The English Mirror.  
A REGARD Wherein all estates may behold the Conquests of Envy:  
Containing ruin of common weals, murder of Princes, cause of heresies, and in all ages, spoil of divine and human blessings, unto which is adjoined, Envy conquered by virtues.  
Publishing the peaceable victories obtained by the Queen's most excellent Majesty, against this mortal enemy of public peace and prosperity, and lastly A Fortris against Envy,  
builded upon the counsels of sacred Scripture, Laws of sage Philosophers, and policies of well governed common weals: wherein every estate may see the dignities, the true office and cause of disgrace of his vocation.  
A work safely, and necessary to be read of every good subject.  
By George Whetstone's Gent.  
Malgre.  
Seen and allowed.  
AT LONDON.  
Printed by I. Windet for G. Seton, and are to be sold at his shop under Aldersgate 1586.   

which are the fountains of goodness, from whence princes and heroical states may receive perfect wisdom, and the whole world besid●… moral instruction: to conclude, your Majesty (as God's ●…ener) being settled in salomon's throne, crowned with the conquest of Envy, the queller of Alexander, Caesar, & most of the worthies: plentifully distributing divine and earthly blessings, upon afflicted kingdoms, against whom all traitorous practices are of the nature of the horse called Seian, whose masters had evermore miserable ends. Most gracious Lady, admiring these great considerations, I fearfully have armed this profitable book, with the shield of your Royal protection, from whom the glory & goodness thereof is derived. The censures of grave men which are the substance of this work, stand in place of counsels for your good subjects, and unto me as loyal as the truest, the bare labour is only dew. In which trembling presumption, I protest before God and your Majesty, that my heart nor book meddleth with matter of your happy government, to which no earthly policy may be added, neither is heavenly wisdom absent: And as far is it from my thought, in name figure, or circumstance, to misnote any capital Magistrate, whose honourable travels deserve much reverence, and no less regard: It than followeth, most regarded Queen, that the reach of my duty, which climbeth between fire and frost, (the premises allowed) simply laboureth to publish these regards, that common faults may be amended in imitation of your precious virtues, the lights of the world, and life of England's happiness.  
God grant my pains a profitable success, to which good god I zealously pray, that long may your majesty live, that still may your enemies fall, and those that lovingly fear you, no doubt shall ever find you a good gracious Lady.  
Your majesties loyal and humble subject, therein happy. George Whetstones.   

To the most Honourable the Nobility of this flourishing Realm of England, accomplishment of a●…e desires.  
MOst Honourable, the long continuance of her majesties most happy government, fully witnesseth the saying of moral Diogenes, Virtue only conquereth Envy, for if force or fortune were antidotes against her infections, the ancient monarchs had overcome her venom, and (contrary to other poisons) her breath had not shrunk up their large Empires, into the length and breadth of their Tombs. basil in his sermon of Envy, saith, that this passion bendeth her forces against the glory of God, the peace of Princes, and obedience of subjects, feedeth upon lamentable chances, and pineth to behold the prosperity of virtue. basil to confirm his censure, had the subversion of large Empires, ruin of flourishing common weals, and (in former ages) the spoil of divine and human blessings, whose wonderful conquests I have set forth for three considerations: the first, to show the mighty providence of Almighty God, in defending this little Realm from sundry the assaults of so furious an enemy: the second, to enlarge, or rather eternize the glory of many her majesties peaceable victories against this bloody Envy: the third, to counsel her good subjects by weighty examples, to arm their happiness with virtue, the only mean to withstand the puissance of Envy. They may hardly plead ignorance, having the commandments of sacred scripture, the laws of sage Philosophers, and policies of good common wealths men, to instruct every of them in the offices and duties of their vocation, Right Honourable, this is in effect the reach of my travel, which I hope will entertain the discreet Reader with many other particular benefits. Unto you most noble Lords, I reverently direct this first part, which (some ways) meddleth with the sword, and the rest  
I present according to the quality of the subiete: which considered by the moral substance, may (with your favour I say it) be a Mirror of government for all good subjects. The further censure thereof, I humbly submit to your Lordship's leysurable reading: and for your health, honour, and prosperity, as the beauty and strength (next unto God and her Majesty) of this happy government, my daily prayers shall not be forgotten.  
At whose right Honourable Lordship's commandments I humbly remain. George Whetstones.   

R. B. to the Reader of this English Mirror.  

TO praise a thing, that no man can dispraise,  
Approveth zeal, yet smally doth allure,  
The ivy bush, is but a needless gaze,  
Before the door, where as the wine is pure.  
The Author's name alone commends this book,  
The Muses so, have always blest his Pen:  
And who so shall with judgement thereon look,  
Shall find Regards for every sort of men.  
Let Malice swell, and Envy show her might,  
His Fame shall live, in spite of every spite.   
FINIS.   

GEntle Reader, whereas by absence of M. Whetstone's, some small faults remain (perhaps) uncorrected: if thou light of any such, I beseech thee with thy Pen to amend them, and especially such as are contained in the which are general faults through the impression. 
Errata,    

Errata.  
Page 3. line 5. for fasteneth, read fasten. page 4. li. 28. for nourisheth, read nourish, pa. 25. li. 27. line of Beniamen, read line of juda. p. 152. li. 13. up harry, read Ap-hary or Vap Harry. pa. 237. li. 19 Gleobulus, read Cleobulus. p. 247. li. 14. from study, read from manners. pa. 248. li. 5. the neighbourhood, read the neighbour. p, 249. li. 11. Magistrates, read Magistrates of cities.   

THE ENGLISH MIRROR.  
A Regard wherein all estates may behold the Conquests of Envy etc.  

CHAP. 1.  
Of the Original of Envy, and how far in evil this fury passeth all other passions of the mind.  
THere is no defect of mind nor infirmity of body, but hath his original of nature, or colour from reason, and by the benefit of the one or the other, receiveth cure: preposterous Envy only except, who degenerateth from kind, and masketh without vizard of excuse Touching the passions of the mind, pride is abominable before God, ambition perilous for a Common weal, & flattery the great deceiver of men: yet are none of these evils without a cunning cloak, although void of just excuse.  
The proud man saith unto himself, I am form after the image of God, I am Lord of his creatures, as well on the earth 
The defences of pride.  as in the sea, and (beyond the power of nature) beautified with a divine knowledge, I pry into the qualities of the heavens, and prognosticate what they promise or threaten on earthly creatures, & therefore have good cause to advance my thoughts and to think well of myself.  
The ambitious hath this vail or shadow: I see (qd. hc) that 
The defences of ambition.  virtue herself attired with poverty, is overblown with light regard, her servants, slaves to varlets in credit, so that he is an enemy to his own prosperity, that in bare estate, presenteth any good part, for that he is sure to encounter the malice of the ignorant, who fearing their own fortunes, with envy suppress his perfections: and the good (although they embrace virtuous endeavours) at the first sight judge by the outward habit, as the noble Titus did by his good friend Gissipus, till necessity discovered who he was. And therefore saith the ambitious, I hold authority the readiest ladder to advancement.  
The flatterer thinketh, that to reprove men's faults, is a 
The defence of flattery.  mean to fire the faulty man's heart with malice, and thereby should increase his friends evil, and endanger his own welfare, where the wisest are not so wise, but that they open both their ears to hear their own praises, and therefore (saith he) blame he that list, I will breathe in no man's face, other then good words: not only these, but all other infections of the mind, have such like sophistical reasons, to give colour to their errors: neither are they so past cure, but that there is a hope of reformation.  
Now concerning the infirmities of the body, the pestilence 
Infirmities of the body.  is most dangerous, the pleurisy most sudden, and the leprosy most odious: notwithstanding, if delay have not wrought over much defect in nature, physic hath a medicine for every of these maladies.  
But this hideous Monster envy lieth open to all reproach, and as a moth in cloth, or canker rust in iron, dieth 
Envy without cure.  with the destruction of his follower, who burst out of the entrails 
Original of Envy.  of the old serpent, to so we hatred between God and man: for the envy that the Devil bore, at the Almighty Majesty of God, raised a desire in Adam and Eve, to be as their Creator in knowledge, and so brought sin upon the face 
Gen. 3. Envy the first cause of sin.  of the earth, and through sin swaddled all their posterity in the heavy displeasure of God, with this bitter curse was she hatched, and with the sack of Common weals and blood of innocentes, she hath ever since been fostered.  
A man governed by other detestable evils, be it murder, 
Envy worse than murder etc.  theft, perjury and so forth: if he be not soon cut off with the sword of justice, yet is he continually chastened with the scourge of his conscience: but law and justice net easily fasteneth on the envious, for he hideth his conspiracies, until he be strengthened with a multitude, whose fury breaketh forth 
The ●…tes of Envy.  in the flame of fair cities, and is quenched with the blood of many thousands, and therefore envy may well be compared to brands raked up in ashes, which are uncovered, to set mighty blocks a fire: In the conscience of the envious, remorse hath no place, for that his thoughts are continually busied with devilish imaginations as well as his forces are bend to the ruin of his neighbours.  
A man without much blushing, will confess himself a covetous, 
Def●…ces of 〈◊〉.  voluptuous or cowardly person: for that the needful foresight of the great charge of children, the daily hard fortunes which happen, and the costly cure of sickness, whereunto all men are subject, are colours for coveteusnesse.  
Again, the blame that is laid upon a niggard, the contempt 
Defences of volptuousnes.  wherein men have mechanical lives, she hasty death that followeth care, are reasons to make men be pleasant and merry with their own.  
The peril of life, the grief of wounds, and the danger of law, are sufficient excuses for a coward. 
The defences of cowardliness.   
But if he be envious, he dare not recite so much as the name of envy, the reason is, this passion is so soul and infamous, 
None will confess himself to be envious.  as it stinketh in the opinion of him that is infected therewith and good cause why, for that the others grow as langors and maladies of nature, and envy proceedeth of a malicious and froward consent of our own will, without any ground or reason: save such as would make the worst infidel blush to defend, and the weakest Christian abhor to hear, his enticements are so far from grace, humanity and natural pity.  
All other passions of the mind may grow and spring from such hard temptations, as they which yield unto their 
Necessity cause of many trespasses.  affections, do give cause both of pity and lament: as necessity may make men steal, tyranny in Princes, may so we sedition among subjects, hardness and cruelty in parents, may cause disobedience in children, and so of others, which although the offences ought to be chastened, yet their causes may with charity be bemoaned: But this fiend envy is only tempted with the bounty of God, for as our saviour saith, the eye of the envious is for no other cause evil, but in that it beholdeth 
Mat. 20.  that God is good, which considered, the envious is to be condemned, much more than the impatient, yea when affection leads him to murmur and rage against God: for the impatient, 
There may be cause of impatiency, but no colour for envy  may be so sharply pressed with God's heavy judgement, as (charged above the sufferance of nature) reason shall be forced to give place unto fury, and when the heart is at this liberty, the tongue will not let to disgorge blasphemies, sufficient (if it were possible) to fire the heavens, but if the envious unbowelleth his grief, when he cometh to despoil his 
Blessings which grieve the envious. August. contra Donat. lib. 4. cap. 8.  heart, he can allege or pretend no other cause of sorrow, but that God is too good, too merciful, and too liberal towards his creatures. In giving to some great authority, to others abundance of riches, to this man store of friends, to that man enlargement of honours, etc. On the contrary part, if he rejoice, it is in beholding of most sad and lamentable chances, as in 
Causes which rejoice the en●…ous.  discord among friends, jealousy between man and wife, their children disobedient, their servants thieves, or in such like havoc, of their neighbour's prosperity: and as among beasts, some nourisheth themselves with evil odours, some with poison, and some with filthy carrion: even so the envious is fattened with the curse, misery, and death of his brethren. Basile in his sermon of envy, compareth the envious properly 
Ba●…. Sermone de ●…dia.  unto flies, which leave the sound parts of our body, and liteth upon a scab or sore, the juice or filth whereof giveth them a sweet and pleasant taste: even so virtuous and good men, afflicted with exile, imprisonment, loss of goods, or such like ordinary calamities, give comfort & rejoicing unto the envious. Seneca rightly compareth envy unto a Panther, who so rageth 
Envy like●… to a Panther.  at the presence of a man, for the majesty he presenteth, as presently he employeth all his forces, to dismember his beautiful 
The nature of a Panther.  limbs, and not only is aggrieved with the lively countenance of man, but wheresoever he beholdeth his painted image, he is not in quiet until he hath defaced his face: even so the envious are not satisfied in giving untimely deaths unto good men, but to bury the remembrance of their virtues, 
Envy continueth after death.  (if it possible were) commit inhuman outrages, upon their engraved bones, and condemn their learned and necessary books unto the fire: so that it is apparent that there is no possibility, how any other evil; should match envy in evil, for that their extremest revenge stretcheth but unto death, when the malice of envy searcheth the grave: which considered, the envious are more hurtful than the Crocodile, who although she hungerly prayeth upon a living man, yet if she find his dead carcase, she lamenteth over it, and with her warm tears washeth his face, yea so extreme devilish are the qualities of the envious, as Socrates likeneth envy unto a Viper, who so soon as they have engendered the female, 
Envy compared to a ●…per. The unnatural nature o●… a viper.  murdereth the male, because she will not live as his inferior: again, the young ones eat themselves forth of their dams entrails, because they will not be bound unto the obedience of nature. And questionless Socrates in the quality of this venomous beast, rightly figureth the condition of the envious, who to compass the desire of his defiled heart, treadeth under foot care of his country's welfare, dutiful obedience unto his parents, and natural affection toward his kinsfolk and friends: yea which is most against kind, the envious often 
The en●… 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉. A ●…ble of E●…pe.  times committeth wilful outrage upon himself, to behold a greater upon his enemy: according to the saying of moral Esope, The envious desired of jupiter to be spoiled of one of his eyes, that the covetous man might lose both. To which purpose, many examples in my following discourses, shall be shown, whereas if any other passion enticeth a man unto evil, it flattereth him with the hope of a profitable end. Moreover, though a man malice deadly, yet there may be satisfaction, or means of atonement: But where there is 
〈◊〉 is never reconciled.  envy, there is no hope of reconciliation: whereupon is set down for infallible experiments, that there was never love, but envy between Cain and Abel, Isacke and Ishmael, Loth and Abraham, jacob and Esau, joseph and his brethren, the Kings of juda and Israel, and the Apostles, the Turks and the Persians, the Romans and the ancient Spartians, the French men and English men, and so consequently between neighbour countries, between whom there can be no perfect 
Neighbour countries envy others glory.  amity, not for that the one is unable to repair the wrongs done unto the other: but for that the one without envy cannot endure to behold the glory of the other. For which cause Timon of Athens was called dogged, because he grinned at 
Timon of Athens.  the felicity of man: yea if we well considered their effects, the actions of the envious may well be termed devilish, in that they repine▪ at the glory of God, and bend all their forces to suppress virtue and her followers, which in these following discourses, shall be more largely shown.   

CHAP. 2.  
The original of Parricide, and other inhuman murders by Envy.  
MURDER the monster of inhumanity, 
Murder the bird of envy.  was hatched by this accursed Envy, through whose motions the reprobate 
Gen. 4. Abel slain by C●….  Cain slew his just brother Abel, only because that Abel's oblations were better regarded of God than his own. Envy caused Romulus to commit 
Envy cause of pa●…de and in hummane marthers. Remas slain by Romulus. Machivel dis. Lib. 1.  the like outrage upon nature, in slaying his brother Remus, because he participated with him in rule and sovereignty, which inhuman fact, Machivel doth thus excuse, It was needful (saith he) that it should be so, for that other wise the Roman Empire might have ended in the beginning, being at one instant governed by two kings of several disposition and direction. But allow the reason to be good, the good which fell unto the Common wealth, cannot wash away the stain of Romulus' bloody offence, otherwise then the freedom that the Romans gained over their tyrannous Kings, cleared proud Tarqvinius of the rape committed on chaste Lucretia, for if any good (as oftentimes) doth come of a naughty cause, God is to be praised for his providence, and the Author is to be chastened for his evil intent. And questionless Romulus' intent was so foul, as exceeded the cruelty of the ravening Wolf which nourished him, and therefore worthy to live in this reproach.  

Unkind thy Dam, thee suckerlesse did leave,  
'gainst kind a Wolf thee fostered with her teat, 
Romulus and Rem●…s were fostered by a●… wo●…fe.   
Whose kind was thee with bloody jaws to tear,  
thou most unkind to sit in Sovereign seat.  
Unkindly slewst Remus thy brother dear.   
So outrageous was the envy between Polineces and Eteocles, 
Polinec●… & Et●…ocles broth●….  as old Oedipus their father scratched forth both his eyes because he could not endure to behold the murders and other deadly mischiefs, inflicted upon the poor Thebans, in sustaining their unnatural quarrels, and (as some histories make mention) when they had sheathed their sword in each others entrails, the envy of their life appeared after death, whose heresies being joined together, the flame of the funeral fire violently sundered them, with the self-same venomous malice, which is naturally impressed between these unpolitike creatures, the Eagle & the Dragon, the Cock & the Lion, the wild Boar and the Elephant, & divers other bruit creatures, who so disagree 
The mortal venom of envy. A necessary example.  in nature, as being dead, by no means their ●…louds will mingle together: an example of weight, to teach men to beware of their envious enemies, in whose hearts disdain & malice are so mortally enbleamed, as neither gifts, prayer, nor good usage are of power to work a true atonement. This monster envy emboldened wicked Nero to violate the bends of nature, 
Envy caused Ne●…o to ●…ay ●…s mother.  by the murdering of his mother, to see the place of his cursed conception, as in his best excuse is alleged. But the true cause was this, he hastened her death, for that her life by the charge of nature, bound him to a dutiful reverence, for his thoughts reigned over all men, though his life deserved to be loved of no man.  
With this viperous child may be coupled the ungracious Commodus, son of the good Emperor Marcus Aurelius, 
Commodus envy the remembrance of his father's virtues.  who encountering fourteen or fifteen gentlemen Romans, upon a bridge over Tiber, demanded of the gentlemen whereupon they so sadly devised: the gentlemen simply answered, that they talked of the good Emperor Marcus Aurelius, whose life was beautified with such divine virtues, as his death hath charged Rome with an endless sorrow. Whereupon as a murderer of his father's renown, he commanded his guard to throw them all into the river of Tiber, alleging that they could not praise his father, without the blaming of him. Wherein though Commodus did evil, he spoke truth, for the commendation of virtue, is evermore a reproach to vice: and 
Vice is reproached by the commendation of virtue.  without doubt, as the good Emperor Aurelius enlarged the monuments of his predecessors, in example to those that should succeed him: so the ungracious Commodus exceeded all his ancestors in evil, and left no possibility for his heirs to be worse: of whom is reported that his notorious crimes exceeded the days of his age: which I overpass, as examples necessary for other purposes, and unto this impious part I will join this following cruelty.  
Upon a day one told this naughty Emperor, that his cozen Mamertius Antomenes resembled him in comeliness of 
another inhuman murder caused by envy in Commodus.  body, and magnanimity of mind: upon which report Commodus pronounced death both upon the reporter and his innocent cousin, holding it for reason, that it appertained to no man, to vaunt, (less) to resemble him: and (in my opinion) if Antomenes resembled him in devilish qualities, death was too easy a scourge for so lewd a life. Mulla Abdula father of Moley Mahumet, commonly called the black king, in whose cause the mortal battle, between the king of Portugal, and Amoley Muluco king of Fees was fought the 5. of August 1578. as in the alteration of the latter common weals by envy, shallbe more largely shown, upon an envious suggestion that his brethren by the privity in nature and blood, looked 
A horrible murder by envy.  to live in greater liberty than subjects, by the assistance of a noble man of the country called Alcatho Alley, caused the throats of a eleven of his brethren to be cut in one morning. Now to conclude these particular tyrannies of envy, unto 
H●…ule, Grafton, and other English H●…oriographers  which millions of notorious examples may be enserted: the monstrous murders of king Richard the third a tyrant of our nation is worthy note, in whose wretched end, yet worthy his wickedness, the happiness of England began again to flourish, and enjoyed her ancient renown. This tyrant at such time as he was Duke of Gloucester, with an envious eye, beheld 
King Henry the 7. overcame this tyrant and calmed the afflictions of England. Prince Edward slain by Richard's hands.  the soveranity of king Edward the 4. his brother, and yet enforced by necessity obeyed him. For anointed kings with weak policies are not deprived, but unable to hold his hand from their throats, who for their dignities took the upper hand of him, against the laws of honour with his impious hands he stabbed Prince Edward to the heart, being taken prisoner at the battle of Tewksbury.  
Next like an Alehouse ruffian, with his dagger he slew the 
K. Henry the 6. slain by Richard's hands.  infortunate good king Henry the sixth in the tower of London. Then heaping murder upon murder, he caused George, Duke of Clarence his natural Brother to be drowned in a 
Duke of Clarence drowned  Butt of Malmsey. And last though not the least, to roll up a number of noble subjects ends, with the death of king Edward the fift, and Richard Duke of York the kings brother 
King Edward the 5. and his brother slain.  & his nephews, whom he caused to be murdered in the Tower, and buried without honour, to infame the name of king Edward the fourth and his posterity, he pronounced his mother like a filthy harpy, to be a strumpet, and that the said king Edward was a Bastard, and himself only legitimate, (as I think) son of the devil, for it seemeth wonderful that so inhuman a creature, should take life of human seed.   

CHAP. 3.  
Envy original of war, and capital cause of the destruction of the first Monarchies.  
MAny years after the beginning, every king qui etly enjoyed the countries in his own possession until Ninus king of the Asserians, envying the soveranity of his neighbour kings, put himself 
●…st. lib. 1.  in arms unlawfully to enlarge his own dominions, by deposing other from their kingdoms. Thus byenuy from the bottom of hell came war, & by war confusion of divine & humane blessings, the advancement of thousands of devilish 
Envy the original of war.  iniquities. For whereas laws give place to arms, the honour of God is wounded, his word is misprized; jesus Christ is blasphemed, and persecuted, his Gospel is rejected, and his Sacraments are profaned: fire is put to the house of the lord, Wolves are thrust into his stéepefolde, and wild Boars among 
The miseries of war.  his vines, truth and equity is perverted, charity is cold, innocents and the just are oppressed, youth be ill instructed, public orders are broken, discipline and rules of good life are abolished, ignorance is raised, knowledge is abased, proud, ambitious, and men of least estimation do govern, the learned, wise, and virtuous are disofficed, as idiots, and men of no merit, countries be unpeopled, fair Cities are burned, peaceable citizens are murdered, their wives and daughters are ravished, their grounds lie untilled, goods compassed by the travels of a man's whole life, in one hour do become the spoil of a riotous soldier. And to conclude (though short of a number of other curses, which follow war) vice mounted in her chariot of triumph, arrogantly treadeth poor virtue under foot, & thereby they that should cry out of this outrage against God and man, are dumb, and the reformers of these enormities deaf, these vengeances by war the envious eye, and ambitious heart of Ninus, bred in the world which died not with the destruction of Th'asserian monarchy. Notwithstanding envy the erecter was the destroyer thereof. For Arbactus (lieutenant of the Meads) envying the soveranity of Sardanapalus, a man more effeminate than a woman, by the assistance of other 
The end of the Assiri●…n monarchy by envy. just. lib. 1.  lords gave battle unto the king. Sardanapalus discomforted ●…led into his pallas, & there envying the fortune of Arbactus, more to reave him of the glory of his triumph, then moved by sorrow of his own defeat, Sardanapalus set fire of his Pallas his wealth, & himself, & so by the prodigal spoil of his life, recovered the reputation of a man: for manhood is most truly 
The tuchstone of manhood.  tried, by constancy in the trembling passage of death. The like envious part was committed by Ariathes' king of Capidocia, 
The city of Capidoc●…a burned through envy.  who being overcome in battle by Perdiccas one of Alexander's successors, fled into the City & envying Perdiccas good fortune more than he lamented his own mischance, caused the city to be set on fire, & encouraged his soldiers & citizens to slay their wives & children, holding it less evil to die by the violence of friends, then to live a servile life under the controlment of their enemies. And by this means in truth he reaved Perdiccas of the spoil of his victory, but did both unto himself and country, an injury against nature and reason: against nature in committing wilful murder upon himself & posterity: against 
Time is able to repair the ruins of fortune.  reason, in that time was able to repair his ruins of fortune. But to keep an order in discoursing the actions of envy, by the victory which Arbactus had over Sardanapalus the empire of 
The Asserian empire translated into the Meads.  Th'asserians was translated into the Meads, which corpse most conquerors & adopted Princes ever since have taken to crown their native country with imperial title, & to leave the places conquered, or by other means gained, to the tyranny of leifetenants. Well this monster envy which mortifieth the natural 
Miserable are the countries governed by lie●…tenants.  affection of a father, & robbeth dutiful obedience from the son, made the one of these the cause, the other the overthrow of this second empire. For Astyages the last king of the Meads, receiving answer of the Oracle, that his daughter's son should govern his empire, as it were to despite the Gods, that had fore destined this honour unto his daughter's son, upon an envious thought, first married her to a mean man of Persia, for that following the course of nature: the father being base, the son should not have a generous mind. But not so satisfied, he be thought him of a common speech, that the father may bequeath the son his livings, but not his virtues, neither is he sure to engraft in him his vices. And therefore (as Astyages imagined) to make sure work, he commanded his familiar servant Harpagus, so soon as his daughter was delivered 
An impious cruelty.  to murder the child. But note by this example, how vainly the greatest Princes strive, that strive to frustrate the determination of God. Harpagus departed with a resolution 
Man purposeth and God dispo●…h.  to do the kings commandment, and ready to strike the stroke, the child regarded him with such an affable countenance, as his heart was not able to strengthen his hand to commit so impious a murder, and therefore he left the vengeance of the kings will to be executed by savage beasts, as an office unseeming a civil creature. Thus God by his wonderful providence, to rebate Harpagus sword, armed this infant's face with the virtues of the two noble Romans, Marius & Crassus, 
M●…rius and Cr●…us.  who by the assuredness of their countenances, made the executioners weapons to fall from their hands, so that they forsaking their determination, the other over lived that hard destiny. And in advantage, contrary to kind he made a she Wolf to nourish the child, with an affection as great, as that 
Ci●…us suckled by a she wolf.  where with the Lions entertained Daniel. And last, Cyrus having knowledge of his Grandfathers cruel intent, he subjecteth him to his merry, and possessed himself in his empire, who being a Persian borne changed the Empire of the Meads 
The empire of the Meads changed into Persian. just. lib. 1.  into the empire of the Persians. During the continuance of which government, many envious parts were exercised among themselves, which being the less I conclude in the great overthrow of their monarchy, which happened in the time of Alexander the great, who so envied the glory of the Persians, as when their king Darius offered him an honourable accord with his daughter in marriage, Alexander would grant unto 
The empire ●…nslated into Macidonia.  no peace unless Darius would give him soveranity and take himself the second place. Upon which refusal the armies joined, Darius was defeated and the Empire translated into Macidonia. By which fortunate battle Alexander's power 
The envy of Alexander.  was great and his envy greater. For he held no country sufficiently conquered that the people were not ransomed with the mercy of his sword. But yet this envy which gave him in his life time heat, hastened his death. And he that tamed the pride of mighty kings, was poisoned to death, by the envy 
Alexander poisoned through Enuy.  of Antipater his familiar subject. Who as some authors affirm envying his absolute power, or rather his severe justice, for that in heat he put Alexander of Lyncest and other of Antipater's kinsmen and friends to death. And which wrought the greatest impression of hatred, for that his own 
Thessalus a tr●…i terous Physician  noble enterprises achieved in Grease were over blown with light regard. For some of these causes, although all sufficed not to excuse so great an impiety, Antipater bribed the Physician Theslatus, to poison Alexander, who in the traitorous execution of his unlawful promise, hath left a warning to all 
A necessary note for Pr●…ces.  Princes of two notable mischiefs: the first, to beware how in not rewarding, or regarding good services, they kill the loving affection of their subjects, for although, all the traveles of a subject, in the service of his king, be but duty, and the least reward of a king is liberality: Yet is a Prince (were he unjust) 
Kings for there own sa●… ti●…s, are bound, to favour their subjects.  bound to the one for his safety, as well as the subject is thraull to the other of duty: For where the subject only obeyeth through fear, the Prince cannot reign, but in fear, and when men are in bondage, they will spare no advantage of liberty which is the cause that few tyrants make peaceable ends. Upon which ordinary fortune, when the tyrant Hippias, told a Philosopher of Athens, that if he lived one 
Hippias a tyrant of Athe●….  year to an end, he would make the entrails of dogs, the sepultures of an number of his fellows. Whereupon the Philosopher boldly prophesied, that it would not be so, for hell could not spare Hyppias so long. The second regard, that a Prince, who always hath mighty enemies, entertain for 
Where the fear of God stayeth not, the love of money maketh passa●… for any mischief.  his Physician a man that feareth God. For if only for reward, he minister medicine, it may be feared, that for a greater gain he will give poison. To which purpose, a Gentleman of Vennis, one a time supping with a Physician in Padua, marveled that the Physicians, who in short space, find a remedy for the most violent new disease that reigneth, can not cure as well as give ease to the Gout an ancient malady. Which doubt, the Doctor thus pleasantly resolved. O Sir (quoth he) the Gout is the proper disease of the rich, and we live not by the poor, it may suffice that they find ease. But to prescribe a cure, to beggar any faculty, were great folly. Well though the Doctor spoke merrily, it often times falleth out, that the rich man's wealth, is most enemy unto his health. And the 
Counsels of K. ●…dinando.  better to authorize this question, Ferdinando the good king of Arragon, among many of his weighty precepts, said it is greatly requisite, that a Prince make choice of an honest Physician. For (quoth he) the strength of a Prince's guard, can not defend a physicians treason. And certainly, the negligent, covetous, or traitorous Physician is the most dangerous murderer of the world, some one of which faults, are so conversant with most Physicians, as experience teacheth: that exercise cureth the most part of poor men's surfeits: when Physic killeth (by small distemperatures) as often times the rich: And therefore it is necessary for all men to follow the counsel of this old and approved Proverb, Honour (and use) the Physician, for necessity's sake: Which importeth extreme danger, and not every trifling distemperature, which nature, exercise and orderly diet will cure.  
But again to Alexander, who after he had received this mortal portion, the venom thereof tormented him so much above his patience, that to be eased he often times assayed to murder himself. notwithstanding in his death bed lying in this extreametie, his friends requiring to know who should be his heir, he stoutly answered the worthiest. So great was the courage of his heart, as he privileged not his son Hercules, his Brother Arideus, nor the infant, in his Wife Roxanes womb, before a stranger of better desert. But although this bequest proceeded from the magnanimity of Alexander's mind: yet the incertain succession in the Empire, 
The misery that followed the incertainty of Alexander's succession.  could not but as it did, work the ruin thereof. For whereas this liberty was given, the one envy, that another should prise his virtues at a higher rate than his. Hercules claimed as heyer, Arideus as Brother, and one that could best manage the affairs of the Empire, Perdiccas challenged it by military testament, for that the king when he was speechless gave him a ring from his own finger, as a token said he, that he bequeathed him the Empire, as the most worthiest. And to strengthen either of them in their claim, there wanted not a Roman Brutus to draw his sword, A Florentine Pazzi to try liberty, or an English Duke of Buckingham with five hundred horse to demand what was to be done in this new world: for discontented (or rather dissentious) persons (how soever the power of a settled Prince, keep them under) upon a change, will discover their seditious ●…artes: as fire hid in ashes, by the sprinkling of Gunpowder bewrayeth the heat. To quell which cunning dangerous people though Machyvell prescribe a policy, unseeming a Christian Prince, who is to refer hidden trespasses to the vengeance of God, and not to punish with death an intent, without an attempt of evil: For untimely death, only appertaineth either to God's secret vengeance, to open and lawful conviction of justice, or in lawful ways to the sword of the soldier, for what humane blood is otherwise shed, is tyranny in a Prince, and punishable in a private person: yet Princes to bridle such close enemies, of public peace: may safely without reproach of tyranny, follow the counsel of a Geneowe merchant, who was sometimes familiarly favoured of tamberlain the Great, surnamed flagellum dei, who worthy the name of vengeance, at what time as he after two assaults 
A cruel part of Tamberla●…ne.  was peaceably possessed of a fair city, the citizens with their chief Magistrates, wives and Children clothed all in white having Olive branches in their hands, as assurances of peace: upon their knees humbly beseeching him of grace: Notwithstanding, commanded his soldiers to kill them all like dogs. This Genowa moved with pity to see this outrage, besought Tamburlaine, to spare his cruelty for such, as 
A good counsel rejected.  he conquered by force. And (quoth he) if ye fear, that these dogs will another day bite, strike out their teeth. Their countenances if need be, will help to scare Wolves, meaning that he should spoil them of their armour, and if occasion served, he might make them fight, as king Astyages did his cowardly soldiers, either with enemies in their faces, or friends at their backs. Which good counsel though Tamburlaine in his fury regarded not: Yet other Princes that have their passions more temperate, may thereby learn how to keep under their own suspected subjects without dispeopling of their realms, to animate foreign enemies. Upon which consideration William the Conqueror when he entered this realm, straightly commanded that no outrage should be done upon the common people, for (quoth he) though they obey me, I must reign by them. Well neither Hercules, Arideus nor Perdiccas wanted will, or friends, to persever in their claim, and sure they had gone together by the ears for his realm, before Alexander had had his funeral rites, if the tumult in the beginning had not been pacified, and an order for the government of the Empire, been appointed by the graver Captains. But as water courses stopped, will find out new passages, so envy how so ever she be qualified, will break forth into mischief. The true events whereof appeareth in the division of king Alexander's captains, who as they were many in number, so were there in his Empire, so many several provinces, as rewarded every Captain, with a regal leivetenantship. The names of either for the glory of the Empire and renown of so many famous captains: but chief by the destruction both of the one and other: to show the bitter end of civil dissension, which lightly hath beginning of envy: I have thought good to set down at large, the particular whereof ensueth. 
The hugeness of Alexander's monarchy.   
Arideus was chosen king, Antipater was made Regent of   

CHAP. 5.  
How the envy of Rufin, and stilicon the one the Governor of the East, and the other of the West made a passage for the barbarous Goths and Vandals to sack the famous city of Rome, which could never since recover the twenty part of her ancient beauty.  
THE most famous Empire of Rome, who received many spoils and in fine utter ruin by this monster Envy, meriteth a larger report, than my purpose affords. But to draw the Reader to a great contempt of this foul passion, as well as to show the ancient glory and present ignomy of the Romans: I certify, by the accord of all histories, that there was never Empire, so large as the Empire of Rome, 
The greatness of the Roman empire.  nor at this day (considering her ancient greatness) none that is not utterly destroyed, that hath fewer privileges: for in times past the Roman Empire, was attired (well near) with the habit of all Europe, Africa, & a great part of Asia, as France, Spain, England, Germany, with all the provinces of italy, the Islands called Mediterranee, all Grease, Thracia, Macidonia, Pollonia, Demmarke, & as I have said the greater part of Africa, as Manritania, Numidia, Carthage, Libie, with many other realms and provinces, Egypt, and all her confines, in Asia, Arabia, Syria, Indie, Mesopotamia, also her signories reached unto the renowned Rivers of Tiger, and Euphrates, and in the time of the Emperor trajan, her bonds stretched even unto the East Indies, unto whom was subdued, the provinces of Armenia, and Albany, with all Asia minor, and many other Regions, too tedious particularly to rehearse: whose length and breadth at this day is drawn (by the pusilanimity of certain emperors: or rather by the envy and pride of the Pope of Rome, whose pageants begin to appear) into a small part of Germany, and Italy. So that Rome some time's commaundres of the whole world is now steightly regarded: and if any of devotion do come to visit her she entertaineth them with this sorrow. 
Quanta roma fuit, ipsa ruina docet.   
And well she may vaunt of her ancient monuments. But to describe her present estate, there is small beauty, in her buildings, and less virtue in her people: and she that was called the fountain of the world, for her flowing virtues, may now be justly named the sink of the world, for her filthy corrupt vices. Well let her ruins show her further reproach, which were so lamentable, as might melt her worst enemies unto pity, many shrewd spoils she received, by the envy of her own people, especially by the civil contentions of Scylla, Marius, Carbo, Cinna, Pompeius, and Cesar, Brutus and Cassius, Octavius and Antonius, in sustaining of whose unnatural quarrel, by Romans, there were more Romans slain, then by strangers in conquering the kingdoms of the whole world. With which grievous wounds though she were much weakened, yet by the wisdoms of her Temporal Magistrates she was again cured: and long might have lived if like unto green ivy that from the Root of a great Oak by soft embracements overgroweth the top of the Tree, the hypocrisy of the Bishop of Rome, had not so compassed, or rather overcome her Emperors with an ignorant devotion, that to make the clergy mighty, they yielded to make themselves weak: yet to report a truth, she received, her bane in the time of the Emperors Honoreus and Arcadius. By the envy of Ruffian and Stilicon, two temporal magistrates, but with all to approve what I have already said, the Pusalanimitie of the emperors, before that day, gave encouragement, for the conquered Regions to revolt, and more stirred up, the barbarous Goths, to invade Italy, in so much as the Emperor Theodotius, beholding the peril of the Empire, and the rather for that his young sons were not capable to govern, as he thought, to provide a remedy for the mischief, he left these two great captains (whom he had approved to be wise, and valiant, and with all had bound them with many greater advancements) to be the protectors of his children and Empire, and to the government of Ruffian, appointed the East parts, and to Stilicon Italy and the West, But behold the nature of ambition, the 
The nature of ambition.  imp of this miscreat envy, neither the bounty, with which the deceased Emperor, had tied them that was great, the trust which he had committed unto them which was greater, nor the duty which they ought unto the young emperors their sovereigns, which was greatest, could stay their unsatiable desire to rule, by the breaches of all these duties, so that regarding the emperors, with envious eyes, they obeyed them with ruling hearts. Ruffin hungering after the Empire for himself, & Stilicon in the behalf of his son. But as there is an old tale, of a shrewd wife, that meant to poison her husband, and to be sure as she thought, she put two strong poisons into 
One poison remedy for an other.  the portion, but contrary to her expectation, the one poison so strove with the other, as the man was preserved from death. So envy to make a ready confusion of this famous Empire, even in the heart of her glory made her to foster two mortal enemies of her property, but so long as they both lived, neither could obtain his purposes, their policies were so mutually employed the one to suppress the other.  
Ruffin too hasty of his purpose, moved strangers to make 
Ruff●… p●… 〈◊〉 death.  war upon the Romans, and being chosen Captain, assayed to make himself Emperor: for which enterprise he was put to death by Honorius. Stilicon waited a better opportunity, and to avoid suspicion married his daughter to Archadius: but being always mindful of his purpose, secretly solicited, 
Pollisie of S●…licon.  the Goths, Vandals, and other barbarous nations to war upon the Empire: thinking for his sufficiency to be chosen captain: by reason of the tender years of the emperors: whose purpose took place: the Goths entered Italy with a strong army: & Stilicon being chosen captain: obtained many weak victories against the Goths, of purpose to continue the wars: Alaric king of the Goths: being a man of good judgement: found out the dalliance of Stilicon, and seeing small hope of success: certified the Emperor Honorius of Stilicons drift: and desired him to accord to a peace: protesting that he sought but some 
Stilicons drift discovered.  small country for him and his people to dwell in: the Emperor upon divers other suspicions believed the information of Alaric: and assented unto his conditions of peace, & assigned a part of Gaul, for him and his people. Nevertheless he desembled this knowledge with Stilicon: who by the departure of the Goths unto their assigned habitation, fearing the end of his authority, secretly practised, with one Soul a jew, a captain of his army: under pretence of a private quarrel: to set upon the Goths: upon an Easter day, which the Goths (being Christians) celebrated. Which practice Soul executed, and made a great slaughter of the Goths: but the 
Stilicons treason punished.  Goths being gathered together: revenged this outrage with the death of Soul, and the most of his partakers: Alaric emboldened here with, set upon the forces of Stilicon, who dissembling a fear, feigned to fly, and sent to Honorius for more aid. The Emperor fearing the secret drift of Stilicon: more than the open force of Alaric: sent a strong power to the camp: by such persons as slew both Stilicon and his son. Honorius by this means thought that he had both discharged himself of Stilicons treachery, and by his death supposed that Alaricks fury would be appeased: but it fell forth, that it had been better for the strength of the empire that Honorius had spared Stilicon till a further time: for being unfurnished of a right valiant and worthy Captain, Alaric pursued the advantage that was offered, and blamed Honorius as guilty of the matter, and with all expedition set forwards towards Rome, and without resistance in his passage wasted every place with fire and sword, and finally besieged Rome on every side. Many have written the assault and taking of Rome by Alaric: but yet so briefly or darkly: that they have given small light to the Reader: Peter Messire sayeth that he hath found it written in the Annals of Constantinople: that as Alaric marched towards Rome: there went before him a Monk of an unknown place: who (notwithstanding that Alaric was a bloody tyrant, yet being a Christian) upon audience desired him, for the love of God to moderate his ire: and to remember that he himself being a Christian, was in duty bound to forbear the shedding of Christian blood: much more the destruction of Rome which had no way offended: to whom Alaric thus answered: know thou, thou man of God, that of my proper desire I go not against Rome: yea further more know thou, that I am thus daily importuned by an unknown persuasion: advance thyself against Rome, destroy it, and make it desolate: whereupon the religious man sore amazed durst not reply: and so king Alaric followed his enterprise: so that it seemeth this adversity of Rome, was a special scourge of God: Paul Osorius further sayeth that as God sent Lot forth of Sodom: even so he delivered Pope Innocent the first, from this heavy destruction of Rome: but if in that suggestion he had not been partial, he would have compared the iniquity of Rome, to Sodom and Gomorrha: and so by consequence the Cardinals and rest of the Clergy, as spotted as Laban's sheep. The truth was the Pope was gone to Ravenna, to do his duty to the Emperor, and as it seemeth shortly after died: for Platinus sayeth that this adversity of Rome was in the time of Pope zozim. This cruel siege by Alaric lasted two years: during which time the famine of Rome was no less than that of jerusalem, in so much as they were driven to eat one an other, and the mother was constrained to eat her one child: variable are the opinions touching the winning of Rome. Procopius saith, that Alaric finding his forces too weak, was driven to this policy: he conspired with three hundred Roman prisoners, whom he set at liberty, who being received into Rome, suddenly slew the warders of one of the gates, and so let Alaric and his army in, some said by the commandment and industry of a great Lady this gate was open unto the Goths: which proceeded of pity that she took, of the miserable estate of the poor people: whom she thought that the enemy could not afflict so much as the inhabitants of Rome: but how so ever it was Alaric commanded upon pain of death that no man should hurt any person that fled to the Churches for safety, which was observed: the rest of this City with an innumerable sort of people were consumed with fire and sword.  
The Emperor Honorius lay all this while at Ravenna, with out taking care for the relief of distressed Rome. In derision of whom the Goths led a young man up and 
Rome sacked by Alaric.  down a whole day attired like the Emperor, and the next day likewise led him clothed like a slave. This was the first time, that Rome since her prosperity, fell into the hands and power of strangers: but after this sack by the Goths, the greatness both of the city and Empire decreased, yea many times was destroyed and subjecteth. The success whereof briefly to touch, I hold it necessary, that the Reader may understand, the frailty of kingdoms, and worldly powers.  
About forty years after the Goths had thus sacked Rome, & outraged Italy, the Vandals under the conduct of their king 
Rome taken by the vandals.  Genserick, entered Italy, & without any resistance took Rome, the greater part of the inhabitants being before fled: who for the space of four days spoiled, and in many places fired the City. Twenty and seven years after the conquest by the Vandals, Odoacrus king of Euryles and Toringnes, came 
Rome taken by Euriles and Toringnes.  before Rome with a great power: whom the Citizens not able to resist, received lovingly and in peace: who naming himself king of Rome reigned foreteene years: afterwards Theodoric king of the Goths, being in friendship with the Roman Emperor, to recover Rome: encountered Odoacrus 
Rome taken again by the Goths.  with a great power: and not only chased Odoacrus from Rome, but also forth of Italy. Theodoric upon this victory made himself king, and reigned thirty years in peace. After whose decease, his son Artalaric with his wife Amalasonte reigned about ten years. Afterwards the Emperor justinian coming to the Empire, the Goths returned again into Italy: with their most cruel king Tottil: under the Emperor justinian the two most valiant and hardy Captains Bellisarius, and Nassettus governed in Italy: who in many most cruel battles foiled Tottill besieging of Rome. In fine by the treason of one of the inhabitants, Tottill got the City: and although at his first entrance 
Rome taken again by the Goths.  by the intercession of Pelasgus then Bishop of Rome Tottill moderated his fury, yet in fine upon an unpleasing answer from the Emperor justinian: he furiously destroyed the greatest part of the City, and left not the third part of the wall standing: but to be brief after Tottill had an other time taken Rome: by the valiantness of the most worthy Captain Narsettus: both Tottill & the whole power of the Goths were chased out of all Italy: within a while after the Longebards came into Italy: who making themselves Lords of Gaul Cilsapine: of whom it hath ever since been called Lombardie: who about three years after the chasing of Tottill: under the conduct of king Clowis besieged Rome, to the great damage of the neighbour Towns, but Rome out held both that besieging, and also an other most dangerous siege by Atanlfus likewise king of the Longebards: by whose fury Rome had been leveled with the ground: if that Pepin king of France had not succoured her distress.  
Further in process of time: in the time of the Emperor Lewis the Mores and Sarizins Disciples of Mahomet: besieged 
Anno 830. Rome won by the Sarizins.  and entered Rome, who profaning the Church of Saint Peter, and burning a great part of the City with many rich spoils returned unto their ships.  
But the most great ruin of Rome was in the time of Pope Gregory the seventh, and Henrye Emperor of Almaigne, between whom there was mortal wars, in whose quarrels there was at one time two contrary armies in Rome, burning and wasting the City. But in fine the Normans, in the behalf of the Pope were victors: But their conquest made Rome almost desolate, that where there are now vineyards, Gardens, and large waste places, she was before beautified, with goodly Churches, and other sumptuous buildings. And for last example, even of late time, the emperors army, under the leading of the most 
Rome won by the Duke of Bourbon.  worthy Prince Charles Duke of Bourbon, Rome was taken, and although the Duke upon the entrance was slain, yet his soldiers as victors spoiled a great part of the City. These often and sharp punishments, hath Rome suffered as a wonder, and warning to the whole world: and which is much to be regarded, there is almost the people of no Nation, which she here tofore had subjecteth: but at one time or other were at the sacking and spoiling of her beauty. For the further and necessary enlarging of this history, I have adjoined this Chapter of the envious humours of the Popes of Rome.   

