S. Peter from whome they deriue their holie vertue erred and denied Christ and onely by repentance was againe receiued into grace They excéede S. Peter in riches and pompe but they come short of him in holines doing of miracles If the opinion of a Franciscan Frier be as currant as other Pope scripture it is known vnto you that reade the liues of your popes that pope Sixtus the 4. was in the beginning a frier of S. Frances order who being aduanced vnto the paupaltie was oftentimes visited with the brethren of his owne habite among whome one of his ancient companions in his friers wéede came to sée the Pope who to set forth his pompe shewed him his rings magnificent iewels and withall said Brother I can say now more then S. Peter who said I haue neither gold nor siluer it is true said the frier but you can not say as he said to the lame impotent arise and walke giuing him thereby to vnderstaÌ„d that the popes of Rome labor more to be rich then holy but you may say because you are forbid that you must tel no man of the popes faults do then asâ—…e did that bewraied King Mydas asses eares tell them so lowde to the earth that men may heare them iwis they be more deformed then Mydas eares and you shall be far more praised in the reuealing of them then profited in the concealing of them But you will further say that all your doings are the documents of great learned men whose counsels ought to worke more strongly with you then all my perswasions That same learning in déede in stubborne wits when it vndertaketh an error doth the diuell and all of hurt Plato saith small wits do little hurt in a common wealth the great wits are they that do all the mischiefe S. Augustine had read much and was very coÌ„uersant in the scriptures and yet he was a great while in the heresies of the Manichees and still perswaded himselfe that scripture was of his side Learning doth stay a man in error rather then helpe him out of it especially if he haue chued the sense of the scripture at his pleasure or be dronken with iuice that his fantesie hath corrupted Saint Paule was learned when he persecuted Christes flocke and had read of nothing so much as of the scripture and yet you sée that men could neuer turne his hart God himselfe was faine to put to his voice to strike his body blind and to enlighten therewith his soule In truth it is apparant that you stop your eares against all the perswasions of man It is Gods especiall grace that must vanquish your stubbernes which grace is promised to all those that sincerely ask it in his Sonne Iesus name speake well of Saint Thomas Saint Gregory and the rest because they are dead but pray not vnto them for the dead can doo the liuing no good Iesus signifyeth saluation and Iesus alone must be your saluation Pray then vnto Iesus with a contrite heart laye asyde your painted hypocrisye and then no doubt he wyll lighten youre vnderstandyng and make you to vse youre learnyng to hys glorye whyche otherwyse is lyke a swoord in a mad mans hande whiche indangereth manie and defendeth not hys maister beléeue him that wisheth you no euill if you haue a desyre to do your selues good one moment faithfullye bestowed in thys Deuotion will profyte you more then seuen yéeres reading of controuersies The short praier of the poore Publicane was in heauen before the long babling of the painted Pharisie his doctrine is nothing so dangerous as the Popes he commandeth you to pay tribute and obedience to Princes and not to murther or lay violent hands of the Lords annointed if he set you about such busines will him to teach you more fence for he had néede to be verie skilfull that shall wound him to whom God is a buckler It is not an enterprice to be ventured on by yong schollers least in the striking out of their quarters their heads and all flie off Returne your vengeance vpon this vngratious pope who is the vengeance both of your body and soule but now I counsel you not to strike him with carnall weapons for the word must be his confusion reade but the new Testament ouer with a holy conscience you shall find many words to wound him Marten Luther whose very name perplexeth the Pope neuer fought with him with other weapons then the word of God yet in his life he so vanquished him as being at the very point of death his soule beheld the triumph of his destruction and for ioy thereof sayd Peâ—…t is eram viuens moriens tua mors ero papa Liuing I was thy plague dying will be thy death pope He hath prophesied truly to the purpose for all the Iesuits in Christendome can not cure the woundes that the reuerende Marten Luther hath giuen him Why labour you then your owne destruction to raise him whome God hath abased his life is not long but yours will be shorter vnlesse you dispatch your harts of your odious treasons God so hateth them that as the Preacher saith the birds of the aire shall bewraie your voice and with their feathers shall betray you so that your cunning shall be to no other end then to leade you to the gallowes From which God defend you if it be his good will to giue you so much grace as to become his seruants and her Maiesties louing Subiectes ¶ THE THIRD BOOKE OF THE ENGLISH MIRROVR Entituled A fortresse against Enuy Builded vppon the councels of sacred Scripture lavves of sage Philosophers and policie of well gouerned Common weales Wherein euerie estate may see the true offices the vvorthines and by abuse the disgrace of his vocation A worke safely and necessarie to be read and regarded of euerie good subiect by GEORGE WHETSTONS Gentleman Malgre ⧠To the right Honorable and most graue personadges the temporall maiestrates of England in their waightie counsels the assistance of Gods holie spirit MOst honorable and graue Maiestrates it may seeme vnto your wisedomes that I flattered my wit with a foolish singularitie and abused your fauors with an arrogant presumption if of my owne braine I should vndertake and lay before your iudgements thys waightie building which containeth the true offices the worthines and by abuse the disgraces of euery mans vocation which labor I entitle A fortresse against Enuy. But most reuerend as I haue composed my first booke called The Conquests of Enuy of the examples and ouerthrowes of the most ancient renowmed and florishing common weales for Enuy only maketh warre with things of the greatest glory and haue continued my second booke entituled Enuy conquered by vertue with the admiration of her Maiesties peaceable victories obtained by diuine prouidence and her highnesse pretious vertues the one incomprehensible and the other without sample So right honorable this third booke which I reuerently submit vnto your graue censors I semblably
