To pass to the trial scene, in the fourth Act, a speech is put into the
mouth of Gardiner—who, as chancellor conducts the prosecution—which reminds us of the unanswered arguments from Pole and other Catholic characters in Queen Mary:
“Gardiner. My lords, religion was the plea for this.
Religion, a wide cloak for godless knaves.
What! knew they not the Apostolic rule
That men are bound to obey even sinful princes?
Who dares insinuate that our queen’s right rule
Shall be a snare for conscience? Hypocrites!
Why claim ye toleration, yet refuse it?
Faith your perpetual cry, yet would ye stifle