in effect for that they al doe ioyne in league and frendship for the present to resist the stronger yet that is as playne an error and deception as if vve should say that the Turk Persian Iew and Infidels which do ioyne easily against the Christians when and wher they see him the stronger are al of one religion or not enemyes among themselues vvhen they see their owne state free from danger of the other Euen so fareth it in this cause proposed the Lutheran puritan protestant that haue taken ech one his parte of the dominion which the Catholique possessed and yet seing him left so strong and potent in Christendom that euery day he hopeth and seketh to recouer agayne the possession that he hath lost no maruaile though they ioyne togeather and wil seeme one for the resisting of so vniuersal and dangerous an aduersary but if you would see how thes men would agree or be frendes together if once the Catholiques vvere extinguished consider not only their difference in doctrine wherby the one part doth censure the others religioÌ„ for heretical and damnable but much more marke their manner of proceding in gouerment where eyther part hath authority at wil as for example in thos parts of Germany wher Luthers religion is established is ther any vse of Caluins religion permitted no truly nor the professois therof so much as tollerated to liue in that estate or to be buryed in the same churches or church-yeards with them but are cast out euen into the common feilds as people accursed and excommunicated vvherof in particuler your Inglish marchants that lyue and trafique in Hambrough or ány other townes vnder Lutheran gouermeÌ„t can wel beare witnes Or if contrary-wise in Ingland or Geneua at this day any company of people would put vp the exercise of the LutheraÌ„ masse defende the real presence in the SacrameÌ„t bring in the vse of paynted or carued images in their churches practise confession hold three or fower sacrameÌ„ts as the LutheraÌ„s do should they not think you be pursued and punished yes no doubt and that with reason seing the state of Ingland alloweth not this doctrine nor practise of germayne religion wherby we may gather what true accord and frenship ther is or may be betvvene thes professions or how thes people would or could long liue together in vnity if they had no common aduersary And this of the Lutheran and reformed religioÌ„ so called in those parts of Germany wher it is receaued But if we consider the other party of reformed or new religioÌ„ planted by Caluin and Beza in Geneua France Flaunders and Scotland albeit the state of InglaÌ„d do follow more points therof in doctrin then of the other before named Lutheran yet how many and great irrecoÌ„ciliable differences ther be is abundantly set forth in the multitude of bookes written of late the one agaynst the other especially by that set out now presently by order and authority of the bishops intituled A suruay of the pretended holy discipline wherin the puritans or sincere Caluinists doctrine is detested discredited and made heretical and seditions yea Caluin and Beza themselues much disgraced and impugned Wherunto if we do add the blood of such as lately they haue put to death in Ingland for defending of this doctrine the others resolution to suffer the same we may easely see what would become of thes two partes if things went to their owne willes to witt that eyther the puritan had so ful power to reuenge himselfe of the protestant by sword as he defyeth him in worde or that the protestant were so free from suspition and danger of the catholique as he had leasure to extirpat the putitan as he desireth By this then do we see euidently sayed thes meÌ„ that the particuler choise forme of religioÌ„ which Sir William Cecil M. BacoÌ„ mad persuaded the Queen vnto at the beginning was no wise or considerate choise for albeit it semed at that tyme to serue fitly their turnes for to put downe the old and bring al matters into their owne handes to place new bishops Deanes Atchdeacons and other like dignityes vnder the name of the Queene yet was it most dangerous and preiudicial to the weal publique in that it was peculiar solitary and differét from al other as hath bin declared and consequently must needs expect a perpetual warr and contradictioÌ„ and that not only at the catholiques handes but much more and sharper at the other two parties aboue named if the catholique party could be extinguished so as the laberinth of Inglish state and religion seemeth hereby to be inextricable and much approued was the saying of S. Christopher Hatton late chauncelor to a certayne secret frende of his a lyttle before his death that the clew tâ—yned vp by thes deuises in Ingland was so Intanged as no man possibly could vntwist the same but by breaking al in peces which he spake to the great grief both of himselfe and him that heard it A third consideration was of the manner of proceding to hould vp and sett forwards this forme of religion chosen for Ingland in which poynte also thes men founde much defect of fore sight and pollicy in thes that were the first sâ—tters vp therof for if her maiesty had bin perswaded at the begining to haue