Common-wealth where Heresie and Idolatrie is exercised Emperours plagued for toleration Constantius 21 Theodoret and after him Nicephorus speaking of Constantius say At that time when he heard that Iulian whom he had declared Caesar of all Europe began to conspire and moue sedition against him that had extolled him to so great honour departing from Syria into Cilicia he fell into an Apoplexie and died Because he kept not the heritage of his Fathers pietie whole he was destitute of that helper which his Father had ordained for him wherefore he grieuouslie and bitterly lamented that he had changed Religion Theodoret. lib. 2. cap. 31. Niceph. lib. 9. cap. 50. lib. 10. cap. 1. For he repented of three things although all too late as Greg. Nazianzen testifieth 1. That he had elected Iulian to be Caesar 2. That he had banished Athanasius 3. That he had changed Religion Naz. in vita Atha apud Nice priori loco 22 Iulian. Also The death of wicked Iulian as Theodoret speaketh declared his temeritie and impietie in granting toleration to the Gentiles and to all Heretiques For going ouer into Persia to warre against the Christians vpon the sudden he was wounded with an arrow which he tooke out of his body and filling his hand full of blood he threw it vp into the aire crying out Thou hast ouercome ô Galilean so this blasphemous dogge termed our blessed Sauiour thou hast ouer come and so died presently Theodor lib. 3. cap. 20. Niceph. lib. 10. cap. 34. 23 Likewise Valens Valens that great fauourer of Heretiques being in great distresse was forsaken of his brother Valentinian who sent him answere that it was not lawfull to ayde him that fought against God and refusing the councell of Terentius and Traiane his Captaines and of Isaac Bishop of Bretanioa who tould him that fighting against God he must needes be dest tute of Gods helpe would notwithstanding desperately fight against the Barbarians and sending his armie to the battaile he withdrew himselfe into a village hard by expecting the euent of the field But his Soldiers being not able to stand in the Barbarians face turned their backes and fled the Barbarians pursuing after them made a great slaughter and comming vpon the village where Valens was they burned it together with the Emperour Theod. l. 4. cap. 28. Niceph. lib. 11. c. 49. 50. 24 Basiliscus the Tyrant being by Gods iudgements betraied by his owne Captaines Basiliscus and deliuered into the hands of Zeno the Emperour was sent into Cappadocia and there murdered with his wife and children Niceph. lib. 16. cap. 8. 25 Hauing spoken of the Emperours on whom God shewed his iudgements for wicked toleration and collusion with Heretiques it remaineth to speake a word or two of common-wealthes which in like maner were punished by diuine wrath Common-wealthes and cities plagued for Toleration Nicomedia 26 Constantius in fauour of the Arians calling diuers Synods at Nicomedia when there was a Synode congregated a sudden earthquake ouerthrew almost all the buildings in the citie together with the temple that had beene but lately built and the citie walles wherewith infinite numbers were slaine and the timber taking fire by reason of the furnaces baths and shops of artificers the whole Citie seemed as it had beene but one bonefire Nice lib. 9. cap. 39. The Roman Empire 27 During the raigne of Iulian the Apostata God sent diuers calamities into the Roman Empire insomuch that it was not safe for men to tarrie within dores by reason of earthquakes nor to walke abroad by reason of great tempests of thunders lightnings haile c. Alexandria The citie of Alexandria was ouerflowne and drowned with the sea Also at other times the drought was so great that it killed all fruits and infected the aire whereupon ensued such a famine that men were faine to feed on beasts foode which ended with a pestilence and very great mortalitie 28 Of Valens his times thus writeth Nicephorus After the warre against Procopius there fell haile as big as great stones and there were such earthquakes in diuers places which did very great harme in many countries Nicea but quite ouerthrew Nicca a citie in Bithynia This was the twelfth yeare after the Subuersion of Nicomedia And not long after by another earthquake Seruia a citie in Hellespont Seruia was vtterly destroyed And a little after shewing the cause of these calamities he addeth This haile and earthquakes as most men thinke Note well proceeded from the anger of God against the Emperor because he banished many Bishops and was about to put to death whosoeuer did not subscribe vnto the opinions of Eudoxius Nicep li. 11. c. 5. CHAP. IX A Consideration of an Epistle apologeticall written by a Puritane-Papist in fauour of Protestants Papists and those of the Reformation HAVING laide downe such Reasons as in my simple opinion may moue any reasonable moderate and sober man fearing God to derest factious Toleration it