of accord betweene Englande and Fraunce taken out of Guicherdines Coment Lib. 3. 1561 Psal. 〈◊〉 Vide in the booke of the execut of Iustice in Engl. The Northerne rebels vanquished 1571 1570 Exod. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 14. The plagues of Aegypt and destruction of Pharao Actes 23. 24. The Queenes death practised by Negromancy Doctor Stories confession Plut. de defeâ—… orat Looke the chapter of herâ—… fol. 61. Psalme 4. 18. Actes 13. Genes 41. Exod. 8. 9. Esay 47. Daniel 2. Doctor Stories confession at his execution Prestall and Phaier deliuered foorth of the kings bench without triall Phaer executed for coyning Prestall condemned for â—…reason but not executed They â—…ors presume of her â—…iesties merâ—… Murther punished Actes 28. Matth. 27. R. cap. 12. Reg. 2. Cap. 21. Genesis 4. Psalme 37. Madder and Barlow Somernile Psalme 64. Doctor Parry Parties letter to the Lord â—…sorer Martiâ—… Psalm 1. 7. 37. 52.
ring from his owne finger as a token sayde hee that he bequethed him the Empyre as the moste worthiest And to strengthen either of them in their clayme there wanted not a Romaine Brutus to drawe his swoorde A Florentine Pazzi to trye liberty or an Englishe Duke of Buckingham with fiue hundred horse to demaunde what was to be done in this new world for discontented or rather dissentious persons how soeuer the power of a setled Prince keepe them vnder vppon a chaunge will discouer their seditious â—…artes as fyre hid in ashes by the sprinkeling of Gunpowder bewrayeth the heate To quell which cunning daungerous people though Machyuell prescribe a pollicy vnséeming a Christian Prince who is to referre hidden trespasses to the vengeaunce of God and not to punishe with death an intent without an attempt of euill For vntimely death onely appertayneth either to Gods secreat vengeaunce to open and lawfull conuiction of iustice or in lawfull wayes to the swoorde of the souldiour for what humaine bloud is otherwise shedde is tyrannye in a Prince and punishable in a priuate person yet Princes to brydle suche close enemies of publicke peace maye safelye without reproch of tyranny follow the counsell of a Geneowe marchant who was somtimes familiarly fauoured of Tamberlayne the Great surnamed flagellum dei who worthy the name of vengeance at what time as he after two assaults was peaceably possessed of a fayre city the citizens with their chiefe Magistrates wiues and Children cloathed all in white hauing Oliue braunches in their handes as assuraunces of peace vppon their knées humbly beséeching him of grace Notwithstanding commaunded his souldiers to kill them all like dogges This Genowa mooued with pitty to sée this outrage besought Tamberlaine to spare his cruelty for such as he conquered by force And quoth he if yée feare that these dogs will another day bite strike out their téeth Their countenances if néed be will helpe to scare Wolues meaning that he should spoyle them of their armour and if occasion serued he might make them fight as kinge Astiages did his cowardly souldiers either with enemies in their faces or friendes at their backes Which good counsell though Tamberlaine in his fury regarded not Yet other Princes that haue their passions more temperate may thereby learne how to kéep vnder their owne suspected subiects without dispeopling of their realmes to animate forraine enemies Upon which consideration William the Conqueror when he entered this realme straightly commaunded that no outrage shoulde be done vppon the common people for quoth he though they obey me I must raigne by them Well neither Hercules Arideus nor Perdicas wanted will or friendes to perseuer in their clayme and sure they had gone together by the eares for his realme before Alexander had had his funerall rites if the tumult in the beginning had not bene pacified and an order for the gouernment of the Empyre bene appointed by the grauer Captaines But as water courses stopt will find out new passages so enuy how so euer she be quallified will breake foorth into mischiefe The true euents whereof appeareth in the deuision of king Alexanders captaines who as they were many in number so were there in his Empyre so many seuerall prouinces as rewarded euery Captaine with a regall leiuetenantship The names of either for the glory of the Empyre and renowne of so many famous captaines but chiefly by the destruction both of the one and other to shewe the bitter ende of ciuill dissention which lightly hath beginning of enuy I haue thoght good to set downe at large the particuler whereof ensueth Arideus was chosen king Antipater was made Regent of CHAP. 5. How the enuy of Rufin and stilicon the one the Gouernour of the East and the other of the West made a passage for the barbarous Gothes and Vandals to sacke the famous city of Rome which could neuer since recouer the twenty part of her auncient beauty THE most famous Empyre of Rome who receiued many spoyles and in fine vtter ruine by this monster Enuy meriteth a larger report then my purpose affordes But to draw the Reader to a great contempt of this foule passion as well as to shew the auntient glory and present ignomy of the Romanes I certifie by the accorde of all histories that there was neuer Empyre so large as the Empyre of Rome nor at this day considering her auntient greatnes none that is not vtterly destroyed that hath fewer priuiledges for in times past the Romane Empyre was attyred well neare with the habite of all Europe Africa a great part of Asia as France Spayne England Germany with all the prouinces of Italye the Islandes called Mediterranees al Greace Thracia Macidonia Pollonia Demmarke as I haue said the greater part of Affrica as Manritania Numidia Carthage Libie with many other realmes and prouinces Aegypt and all her confines in Asia Arabia Siria Indie Mesopotamia also her segniories reached vnto the renowned Riuers of Tiger and Euphrates and in the time of the Emperour Traian her bondes stretched euen vnto the East Indies vnto whom was subdued the prouinces of Armenia and Albanie with all Asia minor and many other Regions too tedious particularly to rehearse whose length and breadth at this day is drawne by the Pusilanimitie of certaine emperours or rather by the enuy and pride of the Pope of Rome whose pageants begin to appeare into a small part of Germany and Italie So that Rome some times commaundres of the whole world is now steightly regarded and if any of deuotion doe come to visite her shee intertaineth them with this sorrow Quanta roma fuit ipsa ruina docet And well shée may vaunt of her auntient monumentes But to describe her present estate there is small beautye in her buildinges and lesse vertue in her people and shée that was called the fountaine of the worlde for her flowing vertues maye now be iustly named the sincke of the worlde for her filthy corrupt vices Well let her ruines shewe her further reproch which were so lamentable as might melt her worst enemies vnto pittye manye shrewde spoyles shée receaued by the enuy of her owne people especially by the ciuill contentions of Scilla Marius Carbo Cinna Pompeius and Cesar Brutus and Cassius Octauius and Anthonius in sustaining of whose vnnaturall quarrell by Romanes there were more Romanes slayne then by strangers in conquering the kingdomes of the whole worlde With which grieuous woundes though shée were much weakened yet by the wisedomes of her Temporall Magistrates shée was againe cured and long might haue liued if like vnto greene Iuie that frome the Roote of a great Oke by soft embracementes ouergroweth the top of the Trée the ypocrisie of the Bishoppe of Rome had not so compassed or rather ouercome her Emperours with an ignoraunt deuotion that to make the Cleargye mighty they yeelded to make them selues weake yet to report a truth shée receaued her bane in the time of
