AL beit (my deare Coun­treymen, and well beloued in the Lord) your faithfull and willing mindes were lately shew­ed, by an ear­nest desire of vētring your liues for de­fence of your Countrey: yet because the same then happened in a furie against your enemies, and (as it were) in the feare of finall destruction: and that the triall of your valiaunt courages, and proofe of your warlike furni­tures, was preuented by the great mercie of God, and the prouident foresight of her excellent Maiestie: so as God himselfe hath stricken the stroake, and yee [Page]haue but looked on, I am not now to speake of any late actes, atchieued by your prowes and courage, but to set before your eyes, the great and woonderful causes you haue, to arme your bodies, to prepare your mindes, and to sharpen your swordes against your enemies. Not as your forefathers, against some one particular prince in Fraunce, in Spaine, or in Scotland. Neither for lands, for honor or con­quest, which by battailes one or twaine might be de­cided, and the quarrell ended: But yée must streng­then your selues against that horrible beast, who hath receiued power from the Dragon. Against the prin­ces of the Nations, which haue entred into League with the whore of Babylon, who hath sworne your destruction: And will not be satisfied with the bloud of many dayes battaile, nor with the landes which you holde, nor with the goods which ye possesse, nor with the faire houses which ye haue builded. Neither are they minded to carrie you away; as the Affirians, Egyptians & Romans did the Israelites into capti­uitie. But after they haue taken their vile pleasure of your wines, your sonnes and daughters, they will vtterly destroy you, that the name of our Nation shal be no more remembred vpon the earth. Whosoe­uer (say they) falleth not downe and worshippeth that golden Image, shalbe cast the same houre into the hotte fierie Furnace. They will no more suffer you to trie the trueth by testimonie of y^e Scriptures, nor to pleade for your selues the most auncient Fa­thers: But hauing preuailed against you, they will execute their mallice vpon you without iudgement, and destroy you without mercie. They haue alrea­die cast lottes for your inheritance, and haue geuen sentence vpon the sacred person of the Quéene. They [Page]will make no difference of degrees: But the Quéene and the Commons, the noble and ignoble, the lear­ned and vnlearned, the Priest and the people, the poore and the rich, the olde and the young, haue all one punishment allotted vnto them. Was there e­uer any Nation in the world so barbarous, or people so bloudie, or prince so cruel before this time; whe­ther he warred for gréedinesse, or mallice, or reuenge or conquest; but he satisfied himselfe with the bloud and captiuitie of them that offended him; sparing the Nation, and them that were innocent in the action.

Agayne; Was their euer any King or Prince, or Magistrate, whyther he were godlesse or religious, whither Idolater or Christian, but if hée mynded to reuenge against any other nation, he would plead the cause by messengers according to the law of nations: and not purpose a sudden distruction before a perfect examination? What Barbarian, Turke or Tyrant would séeke to conquere his neighbour by fraude; to gayne to his sect, by falshood; to beréeue a Prince of hir kingdome, by villany; of hir subiects, by disloyal­tie; of her life, by treachery; and of all their liues and soules, by hypocrisie? Is this the spirit of him that rebuked his Disciples when they would haue called for fier from heauen to haue consumed them, whiche would not receiue him? No (saith he) ye must be of an other spyrit: I am not come to distroy mens liues but to saue them.

Good king Dauid, albeit he were already annoin­ted king of Israell, in the life time of Saul, and had his sayd enimy many times alone where he might haue slaine him, and so haue possessed the kingdome quietly, would not attempt so great a treachery.

What shall we say of the Romane captaine Ca­millus [Page]that while he lay at the siege of a citie called Falliscus, there came secretly to him out of the citie, a Schoolemaster with his schollers, offering him to betray the towne into his hands. No (saith Camillus) I will winne it honorably, & thou shalt be sent home with shame. And so deliuering roddes into the hands of his owne Schollers, they whipped their Master home into the cittie.

Is it not that beaste of the bottomlesse pit, that worketh all these tragedies? Hath hée not made drunke the Princes of the earth with the cup of his fornication: euen that bloudy woman, that sitteth on the bloudy coloured beast? that exalteth him selfe a­boue all Princes, and maketh himselfe equall with God?

Was there euer any Prince or Monarch of the world before this pettie God sprange vp? Nay did euer al the Princes of the world, séeke to depriue any one absolute Prince of his kingdome, and Enti­tle the same vnto an other, without an expresse com­maundement of God, vnlesse it were by honorable Conquest or iust victory? By me (saith God) kings reigne, and noble men of the yearth doe beare rule. Where is their any example in the old Testament, that any préest did euer depose any Prince? (For Athalea was but an vsurper, and was slayne by con­sent both of préest and people as a murtheresse of her owne children: and Ioas the right heyre was esta­blished in the kingdome) Was not Peter in the new testament greater then any Pope on the yearth? and yet so farre from deposing of Princes, as he himselfe of all other was most obedient to secular power, and gaue the same lesson vnto others? But was not Christ himselfe the prince of all princes: And yet [Page]seing his kingdome was spirituall, was hée not obe­dient to all gouernment, commaunding all maner of obedience and humilitie to all his Disciples?

Now let vs sée more at large, by whom, against whome, and for what causes this warre, or rather cruel proscription, groweth. That these things be­ing plainely set downe before your eyes, not onely they that be of the poorer sorte (which hauing excel­lent courages, will set to their hartes and handes to defend their Prince, their Countrie and Religion, if they may be inhabled therevnto) but chiefly those that haue substance, lands and liuing, whiche God hath giuen them, not to consume in their owne plea­sures and vanities, but especially to these endes and purposes; may be perswaded with a full and perfect resolution, (forsaking the pomps and vanities of this life) to liue frugally, honestly and temperately, as shal best become the loyall seruaunts of so godly a prince, and the valiant defenders of so Christian a commonweale: And henceforth be redy, not alone with their lands and goods, but also with their bodies and liues to defend so iust, so godly, & so holy a cause.

What time as it pleased our most mercyfull and heauenly father in this our age, to discouer vnto his Church; by certaine preachers of great courage and magnaminitie, the manyfold abuses and heape of traditions, which the bishops of Rome, by their let­ters, Decrées and Cannons, had brought into the church by little and little, from the second age of Christ vnto that time: (whereby the sincere and playne religion of Christ, pronownced, written, and established by his Apostles ouer all the world, was to corrupted and ouer shadowed, as euen vnto this day, vnlesse it be those, whose mindes God hath ligh­tened [Page]with the bright beames of his spirit, men can hardly remooue that vale of vanities frō their hart:) Euen then also, it pleased his fatherly goodnesse, to open the eyes of that Noble prince of euerlasting memory, king Henrie the eight, father to her excel­lent Maiestie; that he playnely saw how long the Princes and people had béene abused, and, as it were bewitched, with that vngodly Antichrist of Rome. Who being puffed vp with certaine liberall dona­tions of some well minded princes, by little and little became of the poorest of all humane creatures, the most mightie Pope and Primate and commaunder of all Christian princes. Wherefore by the aduice of his most prudent and godly Councell; with the assent of the whole realme in Parlament, he dischar­ged himselfe of the Romish yoke, which many of his progenitors, the kings of England for fellowship of other princes had so long submitted themselues vn­to. And therewithall, deliuering to all his subiects, the law of the Lord in their owne mother tongue, so many yeares excluded from them, gaue power vnto godly preachers to publish the truth, maugre all the enimies of the same.