remaineth to answer the arguments of the contrarie Paradox which because they are couched together in a small Pamphlet lately cast abroad to moue sedition I will briefly examine that whole Tractate ab ouo admalum as they say It is a litle booke in 8o. conterning 3. sheets of paper the number of euery folio shal be set in the margine in his due place the former side or face shal be distinguished by the letter a and the latter by b The Title is this Fol. 1 a AN EPISTLE OR APOLOGIE 1 Yea rather of a false idolatrous and vncharitable Papist of a true and charitable brother of the reformed Church in fauour of Protestants Papists and those of the Reformation for a 2 As if the proceedings against Papists hitherto were immoderate more moderat course of proceeding in matters of Religion by searching the Scriptures and examining their Spirits for the sense and true meaning of them by a peaceable conference and such easy meanes as were practised in the Apostolicall and Primitiue Church for planting the faith and rooting out of errour tending to 3 He speaketh by contraries vnitie of Religion loyaltie to the Kings Maiestie increase of honour to him and his posterity and good of the Common-wealth ANSWER A CERTAINE Stranger comming on Embassage vnto the Senators of Rome and colouring his hoarie haire and pale cheeks with vermillion hiew a graue Senatour espying the deceit stoode vp and saide What synceritie are we to expect for at this mans hands whose lockes and lookes and lips doe lie So the Libeller counterfeiting a sweete voice as Iacobs but hauing rough hands as Esaus The auctor of the Epistle a dissembling Hypocrite styling himselfe a true and charitable Brother of the Reformed Church being indeed an old Idolatrous Papist that hateth to be reformed what synceritie are we to looke for at his hands that so notablie dissembleth his religion euen at the first entrance But for all his cunning
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
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
of Scripture without any meanes rule or limitation to the analogie of faith which because it is but a giddie speach of a malicious Machiauelist and lying Papist to disgrace Religion it needeth no further refutation then a bare deniall The Later is of triall by conference concerning which because the Libeller proposeth the same againe a little after I will forbeare to speake any thing vntill we come to that place Then he produceth an argument to proue how fruitlesse a thing it is how preiudiciall to the King and State to cause men to shew themselues outwardly to be of another profession then in heart they are which he laboureth to proue by the example of Constantius the father of Constantine the Greate who would admit none to be about him that were vnfaithfull in their religion towards God If this be true then would he neuer admit Papistes whose perfidiousnesse towards God in iustling Christ out of his throne in denying him to be our perfect and alone Sauiour in adulterating his word and mangling Religion is notoriously knowne Obedience to God the ground of obedience to the Magistrate And indeed obedience and fidelitie towards the Prince must needs flow and proceed from conscience in Religion towards God grounded vpon the written word But Papistes that embrace a Religion patched like a Beggers cloake and compiled of all Heresies and preferre their owne deuises and traditions before the will of God reuealed in his word cannot possibly carry themselues faithfully towards any Prince which thing also is euidently seene by their daily practise their obedience and faithfulnesse being pinned vpon the Popes sleeue to be disposed where he listeth The Princes securitie and greatest force lyeth in the faithfull harts of his subiects and the hart or affection of man is neuer wonne by violence and if we will bring all to the course of the Primitiue Church we must note that then no 1 But heresies were 1. strained by seueritie of lawes euen in the Primitiue Church violence was vsed to establish the Gospell The Scriptures were searched but the 2 The foolish Libeller knoweth not what interpretation signifieth otherwise he can not be ignorant that in the place he quoteth all interpretations were limited according to the analogie faith interpretations were not restrained as b you may see 1 Cor. 14. and shall we now stop mens mouthes and tye them with statute lawes to the iudgement of a fewe and make their opinions as a Popish Decree and that too before due examination and triall In the Primitiue Church there arose a controuersie whether the Law of Moises were still to be obserued together with the Law of Christ for appeasing whereof the Iewes tooke one way not much vnlike to yours the Apostles an other way such as I now perswade The course of the Apostles was conuenerunt Apostoli seniores the learned in both Lawes held a councell and conference and resolued the