CHAP. 6.  
How the Popes of Rome envying the soveranityes, which the Emperors had in the election, and confirmation, of them and their successors, by sundry shifts wrought themselves forth of this obedience, and by the advantages of time grew to usurp authority, to approve and confirm, the election of the Emperors themselves: with a supreme power, to depose, and establish anointed Kings, from and in their kingdoms. A Chapter for the variety of the matter worthy the regard.  
LArge and unreprovable, are the testimonies, which witness, that the bishops of Rome, under many tyrannous emperors, truly professed, & sincerely preached the Gospel of our saviour jesus Christ, and to confirm the evangelical doctrine, patiently and constantly embraced many sharp persecutionsand martyrdoms.: but O the venom of riches, she no sooner entered into the Church, than she poisoned her pastors and ministers, with envy, pride, ambition, heresy, idolatry, and all abominations: the riches, liberties, and great possessions, with which Constantine the great endowed the Bishops of Rome (although they eternize his name with the titles of a good, zealous, devout and christian Emperor) yet were they the causes which have bread these soul effects, or iniquities in the greater number of the Popes of Rome. True it is, that before the Emperors were christians, the Bishops were chosen by the christian Priests in Rome, neither did any seek that office by other means than virtue: But after the Emperors became Christians, as a witness that the sovereign Bishop of Rome was the subject of the Emperor, the election of the Pope appertained to the clergy, joined with the voice and consent of the people, which done, they were driven to send to Constantinople, to be confirmed by the Emperor: this was the first order of the election of the Popes, after Constantinus the great: which approveth a soverainitie which the Emperors had over them, but by little and little to wind themselves out of this subjection, they first made suit to be confirmed by the Emperors deputies 
Policies of the Popes to w●…nd out of obed●…  in Rome, after wards Pope Pelagius the second administered this office without the confirmation of the Emperor, but being afraid of the displeasure of Maurice the Emperor of Constantinople, for this usurpation, he sent an ambassador to excuse his act, giving for reason, the besieging of Rome by the Lombard's joined with the let of passage, by means of the outrage of floods and waters, which drowned divers places, about the time of his election: the excuse was accepted, howbeit the authority of the Emperor concerning the confirmation of the Popes, in many following elections continued. The Pope finding no wished success in his saucy attempts, sought to bewitch as the Crocodile, who by the tears of her eyes, disperseth the venom of her heart, so he with hypocritical show of holiness, purchased such reverence of mighty kings, as in tract  
time, Mahomet King of the Turks, and great grandfather of the great Soliman, besieged the same with such a power, as Constantinus was unable to resist, and so both himself, and subjects became feelers of Mahomet's vengeance, & the stately Constantinople his Imperial seat, and as sundry authors witness, the contention between the Popes of Rome and the patriarchs of Constantinople for supremacy, was the passage of the Turks attempt, and the greatest hope he had of good success: and truly his advantage was great: for after a cruel fight between masty dogs, if a Bear appear, although they will all join to weary him, yet t●…eir former bickering will greatly weaken their forces: even so in civil contentions, although both parts will join, to withstand a common enemy: yet their strength will be much abated, and their enemy's courages more increased. But whether this, or lack of magnanimity in their Emperors were the cause, all Christendom ruth the loss of so famous a City, from whom all nations received a benefit, and by this Conquest, her riches is a scourge to all nations, which in times passed for the renown of her beauty and riches, was of Strabon called illustris, of Pliny and justin named noble: long was she 
〈◊〉 and same of Constantinople.  the chief seat of the Empire, in her were many general councils celebrated, and an infinite number of heresies discyphered, destroyed and rooted out. This City is seated in Europe, in a most fertile place of Thracia, upon the partition of the sea, between Asia and Europe, at the entry of the sea Euxinus, called the great sea, and therefore Ovid termeth her the port of two seas, her beauty, fertility & riches were such as Philip father of Alexander the great, besieged her with a mighty power, to be possessed of her, but after long assault in vain, an inhabiter of the city called Lion, came before the King, and spoke to him in this manner, Show me Philip, what injury hast thou received of Bisance, that thou besiegest her with such anger? I am provoked with no injury, (answered Philip) but for that she seemeth to be more fair than any city in Thracia, I am enamoured of her, & am therefore come to conquer her amorous kings (replied Lion) which will be beloved, if their lovers endeavour to overcome them with sweet music & courtesy, and not with sharp war and cruelty, with this flout Philip was glad to raise his siege, without damage to the Bysanceans: but leave we Constantinople, and the Empire of Grecia in the possession of the Turk, the capitol enemy of Christ and Christians to declare the disposement of the Roman Empire, as great a persecutor of either.  
In the year 1002. Othon being Emperor, and the kinsman of Pope Gregory the fift, an Almain borne, the said Pope made a Law to privilege the Almains, with the election of the Emperor, to which he got the consent of Othon, which was, that from thenceforth three of the clergy, & four of the laity, should be the electors of the Prince which they called Cesar, and king of the Romans: to wit, the Archbishop of Magonce, of Treues and of Colloine: the Marquis of 
The Pri●… ele●…tours.  Brandebourg, the Count Palatine de Rhine, the Duke of Saxony, and the King of Bohemia, and their successors in these dignities, and after their election, with the confirmation and approvement by the Pope, the Prince elected should be called Emperor Augustus, see here a wonderful change, the Emperors of Rome, which for many hundred years had the authority, to approve and confirm the Popes of Rome, are now become subjects to the approvement and confirmation of their subjects, the Pope and his successors: well, with this change agreeth the presagement of saint Jerome, who saith that the Roman Empire, which holdeth all nations in subjection, shall be abased, and then shall Antichrist arise, the fountain of all iniquity. That the Pope of Rome is Antechriste, regard what is said of this monster in the 7. and 13. of the Apocal. He shall make war with the saints, and 
Apoc. 1●…  shall overcome them, Item power is given him over all kindreds, tongues and nations, and all that dwell upon the earth worshipped him: that the Pope of Rome warreth with the saints, overcometh them, & becometh drunk with their blood: his persecution of the true professors of the Gospel, through out Europe, is a memorable witness: of which point the reader of the Registers of the reverend divine, master john Fox, entitled Acts and monuments of the Church, may be liberally satisfied, that he hath had power of all kindred tongue and nations, the subjection of Emperors and Kings, witness the worship and the reverence done unto him, may not be hid, in that he will impudently & arrogantly challenge unto himself, what only belongeth to God, for it is thus registered in the Cannons, that he hath power to save or to damn: 
Can. si Papa de st●…et. 42.  how that by wagons full loaden, he can send souls to hell, can condemn to purgatory, and at pleasure fetch men forth again, where the holy scriptures in sundry places assureth us that only God forgiveth sins. That he is that stru●…et attired in purple, scarlet, etc. mounted upon the beast with seven heads &c. spoke of in the 17. and 18. of the Apocal. the Angel expoundeth, that these seven heads signify seven mountains 
Apocal. 17. 18.  or hills, and what author remembreth any famous City to be builded upon seven mountains, or hills, many say that Rome was so builded, but none that witness of any other 
The names of the mountains where Rome was builded.  city: the names of which mountains were thus registered, more than a 1600 years since, the mount Palatin, the mount Capilotin, the mount Auentin, the mount Esquilin, the mount Viminal, and the mount Quirinal: in remembrance whereof, there was in ancient time, a feast day in Rome, called Septimontinalia, Virgil in his Georgickes, speaking of Rome, & 
〈◊〉 2. circ●… 〈◊〉. Apocal. 17.  her beauty, saith, that within her walls she environeth 7. hills every particular nation in Europe revealeth her, by this large witness: their Princes have been drunken with the blood of many godly martyrs, & have insatiably drunken of the Pope's poisoned cup of abomination. To be brief, the most infirmed eyes may see, that the Pope is that Antichrist the Apostle speaketh 
Thes. 2. 2.  of, that he shall sit in the Temple of God, and be honoured as God: the Pope not only taketh that place, but will thus be called, Domine Deus noster Papa. O Lord our God the Pope they may perceive in him a fulfilling of the prophet Daniel, that he should place himself above all things in the world, that he 
Dan. 11.  should distribute lands & kingdoms, to such as should take him for a God, & worship him. Leaving to write further of this monsters other damnable sins, which being past number, shall purchase him torments without end. I will in his envious tyrannies towards such Princes as were not the servants of his will, reveal this prophecy, & continue my purpose: Moral Esope reciteth a fable of a snake, which being nigh frozen to death, was by a good husbandman pitied, and brought unto the 
A ●…able moral●…zed by the Pope.  fire, but when the fire had given strength to this viper, he forthwith stung the husbandman's children: even so this Apostata, or revolter from Christ, did with all the venom he could, afflict & weaken the Imperial dignity, whose rulers gave him first earthly promotion, and from time to time sustained him in all his troubles. Behold how Pope Benedictus the third envy the sovereignty of Emperors & anointed Kings, who condemned for heretics one Okan and Dant, two persons blinded with all his idolatries & superstitions, save that they maintained that Emperors held their Empires of God, and not of the Pope: this Pope might more properly have been adopted Maledictus then Benedictus, as one wiped out of the book of life, which it seemeth he little read, and less regarded: for if he had studied the sacred Bible, the perfect mirror both of heavenly grace & moral government, it is like he might have light upon these passages of holy scripture, By me kings reign, and 
Pro. 8.  Counsellors discern justice, by me kings rule, and rulers 
Wis. 6.  judge the earth: hearken than you kings, etc. for power is given you of the Lord. David thus saith, The Lord teacheth 
Psall. 144.  the king's hands to manage arms, and his fingers to war: etc. the Lord establisheth Kings, hath power over kingdoms and disposeth them at his pleasure, and to whom he please. 
Dan. 2. 4. 5.  The great King Artaxerxes acknowledgeth that the most great 
jerem. 25. 27.  & good God gave him & his forefathers their kingdom. And briefly to conclude, the excellency of imperial and regal dignity, there is no superior power, but of God: well, 
Rom. 13.  though the least of these unreprovable authorities, suffice to condemn these tyrannous Popes to hell, no wonder that they all stopped not his accursed mouth, that pronounced the unjust sentence against these two innocent persons, for he (the Pope I mean) who striveth to match the Majesty of God, envieth the records of his power, and feareth not what is writ of his vengeance, much less can endure that Emperors, Kings and such potentates, should be God's Lieutenants on earth: his pride bewrayeth the one, and his envy daily discovereth the other. The Chronicles of every christian common wealth are testimonies, that since Princes became the subjects of this proud Pope, their kingdoms were never free from curses, excommunications, nor Kings clear from deprivement of kingdoms, their subjects free from privy seditions, nor their countries unoutraged with open rebellions, if his word governed not the sword, and his will stood not in stead of law. so that it is a question, whether his hypocrisy have wrought more mischief in the West, or the Turks open tyrannies in 
Pride and cruelties of the Pope.  the East. Upon some envious suggestions, Gregory the ninth and Innocentius the fourth, Pope of Rome, did depose the Emperor Frederick the second, excommunicated and banished his faithful and obedient subjects, & absolved the rest of their oath: and furthermore granted great indulgences, and pardon to such as would rebelliously rise to confound him: yea, after he had with an hundred and twenty thousand marks redeemed himself from this excommunication, he was (notwithstanding that) once again banished and accursed. The perfect histories of France witness, that Pope Urban the fourth, about the year of our Lord 1264. violently did depose Conradus of his kingdom of Scicilia, being his right inheritance, and gave the same to Charles Earl of Angion, and brother to lodovic the French king, to frustrate which gift, Pope Nicholas the third, about the year 1268. caused Peter king of Arragon, to come out of Italy, to deprive the said Charles, and to possess him thereof, he wrought a practice, that in one night all the French, both men, women and children within the Island of Scicilia, were murdered by the inhabitants thereof. In remembrance of which cruelty, to this day, there is a word called the Sicilian evensong. Pope Boniface the eight, envying the majesty of the Emperor Adelphus de nassan, predecessor of the Prince of Orange, for challenging to be the Pope's superior, stirred up, Albert, the first Duke of ostrich of that name, and race, to take arms against the Emperor, for the imperial seat, and assisted him 
Look in the Cron. of Germany.  with the secret council and strength of Gerrard Archbishop of Maience, in which battle the Emperor was slain, and Albert succeeded in the Empire. In so much as puffed up with pride, for the lucky success of his ungodly practices, this ungracious Pope in his jubilee, caused two swords in triumph to be carried before him, making the bearer of the one to cry, O Christ, see there, the Vicar on earth. And the other: 
Apol. of the prince of Orange.  O Peter, see there thy successor. In so much as the French king called Philip le Bell hating his pride, refused to acknowledge him for his superior. For which contempt he pronounced the recited Albert king both of Rome, and France, whereupon the said Philip, secretly in the night under the conduct of Sarra Colomna, sent out 400. horse men & took the Pope, at Anagnia, and from thence led him prisoner to Rome. To whom the king in this scoffing manner wrote Sciat fatuitas vestra, etc. and after his beastly death, which shortly followed his arrival at Rome, he was long remembered with this reproach, Intravit ut vulpes, regnavit ut lo, morritur ut Canis. 
Epitaph of Boniface the Pope  See what large coats, Pope Gregory the 7. cut of other men's cloth, because he could not make the Emperor Henry the fourth, the vassal of his will, he first excommunicated the said Emperor: and cursed all his adherentes, and after gave Ralphe Duke of Swaben his kingdom with an imperial crown, bended with this trim verse. 
Petra dedit petro, petrus diadema Radulpho.  
A diadem the rock gave Peter and his race,  
And Ralph received a royal crown, from Peter's holy grace.   
But although the Pope were prodigal in his gift, yet his holiness nor power could shield the unfortunate Ralphe from the vengeance due unto traitors, who shortly after was pitifully slain, who having his hands first cut off, lamentably exclaimed before the bishops, that through the Popes & their provocations, he and his confederates were accursed, for rebelling against his own lord, & supreme head. Not long after this succeeded pope Paschalis the second, who excommunicated the emperor a fresh, & commanded Robert Earl of Flaunders, 
The Pope's war ●…ant or letter written in the 2. book of counsels ●…o. 810  to destroy with fire & sword the territories of Lueck and Camericke, because the inhabitants remained loyal, to their sovereign lord the emperor, yea he gave the imperial crown with all the jewels of the empire, to Henry the 5. son unto the said emperor Henry the 4. & herein prevailed so much, as he moved his son to persecute his lord, with such horrible and unnatural malice: as after he had miserably starved him, in the prison at 
Rob. barns chronicle. Euseb & Nanc.  Lueck: he would not receive the Lukeners to grace, nor the pope discharge them of excommunication, until they had untombed the buried carcase of the emperor, & had cast the same into the open field, as the carrion of a dog. This envious act of Pope Alexander the 3. is no less notorious, who after many excommunications, & curses, arrogantly treading upon the neck of the emperor Frederick Barborossa, upon the top of the stairs of the great church of S. Mark in Vennis, before all the people, did usurp & pronounce this saying in this Psalm, Super aspicem, & basilicum equitabis, & conculcabis leonem & draconem. 
Psal. 19  That is to say, thou shalt ride upon the lion & the Adder: the young lion, & the dragon thou shalt tread under thy foet. Pope Clement the 4. for penance enjoined Franciscus Dandalus, to creep a long the Pope's palace, upon his hands & knees, with a collar about his neck like a dog. Pope Alexander the 6. gave unto Ferdinando king of Castille, motu proprio, all the new Indians which lie upon the Ocean seas, west ward from Spain: 
Lopes de go●…or. in his hist. of ●…nd.  for which gift Artabaliba king of Peru (though he cursed fortune, for his defeat in battle by the Spaniards) said, that he esteemed not the pope, that would give a way to an other that which was none of his own. Leo the 10. offered Francis the French king the whole empire of Constantinople: but the king giving him hearty thanks, refused his gift, unless he would put himin possession thereof as he, that wisely fore dreaded, the fortune of the Dukes of Germany, who to conquer the kingdom of Boemia, upon this weak title, Pope Paul the 2. by sentence deposed George the right & lawful king, & gave it unto the said Dukes with this condition, that they should go, & at their own proper charges, take it perforce: in which attempt who lostabove 100000. men, a horse back & a foot, & yet did prevail very little. These & many other outrages, the envy which this proud bishop bare towards the majesty, & royal estates of those emperors & kings, which refused to give him sovereign place, with most extremity tirannised upon themselves subjects & realms: & small is the wonder how he came to this intelligences of foreign princes proceedings, yea to the unboweling of the secrets of their hearts, when the chief of their privy counsels, the 
A dangerous policy of the pope.  head rulers of their parliaments, the principal ambassadors for matters of common weal, by the cunning of this Soul queller, & ungracious college: were Cardinals, Archb. bishops & other of the clergy, who having to do in the affairs of the common weals of princes, so handled the matter, as they kept every Christian king for the most part busied either with enemies at home or abroad: the they thereby should have little leisure, to look into the smooth hypocrisy of this wicked pope, & his shameless brood of shavelings. And which is more: after that his subtleties had set them together by the ears, he so handled the matter, the it was reputed unto him a matter of fatherly love & singular holiness to make them friends again: not unlike to a knavish physician, that superficially poisoned a number of people, to get unto himself a name & credit by the curing of them again: in the government of princes, there could be nothing irrevocably done if he said not Amen. And by your leave what other fruits might grow of the ambitious humours of his proud prelate's? what wonder is it, if they envied, that Dukes, marquesses, Earls, Barons, & all temporal magistrates, should take their places above them? The servant is privileged by the honour of his Master, these temporal estates, are the servants of their princes, and the emperors themselves, are the Pope's inferiors ergo the Popes sworn servants are more worthy than the emperors subjects: a good argument for sooth where the mayor is false, the minor foolish, and the conclusion the scourge of common weals. Well according to the Proverb, as the old Cock croweth the young Cock followeth, that the Pope will have Emperors, and Kings, his inferiors, 
Anno 1070.  in advantage of that which is reported, Pope Gregory the seventh suffered the Emperor Henry the fourth in the dead of winter, to stand three days bore headed, and bare foot, at the gates of Gamisen, while he passed the time in dalliance with the Duchess Matildes, and would not vouchsafe to look upon him, until the Duchess of a more generous disposition, made intercession for the receiving of the Emperor yea to show them servants, rather than inferior companions, when the Pope is determined to ride a horse back, the Emperor 
Cerimoniae Eccles. Rom. lib. tit. 〈◊〉.  or king present must hold his stirrup, when the Pope will be carried in a chair, the Emperor or king present, is bound to bow down his neck, to take up the chair upon his shoulders: The emperor or king present, at dinner must give the Pope water, and wait till the first course be served. To this servitude the Pope brought mighty Princes, and to bondages more than sufferable, his prelate's enthralled right noble Peers, yea too tedious would be the particulars of this vipers & his venomous brood's proceedings, & in their tyrannies would instruct the torments of hell in vengeance with whom 
Sic volo, sic jubeo, stet pro ratione voluntas.  
So I will, so I command  
For law, let my pleasure stand.   
What fiend may be more graceless, than this hypocrite, or people so miserable, as those subjecteth to his power, when the law of God is no bridle to hold him from tyranny: nor the law of man a shield for the others safety: who besides the daily example of his works, by the warranties of his Bull which followeth, showeth a will to violate either.  
Non obstantibus constitutionibus, & ordinationibus apostolicis, 
A presumptuons commandment  caeterisque contrariis quibuscunque: In English thus, notwithstanding all constitutions, ordinances apostolical, nor any other thing what so ever here unto contrary: marry sir it is no marvel although he take upon him to be a God, a Creator, a disposer in heaven, earth and hell, as many substantial Doctors would prove him, that will undertake to overrule the ordinances of God, and institutions of men. A king which is the most sovereign title, that ever God gave unto 
A good ●…ing bound unto the law.  man, is bound unto the law, unless he be a tyrant, that is obeyed for fear, yet ruling, lives never out of fear. With this preposterous corpse of the Pope, agreeth the pleasant answer of a good Abbot, who being demanded, Papa cuius partis orationis? 
A pleasant answer.  said that papa was participii partis, quia partem capit a clear, partem a seculari, partem ab utroque, cum totius orbis doloris significatione, sine modis & temporibus. That is to say, this word Pope is a Participle, for he receives of the spirituality, he receives of the temporality, and parteth stakes on both sides, without measure or end, to the great anguish & sorrow of all the world, may truly be said: somewhat I have discoursed, and much more other nations have felt, neither yet hath little England, which some hold not part of the world, been exempt from his ravening crosses, no better than curses, but through his mean hath been partaker of other country's calamities. King Inas made the whole land tributary to the Pope, and further upon suggestion, that Thomas Becket archbishop of Caunterbury was slain, by the kings consent, the 
Anno 740. This tax was peter pence.  whole land was a great while in subjection, and at the disposition of the Pope. It is a wonder but that God would have it so: that no worthy Prince did unmask the painted village 
Anno 1181.  of this glorious Pope, in so long continuance of his error: yea the continuance of his kingdom, is a great matter of his glory, and a colour that yet deceiveth many: but Saint Paul sufficiently answereth the matter saying that God should send such an efficacy in error, that men should give credit unto falsehood not only for a day: but for a long continuance of time: but as there was a beginning of all that is bisiblye seen: so there shall be an end of the greatest glory that our eyes may behold. And although the ten kings figured by the beast with ten horns, in the seventeen of the apocalypse, which 
Apoc. 17.  shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and that shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire: is meant in that passage as a prophesy of the destruction of the Empire of Rome, yet granting the same: you shall easily find out Antichrist by the whore that sat upon the seven hills before described. I have in the Chapter before touched the most of the ten kings which Saint john speaketh of, which destroyed and spoiled Rome. But for that I have not set them successively done in the other chapter, but only remembered those, that entered Rome by force, I hold it not amiss in this place briefly to remember them. Radaigasus the first king of the Goths which entered Italy with two hundred thousand Goths, can not be reckoned for one of them, for that without doing any great damage he was overcome, taken prisoner, and strangled by Stilicon captain of the Emperor Honorius army.  
1 Alarick was then the first king of the Goths, and stranger that entered and spoiled Rome.  
2 Adolphus was the second: who if the intercession of his wife Placida, Honorius sister, had not appeased his fury: had utterly subverted Rome.  
3 Generick king of the Vandals was the third that spoiled Rome.  
4 Odoacer as some say a Saxon, was the fourth king, that punished Rome: and first of all named himself king of Italy.  
5 Theodarich king of the Goths was the fift: who and his heirs occupied the empire 50. years.  
6 Athalarick, Theodarich son was the sixth.  
7 Theodat successor of Athalarick, also king of the Goths was the seventh.  
8 Vitiges, was the 8. king: this Vitiges left Rome naked of all her beautiful buildings, and ancient privileges.  
9 Tottill king of the Goths was the ninth, who destroyed Rome more than the rest, and this wound lasted 42. months, as it is written in the Apoc. 13. for it was three year and a 
Apoc. 15.  half before Bellisarius repaired Rome, after her first ruin by Tottill.  
10 Telas succeeded Tottil, and was the last king of the Goths that governed Rome, who in the beginning of his reign, was vanquished, taken prisoner, and put to death, by Nasetes, chief of the Emperor justinian's army.  
In this sort did God chasten this Empire of Rome: and albeit God hath appointed other then carnal weapons, to confound Antichrist: who being the enemy of God, is threatened to be confounded by Gods own word: yet to join shame with his overthrow: visible vengeance is seen to reign upon him. For to what nation is not his deformity known? and as by piece meals he climbed to the highest degree of worldly dignity: even so by a lingering consumption he is almost wasted to nothing, or in the best construction brought unto a vile reputation: and as I have here shown his flourishing pride, and pomp, even so occasion will hereafter minister matter, in sundry places of his ruin disgrace, and daily defeats, whose utter confusion, God for his sons sake speedily grant Amen.   

CHAP. 7.  
Of the envy of Sergius a monk of Constantinople, who being banished for heresy fled into Arabia, unto Mahomet, by whose devilish policies, ambitious Mahomet, forced the people to hold him for a Prophet, which damnable sect, until this day hath been nourished with the blood of many thousands.  
LAmentable and most lamentable, are the bloody cruelties, manifested in my former discourses, but this one act of envy broached, the extremest venom of the devil. For although in my recited examples I have published, open injuries both against God and man, yet were they executed on those persons, whose glory the envious beheld, or in the worst degree, to bury the remembrance of their virtues, which they imagined would lessen their account. But this fact of Sergius was drawn many degrees more extreme, who though he sufficiently bewrayed the envy that he bear to his superiors authority, being a Monk in Constantinople: in that he raised damnable heresies, to make himself famous, yet the sect of Mahomet, which his accursed head first planted in Arabia, hath left an impossibility to Beelzebub to scatter in the world, a more blasphemy against God, and injury towards men, whose opinions buried millions of souls in hell, whose bodies were to form, many hundred years after his departure unto the Devil. The actions of whom, and original of Mahomet's sect ensueth.  
Sundry are the opinions, of what parentage, and country this false Prophet Mahomet was. Platinus sayeth that he sprung from noble line. But Pomponius Letus, a most diligent author, in the abridgement of the Roman history, affirmeth that he was of a race, base, vile, and obscure, which 
Vn●…nty of M●…omets lineage.  may the rather be credited, for that a man so evil, in whom was nothing worthy of memory: but malice and iniquity, may hardly be the issue of noble blood. Some say he was a Persian, some other an Arabian, and both opinions not without reason, for that at that time, the Persians governed Arabia. Touching his father, were he noble, or villain, sure it is that he was a Gentle, and neither jew nor Christian: by his mother's side, the better opinion is, that he descended from Abraham, by the line of his son Ishmael, whom he had by his Chamber maid Agar, and so as a jew, observed the law of the jews. This Mahomet had a quick spirit, and easily learned, what so ever he was taught, who in his youth was sold, as a slave, unto a rich merchant named Adimonople, who regarding the towardness of the young man, entertained him as his son, and in no point as his slave: who so well managed his master's affairs, that in short time he returned Adimonople great riches, and by reason of his great traffic, both with Christians and jews, he was well exercised in either of their laws: during this time, Mahomet's master died without issue, and left Ladigua his wife very rich, who having before proved the sufficiency of Mahomet, took him to husband, & so of a bondman, raised him unto the degree of a rich Lord.  
In the Prime of Mahomet's advancement, the forenamed Sergius arrived in Arabia, who to be revenged of the Clergy that banished him Constantinople, or more properly to show his malice, to despite God because he suffered him to prosper no better in his herestes, in every place he tormented the poor Christians, with whose outward habit he was but lately attired: in the end he lighted in acquaintance with Mahomet, whom Sergius found in ability and power great, in wit quick and subtle, in mind proud and ambitious, of disposition froward and envious, a great practiser of magic and necromancy, and to be short, that he was ignorant in no vice, neither was there any lewd attempt that he feared to enterprise: who taking his best opportunity, counseled Mahomet to take upon him the name of a Prophet, and to give him 
The wicked counsel of the monek Se●….  the greater credit, by magic and other diuelis●… practices, he illuded the people with some false miracles, in somuch as his wife and most familiar friends began to admire Mahomet, and to reverence him as a holy Prophet.  
But were it the vengeance of God sent to abase his pride, or the malice of the devil by this plague to colour his impious enterprise, Mahomet was many times strooken with the falling evil, whose strange passions much amazed both his wife and household servants, which Mahomet thus excused, that the Angel of God oftentimes talked with him, and unable as a man to sustain his divine presence, he entered into this agony and alteration of spirit, and that by this visitation, he forelearned what was the almighty will and pleasure of God, whose express charge he followed.  
By these subtle illusions & protestations, he not only seduced his familiar friends and allies, but by his cunning and their false rumours he was admired and reputed through the greater part of Arabia, as the Prophet of God: Mahomet growing to be thus popular, and after the death of his wife, sole possessed of a great mass of wealth, by the encouragement of Sergius, he published abroad that he was sent from God into the world, to give laws unto the people: and for that he was by his industry learned in all laws, in the beginning till he had well rooted his damnable sect, to reave himself of many dangerous enemies, in part he accorded with the jews, in part with the Christians, and moreover in many things he 
Mahomet an Ath●…ist  agreed with the heretics which reigned in his time: he denied the Trinity with the Sabellicans', with the Macedonians he denied that the holy Ghost was God, and approved the multitude of wives with the Nicolaites, on the other part he confessed that our Saviour and Redeemer was a holy Prophet, and that he had the spirit of God: with the jews he received circumcision, and to be short, being of no religion, he entertained the professors of every religion: but especially, his wicked law tolerated all carnal vices without controlment. Ma●…omet being by these means strong and puissant, he made his law named the Alcoran: and for that he disinherited the goodness thereof, he generally forbade all men, upon the pain of death, not so much as to dispute of his law. 
A damnable policy.   
In the beginning of these matters, he was strengthened with the multitude, and such as were seduced with his false persuasions. Also there joined with him all the vicious and carnal men, which in those days abounded through the world by whose aid he assaulted the confines of Arabia, and subjecteth a great part thereof. His beginning was about the year of the Lord 620. in the time of the Emperor Eraclies, who so soon as he had news of Mahomet's proceed, (as Platinus witnesseth) he prepared a remedy, & performed the same in part, entertaining for this service with large promises the Scenits, a warlike people of Arabia, so that this new sect was in a manner stifled for a time: notwithstanding the Emperor greatly 
A matter is better unbegun, than not effectually followed.  erred, that he followed not his purpose, until he had clean plucked up this wicked root, which brought forth such dangerous and damnable seed, for in not continuing his enterprise he did much hurt in beginning of the same: for because he kept not promise with the Scenites, and paid them their accustomed wages, they in despite thereof, joined with Mahomet, & seeing that he was in great reputation & holden for the Prophet of God, they chose him for their captain, Afterwards he and his people assailed the Empire of the ROMANS, and entering into Syria, they conquered the noble city of Damas', with all Egypt, judea, & the adjoining countries: Mahomet 
A pleasing persuasion of Mahomet.  then persuaded the saracens, a people of Arabia, that the land of promise belonged unto them, as the legitimate successors, of Abraham, and having thus fortunate success in his enterprises, he made war upon the Persians, by whom he was at the first vanquished, but in the end he had the upper hand.  
To conclude, after that Mahomet had compassed great and horrible matters, he was poisoned in the 40. year of his age, and as Sabellicus saith, in the year of our Lord 6▪ 2. And for that Mahomet would often say, that after his death he should 
Mahomet's death.  ascend up into heaven, his disciples kept him above the ground until his body stunk as bad as his soul, which was then closed in iron, and by his said disciples was carried into the City of Meque in Persia, where he is worshipped of all the people of the East, yea of the greater part of the world.  
Califus succeeded Mahomet in the Empire and Hali succeeded 
Califus and Hali successors of Mahomet.  Califus, these two greatly augmented the sect of Mahomet, and so from time to time, by divers means and successions, and Principally for our sins, and through the cowardliness of the Emperors of the East, this pestilence continueth unto our age.  
And certainly if God's mercy and the diligence of the Emperor CHARLES the fift had not stopped the passage and determination of the great Turk SOLYMAN, Italy and all the West hadbene in danger of this infection. God be praised for his providence, and when it standeth with his good will, all good people do desire that there may be such unity among Christian Princes, as joining their forces together, they may be able to confound the tyranny of this enemy of many thousand millions of men's salvation: by whose pusalanimitie, envy and discord: of a vile and abject person, he is grown to be a Prince, renowned and feared through the whole world, the great Turk I mean, who although he be sprung up long since Mahomet, yet his damnable sect never died, & at this day by the Turks proceed is wonderfully dispersed. Which almighty God for his son jesus Christ his sake speedily extinguish.   

CHAP. 8.  
Of the Envy of Simon the Magician, and other heretics since Christ his time.  
THere was never common wealth, City nor people so well governed in unity, but that envy made a passage for division and discord, Among the heathen Philosophers their sects wrought much division. The jews although they obeyed one law, notwithstanding the heresies (for so call the Greeks the causes of division in religion) of the Pharisites, Samaritans, Nazarites, Herodians & others caused much contention & debate among the people: but at this day the divines only calleth those heretics, that suiteth, findeth or followeth any sect, contrary to christian religion, whereof Simon the Samaritan called the Magician 
He was borne in a town of Samarie called Tricon. T●…rt. de here.  with his harlot Selene, were the first, that envying the credit of the Apostles, sought by a venomous opinion, to kill the roots of christian faith and religion, he and his supporters which were called Simonaques, offered to sell the grace of the holy Ghost, he preached that our nature proceeded not of God, but of a high and supernatural cause, with many monstrous and horrible propositions, particulared by Irenius and others, which Irenius called him father of heresies: this Simon seeing that the Apostles by laying of their hands, gave the holy 
Lib. 1. cap. ●…0.  Ghost to those whom they touched, sought to obtain of Saint Peter, that for money, which he acquired with godliness and faith: but the Apostle thus answered him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou thinkest the gift of God may be 
Act. 8.  obtained with money: thou hast neither part nor fellowship in this business, for thy heart is not right in the sight of God: Simon being thus reproved by Saint Peter, ever after his enemy, and envying the miracles the Apostle did by grace, he continually studied to do the like by magic, and in the end he grew so famous, as in the time of the Emperor Nero, he was so reverenced in Rome, as between the two bridges over Tiber, his Images were set up with this superscription, To Simon the holy God: Simon being drunken with this admiration of the people, arrogantly offered to contend with S. 
S. justin. marty●… in his. apology.  Peter in doing of miracles, and practised by his art to raise a kinsman of Nero's from death to life: but to a bootless end he tried his cunning: but saint Peter after he had called upon the name of Christ, raised him from death to life: Simon being more deeply enraged by this miracle, purposed before the people of Rome to fly between the mountain Capitolin & the mountain Auentin, if Peter would follow him to the end it might be known, which of both them was best beloved of God, & there withal comforted with his devilish arts, Simon prepared himself to fly: then Peter holding up his hands to heaven, desired God that he would not suffer so great a people to be abused by his magic: after whose prayers, Simon fell in the midst of his flight, and broke one of his legs: through grief and shame whereof, he shortly after died in Africa, whether he was by his disciples carried.  
But out of this monstrous root many other heresies  
much dissension in the Church of God, in seeking to separate Christ from the divine substance of God, (by the sharp punishment of God, purging his very entrails) was driven to confess that pride and envy were the very grounds of his damnable heresy. If I should repeat all the heresies and dissensions that envy hath sown in the Church of God, it would rather contain a volume then a Chapter. The diligent readers of histories shall find, that for the most part, if envy armed christian subjects against the peace of their country, she made some false prophet or heretic, with the vail of religion, to be their ringleader. The envy of the Clergy is the root of all mischief, envy erected the order of the Dominican friars, through envy of the reverence given unto the Franciscans: the jesuits sprang from the envy of the Dominicans: the fall of Antichrist, hath driven the Pope to publish the proclamation of Schimeon the seditious jewe. Who so listeth to 
jose. de bell. jud  be rid of the bondage of his master, or hath received injury in his country, all that be in debt or stand in fear of their creditors, those that dread the judges for shedding of innocent blood, and therefore haunt the mountains and desert woods, who so is disposed to rob, steal, murder, haunt whores, to eat and drink at other men's costs without labour of his hands, if he will make war (saith the Pope) with the true professors of the Gospel, him will I protect from the danger of laws, pardon his offences, and will lad him with booties and spoils. His entertainment armeth all the Atheists, heretics and unthrifty persons in 
The Pope's soldiers.  Christendom with civil dissension: the defence of the Pope is their colour, but envy, ambition, necessity and breach of law are the true causes: so that the general quarrel of Christendom is between the Papists and the protestants: but I hope, and so all good Christians zealously pray, that God will always give victory to the true professors of the Gospel: & as he hitherto hath powered his visible vengeance upon heretics so he will speedily confound this Archeretique the Pope, and his huge rabble of reprobates.  
Amen.   

CHAP. 9  
The mortal quarrel that envy raised of the faction between the two brethren, Gelphus and Gibelin.  
EXperience daily approveth the old saying, there is no venom so mortal, as the envy of brethren, nor war so cruel, as the enmity of kindred: whereof there can be no ampler testimony than this following history.  
In the time of the Emperor Frederick the second, and Pope Gregory the ninth, between whom there was great discord: there was in the town of Pistoye, two factions, the one named the Panciatiques, & the other the Chanciliers: it fell out that two brethren, the one named Gelphus, and the other Gibelin, in this city held contrary opinions, the one followed the one, & the other party followed the other: insomuch as the favourers of these two brethren, being men of account, began to name themselves the one Gelphes, and the other Gibelins: so that the Gelphes chased the Gibelins forth of the town, and for that it was a rare thing to see two brethren so contrary, every one of the fastion acquired the favour of many of their neighbours, by which means as a contagious pestilence, this division by little and little was spread over all Italy: in so much as the Emperor Frederick, the capital enemy of the Pope, being then in the city of Pisa, Anno 1340. & not knowing which faction took his part, and which the Popes, at all adventure said and published, that he took the name and part of the Gibelines: which done, he made cruel wars upon the Gelphes, and by means of this declaration all Italy was divided into these two names: through which there was in every city mortal frays: yea, in particular houses the son was armed against the father, and brother against brother, and only in affecting the one party of the Gelphes, and the other of the Gibilenes: the one striving to confound the other: the stronger always overthrowing and leviling the houses of the weaker with the earth: in which envious quarrel, there was never more cruelty shown amongst infidels, than was then among Christians, among whom no advantage was spared. Anthony Archbishop of Florence writeth, that through this faction, thirty of the most famous houses of Florence were razed and overthrown: the like outrage was seen throughout all Italy. The greater part followed the Emperor, and chased the Gelphes: who again with their uttermost power resisted them: to conclude, the greatest part of Rome were ready to take part with the Emperor: which the Pope seeing, he forthwith set open his relics, and made a solemn Procession, and 
The Pope dr●…uē 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  sought all the means that might win the people, carrying before him (as the people supposed) the keys of S. Peter and S. Paul, and in place of most audience, made a public oration, or more properly a sermon, declaring how great a folly it was to persecute and kill so many men, for the only favour of these two names, which the devil had spread abroad, for the public persecution of Italy: more, he affected his perswaston with other matters of so great weight, as he moved the people to commiseration, and to join to defend him against the Emperor, who was in good hope to have destroyed the whole party of the Gelphes: this scourge for the sins of the people, lasted a long time in Italy, by means whereof, many thousands of men were slain, many sumptuous Palaces were destroyed, and many fair houses were burned: the authors of this report are, Platinus in the life of Pope Gregory the 
Plat. de vita G●…eg 9 Sab. 〈◊〉. par. 3.  ninth, Sabellicus in the third part of histories, and many others of great knowledge.   

CHAP. 10.  
The envious revenge of Megolo Larcaro a Genowais, against the Emperor of Tribisonde, a notable example for envious Courtiers.  
AMong all Estates and professions of men, envy is principally entertained among Courtiers, where every man laboureth to work his fellows disgrace, and above all envieth his prosperity, which have been the cause of many quarrels, and often times of civil commotion, of which there cannot be a more rare and profitable example of admonition, than this which followeth.  
At what time the Genoese were Lords of certain Cities 
A re●…rd for Co●…tiers.  of the Levant, in the year 1380, It happened that among other gentlemen of Genua and Florence, which trafiqued to Caffa, there was a Genowais of the family of Larcari named Megolo Larcaro, who for his rare qualities, and virtues, was highly favoured of the Emperor above all other: who obtained satisfaction of all his demands, which favour moved the chief of the Court to great envy, anger and disdain: who sought by all means to abase him: it fell out in the end, that Larcaro playing at Chests with a young Courtier, a favourite also of the Emperor: who of set malice with injurious words disgraced Larcaro, and enlarged the same in scandelizing the name and race of the Genoese: which constrained Megolo to give him the lie, for which lie the other suddenly struck him with his fist, & such was his assistants, as Larcaro was deprived of present revenge, and in answer of sundry complaints to the Emperor, he could have no reperation of credit: who seeing his honour in this peril, protested in his heart to be revenged and dissembling his intention, in few days after he desired licence of the Emperor to departed, to order certain affairs in Genowai, which the Emperor granted: Megolo having a prosperous wind, shortly after arrived at Genowai, where he was well welcomed of all his kinsmen and friends whom he solemnly feasted, and after the banquet, from point to point he recounted the whole matter, and beseeched their aid to revenge this outrage, which not only touched himself and them, but also all the Genoese. To whom they all solemnly swore, that they would not forsake him until they had reparation of the injury, and preparing themselves to secure him in this enterprise, in short time they provided two galleys well armed with soldiers, mariners and skilful pilots, and so set forward to sea, with determination to rob and rifle all the ships of those parts, and to burn the villages and towns subject to the Emperor upon the sea side: but Megolo purposed not to kill a man that he took, but to give them a more grievous life then death: for every man which fell into his hands, Larcaro caused his nose and ears to be cut, to their 
An ●…ous re●…ge.  continual reproach, and although there were many vessels armed against him, yet none could damage him, his foists were so light, as knowing his advantage, he shunned and escaped all perils, he took many galleys, and with the former disgrace he curtailed a number of men: one day he went on shore to recreate himself, and to make provision for fresh water and victual, his men going aforeraging, took the cattle, goods, and the men of a village (which they sacked) prisoners among the captives there was an old man, that had on his head and beard none but white hears: with whom were his two sons captive, who seeing the mangling of his companions, and the danger of his sons, fell humbly at the feet of Megolo, and with many tears beseeched him, rather to put him to death, then to suffer such shame to be done to his sons Megolo that had a generous mind, took compassion of the old man's tears, pardoned both him and his sons, and with a great vessel full of noses and ears, he sent him to the Emperor, and commanded him to deliver the same to his Prince with this message, that until he delivered his enemy into his power, he would not leave to do him all the mischief he could: The old man glad of his escape, did his message: The Emperor considering well of the mischief, thought it the less evil to go in proper person to the sea side, and to lead the young gentleman captive to Megolo, then to suffer the continual piracies which he committed with his galleys: the young gentleman in form aforesaid, with a halter about his neck, was presented before Megolo, who made humble intercession for the pardon of his life: Megolo with his foot struck him first on the face, & said that the Genoese were not wont to show cruelty to women, and such effeminate persons as he, and giving his enemy an other blow with his foot, he returned him to the shore, not without the great rejoicing of the young gentleman's friends, who but lately bemoaned him as a dead man: the Emperor made many great offers to Megolo, all which he refused, and answered him that he was not come thither for the covetousness of goods, but for his own, & the name of the Genoese honour, and that he demanded of him none other thing, then that in remembrance hereof, he would build 
A proud request  at Trebisonde a fair shop for the merchandise of the Genoese: about which should be painted this history, which the Emperor accomplished, and used the Genoese with greater favour than before: and so Megolo returned to genoway, gratified and received of every man with great honour.   

