ROBERT EARL OF ESSEX HIS GHOST. Sent from ELYSIAN: TO THE NOBILITY, GENTRY, AND COMMONALTY OF ENGLAND. Virtutum Comes Jnvidia. Printed in PARADISE. 1624. TO THE NOBILITY, GENTRY, AND Communality of England. Nobles, Gentlemen, Commons: ALthough in this most holy and glorious Assembly of Angels and Saints, in the most High Star Chamber Court of Heaven, where Almighty God, and his Son Christ jesus, are King and Prince, we the Saints do neither participate nor sympathise of the good or evil condition of ye Mortals on earth: Yet, seeing it is a part of that glory, that God affordeth us in Heaven, to have a measure of knowledge of your condition on earth; and I, particularly taking knowledge of the miserable and distracted present estate, of the whilom flourishing Realm of England, in the days of my then dread Sovereign, (now fellow Saint) Queen Elizabeth, (of blessed and immortal memory on Earth, and in Heaven,) could do no less than give you this my Sacred Declaration, and Admonishment, which I send you, by this my Blessed Genius, written with a pen made of an Angels Pinion; and agreeing with my Apology which I left behind me on Earth, in mine own defence, and for the good of my Country, after my disease. The lawful succession of your now King, when I was amongst you on earth, I never questioned, but maintained, and was ever ready to maintain (with dint of my Sword, if need had been.) his Title, against whomsoever offered to question the same, as was, and is well known to his Majesty. That he was a prudent, learned, and religious (educated) Prince, I also never doubted, But that such a prudent, learned, and religious Prince, should be so fare misled, by (some) false hearted Counselors at home, and fawning Foreign Ambassadors from the enemies of God and his Gospel processed in England, to the detriment of the Kingdom, That, I say makes me not a little to marvel, and mourn I should for my Native Country, but that here in Heaven, we are not subject to passion. Upon my certain knowledge, notwithstanding all the fair show of league and amity, betwixt james King of Scots, and Philip King of Spain, the Crown of Scotland was no longer safe on King james his head, then whiles my Sovereign Lady, and Mistress Queen Elizabeth, by her valiant men of Action, kerbed King Philip, and kept him in awe: For, had his ambitious, wicked, and devilish design of England's invasion in 88 taken effect, Is there any so childish to think that his invasion would have had any Period at Barwick? Sure I am, King james had wisdom enough, to know that his Crown and Kingdom lay then at the Stake, in the second place, next unto England. For K. james then of Scotland made a sweet Sonnet, as a Monument and Commemoration of his and our deliverance, from that Foreign and godless Fleet, as he then termed It: Which Sonnet as I then received it, I here present unto your view and consideration. The Nations banded 'gainst the Lord of might Prepared a Force, and set them to the way: Mars dressed himself in sick and awful plight, The like whereof was never seen, they say: They forward came in monstrous array, Both Sea and Land be set us every where, Brags threatened us a ruinous decay, What came of that? the issue did declare: The Winds began to toss them here and there, The Seas began in foaming waves to swell: The number that escaped it fell them fair, The rest were swallowed up in gulfs of Hell. But how were all these things miraculous done? God looks at them, out of his Heavenly Throne. (The same Sonnet is extant in Latin by Metellanus L. Chancellor of Scotland.) Matters so standing, the marvel is, That upon the mature shutting in of the evening of your long Summer's day of Queen Elizabeth's Reign, King james lawfully and peaceably succeeding to the Crowns of England, and Ireland, he so suddenly concludes (as it were) an inviolable league, with that ambitious King Philip of Spain, that never made league with any King, Prince, or State, but for his own end and advantage. If I were on earth, I know some of you would answer me, King james was a peaceable Prince, and so loved to be at peace, and in amity with other Christian Princes: Yea, and it seems your King himself, is much affected with the very name of PEACE, alleging, that he hath been a peaceable King from his Cradle; That BEATI PACIFICI is his happy destined Motto; and with such like self-pleasing songs, hath a long time sung a Requiem to himself, etc. I must confess, it is a happy thing for Christian, and Religious Kings, Princes, and States to be at peace, in unity, and amity one with an other. But on the other side, it is as unhappy and dangerous a thing to have league or amity with Romane-Catholique Kings, and Princes, who are, I say, sworn and professed enemies to God, and his Gospel, as was, and is this great Catholic King Philip, and his Austrian-Castillian family. When I was a servant to my Prince and Country on earth, my affection in nature, was indifferent, Tam Marti, quam Mercurio, and I was more inflamed with the love of knowledge, than the love of Fame: which some of your * Henry Earl of Southamton, etc. Men of State, and great place, yet living, that knew my heart can bear me witness. But