Unto the right honourable the nobility and ientlemen of England: William Rethe wisheth peace, with constancy of mind.  
THe man/ that is borne of a woman (as sayeth holy job▪ 
job. 14. ) hath but a very short time to live, his days being replete mith many miseries, which thing certain Heathen men (belike) well considered, as Seneca, who very prettily compareth this world to a way, 
Seneca.  full furnished with hid thistles, wherethorow a man had need to be well aware how he wandre, lest he prick himself: & also that death is the finisher of all heaviness and sorrow. And in like manner Pythagoras. 
●●tha.  Death (sayeth he) is rather to be desired then despised, for it changeth us from this world of uncleanness & shame to the world of worship: from this transitory life, too the life everlasting: from the world of folly and vanities, to the world of wisdom, reason and truth: & from this world of pain, travel, and misery, to the world of rest & consolation etc. But if aswell holy write, as all profane histories, had with silence passed over this known and assured trueth● I think that these dreadful days and miserable conflicts, which we feel presently, might be allowed for a sufficient testimony. And yet to behold the course of things, both past and presently a working, it moveth me oft times to muse, when I see the strange diversity of estates, how that in sundry respects, the one may be accounted very pleasant & easy in comparison of the other.  
As, if we consider the unquiet, restless, & slydinge estate of those in high authority (who yet seemeth to have most felicity) and then the happy, quiet, & peaceable estate of them, who (for the base estimation they be in) seemeth of all men to be most unfortunate. And even this is the same, which so oft times maketh me to think, (sadly sitting some time alone) How well at ease they be, which have drawn too themselves the lucky lot of contentation of mind in the midst of their poorest poverty, and how unhappily the residue run, who, being in low degree, will travel to be in high authority, in seeking whereof they rather procure their ill hap, by obtaining their desire, then wanting their wealths, by remaining as they were.  
But now at the last when I saw no end of climming up, and in such number also, that they daily fall down by ruthful heaps, taking unrecoverable falls to their utter undowing: And besides all this to the farther increase of my admiration, that other by seeing their present harm can not avoid their slippery steps to prolong their own prosperity, but wilfully (as it were) to tumble down the tree after them: And yet I speak nothing of that, how by secret shuldring, each pussheth other, I wots not how, from his place, but so dangerously, as I may sai in secret, it passeth playing in pastime: but now to make rehearsed me, and not that I thought the dowinge thereof to be so exquisite, but because such profit thereby unto me insuede, that me seemeth I must needs confess it.  
But now, calling to remembrance what travel and study some of your honours and worships have taken in the weighty affairs of the realm of England, when you were thought meet too bear rule, how so ever things happened now and then to succeed: I think the same of every faithful subject thus yet to be considered, as lamenting the ill with hope of redress, so for those good things, by your travels then enjoyed, our humble thanks still to remain, though, thorough the tyranny of tyrants, the benefit be withdrawn.  
For as friendship, being commendable in men of equality, is yet more laudable in the honourable or worshipful, that can be contented to extend the same too the simple poor man: Even so he (upon whom such friendship is bestowed) not to express by such ways as he is able, his faithful & thankful heart, the same man, if my judgement fail not, dealeth not only unnaturally, but deserveth, as he is well worthy, too be sharply reprehended.  
In consideration whereof it may please your honours and worships to understand, that I have thought it a part of my duty, too offer unto you this simple seeing glass following, in the which (I ween) may be discerned, both the estate of the mighty and mean man, what a huge heappe of endless troubles always accompanieth the one: and the great quietness that is lost by leaving the other. Of the which, albeit your honours & worships can not be ignorant, 
☜  that have been daily travelers as well in other men's matters as in your own: yet in my mind, the effects thereof be not, neither can be so apparent always too memory, but that in as dim and course a glass, as here is exhibited, there may be somewhat espied▪ which otherwise might have been buried in the deep doungeon pit of extreme oblivion.  
But as touching the premises, it would here be noted, that I have not spoken it to the derogation of common authority, neither would I thereby discourage (if my words were of power to persuade) any man, that were ordinarily called to bear rule, saying I must needs confess the same too be of such force by thee infallible providence of God, as the public weal may in no wise want, only than my meaning is of such as seek more their own glory, profit and commodity, than too be faithful ministers and godly governors in that high dignity, whereunto they aspire.  

