I do not now argue. Only it may please the reader to allow me to set before him a balance, wherein to weigh the books condemned on one side, with the books allowed on the other side, that we, weighing the one with the other, may discern the better between them, which part weighs best with God's holy truth and true catholic church, against manifest idolatry and palpable abomination. And now therefore, as they have in this present proclamation given their condemnation of these books above recited so I desire thee to give thy censure of the books allowed by them, and of the matter contained in them.

:

And first to begin with the Primer in English; for children after the use of Salisbury, printed with a privilege according to the king and queen's majesties' letters patent in the reign of Queen Mary. Let us survey some part of the Primer, beginning with the first lesson of our Lady, in these words:

66

'Holy Mary; mother most pure of virgins all; Mother and daughter of the king celestial,

So comfort us in our desolation,

That by thy prayer and special mediation,

We enjoy the reward of thy heavenly reign," &c. Compare this with the scriptures, good reader, and judge rightly whether this doctrine be tolerable in the church or not:

It follows further in the second lesson: "Holy Mary, of all godly the godliest, Pray for us, of all holy the holiest ;

That he our prayers accept may in good wise, Which of thee was born, and reigneth above the skies," &c.

In the third lesson:

"Thy Son beseech with humble intercession,
To purge us clean of our transgression;

That so being redeemed we may the place ascend,
Where thou dwellest with him world without end."
The versicle:

"Pray for the people, intreat for the clergy, make intercession for the devout woman-kind; let all feel thy help, that worthily solemnize thy memorial," &c. Another versicle:

"Holy mother of God, make thy petition, that we may deserve Christ's remission," &c.

And in the anthem after Benedictus, thus it followeth : "We beseech thee of thy pity to have us in remembrance, and to make means for us unto Christ, that we being supported by thy help, may deserve to attain the kingdom of heaven."

Furthermore in the collect after, it follows:

"And grant, that through the gracious intercession of the Virgin thy mother, we may be delivered from this present heaviness, and have the fruition of eternal gladness."

It follows moreover in the said primer thus, concerning the material cross:

"O God, who hast ascended thy most holy cross, and hast given light to the darkness of the world, vouchsafe by the virtue of thy cross to illumine, visit, and comfort both our hearts and bodies," &c.

Moreover, in the name of St. John Baptist thus it

prays:

"O Lord, defend us always through the continual succours of St. John Baptist. For the more frail we be, the more need we have to be relieved with necessary prayers," &c.

For

In which words note, good reader, not only the absurdity of doctrine, but also the folly of the reason. where their doctrine pretends that St. John Baptist should pray for us, here we pray to God for St. John Baptist, that he will hear his prayer praying for us. It follows further in the name of Peter and Paul:

Of Mary Magdalen.

"Grant, we beseech thee, through thy mercy, to let
her purchase for us the bliss everlasting," &c.
Another prayer to our Lady.

"The dolorous compassion of God's sweet mother,
Bring us to the bliss of Almighty God the Father, &c."
Another prayer in the said primer to our Lady.
"Establish us in peace and tranquillity,

And change the name of sinful Eva:
Loose thy prisoners from captivity,
Unto the blind give sight again.
Deliver us from malignity,

To the end we may some grace attain.
Shew thyself to be a mother:

So that he accept our petition.

Deliver us from bondage of sin," &c.
Also,

"Holy mother succour the miserable, comfort the weak-spirited, give courage to the desperate, pray for the people, make intercession for the clergy, and be a mean for the devout woman-kind," &c.

Another blasphemous prayer.

"O thou meek mother, have mercy therefore
On wretches, for whom thou hadst these pains all,
Seeing thy Son that vine cluster pressed sore:
And from the pestilence of death eternal,
Keep us by voiding the fiend infernal,
And join us with them which rewarded be
With eternal life, seeing the Deity."

Another blasphemy in the said primer.

"Hail queen, mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, our hope. Unto thee do we cry and sigh, weeping and wailing. Come off therefore our patroness, cast upon us thy pitiful eyes, and after this our banishment, show to us the blessed fruit of thy womb. O gate of glory, be for us a reconciliation unto the Father and the Son. From the wretched their faults expel: wipe the spots of sins unclean," &c.

Also to our Lady,

"The fruit of thy womb everlasting,

May we behold through thy deserving," &c.
Also,

"Grant we beseech thee, that by her merits and prayers we may attain to that unspeakable joy, whereas she being assumpt, doth now rejoice with thee in heaven for ever."

