so precious a blessing The one of Baiazets sonnes named Calapin was deliuered who seeing the incapacities and contention of Tamberlaines sonnes and taking with al other aduantages that time offered proclaimed himselfe Lord of his fathers Empire and by strong hand kept Greece and Thracia The Emperour Sigismond both to keepe Calapin vnder and to be auenged of the ouerthrowe which his father gaue him offered him battalle in which Sigismond was ouerthrowne narrowly escaped by flight Calapin raigned 6. yéeres and dyed leauing behinde him two sonnes the eldest named Orcan and the other Mahomet Orcan was slaine by his Unckle who thought thereby to haue had his kingdome but Mahomet behaued himselfe so well as he slew the murtherer of his brother and recouered the Empire he made cruell warres vpon the Christians in Valachie and reconquered the lands and prouinces which Tamberlaine wonne from his grandfather in Turkie and Asia in which conquest he spent 14. yeeres and dyed in the yéere 1420. Amurat his sonne succeeded Mahomet whome fortune so fauoured as by maine force in despight of the Emperour of Constantinople who offered to resist him he broke vpon the Christians and wonne certaine Townes in Seruia he conquered the country of Epire at this day named Romaine he made many courses into Hungry and Albania he besieged Belgrade vppon Danuby but left it againe with great losse of men Ladislas king of Polonia and Hungarye encountred and ouerthrew one of his Captaines and slew a huge number of the Turkes Amurat vpon newes that the king of Carimaine made warres in Asia was neuerthelesse driuen to be at peace with Ladislas who while Amurat was occupied about resistaunce in Turkie by the perswasion of the Emperour brake the league who ioyntly with the ayde of Pope Eugenius the Venetians and Phillip Duke of Burbon promised so to stop the passage of the Sea betweene Europe and Asia as Amurat shoulde not land his men to succour his landes vpon which oportunity Ladislas might peaceably conquer the same who put in execution their counselles but Amurat made a short retourne and in despight of the christians passed the straight and offered battayle to Ladislas where the victory was so doubtfull as Amurat was vpon the point to flye but being stayed by one of his Bassas he obtained the victory and slew Vdislas vpon Saint Martins day An. 1440. after this victory he greatly damaged Hungary he entred vppon the Mores where sometimes stood the auntient Cities of Lacedimonia and Corinth he broke the wall vpon the entrie of Prouince containing sixe miles betweene the sea Ionigne and the sea Egea all which he conquered saue certaine marish places he was the first which erected the band of the Ianissaires which are reuerted Christians and now the greatest strength of Turkie he raigned 31. yéeres and dyed An. 1450. his sonne Mahomet succéeded him in the Empire this Mahomet excelled in all good quallities saue that he was too cruell In the beginning of his raigne desirous to doe some exploite aunswerable to the greatnesse of his hart he besieged Constantinople with all other places subiect to this Empire This done he besieged Belgrade from whence he was driuen with dishonor besides the losse of many men much artillery by that valiant Hungarian captaine Iohn Vainode after this he sent one of his Bassas to destroy the Mores who rebelled in fauor of the Venetians also to destroy the Isles of Negropont Mitelene Lemnus After he entred into the prouince of Bossina where he took beheaded the king hauing these victories against the christians he passed into Asia against Vsancusan the mighty king of Persia with whom he fought 2. battailes in the first he was ouerthrown in the 2. had the victory after this expedition he made war vpon the emperor of Tribisonde whō he vanquished slewe so determined the siegniorie of the Christians in those parties He sent a great army into Italy passed into Carintia Istria euen vnto the territories of the Venetians discōforted the christians slew of the nobility of Italy He sent a great army vnto the Isle of Rhodes where he was resisted he then sent a great army into the kingdome of Naples by one of his Bassas named Aconiat who tooke the city of Ottranta which was gouerned more then a yeere by the Turkes to the scandale domage of al Italy he so feared the states of Italy as Sixtus then being pope determined to retire into France the old refuge of the Romane church as one out of hope to defend Rome In fine in his iourney against the Soudan of Aegipt hauing in his army by land 300000. men by sea 200. gallies 300. armed ships he died by the way in the yéere 1480. by whose bloddy wars there were destroyed more then 300000. men vppon whose death the city of Ottranta was recōquered which was no smal comfort to al Italy Mahomet left behind him 2. sons the one named Baiazet the other zizim who contended for the empire by reason that their eldest brother was dead zizim was ayded by the Soudan certaine Bassaes the other Bassaes the Ianissares fauored Baiazet with al his son named Corcut was created Grand seigniour of Constantinople by whose renoūsing he attained the empire with spéed hasted into Turkie chased his brother into Italy where he died Baiazet being sole gouernor made hot wars vpon the Soudan against whome he was wroth for aiding of his brother but the Soudan obtaining victory cōstrained him vnto peace Baiazet made then hot wars vpon the christians he won the city of Duras in Albania Valona vpon the frontiers of Pouilla in the ende he so scourged the Hungarians as they were driuen to craue the aid of Lewes duke of Millaine Lewes king of France who but chiefly the Duke of Sessa a Spanish captain so delaied Baiazets fury as he accor ded to peace being old tyred with wars In histime in Persia began the empire of Sophy who is to this day a bridle to the Turke a hindrer of dammage to the christians which empire began by one Ismael the named him self a Prophet published an Alcoran contrary to Mahomets by which meanes he assēbled many people by whose aide he ouerthrew certaine Bassas of Baiazet made him selfe lord of Pertia other prouinces whose kingdom from time to time hath bene augmented But returning to our purpose Baiazet had 3. sons the eldest named Acomat the 2. Corcut who as is shown renoūced the empire the 3. Selim who although he was the yongest yet was he the most valiant This Selim seing the age decrepednes of his father sought how to make him self emperor the better to cōpas which he married the daughter of the great Tartarian His 2. brethren perceiuing his intent aymed likewise at the Empire Acomat because he was eldest Corcut because he first
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
