❧ A declaration made by the Archbishop of colen, upon the deed of his marriage, sent to the States of his archbishopric.  
With the letter of Pope Gregory the .13▪ against the celebration of the same marriage, and the Bishops answer thereunto.  
According to the copy Imprinted at colen. 1583.  
LONDON Printed by john Wolf. 1583.    

¶ To the right reverend Father in God john, Bishop of London, Thomas Delone, wisheth increase of grace, and continual happiness, both of body and soul.  
IT is not unknown to the learned, nor of the wise forgotten, (right reverend Father) in what miserable servitude, intolerable torments, heaviness of heart, and grief of conscience, the godly hath from time to time continued under the tyranny of superstitious Popes and Prelates of Rome, whose intolerable pride is of the Lord detested, and of all christian people abhorred, through whose hypocrisy the world hath been so long deceived & many thousand souls drawn from the truth, to the abominable service of idolatry, forsaking the laws and commandments of God, to follow the vanities & traditions of men. Nevertheless, they are not ashamed most impudently to challenge to themselves the name and title of Catholics and the servants of Christ, & yet treadeth his word under feet, despising his holy ordinances and institutions, and as it were in despite of his glory, follow the works of their own imaginations. But after the world had of long time been blinded, by the notable dissimulation of this deceiving church▪ the Lord of his mercy and love, sending the light of his holy word, for the relief of his afflicted flock plainly discovered their hypocrisy, and their filthiness to all flesh. Whereby it is come to pass that many worthy personages, lately living in darkness and ignorance, is now turned to the truth, with most earnest repentance of their former life. And among the rest, through the great mercy and grace of God, this worthy Prince, & bishop of colen, Ghebbard, whose heart being opened, and his eyes cleared, hath most effectually shown the fruits of his unfeigned repentance, and having made declaration thereof throughout his dominions and jurisdictions, hath abolished the abominable mass, and in steed thereof planted the everlasting & glorious Gospel of Christ, to the great comfort of many grieved and wounded consciences. Which when the Pope perceived, & knew with great flattery and adulation, he sought to withdraw him from this most godly & christian enterprise, charging him with the oath he made to the church Apostolic, & with his duty towards God, which he both by scripture, but specially by their own laws, counsel, & decrees, doth manifestly defend, & by the fame approve, that he hath done nothing against his oath or duty in any respect: and the rather doth he reprove them by their own authority, for as much as the same is the greatest confutation that may be against them. And because the same was done by a worthy person of noble race and parentage, and a bishop by office & calling, I thought none more meet for the patron of such a specialty, them your Lordship, unto whom I own all duty & reverence, who for the good will borne to your Lordship, hath dedicated unto you this simple translation, faithfully & justly done according to the copy. Trusting you will accept the same according to the worthiness thereof, and be a defence against all that shall seem to mislike of the matter: and in so doing, you shall bind me for ever at your command▪ unto whom I wish continual prosperity in this present life, & in the world to come joys everlasting.  
Your Lordship's most humble at command, Thomas Deloney.   

¶ A Christian declaration touching the Religion which the right reverend Prince, the Lord Ghebbard, chosen, and confirmed Archbishop of colen, Elector of the Empire, and Chancellor for the Province of Italy, Duke of Westphalie and Enghern, and proclaimed throughout his dominions, the 17. day of januarie. 1583.  