my Noble, and Religious * He died Earl Martial of Ireland. An. 1576. Father, Walter Earl of Essex, upon his Deathbed, he gave me in precept three main and weighty matters, viz. First, To serve God according to his Ordinances in his Word. Secondly, To obey my Prince. Thirdly, To love and serve my Country, unto which he added, To beware of and to hate all Popish superstition and Idolatry. All which he religiously enlarged, and pressed unto me, the more, in regard of my tender, youthful, and unripe years. Which Swanlike Song of my dear Parent, took so deep an impression in me, that I being called by my Sovereign the Queen, (and being but a youth, she was pleased to call me her Boy) to serve her Majesty and my Country, did the willinger yield and obey my Prince her Command, and entered into Action. First, in the year of our Lord 1585., and nineteen. of my Pupill-age, I went with the Earl of Leicester my Father in law into the Netherlands, where I had the Honourable charge of General of the Horse, in a fair Army: Where, I adventured my life, and subjected myself to many kinds of wants (disagreeing with my education and years, etc.) Which I did for the Honour of my Prince and Country. Secondly, in the year 1589. I enterprised my voyage into Portugal, with a poor distrested and exiled King, Don Antonio, whom I many times (with pity) heard repeat (with tears) the story of his oppressions by Philip King of Spain; who by force and tyranny had usurped his Crown of Portugal: Also, considering the enemy against whom I went, an insolent, cruel, and usurping Prince, that disturbed the Common peace, was a general enemy to the liberty of all Christendom; and in particular aspired the Conquest of my Country; and the cause I went, was to the deliver the oppressed out of the hands of the Oppressor; and (by giving the castilian his handful at home) to free both mine own Country and our Confederates from the fear and danger of his attempts: And lastly, a time in which I went, when as mine eyes, full of disdain, had so lately seen his (falsely called) Invincible Armado sail by our shore: when all the brave hearts in England boiled till they saw that insolent enemy taught, both to know himself, and value Vs. And had the Portugals risen and assisted me, I should have gone nigh to have plucked Portugal's Crown off the Usurper's head, and placed it on the lawful King's head: but they for fear of Philip were faithless to Antonio. Yet in that my Voyage, what I attempted to aid the wronged and banished King, and for Honour of my Prince and Country, if you know it not, let your Chronicles resolve you. Thirdly, in the year 1591. I conducted and was General of her Majesty, my Sovereign's succours to Henry the French King, a Prince, who for his admirable valour, and often fight with his own hands, against his enemies, was not only the most famous, but the most renowned and redoubted Captain of Christendom: And the end of that my service, was, to free the maritine parts of Normandy from the hands of the league and power of the Spaniard, that thereby he our enemy should find less succour or favour in those Seas, etc. This also was done, for Honour of my Prince and Country. Fourthly, in the year 1596. I undertook my Spanish Voyage to Cadiz, where, not only I soon seized on, sacked, and burnnt the Town, and enriched my Followers, and Soldiers, but we burned his best Shipping, and brought away his Ordinance, and some Ships, destroying his Sea provisions: Yea, put him to such charge and loss, as he shortly after played Bankrupt, with all his Creditors, etc. And this likewise I did, for Honour of my Prince and Country. Fiftly, in the year 1597. my Spanish Voyage towards the Terceras, was intended with her Majesty's leave, and by her command for Fayall, to assail the Adelantado there, and thither I shaped my course; and had it been prosperous, and fortunate, I had made my Sovereign such an absolute Queen of the Ocean, and disarmed, and disabled the enemy at Sea, as that she might either have enforced him to any conditions of Peace, or made War on him, to her infinite Advantage, and his utter Ruin. But that my design was fatally frustrated by violent and long Tempests, which took us in the height of 46. Which scattered our Fleet, disabled and almost drowned most of our principal Ships, and (when we could no longer bear it up against the Wind) drove us back upon our own Coast; and to what a desperate case my own Ship was brought? there witnesses were enough: My attempts and endeavours were nevertheless, my dangers, and endurance of hardness the more, &c, And all for honour of my Prince and Country. (When Philip King of Spain, that mortal enemy of my Prince and Country, had made many attempts, and assaults upon Us; failed and was frustrated in all, than he begged of the Pope, my Sovereign's Kingdom of Ireland, and sent his Bastard brother, Don john D'Aquila, to take possession of it. But this Messinger (a Viceroy in his conceit) was soon sent back with an English-Flea in his Spanish ear, that made such a buzzing in his head, that either with that, or else by a Spanish-figge, the good Don discontentedly departed this life, in short time after his return