And thus much for this popish primer, called "Our Lady's Matins." To this, if it were not tedious for the reader, we would also add our Lady's Psalter, that all impartial readers, as they have seen what books these popish fathers have condemned and do condemn for heretical; so they may also see and judge, what books on the other side they approve as lawful and catholic. And as perhaps it is not known to every one what "Our Lady's Psalter" is, and some perhaps will deny that "Our Lady's Psalter was approved, therefore we will first produce the name of the author, who was Bonaventure, a seraphical doctor, bishop also and cardinal, canonized by pope Sixtus IV., A.D. 1482., for a saint in the Calendar, who in his book has taken every psalm of David's psalter, which was peculiarly made and referred to Almighty God, and has in several psalms and verses put out the name of the Lord, and has inserted in its stead the name of " Our Lady." This be"St. Lawrence, the deacon, did work a great work. ing done through the whole psalms, it is called "Our

"Hear us mercifully, and grant that through the merits of them both, we may obtain the glory everlasting," &c.

Of St. Andrew:

: "So let him, O Lord, be a continual petitioner for us to thee," &c.

Of St. Lawrence, thus:

others about the court: so that several were punished | Roy, and the book commonly called 'Hall's Chronicle,' or for saying the contrary. And commandment was given, that in all churches supplication and prayer should be made for the queen's good delivery. And also, provision was made in an act of parliament for the child.

In the beginning of June, about Whitsuntide, the time was thought to be nigh that this young master should come into the world, and that midwives, rockers, nurses, with the cradle and all, should be prepared and in readiness. Suddenly, upon what cause or occasion it is uncertain, a rumour was spread in London of the prosperous deliverance of the queen, and the birth of the child. So that the bells were wrung, bonfires and processions made, not only in the city of London, and in most other parts of the realm, but also at the town of Antwerp, guns were fired upon the river by the English ships, and the mariners rewarded with an hundred pistolets or Italian crowns by the lady regent, who was queen of Hungary. So great was the rejoicing and triumph for the queen's delivery, and that there was a prince born. Some preachers, as the parson of St. Anne, within Aldersgate, after the procession and Te Deum, took upon him to describe the proportions of the child, how fair, how beautiful, and great a prince it was.

In the end, all proved clean contrary, and the joy and expectations of men were much deceived. For the people were certified, that the queen neither was then delivered, nor was in hope of having any child.

About this time there was brought over into England a certain English book, giving warning to Englishmen of the Spaniards, and disclosing certain close practices for the recovery of abbey lands, which book was called 'A Warning for England.' Of which more shall be said when we come to the Spanish inquisition. So that by the occasion of this book, upon the 13th day of this month, a certain proclamation was set forth in the name of the king and queen, repealing and disannulling all manner of books written or printed, tending to the disparagement of the pope's dignity. The proclamation here followeth:

A Proclamation of the King and Queen, for the restraining of all Books and Writings, tending against the doctrine of the Pope and his Church.

"Whereas by the statute made in the second year of King Henry IV. concerning the repressing of heresy, there is ordained and provided a great punishment, not only for the authors, makers, and writers of books containing wicked doctrine, and erroneous and heretical opinions, contrary to the catholic faith and determination of the holy church, and likewise for their favourers and supporters; but also for such as shall have or keep any such books or writings, and not make delivery of them to the ordinary of the diocese or his ministers, within a certain time limited in the said statute, which act or statute being by authority of parliament of late revived, was also openly proclaimed, to the intent the subjects of the realm upon such proclamation should the rather eschew the danger and penalty of the said statute; and as yet nevertheless in most parts of the realm the same is neglected and little regarded. The king and queen our sovereign lord and lady, therefore, straitly charge and command, that no person or persons, of what estate, degree, or condition soever he or they be, from henceforth presume to bring or convey, or cause to be brought or conveyed, into this realm, any books, writ ings, or works hereafter mentioned, that is to say, any book or books, writing or works, made or set forth, by, or in the name of, Martin Luther, or any book or books, writings or works, made and set forth, by, or in the name of, Oecolampadius, Zuinglius, John Calvin, Pomerane, John Alasco, Bullinger, Bucer, Melancthon, Bernardinus, Ochinus, Erasmus, Sarcerius, Peter Martyr, Hugh Latimer, Robert Barnes, otherwise called friar Barnes, John Bale, otherwise called friar Bale, Justus, Jonas John Hooper, Miles Coverdale, William Tindal, Thomas Cranmer, late arcbbishop of Canterbury, William Turner, Theodore Basil, otherwise called Thomas Beacon, John Frith,

