A PITHY EXHORTATION TO HER MAJESTY FOR ESTABLISHING HER SUCCESSOR TO the crown.  
WHEREUNTO IS ADDED A DISCOURSE containing the Author's opinion of the true and lawful successor to her Majesty.  
Both compiled by PETER WENTWORTH Esquire.  Prudens Princeps haeredem nominando Regno prospiciet, & si desit filius de successore seriò cogitabit. Ex Sparta. A wise Prince by naming his heir will provide for the safety of his kingdom: and if he have no son, he will be the more careful to establish his successor. Out of Sparta. 
IMPRINTED. 1598.   


Thomas Foley of Great Witley Court in the County of Worcester Esq.   bookplate   

TO THE READER.  
GOOD Reader the two Treatises ensuing were written by M. WENTWORTH, whose zealous affection to the preservation of Religion, his Prince & country, hath been made better known to all her majesties good subjects, by his patiented and constant endurance for so good a cause as he maintained, than it can be by any man's report or commendation. In the former (which by the advice of some friends he preferred to her Majesty in form of a supplication) is proved, that for the safety of the kingdoms of England and Scotland, and of the Religion professed in them, it is absolutely necessary that all the claims and titles to the crown of this Realm be tried by Parliament, and that the rightful successor to her highness be declared and confirmed now in her majesties lifetime. I doubt not but every religious and true hearted subject is of his mind. The latter declaring his opinion concerning the person of the true & lawful successor, he sent to some privy friends at their instant request: it may seem strange that he would venture to write it, in respect of these ticklish times, and of his present troubles for a lesser matter: but yet there was strong reasons leading him to do the same. I have published them both not so much to procure commendation & praise to the dead, though he justly deserve it for his most worthy parts, as to work a due regard of right and equity, to the good and behoof of all my countrymen: and that he whose mouth was stopped from speaking the good which he would when he did live, might now without danger openly proclaim the same, (though some would not) after his death. And as he was accustomed to say to his friends, if it be a duty required of us to communicate our knowledge in the meanest matters for mutual instruction: who in any good conscience can suppress his knowledge in matters so greatly importing every private and public estate of these Realms? yea both earthly kingdoms and the kingdom of Christ. For these respects I have thought it expedient, that he who hath spoken in the Parliament with so great regard and good liking of all the hearers, should now as it were with his own mouth speak to all the subjects of England, seeing it is a matter that so greatly concerneth us all. I have altered or suppressed no thing in either of them, unless it be titles and names of persons, & places, & words of courtesy, which were not at all requisite to be known. Some things I have quoted in the margin for thy better understanding, being acquainted with his meaning, and have also englished some things for the help of the unlearned. Now for myself (good Reader) I speak my opinion in the truth of my conscience, that the Scottish King (for anything I know) hath the best right to succeed to our gracious and Sovereign Lady. Wherein I am the more confirmed for that I know it to be the opinion of some men, who make as much conscience of their doings, and have as much wisdom & law in their budgets, as any man whatsoever that is in this land. And to me it seemeth a thing altogether needless, yea void of common sense and reason, to fetch with so great ado the branches and pedigrees from William the Conqueror, Edward the first, or Edward the third, and to contend and to dispute a fresh for the houses of Lancaster and York, seeing all good men confess, that the right must have been in the children of Henry the seventh, and Elizabeth eldest daughter to Edward the fourth. And if by all our judgements the two titles were in them most happily joined he must be unhappy, that would seek to dissolve them. We have paid too dear for pleading broken titles: and other service will please God better, then to purge this land with our blood for our unthankfulness of all the benefits which we do at this present enjoy. But to go a little further, if her Majesty had a daughter or sister, I dare be bold to avouch that none in all Engl. dared presume to speak against her: yet she could not possibly have any better rightor title, I speak of the ground of it, than the heirs of the Lady Margaret Teuther may claim by her. For if the right of the brother King Henry the 8. and his children be good, the right of his eldest sister Lady Margaret and her heirs cannot be bad, & for want of his issue, hers must needs come in. The acts and statutes wrested against the Scottish king, are, in my conceit▪ by divers sufficiently answered. The inconveniences pretended for barring him, are but suspicions and surmises alleged without any colourable ground, and though they were true, yet they were rather to be admitted, than the manifest ruin of the Realms. Finally, I wish thee so to read these treatises of M. Wentworths', as he was accustomed to read other men's, to wit, to yield tot he reason, and not to the man, for if he or I be deceived, it is enough that we bear the blame of our own error, though we be not also burdened with thine, and therefore do as thou will answer for it, for I seek thy good, and not to hurt thee. Thus protesting that with my heart I desire hereby nothing more than the preservation and advancement of Religion, the standing of my native Prince and country, and that if I did know a better right then the Scottish kings, I would unfeignedly favour it, I leave thee for this matter to the gracious direction of the Almighty.  
Farewell.   

Faults escaped in the printing.  
Page 3. in the margin, cause, read offence▪ Pag. 6. in the margin, 46. read 49. Page 11. Lin. 22. weighie, read weighty. Page 45. Li. 14. discomfort, read discomfit. Page 52. Lin. 17. perserue, read preserve. Pa. 83. L. 8. which, read with. Page 89. L. 3. and, read add.  
In the second Treatise.  
Page 30. Line 3. thereupon, read therefore Page 48. L. 5. leadged) are, read leadged are) Page 81. L. 8. 7. root, read root). Pag. 75. Li 12. up, read upon, P. 81. L. 17. lose, read loss.   

AN EXHORTATION TO HER MAJESTY, FOR ESTABLISHING HER SUCCESSOR TO THE CROWN.  
MOST high, and 
The bounden duty of a faithful hearted subject to God, his Prince, and country, is the cause of this Treatise.  mighty Prince, our dear sovereign & liege Lady, we protest before the Almightythe searcher of all hearts, that true and hearty love, first towards God and his true Religion, secondly a loyal and dutiful affection towards your highness person, & preservation: & lastly, a mind, by all lawful means unfeignedly wishing the good peace & prosperity of this our native country of England, and no other respects whatsoever, have moved and stirred us up: first to devise and write, and now to offer and deliver unto your Majesty, this short discourse following. Whereby, though it might be feared we shall incur your grace's displeasure, & are not ignorant that the anger of a Prince is as the roaring of a Lion, and even the messenger of death, because it is so said in the Scripture: yet notwithstanding the former respects have so prevailed with us, that we durst not but adventure thus far▪ forthough the matter which herein we labour to persuade you unto be such, that (by great likelihood) it will at the first provoke you to wrath, and kindle your displeasure towards us: yet we nothing doubt, but that we shall make it appear to be a thing most necessary, profitable, and honourable for your highness 
The knowledge of the second person necessary before God and man.  to yield unto, both before God and man, and the most safe mean for your majesties present preservation also. We therefore presume, and therewith we have encouraged ourselves, that such is your grace's wisdom and gracious disposition, that (in the end) this our enterprise both will be well taken, and favourably construed. For our consciences bears us witness before God, that we aim at nothing else herein, but his glory, your safety, 
The writers purpose most allowable.  the good of the Church, and profit of this noble Realm▪ according to which our meaning, we humbly crave that all that we have written may be expounded. For as loath are we needlessly and wilfully to offend your Majesty, as any poor subjects you have. But yet you know, such is, or aught to be, the faithful love of every true hearted Christian subject towards his sovereign, that fear to offend 
A true subject regarde●● the safety of his Prince, more than the fear of his vn●ust cause.  him may not stay us from performing of a necessary, profitable, and honourable service unto God, our Prince, & country. We being therefore persuaded, and fully resolved, that even such is this present (now) tendered service of ours we hope we shall not be blamed of you: 
Mere regard of conscience to God▪ glory and the good of the Prince hath e●●●●ced ●he Author ●o hi● discourse.  sithence a desire to show ourselves true loving and faithful subjects to God and to your Majesty, hath overweighed with us all humane fear. Wherefore we, in the behalf of all your true and faithful subjects, do lie even prostrate before your Grace's feet, most humbly and heartily beseeching your Majesty, to peruse these few leaves following: and as the matter therein handled, is weighty: so to consider accordingly, what we your faithful and loyal subjects have therein uttered unto you. In perusing whereof, this we would wish to be still in your majesties mind, that if we, a few of the insufficientest of many thousands of your subjects, have said thus much, that then very much more it is that can, and may be said to this end. The Lord of heaven & earth (who hath the hearts of all Princes in his hand to rule them as it pleaseth him) so direct in his favour, your Royal heart herein, that you may read willingly, mark attentively, and perform speedily and effectually, the wholesome counsel ministered therein unto you.  

