A. THANKFUL REMEMBRANCE OF GOD'S MERCY. by G. C.  
London Printed for Robert M.  
Robinson    

A THANKFUL REMEMBRANCE OF GOD'S MERCY. In an Historical Collection of the great and merciful Deliverances of the Church and State of England, since the Gospel began here to flourish, from the beginning of Queen ELIZABETH.  
Collected by GEO: CARLETON, Doctor of Divinity, and Bishop of CHICHESTER.  PSALM. III. 2. 
The works of the Lord are great, and aught to be sought out of all them that love Him.  
LONDON Printed by I. D. for Robert Mylbourne, and Humphrey Robinson, and are to be sold at the great South door of PAUL'S. 1624.   

TO THE HIGH, NOBLE, AND MOST VIRTUOUS, CHARLES; PRINCE OF GREAT Britain, Duke of Cornwall, and of YORK, etc. the spirit of wisdom, with increase of honour.  
SIR;  
AS the great Works of God ought to be had in remembrance of all men, so this duty is more required of Princes then of other men. Because their charge is greater than the charge of other men: for they must answer both for the government of themselves, and of others under them. Wherefore having observed the Works of God in delivering this Church and State from the cruel plots of the Adversaries, from the beginning of Queen Elizabeth to this time: I found myself most obliged to present this to your Highness; both because my service, next to his Majesty is most due to your Highness; and because the remembrance of the great Works of God is a Glass fit for a Prince to look on. For your Highness may be assured that the Adversaries will not change their disposition, unless either we were reduced to their blindness, or they drawn to embrace the truth with us. I have made this Collection that by examples of things past, We may better judge of things to come. My labour herein is nothing. For I make not the Story, but take it of others. And when I light upon the best Narration, as that of the Gunpowder treason, I have set it down as I find it without alteration. Because as that cannot be mended, so to set a worse Narration in the place thereof, were no less than to abuse the Reader. I leave the honour entire to them that have made the Story, I take no part thereof to me. Only my care hath been to observe upon those great deliverances the Works of God, that God may be glorified, and the cause justified which God hath maintained from Heaven. SIR, I suppose it is hard to find a Narration containing more miraculous Protection of God's Church, since that time wherein God showed his Miracles in protecting the people of Israel. Which consideration may serve to fasten your Highness to the love and service of that great God, that doth so strongly maintain his servants. That as hitherto you have had a gracious experience of his grace and goodness towards you, so your noble heart may grow every day more and more in the love and obedience of the truth. We are all charged by God's Word to pray for Kings and Princes. That charge which God hath laid upon us all, no man can put off: But when your Highness hath effectually made known your singular care and love to the common good, to the rejoicing of all faithful men; this must needs draw the hearts of all faithful men nearer to your Highness. And this is a part of your happiness; for the fear of God and love of Subjects is able to make Kings and Princes strong against all their enemies God give his judgements to the King, and his righteousness to the King's son, and therewith, all blessings; grace and honour here, and glory hereafter.  
Your HIGHNESS' ancient Chaplain, and most humble Servant GEO: CICESTRIENSIS.   

ΑΝΑΚΕΦΑΛΑΙΩΣΙS OR RECAPITULATION of the chief Passages in this Book.  

CHAPTER I.  
THE weak estate of this Kingdom at Queen Elizabeth's entrance. Her government blessed with might and money beyond expectation all on a sudden, to the terror of the enemies of the Gospel, and comfort of the Professors thereof. The ancient government of the Low-Countries, what it was. The treason of Arthur Pool discovered and defeated. The Pope's Excommunication and curse against Queen Elizabeth turned by Christ (whose Gospel she maintained) into a blessing.   

CHAP. II.  
The rebellion of the Earls of Westmoreland and Northumberland related distinctly by Hieronym. Cat●●a, so strongly plotted, so secretly carried, by the hand of God disappointed and broken into pieces. Leon: Dacres his over throw by it. This is the fruit of Popery, and the first effect of the Popes Bull.   

CHAP. III.  
A Commotion in Ireland inflamed by Io: Mendoza, extinguished by the Earl of Ormond▪ The King of Spain pretends the enlargement of the Scots Queen, but intends the enlargement of his own Dominion. Don john of Austria goeth about to deliver and marry the Scots Queen. He sends out a perpetual edict of peace and presently breaketh out into war. He dieth on a sudden and so his purpose disappointed.   

CHAP. IU.  
Stucley his attempt and practise with the Pope and Spaniard for the subduing of Ireland and England with Italian soldiers by God's providence annulled.   

CHAP. V.  
Nich: Sanders setteth on the rebels in Ireland, animateth them in their bloody practices, getteth ● consecrated Banner from the Pope for them. San-Io●ephus with 700 Italians and Spaniards sent from the Pope and King of Spain over into Ireland to help the rebels, yieldeth the Fort. The Earl Desmond a great maintainer of this rebellion, killed by a common soldier in his wand'ring. Sanders the firebrand of the rebellion falleth mad and dieth miserably of famine. Observations hereupon. The explication of that place 2 Thes. 2. 10. appliable to the Papists in respect both of their doctrines and doings.   

CHAP. VI  
The Institution of the Colleges of seminary Priests to be the incendiaries of England; different from the foundation of ancient Colleges. The feats of Father Parsons and Edm: Campian and others to draw the allegiance of the English from their Queen. This drew upon them sevetitie of Laws, established in Parliament against Papists and approved by the parallel example of the Laws made against the Donatists in S. Augustine's time.   

CHAP. VII.  
The Priests seditious Books against the Queen brings on Somervills' furious attempt to kill her. They move with the Ladies of honour to do it. The Queen's mildness and wonderful mercy towards this vermin. Mendoza, the Spanish Ambassador for practising against the Queen is thrust out of England. Throgmortons' confession and condemnation for treason.   

CHAP. VIII.  
New practices of our enemies discovered not without a miracle by Creightons torn papers. The mischievous but unsuccesfull conclusions of Alan, Inglefield, and Ross against Queen Elizabeth and King james. Parries treason opened; his confession, and execution. Laws in Parliament enacted against Priests and Recusants. Philip howard's intention, to leave the Land, discovered before it could be effected.   

CHAP. IX.  
The lamentable end of Henry Percy Earl of Northumberland in the Tower. A pretended title of the King of Spain to the Crown of England. Savage, a barbarous fellow, upon the instigation o● Rhemish Priests voweth to kill Queen Elizabeth. Babingtons' treasonable practice to take away the Queen's life upon a motion from Ballard the Priest, defeated; and he with his Complices deservedly punished.   

CHAP. X.  
The French Ambassadors plot with Stafford to take away the life of the Queen detected by Stafford himself. The end of York and Stanl●y, traitors to their Country.   

CHAP. XI.  
The Spanish preparations for the Invincible Navy. The Duke of Parma treateth of a peace. Delegates sent over about it. The conference of the Delegates broke off without fruit.   

CHAP. XII.  
The Invincible Army described. At the first setting out shaken sore with a tempest. The gests of each day related particularly and punctually. The trusted in their strength, we in the name of our God; They are fallen, and we stand upright.   

CHAP. XIII.  
Trouble from Ireland by Tyrone lurking in Spain. His many dissembling submissions to the Queen of England. A treaty of peace concluded.   

CHAP. XIV.  
Upon the coming of the Earl of Essex into England from Ireland, Tyrone contrary to his promise stirreth and rebelleth afresh, and is encouraged by the Pope and aided by ●he King of Spain. These forces are vanquished by the Lord deputy. Hereupon Don john de Aq●ila, a Spanish Captain, who was sent to ay●●e the rebels and kept Kinsale, capitulates for peace. Tyrone forsaken of his followers submits himself to the Lord deputy and is pardoned. Plotting a new rebellion when he was called by Process to answer a suit of the B. of Derry, thinking the treason to be discovered by O cane who enforced the Bishop in his suit, stead out of Ireland. In ●hese troubles and treasons see the Machinations of Satan's seed against the seed of the Woman, that is, the Church, and the miraculous deliverances and victories of the Church, according to that, The Woman's seed shall break the serpent's head, spoken of Christ, appliable to the Church, and particularly to our Church of England, which that B●laam of Rome seeks now by all means to draw from God, because he knows he cannot prevail against us till we for sake God.   

CHAP. XV.  
A great mischief intended to the King's Majesty at his first entrance into the Kingdom of England, before his Coronation; Watson and Clark, Priest's administering oaths of secrecy and applauding the project. It came to nothing by God's mercy. The King's Majesty's clemency towards the Conspirators after judgement pa●t upon them. No treason in England attempted but had a Romish Priest in the practice.   

CHAP. XVI.  
A horrible treason was a hatching and breeding in the last year of Queen Elizabeth. By Garnetts means and others, the King of Spain is dealt withal for an invasion; he entertains the motion, but upon the entrance of King james did not proceed to any forcible enterprise. The Gunpowder treason takes ground and life from the doctri●e of Parsons and the Jesuits. It was first propounded by Catesby to Winter. The oath of secrecy taken by the Conspirators. Provision of Powder and Wood for the mine. Their consultation what to do after the blow was given. The letter sent to the Lord Mounteagle, scanned by the Earl of Salisbury and other Pr●vy Councillors, but truly interpreted by the King, in whose mouth there was a divine sentence at that time, so that he did not err in judgement. The Examination of Fawks. The apprehension and confusion of the Powder-traytors. God from heaven both by his Word and protection hath manifestly shown our Church to be the true Church, and the Popish Church to be the malignant Church, and degenerate from the ancient Roman Church both in manners and doctrines.   

Coronis.  
The Conclusion contains divers Considerations proposed to such as are not well affected to Religion.    

A THANKFUL REMEMBRANCE OF GOD'S MERCY.  
CHAPTER I.  
HAving a purpose to observe Gods great and merciful deliverances of the Church of England, and Gods holy protection of the same, against the manifold, most dangerous, most desperate practices of the adversaries, that have with strange malice and cruelty, sought the destruction thereof, and intending to fetch the beginning of this search from the beginning of the Reign of Queen ELIZABETH, of blessed memory: I knew no better way how to enter into this Narration, then to begin with the consideration of the State of Queen ELIZABETH, at her first entrance; for therein will appear a wonderful Work of God, and my intention is to observe the great Works of God, that God may be glorified.  
When this famous Queen first entered, 
She entered Anno. 1558.  she found the State much afflicted, and weakened. All the great States about her, were enemies. Friends none. King Philip, who offered his love and kindness to her, and would have married her, offering to obtain the Pope's dispensation for him to marry two Sisters; as the like dispensation was obtained by Ferdinand his great Grandfather, for h●s daughter Katherine to marry two Brothers, he offering this kindness, and being refused and rejected, grew first into dislike and discontent, afterwards into hatred, and at last broke out into open Wars. The French King Henry the 2. with whom she sought peace, fell off also into open Wars. His son Francis having married Mary, Queen of Scotland, was moved by the Guysians to cause the Arms of England to be joined to the Arms of Scotland, & to profess the Queen of Scots the heir of England, and because Elizabeth was accounted by them an Heretic, therefore they sought to put her by, to set the Queen of Scots in her place, so should the French King have England also. For the effecting of this, they sent their Armies into Scotland, purposing f●om thence to have subdued England. In so much that Sebastianus Martignius, a young Noble man of the family of Luxenburg, who was sent into Scotland with a thousand ●oote, and some Companies of horse, could hardly be dissuaded from entering England presently. So that Spain, France, and Scotland were enemies. The State was then much troubled and oppressed with great debt, contracted partly by Henry 8. partly by Edward 6. in his minority. The treasure was exhausted; Calis was lost. Nothing seemed to be left to her, but a weak, and poor State, destitute of means and friends. If she would have admitted the Popish Religion, then might all these difficulties have been removed But establishing the Gospel, she understood well that she drew all these troubles upon her own head. Yet she gave the glory to God, and in hope of God's holy protection, she established Gods holy truth. And verily she did not serve God in vain. For it is a thing to be wondered at, that the Land being then without strength, without Forces, without Soldiers, yea, without Armour; all things necessary should be so suddenly furnished. She had provided Armour at Antwerp, but King Philip caused that to be stayed. Yet was she not discouraged, but laid out much money upon Armour, though she found the Treasury but poor. She procured Armour and weapons out of Germany. She caused many great Guns to be cast, of Brass and Iron. And God's providence and favour appeared in her protection. For new Mines of Brass were found at Keswike, that had long been neglected. From Whence there was not only sufficient matter to supply her wants, but abundance thereof to be transported to other Countries. The stone called Lapis Calaminaris, whose use is needful for working in Brass, was also at the same time first found in England. There was provision made at home also for the making of Gunpowder. Which was done first here by her Commandment. For before it was bought and imported. Berwick before her time, was weak, and had but five hundred Soldiers: She fortified the Town, made the new inner Wall, and increased the number of Soldiers, and their stipends, that provision might be made for the training up of experienced Soldiers and martial men. She provided a Navy, the best furnished that ever England saw. Neither needed she to do as her Father and Ancestors were wont to do, when they wanted Ships, to send for Ships and hire them from Hamburg, Lubeck, Dantisk, Genua, and Veni●e; for she had them ready at home to serve her. Yea all the good Towns upon the Sea-coast, beholding this incredible alacrity, and forwardness in their Prince, strove also to imitate the same, and therefore with great cheerfulness and readiness built Ships for War. So that in a short time, the Queen's Ships and those of the Subjects joined together, rose to such a number, that they were able to employ twenty thousand men in Sea-fight at once. The Noblemen, the Gentlemen, and Yeomen, did all strive to answer so noble a resolution of their Prince. And therefore great store of Armour and Weapons were every where provided. And brave spirits were bred and enabled to service, whereby they became an help and ornament to their Country. So that Queen Elizabeth was quickly grown so strong, that all her adversaries were not able to hurt her. And was not this a great work of God? That so weak a Woman should be able to defend herself against so many, so potent enemies? Yea, and not only to match them, but to master them? This was Gods doing. Behold what it is to trust in God, and not in an arm of Flesh. God will have his great Works to be had in remembrance, that all men, especially Princes may be taught to know that their safety is not in worldly policy, but in God which never forsaketh them that trust in him. Here than we have a Work, for which we are bound to glorify God. Elizabeth, a Prince, at the beginning weak, destitute of friends, vnfurnished of treasure, unprepared of all things, had in no other account of her great neighbours round about her, but as one left as a prey to the strongest that would invade her and her kingdom: yet preparing her heart to God, giving God the glory, establishing his truth in her Land, trusting in him: She was in a few years made strong against her enemies; they feared her more than she feared them. This is an example can hardly be paralleled. It was a work o● God in defence of his Church here, and we yield all glory and praise unto God for his mercies showed herein. From this example, Princes may take a worthy instruction to rest upon God, and to seek his glory, and know assuredly, that when they are at the weakest state, if they give their hearts to God, and their service to his true Religion, God will raise them to greatness, who hath promised to honour them that honour him, 
1 Sam. 2. 30.  and threatened, that they that dishonour him, shall be despised. Before I leave this example of God's protection of this noble Queen in her first entrance: Let this be remembered, that as all the great Princes adjoining, with the Pope and all, were her great enemies, so there were no friends able to help her: for they that were friends, and would have helped if they could, stood all need of her help. The Scots were sore troubled with the French Armies procured by the Guysians, but she helped them, and protected the King in his minority, and freed that State from the tyranny of the French government. The Low-Countries, were tyrannised by the Duke D' Alva who changed their government, and inhibited their meetings in council. For to speak somewhat of the ancient government of that people, to stop the common imputations cast upon them by such as are not well affected to them: Their government was by a general assembly of the States: Their governor's were such as were borne within the 17. Provinces, no strangers. These were anciently the Clergy, the Nobility, and the Deputies of the Provinces, and of good Towns, meeting together in their general Assemblies. These so meeting made laws and orders whereby that State was governed. The Deputies were sent to the general Assemblies, by the Suffrages of the people, and upon cause they were recalled by the people, and other sent in their rooms. This manner of government, some of the Dukes of Burgundy, and some others disliked, as giving too much power to the people, and to little to their Dukes: and therefore laboured to change it, but could not. Charles the fifth Emperor would gladly have changed their government, but when he saw that it could not be done without the commotion of the whole State, he left it undone. Philip 2. Anno 1549. july 8. taken his oath, which he made and renewed again Anno●555 ●555. to keep, maintain, and preserve these Countries in their ancient rights, privileges, and customs, without breaking them or suffering them to be broken, in any sort or manner. But when the Duke D' Alva was governor there under the King, he practised the contrary, and professed that the King was not to govern them, as his ancient inheritance, but as upon a new conquest, making what laws he would, and setting what government best pleased him. Whereupon his whole drift and practice was for a new conquest of all the Provinces and Towns. The pretence of religion was sought: but it was resolved by the Counsel of Spain, to change the whole government, and to erect a new. This appeared aswell by the Duke's open profession, as by those designs which he practised upon the persons of some of the Nobility, and upon the good Towns. For when the Earls of Egmont and Horn, were apprehended and putto death, mistrusting nothing because they knew no cause to mistrust: they that did this, could not pretend religion, because these Earls were of the Popish religion. they could not pretend any disloyalty against them, for their firm loyalty and their great services to the King, made them so confident; only it was thought that these Noble men would never yield to the change of the government of that State, therefore they were cut off. The like appeared in the strange surprises and cruelty practised against many Towns, which were of the popish religion. For diverse towns that were firm to the Spaniard in the point of religion, and in obedience to the King, when armies were sent to them, entertaining the armies in all obedience, opening their gates, showing all love and friendship to the Spanish armies: were of a sudden surprised, and brought to utter ruin. The Spaniards, killing and massackring all, taking their goods, abusing their wives and daughters, as the manner of such barbarous men is in a new conquest, ex●rcising more cruelties against their professed friends, than they could do to their enemies. Such barbarous cruelties were practised against the Towns of Machlin, Maestrich, Zutphen, Naerden, Antwerp, and others, who were their friends, agreeing in the same religion with them, holding as then, their obedience firm to the King: yet were they spoilt, killed, ransacked, and overthrown like enemies. Which strange cruelty declared that it was not religion that moved this cruelty, but that which the Duke D'Alva did openly profess, that the King must hold all the Low-Countries by a new conquest, that so he might change the government, and impose what laws he would.  
It may seem a strange use of the Pope's Authority which King Philip made, when from the Pope he got a dispensation of that oath, which he had taken at his entrance into the Low-Countries. This is an use of a Pope fit indeed for them that would do whatsoever they list without conscience, or the fear of God's laws or man's. If such an use may be made of the Pope's power, then Popish Princes must needs in the sight of the world, seem to have a great advantage over others. But if they may so dispense at their pleasure with oaths and promises, then may all those of their religion see plainly that there are neither humane nor divine bands or security that can bind Papists: for when they please, the Pope will free them from all bands of conscience, from the laws of God, of man, of nature, of nations. But God will not be thus served. And therefore by God's just judgements they that rely upon such ungodly practices, lose more in the end, than they gain by such profane dealings. This was the cause of their troubles in the Low Countries. That state being then so troubled, could yield no help to Queen Elizabeth, yet did she yield help to them.  
The King of Denmark, and the Protestants in France, were not able to help her, nor to help themselves without her means. This must needs be acknowledged an extraordinary blessing of God, to make her able to withstand the greatest enemies, and to help all that were distressed for Religion.  
This famous Queen though troubled by foreign states in the beginning of her Reign, yet had great peace and quietness at home. This was the fruit of true religion: her Subjects lived in peace, and tranquillity; no motions then attempted. Only in the fourth year of her Reign, Arthur Poole, and his brethren coming of the race of George Duke of Clarence, who was brother to Edward the fourth, and Antony Fortiskue, who married their sister, with some other of that conspiracy, were brought to their trial, for that they had conspired to fly to the G●ise into France, and thence to come with an Army into Wales, and there to declare the Scottish Queen, to be Queen of England, and Arthur Poole Duke of Clarence. All which they freely confessed at their trial: yet protesting that it was not their purpose to execute this design, as long as Queen Elizabeth lived: who as they supposed should dye within a year; for so some cozening Astrologians had told them. Whereupon they were condemned, yet their lives were spared in respect of their blood. Wherein we may acknowledge the goodness of God in discovering such a plot, before it took strength, and the noble nature of the Queen, that dealt so nobly with her own blood.  
Thus the Land within rested in great quietness, for some years. The Church was established, and increased, learning flourished, godliness and true piety prevailed, Popish ignorance was driven into corners. The Papists that then were, were content to keep themselves quiet. Either they kept their Religion private to themselves, or else they came to our Churches, as most of them did. But the enemy of all goodness envying this peaceable state of England, stirred up the Pope to give occasion to new troubles, and to wrap the Kingdom into dangers. Whereby as the Church hath been more troubled, than it was before, so the Papists have got nothing by the bargain, but lost much, by stirring up the peaceable inclination of the Prince against them, and by provoking the State to make severe laws to curb● them. Who might have lived quietly, if they had not procured their own trouble.  
Paulus FOUR was Pope when Queen Elizabeth began to Reign, this Pope was not troublesome against her. His successor was, Pius FOUR who seemed to be a moderate man. For he was moved by the Count of Feria, who served the King of Spain, to excommunicate Queen Elizabeth, but he thought it not good to proceed to such extremities. For seeing the Pope's authority is a thing consisting rather in the conceits of some men, then in any truth and substance: If it should once appear that this thunderbolt of excommunicate, whereby he hath so much terrified the world, should prove idle, ineffectual without all po●er, then might this great authority fall into contempt, and so be made ridiculous. Whether for this cause or what other, he would not be persuaded to use this extremity against the Queen, 
An. Don. 1560.  but sent Letters, showing some love and kindness, by an Abbot Parpalia, by whom also he sent certain secret Mandates. Which what they were was not openly known. But some acquainted well with State affairs then, reported that the Pope offered to recall and disannul the sentence as unjust which was given against her Mother's marriage, and to confirm the English Liturgy by his authority, granting also the use of the Sacrament under both kinds, so that she would join herself to the Roman Church, & acknowledge the Pope's supremacy. And for the effecting hereof, a great sum of gold was promised to some that should be used as instruments for this purpose. But Queen Elizabeth remaining SEMPER EADEM, ever like herself, utterly denied to have any thing to do with the Pope.  
But the next Pope, Pius V. that succeeded, took another course, whether a better or worse, let the event declare. For in the year 1569. he sent out an excommunication against her, and all adhering to her, 
This Bull was dated Anno Dom. 1569. Quinto Cal: Mar●.  wherein her subjects were absolved from the Oath of their Allegiance, and from all other offices and duties, and that all that should obey her were accursed. Which thing brought more trouble upon the Papists, then upon the Queen, or any of her obedient subjects. And hath openly declared to all the world, that the Pope's curse is a thing proceeding from private spleen and malice, and now nothing feared but contemned, when all men may see that the Pope's curse is turned by the favour of God into an extraordinary blessing, and that the Pope is not Christ's Vicar in these ministeries, because he is contrary to Christ, and Christ contrary to him. The Pope cursing, and Christ blessing, the Pope seeking thereby to destroy the Queen, Christ maintaining her, made her stronger after this cu●se then ever she was before. Yet it is true that many troubles did rise thereby, but God turned them all unto her good, that men may understand the fruit of true Religion established, which bringeth the protection of God with it.   

CHAPTER II.  
THE first poisoned fruit of this excommunication was rotten before it could ripen. There was an intention of a great and terrible Rebellion. The Duke of Norfolk was excited to stir what Forces he could, and to join with the Earls of Westmoreland and Northumberland: at the same time an Army was to come out of Ireland, and another Army to be sent from Duke Dalva in the Low-Countries. If all these had joined together, as the intention was, God knoweth what might have endued. But there is no counsel can prevail against God. All the plot was broken in pieces without any other trouble, saving that which fell upon the plotters themselves, & their instruments. The King of Spain, who watched all opportunities to do mischief, wrote one Letter to the Duke of Norfolk, exciting him to raise a power within England, and wrote another to the Earl of Ormond, to raise a tumult in Ireland. But both the Duke and the Earl showed the Letters to the Queen, declaring thereby a purpose to be loyal. The Duke suffered himself to be wrought upon too much by pernicious instruments. The instruments were the Bishop of Ross, who lay in London under pretence of being Ambassador for the Queen of Scots, and one Robert Rido●f, a Nobleman of Florence, who lay in London, in the habit and pretence of a Factor. These pestiferous instruments laboured to persuade the Duke to marry the Queen of Scots, who being next heir to the Crown of England, would bring great hopes with her and by subtle and pernicious counsel drew the Duke so far, that against his promise made to the Queen, he began to think of that marriage, and the hopes that might follow the same, and entered in●o a secret course of writing and receiving Letters from the Queen of Scots, by 〈◊〉 Characters. All which together with a Commentary sent to him by the Scots Queen, the Duke commanded his Secretary Higfo●d to burn. But he laid them under the Matt in the Duke's Chamber. And being apprehended, declared where they were. At the Duke's arraignment a Letter was produced written to him from the Scots Queen, signifying her grief for that the Earls of Westmoreland and Northumberland were up in Arms before the Duke had raised his powers. For Queen Elizabeth, finding whereunto things tended, apprehended the Duke, & sent for the Earls to come to Court, but because they had once excused their absence, she sent peremptorily for them, all excuse laid aside, upon their allegiance to come up. Supposing that if they were innocent, they would come, but if guilty, then should their purpose sooner break out into open sight. As it fell out. For they supposing by this, the plot to be betrayed, broke out into open rebellion, before the help which they looked for from other parts could come to them. This rebellion was plotted by the Pope, Pius V. and by the King of Spain, and was so cunningly handled, and carried with such secrecy, that it was well known to strangers before it was known to us whom most the matter concerned. And no marvel, seeing strangers were the devisers and first authors of it. I will therefore declare it in the words of a stranger, who set it forth in Print at Rome, before it was well known in England. Hieronymus Caten● in the life of Pius V. w●iteth thus.  
When Pius V. was inflamed with a zeal to restore the Roman Religion in England, and to displace Queen Elizabeth out of that Kingdom; and yet could not have his Nuntio Apostolical, nor any other public person fit to effect this thing: he ordered the matter so, that Robert Ridolf, a Gentleman of Florence (who stayed in England under colour of merchandise) should stir up the minds of men upon the destruction of Elizabeth. Which thing he diligently executed, not only among the Catholics, but also among some Protestants, who conspired together herein; some out of private hatred against them that aspired to the Kingdom, others out of a desire of a change. Whilst these things were secretly carried, a contention rose between the Spaniard and Elizabeth, upon the occasion of a sum of money going to the Duke Dalva, but intercepted by Elizabeth.  
This occasion the Pope apprehended to persuade the Spaniard, that he would help the conspirators in England against Elizabeth, that so he might have his affairs in the Netherlands in greater security, and the Roman Religion might be restored in B●itaigne. The Pope also persuaded the French, showing him that this he ought to the Scots Queen, affianced to him, and worthily to the Scots, who by their incursions had withdrawn the forces of England, that they could do less help to the Protestants of France, neither did the noble conspirators of England deserve less favour of him, who by their cunning have hindered the Queen of England, to give any help openly to the Protestants of France. In this respect the French King promised them aid for the deliverance of the Scots Queen, but failed of performance of any thing. In the mean time, Ridolphus effected thus much, that the conspirators should draw the Duke of Norfolk into their society, and make him chief therein, to whom they promised marriage with the Scots Queen, whereto she consented. The Pope to set these things forward, by his Bull published, deposed Elizabeth from her Kingdom, and absolved her subjects from all oath and allegiance, sending the printed Copies to Ridolphus, which might be dispersed over England. Whereupon the Earls of Northumberland and Westmoreland, took Arms against their Prince, who presently, money and means failing, withdrew themselves into Scotland. The Duke of Norfolk, with others, were committed to prison. Among them was Ridolphus, whom the Pope had appointed to help the conspirators with an hundreth and fifty thousand Crowns, which thing he could not do being clapped up in prison. But when the Queen could not pierce into the secrets of the conspiracy, he was sent out of prison with others, and then he distributed those Crowns to the conspirators. Who sent him to the Pope to inform him that all things were prepared in a readiness, and ordered against Elizabeth: and to entreat the Spanish King, to join his Forces from the Netherlands as soon as may be: the Pope commended the enterprise, albeit, the Duke Dalva did not like it, as being full of difficulties, when as Ridolphus in his journey told him the matter. The Pope sent Ridolfe to the Spaniard, under another pretence, and to the King of Portugal with instructions; and at the same time writing to the Duke of Norfolk, promised him aid. He did much urge the Spaniard to help the conspirators, and to the end he might the more vehemently stir him up, he promised if need were himself would go for to help them, and would engage all the goods of the Sea Apostolic, Chalices, Crosses, and holy Vestments. Declaring that there was no difficulty in it, if he would send Chapinus Vitellius with an Army into England from the Low-Countries. Which thing the King of Spain commanded to be done with great alacrity. And the Pope provided money in the Netherlands. These things were not pleasing to the Duke Dalva, both because he envied Vitellius this glory, wherein he rather wished his own son to be employed, and because he feared some hostile invasion out of France, and proposed it to be considered, whether England being overcome would fall to the Spaniard, whether the French would not resist that project, and whether the Pope were able to bring help enough to effect so great a matter. Notwithstanding the Spanish King expressly commanded him to set upon England. Ridolf was sent back with money to the Netherlands. But see how God would have it: All the matter was opened to Elizabeth by a stranger without the Kingdom. The Duke of Norfolk was apprehended and put to death. Which thing the Pope took heavily, the Spaniard condoled, who before the Cardinal of Alexandria, the Pope's Nephew, said, that never any conspiracy was more advisedly begun, nor concealed with more constancy and consent of minds, which in all that time was not opened by any of the conspirators: that an Army might easily be sent out of the Low-Countries in the space of 24. hours, which might suddenly have taken the Queen and the City of London unprovided, restored Religion, and set the Scots Queen in the Throne. Especially when as Stukley an English fugitive had undertaken at the same time with the help of 3000. Spaniards to reduce all Ireland unto the obedience of the King of Spain, and with one or two ships to burn all the English Navy.  
Thus far Catena writeth of these things, opening some things that before were not known to the English. The Book was Printed at Rome An: Dom: 1588. by the privilege of Pope Pius V.  
This is the Narration of a Papist, published at Rome, by the authority of the Pope. It may seem strange to men that have any feeling of the fear of God, that a Pope should so boldly publish his own shame to all the world. The Pope doth practise treason against States, sets his instruments to raise rebellions, stirreth up Princes against Princes, one Kingdom against another, and when he doth this, he will not understand that he is, in this doing, the instrument and servant of the Devil, to disorder the world. If any would excuse this, as being done against an Heretic: that excuse will not serve here; for I speak not of excommunicating supposed Heretics, but of raising rebellions against Princes, to set the subjects to murder the Prince, or to stir up one Prince to murder another, these things be wicked and ungracious practices, but the Papists are grown to such an obduration in these sins, that they judge these no sins, to murder, or secretly to poison, or by any horrible mischief to compass their own ends. The things that are by the Laws of God, of Nature, of Nations, wicked and abominable, against the ordinances which God hath set in the world, must forsooth change their nature, if the Pope command them, nay, if any of their superiors command such things, their doctrine of blind obedience, sets them upon any mischief, and so they do not only teach for doctrines men's traditions, but make doctrines for men's destructions. If the Popes presume that they have such a privilege, that the things which are horrible sins in other men are no sins in them: this were in effect as much as for the Pope to proclaim himself the Man of sin, that runneth into all sinful courses with greediness, with an open profession of the same. For what can any man of sin do more, then to command sin, to warrant sin, to commit sin, to glory in sin; If all this be done by the Pope, who can justly deny him this title of the Man of sin?  
But blessed be the name of God, that always delivered his Church here from such wicked practices, and hath brought the mischief that these wicked men have devised, upon their own head. Now let all understanding men judge where God is, where godliness is, where Religion and the fear o● God is. Whether with them that by bloody, unjust, unlawful practices seek their own ends, or with them that are persecuted by this bloody Nation, and in patience suffer all their mischievous and cruel practices, committing the matter to God the revenger of blood, and trufting in God, rejoice under his holy protection, being kept in safety by him that commandeth all the world? For what power could be able to keep his Church from being swallowed up by such cruel adversaries, but only the hand and holy protection of our God? Must not we then glorify his name that hath done so great things for us? And for our adversaries they have their power limited, and they have their time limited, and set forth unto them, beyond which they cannot pass. But the souls of them that rest under the Altar, whose blood hath been shed on every side, by this bloody generation, for the testimony of Christ; these cry out with a loud voice, 
Apoc. 6. 10.  Vsquequo Domine? How long Lord, holy and true? Dost thou not judge and revenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? Yet so blind are these bloodsuckers, that they labour still to increase this cry; but GOD will give patience to his Saints, and in his time cut off this wicked Nation. 
Psal. 59 5.  Be not merciful O Lord to them that sin of malicious wickedness.  
Thus than this rebellion that was so ●●rongly plotted, so secretly carried, was by the hand of God disappointed, and broken into pieces. We have cause to bless the name of God therefore: Praised be the Lord, 
Psal. 124. 6.  that hath not given us as a prey to their teeth. Thus can we comfort ourselves in God. but can our adversaries comfort themselves in their own mischiefs? The issue was, the Pope and the Spaniard were disappointed, the World wondered how this State was so soon quieted. 
An. Don. 1569.  The Earls Northumberland and Westmoreland seduced by a Priest that the Pope had sent, one Nicolas Morton, came to Durham where they had the Mass set up. From thence they marched to Clifford Moor not far from Wetherbie, where hearing that the Scots Queen (for whose deliverance they took arms) was carried from T●tbery to Coventry, under the custody of the Earls of Shewsbury and Huntingdon, and that the Earl of Sussex on the one side had gathered a strong army against them, that Sir George Bowes was behind them, having fortified Bernard Castle, that the Lord Scroop and the Earl of Cumberland had fortified Carliell, & gathered an army there in readiness: that the Soldiers of Berwick with the power of Northumberland were in Newcastle, they turned back again and besieged Bernard Castle. Sir George Bowes and his brother Mr. Robert, being driven by an hard siege, and wanting provision yielded the Castle▪ and they and the soldiers were dismissed, carrying their arms with them as it was covenanted, upon the first news of the fears, which the Earl of Sussex brought against them, the Earls fled to Hexham, from thence seeking byways to Naworth Castle. Whence the two Earls fl●d into Scotland, the Earl of Northumberland hid himself in the house of Hector of Harlaw an Armstrang, having confidence in him that he would be true to him, who notwithstanding for money betrayed him to the Regent of Scotland. It was observed, that Hector being before a rich man, fell poor of a sudden, and so hated generally that he never durst go abroad, in so much, that the Proverb to take Hector's cloak, is continued to this day among them, when they would express a man that betrayeth his friend who trusted him: The Earl was afterward delivered into England, and condemned of high treason and beheaded. Westmoreland found means to hide him a while with Fernihurst and Bucklough, and escaped into the Low-Countries, where being sustained by a poor pension of the King of Spain, he lived a poor life all his time.  
This is the fruit of Popery. It bringeth Noble houses to destruction. It pitied their hearts, against whom the rebellion was raised, to see such Noble persons brought to such a destruction. But the Pope is without pity and mercy, the Priests and Jesuits that bring such noble men into such snares, have no pity nor mercy, therefore it behooveth all noble persons to be wise, and to avoid pestiferous ways, that is, to shut their ears against Priests and Jesuits. These be pernicious instruments, that secretly convey themselves into great men's favour, to bring them to ruin, they tell them of the Religion of their Fathers, but true Religion bringeth a blessing, and Religion that bringeth always a curse is to be suspected. And to say truth the Religion of Rome as now, is not the Religion of our Fathers. For Religion was changed in the T●ent Council, and therefore they cannot say they have now that Religion which their Fathers had. And that Religion was changed in the Trent Synod, is by learned men sufficiently proved; and we are ready to maintain it: for where the rule of faith is changed, there must needs follow a change of Religion, and a change of the Church. But in the Trent Council the rule of faith is changed. And therefore men may observe a great difference between these men that are now called Papists, and their forefathers. God blessed their Fathers, because they served God in sincerity, according to that measure of knowledge which was revealed to them; for he that serveth God truly, according to that measure of knowledge which he hath, and holdeth the rule of faith: is without doubt accepted of God, and God doth bless such. But after that God hath revealed a greater measure of knowledge, by the spreading of the savour of his Gospel, they who then forsake the truth offered, are followed with great curses. And therefore we may plainly observe the curses of God upon them that forsake God and his truth; Where the Pope curseth, we see that God doth bless, and no 〈◊〉 followeth: where God doth cur●e, we see destruction followeth.  
This rebellion was scarce extinguished, when another little flame rose from this greater combustion. Leonard Dacres the second son of William Lord Dacres of Gillestand (whose eldest brothers son was killed with a Vaulting horse) was much grieved to see so great a patrimony to go from him to the daughters of the Baro● whom the Duke of Norfolk their Father in law had joined in marriage with his sons. This so troubled Leonard Dacres, that having no other way to revenge himself, he took the course of impatient and discontented men, 
An. Don. 1569.  to revenge all upon himself, and joining himself to the rebels, strived but in vain, to deliver the Scots Queen. When they were in arms than was Leonard Dacres at Court, and offered the Queen all his help against them, and for that service was sent home. But (as it came to light afterward) in his journey by messengers with the rebels he had communication, and encouraging them, undertook to kill the Lord Scroop, and the Bishop of Carliell. Which when he could not effect, he took Grastocke Castle, and other houses of the Lord Dacres, and fortified Naworth Castle, holding it as in his own right, and gathered soldiers about him. Against him came the Lord H●nsdon, with the trained soldiers of Berwick. Leonard not trusting to his fortified places, came to meet the Lord Hunsdon, and meeting him when he passed the River Gelt, after a sharp battle, finding himself put to the worse, his men killed, he fled into Scotland. And so went into the Low-Countries, and in a poor estate died at Louvain. The Queen by Proclamation pardoned the multitude which he had drawn to take his part.  
This man run a strange course. When he might have been out of danger, he run into a quarrel which he might evidently see to be lost before he came to it. But he was drunk with the cup of Rome; for who would run such courses but drunken men? It may teach others to beware of those that bring such poisoned and intoxicating cups from Rome.   

