A WELCH BAIT to spare Provender. Or, A looking back upon the Times past. Written Dialogue wise. This book is divided into three parts, The first, a brief discourse of England's Security while her late Majesty was living, with the manner of her proceeding in Government, especially towards the Papists and Puritans of England, whereof a Letter written late before her death, specifies, as followeth in this first part. The second, A description of the Distractions during her majesties sickness with the composing of them. The third, Of the Aptness of the English and the Scotte to incorporate and become one entire Monarchy: with the means of preserving their union everlastingly, added thereunto. Printed at London by Valentine Simmes. 1603. ❧ A Prelude upon the name of Henry Wriothesly Earl of Southampton. Ever WHoso beholds this Leaf, therein shall reed, A faithful subjects name, he shall indeed: The grey-eyde morn in noontide clouds may steep, But traitor and his name shall never meet. Never. To the right Honourable Henry Wriothesly Earl of Southampton Baron of Tichfield: and of the Noble Order of the Garter. LEt golden artists practise acquaint imposture, And study to a semblance of perfection, Let Leopers' sweat to show the world their moisture, We study not to patrons for direction: Unless the Honour that my lines shall owe Can both protect us, and approve them too. And such is thine, whose beams of Patronage Do heat alike in judgement, and in blood Both, with pure fires derived from parentage, Preserved in the Ark of Fortune's flood, When Neptune, and the sea gods did abet, With Cynthia in her fullest veins aspect. Thou wholesome Honour, Chaste Nobility, Be in protection mine, as Generous, Without distent through all thy ancestry: It was thy wont, Thou canst not err in us: And for the Test sufficeth me to know: Thy judgement best deserves my lines to owe. Your Lordships In all the nerves of my ability, Tho: powel. ¶ A Welsh Bait to spare Provender. England's Security. Question. SIr, whereas at our last parting at Richmond house very early, and in the very same morning wherein the late Majesty of England made progression through Tudyrs royal name, before any Successor yet apparent or proclaimed, you, excusing yourself with the times distraction, the fear of eruption, your duty and security to repair at such times to your own home, (thinking nothing Disaster that you suffer under your own star, no stroke too violent for your native country) promised after that confused Matachime, recovered into his wont harmony, such as crowns this day, with full consent, to describe unto me the Distractions precedent to her death, which did inform each estate so plentifully, as might supply even all the uses of observation. I desire you to be so feeling of these times felicity, Vbi quid censeat, etc. as shall suffice for the liberty of your speech, and the freedom of your promise. Answ. Good Sir, I confess to have liberty of modest speaking, whereby is offered an expedition from my promise is the chiefest felicity in my wishes, and to proportion out the broken numbers of those latter times with our mutual comments and collections might somewhat confirm us towards futurity: It only detains me before I enter into the discourse thereof to be so curious over your expectation, for you seem prepared unto me as to challenge conditions of your gentleness and humanity, both of hearing and censuring me, as one forced to be divided into so many and such the forms of this subject for the lifer description thereof, as may with a little help of wit be fashioned and fitted with some peculiar, the like behaviour, though much dissonant from my meaning, without giving the Character, or presuming your wit. For between the height of my soul's contemplation, and the earth of my affections, there is a Commonweal so populous, of whatsoever condition, that in describing all men, I discourse but myself unto you. Qu. Before you begin, I would desire you first to set forth that Tranquille Estate of England as it lay most soft, in her most security (her Majesty yet living, and in health.) That first, Taking your height from thence, even, from the Overflow of her Fullness, you may the easier make seem how great the distant was into the Distractions. Next, By the degrees of her sickness measureth the times farthest out of measure. And lastly, show how suddenly and solidely it was again composed What transposition and how many frets, how much vicissitude, one month begets: Be admonished by the way to use those means which may exempt your style from seeming serious, give it a free and pleasing laxation, but not so diffuse as if your flashes of mirth were cut out of the whole dresser cloth of rank wit? An. To describe that Security proceeding partly of the fullness of such a government, as was one reform in all the defects of those best squared, and conformed by religions principles, and especially of the bounty of providence, whole blessings, for a perfect government in itself to contain, it is as impossible as for a full vessel, his own moisture under a violent shower that falls far off: I must first show wherein her Fullness did overflow and mollify: And then, into what. It did overflow and suffer Excrescence. First, In Religion's uses. Secondly, In uses of temporal blessings. Of both which the Extent was into Softness, & Singularity. Softness and Singularity being either of Fashion or Custom. It was Softness of Fashion in such (I leave chambering and such like to the office of a Divine to speak of) as had the security to be fashionable in all their actions, and to live ●x vs● vivendi, of which sort of people are all sectaries of 〈◊〉, blind zeal, and example derived from ancestors and grandfathers, with such like whatsoever. The goodness of the day was to these like Lybian worms in digestion; it gave to such drowsiness all their faculties, that they could do nothing but what the fashion of their living offered unto them: and it was for fashion that Sir William R 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 R●●●●●● was wont in those days to send his man every morning to know how such a great nameless Ladyship took her rest after the last night's neates-tongue pic, etc. It was Softness of Custom in such as held no law to ceremony, no liberty to custom: and this was your country reveler, your only Lord of Whitsun ale: with a heigh ho come over the dale, come over the dale heigh ho. It