demaunded Papa cuius partis orationis sayd that papa was participii partis quia partem capit a clere partem a seculari partem ab vtroque cum totius orbis doloris significatione sine modis temporibus That is to say this word Pope is a Participle for he receiues of the spiritualitie he receiues of the temporalitie and parteth stakes on both sides without measure or ende to the great anguishe sorrow of all the world may truly be sayd somewhat I haue discoursed and much more other nations haue felt neither yet hath little England which some holde not part of the worlde bene exempt from his rauening crosses no better then curses but through his meane hath beene partaker of other countries calamities King Inas made the whole lande tributary to the Pope and further vpon suggestion that Thomas Becket archbishop of Caunterbury was slaine by the kinges consent the whole land was a great while in subiection and at the disposition of the Pope It is a wonder but that God would haue it so that no worthy Prince did vnmaske the painted village of this glorious Pope in so long continuaunce of his errour yea the continuaunce of his kingdome is a great matter of his glory and a colour that yet deceauesh many but Sainct Paule sufficiently aunsweareth the matter saying that God shoulde send such an efficacie in errour that men shoulde giue credite vnto falsehood not onely for a day but for a long continuaunce of time but as there was a beginning of all that is bisiblye seene so there shall be an ende of the greatest glorye that our eyes may behold And although the ten kinges figured by the beast with ten hornes in the seuentéene of the Apocalips which shall hate the whore and shall make her desolate and naked and that shall eat her flesh and burne her with fire is meant in that passage as a prophesie of the destruction of the Empire of Rome yet graunting the same you shall easely finde out Antichrist by the whore that sate vpon the seuen hilles before described I haue in the Chapter before touched the most of the tenne kinges which Saint Iohn speaketh of which destroyed and spoyled Rome But for that I haue not set them successiuely done in the other chapter but onely remembred those that entred Rome by force I holde it not amisse in this place breifly to remember them Radaigasus the first king of the Gothes which entred Italy with two hundred thousande Gothes can not be reckoned for one of them for that without doing any great damage he was ouercome taken prisoner and strangled by Stilicon captaine of the Emperour Honorius army 1 Alarick was then the first king of the Gothes and straunger that entred and spoyled Rome 2 Adolphus was the seconde who if the intercession of his wife Placida Honorius sister had not appeased his furye had vtterly subuerted Rome 3 Generick king of the Vandals was the thirde that spoyled Rome 4 Odoacer as some say a Saxon was the fourth king that punished Rome and first of all named him selfe king of Italy 5 Theodarich king of the Gothes was the fift who and his heyres occupied the empire 50. yeares 6 Athalarick Theodarich sonne was the sixt 7 Theodat successour of Athalarick also king of the Gothes was the seuenth 8 Vitiges was the 8. king this Vitiges left Rome naked of all her beautifull buildinges and auntient priuiledges 9 Tottill king of the Gothes was the ninth who destroyed Rome more then the rest and this wound lasted 42. moneths as it is written in the Apoc. 13. for it was three yeere and a halfe before Bellisarius repayred Rome after her first ruine by Tottill 10 Telas succéeded Tottil and was the last king of the Gothes that gouerned Rome who in the beginning of his raigne was vanquished taken prisoner and put to death by Nasetes chief of the Emperour Iustinians army In this sort did God chasten this Empire of Rome and albeit God hath appointed other then carnall weapons to confound Antichrist who being the enemy of God is threatned to be confounded by Gods owne worde yet to ioyne shame with his ouerthrow visible vengeance is séene to raigne vppon him For to what nation is not his deformitie knowne and as by peece meales he clymed to the highest degrée of worldly dignitye euen so by a lingring consumption he is almost wasted to nothing or in the best construction brought vnto a vile reputation and as I haue here showne his florishing pride and pompe euen so occasion will hereafter minister matter in sundry places of his ruine disgrace and daylye defeats whose vtter confusion God for his sonnes sake speedely graunt Amen CHAP. 7. Of the enuy of Sergius a monke of Constantinople who being banished for heresie fledde into Arabia vnto Mahomet by whose diuelish pollicies ambitious Mahomet forced the people to holde him for a Prophet which damnable sect vntil this day hath beene nourished with the bloud of many thousandes LAmentable and most lamentable are the blouddye cruelties manifested in my former discourses but this one act of enuy broched the extreamest venim of the diuell For although in my recited examples I haue published open iniuries both against God and man yet were they executed on those persons whose glory the enuious beheld or in the worst degrée to bury the remembraunce of their vertues which they imagined woulde lessen their account But this fact of Sergius was drawne many degrees more extreame who though he sufficiently bewrayed the enuie that he beare to his superiours authoritie béeng a Monke in Constantinople in that he raysed damnable heresies to make him selfe famous yet the sect of Mahomet which his accursed head first plāted in Arabia hath left an impossibility to Belzabub to scatter in the world a more blasphemy against God and iniury towardes men whose opinions buried millions of soules in hell whose bodies were to forme many hundred yéeres after his departure vnto the Diuell The actions of whom and originall of Mahomets sect ensueth Sundry are the opinions of what parentage and countrye this false Prophet Mahomet was Platinus sayeth that he sprong from noble line But Pomponius Letus a moste diligent authour in the abridgement of the Romane history affirmeth that he was of a race base vile and obscure which may the rather be credited for that a man so euill in whome was nothing worthye of memorye but malice and iniquitie may hardly be the issue of noble bloud Some saye he was a Persian some other an Arabian and both opinions not without reason for that at that time the Persians gouerned Arabia Touching his father were he noble or villayne sure it is that he was a Gentill and neither Iewe nor Christian by his mothers side the better opinion is that he descended from Abraham by the ligne of his sonne Ismaell whom he had by his Chamber mayd Agar and so as a Iewe obserued the lawe of