Whose godly example, his vertuous and prudent some king Edward the sixt faithfully following, vt­terly chased away in one moment all the remnant of traditions, that men had béene so long in deuising, and restored Religion to the selfe same fourme, that the holy Apostles left the same.

According wherevnto our most gracious Soue­raigne, leading vs out of the captiuity of Babilon (where God for our manyfould sinnes made vs by the space of six yeares, or there about to serue vn­der Antichrist, till we were returned vnto him by [Page]prayer and amendment of life) perfectly restored vs againe to all those heauenly giftes which her royall Father and Brother had bestowed vpon vs.

Wherefore, these things beyng thus godly and sincerely taken in hand, The Pope in his greatnesse sore appalled: fearing at the very first, that if these things should prosper and haue good successe, he and his whole Religion should be ouerthrowne, and him­selfe cast downe from that high dignitie of a Pope, to the poore degrée of Peter; from being carried on mens shoulders, to be sent abroade to preach in his owne person; From the wearing of Paules swoord, to be obedient to Princes lawes; From being ser­ued as a King at his table, to serue as a Minister in the Church, and from beyng an Vniuersall head, to be content with his owne cittie of Rome. He at the ve­ry first, in a great furie, perswaded the Christian Princes, that were taking in hand a noble action a­gainst infidels, to turne their forces against such their owne neighbours as were enimies to his supersti­tion.

So then, it is the Romish Antichrist that hath blowne the trumpe of this cruell sedition. It was that man of sinne which caused the commotion of the North against king Henrie the eight. It was he that raised vp diuerse rebellions against that vertuous yong prince king Edward the sixt, & also against her Maiestie. It was he that cursed the Quéene our so­uereigne, and in his owne fond imagination, deposed her Royall person from her crowne and dignitie: and of his owne frée gift (forsooth) bestowed the same vpon others, but neuer durst giue liuery and season of the same him selfe. He it is that flatly against the [Page]woord of God (wherein it was saide:1. Pet. 2. Rom. 13. Let euery soule submit it selfe to the king as to his head) discharged all her Maiesties subiects of their due obedience to­wards her: and sent in swarmes of false Hypocrites, to steale away the hartes of the simple people from her, and to carrie away their consciences captiue vn­to Sathan. He it is, that hath sundry times laid plats for the destruction of her royall person: and, so far as in him laye, committed cruell murther by assenting vnto vile persons to slaye her, and by giuing them pardons before hand for their villanies. Finally he it is, that hath sowne sedition in the kingdome; that hath driuen men, women and children, from true re­ligion to perdition; from sincere worshipping, to damnable superstition. And he it is, that hath made not the holy, but the hellish league, with the great and mighty Princes of his religion to deuoure and consume vs. But God be blessed for euermore, which hath lately deliuered vs, and turned some of their owne weapons, prepared against vs, into their owne bowels, and hath drowned Pharao and his horsemen in the Sea. For though the Spanish king lately ap­proched to the kingdome with wonderfull force and preparation to haue conquered the same, yet was he but a deputie therein to the Pope, & should haue taken possession but of that which he gaue vnto him, and haue held the same of him, much like as Charles the Erle of Anioy and prouince, held from him the kingdome of both Scicils. Yée sée therefore who is author, deuiser, and maintayner of all these mischiefes.

Now let vs consider, against whome this holy fa­ther and his adherents haue raysed vp so vngodly [Page]and so vnnaturall a warre.

This famous and noble kingdome of England, (as testifie all the best writers old and new) was not the slackest among other nations that receaued the Gospell. For if Paule him selfe, or some other of the Apostles, were not the first that planted Christian religion in England, yet is it certaine, that Ioseph of Aramathia with his fellowes, preached the Gospell vnto vs within lesse then 80 yeares after Christ. And in the 180 yeare of our Lord. Lucius the king of England receyued new preachers: and not onely was him selfe the first or the second king that recei­ued baptisme in all the Christian world; but he also caused all his kingdome to doe the like, and publikely to receyue the Gospell. A principall testimonie here­of may be, that the kings of England, haue either the first or the second place in generall Councels.

Afterward, About the 600. yere of Christ, they re­ceiued Augustine and his felowes, sent from Gregorie the Pope, and rather left the more sincere worship­ping of Christ, taught them by Fugatius and Damia­nus, in the time of king Lucius, and to make no com­motion for the losse of foure hundred English Chri­stians, cruellie murthered at Bangor, by the pro­curement of the same Augustine, then to raise any scisme or diuision in the Church.

If none of all these most auncient merites (for the which England might both be called and repu­ted the most Christian kingdome of all other) will moue them to take pittie vpon vs, because antiquitie of time bréedeth coldnesse and obliuion. Let them re­member, that though we be here remoued in a cor­ner from the rest of the world, and may be measured [Page]with a span, in comparison of all Christendome be­sides, yet haue we béene euer as readie, as any other of the mightiest, and richest kingdomes, to trauell o­uer sea and land, to spend our liues, lands, and goods, to resist the furie and inuasion of the Turks, & other heathen Nations: Whereas we our selues, being an Island, and defended by the Occean Sea, had lesse cause than anie other, to feare the Infidels, being so farre remote from vs.

An example hereof may be Richard the first, who behaued himselfe so noblie in seruice, against the Pagans, that he obteined the name of Cieur de Li­on. That is, Richard with the Lions hart. Is this then the reward that we receiue for so great desert? Is there no other Citie, nor kingdome, nor Countrey that is fallen from them but we? Or be we the first that must be sacrificed by the Leaguistes, in example of all others: because we most sincerely professe the trueth, and most defende them that are oppressed for the Gospel.

But is it our Quéene, the Lanterne and light of true Religion, that they so much enuie, because shee hath reformed the Church in her owne kingdome. Hath she done any thing els then did those good kings of Israel, Dauid, Ezechias and Iosaphat? Hath shee sought any other way than her most Royall Father, and her vertuous brother, as an Inheritance left vn­to her, together with the kingdome? Or any other way then Quéene Marie her sister sometimes follo­wed, and no doubt but would haue so continued, if she had not béene seduced by certaine Parasites of that sinfull man: and perhaps by some corrupte Poole, that came from the riuer of Tiber? Let them shew [Page]me, if it be not the self same way, that the most Chri­stian king Lucius her auncient Predecessor, receiued from Elutherius, fourteene hundred yeres past, which Elutherius had receiued the same from them which heard the Apostles? Haue not we shewed and proo­ued, a thousand times a thousand, by writing, by dis­putation, by preaching, by conference, and many o­ther wayes, the persons by whom, the times where­in, and the matters whereof, euery particular péece & patch of their Religion is framed? Which things (with the presumptuous affirmation of their vayne opinions lately deuised, either by curious heads, or by emulation of the Learned, or of a fond zeale with­out knowledge, or for the increase of pompe and ri­ches) laide apart from our Religion, they shall finde themselues vnawares in the selfe same trueth which we professe.