into Spain.) At length, (and it was my last Voyage) by command of my Sovereign I was made, and sent Lord General into Ireland of all her Majesty's Forces. And there, when I had begun to subjugate those headstrong Rebels, and brought their Ringleader (that notable Rebel Tyroen) upon his knees: I was forced abruptly to return back into England: and my Commission was conferred upon an other Noble * Charles L. Mountjoy. , my inferior: who was sent over to wade against those Rebels, after I had broken the Ice aforehand; and he had the Honour, happily to perform what I had carefully and painfully, projected and intended. In the interim, the fatal thread of my mortal life, was almost spun, and my glass nigh through run. My enemies laying many heinous crimes unto my charge, and therewith abusing my Sovereign's ears, and incensing her sacred Majesty against me. But, beloved Mortals, it is not my meaning (neither would I have you expect it) to touch the injury of the times in that my latter Time, nor the State-faction of men in place, my then enemies: I forbear to touch, also how by the machinations of men, my gracious Sovereign was forced to sign the hastening of my Death: For before my head was severed from my Shoulders, (with which stroke my immortal soul was separated from my mortal body) I forgave them all, and left my cause to God, to whom vengeance is due: And certes, my God hath been throughly avenged of them all, (my enemies,) to their dishonour and disgrace on earth; yea, before Men and Angels. And all was but like an impetuous storm to hasten my arriving in the Harbour of Heaven: Here, where there is no room for revenge, nor ought else but holy love: which hath moved me to send you of my quondam Country this my declaration or discourse (call it what you will:) Wherein, I list not neither to meddle with the Arcana imperij, of your King and State, further than shall beseem a zealous Patriot, that tendereth still, and wisheth the welfare and flourishing State of his once dear and native Country. And now, well beloved Englishmen, in the premises I have given you a brief account of my life, and as it were an Epitome of my time-spending on earth. In which employments, I impaired my hereditary estate; lost my dear and only * Mr Walter Deureux, slain at the siege of Roven. 1591. brother, the half Arch of my House, and buried also many of my nearest and dearest friends; subjected myself to the rage of the Seas violence, general plagues, famine, and all kind of wants; discontentments of undisciplined and unruly multitudes, and receptation of all events: and all, for the Honour and renown of my gracious Prince, and dear Country, keeping in mind my fathes Charge: Sit tota Britannia Testis. Now beloved Mortals, let me come more nearly to Counsel and advice with yond. First, that the Spanish Kings revengeful humour was insatiable appeared, when, in my time Anno 1597. when he came newly out of a Trance, which was thought would have been his last swoon, he asked (the first word that he spoke) whether the Adelantado were gone for England; and if remorse of conscience would have quenched his thirst of revenge, he would not, a little before his death, in his devotions, being all Mass, have vowed to be revenged on England, though he sold all those Candlesticks upon the Altar, before him. Secondly, that all Treaties with Spain (an idolatrous and irreligious Nation) were both unsafe and dangerous, I proved by un-answerable arguments in my Apology, page 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30. And how injurious the zealous peacemakers of those times, were to the State, I proved page 35, 36. How necessary gainful, and honourable it was, for the State of England, to have Wars with Spain. I proved page 36, 37. and so to the end of my Apology. But some of you haply will how say, That now, The Times are changed, and with the time the Spaniards mind is altered. Indeed, I remember the old Poet said, Tempora mutantur et nos mutamur in illis. But that is quite contrary in the Spaniard: For, although old King Philip be dead, yet there is a young (jesuited) Philip sprung from his loins. It is an old and homely Proverb, That which is bred in the bone, will never out of the flesh: But it is a true and observable saying, Apol. page 19 and in that House above all others. For, as I told you in my Apology: whenever old King Philip should die, his son's blood would be as hot, and hotter than his Fathers, and his humour of ambition like to be greater, as having been bred in Domo regnatrice, and his mind swollen, vetere & insita Austriacae familiae suberbia. So as, in the Spaniards seeming peaceable proffers there is no hope, etc. Nay, if it chance there be Infancy, or Idiotism found in any Heir or Offspring of that Race, the state of Spain are politic enough, as being sworn thereunto, (though by never so dishonourable and degenerous means and machinations) to promote the enlargement of his Western Monarchy. And certes, he having of late years, since the death of my Sovereign Lady Elizabeth, gotten such footing in Christendom, by dispossessing off and encroaching upon some Princes and States their ancient and lawful Inheritance, Princedoms, and