kingdome by suffering the bloodie Bishops to misuse her Emperiall sword she in their procéedings outragiouslie tyrannised the true professors of the Gospell which God her noble father and good brother his instruments bée therefore praysed had taken a sound holde in the hart of England whose crueltie and contrarietie in Religion may no wayes slaunder her godlie father and his off-spring We sée the Rose trée that bringeth foorth the swéete Rose lykewise bringeth foorth sharpe prickels but to come more néerer the matter the kyrnell of the best apple will growe to be a crabbe vnlesse some good fruite bee grafted on the stocke and looke what the Sience is suche will be the trée looke what is â—…owen in youth is euer séene in age the following example teacheth a good pollicie to haue an eie vnto Schoolemaisters and the education of Papistes children The séede of Idolatrie superstition and send Ceremonies were sowne in the heart of Ladie Mary béeing a childe which grewe to the disworship of God and the destruction of the godlie Ladie Mary béeing a Quéene But God no doubt suffered thys prickle to growe of thys gréene Rosier and thys irreligion to be grafted of thys religious stocke to chasten the sinnes of England who hauing a righteous Prince peace and plentie both of spirituall and temporall blessings neyther saluted the giuer of thys goodnesse with hartie thankes nor sought the continuance thereof with a dutifull regarde of the Kings Maiestie but in some of her members hauing an eye fixed vppon the Kings tender yéeres and not an hart setled vppon hys firme vertues she began to worke matters hatefull to GOD offensiue to the Prince and most hurtfull to her selfe and therefore God 〈◊〉 Englande of the most milde vertueus godlie and well disposed Prince King EDWARD the sixth and in wrath sente vs euen suche a Prince as the Prophete speaketh of that shoulde oppresse vs with most greeuous bondage that should by taxes great impositions take froÌ„ vs the fruites of the feeld vineyards oliue trees and should giue them to his lords and seruants Euen Quéene Mary that imposed many great summes of money vppon vs to enrich strange Lords that by committing the waightie affaires of the publike weale to Bishops almost wilfully lost Callis an auncient ornament belonging to England which Citie the notorious Atheist Gardener vaunted that he would kéepe with a white wand an vnlikely matter that his courage serued him to defend Callis against the power of a puissant King with a white wand that armed troupes to gard the vnresisting Martyrs to burning but which stained her gouernement with euerlasting crueltie she by her ministers in fyue yéeres tyrannouslie burned fiue times more innocent and quiet Protestants then good Quéene Elizabeth in 27. yéeres raigne by her lawes hath executed notorious Papists that committed treason when my soule durst sweare that there be double the number of the poore Protestants that then constantly professed the holie Gospell that now in their harts wish her Maiesties depriuement both of life and crowne and yet liue This persecution made many to flée the Realme for their consciences sake but they sought not libertie by rebellion they confessed this bondage and persecution to procéed from the Lords heauie displeasure and humblie awaighted his fauour for their deliuerance No one hath more cause to exclaime of this hard gouernement then our gratious Quéene Elizabeth She was not entertained like the daughter of a mightie King and heire apparant of a rich kingdome Good Lady she was emprisoned her attendance small her libertie nothing When her innocencie disprooued publike accusations the Cleargie sought her life by secret tyrannie sought it do I say yea they had wrought it had not God beyond mans expectation wonderfully deliuered her Maiestie her assured friends despaired of her worldly welfare her Maiestie that behelde the bloody knife a sharpning misdoubted not her deliuerance Her friends trembled because there was no measure in the Papists crueltie her Maiestie looked chéerefully because she knew the Diuell had no might but such as God suffered In the holie Bible the louing embracements whereof was her Maiesties persecution her excellencie had learned these pretious comforts and in them reposed The Lord sayeth Who so honoreth me him will I make honorable In another place Dauid sayeth Who so dwelleth vnder the shadow of the almighty him God couereth with his wings and keepeth safe vnder his feathers I know saith he the Lord helpeth his annointed and euen from heauen heareth them Some trust in chariots some in horsses but we in calling vpon the Lord. God can and oft times doth pine man and beast euen in the middest of plentie God where he setteth too his hand worketh wonders and sturdie strength standeth in no stead God thus speaketh to Dauid and yet by a spiritual interpretation maketh like promise to all kings and princes that hartely séeke his glorie Because thou hast set thy loue vpon me I will see thee rid from all thy troubles I will defend thee why so it followeth Thou hast knowen my name thou seekest my glorie and therefore whensoeuer thou callest vpon my name I will heare thee yea I am with thee in all thy calamities and will deliuer thee from them I will set thee higher in honor send thee long life and shew thee thy saluation Her Maiestie builded vpon these comforts her soule desired and hoped to be an instrument of his wonderfull glorie examples of Scripture told her that those whome God had appointed to any speciall seruice euen those he guided through mortall dangers he preserued Ioseph from the murthering enuy of his brethren to saue old Iacob his father his malitious brethren and al Israel from the sharp death of famine Against the tyranous decrée of Pharao which was that the Midwiues should kill all the male children of the Hebrewes his prouidence saued Moses from drowning and made him his instrument to leade the children of Israell out of the bondage of Pharao vnto the land of promise God in the deapth of the sea fetched Ionas the Prophet foorth of the Whales belly to saue Niniuey from destruction God deliuered Peter forth of the prison tirannie of Herod the Iewes that he might open the gates of faith and preach the way of saluation euen vnto his enimies God sundry waies miraculouslie deliuered Paule from the vengeance of death to preach the Gospell of saluation vnto the Gentiles at Philippos in Macedonia he caused him Sylas to be deliuered forth of prison In Lycaonia the Iewes the people stoned him and drew him forth of the City as a dead man God raised and reuiued him againe God againe redéemed him out of the hands of the Iewes when as forty of them swore they would neither eate nor drinke vntill they had slaine Paule yea God in his extremitie stood by him comforted him saying Be of good cheere Paule for as thou hast testified of me at