was into Singularity with others, of which kind there be two sorts, Paradox, and Moral affectation. Paradox was one that for ambition of a Singularity in Religion and arts, would altogether oppose himself against the most received authority. Or rather for distinctions sake betwixt such, as who though they differ from the true positions: yet it is not è regione: let me call it Affectation: and that only Ambition where the Singularity is fetched from extremes, the farthest of which is Atheism. Qu. Is it possible there should be such presumption in man, as to impugn his own bosom faith, and all for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 bition of a Singularity, can it be that a Singularity should be so dearly gained and far-fetched? An. Yes; and boast that wit for it to, as much as Laco the lying travailer does his discovery of the new found land, with all the miraculous stones and plants he left behind him there: For, for mine own part I do believe there is no other Atheist but of conscious ambition. I come to the Moral affectation ofthose days which was either the oppsite of Fashion or Custom. Your opposite of Fashion was either he that used to dedicate the affected pretty and fantastic of every new 〈◊〉 to the judgement of some new Mistress. Or your Affectation of a neglected fashion and haviour, and this was your only shallow malcontent of the age. Now your Anticustome was one that would never go directly and by precedent, where his own wit or countenance could come by ambages: and therefore me thinks this should be he that was the first inventor of Monopoly, because the first that ever went out of custom. Me thinks this should be he that devised your first Impropriation of Ecclesiastical livings: Quest. Why should he not be the first Proteus of offices and occupations? Answ. No doubt Sir but he was: For I can tell you I knew him live in the Court, do her Majesty the service of a whole man there, and yet he was a parson in half a dozen places more at least, he was a bailiff in one shape, and a steward in an other, now, an Honourable, and by and by a housesweeper, I mean him that had no substitute therein for saving of the fee, and to the rest I reserve Eugé & Bellé. But Proteus was no body to an other Anticustome in my remembrance: What think you of the old ubiquitary Lycus? But I perceive you are rather chewing upon the times fullness that it should come to this, and notwithstanding to have wholesome government. Qu. Sir, I ratify your reasons before cited, for a kind of necessity to be acknowledged in them. I only expect to be hastened, now you are at the height of England's Security, to hear the manner of dieting it from the first Overflow of her Perfections fullness, while it is gathering new blood for new infection, desiring you to resume at her clear Governments proceeding between Softness and Singularity. Ans. With Softness in Religion, because there was no such intention in it as might attaint it finally, the mildest means of recovery were thought most compatible, and so applied in discretion to reduce it by gentle means, rather than give the wholesome blood issue at incisions. But into Singularity more observation inquired, prosecuting it in wisdom from the first schism to the extremest heresy. Qu. Of hit particular proceeding towards these by example of the Papists and Puritans, I pray enlarge your proposements, the rather to give satisfaction to the question had of the sincerity and constancy of the Inquisition into them. Ans. Because I hope I can not go beyond my duty and authority with their satisfaction, I will entertain their doubts with the sufficient answer of a letter written to that effect late before her majesties death: As followeth. A letter to a French Gentleman touching the proceedings in England in ecclesiastical causes translated out of French by T. T. SIr, whereas you desire to be advertised touching the proceedings here in Ecclesiastical causes, because you note in them some inconstancy and variation, as if we inclined sometimes to one side, and sometimes to an other, and as if that clemency and lenity were not used of late that was used in the beginning, all which you imputed to your own superficial understanding of the affairs of this state, having notwithstanding her majesties doings in singular reverence, as the real pledges which she hath given unto the world of her sincerity in religion, and of her wisdom in government well meriteth, I am glad of the occasion to impart the little I know in that matter unto you, both for your own satisfaction, and to the end you may make use thereof towards any that shall not be so modestly, nor so reasonably minded, as you are. I find therefore her majesties proceedings to have been grounded upon two principles. The one: That consciences are not to be forced, but to be won and reduced by the force of Truth with the aid of time, and the use of all good means of instruction and persuasion: The other, That causes of conscience, when they exceed their bounds, and grow to be matter of faction, lose their nature, and that sovereign Princes ought distinctly to punish the practice in contempt, though coloured with the pretence of conscience and religion. According to these principles her Majesty, at her coming to the Crown utterly disliking of the tyranny of Rome, which had used by terror and rigour to seek commandment of men's faiths and consciences, though as a prince of great wisdom & magnanimity she suffered but the exercise of one religion, yet her proceedings towards the Papists was with great lenity, expecting the good effects which time might work in them. And therefore her Majesty revived not the laws made in the 28. and 35. of her father's reign, whereby the oath of Supremacy might have been offered at the King's pleasure to any subject though he kept his conscience never so modestly to himself, & the Refusal to take the same oath without farther circumstances, was made treason: But chose, her Majesty not liking to make windows into men's hearts and secret thoughts, except the abundance of them did overflow into overte and express acts or affirmations, tempered her law so as it restraineth only manifest disobedience in impugning and impeaching advisedly and maliciously her majesties supreme power and maintaining and extolling a foreign jurisdiction: And as for the oath, It was altered by her Majesty into a more grateful form▪ the harshness of the name, and