towards the Pallace where all the Archbishop of Pisas people were taken and without respect of persons were in the place put to the sword touching the Archbishop himselfe he was hanged as a fearfull example to others Iames de Pazzi and the rest of the conspiratours rode vp and downe the Citie crying Libertie libertie but perceyuing that none multiplied the crye and that all in a maner in their countenaunces discouered an affection toward Seignior Lawrence de medicis sought to saue himselfe and his people except Barnard Baudin who lay sore sicke in his bed of a wound which he gaue himselfe The Citie in armes in the behalfe of Seignior Lawrence de medicis who as one very sory for the lamentable death of Segnior Iulian his brother made great pursuite after those of this conspiracie insomuch that an number which were but suspected of this trespasse passed the course of their fellowes The yong Cardinall nephew of the Pope was long detained prisoner in the end through his innocencie was deliuered Barnard Baudin was naked lead vnto the Pallace and in this Equipage was hanged by the Archbishop Anthony de Volterro and Steuen Preast which would haue slaine Segnior Lawrence were themselues slaine in the furie of the people which cryed in euery corner of the citie Medici medici slaying and sacking all their houses that were aduersaries to those of Medicis to be briefe it were too much to set downe in writing the cruelties and inhumane murders committed in this furie Iames de Pazzi was taken as he was flying and conuayed to Florence where he was hanged and after torne in pieces and vnchristianly buried all his goods and reuennues were ceased and confiscated vnto the Segniorie after the malefactours were thus punished the body of Segnior Iulian was with great pompe interred Behold the issue of this conspiracie of the Pazzies in lesse then three houres the Lord Iulian de Medici was slaine the Archbishop of Pisa was hanged with many of the conspiratours together with the sacke and ouerthrowe of their houses Pope Sixtus and Ferdinando King of Arigon so stomacked this act of Florence as they sent a great armie against the Florentines who with the ayde of their friendes maintained long and cruell warres to the small aduanntage both of the King and the Pope foule fall enuie the beginner of this fraye the conspiratours that thought by this outrage to haue acquired honour and promotion lost their liues set their countrey in an vproare and made their enemies more strong for the Lord Lawrence de medici was chosen to be sole gouernour of Florence and by the wisedome of his ofspring the saide gouernement is become the hereditorie dignitie of the Medici which before was Oligarchie where a fewe of the mightiest bare the swaye so that the posteritie of the Saluiati and Pazzi the auncient gentlemen of Florence haue not onely by the enuie of their auncestours lost their places of authoritie but are the subiects and abiects in fauour of the medici who by al possible meanes will keepe them vnder CHAP. 15. A briefe report of the calamities of Fraunce Flaunders and Scotland hatched by enuie and ambition vnder the quarrell of Religion relieued by the compassion of Queene Elizabeth and prosperitie of England THe diligent Readers and searchers of histories shall find in the Cronicles of all Gouernmentes since the comming of Christ and that the knowledge of the true God was published and receiued among the Gentiles that the enuious and ambitious or more properly rebellious people of all nations haue made for the most part religion the colour of their vnlawfull quarrels neither vntill this generall warre betwéene the Papistes and Protestants there was almoste in anye gouernment any ciuill insurrection but that some Monke Friar false Prophet or heretique was a ring leader and at this daye all Christendome is so deuided about the maintenance of the Pope and the defence of the Gospell that if hell gates were set open and all the Diuels had liberty to weare visible armour they should be intertained to fight vnder the standard of some religion vnder the protection and banner of the Pope al theiues murtherers traitours enuious ambitious and discontented persons arme them selues againste their Prince and peace of their countrey The lamentable estate of Fraunce Flaunders and Scotland our bordering neighbours in all which countries there hath béene no setled peace this twenty yéeres and odd coloure all their calamities with this quarrell of religion when the true causes procéeded from ambition enuy and priuate discontentment The true reportes of the troubles of Fraunce testifie that long before the Catholicke wars as the Papistes tearme it in Fraunce where of the Popes side the Duke of Gwyse their friendes haue béene the chiefest Captaines the sayde family of the Gwyses mortally hated the Constable of Fraunce and the Admirall Chatillion The causes were that the Constable and Admirall were high both in authoritie and fauour while Frauncis the firste and Henrye his sonne raigned in Fraunce who hauing care of the honor and prosperitie of Fraunce were as the Gwyses thought some lets of their ambitious clyming but especially for that the Admirall satisfied not the expectation of the Earle of Aumale about the furtheraunce of a marriage for the Marquis du Maine with the Dalphines Curtesan the Senescales Daughter Their enuie and malice brake foorth into open fury when Frauncis the second came to the crowne who béeing both very young and with also married to the Quéene of Scots their Niece they gouerned both the king and affayres of the realme as they listed who now by all meanes possible not onelye sought the disgrace of the Constable and the Admirall and their fauourers but also their liues and the trouble of all Fraunce The Cardinall of Lorraine complained of the disobedience and many misde meanours of those of the religion and made the Admirall and the chiefe Péeres of Fraunce to be touched with fauouring of them To be briefe the Cardinall and the Duke of Gwyse then being neuer ceased their practises vntill the Papistes and protestauntes were in armes and that ciuill warre had set all Fraunce in an vprore which from the beginning of her trouble hath neuer entertained assured peace vntill this day when there was no open hostilitye there was neuerthelesse dayly newes of inhumaine massacres murders and pollicies of barbarous cruelties executed by the Papistes and there professed Captaines The deuision of Scotland first grew from the sayd Gwyses who sent the Bishop of Amians and other confederates into Scotland who to compasse their purpose practised the deathes of the nobility of the religion but God that iudgeth the counselles of men frustrated their wicked purposes and hath hitherto giuen the vpper hand to those of the religion albeit since the first landing of the Frenchmen in Scotlande in Frauncis the secondes time the Papistes haue sundrie times attempted warre against the Lordes of the religion and by
reported that his notorious crimes exceeded the dayes of his age which I ouerpasse as examples necessary for other purposes and vnto this impious parte I will ioyne this following crueltie Upon a day one tolde this naughtie Emperour that his cosen Mamertius Antomenes resembled him in comelynesse of bodie and magnanimitie of minde vpon which report Commodus pronounced death both vpon the reporter and his innocent cousen holding it for reason that it appertained to no man to vaunt lesse to resemble him and in my opinion if Antomenes resembled him in deuilish qualities death was too easie a scourge for so lewde a life Mulla Abdula father of Moley Mahumet commonly called the blacke king in whose cause the mortall battaile betwéene the king of Portugall and Amoley Muluco king of Fees was fought the 5. of August 1578. as in the alteration of the latter common weales by enuy shal be more largely shewen vpon an enuious suggestion that his brethren by the priuity in nature and bloud loked to liue in greater liberty then subiectes by the assistaunce of a noble man of the countrey called Alcatho Alley caused the throates of a eleuen of his brethren to be cut in one morning Now to conclude these particular tyrannies of enuye vnto which millions of notorious examples may be enserted the monstrous murders of king Richard the third a tyrant of our nation is worthy note in whose wretched end yet worthy his wickednes the happines of Englande began againe to florish and enioyed her auncient renowne This tyraunt at such time as he was Duke of Glocester with an enuious eye behelde the soueranity of king Edwarde the 4. his brother and yet inforced by necessity obeyed him For