bee deuised by men This onely lacketh to set foorth the glorie of good Lawes and to possesse the Common wealth with their true benefites The administrators of Lawes are nothing so carefull to finde out the offender as they are readie to pronounce Sentence of the offence agreeing with an olde tale of a Viccar of Croyden who of a peece of his Vicreage made an Ale-house and there kept an harlotte for in those dayes the Lawe of the Church forbadde Priestes to marrie and yet the awe of hell coulde not subdew their lustes this smoge Chaplaine mindfull of the lesson long before giuen vntoâ—… the Cleargie Si non caste tamen Caute as hee thought to take away all suspition of his misbehauiour made a vehement Sermon against Lecherie and agrauated the vengeaunces of that sinne with all the authorities which hee coulde recite in the Scripture earnestlie exhorting his Parishioners to cleanse the towne of that damnable and filthie iniquitie whereuppon one of the Church-wardens that knewe the Viccar had violated his vowe cryed out Master Viccar if you will giue vs example by purging of the Church-yarde wee will bee carefull to cleanse the rest of the Parish the Viccar smelling the meaning of the Church-warden pleasantlie to huddle vp the matter replied that the Church-warden spake without reason for quoth he the Church-yarde is the appointed place to receiue the most filthie Carrion of the worlde and withall wished the people not to mistake him for hee onely spake of the sinne but medled not with the sinner A great part of the meane officers of Iustice at this day doe as the Viccar saide The Penall Lawes which are manie and yet no more than are necessarie Vice is growne to so great a strength are solemnely pronounced in euerie Sise Session and Leete the offenders manie and many times present at the repetition of their Trespasses and yet seldome or neuer bee presented that they may feele the scourge dew to their Trespasses when the Trespasser by his fault is as well knowne to the Iustice Iurie Steward or other officer as to his owne conscience which offendeth and howe commeth this barre of Iustice forsooth by this straining of curtesie the Iudge will punish but what the Iurie findeth the Iurie will finde but what is presented fewe will present without inforcement and thus good Iustice which was wont to bee so quicke as men portrayed her with a paire of wings is nowe so slowe as shee needeth a spurre And shee that was likened vnto fire which being naturall both cherisheth and consumeth by the coldnesse of mens Conscienses may nowe bee compared to painted fire which neither comforteth the good nor wasteth the lewde But this defect is not so properly to be applyed to Iustice as to the infirmitie of her administrators who as Gordian saith ought to be so free from partialitie as in the seruice of Iustice they must forget the affection of a Father a husband a kinseman and a friende This Gordian was a graue Senatour of Rome who in the time of the dissolute and beastly raigne of the most vicious Emperour Heliogabalus made sute to be discharged of the authorities which he bore in the common wealth not for that he grew weary of the seruices which he did vnto his Countrie but in that he abhorred to slaunder the reuerence dew vnto a Iudge with iniust sentenses which the priuiledges of the wicked would inforce him vnto He would verie often say that a good Common wealthes man applyeth all the parts of a well proportioned creature whose hands are bound behind him his eyes are no lesse occupied to prie into the doings of the lewd then his eares attentiue to heare the complaints of the good his tongue is mute neither for feare nor fauour and by his leagues he presenteth a continuall trauel to do his countrie seruice his handes bound behind him sheweth him as well bound vnto all these offices as free from briberies and doubtlesse the authorised Maiestrate which is thus diligent and no lesse free from corruption shall aswell be busied to chasten the offences which he findeth himselfe as to punish such as be discouered by others Truely there be a great number of right worthy Maiestrates in this happie gouernement of Englande who with the eyes eares tongue and legges of Gordians common wealthes man both foresee the actions of naughtie persons and prouide to frustrate their determinations and as the Amners of Gods blessings especially bestowed vppon this happie Realme since the first houre of her sacred Maiesties most prosperous raigne haue both stopped the passages of forraine practises and ciuill conspiracies and without bloodsheading onely armed with deuine and morall vertues ouercommeth these enimies with their owne swordes as a concaue Mirror daunteth the assailer with his proper weapon so that all Nations by the impressions of their owne sorrowes as well as through knowledge of our happinesse with the spirite they admyre her Maiestie and good Maiestrates prudent gouernement doe enuie the peace plentie and protection of her inferior subiects Now some will say by the searching wisedomes of her Maiestie and graue senate prosperitie in all her dominions is administred and the enimies thereof of their purposes are defeated and referre all this to a needlesse purpose There are rare monuments to eterâ—…ise the vertues of the Queene Counsell and chiefe Maiestrates and in the rest no notable vice generally to bee reprooued But with sorrowe I reporte and their doings approoues it Vice is as generally imbraced of the multitude as vertue is especially cherished of the better sorte since the case so standes who will not say that that buylding is out of order whose spares are rotten whose windowes are broken and whose roofe is vncouered although the groundworke bee stronge and principall timbers sounde Surelie a happie common wealth resembleth a faire building the foundation whereof is the Prince the principals are the chiefe Maiestrates the sparres the Inferiour officers the windowes the Nobilitie and Gentilitie the Tiles that couereth the same are the Citisens and multitude and the faire roomes within the building are the liberties of the Cleargie who are priuiledged to blame sinne in all estates but the punishment appertaineth to the vengeance of God and sworde of the Prince all which partes firmelie vnited together doe strengthen one another and the corruption of the least by the sufferance of Time will turne to the confusion of the greatest and therefore by the Lawe of Nature the meanest person in his vocation is sworne to trauell for the publike benefite of his Countrie It is no excuse sufficient for him that is not authorised to chasten offences to suffer offenders to liue vnder his nose vnpresented that the Maiestrate may punish nor yet no good discharge of his duetie that is authorised to leaue an offence vnpunished vntill information bee giuen by others when his owne knowledge is able to condemne the offender euerie man is bounde for his owne safetie to discouer an euill
