do raigne most gloriously with Iesus Christ the King of glory in Heauen This being so set downe let vs proceed to the lury Faultes to be corrected In the title of the Preface all cauills read some cauills Pag. 8. lin vlt. Subbs read Stulbs Pag. 14. lin 2. humble more humble Pag. 18. lin 23. name of a man as read name of a man to a man as c. Pag. 25. in the margent adde Luth. declarat quorumdam artic cited by Coccius tom 1. lib. 7. Thesauri pag. 855. A GRANDE IVRY Of most famous and learned Protestants assuring all Catholiques of their Saluation if they liue and dye well in the Catholique Roman Fayth and Church The Names of the Iury Men. D Luther M Caluin D. Whitaker D. Câ—â—ell D. Morton M. Hooker Zanchius Sclusselburg Polanus Iunius Boyswell Bunny Plessis Mornay Serauia D. White D. Willet Sir Edwin Sands M. Stubbs M. Holynshed D. Godwin M. Cambden Crentremius Theater of great Brit. M. Fox WE suppose as graunted out of the Rom. 1. Act. 18. 30. Apostles that the Church of Rome was once the true Church of God and so to haue continuâ—d for diuers hundred yeares as the Protestants themselues confesse For M. Iewell would haue vs belieue That as well Saint Augustine as also other godly Fathers Iewell in his Reply to M. Harding pag. 246. rightly yielded reuerence to the Sea of Rome c. for the purity of religion which was preserued there a long time without spot Seeing it was a thing notorious sayth M. Caluin and without doubt that after the Apostles age Caluin in his Instit in french lib. 4. sect 3. Protestant Apol. pag. 210. vntill these times to wit of Saint Augustine no change was made in doctrine neither at Rome nor at any other Cittyes which was 440. yeares after Christ But D. Morton confirming M. Iewells chalenge auerreth that protestants in oppugning D. Mort. Appeale lib. 4. c. 30. pag. 573. â—74 doctrines which they cal new and not Catholike are so far off from suffering the limitation of the first 440. yeares that they giue the scope of the first 600. years within the compasse of which Saint Gregory liued who sent Sainâ— Augustine the Monke into England and therefore he acknowledgeth that the Pagan and Heathenish people by the light of the Ghospell through the Ministery of Augustin the Legate of Saint Gregory were brought into the fold of Christ And heerehence sayth B. Morton our authours called it a gratious Morton lib. 1. pag. 60. conuersion But now this being supposed that the Church of Rome was the true Church for so many ages togeather in the which saluation was to be had It remayneth that we demonstrate and shew how not only then but also euer after that time euen vnto this day that Church hath been the only Arke and sanctuary in the which whosoeuer haue liued and dyed well could not miscary nor misse of their saluation and that therefore there is no reason why any being a member of that Church should leaue it and be take himselfe to any other assembly or Congregation seeing there is but one true Church and that in her saluation can be obteyned and in all others nothing but damnation is to be expected Which we will endeauour to proue out of the testimonies of most Bale likewise sayth That Augustin was sent from Gregory to season the English with the Popish faith that King Ethelbert dyed one twenty yeares after hâ— had receaued Popery Cent. 1. fol. 3. M. Napiere The Pope with his Clergy neuer suffered for the space of a thousand yeares after Siluester the first any to be seene vouchable or visible of the true Church pag. 239. Holynshed in the History of England graue and learned Protestants Supposing out of Venerable Bede that Saint Augustine was sent by S. Gregory to this our Nation to conuert it aboue 1000. yeares since from Paganisme to Christ For these be his words Saint Augustine coming into England deliuered his errand to King Ethelbert saying he came from Rome and brought a ioyfull message which whosoeuer would obey should haue eternal ioyes a perpetuall Kingdome with the true and liuing God Which is confirmed out of your owne Protestant English Historiographers and therfore we will begin with their verdicts and make them as the Formen of this sufficient full and complete Protestant Iury of whome we will choose Holynshed to be the first Holynshed therfore speaking of Saint Augustine writeth thus Augustine sayth he and his company arriued at Canterbury where he made his aboad by the Kings permission exercised the life of the Apostles in fasting cloathing and prayers and preaching the word of God to as many as they could despsing all wordly