followed the course of Germayne states and Princes which was to giue liberty of conscience to al and to presse none by violent meanes to be of their religion but only to inuite them with rewards of preferment it is very like that matters had passed as quietly this day in Ingland as they do in Germany where al are quiet and the princes safe and little contradictions or falling out for such affayres And seing that Inglish men do come of Germayne race it may be they would haue followed them in this poynt also but howsoeuer that be most likely it is that matters had neuer come to those open broyles hatreds and mortal enimyties that now they are come vnto in Ingland for men being not pressed many would haue had little care of being zelous or heddy on eyther part preferment only would haue moued infinite people to follow that wherby they might haue profited and others not stinged or compelled to the coÌ„trary would haue remayned doubtful but yet quiet in their consultations what way to follow and so should her Maiesty haue bin serued of al and hated of none and aduauncments sufficient would haue remayned for al such as would haue bin fotward in that her Maiesty had most fauored But now by this other course that hath bin taken of tormoyling tormenting and beating men to their religion the state is growne to be both odious a broad and dangerous at home and not durable First for that as the poet saveth Nitimur inuetitum semper mans natural inclination is to esteeme and desire that which is denyed him and to reiect that which is thrust
life flying from him On the left side is paynted king Henry the eight very fatt and furious and S. Thomas lying before him vvith the ensignes of glory and ouer the king is written Henricus octauus Angliae Rex and betwene them is written Persequitur mortuum regnantem He pursueth him dead and rayning in heauen and this is the first ranck conteyning fovver pictures as you see the tvvo kings and S. Thomas tvvise put in the middle once aliue and then deade glorious In the second ranck are set the afore said two kinges agayne and in the middle the tombe and sepulcre of S. Thomas as it was in Caunterbury very rich sumptuous but the kings are paynted in different manner for king Henry the second is paynted leâ—â—e and repentant barefooted kneeling on his knees and whipping himselfe seuerly before the said sepulcre as in truth the matter passed and it is written betwene the sepulcre and him Ad sepulcrum martyris poenitentiam agit he did penance at the martyres tombe but on thother side king Henry the eight is paynted more fatt and monstrous them before sweating and chaffing and in great fury digging downe the sepulcre with a pickaxe and the writing is Sepulcrum martyris demolitur cineres dissipat he breaketh downe the martyrs tombe and casteth abroad his as hes into the ayer In the third ranke are paynted vnder king Henry the second many angels with garlands crownes in their handes expecting him to glory and saluation for his penance and harty a mendment and ouer ther heades is written Inuitat ad gloriam they doe inuite him to glory and vnder king heury the eigh are paynted as many diuels with instruments of torments in their handes and ouer their heades is written Expectant ad penam they expect him to punishment betwene both these in the midle is paynted Queene Elizabeth beholding sadly the one and the other example ouer her head is written Elizabetha Henricorum filia for that she is discended of both these Henryes and the senteÌ„ce written beneth is E duobus elige choose which you wil of thes two In the fourth raÌ„ck are placed two Inglish students in their Colledg garments one on the one side of the paper and the other on the other holding vp the said paper and oming each of them six verses in Latin to Queene Elizabeth for explication of their meaning in this representation and ouer the verses is written this title AD ELIZABETHAM Angliae Reginam Alumni Collegij Anglicani Hispalensis The first Scholler sayeth thus REgibus Henricis atauis proauis que Britaunis Edita hoc ipso nomine nata patre Cerne quid acciderit bellum est vtrisque nefandum Cum Thoma at dispar finis vtrique fuit Hic gemitu vitam tulit iste furore gehennam Quid speres timeas quidque sequaris habes The second Scholler in effect vttereth the same sence but in other words as followeth Concipit Henricus scelus impium atroxque secundus At scelus octauus aggrauat octagies In Christi famulum fremit is furit alter at iste Tetrius hoc vitae finis vtrique probat â—â— vtinam iusto perpendas pondere vtrumque Et spectes atauum non imitere patrem It shal not neede that I expounde thes verses vnto you much lesse that I put them into Inglish poesie seing my skill and vse therin is not great the somme is that they doe propone vnto â—er maiestie the acts and endes of both thes â—ings hir progenitors wishing her rather to â—ollow the example of king Henry the second â—hat repented his sinnes then king Henry the â—ight that died in the same I doe not remeÌ„ber any other thing that I haue â—o write vnto you about this colledg in Syuil except I should tel you how these schollers seme to shroude themselues very peculiarly