THe thing (most Gracious Sovereign) which we and all true English hearts have long wished, & which (now) we would most gladly persuade 
The aim and drift of this book, and the method thereof.  your highness unto, is this: That it would please your Grace with all convenient speed in Parliament, to cause all titles and claims to the Crown of England after your majesties decease, throughlie to be tried & examined: And then forthwith (by sufficient authority thereof) to declare and make known to your subjects, in whom the right to succeed you resteth. Concerning which point, as this discourse is like to want all kind of eloquence: so also it will want all order and method. First, we will set down the reasons and arguments, which, (as we conceive) ought to move your Highness to yield hereunto: which done, we will confute all the objections of any force, which we can imagine have been, or can be made to stay you from yielding hereunto.  
First, we presume that you will easily yield, that it is your duty to do that, 
The first argument. Prince's ought to obey God.  which God by his written word, hath enjoined all Christian Princes to do: and that therein the settling of the Imperial Crown is enjoined to all such Princes, as a most necessary duty, plentifully and diversly it appeareth. For first, therein it is an usual thing with the holy Ghost, to call you Princes, Gods, & nursing Fathers 
Psal. 82. Esay 46. 23.  and nursing mothers unto his Church. 
What Princes are to learn in that they are called Gods and nurses by the holy Ghost.  Which names and titles, as they prove the honourableness and lawfulness of your high callings, against all anabaptistical spirits: so they are given you, to teach you your duties, and what you ought to be towards the people committed unto your charge: Namely, that your duty towards them is, to be as gods and natural fathers and mothers: for the resemblance that is betwixt the office of God towards man his creature, and parents towards their Children, is the ground & certain cause, why these high names are communicated and given unto you by the spirit of God. Now, who is so simple but he knoweth and will confess, that God not only careth and provideth for his people for the present time, or some certain season only: but also for all times & seasons. And it is most evident, that nature hath taught parents to think that they do not their duties, unless they provide (not only) what they may, for the good of their children whilst they themselves live: but also for their wealth and prosperity, to the uttermost of their powers, after their death. Wherefore, if your Majesty would be justly honoured with these high and regardefull titles, and have right (indeed) unto them: than you see, that it is not enough for the time present, while you yourself live, to provide for the safety and welfare of your subjects, what you may: but also that you are bound to do what lieth in you for their peace & safety, wealth and prosperity after you be gone. And how can this be by any means 
The conclusion of the first argument joined with an exhortation.  more conveniently, then by yielding to this motion: yea, if this be not yielded unto, (you being of that rare wisdom & foresight that you are:) you cannot choose but see, that immediately after your death, there is nothing else to be looked for, but extreme confusion and subversion of the whole estate of this your noble land. As therefore you are our head, show yourself to have dutiful care and love to your body, that if you may help it (as by yielding hereunto in time you may) you leave it not headless, as a dead trunk. And seeing God hath ordained you our nursing mother, we your children cry upon you, & most earnestly beseech you, that by neglecting this motion, you unnaturally leave us not unto the evident spoil of the merciless bloody sword. And seeing God hath honoured you with his own name, most dear sovereign, take heed, you do not unto him, & unto yourself that dishonour for lack of listening to this counsel, contrary to his will & nature, to leave us your people wittingly & willingly at random, to the rage & fury of hell & hellhounds.  
But to proceed, secondly in the word it is also written, That he hath denied 
The second 〈…〉. 5. 8.  the faith, and is worse than an infidel that provideth not for his own: as 
Masters of families are bound to provide for their families after their death, therefore the Queen for her kingdom.  namely, them of his family: where, this word [provideth] biddeth not only such (whiles they live) to provide what they may for the necessary good of theirs, during their own lives: but also, after they be gone: as reason, nature, and experience hath taught (in all ages) all Christian householders to take it. Now, what be your subjects, and all the inhabitants of your noble dominions, else, but your Grace's Royal family? Doubtless, you are the Mistress, head, & householder appointed of the Lord, to this honourable family. And you may not think that the holy Ghost hath thus tied & bound petty householders to care, and to provide thus (every way) both for their own time, and after, for their small and little families: and that he leaves such mighty parents and householders as you Princes be at liberty to provide for the good of your Politic families, but for as long, and as little a time as you list. Nay, without all doubt, he that hath thus taught care and provision to be made for the less, he would not (in any case) have the greater neglected: yea, certain it is, that seeing under this penalty, every mean householder is to provide for his family: much more strongly, such as you are, be therefore bound to provide for yours. wherefore, to make your successor known, being an especial mean to provide for the good of your people, as most certain lie it is, you see by this place that you are bound thereunto most strictly, as you are desirous to be counted our Christian Queen and Mistress, and as you would be loath to be accounted of the Lord, one that had denied the faith, & so worse than an infidel: even so, in no case, you may not omit this Christian point of provision for us.  
Furthermore, Saint Paul giveth this as a general rule to all Christians, of 
The 3. argum. Philip. 4. 8.  what degree soever, that they would think of, and seek after what things soever, 
Princes are bound to seek after things that be just▪ ho  are honest, just, and of good report, to the end that they might practise and perform the same. Of which kind, to 
nest and commendable, of which sort is this especially to make their successor known.  make your successor known in manner aforesaid, is one: for who can deny, but that it is honest, just, and of wonderful good report, for a Christian Queen, to have that care, and tender love towards her natural subjects, as for their peace & tranquillity, and to prevent infinite most evident evils, that otherwise she seethe they must needs fall into, to establish where, and in whom, the right of succession to the Crown resteth? Wherefore by this rule of the Apostle you are to think of it, and carefully to go about it. The justness of this conclusion will clearly appear unto you, if you do but a little weigh with yourself, first how honest a thing it is for you, to seek by such a lawful mean, to preserve your natural subjects and dominions: secondly, how just a thing it is that you should, in this so great and weighie a controversy, determine in whom the right is▪ and thirdly, of how good and honourable report it must needs be, that you therein & thereby should show yourself most loving and careful over all your subjects, in so honourably providing for their good & safety: both during your own time, and after.  
Moreover, lest you should think, that we go about by these arguments to 
The 4. argument. The precedent of Moses and David, who established their successors before they died.  persuade you to that which others of your place have not thought themselves (upon consideration of the same, or the like arguments) bond to show themselves mindful of: may it please you further to call to mind, that it is written to the everlasting commendation of Moses that famous and first public governor of the people of Israel, that he understanding that shortly he should die, and foreseeing into what confusion that people would be brought, if he should leave them without a known successor, made this earnest prayer unto the Lord, saying: Let the Lord God of the spirits 
Numb. 27. 16. ●●.  of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation, who may go in and out before them, and lead them out and in, that the congregation of the Lord, be not as sheep without a shepherd. And that it may appear how well this care of his (to make his successor known before he died) was liked & approved of the Lord, it followeth immediately in the same place, that the Lord gave him direction 
Numb. 27. 18.  to appoint joshuah, the son of Nun, to be the man. According to which direction, it is recorded also in another place, that Moses most willingly & faithfully did ordain him to succeed him. By this precedent & good example, Nathan 
Numb. 27. 22. 23. Deut. 31. 5.  had a good warrant to move Bathshebah (as the fittest person to make the motion) to go unto king David, and to put him in remembrance of the dangerous consequent of not notifying in his lifetime, who should succeed him. Who being thereupon moved by her to declare who it should be, as it appeareth in the story, most readily and speedily, in most solemn manner, caused salomon's 
1. King. 1. from the 11. verse unto the 41. verse.  title to be published to be the right, and the next. And so danger was prevented, though Adoniiah was then up in arms for it: & old David went unto his grave in peace, and the kingdom was established to Solomon his son, and most notably it flourished in his time. There was likely then to have been great contention about the title of succession amongst the sons that David had by divers wives: and so great peril to the kingdom 
The comparison of Israel and England.  and subjects of David. The consideration whereof made David careful to end the controversy in his lifetime. But now amongst us, the contention for the crown, when God hath once taken you hence (if by like means by you it be not prevented) is like to be amongst the children of diverse families, and therefore the more deadly: and consequently the more dangerous. Wherefore as the state of Israel then moved David to make his successor known: so now the state of England ought to move you: for herein, he did but that which Moses example taught him to do: and therefore that, which as a king he was bound to do. Again it is evident in the story that the Lord did like and allow of his so doing, and therefore there was obedience therein to the Lords will: for man's own willworks, he never delighteth in. An example than it is to follow in the like case to all good Kings and Queens: and as a mirror, it remaineth still to all such to teach them to do the like, when like need requireth. For whatsoever is written in the Scripture, 
Application of the former examples to her Majesty. Rom. 15. 4.  is written for our learning. Think therefore (most gracious sovereign) that these facts of Moses and David are thus recorded in the holiestoric, not only that you should know that God his Magistrates thus governed: but especially, that hereby you may learn to govern to the safety of your subjects, as they did. Thus you see, that neither peril to their persons, nor fear of Eclipsing of their own present honours could stay either of these from governing to the safety of their people: and yet they had sufficient wisdom to foresee what might befall them that way. And therefore, if it were virtue and obedience to God in them: and so, no work of supererogation, as sufficiently it hath already appeared: how can it be but a fault and disobedience to his holy will in your Majesty, if (upon so urgent and just occasion as they or ever any Prince had) you refuse to do as they did?  
Further we read that when Esay the Prophet brought Hezekiah word that he should set his house in order, for that he should die: that the king wept sore: of 
Esay. 38. 1. 2. The fift argument from the example of Ezechiah, who wept when he heard that he should die, because then there was no heir apparent to succeed him.  which his weeping, S. Augustine upon Esay affirmeth this to be the principal cause, that if then he had died, he had died without an heir apparent. And very well may it be so, for if it had so fallen out to his grief he foresaw, that not only great calamities and troubles thereupon would have ensued to his people, but also, that it was some testimony of the Lords wrath towards him, if in him God should have ceased from performing his promise to David, of never leaving him without one to sit on his throne after him: which caused him rather to weep, than the news of his death, saith Augustine. And to use a good proof for the truth hereof, this is certain, that Manasses his heir that succeeded him, was not either borne or begotten when he so wept. For it is said that he was but twelve years old when he began to reign▪ and Ezechiah upon his repentance had 15. years added to his life, after thus he had wept. Lest therefore your Majesty have just cause bitterly to weep, for the denying of this mercy to your natural people, even then, when you would most gladelie have comfort and consolation: and do most fervently crave it at the Lords hand: Sweet Lady, provide aforehand that there may be one known, who of right is to sit upon your throne after you, when you be gone to the Lord.  
The rather (most noble sovereign) 
The sixth argument from the example of her majesties father, King Henry the eight.  your Majesty is to take these examples to heart, and to imitate them: because your own most noble Father King Henry the eight of famous memory, showed himself, as appeareth not only by divers statutes made in his time, and by him produced to that end: but also by his words (yet in Chronicle) to his great 
●●●●ton pag. ●●76.  honour and renown, most careful & willing to imitate the same: for it is chronicled that he said thus in Parliament to his subjects. When we remember our mortality, and that we must die, then do we think that our doings in our lifetime are clearly defaced, and worthy of no memory, if we leave you in trouble at the time of our death: for if our true heir be not known at the time of our death, see what mischief and trouble shall succeed to you and your children. Mark (gracious Queen) your dear father in his wisdom foresaw wonderful miseries immediately and directly arising, from his leaving of his subjects without succession known, and established: and that of his compassion and commiseration that therein he had of his natural subjects, he was a provoker of them, that therein sufficient order might be taken, to prevent it. Mark also, that he contented not himself with ruling of them well, and protecting of them in safety & peace whilst he himself lived: but that his care for them stretched to their children & children's children. God (for his Christ's sake) grant your grace to prove his natural child herein. But that it might appear, that upon sound advise and good experience he had spoken the former words, he addeth a doleful precedent, saying unto his Nobles: The experience whereof some of you have heard, what mischief and man slaughter continued in this Realm betwixt the houses of York and Lancaster: By which dissension, this Realm had like clearly to have been destroyed. O Christian and sweet words, worthy such an heroical and mighty Potentate of the world: truly, worthy to be written in letters of gold and always to be carried and drawn in a Table before the eyes of all his successors to the worlds end: for though the things done by him in his lifetime, for the good of his people, were many and great, even such as ought never to be for gotten: yet see, he counted all them clearly defaced, and worthy of no memory, if before his death (to prevent the mischiefs that otherwise would ensue to his subjects) he did not make known unto them, who of right aught to succeed 
The lamentable evils that befell this land by the dissension of the houses of York and Lancaster proceeded hence, that the right of succession was not cleared and established.  him: yea, it seemeth by his speech that he was of opinion, (as indeed it may be well gathered) that all the evils that came to this Land by the dissension of the two houses of York and Lancaster (which were infinite) arose even hence, that there had not sufficient care been taken to make public known, and to establish the right of succession: and it seemeth also, that he feared no less evils to ensue after him, if he (in his lifetime) showed not himself careful in this point. And truly, Madam, we think there is none that duly 
The application and enforcing of this example of K. Henry 8. to her Majesty.  considereth in what terms the title of the crown after you standeth now amongst us, but he presently seethe, that if it were so dangerous then when your father uttered these words, he having then issue of his own body to leave the Realm unto, without further determination & declaration of his right heir: that it cannot, but be far more dangerous for you, now to leave it quite without establishment, to whomsoever can catch it. The foresight of mischief to ensue, by reason of not making known in his life his certain heir apparent, was reason of sufficient weight and force to move, incline, and to bind your noble father's heart (notwithstanding he could foresee, and forecast as wisely as any the reasons to the contrary) to be most forward to determine it: & therefore so should you his natural daughter and heir do upon the like ground, and be therein likewise affected. Otherwise you see (your own father being your judge) that all your noble acts done in your life time are not only blemished, but also clearly defaced, and worthy of no memory. It is glorious for you to be the daughter and heir of so noble a king, in so noble a kingdom: but truly far more glorious to be also his natural daughter and true heir, in his princely affection towards your subjects. And therefore as you are his natural daughter and true heir in the one, so show yourself to be as natural also in the other.  
Think not (most dear sovereign) 
The 7. argument from the examples of the heathen. The heathen by the light of nature did see this duty to be necessary, and performed the same to their subjects: much more ought Christian Princes to do the same.  that this was any singularity in your father, and that you may do well enough though you be not like him therein: for besides that therein he did but as the examples of Moses and David taught him, and bound him to do: he did that which very nature itself usually hath taught even heathen Princes from time to time to do. For we read that it was an use amongst the Medes and Persians, when they went but forth to battle (therein being some danger of their life) before they went, to make known who should succeed them: insomuch, that the better to make him known, he was appointed to reign in the stead of the Prince absent▪ until his return, as was Cambyses, in the room of Cirus, whilst he went to war against the Scythians: and Darius long-hand, in the room of Xerxes, whilst he warred against the Greeks. Hence also it came, that we read that the Roman Emperors when otherwise their successor was not known, did in their lifetime adopt them heirs, to whom by order of that government, they caused the right to succeed them to be established. 
Suetonius.  Thus julius Caesar adopted Octavius Augustus, and he Tiberius Caesar. 
Dion. Spartianus.  Nerua, trajan. Adrian, Antoninus Pius: and he again Antoninus Philosophus. And for further proof of the force of the light of nature, yet remaining in a mere natural man to teach him this lesson: it is written in Chronicle that the Emperor Tiberius Caesar a little before his death said: That of all the griefs and troubles that the grievous pangs of death brought with it, this grieved & troubled him most, how to preserve the kingdom committed to him of trust: and also to see the inheritance thereof conveyed unto him, to whom of right it did appertain: concluding with these words, This is the duty of a king. Oh what a strange thing were it then for a Christian Prince, having not only light of nature, but also the light of the word shining unto her to direct her hereunto: if (all examples both divine and humane, foreign and domestical, of all ages and times provoking also thereunto) she should not, or would not suffer herself to be drawn unto this Christian duty: truly, strange it were: yet (God forbidden) but that we should conceive very good hope, and ere it be long, see and understand according to our hope, that we your subjects shall find you willing, for your and our good to deal effectually herein, and that speedily.  
Howbeit, yet the better to hasten you to this resolution, that we to our comforts may see the effects thereof: First, let your pitiful and merciful heart enter into consideration of the miserable state, that you shall leave (every way) your dominions 
The 8. argument is the avoiding of manifold calamities like to ensue her majesties death, if the successor be not before known & established  and subjects of all sorts in, if you should be translated hence to the Lord, before you have yielded unto this present motion, and effected it. Whereof, when we think, we may tremble every joint. For when that day shall come, (which God for his mercy's sake put far off, and grant that we neversee) then strait all the competitors and their partakers will be up in arms: and the common people that are not acquainted with their titles, will then of necessity be at their wit's end, not knowing what part to take: and yet some they shall be driven to follow: so that presently, the whole Realm will be rend into as many shivers, as there be competitors, at the least. And thus, while the title to the crown is in trying in the field by the dint of bloody 
The lamentable miseries of civil warr●.  sword, one part will consume & devour another, and so the land is like to be every way so weakened, that it may easily become a pray to any of our foreign malicious enemies. Oh the rivers of blood, which then by these doleful consequents will overflow every where this noble Island, the strong men shall be slain in the field: children and infants murdered in every town, honest matrons & maids every where ravished: then also strong holds shall be razed and burned with fire: fair buildings in city and country defaced, & made even with the ground, the rich shall not be able to say, this is mine: but they aswell as the poor, shall think themselves happy, if they may have their life for a pray. To be short, then, then alas, all the mischiefs that the mischievous wit of man can devise, will be practised amongst your loving subjects by one towards another without controlment. For all the bands of all good order and Policy will then be broken asunder: Religion, and all the good exercises thereof, will be laid in the dust, with small hope of ever rising up again: and neither God nor man will be regarded, but (according to the variable suggestions of Satan) all kind of villainies will be freely in every corner committed. Oh therefore, but once to think that this land is like to come to these woeful calamities, will tear any godly, pitiful, or natural English heart in pieces. Behold therefore (most gracious Lady) your Nobles & Commons, yea, even all your people, men, women, and children, lie prostrate now before your feet, most lamentably, & humbly beseeching you to save them, and to preserve them from these heaps of confusions, and chaos of miseries: and most instantly with bitter tears, beg at your hands, that you leave them not, (who are now most ready to lay down their lives for you) in this lamentable & miserable case, to lose their lives with all that they have: and all, at the beck and pleasure of every furious peasant. Remember, that Moses took the people without a certain known head and governor, as sheep without a shepherd, and that your most noble father foresaw that no better than the fore-rehearsed calamities, would be the state of this land, if he had died before he had made his heir known: yea, that he imputed all the miseries that this land had abode, through the contention betwixt the two houses of York and Lancaster, to this: to wit, that the order & right of succession, had not been (in former time) carefully enough looked unto, & made publicly known. And so you may perceive that herein we do not forecast more perils, than these wise and grave persons have done in the like case. Yet for further 
That calamities doth befall any nation where the Prince dieth without a known successor proved by the example of the Israelites. The book of judges.  ground of this our forecasting of perils, the whole book of the judges of Israel serveth most fitly: for through that book we see, how that when soever they were left without a known governor (as in those times they were often) they fell into extreme miseries, & were strait brought into slavery under the hands of their enemies, the Canaanites, the Moabites, the Midianites, the Amalekites & Philistines: in which state sometimes they continued 18. years, sometimes 40. years: sometimes more, sometimes less. We read also that Alexander the great, when he 
Of Alexander's empire. Arrianus. Q. Curtius.  had made himself the greatest Emperor in the world, yet dying, not determining of his successor before he died, but leaving his noble Empire to them that could catch it, and hold it: that thereupon, immediately after his death, there grew most hot, fierce & bloody wars amongst his noble Dukes & Captains: and so in the end, his kingdom or Empire was rend and torn into as many several kingdoms, as he had noble Dukes able to take them, and keep them. We 
Of Scotland after Alex. 3.  read also in the Scottish Chronicles of Alexander the third king there, who lived in the time of Edward the first King of England: that he dying, leaving his heir and successor unknown, it came to pass, that upon his death his kingdom was torn into two parts, the one part following one Bayllioll studied to make him King: and the other favouring one Brussius, sought to advance him. But in the mean time, whiles thus the title was in debating, it appeareth in the story, that the whole kingdom was brought to extreme desolation. But what need we (in this case) to peruse foreign stories. O that your Majesty would but remember 
And of England after Lucius and Gorbodug.  the miserable state of this land after King Lucius, and after the death of King Gorbodug and his two sons, Ferrex, and Porrex: for you shall in those histories find, that the root and fountain of all those lamentable miseries of 15. and 50. years civil dissension, grew of this: that then, the land was left without a certain known successor. Yea, infinite be the stories in all Chronicles, that lay forth most doleful sequels always of this. And sure we are, such is your majesties wisdom, that you must needs foresee that if you should so leave us, it were never more likely, that thereupon would follow the extremest miseries that ever befell kingdom. Wherefore once again (most merciful Lady) cast your pitiful & merciful eyes upon your noble Realm, & all your subjects, who with stretched out hands cry unto you to show mercy unto them in this point: in delaying no longer to the hazard of the spilling of all their blood, and losing all their good, to make known unto them, who of right is to succeed you. O sweet Lady, let this long longed for, and looked for most necessary drop of mercy, drippe now at last down from you, to the cheering and comforting of all your true English subjects: and so shall you establish your throne in mercy, and purchase unto yourself, the most glorious title of a most merciful Queen, to the comfort of your own conscience, both before God and man, and to your perpetual good name and fame with all posterity. 
The 9 argument is from the safety, honour and profit which will ensue the establishing of a successor both to her majesty and to her subjects.   
But to provoke you the more easily to yield to show this especial point of mercy, consider yet further, that so to do, is not only very necessary, both for you & us, in respect of both our safeties: and also that it is not only profitable to us, but also even very profitable and honourable to you, both in respect of God & man. That it is very necessary and profitable for us, the contemplation of the good that we shall reap, and quietly enjoy by it: and the view of the evil that directly shall thereby be turned from us, maketh it most evident. And that it is necessary for you also, yea profitable & honourable, as we have said, diversly it may appear: for first it cannot be denied, that amongst all the means that otherwise Princes have amongst men in this world, to make themselves strong by, and to sit safe in their throne, this is a principal one. That they alienate not the hearts of their subjects from them, by their unkind and mercielesse dealing towards them. For how strongly soever Solomon left his son Rehoboam established in his kingdom: yet he▪ by listening rather to the counsel of young green heads about him, then 
Princes that would establish their thrones must deal kindly with their subjects, & plant in their hearts lone and affection. 1. King. 1●.  to the advice of the grave and ancient: and so by his unkind and hard answer to his subjects, alienating the hearts of them: grew so weak, that a mean man, a servant of his, jeroboam by name, rose up against him, and ten Tribes of twelve, far the greater part of his kingdom, revolted from him, & did cleave to jeroboam: and neither he nor any of his successors, could ever recover them again. And on the otherside, there is no one thing in the foresaid respect more necessary, profitable, and honourable to any King, Queen, or Emperor, than so to behave themselves towards their subjects, as that thereby, there may be bred and nourished in them, an hearty & unfeigned love and affection towards their sovereign. For by this means chiefly, Princes grow strong and invincible, for thereby they find, that not the bodies on lie of their subjects be theirs at commandment, but their hearts also. And when occasion serves, by experience they learn that the hearty goodwill and liking of their subjects towards them, is a far better and stronger mean of their preservation, than either riches, strong 
Anno 1588. when the Spanish fleet was in the narrow 〈◊〉  holds, or any such outward thing whatsoever, as lately your Majesty hath had good experience thereof.  
And therefore in all stories it appeareth, that those kings that have carried any note of wisdom, have always studied most carefully for the hearty love of their subjects. Now then, seeing the not making your successor known, is a matter of such dangerous and perilous consequent to all your good and kind subjects: and the establishing of succession, the very ordinary mean to prevent these dangers and perils towards them, and also to continue your subjects and their children in quiet and peaceable possession of all the good things they now enjoy: your wisdom may easily conceive, that there is no one thing whereby you can more grieve, daunt, & alienat the hearts of all your subjects, then by not going about to prevent their destructions, by making your successor known. For that will cause them to think, that you love them no farther, then for your own safety sake: for that (in not doing thereof) you shall show yourself careless what shall become of them after your time which thing, of what force it will be to abate their hearty and true love and affection towards you, your wisdom will easily guess. And you may also hereby perceive, that there is no readier way to bind your subjects more tenderly to love, and reverence you even in their secret chambers: and so to be ready most willingly rather to die themselves in your quarrel at all times, then that any danger or peril should come near you: the● forth with in Parliament to cause this great controversy lawfully to be determined and so the right of succession made publicly known. For hereby your subjects cannot but see that you love them, even for their own sakes, and that you love them tenderly and unfeignedly: yea, this wonderful mercy and kindness would make them in all thankful manner, to acknowledge and confess, that you had not only by this means preserved them from all the foresaid evils: but that you had also by this godly means, even given them again their lives, their wives, their children, their lands, their goods, and their country: yea, & that which is most precious therewith, the fruition of the glorious Gospel of jesus Christ. Which twofold good would so inflame their hearts towards you, that never Prince had more loving and hearty subjects, than your Grace should have. Doth it not then follow, that it is necessary, profitable and honourable for your own self to yield to this motion? Again, necessary it is, because otherways you take the only high way to abate the love of all your faithful subjects, which is most necessary for you to have: especially, these days and times considered, when you have so many enemies both at home, and abroad: secret, and public. Profitable also it is, in that wonderfully, it will strengthen the hearty goodwill and love of your subjects towards you, which will be at all times a most strong mean of defence & refuge for you, against all your enemies. And how can it choose bot be very honourable unto you to do so honourable, profitable, and necessary a thing unto yourself, your people, and country? Further, the truth hereof may and will more clearly appear unto you, if it fall out (as most likely it will) that the right of succession be found and declared to be in a Protestant: 
He meaneth the king of Scots.  for then, not only be that means should you make the hearts of every true Protestant like the heart of a Lion, ready and courageous at all assays to perform the duty of faithful subjects: but you should so break the neck of the Popish hope of their golden day, that the despair thereof would presently cause most of them (in reverence be it spoken unto your Majesty) either to hang, or conform themselves: and the rest would also give over all detestable practices against your noble person: yea, they would be glad to pray with us, & to use all good means with us for your preservation. Great reason may move it: for they will fear, lest it will be much worse with them when you are gone, under your successor, than it is now under your so happy government. And therefore we may now conclude, that to make your successor known, is a thing most necessary, profitable, and honourable for yourself.  
But we said it was necessary, profitable and honourable also in respect of God or before him. And this may be most easily and strongly proved: for besides that all the reasons that hitherto we have used, do prove the same: we say confidently now further: first, it is necessary for Princes aswell as for others to do those things that are pleasing and acceptable to God: and therefore, when they shall sit upon the throne of their kingdoms, they are commanded to have the book of God, and to study it, & not to depart therefrom either to the right hand, or to the left: and they are willed, yea, they namely, especially to be wise and learned, and to show their learning and wisdom in serving the Lord in fear. And that this is a thing both pleasant & acceptable to God, we need not prove it again: for we have already proved it sufficiently both by reasons and renowned examples: and therefore in this respect, it is necessary before God. secondly, that also it is profitable before him, hereby it is evident: for it is a thing (in 
No surmise of hurts to ensue or hope of purchasing gain should draw us from that which is right and equity before God  deed and truth) always most profitable for Princes to obey the will of God: and most hurtful and unprofitable to refuse so to do: for it is written Psalm the 2. verse 12. as uttered to Kings. Kiss the Son lest he be angry, and so ye perish out of the way, if his wrath be kindled, yea but a little. And we read that 
1. Sam. ●. 30.  God said unto Eli, a governor of Israel, Them that honour me, I will honour▪ & they that despise me, shall be despised. And we read that Azariah the Prophet 
2. Chro. 15. 2.  said unto King Asa: The Lord is with you whiles ye are with him, and if ye seek him, he will be found of you: but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you. This is a caveat, even to Princes: for a president thereof, Saul to his woe and David to his joy had experience. And divers was the success of King Solomon, and of king Asa prosperous whiles they followed the way of the Lord: but desperate, when they went from them. At a word, all the Kings of Israel and judah did always (as it appeareth in the holy story) find this most true, that it was always most profitable for them to obey the Lord, and to do whatsoever he would have them. This settling of the succession that we are therefore now moving you unto, being a thing (as doubtless it is) which the Lord of duty requireth at your hands, and which you have heard proved so to be, both by places of Scripture, examples out of the same, and sundry other strong reasons: you are to resolve with yourself (whatsoever the wit of man can say to the contrary) that it will be most profitable unto you to yield to the Lord, both speedy and willing obedience therein. As long as you walk in his ways, he 
Psal. 9●. 11. 12.  hath given his Angels charge over you, that you shall not hurt your feet against a stone: and therefore, in this you need not to be afraid. You remember, we are 
Proverb. 8. 1● Psal. 82. 1.  sure, that the Lord hath said in his word, That by him Kings reign: and that it is written, that he sitteth amongst you 
Dan. 4. 2●  Gods, and judgeth you: yea, that he is so King of kings and Lord of Lords, that he setteth up and throweth down, whom, when, and how it pleaseth him.  
Whereupon your Grace may perceive, that the most safe and profitable way for you to preserve your person and honour, is by all good means to keep this King of Kings on your side. He that hath a good farm, and hath none other hold thereof, but at his landlords pleasure, 
A similitude enforcing her Majesty, by naming her successor to obey God.  the best policy for him we would think, is, to please his landlord. And this is the case, Madam, betwixt you and God, in respect of your kingdom. We must needs therefore even of hearty good will, and of abundance of desire that we have, that you may long reign over us, beseech your Majesty, to weigh with yourself whither it be not likely, that this your landlord and sovereign judge will be angry with you, and lay to your charge one day, all the blood that shall be shed, and all the evils that shall be committed in this land, for want of a known successor, if you do not what lieth in you in time by making him known to prevent all those doleful cruelties that will ensue thereof. Even the light of nature could teach the heathen Philosopher Cicero to write in his Offices, that he is aswell faulty, that letteth not the doing of an evil or injury, being able to let it, as he that doth it himself. Oh provoke not the Lord (sweet Lady) even in respect of safety and profit to yourself, to be offended with you, for this your great unkindness towards him. Remember, that in respect of the present dangerous and evil days that we now live in, and in regard of our enemies, neither you nor we had ever more cause to seek to please him, and to keep him on our side. Hitherto, never Prince had more cause, than you: nor subjects in respect of their Prince, than we, to confess that if he had not been on our side, our enemies. long ere this, had swallowed up both you and us: for it is he that hath discovered, yea, detected and confounded all the devises and conspiracies (hitherto) of your enemies and ours it is he that giveth us peace at home, and victories abroad. It is he that doth keep all evils from us, & continueth all good things unto us. And if he continue on our side still, we need not to be afraid whosoever be against us, for he both can and will protect us, and confound them. Then, an hundredth on our side shall discomfort a thousand: and the weakest means shall be strong enough to withstand and to prevail against the mightiest, as the holy stories do most comfortably teach us. But if he be occasioned to depart from us, and leave us to ourselves, than all things shall and will fall out clean contrarily with us, as there we learn also. Assure yourself therefore, that to show yourself a merciful Queen to your subjects in this so weighty a point, and this work of great mercy & love, the which all your people crave with tears, added unto your former good services of God: it will bind God in his mercy (for his promise sake) not to slake, or withdraw his most merciful protection from you: but to enlarge his favour every way towards you. Be heartily sorry therefore (good Prince) that you have not been provoked by his marvelous former protection of you from evident dangers, many and sundry times, to show yourself thankful unto him, in performing this so necessary and profitable a duty, ere this. Think not because (as yet) he hath spared you, and not called you to account for it that therefore he misliketh it not: for his long suffering must be construed to amendment: or else, it is an heaping of 
〈◊〉 ●. 5.  vengeance, against the day of vengeance. They are but flatterers, doubtless, whosoever they be, & so shall you find it in the end, that would persuade you otherwise: neither can they be, (the premises considered) either sound friends to their country, or loving subjects to you, which either have bred or nourished in your Royal heart, an unwillingness to yield to this most necessary and profitable motion.  
But to grow to an end of this our first part: lastly we advouche, that to yield your best furtherance to make your successor known, is an honourable action, 
Princes are no less bound to protect their subjects, than subjects are bound to obey their Princes.  both before God & man. It is honourable for you before man, because as it is your subjects duty to yield you all love and dutifulness, to the preservation of your noble person and estate: so it is your duty again to yield unto them protection for them & theirs by what good means you may: amongst which, this is a principal good mean. And who can deny, but that it is honourable for a Prince, not to be behind with his subjects in any duty, especially then, not in this, which is so necessary and profitable for them: nay we are sure, you yourself will confess, that it were very dishonourable for a Prince to look for, and willingly & wittingly to receive at the hands of his subjects, all tokens & fruits of perfect loyal love and to requite them withal▪ to leave them all for want of a known successor to extreme confusion and desolation. And seeing there ought to be such true love indeed, and such true mercy extended on your part, even towards them towards whom it is due in equity, as certainly it is in you to your subjects, even in making your successor known: it cannot be but that so to do, before the Almighty, who is the fontaine of all true love, and delighteth more in true mercy, 
The conclusion of the former part of this book, con●evning a brief recapitulation of the reason before set down.  then in any other thing, it is a thing most honourable for you so to do Wherefore to conclude, you see that your titles given you in the word, that your place & charge over us as your family, that the honestnes, justness and the goodness of the report that it carrieth with it that the examples both sacred & profane, foreign and domestical: that the miseries otherwise like to ensue upon the whole land: and now lastly, that the necessarines, profitableness and honourableness of the thing itself, both with God and man, to yourself, aswell as unto us: join hands together, earnestly to move and stir up your Majesty, to yield unto us this dutiful mercy. Now then, these reasons considered, we may say unto you, and do, as Bathsheba 
1. Reg. 1. 20.  said in the like case to king David. You our Sovereign Lady know, that the eyes of all England are on you, to the end that you should tell them who should sit on your throne after you▪ God grant that England may find that kind and melting heart in your majesty, whereby they may receive as comfortable an answer from you, as Israel did then from David.  
But these reasons notwithstanding, yet 
The latter part of this treatise, containing answers to certain objections arising from difficulty of knowing, & peril in naming the known successor.  your Majesty will say, or think; that such is the difficulty of determining this great controversy▪ who of right is to succeed you: and such peril there is in it to your person and honour, that the consideration thereof cannot but make you afraid & somewhat loath to go about it. Wherefore we beseech you, let now the objections that arise from these two heads, of difficulty, and peril, be heard, weighed and examined: that so it may the easilier be determined, whither your Grace ought to yield to the settling of the succession by force of the former reasons, or to stay from so doing through the weight of those. The difficulty of determining 
The difficulty consisteth of two parts.  this point, ariseth partly of the doubtfulness and ambiguity of the title itself, and partly of the supposed impatiency of the Competitors, in hearing their titles crossed, in debating, and spoken against. To this we answer: first, that the 
The objection of the former difficulty taken away, because the right of the title is plain and easy to the skilful.  obscurity and difficulty of the title itself by the wise and skilful in the Laws of this Realm, will as easily be removed, as the dross is severed from the gold, by the skilful finers: or as the bright shining of the sun doth cause the clouds to vanish and flee away. Indeed, as it cannot be descried how much gold is in the lump before it come to the hands of the finers: and as the sun, though it be (indeed) the most excellent ornament of the firmament is not seen in his beauty, whiles it is shadowed with clouds: even so in this case, until the base titles be descried and severed from the purest, by the skilful learned: and the clouds wherewith the best title is darkened, removed by them: it is hard either to espy the right, or to determine of it. But grant that it be never so hard and difficult to determine who hath the best right: yet▪ it being so great a point of equity and justice, as it is, that he should have the title that hath best right unto it: & it being (also) as it is an especial & chief point of exceeding merciful justice, the which of all others, as we have proved, you the sovereign and high judge and minister of justice amongst us, are bound to see judged: both in respect of your duty to God, & your people: you may not think, that the hardness to perform such a duty, can breed any exception, or dispensation unto you, to exempt you from going about it: but it ought (rather) to force you the more speedily and throughlie to take it in hand: for the more hard and 
The difficulty of the title ought to be so far from being a bar, that it ought rather to provoke her Majesty to the search thereof.  doubtful it is, so much it is the more dangerous. And therefore, the more care ought they to have that stand at the helm. Now, as for the supposed impatiency of the Competitors, while the title is in debating, and the dangerous consequents thereof, alleged to prove such 
