Parma with Spanish forces taking the Rebells part against their lawfull king with Cyclopicall immanitie set vpon them of the Religion whom they could not subdue by any force of armes because it was but vaine for them to fight against GOD. And the Duke of Parma his disgraces and shame in those attempts are commonlie knowne How curteously the Pope entreated Henry 4. K. of France But for the Pope his curteous entreating of the now king of France besides that thereby he prouided for his owne commodity and profites in that kingdome What curteous dealing was it to lash such a mightie king in the person of his Embassadour at Rome after the singing of euery verse of Miserere vntill the whole Psalme was sung out The king of Great Brittaine will neuer enuie or grudge this humanitie and curtesie vnto any Of the queen Mothers dealing towards Protestants The Queene Mother desirous to retaine the Regency in her owne hands during the minoritie of her Sonnes vsed those of the house of Guise as a counterpoyse vnto the Princes of the bloud but neuer granted any thing vnto the Protestants but what had beene granted and ratified before by many publique Edicts Yea from the yeere of our Lord 1562. vntill the yeere 1588. Ian. 5. which was the time of her death she omitted no sleight deuise cunning policie nor diuellish practise that she could possiblie inuent vtterly to extirpate and roote out the Religion out of the kingdome of France As for the Duke Mommorancy the Duke Buillon the Lord of Diguieres and such other they do but as they are bound to doe by publique Edicts Now then let vs see what successe thay had that tooke the contrary course of violence Truxes in these our daies B. of Colen became a Lutheran and desirous to bring the Countrey of his Electorship and so in time the whole Empire to Lutheranisme vsed no violence against his subiects that were Papistes 1 Trucces neuer vsed violence a-against any man first nor last vntill Cassimere gaue him contrarie councell by which he cleane ouerthrew himselfe liued in banishment died in beggerie and left the Countrey without 2 False all hope of euer enioying the Gospell againe The zeale of the Archduke of Stiria was highly commended by the Papistes for his religious minde but not for his vndiscreete attempts in banishing them that were of a contrary Religion out of all his dominions except they would become Papist like himselfe and now it is euident that the moderate gouernment of his Father was much better who considering how dangerous a neighbour he had and the number of those who otherwise would haue liued discontented in his Countrey permitted them their Religion and intreated them no worse then a his other subiects whereby he ended his daies in peace Fol. 18 whereas his Sonne following a more heady course of gouernment was the occasion that some of his subiects 3 Being banished thence vpon pain of Death departed their Countrey and had 4 Most false entercourse with the Turke others stayed and dissembled their Religion while Canisia the key and stay of that countrey was deliuered vp 5 Because they could not choose the Turke winning the same by the dint of his sword by them to the Turke who the more freely spoiled all the Land because the Archduke hauing lost the harts of his subiects wanted men and meanes to resist him A worthy but lamentable mirror for all Princes to looke in and behold how perillous a thing it is to vse violence against 6 Against true Religion whatsoeuer Religion but especially for England that so neere at hand hath such mightie Kings who perhaps would be glad of the like occasions We haue sometimes supported their 7 A lying Libeller subiects against them for zeale of Religion and therefore we haue iust cause to feare the like measure If Charles 5. in Germany had not abated the flame of ciuill warres 8 by forbearing to persecute true Religion by his conniuence and toleration the French King had made as easie an entrance into other parts of the Empire as he did into b those three Imperiall townes Metz Towle and Verdun but by the losse of these Citties his successours haue learned to take a more milde course with their subiects of whatsoeuer Religion least they should open a more dangerous gap for the Turke the professed enemie of the Empire and all Christendome The like toleration as in the Empire is all so permitted in the kingdome of 9 We liue not by examples but by Lawes and rule of Reason Poland by reason of the Moscouit bordering vpon them and in Dantzik as you know there is publique profession of both Religions In Zuitzerland at the first heate many a bloody battaile was fought for Religion but in time they learned to ioyne wisedome with zeale for conseruation of the state and now they liue in peace with all securitie tolerating within their Cantons the one and the other Religion If the King of Spaine had at first permitted libertie of Religion in the lowe Countries he had spared many a million both of men and money and enioyed with peace that which he is neuer like to recouer In that glasse likewise may we see how ready 10 Great in the Libellers malice against the late Queene but God be thanked her Maiestie had neede neither to feare nor to enuie any King or Prince whatsoeuer Princes are vpon such occasions to weaken the forces of other a Princes their neighbours whose puissance they feare or enuie their glory Fol. 19 But now let vs looke home and we shall 11 The infatuated Libeller can see nothing but Papists see Ireland ouergrowen with Papistes who haue not dissembled themselues as by the late warres appeared but especially at the Queenes death when not onely in the Countrey 12 The Libellers generall and vniuersall Lie generally but also in the chiefe townes where they were most restrained made their publike processions after the Papisticall fashion where the Right honourable the now Earle of Deuenshire most sage and wise in his gouernment not by force but 13 True when he had fairely hanged vp the principall Agents in that vile attempt faire meanes suppressing their feruour conserued the Countrey in peace and obedience to his Maiestie and we see that the King doth not dislike that course by his singular fauour to 14 His Maiestie did but gratiously ratifie the pardon which the Queene had granted before Tyrone and his complices Scotland for the face of the Church is generally of our reformed Religion yet hath the Papist part 15 Popish sclanders of the Liberller so great a sway in the Countrey and so mightie a support of the Nobilitie that not many yeares since they encountred the Earle of Arguile in the fielde and gaue him the ouerthrowe Howbeit they 16 Loyall Subiects needed ot to haue fled fled before the face of the
like the little brookes which by great showers swell vp for a time so mightily as they seeme to be great riuers and runne with such violence that a they beare away or shake very maine foundations Fol. 14 To passe ouer these torrents in their 3 But if they be restrained at first they can neuer attaine to such height of pride pride it were too dangerous and rash an attempt to seeke to hinder their current were no lesse folly In patience these waters are with pleasure seene to fall because they proceede not from any true spring as riuers doe So fareth it with all heresies and teachers of errour They destroy themselues at length though no force for the time can tame them the reason whereof is truely deliuered by Christ in those words Euery plant which my heauenly Father hath not planted shall be rooted vp By this then 4 But you haue proued nothing saue your selfe a foole you see that violence is not the best meanes to plant or conserue the truth not to destroy errour I could therefore wish that an easier hand were caried towards all of what Religion soeuer and the rest left to God who knoweth best the season and meanes to compasse that which may be most for his glory And if forraine examples may perswade aught we see how the French King although he be now no 5 The more he hath to answere for But I hope the Lord will yet open his eyes to behold the glory he fell from and giue him grace to returne from his euill waies Amen more of the Reformed Religion findeth himselfe b bound in 6 As if he had no greater bond to stay him from persecuting the Protestantes common humanitie not to persecute them of the Religion because he found them 7 A good testimonie out of an Aduersaries mouth But this condemneth