CAAP. 11.  
The contention that envy set between the Emperor of Constantinople, the Lord of Bulgarie, and other Princes, was the first ground and sure foundation of the great TURKS Empire.  
THe puissant kingdom of the Turks, at this day so much renowned and feared, together with the lineage and family of their Ottomans, and kings, are of late years sprung up, as a scourge sent and suffered by God, for the sins and iniquities of the Christians.  
It is not yet 300. years since the first beginning of their kingdom, which at this day is multiplied, to the terror of the whole world: the name of the Turks are nevertheless ancient: but to say that they came of the ancient Troyans', because they are called Teucres, is a manifest 
Original of the Turks. Pom. Mel. Lib. de Cosmo 1. cap. 18.  error, Pliny and Pomponius Mela, in the end of his first book say, that their original cometh from the Sarmats, which are of the confines of Scythia, near unto the sea Caspia: who in ancient times were called Turaci, and now Turks: these Scythians or Turks, living before as savage men came forth of Scythia into Asia Minor, which is (by reason of their name) to this day called Turkey, where they rob and conquered certain provinces: these (as barbarous & infidel people,) received the damnable sect of Mahomet, as the first that was presented unto them, & which best agreed with their wicked customs: these 
The Turks infected with Mahomet's religion  people without governor or head: but being a multitude, fiercely joining together, settled themselves in the less Asia: in fine, they chose one Soliman of the kingdom of Cilicia for their K. whom Godfrey of Bolloine, & other christian Princes utterly overthrew, 
Godfrey Bulloyne.  & so discomfited the Turks, that of long time after they had neither K. nor captain of account. In the end Ottoman 
Ottoman. 1.  (a man of base lineage) got the favour of the people, & was made their K. and by virtue & great valour somewhat enlarged their dominions, he reigned 28. years, & died An. 1308. whose K. continueth to this day, in the line of the heir males. Orkan 
Succession of the Ottomans. Or●…an. 2.  succeeded his father Ottoman, a man as valiant and more industrous than his father: he was a great inventor of military engines, magnanimous & liberal: who after he had reigned 22. years, died of a hurt which he received at the assault of a city, he had by the K. of Cilicias daughter a Christian, whom he married, a son named Amurat, that succeeded him: a man far unlike 
●…at. 3.  his father in virtues of the mind or strength of body, & yet very ambitious & desirous to enlarge his Empire, to compass which, envy presented him a fair occasion: at that time the E. of Constantinople was at controversy with certain Princes 
The envy of the Emperor and nobles, first sure foundation of the Turks Empire.  his subjects, which favoured the L. of Bulgarie, who charged the E. so hard, as he was driven to demand succour of this Amurat K. of the Turks, who sent him 15000. chosen men, by the aid of whom, the E. vanquished his enemies, which done, he kept the greater part of the Turks in his own dominions. Amurat understanding the disposition of the country, under the colour to aid the E. against his enemies, came into the dominions of the E. with 60000 footmen, and a great number of horsemen: & in despite of the E. made himself L. of the cities of Calipoli & Andronople, he overcame Mark the grandmaster of Bulgarie, and Lazarus the despos of Servia, with a great number of Christians, and Malgre the E. possessed himself of the greatest part of Thracia & Greece: in the end a slave of Lazarus slew him when he had lived 23. years, which was An. 1373. Amurat left 2. sons, Soliman & Bajazet, Bajazet slew his brother 
Bajazet, who slew his elder brother So●….  Soliman, and made himself King: in the beginning of his reign, he prepared great wars against the Christians, to revenge the death of his father: and with a great army, he encountered in battle with Mark L. of Bulgaria, and with the greatest part of the nobility of Bulgaria and Servia, whom he slew 
Victory against the Christians.  and utterly defeated. 3. years after this victory, he returned a new upon the Christians in Hungary, but chiefly in Albania and Valaschia and from thence sent many Christians slaves into Turkey, and being possessed of the greatest part of Greece, to wit, of the ancient countries of Athens, Boetia and Arcania, he laid siege unto the great City of Constantinople, which drove the Emperor in proper person to desire aid of the 
Consta●… 〈◊〉 be●… 〈◊〉.  western Princes: in which behalf K. Charles the 7. succoured him with 2000 lances: among whom there were two french gentlemen of great expectation, who joined with Sigismond K. of Hungary & afterwards Emperor, who for the same purpose raised a great army: with whom also joined the grandmaster of the Rhodes, the Despos of Servia, and a great number of other christian Princes: whereupon Bajazet leaving his siege at Constantinople suddenly with 300000 men set upon the Christians, who were about a 100000. men, between whom there was a most bloody battle: in fine the 
Christians overcome.  Christians were overthrown, and the greater part slain: the King of Hungary and the grandmaster of Rhodes hardly escaped by flight, and the Frenchmen were near all slain or taken: this battle was Anno 1395. upon Michaelmas even. After which victory Bajazet returned again to his former siege of Constantinople, and had surely won the same, if the news of Tamberlaines entry into his country, and that he had already gained many towns, cities and provinces, constrained him to truss up his baggage, and with his full power to go find his enemy in Asia: now two of the mightiest princes of the world, encountered each other in battle, where Bajazet was overcome and taken, who endured the most vile 
Misery and overthrow of Bajazet.  and hard prisonment that ever was heard of: for Tamburlaine still carried him with his army in an iron cage, and always when he mounted upon his horse, he set his foot upon his shoulders: moreover, at meals he tied him under his board, and like a dog fed him with fragments: in this sort ended this Prince his life, who had been the most adventurous, the most renowned and the most feared Prince of his time. The sons of Bajazet which escaped the battle where their father was overthrown, in their flight taken upon the seas by certain galleys of the Christians, and certainly at that instant a fair occasion was offered the Christians, to have kept under for ever their capital enemy the Turk, but their sins forbade so precious a blessing. The one of Baiazet's sons named Calapin 
Calapin.  was delivered, who seeing the incapacities and contention of Tamberlaines sons, and taking with all other advantages that time offered, proclaimed himself Lord of his father's Empire, and by strong hand kept Greece and Thracia. The Emperor Sigismond, both to keep Calapin under, and to be avenged of the overthrow which his father gave him, offered him battle, in which Sigismond was overthrown, & narrowly 
Christians overthrown. Mahomet. 6.  escaped by flight: Calapin reigned 6. years, and died, leaving behind him two sons, the eldest named Orcan, and the other Mahomet: Orcan was slain by his Uncle, who thought thereby to have had his kingdom: but Mahomet behaved himself so well, as he slew the murderer of his brother and recovered the Empire: he made cruel wars upon the 
Christians overcome.  Christians in Valachie, and reconquered the lands and provinces, which Tamburlaine won from his grandfather in Turkey and Asia, in which conquest he spent 14. years, and died in the year 1420. Amurat his son succeeded Mahomet, whom fortune so favoured, as by main force in despite of the Emperor of Constantinople, who offered to resist him, he broke upon the Christians: and won certain Towns, in Servia, he conquered the country of Epire, at this day named Roman, he made many courses into Hungry and Albania, he besieged Belgrade upon Danuby, but left it again with great loss of men. Ladislas king of Polonia, and 
Turk's overthrown.  Hungarye encountered, and overthrew one of his Captains, and slew a huge number of the Turks, Amurat (upon news that the king of Carimaine, made wars in Asia) was nevertheless driven to be at peace with Ladislas, who (while Amurat was occupied about resistance in Turkey) by the persuasion of the Emperor broke the league, who jointly with the aid of Pope Eugenius, the Venetians, and Philip Duke of Bourbon promised so to stop the passage of the Sea, between Europe and Asia, as Amurat should not land his men to secure his lands: upon which opportunity Ladislas might peaceably conquer the same: who put in execution their counsels: but Amurat made a short return, and in despite of the christians, passed the strait: and offered battle to Ladislas, where the victory was so doubtful, as Amurat was upon the point to fly, but being stayed, by one of his Bassas, he obtained 
Bassa a 〈◊〉 Lord of 〈◊〉 Christians ourthrowne.  the victory and slew Vdislas upon Saint Martin's day An. 1440. after this victory he greatly damaged Hungary, he entered upon the Mores, where sometimes stood the ancient Cities of Lacedimonia and Corinth, he broke the wall upon the entry of Province, containing six miles, between the sea jonigne and the sea Egea, all which he conquered save certain marish places, he was the first which erected the band of the janisssaries, 
Original of the janisssaries.  which are reverted Christians: and now the greatest strength of Turkey: he reigned 31. years and died An. 1450. his son Mahomet succeeded him in the Empire: this Mahomet 
Mahomet 8.  excelled in all good qualities, save that he was too cruel.  
In the beginning of his reign, desirous to do some exploit, answerable to the greatness of his heart, he besieged 
Constantinople conquered.  Constantinople, with all other places subject to this Empire. This done he besieged Belgrade, from whence he was driven with dishonour, besides the loss of many men, & much artillery, by that valiant Hungarian captain john Vainode, after this 
Io. Vaivode. Turk's defeated  he sent one of his Bassas to destroy the Mores, who rebelled in favour of the Venetians: also to destroy the Isles of Negropont, Mitelene, & Lemnus. After he entered into the province of Bossina where he took & beheaded the king, having these victories against 
Christians overcome.  the christians, he passed into Asia, against Vsancusan, the mighty king of Persia: with whom he fought 2. battles, in the first he was overthrown, & in the 2. had the victory, after this expedition, he made war upon the emperor of Tribisonde, whom he vanquished & slew, & so determined the signory of the Christians 
Determination of the signory of the christians in the East.  in those parties. He sent a great army into Italy, passed into Carintia & Istria, even unto the territories of the Venetians, discomforted the christians, & slew of the nobility of Italy. He sent a great army unto the Isle of Rhodes, where he was resisted: he than sent a great army into the kingdom of Naples, by one of his Bassas named Aconiat, who took the city of Ottranta, which was governed more than a year, by the Turks to the scandal & damage of all Italy: he so feared the states of Italy, as Sixtus then being pope, determined to retire into France the old refuge 
France the ancient refuge of the pope.  of the Roman church, as one out of hope to defend Rome. In fine in his journey against the Sultan of Egypt, having in his army by land 300000. men, & by sea 200. galleys & 300. armed ships, he died by the way: in the year 1480. by whose bloody wars there were destroyed more than 300000. men: upon whose death the city of Ottranta was reconquered: which was no small comfort to all Italy: Mahomet left behind him 2. sons, the one named Bajazet, the other zizim, who contended for the empire by reason that their eldest brother was dead: zizim was aided by the Sultan, & certain Bassas: the other Bassas & the janissares favoured Bajazet, with all his son named Corcut was created Grand signior of Constantinople, by whose renounsing he attained the empire, & with speed hasted into Turkey, & 
Bajazet. 9  chased his brother into Italy where he died: Bajazet being sole governor, made hot wars upon the Sultan, against whom he was wroth for aiding of his brother, but the Sultan obtaining victory constrained him unto peace. Bajazet made then hot wars upon the christians: he won the city of Duras in Albania, & Valona, upon the frontiers of Povilla: in the end he so scourged the 
Christians overthrown.  Hungarians, as they were driven to crave the aid of jews duke of Milan, & Lewes' king of France, who (but chief the Duke of Sessa, a Spanish captain) so delayed Baiazet's fury, as he accorded to peace, being old & tired with wars. In histime, in Persia began the empire of Sophy: who is to this day a bridle to the 
Beginning of the Sophy his empire.  Turk, & a hinderer of damage to the christians: which empire began by one Ishmael, the named himself a Prophet, & published an Alcoran contrary to Mahomet's, by which means he assembled many people, by whose aid he overthrew certain Bassas of Bajazet, & made himself lord of Pertia & other provinces: whose kingdom, from time to time hath been augmented. But returning to our purpose, Bajazet had 3. sons, the eldest named Acomat, the 2. Corcut (who as is shown renounced the empire) & the 3. Selim, who although he was the youngest yet was he the most valiant. This Selim seeing the age & decrepednes of his father, sought how to make himself emperor: the better to compass which, he married the daughter of the great Tartarian. His 2. brethren perceiving his intent, aimed likewise at the Empire Acomat because he was eldest, & Corcut, because he first put the empire into his father's hands: & now because of his inability to govern, he alleged that of right he should return it unto him again. The old man was greatly perplexed with these matters, especially with the disobedience of his sons: this division of the brethren, was the death of many of their adherents but Selim the youngest had ever the better hand, who under the colour to crave pardon of his father, & to defend him against his eldest brother Acomat, so won the favour of the janisssaries & the other men of war, as by their help he took the empire from his Father: & banished him from Constantinople, & afterward poisoned him An. 1512. This traitor & Parricide Selim caused himself to be crowned with great solemnity: which don he highly 
Selim 10. Parricide.  rewarded the janissaires, & men of war, which strengthened him. Soon after he went into Turkey against his brethren, where he slew the Children of his brethren which were fled before his coming: and with all so pursued his brother Corcut, as 
Inhuman mur●….  (falling into his hands) he killed him: Acornat the eldest by the help of the Sophy, and the Sultan, gathered a great power, whom Selim overthrew, and took prisoner, and afterward caused him to be strangled.  
This wicked Parricide having thus slain all those of his ●…loud: was rid of the jealous fear of his Empire: and disdaining the Sultan and the Sophy, he confirmed the league, with the Venetians, and made peace with Ladislas king of Hungary, and so with a great power he went toward the Sophy: who nothing dismayed, abid the battle, which was sharp on both sides, but in the end the Sophy was vanquished hurt, and driven to fly, greatly to the increase of the Turks honour 
This battle was the 24. of August. 1514  and reputation: the year following, the Turk make war upon a great prince, which governed upon the mountain Taurus, whom he slew, and got possession of all his dominions: this done Selim prepared his forces against the Sultan, and approaching the coasts of Surie with his army, he caused a brute to be speed abroad, that he would wage war against the Sophy. But the Sultan suspecting his policy, prepared a great power, under the colour to suppress the rebellion of a 
The Sultan overcome.  great Lord in Surie. In fine these two puissant Princes affronted each other, near unto the City of Damas' in Surrie, and after many skyrmiges on either side, their powers joined the 24. of August 1516. the same two years after the overthrow of the Sophy.  
This battle was sustained a long time valiantly of either party, in the end the Turks had the victory, and the Sultan was found dead, having never a wound other then by treading of the horses, being of the age of 76. years after his victory he seized upon all Surie, the Palestine and judea, those which escaped the former battle, chose for their Sultan, the governor of Alexandria named Tamonuey: between whom & Selim was fought the cruelest battle that ever was heard of: notwithstanding overcharged with the multitude of the Turks Tamonuey was vanquished, & in th'end betrayed into the hands of the Turk, who caused him to be slain: after the death of Tamonuey, the Turk soon took possession of the ancient, & puissant kingdom of Egypt, where (as also in Surie) he left a good order for the government, & afterward in great triumph he returned unto Constantinople, where he died of an impostume: An 1520. in the 8. year of his reign, & 46 of his age: this tyrant was of so great a courage, as he was never known to be afraid 
Soliman. 1●….  of any thing. Soliman his only son succeeded Selim, who was crowned Emperor. Soliman having subdued Gazellus that usurped the signory of Tripoli, and other domestic rebels, 
Soliman his v●…tories.  the year following in proper person, he made wars upon the Christians, and besieged Belgrade the port & strength of Hungary: which with vain success, had been attempted by many of his predecessors. But jews then king, being very young, and governed by the Princes of his country: by negligent defence, suffered the City to be taken by the Turks: Soliman retired from this exploit, in proper person (contrary to the minds of his Bassas) laid siege unto Rhodes, with an innumerable power of men and artillery, both by land and sea: during this siege, the notable feats of arms of either parties, can not be sufficiently praised. But at the 6. months end, the Grand master of Rhodes named Philip de Villiers a French man, was driven to yield the City unto Soliman: who returned to Constantinople, proud of so great an enterprise. Three years after, which was An. 1526. he entered Hungary with a marvelous army: with whom king jews (ill advised) 
The Hung●…ans slain.  encountered with a small power between Buda & Belgrade, where the said jews was vanquished, and found drowned in a ditch: after which the Turk took Buda and other bordering towns: and as a conqueror returned..  
After this Soliman came with a huge army of six hundred thousand men into Hungary, and Astria, with a desire and determination to conquer all Christendom: to withstand whose enterprise: Charles the 5. presented himself in proper person, with less than half the number of the Turks: through fear of whom the Turk forsook his purpose with the loss of many of his people: as he did An. 1537. when both by land and Sea he came into Italy: and had taken certain places in the kingdom of Naples. Sultan Selim succeeded Soliman in the Empire. During his reign, the Venetians lost 
Selim 12.  the famous City Famagosta, and a great part of the Isle of Cyprus. In which conquest of Famagosta, there were slain, and taken prisoners, a great number of Christian noble men and captains: amongst the rest the tyrant Mustafa Bassa, by the train of favourable usage, entrapped the noble Bragadino, go vernour of Famagosta, and contrary to his own faith, the law of honour, and humanity: he first caused his ears to be cut off, and then to be cruelly stretched forth upon the ground, to whom the tyrant thus blasphemously spoke, where is now thy Christ that he helpeth thee not, to which the patiented Gentle 
Mustafa Bassa cozen to the the●… which hung on the left side of Christ.  man made no answer. After this the noble Bragadino, after many vile and spiteful disgraces, was in the market place tacked to the pillory, and flayed alive, whose skin being stuffed with straw, was hanged upon a bowsprite of a foist, 
A●…urath 13. murdered 5. of his brethren.  and so carried along the port Towns of Syria. Amurathe that now reigneth succeeded his father Selim, by murder of five of his younger brethren: of himself he is afraid of the noise of armour, and therefore committed the charge of his wars to his Bassas, he is politic and in the East wonderfully feared, the Sophy occupieth him with hard wars, and yet the king of Spain from whom he hath won the kingdom of Tunis, nor yet the Venetians, whose signory he almost possesseth, dare not but be in league with him, when he waiteth but opportunity, to spoil not only them but all Christendom. I would to God his advantage were less, and the swords that are now in Christian men's hands ready to gore one an others entrails, were mutually bend against this tyrant the sworn enemy of Christ, and blasphemer of his blessed word.   

CHAP. 12.  
The wonderful conquest of Tamburlaine, reconquered and his large kingdom overthrown by the envy and discord of his two sons.  
Among the illustrious Captains Romans, and Grecians, none of all their martial acts, deserve to be proclaimed with more renown, than the conquest and military disciplines of Tamburlaine: but such was the injury of his fortune as no worthy writers undertook his history at large: although Baptista Fulgosius in his collection Campinus florintin, in his history of the Turks: make some mention 
Camp. f●…o. de his. tu●….  thereof: about the year of the Lord 1390. Tamburlaine being a poor labourer, or in the best degree a mean soldier, descended from the Partians: notwithstanding the poverty of 
Original of Tamburlaine.  his parents: even from his infancy he had a reaching & an imaginative mind, the strength and comeliness of his body, answered the haughtiness of his heart. This Tamburlaine as Fulgosius reporteth, keeping beasts among other youths of his condition his companions in a merriment chose him for their king: whereupon Tamburlaine (having a ruling desire) after an oath of obedience, commanded every man to sell his cat-tail: and to contemn their mean estate, & to follow him as their captain: 
Tamberlaines first attempts.  & in small time, he assembled 500 herdmen, & labourers, whose first act was to rob the merchants that passed that way: he parted the spoil continually among his companions, & entertained them with such faithfulness & love, as the rumour thereof daily increased his strength: the king of Partia understanding these matters, sent one of his captains with a thousand horse to take him: but Tamburlaine so behaved himself, as he won this captain to be his companion & assistant with all his strength who thus joined, did things of greater importance than before: these matters in question, envy had ●…owen discord between the king of Persia & his brother. Tamburlaine joined with the kings 
Envy 〈◊〉 of Tamber●…es kingdom.  brother: and so valiantly behaved himself, that he overthrew the king & seated his brother in the kingdom: the new king created Tamburlaine, chief captain of his army: who under colour to enlarge his kingdom, raised many people, & found the means to make them revolt from their obedience, & so deposed the new king, whom he lately aided to the kingdom: & ●…en made him self king of Persia: redeeming (by this industry and dexterity 
Tamburlaine king of Persia.  in arms) his country from the servitude of the Sarizens and kings of Persia. tamberlain having a puissant army: in 
Tamberlaines conquest.  process of time, conquered Syria, Armenia, Babylon, Mesopotamia, Scitia, Asia, Albania, and other provinces, with many goodly and invincible Cities: it is pity his policies and battles be not largely written, which in these conquests could not but be famous: but of his military discipline thus much 
Tamberlaines military discipline.  writers commend, in his army was never found mutiny: he was wise, liberal, and rewarded every soldier with his desert: there is no remembrance of a greater army than his: his government and order was such, that his camp seemed a goodly City, wherein every necessary office was found, merchants without fear of robbing, or spoiling repaired thither, with all manner of necessary provision for his army: the reason was he suffered no theft unpunished, and as lovingly honoured, praised, and paid the virtuous and valiant soldier, which favour joined with justice, made him both feared and loved: he led a greater army than king Darius, or Xerxes: for writers affirm, that he had four hundred thousand horsemen, and 6. 
Creat●…es of Tamberlaines army.  hundred thousand foot men, the which he led to conquer the less Asia. Bajazet the great Turk (of whose worthiness, and wonderful prows is sufficiently spoken in the former chapter) advertised of Tamberlaynes proceedings: was driven to leave his siege to Constantinople: and with all expedition, to enlarge his power to the uttermost: to encounter with tamberlain, by estimation he had as many horse men as tamberlain, and a great number of foot men: these two puissant captains in whom wanted neither valour, policy, nor any 
Battle between Ba●…t and Tamber l●…ine.  advantage of war, with equal courages, mutually consented to abide the fortune of battle: and so encountering on the confines of Armenia: at the dawning of the day with all their power they began the fiercest battle that in any age was fought, which by the huge number of people, and the experience of their captains may be lawfully supposed: the slaughter continued of both parties, and the victory doubtful all the whole days. In fine the Turks of whom two hundred thousand were slain: vanquished by the multitude of their enemies turned their backs: which Bajazet perceiving: to encourage his army, with an unappalled spirit resisted the fury 
Courage of B●…iazet.  of his enemies. But such was God's will, for lack of rescue, by the overcharge of foes, he was taken prisoner, and pray scented to Tamburlaine, who closed this great Emperor in an Iron cage, and as a dog fed him only with the fragments that fell from his table (as in the former chapter is shown) a notable 
Baiazet●… over throw an●… misery.  example of the incertainty of worldly fortunes: Bajazet, that in the morning was the mightiest Emperor on the earth, at night, and the residue of his life, was driven to feed among 
A notable example.  the dogs, and which might most grieve him, he was thus abased, by one that in the beginning was but a poor shepherd. Tamburlaine thus possessed of Asia minor, which was before in the possession of the Turk, he spéeded into Egypt, and by the way raised all Syria, Phenice, and the Palestine, he took many famous Cities, and among others Smirna, Antioch, Tripoli, Sebastian and Damas': In Egypt he encountered with the Sultan, and the king of Arabia, and overthrew them: he was ever best at ease when he found a stout resistance in his enemy: that his policy and prowess might be the better known: as appeared at the city of Damas', which after he had taken, the principle and most valiant men retired unto a tower, which was thought impregnable, afterwards they offered him composition, but he refused unless they would fight, or yield unto his mercy: and with diligence beyond expectation, he raised a tower level with theirs: from whence he battered them in such sort as they were unable to resist: it is said, that in his batteries 
Tamberlaines order at assaults  and assaults, he used the first day to raise a white tent, which gave knowledge that if that day the Citizens yielded: they should have both their goods, lives, and liberty: the second day he raised a red tent, which signified, that if they did that day yield, he would save all, but the masters and chief of every house: the third day he raised a black tent, which signified that the gates of compassion were closed, and all that were that day, and afterwards subjecteth, were slain without respect of man woman or child: it is written that Tamburlaine besieged a strong city, which with stood the 1. & 2. days assault, the 3. day the people fed with a vain hope of mercy, set open the gates, and with their wives & children clothed all in white, having Olive branches in their hands, they humbly beseeched grace, but Tamburlaine in place of compassion caused his squadrons of horsemen to tread them under their feet, and not to leave a 
A great cruelty.  mother's child a live, and afterwards he leveled the city with the ground. At that time there was a merchant of Genowa, somewhat favoured of Tamburlaine: pitying the cruelty; boldly demanded why he showed such cruelty to those, that yielded and beseeched pardon, whom Tamburlaine (with a countenance fired with fury) answered: thou supposest that I am a man, but thou art deceived, for I am no other than the ire of God, and the destruction of the world: and therefore see thou come no more in my sight, lest I chasten thy over proud boldness. The merchant made speed away, & was never afterwards seen in the camp. And in truth Tamburlaine although he was endued with many excellencies & virtues: yet it seemed by his cruelty, the God raised 
Envy end of Tamberlain●…s kingdom.  him to chasten the kings & proud people of the earth. In the end this great parsonage, without disgrace of fortune, after sundry great victories, by the course of nature died, & left behind him two sons, every way far unlike their father: between whom envy sowed such dissension, that through their incapacities to govern the conquests of their Father, the children of Bajazet, whom they kept prisoners, stole into Asia, & so won the people to disobedience, as they recovered the goods & possessions that their father lost. The like did other kings & princes, whom Tamburlaine had spoiled, in so much as in small time this Empire was so abased, that many days ago, there was no remembrance left, either of him or his lineage: save that Baptista Ignatius a great 
Baptis. Ignatius.  searcher of antiquities saith, that the successors of Tamberlaines sons: possessed the provinces conquered by him about the river of Euphrates, until the time of king Vsancasan, & according to the opinion of some writers, of the heirs of this Vsancasan, was chosen the first Sophy, who to this day (to the benefit of all christendom) maintaineth mortal wars against the great Turk. But it seemeth that their empire was clean ended: for (as it is set down in the chapter of the great Turk) one named Ishmael a false Prophet, gathered a multitude of the common people together, of whom (by continual favour of time and fortune) the Sophy is grown, of power to encounter the great Turk. And herein although the lightness & inconstancy of the common people be heretofore noted: yet occasion here and in sundry places, ministereth matter to blame their envious and froward dispositions: there was never invention so fantastic, nor captain so wicked, that they refused to follow: they erected the tyrannous empires of the Sophy, the great Turk, & Tamburlaine, and over threw the famous and prudent governments of Athens, Lacedemonia, Rome, etc. The Switzers envying the authority of their nobility & gentlemen: by general consent slew them all, & ever since have been governed, by that base government, called Democratia, where mechanical people have the only signory: a government, which resembleth a monster with many heads, yet they all have neither will nor capacity to cherish virtue, learning, & worthy enterprises, the beauties and strength of a good common wealth. Nevertheless josua simler of zurich in his 
jos. Simler d●… r●…epub. Swi●…  book of the Switzers common wealth, both for their military discipline in war, and sound administration of justice in peace, compareth the government of their Cantons, unto the common wealth of the Venetians: time and necessity hath much reform the same from their original, and yet how be it he greatly praiseth their justice, yet his own report thus much testifieth of their weakness, that to martial and govern their wars, they have been oftentimes driven to obey and follow the direction of foreign captains, which lameness in a common wealth can never be but an open blemish, and a secret danger. For a perfect common wealth resembleth a well proportioned man, whereof the military defence, resembleth his hands, which being maimed or cut off, bring misery to the whole body.   

CHAP. 13.  
The calamity, and servile bondage of Portugal, under the government of Philip king of Castille, etc. by the adventurous battle, and death of Sebastian, king of Portugal, the 5. of August 1578. and especially by the envious malice of Henry which succeeded, in suppressing the lawful title of Don Anthonio the now reputed king.  
THe renown of the kingdom of Portugal: both for the commodities of the natural country: as for the wonderful riches of the east and west Indies: with divers cities and towns in Africa, subjecteth & annexed to the crown: equalled of lateyéeres the fame of most christian governments: and certainly at this day, the calamity and bondage of the people, by the conquest and violent rule of the king of Spain, requireth the compassion and relief of all true Christian princes: the grounds and causes of whose miseries follow. By succession of time, and lawful decent: Sebastian was crowned king of Portugal: whose virtues & outward gifts promised great honour unto his kingdom: but the inconstancy of worldly dignity is lively figured, in his much lamented death: king Sebastian being about the age of 24. years: upon the earnest labour & suit of Mulei Mahumet, king (as he pretended) of Fez and Marocoes, who by Mulei Maluco his brother was driven forth of the kingdom: condescended with a puissant army, to pass into Africa, to restore this Mulei Mahumet to his kingdom: the enterprise agreed with the magnanimity and greatness of young king Sebastian's mind: beside to relieve and restore this expulsed king: among indifferent judges was a matter of great honour and virtue: so that resolutely to execute his promise king Sebastian departed with his army from Lisbon in june 1578. and arrived at a port in Castille called el puerto de Sancta Maria, where he tried the breach of the king of Spain his uncles promise: which was the aid of 50. Galleys, and 4000 armed soldiers: nevertheless the said king Sebastian like (as he was) a magnanimous prince, having a 1000 sail of ships in a readiness pursued his voyage, & landed his army in Africa to the number of 15000. fight men, and on the 5. of August in the same year in a plain field called Alcazar, there was a most fierce battle fought, between him and the enemy: wherein the young king Sebastian, and Mulei Mahumet whose part he took, were both over come and slain in the field. Neither did Mulei Maluco the king their enemy escape: for with sickness & weariness he died during the battle: a battle very unfortunate, wherein neither party gained, and most rare and worthy of remembrance, that three kings were slain in the same, and above 600. of the chiefest nobility, and Gentlemen of Portugal. After the death of king Sebastian: Henry a Cardinal and a very old man, the 
Henry king of Portugal a Cardinal.  fifth issue male of king Emanuel, was presented unto the crown, Don Anthonio being then prisoner in Africa: and his right unknown: by reason that he was thought not legitimate. Within a few days after, by God's providence Don Anthonio, was both delivered forth of prison: and by probable witness says, was assured of his legitimation: the knowledge whereof so moved the old and foreworne king Henry his uncle: as poisoned with envy & malice: he not only banished him the court, but stopped the course of justice, in the pursuit of Don Anthonio's lawful claim: and not finding his malicious humour satisfied: because Don Anthonio had procured the Pope's inhibition, to disable the said king Henrye to attempt any thing prejudicial to his right: he therefore took an other course to disgorge his rancour, which was under pretence, that Don Anthonio disobeyed his commandment, in coming with in six miles of the court, he commanded him upon pain of 
A senere judgement of king Henry.  death within fifteen days, to departed out of his realm. How injuriously this old king, that by course of nature could not live long, dealt with his natural country and kinsman, the calamities of the one and oppression of the other largely testify. This old and withered king Henry: if envy and disdain, had not both mortified reason and natural affection, upon the certain knowledge of Don Anthonio's right to the kingdom: had great cause to thank God, and comfort his affections: that when the glory of Portugal lay a dying for want of linall succession of the heir male, that so worthy a parsonage, as Don Anthonio: in whom there wanted no commendable virtue, a natural Portugal, and of the blood royal, was by divine providence, reserved to reign and receive the glory of the kingdom: I have read of many aged princes, & yet more able to govern then this king Henry, (the estate of whose kingdom so hastily required not a sufficient and able king as Portugal) that have voluntarily resigned their government, to young and sufficient men: but I have seldom heard of any, that even at their entrance into their grave, have furthered the claim of a stranger, before the right of their natural kinsman & country man. But whether malice or fear, or both were the causes, king Henry banished Don Anthonio, and suspended his right, and shortly after died, before any order taken for the strength and succession of the kingdom: after whose decease, 
The king of Spain his own judge.  (who in most of all his claims, maketh force his judge) would not tarry the determination of the estates, but with fire and sword made his passage to the crown. The estates of Portugal, the Clergy, nobility, and commonalty, now too late looked about them, and forth with elected, and made Don Anthonio their king: they anointed and swore him with all kingly 
D●… Anthonio ●…de king by the 3. estates.  ceremonies, but they provided not a strength to settle him in his kingdom, which (if king Henry's rancour had not banished him) his wisdom would have foreseen: they persuaded the king of Spain to retire his army, until that justice had determined 
K of Spain's greedy desire of rule.  his claim. A weak persuasion where the victory was so sweet a kingdom: and the king of Spain a party, whose desire coveteth universal rule. And (as Euripides saith) to gain a kingdom, the breach of laws are half privileged, but so, or no, he stood in awe of no judge. The munition and Gunpowder, 
K. Anthonio put to ●…light.  by the corruption of the Governors of Portugal (Seed vacant) was conveyed into Castille, so that he made an easy conquest of a rich kingdom: king Anthonio, by God's providence miraculously hath sundry times escaped his cruelty, although the kingdom daily feel his tyranny. Out of their calamities of Portugal, I special observe this counsel of God's justice, to admoneth semblable traitors to their country. john Masquerannas, Francis de Sa, and Diego lopes de Sosa, three 
A good example for traitors  of the Governors of the realm, who by bribes, and fair promises of promotion by the king of Spain, sold the munition & in effect their country. All which three upon the election of Don Anthonio fled into Spain, where they all with grief that they had sold their country, and melancholy that the king kept not his promises with them, soon after died. Iristan vazde vegna without any necessity yielded the strong Castille of S. john by Lisbon, to the duke of Alva, upon the promise of a great pension during his life, who presently upon the delivery, without other reward, than the just reward of traitors, upon a slender quarrel was banished into Aphryca, to serve ten years against the Mores: and truly therein the king did both justly and honourably, for he that will be false to his country will be true to no man, neither deserveth he to have any promise kept with him: yea (as Phalaris made Perillus to be first executed with his own torture and tyrannical devise) it is sound counsel, to receive such traitors service, and to hang them for their labours, or at the least to banish them for ever. For such heads are apt to damage more than they profit, whose minds seldom leave groaning until they climb to the Gallows.   

CHAP. 14.  
The true report, of the change of the government of Florence in the year 1478. and the outrages and murders, which followed the envy which the Archbishop of Pisa, they of the houses of Salviati and Pazzi, bear towards the family of Medici's, for the authority which they administered in the common wealth.  
SAint Paul declaring the offices of a bishop among many other duties, sayeth 
Tim. 2. cap. 3.  that a bishop ought to be no fighter himself, yea to abhor fightings, and dissensions in others, intending with all, that fighters & the sustayners of frays, and unnatural murders were the sworn enemies of charity, and public prosperity, upon whom bishops are bound to pronounce the curse and vengeance of God, lest the Gospel which they should preach, being itself true love, peace, and charity, rebuke in themselves, the sin they might blame in others. But small is the wonder though Francis Salviati archbishop of Pisa, contraried this doctrine: being the true Disciple of the Pope: and S. Paul the faithful Apostle of our saviour jesus Christ, 
.  between whom there is no union neither in life nor doctrine. For our saviour Christ attired with humility, preached the unmeasurable power of God, and peace unto men, and the Pope clothed with the riches of the world, proudly advanceth his own traditions above the glory of the almighty, and laboureth to so we sedition in the bowels of mighty Princes. This ungracious Archbishop, as an earnest follower of the Pope's errors, or rather wilful sins, beholding with an envious eye, the estimation and authority of julian and Laurence de Medici's brethren, and of the people of Florence, high lie favoured: with a malicious heart, desired the ruin of their glory, and to give success to his naughty wish, he conspired with the families of Pazzi, and his own of the Salviati, two of the most ancient and famous houses of Florence, to give untimely deaths, to signor julian, and Laurence de Medici's.  
Small persuasion needed to encourage signor john, and Francis de Pazzi, and others of the family of Salviati to follow this enterprise: so highly they envied the rule of the Medici's, whose honour begun in the virtues of Cosmus de Medici's their Grandfather, when they themselves of small regard, were descended of the most ancient and noble houses of Florence: forgetting that virtue, not time made a gentleman, and gave him reputation, and that more honourable was the first, than the last gent of a man's house: In so much as Cicero borne of base parentage, by the warrant of this cognizance,: 
Virtue the cog nizance of a gentleman.  Ego meis maioribus virtute praeluxi: abashed not to sit cheek by jowl with the most ancient Roman in Rome: but in vain I prescribe the privileges of virtue to restrain envy, knowing that envy is the mortal enemy of virtue, who can not endure the commendation, much less the prosperity of the virtuous. Let King Saul be joint example with these Florentine conspirators: who rejoiced not so much to see his Capital enemy Goliahs' head upon David's sword, as he sorrowed to hear the people to crown him with this commendation, Saul hath slain his thousand, and David his ten thousand: and through envy of this renown sought to murder David, who was the safeguard of him and his people. This like reverence given by the Florentine people unto the brethren of Medici's, moved the recited Pazzi and Salviati and other their confederates, to seek the means to murder these two Medici's.  
The favour of the multitude towards signor julian, and his brother, was a great let unto their enemies: besides 
Policy of the Medici's.  their own wisdoms many times frustrated their enterprises: for the two brethren foredreading a sudden mischief, were never seen to walk together in the town, knowing for certainty, that no man would enterprise to offend the one while the other remained in safety.  
The Archbishop of Pisa and his confederates seeing their purposes by this means of the Medici's daily prevented, practised to get the two brethren into the great Church upon a festival day, and about the elevation time they agreed to murder them, persuading themselves that the privilege of the place, would make the Medici's careless of their own safety: and unprepared to offend their enemies, and in truth, if the success of their attempt had answered their advantage of time, their expectation had not been deceived. And therefore 
A necessary counsel to be followed.  the example necessary to forewarn all estates, that are envied by mighty enemies, to be best armed where least danger appeareth. For to stay the revenges of Envy, no place is a Sanctuary, no innocency a plea, nor prayer of power. And what greater likelihood is it, that the Church may be a Sanctuary for the living, more than the grave for the dead, let the robbing of Bucers, Paulus Phrigius, and other godly men's sepultures, confirm my advise with truth, and the burning of their half consumed bones, condemn the Papists of tyranny. In all modern troubles, some of which rabblement of hellhounds are chief authors. Well this plot pleased the Archbishop, and the rest of the conspirators Francis de Pazzi, and Barnard Baudin undertook to kill signor julian de Medicis, and the death of signor Laurence, was committed to the execution of Anthony de Volterro, and Anthony Preaste. And the better to strengthen this treason, the Archbishop of Pisa found the means to draw a young Cardinal, nephew of the Pope Sextus, from his study at Bologna, to pass the time at Florence, to the end that his train should be the guard of his mischief, without making the Cardinal privy to his intention.  
This determination set down, the execution was appointed to be upon a sunday, being the third of May 1478. upon which day, the Cardinal went to hear Mass, and with him Signior Laurence de Medicis alone without his brother. The Conspirators seeing Signior julian absent, Francis de Pazzi, and Barnard Baudin which had sworn his death, under the shadow of courtesy went unto his house, and wrought the means that they got him unto the 
〈◊〉 judas kiss.  Church, and placed themselves with best advantage to do their feat, upon the point to dispatch their purpose, Barnard Baudin stabbed Signior julian to the heart with his poynado, Francis de Pazzi hasting to make him sure, hurt himself in the body with his own dagger, notwithstanding, signor julian died in the place, and with him Francis Nori, with 
Iu●…ian de Medic●…●…ne.  the stroke of Barnard Baudin, for setting hand to his sword, to defend Signior julian. Anthony de Volterro, and Steven Preaste, assailed Signior Laurence de Medicis, but with so small dexterity, as with the good defence that he used, he escaped, only with a small hurt in the mouth. The Conspirators sought to save themselves, and signor Laurence, with certain of his friends, retired into the Sacristie of the Church. Barnard Baudin who had slain signor julian, supposing that his companions had failed to slay Signior Laurence, hasted to dispatch him, but found him strongly enclosed in the Sacristie. This assault was so sudden, as the executioners were not perfectly discovered. The outcry of the people was such, as it seemed the Church fell to the earth. The Cardinal had leisure little enough for his safety to recover the high Altar. All the Town were in an uproar upon the bruit. Some said, the two brethren de Medicis were slain: others said no, and so put themselves in Arms. They of the house of Pazzi, and Salviati, cried liberty. The Segnewrie with great diligence retired into the Palace, where the Conphalonnier being arrived, they 
Assembly of the Segnew●….  strengthened themselves with armed men. The counsellors of the City, and the favourers of the Medicis went to seek Segniour Laurence, and guarded him unto his house, where he found more than eight thousand armed men. The Archbishop of Pisa following his purpose, accompanied with the Salviati, and others of their line, went into the Palace with hope to work the signiory, unto his faction, and to this end, he placed the one half of his people at the Gates of the Palace, and with the other half mounted up the Palace, and gave the Signiory to understand, that he had certain matters to propound for the benefit of the common wealth, whereupon, being admitted audience, with a few of his people, he entered, and suddenly the Palace door was made fast, in such wise, as he was sure from the rescue and succour of his soldiers. The Archbishop with a high voice prepounded many things so disorderly, as the Signiory found out his naughty and malicious invention: the Conphalonier attached james Salviati and james the son of Monsiur Poggio 
Fury of the multitude.  de Pazzi: and so great was the tumult, as they and those which accompanied them, were slain in the fray: so that there were more than thirty dead bodies thrown forth of the Palace windows.  
Within a while after, the Common people, who favoured those of the Medici's, in great troops came towards the Palace, where all the Archbishop of pisa's people were taken, and without respect of persons were in the place put to the sword: touching the Archbishop himself, he was hanged as a fearful 
The archbishop hanged.  example to others.  
james de Pazzi and the rest of the conspirators road up and down the City, crying, Liberty, liberty: but perceiving that none multiplied the cry, and that all in a manner in their countenances discovered an affection toward Signior Laurence de medicis, sought to save himself and his people, except Barnard Baudin, who lay sore sick in his bed of a wound which he gave himself. The City in arms, in the behalf of Signior Laurence de medicis: who as one very sorry for the lamentable death of signor julian his brother, made great pursuit after those of this conspiracy: insomuch that an number which were but suspected of this trespass, passed the course of their fellows. The young Cardinal nephew of the Pope was long detained prisoner, in the end through his innocency was delivered. Barnard Baudin was naked lead unto the Palace, and in this Equipage was hanged by the 
Barnard Baudin hanged.  Archbishop. Anthony de Volterro and Steven priest which would have slain signor Laurence, were themselves slain in the fury of the people, which cried in every corner of the city, Medici, medici, slaying and sacking all their houses, that were adversaries to those of Medicis: to be brief, it were too much to set down in writing, the cruelties and inhuman murders committed in this fury.  
james de Pazzi was taken as he was flying, and conveyed to Florence, where he was hanged, and after torn in pieces, and unchristianly buried: all his goods and revenues were ceased and confiscated unto the signory: after the malefactors were thus punished, the body of signor julian was with great pomp interred. Behold the issue of this conspiracy, of the Pazzies', in less than three hours, the Lord julian de Medici was slain, the Archbishop of Pisa was hanged, with many of the conspirators, together with the sack and overthrow of their houses.  
Pope Sixtus and Ferdinando King of Arigon, so stomached this act of Florence, as they sent a great army against the Florentines, who with the aid of their friends, maintained long and cruel wars, to the small advanntage both of the King and the Pope: foul fall envy the beginner of this fray: the conspirators that thought by this outrage to have acquired honour and promotion, lost their lives, set their country in an uproar, and made their enemies more strong, for the Lord Laurence de medici was chosen to be sole governor of Florence, and by the wisdom of his offspring, the said government is become the hereditorie dignity of the Medici, which before was oligarchy, where a few of the mightiest bore the sway: so that the posterity of the Salviati and Pazzi the ancient gentlemen of Florence, have not only by the envy 
The ground of the Florentine dukedom.  of their ancestors lost their places of authority, but are the subjects and abjects in favour of the medici, who by all possible means will keep them under.   

