HUMBLE MOTIVES FOR ASSOCIATION TO MAINTAIN RELIGION ESTABLISHED.  
Published as an antidote against the pestilent treatises of secular Priests.  
Virtus unita valet.  
IMPRINTED 1601.   


A petition to the Queen, for assotiation in religion.  
There be as seemeth unto me (Most gracious Sovereign) by the law of God, by the law of nature, and by the law of nations, 3 things in duty to be exhibited by the subjects to the magistrate, viz. Honour, Obedience, and Defence. For the magistrates, (as they are rightly termed by Homer) the Guides Leaders, and Nourishers of the people. The are, as Plato calleth them) saviours Keepers & Preservers of the people, They are as Aristotle saith alivyugc law, and the law▪ without them a ● dumb and dead magistracy. So that the magistrate being the life of the law, & the law the life of the common wealth, in the safety of the magistrate must needs consist the safety of the common wealth. This seems to me to have been the cause, that the common laws of this realm, have ordained grievous punishments for such as should endanger the lives of principal magistrates. A● 25. Fdw. 3. It is laid down, that if a man slay the L. Chancellor, L. Treaserer, justices of either bench, justices in Oyer, justices of assize, or justices assigned to here and determine, being in there place doing their, office, that such offence is Treason. If then their hath been and aught to be so great care and providene for the preservation and safety of these inferior magistrates in respect, how much more should their be in the establishing of the safety and security of the superior power and most supreme magistracy, from whose throne and estate all other authorities are derived, and by whose privation they be all extinguished. Such is the cause we now deal with, even the defence, preservation, and safety, of your most excellent majesty: A princes of such perelesnes and singularity, as meriteth no less to be regarded of all men for private singularity, than honoured for public function. For if the force and strength of virtue be such, that the only show and shadow of it hath that marvelous and magnetical attraction, that it draweth unto it the hearts and minds of infinite people, as plainly appeareth in the ancient nobles both greeks & romans who wanting the true knowledge of God from whose divine majesty all virtues do proceed as from the fountain and to whose glory they ought all to be directed as to the ●mall scope, and had in them rather form and figure then any matter of substance of true virtue: what in explicable effects doth pure, perfect, and sincere virtue bring to pass, being adorned with the true knowledge of God, settled in a seat most royal in the eyes and sight of all nations to the wonder and admiration of the world, to the singular benefit of sundry countries, to the joy of the godly, and to the praise▪ honour, and glory of God. These things appearing most plainly in your majesties most royal person, cannot but draw unto it most effectually, the hearts and minds of all good and virtuous, who to their inestimable joy, do confess and acknowledge your highness▪ for the rarest Princess in the world: for the life and light of your land, and for the sacred fountain (next under God,) of all their felicity: so far exceeding the ancient princes before mentioned, as true virtue doth the counterfeit, and as far as endless glory perpetuated by eternity, surpasseth perrishing fame, consumed by time. They traveled for there own glory which was false, fading and momentary, your Majesty seeking the glory of God, shall assuredly be crowned with eternal glory. But to enter into rehearsal of your highness most singular ornaments of mind and body, of art and nature, of grace & fortune, I mean not, nor may not. It is too deep a sea for me to wade in: too large a field for me to walk in. therefore, sith thereof speak as I ought I cannot: as I can, I will not. As in the one I acknowledge it my weakness and imbecility, so in the other I am lead by discretion and judgement. For in the resplendeny of your excellency, vain were it in me, & frivolous (in uttering my slender conceit,) to light as it were a candle to discover the Sun. But whatsoever we can, let us do it in your service: whatsoever we may, let us devise for your safety.  
The safety of your Majesty doth most consist in preservation of your most royal person, and of your estate. Your person and estate are best preserved by cutting off the perils that would most annoy them. The estate of your highness is a free monarchy, a sovereign and absolute power, and authority instituted and ordained of God: for the defence of the good, and punishment of the evil, and for the government of all in piety and justice.  
This your sovereign estate is dangerously impeached with the peril of your person by the endeavour to bring in the tyranny, superiority, and supremacy of a foreign Prelate: whose riches in times past, hath been our poverty: whose puisance, our terror: whose doctrine, our destruction. These are are they that loath manna, and long for the flesh-pots of Egeipt: that love the tongue of the Chaldees, better than the language of Canaan: that madded with malice, or blinded with error, take Sedom for Zion, and Babel for jerusalem. Of these people we are to observe two things, They end whereat they shoot, and the mean they use to attain to that end.  
The end for which they would advance their tyranny, is, that thereby they might enjoy their groves and hill altars, that thereby they might honour again the whole host of heaven, and that thereby they might return again to their superstitious Idolatry & blasphemous religion.  
The means whereby they would accomplish it, is, the death of your majesty, and the erecting of a favouring successor, whereunto tend all their devices. This is their drift and practice while there remaineth in them any spark of hope to attain to this end, or any conceit (I will not say of probability) but of possibility to achieve it. what law soever we make to punish them they will still persist in their pernicious practisses, and your majesties most sacred person shall still remain in peril. But if your majesty cut off their hope, and make it apparently impossible for their religion ever to take place in this realm, their endeavour will forthwith surcease, the state willbe clear from their devices, and your majesty freed from danger.  
