A Dialogue against the Tyranny of the Papists. Translated out of Latin, into english. by E. C. 17. Septembris. 1562. W. S. A Dialogue against the Tyranny of the Papists. The speakers names. Aul●…s Cecinna. Cneus helvidius. Cecin. How goeth the world helvidius? all well? why are you thus sad and pensive? helvidius I do well enough (I thank God) myself Cecinna, mary in these so lamentable times, wherein Satan so rageth, and his Ministers bestir them with fire & sword, most pitifully tormenting christ in his poor members, spoiling and murdering them by all means most cruelly, how can any good man be either pleasant or merry? Cecin It is very true that you say, notwithstanding we must have pacience●…●…ithall. For almighty God will wh●… 〈◊〉 seeth his time, succour his afflicted people, and overthrow with the breath of his mouth, the troupes and bands of our enemies, be they never ●…tragious or many in number. Heluid. God will assist in very deed those that be his, and both hath already done it, & doth it daily. How be it he doth not always give them the victory. King Pharaoh, he held the Israelites long in captivity: The Philistines vanquished them oft in battle: Nabuchodonosor banished them out of their Country: And Antiochus slew the people of god most lamentably in the holy Temple, offering them up even upon the very altars for a sacrifice to their Idols. Even as therefore by reason of this destruction of God's people, and decay of all good and godly things, Moses, Samuel, Tobias, Mathathias, and a number of other good men made continual moan and lamentation: So were it very hard for us, seeing so many most constant men of god, partly in great hazard and danger, and part most miserably wounded, lifting their hands up to the heavens: Not to have our hearts dieplie pierced therewithal, and to sigh and groan to ourselves for their so great calamities. Which as we do now but only hear of, so may we perhaps feel them ere it be long ourselves. You are not ignorant, how that we are but very lately by the special goodness of God, crept out of the like miseries, the burnt bones of our own people even smoking well near to this day. Wherefore seeing our enemies, and those so nigh, so cruel, and so bloody, do begin as you would say to thunder and lighten a fresh, I can not but tremble & quake for fear. For how will they spoil other Nations trow you, that so willingly spill their own people's blood? Cecin. Your talk I wots near how, beginneth to make me very much afraid also, it is so fearful and terrible. But I pray you tell me: Do the papists use such cruelty still in France? Heluid. Yea truly, in so much as their violence and tyranny doth daily increase more and more. And hereof first and foremost may the Town of Wassy be a The ●…a ter at 〈◊〉 witness. Wherethorowe as the Duke of Guise passed with certain bands of armed men, finding the people serving of God with psalms and hi●…es: He commanded his soldiers to set upon the silly unarmed creatures, who wounded and slew the poor innocentes, even in the midst of their prayers. Hereof may also be a witness, that same cruel, yea that horrible, and bloody decree, which all ages shall speak of and hate, the remembrance whereof all our posterity, ●…e Edict ●…clamed 〈◊〉 last. shall detest and abhor. For it is a horrible and strange kind of cruelty to take those that be quiet and peceable citizens, & without cause, complaint, or yet suspicion of crime, to hale and drag them up and down the street, to stab them thorough with their weapons, to drown them in the rivers, & so to put them to most terrible execution, even only for y● they are thought to be professors of the gospel. The for●…e of this most monstrous edict, diverse god lie citizens of Paris felt, and a number of Paris. 〈◊〉. other good people that dwelled there about, which were most shamefully murdered. The river of Seyne felt it also, ●…brued with the blood of the dead that swum up & down the channel, and were carried with the stream from the town of Seyne, to the City of Paris. And no Town ●…yne. 〈◊〉 ●…ecourt. less did the Captain of Abbeville feel the same of late, whom, together with his Son, and certain other Noblemen of his family, these fierce and wicked blood suckers by pretence of the said cruel edict, mangled and murdered contrary to all right and equity: Because this worthy Gentleman, a stout & worthy gentleman in deed, spoke somewhat boldly & frankly, of an unity & agreement to be concluded betwixt them. Besides this, Rhone, that famous and flourishing City can witness the Rhoan●… same: Where the fort that was thon●…ly defence of the City was continually shaken with the roaring shot of the Cannon, the Country about daily spoiled with troupes of horsemen, & the citizens lay round about miserably slain in defending their Country. Neither had this most worthy City stood till this day, ne had▪ there been any living creature left therein alive, unless almighty God taking pity upon the besieged and distressed▪ people, had through the singular manhood of the Citizens and Towns men, put the Daumale to the foil, that lay battering the walls, compelling him also at length for all his wrath and fury to departed with great dishonour. But what talk I of the Duke Dawmale alone? Let the rest of the princes and noble men be coupled with him, which be not only fellows and cooperteners of his faction, but also chief authors & captains of this cruelty, the Duke of Guise I mean, the Constable and the marshal Saint Andrew: who marching to the Town of Bloys with ●…oys. most terrible force of War, full of threats, and gaping after blood, met before they came to the gates, a pitiful company of the towns men falling down upon their knees before them, offering them the keys of their gates, committing themselves and all that they had, into their hands, crying to them for morcye, and humbly entreating them to spare their own, and the rest of the Citizens' lives. How be it these proud and stately Lords, besides that, they refused to hear the request of this meek and miserable multitude, added also to their bloody purpose most spiteful and bitter words: Telling them that their Canons should serve in