any of them in the Latin tongue, Dutch tongue, English
tongue, Italian tongue, or French tongue, or any other
like book, paper, writing, or work, made, printed, or s
forth, by any other person or persons, containing fa
doctrine contrary and against the catholic faith, and i
doctrine of the catholic church. And also that no
son or persons presume to write, print, utter, sell,
or keep or cause to be written, printed, uttere
kept, any of the said books, papers, works, or wr
or any book or books written or printed in the L
English tongue, concerning the common servi
administration set forth in English to be used
churches of this realm, in the time of King Edw.
commonly called the communion book, or book
mon service, and ordering of ministers, otherw
'The book set forth by authority of parliament
mon prayer and administration of the sacram
be used in the mother tongue within the chur
land,' but shall within the space of fifteen day
the publication of this proclamation, bring o.
cause the said books, writings, and works,
them remaining in their custody and ke
brought and delivered to the ordinary of
where such books, works, or writings be or
his chancellor or commissaries, without fro
deceit, at the said ordinaries' will and dis
burnt, or otherwise to be used or ordere
ordinaries, as by the canons or spiritual l
case limited and appointed, upon pain thɛ
contrary to this proclamation, shall in
and penalties contained in the said stat
will avoid their majesties' high indig
pleasure, and further answer at their u

"And their majesties, by this proc
power and authority to all bishops a
all justices of the peace, mayors, &
cities and towns corporate, and other
this realm and the dominions thereof
mand and will the same and every
and every of them, within their seve
dictions, shall, in the default and 1
subjects, after the said fifteen days
search out the said books, writings
this purpose enter into the house
secret places of every person, of wi
negligent in this behalf, and sus;
book, writing, or works, contrary t
that the said justices, mayors, sl
head officers above specified, and
their said limits and jurisdict:
said subjects negligent and fa
commit every such offender t
without bail or mainprize, till
fenders have received such p
tute doth limit and appoint in

"Given under our signs 1
Hampton Court, the 13th
second years of our reigns.
Imprinted by JOH
Articles to be inquired in!
Company, touching Sed
ing the Book called, 'A
"1. Whether they have
"2. Whether they have
"3. Where they were,
seen them.

"4. Whom they know
yond the sea, especially
fort, Wesel, Emden, an

5. Whom they kr common carriers of lett "6. That they bring tious books as they ha

In this proclamation the profound and lear England, what bookschismatical, and p

&c. To her we pray, we cry, we knock, and kneel; to her in our Lady, we are

тр

For by virtue of the lusky se ha g

nond, William Bamford, and Osborne.

re in the account of Thomas besides, who were sent down same time that he went to exeto be burned, the other three to nce, of whom it follows now to he six were these:-Thomas OsBamford, alias Butler, weaver ; r; Nicholas Chamberlain, weaver; weaver; Richard Webb, weaver, of Coxhall. All which six Coxhall : examinations of Thomas Ha

were sent up to Bonner to

of life cometh from her, and all health floweth out of her heart," &c.

Psalm 91.-Whoso dwelleth in the help of the Mother of God, shall dwell in the shadow of her protection, &c. Cry unto her in your dangers, and the scourge shall not come near your tabernacle. The fruit of grace shall be to him whoso trusteth in her, and the gate of paradise shall be open unto him."

Psalm 95.-"Come, let us rejoice to our Lady, &c. Receive our souls at our last end, and bring them into everlasting rest," &c.

Psalm 105." Praise our Lady, and call upon her name, &c. Everlasting salvation is in thy hand, O Lady," &c.

Psalm 110.-"The Lord said unto our Lady, Sit here, my mother, on my right hand,'" &c.

Psalm 119. The whole earth is full of thy mercies, and, therefore, I will search out the way of thy justifications, &c. I will covet for ever to praise thee, O Lady, when thou shalt teach me thy justifications," &c.

Psalm 125.-"They that put their trust in thee, O Mother of God, shall not be afraid of the face of their enemy," &c.

Psalm 127." Except our Lady shall build the house of our heart, the building thereof shall not continue." Psalm 128.-" Blessed is every one that feareth our Lady, and blessed be all they which know to do her will," &c.

Psalm 130.-"Out of the deep have I called unto thee, O Lady; O Lady, hear my voice," &c.

Psalm 132.--" O Lady, remember David, and all them that call upon thy name," &c.

Psalm 134.- Behold and bless now our Lady, all ye that put your trust in her holy name."

Psalm 136.-"At the floods of Babylon, &c. There is no propitiation to be found without her," &c. Psalm 140.- Deliver me, O Lady, from all evil, and from the infernal enemy defend me," &c.

ever.

Psalm 148.-"Praise thou our Lady, O Jerusalem, and glorify her also, O thou Sion; for she buildeth up thy walls, and blesseth thy children. Her grace maketh thee fat, and giveth peace unto thy coasts," &c.

to bring to heaven, &c. To her we pray, we cry, we weep, we sigh, we groan, we knock, and kneel; to her we trust, and if we believe not also in our Lady, we are forthwith denounced as heretics.