appellation of Supreme head was removed, & the penalty of the refusal thereof turned only into a disablement to take any promotion, or to exercise any charge; and yet that with liberty of being revested therein, if any man shall accept thereof during his life. But after, when Pius Quintus had excommunicated her Majesty, and the Bull of excommunication was published in London, whereby her Majesty was in sort proscribed and that thereupon, as upon a principal motive or preparative followed the rebellion in the North: yet because the ill humours of the realm were by that rebellion partly purged, and that she feared at that time no foreign invasion, and much less the attempt of any within the realm not backed by some potent succour from without, she contented herself to make a law against that special case of bringing in, or publishing of Bulls, or the like instruments: whereunto was added, a prohibition, upon pain, not of treason, but of an inferior degree of punishment against the bringing in of the Agnus Dei, hallowed bread, and such other merchandise of Rome, as are well known not to be any essential parts of the Roman religion▪ but only to be used in practi●e as love-tokens to enchant and bewitch the people's affections from their allegiance to their natural sovereign. In all other points her Majesty continued her former lenity. But when about the twentieth year of her reign she had discovered in the King of Spain an intention to invade her dominions, and that a principal point of the plot was to prepare a party with in the realm that might adhere to the foreigner, and that the Seminaries began to blossom and to send forth daily priests and professed men, who should, by vow taken at shrift, reconcile her subjects from their obedience, yea and bind many of them to attempt against her majesties sacred person, and that by the poison which they spread, the humours of most Papists were altered, and that they were no more Papists in conscience and of softness, but Papists in faction; then were there new laws made for the punishment of such as should submit themselves to such reconcilements or renuntiations of obedience▪ And because it was a treason carried in the clouds and in wonderful secrecy, and came seldom to light, and that there was no presumption thereof so great as the recusancy to come to divine service: Because it was set down by their decrees. That, To come to Church before reconcilement, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 schism: But; To come to Church after 〈◊〉, was absolutely heretical and damnable. Therefore there were added Laws containing punishment pecuniary against such Recusants, not to enforce consciences, but to enfeeble and impoverish the means of those of whom it rested indifferent and ambiguous, whether they were reconciled, or no. And when not withstanding all this provision, this poison was dispersed so secretly, as that there was no means to stay it but by restraining the Merchants that brought it in. Then lastly, was there added a Law whereby such seditious priests of the new erection were exiled; and those that were at that 〈◊〉 within the land shipped over, and so commanded to keep hence upon pain of treason. This hath been the proceeding, though intermingled, not only with sundry examples of her majesties grace towards such as in her wisdom she knew to be Papists in Conscience, and not in Faction and Sigularitie; but also with an ordinary mitigation towards the offenders in the highest degree convicted by law: If they would but protest▪ that if in case this realm should be invaded with a foreign army by the Pope's authority, for the Catholic cause, (as they term it) they would take part with her Majesty, and not adhere to her enemies. For the other part which have been offensive to the State, though in other degree, which name themselves Reformers, and we commonly call Puritans; this hath been the proceeding towards them. A great while when they inveighed against such abuses in the Church, as, Pluralities, Nonresidence, & the like; their zeal was not condemned, only their violence was sometimes censured. When they refused the use of some ceremonies and rites, as superstitious, they were tolerated with much connivance, and gentleness: Yea, when they called in question the Superiority of Bishops, and pretended to bring a Democracie into the church; Yet, their Propositions were heard, considered, and by contrary writing, debated, and discussed. Yet all this while, it was perceived that their course was dangerous, and very popular: as, because Papistry was odious, therefore it was ever in their mouths, that they sought to purge the Church from the relics of Papistry, a thing acceptable to the people, who love ever to run from one extreme, to an other. Because multitude of Rogues▪ and poverty were an eyesore, and dislike to every man, therefore they put it into the people's head: That, if Discipline were planted, there should be no vagabonds, nor beggars (a thing very plausible.) and in like manner, they promised the people many other impossible wonders of their Discipline. Besides, they opened the people a way to government by their Consistory, and Praesbyterie (a thing though in consequence no less prejudicial to the liberties of private men, then to the sovereignty of Princes, yet in first show very popular. Nevertheless all this (except it were in some few that entered into extreme contempts) was borne, because they pretended but in dutiful manner to make propositions and to leave it to the providence of God, and the authority of the Magistrate. But now of late years, when there issued from them as it were a Colony of those that affirmed the consent of the Magistrate was not to be attended, when under pretence of a confession, to avoid slanders and imputations, they combined themselves by classes and subscriptions, when they descended into that vile & base means of defacing the government of the Church by ridiculous Pasqu●ls. When they began to make many subjects in doubt to take an oath, which is one of the fundamental parts of justice in this Land and in all places. When they began both to vaunt of the strength and number of their partisans, and followers, and to use communications that their cause would prevail, though with uproar and violence. Then it appeared to be no more zeal, no more conscience, but mere faction and division: And therefore though the State was compelled to hold somewhat a