CHAPTER III.  
TO proceed and to declare the pestilent fruit of the Pope's excommunication, which wrought still to the confusion of them that served it. At this time in Ireland, 
An▪ Don. 1569.  Edmond and Peter Botlers, brethren to the Earl of Ormond, joining with james fitz Morice of Desmondes' family, and with others, ●ought to do service to the Pope and Spaniard against Religion, and with a purpose to draw Ireland away from the obedience of Queen Elizabeth. To this end they made a league among themselves. To inflame this rebellion johannes Mendoza came secretly out of Spain: and to extinguish the flame the Earl of Ormond went out of England into Ireland, who laboured so effectually that he persuaded his brethren to submit themselves. They were put in prison, but that they might not be brought to judgement, the Earls daily intercession prevailed with the Queen. It grieved the Earl exceedingly to see such a blot upon so noble a family; And the Queen was willing to preserve the honour of the house: as for the relics of that rebellion, they were in short time dissipared by the wisdom of the Lord Deputy, and the industry of Sir Humphrey Gilbert.  
This was but a small motion: but it showeth the restless spirits of the Pope and Spaniard against our Church and State. And we render thanks to God, for breaking the purposes of our adversaries before they grew great. This is his goodness toward his Church; and his judgement upon the adversaries.  
The King of Spain never rested to stir up troubles to Queen Elizabeth, pretending the deliverance of the Scots Queen, but it appeareth that his intention was for himself, as the Duke Dalva understood it. This is evident by that which we have mentioned out of Catena. For Duke Dalva was in some fear that if Queen Elizabeth were overthrown, yet the Kingdom of England might not fall to the Spaniard, but to the French. So that it was in their intention certainly to be cast upon the French or Spaniard, and here was no reckoning made of the Queen of Scots. So that howsoever the pretence was for her deliverance, yet there was another thing intended. For seeing Queen Elizabeth was excommunicated and deposed, if she could once be overthrown, than they made no other reckoning but that England would fall to the strongest. Now the Spaniard thinking himself the stronger, sought this prerogative for himself, and therefore he ceased not to raise troubles to the Queen, and the rather, because he held it a thing impossible for him to recover the Low-Countries, unless he had England. But because he found it a matter of great difficulty to set upon England, his first enterprise was to set upon Ireland. But when that succeeded not, at last with all Forces that might be raised, with many years' preparations he set openly upon England. But these things are to be spoken in order. Only this I premise, that we may know from whom all our troubles have proceeded.  
Many conspiracies broke out one after another, under pretence of delivering the Queen of Scots. 
An: Don. 1570.  To effect this thing, Thomas Stanley and Edward, his brother, the younger sons of the Earl of Derby, Thomas Gerard, Rolston, Hall, and other in Dar●yshire conspired. But the son of R●lston which was Pensioner to the Queen, disclosed the conspiracy. And they were imprisoned all except Hall, who escaped into the 〈◊〉 of Man. From whence by the commendation of the Bishop of Ross, he was sent to Dumbr●to●. Where when afterward the Castle was won, he was taken, and brought to London, where he suffered death.  
Before the Duke of Norfolk was beheaded, there were that conspired to deliver him out of Prison. The Bishop of Ross at this time a dangerous instrument against England, 
An: Don 1571.  and as dangerous against the Scots Queen, for whom he laboured, gave desperate counsel to the Duke, that with a choice company of Gentlemen, he should intercept the Queen of a sudden, and trouble the Parliament. To show that this was ●as●e, he gave some reasons. But the Duke abhorred to hear of that counsel as pernicious and dangerous: Sir Henry Percy at that time offered to the Bishop of Ross his help to free the Scots Queen, so that Grange, and Carr of ●ernihurst would receive her at the borders, and his brother the Earl of Northumberland might be delivered out of Scotland. But when he was suspected for the inward familiarity which he had with Burghly, and de●er●ed the matter a longer time, this counsel came to no effect. As did also that of powel of Samford, one of the Gentlem●n Pencio●ari●s, and of Owen one that belonged to ●he Earl of Arundel. These two undertook the same business also for the Scots Queen's deliverance, but the Bishop of Ross stayed that, because he took them for men of a meaner rank, then to be ●it for ●hat business. After the Duke was the second time imprisoned, many were for this matter imprisoned also. The Earls of Arundel & Southampton, the Lord Lu●ly, the Lord Cobham, Thomas, his brother, Sir Henry Percy, Banister, Lowther, Godier, powel, and others were committed, who in hope of pardon, told that they knew.  
Barns and Muthers, 
An▪ Don. 1572.  joined with Herle in a bloody practice to deliver the Duke, and kill certain of the Privy Councillors. But Herle being the chief in the villainy opened the Proiect. When B●rnes was brought before him, & found Herle to be the accuser, he smiling upon him, said, Herle, thou hast prevented me, if thou hadst stayed but one hour longer, I should then have stood in thy place the accuser, and thou in my place to be hanged.  
When john Duke of Austria came into government of the Low-Countries, 
An: Don. 1576.  he found the States strong. The cruelty that the Duke of Dalva and others had used, was so far from bringing them into a servile subjection, that it rather armed them with resolution to defend their liberties, their laws, their religion, and their lives. Which may admonish great Princes to use moderation in government; for much hath been lost by cruelty, nothing gotten by it; but nothing can serve to moderate restless spirits; such a spirit brought Don john with him into the Low-Countries, who beholding the unlucky ends of them that strove to deliver the Queen of Scots, he notwithstanding sought to work her deliverance, and to marry her, and so to enjoy both England and Scotland. But to hide his purpose the better, he made show of a perpetual Edict for Peace, as he called it: and for that purpose sent Gastellus to Elizabeth: Who throughly understanding the Duke's meaning, yet as if she had been ignorant, sent Daniel Rogers to Don john to congratulate for his perpetual Edict of Peace. Albeit she certainly knew, that he had resolved to deliver and marry the Scots Queen, and in his conceit had devoured the Kingdoms of England and Scotland, by the persuasion of the Earl of Westmoreland, and of other fugitives, and by favour and countenance of the Pope and the Guises. And that Don john had a purpose out of hand to surprise the ●le of Man in the ●rish Seas, that he might have a fitter opportunity to invade England out of Ireland, and the North coast of Scotland, where the Scots Queen had many at her devotion, and the opposite parts of England, as Cumberland, Lankyshire, Cheshire, North-wales, had many that as he was informed favoured Popery.  
The truth is, Don john of Austria (as it was known from Peresius Secretary to the King of Spain,) being before this carried away with ambition, when he was disappointed of the hope which he had of the Kingdom of Tunis, practised secretly with the Pope, for the overthrow of Queen Elizabeth, marrying of the Scots Queen, and subduing of England. That the Pope might excite the King of Spain to war against England, as out of a desire of the public good. Don john before he came out of Spain to go to the Netherlands, did forward this motion in Spain what he could, and afterward sending Esconedus out of the Netherlands to Spain, did desire to have the havens in Bis●ay, whence a Navy might invade England. But King Philip (happily reserving England as a morsel for his own mouth) neglected Don john as a man too ambitious. Queen Elizabeth understood not these things until the Prince of Orange opened them to her. Don john in the mean time, prosecuteth the matter of the marriage with secrecy. 
An: Don. 1577.  And to dissemble the matter sent messengers to Quern Elizabeth, to hold her with a tale of perpetual peace; but of a sudden brake out into war, and took diverse Towns and Castles by sleight and treachery, and wrote to Spain, that the best course is to take Zealand before the more inner Provinces. And being prone to believe that which he desired, he wrote that England might be had with greater ease than Zealand; and he laboured by Escovedus to persuade the Spanish King. But the Queen seeing all tend to war in the Netherlands, entered a league with the States for mutual help, and sent Thomas Wilkes into Spain to complain of the heady courses of the Duke of Austria. And in the mean time prepared for war. But behold when Don john was in the height of his pride and ambition, in the flower of his age, in the midst of business and preparations, 
He died Anno Dom. 1578.  he died on a sudden, as some thought of the Plague. Some thought that upon grief, that he was not so respected of the King his brother, he ended his foolish ambition with his life, afterthat he had embraced in his ambitious desire the Kingdom of Tunis, whereupon Guleta was lost in Africa, and after that the Kingdom of England; and had confirmed a league with the Guysians, without the knowledge of the French and Spanish Kings, for defence of both Crowns. Thus was the enemy disappointed, the Queen, the Land, the Church preserved; And have we not cause to remember these Works of God, and to give God the glory of his own work, that is, of delivering his Church? England was as a Stage, whereupon divers entered to play their parts, one after another. The part that they played was always treason; some was kept farther off by God's providence, to do less harm; some brought the danger nearer home. But GOD taking the protection of his Church in England, none prevailed. And could any other power but the power and protection of God preserve a Land from so many, so deadly dangers? Let all mouths be stopped, and let this continual course of deliverance be acknowledged the work of God.   

CHAPTER FOUR  
THE next man that came upon this Stage, was Thomas Stucley, but the malice that he and the Pope by his employment intended against England, was turned clean another way by GOD'S providence.  
Thomas Stucley an Englishman borne, when he had spent his estate in riot, prodigality, and base means, went into Ireland An: 1570. And gaping for the Stewardship of Wexford, and missing the same, began to utter contumelious words against the best deserving Prince, but he was contemned as one that could do no hurt. From Ireland he went into Italy to Pius V. Pope. It is a thing incredible what favour he got with the old Pope, that breathed nothing but the destruction of Elizabeth. Stucley with magnificent ostentation, (as he was a man singular in ostentation) made the Pope believe, that with three thousand Italians, he would drive the English out of Ireland, and b●rne the Queen's Navy. And indeed these things he most wickedly attempted afterward, but to his own destruction.  
Pius V. having procured all the troubles that possibly he could against Queen Elizabeth, seemed to die for spite that he could not hurt her. After him succeeded Gregory 13. 
An: Don. 1572.  This Pope had secret consultations with the King of Spain for the invading of Ireland and England both together. Meaning under the mask of Religion, to serve their own ambitious ends. The Pope's end was to make his son james Boncampagno, whom he had lately made marquis of Vineola, now King of Ireland. The spaniards end was, secretly to help the Rebels of Ireland, as Elizabeth did the Dutch, and in fair words entertain a show of friendship on both sides. The King of Spain had a farther reach, even to get the Kingdom of England by the Pope's authority, that from thence he might with ●●ore ease tam● the Dutch that were confederate against him. This he found hard for him to do, unless he were Lord of the Seas, which he saw he could not be, unless he had England. And there was no doubt but as he owed the Kingdoms of Naples, Sicily, Navarre to the beneficence of the Pope, so with all his heart he would have held England by the like favour.  
They knowing that the greatest strength of England stood in the navy of the Queen's ships, and Merchants ships, which were also built and framed for the use of war, thought that the best way to lessen the Navi●, was to set on the Merchants of Italy and Netherlands, to hire many of the Merchant's ships, seeking divers several pretences, and having hired them, to send them unto the farthest Navigations, that whilst these are absent, the Queen's Navy might be overthrown with a greater Navy: And then at the same instant Thomas Stucley the English fugitive, might join his forces with the rebels of Ireland. Stucley a bare-worn deceiver, did no less cousin this next succeeding Pope, than he had done his predecessor, 
Gregor. 13.  with admirable brags. He promised the Kingdom of Ireland to the Pope's bastard son, and got such favour with the old ambitious Pope, that he honoured him with the titles of marquis of Lagen, Earl of Wexford and Caterloghe, Viscount of Morough, and Baron of Ross. These be famous places in Ireland. And made him general of DCCC. Italian Soldiers, the King of Spain paying their stipends, and so sent him into the Irish war. Stucley came with these to Portugal, to the mouth of Tagus, purposing to subdue Ireland. But the purpose of God was otherwise. And that which the Pope and Spaniard had with such deliberation projected, was by the council of God dissipated and brought to nothing. For Seba●tian King of Portugal, to whom the chief conduct of the forces against England was committed; (for this Prince puffed up with a heat of youth and ambition, had long before offered all his power to the Pope, to be employed against mahumetans and Protestant's) was then enticed and drawn by many great promises of Mahomet son of Abdalla King of ●ess, unto the African war. Sebastian being thus drawn from the English Wars another way, dealt with Stucley, that first of all he would carry his Italian soldiers into Mauritania; Stucley finding the Spanish King not against this project, (for the Spaniard disdained that the Popes. Bastard should be King of Ireland) went with Sebastian into Mauritania, and was killed in that memorable battle, 
An: Don. 1578.  wherein three Kings, Sebastian, Mahomet, and Abdall-Melech were all slain. And so Stucley had too honourable an end of a dishonourable life.  
By the death of Sebastian the Spaniard was clean drawn away from thinking of the English invasion for a time, and set all his forces upon the invasion of Portugal. If this occasion had not drawn away the Spaniard, a great tempest of War should have fallen upon England (if any credit may be given to the English fugitives) for they declared that those hug▪. Armies which the Spaniard had provided against England out of Italy, were now all to be employed upon the subduing of Portuga●l: neither would he be by any means persuaded then, to think of the English invasion, albeit, the English fugitives did much urge him, and the Pope promise a Cruciata in this War, as in the holy War was used. The King of Spain was so wholly defixed upon Portugal, that nothing could remove him from that resolution. Now when it was known that Stucley, and all his Italians in Mauritania were slain, and that the Spaniard thought of nothing but Portugal, the English Navy that watched for Stucley upon the Irish Seas, was called home, and all was quiet in England and Ireland.  
By this Pageant we may observe how zealous these holy Fathers of Rome are, not to win souls to Christ, but to win Kingdoms to their Bastards. Two Popes proceed in the same course of malice and malediction against Queen Elizabeth, & one English fugitive makes them both fools. But our part is to remember who governeth the world, and turneth the wise and politic counsels of all the enemies of his Church into foolishness. We give God the praise, and remember these things for no other end but to give the glory to him.   

CHAPTER V.  
IN the next place comes up Nicholas S●nders, that in the defence of the Roman visible Monarchy ecclesiastical had written. But finding that he could do no good by writing, he falleth now unto another course; to be the firebrand of a Rebellion in Ireland. james fitz Morice being pardoned for a former Rebellion, withdrew himself into France, promising the French King, that if he would send help, he would join all Ireland to the French Sceptre, and restore the Roman Religion in the I'll. But being wearied with delays, and finding himself derided, from France he went to Spain, and promised the same to the Spaniard. Who sent him to the Pope. From the Pope at the earnest su●e of Nicholas Sanders an English Priest, and one Alan an Irish Priest, he obtained a little money. And to Sanders authority Legatine was granted, he got forsooth a consecracrated Banner, and Letters of commendation to the Spaniard, and so returned into Spain. From Spain he came into Ireland, with those Priests, three ships, and a small company of soldiers. He landed at Smerwick in Kirria a Chersones in Ireland, 
An: Don 1579.  about the first of july. An. 1579. Where, when the place was first orderly consecrated, he raised a fort, and withdrew his ships. Which ships were presently surprised and carried away by Thomas Courtney an English Gentleman, who with a war ship stayed by chance in a near haven, and so excluded the Spaniards from the benefit of the Sea. john Desmond and james, brethren to the Earl of Desmond, speedily join themselves to their cousin fitz Morice. The Earl himself, who heartily favoured the cause, counterfeiting the contrary, called his men together, in show to resist them, but craftily caused the Earl of Clanri●ket to withdraw himself, who was coming to help him against the rebels.  
The Lord Deputy understanding by certain messengers that the enemies were landed: sent Henry Davil, an English Gentleman, a man of valour, and who had good acquaintance with the Desmonds, to the Earl of Desmond, and to his brethren, commanding them presently to set upon the fort, which the enemies had raised. But that they refused to do, as a thing full of dangers. And as Davil returned, john Desmond followeth him; and overtaketh him at Trally in an Inn. And in the night time, having corrupted the host, came into his chamber, with some other cutthroats, having drawn swords in their hands; where Davilus slept in security with Arthur Carter an old soldier, a man of worth, Deputy-governour of Monmuth. But being awaked with the tumult, when he saw john Desmond with a naked sword rushing towards him, What is the matter my ●onne quoth he, (for so was he wont familiarly to call him) nay, said, Desmond, I am no more thy son, nor thou my father; for thou shalt die. And presently thrust him and Carter which lay with him through with many wounds, and killed them both. Davilus his footboy defended his Master, with his naked body, receiving many wounds to save his Master if he could. Then he killed all Davils servants, which lay scattered in divers places. And returning to the Spaniards all imbrued in blood, he gloried of the slaughter which he had made. Let this, said he, be to you a pledge of my faith to you and to the cause. Doctor Sanders commended this action, as a sweet sacrifice before God. james fitz Morice blamed the manner of the slaughter, he would have had it rather in the way, then in their bed. The Earl, when he heard of it, utterly detested it.  
When the Spaniards saw but a few Irish join themselves with them, and they poor and unarmed, far otherwise then fitz Morice had promised, they began to distrust, to cry out they were undone, to bewail their fortunes, seeing all ways was shut up so, that they saw no means to escape by Sea or Land. Fitz Morice exhorts them to expect with patience a while; he told them great forces were coming to help them. And himself took a journey to the holy cross of Tippararia, pretending to perform a Vow which he made in Spain, but in truth, to gather together the seditious of Conach and Ulster.  
Whilst he was thus in journey with a few horse and twelve foot, as he passed by the land of William á Burg his kinsman, and taking some horses from the Blow, because his horse's tyred●: the husbandmen made Hue and Cry, and raised the neighbourhood to recover the horses. Amongst these that went to recover the horses, were the sons of William á Burg, forward young men, who pursued them so sharply, that they overtook them. Fitz Morice seeing Theobald á Burg, and his brethren, who had indeed in a former rebellion taken part with fitz Morice: Cousins, quoth he, let us not strive for two or three paltry lads. I doubt not, but if you knew the cause why I am returned into Ireland, you would join yourselves with me. Theobald answered, It repenteth me, my Father, and all our friends of the last rebellion. But now we have sworn our fealty to our most gracious Princess, who hath granted to us our lives, and we will keep our faith and allegiance: and therefore restore the horses, or I will make thee restore them. And withal, he ran upon him with his Spear. They sought a while together. Theobaldus and another of his brethren, with some other were slain. Fitz Morice also himself being run through with a Sp●are, and his head shot through with a Buller, was slain with diverse of his men. Queen Elizabeth hearing of this chance, wrote Letters full of sorrow and love to William á Burg, comforting him for the death of his sons. She honoured him with the title of Baron of Conell Castle, and rewarded him with a yearly Pension. The old man being overjoyed with such unexpected favours, died not long after.  
Sir William Drury then Lord Deputy, came near to Kilmaloch and sent for the Earl of Desmond: who coming to him promised his faith and allegiance to his Prince, and swear that himself and his men should fight against the rebels. Whereupon he was dismissed to gather his companies, and to return to the Lord Deputy. john Desmond the Earl's brother, who was by the rebels put in the place of Fi●z Morice; lying in ambush, did entrap Herbert, & Prize, with the bands which they led, and killed them. Himself being hurt in the face. Some supplies came out of England, and Perrot was sent with six warre-ships to defend the coast: the Lord Deputy grew so sick that he was forced to withdraw to Waterford for his health's sake; and appointed Nicholas Malbey governor of Connach, a famous and approved Soldier, to follow the Wars. And worthy Sir William Drury soon after died. Malbey sent to the Earl of Desmond, and often admonished him of his duty and promise: and seeing it not good to linger in such a business, he brought his forces into Conil, a woody Country, against the rebels. There was john Desmond, who in battle array, and with the Pope's consecrated banner displayed, received the forces of Malbey. It was sharply fought on both sides. But the virtue of the English prevailed; john Desmond fled first away and left his men to the slaughter. Among them was found Alan the Irish Priest, who exhorting them to the battle, had promised them the Victory. Malbey by a messenger sent for the Earl to come and his forces with him: and when he in vain expected him four days, he came to Rekell a town of Desmond. Here the Earl began to show himself plainly for the rebels, after that he had a long time used dissimulation in his words and countenance. The same night the rebels set upon Malbey his tents in the dark, but finding them well fortified, they went away and did no harm. After the death of Sir William Drury, William Pelh●m was sent Lo●ch●e●e Justice into Ireland, with the authority of a Deputy, until a Deputy should be sent; & the Earl of Ormond was made governor of Munster, who sent Desmonds' son (which he had with him as a pledge) to be kept at Dublin, Pelham, chief justice cometh to Munster, sends for Desmond; but he sending Letters by his wife excuseth himself. Whereupon the Earl of Ormond was sent to him, to admonish him to deliver into the hands of the Lord chief justice, Sanders the Priest, the foreign soldiers, and the Castles of Carigofoil, and Asketten, and to submit himself absolutely, and turn his forces against his brother and the other rebels. Which thing if he would do, he might obtain pardon of his rebellion, otherwise he was to be declared a traitor and enemy to his Country. Whilst he held off with delays and delusions, he was declared a traitor in the beginning of December An: 
An. Don. 1579.  1579. That he had dealt with foreign Princes for invading and subverting his Country: That he had retained Sanders and fitz Morice, rebels: That he had helped the Spaniards after they were gone out of the fort at Smerwick: That he had hanged the Queen's faithful subjects; had advanced the banner of the Pope against the Queen, that he had brought strangers into the kingdom. After this proclamation, the chief justice appointed the wars against Desmond, to be prosecuted by the Ea●le of Orm●nd. The Earl of Ormond with his forces destroyed Conilo, the only refuge which the rebels had; he drove away their cattle, and gave them a prey to be divided among his sould●ers. He hanged the Balife of Yonghall before hi● door, because he had refused to take a band of English into the Town. And then began to besiege the Spaniards in Strangi●all; but they fearing such a thing had conveyed themselves out of danger. Yet the English followed them, and killed them all. And every way through Munster pressed the rebels most sharply. Desmond and his brethren were so hard driven, hiding themselves in their lurking holes, that they wrote to the chief justice, signifying that they had taken upon them the patronage of the Catholic faith in Irelan●, and prayed him to take part with them. This showed their cause was desperate, they had no hope, unless he that was come purposely against them would help them. The Chief justice laughing pleasantly at the motion, went to Munster, and called the Nobles to him, and kept them, neither would dismiss them, until they had given pledges, and promised their help against the rebels to join with him and the Earl of Ormond. They thereupon deviding their bands, sought out the rebels. They forced the Baron of Lixnaw to yield himself: they besiege● Carigo●oil-Castle, which julius an Italian with a few Spaniards maintained, and breaking the walls by the force of great Ordnance, they entered and killed or hanged all that kept the place, with julius also.  
At this time came Arthur Lord Grey Lord Deputy into Ireland. 
An: Don. 1580.  An: 1580. Soon after his coming, about seven hundred Italians and Spaniards sent from the Pope and King of Spain, under the government of San-Iosephus, an Italian, came into Ireland, under the pretence of restoring the Roman Religion, but the purpose was to divert the Queen's forces, and call her from other cares to Ireland only. They took land without any trouble, at Smerwick in Kirria; for Winter, that had a good while stayed in that coast with ships, waiting for them, was now returned to England, thinking they would not come in winter. They made the place strong, and called it fort del or. But as soon as they heard that the Earl of Ormond was coming towards them, by the persuasion of the Irish they left the fort, and betook themselves into the valley Glamingell, which was compassed about with high mountains and woods. The Earl took some of them, who being questioned of their number, and purpose: they confessed that 700. were come, that so much armour is brought that may serve 5000. that more are daily expected out o● Spain, that the Pope and King of Spain are resolved to draw the English out of Ireland, that for that end they have sent an huge s●m of money, which they have delivered into the hands of Sanders the Pope's Nuntio, of the Earl of Desmond, and john his brother. That night the Italians & Spaniards were much to seek, not knowing what way to turn themselves, not knowing to hide themselves as the Irish do, in dens and bogs, and therefore in the dark they went back to their Fort; near to which the E●rle of Ormond had pitched: but being unprovided of Ordnance and other things needful for oppugnation, he stayed for the coming of the Lord Deputy. Who soon after came, accompanied with Zouch, Ralegh, Deny, Ma●worth, Achin, and other Captains. At that time came Winter out of Englan● with war ships, much blamed for withdrawing himself when there was need of his service.  
The Lord Deputy sent a trumpeter to the ●ort to demand what they were? What business they had in Ireland? Who sent them? Why they had fortified a place in the Queen's Kingdom? And withal to command them presently to depart. Their answer was, that of them some were sent from the most holy Father the Pope of Rome, some from the Catholic King of Spain, to whom the Pope had given Ireland; for as much as Queen Elizabeth had lost her right in Ireland by reason of heresy. And therefore that which they had taken, they would hold, and get more if they could. When the Lord Deputy and Winter had consulted of the manner of the siege, they brought some Culverings out of the Ships in the dark of the night; and digging through the bank, they drew them the nearest way, & placed them. The soldiers also mounted their great Ordnance against the wall, and did beat upon the Fort continually four days together. The Spaniard once or twice made Sallies out, but still to their loss. Of the English none was killed, saving only john Cheke, a goodly young man and valiant, the son of that learned Knight Sir john Ch●ke.  
San-Iosephus who was governor within the Fort, a weak man, and terrified with the daily shot, began quickly to think of yielding. And when as Hercules Pisanus, and other Captains, dissuaded him earnestly from that, as a thing unworthy of military men, urging that all should prepare for a defence, lest by their negligence they might withdraw the courage of the Irish, which were coming to help them. But he being a man of singular cowardice, assayed the minds of the soldiers, and wrought so, that the soldiers seditiously offered force to the other Captains, that at last they consented to yield. Whereupon the fifth day, when they saw no hope of help, neither from Spain, nor Desmond, they put out a white flag and demanded parley. Which thing was denied them because they had joined themselves with the rebels, with whom it was not lawful to have any parley. Then they demanded that with bag & baggage they might depart, but neither was this granted. Then they entreated that this favour might be granted at least to the governor and some few beside, but that though they much besought it, could not be granted. But the Lord Deputy, inveighing against the Pope, commanded that without any condition they should simply yield themselves. And when they could obtain no more, they put out their white flag again, and cried misericordia, misericordia. And so submitted themselves simply to the Lord Deputy his mercy. Who presently fell into consultation, what were best to do. The adversaries were in number as many as the English, and danger was feared of the Irish rebels, who were more than 1500▪ at hand. The English wanted victuals and apparel, so that they were ready to make a tumult, v●lesse they might be relieved by the spoils of the enemies out of the fort, and ships were wanting to carry away the enemies. At last they came to this conclusion, (the Lord Deputy being much unwilling & weeping) that the Captains should be preserved, the rest should all be slain promiscuously in terror of others that might attempt so hereafter. The Irish should be hanged, which was presently executed. The Queen was not pleased at the manner of this execution, and wished it had been undone, hating cruelty, though necessary, against such as have once yielded, and was hardly after drawn to admit any excuse of the slaughter committed. This was done An: 1580. Some three years after the Earl of Desmond, of a noble house, but of a barbarous nature, who barbarously had sworn that He would rather forsake God, then forsake his men, wand'ring from place to place, was at last found of a common soldier in a poor cottage. The Earl was in a poor estate, unknown, till the soldier had almost struck off his arm. Then he descried himself, and was killed. Nicholas Sanders that had drawn the Earl into this rebellion, was at the same time spent with famine, and forsaken of all succour: and being impatiently grieved at the evil success of this rebellion, proceeding so much against his desires, seeing neither the Pope's blessing, nor the consecrated Banner, nor the authority by the Pope committed to him, could do him any help, he lost himself, and ran stark mad, wand'ring up and down in the mountains and woods, and finding no comfort died miserably. When he was dead, there were found in his scrip some Orations and Epistles written to confirm the rebels, filled with great promises of the Pope and Spaniard. Thus God's justice met with a restless and wretched man, and that foul mouth was stopped up with famine, that was ever open to stir up rebellions against the State that had uttered so many blasphemies against God, and his holy truth, and invented so many strange lies against men. This man first of all men, devised a notorious lie against the birth of the Queen's mother; which none of her enemies ever heard or knew, she being in the hatred of so many Papists, that would not have spared to have spoken evil, yet was it never heard or known for forty years after. And the account of the time doth prove it false, & himself like a forgetful liar, doth plainly refute himself.  
This Pageant of the Pope and his Legate Sanders, we may not let pass without some observations. Seeing there is no way to exsatiate their cruelty, we pray that it may please God to remove their coec●●ie and obduration if it be his good pleasure, that they may once truly see themselves and their ungracious actions, whereof the sight is now taken from them by reason of their blindness. For we hold this to proceed rather from their blindness, then from a wilful and obstinate striving against the known truth; but this we warn them, to labour to know the truth, and to set their hearts to seek it, lest they be wrapped farther and farther into that great judgement, wherein as yet they are under his power which worketh with all power and signs and lying wonders, in all deceivableness of unrighteousness, 
2 Thes. 2.  among them that perish, because they receive not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And therefore God shall send them strong illusions, that they should believe lies, that all they might be damned. which believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. Two things are here contained in these words, which jump with these Priests and Seminaries which the Pope sendeth forth; the doctrine which they teach, and the actions which they practise. Their doctrines which they teach are lies: the Apostle warned us they should believe lies; this is a just judgement upon such as love not the truth; Their usual practice is unrighteousness. What greater lies can be invented, then to say, that Whatsoever the Pope will allow for a tradition of his Church, that is the Word of God. A lie with a witness, and withal a blasphemy against the most High. What greater unrighteousness, then to give away other men's possessions to strangers that have no right to them; to aispossesse Kings; to give Kingdoms which is none of yours to give; to kill, to murder, to massacre, to aoe any act of unrighteousness at the commandment of the Pope or any superior: These I am sure are the practices of unrighteousness; would to God these men would once look back upon themselves and their own actions, and consider what a difference is between ancient Bishops of Rome and these of late; between godly Divines and the Pope's Clergy. The ancient Bishops did never draw the sword to propagate the faith; the Apostles left no such example to them, but by their labours in Preaching, and their patience in suffering, they gathered a Church and established the faith; but behold how unrighteousness, and villainy is now come in place. An ungracious bloody wretch kills a man in his bed, a man that was his friend; such a thing chancing in the Wars may be borne with, but in bed to murder his friend, is an extraordinary sign of barbarous cruelty: And yet that Sanders the Pope's Legate should pronounce this thing to be a sweet sacrifice to God? this passeth all imagination. Can any either practice these things, or commend these practices, but only such men as the Apostle describeth, that are given up to believe lies, and to work unrighteousness? If any man shall answer me here with that old worn Cuckoo long, that these things are not understood by them to be unrighteous which the Pope commandeth, that they do these things in obedience to Christ his Vicar. I answer, they that would make such an answer, are either such as are men of conscience, or altogether without conscience. If they be men without conscience, I have nothing to say to such, but wish them better than they do to themselves, that they had some fecling of conscience. If these men have any spark of conscience, then would I entreat them seriously to consider what is that which the Apostle in the place before cited, calleth the deceivableness of unrighteousness; For this word showeth that there is some plain and downright unrighteousness, and also some deceivableness of unrighteousness. What is that deceivableness of unrighteousness? Surely there is something herein for them to study, that are so ready at the Pope's command to do unrighteous things; and make not God's Word, but the Pope's word to be the rule to know what is righteous, what unrighteous. When the law of God, the law of nature, the law of nations, the law of our Land; when I say all laws forbid a thing, and only the Pope commands it, and commands it against all laws; then if a man obey the Pope in such things, he is deceived and he doth unrighteously. Here is the deceivableness of unrighteousness. But you must understand that these men are thus deceived by him whose coming is by the working of Satan, with all power and signs and lying wonders, and in all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish, because they receive not the love of the truth. Let men that have any care to save their souls, learn to love the truth, the truth will deliver them. And let them observe that maintaining of false doctrines and of unrighteous actions, are things joined together, one followeth the other. Now because we see false doctrines or lies maintained by Papists, and unrighteous and ungracious actions by them ordinarily attempted; therefore we hold them undoubtedly to be the servants of Antichrist, who are given up to believe lies, because they lou● not the truth. But for ourselves, we know that the Scriptures are the Word of God. We believe the Scriptures. We trust in God. We worship him as himself hath revealed and commanded. If our enemies wrong us, we have recourse to God by prayer; we have found by continual experience, that God taketh the protection of them that thus trust in him. We have trusted in him, we have found his protection. We rest in patience and commit the vengeance to God. Is there any man in the world that knoweth any thing of religion, that can deny that we are in a good state, and our enemies in a desperate state? we have comfort, but they can have none. Consider this you that forget God, lest he pluck you up, and there be none to deliver you. Now, which is our chief end in these collections, for our deliverance we bless the name of God; and we do acknowledge with all humility and thanksgiving, that all our deliverances come from the undeserved love and favour of our most gracious God and Father. And we find ourselves most sirictly obliged unto this duty, because we see God hath made our enemies his enemies: they cannot fight against us, but they must fight against God; how much than are we bound to honour & serve this great. God of heaven and ●arth, that hath showed such favour to his Church in England?   