WE Ghebbard, by the grace of God elected, and confirmed Archbishop of colen, Chancellor for the province of Italy, Elector of the Empire, Duke of Westphalie, Enghern, etc. to the Estates, Earls, Gentlemen, Citizens, & subjects, of our Archbishoprike in general, and to every one particular, and to all other under our obedience. Know you by this present, all above named, and every of you, as we never had nothing more in mind, since it pleased God to call us to the estate & office of this our Archbishop, by a lawful election (which yet we also have) then the safeguard and defence of this Archbishop sea and electorshippe, committed unto us by God, and likewise of Germany, one part of us, principally in that which concerneth the glory of God: and having had most humble supplications & requests, made unto us by some of the Estates and Nobles of our dominions, joined with earnest suit of the most noblest Estates of this great and mighty Empire, to have the Gospel publicly preached, and the Sacraments administered in all places of our dominions: as it is ordained and appointed by the word of God. Following the articles, and confession of Auspourg, and the christian exposition thereof, according to the will of God, which is that jesus Christ his son, should of us be harkened unto, and his commandments observed and kept: that all Princes and Magistrates of this world; might open their gates to the king of glory, that thereby we may learn to know our duty in the charge to us committed, knowing there is no excuse for us, at the last day, when Christ shall come in judgement: what time we must render account of the charge and office wherein he hath placed us. For if by us the way of salvation should be stopped toward our subjects, being nothing ignorant thereof, God which is a just and severe judge, unto whose will and commandment we are all bound to obey (& that without dissimulation) would not see it unrevenged.  
We for these causes, understanding the humble petitions of our said States and subjects, are determined no longer to defer the grant of their just and rightful request, having had the advise of our Lords and counsel, and after great deliberation we have permitted, to our aforesaid subjects, under the dominion of our Archbishop sea, of what state or condition soever, not only the liberty of their conscience (always agreeing to the word of GOD) but also assurance by this our present ordinance, and by virtue thereof, that they shall not be grieved, molested, or troubled in their persons, dignities, honours, or goods, by any governors, justices, or other inferior magistrates, whatsoever. For the profession of their faith, conscience, & rule of Religion, being according to God's word & the confession of Auspurg. Granting freely to all prelates, Earls, Lords, Cities, & towns, which all other our commons & subjects under our Archbishop sea, & Electorship, full liberty to use public preaching in all parts of our dominion, & to exercise the administration of the holy Sacraments, as it is ordained by the writings of the Apostles & Prophets, following the Christian exposition of Auspurg, & notwithstanding all impeachments of our Lieutenants and Magistrates, or other persons whatsoever: assuring for the same (as it is the duty and office of a christian Prince) of all and every under our dominion and jurisdiction, to defend and maintain them through the help and grace of GOD, being certainly persuaded, that his almighty power hath been the only direction of this our christian enterprise, and that he will defend his glory and holy word, against all the gates of hell.  
Moreover we protest before the majesty of almighty God, which is the searcher of the hearts and rains, that we have not taken in hand this godly and christian enterprise, moved by ambition or desire of honour, or any other thing to our particular profit and commodity: but for the glory of Christ jesus our only saviour and redeemer, and the advancement of his holy word, and for the eternal felicity and salvation of our subjects, which he hath given us in charge. Neither have we done it to raise discord and dissension in the common wealth, but rather to set and establish one christian order, in the Churches and Schools of this country, as it is thought convenient, by the counsel and advise of the principal of our Estates: minding to take deliberation and advise upon the reformation of the Churches and Schools of our said Archbishop sea, & Electorship, at the first assembling of our States & Lords, as soon as opportunity shall serve. Admonishing the while all those under the óbedience of our foresaid Elector, which shall be moved to embrace and follow the religion established at Auspourg, and the expositions of the same, agreeing to the word of God, behaving themselves in all modesty, as it becometh all such as are led by true christian zeal. Forbidding them expressly, that they shall do no wrong nor injury to any in deed, or in words, to the end that every one of them may live quietly and peaceably one with an other.  
And for the particular safeguard of our person, if it come to pass by the will of God, that we should join ourselves in marriage, to the end that none might take occasion to blame us, as doing the same against our duty, seeking thereby some particular profit or commodity, or that our intent were, to leave to our heirs some advantage, to the prejudice of our said Archbishop sea, or Electorship, and to gratify the same against all reason or henestie. We protest by this our public writing, and before the eternal & everliving God, that the same was never our purpose or intent: that is to say, to draw unto our heirs, our said Archbishop sea, or to bring them to any right of the same succession, or for any other particular profit to their commodity.  