harder hand to restrain them then before; yet it was with as great moderation as the peace of the Church and State could permit. And therefore Sir (to conclude) consider uprightly of these matters, and you shall see her Majesty is no temporizer in religion; she builds not religion upon policy, but policy upon religion; It is not the success abroad, nor the change of servants here at home can alter her, only as the things themselves alter, so she applieth her religious wisdom to correspond unto them, still retaining the two rules before mentioned, in dealing tenderly with consciences, & yet in discovering Faction from Conscience, & Softness from Singularity. Farewell. Your loving friend T. P. THe other kind of Softness in mortal behaviour, because it had no such eagerness in it, as might it time unquallifie the general temperament, was measured advisedly by his own length and breadth: It had ceremony of an implicit law and custom of a modest liberty. Singularity in Arts, because it needed no other penance but the world to have knowledge of it, to be the sign of a too soon mellowed wit, to be as soon rotten, was therefore limed with no other circumvention. Ambition in Arts, such as tended to induce the heresy of religion, suffered under the same letter of the law with it: it was only the modesty of the lawgiver not to prohibit that which her charity denied her to suspect, as an ambition so infinite and beyond extremes, as is Atheism, which in the most presumption broke but out in positions of Philosophy, and that for disputations cause, or so. Your Singularity of Fashion, was such an uncertain fellow, that no law, nor good opinion could ever take hold of him. Next, your Malcontent expressed, had leave to walk the great conduit court of the world, till he wanted breath to give curses their significant found, unless it chanced the wantoness to wash out the face-making fly stingde giddiness before his cew. Lastly, as I cannot excuse Singularity of custom better than by ascribing it to the iniquity of the times passed so. I will not wish it worse than to be so reform in times to come, that Proteus may have but one certain shape, and plump Lya●● one Ivy bush. Even here at the habit of Anticustome, thus far crept in upon seeming good and lawful inducements, was the most extensure of Security, her Majesty even now in health, and even now she sickened when her fullness had all these fortunate moles upon it, when, Softness had safety to live out of use. when, Religion had time to be factious. when, Arts had strains of affectation. and when, Wit was ambitious of Singularity. All which are the manifest signs of a full and fortunate Weal. Quest. I believe you have omitted one and the chief kind of a habit of Security: Inoculate Security: that which never looks behind him: never studies to futurity, unless you implied it in Softness of Custom? Ans. I did so, as it was improvidence of requisite, and no otherwise: But it seems you mean Security Inoculate to the succession, which is as far from being Softness in duty, that it is rather the quality of 〈◊〉 in the heart of obedience, whereby a man is so securely and wholly dedicated to the present sceptre, that he lend no part of this duty to the next succession. For the greatest duty which we owe to succession, next prayer, is, to instruct, ourselves modestly in his title, for our confirmation and assurance, that our lives, laid down in his cause, and, when his time shall require, are a sacrifice: and the blood otherwise, spent otherwise: The next is, if God have endued him with singular gifts, to set them before us for our comfort. And whatsoever is more than this is supererogation of works, which oftentimes want their faith. I speak not this, to accuse any such, but to excuse the most. Or rather, it seems you cast out this bait, to catch an unadvised answer, à contrary, as if you would tendetly lead me to say, that among a people of fulfil and insinuating behaviour there all ways hath been, and ever will be, transposition of duty, while there is possibility of change. I think I may speak it generally, reserving safely my faith of the present excepted state. All imminence of change, or age suspected, Yields cold affectious, awfulness neglected, And every sceptres years wears out his gold: But this of james wrought out of purest mould. To whose clear radiance being so divine, All subjects eyes look forward, 〈◊〉 behind, And wish we may enjoy those beams of his, While Time hath when to be, or Being is. Your last question hath discontinued me longer from England's most soft of Security, th●n I purposed. But I hope all is well till we come ever here where her Majesty sickened. The Distractions during her majesties sickness. THe first news the 〈◊〉 had of her sickness came from 〈◊〉 by one Oliver Shark a sculler & was delivered with other certain provant accordingly▪ Before this news was stale came a tail of fresh salmon to countermand it with other certain news of a something nothing, and a priest that was neither dead nor alive, but suspended betwixt both. But the meat that this news carried in the mouth of it, having taken wind in the seasoning was sold two days after at the Bridge-house in Southwark for little or nothing. The appetite of the vulgar was not so queasy but it would rather call again for the first dish, than turn gorge to the taint of the latter; and now again her majesties sickness was altogether in their private cups: for as yet it was but private, and that only in the Cities till anon after, Tweedle the Taborer chanced to carry it piping hot into the Country, and what marvelous Distractions it wrought in both, I shall briefly discourse unto you. Yet the news passed but betwixt neighbours and familiars, only for entertainment of time and exercise of secrecy, or so. The first news only prepared them to believe the second affirmations, whereof the next tidings presently possessed them: for indeed, the vulgar faith is all possession; and now there wanted nothing to transport and distract them, but the many differing circumstances of the oft repeated news. Quest. And could that be wanting in a world so ambitious of innovation? Were there none that would lend a hand to vanquished the staleness of it with the important circumstances that should attend this sickness? Ans. 