The only way in mine opinion to extinguish their hopes, and thereby their practices, and so consequently the peril of your most sacred person, is, to establish a firm continuance & perpetuation of the substance and sincerity of doctrine now professed in this realm, which me thinks is sensible, and is to be done by general laws▪ by general league, and by general oath. To which end it it would be enacted, that all gentlemen, magistrates, and possessioners within this realm shall take the oath of association, for the defence and perpetuation of religion now publicly professed within this realm. And that the oath of supremacy be ministered with like addition to all men generally within this realm, from the age of 16▪ years upwards, twice every year, by the majors and governors of cities, towns, and corporations, & by stewards and other officers in manors and lordships in their countries, and their leets & ●aw days. And if they refuse to enter into such league or oath, that every such person shallbe holden and reputed as suspected, and shallbe thereby disabled to bear any office or authority in this common wealth, and shall also be bound to his good behaviour, sequestered from all his armour and weapons, and (if he be possessed of lands within this realm) shall yearly pay unto your majesty the fourth part thereof. This pain & such others as your majesty shall like of to endure, during his obstanacie, and upon his conformity to cease.  
By this means, their hope being taken a way, I make no doubt but their practice will end. But so long as their hope endureth, they will never give over their devilish attempts. If Brutus had not hoped to set Rome at liberty, he had never conspired the death of Cesar. If Phocas had not hoped to obtain the imperial dignity, he had not slain his master M●uritius. If the papists hoped not to establish here their religion, they would not practise the death of your majesty▪ then let us put them out of all hope, lest they put us out of all help. For most true is that saying of Plutarch, In ●acinoroses lenitas est in bonos cradelitas.  
But it willbe perhaps objected, that this course is dangerous: and that under pretence of remedying a future peril, it draweth upon us a present mischief. The harm that there by is to be doubted, is, from the papists▪ If from them, it is either by exasperating their will, or by increasing of their power, their will cannot be worse in this their extreme discontentment. Nothing can be added to their malice whether your majesty beholdeth the head or the members (if so gracious an eye may behold so vile an object): you shall easily discover their spite & rancour to be already in the highest degree. The Pope hath sent out against your highness his flame and thunderbolts of excommunication full of falsehood and fury, of bitterness and ignominy. His will therein hath been to deprive your majesty of your estate, government, life, crown, and dignity. He hath practised to draw unto himself favourers & followers within our realm: to discharge your subjects of duty and aleadgeance they owe unto you: to withdraw them from your obedience, and to draw them unto his.  
To this end he sent, first his Agnus Dei, than his grana benidicta, and such other treacherous baits, the ways of his trade. then next his bulls. threats, and excommunications, as the fire of his fury. And now last of all (if ever his practices will have end) their jesuits and Seminary priests▪ the most fine & subtle Brokers of Babylon. By this means he hath stirred tumults in your land▪ He hath alured your subeictes to disloyalty, & induced some to actual rebellion, & some parts he hath invaded with his forces: the members following the direction of the head have assisted his attempts both at home and abroad: some by words, some by wrighting▪ and some by action: and all by will seek to advance his authority & tyranny against your majesties most royal titles. They have touched (though with invalidity) your most sacreed person▪ they have conspired with treachery, against your pure and sincere religion. they have charged us with bloodiness & tyranny: they have spoken it, they have written it they have published it, they have died in it and can their will be worse? yea▪ but some of them acknowledge you to be for their lawful sovereign, and have both spoken & written very honourably of your most rare & singular excellencies. what then? shall we think that their malice is the less, because your virtue is the more: we may as well think, that the Devils did not generally hate Christ, because some of them did confess him to be the son of God.  
Great is the force of truth, and often driveth the adversary to acknowledge it. And great is the subtlety of sathan, who somtims speaketh that that is true, because he would be believed in that that is false. The papists as ungracious herein as their grandfather, do sometimes acknowledge your most singular virtues, but then effectually when they persuade some point of their religion, or inveigh against some noblemen that are about you, mixing their gall with honey that it may the rather be received▪ and mingling their falsehood with that verity, that it may the sooner be believed. A trick in truth of their treachery, and no sign at all of their loyalty. So leaving their evil will at the worse, not possible to be augmented, we will consider of their power, whether that may be increased.  
The power and strength of any people or multitude, is to be augmented by one of thes 4. ways. 1 By addition or number. 2. by supply of necessaries. 3 by advantage of place. 4. by order of government. And as by these means it is increased, so by the contratraries it is ●●●●nished. Now if I show your Majesty 〈…〉 their power shallbe increased by no one of thes ways, but shallbe lesened by all their contraries: I hope I shall sufficiently double this point, & so procure clear passage to my persuasion. that this may more manifesly appear, let me present unto your Majesty, the whole number of your subjects divided into 4 bands.  