stead of keys, and with their sword, would make their entry into the town. Wherein they deceived them never a whit, for both they bet down their walls with their artillery, and put the towns men of all sorts some, to most cruel and sudden death, being guilty of no offence at all, but only for that they had embraced that form of religion which was afore established by a solemn Edict and decree made in the month of january last passed. And now to return again to the Duke Daumale, whose madness passeth all measure, when as the naked and innocent inhabitants of Pont Du Mer, laying away their weapons, fell Pont du 〈◊〉 flat down afore him, asking pardon, requesting mercy, and offering him the keys of their town: He like a famished and hungry wolf, rushing in amongst the poor silly sheep, first and foremost not without great impiety, commanded their chief preacher or Minister to be apprehended and hanged, and afterward, without any respect either of kind, or of age, slew most shamefully and wickedly, the rest of the common people. The marshal Saint Andrew following the cruelty of Thaumale, thinking his confederates had not spilled blood enough at poitiers, highinge him thither in great post, with sword, shot, and sundry other torments, oppressed and destroyed a silly company of innocent women, and young folk, that had escaped the hands of the former butchers (who belike had had their fill of them afore, or else were overwearied with to much bloodshed): Whose act was so much more detestable than the rest, because not contented with the cruelty of others, he heaped mischief upon mischief, and blood upon blood. There is another act committed besides this, against all order, nature, law & humanity: whereof albeit I name not the Author, yet is it true: yea, alas to true, and so shameful a matter, as of the same Countrymen, it is scant to be believed. For when as the Count Palatine, one of the Princes of the Empire, had delivered to one of the Gentlemen of his Court certain packets of letters, to carry to the Prince of 〈◊〉, there was laid for him by the way a Popish murderer, that intercepted the Messenger, ●…lew him, took his letters from him, and brought them to the Guise, and his complices. Lo in one offence how many enormities? in one wickedness, how many detestable cruelties? But here an end of these particular calamities, for these same men daily offend more and more and aware more cruel, yea, and so cruel (all the whole company of them) as a man can scarce imagine. Cecin. These things be horrible if so be they be true. The great Turk himself could not deal in these matters more cruelly. Heluid Nay if all things be duly considered, this fury ercedes the rage and broils of all times. At the beginning of the common wealth of Room, it was a very lame●…table season to see to, when as the Commonalty severed from the Nobility, by reason of sundry great wrongs received at their hands, assembled themselves in Mount Aventine: notwithstanding, they bridled themselves so in that rage, that they used no force of weapon against their adversari es. Marry now when the common wealth was grown to more perfection and riches, the mal●…e of the people growing also greater, there followed very sore displeasures between sundry sorts of the Citizens. Amongst the which if you consider the horrible Stir of the Triumuiri, ye shall not find it was so full of cruelty, as this present broil A state in 〈◊〉 comen 〈◊〉 wealth w●… in three 〈◊〉 have equ●… aucthorit●… together. of the Papists is. For in that desolation of the Common wealth, the nobles only were invaded, neither was there any touchid but they, & they alone were held & taken as condemned persons. But this faction of the Papists runneth headlong upon all sorts of men, neither respecting the kind nor age of any, nor yet weighing either the deserts or virtues of any: But do condemn all to death, that according to the rule of the gospel, do truly and sincerely worship God the Father, and his Son jesus Christ. Greece when as it had been a long time tossed & turmoiled with most cruel Greece. dissensions, was content at last to let go & forget all wrongs, which was both an wholesome medicine for their sick minds, and also a good mean to redress all their civil hurly burlies. The Popish prelate's, they will neither give nor take any other conditions of concord and unity, but that the Idol of Room may still be adored and kneeled to, and that all other powers, states and causes, finally all manner of holy or profane matters, may be under his authority and jurisdiction. The Turk albeit he maketh Christian men his slaves and bondmen, yet suffereth he them to live after their own religion. But the professors of the gospel, they must either worship the great God of Room without exception, or else they must have their throats cut, and lose their lives. Cecin. These things be to true, that you talk of. And it hath oft been my chance to muse very much, how it cometh to pass, that this opinion is so surely settled, and almost grounded in the people's minds, that there ought to be had so great and so due reverence to the B. of Room, as it were to an other God in earth: that each word that cometh out of his mouth, should be taken for an Oracle: And finally that all manner of meetings together and Councils, be they never so solemn and general, should be inferior and subject to his authority. Heluid. There may be hereof alleged many and sundry causes, but the chiefest of them all and of greatest force is Evil Custom. Which transverse doth very aptly term A continuance of Error. It is this same continuance of Error O Cecinna which having once been planted by custom, and in process of years taken root, doth exercise great tyranny in men's minds, and can hardly of a long season be forgotten. Moreover this same great Potentate of Room, hath ordered the matter so, that he hath brought and conveyed unto himself the fruits, profits, dignities, preferments and promotions of all quarters of the world, which he doth very liberally dispose among his adherentes, where withal they being so largely rewarded and benefited, can not but honour so good a benefactor, hang all together on