pleasures as not appertayning to them receauing only of them whome they taught things seeming necessary to the sustenance of their life all liuing in all points according to the doctrine which they set forth Item At last King Ethelbert was perswaded by the good example of Saint Augustine and his company and by miracles shewed to be baptized And M. Fox speaking of Saint Augustine writeth thus At length when the King had Fox lib â— pag. 116. of his Acts. c. wel considered the honest conuersation of their life and moued with their miracles wrought through Gods hands by them he heard them I doubt not but God affoarded many miracles to the first inâ—aÌ„â—y of our Church So D Godwin in the life of S. Dauid more gladly and lastly by their holsome exhortations example of good life he was by them conuerted and christened in the yeare 596. Saint Augustine sayth Cambden coÌ„monly called the Apostle of the English sent hither by Gregory the great hauing destroied the MoÌ„sters of Hethenish impiety with most happy successe planting Christ in their minds conuerted them Cambden in his Britan. pag. 125. to the Christian faith Agayne Straight vpon the preaching of the name of Christ the English did consecrate themselues vnto Christ in so feruent a manner that the diligence is incredible they vsed in the propagation of the name of Christ in the performance of the duties therof in the diuulging of Christian religion in building of Churches in enriching and adorning of the same that no Prouince of ChristeÌ„dome could haue numbred more Monasteryes then England could in Catholike times euen Fox pag. 137. That none of all these Kings Queenes Princes and Prelats were Protestants is proued in the prudeÌ„tiall Ballance and the Protestants themselues coÌ„fesse no lesse For M. Nappiere saith That for these thousand two hundred and threescore years the Pope his Clergy hath possessed the outward and visible Church of ChristiaÌ„s reigning without any debatable contradiction Gods truth to wit the Protestant Church most certainly abiding so long latent and inuisible vpon the Reuel pag. 145. some Kings haue preferred religious and monasticall liues before Kingdoms So many haue been the holy men that England
vntill for very wearines he layd downe his head vpon a stone which he there placed insteed of a boulster Also Fox sayth he was full Fox Acts. 206. God win in his life of deuotion and Godwin that he was most canonically elected and presently after his consecration became so graue so austere so deuout in all outward shew as he seemed quite another man King Henry the second his voluntary pennance for giuing some cause or occasion of his death the same day was rewarded by a glorious Godwin in vit Bald win They lackt the doctrine know ledge in Christs Ghospel especially in the article of free iustification by faith and therefore sayth Fox they ran the wrong way Acts. pag 133. And agayne speaking of our ancient Cristian Kings he vseth these words How great the blindnes ignorance of these men was who wanting no zeale wanted knowledg seeking their saluation by their meritorious deeds which I write saith he here to put vs in mynd how much we at this present are bound to God for the true sinceerity of his truth hidden so long before to our forancestors opened now to vs This only lamenting to see them haue such works and want our fayth and we to haue a right fayth want their workes pag. 133. Victory agaynst his enemies And what deuotion our Ancestors had to this Saint may be seene by the riches they gaue to his Shryne of which Shrine Erasmus relateth that the basest part was gold it all shined glittering and cast forth lightning by reason of the rare and mighty gemmes and pretious stones yea the whole Church in euery part abounded more then with royall riches And euery one sayth Godwin thought himselfe happy that could doe any thing to his honour But now as D. Barlow sayth although Kinges haue many occasions which may allure them to sinne especially hauing that priuiledge in scripture whether ex gratia or de facto whether from exemption from God or grace of men that no man may say vnto them Why doe you this Yet among our anncient Catholike Kings haue been so many and so eminent in all kind of deuotion holines and sanctity as we need not bring in any other for our present purpose sauing only some of them set downe to haue been such Yea euen by our owne learned Protestant authors For King Oswald sayth Stow with a small army ouercame the Brittans and slew Ceadwall their King He sent for Aidan a Scot to