question to the contentment of all the Christians which were before of different opinion in the matter This course was then taken and 3 A sound Popish Consequence Christ promised to be there where two or three should be assembled together in his name Ergo Councels cannot erre because Christ promised to be where Christians in his name should thus assemble and conferre together to finde out the truth the Christians from that time in like case haue taken the same course Pastors and Bishops of the whole world were called together in the first councell of Nice where that blasphemous Arrius who denied Christ to be God was a yet inuited to the triall of his Doctrine Fol. 12 and was heard what he could say for defence thereof and so from age to age as heresies haue risen in the Church like course of conference hath beene taken to confirme the faithfull and conuert the misbeleeuers euen vntill these late daies as appeareth by those conferences which haue beene in Germanie not onely among the 4 But what likenesse is there betweene the Popish conuenticles and the anncient Councels Papists but also among the followers of those notable reformers M. Luther and M. Caluin by reason of the diuersities of their opinions in matters of 5 The Libeller is very industrious to note this Faith The Iewes thought by whippes and threatnings to stop the mouths of Christs Disciples that they should not perswade nor speake in the name of Iesus but the more they were forbid the more they spake as it hath also fallen out among vs of late yeares in 6 As if the Papists in England spake in the name of Iesus and not in the name of the Pope England Such Constitutions therefore in my opinion are not conuenient and as for my selfe as I doe not misdoubt the truth of my beleefe or 7 No doubt the Libeller hath more courage then strength feare any conference or disputation with any contrarie sect so am I not wedded in such sort to mine owne sense that I altogether 8 Popish pretence disdaine other mens iudgements in the true meaning of the Scriptures especially of b those most auncient and therefore most reuerend assemblies from all coastes of the earth where Christians liued which being neere to the time of the Apostles could not but giue great light what doctrine the Apostles had taught in those Countreyes and in what sense the Scriptures were deliuered In this sort did M. Iuell openly at Pauls Crosse confidently challendge the Papists and in case that they should disagree from him in the sense and interpretation of the Scriptures he was content to referre himselfe to the vniforme Faith of the Fathers in the first sixe hundred yeares For it was not likely that 9 Who of vs euer affirmed that Gods Church was ouerthrowen we know the Gates of hell cannot preuaile against it Gods Church was in so fewe yeares ouerthrowen or that any but the Apostles could haue that priuiledge to plant Christian doctrine in all nations of the earth as noteth Tertullian lib. de praescriptionibus This Challenge of M. Iuells was accepted by his aduersaries and many a good Soule that had care of saluation and desire of the truth was much edified thereby hoping that by this meanes the truth would come to light and which were the primitiue faith and doctrine of the Apostles be easily discerned And a when some violent heades perswaded that M. Iuells challendge should proceede no further Fol. 13 but that the answeares of his aduersaries should be 10 This was done because the wise Magistrates saw that the Papistes were solemnely sworne that they would neither reade not heare B. Iewels booke read but greedily embraced the poysoned writings of his Aduersaries by Proclamation repressed many began to stagger and thinke that the truth was rather on their side for otherwise said they why should not the answeres be seene and read especially where M. Iuells replies were rife in euery mans hands For most certaine it is
razing at least the deadly wounding of Popish Idolatrie The one whereof by Gods great blessing his Maiestie hath in manner already performed The other by Gods grace vsing the ordinary meanes he is shortly to effect The encrease of Papists in this Kingdome In the meane time it is certaine that Papistes vpon what false grounds I know not considering his Maiesties heroicall and constant Resolution to maintaine the puritie of the Gospell bragge much of their number and multitudes within this Kingdome whereby they haue encreased their malicious zeale in so much as they seeme to be euen almost ready to breake forth into actuall Rebellion I will not speake of the multitude of pestilent Books which they haue lately brought into the Realme to moue Sedition nor of the flocking hither from beyond the Sea of whole swarmes of Iesuites and Priests besides two Benedictine Prouincialls with their fellow Locustes who are said to haue shared the Kingdome betwixt them to prepare the people for their purpose nor