CHAP. 15.  
A brief report of the calamities, of France Flaunders and Scotland, hatched by envy and ambition, under the quarrel of Religion, relieved by the compassion of Queen Elizabeth, and prosperity of England.  
THe diligent Readers and searchers of histories, shall find in the Chronicles of all governments, since the coming of Christ, and that the knowledge of the true God was published and received among the Gentiles: that the envious and ambitious or more properly rebellious people of all nations, have made for the most part religion the colour of their unlawful quarrels: neither until this general war between the Papists and Protestants, there was almost in any government any civil insurrection, but that some Monk, Friar, false Prophet, or heretic was a ring leader: and at this day all Christendom is so divided about the maintenance of the Pope, and the defence of the Gospel, that if hell gates were set open, and all the Devils had liberty to wear visible armour: they should be entertained to fight under the standard of some religion, under the protection and banner of the Pope, all thieves, murderers, traitors, envious, ambitious, and discontented persons arm themselves against their Prince, and peace of their country.  
The lamentable estate of France, Flaunders, and Scotland, our bordering neighbours, in all which countries, there hath been no settled peace this twenty years and odd, colour all their calamities, with this quarrel of religion, when the true causes proceeded from ambition, envy, and private discontentment. The true reports of the troubles of France testify, that long before the Catholic wars (as the Papists term it) in France, where of the Pope's side, the Duke of Gwyse, & 
Envy of the Gwyses first cause of the troubles of France.  their friends have been the chiefest Captains, the said family of the Gwyses, mortally hated the Constable of France, and the Admiral Chatillon. The causes were, that the Constable, and Admiral, were high both in authority and favour, while Francis the first, and Henrye his son reigned in France, who having care of the honour and prosperity of France, were (as the Gwyses thought) some lets of their ambitious climbing, but especially for that the Admiral, satisfied not the expectation of the Earl of Aumale, about the furtherance of a marriage for the Marquis du Maine, with the Dalphines Courtesan, the Senescales Daughter.  
Their envy and malice broke forth into open fury, when Francis the second came to the crown, who being both very young, and with also married to the Queen of Scots their Niece, they governed both the king, and affairs of the realm as they listed: who now by all means possible, not only sought the disgrace of the Constable and the Admiral, and their favourers: but also their lives: and the trouble of all France. The Cardinal of Lorraine complained of the disobedience, and many misde meanours of those of the religion, and made the Admiral, and the chief Peers of France, to be touched with favouring of them.  
To be brief, the Cardinal and the Duke of Gwyse then being, never ceased their practices until the Papists and protestants were in arms, and that civil war had set all France in an uproar: which from the beginning of her trouble, hath never entertained assured peace until this day, when there was no open hostility, there was nevertheless daily news of inhuman massacres murders, and policies of barbarous cruelties executed by the Papists, and there professed Captains.  
The division of Scotland first grew from the said Gwyses, who sent the Bishop of Amians and other confederates into 
Division of Scotland.  Scotland, who to compass their purpose, practised the deaths of the nobility of the religion: but God that judgeth the counsels of men, frustrated their wicked purposes, and hath hitherto given the upper hand to those of the religion: albeit since the first landing of the Frenchmen in scotland, in Francis the seconds time, the Papists have sundry times attempted war against the Lords of the religion: and by wicked practices have compassed the death of a great many, with all which proceedings the Chronicles will largely acquaint the Reader.  
And certainly, if outward actions of barbarous cruelty may condemn the blasphemy of the Pope, his ministers in France, Flaunders and Scotland have already sent the same unto hell & have elected him to be the Arch-tyrant of the earth. For where was there a more savage cruelty ever committed, than the massacre of Paris, where by the train of amity, & the 
●…cre of Parts.  celebration of a marriage, between the King of Navarre, and the kings sister: which in outward appearance, promised much peace and honour to the long afflicted realm: the peers of blood, and nobility of the religion, to honour that wished accord, repaired unto the Court, where the good Admiral was slain, and by that stratagem or rather device of the Devil, many a thousand innocent and fearless Protestants in Paris and other cities of France, were cruelly murdered, which monstrous massacre (although many other treacherous murders, in France reproach the Papists, with the extremest name of cruelty) is remembered with the blame and exclamation of the cruelest Pagans in the world.  
This traitorous and butcherly warfare waspractised with 
Murder of the king of Scots.  the murder of the King and many noble men of Scotland.  
The pretence of the tyrannical government of the Spaniards 
Tyranny of the Spaniards in the ●…owe country.  in the low Countries, and contrary to the ancient lawesof & privileges ●…he said Countries, at their first entrance, their killing and destroying of the principal nobility, and persons most worthy of government, was coloured with the maintenance of the Romish religion, but what excuse by religion have they for the destroying and dishonourable murdering of many Roman Catholics, among whom the right noble County of Egmond was that ways especially affected: even forsooth some such reason as the thief had, who said he rob none but Papists, when he spared not any that had a cross in his purse, which cross he took to be the mark of a Papist: so the Spaniards took these noble men for Protestants, because 
A staff is soon found to strike a dog.  they were of honourable dsspositions, maintainers of their country's liberties, and lovers of virtue, which are not the ordinary marks of Papists: the riches of these countries by common estimation answered the value of the king of Spain's India's, and from this root proceedeth all their ruins. The proud Spaniards envied the greatness of these Lords, and the prosperity of the people, and to feed their own wasteful humours, they hungered after absolute dominion and possession of their riches. In all matters of obedience, that appertained unto the king, they served his majesty with all faithfulness, so that the Spaniard could picked no quarrel of disloyalty. They were driven to square about the Pope: though these people obeyed the king, they charged them with Catholic disobedience, upon this cause (as they allege) more than these twenty years, the insolent Spaniards, with sword, famine, and many other cruel manners of death, have afflicted, and destroyed the natural people of those countries: and have ransacked, & spoiled, the most of their fair and rich cities. And yet these proud Spaniards upon a true account, have neither gained honour nor profit by the ruins of these most rich countries.  
While the godly Prince of Orange lived, the Spaniards had many foils, and few honourable victories, the compassing 
The prince of Orange devilishly murth●…red.  of whose death: with the worthy destruction, of their own mur thering instruments, testify the tyrannous spirits both of the Pope, and the king of Spain: that neither obey the laws of God, honour nor humainitie, by working by any means the deaths of their enemies. After the good Prince of Orange was traitorously slain (the order whereof is universally known and condemned) the afflicted people of these countries, by their increasing calamities, soon miss the benefit of his grave counsels. But God be praised for the life and happiness of her sacred majesty, even good Queen Elizabeth, who with a merciful eye, and a Princely hand, hath both beheld and given large sucker to their afflictions: to the afflictions of these appressed people of the low countries: to them I say with royal defence, & public succour: and to the persecuted Christians of all nations, as their calamities required: her sacred majesty (even her only zeal, and virtue) hath preserved scotland from foreign outrage, and civil destruction: the young king of Scots (whom God bless with divine and heroical virtues) confesseth her majesty to be his mother: by whom next under God he liveth, and reigneth, she hath given him a kingdom, in redeeming of it forth of the tyranny of strangers, and disobedience of aweless subjects. Her mediation hath much pacified the furies of France, and her clemency hath refreshed the wounds of Portugal, her mercy is the Physician of foreign afflictions, and her holiness the sure ground of England's peace and prosperity. England at this day, and from the first hour of her majesties blessed reign, the wonder of nations. England I say, of absolute governments, only in peace, only in prosperity, only free from feeling the vengeance of envy, & many enemies: be thou thankful for this divine protection. England, 
Admonition to England and English men.  or rather English men be you counseled by the overthrows of the fore-recited monarchies, kingdoms and common weals. I have presented you with these conquests of envy: that you may be foreward of your worst enemy: even this monster envy: which ever more contendeth against peace and prosperity: you are plentifully blessed, with both the blessings, and universally besieged with envy. It is miraculous, that you have escaped the mischief of all her stratagems and dangerous war. The Athenians were ignorant of no policy, to withstand their enemy yet could find no defence against envy, but to tame and keep under their prosperity, 
Policy of the Athenians to ●…dle envy.  they yéerly banished their noble men, not such as had offended the law, but those which the common people would have banished, their wisdoms made the common weal to flourish: but neither their wisdoms nor force could banish envy out of the hearts of the people, they feared this passion more than Alexander's power, and good cause why, for her venom poisoned Alexander, her policy murdered Caesar and quelled most of the worthies. We need not search foreign examples, to teach us the power of envy, she destroyed the house of Brut: at whose government we begin our English chronicles, for Ferrex & his brother Porrex striving for sole sovereignty, sought each others confusion, Porrex slew Ferrex, and their mother murdered Porrex in his bed, in whose deaths the lineage of Brute was ended. Envy was the cause of the changes of government by the Saxons, Danes, Britan's, and lastly the envy between Harold, and his brother, after the death of king Edward the confessor, was the mean that crowned William the conqueror, with the Diadem of England. The mischief which envy sowed in king Richard the seconds days, brought forth continual murders, civil wars, and deadly quarrels during the reigns of six kings that succeeded him. To be short this passion (since the conquest) hath been the only hurtful enemy of England. Yea as I have shown the conqueror, of conquerors, and subverter of former monarchies, whose conquest I have set forth, much to the glory of her majesties peaceable victories, who armed with grace only with a Laurel bow, in many dangerous conflicts, hath overcome her mortal enemy envy, whose wonderful conquests I have in my second book orderly registered: that her majesties loving subjects may comfort themselves with this assurance, that God is her strength, and the defence of her people: and that her wicked abjects seeing their daily confusion, may be enticed by her exceeding mercy to love, and reverence her majesty, or by continuance of their overthrows, may be brought to fear and dread God's vengeance: and so giving honour and praise to his holy name, I end this first book of my English mirror, containing the conquest of Envy.   
FINIS.   

¶ THE SECOND BOOK OF THE ENGLISH Mirror, entitled Envy, conquered by Virtue:  
Publishing the blessings of peace: the scourge of traitors: and glory of Queen Elizabeth's peaceable victories: accompanied with many other comfortable regards for good subjects.  

A Sonnet of triumph to England.  
England rejoice, the foes of thy welfare,  
The foes, that made the former monarch bow,  
Wrath, war, discord, and envy fettered are,  
Elizabeth, even with a laurel bow  
Hath vanquished them, that foiled Caesar's band  
Upon thy ports, to fear thy foreign foe,  
Destruction stands, with bloody sword in hand,  
Within thy Coast, in towns and Country go,  
Plenty, and peace, armed with a hazel wand,  
Thy subjects true, on milk and honey feed,  
Thy abjects false, consume like flames of reed.   
Malgre.   

To the right reverend Lords, the Bishops, and other the de●…ines of England, accomplishment of all holy desires.  
MOst reverend Lords and divines, having composed this English mirror, of selected counsels in sacred scripture and grave censures of moral governors, applied to a general instruction: where in the good, may see the large rewards of virtue, & the bad the severe scourges of wickedness. The book (with a fearful boldness) I have armed with the shield of her majesties royal protection, who is the lively example of David's righteousness, salomon's wisdom, Augustus' clemency, and what virtue so ever is else contained in a religious government: at whose feet (rather by divine miracle, then worldly policy) envy, and her worst enemies fall: so that (in effect) her excellency is a figure of the whole work: and the work, the judgements of religion, honour, and justice. Religion containing the godly counsels of the Clergy, honour the fortitude of the Nobility, and justice the wisdom of temporal magistrates, the three chief members of this blessed government, whereof her Majesty is the head and glory. The first part containing the conquest of Envy (next under her Majesty: who containeth the whole) I have directed to the right honourable nobility, to whom appertaineth the sword: the second part, containing envies overthrow by virtue: or more properly her majesties peaceable victories, I reverently present to your reverend Lordships, as conquests gained by grace: The last part containing, a fortress, against Envy: instructing every estate with sacred and moral counsels, in the offices, and disgraces of their professions, I humbly present unto the temporal magistrates, upon whose wisdoms all good governments are builded. The part which I submit unto your grave censors, I hope, will be well accepted, containing so holy matters, as peace, godly government, divine providence, etc. Peace is your visible attire, the beauty of God's Church, and of temporal blessings, the most precious. Saint Paul among the offices of a Bishop, forbiddeth him fight: yea persuadeth him to abhor it in others: and by circumstance or lawful imagination, counseleth him to protect and defend peace. I need not privilege my boldness, in numbering the manifold benefits thereof, you (reverend divines) daily preach them, and by grace and your godly labours, England possesseth them. God continue his peace (which passeth all understanding) among us. To which good God, I zealously pray, for the prosperity of his church, the welfare of your Lordships, and all other true preachers of his word, with what title so ever they be adopted.  
At whose commandment I reverently remain, George Whetstone.   

Induction to the Reader.  
FRiendly Reader, the good Orator Demosthenes, pleading the injuries of a poor Widow before the Athenian judges, was of the said judges so lightly regarded, as he left his purpose, and told them that 
A policy of Demosthenes to get audience.  he had a strange tale of the shadow of an Ass to deliver: the judges ears were by and by quickened, and with great earnestness desired Demosthenes to tell on his tale. Demosthenes by this policy having got full audience, openly rebuked the folly and injustice of the judges, who had their ears better prepared to hear the tale of the shadow of an Ass, than the oppression of a poor Widow, and so through very shame, obtained judgement in the widows behalf: and certainly, a 
Variety delightful to the reader.  pleasing entrance, and unexpected variety many times, causeth tedious tales to be fully hard, and long Books to be thoroughly read, which otherwise, how good so ever they be, the one might be smally regarded, and the other less perused. But friendly Reader, I salute thee not with this following Epistle of the Athenian Senate, with this bare respect, that thou mightest with expectation of novels be drawn to read out the blessings of our English peace, and the divine and heroical virtues of our most good Queen ELIZABETH, when with the fullness of thy own benefits thou hast large cause hourly to contemplate of the one, and the admiration of the whole world to allure thee to gaze on the other, but rather writing of so divine a subject as Peace, I thought no commendation (the holy Scriptures reserved) so excellent, as the judgement of the Athenian Senate, who set light of the very gain of war, in regard of peace, and by semblable judgement arose this prove be, that unlawful peace, was to be preferred before lawful war. For one other especial regard, I commend this grave letter unto thy censure, which was, the high account that the Athenian Senates made of the renowned Philosopher, and good commonwealths man Euxin, that with like reverence thou mayst honour, love, and obey our capital Magistrates, and common wealths men, placed by God and her Majesty in Authority, as the pillars and strength of this happy Government: for thy further instruction, I refer thee to the letter itself, which, with the cause thereof followeth.  
Between the Athenians and the Lacedæmonians arose a most cruel war about a contention for certain towns seated upon the river of Milin, the day of battle was assigned, and bloodly fought on either part, but in the end, the Lacedæmonians were defeated and overcome by the Athenians. The vanquished demanded truce of the victors, and the more easily to obtain this grace, they sent as Ambassador the renowned Philosopher Euxin, who before the Senate set forth the commendations of peace, with such eloquence, and withal approved his message with such gravity, learned, and sound reasons, as he not only obtained a truce from the Athenians, but overcome with the power of Euxins' Oration, they gratified the Lacedæmonians with the gift of the confines which they had but lately conquered, and of long challenged as their own right: & by Euxin as assurance of love & amity, returned this letter.  
The Senate and people of Athens, greeteth the Lacedæmonians with a hearty desire of health, and peace.  
WE call the Gods to witness, that through the passed battle we have sustained more grief to see you so bloodily vanquished, than we have received pleasure to behold ourselves conquerors, upon judgement that in the end the effects of war are such, that to the vanquished the dammadge is certain, and to the vanquisher the profit doubtful, we would have been right glad that you had overcome us with Euxins' words, before we had vanquished you with our swords. What pleasure would it have been to either, if the chance had unfortunately fallen upon us both, sithence the rule is infallible, that all that which the Gods have ordained, may not be forestood by man's wisdom, judgement, or power, even this, you should have lost much by this war, and we should have gained no good by your loss.  
You demand of us a truce for three months, to this end, that during this space there may be treatise of an accord between us: we answer you, that the Senate of Athens have not accustomed to make a truce, afterwards to begin war again, but have an ancient law either freely to accept of cruel war, or freely to accord to a perpetual peace, we endeavour in the time of peace to attire our Academies with wise men, to strengthen us with their counsel in the time of war, and by them are now advised to grant no truce upon suspicious conditions, and it seemeth to us that their counsel is good, for a dissembling peace is much more dangerous than open war.  
The Philosopher Euxin your Ambassador hath so eloquenly spoken in this Senate, as it should be an unreasonable thing to deny him what he demandeth: also a more honest grant sealeth a peace required with words, then demanded with the lance. Now we say, and give you to understand, that our Senate accordeth unto you Lacedæmonians with a right good will, a loyal peace, delivering you withal from the suspicion of war. And to this end we do it, that the world may know that the Athenians are so strong hearted against the overproud, and so great lovers of wise men, as they know how to chasten the foolish Captains, and suffer themselves to be commanded of the wise Philosophers. You know that all our contention is sprung for the possession of the towns seated upon the borders of the flood Milin. By this letter we certify you, and by the immortal Gods swear unto you, that we renounce and render unto you all the right that we have or pretend to have in the said confines, with charge that on the contrary part you bestow on us Euxin your Ambassador, for the happy●… Athenians esteem more of a philosopher in their Academy, then of a whole province for their common wealth. And you Lacedæmonians repute it not an act of lightness to have exchanged the Empire and signory of many, for the liberty to command one only man: for this Philosopher shall teach us to live well, where the possession of that Country may give occasion to die evil. And sithence of such ancient enemies we declare ourselves such perfect friends, we will not only deliver you of this war and send you peace, but in advantage we will give you council to conserve the same: for the medicine which preserveth health, is of far more excellency then that which chaseth away sickness, & now regard the remedy. Whereas you greatly desire that your young men should be exercised in arms, so be you diligent that your infants be in time instructed in good letters, for as the one with bloody lances raise●… war, so the other with sweet words obtain peace. Think not Lacedæmonians that we persuade you this without cause, for in neglecting the council of the wise, and in suffering idleness to grow among the people, the same engendereth seditions and civil wars, and so death to the one and other.  
We would not that you should repute us lovers of much talk: for our ancient father Socrates ordained, that the first lesson 
A law of Socrates.  that the tutor read to his disciple in the Academy, should be, that he should not in two years after dare to dispute: for it is impossible, that any should be prudent in speech, that is not patiented to hold his tongue. Let it then please you that Euxin remain with us, and imagine you, that if we hope for profit in his presence, you may be assured, that of the counsels which he giveth us, you shall receive no damage: for it is a very ancient law in Athens, that the Senate may make no enterprise of war, unless the Philosophers first examine whether it be just. No more unto you, but that we pray the immortal Gods, yours and ours, that they will provoke both you and us, and that it will please them for ever to preserve us in this peace, for that only is everlasting, which is confirmed by the will of the Gods.   

MIRROR. Lib 2.  

CHAP. 1.  
Of the blessings of Peace, the scourge of civil war, and renown of peacemakers.  

PEace of the moral virtues, is the sovereign Queen,  
Peace the christiline mirror is, wherein is science seen.  
Peace is the fountain (next Gods word) from whence doth goodness flow,  
Peace is the holy ground, whereon, all earthly blessings grow.  
Peace is the trump 〈◊〉 tongue of law, peace setteth justice up,  
Peace measures right to every man, yet with a several cup:  
For peace doth chastise wicked men, and cherisheth the good,  
Peace executes the pains of law, but sucks no guiltless blood.  
Peace open sets the city gates, that plenty enter may,  
Peace leads and guides the traveler in safety all the day.  
Peace brings the merchants wandering ship into the wished port,  
Peace safety seals upon the doors where strangers do resort.  
Peace hangeth armour by the wall, that men may ply the plough,  
Peace doth sustain the poor man's need, that lives by sweat of brow.  
Peace bringeth victual to the town, for such as have money,  
Peace where she reigns makes the land, to flow with milk & honey.  
Peace lends, relieves, and freely gives, and keeps enough in store,  
Peace heaps these riches on the good, and many blessings more.  
Peace shields the wise from soldiers force, and virgins undeflowrd,  
Peace lets the flock to feed at large, and saves them undevowrd.  
The City of the mighty God, sacked through his people's crime  
Of blessed peace was Salem called, until king jebus time.  
God would not have his Temple built, but in the time of peace,  
Christ was not borne until that war, throughout the world did cease.  
Christ his Apostles thus doth bless, with you be peace and love,  
Christ thus the wicked jews doth curse, peace shall from you remove.  
Christ is the author of all peace, the sacred word doth say, (day.  
Christ will have peace throughout the world, against the judgement   
Much more may be said, although no man can say enough in the commendation of peace, save such as have felt the worst vengeance of war, for as Cicero sayeth, the goodness of a thing is known by the deprivement thereof. If our neighbour's harms may make us heedful, or our own prosperity make us thankful to God, true to her Majesty, and obedient to her grave Ministers of public benefit, we may behold our country as a beautiful Tower, on every side environed with a consuming fire, and yet miraculously preserved from the least vengeance thereof. But experience teacheth, that examples of misery moveth many time's commiseration in the beholders, but seldom impresseth any deep sorrow in their hearts. The Romans many years saw the bloody vengeances of war, inflicted upon sundry kingdoms, yea many times sorrowed to see their own conquests. When pompeius was 
Pity without charity.  murdered, his enemy Caesar shed tears upon his head, and Alexander gave the mighty Darius a royal funeral. Which compassion may be more properly termed a motion of pity, than any work of charity, for they still followed the fortune of war, without consideration of the precious blessings of peace. But when the stout Romans, (whose covetousness of rule the whole world could not glut) by civil and most pernicious factions in the triumvirate of Cesar, Crassus, and Pompeius, 
Civil wars of the Romans.  and afterward in the triumvirate of Octavius, Antonius, and Lepidus, felt in their own bowels the scalding fury of war, when they saw the father's throat a sheath for the sons sword, when the mother beheld the ravishment of her daughter, and the sister mingled tears with her brother's blood, when the Senate house was no Sanctuary for Cesar, nor Pater patriae a protection for Cicero, when the fountains were turned from the Cities, and the channels flowed with the best burgesses blood, when the fair buildings were fired by the household servant, and the rascally masters of the richest merchants goods, when justice was painted without a mouth, and oppression with a hundred hands, when law gave place to lances, and Orators to the braying of horses, when uncivil soldiers judged Senators, and the nobility were suppliants unto the unconstant multitude, when religion was mispraised, youth ill instructed, grey hears unreverenced, discipline unused, a famine with virtue, and nothing public, but disorder, when the vineyards lay unordered, & unprofitable briars overran the fruitful fields, when the plough was laid in fire, and fire hurled into the husband man's barn: I say, when these proud Romans beheld in their own cities these havocks of divine and human blessings, they were in times passed never so forward soldiers in following of war, as they were now humble suitors for peace: they never attributed so much honour to Cesar for conquering of kingdoms, as they gave reverence to Octavian, for determining of the civil broils. 
Honour given to peacemakers. Octavian.  In perpetual remembrance of Octavian, they added to his name Augustus, and decreed, that all the following Emperors should be called Augusti, and after death, both Augustus, and the good Emperors succeeding, in most solemn manner, they deified, and placed among the number of their Gods. The great Cane of Cathaya, is so called, in honour & remembrance of their first Emperor Chanius, who (being aged, the meanest 
Chanius.  and poorest of the seven linadges which governed, or rather tyrannized the provinces of this Empire as the history saith) by the revealment of a white Knight, took knowledge that the will of God was that he should be Emperor & peacemaker of and among the seven linadges: upon which comfort, and the faithful obedience of the people, he obtained this blessed conquest. The mighty Emperor of Aethiopia is called Preter john, and in their language beldugian, which signifieth 
Preter john.  joy and power, only in remembrance of one of his ancestors, who notwithstanding he was the sovereign of seventy Kings, yet he established peace through his whole Empire. These glorious monuments remain of peacemakers, & are like to live until the world end, when the violence of death, the unconstancy of fortune, and injury of time have interred the haughtiest conquerors, returned back their conquests, and of their huge colonies have left no sign at all. But so settled are the virtues of peacemakers, and so precious are the blessings of 
A special honour.  peace, as these heathen, that had no other guide than natural reason, annexed their good Prince's names unto the honour of the crown, as men that hoped, the name would make the virtue hereditary, or at the least instruct succeeding Princes, of the worthiness of their ancestors. And questionless men are greatly encouraged to well-doing when good demerits are fully rewarded, and good men's lives are faithfully registered. For albeit the soul of man traveleth without a guided to bring forth that which is good, yet in as much as the corruption of flesh is nearer our sensible motions, the divine works of the soul are darkened, as is the brightness of the Sun by the Moon, the most inferior Planet, being opposite between the same & the earth, and therefore to help our infirmity next unto the sacred scriptures, the histories of time are the most visible 
The benefit of histories.  lights to show us the way to happiness: where the names of good men live, which taketh away a great part of our fear to die. And truly if for the worthiness of some one king of that name, the Egyptian kings were called Pharaoes', the Bethinian Ptolemy's, the Albion Siluies, the Roman emperors Augustes, the Ethiopian Preter john, & the Cataian the great Khan, by far larger warrant, the English kings ought to be called Henry's. For of 8. Kings named Henry sithence the 
All the kings named Henry of England were worthy kings.  conquest, chronicles condemn no one of them to be irreligious, notably wicked, or tyrannous oppressors of their subi●…s, but as images and patterns of kingly magnanimity, of w●…nderfull prowess, of peaceable government, and of many other divine and heroical virtues, every of them hath left a rare monument of a noble gracious and good Prince, as if by heavenly providence, an especial blessing had been joined unto the name of Henry. But albeit the heathen ceremonially thus named their Princes, as the Cardinal of Rome do new christian their Popes, yet true Christians esteem of this adoption, as of the image of jesus engraved in a wooden cross, which is as full of holiness as a painted fire of heat, and both a like. The fairest tree that beareth no fruit is fit for the fire, and the best named Christian, without the exercise of christianity is meet for hell. So that I allege the examples of these worthy persons as instructions for their posterity, and attribute no greater honour unto them, then that they were the ministers of God's goodness and mercy, of peace and prosperity, to their subjects which are the greatest titles that any monarch can possess. And more than was due to Alexander, Caesar, Tamburlaine and others: who contrariwise were the rods of God's ire, and quellers of many millions of innocentes. Chronicles expose their virtues at large: and who so ever shall join regard with his reading in the governments of these eight Henry's, shall find many worthy observances, which degression this place will not bear, the summary of whose virtues containing a larger volume than is determined for this subject, so much as concerneth this purpose I am bound to report, of the two latter noble Henry's, the one being the root, the other the tree, which brought forth the fruits of God's glory, of the greatest peace, plenty, and prosperity, that ever Nation, people, or subjects enjoyed, even the grave Henrye the seventh Grandfather, and the victorious Henry the eight, father of our gracious sovereign Lady, the most good Queen Elizabeth: Upon whose virtues heaven and earth fixeth regard. A princess I say, regarded of God with the eyes of favour, regarded of the world with the ears of envy, and regarded of good and happy subjects with the hearts of true obedience. A Queen, and more the visible image of God, as well in respect of the happiness and divine gifts which her majesty possesseth, but principally for that mercy is chief of her virtues, which envy and her majesties worst enemies are bound to witness, in whose royal person the perfection of all good Princes are contained. For what may be justly said of all their righteousness, wisdom, and clemency, are but words of her works, and written examples of her majesties lively virtues, the which, the godly in their comfort, the wicked through self destruction, and envy by continual defeats, have engraved in the Capitals of the whole world, the triumph of whose peaceable victories, to God's glory, and universal wonder followeth.   

CHAP. 2.  
An introduction to the peaceable victories of the Queen's most excellent majesty, against envy and all her enemies.  
THe nobility, and commons of England impatient of the misgovernment of K. 
An. do●…. 1400.  Richard the second, deposed by main force, the said Richard, and possessed Henry Bolingbroke, Duke of Herteford, with Imperial dignity, a prince endued with many great virtues. And 
Henry the 4.  albeit he entered unlawfully, he governed his subjects like a gracious and prudent Prince. But this good which followed an evil attempt acquitted not the realm from the vengeance which God inflicteth upon disloyal subjects. The father which taketh the rod to chasten his son, if the son taketh correction patiently, in hope of amendment burneth the rod. But if the son stubbornly 
A 〈◊〉 for ●…es.  and violently catcheth at the rod, the father dubleth his wrath & trebeleth the sons punishment: even so God which appointeth tyrants to be the scourges of his ire, conceived against wicked and unthankful people, if in patiented suffering, they acknowledge his wrath to be justly imposed upon their sins, he dealeth with the tyrant as the good father doth with the rod. But if they spurn at his vengeance, and offer to revenge the tyranny of their princes, he causeth tyrants to rise like Hydra's heads, which shall torment them, as in the bitterness of their affliction, they shallbe driven to pray for their worst prince, as the old Roman did for the prosperity of wicked Nero. This Nero was a most cruel emperor, he set Rome his imperial city on fire for seven days together, and commanded that the people should neither save their goods nor quench the fire. He slew his own mother, & put to death the husbands of Octavia and Sabina, and took them for wives, but shortly after sent them the way of their former husbands: And to show that he passed all other in envy, hearing one to pronounce a Greek verse which containeth this desire. 
After my death I wish,  
Heaven and earth to perish.   
And I quoth he rather wish the same while I live, he so much envied that so glorious a work should remain after his death. 
Envy of N●…o.  Upon a time Nero passing by, a poor old man heartily prayed for the life and prosperity of Nero: Nero which knew by the accusation of his own evil, that no man had cause to wish him good, demanded the reason why he contraried all men's desires in wishing his welfare, that would nothing but mischief to the Romans. The old man boldly answered, Tiberius thy predecessor was a cruel Emperor and him the people slew. After him succeeded Caius Caligula, a more cruel and barbarous Emperor, and him likewise did the people slay, and now thou most inhuman and savage Nero reignest, & for thy life and prosperity I pray, lest if thou be likewise slain, the devil himself come and reign over us. Thus heaped God his vengeance upon the stiffnecked Romans, which would not bow unto his yoke the more they resisted his chastisement, the more sharply he scourged their disobedience. The senators of Rome thought the imperial authority a seuéere bondage, and therefore by their mutual assents julius Caesar their first emperor was slain in the Senate house. But when they saw Brutus & Cassius that first set hand to the sword, to die likewise by the sword, when they afterwards saw the bloody events that sprung of the contention, between the triumvirate of Octavius, Antonius, and Lepidus, they most joyfully received imperial servitude, and afterwards how wicked so ever their Emperors were, the graver Senators tolerated their government, or voluntarily banished themselves: so that they for the most part were destroyed by God's justice in the common people's outrage. God by a severe commandment threateneth, that he will visit the sins of the parents upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation, of those that in their spiritual worship, adore any other God, or the likeness of any other creature in heaven or earth. The same God anointeth kings (as the visible images of him) with the semblable majesty: concerning temporal worship, he calleth them Gods, and S. Paul saith, he that resisteth the ordinance of the king resisteth the ordinance of God. He than that striveth to depose 
Rom. 13.  his natural king, and to exalt a stranger, committeth earthly idolatry, in likewise as the worshippers of false Gods commit spiritual. And therefore Princes in all governments, heathen and christian, the one by revelation, the other by imitation of holy scriptures have public laws, to lay the trespasses of traitors upon their children, the lands and goods of traitors are forfeited, and the reputation of their posterity is corrupted. The emperor Vespasian, commending the virtues of josephus unto his son Titus, willeth him to trust him as one no ways corrupted, saying further upon occasion, that the son of a traitor ought not to live. To lay violent hands upon the 
josep. bell. jude.  Lords anointed is a damnable thing. Saul unjustly persecuted David: but David having saul's life many times in his power, refused to offer him any violence, saying, the Lord keep me from laying my hands of the Lords anointed. Which 
Reg 1. 26.  proveth though subjects may fly from the tyranny of Princes, they war without warrant that rebel against their worst kings. Were there neither authority divine nor profane, to reprove rebellion, yet in their best quarrel, destruction which is the end of traitors, showeth their beginning to be nought. God many times suffereth both good and bad Princes to fall into the hands of their subjects, but woe be unto those subjects by whom either perish. We need no other torment to relish our present peace and prosperity, than the remonstration of the civil wars, bloodshed and many grievous calamities, which for the space of 85. years, yea during the reigns of 6. kings afflicted this small kingdom. After the violent deprivement of king Richard the second, from his crown and dignity: but in the end the Lord having compassion of our manifold miseries, seeing our private dissension, ready to grow to public destruction, even when his wrath seemed to be most hot, even than the beams of his mercy suddenly comforted us, by the destruction of our arch tyrant Richard the third, who caused and committed more wicked savage murders, than fifteen of the most tyrannous kings of England. But humbly confessing God's providence, with this old age Nullum violentum perpetuum. This tyrant that was guilty of the death of king Henry the 6. Prince Edward his son, and his own natural brother George Duke of Clarence, and afterwards within the space of three years of his usurped reigns, caused his nephews king Edward the 5. and Richard Duke of York his brother to be murdered in the Tower, not caring for his allegiance towards the one, nor fearing to break the sanctuary for the other, who repudiated his own mother, & offered to marry his brother's daughter as is afore said. After these and many other murders without the proceeding of law, this manifest monster (the end of England's civil misery) was slain at Boshworth field, by that prudent Prince king Henry the 7. by Gods planting the root of England's happiness, and naked like a hog was carried upon a bare horse back to Leicester, & there buried, who meriteth neither the monument of King nor man..   

CHAP. 3.  
A summary of the virtues of the prudent prince King Henry the seventh.  
THE fairest building hath a foundation, and the fruitfullest tree his root, and 
1485  albeit the beauty of either be in the outward attire, yet the strength of both consisteth in the inward substance. And certainly in all descriptions the cause ought to be as well set down, as the effect, that Anatomy is perfect, that discovereth all the inward, as well as the outward workmanship of man. Virtue I grant conveyeth honour simply from a man's own good actions, yet the same is much enlarged, if from descent, to descent honour be issued from the monuments of his ancestors virtues. And sure the glory of a man is much injured or eclipsed, that is blazoned but by his own 
Antiquity a great beauty of virtue.  proper regards, when the same may be truly illustred, by such ancient graces.  
But touching my purpose, some will suggest, that as it is a needless labour to seek a Diamond with a torch which glimmereth in the dark so as bootless is the curiosity, to derive her majesties glory further than from her own sacred virtues, when her wicked enemy's renown her perfections, and wilfully pursue their own destruction: through presumption that her excellency is composed all of grace, and mercy, I am bound reverently to acknowledge, that her majesties perfection, is the true discovery of imperfection, and in this regard absolute (that envy and the worst sworn enemies of God assault her prosperity) yet if any thing may be added, to extol her name, this meriteth regard, that the fruits of universal comfort, which her divine and heroical graces plentifully distributeth, grow from the root of England's happiness, which no privy conspiracy could unplant even king Henry the seventh. And of that green tree, which the stinging Locusts could by no means whither king Henry the eight. And doubtless who so shall zealously contemplate, how that the providence of God even in our greatest destructions always sustained us, may easily persuade himself, that God would have his glory to s●…ine over the world (next his word) from the lights of this little Island, separated as some writ from the world, or at the least joined to the outermost end thereof. How easy a pray had we been for the ambitious desire of some bordering king, during the bloody contention between the two illustrious houses York and Lancaster, for imperial dignity, but God would not our subversion. The history of Richard the thirds tyranny is a most lamentable chronicle, yet the same considered 
A necessary ●…onsideration.  by God's providence, assureth us by that sharp remembrance, a remembrance of his merciful goodness, in delivering us from a continual calamity, in she wing us through the unlawful proceedings of the tyrant, a lawful means to accord these two puissant houses. But before this great blessing his incomprehensible wisdom, so sharply scourged this realm: as all her estates suppressed their private desires, and heartily prayed and laboured for this happy unity, who mercifully regarding our patiented bondage, crowned king Henry the 7. with title of both houses, by taking to wife Lady Elizabeth eldest daughter to king Edward the 4. And albeit the end of our civil destruction, in the beginning of his prudent reign, be sufficient alone to crown king Henry the 7. name with everlasting fame, yet to govern us right, God endued this noble Prince with virtues answerable to so great a blessing as a general peace. And certainly if Alexander surnamed Severus be reckoned among 
King Henry the 7. compared to Alexander Severus.  the number of the most wise emperors: King Henry the 7. meriteth semblable title, as the true imitator of Alexander's government. King Henry the 7. entered upon a kingdom no less disordered with continual tumults, than did Alexander with the unmeasurable voluptuousness of Helyogabalus, the necessity of time made him a severe executioner of his laws, and testifieth the same to be derived from perfect justice, he punished offences without respect of persons. Honour was no plea for the mighty, he judged the trespasses of Lawyers, with his own knowledge of the law, he only pardoned ignorant offences, and graciously relieved his poor subjects oppressions, he was thought somewhat too severe in punishment. But such murmurings were no lawful complaints, to afore that is deep festered with corruption sharp corrosives are to be applied: Even so in a disordered common wealth severe laws are to be ministered. He was a just, virtuous, valiant, and learned Prince, a true distributour of peace, plenty, and prosperity to his subjects, who (in his life time) had had a most liberal portion of happiness, if in his days the Gospel of JESUS had, had a free passage. But leave we Gods will therein, who would not have his outward temple builded in David's time, but in his son salomon's, and yet was David a righteous man, after the Lord (in whose hand the hearts of princes are) had established a settled peace in this long disquiet realm, in the 24. year of his reign, he peaceably called this noble king Henry unto his heavenly kingdom, and as a visible sign that he blessed the joining of these two kingly houses in one, he gave unto this noble king by Queen Elizabeth his wife sundry goodly children, of which as the undoubted heir of the kingdom, by both titles, was crowned the victorious king Henry the eight.   

CHAP. 4.  
A summary of the royal virtues of king Henry the eight.  
THe most victorious king Henry the 8. son of king Henry the 7. began his 
1509  triumphant reign the 22. of April 1509. whose invincible courage was feared and admired through all Europe. He was a most bountiful Prince towards well deserving subjects, the magnanimity of his countenance kept them in a loving obedience. In the 5. year of his reign (a fore presagement, that he should climb above the Pope of Rome) The Emperor Maximilian (the Pope's lawful sovereign) and all the nobility of Holland, Braband, and Flaunders received wages under king Henry's banner, whose puissance 
1513  discomforted and abashed the whole power of France. This royal king besides that he was Alexander in field, he was a Philosopher in the University. And in his great learning blessed his subjects with the fruits of this old Proverb, happy are those people, whose king is a Philosopher. And doubtless where the Prince is learned, the people are peaceably governed.  
Science which containeth all duties, with variety of examples so liberally instructeth the lovers and followers of her lore. In the thirteenth year of his reign, the King wrote 
1521  with his own hand a book against Martin Luther, for which the Pope named him Defender of the faith, but little fore-feared he, that God would make him the capital offender of the Romish superstition. Saul breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, received a 
Acts Cap. 9  special charge from the high Priests, for the persecution of all sort of Christians at Damascus, but God, whose wisdom judgeth the determinations of men, wrought a wonderful change in Saul, for of a persecutor, he made him a faithful Apostle, and chief strengthener of the Gentiles. Even so gratious●…ie dealt God with this most noble King: whereas the Pope imagined, to have (by this title) made him the sustainer of his Idolatry, God by his holy spirit moved him to use the same to the first capital disgrace of Antichrist the Pope. But as the good Father Latimer certified his Majesty, the title Defender of the faith, simply considered, was 
Acts and Monuments.  more than was due to any earthly prince, when his holy word delivered by his Ministers, both fostered and defended the same. But in as much as it was Gods good will that under this kings and his offsprings authority the same should have the most visible protection, it may be lawfully thought, that it was his will that the Pope should so entitle him, as foreseeing by his wisdom that this prince in his seed should overthrow the Pope's usurped authority, the most public enemy of the true ancient and Apostolic faith. Many interpret this prophesy of Esdras, ecce leo concitatus de sylua rugiens, etc. lo, a 
Es●…. 4. cap. ●…2.  Lion hastily running out of the wood roaring, who with a man's voice reproved the saucy and misproud Eagle, to figure this noble prince Henry the 8. The ravening Eagle that had the victory over the four beasts which God would have had reigned in the world that troubled the meek, etc. is likewise interpreted to be Antichrist the Bishop of Rome. The Arms of Rome which is the Eagle, and the actions of the Pope, well approveth their interpretation. Now who is more like to be this Lion that came roaring out of the wood, and showed the ravening Eagles villainies to all the princes of the earth, than King Henry the eight who evermore stoutly defied the Pope, who evermore plainly painted his murders, deceits, and abominations than King Henry the 8. nay? who first catched him by the throat but King Henry the 8. When all christian princes stood in awe of his curse, he banished all his authority out of England: when the meanest Bishops in other realms would check their Kings in his cause, he caused the whole Clergy by his learned Council to be judged in a praemunire for maintaining the power legantine of Cardinal Wolsey, who being called by process into the King's bench, were 
1530  glad by submission to pray & pay á hundred thousand pounds for remission. When other princes feared to murmur against the Pope secretly, King Henry in the name of himself and 
Vide Chro. of England.  his Nobles, wrote a book against the counsel appointed by the Pope at Mantua, signifying to the whole world, that the Pope had no more authority than an other Bishop, and how that the appointment of Counsels only appertained to the Emperor, and other Princes of Christendom. What Lion was ever so bold with the Eagle of Rome, as this Lion of England? What Lion is so like to come roaring out of the wood, as the Lion of England? The Lion of Vennice cometh out of the water. The Lion of England is proper passant: bows and arrows which are his strength cometh out of the wood. I would the Pope's english favourers would weigh this prophelie, with the pride, envy, & outrage both of divine & human blessings settled in the heart, and seen in the actions of this Imperious Pope, and then by allegory they would peradventure repute him to be this ambitious Eagle, signified by the arms of his sea, & capitol city Rome. And on the contrary part, if with the like regard they would behold the wonderful disgraces that this noble king by himself & princely children hath & daily giveth this envious Pope, they should have large cause to believe that our Lion, signified by the arms of England, with his man's voice, should set this misproud eagle's head aw●…y, should vanish his wings, weaken his kingdom, & in fine, set his whole body of fire. If they had any sense, they might feel that our Lion in the name of the Lord thus saith, hence thou misproud Eagle, appear thou no more, neither thy horrible wings, thy mischievous heads, thy ravening claws, nor thy hollow body compact of vanities. The cause strait followeth, that thou once gone, the earth may be refreshed, that thy kingdom once fallen, men may return to freedom, etc. I demand what reckoning they can make of the eagles 12. wings that overspread the earth by God's appointment, since our Lion first shaken him up, or as the text saith, since the wind, K. Henry's thundering voice spread abroad his wickedness. See if England be not shrunk from him, Scotland denieth him, Hol and Brabant and Flanders delieth him: Germany paints him as a monster, Denmark is parted from him, France is divided, Polland is indifferent: if Spain & Italy be constant, they be well paid for their friendship. The Eagle the Pope that sometimes was capitalis dominus, as well as summus pontifex well-near of all Italy, is clean shut out of the kingdom of Naples, the Dukedom of Florence, Ferrara, Mantua, Milan, Parma, Vennis, the state of Genua, etc. so that to come to his signory of Bologna, he is driven to the lower way by Rac●…onati, Madonna de Loreto, Ancona, and by exchange with the Duke of Urbin patcheth a passage, so that in respect of her ancient limits, this proud Eagle is welni●…h brought into the case of Plato's cock, with never a feather on her back: the end of this Eagle shall be confusion the text so saith, the lion shall rebuke her unrighteousness, & rend her asunder, & shall deliver the rest of the people of trouble, & make them joyful. The Lion of England, even King Henry the 8. and his posterity, hath made a fair revealment of this prophesy, the godly expect that the Eagle shall vanish to nothing with the thundering blasts that the English Lion hath & shall storm upon her, she feareth the same, & therefore bendeth all her secret forces to disquiet the Lion. S. Augustine long ago, seeing certain english boys to be sold as slaves in Rome, thus prophesied, bene vocantur angeli, quia nitent ut angeli in quo regno evangelium dei florebit, they are properly called Englishmen, because they shine as Angels, in which kingdom the Gospel of Christ shall flourish. The learned Doctor Erasmus writing a paraphrase of the four Evangelists, dedicated the first to the Emperor, the second to the french King, the third to the noble King Henry, and the fourth to the emperors brother, the Pope was wiped out of his travel, as one not destined to have the protection of this precious jewel. To King Henry the eight he dedicated his paraphrase of S. Luke, and in his Epistle wrote that he had sent him Luke the Physician: & by circumstances reputed his Majesty through his godly and religious proceedings, to be the spiritual Physician, that by the working of the holy Ghost purged the souls of many from the gross errors of Antichrist. I lean not so much to these modern prophises, although there be a common Proverb, Vox populi, vox dei, the Scriptures giveth light sufficient, that from these parts the Gospel of our Saviour should be visibly revived. In the fourth Chapter of Cantica Canticorum be these words: Up thou north wind, and blow upon my Garden, that the smell thereof may be carried 
Cant. Cantico. cap. 4.  on every side, yea, than my beloved may come into his Garden, and eat of the sweet fruit that grow therein. This wind is up at the Almighty's call, his commission is well blasted abroad. This noble King Henry (as it is interpreted) this Lion, this wind, ordained and sent of God, first shook the wicked tyrant of Rome, first blewe the blast that hath almost blown his authority out of all Christendom. The Pope in his quarrel almost armed all Christian princes against this Lion, but they feared or failed to do him hurt. In the Pope's quarrel many seditions were sown in England, in fearing the commonalty that the King would beggar them with impositions. The Northern men openly rebelled, and the whole realm was in arms, ready bend against their proper entrails, but God frustrated the devisers counsels, and preserved us from the wilful murder of ourselves. When the king's power and the rebels were ready to meet, he parted the armies with a sudden swelling of the water, while after a parley, the Rebels were willing to acknowledge their faults, and with the kings gracious pardon, departed to their own houses: a wonderful providence of God, that would not have the rebels perish in their ignorance, nor the good subjects murdered in so unnatural a battle. The ungracious Cardinal Poole stirred a great power in France, but the french were more afraid to venture, than was king Henry in his aged days that they would enter into England. His mind was invincible, and even of God all his proceedings were blessed, their happy success testified no less, who in the 37. year of his triumphant reign, ended his life in peace, whose death made England unhappy, in that the most toward and godly prince Edward the sixth his only son and heir of the Crown was of so tender age.   

CHAP. 5.  
A summary of the most excellent gifts of King Edward the sixth.  
THe godly and most toward young Prince King Edward the sixth, being but of the age of nine 
1546  years, began his reign the 31. of januarie 1546. This prince in his tender age was endued with such towardness, wisdom, learning, and all goodly gifts, as Europe seldom or never fostered the like. By reason of his tender years, the Duke of Somerset his uncle was made Protector both of the King and his Realm: who, for the discretnesse of his speech, the wisdom of his behaviour, and virtue that accompanied all his actions, was worthily reputed to be better able to govern at ten, than many princes at thirty years of age. There wanted no gift of nature, learning, or education, that might renown a good King, but that mightily grew in his young years, as the undoubted heir not only of the crown, but of all the virtues of his most noble father. He advanced the Gospel, to which by God's holy spirit his godly father gave free passage in England, whose devout zeal witnessed, that this heavenly blessing was no less planted by his Grace, by his godly counsels and wisdom. By his especial request and letters the Citizens of London erected three needful Hospitals, viz. for the sick and aged they erected S. Thomas Hospital in Southwark: for the fatherless child and infant they erected Christ's Hospital: and for the sturdy vagabond they erected Bridewell: by his godly means this charitable work was sown. His wonderful victory against the Scots may not be forgotten, where was slain 13000. Scots, and 
A wonderful victory in Scotland. Muskelborrough field.  but 60. Englishmen. And truly, if his subjects would have been imitators of his piety, charity, temperance, and other christian duties, their envy, ambition, cruelty, and other grievous sins, had not so highly moved God's wrath, as that his vengeance would not suffer us in any perfect years to enjoy this right gracious King Edward, sample of all goodness, and by his death for a time reaved us of the fruition of the Gospel the food of our souls, and in place of both, to further punish our unthankfulness, he sent us a prince that held a hard hand over us, that not only stopped the passage of the Gospel, but persecuted the godly professors thereof, even Queen Mary good King Edward's sister, part of whose actions followeth.   