〈…〉 were either such as to whom their present discontentment, either the hope of Revenge or Advancement made it seem stale. These only laboured to draw the vulgar into distraction knowing them to be of such facility therein, that they would dissolve again in the fear of eruption. And now, when this third days asseveration to the former with all the circumstances that midnight's advise could add unto i● had full effect in them, they were distracted. The poorer sort, lest their security and fashion of living should be disturbed by the eruption. The richer sort, lest the eruption should bring a general embargo of traffic abroad▪ and domestical credits or debts depending in other men's hands at 〈◊〉. Quest. Then, if their distractions could reserve to fear and that fear recover some part of itself into the study of prevention. Let me know how far it could reach his means at such a time, or whether by striving to be freed it was not more engaged? Ans. Of these two the first only was lost in the act of study. The other being loath to out-steppe the sure and slow modesty of his discretion embraced only the next means which offered themselves to his advise: That was to proceed lawfully while time yet served in quest of debts at home, and to dispatch an expeditious summons to factors abroad. This intendment of lawful quest put hope of revenge upon creditors, for at such a time a man shall find none so great an enemy as his debtor, to a farther task, for his own security, which would not be better preserved than by abating the edge of justice with a constant report of her majesties death. This was presently snatched of many. The more believed, by how much the more was the niceness had of it: And the rather, because the voice of her sickness had now depended among them three or four days at least. For it is not the intention or remission of a thing already granted, but the degrees of time, wherein it depends persuades the vulgar belief in extremes. This opinion of the commons, especially those of the City, was as, the next days business gave occasion, in Guildhall, in solid sentence reinforced and had, no doubt, given way to the 〈◊〉 in a reverence of the speaker but for suggestion of Desire of innovation, who still took up their parts of facility as they lay for his use and employments, of which none was so fit in this place as his suspicion over greatness and nobility upon some superficial surmises, which turned his speech into a greater argument of their former presumption, so that here I may well say with the poet. — Agitatas urere 〈◊〉 & vidi nullo con●●●●●te mari. The which our English Ovid hath thus translated, The more I wave this brand of fire about, The more it burns, fire let alone goes out. And though it were in their presumption already, to believe the report of her death, yet fear, and the habit of obedience under a long established and civil government commanded their humility, not to publish it; till when, the inferior officer of justice, though he made some scruple (as was craftily put unto him) to do the most that the virtue of his office would bear, yet he would still be foiling at transgression, as occasion served, and till then the creditor durst be so valiant as to acknowledge, yea and to challenge his debtor. Myself knew a Mercer of the spirit in those days to send his wife with the book to a right Honourable, whose chance it being to overtake me upon my way, bespoke me for one of his followers, that had served him seven years to know his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the order, to dispose her, where she might accost his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 most conveniently, excepting only his bedch●●●er, for to have audience there, her author says is a note of 〈◊〉 great popularity; to avoid which, it is his custom to be attended in the drawing chamber, which me thinks should be a note more than woman-modesty would bear: and of this, too much for the valour of the creditor, while she was dead in their whisperings. Hitherto the vulgar discerning no alteration in the method of the world, such as uses to follow the death of princes, and no breath used to maintain the fire of belief by the suspected endeavour of suppressing it, grew to be so remiss in the delay, that his whilom impatience became a thing like a reasonable creature, so like, that shortly the commandment of certain the 〈◊〉 physicians to be sent to Court, made them once more affable, so affable, that he could have endured the discourse of the measure of her diet, the manner of her rest, or the nature of her sickness with some few breathe betwixt: whereby it appears hitherto, yea unto the end: The habit of a civil government had his challenge in them entire, and that hitherto the disease of staleness lay soft in his own bosom. Qu. Me thinks a Habit at such a time as this was, could not so wholly retain them, without the better and much more than ordinary invigilance of office? Ans. Sir, I make Habit of obedience, the nature of his tenure, and the present circumstances of the time, his conditions with the government; So that, these times being so incertain and quick in their circumstances, that they could not be measured with conditions, I think I may without detraction from office attribute the continence of them to Habit, of obedience chiefly. Once more laying apart all surmises, it was in clear eloquence (provided it were from the mouth of their own Orator) and in gentle means, though not to give their affection's peace, yet to compress them from breaking out into loser speaking, which is always the certain Message of mutiny. Quest. As if the private example of punishment had, were not rather to be used at such times, then gentle means to the vulgar, in whom admiration and fear of justice have such sympathy and relative suffering. An. It were in composed times; but not here: for know. This vulgar's like a skein of many threads Running into a round and loser list, It ravels, and it opens ere ye wist. Pluck at the single threads with violence, It puckers to a knotty consequence: When with a gentle shaking of the 〈◊〉 The hardest knots unt wine themselves again. Yea the very rage of humility, though it be most violent, and dangerous: Yet it is sooner alliciated by ceremony than compelled by virtue of office. Th'extremest vassalage enlarged acquires The most insatiate and licentious head Whose giddiness like to a drunken man Is sooner pacified than chastised. It would be pacified in the present fury, and afterwards in his time chastisement would be taken of the first and