Territories, by which means he hath as it were begirt France with his Garrisons: Is, I say, his ambition thereby lessened? Surely no, but as his Conquests are enlarged; so his Ambition and Malice are abundantly increased towards other Christian Princes and States: Witness, his late cruel and bloody attempts, and perpetual designs to his Universal Monarchy; and the progress of his Conquests, with the help of his Confederates of the (terrestrial) omnipotent Austrian House, in Italy, the Grizons Country, Suitzerland, Bohemia, Germany, and I say, the Frontiers of flourishing France, since the Death of Henry the Fourth the French King, of famous memory. And in all these places, he and the Emperor his Confederate and Cousin, do labour to extirpate the Gospel, and persecute the professors thereof, even unto the Death. It would be known, what King james saith to all this: who is Defender of the Faith, and Head of all the United Kings and Princes of the Religion in Christendom. There is here in Heaven secret intelligence, that He, not contenting himself with making that League with Spain, hath also entertained a Treaty of Marriage for the Prince his only Son, with the Daughter of Spain: And certes, the very Angels have blushed at this news, that your King, who is of so profound judgement, learning, and knowledge in Divine matters, should ever assent to Treat of Matching his only Son, with a wife of a contrary Religion: Especially with an Imp sprung from such an incestuous Generation, as is that of Austria and Spain, or Spain and Austria, choose you whither, which is unanswerably proved by one of your most acute and ingenious Sandy's Relation of the West parts, pag 26, 27 Writers. Without doubt, King james cannot but know in his conscience, that it is directly against the revealed Will of God in Holy Writ, for Christian Princes and people that profess the Gospel, to match with Romane-Catholickes; which made himself match with Denmark's Daughter, a Protestant Princess, and afterwards he matched his only Daughter with the Count Palatine, a Protestant Prince; witness also his Majesty's own Pen, in his Basilicon Doron. How comes it then to pass? that he is so misled, as not only to entertain of this Treaty with Spain, but suffer himself to be so baffled and abused, as that about the said Treaty he hath wasted the Treasure of the Kingdom, in a fare greater measure than his Royal Predecessor Queen Elizabeth, my gracious Sovereign, did to maintain Wars against Spain and all his his Adherents? I fear, I fear, you of his Nobility, and Council (unto whom it belongs) are not so faithful, true hearted, and stout, as religiously to advice, and Counsel your King, as you ought, not to suffer himself to be so abused, his Kingdom to be well-nigh ruined, and his subjects impoverished. Oh the flourishing State of your Faery-Land, in the days of yore, whiles I lived on earth, under the Government of that glorious Queen, of etermemory: The Christian World did admire her Government, and your flourishing State; Nay, the very Mahumetane * Speed, in Hist. pag. 852, 853. Monarches did admire and acknowledge the same. But now, the case is altered, (and) I can hardly forbear to weep, to see what a piteous Petition that glorious Queen, my now fellow Saint Elizabeth, lately received from you the Commons of England: But thereof I say no more, considering she according to her Commission from the highest Power answered that your Petition. Let me now admonish you all, of the Nobility, Gentry, and Communality: First, seriously and yet submissively, to dehort and dissuade your King, to leave off and absolutely dissolve all Treaties of Matches, or whatsoever else with that perfidious and dangerous Spanish Nation; and in lieu of the Spanish Match to promote the English March. What though his Majesty's Treasure be drawn deep into, the poor Countryman by these late hard years be impoverished, the Merchandise and trading of your Kingdom much decayed, etc. Yet, if your sumptuous Buildings, your surfeiting Diets, your Prodigality in Garments, your infinite Plate, and costly furniture in your Houses, and the pride of your Wives (especially) be considered, England cannot be though so poor. Can you exceed all Nations in Christendom in wasteful vanities? And can you not arm yourselves against one Nation, (which you have ever beaten) for your necessary defence? Was Rome so brave a State, as that the very Ladies, to supply the Common Treasure, and to maintain the Wars, despoiled themselves of their costly jewels and rich Ornaments? And is England become so base a State, as that the people therein will not bestow some part of their superfluous expenses to keep themselves from Conquest and Slavery? (The only end of all Spain's Treaties: Witness their Treaty of peace in 88 when as, even at the instant their mighty Navy came to invade Us) Did the godly Kings, and Religious people, which you may read of in the old Testament, to maintain the Wars against the enemies of God, sell the Ornaments of the Temple, and things consecrated to holy Uses? And will ye that have as Holy and as warrantable a Cause of War, spare those things that you have Dedicated to your idle and