And for this cause we will have it openly declared, by the publication, of this our present ordinance, that whosoever shall hereafter come, the election ought to remain at liberty, unto the consent of the rest of our most noble Electors (as heretofore it hath been) and after our decease, to be resigned without force. And for this cause, all and every of our subjects and other persons under the obedience of our Archbishop and Electorship, shall understand, that they are not held, or bound to owe any obedience, or in any respect to reverence, any man whatsoever (as their true and rightful Lord) till such tune, as by the consent and council of our Electors, the Prince which shall succeed, be lawfully and righfullie chosen. And that they shall not acknowledge, or take for their Prince, any that shall enterprise to take it in hand, without the ordinary and lawful election of our aforesaid Electors, and the express declaration of him which shall succeed, by their authority: as it hath been observed by long and ancient custom (notwithstanding any disposition heretofore made by us, or any other preposed) against this our present ordinance: but without regard thereof, we utterly at this present, and for the time to come, declare them of no effect. Abrogated and abolished them in the straightest manner and form that may be, being ready at all times to confer, and take more deliberation upon the same, with our aforesaid Electors and States of our province, making them such confirmation and assurance of this our present promise, in such manner that no danger, nor fear, or other damageable enterprise may come or happen, for any such matter by us, or by our heirs. Therefore, we charge and command, all and every of our Lords, governors, magistrates, judges, Treasurers, Receivers, consuls, Citizens, commons, and all in general, diligently, and straightly, to observe this our present command, that every one may be maintained according thereunto. And that they may neither hurt, or do injury to any, nor they of any, be injuried or molested, for whosoever shall herein be found faulty, shall incur our indignation and displeasure, and shall not escape most grievous punishment: for this is the truth of our last charge and commandment. In witness whereof, we have published, and imprinted, and sealed with our seal, this our present declaration, causing it to be carried into all parts and places of our dominions, unto such, as shall make it known to all. Given at our City of Bonne, the .16. day of januarie, in the year of our Lord. 1583.   

¶ Pope Gregory the 13. to our right reverend and beloved brother, Ghebbard Archbishop of colen, Prince, and Elector of the Empire.  
RIght reverend & beloved brother, the great & worthy parsonage, proceeding from the Noble house of Truchces, your ancient & honourable progenitors, as well in ancient time, as of fresher memory, hath left us sufficient witness of the worthiness thereof, and nobility of their blood: whose affection and constancy, hath always been manifestly declared towards the catholic faith, but principally, by Cardinal Augustus, which held the first seat hereof, under whose discipline you have been most religiously and holily brought up, as it was convenient for the holy Church of Rome, in such manner as there was no small hope conceived of you, trusting that you will show yourself a person worthy so noble a race, by the like instruction: from whence hath grown the fatherly good will, which hitherto we have borne unto you: which we have not only since that time entertained, but also in like manner augmented, by the means of the good report of honourable personages: which promised unto us all things with you most excellent & just. After it came to pass, that you were elected by the charter of colen▪ to the dignity & Archbishop sea of this church, and although that election was disturbed by sundry & manifold difficulties, in such sort that it was not only strongly withstood, but in a manner vanquished & made vain. Nevertheless, we used such benignity towards you, that all impeachmentes rejected, we approved and allowed the judgement and election, made by the same charter for you. Increasing the force and virtue of our Apostolic confirmation: by reason whereof we are persuaded, that there is none which ought to bear greater reverence to the holy seat of Rome, nor that aught to be a greater observer of the ecclesiastical discipline, than you, hoping that we should have had great help, through your constancy & fidelity. But it doth greatly displease us, and marvelously grieve us, that our hope therein is not only weakened and made less, but also utterly lost. And further, we understand from day to day, by the letters of many, and the report of diverse, such things of you, so unworthy the dignity & degree wherein you are, that without great shame, we are not able to express it. And although verily we have oftentimes refused to believe such unworthy reports, yet the daily clamour hath constrained us greatly to doubt thereof, being afraid of your fall, which now we will no longer dissemble, wherefore we do admonish you, that you would have a regard and a foresight to your honour and salvation (while it is time) and if possible you have gone any further, than reason required, speedily withdraw yourself, that those things which heretofore hath been declared of you, may be proved false (which is our only desire) & that you will openly manifest your mind & full intent, inwardly conceived in your heart: to the end, that your good name, princely parentage, & the ecclesiastical order, be not by your means for ever stained, with ignominius reproach, by the adversaries of our honour.  