CHAP. 6.  
An abstract out of the proceed of Queen Mary.  
LADY Marry, the eldest daughter of king Henry the eight, began her reign 
1553  over the realm of England the sixth of july. 1553. Touching her natural disposition, she was virtuously and well given: but by reason that her bringing up was under Papists, and her youth throughlie instructed in the superstitions of Papistry, anon after that she was settled in her kingdom, by suffering the bloody Bishops to misuse her Imperial sword, she in their proceedings outrageously tyrannized the true professors of the Gospel, which (God, her noble father, and good brother, his instruments, be therefore praised) had taken a sound hold in the heart of England, whose cruelty and contrariety in Religion may no ways slander her godly father, and his offspring. We see the Rose tree that bringeth forth the sweet Rose, likewise bringeth forth sharp prickels: but to come more nearer the matter, the kernel of the best apple will grow to be a crab, unless some good fruit be grafted on the stock, and look what the Sience is, such will be the tree: look what is ●…owen in youth, is ever seen in age: the following example teacheth a good policy, to have an eye unto Schoolmasters, and the education of Papists 
A godly po●….  children. The seed of Idolatry, superstition, and send Ceremonies, were sown in the heart of Lady Mary being a child, which grew to the disworship of God, and the destruction of the godly, Lady Mary being a Queen. But God no doubt suffered this prickle to grow of this green Rosier, and this irreligion to be grafted of this religious stock, to chasten the sins of England, who having a righteous Prince, peace, and plenty both of spiritual and temporal blessings, neither saluted the giver of this goodness with hearty thanks, nor sought the continuance thereof, with a dutiful regard of the King's Majesty, but (in some of her members) having an eye fixed upon the King's tender years, and not an heart settled upon his firm virtues, she began to work matters hateful to GOD, offensive to the Prince, and most hurtful to herself, and therefore God 〈◊〉 England of the most mild, vertueus, godly, and well disposed Prince King EDWARD the sixth, and in wrath sent us even such a Prince as the Prophet speaketh of, that 
〈◊〉 C●…p. 〈◊〉.  should oppress us with most grievous bondage, that should by taxes & great impositions take from us the fruits 
1. Sam. Cap. 〈◊〉.  of the field, vineyards, & olive trees, and should give them to his lords and servants. Even Queen Mary that imposed many great sums of money upon us, to enrich strange Lords, that by committing the weighty affairs of the public weal to Bishops, almost wilfully lost Calais, an ancient ornament belonging to England, which City, the notorious Atheist Gardener vaunted that he would keep with a white wand: an unlikely matter that his courage served him to defend Calais against the power of a puissant King with a white wand: that armed troops to guard the unresisting Martyrs to burning: but which stained her government with everlasting cruelty, she by her ministers in five years tyrannously burned five times more innocent and quiet Protestants, then good Queen Elizabeth in 27. years reign by her laws hath executed notorious Papists that committed treason: when my soul durst swear, that there be double the number of the poor Protestants that then constantly professed the holy Gospel, that now in their hearts wish her majesties deprivement both of life and crown, and yet live. This 
The protestants never rebelled in England.  persecution made many to flee the Realm for their consciences sake, but they sought not liberty by rebellion, they confessed this bondage and persecution to proceed from the Lords heavy displeasure, and humbly awaighted his favour for their deliverance. No one hath more cause to exclaim of this hard government, than our gracious Queen Elizabeth. She was not entertained like the daughter of a mighty King, and heir apparent of a rich kingdom: Good Lady, she was imprisoned, her attendance small, her liberty nothing. When her innocency disproved public accusations, the Clergy sought her life by secret tyranny: sought it do I say? yea, they had wrought it, had not God beyond man's expectation wonderfully delivered her Majesty: her assured friends despaired of her worldly welfare: her Majesty that beheld the bloody knife a sharpening, misdoubted not her deliverance. Her friends trembled, because there was no measure in the Papists 
The Papists cruelty without measure.  cruelty: her Majesty looked cheerfully, because she knew the Devil had no might, but such as God suffered. In the holy Bible (the loving embracements whereof was her majesties persecution) her excellency had learned these precious comforts, and in them reposed. The Lord sayeth, Who so honoureth me, him will I make honourable. In another 
Comfortable examples for the godly in time of persecution.  place David sayeth, Who so dwelleth under the shadow of the almighty, him God covereth with his wings, and keepeth safe under his feathers. I know (saith he) the Lord helpeth his anointed, and even from heaven heareth them. Some trust in chariots, some in horses, but we in calling upon the Lord. God can and oft times doth pine man and beast even in the midst of plenty. God where he setteth too his hand, worketh wonders, and sturdy strength standeth in no stead. God thus speaketh to David, and yet by a spiritual interpretation maketh like promise to all kings and princes that heartily seek his glory. Because thou hast set thy love upon me, I will see thee rid from all thy troubles. I will defend thee: why so? it followeth, Thou hast known my name, thou seekest my glory: and therefore whensoever thou callest upon my name, I will hear thee: yea, I am with thee in all thy calamities, and will deliver thee from them, I will set thee higher in honour, send thee long life, and show thee thy salvation. Her Majesty builded upon these comforts, her soul desired and hoped to be an instrument of his wonderful glory, examples of Scripture told her, that those whom God had appointed to any special service, even those he guided through mortal dangers: he preserved joseph from the murdering envy of his brethren to save old jacob his father, his malicious brethren, and all Israel from the sharp death of famine. Against the tyrannous decree of Pharaoh, which was, that the Midwives should kill all the male children of the Hebrews, his providence saved Moses from drowning, and made him his instrument to lead the children of Israel out of the bondage of Pharaoh, unto the land of promise. God (in the depth of the sea) fetched jonas the Prophet forth of the Whale's belly, to save Ninivey from destruction. God delivered Peter forth of the prison & tyranny of Herod & the jews, that he might open the gates of faith, and preach the way of salvation even unto his enemies. God sundry ways miraculously delivered Paul from the vengeance of death, to preach the Gospel of salvation unto the Gentiles: at Philippos in Macedonia he caused him & Sylas to be delivered forth of prison. In Lycaonia the jews & the people stoned him, and drew him forth of the City as a dead man, & God raised and revived him again. God again redeemed him out of the hands of the jews, when as forty of them swore they would neither eat nor drink, until they had slain Paul, yea, God in his extremity stood by him, & comforted him, saying: Be of good cheer Paul, for as thou hast testified of me at jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome. God had appointed him & the rest weighty charges, the execution whereof the malice of men might not withstand, examples of great comfort to the godly, & terror to the wicked. The godly may learn by them that his mercy succoureth them in the sharpest adversity, and the wicked may be assured that his justice will confound their policies in the chiefest hope of success. Her Majesty (to whom I every way may apply the former examples) beset with death as dangerous as Daniel in the Lion's den (as after in her own thanksgiving may be seen) comforted herself in the strength of God, which always defended her, which good God having compassion both of her patiented suffering, & the general affliction of his Church, mercifully burned the rod of correction, by calling away Queen Mary, & setting of gracious Elizabeth in the imperial chair of England, France, and Ireland, for which exceeding mercy, his holy name be praised,  
Amen.   

CHAP. 7.  
Of the peaceable entrance of Queen Elizabeth our gracious sovereign, unto the crown & diadem of England, and other observances of Gods especial favour & mercy.  
IT is commonly seen, that upon the death of princes, envy, ambition & dissension show their humours, & that secret discontentment breaketh forth with public disturbance. And although in England hereditary succession be a great bridle unto these passions, yet upon such changes they many times have found the means to show themselves, as after the deaths both of king Edward the 4. & king Edward the 6. & upon the death of Queen Mary, the difference in religion was a likely cause to sow discord among the people. But almighty God that had as it were by especial miracle preserved our gracious Queen Elizabeth the visible image of himself from the spoil & malice of dangerous enemies aforthand provided, that her sacred Majesty should receive her crown in peace, should govern her people in peace, & my hope doth assure me where she now peaceably reigneth, her majesty shall long live and die in peace: who the 17. day of November, 1558. the very day of Queen Mary her sister's death, with the sound of a trumpet, both at Westminster and in the City of London was proclaimed by the name of Elizabeth Queen of England, France, & Ireland, defender of the saith, etc., The news whereof raised a sudden joy among the people, so hearty, as their loving affection was presently seen by public feasting, banqueting, & benefiers in the open streets. The 23. of january following, her Majesty from the Tower passed through the City of London toward her Coronation, but before her Chariot set forward, her Majesty lifted her eyes up unto heaven, and acknowledged God's mercy in this thanksgiving.  
O Lord almighty & everlasting God, I give thee most hearty thanks 
Her majesties thanksgiving.  that thou hast been so merciful unto me as to spare me to behold this joyful day: and I knowledge that thou hast dealt as wonderfully with me as thou didst with thy true & faithful servant Daniel the prophet, whom thou deliveredst out the den from the cruelty of the greedy raging lions, even so was I overwhelmed, & only by thee delivered. To thee therefore be only thanks honour and praise for ever Amen.  
Her majesty by this thanksgiving published her sure confidence in God, the effects the tyranny of her enemies, and the conclusion a special comfort to the godly.  
The Citizens of London to show they rzeale in welcome of her Majesty, attired the City with many stately shows, the most whereof they derived from her proper virtues, who was the lively substance of all their painted beauties. The first pageant showed the long desired unity (which God, & her majesty be thanked) is knit between us and the holy Gospel of our Saviour Christ. The second set forth the seat of governance which her majesties lively virtues beautified more than their gorgeous devices. The third (which they applied unto her majesty) depainted the 8. beatitudes mentioned in the 5. of S. Matthew, & truly, if any earthly creature deserved 
Her Majesty visibly blessed with the eight beatitudes in the 5. of Matth.  them, they are worthily heaped upon her majesty. God hath blessed her humble spirit both with a spiritual and temporal kingdom. God hath dried up the tears of her persecution with spiritual & temporal comfort. God hath blessed her meekness with large possessions on earth. God hath blessed her scarcity for righteousness sake with abundance. God hath blessed her mercy with the fullness of his mercy. God hath blessed her chaste & undefiled heart with the sight of himself, in the true knowledge of his holy word, God hath blessed her travel for peace (as his proper child) with the visible image of himself. God hath blessed her periceution for righteousness sake, in assuring her soul of the inheritance of his heavenly kingdom. God hath blessed her (to revenge the reviling and persecution of the Papists) with the disgrace & overthrow of the Pope. The fourth declared the ruinous state of this realm, which (as they prophesied) is by her majesty restored to the dignity of a flourishing common weal. Yea, in her miraculous proceedings an old by prophesy is effected, which was, A maiden Queen should do wonders in England. The fift compared the expectation which her heroical virtues promised, with the politic government of the worthy Deborah. Her majesty was in Cheap side presented with the holy Bible in English, which she reverently kissed, and thankfully received, as her spiritual comfort, her temporal cross, and godly counsellor. The Mayor of London presented her majesty a thousand marks in a purse, with humble petition that she would continued their good lady: she gave answer, that if need required she would willingly spend her blood in their defence, which magnanimous saying, all her after actions have declared. Although this most royal entertainment, showed the dutiful love of her faithful subjects (which zeal God hath requited with many blessings) yet Gods wisdom (that comprehendeth all knowledge) foresaw that her majesties clemency compared with julius Caesar, that would not hear the accusation of his enemies: with Augustus, who gave life to Cinna that sought his life: with King Frances the first of France, who pardoned the commotion of the Rochellers: adjoining thereunto, that he chiefly rejoiced that his severity caused no man to wear a morning gown: clemency well bestowed that both enlarged the renown and safety of these princes: for Pompey's friends were thereby won to Cesar, Cinna became most faithful to Augustus, and the Rochellers afterwards loyally obeyed King Frances: but God (I say) who knew the greatness of her majesties compassion, would rather breed presumption then duty in her dangerous enemies: therefore to rid her 
A providence of God, in taking away of seditious pa●…ls  royal person, realm and good subjects (whom he determined to bless) from continual conspiracies, his mercy joined with justice, a little before and after the death of Queen Mary, caused death likewise to attach the bloody Atheist Steven Gardener Bishop of Winchester, the seditious Cardinal Poole, and others, whose heads were always occupied with authority or dissension. Yea, about this time, that the fall of Antichrist might be visibly seen, by the taking away of such Christian princes, as were his settled supporters: when (as 
Lodo. 〈◊〉. Comment. lib. 〈◊〉  Lodowicke Guiccerdine reporteth) there was not any where either brute of pestilence, or extraordinary disease, there died within the space of one year the Emperor Charles the fifth, the Queen of Hungary, Queen Mary of England, two Kings of Denmark, Bona Sforza Queen of Polonia, Henry the third king of France, jerolme Priuli Duke of Vennice, Hercules da este Duke of Ferrara, and Paul the fourth, Pope of Rome, a change very universal, wherein God's providence is not to be overpassed with a light consideration, whose will undoubtedly was, by the change of these princes (the most of them) drunken with Popery, to make a ready passage through Europe for the gospel of our saviour jesus Christ, which upon this change began to flourish in most of the recited governments. And albeit the fall of Antichrist in many places of the scripture be lively presaged, upon the authority whereof there is sure and sound building, when the prophecies and dreams of a number are but rotten foundations, yet I hope I may without just reprehension say, that God many times acquainteth the minds of some good men with an imaginative knowledge of things to come, which many years after falleth out according to their presagement: and for example belonging to our matter, the reformation of the Church under her majesties reign, before her noble father's death, was set down in this following prophesy: 
Post H sequetur E, post E quod mirum M,  
M coronabitur, & breve confundetur  
Post M sequetur E vel A  
Et tunc convertetur ecclesia.  In English. 
E shall follow H, next E (with wonder) M,  
M shall be crowned, and soon confounded  
Next unto M, E or A shall reign,  
Then shall the Church converted be again.   
Noble King Henry the eight first unmasked this proud Pope, King Edward the fixed, the paragon of young princes helped to uncase him, Queen Mary favoured, but lived not to strengthen him, and now our sovereign Elizabeth hath given him a mortal disgrace: his painted Church abideth not the tuch, God's Church is universally reverenced. The multitude are more delighted to read a few godly sentences written upon the Church wall, then to see his rarest rotten relics laid up in a golden chest. Against her Majesty he principally warreth, as the chosen instrument of almighty God, to abase his imperious mind, to the wonder of the world, and comfort of all good Christians.   

CHAP. 8.  
Of the peaceable and honourable victory that her Majesty had against the french forces in Scotland, which were raised with a determination for the invasion of England the second year of her majesties reign.  
AFTER the death of Henry King of France, his son Frances the second succeeded in the kingdom of France, a prince of the age of sixteen years, who being married unto Mary Queen of Scots, and niece to the Duke of Guise, suffered the affairs of the estate to be governed by the ambitious policy of the Duke, and family of the Guises, who having wished success in their practices (in Queen mary's days) about the winning of Calais, hoped and hungered after the spoil and conquest of England. And the better to colour their purpose, they entitled the King of France in the right of the Queen his wife to the Crown of England, and knowing the difference between the queens Majesty of England and the Pope in matters of religion, they easily obtained of Paulus the fourth 
Lod. Guic. 〈◊〉 Com. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  a disablement of the queens Majesty, and an approovement of the Queen of Scots right, but King Frances had been well advised if he had not accepted this gift, until the Pope had set him in possession of the kingdom, which would have troubled both him and his whole College of Cardinals. This deprivation by the Pope the Guises practised to move the Papists of England to their part taking, and arming their purpose by degrees, to work a fear in her majesties loyal subjects, they wrote a book of the weakness & insufficiency of feminine government, and by their own reasons, wounded the strength of their own title, which they derived from the Queen of Scots. This scandal of feminine government, was soundly answered by an unnamed author, in an english printed book at Strasbrowgh entitled, A safe harbour for good subjects. And truly, although the sovereign place of rule, the chief credit of knowledge in Arts and mechanical crafts, together with all other gifts of grace, nature, and education be given unto man, yet there have been women, that in all manner of arts, qualities, and virtues, which have equalled the perfectest of men. Innumerable are the testimonies of women's profound learning, pure chastity, rare constancy, patiented martyrdom, and a number most valiant, whereof Chawcer reciteth nine Woorthies' answerable to the nine worthies of men. And touching regal government (from whence this question is derived) the jews record the sage government of Queen Alexandra with more renown, than they did the tyranny of her husband Alexander with reproach, whose body they were determined to have given unto the dogs, as also to have murdered his two sons, to have rooted out Alexander's name, if that her wisdom had not redeemed out either. Theodosia the Empress of Constantinople with admired prudence ruled the whole Empire during her life. The government of Senobia was no less renowned, Dydo, the Amazons, and many other were absolute Queens. Semiramis enlarged the bounds of her Empire, and Queen Tomyris slew Cyrus and his whole host, etc. But if the envy of men would suppress and murder the worthiness of women, yet the divine virtues of our sovereign Queen Elizabeth, doth and will always keep alive their divine memory. Of whom Guiccerdine in his Commentaries, although all his 
Lib. 3.  writing defendeth the pope, and reproveth Religion, thus reporteth. The good Queen Mary being dead without issue, Elizabeth her sister was proclaimed Queen, etc. a Princess of great learning, and over and above the Latin and her mother tongue, she is possessed of the French and Italian language, which she eloquently speaketh: a young Lady of a high spirit, wise, and endued with rare and noble qualities. He might have added the Greek, Spanish, and some other ordinary tongues, with many extraordinary virtues, which may as hardly be sampled by any other living Creature, as the Sun by the fairest of the Planets. The worthiness, and strength of whose Government, even from the beginning, confuted the scandule of this libel, which was grounded upon no general Law, of God or man. There have been private Laws in some particular Governments, to take away, and to disable the absolute government of women, when the general Law possessed them with Imperial authority. As in Rome the Law Voconia so called, because Voconius, Tribune of the people pronounced the same. In France the 
The law Voconia in Rome.  law Salic, which they fetch from king Pharamont, which bindeth the present government of France, no otherwise 
●…aw 〈◊〉 in France.  then the ancient statutes of the Danes, Britan's, or Saxons do at this day the Government of England. This unnatural Law had a barbarous beginning, for the reporters 
lib. sec de A●… ve●…d. 10 2●…  thereof confess, that anno. 420. the Franconians having abandoned their Country, inhabited along the Rhine, and especially about Treues. The manners of these people being barbarous, they lived uncivilly without Law. Which considered by Pharamonde their first King, the son of their Duke Marcomir. He chose four of the principal men of the Sicambrians, whom he authorised by their wisdoms to give a Law unto the people. The names of these four were: Vsucast, Losocust, Salgast, and Visogust. These four made the Law Salic, by which Law Imperial government (say they) is taken away from the daughters and heirs of the Kings of France. This dead Law, and many other to as little purpose were revived, to bury the true, and lawful title of King Edward the 3. to the kingdom of France, in the right of Queen Isabella his mother, the daughter & heir of King philip le bell. But King Edward nor his successors would not lose their right upon such canterburie suggestions. And some of them subjecteth the Frenchmen to English obedience. And to this day the Arms and Imperial title of France, are joined to the honour of England. To what purpose doth the law Mental in Portugal forbidden feminine 
The law Mental in Scotland.  government. King Philip deriveth his title from Marie the daughter of john, the third of that name king of Portugal, and by that title is possessed of the kingdom. It is God that disposeth kingdoms, and the works of busy heads, that unlawfully seek to withstand the law of nature in succession.  
To be brief, this invective, proved but a scarecrow: it was indiscreatly written, and negligently regarded. King Francis, or more truly the family of the Gwyses, anchored their hope upon the Pope's sentence: and in all the king's patents, and other instruments, caused to be entitled Frances, of France, Scotland, England, and Ireland king: and in his shield, quartered the Arms of England, and to conquer the kingdom (Come era apparent) as Guiccerdine reporteth: divers french forces were daily conveyed into Scotland, who 
Lib. 3.  took, and by force kept the strong towns and fortresses there. The inhabitants oppressed thus with strangers, were for their own safeguard driven to sew unto the queens majesty of England, for aid to expel the french, who sought the spoil and subversion of Scotland. The malicious purpose of the Guyses, joined with commiseration of the dangerous affliction of Scotland (the Queen whereof was married, and governed in France: and so barred to use the liberty of her Crown) bond the Queen's Majesty, by the virtue of honour, policy, and charity, to sucker them with expedition. To accomplish which matter, her Majesty sent a sufficient 
1560.  power towards Scotland by the Duke of Norfolk as general, who remained at Berwick, and the Lord Greay of Wilton being lieutenant, entered into Scotland, and with her royal power joined with the Scots, against the french: who were soon weary of the English-mens coming: But almighty God, had set down a more mild order, to honour her Majesty, with the vanquishment of her enemies, then by dint of sword, to accomplish which, her highness sent Sir William Cycill knight, at that time her majesties principal Secreatorie, and now Lord Treasurer of England, (for the full knowledge, of whose exceeding worthiness, I return the good reader to the Athenians commendation of the Philosopher Euxin) and with him accompanied the learned and grave Gentleman Master Doctor Wotton to treat with the french, who with their wisdoms so vanquished the french, as to the quietness and safety both of England and Scotland they forced them to departed with this following dishonour, as Guicherdine reporteth: who if he be partial it is in favour of the french. First that the King and Queen 
Articles of accord between England and France, taken out of Guicherdines Comment. Lib. 3.  of France and Scotland, should leave the Arms and title of the King of England and Ireland: and that within six months at the furthest, they should cancel and renew all their writings and instruments, (if there were any so made) with the former Arms and Titles. Further that the Realm of Scotland, should be governed by the Counsel of twelve persons of the Nobility of the said kingdom, whereof seven should be nominated by the Scotish Queen, and siue by the three estates of the Parliament.  
That the injuries, and trespasses committed on either part during the commotion should be forgotten: and for the better assurance should be confirmed by the said Parliament.  
That the Garrisons of french soldiers, should return into France, saving only in two fortes sixty a piece, subject to the justice, and pay of the Parliament of scotland.  
That every man, should be rest●…red to his office in the said Realm: and that no french man, should have any more office, benefit, or administration what so ever in Scotland.  
That the french should not at any time convey Munition of war, or soldiers into scotland, without consent of the said Parliament, with sundry other strait observances on the behalf of the french: which Guicherdine concludeth, Con grandissimo vantaggio & honore, della regina Inglese, with the greatest advantage and honour of the Queen of England: a victory no doubt of great glory and honour. Whereby her Majesty not only delivered her own Country from the danger of invasion, but also freed scotland from the bondage of foreign Government: and thus her enemies hungering after an unlawful spoil, lost the disposement of an assured benefit, which fortune befall to all those that miswish her.  
Amen.   

CHAP. 9  
Of her majesties peaceable victory against the rebels in the North, joined with her quiet vanquishing of sundry other conspiracies, to the universal benefit of England.  
PIus Quartus, who succeeded Paulus 4. in the Popedom, finding an abasement of the glory, with which his predecessors 
1561  were honoured: and fearing with all, that the example of England, Scotland, Denmark and Germany, would draw other Nations, from the obedience of the romish erroneous Church, to the profession and receiving of the Gospel of our saviour jesus Christ: the life of the soul, and destruction of this accursed Antichrist: laboured with the consent of many Princes, to revive the Counsel (or more properly the conspiracy) of Trent. A conspiracy I may justly say, the policy whereof was, to keep under the glorious merit of our saviour jesus, and to advance to the highest degree of reverence, the painted Idolatry of the Pope. And appointing for his Legates, 5. Cardinals, who with a great number of Bishops and other doctors of their Church, the eight day after Easter, 1561. began this unholy Counsel. And truly as in the intent of their assembly, was seen this saying of the Psalmist: The kings of the earth stand up, and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord, and his anointed: 
Psal. 〈◊〉.  So likewise in their vain & idle success: this continuance of the Psalm is further seen: He that dwelleth in heaven, shall laugh them to scorn, the Lord shall have them in derision: and where the Pope by his proud authority thought to have strayghtned the passage of the Gospel, as it is set down in the same Psalm: God gave unto his son the heathen for his inheritance, and the outmost parts of the earth for his possession. Yea he gave visible authority, and reverence unto his Gospel, either by public obedience, or private profession, universally through the world. The counsel of the same Psalm might have persuaded the Pope and his confederates To have served the Lord in fear: but they would not kiss (but kick against) the son, and so they perished from the right way. The Pope although his pomp were bruised with an iron rod, and his kingdom broken like a potter's vessel: Yet his pride and fury abated not: and (by God's providence) knowing his capital disgrace proceeded first from England, he practised by his worst malice, the destruction, and overthrow of her prosperity as followeth. Pius the 4. having no great good success, of his counsel of Trent, Pius Quintus, who succeeded, took a more sharp course against her Majesty and happy government his principal enemy, in whose overthrow, (as he supposed) consisted the new raising up of his kingdom, and in truth her prosperity, is the visible comfort of his universal enemies. He first began with her Majesty: His roaring Bull showed his malice, but his short horns had small power to hurt her, which Bull is declared in these word: Pius Quintus the greatest Bishop, of the fullness 
Vide, in the book of the execut. of justice in Engl.  of the Apostolical power, declareth Elizabeth to be bereaved or deprived of her pretended right of her kingdom, and also of all, and whatsoever dominion, dignity, and previleadge and also the Nobles, subjects and people of the said kingdom, and all others which had sworn to her any manner of ways, to be absolved for ever from such oath, and from all debt and duty of feealtie. Doctor Morton with a commission, or embassage from the said Pope Pius to the like effect, stirred the rebellion in the North. 1569. He blasted his commission, and had soon moved Thomas Persy, Earl of Northumberland, Charles Nevel Earl of Westmoreland, and other Gentlemen of account in the North, unto rebellion. They began their power, by raising of men in the queens name, and with all, left a warning to lessen the strength and authority of strong papists to get favour of the people, whereof a great part favoured the old Romish religion, they had a Cross, and a Banner of the five wounds, borne before them by Richard Norton: They tore the English bible, the Communion book, and such like at Dyrham, and having gotten a strength of 4000 footmen, and 1600. horsemen, which number they could not exceed: they in rebellious manner withstood all her majesties proceedings. But behold good reader how peaceably these northern rebels were vanquished, who are naturally men of fierce courages, and how like a bubble the Pope's bull vanished, which in times past, feared mighty Emperors & Kings. Before the Noble Earl of Warwick, was come with the queens power, the stout earl of Suffex the queens majesties Lieutenant general in the 
The Northern rebels vanquished.  North (whose virtues appeared in my book, of his life and death) armed himself with so many of the queens friends as he could get near unto that service, and with all speed made towards the rebels. The knowledge of his coming, and the brute of the Earl of Warwick's approach with a far greater power, so amazed the rebels, as the two Earls of Northumberland and Westmerlande, with some of their principal Gentlemen, suddenly and secretly in the night left their associates, and fled unto Herlan in Scotland, and thus without any resistance, the Northern rebels were discomforted, overthrown, and the greatest number of them taken, and many of the principal were executed, and the rest were saved by the queens exceeding mercy: A victory that promised great happiness and glory to her Majesty, in which the blood of the offenders was only shed, and a general rebellion, was (as seemeth) in the beginning suppressed: for the said Earls were borne in hand, by Doctor Morton, that all the Catholics would assist them with strength, as appeareth in Doctor Saunders visible Church Monarchy, particulared in a treatise, Entitled, The execution of justice, etc. And certainly although the heads of this rebellion escaped the present vengeance of justice, yet neither of them escaped the worthy punishments dew unto traitors. The Earl of Northumberland two years after 
1571  was peaceably delivered into the possession of her majesties justice: and being by act of Parliament before attainted of treason, was beheaded at York. The linger misery of the Earl of Westmoreland, in Spain, the low Countries and other places of his wilful vanishment, unto a Noble mind, could not but be more grievous than death: his greatest entertainment being scarce able to sustain the allowance of a man, and a page: and which was more grievous, he was driven to bear with the arrogant disgraces of every rascally Spaniard: and to say the truth, not only the Earl, but all other the English fugitives, labour out such a long and a miserable life, (in respect of their callings, if they had lived in the obedience of good subjects) as they rather deserve to be pitied then envy of their worst enemies. This peaceable overthrow in the North, touched the Pope to the quick, and lest that delay should cut him to the heart, he by his threatening Bull published open wars against her Majesty: In May following the rebellion in the North, this terrible Bull was hanged upon the bishop of London's gate, but the horns which should have gored her majesties good subjects, grew to a pair of gallows, to hang his instrument Felton in the place: Felton hanged up the Pope's Bull secretly, and as a rank traitor, was himself hanged, headed, and quartered openly: the Pope's holiness 
1570  could not make him walk invisible, neither yet could his pardon protect him at his trial: this ill success had the Pope in his English attempts, & from the first hour of her majesties reign, the wished events followed the proceedings of her majesty, both against the Pope, and other her enemies whatsoever. If her Majesties and prudent Counsels searching wisdom: discovered not traitorous conspiraces, while they were a breeding: yet God ever more gave grace to some of the confederates, to discover the mischief in a seasonable time. The vengeance of Envy was now broached, and the venom thereof swelled many busy heads, even unto their own confusion. The same year a dangerous conspiracy in Norfolk by Throgmorton, Applearde, Brook, Kete, Redman, and others was practised against strangers. But Kete discovered the matter, before the mischief was ripe. By which revealment, an insurrection was peaceably defeated, and for example, of diverse of the conspirators that were condemned, only, Throgmorton, Broke and Redman, were hanged, drawn, and quartered. The bloody conspiracy of Madder and Barlowe, was shortly after discovered, and they as traitors were executed. All which preventions of danger, and public disturbance, may neither be attributed, to chance nor worldly wisdom. But above the rest the peaceable vanquishing of the Duke of Norfolk, is a buy note of God's wonderful providence, and favour shown to her Majesty, and blessed Realm: his conviction, showed his attempt to be most perilous, both to her Majesty, and many of her loving subjects. And for to perform the same, he was the most popular subject that lived in England many a day: he was settled in the favour of most of the chief pears, and generally, he was honoured of the Commons: which universal love proceedeth not always from true virtue: But contrariwise sometimes from dissembling humility, the highest ladder of ambition. With a sly and hypocritical spirit, ungracious Catiline, and aspiring Caesar, bewitched the people of Rome. And although the wisdom of Cicero delivered Rome from the danger of Catiline (for which he was recompensed with the crown Civique) yet neither the grave Counsels of Cato, nor all the eloquence of Cicero, prevailed against the popular favour of Caesar. Caesar with the favour of the multitude, judged the Senate, and in the end crowned himself with Imperial Majesty: but yet with such miseries to the Romans, as the Poet Lucan who partly touched them, was amazed fully to recite them: if God had not miraculously laid all this vengeance upon the Dukes, the capital offender's head, many a true English man might have shaken the Romans by the hand with this salutation: In misery it is good to have a companion. The Duke had a guilty conscience, a mistrustful spirit, and ungracious counsel, to withstand the censure of her majesties Laws: but God among his wandering thoughts, directed him a happy course for England, although necessity, after many merciful delays, quieted the troubles of England with the cutting off of his head.   

CHAP. 10.  
Of the wonderful providence of Almighty God, in the preservation of her Majesty, from poisoning, and destruction, by Magic, and such like devilish practices, as also from being violently murdered: a Chapter necessary the regard, showing Gods merciful protection of her Majesty, and some of her chief Counsel, the worthy confusion of the conspirators, the odiousness of murder, and the godly justice of England.  
INnumerable are the examples: that the malice of envy is neither vanquished with the wonders of God, nor confusion of her ministers, but still warreth against the providence of God, and safety of her own members. The turning of the rivers of Egypt into blood, 
Exod. 7. 8. 9 10. 11. 12. 14. The plagues of Egypt, and destruction of Pharaoh.  the covering of the land with frogs, the biting of louse, the stinging of noisome flies, the murrain of cattle, the blains and botches that punished man and beast, the hail that destroyed the cattle, grass, and corn of the fields: the grasshoppers that eat the fruits & green leaves of the tree: the darkness that overshadowed the land, and the death of the first borne of Egypt could not vanquish and mollify Pharaos' malicious heart, but fight against God, he wilfully ran upon the destruction of himself and his whole host in the red sea. The jews when they saw that their open clamours prevailed not against Paul, that their secret vow that they would neither eat nor drink before they 
Acts 23. 24.  had slain him was frustrate, they yet wrought against God's providence, and practised with the Ruler Festus, to have him brought from Caesarea unto jerusalem, and by the way meant to have slain him, but God put otherwise in Festus head, and the jews pursued their malice in vain. I might allege many other examples, but none I think more profitable, than the continuance of the malice of the Popes and his confederates envy (with their daily confusions) against the life of her sacred Majesty, and prosperity of her happy realm. It is shown how her Majesty had a most honourable and peaceable victory against Pope Paulus the fourth's judgement: the dangerous pretence of the French against the roaring Bull of Pius Quintus that made her Northern subjects to rebel, and how the Northern Rebels (who naturally are fierce) fled before her royal power as amazed sheep. The Pope and his confederates seeing that open hostility prevailed no whit, they therefore unboweled their rancour, and practised with the Devil to shorten the life of our most gracious sovereign Elizabeth: 
The Queen's death practised by Negromancy.  they looked into the wonders of Magic, the execrable villainies done by necromancy, and saw, by success of the like practices an appearance of their devilish purpose. Dangerous instruments were found out to practise with the Devil, as Prestall, Phaer, and another unnamed English fugitive, who (as the arch-traitor Doctor Story their chief 
Doctor Story's confession.  comforter confessed) said, he could, and would bring the queens highness to death, if he were well plied by necromancy: the Devil was set a work, the month, the day, and the hour were set down when the Queen of England should be in hazard of her life: there were right Machivillians, Atheists, and Devils set a work: men that would attempt any mischief for promotion, or (as the confession goeth) if they might not be used as underlings. These fellows looked into the ancient strength of the Devil, how (before the coming of Christ) he made such fellows to be generally admired as Gods: they thought to have done wonders, but they were not wise enough to look into the abasement of their art before the coming of our Saviour Christ. God by his Prophets revealed many matters unto the jews, and the Devil (by God's sufferance) by Magicians did the like unto the Gentiles, but when our Saviour came, the admiration of either was diminished, and in a manner extinguished: he was the light, the life and glory of the whole world, wonders and miracles attended only upon his word and commandment. Saint Jerome sayeth, that when the Virgin Mary and her son passed through Egypt, their Idols fell from the altars, and the Oracles which the Devil caused to be made, never after gave answer. Plutarch in his treatise of the defects of the 
Plut. de defe●…. orat.  Oracles, showeth many examples of the very complaint of the Devils, that their power was diminished by the birth of our Saviour Christ. It appeareth that the strength of Magic was much weakened in the Apostles time, when Simon the great Magician sought to buy at Saint Peter's hands the gift to do miracles. And it seemeth that the Pope and his ministers have small confidence in the aid of God, when they are driven to the succour of the Devil, well, the Devil with them, and God be always with her Majesty, and they no doubt, as Satan trembleth at the name of the highest, so shall his ministers be confounded at the feet of her Majesty. God suffereth the Devil to do much mischief, but limits his power. Simon Magus to disgrace Saint Peter practised, but could not revive the kinsman of Nero, no more can all the necromancers 
Look the chapter of her●… fol. 61.  of the world by Magic kill any one person that GOD will have preserved. The godly may safely say with David, I will not be afraid of ten thousand of people that have set themselves against me round about, 
Psalm. 4. 18.  it follows in another place, for thou O Lord makest me dwell in safety: the devil is bound, and the hand of the Lord is upon the magitioner: Paul stroke Elimas Bariehu the arrogant sorcerer blind: the devil answered the vagabond 
Acts 13.  jews, & the seven sons of S●…eua one of the chief priests, which did adjure him by jesus whom Paul preached, jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are ye? forsooth they were unbelieving jews, whom the spirit would not obey: yea, he caused the man whom he tormented to run upon them, and to overcome them, so that they fled out of the house naked and wounded, it is the best reward that the devil bestoweth upon them that deal with him. He many times faileth 
Genes. 41. Exod. 8. 9 Esay. 47. Daniel 2.  to perform the desire of his disciples, but he never faileth to bring them to confusion: yea, in the tune of the Prophets, when his strength was greatest, his ministers were always confounded in matters, wherein the glory of God was to be seen, as appeareth in the passages marked in the margin. For further example let it suffice, that God's mercy preserved her majesty, and his justice put the chief practisers of this magic, in the possession of her vengeance. Doctor Story was miraculously brought out of Flanders, and as he notoriously deserved, by common justice was adjudged and executed as a Traitor. Yea, he confessed at his execution, that it was God that dimmed the eyes of his understanding: yea, 
Doctor Story's confession at his execution.  it was surely God that wrought his delivery into the hands of her majesties laws. Prestall and Phaier were both after wards prisoners at her majesties mercy: her exceeding 
Prestall and Phaier delivered forth of the king's bench without trial. Phaer executed for coining.  mercy measured grace unto them both, that ungraciously sought her destruction, they both had life and liberty, Phaier was afterwards executed for coining, his head was too busy to stand upon his shoulders: Prestall upon special considerations, long after was called to the answer of his old treasons, he had no defence but to fly to 
Prestall condemned for ●…reason, but not executed.  her majesties mercy, with protestation, that upon that safe-conduct he came into England, a presumption that highly honoureth her Majesty, that those subjects which offended 
They ●…ors presume of her ●…iesties mer●….  in the highest degree of treason, durst upon her majesties bare promise venture upon the danger of her laws, when at this day among most princes the saying: Who knoweth not how to dissemble, knoweth not how to reign, is holden for a principle in government. But sure the counsel is much against the honour of a prince, whose promise ought to have the strength of a law, unless in such rare cases as where the subject offendeth beyond all merit of commiseration: but to eternize her majesties graciousness, be it known, the law long sithence hath adjudged Prestall death, and yet he liveth by the sole virtue of her princely word, and certainly the godly justice of England deserveth universal admiration and reverence, where the worst and most dangerous traitors are only confounded by solemn conviction of law, and by favour thereof a number escape that policy would have cut short. Our ears are daily occupied with the news of secret poisoning and unlawful murdering of noble personages in most governments without attainder, trial, or any other ordinary course of justice, but God who is therewith pleased, be therefore praised, since the first day of her highness blessed government, neither her Majesty nor her justice is yet stained with any such politic or rather devilish destroying of any one of many her enemies: but yet to slander the peaceable proceedings of her Majesty and godly magistrates, the notorious fugitives in Rome, Reams, and other foreign parts, make show of wary looking unto themselves, as if their lives were daily assailed, when their consciences, and her majesties graciousness assureth them that they fear without cause, albeit they give cause of narrow vengeance, if the order of her government observed the counsels of their bloody practices, she might find bravoes a number in France, and especially in Italy that for a hangman's fee would do execution of her rankest traitor abroad: among whom, murder is so common, as the least injury is in a manner death by custom, the easy escape out of one jurisdiction into another, maketh them thus bold where the fear of God is no bridle I report this upon the knowledge of my own observances, while I lived in those parts, it is generally known that there are hirelings that make no more conscience to murder a man, then to kill a bird: but the actions of wicked men are no examples of imitation, but admonitions of terror to the godly, for that lightly vengeance followeth such works. At my being in Italy, there was a herdman 
Murder punished.  executed about Tyvoly, that had murdered more than fourscore persons, and the notable outlaw Catenea, who had slain threescore and ten persons, was led prisoner unto Rome. God may defer, but he seldom leaveth murder without visible vengeance. Above all sins nature abhorreth murder. When the heathen men at Milete saw the viper to hang upon Paul's finger, even from the hatred of nature they murmured and said: No doubt this man is a murderer, whom (though he have escaped the sea) yet vengeance suffereth 
Acts 28.  not to live. Nature taught the infidels to believe that vengeance followeth murder. Erasmus saith, that in murder the consenter is as guilty as the actor. pilate against the sentence of his own conscience, having pronounced death upon our Saviour Christ, thought to have washed away the fact, with the washing of his hands, and this protestation: I am innocent of the blood of this just man ye shall see, but pilate's conscience made him guilty of Christ's death, whom 
Matth. 27.  the wrath of God still followed. After this wicked judgement he did nothing but injustice, and being thereof accused, as also for profaning the temple, & robbing the common treasure in Rome he was by the Emperor Caligula banished unto Lions, the place as some said of his birth: through grief of which disgrace, by the justice of God he desperately flew himself that he might die by the most wicked person alive. Many other things are written of Pilate's end by joseph in his antiquities, Eusebius, joachin, Vadian, and others, which for brevity I omit. The instruction stretcheth even unto the seat of justice, which maketh the criminal Magistrate to be guilty of murder, if for 
R. cap. 12.  love, fear, or gain he unjustly pronounce death upon any innocent person. Yea, murder crieth for vengeance against anointed kings. Because David's heart murdered Urias, God laid the revenge of Urias' blood, many ways upon David, and although he put the sin from David's person, yet the child begotten upon Urias' wife in adultery died for it: there sell 3. years dearth together in the days of David, & David inquired the cause, & the Lord answered: It is for Saul, and the house of blood, 
Reg. 2. Cap. 21.  because he slew the Gibonites. It further appeareth that murder is so odious in the sight of God, that he will not have the very blood of murderers shed, but either by his vengeance, or public justice, when he saith, Whosoever slayeth Kaine, it 
Genesis 4.  shall be avenged seven fold, yea, God set a mark upon Cain that it might be known that he had reserved the punishment of Cain's fault unto his own justice. Vengeance belongeth to the Lord, & a positive justice is set down unto men. Her Majesty knoweth that she received her kingdom of God, & by his holy commandments she governeth the same: she seeketh not the life of traitors but where her own laws are in force. If any of them slip over beyond the seas as vagrants & vagabonds upon the earth, she pursueth them no further, but referreth their trespasses to God's justice, who continually poureth confusion upon them, & yet according to the Psalmist they still draw their sword to slay such as are of a right conversation, but the Lord laugheth them to scorn, 
Psalm. 37.  & causeth their swords to go through their own hearts. Madder 
Madder and Barlow.  & Barlow would not be counseled by other men's harms, they practised murder, the murder of no small personages, but even of such as by their wisdoms (next under God & her Majesty) save the lives of many thousands of good English subjects, but God be praised, they conspired their own destruction, they were rotten with the gallows before their mischief was rife. What a desperate instrument had the Pope of late (by his jesuits allurement) piked out of harebrain Someruile to murder the 
Somernile.  queens majesty: a gentleman (though far unworthy the name) always void of government, and in the end so far past grace, as he desperately hanged himself. He went resolutely about his mischief, but he was one of them whom God shot at with a swift arrow that wounded him, his own tongue made 
Psalm. 64.  him to fall, & all that heard of him laughed him to scorn: his own tongue first bewrayed him, his harebrain unschiefe was without worldly judgement, & his graceless end without spiritual remembrance, her Majesty was thus rid of a rotten member, but not of the Pope's malice, nor of all her subjects treason. Parry came in his place, a right Orleans Doctor: of which sort of Doctors is risen this french proverb Pays 
Doctor Parry.  ●…argent, & pass docteur Asne, Pay your money, and proceed doctor Ass. But this right Atheist Parry, although he were not learned, yet he having no grace, had but too much wit by his ingenious reaches. Many years he carried a port above his calling: he disdained his father's name up Harry who lived by keeping of an alehouse, & changed the same unto Parry, but the vices of his youth, insolency, pride, riot, and a mischievous spirit accompanied him to the gallows. From this base reckoning by fortune in marriage he attained the wealth, & grew to the credit of a Gentleman, but as the saying is, Goods easily gotten, are many times idly spent. To be short, he wanted no sleight to acquire favour, nor had any honesty to keep a friend. But albeit his shifts supplied many wants, his riot in the end outspended both his fortune and credit: and being pursued for debt at the suit of Hugh Hare Gentleman, he committed a wilful and violent outrage upon the said Hugh Hare, for which the law condemned him of Burglary, and her majesties only clemency gave him life, a favour that would have bound the cruelest Turk to be thankful and careful of her majesties safety, but he being an Atheist, showed himself every way worse than a Turk, who reverenceth some form of Religion. His guilty conscience took away all hope of advancement, unless he rose by some notable mischief, his ungracious spirit still worked upon this machivel like counsel. If thou wilt be any thing, do some thing worthy of fetters. He had put this in practice, but his desire followed not, the devil then put him in mind that it must be matter worthy the gallows, and all manner of reproach, that must do him good, even to kill the queens majesty: who not long before had given him life, when the laws of her realm had adjudged him death. His own confession showeth, that want and mistrust of preferment first put this damnable practice in his head. The most infirmed eyes may see by his own demonstration, that he made no conscience to do it: yea that all his ceremonies, in obtaining the allowance, absolution, and plenary indulgence of the Pope, was but only to acquire credit, and more liberal advancement for his odious service, he was dissuaded from the matter by many Papists, but he sought not their opinions, to any such purpose: he saw no other mean of advancement: it was for living and promotion that he sought, and without that (as he confessed) life was 
Parties letter to the Lord ●…sorer.  not fit for him, for all his painted protestation of the holy observance, both of his vows and promises, if he had not comforted himself more with these words in the Cardinal's letter of the Pope's assurance, That his holiness will further make himself debtor, to acknowledge your deservings in the best manner that he can: then in these words, he granteth unto you his blessing, plenary indulgence, and remission of all your sins: He would have made more reckoning of ten pound, than ten such warrants: he showed what he was neither hot, nor cold, unfaithful to her Majesty, and untrue to the Pope: He broke his promise with the Pope, and violated his vows in heaven, with contrary oaths upon earth. He swore to the supremacy in the beginning of the Parliament: and after he had solemnly received the Sacrament to kill her Majesty, he swore he never meant to do it: but as there was no zeal in the first, so there is less credit to be given to the last: being contrary to a number of the assurances of the execution of his wicked purposes, as appeareth in a book of the whole order and trial of his horrible treasons. To conclude the whole course of his life showeth, that the devil could not have picked forth a more dangerous instrument for the Pope's purpose, and by his execution as a 
Marti●….  Traitor, God's providence is wonderfully glorified, the Pope's inhumanity, is proclaimed: and if examples may work amendment, a number of false hearted subjects, by the miraculous preservation of her Majesty may be brought to a loving obedience etc.   