chief commencers thereof: But in this place they could not be so loose of obedience for the reasons before going. Anon: For all this, I know not upon what admonition of circumstances, there chancing certain munition to be carried through the City to the Court, and other carriages retrieved from thence to the Tower; the vulgar began to find fault with his own flexibility of belief, vowing no longer to suffer his ears to be taken up with any other persuasion but that of her death, nor to defer any farther his instance taking from the Court, but to be presently appointed upon his double guards. And here Distraction had his ancient cognisance of Bilbo: passant, and Lantern and candlelight pendant. And even here it rushed into the suspicion of apparent succession approaching. Quest. Then, the out-breaking was not till now? because nothing could divide them so much as the question thereof? Answ. Nor yet: for it was a question, not in faith; but in works; or rather ceremony of knowledge thereof had, to which it had been so long enawde, that it was in their disposition, and nature to fear to speak it before the very Ajax in the painted cloth. It was no violent sweat in their affections to attend the providence of God, the goodness of the hour, and the due consent of the Nobility. These former signs of Eruption to be suspected, at least did here dead, the quickness of all sale and commerce. So that the trades man and the man of science mercenable gave that time to hearing & retailing of news which belonged heretofore to the care of his charge. Why? there was such pursuit after news, that whole houses stood as naked as Newington butts, and no body to give a man a reasonable answer at door but my True and Natural Bilbo: which I could have best allowed, if it had been at a Constable's door, for it must needs be there most safe: because the stocks never stand far off: And both together are like a cup of good wine at the Counter gate in the Poultry where a good fellow dares not come to commend it, or rather like a provost Martial at a Miser's feast, where beggars dare not attend it. Over the common application of these said signs, came his degrees of time, which by this, brought Suspicion into Expectation of change; after which Discontentment thirsted, Prisons yawnde, the skirts of the Suburbs longed, and Hope of Revenge did invocate, yet all was spe macra (as Persuis speaks) for still justice was foiling as occasion served. Occasion served this day the next before her death, to put into safe custody your only honest Dick termed Captain, for making fencers breakfasts as he was passing upon his way to take instruction from some Cooper's boy where the cities provision was stored, or such like business of import, I guess for caution to such as it concerns to be more careful, whom they employ in the lodging thereof. Notwithstanding, my Captains late mischance this very same day, such as had smoked out the memory of them in Bankside tappehouses and Bartholomew booths, were seen abroad at high noon; all, in expectation of executions or employments at least. Quest. You shall do well to make the description of the day somewhat more cinct than the subject ministers unto you, and to close it up with the setting of the fairest star in the farthest West: Even with the eves evening to her death▪ In which, if there be familiarity betwixt Heavens & Mortality, I should especially look for manifestation thereof by such signs whose reasons stand without the mystery of your Philosophy? Answ. Besides, that I am so far from being scrupulous therein, that only excepting against some absurdities founded upon it, I repute it a necessary instrument of providence I assure you that such signs of promotion to come from the North, asked the astonishment of this frailty, and these Organs affixed unto them. This night, I know not by what unknown familiarity; amazement usurped upon all senses, and more than wont weight sat upon all eyes. This night, the travailer as advised upon some gaine-giving, reposed himself before his hour, and the watchman, whom the business of the night had took up, seemed to walk his round in some unfrequented place, so full of solitude was that night, labouring of that consummation, whereof this next morning was delivered: when every star hastened to be quenched in his own dew. Her lives familiar star did shoot and fall, The fairest one the heavens were graced withal. Quest. What could now obsist (her death being granted) why, between it and the Succession proclaimed, Humility should not put off his habit of awfulness, and like a full eyed falcon take impatience of handing? Why should not this intermission complain her old agreemences? Or rather, why should it not actuate whatsoever the former times had took to heart? Answ. Because the news thereof had the same wing with the best expedition of publishing the Succession. Or say, the present ruins of Majesty, detaining yet the Peers conscript in the spectacle, had given the speaking message of her death the first statte, and preoccupation of ears, yet it being long since registered in the vulgar faith, could not now with all his comment of circumstances take off the foreskin which had even overgrown the memory of her: for his faith was long since made so yielding unto it, that no new force, or concussion of loud report, but only lenitive means could give quickens to the grief of it, being so much stupefied & blunted with depending, as the sense of his expectation of change with use, now nothing but evident rummage, and the inversion of the general method could be violent in their affections; so much their fear was overlaid with delay. For take notice, that this vulgar is not to be prepared to any thing by any, but by Kingly power: It is an extemporal creature, and certain in nothing but his habit. While England's Majesty was very early this morning about to be transposed, did discontentment fretting upon protraction resolve at length, because the Sear of the Commons according to the airs subtlety would not take to be deliberately kindled into rage to lift up his burden upon his own shoulders, and to set the first hand that should even dislocate this stale world locally; so eagerly it distasted him, promising to himself an assurance of buyng back their duties by the offered prey into which his facinorous example should not fail to engage them; When to secure themselves for that offence, No treason is too dark to be