Again, consider your duty towards God, which hath raised you to the dignity and degree of the sea Apostolic, which you should cherish with singular affection and favour, and for the same it is that you ought to spend your blood in all christian profession: For by how much the more you are of high calling, and honourable estate, by so much the more is your fault greater, than any others, when you fall from any part of your duty. And by so much the more, will your fault be greater, as you were of honour and dignity, in the church of God, and in great authority with the Princes of the Empire. Consider then what troubles and dangers proceedeth from such new removing of things, and how heedful the prudent and godly man ought to be, from hazarding so lightly his honour, state, dignity, and his soul, whereof there hath been so many strange and wonderful examples in our time, which may make us to be better advised in our dealings, but if we have possible suffered somewhat to much in former time, attribute the same to our affection towards you, and to the desire we have had of your honour and dignity. Neither do we any thing doubt, but that this our fatherly kindness, shall be received of you with that effect which it ought to be, for many good reasons and just causes: and that you will not forget to show due reverence towards this holy seat, that we may acknowledge you, for our dear and beloved son, as heretofore we have done, which will be an occasion to us greatly to rejoice: and because we have not thought it sufficient to send our letters only, we have sent our reverend Brother, the Archbishop of Treues, to take his journey towards you, to confer more at large, of these our affairs, who shall more clearly discover unto you our will, counsel, and intent, to whom we are assured that you will give both faith and credit.  
Given at Rome, at saint peter's in the year of our Lord 1582. the 17. day of December, and in the 11. year of our pontificality. Io. Baptista Canobius.   

To Pope Gregory the .13. Ghebbard Archbishop of colon, Prince, and Elector of the Empire, sendeth greeting.  
I Have understood by your letter, your fatherly affection, and worthiness of such a Prelate, but in this principally, that you will not lightly give place, to untrue tales, neither faith to the evil reports spread abroad of my actions and deeds. For if it were sufficient to accuse, who should be in these corrupted days excused, wherein the most godliest men, are assailed with envy ● and what is he that can defend himself against the conspiracies of evil willers, I acknowledge you as a good father, exhorting me to persevere in the faith, integrete good discipline, and obedience unto the Chatholique, Apostolic, and true believing Church. Giving me advertisement of the great and manifold dangers, falling on those, which are desirous of novelties, which following their disordinate lusts and affections, are drawn from the company of the Apostolic church. Wherefore my duty is to accept of your charitable & holy admonitions, knowing that which is said by Solomon, that he which refuseth discipline, hath no regard of his own soul: but he that hearkeneth to correction, shall obtain knowledge. I must needs confess, that I have been over slack and negligent in things appertaining to the salvation of my soul, the rest of my conscience, and the duty I own to the glory of God, and the dignity of the Church.  
But your letters hath served me as a spur, pricking me forward, & greatly provoking me, that all dissimulation laid aside, & all superstition by me rejected, I am minded openly to declare (even as you have admonished me) that which I have conceived in my heart, & considering the faith I own unto GOD, that hath called me to this his degree, that which I own to the church Apostolic to my country, & the public wealth thereof, and also to myself, knowing the saying of that great and holy man Augustine to be true, and worthy to be had in memory, that there is none that doth more harm to the flock of Christ then such as counterfeiteth the lamb in the room and office of the ministery, the same is cited 83. distinction, the second cannon. For as much than I am come to the age, wherein I am able without the advice of others to govern myself, and by the only will of our Lord jesus Christ, which hath vouchsafed to call me to the great charge of an Archbishop: and as it is a thing proper to the nature of a christian man, to inquire and follow after the truth, I am settled in the furtherance of this good work, without musing at all, on any custom or humane authority: finding by the holy scriptures, and among the ecclesiastical histories, that this which we have commanded to be done, becometh him which is the child of God: and which is also required in the office himself hath already established, that is to say, jesus Christ, which is the only way, the truth, and the life, in whose name, as also with the Father