The English Myrror A REGARD Wherein al estates may behold the Conquests of Enuy Containing ruine of common weales murther of Princes cause of heresies and in all ages spoile of deuine and humane blessings vnto which is adioyned Enuy conquered by vertues Publishing the peaceable victories obtained by the Queenes most excellent Maiesty against this mortall enimie of publike peace and prosperitie and lastly A Fortris against Enuy Builded vpon the counsels of sacred Scripture Lawes of sage Philosophers and pollicies of well gouerned common weales wherein euery estate may see the dignities the true office and cause of disgrace of his vocation A worke safely and necessarie to be read of euerie good subiect By George Whetstones Gent. Malgre Seene and allowed AT LONDON Printed by I. Windet for G. Seton and are to be sold at his shop vnder Aldersgate 1586. which are the fountaines of goodnes from whence princes and heroycal states may receiue perfect wisedome and the whole world besidâ—… moral instruction to conclude your Maiesty as Gods â—…ener being setled in Salomons throne crowned with the conquest of Enuy the queller of Alexander Caesar most of the worthies plentifully distributing deuine and earthly blessings vppon afflicted kingdomes against whom all traiterous practises are of the nature of the horse called Seian whose maisters had euermore miserable ends Most gratious Lady admyring these great considerations I fearefully haue armed this profitable booke with the sheilde of your Royall protection from whom the glory goodnes therof is deriued The censures of graue men which are the substance of this work stand in place of counsels for your good subiects and vnto me as loyall as the truest the bare labor is onely dew In which trembling presumption I protest before God and your Maiestie that my heart nor booke medleth with matter of your happie gouernment to which no earthly pollicie may be added neither is heauenly wisdome absent And as far is it from my thought in name figure or circumstance to misnote any capitall Maiestrate whose honorable trauels deserue much reuerence and no lesse regard It then followeth most regarded Queene that the reach of my duetie which climeth betweene fire and frost the premises allowed simply laboreth to publish these regards that common faults may be amended in imitation of your pretious vertues the lights of the world and life of Englands happines God graunt my paines a profitable successe to which good god I zealously pray that long may your maiesty liue that still may your enimies fal and those that louingly feare you no doubt shall euer finde you a good gratious Lady Your Maiesties loyal and humble subiect therein happie George Whetstones To the most Honorable the Nobilitie of this florishing Realme of Englande accomplishment of aâ—…e desires MOst Honorable the long continuance of her Maiesties most happie gouerment fullie witnesseth the saying of morall Diogenes Vertue onely conquereth Enuy for if force or fortune were antidotes against her infections the ancient monarks had ouercome her venome and contrary to other poysons her breath had not shroonke vp their large Empires into the length and breadth of their Tombes Basill in his sermon of Enuy saith that this passion bendeth her forces against the glorie of God the peace of Princes and obedience of subiects feedeth vppon lamentable chaunces and pineth to behold the prosperitie of vertue Basill to confirme his censure had the subuersion of large Empires ruine of florishing common weales and in former ages the spoile of diuine and humane blessings whose woonderfull conquests I haue set foorth for three considerations the first to shew the mightye prouidence of Almightie God in defending this little Realme from sundrie the assaultes of so furious an enemie the second to inlarge or rather eternize the glorie of manie her Maiesties peaceable victories against this bloodie Enuie the third to counsell her good subiects by waightie examples to arme their happinesse with vertue the onely meane to withstand the puissance of Enuie They may hardly pleade ignorance hauing the commandements of sacred scripture the lawes of sage Philosophers and policies of good common wealthes men to instruct euerie of them in the offices and duties of theyr vocation Right Honorable this is in effect the reach of my trauell which I hope will entertaine the discreete Reader with many other perticular benefites Vnto you most noble Lords I reuerently direct this first part which some wayes medleth with the sword and the rest I present according to the qualitie of the subiete which considered by the morall substance may with your fauour I say it be a Myrror of gouernement for all good subiects The further censure thereof I humblie submit to your Lorships leysurable reading and for your health honor and prosperitie as the bewtie and strength next vnto God and her Maiestie of this happie gouernment my daily prayers shall not be forgotten At vvhose right Honorable Lordships commaundements I humblie remaine George Whetstones R. B. to the Reader of this English Myrror TO praise a thing that no man can dispraise Approueth zeale yet smally doth alure The Iuy bush is but a needlesse gase Before the doore where as the wine is