gotten a great maâ—…e of money to make Hugh Pulath the Bishop of Durham Earle of Northumberland chiefe Iustice of England Sée quoth the King what a miracle I can do I can make of an old Bishop a yong Earle but his myracle turned to the great disworship of God and mischiefe of the whole Realme for the prelates by buying temporall honors for thys King for money made many prelates Uicounts Barons soone learned how to sell the peace and prosperitie of the Kingdome this was the sound waie to strengthen the Popes Empyre and the wicked pollicy that kepte vnder the Gospell the light and life of saluation when ambition crept into the Church zeale fled out of the hart of the Cleargie but which hath wrought the capitoll mischiefe of all the inequalitie of estates betwéene the highest and lowest of the Prelates hath brought enuie into the Church and with enuie a number of heresies and controuersies Occasion and millions of mens deathes and damnation haue opened the venome of thys passion sufficientlie in the Chapter of heresies and in sundrie other places in the Conquests of Enuy. Disvnion of the Church of all calamities is the most gréeuous because it mouéth a most mortall warre among men and eternall torment vnto the soule God for hys Sonne Iesus sake banishe thys dangerous passion foorth of the Churche and gyue the spirite of true knowledge vnto all the Cleargie that with mutuall consentes they maye teache one sounde doctrine to the glorie of GOD and vniuersall peace and comforte of his people Amen CHAP. 4. Of the most honorable calling of the Iudiciall Maiestrates of the waightinesse of theyr offices with examples of Gods heauie iustice inflicted vppon partiall Iudges IN all good gouerments necessitie hath taught princes where vertue is found to honor it and questionles so waightie are the affaires of a Common-wealth and so holie the iudgements of iustice as the nobilitie or innobilitie of the person not respected The Magistrates or Ministers of these charges ought to be chosen by the counsell that Iethro the Priest gaue vnto hys sonne in lawe Moyses which was that he shoulde choose among the people vertuous men and such as feare God true men hating couetousnesse and make them heads ouer the people and let them iudge the people at all seasons c. The waightinesse of which charge commandeth a hye honour and reuerence to be giuen to the Magistrate who in the place of iustice is the image of the Prince And in all good Gouerments the soueraigne Magistrate hath hys place next vnto the Prince In Rome the Senators were called the Fathers of the Common wealth and as the Father is honored and reuerenced of his sonne so were they of the people The Maiestrates or Philosophers of Greece were called Sages whose wisedomes were so reuerenced as nothing was done concerning warre or peace but what they allowed The office of the Magistrate according to the Psalmist is to defende the poore and fatherlesse and to sée that such as bée in néede and necessitie may haue right and as King Lamuell setteth downe they must bée aduocates for the doombe they must open theyr mouthes to defend the thing that is lawfull and right and accordyng to the counsell of Aristotle in theyr iudgementes they must bée ruled neyther by loue hatred or gaine That these duties may bée truely ministred Cicero sayeth that Sophocles counselled Pericles to make choise of Iudges that had not onely theyr handes but theyr eyes chaste and continent It behoueth that Iudges do not buy theyr offices for as Alexander Seuerus sayeth he that buieth must néedes sell and therefore sayeth he I will suffer no Merchants of Estate for if quoth he I suffer the one I must néedes indure the other as a matter too seuere to punish him that buyeth although he selleth In Fraunce all the offices of iustice are solde in Englande they are fréely geuen in the one I knowe the administration is corrupt I pray God the other be without faulte Plato was so curious in the choise of iudiciall officers as he gaue counsell to giue no dignitie or offices to the ambitious or to such as coueted or sought them but vnto such as méerely refused them and aboue all he forewarned to make choyse of none that naturally were barbarous rude or rusticke but of people that were ciuill milde iust and wise the which he figuratiuely compared vnto dogs which are ordained to defende the shéepe and to chase awaye the Wolfe In Calcydone there was a lawe that néedie and vnworthie persons shoulde beare no office but contrarywise such as contemned riches and contented to be inriched with most knowledge and such manner of men were Curius Fabritius and Phocion Alexander the Great teacheth Iudges to iudge vprightly by this obseruance when any man complained he stopped one of his eares to heare the aunswere of the defendant and truely iustice is neuer rightly administred where the Iudge giueth hys sentence before lawfull conuiction It is a place of much honor to be a Iudiciall Magistrate but the temptation of money is so swéete as when the world was nothing so corrupt in these dayes the Poet was driuen to sing Munera crede mihi capiunt hominesque deosque In English Beleeue me giftes do catch both Gods and men Diogenes béeing asked what thing an office was said it was a dangerous beast for quoth he it is as hard a matter for the Iudges of the people to kéepe theyr consciences sound as barefooted for a man to walke vpon sharpe stones vnhurt or to thrust his hand into the fire without the burning thereof In all good gouerments there euermore haue béene positiue lawes to bridle the iniustice of Iudiciall Maiestrates The false Iudges that accused Susanna were stoned to death Alexander Seuerus caused the corrupt Maiestrate Turinus to be smoothered with the smoke of wette stubble during whose execution one cryed With fume let him dye that fumes hath solde Thys Alexander defrayed the charge of all the Iudges with an honorable allowance that theyr offence might be without excuse and theyr punishmente without mercie if they did iniustice for money The sentence that King Cambyses gaue vpon a corrupt Iudge deserueth eternall memorie he caused hym to be flayed and with hys skinne he couered a iudiciall Chaire in which he placed the Iudges sonne to occupie the office of hys Father and to feare him from briberie and all partialitie besides the continuall sight of his fathers skinne Cambyses gaue hym this sharpe item Sede sedens ista iudex inflexibilis sta Sit tibi lucerna lux lex pellisque paterna A manibus reseces munus ab aure preces In English Thou Iudge that sittest in this seate firmely sit therein And for thy light take thou the light the lawe and fathers skin Superfluous bribes cut from thy ruling hand And in thy eares let no intreatie stand I néede not inlarge this Chapter with the positiue