CHAPTER VI.  
AT this time, An: 1580. the seminary Priests and jesuits increasing in England, necessary laws were provided against them. These in truth were maintained by the adversaries of England as a seminary of rebellion; for so still they proved. Their first foundation was at Douai in the Low-Countries, where by the procuring of William Alan an Oxford-man, afterward Cardinal, there was a College provided for them, in the year 1568. Where fugitive Priests were brought up, not so much in Religion, as in new and strange practices of treason. The Pope assigned them a yearly stipend. Thus they stood for some years. But when the Low-Countries began to be troubled with Wars, Requesenius, who was governor there under the Spanish King, did thrust out all English fugitives out of the Low-Countries. Whereupon they that were willing to make use of such instruments to trouble England, thought good to give entertainment to them. And therefore two Colleges were set up for the English sugitives, the one at Rheims by the Guises, another at Rome by Pope Gregory 13. From these Colleges they were sent into England under pretence of Religion, but indeed to withdraw subjects from obedience to their Prince, and to draw the Land unto the subjection of strangers: they called themselves Seminaries, because they were to sow the seed of the Roman Religion in England. And what is that seed of Roman religion, but the seed of Rebellion? Certainly so it hath ever proved. These men to show their zeal to their new founders, and their hatred to their Country, disputed and defined the Pope's authority by God's law, to have the plenitude of power over the whole world in all things Ecclesiastical and Political: out of which plenitude he might excommunicate Kings, and after excommunication depose them from their thrones, and absolve their subjects from all oaths of allegiance. Thus was the Bull of Pius V. published, An: 1569. From whence rose the rebellion in the north of England, and those rebellions of Ireland, of which we have spoken. Hanse, Nelson, Main, Sherwod, Priest's, then taught that Queen Elizabeth was a schismatic and an heretic, and therefore worthily to be deposed; for which they suffered deservedly; but still others were sent into their places; and though they came in upon desperate points, as soldiers upon a breach, yet others followed lowed as desperate as the first. And would not understand that they ventured both soul and body in the cause of the Pope against Christ; for such is the cause of treason being commanded by the Pope, and forbidden by Christ.  
The Priests and Jesuits at this time spent all their learning and skill to stir up rebellion in England, giving out in corners, and in public, Printing Books, to declare that the Pope and King of Spain had conspired, that England should be overthrown, & left as a prey. This was done of purpose to confirm their own side, and to deter others from their obedience to their Prince. 
An: Don. 1580.  Whereupon the Queen set out a Proclamation, signifying that she had never made attempt upon any Prince, only defended her own, not invading the Provinces of other Princes, though she had been provoked with wrongs, and invited by opportunity. If any Princes should oppugn her, she doubted not but by God's favour, she should defend her own, and had therefore Mustered her Forces by Land and Sea, and was ready against any hostile incursion. She exhorteth her faithful subjects to hold their faith & allegiance firm to God, & their Prince, God's Minister. For others that had shaken off the love of their Country, and obedience to their Prince, She commandeth them to carry themselves modestly, and not to provoke the severity of justice; for she would no longer endure sparing of evil men, lest so she might be cruel against the good.  
Among the Jesuits that came then into England, Robert Parsons and Edmond Campian were chief; they had procured a temper or qualification of the Bull of Pius V. obtained of Greg. 13. in these words; Let petition be made to our holy Father, that the Bull declaratory of Pius V. against Elizabeth and her adherents be interpreted: which the Catholics desire to be understood so, that it bind her and heretics always, but not Catholics, things standing as they do; But only then when the public execution of the Bull may be had. These foresaid favours the Pope granted to Robert Parsons and Edmond Campian, now ready to go into England the 13. day of April 1580. in the presence of Oliver Manarcus assisting. This was procured to give some content to the Recusants that were offended at the publication of the Bull, and found that it did them more harm then good. Parsons and Campian came secretly into England, and changed their exterior habit and apparel, that they might the better pass unknown. Sometimes they went like ruffians, sometimes like ministers, sometimes like noble men, sometimes like soldiers, sometimes like apparitours; they walked secretly from Recusants' houses to Recusants houses, and did in words and writings roundly set forward the business for which they came. Parsons was the superior, a man of a seditious and turbulent spirit, armed with audaciousness, he broke out so far among the Papists, against the Queen, as to propose the pro●ect of deposing of her. In so much, that some Papists themselves (as they themselves hau● said) did think to have delivered him into the hands of the Magistrate. Campian was somewhat more modest, yet by a Book which he had much laboured and brought with him, which as himself saith, might be taken with him, if he were apprehended; did provoke the Ministers of the Church of England to disputation; the Book was Entitled, A Book of ten Reasons, or Arguments written politely in Latin to confirm the doctrines of the Church of Rome. Parsons wrote more virulently against Mr Charke, who had written soberly against Campians provocation: but Campians ten reasons were throughly and solidly answered by Dr Whittaker. Campian was taken, and brought to disputation, where it was found that in learning and knowledge he came far short of that expectation which himself had raised of himself; the whole disputation was afterward set forth in Print. In the mean time many threatenings were published against the Church and State of England, and much speech was of the Pope and the Spaniards preparations to subdue England.  
By which manner of proceedings it may appear that the end why these & other such were sent into England, was not to draw men to God, but to betray the Land to strangers; for these men cared not what became of England, so the Church of England might be displanted, and Popery set up again. For which purpose we may observe the Colleges for Seminaries, set up at Rheims and Rome. These Colleges did strangely swerve from the end and foundation of the ancient Colleges. The ancient Colleges were founded for learning and Religion; these for mere faction: the ancient Colleges were for the furtherance of godliness and pity; these for the practices of ●ngodliness●, and ungracious treasons▪ Let no man tell me that the ancient Colleges were founded by Papists, & so were these Seminaries, and therefore for the maintenance of the same Religion: for this is nothing but colouring and daubing of their new practices from the sight of the ignorant; for all their hope is in the ignorance of men, hoping that they shall have the greatest part, because the greatest part are ignorant. But now God in his mercy hath so plentifully revealed the truth, the ignorance of men is not so great as the Pap●sts would have it; for men are taught to know that in the Council of Trent, there hath been hatched a new birth of Popery. Where they have changed the rule of faith, which was ever maintained in the Church of Rome before that time. Whereupon there followeth a change of the Church, a change of Religion. They that founded the ancient colleges, knew not this new Church, this new Religion, which is newly hatched in the Trent Council. Therefore these late Colleges of Seminaries are founded upon a new Religion. This new Religion of Rome is nothing but the practice of Treasons against States. Surely it must be a s●rang● Religion that must be maintained by ungodly practices. There was never any Religion that allowed such practices. And herein the Papists exceed the Heathen, who being guided only by the light of nature, yet have disallowed such ungodly and ungracious practices which the Papists use. Let all men consider whence this new Religion of Rome proceedeth, that in ungodly practices is founded and maintained; that all such practices proceed from the devil, no man can doubt: that God hath preserved this Church of England from all these practices, this is that which causeth us to trust in God, and to give all the glory of our deliverance to his holy name.  
Edmond Campian, Ralph Sherwin, Luke Kirby, Alexander Briant were taken in the year 1581. and being brought to judgement, were accused of treason against the Queen and State; that they were directed by the Pope, came into England to stir up sedition, and to make a strong party; and hereupon they were condemned as offending against the laws. Campian was demanded whether he took Queen Elizabeth to be Queen of England by right and law? to that he refused to answer. Then he was demanded, if the Pope should send an Army into England against the Queen, whether he would take the Pope's part, or the Queens? To this he protested openly, that he would take the Pope's part, and confirmed it by his hand-writing; he was put to death and some others for the same cause. When as yet from the time of the rebellion, there was but five put to death in this cause. The Queen thinking that men's consciences should not be forced, did often compla●ne, that she was necessarily driven to these courses, unless she would suffer a mischief to fall upon herself and her subjects, by them that sought to colour their treasons under a pretence of conscience and Catholic Religion. And yet she thought that some of the poor Priests, that were sent, were not acquainted with the secret plots of treason: but found that their superiors used these as instruments of their wicked intentions; and they yielded the whole disposing of themselves to the judgement of their superiors; for they that were then and afterward apprehended, being demanded, whether by the authority of the Bull of Pius V. the subjects were so absolved from their oath and allegiance, that they might take Arms against the Prince? Whether they held her for a lawful Queen? Whether they yielded their consent to the opinions of Sanders & Bristol, concerning the authority of that Bull? Whether, if the Pope should war against the Queen, they would take his part or hers? To these things they answered, some so ambiguously, some so fiercely, some by prevarication or by silence shifting: that divers other Papists who were not acquainted with the secrets of their villainies, began to suspect, that surely they nourished some secret mischief: and john Bishop, otherwise much addicted to their Religion, wrote and sound proved that the constitution obtruded in the name of the Council of Lateran, from which they founded all their authority to absolve subjects from their allegiance, and to depose Princes, was indeed nothing but a decree of Innocentius III. nor was ever admitted in England. Yea, that Council was no Council, and that nothing was decreed there by the Fathers.  
Suspicions were still increased, by reason of the number of Priests daily coming into England, and creeping in corners, who secretly sought out the minds of men, and taught that Princes excommunicated were to be thrown out of their Kingdoms, that Princes that professed not the Roman Religion, were fallen from the title and Kingly authority, that they who had taken orders, were by the liberty of the Church freed from all jurisdiction of Princes, neither were bound to their laws, or bound to reverence their Majesty: that the Magistrates of England were not lawful, and therefore not to be accounted as Magistrates. Yea, and moreover, that what things soever had been established by the Queen's authority, after the publishing of the Bull of Pius V. were void altogether by God's law and man's law, and to be respected as things of no account. Neither did they dissemble their purpose, that they were come into England for this end, that this Bull might be effected, and that they might in private confessions reconcile men, and so absolve them from all faith and allegiance toward the Queen. This thing seemed to be more easily effected, when men were absolved from all mortal sin, as the Priests persuaded them, and this way was the safest, because the most secret, and under the seal of Confession.  
These practi●es extorted of the Parliament held then ●n ●anuary, 
An: Don. 1582.  An: 1582▪ new laws and more severe against these Popish practices. By which laws it was made treason to dissuade any subject from their allegiance to their Prince, and from the Religion which was then established in England or to reconcile any to the Romish Church; the same punishment was to be inflicted upon them which were so persuaded, or reconciled. To say Mass, was punished with two hundreth marks, and a years imprisonment, and to be farther punished until they had paid. To be present at Mass willingly, was punished with an hundreth mark fine, and a years imprisonment: They that refused to come to their Parish Churches, were to pay twenty pound a month.  
This manner of punishing refractory men, that in matters touching the Church were troublesome and seditious, was taken from an ancient manner of punishing such men in the time of St Augus●in, for he speaketh divers times of the Pecuniary mulct of the Emperors, which was inflicted upon the Donatists. And because the seminary Priests and Jesuits who have been punished, not for Religion, but for Treasons in the execution of civil justice, for offending against the laws of the Land, have given out, that they have been persecuted for Religion, and some of them have been made Martyrs, (these be a new kind of Martyrs, not for Christ's cause, but for the Pope's cause against Christ, and against his Word and Commandment.) It shall not be amiss to observe the State of the Church in S. Augustine's time, and the judgement of the Church then, which in divers resemblances doth answer to our times; for then the Emperor had that power and authority, which we now give to our Kings. The Pope had no more authority then, than we would yield him now, if he would maintain the doctrine that the Popes than did. The Pope was then under the Emperor; the Emperor punished both Pope and others if they offended his laws. Parmenianus, a Donatist, complained they were punished by the Emperor, and persecuted, and called their persecution martyrdom, as did the Papists that were punished. S. Augustin answering the Donatists, saith: Si quis quis ab Imperatore, etc. If every man that is punished by the Emperor, or by the judges which he sendeth, must presently be accounted a Martyr, then shall we have all Prisons full of Martyr's, etc. And after he saith: 
Lib. 1. cap. 9 contr. Epist. Parmen.  Therefore not every one that in some question of Religion is punished by the Emperor, must presently be accounted a Martyr; for he is justly punished for superstition, which he thought to be religion. No man verily that in any respect is a Christian, dare avouch this; for such men proceeding like blind men, see not, that they who thus think, proceed so far, as to prove that the very devils may thus challenge to themselves the glory of Martyrs, because they suffer this persecution by the Christian Emperors; for as much as their temples are destroyed over all the world in a manner; their ldols are broken in pieces, their sacrifices are forbidden, they who honour them are punished if they be found. Which if it be madness to maintain, than it followeth that righteousness is not proved by suffering, but by righteousness, suffering is made glorious: 
Math. 5.  therefore the Lord said not blessea are they that suffer persecution, but he addeth that which maketh the difference between piety and sacrilege, blessed are they which suffer persecution for righteousness, etc. And after he saith: If these men being convicted of their wicked practices, 
Ibid. t●p. 10.  shall acknowledge that they who are thus punished ●or their mad tricks, may not be accounted Martyrs, but yet they will say, that these things ought not to belong to the Emperor to punish. (Just as the Papists say, the punishment of their Clergy belongeth not to the Magistrate.) I demand then, saith Augustin: Whether they think, that the superior powers ought not to have care of Religion, & of punishing false religion? 
Gal. 5. 19  The Apostle saith, The works of the flesh are manifest, which are adaltery, fornication, uncleanness, wantonness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, debate, emulation, wrath, contentions, seditions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, gluttony, and such like. What reason can these men render, why it should be justice for the Empeperours to punish Idolaters, Murderers, and such, and not by the same reason to be like justice in them, to punish heretics. When as they are accounted in the same fruits of iniquity, Someruill was found strangled in the prison. (For fear belike that he might have discovered more) Ardern being condemned, was hanged the next day. This is the common end that Priests bring such Gentlemen unto, who are willing to hear them and be persuaded by them.  
The next year after, (for seldom did any year pass without some treason) some English Gentlemen began to practise the deliverance of the Queen of Scots. 
An: Don. 1584.  Francis Throgmorton fell first into suspicion, by certain Letters intercepted, written to the Queen of Scots. As soon as he was committed to prison, and began to confess something, presently Thomas Lord Paget, and Charles Arundel, a Courtier, secretly fled the land, and went into France. These men meeting with other devoted to the Roman Religion, did much complain, recounting their sorrows among themselves, that the Queen was estranged from them without their fault, by the cunning of Leicester, and Walsingham, that themselves were exposed to unworthy contumelies & ignominies, that singular tricks were found out, and secret snares laid so cunningly, that improvident men, will they nill they, must needs be entangled in such snares; that to remain at home there could be no safety for them. It was thought at this time, that some cunning was practised to feel men's affections; and that counterfeit Letters were written under the name of the Scots Queen, and of some fugitives, known traitors to the State; which Letters might be left in the houses of Recusans, and that spies were sent abroad to gather rumours, and to catch suspicions. Divers were drawn into snares. Among others, Henry Earl of Northumberland, and his son Philip Earl of Arundel, was commanded to keep his house, his wife was committed to Sr Thomas Shirley to be kept; and Henry Howard the Duke's brother was often examined of Letters sent from the Scots Queen, from Charles Paget, and from one Mope, then unknown. Some blamed the narrow searching of things, and the manner of drawing men into danger. Others thought that all the means that might be used to prevent the Queen's danger, and to save her life, was but necessary. And indeed the outrageous maliciousness of the Papists against the Queen, broke out daily; for by Books imprinted, they exhorted the Queen's maids and Ladies of honour to do the same against the Queen, which judith did against Holofernes. The Author of that Book was not found, Gregory Martin was suspected, a man learned in the Greek and Latin tongues, and chosen by the Duke to be the bringer up of his children. Carter the Stationer that caused the Books to be Printed, was punished for it.  
The Queen, that was much traduced for cruelty, knowing her own mildness, and desirous to leave a good remembrance of her name behind her, was much offended with the judges of the Papists apprehended, if they passed any cruel sentences against them, which might be injurious to her honour. Insomuch that they were forced to excuse themselves by public writings, wherein they protested, that the Priests were much more mildly used than they deserved: that no question of Religion was moved to them, but only of such pernicious machinations against their Country, against their Prince, whereof they were either found guilty, or by the discovery of others, suspected. That Campian was never so racked, but that presently he was able to walk, or to subscribe to his confessions. But for Briant, who stubbornly denied to utter by speech or by writing, who was the man that wrote these secret things which were found about him; to this man meat was denied, until by writing he would ask it. For all this the Queen was not satisfied, and therefore she commanded the Examiner's to abstain from tormenting men, and the judges from punishing. And short after, she commanded seventy Priests to be sent out of England, whereof some were condemned to die, all of them were entangled within the danger of the laws. The chief of these were Gasper Haywod, the son of Haywod the Epigrammatist, who of all the Jesuits first entered England: james Bosgrave, which was also a jesuit, john Hart, the most learned among them, with whom Doct: Reinolds had conference, and Edward Rishton, a wicked and ungrateful man, who wrote a Book presently after, showing forth the poison of a cankered heart against the Queen, to whom he owed his life.  
The Lord Paget and Arundel who went into France, were narrowly observed there, by Edward Stafford, the Ambassador Leaguer there for Queen Elizabeth; but he could not find out what they practised; yet he dealt with the French King, that they, Morgan, and some other English fugitives, who were known to be practisers against their Prince, and their Country, might be thrust out of France. But it was answered, that if they practised any thing in France, the King would by law punish them, but if they had practised any thing in England, that of such things the King could take no notice, nor by law punish them: that all Kingdoms were free for fugitives, that it behoved Kings to maintain their own liberties: That Elizabeth not long before had admitted into her Kingdom Montgomery, the Prince of Condie, and others of the French Nation, and that Segneres Ambassador of the King of Navarre was in England, practising of some things that concerned the French state.  
In the mean time Bernardinus Mendoza the King of Spain his Ambassador for England, stole fecretly into France, fretting and fuming, that he was thrust out of England by a violation of the right of an Ambassador: When as indeed he was a man of a troublesome spirit, and had abused the reverend right of Ambassadors, by the practices of treason against this State wherein he was. He was commanded to depart out of the realm, whereas many thought fit that he should have been with some severity censured for violating the office of an Ambassador. For he had practised with Throgmorton, and others, to bring in strangers into England, to invade the land, and to remove the Queen. And being gently reproved for these things, he was so far from offering to excuse these things with a modest answer, that he began to accuse the Queen and the Council, for the money taken from the Merchants of Genua, and for helping the States of the Netherlands, of the Count Antow, of Antony of Portugal, and charged them with the spoils that Sr Francis Drake had taken from the Spany trds in the west Indies. But that the Spaniard might the better understand, that this which Queen Elizabeth had done in sending away Mendoza, was no violating of an Ambassador, but a censure of Mendoza his wicked practices, Sr William Wade was sent to Spain, who might plainly inform the King, how unworthily he had behaved himself in his Ambassage: and might also signify, that the Queen would not have this sending away of him to be interpreted a renuntiation of friendship, but that she would maintain all offices of humanity, if he would send any other, that were careful to conserve friendship between them, so that the like offices were performed to her Ambassador in Spain. The Spanish King would not admit Wade to his presence, but referred him to his Council: Wade hereupon declared boldly, that the custom was received among Nations, that even in burning war, Ambassadors were admitted into presence of their enemies: & that Charles the fifth Emperor, Father to the King of Spain, admitted into his presence an Herald who denounced to him wars from the French King, and denied to communicate the instructions of his ambassage to his Councillors. I diacius the Kings secretary could by no cunning fish out of Wade what were his instructions, until he understood the whole matter from Mendoza, then lurking in France. Then the Secretary laying aside his public person, did familiarly declare to Sr William Wade, that he was sorry that some men did labour craftily to dissolve friendship among Princes, and to nourish hatred between them; The injury that was done, was not done to the Ambassadors but to the Catholic King: that there was no cause for him to accuse Mendoza to the King, who was sufficiently punished with an ignominious extrusion out of England, for the fault, if there were any, which he committed. Neither might he complain if he were not admitted; for the Catholic King did nothing herein but quit like with like, seeing Mendoza was dismissed from the Queen, unheard. And as she referred Mendoza to her Council, so the King had referred him to the Cardinal Granuillanus. Wade answered, there was great difference in their cases; for himself he had never offended the Catholic King: but Mendoza had grievously offended against the Queen, and for a long time through his own insolency disdained to come, and had committed many things unworthy the office of an Ambassador; yet he could not be admitted, but returned unheard. The crimes that he would have objected against Mendoza, were taken our of the confession of Throgmorton. 
Throgmorton. An: Don. 1584.  For Fran●is Throgmorton, when he was apprehended, sent privily one packet of letters to Mendoza. His other packets being sought and opened, there were two Catalogues found; In the one of them were the names of all the havens of England, that were for forces to land in: In the other were contained the names of the Noblemen, which here and there throughout England favoured the Roman Religion. These papers when Throgmorton saw produced, he cried out that they were counterfeited, that he had never seen them before, that they were devised for his destruction. But when he was again brought to the rack, he denied not to answer what he knew to the questions proposed. Being therefore demanded of those Catalogues, to what purpose they had been written, he made this narration; that not many years since he went to the Spa water, where, with jeney and Fr: Inglefeld, he had counsel and communication, how England might be taken by strangers, and the form of the government changed. For that purpose he described the names of the havens, and of Noblemen; that Morgan had certified him by Letters out of France, that the Catholic Princes were resolved to invade England, that the Queen of Scots should be set at liberty by the forces of the Guises. To this project there was nothing wanting but money, and the help that was expected out of England. To effect this the better, Charles' Paget, under the name of Mope, was secretly sent into Sussex, where the Guise purposed to take land: that he had communicated the matter to Mendoza, and told him the names of the noblemen, who knew all these things before fully of the conspirators: Neither denied he that himself had promised his help to Mendoza, and withal that he admonished Mendoza of those Nobles that were fit for him being a public person to deal withal, which himself being a private man could not do without danger. And that he had taken order with him, and concluded of the means to be used, namely, that the chief Catholics, as soon as ever the foreign forces drew near, should muster soldiers in the Queen's name, who should join themselves with the foreign forces. Thus much he confessed willingly.  
Yet when he came to judgement in the Guild Hall at London, he denied all, & said that all these were feigned devises to save him from the rack, and openly accused the Queen of cruelty, the examiners of falsehood; seeking a starting hole from the space of time which passed between the time of the committing his crime, and the time of his judgement; for in the XIII. of Elizabeth, certain crimes are made treason, for which no man should be called in question, unless the delinquent were accused within six months after the crime committed, and the crime were proved by witness and oath of two, or by the party his own free confession. Now he pleaded that this time was past, and therefore that he was not to be called into judgement. But the judges answered and showed that the crimes objected against him, were of another kind; for he had offended against an old law of treason made in the time of Edward 3. which admitteth no circumscription of time, or proof. And from that law he was condemned. Afterward being persuaded and better thinking on the matter, he craved the Queen's mercy, and by writing confessed all at full again, which he had done before: and as a man unconstant, began to deny again at the gallows.   