pure The Authors name alone commends this booke The Muses so haue alwayes blest his Pen And who so shall with iudgement thereon looke Shall finde Regards for euery sort of men Let Mallice swell and Enuy shew her might His Fame shall liue in spight of euery spyght FINIS GEntle Reader whereas by absence of M. Whetstones some small faultes remaine perhaps vncorrected if thou light of any such I beséech thée with thy Penne to amend them and especially such as are contained in the which are generall faults through the impression Errata Page 3. line 5. for fastneth read fasten page 4. li. 28. for nourisheth read nourish pa. 25. li. 27. line of Beniamen read line of Iuda p. 152. li. 13. vp hary read Ap-hary or Vap Harry pa. 237. li. 19. Gleobulus read Cleobulus p. 247. li. 14. from study read from manners pa. 248. li. 5. the neighborhood read the neighbor p 249. li. 11. Maiestrates read Maiestrates of cities THE ENGLISH MIRROVR A Regard vvherein all estates may beholde the Conquestes of Enuie c. CHAP. 1. Of the Originall of Enuie and howe farre in euill this furie passeth all other passions of the minde THere is no defect of mind nor infirmitie of bodie but hath his originall of nature or colour from reason and by the benefite of the one or the other receaueth cure preposterous Enuie only except who degenerateth froÌ„ kind and masketh without vizard of excuse Touching the passions of the minde pride is abhominable before God ambition perillous for a Common weale flatterie the great deceiuer of men yet are none of these euils without a cunning cloake although voyde of iust excuse The proud man saith vnto himselfe I am formed after the image of God I am Lord of his creatures as wel on
man the Emperour made many great offers to Megolo all which he refused and answered him that he was not come thither for the couetousnes of goods but for his owe the name of the Genowaies honour and that he demaunded of him none other thing then that in remembrance hereof he would build at Trebisonde a fayre shop for the marchandise of the Genowaies about which should be painted this historie which the Emperour accomplished and vsed the Genowaies with greater fauour then before and so Megolo returned to Genowaie gratified and receiued of euery man with great honour CAAP. 11. The contention that enuie set betweene the Emperour of Constantinople the Lord of Bulgarie and other Princes was the first grounde and sure foundation of the great TVRKES Empire THe puissant kingdome of the Turkes at this day so much renoumed and feared together with the linage and familie of their Ottomans and kings are of late yeeres sprung vp as a scourge sent and suffered by God for the sins and iniquities of the Christians It is not yet 300. yeeres since the first beginning of their kingdome which at this day is multiplied to the terrour of the whole world the name of the Turks are neuerthelesse auncient but to say that they came of the ancient Troians because they are called Teucres is a manifest errour Plinie and Pomponius Mela in the ende of his first booke say that their originall cōmeth frō the Sarmats which are of the confines of Scythia néere vnto the sea Caspia who in ancient times were called Turaci and now Turkes these Scythians or Turkes liuing before as sauadge men came forth of Scythia into Asia Minor which is by reason of their name to this day called Turkie where they robbed and conquered certaine prouinces these as barbarous infidell people receyued the damnable sect of Mahomet as the first that was presented vnto them which best agréed with their wicked customs these people wtout gouerner or head but being a multitude fiercely ioyning together setled thēselues in the lesse Asia in fine they chose one Soliman of the kingdom of Cilicia for their K. whom Godfrey of Bolloine other christian Princes vtterly ouerthrew so discomfited the Turkes that of long time after they had neyther K. nor captaine of account In the end Ottoman a man of base linage got the fauor of the people was made their K. and by vertue great valor somewhat inlarged their dominions he raigned 28. yéeres dyed An. 1308. whose K. continueth to this day in the ligne of the heire males Orkan succéeded his father Ottoman a man as valiant and more industrous then his father he was a great inuenter of militarie engins magnanimous liberal who after he had raigned 22. yéeres dyed of a hurt which he receiued at the assault of a city he had by the K. of Cilicias daughter a Christian whō he married a son named Amurat that sucéeeded him a man farre vnlike his father in vertues of the mind or strength of body yet very ambitious desirous to inlarge his Empire to compasse which enuy presented him a faire occasion at that time the E. of Constantinople was at controuersie with certain Princes his subiects which fauoured the L. of Bulgarie who charged the E. so hard as he was driuen to demaūd succour of this Amurat K. of the Turkes who sent him 15000. chosen men by the aid of whom the E. vanquished his enemies which done he kept the greater part of the Turks in his owne dominions Amurat vnderstanding the disposition of the coūtrie vnder the colour to ayd the E. against his enemies came into the dominions of the E. with 60000 footemen and a great number of horsemen in despight of the E. made himselfe L. of the cities of Calipoli Andronople he ouercame Marke the grandmaster of Bulgarie and Lazarus the despos of Seruia with a great number of Christians and Malgre the E. possessed himselfe of the gretest part of Thracia Greece in the end a slaue of Lazarus slew him when he had liued 23. yéeres which was An. 1373. Amurat left 2. sons Soliman Baiazet Baiazet slew his brother Soliman and made himselfe King in the beginning of his raigne he prepared great wars against the Christians to reuenge the death of his father and with a great armie he incoūtred in battaile with Marke L. of Bulgaria and with the greatest part of the nobilitie of Bulgaria and Seruia whom he