Wherefore then are they of the holy League so déepely offended with the gouernment of so excellent a Princesse, that they should seeke to bereaue her of her kingdome, before they haue wel examined the question, and to repute her as a Scismatike, before they well know her Religion. No doubt but shee daylie speaketh vnto God, and saith: Pleade thou my cause (O Lord) and fight thou with them that fight against me. For she carieth the testimony of a good conscience, that she séeketh no glorie nor praise vnto her selfe, but peace and tranquilitie vnto the Church: Shee seeketh not the dominions of other Princes, but a iust defence of her owne: nor to shed any Christian bloud, but to saue the poore afflicted soules which crie vnto her. Hath she euer brokē any League with Christians, or made any couenant with [Page]Infidels? Hath she not alwaies laboured for peace beetweene Christian Princes: And trauayled therein to her excéeding charges? She neuer indeue­red by any secret or subtill meanes, to circumuent her neighbors, but what she meant to execute in déed, that she professed vnto the world. She bare not men in hande that she prepared against the Turke, or for the Indies, when shee meant to inuade her neigh­bors. Neither did she make anie semblance of peace, till she might be fully prepared vnto battaile: but shee hath alwaies dealt plainly, and valeantly, and honourablie with al promise. She neuer omitted a­ny good and frendly meanes to pacification, while a­ny hope of frendshippe remayned. But when all hope of intreatie was quite extinguished, she fledde vnto the next remedie; trusting that the mighty God of Iacob, which had many times deliuered her, would now also be her defender and keeper.

Alas, What honor shall it be for so great & migh­tie Princes, to bende their force against so godly, and peaceable a Quéene, that confesseth as much as they, one, and the selfe same God in Trinitie of persons, & Vnitie of Substance. That hath one & the selfe-same Baptisme, that looketh to be saued by one and the selfesame death, that hopeth for the same resur­rection of the bodie, that confesseth one and the same Gospel, and that beleeueth in the selfesame booke of Canonicall Scriptures. It had beene farre more for their honor and credits, and for the profite of all Christendome, they hauing such store of men and wealth, if they would haue sought first to enlarge the kingdome of Christ, by compelling Turkes and In­fidelles to the saith, rather then to spoyle themselues [Page]of their riches, and their Dominions, of Christian souldiers, by making war against a maiden Quéene. By the charges and bloud of which vnnaturall war, they might perhaps haue gayned many thousand In­fidels to the faith of Christ. No (forsooth) They would not séeme to warre with a woman, but to pre­pare so inuincible force against her, as might deuoure her, and her whole kingdome in one day, without a­ny warre at all. But God that sitteth aboue, casteth out the Councels of Princes, and bringeth their de­uises to none effect. For he hath destroyed their for­ces, and sunke in the sea their huge and strong Ves­sels: seeing there is no wisdome, no policie, no coun­sell, no strength, against the Lord of hostes.

We sée now by whome, and against whome this warre is made. It remaineth to declare bréefly the causes therof. Which, though they haue in some part béene touched, yet will I more exp [...]sly set foorth the same. That it may appeare what are the lawfull cau­ses of warre, and how iustly we take in hand to de­fend our selues.

Warres (saith Cicero) must be taken in hand, to the end we may liue in peace without taking wrong. Which rule no doubt is good and very agréeable to our Religion, and to the law of nature.

For why else did the Lord promise victory vnto Achab by the prophet in defence of Samaria, and to many other kings of Israell, when they were assay­led and besieged by their enemies. Neither haue we in any of our actions stept one iote frō the same rule. For when the greatest princes of Christendome, had with one consent conspired with the Sée of Rome, to make warre vpon all the professors of the Gospell, [Page]and to reduce them againe to their abhominable Ido­latrie, or else so to destroy thē that their name should be no more remembred vpon the earth, but especially perceyuing the Quéenes Maiestie to be most zealous of the truth, and the principall piller on whome the Church of Christ did depend, they deuised many wayes how to depriue her of her life and king­dome. Come (say they) this is the heire, let vs slay her, and the inheritance shalbe ours. Then her Maiestie knowing from whence the chéefe cause of their malice procéeded; and that the matter most of all concerned the glory of God, and next vnto that, the life of her owne selfe, and of infinite thou­sands of her subiects: She hath since that time ta­ken into her possession, (though not the hundreth part of that which she might, and hath béene offered her) yet some part of her enimies weapons, as law­full was for her [...] doe, for the better defence of her kingdome, and more safetie of the Church of Christ: since without those helpes, she had no safe way to defend her selfe. Yet haue these things béene done of her Maiestie with such deliberation, aduisement, and long protracting of time: as it might be euident vnto all the world, that shée sought nothing more then to haue her enimies by some meanes or other reconci­led vnto her, before shée would enter into any new action for her owne defence. And vndoubtedly, but that it so much concerned the cause of God, and the kingdome of her auncient alies: all which, shée was borne to defend, when shée tooke vpon her the impe­riall Crowne: and that she saw, that if she did take whole kingdomes from her enimies by violence, they could neuer haue enraged more against her then be­fore; she would rather haue lost a thousand liues in [Page]her owne person, then to haue touched any thing that should offend her neighbors, or might séeme to belong to an other. But when she saw that no good ordinary meanes would preuaile: when her High­nesse perceyued that Turkes, Iewes and Infidels, were suffered to liue quietly among them, without cōpulsion of conscience, but her poore subiects brought into seruitude, vnles they would submit their soules to the power of Antichrist. When for a most courte­ous intertainement of all their subiects within her dominions, all hers among them, were eyther made Gally slaues, or else brought within the compasse of their cruel Inquisitiō, when neither her owne fréend­ly letters, might be receaued as they should, nor her messengers of account, regarded as they ought: Fi­nally, when they had decréed that no faith was to be kept with vs, and made vs worse then Infidels, be­cause we haue fled from their superstition, and fol­lowed the sincere faith of Iesus Christ. Then her Maiestie with all princely courage and magnanimi­tie, began to stretch foorth her power to defend the cause of God, and her owne right. And these be the strong causes of their tragicall dealings against vs.

Awake now therefore my Countrymen; Pluck vp your spirits, yée that haue courage in you: Ad­uance your selues which haue so long laine in secu­ritie. If euer you were forced but for a season to shew the strength of your bodies, now haue you cause to ioyne therewith the courage of your mindes. They haue sounded their Trumpet, and made reddy vnto battaile. What they haue these many yeares deui­sed against you, now they doe put in practise. Their Standard is aduanced; they are in armes to assaile you. Be ye valiant to resist, and prepare you to the [Page]fight. It must be no more with you now, as it was in times past, when you had sudden expeditions a­gainst the French and Scottish nations; when you thought it sufficient to prepare for fortie dayes vic­tuals and munition, and for one dayes action, and so to returne home to your woonted quiet rest, and care­lesse custome; fearing no more till a new Alarum. For yée deale not now with such nations, which ey­ther for their pouertie could not, or for lacke of cou­rage durst not, or for want of stayed mindes would not. But yée encounter with them that are riche, hardy, resolute, and frequented with dayly victories, which neglect no oportunitie nor aduantage: which desire not to be Lords to day and loyterers to mor­row: which if they set in one foote, are reddy to enter in with both. But on the otherside, we of al nations haue béene noted inuincible, if we encounter with our enimies while our spirits be sharpened against them, while the cause is yet fresh in our memorie: And that we at the first, run vnto all great attempts with gréedy desire, but after a while grow colde, ne­gligent and carelesse: That which we now willing­ly enterprise with the losse of our liues, within few dayes we let flip by a carelesse negligence. And this report (no doubt) hath béene to much verified by vs in France, Normandie, Gaskaine, Aquitaine, and in innumerable other places; gained in some time with wonderfull honor, and lost vpon the suddaine with great dishonor.