his sleeve, cleave to him like burrs, and rather he content to lose their lives, then forego so great commodities: There may be added hereunto a third cause (which is also very much material) how that the Sea of Room giveth out great store of pardons, and granteth almost a free liberty both to say and do all manner of evil: and as for men's manners there is small heed or regard taken thereto. But if there chance any fault or trespass to be committed, money will straight heal all the matter, and under Benedicite thoffender Shallbe absolved. Wherefore, where forgiveness of sins may so easily be procured, and where be so liberal rewards stirring for the pleasures received, it is no marvel at all, though there be both a great number of ambitious and covetous men abroad in the world, and also as great routs & swarms of wicked offenders, that be nothing ashamed of their evil doings, whereof they look for little or no punishment at all, and from whence they can as oft as they lust, be so easily quit and discharged. Cecin. Your talk seemeth unto me very probable. How be it the Popish propsters as you know, make their reckoning from Peter, and they do derive a certain continuance of their religion from the ancient sea of the Bishops of Rome, which they have also at length gotten confirmed with the opinions of certain divines: and therefore suppose it not lawful to serve fro a truth that is so old, so manifest and so well proved with the Testimonies of so great clerks. Heluid. These things that you talk of they brag in deed, and they be the chiefest grounds they allege The Pap●… chief gro●… to establish their popish aurthoritie upon. Wherefore, although I have no leisure to stand long upon every point, yet will we lightly run them over, unless you be other wise disposed. Cecin. Nay verily, it is the thing I most desire, neither like I any thing better, than this kind of discourse and communication. Heluid. First of all this same Monarchy, or rather. Hierarchye, The government of a Priest. if it took: beginning of Peter, it must needs have been once settled in his person. Let us therefore resort to the holy Scriptures, and by them examine Peter's authority. S. Paul calls him as he doth also james and john, a pillar of the Church. And as for the rest of his fellow Apostles, they ascribe unto him no manner of special name or prerogative above the rest. Yea, but (say they) our Lord jesus Christ used him very lovingly and familiarly. I grant that, but so as he did the like to james, and much more to john. And in planting of the Church (which point the Romish Doctors take to be their chief hold) Peter is for no other cause specially and by name spoken to, but for that he alone in the name of his fellows had made answer to that our Saviour demanded of all the rest of th'apostles as well as of him. And as for the rest of our saviours talk concerning the Rock, where against the gates of hell should not prevail, it proveth no special pre-eminence to be in Peter more than in the rest, but betokeneth the public profession of our faith that should be in the Church of Christ. Which opinion and interpretation the ancient Fathers have left to us in writing. And if so be it were not true, our most loving saviour would not in the self same communication, have so sharply rebuked Peter calling him Satan, and reproving his ignorance in the Scriptures. But why do we argue in a matter that is out of all doubt? how oft is it repeated in holy writ, that God hath no respect of persons? but if this opinion of the romish divines be allowed, not only Peter should be highly advanced above all his fellows, but also he alone should have a celestial prerogative of god's power, an invincible faith and an authority not to be spoken against. Peter's companions never acknowledged this great authority. Peter himself, never challenged so strange a dignity. Paul commending unto our prayers, Christian magistrates, placeth first Kings, and then Rulers. Peter framing our life with wholesome doctrine, willeth us first, to fear god, & next him honour the king. Why nameth not he himself who was already vested in his dignity? Why speaketh not he of his successors, the bishops of Room? For if he should so have done, it could have seemed no pride in him, for so much as he might do it, by the institution and ordinance of our saviour. But of this extraordinary jurisdiction, was no mention made in the beginning of the primative Church. Likewise, not a word spoken of it a long time after. For at those days the Emperors of Room shrewdly persecuted the church of Christ, & also some of the Bishops of Room they slew, who were in that time chief spectacles of godliness, & occupied in all holy exercises, & besides valiant witnesses of the death and resurrection of our saviour jesus Christ. For the church of Room had not such an hard hap as to have no commendable Bishops in it, among whom we confess some of them in deed, of ancient time, were excellent, and singular fathers. And as long as that simple and innocent age endured with out pride, and ambition, so long was that Popish government unknown, so long the bishop of Room coveted no especial dignity above the rest, except perhaps because he was an example of the flock, he sought to win the crown of martyrdom from them. Whereof Gregory may be a very good witness, who pronounceth that Bishop of Room accursed, who will take upon him to be called the universal prelate of the whole church. Such was the modesty of men in those days. Marry by process of time vice grew, & when as by the providence of god, the Emperors of Rome were now quiet & well pacified, there was not only peace planted in the church, but also it was endowed with many goodly & large possessions. Since that time the bishops of Room (as it commonly cometh to pass,) corrupted with idleness, & abundance of all things, forgot by little and little, the discipline and frugality of their former life, & at last degenerated into this monstrous tyranny. By mean whereof they do not only make the whole world to quake for fear of them, but also sell heaven & hell at their own pleasure & disposition. And now when their pomp & excess grew to