CHAPTER VIII.  
Queen ELIZABETH at this time, sought a fair opportunity and means to set the Queen of Scots free: and for that purpose had sent Sr William Wade, that was now returned out of Spain, to confer with her of the means, and was about to send Sr Walter Mildmay to bring that matter to a farther end. But some terrors and fears broke in between them which disturbed that project. Especially by a discovery of papers which Creighton, a Scots jesuit sailing into Scotland, did tore then when he was taken by Dutch pirates. Creighton tore the papers, & threw them into the Sea; but they were by the force of the wind blown back again into the ship, not without a miracle, as Creighton himself said; the papers being brought to Sr William Wade, with much la●our and singular skill he joined them together again; and found that they contained new practices of the Pope, the Spaniard, the Guise's resolution to invade England.  
Whereupon, and because many other rumours of dangers were increased; to the end that the wicked and treasonable practices might be in time prevented, and the Queen's life and safety might be procured, upon whose safety both the estate of the Kingdom, and of Religion depended: A great number throughout all England, of all sorts of men out of common charity, whilst they showed their love and care of the Queen: bound themselves by an association (as then it was called) by their mutual promises, subscriptions of their hands and seals, to prosecute all such by all their force even to death, whosoever should attempt any thing against the life of the Queen: the Earl of Leicester was supposed to be the author of this association. Surely it was useful, and held many in order. The Queen of Scots took this as devised to bring her into danger, and was so continually set on by seditious spirits, that if they may have access are able to draw the greatest Princes to destruction. And what hath been their practice, but to bring great personages and great houses to ruin? Lamentable experience showeth openly the fruit of their malice, and wicked plots for treason; which they call religion. The Scots Queen led on by her blind guides, dealt somewhat rashly, but with importunity to the Pope and Spaniard, by Sr Francis Inglefeld, that by all means they would with speed, undertake their intended business. There were some also that laboured to draw Queen Elizabeth's affections altogether from the Scots Queen; They told her that Cardinal Alan for the English Catholics ecclesiastical, Inglefeld for the Laiks, and for the Queen of Scots, the Bishop of Ross had undertaken, & were among themselves agreed, and with the consent also of the Pope and Spaniard, had fully resolved upon these points: That Queen Elizabeth should be deprived of her Kingdom; the King of Scots as a manifest favourer of heresy, should utterly be disinherited of the Kingdom of England; that the Scots Queen shall marry some nobleman of England, which is a Catholic; that this man must be chosen King of England by the Catholics of England; that the choice so made must be confirmed by the Pope; that the children of him so chosen begotten of the Scots Queen, must be declared successors in the Kingdom. All these things were confirmed to be true by testimony of Hart the Priest. Who was this noble English man, that should marry the Scots Queen, was now much inquired after; Sir Francis Wal●ingham sought it out with all diligence, yet found it not out. There was suspicion of Henry Howard, brother to the Duke of Norfolk, who was noble by birth, unmarried, and a favourer of that Religion, and in great grace and favour with them.  
These things that were discovered by Throgmorton, by Creightons papers, and other men's, were matters which bred suspicions and fears though they were never so effected as they were intended. But we find by these things, that France and Spain, and the strength of the Pope, were here all combined against Queen Elizabeth, and King james, for no other cause, but for their religion; because both Queen Elizabeth and King james, had established the same religion. Against which religion all the great powers of the world were combined, and were therefore ready with their utmost endeavours to root out these two Princes from England and Scotland. If a man shall consider the Counsels, the Policies, the strength of these great powers which were set against these two Princes, it is a matter to be wondered at, how they should stand against so deep and desperate dangers. Here I wish that a Papist of any understanding would take this matter into his consideration. And look but a little further to the end and event of things. What man purposed, What God wrought. What became of these two Princes, Queen Elizabeth & King james, against whom the world thus conspired? Queen Elizabeth after so many malicious projects against her, by open wars, by secret conspiracies, yet lived to see all the malicious practices against her, defeated and overthrown, the practisers themselves ruinated, her people and Kingdom defended, God's truth maintained, her service for the truth rewarded, and after all, died quietly in her bed, and hath left a blessed memory behind her. King JAMES that was in the same cause with her, in the same manner threatened for his Religion, to be made incapable of the inheritance of England, and then neither could he have holden Scotland, for he must either have all his right, or lose all; for there is no middle-way in the inheritance of Kings: yet after all these threatened dangers by the great powers of the world, after a number of dangerous and devilish practices against him at home; he hath not only quietly possessed that which he had, but is in the peaceable possession of England, with such love, such gladness of heart and common rejoicing, that the like hath not been known in former times. And which was never done by any before, though much wished, and attempted: he hath in his royal person knit England and Scotland together; he hath not only maintained the truth of Religion by his authority, as all Christian Princes are bound to do; but also by his wisdom, by his learning confirmed the truth, drawn many to the knowledge of it by his learned Labours. Wherein he hath not only far exceeded all his progenitors in this Kingdom, but hath left all the Kings and Emperors in the world far behind him in this honour; so that since the beginning of the time of grace, to this day, the world never saw a King so furnished and enabled to maintain the truth, and to discover the blindness and superstition of false Religion. And therefore hath God blessed him with extraordinary blessings; the love of his subjects, the peaceable estate of Ireland, which before his time was never governed in peace, especially the fruit of Religion, and the reward of Religion maintained, is the greatest blessing that Kings can look for. This hath been, and is the state of these religious Provinces; so that men shall say, 
Psal. 58. 11.  Doubtless there is a reward for the righteous, verily there is a God that judgeth the earth. And because my purpose in writing this Book, is to declare the great Works of God, in the defence of this Church of England since Religion planted here by Queen Elizabeth; and to give God all the glory, both of the planting and maintaining thereof: We therefore remember these things with great gladness and joy of heart to God's glory, giving thanks to his holy name, for the favours that he hath exhibited to his Church here, by the faithful service of these two royal servants of God, in whom is truly verified that which the Prophet Esay foretold, speaking of God's favour to his Church: Kings shall be thy nurcing Fathers, and Queens shall be thy Nurses. In these things we can lift up our hearts to God, and give him the glory and thanks for all his goodness. But can our adversaries do the like, whose practices against these noble Princes, were wicked and malicious, and by God confounded? Let men see and confess the hand of God in maintaining them that maintain his truth, and dishonouring them that dishonour him.  
The next year, 
An: Don. 1585.  that is An: 1585. there was a Parliament held, wherein there was in the lower house a Law proposed against Jesuits: Which was judged needful and accepted of all without contradiction, saving only William Parry, a welsh man, obscure, of mean fortunes, yet a Doctor of the civil Law, he spoke against that law which then was exhibited, and said it was a cruel bloody law, and desperate, and pernicious to the English Nation: Being required to show his reasons for that strange opinion of his, he obstinately refused so to do, unless it were before the Queen's council: Whereupon he was committed to prison. But after his reasons were heard and his submission made, he was again admitted into the assembly. Presently after, he was accused by Edward Neu●l (who challenged the inheritance of the Nevil's, and the title of the Lord Latimer, as next heir male.) Edward Nevil charged him for practising the Queen's death.  
This Parry some two years before returning out of Italy, to the end that he might win favour and credit with the Queen, declared secretly to her what Morgan, and other fugitives had practised to her destruction. Making semblance to the Queen, that he was conversant with them for no other end, but only to search out their secret purposes, that so he might the better be a means to provide for the Queen's safety. Whereupon the Queen did not easily give credit to Nevil the accuser Yet she commanded Sr Fancis Walsingham to ask Parry, whether he had not dealt with some person discontented and suspected of that matter, only to try the man. Which thing being demanded, he utterly denied. The fool saw not, that by this means the Queen's lenity opened a way for him to escape the danger; for surely if he had signified, that only for to try the man he dealt with Nevil, whom he knew to be a man discontented and suspected, as he had foretold the Queen, he might have avoided the danger; but they who in their heart once have given entertainment to wickedness and treason, though otherwise they be of wit and sharp understanding, are made blind, by a just judgement of God. Now when as Nevil had no witness against Parry: there was no great difference between Parry his word and his. But Parry, after some sharp words had passed between them; was imprisoned in the Tower. Where he freely confessed thus much.  
In the year 1570. (said he) I was admitted a sworn servant to the Queen, I remained devoted to her Majesty till the year 1580. At what time I fell into great danger of my life, with great ignominy, (for he had broken into the chamber of Hugh Hare, in whose debt he was, and wounded him, whereupon being condemned by law, his life was saved by the Queen's pardon) after that, I lived much vexed in my mind, and getting leave to travel, I went into France; and had no purpose to return, because I had given myself to the Catholic Religion. At Paris I was reconciled; At Venice I had communication with Benedict Palmius a jesuit, touching the afflicted Catholics in England, and I signified that I had found out a way to help them, if the Pope, or some learned Divines would avouch it to be a lawful course. He commended this thing as pious: He commended me to Campegius the Popes Nuntio at Ven●ce, and Campegius to the Pope. I moved that I might come to Rome with safety. Whereupon Letters of public credence were sent to me by the Cardinal of Come: but these were not large enough, and therefore other more large were sent. But than was I returned into France. Where meeting with Morgan, he signified, that there was an expectation, that I should perform some especial service to God, and to the Catholic Church. I answered, that I was most ready to kill, if it were the greatest subject of England. O but (said he) and why not the Queen herself? I said that this also might be easily done, so that it might appear to be lawful. For Watt a Priest, whose advice I asked in this matter, suppressing the names, told me plainly, that it was not lawful, (and Creighton the jesuit is of the same opinion, teaching that evil must not be done, that good may come: that God is more delighted with adverbs than nouns, and the thing that is done well and lawfully pleaseth him better than a thing good: and that by the destruction of one, many souls are not to be redeemed, without an express commandment of God.) Yet for all this seeing I had in Italy bound myself by Letters and promise, I could not go back, if the Pope did approve it, and would grant me a plenary indulgence. Which I requested in my Letters to the Pope, by Ragazonius the Pope's Nuntio in France. Who commended the enterprise, and sent my Letters to Rome. Being returned into England, I got access to the Queen. And all being removed, I opened the whole conspiracy, yet hiding many things, with as great art as possibly I could. She heard it undaunted, unterrified. I departed daunted and terrified Neither can I forget that which she said, that no Catholics were to be brought into question for Religion, or for the Pope's supremacy, so that they carry themselves as good subjects. In this time whilst I stayed daily in Court, seeking to be preferred with the mastership of S. Katherine's, I received Letters from the Cardinal of Come, wherein the attempt was commended, and I was absolved in the Pope's name. These Letters I showed the Queen; how they did work with her I know not: but with me they wrought so far, that they set a new courage in me to attempt the enterprise, and took all scruple out of my mind; yet it was not my mind to offer any force, if by any reasons she might be persuaded to deal more gently with Catholics. And to the end I should not commit slaughter, always when I had access to her I laid aside my dagger. So oft as I considered her and her Princely virtues, I was distracted by an ambiguous care, for my vows were in heaven, my letters and promises with men. And to myself I revolved these things in my mind. She never deserved well of me. It is true she pardoned my life; but for such a cause to take away my life, were tyrannical. Thus not content with my state, I departed from Court; and I light upon Doct. Alans' Book, written against the justice of England. Who teacheth that Princes being excommunicate for heresy, are to be despoiled of their Kingdoms and lives: that Book did very sharply stir me up to finish mine attempt; I read this Book to Nevil, whom I entertained at my table; and this was done full six months before he accused me. After this he came to me, And let us dare, said he, to do something, seeing of the Queen we can obtain nothing. And he proposed some things of the delivery of the Scots Queen. I did here interpose; O but I have a greater matter in my head, and more profitable for the Catholic Church. The next day he came, and swearing upon the Bible, that he would keep my counsel, and constantly prosecute whatsoever was useful for the Catholic Religion. And I swore in like sort. Our determination was to set upon the Queen with ten horsemen as she was riding in the fields, and so to kill her. Which thing Nevil concealed all this while. But when the news came, that the Earl of Westmoreland was dead, whose inheritance he hoped to have presently, not respecting his oath, he opened these things against me. These things Parry confessed, in the presence of the Lord Hunsdon, Sir Christopher Harton, and Sir Francis Walsingham, privy Councillors, and farther by his Letters to the Queen, to Burghley Lord Treasurer, and to the Earl of Leicester, he acknowledged his fault and craved pardon.  
Some few days after he was brought to Westminster hall to judgement. Where the heads of his accusation being read, he confessed himself guilty. Sir Christohper Hatton, to satisfy the multitude present, thought it fit, that the crime should punctually be opened out of his own confession. Which Parry himself acknowledged to be free, not extorted: and the judges entreated that he would read them. But the Clerk of the Crown read them: and the Letters of the Cardinal of Come, & Parry his Letters to the Queen, to the Lord Burghley, and the Earl of Leicester, all which he granted to be true. Yet he denied that he was at any time resolved to kill the Queen. He was therefore commanded to speak, if he had any thing to say why judgement should not pass. Here he answered with perturbation, as one troubled with the conscience of the crime, I see I must die, because I was not resolved. And being desired to speak more plainly, if he would say any thing; My blood, said he, be among you. When sentence of death was pronounced against him, he ragingly cited the Queen to the tribunal seat of God. Being brought to the gallows, he bragged much that he had been a faithful keeper of the Queen, because he had not killed her. Thus like a glorious Roman Catholic, never once in one word commending himself to God, he died like a traitor in the court before Westminster Hall, where the Lords and Commons were then assembled in Parliament.  
In this Parliament some laws were enacted for the Queen's safety against the Jesuits and Priests, who attempted daily horrible treasons from the Bull of Pius V.  
It was therefore enacted that within forty days they should all depart the Land. If any came in again after that, and stayed here, they should be guilty of treason: that if any received them wittingly and willingly, or entertained them, nourished, or helped them, such should be guilty of felony: that they who are brought up in the seminaries, if they return not within six months after warning given, and should not submit themselves to the Queen, before a Bishop, or two justices of peace, they should be guilty of treason. And they who had submitted, if they should within ten years come to the Court, or nearer than ten miles of the Court, that then their submission should be void. They who sent any money by any means to the Students of the seminaries, should be guilty of Praemunire. If any of the Peers of the Realm, that is, Dukes, Marquesses, Earls, Viscount's, Barons of the Parliament, should offend against these laws, he should be tried by his Peers. They who know any Jesuits and Priests to lie lurking in the Realm, and within twelve days do not detect them, shall be fined at the Queen's pleasure, and put in prison. If any be suspected to be one of those Jesuits or Priests, and shall not submit himself to examination, for his contempt he shall be imprisoned, until he submit. He that shall send any Christian, or any other to the Seminaries and Colleges of the Popish profession, shall be fined an hundreth pounds. They that are so sent, shall not succeed in inheritance, nor enjoy any goods what way soever they may chance. And so shall it be to them that within a year return not from those seminaries; unless they conform themselves to the Church of England. If the keepers of havens permit any to pass the seas without the Queen's licence, or the licence of six Councillors, except Mariners and Merchants, they shall be removed from their places; the Shipmaster that carries them shall lose the Ship and all the goods in her, and be imprisoned a whole year.  
The severity of these laws (which were no less than necessary for such times and such mischiefs) made the Papists in England afeard, and among others, Philip Howard, Earl of Arundel; in so much as fearing lest he might offend against those laws, he purposed to leave his country. He had his blood restored by the Queen's favour three years before. And after that being dis-favoured by reason of some secret suggestions of certain great personages against him, he secretly gave himself to the Popish Religion, and made choice of an austere life. Surely if good instructours might have been admitted to him, he might have been easily and happily confirmed in the truth. He was once or twice called before the Council table, and refuted the things objected to him. Yet was he commanded to keep his house. Six months after he was set at liberty, and came to the Parliament; but the first day, whilst the Sermon was preached he withdrew himself out of the company. The Parliament being ended, being as then resolved to depart, he wrote to the Queen a long and a mournful complaint, which Letters he commanded should be delivered after his departure: he complained of the envy of his potent adversaries, whereunto he was forced to yield; seeing they triumphed over his innocency. He recounted the unfortunate destinies of his ancestors, of his great grandfather, condemned his cause not being heard: of his grandfather, who for matters of small moment was beheaded; and of his father, whom he affirmed to be circumvented by his adversaries, who yet never had an evil mind against his Prince nor Country. As for himself, lest he should succeed the heir of his father's infelicity, said he, to the end that he might serve God, and provide for the health of his soul, he had forsaken his Country, but not his allegiance to his Prince. After these Letters were delivered, he went into Sussex, and having provided a ship, in an obscure corner, and now being ready to take ship, he was apprehended by the meanus of those whom he trusted, and by the master of the ship discovered, and was sent into the Tower as a prisoner.   

CHAPTER IX.  
AT that time was Henry Percy Earl of Northumberland in the Tower, suspected to be of council with Throgmorton, and the Lord Paget, and the Guises, to invade England, and to free the Scots Queen. He was found dead in his bed, shot with three Bullets under his left pap: the chamber door bolted on the inside. The Crowner's inquest found a dag, and gun powder in the chamber, and examining the man that bought the dag, and him that sold it, they found that the Earl had been the cause of his own death. Three days after the Lords met in the Star-chamber. The Lord Chancellor Broumley, briefly declared that the Earl had entered into treasonable counsels against his Prince and Country, which now when he perceived that they were come to light, troubled in conscience for the thing, hath offered force to himself. And to satisfy the multitude then present, he willed the Queen's Attorney general, and the rest of the Queen's Council, plainly to open the causes why he was kept in prison, and the manner of his death. Whereupon Popham then Attorney, beginning from the rebellion of the North sixteen years before, he declared, that for this rebellion and for a purpose to deliver the Scots Queen, that he was called into question, acknowledged his fault, submitted himself to the Queen's mercy, was fined five thousand marks. That the Queen of her clemency took not of that fine so much as a farthing, and after his brother's death confirmed him in the honour of the Earldom. Notwithstanding all this, he had entered into pernicious counsel to deliver the Scots Queen, to overthrow the English Queen, with the State and Religion: that Mendoza the Spaniard had told Throgmorton that Charles Paget under the name of Mope, had secretly dealt with him in Sussex of these things: that the Lord Paget had signified the same to Throgmorton, as appeared from Creighton the Scots Jesuits papers. And that Charles Paget had showed the same things to William Shelley when he returned out of France. After that, Egerton the Queen's Solicitor, inferred the same from circumstances, and a care of concealing the matter. That when as there was none in England that could accuse the Earl of this crime, except the Lord Paget; (with whom Throgmorton had familiarity) he had provided a ship for the Lord Paget, by Shelley, a few days after Throgmorton was apprehended. So was the Lord Paget sent away into France. And when Throgmorton began to confess some things, the Earl departed from London to Petworth, and sending for Shelley, told him that he was in danger of his life and fortunes, he entreated him to keep counsel, and to put away those that knew of the departure of the Lord Paget, and of the coming of Charles Paget. Which was presently done, and himself sent far off that servant which he used to send to Charles Paget. The Solicitor addeth, that when he was in prison, he dealt often with Shelley, the keepers being corrupted, to understand what those things were which he had confessed. But when by a poor woman secretly sent between them, Shelley had signified, that he could keep counsel no longer, that there was great difference between their two conditions; that he must come under the rack, which the Earl in respect of his place and order was freed from, and had written to him what he had confessed: The Earl thereupon sighed and said, as Pantin his Chamberlain hath confessed, that Shelley his confession had undone him. After the manner of his death was declared by the testimony of the Enquest, and by Pantins' testimony. Many good men were very sorrowful, that a man of such nobility, wisdom, and valour was so lost.  
My purpose is in this Narration, to observe the great and manifold deliverances of this Church. When I am drawn by the course of the History to open these practices, in which noblemen have been misled: this I confess I relate with great commiseration; for seeing that Noble houses are the honour of the King, the ornament of the Kingdom, there is no man that loveth the honour of his own Country, that can write or speak of the fall of such men, but with grief and sorrow. Of such I will make no other observations, but only the testification of mine own sorrow But yet here I must observe one thing for the good and instruction of their posterity, or the like, that they may take heed of these pernicious instruments, Priests, Jesuits, and those that are infected, yea and poisoned with the infection of them. These graceless merchants have utterly undone many noble persons, which without their restless suggestions and counsels, might and doubtless would have been great ornaments of their Countries both in peace and wars. Was there ever any noble house in these times ruinated, without the practice of these wicked miscreants? Let all the blood that hath been shed in this Land in the Northern rebellion, & at other times, be laid upon these wicked instruments of blood. And let the world consider the outrageous wickedness of this generation, that having in formertimes sucked the blood of the Saints as greedy instruments of the great Whore, that is drunk with the blood of the Saints: now by a just, but strange judgement of God, they are fallen into such practices, as shed their own blood and the blood of such as are misled by them. God is to be reverenced in all his judgements, and let not men strive against God to maintain a cause which God will overthrow, with all the maintainers thereof.  
And it is not much to be marveiled, if these cunning stirrers have deceived some of our Nobles, for we see that they have cozened great Kings and Princes. For soon after this in the year 1586. 
An: Don. 1586.  these pernicious meddlers, these Jesuits showed themselves in other colours, for when these bloody instruments that had so long laboured the ruin of England, & were out of hope to restore the Romish Religion to England, either by the Scots Queen, which was now more strictly kept, or by the King then of Scotland, who had plainly professed and established the Gospel in his Kingdom: they fell now to a new and a strange practice, which might make the world to wonder: they began out of their false and lying forgeries, to set a foot an imaginary title of the King of Spain, to the right and succession of the English Crown. To this purpose, as Pasquirus discovered, they sent into England one Shamiers, (if it be not a counterfeit name) a lesuit, which might draw the discontented Nobles unto the Spanish side, & throw the Scots Queen headlong into dangers and despair, signifying to her, that if she should be trouble some to hinder their designs, that neither she nor her son should reign here. And stirred up new troubles in France to withdraw her cousins the Guises from hindering their devises, by wrapping them in new garboils against the King of Navarre and the Prince of Condy. In which the King of Spain had a hand, to set France in troubles, that he in the mean time might the better proceed in his intentions for England. These desperate courses drew the Scots Queen into more danger.  
At this time a most desperate and pernicious conspiracy broke out, which as by the free confessions of the conspirators appeareth, was thus. Some English Divines of the Rhemish seminary, whilst they seemed to admire as men astonished or rather doting, an omnipotency in the Pope, did labour to persuade themselves, that Pius V. his bull against Queen Elizabeth was indicted by the Holy Ghost: and that it was a thing meritorious to kill excommunicated Princes, yea, and that it was martyrdom to lose their lives in that quarrel. Giffard a Doctor of Theologie, Gilbert Giffard, and Hodgeson, Priests, did so hammer these devises into the corrupt head of john Savage (who they say was a Bastard) that he being heady and bloody (a fit instrument for jesuits) made a vow to kill Queen Elizabeth. At the same time they set out a Book (for no other purpose, but with great cunning to draw the Queen and Council into security, and to lay their ungracious plots more deeply, and so with more ease to come to that mischievous end they shot at). In which Book they admonish the Papists in England, that they practise no hurt to the Queen, for that they were only to use such weapons as are lawful for Christians to use, that is, ●eares, spiritual armour, daily prayers, watchings, fastings against their adversaries, this was their ●ox craft. And withal they spread a false rumour by their whisperers, that George Giffard one of the Queen's Gentlemen Pencionaries had sworn to kill the Queen, and for that cause had wiped the Guise of a great sum of money.  
At Easter following, john Ballard, a Priest of the Remish seminary, who had assayed the minds of many Papists, to whom he traveled to confer with, through England and Scotland, was now returned into England. This man had dealt with Bernardin Mendoza, now the ordinary Spanish Ambassador in France, and with Charles Paget for an invasion of England. Declaring that now was the fittest opportunity for that service, whilst the military men were absent, being then employed in the Low-Countries. A fitter time could never be hoped, for as much as the Pope, the Spaniard, the Guise, the Duke of Parma, had resolved to invade England, to turn the Wars from the Netherlands. And albeit Paget had made it evident, that as long as the Queen lived, the invasion of England would be in vain, yet was Ballard sworn, and sent into England, to procure all the help that might be to the conspirators, and the liberty of the Scots Queen.  
At Pentecost following, that silken Priest came into England, in a Soldier's habit, with a feigned name, called Captain Foscue. This man had conference in London with Antony Babington, a Gentleman of Darbyshire, young, rich, witty, and learned above the expectation of his years, and being addicted to the Romish Religion, had a little before got into France without leave. Where he had familiar conversation with Thomas Morgan, and with the Bishop of Glasco the Scots Queen's Ambassador. These men extolling the heroic virtues of the Scots Queen, made to him great ostentation of assured hopes of honour by her means to be obtained. The ambitious young man was easily drawn to take hold of that fair glistering estate proposed by them. And they were as ready cunningly to set him forward; and before he had well thought of the matter, they commended him by Letters to the Scots Queen. For when he was returned into England, she saluted him favourably with her Letters; from that time Morgan used his help in sending Letters to her, until she was committed to the custody of Amice Paulet. For after that, the young man finding the danger, ceased. With this Babington, Ballard had conference of the things aforesaid. But he thought assuredly so long as Queen Elizabeth lived, that the invasion of England would come to nothing. But when Ballard signified to him, that Queen Elizabeth would not long be alive; for Savage who had vowed to kill her, was now come into England; Babington thought not good that so great a matter should be committed to Savage only, lest he might be stopped from the enterprise. But rather to six valiant and resolute Gentlemen, in which number Savage should be one, that he might not be condemned for not performing his vow. Whereupon Babington took a new course, for the invasion, touching the ports where the strangers might land, and the forces that should be joined with them, and the delivering the Scots Queen, and the Tragic slaughter of Queen Elizabeth, as he called it.  
Whilst he was fixed in these cogitations, he received Letters by an unknown boy; written from the Queen of Scots, in that familiar character which was used between them. She blamed him, but mildly, for his long silence; and willed him to send her the Packet of Letters sent from Morgan, and delivered by the French Ambassadors Secretary. Which he did accordingly. And by the same messenger sent to her a Letter, wherein he excused his silence, for that he wanted opportunity of sending since that she was in the custody of Amice Paulet, a puritan, a mere Leicestrian, and a most bitter enemy of the Catholic faith. He declared what he had resolved with Ballard, that six Gentlemen were chosen to perform the tragic slaughter, and that himself with an hundreth other, would deliver her. He entreated that to these Heroic Actors (so he called them) rewards might be proposed, or to their posterity, if they should fail in the action. The twentie-seventh of july, answer was made to these Letters. Babington his forward desire of promoting the Catholic Religion was commended. He was warned that it might be undertaken considerately, and that nothing be moved before they were sure of external forces: that an association among them might be made, as if they feared the Puritans: that some trouble might be stirred in Ireland, whilst the stroke might be given here at home: that Arundel, and his brethren, and Northumberland, should be drawn to the side, Westmoreland, Paget, and others, might be secretly called home. The way to deliver her was also prescribed; either to overturn a Coach in the gate, or to set the Stables on fire, or to intercept her whilst she road to take the air between Chartley and Stafford. Last of all Babington was warranted to undertake for rewards, and to pawn his credit to the six Gentlemen, and others.  
Now had he gathered about him certain Gentlemen, inflamed with a fiery zeal of the Romish Religion. Of whom the chief were, Edward Windsor, brother to the Lord Windsor, a young Gentleman of a soft disposition, Thomas Salisbury, of a Knight's house in Denbigh-shire, Charles Tilney, an ancient Gentleman, the only hope of the Family, one of the Queen's Pencionaries, whom Ballard had reconciled to the Roman Church; both proper young men: Chidioc Tychburn, of Hampshire, Edward Abington, whose father was the Queen's Cofferer: Robert Gage of Surrey, john Traverse, and john Charnok of Lanchishire, john jones, whose father was Queen Mary's tailor, Savage, Barnwell, a Gentleman of Ireland, Henry Dun, Clarke of the first fruit office. Into this society Polly also insinuated himself: a man well acquainted with the affairs of the Scots Queen: a man well skilled in the art of simulation and dissimulation. Who was thought daily to reveile all their counsels to Sir Francis Walsingham, and to thrust them headlong into mischief, who were forward enough of themselves to evil. Albeit, Navus the Scots Queen's Secretary warned them to beware of him.  
To these did Babington communicate the matter, but not all to each one: his own Letters and the Scots Queen's Letters he showed to Ballard, to Tychburn, and Dun. He dealt with Tilney and Tychburn, to be the strikers. They at first denied to dehle their hands with the blood of their Prince. Ballard and Babington labour to prove it lawful to kill Princes excommunicated: and if right should be violated, then for the Catholic Religion it is to be violated. Hereupon hardly persuaded, they yield their consent in a sort. Abington, Barnwell, Charnok, and Savage readily and roundly without scruple swore to kill her. Salisbury could by no means be persuaded to be a Queene-killer, but to deliver the Scots Queen, he offered his service willingly. Babington designeth Ty●hburn above the number, to help the percussors, of whose fidelity and courage he had persuaded himself much. But he was now absent, travailing abroad. Babington commands that they impart the matter to none, except first an oath be taken to keep silence. These conspirators now and then conferred of these matters in Saint Giles fields, in Pauls-Church, in Taverns, in which they had their daily feasts, being now puffed up with the hopes of great matters. Sometimes commending the valour of the Nobles of Scotland, who lately had intercepted the King at Sterling: and of Gerard the Burgonian, who killed the Prince of Orange. And so far they proceeded in their foolish vanity, so strangely infatuated, that those that should strike the Queen, they had portrayed in lively pictures, and in the midst of them Babington, with this Verse. High mihi sunt comites, quos ipsa pericula ducunt.  
But when this Verse was disliked, as seeming too plain: for it, they set in place these words: Quorsum haec alió properantibus? These pictures were taken, as it was said, and brought to the Queen; who knew none of their countenances but only Barnwells', who used often to come in her presence, following the causes of the Earl of Kildare, whom he served: and she took notice of him by other marks. Verily one day as she was walking abroad she saw Barnwell, she looked sharply and undauntedly upon the man, and turning to Sr Christopher Hatton, Captain of the Guard, and to some others: Am not I, quoth she, well guarded, who have not so much as one man in my company that hath a sword? For Barnwell told this to the other conspirators, and declared how easily she might have been killed, if the conspirators had then been present. Savage in like sort reported the same.  
Now there was nothing that so much troubled Babington, as the fear lest the promise of external forces might fail. And therefore to make that good, he resolved to go into France, and to send Ballard secretly before, for whose passage he had procured licence for money under a counterfeit name. And to remove all suspicion from himself by Polly he in●inuateth himself into Sir Francis Walsingham, and dealeth earnestly with him, to entreat of the Queen licence for his passage into France, promising to do some especially service, in searching and discovering the secret attempts of the fugitives for the Scots Queen. He commended the purpose of the young man, and promised not only to obtain him licence to travel, but he promised withal great and goodly rewards to him, if he would do such a service, yet holding him in suspense, he delayed the matter, and knew his purpose and drift well, having fished all out by an especial skill he had in discovering treasons, but especially by the discovery of Gilbert Giffard, a Priest, he was made acquainted with their intentions, which they thought were kept so secret that the Sun had not known any thing thereof.  
This Giffard was borne at Chellington, where the Scots Queen was kept, and sent by the fugitives into England, under the name of Luson, to put Savage in mind of his vow undertaken, and to lurk as a fit means to transmit Letters between them, and the Scots Queen, because in so dangerous a business, they could not draw in to serve their turn herein neither the Countess of Arundel, nor the Lord Lumley, nor Henry Howard, nor Sr George Shirley.  
The fugitives, to try whether the way was safe by Giffard to transmit Letters, first sent blanks many times sealed like Letters and packeted, which when by the answers they perceived to be truly delivered, now grown more confident, wrote often of their affairs intended, in secret Characters. But Giffard before this, whether vexed in his conscience, or corrupted before with money, or terrified with fear, had opened himself to Sir Francis Walsingham, and declared with what purpose he was sent into England, and offered all his service, as from the love to his Country and his Prince, and promised to communicate to him all the Letters that he received either from the fugitives, or from the Scots Queen. Sir Francis embracing the opportunity offered, entertained him courteously, and sent him into Staffordshire, and wrote to Sir Amice Pawlet, willingly to suffer some of his servants to be corrupted by Giffard, and to wink at it. But he being unwilling, as he said, to suffer any of his household servants, by simulation to become a traitor, yet though unwillingly, he suffered that the brewer, or the man that provided Provender for his horse, who dwelled near him, might be corrupted by Giffard. Giffard easily corrupted the brewer with some pieces of gold, who by a hole in the wall, where a stone was set which might be removed, sent Letters secretly, and received others, which always by messengers provided for the purpose, came to the hands of Sr Francis Walsingham. Who opened the seals, copied out the Letters, and by the singular cunning of Thomas Philipps found the secret Character, and by the skill of Arthur Gregory sealed them up again so cunningly, that no man could suspect that they were opened, and then sent them to the parties to whom they were directed. Thus were disclosed those former Letters from the Scots Queen to Babington, and his answers, and others again from her to him, (in which there was a Postscript cunningly added in the same Character, to write the names of the six Gentlemen, and happily some other things.) Moreover, the same day, the Letters to Mendoza the Spanish Ambassador, to Charles Paget, to the Lord Paget, to the Archbishop of Glasco, and to Sr Francis Inglefeld, were all copied out, and transmitted.  
The Queen, as soon as she understood so rough a tempest hanging over her head, both from inward traitors and foreign enemies, she commanded to the end that the conspiracy might the sooner be quelled, that Ballard should be apprehended. Whereupon he was suddenly taken, in the very nick, when he was ready to depart into France. Being taken in Babingtons' house. Hereupon Babington was afraid and sore troubled, and vexed with a thousand cogitations he came to Tychburn, and with him adviseth what is best to do. His advice was that the conspirators should presently disperse themselves and fly, yet Babington thought it best to send Savage and Charnok presently to kill the Queen. But first to put Savage in braver and more courtly apparel, that so he might have a more easy passage. And of this project he had the same day speech with him, in Pauls-Church. But presently changing his mind, and concealing his secret cares and fears, he wrote Letters to Sir Francis Walsingham, being then in Court, wherein with great earnestness he entreated that now at last he might have licence to depart into France; and withal he made suit for Ballards' deliverance, who might be of great use to him in his proposed business. Sir Francis with fair promises keeps him from day to day in hope. That Ballard was taken, he layeth all the fault upon Young, that cunning hunter of Papists, and upon some other Catchpoles; and warneth Babington to take heed to such kind of men, as friendly admonishing him, and easily persuadeth the young man, that until the Queen might be at leisure to sign the Bill for his passage, he would return to London, and lodge in his house at London, to the end that they might confer more secretly of so great matters. And that by his often coming, the fugitives might not have any suspicion, when he came into France. In the mean time, Skidmor, Sir Francis Walsingham his servant was commanded to observe him most strictly, and should be with him whither soever he went; in show that so he might be safer from messengers that otherwise might apprehend him. Thus far Sr Francis Walsingham had closely carried this business without the knowledge of other of the privy Council, and would have proceeded farther. But the Queen would not; lest (as she said) by not preventing the danger when she might, she might seem rather to tempt God, then to trust in God. Whereupon Sir Francis from Court wrote to his man, that he should observe Babington with an especial care. This Letter was not sealed, but so delivered that as the man read it, Babington sitting at Table with him did also read it. Whereupon finding himself guilty, and suspecting that all was disclosed, the next night when he, and Skidmor, and one or two of Sir Francis his servants, had supped somewhat freely in a Tavern, he rose as going to pay the reckoning, and leaving his cloak and rapier, fled away in the dark to Westminster. Where Gage changed apparel with him, who presently put off the same again in Charnoks chamber, and put on Charnoks. And conveyed themselves both into S. john's Wood near to the City. Whither Barnwell and Dun came to them. In the mean time they were declared traitors throughout England. They hiding themselves in Woods and byways after they had in vain expected money from the French Ambassador, and horse from Tychburn, they cut off Babingtons' hair, and defaced his native beauty with rubbing his face over with the green husks of Walnuts. And being forced by hunger they came to Bellamyes' house, near to Harrow on the Hill, who was a great favourer of the Romish Religion. Where they were hid in Barnes, and fed, and clothed with rustical apparel. After ten days they were found and brought to London. Hereupon the City witnessed their public joy by ringing of bells, by bonfires in the streets, by singing of Psalms, in so much that the Citizens had great thanks given them from the QUEEN.  
The other conspirators were soon caught, many of them near the City; Salisbury in Staffordshire, his horse being killed under him by them who followed him, and Traverse was taken with him, after they had swimmed over the river Wever. And jones in Wales, who was not acquainted with the invasion intended, but only received them into his house, after he knew them to be proclaimed rebels, and hid them. And had furnished Salisbury as he fled, and his man (who was a Priest) with a changed Cloak. Only Windsor was not found. Many days were spent in examining of them, who by their confessions betrayed one another, concealing nothing.  
All this time the Scots Queen and her servants were kept by such a diligent watch of Sir Amice Pawlet, that those things were altogether hid from her, though now well known over all England. But after that these were apprehended, Sir Thomas Gorge was sent to acquaint her with these things in few words. Which he did purposely when she thought least of the matter, as she was taking horse to ride a hunting. Neither was she permitted to return, but in show of honour she was carried about to Noble men's houses. In the mean time, john Manners, Edward Ashton, Richard Bagot, and William Wade (who ignorant of the whole matter had been sent into these parts) receiving authority from the Queen, did commit Navus, and Curl, Secretaries, and other servants, to such as might keep them asunder, that they might not confer together among themselves, nor with the Scets Queen. And breaking up the Chamber-doores, they took all Chesies and Boxes, wherein they found Letters, and sent them sealed with their seals to the Court. After that Sir Amice Pawlet, being commanded, took all the money, lest she might corrupt some for money, and gave his promise to restore all again. When the packets of Letters were opened before the Queen, the Letters of many foreigners were found, and Copies of many Letters to others; and about sixty Tables of secret Characters. And some Letters from certain Noble men of England, with a full declaration of their love and services. Which thing notwithstanding, Queen Elizabeth dissembled that matter in silence, and accordingly used that word: Video, taceo; I see and say nothing. But they smelling the matter, lest they might seem to favour the Scots Queen, after that, began to show themselves enemies against her.  
Now Giffard, after he had played his part in this play, was sent away as a banished man into France; leaving before he went an indented paper with the French Ambassador Leaguer in England, with this instruction, that he should deliver Letters which he might receive from the Scots Queen, or from the fugitives, to none other but only to him, who exhibited a paper an swearing to that indented paper. Which paper was by him sent secretly to Sir Francis Walsingham. Giffard returning into France, after a few months was imprisoned for his filthy life: and suspected of these things, died miserably; confessing many of the foresaid matters, which was also found in his papers.  
The XIII. of September, seven of the conspirators being brought to judgement, confessed themselves guilty, and were condemned of treason. Other seven came the next day, who denied that they were guilty; and committed themselves to God and their Country: yet were they condemned by their former confessions. Only Polly, though guilty of all, yet when he affirmed that he disclosed some of those matters to Sir Francis Walsingham, was not called to judgement. The twentieth of that month, the first seven were hanged and quattered in S. Giles fields, where they used to meet. Ballard, the contriver of all the mischief, asked pardon of God, and of the Queen conditionally, if he had sinned against her. Babington (who without fear beheld Ballards' death, whilst the rest were upon their knees in prayer) freely confessed his sins, and after he was taken down from the Gallows, cried out in Latin, Parce mihi jesu: the rest in their order likewise were hanged and quartered.  
After the punishment of these, Navus a French man, and Curlus a Scot, Secretaries to the Scots Queen were called into question upon the Letters that were taken in the lodging of the Scots Queen, and freely confessed that those Letters were of their own writing, dictated by her in French, and so taken by Navus, turned into English by Curl, and written in secret Characters, whereby she was at last brought into question, which brought her also to her end.  
The thing which we observe upon this Narration, is to continue our complaint of these graceless instruments the Priests and Jesuits, that by their wicked suggestions bring Princes, Nobles, Gentlemen of good place, which might have done good service to their Prince and Country, such I say do these wicked instruments bring to ruin; and seem to take a pleasure in the destruction of men. May we not see how they come in secretly, and scraule in corners like Serpents? It is true the enmity is of old set between the Woman's seed and the Serpent's seed: and the Church which is the Woman's seed have felt the experience hereof at all times. But never had any Church in the world a more lively experience hereof, than this Church of England, against whom all this hath been wrought. The Church is the house of God, and this Church of England is here with us God's house. It is apparent that this house was built not upon the sand, but upon a rock; for the winds have blown fiercely upon it, the waters have risen against it, the great and huge tempests have beaten upon it, and yet it standeth. And for this we praise God's name, that it standeth still. And for this purpose is this small Work undertaken, to give the watchword to all them that fear God, and love the coming of our Lord, to give most humble and most hearty thanks unto God for this inestimable favour of God, that after all these assaults which have been greater in danger, mo●e in number then any Nation in the world at this day can number: that after all, I say, our Church standeth and flourisheth: this is our rejoicing in God, in his goodness and mercy. But now consider who oppugn us? the serpent's seed; for can any man with any reason deny these men to be the seed of the serpent? I mean the seminary Priests & lesuites. Are not these the seed of the serpent? They plot, and practise treasons, they raise rebellions, their heads and hands are full of blood and murder. And what can the serpent his seed do more? They are men acquainted with the deepness of Satan, they lay snares and wicked plots for destruction's of States, and least men should descry their mischief, they set a clean contrary countenance upon their actions, giving out that their weapons are Preces & lachrymae, Prayers and tears, and that it is unlawful for them to use any other weapons; even then when they are about their most bloody designs: and what can the serpent's seed do more? Can the seed of the serpent proceed more maliciously, more cruelly, more deeply in blood then these have done? Then let them be known to be the seed of the serpent. As for us, we rejoice to be the seed of the Woman, the true Church of God: we suffer, we are reviled, slandered, called Heretics: We learn of our Master to endure the cross, to despise the shame: We run with patience the race which he hath set before us. And we serve God not in vain; for we see that there is a reward for them that serve Him.   