of their labouring to alienate the common peoples affection from their loyaltie towards his Maiestie nor of their pernicious Libelling against the State nor yet of their Insolencie and Rage towards the persons of some particular Ministers and others that stood in their way Onely their furie and malice may be partly gathered by their outragious and enormous fact lately committed at Enborne in Barkeshire Ontragious parts plated by the Papistes as Enborne in Barkeshire as may appeare by this parcell of the Libell they left behinde them in the Church which in perpetuall detestation of their insolent Libelling-spirit I thought good here to insert as foloweth A fragment of a Papish Libell And now what we bee if any would know Catholiques we are and so do auow The Seruice-Booke here scattered all Is not diuine but hereticall So is the Bible of false translation To cut and mangle it is no damnation The Register also if so we do serue We serue it no other then it doth deserue For why should new Heretiques be thus enrold Enrole good Catholiques long dead of old Out with new Heretiques hence let them go Register Catholiques and register no mo For Catholiques onely are worthy record Into Church-register to be restord The Papistes violent carriage an argument of their imminent ruine This violent carriage of the Papistes in time of their restraint as it doth sufficiently declare their more then Diabolicall audacitie if they had libertie granted them so vnto me it is an euident argument of their imminent ruine For in deadly diseases it is commonly seene that before the period of death the patient is wont to receiue some small strength which vnto the vnskilfull giues hope of perfect recouerie but vnto the learned Physition as the extreamest endeuor of Nature is an infallible token of certaine death To this end at the commandement of such whom in the Lord I am bound to obey in all things I haue penned this subsequent Tractate wherein I haue proued the Vnlawfullnesse and Danger of Toleration of promiscuous profession of diuers Religions aswell by Lawes Diuine and Humane as also by Reason and the woefull Experience of such as euer found themselues deluded by humaine Prudence or Policie Of Toleration of Heretiques If any man shall aske whether I thinke it altogether vnlawfull for a Christian Prince in any case to tolerate Heretiques within his dominions where true Religion is setled I answer that I thinke I haue manifestly proued in this Treatise that the exercise of a contrarie Religion ought not to be admitted because it prouoketh the indignation and wrath of GOD against the whole Land exposeth orthodoxe Christians vnto the danger of Gods reuenging furie and breedeth contempt of Religion Of Heretiques cohabitatiō amongst true Christians But if Question be made concerning the cohabitation only of such with vs I answer that submitting my selfe I willingly commit that vnto the grauer iudgement of such as haue experience of publique affaires and exact knowledge of all Antiquitie albeit I am perswaded that all Christian Princes ought carefully to labour as much as in them lieth that Heretiques do not inhabite together with Orthodoxe Christians they should waigh whether Religion the Church and Common-wealth by mutuall exchange receiue any thing which may more benefit them So that I thinke Note will onely Ciuill and Politique Reasons as the profit of some Citie or Prouince greater gaine in traffique enlargement of buildings or encrease of reuenewes are not to be regarded in this case if they be compared with the mischieuous wilfull contempt of Ecclesiastique and Ciuill Magistrates and with the certaine danger of corrupting good Citizens who can hardly touch pitch and not be defiled therewith especially by such as are wholy bent to peruert and infect aswell their owne children friends as their fellow-citizens and neighbours Almightie God Lord of Heauen and Earth of his infinite mercy and loue in Iesus Christ giue his Church rest and deliuer vs from this great plague of Popish Heresie Amen Farewell good Reader London-House this 18. of May. 1605. Thine euer in the Lord IESVS CHRIST Gabriel Powel The vnlawfulnesse and danger of Toleration of diuers Religions and Conniuency to contrarie Worship in one Monarchie or Kingdome CHAP. I. ¶ Of the diuersitie of Opinions concerning Pacification Diuers opinions concerning Pacification DIVERS haue beene the proiects deuises and practises of sundrie men to redresse the difference in Religion and disparitie of worship which now for many ages haue vexed the Christian world Some haue thought it necessarie that the common Cause were debated in a free I A generall Councell lawfull and generall Councell Which would to God we might see so assembled and ordered by Christian Princes as the WORD OF GOD preuailing and all our Controuersies taken away there might be but one flocke and one folde as there is but one Shepheard