But farre be these olde careles mindes from new English hearts; and when we haue the true know­ledge of God, experience of our enemies, riches, mu­nition, and more meanes to defend then euer before. Whē we know our enemies to be so many, so migh­tie, [Page]so rich, and so resolute: When we are so wel ad­nised of our former faults: when our cause is so rare, so great, and concerns, not onlie our liues and goods, our wiues and children, our honor, our Prince & our Common-weale: But most of all, when it toucheth the saluation of our soules, the inheritance of Christs kingdome, and the preseruation of all his Saintes. Which cause, neuer before this time, happened to a­ny of our forefathers. Banish therefore from you those olde negligences, wherewith ye haue béene so long noted; and printe in your mindes new resoluti­ons, of stedfast and perpetuall courage, such as shall neuer decay, or grow colde by the intermission of time, or change of matter.

And to the ende there may neuer bee in you any thing to hinder so duetifull and necessarie a woorke, I will set downe both the lettes and impedimentes, that be most enemies to this excellent defence: and also, the best meanes I finde to redresse the same. Which things being regarded with such care as they ought, wil so throughlie prepare and furnish vs, that though the whole world, and enemies of Christ and his Gospel, rage neuer so much against vs, we shall continuallie be able to defend our selues, & the realm, against them; yea, and (if néede so require) to offende some of them also for the better safetie of our Chri­stian brethren dispersed abroad in the world.

The late enterprise which your enemies made a­gainst you; whereby they made a full account to haue conquered you: although the same was excéeding dangerous, by reason of their woonderfull great pre­paration and furniture: Such, as, I suppose, in that kinde, hath scarcely béene heard or read of, since the beginning of the worlde, against any Nation: yet, [Page]since God by his mightie arme, hath deliuered you from the daunger thereof; it may turne, (if ye be well aduised,) to the greatest profite that euer happened vnto England. For thereby we haue seene, what force our enimies be of, and haue learned how to pre­pare against them. We haue tried, that great acti­ons must not be taken in hande with slender furni­tures. That if we purpose to be foorth for one mo­neth, wee must prepare for twaine. That it is bet­ter to leaue great aboundance, then to lacke one pe­niwoorth. That if we haue all the strength and pro­uision that can be deuised in the world, yet to put no confidence therein, but to relie onely on the mer­cie, and assistance, and defence of almighty God, the Lord of hostes.

It hath also discouered vnto vs, the forces, and fur­nitures of our owne Realme. It hath shewed vnto vs our owne wantes. It hath stirred vp our mindes to looke to our selues. It hath made vs effectually to know the meaning of our enemies, which before wée did but mistrust, and would hardly beléeue. It hath taught vs who be her Maiesties loyall Subiectes at home, and her faithfull frendes abroad. Finally, it hath warned vs, not to vse any more our old won­ted negligence, but with handes and hart, with lands and goods, before and after, and at euery present time to resist euery Forraine inuasion, and to prouide ear­nestly against the same.

In like manner, the generall musters, and tray­ning vp of men, most prudently and politikely com­maunded throughout the Realm: Besides the won­derfull readinesse, that it hath brought the State into in time of néede. It hath also geuen vs a full and per­fect knowledge, both of the sufficiencie of our men, [Page]and of all their furnitures of warre. All which thinges, though they might séeme sufficient of them­selues, to shew, & admonish you to prepare all that is necessarie; yet will I shew you more particularly, what things in my iudgement, are most néedefull herein, and what impediments there be, that we can not so throughly defend the Realm, as we ought, and are bound in duetie to doe. Which being considered, and the impediments remoued, we may more easilie doe the same.

The first and most generall thing to bee noted herein, is, that al particular persons, which are char­ged by the Statute to prouide furnitures according to their estate and liuing, haue either none of these things at all, when they be commaunded to serue the Common weale, or els they haue them in such bare and simple sort, as it may seeme they doe nothing for conscience and duetie, and for the loue they beare to their Countrey, but for a bare shew, to blinde the eyes of the world, and to deceaue the lawes of the Realme. And no doubt, but the offence of these is so great, as if either in their owne conscience they know them selues able, or if it be prooued by others that they haue sufficient, and yet neglect their ser­uice, it standeth both with Iustice and Reason, that they should enioy nothing of their owne, til the Com­mon weale be first furnished of such things as is their parte to performe.

Moreouer, In the leuying and pressing of souldi­ers, as there hath alwaies beene great abuses in thē, which haue beene Captains, and had the charge ther­of; so is there some corruptiō vsed at this day For the best and strongest bodies, the best trayned, and most [Page]able to doe seruice, are many times spared, and young weakelings, without strength, or skill, or abilitie, are appointed in their stead. How be it (I hope) that by reason of the waightinesse of the cause at this time, and willingnesse that men haue to the warres, hath made this offence not so generall now, as before time. And I my selfe haue lately séene whole bands, as well chosen and furnished, as one might wish.

Againe, We must consider with our selues, that the bandes and Cornets of horsemen, and especially of Launces, haue euer béene, and yet are, the most ne­cessarie, and puissaunt strength in warres, both to de­fend our selues, and offend our enemies. And there­fore we must take more care in these dayes, to pro­uide great horses, and large geldinges, then euer be­fore. For if we haue store of these, well furnished, and doe mount on them our owne valiaunt English­men: what great act dare we not attempt? what ar­mie dare we not assayle? what Citie dare wee not besiege? Nay, what enterprise thinke we not before hand obteyned? Did we not in a late siege against the Towne of Zutfen, in the low Countreyes, with the force of two or thrée hundred Horsemen, vnder the conduct of the valiant Earle of Essex, Generall of the Horsemen, and diuers other hardie Gentlemen, geue repulse vnto aboue twelue hundred of the best Horsemen of the king of Spayne? With infinite o­ther examples of the like. If then the number of twelue score did so great an exploite; what will ten or twelue thousand of those, or the like Launces, doe in any necessary seruice, for the honor and defence of the Realme. And I trust that the worthy example, which my Lords of her Maiesties Counsell, and of [Page]other Lords and Gentlemen, lately geeuen in muste­ring of so many good Horses, and men at Armes of their owne charge, will incourage the whole realme to prouide such store of horses and armours as shall throughly be able to defend the same. For let it be shewed, where there is any Ciuill realme in Christendome, that hath better meanes to bréed hor­ses then England hath: wherein be more Parkes, Forrestes, Chases, and Commons fit for this pur­pose, then in all the kingdomes round about vs. And assuredly, if Noblemen and Gentlemen, which haue the greatest store of these groundes to spare, would imploy some of them to the bréede of horses; besides the vnspeakeable benefit they should bring to their Countrie, they themselues also in short time should reape as great benefite thereby, as by any other meanes they can deuise. And although these many yeares past, there hath béene no talke but of peace, peace, and securitie, yet that now, when they sée they must séeke meanes how to defend both their liuing and liues also from their enemies, they will no more neglect a matter of so great importance, but will with one whole consent prouide, that within fewe yeares by the example of Germanie and other pla­ces, al the horses of labour which are not now woorth their meat, shalbe turned into able horses of seruice: which beyng doone, we shall haue oue of the most pui­sant and floorishyng kingdomes of the world. And hereby we sée how necessary a meanes this is for our defence.

