tiranny of Princes they war without warrant that rebell against their worst kinges Were there neither authority deuine nor prophane to reprooue rebellion yet in their best quarrel destruction which is the ende of traitours sheweth their beginning to be naught God manye times suffereth both good and bad Princes to fall into the handes of their subiectes but woe be vnto those subiectes by whom either perishe We need no other torment to relish our present peace and prosperity then the remonstration of the ciuill warres bloudshed and manye grieuous calamities which for the space of 85. yéeres yea during the raignes of 6. kinges afflicted this small kingdome After the violent depriuement of king Richard the second from his crowne and dignity but in the end the Lorde hauing compassion of our manifold miseries séeing our priuate dissention ready to grow to publicke destruction euen when his wrath séemed to be moste hot euen then the beames of his mercy sodenlye comforted vs by the destruction of our arch tyraunt Richard the third who caused and committed more wicked saluadge murders then fiftéene of the most tirannous kinges of England But humbly confessing Gods prouidence with this old age Nullum violentum perpetuum This tiraunt that was giltye of the death of king Henry the 6. Prince Edward his sonne and his own naturall brother George Duke of Clarence and afterwardes within the space of thrée yéeres of his vsurped raignes caused his nephewes king Edward the 5. and Richard Duke of York his brother to be murthered in the Tower not caring for his alleageaunce towardes the one nor fearing to breake the sanctuary for the other who repudiated his owne mother offered to marry his brothers daughter as is a fore saide After these and many other murders without the procéeding of law this manifest monster the ende of Englandes ciuill misery was slaine at Boshworth field by that prudent Prince king Henry the 7. by Gods planting the root of Englandes happinesse and naked like a hog was carried vpon a bare horse backe to Lecester there buried who meriteth neither the monument of King nor Man CHAP. 3. A sommarie of the vertues of the prudent prince King Henry the seuenth THE fayrest buylding hath a foundation and the fruitfullest trée his root and albeit the beuty of either be in the outward attyre yet the strength of both consisteth in the inwarde substaunce And certainely in all discriptions the cause ought to be as well set downe as the effect that Anatomie is perfect that discouereth all the inward as well as the outward workemanship of man Uertue I grant conuayeth honor simply from a mans owne good actions yet the same is much inlarged if from desent to desent honor be issued from the monumentes of his auncestours vertues And sure the glorye of a man is much iniured or eclipsed that is blasoned but by his owne proper regardes when the same maye bee truely illustred by such auncient graces But touching my purpose some will suggest that as it is a needlesse labour to seeke a Diamonde with a torche which glimmereth in the darke so as bootelesse is the curiositie to deriue her maiesties glorye further then from her owne sacred vertues when her wicked enemies renowne her perfections and wilfully pursue their owne destruction through presumption that her excellencye is composed all of grace and mercye I am bounde reuerentlye to acknowledge that her maiesties perfection is the true discouery of imperfection and in this regarde absolute that enuye and the worste sworne enemies of God assault her prosperity yet if anye thing maye be added to extoll her name this meriteth regarde that the fruites of vniuersall comfort which her deuine and heroicall graces plentifully distributeth grow from the root of Englandes happines which no priuie conspiracy could vnplant euen king Henry the seuenth And of that gréene trée which the stinging Locustes could by no meanes wither king Henry the eight And doubtlesse who so shal zelously contemplate how that the prouidence of God euen in our greatest destructions alwaies sustained vs may easily perswade him selfe that God would haue his glory to sâ—…ine ouer the world next his word from the lights of this little Iland seperated as some write from the world or at the least ioyned to the outermost end thereof How easie a praye had we béene for the ambitious desire of some bordering king during the blouddye contention betwéene the two illustrous houses Yorke and Lancaster for imperiall dignitye but God would not our subuertion The history of Richard the thirds tiranny is a most lamentable cronicle yet the same considered by Gods prouidence assureth vs by that sharpe remembrance a remembraunce of his mercifull goodnesse in deliuering vs from a continuall calamity in she wing vs through the vnlawfull procéedings of the tirant a lawfull meanes to accord these two puissant houses But before this great blessing his incomprehensible wisedome so sharply scourged this realme as all her estates suppressed their priuate desires and hartely praied and laboured for this happy vnity who mercifullye regarding our patient bondage crowned king Henrie the 7. with title of both houses by taking to wife Lady Elizabeth eldest daughter