IN the first of our holy labors I beseech you let vs consider that euery good gift descen­deth from aboue, and there­fore in full perswasion of our heauenly fa­thers loue towards vs through Iesus Christ his onely Sonne, Let vs faithfully by ear­nest prayer crye for his holy spirite to his vniuersall Church, and euery part thereof: and namely to this Church of England and Ireland &c.

Why doe the heathen rage, and the people imagine, murmure, & me­ditate, with turbulent Spirites vpon great mischiefe, yet all in vaine. For neither haue they cause so to frette and fume, or canne they possiblye bringe to passe, y ^t which so wickedly they haue in [Page] their banded consultations confirmed by conclusion.

The words are of Dauid the Lords annoynted, king of Iuda, besette with sundry enemies, hatefull at his honour, and hautely deuising which waye to di­stronize his excellencye, but for that they were too weake at home they banded themselues with forren mates abroade, so as they might the sooner at­taine the ende of that their wicked de­sire: Namely his home-dwelling Iewes, aswell of his Courte as Country raised rebellion, erecting an other king a­gainst him (euen Abner a Noble man in the land set vp the sonne of Saule called Ishboseth and hee raigned two yeares in Israell) The Philistines they bent their sundry battailes also against Dauid, & both beset themselues to his decay: But this man of God heroically harted, as­sured of his state for his election, and therefore of his staye of Gods pro­tection, penneth this Psalme to his comfort, and to the Churches instruc­tion for all times to come, declaring his rest in Gods decree, whose holy hād [Page] is euer stretched out which his mighty strength for euery his annointed. The euent aunsweared according his ex­pectation: 2. Sam. 3.28. For not onely Abner is slaine by an other lyke himselfe, but also Ishboseth that turbulent pretensed king, suffered slaughter by two of his captaines in his bedchamber, who yet for their Treason to their Lorde, and maister (For the Lorde wilbee reuen­ged of euerye Traytour, 2. Sam. 4. whether it bee agaynst the soueraigne Prince, or beloued maister) they were both slayne by the Kings commaundement. And the Phylistines, Ammonytes, 2. Sam. 5.24.8. & 10. A­morites, and the forrayne Nations, mightely by Dauid, (Nay, by the LORDE for Dauid) were slaine in battaile.

This Psalme is also Propheti­call, foreshewing the malice of Sa­than, agaynst the Lordes Christ, in the action of our redemption, by the Iewishe people, and Hea­then Prince Herode, Pylate and the Romayne power in Hierusalem. And it remayneth to signifye to [Page] all christian kinges, and Potentates, what they are to looke for at the hands of wicked men, at home and abroade, if once they bende their best, to set forth Gods glory. Though many auncient histories in the daies of Israell, and o­ther times, may proue this, yet neede we no other search for testimony hereof, then the present viewe of Sathans en­deuour, in the fresh traiterous attempt of this newe conspiracy, by these sinfull Satanistes the Popishe gentiles (I meane the Romaine confederates and our Englishe Italienated Papistes) part of which the axe of Iustice, hath discerned and cut off, and the rest doe yet attende, as ready to their deserued hire. Whose harts the Lord in mer­cye (according to his good pleasure) al­ter, to repent: whose heads and hands, with the remenant of their cursed com­pany, here and beyond sea, whether no­ble, or ignoble: I hartely pray to God and his Magistrates, that they maye bee signes (For they hung redde En­signes) to the terrour of all turbulent Traytours for his holy names sake. [Page] Why doe the heathen rage &c. This text doth offer vs this diuision: 1 First it declareth vnto vs the nature of their conspiracy. 2 And Secondly that their attemptes is all in vaine. The con­spiracye shall best bee seene, if wee first looke vpon the persones that purpose so wicked an indeuour: and then or­der will offer vs, the viewe of their decree.

The persons were of sundry nations, but one in purpose and profession, that is to saye, to bereaue good Dauid the Lordes annointed, both of kingdome and life. So is the trayterous attempt present, against the sacred Maiestie of God and our gracious soueraigne his annointed Elizabeth, by the Popishe combineds, Romaine confederates, and our Englishe Italienates (both Tray­tours to God and her Maiestye) and in their Religion very Heathens, and not other. So as wee may rightly saye of them, as Dauid sayde of those: Why do the infernall Heathen of the West-church, rise vp in tumult, and [Page] conspiracie, against the Lorde and agaynst his Christe, our gracious Ladye, and onely Queene of En­gland.

The Papistes woulde bee counted Catholiques in respect of their mother that strumpet of Rome, but beeing her children, they are therefore Heathen and not of the common weale of the christian Israell. It is no hard labour to finde the Romanistes still to remaine heathen Gentyles. 1 And first by the place and Churche whereon they rest. 2 Secondly by the practise in profession of the auncient gentles, whose steppes they treadde in greedy purpose. 3 And last of all by the permanent accomptes, whiche the GOD of heauen doth make of such.

1 For the place: Rome it is, the roote of all euill: the mother of these men: whiche bragge to beare her name: shee is by the Scriptures, and approued fathers ycleaped by the name of Babylon: Babylon. A Citie not onely of the Gentyles, but of Heathen profession, [Page] Idolatrous religion, and prepared to confusion. And for the very lyke ef­fectes, Rome beareth her name, that the godly shoulde beware of her. The Scriptures doe also call her Babylon in the Reuelation, and discouereth her aswell by her scituation, Reuel. 13.17.18 &c. as Soue­raigne power, and Heathenish prac­tise in the Churche of GOD. The Fathers doe lykewise so terme her, as Augustine, Hierome, Prymasius, Bernarde, and others. In Psal. 44. in praefat. lib. de Spiri­tu Sancto. Reuell. 16. Shee is that whorishe harlotte whiche bringeth out the bastarde broode of heathen Poperye: whose religion is descry­bed by the Apostle Iohn to bee not other then spirituall fornication, Lib. de con­sid. 4. and all her Children to bee sealed vp in her gentility.

Of necessitye therefore the Tray­terous Papistes, Children of this se­cond beast, must bee of her: second Babilonians, not for their scituation, but for their gentile profession, which what it is, the Apostle Paule, Ro. 1.23.25. doth tell vs to the Romaines, saying: when they thought themselues wise, they became [Page] fooles and turned the glorye of God, to the mortality of menne, and beastes, and hys infallible truth, to a manyfest lye, seruing creatures, so forsaking the Creator, whiche is blessed for euer.

2 The Papistes ioyne, full, and o­pen handes with their former fathers in the practise of this gentilitye, for no Paganisme, is more pregnaunt then Poperye, in the inuention of forraine Pettye Gods, and will-worshippe, or more grosse Idolaters, seruing either liuing creatures, or deade stockes, and therefore worthely (this proued by de­monstration) wee maye secondly con­clude them to bee Heathen gentiles. The Popishe Churche doth ioye in this gentilitye, shee maketh choyse therefore of creatures both sensible, and sencelesse, namely the spirites of Saintes, and the Images of their ear­thy forme.

For the Saints, their worshippe is no lesse to them, then if they were our God, they inuocate their names with the perswasion onely dewe, to the [Page] eternall father, and most wickedly they giue y ^e grace of our most louing Christ, to a painted crosse of siluer, woode, or o­ther substaunce. Doth not their confir­med Popish Christianitie in y ^e councels of Trident, wel declare the same? What meaneth else these manner of praiers to the virgin Marie, in that blasphemous Hymne, Aue Maris stella, and the lyke to the signe of the Crosse, and in sundrie other places, where contrary to their cōmon assertion they endeuour to make both that holie virgin, and the prophane piece of wood, not mediators of inter­cession, but workers and giuers of our saluatiō? For thus you are there taught to pray: Haile starre, &c. poure thou peace into vs, so loose thou the bonds and chaines of sinners, bring thou light to the blinde, driue thou awaye our euils, and procure to vs all good­nes, vse thy motherly aucthority, shew thy motherly power, lette thy Sonne heare our praiers by thy mediation, O Virgin pearlesse, the meek amongst all, make thou vs meeke and chaste, giue thou vs a pure life, prepare thou [Page] vs a safe passage, &c. Againe: Saue vs, and saue al others with vs, we beseech thee for euer. And to euerie Crosse in any Church, Chemnic. part. 3.156. a. in the day of the Crosses ex­altations, you are taught to pray thus: Hayle thou crosse our only hope, this time of the passion, increase righte­ousnes in the godly, and giue pardon vnto sinners. Again to the virgin Mary in this blasphemous praier. Gaude flore virginali, &c. As the Sun causeth the light of the day, euen so out of al que­stion doest thou (O Mary) cause al the world to shine, through and with the fulnesse of thy light & peace. O Mary mother of God, bee thou vnto vs the right waye, and eternall ioy, and euer bend thine eares to heare vs. I sup­pose (beloued) sufficient be saide for this point, by and from the Papistes owne store, to shew that they remaine resolute Romanists, that is meere Heathen and Gentile Papistes. But what accompt can y ^e Lord make of such, but as of their elder parentes, Ephes. 2. which were without the couenants of promisse, estranged frō the life of God, & vtterly without Christ & [Page] God in this world, of whō we may rightly conclude w ^t Augustine y ^e good father, August. in Psal. 44. that they are Citizens of Babylon, & so make all that sticke to them, namely, to forsake y ^e Lorde which made them, & to worship y ^e image, which their own hāds haue filthily fashioned: y ^e papists I say, are (as other Gentiles vtterly without God, which is plainly proued by S. Iohn y ^e Apostle: Whosoeuer (saith he) trans­gresseth the doctrine of Christ, Iohn. 2 9. & abi­deth not in his doctrin hath not god: but y ^e papist (& euery papist) doth trans­gresse &c. & doth not abide, &c. Ergo the papist hath not God: is therefore as his fellow gentile, void of Christ, & the pro­mises of saluation in him. That y ^e papist doth transgresse y ^e doctrine of Christ, is most apparāt in our papists in this To­wer now worthily imprisoned & in their fellowes gone to death by thē deserued. The doctrine of Christ is both general & particular. The generall doctrine is: they which worship God, Iohn. 4. must worship him in spirit & truth. The papists daily transgresse this: for their chiefe woor­ship consisteth in hypocrisie, and fayned [...] doctrine and pre­cepts Math. 15. [Page] of men. Vz. not consonant: but all or moste against the commaunde of al­mightie God. For Christes particular doctrine take this for an instant. Giue vnto Caesar that which appertaineth vnto Caesar. But the Papist doth of ma­litious purpose trāsgresse this doctrine: therefore hee hath not God. To Caesar doth belōg amidst many things, at least his proper lands, and naturall life: yet our Romaine Catholikes will affoorde our soueraigne Caesar neither of both: but with bloodie heartes bent against God, meditate, conspire, bande, consult, proclaime, Math. 25.3.4. Luc. 19.14. and bray out against theyr Soueraigne the Lords annointed: We wil not haue this Woman to raigne o­uer vs, she is the heire, come let vs kill her, Math. 21.38 Luc. 20.14. and lette vs take her inheritance, let vs breake their bands of doctrine, and cordes of Imperiall commaund, and set vp the sonne of Tabeall, Psal. 2.4. or the mother Athalia, and make a breach in Ierusalem for vs. Esay. 7. But to say all their en­deuour at a word: These Catholiks se­duced, and by the Popes poyson Italie­nated, do endeuour [...] her Maiestie, [Page] and destruction of this kingdome all in one moment. Therefore they haue in vnnaturall sort transgressed Christes most holy doctrine, and set themselues most wickedly to worke their pestilent will, euen opposite to his commaunde. For as he saith to al, Giue to Caesar, &c. the Catholike Traytors say to al theirs Take frō the Queene your Caesar, both lande and life.