Moreouer there ariseth many times a muttering or discontentment of souldiers, that though the Prince and her chiefe Officers haue prouided that [Page]euery one should be iustly paide for the time he ser­ueth, yet oftentimes their paye is kept from them by some meane Captaine or Officer. And I haue heard so many of them, so often & so pitifully cōplaine of the wrong that theyr yoong Captains haue offered them herein, as although some lewd fellowes among them may abuse theyr hearers, yet without doubt there is a great fault: and least this should be any impedi­ment to a generall & faithfull defence of the Realme, we are to wish that there may be good meanes found to redresse the same.

In like maner all sortes of purueyors and victua­lers, whyther they be for the Armie or Nauie. If they haue any loue to their Countrie, any faithful­nes to their Prince, any Charitie towards men, or any regard of their dutie and seruice, must be more carefull then heretofore; not onely, that there be store of victuals diligently prouided in time, & before there be any scarcitie & murmuring among the souldiers, but that it be also good and holsome for their bodies; least by the corruption thereof they be infected; and so the whole realme by their sickenes indangered.

Also priuate men, which haue most store of vic­tuals in their houses, and be best able to serue, and yet beyng commanded, doe either refuse to serue, or by corrupting of vnder officers, withdraw thēselues frō the seruice, Besides that they be enemies to their Countrie, and betraie the Common-weale, they be also most iniurious to their poore neighbours, which are compelled to serue, and yet not so well able as they.

Finally, The dissention and emulation that I haue séene in the Common weale, betweene priuate [Page]Captaines, for vaine glory; hath béene and is no smal hinderance to the defence of the Realme. For while one saith: I haue béene longer in the warres, and haue more experience then he: An other; I haue béene in more battailes and haue receiued more woundes: An other; I haue traueled furder vpon the Sea, and haue doone greater exploits: An other; I haue béene more fortunate and haue brought home more spoiles from the enemies, and yet am worser rewarded then he? What is this; but to teare in sunder the Com­monweale, and to hinder euery honorable action that belongeth to the defence of the same. Whereas eue­ry honest and true harted man to his countrie, will abandon all contentions, & will set apart all displea­sures and petie grudges; especially in the time of a­ny publike seruice; when euery mans dutie and cou­rage should appeare. Very notable was that action of Hermias, towardes his aduersary Cretinus Mag­netius, but especially towardes his natiue countrie; against which Mithridates made warre. For when Magnesius had gyuen his consent, that Hermias should be generall Captaine of the warres, and hée him selfe in the meane time would banish him selfe, for feare of factions that might arise: No (saith Her­mias) I know Cretinus to be better Captaine then my selfe, and therefore I will be banished till the warres be ended. This example is woorthy remem­brance, howbeit Christian captaines must step one degrée furder; and must not onely lay aside all dis­pleasure for a time, and be content that their aduer­sarie, whom they thinke to haue better knowledge, & more experience in martiall affaires then they, shall haue gouernement and preheminence aboue them; [Page]and they for that cause, to withdraw thēselues from the warres; but they must also be present in person, and with all their counsell, indeuour and strength, must helpe to ouerthrowe the publike enemy of the Realme, in how meane a place soeuer the Prince or her Lieftenant shall appoint them.

Last of all, the great prodigalitie and excesse of ap­parell, building, and dainty faire of the Nobilitie and Gentlemen of the Realme, is an excéeding hinde­rance to the defence of the same. For since the most parte of the lands and possessions thereof belong vn­to them, and that all others doe as it were depend on them, and are led by their example, gouernment, and direction, they are specially & aboue all others, bound both in reason and conscience, to defend that which is their owne. But how should they defend their owne, when they runne hedlong into debt: when so many score, so many hundreth, yea so many thousand pounds, which they haue in a yeare to spend, will not pay for the apparell they were on their backe. How much lesse are they able to buy, good horses, good ar­mour and good munition, and to pay their iust portion of all such things as belong to defence of their coun­trie? But, alas what should I complaine of this im­pediment, or what can auaile me to speake of so des­perate an inormitie: since I my selfe haue séene so many good lawes, so many commandements, and so many proclamations set foorth by her Maiestie, yea so many threatnings pronounced by godly preachers out of the word of God, for the reformation of this excesse; and nothing regarded, nothing amended, no­thing obserued: Nay all falling from better to worse, from pride to pompe, from gay colored silke, to bright [Page]glittering gold. And were it not that I saw this to be the whole ruine of my country, & (as it were) the ma­terial cause why the same cannot prosper, nor be wel defended, til this vice & vanitie be reformed, I would rather sit downe, and bewaile the palpable blindnes of men, then séeke to perswade them that be obstinate and wilfull in their owne opinions.

The famous Emperour Augustus, though a Heathen Prince, yet he saide, that costly apparrell was the banner of pride, and the very nurse of ryot and wantonnes. But what would hee say, if he saw England in these daies, and had sauoured of Christi­anitie? Assuredly, he would iudge the same to be the hie way vnto hell, and the efficient cause of our de­struction.

Outragious also is the great and sumptuous buil­ding of our time: It consumeth all the great Timber of the Realme, which should serue to make vs ships, for our walles and defence. And within a while, it wil force vs, either to buylde our vessels in strange Countreyes, or els to yéelde our selues for a pray vn­to our enemies. Also, it beggereth the greatest num­ber of them that take pleasure therein; and maketh them vnable to serue their Countrey. And there be many more great houses alredy, then there be men of liuing able to vphold.

I might speake also of the superfluity of meates and drinkes: and especially of the diuersitie of kinds, and such as are not nourished, nor doe grow within the Realme. The aboundance whereof, doeth not onely effeminate mens courages, and weaken their bodies, but also begger their purses, and make them by all meanes vnable to defend their Countrey.

We might take example of the Roman Monarch, The same was one hundred times greater then ours, and the Gentlemen so much greater, richer, and more honorable than ours, as Marcus Crassus affirmed, that a Senator which was not able to maintayne an armie of sixe thousand, was not wor­thy to be accounted rich. And yet was it ordeyned by a law, that no Senator shoulde haue at his boorde but thrée dishes at one meale. But with vs thrée and twenty is nothing, and yet one of ours is woorth three of theirs.

And generally, In al these things, we are so farre from the rule of our forefathers, nay of our owne fa­thers in this age of ours, (who knowing that the vn­necessarie wares of strange Countreyes, might bréed infinite losse to the kingdome,) rarely vsed any other ornaments for their owne persons, then such as the Realme it selfe could make. But now we be all He­liogabalians. We delight altogether in strange fashi­ons, in strange ornaments, strange stuffe, strange ap­parrel, strange diet, & in all things that be farre fette, & déere bought. If we be far from the Sea, we must haue fish: If we be néere the sea, we must haue flesh: When we haue the best, & the finest, and most diuer­sity of cloath and colour, & of stuffe made within the Realme, such as our forefathers could neuer haue, then must we most of all séeke for clothes of silke, of siluer, of golde: From Spayne, from Italie, from Africa, from Asia, from Caiecut, from China, & from the end of the world. When we haue the best meat of our owne, that can possibly bee deuised, then must we send into Flaunders, into France, and into farre Countreyes, to féede our vnsatiable bellies. O the [Page]miserable bondage that our Nation hath so willing­lie submitted their mindes vnto.