aduance the Christian Religion among his people gaue him holy Iland for his sea he enlarged his Kingdom reconciled the Deiri Bernitians which deadly hated one another he was slayne by the â—â—gans fighting for his CouÌ„try at last saith Stow was canonized for a Saintâ— whose faith deuotion was so great sayth Beda that he did Theater pag. 337. shine with miracles after his death Of this King Oswalds hand other ProtestaÌ„ts write for being bountifull to the poore That after his death it neuer consumed but was shrined in siluer in S. Peters Church at Bedda now Bambrough with worthy honour was worshipped for the miracles eures that it did as likwise the earth wheron his bloud was spilt King Canutus went on Pilgrimage to Theater of great Britany pag. 391. 392. Rome to visit the sepulcher of Saint Peter and Saint Paul built many Churches and Abbeyes greatly reuerenced Saint Bennet he offered vp his crowne vpon the Martyrs Saint Edmunds Tombe Most rich and Royall Iewells he gaue to the Church of Winchester whereof one is recorded to be a Crosse worth as much as the whole reuenew of England amounted to in one yeare He set his crowne on the head of the picture of our Sauiour on the Crosse at Winchester neuer wearing it more Cooper sayth that for his vertuous life he was Cooper Aâ— 1027. worthy to liue perpetually He was of great magnificence and vsed such Iustice and temperance that in his dayes there was no Prince of renowne towards God humble and lowly Amongst al the Saxon Kings hitherto is fouÌ„d none to be preferred or almost to be compared with Alfred for the great and singular qualities in this King worthy of â—â—gh renown sayth Fox whether we behould his valiant acts and manifold trauells for his Countrey or his godly and excellent vertues ioyned with a publike tender care of the weale publike or whether we Bale cent cap. 43. Cambd. pag. 444. Malmesb. lib 2. c. 4. Westm An. 892. 871. respect his notable knowledge of good letters with a ferueÌ„t desire to set forth the same throghout all his Realme He fought sayth Bale 57. tymes with the Danes according to Cambâ—en repressed them at his pleasure He wrote promulgated most Christian lawes caused such peace as he made bracelets of gold to be huÌ„g vp in the high way which none durst touch He dayly hard Masse sayd his houres Matins in the night season vnknowne to all his seruants he frequented Churches to heare seruice In repayring beautifying and enriching monasteries he laboured earnestly among which he built See Fox pag. 142. two of great renowne he was crowned and anointed by Pope Leo was tearmed his adoptiue child sayth M. Bale to whome S. Cuthbert Fox Acts. lib. 3. p. 154. appeared when he was in distresse assuring him that he should ouercome the Danes as he did indeed King Edgar sayth Fox was much giuen to all vertuous princely acts worthy of much commendation and famous memory excellent in Iustice maintained the Godly loued the modest was deuout to God and beloued of his subiects whome he gouerned in much peace and quietnes No yeare passed in the tyme of his Reygne in which he did not some singuler and necessary commodity for the common-wealth Houedâ—n pag. 426. A great maintener of Religion and learning He had in readines 3600. ships of warre and made 8. Kings to row him in a boate he sitting at Fox lib. 3. pag. 154. Prud. Ballance pag. â—31 the sterne and guiding it Moreouer he was a great patron of Monkish religion builded as some say as many Monasteries as there be Sundayes in the yeare or as Edne â—porteth 48. Saint Editha was this Kings daugher who from her infancy was brought vp in a monastery and would not refuse Cooper an 975. Stow. p. 113. that life to enioy the crowne after her brother King Edwards death Cooper and Stow write how Saint Edward Martyr was in all kind of honest vertues comparable to his Father Edgar began his soueraignity Fox Acts. pag. 159. Cooper An. 977. Cambd. Brittan pag. 70â— with much modesty and mildnes and worthily fauoured of all Was a vertuous and noble Prince sayth Fox much pitifull and bountifull to the poore for him sayth Cooper after his death God shewed many miracles Of King Edward the first Cambden writeth thus He was a Prince far excelling in whose most valiaÌ„t mind God chose a most