Papistes who haue beene very often treacherous vnto him alwaies faithfull vnto him and ready to maintaine his title to the Crowne If this course of proceeding be esteemed 8 By whom hath it beene so esteemed honorable in him how can any man iustly dislike that 9 The case is farre different Reade the Answere our King should maintaine in their estate and dignitie such of this realme of England as notwithstanding diuersitie of Religion were alwaies ready to make good his Right and when time serued 10 Because they could not otherwise chuse receiued him with all ioy and gladnesse And if for the fault of a fewe the whole number were to be condemned our partie might exspect but small fauour at his Maiesties hand among whom 11 Name but one some haue beene found more forward against him then among them as may appeare by the late conspiracie wherein their errour was rather to change some proceedings then the King besides that the danger thereof was by some of the Papist first discouered to the state Of Gamaliels Counsell It is not the Euangelist Luke that commendeth Gamaliel but the Libeller Luke saith onely that Gamaliel was 1. a Pharisie 2. a Doctour of the law 3. honoured of the people Act. 5.34 The Libeller saith he was a man 1. of deep iudgement 2. a worthy Doctour in the law of Moses 3. commended much for his politique aduise Whereas indeed the aduise which he gaue was very foolish and imperfect vnfit to be giuen by a man of deepe iudgement For it is not likely that Gamaliel spake so because he approued or fauoured the doctrine of the Gospell or for that he purposed to vndertake the defence of the Apostles But because he saw the Iewes furious and madde he being a humane and moderate man by a middle and gentle speech moderated and asswaged the excesse of their rage But if we should subscribe to Gamaliels iudgement then were euery man to abstaine from all punishment and so no malefactour should be corrected for any offence whatsoeuer I confesse both these sayings be true in themselues 1. If it be of man it will come to naught 2. If it be of God you cannot destroy it Gamaliels aduise foolish But Gamaliel inferreth from these Propositions a false illation or Conclusion that in the meane time we ought to stay and expect the dissolution or vanishing of wickednesse of it owne accord this is no consequence Yea rather we ought to consider and execute what God commandeth who willeth that all wickednesse be punished And to this end he ordained Magistrates and armed them with the sword of Iustice to take vengeance of euill doers If that Theodas and Iudas of Galiley whom Gamaliel speaketh of had beene restrained and curbde at first their impiety had neuer ascended to that height it did afterwards Wherfore Ierome saith as we haue noted before If that little sparke Arius had beene extinguished at first the flame thereof had not consumed the whole world Hieronym in Cap. 5. ad Galat. The Libellers instāce of the French King To the Libellers instance in the French King I answer I That his doings can be no discharge vnto his Maiestie We may not imitate the vices but the vertues of others Let the Libeller first proue that the French King doth well in tolerating Popish heresie then vrge his example The Kings Highnesse perceiuing by Gods law what euery Prince ought to doe regardeth not what other Princes please to do deseruing thereby the more thankes with God and praise with men for that in guiding his people he rather embraceth religious pietie then sacrilegious policie II The French King professing himselfe a Papist granteth toleration to Protestants who as the Libeller acknowledgeth were euer loyall and faithfull Subiects vnto him who maintaine no opinions preiudiciall vnto his royall estate and of conscience do and will alwaies obey him Whereas his Maiesty of Great Britaine being indeed of the Reformed Religion is solicited to grant toleration vnto Papists who defend positions contrary vnto the lawfull and soueraigne auctoritie of Kings and who it is certaine I speake of the greatest number of them are neuer loyall Subiects vnto any saue the Pope only III Poperie was neuer yet expelled out of France and it is more then the Papists there can do to ruine and expugne the Protestants peace being granted vnto the Religion for aboue 40. yeeres confirmed by the Kings Princes Nobles and Parliaments of that kingdome But our case is otherwise for Poperie hath beene and is still expelled out of Great Britaine IV In the kingdome of France the diuisions are so many and so intricate of Protestants and Papists Royallists and Leaguers Patriots and Spanish yea the Nobilitie diuided from the third state and the townes from the fields as it seemeth God hath some great worke to bring to passe vpon that nation Wherefore it can be no safe president for Great Britaine to imitate And now that this milde dealing is 1 The Libeller hath only sufficiently prooued himselfe a pragmaticall dissembling foole and nothing else sufficiently proued not
kingdomes to perswade the people to allow of the Popes Bulles and to reconcile men from their loyaltie and obedience to the Queene vnto the Pope Which traiterous course had it not beene by Gods goodnesse espied and staied there had followed imminent danger of horrible vproars in the Realme For some of these cursed and seditious Seedes-men and sowers of Rebellion were discouered and being charged with euident points of high Treason not being dealt withall vpon Questions of Religion were truely conuicted openly condemned and iustly executed as Traytors vnto their Prince and Countrie Hereby appeareth the Libellers impudencie and malice in traducing the Queenes gouernement for tyrannie whereas indeed it was but due and needfull execution of Iustice for necessary preseruation of her person estate and Subiects For that Prince that neglecteth his Office and suffereth disloyall Subiects and Rebels to haue their wils for want of resistance and courage ought not to be pitied though he lost his Crowne his head his life and his kingdome Touching the increase of Papistes ten to one that were before in the yeere 1582. ten to one it is a malicious lie and vntruth which needeth no further refutation For lightly said without proofe may be lightly contemned without answer Of the increase of Papistes in the last yeeres of the Queene And that the Papistes began to increase in the later yeeres of the Queene it was by reason of impunitie and slumber of Iustice as her Maiestie confesseth in her Edict Nouemb. 15. 1602. which she was then presently about to reforme and indeede had so donne if she had not beene preuented by Death You will perhaps reply that in Scotland our brethren had better successe when they tooke armes in the daies of his a Maiesties mother for the 1 A malicious vntruth spreading of the Gospell Fol. 16 yet you must confesse that it was but small discretion to set all vpon the vncertaintie of a battaile Many like violent attempts haue beene practized in that Realme through zeale of Religion but by clemencie and moderation his Maiestie hath not onely escaped the dangers but also made himselfe a peaceable Master and Lord ouer them all imitating heerein that most renouned French King Henry 3. who perceiuing the fire of Ciuill wars to kindle betweene the King of Nauarre who was of the Religion and the house of Loraine would 2 For he neuer ioyned with both together breake neither with the one nor the other but fauoured them both so farre as in the end he made himselfe 3 The Libeller must needes be either a foole that knoweth not what he writeth or a Knaue for belying of Stories For that poore King was so farre from being peaceably Lord ouer the house of Lorraine that they traiterously caused him to be murdered in his Campe before Paris Reade the Answere peaceably head of them both who afterwards wholy depended vpon his wil pleasure To continue yet further in the affaires of Fraunce they that haue seene the successe may witnesse that no violence could worke out 4 True because the gates of hell cannot preuaile against Christs Church them of the Religion in the time and raigne of Charles 9. and since the said King Henries death the force of Spaine ioyned with Fraunce vnder the conduct of the Dukes of Parma and Du Maine did not so much b preuaile in Fraunce as did the Bishop of Rome his 5 O curteous entreating courteous entreating the now King and his adherents although of a contrary Religion