the highest degree it could come to, there arose a number of feed men, & flatterers, who having tasted of the golden streams that issued from the precious sea of Room, being drunken therewith, built this popish kingdom for the false successors of Peter. hereupon came this notable succession founded with possessions & riches, enlarged with pride and ambition, continued with terror and tyranny, not once named in holy scripture, not known to Peter, nor understood in those ancient times. Hereof sprang those monstrous maxims of the Pope's bond men. That the Pope can not err, that the Pope is above a Counsel, that the Pope doth keep all the decrees of the la close within his bosom, 〈◊〉 mon●…ous opi●…ons of the ●…pistes. that the Pope if he draw [I can not tell how many thousands] to hell, he is not therein to be reproved, and last of all that all men must be judged by th●… Pope, and he judged of no man. To these strange sayings & opinions, were applied those most licentious keys, under colour whereof, they make must wicked sales of pardons & bulls, not which out great injury to the most precious blood of our saviour shed upon the cross, wherewith only we are washed from the filthiness of our sins, most shamefully against holy scripture, by which we are prohibited to make any merchandise in matters of religion, & most absurdly against all reason. For how can man that is but earth and ashes for meed, pardon offences, I cannot tell of how many years to come? God himself giveth us not so great hope, no not of his own mercy. Upon the neck of this is heaped another most sharp scourge of godly consciences, that is, thadministration of common prayer, and holy sacraments, in a tongue unknown, contrary to y● manifest doctrine of the holy ghost, contrary to the sincere custom of the primitive Church, against the soul's health of those that do pray, & quite against the nature & ordinance of prayer, in which thing alone as in a most deep tomb & Sepulchre, the hole sense and savour of all our religion, & even as y● would say the soul of all godliness lieth hid. The time would fa●…le me if I should recite the residue of all the detestable abuses of the Popish kingdom, all which things, yet custom hath made so familiar, unto the unskilful common people, that scarce, (Or not at all) they can be pulled from them. But even in like manner as they whose eyes be heavy laden with sleep, are loath to be raised, and would not by their wills look up to the light, even so, a great part of Christ's Church, having slumbered and slept as it were by the means of poppy seed in the dumb dregs & traditions of the Romish Ceremonies, do as yet rout in darkness, & when as the clear light of the Gospel is offered to them they leap back in an anger, yea, and are ready to fight for the matter to, rather than they would be drawn out of those misty caves & dungeons. And now that god the father of all mercy, hath raised up in this our time a certain godly & devout company of christian people, who having respect unto y● primative church i which christ himself lived with his Apostles, desire to call home again the pure worshipping of god, founded in the gospel, used of ancient time, and now many years omitted, this Romish hell hound fareth as he were wood, whetting his teeth, casting out his thick smoky threatenings, shaking his fire brands, yea kicking & spurning on every side, that he might not be construined to go out of his murk den, and maugre his head, behold the new light of the Gospel. But god shall raise up an Hercules, who shall pull this Cacus ●…uge Gi●… whom ●…rcules slew Italy. fatted & pampered with the blood of innocentes, out of his nest, draw he never so far backward, strive he and struggle he never so much, unless he speedily (which we look not for) shall correct and amend himself. Cecin. There is very small hope of his amendment hitherto showed: In so much as his adherentes at this present, be very sore bend against the light of the gospel, using such cruelty, as we can not remember the like. For afore this time they were of the basest sort whom they meddled withal, pulling up here and there one for the most part. Again they proceeded, against those that were accused by a certain ordinary cours●… of the Pope's law: Now whole towns, yea, whole cities, and almost whole kingdoms be condemned. The field is the place of judgement, the judge is the sword or the halter. The laws be the proud presumptuous commandments of the Popish potestates: nothing is done by law, nothing is done by order, they proceed only by violence. Wherefore either their ti ranny must be out of hand repressed, or else the Gospel must needs quail. H●…l. Nay sure, unless we take the better heed, the gospel will be quite overthrown & all the professors thereof utterly perish. For sith the devil hath fastened so deeply, even in the bottom and root of the popish minds, the hatred of true religion, that his ministers can find in their hearts, to beseage their own Cities, to slay their own Citizens, to wound their own bowels, to be cruel upon their own blood, & (to be short) to bring in foreign power and aid to overthrow their own native Country: what trow you will they do to other, which tear their own in pieces? What outrages will they make in strange lands, who so spoil and waste their own country? Cecin. What then is best to be done? or what Shallbe th'end of these miseries? Heluid. we must refer th'end to God, who will maintain his own quarrel himself, and defend his own servants, though all the world, & all the devils in hell say▪ nay to it. In the mean time we must look that we lay good foundations, and must dili gently weigh these matters. Let us then before all things call upon god the father, & his Christ our saviour. Let us lift up our hands to heaven, Innocent hands I mean, not bloody, pure hands, not corrupted, lowly, not proud, meek, not cruel, & from thence let us crave aid, where the prayers of the just be always available. Moreover since that the kingdom of Antichrist doth thus conspire against the troth of Christ's religion, let us likewise agree amongst ourselves to defend the gospel, not to provoke, but to resist, not to