to king Edward the 4. And albeit the end of our ciuill destruction in the beginning of his prudent raigne be sufficient alone to crowne king Henry the 7. name with euerlasting fame yet to gouerne vs right God indued this noble Prince with vertues answerable to so great a blessing as a general peace And certainly if Alexander surnamed Seuerus be reckoned among the number of the most wise emperors King Henry the 7. meriteth semblable title as the true imitatour of Alexanders gouernment King Henry the 7. entered vpon a kingdome no lesse disordered with continuall tumults then did Alexander with the vnmeasurable voluptuousnes of Helyogabalus the necessitye of time made him a seuere executioner of his lawes and testifieth the same to be deriued from perfect iustice he punished offences without respect of persons Honor was no plea for the mighty he iudged the trespasses of Lawyers with his owne knowledge of the law he onely pardoned ignoraunt offences and graciously relieued his poore subiectes oppressions he was thought somewhat too seueere in punishment But such murmuringes were no lawfull complaints to a fore that is deepe festered with corruption sharpe corsiues are to be applyed Euen so in a disordered common wealth seueere lawes are to be ministred He was a iust vertuous valiaunt and learned Prince a true distributour of peace plentye and prosperitye to his subiectes who in his life time had had a moste liberall portion of happinesse if in his dayes the Gospell of IESVS had had a free passage But leaue we Gods will therein who would not haue his outward temple builded in Dauids time but in his sonne Salomons and yet was Dauid a righteous man after the Lord in whose hand the harts of princes are had established a setled peace
welnéere of all Italy is cleane shut out of the kingdom of Naples the Dukedom of Florence Ferrara Mantua Millaine Parma Vennis the state of Genua c. so that to come to his segniorie of Bologna he is driuen to the lower way by Racâ—…onati Maddona de Loreto Ancona and by exchange with the Duke of Vrbin patcheth a passage so that in respect of her ancient limits this proud Eagle is welniâ—…h brought into the case of Platoes cocke with neuer a feather on her back the end of this Eagle shall be confusion the text so saieth the lion shal rebuke her vnrighteousnes rent her asunder shal deliuer the rest of the people of trouble make theÌ„ ioifull The Lion of England euen King Henry the 8. and his posterity hath made a faire reuealement of this prophesie the godly expect that the Eagle shall vanish to nothing with the thundering blasts that the English Lion hath shal storme vpoÌ„ her she feareth the same therfore bendeth all her secret forces to disquiet the Lion S. Augustine long ago séeing certaine english boies to be sold as slaues in Rome thus prophesied bene vocantur angeli quia nitent vt angeli in quo regno euangelium dei florebit they are properly called English-men because they shine as Angels in which kingdome the Gospell of Christ shall floorish The learned Doctor Erasmus writing a paraphrase of the foure Euangelists dedicated the first to the Emperour the second to the french King the third to the noble King Henry and the fourth to the Emperours brother the Pope was wiped out of his trauell as one not destined to haue the protection of this pretious iewell To King Henry the eight he dedicated his paraphrase of S. Luke and in his Epistle wrote that he had sent him Luke the Physition by circumstances reputed his Maiestie through his godly and religious procéedings to be the spirituall Physition that by the working of the holy Ghost purged the soules of many from the grosse errors of Antichrist I leane not so much to these moderne prophises although there be a common Prouerbe Vox populi vox dei the Scriptures giueth light sufficient that from these partes the Gospell of our Sauiour should be visibly reuiued In the fourth Chapter of Cantica Canticorum be these words Vp thou north wind and blow vpon my Garden that the smell thereof may be caried on euery side yea then my beloued may come into his Garden and eate of the sweete fruite that growe therein This winde is vp at the Almighties call his commission is well blasted abroade This noble King Henry as it is interpreted this Lion this winde ordained and sent of God first shooke the wicked tyrant of Rome first blewe the blast that hath almost blowne his authoritie out of all Christendome The Pope in his quarrell almost armed all Christian princes against this Lion but they feared or failed to do him hurt In the Popes quarrell many seditions were sowen in England in fearing the communaltie that the King would begger them with impositions The Northerne men openlie rebelled and the whole realme was in armes readie bent against their proper intrailes but God frustrated the deuisers counsels and preserued vs from the wilfull murther of our selues When the kings power and the rebels were ready to méete he parted the armies with a suddaine swelling of the water while after a parle the Rebels were willing to acknowledge their faults and with the kings gratious pardon departed to their owne houses a wonderfull prouidence of God that would not haue the rebels