annoynted kinges with weake policies are not depriued but vnable to hold his hand from their throates who for their dignities toke the vpper hand of him against the lawes of honor with his impious handes he stabbed Prince Edward to the hart beeing taken prisoner at the battaile of Tewksbury Next like an Alehouse ruffen with his dagger he slew the infortunate good king Henry the sixt in the tower of London Then heaping murder vppon murder he caused George Duke of Clarence his naturall Brother to be drowned in a Butte of Malmesey And last though not the least to rowle vp a number of noble subiectes endes with the death of king Edward the fift and Richard Duke of Yorke the kinges brother his nephewes whom he caused to be murthered in the Tower and buried without honor to infame the name of king Edward the fourth and his posterity he pronounced his mother like a filthy harpye to be a strumpet and that the sayd king Edward was a Bastard and him selfe onely legitimate as I think sonne of the diuel for it séemeth wonderful that so inhumane a creature should take life of humane séed CHAP. 3. Enuy originall of warre and capitall cause of the destruction of the first Monarchies MAny yéeres after the beginning euery king qui etly enioyed the countries in his own possession vntil Ninus king of the Asserians enuying the soueranity of his neighbour kings put him self in armes vnlawfully to inlarge his owne dominions by deposing other froÌ„ their kingdoms Thus byenuy froÌ„ the bottom of hell came war by war confusion of deuine humaine blessings the aduauncement of thousandes of diuelish iniquities For whereas lawes giue place to armes the honor of God is wounded his word is misprised Iesus Christ is blasphemed and persecuted his Gospell is reiected and his Sacraments are prophaned fire is put to the house of the lord Wolues are thruste into his stéepefolde and wilde Bores among his vines truth and equity is peruerted charity is cold innocents and the iust are oppressed youth bee ill instructed publicke orders are broken discipline and rules of good life are abolished ignoraunce is raysed knowledge is abased proud ambitious and men of leaste estimation doe gouerne the learned wise and vertuous are disofficed as ideots and men of no merite countries bee vnpeopled fayre Cities are burned peaceable citizens are murthered their wiues and daughters are rauished their groundes lye vntilled goods compassed by the trauels of a mans whole life in one hower doe become the spoyle of a riotous souldiour And to conclude though short of a number of other curses which follow warre vice mounted in her chariot of triumph arrogaÌ„tly treadeth pore vertue vnder foot therby they that shold cry out of this outrage against God and man are dumb and the reformers of these enormities deafe these vengeances by war the enuious eye and ambitious hart of Ninus bred in the worlde which died not with the destruction of Th'asserian monarchy Notwithstanding enuy the erecter was the destroyer therof For Arbactus leiftenant of the Meades enuiyng the soueranity of Sardanapalus a man more effeminate then a woman by the assistaunce of other lords gaue battaile vnto the king Sardanapalus discomforted â—…led into his pallas there enuiyng the fortune of Arbactus more to reaue him of the glory of his triumph then moued by sorrow of his own defeat Sardanapalus set fire of his Pallas his wealth him selfe so by the prodigall spoyle of his life recouered the reputation of a man for manhood is most truely tried by constancy in the trembling passage of death The like enuious part was committed by Ariathes king of Capidocia who being ouercome in battail by Perdicas one of Alexanders successors fled into the Citye enuiyng Perdicas good fortune more then he lamented his owne mischance caused the city to be set on fire incouraged his souldiers citizens to slay their wiues children holding it lesse euill to die by the violence of friends then to liue a seruile life vnder the controlment of their enemies And by this means in truth he reaued Perdicas of the spoyle of his victory but did both vnto him selfe and countrey an iniury against nature and reason against nature in committing wilful murder vpon him selfe posterity against reason in that time was able to repaire his ruines of fortune But to kéep an order in discoursing the actions of enuy by the victory which Arbactus had ouer Sardanapalus the empyre of Th'asserians was traÌ„slated into the Meades which corse most conquerors adopted Princes euer since haue taken to crown their natiue countrey with imperiall title to leaue the places conquered or by other meanes gayned to the tyrannye of leifetenants Well this monster enuy which mortifieth the naturall affection of a father robbeth dutifull obedience from the son made the one of these the cause the other the ouerthrow of this second empire For Astiages the last king of the Meades receauing answer of the Oracle that his daughters sonne should gouerne his empire as it were to despight the Gods that had fore destined this honor vnto his daughters sonne vpon an enuious thought first
displeasure of Maurice the Emperour of Constantinople for this vsurpation he sent an ambassadour to ex cuse his act giuing for reasoÌ„ the besteging of Rome by the Lombards ioyned with the let of passage by means of the outrage of floudes and waters which drowned diuers places about the time of his election the excuse was accepted howbeit the authoritie of the Emperour concerning the confirmation of the Popes in many following elections continued The Pope finding no wished successe in his saucie attemptes sought to bewitch as the Crocadile who by the teares of her eyes disperseth the venime of her hearte so he with hypocriticall shew of holines purchased such reuerence of mightie kings as in tract time Mahomet King of the Turkes and great grandfather of the great Soliman besieged the same with such a power as Constantinus was vnable to resist and so both himselfe and subiectes became feelers of Mahomets vengeance the stately Constantinople his Emperiall seate and as sundry authours witnes the contention betwéene the Popes of Rome and the patriarches of Constantinople for supremacie was the passage of the Turks attempt and the greatest hope he had of good successe and truely his aduauntage was great for after a cruel fight betweene mastie dogges if a Beare appeare although they will all ioyne to wearie him yet tâ—…eir former bickering will greatly weaken their forces euen so in ciuill contentions although both partes will ioyne to withstand a common enemie yet their strength will be much abated and their enemies courages more increased But whether this or lacke of magnanimitie in their Emperours were the cause all Christendome rueth the losse of so famous a Citie from whome all nations receiued a benefite and by this Conquest her riches is a scourge to all nations which in times past for the renowne of her beautie and riches was of Strabon called illustris of Plinie and Iustin named noble long was she the chiefe seate of the Empire in her were many generall Councilles celebrated and an infinite number of heresies discyphered destroyed and rooted out This Citie is seated in Europe in a most fertile place of Thracia vpon the particion of the sea betwéene Asia and Europe at the entrie of the sea Euxinus called the great sea and therefore Ouid tearmeth her the port of two seas her beautie fertilitie riches were such as Philip father of Alexander the great besieged her with a mightie power to be possessed of her but after long assaulte in vaine an inhabiter of the citie called Lyon came before the King and spake to him in this maner Shew me Philip