Christ Iesus But this cannot be obtained of the aduerse partie without most vniust and vnequall conditions of appointing him to be the iudge of our cause whom we are to charge before Almighty GOD No man ought to be Iudge in his owne cause his holy Angels and his whole Parliament of Saints to be the very same great ANTICHRIST whom the Scriptures foretold should come for iust punishment of the wicked who haue not receaued the loue of the trueth and the very head of that great Whoore which hath made all kingdomes drunke with the cup of her fornications Wherefore seeing such a free and lawfull assemblie cannot be had we must remitte our selues to the Great Day of triall when Christ shall come with thousandes of his mightie Angels to iudge the quicke and the dead and before Saints and Angels before Heauen and Earth all Creatures bearing witnesse of his Iustice giue sentence according to his written-word on our side against our aduersaries Others imagined that the difference betweene both Religions is not so great but that there
to make them high places and Images and groues on euery high hill and vnder euery greene tree therefore Shishak King of Egypt came vp against Ierusalem and tooke the treasures of the house of the Lord and the treasures of the Kings house and tooke away all c. 1. King 14.23.25 12 Abiiah the Sonne of Rehoboam because he walked in his Fathers sinnes Abiiah and was polluted with Idols had continuall warre with Ieroboam King of Israël 1. King 15.3.7 13 But this Abiiah obiected against Ieroboam that he could not prosper because he had erected Idols in his kingdome and had made him Priestes contrarie to the Law and assured himselfe of Gods assistance against him for this reason because they had the Lord for their God who was their Captaine and his lawfull Priestes the Sonnes of Aaron sounding the Lords trumpets in the fielde before them Therefore saith he O yee children of Israël fight not against the Lord God of your Fathers for ye shall not prosper And accordingly it is added that the Israëlites were ouercome hauing fiue hundred thousand men of warre slaine and the Iewes were strengthened because they rested vpon the Lord God of their Fathers 2. Chron. 13. throughout 14 Asa Asa his Sonne one while prospered when he put away all the Idols that his Father had made and then decayed when he followed the vaine discourse of flesh and blood and sought vnto the Assyrians for helpe 1. King 15.10 2. Chron. 14.1 c. 15 Iehoshaphat the Sonne of Asa prospered and grew vp on high Ichoshaphat because he lifted vp his hart vnto the waies of the Lord and tooke away the high mountaines and groues out of Iudah 2. Chron. 17.6.12 Notwithstanding he is reprooued for his affinitie and societie with wicked Achab King of Israël 2. Chron. 19.2 16 Amasiah Amasiah because he obeyed not the Prophet but defiled himselfe with Idolatrie heard this saying I know that the Lord hath determined to destroy thee because thou hast done this 2. Chron. 35.16 17 The same thing also caused Azariah or Vzziah first to fall into sinne Azariah and then to become a leper 2. King 15.4.5 2. Chron. 26. 18 It was an obiection against Iotham the sonne of Azariah Iotham and a great fault laid to his charge 2. King 15.35 Ahaz as also vnto Ahaz his sonne 2. King 16.4 and to Manasses after his repentance 2 Chron. 33.17 that they tooke not away the high places 19 Ezechiah Ezechiah because he tooke away the high places and brake the images and cut downe the groues and brake in pieces the brasen Serpent and trusted in the Lord God of Israël deserued this commendation that after him there was none like him among all the Kings of Iudah neither were there any such before him 2. King 18.4.5 20 Manasses Manasses his Sonne falling into Idolatrie was carried away prisoner into Babylon but humbling himselfe and praying vnto GOD he was restored againe to his kingdome which he purged from Idolatrous worship 2. Chron. 23.11.12.15 Albeit it was a blemish vnto him that he tooke not away the high places as we haue noted before 21 Notable is the historie of King Iosiah Iosiah who did vprightly in the sight of the Lord walked in all the waies of Dauid and bowed neither to the right hand nor to the left who read the law before the people put downe the Idols killed their Priests destroied the Coniurers and at last was mercifullie taken away that his eies should not see all the euill which the Lord was to bring vpon Ierusalem 2. King 22. and 23. throughout also 2. Chron. 34. and 35. 