vnder the protectioÌ„ of our blessed ladye the Queene of heauen agaynst the persecution of your Queene of Ingland For to this ende it semeth there custome is to meete at the church euery day after dynner to say our ladyes letanies besides the common letanies of the church which they vse to say after supper and to the like énde it semeth the puting vp of our ladies picture serueth ouer there gate at the very entrance of their first courte where two scollers are paynted kneeling before her with these fowre verses betwene them for explication of these wordes written aboue ANGLIA DOS MARIAE INgland is the Dowry of our ladye the reason of which woordes these schollers doe yeeld in these verses saying Prima dedit sceptrum conuersa Britannia nato Virginis hinc dicta est Anglia dos Mariae Ergo tuam repetas mater sanctissima dotem Quique tuo repetunt iure tuere pia The sence of which verses is that for so much as Britanie now called Inglande was the firsâ— kingdome that wholy togeather gaue it selfâ— and submitted her kingly-scepter vnto Chrisâ— Iesus the sonne and spouse of our lady thereforâ— by a certayne deuout kinde of speach oulâ— Inglish authors did say Ingland to be thâ— Dowry of our ladye which being so these scoâ—â— in consideration that her and al other sainâ—â— honor is excluded from thence they do besech hir to recouer agayne this her au ncient dowrye and so assist them that goe in her sonnes name and hers to negotiat the matter by preaching and teaching and offring their blood for regayning the same Further doth ther not come to my remembrance any other newes at this tyme to writ you out of thes pattes of Spayne except I should tel you of the sundry bookes that I haue seene here printed of late in diuers countries against the last proclamation published in Ingland vppon the 29. of Nouember the yeare past of 91. agaynst Catholiques and for their searching out and apprehension which proclamation is set abroade in many languages and many bookes written agaynst the same printed as I haue said in dyuers nations which doe make both the thing and manner of proceeding of your coÌ„mon wealth in this behalfe very odious Three bookes in Latine haue I seene besides sundry in Inglish which I name not the first was set forth by one IoaÌ„nes Pernius in Germany and dedicated vnto your Lord Treasorer whom he scowreth in particuler and by a larg and sharpe discours refuteth the saide proclamatioÌ„ setteth downe the inconueniences of this your proceeding The second author that I haue seene is of Rome and calleth himselfe Philopatrus wherby it may perhapps be presumed that he would signifie himselfe to be alouer of his country and he setteth downe the whole proclamation at large word for word in fiue partes or sections aunswereth to euery particuler thinge spoken in the same as namely touching the pope the kinges of Spaine fraunce the Seminaries and Inglish seminarie priestes both abrode and at home the like shewing al my L Tresorers accusations and
of his owne seruants and some other of the baser vulgar people sollicited by them in Lisbone and other partes neare ther about and yet that Ingland to the Turke should aduoutch him playnly for a lawful king and put out by violence exhort the Turke to restore him by his forces according to the custome of his noble auncestors vvho are knowne to haue deuoured so infinite christian bloode and haue destroyed so inumerable christian estates wherein our Sauiour vvas longe honored and now Mahomet is adored that Ingland should offer concurrance in this diuelish action and should take a cōmission from the Turck as in this his letter is giuen to be a spie agaynst the rest of christianity and to aduertiz him of al new vvarres affayres that passe amonge Christian Princes finally to be a frend to al his frendes and enimy to al his enimyes vvhich is the highest infamye that euer could fal vppon any state realme or kingdome that beareth the name ensigne or profession of Christian religion Thes and other contemplations hath this author vppon this matter vvhich I passe ouer and do come to tel you that besides thes bookes and tretises vvritten in Latine I haue also seene diuers pamphlets vvritten in Inglish agaynst this proclamation no lesse stinging then the other in Latin and al of them both of the one and the other sorte translated commonly into other vulgar tonges also as Spanish Italian french and flemish which do make the commō subiect of ordinary talke in thes dayes to be of your affayres in euery countrey And last of al here hath come forth a booke in Spanish vvritten by one father Pedro Ribadeneyra a man of very great reputation in thes kingdomes both for his learning grauity and eloquence in this language and this booke conteyneth the storye of Inglish affayres from the yeare eightie and eight vntil vvhich time he had set forth the said story in Spanish before according to the latin story of the Inglishe Schisme vvritten by D. Sanders and Riston and other aduertisments and novv he continueth this euen vnto this yeare 93. And in this said story he layeth forth also the said proclamation at large and afterwarde writeth diuers large chapters for explication