what iniurie hast thou receiued of Bisance that thou besiegest her with such anger I am prouoked with no iniurie answered Philip but for that she seemeth to be more faire then any citie in Thracia I am inamored of her am therfore come to conquer her amorous kinges replyed Lyon which will be beloued if their louers indeuour to ouercome them with sweet musicke curtesie and not with sharpe warre and crueltie with this floute Philip was glad to rayse his siege without dammage to the Bysanceans but leaue we Constantinople and the Empire of Grecia in the possession of the Turke the capitoll enemie of Christ and Christians to declare the disposement of the Romaine Empire as great a persecutour of either In the yeere 1002. Othon being Emperor and the kinseman of Pope Gregorie the fift an Almaine borne the sayde Pope made a Lawe to priuiledge the Almaines with the election of the Emperor to which he got the consent of Othon which was that from thenceforth three of the cleargie foure of the laitie should be the electours of the Prince which they called Cesar and king of the Romaines to witte the Archbishop of Magonce of Treues and of Colloine the Marques of Brandebourg the Counte Pallatine de Rhene the Duke of Saxonie and the King of Bohemia and their successoures in these dignities and after their election with the confirmation and approuement by the Pope the Prince elected shoulde be called Emperour Augustus see héere a wonderfull chaunge the Emperours of Rome which for many hundred yéeres had the authoritie to approue and confirme the Popes of Rome are nowe become subiects to the approuement and confirmation of their subiects the Pope and his successours well with this chaunge agreeth the presagement of sainte Ierome who saith that the Romaine Empire which holdeth all nations in subiection shall be abased and then shall Antichrist arise the fountaine of all iniquitie That the Pope of Rome is Antechriste regard what is sayd of this monster in the 7. and 13. of the Apocal. Hee shall make warre with the saintes and shall ouercome them Item power is giuen him ouer all kinreds tongues and nations and all that dwell vpon the earth worshipped him that the Pope of Rome warreth with the saintes ouercommeth them becommeth drunke with their bloud his persecution of the true professours of the Gospell through out Europe is a memorable witnesse of which point the reader of the Registers of the reuerende deuine master Iohn Foxe entituled Actes and monuments of the Church may be liberally satisfied that he hath had power of al kindred tongue and nations the subiection of Emperours and Kings witnes the worshippe and the reuerence done vnto him may not be hid in that he will impudently arrogantly challenge vnto himselfe what onely belongeth to God for it is thus registred in the Cannons that he hath power to saue or to damne how that by waggons full loaden he can send soules to hell can condemne to purgatorie and at pleasure fetch men forth againe where the holy scriptures in sundry places assureth vs that onely God forgiueth sinnes That he is that struâ—…et attyred in purple scarlet c. mounted vpon the beast with seuen heads c. spoke of in the 17. and 18. of the Apocal. the Angell expoundeth that these seuen heades signifie seuen mountaines or hilles and what authour remembreth any famous City to be builded vpon seuen mountaines or hilles many say that Rome was so builded but none that witnesse of any other citie the names of which mountaines were thus registred more then a 1600 yeeres since the mount Palatin the mount Capilotin the mount Auentin the mount Esquilin the mount Viminal and the mount Quirinal in remembrance whereof there was in auncient time a feast day in Rome called Septimontinalia Virgil in his Georgickes speaking of Rome her beautie saith that within her walles she inuironeth 7. hils euery particular nation in Europe reuealeth her by this large witnes their Princes haue bene drunken with the bloud of many godly martirs haue insatiably drunken of the Popes poysoned cup of abomination To be briefe the most infirmed eyes may see that the Pope is that Antichrist the Apostle speaketh of that he shall sit in the Temple of God and be honoured as God the Pope not
only taketh that place but will thus be called Domine Deus noster Papa O Lord our God the Pope they may perceiue in him a fulfilling of the prophet Daniel that he should place himselfe aboue all things in the worlde that he should distribute lands kingdoms to such as should take him for a God worship him Leauing to write further of this monsters other damnable sinnes which being past number shall purchase him torments wtout end I will in his enuious tyrannies towards such Princes as were not the seruants of his will reueale this prophecie continue my purpose Morrall Esope reciteth a fable of a snake which being nie frozen to death was by a good husbandman pitied and brought vnto the fire but when the fire had giuen strēgth to this viper he forthwith stung the husbandmans children euen so this Apostata or reuolter from Christ did with all the venime he coulde afflict weaken the Emperiall dignitie whose rulers gaue him first earthly promotion and from time to time sustained him in all his troubles Behold how Pope Benedictus the third enuyed the soueraintie of Emperors anointed Kings who condemned for heretiques one Okan and Dant two persons blinded with al his idolatries superstitions saue that they maintained that Emperors helde their Empires of God and not of the Pope this Pope might more properly haue bene adopted Maledictus then Benedictus as one wiped out of the booke of life which it seemeth he little read and lesse regarded for if he had studied the sacred Bible the perfect mirror both of heauenly grace morrall gouernement it is like he might haue light vpon these passages of holy scripture By me kings raigne and Counsailours discerne iustice by me kinges rule and rulers iudge the earth hearken then you kinges c. for power is giuen you of the Lord. Dauid thus saith The Lord teacheth the kings hands to mannage armes and his fingers to war c. the Lord establisheth Kings hath power ouer kingdoms and disposeth them at his pleasure and to whome he please The great King Artaxerxes acknowledgeth that the most great good God gaue him his forefathers their kingdom And briefely to conclude the excellencie of imperiall and regall dignitie there is no superiour power but of God well though the least of these vnreproueable authorities suffice to condemne these tyrannous Popes to hel no wonder that they all stopped not his accursed mouth that pronounced the vniust sentence against these two innocent persons for he the Pope I meane who striueth to matche the Maiestie of God enuyeth the recordes of his power and feareth not what is writte of his vengeance much lesse can endure that Emperors Kings and such potentates should be Gods Lieutenantes on earth his pride bewrayeth the one and his enuie dayly discouereth the other The Chronicles of euery christian common wealth are testimonies that since Princes became the subiects of this proude Pope their kingdomes were neuer free from curses excommunications nor Kinges cleare from depriuement of kingdomes their subiects free from priuie seditions nor their countreyes vnoutraged with open rebellions if his worde gouerned not the sworde and his will stood not in steade of law so that it is a question whether his hypocrisie haue wrought more mischiefe in the West or the Turkes open tyrannies in the East Upon some enuious suggestions Gregory the ninth and Innocentius the fourth Pope of Rome did depose the Emperour Fredericke the second excommunicated and banished his faithfull