perish in their ignorance nor the good subiects murthered in so vnnaturall a battaile The vngratious Cardinal Poole stirred a great power in France but the french were more afraid to venter then was king Henry in his aged daies that they woulde enter into England His mind was inuinsible and euen of God all his procéedings were blessed their happy successe testified no lesse who in the 37. yeare of his triumphant raigne ended his life in peace whose death made England vnhappy in that the most toward and godly prince Edward the sixt his only sonne and heire of the Crowne was of so tender age CHAP. 5. A sommarie of the most excellent gifts of King Edward the sixt THe godly and most toward yong Prince King Edward the sixt being but of the age of nine yeares began his raigne the 31. of Ianuarie 1546. This prince in his tender age was indued with such towardnesse wisedome learning and all goodly gifts as Europe seldome or neuer fostered the like By reason of his tender yeares the Duke of Somerset his vncle was made Protector both of the King and his Realme who for the discretnesse of his speach the wisedome of his behauiour and vertue that accompanied all his actions was worthely reputed to be better able to gouerne at tenne then many princes at thirtie yeares of age There wanted no gift of nature learning or education that might renowne a good King but that mightely grew in his yong yeares as the vndoubted heire not only of the crowne but of all the vertues of his most noble father He aduanced the Gospell to which by Gods holie spirit his godly father gaue frée passage in England whose deuout zeale witnessed that this heauenly blessing was no lesse planted by his Grace by his godly councels and wisedome By his especiall request and letters the Citizens of London erected thrée néedefull Hospitals viz. for the sicke and aged they erected S. Thomas Hospitall in Southwarke for the fatherlesse child and infant they erected Christes Hospitall and for the sturdy vagabond they erected Bridewell by his godly meanes this charitable worke was sowne His wonderfull victory against the Scots may not be forgotten where was slaine 13000. Scots and but 60. Englishmen And truly if his subiects would haue béen imitators of his pietie charitie temperance and other christian duties their enuy ambition crueltie and other gréeuous sinnes had not so highly moued Gods wrath as that his vengeance would not suffer vs in any perfect yéeres to enioy this right gratious King Edward sample of all goodnes and by his death for a time reaued vs of the fruition of the Gospell the foode of our soules and in place of both to further punish our vnthankefulnesse he sent vs a prince that held a hard hand ouer vs that not only stopped the passage of the Gospell but persecuted the godly professors thereof euen Quéene Mary good King Edwards sister part of whose actions followeth CHAP. 6. An abstract out of the proceedings of Queene Mary LADY Mary the eldest daughter of king Henry the eight began her raigne ouer the realme of England the sixt of Iuly 1553. Touching her naturall disposition she was vertuouslie and well giuen but by reason that her bringing vp was vnder Papists and her youth throughlie instructed in the superstitions of Papistrie anone after that she was setled in her
authoritie or dissention Yea about this time that the fall of Antichrist might be visibly séene by the taking awaie of such Christian princes as were his setled supporters when as Lodowicke Guiccerdine reporteth ther was not any where either brute of pestilence or extraordinarie disease there died within the space of one yeare the Emperour Charles the fifth the Quéene of Hungary Quéene Mary of England two Kings of Denmarke Bona Sforza Quéene of Polonia Henry the third king of France Ierolme Priuli Duke of Vennice Hercules da este Duke of Ferrara and Paule the fourth Pope of Rome a change verie vniuersall wherein Gods prouidence is not to be ouerpassed with a light consideration whose will vndoubtedly was by the change of these princes the most of them drunken with Poperie to make a ready passage through Europe for the gospel of our sauiour Iesus Christ which vpon this change began to florish in most of the recited gouernements And albeit the fall of Antichrist in many places of the scripture be liuely presaged vpon the authority whereof there is sure and sound building when the prophesies and dreames of a number are but rotten foundations yet I hope I may without iust reprehension say that God many times acquainteth the minds of some good men with an imaginatiue knowledge of things to come which many yéeres after falleth out according to their presagement and for example belōging to our matter the reformation of the Church vnder her Maiesties raigne before her noble fathers death was set downe in this following prophesie Post H sequetur E post E quod mirum M M coronabitur breue confundetur Post M sequetur E vel A Et tunc conuertetur ecclesia In English E shall follow H next E with wonder M M shall be crowned and soone confounded Next vnto M E or A shall raigne Then shall the Church conuerted be againe Noble King Henry the eight first vnmasked this proude Pope King Edward the fixt the