The second branch of difficulty answered.  difficulty therein: as that therefore it were not safe and good for you to deal in it, lest so the inconvenience of civil war might arise in your days, which we labour so much by moving you hereunto, to prevent after your death: we answer: first, that there is no Competitor so void of reason, but he is resolved that some one hath the most and best right. secondly, he cannot but in his conscience be persuaded that whosoever he be both reason and justice would that he should have it. And lastly, we say that it is very unlikely that there can grow any impatiency, especially, likely to breed any great danger, either to your state or person: when that (in a lawful Parliament) every man shall indifferently be heard to say what he can for his title: and only inquiry is made, where the best right is, to the end that there it may be settled and established. For thus may every one of them see, that there is no injustice or injury intended against any of them, but the right is only sought out, to be given to the rightful owner: & that therefore, none hath any just cause to be offended, but rather every one hath good cause to be glad and joyful thereof: for that both his person and posterity shallbe preserved thereby. And yet if any such impatiency should appear, without any great difficulty might it be stayed by you in your life time, from bursting out into any dangerous effect. Whereas, if you should departed from us before the determining of this woeful question: then, there would be none amongst men to stay the fury thereof, but the bloody and devouring sword. Oh, most doleful judge. Alas, what can any ambitious competitor be able to do to peril your state or person, seeing his title dashed, or put further of then he looked for, albeit he were never so impatient, you reigning and living: yea, you having also by entering into this so honourable an action, made yourself mightily much stronger by your just deserving then ever you were before: aswell in pleasing god, as by binding not only him & his, whose title you have cleared: but also all your subjects to love you at their hearts, most dearly: and therefore, to back you against all dangers, most courageously & faithfully. No, no, there will be none of them (if you take this course) but they will evidently see thereby, that you and your friends are grown so strong, that for any of them to burst out of due order, were but even willingly to bring upon them-selves and their families, utter destruction. Adonijah was up in arms for the crown, when his father David lay on his death bed: and he had gotten joab, the mightiest captain of Israel, and Abiathar the high Priest on hisside: and yet when David had (according to the order of the government) settled & established Solomon to succeed him: though before Adonijah was grown to strength, and so by possibility able to have withstood both his father David and Solomon, yet, when he heard thereof, he and all his partakers were so dashed and crushed, that every one strait ran home to his house: and Adonijah himself took sanctuary: and so this broil notwithstanding, David continued out his time in peace, and Solomon his son reigned many years triumphantly after him. How much more, if Queen Elizabeth yet in health and prosperity, do once by this orderly mean establish the succession, will all aspiring Adonijahs, how strong soever they have made themselves before, stay from beginning to do, as Adonijah did: lest they be enforced with shame, as he was, to give over strait again. Let this example encourage you (most noble Queen) not to be afraid of the crossing and disappointing (in this case) of all the proud Adonijahs in the world: for no doubt of it, if you do herein seek to please God, and benefit all your subjects, as he did, God being the same now that he was then, you may confidently look for the same blessing at his hands that David had: that is, peace in your own days, and for ever after wealth and prosperity to all your dominions after you.  
Now, this objection drawn from the difficulty of determining this matter, thus answered: let us now proceed to the rest, which are grounded upon the peril (hereby) supposed to ensue to your noble person and dignity. And concerning 
The objection grounded upon peril of naming of the successor, confirmed by 3. reasons.  your person first it is feared, that the known successor, partly through his own longing after the highest place, & partly through the provocation of others, will breed peril to your person. And it is likely, that (in this respect) your fear is increased by your own experirience, in your sister's time, when it may be, you were provoked by some to hasten your course. Another fear may grow also, by the sundry examples of these Princes, as namely, of Edward the second, deposed by Edward the third. King Richard the second, by Henry the fourth. Henry the sixth, by Edward the fourth. And of Edward the fift, murdered by Richard the third. And, as for your honour and dignity, perhaps you imagine (your successor once known) it will every day more and more decay: in that, as you know it to be a proverb, that men honour the sun rising, and withdraw it from the sun setting. Even so you think, subjects are given naturally to prefer their new master, before their old mistress. These have been the chief causes & reasons, that (hitherto) have stayed you from listening unto this motion, as we suppose, and (yet) make you afraid to yield thereunto.  
Before we come to the answer to these objections, which (in effect) we do think are all that can be used in this case, we protest unto your Majesty, that such is our tender love and loyal affection towards your majesties noble person, and to the preservation thereof, in long life and princely honour; that unless we were most fully persuaded, that the yielding thereunto (notwithstanding these objections) would not at all prove perilous, but rather very beneficial and profitable to the safety and security, both of your person and honour, albeit we had given leave unto ourselves somewhat to have thought of this motion: yet would we never have proceeded thus far therein: for we wish your days to be extended as far as Methushelah's, in all princely honour and felicity: and we covet not to live one hour after you. This truly & faithfully protested: to these objections we answer 
Answered generally 3. ways.  first generally, and then particularly: for general answer unto them we say, first, that the peril upon these grounds supposed to arise either to your person or honour, is but an imagined or supposed peril, & that also inferred but by probable arguments, not by evident demonstration: which being so, doth not discharge you from doing so necessary, profitable and honourable a duty to God & to your people, as this is, whereunto you are now moved. secondly we say, suppose there were as much peril unto your person, as is pretended: yet the peril of your worthy Realm, being so great and palpable as it hath been proved to be, through the want of the establishment of a known successor: it may not therefore be left undone: for, never so evident a peril, (your wisdom knoweth) freeth any from doing of that duty, that the Lord enjoined them to do: for obedience to his will is to be preferred before our own honour 
Confirmed by the example of Esther.  and safety. Always Queen Hester, the wife of Ahashuerosh king of 127. provinces, understanding into what extreme peril her country people the jews were brought by the means of Haman, put her life and honour in evident peril, wittingly and willingly deserving death by law, to prevent the danger towards her natural people. For to the hazard of her life (as appeareth in the story) she came into the King's presence without leave, (the which was death by the Law) to make means for their safety, saying, that if I perish, I perish, thereby carrying a resolute mind, that though she did perish, yet not to omit to do what possibly she might for the safety of her people. In deed, she prepared herself to this action with long fasting and earnest prayer: and so we would wish all such weighty and necessary services to God & our country (especially when there is feared some danger and difficulty in the accomplishing of them) to be taken in hand, But this story showeth especially, seeing this is reported of her in the Canonical Scripture to her commendation, that herein she did well, & that others may lawfully, and aught, even though they be Queens, to offer themselves to peril for the good & safety of their country: when otherwise, without their so doing, it must needs come to some extreme misery. What doubt can there be of this, seeing we read that even the light of nature hath taught 
Codrus Athen. Deccis Rom.  many heathen Princes to offer themselves to extreme peril for the good of of their country. And your Majesty hath 
And of King Henry the 8.  a Christian and domestical example of your noble father hereof: who spoke these natural words to his nobility and commons: 
Grafton pag. 1278.  namely, For your defence my treasure shall not be hidden, nor (if necessity require) my person shall not be unadventured. And so (Madam) give not your majesties kind subjects cause once to imagine, that a conceit only of fear to peril, either your person or honour, can or will stay you from doing so great a duty as to preserve all your most loving subjects and whole country by this means from utter confusion and desolation: otherwise palpably seen to be unavoidable, & ready to come upon them every hour. Nay, how can it be, but you having so oft, yea, so miraculously and sensibly found God ready to protect and save you from many perils: but you must needs gather to your comfort, that much more (if you honour him in this case) he will show that both he can and will preserve you from all your enemies. Therefore let not your noble heart persuade itself for fear of peril either to your person or honour, to omit the doing of that, which in all honour, duty, and conscience both to god and man, you are most bound to do, for the furtherance of God's glory, and safety of all your people and country. Howbeit, for a third general answer to these objections of peril: the making your successor known, having such reasons to warrant and justify the doing of it, as we have showed: so far off it is, that there is any peril (indeed) therein, or thereby, like to arise unto you, that it is an especial mean of your safety & honour. For out of what fountain spring all the calamities & ruins of princes, but from the neglect of God's glory, & of their duty to the people committed to their charge? or what castle and tower of defence proved ever so safe to princes, as the favour of God, and love of his subjects? which he vouchsafeth ever to them that prefer his will before their own, and obedience to him before their own safety. Let all histories, both sacred and profane, be perused, and it shall be throughout all ages found true, 
God give th● blessing to those that obey him in actions that seem very dangerous.  that those princes (even in show and appearance of greatest perils) have always been most safely protected & preserved by the Lord: which for doing their duties to God and their people, have hazarded themselves. And therefore, in doing this so needful, merciful & honourable duty, your Majesty needs not once doubt of God's providence & protection towards you therein: but boldly (this show of perils notwithstanding) and confidently resting on the Lords safegarding of you therein: you may when you will most safely go about, and effect it.  
Yet for your majesties full satisfaction 
The objection of peril answered particularly.  let us (by your Grace's patience) proceed to lay before you in order as they were propounded, the weakness of every one of these objections. The first fear, ariseth from the longing that is supposed will be in your successor, (when he is once known) after the highest place. The second, from the provocation that he is like to have that way by others. Wherein first, we will answer the objection concerning his own ambition: and then, the other, concerning provocation by others. It is supposed in the objection that it cannot be, but that there will be such a desire to climme in the once made known successor, as will peril the present Prince. We grant, that naturally flesh & blood is prone to be so affected: but yet this is certain, that where the spirit of God is, this corruption of nature 
The known successor doth strengthen the present Prince.  is so bridled, that it bringeth forth no dangerous fruits to the present governor Let King David bear witness hereunto, whose succession being appointed 
Confirmed by the example of David.  and confirmed by God, and he himself long time most injuriously and cruelly persecuted by the present king Saul, and he having opportunity twice to have slain his enemy, and to have saved his own life, and also to have taken the crown: yet neither the glory of a kingdom, the desire of revenge, nor the care of preserving his own life, could make him once to lay hands on the Lords anointed, to peril him. Nay, not only the spirit of God in God's children: but also natural piety, and humanity hath so much prevailed 
And of the heathen.  in this case, that we read that Antoninus Philosophus being made the known successor to Antoninus Pius in the Roman Empire, hearing that Antoninus 
Capitolinus.  Pius did lie in most extreme misery, even weary of his life, and to be rid thereof, had commanded one of his men to kill him. This Antoninus Philosophus hearing thereof, with a forcible hand stayed that unnatural murder: for the which fact the story saith, that the present Prince with furious words rebuked his successor bitterly: and that yet his said successor answered him again thus, Were I worthy to succeed so noble a Prince in so high a dignity, if I did not use my best endeavour to preserve your life, seeing it in peril? No surely, I were not worthy thereof. Lo, here, an heathen known successor, not by nature, but by adoption (as it is clear in the story) for all that which is objected against a known successor, hath not only not perilled, but preserved the life of him that had made him his successor. And infinite be the examples in all stories of such as being next to succeed, yet have never perilled the present governor: and in comparison, very few be the examples to the contrary. And why then may not your Majesty, rather presume to find the like good affection in him, whom you shall make your successor, than otherwise? Truly, the reason is very strong that may be yielded, to prove why he will as little peril you, as David did Saul, or Antoninus Philosophus the other Antonine, that was in the place before him: for who soever it be (the title now standing so doubtful as it doth) when you have cleared his title, and by Parliament authority established it: he must of necessity confess and take himself so bound to you therefore, as though you had (even) given him the kingdom: for the which your wonderful goodness and bounty, if there be but common reason and nature in him, it will bind both his heart, tongue and hands from ever contriving any thing to your peril. Yea, who can be so monstrously brutish and void of reason, as having received such a benefit at your hands, as the cleared of his title to such a noble kingdom (so much also to the good & safety of all your subjects) but he will think that by this means you must needs so win the hearts of all your subjects, and bind them to such an hearty love and thankfulness in such fast sort to you: that if he should once but offer you unkindness, he should be thought generally a monster amongst men, and so not worthy of common life: and then to be had in a general contempt amongst all degrees. Which so being, were it likely that ever he should get any strength to peril your person? And for further strengthening of this reason, we are persuaded that if all stories were perused, there could hardly any one example be found, where the present Prince was perilled by the means of that successor, who had his title to succeed cleared unto him by the present prince, it being obscure & doubtful 
Few Princes hurt by their successors thus established.  before that time. And this will be your Grace's very case, if that it shall please God to stir up your heart to make your successor known: and even thus much shall he stand bound unto you. Again, who soever it shall please God to 
The successor whither Protestant or Papist, or neuter would not hurt her Majesty, the one for conscience, the other for fear.  lay it upon, he is like to be either Protestant, papist or neuter: if the first, than Religion and conscience will keep him in due order: if he be either of the latter, yet then also, fear to lose all that they have already, whiles they seek more, or to make their state worse than it was before (by all good reason and likelihood) will cause them patiently to wait for their time. But to put this fear quite out of fear, good means would be used to reform and bridle this ambitious inclination in the once known successor: and so 
And if he should how he might be restrained.  to prevent all peril thereby. As first, a sharp and severe law would be made, to take away his life (if he be a subject) and quite disable his issue also, that shall contrive the peril of the present Prince, or any way consent thereunto. secondly, he would be used honourably and courteously of the present prince: for if the present Prince want issue, he is (then) his child, by adoption, and heir by law. thirdly, he is virtuously and religiously to be brought up (if he be under years) and to have about him always some trusty and faithful friends and counsellors to the present Prince, to direct him in a good course, and to descry him if he begin but to tread awry. And lastly, where these means will not serve, there, restraint of liberty under strait & trusty guard (if he own allegiance) may well and lawfully be used. And thus, the danger that might arise to your majesties person by the proper motion of a known successor hath his answer, That which followeth is that which might ensue by their means 
The known successor can not be able to hurt her Majesty by the provocation of others.  who were likely to prick him forward to peril the present Prince, either hoping for further advancement by him, or else (upon what sinister conceit so ever) desire to see an alteration: wherein we shall not need to trouble your Majesty with many words: for if fidelity be planted in the heart of the successor, or he kept within the bounds thereof, by the means and reasons aforesaid: the provocations of others shall be in vain. For though David's servants were ready 
1. Sam. 24. 5.  to provoke David (when he had Saul at advantage in the cave) to kill him, saying, Now is the day come whereof the Lord said unto thee, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand. Yet David thereby would neither be moved to suffer them to do it, neither would he do it 
Ver. 7.  himself, saying, God forbidden, that I should touch the Lords anointed. But it may be said▪ that all successors be not david's. Truth it is, but yet, what so ever they be, by the means aforesaid, this danger of yielding to the provocation of any, may well be prevented. And this still remaineth a comfort to your Majesty, that the Lords arm of protection and defence will not be shortened towards you, for the performing of this so acceptable a service of mercy & compassion towards his people & yours. And sure you may be (if God defended wicked Saul, when godly David was to succeed) that more assured shall his defence be over you, studying by this godly way to please him. The dangers that can arise either of his own motion, or through the instigation of others (suppose the worst) must either be by open hostility, or secret practise. By open 
Neither by open hostility.  hostility & force, he will never attempt it: first, because he must needs see that you have possessed justly and deservedly the hearts of your subjects, through your manifold and unrecompensable deserts: and lastly, through this deserved love of yours fastly knit unto you, he shall never be able to grow to any strength to stand against you in the field because taking a view of your subjects, though he shall find amongst them some malcontents, some for religion, and some otherwise: yet, when he hath mustered them all together in his mind, he shall find them not one handful to those that will like so well of their present state, that they will never be brought to hazard that sweet and peaceable government that they presently enjoy under you, for a change: for the number of those that love you for religion sake (God be thanked) are great: & these will, you may be sure, live and die in your defence most willingly: and worldlings there be very many, we think, more than either Papists or Protestants: and those (sure) take such joy and pleasure in the things of this world, that they can never be brought to hazard the quiet possession & fruition thereof, which they now possess and which they must needs see, they do hazard, in consenting to treason: for sure to prevail they can not be. And if they should, neither can they be sure to better their estate, for there will be then so many rakehells to please and satisfy with other men's goods, that for satisfying of them, they may justly fear, that they must part with some of their own goods. And if the known successor be a Protestant (as 
Wither he be a protestant  there is great odds it will so fall out, when the matter cometh to determining) 
The Scottish King.  the●, all kind of Papists, whither they be Papists of state, or of conscience, will refuse to join with him, lest they feel his little finger heavier, than they have felt your whole hand: and lest he make their yoke much heavier, than you have done. And whereas you (so they keep their fingers from treason) beat them but with rods, as a mother doth her children: he shall then beat them with whips, as slaves and dogs: for, they can never hope for more mercy at the hands of any Christian Prince (differing from them in Religion as you do) than they find at your hands. But suppose, (which we hope is impossible) that the right to succeed, shall be found in a Papist: yet, by open 
Or Papist.  force he were never able to endanger you. For besides that he shall be forsaken both of the sound Protestant, and of the worldling also: of the one for his Religion's sake: of the other for the love he hath to his possessions, he should find among them of his own faction a number so politic, that they might perhaps give him the looking on: but join with him they would not, nor durst not, for fear of had I witted: and so he should find those that durst stand forth with him in the field indeed, but very few in number, and them of the weakest in wealth and strength.  
Howsoever therefore it fall out, your highness need not to fear any danger by open hostility, at the known successors hand, albe it he were much provoked thereunto, or be prone enough thereunto of himself. And this is an especial reason no English successor can be of sufficient wealth, to maintain war with you, within your own Realm. And if the successor fall out to be a stranger, he will rather seek by all friendly and good carriage to requite your gracious and faithful dealing with him, and so more and more procure the love of you and of your subjects, then by such hostility alienate your own and your subjects hearts and minds from him. And as for the danger by secret 
Nor secret practice.  practices, great hope there is, that men considering how many that way have come to confusion, for fear of the like reward, will not dare to meddle that way any further. And surely your Majesty hath just cause to comfort yourself against all the secret dangers which may be intended against you for well doing, with the most wonderful and merciful experience of God his protection, which you many times have had against such: though flowing from many subtle and malicious hearts & heads. For you may be sure, that God will not take less care of you, and protect you the less, but rather much the more, for adding this heroical and princely virtue, of preserving your people and state, to all your former noble deeds. Use you therefore (sweet sovereign) the best & speediest means that possibly you may, to prevent the peril of all your subjects, and in your well doing, you may rest safe and secure under the shadow of the Almighty, and so put your only trust in him: and then shall you be like mount Zion, that shall never be moved.  
Objection. But your own experience yet feareth you. Answer. Truly (Madam) in our opinion, there is small reason that it should. For, first, what means soever were used unto you, to provoke you to hasten your own course: yet experience of the sequel hath made it appear, that you patiently tarried your time: and that your sister lived, while God himself ended her days. And secondly, no marvel though you had many (then) to egg you forward to aspire to the highest room: & great wonder were it now, if any should be found that would move him (whom you should cause to be published your known successor) to attempt any thing against you For at her hands, you received hard imprisonment, & were as a sheep appointed to the slaughter: whereas your known successor (at your hands) is to receive this incomparable benefit, to have his title to the crown after you, cleared by you, the which lay hid, and in controversy before. Her regiment was very unfortunate 
An opposition betwixt her majesties government, & her sisters.  and bloody, and yours is (God's name be blessed for it) prosperous and merciful. She patronized Antichristianitie, which is a special mean to provoke God, to undermine the estate of those Princes that do so: and you countenance the truth, and the glorious Gospel of jesus Christ, which is a principal mean to move God (for the good of his Church) as tenderly to preserve you; as the apple of his eye. She, by her marriage with a stranger, had almost brought this land into wonderful danger, if God (by making her time short here) had not prevented it. For she would have cast out her old inhabitants, and have had this Island to have become a dwelling for strangers: much like unto an unnatural nurse: whereas you maintain it in peace and prosperity, most like unto a natural nursing mother, for the use of the ancient inhabitants thereof. Which strange doings of hers considered, no marvel it is, though our countrymen then, to shorten and to prevent those intolerable evils, wished rather you in place, than her: and very great wonder were it we say, that any now (especially once worthy to be regarded) should wish rather your known successor to wear the Diadem, than yourself: for these are things of great moment, both to stay others from giving him any such counsel, and to withhold his heart from ever consenting thereunto. And therefore, the differences of the times thus considered, together with God's protection of your sister in her place, till God himself (with his own hand) put an end to her days: these differences notwithstanding (we say) may encourage you, rather by your own experience to make your successor known, then otherwise: for that God that herein showed himself both able and willing thus to protect & preserve your sister from all the dangers and perils intended against her, by all those that would feign have had you in her place: no doubt of it, much more easily can and will protect you, a nursing mother to his true church from all perils and dangers that can arise either from your known successor, or from his provokers.  
And therefore, to come to your last argument concerning peril to your person 
The 3. argument that some kings have been deposed by their successors answered.  by making a known successor, drawn from examples of certain kings in this land, deposed by their successors. The answer thereunto, is most easy: for what are those few in comparison of infinite numbers that had known heirs and successors, and yet were never endangered by them? And why then should not your majesties noble heart (especially already having had so often & so sensible experience of God's goodness towards you) rather take encouragement by the more examples to make your successor known, (it being a thing every way as it is, becoming your person and honour to do) rather then discouragement therefrom by the fewer? Truly we must needs think God being so ready at hand to help you, as you have always found him hitherto, and the thing being as it is, a most especial point of your majesties dutiful service unto him: that if ever God preserved Prince for so doing (as he hath many) you should persuade yourself, that herein also he would preserve & protect you.  
But as for these examples, they are little or nothing to the purpose in hand: for never a one of these that deposed their predecessors, were (by them) made and declared to be their heirs apparent, or their successors, their titles being doubtful and lying in suspense before: whereas the question now in hand is, Wither the present Prince, whose successor is made known by him, and is also advanced to that clear hope by him, is to fear any such peril from the successor? In which case, we have showed in our reasons before, that hardly in any story any such example can be found. Yet seeing these examples are alleged it shall not be amiss (somewhat) to consider of them. Edward the third was but 15. years 
Edward 2. deposed by his son Ed. 3. and how.  old when his father was deposed, and therefore not likely to be contriver of his father's deposing. Nay, who so readeth 
Grafton pag 213. 214. 215.  the story, he shall find that he was deposed by his Nobility and commons, as one (in their judgement) not worthy to be a king. Their reason was▪ for that he was altogether ruled by the lewd counsel of the two Spensers, Robert Baldock, Pierce of Gavestone, and other ill counsellors: whereby he vainly consumed the treasure of the land, and overthrew 
King ●ich 2● deposed by Hen ●● why Grafton pag. 401.  the nobility and state. And king Richard the sec. was deposed, not by one whom he had made his known successor, but by Henry the fourth: no successor to him by right, but an usurper, and that for his great misgovernment, as it doth appear in the story by 28. articles objected against him at his deposing: wherein his nobility and commons showed, that they liked rather to have an usurper to reign over them, that would preserve the crown & them, than a rightful king, that would peril the crown and state also. So Henry 
Hen. 6. deposed by Ed. 4.  the sixth was deposed by Edward the fourth, who had a present right to the crown, and was neither heir apparent nor known successor unto him: but he was deposed for the causes, for the which God is often angry with princes, namely (as witnesseth the story) for being to much advised by the wicked counsel of William de la Poole, Duke of Suffolk, by whose means (as the history saith) the good Duke of Gloucester, the king's uncle, was put to death: and the countries that the crown of England did then possess in France, were delivered and lost: he being the swallower up of the king's treasure, whereby the wars were not maintained, and the expeller from the King of all good and virtuous counsellors, and the bringer in, and the advancer of vicious persons, common enemies & apparent adversaries to the public weal. Hear be many hard points discovered in a counsellor, the which a 
Wise Princes will look narrowly into the affections of their counsellors.  wise Prince will narrowly look into: lest any of his be infected with any of these faults. His wife also and others did likewise so overrule him, so that the state was (by his evil government) greatly troubled & vexed, and the nobility much perilled. Now, King Edward the fift was murdered being but a child, by his 
Ed 3. murdered by Rich. 3.  wicked and traitorous uncle, Richard the third, who was neither his heir nor successor by right. So that these examples rather prove, that there is peril to the present governor from secret, ambitious, and unknown competitors, than from known successors: for three of these were neither heirs nor successors by right, to them whom they deposed: and the fourth had the Crown thrown in his lap, both unlooked and unwished for. And in deed and truth princes are in far more danger, succession not being established, then when it is settled. The reason is forcible, for the neglect thereof produceth the disfavour of God, and his subjects: whereof we have a good example of David, who before he did establish the succession in Solomon, was in far more danger than afterwards: for before, first Absalon, than Adoniiah were up in arms for the crown, but Solomon once settled in the title of succession, we read of no more such dangerous attempts in his time. And certain it is that your Majesty hath been in much more danger hitherto (the title to succeed you being undetermined) than you can be by any likelihood, when soever it shall be declared who hath the right of succession. And so by this that is said already, it sufficiently appeareth, that the perils by having a known successor, are rather shadows of perils than perils in deed: whereas by concealing of the succession, and not declaring where it resteth, your Majesty knoweth, a successor how weakly soever supposed, yet mightily supported, both by domestical traitors and foreign enemies, hath bred you many evident and dangerous perils. The Lord be blessed, who hath delivered you out of their snares & pits, and hath entrapped themselves therein. But you have no cause yet to think (most gracious Lady) but that the popish faction, which other malcontents, having now lost the staff of their hope, but that they ere this have 
The Queen of Scots.  busied themselves to find another: for you may assure yourself, the more silent you are to make known your successor, the glader are they: for they think they may thereby the more boldly set up one to themselves in their own conceits: wherein, when their devises and plots are come to any ripeness, former experience hath taught you what to look for from them, or at their hands. God preserve you always from them and their treacheries, and give you grace ever to beware of them, and never to trust them. Again, what danger is there that you can suppose to be likely to arise by making known your successor, that evidently ariseth not of keeping him unknown: for it is to be thought, that where the best right is, it is well known to him that hath it. Then the more the right of his title be sought to be suppressed and concealed, the more (it is likely) it will stir the coals of wrath in his heart, and the sooner it will cause him to put forth himself, lest he should (by silence) miss of that which he accounted his right. And will not the concealing thereof cause many to flatter themselves that they have a title: and so danger may spring unto your Majesty from many fountains, and from some perhaps that are not thought of. And all reason persuadeth, that there is less danger to be feared from him that hath right to succeed especially being bound unto your majesty for publishing and manifesting of his right, then by one that is grieved & offended with your majesty, for hiding and suffering his title to lie hid. And every one seethe that the danger that ariseth from one, & him known, is easilier prevented, then that which ariseth from many, & some of them also unknown. It were questionless therefore (every way) the safest way for your majesty, to bind him that hath the best right to succeed to you, to all love and thankfulness towards you: and consequently (by that kind means) from seeking to endanger you any way: but especially by your kind cleared & declaring his right: and then also, to put out of hope all others, that now wrongfully imagine they have right thereunto: whose ambition may stir them up to seek the diadem. This (as I have plainly proved) is the way that best pleaseth God, & that standeth best with the discharge of your duty, both to him & to your people: and therefore it cannot be, but that it is far more safe for your noble person so to do, than otherwise: because as all stories & experience teach, it is always the safest way, both for Prince & subject, to please God: and very dangerous to think that there is more safety in following our own devises and fantasies, than his will and pleasure. Saul (you know) was threatened for that he had broken God's commandment, to have his kingdom rend from him, and it was so. And the rather may you see, that there is no reason in respect of peril to your person, to stay you from thus doing: because (not only) it hath been made to appear manifestly unto you, that they are rather fancied perils, than perils in deed. And now lastly, evident reason hath showed you, that what soever those perils be, yet the same, and rather greater, are more justly to be feared of the not settling of the succession. Wherefore we conclude, that (notwithstanding the former objections) there is no sufficient cause why you should not make your successor known, in respect of any peril to your person: seeing we have rather proved it much more safer, then perilous for your highness so to do.  
And the danger that might come unto your honour thereby, is also the less to 
The other branch of the objection grounded upon peril, concerning the decay of the prince's honour & dignity, if the successor should be made known, answered and refuted.  be feared: for that no act can be more honourable, then that whereby you should provide for the continual safety of your kingdom, and people? And who can (with a reverend opinion) think that ever your Majesty would desire to maintain the full brightness of your glory, by hazarding the glory of God? and the utter overthrow of your kingdom? For who knoweth not but that your Majesty hath read and heard not only how far noble King David in dancing before the ark, was content to debase himself? thereby 
2. Sam. 6. 14.  to advance the glory of God: but also, that very heathen Princes have often been found ready with their lives (as precious 
Codrus Athen. Deccis Rom.  as their honour) to redeem the safety of their countries. As for the reason to prove it perilous to your honour, in that as men are given rather to honour the Sun rising, than the setting thereof: so, it is thought in this case, that they are given to prefer their new Master, before their old Mistress: but these be arguments of small moment: for the Barbarians that do worship the Sun, do aswell fall flat on their faces, when it setteth as when it riseth. And reason teacheth wise men rather to honour that sun, the rising whereof hath already much benefited them: then that which they cannot tell, whither it will benefit them in like measure, or no: Indeed, if the sun setting hath been all the former day, but a glooming and un-comfortable Sun: then there is some reason, why the next days Sun rising (in hope that it will be more comfortable and lightsome) should be rather honoured, than the other. But if the sun setting, hath been all the day before, a clear, lightsome, and comfortable sun, all wise and honest men will be so far in love with it, that they will be exceeding loath to part with it, and will highly honour it, setting: and also dolefully mourn, when it is set. And the like affection, wise and discreet men cannot carry to the next sun rising, for that they know not whither it will prove comfortable, or not unto them. Let your Majesty therefore go on, as your Grace hath begun: in sending forth the glorious beams of the Gospel of Christ, throughout your dominions: and now, and this kind comfort to your loving and kind subjects: to wit, to make your successor known: and assure yourself, that you shall be more infinitely honoured, setting, for these benefits already received: then the next sun rising can be possibly (whosoever he be) for benefits but barely hoped for. And further you know, that though many things be most desired, when they are new: yet many are greatliest esteemed, when they are old. But what if some light persons do withdraw (then) some honour from you, and give it to your successor? what can that eclipse your honour? when (by making your successor known) you are grown great and mighty (with a settled and unremovable love) in the hearts of all the grave, faithful, and godly wise men of the land. And what loss of honour can it be to you, to lose a little at the hands of vain and light persons, who are of very small or none account, and to get ten thousand times more honour at the hands of the other: namely, of all your grave, wise and faithful subjects: yea, and to gain immortal honour both with God and man also, by doing so famous and worthy a deed. Thus we hope your Majesty, doth plainly see, that there appeareth as little force in this objection, as in any of the former, and that therefore we may conclude also, that the peril in the settling of the succession, is nothing so dangerous to your Princely honour and dignity, as the contrary.  
And certainly (dear sovereign) the 
The last arg. the establishing of a successor will take away all foreign conspiracies. Proved.  surest means to kill the hearts of all your enemies both here, and in foreign countries, and to stop their greedy hungering to advance any to the Diadem, and also to stay their bloody desires to take away your majesties life, by murder of your noble person, or any other wicked means, is the settling of succession only. The reason is, the chief cause and end that moveth traitorous Papists and your foreign enemies to hunger so eagerly after your life, is this: they are certainly persuaded, and it is holden for a resolute opinion amongst them, that if they could bereave your Majesty of your life, that then your good subjects had no one (only) head to cleave, and resort unto for succour: but should (by inclining to sundry factions, and following of as many heads at the least, as there would be claimers of the crown) grow to civil war and unnatural division: and so be ready every one of us, to cut one another's throat: and then, were we easily all overrun by them, and the common enemies the strangers. The only good & surest means to alienate all their minds, from intending the murder of your majesties person (the which otherwise they will never cease to practise) is, to settle the succession of the crown, successively to as many, one after another, as the Law shall take notice of, to be inheritable thereunto. For thereby they shall see, that they are never a white the nearer winning of the goal, though they should take away your majesties life. For that notwithstanding, yet no civil war or discord within this Realm (the only cause of their greedy thirsting after your majesties blood) were like to ensue thereof: for that your subjects wits and minds would not thereby be distracted, seeing they then should know, and be certain what head to lean and cleave unto: and would so be all united in one mind, to follow one, and the self same head. Many therefore & great are the benefits which your Majesty, and the whole Realm should reap by the present establishment of succession: for assoon as this were done, those English traitors which are used by the strangers, as wicked instruments, to shorten your majesties days, would presently desist from practising of that vile enterprise, & your majesties enemies will likewise desist from hiring and pricking any forward thereunto: for that no civil war (the only mark whereat they aim) would ensue thereupon. And further they should see, that (by executing their malicious & longed for attempt) the Realm should be governed by such a man, who (in their 
They closely mean the King of Scots, who in every man's judgement is most able to defend it; but chiefly in the opinion of strangers.  opinions) would defend it more strongly and stoutly, than any woman. Further, the consideration hereof by the strangers, will be (here after) a good mean to stay their purpose of coming again, if they hear of it before: if they hear of it after their landing, it will hasten them faster away, than a thousand peals of guns: for small is their hope of overrunning this land, without the advantage of domestical war amongst ourselves. And it is not like, that they will leave off with this dishonour, but will (another year) give a new onset. Lastly, admit that they will presume upon their own strength, without this advantage: yet, the establishment of the succession will so effectually and unfeignedly win unto your Majesty, the hearts of all your Nobility and commons (some handful of desperate Papists and Malcontents set a side) and so reconcile their minds one towards another, which are now distracted by favouring and inclining to sundry titles, that the whole Realm (without all doubt and difficulty) will put on hearts like unto the hearts of Lions, and so stick wholly and heartily together for the defence of your Majesty, & this their noble country. If the settling of the succession prove not the surest and best means for your majesties present safety, and also for the discharge of your duty to God and your people, thereby banqueting with the most dainty dish of a quiet conscience: and for the winning to your Majesty of an honourable name and fame throughout the whole world: and for the knitting of all your subjects hearts fast unto you, with love deserved, and so unremovable: let our heads pay our ransom, for stirring up your Majesty hereunto.  
Wherefore (now) to grow to an end, 
A recapitulation of the arguments going before, with a pithy exhortation annexed thereunto.  (most gracious sovereign) if obedience to God, examples of Kings, both Christian and heathen: yea, and of your own dear Father, or care and compassion over all your own natural liege people, (otherwise) sure to come to extreme confusion, the necessarines, profitableness, & honorablenes of the action, to the eye of the whole world, and to yourself also, & both before God & man: together with the weakness of all objections that can be made to the contrary, be of any force and account with your Majesty, as (we doubt not) but they are: then (Princely Lady) deny not to your most merciful God this thankfulness: but (in thankful consideration of all his benefits bestowed upon you) yield in most effectual manner to this holy, natural, and most needful motion: deny not this Princely mercy and duty to your noble Realms and Dominions that have bred you, and hitherto maintained you in all honour, & princely estate: and without the which, you could not, nor cannot be preserved, and so maintained. And so, not we only, but all your people, one and other, that have any true fear of God, or love to their whole country generally, or any natural care to posterity, night & day, with tears & groanings in most lamentable and pitiful manner do cry and call upon you (sweet Lady) in this point, for mercy, as ever there was any spark of true mercy in your princely heart, that you will (now) with speed show mercy on us all, & all our wives and children, kindred & friends, & all our whole posterities: but especially to show mercy upon our souls: for that otherwise as all your true & faithful subjects, cannot but perish with the sword: even so our souls will surely starve for want of the Word: yea, we (in most fervent manner) humbly beseech you, & God chargeth you to show mercy in this point (if in any) to his whole Church throughout Christendom. For it will receive great strength by the establishment of the succession here. Alas (if you should not) what sin & impiety were it in you, when (by this only mean) you may prevent unavoidable perils to your whole people, & noble Realm, to suffer so many thousands of your loving subjects, (who would willingly have shed their blood in your defence) to have their blood most cruelly spilled, by sundry cruel and bloody battles: yea, to suffer such a flourishing Church and commonwealth (by your unkind leaving it without a known successor) to be spoiled of all policy, order, government, and Religion, and to be brought to utter desolation Oh, (in so dangerous times especially as these be, in the midst of secret enemies at home, and mighty and malicious abroad) provoke not (most noble sovereign) the wrath of your kind God upon you so justly: neither offer any such unkind occasion of alienating the affections of your best subjects from you, so deservedly: it tending (so much as it doth) to the weakening and peril of yourself: but in the fear of God, and of desire every way to please him, and to the discharge of a good conscience, take in hand (and that without delay, because delay breedeth danger) this most godly, honourable, and natural action. And still to whet you thereunto, in stead of a final conclusion we leave these short questions to be considered of by you, and answered between God and you in your secret chamber.   