and the holy Ghost we are baptized: to whom appertaineth the catholic church, having redeemed the same by his precious blood. Upon this foundation is the church sustained, being also beautified and enriched with most excellent titles, which he hath given by S. Paul in the first to Timothy, the third chapter: calling her the house of the living God, the fortitude & strength of the truth. Then the Roman church which was in the time of S. Paul, and certain years after, was of great renown and estimation, for the faith they had in jesus Christ, and at that time taught through the whole world: the which faith was her only ornament, insomuch that the Priests & Elders of the same Roman Church, plainly confessed, writing to S. Cyprian in his 7. epistle of his 2. book, in these words, That letting the honour & praise decay, which S. Paul gave to the Romans, was a great & grievous crime, and that it had been less shame, never to have had those praises spoke of, or preached abroad, then after the publishing thereof, to lose the honour of such high commendations. Therefore as often as it comes in question, to speak of the pure, true, Apostolic, and universal church: reason requireth, and all wise men giveth counsel, that we ought to discern between that, which is grounded upon the head corner stone, Christ, upon the holy Gospel (the honour and name whereof shall endure everlastingly:) and that which is the bastard church, going against the truth▪ worshippeth God in vain, following after the commandments & traditions of men. And therefore the golden rule of Tertullian, hath ever pleased all good and virtuous men, saying, that the first hath been always the truth, & that which came afterward corrupted, and that is it which hindeth me to the oath which I have made, which oath doth command, that I must acknowledge the said Apostolic church, which holds the ancient belief of the Roman church, agreeing to the belief of Nice, and of Constantinople, which doth acknowledge and believe one baptism for remission of sins, by the blood of our Lord jesus Christ: which is our only purgatory that cleanseth us of all our sins, which receiveth no other traditions than this only, that are appointed by the Apostles, leaving & delivering faithfully, that which they received from our Lord jesus Christ. After whose example I am bound by my oath, to take the holy scriptures, interpreting and understanding the same, not after the sense or interpretation of any Bishop or Council, whatsoever, but after the understanding and exposition of the true, Apostolic, and holy mother Church, that (I say) which hath followed the steps of the holy Apostles. Whereunto the ancient Fathers hath from time to time consented, so that without any blemish to the oath which I have made, I am addressed after this rule, & bound to this foundation, neither will I receive or believe any thing, which is not brought from the same, wheresoever it was written, whether at Rome, or at Trent, being reasonable to prefer these ancient things with new, the truth with falsehood, & the traditions of the Apostles, with the commandments of men. For our laws as it doth evidently appear in the 15. distinction of the third canon: doth not allow these ancient and most renowned Councils the like authority, as they do to the holy Scriptures & Apostles, which saith thus: The holy church of Rome, after the writings of the old and new Testament, which we receive for certain rules, doth not forbid but that we may receive the Council of Nice, of Constantinople, Ephesus, and of Chalcedonae. Thus have I hitherto showed, what was the band and foundation of that oath which I lent, upon the which I protest, that (by the grace of God) I will not start nor turn, from the true faith in jesus Christ, nor separate myself from the holy and Apostolic church, to the which I do owe all reverence, as I will do all my life: in remembrance of that which I did vow in baptism to God, and promised to the Church. For the rest, it is out of doubt between all good and learned men, that whatsoever we have promised or sworn, if it be wrong & contrary to our first faith, received in baptism, that it bindeth us not at all, this (I say) is to be seen by the rule of the right cannon Law, that is to say, that an oath taken against good and godly works, bindeth not: and following the right cannon, the oaths that are made against good deeds, draws us unto sin. Whereupon the Master of Sentences hath wisely said, in the 39 Distinction after Saint Jerome, that an oath hath three proper companiens, verity, judgement, and justice, and if any of these lack, it is not a true oath, but a false oath: But Gratiam giveth these advertisements upon the deed of an oath, Evil promises (saith he) breaks faith, change therefore the the ordinance of evil and dishonest things, and do not that, which thou hast unwisely promised, for that promise is against God, which is accomplished with wickedness.  