vnto him If the Pope will for his more 6 For he doth nothing but for aduantage aduantage yeeld to them in some things who were his greatest enemies what neede we be so straight laced against our owne Countreymen for matters of Religion May not his Maiesties example of clemencie towards the Papistes heere mooue some Prince abroade to be 7 Fonde suggestions fauourable to our brethren Is not the Masse suffered at Rochell and other like townes in Fraunce in hope that they of the Religion may be like-suffered in Paris and other such townes in Fraunce Haue not our brethren in Holland offered to admit the Papistes to preach and say Masse in their Countries so that they might haue like libertie in all the other Prouinces If we haue the truth why should we 8 Let the Libeller perswade the Pope and the King of Spaine first to graunt this libertie to our Religion feare that other Religions should haue libertie with vs and why may not the King doe as the Queene mother did in Fraunce who being a stranger in the Countrey and at the death of her husband the gouernement of the Realme 9 No otherwise then by great meanes and entreatie falling into her hands during the minoritie of her children did iudge a it the wisest way for the maintenance of her authoritie Fol. 17 to keepe still on foote the oppositions which she found either by diuersitie of Religion or otherwise and to fauour them 10 False for from the yeare 1562. vnto her dying day she was an extreame enemy vnto them of the Religion all in such sort as still she might be able to curbe the stronger by supporting the feeble and weaker partie Euery little gouernour in France that hath vnder his charge a towne or prouince where men of sundry Religions liue as the Duke Memorancy the Duke Bullion Diguiers and the like taketh the same course as the Queene mother did and so keepeth his places or prouinces at his deuotion and in due obedience And at this day in Fraunce you see no vndiscreetely zelous man in great fauour with the King or in high estate to gouerne that by the moderation of such as are not too forward the insolency of other whom zeale may mooue to be troublesome may be repressed And 11 Non causa pro causa thus the Countrey is kept in greater peace and quietnesse then hath beene seene in Fraunce for 40. yeares before and that chiefely by the diligence and dexteritie of two especiall fauorites of the King the Marques of Rosne high Treasurer and Monsieur de Villaroy principall Secretary both of them b of farre different yet temperate humour in Religion Wherefore the Scottish Noble men tooke armes It was not for the cause of Religion that the Noblemen of Scotland tooke armes as the Libeller would make vs beleeue but for other matters The house of Guise in France vnder colour of consanguinitie and Religion brought into Scotland French forces in great numbers Whereupon the ancient Nobilitie of the Realme seeing the imminent danger of reducing their kingdome vnder the Tyrannie of Strangers tooke armes against the enemie and being not strong inough to subdue them praied the Queene of England her ayding forces which her Maiestie knowing the action iust and honourable easily granted them and accordingly expelled the Strangers and restored the Nobilitie to their degrees and ancient priuiledges and the State to peace
as Sibboleth bewraied an Ephraimite Iudg. 2.6 so the Libellers style his words and phrases among many other euident reasons descrie that he is an admirer of the Decretall doctrine which appeareth as well out of this very Title as out of the Booke it selfe Arguments that the Auctor is a Papist I Out of the Title 1. By those words true and charitable Brother of the Reformed Church which it is not likely that any man would affirme of himselfe 2. Out of these words by searching the Scriptures and examining their Spirits for the sense c. which is not the vsuall style of any Protestant 3. Because he distinguisheth betweene Protestants and them of the Reformed Church which no Reformer euer did II Out of the Booke it selfe To omit his style words or phrase of speech it appeareth he is a Papist 1. Because he citeth the Scriptures in Latine after the vulgar Translation as fol. 1. b. 2. a. 3. a. 4. b. 5. b. 11. a. c. 2. Because he braggeth of the number and multitudes of Papistes fol. 2. b. 5. b. 3. Because he speaketh of the late Queene without any reuerence fol. 3. b. 6. a. 21. a. 22. b. and sometimes with contempt and reproach fol. 9.6.22 b. 4. Because he speaketh promiscuously somtimes in the person of a Puritane fol. 2. b. c. sometimes in the person of a Protestant fol. 4. a. 8. b. 19. b. 23. a. and sometimes discloseth himselfe a plaine Papist fol. 13. a. 20. a. 5. Because he vrgeth the diuision betweene Protestants and Puritanes to be not in ceremonies onely but insubstantiall points of faith fol. 4. a. which the Puritanes do not affirme 6. Because he tearmeth the Kings coronation and vnction Papisticall ceremonies fol. 4. b. which Puritanes do not 7. Because he slandreth and belieth his Maiestie to take vpon him the title of Supremacie he meaneth Supreame head of the Church for otherwise the Puritanes neuer denied his Maiesties lawfull Supremacie in all causes Ecclesiasticall and Ciuill in matters of Religion fol. 5. a. 8. Because he slandereth the kingdome to containe all Sects of Religion fol. 6. a. 9. a. 10. b. 19. b. 9. Because he slandereth the Queenes gouernement and saith that Papistes are faithfull to God in their Religion fol. 6. a. 11. a. c. Which Puritanes cannot endure 10. Because he maketh the Puritane to speake phanaticallie and to contemne the Booke of articles fol. 8. b. 9. a. yea and sometimes falsly to accuse himselfe of sedition and treason fol. 14. b. 11. Because he speaketh disgracefully of Bishop Iewell and fauourably of his Aduersaries fol. 13. a. 12. Because he praieth that Iewels Chalenge may be prosecuted in all points which no Puritane doubteth of fol. 13. a.b. 13. Because he glanceth at the Queene for protecting the Netherlanders fol. 18. a.b. 14. Because he belieth Luther to haue dealt with the Germans to call in the Turke fol. 20. a. 15. Because he wisheth the Kings Maiestie to keepe friendship with the Pope himselfe fol. 21. b. 16. Because he desireth marriage with Spaine fol. 23. a. But to leaue the Auctor as he is a Machiauellian Hypocrite let vs come to the Libell and examine how Toleration tendeth to vnitie of Religion Loyaltie to the Kings Maiestie c. as is pretended in the Title VVOrshipfull and my louing brother in the Lord I haue receiued your louing aduertisements by writing and I honour you the more aswell for that I see thereby your sincere affection continued towards me as also for your singular zeale euer to maintaine the Gospell In which respects I take in good part your seuere reprehension and distast of the aduise I lately gaue for a milder course in matters of b Religion then hath beene for many yeares in this Realme followed Whereas you protest to remâ—in still my friend notwithstanding our difference in opinion touching this point therein appeareth your well grounded affection and loue towards me and I could wish that all our brethren would keepe the same course of charitie towards all men howsoeuer they differ from vs in sense or opinion So should we beare the marke of true Religion and by this badge be knowen to be Christs disciples if we loue our Enemies Christ commannded vs to loue our neighbour and declared as you know that the Samaritan was neighbour to the Iewe and thâ—refore not to be excluded from his loue howbeit otherwise he could not communicate with him in diuine affaires Your zeale is commendable in that you say with Paul Vtinam abscindantur qui vos conturbant for with him you may so pray that they which withstand and hinder the course of the Gospell were cut off and rooted out But in that you wish them to be cut off by the sword and I contrariwise by the force of Gods word in this our opinions are different Fol. 2 a Wherefore my drift is in this Apologie and defence first to set downe plainely my opinion and then to lay open the reasons that mooued me thereto And so to come to the matter I wish with you and pray as Christ himselfe did that all the Kings Maiesties subiects may be made one in Christ to acknowledge all one God to embrace all one Faith to liue vnder the rules of one Law and so to agree if it may be in will and affection that we may be all Cor vnum