the chiefe parts of the Christian faith D. White We agree with the Church of Rome in substantiall articles of fayth D. White in defence c. 38. 8. 273. D. Field The Roman and Latine Church continued the true Church of God euen till our tyme. And agayne we doubt not but the Church D. Field of the Church pag. 282. in which the Bishop of Rome exalted himselfe he addeth with more then Lucifer-life pride was notwithstanding the true Church of God that it held a sauing profession of the truth in Christ and by force thereof conuerted many Countreyes from errour to the way of truth D. Willet Antil pag. 144. D Willet It is not denyed by any Protestant but many renowned Kings and Queens which might not pleade ignoraÌ„ce of the Roman Faith are Saints in heauen And speaking of his Maiesties D. Willet Antil of English Protest to the King mother he attributeth such holynes and truth to her Religion and her that it preuayled with God not only for herself but her sonne our Soueraygne also His wordes be these The child of such prayers teares cannot possibly fall away Bren. in Apol. pro confess Wittemb p. 297. Brentius We doubt not but that many haue obteyned true saluation in popery And speaking of S. Bernard whom D. Whitaker confesseth to haue been a member of the Roman Church he writeth Whitak ad oratio 7. Campian p. 30. Caluin Gregory Bernard were holy meÌ„ 4. instit c. 7. n. 22. Lubbertus we thinke truly that Bernard was a Saint l. 6. de Eccles c. 7. thus I iudge Bernard to haue been a man endewed with great piety and deuotion and to liue now happily with Christ Bishop Barlow in his third sermon The learneder writers do acknowledge the Church of Rome to be the Church of God D. Some agaynst Penry in diuers places auouâ—beth that Papists are not altogeather aliens froÌ„ Gods couenant That in the iudgement of all learned men and al reformed Churches there is in Popery a Church a ministery a true Christ If you thinke that all the Popish sect which dyed in the Popish Church are damned you think absurdly and dissent from the iudgement of the learned Protestants M. Bunny The Church of Rome hath Bunny in his Treatise tending to pacification Sect. 14. pag. 89. euer continued after a sort in profession of the fayth since the time that by the Apostles it was deliuered to them c. and hath in some manner also preserued and hitherto maintayned both the Word and Sacraments that Christ himselfe did leaue vnto vs which surely sayth he is a very speciall blessing and an euident worke of the Holy Ghost S. Edwin Sands writeth thus of the Roman Church There are among them vndoubtedly in Sir Edwin sads in his Relation num 48. great multitude men vertuous learned fraught with the loue of God and the truth aboue all things men of memorable integrity of hart affections In their Sermons much matter both of fayth and piety is eloquently deliuered by men of wonderfull zeale and spirit The outward state and glory of their seruice doth engender quicken increase and nourish the inward reuerence respect and deuotion which is due vnto soueraygne maiesty and power Their deeds of charity are exceeding No seuerity of life comparable to some of their religious If Protestants were or could be at vnion with them they shall find excellent order of gouernement singular helpes for increase of godlines and deuotion for the conquering of sinne for the profiting of vertue Yet in the chiefe of whome they send out Ibid. â— 25. to preach in the diligence and paynes which they take in their sermons in the ornaments of eloquence and grace of action in their shew of piety and reuerence towardes God zeale towards the truth of loue towardes his people which euen with teares they can often testify they match their aduersaries in the best and in the rest far exceed them But heerein the Iesuits carry the bell from all others hauing attayned the commendatiom and working the effect of perfect Orators of whome in Lent one in each Citty of Italy doth preach euery Day without intermission if their strength do serue them so as six dayes in the weeke they preach on the Ghospell of the dayes and on the Saturday in honour and praise of our Lady So euery yeare changing their preacher there is the delight of variety and in the daily continuing of the same the admiratioÌ„ of industry Some such like course it is to be thought the Iesuites hold also in other Countreys their proiects being certaine exactly pursued But wonderfull is the reputation which redounds thereby to their Order and exceding the aduantage which giueth to their fide For bookes of prayer piety all countreys are full of them at this day in their owne language c. In defeÌ„ding their doctrine they dare enter into combat with the best of their repugnants and will not doubt either to entangle them so in the snares of their owne quirks or at least wise so put