In the seventh cannon of our law, we have a rule given, which we ought straitly to observe, not only for the regard of oaths, but in all the actions of our life (that is to say) that if by the subtlety of our crafty enemy, we are falling into any fault, we must seek to escape it, by that means which we see is least hurtful and dangerous: thus you see, that the old and ancient Fathers hath generally concluded, that all undiscrete and unlawful oaths, ought not to be observed and kept: and that it is more tolerable for to break an oath, then to persevere in the sin of fornication. The same is also learned by the authority of S. Augustine that if faith be not observed, to the intent to return to the right way, it cannot be called the violating of faith, for as much that the same is not true faith, which is requisite to commit sin. It is easy to show by many learned men, and also by the holy scriptures, and by the ancient Doctors, that partly the slackness and slothfulness: and partly by the covetousness and malice of many Popes, sundry things hath crept in the Roman church, as Platinus (though otherwise greatly affectionated to the Roman seat) certifieth that those things do not agree to the Apostolic & catholic church, but they are notably injurious against jesus Christ, which is established for to be the redeemer of peace, by the faith in his blood, & also most idolatrous, which whosoever should follow of a truth, should sin grievously against God: and yet as Arnobius sayeth in his seventh book against the Gentiles, that▪ we ought to forgive liberally and freely, though it were against the Church, and against our own conscience. For these things then, I am not drawn through any cause by you, (as many other great & worthy personages hath taken occasion, to withdraw themselves) not from the catholic church, but from the corruption & abuses, which turneth upside down the foundation thereof. I will not for this time enter into long disputation, but I would rather come to the crime, wherein I fell myself by you most accused. I see, I see, or at the least, I feel a certain smell, that cannot be less than a sinful thing, the pain whereof, craveth the loss of my life, or of my charge and dignity: for the which I am accused among you, which maketh me most odious, & maketh the world to think, that I reject all discipline, all duty, and all honour, but the shame thereof (falsely accusing me) maketh yourselves almost to blush. Which is, because I am purposed to marry, which S. Paul nevertheless affirmeth, to be honourable among all men: and which is also set in the Roman church, among the number of the Sacraments. But whensoever I am minded to accomplish this thing, what shall I do, or enterprise against the examples of the holy Apostles, and their rules and decrees? What do I against the advise of Clement, Alexandrian? or against our own Laws, in the .28. Distinction, the .11. and 12. Chapters, where mention is made of the wives of Priests, and Deacons, being abundantly contained in the .17. cannon, as it was decreed by the Council of Gangar, that, If any reject a married Priest, being of opinion that he ought not to offer, because he is married, and for that cause will not come to his service, let him be accursed.  
Moreover, those words spoken with great gravity by Paphuntius, in the Council of Nice, are commended in the second part of their decree, which did not fear to call marriage the second degree of chastity. Wherefore is it then that the authority of Siricius or Pelagious, should be of greater weight among us, then that of the Apostles? Of general Counsels? Of ancient Fathers before mentioned? Or of GOD himself? Which plainly pronounced, that it was not good for man to be alone. What folly, or what madness I pray you is it then, to endure rather adulterers, fornicators, and Sodomitical livers, in the ministery and church of Christ, than those which hath true & lawful wives, following the commandments of God? From what spring, or from whose mouth came the same doctrine, which forbiddeth and condemneth marriage? It appeareth by the eleventh chapter of Daniel, vers. 36. 37. and the first of Timothy, the fourth chapped. ver. 1. 2. 3. Aeneus Silueus, in his description of Germany, witnesseth that the holy bishop Vldricus, strongly withstood the laws of Celebat, against the Popes of his time, writing an Epistle unto Pope Nicholas, wherein he greatly complained that the chiefest Prelates, and Priests (namely of Italy,) were so much given to lust and lechery, that they would not abstain from deflowering, maid, wife, or any other, nor spare their own kindred, but commit sin against nature, with the masquelin sort, & also with very brute beasts: and there he declareth an history worthy the noting, that Pope Gregory the first, being he, that did first forbid ecclesiastical persons to marry, sending afterward, certain fishers to fish in a mote, hard adjoining to a Nunnery, they found more than six thousand children's heads that had been thrown therein, which when Gregory saw, and