parragon of yong princes helped to vncase him Quéene Mary fauoured but liued not to strengthen him and now our soueraigne Elizabeth hath geuen him a mortall disgrace his painted Church abideth not the tuch Gods Church is vniuersally reuerenced The multitude are more delighted to reade a fewe godly sentences written vppon the Church wall then to sée his rarest rotten reliques layde vp in a golden chest Against her Maiestie he principally warreth as the chosen instrument of almightie God to abase his imperious mind to the wonder of the world and comfort of all good Christians CHAP. 8. Of the peaceable and honorable victorie that her Maiestie had against the french forces in Scotland which were raised with a determination for the inuasion of England the second yeare of her Maiesties raigne AFTER the death of Henry King of France his sonne Frances the second succéeded in the kingdome of France a prince of the age of sixtéene yéeres who being married vnto Mary Quéene of Scots and néece to the Duke of Guise suffered the affaires of the estate to be gouerned by the ambitious policy of the Duke and family of the Guises who hauing wished successe in their practises in Quéene Maryes dayes about the winning of Callice hoped and hungred after the spoile and conquest of England And the better to colour their purpose they intituled the King of France in the right of the Quéene his wife to the Crowne of England and knowing the difference betwéene the Quéenes Maiestie of England and the Pope in matters of religion they easily obtained of Paulus the fourth a disablement of the Quéenes Maiestie and an approouement of the Quéene of Scots right but King Frances had béene well aduised if he had not accepted this gift vntill the Pope had set him in possession of the kingdome which would haue troubled both him and his whole Colledge of Cardinals This depriuation by the Pope the Guises practised to moue the Papists of England to their part taking and arming theyr purpose by degrées to worke a feare in her Maiesties loyall subiects they wrote a booke of the weakenesse insufficiencie of feminine gouernement and by their owne reasons wounded the strength of their owne title which they deriued from the Quéene of Scots This scandale of feminine gouernemente was soundlie aunswered by an vnnamed authour in an english printed book at Strasbrowgh entituled A safe harbor for good subiects And truely although the soueraigne place of rule the chiefe credit of knowledge in Artes and Mecanicall craftes together with all other giftes of grace nature and education be giuen vnto man yet there haue béene women that in all maner of artes qualities and vertues which haue equalled the perfitest of men Innumerable are the testimonies of womens profound learning pure chastitie rare constancie patient martyrdome and a number most valiant whereof Chawcer reciteth nine Woorthies aunswerable to the nine Woorthies of men And touching regall gouernement from whence this question is deriued the Iewes recorde the sage gouernemente of Quéene Alexandra with more renowne then they did the tyrannie of her husband Alexander with reproch whose bodie they were determined to haue giuen vnto the dogs as also to haue murthered his two sonnes to haue rooted out Alexanders name if that her wisedome had not redéemed out either Theodosia the Empresse of Constantinople with admired prudence ruled the whole Empire during her life The gouernement of Senobia was no lesse renowmed Dydo the Amazones and many other were absolute Quéenes Semiramis enlarged the bounds of her Empire and Quéene Tomyris slewe Cyrus and his whole hoaste c. But if the enuy of men would suppresse and murther the worthines of women yet the diuine vertues of our soueraigne Quéene Elizabeth doth and will alwaies kéepe aliue their diuine memorie Of whome Guiccerdine in his Commentaries although all his writing defendeth the pope and reproueth Religion thus reporteth The good Queene Mary being dead without issue Elizabeth her sister was proclaimed Queene c. a Princesse of great learning and ouer and aboue the Laten and her mother toong she is possessed of the French and Italian language which she eloquently speaketh a yong Lady of a hye spirit wise and endewed with rare and noble qualities He might haue added the Greeke Spanish and some other ordinarie tongues with many extraordinary vertues which may as hardly be sampled by anie other lyuing Creature as the Sunne by the fairest of the Planets The worthinesse and strength of whose Gouernment euen from the beginning confuted the scandule of this lybell which was grounded vppon noe generall Lawe of God or man There haue béene priuate Lawes in some perticular Gouernments to take away and to disable the absolute gouernment of women when the generall Lawe possessed them with Imperiall authoritie As in Rome the Law Voconia so called because Voconius Tribune of the people pronounced the same In Fraunce the law Salique which they fetch from king Pharamond which bindeth the present
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