anima vna One hart and one Soule and this we both agree to be best not onely in regard of the Soules health and eternall saluation but also for the ciuill policie and temporall gouernment of his Maiesties Dominions For whosoeuer would wish or seeke to 1 By this Reason the Libeller is neither of God nor a good Poluician for in the whole course and scope of this Epistle he aymeth at nothing so much as to nourish diuision nourish diuision in any sort as he cannot be of God so is he not to be accompted a good gouernour or right politician In our last assembly at London it was our prayer as you may well remember that the Kings Maiestie exalted to so great a Monarchie and gouernment of so many 2 All his Maiesties Kingdomes through Gods speciall blessing professe the Gosell only some fewe particuler members in the same are diuersly affected in ReligioÌ„ which are neither so great nor so many in number God be thaÌ„ked that any of his Highnesse Kingdomes should be denominated of them kingdomes diuersly sorted and affected in Religion might haue that gracious vertue of the Adamant stone to draw vnto him and b winne to vnity in Faith the people of diuerse nations so committed to his charge For who of vs all doth not desire from his hart that the 3 As who would say the ProtestaÌ„ts walked in darkenesse as well as Papistes Protestants and Papists of England which are many in number and the Papists of Ireland where there are 4 The whole kingdome of Ireland man festly selandred fewe or none
other and the Nobilitie of Scotland of the which 5 Two or three among ad the Nobles of Scotland the Libelles reckons no small number But indeede this libelling Papist se emes to be melancholique that imagins all the world to be his no small number incline that way would come with vs to the pure light of the Gospell and to our reformed Churches You remember the Profession of Faith which to this intent and purpose we procured to be set foorth in Print at his Maiesties first ingresse into this Realme but it preuailed not and had it not been the respect was borne his Maiestie it had beene controuled as it was misliked both by the 6 Here all Protestantes are included within the number of one or two Protestant and Papist And since that to further and aduance our cause and to proceede in the same purpose we haue in peaceable manner done what in vs lyeth Let vs hold on the same moderate course and striue to preuaile not by the temporall sword of his Maiesties power but endeuour to ouercome by the eternall sword of Gods holy word Which though it be sweets and not violent yet is it a two edged sword a that cutteth on euery side and pierceth Fol 3 more deepely to winne the hart of man and alter his vnderstanding for planting the Gospell then any humane force whatsoeuer I agree further with you that as it is a point of good husbandry to weede the Corne-fielde before the weedes haue ouergrowen the corne so likewise 7 Note the Libellers Andabatismus For all this is against himselfe may his Maiestie employ his temporall sword that no Cockle be sowen or rise in the field of the Lords Church vnder his protection and that such as begin to spring vp may betimes be cut off In matutino interficiebam omnes peccatores terrae So did that holy King Dauid and pleased God highly therewith Thus much your arguments do prooue sufficiently For in this sense the King beareth the sword to destroy all sinne and sinners in matutino that is to say betimes while sinne and sinfull errours are newly budding and may be cut off without hurt and dammage to the state of the good and faithfull And it is our part to be watchfull to discouer them betimes least if we 8 The Parable be alludeth vnto is expounded afterwards in his due place sleepe too long they spring so high and spreade so farre that whosoeuer should then attempt to pull them vp should destroy much corne b withall and doe more harme than good This then is the point wherein we iarre You thinke it needfull that the Kings Maiestie proceede to authorize establish our Religion by the 9 To compell obstinate Heretikes and Idolaters to the outward discipline is not is establish Religion by the sward sword to represse al other sects by seueritie of Lawes such as were practized in the daies of the late Queene against vs and against the Papists And I contrariwise am of opinion that such lawes and seueritie are in our case vnprofitable and will-hurt rather then helpe the aduancement of our case and I 10 A manifest mistaking take this my aduise to be 11 He speaketh all by contraries better grounded then yours in the written word to approach neerer to the wisedome and course of Gods diuine prouidence to be more conformable to Christian humanitie to beseeme better our Prince for the assurance of his estate and the aduancement of his noble issue and finally to agree best with true ciuill policie for the sweet peace rest and repose of this our Republike increase thereof as shall appeare by the experience we haue seene with our owne eyes and in these our daies as well in his Maiesties Dominions as in all Nations round about vs. Fol. 4 a That we haue 12 Lucianicall scorning and Sardoicall laughter of the Libeller slept too long all writers agree and that for many hundred yeares for who of vs doth not see that the weedes haue ouergrowen the good corne taken so deepe roote and so farre spred that amongst his Maiesties subiects there are two for one of a contrary Faith and opposite to ours and that not in ceremonies onely for then we neede not sturre so much as we haue done but in 13 And yet this fellow would be thought to be no Papist But he lyeth stoutly like a Papist and an Asse may be discerned by his cares substantiall points of Faith yea as we esteeme in damnable errours which we haue notified in our bookes as well against D. Whitguift and other Protestants as against the Papists To destroy 14 It were hard indeed to destroy all but the wise Magistrate knoweth that there are diuers sorts of Offendours some weake others wilfull c. all these that are in faith opposite vnto vs were ouermuch crueltie to compell them to an externall worship against their conscience were no lesse 15 Nothing lesse then dangerous dangerous and damnable for vs then for them to impouerish them by statute lawes were to impouerish our selues being so linked to them as many waies we are yea it were a greate 16 The disabling of Papists is rather a great strengthening of the state weakening to the whole body of the estate to the detriment of our soueraigne Prince and of the Common wealth for the wealth of the 17 True of the loyall and obedient subiect but not of the contrary subiect is the treasure b of the king and the multitude of his people is his strength and glorie Gloria Regis multitudo populorum These be the grounds that haue moued me to approue and perswade a more temperat course in matters of Religion of which opinion though I haue 18 It is shamefull and ignominious indeed to change from better to worse as the Libeller did Augustine changed his opinion in the same question but quite contrary to the Libeller His wordes are these I was once so munded that I thought no man ought to be forced to Christian vnity but that we should deale by perswading striue by disputing conquere by reasoning least they proued dissembling Catholiques whom we knew professed Heretiques But this my opinion was ouercome not by wordes of contradiction but by euidence of demonstration For amongst many examples and instances my owne City was brought against me which being altogether of Donatus his part was conuerted to Catholique vnitie by the rigour and terrour of Imperiall lawes whom now we see so to detest the perniciousnes of your animositie he speaketh to Vincentius the Donatist as if it had neuer receiued and professed the same So also many others were shewed vnto me by name that out of the things themselues I might acknowledge that euen in this case that which is written might be vnderstood Prou. 9. Giue occasion vnto the wise man and he wil be wiser Thus farre Augustine In Epist 48. ad Vincens not alwaies beene and you