Wherefore, since ye haue now seene all the cau­ses of this warre, and cruel attempts moued against vs, and by how many wayes wée are hindered from a perfect, and resolute defence of the Realme: and by this means also, are taught how to redresse the same. I would (if it were the wil and pleasure of God) that for your sakes I had the tongue of Hortensius, and the penne of Cicero: That I had the voyce of men and Angels, to stirre vp your dul spirites to remem­ber what the Lorde in his mercie hath wrought for you, more than for any other Nation. How he hath committed to your custodie, the precious Iewell of his word, and the perfect administration of his Sa­craments. How hee hath hetherto defended these things, by the excellencie of his owne power and goodnesse. And hauing now compassed you with e­nemies on euery side, maketh triall of you, whether you will faint in your mindes, or defende with cou­rage, those excellent benefites. Whether yee haue stedfast faith to stand to the trueth, or do mistrust the assistaunce of his mightie strength: Whether the multitude of your enemies, shal make you misdoubt his woonted mercies, or that you haue a ful hope, and stedfast beléefe, that hee will performe his promises: Whether yee haue more care to spare your goods, your money, your rents and reuenewes, then to saue your wiues, your children, your Prince and Coun­trey, and your owne liues from destruction: Whe­ther you more estéeme daintie fare, costly apparrell, gorgeous buildings, and other vaine delights of this worlde, than the losse of so happie a kingdome, of so [Page]excellent a Prince, of so sincere a Religion, and of so pure a Gospel, preached, and committed vnto our cu­stodie, by Christ himselfe, our Sauiour and Redee­mer.

And now, euen now, is the time, that shal try who is faithfull vnto God, obedient to his Prince, and na­turall to his Countrey. Now, euen now, will God proue and tempt you, as he did the children of Israel, at the redde Sea, and in the Wildernesse. Now, e­uen now, are you either to cast the Nations out of the lande of Canaan, or your selues to be cast out of the kingdome of England. Now, euen now, is the Are layde to the roote, that if ye bring not foorth good fruite, you shal surely be ouerthrowen.

Say not with your selues, Lo, wee haue chased a­way our enemies, and they are afraide of vs. They flie hether and thether, and are at their wits end. For when the children of Israel called vnto God for mercie, with repentance of their sinnes, he subiected the Philistians, and other Nations vnto them. But when they forsooke the Lord, and put not their whole trust in him, they became seruants vnto the Phili­stians. So was it with you in times past, when your forefathers submitted themselues to the yoake of euery inuasion: Namely, of the Romanes, Sax­ons, Danes, and Normans. And so was it of late dayes, when for the multitude of your sinnes, the Lorde tooke away his Gospell from you; and submit­ted not onely your bodies, but your consciences also, to that Romane Antichrist. And yet when you tur­ned to the Lord, with inwarde sighes, with sorrow­full mournings, and with repentance of heart, he [...] tooke compassion vpon you againe, and sent you a [Page]mighty deliuerer: vnder whom you haue liued these thirtie yeares, in the greatest happinesse and secu­ritie of any Nation in the worlde.

And neither are they so chased from you, that you are to expect them no more. For though the Lord hath doone this time very great thinges for you; and hath couered them with shame and dishonour that sought your life: Though the Dragon be driuen into his den, yet is his sting and poison still in force: Though they be chased and repelled for a time, yet their ma­lice and furie abideth: Though the Lord now defea­ted their purpose, yet their deuise and practise conti­nueth: Though some of their ships and men be sunke in the Sea, yet the sinewes of their Common-welth remaine. Neither will they euer come to any peace and attonement with you, till yée haue plucked those sinewes in sunder.

Arme your selues therefore againe and againe ye Lords and Gentlemen, yée principall Captaines, Ci­tizens and Wealthy subiects; yée that haue shewed your selues so couragious and forward, in these late enterprises. Clense your armours, make reddy your weapons, renue your furnitures, redouble your pro­uisions, slacke no oportunities, looke for a spéedy re­turne of your enimies; Forsée the dangers, prouide all necessaries. Looke to the amending and new buil­ding of ships. Make them strong, light, and nimble for the battaile. And yée that be Honorable, rich, and of the greatest power, folow the good example of Sir W. Raule, that of his owne charges builded two such ships the last yeare, as perhaps might haue saued all England in one day. Woorthy of great prayse also was maister Outrich, and Iobson of Hull, and who [Page]soeuer builded the Marchant Royall, by the happie successes of whose ships, their names shall neuer bée forgotten. O that Englishmen were so sharpened at this day against the enemies of God and her Maie­stie, as were the Romanes against the Carthagians? O that they would ioyne their purses and harts to­gether, as did the wealthy menne of that Common-weale in any daunger of the same. For in the first Punick warre, when the Romans, by the vnskilful­nes of their Pilotes and Mariners, had lost and bro­ken at one instant vpon the flats of Sicillia, the num­ber of 920 ships: and hauing emptied all their com­mon treasurie by reason of the long warre, were not able of their publike purse to build any more. It was agréed by common assent, that the Citizens should ioyne their purses together to the building of a new Fléete: some to make one ship, & some another, accor­ding to the substance of euery person; & so to arme, set forth & maintaine the same; to the end that y^e priuate charge of the Citizens, should supply the lacke of the Common-wealth. And so were there spéedily made, rigged, & set to the Sea in very short space 200 sayle (of fiue men to an oare) for the warre. And at an other time, vppon the losse of 400 sayle vppon the like accident, they builded, furnished, and set foorth to the Sea 120 ships in foure score and ten daies after the timber was felled. And yet were not all the Coun­tries whiche the Romans had then in possession any bigger then the kingdome of Englād. But the mise­rablenes of the rich, was much lesse: and the diligēce of the subiects, zeale to their countrie, and regard of their owne honor, was without all comparison grea­ter. Hereby also we sée, that euery countrie hath not [Page]at all times, layd the whole charge of defence vpon the Prince alone: but in time of necessitie, and when the common treasure would not suffice, euery one hath imparted the charge, according to the compasse of his wealth and liuing. This being considered, I hope euery person of abilitie will know what his du­tie is to performe in this busines.

In like maner, ye that be Souldiers, and meane Captaines, prepare your selues to all obedience, whē you be called to the defence of your Countrie. Cast from you all impediments that may hinder so good and loyall an action. Braue not your selues in golde, in silke and siluer. For that is no way to outface your enemies, but to disgrace your selues: séeing they be brauer, they be richer, they be more costly apparel­led then you. But be yée rather inticed by the glitte­ring shewe of their gorgeous clothes, to pull downe their proude pecocks feathers. It is neither for your reputation, nor profit, nor good name, so to be decked. Nay, to be clothed in gold and the finest silkes, brée­deth a suspition of some iniustice towardes the poore Souldiers, though yée haue some good intertainment in the warres, vnlesse you haue landes and liuing of your owne to maintaine the same, or haue obtained such things by the spoile of your enemies.