FIRST, whither the Lord himself did 
Ten questions to be considered of by her Majesty.  not set the crown on your head, when your enemies earnest purpose was to have taken your head away.  
secondly, whither the same Lord hath not (with a mighty hand and outstretched arm) kept the same hitherto on your head, in despite of all your foes.  
thirdly, whither he hath not also wonderfully in your regiment blessed you, and made you so famous, that you are a wonderment to all the Princes, and their kingdoms round about you.  
fourthly, whither in regard of all these exceeding benefits, you are not bound to serve the Lord with all your soul, & with all your strength.  
fiftly, whither you do not think, that it is an especial duty that Princes own unto God, and their people, to do what may be done to preserve them and their posterities from all evils & mischief?  
sixtly, whither you do not plainly & palpably feel and foresee, that if you leave your people without a known successor, that then it must needs follow, that you shall leave both God's religion, his people & your dominions, in evident hazard of extreme confusion and utter overthrow.  
Seventhlie, whither you do not think, that, in your lifetime, to make known your successor, be not (by all likelihood) the best and only way to prevent all these doleful evils.  
eightly, whither (then) you do not think it a grievous sin in you, if you should not do the best that lieth in you, by making your successor known, to prevent these perils to your whole people.  
Ninethly, and whither that therefore, if these perils be not prevented, you, (though a Queen) shall not come one day before the tribunal seat of God, the revenger of all ungodliness, to make strait account of this grievous sin.  
lastly, whither in the mean time, it be not a mean greatly to your peril, thereby, not only (presently) to harden the hearts of your subjects against you: but also, to provoke the Lord to be angry with you, and so to withdraw his hedge and strong wall of defence from about you: if any humane persuasion, whatsoever, continue you still in this unnatural sin?   