of the same wher of the one is as I remember that this proclamation cap. 1 is most impious and contrary to al diuine humane lavves receaued in any christian common vvelth especially in Ingland from her first conuersion An other chapter is that this cap. 2 proclamation is not only impious but also folish and indiscret against all good pollicy and mature wisdome A third is that it is impudent cap. 3 and vvritten vvithout all respect of shame honor or reputation of your estar and nation auontching lye vppon lye that al the vvorld knoweth to be lyes vvith diuers other such chapters which he proueth at large with many particulers in fyne concludeth that the penner of this proclamation would be sharply punished in any orderly and graue common wealth for penning it in such manner and for auoutching so many open impertinent lyes and euident slaunders vnder the name of his soueraigne though the chiefe matter it selfe therin set downe vvere allovved and agreed vppon by publique authority as it is supposed that this was by your Queene and councel there Moreouer this spanish book layeth forth two new statutes made about religion in your last parliament ended the 10. of Aprill of this present yeare which seeme to haue come to the authors handes euen vvhiles the former parte of this booke vvas a printing the one is intituled an Act to retayne the Queenes subiects in their due obedience and the other for restrayning of popish recusants to certayne places of aboade by the which tvvo statutes and the strange prouisions made therein as also by the sundry bookes set out by authority at this very tyme agaynst the puritans vvith the enditmēts arraynments and strange answeres of Barrow Greenwod Studly Billet and other Brownists by al thes thinges layd together I say and by the acte of three entyre subsides and six fifteenes and tenthes exacted and graunted at one clapp in this parliament for maynteyning of warres abroade and your estate at home this writter concludeth that neuer common welth vvas in more miserable and dangerous plight for al kinde of miseries that can fal to a common wealth then Ingland is at this day and consequently most far of from that condicion of peace tranquility and security vvhich your lord Treasorer in this late proclamation would make men to beleeue vvheras himselfe must needes sayeth this man see and know the contrary as al men also abroade do that are of iudgment or experience and moreouer doe discouer his desperat deuise of remeding the matter by massacring and murthing al the principall catholiques vppon the sudden vvhen soeuer he shal see no other shift for that to this end play nely semeth to tend this last statute of bynding al the better and richer sort of them to reside in certayne knowne places and not to departe thence further then fiue miles vnder payne of forfeting vvhat-soeuer they haue in this vvorld vvhich is to fill Ingland full of prisons and chaynes as the flemish Didimus before insinuated a diuise so strange vppon so great a multitude as neuer was hard of before in any free common vvealth nor practised sayeth this man eyther by Phalaris or any other most famous tyrant Wherunto if vve add the second part of the statute vvherby the poorer sorte of catholiques are appoynted to be thrust our of the realme spovled and ransaked of al that they haue it maketh the barbarous desigment more euident sayeth he to vvitt that thes shal be driuen to statue abroad and the others be kept for the slaughter at home vvhen the tyme shall serue but god turueth lightly sayeth he all such cruell and bloody intentions vppon the heades of the entendors and their posterity and so doth he thinke that it vvill fall out vvith your lord Treasorer and his ofspring and this is all that I can vvrite vnto you from thes partes THE SECOND PARTE of this letter conteyning certaine considerations of State vppon the former relation THis that goeth before I hadd vvritten in Spayne to send to you from thence but afterward ther being offred a good passage by sea to returne to Holland vvith certayne company that vvould needs haue me go vvith them out of hand I took my papers and came hither wher meeting vvith diuers gentlemen captaynes schollers and others as wel Inglish Scottish Irish Frēch as also some Italians Dutch mē both of this country and high Germany for al sortes you know do meete here now vve fel by chaunce into talk of Ingland and of Inglish affayres vppon occasion of the former bookes published in al natiōs as hath bene said against the present procedinge of your state namely agaynst your last proclamation and statutes nevvly made about