as you suppose note to my shame yet I hold it not ignominious to change for the better vpon these and others so graue considerations as in this Treatise I shall set downe for your and others satisfaction Saul when he stoned Stephan and the other Martyrs had zeale but without knowledge so had I while I was of your opinion and confesse with Paul 19 But the libeller iam sapit vs pravus for he glorieth in vomiting his owne shame Sapiebam vt paruulus my vndiscreete zeale blinded my vnderstanding and in my iudgement there wanted ripenesse and maturitie As you do now so did I then storme within my selfe to see his Maiestie 20 As though his Highnesse were not able to rule himselfe ruled by the Protestants not onely in those 21 A Machauellian pract se to bring the Puritans in detestation with his Maiestie who neuer accompted thus of his Coronation and Vnction Papisticall ceremonies of his coronation and vnction but also in the whole course and practise of the Communion Booke and administration of sacraments that he should leaue the whole state of the Church of England in the same sort as a he found it Fol. 5 and take vpon him the title of 22 Good Sir there is difference betwene Supremacie and Supreame head this latter Caluin saith that some attributed vnto K. Henry 8. of vndiscreet zeale supremacy in matters of Religion a point highly blamed in K. Henry 8. by Master Caluin who without all controuersie was one of the chiefâ—st instruments of the Gospell and therefore neuer as yet receiued by any of our reformed Churches At his Maiesties first comming to the Crowne we expected nothing lesse then this suddaine 23 Soft and faire the weathâ—r is not so calme not the reasoÌ„ still as you would make the world beleeue calme towards the Papistes They liue in peace and pay no more the Statute and that by commaundement from the King Some that lost their lands and countrey are now restored to both with grace which made me wonder at the first and enter into due consideration of the fact when conferring with some of knowen wisedome and zeale I vnderstoode that the Marques Rosne Lord Treasurer of France sent hither as Embassadour did amongst other points very mainly 24 Whether this be true or no his Maiestie best knoweth and I thinke iâ— is extreame presumption and arrogancy for aâ—y â—ubiect to disclose the secrets of his Soueraigne But what do not disloyall Papists dare to It may be that Marques de Rosne perswaded the K not to force any 〈◊〉 Protestans Subiects to the businesse of Religion but it is not likely he spake any thing in fauour of Papists and if he did his Maiestie knoweth what he hath to do well inough perswade his Maiestie not to force any of his subiects in the businesse of Religion himselfe being as you know a very good Christian And further vnderstanding how 25 Great Britaine hath no cause God be thanked to e uie them this quietnesse quietly our brethren in France liue together with the Papists vnder lawes prouided for that purpose I finde that this b Nobleman hath dealt honourably with his Maiestie and giuen the same aduise by which the King his Master wonne Fraunce and established his 26 Because the Papistes would neuer acknowledge him to be their lawfull King vntill he had made profession of their Religion Crowne in peace I will not follow the Libeller in his immethodicall idle Digressions sit to preuaile with worldly mindes that neuer tasted the truth which if I should labour to repell with such a discoursing style I should but waste paper and wearie the Reader wherefore I will ioyne issue with him in as fewe tearmes as may be The Libellers Proposition His Proposition briefly is this No man is to be compelled to embrace Religion by the temporall sword of the Magistrates power but is to be perswaded by the eternall sword of Gods holy word In the meane time he would haue euery man left to himselfe to embrace what Religion he pleaseth as he professeth fol. 23. b. What we are to iudge of this Proposition is fully declared in the former part of this Treatise But to speake yet more plainly vpon the present occasion I can but wonder with what face the Papistes dare frame such a Proposition as is directly contrary vnto the doctrine and practise of their Church Why for shame rebuke they that in others which they allow in themselues Wherefore do they dayly compell infinite numbers with extreame violence to recant and foresweare the perswasion of their faith The Papistes would compell but not be compelled to Religion Or can they yeeld any reason that they may compell others but none must compell them Their inquiring their burning their murdering of thousands without any respect of innocent guiltie learned vnlearned olde yong men women is indeede very lamentable This kinde of compulsion The Popish Compulsion whereby their Prelates make it their occupation to persecute to death all sorts ages and sexes which refuse their schoole trickes and diuellâ—sh Decretals we detest with our hart and disswade with our tongue affirming that they ought rather with mildenesse patience seeke to recouer such as they thinke lost Yet in Christian Kings and Princes How Christian Princes may compell who beare the Sword as the Apostle saith not in vain are Gods Lieutenants not onely to procure peace betweene men but also by lawes to maintaine Religion towards God we doe not dispraise moderate correction when neede so requireth who with conuenient sharpnesse of positiue Lawes ought to amerce banish and diuersely punish Heretiques Which Christian iustice tempered with equitie exercised by his most excellent Maiestie neither can their friends deny to be charitable nor themselues gainesay to be sutable to that coaction which the Scriptures commend in Iosiah and other godly Kings which the vertuous Emperours followed in the Primitiue Church and which the ancient Fathers vpon deepe Consideration found allowed by God himselfe as the chiefe point which he requireth at the hands of Christian Princes True it is that Religion vseth rather to perswade then to compell that GOD did rather shew then exact the true knowledge of himselfe and that true Bishops and Pastours ought rather teach then torment their flocke Yet are the obstinate and stubborne refractaries Papistes may be compelled to abandon their Heresie who refuse instruction to be compelled by the Magistrates for dread of punishment tempered with good instruction to forsake their heresies and forbeare their Idolatries wherewith Christ is dishonoured and his trueth defaced Otherwise questionlesse the Lord will enter into iudgement with his Deputies and Vicegerents and exact a strict accompt for his name blasphemed his Sonne refused his trueth scorned his Sacraments prophaned his word exiled and then what answere must be made for the ruine and shipwrake of faith the haruest of sinne and
murder of Soules consequent alwaies to the free profession of heresies I leaue to be fully considered and wisely preuented by Christian Magistrates who must thinke that silence prouoketh conniuence and toleration enboldeneth their Subiects to forsake God and his Church euen as in ciuill affaires the slacking of iustice doth maintaine disorder But let vs heare the Reasons which the Libeller vrgeth to maintaine the contrary paradoxe Let vs then examine whether this aduise agree with the word and may stand with the true zeale of the gospel It seemeth to me that without all reply the case is alreadie ouerruled and resolued by Christes expresse sentence Matth. 12. In the parable of the seedesman who sowed good seede in his field and none but true 1 Good seed doth not signifie true doctrine but the Children of the kingdome see Matth. 13 38. doctrine but whilest men were a sleepe the enemie of truth came and ouersowed the Cockle of 2 Tares or Cockle seeing the Libeller following the Rhemists will haue it so doe not signifie errour but the Children of that wicked one Matth. 