and obedient subiects absolued the rest of their othe and furthermore graunted great indulgences and pardon to such as would rebelliously rise to confound him yea after he had with an hundred and twentie thousand markes redeemed himselfe from this excommunication he was notwithstanding that once againe banished and accursed The perfect histories of Fraunce witnesse that Pope Vrbane the fourth about the yeere of our Lord 1264. violently did depose Conradus of his kingdome of Scicilia being his right inheritance and gaue the same to Charles Earle of Angion and brother to Lodouicke the French king to frustrate which gift Pope Nicholas the thirde about the yeere 1268. caused Peter king of Arragon to come out of Italie to depriue the said Charles and to possesse him thereof hee wrought a practise that in one night all the French both men women and children within the Iland of Scicilia were murthered by the inhabitants thereof In remembrance of which crueltie to this day there is a worde called the Scicilian euensong Pope Boniface the eight enuiyng the maiesty of the Emperour Adelphus de nassan predecessor of the Prince of Orenge for challenging to be the Popes superiour stirred vp Albert the first Duke of Austriche of that name and race to take armes against the Emperour for the imperiall seate and assisted him with the secreat councell and strength of Gerrard Archbishop of Maience in which battaile the Emperour was slaine and Albert succéeded in the Empyre In so much as puffed vp with pride for the lucky successe of his vngodly practises this vngratious Pope in his Iubile caused two swoordes in triumph to be carried before him making the bearer of the one to cry O Christ see there the Vicar on earth And the other O Peter see there thy successour In so much as the French king called Philip le Bell hating his pride refused to acknowledge him for his superiour For which contempt he pronounced the recited Albert king both of Rome and Fraunce whervpon the said Phillip secreatly in the night vnder the conduct of Sarra Colomna sent out 400. horse men tooke the Pope at Anagnia and from thence ledde him prisoner to Rome To whom the king in this scoffing maner wrote Sciat fatuitas vestra c. and after his beastlye death which shortlye followed his arriuall at Rome he was long remembred with this reproch Intrauit vt vulpes regnauit vt leo morritur vt Canis Sée what large coates Pope Gregorye the 7. cut of other mens cloath because he could not make the Emperour Henry the fourth the vassaile of his will he firste excommunicated the sayde Emperour and cursed all his adherentes and after gaue Ralphe Duke of Swaben his kingdome with an imperiall crowne bended with this trim verse Petra dedit petro petrus diadema Radulpho A diadem the rocke gaue Peter and his race And Ralph receaued a royall crowne from Peters holy grace But although the Pope were prodigall in his gift yet his holines nor power could shield the vnfortunate Ralphe from the vengeaunce due vnto traitours who shortly after was pitifully slayne who hauing his handes first cut off lamentablye exclaimed before the bishops that through the Popes their prouocations he and his confederates were accursed for rebelling against his owne lord supreme head Not long after this succéeded pope Paschalis the seconde who excōmunicated the emperor a freshe
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
put the empire into his fathers hands now because of his inabilitie to gouern he alledged that of right he should returne it vnto him againe The old man was greatly perplexed with these matters especially with the disobedience of his sons this diuision of the brethren was the death of many of their adherents but Selim the yongest had euer the better hand who vnder the color to craue pardon of his father to defend him against his eldest brother Acomat so won the fauor of the Ianissaires the other men of war as by their help he tooke the empire from his Father banished him from Constantinople afterward poysoned him An. 1512. This traitour Paracide Selim caused him self to be crowned with great solemnitie which don he highly rewarded the Ianissaires men of war which strengthned him Soone after he went into Turkie againste his brethren where he slew the Children of his brethren which were fledde before his comming and with all so pursued his brother Corcut as falling into his handes he killed him Acornat the eldest by the helpe of the Sophy and the Soudan gathered a great power whome Selim ouerthrewe and tooke prisoner and afterward caused him to be strangled This wicked Paracide hauing thus slayne all those of his â—…loud was rid of the ielous feare of his Empire and disdayning the Soudan and the Sophy he confirmed the league with the Venetians and made peace with Ladislas king of Hungarie and so with a great power he went towarde the Sophy who nothing dismayed abid the battayle which was sharpe on both sides but in the ende the Sophy was vanquished hurt and driuen to flye greatly to the increase of the Turkes honor and reputation the yeare following the Turke make war vppon a great prince which gouerned vpon the mountaine Taurus whome he slewe and got possession of all his dominions this done Selim prepared his forces againste the Soudan and approching the coastes of Surie with his armye he caused a brute to be spead abroad that he would wage warre againste the Sophy But the Soudan suspecting his pollicie prepared a great power vnder the colour to suppresse the rebellion of a great Lorde in Surie In fine these two puissaunt Princes affronted each other neare vnto the City of Damas in Surrie and after many skyrmiges on either side their powers ioyned the 24. of August 1516. the same two yéeres after the ouerthrow of the Sophy This battaile was sustained a long time valiauntly of either partie in the ende the Turkes had the victorye and the Soudan was found dead hauing neuer a wound other then by treading of the horses beeing of the age of 76. yéeres after his victory he seased vpon all Surie the Palestine and Iudea those which escaped the former battail chose for their Soudan the gouernour of Alexandria named Tamonuey betwéene whom Selim was fought the cruellest battaile that euer was heard of notwithstanding ouercharged with the multitude of the Turkes Tamonuey was vanquished in th' end betraied into the hands of the Turk who caused him to be slayne after the death of Tamonuey the Turk soone tooke possession of the auncient puissant kingdom of Aegypt where as also in Surie he left a good order for the gouerment afterward in great triumph he returned vnto Constantinople where he died of an impostume An 1520. in the 8. yeare of his raigne 46 of his age this tirant was of so gret a courage as he was neuer known to be afraid of any thing Soliman his onelye sonne succéeded Selim who was crowned Emperour Soliman hauing subdued Gazellus that vsurped the segniorie of Tripoli and other domestick rebels the yeare following in proper person he made wars vppon the Christians and besieged Belgrade the port strength of Hungarie which with vaine successe had béen attempted by manye of his predecessours But Lewes then king beeing very young and gouerned by the Princes of his countrey by negligent defence suffred the City to be taken by the Turkes Soliman retyred from this exployte in proper person contrary to the mindes of his Bassas layde siege vnto Rhodes with an innumerable power of men and artillerie both by land and sea during this siege the notable feates of armes of either parties can not be sufficiently praised But at the 6. monethes end the Grand maister of Rhodes named Phillip de Villiers a French man was driuen to yéeld