slew and vtterly defeated 3. yéeres after this victorie he returned a newe vpon the Christians in Hungarie but chiefely in Albania and Valaschia and from thence sente many Christians slaues into Turkie and being possessed of the greatest parte of Greece to wit of the ancient countries of Athens Boetia and Arcania he laid siege vnto the great Citie of Constantinople which draue the Emperor in proper person to desire aid of the westerne Princes in which behalfe K. Charles the 7. succoured him with 2000. launces among whome there were two french gentlemen of great expectation who ioyned with Sigismond K. of Hungarie afterwards Emperour who for the same purpose raised a great armie with whome also ioyned the grandmaster of the Rhodes the Despos of Seruia and a great number of other christian Princes whereupon Baiazet leauing his siege at Constantinople sodeinly with 300000 men set vpon the Christians who were about a 100000. men betweene whom there was a most bloudy battaile in fine the Christians were ouerthrowne and the greater part slaine the King of Hungarie and the grandmaster of Rhodes hardely escaped by flight and the Frenchmen were neere all slaine or taken this battell was Anno 1395. vpon Michaelmas euen After which victorie Baiazet returned againe to his former siege of Constantinople and had surely won the same if the newes of Tamberlaines entrie into his countrey and that he had already gained many townes cities and prouinces constrained him to trusse vp his baggage and with his full power to go finde his enemie in Asia now two of the mightiest princes of the world encountered eache other in battaile where Baiazet was ouercome and taken who endured the most vile and hard prisonment that euer was heard of for Tamberlain still carried him with his armie in an iron cage and alwayes when he moūted vpon his horse he set his foot vpon his shoulders moreouer at meales he tyed him vnder his boorde and like a dog fedde him with fragments in this sorte ended this Prince his life who had bene the most aduentrous the most renowmed and the most feared Prince of his time The sons of Baiazet which escaped the battaile where their father was ouerthrowne in their flight taken vpon the seas by certaine galleis of the Christians and certainely at that instant a faire occasion was offered the Christians to haue kept vnder for euer their capitall enemie the Turke but their sinnes forbad
the 1. 2. daies assault the 3. day the people fed with a vaine hope of mercy set open the gates and with their wiues children cloathed all in white hauing Oliue branches in their handes they humbly beséeched grace but Tamberlaine in place of compassion caused his squadrons of horsemen to tread them vnder their féete and not to leaue a mothers child a liue and afterwardes he leuiled the city with the ground At that time there was a marchaunt of Genowa somewhat fauored of Tamberlaine pittying the cruelty boldly demanded why he shewed such cruelty to those that yéelded and beséeched pardon whō Tamberlaine with a countenance fiered with fury answered thou supposest that I am a mā but thou art deceiued for I am no other then the ire of God and the destruction of the world and therfore sée thou come no more in my sight least I chastē thy ouer proud boldnes The marchant made spéed away was neuer afterwards séene in the campe And in truth Tamberlain although he was endued with many excellencies vertues yet it séemed by his cruelty the God raysed him to chasten the kings proud people of the earth In the ende this great personage without disgrace of fortune after sūdry great victories by the course of nature died left behind him two sons euery way far vnlike their father betwéen whō enuy sowed such dissention that through their incapacities to gouern the conquests of their Father the children of Baiazet whom they kept prisoners stole into Asia so won the people to disobedience as they recouered the goods possessions that their father lost The like did other kings princes whō Tamberlaine had spoyled in so much as in small time this Empire was so abased that many dayes agoe there was no remembrance left either of him or his linage saue that Baptista Ignatius a great searcher of antiquities saith that the successors of Tamberlaines sons possessed the prouinces conquered by him about the riuer of Euphrates vntil the time of king Vsancasan according to the opinion of some writers of the heyres of this Vsancasan was chosen the first Sophy who to this day to the benefit of all christendō maintaineth mortall wars against the great Turk But it séemeth that their empire was cleane ended for as it is set down in the chapter of the great Turke one named Ismaell a false Prophet gathered a multitude of the cōmom people together of whom by continual fauor of time and fortune the Sophy is growne of power to incounter the great Turke And herein although the lightnes inconstancy of the common people be heretofore noted yet occasion here and in sundry places ministreth matter to blame their enuious and froward dispositions there was neuer inuention so fantasticke nor captaine so wicked that they refused to follow they erected the tirannous empires of the Sophy the great Turk Tamberlaine and ouer threw the famous and prudent gouernments of Athens Lacedemonia Rome c. The Swizers enuying the authority of their nobility gentlemen by generall consent slew them al euer since haue bene gouerned by that base gouerment called Democratia where mecanical people haue the only segniorie a gouermēt which resembleth a monster with many heads yet they all haue neither will nor capacitie to cherish vertue learning worthy enterprises the beauties and strength of a good common wealth Neuertheles Iosua simler of zurich in his booke of the Swizers common wealth both for their militarie discipline in war and sound administration of iustice in peace compareth the gouerment of their Cantons vnto the common wealth of the Venetians time and necessity