vppon him by violēce But yet in no one thinge so much is this seene as in matters of religion which of al other affayres is the poynt that most requireth liberty both of iudgment and will least beareth the force of strayning and so we see by experience that her Maiesty at the beginning entering and raigning for some yeares with mildnes found no difficulty to speak of on any part though at her entrāce the whole realme was settled in an other religiō but now after twenty yeares pressing men with restraints imprisonments losse of goodes and liues the number is founde euery day more greater of them that openly make resistance and do lesse respect and reuerence both prince law and gouuermēt and so euery day wil be more and more both of Catholiques and puritans for the reasons afore said Which thing certayne pollitick councellors of Iulian the Emperor surnamed the Apostata obseruing by experiēce of al the rigorous courses of former Emperors before hym they persuaded him to change that course of forcing into alluring and so he did and wrought more effect in few yeares by that meanes then the other had done by the contrary in many and would no doubt haue done much more if his life and reigne had not bin so short To this discourse said one of the company if this be so how then do catholiques vse rigor in punishing them that are not of there religion and do preuaile therin as we see by experience of Spayne and other countryes wheroftē tymes thes new religions beginning to budd vp haue bin kept downe and vtterly extinguished by punishment To this answered an other saying they wil saye that the cause of this is the truth of their religion and the falshood of the other that it is peculiar to their religion by promise of Christ to endure for euer and triumph ouer al sects but for that this is not graunted by al but remayneth in dispute I wil quoth he yeald an euident difference heerof in pollicy and reason which is that Catholique Princes which by force and punishment haue extinguished other religions and sects that began to spting vp in there realmes did take thos new blossomes at the begining whiles they were yet grene and not wel setled and their followers not many so I do confesse that all religions may be rooted out sauing only the trew which Christ himselfe defendeth and so many do thinke that if Charles the Emperor had apprehended Luther at his first seing him in Augusta as many of his counsel perswaded him he had crushed perhapps his doctrine in the very kyrnel and the like may be said of Caluin and Beza as also perchaunce of the puritans in Ingland if rigor had bin vsed towards them at their first rising though this last of the Puritans be very doubt ful for that their foundation being as after shal be shewed the very doctrine it self that by publique authority is set forth taught and maynteyned now in Ingland it must needes continually rise out of the same as the heate frō the fyer so as it is impossible to nourish the one extinguish the other As for the Catholiques in Ingland the reason is far different for they being no new beginers but old possessors of the realme they vvere so many at her Maiestyes first entraunce to the crowne as they could not wel be al extinguished together except the land should haue bin left wast nor can be easely at this day extinguished by force in any reason of state or probability that I can see for I do not comprehende those only by this name which are recusants and discouer thēselues vnto the world for those might easely perhapps be made away as many do suspect is meant by the late statute of restrayning them to certayne places but much more do I vnderstād by this people those also who goe not so far forwardes as to discouer their religion at least wise to put themselues within danger of lawes and yet in mynde wil and iudgement are they nothing behinde the rest yea so much the more feruent inwardly agaynst the state by how much more they are forced by feare to dissemble outwardly their iudgements and keep in their affections and thes are also of two sortes the one knowne or suspected though nothing cā be layed agaynst thē by law but the other not knowne nor suspected at al but of good authority in the realme and so much the more dangerous when occasion shal be offred Agaynst al thes then what doth the course of seuerity preuayle those few that are knowne recusants may be vexed and tossed as they haue bin thes later yeares and some particuler courtyer may be aduanced by begging their goodes and landes but vvhat is this to the common wealth none or few of them are conuerted ther number groweth euery day rather then deminisheth and if any do or shal yeald to goe to the church what is gayned therby they change not in iudgment nor come vvith their hartes but vvith their bodyes or tong only their inward auersion is so much the more increased towards the state by how much more violent this outward compulsion is and in the meane space their frendes and kynred are more exasperated their fellow catholiques not yet recusants alienated the people seing their afflictions more moued to compassion towards them forrayne princes more egged to take their partes what then in the end is like to come of this And if you put thē to death or driue thē out of the realme as many haue bin thes latter yeares vvhat profitt also is ther like to come of this let vs gesse of the tyme to come by that which is past those hūdreths that haue bine put to death haue they done the state good or hurte abroad we see thē published for martyres in al bookes tables pictures and storyes that are vvritten and no one thinge euer moued strangers so much to admire Inglād as the sight knowledge of this At home their estimation and