sensual pleasures? Can your Nation in those former Ages, when the Country was fare poorer than now it is, levy Armies, maintain Wars, achieve great Conquests in France, and make their powerful Arms known as fare as the Holy Land? And is this so degenerate an Age, as you will not be able to defend your own Land? No, no, I hope there is yet left some seed of that ancient virtue: Remember with what spirit and alacrity the Gentlemen of England did contribute and put themselves voluntarily into Action, in my time on earth. And doubtless, there will ever be found some VALERII, who (so the State may stand and flourish) will not care though they leave not where with to bury themselves, though other some bury their money, not caring in what estate they leave the State. You had a Queen, in my time on earth, who was ever open handed to men of desert, yet never wasteful in her private expenses; but maintained Armies and Garrisons, not a few; a well-rigged Navy, assisted and lent money to her Neighbouring States. And why will ye doubt but with your seasonable Counsel, in a Parliamentary-course (the ancient and laudable Course of England) your King will rather sell his Plate, and jewels in the Tower, which in my time were of inestimable value, (if yet they be not sold, nor given away,) rather than his people shall be undefended. And ye his people, I hope will turn your golden and silver Coats, into Coats of Male, or iron jacks, and your silver Plate, into Iron Corslets of Plate, rather than your Sovereign and Country shall be unserved. But what need all this? A free and cheerful contribution to the Wars according to your abilities will serve the turn. And so, oh Noble Prince, and Valiant People, agree to go on, the one to send forth, the other to lead on God's Armies, to fight his Battles, against his and your enemies; lest they suddenly surprise you unawares by some new Invasion; and remember that the Almighty, as he is a God of Peace in the consciences of his Elect, so is he a man of War to his enemies; even so his Majesty, hath expressed himself in holy Writ. Again, in any wise beware of disuniting yourselves from the united States of the Netherlands: for it will be to your infinite disadvantage so to do: But rather, assist, cherish, and hearten them: They are the best Confederates you have. Remember in what steed they stood you in that memorable year 88 And they, being firmly knit unto you, are of more use unto you then all the Friends you have, or can have in Christendom. In my time on earth, they were able (upon my certain knowledge) to find 60. or 80. Thousand fight Soldiers, 300 Ships of War, besides an infinite number of transporting Vessels and commodious Ports, that are but a days sailing from the very heart of England: Since my time on earth, they are increased in men, in munition, in Shipping and in wealth; and which should make the knot of unity more strong and fast with you, they were and are of the same true Religion, which you profess: And moreover, now, which should not be of least consideration, with your King and you: They are of late year's Harbourers of of the exiled Princes his Majesty's Children, who are beaten out of their lawful inheritance by Spain and Austria. And verily, were it not that my condition here, I say, were free from all passions, my very heart would bleed to think on the deplorable State of Christendom, how drunk those two Houses of Spain and Austria have made themselves in the blood of Christians, professors of Christ's Gospel; and the very Angels do wonder to see how they are suffered to go on in their inveterate malice and furious rage against God's Church, and that other Christian Princes do not stop the currant of their fury: Especially, that your King, who is a Professor of the Gospel, and Faiths great Defender on earth, is so backward in the business. Which considered, it is your parts, especially that are of his Majesty's Council and Nobility, with faithful hearts to persuade and stir him up, not to let the Lion in his Princely Breast, any longer to sleep and slumber, but to awake and rouse up himself, and to go forth against the Romish wolves, and Spanish Foxes, who have devoured so many of Christ's Sheep, and laid his Vineyard so waste: Yea, the blood of the Saints doth continually cry at Heaven gates for Vengeance. To draw to an end, I will not cease to intercede to the Almighty my ever glorious God, that he never denounce the curse against your King, or ye his Nobles, which he once in his word denounced against Meros', &c. My Conclusion still is, and shall be: justissimum ijs Bellum quibus necessarium, et pia Arma quibus nullum nisi in armis spes est. And for an ultimum Vale, as in my Apology I advised to Remember how Bernardine Mendoza (the then Ambassador of Spain) spent his time here in England: So, I now advice you, Remember how your late Spanish Ambassadors have spent their times, and behaved themselves here in England, etc. The Peace of God, which passeth all (earthly) understanding be with you, and dwell in your hearts. My Declaration's ended, I must no longer stay, Because Heaven's Cornets summon me away: The Blessed Choir of Heaven I do hear, Tuning their Voices to th' Almighty's ear. HAL╌LE╌LV╌jAH HAL╌LE╌LV╌jAH. Ha╌le╌lu╌jah. A POSTSCRIPT, OR, A SECOND PART OF ROBERT EARL OF ESSEX HIS GHOST. To the Nobility, Gentry, and Communality of ENGLAND. printer's illustration Printed in PARADISE. 