hath much reformed the same from their originall and yet how be it he greatly praiseth their iustice yet his owne report thus much testifieth of their weaknes that to martiall and gouern their wars they haue bene oftentimes driuen to obey and follow the direction of forraine captaines which lamenes in a common wealth can neuer be but an open blemish and a secret daunger For a perfect common wealth resembleth a well proportioned man wherof the military defence resembleth his handes which being maimed or cut off bring misery to the whole body CHAP. 13. The calamitie and seruile bondage of Portugall vnder the gouernment of Phillip king of Castile c. by the aduenturous battaile and death of Sebastian king of Portugal the 5. of August 1578. and especially by the enuious malice of Henry which succeeded in suppressing the lawfull title of Don Anthonio the now reputed king THe renowne of the kingdome of Portugall both for the commodities of the naturall countrey as for the wonderfull riches of the east and west Indies with diuers cities and townes in Africa subiected annexed to the crowne equalled of lateyéeres the fame of most christian gouernments and certainely at this day the calamity and bondage of the people by the conquest and violent rule of the king of Spaine requireth the compassion and reliefe of all true Christian princes the groundes and causes of whose miseries follow By succession of time and lawful decent Sebastian was crowned king of Portugal whose vertues outward giftes promised great honor vnto his kingdom but the inconstancy of worldly dignity is liuelye figured in his much lamented death king Sebastian being about the age of 24. yéeres vpon the earnest labour suite of Mulei Mahumet king as he pretended of Fez and Marocoes who by Mulei Maluco his brother was driuen foorth of the kingdome condescended with a puissant army to passe into Africa to restore this Mulei Mahumet to his kingdome the enterprise agréed with the magnanimity and greatnes of yong king Sebastians mind besides to relieue and restore this expulsed king among indifferent iudges was a matter of great honor and vertue so that resolutely to execute his promise king Sebastian departed with his armye from Lisbone in Iune 1578. and ariued at a port in Castile called el puerto de Sancta Maria where he tried the breach of the king of Spaine his vncles promise which was the ayde of 50. Gallies and 4000. armed souldiours neuertheles the sayd king Sebastian like as he was a magnanimous prince hauing a 1000. sayle of ships in a readines pursued his voyage landed his army in Africa to the number of 15000. fighting men and on the 5. of August in the same yéere in a plaine field called Alcazar there was a most fierce battaile fought betwéen him and the enemy wherin the yong king Sebastian and Mulei Mahumet whose part he tooke were both ouer come and slaine in the field Neither did Mulei Maluco the king their enemy escape for with sicknes wearines he died during the battaile a battaile very vnfortunate wherein neither party gained and most rare and worthy of remembrance that thrée kinges were slaine in the same and aboue 600. of the chiefest nobility and Gentlemen of Portugall After the death of king
in this long disquiet realme in the 24. yéere of his raigne he peaceably called this noble king Henry vnto his heauenly kingdome and as a visible signe that he blessed the ioyninge of these two kingly houses in one hee gaue vnto this noble king by Quéene Elizabeth his wife sundrye goodly children of which as the vndoubted heyre of the kingdome by both titles was crowned the victorious king Henry the eight CHAP. 4. A sommarie of the royall vertues of king Henry the eight THe most victorious king Henry the 8. sonne of king Henry the 7. beganne his triumphaunt raigne the 22. of Aprill 1509. whose inuincible courage was feared and admired through al Europe He was a moste bountefull Prince towardes well descruing subiectes the magnanimity of his countenaunce kept them in a louing obedience In the 5. yéere of his raigne a fore presagement that he should clymbe aboue the Pope of Rome The Emperour Maximilian the Popes lawfull soueraine and all the nobilitie of Holland Braband and Flaunders receaued wages vnder king Henries banner whose puissaunce discomforted and abashed the whole power of Fraunce This royall king besides that he was Alexander in fielde he was a Philosopher in the Uniuersity And in his great learning blessed his subiectes with the fruites of this olde Prouerbe happy are those people whose king is a Philosopher And doubtlesse where the Prince is learned the people are peaceably gouerned Science which containeth all duties with varietie of examples so liberallie instructeth the louers and followers of her lore In the thirtéenth yeare of his raigne the King wrote with his owne hand a booke against Martin Luther for which the Pope named him Defender of the faith but little fore-feared he that God would make him the capitall offender of the Romish superstition Saule breathing out threatnings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lorde receiued a speciall charge from the high Priests for the persecution of all sort of Christians at Damasco but God whose wisedome iudgeth the determinations of men wrought a wonderfull change in Saule for of a persecutor he made him a faithfull Apostle and chiefe strengthener of the Gentiles Euen so gratiousâ—…ie dealed God with this most noble King whereas the Pope imagined to haue by this title made him the sustainer of hys Idolatrie God by his holie spirit moued him to vse the same to the first capitall disgrace of Antichrist the Pope But as the good Father Latimer certified his Maiestie the title Defender of the faith simplie considered was more then was due to any earthly prince wheÌ„ his holy word deliuered by his Ministers both fostered and defended the same But in as much as it was Gods good will that vnder this kings and his offsprings authoritie the same