Secondly, neither doe they abide in that truth, which the auncient Church of Rome receiued, & a great time faith­fully did holde, Rom 12.1. Chriso [...]t. 1. tom. as they were taught by the Apostle: Let euerie soule submitte himselfe, &c. (for he that refuseth, refu­seth to his own condemnation) for their present practise surely proueth y ^e flat cō ­trary. Therefore we may conclude, that these English Papists, which would be called Catholikes, are vtterly without God, as were their Fathers the Gen­tiles before them, and wil do the works [...] their Father Satanas: namely, to lie [...] murther▪ Iohn. 8. Esay. 26. [...] to doe wickedly in [...]nde [...], which is the [...] By these three [Page] points, then (beloued & honorable Chri­stians) ye see that our Romaine forrain confederates, together with our English Italienats (as they are professed Catho­likes) so they are approoued Heathens, not for nation onely and forraine birth, but also because of their religion, & de­uilish deuises, and these bee onely they which mutter & proclaime, which band with forraine foes, & breake in and out at home, among their secret frends, this traiterous and bloody sound: Come let vs goe kill this Elizabeth, as wee haue sworne. But Lord, blesse thou our bles­sed Elizabeth, and giue her long life o­uer vs, and with thee life for euer and e­uer, we humbly (sweete Lorde) beseech thee. Thus haue we proued the papist to be an heathen and fellow Gentile with those his Fathers which conspired a­gainst the Lordes annointed. And wee may boldly adde, that they bee far worse then suche Gentiles, whose care is [...] walke in honest conuersation. For ( C [...] cero saith) [...] [...]eth all [...] men to be [...] weale, [...] [Page] excuse for his faulte, Philip. 13. de respub. Arusp. 1. inuect. in Catil. which doth euyll demerite of the same, and that eache mans naturall Countrey is as a Pa­rent vnto him, which he must euen with death defend.

Againe, if question do arise, and com­parisons shoulde growe, to whome wee owe our best, and most dutie is belon­ging: Surely (saith Cicero in his Offi­ces) our Prince, our Country, 1. Offic. and our Parentes be they, to whome wee liue, or shoulde in all dutifull sorte, and to these we are all most boundē. But our Catholikes are degenerate from this ciuill and gentile condition, and are begotten by theyr Father Sathanas, to bee despisers of theyr Wiues and Pa­rentes, hatefull to their posteritie, and natural bloud, raunging to hunt the ru­ine of this their moste noble Countrey, and beeyng of worshipfull race, and gentle bloud, (if none bee founde fur­ [...]her) do put on Lions harts, and weapon [...]hemselues [...] claws, & puft [...] finde no [...] cruell [...] of oure [Page] most louing Lady and Empresse, the Lords annointed. They bend their bat­terie at her tender bodie, whose Grace, by grace from God, doth stay the Pope from vsurping his tyrannicall power in her Maiesties dominions. Psal. 21.7. But now are we sure that the Lorde will deliuer her, because she putteth her trust in him. Saue our Queene Lord, that she maye heare vs when wee haue neede to call to her for Royall aide in our affaires, for thy holie names sake, & make vs harti­ly to giue thee y ^e glorie therfore, throgh­out this our English nation. Sufficient is this display for the Gentils who they be. Now it remaineth to consider of the Treason and conspiracy, whet & against whom it is, that these Catholiks of En­gland, and their confederates haue de­creed. The manner of their conspiracie is as y ^e former Gentils was: they mur­mure, and medita [...] [...]t home vpon g [...] mischiefe, th [...] [...] [...]es, a [...] roue to [...] de [...] [...] s [...]l [...] [...] [Page] innocent Elizabeth, the Lordes an­nointed. The purest papists their Iesu­iticall Catholikes, doe returne to worke the feat, which y ^e gates of hell haue now decreed. Sauage must answer his name, and play the sauage beast, in goring of her sacred maiesty to the heart, & this is the manner and chiefe matter of theyr conspiracie, but all in vaine, thanks and immortall praise be euer giuen to God therefore for this. They thus cry one to another in their picked places, the gar­den houses (most fit corners for wicked conspiracies) Come good Catholikes, lift vp your harts, feare not the attēpt, it is easily brought to passe, the b [...]nde of our federacie is mighty & inuinci­ble, the Court doth couch vs frendes, the Country hath many ready to our aid [...] the land is open before vs, & the [...] our friendes [...] of Rome [...] p [...]osper in [...] most [...] [Page] by this high attempt winne vs fame, and breake their bandes of doctrine, that doth so much annoy vs, and our Catholike Church, and lette vs cast a­way their cordes of auctority, and re­straint of our pleasures from vs: For this Elizabeth shall no longer raign o­uer vs.

Oh Christian subiectes, & deare bre­thren, do not your hearts bleede within to see this prepared match without: namely, the vtter desolation & finall de­struction of your church, your peace and naturall country? Oh vntimely borne babes, which as swine of the Romish Bore, enter the Lords vineyard, to root vp the vine, & to make barren this most fruitful soile. You fathers and country men, beholde in these men the fruite of your childrens passage ouer the seas, to serue or see tho [...] [...] looke for [...] beaten [...] passe [...] [Page] [...] norant of these trecheries, against her Maiesty & realme: for if not by thē, yet frō vs, their frendes at home (no doubt) they know hereof: & yet which of thē do lament y ^e case, or hasten from amongst them? but I pray you let vs view from Dauids words, this wicked determina­tiō. Let vs, &c. Here may you see y ^e issue of this Catholike consultation: Let vs breake their bands, & let vs cast theyr cords frō vs. The prophet vseth 2. me­taphors vsual in the holy scriptures: vz. bands & cords, which haue their elegāt signification, as this worde vinculum is takē sometime for bondage Vinculum taken for bondage &c Psal. 107.14 16. & captiuity, or sharp restraint or seruitude, as in this place: He brought thē out of darknes &c. & brake their bāds asunder .i. the gates of brasse, and burst the barres of iron. And in y ^e prophet Nahum, this de­n [...]i [...]iō or metonomyan the Lord also [...] deliuerance to his peo­ [...] [...] [...]ity & bondage of the [...] Thogh I haue afflic­ [...] [...] thee no more: Nahum. 1.13 for [...] he frō thee, & [...], lordship, [Page] and captiuitie, I will burst in sunder. And in Esay: Esay. 28.22. Ierem. 2.20, Nowe therefore bee no mockers, least your (bondes or trou­bles, captiuitie or plagues) increase. A­gaine, Secondly for godly Lawes. this word Vinculum is els taken for good and godlye lawes, aswell from God giuen, as by godly Princes esta­blished & vred, and called bonds, for that hereby the lashing lusts of carnall men are restrained, & they compelled to lyue in ciuill sort that haue not care of Chri­stian condition, Ieremy Ieremy. 5.1. the Prophet, la­menteth the wickednes of his time, that rich and poore, great and small persons, did violate the Lords lawe, none would execute iudgement, seeke the truth, and walke therin, that the Lord might spare them. Wherfore surmising that the ba­ser men were of the worst mindes, hee said: 5 I will get me vnto the great men and will speake vnto [...] they haue kn [...] [...] the iud [...] [...] these [...] th [...] [...] Psal. 50. [Page] their peaceable life. So euen in this Psalme, by bondes, he meaneth the doc­trine of health in his how [...]a [...]e and [...] coardes, the regiment o [...] the Prince, to guide them in godly obedience. [...]a [...] of all Paule the holy Apos [...]le, d [...]th vse this worde Vin [...]ulum for Chri [...]tian vnitie in godly amitie▪ exhorting the Eph [...]sians to endeuour to keepe the vnitie of the spirite in the bond [...] pe [...]ce: he meane [...] that Gods Gos [...] te [...]ch [...]th vs to [...]e re­ligious to God [...] to our Prince, & peaceable to our owne Country.