CHAP. 11.  
The most fortunate, and peaceable victory, which her Majesty had against the Spanish, and Italian forces, together with the miserable confusion of james Fitzmoris, the Earl of Desmond, and Sir john his brother, and other the Pope's confederates in Ireland: with other considerations of God's providence in the defence of her majesty, and Dominions.  
Fearful are that sayings of the Psalmist in many passages: where he Prophisieth the destruction and confusion of the wicked. They saith he, shallbe like the chaff which the wind scattereth 
Psalm. 1. 7.  from the face of the earth: They shall 
37.  fall into the destruction they made for other, They shallbe cut down like 
52.  the grass, and be withered like the green herb. The boasting 
112.  of the tyrant shallbe abased, and the desire of the ungodly shall perish. And in many other places, he heapeth vengeance upon the wicked, and pronounceth confusion of their Counsels. Again he promiseth millions of blessings unto the godly, and safe deliverance out of their enemies hands. England hath plentifully tasted of all this goodness: and with the Psalmist may justly say. The Lord will be a defence for the 
Psalm 9  oppressed: even a refuge in due time of trouble. It is already reported, what sundry seasonable victories Noble Queen Elizabeth (where the vengeance of war scarce fastined of any one person save her enemies) hath had from the first hour of her blessed reign, until anno. 1580. which year 
1580.  the Pope had provided a Chalice, to drink her majesties precious blood: the king of Spain expected her Crown, and the Duke of Guise to be domine factotum in Scotland. Regard the strength of their policy, and easiness of their confusion, and you shall plainly see, that the wisdom of the world is foolishness before God: The king of Spain had provided a mighty power (under pretence of some exploit in Aphrica) for the invasion of England: Don john should have married & have done 
Don john died 1580.  wonders with that army, with which I purpose not to meddle, but (God be praised) Don-Iohn was fair buried. The year was not too far spent, for the king of Spain's purpose: who had lost all his cost, if that the old king of Portugal had not that 
Portugal invaded by the king of Spain.  year died, with which power he invaded that kingdom. The Duke of Guise should have occupied Scotland, with martial exercise: but the troubles in Piccardy and Dalphine so weakened his strength, as his purpose was more than half maimed, somewhat was attempted in Scotland, but not to the expected purpose. The Pope he undertook the matter of Ireland, and as he thought had laid a sure foundation: he picked out a dangerous instrument for his purpose, even james Fitz-morice, a natural Irish: a man wise, valiant, learned, and of great experience in martial affairs: he was a great traveler, and I may safely say, to stir up troubles, which powered destruction, upon his own head. This james Fitzmoris was sent before to make a passage for the Pope's power, anno. 1579. he arrived 
1579  in Ireland, & soon enticed the Earl of Desmond, & Sir john his brother to be traitors: but as wise & as stout as this traitor james Fitzmoris was, he was yet peaceably confounded even in the entrance of his mischiefs: for he purposing to burn the country of the Borkes, a noble young Gentleman in 
james Fitzmoris slain.  the defence of his father's country, slew him before he saw any success of his conspired treasons. The Pope's malice might have been quailed by the presagement of evil success: having his anchor & principal Captain Fitzmoris thus peaceably vanquished, but he incensed more with the displeasure of his death, then restrained with the cogitations of God's providence, armed his power, against Ireland, and comforted his soldiers, that they should find in that Country many more friends, than enemies: his Cappitaine Fitzmoris, had seduced some of the principals, and his legate Doctor Saunders had bewitched the multitude upon a hope, which hitherto hath deceived him: the Pope under his banner sent out of Italy d●…ers Captains and bands of soldiers of his own, furnished with treasure, munition, victuals, ensigns, banners, 
1580  and all other things requisite for the war into the Realm of Ireland, where the same forces with other auxillier companies out of Spain landed, and fortified themselves very strongly upon the sea side: and erecting the Pope's banner, proclaimed open war against her Majesty. I am bound by the duty of a true subject, to set down the joy and cheerful behaviours of the English fugitives in Rome, upon the news of the Pope's forces safe landing in Ireland, to the end that those, which will believe a truth, may know that the coming of these disguised jesuits, was absolutely, to practise to bring the realm into a war, external, and civil, hoping by an alteration of government, to bring in a change of Religion and not simply, as they smoothly pretend, to save their Country men's souls, without any motion of disobedience to her Majesty their lawful Queen. In the beginning of November 1580. I returned from Naples to Rome, at which time the news was freach in Rome, of the Italians & Spaniards arrival in Ireland, who promised a wonderful hope of a great victory against her Majesty, and truly the news was not so quick in the Romans tongues, as the joy was 
The rejoicing of the English fugitives, upon news of the Spaniards ar●…uall all etc.  fresh in the English men's faces, they could not suppress the revealment of their traitorous hearts: their common speech was, The time drew on, that the continuance of the heretics prosperity (for so they termed the Protestants) would make their overthrow more grievous: they so assured themselves of the change of her majesties government, as in a manner every man painted out his own office: The matter was so sure in their own imaginations, as some few, that pretended a sorrow for England's misery, wished that the only vengeance might light upon her Majesty, and some of her Magistrates, but they further said, that God would not have it so: his justice could not but send a general subversion, to revenge the injury done unto so many holy Catholics, which for their Consciences were driven forth of their country: with these and such like words they published the wishes of their hearts: no one, (one only except) that in word or gesture, seemed to be sorry, that strangers should have dominion in their native Country: wherein they showed to have dispositions more villainous, than the seditious jews, when jerusalem 
joseph. de b●… jud.  was besieged by Titus: who although they continually killed one another with civil frays: yet to withstand the assault of the Romans, they would in their egerest scyrmiges part themselves, and unite their forces to withstand the foreign enemy: Nature teacheth savage mastiffs, who (how cruelly so ever they fight together) at the sight of a Bear they will part themselves, and fall upon their natural enemy: but these be worse than Mastiffs, and without they amend, God send them the destiny of Dogs. And now to the matter of the former news, they ceased not to importune the Pope to sucker his force in Ireland, with new supplies, to which end Cardinal Forze with present Commission, all along the lower way, by Raconati, Loretto, Ancona, and so to Bologna, in the Pope's proper dominions, mustered & pressed soldiers 3000. Calivers were in a readiness, to be shipped at Lygorne: but this preparation was not so speedy, but before all things were set forward, Rome received news, that the most worthy Captain, the Lord Grace, her majesties deputy then in Ireland, had vanquished, and put all the Italian 
Italians etc. p●…t to the sword.  and Spanish soldiers to the sword, a few of the principal Captains except: they could not vaunt that they died with the deaths of any of their enemies, & certainly if the forward Gentleman Master john Cheek, had not received his death more of voluntary, then needful boldness, it had been in reckoning, as well as reputation, a right maiden victory. This overthrow dismayed the Pope, and broke the hearts of the English fugitives, whereupon the second supply was stayed, and the soldiers were dismissed. I was in Rome, when Rome was occupied with other news, the first made not the Englishmen so jocund, as the second made them pensive: they hung down their heads, and had not (as the proverb goeth) a word to speak: what mine own eyes beheld, I boldly set down to their shame. Thus the dangerous intention of the king of Spain, the Pope, & the Duke of Guise, her majesties foreign enemies, which tended to the invasion of England, Ireland, and Scotland, 1580. to the glory of God and great honour of her Majesty was peaceably defeated: and since this Chapter chiefly concerneth the action of Ireland, to dissuade others from rebellion, I think it necessary to show the easy confusion of the Irish Traitors, that took the Pope's part: james Fitzmoris death is already shown. Not long after this sound overthrow of the Pope's forces in Ireland, which was Malum omen to all his confederates, The Earl of Desmond, after that he had secretly 
The Earl of Desmond.  wandered a season without sucker like a miserable beggar, was in his Cabin taken by one of the Irishrie, and in an Irish sort after his accustomed savage manner, his head was cut from his shoulders: an end due to such an Archrebel. Doctor Saunders, the Pope's Irish legate, in the like extremity, 
Doctor Sanders  wandering in the mountains in Ireland without sucker, died in a frenzy. The fourth man of singular note, was Sir john of Desmond, brother to the Earl, a very bloody faithless traitor, and a notable murderer of his familiar 
Sir john of Desmond.  friends, who also wandering to seek some prey, like a Wolf in the woods, was taken and beheaded, after his own usage, being as he thought sufficiently armed, with the Pope's bulls, and certain Agnus dei, and a notable ring about his neck, sent from the Pope's finger (as it was said) but he saw these saved not his life. The Pope may well persuade, that there are much virtue and strength in holy presents, but his miserable instruments feel, that their only strength is in bringing of themselves to confusion. This year 1580. john Stow Crownacleth, that the 17. day of june, in the parish of Blamsdon 
A monster in Yorke●…hire.  in Yorkshire, after a great tempest of lightning and thunder, a woman of the age of 80. years named Alice Perin was delivered of a strange and hideous monster, whose head was like unto a salad or head piece: the face like unto a man's face, except the mouth, which was like unto the mouth of a Mouse: the fore part of the body was like unto a man having eight feet, and not one like unto another, and a tail of half a yard long: which monster (saith he) brought into the world, no other news but an admiration of the divine works of God: but certainly Almighty God who (since the coming of his son, in whose sacred Gospel, whatsoever is necessary for man's salvation is contained) hath left familiarly to talk with men, as in the time of the Prophets: yet he sendeth prodigious signs to acquaint the world with some offensive matter to his divine Majesty, which his vengeance not long after, for the most part punisheth: and in my opinion (leaving the known truth to God, and every man's censure to himself) this monster is a right figure of the Pope's estate, who being the Whore of Babylon, in her old age, and wane of her glory, hath brought forth a visible monster: The head which resembleth a helmet, showeth his malicious desire to uphold his kingdom by Paul's sword, since that he findeth no strength in Peter's Keys. His mouth that was wont to fear all Christendom with threatenings and cursing, by the similitude of a mouse's, showeth that for all his malice he hath no more might than a Mouse. His eight Legs, not one like another s●…eweth (as I before have shown) that his kingdom is now in the case, that Mahomet's was in the beginning: sustained by the Atheist, Traitors, Murderers, and discontented persons of all Nations: The tail which is natural to a beast showeth that his Murders, and barbarous impieties, declare him to be a visible beast and monster: and that he thus appeared in the North, is a fair warning, unto those people how they be seduced by his painted, and hypocritical devices: for from those parts, he expecteth great sucker, which God defend him from: and open the eyes of all her majesties subjects understanding that they may deserve the truth from falsehood, and then next the devil, they shall understand him to be the father of all lies, whom shame and confusion followeth, as also those that are associates in his unrighteousness.   

CHAP. 12.  
The dangerous and seditious practices, of Edmond Campion, and other English jesuits (by God's providence) frustrated: their worthy confusion, and their apparent slanders of her Majesty, and godly government reproved.  
AMong a number whose judgements reach no farther than their eyes and opinion is settled, that Campion, and his fellow jesuits, by reason of their peaceable profession, were executed with too severe justice: and charged with treason, unpossible for them to compass: as civil rebellion, and foreign invasion: it is set down in a book published by authority, which effectually maintaineth the justice of England, 
Of the execution of justice etc.  that Persons and Campion, had faculties granted by Pope Gregory the 13. the 14. of April 1580. That the Bull of Pius quintus should always bind Queen Elizabeth and the heretics, but the Catholics it should by no means bind. Who so shall herein considerately way the policy of the Pope, and the diligence of his traitorous instruments, may plainly see a great likelihood of rebellion, and a wonderful danger by God's providence prevented. To draw men from obedience towards her Majesty, they had this large warrant from the Pope, which figuratively imported a blessing to those that would strengthen their rebellion: and with this Pope holy colour, if you join the hypocritical, subtle and alluring feaches of these jesuits, you shall easily perceive that they came rightly armed for rebellion: and in their scholars habit, procured more danger to her majesties person than could an armed Army, with twenty thousand Lances. The multitude as Sophocles saith, is a monster with many heads and every head greedily followeth alteration of Government. 
Disposition of the multitude.  If they be in prosperity, they grow insolent, if in poverty they murmur: a religion that pleaseth their eye, is far more welcome than that which instructeth their soul: they bear a natural envy unto their superiors, and easily believe, all the slanders that are raised of their Prince and principal Magistrates. To deceive the ignorant, with a painted holiness, some of these seditious jesuits took Geneva in their way, and arrogantly offered to dispute with the Reverend Beza, with such proud offers, as promised that the holy ghost should do some miracle by their holiness. But to acquaint the world with their hypocritical juggling, I certify that there is a godly privilege in Geneva, that strangers during three days, may have liberty to propose controversies of religion, grounded upon a godly zeal, that those that doubted in any matters of faith, might be religiously instructed, and so peaceably depart: these bragging jesuits, protected themselves with this privilege, and before the date was out, they vanished like bubbles, to which their Bulls and weightiest relics may be compared. At their arrival in England, to purchase entertainment, they blasted abroad that 
Difference between the Apostles and the jesuits.  they were come to win souls: but not as S. Paul did, when he travailed to convert the Gentiles, for he in his Apostolic habit at noon days, in the open Cities, preached the Gospel of our saviour jesus Christ, and the open way of salvation: But Campion and his fellows disguised like Russians, in secret corners taught the traditions of the Pope, and the wide passage to damnation But see what followed: God's providence 
Act. 14. 16, 23.  raised Paul after that he was stoned in Lycaonia; the same delivered him forth of prison at Philippos, and out of the murdering hands of the jews, who had vowed his death: on the contrary part his justice discovered these night Ravens, and lawful conviction, quartered Campion and some of his obstinate companions at the gallows for Treason, with their Bulls, defamatory livels, and other malicious suggestions, they laboured to settle an opinion in her majesties subjects, that her excellency was a tyrant, a Machiavellian, and every way as evil as themselves, who were little better than the devil. They scandaled her godly government, and with odious names reviled her grave Magistrates. All which they proved) as the vicar of Croyden, did ave Maria to be a prayer) with never a word of scripture: for if they had been counseled by S. Paul, they would not have reviled their rulers, yea if they had offered them unjust violence: as appeareth when Ananias the hy priest caused him to be smitten on the mouth. Paul upon this violent temptation but answered: God shall 
Acts. 23.  smite thee, thou painted wall: and after wards knowing Ananias was the high Priest, he by and by corrected his own error, and said, I witted not brethren that he was the high Priest: For it is written, thou shalt not curse the ruler of the people. These seditious Traitors, did not only curse and slander, 
Exod. 22.  but move men violently to murder their anointed sovereign, Queen Elizabeth (whose life, as the life of England God long continue.) The traitor somervile confessed, that he was moved to kill her Majesty, by the enticements 
Look in the book called the Execution of justice. etc.  of certain of his kinsmen, and Allies, and also by sundry seditious vile books lately published against her Majesty: how wrongfully they charge her majesty with tyranny, their own murdering attempts, and her unappalled spirit maketh manifest. Jobe saith that fearfulness shall affright the blood 
job. 18.  thirsty on every side. The lives of tyrants are full of hatred, and their persons are subject to many perils, Horror and fear, are always in their ears: and although they live in peace, yet are they in continual dread of death. How pleasant (I beseech you) was the life of Aristippus, whom the bare walls did fear: Nay how wretched was the estate of Alexander Phareus who dreaded his own wife? and was Dionysius the Saracusains' life any other than a living death? He never durst trust his Barber lest he should cut his throat: he carnally accompanied not his two wives Aristomida & Dorida, before he saw them despoiled of their garments: his bed was environed with a great mote, into which he entered by a draw bridge. Cicero describeth the fearful estate of a 
Cicero ●…se. lib. 5.  tyrant, in a story between the forenamed Dionysius and the Orator Damocles, the moral whereof is contained in this Sonnet.  

There is no fort, that seemeth safe or strong  
There is no food, that yields a savoury taste.  
The sweetest Lute, and best composed song,  
The chirping birds, that in the woods are placed,  
Sound no delight, but as a man forlorn.  
The silent night, doth seem an ugly hell,  
The softest bed, a thicket full of thorn,  
Unto the heart, where tyranny doth dwell.  
Whose mind presents, through horror, and through dread.  
A naked sword, still falling on his head.   
The estates of tyrants are so miserable, that of them is properly said, That Tyrants nourish fear. How little that passion troubleth her majesty is publicly known. The Hargabush shot by Appeltre, that sore wounded a waterman, 
1579  within six foot of her Majesty in her Barge, sufficed to have appalled a martial courage, the chance being so rare: at the first face, could pretend no other than treason, a danger that tried her true Magnanimity, the matter so little feared her invincible mind, as her highness set a part the care of her own safety, to carry the comforting of her poor wounded Bargeman. The Ambassador Mounsieur Shemere was in honour bound (who was there present) to report in France, that in a mortal extremity, her Majesty, whom the fear principally concerned, was the least amazed in the company: but it may be said that this was a casual peril, that was not known before examination, and her exceeding mercy in pardoning the offender cleared all suspicion of tyranny. Many a worthy prince to settle an awe in subjects, have suffered their Laws to punish with death, more ignorant, (yea altogether innocent) offences, but certainly the least tyrant would have adjudged Apletre, for fear that destiny had marked him to bring forth some other dangerous fruit: as the Athenians did the boy that picked out the eyes of birds, whom they put to death, upon a suggestion that he would prove a tyrant. But to come more near to the shame of these slanderous Traitors: to settle (if it were possible) a fear in her Majesty, how devilishly, and dangerously have they assaulted her majesties life. The forenamed somervile, kept his resolution to kill her Majesty even unto death: and yet all they that are worthy to behold her princely and unappalled countenance assuredly know, that all the murdering practices of her enemies, have impressed no fear in her Magnanimous heart (for fear is evermore seen in the face) the reason is, there is no cruelty harboured in her Royal breast, which passion both breedeth, and nourisheth fear: but principally, when the Archetraitor Parry told her Majesty that he had passed his promise to kill her: she was so smally abashed, as the constantness of her countenance made him to tremble. another time when he was fully determined to have slain her excellency with his dagger, the assuredness of her countenance (which resembled a bright sun, shadowed with no manner of clouds) made him to lose his resolution. The traitors own tale, although the same were shadowed with a dissembling loyalty sufficed to have impressed a jealous fear in her Majesty: but she made so light account of her enemies threats, as she scorned to report Parries suspicious words unto her grave Counsel: furthermore to clear her Majesty from the least bleamish of Tyranny, there needeth no other testimony, than the confession and records of rank Traitors. It appeareth in Parries and Throgmorton's voluntary confessions, that her princely clemency stayeth all sharp courses against such Papists, as live like obedient subjects, when that Law adjudged them death, their last hope was in her exceeding mercy. Throgmorton craved mercy with this acknowledgement, of which many have tasted, and few have been deprived. Parry confessed, that the manifold virtues which shined in her Countenance, evermore made him lose his resolution to kill her majesty. Foreign writers in their books, have made questions, whether the greatness of her majesties mercy, were a virtue more holy in her majesty, or dangerous for her good subjects, because it bread presumption in those that are evil affected. I protest before God (who I know heavily punisheth wilful perjury) that I heard a Papist in Rome, afore some of his companions wish (and make choice) to be her majesties prisoner in the Fleet, rather than (as he was) the Pope's pensioner in Rome: and truly her imprisonment is more large than the Pope's allowance, save unto such persons which make show of seditious spirits. Furthermore the long reign, and manifold blessings, which almighty God plentifully bestoweth of her Majesty, evidently declareth that she is no tyrant, whose Reigns are for the most part short, and their deaths violent. Yea these Calumniers and libellers, with these shameless detractions slander their own knowledge, which is, that her mercy giveth life to condemned Papists, if that (their Religion safe) they will but acknowledge Ecclesiastical supremacy to be one to her Majesty, which the Pope and all his power cannot pluck from her. To conclude, no one what so ever his offence be, is put to death in case of Treason, and Felony, except the Consciences of twelve sufficient men find him guilty: and this I may truly say, although England be small in comparison of France or Italy, yet her mercy pardoneth more, that are convicted by the Law, than the king of France, and all the princes of Italy. It is a wonder to see the wilful stubborness of these ungracious jesuits, how they strive against their own knowledge, how shamelessly they slander the mildest course of justice that ever civil policy administered in any common wealth: but chiefly how impudently they reproach her excellent Majesty with tyranny, when that her mercy is written in all the Capitols of the world: their venom showeth that they are even those, of whom the Psalmist saith. They speak lies they are as venomous as the poison of a serpent, even like the deaf Adder that stoppeth his ears, they with their malicious, & untrue persuasions, bring men into the snares of destruction, out of which they cannot deliver themselves. It is the last refuge the Pope hath to uphold his wicked kingdom, to blow into subjects ears, slanders of tyranny, subsidies, oppressions, and other hard impositions of their Princes: with these persuasions they have kindled many commotions, and daily settle a mortal hatred in the ignorant multitude, towards their Princes and godly proceedings, which evermore bursteth forth with the confusion of such as they seduce, for God which abhorreth Traitors seldom suffereth Treason to prosper: the diligent observance of the events whereof, is able to settle the duty and obedience of a good subject, more than the learning and Eloquence of the greatest Orators.   

CHAP. 13.  
Of the peaceable discovery of the dangerous Treasons of Frances Throgmorton Esquire, of Henry Percy Earl of Northumberlande and others, a Chapter declaring the Odiousness of Treason, and continual overthrow of Traitors.  
Whosoever shall read the chronicles of time (the continual life of virtue, and endless shame of vice) they shall find that Treason is so odious to God, as his holy hand, many times miraculously hath defended the worst tyrants from the mortal Treasons of their subjects: Comodus was a wicked Emperor, and to kill him, his sister Lucilla had 
Treason of Quintianus discovered.  appointed one Quintianus: The Traitor Quintianus, waited at the entering of the Amphitheatre, to kill Comodus, his dagger was ready drawn, his heart was resolute, and his hand was ready to strike the stroke: but God appointed the traitors tongue, to inflict the vengeance upon himself: for before the Emperor came under his stroke, Quintianus cried, This the Senate sendeth thee. Upon which words he was taken, and Comodus nothing hurt. The day before Scevinus thought to have slain the Archetyrant Nero, he put an old rusty dagger to grinding, he made his Testament, he franchised his bondmen, and got rollers in a readiness, to wrap wounds in, by which tokens Milicheus his servant, gathered he went about some naughty purpose, and so accused him strait ways to the Emperor. Scevinus strait confessed, 
Scevinus discovered.  that his intent was to have slain Nero. If God plucketh wit and prudency from Traitors, that purposed to kill such notable tyrants, as he made the Traitors own words and doings, to be the confusion of themselves and safety of the tyrants: It is assuredly to be thought that with the shield of his strength, he will defend righteous Princes: and especially his chosen, Queen Elizabeth, that above all things seeketh to set forth his glory, to advance his holy word, to abase hypocrisy, to banish Idolatry, and finally, that all her subjects may be (as they are called) true Christians. It is assuredly thought that he will defend her Majesty, yea it is constantly to be believed, that he will, there is no fear of it, it is visibly seen that he doth. I might enlarge this Chapter with sundry examples, of the confution of foreign Traitors, and preservation of their sovereign Lords: But I writ to Englishmen: for whose instruction English examples is most proper.  
It is yet within the compass of our memory, that since the first hour that the Noble King Henry the eight banished the Pope out of England, that God hath laid this curse upon Traitors, as the most part of them, even in the prime of their conspiracies were discovered, and the principals worthily punished. What became of the huge Commotion in Lincolne-shire, where twenty thousand rebels 
October. 1536  were in Arms? at the approach of the king's power they desired pardon, broke up their Army, and departed home. The seditious head of Cardinal Poole, within six days after, raised a new insurrection in Yorkshire, to the number of forty thousand rebels: they abide the coming of the king's power, with whom a day of battle was appointed, but God (having compassion, of a number of good subjects that were like to be slain) by his providence saved both the one, and the other: the night before the Armies should join, he parted them with a mighty rain, In the mean time the rebels desired pardon, it was granted, and so the commotion seized. In February following Nicholas Musgrave, Sir Francis Bigot, Sir Robert Constable and others, began 
February 3.  new Commotions in Yorkshire, which were soon appeased with their confusions: the Insurrection of Somerset 
April. 1537  shire had no better success: but which most dangerously touched the king's life, and safety of his good subjects, this ungracious Cardinal Poole, this whirlpool, and firebrand of descension, seeing that king Henry with an easy hand appeased many, and mighty insurrections at home: laboured an invasion by the power of France: but all the danger was not in the french forces, he had drawn in the Marquis of Exeter, his brother the Lord Montacute, and Sir Geffray Poole, and with them his kinsman Sir Edward Nevell 
1538  to be traitors: these laboured no small matters, they sought even the change and alteration of the kings godly government: they were dangerous traitors, not so much for their power, but for that they were all so bound unto the king, for many benefits, as common reason took away all occasion of suspicion: to condemn whose unkindness, and monstrous ingratitude, there be many examples of unreasonable creatures. Lysimachus had a dog which he much esteemed, and 
Lysimachus dog.  the dog to show his love, when he saw his master dead, and cast into the fire, as the manner of burial was then, he likewise leapt into the fire, and died with his master. Plinic showeth that Hiero King of the Syracusans had a dog which 
Hieroes dog.  did even the same: but the Roman histories make mention of a more strange matter: when Titus Fabinus and his family were slain, there was a dog that for no stripes would departed from the dead carcase of his master, and when the standers 
A Roman dog.  by gave him meat, he ran and laid it at the mouth of his master: in fine, when the body was thrown into the flood of Tiber, the dog leapt in after, and as long as he could he kept his master above the water, much more might be said to reproach ingratitude, a vice which our vulgar word (unkindness) showeth to be against kind or nature: the former examples approve as much, but envy and ambition, the ordinary passions of Papists are so far from grace, duty, 
The villainous nature of ambition and 〈◊〉.  and thankfulness, as they contend with God, and violate the bonds both of nature and friendship. The Traitor Parry in his confession, said, that his accusor Nevil usually said, that all the advancement that her Majesty could give him, should serve but for her scourge, if ever time ministered occasion: I know not whether he spoke of malice or no, but experience teacheth, that these persons resemble the frozen Snake, which the pitiful husbandman comforted by the fire, which in recompense stung his children. The Marquis of exeter's father was for treason committed to prison by King Henry the seventh, King Henry the eight discharged him, and with great favour took his son into his privy chamber, and used him always more like a companion then a servant. The King helped the Lord Montacute from the state of a poor Gentleman, to his mother's land being three or four thousand marks by the year. Sir Edward Nevil was of the King's privy chamber, and in great favour. The Pools were of the King's blood, and so bound with princely favours, as when Sir Geffrey Poole was apprehended, the rest were not so much as suspected, but God will not have treason lie hid, nor Traitors unpunished, though the Devil and man labour in the behalf of either. The Devil was here set a work, but he laboured in vain against the justice and mercy of God, the guiltiness of Sir Geoffrey Pools conscience condemned him, he now only respected the safety of the marquess, his brethren, and cozen Sir Edward Nevil, his conscience was witness against them all, he feared that torture would wrest out the truth, and in this doubtful perplexity he resolved desperately to kill himself, and in this passion upon opportunity, he stabbed himself upon the breast with a knife, the Devil played his part, now see how God (as he oft doth) turned all the devils work to his glory, and Sir Gefferayes salvation, the knife was blunt, and as God would, made the wound not mortal, yet the abundance of blood which followed his wound, made him to fear God, to fear hell, and to detest the murder both of his body and soul, and where as before he would have died to save his brethren and cozen, he now desired life for no cause so much, as to bring them to that which they worthily deserved. Finally, he accused them all, and by lawful trial, the marquess, the Lord Montacute, and Sir Edward Nevil were 
january. 1538  adjudged and executed as traitors: good King Henry joined his mercy to God's providence, & so pardoned Sir Geoffrey, whom God appointed to be the instrument of this discovery, the like blessings were heaped upon the King, and confusion upon his enemies, the residue of his triumphant reign, which continued all the days of his most blessed son King Edward the sixth. In the third year of his reign there were almost general commotions through England. The Papists tempted and moved the commons to rebellion, with a persuasion 
1549  to throw down inclosier, and for themselves foisted in, to have their old religion and Act of six Articles restored, but what followed: the rebels in every country were vanquished, slain, and utterly discomforted. And to continue with truth, in this report Queen Mary had (albeit she was superstitious) the like victories against her domestic enemies: but as it is said, as God gave the Idolater Abias victory against jeroboam for his great Grandfather David's sake, so he gave the like to Queen Mary for her godly father King Henry's sake. To come again unto the peaceable victories obtained by the queens Majesty, as in the former reports it is manifest, although the Devil gave her enemies wit to begin treasons, he failed to give them strength to effect them, yea, the Devil himself lacketh strength, where God hath any thing to do, as appeareth especially in the prevention of the odious and desperate treasons of Someruile & Parry. To conclude, the overthrow of her last known enemies (which happiness I beseech God to continue many years, and to the last moment of her majesties life) the wonderful discovery of the dangerous treasons of Frances Frogmorton Esquire deserveth a special remembrance. I mean a remembrance 
Frogmorto●… Treason.  of thanksgiving unto almighty God, in revealing of such a covert mischief, that threatened her Majesty with a particular danger, and her realm and people with a general calamity, it was no ordinary conspiracy that Frogmorton laboured, but an unnatural subversion of his country by foreign invasion: he wrought to have brought in the Pope, the King of Spain, the Duke of Guise and all: he purposed her majesties death, to possess he knew not whom with the Crown, perhaps such a one, as would all have been jealous of him, for those by whom they are benefited, dare hardly trust a Traitor, he was discovered in time, but yet more by God's providence than man's policy, he was too subtle to lay his head upon weak blocks: his secrecy was such, as he was first desyphered by foreign intelligence: he had English confederates, but such as were too deep in, to discover him. When he could no longer withstand the accusation of his own hand-writing, and other probabilities, but especially his guilty conscience, he voluntarily accused himself with many odious Treasons, but his malicious spirit would not bow to accuse his confederates, which could not but be some great personadges: his tongue going to execution, accused him of a hidden secret, when he said, that he was sorry for the misery that would light upon the people before one year, but God be praised the year is past, another draweth fast one, and many the like I hope will follow, that her Majesty is in safety, and her Realm in peace. Marry within the same year the Traitor Parry was hanged in throgmorton's equipage, and Henry Earl of Northumberland (judged by the guiltiness and accusation of his own conscience) desperately ended his life with a dag in the Tower, with grief I set it down, that a man of so great valour and staidness should so much forget the fear of God and duty to her Majesty (to whom he was deeply bound) as to practise such dangerous treason, as his own conscience persuaded him would not abide the trial: and therefore to preserve the honour and inheritance of his house, he made choice of a desperate death, before the trial of his peers, the most honourable and indifferentest trial in the world: his sons have great cause to consider of this fatherly care, that thus wilfully endangered his own soul, to preserve the temporal honour of his house: yea, the redeeming of it by his voluntary death, when the trespass of his life had forfeited all, hath (or aught to have) impressed such a settled zeal in his sons evermore to uphold the same, as they and their posterity will no doubt continually be remembered thereof, as Philip King of Macedon was, That he was a mortal man. God grant that her majesties good subjects may be always worthy of this divine providence, peace, & abundance of all good things, and that those that are not yet sound may so profit (in amendment) by these examples, as they may detest treason, as the assured spoil of honour, loss of life, and (in many) the damnation of the soul, otherwise, (in seeking to pull down a Prince whom God hath chosen to reign over his people) in their confusion they shall declare their own folly, and God's exceeding goodness, in preserving of those whom he loveth. These notable politicians, or more properly Atheists, if they were simply to deal with men, they might many times happily see the wished effects of their devices: but they strive against God that strive against their sovereign Princes, especially against such a one as God hath anointed to set forth his glory, yea, they shall prevail no more than he that thinketh to beat down strong rocks with a knock of his head, that striveth against those whom God protecteth. God defended his servant Elias fleeing from the wrathful displeasure 
3. Reg. 19  of jezabel, yea, he sent an Angel to comfort and to refresh him with food. When Daniel was cast into a den of 
Daniel 6.  Lions, God sent an Angel to stop the Lion's mouth, so that they could not hurt him. An Angel with a drawn sword told joshua that he was the chief of the Lords band. Judith 
joshua 5. jud. 13.  had an Angel for her companion when she went to slay Holofernes. An Angel was seen to walk and preserve Sidrah, 
Daniel 3.  Misach and Abednago in the burning oven. I could enlarge the Chapter with many examples to like purpose: but to conclude, although Angels are not so visibly seen as in the time of the Prophets, yet they minister God's providence, and all his blessings even now as they have done from the beginning of the world, by whom our noble Queen Elizabeth is defended, her enemies are confounded, and from whom her good subjects receive peace, and large fruition both of spiritual and temporal riches. All which, God for his sons sake always continue, that when her Majesty hath lived a long life (so long as the longest course of nature may give leave) that then she may die in peace even in the place where she liveth and reigned many years in peace.  
Amen.   

CHAP. 14.  
An exhortation to the English fugitives, vagrant in foreign Regions.  
I Place you here English fugitives at her majesties feet, as abjects, whom God's justice for your sins will have foiled under her feet: but her excellency, who is slow in doing of vengeance, is more ready to secure her enemies with her hand, then to spurn them with her foot: and among many that least deserve this favour, charity, and commiseration of your daily ruins, moveth me to wish unto you after unfeigned reconciliation, both the fruition of this mercy, and all your Country blessings. The errors of your Religion are manifested by many godly Divines, but the blindness of your hearts will not suffer you to see them: and small is the marvel, though you contemn the counsels of men, when you use the visible warnings of God to strengthen your errors. The report of the soldiers unto the high Priests of the glory of Christ's resurrection, sufficed to have converted the jews, but to their condemnation, the Devil and money sealed this slander in their hearts, that his Disciples stole him away in the night. God's justice stroke Mahomet with the falling sickness, to make him know and forsake his blasphemy, but to strengthen the people's misbelief, the Devil taught him to say, that his falling proceeded of the conference with an Angel, whose divine presence his human shape could not endure. Upon the principal day of the savage murder in Paris, according to the figure in the Revelation, that the stinging Locusts should not hurt the green tree, when to show that God's word should flourish maugre your cruelty, a withered tree bore green leaves in the Church yard, which received many a martyred carcase, you presently applied that preaching, or prophesying example, to the second flourishing of your Romish Church, time proveth your exposition, but an idle suggestion. For although God suffered this cruel persecution of his Church, yet he presently showed himself as a loving father, who burneth the rod when he hath corrected his son, God shortly sent an unkindly death to the chief scourge in this persecution, and with the gallows confounded the most of the rascally Atheists his executioners: if any live, they bear the marks of his heavy displeasure: what honour, and to go further, what profit have you gained by this policy of your Church? to what purpose hath the Pope painted this persecution about his great hall at Lateran? forsooth that it may be a monument of his cruelty, and God's mercy: of his cruelty, who daily murdereth, and of God's mercy, which daily increaseth the number of true professors. If the hardness of your hearts had not blinded your understanding, you could not but perceive the visible plagues which fall upon your Pharaoh the Pope: you see that justice by general judgement hangeth notable murderers in chains, that they may rot & consume by péece-meales: even so God's justice promiseth semblable vengeance upon this Archmurtherer your pope: the most infirmed eyes see the lingering consumption of his riches, reverence, and reputation: he that sometime disposed foreign kingdoms, can not keep his proper lands out of the possession of his next neighbours. There is no free state in Italy, but of late years have fleeced him, nor any Christian Prince that is his best friend, which payeth his ancient tribute. He that sometimes commanded the persons, goods, & royal powers of anointed kings, is now driven to waste his substance upon Atheists, secretly to murder his supposed enemies, whose counsels (for the most) prove the halters, which hang his executioners: necessity constraineth him to be in league with all men, save the professors of the Gospel: the jews have their synagogue, the Grecians their proper religion even in Rome: strumpets have good law to recover the lecherous hire of their bodies: their Ladies are his possessions, for they pay him rent to abuse them. Atheists, traitors, murderers, thieves, and such as the laws of all good government would consume with the gallows, are his soldiers, stipendaries, and pensioners: and what service do they him? they shorten their own days in labouring his wicked practices, all to a bootless success: seldom, (but yet sometimes) his instruments execute his bloody purposes: but his Machivillians never escape the hands of vengeance: I have shown the example of France. john janregui the first assayler of the godly Prince of Orange, was presently slain, and sundry of his confederates were executed, the odious Atheist which wickedly murdered this good prince, had a severe death, but yet too mild for his execrable offence: but here in England (from whence came the Lion that first plucked the proud Eagle of Rome by the throat, etc.) what success hath followed all his policies? since the noble King Henry the eight showed his ravening to the princes of the earth, he hath vomited his poisoned envy and malice to the chief destruction, disgrace, and shame of him and his partakers, his instruments of Rebellion, murder, and all inhuman mischiefs, had their fortune which rid the horse Seian which was violent death: they brought bulls which gored themselves, and pardons which turned into halters, and hatchets which hanged and quartered their masters: I need not name Felton, Campion, Parry, and the rest: you have canonised them for Saints, and we have Chronacled them for Traitors. Since the beginning of her sacred majesties reign, whom here in England have your Pope's curses harmed? I know his blessings have brought many Englishmen to the gallows, from which God bless all good men, and then I mean not you, without amendment. If you have not learned by the counsels of scripture to forbear the laying of violent hands upon the Lords anointed, yet the daily experience of your companions falls, and their frustrate attempts, sufficeth to banish the very imagination of your and our most gracious sovereigns' death, which all good Christians beseech almighty God many years to defer. You are not so wise as the Philosopher's disciples, which in the water would follow their master but to the chin: for you follow the Pope over head and ears in two dangerous seas, error, and rebellion. You may learn instructions of safety of Miso, which run from houses which are ready to fall: or of louse, that will leave the body of a dying man: all the world seeth that your Pope's kingdom leaneth upon a few rotten props, yea, that the life of his glory is at the point of death: why follow you then your own destruction in sustaining of him, whom vengeance will no longer suffer to flourish. Nature counseleth you to have care of your lives, and charity warneth your enemies from wishing your deaths, if you would shun the perils that unpolitike creatures avoid, but Pharaoh and his host would wilfully perish in the red sea, the like is your stobernesse and expected destruction. Pharaoh was plagued, and well warned before, and you Papists lack neither punishment to fear you, nor persuasion to win you, and unhappy are ye that neither can profit you. Mahomet to continue his irreligion by his Alcoran, forbade the people to reason of it, a damnable policy to suppress truth, which by disputation breaketh out of controversies, as fire out of Flint, by the striking of iron. The people to blind all the world with ignorance, appointed the Latin tongue for matters of religion, which the multitude understood not: if one language sufficed for a general edifying, the holy Ghost in the form of cloven and fiery tongues sat upon the Apostles in vain, which instructed every one in their proper language, it was a policy almost as dangerous as Mahomet's, which many years masked the hypocritical blasphemy of the pope: when his dreams shadowed the truth, your mists of error might well arise from ignorance: but now that truth hath unmasked his hypocrisy, your blindness can be adjudged no better, than perverse wilfulness. His policy forbiddeth you studiously to search the scriptures, it is then like his will is that you should read his own monuments. And I counsel you to read Platinus, Aeneas Silvius, the golden Legend of the acts of pope's. Plutarch reporteth that an Atheist governor of Cilicy, believed 
Plut. lib. de orat. Plut. de mor. de verit. de reb. Christ. 17.  in God by an answer of the Devil, or oracle of Mopsus which revealed a known secret: and it may well be these popish historiographers will let you see paltry stuff, that the best advise will hardly persuade you to believe. There is an old saying, Orpheus can describe hell better than Aristotle, raised upon a fable that he fetched his wife from thence, and truly in knowledge is assurance, and in report may be error. They are Authors that writ wonders of the Pope, and (if your judgements are not blind) matters in common sense unpossible: you may by grace stumble on such gross errors, as shall constrain you to look upon the plain truth: but you have a commandment, that forbids you to look into the lives of your Popes, because it can not be denied but that they trespass daily as men, when in their doctrine can be no error, because the holy Ghost waighteth upon their holiness, it may well be of their holiness, and yet far enough from the Pope. Where was I pray you the holy Ghost, when Pope Marcellus sacrificed unto the Idols of the Pagans? What office had he when Sylvester the second, when 
Hero. in Cat. ●…ust. 〈◊〉. Pet. Pemist. in v●…. Greg. 7. & 〈◊〉. 2.  john the nineteenth, and Gregory the seventh were a conjuring? they were successors of Simon Magus, and not of Simon Peter. In deed Pope joane the eight erred not when she fell in labour in the midst of Procession. Among your own Authors it is reported, that the virgin Mary told S. Brigit that most of the Popes are in hell: a small sign then that the holy Ghost is very conversant with them, S. Peter (from whom they derive their holy virtue) erred, and denied Christ, and only by repentance, was again received into grace. They exceed S. Peter in riches and pomp, but they come short of him in holiness & doing of miracles. If the opinion of a Franciscan Friar be as currant as other Pope scripture: it is known unto you that read the lives of your pope's, that pope Sixtus the 4. was in the beginning a friar of S. Frances order, who being advanced unto the paupaltie, was oftentimes visited with the brethren of his own habit: among whom, one of his ancient companions in his friars weed came to see the Pope, who to set forth his pomp, showed him his rings, & magnificent jewels, and withal said Brother, I can say now more than S. Peter who said, I have neither gold nor silver, it is true said the friar, but you can not say as he said to the lame & impotent arise and walk, giving him thereby to understand that the pope's of Rome labour more to be rich then holy: but you may say (because you are forbid) that you must tell no man of the pope's faults: do then as●…e did that bewrayed King Midas asses ears, tell them so loud to the earth, that men may hear them: iwis they be more deformed than Midas ears, and you shall be far more praised in the revealing of them, then profited in the concealing of them. But you will further say, that all your doings are the documents of great learned men, whose counsels ought to work more strongly with you then all my persuasions. That same learning in deed in stubborn wits, when it undertaketh an error, doth the devil and all of hurt. Plato saith, small wits do little hurt in a common wealth, the great wits are they that do all the mischief. S. Augustine had read much, and was very conversant in the scriptures, and yet he was a great while in the heresies of the Manichees, and still persuaded himself that scripture was of his side. Learning doth stay a man in error, rather than help him out of it, especially if he have chued the sense of the scripture at his pleasure, or be drunken with juice that his fantasy hath corrupted. Saint Paul was learned when he persecuted Christ's flock, and had read of nothing so much as of the scripture, and yet you see that men could never turn his heart: God himself was feign to put to his voice, to strike his body blind, and to enlighten therewith his soul. In truth it is apparent that you stop your ears against all the persuasions of man. It is Gods especial grace that must vanquish your stubbornness, which grace is promised to all those that sincerely ask it in his Son jesus name: speak well of Saint Thomas, Saint Gregory, and the rest, because they are dead, but pray not unto them, for the dead can do the living no good. jesus signifieth salvation, and jesus alone must be your salvation. Pray then unto jesus with a contrite heart, lay aside your painted hypocrisy, and then no doubt he will lighten your understanding, and make you to use your learning to his glory, which otherwise is like a sword in a mad man's hand, which endangereth many, and defendeth not his master: believe him that wisheth you no evil, if you have a desire to do yourselves good, one moment faithfully bestowed in this Devotion, will profit you more than seven years reading of controversies. The short prayer of the poor Publican was in heaven, before the long babbling of the painted Pharisie: his doctrine is nothing so dangerous as the Popes, he commandeth you to pay tribute and obedience to Princes, and not to murder or lay violent hands of the Lords anointed: if he set you about such business, will him to teach you more fence, for he had need to be very skilful that shall wound him to whom God is a buckler. It is not an enterprise to be ventured on by young scholars, lest in the striking out of their quarters their heads and all fly off. Return your vengeance upon this ungracious pope, who is the vengeance both of your body and soul: but now I counsel you not to strike him with carnal weapons, for the word must be his confusion, read but the new Testament over with a holy conscience, & you shall find many words to wound him. Marten Luther (whose very name perplexeth the Pope) never fought with him with other weapons than the word of God, yet in his life he so vanquished him, as being at the very point of death, his soul beheld the triumph of his destruction, and for joy thereof said: 
Pe●…t is eram vivens, moriens tua mors ero papa:   
Living I was thy plague, & dying will be thy death pope. He hath prophesied truly to the purpose, for all the jesuits in Christendom can not cure the wounds that the reverend Marten Luther hath given him. Why labour you then your own destruction to raise him whom God hath abased? his life is not long, but yours will be shorter, unless you dispatch your hearts of your odious treasons. God so hateth them, that as the Preacher saith, the birds of the air shall bewray your voice, and with their feathers shall betray you, so that your cunning shall be to no other end, then to lead you to the gallows. From which, God defend you if it be his good will to give you so much grace as to become his servants, and her majesties loving Subjects.    

¶ THE THIRD BOOK OF THE ENGLISH MIRROR Entitled, A fortress against Envy:  
builded upon the counsels of sacred Scripture, laws of sage Philosophers, and policy, of well governed Common weals.  
Wherein every estate may see the true offices, the worthiness and (by abuse) the disgrace of his vocation.  
A work safely and necessary to be read and regarded of every good subject. by GEORGE WHETSTONS' Gentleman.  
Malgre.   