light account of her enimies threates as shée scorned to report Parries suspitious words vnto her graue Counsell furthermore to cléere her Maiestie from the least bleamish of Tyrannie there néedeth no other testimonie than the confession and records of rancke Traitours It appeareth in Parries and Throgmortons voluntarie confessions that her princely clemencie stayeth all sharpe courses against such Papistes as liue like obedient subiectes when that Lawe adiudged them death their last hope was in her excéeding mercie Throgmorton craued mercie with this acknowledgement of which many haue tasted and few haue beene depriued Parry confessed that the manifold vertues which shined in her Countenance euermore made him lose his resolution to kill her maiesty Forraine writers in their books haue made questions whether the greatnesse of her Maiesties mercie were a vertue more holy in her maiestie or daungerous for her good subiectes because it bread presumption in those that are euill affected I protest before God who I knowe heauily punisheth wilfull periurie that I hearde a Papist in Rome afore some of his companions wish and make choise to be her Maiesties prisoner in the Fléete rather then as he was the Popes pentioner in Rome and truely her imprisonment is more large than the Popes allowance saue vnto such persons which make shewe of seditious spirites Furthermore the long raigne and manifolde blessings which almightie God plentifully bestoweth of her Maiestie euidently declareth that shée is no tyraunt whose Raignes are for the most part short and their deathes violent Yea these Calumniers and Lybellers with these shameles detractions slaunder their owne knowledge which is that her mercie giueth life to condemned Papistes if that their Religion safe they will but acknowledge Ecclesiasticall supremacie to be one to her Maiestie which the Pope and all his power cannot plucke from her To conclude no one what so euer his offence be is put to death in case of Treason and Felonie except the Consciences of twelue sufficient men finde him guiltie and this I may truely say although Englande bée small in comparison of France or Italy yet her mercie pardoneth more that are conuicted by the Lawe than the king of Fraunce and all the princes of Italy It is a wonder to sée the wilfull stubbornesse of these vngratious Iesuites howe they striue against their owne knowledge howe shamelesly they slaunder the mildest course of Iustice that euer ciuill pollicie administred in any common wealth but chiefely how impudently they reproch her excellent Maiestie with tyranny when that her mercie is written in all the Capitols of the worlde their venim sheweth that they are euen those of whom the Psalmist saith They speak lyes they are as venimous as the poyson of a serpent euen like the deafe Adder that stoppeth his ears they with their malitious vntrue perswasions bring men into the snares of destruction out of which they cannot deliuer themselues It is the last refuge the Pope hath to vphold his wicked kingdome to blowe into subiectes eares slaunders of tyranny subsidies oppressions and other hard impositions of their Princes with these perswations they haue kindled many commotions and daily settle a mortall hatred in the ignorant multitude towards their Princes and godly procéedings which euermore bursteth forth with the confusion of such as they seduce for God which abhorreth Traitours seldome suffereth Treason to prosper the diligent obseruance of the euents whereof is able to settle the duetie and obedience of a good subiect more than the learning and Eloquence of the greatest Orators CHAP. 13. Of the peaceable discouery of the daungerous Treasons of Frances Throgmorton Esquire of Henry Percie Earle of Northumberlande and others a Chapter declaring the Odiousnesse of Treason and continuall ouerthrow of Traitors WHosoeuer shall reade the Chronacles of time the continuall life of vertue and endlesse shame of vice they shall finde that Treason is so odious to God as his holy hande many times myraculously hath defended the worst tyrants from the mortall Treasons of their subiectes Comodus was a wicked Emperour and to kill him his syster Lucilla had appointed one Quintianus The Traitour Quintianus wayghted at the entring of the Amphitheatre to kill Comodus his dagger was readie drawne his heart was resolute and his hand was readie to strike the stroake but God appointed the Traytors tongue to inflict the vengeaunce vppon himselfe for before the Emperour came vnder his stroke Quintianus cryed This the Senate sendeth thee Uppon which wordes he was taken and Comodus nothing hurt The day before Sceuinus thought to haue slaine the Archetyrant Nero hée put an olde rustie dagger to grinding hée made his Testament hee fraunchised his bondmen and got rowlers in a readinesse to wrappe wounds in by which tokens Milicheus his seruaunt gathered he went about some naughtie purpose and so accused him straight wayes to the Emperour Sceuinus straight confessed that his intent was to haue slaine Nero. If God plucketh witte and prudencie from Traitors that purposed to kill such notable tyrantes as hée made the Traytours owne wordes and doings to bée the confusion of themselues and safetie of the tyrauntes It is assuredly to bée thought that with the shielde of his strength hée will defende righteous Princes and