Now th [...] metaph [...]r [...]al word coards is not lesse significant in this place: [...] for by the word coard, is sometime meant (and here i [...]) the ground or i [...]heritance measured and assorted to their p [...]rtions. So Dauid speaketh in the Psalme, con­firming the faithfulnes of God to Isra­el, and promise to their fathers, he saith: God hath remembred, &c. saying, vn­ [...]o th [...] will I giue the land of Canaan, [...]. [...] or [...] of thine inheritance. [...] Israel did [...]st mea­ [...] [...] with liues, [...], and then [Page] cast lottes for their deuided portions Also it is taken for ruling compulsion, 2. Coardes taken for authoritie & commandement. to abide the commaund of the superiour, alluding to captiues which are chayned or coarded together, & constrained to o­bey, as in this our text psalme, and ma­ny other places. But what is the infe­rence vppon all this collection? forsooth when our Catholiks as our Iewish Gen­tiles do cry: Let vs breake their bands and cast their cords from vs: then they say. Let vs release the catholiks of the Gospels bondage, let vs dissolue the present gouernment, ciuill and eccle­siastical, let vs kil the Prince, spoile the cuntry, and take the lands for our in­heritance. Now haue you the matter of our Catholikes, & the maner of their at­tempt against our Dauid, and purpose a­gainst this noble Citie, and [...]ole regi­on, whose [...] sorow, i [...] [...] storm [...] [...] argu [...] [...] [...] ther [Page] consolation and time to repente, hath saide, it shal not be so. No gratious Father, graunt if it be thy blessed will, that it neuer be, but as nowe, so alwaies in thy great mercie, lette their trouble­some heades be terrible tokens to their confederates, whose braines do feruent­lie boyle to breede our common calami­ties. The time doth nowe require, that we speake also of the seconde point be­fore promised, that is, to shewe howe vayne is the attempts of al such Catho­likes Papistes, as purpose battaile a­gainst the Father of heauen: Why doe ye meditate mischiefe in vayne (sayth Dauid.)

1 In this second part of our text, let vs obserue first, howe inconsiderate the ad­uersaries of Dauid be, which purposing his ou [...]rt [...]owe, doe not premeditate of hi [...] [...].

2 [...] with comfort [...] [...]uersaries bee to per­ [...] [...] what successe [...].

1 [...], with [...] [...]ere [Page] verie inconsiderate: For the one suppo­sed of many frendes in Iewry, by reason they had suche colour to crowne a king of the former kinges line, namely, Ishbo­seth Saule his sonne, 2. Sam. 2.8.9 and had Abner one of the mightiest men in the lande, to be their Agent. And the forraine foes sup­posed now their fittest time to make at­tempt, when cyuill warres were rise in Isr [...]ell, deeming Dauid now to be more weake, and them-selues to finde good friendes in the Lande against him: both which people had some shewe of reason, for these matters bee not of small mo­ment in ciuill seditions. But yet the parties against whome ought to haue beene first reg [...]rded: Israel was taught before, and Abner could tell it Ishboseth, that the Lord had sworne to remoue the kingdome from Sa [...] [...] and that h [...] [...] of 2 Sam. 3.9.10. Daniel [...] euen [...] [Page] done vnto Dauid especi [...]lly since the Lorde did so delight to [...] glory­ous Israel [...] k [...]o [...] [...] [...]uer [...] [...]r dayes the Ph [...]ly [...] [...]r e­nimies that the [...] fi [...]ht for Isra [...]ll, 1. Sam 4 8.6. [...]0.7.13. and they were [...] [...]ses e it. So likewise our Cath [...]lique P [...] ­pists, with their forraine confederates in this their sauage Treason, bee [...]uer inconsiderate, for they in hate of our most honorable El [...]z [...]eth neuer so much as dreame of her most holy God▪ euen the God of Israell, the Lord of Heastes, vnder whose standard she standeth con­stant with her displaied banner against all his and her enemies: But her Ma­iestie, seeing the weakenes of their trust, and her power to rest in the Lorde her strength, Psal. 2 [...] ▪ [...]. as Dauid then in good simpli­city, so h [...]r highnes may now, in sounde si [...] [...] with the Psalmist, Why [...] Catholiques, the people my [...] [...]o [...]ne, and the genti [...]e Ro­ [...] [...] madnes: [...] [...]ble mischiefe [...] whom they [...] Lord [Page] [...] [Page] [...] [Page] God also, who hath mercifully sette mee ouer them? Why doe they so? This question Quare? is not without his double Emphasis. 1 Fyrst y ^e question is pearcing, it is much more forceable to say? Why doe they so? Then if Dauid had said, but simply thus, The enemies doe thus rage against mee, for it rowseth vp the sences, and asketh the spirites of menne a reason of their bo­dely endeuours. This figurate speach contayneth first a kynde of admiration, as thus: Is it not a wonder to see such menne so madde? What cause haue I geuen them thus to rage agaynst me? Secondly it offereth the checke with his inuincible mate: vnto these incon­siderate Catholiques? Why doe yee so hotly take in han [...] [...] [...]odigie, as neuer canne th [...] [...], or canne [...] [...]ger of [...] yo [...] [...] 2. king. 6.1 [...] [Page] Hoastes: but you shall bee brought be­fore the Lords annoynted, who is com­maunded to crushe you with his Iron rodde. To the first Quare, then as a sufficient Impedit, to all Popishe Pa­trones, and Catholique practisers in Popishe treasons, lette vs lende our eares I pray you. Her Maiestie in the simplicitie of her soule doth demaunde of you her naturall borne subiects (for though her bountye hath not wrought the confederates much benefite, yet she wondereth not at them so much) why do you my english subiects thus rise in re­bellion against me? Are yee not my na­turall subiects borne? am I not your lo­uing and lawfull Queene, answere me I pray you to satisfie my self driuen in­to mighty wonder for this your insolent folly? The seduced Catholique with his D. Story, sh [...]peth her Maiestie this short answere: we are not your subiectes. So said stone of the late executed: we haue [...] your words deser [...]ted to die, we haue [...], and wee are iust­ [...] [...] in deede wee are [...] and indite [...] [Page] and condemned for. Beholde a mighty worke of God in this his holy name be alwaies blessed which hath to the shame of all Papistes, and the preuention of credite to that counterfaite booke by the Romish runagates at Rheymes pro­mised to be posted ouer hither, wherein they will counterfeit to deny these men to belong to the Catholiques, with the former also, whiche in any sorte, haue sought the alteration of the state or hurt to her Maiestie: For we (say they) pray for the Queene of England euery daye: Oh subtile Sathan: but the stronger Captain hath ouerthrown thee, this de­uise is to base▪ Saunders D. S [...]und. in [...] Mo­n [...] not [...]. books before, & these mens voluntarye confessions now doe laye open thy infectuall treacherye. They haue told vs [...] [...]sking, sor­rowing at t [...] [...] [...]ason again [...] co­lou [...] [...] this [...] [Page] Qu [...]ene you pray for, we pray also, if it please God to graunt her better grace: But we be not Papistes, our ioy is not in Mary the mother, No: we reioyce in Iesus Christ the sonne onely, and in his annointed our Queene Elizabeth as in the Lord it becommeth vs, and haue our hearts and hands ready against you & your Queene, whensoeuer you should haue taken assaye of our preparation. For as Israell cryed against the Media­nites for the Lord, and his Gedeon, Iudg 7.1 [...], so doe we [...]rew Englishe subiects, cry against all Catholique Traytors, and their fu­ture trust, for the Lorde and his Eliza­beth. And he that beareth not this mind here or else where in any wise belon­ging to her Maiestie, whether he bee an Abner or Abyshaye, noble or ignoble, the Lord con [...]ert him or confounde him, for his mercie [...] sake, to our English Israell: [...] But ye haue not yet answered this [...], Ar [...] yea not her Maiesties sub­ [...] [...]? ye English Emperors yes, & [...] of you chosen into chiefe place of [...] of her secret bodye [...] of whose [Page] bountye yee are largely fedde. But yet are not now: what is your reason? for­sooth Syr Preacher this it is, your Queene is by the holy father excommu­nicated, and all her subiectes by his aucthoritie sette at freedome from their othe of alleageaunce, and naturall bond of duetye. Is this the matter? Well: we take first that you graunt vs. Ʋide­licet, that you were borne her loyall sub­iectes, and that beeing further, her ser­uauntes, you were sworne to bee faith­full and loyall to her Maiestie, and so by inference, yee confesse that before this excommunication shee was your louing Mistres & your lawfull Queene also? Yea Syr, wee doe so: well then lette vs that bee good subiectes aske of God, and good meu [...] ▪ [...]hether any man in earth ca [...] [...] subiect of his de [...] [...] [...]ince, which [...] po [...] [...] 1 [...] 2 [...] [Page] that doth take vppon him to discharge vs, of this charge, and by what aucthori­ty. 3 Thirdly his discharge what it is, and of what importaunce, by which suruey we shall plainly see, Sathan to haue seated Antichrist, in the consciences of these forlorne Caitiues, aboue the Al­mighty God. The Lord God of Israell it is, y ^t cōmandeth al subiects to owe in hart & performe in faithfull seruice all honorable duety to their superiors, in these words, Honour thy Parents &c. which word honor requireth inward re­uerence, reuerende accompt, and harty affection from the soule of the inferiour and outward seruice with externall re­uerence and all kindes of duety, accor­ding to the bond of the parties obliged. And the chiefe parent vnder God is the king or chiefe Potentate of the country as in Englande our gracious Queene Eliz [...]beth. To kingly parents, Pet. 2. the Lord [...]th [...]aunded & charged vs to giue [...], tribute, obedience, wil­ [...] [...], silence, suf­ [...] [...] hony ney­ [...] [...] raigne [...] they be neither [Page] Christians nor comfortable to their subiects, but Heathen Princes, Idola­trous kings, or cruell Tyrāts, as these and many suth other places doe proue. 1. Sam. 10.25.8.11.12.13. Iere. 29.7. Exod. 21. Psal. 20.82. Eccle. 9. Pro. 6.24. Ma. 21.21. Mar. 12.17. Luc. 20.25. Ro. 13.1. 1. Pet. 2.13.17. 1. Tim. 2.1.2.3. And the disobedience hereto draweth Gods vengeaunce as the Apo­stle saith, and the scripture proueth, as the plagues of Corah, Dathan, and Abi­ram: by the very hande of God from hea­uen doe testifie, his hate of disobedience in earth, to his appointed Magistrates. Yea, our fealtye, and allegeaunce ought to be such vnto them, as we permit not an euill thought to possesse, nay, not to enter, our bosomes [...] [...]m. For the byrds of th [...] [...] shall [...]cle. 10. bewray ei [...] [...] [...]ll reue [...] [...] [...]n. 18.9. sho [...] [...] [Page] either equall or aboue God, but forso­much as he is the Lorde omnipotent o­uer all, therefore it cannot be, that man or Angell canne graunt either free­dome against this commaunded duetye, or in any sorte to discharge vs of the same, yet naye the lesse that manne of sinne, the Antichrist of Rome, doth take vpon him in his Bulles, both thi­ther and into Fraunce, to doe the one, and the other. And he hath hereby be­sotted many fine witts, and made dron­ken into this rebellion, not a fewe, able persons to haue serued her Maiestie, in much better sort. But I beseech you Syr Pope, by what aucthoritye doe you discharge our english subiectes of their moste bounden dutie to her Maiestie, their naturall Soueraigne, sith you are but an Italian Priest, or Bishop, & haue no place, much lesse setth Regall power in England? His friendes do aunswere [...] him thus: That [...]ee is the Vicar [...] earth. Surely sir, but not [...]. For the scrip­ [...] [...] sente, an [...] [...], to the ende [Page] of the worlde. Mar. 16.20. Hebr. 13.21. And for the ciuill go­uernement, hee confirmed that Regi­ment he founde, as of olde by himselfe established, commaunding euery nation to obeye their superiour powers, and to giue their King that whiche is his. Yea and Christ himselfe for example to all Christians, though hee bee free­dome it selfe and Subiecte to no creature, but soueraigne ouer all: yet both himselfe and his Peter, Mat. 17.25. he paid tribute money, teaching by the miracle of the fishe, that all possible meanes must be made, by sea and land, of euery subiect bond or free, to our duety vnto our Caesar least wee shoulde in any suche sorte offende them. And for the spiri­tuall gouernement, hee neuer commit­ted it vnto one alone, no not among the 12. Apostles: but rather reprooued that ambition in them and sette this downe for a lawe, that whiche of them shoulde hunger after he [...]d shippe he shoulde [...] farre depre [...] [...] his [...] hadd [...] [...] [Page] And when he sent out to preach he gaue equall commission, saying: Goe yee, Mat. 20.2 [...] Mat. 16.15. and preache, and baptise &c. And the Apostle Paule sayth not, that Christ hath sette not onely one Vycarre in his absence till his returne: But ascending and leading Captiuitye Captiue, Ephe. 4, hee hath giuen (not one gifte to one vniuer­sall Pastor, or Elder vppon the whole Churche but) giftes to menne, as that in the persone of many, his holy spirite, maye raigne and rule in the heartes of all that feare him. Hee hath therefore geuen some to bee Apostles, some Prophets some Euangelistes and some Pastours, and Teachers, that in this Aristocratia his spirite might go­uerne his Church, & not in a Monarchy, as y ^e Pope would haue it. Neither doth that place so often alleaged serue his turne: Tibi dabo claues &c. M [...]t. 26. For besides that these keyes, haue no power to shut vp the Pallace from the Prince, nor Royall kings from their Regall digni­ [...]ies, or yet other men from their earth [...]: But are giuen to open [...] of the Gospell by the [Page] [...] [Page] [...] [Page] office of preaching, and to shutte out of Gods congregation for a time, suche as doe continue to heare his voice, and to obey his holy commaund: So, when this promise was performed, it was giuen in common to al the Apostles with him in equality, Christ saying to them altoge­ther: Receiue ye (not thou Peter alone or first, or aboue the rest) the holy ghost: whose sinnes ye remit, they are remit­ted &c. Thus Christ and his Apostles left the state of his Churche. And if it should be otherwise, I must needes wō ­der at Peter his softnes, that hauing such authority aboue the rest giuen him of Christ, he would beare so base a mind as to suffer not onely his equalls to v­surpe his preheminence, but his inferi­ours, the Elders in the Churche, to vse asmuch power in doctrine and gouern­ment Ecclesiasticall as he. Or yet that hee woulde not excommunicat the Apo­stle Paule, Gall. 1. for reprouing him openly before the people in Antioch.