at Magonce commaunded the Archbishop before them and so partially heard the matter but the one gaue sentence against him by meanes whereof he was depriued of his dignitie and Arnold who had solde him as Iudas did our sauiour Christ was placed in his place this iudgement being pronounced the Archbishop Henrie there present deliuered these words God knoweth that I am vniustly condemned neuerthelesse I haue little care to appeale from your sentence for that you shal be sooner beléeued in your leasings than I in deliuering of the truth for this cause I receiue your iudgement before the iust and eternall Iudge which is Iesus Christ before whom I adiorne you The Iudges hearing the same began to smile and bad him go before and they would follow after This sentence was giuen in the yeare of our Lord a thousand one hundred fifty sixe The Archbishop thus depriued sustained his iniurie with great patience and liued the residue of his life in a Monasterie to conclude God would not suffer this wickednesse vnpunished to the ende that the innocencie of the iust might bée knowne one yeare and a halfe afterwards Henry died in his Monestarie and as it is to be hoped mounted into the glorie he so desired The newes of his death being come to Rome the two Cardinals vppon a day being mearie together saide that they failed to finde the Archbishop Henrie but within few dayes after the one of the two was so soundly strocken by one of his owne people that his intrailes issued out at his fundament and so miserablie dyed The other grinding of his téeth and tearing and eating his hands dyed mad Touching Arnold for his cruelties and seditions which he intertained among the people he was so much hated that one day being set in a Monestarie hée was slaine and after left thrée dayes among the diches of the Citie where all the people men and women exercised vppon his bodie all the cruelties that might be possiblie inuented Who so that is curious of more examples touching Gods seuere punishments inflicted vppon partiall iudges next vnto the sacred Byble let him search the Actes and Monuments of the Church collected by the reuerent deuine M. Iohn Fox and he shal be liberally and profitably satisfied and so I end this Chapter CHAP. 5. Of the worthy reputation of the Iustisers whom we commonly call Iustices of Peace and of the publike benefite of their seruice being duely administred THere néede no other demonstration to shew the worthinesse of their calling that are Iustisers of Peace then the signification of their office distribution or administration of the right pretious blessing Peace They are numbred among the eight beatitudes that are peacemakers For they shal be called the children of God The greatest peare of England taketh not scorne of the office yea by statute is chosen for that seruice and to the intent that necessitie in such as lack liuing may be no cause of iniustice it is prouided that no person that cannot dispend xx pound land by the yeare shal be a Iustiser of Peace vnlesse they be certain celected men Barrators and men of euill name shall not be assigned Iusticers of Peace Trespasses committed and specified in the greatest part of the penal lawes are committed to their examination and determination M. Lambeard and others haue written learnedly and largely of the administration of this office according to Law but much moreouer may be said of the administration thereof according to Christian charitie and Iustice The diligence of the Iusticers of Peace is of power to kéepe the Iudges idle in Westminster Hall and the plow to be alwayes occupied in the Countrie the true administration of Peace is as well to appease the discords of neighbors as to aprehend felons and euill liuers All controuersies in Law grow either of violent oppression stubborne mallice or manifest folly if the sute procéede of violent oppression what oppressor will be so cruell as to withstand the good mediation of these maiestrates who for the most part are the principall men of the sheare if of stubborne mallice the accord that they shall make wil be farre more godly and profitable than the agréement of the Law for Law for the most part endeth controuersies and increaseth mallice when a friendly agréement determineth both and if the matter be of light reckoning it wil grow to a hauie charge in Law which a peaceable mediation would charitablie end Almost there is no matter tried by law without this censure It is pittie it was not ended by friends and truely in Christian equitie this pittie is a blame in the Iustisers of Peace that they wil not looke into the discorde of neighbours which is a breach of Christian Peace and labour to accord them which is a point of their duetie The Right noble Lord Francis late Earle of Bedford whose life and death is a myrrour of true honour and Christian nobility when he liued in the westerne parts in short time so abredged the number of Nysi prius as the Lawers murmured against his Charitie but so honorable was the slaunder as I may with charitie wish that the example generally through England would begger their facultie The Reuerend Iudge the late Lord Dyer would vsually say if there came any controuersies of poore men to be tried at the assises that the parties were wilfull or their neighbors without charitie because their sutes were not quietly ended I heard a question once moued what was the cause that there were so many bad Lawiers which was presently answered because there were so few good preachers In déede although most ministers will generally speake against discord of nighbors in the Church few of them do trauell to bring peace vnto their houses their godly perswasions no doubt may profite with the honester sort but the credite and authoritie of the other Maiestrate will preuaile against the most obstinate wrangler I know in Bedfordshire and in some other places that once a wéeke sundrie of the principall maiestrates and of the chiefe deuines méete the one to instruct the people in the rules of Christianitie and the other to appease the controuersies of neighbours If the example were generall this generall benefite would follow the oppressor would forbeare to doe iniurie for feare of shame and the oppressed shoulds haue ease without expence of money I am bound reuerently to confesse that the honour and mercie of the Chancery Law is a fountaine of compassion and sucker for oppressed suppliants but the court is so pestered with iniuries as common course kéepeth a man néere hand foure yeares from iuditiall hearing in which space as the tale goeth of a condemned man that vndertooke within tenne yeares to make a Tyrants Ape to speake vppon this hope that before the time were expired the Tyrant the Ape or himselfe might haply die so the opressor hopeth by the complainants expence toile and lacke of friends in such a lingring sute