the City vnto Soliman who retourned to Constantinople proud of so great an enterprise Three yeeres after which was An. 1526. he entred Hungarie with a maruailous army with whom king Lewes ill aduised encountred with a small power betweene Buda Belgrade where the sayde Lewes was vanquished and founde drowned in a ditch after which the Turke tooke Buda and other bordering townes and as a conqueror retourned After this Soliman came with a huge army of sixe hundred thousand men into Hungarie and Astria with a desire and determination to conquer all Christendome to withstande whose enterprise Charles the 5. presented him selfe in proper person with lesse then halfe the number of the Turkes through feare of whome the Turke forsooke his purpose with the losse of many of his people as he did An. 1537. when both by lande and Sea he came into Italie and had taken certaine places in the kingdome of Naples Sultan Selim succéeded Soliman in the Empire During his raigne the Venetians loste the famous City Famagosta and a great part of the Isle of Cipres In which conquest of Famagosta there were slaine and taken prisoners a great number of Christian noble men and captaines amongst the rest the tiraunt Mustafa Bassa by the traine of fauourable vsage intrapped the noble Bragadino go uernour of Famagosta and contrary to his own faith the law of honor and humanitye he first caused his eares to be cut off and then to bee cruellye stretched foorth vppon the grounde to whome the tiraunt thus blasphemouslye spake where is now thy Christ that he helpeth thee not to which the patient Gentle man made no aunswere After this the noble Bragadino after manye vile and spitefull disgraces was in the market place tacked to the pillory and fleaed a liue whose skin béeing stuffed with straw was hanged vpon a bowsprite of a foyste and so carried along the port Townes of Siria Amurathe that now raigneth succéeded his father Selim by murther of fiue of his yonger brethren of him selfe he is afraid of the noise of armour and therefore committed the charge of his wars to his Bassas he is politicke and in the East wonderfully feared the Sophy occupieth him with harde warres and yet the king of Spaine from whom he hath won the kingdom of Tunis nor yet the Venetians whose seignorie he almoste possesseth dare not but be in league with him when he waiteth but oportunitie to spoyle not onely them but all Christendom I would to God his
wicked practises haue compassed the death of a great many with all which procéedinges the Cronicles will largely acquaint the Reader And certainely if outward actions of barbarous crueltie may condemne the blasphemie of the Pope his ministers in Fraunce Flaunders and Scotland haue already sent the same vnto hell haue elected him to be the Archtyrant of the earth For where was there a more sauage crueltie euer coÌ„mitted then the massacre of Paris where by the traine of amitie the celebration of a marriage betweene the King of Nauarre and the Kinges sister which in outward appearaunce promised much peace and honour to the long afflicted realme the peeres of bloud and nobilitie of the religion to honour that wished accorde repaired vnto the Court where the good Admirall was slaine and by that stratageme or rather deuice of the Deuill many a thousand innocent and fearelesse Protestants in Paris and other cities of Fraunce were cruelly murthered which monstrous massacre although many other trecherous murthers in Fraunce reproch the Papistes with the extreamest name of crueltie is remembred with the blame and exclamation of the cruellest Pagans in the worlde This traiterous and butcherly warfare waspractised with the murther of the King and many noble men of Scotland The pretence of the tyrannical gouernment of the Spaniards in the low Countries and contrary to the auncient lawesof priuiledges â—…he said Countries at their first entraunce their killing and destroying of the principall nobilitie and persons most worthie of gouernement was coloured with the maintenance of the Romish religion but what excuse by religion haue they for the destroying and dishonourable murthering of many Romaine Catholiques among whome the right noble County of Egmond was that wayes especially affected euen forsooth some such reason as the theefe had who said he robbed none but Papistes when he spared not any that had a crosse in his pursse which crosse he tooke to be the marke of a Papist so the Spaniardes tooke these noble men for Protestants because they were of honourable dsspositions maintainers of their countries liberties and louers of vertue which are not the ordinarie markes of Papists the riches of these countries by common estimation aunsweared the vallew of the king of Spaines Indias and from this root procéedeth all their ruines The proud Spaniardes enuied the greatnesse of these Lordes and the prosperity of the people and to féed their owne wastefull humours they hungred after absolute dominion and possession of their riches In all matters of obedience that appertayned vnto the king they serued his maiestie with all faithfulnesse so that the Spaniard could pickt no quarrell of disloyaltie They were driuen to square about the Pope though these people obeyed the king they charged them with Catholicke disobedience vpon this cause as they alleadge more then these twenty yéeres the insolent Spaniardes with swoorde famine and many other cruell maners of death haue afflicted and destroyed the naturall people of those countries and haue ransacked spoiled the most of their fayre and rich cities And yet these proud Spaniardes vpon a true account haue neither gayned honor nor profit by the ruines of these most rich countries While the godly Prince of Orange liued the Spaniardes had many foyles and few honorable victories the compassing of whose death with the worthy destruction of their own mur thering instruments testifie the tiranous spirites both of the Pope and the king of Spaine that neither obey the lawes of God honor nor humainitie by working by anye meanes the deathes of their enemies After the good Prince of Orange was traiterouslye slaine the order whereof is vniuersallye knowne and condemned the afflicted people of these countrys by their increasing calamities soone missed the benefite of his graue counsels But God be praised for the life and happines of her sacred maiesty euen good Quéene Elizabeth who with a mercifull eye and a Princely hand hath both beheld and giuen large sucker to their afflictions to the afflictions of these appressed people of the low countries to them I say with royall defence publicke succour and to the persecuted ChristiaÌ„s of all nations as their calamities required her sacred maiesty euen her onely zeale and vertue hath preserued Scotlande from forraine outrage and ciuill destruction the yonge kinge of Scots whom God blesse with deuine and heroicall vertues confesseth her maiesty to be his mother by whom next vnder God he liueth and raigneth she hath giuen him a kingdome in redéeming of it foorth of the tyranny of straungers and disobedience of awelesse subiects Her mediation hath much pacified the furies of Fraunce and her clemencye hath refreshed the woundes of Portugall her mercy is the Phisition of forraine afflictions and her holinesse the sure grounde of Englandes peace and prosperity England at this day and from the first hower of her maiesties blessed raigne the wonder of nations England I say of absolute gouernments onely in peace onely in prosperity onely free from féeling the vengeance of enuy many enemies be thou thankful for this deuine protectioÌ„ Englande or rather Englishe men be you counceled by the ouerthrowes of the fore recited