Surely the very reason w [...]ch [...] that as hee was [...] (a shrewde che [...] [...] [Page] he was of an heauenly spirit, and tooke reproofe as a medicine to that disease, and neuer sette himselfe aboue his bre­thren, but ioyned himselfe with his in­feriours for calling (yet equall in pow­er) saying: 1. Pet. 5.1. The Elders which are a­mong you I beseeche, which am also a fellowe Elder &c. Consenior, is your vulgare translation, Feede the flocke &c. Not as Lordes ouer Gods hery­tage: but that yee may be ensamples to the flocke.

4 And when that chiefe shepheard shall appeare, ye shall receiue an in­corruptible crowne of glory.

Note this good brethren, Peter is but a fellowe Elder with his brethren, Heb. 13.20. and doth so entitle himselfe. And note also, that he referreth the name of chief, princely or heade to the onely Shep­hearde of our soules Iesus Christ alone. And to conclude this point: if Christ gaue not any one the preheminence of all: if hee appointed not a Monarchye, but a Churche gouernement Aristo­ [...]ticall ( videlicet: to rule by sundry) [...] no larger keyes then [Page] the rest, if he tooke no more vppon him then a fellowe Elder, if hee became not a comptroler of the whole Church, but was vnder the censure of his bre­thren that did discerne him: how canne it come to passe, were hee Peter his suc­cessour (as Symon Magus doth rather challenge him) that vnder the name of Peter the Apostle (whose limitation by Gods spirite was ouer the Iewes, and Paules commission, rather more Bi­shoplike ouer the Gentiles) this Anti­christ of Rome, shoulde haue such auc­thoritye ouer our soueraigne, so farre distant from his territorye, or Bisho­pricke, as to excommunicate her Ma­iestie, to discrownize her Royall person, and to release her subiectes from the bondes of their alleageaunce, and (as it fitteth the nature of that monstrous Hydra) to sanctifie as saintes, all such cursed soules, as woulde embrue their handes in her right Innocent bloude. The aunswere is still, because hee is Christes ministeriall heade in his vni­uersall Churche, therefore hee may a [...] doth excommunicate. [...] [Page] and also depose her of her Crowne, and dignitye. If he bee demaunded who hath endowed him with this power, these miserable Traytours say, it is gi­uen him by Christ Iesus our Lorde, so saith the Pope himselfe in the Canon lawe: Pastoralis cura &c. C [...]m [...]nt. de [...]. the Pastorall care of the whole Christian Churche, is by the diuine power and commission laide vpon vs. Againe, De nec [...]ss [...]t [...]te credendū &c. It is of necessity to be be­leeued, that euery creature is subiect to the Bishoppe of Rome: A [...]ayne the Pope is sette ouer all asw [...]ll ouer all Nations as kingdomes. [...]. de ma [...]. & o­b [...]di. And agayne the Pope hath power to transferre kingdomes at his pleasure and to sende one king into anothers kingdome. The Pope of Rome hath in him, Cl [...]ment. c. p [...]storal. de ie iudic. c. 2. ibid the whole Monarchie of both powers, spirituall, & temporall. These bee blasphemous and thrasonicall braggs. But this proude & insolent challenge if we confer w ^t Iesus Christs modesty & cōmaundement to his Apostles, we shall easily perceiue, that from him neither Peter, or Pope canne haue such commission. The kings of the [Page] nations raigne ouer them saith Christ, and they that bee great exercise auctho­ritye ouer them: but it shall not bee so with you, but hee that will bee chiefe amonge you let him bee your Minister, euen as the sonne of manne came not to bee ministred vnto but to minister. And according to this course, when hee sent them to preache into the worlde af­ter his assention, he made no one chiefe of them, to aunswere his place of Pre­rogatiue ouer the rest, but reseruing that romth to himselfe, saying: be­holde, Mat. 28.20. saying: be­holde, I am with you to the ende of the worlde, hee gaue to them one e­quall commission and place, goe yee, and preache yee the Gospell, Mat. 28.19.20. baptize yee, and doe you teach them, to obserue all that I haue commaunded you. But good christians, marke wel that I shall say, and I trust you will saye with me, y ^e neither Peter, nor Pope can be Christs successor to haue his whole aucthoritye sole ouer all. The Bishop of Rome doth saye that by the aucthoritye of Christ, hee is Peters successour the Prymat [...] of the worlde. But aga [...]ne I ask [...] [Page] by what right? If hee saye by the scrip­tures, why did not Peter then practise it? or why did all the Bishops of Rome, vntill the supposed donation by Constan­tine, not once dreame of it? And what reason then hath his owne Lawe, to shut vnder hard censure, such as shal presume this title vnto them? For the decree (re­porting it from Chrysostome) saith: Qui­cunque desiderauerit primatū in terra, in­uenerit confusionem in co [...]lo. Dust. 4. c. multi & qui cunque. Whosoeuer shall hunger after primacie in earth, shall finde confusion in heauen. Ney­ther shall he be numbred among the ser­uants of Christ, which contendeth for supremacie.

Again, the Bishop of the first or chiefe seat shall not be called, either the prince of Priests, or the high or chiefe Priest, or any such like name: but onely the bi­shop of Rome himselfe be called vniuer­sal. And surely if the holy scriptures had giuen such preheminence to Peter, and his successors, both the first Church, and Councels, aswell Nyce as Constantino­ [...]le, of Ephesus as Calcedon, had bene ve­ [...]y iniurious to the holy Apostle, and his [Page] successors, and further not to the poste­ritie in the Church onely, but also to their owne deserued credites: all which time and councels (as knowing no such matter) did giue prerogatiue to euerie Bishop in his owne sea onely, Concil. Ni­cen. p. 315. c. 6. Brut Ful. 153. Eph. Synod. an. 431. c. vl­timo. Concil. Cal­ced. au. 450. and to e­uerie Patriarke in his own prouince a­lone, and made equall the other Patri­arkes with the Patriarke of Rome. And if they haue it by successiō, I aske, whe­ther of doctrine, or place, or person, or one, or al? For doctrine I am sure there is as greate difference betweene Peters doctrine and the Popes, for many yea­res past, as is betwixt truth & falshood. As for example: Thou shalt not kill, but honour the king, was Peters doc­trine: but the Popes is, Thou shalt not honour, but kil the Queene Elizabeth if so thou canst, as the Cardinals letter to that traytor Pary is most apparaunt. But if he succeede not in doctrine his o­ther succession is of no value: yet what other succession can he haue? By the cy­uill lawe it appeareth, that there bee 3. sortes of succession: L. vlt. d. de exe [...]ot rei rend L. 1. c. in locum. vz. Successores Iuri [...] Rei. muneris personalis.