of his blowes with the word of their distinctions that an ordinary Orator shall neuer perceaue them to be vanquished and a fauorable Auditor shall report them vanquishers whereupon now they cry mainely in all places for triall by disputations Moreouer such is their diligence and dexterity in instructing that euen the Protestants theÌ„selues in some places send their sons to their schooles vpon desire to haue them proue excelleÌ„t in those artes they teach This Order hath also their solemne Cathechizing in their Church on Sundaies and Holidayes for all youth that will come or can be drawne vnto it But this point of their schooles in instructing youth is thought of such moment by men of wisedome and iudment being taught so by very experience and triall thereof that the planting of a good Colledge of Iesuits in any place is esteemed the only sure way to replant that Religion and in time to eate out the contrary So far the Protestant Relator But to proceed from the common multitude of lay people and Ecclesiasticall persons to the Popes themselues this same anthour hath found much vertue deuotion and piety in those which haue been in these tymes and of the last Pope Clement the 8 he Relat. of Religion n. 42. 43. writeth thus He did often weepe vpon piety godly compassion at his Masses processions His eyes were still watering sometimes streaming with teares in so much that for weeping he seemed another Heraclitus He was a good Pope a good man a good Prelate a good Prince And as for the Lutheranes in Germany Relation n 45. they like the Religion of Catholiks so well that both the Clergy and Layty openly protest they will rather returne to the Roman Church then ioyne with the Sacramentary and predestinary pestilence The Puritans in this Nation in their late Offer of Conference preferre the Roman Church far before their
omnes Bed l. 1. hist S. Edwin King of Northumberland Martyr Anno Bed l. 2. Hist 634. Stow. Cambd. S. Oswald King of Northumberland Martyr Anno Bed 3. hist Bed l. 3. c. 24. hist Bed l. 3. hist c. 18. Bed l. 4. c. 11. Bed l. 5. c. 7. Bed l. 5. Ingulp alij Abb. Floriac 645. Stow. Cambd. Holinsh. omnes in Chron. S. Oswine King of Deiri vnder the Northumbers Martyr Anno 651. Stow. Cambd. Holinsh. S. Sigebert King of the East-Angles Martyr Anno 652. Stow. Holinshed c. S. Sebbâ—s King of the East-saxons Confessour Anno 675. Stow. Holinsh. c. S. Ceadwall King of the West-saxons Confessour Anno 689. Stow. Holinsh. c. S. Ethelred King of the Mercians Confessour Anno Mar. Scot. Wion 710. Stow. Holinsh. Cooper S. Alfred King of Northumberland Confessour Anno Pol. Virg. Math. West Malmesb. 720. Stow. Holinsh. Cooper S. Inas King of the West-saxons CoÌ„nfessour Anno 727. Stow. Cambden Holinshed â— Ceolnulph King of Northumberland Confessour Bed l. â— c. 9. Westmon Sur. tom 1. Wion Epit. Bed Pol. Virg. Westmon Pol. Virgil. Io. Capgrau Molan Vincent in spec Mart. Rom. alij Malmesb. l. 1. de Reg. Baâ—on tom 10. Annal. Malmesb. Westm Abbo Flor. Petr. in Catal. Mar. Scot. Abb. Flor. in Histor Io. lesâ—aeus hist Scot. â—ol Virg. l. 6. Sur. in vita Mart. Rom. Sur. alij Hect. l. 12. hist Scot. Leslaeus alij Pol virg Harpesfield in hist Registr Ecc. Windesor Anno 737. Stow. Cooper alij recent S. Richard King of Kent Confessour Anno 750. Camb. Brit. S. Egbert King of Northumberland Confessour Anno 768. Stow. Cambd. S. Ethelbert King of the east Angles Martyr Anno 793. Cambd. in his Brit. Hereford S. Fremund King of the Mercians Martyr Anno 796. Stow. Cambd. S. Kenelmus King of the Mercians Martyr Anno 821. Cambd. Stow. Holinsh. S. Ethelwold King of the Northumbers Martyr Anno 790. Cambd. Stow. Holinsh. S. Ethelnulph King of the West-saxons Confessour Anno 857. Stow. Holinsh. S. Edmund King of Northumberland Martyr 870. Cambd. Brit. in Suffolke Stow omnes S. Ethelred King of the West-saxons Martyr Anno 872. Stow. Holinsh. S. Alfred King of the West-saxons Confessour An. 899. Cambd. Stow omnes S. Duffus King of Scotland Martyr Anno 972. Cambd. Brit. in Murray S. Edgar Monarke of England Confessour Anno 975. Stow. Holinsh. omnes S. Edward King of the West-saxons Martyr Anno 978. Stow. Cambd. omnes S. Edward the Confessour K. of England Anno 1069. Cambd. Stow Holinsh. S. Malcolme King of Scoâ—land Confessor Anno 1092. Cambd Stow omnes B. Henry the sixt of EnglaÌ„d at whose body in Windeâ—ore very many miracles byn haue wrought Anno 1479. Stow. Holinsh. Cambd. in Surrey Queenes Niceph. Socr. Mart. Rom. In vita S. Edwini Reg. Matth. Westmon Pol. Vir. Vincent in spec Wion l. 4 ligni vitae Beda l. 4. Tritem de vit Illustr Mart. Rom. Bed l. 4. Westmon anno 640. Bed l. 4. c. 26. Wion l. 4. ligni vitae Bed l. 4. c. 23. Wion alij Tit. de vir illust Pol. Virg. Capgr Pol. Virg. Hereb de fastis Sanct. Ethelwerdus in Chron. Matth. West an 904. an 901. 