Generally, all yée good men of the Realme, and well willing subiects, in whose courage & assistance, standeth a great part of our defence, prepare your selues vnto all seruice and loyaltie, be strong & har­die. Comfort your selues in the iustice of your cause. Conuert your ploughes into speares, and your sithes into swordes. Turne your boules into bowes, and al your pastimes into musket shot. Abandon all your [Page]vaine delights, and idle games. Imitate the immor­tall renowne of your English Ancestors. If euer yée desired fame, or honor, or glory to your Nation, now is the time, that by your prowes yée may double and redouble the same. Now is the time, that eyther by shamefull cowardice, you shall bring your selues in­to captiuitie, or by stoute and couragious mindes ob­taine a noble victory.

Consider with your selues the hard attempts, that other nations in times past, haue taken in hande for the loue of their countrie. The woonderfull magna­nimitie and resolution of Mutius Scaeuola a yoong gentleman of Rome, deliuered the citie from siege, & caused a firme peace betwéene Porcena and the Ro­mans. For this Gentleman passed ouer the riuer of Tyber, with great courage and with an inuincible minde, through the whole host of Porcena till he was entered the kings Pauillion: where he finding him with great companie about him, pressed in and flue the Secretarie in stéed of the king. But when he per­ceiued, that it was not Porcena but the Secretarie that he had slaine, he was sorie in his hart, and in to­ken thereof, burned his right hand in the fire, and told Porcena that though it were his chance to misse of his purpose, yet there were 300 Gentlemen more in the Citie, that had vowed to perfourme that action. Wherevpon Porcena séeing so great resolution that the Romans had to defend their countrie, foorthwith leuied the siege and made peace with them.

And notable was the story of the widow Iudith, which ventured to saue her citie, with so vnspeake­able danger of her life. For shée séeing no other way to asswage the furie of Holifernes, but by the smooth [Page]woordes and simulation of a woman, presented her selfe before him in his chamber, and promised him faire, till she had lulled him a sléepe with drinke, and striken of his head with a sword.

What shall I speake of Curtius, that noble Ro­man, and Ancurus, the kings sonne of Phrygia? Ei­ther of which, séeing in their Countrey a daungerous breach, or cliffe in the earth, which they were per­swaded, would not be closed vp againe, till the best thing in the Citie, (which they tooke to bee a man) were throwen into it, willingly threwe themselues into the same for the safetie of the people. But for­raine examples are innumerable, and not so well knowen to all as be our owne. And I woulde that we did chéeflie follow the noble and worthie actes of our owne Progenitors, in sundrie warres and bat­tailes, sought for the defence of this kingdome, and for the perpetual honor and renowne of themselues. Whose cause (neuer thelesse) beeing nothing compa­rable vnto ours, yet they spared neither the money in their purse, nor the bloud in their bodies, to honour and defend their Countrey.

How often did the auncient Brittons resist the landing, and inuasion of the Romanes, though wee were then deuided into many kingdomes; destitute altogether of armour and munition; and without knowledge of warlike discipline. Yet, how often were they repulsed? and what losses sustayned they before they might attayne their purpose.

What enterprises did famous king Arthur at­tempt, both at home against the Saxons, and abroade with other Nations? What Cities and people did hée conquere? What hattailes fought hee? What [Page]victories obtayned he? Whereby he was reputed of all wryters, for one of the nine Woorthies of the world.

What say we to the battaile of Cressy, when no­ble king Edward the third, hauing not the eight part so many as had the French king; yet hee vanquished him, and in a manner, all the chiualrie of Fraunce.

Also, The battaile of Poyters shall neuer be for­gotten: where but an handfull of Englishmen, ouer­threw all the force of Fraunce: For none that re­garded either honor or credite, was absent from that field; séeing the French king himself was there pre­sent: Who being taken prisoner, was carried Cap­tine into England.

But how valiantly and prudently did that King behaue himselfe, at the battaile on the Sea, beefore Sluse, when the French; hauing thrée hundred ships, and we but two hundred, and they foure men to one of vs, and al expert Souldiers and Mariners, yet the king assayled them with such inuincible cou­rage, as he vtterly ouerthrew them.

Also, The noble victorie of king Henrie the sift, at the battaile of Agincourt, hath deserued euerlasting memorie. When seuen thousand Englishmen, and those wearied, and weakened with long trauell, sick­nesse, and scarcitie of victuals, vanquished the huge armie of the French Nation.

Many times also haue we sought honor in Spayn, and defended that Countrey from vsurpers. Dyd not Prince Edward, by vanquishing of king Henrie, and those Spaniards, and French that tooke his part, settle Peter in his right againe? But this hath béen euer a blessed gift of God, and a peculiar right of the [Page]kings of England, as it were vnited to the Crowne, to execute the Iustice of God against Vsurpers, and to reléeue the Princes their neighbors oppressed. Wherein her Maiestie hath mightelie, and maruey­louslie declared her selfe, aboue all other her Prince­lie predecessors, to descend of the royall séede of cou­rage and magnanimitie; and to be the right Quéene of England, sent from aboue, to nurse and protect the true Christian Common weale.

Againe, Did not her Maiesties most Royall Fa­ther, send the Lord Darcie into Spayne, to aide king Philips great vncle. the king of Arragon, against the Moores that troobled him? Did he not also within a while after, sende thether the Marques Dorset, with an armie of tenne thousand, to assist the said king to conquere the kingdome of Nauarre? And did he not many other times, ayde Charles the fift, father vnto this Philip, against the French, and al other his ene­mies? Yea, and did not the Englishmen, in the time of Quéene Marie, assist king Philip himselfe, with an armie, to ouerthrow the French at Saint Quintins, although we receiued thereby the greatest losse that happened vnto England these hundred yeres? And haue we not euer béene as carefull of that house of Burgoyne. as of our owne selues? But for which of all these good turnes, doe the Spaniardes now so deadly hate vs?

Also, The woorthie examples of great manhoode, and courage, that haue béene shewed by our forefa­thers in times past, & in our dayes by vs, in the king­dome of Scotland, are infinite, and so fresh in memo­rie, as they néede not here to be recited.

Wherefore, we haue in euery age assayed & tryed [Page]what courage Englishmen haue béene of against o­ther Nations, and how they haue preuayled agaynst them. Some doings also we haue had with them of late; neither doe wee finde them of any more force then in former time; nor yet their successe better a­gainst vs then before. Where haue we mette them with halfe the number, but wee haue ouermatched them? Neither will they abide the sight of vs, vnlesse they farre excéede in multitude. Lestimonies here­of are many, and of late, and notable. What did the great Armie of the king of Spayne at the siege of Berke, when it was onely bruited that the Earle of Leycester, her Maiesties Léefetenant generall, with those fewe Forces which he had of English Souldi­ers, came to reléeue the Towne? Did not the same armie foorthwith retyre from the Towne? Neither durst they come to leuie the siege which wee made a­gainst Dusborow, till that Towne, and the great Skonce of Zutfen were both woon. Neither coulde they euer haue woon those thinges agayne from vs, had not treason more preuayled, then force and vali­aunt courage. How many strong Cities & Castles also, did the young English Captains and Souldiers conquere lately at the Indies? How valiantlie did they behaue themselues, vnder fortunate Sir Fran­ces Drake, at S. Domingo, Carthagiena, Cales, and in many other places? Where the English were in number few, and the enemies infinite. Neither shal anye age euer wipe away the honor of those actes from the fame of English men; Neither hath the like acte béene euer heard, or read of, in any age be­fore. These and such like things, may mightely en­courage our minds, that what soeuer force our ene­mies [Page]bring against vs, God is on our side, and wee shall not feare what they can doe against vs.