CHAPTER X.  
THE a next year following, which was the year 1587. the Scots Queen being before condemned, 
An: Don. 1587.  but yet reserved alive, discontented persons, like evil spirits did continually haunt her; though she herself would have been quiet, yet would not they let her rest, until their busy and pernicious working brought her to her grave; for l. Au●●spinaeus the French Ambassador Leaguer in England, a man wholly devoted to the Guysian faction, went about to help the captived Queen, not by fair means, but by treason. First he conferred secretly to kill the Queen, with William Stafford, a young Gentleman, easy to be drawn to new hopes: whose mother was of the Queen's bedchamber; his brother was the English Leaguer in France at this time. Afterward he dealt more plainly with him, touching this project, by his secretary Trappius. Who promised to Stafford, if he would undertake that matter, not only great glory, great store of money, but especial grace and favour with the Pope, with the Guises, and with all the Catholics. Stafford his conscience grudging at so great a wickedness, refused to undertake it. Yet he commended one Moody, a cutthroat▪ a man fit for such a business, that if money were given him, would undoubtedly undertake and dispatch the business. To him went Stafford, where he found him kept in prison in London, and told him that the French Ambassador would gladly speak with him. He answered that he was willing, so that he might be freed out of prison. In the mean time, he entreated that Cordali●n another of the Ambassador's secretaries might be sent to him: with whom he had familiar acquaintance. The next day Trappius was sent to him with Stafford. Who, when Stafford was removed, conferred with Moody of the manner of killing the Queen. Moody proposed a course to do it by poison, or by a sack of twenty pound of Gunpowder to be laid under the Queen's chamber, and to be fired secretly. These courses pleased not Trappius, but he wished that a man of such courage might be sound, as was that Burgonian who killed the Prince of Orange.  
These things were presently revealed to the Queen's Council by Stafford. Whereupon Trappius now purposing to go into France, was intercepted, and examined of these things. Afterward the Ambassador himself, the twelfth of january was sent for unto the house of Secretary Cecil, and came in the evening; where were together by the Queen's command, Cecil, Lord Burghley, Secretary, the Earl of Leicester, Sir Christopher Hatton, and Davison another secretary: These signify to the French Ambassador, that they sent for him, to let him know the cause why they intercepted Trappius, his Secretary, when he was ready to go into France; and they did open every thing which Stafford, Moody, and Trappius himself had confessed. And that they might testify the same in his presence, they commanded them to be called in. The Ambassador who bending his brows, heard these things with much impatience; rising up, said, that himself being an Ambassador would not hear any accusations to wrong his King, or in the prejudice of Ambassadors. But when they answered, that these men should not be produced as accusers, but only that he might be satisfied that these things were not feigned, nor false: then he rested. As soon as Stafford was produced, and began to speak, he presently interrupted him, and railing upon him, affirmed that Stafford first proposed the matter to him, and that himself had threatened to send him bound hand and foot to the Queen, if he would not desist from so wicked an enterprise: yet that he spared him for the singular affection which he bore to the mother, the brother, and sister of Stafford. Stafford falling upon his knees protested in many words upon his salvation▪ that the Ambassador proposed the matter first to him. But when the Ambassador seemed to be extraordinarily moved, Stafford was commanded to depart; and Moody was not produced.  
Hereupon when Burghly had mildly charged the Ambassador to be guilty of such a conceived wickedness, both from his own words, and out of the confession of Trappius: he answered, that if he had been conscious, yet being an Ambassador, he ought not to disclose it, but to his own King. But Burghl●y interposing told him, that if that were not the office of an Ambassador (which thing is yet in question) to disclose such a mischievous practice which bringeth the life of a Prince in danger: yet was it the office of a Christian, to repress such notorious injuries, not only for the safety of a Prince, but for the safety of any Christian. But the other stoutly denied that; and withal said, that not long since, the French Ambassador being in Spain, and having notice of a conspiracy to take away the Spanish King's life, yet disclosed it not to the Spanish king, but to his own King, and was therefore commended of the King and of his Councillors. The Lord Burghley gave him a grave admonition, to take heed that hereafter he offended not in such a point of treason against the Prince, and not to forget the office of an Ambassador, nor the Prince her clemency, who would not wrong good Ambassadors by the punishment of an evil one, and though he were not punished, yet was he not justified, but did carry with him the guilt, though not the punishment of such an offence.  
Though this intended evil came to no effect, as all the other bloody practices have been without effect: yet may we make good use of it to bless God's name for all his great and manifold deliverances. That it was disappointed, it was his goodness: for against those Kings that had not given their service to God for the maintenance of true Religion, great and bloody practices have been committed by less and more contemptible means. And as we have just cause to bless God for all his deliverances, so the adversaries of our peace, have just cause to fear, to examine their own doings, and seriously to consider, whether they have not all this while striven against God, in striving so long against those whom God doth so miraculously defend  
Not long after this followed the ignominious prodition of William Stanley, and Rowland York. This York was a Londoner, a man of loose conversation, and actions, and desperate. He was famous among the Cutters of his time, for bringing in a new kind of fight, to run the point of a rapier into a man's body; this manner of fight he brought first into England, with great admiration of his audaciousness. When in England before that time the use was with little bucklers, and with broad swords to strike, and not to thrust, and it was accounted unmanly to strike under the girdle. This man provoked as he took it by some injury of the Earl of Leicester, fled to the Spaniards, and for some time after served among the Spaniards. Afterward being reconciled, was made Captain of a Sconce near to Zutphen. After all this he was so set upon revenge, that being corrupted with money, he did not only betray the place to the enemy; but drew also Stanley with him, being a man that had served with great fidelity and valour in the Irish wars. Stanley was not easily persuaded to be false, but this desperate fellow never ceased to draw him into the fellowship of wickedness with him, by many asseverations and oaths often repeated; telling him that it was certainly known in England, that he was of Babingtons' conspiracy; that he was already discovered by their confessions, & that out of hand he should be sent for to the gallows. Thus he persuaded Stanley to betray the rich and well fenced Town of Deventer to the Spaniards, against his oath given to Leicester and to the States. And seeking some pretence of honesty against a fact so dishonest and disloyal, he seemed to please himself in this, that he had restored a place to the true Lord, which was held from him by rebels. And being extreme Popish, he sent for Priests to his company, which consisted of 1300 English and Irish, to instruct them in the Popish Religion; boasting that this should be the seminary legion, which should defend the Roman Religion with Arms, as the seminary Priests defend it with writings. To this purpose Alan, who a little after was Cardinal, sent Priests presently to him, and wrote a Book also, wherein he commended this proditorious act, from the authority of the Bull of Pius V against Queen Elizabeth, and stirred up others to such perfidiousness, as if they were not bound to serve and obey a Queen excommunicated. But look I pray to the end.  
The Spaniards set York and Stanley together in contention one against the other; and soon after they poison York, and take his goods: his body after three years was digged up by the commandment of the States, and hanged till it rotten. They drew Stanley and his companies out of Deventer, and tossing them from place to place they make them the object of all dangers, and so used them with all con●umelies, that some of them died for hunger, others secretly fled away. Stanley himself went into Spain in hope of reward, and offered his help to invade Ireland: but neither found he entertainment according to his expectation, neither could he be trusted; for the Spaniards used to say, that some honour might be given to a traitor, but no trust: It was now too late for him to learn, but yet he learned, that he had most of all betrayed himself.   

CHAPTER XI.  
WE are now come to that fatal year, 
A. D. 1588.  which the Astrologers called the Marvellous year; 
Octogesimus octavus mirabilis annus.  some said it was the Climacterical year of the world. And they that trust not in the living God, but in superstitions took the opportunity of this fatal year as they supposed, now utterly to overthrow the Church of England and State. Which before they could not do. The Pope and Spaniard laid up all their hopes upon this years' destiny.  
The rumours of war daily increased, at last it was certainly confirmed by the news on all sides, that in Spain there was an invincible navy preparing against England; that the most famous Captains in military knowledge, and the best soldiers were sent for into Spain, from Italy, Sicily, yea from America. For the Pope, and some religious Spaniards, and English fugitives, now recalled the Spaniard to the cogitation of surprising of England, which purpose was interrupted by the Portugal wars. They exhorted him earnestly to do God this service, that had done so much for him: now that he enjoyed Portugal, with the west Indies, & many rich Lands: to add England to all, were an especial service of God, fit for his Catholic Majesty. By this means he might add these flourishing Kingdoms to his Empire, & so keep the Low-countries in peace, secure the navigation to both Indies. That the preparations of Spain were so great that no power was able to resist it. They made him believe that it was an easier matter to overcome England, then to overcome the Dutch-land, because the navigation from Spain to England was much shorter, then to the Netherlands. And by surprising of England, the other would easily follow.  
Hereupon the consultation began to be had, of the best way and means to oppress England. Alvarus Ba●●anus, the Marquis of S. Cross, who was chief commander in the Navy, advised first to make sure some part of Holland or Zealand, by the land-forces of the Duke of Parma, and by sending before some Spanish ships, so to take some place on a sudden, where the Spanish navy might have a receptacle, and from whence the invasion might with convenience begin. For in the English Sea, which is troublesome, the winds oft changing, the tides unknown, the Navy could not be in safety. With him agreed Parma, who much urged this expedition. Yet others disliked this counsel, as a matter of great difficulty and danger, of long time, of much labour, of great expense, of uncertain success. And that neither secretly nor openly it could be performed, and easily hindered by the English. These thought that with the same labour and expenses England might be won: and the victory would be sure, if a well prepared army from Spain, might with a strong navy be landed on Thames side, and of a sudden surprise London the chief City by an unexpected assault. This seemed a thing most easy to be effected. And therefore all agreed upon it. Yet some among them thought good that a denunciation of the war should be made by an Herald, which they held a politic devise, both to remove suspicion out of the minds of neighbour Princes, and to force the Queen as they supposed, to call to her help ●orrain mercenary soldiers, concelving, that according to the usual insolency of mercenaries, they would tumult and spoil the country; and so might the Queen be brought into hatred of her own people: that so all things in England would be brought into a confusion, which might be helped by the English Catholics. But neither could this advise be heard. For they being confident of their own strength, thought it was sufficient to commend the invincible Navy to the prayers of the Pope, and of their other Catholics, and to the intercession of Saints: and to set out a Book in Print, to the terror of the English, in which Book, all the preparation was particularly related. Which was so great through Spain, Italy, and Sicily, that the Spaniards themselves were in admiration of their own forces, and therefore named it the Invincible Fleet.  
The Duke of Parma also in Flanders, by the commandment of the Spaniard, built ships, and a great company of small broad vessels, each one able to transport thirty horse, with bridges fitted for them severally. And hired Mariners from the east part of Germany. And provided long pieces of wood, sharpened at the end, and covered with iron, with ●ookes on the side. And twenty thousand vessels, with an huge number of faggots; and placed an Army ready in Flanders, of 103 companies of foot, and 4000 horsemen. Among these were 700 English fugitives, which were had of all other in most contempt. Neither was Stanley respected or heard, who was set over the English, nor Westmoreland, nor any other who offered their help: but for their impiety towards their own Country, were shut out from all consultations, and as men unominous rejected, not without detestation. And Pope Sixtus V. that in such a purpose would not be wanting, sent Cardinal Alan into Flanders, and rent the bulls declaratory of Pius V. and ●rep XIII. He excommunicateth the Queen, deposeth her, absolveth her subjects from all allegiance, and as if it had been against the Turks and Infidel's, he set forth in Print a ●ruceat, wherein he bestowed plenary indulgences, out of the treasure of the Church, upon all that would join their help against England. By which means the Marquis a Burgaw of the house of Austria, the Duke of Pastrana, Amady Duke of Savoy, Vespasian Gonzaga, john Medici's, and diverse other noble men were drawn into these Wars.  
Queen Elizabeth, that she might not be surprised at unawares, prepareth as great a Navy as she could, and with singular care & providence maketh ready all things necessary for war. And she herself, which was ever most i●dicious in discerning of men's wits, and aptness, and most happy in making choice, when she made it out of her own judgement, and not at the commandment of others, designed the best and most serviceable to each several employment. Over the whole Navy she appointed the Lo: Admiral Charles Howard. In whom she reposed much trust; and sent him to the west parts of England, where Captain Drake, whom she made Vice-admiral, joined with him. She commanded Henry Seimor the second son to the Duke of Somerset, to watch upon the Belgic shore with 40 English and Dutch ships, that the Duke of Parma might not come out with his forces. Albeit some were of opinion, that the enemy was to be expected, and set upon by land forces, according as it was upon deliberation resolved, in the time of Henry the 8. when the French brought a great Navy upon the English shore.  
By Land there was placed on the South shores, twenty thousand. And two Armies beside were mustered of the choicest men for war. The one of these which consisted of a thousand horse, twenty-two thousand foot, was the Earl of Leicester set over. And camped at Tilbury on the side of Thames. For the enemy was resolved first to set upon London. The other Army was governed by the Lo: Hunsdon, consisting of 34 thousand foot, and two thousand horse, to guard the Queen.  
The Lord Grey, Sr Francis Knolles, Sr john Norrice, Sr Richard Bingham, Sr Roger Williams, men famously known for Military experience, were chosen to confer of the land fight. These thought fit that all those places should be fortified, with men & munition, which were commodious to land in, either out of Spain, or out of Flanders▪ as Milford haven, Falmouth, Plymouth, Portland, the I'll of Wight, Portsmouth, the open side of Kent called the Downs, the mouth of Thames, Harwich, Yarmouth, Hull, etc. That trained soldiers through all the maritime Provinces should meet upon warning given, to defend these places: that they should by their best means and power hinder the enemy to take land; if he should take land, than should they wast the country all about, and spoil every thing that might be of any use to the enemy, that so he might find no more vittals than what he brought upon his shoulders with him. And that by continual Alarms the enemy should find no rest day or night. But they should not try any battle, until diverse Captains were met together with their Companies. That one Captain might be named in every Shire which might command.  
At this time diverse told the Queen, that the Spaniards were not so much to be feared without, as the Papists within; for the Spaniards durst make no attempt upon England, but upon confidence of their help within. And therefore for the security of the whole, their heads were upon some pretences to be cut off. Producing for this thing, the example of Henry 8. For when the Emperor & French King at the Pope's instigation, were combined and ready to invade England, King Henry presently executed the Marquis of Exeter, the Lord Montacute, Edward Nevil, and others, whom he suspected to favour the enemies, which thing as soon as he had done, the intended invasion was stopped, and proceeded no further. But this advise the Queen utterly disliked, as being cruel, she thought it enough to commit some of the Papists to Wisbich Castle in custody; and casting her eyes and mind on every side, she stirred up her Nobles with Letters often, though they were careful & watchful of themselves. She certified Fitz Williams, Lord Deputy of Ireland, what she would have done there. She sent to the King of Scots to warn him to take good heed of Papists, and the Spanish faction. But he knowing well what a tempest and desolation was hanging, and threatening both alike, having already set his heart upon the maintenance of true religion, and resolving to take part with the truth in prosperity and adversity, which is only able to save and deliver her maintainers; had a little before refused to hear the Bishop of Dumblan, sent th●ther from the Pope: and had caused a league to be made among the Protestants of Scotland, for resistance of the Spaniards: and himself coming to Anandale with an army, besieged Maxwell and took him, and committed him to prison, who was lately returned out of Spain against his faith and allegiance, and came with an intent to favour the Spanish side; he declared the Spaniards should be held as enemies, and against them caused all with great alacrity to be ready in Arms.  
Among these preparations for war, which were great on both sides, the counsels of peace were not utterly cast away.  
Two years before, the Duke of Parma considering how hard a matter it was to end the Belgic war, so long as it was continually nourished and supported with aid from the Queen, he moved for a treaty of peace, by the means of Sir james Croft one of the privy council, a man desirous of peace, & Andrew Lo a Dutch man, and professed that the Spaniard had delegated authority to him for this purpose. But the Queen fearing that there was some cunning in this seeking of peace, that the friendship between her and the confederate Provinces might be dissolved, and that so they might secretly be drawn to the Spaniard; she deferred that treaty for some time. But now, that the Wars on both sides prepared, might be turned away, she was content to treat of Peace, but so as still holding the weapons in her hand.  
For this purpose in February delegates were sent into Flanders, the Earl of Derby, the Lo: Cobham, Sr james Croft, Dr Dale, and Dr Rogers. These were received with all humanity on the Duke's behalf, & they presently sent Dr Dale to him, that a place might be appointed for the treating, & that they might see the authority to him delegated from the Spanish King. He appointed the place near to Ostend, not in Ostend which then was holden of English against the King: his authority delegated, he promised then to show when they were once met together. He wished them to make good speed in the business, lest somewhat might fall out in the mean time, which might trouble the motions of peace. Richardotus spoke somewhat more plainly, that he knew not what in this interim should be done against England. Not long after D. Rogers was sent to the Prince by an express commandment from the Queen, to know the truth, whether the Spaniard had resolved to invade England, which he and Richardotus did seem to signify. He affirmed that he did not so much as think of the invasion of England, when he wished that the business might proceed with speed. And was in a manner offended with Richardotus, who denied that such words fell from him. The 12 of April, the Count Aremberg, Champigny, Richardotus, D. Mae●ius, & Garnier, Delegated from the Prince of Parma met with the English, and yielded to them the honour, both in walking and sitting. And when they affirmed that the Duke had full authority to treat of Peace: the English moved that first a truce might be made. Which they denied, alleging that that thing must needs be hurtful to the Spaniard, who had for six months maintained great Army, which might not be dismissed upon a truce, but upon an absolute peace. The English urged that a truce was promised before they came into Flanders. The Spaniard against that held, that six months since a truce was promised; which they granted, but was not admitted. Neither was it in the Queen's power to undertake a truce for Holland and Zealand, who daily attempted hostility. The English moved instantly that the truce might be general, for all the Queen's territories, and for the Kingdom of Scotland: but they would have it but for four Dutch towns which were in the Queen's hands, that is, Ostend, Flushing, Bergen up zom, & the Briel; and these only during the treating, and twenty days after, and that in the mean time, it might be lawful for the Queen to invade Spain, or for the Spaniard to invade England, either from Spain or Flanders. Whilst these delays were made concerning the truce and place, which at last was appointed at Bourburg; Cr●ft upon an earnest desire to peace, went privately to Brussels without the knowledge of the other Delegates, and privately proposed some Articles. For which afterward by Leicester's motion, he was imprisoned: albeit those articles proposed by him were in the judgement of the other commissioners not to be disallowed. But Delegates have their limits circumscribed, which they are not to pass. At last, when the English could not obtain an abstinence from arms, & could by no means see the Charter by which the Duke of Parma had this authority granted to treat of peace: they proposed these things; that the ancient leagues between the Kings of England and the Dukes of Burgundy might be renewed and confirmed; that all the Dutch might fully enjoy their own privileges; that with freedom of conscience they might serve God; that the Spanish and foreign soldiers might be put out of Dutchland; that neither the Dutch, nor their neighbouring Nations might fear them. If these things might be granted, the Queen would come to equal conditions concerning the Towns which now she held, (that all might know that she took up arms not for her own gain, but for the necessary defence both of the Dutch, and of herself) so that the money which is owing therefore be repaid. They answered: that for renewing the old leagues there should be no difficulty, when they might have a friendly conference of that thing. That concerning the privileges of the Dutch, there was no cause why foreign Princes should take care, which privileges were most favourably granted, not only to Provinces and Towns reconciled, but even to such as by force of arms are brought into subjection. That foreign soldiers were held upon urgent necessity, when as Holland, England, and France, were all in arms. Touching those Towns taken from the King of Spain, and the repaying of the money, they answered that the Spaniard might demand so many myriads of crowns to be from the Queen repaid him, as the Belgic war hath cost him, since the time that she hath favoured and protected the Dutch against him.  
At this time D. Dale by the Queen's command going to the Duke of Parma, did gently expostulate with him touching a Book Printed there, set out lately by Cardinal Allen, wherein he exhorteth the Nobles, and people of England & Ireland to join themselves to the King of Spain's forces under the conduct of the Prince of Parma, for the execution of the sentence of Sixtus V Pope against the Queen, declared by his bull. In which she is declared an heretic, illegitimate, cruel against Mary the Scots Queen, & her subjects were commanded to help Parma against her: (for at that time a great number of those bulls & books were printed at Antwerp to be dispersed through England. The Duke denied that he had seen such a bull or book, neither would he do any thing by the Pope's authority, as for his own King, him he must obey. Yet he said that he so observed the Queen for her Princely virtues, that after the King of Spain, he offered all service to her. That he had persuaded the King of Spain to yield to this treaty of peace, which is more profitable for English, than Spanish. For if they should be overcome, they would easily repair their loss: But if you be overcome, the kingdom is lost. To whom Dale replied: that our Queen was sufficiently furnished with forces to defend the Kingdom. That a Kingdom will not easily be gotten by the fortune of one battle, seeing the King of Spain in so long a war, is not yet able to recover his anciant patrimony in the Netherlands. Well, quoth the Duke, be it so. These things are in God's hands.  
After this the Delegates contended among themselves by mutual replications, weaving and unweaving the same web. The English were earnest in this, a toleration of Religion might be granted at least for two years to the confederate Provinces. They answered, that as the King of Spain had not entreated that for English Catholics: so they hoped that the Queen in her wisdom would not entreat any thing of the King of Spain which might stand against his honour, his oath, & his conscience. When they demanded the money due from the States of Brabant, it was answered, that the money was lent without the King's authority or privity. But let the account be taken, how much that money was, and how much the King hath spent in these Wars, and then it may appear, who should look for repayment. By such answers they drive off the English of purpose, until the Spanish fleet was come near the English shore, & the noise of guns were heard from sea. Then had they leave to depart, & were by the Delegates honourably brought to the borders near to Calis. The Duke of Parma had in the mean time brought all his forces to the sea shore: Thus this conference came to nothing; undertaken by the Queen, as the wiser than thought to avert the Spanish fleet; continued by the Spaniard, that he might oppress the Queen, being as he supposed unprovided, and not expecting the danger. So both of them tried to sow the Fox-skin to the Lions.   

