MarginaliaThe lyfe and story of Quene Elizabeth. 

HAuing thus by the power of the allmightye plainly and truli displaied the cruell practises and horrible persecutiōs of quene Maryes raigne, freelye and boldlye describinge her tragicall storye, where vewe is to be hadde of manye thinges, no lesse marueilous, then miserable, no lesse daungerous then dolorous, no lesse vncharitable then vnnaturall: and nowe orderly comming to the florishing, and long wished for reigne of the most noble, vertuous, and renowned Syster of the sayd Marye, this our drede and souereigne mistres and gouernesse Quene Elizabeth: I thought my traueled penne not a litle refreshed with ease and gladnes, not so much for that hauinge nowe ouerpassed the bitter and sorowfull matters of such terrible burning, imprisoning, murdering, famishing, racking, and tormenting, and spitefull handelinge of the pitifull bodies of Christes blessed saintes: as also for that we are nowe entringe into the time and reigne of such a worthy Princes, and Quene, the remembraunce and story wherof, ministreth not so much vnto me matter to write vpon, as also delectacion to laboure and trauaile aboute the same. For what man reputing with him selfe the singuler ornaments and noble graces giuen of God, to this so princely a Ladye & puisaunt princes, the mildnes of her nature the clemency of her roial estate and maiestye, the peaceblenes of her raigne, who a virgine so mildly ruleth men, gouerneth her subiectes kepeth all things in order, quieteth forain nations, recouereth townes, MarginaliaAs Callis to bee rendred at. viii. yeres ende. inlargeth her kingdom, nourisheth and concileth amity, vniteth hartes, and loue with forren enemies, helpeth neighbours, reformeth religion, quencheth persecution, redresseth the drosse, frameth things out of ioint, so feared with such loue, and so loued with such feare: what man consideringe- this I saye, either can hold his penne, though

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he neuer wrote before, or beinge neuer soo much weried with writinge, will not shake of al tediousnes, entring into a matter so plesaunte and delectable to entreate vppon? for what can be more delectable and plesaunte then to runne into such a field, to giue vertue his commendacion, which in all persons, as Plato sayth, styrreth vp greate loue, but especially in a prince: and in such a Prince what natural subiect wil it not delighte, not onely to behold, but also to extende his trauell & diligēce in extolling and setting furth the same? And first to begin with our thankes mooste due to almighty God, what cause haue wee all Englishe men so to do, that is to render most ample thankes geuing to the mercifullnes of God, who hath graunted, conserued, and auanced to the seate regal of this Realme so good godly and vertuous a Quene, such a chosen instrument of his clemencie, so vertuously natured, so godly disposed, so mercifull without marring, so humble without pride, so moderate without prodigality, so maidenlye without Pompe, through whom we cannot deny as MarginaliaA mendes made to Englande for Quene Maryes dayes.a mends and recompense nowe to be made England for the cruel daies that were before. For as then, moderacion had no place, but all was ruled by rigore. Contrary now clemency hath al the operacion: and as then was no ende of butcherly killinge and bloudy murdering, so nowe is no beginning yet found of spilling anye drop of bloud. MarginaliaLet not euil men abuse the queenes clemencye, least. &c. In prosecuting the matter  

I mighte here speak of the heady hastines in quene Maries daies in proceding without and before any lawe by mere affection. Bishops that were maried, thrust out of parliament, & all maried deanes and Archdeacons out of the conuocation, many put out of their liuinges, MarginaliaNote here by an vnlawful parliament. and other restored before any lawe. yea some noblemen and gentle men depriued of their landes giuen them by the king, for Winchester to be inducted. MarginaliaAnd al periured for their labor.Many Churches chaunged, many altars set vp, many masses sayd, many diriges song before the lawe was repealed, all was done in post hast.

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Nowe wee see thinges done with moore aduisemente, and lesse haste, no man nowe presuminge to violate orders godlye taken,