parties do increase hereby seing ther is none that eyther is banished or put to death for this cause but is eyther estemed as a martyr or cōfessor by them so eyther in respect of his holynes or in hope he may returne agayne to do them good one day or for desire of reuenge for his hard vsage ther is no father brother sonne nephew kinsman frende or acquaintance of his left in Ingland which by this is not made a mortal enimye to his persecutors and how far this may reatch and extend it selfe in such an Iland as Ingland is or what effects it may worke in tyme to come I leaue it sayeth this man to your wiser considerations Moreouer sayeth he I would haue you to consider that before order vvas giuen in Inglish vniuersities at home to examine schollers and presse them to othes the Inglish scholler vvas scarse hard of in forrayne scholes and vniuersytyes neyther vvas there
as impossible it is to haue any such consultations or desigments but that some notice vvil come to the catholiques before hande seing ther is no coure councel campe or company lightly in Ingland but that it hath some or other eyther by conscience religion kindred allyance frenship obligation or affection deuoted to some of them yea the very partyes themselues that must be executioners of this act in euery shire if it be done let them be as forward other vvise in any religion as they vvil yet is it impossible but for some of the afore sayd causes they wil shew some frenship as it is easely sene in al the searches that commonly are commaunded vvhich being concluded neuer so secretly are yet commonly fore knowne more or lesse by the Catholiques and much more wil be so bloody boy sterous an actiō as a massacre or general slaughter vvould be and therfore my opinon is that thes three partyes and factions of protestants puritans and papistes vvil buckle together longer yet then you do imagin and which part shal haue the vpper hand in the ende God only knoweth and therfore if my L. Burley or Sir Nicholas Bacon might haue anoyded this garboyle in the begining as some here haue affirmed and it seemeth euident or might haue tempered the same sithence vvith a more mylde manner of proceeding vvithout bringing the matter into this disperate contention or the state into so euident dainger no doubt but as you say they nether vvere nor are to be accoumpted men of grear vvisdome or gouerment as some haue esteemed them thus much vvas spoken of thes affayres Sundry other poyntes of gouerment came in question at this tyme and vvere disputed to and fro and my L. Tresorers prudence therin discussed as namely and among other thinges his proceding vvith the nobilitye vvhether it were true policy or no to procede so vvith the nobility as he hath done pulling downe the principal and holding the rest out of gouermēt and doings vvhich was the fal and ruyne of Crumwell as also the holding so many chiefe offices together in his owne handes vvhich must needes be a most odious poynte from which in pollicy an ambitious man hath to fly for better establishing of that vvhich he getteth but in thes things ther were so many reasons alleaged on the one side the other as it was hard to giue iudgment vvhich vvas to be preferred in Filijs huius Saeculi Other poyntes ther semed of more importance and consequence as the open breaking with al the old leagues of Ingland the spending of so infinite treasure in forrayne and vnnecessary warres for which any Prince that shal follow must needes by al probabilyty cal him or his vnto accompt The authorising of so open and ordinary piracy by vvhich the honor substance and subiects of the realme are so notoriously damaged the multitude of straingers drawne into the realme which deuour and impouerish the natural inhabitants the many bookes pamphletts and proclamations which he hath put forth with out consideration which haue giuen aduantage vnto the enemye al thes thinges I say though diuers reasons and considerations were alleaged to defend or excuse them yet inclined the maior part of this conference to note them rather of some vvant of iudgment then otherwise But of al other thinges the matter of successiō and her Maiestyes not marrying vvas thought by al mens verdicts to make demonstration of grear and notable vvants in Sir William Cecil and M. Nicholas Bacon at the begynninge not only of mature fore sight and wisdome but also of true loue and respect towards their countrey and fidelity tovvards her Maiesty for that seing their only ende in this great affayte to perswade her Maiesty not to marry vnder presence of more fiedome and liberty and lesse subiectiō to her person could be no other in truth but only for their owne greater power and hand ouer her vvhich they vvel saw could not hold so absolute if she had euer taken a husband this consideratiō ought not to haue preuayled so much with them eyther in conscience reason or pollicy but that they should haue looked to the euent which now draweth on to wit the peril of vniuersal distruction to their countrey wherin them selues their children and posterity for whose aduauncement they committed this error are also conteyned Truth it is sayd one of the company that they two