should haue the most visible protection it may be lawfully thought that it was his will that the Pope should so intitle him as foreséeing by his wisedome that this prince in his séed should ouerthrow the Popes vsurped authoritie the most publike enimie of the true auncient and Apostolike faith Many interprete this prophesie of Esdras ecce leo concitatus de sylua rugiens c. loe a Lyon hastely running out of the wood roring who with a maÌ„s voice reprooued the saucie and misproud Eagle to figure thys noble prince Henry the 8. The rauening Eagle that had the victory ouer the foure beasts which God would haue had rained in the world that troubled the méeke c. is likewise interpreted to be Antichrist the Bishop of Rome The Armes of Rome which is the Eagle and the actions of the Pope wel approueth their interpretation Now who is more like to be this Lion that came roring out of the wood and shewed the rauening Eagles villanies to all the princes of the earth then King Henry the eight who euermore stoutly defied the Pope who euermore plainely painted his murthers deceits and abhominations then King Henry the 8. nay who first catched him by the throte but King Henry the 8. When all christian princes stood in awe of his curse he banished all his authoritie out of England when the meanest Bishops in other realmes would checke their Kings in his cause he caused the whole Cleargy by his learned Councell to be iudged in a premunire for mainteining the power legantine of Cardinall Wolsey who being called by processe into the Kings bench were glad by submission to pray pay á hundred thousand pounds for remission When other princes feared to murmur against the Pope secretly King Henry in the name of himselfe and his Nobles wrote a booke against the counsell appointed by the Pope at Mantua signifying to the whole world that the Pope had no more authoritie then an other Bishop and how that the appointment of Counsels only appertained to the Emperour and other Princes of Christendome What Lion was euer so bold with the Eagle of Rome as this Lion of England What Lion is so like to come roring out of the wood as the Lion of England The Lion of Vennice commeth out of the water The Lion of England is proper passant bowes and arrowes which are his strength commeth out of the wood I would the Popes english fauourers would wey this prophelie with the pride enuy outrage both of diuine humane blessings setled in the hart and séene in the actions of this Emperious Pope and then by allegorie they would peraduenture repute him to be this ambitious Eagle signified by the armes of his sea capitol city Rome And on the contrary part if with the like regard they would behold the wonderful disgraces that this noble king by himselfe princely children hath daily giueth this enuious Pope they should haue large cause to beléeue that our Lion signified by the armes of England with his mans voice should set this misproud Eagles head awâ—…y should vanish his wings weaken his kingdome in fine set his whole body of fire If they had any sence they might féele that our Lion in the name of the Lord thus saith hence thou misproud Eagle appeare thou no more neither thy horrible wings thy mischeuous heads thy rauening clawes nor thy hollow body coÌ„pact of vanities The cause straight foloweth that thou once gone the earth may be refreshed that thy kingdome once fallen men may returne to freedom c. I demaÌ„d what reckning they caÌ„ make of the egles 12. wings that ouerspread the earth by Gods appointment since our Lion first shoke him vp or as the text saith since the wind K. Henries thuÌ„dring voice spread abrod his wickednes Sée if EnglaÌ„d be not shronk froÌ„ him ScotlaÌ„d denieth him Hol and Brabant and Flanders delieth him Germany paints him as a moÌ„ster Denmark is parted froÌ„ him France is deuided Polland is indifferent if Spaine Italy be constant they be well paid for their frendship The Eagle the Pope that sometimes was capitalis dominus as well as summus pontifex
dwelleth in heauen shal laugh them to scorne the Lord shall haue them in derision and where the Pope by his proude authoritie thought to haue strayghtned the passage of the Gospell as it is set downe in the same Psalme God gaue vnto his sonne the heathen for his inheritance and the outmost partes of the earth for his possession Yea he gaue visible authoritie and reuerence vnto his Gospell either by publike obedience or priuate profession vniuersally through the world The counsell of the same Psalme might haue perswaded the Pope and his confederates To haue serued the Lorde in feare but they would not kisse but kicke against the sonne and so they perished from the right way The Pope although his pompe were brused with an yron rod and his kingdome broken like a potters vessell Yet his pride and furie abated not and by Gods prouidence knowing his capitall disgrace procéeded first from Englande he practised by his worst mallice the destruction and ouerthrowe of her prosperitie as followeth Pius the 4. hauing no great good successe of his counsell of Trent Pius Quintus who succéeded tooke a more sharpe course against her Maiestie and happie gouernment his principall enemie in whose ouerthrowe as he supposed consisted the newe raysing vp of his kingdome and in truth her prosperitie is the visible comfort of his vniuersall enemies He first began with her Maiestie His roring Bull shewed his mallice but his short hornes had small power to hurt her which Bull is declared in these worde Pius Quintus the greatest Bishop of the fulnesse of the Apostolicall power declareth Elizabeth to be bereaued or depriued of her pretended right of her kingdome and also of all and whatsoeuer dominion dignitie and preuileadge and also the Nobles subiectes and people of the sayd kingdome and all others which had sworne to her any manner of wayes to be absolued for euer from such oth and from all debt and dutie of feealtie Doctor Morton with a commission or ambassage from the saide Pope Pius to the like effect stirred the rebellion in the North. 