●ōpeius a ●ble Ro●ayne.  It is written, that Pompeius was wont to say of himself, that he never came to office bearing in Rome, but that he obtained it sooner than for his own part he looked for, and that he ever gave up the same again before other men wished it. A report without all doubt, worthy great praise. Oh that our rulers and officers of England could justly boast so much of themselves: it is to be feared, a very few are they, which dare attempt that enterprise, as well for that their greedy covetousness, and vain glorious ambition, as also the multitudes murmuring for their cruel oppression would testify against them.  
But many things were here to be spoken more meet to answer the request of so lamentable a time, than this which doth but aggravate our sorrow: to weet that as God plagued the people of the old time, with pestilence, famine, sword, captivity and bondage, taking away their godly kings and magistrates, & placing wicked, ungodly tyrants and strangers in their rooms, as oft as they either resisted his truth, or having it lived not accordingly: Even so, how as soon as they repented unfeignedly, confessed their sins earnestly, prayed purely, and amended their lives effectually, God unladed them and delivered them of such grievous punishments, as they deservingly sustained, and to this might have been added, how hotly the Lord in like manner hath begun to kendell his wrath, 
●he bow ●ring is 〈◊〉, y● dar●● i'll a ●●se, they ●●ill pay ●●me short 〈◊〉.  and bend his bow (nay, let me mend it) hath already shoot down his piercing, sharp pointed darts upon our country of England, and most justly for that we have both so horribly abused his truth, and obstinately resisted the same, despised his prophets the preachers thereof, who for the space of these .6. or .7. years have in their true preachings prophesied of these monstrous plagues too be at hand, 
Read the ●. &. 6. chap 〈◊〉 Esay.  as a reward due for sin, which beginneth to nip in deed, I pray God it be not to our endless confusion. But who then believed their preachings? did we not think their words madness? for who regarded them? yea, did we not think them to be out of their wits? or at last could abide them? did not all laugh them to scorn? how did you noble men rage & fune against them, laying sedition to their charges, when they cried out against your sensuality & oppression: but could the meaner sort of men speak well of them, when they rebuked their rebellion? as for your cruel clergy, their tyranny in all ages, in tormenting the men of god, might suffice to testify how hotli they loved them, if their present woodness were absent too declare it.  
But here the extremity of time so enforcing me, 
☜  I must suddenly strike sail & come too an anchor (while a word or two be spoken) trusting, (for as much as I intend not to say any thing, but by the way of exhortation) my ship shall not be driven against the rocks, though she ride in rough water.  
Hath your unthankfulness been so great towards the almighty God (O ye noble men of England) that the same thing, which is so appara●t and manifest in the eyes of all indifferent men, should be hid from you? I mean your dolorous destruction. Can not the sounding blast, 
●arke well ●hat notable tale in master ●ornes epistle, & then ●aste your accounts what certainty ye have of your heads, if proud prelacy prosper.  that Horn lately blewe in your ears, open your eyes, they being both so nyre neighbours?  
Can neither the notable admonitions of so many godly men, as have both spoken & written unto you, nor yet present experience, cause you to have understanding? oh to what cruel vengeance hath God reserved you? belike ye either trust to your strong steeds and mighty men, or else to the courtesy of your churlish church men: but how little he lie ye had in your horses and harness men, I trow ye have not yet forgotten, when ye thought to had wonders.  
And if ye think, by your dissembling or making fair wether with proud priesthood, to spend your days in quietness, ye may chance also to be deceived. 
No, no they know well enough, ye d● but dissemble which them and therefore etc.  Cal to your minds how their predecessors (which might not be thought able to match with these in maliciousness) handled your noble ancestors. Read you the doleful story of S. Ihon. Old castle, the worthy L. Cobham, by the villainous handling of whom you may partly see their charity. Yea, 
If scripti● seem bitte● unto you that is able too save your souls: read● you yet the ancient ●●ories for safeguard 〈◊〉 your 〈◊〉, which 〈◊〉 nyper y● 〈◊〉 & block 〈◊〉 ye think 〈◊〉, but oh the 〈◊〉 could 〈◊〉 it.  but what say you too their traitorous handling of good king John, when as they not contented most violently to pull the crown from his head (what though he were their anointed king) but also at the length, miserably did poison him? I doubt not, but that the monk, which poisoned himself to bring that to pass, shall shortli have his yearly masses, song for his soul at Swyneshead abbey, when the lands is restored again, as that and the rest must be shortly what promises soever be made to the contrary: for such promises are commonly made more to way the time than to be kept, as partly you in England do know by present experience. & here after may feal peradventure to your pain. But to the purpose, if these jolly champions of the church durst do this to a king, 
The clergy ●n times past were ●ut of the revels ●ourt, but ●ow they ye of his privy counsel.  and in those days when as iniquity was not at the prime, what will these do unto you (being but subjects) in whom iniquity doth so abound, that by whole running rivers it floweth over.  