1. Protestants of religion.  
2. Protestants of state.  
3. Papists of state.  
4. Papists of religim.   
The first are constant and faithful unto your highness: the 2. wavering: the 3. perilous▪ the 4. pernicious. the first serve you for love, the 2. for hope, the 3. for fashion, the 4. for fear. the corruption of the 1. breedeth the 2 the corruption of the 2 breedeth the 3. the corruption of the 3. breedeth the 4. than the which nothing can be more corrupt: they being altogether possessed with the dregs of popery, wherein the more gross the more ungracious. the have their conversion also in assent. For of the subtlest part of the 4. is engendered the 3. of the subtlest part of the the 3. is engendered the 2. of the purest & best part of the 2. is engendered the first. The 1 & 4. are mere opposites, having their centres most contrary, even heaven & hell, light and darkness, truth and falsehood, Christ & antichrist. the 2 and 3 are intermidie▪ the 2. in part inclining to the 1, in part declining to the 3 the 3 in part declining to the 4: in part assendinge to the 2. the more the 1. and 2. are increased, the more is your safety. the more the 3 & 4. are augmented, the more is your peril. Out of thes 2. and 3. the increase of the 1▪ and 4 must grow. for they are as it were two heaps of stones that must go to the building either of Zion or Babel. Their progresses, or dispositions are wrought or stayed, hastened or slowed by certain motives or motiones: & they are of 2. sorts, external or internal. the external motives on the on sid be doctrine & discipline the on the word of life, the other the work of law: the on the sheepards voice, the other the sheepards hook▪ the on in the mouth of the minister, the other in the hand of the magistrate: in the one is contained the preaching of the truth, in the other all good laws for the establishment and maintenance their of. The external motives on the other side, is the doctrine of error and superstition: the policies and practices of impiety.  
The internal motives are of two sorts, natural, and supernatural. the supernatural motives on the one side, is the operation of the holy ghost: on the other side, the suggestions & subtleties of sathan. the natural motive is appetitio boni. How the 2 and 3 band, that is to say, the protestants of estate and papists of estate, establish their summum bonum in this world▪ and define it to be a life lead in wealth: pleasure reputation and authority. In the appetition hereof they both agree. In the acquisition they vary. For, the papists of estate: conceiving great brittlement and uncertainty in the course of this present government which he supposeth cannot long last, for that he desireth to have his summum bonum perdurable, he will not hazard it in this present, but will now lay his foundation long before, to enjoy it in the future. to that end he will now be a favourer to papists of religion: he will retain some of them that be most famous or rather most infamous on this side and beyond the seas: he will give some token of present discontentment: he will incur the displeasure of some great man of the estate that favoureth the contrary, and he will do whatsoever else may make him a man of note, whereby he may notably be accepted off in the future.  
The protestant of estate (thinking it tedious to tarry, and frutlesse to trust to dead men's shoes,) resolveth to taste of the present sweet, offereth his service in most dutiful sort unto your majesty, frameth himself unto the time, assocyateth himself with such as are protestants of religion, in sinuateth himself into the favour of some great man that is favourer thereof, hopeth to attain wealth, reputation and authority thereby, & herewith becometh a serviceable member of the estate, though as yet no true member of the church. But for that he submitteth himself unto the external motives it is to be hoped that in time he willbe inwardly and effectually called, and so made a member of the mystical body of Christ: for out of these gentiles is gathered the Israel of God▪ and as the despair of the future and hope of the present produceth protestants of estate, so despair of the present & hope of the future producerh papists of estate, now if the hope of the future be taken away, and all means used for the perpetuation of the present, there is no doubt but all papists of estate will become protestants of estate.  
For sith they establish their summum bonum in this world, thither their inward motive of appetitio boni must needs bring them.  
It is not unprobable, that of the papists in this land, the 4 part are not papists of religion. The rest then (being papists of estate) being by this law taken from them, their power must needs remain much weakened by this lessening of their number. Moreover, for that the papists of religion at this present stand furnished with I credict and authority, 2 wealth and ability, 3 weapons and furniture, so that they may draw followers by the one, wage them by the other, & arm them by the 3: we by this law shall be reave them of the 1, impair the 2 with the increase of your majesties treasury, & take clean from them the 3. Further, whereas some of them at this present, publicly stand in offices of credit and commodity as it were in sorts and places of advantage, some others lie hid as it were in the ambush of their dissimulation and trenches of treachery ready through all loop holes of opportunity to annoy us: we by this law shall remove the 1, discover the 2, and draw out both unto the open view, where being warned of them we may be armed for them.  
Lastly, whereas heretofore they have cast up their account, booked their catholic gentlemen, measured their forces, had intelligence with our enemies, sounded our havens marshaled by their practices, and (like Catilynes) assigned every of us, your faithful subjects to the slaughter: we shall by this mean● take from them their main battle, unfurnish and disarm the residue, displant them from their places of advantage, break their rout & disorder them in their arrays. Thus far are we from increasing hereby their power. Sith than it plainly appeareth that they shall every way be weakened herewith, It resteth that I prove unto your majesty, that their weakening shallbe your strengthening▪ and that this law shallbe your safety. What harm soever may grow unto your highness must springe out of one or more of these 3 causes, either from the practices of adversaries abroad, or from the spite of your subjects at home, or from the might of your successor either abroad or at home. The for train enemies of your Majesty are the Roman Prelates and their faction, whose perpetual practices have been to compass their deaths, whose lives did withstand their purposes. The examples hereof are infinite, whether your highness way the acts of their public hostility, or of their private treachery For by either of both those means have. they wrought the ruin of many renowned personages, against whose lives they would never have attempted aught, had they not hoped to have been gainers by their deaths. Now when it shall appear unto them, that by your majesties decease, no private or public utility to them or to their church shall accrue, (by means of this law) it shallbe a repercussive to all their practices: which▪ being but an effect of their hope, by this frustrating thereof, will clean be extinguished.  