monarchies kingdomes and common weales I haue presented you with these conquestes of enuy that you may be fore warned of your worst enemy euen this monster enuy which euer more contendeth against peace and prosperity you are plentifully blessed with both the blessinges and vniuersally besieged with enuy It is miraculous that you haue escaped the mischiefe of all her stratageames and dangerous war The Athenians were ignoraunt of no pollicy to withstaÌ„d their enemy yet could find no defence against enuye but to tame and kéepe vnder their prosperitye they yéerly banished their noble men not such as had offended the law but those which the common people woulde haue banished their wisedomes made the common weale to florishe but neither their wisedomes nor force could banishe enuy out of the hartes of the people they feared this passion more then Alexanders power and good cause why for her venime poysoned Alexander her pollicy murthered Caesar and quelled most of the worthies We néede not search forraine examples to teach vs the power of enuy she destroyed the house of Brut at whose gouernment we begin our Englishe cronicles for Ferrex his brother Porrex striuing for sole soueranitie sought each others confusion Porrex slew Ferrex and their mother murthered Porrex in his bedde in whose deathes the linage of Brute was ended Enuy was the cause of the chaunges of gouernment by the Saxons Danes Britans and lastely the enuy betwéene Harold and his brother after the death of king Edward the confessor was the meane that crowned William the conqueror with the Diadem of England The mischief which enuy sowed in king Richard the secondes dayes brought forth continuall murders ciuill warres and deadly quarrelles during the raignes of sixe kinges that succéeded him To be short this passion since
and withall approoued his message with such grauitie learned and sounde reasons as he not only obtained a truce from the Athenians but ouercome with the power of Euxins Oration they gratified the Lacedemonians with the gift of the confynes which they had but lately conquered and of long challenged as their owne right by Euxin as assuraÌ„ce of loue amitie returned this leter The Senate and people of Athens greeteth the Lacedemonians with a hartie desire of health and peace WE call the Gods to witnesse that through the passed battaile we haue sustained more greefe to see you so bloodely vanquished then we haue receiued pleasure to behold our selues conquerours vpon iudgement that in the end the effects of war are such that to the vanquished the dammadge is certaine and to the vanquisher the profite doubtfull we would haue beene right glad that you had ouercome vs with Euxins words before we had vanquished you with our swords What pleasure would it haue beene to either if the chance had vnfortunately falne vpoÌ„ vs both sitheÌ„ce the rule is infallible that all that which the Gods haue ordayned may not be forestood by mans wisedome iudgement or power euen this you shoulde haue lost much by this war and we should haue gained no good by your losse You demaund of vs a truce for three monthes to this end that during this space there may be treatise of an accord betweene vs we answere you that the Senate of Athens haue not accustomed to make a truce afterwards to begin war againe but haue an auncient law either freely to accept of cruell warre or freely to accord to a perpetual peace we indeuour in the time of peace to attire our Accademies with wise men to strengthen vs with their counsell in the time of war and by theÌ„ are now aduised to graunt no truce vpon suspitious conditions and it seemeth to vs that their counsell is good for a dissembling peace is much more dangerous then open war The Philosopher Euxin your Ambassador hath so eloqueÌ„ly spoken in this Senat as it should be an vnreasonable thing to deny him what he demaÌ„deth also a more honest graunt sealeth a peace required with words then demanded with the launce Now we say and giue you to vnderstand that our Senate accordeth vnto you Lacedemonians with a right good will a loyall peace deliuering you withal from the suspition of war And to this end we do it that the world may know that the Athenians are so strong harted against the ouerproud and so great louers of wise men as they know how to chasten the foolishe Captaines and suffer themselues to be coÌ„manded of the wise Philosophers You know that all our contention is sprong for the possession of the townes seated vpon the borders of the flood Milin By this letter we certify you and by the immortall Gods sweare vnto you that we renounce and render vnto you all the right that we haue or pretend to haue in the said confines with charge that on the contrary part you bestow on vs Euxin your Ambassador for the happyâ—… Athenians esteeme more of a philosopher in their Academy then of a whole prouince for their common wealth And you Lacedemonians repute it not an act of lightnes to haue exchanged the Empire and segniory of many for the liberty to command one only man for this Philosopher shall teach vs to liue well where the possession of that Countrey may giue occasion to die euill And sithence of such auncient enimies we declare our selues such perfect friends we will not only deliuer you of this war and send you peace but in aduantage we will giue you councel to coÌ„serue the same for the medicin which preserueth health is of far more excellency then that which chaseth away sicknes now regard the remedy Vvhereas you greatly desire that your yong men should be exercised in armes so be you diligeÌ„t that your infants be in time instructed in good letters for as the one with blooddy launces raiseâ—… war so the other with sweete words obtaine peace Thinke not Lacedemonians that we perswade you this without cause for in neglecting the councell of the wise and in suffering idlenesse to grow among the people the same engendreth seditions and ciuill warres and so death to the one and other Vve would not that you should repute vs louers of much talke for our auncient father Socrates ordayned that the fyrst lesson that the tutor reade to his disciple in the Academie should be that he should not in two yeares after dare to dispute for it is impossible that anie should be prudent in speach that is not patient to holde his toong Let it then please you that Euxin remaine with vs and imagine you that if we hope for profite in his presence you may be assured that of the counsels which he giueth vs you shall receyue no dammage for it is a verie auncient lawe in Athens that the Senate may make no enterprise of warre vnlesse the Philosophers first examine whether it be iust No more vnto you but that we praie the immortall Gods yours and ours that they will prouoke both you and vs and that it will please them for euer to preserue vs in this peace for that only is euerlasting which is confirmed by the will of the Gods MIRROVR Lib 2. CHAP. 1. Of the blessings of Peace the scourge of ciuill warre and renowne of peacemakers PEace of the morall vertues is the soueraigne Queene Peace the christiline mirror is wherin is science seen Peace is the fountain next Gods word from whence doth goodnesse flowe Peace is the holie ground wheron all earthly blessings growe Peace is the trompe 〈◊〉 toong of law peace setteth iustice vp Peace measures right to euerie man yet with a seuerall cup For peace doth chastice wicked men and cherisheth the good Peace executes the paines of law but suckes no guiltles blood Peace open sets the citie gates that plentie enter may Peace leades and guides the traueller in safetie all the day Peace brings the Marchants wandring ship into the wished port Peace safety seales vpon the dores where strangers do resort Peace hangeth armor by the wall that men may ply the plowe Peace doth sustaine the poore mans neede that liues by sweat of brow Peace bringeth victuall to the towne for such as haue money Peace where she raignes makes the land to flow with milke hony Peace lends releeues and freely giues and keepes ynough in store Peace heapes these riches on the good and many blessings more Peace sheelds the wise from souldiers force and virgins vndeflowrd Peace lets the flocke to feed at large and saues them vndeuowrd The Citie of the mightie God sackt through his peoples crime Of blessed peace was Salem cald vntill king Iebus time God would not haue his Temple built but in the time of peace Christ was not borne vntil that war throughout the world did cease Christ his Apostles thus doth