If these and such like things, being pas●, be not sufficient too teach you, at the least by things present weigh things to come. If that bedlam, bishop Bonner of London, be neither ashamed nor afraid, without all law or order too bear him, so to torment that silly poor man, Thomas Wever, 
Thom●● Wever, dwelling without Bishops' gate.  because he would not consent to his devilish doctrine: what will that dreadful devouring devil do, the wilful Winchester with his adheren●es, now, when as they have established laws, to outbeare them.  
I am afraid, 
In de●● they beg●● prettily. A fable.  the fable of Aesop's Fox and Goat will shortly be verified. The Fox and the Goat descended both in to a deep pity, from whence they could not get forth again, the Fox being a crafty and subtle beast, ye know (as the most part of the clergy be) desireth the Goat that he might step up upon his back, & so to get out of the pit, promising the Goat that he will draw him out after him, ●he fox, by this craft escaping the danger, was required by the Goat to perform his promise. But saith the Fox: Ah Goat, Goat, if thou hadst had so much wit in thy head as thou haste heir in thy beard, thou wouldst not have gone down, except thou hadst known how too have gotten up again.  
Now that the two footed Fox is escaped out of the pit, and that you noble men of England have (with the Goat) set both back & shoulders too his lifting up, it is most evident: for the filth of his tail and feet hath all to be stained your clothes. There remaineth now of your part to claim the Foxes promise, that he may draw you out of that dangerous gulf where into ye be fallen: but think you ye shall not find the Fox still a Fox in his answer? I went so. Ye shall then find that your punishing and inprisoninge of good men for the Fox's pleasure, shall little help you, in the tormenting of whom, as ye esteem them and make them your slaves, that of late days ye seemed with tooth & nail to defend and favour: even so do you therein show yourselves vile slaves and bond men in deed, and that unto such as are more viler than vileness itself, 
who w● have thought th● haute c●●●rage of 〈◊〉 nobility, 〈◊〉 so witti●● have 〈◊〉 slaves, 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 Pope of Rome.  even to a sort of proud prelate's and bawdy beasts, who, to murder god's people, have made you their hangmen, and have appointed you, as open bawds, to cloak & defend both their spiritual & carnal whoredom.  
O merciful God, what tolerable thing, in those blood thirsty Balamites, hath moved your honours thus to abase yourselves under them, not only to the destruction of your persons, but also of all your posterity. Were there in them raining, either the constancy of Camillus, 
●●millus 〈◊〉 such 〈◊〉 to his ●itrey, that 〈◊〉 gift threat●d cause 〈◊〉 work 〈◊〉 against it.  or the humanity of Plato, the chastity of Pythagoras, or the gravity of Cato, the temperance of Socrates, or the fortitude of Scipio, there were yet some appearance, that their virtues provoked you: but they now being clean out of gunshot, from the smell of the least verity that can be named, and then in cruelty surmounting conquerors far passing Nero, 
〈…〉 of 〈…〉 noble 〈◊〉 ye 〈…〉 your 〈…〉 shameless not alumed 〈◊〉  in woodness and wrath equal to Ajax, in drunkenness and lechery comparable to Heliogabalus, and in pride & presumption fellow like to Lucifer: what can be otherwise thought of your unnatural doings, but that it either proceedeth of a childish fear (which of all infirmities should have been farthest of from you, that have been the rulers of so noble a realm) or else (if that were not the cause) than the old proverb to be fulfilled, which is, that one wicked will to the devil, too have the others company, from whom God for his mercy's sake (if you be not cast aways) save and defend you.  