TRue and unfeigned love, doth even 
The conclusion of the whole treatise, and exhortation enlarged with two new arguments, the one from the ignominy which is like to befall to her majesties person af●er her death, for wanting the honour of burial: the other from the danger the conusellors are like to fall into after her decease, for not procuring the establishing of a successor, as though by their default her Majesty had neglected the same.  force us to utter unto you (our most dear and natural Sovereign:) that when soever it shall please God to touch you with the pangs of death, (as die most certainly you shall, and how soon is known to none but to the Lord only) if your Majesty do not settle the succession in your lifetime, which God for his mercy's sake long prolong, we do greatly fear, that your grace shall, then, find such a troubled soul and conscience, yea, ten thousand hells in your soul, even such bitter vexation of soul & heart for the perilling of the Church of God, and of your natural country, as to be released thereof, you would give the whole world, if you had it. Of true love to your Majesty, and of a reverend regard that we have unto your honour and good name after your decease: we beseech your Majesty to consider, whither your noble person is like to come to that honourable burial, that your honourable progenitors have had, or that (as we doubt not) your grace will take order for by your testament, or whither any part of yourwil shall be performed by your executors, if your successor be not settled before your death. It may be, that this is a matter neither thought of, nor yet doubted of by your highness, but that you hold it as a clear and undoubted matter or question. To let your majesty understand our opinions herein, we do think it our duties. We do assure ourselves, that the breath shall be no sooner out of your body (if your successor be not settled in your lifetime) but that all your nobility, counsellors, and whole people will be up in arms with all the speed they may: yea, their care and haste to arm themselves will be so earnest, that they will think themselves most happy, that can first draw themselves and their power into the field: and then there will be as many kings proclaimed, as there will be competitors, the which will be four or five at the least, though all have not the like right: so that then, your executors will be so busied to set up a new king, yea, (it is likely) two or three, that they shall not possibly have one hours leisure to attend, nor once think of your burial, or will: and then it is to be feared, yea, undoubtedly to be judged, that your noble person shall lie upon the earth unburied, as a doleful spectacle to the world, but chiefly to such as dearly love you. The shame and infamy hereof, we beseech your grace to be careful of: and true and unfeigned love, yea, our duties do force us to warn your majesty of it: for it would be a wonderful sorrow to a great number of our hearts, if your noble person (being the restorer of true religion) should come to that shame as to lie unburied. Again, we fear (if your majesty do not prevent these perils before your death) that (after the dissolution of your life) you shall leave behind you such a name of infamy througout the whole world, even in such an opprobrious manner, that the forethinking thereof, cannot (we do persuade ourselves) but deeply grieve & wound your honourable, pitiful & tender heart: especially, sithence your wisdom and kind heart cannot but foresee, that those whom you shall leave behind you, which be of natural kindred, or bear any hearty or true love and affection towards you, will daily die a thousand deaths, to hear the evils that shall be howrelie used in vile reports, songs and rhymes against your noble person: & may not with truth defend you, for that you have not dutifully prevented the overthrow of the Church of God, and of your noble kingdom, but have suffered both to be subverted, even by the most cruel means that may be, to wit, by the merciless shedding of rivers of innocent blood, by all those endless bloody battles which shall be fought in that cause: and all for that you have not showed pity & mercy in the settling of the succession of the imperial crown of your noble realm: This is not all, for your privy counsellors, which you shall leave alive after you, who (of fear) to trouble you, have suffered you to sleep in quiet, as though you had no just cause to take care for the safety of the Church of God, and of your country, and also, in that they have not incessantly called upon you, thereby stirring you up (with all ferventness) to prevent these intolerable evils, shall (in all likelihood) pay full dearly for their silence after your decease. For we cannot persuade ourselves, but that the realm will call them to a sharp account for suffering the Church of God and the crown of England to be utterly subverted. And well they shall deserve it, both at the Lords hand, and of this their worthy and native country, if it should so fall out: for they took their corporal oaths to be true counsellors unto this noble realm, 
Counsellors sworn aswell to the realm as to the Prince.  aswell as to your noble person, when they were sworn to be counsellors to both. And when they shall reap the just reward of their deserts, than they will cry out upon your Majesty with a doleful woe: saying, that you have utterly cast them and all theirs away. This woeful tuned song, (we do persuade ourselves) will the Lord (in his justice) force them (then) to sing, doubtless, if the aforenamed mischiefs be not prevented in your majesties lifetime. Therefore, an happy, and a thousand times happy, yea, and a most blessed thing were it to your majesty, and to all your said counsellors also, if they did so heartily and truly love you, that they would not suffer you to rest in quiet, neither at bed nor at board, until you had prevented the aforenamed lamentable perils to your own soul and noble person, and to theirs also. For than might your Majesty, and they also, both live and end the residue of your days in great safety: with a merry, cheerful, & quiet heart, and be at good peace, both with God and man: things greatly desired, and heartily wished to your noble heart by us, your loyal, true, and most faithful subjects, even of very true, & unfeigned love, as the Lord knoweth before whom we shall make a strait account if we use any flattering or dissembled speeches. Wherefore we humbly beseech your Majesty to bear with our true hearted plainness. Thus with all humble ferventness & loving duty (our most sweet sovereign and merciful Princess) we eftsoones beg the reading, & the reading again hereof by your highness, with patience, and with all godly attention, and wise weighing of the reasons therein. And God grant you grace to suck out the honey out of the sweet flowers thereof, and to spit out the venom that hath heretofore envonomed you with a fearful, wrongful, and deceitful conceit, and settled opinion, even to the great and wonderful peril of wounding the Church of God, and your whole people and noble Realm, unto death: yea, and a poisoned dart to wound your own sweet soul, and your noble person likewise: whose line of life, we as heartily desire may be stretched out of as great a length as any subjects you have, whatsoever they be: yea, albeit they have received never so much honour, credit, estimation or benefit at your majesties hands. And this we speak truly from our hearts, of love unfeigned, and without flattery, according to the rule of S. Paul: being heartily desirous to gain unto your Majesty, the favour of God, the general, fervent and true love of each degree of your subjects, unfeignedly: a glorious and immortal good name throughout the earth, with the immortality of your most sweet and precious soul.  
The Lord of heaven and earth work so effectually in your noble heart, that you may so throughlie, and so deeply weigh this, and what else we have said in these few leaves, as to the glory of God, to the safety of your noble person and honour, and to all your true subjects comforts and preservations, we may have shortly (in Parliament) this most necessary question (who hath most right to succeed you) lawfully, peaceably and effectually decided and determined. God grant it for his sweet Christ's his sake.  
AMEN.   