22 Nebuchadnezzar when he had seene the power of God in the deliuerie of Shadrach Nebuchadnezzar Meshach and Abednago made this decree saying I make a decree that euery nation people and language which speake any blasphemie against the God of Shadrach Meshach and Abednago shal be drawen in pieces and their houses shal be made a iakes Dan. 3.29 23 King Darius seeing Daniel strangely deliuered from the Lions denne Darius made this decree that all people nations and languages in the world should reuerence and feare the God of Daniel Dan. 6.25.26 24 The King of Niniueh compelled the whole Citie to humble themselues before God King of Niniuth to turne from their euill way and from the wickednesse that was in their handes Ionah 3.6 seqq 25 Ieroboam King of Israël Ieroboam knowing that vnity in Religion would turne the hearts of the people to the obedience of Rehoboam brought in new worship and caused them to commit Idolatrie And Ieroboam thought in his heart saith the text Now shall the kingdome returne to the house of Dauid If this people go vp and do sacrifice in the house of the Lord at Ierusalem then shall the heart of this people turne againe vnto their Lord euen to Rehoboam King of Iudah so shall they kill me and goe againe to Rehoboam King of Iudah Whereupon the king tooke counsell and made two calues of gold and said vnto them It is too much for you to goe vp to Ierusalem Behold ô Israël thy gods which brought thee vp out of the land of Aegypt and he set the one in Bethel and the other in Dan. 1. King 12.26.27.28.29 Whereupon the Children of Iudah were interdicted their company 26 And of the Prophets A man of God And when a Prophet sent from Iudah did but goe in vnto another Prophet sent from Iudah did but goe in vnto another Prophet in Bethel to eate bread he was slaine by a Lion as he returned homeward 1. King 13.24 27 The Prophet Elias could not endure mixture of Religion but exhorted the people to one Religion saying How long halt you between two opinions If the Lord be God follow him but if Baal be he then go after him 1. King 18.21 28 The Lord saith by the Prophet Zephaniah Zephaniah I will stretch out mine hand vpon them that worship and sweare by the Lord and sweare by Malcham Zephan 1.5 Hosea Amos Micah 29 Hoseah Amos and Micah directed their Prophecies against the tribe of Ephraim or Samaria with whom Iudah had made a league 30 I will adde this one out of the Apocrypha that Iudas Macchabeus being alwaies a Conquerour as soone as he had made a league with the Romans was presently ouercome and perished and his Brethren when they had renewed their friendship with them and with the Spartanes neuer prospered in batraile 1. Macch. cap. 1. and 9. and 12. and 14. and 16. These and infinite such like auctorities and examples declare that puritie of Religion and true pietie are the foundation of all true wisedome and policie and the cause of all happie successe and prosperitie and that impietie idolatrie heresie corruption and mixture of diuers Religions what shew so euer it hath of outward commoditie and profit for a season yet indeed
Persecution from Toleration 2 Hence arose the persecutions against Christ his Apostles and the primitiue Christians because the Aduersaries perswaded themselues that diuersity of worships could not be admitted without great commotions and detriment vnto the Empire The Pharisies say of Christ This man doth many miracles If we let him alone all men will beleeue in him and the Romanes will come and take away both our place and the nation Ioh. 11.48 Againe they calumniate him saying We haue found this man peruerting the nation c. Luc. 23.2 So also after Christs ascention the Gentiles accused the Apostles saying These men trouble our city And preach ordinances which are not lawfull for vs to receiue nor to obserue seeing we are Romanes Act. 16.20.21 Ciuill gouernment cannot continue long without puritie of Religion 3 Again as the Soule gouerneth the Body and the body yeeldeth obedience and defence vnto the Soule as vnto his gouernour So Religion is as it were the soule vnto politique regimēt which should guide the same and politique Regiment ought to yeeld the duties of obedience and defence vnto Religion Wherefore if Religion be endangered or corrupted with the foule contagion of licencious profession what hope can there be that the ciuill gouernment can long continue inuiolate Toleration dissolueth the bonds of obedience 4 Diuersitie and dissention in Religion dissolueth the bonds of obedience of loue and amitie amongst Subiects for it breedeth exacerbation of minde and causeth diuulsion and distraction of affections and consequently prepareth way to tumults vproares seditions massacres and ciuill wars whereby the state of the common-wealth is vtterly ouerthrowne It was the forerunner of the ouerthrow of the Empire 5 Toleration of diuerse Religions and immunitie of profession hath beene the fore-runner of the confusion and ruine of the greatest states as appeareth in the Empire Of Iurie 6 So also God permitted Iurie to abound with diuersitie of Sects in the daies of Herode as the Sadduces the Essenes the Pharisies the Herodians that is Courtiers which were of all Religions or rather of no Religion wholy depending of their Princes pleasure when he purposed to destroy the Iewish Common-wealth