bring injury in, but to drive it away, not to offend any other man's estate, but to preserve our own, to preserve our own lives, and the lives of our wives and children. For both nature commandeth and all law, both of God and man, permitteth, to resist open violence. Mattathias, that famous and worthy Captain, Ma●…tathy when Antiochus Soldiers fiercely invaded him, and profaned all holy things, being required to taste swine's flesh, he put on armour, (and that upon the Sabbath day) transgressing one commandment, to the intent he might keep the rest. And the father's example followed his Son judas Machabeus. judas Ma chabeu●…. Since the y● most noble family had rather die then eat the flesh of Swine, how fervently ought we to be bend to maintain and defend the pure light of the Gospel, wherein god the father, with our saviour jesus Christ is so lively portiered & e●…pressed that we have nothing else to quiet our consciences withal? The holy ghost in the gospel alloweth wages to Soldiers, and also giveth precepts how they should live. And if so be any war at all be lawful, surely that is lawful, wherein thou dost not assault an other man's life, but defendest thine own, thou dost not spoil other men's goods, but preservest thine own. Thou dost not seek a kingdom or dominion, but to serve god and thy conscience wherein there is meant, no revenge, but necessity obeyed. For war is not to be taken in hand or all lowed, but when there can be found none other remedy else: especially, against a lawful magistrate, whom y● holy ghost hath appointed to be had in such estimation, that he ought no ways to be touched, or misused. Wherefore my talk tendeth nothing to him, but to the extraordinary uproars of the Pope's warriors: whose gre die appetites if by any lawful means they could be pacified, I would prefer a hard peace before a just war: But sinc●… they have no respect to god, non to their brethren & citizens, none to their own native country, if serving a foreign priest, they will without the will of their prince, & even against a law oppress all▪ with tyranny, if none can be in rest for them unless he first become wicked, if we must needs either be overthrown & trodden under foot of our enemies, or else settle our selves to defend: I see no cause why in so unnatural, so cruel, so manifest a violence, all honest means are not left unto us, to provide for our safety. For why should not necessity prevail asmuch with us to defend our life, as their unlawful violence prevaileth with them to overthrow our estate? And if we be in fault that dryne away this tyranny from our heads, how horrible is their mischief, that persecute our life with fire and sword? We must therefore beware and take great h●…ede, sith our adversaries Bee so subtle and wily, so cruelly and myschevouslye minded, so mighty and strong on every side. Their atttemptes must be stayed, and prevented in time. For if France be in this heat, the Realms that be near about cannot long be in peace. Let us then ass●…mble ourselves together, to quench this common fire: with which, if France shall once burn and flame, so many Christian Nations shall be in hazard of like destruction, as Antichrist can annoy with all his members. (Thou chiefly O England) look about thee, and take diligent heed, Engla●… for besides the common quarrel of Religion, thou hast certain popish Princes, dwelling at the next door to thee, that be even sworn & fully bend to do thee a mischief: who afore this time, when as they were not in armour, went about (as much as in them lay) to spoil & bereave thy most excellent queen of her lawful Crown and Diadem. The Queen's ma●… They that devised such injuries in peace, what will they do in war, we must stand stoutly to our cause, we must foresee, all things diligently, lest this plague fall upon us, before we know from whence it cometh. Where there is least fear, there the Enemy doth most annoy, specially being so heinous, so craf ty, and deadly an enemy. Therefore it is more wisdom, to fear, then to live in hope, for fear increaseth heed taking, but hope causeth us to be negligent. Cecin. You do very well require a care in this matter that only thing that is most precious in all worldly affairs without which no notable exploit was ever done worthy commendation. The gentiles in the old time honoured the same as a stay and Buttress of their whole life. The holy Scripture doth detest that person (who ever he be) that is negligent, and slow in the works of the Lord. The Author and penalty of which curse, if miserable mortal men would inwardly and diligently ponder, they would lay aside all vain desires, they would cast away the works of darkness, and would be inflamed with the heat of godliness, in such sort, as neither fire nor famine, nor sword, nor any violence from Hell or heaven may hale or draw them away from the love of god. So fervent was Paul that elect and chosen vessel of God. So earnest was David the king and Prophet. Who professeth hatred against the enemies of God. So zealous was jeremy, who couched in a deep dungeon, and afflicted with most bitter torments, did Thunder out his sayings and prophecies against the frowardness and ignorance of the people. But we which would seem to worship and reverence the restored truth of the Gospel, we do it so faintly and coldly, that it had been much better for us never to have known so divine and reverent treasures, then suffer theyn●… so shamefully to be taken from us. Heluid. You justly complain of this matter, and surely it is a heavy case. It is to much rest & ease in deed that hath made us so negligent, & reckless. Now God giveth us these troublesome seasons to stir up our flouth, to wake us out of our sleep, to whet our wits, and to make us more diligent. It is time therefore to rise up from ●…eepe, it is time for us to play the men, yea it is high time for us to remove by comen advise, the comen disturbers of all godliness, about which matter, that we may use such courage of mind, and cheerfulness of heart, as the weightynesse of the cause requireth, two things especially aught to be consyred of us: The first and the chiefest is, that it is gods quarrel which