THIS OBJECTION WAS SENT AND answered, when I was prisoner of the Gatehouse at Westminster.  
WHereas the Scottish King is now our friend, if the successor were settled, and the title to the crown given from him to another, he would, after, become our enemy. And for revenge he would suffer the Spaniards with all their power to land in his country, & so to enter into ours.  

FIVE GENERAL ANSWERES UNTO THIS OBJECTION.  
FIrst a wise King may think it very dangerous to suffer or receive such a strong power to enter into his country as are not easily to be repulsed, especially, being division between him and his subjects, as there is between the papists and the Scottish king: for so might the papists join with that strange power, & either peril or utterly drive him out of his country. And he & his counsel are to wise to trust wicked & deceitful papists, having had so good experience of their false hearts, as they have. And there are many precedents of states greatly perilled, and free cities lost and gotten by this policy, slender care, and trusting the untrusty. And were it not a good policy of the Spaniard to win the possession of Scotland by such a stratagem? For than would he deem England more than half gotten. No, no, the Scottish king and his counsel are to wise and godly disposed to peril both the Church of God, and their commonwealth▪ by trusting of the false Romish sect, who have set this down for a principle. That no solemn oath, faith or faithful vow, is to be kept with heretics. Of the which number (in their judgement) the noble and virtuous Scottish king and his counsel are numbered, yea, even as the most chief and principal heretics.  
If the Scottish king should take offence hereat, I affirm, it were an offence taken and not given. For what can be a more godly and dutiful act in any Prince, then to preserve both the Church of God, and the common wealth committed to his charge, seeing them in apparent and unavoideable dangers.  
To prevent this mischief, I affirm, it were a simple policy in us, wittingly to see and suffer our state to be overthrown, rather than to have the Scottish king our enemy.  
It is a general rule amongst the wise, of two evils, the less is to be chosen, and the greater is to be avoided. Herein the question is, whither the Scottish Kings malice (if his title should not be judged good by Parliament) or the subversion of the state, will be unto us the less evil.  
To forbear to prevent an apparent and unavoidable danger, or rather an intolerable and unrecoverable mischief, for the preventing of a supposed or imagined peril. I refer to your grave and wise judgements, what wisdom it were.    

NOw let us consider what commodity or benefit would grow to him thereby: or whither he should not (thereby) make a rod to scourge himself withal?  
To the which end I desire to have the questions ensuing considered of.  
Whither were he ever the nearer the attaining of Crown of England, if the Spaniards had conquered it, or the farther off?  
Whither will his own experience move him to expect better neighbourhood at our sovereign her hand during her life, & (after her decease) at the hand of an English Prince, or at the Spaniards hand, if he were king here?  
Wither the malice that the Spaniards, and all the princes of the league of Trent, do bear unto this land, be not chief for Religion?  
If it be for Religion, whither the like malice be not borne unto him, and to his country by them, for the same?  
Whither, if one self same cause, move a like hatred and malice to both the Realms of England and Scotland, will not the enviers give a like revenge, when ability and opportunity serveth?  
Whither were it good policy, wisdom, or naturalness, to kindle a fire in his neighbour's house, the which he is assured will set his own house in fire, or rather to quench that fire with all his power.  
Whither Scotland were able to resist the malice of the Spaniard, if he were King of Spain, Flanders, England, Ireland, etc.  
Wither the Scottish King desire or seek the crown of England by conquest, or by good right and title thereunto after her majesties decease.  
If by right and good title, what prejudice or offence were it unto him to have it judged and established by act of Parliament, whereby he may come by it, and enjoy it with peace: and with the love & goodwill of all your nobility, and commons of this land? For God forbidden, that he should not have it willingly yielded unto him, if it be his right: for god would accurse this land for their injury and injustice, if they should wrongfully detain it from him.  
If he have no right or title thereunto, would it not be a great benefit unto him to have his expectation and opinion opened and satisfied by large arguments: yea, and judged by Parliament, thereby to keep this Realm, & his also, in peace, love and quietness, avoiding open hostility: the which (by many bloody battles) would so weaken both the Realms, as they were like to become a pray to the enemy: and thereby also to nourish, entertain, and continue that love & amity which is now between both the Realms, to both their preservations here after and great comforts, and also to the preservation of the holy Religion of jesus Christ, now established, preached, & openly professed and taught in both these blessed Realms, the only cause of all the malice to both, by the Princes of the league.  
If the successor were settled by Parliament, and the title of the crown given from the Scottish king (lawfully) to another: he having the foreknowledge of the Parliament, and of the intent of the calling thereof: and being required either to be present thereat, or to send his learned counsel thither, and allowed to have and retain Lawyers learned in our English laws, to plead and defend his title: I say, if this true justice be duly & uprightly weighed in an equal balance, and this kindness offered unto the Scottish King, what cause hath he to become our enemy: or (for revenge sake) to let in, or aid the Spaniard to subvert our state: & consequently to endanger his own. And all because her Majesty should (by godly, lawful, and the most peaceable means that could be possibly devised) seek and endeavour to preserve both the Realms of England & Scotland: Both which being fast linked and chained together with the strong and godly links and chains of true love, and Religion, and with the sure amity thereof: God will so take their parts, and strengthen them, that they should not need to fear the malice, and enmity of any Princes of the earth. And I do persuade myself, that the christian Scottish king, and his christian nobility, have such a natural love and care to the preservation of their commonwealth, that if they were conferred with, they would yield willingly to have his title to the crown, quietly, uprightly and lawfully judged and determined by Parliament: to the preservation of both the realms. Sure I am, that both godliness and wisdom would it should be so: in respect of both their safeties.  
I lastly, if it so fall out, that he will (of will) be offended for settling of the successor, yet it will betoken in us a more godly regard and truth to the state, rather to offend him by preserving of it, then to please him, either be perilling of it, or suffering this worthy realm to be utterly subverted. For it will be (far) an easier matter to recover his favour, being lost, then to recover the state, being overthrown: And the state is, and aught to be a jewel of greatest price, and of most account with us, next unto the Gospel of jesus Christ.  
Sure I am, and in reason it cannot be avoided, but the time will come (and the wisest knoweth not how soon) that if this title be not quietly determined and settled by authority of Parliament in her majesties life (the which God long lengthen) that both the realms of England and Scotland, will dolefully rue it. For they both are like to become (through their ungodly dissension) prays for a strange people. O woeful, cruel & lamentable time, Let such as sit at the helm, & rule the stearns of the ships of both these our commonwealths (with great care) have dutiful regard unto this weighty service in time, if there be in them either love natural care to posterity, or pity and compassion to avoid the shedding of so much innocent blood, by many bloody battles, as may make rivers to run. Let such (eftsoons I say) as rule the stearns of both the commonwealths of England & Scotland, lovingly & kindly confer, consult and prevent the overthrows of both Church and commonwealths in both their countries, & that speedily: for the holy Ghost saith, whatsoever 
Ezra 7. 23.  is by the commandment of the God of heaven, let it be done speedily for the house of the God of heaven: for why should he be wroth with the king and his children. And I think it no presumption to affirm, that princes and magistrates are ordained and commanded of God, to preserve both God's Church and God's people (as the text saith) and that speedily, even when they see them in unavoidable peril without their helps: and much the more, sithence that perils may come unexpected and suddenly. And sithence that the wisest knoweth not how soon: let wise magistrates and counsellors beware of that woeful counsellor, Had I witted: who ever cometh to late, and is always a repentant counsellor, remediless.  
My simple capacity judgeth it to be a fearful & presumptuous sin, yea, and a tempting of God, in both English and Scottish magistrates, to hazard the precious pearls of the imperial crowns of both these noble realms, upon the uncertain life of one, albeit never so much wished & desired to be drawn on length by all true and faithful English hearts: yet, not to be attained, for God hath appointed the certain time, though it be uncertain and unknown to any. And when that doleful time shall once come, no earnest wailing, wishing or sighing can recover it again. And so I recommend this simple labour to your honours wise & grave judgements, deeming, that the preservation or ruin of the realm of England in this case, will be the same unto the realm of Scotland: and therefore to be carefully considered of both.  
And so to conclude, I may affirm (in my simple judgement) that the settling of the successor by Parliament, equity & authority, will be an especial good mean to increase, and long to continue true & faithful love and amity between our Christian Queen, her christian nobility and commons: and the christian Scottish king, his christian nobility & commons: albeit the imperial crown of this worthy realm, should be given (after her highness decease) from the said Scottish king: sithence he and his nobility may (hereby) plainly and evidently see, that we kindly desire and embrace his love, and neither envy him nor his title: neither (yet) his rule nor government: but desire (only) that the right may be carefully and uprightly examined, sought our, & given to him, to whom (of right) it duly appertaineth: whereby God may give a blessing to both these noble Realms for this heavenly justice, by means whereof, the unnatural and ungodly subversion of both these worthy commonwealths may be avoided.  
If the Scottish king were conferred with in this matter of great importance, as much concerning his safety and the safety of his realm, as the safety of our state, and should refuse and deny this godly and quiet trial offered in the ellevinth question: thereby perilling both these worthy commonwealths: it would wound all hearts. And God (in his justice) would revenge himself, who is the Lord of anger, and the mighty revenger. 
Nahum. 1. 2.  And the Prophet Ezekiell saith, As 
Ezech. 35. 6.  I live (saith the Lord God) I will prepare thee unto blood, except thou hate blood, even blood shall pursue thee.   
FINIS.   

A TREATISE CONTAINING M. WENTWORTHS' JUDGEMENT CONCERNING THE PERSON OF THE TRUE and lawful successor to these Realms of England and Ireland.  
WHEREIN THE TITLE IS BRIEFLY AND PLAINLY SET down: DOLMANS' objections refuted, and inconveniences removed.  
Made two years before his death, but published a year after his death for the public benefit of this Realm.  
IMPRINTED 1598.   

A TREATISE CONTAINING M. Wentworth his judgement of the heir apparent.  
SIR, I have received your letters, by the which you crave my opinion for the drift of DOLMANS' book, and further what I think for the person of the true sucessor. Sir, my judgement in my own conceit is but weak, and I would 
The occasion of this treatise.  be loath to dive into such questions as may increase my affliction. But yet as conscience doth bind me to communicate my small measure of knowledge upon good respects with all those that seek not to entrap me, (as the late L. Chancellor did at the Counsel table) but to inform themselves of the right, in a matter so highly importing them, that they may be able to discern between error and truth. So I am first to discharge this duty to you, and to those your friends whom you do mention, by reason of many other great bonds. I pray you be careful how you impart it: the times are ticklish, and the handling of this question very dangerous, although conscience and sound policy do require that even they who forbidden it, should most of all others search it out, and earnestly debate it: for as we now find in experience by this book, the most dangerous practise which the enemies and traitors to our state could ever have used for the undermining of the same, is by such seditious and pernicious courses, to overwhelm the light & right of succession, with so great darkness, as the judgements not only of the multitude, but even of many of the better sort may be dazzled: and when the time of trial shall come, they may be stricken with such a dump and amazement as they shall not discern what to do, or whom to follow. So the merciless sword shall give judgement with them that may be strongest, and our country which is now populous, wealthy, & renowned for valour, shall be by our own hand dispeopled, wasted, tread under foot, and made a byword by the proud enemy. All which might be easily prevented, if it would please God to move our dread sovereign to take to heart that humble petition which in the conscience of my bounden duty to God, her Majesty, and my country, I did exhibit to her highness: and for which now I patiently suffer, though most guiltless, not only in my own conceit, but even in the judgement of my Lord Treasurer: who as he affirmed at the counsel table, had three several times perused my book, and found no thing but what he thought to be true and stood assured would at last come to pass. But as he then said her Majesty had determined, that that question should be suppressed so long as ever she lived. Good Sir, God hath his own work going on, which no man shall stay, whither it be for our good (as I hope & most heartily wish or otherways, and on his will I willingly rest, that hath appointed a time for every purpose under heaven.  
As for the book, this is my opinion in few words. That no man can in reason expect to gather grapes of thorns, or 
The author's opinion of dolman's book.  think any good can be intended to our Queen and country by a Spanish hearted papist. His name doth forewarn you of his deceit, which clearly appeareth in every part of his book. His purpose is plain to work our dissension, debate and destruction. The book is no fuller of lines then of lies, which are countenanced most times with the credit of noble men, other whiles flourished and glazed with sentences and texts of Scripture, impudently dissuading the trial of succession, which every favourer of our good doth wish: it giveth title to many, who have no reason to be touched with any such matter, and closely impeaches the right and government of our gracious Queen. It is wisely suppressed, not for that it carries any other force or greater matter then gross forgeries and palpable lies: but because our people are weak and simple in this question, and may be easily seduced, being barred to look into it: notwithstanding they stand charged by their duty to God & their country, to examine and search out the same. I have not a little stood with some of my friends, whither this question was more to be regarded then the matter of discipline. And I think by such practices, we have sufficient proof, that this is the foundation and pillar, on which the Realm and Religion doth rest. It is to no purpose to answer him, for we shall never be without gainsayers, even against the clearest truths, yet in this my discourse I will briefly touch in their own places, some things which he hath craftily foisted in, applying himself closely and covertly to the dispositions of our nation, especially of the common sort, that he may the more forcibly persuade the doubtfulness of the right of succession, and so distract us in minds, and turn our forces against ourselves. As for any thing else that is in the said book, I say with Solomon, that a fool is not to be answered in his foolishness, when the answering may imply some estimation or conceit of that which of itself is just nothing, but yet by answering may be thought to be something.  
For my opinion of the right of succession, it were fit it came after then went 
The Author's opinion concerning the true successor which was the second point that was demanded.  before a Parliament, as I told my Lord Chancellor: for this matter doth rather require the mouth of all England, then of any one man: yet without prejudice to any second person, I will tell you truly what I do discern, and what I would speak, if I were to reason this matter in a free Parliament. But first I must confess, and you and many of my friends well know, that I have somewhat fleeted and altered concerning some points of this question: yet at this present I am of that mind, and so, as I think, shall be still, that the right shall be found in this king of Scots to succeed to her, to whom we 
The King of Scots next lawful successor to her Majesty proved by the pedigree  wish, if it may please God, the length of Noah or Methuselah's days: my reasons I will first allege, and then answer to such objections as are to be met withal.  
First I take this ground as yielded, that you and every loyal & true hearted Englishman will freely confess, if the Lady Margaret, the eldest sister of King Henry 8. were at this present alive (the line of her brother ceasing in our gracious Queen) that she I say should without all controversy be received, and by all England acknowledged to be the only righteous and true heir to her Majesty, and that all others should give place to that her right. Now seeing the said king is the very next in descent from her, & by a lawful, unstained & unblemished line by both parents, what conscience or reason can warrant us to defeat him, her next heir of that right, which by just devolution is come to him, and which we (by our own confessions) stand bound to have yielded to her, if she had at this day been living to have received it.  
Now to come to the objections which 
Objections made by Dolman and others against the king of Scots answered.  are made against this reason, and which seem to be of some value, they are handled at large by the Bishop of Rosse in his former book, but better in a late treatise privily put out in his name, and in my small judgement, well in that book which at our last conference you had in your hands. I will therefore deal with such points, as none of the former have fully satisfied, or were not acquainted with, & with such as carries some weight with some of our friends. And these, Sir, are of two sorts: either such as directly assault his right or then such as yielding that he hath the best right, do notwithstanding maintain that the Parliament may (for great regard & respects importing this Realm) transfer his right from him to some other, whom it shall think good to make choice of. The impediments that are alleged to bar his right are three: the first general against his country and foreign birth: the other two are particular against the two branches of his fathers and mother's lines. 
1. Objection of foreign birth.   
The impediment by reason of his birth, is grounded upon a statute made anno 25 Edwar. 3. which though by Rosse and the rest it be very well answered, yet two difficulties to such as understand not the statute, seem to remain. The first is, that notwithstanding diverse precedents may be brought of strangers who have obtained the crown before the making of the said statute, yet none can be alleged who since the making of the same hath got it. The other is, that her Majesty within these few years, hath taken the opinion of some judges and Sergeants at law, concerning the meaning of the words, Enfants du Roy, which, as is said they expounded to be no further extended then to the first degree. For answer to the former, the reason is plain, why no stranger came to the crown since the making of this statute, not because the statute was or could be any let, but because there was no stranger since that time before the now king of Scots, that could make any claim to the crown. To the second, with reverence to the places of the said judges be it spoken, if their resolution was such, the proviso or exception of Enfants du Roy in the first degree, that is the King's immediate children, carries neither sense nor reason for they can not be said in any respect to be begotten of Parents out of the king's allegiance, being indeed begotten of the King himself, of whom it were very absurd to say that he were under or out of allegiance: but if you say they meant by the first degree the king's sons children, or his nephews, why I pray you should they more be called Enfants du Roy, than his nephews children, or their Nephews, seeing there is the like reason for both. Now for full answer to this objection of his country, I will set against this opinion of the judges and Sergeants and all other private opinions or expositions of any men whatsoever, a public judgement of the lords justices of both benches given in the King's bench Term. Michael. 13. and 14. of the Queen, concerning a Scottish-man who was arraigned in the said bench upon an indictment of rape, & he having pleaded, not guilty, & a Venire facias being adwarded, a jury returned, and three of his jury sworn, he did then plead that he was a Scot borne, and prayed in regard he was a stranger (as he did allege for himself) the benefit which by our Laws is afforded to strangers, to wit, to have Medietatem linguae, that is, the half of the jurors to be of his own countrymen. But by the judgement of the saides' justices he was denied it, for that a Scot was not to be accounted in England for a stranger, but rather a subject: and also that the language of the Scots is no strange language, but mere English. etc. And this judgement thus given with these reasons is extant 
Term. Mich. 13. & 14 Reg. Eliz. 51.  and to be seen in M. Dyers cases, as the meanest student in the Inns of Court knoweth.  
Against his Father's line is objected, that Lady Margaret Douglas his grandmother 
The 2. objection concerneth a stain in his father's line, by alleged bastardise of Lady Margaret Douglas fully answered.  was base, her father Archebald Earl of Angus having a former wife at the time of his marriage with her mother the Lady Margaret Teuther: for which cause also the said Lady Margaret Teuther did afterwards sue a divorce, and took to husband one Henry Steward, who was afterwards created Lord Methven. For answer, the allegation of the former marriage, and it to be the cause of the divorce which ensued, cannot choose but seem ridiculous to every man that shall hear of it. For to what purpose should so noble an Earl without any cause have formerly married in a corner: or who will once think that his wife (alleged to have been alive) would not have made some hindrance or stop, at least some challenge at the time of his marriage with the Lady Margaret Teuther. So as this Lady might more easily and honourably have shrunk back from the marriage and avoided it before it was solemnized, then to have sought to dissolve it, it being once accomplished: and admit that this was the cause, yet it can stand with no reason that she should defer it whole four years and more, and after all this while to seek then to be divorced from him, when he had issue by her. But they that are but meanly acquainted with the Scottish histories knows that this is, non causa pro causa, and that the true cause was, because the Earl fell in love with a gentle woman of Douglasdale, whom he kept as his concubine, which his Lady took so to heart, as she would never be reeonciled to him after, that by this act he had defiled her bed such was her Princely mind. And it is reported of king james the fift that he was accustomed to ask such of his servants as were most inward with him, whither the said gentlewoman were fairer than his mother. So this act of the Earl of Angus falling out about some four years after the birth of the Lady 
See Holins. compare pag. 303. with 306. in the Scottish history.  Margaret Douglas his daughter, can no whit slain or embase her in blood, being begot and borne in lawful marriage.  
But for further proof of the legitimation, she was always by all men taken & reputed as the sole and only heir to the Earl of Angus, and served (as they call it) by the Scottish laws to the said Earedome, and had all the evidences & writings 
Pag. 335.  of the same delivered to her, as to whom of right they did appertain. But upon the marriage of her son the Lord Darnlie with the late Queen of Scots, she was content, at the said Queen's instance to permit and yield the said Earldom to the disposing of the Queen, according her best liking, which honour and Earldom the said Queen of Scots did bestow upon Archbald late Earl of Angus, 
Fran. Thine in his supplem to Holinshed.  all which you may see at large in the Scottish and English Chronicles. And my Lord Dowglas, who at this present hath his lodging in Lymestreet, was the man, as I take it, that was sent from the said Queen to the Lady Margaret, being then prisoner in the Tower, to treat of the resignation of the earldom, with this message, It was a well lost Earldom which brought home a kingdom. These are sound proofs that the L. Margaret was no bastard, and that this which is brought to impeach her legitimation, being truly delivered, doth mainly strengthen the same. For mine own part, I make no question (if her Majesty would be pleased) but that my Lord Treasurer, who hath sifted this matter more than any man, and who is esteemed of all men to be wary and wise enough, and not to be any of the Scottish Kings greatest friends, would venture Sir Robert's young son (though he be under years) upon Lady Arbella, & her title, albeit it come by this only branch of the Lady Margaret Dowglas, and come also even in it a degree after the king and his children. And that you may the better believe me, I pray you be remembered what attempt my Lord made for one of Sir Thomas his sons. To conclude this point, whatsoever right my L. doth give by this branch to the said king collaterally with Lady Arbella, I see no reason why any other man should seek to take it from him, knowing that most men comes short of my Lord in the search and knowledge of this matter: but very few, or none short of my L. in favour and affection towards him.  
The objection made against his mother's line, is not so much the argument of any competitor or any of their favourers, or the doubt of any of the skilfuller and better sort, as a scruple bred in the minds of the common people, arising from I know not what buzzing report of an act of Association, the truth of which is this. During the custody of the Scottish Queen, there were diverse conspiracies practised by jesuits, and other Papists & malcontents against our Sovereign Lady, not without the knowledge and privity of the said Queen, which course of conspiracies & treasons, when the LL. of her majesties most honourable privy council did discern that they could by no means stop, so long as the Scottish Queen lived: and withal, that the only remedy to prevent them, was, that the Law should take place for her trial. Yet fearing that her execution (if she should be found guilty) might be the cause of great stirs & troubles by reason of her great factions in the neighbour Realms, and of her favourers in this land, it seemed good to them, for withstanding and repressing of such commotions (if any should ensue) and for the better maintenance of the peace and tranquillity which the state did enjoy, to make an act of Association, the tenor whereof, for your better satisfaction & further instruction, I have thought good to set down at large, as followeth.  