Haue we not of late beaten, and chased away their great Mountaines of the Sea, fraghted with men, munition, and ordinance of war innumerable? Haue we not taken and slaine many of them, & driuen them home with shame enough? and haue so penned in the rest, as they durst not come foorth to assayle vs?

Immitate therefore the excellent vertues of your forefathers, if you will be partakers of their famous victories. Take example by these late actions how to withstand the force of your enemies. Though they be rich, prowd, and cruell, yet God hath giuen you meanes to humble & abase them. They haue neither Iustice, nor religion, nor charity, nor conscience, nor yet good cause on their side. If they had bin iuste, they would not haue pretended peace, and yet sweare our destrustion. If they had Religion and Charitie, they would haue sought by godly and religions meanes, to saue our soules, and reconcile vs vnto them; and not to banne and cursse vs to the bottomlesse pit of Hell. Neither is their cause good; For then would they not haue sought by treasons and treacheries, but by Ho­norable & Princely means to ouerthrow vs: Where­fore hauing none of all these with them, I trust, that neyther haue they God on their side. So then, they for the gréedines of a kingdome, for dispite they beare to our Religion, for vaineglory, pride, and presump­tion, for maintenance of the Popes kingdome: a­gainst God, against his woord and truth, against our blessed Quéene, against all reason, conscience and hu­manitis; doe offer all this violence vnto vs. And we, on the other side, in defence of our selues, our natiue [Page]countrie, our annointed Prince, our holy Religion, our owne Iesus Christ, his holy woord and Sacra­ments, against very Antichrist, and all the pillers of his Church, and against those that haue cursed and indighted the kingdome, doe withstand the iniurie doone vnto vs.

And we that haue doone so valiātly at other times, when the quarrell was but for money, or other small matters, is it possible but we should be much more forward now in so great and weighty causes? When had euer England so iust a cause to fight as now? When did we euer more infinitely féele the mercies of God then now? When had we euer a more louing Prince to her subiects then now? When was euer any subiects more obediēt to their Prince then now? When were there euer so many lustie and gallant Gentlemen to defend the Realme as now? When were wée at any time better acquainted with the sleights & cunning of our enimies then now? When had we euer more skill in Martiall actions and trai­nings then now? Finally, when had euer our eni­mies more vniust cause to deale against vs then now, and we more lawfull cause to defend our selues then now? And therefore when shoulde wée euer haue greater hope of victory then now?

If euer therefore yée bare any affection to your countrie; If euer any loue to Religion; If euer any obedience vnto a good & naturall Prince; If euer you would venter your liues for your Fathers and Mo­thers, your wiues and children, or beste deseruing fréends; If you haue any comfort in the promisses of Christ Iesus; If you haue any hope to receaue salua­tion by his merites; and as yée will answere before [Page]God at the comming of his Sonne, now shewe your selues like men couragious and forward, prompt, & willing to do all the partes of Christian Souldiers.

Let now no more carelesse and negligent mindes possesse your bodies, let no more a few daies securitie make you forgetfull of so continuall duties. Let ner­ther the gréedy desire of money, nor the lewde consu­ming of riches, nor the wanton excesse of apparell, nor the superfluitie of meates and drinkes, nor the costly buildings and curious trimming of houses, be any hinderance to so honorable actions. Learne by those things that I haue here declared, what wantes there are in the realm that hinder the resolute defēce of the same. Remember the remedies, supplie the lackes, remooue the impediments. Beginne betimes to traine vp your youth, to amend & build your ships, to make plenty of shot and munition, to haue store of victuals at all times reddy, to bréede and prouide good horses: that al things, and in all the realme, may be reddy vpon the sudden, and when any néede shall require. But especially put from you all prinate fac­tions and dinisions. Set apart all quarels & debates among your selues. Yéeld more to the safegard of your countrie and religion, then to the obedience of your owne affections. Contende who shall bée most forward and valiant, but ennie not your equals if they attaine to more honor.

By this resolution, if all the world fret and rage neuer so much against you, the Lord will fight for you. He will giue the victorie, and yée shall but looke on. He will put a feare into their hartes, and they shall flie when no man foloweth them. An hundreth shall chase away a thousand: and a thousand, ten thou­sand. [Page]Yée shall robbe the Egyptians of their Iuels; and their owne weapons shall be turned agaynst them. The glory of the kingdome shall remaine as the Sunne in the sight of the Lord: And as the Moone in the night season, so shall our Elizabeth giue light vnto her people. Her foode shall be of the trée of lyfe, that her age may neuer decay. All the blessings of the Lord shal plentifully be poured vpon her, and by her shall be giuen vnto you. The right administra­tion of Gods woord and Sacraments, shall be with you for euer: Neither shall the power of Antichrist be able to wrest them from you. There shall be no decay, no leading into captiuitie, nor complayning in your stréetes. Yée shall be blessed in the citie and in the féeld, at home and abroad: in your barnes and in your houses: and in all your actions and enterpri­ses. Yée shall be feared, loued, and honored of all na­tions. They which now hate you for your religion, shall then perceyue that the Arke of the Lord is with you: and that it is in vaine to striue with the Lord, and against you. They shall haue remorse in their conscience: and when they haue well considered the cause, and doe perceiue, that neyther by the great­nesse of their power, nor by the helpe of their riches, nor the assistance of their holy Father of Rome, nor of any other petie God, which they haue made to themselues, they can fulfill their malice against you, but that God dooth still defend you, they will be glad to forget all that is past, & will reioyne themselues with you in amitie. Yea, and when they shal sée your godly life ioyned with so excellent gouerument of the Realme; It will make them draw more and more from the Romane, to the right and true Religion. [Page]But it yée shall still continue in your old woonted negligence, where with you haue euer béene infected: If you shal stil complaine of fortune, & say: If we had come a litle seener, or tarried a litle longer, or had not wanted a litle of this, or had to much of that; thus & thus had it happened vnto vs; when all the fault is in your selues: If you shal thinke that time will worke woonders, though you your selues follow your owne pleasures: If you wil not prouide resistāce before the enimies be at your gates: If you séeke not to take from them the strength & sinewes of their Common­weale; before they haue eaten you out of your owne houses: Finally, if you mend not all faults, wherein the worlde hath euer noted you: That is to say, To haue hereafter as good a forewit, as ye haue béene ac­coūted heretofore to haue an after wit. To haue lesse liking to costly apparell, & all toies and vanities, then to the profite of your countrie, then to the care of reli­gion, then to godlinesse, yea then to the safety & pre­seruatiō of your owne soules; God wil vtterly leaue & for sake you, though you were his owne dwelling place & inheritance: he will take from you his truth and testimonies: he will deprine you of all those pre­cious Iuels; for which, & whose sakes, he hath so long preserued you. He wil make you a pray vnto al your enimies, and you shall become a scorne and derision vnto all nations. Yea, he wil bring vpon you, all the plagues that he did vpon the children of Israell.

Amend therfore your faults, be diligent, faithfull & resolute, with all your power to defend her Maie­stie, the kingdome and the true Religion: And the Lord for his Sonnes sake, will be grati­ous and mercifull vnto you.