1624. TO THE NOBILITY, Gentry, and Communality, of ENGLAND. THrice Beloved Mortals: I being still Studious of your welfares, and having obtained leave of the Almighty, I am now to give unto you and commend unto your consideration a Catalogue and Commemoration of such cruel Plots, as were practised in my time on Earth, by the King and State of Spain, against the Queen and State of England: Wherein, I will not meddle with Practices and Cruelties to other Nations; and therefore I omit to tell you how fare their Cruelties extended to the poor naked Indians in America, though I remember, whiles I was on Earth, I have seen a Book, as well in English, as in Spanish and Latin, entitled, The Cruelties and Tyrannies of the Spanish Coloni, perpetrated in the West-Indies, commonly called the Newfound World, written in the Castilian Tongue by the Reverend Bartholomew De las Casas, a Friar of the Order of St. Dominick, and Bishop of the Royal Town called Chiapa; serving as a warning to the twelve United Provinces of the Low-Countries: Translated into English, and Printed, (as I take it,) in the 25 year of the happy Reign of that Virgin Empress, Queen Elizabeth, my gracious Sovereign: The lamentable Relation whereof, if you would particularly know, I wish you have recourse unto the said Book. And of their cruelties and Tyrannies exercised by their Arch-Tyrannous General Duke D' Alva towards the Netherlanders, if you know them not, look but into their Chronicles. And for their plots and practices towards England, before my time, look but into your own Chronicles. But, before I come to my Catalogue, I must commend unto your consideration, When I was but an Infant, there came a certain Bull from Pius Quintus, that impious Pope of Rome, against Queen Elizabeth: The Copy of which Bull is also to be seen in your Chronicles: But the Copy of her Sacred Majesty's Answer unto the said Bull, because you have not elsewhere seen it, (as most Worthy your reading and observation,) I here insert it: The Lord that Reigns on high in Heaven's Throne Doth Kingdom's rule below, 'tis He alone That Earth doth govern with high thundering might, And moderates the staff of Kingdom's right: 'Tis H● that guides with his Almighty Name, The wheel of all this Universal frame: 'Tis He that Kings anointed and Elect, And sacred Captains strongly will protect. Why should this Bullhead Bishop therefore, full Of rage, against me roar with Basan Bull, To pluck me from my Sacred Seat and Throne, T'out root the Plant which Christ himself hath sown? Why doth this Pius seek with impious guilt, To pull down that which God himself hath built? Christ me anointed, and anoint I hope, Will keep me from the jaws of this proud Pope: His powerful Hand hath kept me yet from harm, Nor will the Lord make short his outstretched Arme. If God be on my side, why doth this Popish wonder Seek to affright me with his beastly Thunder? Why doth this newborn Giant seek to ride Above the Clouds with his prodigious pride? 'Gainst Heaven why doth this Nimrod make new wars, And with jehovah breed these impious jars? Pius this Anchor of thy Peter's boat Is broke, thy hope and faith doth float. Ye, An Exhortation to other Princes. in whose hands the Almighty God ordains To put the peoples and the Kingdom's reines, Do not yourselves, and people bring, Under the yoke of this vile borbarous King. Away with him that doth for Sceptre fight And royal Crown, that is not Bishops right: What, must the Pope so many States devour? It's not Priest's part to use the Carnal power: To make these madding Bulls fits not their names, And set on fire these hot rebellious flames. Their Sword, the Word should be, the words interpretation, Their Key should be, this is the foundation, Whereon Christ's Saints do fight, such men Christ's sword do wear, Such do his holy keys and Standard bear. Oh Kings; the father's blessed son then kiss; Psalm 2. The King of Kings, the Head of Heads he is, Who serves not him, not reigns, a shadow vain And Cipher is, learn this all by my Reign: He'll never fail you whom a woman bore, Psalm 24. Away with Popes, to them set open the door: Set wide the Gate, shut forth these new made Kings, Let in the Lord, which with him justice brings. Dear England, mine own Bowels, Daughter, Mother, Fear not this bulling Pious, or such other. What have I done that Thou shouldst angry be? Oh England, cause thou'rt happy hatest thou me? Cause God by me so many gifts hath given, And I these gifts, on earth, God loathed, in Heaven? Why do my English love the Egyptian Pot? Why looks on Sodom back the wife of Lot? Whiles that my Sister was at Romish call, There was a Stage and Scene most Tragical: Religion was corrupted, all your Rite Divine was stained, Faith wrapped in errors night, Home jars and strange, my Muse now shall not show, Even I myself drank cups of Gall with you. Now Manna raines from Heaven, Heavenly food, Now floweth Peace and joy and every Good: He that feeds Ravens