13.38 errour his seruants had slept so long that the blade shot vp and ouertopt the wheate before it was espied the zealous 3 This restriction is not warrantable ministers of the truth awaking and seeing the field in this case offered to go and roote out the tares Vis imus colligimus ea say they This is the question betweene vs. Your answeare would haue beene to those labourers in the lords haruest Goe pull them vp by the rootes but the lords answeare was farre otherwise Let them alone saith he and let them growe togeither vntill the haruest Sinite vtraque crescere vsque ad messem Which by his owne a interpretation is the end of the worlde and he giueth this reason thereof Fol. 6 Least in pulling vp the Cockle ye roote vp also the wheate If Christ will haue it thus why do you blame my 4 The ease is vnlike Reade the Answer aduise that a Christian king should do the same rather then vse the sword of force and violence vpon any the like occasions The reason that our Sauiour alledgeth is in our case most pregnant and weighty For whereas in all his Maiesties Dominions men of 5 A manifest slander all Religions are so lincked together with vs in blood alliance frendship and otherwise that in pulling vp the one 6 Poperie is not so deepely rooted God be praised roote the other combined therewith must necessarily follow or take some harme in wishing his Maiestie to take that course of violence we sholde not only wound many that are neere vnto vs but also greately 7 But the wisedome of the Magistrate may prouide that no innocent be preiudiced by the punishment of guiltie persons preiudise our selues as hath appeared by the attempt to roote out the Papists in the late Queenes daies when many of our owne brethren were brought with them to extreame calamity The father being a Papist was throwen out of his house and spoiled of all his goodes his wife and children vndonne and b pressed with misery although they weare most zealous in the Lord and we that had matched in their families were by these meanes defrauded of our expected succession to their goods and liuinges When for the 8 This reason is of force aswell against suppressing of Traitors and other malefactors as the matter in question same cause any one of calling lost his 9 Not one was put to death for Popish Religion in the late Queenes daies life or his goods or otherwise was but in disgrace did not all such loose their support as were linked vnto him or depended vpon him for their seruice and aduancement whereof greate numbers were no weedes but very good Corne Wherefore I cannot like the reuiuing of such a course again sith as you see it proceedeth 10 Begging of the Question not from the spirit of our Sauior but rather from passion or at the least from vndiscreet zeale The Case indeede is ouerruled and resolued by Christ our Sauiour in the Gospell but not so as is here pretended by the Libeller who boldly presumeth to ouerrule Christs owne exposition of the Tares Tares what they signifie which doe not signifie false worship false doctrine or errour as the Libeller imagineth but the children of that wicked one Heretiques Schismatiques and all malefactors as Christ himselfe interpreteth them Math 13.38 Good seede what it signifieth So also the good seede signifie not true Doctrine as the Libeller dreameth but the Children of the kingdome as Christ speaketh Neither can there be any such collection made out of this Text that all Sectaries schismatiques heretiques should professe what they list without restraint no more then from hence may be proued that all Thiefes murderers and other malefactours should be permitted to robbe and sley without punishment or contradiction Christ protesteth that he came not to abrogate the Law but to fulfill it Matth. 5. But God in his Law commandeth that the False-Prophet and the seducing Idolater should be put to death as we haue declared before Also Christ manfully opposed himselfe against the Scribes and Pharisies and willed euery man to beware of them And Paul commandeth to purge the old leuen 1. Cor. 5. willeth that the mouthes of them who contradict the truth should be stopped Tit. 1. Againe the sword is therefore deliuered vnto the Magistrate that he should execute Gods wrath and vengeance vpon all euill doers Moreouer in this Parable Christ speaketh not simply that the Tares are not to be rooted out but addeth the reason Least while you go to gather the tares you plucke vp also with them the wheate Matth. 13.29 Whereby he declareth that the Tares are to be tolerated so farre as they doe not annoy or hurt the wheate and that he will beare with them How farre the Tares are to be tolerated not for the spoile but for the good of the wheate for the House-holder loueth the wheate Therefore whatsoeuer destroyeth or hurteth the wheat that is to be plucked vp and remoued from the wheate because it is hurtfull vnto it As if any Beast entering into the field should treade spoile the corne it is not likely and house-holder would beare with such outrage Christ suffereth the Goates in his fold together with his Sheepe but hath speciall care they do not hurt them If a Wolfe should come among the flocke into the sheepe-coate ought not a good Sheepheard to chase him away and to keepe the Sheepe from being worried Christ speaketh to priuate persons Briefely then Christ speaketh not here vnto any Magistrate that is vnto any that hath either Ciuill or Ecclesiasticall auctoritie as Caluin well obserueth and after him Alphonsus Salmeron the Iesuite whose duetie it is to punish offendours to plucke vp the Tares to whom it is said Thou shalt not suffer a witch to liue
might finde the trueth and come to the vnitie of the same faith But a we see it hath not succeeded so well as we expected Fol. 9 and I feare the cause hath beene for that in times past the rigour of statute lawes hath as it were fettered the Gospell and the booke of Articles set downe by a 2 And yet the Libeller would not be deemed a Papist few heads without conference with their brethren hath hindred our Christian libertie in the interpretation thereof with lesse shew of trueth 3 Jgnoratio Elenchi than did before the decrees of Generall Councels and the vniforme consent of ancient Fathers For 4 A phanaticall Proposition of the Libeller in vaine doth a man reade and search the trueth if he may not as freely interpret scripture as reade it And why should we forbid any to be heard in his interpretation whereas in this time of so many sects and Religions both within the Realme and abroad we may as Paul saith better iudge of the trueth when we haue heard with patience what euery man can say and alledge in his cause He that commandeth vs to try and examine the spirits whether they be of God or no would neuer giue aduice to extinguish them or forbid vs to 5 Poperie hath been many times examined and alwayes deprehended to be as it is indeed Antichristianisme know them and vpon what ground they relie Some lawes forbidding men to expound the word otherwise than it seemed good to the Church established by the late b Queene were 6 And are still although it be to your great griefe once in force which lawes howsoeuer they might seeme tolerable in respest of 7 The Libellers inueterate malice against the late Queene her whom the Apostle would not permit to speake in the Congregation for that she was a woman and not fit to iudge in such matters if a conference had beene granted she being lesse grounded in the knowledge of Gods law than our selues yet now in the reigne of his Maiestie who is profound in learning and mature in iudgement free conference may be permitted for the libertie of the Gospell aswell in the free interpretation as in free reading of it and the contrarie lawes repealed as ouer violent in such a cause and preiudiciall to the bolting out of the trueth or at the least suspended vntill a iust triall be made by a learned and amiable conference thorow all the points of our controuersies This were a sweet way to come to 8 Vnitie is a rare effect of Conferences vnitie or if any force at all were to be vsed in matters of faith it should be rather to compell such as seeme to be in errour to be present at such conference than to force them without 9 As if Poperie had beene nerer tried triall to shew outwardly to be of another profession than in heart they are Fol. 10 Which a how fruitlesse a thing it is and might be 10 Nothing lesse preiudiciall to the King and State the wise Gouernour Constantius father to our Constantine the great may teach vs. Who desirous to know what sort of Christians he might best trust set forth an Edict that whosoeuer should refuse to doe sacrifice to the Idols should be disarmed dishonoured displaced and suffer further punishment at the Emperours pleasure Whereupon some of his Christian Captaines and Souldiers did sacrifice to the Idols others standing constant in the faith wherin they were baptized would neither change in heart nor yet in outward shew seeme other than true and faithfull Christians The wisdome of this Constantius though then a Pagan was such as he iudged those Christians that denied their faith by this outward act of Idolatry most vnwoorthy to serue him who of a base and seruile feare had forsaken the God they serued but cherished