CHAPTER XII.  
THE Spanish fleet the best furnished with men, munition, engines, and all warlike preparation, that was ever seen upon the Ocean, and by that arrogant Title, called invincible, did consist of 130 ships, wherein there were 19 thousand, two hundreth ninety; mariners 8350: chained rowers 11080. great ordnance 11630. The chief commander was Per●zius Gusmannus, Duke of Medina Sidonia. (For Antonius Columna Duke of Palian, and Marquis of S. Cross, to whom the chief government was allotted, died whilst things were preparing). And under him johannes Martinus Recaldus, a man of great experience in sea affairs. The 30 of May they loosed out of the ●iver Tagus, and purposing to hold their course to the ●r●in in G●llitia, they were beaten and scattered by a tempest▪ three galleys by the help of Da●d C●in an English servant, and by the perfidiousness of the Turks which rowed, were carried away into France. The Fleet with much ado after some days came to the Groin and other harbours near adjoining. The report was that the Fleet was so shaken with this tempest, that the Queen was persuaded, that she was not to expect that Fleet, this year. And Sir Francis Walsi●gham, Secretary, wrote to the Lord Admiral, that he might send back four of the greatest ships, as if the War had been ended. But he did not easily give credit to that report, but with a gentle answer entreated him to believe nothing hastily in so important a matter, that he might keep those ships with him, though it were upon his own charges. And finding a favourable wind turned sails toward Spain, to surprise the enemies shaken ships in their harbours. When he was not far from the shore of Spain, the wind turned, & he being charged to defend the English shore, fearing that the enemies unseen might by the same wind be driven to England, he returned to Plymouth.  
With the same wind the 12 of july, the Duke of Medina with his fleet departed from the Groin. And after one day or two, he sent Rhodericus Telius into Flanders, to admonish the Duke of Parma, giving him notice that the fleet was approaching, that he might be ready▪ For Medina his commission was to join himself with the Ships and Soldiers of Parma, and under the protection of his Fleet, to bring them into England, and to land his land forces upon Thames side. Now as the relator of this story hath taken pains to declare what was done each day, I will follow him herein.  
The 16 day there was a great calm, and a thick cloud was upon the sea till noon: then the North wind blowing roughly, & again the Westwinde till midnight, and after that the East: the Spanish Navy was scattered, and hardly gathered together until they came within the sight of England the 19 day of july. Upon which day the Lord Admiral was certified by Fleming (who had been a Pirate) that the Spanish Fleet was entered into the English sea, which the Mariners call the Channel. And was descried near to the Lizard. The Lord Admiral brought forth the English Fleet into the Sea, but not without great difficulty, by the skill, labour, and alacrity of the soldiers and mariners, every one labouring; yea the Lord Admiral himself had his hand at the work.  
The next day the English fleet viewed the Spanish fleet coming along with Towers like Castles in height, her front crooked like the fashion of the Moon, the horns of the front were extended one from the other about seven miles asunder, sailing with the labour of the winds, the Ocean as it were groaning under it; their sail was but slow, and yet at full sail before the wind. The English gave them leave to hold on their course, and when they were passed by, came behind them and got the help of the wind.  
The 21. of july, the Lord Admiral of England sent a Pinnace before, called the Defiance, to denounce the Battle by shooting off some pieces. And being himself in the Arch-royall, (the English Praetorian Ship or Admiral, he set upon a ship which he took to be the Spanish Admiral, but it was the ship of Alfonsus Leva. Upon that he bestowed much shot. Presently Drake, Hawkins, Forbisher, came in upon the Spanish hindmost ships which Recaldus governed. Upon these they thundered. Recaldus laboured what he could to stay his men, who fled to their navy, until his ship beaten and pierced with many shot, did hardly recover the Fleet. At which time the Duke Medina gathered together his dissipated Fleet, and setting up more sail, they held their course. Indeed they could do no other, for the English had gotten the advantage of wind, and their ships were much more nimble, and ready with incredible celerity to come upon the enemy with a full course, and then to turn, and return, and be on every side at their pleasure. When they had fought two hours, and taken some trial of their own courage and of the Spaniards: The Lord Admiral thought good not to continue the fight any longer then, seeing that forty ships were absent which were scarce drawn out of Plymouth haven. The night following S. Catharin a Spanish ship being sore torn with the fight, was received into the midst of the Navy to be mended. Here a great Cantabrian ship of Oquenda, wherein was the treasurer of the Camp, by force of Gunpowder that had taken fire, was set on fire; yet was the fire quenched in time by the Ships that came to help her. Of these that came to help the fired ship, one was a Galeon, in which was Petrus Waldez; the foremast of the Galeon was caught in the tackling of another ship, and broken. This was taken by Drake, who sent Waldez to Dertmouth, the money fiftie-five thousand Ducats, he distributed among his soldiers. That night he was appointed to set forth light, but neglected it, and some Germane Merchant's ships coming by that night, he thinking them to be enemies, followed them so far, that the English navy rested all night when they could see no light set forth. Neither did he nor the rest of the navy find the Admiral until the next day at even. The Admiral all the night preceding with the Bear, and Mary Rose did follow the spaniards with watchfulness. The Duke was busied in ordering his Navy. ●lfonsus Leva was commanded to join the first and last companies, Every Ship had his station assigned according to that prescribed form which was appointed in Spain, it was present death to forsake his station. This done he sent Gliclius an Anceant to Parma, which might declare to him in what case they w●re, and left that Cantabrian ship of Oquenda to the wind and sea, having taken out the money and mariners and put them in other ships. Yet it seemeth that he had not care of all: for that ship the same day with fifty mariners and soldiers lamed, and hal●e burnt, fell into the hands of the English, and was carried to Weimuth.  
The 23. of the same month, the Spaniards having a favourable North wind turned sails upon the English; the English being much readier in the use of their ships, fett about a compass for the wind, and having gotten advantage of the wind, they came to the fight on both sides. They fought a while confusedly with variable fortune: whilst on the one side the English with great courage delivered the London ships which were enclosed about by the Spaniards; on the other side the Spaniards by valour freed Recaldus from the extreme danger he was in: there was not greater effulminations by beating of ordnances at any time, then was this day. Yet the loss fell upon the Spanish side, because their ships were so high that the shot went over the English ships, but the English having a fair mark at their great ships, shot never in vain. Only Cock and English man b●ing caught in the midst of the Spanish ships, could not be recovered, he perished but with great honour revenged himself. Thus a long time the English ships with great agility, were sometimes upon the spaniards giving them the one side, and then the other, and presently were off again, and took the sea to make themselves ready to come in again. Whereas the Spanish heavy ships were troubled, and hindered, and stood to be marks for the English bullets. For all that, the Admiral would not admit the English to come to grapple and to board their ships, because they had a full army in their ships, which he had not; their ships were many in number, and greater, and higher, that if they had come to grapple, as some would have had it, the English that were much lower than the Spanish ships must needs have had the worse of them that fought from the higher ships. And if the English had been overcome, the loss would have been greater than the victory could have been; for ours being overcome, would have put the kingdom in hazard.  
The 24 day, they rested from fight on both sides. The Admiral sent some small Barks to the next English shore, to supply the provision. And divided all his Navy into four squadrons. The first was under his own government; the second Drake governed; the third, Hawkins; the fourth, Forbisher. And he appointed out of every squadron certain little ships, which on diverse sides might set upon the Spaniards in the night, but a sudden calm took them, and so that advice was without effect.  
The 25 day, being S. james day, S. Anne the Galeon of Portugal, not being able to hold course with the rest, was set upon by some small English ships. For whose aid came in Leva, and Didacus Tells Enriques with three Galleasses.: which the Admiral and the Lord Thomas Howard espying, made in against the Galleasses (the calm was so great, that they were drawn in by boats with cords) and did so beat upon the Galleasses with great shot, that with much ado, and not without great loss, they hardly recovered the Galeon. The spaniards reported that the Admiral of Spain was that day in the hindmost company, and being nearer the English ships then before, was sore beaten with the English great ordinance, many men sla●e in her, her great mast overthrown. And after that, the Admiral of Spain, accompanied with R●caldus, & others, did set upon the English Admiral, who by the benefit of the wind turning, escaped. The spaniards hold on their course again, and send to the Duke of Parma, that with all speed he should join his ships with the Kings Fleet. These things the English knew not, who write that they had i●ricken the Lantern from one of the Spanish ships, the stem from another, and had sore beaten a third, doing much harm to her. That the non Parigly, and the Mary Rose fought a good while with the Spaniards, and the Triumph being in danger, other ships came in good time to help her. Thus it is in battle, they who are present and actors report not always the same of the same things; each reporting what himself observed.  
The next day the Lord Admiral knighted the Lord Thomas Howard, the Lord Sheffield, Roger Townsend, john Hawkins, and Martin Forbisher, for their valour well employed in the last fight. After this they resolved not to set upon the enemy until they came into the strait of Calis, where Henry Seimor and William Winter stayed for their coming Thus with a fair gale the Spanish Flee● goeth forward, and the English followed. This great Spanish A mado was so far from being 〈◊〉 invincible in the opinions of the English that many young noble men and gentlemen▪ in hope to be partakers of a famous victory against the Sp●nyards, provided ships of their own charges, and joined themselves to the English F●eet, among whom was the Earls of Essex, of Northumberland, of Cumberland, Thomas and Robert C●cilles, H● Brookes, Charles Blunt, Walter Raleigh, William Hatton, Robert Cary, Ambrose 〈◊〉, Thomas Gerard, Arthur Gorge, and other Gentlemen of name.  
The 27 day at even, the spaniards cast anchors near to Calis, being admonished of their skilful seamen, that if they went any farther, they might be endangered by the force of the tide to be driven into the North Ocean. Near to them stood the English Admiral with his fleet within a great guns shot. To the Admiral Seimor and Winter now join their ships; so that now there were 140 ships in the English Fleet, able and well furnished for fight, for sail, and to turn which way was needful: and yet there were but 15 of these which bore the burden of the battle and repulsed the enemy. The Spaniard, as often he had done before, so now with great earnestness sent to the Duke of Parma to send forty Flie-boats without the which they could not fight with the English because of the greatness and slowness of their own ships, and the agility of the English ships. And entreating him by all means now to come to sea with his army, which army was now to be protected as it were under the wings of the Spanish Armado, until they took land in England. But the Duke was unprovided, and could not come out at an instant. The broad ships with flat bottoms being then full of ●hinks must be mended. Victuals wanted and must be provided, the mariners being long kept against their wills began to shrink away. The ports of Du●kerke and Newport, by which he must bring his army to the sea, were now so beset with the strong ships of Holland and Zealand, which were furnished with great and small Munition, that he was not able to come to sea, unless he would come upon his own apparent destruction, and cast himself and his men wilfully into a headlong danger. Yet he omitted nothing that might be done, being a man eager and industrious, and inflamed with a desire of overcoming England.  
But Queen E●izabeth her providence and care prevented both the diligence of this man, and the credulous hope of the Spaniard. For by her commandment the next day the Admiral took eight of their worst ships, and dressed them with wildfire, pitch, and rosin, and filled them full of brims●on, & some other matter fit for fire, and these being set on fire, by the ministry and guiding of Young and Prowse were secretly in the night, by the help of the wind set full upon the Spanish fleet, as they lay at anchor. When the Spaniards saw them come near, the flame shining and giving light over all the sea: they supposing those ships, besides the danger of the fire, to have been also furnished with deadly engines, to make horrible destruction among them; lifting up a most hideous woeful cry, some pull up anchors, some for ha●● cut their cables, they set up their sails, they apply their oars, and stricken with a panic terror, in great hast they fled most confusedly. Among them the Praetorian Galeas floating upon the seas▪ her rudder being broken, in great danger of fear drew towards Calis, and sticking in the sand, was taken by A●ias Pres●on, Thomas Gerard, and Harvest Hugh Moncada the governor was killed, the soldiers and mariners were either killed or drowned, in her there was found great store of gold, which fell to be the prey of the English. The ship and ordnance fell to the share of the governor of Calis.  
The Spaniards report, that the Duke when he saw the fiery ships coming, commanded all the fleet to pull up their anchors, but so as the danger being past, every ship might return again to his station. And he himself returned, giving a sign to the rest by shooting off a gun. Which was heard but of a few, for they were far off scattered, some into the open Ocean, some through fear were driven upon the shallowes of the shore of Flanders.  
Over against Gravelling the Spanish ●leet began to gather themselves together. But upon them came Drake and Fenner, and battered them with great Ordnance: to these Fenton, Southwell, Beeston, Cross, Riman, and presently a●ter, the Lord Admiral, Thomas Howard, and Sheffi●ld came in and all joined together. The Duke Medina, Leva, Oquenda, Recaldus, and others with much ado getting themselves our of the shallowes, sustained the English force, aswell as they might, until most of their ships were pierced and to●ne. The Galeon S. Matthew, governed by Diego ●i●entellus, coming to aid Francis Toletan being in the S. Philip, was pierced and shaken with the reiterated shots of Seimor and Winter, and driven to Ostend, & was at last taken by the Flushi●gers. The S. Philip came to the like end. So did the Galeo● of Biscay, and divers other. The last day of this month, the Spanish sleet striving to recover the straits again, were driven toward Zealand. The English lest of pursuing of them, as the Spaniards thought, because they saw them in a manner cast away. For they could not avoid to be cast upon the shallowes of Zealand. But the wind turning, they got out of the shallowes, and then began to consult what were best for them to do. By common consent they resolved to return into Spain by the Northern seas, for they wanted many necessaries, especially shot, their ships were torn, & they had no hope that the Duke of Parma could bring forth his forces. And so they took the Sea and followed the course towards the North. The English navy followed, & sometimes the Spanish turned upon the English, insomuch that it was thought by many that they would return back again. Upon which report the Queen came into the Camp at Tilbury, and mustered the Army, riding among them with a Leaders Staff in her hand, and did by her presence and speech animate both Captains and soldiers with incredible courage.  
That day, wherein the last fight was, the Duke of Parma after his vows offered to the Lady of Holla, came somewhat late to Dunkirk, and was received with some opprobrious words of the Spaniards, as if in favour of Queen Elizabeth he had slipped the fairest opportunity that could be to do the service. He to make some satisfaction, punished the purveiours that had not made provision ready: secretly smiling at the insolency of the Spaniards, when he heard them glorying, that what way soever they came upon England, they would have an undoubted victory; that the English were not able to endure the sight of them. Bernardinus Mendoza did indeed by Books in France, sing a foolish & lying triumphant song before the Victory. The English Admiral appointed Seimor and the Hollanders to watch upon the coasts of Flanders, that the Duke of Parma should not come out; himself followed the Spaniards upon their backs, until they were past Edinburgh frith.  
The Spaniards seeing all hopes fail, & finding no other help for themselves but by flight, fled amain and never made stay. And so this great Navy being three years preparing with great cost, was within a month overthrown, and, after many were killed, being chased away: (of English there were not one hundredth lost, nor one ship lost, saving that of C●●ks) was driven about all Britain by Scotland, Orcades, Ireland, tossed and shaken with tempests, and much lessened, & came home without glory. Whereupon some money was coined with a Navy flying away at full sail, and this inscription; Venit, vidit, Fugit. Other were coined with the Ships fired, the Navy confounded, in honour of the Queen, inscribed; Dux faeminafacti. As they fled, it is certain that many of their ships were c●st away upon the shores of Scotland & Ireland. More than 700 soldiers & mariners were cast upon the Scottish shore, who at the Duke: of Parma his intercession with the Scots King, the Queen of England consenting, were af●er a year sent into Fla●ders. But they that were cast up upon the Irish shore by tempests, came to more miserable fortunes; for some were killed by the wild Irish; others by the Deputies command; for he searing that they might join themselues to the wild Irish, & Bingham the Governor of Connach being once or twice commanded to slay them having yielded, but refusing to do it: Fowl the under-marshall was sent, and killed them; which cruelty the Queen much condemned, whereupon the rest being afraid, sick and hungry, with their torn ships committed themselves to the sea, and many were drowned.  
Queen Elizabeth came in public thanksgiving to Paul's Church, her Nobles accompanying her, the Citizens were in their colours, the Banners that were taken from the enemies were spread: she heard the Sermon, and public thanks were rendered unto God with great joy. This public joy was augmented when Sir Robert Sidney returning out of Scotland, brought from the King assurance of his Noble mind and affection to the Queen, and to Religion: Which as in sincerity he had established, so he purposed to maintain, with all his power. Sir Robert was sent to him when the Spanish Fleet was coming to congratulate and to give him thanks, for his propense affection towards the maintenance of the common cause; and to declare how ready she would be to help him, if the Spaniards should land in Scotland, and that he might recall to memory with what strange ambition the Spaniard had gaped for all Britain, urging the Pope to excommunicate him, to the end that he might be thrust from the Kingdom of Scotland, and from the succession in England: and to give him notice of the threatening of Mendoza and the Pope's Nuntio, who had threatened his ruin if they could work it; and therefore warned him, to take especial heed to the Scottish Papists. The King pleasantly answered, that he looked for no other benefit of the Spaniard, then that which Polyphaemus promised to Ulysses, to devour him last after all his fellows were devoured.  
Now these things be such, as whensoever we think upon them, we cannot choose but lift up our hearts to God; for he hath put a song of joy and thanksgiving in our mouths, and taught us to lift up our eyes to him from whence cometh our help, our help cometh from the Lord which hath made the heaven and the earth, 
Psal. 121.  he will not suffer thy foot to slip, for he that keepeth thee will not slumber; behold, he that keepeth Israel, will neither slumber nor sleep, the Lord is thy keeper, the Lord is thy defence at thy right ●and. Then let others boast of their strength 〈…〉 power of God, to be for us against them. Now this being a thing confessed on all sides, that God was with us against the Spaniard, why will not our adversaries that are men of understanding, enter into the consideration of this cause which God hath so often, so mightily maintained? The works of the Lord are great, 
Psal. III.  and aught to be had in remembrance of them that fear him. And this duty is required of us that have seen the great works of God, to declare them to other: for one generation shall praise thy works to another generation, and declare thy power. The works of God must be sought out, had in remembrance, and declared to other. The word of God is the rule of our faith, a direction to us, a Lantern to our feet, and a light to our paths, but the word of God, being confirmed to us by his works is made more sweet to us. This must needs be comfortable to us that have the word of God among us, sent unto us, planted among us by his own hand; we were as far from deserving this favour, as they that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death; for so we sat in darkness, and in the shadow of death: so long as we fate in the ignorance of Popery, but when it pleased God of his own free mercy to send his light among us, the truth of his Gospel, and out of the same fountain of his goodness and mercy raised believing Princes among us which have established his true religion in our Land, a Queen of such Piety, a King of so great Knowledge, and Learning, and Piety as knoweth the truth, and is so able to maintain it: God I say having of his goodness raised such blessings to us, hath never ceased to maintain his own work. Let us never cease to give him the glory. But can our adversaries take any comfort in their doings? The King of Spain may once enter into the consideration of things, he may remember how he and his predecessors have been so many times beguiled by the Pope, how often hath the Pope and his Jesuits consecrated his banners, promised him victory against us, as against Heretics forsaken of God and man; let them know that there is a God that ruleth the world, and not the Pope. If they would have their designs to prosper, they must follow the examples of our godly Princes, who are blessed for the sincerity of Religion which they embrace. They must give over injustice and cruelty, for the cruelty of the Spaniards have lost them all that they lost in the Netherlands: Their pride and cruelty was highly raised against us, but to their own hurt and dishonour, not to ours, because we trust in God. They would have extinguished the true lights of Britain, (which then did shine like two glorious. Candles put in their sockets and held up in the hand of Christ, and as now, to the comfort of both nations, joined in one great light) these they laboured to extinguish, and to tread down the soul of the Turtle; but our Prayer is, 
Psal. 74. 19  Give not the soul of thy Turtle Dove unto the Beast, and ●orget not the congregation of the poor for ever. Consider thy covenant, for the dark places of the earth are full of the Habitation of the cruel: Arise O Lord and maintain thine own cause, remember the daily reproach of the foolish: forget not the voice of the enemy, for the tumult of them that rise against thee ascendeth continually. God saved the soul of his Turtle, he remembered the congregation of the poor that trusted in him: he considered his covenant, he maintained his own cause, and of this we rejoice. But where are those dark places of the earth which are full of the habitation of the cruel, as the Prophet saith? Surely let the Jesuits look to that, and let them expound those word● if they be able, for surely no man can expound those words, but he shall find superstition and cruelty inseparably joined together; their superstition maketh the places of their habitations dark places; their superstition breedeth cruelty; for greater cruelty the world hath not seen, then hath proceeded from them: truly then may we sing with the Psalmist, the the dark places of the earth, are full of the habitations of the cruel. There is no hope to make these Jesuits that have given themselves over to the service of the man of sin, and to the practice of impiety, of such I say there is no hope to persuade them, because they love not the truth. But the Kings and Princes that have been so long abused and beguiled by them, may in time understand the difference between truth and falsehood, and may join with our religious Kings, against the great Deceiver, and our hope is, that they will understand his deceits and illusions, and forsake him: for otherwise they must perish with him. They that are wise will understand and consider the cause which God hath so long, so strongly maintained, they will consider the power, the fury, and rage of our adversaries have been continually frustrated by God's power, they may consider that these extraordinary blessings upon God's Church among us, and the memorable judgements of the adversaries, are but forerunners of some greater strokes, and heavier judgements of God against them, if they will not turn, and forsake superstitious vanities, and serve God with us. Which God grant, that the Kingdom of Christ may be enlarged, his true Religion strongly maintained, his name glorified, his people comforted, and let all that worship not the Lord JESUS, and love not his coming, perish.   

CHAPTER XIII.  
AFter this great tempest from Spain was passed, the Sun did shine as pleasantly upon England as before; by all the Spanish preparation, there was not a man called from his husbandry in England, not any artificer from his trade; there was not so much as one cottage burned; did ever the English make any ●ourney into Spain, and returned without doing no more harm than the Spaniards did to us? The English made after this, two journeys into Spain, and in both, did that which they intended to do; that is, ransacked Towns, and put to flight the Armies which encountered them. But this beyond the limits of my purpose, which is only to declare our deliverances, and to give thanks and honour to God for the same.  
The next danger intended and threatened, broke out in Spain by Tyrone. They that have written of Tyrone, say that he was a bastard, a banished fugitive, he lay lurking in Spain, promising to do some service to the Pope and Spaniard, as some had done before; he was raised to the honour of an Earl by the Queen, and being twice in danger (once for a murder, and then for usurping the title of O-Neale) was pardoned for both. Hugh, Baron of Dungannon, now Earl of Tyrone, being set on by the Spaniard to work some mischief: 
A●●● 1597.  An. Dom. 1597. suddenly assailed the ●ort of Blackwater, which done, he wrote to Kildare to side with him, and at the same instant to Sir john Norrice, (who was then sent out Lord General i●o Ireland, with thirteen hundreth of the N●therland old Soldiers, newly retired from the wars in Britain,) to him Tyrone wrote that he might be mildly dealt withal, and not be driven headlong upon the dangerous rocks of disloialty: in the mean time he was always guarded with a thousand Horse, and 6280. foot of Ulster, besides 2300. of Connaugh; hereupon, he and all his partakers were proclaimed traitors. Thus was the rebellion raised which was hardly quenched with much blood. Sir john Norrice was a General as well experienced in war, as any that then lived: yet in the Irish wars, he was not so acquainted. The advantage of the enemy was such, that time was rather spent in taking of booties, and frivolous parleys, then in any memorable exploit. The one looking still for fitter opportunities, and the other expecting daily his promised succours from Spain.  
To spare the shedding of blood, the Queen commanded her Commissioners, the Treasurer, and chief justice to confer with Tyrone; who complained of wrongs offered to him by Sir Henry Bagnall, Martial: and thereupon exhibited a petition in humble manner containing that himself and all his followers might be pardoned, and be restored to their former estates: that they might freely exercise their Romish Religion; that no Garrison soldiers, Shirriffe, or other officer should intermeddle within the jurisdiction of his Earldom: that the company of fifty Horsemen with the Queen's pay might be restored to him, in the same state that formerly he had led them: that the spoilers of his Country and people might be punished, and that Sir Henry Bagnall should pay him a thousand pound, promised in dowry with his Sister, whom Tyrone had married, and who was now deceased. Others also laid out their grievances conceived, such were Odonell, Brian Mac Hugh og●, Mac Mahun, and Ever Mac Conly: They received reasonable answers to their demands. But unto them the commissioners proposed certain Articles: That they should forthwith lay down their Arms, disperse their forces, submissively acknowledge their disloialties, admit the Queen's Officers in their government, re-edify the forts they had defaced, suffer the Garrison to live without disturbance, make restitution of spoils t●ken, confess upon their oaths how far they had dealt with foreign Princes, and renounce all foreign aid. These propositions the Rebels liked not, but departed with a resolution to maintain their own demands. Which moved General Norrice, aided with the Lord Deputy, to march with his Army to Armagh; when Tyrone heard of his approach, in great perplexity he forsook the Fort of Blackewater, set on fire the villages about, and plucked down the town of Dungannon, with part of his own house, bewailing his state to be past recovery.  
The country thus wasted, and no victuals to be had, Norrice set a Garrison in the Church of Armagh, strengthened Monahan, and proclaimed Tyrone Traitor in his own territories. Tyrone to gain time, presented to him a feigned Petition, signed with his own hand, cast himself down at the Queen's Pictures feet, vngir●●s sword, and craved pardon upon his knees. And in the mean time dealt for aids out of Spain; wherein he prevailed so far, that King Philip sent messengers with cap●tulations, that at a prefixed time h●● would send him a competent Army to join with the Irish, that all conditions of Peace with the English should be rejected, and that the Rebels should be furnished with munition from Spain.  
Hereupon (though there was a cessation from Arms, he began to hurry, and waste the country, and burn villages, and drive away booties. And having done this, put on the vizard of dissimulation again, & sued for pardon, which to effect, he sent the Letters of King Philip his promises, to the Lord Deputy, with the causes of his own discontents; so he shuffled, that by his dissimulation, or by the negligence of others, most part of Connaught and all Ulster were revolted and in a rebellion.  
In which estate Thomas Lord Burrough was sent Lord Deputy into Ireland; he was no sooner arrived, but General Norrice being crossed at the Court, or discontented, died as was thought, through grief. The Lord Deputy set presently forward to meet with the Rebels, whom he encountered at Moiry, and defeating them, took the Fort of Blackwater. The enemies seeking to rescue it, were defeated by the Earl of Kildare, but Tyrone thinking all his hope was gone if he lost that Fort, beleaguered it. The Lord Deputy preparing straightway to rescue the place, was suddenly taken with sickness and died.  
Tyrone lay still before the Fort of Blackewater; 
Anno 1598.  for the raising of his siege Sir Henry Bagnall was sent with fourteen Ensigns of the choicest troops. These the Earl met near to Armagh, & being most eagerly bend against S ●. Henry, by his exact care and diligence, or by the others negligence, he got the victory, wherein Sir Henry lost his life: the English had not received such an overthrow since their first setting foot in Ireland. 15. Captains were killed, and 1500. Soldiers were routed, and put to flight. The Garrison of Blackewater hereupon surrendered, and the Rebels were thereby furnished with Munition and Armour, and Tyrones glory extolled. By this the strength of the rebellion was increased.  
In this desperate estate stood Ireland, when Robert Earl of Essex was sent thither Lord Lieutenant, and Lord Governor General; he led twenty thousand Soldiers, sixteen thousand foot, the rest horsemen: as soon as he came, he called a council touching the affairs; It was thought fittest, that Monster should be first cleared of those petty Rebels lying nearest, whereupon (contrary to his own opinion, and his directions received from the Queen) he made first to Monster, and cleared those parts, though with more loss of time and men, than was well liked of the state here: from thence he went into Le●nster, against the O Conars, and O Neiles, whom he vanquished. Thence he sent Sir Coniers Clifford against Orork, himself taking another way to distract the Forces of Tyrone. Sir ●●niers Clifford was defeated and slain: whereupon the Lord General made towards Ulster, and came to Louth. Tyrone showed himself upon the hills on the other side of the River. And falling unto his wont vain of dissimulation, desired a parley with the Lord Lieutenant, but he rejected it; answering, that if he would confer with him, he should find h●m the next morning in the head of his troops, on which day after a light skirmish, a horseman of Tyrones' troops, cried with a loud voice, that Tyrone was not willing to fight, but to parley upon peace with the Lord General; which thing was again denied. The next day as the Lord Lieutenant was in his march forward, one Hagan sent from Tyrone met him, and declared that the Earl most humbly desired to have the Queen's mercy and peace, and besought that his Lordship would be pleased to afford him audience, which if he would grant, than would he with all reverence attend at the ford of the River, not far from Louth. To this motion at last he consented: and sent to discover the place, and having a troop of horse upon the next hill, came down alone to the River. Tyrone attending on the other side, as soon as he saw his approach, rode into the River up to the Saddle, and with semblance of reverence, saluted the Lord Lieutenant. And having had some conference together the space of an hour, both returned to their companies: after this Tyrone making suit for a further conference, the Lord Lieutenant taking with him the Earl of Southampton, Sir George Bourchier, Sir Warram Saint Leger, Sir Henry Dan●ers, Sir Edward Wingfield, and Sir William Constable, went to the Ford; where Tyrone with his Brother Cormac, Mac Gennis, Mac Gui●, Ener Mac Cow, Henry Oui●gton, and O Quin, attended their coming. And upon conference it was concluded, that certain Commissioners should the next day meet for a treaty of peace, and in the mean time, there should be a cessation of wars from six weeks to six weeks, until the first of May, yet so as it might be free on both sides, after fourteen days warning given to resume hostility afresh. And if any of Tyrones' confederates would not thereto consent, to be prosecuted at the Lord Lieutenants pleasure.   

CHAPTER XIIII.  
THe Queen was presently informed, 
Anno 1599  that in Ireland, the Spring, Summer, and Autumn were spent, without service upon the Arch-rebel, that her men were diminished, large sums of money consumed without doing that for which he was sent, that by this means the Rebels were encouraged, and the Kingdom of Ireland laid at hazard to be lost. Whereupon the Queen wrote somewhat sharply to the Lord Lieutenant; which moved him so much, as leaving his charge to be managed by others, he came into England, hoping to pacify the Queen. When he came, he was commanded to keep his Chamber, and soon after was committed to the custody of the Lord Keeper.  
No sooner was the Lord General departed from Ireland, but that Tyrone (notwithstanding the cessation from war, drawing his Forces together, took the field; to whom Sir William Warren was sent, to charge him with breach of promise; he answered, that his doings were according to covenants, having given warning before: his cause was just, for that the Lord Lieuctenant was committed in England, upon whose honour he reposed his whole estate, neither would he have any thing to do with the Councillors of Ireland. Hereupon presuming upon Spain, he sent Odonel into Connaught, received tumultuous persons, strengthened the weak, glorying every where that he would restore again the ancient Religion and liberty of Ireland, and expel the English out of Ireland. To which end, some money and munition was sent from Spain, and Indulgences from Rome. And for an especial favour the Pope sent him a plume of Phoenix feathers, for a Trophy of his victories.  
Tyrone under pretence of devotion, in midwinter went to the Monastery of Tipperary, to worship the Cross: from thence he sent out Mac Guir with a number of rifeling robbers, to spoil and prey upon the peaceable subjects, with whom Sir Warram Saint Leger met, and at the first encounter ran Mac Guir through the body with a Lance, and was likewise run through with his Lance. Whereupon Tyrone made ready to return from Monster sooner then was expected, or himself meant.  
At this time, Charles Blunt, 
Anno 1600.  Lord Mountioy, was sent Lord Lieutenant general into Ireland. At his first coming, hearing that Tyrone was to depart out of Monster, he hastened to stop his passage in Feriall, and there to give him battle, which the Earl prevented by taking another way, having intelligence of the Lord General his designs. The spring drawing on, the Deputy put himself in his march toward Ulster, with purpose to drive the Earl to a stand. In the mean time Sir Henry Docwray at Loughfoil, and Sir Ma●thew Morgan at Belishanon planted the Garrisons, which they effected with small resistance, and repressed the Rebels in diverse overthrows.  
The Lord General likewise held Tyrone very hard, and with light skirmishes ever put him to the worst: sothat he now perceiving his fortunes to decline, withdrew himself backwards into his old corners. The Lord Lieutenant entered in Lease, the place of refuge and receipt of all the Rebels in Leinster, where he show Only Mac Rory-Og, chief of the family of the O Mores, a bloody, bold, and desperate young man: and so chased out the rest of his companions, as that never since they were seen in those parts. And though winter began to draw on, yet marched he forward to the entry of the Mairy, three miles beyond Dundalk.  
The passage into Ulster is every way naturally cumbersome, and it was helped by the Rebels who had fortified and blocked up the entrance with fences of stakes stuck in the ground, with hurdles joined together, and stones in the midst, with turfs of earth laid between hills, woods and bogs, and manned the place with a number of soldiers. But the English brake through their Pallisadoes, and beat back the enemy. The Lord Deputy placed a garrison eight miles from Armagh, where in memory of Sir john Norrice, he named the Fort Mount Norrice. In his return he had many skirmishes. At Carlingford the enemies were assembled to stop his way, but were all discomfited, and put to flight. In the midst of winter he entered the Glinnes, that is, the valleys of Leinster, a secure receptacle of the Rebels. There he brought into subjection Donel Spanioh, Phelim Mac Pheogh, and the O Tools; of whom he took hostages. Then went he to Fereall, and drove Tirell, the most approved warrior of all the Rebels, from his fastness (that is, his bogs and bushes) unto Ulster, and after some other good services done here, the spring approaching, he marched into Ulster, fortified Armaugh, and removed Tyrone from the Fort of Blackewater, where he had fortified himself.  
In the mean time the Pope and the King of Spain laboured to maintain the rebellion in Ireland, and to help Tyrone. Their agents were a Spaniard elected Archbishop of Dublin by the Pope, the Bishop of Clowfort, the Bishop of Killaloe, and Archer a jesuit. These by prayers and promises of heavenly rewards, persuaded the Spaniard to send succours into Ireland, which he did, under the General, Don john d' Aquila, a man that conceived great hopes, and was confident of much aid from the titular Earl Desmond, and Florence Mac Carly, a Rebel of great power; wherein the man was much deceived; for Sir George Carew Lord Precedent of Munster, had prevented all his designs, and sent them prisoners into England, where they were fast. Don Aquila with two thousand Spaniards of old trained soldiers, with certain Irish fugitives landed at Kinsale in Monster, the last of October, Anno 1600. and presently published a writing, wherein he styled himself Master General, and captain of the Catholic King in the wars of God, for holding and keeping the faith in Ireland: this drew diverse distempered and cuill-affected persons on his side.  
The Lord Deputy gathering his companies, hasted to Kinsale, and encamped near unto the Town, on the land side. In the mean time, Sir Richard Levison, with two of the Queen's ships, enclosed the haven, to forbid all access to the Spaniards. Then on both sides the Canon played upon the town.  
But news was brought that two thousand Spaniards more were arrived at Bear haven, Baltimor, and Castle haven. Sir Richard Levison was employed upon them, in which service he sunk five of their ships. Unto these new landed Spaniards, whose Leader was Alfonso o-campo, Odonel over the ice by speedy journeys and unknown byways repaired, unseen of the English. And a few days after, Tyrone himself, with O Roik, Raimund, Burk, Mac Mahun, Randall Mac Surly, Tirrell, the Baron of Lixnawe, with the choice of the Nobles, making six thousand foot, and five hundreth horse. All confident of victory, being fresh, strong, and more in number then the English, who were out-wearied with a winter siege with scarcity of victuals, their horse weak with fore travel.  
In this hope Tyrone upon an hill not a mile from the English camp made a bravado two days together, intending to have put these new supplies of Spaniards, with eight hundreth Irish, by night into Kinsale, as did appear by letters intercepted from Don Aquila. To prevent this, the Lord Deputy appointed eight Ensigns to keep watch, and himself with the Precedent of Monster, and the Marshal, at the foot of the hill, chose out a convenient plot to give the Earl battle; who the next morning seeing the English so forward, by his bag-pipers sounded the retreat; whom the Lord General followed, and forced them to a stand in the brink of a bog, where their horsemen were disordered and routed by the Earl of Clanricard. The main battle was charged by the Lord Deputy himself, who discharged the parts of a prouide●t Captain, and of a valiant soldier. The rebels not able to withstand him, broke their arrays, and fled confusedly in disorder: In the pursuit, many were slain. Tyrone, Odonel, and the rest flung away their weapons, and shifted for themselves by flight. Alfonso Ocampo, and six Ensign bearers were taken prisoners, nine of their Ensigns were born away by the English, and twelve hundreth Spaniards slain. This victory obtained, dismayed both the Spaniards in Kinsale, and the rebels. Tyrone was forced into his starting holes in Ulster. Odonel fled into Spain. The rest of the Rebels were driven to hide themselves.  
The Lord General returning to the siege of Kinsale, began to raise Rampires, and to mount his Cannons nearer the town, in which work six days were spent without any impeach from the Spaniards. Don Aquila seeking now to get clear and be gone, sent his Lieutenant with the Drum-maior to the Lord Deputy; wherein he craved, that some Gentleman of credit, might be sent into the town, with whom he might parley for peace. The Lord Deputy sent Sir William Godolphin, to whom Don Aquila signified, that he had found the Lord Deputy, though his eager enemy, yet an honourable person: the Irish of no valour, rude, and uncivil, yea, and (that which he sore feared) perfidious and false. That he was sent from the King of Spain his Master, to aid two Earls, and now he much doubted whether there were any such in rerum natura; considering that one tempestuous puff of war had blown the one of them into Spain, and the other into the North, so as they were no more to be seen: willing therefore he was to treat about a pace, that might be good for the English, and not hurtful to the Spaniards. Albeit he wanted nothing requisite to the holding out of the siege, and expected every day out of Spain, fresh supplies to find the English work and trouble enough.  
The matter thus proposed, 
Anno 1601.  the English being weak, and wearied with a winter-siege, the Lord Deputy consented to an agreement, upon these Articles.  
1. That john d'Aquila should quit the places which he held in the Kingdom of Ireland, as well in the town of Kinsale, as in the Forts and Castle of Baltimar, Ber●hauen, and Castle-haven, and should deliver them unto the Lord Deputy, or to whom he should appoint.  
2. That Don d' Aquila and his Spaniards should depart with arms, money, munition, and banners displayed. The soldiers notwithstanding to bear no Arms against the Queen of England, till such time as they were unshipped in some part of Spain.  
3. That Ships and Victuals should be granted to them in their departure, for their money, at such reasonable prizes as the country could afford.  
4. That if contrary winds enforced them into any other part of Ireland, or England, they might be entreated as friends, with safety of harbour and provisions necessary for their money.  
5. That a cessation should be from war, a security from injuries.  
6. That the Ships in which they should be embarked, might freely pass by other English Ships, without molestation, and the Ships arriving in Spain, might safely return back again without any impeachment of the Spaniards. For security whereof, the said Don d' Aquila should deliver for hostages such three of their Captains as the Lord Deputy would choose. Tyrone seeing his hopes gone, his men slain, his restless conscience gave him no repose, he shifted from place to place in much fear and perplexity. In the mean time, the Lord Deputy refreshed his weary and winter-beaten soldiers, repaired the decays, renewed the Garrisons in Monster. This done, he departed for Dublin. From thence toward the spring, by an easy march well appointed, he returned into Ulster, meaning to belay the enemy on every side, by planting his Forts, so to take him in his toil: thus coming to Blackwater he transported his Army over the River upon floats, 
Charles Mount.  and beneath the old Fort, he erected a new; which thing so terrified the Rebel, that he set on fire his own house at Dunganon, and got himself farthe● from danger. The Lord Deputy followed him close, spoiled the Corne-fields, and burned the villages, and booties were brought in on every side. The Forts in Lough crew, Lough Reogh, and Magher lecond; were yielded up, and Garrisons placed in Lough, Neaugh, or Sidny, and in M●naghan; whence with their continual sallies, they kept the enemies in such fear, that they hid themselves in woods, complaining and exclaiming against Tyrone, that had brought them all to ruin for his private discontents, and began to repent them so far, as they made haste who should first come in to the Lord Deputy. The Earl seeing how the world went, thought good to prevent the worst by his submission, which in humble letters he sent to the Queen, who gave the Lord Deputy authority to pardon his life, though hardly drawn to remit his offences, his friends daily solicited the Lord Deputy for his peace; which at last was granted, to put his life and revenues without any condition, to the will of the Queen. Whereupon all Mellifont accompanied with two persons and no more, he had access to the Chamber of Presence, where the Lord Deputy sat in a Chair of Estate. Tyrone in base and poor array, with a dejected countenance, at the first entrance, fell down upon his knees, and so rested, till he was commanded to arise; and coming nearer, stepping two paces, he fell down prostrate, and with great submission acknowledged his sins against God, and his fault against her Majesty. The next day the Lord Deputy departing from Dublin, took Tyrone thither, meaning to transport him for England. But the death of Queen Elizabeth stayed that design, and King james succeeding, and being received with admirable love of all sorts, at his first entrance pardoned Tyrone. And Ireland hath been since held in greater peace than ever in the memory of any stories hath been formerly known.  
After all this, Tyrone, a man not framed for a peaceable course, but only for trouble, fell into his last pageant, in this manner. Montgomery was made Lord Bishop of Derry, (who was after, Lord Bishop of Meath) and because the revenues of that of Derry and some other Bishoprickes near adjoining were so much impaired, that they were no way able to make a reasonable maintenance; the Bishop sought by lawful means to get some Lands taken without right or law from his Bishopric, and to recover things desperately lost, if he could. This thing could not be effected, without the offence of Tyrone, who had gotten into his hands the greatest part of the Bishopric lands. In so much, that Tyrone understanding the Bishop sought to recover the Lands of the Bishopric, told the Bishop thus much: My Lord you have two or three Bishoprickes, and yet you are not content with them, you seek the Lands of my Earldom. My Lord, quoth the Bishop, your Earldom is swollen so big with the Lands of the Church, that it will burst if it be not vented. The Bishop intending in a lawful course to recover the Lands lost, found that there was no man could give him better light and knowledge of those things, then O Cane, who had been great with Tyrone: and to make use of him was a matter of difficulty; yet some means being used to him, he came of his own accord to the Bishop, and told him that he could help him to the knowledge of that which he sought, but he was afraid of Tyrone: nay said the Bishop, I will not trust you, for I know that one bottle of Aqua vitae will draw you from me to Tyrone. Whereupon he took a Book and laid it on his head, saying, ter liuro, ter liuro: which as my Lord of Meath said, (who told me this story) is one of the greatest kind of affirming a truth which the Irish have, and after this ceremony performed, they keep their promise: O Cane using this ceremony, promised to reu●ale all that he knew in that matter, if he would on the other side promise him to save him from the violence of Tyrone, and not to deliver him into England; which he promised to do. Whereupon the Bishop resolved to bring him to the Council of Ireland, there to take his confession; as they came along by Dungannon, Tyrones' Son came forth with sixteen horsemen, but finding the Bishop well appointed and guarded with men, told him that he came forth only to attend his Lordship some part of the way, and so after, he road with him a reasonable way, took his leave and returned. The Bishop feared that he came to take O Cane from him, and thought that he meant to do it, if the Bishop had not been better provided than he was. Thus they coming peaceably to the Council, the confession of O Cane was taken. After this, Process were sent to Tyrone to warn him to come at an appointed time, to answer to the suit of the Lord Bishop of Derry. There was no other intention then, but in a peaceable manner to bring the suit to a trial. But behold the burden of an evil conscience. Tyrone had entered into a new conspiracy, to raise another rebellion; of this conspiracy was O Cane. This thing was secret, the Council knew nothing of it. Tyrone being served with Process to answer the suit, began to suspect that this was but a plot to draw him in; that surely all the treason was revealed by O Cane, whom he knew to be of the conspiracy: that the pretence was a Process, and a trial in law, but the intent was to have his head. Upon this bare suspicion, Tyrone resolved with such other as was in the conspiracy to fly, & thereupon fled out of Ireland with his confederates, & lost all those lands in the North of Ireland, which by his Mies. authority, & the diligence of his Mies. subjects which have been undertakers, are now planted with a more civil people, than before.  
This story of Tyrone, being compared with that of Stucley, & other Irish commotions, may prove the implacable mind of the Pope; and the favour of God in delivering us. Stucley by the providence of God was turned another way, & came not into Ireland, as he purposed: they who came were ever destroyed. But no enemy did ever more hurt there, then Tyrone. But when the account is cast up; what have all the adversaries of England got in the end? They have, like secret serpents nibbled at the heel. And indeed this hath been the practice of the old Serpent, in troubling the Church. And we have both warning of his malice, & a promise of deliverance, & in the end to tread on his head, that now biteth at our heels. The woman's seed shall break the serpent's head, 
Gen. 3. 15.  but the serpent shall bruise his heel. The promise is fulfilled in Christ jesus our head, and yet by the Apostle extended to the Church, Rom. 16. 20. The God of peace shall tread Satan under your feet shortly. It is true, that this is done in a spiritual battle, wherein Satan & sin shall be overthrown: yet to comfort his Church, and to teach us to stay with patience the final fulfilling of his promises, he doth in the mean time send many deliverances to his Church, and many times beateth down Satan & Satan's instruments under the feet of his Church. For is not this a treading down of Satan's head, when we see all the instruments that Satan hath stirred up to our destruction, to be by the hand of God beaten & trodden to dust? Verily, unto us it is a sign of comfort, & that from the Lord, but to our adversaries a sign of sear. The true Church of God hath a privilege above others in this world, though persecuted in & by this evil world, yet there appeareth always an eminent privilege of the Church. When the jews were God's Church, this appeared among them, what was their privilege? They were called by God from & before all other nations, not because they were stronger or greater, or wiser, but because God would fulfil his promise to their Fathers. 
Rom. 3. 2.  And to them were committed the Oracles of God; & as the Apostle doth enlarge the same thing, 
Rom. 9 4.  to them pertained the adoption, & the glory, & the covenants, and the giving of the law, & the service of God, and the promises. In all which may appear what God did for them, and what he doth for his Church always: but what are they to do to God? only to worship him according to these oracles, this law, these covenants, these promises, which God hath given them. By these things than may the Church be known, we may add another thing to these, whereby we find that God would always be known to be the God of his people, of his Church; that is, a miraculous protection of his Church, and strange deliverance out of dangers. This miraculous protection and deliverance, God showed to Israel deuers ways; and this hath he like wise showed to the Church of Christians, and then especially when the Church hath been most oppugned. And this mercy hath God declared to no Church more, then to the Church of England: we have the Oracles of God among us, and these we labour to preserve without mixture, that no Oracles of men may be joined with them in any equality. This we profess, and for this we suffer. This is our glory, that we suffer as the Church of God hath all ways suffered. This is our glory, that we are persecuted by a people that have forsaken their God. For they that have forsaken ●he only preferment by the Oracles of God committed to their trust, and have against that trust, thrust in men's Oracles, men's traditions to match the Oracles of God in equal authority: they who worship not God according to God's Oracles delivered to them, but according to their own inventions; these men have forsaken their God. And these be they that glory so much of the name of the Catholic Church against us, God knoweth his Church; for the Lord knoweth who are his: But our adversaries deal not with God to please him, but with men to deceive them. If they should deceive some men with the mask, and with the empty title o● the Catholic Church, what have they gotten thereby? God is not deceived, and God will in his time make it known where his Catholic Church is. God will not have his Catholic Church maintained with lies, with wicked and ungracious Practices, with treasons and rebellions, with conspiracies; they who practise such things, can never prove themselves to be the Catholic Church; but the true Catholic Church is known by holding the Oracles of God, by worshipping God according to his own Oracles, by suffering patiently the practices of wicked men, by committing their cause to God, by trusting in God, and in the power of his might, and by miraculous deliverances out of danger by the only hand and power of God. This holy and heavenly protection of God of the Church of England, may plainly prove unto all the world, that the Church of England is a part and true member of that Catholic Church that serveth God in truth and sincerity, enjoying those privileges and favours which God doth vouchsafe to no people, saving to his own Church.  
Now let the Pope go on in his course, and fulfil his measure: let him honour wretched and wicked rebels, the scum of the earth: let him send a peacock's tail, as he did to Stucley, let him send a plume of Phoenix seathers, as he did to Tyrone (if they were Phoenix feathers, or if the Pope did not collude in one thing, as that Friar did in another thing, who undertook to show to the people a feather of the wing of the Angel Gahriell; a plume of whose feathers was more befitting the Pope to send, if his holiness hath such command over Angels, as they say he hath.) Let them I say proceed in the works of darkness as they have done, and as they continue to do: let us trust in the Lord, who hath manifested to all the world by his great, merciful, and manifold deliverances, that he hath taken the protection of us. And as he hath done hitherto, assuredly he will do to the end, if we fail not: for God will not forsake us, if we forsake not him. Indeed if we forsake him, and fall away from the truth of Religion, in the Church, and from the execution of justice in the State; and from obedience to the faith: then may we lose our part in God, and lose our confidence in his help, and lose the blessed benefit of his protect on. They can never preua●le against us by any other way, then by our forsaking of God. When Balac the King of Moab, had sent for Balaam the false Prophet, and by him understood that it was impossible for him to prevail against Israel, though Balaam was sent to curse them: At last he was informed by his false Prophet Balaam, that there was no hope to prevail against Israel, unless there were some means devised to draw Israel into sin against God, and so would God be offended with them, and then might their adversaries prevail against them: this advice was most pernicious against Israel. For the women of Moab were sent among the Israelites to entice them both to bodily and spiritual fornication. And this indeed provoked God's anger: and therefore the Lord commanded Israel to vex the Midia●nites, and to smite them, 
Numb. 25. 17.  for they trouble you with their wiles. The King of Spain hath proved Balaam the false Prophet, the Pope of Rome, to curse the Church and State of England: he hath been as greedily bend to curse England, as ever Balaam was to curse Israel. His curses by God's goodness have been turned into blessings upon us. The more he hath cursed, the more have we received blessings from God. The Pope perceiving that his curses cannot prevail against us, hath entered into the consultation of Balaam the false Prophet, to send among us Priests and Jesuits secretly, who as they say, are well acquainted both with carnal and spiritual fornication. These come among us and trouble us with their wiles. And if by their wiles we be once drawn away from God, then may they prevail, but not otherwise then as the devil hath sometimes permission to prevail against God's people. But so long as we stand the Church of God, holding the Oracles of God committed to us, morshipping. God according to the rules of the holy doctrine, we may with joy of h●●rt expect the protection of God as we have had. Of these things what can our adversaries deny? Can they deny that we have the Oracles of God among us, only reverencing them? Can they deny the miraculous pro●●ction of God over us from time to time, against all their wicked practices? let our enemies be judges herein. Can they deny that the Pope hath run the course of false Balaam against us? Can they deny that their Priests and Jesuits come creeping in among us, to draw us away from God to be partakers with them in their superstition and idolatry? these things are manifest to the world, and to their own consciences: then we leave them unto the service of their Balaam, let them leave us to the service of our God.   