we take now in hand, by whom we live, move, and have our being. And seeing by his abundant goodness & mercy, we are come to this estate wherein we now stand, let us restore to him again all that we have, sith we received it of him, when he demands it. Of him only, and alone, cometh whatsoever we have, had, or may have. To this eternal, terrible and almighty God, let us consecrate the temples of our minds, & dedicate the tabernacles of our bodies, and let us go with a sure confidence of mind (if need be,) even to death: for the honour of him who sent us, his only begotten son jesus Christ, to die for us, to thintent he might make us a way to everlasting life. And in this hath the holy ghost decreed to consist eternal life, truly to know God, and whom he sent jesus Christ. To th'end therefore that we may keep purely and sincerely this profession of God's holy name, and power, there is no labour to be forsaken, no peril to be shunned: For if all things, which we would even wish and devise, were heaped upon us, if our soul perish, there is no hope nor comfort remaining. Therefore let us either clearly refuse the name of Christians, or else let us for y● glory of Christ, adventure any manner of thing, how difficult so ever it seemeth to be: yea what e●…tremity so ever is offered unto us, let us arm ourselves patiently to endure it. For Christ will forsake us in heaven if we forsake him in earth. When after this sort we have lift up our minds to heaven, and joined ourselves with God, then let us come down again to the earth, & there let us look about us, what kind of men they be, with whom we be at variance, what they tend to, what mark they shoot at, & what end they would have of their matters: And if we list to look so far back as man's remembrance is well able to reach to, we shall find them a cruel & bloody brood, like unto their Grand and great grandfathers, who have always gone about to scatter and spoil the meek and innocent flock of Christ. The devil hath been a murderer from the beginning both himself, and also stirred up Cain in the first creation of the world to kill his brother Abel, making sacrifice to God, and being holy occupied. The ancient Prophets when they lived the best and quietest life that might be, and took upon them none other charge, but only to declare the will of god unto his people, were afflicted with all kind of spite and punishment. Our Lord jesus Christ living a most peaceable life, & intermeddling with nothing, but with the sincere worshipping of God his father, was most shamefully railed upon, was most cruelly torn with all kinds of torments, & last of all nailed upon the Crosse. The disciples followed their master's steps, being like both in life, and not much unlike in death. The ancient Martyrs that did succeed them, when as even their adversaries bare witness of their virtue and innocency, and in this thing only reproved them, that they rising betimes in the morning, worshipped in great assemblies a certain God of theirs, and song Psalms to him, yet in this tranquillity and sincerity of life, could they not escape the torments of Heathen tyrants. The same state stand we now in at this day, wherein God having reserved to himself a certain godly sort of people, that refuse to fall down afore the Romish Baal, living according to the lore of Christ, and his Apostles, laying hands upon no man, troublesome to none, nor attempting any thing seditiously against any person, but do both give themselves to the true worshipping of god, and do exhort also their brethren to the like unity and concord in Christ, void of all contention, free from all force and violence, and continual movers of the people in their sermons to patience & quietness: Yet this Romish Haman and tyrant, because he sees himself not crouched and kneeled to, he commands not only gallows to be set up for the poor Mardocheans, the most patient and innocent servants of god, but also murdereth them with sword, strangles them with halters, whirls them upon wheels, and broils them in the fire. So as if the Tyranny of all times and ages were well weighed and considered, it can not be compared with this most horrible cruelty, that these Romish tetrarchs have used toward this godly people of Christ. For the etrarch is ●…ler of a ●…arte of a ●…me. heathen persecuted that they knew not, but the Papists, wittingly, and willingly, do tear and rent in pieces jesus christ in his miserable members, whom with mouth they profess as well as we. The heathen moreover contended themselves with taking away the lives of Christian men (for we read not, that either Nero or Maxentius, went any farther.) But the cruelty of this our Romish Nero, (far passing Maxentius & the madness of all the tyranntes of the world) is such, that it extendeth even to the ashes of men, disquieting their dead carcases, that have of long time been buried in the earth, and (as much as lieth in him) suffering them never to die. O barbarous brutishness of this proud purpled prelate. O monstrous usurpers upon Peter. O most cruel and bloody seat. And shall we now compassed about with such enemies, wink at the matter▪ Plounged in such perils, shall we slumber still as we do? So malicious foes thundering about us on every side, with threatenings & sword, shall we lie still & hold our peace? Who shall take our parts if we help not ourselves? If each man particularly refuse to fight, we shallbe overcomed all the sort of us together. If we get us not out of our doors the rather, we shall every mother's son of us be slain at home in our own country, yea in our own houses, when there shall be none to help us. If we draw back and make courtesy in this quarrel of Religion, we shall ere it be long, lose not only our religion, but forego all that we have beside. Although we be never so loath to fight, yet very necessity forces us there to. And the farther we fly from it, the nearer it comes: Yea, and the closer a man keeps himself in, the more danger undoubtedly hangs over his head. Wherefore against such conspirators we may lawfully arm ourselves. violence (if need so require) may be encountered with violence. I mean not, to stand against