The first sorte are called successors v­niuersall, and these be as heires. D. quod le­gat. l. 7 [...]. de iure in­ [...]and. l. pri­uilegio 27. c. de decut. l. 10.

The seconde sorte are, of matters or goodes acquyred or giuen by Legatorie meanes, and these bee called successors in part, or particular.

The third sort are of personall giftes, & these be called successors in function.

They now which be successors of the first, or second sort, haue their right and authority of those, whose successors they be, L. qui in Ius. [...]2 c. [...] reg [...]. whether they be vniuersall or singu­lar. But the thi [...]e sorte haue not their succession in r [...]ht of theyr antecess [...]rs, but of those of whome they are chosen, and are so placed in theyr antecessors Roomes, whether it be the succession of Magistrates, Tutors, Church-men, or such like. For the office and place is per­sonall, which is supplied with watchful­nes of the soule. Now I demaund of the Lord Pope by what kind of successiō he is Christes successor, or Peters before him? Christs heyre Peter cannot be, L. 1. d. de Herod. vend be­cause his Lorde Christ lyueth for euer, and doth not resigne his righte to hym, [...]anie other, neyther canne hee suffer [Page] to haue companions in his dignitie. Heb. 7.24.

Wherefore Leo the Pope hath shame­fully saide this blasphemie, that Christ hath giuen to Peter, Sermone 3. de Anix. ass. 10. Heb. 7.24. a woonderfull fel­lowship of his power. Much lesse canne the Pope be either his successor, or Pe­ters, in vniuersall, or in particular, since Christ neuer gaue to him that preroga­tiue, but ambition hath begot him that name, which first began at Constantino­ple, after tooke roote at Rome. And the Councell of Calcedon doth freely affirm, Conc. Cal­cedon. An. 451. rent. c. 28. that the Bishop of Rome had his honour not from Peter, but from the emperiall seat, saying, because Rome then raigned ouer all: therefore the Fathers gaue her Church the greatest honour, and first place, but nowe perswaded by the same rule, we giue (say they) to the new Rome in Constantinople, equall degree in honor and place, with the auncient Rome in I­talie.

As for the third sort of succession, the Pope hath naught to do therewith, for he cannot be vniuersall successor to him, that hath no successour at all, but doc [...] supply the office him [...]l [...] [...] [Page] extinguished, but remaineth euer pre­sent by his power and spirite, Hebr. 13.20.21. the chiefe shepheard of his Church, and vseth men, his Apostles and Bishops vz. preachers of his word, but as the hands by whome he solie gouerneth ouer all. The Apo­stles wēt & preached, Mar. 16.20. but Christ wroght with them, and confirmed the worde with signes and wonders. Beholde (be­loued) the presence of Christ, with the labour of his Apostles. And to Peter, the Pope can bee no successour: For it is a function personall, and taketh succession from the election and giuer, which is not Christ, but supposed Constantine: wherefore the Romish Bishop is not Pe­ters successour, but the Emperours, who extinguishing that power in himselfe, endowed the wicked Pope therewith. But when Christ sent his Apostles to preach the worde, and to gouerne hys Church hee did not sette ouer them one dumb Arch-messenger, or Arch-apostle, Esay. 56.10. which should rest snorting in his chaire [...] home, and commaund all others, to [...] [...]ome the faithfull laborers, as vas­ [...] [...] render an ac­compt, [Page] for suche a dumbe creature is vnworthie the name or dignitie of an Apostle, Patriarch, Archbishop, Bishop, or Minister. Trait. 12. 4. in Ioan. And touching the promise, (tibi dabo) Saint Augustine doth dis­charge the Pope of that preheminence, and declareth Peter to signifie there the vniuersall Church, which is founded v [...]on Christ. Wherefore he sayth: Non ecl [...]s [...]abo me super te. I will not builde my bo [...]ie my Church vppon thee Pe­te, but I will build thee vpon me. So then the kepes by S. Augustines iudge­ment, are not giuen to Peter, as to him onely or in chiefe, but with him, to the whole Church of Christ. But this is that Sathanicall pride of Rome, which that olde Father Barnard, so long since sawe, & reproued in theyr Bishops, say­ing: In times past ye were (contrary to Peters doctrine) Lords ouer Gods he­ritage, Barnare. epist. 230. and against his Coapostle Paule his doctrine, ye beare the swaye ouer the faith of the worlde, but nowe ye [...] haue added attempt, vsurping mo [...] tyranny against [...] [...]ligiō of Chri [...] And what [...] [Page] ye transcend the heauens, & presume to beare rule ouer the Angels.

And whereas they boast of Constan­tine the Emperor, that hee gaue thē this prerogatiue, to be ouer the Bishops and priests of the earth, as the king is ouer his Iudges & to haue the temporall do­minion ouer his people. Note I pray you, that by this challenge th [...]y secretly confesse, that they [...]aue no suche power for theyr Pope by Christ, but by y ^e grāt rather of Con [...]tantine the Emperor. And who can bee ignorant y ^e euery priuilege is a bar against the vniuersall law. If y ^e Pope then haue but now this priuilege to be head, &c then it sufficiently appea­reth, y ^t before this graunt the Bishop of Rome had no more right, then by y ^e com­mon cons [...] ̄t of the councels and Church, other Patriarkes had in theyr places. Which cōmon consent was, y ^• ech patri­arch should be the gouernor of his owne Prouince, and not to thrust himselfe in­ [...] anothers territory. And here obserue [...] me, y ^t if Constantine could by right [...] this vniuersal Church power from [...], it is certaine, that at the [Page] time of this gift, the said Emperor was Lorde of that hee gaue, and before this, [...]d this preheminence in himselfe. For Constantine could not properly giue that which was not his to bestow. And this Obiection Marsilius Patauinus laide to the Popes pride 200. yeare ago, Defens. pa­ [...]is. cap. 11. In de­cretis reperitur priuilegium, &c. In the decree (saith hee) it is saide, that Con­stantine gaue to Syluester iurisdiction vppon all the Churches in the world, &c. Brut. Ful. Seing (saith he) that the Pope and his cleargy doth holde this for cer­taine and sound, it is by consequence certain to be graunted, that the same Constantine, before this graunt, had in his power and person, the preroga­tiue and iurisdiction ouer the Pope, and all his cleargy.

And thus you see by the holye Scrip­tures, the Popes Canons, their owne confession of graunt, natural reason, and search into t [...] [...] [...]ter of chalenge, [...] neither Pete [...] [...] Pope hath [...] God, [...] [...] ther pow [...] [...] alone wic [...] [...] [Page] which is inough to his condemnation, except hee better could vse it. And you see that Christian kings haue power in them to compel and gouern by the laws of GOD, aswell Priestes as others, within their allotted kingdomes, and that from God, neither can they be dis­charged thereof, though they committe the same to others.

Then let vs conclude thus, that wee in this kingdome of England, beeing no parte of the Romish Bishoppes territo­rie, are not within the compasse of hys commission, and therefore hee cannot, or may excommunicate the lowest subiect of this Lande, much lesse canne hee, or ought to dare, to excommunicate the highest soueraigne therein vnder God, our Elizabeth, the Lordes annointed Queene. Then looke to this you bewit­ched Cath [...]likes, for as ye are borne, so [...] maiestie, [...] you from [...] you, [...] maie­ [...] [...] [Page] For excommunication doth neyther de­pose a Prynce of his Crowne, or yet his Subiectes of their loyaltie. Then where is your warraunt for her mur­ther?

Christ Iesus speaking of excommu­nication, saith thus of it: Lette suche a one whome the Church rightlye, Math. 18.17. ca­steth out, be to thee as an heathen or as a publicane. But it is euident, that both the heathens and Publicans, were admitted their possessions, continued their offices, and were obeyed by the Church. And Christ Iesus spirit was fo farre off from killing suche, that hee gaue many of them eternall lyfe, and chose a chiefe of them into his Apostle­shippe. But was not Caesar an Heathen prince? What was Nero? but the same, and for 300. yeares after Christ, the ru­lers were no better, [...] [...]raye you what is th [...] [...] [...]en mā shu [...] [...] and t [...] [...] Ch [...] [...] [...] maundeth Math [...] [Page] to him all sorting dutie. And Paule knowing the rebellious nature of his brethren the Iews, doth next to faith ioyne the doctrine of obedience, Rom. 13. thereby teaching dutifull submission to the Ro­maine powers, which they most deadlie hated, and crowneth those with godlye power, that yet were excommunicate from the Church of God. Hee exhorteth to pray for suche, notwithstanding they are cut from the Church, and maye not with their heathen profession, be admit­ted into Christian fellowship. And also he teacheth that they may well exercise authoritie ouer the people of God, & the same ought to yeeld them willing sub­mission. So teacheth Peter also: 1. Pet. 2. Sub­mit your selues, &c. he prophesieth not of Christian princes to come, but com­mandeth submission to these now being, w [...] [...] seek in mali­ [...] [...] Church of [...]. But [...] Ca [...]likes, [...] [...]elf, [...] [Page] [...] [Page] [...] [Page] I thinke they will say yes. Then I wil offer them one instant of a Prince ex­communicated by the Lorde himselfe, and yet therefore, neyther was he depo­sed his kingdome, by Priest or people, or was it lawfull to cease to doe him seruice: Saule I meane the king of Isra­ell. Samuel denounced the Lords excom­municatiō, saying: The Lord hath cast thee out from being king, 1. Sam. 15.23 & the Lord hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath giuen it to thy neighbour, Psal. 28. that is better then thou. Here is, if yee note it, a famous excom­munication by the Lorde decreed, and denounced by the Prophet Samuel, a­gainst Saule. Yet for all this, God ney­ther commaunded Samuel, or yet Samuel the Subiectes of Saule, to [...]ll backe their subiection from [...] l [...]wfull king. Fo [...] [...] lyfe the [...] [...] And t [...] [...] the [...] [Page] pretended his death, as doe our present Catholikes.