AN INSTRUMENT OF ASsociation, for the preservation of the Queen's majesties person made An. 1584. and confirmed by an act of Parliament Anno Reg. Eliz. 27.  
FOrasmuch as Almighty God hath ordained Kings, Queens, and Princes, to have dominion and rule over their subjects, and to preserve them in the profession and observation of the true Christian Religion, according to his holy Word and commandment, and in the like sort, that all subjects should love, fear and obey their Sovereign prince, being king or Queen, and to the uttermost of their power at all times withstand, pursue and suppress all manner of people that shall by any means intend and attempt any thing dangerous and hurtful to the honours, states and persons of their Sovereigns. Therefore we, whose names are, or shall be subscribed to this writing, being natural borne subjects of this Realm of England, and having so gracious a Lady, Elizabeth by the ordinance of God, our most rightful Queen reigning over us these many years, with great felicity, to our inestimable comfort: and finding of late by diverse depositions, confessions and sundry advertisements out of foreign parts, from credible persons well known to her Majesty, counsel, and diverse others, for the furtherance and advancement of some pretended titles to the crown of this Realm, it hath been manifest that the life of our most gracious Sovereign Lady hath been most and devilishly sought, and the same followed most dangerously to the peril of her person, if Almighty God her perpetual defender, of his mercy had not revealed and withstood the same: by whose life we, and all others her majesties true and loyal subjects do enjoy an inestimable benefit of peace in this land: DO FOR the reasons and causes before alleged, not only acknowledge ourselves most justly bound, with our bodies, lives, lands, & goods, in her defence and for her safety, to pursue and suppress all such mischievous persons & all other her enemies of what nation or degree soever they shallbe, or by what colour and title they shall pretend to be her enemies, or attempt any thing against her person, but we do also think it our most bounden duties, for the great benefit of peace, wealth, & godly government which we have more plentifully received these many years under her majesties government, than our forefathers have done in any longer time of any other her progenitors kings of this Realm, to declare, & by this writing make manifest our bounden duties to our said Sovereign Lady for her safety. And to this end, we and every of us, first calling to mind the holy name of the Almighty God, do voluntarly & willingly bind ourselves every one of us to the other jointlye and severally in the bond of a firm & loyal society: And hereby swear and promise before the Majesty of Almighty God, that with our whole powers, bodies, lives, lands and goods, with our children & servants, we and every one of us will faithfully serve and humbly obey our said Sovereign Lady against all estates, dignities & earthly powers whatsoever, and will aswell with our joint as particular forces during our lives withstand, offend and pursue aswell by force of arms, as by all other means of revenge, all manner of persons of whatsoever estate they shall be and their abettors, that shall by any act, counsel, or consent do any thing that shall tend to the harm of her majesties royal person. And we shall never desist from all manner of forcible pursuit against all persons to the uttermost extermination of them, their counsellors, aiders and abettors. And if any such wicked attempt against her Royal person shall be taken in hand or procured, whereby any that hath, may, or shall pretend title to come to this crown by the untimely death of her Majesty so wickedly procured (which God for his mercy's sake forbid) may be advanced, We not only swear and bind ourselves, not only jointly but severally, never to accept avow, or favour, any such pretended successors, by whom, or for whom any such detestable act shall be committed or attempted, or any that may any way claim by or from such a person or pretended successor as is aforesaid, by whom or for whom such an act shallbe attemmpted or committed, as unworthy of any government in any Christian Realm or civil society. But do also vow and further protest, as we are most bound, and that in the presence of the Eternal & everliving God, to prosecute such person or persons to the death with our joint & particular forces, & to take the uttermost revenge of them, that by any means possible we, or any of us can devise, and do, and cause to be devised and done, for their utter overthrow and exstirpation. And to the better corroboration of this our loyal Bond and Association, We do also testify by this Writing, that We do confirm the contents hereof, by our oaths corporal taken upon the holy Evangelists, with this express condition, that no one us shall for any respect, or persons, or causes, or for fear or reward separate ourselves from this Association, or fail in the prosecution thereof, during our lives, upon pain to be by the rest persecuted and suppressed, as perjured persons, and as public enemies to God and our Queen, and our native country. To which punishment and pains We do voluntarily submit ourselves, and every of us, without benefit of any exception to be hereafter challenged by any of us under any colour or pretext. In witness of all which premises to be inviolably kept, We do to this writing put our hands and seals, & shall be most ready to accept and admit any other hereafter to this our society & association.  
Dated An. Dom. 1584..   

THis Act was made up into several instruments, and sent to several shires for obtaining a general approbation and consent under the noblemen's and gentlemen's hands and seals, whereunto many of a preposterous zeal, did readily yield: divers of the wiser sort, of all degrees and states of persons refused modestly to ratify and confirm the same: because by due examination hereof they perceived that the general words therein contained might easily be wrested to a very hard construction, contrary to equity, and the minds of the makers thereof. And further they judged it unconscionable that such as might pretend title to the crown, being in their own persons guilty of no heinous offence, (though they by whom they should claim were convict thereof) should utterly from hence be debarred of their right. This opinion howsoever it displeased men at that instant, yet at the Parliament ensuing the same being duly weighed, an act was made which limited this sharp penalty, only to the persons offending, without any prejudice to their heirs, if they were not consenting to any wicked act or attempt, devised or enterprised against her Majesty. Which act of Parliament because it strengtheneth and expoundeth the former act of Association, and clearly dissolveth this great doubt, which Dolman esteemeth unsoluble, I have here set down, as it is in the original records.   

ANNO 27. ELIZ. CAP. 1.  
FOrasmuch as the good felicity and comfort of the whole estate of this Realn, consisteth only next under God, in the surety and preservation of the Queen's most excellent majesty: and for that it hath manifestly appeared, that sundry wicked plots and means have of late been devised and laid aswell in foreign parts beyond the seas, as also within the Realm, to the great endangering of her highness most royal person, and to the utter ruin of the whole common weal, if by God's merciful providence the same had not been revealed. Therefore. for preventing of such great perils as might hereafter otherwise grow by the like detestable & devilish practices, at the humble suit and earnest petition and desire of all the LL. spiritual and temporal, and the commons in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority thereof, BE IT enacted and ordained, if at any time after the end of this present Session of Parliament, any open invasion or rebellion shall be had or made, into or within any of her majesties Realms and Dominions, or any act attempted tending to the hurt of her majesties most Royal person, by or for any person that shall or may pretend any title to the crown of this Realm after her majesties decease, or if any thing shall be compassed or imagined tending to the hurt of her majesties most Royal person by any person▪ or by the privity of any person that shall or may pretend title to the crown of this Realm, THAT THAN, by her majesties commission under her great seal, the LL. and others of her majesties privy counsel, and such other LL▪ of Parliament to be named by her Majesty, as with the said number of the privy counsel shall make up the number of 24▪ at the least, having with them for their assistance in that behalf, such other of the judges of the Courts of Record at Westminster as her highness for that purpose shall assign or appoint, or the more part of the same Counsel, Lords, and judges shall by virtue of this act have authority to examine all & every of the offences aforesaid, & all circumstances thereof, and thereupon to give sentence or judgement, as upon good proof the matter shall appear unto them. And that after such sentence and judgement given & declaration thereof made and published by her majesties proclamation under the great seal of England, ALL PERSONS against whom such sentence or judgement shall be so given and published, shall be excluded and disabled for ever to have or claim, or pretend to have or claim the crown of this Realm, or of any her majesties Dominions, any former Law or statute whatsoever notwithstanding. And that thereupon all her highness subjects shall and may lawfully by virtue of this act, and her majesties direction in that behalf, by all forcible and possible means pursue to death every such wicked person by whom or by whose means, assent, or privity, any such invasion or rebellion shall be in form aforesaid denounced to have been made, or such wicked act attempted, or any other thing compassed or imagined against her majesties person, and all their actors, comforters and abettors.  
If any such detestable act shall be execute against her majesties most royal person, whereby herself shall be taken away (which God of his great mercy forbid) that then every such person by or for whom, any such act shall be executed 
Mark this clause.  * and their issue being in any wise assenting & privy to the same, shall by virtue of this act be excluded and disabled for ever to have or claim or to pretend to have or claim the said crown of this Realm or any other her majesties Dominions, etc. AND TO the end the intention of the Law may be effectually executed, if her majesties life shall be taken away by any violent or unnatural means (which God defend)  
BE IT further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that the LL. and others which shall be of her majesties privy Counsel, at the time of her decease, or the more part of the same counsel joining to them for their better assistance, five other Earls, & seven other LL. of Parliam▪ at the least, (foreseeing that none of the said Earls, LL. or counsel be known to be persons that may make any title to the crown) choose persons which were chief justices of either bench, master of the Rolls and chief Baron of the Exchequer, at the time of her majesties death, or in default of the said justices, master of the Rolls, and chief Baron some other of those which were justices of some of the Courts of record at Westminster at the time of her decease, to supply their places, or any 24. or more of them, whereof eight to be LL. of Parliament, not being of the privy counsel, shall to the uttermost of their power and skill, examine the cause and manner of such her majesties death, and what persons shallbe any way guilty thereof, and all circumstances concerning the same, according to the true meaning of the Act▪ and thereupon shall by open proclamation publish the same without any delay by all forcible and possible means prosecute to death all such as shall be found to be offenders therein, & all their aiders and abettors. And for the doing whereof, and for the withstanding and suppressing of any such powers and force as shall any way be levied & stirred for the disturbance of the due execution of this Law, they shall by virtue of this act have power and authority not only to raise and use such forces as shall in that behalf be needful and convenient, but also use all other things and means possible and necessary for the maintenance of the same forces, & prosecution of the same offenders. And if any such force shall be levied or stirred in disturbance of the execution of the Law by any person that shall or may pretend any title to the crown of this Realm, whereby this Law may not in all things be fully execute, according to the true effect and meaning of the same, THAT then every such person shall by virtue of this act be excluded and disabled for ever to have or claim or to pretend to have or claim the crown of this Realm, or of any other her majesties Dominions, any other form, Law, or statute whatsoever to the contrary.  
BE IT further enacted, etc. That all and every the subjects of her majesties Realms and Dominions, shall to the uttermost of their power aid and assist the said Counsel, and all other the Lords and other persons to be adjoined to them for assistance as is aforesaid in all things to be● done and executed according to the intention & effect of the Law. And that no subject of this Realm shall in any wise be impeached in body, lands, or goods, at any time hereafter for any thing to be done or executed, according to the tenor of the Law, any Law or statute heretofore made to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding.  
And whereas of late many of her majesties good and faithful subjects▪ ha●● in the 〈◊〉 of God, and with the testimony of good conscience, by one uniform manner of writing under their hands and seals, and by their several oaths voluntarily taken, joined themselves together in one bond & association, to withstand to the uttermost all such malicious actions and attempts against her majesties Royal person. Now for the full explaining of all such ambiguities and questions, as otherwise might happen to grow by any sinister or wrong construction or interpretation to be made or inferred of or upon the words and meaning thereof: BE IT DECLARED and enacted, etc. That the same association, and every article and sentence therein contained, aswell concerning the disallowing, excluding, and disabling of any person that may or shall pretend any title to come to the crown, as also for the pursuing and taking revenge of any person for any such attempt, shall, or aught to be in all things expounded and adjudged according to the true intent and meaning of this act, & not otherwise, nor against any other person or persons etc.   