commenced. And now as the hand of Discontent was uplifted, when Revenge looked big upon his creditor, and the rich man feared to carry his throat about him. The blessedness of the hour, admonished by signs from heaven, and consciences on earth to proclaim King james of England the first, composed as suddenly, as solidly even all the Distractions of our scene: At which did Discontentment give this desperate farewell to all his hopes. The News is good thus, and good otherwise: What needs he fear to fall ne'er hopes to rise? Quest. Sir now you have digested the fractions of those days remotion so compendiously as these few, the appertment words and the patience of your hearer could bear, I desire you before you speak of the Scottish Englishing which I take to be the main drift of your exercise, to offer by the way at her exequys, who was sometimes the Fire, the Numbers, the Genius, the any thing, Eliza of poesy, the same, sometimes. Musa potens musis, dijs dea dia deabus, Angelica Angelicis, Nimphaque chorà Choris. Answ. Because I would have you think you cannot do me more acceptable imposition, you shall receive it at once in these few lines following. The Offering. LIttle wonder thou shouldst die, Though thy means were great in flying: Greatness shall I tell thee why, Longest lifed is longest dying, And if both at once began, Who would wonder at thee than? Nothing strange to be sufficed, After Kingdoms left behind thee, And so much by thee demized With this little to confine thee, For thy story ne'er makes mention, Appetence had more Intention, Tell thou to others that their ends must have, For all their Kingdoms but one little grave. Uixit atqúe moritura Eliza. Quest. IS this all she shall have? Why I expected a volume of your Melpomene bound up in the very vamp of her buskines with pretty passionate speeches in a new strain, and an invocation that should have drawn dry the very hooves of your flying horse in Fridaystreete; as thus. Admetus' dairy maid come feed thy Neame, Come bring Apollo curds and clouted cream. But indeed, indeed, this is all in all, for true grief would not be commended for action, it is so much in suffering: It would be ceremonious, not affected? Answ. At least Sir I am sure, there is no more sincerity in these few lines, than I am able to quote upon a mass of her flatterers: For who would believe it? That he which was wont to set a world's distinction betwixt her and mortahtie, should now come after, and say she went the way of all flesh? Or, is it possible? That the same Anti-Corbulo that hath so often prayed, he might never live to see that day should be so good to his Physician now? I see the reason of it, the quenched fire made the old wife give o'er her tale; and there she lost it. The Scottish Englishing. Question. NOw you have brought me to the restitution of the times harmony, I think it not amiss to close up your discourse with the Scottish Englishing, or the uniting of both Nations, that first, implying his majesties prerogative therein, in his title derived from Henry the third: you come briefly to the discussing of the inherence upon these two questions. The first, whether there be an aptness in these two to be reconciled and made one? The second, whether being now made one, there may be means used to preserve that consent and unity everlastingly? The first question is only of their mutual accommodation thereunto? The second question is only of secondary means, whether there be such as might uphold in all & like contentment, the Liberties, Reputations, and Benefit of both? Besides that I confess, we ought in duty to observe his majesties decrees whatsoever, provided in that behalf without farther study to our satisfaction. Of these two in the second place, and at the first sight somewhat be spoken wi●h a breath soaring in a middle region, neither depressed to the earth of yourself extraduced, neither ascending to paint the face of the times best favourites auro ovato with flattery? Answ. In the first place that I may only differ in mine authority from the rest of my country men, give me leave to derive his Majesty by the history of the Royal house of England, written in Italian by Petruccius Vbaldine Cyttadine of Florence for the indifferency of his Nation, and the reverence of his testimony, who lived lately among us, translated by his own Manuscript, and briefly abridged, as concerning our purpose only, as followeth. The division of the Koyall house of England had his original from the sons of Henry the third, Edward and Edmund: It hath been supposed by some that Edmund was the elder, and being crooked, Edward was preferred the easier before him, which suggestion Henry the fourth used to colour his usurpation of the Crown upon Richard the second. This faction after it burst out, caused bloody wars in England, either house prosecuting the other to the destruction of them both; the possession of the Crown remaining to either according to their force, the fortune and favour of the time. This controversy after God had made use therein to manifest his just punishment of Edward the fourth in his children, for his cruelty towards Henry the sixth, and Edward his son, together with some perjuries that the histories impose upon him and his unnatural dealing towards his brother Clarence, was by the plot of Morton Bishop of Elie taken away in the performance of that oath which he took of Henry of Richmond of the house of Lancaster, to marry with Elizabeth the sole heir of the contrary house, after the tyrant Richard slain in battle. Of this Henry the seventh came Henry the eight with his sisters, the eldest of which being named Margaret, King Henry the seventh in his spirit of prophecy, wherein he had a peculiar potency (as the history of his dying makes mention) and in his providence of reducing the two Kingdoms of England and Scotland into one entire Monarchy, as his own hand writing left behind him can sufficiently testify, did match with the Sceptre of Scotland, from whence both by father and mother after the issue of Henry the eight, now extinct is derived King james of both Kingdoms the immediate successor: who for the constancy of his favours, his inappetence of new purchase, and his care of husbanding the means of all his Dominions for their own good and preservation, is lively modelled by his grandfather Henry the seventh, whose example Vbaldine commendeth to his successors for the best form of administering