This assertion is confirmed moste surely by the holie annointed Dauid himselfe, and that by his oth to Ab­ner the Counceller of Saule, and Cap­taine of his bande, moste sharplie re­proouing him for his shamefull sleepe in the daungerous Campe, saying: Ab­ner hearest thou not? 1. Sam. 26.14 And art thou a man? And who is like thee in Isra­el (so trusted of the king, or put in suche aucthoritie?) Wherefore then hast thou not kepte thy Lorde the King? Note (that he confesseth Saule, notwithstanding his excommunication, still yet to bee Abner his Lorde and king also:) For there came one to de­stroye the King thy Lorde. This is not well done of thee. As the Lorde lyue [...] woorthie to dye, be­cau [...] [...] your May­ [...] [...].

[...] D [...]id the [...] [...]yth [...] [Page] his seruaunt? Behold beloued, by how manye repetitions, Dauid confirmeth Saules authoritie ouer his seruauntes in Court, his Subiects in Campe, yea, and ouer Dauid himselfe, though hee bee the heire apparaunt to the Crowne, and the successor to Saule, euen by the Lords cō ­maundement, so annointed.

To Abner he saith: Saule is thy Lord, he saith not he was before he was caste out, and before my day of annointment, but Saule is still thy LORDE and king.

Secondly, hee saith to the whole ser­uantes and subiectes of Saule: As the Lorde liueth, 1. Sam. 26.16 yee are guiltye of death, for your vnfaithfulnes to your pre­sent Prince and Lorde, euen for this, that yee haue not doone him more faithful seruice, that ye haue not kept his life better to who [...] this present yee [...] [...] [...]ce, and lo [...] [...] of yo [...] [...] bo [...] [...] [...] [...] ding [Page] place) hee is (sayth Dauid) your Maister, your King, and stil the Lords annointed.

Wherefore your fealtie in faithful­nesse is still his, giue Caesar therefore his owne. And though hee doth mee greate wrong, and seeketh my lyfe, and though I haue in my band Abi­shay and his fellowes, 1. Sam. 26.8. which as men deuoide of godlinesse, and bounden dutie, in hope of helpe by mee theyr future Prince, doe hunger the death, and offer to kill the Lordes presente annoynted, yet neyther will I suffer mine to doe so wickedly, or yet my selfe to woorke his woe, neyther can I with good conscience doe it: For hee is my Lorde, my mayster, and my King.

I will therefore seeke to pacifie hys fury [...] [...] petition, if so I maye, but [...] my peace, [...], with the [...] slaughter, aga [...]nst my [...] Lordes anoynted.

[...] Psal. 19. [Page] I beseeche thee, heare the wordes of his seruant. If the Lord haue stirred thee vp against me, let him smell the sauour of a sacrifice, but if the childrē of men haue done it, cursed bee they, &c. And as wee see Dauids conclusion for the still continuant dignitie, of the excommunicated Saule, so I pray you, let vs obserue the hast and hate of Abi­shay, who made no bones to shed y ^e blood of the Lordes present annointed, in co­lour of dutie & loue to the future prince, as more fit to raigne, and lawfully elec­ted. But let vs with holy Dauid, set the staffe of our rest in this his stay, and de­fende the state and life of our presente Prince, and that so muche the more, for that our Elizabeth is blessed of God, as by his myraculous hand for her won­derfull deliuerance, he doth assure vs a­gainst the batte [...] [...] [...]orde of the curs [...] [...]

And [...] Ab [...] [...]

Deliuer vs Lord & saue our gracious Elizabeth for thy holy names sake. Fi­nally note this besotted, it is not very difficulte to discerne Abyshaye, whose course is to counterfeite obedience, in ciuill sort to the present Dauid, but in the meane, hee sodainely selleth his for­mer profession, and hauing an eye to af­ter helpe, and present fauour, he sorteth his shewe with other such, and (that of the sodaine) as euery way bend their af­fection, to the religion, and disposition of their long hoped future Prince. If a­ny therefore thus far seduced, do feather their winge against the present winde, and sodainly shoote with Romish shaft, though not with cried aime, at the prof­fering pricke, refusing our shot, or once more to shoote with vs, that dayly hitte the marke: Doubt not to deeme them parti [...] [...] [...]st, of the future side, if ou [...] [...] to measure for [...] for thy [...] Abyshay, [...], and [...] [...]ut of [...] [Page] loyalty, their hart is firmely set to wait y ^e time and oportunity, that their hands may shoote, and occasion their crewe to shoute, if they shall deadly hit, that most precious But, their long desired marke. But Lord giue them quaking handes, fearefull hartes, starting bowes, bro­ken shaftes, & dreadful breasts, yea all the sort of thē, which purpose deadly shotte, at the bosome of our gracious Elizabeth. And further now deare bre­thren, let vs call this Quare, once againe into question, so shall we see as before is said, to our great comfort, how vnable our papists be, to perfect their proud at­tempt. Quare? Why doe you saith Da­uid that so proudely, which neuer can of your parts be atchieued? your tumultes must bee ouerturned, your meditations for murther, shalbe of no moment, your banding shall sod [...]inel [...] [...] your consult, or [...] [...] sion, and [...] our [...] chris [...] [...] [Page] whom the God of strength hath set vp, & decreed to maintaine? He wil therfore laugh at your destruction, wil speake to you, by his anger, & vexe you in his sore displeasure, he will destroye all you and yours, which sought his ouerthrowe in his annointed, & breake you into yeeces as y ^e potter doth his brittle & fiery clay. Wherfore be wise ye Princes &c. Euē thus doth y ^e Lord still speak, & alwayes hath against traytors hande, for his an­nointed. The conclusion of your conspi­racy (ye papists) is as these traytors of old. Come let vs break their bands asunder, & cast their coards frō vs. But your practise, is proud, your presumpti­on is perillous but ridiculous for your purpose by indeuour appeareth to be no lesse, th [...] to bereaue our Dauid Elizabeth y ^e Lords annointed of her life our church of [...] his blessed gospel, [...] possessed [...] [...]mpiety & [...] more [...] it [...] [Page] Let vs breake their bandes, let vs cast their coards.

1 First beloued these words ioyning iust with our present Catholiques pur­pose, doe offer vs the view of their tray­terous pride, and infernall confidence, which doth consist in themselues, their furniture, and multitude, euen as the heathen did of aid against Dauid, Psal. 20. Some put their trust in horses, and some in Chariots, but our trust is in the name (the power and strength) of our God.

2 Secondly that their indeuour is, not to better, or to reforme the state of religion, or the gouernment in the com­mon weale (if so they can finde it may­med) but farre otherwise, and not other, then vtterly to destroye, & subuert both, Let vs breake &c.

3 Thirdly that their pride [...]th blin­ded their eies [...] the [...] hartes, [...] they im [...] [...] woul [...] [...] [Page] they fight against the Lord, in stryuing with his annointed.

1, First who seeth not in our Catho­liques an insolent pride, and hellish fu­rye, who trusting in their forraine strength abroad, and at home doe bray out into these speaches or like to effect. This woman shall not raigne ouer vs, Luc 19.14. Mat. 21.18. this is the last heire, come let vs kill her, and take awaye her inheritaunce. Come let vs rowse vp Englande, and make a breache in it for vs, let vs sette vp a king (or Queene rather) euen the sonne of Tabeall, Esay. 7. or that Idolatrous daughter. And who shall doe all this? Forsooth our English Catholiques, and these greedy greene youths must begin that attempt, that all the great, & more graue, yet silent confederates maye fol­low [...] [...] they stirre vp, and en­co [...] [...] ▪ Come on, [...] [...]lmost no [...] [...]noe, is [...] [Page] forme. Let vs. Let you? Why? seely wretches: what are you? What are we? Wee are the princes Pereles of the earth, wee are the Catholique confe­derates of the holy Church, wee are the sufficient banded powers, able to eate vp all the heretickes in the land. Alas seely Caytiues, Parturiunt montes exit ridiculus mus. And doe you not knowe, that your triumph is before the victorye? Doe you not see that your re­ioyce doth repose his rest, in the strength farre shorte of helping heauen? and will you be confidently blind, & not behold y ^e end of your vnnaturall subiects, in their treasonable practises? doth not the psal­mist saye of suche, They are fallen, but we stand vpright, Psal 20. &c. for wee trust not in Charyots nor in horses, or in the strength of men, but in [...] But if ye thinke [...] agains [...] [...] heart [...] [...] th [...] [...] [Page] wheele & compas of the heauens, which w ^t glorious power, doth day by night (& y ^t for vs) encompasse y ^e same. And though ye be, the powers of y ^e whole earth, Esay. 40.6.7.8. & the flowers therof, yet are ye but grasse▪ & y ^e little creatures therin, yet of base repu­tation, when y ^e Lord of hoasts, shal arme them to his battaile, for vs his beloued Church, they shal beate you to y ^e earth, & wither you as heye. For when he hath set the season & day he wil then speak to you in his displeasure, & w ^t the weakest of these creatures, he can & wil, as w ^t an iron rod, break al your popish power, in­to penistone peeces: yea y ^e very gates of hell, cannot preuaile against him. Ioel. 8.4. The caterpiller (so easy to be crushed) y ^e pal­mer worme, y ^e grashopper, the flie, Amos. S. 6.17.24. Chro. 10.13. the frogge, the louse, & matters of lesse mo­ment will he arme w ^t his power, & then I sa [...] [...] of y ^e Lord, shall [...] Catho­ [...] [...] [...]s. But [...] syrs? [...] [Page] Lord of Hoasts. Psal. 24. 1 Ye are kinges, yet not properly for the Lorde is the king of the vniuersall earth, Dan. 4.14. and hee giueth, and taketh away kings, & kingdomes at his pleasure, and giueth them to whom he will, euen to very abiects, if so he see it good. Let you, you: the Ar­mies of Antichrist, let you crest vp your Crests, against the Lord Iesus Christ. In good truth sirs, though ye be strong by suttle sleight to deceiue sundry his seely seruaunts in his Church, yet shall you see y ^t if y ^e Captain Ioab (thē sure our so­ueraigne Iesus, for his Dauid) wil driue Abner and his Antichrist Ishboseth quite out of y ^e field. 2. Sam. 2.14. Psal. 8.9. Apoc. 12. But let you? The Dragon, & his Angels of hell in earth, bend your battaile against Christ, our Michaell, and his annointed Prince, & heauen­ly powers in this his C [...] [...]f Eng­land. Well go [...] [...] ye Gia [...] [...] you sh [...] [...] (as [...] Psal. 7.10.1 [...] 12.13.14. [...] [Page] cannot be stayed, rise vp & spare not, be­gin to play: For the Lorde hath whet his sword, & bent his bow, 2. Sam. 2 14. Psal. 7.10.11 12. & meaneth to make a speedy dispatch of his per­secutours, and he hath established our Dauids throne, because shee putteth her trust in him. Therefore we rest as­sured, in humble harts, that hee will de­liuer her, And armeth vs against you, Psal. 22. with safetye of his good quarrell, en­courageth vs by his heroicall spirite, 144.1. and maketh our fingers nimble for the battell Axe. Wherefore our true English hartes, doe not feare at all your Romaine force. Goe to then Abner thou Abington, and all the broode of Sathan, for our God for his Dauid Elizabeth, is encamped against thee, & watcheth for the further protection, 127.1. of our English Israell, whose holy name be blessed for euer, and euer Amen.