92â— Wion in ligviâ—ae S. Helen Empresse borne at Colchester She liued about Anno 320. Cambd. in Britan. in Essex Stow. omnes S. Ethelburge Queene of Northumberland Anno 647. Cambd. Stow. c. S. Ermenburge Queene of the Mercians Anno 654. Stow. Cambd. alij S. Chinneburge Queene of the West-saxons Anno 670. Cambd. Chron. Brit. S. Ermenild Queene of the Mercians Anno. 678. Stow. Cambd. S. Audry Queene of Northumberland Anno 680. Cambd. Brit. in Cambridgshire S. Sexburge Queene of Kent Anno 686. Stow. Cambd. in Brit. alij S. Eanflede Queene of Northumberland Anno 690. Cambd. Brit. Stow. in Cronic S. Hereswide Queene of Eastangles Anno 690. Cambd. Brit. Holinshed alij S. Edilburge Queene of West-saxons Anno 840. Stow. Holinsh. alij S. Osith Queene of the Eastangles Anno 870. Cambd. in Brit. in Essex alij omnes S. Eue Queene of the Mercians Anno 878. Cambd. in Brit. in Glocest. S. Ethelwide Queene of the West-saxons Anno 904. Stow. Cambd. Holinsh. S. Eadgith Queene of Northumberland Anno 926. Camb. Brit. Howes S. Algiue Queene Mother to King Edgar Anno 964. Matth. west anno 943. 955. 974. Pol. Vir. Ranulph Cicestr hist Angl. Hist Scot. excus Frankford l. 7. West Paris an 1067. Abb. Flor. in eius vita Mar. Rom Surius omnes Matth. West Paris Sur. in act S. Margar. Concert Eccl. Angl. Didac de Yepes Ep. Taraconens Histor de schis Anglic. Camb. Brit. Stow. Holinsh. S. Wilfride Queene Wife to King Edgar Anno 987. Camb. Brit. Stow. Holinshed S. Agatha Queene wife to K. Edward the Out-law Anno 1072. Camb. Brit. Stow. alj S. Margaret Queene of Scotland Anno. 1092. Cambd. in Scotland Stow. omnes S. Maude Queene of England An. 1118. Camb. Stow. Holinshed B. Mary Stewart Queene of Scotland Anno 1587. Camb. in Britan. in his Elizabetha fusiùs D. Willet in his Antilog of the Engl. Protest to the King where he wonderfully extolls her for Holines and truth of Religion Besides these there are numbred aboue 500. Men Women of the Kings Children and Bloud Royall of our Iland that haue in ancient Catholike tymes dedicated themselues to God in holy Religion this by the testimony of our owne Protestant writers FINIS
hath brought forth and which for their most firme profession of Christian religion most solid constancy and sincere deuotion therin haue been put into the Kalender of Saints that in this point it hath not been inferiour to any Christian Prouince whatsoeuer yea as Britany was tearmed by Porphyrius a prophane Philosopher Ferâ—x Tyrannorum prouincia A prouince fertill of Tyrants so likewise England may be stiled Insula Sancto rum feracissima An Iland fruitfull of Saints So far Cambden To whome â—e may add another famous Protestant author who tels vs for the tyme past that more Kings and Queenes in England only haue becom'd Monks and Nunnes and now by Protestants honoured for Saints in heauen then euer were Protestant Kings and Queenes in all the world though neuer so vnworthy the name of Saints or Sanctity which are all to be seene in the Theater of Britany Iohn Fox also relateth how that eight Kings of England left their Kingdomes and became Monks whose names are these King Kinegilâ—â—s King Cead wall King Inas King Ethelred King Sigebert King Coenred King Offa King Edbert Of whome he sayth that it is most like they did it for holines sake thinking in this kind of life to serue and please God better but in this sayth Fox they were deceaued To these we may ioyne 19. Kings Queenes daughters whom also M. Fox confesseth to haue left their Royall estates and became Nunnes And he relateth out of an auncient Chronicle that in the primitiue Church of England Kings Princes Dukes Earles Barons rulers of the Churches Fox lib. 2. pag. 114. incensed with a desire of heauen labouring and striuing among themselues to enter into Monasteries into voluntary exile solitary life forsooke all and followed the Lord. And as conconcerning the piety and deuotion of other Catholiks after the Centurists write thus saying Although in this age to wit the seauenth the worship of God was darkened with mans traditions and superstitions yet the study to serue God and to liue godly and iustly was not wanting to the miserable common people c. they were so attentiue to their prayers as they bestowed almost the whole day therin They did exhibite to the