men and especially my L. Burley hath had as long and large and vniforme a reigne vnder this Queene as euet lightly councellor or courtyer or fauorite had vnder any prince and perhapps the like is scarse to be read of especially so vniforme as I haue said that is so constant and like it selfe and stil vvith increase without ebbes and flowes rysings and fallyngs as other wise is accustomed to happen and certayne it is that the chiefest grownde of al this hath bin the Queenes being a sole woman who therby hath bin enforced to giue her selfe wholy into his handes and any husband that she might baue had must needes haue a bridged much of this absolute sway by taking into his owne handes or to his frendes some part of the gouerment which this man now hath possessed wholy hauing bin to the Queene both husband and master counceller and gouernour thes many yeares Bnt yet seing that the continuation and confirmation of thes things and namely the conseruation of titles honors and riches by thes meanes gotten to his posterity dependeth vvholy of the succession of the crowne seing her Maiesty cannot liue euer it cānot be thought wisdome in my L. Burley that for the respect of his present particuler sway he should suffer the publique and ther vvith also his owne for the tyme to come to fal into such desperat termes of open peril as now we see them in by occasion of her Maiesties not marrying To this one of the conference sayde that he could not imagin that this matter of succession remayned so doubtful and dangerous in the iudgment of my L. Tresorer as it seemed to vs other men abroade but that he had some secret and sure designement and plot contriued in his owne head to put in execution so sone as God shal take her Maiesty frō vs as the Dukes of Northumberland and Suffolk had in tyme of King Edward the sixte though other men knew not therof and especially when they saw the King not like to liue long and so when all men looked for a Mary Queene they came forth with a Queene Iane and so may this man sayeth he with some Arbella Queene or the like when least it is expected No doubt sayed another if his designmēt may take place the lort shal fal vppon some woman or childe whom he may gouerne as he hath done hitherto for vnder any male Prince of age he wil neuer willingly liue seing hither to he hath bin master of wardes both to the realme Queene and councel for so
other the like actes that they were neuer obserued or respected afterwards when a stronger pretendor came to plead his cause so as those actes serued for nothing els but to exasperate more the competitor agaynst vvhom they vvere made To the partye also for whom they should be made they do sealdom any good at al but rather do put him in far greater dainger then before and namely they would do so now in Ingland things standing ther as they do to witt the Prince in possession being so far of in kyndred as she must needes liue in Ielosy of that party and the other competitors being so many strong and apparent in ther pretences as they may be egged heerby to work the distruction both of the one the other for al which respects and many other that may be alleaged I thinke this order taken in Ingland not only needful but reasonable also and commodious said this Gentleman No doubt said the Ciuilian but it is commodious yf you respect the present only for that it doth eschu both garboyles to the realme and cares and periles to both partyes as you haue said I meane both to the Queene and her heyre apparent that should be declared who must needes be a mortal enimye vnto her Maiesty the very first hower that he is declared for that his next desire after such declaration once obteyned must needs be that her Maiesty were quickly dead and he or she in her place and for that her Maiesty must needs know and feare this the other must needs imagine that she knowing and fearing it would seeke to preuent the same betwene thes feares I say and hopes thes hatreds and suspitions thes ambitioris and Ielosyes no peace frenship or long endurance could be expected And for that the hopes and hartes of men are set commonly much more vppon the Prince that is to come oâ— rising then vppoÌ„ him that is in fading the greater dainger were like to fall vppon the present possessor wherof I could gyue you said he if neede weere diuers examples out of storye of our profession I meane pertayning to thâ— study of our emperial lawes by which is madâ— most euident that more Caesars vvho vverâ— heyres apparent to the empire as you know haue put downe Emperors then Emperors haue byn able to restrayne Caesars albeit them selues were able to make them so as to the Prince in present possession it is no doubt very secure and commodious to haue this prohibition and that the right of succession do hange obscure and doubtfull and no lesse profitable is it also in my opinion to al the competitors for that by this meanes they haue tyme euery man to prepare his frendes worke his cause vnderhand wheras if any should be declared the rest should be iniured therby also exasperated him selfe putt in place of enuy and dainger without power of defence as hath byn said but after her Maiestyes