2 But [...] will further examine your [...] against her [...] former [...] on. Let [...] [Page] [...] [Page] [...] [Page] purpose, euen an vtter subuersiō of this present state, the religion of Christ, the Crowne, dignity, & life of our most gra­tious Queen Elizabeth, al which vnder these Metaphors coardes, & bonds, phra­ses metonimicall, the scriptures giue to vs, and are before sufficiently discerned. But oh miserable Papistes, yee cannot break the bōds & staffe of liberty, which god in his great mercy hath made, with this his beloued Churche. It is not in your power, that appertaineth vnto God alone, to breake his league of loue with vs, Zach. 11.8.14.15. our bandes of Amitye and Christian peace, to cast out our shepheard, scatter the flocke, destroy the fruitfull pasture, & all at once. It is not you, it is not you, except the Lorde for our vnthankfulnes doe enbattle you against vs, neither can you breake the least coard of this Church or regiment, except you could bere [...] [...] Maiestye of her naturall [...] [...]hom, God defend [...] [...]his [...] spirite, [...] ba [...] [...] [Page] And we with sorrowfull sighes knowe-that her dolerous death is your chiefe desire. But how wicked is your attēpt, or howe vnable for Popish reach, ye no­thing yet consider. Wicked it is to de­termine the slaughter of her Maiestye as Gods Scriptures woulde tell you, could ye beleeue them, & your own trē ­bling harts & feebled hands, in so prodi­gious a sacrilege by you attempted doth bewray you to striue herin, against your accusing consciences. Ro. 2. For haue we not this commaund in generall giuen to al fleshe? Thou shalt not kill? Exod. 20. And is not the Princes person, garded w ^t this spe­ciall Prouiso? Psal. 105.15. Touch not mine annoin­ted nor doe my Prophetes no harme: Doth not God in Iustice threaten to require bloud for bloud, at the hand of euery murtherer? Gen. 9.7.6. And if men shedde the bloud of men, doth he not promise, that by men shall their bloud be shed again? Yea wicked Caine though cursed and excommunic [...]ted from God, is marked [...]f the [...] c [...]ulde slaye [...] God is there [...], though [...] [...]msel [...] [...] [Page] not from his church in earth alone, but from his fauour & loue, whose brothers bloud doth call for vengeāce vp to hea­uen, yet that man that killeth Caine, shalbe punished seauen folde for that murther, Gen. 4.15. although it be done vpon so cursed a wretch. But for Princes, as they are y ^e Lords annointed, so are they in a sort incorporate into the shadow of Gods most sacred person, & maiestically beare y ^e name of Gods. Ego dixi dij estis, & are so mightely garded by the Lorde, Psal. 82. That not onely his heauenly Angels are made their soldiours, 2. Reg. 19. 2. Chr. 32.35 against all their earthy & infernall enemies, but also the Sun & Moone, shalbe obediēt to their cōmaund. Ios. 10. Yea the thundring Aire shall driue a terror to their cam­ped enimies, 2. K. 7.6. as if Chariot wheels did scoure the Coasts, & earth & sea shall send thē succour. Yea the birds of the Aire shall bewray, Eccle. 10.80. the smallest worde soūding to their dishonor, & the most secrete thought withi [...] the closet of our secre [...] [...] against our [...] [...]losed. [...] [Page] Maiesty, conspiring hurt, to his annoin­ted king. Drawe Dauids heart into thy bosome, & set his lore be a law to thee, if thou wilt rightly fear y ^e Lord who whē he had his soueraign in his hand (a man cast of from God, & excommunicate by y ^e Lord frō being king) & Dauid now an­nointed as in his place to inioy y ^e kingly Crowne & dignity, yet he would not, be­cause he could not (& be guiltles) lay vi­olent hands vpon Saule, as yet y ^e Lords annointed. Nay whē Dauid might haue slaine him or his seruaunts, which were more then willing therto, he onely in y ^e Caue cutte a peece of his garment, the which his face (when hee more deepely had considered) did mightely wound his soule as y ^e story reporteth. But to vse vi­olence to y ^e body of Saule, 1. Sam. 24.6. no man coulde perswade Dauid because hee was his Maister, his king, & soueraign, & now y ^t Lords annointed. For truely whosoeuer shal strike y ^e body, of his soueraign, king [...] Queen [...]oth the [...] euen wound to [...] Christ Ie­ [...] [...] [...]istes cō ­ [...] Mat. 25.34. [...] ac­compted [Page] of Christ Iesus to bee done to himselfe, how much more shall y ^t diuine Maiestye on hie, for such horrible bloud­shed though onely done to his peculiar Image, his king on earth (y ^e Lord exhi­bitng by him his own right arme to vs) accompt I say, y ^e same as done vnto him self. The consideration herof, caused ho­ly Dauid to saye (being the next heire to Saule his Crowne, & whose seruants al­so hungred greatly Saules death in fa­uor of Dauid their future king) The Lord keepe me, 1. Sam. 26.9. saith hee, from doing that thing vnto my maister the Lords annointed, so Dauid ouercame his ser­uants saith y ^e place. A lesson concerning such future hopes, vpon whom, wicked­ly many do depend, had they good right, yet ought they not to hearken to their false fauning parasites to both their o­uerthrowes, but to discountenaunce as traytors speaches against the present Dauid, for the hope of a counterfeit Ish [...] boseth, al such [...], so sho [...] they disco [...] [...] deadly [...] call [...] [...] [...] cond [Page] time when Saule was cast into a dead sleep & all his Camp, & y ^e Dauid w ^t his hungry Abyshay, entred y ^e kings pa­uilion, & tooke away his spear from his beds head, Abner and the hoast lying on sleepe about him (looke to thy watch more faithfully Abner) God hath closed thine enimye (saith Abyshay to Dauid) into thy hands this day therfore I pray thee let me smite him once w ^t a speare, & I wil not smite him, again (his meaning was he would kill him at y ^e first blowe) to Abyshay Dauid said, destroy him not. His reason why is, 1. Sam. 26.9 for who can saye his hād on y ^e Lords annointed & be giltles? No, neither Samuell can commaund it, nor Dauid the future annointed may do it, much lesse ambitious Abyshay, can at­tempt, or any other person, to bereue w ^t priuate hand the Lords annointed of his life, and bee without daunger, nay con­dēnation of the deepest treasō, & sauage slaughter that possibly can be cōmitted [...]oth in [...] of God and of naturall [...] & sure I [...] with [...] [...]his [Page] the king. Oh y ^t our Catholique Tray­tors would thinke y ^t Dauid had as much holines, & Samuell, & y ^t Apostles had as great aucthoritye, & more, then any Bi­shop can haue, and yet these neuer did or durst, leaue y ^e people to their liberty, but brought them vnder y ^e bands & (coardes [...] of Princely gouernmēt) yea & vnto hea­then Princes, & were so fart from com­maunding or procuring violent handes vpon such y ^e Lords Christs, as on y ^e con­trary, they called all christians into due obedience to thē, & to most willing sub­missiō, teaching & threatning gods hea­uy iudgement, to all the transgressors. And now though I haue tried lōg your patience in this profitable discourse, yet I see (me thinketh) a willing minde in you, to heare y ^e last breach of this our la­bour, y ^t is to shew by proofe, how vain it is for the vnnaturall subiect to rise to the ruine of his liege and natural king, and how vnable they be to bring their shamefull indeuour to [...] [...]rowful [...] ende. 3 The [...] [...] blinde [...] th [...] [...] [Page] chiefly aime at the heart of our Eliza­beth. But the euent doth prooue, that as God for Dauid, so our king Christ for his holy annointed, doth take this Ca­tholike treason as doone vnto himselfe, and therefore in vaine is all your toyle in treasonable affaires.

To our singular comforte, lette vs re­member these wordes of our text, Why doe ye murmur, &c. In vaine, in vain, yea, and that in a double vanitie, doe our Papists conspire and rage. For neither shall they bee able to hurt our gratious Queene Elizabeth, nor yet be able to a­uoide Gods heauie displeasure by the hand of her authoritie. They shall neuer preuaile in their attempt, Psal. 2.2.9. for these rea­sons following: First, whosoeuer sette themselues against an absolute power, armed of God, must needs be ouercome, but the Catholike traytors do so, as be­fore is said: Ergo, &c.

Againe when the purposes of earthly [...] the decree of the [...] [...]ust needes [...] [...]ses of [...] [...]en, Psal. 2.7.8. [...] [Page] are so bent: Ergo, &c.

The eternal decree is sette downe in this Psalme. First, for the Lord Christ in his Church, that hee shall raigne o­uer the kinges of the earth for euer, and nexte, for his annointed Princes, that they shall raigne in his Syon, vnder him their Lorde and king, maugre their e­nemies, during his time limited for them.