THese acts of association and Parliament 
dolman's ignorance.  are by Dolman confounded, as if they were both one, uncertain, whither of gross ignorance or deep malice. In the margin he calleth them the statute of association, whereby if he mean the act of association severally, it seemeth he knew not the statute which expoundeth the act, and giveth it the force that it hath, and without which it may be as lightly rejected, as it is by him weightily urged: for it is well known, that by this act of association all were not bound, seeing many refused to sign and seal the same, doubting what particulars might be carried under general terms. Next, these instruments bound only the parties agreeing, of whom a great number are now dead, whose heirs succeeding to their father's places in the commonwealth, must also renew in their own persons their father's bonds, before the same prove any thing prejudicial. thirdly, many did yield for fear or facility, who without all question for such like respects will be also content to yield to the contrary. lastly, it was a private order, and no act of Parliament, & thereupon could be of no force or strength to bind as a law, before it was confirmed by Parliament. And to yield a little further, though all the hands and seals in England had been got to it, yet it could not truly have been got to it, yet it could not truly have been esteemed or thought to be, or have the force of an act of parliament, seeing they were not freely and jointly given, but secretly and severally urged and begged: whereby it is manifest that this matter is more in show and report, then in substance and effect.  
Again, if by this statute, he mean the 
Ormalice.  act of Parliament ratefying and allowing the act of association, he manifestly bewrayeth his impudency and rooted malice against the Scottish king, in misalleaging the words of the statute: for whereas the statute binds not the heirs of any that should attempt or procure the Queen's death, or be privy or accessary to the same, to any penalty of loss of their right, claim, title, pretence or action, that they have or may have to the crown of England, unless they be consenting thereunto. On the contrary, Dolman wittingly and willingly, against his own conscience (as it seemeth) perverteth the statute, and in alleging of it, leaveth out that clause, which he knew would make most against him, and clearly dissolve that doubt, which before he judged to admit no solution.  
But without doubt, if Dolman was impudent in falsifying the statute, he will peradventure be nothing ashamed to advouch, that the Scottish king was privy to his mother's conspiracies, thereby to make that clause (of the heirs not consenting) frustrate and of no benefit to him. A shameless person may affirm what he will, but this were an hard matter to prove, and contrarily, it is an easy matter to disprove it: for who knoweth not that this were a most malicious slander, seeing in all the examinations & depositions of such as were convicted for her actions, nothing could be found that might sound that way: neither indeed was it possible: for the actions of the mother and the son was so far different, as the East is from the West: the one a papist and a maintainer of superstition: the other a protestant and enemy to all superstition: the one adhering to that which was falsely called the holy league: the other puklikely opposed himself to the same, and motioned a counterleague: the one a follower and favourer of the house of Guise, the most pernicious enemy that Engl. had in their time, the other in a manner ruled & governed by our Sovereign, the surest and firmest friend she hath in Europe, as plainly appeared An. 1588. And briefly the whole frame & course of their lives was in some sort one opposite to the other.  
But to proceed further, though I should admit that this clause were left out, and that the statute, as Dolman allegeth, took hold, not only upon the parties offending, but also upon their heirs, yet the Scottish king can not be prejudiced in this case of the crown, if he may have the benefit of the like precedents to lean unto, that others before him have had, without fetching foreign examples, which might be infinitely alleged: I will content myself with the proof of that which I affirm in two kings of this realm of late memory, Edward 4. and Henry 7. who were by Parliaments attainted, and holden convict of high treason, notwithstanding this was no impediment or hindrance to them to bar them from enjoying the crown when their time came. I am not ignorant that it was answered by some concerning them two & such others, that they came to the crown as being called by Parliament, and not by any virtue and force of their right. But it may be more truly replied to them that they tell but a tale: for all Engl. knoweth that they came in before they were sent for by Parliament, & claimed it by sword before they were called or then they might have gone without it for ever. Nay, the Parliaments did no otherwise admit them at all, but in regard of their rights and claims. And who doubts that the house of Huntingdon should have good right, if the former rights were spent and ceased, notwithstanding the most of them by whom it doth claim, were by King Henry the eight, and his father King Henry the seventh for treasons cut off, & their attainders 
Margaret countess of Salisbury & her son Henry Poole.  allowed by Parliament. I think verily the Scottish King is to look for no less favour than so lately her majesties grandfather & great grandfather have had: yea, and all they which since that time without any question or impeachment have enjoyed the sceptre by them, and which others may hope for if it shall come to their turn. And the rather that his love to our Prince and country, and the friendship and amity by him maintained hath been firmer and surer during all his reign, than it was in the time of any his progenitors, notwithstanding he hath had greater occasions of grievances, and they more bonds which might have tied them unto us. M. Bowes making relation of some of the King's Christian speeches, protested, that he hath heard the King say many times, that he would not be touched so much as in thought with a desire of her majesties death, if it might gain him the present possession of all her dominions: yea of all the realms and kingdoms of the world. And he added further that he heard him discourse most wisely and religiously of the impiety and madness of some men, who by the just judgements of God have defeated themselves for ever, of that, which in due season they might have come unto, if they had not followed perverse and wicked courses to compass it, before the just time at which they should have got it. lastly, to admit with Dolman that this statute was good and of sufficient force to bar the Queen of Scots, and all such as might claim that way, yet all this cannot defeat or hinder the Scottish King of that right which cometh in to him by his father, and which hath the first and next place, if his mother's title should abate and surcease, as I have already sufficiently proved.  
But this abuse and deceiving of the common people by misreporting the tenor and intent of the act of Association is (by the like means of whispering and muttering in the ears of the ignorant) seconded with an other suggestion and slander more gross and impudent than the former, for the better persuading & helping forwards (as it may seem) of the other error. So as both of them doth appear to be derived from the same fountain. And this is it forsooth, that as the Scottish King is debarred from the 
The opinion of conferring to the Queen by Parliament the establishing of the successor by her last will confuted.  crown by one act of Parliament, so her Majesty by another act of Parliament hath the disposing of it referred to her last will, of purpose to defeat the said King, as they would bear us in hand. As though her Majesty were deprived of memory and reason, and had quite forgotten the fruit of such pretended wills of her noble brother and father, or delighted to follow and embrace such courses by which her sister and she, were like to have lost their kingdoms, liberties and lives: or that through ignorance she doth undergo too weighty a burden for the whole kingdom to bear: to wit, to dispose of the crown by discretion, and seethe not, that she doth sow the seed of horrible miseries, which are to spring & grow from so crabbed and wicked root. But if they will not have her so forgetful and senseless, as I am sure they will not, then are they more injurious to her: who doth make her to seek purposely to embark her most faithful and loyal subjects in most furious and raging seas of doleful calamities after her death, whom she hath been so careful to preserve in all her lifetime: and withal will have her (contrary to all her most princely courses) to be more led with an unjust respect of some person, her affection, or will, then to be ruled with the due regard of good right, the true heir, equity, and reason. They deserve ill her gracious favours who weigh not (so as their lies may take place) how highly they derogate from her sacred honour. How deeply they impeach her of falsehood in violating her promises and leagues, made and ratified with the Scottish king, and his mother, and so often renewed before most honourable witnesses of both the Realms, and by many Ambassadors at several times. I marvel strangely how they can be ignorant of her majesties most excellent and most wise speech delivered to Metland the Scottish Ambassador concerning this same purpose, about the third year of her reign, which is extant to the view of all those that can or will read the same, both in our Chronicles which are Cum Privilegio, and in the Scottish Chronicles permitted to be used here freely of all men. Her speeches were so Princely and royal, and so manifestly known both to the English and Scots, that Buchannan (though he 
Lib. 17.  was a Scot) could not choose but set them down in the same words, and with the same grace, to her highness eternal praise & commendation. I will allege some few sentences only in the authors own words, which may serve to clear this matter which we have in hand, Si quid (saith her Majesty to the 
The Queen's speech Englished. If it shall please God to call me, yet your Queen shall never find that I have done any thing which may hurt or impair, that right which she claimeth to the kingdom of England in a●●i●te. And I call God to witness the hearer of this our conference, that I know none, next to myself, whom I can prefer before her, or if the matter should come in controversy, that can debar her. You know what the Competitor, are: upon what confidence of ability or power can those simple things attempt so high a matter? And I do highly commend the wisdom of your noblemen, that would both provide providently for their own safety. and avoid by all meanes the effusion of christian blood, which I confess could not be saved if any faction should oppose itself in the claim of the kingdom. But where is that faction, or by what confidence of any power can it presume so to do.  Scottish Ambassador) mihi humanitùs acciderit, nunquam tamen illud comperiet (Regina vestra) quicquam à me factum fuisse, quod ius (illud) quod illa sibi in regnum Angliae esse asseverat, aliqua ex part laedat aut im●●inuat, etc. And a little after. Ac Deum praesentem nostri sermonis arbitrum testor, me neminem secundum meipsam nosse, quem illi praeferam, aut sires in controversiam veniat (qui) eam possit excludere. Tu qui competant nosti (inquit) quibus tamdem opibus, aut quavirium fiducia misellae illae cantam rem attentabunt, etc. And in the conference of another day. Nec minus prudentiam (procerum vestrorum) amplector, quod & suae securitati prospiciant, & à fundendo Christian● sanguine abhorreant: cui fate or parci non posset, si qua factio se obi●ceret quae regnum sibi vendicaret: Sed quae tandem illa erit, aut quibus viribus freta. And so forth in the whole course of her most Princely speech. By which, Sir, you may better discern and learn from her majesties own mouth, than you can by any malcontents malicious suggestion. First, what is her opinion concerning the person of the rightful heir, which doth not slip from her unawares, and not thinking of it, but is deliberately and most advisely delivered, accompanied with an attestation of God the hearer and witness of that conference. secondly, that she doth not at all dislike the desire of the Scottish Queen, seeking to have her right made known, for the avoiding of bloodshed, and such other good respects: notwithstanding she refused to yield to the demand for many reasons by the author mentioned. thirdly, that by her judgement all the rest of the Competitors (which were then stronger, wiser, & much more popular than they that are now) were utterly of no power or force, to match or encounter with the Scottish Queen. Fourth lie, that she very well did discern and foresee what merciless effusion of Christian blood would ensue, if any Competitor should be set up against the true heir. lastly, most Princely promises never to impair or impeach in any io●e the Scottish Queens right. Therefore the impiety of them (who would burden her highness with such dishonourable practices contrary to her princely word) is no less damnable than the indignity offered is punishable, for that they make her who is and hath been ever accounted by all estates (according to her Posy Semper eadem) most constant, 
The Queen's posy Semper Ead●m.  and faithful in all her promises, and leagues, princely and uprightly minded in all her speeches, pretences, and actions, and the very pattern of true clemency, for that they make her I say wavering, unfaithful, perjured, deceitful, and the only plotter and contriver of the causes and grounds of most bloody wars, which by her own confession must fall out amongst faithful Christians, and such true hearted subjects who have tendered no thing so much, as her safety and life. To perclose this treatise for his right, if we may give any credit to her Majesty (who is more to be believed and rested upon in this case then any subject in England) the Scottish King needs not to distrust the strength of his title, or to fear any dishonourable or unconscionable courses, that shall at any time proceed from her Majesty.  
The impediment of king Henry 8. his will is answered by Rosse and the rest, whom I have alleged: other surmises of records reserved and laid up, I know not where, to his prejudice, because the opposers did esteem them to be but waking dreams, and not worthy to be alleged, I likewise pass them over, as not worthy to be answered, thinking them in this respect wise that they pestered not their treatises with known untruths and lies, to the discredit of these things, which otherwise might carry some colourable show, and they could not be excused of a gross oversight, who stood so much upon testaments & wills if there had been any likelihood of a better record.  
Now I come to the other sort of arguments which do maintain that notwithstanding 
Dolmans respects answered and retorted.  his right be the best: yet the high Court of Parliament may lawfully give it from him to some Englishman, whom for the respects ensuing it shall think fit to make choice. First there be many English Competitors who will hardly endure a stranger to be preferred before them, for that they shall never be freed from his jealousy, which cannot be without the danger of their lives, the disturbance of the quiet and peace of the realm, and that to fortify himself against them, he shall needs be constrained to bring in foreign forces. secondly, all Englishmen will follow English competitors, for we cannot patiently brook (say some) the government of strangers: and so joining together for our country's sake, we need not to fear, but that we shall be strong enough against the Scottish king and all his confederates. thirdly, the two Nations are so alienated through their long and mortal wars, as they will never agree. lastly, which is a main point, the Scottish king will be more affected to his own, & advance them to places of chief credit & countenance about him: so as the greatest commodity that Engl. can look for is like to be the increase of more subjects. For the better cleared of these inconveniences which in deed make great impressions in the minds of many Englishmen, I will handle these three things in order. First, whither for the alleged respects a Parliament can have that power to take from him his right. secondly, whither these respects or inconveniences alleged are like to prove true. Thridlie, to whom (if not to him) it can be given, with the avoidance of these same or the like, or rather greater.  
First, for the power of the Parliament, 
The Parliament cannot by any authority it hath take away a Kings right to the crown.  according to the bounden duty of a faithful and loyal subject, and the place which I have been vouchsafed in it. I do acknowledge, and from my heart confess that it is most sacred, most ample & large and hath prerogatives and pre-eminences far above any Court what soever, which is established by God under the heavens. But yet with the confidence of a good conscience I am bold to advouch that which is the ground and foundation of all disputation in the Parliament house to wit, That the power and authority which it hath, is straightly stinted & defined with the limits & meres of justice and equity: and is appointed by God, as the power next to himself to reform and redress wrongs and outrages which can not be helped by any other means, and by good and wholesome laws to procure the peace and wealth of the Realm. So as, the nearer it is to God, the more sound, sincere and upright it ought to be, being the Court of most pure and exquisite judgement. If therefore by presumption of the great power and authority which it hath, it do injury to any man, or do transgress the bonds of right, I say this transgression is accounted of before God, not as the sin of one private man, one Prelate, nobleman or Citizen, but as a combination & conspiracy of all the Prelates, noblemen & Citizens, yea, and of all the people of the whole land, to pronounce for pure judgement, heinous iniquity from the bench of highest justice. To this I add further, that a Prince which hath the right (as we speak) of God, he is the ordinance, not of any man, but of God, appointed and substituted by God himself, as his deputy for the maintenance of his truth, and to minister justice according to the good and wholesome laws of that land over which he doth place him. These grounds thus laid, I say, if the religious and wise king of Scots (having this right of God, as the alleadger of these inconveniences do admit) be willing to govern us according to our own laws (as no question he will) it were the highest injustice that England could do, for such surmises of imagined inconveniences feared to ensue, to go about to offer or do to him that wrong, which is appointed, yea before God, in respect of his right anointed to be the chief Officer and minister of justice and right to every of us after her Majesty. So the wickedness of this fact shall abound in this, if we take from him his best right, who should preserve us from all sorts of wrongs. But some have answered, that the Parliament may and hath taken the rightful lands and livings of men, and hath repealed the acts & statutes of former Parliaments. To this I reply, that as in a natural body no man can be allowed to cut off a member for blemish or imperfection: but is esteemed wisely and rightly to take that member away▪ which without the help of such remedy was manifestly discerned to endanger the rest. So the members of the politic body may upon the like respect of danger, and not for likelihoods and imaginations, or surmised inconveniences (such as the alleged) are take away the lands, livings, yea, or life of any subject. But where is this danger to be showed here? seeing he will peaceably govern us, with the preservation of our religion and laws. And to say somewhat further, though our parliament may have that power over every English subject, as well competitors as others, to take or keep back from them (because they are under our power, being members of our own body) that which otherwise is their due and right. Yet it is to be doubted whither it may likewise take or keep back his good right from the Scottish king, who is no subject, neither any member incorporated with us, but is the head of an other politic body. And this is a doubt, or rather judgement of some of the best divines in England.  
Again, whensoever a Parliament is said to have taken away men's lands or live, or to have repealed any act or statute of a former Parliament, it is ever to be understood of lands, live, and acts, which did concern private men & not Princes. To whom whatsoever hath been given by a free and lawful Parliament, to stand and to remain to them and their heirs, I think you shall not find altered or taken away by another free Parliament, unless it were with the consent of the said Princes, or their heirs to whom it was formerly given: take for example the resignation of Richard the second. And therefore I take this for a sure and sound principle: If all the people of the whole Realm by common & voluntary consent, for themselves and their posterity, do transfer and surrender the government of themselves and their state into the hands of some chosen man, to be governed by him and his heirs for ever, according to such and such laws, as they shall agree upon, or have already established: that they cannot in reason (if he be willing to preserve their laws) think, that that power doth yet rest in themselves, of which by consent of all the people jointly giving, and the Prince receiving, they had formerly dispossessed themselves. And if this be true Par non habet potestatem in parem, then much more this, minor non habet in matorem. And by consequence this posterity thus dispossessed of the power and interest of bestowing the right, cannot make void the act of their ancestors, in whom the said power and right was actually and really, to dispose of their government before they bestowed it. Neither can the act of the rest of the members without the head & against it, be of that power & force that the joined act of the head and whole members together is. For further proof hereof, when the whole line of Solomon ceased in jeconias, could all the jews in the world by any act, have given the right of the title from the house of Nathan? Though Salathiell the next successor of his line was about 38 degrees distant from the said jeconias, and the ground of his title above 400. years old (and might therefore have been weaker more litigious, doubtful and obscure, than it can be in the Scottish king, who is but the fifth in descent in direct line from the root. Nay the same jeconias before his deliverance out of prison 
M. Broughton  (as is well declared by our famous countryman) appointed the said Salathiel to be his heir apparent, for which respect the Scripture speaketh of him, as of leconias son, saying that he did beget him. And the ambition of the Maccabees, usurping (not without the pretence of many worthy respects) the government and sword in the weakness of the house of David, escaped not an horrible judgement of God, who gave them up to slaughter and murder one another, & to be led with the spirit of errors and doctrine of Devils. Alexander one of their kings being a Saducie (as many more of them were) killed 50000. pharisees. Antigonus another king died with torment. of conscience, & vomiting blood. judas and all his brethren fell by the sword, others were poisoned, almost none died but by violence. And thus by God the revenger of the oppressed, that ambitious, though valiant, family which against right had exalted itself, was headlong thrown down and brought to a most shameful and miserable end. By all which it is most evident & plain, that not judas, or Simeon Macchabeus, because they were valiantest▪ and for many true and good respects seemed fittest at that time to have protected & relieved the oppressed and distressed servants of God: but some Matthan or joseph (though very poor and base) because they were most rightful to the crown, and they being rulers appointed by God should have had the government and guiding of juda. And so Sir, to make an end of this first reason, I pray you think with yourself if it should fall out, that the Parliament for many respects should bestow the crown quite contrary to the expectation of these men, who stand so precisely for the absolute power and sovereignty of it: imagine, I say, that such a thing fell out, do not you think that the case would be altered with them and perhaps, then would be more bend against it, than now they are for it, this being always such men's desire to have the Parliaments follow them, and not they the Parliaments. But the meanest & simplest in all the land knows this much I hope, that the wisestmen of the Realm are chosen out and sent to the parliaments, not to determine or establish whatsoever they will, but to advise, dispute and discern what in reason & conscience they ought & should determine and conclude.  
Secondly, that the Parliament cannot defeat the lawful successor, is plain by the judgement of the Parliament itself: which in the coronation of any King or Prince, giveth not this reason of his preferment▪ because it seemed good to the Nobles and commons so to do, and so to advance him: but quite contrary, because he is next and true heir and successor to such or such a Prince of late & famous memory, therefore it is his right that the & none else should be advanced. As who would say: he is not heir or successor because the Parliament declareth him to be so, but because he is so, therefore it is that the Parliament by right aught and doth declare him to be so. Which ground and reason of the Parliaments doing is so apparent and plain, that the very usurpers, who were otherwise sequestered from all reason & right, thought it not sufficient to be established and confirmed by Parliament, unless they had some ground or show of succession to warrant it withal. So Henry the fourth did more rest upon the blind pretence of a claim by Edmond crook-back, then upon the voice of the Parliament, though it were strengthened with the resignation of Richard the second. Also Richard the third rather than he would have been without some show of succession, how bare and weak soever, did 
Sir Thomas More in the story of his reign.  choose to cause proclaim at Paul's Cross, his mother an harlot, & his brethren bastards. And thus he sought the kingdom no otherwise, then by right of succession, as doth plainly appear by the determination of his counsel, Doctor Shawe's preaching, & the Duke of Buckinghames speech in King Richard's behalf, to the same effect. By which you see, that even in the conceit of the usurpers themselves, the most lying, infamous and falsely forged pretence of next and most lawful blood, is to be preferred before any Parliament, as being the ground and warrant for justifying and cleared the acts and doings of the same And if the crown might be lawfully given at the pleasure of a Parliament, what reason is there to call Rich. 3. or any such others, usurpers: for they cannot deserve so odious a name, receiving the crown no otherwise, then at the hand of the parliament. To shut up this second reason, unless the right of succession were a thing impregnable by any Parliament, by what reason, or with what face could the Duke of York or Edward the fourth, so boldly & confidently have claimed the crown in the very Parliament itself. Or how could the Realm of England have adjudged it to them, which by so many parliaments going before had been confirmed to three several Kings of the house of Lancaster.  
My last reason (which I pray God every man whom it doth concern may take to heart, and chiefly they who are set at the helm) is brought from the lamentable and bloody fruits which we have reaped by such bastard succession established by Parliaments. These doleful remembrances should now make us wise lest in the end we be taught by the mistress of fools. Of all these that since the days of the Conqueror have wrongfully attained to the crown, and have had it confirmed by voice of Parliament, who is almost he or she, that hath not been forced to leave it, with an expiation of blood. I do here refer me to our Chronicles, to the usurpers, their adherents and complices, and to a mighty number also of the guiltless and better side. Yea who doth not know that this manner of wrongful intrusion into the higher powers and places hath often times procured rightful Kings upon jealousy and suspicion to cut away such of their own blood, as they did fear would take advantage of the like courses. To conclude these my reasons concerning the limited power of the Parliaments, I beseech God, that they may rather seek to maintain their honourable power, by doing that which is conscionable and right, then to bolster out wrong by the strength of their power, seeing there is no wisdom nor counsel, nor any strength of man that can prevail against him who doth overrule all things by his omnipotent power.  
It followeth next to examine the reasons, for which some Englishman may be thought fit to be advanced to the government of the realm: notwithstanding 
Inconvenience, objected by Dolman in admitting the King of Scots to succeed, refuted  it be yielded that the king of Scots hath the true right. The first is this, there be many English competitors, who will not endure a stranger to be preferred before them, for that they shall never be free from his jealousy, which cannot be without the hazard of their lives, the trouble of the realm, and that to fortify himself against them, he shall needs be constrained to bring in foreign forces. To these points I do answer: first, that he is no stranger as is already proved, and if his right be from God, all the competitors (though they were a thousand more than they are) stand bound to receive him, unless wilfully against their conscience they will seem to become adversaries both to God and man. secondly what if he do answer that he will have them to endure him to guide and to rule them, and that he will be more unwilling to for go his right at their unjust opposition, than they will to yield it to him at his just demand. Thirdly, the more competitors they be, for them it is so much the worse, for a kingdom divided against itself cannot long stand, so as this objection maketh more against themselves & our Realm, then against the Scottish King: for whosoever get the victory, we are still overthrown, and this is the only means that will weaken them all. fourthly, if any of them should wrongfully attain to it, is it like that he would trust the rest of the Competitors or their familiars? Nay, as Solomon saith, a guilty conscience doth fear where there is no cause, much more would he I trow, that should come by it wrongfully be affrighted & troubled daily, to behold such eie-sores, who were set for his kingdom & life. The regard of their country, kindred or acquaintance would but little persuade him or them to trust the one to the other: for according to the old proverb, a crown will know no kindred. And it is probable that the rest of the competitors if they must needs go without it, will forego it sooner to him that hath the right, then to any man else, especially he being a king, and of such favour, force and affinity with our neighbour Princes. But most of all, for that they may well think if they do not cleave to him, yet there be many others of their country that will. fiftly, I confess there be more that are called Competitors than I wish there were, but I stand fully assured that none but one can have the true right, & therefore who soever hath it not, if he can see it, and be wise, will follow him that hath it, that he may satisfy his conscience when his cause is good, and prevent the jealousy and overthrow, which now he doth, or hereafter may fear when the true successor shall come by his right. sixtly, though the competitors be many, yet they are nothing such, as within these few years they have been: yea they and their favourers (of whom there was many valiant and wise) are so removed by the will of God and taken out of his way, as it may seem that there is a mighty providence of God strongly working for him to defend him in his right. Seventhlie, the way for the Competitors to be freed from jealousy, is to preserve the public peace of the country, as is pretended, and to avoid & escape the forces and tyranny of strangers is, not to refuse him his right, but rather cheerfully & before all others to further him to it: for if they who should be his own do wrongfully resist him, who can justly blame him, if he take the aid of strangers, and if by such means the peace of the realm should be disturbed, the cause of it is not in him, that asks nothing else but his own, but in them, who against all equity refuse to give him the same. Would to God we could weigh and consider this in reason, that they are most worthy to dwell still in trouble, who wittingly and willingly are ready to procure it. Lastly seeing the troublers of their own houses shall inherit the wind, the competitors if they have a mind to enjoy their livings, liberties and lives, are rather to seek instantly that by a lawful Parliament the title may be tried, & given to whom of right it doth belong: for the throne is not established by iniquity, but he shall best brook it who should have it by right. By this means the competitors shall be secured, the seat of the Prince more fortified, by his good title being acknowledged and confirmed in Parliament, than ever it could be by any foreign forces: all parties shall be pleased, and both these noble realms which do at this present enjoy the light of the gospel, shall be satisfied and settled in peace and tranquillity.  
The second reason that is alleged in transferring the right of the Scottish king to some Englishman, is this▪ All Englishmen will follow English competitors (for we can not brook well the government of strangers) and if we join fast together for the country's sake, we shall be strong enough against the Scottish king and all his confederates. For answer, If we may believe the Spirit of God, they that have thus perclosed their reckonings shall find themselves short of the just account: for when the ways of a man are acceptable to God, he will make all things in league with him: yea, and his very enemies to become his friends. If therefore the king of Scots do follow a good cause by good and lawful means, I doubt not but many thousands will follow him, which we have not as yet thought of. And seeing the very heathen 
Arist. 1. ●thi●.  Philosopher preferred truth before his dearest friends, have we any reason to imagine that faithful Christians in work of justice and equity will endure to be counted worse than the faithless heathen. What? will they hazard their consciences for love of their countrymen? That competitor shall not be well advised, that trusteth any follower, who hath more regard of his country then conscience. The wise will be loath to buy grievous repentance at so high a rate. secondly, say (Sir) that all the Englishmen follow English competitors, yet we have some reason to doubt of the welshmen, who are not so much led with affection to us, as they are carried to him with the love of their supposed kindred and blood, and possessed with the credit of their old prophecy books. And whom (may we say) do these Englishmen follow, whose leaders being competitors doth adhere to the king, either for hatred of the other, or for conscience, or for fear, or for hope. Yet I admit he get neither English nor Walshe, but that both of them stick fast to the English competitors, and join all their endeavours and forces to aid and assist them. Are we not then joined together, like joined ropes of sand? We do make a bad choice, me thinks, to join us to them, that cannot be and will not be joined to themselves: no, not so much joined as the legs of iron 
Dan. 2.  and clay. And it may seem a strange paradox to a man of understanding, that rather than we would be friends and subjects to the Scottish king, we are content to be adversaries and enemies to our selves: and so as we may avoid him, care not to be overthrown. For though he & his confederates should willingly forego us. we are never a whit the better. Nay, then much worse, for by that means the question of the Competitors is put further of from an end. The reason is plain, if the first right and best be displaced for some respects, will there not be as great or greater respects found against the second & third. I durst pledge my head, that there would not be wanting some great and popular personages, who with some respect or aspect to themselves would allege greater respects against all the English competitors then any of these be which are alleged against the king of Scots. And thus by the competitors and their complices, without the help of the Scottish king or his confederates, we are made strong enough to destroy ourselves for certain respects. For remedy of this inconvenience, if the right be his, I think that conscience & our natural affection to the safety of ourselves and our country should make us most willingly and hearty receive him: of which there may be the better hope conceived, for that our nation is of itself more inclined to the subjection of our Prince, to obedience to our laws, to reason and to right, than any other people which is between the two poles. And who can say for certain whither many have not already received him in their hearts? The surmises for it are great. What should make us think but that Protestants would embrace him for love of Religion? Both Protestants and civil Papists (as I may term them for conscience they have none) for a regard of his right? the rest of the Papists for fear of an heavier yoke? (for none of them could ever expect greater favour at any successors hands, then at his, who hath already showed himself too too remiss in punishing so many of his own subjects of their profession: neither is there any competitor a Papist of whom they might look to attain their desires.) lastly, the Neuters for hope of advancement which they love as their God, or for fear to hazard and perish their estate, which they shun and hate as the Devil, would a thousand to one sooner submit themselves, then in vain oppose to both the other two. And to conclude this inconvenience, though hand should join in hand to commit iniquity, yet the Lord of Hosts hath means to dissolve, cast down, cast away, and to destroy: for what the Lord standeth for, no Policy shall stop it.  
The third reason for giving the crown to some Englishman from the Scottish King is, the natural aversion of the two nations, which (as some do affirm) will never agree though they were made one To this I answer, that it is a bare presumption without any good ground or warrant. Nay, the contrary is true as we all see: for during her majesties most happy government, we and they by means of the league and amity of the two Princes have still maintained brotherly friend ship and peace, in so much that the remembrance of our old enmity is almost utterly vanished and gone. Now if the concord and league of the Princes hath been able to make and to continue us both quiet after this sort, why may we not much more be linked in amity and sound friendship, when of two nations we are made one, by the unity of one & the same Prince, seeking with an indifferent affection the quietness and peace of both Realms, as being one, like to himself?  
secondly, this reason of the prognosticated disagreement to dissuade their uniting, is in effect, and doth so sound in my ear, as if one should say: This sick & diseased man will hardly brook his Physic, though he should be made to take it, therefore if you will be advised by me you shall minister him none: which argument ought rather to be inverted & turned over to this form. These two Realms could never hitherto agree because they were still kept as two: therefore to work and settle their agreement, it is absolutely necessary, that they be united in one, that the ground and occasion of all the wars being taken away, all their contentions and battles may likewise sur cease. But if any man be so weak to believe, that because the discord of the two Nations hath been great: therefore their agreement can never be firm: he might by the same reason think, because we have fought more battles, and had bitterer wars, against and amongst ourselves, than ever we had with the Scots: that therefore the concord and peace which our Nation did enjoy under our Sovereign Queen, it cannot be sound, and that it were much easier to make a perfect amity and union with the Scots, then that we could be brought to be faithful and true hearted friends with ourselves. Well, the times and seasons do change, and all things do by them alter and turn, so as nothing can possibly stand at one stay, except that God, that turneth the wheels of all things, stay the same: we are therefore to labour to change to the best, and seeing by Nature we are so careless to be constant in good things, let us never endeavour to be constant in bad things: for he that by diversity of Religion can set the father against his own son, can by the power and efficacy of his true Religion make of mortal enemies most faithful friends, and having so made them, he can continue them so. Let God be justified in his truth, and men manifested to be liars: when God is obeyed and his ordinance followed, it shall have a blessing, contrary to the expectation of men: for it is to be thought, that he may move the hearts of any subjects, who doth at his pleasure command the hearts of all Princes. And truly in the sight & judgement of man, it may seem that at this present God hath a purpose to unite us, having in his providence disposed of so many effectual means amongst us, all which do concur most forcibly to accomplish that work, unity of true Religion (which never doth want the bond of the spirit) unity of language, likeness of discipline and manners, the long peace and concord of the Princes and countries, the often & next descent of the Scottish king from the blood royal of England, his rare wisdom and love of Religion, with sound knowledge and judgement in matters of the same, doth divine some extraordinary charge & employment from God, (for graces are never given but to fit some place and calling answerable to them) the propagation from us of many of their noblest families, and no small number of their meaner houses (which do carry our surnames to this present day) doth in a manner invite us to be of one family or household. The removal of the most wise, heroical and popular competitors and their favourers, which might have opposed, doth smooth and plain a way for him to come in. And the two countries, by seas not disunited, but making one Island, doth wish the two nations to make up one people. Other means there are, which I do here omit, of which a part are very well set down in the late Scottish proclamation (full of affection and love to us) set out for making preparation against the Spaniards, and for the maintenance of peace of the borders, penned (as I am credibly informed) by the king himself.  
The last inconvenience which is alleged to be marvelous, and to bring more contempt & danger to the English state than all the other three, is this. The Scottish king will be more affected to the Scots, and will advance them to the chief places of credit and confidence about him: so the English which hath hitherto been accustomed to command and rule other nations, and not to obey or be ruled by any, shall become subject not only to the king, but also to the Scots whom once they did conquer. And this no English heart can endure. Besides the greatest commodity that England can look for, is like to be none other, than the increase of more subjects. If this were true, as it is alleged, it were contempt, damage and danger I confess, and could no ways be pleasing to any Englishman to be subject to those whom they count their inferiors. But it may be more truly answered than it is objected, that we need not doubt of his future affection, whose favour from time to time hath been formerly proved by good evidences, to all such of our nation as hath stood in need of it. I have heard diverse of them openly confess, that they had better hearing more gracious answers, and speedier dispatches from him, than any of his own subjects could get, or yet they themselves could ever get of the Queen: and specially one, whose suit (for an other Englishman that was committed to prison and condemned to be hanged) the king (though much busied) patiently heard, red his petition, and (protesting that he had rather hang twenty of his own knaves, than the poor man should take any harm) gave present direction for his enlargement, though many reasons were alleged to the contrary by some of his Nobility that were most gracious with him. This matter fell out very lately as he that heard it of the petitioner himself did assure me. Yet this is nothing in respect of that which he hath showed during all the space of above twenty years. So as I hope he is of that princely nature that we shall never be able to overcome him with kindness. And I would know what just occasion have we thus to imagine, and thus to guess what his affection and inclination must be at any or at all times hereafter: as though every man without possibility of divorce were so wedded to one affection, that no thing could alter or change it: when as we see that men of wisdom and of understanding do rule and frame their affections according to the better respects, and as they see greater reason. Therefore we may the more safely conclude, that he that is now perhaps more tenderly affected to his own, because he is more bound to them by the rules of conscience and nature, will hereafter be more, or at lest no less affected to us, if there be the like or greater respects and precepts of conscience and nature why he should do so. Neither can his present affection and favour be a sufficient rule or square, by which you may measure and judge what his affection shall be at all times to come. We are fully & throughlie taught, even by the instinct of nature, that the vilest monster which she bringeth out, or the cruelest beast which she nourisheth, will favour and fane up those of whom they have good. And will not he to whom the heavens are so beneficial in furnishing him with rare graces and gifts of body and mind, advance, prefer, and make much of those, who have or shall cheerfully and willingly advance & prefer him before all others, even of their own nation. To whom (may we think) can he more safely commit his person & his state, then to them who for the confidence and assurance which they do repose in him, have committed to his trust, their livings, liberties, lives, and all that ever they can have. Nay, it is without all question, that he who is so often, and by both his parents descended of English blood, will in England become English and a favourer chiefly of Englishmen, according to the speech (if not the prophecy) of his most noble ancestor, King Henry the seventh, who in answer of the same doubt affirmed to his honourable counsel, that he made no question if any such thing should fall out, but the Scottish king being (as all Princes are by their royal nature) inclined to Majesty, to stateliness, to eloquence, to policy & to civility, should frame and conform himself to the better country, & be taken with a liking of the more honourable discipline, fashions, and carriage of England, the rather for that he hath so ample and large a reward proposed to him for the same. The meanest Scottishmen that are settled in England are content to forget their country, kindred, & Parents, and to frame and apply themselves unto us, that they may freely enjoy their poor condition or calling. And is it like that he who may still retain his subjects, his country, his Queen, and children, will not apply himself to us, in our lawful and honourable desires, that he may rule us? Likeness of manners doth conciliate and fasten affections. Therefore for mine own part I doubt not but ere he have been any long time with us, he shall be so won to us, & englished with us, by our natural and reverend obedience to our Prince above other Nations, and by all the virtuous and commendable parts of our civility, that Scotland shall have more cause to fear their subjection to some English deputy, than we have now to fear our subjection to the Scots. Truly I marvel not a little when I do consider how unwilling and froward we are to receive that kingdom being offered, which we have fought for most eagerly for many hundredth years. Is not this the way to subordinate (if not to subdue) to us, that people by policy, whom we could not by force? Who bears the loss when we get the gain? They depart with the best member that their body can afford, that they may become one body with us. And to speak as I think, in taking their King we take also their kingdom, which was wisely foreseen of the aforesaid Prince, who stood persuaded that the worthier kingdom would annex and draw to it the lesser and weaker, and for the same purpose his most famous son King Henry the eight did earnestly affect and go about at several times, by promises, policies, gifts and threatenings to unite the two Realms, and their two Princes: first, when, with the allegation and answer of this our doubt, he made offer of his only daughter and heir Lady Mary to king james the fift, (the place of Holins. is worth the reading) And after when he sought in marriage for Prince Edward his son, the young Princess the late Queen of Scotland: so as the refusal of the first, and breach of the last being once agreed upon, was the occasion of bitter wars, and great bloodshed between the two nations. And now the difference is no other than this that we did seek before to annex them unto us, and that they do seek now to be annexed unto us. Therefore the odds is ours that they who did lately refuse to give us their Queen, are now most willing and content that we do take their King. Wherein, in my opinion, we should be as forward to receive them, as they are willing to make offer of themselves, seeing it is plain by proof of experience, that we shall no less keep our pre-eminence above the Scots, though we submit ourselves to the Scottish king, than we have kept it to this present day over the Walshmen, notwithstanding we did submit ourselves to King Henry the seventh. Yet on the part we are not to think or expect, that he will quite abandon or banish them from being about him, for that were rather to rend them of from us, then to incorporate them with us in one Politic body.  
The second point for the commodity it will be much more than the bare increase of subjects, if the opinion of a most faithful and wise counsellor (as any this land hath) may have any credit with us: who thought it the only safety of England to stand fully assured of our back door. And indeed we had never more need to have it fast, then at this time being environed and compassed about with so many malicious and hateful enemies, as in a manner having no faster friends than such as are our friends for their own advantage: which giveth me occasion to distrust greatly this new confirmed league with the French king, which (notwithstanding I wish it may stand always inviolable) yet I greatly fear by the precedent of former experience that it will no longer stand then the Frenchmen may see how to help themselves better by new friendship, be it with 
This prophecv of that prudent man is now proved true.  Spaniards or others. And if we account it a great benefit that the Scottish king is not our enemy in these broken times, is it not to be esteemed a thousand times a greater benefit to have him made as fast and sure to us, as if he were our countryman or native Englishman borne, and one of ourselves, and that we be increased and made up with the access of his strength and kingdom, by which we shall be so fenced and fortressed on that quarter without our charges, or employment of our men (as now we are forced to do) that no port or part of Engl. shall be surer. Nay, whereas now we are driven to seek the amity, and in a sort beg the favour of foreign nations, yea, of the heathen and Turks, and with infinite charges and lose of our men, to entertain their friendship, being once enlarged and strengthened with the forces & power of Scotland, we shall not need to curry favour with Mahomet or Muscovite, or weigh the displeasure or offence of all the Princes in the world. And Ireland, which (now stealing furniture and provision of munition from thence) doth with flashing flames of rebellion, consume our people and empty our coffers, shall then (being not only destitute of that aid, but having it all employed against itself) be content with lesser charges then the own revenues to be ruled and to be kept in loyal obedience, having England on the one side, & Scotland on the other to command it. Thus our treasures & powers shallbe increased, our people spared, our subsidies eased, & our charges abated. lastly the increase of subjects, which some esteem but as a matter of small or no importance. I affirm it to be the greatest commodity that any kingdom could ever afford. I have for my warrat the words of as wise & rich a king as ever did reign, who sayeth not, 
Prov. 14 28.  that wealth or riches, but that the multitude of subjects are the honour of the Prince, and that for the want of subjects cometh the destruction of a Prince. That is, the multitude of subjects is the riches, strength, power, protection & stay of the kingdom, and it is the cause of all things for which any state is honoured & renowned: & for want of them subjects any kingdom or state doth decrease & decay fró the glory and honour of the forenamed things: for any Political state is called in the Scripture a Prince, or King, and all 
Dau. 8. 22.  these things that are accompanied with honour, or that procure the same are called also by the name of honour. If therefore the right be his, let us stand persuaded though all the world would say the contrary, the only way to attain to riches, honour, and all kind of commodities is for conscience sake to yield to him his right For he that cannot lie hath said, Godliness is great riches, & bringeth the contentation of mind: & in obedience to God there is wonderful gain. So to finish this part of the pretended inconveniences, I say, that every worldly commodity hath some discommodity, & inconveniences may be alleged against the best actions and purposes that any man could ever have intended or done: but this si a sound Maxim embraced by all men: that, Any inconvenience is rather to be admitted then a manifest mischief.  
Now let us see what he is, or where he is, that may be thought fit than the Scottish King, to carry the sweigh & the burden of the Realm. An Englishman he must be, for it were too too bad, yea intolerable to defeat the King of his right, and to give it to a stranger. Which therefore of the English competitors is of that extraordinary wisdom, spirit, action, favour with the nobility & commons, power and force, who shallbe able with love or fear to lead & draw after him all the rest of the competitors? To manage our state, yea our troubled state at home, to wage wars with the Scottish king, & with all the rest of our enemies abroad? Or what respects hath any of them all, for whose sake all we should undertake so hard a match, as to encounter with God? It is not my meaning to seek the disgrace, or to lay open the weakness of any noble parsonage: but if it be true, that men of good credit (who have reason to know him) do confidently report: All our English competitors if in all kind of respects they do freely yield to him: yet in my judgement they shall do themselves no wrong. And I think that many of the state (if not all) be much of my mind, for they think and call the Scottish king too deep, for his singular wit & wisdom as it should seem. As for the hidden respects of our English competitors, what should we talk of them, seeing they came never yet to the trial: they should much better appear, if the best respected of them all, or they all jointly had his place for a few years to rule the unruly Scots. It were then to be feared, that for want of respects, without any respect the Scottish prickers would ride them: yea, I persuade myself it were by great odds a better choice for them to seek out this new kingdom of Guiana, or to reign in Utopia, then to undertake the handling of such a heady people, though they had this advantage that they were Scottish-men borne. Yet he almost from his cradle hath kept them in by fear, by authority or policy: he hath revenged the oppressed, repressed mightily their deadly feeds, & hath punished most severely the mightiest offenders All this hath he done with that liking and good love of his people, that none of his ancestors ever had: and there is strong hope that he will continue to do so still. Further to leave the Scottish king, if they be compared with themselves, and (all their respects being laid in true balance) be uprightly judged, which of them for respects shall go beyond the rest? will not every man think himself as fit as any other. And if the matter go not by men's right, but by their respects, is there not some men in Engl. that will look to be as much respected, yea and a great deal more, than any of them all? Some men may answer, that the Parliament will decide it. And who shall call this Parliament? Or at whose commandment will the states assemble? for after that her Mayest. breath is out of her body (as the Earl of Leicester did not stick to tell her) her highness privy council, then is no more a council. And I wish that all the counsellors & all the Nobility do not find themselves otherways busied at that time, then to be calling of Parliaments. Yet admit that the council may be most willing, that it may be a council still, and have both the power and means to call the said Parliament: what? will we indeed be so stout as to call in question, and handle that matter then? which as we plainly do profess we are afraid to touch now? or will the longest sword & greatest power give place and permit it to be a free Parliament? Yet I will also yield that it may be so, though the like were never seen nor heard of before. When the Parliament is set, will the matter then be presently cleared? no objection made? no stop, hindrance, inconvenience, or respect alleged against the first by the latter competitors? all without interruption will go on peaceably? And the Scottish king (belike) will be so saint-hearted as he dare not to demand his right then, notwithstanding that by every of his Ambassadors almost, he reneweth his claim now? He nor his friends will make no manner of stir in the North, because he is, forsooth, too weak to match any of the Competitors that be now, notwithstanding that by the skilful & wise judgement of her Majesty in the third year of her most happy reign, the come petitors that then were could not in respectof favour or of force be compared to his mother. No man will presume to proclaim him, till such time as they shall hear what will be the resolution of the Parliament, whither it is given to some that he can like of or not. Neither York, Berwick nor Bishopric, nor no place else there will receive him: he must therefore keep himself close, because the matter doth not concern him. All the Welsh gentlemen, as degenerated, will disregarde their kindred, & wholly abandon him. Natural blindness or foolishness is to be pitied, but wilful blindness and foolishness is to be condemned. Yet to go a little further. When the Parliament hath said and resolved, will they all indeed take it for a final judgement? Nay I warrant you: All the Competitors that miss of the crown, will be highly displeased, and a great many more that can pretend no claim: and it is like that all these will plainly disclaim it, and call it unlawful, and there will not be wanting some, that for private respects will egg on the competitors to take exceptions against it. Hear it may be imagined, that the Parliament will carefully and providently provide for such issues: either by taking recognisances of great sums of the parties grieved for the keeping of the public peace, or pledges for their loyalty to the new elected Prince: or in case they refuse these things, by committing themselves to prison: A jolly round tale to remedy the matter, if they did forfeat their bonds in what court should they sue them? for it carrieth no sense, to think that they will answer in the lower Court, who do disclaim the highest: and take the best pledges that they can give, will they be more careful of them, then desirous of the kingdom? But it might be, that they would find means to set them at liberty, and if that should not fall out so, durst the king elected, in case of rebellion, execute the pledges, or when they were executed, were he then any surer? Nay, I dare assure you, in a more dangerous case: for the execution of great personages is never free from hatred & envy. The committing of themselves, I confess, is the only way, if it have this Proviso, that all their adherents, favourers & friends be at once laid up with them. And who shall commit all these, and to what prisons? for it is like they will be much about two parts of England. The Lord grant we deceive not ourselves with our own conceits: for our comfort or help that we may look for, to come from other nations, it will be just none at all. Rebellion in Ireland, all in arms in Scotland, God knoweth what in Wales. And if any realm should aid us, all their aid must be this, that by their help we are furthered to root out ourselves: wars shall devour everywhere, & our safety shall be nowhere. The Protestant shall yarn for the blood of the Protestant & the papist & atheist for the blood of them both: no regard shall be had of profession, sex or age. And, which of all miseries is most doleful and lamentable, we can no sooner expect an end of this tragedy, than our realm, or rather both realms be utterly exstirped and brought to an end. For the Scottisheking can not in any reason, think himself or his posterity sure, so long as their professed enemy or any of his posterity shall reign kings in England, seeing he that taketh a man's living, will also seek to take his life, if he may come by it. And on the other part, the king of England must think that he standeth most ticklous and slippery, so long as either the Scottish king, his posterity, complices, or any other of the competitors do live, according to the speech of the Poet, Nulla fides regni socijs. Then we which cannot now be content with the ordinance of God, shall suffer against our wills the lusts and pleasures of men: for being enemies to ourselves & to God, how can we think that others will be our friends? Then for our profaned Sabothes we shall have Sabothes enough: and a number of us, who are not moved with this question now, may perhaps then for the same, and, it may be in the maintenance of the wrongful quarrel be brought, not to rest & lay down our bodies in honourable peace in our ancestors grave, but to be buried in the bellies of the beasts, or in the maws of the fowls of the air. I am grieved to think or to talk of this lamentable subject, it may please God that I shall not live to see it debated. Therefore to surcease more 
So it pleased God to call him to his heavenly kingdom in the time of his imprisonment in the Tower, where he was committed  writing of that which both mine ears do tinkle to hear: I will give you that counsel and advise, which I could wish (if it pleased God) all England did take, to wit. That seeing they who are bound in conscience to clear this question, have 
for making petition to have the title to the crown decided by Parliament.  forsaken and abandoned it, and that the trial of it must certainly come (the Lord knoweth how soon) and that every man is to satisfy his own conscience, because he shall be accountable for his own doings: that therefore I say, you would never give sleep to your eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids, till such time as by conference with the most wise and religious (who will make conscience of their speeches) by search, by reading, & by all other possible means, you have satisfied yourself concerning the true titler. For I would be loath that this my opinion should be a ground for you, or for others to rest upon: Wise men will build their actions upon knowledge, & not do as beasts do, go, whither they are led. A fool (saith Solomon doth believe every thing, but the wise will consider his steps, and will work by understanding. It is the wisdom of the prudent to understand his way: but the foolishness of fools is to be deceived. Good Sat, if you do see or discern more than I, be willing for conscience to communicate it with friends, for all do stand bound to yield to better reason. And they that have any means of knowledge vouchsafed them from God, aught to use them to the best benefit and instruction of others, & this they ought to do while they breath in this life: for there is neither conference, nor advise, nor counsel in the grave, whither we must go. By these means having the blessing & direction of God we shall notstand amazed, and as out of our wits in the day of trial, but by certainty of knowledge & persuasion of a good conscience shall cleave & join ourselves to the best right. A man half warned, is wholly armed: but the armour of a good conscience is like to a brazen wall. Having thus both attained to this knowledge yourself, and for conscience sake helped others to the same, the second, third, fourth, fift, & all the rest of the parts of mine advice are, that stoutly, and with a good & honest heart you follow the known truth, without any respect of country, or kindred: for he whom we are to prefer before our children & wives, hath assured us that the uprightness of the upright shall guide his way, & that the wicked shall be taken in his own wickedness: That a man shall not be established by wickedness, and that the root of the righteous shall not be removed. So to conclude mine opinion & to make an end of this Treatise, I had rather choose to die in defence of the good right, then once wish to live to maintain a bad quarrel. The Lord only wise, merciful, and gracious clear our understandings & minds in this case, and strengthen and direct all our hearts, that we in obedience to him, may give the crown and Realm with cheerfulness and peace to that man, to whom he hath been pleased to give the right.  
Amen.   
FINIS