CHAPTER XV.  
Queen Elizabeth after so many bloody and dangerous practices attempted against her, being mightily protected by God, ended her days in peace and safety: The enemy was not permitted to hurt her, with all their bloody and barbarous practices. After her, succeeded our peaceable Solomon, King james, who laboured to establish peace, if it might be: But when he spoke of peace, they prepared themselves for war.  
He was first encountered with such a practice, 
Anno 1603.  whereof because I know not the truth and bottom, I must follow such relations as I find. King james our●gracious Sovereign, being called into the right of his own inheritance, by the great and admirable applause and affections of all good men from the highest to the lowest of England: And declaring his constant resolution for the maintenance of Religion, deferred his Coronation till Saint james day. In the mean time some unquiet spirits entered into a conspiracy, (their vain hopes for advancing of their Religion, failing) their design as is said, was to surprise the King, and Prince Henry. Of forces they presumed, meaning to retain them prisoners in the Tower, and with treasures therein to maintain their intent, or to carry them to Dover Castle, and there by violence, either to obtain their own pardons, a toleration of Religion, and a removal of some Counsellors of state, or else to put some other project in execution. To conceal this treason, Watson the Priest devised oaths for secrecy, and himself with Clark, another Priest taught; that the act was lawful, being done before the Coronation: for that the King was no King before he was anointed, and the Crown solemnly set upon his head.  
The other persons involved in this practice, were Henry Brooke, Lord Cobham, Thomas Lord Grace of Wilton, Sir Walter Ralegh, Sir Griffin Markham, Sir Edward Parham, George Brooke, Bartholomew Brookesby, and Anthony Coply. All which were apprehended and committed. The sickness being then rife in London, the Term was kept at Winchester, the place designed for their arraignment, whether they were conveied under strong guard. The first brought to trial was George Brook, brother to the Lord Cobham, Sir Griffin Markham, Sir Edward Parham, Brooksly, Coply, Watson and Clark. The indictment was, that they had conspired, first to destroy the King; then to raise rebellion, to alter Religion, to subvert the State, to procure foreign invasion. These their intents they had made known to the Lord Grace, whom they intended to make Earl Martial of England, Watson Lord Chancellor, Georke Brookes Lord Treasurer, Markham Secretary: that with the King the Lords also should be surprised in their Chambers at Greenwich, and the Lord Maior and Aldermen of London should be sent for, and so shut up in the Tower.  
George Brooke answered, that he had commission from the King to do that he did, only to try faithful subjects; but being required to show his Commission, he could produce none. Sir Griffin Markham, excepting only the imputation of blood, confessed his offence penitently; alleging it was through a discontented mind, and desired the Lords to be a mean to the King for mercy Watson and Clark, (the former of which confessed that he had drawn all those Gentlemen into those plots) like true Roman Priests, averred that they held the King for no King, until he was crowned: and therefore it could not be treason: alleging that Saul was no King, till he was chosen in Mispeh, though he had been anointed in Ramoth by the Prophet Samuel. Neither jeroboam, who in the days of Solomon had been confirmed by the Prophet to reign over Israel, until the people made him King, upon the foolish answer of Rehoboam: making no difference between the mediate and ordinary succession of lawful Kings in Commonwealths established: and those which God himself extraordinarily advanced to be scourges to an ungrateful land. It was told them that in England the King never dieth, that there is no interregnum, that the Coronation is but a ceremony to show the King to the people. Two days after was Sir Walter Ralegh brought to the bar, he was indicted for combining with the Lord Cobham (his accuser as it was said in the foresaid designs) he pleaded, not guilty, and so stood for his purgation. He pleaded for himself a long time, and with some admiration of men, who thought that a man of such understanding would hardly be drawn into a plot so foul, and so foolish: yet he was found guilty, and had sentence of death.  
The like judgement, a few days after, passed upon the Lord Cobham and Grace, arraigned on two several days. The former was indicted for combining with Sir Walter Ralegh, and George Brook to procure forces from the King of Spain, and the Archduke for invasion: the other for joining with the foresaid Priests, Knights, and Gentlemen in their conspiracies. Sir Edward Parham was only acquitted by the Iury. Of the rest, only three died. Watson, Clark, and George Brooke. Watson had before in Print laid open at large the treasonable practices of the Jesuits, and at his death left this suspicion on them, that they in revenge, had cunningly drawn him into this action, which brought him to his end. After this the Lords Cobham and Grace, and Sir Griffin Markham were by a Warrant to be executed the Friday next. But the King inclined to mercy, sent at the day appointed a Pardon for them; the manner whereof was such, as gave unexpected joy to them that looked for nothing but death. The Pardon was brought to the place where they were to be executed, by Master Gibb a Gentleman, so secretly, that none present understood any thing thereof: Sir Griffin Markham was first brought to the Scaffold (erected in the Castle Greene,) and made himself ready for the stroke of the Axe. When secretly Master Gibb delivered to the High Sheriff the Kings warrant to the contrary; who understanding his Majesty's intent, took back the prisoner (as if he were first to confront the two Lords, upon some service of the King) and brought him unto the Castle Hall. Then was the Lord Grace brought forth, who having poured out his prayers unto God, at length kneeling down for the stroke of death, the Sheriff bade stay, telling the Lord that some further service was expected of him; and thereupon led him likewise into the Castle Hall. The Lord Cobham was last brought forth: who being in preparation, and prayers, the Lord Grace and Sir Gr●ffin were brought back again. All the three prisoners appearing together on the Scaffold, the Sheriff notified his Majesty's warrant for the stay of the execution. At which example of Clemency, unexpected both of the prisoners and spectators, there arose great shouts of the people, crying, God save the King. The condemned wished that they might sacrifice their lives to redeem their faults, and to repurchase so merciful a Prince his love.  
This attempt seemed to be a matter of less danger, because there appeared neither strength to act the business intended, nor heads to carry it. But our thankfulness must appear to God for our least deliverances. It is certain by their confessions that a great mischief was intended, howsoever they might seem unable to effect it. And this we may observe, that no treason was ever attempted without a Romish Priest. The treasons attempted in England, have that proper and peculiar mark, to have a Priest in the practice.   

