M. Harding.M. Hardinge.

M. Harding.

M. Hardinge.

As for Peterpens, and what other so ever sums of money were yearly paid to the Church of Rome, which were not by extortion subtle sleights by the Popes gotten, as ye slander, but freely and discreetly by the prince and the realm^* for a great cause granted, it is not a thing that so much grieveth the Pope, as your departure from the true faith and Church doth, as it may well appear by that which happened in Queen Mary's reign. In which time although the Pope were acknowledged▪ yet him self never was known to have demanded his Peterpens, or any other yearly payments again. But what is this to your schisms and Heresies? This helpeth you nothing for answer to the heinous crime of your Apostasy. The liberality of our country to the see of Rome, ⟨p. 734⟩which is the mother of all the West Churches,² hath ben so small in comparison of certain other Realms, as with the honour of the Realm it might not seem to find it self grieved therewith. Yet here ye set a gnat to an Elephant, and make great ado about a little. The Realm is not so much enriched by retaining that small sum from the Pope, as it is dishonoured by your undiscrete talk, savouring altogether of misery and niggardnes. Ye should have showed better stuff at least in the end of your book. The last act of a fable, by rules of Poetry should be best. Ye have done like a foolish Poet, making your end so bad. The Pope seeketh not your money, he seeketh you He seeketh the safety of your souls.^* He seeketh, like a good shepherd, how to reduce the strayed sheep of England unto the fold of Christs Church, God grant we may see his good intent haply achieved.

As for Peterpens, and what other so euer summes of monie were yeerely paide to the Churche of Rome, whiche were not by extorcion suttil sleightes by the Popes gotten, as ye slaunder, but freely and discretely by the prince and the realme