and to bring all in subiection to Christ Heathen Emperours permitted toleration to roote out Christian Religion 7 It hath beene the cause also of the confusion defection and ruine of the most famous and floorishing Churches and a supplanter of Religion For the Pagan and Apostata Emperours because they would supplant the true Christian Profession granted libertie and immunitie vnto all Sects of Heretiques 8 So Iustine Martyr complaining vnto Antoninus Pius writeth All they who proceede from these Symon Menander and Marcion are indeede called Christians as all Sects of Philosophers are termed by one generall name And whether they be infamed with those odious lies of putting out the lights promiscuous companie and deuouring of humane flesh we know not but this we certainely know that not one of them is put to death by you Iustin Mart. Apolog. 2. 9 So Apollinarius the Hieropolitan speaking against the Cataphrygians saith Is there any one of the disciples of Montanus and of those foolish women his complices who euer suffered persecution at the hands of either Iew or Gentill Certainely not one Apud Euseb lib. 5. cap. 15. 10 So Cyprian speaketh What saith the Nouatian Heretique to these things Do you acknowledge which is the Church who is the Minister of God and of the house of Christ who be those Seruants of God whom the Diuell vexeth who be those Christians whom Antichrist impugneth He seeketh not to ouer come those whom he hath alreadie conquered nor careth to foile whom he knoweth are his owne c. Cypr. Epist 57. ad Corn. And in another place The enemie of Christ impugneth and persecuteth none but the Souldiers of Christ he contemneth and passeth by the Heretiques who are foyled and become his Champions Cypr. Epist 58. ad Lucium 11 So Constantius the Arian Emperour tolerated other small Heresies as his Sisters Constantius to vomite their blasphemies against Christ but persecuted only the Christians as Athanasius testifieth Athanas Epist ad Solitar Zozom lib. 4. cap. 19. 26. 12 So Iulian the Apostata Iulian. at the request of Rogatianus and Pontius graunted libertie of perdition these be Augustines words out of Optatus Mileuitanus vnto the Sect of Donatus and then gaue vp the Churches vnto Heretiques when he restored the Temples to Diuels thinking by that meanes to roote out the Christian name from the earth if enuying the vnitie of the Church from which he fell he freely permitted all sacrilegious dissention August Epist 166. Optat. Mileuit contra Parm. lib. 2. 13 So Basiliscus freely tolerated whomsoeuer he thought would resist the Orthodoxe and Ecclesiasticall doctrine Basiliscus Niceph. lib. 16. cap. 2. Constantinus Copronymus 14 So Constantinus Copronymus persecuted Christians onely and tolerated Iewes Magicians Pagans and all sorts of Heretiques Zonar Annal. lib. 3. 15 Nicephorus So the Emperor Nicephorus to the ende he might spare the Maniches gaue freedome of profession vnto all Sectaries and vexed onely the Catholiques Paul Diacon lib. 24. 16 Theodoricus So Theodoricus King of the Gotthes granted the Arians a toleration putting Symmachus Patritius Iohn Bishop of Rome to death and banishing Boëtius and afterwards killing him also Sigebert in Chron. 17 Toleration rooteth out all Religion Furthermore if Shepheards did suffer their sheepe to wander vp and downe the mountaines would they not become a pray vnto Wolues If a shippe be carried with euery waue and puffe of winde without direction of the Pilotte should it escape shipwracke If the Magistrate permitted his Subiects to gouerne euery man himselfe and his familie could such a diuided regiment long endure So if euery Sect be tolerated to professe what they list without restraint who seeth not that such wicked licence tended to abolish all Religion 18 Besides Nothing can be more vnsafe and dangerous to Kingly State Toleration dangerous to Kingly estate then to vse Ministers of diuerse affections in Religion as well because they can hardly liue peaceably among themselues without simultation as also because his fidelitie that is contrarily affected in Religion may iustly be suspected seeing he reputeth the King an enemie to God and all godlinesse Pernicious to Subiects 19 Also Nothing can be more intolerable and pernicious vnto the Subiect then toleration partly because that Iustice cannot be sincerely and duely administred by Officers of contrary Religion and partly because of the continuall daunger wherein they stand to be infected with heresie for it is hard to touch pitch and not to be defiled therewith Toleration prouoketh Gods plagues 20 Toleration causeth a diuision betweene God and vs it prouoketh Gods curses his plagues and iudgements vpon that King or Prince who being carelesse of Religion tolerateth Heretiques Idolaters and also vpon that kingdome or
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
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