and highly honoured the other as men that by their 11 But Popish Religion teacheth that all saithfulnesse is subordinate vnto the Popes will Religion had learned to be faithfull to whomsoeuer they had giuen their troth This point of so deepe b consideration in a Pagan seemeth admirable as it is exceeding comfortable to vs all to see how the Lord hath giuen the like measure of vnderstanding to our King who among many instructions giuen the Prince his sonne obserued the same ground for triall of his subiects and confessed himselfe that he neuer found any more faithfull to him in all his distresses than such as had beene 12 Wel applied Constantius maketh true Religion and faith in God to be the ground of sincere obedience and the Libeller maketh faithfull obedience towards an earthly Prince to be the ground of Religion faithfull to the Queene his mother who were not all you know of his Religion How certaine a triall this is to discerne loyall hearts he will easily perceiue that looketh into the state of our dayes wherein as we see more sects and more inconstancie in beliefe than in any other age since Christ so withall we finde lesse fidelitie in friend lesse trust in seruants and more dissembling in all states than euer heretofore was heard or practized 13 This place is 1 Tim 4. where the Papists are very euidently described In the latter dayes sayth Christ many shall fall away from the faith and thinke you that in those dayes he shall finde faith and fidelitie of one man to another In the same measure that faith is broken toward God in heauen it will breake and faile assuredly towards man in earth In matter of faith sayth Paul the heart and a tongue should agree together Fol. 11 Corde creditur ad iustitiam ore autem confessâ—â— fit ad salutem And shall we aduise our Prince who hath beâ—ne so well brought vp in the schoole of Gods word to vse such meanes with his subiects in matters of their faith as may separate their outward 14 Both behauiour and conscience ought to be recâ—â—â—ieâ— accorâ—ing vnto the rule of trueth behauiour from their inward conscience or teach theÌ„ to be dâ—sloyall to himselfe by forcing them to be false to God in their Religion By violence of lawes he may make mâ—ny dissemble their faith with repining heart and grudge of minde to their assured 15 His Maiestie laboreth to bring such as are in the state of damnation vnto the state of Grace and saluation not of the contrarie damnation because therein they sinne against their owne consciences yet sure it is that as no man can alter his opinion as he list or at his pleasure so force can neuer change his faith vntill his grounds and arguments shall be by better reasons conuinced The Libeller being almost out of breath in reckoning vp of his Reasons for promiscuous toleration of all Sects and professions of Religion whatsoeuer The Libellers Digressions to recreate and solace himselfe a little maketh two Digressions The former whereof is a Lucianicall discourse concerning reading and interpreting
to be contrarie to the word let vs see awhile what course is best in humane and ciuill policie Fol. 15 a The wisest Princes and greatest statesmen indure within their dominions in the 2 We vnderstand not what case this is case proposed diuerse sects and sorts of Religion contrary to their owne lett vs behold the experience as well of those that endure them as of those that haue bent their forces by violence to roote them out as first for example our late Queene was not of her selfe enclined to force or constraine the consciences of the Papistes her subiects and with that moderate course which she held in the beginning of her raigne she gained the generall good liking of all parts and liued in great securitie of her person But when she was once drawne by men of violent spirits to roote them out by losse of fortunes libertie and 3 She neuer put any to death but for Treason life she found by experience that 4 A manifest vntruth the more they were afflicted the more their numbers daily increased and her selfe put often in feare as well of insurrections at home as inuasions from abroade vnder colour of relieuing men so grieuously oppressed The greatest force that euer she vsed to roote them out was about the yeare of our Lord 1581. and inquirie being made in the yeare following of the number of Recusants they were found by the bils b of Sir Owen Hopton then Lieuetenant of the Towre and others in commission to haue increased in the circuit of that yeare 5 A thing altogether vnlikely ten for one She assaied an other way by banishment of some losse of goods and life of others yet left she at her death 6 The reason hereof see in the Answere more Papistes then when she first began those violent courses besides huge numbers of close Papistes and their well-willers among which are many of high calling who in regard that it concerneth their 7 And yet this fellow is no Papist forsooth Soules and euerlasting life could not liue but with a most fearefull disgust The warres also which haue beene continued in Ireland against Oneale Desmound and Tirone haue beene tedious bloody and coastly all which might haue beene auoyded with carying a gentle hand euer them and suffering them according to their Religion which notwithstanding is so firmely grounded in their harts as very fewe persons of marke doe at this time embrace the 8 Note the Libellers gall in this tearme libertie of the Gospell besides that the countrey hath beene in hazard to be lost and planted with 9 And all by the disloyaltie of Papistes a potent enemie Of the late Queenes proceedings against Papists As it is true that Consciences are not to be compelled but perswaded by force of truth and vse of all good meanes of instruction So it is certaine also that Causes of conscience when they grow to be matter of faction loose their nature wherefore Princes may and ought to punish exorbitant practises albeit coloured with pretence of conscience in Religion According vnto these principles hath that Mirrour of this Age our late Soueraigne Lady Queene ELIZABETH of eternall memorie behaued her selfe during the whole time of her happie raigne Comming to the Crowne detesting the Popish Tyrannie which by terrour and rigour ouerruled mens consciences with great wisedome she permitted onely the exercise of true Religion and tolerated the Papistes with vnspeakeable lenitie expecting that time would worke some good effect in them Popish Bulls against the Queene In the meane time when the Pope by intercession and intreatie of other Princes abroad could not preuaile with her Maiestie to receaue againe into her kingdome the contagion of Popish Heresie then he beganne to thunder out Bulles and excommunications against her which for many yeeres her Maiestie suffered quietly accompting them but as words or winde or water bubbles without punishing the diuulgers and fautours of them But after some proofe perceiuing that some intemperate and factious Subiects tooke courage thereby she could not but esteeme them to be preambles and forerunners of greater danger And therefore for her defence against them she reuiued former lawes to prohibite the publication or execution of such kinde of Bulles within her Realme and Dominions The Bull of Pius V. Notwithstanding this prohibition the Papistes abusing her Maiesties lenitie and clemency brought the said Bulles plentifully into the Realme to moue sedition and at length most impudently and most arrogantly set vp one of them publiquely vpon the gate of the Bishop of Londons pallace wherein her Maiestie was denounced to be no lawfull Queene and her Subiects drawne vpon paine of eternall damnation from her obedience Now who can in common Reason and Sense mislike that her Maiesty finding this kinde of denunciation of warre as a defiance to be made in her imperiall Citie by one of her Subiects auowing and obstinately maintaining the same should according to iustice cause the offendour to haue the reward due to such a fact Felton executed This was the first action of any capitall punishment inflicted for matter sent from Rome to moue rebellion which was about the 12. yeere of her Maiesties Raigne Rebellion in the North. Hereat the Pope burning with indignation and furie from words and writings fell to actions and practises against her Maiestie the State soliciting and prouoking her Noblemen and Subiects to disobedience and open rebellion Whereupon ensued the