1569. He blasted his commission and had soone moued Thomas Persy Earle of Northumberland Charles Neuel Earle of Westmerland and other Gentlemen of account in the North vnto rebellion They began their power by raising of men in the Quéenes name and with all left a warning to lessen the strength and authority of stronge papists to get fauour of the people whereof a great part fauored the old Romish religion they had a Crose and a Banner of the fiue wounds borne before them by Richard Norton They tore the English byble the Communion booke and such like at Dyrham and hauing gotten a strength of 4000. footemen and 1600. horsemen which number they could not excéede they in rebellious manner withstood all her maiesties procéedings But behold good reader how peaceably these northerne rebels were vanquished who are naturally men of fierce courages and howe like a bubble the Popes bull vanished which in times past feared mighty Emperours Kings Before the Noble Earle of Warwick was come with the Quéenes power the stout earle of Suffex the Quéenes Maiesties Liuetenant generall in the North whose vertues appeared in my booke of his life and death armed himselfe with so many of the Quéenes friends as he could get neare vnto that seruice and with all speede made towards the rebels The knowledge of his comming and the brute of the Earle of Warwicks approch with a farre greater power so amased the rebels as the two Earles of Northumberland and Westmerlande with some of their principall Gentlemen sodainly and secreatly in the night left their associates and fledde vnto Herlan in Scotland and thus without any resistance the Northerne rebels were discomforted ouerthrowne and the greatest number of them taken and many of the principall were executed and the rest were saued by the Quéenes exceeding mercie A victorie that promised great happinesse and glorie to her Maiesty in which the blood of the offenders was onely shedde and a generall rebellion was as séemeth in the beginning suppressed for the said Earles were borne in hand by Doctour Morton that all the Catholickes woulde assist them with strength as appeareth in Doctour Saunders visible Church Monarchie particulared in a treatise Intituled The execution of Iustice c. And certainly although the heads of this rebellion escaped the present vengaunce of Iustice yet neither of them escaped the worthy punishments dewe vnto traitours The Earle of Northumberland two yeares after was peaceably deliuered into the possession of her Maiesties Iustice and being by act of Parliament before attainted of treason was beheaded at Yorke The lingering myserie of the Earle of Westmerland in Spaine the low Countries and other places of his wilfull vanishment vnto a Noble minde could not but be more gréeuous then death his greatest intertainment being scarce able to sustaine the allowance of a man and a page and which was more gréeuous he was driuen to beare with the arrogant disgraces of euerie rascally Spaniard and to say the trueth not onely the Earle but all other the English fugitiues labour out such a long and a myserable life in respect of their callings if they had liued in the obedience of good subiectes as they rather deserue to bée pitied then enuyed of their worst enimies This peaceable ouerthrow in the North touched the Pope to the quicke and least that delay should cut him to the heart he by his threatning Bull published open warres against her Maiestie In May following the rebellion in the North this terrible Bull was hanged vppon the Byshoppe of Londons gate but the hornes which should haue gored her Maiesties good subiectes grew to a paire of gallowes to hange his instrument Felton in the place Felton hanged vp the Popes Bull secreatly and as a ranke traytor was himselfe hanged headed and quartered openly the Popes holinesse could not make him walke inuisible neither yet could his pardon protect him at his triall this ill successe had the Pope in his English attemps from the first houre of her Maiesties raigne the wished euents followed the procéedings of her maiesty both against the Pope and other her enimies whatsoeuer If her Maiesties and prudent Counsels searching wisedome discouered not trayterous conspiraces while they were a bréeding yet God euer more gaue grace to some of the confederates to discouer the mischiefe in a seasonable time The vengeance of Enuie was now broched and the venime thereof swelled many busie heades euen vnto their owne confusion The same yeare a daungerous conspiracie in Norfolke by Throgmorton Applearde Brooke Kete Redman and others was practised against strangers But Kete discouered the matter before the mischiefe was ripe By which reuealement an insurrection was peaceably defeated and for example of diuerse of the conspirators that were condemned onely Throgmorton Broke and Redman were hanged drawen and quartered The bloudie conspiracie of Madder and Barlowe was shortly after
build vpon sacred morall and politike counsels the admonitions are set downe by holy Prophets Apostles learned Philosophers and graue common wealthesmen The collection and labor to place them as they may serue for a generall instruction is only due vnto me and with your honorable fauors I thinke the law of the Aegyptians which I take for my platforme is a most sure defence against Enuy for by this lawe of King Amazis which was that euerie man shoulde put his name in a common booke and at the yeeres ende shoulde acquainte the Gouernour neere his abiding with the trade and order of his liuing Idlenesse and excesse the great nourishers of Enuy were either banished or punished euery man entertained a setled vocation and no man enuied the pomp of another mans calling which he knew not how to gouerne and certainly if men would indifferētly consider of all vocatiōs they should find there is no calling so base but that the vse therof is profitable of honest credit in a