Therefore neyther Resyn, nor hys partner Romelia, nor yet the purposed sonne of Tabeall, canne preuayle against Ierusalem, Esay. 7. nor his Dauid. For Gods decree hath saide (It shall not bee) how cunning, mightie, or Catholike soeuer hee the conspiracie: for earthlie councel cannot preuayle against the Lorde. So as to our singular comfortes, and Gods eternall praise (beloued in Christ) wee may safely apply this saying of our most louing GOD, to our Church, and kingdome, because through his greate mercie, Gal. 4. wee are a s [...] [...] vnyuersall [...] to who [...] [...] net [...] [...] [Page] All thy Children shall bee taught of GOD, Esay. 54.13.14, &c. and much peace shall bee to thy Children. In righteousnesse shalt thou bee established, and bee free from oppression and from feare: For it shall not come neare thee, beholde the enemie shall gather himselfe, but without me. Whosoeuer shal gather himselfe in thee against mee, shal fall: Beholde, I haue created the Smyth that bloweth the coales in the fire, and hym that bringeth foorth an Instrument for hys woorke, and I haue created the destroyer to de­stroye, but all the weapons that are made against thee shall not prosper, and euerie tongue that shall ryse a­gainst thee, thou [...]halt condemne. This is the heritage of the Lords seruants, and the righteousnesse is of me sayth the Lord This is the staffe of our stay, and the strength of our arme, euen the Lor [...] i [...]iolable decree for his an­ [...] [...] vs styll to [...] fully nur­ [...] [...] [...]de, she [...] as [...] [Page] many straungers, as hunger the Lordes milke without guile, in this his English Nurcerie. In vaine therefore shall bee your trecherous attemptes against her Maiestie, this Church, and kingdome, though hell be come to your helpe. And therefore O Lorde, wee offer vnto thee the Calues of our lippes, [...]ose. 14.2. [...]eb. 13.15 and euer mag­nifie thy holy name. This decree being for vs, howe can the Papistes or their Treasons be vnreuenged. God sayth, re­specting their proper nature, the ene­mies shall rise, but he sayth straightway they shall fall. Their tongues shal raile, but wee by truth in God shall con­demne them. They shal gather them­selues, but shal not finde vs alone, for the Lord raigneth in Syon, [...]sal. 99.1. be the peo­ple neuer so vnpatient: He will arise, and his enemies shal be scattered, and as smoke in the wind, sal. 68.1.2. & waxe against the Sunne, so shall they melte and flye before him.

Examples [...] [...] finite: for [...] Lorde [...] ha [...] [...] [Page] Princes, when they stoode in neede of him? When men shall be required, his 300. for his Gedeon, shall put to flyght his Medianites, Iudg. 7 that are exceeding num­ber. His haile-stones shall beat to death such enemies, as with-stande his Iosua. Iosua. 10. And the ayrie winde shall russle trees, whereon God doth walke before Dauid to his battaile, 2. Sam. 5.24. to yeelde him victorie. Architophel shall slaye himselfe, as did Bellamie, and Gods vengeance cannot suffer the gracelesse Abs [...]lon to die a cō ­mon death. The trees therefore shal ex­ecute his pride, his shagged haire & this Spanyels cutte) shalbe his halter. And to omit the Scriptures testimonie for Dauid, if we looke vppon Gods present iudgements in this our nation frō time to time, against all traiterous assay, in all sorts and callings, we shall bee com­pelled to conclude, that all in vaine is their attempt, when they without God, gather [...]selues against theyr So­ [...] [...] wil affoord [...] [...]here­ [...] [...] the [Page] Osbert of London and his 50. thousande Traytors, An. 1196. Rich. 2. against king Richard 2. were speedily ouerthrown, and he their chief, executed at the Elmes, it maye bee the place of the last execution.

Peter Spalding betrayed Barwicke to the Scottes, and was by the king of Scots caused to be hanged, because of his trea­son against his naturall kyng Edward the second.

Roger Mortimer conspyring the death of king Edw. 3. his Father, An. 1317. was hanged at the foresaid Elmes.

And that notable rable of Rakehels, Iacke Strawe, and Wat Tyler, that spoiled London, and slew the Counsaile, bearing bloodie hand against all authoritie and learning (so that vppon whom soeuer a penne and yncke was founde, he dyed in their tyrannous Treason) had yet their desertes: For W. Walworth the Maior of this noble Citie of London▪ arrested him with the mace of deat [...] [...]

The hon [...] [...] conti [...] [...] che [...] [...]

The perilous treasons by them pur­posed, ioyned iust with the presente Ca­tholike attemptes, as Iacke Strawe con­fessed at his death.

They meant to haue slaine aswell the king as his Counsaile, the Lordes and Gentlemen of accompt, the Bishops & Preachers of the Land, all Iudges and common Lawyers, onely the begging Friers (auncestors of our present Iesu­ites) should haue beene the Curates of the Country. And kinges shoulde haue bene raised frō the Tilekil for Wat Ty­ler was decreed the king of Kent, & so in euery shire such another. And because they were miserable beggars, their pur­pose was to haue burned the Citie of London, at the foure corners thereof, and so to haue easilye gathered her wealth vnto themselues. But thankes be vnto God, as the purposes of these former Papistes with these our present Catho­likes, [...] [...]lone in effect, & very resem­ [...] [...] Lords lot, [...] [...]idge hath [...] goe [...] [Page] and spend the day in like examples. As in Hen. 4. time, how his vnnatural No­bilitie, with their traiterous Priest Madeline (for it is a straunge treason, where neither the Pope nor his Chap­laines be partakers) by the good seruice of his Subiects of Circester, were taken the most of them, and put to death. And though the Rebelles sette fire on the towne, supposing that way to withdraw their seruice, yet in loue to their loyal­tie, and seruice to their Lord and king, they did persiste to prosecute the trayte­rous Rebels, and their attendantes, to their deserued death. But to let al other Princes passe vs, would God our Pa­pistes could beholde his mightie hande for our Elizabeth.

What conspiracies haue they had a­gainst her maiestie, which Gods maie­stie hath not reuealed to her, that the wheele of Iustice might rewarde them. Plometry the priest, 1570.. and [...] [...]erats at Durham [...] thumb [...] [...] [...] [Page] Doctor Story, with Haunce that foolish priest, and table gamester (such was his profession and common practise) Campi­on and his fellow champions, Arden, So­meruile, Throgmorton, and the rest, with their trayterous Printer, all which in wonderfull wise the Lorde hath laide o­pen to the worlde, and by perfect trials, as by their own confessions, were found deepely dyed in most deadly Treasons, and as most wicked weedes, were iustly cast out of our Christian garden.

So likewise (beloued) this moste odi­ous and execrable purpose, by Sauage, and other Sathanicall seede, so secretlie deuysed, and being Imps of very green youth, and some of them as sprouts spred into her maiesties Court, were therfore for the most parte, least suspected of ma­nie, which threatned this Nation more imminent danger: Yet our euerlasting watchman, the Lord Iehouah, from the [...] did so ryng a stil [...] to her Maie­ [...] [...] [...]atter, Psal. 127.1. and [...] theyr [...] [Page] to Gods great glorie, her maiesties still preseruation, the Churches peace, & Eng­lands tranquility, they were in y ^e way (as Dauid saith) and the godly wisedome of the Prince, Psal. 2. by the censure of equitie, hath for the peace of her Subiectes, and her bounden dutie vnto God, cropped some of these bitter braunches from the tree of this common wealth, whose en­deuour was (might they haue attained their intent) to haue pulsed vp the same by the verie rootes.

Oh sauage crueltie, an ill deuised re­compence, for so long suffering & prince­ly clemencie extended from her meeke maiestie amongst you. And whereas the rest apprehended, remaine heere and els where: so I beseech God in mercie, if it be his good wil, to cōuert their soules, y ^t they seeing the valour of their infernall sinnes, may speedily repente them, wyth teares and wordes fitte for repentance, to the comfort o [...] [...] i [...] [...] [...] uauncement [...] [...] techrist, th [...] [...] [...] rour [...] [Page] cut from the City of the Lord, & that the bryar and bramble bush of Rome and Poperie (the field and forrest of treasōs) against Christian kinges & kingdomes, maye bee discerned and despised by the Cedars of our Libanus, Iudg. 9.8.14 so as in y ^e most honourable assemblye of our best chosen plantes, euen with whole consente, her Maiesties sworde may bee fully sette in edge, and her gratious arme, by theyr godly strēgth, so yet further armed, that she may vowe, and sing to God with the former Dauid: Betimes I wil destroye all the wicked in the lande, Psal. 101.8. that I may cut off all the workers of iniquitie from the Citie of the Lord. And before the meetings of this most honourable Court (brethren) lette vs giue the Lord no rest, vntil he haue mercie, & surely set in safetie, our Ierusalem, Esay. 62.7 the praise of the world. And that in our daies Darius statute bee reuiued: namely, that Gods hol [...] [...] may be more & more richly [...] [...]ease, Esra. 6. his ser­ [...] [...] [...]cere godli­ [...] [...] [...]stiti­ [...] [...] [Page] to God by her good Subiectes, for her prosperous Raigne, increasing Peace, Regall Throne, honour to her sacred person and ioye to her sanctified soule. And that her olde daies may growe in health, and godlines, to double the num­ber of her graces yeares, to the fulnes of good christians comfort in Christ our Lorde, if it may stande with his blessed will & good pleasure. So shall our mur­muring Papistes at home, and their banded confederates abroade, mourne and houle, because the Lord doth meete them in the fielde, and their attemptes, by his great strength, are brought to be but vaine. Be wise therefore ye kinges and be learned ye mighty wights of the worlde, see and consider, and serue the Lorde in feare, and reioyce in him, and not in his aduersarye at Rome. And you common Catholiques and resolute tray­tors, seeke no longer to crushe, but kisse the sonne of God (decreed [...] [...] ­uer his vniuersall [...] loue, honou [...] [...] annoint [...] [...] [...] [Page] in your inuentions, for the Lorde will haue her to pertake of Dauids solace o­uer you Gentiles, saying with mighty conquest, Moab is my washpot, Psal. 60.8. ouer Edome will I cast out my shoe, vpon Philistia will I triumph. He will vse his liberty ouer them, in his victory, & put them to vile seruitude, and then tossed & troubled England, repose thy confidence in Christ, and imbrace not his grace in vaine, so shall he make thee the praise of the world, and thy Elizabeth the beauty of Christian Princes, for the glorye of his name, to whom with God the father and the holy Ghost, be all prayse, power dominion, and immortall thankes tho­roughout all generations. Amen.