lawful Magistrates, (whom I made exception of afore) Nor yet for the gospels sake only, which the providence of God hath defended heretofore, and will defend it hereafter, albeit the Pope bestir him never so much: But against the wicked & unjust furles of the Romish rabble, that would overthrow and destroy us and all ours, without hearing of our cause, & without all law and authority. This quarrel is a common quarrel to us all (my brethren) for as much as we have all one God our father in heaven, and all one saviour jesus Christ his son. How be it to thee most peculiarly O noble Germany, ought the praise of the many. preservation of the Gospel be given, for asmuch as thou hadst specially the glory of the restoring of it. Gather O daughter Zion thy Sisters about thee, call unto thee thy kinsfolks, which do partly dwell within thy Territory, and partly border upon thee. The vineyard of the Lord once purged by thee, behold the Romish Boar begins a fresh to tread down, and spoil. He begins fiercely to assail it, vanquish him therefore in time, calling to mind, thine old worthy praises, thy forpassed wounds, and the present danger that hangs over thy head. When I speak of Germany, I speak of thy great courage and stoutness, O worthy Swycherlande, whom almighty wychernde. God hath for a great part of thee made in these last times, a famous witness & Trumpet of jesus Christ. Let thy end therefore be like thy beginning, and run fourth thy race boldly which thou haste a great while ago courageously entered into, against this romish Prince of darkness. Neither must thou O valiant Denmark be unlike thyself, which hast by Denma●… God's providence been an harbourer of the professors of the Gospel, so as, though the devil raved never so much, yet was there always one sheepfold left for the afflicted and scattered flock of Christ to resort to. Thou therefore that hast been as a man would say an hostess, & an entertainer of god's people, put away from thee the enemies of the same, and suffer not the blessed state of thy Church, that is planted in true godliness, to be defiled with the Romish dregs. And thou O scotland, our own flesh and blood, knit to us afore by nature, Scotla●… but linked now also unto us by the profession of the Gospel, hold thou also fast the word of God, lately graffed into thee, which will at last purchase us the salvation of our souls. Thou hast a flourishing nobility, and a worthy company beside amongst the rest of the people, the number whereof God will augment, when it shall please him. With these therefore continue strongly in the faith to the end, and fight out lustily the noble fight thou hast begun, that when thy godly conflict is ended, thou mayest receive of thimmortal God an everlasting crown and reward. And now to come to thee O Swethland, thland●…. although thy kingdom be far distant from us, yet hath the bright son and clear light of the holy scriptures, descending down from above, lightened thee also with the beams of true godliness. Wherefore if need require, gather thou thy force also together, & employ all the power and strength thou mayest make, to maintain the glory of the majesty of God. finally albeit I name not all, yet do I speak to all those Nations and countries wherein the Gospel flourisheth, and the true service of God hath taken place. Awake my brethren, and consult all of ye together against this Romish fox. He hath laid snares and baits to hurt and harm your common weals: He seeketh all the corners he may, to enter into you: He thirsteth after your blood, and would (if he witted how) root quite out of the earth, both your name, & all manner of remembrance of you. Whereunto he hath many assistants, and also great aids and succours of vile and naughty men. And as for yourselves, next unto God, ye have this one only refuge left you, or else none at all. Which is, that ye love together, agree together, hold and take part together. Each of your Nations severed one from another, the romish force may easily overthrow, but joined all surely together, it can never hurt. Our life brethren, though it be an hundred year long, is in deed but a short and a miserable time, as jacob witnesseth of himself, and this same being so uncertain and so quickly run out, to how many perils of fortune beside, is it subject? with how many dangerous diseases also is it wasted? Let us therefore take bold and stout stomachs unto us, advauncing ourselves, and lifting up our hearts unto heaven. In a good quarrel it is better to die manfully, then to yield cowardly. And as for the goodness of the quarrel, what either is, or can be a better quarrel, then that that is for the defence of virtue, truth, & the Gospel? Or how on the other side, can there be a worse composition or yielding, then when the truth shall yield to lies, the light to darkness: and the eternal wisdom of God to men's traditions. Thus have I communicated with you friend Cecinna all my griefs, and cares, so far fourth as my business would permit. There is nought remaining now behind, but that with most earnest prayers we commit our whole cause unto God, requiring him to look favourably upon this his troubled and afflicted Church, hallowed with the precious blood of our Saviour jesus Christ, that put their trust and confidence in him, that live (as near as man's frailty will suffer) according to his laws, that hang altogether upon him, and finally do refer themselves and all that they have wholly to his singular goodness and mercy. Arise, O god, and put to flight thine ●…rayer. enemies. They be thine enemies, and thine is the quarrel that we have in hand. It is for thy glory that we fight, it is thy majesty that our adversaries assail, and the honour of thy Godhead that they impeach. And though they pretend never so much the name of christ, it is the Sea of Room whereunto they would bring and convey all manner of honour and reverence due to thy holy name. We might easily be at one with them, if we would suffer thy people to be plucked away from thy Gospel, and to be fast bound to their fond and wicked traditions: winking also beside at the great slaughter of thy servants. In fine if we would forsake the