especially his chosen Quéene Elizabeth that aboue all things seeketh to set foorth his glory to aduaunce his holy worde to abase hypocrisie to banish Idolatrie and finally that all her subiectes may be as they are called true Christians It is assuredly thought that hée will defende her Maiestie yea it is constantly to bée beléeued that hee will there is no feare of it it is visibly séene that he doth I might inlarge this Chapter with sundrie examples of the confution of forraigne Traitors and preseruation of their soueraigne Lords But I write to English-men for whose instruction English examples is most proper It is yet within the compasse of our memorie that since the first houre that the Noble King Henrie the eight banished the Pope out of England that God hath laide this cursse vpon Traitors as the most part of them euen in the prime of their conspiracies were discouered and the principals worthely punished What became of the huge Commotion in Lincolne-shire where twentie thousand rebels were in Armes at the approch of the kings power they desired pardon brake vp their Armie and departed home The seditious heade of Cardinall Poole within sixe dayes after raised a newe insurrection in Yorkeshire to the number of fortie thousande rebels they abide the comming of the kings power with whom a day of battaile was appointed but God hauing compassion of a number of good subiectes that were like to be slaine by his prouidence saued both the one and the other the night before the Armies should ioyne he parted them with a mightie rayne In the meane time the rebels desired pardon it was graunted and so the commotion seased In Februarie following Nicholas Musgraue Sir Francis Bigot Sir Robert Constable
then anie acte of humane perswasion to conuert a growne Atheist to the feare of God and true obedience towards hys prince yet such as through wicked perswasiens and want of good instructions are but newly fallen from the feare of God into the exercise of the damnable and disloyall practises of Atheists may no doubt be counselled by the examples of the confusion of these vipers to loath and hate they vngratious wayes and of the contrarie parte waighing the sure aduancement with which vertue honoreth her disciples they may which God graunt be encouraged earnestly to follow those courses whereby God may be honored theyr Countrey profited and their owne credite dignified There are two old verses among other precepts printed at the ende of Magna Carta of the old impression which containe a great perswasion to the studie of vertue the right ladder of honor and estimation with which for the vertue they containe I conclude this present Chapter Vt ver dat flores flos fructus fructus odores Sic studium mores mos census census honores In English Euen as the Spring doth flagrant flowers bring Faire flowers fruites and fruites a pleasant tast From studie so doth perfect manners spring From studie lore in lore is honor plast CHAP. 9. A conclusion of morall documents concerning the duties of euery estate THese rites men owe to thee O God which in the heauens art Reuerence honor glory prayse and prayer from the heart The gratious Prince a father is where subiectes liue in awe The good regarding with rewards the lewde with scourge of lawe The subiect true vnto his Prince this homage heere doth owe A faithfull heart a feare through loue an inward Zeale in showe The reuerent Iudge froÌ„ doming right whom no regard may straine Must Aristotles blames forsake loue hate and priuate gaine Th' inferior sort must reu'rence giue vnto the higher power Obay and listen to their lore let fortune laugh or lowre These speciall vertues from a freend still should or do proceede Aduise assistance faithfull loue and constancy in neede The Landlord should so lot his land as his poore Tennant may Both pay his rent sustayne his house and for his Landlord pray All Tennants slaues and bondmen were of youre records do shew Though now not so yet to their Lords they Zeale and fealtie owe. The neighborhood of the neighbor good this neighborhod doth claime Good still for good in casuall harme a charitable blame The Wise man sayeth the child is spilt where parents spare the rod But cherishment with chastment ioyne and see they honor God You children that long life do seeke vnto Gods lawe giue eare Honor Parents sustaine their age that for your youth did care You that a faithfull seruant seeke regard this charge as lawe His wages pay his seruice aske and keepe him still in awe Sometime the Romaines by their law their seruant lewde might slay And by all lawes the maisters will the seruant must obay Fresh youth whose iudgement is but greene aboue each other vice Forsake these three vndoing euils women wine and dice. These properties regard them well to you faire maydes belong A bashfull grace a modest eye ioynd with a silent toong You that haue wealth think others want thus impart your store Lend giue releeue as neede requires for to sustayne the poore You that are poore abase your thoughts for naught agreeth worse Then this foule fault a prowde conceipt ioynd with a beggers purse In euery trade an honest gaine well gotten good men hight And God will surely blesse the hand that wayes