The spite of your subjects, must grow by discontentment. The most discontented men of your realm, are papists of religion, and papists of estate. The one solaceth his soul, the other comforeth his mind in your ruin. the one accounpteth that hereby he shall enjoy the liberty of his conscience, advancement of his fa●●ion, establishing of his faith, the other hopeth thereby to possess his so much expected good, and his worldly long looked for felicity.  
Of which expectation being by this law bereaved, the one of them will clean give over his course: the other will see that he hath no cause to wish the shortinge of your days, sith it will not be available for the attaining of his desire.  
The mightiest in succession (as your Majesty knoweth) are they whose alliance, kind red, and confederacies are for the most part with papists: whose faction being great, strong, and mighty abroad, it standeth your excellency upon, somuch the more to wraken it at home, and thereby to provide an inward strength against an outward force. whereas otherwise your state shall seem to depend upon the will of your successor, a most unsure foundation, & perilous, sith so easily it may be altered with ambition, and the desire of a kingdom which knoweth no kindred, with the which, whensoever it shall be inflamed, their foreign forces shall not be so dangerous unto your majesty, as the party they have within the realm, if it be of strength, whom, the fervent desire of a third thing will join to the foreign, in such a knot of indissoluble society, as in all probability will prove perilous and dangerous to your highness. But this law established, your successors shall perceive themselves so cut off, from all strong party within your land, that they shall thereby be greatly discouraged from any such ambitious attempts. For taking view of your whole subjects they shall find either protestants of religion their most mortal enemies, if they attempt any thing against your majesty: or else protestants of estate, men that will not alter their present contentment for an uncertain innovation: or else papists of religion, who, being but few in number, discontented, and disarmed, without either followers or furniture, will rather daunt their spirits with their nakedness, then encourage them with their power.  
The estate of your subjects being brought to this pass, it is in your majesty, by a better learned and more painful ministry, and by severe discipline, as it were by motives more effectual, mightily to increase the first, daily to diminish the second & third, and to propulse the relapsses of either, to the great increasing of the church of God, the great strengthing and safeguard of your estate, and to the salvation of infinite souls. Sith than this law can breed no peril to your highness at home, but willbe the ground & cause of much strength and securities unto your Majesty: it remaineth to be considered how that mighty faction of papists will digest it abroad.  
Their power assuredly, it can no way increase, and their will (I persuade myself) it cannot exasperate, being already at the very worst and extremest point of discontentment. But if it did, I know right well that the fortitude and magnanimity of your kingly mind would little esteem it, and utterly despise it. And if it should come to pace in your majesties days, that the princes of Meshech and Tubal, the forces of Gomer & the house of Toggarmah out of the north, should confederate together (as it is rehearsed in Ezekiell chapter 38. and recapitulated by S. john) and should say one to the other, we will go up to the land of unwalled villages to them that be at rest, which dwell safely dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates, even to the land which bath been tossed with the sword, and is now gathered together of many nationes, which have gotten cattle and goods & dwell safe: we will go, together to spoil a pray, to get a booty to take away silver and gold, to carry away cattle and goods, and to have a great prey: yet, whensoever they shall put the same in execution, it is prophesied and promised, that the sword of the Lord shallbe upon them in all the mountains of Israel.  
By this law let us make ourselves an unmovable mountain of Israel, for the sword of the Lord willbe upon his enemies▪ not in the sands, nor in the seas, but in the mountains of Israel. If we be neither hot nor cold, but lukewarm, and so rather frozen then fervent: when the Lord shall taste us in to his judgement, he will void us out of the mouth of his majesty. But if we be a mountain of Israel, the sword of the Lord willbe with us against our enemies: with pestilence & blood will he plead against them: storms rain, and hailstones: and upon all that great people that is with them. Thus will he be magnified, sanctified, and known in the eyes of many nations, & they shall know that he is the Lord. This constancy, this zeal in the Lord's cause, this perpetuation of high: truth to our posterity, is a part of duty acceptable to God: it is a mean (as it were) that draweth upon us his great, singular, and manifold blessings: which notably appeareth in that excellent testimony that God giveth of the integrity of Abraham gen. 18. 19▪ know this also (saith the Lord) that Abraham will command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, that they may do justice and judgement: that the Lord may brings upon Abraham the blessings that he hath promised.  
I doubt not, but what the divine majesty knew herein of Abraham the father of the faithful, he knoweth the same likewise of your highness a mother in Issraell, a motherly estate that excludeth not perpetual virginity: and an heavenly estate, that includeth eternal felicity; I doubt not (I say) but the Lord knoweth this also, that Queen Elizabeth will command her subjects and her servants after her to keep the way of the lord, to do justice and judgement: that the Lord may bring upon Queen Elizabeth the blessings that he hath purposed.  
This law and commandment of God, (to keep the way of the lord, to maintain and perpetuate his truth and doctrine to our posterity,) is that which we most humly and fervently desire at the hands of God, and of your Majesty. It standeth with his glory; we crave it of his goodness: It standeth with your safety: we crave it of your wisdom.  
FINIS. By Thomas Diggs Gentleman.   

To the most Reverend Archbishops, and right reverend Lord Bishops of both provinces.  
I am occasioned (right reverend Fathers) or rather provoked to publish this petition (long since penned▪ but whether delivered accordings to the pretence I know not) by the Papists their packing to make Burgisses for this Parliament, by their earnestness against the former Bill for xi●d to be had of such, as without convenient cause should not be present (at least on Sundays) at divine service or preaching of God's word, in some Church or Chapel, & by their publishing beokes (more than a good many) pretending a controversy between secular Priests and jesuits, but intending to make way (at least) for a toler-ation of popery which they hoped (and so gave out throughout the realm) to obtain by this parliament.  