true sound, sincere, and Apostolic church, & would join ourselves to this same fond, feigned and counterfeit vysarr of the Romish church, alto corrupted with superstition, & defiled with most fowl errors. But O most loving Saviour, we can not depart from thee, nor never shall. Thou art jesus Christ, the son of god the father, having the words of eternal life, which we have believed. We be thy sheep, and therefore we hear thy voice. Thou art the true and only pastor of our souls. And therefore we acknowledge thee only, as for that same hired shepherd of Rome, we can not skill of him, but do rather hate him as a thief & a murderer, because he entered not in by the door, but thrust himself in a by way. This cruel and bloody wolf rangeth up and down spoiling thy flock. Keep him of O God, repress his fury, strain his jaws, with bit and bridle, and turn away at length his mischievous bands of soldiers from cutting our throats. Which do nothing else but lie gaping to devour us, and seek by all means they can, to suck the blood of thy Lambs. O father, help thy children. O Lord assist thy servants, O God aid thy people, and thou O saviour succour thy Supplyauntes, and those that call upon thee. For we have none other that fighteth for us, but thee only O Lord god, and jesus Christ thy son and our redeemer, who sitteth above in heaven on thy right hand in glory everlasting. Cecin. You have made helvidius a very good conclusion. And where I esteemed you afore for your learning and wit, I shall from henceforth love you for your godliness and religion. And now let us rise if you please, for I must go visit a friend of mine, that lieth very sore sick. Hel. And I must to the Court to talk with my friend C●…. ¶ A Prayer Surge Deus, Dextra, servos attolle cadentes etc. W. S. O God arise, with thy right hand, Lift up thy falling flock, The wicked fiend, with wrathful mood Doth threaten sore this stock. These irksome days, with uproars fierce, In fearful sort are toast, With force is virtue rend and torn, And fury arms an host. Law oppressed, is laid full low, And lust for law bears sway, And puffed pride, with raging threats Against the skies doth bray: But we thy offspring poor, that care, Taduaunce Christ's glory due, That do extol thy blessed name, With praise and honour true, Afflicted are full sore, and in A thousand perils live, And bloody force doth on each side, From place to place, us drive. Lo, some the strangling rope doth kill, Some, Iron wheels do wrest, Some are consumed in fiery flames, Some into floods are cast, Here sword, there guns, the tyrants shake, And force the fearful sound, By sundry slaughters they make red With blood, the lukewarm ground. What fury now (O brethren dear) Doth stir, these rancours wood? From whence proceadth this greedy thirst And wish to spoil our blood? One father we have, in heaven all, One saviour and no more, One flesh we be, One name we bear, One faith we have also. But mother's discord (alas for woe) Doth break the bands of peace, Out of this spring, these sundry ills, To flow still do not cease. The mother, which our god hath made ●…e Prima●… Church. In reverence due we have, Whom christ to him as his dear spouse To couple did vouchsafe. Out of whose breasts, the prophet's old, Their words by sucking drew, Whose infants were ancient troop Of all the father's true, This spouse did Christ, with tender love Bring up, when he was here, To his disciples, care was left, Of this his spouse most dear. Of this mother did witness bear, Thappostles every one, And whosoever Martyr was, In times that now are gone. The keeper of this spouse remainth, The sacred Bible old, Which without spot, doth former faith In firm estate still hold. This mother of corruption void, In godly life did shine And had respect unto her spouse, Always and to his line. Holy, gentle and mild, she was, A shamefast faithful wife And kept her duty still in mind, And loved up right life. In alms large, forgiving all, Of truth a pearl most pure, Unmindful of displeasures past, But good things noting sure. And to be short, this mother first, Of virtue found the vain, And so she doth, a pillar firm, Of virtues life remain. The R●… Churc●… Thother romish stepdame proud A mother's name hath got, An uglier monstrous beast then which The son now seeth not. Put up with pride, In lust she flows, And hunteth honour's gain: No care of good, nor fear of God, There doth in her remain, Smoky words, and shadows vain, Of things to sale she sets, No godliness at all she hath, But crafts that money gets. Laws she doth, to herself appoint, And break them as she will, Of gold a greedy gut she is, And bribes devoureth still. Her to adore, she all commaundth, And flat on ground to fall Before her fight although they bear, The Princely mace and Ball. This misbegotten beast, in blood Of saints hath great delight, And doth the members wound of God, With poisoned mouth and spite. O father dear, drive back this wolf, Who with imbrued jaws Doth tug & fear, this scattered flock, And never hath full paws. We follow thee, and eke thy spouse, All thy precepts we love, Our hope, and help doth ever come, From thy great Throne above. O mighty God thy mercy great, Us simple wretches keep, Thou art our only shepherd chief, and We thy flock of sheep. Look down from heaven, disperse the rage Of all these Giants proud, For sacrilege is their desire, Thy temples spoil they have vowed. And although we unworthy be, Yet worthy Christ behold, Who with his blood, hath washed clean, Our sores and festers old. The cruel stepdame frets, which troops Of vices compassed round, And us thy silly sheep she kilth, No help at all is found. O God, cast down thine eyes unto Thy servants wrack not small, And let the wicked armies force, In midddes of threats down fall, Or let thy grace them all forgive, Their former fault now past, So that we have (as once we had) One mother at the last. And thus of Saul, there shallbe Paul, Thus cruel war shall cease, And than shall follow, wished rest, Of joyful quiet peasse. O that thou wouldst, us worthy think, Of this league in our days, O father, O our god, O one And three, most worthy praise. FINIS.