the Commonwealth abroad, and the household at home: In his days the Nobility wont not to procure access through inferior advocation, nor the Fabiuses to have their cause solicited by Vinius bondman, or Nimphidius verlottes, the Commons were yet invited to contributions, but came freely, nor the Exchequer was ever better stored with the proper revenue, and the exhibition of those offices which belonging thereunto, were conferred upon the ministers which should execuse them with his own immediate hand, the neglect whereof hath been the cause of all the abuses of office in this land, when his patent must come through so many advocating hands. Quest. Now you have sufficiently implied in the title his prerogative of uniting these two Kingdoms, warranted and instanced both out of holy writ, and traditional report of Sceptres long since translated with their whole tribes and families, I desire you to come to the question of their aptness thereunto in the second place? Answ. To prove an Aptness in the Scot to incorporate with the English, let me tell you what kind of Aptness is required in this place. For Aptness of agreeing is either in Substance or Beauty. And because there is a general Aptness, or an Aptness in Substance, even in the Scythian to incorporate with any the most civil nation, that is, having in his reasonable soul matter malleable thereunto, without farther immoration upon it, I lay the present proof in Aptness of the Beauty of their Manners, Laws, and Language. Of which the Beauty is to be tried and examined by these his two Trials, Delight and Similitude. That his manners have complacence & similitude of Beauty with ours of the English in religious manners it appears. It being only conformable with the English. Both which the other world removed apart makes seem one City upon a hill. In conversation he delights us the more by how much the livelier he only expresseth our endeavours, and our principles whereby there is discerned a mutual Aptness, and inclination in both, owing our duties to the same Sceptre to become one entire, and undistinct Monarchy. Of Laws, (Law ye fir) justine says there is no difference so long as they agree in the fundamental parts, being executed Per eos Legis peritos qui sunt honesti, studiosi justitia, non anari, etc. It is some thing in latin, which I can not translate into English I assure you sir. Of Language because the difference is but this, that the English is like a Denshire kersey after fulling set out with all the art of draperie to give it grace and gloss. And the Scottish unstarcht with inkhorn, stage suiting consciousness It can not choose but delight the English Orator for firmness and solidity, having much cleanness and purity in the written letter, The Poet for descant upon the first eliments of his natural phrasing; and both for very Aptness and consimilitie of sentence. Now for the preserving of this union the secondary means which occur are either, Free means, or Obligatory and less free. The free means are these, Election and Confidence. First by Election we shine in humanity to select his strangeness into fellowship of exercising and businessing: wherein; by desiring him well we shall duly erogate the like from him. The next is to be confident in our election when we excercise or business with him, in freeness of spirit apertly; not curiously with observing into him: whereby we shall challenge to discover in his generous expansure (I speak of their gentry chiefly) much cause of delight in our choice, by the plentiful accommodation of his parts in converse. I call these Free means because they proceed only of libeberall education & nobility in nature, which are by these two signs to be distinguished from such souls as are conditions, slaves. The obligatory or lesser liberal means, next under the Laws, are in Conditions of Commercement, Seals of marriage, and Bonds of duty. First, in Commercement, when our thrift is implied and promised to ourbusinesse with him (as no doubt but it carrieth such profit with it as shall uphold the benefit of either in all and like contentment. Secondly in Marriage, which being now sealed betwixt the sons and daughters, of either is obligatory in nature after consummation, and before in Covenant for the most part. If otherwise, it is a free means: Howsoever, it makes no less alike the liberties and reputations of either than Election and Confidence in the ●●●●st converse that may be. Wherefore I commend it to both having such pregnant aptness upon their complexions and in than dispositions thereunto for the best means of incorporating and preserving this union everlastingly. Lastly, in Duty, and to this we are whipped & led by the Animal motion of like for like, in Liberties in Reputations, and in Benefit: where there is no difference (if so please his Majesty) of Franchisement; none of Heraldry, nor yet of Mart; both being within the same Ocean both one Monarchy, and one City upon a hill, without confusion of Manners, Laws or Language. Of this union, and consent: to conclude with this small taste of the Time's felicity, I think it no giddy Rapture in me to divine. May both swell in one main, and neither fall: That Sea will stretch to Rome's high Capital. FINIS. To the unparaleld blessed disposition The Lady Elizabeth Bridges. THat thou art fair, because thou wouldst not know it, My Verse shall be no flattering glass to show it. The art free from conflicts with the blood of sense: Experience too, bids that doubt space expense. Then, where is't I am detained? Chaste 〈◊〉, self owning beauteous, Be benign● as we are dueteous; Reed our Line, and Love unfeigned. T. P. To the noble Gentleman, Sir Thomas Kneuet. THis would thy Mistress once bespeak thy merit, Not with any breath of liver: Had I a child that challenged to inherit More than Sceptre holds together. Even such blessed issue might aswell be▪ seem Brought up by Kneuet, as borne of a Queen. And thus, unto thy Censure now speak I, (Humbler affectation suiting.) The fairest issue of our nursery, if'ft deserve that names reputing, Thinks greater fame than this cannot succeed it, The wisest Kneuet doth vouchsafe to read it. T. P. To the Right Worshipful Sir Edward Dyer. THis which I bring thee is no Ilias Writ in Veratrum drunken giddiness: Yet in the stufffing of our legends mass, It is not to conceit in most recess, Nor honours it with the most humble knee, Though it's unsinewed to fall under thee. T. P.