death if he put vp him selfe it is like he wil haue a party to stick by him to enable his demaund And this is for the present during her Maieâ—ties life but as for the future tyme it must needes be a terrible threatening of extreme calamiâ—ye to the common wealth to haue so many lye â—n wait to assayle her as you haue signified do â—retend the crowne which truly I confesse sayeth he with the residew here though â—omevvhat perhaps I haue studyed and read more then euery one of this company that I euer estemed to be so many in number and much lesse of such consideration for their titles â—s you seeme to hold them and therfore I pray â—ou defer no longer to begynne the discourse which you haue promised and we al desyre The Gentleman answered that he was content and so began presently and for more perspecuitye sake he reduced al the present pretenders to the crowne after the Queene that now is to three principal heades or branches to witâ— to the house of lancaster a part to the house oâ— Yorck a part and to the last coniunction of both houses in Kyng Henry the seuenth assigning three compeditors of the first branch and three of the second and fower of the last of a whose titles he discoursed largely at diueres metings for three or fower dayes one after an other and the Ciuilian also said his parte somâ— others put in their verdicts as occasion vvaâ— offred but the two former spake most and shewed great reading and had not the Gentleman shewed himselfe somewhat to partial somâ— tymes agaynst the Catholique in matters of religion as one that had byn brought vp only iâ— Ingland he had fitted greatly my humor buâ— yours he vvould haue fitted the more for thiâ— but in truth his speach in this matter of thâ— succession was very pithy and founded in greaâ— reason and authority without partiality to anâ— party and I assure my selfe that you would haue liked it extremly well if you had hard it and presuppose that some of the company hath taken it in paper though I know not vvell yet nor haue I now any tyme to enquire thâ— truth for that the post is vppon his departure and I will not keepe this letter by me any loâ—ger and now it groweth to some bigger buick also then at the' beginyng I had intended it wherfore I shall here make an ende and if I can gett the other discourse hereaster concerning the succession you may perhapps haue a sight therof also for I know it wil yeld you very great contentment God keepe you at Amsterdam in Holland this first of September 1593. FIN Nynty Inglis men reconciled in Spayne A dinnet made to the Inglish coÌ„uetted A consideration vppon the former coÌ„ uersion The Inglish hou se and Church of S. George in S. Lucars Residèces of Inglish Priests in Libon in the por te of S. Maries The Inglish hou se and Seminary in Siuill Excercises of lerning by the Inglish in Siuil S. Thomas of CaÌ„terbury his feast in Siuil 1. Citizens 2. CouÌ„celours 3. Iudges 4. Presidentes of concelles 5. Iquisitores 6. Pastors preachers 7. monkes fryers 8. Archbishopes Cardinales 9. Inglish schollers dedicated to martyrdom A good life is needfull before martyrdoÌ„ The man ner of S. Thomas martyrdom The effect of the second sermon in Spanish Poemes ane deuises of learning The first ranke The secoÌ„d ranek The third ranck The 4. tanck Diuers bookes vvritten against the last Inglish proclams tion Ioannes Preuius Andreas Philopatrus Dydimus veridicus The vvordes of Dy dimus Dealing of EnglaÌ„d vvith the Turck The title of the Turkes lettre Informations geuen to the Turck agaynst the kof Spayne The petition of the Inglish Am bassador VVilliam Harborn The Turkes ansvvere The Turkes exhortation to the Q. To be his spie Commendation of the Inglish embabassadour by the Turke Edvv. Bardon Considerations vppon the Turkes letter Great indignitye to InglaÌ„d Father Ribadeneyra agaynst the procli amation and nevv statuts The tvvo last Statutes The chiefe subiect of the coÌ„ference The first considera tioÌ„ about chang of religion The 1. coÌ„sideratioÌ„ of chang of religioÌ„ to a different from all others No religion this day agreeth vvith Ingland The lutrans and Caluinistes pu ritaÌ„s great enimyes The lyke 〈…〉 〈…〉 Penry S. Christo phor HattoÌ„s saying A third consideratioÌ„ of the manner of proceeding by coÌ„pâ—â—â—lo in matters of religioÌ„ An obiection The ansvvere Catholiques not easely extinguished Inconueniences by putting so many meÌ„ to death for religion The increase of seminaries VVhether the Puritans may be rooted on t or not in Ingland Sargeant Ovvins speech of late The probilities that puritanes vvill preuaile Reasons for the puritan religion As landes also of colleges in tyme. An other opinion that puritans shal not so easily preuaile Of the Prince that shal follovv The Catholiques not so easie to be extinguished The conclusion Other poynts touching the Lord Burly Other coÌ„sider ations The Queene 's not marrying The L. Burlyes gaine by the Queenes not marrying A bont the succession The multitude of compititors to the crovvne VVhy it is for bidden in Ingland to treate of the succession Note this poynt A diuisioÌ„ of the preteÌ„ders to the crovvne A discourse of the succession promised