perceived the wicked fruit of his Celebat, sorrowing to hear the same, he broke that decree, alleging the sentence of S. Paul, that, It is better to marry then to burn: Adding also, that it is far better to suffer marriage, then to be the cause of murder. The Abbot Vspergus also in his Chronicle, maketh mention of an epistle in the most renowned council of the ecclesiastical states at Bresse Nore, made against Heldebrand, wherein among other things, was a complaint made, that he divorced spiritual persons from their wives, & under this detestable Pope, the Churches were in great danger, & also he declared that they were not bound in any promise to the Pope, for it is a greater thing to make a vow to obey God, and the catholic church, then to submit ourselves to the will and pleasure of any Pope, whatsoever. For these reasons, I that knoweth my duty toward jesus Christ, and his Church, I am determined to take the lawful way and remedy, permitted to all manner of men (without exception) against evil and disordinate lusts, as it becometh a true bishop, and a man of noble race to do: to the end, that I may keep my soul chaste, and arm the same against all allurements of the flesh. Therefore am I determined to enter into marriage, not being moved by any light or disobedient mind: but after long trial made of myself, I have known that it is not good for me to live unmarried. Which gift is not permitted to all, nor for ever, (that is to say, to make so long a trial of themselves:) I am resolved, following the laws of the church above mentioned, to leave that undiscrete vow of the Celebat, which is not in my power to perform, esteeming that this is lawful for me, for the avoiding of a greater evil, and for the better observing & accomplishing the vow of chastity, which I made unto jesus Christ: and in so doing I have framed myself according to the commandment of God, submitting to his providence, and staying to his protection, not caring what evil men may judge, nor for the threatenings, dangers, or any other thing whatsoever, having in memory that which Theodorus hath written in his fourth book, the tenth chapter, of the ancient Christians. Which did know no greater grief than the renouncing of piety: and although the tyrants went about raging and running upon them, as storms, or tempests, yet could they not be shaken or put back from piety and godliness. Therefore, in all extremities, I have recourse to the judgement of those which hath right intelligence and knowledge. Unto whom I do appeal and submit myself, after the example of justinus Martyr, in his Apolligie for the Christians. In this submission most rightful and just, that by those which religiously feareth God the truth alone is reverenced, and to the same, all and every thing must be agreeing.  
Now I address myself to you Pope Gregory, to the end I may obtain of you this my purpose, (being most chaste and according to the discipline of the true and ancient Catholic Church) some protection and defence. Therefore I do earnestly pray and beseech you, that of the same affection which it hath pleased you to admonish me, that you will take my part in my most just enterprise, remembering that those which smoothly flatters you, (a sort of bribe takers, which doth but lightly and softly touch the most dangerous wounds) be not those that doth most honour, and reverence unto you and the Church: but well are they, which Plutarch speaks of, in his Trentes of the difference between the flatterer and the friend: which boldly and liberally speaketh, admonishing, and rebuking, not according to their own appetite and desire. What am I then that should speak or brawl against the Popes? if they take all that they say out of the word, laws and commandments of God, and out of the writings of the Apostles and Prophets, upon which doctrine, the Church and the Popes, aught to be founded and builded; by GOD which hath the sufferaintie over Kings and Popes. Oh that it were the good will and pleasure of him, that I might see the day, that you would not take the care to oppress me, and all other men, lovers and followers of the doctrine and life of the Apostles: but rather that you should earnestly undertake to cast far away from you, so many vanities, so many idolatries, simonies, and sacrileges, and cut off these effeminates, fornicators, and adulterers, drunkards, and idle persons, which our own laws doth excommunicate, to the end that the Roman church, might recover her ancient dignity, and that pear and tranquillity might come again, among all Christians. that many grieved and wounded consciences might find rest and consolation. Now as it is commonly said, that of a poor gardener, or a simple man, something may be heard of reasonable sense: so I hope that you will not take this my small admonition, otherwise, then with a fatherly, religious, and equitable heart: which is made unto you by one of your Brothers in jesus Christ, and an almain, which could never dissemble, whereupon, I pray God to keep you in his protection.  
FINIS.