common wealth and withall no dignity so hye but vnto the same is annexed a number of displeasures and therevpon it is rightly said That the chiefest place in the administration of iustice is to the executioner a bondage your wisdoms know the same better by experiēce then I by obseruance so that whatsoeuer the booke cōtaineth of graue gouerment I acknowledge might better haue been deriued from your liuely vertues then frō other mens writtē counsels but for that men can hardly praise the liuing without flattery and the dead without an honest zeale I haue made choise to labor more for my credit then aduantage for albeit I am in a maner vnknowne to most of you graue Maiestrates that liue of which in this respect I am glad that being vnworthy of your knowledge for any speciall quality I am at no time brought Coram vobis for any criminall trespasse yet those worthy personages which in my time are deceased haue had the second life of their vertues bruted by my Muse but as my trauels heerein cōmended the dead and instructed the liuing with the like hope I haue builded this fortresse against Enuy of the counsels of the dead applied to instruct the liuing in their proper vertues Vertue as Diogenes saith only withstandeth Enuy yea vertue conquereth Enuy and vertue set apart no pollicy preuaileth against the stratagemes of Enuy. To withstand this common foe of prosperitie I labour by the grauest mens directions to acquaint euery man with the vertues of his vocation but principally I do beseech God to blesse them with his feare the beginning of wisedome and confusion of Enuy and all wickednesse vnto whose gratious protection I humbly commit your right honorable Lordships and all other godly Maiestrates whatsoeuer at whose commandement I faithfully remaine George Whetstons Induction to the Reader ALbeit that peace is a most precious blessing of God a large testimonie of a gratious Prince and the perfect image of a well gouerned common wealth yet the euill which abuse whatsoeuer is good as the Spider draweth hony from the purest flower of these good causes beget such foule effects as God in reward of his blessings is dishonored persecuted and blasphemed The gratious Prince for his or her protection is neither dutifully reuerenced nor truely obeyed and what is sowen for publike benefite groweth to the ruine of the Countries prosperitie Vpon the experience of the good gouernement of Athens and other florishing Commonwealthes corrupted or to speake more properly confounded by such vile persons as their principall Cities fostered warranted the graue Socrates being demaunded what increased the wealth of a Commonwelth to answere that peace was the inricher thereof being demaunded on the contrarie part the chiefe cause of pouertie in a Common wealth semblablie aunswered that peace was the meane thereof Being asked his reasons said that in the time of peace Armes giue place to Lawes and good Lawes administreth both plentie and prosperitie to such Countries as receiue and obay them on the other side he alledged that wealth the blessing of peace bread many vices in her owne bowels of the nature of Mothes in cloath or canker rust in yron which by the consuming of their suckers destroy themselues and questionles the wheele of peace painted on either side with these fiue spokes Peace bringeth plentie Plentie causeth pride Pride raiseth enuie Enuie soweth sedition and Sedition hatcheth pouertie is rather the deuise of some Philosophers setled iudgement than the toy of a Painters variable fancie the Embleame so truely portrayeth the change of all happie gouernements But some more quicke of wit then in discretion perfect will suggest that where Law hath her full voyce these Cankers can neuer grow to the consumption of the heart to which question I thus aunswere that Law may haue a free passage and yet Iustice scanted of her due course for Lawe will not or cannot punish an apparant trespas without an open presentment and Iustice would chasten the concealed fault if she could commaund the Law and such is the cunning of pollitike Lawe breakers that where the ignorant are hanged for stealing of a sheete they will haue the Lawe to strengthen them in the robbing of a mans inhearitance and therefore is Lawe likened to a backe sworde eadged and sharpe to chasten the simple offender and blunt when the subtill shoulde bee corrected Vppon which reason quoth Diogines what auaileth it to haue profitable Lawes when the good readeth them not and the euill corrupt or care not for them but although Diogines spake truelie as touching the naturall humors of men for vnto the good their Consciences are in steede of Lawes and with the lewde no bridle is a restraint from euill Yet grounding my reasons vppon larger authorities I graunt Necessitie inuentris of all policies hath founde good Lawes so necessarie as I holde those Realmes Regions Cities and Townes which are not gouerned by Lawes rather to bee forrestes of wilde beastes than places habitable for men for there where Lawes are musled Iustice goeth masked might mastereth right Theft is reputed honest gaine and murther lawfull reuenge Treasou woulde enter the priuie Chamber and to bee short the wealthie shoulde go to wracke and the inferiour would order vntill they had disordered all good gouernement These open outrages are suppressed by the paines of Lawe although the awe of chastisement cannot keepe some raskall persons from offending in secreat Heraclites saith absque legibus nullo pacto possit ciuitas esse incolumis sed absque menibus possit without Lawes a Cittie by no meanes can be in saftie but without walles it may And Forteskew saith Lex est sanctio sancta Iubens honesta prohibens contraria Law is an vncorrupt holines commaunding things that are honest and forbidding those that are contrarie Therefore I doe reuerence good Lawgiuers and as deuine Plato saieth repute all Lawes that are made for the wealth and sauegarde of mankinde to bee of GOD although they