CHAPTER XVI.  
NOw I enter upon a Narration, which may fully open our adversaries to the world: wherein appeareth the profundity of malice and cruelty, and ungodliness, and whereby all men may understand by what spirit these men are led. The Histories of former times contain no example like it. Which showeth that wicked inventions are grown to a greater ripeness in the Romish generation. And when they are come to their full ripenesse● they themselves may understand what they are to look for. In the mean time let all men understand the difference between the Church of God, and that which in the Scripture is called ecclesia malignantium. 
Odivi ecclesi●m malignantium. Psal. 25. ●. in edit. vul●ata.  That Church of the malignant may sufficiently appear by all the former practices, but especially by this of the Gunpowder treason.  
This treason was first thought on in the last year of Queen Elizabeth, when Henry Garnet the Superior of the malignants here, Catesby, and others sent Thomas Winter into Spain, to negotiate with the Spanish King in the name of the English Catholics: First to send an army to them, who were now in readiness to join their forces with his: secondly, to grantsome pensions to sundry persons devoted to his service in England: And thirdly, Winter was to give advertisement of the discontents that the young Gentlemen and Soldiers had conceived upon the death of Essex, whereby a fit occasion was offered to forward the popish cause. To prosecute this business, he made for his means, Father Creswell the leiger jesuit in Spain, Don Petro Francesa second secretary to the State, and the Duke of Lerma: all which assured Winter that the office of his employment would be very grateful to his Master. The place of landding concluded upon by them was Kent or Essex if the King's Army were great, if otherwise, than Milford haven in Wales was held fittest. With these and other like pro●ects Winter all this summer followed the King in his progress. And lastly had answer by the Count Miranda, that the King would bestow an hundreth thousand crowns towards the expedition, half thereof to be paid that year, and the rest the next Spring, when at the farthest he meant to set foot in England. On whose behalf he willed the English Catholics to maintain their promise, whom he respected (as was said) as his own proper Castilians; and further desired their continual advertisemonts; if in the mean time it chanced the old Queen to die.  
Winter thus laden with hopes, returned from Spain, and acquainted Garnet, Catesby, and Tresham, with what had passed, which they related to others. All were glad to hear the news, and rested satisfied, expecting the day. But before the next Spring, Queen Elizabeth died. To give notice of her death, Christopher Wright was from Catesby and others sent into Spain. Guy Fawkes was likewise sent from Brussels by Sir William Stanley into Spain, both of them to prosecute the former negotiation, assuring the Spanish King, that King james would run the same course, and proceed as rigorously against the Catholics, as the late Queen had done, for whose defence they desired instantly that some Spaniards might be transported unto Milford haven. Where the English Papists would be forward to assist them, having in a readiness two thousand horse furnished for the enterprise. But the Spa●iard would not now hearken to their motions, or proceed any further to any forcible enterprise  
In the mean while, the Jesuits had been tampering to dissuade the acceptance of King james into England, urging it that death was rather to be endured, then to admit an heretic. And those that gave him consent, they held liable to excommunication by the censure of Pope Clement 〈◊〉. The Papists seeing their great ankerhold to fail them from Spain, began to enter into more desperate courses. Catesby took his ground from the doctrine of Father Parsons: That the whole Schools both of Divines and Lawyers, 
In his Book Philopater. Sect. 2.  take this position undoubtedly to be believed, That if any Christian Prince shall manifestly turn from the Catholic Religion, and desire of seek to reclaim others from the same, he presently falleth from all princely power and dignity, and that also by virtue and power of the law itself both divine and humane, even before any sentence pronounced against him by the supreme Pastor and judge. And that his Subjects, of what estate or condition soever, are freed from all bond of oath of allegiance which at any time they had made unto him as to their lawful Prince. Nay, that they both may and ought (provided they have competent strength and force) cast out such a man from bearing rule among Christians, as an Apostata, an Heretic, a Back-slider, a Revolter from our Lord Christ, and an enemy to his own State, and commonwealth; lest perhaps he might infect others, or by his example or command, turn them from the faith: yea they affirm further, that if a Prince shall but favour or show countenance to an Heretic, he presently looseth his Kingdom. By this fiery divinity of their own making, or receiving it from the spirits of error and doctrines of devils, (for those things that are taught for doctrines, not being found in the word of God, are doctrines of devils, much more they that are contrary to the doctrines of God's word) by these doctrines the Gunpowder-treason took strength. The Parliament dissolved the seaventh of july, and was prorogued until the seaventh of February following, Catesby being then at Lambeth, sent for Thomas Winter, who had been employed into Spain, and broke with him upon the blowing up of the Parliament house; who answered, that indeed struck at the root: but if it should not take effect, said he, as most of this nature miscarry, the scandal would be so great, which Catholic religion might hereby sustain, as not only our enemies, but our friends also would with good reason condemn us. Catesby answered, the nature of the disease required so sharp a remedy, and asked him if he would g●ue his consent. Yes, said he, in this or what else soever, he would venture his life. But he proposed difficulties, as want of an house, and of one to carry the mine, noise in the working, and such like. Catesby answered, let us give the attempt, and where it ●aileth, pass no further: but first quoth he, because we will leave no peaceable and quiet way untried, you shall go over, and inform the Constable of the state of the Catholics here in England, entreating him to solicit his Majesty, that the penal laws may be recalled, and we admitted into the ra●ke of his other subjects. Withal, you may bring over some confident Gentlemen, such as you shall understand best able for this business, and named unto him Master Fawkes. Shortly after, Winter passed the seas, and found the Constable at Bergen near Dunkirk: where by help of Master Owen he delivered his message. Whose answer was, that he had strict command from his Master, to do all good offices for the Catholics, and for his own part he thought himself bound in conscience so to do, and that no good occasion should be omitted, but he spoke to him nothing of this matter.  
Returning to Dunkirk with Master Owen they had speech whether the Constable would faithfully help them, or no: Owen said, he believed nothing less, and that they sought only their own● ends, holding small account of Catholics. Winter told him, that there were many Gentlemen in England, who would not forsake their Country until they had tried the uttermost. And to add one more to their company, as a fit man both for council and execution of whatsoever they should resolve, wished for Master Fawkes, who as he had heard, was a man of good commendation. Owen told him, the gentleman deserved no less, but was at Brussels, and that if he came not, as happily he might before Winter's departure, he would send him shortly after into England. Winter went shortly after to Ostend; where Sir William Stanley as then was not, but came two days after. Winter remained with him three or four days. In which time he asked him, if the Catholics in England should do any thing to help themselves, whether he thought the Archduke would second them? he answered, no. For all those parts w●re so desirous of peace with England, as they would endure no speech of other enterprise. Neither were it fit, said he, to set any pro●ect a foot, now the peace is upon concluding▪ Winter told him there was no such resolution, and fell into other speech; ask him of Master Fawkes, whom Sir William much commended: and as they were in speech, Fawkes came in. Sir William told him, this is the Gentleman you spoke of; and after they had embraced, Winter told Fawkes, that some good friends of his wished his company in England, and appointed to meet at Dunkirk, where they might confer. Meeting at Dunkirk, they had conference, and resolved both to come into England. They came first to Catesby: whether came Master Thomas Percy. The first word he spoke after he came into their company, was, Shall we always, Gentlemen, talk, and never do any thing? Catesby took him aside, and had speech of somewhat to be done, so as first they might all take an oath of secrecy; which within few days after, they did. The oath was this: You shall swear by the blessed Trinity, and by the Sacrament you now purpose to receive, never to disclose, directly nor indirectly, by wo●d or circumstance, the matter that shall he proposed to you to keep secret, nor desist from the execution thereof, until the rest shall giu● you leave. This oath was first taken by Catesby, Percy, Wright and Fawkes, behind Saint Clements. After the oath taken, they went into the next room and heard Mass, and received the Sacrament upon it. That done, Catesby disclosed to Percy, and Winter and jack Wright to Fawkes the business, for which they took the oath, which they approved. Then was Percy sent to take the house, which they understood did belong to one Ferris; which with some difficulty in the end he obtained, and became Tenant to Whinyard, as Ferris was before. Fawkes underwent the name of Master Percy his man, calling himself johnson; because his face was most unknown, and received the keys of the house, until they heard that the Parliament was adjourned to the 7. of February. At which time they all departed several ways into the Country, to meet again at the beginning of Michaelmas Term. It was thought convenient to have a house to receive provision of powder and wood for the mine; from which house the provision might be conveied to that house which Percy had taken: this was taken in Lambeth, and Keys was appointed the trusty keeper thereof. When they were agreed to begin and set things in order for the mine, they were stayed a while, because the Scottish Lords were appointed to sit in conference of the Union in Percy his house. The time of their sitting being passed, they entered upon the mine, having provided themselves of baked meats, the less to need sending abroad.  
Whilst they were together, they fell into discourse what they should do after this deed was done. The first question was, how they might surprise the next heir. The Prince happily would be at Parliament with the King, his Father: how should they then be able to seize upon the Duke? This burden Percy undertaken, that by his acquaintance, he with other Gentlemen would enter the Chamber without suspicion, and having some dozen others at several doors to expect his coming, and two or three on horseback at the Court gate to receive him, he would undertake (the blow being given, until which he would attend in the Duke's Chamber) to carry him safe away: for he supposed most of the Court would be absent, and such as were there, not suspecting, or unprovided for any such matter. For the Lady Elizabeth, it were easy to surprise her in the country, by drawing friends together at an hunting near the Lord harrington's, and Asby Master Catesby his house being not far off, was a fit place for preparation The next was for money and horses, which if they could provide in any reasonable measure (having the heir apparent) and the first knowledge by four or five days was odds sufficient. Then what Lords they should save from the Parliament, which was first agreed in general, as many as they could that were Catholics, or so disposed; but after they descended to speak of particulars. Next what foreign Princes they should acquaint with this before, or join with after. For this point they agreed, that first they could not enjoin Princes to that secrecy, nor oblige them by oath, so to be secure of their promise; beside, they knew not whether they will approve the project or dislike it. And if they do allow thereof, to prepare before, might beget suspicion: and not to provide until the business were acted; the same letter that carried the news of the thing done, might as well entreat their help and furtherance. Spain is too slow in their preparations to hope any good from the first extremities, and France too near and to dangerous, who with the Shipping of Holland, we feared of all the world might make away with us. While they were in the middle of these discourses, they heard that the Parliament would be anew adjourned until after Michaelmas, upon which tidings they broke off both discourse and working. About Candlemas they brought over in a Boat the powder which they had provided at Lambeth, and laid it in Master Percy his house; because they would have all their danger in one place. Then falling to their work in the mine, they came against the stone wall, which was very hard to beat through, at which time they called Kit Wright to their company; but as they were working upon the wall they heard a rushing in a Cellar, of removing of coals. Whereupon they feared that they had been discovered, and they sent Fawkes to go to the Cellar; who finding that the Coals were a selling, and that the Cellar was to be let, viewing the opportunity thereof for their purpose, Percy went and hired the same for yearly rent. They had before this provided twenty barrels of powder, which they removed into the Cellar, and covered them w●th billets and faggots which they had provided for that purpose.  
After this they thought fit to send Fawkes to acquaint Sir William Stanley, and Master Owen with this matter, but so that they might receive the oath of secrecy. The reason why they desired Sir William Stanley should be acquainted herewith, was to have him with them so soon as he could. And for Master Owen, he might hold good correspondencies after with foreign Princes. Master Fawkes departed about Easter for Flanders, and returned in the end of August. He brought word that Sir William Stanley was not returned from Spain, so as he uttered the matter only to Owen, who seemed well pleased with the business, but told him that surely Sir William wou●d not be acquainted with any plot as having business now a foot in the Court of England; but he himself would be always ready to tell him, and send him away so soon as it were done.  
About this time Master Percy and Catesby met at the bath. Where they agreed that the company being yet but few, Catesby should have the others authority to call in whom he thought best. Whereupon he called in Sir Euerard Digby, and after that Master Tresham. The first promised fifteen hundreth pounds, the second two thousand pounds. Master Percy promised all that he could get of the Earl of Northumberlands rents, which was about four thousand pounds, and to provide many galloping horses, to the number of ten.  
Mean while, Fawkes and Winter bought somenew powder, as suspecting the first to be dank, and conveied it into the Cellar, and set it in order, as they resolved it should stand. Then was the Parliament anew prorogued until the fifth of November. So that all of them went down till some ten days before. When Catesby cameup with Fawks to an house by Enfield-chase, called White-webs; whether Winter came to them. Catesby willed Winter to inquire whether the young Prince came to the Parliament. Winter told him that he heard that his Grace thought not to be there. Then said Catesby, must we have our horses bey●nd the water, and provision of more company to surprise the Prince, and eve the Duke alone.  
All things thus prepared: the Saturday of the week immediately preceding the King's return, which was upon Thursday (being but ten days before the Parliament) The Lord Monteagle, son and heir to the Lord Morley, being in his own lodging ready to go to supper at seven of the clock at night, one of his footmen, whom he had sent of an errand over the street, was met by an unknown man of a reasonable tall personage, who delivered him a Letter, charging him to put it into my Lord his Master's hands: which my Lord no sooner received, but that having broken it up, and perceiving the same to be of an unknown, and somewhat unlegible hand, and without either date or subscription; did call one of his men to him for helping him to read it. But no sooner did he conceive the strange contents thereof, although he was somewhat perplexed what construction to make of it, (as whether of a matter of consequence, as indeed it was, or whether some foolish devised Pasquil by some of his enemies, to scar him from his attendance at the Parliament) yet did he as a most dutiful and loyal subject, conclude not to conceal it, what ever might come of it. Whereupon notwithstanding the lateness and darkness of the night in such a season of the year, he presently repaired to his Majesty's Palace at White hall, and there delivered the same to the Earl of Salisbury his Majesty's principal Secretary. The Earl having read the Letter, and heard of the manner of coming of it to his hands, did greatly encourage and commend the Lord for his discretion; te●ling him plainly, that whatsoever the purpose of the Letter might prove hereafter, yet did this accident put him in mind of diverse advertisements he had received from beyond the seas, wherewith he had acquainted as well the King himself, as diverse of his Privy Counsellors, concerning some business the Papists were in, both at home and abroad, making preparation for some combination among them against this Parliament time: for enabling them to deliver at that time to the King some petition for toleration of Religion, which should be delivered in some such order, and so well backed, as the King should be loath to refuse their requests; like the sturdy-beggars craving alms with one open hand, but carrying a stone in the other in case of refusal. And therefore did the Earl of Salisbury conclude with the Lord Monteagle, that he would in regard of the King's absence impart the same Letter to some more of his Majesty's Council. Whereof the Lord Monteagle liked well, only adding this request, by way of protestation, that whatsoever the event hereof might prove, it should not be imputed to him, as proceeding from too light and too sudden an apprehension, that he delivered this Letter being only moved thereto for demonstration of his ready devotion and care for preservation of his Majesty and the State. And thus did the Earl of Salisbury presently acquaint the Lord Chamberlain with the said Letter. Whereupon they two in the presence of the Lord Monteagle, calling to mind the former intelligence already mentioned, which seemed to have some relation with this Letter; the tender care which they ever had to the preservation of his Majesty's person, made them apprehend, that some perilous attempt did thereby appear to be intended against the same, which did the more nearly concern the Lord Chamberlain to have care of, in regard that it doth belong to the charge of his office, to oversee as well all places of Assembly where his Majesty is to repair, as his Highness own private houses. And therefore did the said two Councillors conclude, that they should join unto them three more of the Council, to wit, the Lord Admiral, the Earls of Worcester and Northampton, to be also particularly acquainted with this accident. Who having all of them concurred together to the re-examination of the contents of the said Letter, they did conclude, that how slight a matter it might at the first appear to be, yet was it not absolutely to be contemned, in respect of the care which it behoved them to have of the preservation of his Majesty's person. But yet resolved for two reasons, first to acquaint the King himself with the same, before they proceeded to any further inquisition in the matter, as well for the expectation and experience they had of his Majesty's fortunate judgement in clearing and soluing of obscure riddles and doubtful mysteries, as also because the more time would in the mean while be given for the practice to ripen, if any was, whereby the discovery might be the more clear and evident, and the ground of proceeding thereupon more safe, just, and easy. And so according to their determination did the Earl of Salisbury repair to the King in his gallery upon Friday, being Alhallow day, in the afternoon, which was the day after his Majesty's arrival, and none but himself being present with his Highness at that time: Where without any other speech or judgement given of the Letter, but only relating simply the form of the delivery thereof, he presented it to his Majesty; the contents of the Letter are as followeth.  
My Lord, out of the love I bear to some of your friends, I have a care of your preservation. Therefore I would advise you, as you tender your life, to devose some excuse to shift off your attendance at this Parliament. For God and man have concurred to punish the wickedness of this time. And think not slightly of this advertisement, but retire yourself into your Country, where you may expect the event in safety: for though there be no appearance of any stir, yet I say, they shall receive a terrible blow this Parliament, and yet they shall not see who hurt them. This counsel is not to be contemned, because it may do you good, and can do you no harm: for the danger is past as soon as you shall have burned this Letter. And I hope God will give you the grace to make good use of it. To whose holy protection I commend you.  
The King no sooner read the letter, but after a little pause, and then reading it over again, he delivered his judgement of it in such sort, as he thought it was not to be contemned. For that the style of it seemed to be more quick and pithy, then is usual to be in a pasquil or libel, (the superfluities of idle brains.) But the Earl of Salisbury perceiving the King to apprehend it deeplier than he looked for, knowing his nature; told him, that he thought by one sentence in it, that it was like to be written by some fool or mad man, reading to him this sentence in it: for the danger is past as soon as you have burned the Letter: which he said was like to be the saying of a fool. For if the danger was passed so soon as the Letter was burnt, than the warning behoved to be of little avail, when the burning of the Letter might make the danger to be eschewed. But the King by the contrary considering the former sentence in the Letter. That they should receive a terrible blow at this Parliament, and yet should not see who hurt them: joining it to the sentence immediately following already alleged, did thereupon conjecture, that the danger mentioned, should be some sudden danger by blowing up of powder: for no other insurrection, rebellion, or whatsoever other private or desperate attempt could be committed, or attempted in time of Parliament, and the authors thereof unseen, except it were only by a blowing up of powder, which might be performed by one base knave in a dark corner. Whereupon he was moved to interpret and construe the latter sentence in the Letter, (alleged by the Earl of Salisbury) against all ordinary sense and construction in Grammar, as if by these words, for the danger is past as soon as you have burned the Letter, should be closely understood the sudden and quickness of the danger, which should be as quickly performed, and at an end, as that paper should be of bleasing up in the fire; turning that word, as soon, to that sense of, as quickly. And therefore wished that before his going to Parliament, the under-roomes of the Parliament house might be well and narrowly searched. It must be confessed that God put this understanding in the King's heart. For albeit now upon the event made known, a man may easily see that no other construction can be made of the Letter, then that which the King made: yet before the event was known, the wisest did not apprehend that understanding. And therefore we must acknowledge that God would have it known and brought to knowledge by the King himself, that all the body of the Kingdom might rest most under God, beholding to the King, their head for the general deliverance. The Earl of Salisbury wondering at his Majesty's commentary, which he knew to be far contrary to his ordinary and natural disposition, who did rather ever sin upon the other side, in not apprehending nor trusting due advertisments of practices and perils when he was duly informed of them, whereby he had many times drawn himself into many desperate dangers, and interpreting rightly this extraordinary caution at this time to proceed from the vigilant care he had of the whole state, more than of his own person, which could not but have all perished together if this designment had succeeded: he thought good to dissemble still unto the King that there had been any just cause of such apprehension. And ending the purpose with some merry jest upon this subject, as his custom is, took his leave for that time.  
But though he seemed so to neglect it to his Majesty, yet his customable and watchful care of the King and the State still boiling within him; and having with the blessed Virgin Mary, laid up in his heart the Kings so strange judgement and construction of it, he could not be at rest till he acquainted the foresaid Lords what had passed between the King and him in private. Whereupon they were all so earnest to renew again the memory of the same purpose to his Majesty, as it was agreed, that he should the next day being Saturday repair to his Highness. Which he did in the same privy Gallery, and renewed the memory thereof, the Lord Chamberlain then being present with the King. At which time it was determined that the said Lord Chamberlain should according to his custom and office, view all the Parliament houses both above and below, and consider what likelihood or appearance of any such danger might possibly be gathered by the sight of them. But yet as well for staying of idle rumours, as for being the more able to discern any mystery the nearer that things were in readiness, his journey thither was ordained to be deferred till the afternoon before the sitting down of the Parliament, 
novemb. 5. Anno 1605.  which was upon the Monday following. At what time he (according to his conclusion) went to the Parliament house, accompanied with the Lord Monteagle, being in zeal to the King's service earnest and curious to see the event of that accident, whereof he had the fortune to be the first discoverer. Where having viewed all the lower rooms, he found in the vault under the upper house great store of provision of Billets, Faggots, & Coals. And enquiring of Whinyard keeper of the Wardrobe, to what use he had put those lower rooms, and cellars: he told him that Thomas Percy had hired both the House and part of the Cellar or Vault under the same. And that the wood and coal therein was the said Gentlemans own provision. Whereupon the Lord Chamberlain casting his eye aside, perceived a fellow standing in a corner there, calling himself the said Percy his man, and keeper of that house for him, which was Guido Fawkes, the instrument which should have acted that monstrous tragedy.  
The Lord Chamberlain looking upon all things with an heedful eye, yet in outward appearance with but a careless and racklesses countenance, he presently addressed himself to the King in the said privy Gallery, where in the presence of the Lord Treasurer, the Lord Admiral, the Earls of Worcester, Northampton, and Salisbury, he made his report what he had seen and observed there. Noting that Monteagle had told him, that he no sooner heard Thomas Percy named to be the possessor of that house, but considering both his backwardness in Religion, and the old dearness in friendship between himself and the said Percy, he did greatly suspect the matter, and that the Letter should come from him. The Lord Chamberlain also told, that he did not wonder a little at the extraordinary great provision of wood and coal in that house, where Thomas Percy had so seldom occasion to remain: as likewise it gave him in his mind that his man looked like a very tall and desperate fellow. This could not but increase the King's former apprehension and jealousy. Whereupon he insisted, as before, that the house was narrowly to be searched, and that those Billets and Coals would be searched to the bottom, it being most suspicious that they were laid there only for covering of the powder. Of this same mind also were all the Councillors then present. But upon the fashion of making the search, was it long debated. For on the one side they were all so jealous of the King's safety, that they all agreed, that there could not be too much caution used for preventing the danger: And yet on the other part, they were all extreme loath and dainty, that in case this Letter should prove to be nothing but the evaporation of an idle brain, than a curious search being made, and nothing found, should not only turn to the general scandal of the King and the State, as being so suspicious of every light and frivolous toy, but likewise lay an ill-favoured imputation upon the Earl of Northumberland, one of his Majesty's greatest Subjects and Councillors, this Thomas Percy being his kinsman, and most confident familiar. And the rather were they curious upon this point, knowing how far the King detested to be thought suspicious or jealous of any of his good subjects, though of the meanest degree. And therefore though they all agreed upon the main ground, which was to provide for the security of the King's person, yet did they much differ in circumstances, by which this action might be best carried with lea●t din and occasion of slander. But the King himself still persisting that there were diverse shrewd appearances, and that a narrow search of those places could prejudice no man that was innocent, he at last plainly resolved them, that either must all the parts of those rooms be narrowly searched, and no possibility of danger left unexamined, or else he and they all must resolve not to meddle in it at all, but plainly to go the next day to the Parliament, and leave the success to fortune, which he believed they would be loath to take upon their consciences: for in such a case as this, an halfe-doing was worse than no doing at all. Whereupon it was at last concluded, that nothing should be left unsearched in those houses. And yet for the better colour and stay of rumour, in case nothing were found, it was thought meet, that upon a pretence of Whinyards missing some of the King's stuff or hangings which he had in keeping, all those rooms should be narrowly ripped for them. And to this purpose was Sir Thomas Kneuet, (a Gentleman of his Majesty's privy Chamber) employed, being a justice of Peace in Westminster, and one, of whose ancient fidelity both the late Queen, and our now Sovereign have had large proof. Who according to the trust committed unto him, went about the midnight next after, to the Parliament house, accompanied with such a small number as was fit for that ●rrand. But before his entry into the house, finding Thomas Percyes alleged man standing without the doors, his clothes and Boots on at so dead a time of night, he resolved to apprehend him, as he did, and thereafter went forward to the searching of the house. Where after he had caused to be overturned some of the Billets and Coals, he first found one of the small Barrels of powder, and after, all the rest, to the number of thirty six barrels great and small. And thereafter searching the fellow whom he had taken, found three matches; and all other instruments fit for blowing up the powder, ready upon him; which made him instantly confess his own guiltiness: declaring also unto him▪ that if he had happened to be within the house, when he took him, as he was immediately before (at the ending of his wo●ke) he would not have failed to have blown him up, house and all.  
Thus after Sir Thomas had caused the wretch to be surely bound, and well guarded by the company he had brought with him, he himself returned back to the King's Palace, and gave warning of his success to the Lord Chamberlain, and Earl of Salisbury, who immediately warning the rest of the Council that lay in the house, as soon as they could get themselves ready, came with their fellow Councillors to the King's Bedchamber, being at that time near four of the clock in the morning. And at the first entry of the King's Chamber door, the Lord Chamberlain being not any longer able to conceal his joy for the preventing of so great a danger, told the King in a confused haste, that all was found and discovered, and the traitor in hands and fast bound.  
Then order being first taken for sending for the rest of the Council that lay in the to●ne, the prisoner himself was brought into the house. Where in respect of the strangeness of the accident, no man was stayed from the sight in speaking with him: and within a while after the Counceil did examine him. Who seeming to put on a Roman-resolution, did both to the Council, and to every other person that spoke to him that day, appear so constant and settled in his grounds, as they all thought they had found a new Mutius Scaevola borne in England. For notwithstanding the horror of the fact, the guilt of his conscience, his sudden surprising, the terror which should have strucken him by coming into the presence of so grave a Council, and the restless and confused questions that every man all that day did vex him with; ●et was his countenance so far from being dejected, as he often smiled in scornful manner, not only avowing the fact, but repenting only, with the said Scaevola, his failing in the execution thereof; whereof he said, the devil and not God, was the discoverer: answering quickly to every man's objections, scoffing at any idle questions which were propounded to him, and jesting with such as he thought had no authority to examine him. All that day could the Council get nothing out of him touching his complices, refusing to answer to any such questions which he thought might discover his plot, & laying all the blame upon himself. Whereunto, he said, he was moved only for Religion and conscience sake, denying the King to be his lawful Sovereign, or the anointed of God, in respect he was an Heretic, and giving himself no other name than john johnson, servant to Thomas Percy. But the next morning being carried to the Tower, he did not there remain above two or three days, being twice or thrice in that space reexamined, and the rack only offered, and showed unto him, when the mask of his Romish fortitude did visibly begin to wear and slide off his face. And then did he begin to confess part of the truth, and thereafter to open the whole matter. Out of his conscience, and especially out of the confession of Thomas Winter have we drawn the preceding narration. The confession of Fawkes was taken presently after his apprehension. The confession of Winter was taken the 23. 
Anno 1605.  of November, before the Lords of the Council.  
They that were first in the treason, and laboured in the mine, were Robert Catesby, Robert Winter, Esquires, Thomas Percy, Thomas Winter, john Wright, Christopher Wright, Guido Fawkes, Gentlemen; and Bates, Catesbyes man. They that were made acquainted with it, though not personally labouring in the mine, nor in the cellar, were Euerard Digby Knight, Ambrose Rookewood, Francis Tresham, Esquires. john Grant Gentleman, and Robert Keys.  
The news was no sooner spread abroad that morning, which was upon a Tuesday, the 5. of November, and the first day designed for that session of Parliament: but some of those conspirators, namely Winter, and the two wright's, brethren, thought it high time for them to hasten out of the town, (for Catesby was gone the night before, and Percy at four of the clock in the morning the same day of the discovery) and all of them held their course, with more haste then good speed to Warwickshire toward Coventry, where the next day morning being Wednesday, and about the same hour that Fawkes was taken in Westminster, one Grant, a Gentleman, having associated to him some others of his opinion, all violent Papists, and strong Recusants, came to a stable of one Benock a rider of great horses, and having violently broken up the s●me, carried along with them all the great horses that were therein, to the number of seven or eight, belonging to diverse Noblemen & Gentlemen of that country, who had put them into the rider's hands to be mad● fit for their service. And so both that company of them which fled out of London, as also Grant and his complices met altogether at Dunchurch at Sir Euerard Digby his lodging the Tuesday at night after the discovery of this treacherous attempt. The which Digby had likewise for his part appointed a match of hunting to have been hunted the next day, which was Wednesday, though his mind was Nimrod-like upon a far other manner of hunting, more bend upon the blood of reasonable men, then of bruit beasts.  
This company and hellish society thus convened, finding their purpose discovered, and their treachery prevented, did resolve to run a desperate course, and since they could not prevail by so private a blow, to practise by a public rebellion, either to attain● to their intents, or at least to save themselves in the throng of others. And therefore gathering all the company they could unto them, and pretending the quarrel of Religion, having intercepted such provision of armour, horses, and powder, as the time could permit, thought by running up and down the Country, both to augment piece by piece their number: (dreaming to themselves that they had the virtue of a snowball, which being little at the first, and tumbling down a great hill, groweth to a great quantity, by increasing itself with the snow that it meeteth in the way) and also that they beginning first this brave show in one part of the Country should by their sympathy and example stir up and encourage the rest of their Religion in other parts in England to rise, as they had done there. But when they had gathered their force to the greatest, they came not to the number of fourscore. And yet were they troubled all the hours of the day to keep and contain their own servants from stealing from them. Who notwithstanding of all their care, dai●y left them, being far inferior to gedeon's host in number, but f●rre more in faith and justness of the quarrel. And so after that this Catholic troop had wandered a while through Warwickshire▪ to Worcestershire, and from thence to the edge and borders of Staffordshire, this gallantly armed band had not the honour at the last to be beaten with a King's Lieutenant or extraordinary Commissioner sent down for the purpose, but only by the ordinary Sheriff● of Worcestershire were they all beaten, killed, taken, and dispersed. Wherein ye have to note this following circumstance so admirable, and so ●iuely displaying the greatness of God's justice, as it could not be concealed without betraying in a manner the glory due to the Almighty for the same. Although diverse of the King's Proclamations were posted down after these traitors with all speed possible; declaring the odiousness of the bloody attempt, the necessity to have had Percy preserved alive, if it had been possible, and the assembly of that rightly-damned crew, now no more darkened conspirators, but open and avowed Rebels: yet the far distance of the way, (which was above an hundreth miles) together with the extreme deepness thereof, joined also with the shortness of the day, was the cause that the hearty and loving affections of the King's good Subjects in those parts prevented the speed of his proclamations. For upon the third day after the flying down of these Rebels, which was upon the Friday next after the discovery of their plot, they were most of them all surprised by the Sheriff of Worcestershire at Holbeach, about the noon of the day, in manner following.  
Grant, of whom mention was made before, for the taking of the great horses, who had not all the preceding time stirred from his own house till the next morning after the attempt should be put in execution, he then laying his account without his Host, (as the proverb is) that their plot had, without failing, received the day before their hoped-for success, took, or rather stole out those Horses for enabling him, and so many of that soulless society that had still remained in the Country near about him, to make a sudden surprise upon the King's elder daughter, the Lady Elizabeth, having her residence near to that place, whom they thought to have used for the colour of their treacherous design (his Majesty her Father, her Mother, and male-childrens being all destroyed above.) And to this purpose also had that Nimrod Digby provided his hunting-match against the same time, that numbers of people being flocked together upon the pretence thereof, they might the easilier have brought to pass the sudden surprise of her person.  
Now the violent taking away of those horses long before day, did seem to be so great a riot in the eyes of the common people, that knew of no greater mystery: and the bold attempting thereof did engender such a suspicion of some following rebellion in the hearts of the wiser sort, as both great and small began to stir and arm themselves, upon this unlooked-for accident. Among whom Sir Fulk Grevil the elder, Knight, as became one both so ancient in years, and good reputation, and by his office being Deputy Lieutenant of Warwickshire, though unable in his body, yet by the zeal and true fervency of his mind, did first apprehend this foresaid riot to be nothing but the sparkles or sure indices of a following rebellion. Whereupon both stoutly and honestly he took order to get into his own hands the munition and armour of all such Gentlemen about him, as were either absent from their own houses, or in doubtful guard, and also sent such direction to the towns about him, as thereupon did follow the striking of Winter by a poor Smith, who had likewise been taken by those vulgar people, but that he was rescued by the rest of his company, who perceiving that the Country before them had notice of them, hastened away with loss in their own sight, sixteen of their followers being taken by the townsmen, and sent presently to the Sheriff at Warwick, and from thence to London.  
But before twelve or sixteen hours past, Catesby, Percy, the Winters, wright's, Rookwood, and the rest, bringing then the assurance that their main plot was failed, and bewrayed, whereupon they had builded the golden mountains of their glorious hopes: they than took their last desperate resolution, to flock together in a troop, and wander as they did, for the reasons aforetold. But as upon the one part, the zealous duty to their God and their Sovereign was so deeply imprinted in the hearts of all the meanest and poorest sort of the people (although then knowing of no farther mystery, than such public misbehaviours, as their own eyes taught them) as notwithstanding their fair shows and pretence of their Catholic cause, no creature, man or woman through all the Country, would once so much as give them willingly a cup of drink, or any sort of comfort or support, but with execrations detested them. So on the other part, the Sheriffs of the Shires wherethrough they wandered, convening their people with all speed possible, hunted as hotly after them, as the evilness of the way, and the unprovidedness of their people upon that sudden could permit them. And so at last after Sir Richard Verney Sheriff of Warwickshire had carefully and straightly been in chase of them to the confines of his County, part of the meaner sort being also apprehended by him: Sir Richard Walsh Sheriff of Worcestershire did likewise dutifully and hotly pursue them through his Shire. And having gotten sure trial of their taking harbour at the house abovenamed, 
Holbeach in Staffordshire, the house of Stephen Littleton.  he sent Trumpeters and messengers to them, commanding them in the King's name to render to him, his Majesty's Minister; and knowing no more at that time of their guilt, then was publicly visible, did promise upon their dutiful and obedient rendering to him, to intercede at the King's hands for the sparing of their lives; who received only from them this scornful answer (they being better witnesses to themselves of their inward evil consciences) that he had need of better assistance, then of those few numbers that were with him, before he could be able to command or control them.  
But here fell the wondrous work of God's justice, that while this message passed between the Sheriff and them: the Sheriff and his people's zeal being justly kindled and augmented by their arrogant answer, and so they preparing themselves to give a furious assault: and the other party making themselves ready within the house to perform their promise by a defence as resolute; it pleased God that in the mending of the fire in their Chamber, one small spark should fly out, & light among less than two pound weight of Powder, which was drying a little from the Chimney: which being thereby blown up, so maimed the faces of some of the principal rebels, and the hands and sides of other of them (blowing up with it also a great bag full of powder, which notwithstanding never took fire) as they were not only disabled and discouraged hereby from any farther resistance, in respect Catesby himself, Rookwood, Grant, and diverse others, of greatest account among them, were thereby made unable for defence, but also wonderfully stricken with amazement in their guilty consciences, calling to memory how God had justly punished them with that same instrument, which they should have used for the effectuating of so great a sin; according to the old saying, In quo peccamus, in eodem plectimur. Inasmuch as they presently (see the wonderful power of God's justice upon guilty consciences) did all fall down upon their knees praying God to pardon them for their bloody enterprise. And after that, giving over any further debate, opened the gate, suffered the Sheriff's people to rush in furiously among them, and desperately sought their own present destruction; The three specials of them joining backs together, Catesby, Percy, and Winter; whereof two with one shot, Catesby and Percy, were slain, Winter was taken and saved alive.  
And thus these resolute and high-aspiring Catholics, who dreamt of no less than the destruction of Kings and kingdoms, and promised to themselves no lower estate, than the government of great and ancient Monarchies, were miserably defeated and quite overthrown in an instant, falling into the pit which they had prepared for others; And so fulfilling that sentence which his Majesty did in a manner prophesy of them, in his oration to the Parliament: some presently slain, others deadly wounded, stripped of their clothes, left lying miserably naked, and so dying rather of cold, then of the danger of their wounds; and the rest that either were whole, or but lightly hurt, taken and led prisoners by the Sheriff, the ordinary Minister of justice, to the Go●le, the ordinary place even of the basest malefactors; where they remained ti●l their sending up to London, being met with a huge confluence of people of all sorts, desirous to see them, as the rarest sort of Monsters: fools to laugh at them, women and children to wonder, all the common people to gaze, the wiser sort to satisfy their curiosity in seeing the outward cases of so unheard-of a villainy; and generally all sorts of people to satiate and fill their eyes with the sight of them, whom in their hearts they so far admired and detested, serving so for a fearful and public spectacle of God's fierce wrath and just indignation. They lived blindly, they practisea devilishly, they died desperately; Their memory is cursed throughout all generations.  
Now what have our adversaries to say to these, or what can we say to these things, but that there is a God in heaven, that destroyeth all the purposes of the Pope on earth? whatsoever have been attempted against us, the Pope is firm on their side; God hath manifested himself many ways to be on our side. What cause have we then, & how many ways are we provoked to trust in God, to love him, to worship him, that so miraculously hath defended us? to cleave with all singleness of heart to that cause that hath been so mightily maintained by God's hand and power? And what cause have our adversaries to examine themselves, and more narrowly to examine the cause which God by so many judgements hath condemned? The people of Israel were mightily protected by the hand of God, & so long as they truly served God all their adversaries could never prevail against them, they were defended by power from above, God did watch over them; but when they fell from God, God did suffer them to fall into the hands of their enemies. There will hardly be found any precedent even among the people of God, that for so many years together they have been continually delivered from so many, so cruelly intended, so dangerous assaults. The deepest devices of malice, reaching even from hell unto hellish men upon earth have been practised against us, as this last which came from the deepness of Satan: wherein without sword or spear, without any show of warlike preparations, their hellish device was at one blow to root out religion, to destroy the state, the head with the body, the King with the stat●, the Father of our Country, the Mother of our Country, the olive branches the hopeful succession of our King, the Reverend Clergy, the Honourable Nobility, the faithful Councillors, the grave judges, the greatest part of our Knights and Gentry, the choicest Burgesses, the Officers of the Crown, Council, Signet, S●ales, and of other seats of judgement, the learned Lawyers, with an infinite number of common people, the Hall of justice, the houses of Parliament, the Church used for the Coronation of our Kings, the monuments of our former Princes, all Records of Parliament, and of every particular man's right, with a great number of charters, and other things of this nature, all these things had the devil by his agents devised at one secret blow to destroy. 
Psal. 124.  If the Lord had not been on our side, may Israel now say, if the Lord had not been on our side when men rose up against us, they had then swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us: praised be the Lord which hath not given us up a prey to their teeth, our soul is escaped as a Bird out of the snare of the Fowlers; the snare is broken, and we are delivered: our help is in the name of the Lord, which hath made heaven and earth.  
We labour against the Papists to prove our Church a true Church of God: They on the other side labour to prove themselves the only Catholic Church, and our assemblies to be, as they call them, assemblies of Heretics. God hath determined this controversy most evidently by his word, and most powerfully from heaven, by his continual protection of us, and destruction of all the wicked practices which they have attempted against us. Was there ever any cause in the world so strongly maintained on the one side, as our cause hath been? was there ever any execrable practices in the world so powerfully condemned from heaven, as their practices have been? God open their eyes, that they may see and understand that they fight against God. The Church of Rome, so long as it stood the Church of God, did never practise either by open wars, or by secret conspiracies to destroy Kings, and subvert Kingdoms: but by the preaching of God's word, by examples of piety, and sanctimony, laboured to draw the ignorant unto the knowledge and obedience of the truth: that course is now utterly forsaken of them; for how can they teach the truth to others, that are themselves in ignorance and in the shadow of death? or how can they give examples of an holy life, whose whole practice and conversation is in blood, in malice, in wicked and wretched actions? And will they never understand that they who practise such things can not inherit the Kingdom of God? cannot be the Church of God? cannot pray to God, or expect any blessing from him upon their execrable practices? there is a manifest change of their Church, and they will not see it. They ask us, when was this change, under what King, under what Emperor, under what Pope? But if they were wise, they would first inquire whether there be a change or no? and then inquire further of the time and manner of it. We say that which no man can deny, that there is a notorious change: this is evident, for the Church of old never allowed the cruelty, the impiety, the execrable wickedness which is daily practised by the great Masters of the Church of Rome, and allowed and approved by the Pope. Then there is a change, & it is evident to all. But this is a change of manners of the Church, not of the doctrines. If therefore they demand of us, how a change of the doctrines may be proved: We are able to point out from time to time that the doctrines which they have invented, were never heard of in the Church before such times as we are able to point at. Master jewel the reverend Bishop of Salisbury, for piety and learning the mirror of his time, hath made full and fair proof, that of those Articles wherein he challenged all the Learne● of the Church of Rome, not one of them was ever taught in the Church before the 〈◊〉 of Christ 600. his proofs stand unanswered to this day Though Master 〈◊〉 ha●●. done his best to examine them, who wanted neither learning nor eloquence, bu● only trut● wanting on his side, the challenge is still made good. We are also able to point to another time, before the year of Christ 1000 many of the greatest & grossest errors in popery was never taught or heard ●n the Church: as the doctrines of transubstantiation, of the real presence, as it is understood in the Church of Rome, of the Pope's power to depose Kings, and absolve their subject's f●o● their allegiance, or to war●ant their subjects to rebel ●gainst them, of he doctrines of Grace, and justification as now they are taught in the Church of Rome, of the doctrine of merits whether ex congruo, or condigro, of the seven sacraments, and many other of this nature, of which we are assured that not one of them can be proved ever to have been taught or heard of in the Church before the year of Christ one thousand. We are further able to point to another time, before which the rule of faith was never changed in the Church, this was their last attempt in the points of Doctrine, a desperate attempt against the truth. For from the Apostles time, till the Council of Trent, the rule of faith was ever held in the Church one and the same; that is, the doctrine contained in the sacred canonical Scriptures: that this only rule of faith was held in the Church till the Council of Tr●nt, it is evidently proved by the full consent of the ancient Fathers, and moreover by the confession of all Writers in the Church of Rome before the Council of Trent: such as were 
a I● cant. ca●t. serm. 30  Bernard, 
b Lib. 1. sent. dist. 1  Peter Lombard 
c In ● ad Timoth. cap. 6. et Sum. par. 1. q. 1. a●. 8.  Thomas Aquin●s, 
d In prolog Sent. q 2.  Iohann●s Scotus, 
e Praef in Sent.  Durandus, 
f Distinct. 37. c. 14.  Clemens 1. Pope, 
g 1 Sent q. 1. art. 3. cor●●l lit. H.  Cardinalis Cameracensis, 
i Dec. m: sub utraque specie.  john Gerson, 
k Locor. lib. 3. c. 29.  C●nradus Clingius, 
l Derevelat Antichr. apud Possevin Biblioth, select. lib. 2. cap. 2●.  jos. Acosta. 
m Lib 13. verbo, Scriptura.  Alfonsus de castre, and many others. To repeat the testimonies of al●, would be tedious. Let it suffice to repeat one testimony of Aquinas. wherein all the rest agree. Aquinas in the first place cited saith: Prophetarum & Apostolorum doctr●na dicitur canonica, quia est regula intellectus nostri, & ideo nullus aliter debet docere; that is, the Doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles is called canonical, because it is the rule of our understanding, and therefore no man ought to teach otherwise. And in the second place cited, he saith: Innititur fides nostra revelationi Apostolis & Prophetis factae; that is, our faith resteth upon the revelation made to the Apostles and Prophets. Then, traditions was never accounted the rule of our understanding, or that whereupon our faith must rest, though the same be more fully proved out of the Scriptures themselves, and from a full consent of the ancient Fathers, as is otherwhere manifested: yet this I thought here might suffice to declare the opinions of them that lived in the Church of Rome next before the Council of Trent, as many of these did, which I have before named. So that this is evident, the rule of faith was never altered in the Church of Rome before the Council of Trent. Then did they alter this rule, by putting traditions of their Church into the rule of faith, and Lucifer-like matching, equalizing and mating the wisdom of God with their own follies. Then all is changed, when the manners of the Church, the doctrines of the Church, and the very rule of faith is changed. What greater change may be looked for hereafter in the Church of Antichrist, I know not; but this is sufficient to move us to forsake them as the congregation of the impious, the Church of the malignant. And because they have forsaken God and his truth, therefore by the just judgement of God are they permitted to run into so many foul errors, and such wicked and execrable practices, that neither Christians nor heathen, guided only by the light of nature could ever approve. If they say, that we also have our faults and sins: I answer, that when w● turn ourselves to consider our sins against God, we all find ourselves guilty, and not able to answer one of a thousand that he ma● justly charge us withal. Our unthankfulness to him is so great for his manifold blessings, and wonderful protection; our sins we conceal not from him, we acknowledge unto God, that if he lay his rod upon us as we have deserved, if he should cast our l●nd ba●ke again into that former blindness wherein it lay in popery, God is just, we have d●serued great punishments. But if we turn ourselves unto another consideration, comparing our religion with theirs, our practices with theirs, than I say, though we cannot justify ourselves before God, yet are we able to justify ourselves in respect of them. Let our enemies be our judges. When evil is committed among us, it is punished, and therein we rejoice, that evil is punished. It was never found that execrable practices were approved by us, for that were to forsake religion: but the most wicked practices that have been heard of, are not only committed by them, but approved, yea and commended: as the kill of Henry 3. of France was practised by a Friar, and commended by the Pope. These be the sins that do ripen them for God's judgements. For the time will come when great Babylon shall come in remembrance before the Lord, 
Apoc. 16. 19  to give unto her the cup of Wine of the fierceness of his wrath: and again, therefore shall her plagues come at one day, death, 
Apoc. 18. 8.  and sorrow, and famine, and she shall be burnt with fire; for strong is the Lord God which will condemn her. In the mean time we wait upon God, and we do in humbleness of heart offer up to God the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, that it pleased him of his goodness and unsearchable mercies towards us, to call us out of Babylon, to give us hearts to obey his calling, to make choice of this Church which himself hath planted in Great Britain, to enable it to stand against all the furious rage and wicked practices of the Pope and his adherents.   

The Conclusion.  
Some Considerations proposed to such as are not well affected to Religion.  
1 KIngs and States, when they are miraculously protected by the hand of God, and delivered from great dangers, may understand what blessing they have by a Church planted in their State. The Church bringeth the blessing to the State: because God regardeth them that are faithful to him, and for their fakes blesseth the whole.  
2 This Church that bringeth such a blessing to States, is much questioned now, where it is, and how to find it: for diverse strive for it, and the true Church is but One.  
3 That is t●e true Church that hath h●●d the ru●e of Fa●th, from the Apostles time: That is the false Church, that ha●h changed that ru●e.  
4 Who hold this rule, and who n●t, may be known by the holy Doctrines contained in the Scripture, ex consanguinitate doctrinae.  
5 Learning is necessary to enable a man to judge aright of these th●●gs: but Learning may be also in men that are corrupt and ungodly. And therefore a man can never be we●l ●nabled to judge of these things, without the Spirit of God directing his Learning.  
6 Th● true Church is ruled by the Spirit of God, and preserved from errors and heresies, against which the gates of hell shall not prevail:  
7 A lay man, that hath the Spirit of God, is better able to judge of the Church, and of the members thereof▪ than a man in Ecclesiastical function, that hath not the Spirit of God.  
8 They that are contentious, seditious, cruel●, malicious, unclean, adulterers, idolaters, murt●er●rs, or such like, have not the Spirit of God The reason is evident, because these, and such like, are the fruits of the flesh, contrary to the fruits of the spirit.  
9 From these principles if the Princes that are of the Romish religion wou●d be pleased to examine Themselves, their Religion, their best learned and religious men, their Doctrines, their Practices; ●hey might b● a ●enerous search easily find w●ere is God's Church, and where is God's Spirit.  
10 Withal they may be pleased to consider the Works of God, his protection and miraculous defence of his Church; which miraculous defence hath appeared here over the Church of England, as also elsewhere; but more conspicuous here, more illustrious examples of God's mercy will hardly be found any where: God hath for many years delivered this Church, preserved us in peace when all the nations about us have been in bloody wars.  
11 It cannot be proved that God did ever in such manner, and so many ways defend a Nation, but only there where he had a people of his own, his true Church.  
12 It can never be proved that they that profess and practise malice, cruelty, sedition, idolatry, and such other works of the flesh, are the true Church of Christ.  
13 They that make falsehood their refuge, and hide themselves under vanity, have no cause to boast themselves to be the Catholic Church. If we should rehearse the strange lies which they have invented against Luther, Calvin, Beza, against deuers reverend Bishops, whereof some are departed, some yet living, against the Church and State of England, it would fill a Book to speak of their particular lies. They understand wel● enough whom they serve herein, their practice is to lie, their hope is that every lie cannot be examined by the common people, they care not though it be found out to be a lie by some, so it be not found by the multitude, whom to de●ciue is their chief care; not respecting God, nor truth, nor God's Church, which is the pillar of truth, and may not be maintained with lies.  
14 How the Pope, the Jesuits, the whole Church of Rome is well known by the fruits of the flesh, and how the fruits of the spirit of God could never for these many hundreth years be observed in them, I leave to the consciences of all to consider, but especially to the great judge that must judge them and us. Whose blessed and joyful coming, the true Church doth love and wait-for in faith and patience.  
FINIS.   

Errata.  
In the summary cap. 14. for who enforced the Bishop, r. who informed the Bishop. Page 11. for Excommunicate, r. Excommunication. p. 4. ●. for swear, r. swore p. 76 for did tore, r. did tear. p. 78. for othermen, r. other means. p. 166. for all Mellifont, r. at Mellifont. p. 206. for out of his conscience, r. out of his confession.