❧ To the right Honourable and most grave personadges the temporal magistrates of England in their weighty counsels, the assistance of God's holy spirit.  
MOst honourable and grave Magistrates, it may seem unto your wisdoms that I flattered my wit, with a foolish singularity, and abused your favours with an arrogant presumption, if of my own brain I should undertake (and lay before your judgements) this weighty building, which containeth the true offices, the worthiness, and (by abuse) the disgraces of every man's vocation: which labour I entitle A fortress against Enuy. But (most reverend) as I have composed my first book, called The Conquests of Envy, of the examples and overthrows of the most ancient, renowned and flourishing common weals, for Envy only maketh war with things of the greatest glory, and have continued my second book, entitled, Envy conquered by virtue, with the admiration of her majesties peaceable victories, obtained by divine providence, and her highness precious virtues, the one incomprehensible, and the other without sample: So right honourable, this third book (which I reverently submit unto your grave censors) I (semblably) build upon sacred, moral, and politic counsels: the admonitions are set down by holy Prophets, Apostles, learned Philosophers, and grave common wealthesmen. The collection and labour to place them, as they may serve for a general instruction, is only due unto me: and (with your honourable favours) I think the law of the Egyptians (which I take for my platform) is a most sure defence against Envy: for by this law of King Amazis, (which was, that every man should put his name in a common book, and at the years end should acquaint the Governor near his abiding, with the trade and order of his living.) Idleness and excess (the great nourishers of Envy) were either banished or punished, every man entertained a settled vocation, and no man envied the pomp of another man's calling, which he knew not how to govern: and certainly, if men would indifferently consider of all vocations, they should find there is no calling so base, but that the use thereof is profitable, & of honest credit in a common wealth: and withal no dignity so high, but unto the same is annexed a number of displeasures, and thereupon it is rightly said, That the chiefest place in the administration of justice, is to the executioner a bondage: your wisdoms know the same better by experience, than I by observance, so that whatsoever the book containeth of grave government, I acknowledge might better have been derived from your lively virtues, then from other men's written counsels: but for that men can hardly praise the living without flattery, and the dead without an honest zeal, I have made choice to labour more for my credit then advantage: for albeit I am in a manner unknown to most of you grave Magistrates that live (of which in this respect I am glad, that being unworthy of your knowledge, for any special quality, I am at no time brought Coram vobis for any criminal trespass) yet those worthy personages which in my time are deceased, have had the second life of their virtues bruited by my Muse: but as my travels herein commended the dead, and instructed the living: with the like hope, I have builded this fortress against Envy, of the counsels of the dead, applied to instruct the living in their proper virtues. Virtue as Diogenes saith, only withstandeth Envy, yea, virtue conquereth Envy, and virtue set apart, no policy prevaileth against the stratagems of Enuy. To withstand this common foe of prosperity, I labour (by the gravest men's directions) to acquaint every man with the virtues of his vocation: but principally I do beseech God to bless them with his fear, the beginning of wisdom, and confusion of Envy and all wickedness, unto whose gracious protection I humbly commit your right honourable Lordships, and all other godly Magistrates whatsoever: at whose commandment I faithfully remain.  
George whetston's.   

Induction to the Reader.  
ALbeit, that peace is a most precious blessing of God, a large testimony of a gracious Prince, and the perfect image of a well governed common wealth: yet the evil, which abuse whatsoever is good (as the Spider draweth honey from the purest flower) of these good causes, beget such foul effects, as God in reward of his blessings, is dishonoured, persecuted, and blasphemed. The gracious Prince, for his or her protection, is neither dutifully reverenced, nor truly obeyed: and what is sown for public benefit, groweth to the ruin of the Country's prosperity. Upon the experience of the good government of Athens and other flourishing commonwealths corrupted, or to speak more properly confounded, by such vile persons, as their principal Cities fostered: warranted the grave Socrates, being demanded what increased the wealth, of a Commonwealth, to answer, that peace was the inricher thereof: being demanded on the contrary part, the chief cause of poverty, in a Common wealth, semblably answered that peace was the mean thereof. Being asked his reasons, said, that in the time of peace Arms give place to Laws, and good Laws administereth both plenty and prosperity, to such Countries as receive and obey them: on the other side he alleged, that wealth the blessing of peace, bread many vices in her own bowels, of the nature of Moths in cloth, or canker rust in iron, which by the consuming of their suckers destroy themselves: and questionless the wheel of peace painted on either side with these five spokes, Peace bringeth plenty, Plenty causeth pride, Pride raiseth envy, Envy soweth sedition, and Sedition hatcheth poverty, is rather the devise of some Philosopher's settled judgement, than the toy of a Painters variable fancy: the Emblem, so truly portrayeth the change of all happy governments. But some more quick of wit, then in discretion perfect, will suggest, that where Law hath her full voice, these Cankers can never grow to the consumption of the heart: to which question I thus answer, that Law may have a free passage, and yet justice scanted of her due course: for Law will not, or cannot punish an apparent trespass without an open presentment: and justice would chasten the concealed fault, if she could command the Law, and such is the cunning, of politic Law breakers, that where the ignorant are hanged for stealing of a sheet, they will have the Law to strengthen them, in the robbing of a man's inheritance, and therefore is Law likened to a back sword, eadged and sharp, to chasten the simple offender, and blunt when the subtle should be corrected. Upon which reason, quoth Diogenes, what availeth it to have profitable Laws, when the good readeth them not, and the evil corrupt, or care not for them: but although Diogenes spoke truly as touching the natural humours of men, for unto the good their Consciences are in steed of Laws, and with the lewd, no bridle is a restraint from evil: Yet grounding my reasons upon larger authorities, I grant Necessity inventris of all policies hath found good Laws so necessary, as I hold those Realms, Regions, Cities, and Towns which are not governed by Laws, rather to be forests of wild beasts, than places habitable for men: for there where Laws are muzzled, justice goeth masked, might mastereth right, Theft is reputed honest gain, and murder lawful revenge: Treasou would enter the privy Chamber, and to be short the wealthy, should go to wrack, and the inferior would order, until they had disordered all good government. These open outrages, are suppressed by the pains of Law, although the awe of chastisement, cannot keep some rascal persons from offending in secret.  
Heraclites saith, absque legibus nullo pacto possit civitas esse incolumis, sed absque menibus possit, without Laws a City by no means can be in safety, but without walls it may. And Forteskew saith, Lex est sanctio sancta jubens honesta, & prohibens contraria. Law is an uncorrupt holiness commanding things that are honest, and forbidding those that are contrary.  
Therefore I do reverence good Lawgivers, and (as divine Plato saith) repute all Laws, that are made for the wealth and safeguard of mankind, to be of GOD, although they be devised by men. This only lacketh to set forth the glory of good Laws, and to possess the Common wealth with their true benefits: The administrators of Laws, are nothing so careful to find out the offender as they are ready to pronounce Sentence of the offence: agreeing with an old tale of a Vicar of Croyden, who of a piece of his Vicreage made an Alehouse, and there kept an harlot: for in those days the Law of the Church forbade Priests to marry, and yet the awe of hell could not subdue their lusts: this smoge Chaplain, mindful of the lesson, long before given vnto●… the Clergy, Si non caste, tamen Caute: as he thought to take away all suspicion of his misbehaviour, made a vehement Sermon against Lechery, and aggravated the vengeances of that sin, with all the authorities, which he could recite in the Scripture: earnestly exhorting his Parishioners, to cleanse the town of that damnable and filthy iniquity: whereupon one of the Churchwardens (that knew the Vicar had violated his vow) cried out Master Vicar if you will give us example, by purging of the Churchyard, we will be careful to cleanse the rest of the Parish: the Vicar smelling the meaning of the Churchwarden, pleasantly to huddle up the matter, replied that the Churchwarden spoke without reason: for quoth he, the Churchyard is the appointed place to receive the most filthy Carrion of the world, and withal wished the people not to mistake him, for he only spoke of the sin, but meddled not with the sinner. A great part of the mean officers of justice at this day, do as the Vicar said.  
The Penal Laws (which are many, and yet no more than are necessary: Vice is grown to so great a strength) are solemnly pronounced in every Sise, Session, and Leete, the offenders many, and many times present at the repetition of their Trespasses, and yet seldom or never be presented, that they may feel the scourge dew to their Trespasses, when the Trespasser, by his fault is as well known to the justice, jury, Steward, or other officer, as to his own conscience which offendeth: and how cometh this bar of justice? forsooth by this straining of courtesy: the judge will punish but what the jury findeth: the jury will find but what is presented, few will present without enforcement: and thus good justice, which was wont to be so quick, as men portrayed her with a pair of wings, is now so slow, as she needeth a spur. And she that was likened unto fire, which being natural, both cherisheth and consumeth, by the coldness of men's Conscienses, may now be compared to painted fire, which neither comforteth the good, nor wasteth the lewd.  
But this defect is not so properly to be applied to justice, as to the infirmity of her administrators, who (as Gordian saith) ought to be so free from partiality, as in the service of justice, they must forget the affection of a Father, a husband, a kinsman, and a friend. This Gordian was a grave Senator of Rome, who in the time of the dissolute and beastly reign of the most vicious Emperor Heliogabalus, made suit to be discharged of the authorities which he bore in the common wealth: not for that he grew weary of the services which he did unto his Country, but in that he abhorred to slander the reverence dew unto a judge, with injust sentences, which the privileges of the wicked, would enforce him unto. He would very often say, that a good Common wealths man, applieth all the parts of a well proportioned creature, whose hands are bound behind him: his eyes are no less occupied to pry into the doings of the lewd, than his ears attentive, to hear the complaints of the good: his tongue is mute neither for fear, nor favour, and by his leagues he presenteth a continual travel to do his country service, his hands bound behind him, showeth him as well bound unto all these offices, as free from briberies: and doubtless the authorized Magistrate which is thus diligent, and no less free from corruption, shall aswell be busied to chasten the offences which he findeth himself, as to punish such as be discovered by others. Truly there be a great number of right worthy Magistrates in this happy government of England, who with the eyes, ears, tongue, and legs of Gordians common wealths man, both foresee the actions of naughty persons, and provide to frustrate their determinations, and as the Amners of God's blessings, especially bestowed upon this happy Realm, since the first hour of her sacred Majesties most prosperous reign, have both stopped the passages of foreign practices and civil conspiracies, and without bloodsheading, only armed with divine and moral virtues, overcometh these enemies with their own sword, as a concave Mirror daunteth the assailer with his proper weapon, so that all Nations by the impressions of their own sorrows, as well as through knowledge of our happiness, with the spirit they admire her Majesty and good Magistrates prudent government, do envy the peace, plenty, and protection of her inferior subjects.  
Now some will say, by the searching wisdoms of her Majesty and grave senate, prosperity, in all her dominions is administered, and the enemies thereof, of their purposes are defeated, and refer all this to a needless purpose. There are rare monuments, to eter●…ise the virtues of the Queen, Counsel, and chief Magistrates, and in the rest no notable vice generally to be reproved. But with sorrow I report, and their doings approves it: Vice is as generally embraced of the multitude, as virtue is especially cherished of the better sort: since the case so stands, who will not say, that that building is out of order, whose spares are rotten, whose windows are broken, and whose roof is uncovered: although the groundwork be strong, and principal timbers sound. Surely a happy common wealth, resembleth a fair building, the foundation whereof is the Prince, the principals are the chief Magistrates, the sparres, the Inferior officers, the windows, the Nobility and Gentility: the Tiles that covereth the same, are the citizens and multitude: and the fair rooms within the building, are the liberties of the Clergy, who are privileged to blame sin in all estates, but the punishment appertaineth to the vengeance of God, and sword of the Prince: all which parts firmly united together, do strengthen one another, and the corruption of the least, by the sufferance of Time, will turn to the confusion of the greatest, and therefore by the Law of Nature, the meanest person, in his vocation is sworn to travel for the public benefit of his Country. It is no excuse sufficient for him that is not authorized to chasten offences, to suffer offenders to live under his nose unpresented, that the Magistrate may punish, nor yet no good discharge of his duty, that is authorized to leave an offence unpunished, until information be given by others, when his own knowledge is able to condemn the offender: every man is bound for his own safety to discover an evil liver, and every man that hath authority, is bound both to correct the offence, and to inquire after the offender. If every man in his calling would thus truly do the office of a good Common wealths man: Envy and all evil, would be easily withstood: men would soon look into the duties of their proper vocation, for fear that others looked into the abuses thereof.  
I have with the authority of the wise and learned, set down what is needful for every man to consider of his calling, if they will strive against virtue, and the credit of their vocations, they are worthy of double punishment, both for the fault, and for wilfulness, being warned of which, I hope the godly reader will be admonished.   

MIRROR. Lib. 3.  

CHAP. 1.  
Of the excellency of Royal dignities, and duties of a good King, and of the short reigns, and violent ends of Tyrants.  
THE dignity Royal, is so great and holy, as kings that are protectors and defenders of human society, imitate the providence of God, whose office & action is to govern all things, and therefore rightly and properly are they called vicars and Ministers, of that most sovereign puissant and universal governor. And he himself calleth them gods: figuring in that sacred name two high charges, the one that kings crowned with so glorious a name, should imitate God, whose lieutenants they are: in their religion, justice and government: the other that subjects knowing the honour that God giveth unto kings, should adore and worship them with all possible reverence. S. Paul saith he that resisteth the ordinance of the king, resisteth the ordinance of God. Look what 
Rom. 13.  dignity, & instruction is given unto the king, the Lord vouchsafeth to say that he bestoweth the same himself, as in these passages of Scripture. By me kings reign: hearken than 
Prou. 8. Wisd. 6.  you kings for power is given you of the Lord. David thus singeth, the Lord teacheth the king's hands to manage Arms, 
Psal. 144.  and his fingers to war. And to the like effect are many other authorities. Porrus king of the Indians being taken in battle, Alexander demanded of him how he would be entertained, Porrus answered, as a king. Alexander demanded again if he would say any thing else: Porrus said no, for all honour is contained in this word king. This name king, was held of so great reverence among the people of many nations, as the Indians, and the Persians worshipped their kings as divine Idols, & held the encounter happy, if by chance they saw their king The Ethiopians so reverenced their king, as they adjudged him worthy of death, that did but spit in their king's presence: The Poets celebrated jubiter more by the name of king, than any other title. It is wonderful with what patience the Romans and other Nations suffered the tyranny of their vicious Emperors and barbarous kings, and if by God's justice any of them were cut off, the uncivil multitude were the instruments thereof: for the grave and wise senators were seldom guilty of their destructions. At this day the Turks so reverence their Emperor's commandments as they execute themselves, if their Emperor pronounce the sentence. Christian kings are nothing so severe towards their subjects, but Christian subjects are far less obedient to their kings: well, evil will fall upon his house that resisteth against the ordinance of the king, for he that resisteth receiveth unto himself damnation: Yea albeit the king be 
Rom. 1●….  a tyrant, so long as his commandments are not to the dishonour of God. He that resisteth because the king is a tyrant 
It is not lawful to resist a tyrant  increaseth his sins, and doubleth God's wrath, who sendeth Tyrants to punish the sins of the wicked, who saith, I will do vengeance on my enemies, by my enemies, God (saith job) maketh the hypocrite to reign for the sins of the people. In O see God speaketh thus. I will give thee a king in my fury: And in Esay, Assur is the Rod, and staff of my fury. By these and many other testimonies it is apparent, that God setteth kings in their kingdoms, by they good or evil, and will not have them removed at their subjects pleasure. A man that placeth an evil steward over his house in no case will allow, that his servants shall put him out of office, for that such boldness would lessen the authority of their master, who hath the prerogative to place and displace his officers: much more presumption is it if subjects displace their prince, who hath a greater power over them, than a master over his servants: for the master in some cases shall answer the suit of his bondman, but the king in no case de jure shall answer a trespass done to his subject: for his prerogative is above the law, although many good kings suffer themselves to be governed by their good Laws. God setteth them in their kingdoms, and God alone will have the authority to remove them. Saul unjustly persecuted David, yet David having advantage to slay him, said to Abisai destroy him not, for who can lay his hands of the Lords anointed, and be guiltless? And he further said, The Lord keep me from laying my hands of the Lords anointed. In ancient times kings not only governed the common wealth, but also took charge of the Sacrifices and Ceremonies. The Hebrews anointed their kings with the self same Oil that they did their high Priests: which proveth that kings are sacred, and who so ever layeth violent hands upon them, cannot but be guilty of Irriligion. We see dignity of Royal government, which dependeth upon one sovereign head to be lively figured in man himself: in whom reason governeth as sovereign Queen. The world itself, where above our eyes, we behold infinite bodies and motions, which hindereth not one an others course: below we see a Sea, that continually threateneth the earth, and yet overfloweth it not. The earth being very weighty and massive, we may perceive to be set, or rather hanging in the air, and yet stirreth not, all which would soon be out of order, if it were not governed by the wisdom of one only God. Even so a kingdom, which as Plato defineth, is composed of a mighty number of people, and as the proverb goeth, So many men, so many judgements, would soon have come to nought, 
To●… 〈◊〉 tot sentent●…ae  through the covetous desire to reign, and disdain to obey, if there were not one sovereign commander of these infinite affections: which proveth that Monarchia which is the government of one, is far more sacred, excellent and perfit 
Monarchia, the most worthy government.  then Aristocratia, Democratia, Oligarchia, Laocratia, or any other compound government: for it is a harder matter to find out many, than one that is good. The contrariety of affections, where there are many heads, can hardly but bring forth envy, division, and to conclude continual dissension. Considering then the worthiness of Monarchia, and the majesty of a king, obedience is not only required of a subject, but the danger that followeth, counseleth and forbiddeth so much as to murmur against princes. There is an ancient sentence, that kings have wide ears, & out-streached hands, which is applied to this purpose, that princes hear what offenders do in secret: and can take vengeance a far off, for the gain of a prince's favour is so great, as men to compass the same, give knowledge of most hidden things: The preacher saith, A bird of the air shall bewray thy voice, and with her feathers she shall betray thy words, which concern princes: all which is but a moral warning, to counsel men to 
Eccles 10.  say nothing, or nothing but good of princes, when their knowledge searcheth their subjects words, and their anger is a very death. But albeit, this prerogative be given unto a Royal king, to do what he pleaseth, and the duty of a subject, restraineth him from saying what he thinketh. Yet where their murmuring proceeded more of oppression than malice, many good kings, and some tyrants have borne with the inconsiderate words of their subjects.  
King Antigonus, lying in his Tent, in the dead of the night heard a Soldier to murmur against him, of whom Antigonus took no other revenge, but softly in an unknown voice willed him to go further from the King's tent, in the end he might not hear him. The Athenian Ambassadors having audience of king Philip of Macedon, after their embassage delivered, king Philip asked if they would any thing else, yea quoth one of them named Democrates (who knew that Philip hated the Athenians) we would that thou wouldst hang thyself by the throat. But king Philip contrary to all expectation, mildly answered, You shall tell the Athenians, that he that hath endured these words is much more modest than the sages of Athens, which want discretion to govern their tongues. The tyrant Dennis asked the Philosopher Plato, what was said of him in the Academy of Athens. Plato boldly answered, that they were not so idle in Athens, as to talk either of him, or his doings: Dennis knew that Pla●…o covertly blamed his vises, and therefore with great patiency received his grave reprehension: and truly in this clemency of pardoning, the discreet liberty of the subjects reprehension, good princes many times see the faults that they desire to amend in themselves, the forenamed Philip, said it was in his power to make a man say well or evil of him: deriving his reason from this occasion: Nycanor speaking evil of him, Philip was moved to punish him: nay quoth Philip, I know Nycanor is not the worst man in my realm, and so sent to know if Nycanor wanted any thing, and understanding he was in great poverty, in steed of chastisement, Philip gave him a rich present, and presently the accuser brought the king word, that Nycanor spoke much good of him. Oppression, Poverty, and such like temptations will move the tongue to blunder forth the griefs of the heart, and questionless in such oversights, clemency beseemeth a king: and in remedying of his subjects injuries, he doubleth his renown.  
Pontanus saith, that liberty and clemency maketh 
Pont. de princ.  Princes to resemble God, whose property is to do good unto all, and mercifully to forgive those that do amiss. By liberality Caesar won Pompeius' soldiers to be his friends, and by clemency obtained such reverence as in memory 
Plut. de v●…. Ces.  thereof the people erected a Temple. Mamyllus asked Caesar what thing he had done, wherein he held himself most honoured, I swear unto thee Mamillus by the immortal gods (said Caesar) that I have done nothing whereof I hold myself so much honoured and happy, as for that I have liberally rewarded those, that have served me, and mercifully have forgiven such as have offended me, words worthy of Caesar, and beseeming every Royal Prince: for in these two virtues greatly consist their honour and safety. When Cicero saw Caesar set up Pompey's Images, he said, Behold, Caesar setteth up Pompey's Images, that his own may stand the surer. Cicero's wisdom foresaw, that clemency worketh love in subjects, and safety in Princes: notwithstanding with this sweet and mild usage, the majesty of a Prince requireth a severe gravity, for the first without the last, giveth subjects liberty without fear: & the last without the first, fear without love. A reverend and assured countenance, is the chief Grace, and not the least virtue in a prince, for of a prince men behold the countenance, and of a common person the apparel. The proverb is, that in the Face of a prince, both life and death is settled, that is severe gravity, with a mild amiableness, to chasten and cherish as occasion serveth, which moveth a loving fear, and not a fearful love in subjects. The people of Meroe an Island upon Nilus, elect him for their Prince, 
Pet. mes de reb. mend. lib. 4.  that hath the best countenance: imagining that the magnanimity of the mind is discovered in the majesty of the face. King Demetrius, had so honourable & sweet a presence, as no painter durst undertake his counterfeit: for in beholding of him, amiableness, terror, and mild gravity, wrought such sudden impressions, as the beholders at one instant were moved to love, reverence & fear him. The most worthy Roman Marius, had such a reverend presence, as being prisoner with his enemy Sylla, a french man was sent to kill him: who entering the prison, with a drawn sword, was so amazed with Marius' grave & furious countenance, as he returned and left the prison door open: and by this means Marius saved his life. Crassus' in the like danger made the Axe to fall from the executioners hand: with these we may very well sample our renowned Queen Elizabeth when the arch-traitor & desperate Atheist Parry, came with a full determination to have slain her majesty with his dagger, & had place & opportunity as he wished (teste se ipso) the majesty of her countenance, made him to lose his resolution. Of the contrary part, the deformity of countenance, hath disgraced the kingly qualities of a number: & for example of late years king Ferdinando of Spain, a prince both discreet & wise, yet of shape & countenance ugly & deformed, this king upon a festival 
Pet. Mes. lib. 4.  day, accompanying the sacrament at Barcelona, at v●…ares a Spaniard struck him such a sound blow upon the neck, with a short sword, as had it not been for a great chain of gold, he had beheaded him. The Spaniard was taken: and to learn if he had any confederates, he was put unto the torture: but for all the torment they could lay upon him, he would confess no otherwise, but that the phisnomy and evil grace of the king, moved him mortally to hate him. But albeit this be a rare, and too extreme an example, Yet sure a royal Prince resembleth the sun, whose bright beams comforteth every creature, and being darkened with stormy clouds, spreadeth heaviness upon the whole earth. Learning is a great beauty, and a most necessary virtue in a Prince, for learning containeth the grave censures of wise men, and wisdom is the strength, and sceptre of a Prince. God bad king Solomon ask what he should give him, and Solomon 
Chron. 2. 1.  only asked wisdom and knowledge, that he might worthily 
Aul. Gel. lib. 15. 3.  judge the people. Plutarch and Aulus Gelius recite, that when Alexander was borne, king Philip his father wrote in this manner unto Aristotle: I thank not God so much for that I have a son, as for that he is borne in the time of Aristotle etc. to whose instruction Philip committed him: and truly his worthy actions bewrayed the wisdom of his education. This Alexander showed the love he bore to learning when hearing that Aristotle had written certain books of natural Philosophy: he wrote unto him in this manner. Truly Aristotle thou deceivest my desire in publishing of this speculative philosophy: which I thought should properly have honoured myself: for know thou I had rather exceed all men in knowledge and learning, than in riches and dominions, Antigonus king of Macedon, to be instructed in wisdom & knowledge by his letter thus saluted the Philosopher Zenon.  
The king Anty gonus wisheth health to the Philosopher Zenon, I know well that I pass thee in riches and favours of fortune: but I must confess that thou far passest me in the true felicity, which consisteth in the knowledge, discipline, and study of the liberal sciences. Alexander afore named, 
Plut. de vi●…. Alex.  so loved Homer's Illyads, as he appointed the magnificent jewel box of Darius to keep the same. Cesar the best Captain that ever was, by his singular learning raised a question, whether he was more honoured with the lance or the pen. Certainly they be both so necessary as without the knowledge and use of either a royal prince is maimed. The multitude (as Sophocles saith) is a beast with many heads: and therefore to govern such a monster requireth many policies: in which the works of learned men will liberally instruct a prince, but to acquire perfit knowledge, the principal induction is the fear of the Lord, which (as Solomon saith) is the beginning of wisdom. The prince that will have good subjects, ought chiefly to instruct them with the example of his own good life: for, for the most part, the manners of the people incline to the affections of the Prince. The noble prince ought to shake the flatterer from his ear, and to raise the oppressed that fall at his feet, for the one lieth in wait to disgrace the good, and the other by opening their wrongs discover the bad. Hard and bitter words of a prince, is the cause of much murmuring, & discontentment in the subjects, where the prince is noted to be temperate, no man will be so hardy as to demand a wicked & vile request. O happy art thou Marcus Cato (saith Cicero) of whom no man dare demand a wicked thing. He is worthy of a kingdom and sovereign rule, and giveth hope of a good prince, that pursueth the wicked, hateth the intemperate, rejecteth the liars, & as the pestilence flieth the counsels of voluptuous persons, for who so effecteth the desires of such counsellors his infancy willbe shameless, his youth effeminated, and his age infamous. The preacher saith, well is thee O thou land, whose king is come of nobles, & whose princes eat in due season, for necessity, & not for lust king Lamuels mother, 
F●…les. ●…0.  counseleth to give the king no wine, nor princes strong drink lest in being drunken they forget the law, and administration of justice.  
When king Alexander became a drunken Epicure, in his drunkenness he slew his dear friends, and by misgovernment hastened his own death. King Balthafar in his general 
Daniel. 5.  banquet to his thousand Lords, when he was drunken with wine, commanded his vessels of gold and silver (which his father Nabuchodonosor, had taken out of the Temple at jerusalem) to be brought unto him, that he, his wives & concubines might drink in them, in contempt of the living Lord. but in the midst of his banquet the vengeance of God, with a visible hand wrote his destruction upon the wall Drunkenness containeth all vices, and the least vice is a great blemish in a prince. Temperance in diet, breedeth sobriety in manners: & reposed words are the glory of a judicial throne: The sound safety of a king is in the cherishment of religion, and maintenance of his Laws, for the one upon pain of damnation, keepeth subjects in loyal obedience, & the other for fear of temporal punishment bridleth the dispositions of the wicked: it is not enough for the honour and majesty of a prince, to administer the virtue of all these virtues to his subjects alone, but as Xenophon in his Cyropedia writeth, a prince well qualified, ought so to use his enemies, as his enemies may become his friends. Pompey the great, having vanquished Tygranus king of the Armenians, he established Tygranus 
Ant. Verd. lib. 4  again in his kingdom: saying that it was as Magnanimous a thing, to give a king his kingdom as to take it from him: but the magnificent clemency of Philip Maria Duke of Mylaine, toward his vanquished enemies, deserveth more 
A worthy example for princes.  than mortal honour. This Philip Maria, by victory in a battle upon the Sea, took Alfonsus' king of Arragon and Sicily, with two of his brethren, Thierry king of Nauare, the Prince of Tarent, and three hundred men of great reputation, all which he sent back freely into their own countries, and where by the Law of Arms, he might have taken great ransoms of these Estates, such was the honour of his mind, as he gave unto every one of them rich presents, The senate of Rome delivered, 2700. Carthaginian prisoners without ransom, I could recite many of the like examples, but small persuasions instruct the wise, the virtuous desire glory rather by their own Actions, than by the examples of other men: And above all men, a Royal Prince ought to be beautified both with divine and heroical virtues: for that the names, dispositions, and doing of the meanest princes are registered in the Capitols of the whole world: writers so narrowly search the doings of Princes, as the prudent Emperor Alexander surnamed Severus, would oftentimes say, that he stood in more fear of one writer, than of a hundred soldiers, for that the wound of a pen remaineth after death, when the sharp stroke of a lance bereaveth a man but of life: it is not only convenient that a Prince do exercise piety, justice, Temperance, and all other offices of virtue, for his honour and good renown: but it is needful that he do the same for his own safety: for albeit there be no penal Law to chasten a Royal king, yet Tyranny is so odious to God and man, as we seldom read of any that reign long, and of as few that die peaceably. A number of whose ignominious deaths, briefly to touch I hold not impertinent, that other Princes may by the terror thereof, be feared and warned from Tyranny.  
The Tyrant Abimelech slew 70. of his brethren, and in the end, a woman from a high tower tumbled a stone upon his 
Tyrants over the jews. Abimelech. Saul.  head: the wound being mortal, he willed his Page to run him through with his sword, that it might not be said a woman slew him.  
Saul that slew the Sacrificatures, to the number of 85. as also the wives and young children of Nobe, upon an overthrow in battle slew himself.  
Athalia the mother of Ochosias', to revenge her son's death, 
Athalia. Reg. 4. 11.  slew all the race of the house of juda except joas, who (saved by jehosaba) was crowned in the temple, and the wicked Athalia was slain at the entry of the Palace. 
2. Chro. 22. 23.   
Achas an Idolater and Parricide, was delivered unto the 
Achas.  hands of the king of Asiria. The like vengeance was inflicted upon the Tyrant Manasses.  
The miserable vengeance that lighted upon the seed and people of jeroboam, is set down by the Prophet Abias, how 
jeroboam.  that the dogs should eat those that died in the City, and the fowls of the air those that died in the field, which threatenings were soon executed, for Nadab succeeding both in the principality and tyranny, was slain by Baasa, who according 
Nadab. Reg. 3. 15.  to the words of the Prophet, rooted out the whole race of jeroboam.  
Baasa was slain by Zamri, which Zamri left not a kinsman 
Baasa. Reg. 3. 16.  or known friend of baasa's alive.  
Zamri having reigned but seven days, was pursued as a 
Zamri. Reg. 3. 16.  murderer, who seeing the City to be taken, set fire of the royal palace, and so burned himself.  
Achab and his wicked wife jesabel, (who caused Naboth 
Achab. jesabel.  to be slain, to be possessed of his vineyard) according to the prophesy of Elia, the dogs that licked up the blood of Naboth, also licked up Achabs', and of jesabel the dogs devoured flesh and all: and further, the vengeance of jeroboam reigned upon Achabs' seed, his son Ocozias died of a hurt, 
Ocozias. Reg. 3. 21. 22. Reg. 4. 9 10. 11  and for that he sought succour of the Devil to be healed, joran his son was slain by jehu, who by his letters caused the princes of Israel to slay the 70. sons of Achab, which jehu also rooted out the false prophets of Baal.  
Zacharia reigned but six months, and was slain for his 
Zacharia.  tyranny.  
Sellum who slew Zacharia reigned but one month, and 
Sellum.  was slain by Manahem.  
Pekahia the son of Manahem was a Tyrant, and was 
Pekahia.  slain by Pekah.  
Pekah was slain by Hoseas, and Hoseas was lead captive 
Pekah. Hoseas. Reg. 4. 15. 17.  by Salmanasar into Asiria, this was the confusion of the Tyrants of Israel.  
The effeminate Sardanapalus by the sharp war of two 
Tyrants of Asiria. just. lib. 1●…  of his princes Belochus and Arbaces, fired his palace, and in the same burned himself and his concubines.  
Senacherib by the Angel of the Lord had his army overthrown, 
Senacherib.  and 185000. of his host were slain, and he fleeing unto Ninivy, was in the temple of his idols slain by his two 
Reg. 4. 19  sons Adramalech, and Sarasar.  
Ptholomy the thunder bolt that slew Seleuchus, and married 
Tyrants of Egypt. Ptholomy the thunder bolt.  his sister Ars●…a to slay her two sons, was himself in most reproachful manner slain by Brennus and the Frenchmen.  
Ptholomy Philopator, so called in mockery, because he slew his father and his mother, lived and died in great slavery, 
Pthol. Philop.  while his Curtisane Agathoclea, and the bawd Oenantus governed the affairs of his kingdom.  
Ptholomy Phiscon so called, because of his gluttony, for his cruelty called the great Tyrant, who slew his brother's 
Pthol. Phiscon.  children, and two of his own sons, and in the College of Alexandria burned a great number of young scholars, as he lived he died like a beast.  
Ptholomy Lamirus, or the babbler, and Ptholomy Auletus, 
Pthol. Lami. Pthol. Auletus.  so called for his flattery, were both cruel Tyrants, and had dishonourable and beastly ends.  
The ingrateful Ptholomy Dionysius, that struck off the head of his Governor Pompeius, was for practising against 
Pthol. Dionis.  Caesar overthrown and drowned in Nilus.  
Esay speaking of the plagues that should reign upon Babylon, figured how odious the Persian Tyrants were in 
Tyrants of Persia.  God's sight, upon whom his vengeance continually lighted.  
Cyrus & his whole army were slain by Queen Thomiris. 
Cyrus.   
The cruel Cambyses slew his brother Smirdis through envy that he should reign after him, and by his sword falling 
Cambyses.  forth of his sheath, slew himself.  
The Tyrant Xerxes that slew his brother Masistes, was slain by his uncle Artabanus. 
Xerxes.   
Ochus slew fourscore of his brethren, and in the end was 
Ochus.  slain by one of his Captains named Bagoas, and his carcase thrown to the dogs.  
The Monarkie of Alexander and the Grecians, together 
Vide.  with the tyranny, and violent ends of his successors, is sufficiently shown before in the Conquests of envy.  
Nicocrates put to death most of the principal Citizens, 
Tyrants of Bithynia. Nicocrates.  and was himself slain by Leander.  
Leander succeeded Nicocrates both in rule and tyranny, 
Leander.  and therefore was put into a sack of leather and thrown into the Sea.  
Zela, Prusias, and Pharaces, all Tyrants, were violently 
Zela etc.  slain.  
Aristotimus the Arch-tyrant was so odious, as the people 
Aristotimus.  slew him in the temple of jupiter, and by the judgement of the people, his wife and two daughters ready to be married, were strangled.  
Phraates King of the Parthians, who slew thirty of his brethren, and strangled his father, had his throat cut by his 
Phraates.  bastard.  
Eucratides King of the Bactrians, slew his father, drove 
Bucratides.  his Coach through his blood, and caused his carcase to be thrown unto beasts, but by the vengeance of God in one day he lost his kingdom, his own life, and the lives of his whole race.  
Archias, Philippus, Leontidas, and Hyppias, cruel Tyrants 
Archias.  of Thebes, were all four slain by Pelopidas and his associates.  
The Kings of Sicily were generally such Tyrants as they 
Tyrants of Sicily.  are specially thus registered, The Tyrants of Sicily, of whom, horror and cruelty continually attended, and as it appeareth in the question between the Tyrant Dionysius the elder, and the Orator Damocles, the end of a Tyrant is not only violent, but his life is wretched and miserable, so that leaving to show the infamous ends of Caligula, Nero, Heliogabalus, & other Roman Tyrants, as also those of our age, I will conclude this Chapter with a summary of Damocles history, that princes seeing the best estate of Tyrants to be miserable, may be counseled to hate tyranny as much as they are bound to love their honour and safety.  
Damocles on a time praised the riches of Dionysius, and 
Cic. de tusc. lib. 5.  maintained that the sun never shined upon a more happy prince, whereupon Dionysius to make him partaker of this felicity, made him to be set upon a magnificent bed, caused the tables to be covered and furnished with vessels of gold and silver, and in them most delicate viands, and to attend upon him, he appointed many beautiful pages, powdered with most comfortable perfumes, and upon every side of this minion Damocles, all manner of sweet music was placed, but in the midst of his glory, Dionysius caused a naked sword with the point directly upon Damocles head, to be fastened only with the hair of a horse tail, who suddenly forgetting the felicity that he so highly praised, humbly beseeched the Tyrant to deliver him from it, which scourge of conscience, or rather living death never punisheth the good Prince, but as the Psalmist saith, He layeth him down in peace, for he knoweth the Lord will make him dwell in 
Psalm. 4.  safety.   

CHAP. 2.  
Of the high calling of the Nobility, the worthiness of their service in the common wealth, as also the general misery that followeth their disloyalty.  
THere needeth no other authority to approve the high calling of the Nobility, than the judgement of our own eyes. In matters that concern not public disturbance, or manifest breach of the law, they are not called to so sharp a reckoning as inferior subjects. No process at the common law (unless in matters of the Crown) can charge the person from the degree of a Baron upwards: the reason is, the law always intendeth them to be actually in the service of their prince and country, and therefore necessary that their persons be free from particular arrests: yet for that right may be administered to all persons, no man is created a Baron, unless he may dispend 
Sir Thomas Smith de repub. Angl.  a thousand marks by the year, which shall be liable to his debts of record (unless in some special cases.) Virtue which laboureth to crown her disciples with honour, hath authorized the absolute Prince to raise the meanest subject to the highest degree of subjects: neither ought the ancient Nobility to envy the rising of an inferior subject that well deserveth, when the original of their own honour was by the like creation: for Dukes, Marquises, Earls, viscounts, and Barons, have their beginning by creation, through the virtue and good service of those whom the Prince holdeth worthy of such honour: and for their worthiness the same is hereditorie (at the least) in their heir males, which honour, neither for poverty, or any trespass under the degree of felony they can forfeit: their very names of honour declare, that they are created for the great strength and necessary service of the common wealth. Dux a Duke signifieth a Captain, a chieftain, and principal doer: the verb Duco hath many honourable significations, as to lead, to govern, to allure, to judge, etc. Comes an Earl signifieth in effect imitation, as Patriae laudis comites, followers of their father's virtue and renown. 
Cooper Dict. Call●…pin.  Our English word Baron is taken from this word Barus, which signifieth an Elephant, or of Barro a strong man, he is created to be a man of chosen strength and defence unto his prince and country. These personadges are girded always with a sword, to testify that their office is to withstand the foreign and domestic enemy. Their service is so necessary, as regal policy hath thought it convenient to honour the eldest son with the father's dignity, that as the general law possesseth him with his father's lands, so (through a desire to further advance his house) this special favour may work in him his father's virtues. Noble men are for the most part their prince's Lieutenants in the several counties and provinces of their Realms, and therefore the heroical virtues specified in the former Chapter are requisite in a noble man: by their offices they are the leaders and the rulers of the common people, whose natures are to run headlong 
Dispositions of the people.  with a snaffle, and to go never a whit with a sharp bridle: they have no skill, and less can away with the lordly looks: gentle usage winneth them to love, and discreet correction driveth them to obey: one hasty word or proud countenance settleth more hatred among the multitude, than the hanging of ten men by a temperate judgement: it is therefore requisite sayeth the grave Counsellor Sir Anthony de Guevarra, that the Rulers of the multitude be wise to find their variable humours, patiented to bear their uncivil behaviours, temperate to punish their offences, and diligent to praise their good demerits: for if they be governed with liberty without chastisement, they will soon grow insolent: and again, if with severity without gentleness, their malice will be incurable. The common people are so divers to please. As when Demosthenes was banished by the people of Athens, in his departure he turned towards the City, and made this exclamation: O Pallas, how is it possible that thou bearest such love unto these three beasts, the night Owl, the Dragon, and the common people: if I had known the envy, the fear, the false reports, and unjust accusations that they must sustain that govern the uncivil multitude, if of two I must needs have done the one, I would sooner have broken my neck, then have had to do in the common wealth of Athens. Besides this wisdom in government, a special valiantness is required in a noble man, and three encouragements he hath to be resolute, the first is his forwardness maketh the whole army to follow, the second is, he is honoured with the whole glory of the victory, and the last (which is more sharp than death) the shame of a cowardly overthrow, principally reproacheth the chief leader: the fear of this made Caesar desperately to run upon the fierce Neruij, and by this little care of 
Plutarch de vit. Caesar.  life he recovered an honourable victory, even when the Romans were at the point to run away: I might add infinite of the like examples, but to a peerless purpose, for that the greatest part of the Nobility are naturally valiant, in so much, as Ferdinando the prudent King of Arragon would usually say, if Ambition and Envy were as free from the Nobility as cowardliness, Princes should be quiet at home, and fortunate abroad. Those two are in deed the worst humours in the Nobility, and the mortalest pestilence in a Common wealth. Ambition and Envy of the Nobility soon arm the common people to Rebellion, whose civil frays fill the grave far faster than the hottest plague. The Athenians had no other policy to withstand these venomous passions, but by a Law called Ostracism, at the choice of the 
The Law of Ostracism.  people yearly to banish one of their principal Noble men for ten years: by this means they thought to keep under the Ambition and Envy of the Nobility, but the fondness of the people made this law a scourge for the virtuous, and a ladder for the vicious, for the ingrateful people banished Themistocles the valiant, Aristides the just, and Simon the most renowned, and suffered the base Hiperbolus and others of the like condition to step into their places, until they had displaced all good order.  
The Athenians (as the wisest of men will sometimes err) were overseen in privileging the common people with this weighty judgement, who love they wot not what, and hate they wot not why. The general Law of Nations is far more indifferent, which measureth unto every man his desert. Those whom virtue maketh worthy, let them enjoy honour upon honour, and those that be disloyal Traitors, there can be no punishment severe enough to be inflicted upon them. It is thought good by general policy, that the honour and reputation of Traitors should be corrupted in their posterity: who render no more unto their prince to punish their treasons, than the prince gave their Ancestors to reward their good services. The prince created their Ancestors Earls, Barons, or as their callings are, and for their virtues suffered the honour to descend unto their heirs: then they that will work Treason, and forget God, the kindness of their Prince, the virtues of their Parents, and love to their Country, it is not enough that they themselves die the death, but the Emperor Vespasian in a letter to his son Titus sayeth, the son of such a Traitor ought 
joseph. de bell. jud.  not to live: God thought no temporal punishment sufficient to chasten the rebellion of Corath, Dathan, and Abiram, he caused the earth to open her mouth and to swallow them up and their houses, and all the men that were with Corath, 
Nomb. 16.  and all their goods, and they and all that they had went down alive unto Hell, these be the words of the text: and certainly, the vengeance of God continually reigneth upon Traitors. Chronicles make mention of millions of Treasons that have been punished, and of a few that have had success. Almost in every nation most of the ancient Nobility are eaten up with Treason, and novi homines as the Romans term them occupy their places through virtue. The learned Gentleman Master Morrisine, in his invective against Treason, sayeth, that the Treasons of great men ought to be set forth in their colours, because that blood is distained in Treason: he might also have added, because a great deal of guiltless blood is shed through their Treasons. I have in other places sufficiently shown the falls of Traitors, and therefore to withstand the temptation of ambition and envy, the enemies of their countries peace and prosperity, and utter overthrow of themselves and family, this discovery, with prayer for the assistance of God's spirit may suffice.   

CHAP. 3.  
Of the reverend calling of the Clergy, the holiness that is required in their lives, and the lamentable miseries that proceed of disunion in Religion.  
BOth among the jews and Gentiles, and generally through the whole world from the beginning unto this day, the chief Priests, Bishops, and generally the professors of Religion, were much reverenced, and in high estimation among the people. The office of Aaron the Priest was of such 
Nomb. 16. 18.  credit among the jews, as envy, and desire to occupy the room, was the principal cause of the Rebellion of Corath, Dathan, and Abyram: yea, Gods own words greatly honoured Aaron's Priesthood, when he said, The sons of Levy should weight upon him and the Tabernacle. Among the Heathen Romans, the office of the chief Bishop was of such account, as julius Caesar when he began to aspire, only 
Plu●…. de vi●…. C●….  laboured for that dignity. And yet before the ambitious climbing of the Pope, Chronicles make no mention that they were the head rulers of any government. Among the jews the Prophets were privileged to reprehend the faults of the Prince, but both the Prophets and Priests were subject unto the sword and commandment of the Prince. King jehoas appointed jehoiada the Bishop and the Priests, how they should employ the money that was brought into the house of the Lord, and when they fulfilled not his commandment, he sharply reprehended 
Reg. 4. 12.  them. jehu put all the Priests of Baal to the sword. The Emperor Tiberius put the Priests of the Idol Anubis 
Reg. 4. 10.  to the sword, because they were the instruments for the wanton Knight Mundus to commit adultery (by their deceit) with the chaste Roman Lady Paulina. Yea, from 
Ant●…rd, lib. 4. 8.  the beginning, and to be short, at this day it can not be denied but that the reverence which is given unto the Clergy is due unto their profession, and not unto their person, and when their pomp was at the highest, the greatest Archbishop that offended in treason, had the trial of a common subject. Since then the holiness of their profession privilegeth the Clergy to reprove the faults of Princes, and giveth them place among the chief Peers, they are bound, and holy Scripture commandeth them to glorify God with their holy lives, that their holy words may the better edify men. Saint Paul setting down the office of a Bishop (and in that dignity containeth, the duty of the 
1. Tim. 3.  whole Clergy) sayeth that he must be blameless, and so goeth on with many honest virtues, which are well known, and I pray God they may be as well followed of the Clergy. Saint Peter commandeth them to be of so honest conversation among the Gentiles, that where as they backbited 
Pet. 〈◊〉. 2.  them as evil doers, they might see their good works, and praise God in the day of visitation. A great many that would feign have an excuse for wickedness, say, that the word of God is the life of the soul, and not the works of the Preacher, so that if the doctrine be pure, it skilleth not if the Devil preach the same. The word I grant remaineth pure, but the working will be to little purpose if it be delivered by such a Minister, for the holy Ghost loveth not to accompany the Devil. I hope this small note shall work no offence, which is not meant to instruct the Clergy which amply know their duties, but reverently to show their error, that are forgetful of their duties. King Philip of Macedon held no scorn to be daily remembered by a Page of his chamber, that he was a mortal man. Pope Sixtus the fourth, that vaunted how he passed Saint Peter bécause he had gold, silver, and precious stones, was not wrath with the beggarly Friar that answered him he lacked notwithstanding much of Saint Peter's holiness: for he could not say unto the lame and impotent arise and walk: and certainly, although the Pope were bluntly crossed, yet he was thereby charitably counseled to labour rather to become holy, then rich, which is a special duty in the Clergy: for by their godliness they please God, and instruct men, when by the abuse of riches they may dishonour the one, and be an evil example to the other. With this admonition of the Friar, the blow that a Country peisant gave the Archbishop of Cullen, aught to be as patiently received of the Clergy, as the hol●…e tale of the salvage Mylo was of the Senate of Rome. Upon a day as the Archbishop traveled accompanied (according to the custom of Germany) with an armed troop, a Country fellow encountered him with a rude laughter, which the Archbishop noting, demanded what moved him to laugh so, the fellow answered, to see Saint Peter prince of the Prelates, who lived and died poorly, to leave such wonderful pomp and riches to his successors: the Archbishop that was a little galled to excuse himself, said, my friends, I go with this company, because I am a Duke, as well as a Bishop, whereupon, the lout doubled his laughter, and boldly said, my Lord, I beseech you if the Duke which you speak of were in Hell, where should then be the Archbishop? as who would have said, that two professions become not one man, for sinning in the one, he cannot be justified 
Fab●…. Chro.  by the other. King Richard the first laughed when he had gotten a great ma●…e of money to make Hugh Pulath the Bishop of Durham Earl of Northumberland, & chief justice of England: See (quoth the King) what a miracle I can do, I can make of an old Bishop a young Earl, but his miracle turned to the great disworship of God, and mischief of the whole Realm: for the prelate's by buying temporal honours (for this King for money made many prelate's viscounts & Baron's) soon learned how to sell the peace and prosperity of the Kingdom: this was the sound way to strengthen the Pope's Empire, and the wicked policy that kept under the Gospel, the light and life of salvation, when ambition crept into the Church, zeal fled out of the heart of the Clergy, but which hath wrought the capitol mischief of all, the inequality of estates between the highest and lowest of the Prelates, hath brought envy into the Church, and with envy a number of heresies and controversies. Occasion, and millions of men's deaths and damnation, have opened the venom of this passion sufficiently in the Chapter of heresies, and in sundry other places in the Conquests of Enuy. Disunion of the Church of all calamities is the most grievous, because it mouéth a most mortal war among men, and eternal torment unto the soul: God for his Son jesus sake banish this dangerous passion forth of the Church, and give the spirit of true knowledge unto all the Clergy, that with mutual consents they may teach one sound doctrine, to the glory of GOD, and universal peace and comfort of his people.  
Amen.   