Further, as Christ, our only Lord and Saviour, has his church and congregation which profess his name, of whom we are called christians; so neither is she likewise without her chapels, her cloisters, her chapters, fraternities and brotherhoods, which, professing her name in like manner, are called our Lady's brethren, or White friars, besides an innumerable sort of other patrons of churches, of whom every one has his peculiar church and religion by himself, yet all these together are included under the general devotion of our Lady, their supreme patroness and governess.

Now, to proceed further to the other part of the commandment, which saith, "Him only shalt thou serve." What service has the Lord in all the church of Rome that our Lady has not jointly with him? Her mass, her matins, her even-song, her hours and complin, her rosaries, her anthems, her collects, her primer, her psalter, her holidays likewise, yea, five to one. Finally, as the Lord has his prayer called the Lord's Prayer, so hath she her 'Hail Mary', yea, ten Hail Marys to one Our Father; and read further in Bonaventure, and you shall see her 'We praise thee,'her' Blessed,' her' My soul doth magnify,' and also her 'Whosoever will be saved,' &c.

If the Lord our God had not expressed to us his will by plain words, limiting unto us, by express injunction, what to believe, what to follow, and how to worship and serve him, and how to receive from him our salvation, but had left us to the imagination of our own minds, every man to shift for himself, then perhaps this way taken by the pope's church, to make friends and mediators between God and us, for reconciliation, remission, and salvation, might have some reason; but now God's word binds us, prescribes and limits us, precisely in every point touching salvation what to believe, and what Psalm 145.-" Our eyes look up and trust in thee. to do, shewing us plainly that we cannot be saved but by Do thou send us meat and food convenient, &c. My the blood of his Son only, neither can be justified but by tongue shall speak thy praise, and shall bless thee for faith only in the same Christ his Son: wherefore, not to believe that which he has promised is infidelity, and to follow any other belief than he hath sent us is plain idolatry; which two special errors most commonly follow the doctrine of the Romish church, as not only in this primer and psalter of our Lady, but also in all their proceedings, teaching and preaching besides, may well appear. For where the scripture doth perfectly promise and pronounce us to be justified through our faith in Christ, and allows us to seek our salvation no where else, but only in the merits of Jesus; the institution of the church of Rome, neither will receive that which God has freely given (wherein standeth infidelity), neither yet will seek the same where they should, but in the merits and prayers of our Lady, of St. John Baptist, St. Peter and St. Paul, St. Andrew, St. Nicholas, St. Thomas of Canterbury, and by the worthiness of the material cross, and such other unlawful means, wherein standeth plain idolatry. And yet such books as these can be suffered among the papists to be current, as good, wholesome, and lawful books; whereas, the others, which lead us the true way from infidelity and blind idolatry to true christianity, in no wise can be suffered. But of this it is vain to complain. We will now proceed in our history.

I could recite also much more of such blasphemy in this "Psalter of our Lady," by the serapical doctor, St. Bonaventure.

Is not here good popish stuff, christian reader? Compare, I beseech you, this doctrine with the doctrine of the apostles, who teach us that we are fully complete in Christ, and I will refer you to no better judge than to your own conscience. And now, if any man has been in doubt in times past of the doctrine of the Church of Rome, whether it be rightly charged with blind errors, with intolerable blasphemy and abominable idolatry, or not, he may now be fully certified and resolved. For where was ever idolatry or blasphemy to be found, if it be not here in this "Matins" and " Psalter of Our Lady?" If idolatry be the making an idol to be worshipped as God, which is no god, what do we here but make an idol of "our Lady," to be worshipped with no less dignity, glory, authority, reverence, and service, than the Lord God himself. And as he is called our Lord, so she is called our Lady. And if he be king, she is the queen of heaven. And though he have the name of God, yet she bears the title of the Mother of God; that as mothers have authority over their children, so she is to shew herself to be his mother, to cause him to grant our petitions. Finally, if he be our patron, yet she is our patroness. The commandment saith, "Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." And what worship, or service, can we give to God more than all this ascribes to her? And what benefit is to be asked at the hands of Christ. our Saviour, which is not equally asked of her? To save our souls, to give us peace, to grant grace, to comfort the desperate, to loose our captivity, to release our sins, to deliver from the fiend,

The History of Thomas Osmond, William Bamford, and
Thomas Osborne.

Mention was made before in the account of Thomas Hawkes, of six prisoners besides, who were sent down with him to Essex at the same time that he went to execution; three were sent to be burned, the other three to recant and to do penance, of whom it follows now to treat. The names of the six were these:-Thomas Osmond, fuller; William Bamford, alias Butler, weaver; Thomas Osborne, fuller; Nicholas Chamberlain, weaver; Thomas Brodehill, weaver; Richard Webb, weaver, being all of the town of Coxhall. All which six Coxhall men, next after the examinations of Thomas Hawkes and Thomas Watts, were sent up to Bonner to be exa