I call them papists who were so earnest against that bill: For, who but papists would pronounce that penalty to be extreme, plead that people are not to be compelled, but persuaded to come to Church: & doubt whether lay men may meddle in any Church matter. But their popish and dangerous end (discovered hereafter) ●oth manifesse them to be papists though some of them disclaimed that name, and yet are not thereby justified. For Dolman saith that papists and puritans would not be so called, But did they deny themselves to be Romish Catholics? Whatsoever they pretend, I freely confess that the end of my publishing this petition is, by putting this motion for Association to preserve religion established, into the heads of wise and religious men, to occasion something to be thought of, whereby the hope of the Papists might be utterly frustrated.  
I present it to your Lordships by name, as to them who have will and power to prevent the purpose of the Papists, and to further so good a motion as this. I will not discourse against toleration, sith I wright to your Fatherhoods, who (out of your profession) can best tell, that it is a principal clause of the new covenant, that there should be but one Shepherd, and one sheepfould, one God, & one way. So that, they are no sound gospelers, that hearken to a toleration of Antichristianity under a most christian Queen, who hath suffered for the gospel both subject & sovereign.  
But good my Lords give me leave to say somewhat for Association in this petition persuaded: and the rather, because, in these printed babbles and brabbles, the Papists endeavour to make civil war between the best christians, that is (as Dolman divides and describes them) Protestant's, viz. such as depend upon ecclesiastical dignities, and Puritans, viz. such as pretend perfection in religion. Call to mind (right reverend) the course of times, & remember, that when the Earl of Leicester lived, it went for currant, that all Papists were Traitors in action, or affection. He was no sooner dead, But Sir Christopher Hatton (noted by Philopater, for public, and bitter invectives, against papists, being one himself) he bearing sway. Puritan were trounced, and traduced as troublers of the state: Presently after his death, there comes forth (by means of the late Lord Treasurer) a proclamation, and commissions throughout the land to inquire for Priests, for their receivers, recusants: and such like, lest if they were not looked unto betime, the informations which were sent to Rome, and Spain of the number, and readiness of prepared papists, should prove too true, at the spanish second invasion then intended.  
But now that that Lord Treasurer is gone, and the Earl of Essex, through his fatal error, taken away, the cry is: Priests be tolerable men, but Puritan may not be abidden. Remember (I say: and pray) these things: And consider, Whether a Snake lurks not under the grass, and whether there be not some crafty Sinon of Sir Christopher Hattons stamp, (as it is imprinted by Philopater) who maketh way to these Trojan horses, the popish Books. If this may be supposed, I beseech your Lordships enter into this further consideration, that if division between protestants and puritans be avialable for Popery, the contrary must needs be good for the preservation of religion established▪ But if it may please your Lordships to give me leave, to signify the cause, why they thus persuade the oppression of puritans, I doubt not, but that ye will fear his fear, who said: Timeo Danaos vel dona ferentes, and suspect the persuasion of such enemies, as with whom it is a ground of policy (as well in peace as in war) Dolus an virtus, quis in host requirit, and a Constant Canon: that faith is not to be kept with here tiques. The cause is sufficiently bewrayed in the wardword, and answer to a jesuited gentleman, to wit: that whereas they take the puritans to be their greatest opposites, they would have them (especially known professors) to be kept down. Quousque? while the catholic parttie (to use their own words) may have some sway in the balance with them. In which cause, let us observe three things.  
First they pretend to hold only the puritans for their opposites, As if your Lordships could be content to give way to their toleration, and yet they cannot but take knowledge (and that with some signification of their feeling) of that worthy Prelate the Lord Bishop of Duresme his godly exhortation at Paul's cross against toleration, they cannot but (in their Quodlibets) scornfully term the godly sermon of that reverend father the Bishop of Chester a preachment, & report him to be a puritans for inveighing against them at Paul's cross, equallyas against the jesuits. and they cannot but join (even in these Books) Caluinists with Puritans, Now this word Caluinists comprehendeth Protestant's as well as Puritans, So that we may gather, that (when their time serveth) they will speak out that, which Bristol in his motives writeth, viz. That we are all puritans in heart. But your Lordships are wise to conclude, that if the Admirant of Arragon spared the papists no more than other in the borders of Germany, & if it be true (which the priests now report) That the Duke of Medina said, that if he had prevailed against England with his invincible Armado. He would have spared papists no more than protestants, but make way for his master. Then they will not spare your Lordships, in their golden or bloody day; though ye should plead never so earnestly, that ye are L. Bishops, and no puritans.  