rebellion of the Earles of Northumberland and Westmerland and their adherents in the North who putting themselues in armes against their liege Lady required by solemne Proclamation forsooth not onely safe conduct and libertie for the Masse but also the releasing of prisoners banishing of preachers reuersing of lawes and displacing of Counsellors whom the Queene subdued by her forces Inuasion of Ireland Not satisfied herewith the Pope entertained the Traitors and rebells that escaped out of the Realme for the rebellion and sent them with certaine bands of Souldiers and Captaines of his owne furnished with treasure munition victuals ensignes banners and all other things requisite for warre into the Realme of Ireland where the same forces with other auxiliar companies out of Spaine fortifying themselues very strongly on the sea side proclaimed open warre erecting the Popes banner against the Queene and also sent certaine disguised fugitiues into England secretly to allure the people to new rebellions But through Gods power and speciall helpe her Maiestie by lawes suppressed the factious stirrers of sedition in England and by her sword vanquished all the Popes forces in Ireland The Originall of Seminary Priests And when the Pope saw that he could not preuaile by way of force and violence he deuised to erect vp certaine Schooles which he tearmed Seminaries to nourish and bring vp persons naturally disposed to sedition to become seedes-men in the tillage of Rebellion and them to send secretly into these
King when he came in person leauing b their houses and Countrey at his Maiesties deuotion England is much more diuided into sects especially into three the Protestants only allowed by authoritie in the Realme the Papists who pretend antiquitie and thirdly our selues who no lesse desire to reforme the Protestant abuses then they haue done the Papists The state of his Maiesties Dominions standing thus then as you see what 17 The Libeller thinkes none wise but himselfe wise man can wish him to sturre much against any For what man may iustly repine if he but onely abstaine from violence We may very well content our selues that our King is of our faith and will not suffer vs and our doctrine to be either disgrace or defaced and a temperate course with the Papistes may winne them to be as ready as others to withstande all forreine inuasions or 18 Who are likely to make insurrections at home but Papistes home insurrections if either of both vnder what pretext soeuer should happen And in like case as was our Portugall voyage or vpon any reuolt of the Indians or tumult in Fraunce ten thousand Papistes would doe mere seruice in winning to them the inhabitantes of those parts being as they are affected in Religion then 19 Who euer knew a more impudent lying Libeller thrice tolde so many of a vs. Fol. 20 Thus may you see what wildnesse will doe and how lately Repentance may follow the 20 Hence may be gathered that the Libeller is well striken in yeeres greene and vnripe heads of Roboams young vnaduised and violent councellors The Libellers instance in the Elector Trucces Archbishop of Colen The Elector Trucces Archbishop of Colen neuer attempted any thing by armes or violence within his iurisdiction But as soone as the Pope vnderstood that he fauoured Religion he vniustly depriued him of his honour and dignitie and consecrated the ambicious Bishop of Leodium in his place In the Archduke of Stiria In Stiria the Archduke by the instigation of the Spanish Queene his Sister and the pernicious Councels of the Iesuites expelled true Religion from his dominions where it had taken deepe roote before to the iust hazard of his Dukedome which now lieth sore bleeding So also is all Hungarie at this instant like to be rent from the Empire and vtterly lost vpon the same reason and iudgement Oh Lord What meane these men to plucke vp the sweete flowers and leaue the stincking weedes To cut off the fruitfull branches and let those that be rotten and withered alone to burne the corne and spare the stubble Why put they Noah into the Arke and drowne themselues whose being amongst them kept them from the deluge Wherefore do they thrust Lot out of Sodom that kept the citie from burning and oppresse Moses who should wrestle with Gods anger and keepe it from them Charles the 5. As for Charles the 5. his granting of toleration why should not the Germanes submitting themselues vnto the Emperour at his Election but vpon condition enioy the same liberties and securities of their publique State as their Fathers did before them Poland and Dantzike The same thing also may be said of Poland c. But the case is otherwise in Great Britaine which is an absolute Monarchie Touching Zuitzerland Heluetia it is no newes to see many lawes vnder many Lordes the Cantons or Cities of Heluetia haue regall iurisdiction within their seuerall precincts and liberties not one of them admit mixture of Religion Some of them as Zurich Basil Bearne Schaffouse Glaris and Appensel haue embraced the doctrine of the Gospell the rest Fribourge Lucerne Vri Swits Zug Vnderuard and Soullerre persisting still in ignorance retaine the Popish Heresie in the same fashion as they were wont And for the Low-Countreies Flaunders What reason is there that the King of Spaine should alter their State euert their ancient Lawes disanull their liberties and priuiledges his style declaring him to be not King but Earle of Flanders His purpose was to haue established a martiall Gouernement amongst them as being very commodious vnto him that in time he might easily as occasion should be offered haue made himselfe Commander of England of France and at length absolute Monarch of all Europe But the Netherlanders being very wealthy and inhabiting townes strong and defensible by fortification both of nature and industrious art could not endure his tyrannie And indeed the Spaniard being admitted a Protectour if he will needes become an oppressour wherefore should not they defend the freedome of their Countrey especially their priuiledges being of such nature as they do iustly esteeme themselues but Conditionall-Subiects to the King of Spaine and their Countrie being neuer an absolute Monarchie Queene Elizabeth supporting of the Hollanders Now because the Libeller maliciously glanceth at the late Queene for supporting and protecting the Netherlanders I answer That her Maiesties proceedings in that action were so iust so Christian and mingled with so many honourable reguardes as nothing doth so much acquite her Maiestie not onely from passion but also from all dishonourable policie For first at the beginning of those troubles she imparted vnto the King of Spaine sincere aduise not to hold a heauie hand ouer that people which he reiected and contemned Her Maiestie neuerthelesse gaue not ouer her honourable resolution which was if it were possible to reduce and reconcile those countreies vnto the obedience of the King of Spaine if not yet to preserue them from alienating themselues to a forraine Lord and so continued to mediate vnto the King for some iust and honourable Capitulations of grace and accord Which course she held vntill the death of the Duke of Aniowe at which time the enemie pressing them the vnited Prouinces were receiued into her Maiesties protection which was after the king of Spaine had discouered himselfe an vnplacable Lord to them and also a professed enemie vnto her Maiestie hauing alreadie actually inuaded Ireland and designed also the inuasion and conquest of England Her Maiestie notwithstanding still retained an euident proofe to the world of her iustice and moderation in that she refused the inheritance and soueraigntie of those Prouinces which by the States with much instance was pressed vpon her I will adde yet an example in the Monarchie of the 1 A fit President for Papistes to follow but not for Christian Princes professing the Gospell Turke who gouerning himselfe only by the light of naturall reason as we may doe when it is without preiudice to the gospell set doune as a Maxime in policie to clime the better to that greatnes whereto he aspired not to force the conscience of his subiects nor euer to change with violence the Religion in such kingdomes as he might happily subdue Whereupon some haue more easily yeelded vnto his conquest and 2 Who be they that we may know them others oppressed by theire owne Princes and perturbed with ciuill warres