Magistrate due obedience they were most studious of amity concord and society so as they could easily remit iniuries all of them were carefull to spend their time in honest vacation and labour to the poore strangers they were CeÌ„turists cent 7. c. 7. col 181. Sâ—ubbs in his motiue pag. 43. most courteous and liberall and in their iudgements and contracts most true M. Subbs in his Motiue to good works sayth Certainely to speake the truth there is many times found conscionabler and plainer dealing among most of the Papists then amongst many protestants And if we looke narrowly into the ages past we shall find more godliues deuotion and zeale though blind more loue one to another more fidelity faythfulnes euery way in them then is now to be found in vs. And agayne he further sayth Is it not a shame vnto vs Stubbs in his motiue pag. 72. To name one amongst many Robert Winchelsey the 49. Archb of Canterbury Besids the dayly fragmeÌ„ts saith Godwin of his house he gaue euery Friday and Sunday to euery begger a loafe of Bread there were euery such Almes dayes foure or fiue thousand people Besides this euery great festiuall day he sent a 150. pence to such poore people as could not fetch his Almes that our forefathers liuing in the times of superstition c. should so far notwithstanding out passe vs in good works as that we may not once be compared to them in any small measure HeÌ„ce for good works who seeth not that herin they were far beyond vs we far behind them For exaÌ„ple what memorable famous buildings and what monuments haue they left to the world behind them What Churches Chappels and other houses of prayer did they erect to the end the Religion and seruice of God might be continued Yea what Monasteries Abbyes Priories and other religious houses c. what number of goodly bridges did they make How many Almes-houses Hospitalls and Spittles did they found c. What high wayes what pauements and causies in summe what famous Colledges Hals Vniuersities what schooles In so much as the former Statute of Mort-main now needles was yet then thought needfull to be made in restraint of such liberall deuotion But to giue some tast in particular of those famous and godly men who liued in these times we will beginne with Saint Dunstone Archbishop of Canterbury who was most gracious to King Edward and Ethelrede as wittnesseth M. Godwin vnder whome he ruled all thinges at his pleasure and for the most part admired for a most holy vertuous man and after canonized for a Saint Saint Elphege another Arch-bishop of the same sea was sayth the same authour of great parentage of wonderfull abstinence neuer eating or drinking nor sleeping more then necessity God win iâ— his life compelled him spending his tyme altogeather in piety study or other necessary busines so that with preaching example of holy life he conuerted many to Christ Duke William after his conquest made choyce of Lanfranke for his wisdome and faythfulnes to be Arch bishop of Canterbury as one in all respects God win iâ— his life most fit and worthy He was the most perfect sayth Bale of his time in all kind of Logicke or Bale Centur. â—â— cap. â—â— subtility of Aristotle He corrected amended according to the right fayth all the bookes of the old and new Testament which had been corrupted by fault of the writers and also the writings of the holy Fathers He was skillfull in science sayth Stow prudent in counsells and gouernement and for religion and life Stow. Chron. pag. â—79 most holy He was sayth Godwin busâ— in exhorting Rufus to vertue and godlines And as long as Lanfranke liued sayth Stow Rufus seemed to abhorre all kind of vice in so much that he was counted the mirrour of Kings Saint Anselme likewise was a most worthy man of great learning as his workes yet extant do declare and for integrity of life and conuersation admirable vndoubtedly he was a good holy man and as worthy the honour of a Saint as any I thinke sayth Godwin euer was canonized by the Pope since his time None sayth Malmsbury liued more obseruant of Iustice Malmeb lib. 4. Regum None at that tyme so soundly learned None so wholely spirituall the Father of the countrey the mirrour of the world Saint Thomas sayth Houeden was of life S. Thomas of Canterbury Houeden part 2. Anal. irreprehensible he receaued day by day 3. or 5. disciplines at the Priests hands his inner garmeÌ„t was of rugged haire-cloath of goates haire wher with his whole bâ—dy was couered from the elbow to the knees he lay vpon the bare ground before his bed neuer ceased from prayâ—r