liuer and euerie man that hath authoritie is bounde both to correct the offence and to enquire after the offender If euerie man in his calling woulde thus truely doe the office of a good Common wealthes man Enuie and all euill woulde bee easilie withstoode men woulde soone looke into the dueties of their proper vocation for feare that others looked into the abuses thereof I haue with the authoritie of the wise and learned set downe what is needefull for euerie man to consider of his calling if they will striue against vertue and the credite of their vocations they are worthy of double punishment both for the fault and for wilfulnesse being warned of which I hope the godly reader will be admonished MIRROVR Lib. 3. CHAP. 1. Of the excellency of Royal dignities and dueties of a good King and of the short raignes and violent ends of Tyrantes THE dignitie Royall is so greate and holy as kings that are protectors and defenders of humane society imitate the prouidence of God whose office action is to gouerne al things and therfore rightly and properly are they called Uicars and Ministers of that most soueraine puissant and vniuersall gouerner And he himselfe calleth them gods figuring in that sacred name two hie charges the one that kings crowned with so glorious a name should imitate God whose lieuetenants they are in their religion Iustice and gouernement the other that subiectes knowing the honour that God giueth vnto kings should adore and worship them with all possible reuerence S. Paul saith he that resisteth the ordinance of the king resisteth the ordinance of God Looke what dignitie instruction is giuen vnto the king the Lord vouchsafeth to say that he bestoweth the same himselfe as in these passages of Scripture By me kings raigne Harken then you kings for power is giuen you of the Lord. Dauid thus singeth the Lord teacheth the kings hands to mannage Armes and his fingers to war And to the like effect are many other authorities Porrus king of the Indians being taken in battaile Alexander demaunded of him how he would be intertained Porrus answered as a king Alexander demaunded againe if he would say any thing else Porrus said no for all honor is contained in this word king This name king was held of so great reuerence among the people of many nations as the Indians and the Persians worshiped their kings as deuine Idols held the incounter happie if by chance they saw their king The Ethiopians so reuerenced their king as they adiudged him worthie of death that did but spit in their kings presence The Poets celebrated Iubiter more by the name of king than any other title It is wonderfull with what patience the Romanes and other Nations suffered the tyrannie of their vitious Emperors and barbarous kinges and if by Gods Iustice any of them were cut off the vnciuile multitude were the instruments thereof for the graue and wise senators were seldome guiltie of their destructions At this day the Turkes so reuerence their Emperors commaundements as they execute themselues if their Emperour pronounce the sentence Christian kings are nothing so seuere towards their subiectes but Christian subiectes are farre lesse obedient to their kings well euill will fal vpon his house that resisteth against the ordinance of the king for he that resisteth receiueth vnto himselfe damnation Yea albeit the king bée a tyrant so long as his commaundements are not to the dishonour of God He that resisteth because the king is a tyrant encreaseth his sinnes and doubleth Gods wrath who sendeth Tyrants to punish the sinnes of the wicked who saith I will do vengeance on my enimies by my enimies God saieth Iob maketh the hypocrite to raigne for the sinnes of the people In O see God speaketh thus I will giue thee a king in my furie And in Esay Assur is the Rodde and staffe of my furie By these and many other testimonyes it is apparant that God setteth kings in their kingdomes by they good or euill and will not haue them remoued at their subiectes pleasure A man that placeth an euill steward ouer his house in no case will allow that his seruaunts shall put him out of office for that such boldnesse would lessen the authoritie of their master who hath the prerogatiue to place and displace his officers much more presumption is it if subiects displace their prince who hath a greater power ouer them than a master ouer his seruaunts for the master in some cases shal answere the sute of his bond-man but the king in no case de Iure shall answere a trespasse done to his subiect for his prerogatiue is aboue the law although many good kings suffer themselues to be gouerned by their good Lawes God setteth them in their kingdomes and God alone will haue the authoritie to remoue them Saul vniustly persecuted Dauid yet Dauid hauing aduantage to slay him said to Abisai distroy him not for who can lay his hands of the Lords annoynted and bee guiltlesse And he further saide The Lord keepe me from laying my hands of the Lords annoynted In auncient times kings not onely gouerned the common wealth but also tooke charge of the Sacrifices and Ceremonies The Hebrewes annointed their kings with the selfe same Oyle that they did their hie Priestes which prooueth that kings are sacred and who so euer layeth violent hands vppon them cannot but bée guiltie of Irriligion Wée sée dignitie of Royall gouernement which dependeth vppon one soueraigne heade to be liuely figured in man himselfe in whom reason gouerneth as soueraigne Quéene The world it selfe where aboue our eyes we behold infinite bodies and motions which hindreth not one an others course belowe we sée a Sea that continually threateneth the earth and yet ouerfloweth it not The earth being verie waightie and massiue we may perceiue to be set or rather hanging in the aire and yet stirreth not all which would soone be out of order if it were not gouerned by the wisedome of one onely God Euen so a kingdome which as Plato defineth is composed of a mightie number of people and as the prouerbe goeth So manie men so many iudgements would soone haue come to naught through the couetous desire to raigne and disdaine to obey if there were not one soueraigne commaunder of these infinite affections which prooueth that Monarchia which is the gouernement of one is far more sacred excellent and perfite then Aristocratia Democratia Oligarchia Laocratia or any other compound gouernement for it is a harder matter to finde out many than one that is good The contrarietie of affections where there are many heads can hardly but bring forth enuie deuision and to conclude continuall dissention Considering then the worthines of Monarchia and the maiestie of a king obedience is not onely required of a subiect but the daunger that followeth counselleth and forbiddeth so much as to murmure against princes There is an auncient
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