and measures right You souldyers both by land and sea Gods woonders still escrie Liue you to dye for fearefull death is alwayes in your eye Assure your selues you Atheists vile that make at him a face That God in vengeance is at hand where he is farre with grace As I began so I conclude let all men feare the Lord And Preachers see that godly workes with holy words accord To the Reader FRiendly Reader I giue thee knowledge that vpon speciall occasion I haue before printed certaine appendants to this booke viz. one Treatise called A mirror for Maiestrates which containeth at large in the graue orations and gouerment of the Emperour Alexander Seuerus what is for the honor of Gentlemen Citizens and diuers other estates and what is the disgrace and vndoing of themselues and their posteritie as also a morall Treatise of the reputation vertues and by abuse dishonors of a souldier whiche I wish thee for thy further pleasure and profite to adioyne to thy generall Mirror to which in right they belong Thus commending vnto thee the fruites of my labour and thee to the tuition of the highest giuing most humble thankes to hys diuine Maiestie by whose goodnes thys worke is brought to an end I end FINIS Errata The defences of pride The defences of ambition The defence of flatterie Infirmities of the body Enuie vvithout cure Originall of Enuie Gen. 3. Enuie the first cause of sinne Enuie vvorse theÌ„ murther c. The â—…tes of Enuie Defâ—…ces of 〈◊〉 Defences of volptuousnes The defences of covvardlines None vvill confesse himselfe to be enuious Necessitie cause of many trespasses Mat. 20. There may be cause of impatiencie but no colour for enuy Blessings which grieue the enuious August contra Donat. lib. 4. cap. 8. Causes which reioyce the enâ—…ous Baâ—… Sermone de â—…dia Enuie likeâ—… to a Panther The nature of a Panther Enuie continueth after death Enuie compared to a â—…per The vnnaturall nature oâ—… a viper The enâ—… 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 A â—…ble of Eâ—…pe 〈◊〉 is neuer reconciled Neighbour countreyes enuy others glory Timon of Athens Murther the byrde of enuie Gen. 4. Abell slayne by Câ—… Enuie cause of paâ—…de and in hummane marthers Remas slaine by Romulus Machiuel dis Lib. 1. Romulus and Remâ—…s were fostered by aâ—… woâ—…fe Polinecâ—… Etâ—…ocles brothâ—… The mortall venime of envy A necessary example Enuie caused Neâ—…o to â—…ay â—…s mother Commodus enuyed the remeÌ„brance of his fathers vertues Vice is reproched by the commendation of vertue An other inhumane murder caused by enuy in Commodus A horrible murder by enuy Hâ—…ule Grafton and other English Hâ—…oriographers King Henry the 7. ouercame this tirant and calmed the afflictions of England Prince Edward slaine by Richardes handes K. Henry the 6. slaine by Richardes handes Duke of Clarence drovvned King Edvvard the 5. and his brother slaine â—…st lib. 1. Enuy the originall of warre The miseries of vvar The end of the Assiriâ—…n monarchy by enuy Iust. lib. 1. The tuchstone of manhood The city of Capidocâ—…a burned through enuy Time is able to repayre the ruines of fortune The Asserian empire translated into the Meades Miserable are the countreis gouerned by lieâ—…tenants An impious cruelty Man purposeth and God dispoâ—…h Mâ—…rius and Crâ—…us Ciâ—…us suckled by
a she vvolfe The empire of the Meades chaunged into Persian Iust. lib. 1. The empire â—…nslated into Macidonia The enuy of Alexander Alexander poysoned thorough Enuy. Thessalus a trâ—…i terous Phisition A necessary note for Prâ—…ces Kinges for there owne saâ—… tiâ—…s are bound to fauour their subiects Hippias a tyrant of Atheâ—… VVhere the feare of God stayeth not the loue of mony maketh passaâ—… for any mischief Counsels of K. â—…dinando The misery that follovved the incertainty of Alexanders succession A cruell part of Tamberlaâ—…ne A good counsel reiected The hugenes of Alexanders monarchie The greatnes of the Romane empire The nature of ambition One poyson remedy for an other Ruffâ—… pâ—… 〈◊〉 death Pollisie of Sâ—…licon Stilicons drift discouered Stilicons treason punished Rome sacked by Alaric Rome taken by the vandals Rome taken by Euriles and Toringnes Rome taken againe by the Gothes Rome taken againe by the Gothes Anno 830. Rome vvonne by the Sarizins Rome won by the Duke of Burbon Policies of the Popes to wâ—…nd out of obedâ—… 〈◊〉 and same of Constantinople The Priâ—… eleâ—…tours Apoc. 1â—… Can. si Papa de stâ—…et 42. Apocal. 17. 18. The names of the mountaines where Rome was builded 〈◊〉 2. circâ—… 〈◊〉 Apocal. 17. Thes. 2. 2. Dan. 11. A â—…able moralâ—…zed by the Pope Pro. 8. VVis 6. Psall 144. Dan. 2. 4. 5. Ierem. 25. 27. Rom. 13. Pride and cruelties of the Pope Looke in the Cron. of Germany Apol. of the prince of Orange Epitaph of Boniface the Pope The Popes war â—…ant or letter vvritten in the 2. booke of counsels â—…o 810 Rob. barnes cronicle Euseb Nanc Psal. 19. Lopes de goâ—…or in his hist. of â—…nd A daungerous policie of the pope Anno 1070. Cerimoniae Eccles Rom. lib. tit 〈◊〉 A presumptuons commandement A good â—…ing bound vnto the law A pleasant aunsvvere Anno 740. This taxe vvas peter pence Anno 1181. Apoc. 17. Apoc. 15. Vnâ—…nty of Mâ—…omets linage The vvicked counsel of the monek Seâ—… Mahomet an Athâ—…ist A damnable pollicie A matter is better vnbegun then not effectually followed A pleasing persvvasion of Mahomet Mahomets death Califus and Hali successours of Mahomet He vvas borne in a tovvne of Samarie called Tricon Tâ—…rt de here Lib. 1. cap. â—…0 Act. 8. S. Iustin. martyâ—… in his Apologie Iose. de bel Iud The Popes souldiers The Pope drâ—…ueÌ„ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Plat. de vita Gâ—…eg 9. Sab. 