CHAP. 4.  
Of the most honourable calling of the judicial Magistrates, of the weightiness of their offices, with examples of Gods heavy justice inflicted upon partial judges.  
IN all good governments, necessity hath taught princes where virtue is found, to honour it: and questionless, so weighty are the affairs of a Commonwealth, and so holy the judgements of justice, as the nobility or innobilitie, of the person not respected. The Magistrates or Ministers of these charges ought to be chosen by the counsel that jethro the Priest gave unto his son in law Moses, which was, that he should 
Exod. 18.  choose among the people virtuous men, and such as fear God, true men hating covetousness, and make them heads over the people, and let them judge the people at all seasons, etc. The weightiness of which charge commandeth a high honour and reverence to be given to the Magistrate, who in the place of justice, is the image of the Prince. And in all good governments, the sovereign Magistrate hath his place next unto the Prince. In Rome the Senators were called the Fathers of the Common wealth, and as the Father is honoured and reverenced of his son, so were they of the people. The Magistrates or Philosophers of Greece were called Sages, whose wisdoms were so reverenced, as nothing was done concerning war or peace but what they allowed.  
The office of the Magistrate according to the Psalmist, is to defend the poor and fatherless, and to see that such as 
Psal. 8●….  be in need and necessity, may have right, and as King Lamuell setteth down, they must be advocates for the doom, they must open their mouths to defend the thing that is lawful and right: and according to the counsel of Aristotle, in their judgements they must be ruled neither by love, hatred, or gain. That these duties may be truly ministered, Cicero sayeth, that Sophocles counseled 
Offic. 〈◊〉.  Pericles to make choice of judges that had not only their hands, but their eyes chaste and continent. It behoveth that judges do not buy their offices, for as Alexander Severus sayeth, he that buyeth, must needs sell, and therefore 
Lampr. de vi●… Alexand.  sayeth he I will suffer no Merchants of Estate, for if (quoth he) I suffer the one, I must needs endure the other, as a matter too severe to punish him that buyeth, although he selleth. In France all the offices of justice are sold, in England they are freely given: in the one, I know the administration is corrupt, I pray God the other be without fault. Plato was so curious in the choice of judicial officers, as he gave counsel to give no dignity or offices to the ambitious, or to such as coveted or sought them, but unto such as merely refused them: and above all he forewarned to make choice of none that naturally were barbarous, rude, or rustic, but of people that were civil, mild, just, and wise, the which he figuratively compared unto dogs, which are ordained to defend the sheep, and to chase away the Wolf. In Calcydone there was a law that needy and unworthy persons should bear no office: but contrariwise, 
A worthy law in Calcydone.  such as contemned riches, and contented to be enriched with most knowledge: and such manner of men were Curius, Fabritius, and Photion. Alexander the Great teacheth judges to judge uprightly, by this observance, when any man complained, he stopped one of his ears to hear the answer of the defendant: and truly, justice is never rightly administered, where the judge giveth his sentence before lawful conviction. It is a place of much honour to be a judicial Magistrate, but the temptation of money is so sweet, as when the world was nothing so corrupt in these days, the Poet was driven to sing: 
Munera crede mihi capiunt hominesque deosque.  In English. 
Believe me, gifts do catch both Gods and men.   
Diogenes being asked what thing an office was, said, it was a dangerous beast, for (quoth he) it is as hard a matter for the judges of the people to keep their consciences sound, as barefooted for a man to walk upon sharp stones unhurt, or to thrust his hand into the fire, without the burning thereof. In all good governments there evermore have been positive laws to bridle the injustice of judicial Magistrates. The false judges that accused Susanna were stoned to death. Alexander Severus caused the corrupt Magistrate Turinus to be smothered with the smoke of wet stubble, during whose execution, one cried, With fume let him die, that fumes hath sold. This Alexander defrayed the charge of all the judges with an honourable allowance: that their offence might be without excuse, and their punishment without mercy, if they did injustice for money. The sentence that King Cambyses gave upon a corrupt judge, deserveth eternal memory, he caused him to be flayed, and with his skin he covered a judicial Chair, in which he placed the judges son to occupy the office of his Father: and to fear him from bribery and all partiality (besides the continual sight of his father's skin) Cambyses gave him 
johan. de proym. de sum. predi.  this sharp item: 
Sede sedens ista judex inflexibilis sta.  
Sit tibi lucerna: lux: lex: pellisque paterna.  
A manibus reseces munus: ab aure preces.  In English. 
Thou judge that sittest in this seat, firmly sit therein,  
And for thy light take thou the light: the law: and father's skin.  
Superfluous bribes cut from thy ruling hand,  
And in thy ears let no entreaty stand.   
I need not enlarge this Chapter with the positive laws of other Countries, to hinder (as much, as policy may) the injustice of judges, our English government hath had a special care to keep the seat of justice from the stain of injustice.  
For to prevent that authority may not outcountenance right, neither Lord nor any other person may sit with the judges in open Assizes, upon pain of a great forfeiture to the 
20. R. 2. 3.  Queen.  
To prevent that affection nor hatred may hinder justice, no 
8. R. 2. 2. 33. H. S. 24.  man may be judge of Assize in the place where he was borne or is resident, upon the pain for every offence 100 pound.  
justice shall be sold, deferred, or denied to no man, and the justices of any bench or Court whatsoever shall not let to execute the common law for any commandment that shall come unto them under the great Seal, or privy 
9 H. 3. 29. 14. Ed. 3. 14.  Seal: many other penal charges are set down unto judges to bind them to the true administration of justice, and all to little purpose, if the judge have not the fear of God before his eyes: for positive laws, as the sage Cleobulus sayeth, are like unto cobwebs, through which the hernets break when the little flies are meashed. The law of man may stay injustice, but the awe of God is only of force to banish it. You judges are Gods upon the earth, listen then what the God of heaven sayeth unto you: I say unto you that you are Gods, but you shall die like men. This was the 
Psal. 82.  charge of Moses: judge righteously between every man, 
〈◊〉. 〈◊〉.  and his brother, and the stranger that is with him, so that you know no f●…ces in judgement, but hear the small as well as the great, and be afraid of no man, for the judgement is the Lords. The judgement thus being the Lords, judges ought to be very circumspect to administer justice without respect of persons: for his vengeance daily maketh it known, that nothing is more odious unto him then injustice, corruption, and cruelty: they are the principal causes that God repented that he ever made man, & which moved him to destroy the whole world with water. God by his Prophet saith, that he will 
Genes. 6.  root out the judge, it followeth why, because he hath sold 
Amos. 〈◊〉.  the righteous for money, and the poor for shows. Daniel said unto the false judges that wrongfully accused & condemned Susanna, The messenger of the Lord standeth waiting with the sword to cut you in pieces. I could recite many 
Daniel. 13.  fearful examples, to witness that God's vengeance swiftly followeth the judge, that by partial judgement either undoth the poor, or sheddeth guiltless blood. Among the rest I have selected these special examples following, to admonish, or rather to assure all judicial estates, that God never faileth to revenge their injuries that in the bitterness of their sorrow demand his justice. At such time as the Templars were destroyed, a Knight of that order, a Napolitane borne, by the 
Pet. mes. de cha. ●…emo.  general judgement of the people, was at the pursuit of Philip le Bel King of France, unjustly put to death by the judgement of Pope Clement the fifth: the poor Templar going to execution, beheld Pope Clement and Philip le bell at a window, who in the bitterness of his sorrow suddenly cried out, Most cruel Clement, since there is no worldly judge, before whom I may appeal to revoke thy most cruel and unjust sentence pronounced against me, at the malicious pursuit of Philip of France, I therefore appeal thee and Philip both, as most wicked judges, before the just judge jesus Christ, within one year to answer my blood which you most impiously shed, before whom I oppose my cause, which shall determine it without love, gain, or dread which blinded you: the knight was executed according to his judgement, and about the time of his demand (no doubt, but by God's just judgement). The Pope died of an extreme pain of the stomach, and in the like manner died Philip of France: semblable was the end of Ferdinando the fourth, king of Castille, who putting to death two knights, more of displeasure than justice, when neither tears nor prayers aided their innocency, they cited the said king to appear before the tribunal seat of Christ, within thirty days: the last whereof king Ferdinando (attached by death) failed not to make his answer. Baptista Fulgotius writeth, that a Captain of the Galleys of Genes, who making a course upon the seas, took a foist of Catelong, in which there was a Captain that never offered wrong unto the Genevoys: notwithstanding through the hatred the Genoese bore unto the Cattelans, he commanded that the captain being taken prisoner, should be hanged: who in shedding many tears, required that his ever well using of the Genevoys might repeal the injust sentence of death pronounced upon him: but in the end finding no grace, he repaired to divine justice, and told the cruel Captain, that since he would proceed to execution of his bloody judgement, he appealed him by a certain day, before god who chastiseth unjust judges, to render an account of his hard judgement, at which day the Genevoy Captain failed not his appearance. Many other examples might be produced, but this is of most special memory of the Archbishop of Magonce in Almain, whose injury was revenged on the whole City of Magonce. As the renowned Poet Gontier in the life of the Emperor Frederick the first, and the the Bishop Conradus in his history of divers accidents, reporteth, The sum whereof followeth. In 
Gont. de vit. Fred. 1.  the City of Magonce in the year of our Lord, 1150. or there about, there was an Archbishop, named Henry, a man beautified with all manner of virtues: This Archbishop like a good shepherd, severely corrected all public sins, & having a great care of his flock, was very jealous of the honour of God, and of the love of his neighbour, through envy whereof the wicked bore him a mortal grudge, and by false accusations accused him before the Pope of disability, and many other grievous crimes. The Pope notwithstanding that he always reputed him, a holy and a just man, nevertheless could not deny his accusers audience. The Bishop having advertisement of these envious suggestions, to purge his innocency, chewsed among his friends a priest whom he had much advanced, and especially loved, named Arnold. This Arnold being rich of spirit, Eloquence, and money: so soon as he arrived at Rome pricked forward by the devil, studied how to deprive his Lord of this dignity, and to seat himself in the archbishopric. And to come by the same, he suborned two lewd Cardinals with a great sum of money: afterwards instead of favourable speaking in his Master's behalf, he spoke much against him: saying, that he was more bound to God, and the truth, then unto men: and that in very truth the Archbishop was guilty of the accusation laid against him, by means whereof the Pope was moved, and abused with the report: and therefore to proceed judicially against the innocent Bishop: he sent the two Cardinals, confederate with Arnold, into Almain, who being arrived at Magonce, commanded the Archbishop before them, and so partially heard the matter, but the one gave sentence against him, by means whereof, he was deprived of his dignity, and Arnold (who had sold him as judas did our saviour Christ) was placed in his place: this judgement being pronounced, the Archbishop Henry there present delivered these words. God knoweth that I am unjustly condemned: nevertheless I have little care to appeal from your sentence, for that you shallbe sooner believed in your leasings, than I in delivering of the truth: for this cause I receive your judgement, before the just, and eternal judge which is jesus Christ, before whom I adjourn you: The judges hearing the same, began to smile and bade him go before and they would follow after: This sentence was given in the year of our Lord a thousand one hundred fifty six. The Archbishop thus deprived, sustained his injury with great patience, and lived the residue of his life in a Monastery, to conclude God would not suffer this wickedness unpunished, to the end that the innocency of the just might be known, one year and a half afterwards, Henry died in his Monastery, and as it is to be hoped, mounted into the glory he so desired. The news of his death being come to Rome, the two Cardinals upon a day being mearie together, said that they failed to find the Archbishop Henry: but within few days after, the one of the two was so sound strucken, by one of his own people, that his entrails issued out at his fundament, and so miserably died. The other grinding of his teeth, and tearing, and eating his hands, died mad. Touching Arnold, for his cruelties, and seditions which he entertained among the people, he was so much hated, that one day being set in a Monastery, he was slain, and after left three days among the ditches of the City, where all the people men and women, exercised upon his body, all the cruelties that might be possibly invented. Who so that is curious of more examples touching Gods severe punishments inflicted upon partial judges, next unto the sacred Bible, let him search the Acts and Monuments of the Church, collected by the reverent divine M. john Fox, and he shallbe liberally, and profitably satisfied, and so I end this Chapter.   

CHAP. 5.  
Of the worthy reputation, of the justisers (whom we commonly call justices) of Peace: and of the public benefit of their service being duly administered.  
THere need no other demonstration, to show the worthiness of their calling, that are justisers of Peace, than the signification of their office distribution, or administration of the right precious blessing Peace. They are numbered among the eight beatitudes that are peacemakers: For they shallbe 
〈◊〉. E. 3. 16.  called the children of God. The greatest pear of England taketh not scorn of the office: yea by statute is chosen for that service, and to the intent that necessity in such as lack living, may be no cause of injustice, it is provided that no person, that cannot dispend xx. pound land by the year shallbe a justiser of Peace, unless they be certain celected men: Barrators, and men of evil name shall not be assigned justicers 
18. H. 6. 11.  of Peace: Trespasses committed and specified in the greatest part of the penal laws, are committed to their examination, 
〈◊〉. E. 3. 16.  and determination. M. Lambeard and others have written learnedly and largely of the administration of this office according to Law, but much (moreover) may be said, of the administration thereof, according to Christian charity and justice. The diligence of the justicers of Peace, is of power to keep the judges idle in Westminster Hall, and the plough to be always occupied in the Country: the true administration of Peace, is as well to appease the discords of neighbours, as to apprehend felons and evil livers. All controversies in Law, grow either of violent oppression, stubborn malice, or manifest folly: if the suit proceed of violent oppression, what oppressor will be so cruel as to withstand the good mediation of these magistrates, who for the most part are the principal men of the shear: if of stubborn malice, the accord that they shall make, willbe far more godly and profitable, than the agreement of the Law: for Law (for the most part) endeth controversies, and increaseth malice, when a friendly agreement determineth both, and if the matter be of light reckoning, it will grow to a heavy charge in Law: which a peaceable mediation would charitably end. Almost there is no matter tried by law without this censure, It is pity, it was not ended by friends: and truly in Christian equity, this pity, is a blame in the justisers of Peace, that they will not look into the discord of neighbours, which is a breach of Christian Peace: and labour to accord them, which is a point of their duty. The Right noble Lord, Francis late Earl of 
The godly example of the late Earl of Bedford.  Bedford (whose life and death, is a mirror, of true honour, and Christian nobility) when he lived in the western parts, in short time, so abredged the number of Nysi prius, as the layers murmured against his Charity: but so honourable was the slander, as I may with charity wish, that the example generally through England would beggar their faculty: The Reverend judge, the late Lord Dyer, would usually 
Saying of the Lord Dyer.  say, if there came any controversies of poor men to be tried at the assizes, that the parties were wilful, or their neighbours without charity, because their suits were not quietly ended. I heard a question once moved, what was the cause that there were so many bad Lawyers? which was presently answered 
A question.  because there were so few good preachers: In deed although most ministers will generally speak against discord of nighbors in the Church, few of them do travel to bring peace unto their houses: their godly persuasions no doubt may profit with the honester sort, but the credit and authority of the other Magistrate will prevail against the most obstinate wrangler: I know in Bedfordshire, and in some other places, 
A charitable exercise.  that once a week sundry of the principal magistrates, and of the chief divines meet, the one to instruct the people in the rules of Christianity, and the other to appease the controversies of neighbours: If the example were general this general benefit would follow, the oppressor would forbear to do injury for fear of shame: and the oppressed should have ease without expense of money. I am bound reverently to confess, that the honour and mercy of the Chancery Law, 
Honour of the Chancery Law.  is a fountain of compassion and sucker, for oppressed suppliants: but the court is so pestered with injuries, as common course keepeth a man near hand four years from judicial hearing: in which space as the tale goeth of a condemned man that undertook within ten years to make a Tyrant's Ape to speak, upon this hope, that before the time were expired, the Tyrant, the Ape, or himself might haply die, so the opressor hopeth, by the complainants' expense, toil, and lack of friends in such a lingering suit, to bring him to the agreement of his pleasure. Necessity maketh many of these conclusions, contrary to the law of charity and good conscience, which the diligence (and charge in duty) of these popular Magistrates, would administer, to the glory of god, and general peace and commodity of men.   

CHAP. 6.  
Of the worthy reputation, of the godly Lawyer, and the especial benefit of his service, in the common wealth.  
THE envious (that raise, mispleasing questions of the most moral institutions, as the Spider draweth poison out of the sweetest flower) are like enough to slander my honest intent concerning the former Chapter: with a suggestion, that I covertly reprove Lawyers, and reproach the virtue of the Law: but their reasons censured by the wise, will prove as vain, as their heads are void of virtue: no man that hath sense, will say, that to prescribe rules of health, it is any discredit to Physic, or dishonour to the Physician: when the health of man showeth the reputation of either, as weak is his judgement, that saith a persuasion to concord and quietness among neighbours, is either a reproach to Law, or blame to Lawyers, when the commendation of the one, and office of the other, is to administer public peace and prosperity. The policy of this government, hath made especial choice of Lawyers, to be justicers of Peace: and for their profession they are abled for this commission, albeit they cannot spend the yearly land contained in the statute. Fortescue 
18. H. 6. 11.  saith, that humane Laws are no other, than rules 
Fort. sol. 11.  that instruct men, to do justice: it than followeth that layers are the principal instruments and amners of justice: yea so necessary is the study and knowledge of the Law, as a man can hardly discharge his duty to God, his Prince, and country, that is ignorant in the Laws of the Realm: The Romans when they had banished their Tyrannous kings, and had erected their Aristocratia or Decemuirate government, 
Tit. 〈◊〉 lib 〈◊〉.  they trusted to the strength of their Laws, the which fair written in ten tables, they caused to be set up in the market place, to the intent that ignorance might be no plea for any man that trespassed against the weal public. In all good governments there is a common Maxim, Non excus●…t ignorantia juris. The ignorance of the Law excuseth not: And in this blessed government, that every man might know his duty, the greatest part of the penal laws ought to be plainly opened unto the multitude, by the justicers or justices of Peace at their quarter Sessions, and the like is the charge of Stewards in their Leates, that the people may know the Laws which they are bound to obey, so that it were an unexcusable folly, to reproach the Law which according to the judgement of Fortescue is an uncorrupt holiness, and a dangerous madness to envy generally 
Fol. 8.  against Lawyers, who are honoured with right reverend dignities in the common wealth: and yet with favour let the Truth be spoken, from things of the greatest virtue, the worst vices are grown.  
Religion is the holiest of holy things, and yet Heresy of sins the most damnable, proceedeth of the wresting of holy scriptures. Even so Law, which in truth containeth the very judgements of justice, unto covetous, and naughty persons, openeth an hundred gaps, to rob and undo their poor neighbours: and truly upon the temptation of their opressions, a man (saving the honour of the good) may say by lawyers as Cicero did by Poets, when he allowed the sentence of Plato: and yet Cicero honoured good Poets, as appeareth by his Oration for the Poet Archias, in which he persuaded the Citizens 
Cic. pro Archia Poeta.  to receive him, as one that would greatly honour and benefit the City. The like reputation and reverence, I (and all good men ought to) give to godly lawyers: how be it my censure is, that next unto the heretic, the wicked Lawyer is the most dangerous person.   

CHAP. 7.  
Of the honest reputation of the Yemonry, or husbandmen, the commodity of their service, their aptness to rebellion, with a direction for their quietness, and commodity.  
WHO so shall consideratively look into the necessary service of the Yemen and husbandmen of England, he may with the grave Cato rightly call them Aratores, & optimos cives in republica. tillers of the ground, and best Citizens in a common wealth: and as their travel and continual labour profiteth, or more properly feedeth the whole Realm: so their inconstant and seditious humours, are apt upon every light temptation to work the disturbance of the whole Realm, and therefore the policy of our government, within the compass of every four or five mile, in most shires hath appointed some one of the better sort of the Gentlemen to be a justicer of peace among them, who (as is before shown) is bound to have an eye unto their behaviours, and an ear ready to hear and appease their murmurings: and truly if any good counsel may take place among the stubborn multitude, besides the admonition of sacred Scripture, which in mani●… places commandeth obedience, and forbiddeth rebellion: the assuredness of their misery, undoing and utter confution, forbiddeth them to run from the motion of sedition, as swift (if it were possible) as the fearful Hare doth from the hungry grayhound, for their danger is far more apparent, the Hare many times saveth herself, by the recovery of some wood, but the poor and popular rebel lieth open to all destruction. Noble men, Gentlemen, and the better sort, if they see themselves in peril (as they are never safe that rebel) they have swift horse, secret friends, and many coverts to shroud them: but the shiftless country men have no sucker but the prince's mercy, which they neither deserve, nor yet have friends to acquire the same: if there were not innumerable examples to prove that they headlong run upon their destruction, and swiftly fly from their safety and profit: it were a thing almost unpossible, that the meanest sort of men would be drawn into rebellion. I have in many places of my book shown sundry examples of their unconstancy, and therefore here will only set down what Chauser writeth of their dispositions under.  

Osterne people, unjust, and untrue,  
Ay undiscreet, and changing as a fane,  
delighting ever in rumours that be new:  
For like the Moon you ever wax and wane,  
Your reason halteth, your judgement is lame  
Your doom is false, your constance evil proveth.  
A full great fool is he that on you leaveth.   
But questionless this mutability, and anke-ward disposition of the multitude, would be much reform if the Magistrates, and godly ministers would sufficiently remember them, of their duties towards God, their Prince, and country. It is great pity that such profitable members in a common wealth should run into danger of disloyalty, for lack of good instruction: yea it is great pity (unless in time of war) that they should be carried far from their labour: a poor country man that useth a Law●…ers chamber, is in as great a danger as a Lamb that haunteth a Fox's den: for how righteous so ever his cause be, yet the poor suitor is sure to sing before his matter be ended. 
Law measures right, with toil, expense, and grief.  There are many stops before a matter come to judgement and many nice quillets to overthrow a good matter, so that if the country man will direct his controversy by this following compass, he shall find more profit in the same, than in the counsel of the best sergeant, and first of all I wish him to way the working of gifts, by this sequel.  

A poor man once, a judge besought, to judge aright his cause,  
And with a glass of Oil salutes, this judger of the laws.  
My friend quoth he, thy cause is good, he glad away did trudge,  
A non his wealthy foe did come, before this partial judge.  
A Hog well fed, the churl presents, and craves a strain of law,  
The hog received, the poor man's right, was judged not worth a straw.  
Therewith he cried O partial judge, thy doom hath me undone▪  
When Oil I gave my cause was good, but now to ruin run.  
Poor man quoth he I thee forgot, and see thy cause of foil,  
A Hog came since into my house, and broke thy glass of Oil.  
Learn friends by this this read of me, small helps a righteous cause,  
When gifts do catch, both Gods & men, & friendship endeth laws.   
This example is no other than a Moral forewarning unto the inferior sort, to forbear controversy with men mightier than themselves, least after much expense of money they make but a bad end, of a good cause, we are counseled in holy Scripture not to go to Law, with men mightier than ourselves, lest we be more discomforted, with an unsentence, than with an injurious oppression.  
Law is the supporter of all well governed Common weals, necessary for all men, but not behoveful, for the poor to follow: in great men's controversies, a needful instrument, in poor men's wrongs, a remedy too violent.  
judges and other ministers of the Law, in the due administration of their callings, deserve great honour, reverence, and reputation: for that Perjury, Oppression, and all manner of deceit goeth before them, that their eyes may behold their actions of whose forfatures they are judges: and in their footsteps, Virtue, Truth, and good Conscience, ready with the following multitude familiarly to converse: but sin which with the first fall of Adam rose hath made gain so sweet, and corruption so bold, as now before a great number of them, upright-dealing in vain continually kneeleth for entertainment, and in their liveries all manner of deceit squareth among the multitude.  
Good and profitable Laws, were so wrested in Glebulus time, a great Philosopher and one of the seven sages, as he said Laws were like unto Copwe●…bes, through which great hornets broke, when the little flies were menshed.  
Pythagoras compareth Law unto a back sword, which smote the greater powers with the blunt, and the meaner sort with the eadge. By the wresting of Law, and other partial workings, we have in England these by sayings, Might mastereth right: The Law is ended as a man 
Sir Thom. S●… 〈◊〉 de repub. anglo●…  is friended: A good purse, is better than a just cause etc.  
The wise Cato made this answer to one, that would have the pleading place in Rome to be covered with Canvas, like unto the Theaters, for that the heat of the sun was very hurtful for the pleaders and their Clyantes heads. Nay (quoath Cato) for my part, I rather wish, that all the ways to the place of pleading were cast over with Galthropes, that the feet of such as love so well pleading, should feel so much pains of those pricks in going thither, as their heads do of the sun in tarrying there: He meant they were but idle, hot heads, busy bodies, and troublesome men in a Common wealth that did so nourish pleading: Good labourers and quiet men, could be content to end their matters at home, by judgement of their neighbours and kinsfolk without spending so their money upon procurers and advocates, whom we call Attorneys, Counsellors, Sergeants, and generally men of Law. Those he accounteth profitable Citizens, who attend their honest labour and business at home, and not stand waiting and gaping upon their Rolls, and Process in the Law: as for the other by his judgement it was no matter what mischief they suffered. This the grave learned man Sir Thomas Smith, writeth in his book De republica Anglorum: and further saith, That these busy heads, and inventors of trouble, are men even permitted of God like Flies, lice, and other vermin, to disquiet them, who would employ themselves upon better business, and more necessary for the common wealth. These men are hated and feared of their neighbours, loved and aided of them which gain by Process, and wax fat by the expense of others: In the blame of these makebates (as our English phrase is) far is it from my intent, as in sundry places I protest to scandilize the most necessary use of Law, or to reproach the good Lawyers. For if necessity inventris of all Arts, policies, and mechanical crafts, giveth honour to the Physician of our corporal bodies, no doubt she commandeth a more larger regard, and reverence to be given to the Physician of the politic body, who is the Lawyer. Notwithstanding as the Medicine is of more avail that preserveth health, than that which cureth sickness: Even so the mean that keepeth neighbours in love, peace, and Charity, is more profitable than the authority that accordeth controversies, is necessary. For as after the healing of a wound, there remaineth a scar: even so after the agreement of Law, there abideth malice, which lying hid like fire under ashes, kindleth fresh malice, and never entertaineth faithful amity: It is then greatly to be pitied, that these simple men for the matter of five shillings should be vexed, arrested, brought up to Westminster Hall, and half undone at the suit of troublesome persons, of the spoils of these good men, a great number, of the swarms of attorneys, and pettifoggers live. The gracious policy 
A gracious policy abused.  of this Realm, for the ease of these poor men; hath appointed in every county Courts, and giveth liberty to Lords of Manners, to hold Plea of actions under forty shillings debt, but the corruption of those Courts are such, and the coming of these persons so pleasing, as almost every sunday, Latitates, pry about Country Churches for poor men: whereof many own not the price of the Process, and before the suit be ended, it oftentimes falleth out, that the plaintiff, and defendant are both losers, and that these dangerous makebates live upon their goods, and painful labours. This mischief would be much eased, if charity reigned among neighbours, or a godly care among the ministers of the Church, in travailing to appease the discords of their parissioners, but especially as I here before have said: If the better sort of Gentlemen, and justicers of Peace, would take pains in this godly exercise: whose persuasions no doubt might easily overcome the most stubborn, and convey both benefit and quietness to either party, and no doubt if the popular sort will be counseled for their profit and quietness, they shall find these Magistrates ready to redress their injuries so far as Law and charitable persuasion will help them.   

CHAP. 8.  
Of the disposition and destruction of Atheists machivillians and Time-pleasers, with sundry examples to the same purpose.  

THe Prophet shows, the fool in heart, doth say there is no God,  
In truth God's justice proves them fools that little fear his Rod.  
But God except, who sees his thoughts and spews him from his mouth.  
This fool the Atheist doth beguile, old age as well as youth.  
He Protew-like doth shape himself, according to the time.  
He (wretch) is neither hot nor cold, but cleaveth like to slime.  
To the affections of the great, if fortune change their state,  
He sets his foot upon their throats, of whom he fauned late.  
He knows that gods, which rule on earth, have humours like to men  
Not grossly, closely in his words, sweet flattery he doth blen.  
He reads, and doth regard these faults, Love, hate, and private gain  
Through partial domes, even justice seat, with poor men's tears doth stain.  
He knows lords letters bear a swinge, sic volo keeps in awe.  
And Munera speaks not for the poor, that makes & marreth law.  
He knows as Diamonds set in brass, have but a slender grace,  
So virtue in a poor attire, sits in the meanest place.  
And therefore, clothed all in pride, above he takes his seat.  
And hath his tongue prepared to please the humours of the great.  
Where fortune smiles, he ever fauns, and strongest parts doth take,  
Where fortune frowns, father, brother, and friend he doth forsake.  
The scripture saith, this cursed wretch, is neither hot, nor cold,  
His conscience feeleth no remorse, in murdering young or old.  
The stranger and the farthest borne, he follows to be great,  
And helps, to cut his neighbour's throat, his neighbours goods to get.  
The widows tears, and orphans spoil, he grieves not to behold,  
But only seeks to please himself, and hath no God but gold.  
Religion yet to serve his turn, his cloak he still doth make:  
When as his Zeal is like a fane, that every wind doth shake.  
This wretch, the prophet holds a fool: and so he doth him call:  
Whose building grounded all on wit, upon his shoulders fall.   
Examples of the miserable ends of Atheists etc.  
As I have said, the (Atheists I mean) are armed with all worldly policies of wit, to strengthen their purposes, & are the instruments in the practices of great Princes, these be they that followed Abimilech when he murdered threescore 
judges 9  and eight of his brethren: these be the firebrands of the Pope and the two edged sword of tyrants. If they be instruments of any goodness, their travel is not of zeal, if they be used in any mischief they outrage without pity: people far more accursed then Pagans, for they hold a kind of religion, and by the working of nature deal charitably with their neighbours.  
But the reprobate Atheists contemn all religion, fear no God, and although they feign to please all men, yet they truly love not their own kindred: for be it to depose their Sovereign, to spoil their Country, and to murder their dearest friends, if they see likelihood in their Treasons, they give consent, if hope of advancement, they first set hand to their sword. But you monsters of humanity, that are drunken with the strength of your own wits, and are bewitched with the hopeful success of your policies, esteem it for sound counsel that I give you to understand, that the eternal God, whom you neither fear, love, nor do acknowledge, seethe all your wicked policies in his vengeance, and frustrateth them with his mercy, he searcheth the reins and 
jerom. 27. Revel. 2.  hearts, and will give to every man according to his works. If you dig a pit to bury the innocent, look to fall into it yourselves: if you raise a gallows to hang them, be you sure, that you shall suffer thereupon: if you edge your sword to pierce their hearts: trust to it your own entrails will be the sheath thereof. What you do, or would do unto them, shallbe done unto you. Hamon set up a pair of gallows to hang Mardocheus the jew, and he and his ten sons, did die thereon. The false judges that sought the life of chaste Susanna, were themselves stoned to death. Adonibezek that had cut off the thumbs and great toes of three score and ten kings, & had fed them with Crombes under his table, being taken in battle by juda chief of the Army of the Israelites, had his own hands & toes cut off, who confessing that God had done by him as he did by others, miserably died. If you Atheists regard not these examples in scriptures because you study not 
Profane examples of Atheists punished.  the sacred Bible, look into the examples of profane chronicles and histories of time, from whence you fetch you policies and cunning experiments: and you shall see in all ages, how God returned the mischiefs of the wicked, into their own bowels. Diomedes fed his horses with the flesh of men, and Hercules made Diomedes food for his own Horses. Arnutius Peterculus hearing that the tyrant Amylius offered great rewards to him that could devise any new kind of torture, presented the tyrant with a brazen horse, that he had invented. Amilius just in this cruelty, made him first to suffer the pains which he had prepared for others. The like was the reward of Perillus, who presented the tyrant Phalaris with a Bull, which being heat with fire, with the outcry of the poor patients would bellow like a Bull. Apias Claudius called the prisons the proper houses of the poor people, but he himself by the commandment of the Tribune of the people, was thrown into prison, where he died among thieves and murderers. The Emperor Caligula was a notable Atheist, and would in his ungodly actions always despite the Gods, but in the end as Sweronius testifieth, he durst not repose in the night, he was so terrified with horrible visions, and he that so boldly misprized the gods at the smallest lightning and clap of thunder, would in the night, hide himself under bed, and in the day, in the most obscure corner, in fine, he was violently slain by Chereus, Cornelius, Sabin, and other their confederates. Although the Heathen people worshipped not the true God, yet he severely punished the contemners of their superstitious Religion, not honouring any other.  
Pausanius reporteth, that in the City of Cabira in Boetia, 
Pausan. lib. 9  a mile distant from Thebes, there was a Temple dedicated to Ceres, into which all men were defended to enter save the Cabirians, it fell out that Mardonius one of Xerxes' Captains with his army entered to spoil the same of a great quantity of treasure, but of the sudden Mardonius and his company were assailed with such madness, as leaping from high mountains, cliffs, and rocks, they all died miserably. The like destruction happened to the soldiers of Alexander the Great, who having by force taken the City of Thebes, as they were at the point to enter the Temple, they were suddenly strooken and slain by thunder from heaven. Phlegius King of Orchomenia not long after that he had rifled the Temple of Apollo at Delphos, and had slain Philamon, that with a strong power came to rescue the same, had the greatest part of his Country destroyed with an earthquake, and his people which were not slain with strie darts from heaven, soon after died of the pestilence: for which sacrilege and contempt of the Gods, Virgil supposeth that Phlegias is 
Aeneyd. 6.  wonderfully tormented, and thus complaineth in Hell. 
— Phlegias miserimus omnes  
Admonet, & magna testatur voce per umbras  
Discite justitiam moniti & non temnere divos.  In English. 
Phlegias the most wretched of all.  
To all men thus with strained voice, from shadows dark doth roar  
Be counseled, true justice use, & Gods contemn no more.   
The Sabarites desirous to know the continuance of the felicity both of themselves, and of their City, for their better knowledge counseled with the Oracle at Delphos, to whom Apollo the Pythian made answer, your land shall go to ruin, and your felicity have an end, when you begin to make more account of men then of the Gods. The Ambassadors upon this answer, assured the Sabarites that their felicity was perpetual: persuading themselves, that it was a thing almost impossible, that there should be more reverence given unto men, then unto the Gods. But it fell out not long after, that a Citizen beat his slave near unto the Temple, who for his refuge fled into the Temple, mounted the Altar, 
Antho. Verd de diui. lect. 173.  and embraced the Idol, from whence his master unreverently plucked him and gave him many fresh blows: the bondman escaped again, and ran for his last succour unto the tomb of his master's father: who for the reverence he bore to his father, not only forbear to punish him, but clearly forgave his bondman his fault: which Amyris one of the former Ambassadors seeing, gave the Citizen's warning that the time of the Oracles answer was accomplished: who for his labour was accounted a fool: whereupon he counterfeited himself to be forth of his wits: and in this feigned madness he sold all his goods in the market place: and having got together a great mass of money: he went and dwelled among the moors, waiting still for the news of his country's destruction: and according to his expectation the city of Sabyra, was shortly after leveled with the ground. The army of Cambyses being 50000. with outrageous storms and tempests was destroyed: whose purpose was to sack 
justin. lib. 1.  the temple of Hamon. All they that were with the Consul Q. Cepion, at the pillage of the Temples of Tholouse in 
Aul. gel. lib. 3 cap. 9  France, they and all their family died in one year, so that there was not one that carried a peace of the treasure into his own house. The Romans having taken Carthage, one among the rest despoiled the image of Apollo of a rich rob of gold: but the hands of him who committed this sacrilege, were found cut of, and fast nailed to the said rob. The example of Ptolemy the thunderbolt, of Brennus and divers other Heathen Atheists, and contemners of their Gods and religion, might be applied to enlarge this admonition to our christened (for I cannot truly say christian) Atheists (who seeing this severe vengeance inflicted upon these Pagan infidels: and contemners of false Gods: if their wits be not as little as their grace) may assure themselves, that God will lay a more heavy vengeance upon them, that contemn his Godhead, or at the least are careless of it, using religion as a garment, which at pleasure they put of and on: of all bad's it is better to be of the worst, then of no religion, it is thus set down in the Revelation: I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wart cold or hot: So then because 
reve. cap. 9  thou art neither cold nor hot, but between both, I will spew thee out of my mouth. A miserable sentence, and yet justly and daily executed upon these accursed reprobates, there is an opinion among wise and grave men, that a fourth part of christendom is inhabited by Atheists: who in the exercise of their tyranny, ambition and revenge outrageously violate the laws of God, nature, and man. But albeit as the Psalmist saith: Their throat is an open sepulchre, and that 
Psal. 14.  the poison of Asps is under their lips: though their feet be swift to shed blood: though destruction and unhappiness is in their ways, and the way of peace they have not known, etc. Yet the said Psalmist saith to comfort the godly: That they were afraid where no fear was: for God 
Psal. 5●….  hath broken the bones of them that besieged them: yea they have put them to confusion, because God hath despised them: I counsel the Atheists, Machivillians, & other Time-pleasers: to examine the success and ends of the Disciples of Simon Magus and machivel, that were before them: few or none of them but have rid the horse Saian: their miserable ends show that their practices are odious to God and man: Simon Magus to disgrace the Apostles, would take upon him to fly, but in the midst of his journey he fell down towards Hell: his cunning brought him to confusion: Machivel taught the Duke of Florence a policy to cut of his own head, and (as it is daily seen) their policies are the halters that strangle most of their fellows: if folly (for overweening wit is no better) made them not drunken, they would not be so mad to raise their advancement upon the overthrow of Princes and common weals. The Ancients say that they must overcome a great many enemies, as envy, detraction, suspect, etc. and must step up with opportunity in a pleasing hour, that shall by any means obtain the least favour of a Prince. Through how many millions of dangers than must he run, that by his single policy and strength laboureth to pluck a Prince from his throne? through more than the most of these Atheists can pass by the half, and he that with desired opportunity arriveth unto his purpose, by common destinic departeth not without destruction. Solomon saith, that there 
Proverbs. 30.  be three things that go stiffly, yea four that be comely in going: A Lion which is strongest among beasts, a Greyhound which is strong in the hinder parts, a Ram also, and a King, against whom, no man riseth up: experience daily showeth, that no man undertaketh that bold adventure, but he that wilfully falleth into destruction. These reprobate people for examples, have the destruction of hundred to dismay them, to the advancement of one to encourage them, and where the odds is so unequal, he that adventureth upon the peril, may be compared unto him, that seeketh to darken the Sun with a Candle. To conclude, albeit it were rather to be adjudged a miracle, than any act of human persuasion to convert a grown Atheist, to the fear of God, and true obedience towards his prince, yet such as through wicked perswasiens, and want of good instructions, are but newly fallen from the fear of God, into the exercise of the damnable and disloyal practices of Atheists, may no doubt be counseled by the examples of the confusion of these vipers, to loath and hate they: ungracious ways: and of the contrary part weighing the sure advancement with which virtue honoureth her disciples, they may (which God grant) be encouraged earnestly to follow those courses whereby God may be honoured, their Country profited, and their own credit dignified. There are two old verses among other precepts printed at the end of Magna Carta, of the old impression, which contain a great persuasion to the study of virtue, the right ladder of honour and estimation, with which for the virtue they contain, I conclude this present Chapter: 
Vt ver dat flores, flos fructus, fructus odores,  
Sic studium mores, mos census, census honores.  In English. 
Even as the Spring doth flagrant flowers bring,  
Fair flowers, fruits, and fruits a pleasant taste:  
From study so, doth perfect manners spring,  
From study lore, in lore is honour placed.    

CHAP. 9  
A conclusion of moral documents, concerning the duties of every estate.  

THese rites men own to thee O God, which in the heavens art, 
Duties due to God.   
Reverence, honour, glory praise, and prayer from the heart.   

The gracious Prince a father is, where subjects live in awe, 
Virtues of a good Prince.   
The good regarding with rewards, the lewd with scourge of law.   

The subject true unto his Prince, this homage here doth owe, 
Homadge of subjects.   
A faithful heart, a fear through love, an inward Zeal in show.   

The reverent judge from doming right, whom no regard may strain, 
Duties of judges.   
Must Aristotle's blames forsake, love, hate, and private gain.   

Th' inferior sort must reverence give, unto the higher power, 
Obedience of the inferiors.   
Obey, and listen to their lore, let fortune laugh, or lower.   

These special virtues from a friend, still should or do proceed, 
Offices of a friend.   
Advise, assistance, faithful love, and constancy in need.   

The Landlord should so lot his land, as his poor Tenant may 
Conscience of Landlords.   
Both pay his rent, sustain his house, and for his Landlord pray.   

All Tenants slaves, and bondmen were, of your records do show,  
Though now not so, yet to their Lords, they Zeal and fealty owe. 
Duties of Tenants.    

The neighbourhood of the neighbour good, this neighbourhood doth claim  
Good still for good, in casual harm, a charitable blame. 
Claim of neyghberhood.    

The Wise man sayeth the child is spilled, where parents spare the rod,  
But cherishment with chastment join, and see, they honour God. 
Charge of Parents.    

You children that long life do seek, unto God's law give ear,  
Honour Parents, sustain their age, that for your youth did care. 
Obedience of Children.    

You that a faithful servant seek, regard this charge as law, 
Office of Masters.   
His wages pay, his service ask; and keep him still in awe.   

Sometime the Romans by their law their servant lewd might slay,  
And by all laws the masters will the servant must obey. 
Duty of Servants.    

Fresh youth, whose judgement is but green, above each other vice,  
Forsake these three undoing evils, women, wine, and dice. 
Warning for young men.    

These properties (regard them well) to you fair maids belong,  
A bashful grace, a modest eye, joined with a silent tongue. 
Virtues in a V●…rgen.    

You that have wealth, think others want, & thus impart your store,  
Lend, give, relieve▪ as need requires, for to sustain the poor. 
Rules for the rich.    

You that are poor, abase your thoughts, for nought agreeth worse  
Than this foul fault, a proud conceit, joined with a beggars purse. 
Item for the poor.    

In every trade an honest gain well gotten good men hight,  
And God will surely bless the hand, that ways and measures right. 
Counsel for Citizens.    

You soldiers both by land and sea, God's wonders still escry, 
Target for Soldiers.   
Live you to die, for fearful death is always in your eye.   

Assure yourselves you Atheists vile, that make at him a face, 
Caveat for Atheists.   
That God in vengeance is at hand, where he is far with grace.   

As I began, so I conclude, let all men fear the Lord,  
And Preachers see that godly works, with holy words accord. 
Conclusion to the Clergy.      

To the Reader.  
FRiendly Reader, I give thee knowledge that upon special occasion I have before printed certain appendents to this book, viz. one Treatise called A mirror for Magistrates, which containeth at large in the grave orations and government of the Emperor Alexander Severus, what is for the honour of Gentlemen, Citizens, and divers other estates, and what is the disgrace and undoing of themselves and their posterity, as also a moral Treatise of the reputation, virtues and (by abuse) dishonours of a soldier, which I wish thee for thy further pleasure and profit to adjoin to thy general Mirror, to which in right they belong. Thus commending unto thee the fruits of my labour, and thee to the tuition of the highest, giving most humble thanks to his divine Majesty, by whose goodness this work is brought to an end, I end.  
FINIS.