To this end is the second note to be observed. to wit, that known professors are specially aimed at. And here I pray you remember, that Edward Squire was sent to poison her Majesty (whom God preserve) as well as the Earl of Essex: Is our gracious Queen a puritan? Nay was the Earl a puritan, who was lead by Papists in his sinful attempt, and at his arraignment misliked puritans opinion touching Church government. No no, it is evident, that all be puritans with them, which stand for the gospel. And therefore Dolman in his epistle, doth cunningly insinuate, & advise to make the Earl away: as if he had written to this effect. If her Majesty were dead, we were not a whit the nearer our purpose, so long as Essex is in place▪ But if we could be rid of him, there were none of like policy, valour, resolution, authority, and savour with the people, to hold the protestāns together against the Infanta▪ and popery. According to which in sinuation (for a sign is as good as a sentence to prepared minds) friends of Spain (when Squires poison failed) working upon the Earl's impatiency, by means and devices drew him to that attempt of making a forcible way to present his ereifes to her Majesty. This is held for truth S. Robert Cicill avouching as much at Cuffs arraignment) howsoever the answerer to the jesuited gentleman dare swore (contrary to that which is published by authority and commonly known) that papists partakers in the Earls disastrous action, were drawn they knew not where unto, and yet none but papists were appointed toward the utter court gate, the hall, and presence, and to keep the Honourable personages, whom her Majesty sent to the Earl, and none but such cried, kill them, kill them, cast the great Seal out of the window etc. Well the Lord of Lords preserve the L. Mountioy, from the like devilish practices of the friends of Spain.  
The third thing to be considered (as a most dangerous matter) is, that the papists discover aminde to make themselves strong enough, to encounter the Puritans, that is, all that stand in their way as hath been showed, to which end, their designs have respect, as shall be some what showed hereafter.  
But it may be objected, that this contention between secular Priests and jesuits, cannot but cause a disunion amongst the lay Papists, and therefore weaken their party. I would grant the conclusion, if I could believe the premises, viz. that there were such a contention indeed, & that thereby the lay Papists were divided. It may be, there was some heart burning (at the first) occasioned by the jesuits ambition, and desire of authority over the Priests, But now advantage is made of this pretended continuance by dispensation, that: our fearful eyes, & troubled thoughts being set upon the jesuits: the Priests may be less feared, and more favoured, as I am persuaded by these probabilities.  
First if the Pope can dispense with Papists their being ministers in our Churches, provided they maintain some one point of popery or other, with their being Magistrates in our common wealth, provided they (under hand) hinder proceedings against papists: and (at the motion of Parsons and Campion) with their being (in show) obedient subjects not withstanding the Bull of Pius▪ Quintus to the contrary, provided they be ready to rebel, when time shall serve, Is it unlikely that he will dispense with this pretended contention, where by he may hope to advance his popery more than by forcible means: and the rather if the jesuits advise the same, which (it may be) they have done. For they be known machevillists, and therefore carcles what they do, so they may bring their principal desire to pass: they are few in England, and not easily found out: they know that any thing willbe received against them, & yet impair their credii no more than it was before, because of the general prejudice against them, and if their credit were hereby somewhat wounded, they can heal themselves when they will, and (perhaps) by the Scorpion's tale that wounded them. But if the Infanta prevail, they may make account to be glorified for their practices against this state, as Thomas Becket was, for his treacherous dealing against King Henry the second.  
Again I cannot see how it can be possible, that Priests should be faithful to the synagogue of Rome, and continue in favour with the Pope, and yet (without dispensation) publish (& that amongst us) these volems, wherein their holy Father is somewbat touched, his darlings the jesuits shamefully traduced, and all the treasonable practices of papists against our state, (in sundry Popish discourses heretofore refuted as fictions and devices be now granted de facto, but laif (forsooth) upon jesuits: and there jesuited complices, that is (as time will manifest) all Priests & papists. For the priests themselves complain (even in these Books) if ye will believe them) that lay papists (in a manner) fail them, for the jesuits sake, and it is strange, that Seminary priests, who in their supplication to her Majesty, printed An no. 1595. do glory that Cardinal Allen (that persuader & justifier of the spanish invasion in 88) was their ●ounder: & that they were brought up under the jesuits, should be now at deadly feud with them? No no, their excessive writing (as if they did not believe themselves) will ever be thought but counterfeit quarreiting, except by their means, the Archprist, or some of the jesuits be brought to their trial. And the rather: because the jesuits, who want neither stomach nor means, play mum budget though they be so notoriously provoked▪  
Thirdly it is to be observed, that this devise to lay all treasonable practices upon the jesuits was never put in execution before now. Indeed▪ a follower of S. Christopher Hatton conceived such a matter long since, Which, with like devices, may (perhaps) be displayed, when all these Popish Books be abroad, In mean while, may it please your Lordships to remember: that the jesuits (and Father Parsons by name) be justified as by the wardword not long since published by H. H. and not by Parsons as I have credibly heard: and by sundry treatises of particular persons, so by the general commendation of Priests in their supplication before mentioned. Wherefore then (at the farthest) it may be understood, that the Priests (as is confessed in the preface to the Quodlibets) were willing not only to colour & conceal but also to make the jesuits their attempts, and practices their own in every thing. Which being so, It cannot be true▪ That the priests discarded jesuits & their practices: when they were equally entangled by penal laws, as in the said preface it is insinuated, but without praise to the priests, who stuck to the jesuits so long at least. For all those penal laws were in execution before the imprinting of that supplication. Nay, sith by the proclamation, which they would refute by that supplication, they are charged with treasonable practices, why did not they then lay load on the jesuits, to ease their own shoulders? So that it seemeth to me more than evident that this devise is but a new point of popish policy.  
Moreover, It is not to be forgotten. That Squire confessed, that Walpoole the jesuit remitted him to Doctor Bagshaw (one of these Priests) for direction in his poisonful affair, and that Priests (who dare swore as is aforesaid) can contrary themselves when they will for a purpose.  