makes my Lillyes flourish, Hairs of my Head and Diadem doth nourish: Iudas strong Lion keeps our Lion's nest, The Romish Leo's but a fearful Breast; Fear ye the Ensigns of a Mitred Priest? Can we with Sword, Keys, Club be ere oppressed? Rather thank Christ, pray him that he all evil He would resist, all Ambushes of th'devil, Double your prayers to Christ that he would deign T'assure your good and let no Rhombus reign: Double your prayers for Church & purest Faith, Pour forth your prayers for Queen Elizabeth. I have inserted this answer of Queen Elizabeth not only for the worth of it, (though I hold it worthy to be written in Letters of Gold:) nor will I say that Philip King of Spain was an instigastour of Pius Pope of Rome, to send that cursed Bull: But it was plain and more than probable, that that Bull was the ground which set on fire the hearts of her Popish Romish-Subjects to rise in Rebellion against her; and sure I am that Spain soon backed them, and subborned them in their Rebellion and cruel practices against her Sacred Person, and flourishing State: Witness the Bead-roll of their cruel Practices here following. In the year of our Blessed Saviour 1583. and 25. of Queen Elizabeth her Reign, Francis Throkmorton, being solicited by Bernardine Mendoza (the than Spanish Ambassador Lieger, lying in London) undertaken a most dangerous design against his Dread Sovereign and Native Country, which was to bring in a Foreign (Spanish) Army, and to alter Religion, with alienation of the Crown and State: And for the charges of which attempt, the said Mendoza promised that the King his Master would bear half the charge of the Enterprise. In the next year, viz. 1584. William Parry, (as he named himself) being instigated by Benedicto Palmio, & Christofero de Salazar, (Secretary to the Catholic King Philip) undertook to murder her Sacred Majesty, and one Hannibal Codreto a Spanish Priest, approved the same Diabolical Design. In the year 1586. Babington and Ballard, and their fellows, complotted with the aforesaid Mendoza, to betray the Land to a Spanish Invasion: Which being discovered, they enter into a new resolution to kill the Queen: Whereof they were prevented. But Philip of Spain, seeing that all former attempts failed. In the year 1588. he set forwards his long premeditated Invasion of England, sending a mighty Armado, which he termed the Invinsible Navy, meaning then, as it were, to devour England at a Bit: But he found so many bones in the Bit, that in attempting to swallow it, they stuck so fast in his throat, that he was the worse for it every day of his life after. This great, noble and invincible Army, (as Pope Sixtus termed it,) and Terror of Europe, (as the Papals both term it and took it to be) consisting of 134. Sail of lofty Towering Ships, besides Galleys, Galliass, and Galleons, threatening, as it were the Heavens; and spreading in the Wind their Flags, Streamers, and Ensigns, seemed to darken even the Sun; and were furnished with this provision following; Bullets for great shot 22000. Powder 40200. kintals, (every kintal an hundred weight;) Led for Bullets 1000 kintals; Match 10200. kintals; Muskets and Calievers 7000. Partisans and Halberd 1000 besides murdering pieces, double Cannons, and Field-pieces for Camp, and store of Mules, Horses, and Asses: so as they were sufficiently provided by Sea and for Land: Bread and Biscuit was baked, and Wine laid aboard for six Month's provision; Bacon 60500. kintals; Cheese 3000. besides other flesh, Rice, Beanes, Peas, Oil, and Vinegar, with 12000. Pipes of fresh water; store they had of Torches, Lanterns and Lamps, Canvas, Hides, and Led to stop leaks; butcherly knives, iron ghives, shackles, wirewhipps, whips with spurre-rowels, and other torturing instruments, intended to torment us, old and young, (all such I mean as would not suddenly submit to the Spanish yoke.) This mighty Navy thus prepared as you have heard, loosed Anchor from Lisbon 19 Maij 88 and made to the Groin in Galizia, it being the nearest Haven to England: whence, I say, hoisting sails, with great hope and no less pride, bend their course hitherward: But suddenly the Heavens, hating such hostile actions, poured down revenge, by a sore and unexpected Tempest, which drove the Duke of Medina (the chief General) back again into the Groin; and diverse others were dispersed and driven upon the Coast of Bayon in France, and there perished. Not long after, their Navy nevertheless appeared in the Narrow-Seas, 'twixt England and France, in manner of an half moon (the Arch-enemy of Christ his Ensign:) where, our English Fleet gave them such an encounter, (the God of the main Ocean fight for us in the Narrow-Seas) that we soon defeated and dispersed that Invincible Navy, and made it Vincible. Now, because the Subject I am upon is a Catalogue of Spanish cruelties, I would fain know whether there was ever invented a greater Cruelty towards, and against a famous and flourishing State and Kingdom: Surely, in my judgement (which did concur with the judgement of the Christian World) there was never such, and so great a cruelty hatched under Heaven as that Spanish Invasion 88 our Deliverance from the which, hath