a Lambe that haunteth a Foxes den for how righteous so euer his cause be yet the poore sutor is sure to sing before his matter be ended Law measures right with toyle expence and griefe There are many stoppes before a matter come to iudgement and many nyce quillets to ouerthrowe a good matter so that if the countrie man wil direct his controuersie by this following compasse hée shall finde more profite in the same than in the counsell of the best Seriaunt and first of all I wish him to way the working of giftes by this sequele A poore man once a Iudge besought to iudge aright his cause And with a glasse of Oyle salutes this iudger of the lawes My friend quoth he thy cause is good he glad away did trudge A non his wealthy foe did come before this partiall iudge A Hog well fedde the churle presents and craues a straine of law The hog receiud the poore mans right was iudg'd not worth a straw Therewith he cri'de O partiall iudge thy dome hath me vndone When Oyle I gaue my cause was good but now to ruine runne Poore man quoth he I thee forgot and see thy cause of foile A Hog came since into my house and brake thy glasse of Oyle Learne friends by this this read of me smal helpes a righteous cause When giftes do catch both Gods men friendship endeth laws This example is no other than a Morrall fore-warning vnto the inferiour sort to forbeare controuersie with men mightier than themselues least after much expence of mony they make but a badde ende of a good cause we are counselled in holy Scripture not to go to Lawe with men mightier then our selues least we be more discomforted with an vnsentence than with an iniurious oppression Lawe is the supporter of all well gouerned Common weales necessarie for al men but not behoueful for the poore to follow in great mens controuersies a néedful instrument in poore mens wrongs a remedie too violent Iudges and other mynisters of the Law in the due administration of their callings deserue great honour reuerence and reputation for that Periurie Oppression and all manner of deceit goeth before them that their eyes may beholde their actions of whose forfatures they are iudges and in their footesteps Vertue Truth and good Conscience ready with the following multitude familiarly to conuerse but sinne which with the first fall of Adam rose hath made gaine so swéete and corruption so bolde as now before a great number of them vpright-dealing in vaine continually knéeleth for intertainement and in their liueries all manner of deceit squareth among the multitude Good and profitable Lawes were so wrested in Glebulus time a great Philosopher and one of the seuen sages as hee saide Lawes were like vnto Copweâ—…bes through which great Harnets broke when the little flies were menshed Pythagoras compareth Lawe vnto a backe sworde which smote the greater powers with the blunt and the meaner sort with the eadge By the wresting of Law and other partiall workings wee haue in Englande these by sayings Might mastereth right The Law is ended as a man is friended A good purse is better than a iust cause c. The wise Cato made this aunswere to one that woulde haue the pleading place in Rome to bee couered with Canuas like vnto the Theators for that the heate of the sunne was verie hurtefull for the pleaders and their Clyantes heades Nay quoath Cato for my parte I rather wishe that all the wayes to the place of pleading were cast ouer with Galthropes that the féete of such as loue so well pleading shoulde feele so much paines of those prickes in going thither as their heades doe of the sunne in tarrying there He meant they were but idle whot heades busie bodies and troublesome men in a Common wealth that did so nourish pleading Good labourers and quiet men coulde bée content to ende their matters at home by iudgement of their neighbours and kinsefolke without spending so their money vppon procurers and aduocates whom wée call Attorneys Counsellers Sergeants and generally men of Lawe Those hée accounteth profitable Citizens who attende their honest labour and businesse at home and not stande wayting and gaping vppon their Rolles and Processe in the Lawe as for the other by his iudgement it was no matter what mischiefe they suffered This the graue learned man Sir Thomas Smith writeth in his booke De republica Anglorum and further saieth That these busie heades and inuentours of trouble are men euen permitted of God like Flyes Lyse and other vermine to disquiet them who woulde imploy themselues vppon better businesse and more necessarie for the common wealth These men are hated and feared of their neighbours loued and aided of them which gaine by Proces and waxe fatte by the expence of others In the blame of these make-bates as our English phrase is farre is it from my intent as in sundrie places I protest to scandilize the most necessarie vse of Lawe or to reproch the good Lawiers For if necessitie inuentris of all Artes Polycies and Mecanicall craftes giueth honour to the Phisition of our corporall bodies no doubt shée commaundeth a more larger regarde and reuerence to bée giuen to the Phisition of the politicke body who is the Lawier Notwithstanding as the Medicine is of more auaile that preserueth health than that which cureth sickenesse Euen so the meane that kéepeth neighbours in loue peace and Charitie is more profitable than the authoritie that accordeth controuersies is necessarie For as after the healing of a wound there remaineth a scarre euen so after the agréement of Law there abideth mallice which lying hidde like fire vnder ashes kindleth fresh mallice and neuer intertaineth faithfull amitie It is then greatly to be pittied that these simple men for the matter of fiue shillings should be vexed arested brought vp to Westminster Hall and halfe vndone at the suite of troblesome persons of the spoyles of these good men a great number of the swarmes of Attourneyes and petifoggers liue The gratious pollicie of this Realme for the ease of these poore men hath appointed in euerie countie Courtes and giueth libertie to Lords of Manners to holde Plea of actions vnder fortie shillings debt but the corruption of those Courts are such and the comming of these persons so pleasing as almost euerie sunday Latitates prie about Countrie Churches for poore men whereof many owe not the price of the Proces and before the sute be ended it oftentimes falleth out that the plaintife and defendant are both losers and that these daungerous make-bates liue vppon their goodes and painefull labours This mischiefe woulde bée much eased if charitie raigned among neighbours or a godly care among the ministers of the Church in trauailing to appease the discords of their parissioners but especially as I here before haue saide If the better sort of Gentlemen and Iusticers of Peace woulde take paines in this godly exercise whose perswasions