For when the Scotish Queen lived, than her title was the clearest, but after her death none but the Infanta hath right to this crown, and Allen (founder of the Seminaries) found fault with Saunders and Bristol for justifying the rebellion in the North, by Pope Pius his Bull, and yet the same Allen justified S. W. Stanley his betraying Deventer, by the same Bull.  
Lastly if this contention be hearty and not politic, I marvel there should be so great an agreement among the lay Papists, considering the pretended contention hath been long, and (in show) is to too vehement, the jesuits be few, and the Priests many, & well maintained in prison, and abroad (notwithstanding the said pretended complaining) the jesuits are known to be for the Infanta, and the aid of 30000. Papists, is said to have been offered the Scottish King, (whom they would gull by these pamphlets) if he would promise toleration.  
If I be demanded, what end beyond the forbeareing of Priests (a matter of no great moment) may be supposed worthy a stratagem so strange, mine answer is ready, to wit. The Priests (not maintained by the Pope, & spanish King in Seminaries for nought) have promised to aid foreign forces (when they shallbe landed) with forty thousands: as S. Robert Cicill reported this Parliament. That this may be made good, The work of reconciling to the Pope must needs be applied, and therefore all hands must be set on work, that priests therefore, (who are most in number) may ply their business, and be less looked unto, it seemeth good in policy, to turn the eyes of the magistrate, and edge of the sword upon some, and none so fit as the jesuit & Puritan already in disgrace with the state. Here (by the way) it may be inquired, why they join puritans with jesuits: I answer, to fill our heads & hands the fuller of fear and work, and peradventure, to trump in the puritans way, lest they be likewise tolerated (as reason is) if the papists hap (as the priests hope) to obtain toleration. But to return to the matter, I remember a distinction in a certain position maintained before the late Earl of Huntiugdon: That howsoever Priests are executed (indeed) for affirming the Pops primacy, and reconciling to the Church of Rome (which are parts of their priestly function) yet they are not executed for these parts as they are religious, but as they be dangerous to the state, in civil consideration. The reason is evident, For if Dolman make account of country people as of papists & partisans, though they be not absolute papists, but only (for want of that teaching which is in good towns) profess to believe, as their Fathers believed: what account is to be made of reconciled Papists? What? let the rebellion of the North & bloody stirs in Ireland make it more than manifest to our state, that the Pops Bull can quickly beget rebels and traitors, where the gospel is not effectually preached▪ much more where popery is tolerated, but most of all where reconciling is looked to but through the fingers. And if papists remembering (belike) Dolmans opinion, that they by reason of such country people, be most likely to dispose of the crown, were so earnest against the said Bill for coming to Church before mentioned, knowing, that by due execution of the penalty of xijd. the common sort would be drawn to the Church much more than by the penalty of xxl. and thereby the popish party greatly diminished, no marvile though this stratagem be used that priests may more freely with less fear, reconcile, thereby to increase the Popish party. That England (to use their own words) may work itself catholiquie again, by the proceeding practices of the Seminaries, the Protestant being now no more unlikely to be avoided (ergo toleration is not their uttermost end) than the catholic was in the beginning of her majesties reign.  
Wherein if they proceed, and prevail, and if foreign forces should arrive and invade us, (though in her majesties days) it would soon be seen, that these priests which now flatter her Majesty, and speak their pleasure of jesuits dealing for the Infanta, would (no less diligently than the jesuits) proclaim Bellum Dei, as john de Aquala doth in Ireland, & that her Majesty is but an usurper, and excommunicated: To say nothing of that which the Ward word already intimateth, by affirming Catherine of Spain, to to have been K. Henry's wife, by God's law, and man's, them would they urge the Infanta her title, confirmed by the Pope, by her father, and by her brother, as also the judgement of Cardinal Allen (as his last will, & testament) that they are Machiavellists & not catholics, (who under any pretence whatsoever) do not adhere to the Infanta, and then they will preemptorily adjure their popish creatures to show themselves, under pain of pope pius his excommunication, confirmed by this pope Clement, as Don john de Aquala saith. In the mean while it is to be noted, that even in these books Religion established is counted heresy: The more than easy execution of necessary laws (and those not rigorous) is called tyranny and cruel persecution: priests are avouched to have been executed only for religion and not for treason as they were indicted & convicted. Allen the principal procurer of the spanish armada Anno. 1588. is highly commended, and it is held lawful, but yet not expedient for the Pope to excommunicate, our gracious Sovereign, all which, whether it doth not draw the authors and fautors or abettors of these books within the compass of treason, felony, or praemunire, I refer it to the judgement of learned lawyers, & to a further discourse, In the mean while I wish that these of fenders and namely this Watson priest (as he calleth himself) find not more favour than john Udall preacher of the gospel who less offended.  