made the year ever sithence famous and memorable; upon my knowledge, when I was on earth, there was a Day set a part, and commanded by my Sovereign, to be kept Holy, for that our great and miraculous Deliverance from the jaws of the Spaniard; and I wish that your unthankfulness in the neglect of Celebrating that Day, holy, be not required at some of your hands: And certes, those reverend Divines that do never cease in their public Prayers to give God thankes for that your great Deliverance do show their zeal not a little, and deserve double Commendation: Yea, and let my Posterity no longer live and prosper, than so long as they have thankful hearts to God for that general Deliverance; and let the posterity of all Religious People say, Amen. For, all men and women, that would not have bowed the knee to (Spanish) Ball, had then doubtless been put to the sword, their children (now haply living, men and women) had been tossed at the Pikes ends, or else their brains dashed out by some ill-faced Donns or other: Strangers have not been wanting to commemorate that Time of England's Deliverance, and amongst others, I remember Reverend and Religious Theodore Beza (of pious memory) wrote a sweet and pathetical poem, gratulatory, of the aforesaid Tragicomedy in Latin, inscribed to the Queen my Sovereign, and sent unto me to deliver unto her Royal hands: the which is thus excellently rendered in English: Spain's King with Navies huge the sea's bestrewd, T augment with English Crown his Spanish sway; Ask ye what caused this proud attempt? 't'as lewd, Ambition droue, and Avarice led the way. It's well; Ambitions windy puff lies drowned By Winds, and swelling hearts, by swelling waves: It's well; the Spaniards who the world's vast round Devoured, devouring Sea most justly craves. But Thou, o Queen, for whom Wind's seas do war, Oh Thou sole glory of the World's wide Mass, So reign to God still, from Ambition fare, So still with bounteous Aids the Good embrace. That Thou, England, long, long may England Thee enjoy, Thou Terror of all Bad, Thou Good mens joy.. Oh let the Remembrance of that Time have an eternal being in the Minds and Mouths of Men. I have been somewhat long in the commemoration of this part of my Catalogue of Cruelties, I now proceed to the Residue as followeth. In the year 1594. Roderick Lopez Doctor of Physic, a Portugal by birth, (and entertained Physician in Ordinary to Queen Elizabeth) being instigated by Christofero de Moro (a special Counsellor of King Philip's) covenanted to take away the life of her Sacred Majesty, by a poisoned Potion, for performance of which deed of darkness, the said de Moro promised him 50000. Crowns, and he had earnest given him, a jewel of Gold with a Diamond and Ruby of rich value: but that plot was detected by God's providence, and Lopez received condign punishment. In the year 1595. Edmund York and Richard Williams, being set on work by one Stefano Ibarra, King Phillip's Secretary at Bruxelles, who promised them the reward of 4000 Crowns undertook to kill the Queen by some means or other: but that also was detected by the vigilant eye of the English State, and they received the reward of their deserts. When King Philip saw all his practices still frustrated, he, as audacious as ambitious, began to tamper with myself, and by his Instruments sought out me as a fit man to betray both my sacred Sovereign and dear Country: I forb … to trouble your ears with the latitude of his large bombasted Promises of reward unto me to effect the same: but in lieu of accepting his cursed Proposition and offer, I vowed a further revenge of him: and with my Sovereign's leave and God's assistance, I had performed what I vowed and intended, etc. The last public Attempter in my time, which in no wise I must forget, was one Edward Squire, who, being taken Prisoner in Spain, was set on work by Walpoole the jesuite, and other officers of King Philip to murder her sacred Majesty, and myself, which he undertaken, and brought over a new invented castilian Confection: first, to poison the Pommels of her Majesty's saddle, and then the Pommels of a chair wherein I usually sat at sea, both which he failed not to attempt: But by God's goodness his cruel and treasonable attempts proved also successelesse, and this proper Squire had the reward of his Devilish practices. Of all these cruel Spanish practices, I was more than an ordinary witness: And these premises considered, what Treason was ever attempted against her Majesty's sacred Person or flourishing State, but the Spaniard was at one end or other of it? Nay, since my time on Earth, and the death of her Majesty, That horrid Gun Powder Plot, hatched in Hell, was it not consulted on and approved of in the Spanish King's Court? Look well to the confessions of the Traitors: Speed, in Hist. pag. 1246. And did not King Philip promise 100 thousand Crowns towards the expedition of that damnable deed of darkness? Look into your own Chronicles. Now, all the Premises well weighed and considered; Certes, the Turk ought not to be more hated and abhorred by Christendom than the Spaniard deserveth to be detested by England, etc. Discite ô Mortales. Iterum in Christo Valete.