seruices The prince created theyr Auncesters Earles Barons or as their callings are and for their vertues suffered the honor to descend vnto their heires then they that will worke Treason and forget God the kindnesse of their Prince the vertues of their Parents and loue to theyr Countrey it is not ynough that they themselues die the death but the Emperour Vespasian in a letter to his sonne Titus sayeth the sonne of such a Traytor ought not to lyue God thought no temporall punishment sufficient to chasten the rebellion of Corath Dathan and Abiram he caused the earth to open her mouth and to swallow them vp and their houses and all the men that were with Corath and all theyr goodes and they and all that they had went downe alyue vnto Hell these be the words of the text and certainely the vengeance of God continually raigneth vppon Traytors Chronicles make mention of millions of Treasons that haue béene punished and of a few that haue had successe Almost in euerie nation most of the auncient Nobilitie are eaten vp with Treason and noui homines as the Romaines tearme them occupie their places through vertue The learned Gentleman Mayster Morrisine in his inuectiue against Treason sayeth that the Treasons of great men ought to be set foorth in theyr colours because that blood is distained in Treason he might also haue added because a great deale of giltlesse blood is shead through theyr Treasons I haue in other places sufficiently showne the falles of Traitors and therefore to withstand the temptation of ambition and enuie the enemies of theyr Countreys peace and prosperitie and vtter ouerthrowe of themselues and familie this discouery with praier for the assistance of Gods spirit may suffice CHAP. 3. Of the reuerende calling of the Cleargie the holinesse that is required in theyr liues and the lamentable miseries that proceede of disvnion in Religion BOth among the Iewes and Gentiles and generallye through the whole worlde from the beginning vnto this day the chiefe Priests Bishops and generally the professors of Religion were much reuerenced and in hye estimation among the people The office of Aaron the Priest was of such credite among the Iewes as enuie and desire to occupie the roome was the principall cause of the Rebellion of Corath Dathan and Abyram yea Gods owne words greatly honored Aarons Priesthood when he sayd The sonnes of Leuy should waight vpon him and the Tabernacle Among the Heathen Romaines the office of the chiefe Byshop was of such account as Iulius Caesar when he began to aspire only laboured for that dignitie And yet before the ambitious climing of the Pope Chronicles make no mention that they were the head rulers of any gouerment Among the Iewes the Prophets were priuiledged to reprehende the faultes of the Prince but both the Prophets and Priestes were subiect vnto the sword and commaundemente of the Prince King Iehoas appoynted Iehoiada the Bishop and the Priestes how they shoulde imploy the money that was brought into the house of the Lord and when they fulfylled not hys commandement he sharpely reprehended them Iehu put all the Priestes of Baal to the sworde The Emperour Tyberius put the Priests of the Idoll Anubis to the sworde because they were the instruments for the wanton Knight Mundus to commit adultrey by theyr deceipt with the chaste Romaine Ladie Paulina Yea from the beginning and to be short at thys daye it can not be denyed but that the reuerence which is giuen vnto the Cleargie is due vnto theyr profession and not vnto theyr person and when theyr pompe was at the highest the greatest Archbishop that offended in treason had the tryall of a common subiect Since then the holinesse of theyr profession priuiledgeth the Cleargie to reprooue the faultes of Princes and giueth them place among the chiefe Pieres they are bound and holie Scripture commandeth them to glorifie God with theyr holie lyues that theyr holy words may the better edifie men Sainct Paule setting downe the office of a Bishop and in that dignitie containeth the duetie of the whole Cleargie sayeth that he must be blamelesse and so goeth on with many honest vertues which are well knowne and I pray God they may be as well followed of the Cleargie Sainct Peter commandeth them to be of so honest conuersation among the Gentiles that where as they backbited them as euill doers they might sée their good workes and praise God in the day of visitation A great many that would faine haue an excuse for wickednes say that the word of God is the life of the soule and not the works of the Preacher so that if the doctrine be pure it skilleth not if the Diuell preach the same The word I graunt remaineth pure but the working will be to little purpose if it be deliuered by such a Minister for the holy Ghost loueth not to accompanie the Diuell I hope this small note shall worke no offence whiche is not meant to instruct the Cleargie which amply knowe theyr dutyes but reuerently to shewe theyr error that are forgetfull of theyr duties King Phillip of Macedon helde no skorne to be dayly remembred by a Page of his chamber that he was a mortall man Pope Sixtus the fourth that vaunted how he passed Sainct Peter bécause he had golde siluer and pretious stones was not wroath with the beggerlie Frier that aunswered hym he lacked notwithstanding much of Sainct Peters holynesse for hée coulde not saie vnto the lame and impotent arise and walke and certainely although the Pope were bluntly crossed yet he was thereby charitably counselled to labour rather to become holie then riche whiche is a speciall dutie in the Cleargie for by theyr godlinesse they please God and instruct men when by the abuse of riches they may dishonor the one and be an euill example to the other With this admonition of the Frier the blowe that a Countrey peisant gaue the Archbishop of Cullen ought to be as patiently receiued of the Cleargie as the holâ—…e tale of the saluage Mylo was of the Senate of Rome Upon a daye as the Archbyshop trauelled accompanied according to the custome of Germanie with an armed troupe a Countrey fellow encountred hym with a rude laughter whiche the Archbishop noting demaunded what mooued him to laugh so the fellowe aunswered to sée Sainct Peter prince of the Prelates who lyued and dyed poorely to leaue suche wonderfull pompe and riches to hys successors the Archbishop that was a little galled to excuse himselfe said my friends I goe with thys companie because I am a Duke as well as a Byshop wherevppon the loute doubled his laughter and boldly sayde my Lord I beséech you if the Duke which you speake of were in Hell where shoulde then be the Archbishop as who woulde haue sayde that two professions become not one man for sinning in the one he cannot be iustified by the other King Richard the first laughed when he had