But it is said that some of the priests be gone to procure absolution for her Majesty, or the canceling of that Bull. If this be so, unspeakable injury (if it prove not flat treason) is offered to her Majesty. For be it ●arr from us to admit, that her Majesty who professeth herself to be semper eadam: who (not long since) wrote an excellent letter to the French Kings Sister to persuade her to be constant in religion: and who hath ever been of that heroic all magnanimity, that she hath despised dangerous attempts, to provoke her to grant the papists toleration: should now faint for fear, and betray the gospel of jesus Christ. If then her Majesty be not arquanted with their message: It must needs be that the honour of her Majesty most christian resolution is treacherously underminded, and thereby the Pope and spaniard encouraged to follow their designs. Yea it is to be feared, that some in authority have concurrence with Priests & jesuits, and presuming on their their credit with her Majesty, hope, partly by fears procured, and partly by conditional absolution, indulgence or dispensation obtained, to draw her Majesty to toleration: and then account is made (in the answer to the jesuited gentleman) The Lion being taken out of the way, papists would swarm infinitely, and so the strengthening of their party, and withal the execution of their long desired purpose, more speedily hastened. And the rather this fear may be conceived, if it be true, that the priests are gone to Rome to sue an appeal with the privity & consent, of some in authority, as in the said answer it is signified with hop● as of toleration, so of the conversion of Qther said friends in authority. For if they dare aventurea praemunire by favouring, comforting, counseling, or abetting an appeal to Rome contrary to the statute of 24. H. 8. cap. 22. what dare they not do?  
Now your LL. may judge, whether I may not be probably persuaded, that this contention between Priests and jesuits is dispensed with, & tendeth to the increasing & not diminishing of the popish partty. And therefore the due consideration thereof may draw (rather than divert) your LL. to this persuasion: That by incitting the Protestant against the Puritan, they would weaken the party against them, & strengthen their own: and the rather your LL. may be thus persuaded sith they cannot but intimate in these books that the papists have multiplied, ever since some of your LL. have kerbed the Puritans.  
Wherefore (as ye have a faithful eye to the meaine chance, & love the gospel from your hearts) take heed how any of you hearten the Papists, and discourag the Puritan (nay every sound Protesttant) by tolerating points of popery to be broached in pulpit or print, & yet silence Puritan preachers only for preaching without licence or not subscribing further than law requireth though they offer to subscribe so far by enforcing man's ceremonies in God's service, & standing for crosses in high ways, which in the beginning of her majesties reign were defaced (in most places) as monuments of Idolatry, & superstition, accordiing to the 23. Injunction, & doctrine of the homiles against the peril of Idolatry. And is it good policy to restore them in this declining time when (God wot) the papists have no need of help or hope? what (my Lords) is there so great difference between you & the papists, whose doctrine is poison in the root, and treason in the fruit? Whereas the bone which the Devil hath cast between you and the puritans, is but of the offals of the whore of Babylon's peace offerings. I hope I may thus speak without offence, For I know, that some of your LL. (& I doubt not but most of you, be of the same mind) do judge, as I do, of ceremonies: about which all this wrangling is. O my Lords? doth the 50. Injunction stratly forbid (for peace sake) the using of these terms, papists and heretic? and is there not gieater reason, that some course be taken, that Protestants may no longer (without rebuke) reproach one another (to the rejoicing of Papists) with Puritan, and Formalist, Precisian and Timeseruer?  
Here I imagine some enemy of the Puritan, & friend of the papist (who often meet in one coat) will readily answer, & say: that it was policy not to provoke the papists in the beginning of her Majesty reign, sith then: they were many & mighty. I reply, & affirm: That for the same reason, it is not good in policy to provoke the puritans, in the declining of her majesties age, & reign: when it is more than high time, that protestants should use their help against the common adversary, who most feareth them: As appeareth by that which is already said out of the Wardword: And by that which Dolman (one, who thoroughly considered the state of things) affirmeth to wit, that puritans be a strong party, for London & good towns, most Lords, gentlemen, & Captains (that be of the religion) incline that way, and be men of action & resolution. But to leave the laity, Consider the clergy, (whom ye are especially to use against the papists) & (setting by non-residents & dumb dogs) ye shall find ten puritans for one formalist, and that one puritan doth more advance the gospel, & suppress popery, than ten formalists. For he attends his ministry, & not multiplying or exchanging of benefices. he preacheth, not once a month, or less, but every Sabbath day, & that, not to please the ear, but to move the heart. How can ye want the ministry of such men? but (blessed be God) I hear, that of late, the mouths of some long silenced be in some sort opened, continue your favour to wards them, and encourage others that be settled, if ye desire (bona fide) to prevent toleration, and the multiplying of papists.  
Lastly. I pray ye to mark and (in your godly wisdoms) to make use of that which is written in the book, which is called, News from Spain, and Holland. where, after one (in a supposed conference) avoucheth, that Puritans would certainly be extinguished, If the Queen's Majesty live any number of years, for that the counsel seemeth bend thereunto: It is thus answered. Tush you are deceived, Nay much more possible and likely it is, that the Puritan shall overcome the Protestant, than the contrary: For that the puritan buildeth directly upon the protestants first grounds in religion, and deduceth thereof clearly, and by ordinary consequence, all his conclusions: which the protestant cannot deny by divinity, but only by policy, and humane ordination, or by turning to Catholic answers, contrary to their own principles. And theirefore it is hard for any man, sincerely to be a Protestant, but that he will easily pass on also (more or less) to be a Puritan. And only they (in effect) willbe against them, who are interested in the other side (As Archbishops, Bishops, Archdeacon's, Cannons, Notaries, Registers, Civil-lawers and the like) for not losing their commodities: And some few Counsellors also perhaps, for not offending the Queen etc.  
In consideration of the premises, wishing (from my heart) that your LL: would use the puritans (especially their preachers) as brethren: & that they would reverence your LL: as fathers, and protesting, that I have writeth these motives out of my best consideration, without all partiality I humbly crave your favours and take my leave.  
From my chamber this Instant December. 1601.