Wherefore, repent, O ye noble men of England, repent, embrace again the truth, but be constant in the same, and labour now another while by your well doing too qualify that rumour, which your inconstancy hath caused in foreign Realms to be spread, to the great dishonour, both of you and your country, in that you are compared (you have set foreign realms a work to wonder at your dasterdli doing) too smooth worn wethercockes that waiteth on the wind, the reward whereof is not only worldli shame, but farther then that, to receive the reward which is due unto hypocrites in the lake, that burneth with brimstone and fire, where ye shall find darkness in stead of light, hungering in thirst, and thirsting in pain, 
●he 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 that be 〈…〉 cold.  clothed with cold, yet flaming in heat, evermore dying, but still tasting life, wishing to die, but may not obtain: too be short, your dwelling place shall be where as is for evermore wringing of hands, and gnashing of teeth etc.  
But now I hold it more than time to return where I was afore. Were not the poor preachers of the verity (for speaking the truth) abhorred in manner of all, & beloved all most of none? And now for publishing of the same truth too be tormented somewhat worse than thieves and murderers? alas ●ou miserable Jeremy'S, for even so was he handled of the wicked priests of his time, 
jere. ●  as the .26. of his prophesy doth notably declare. I think verily, the dreadful days draweth on apace, that as jeremis sat pitifully, beholding the miserable desolation that came upon the jews, for their stubborn infidelity and murdering of god's Prophets: Even so you that by god's providence shall escape the cruel slaughter, now put in practice, shall behold England, and say with him: alas, how lieth that land so waste, which some time was full of people: how is she become like a widow, that was some time the flower of all nations? how is she now brought under tribute, which some time ruled all lands etc. But me thinks I hear one busy speaking alreadi, and saith: Sir, from whence came you? are ye a Prophet? how know you that these things shall happen?  
forsooth Sir say I, by this I am more than half assuredly persuaded. I find, that as God is eternal, everlasting, almighty, and immutable, so is he a God that hath no respect of persons, who useth his justice universally upon all wilful offenders. But in the old time he destroyed them, that fell from his word to 〈◊〉 Idolatry, and we now commit●e the same offence more horribly than ever they did: therefore he will also destroy us (for I ween repentance be paste) so that the alteration of states, the mutability of fortune, the woeful fall of nobility, the ruthful rising of proud prelacy, and consequently the utter subversion of the realm of England is far away less too be marveled at then lamented. 
Engla●●● of 〈◊〉 must 〈◊〉 to dest●●●tion.   
But of these things farther too entreat in such sort, as should satisfy your honourable expectations, as I must needs confess my imperfection therein, & that there wholly wanteth in me such dexterity of knowledge & learning as should accomplish the same: Even so, (praised be god) there be works enough for such purposes, which for the excellency of them (as I have hard the godly learned report) can not lightly be amended, & among sundry one in especial I commend to all troubled consciences, entitled the spiritual & precious pearl, set forth by the right Christian and godly governor (under our most noble and excellent prince, 
The 〈◊〉 which 〈…〉 to me 〈◊〉 bring of 〈◊〉 me to 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 to all 〈◊〉.  then being) the good duke of Somerset.  
The book, without all doubt, will bring to the studious readers thereof such singular comfort in their adversity, as far passeth the value contained in the title thereof.  
And as I wish this to the comfort of all the godly afflicted, as a sovereign and present remedy, which number I trust be not few in these mourning days of sorrow and anguish (considering how gods gusshinge out wrath is poured forth for sin:) so do I heartily beseech all such, as be not yet resolved, concerning the usurped authority of the B. of R. of superstitious ceremonies, of unlawful vows▪ of the wicked law and decrees of men, and that the scriptures of God is only able & sufficient to teach the true church of Christ, as touching their salvation &c. to read a book, made and set forth by Stephen Gardener, now the unworthy Chanceloure of England, 
De 〈◊〉 obediently 〈◊〉 into the E●●glish 〈◊〉  entitled de Vera obedientia, in the which book (putting a part his treason towards the Queen, in making her a bastard) is contained such notable arguments, for probation of the truth, clean contrary too that detestable & execrable doctrine, which he against his own conscience maliciously maintaineth, as is strong enough (though there come no better help) too beat down too the ground all his sandy and wilful buildings, whereby all indifferent men may see, as in a most clear glass, the very lively Image of our dissembling papists, how they, 
A 〈◊〉 note, to know the ●●●perous ●●●neration 〈◊〉 papist  being cousynne jarmanes to Paul's wether cock, can turn as the wind turneth for advantage.  
¶ The eternal & almighty God of heaven, for his mercy's sake, mollify your hearts, and open your eyes that you may se the perilous path of perdition, in the which you now wander astray, and give you grace unfeignedly to repent, that ye receive not the punishment, which is due unto your deserts. Amen.