〈◊〉 par 3. A reâ—…rd for Coâ—…tiers An â—…ous reâ—…ge A proud request Originall of the Turkes Pom. Mel. Lib. de Cosmo 1. cap. 18. The Turkes infected with Mahomets religion Godfrey Bulloyne Ottoman 1. Succession of the Ottomans Orâ—…an 2. â—…at 3. The enuie of the Emperour and nobles first sure foundation of the Turkes Empire Baiazet who slew his elder brother Soâ—… Victorie against the Christians Constaâ—… 〈◊〉 beâ—… 〈◊〉 Christians ouercome Miserie and ouerthrow of Baiazet Calapin Christians ouerthrowne Mahomet 6. Christians ouercome Turkes ouerthrovvne Bassa a 〈◊〉 Lord of 〈◊〉 Christians ourthrovvne Originall of the Ianissaires Mahomet 8. Constantinople conquered Io. Vaiuode Turkes defeated Christians ouercome Determination of the siegniorie of the christians in the East Fraunce the antient refuge of the pope Baiazet 9. Christians ouerthrovvne Beginning of the Sophy his empire Selim 10. Paracide Inhumaine murâ—… This battaile vvas the 24. of August 1514 The Soudan ouercome Soliman 1â—… Soliman his vâ—…tories The Hungâ—…ans slaine Selim 12. Mustafa Bassa cosen to the theâ—… vvhich honge on the left side of Christ. Aâ—…urath 13. murdred 5. of his brethren Camp fâ—…o de his tuâ—… Originall of Tamberlaine Tamberlaines first attempts Enuy 〈◊〉 of Tamberâ—…es kingdome Tamberlaine king of Persia. Tamberlaines conquest Tamberlaines militarie discipline Creatâ—…es of Tamberlaines army Battaile betvveene Baâ—…t and Tamber lâ—…ine Courage of Bâ—…iazet Baiazetâ—… ouer throvv anâ—… misery A notable example Tamberlaines order at assaults A great cruelty Enuy ende of Tamberlainâ—…s kingdome Baptis Ignatius Ios. Simler dâ—… râ—…epub Swiâ—… Henry king of Portugall a Cardinall A senere iudgement of king Henry The king of Spaine his owne iudge Dâ—… Anthonio â—…de king by the 3. estates K of Spaines greedy desire of rule K. Anthonio put to â—…light A good example for traitours Tim. 2. cap. 3. Vertue the cog nizance of a gentleman Policie of the Medices A necessarie counsell to be followed 〈◊〉 Iudas kisse Iuâ—…ian de Medicâ—…â—…ne Assemblie of the Segnewâ—… Fury of the multitude The archbishop hanged Barnard Baudin hanged The ground of the Florentine dukedome Enuy of the Gwyses firste cause of the troubles of Fraunce Deuision of Scotland â—…cre of Parts Murther of the king of Scots Tyrannie of the Spaniards in the â—…ovve countrie A staffe is soone found to strike a dog The prince of Orange diuelishly murthâ—…red Admonition to England and English men Pollicy of the Athenians to â—…dle enuy A pollicie of Demosthenes to get audieÌ„ce Varietie delightfull to the reader A law of Socrates Pitty vvithout charitie Ciuill vvarres of the Romans Honour giuen to peacemakers Octauian Chanius Preter Iohn A speciall honour The benefite of histories All the kinges named Henry of Englande vvere vvorthy kinges An. doâ—… 1400. Henry the 4. A 〈◊〉 for â—…es Enuy of Nâ—…o Rom. 13. Iosep. bel Iude. Reg 1. 26. 1485 Antiquitye a great beauty of vertue A necessarye â—…onsideration King Henry the 7. compared to Alexander Seuerus 1509 1513 1521 Acts Cap. 9. Acts and Monuments Esâ—… 4. cap. â—…2 1530 Vide Chro. of England Cant. Cantico cap. 4. 1546 A vvonderfull victory in Scotland Muskelborrough feeld 1553 A godly poâ—… 〈◊〉 Câ—…p 〈◊〉 1. Sam. Cap. 〈◊〉 The protestants neuer rebelled in England The Papists cruelty without measure Comfortable examples for the godly in time of persecution Her Maiesties thankes-giuing Her Maiestie visibly blessed with the eight beatitudes in the 5. of Matth. A prouidence of God in taking avvay of seditious paâ—…ls Lodo. 〈◊〉 Comment lib. 〈◊〉 Lod. Guic. 〈◊〉 Com. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lib. 3. The law Voconia in Rome â—…avv 〈◊〉 in Fraunce lib. sec de Aâ—… veâ—…d 10 2â—… The law Mental in Scotland Lib. 3. 1560. Articles of accord betweene Englande and Fraunce taken out of Guicherdines Coment Lib. 3. 1561 Psal. 〈◊〉 Vide in the booke of the execut of Iustice in Engl. The Northerne rebels vanquished 1571 1570 Exod. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 14. The plagues of Aegypt and destruction of Pharao Actes 23. 24. The Queenes death practised by Negromancy Doctor Stories confession Plut. de defeâ—… orat Looke the chapter of herâ—… fol. 61. Psalme 4. 18. Actes 13. Genes 41. Exod. 8. 9. Esay 47. Daniel 2. Doctor Stories confession at his execution Prestall and Phaier deliuered foorth of the kings bench without triall Phaer executed for coyning Prestall condemned for â—…reason but not executed They â—…ors presume of her â—…iesties merâ—… Murther punished Actes 28. Matth. 27. R. cap. 12. Reg. 2. Cap. 21. Genesis 4. Psalme 37. Madder and Barlow Somernile Psalme 64. Doctor Parry Parties letter to the Lord â—…sorer Martiâ—… Psalm 1. 7. 37. 52.