WHen Athanatius opposed the multitude of Arrian Bishops , it seemed so dangerous to the established gouernment of the Empire , that his castigation was threatned by expulsion or feare ; Yea Liberius that tooke his part , was checked by the Emperours owne letters for affecting the opinion of that wicked man ; But when againe his faire demeanour and religious constancy drew away the veile of superstition , ignorance , and heresie : whereby the Emperours eyes were opened to reioyce in the sunny splendor of truth ; Constantine admitted him within his embraces : and all those adherents of Arrius were confounded by their owne wilfulnes .

Thus hath it fared with all innouations ; yea , Christ himselfe was subiect to traducing , for abolishing those ceremonies on which the Iewes were besotted , for prophesing against that Temple , about which the Priests were so pussled , and for preaching the doctrine of saluation , against which the people were so enraged ; and yet in the end , they that were not credulous of his doctrine and miracles when he was aliue , beleeued a few Fisher-mens reports after he was dead .

Thus must I needs incurre the displeasure of time seruers , the scoffs and dirision of Papists , and the repining of Hispanolised English , when I goe about to proue , that warre hath beene better then peace , and the Common-wealth and religion of England , haue had their fame and propagation by opposing Antichrist , and in plaine termes , must recouer her ecclipsed prosperitie reputing Spaine our opposite . Concerning whom , let me remember what is reported of Caesar , who hearing of the death of a Roman Souldier that had liued merrily and securely , yet dyed greatly in debt and mens dangers : he desired to buy his bed and pillow , deeming some rare vertue to be therein , whereon a man could sleepe so soundly that liued in so manifest trouble . So though I desire no pillow nor bed from vnder the King of Spaine : yet with Caesar I protest , there is some wonder of nature belongs to him , that can sleepe at all , hauing so many encombrances to wrastle with , and intricate sedgy weedes of disturbances to winde out of .

For euer since Phillip the seconds marriage with England , and that the ambitious humor in being an Emperours sonne , swelled beyond the degrees of comparison with other Princes : how hath Spaine bestird himselfe to the affrighting of Europe , and moued of purpose out of his owne faire and serend element , to looke on his neighbours with retrograde aspects in contrarious orbes : so that other Kings may demaund , what hath Spaine to do in most of the Prouinces of Europe : which at this instant toucheth France and England so neere , that they had need deale with him ; as Henry the 8 did of famous memory .

At first by reason of consanguinity ( yet personall mariages doe not rule Princes affaires , ) he ioyned with the Emperour against France , and by his anxiliary forces Charles the 5 not onely expulsed the French out of Italy , but at last sacked Rome , and tooke the Pope and his Cardinalls prisoners ; as he had done the French King at the battell of Pauy ; but as he was running away with these aduantages , King Henry looked about him , and entertained a kinde of ielousie against his greatnesse , as suspecting what an ambitious conquerour might effect : whereupon by degrees he retracted , supposing it high time to rebate his insolency , and lay as it were a cooling card vpon his forwardnesse . So not onely the French King was releiued , but Pope Clement ransomed .

If it be thus , and that there is a kinde of polliticall necessitie among Princes to watch the affaires of one another ; I hope it is now time to looke vpon Spaines intrusions , and not onely prouide for our selues , but releeue our neighbours , least we haue more dangerous neighbours , then we either desire , or shall be able to preuent . But if we be sensible of present losses , wrongs , disgraces , affronts , and intollerable indignities , let vs rouse vp our selues , and redeeme our lost time with quick and seasonable remedies : and if peace haue abused vs , let warre a Gods name repaire our credits , and restore our decay . There is no poison against nature , but may be countermanded by an antidote ; Yea , it is an axiome in Philosophy , that preuenting Phisicke is better then curing ; and the law of preseruation is incident to all creatures .

But heere me thinkes , some couetuous wretch , churlish Farmer , scurrulous Lawyer , or temporising parasite may interiect these doubts . 1. Whether we haue sufficient occasion or no , to fall out with Spaine . 2. How shall a warre be maintained . 3. Where the seate of this warre shall be . 4. Who shall be called to our assistance . 5. And last of all , Whether the Countrey be willing and able to such a designement . To all which I answer directly , the State , or Councell of warre must deside these things . For as it is in Martiall affaires , let the Generall be neuer so wise , and the Commanders neuer so valiant : yet when proiects of consequence are proposed , a Martiall Court is called , and an orderly debating the matter concludeth for the best . So I referre this busines to the directer of princes hearts , and the instrumentall cause of a countries prosperity , & wise councellors . And I pray all true hearted Englishmen , let this my discourse discouer my good intents ; as for other difficulties , I referre them to good successe . But because mony is the sinews of the war , and that hereat is our stop and repining , I answer the objector . Why should we be more vnfortunate now , then we haue beene ? the warre hath brought vs in treasure : and why should we now dispaire , or terrefie one another with suspition , or dishartning questions . When the Scripture tells vs , that if Dauid will be ruled by Ioab , and come to the taking of Rabbah , the Kings Crowne shall be set on his head , which weighed a tallent of gold , full of precious stones : besides the spoile of the Citty , which was in exceeding great aboundance . As for the deceites of peace , and those bewitching flatteries of pollitick insinnuation ; let it be the Spaniard , or whom it will , we must not trust either a reconciled enemy , or a dissembling friend .

But to come to the purpose , and some illustration in the defence of warre ; He that pleaded for peace , Tully himselfe I meane , and cryed out in an insulting brauery : that the armed cassocks must giue way to the Senators gownes , yet saies plainely : that warrs may be vndertaken either for the propulsing of iniuries , or procuring of peace , not so much to giue way to reuenge , as to keepe other princes in a good opinion , that we know what is wrong , and when it is time to redresse iniuries . I could say , that warre sometimes may be vndertaken for enlarging Dominions . As Salomon made all his neighbour Prouinces tributary vnto him , and so he ruled from Euphrates to Sidon , and the Mediterranean Sea . I could alledge that all the famoussest Common-wealths in the world , haue augmented their territories by the actiue imployment of Heroick spirits , and receiued a fulnesse of wealth and renowne from the raging Sea of turbulency and warre . I could produce examples of Scripture , to proue directly that Daniels Monarchies succeeded one another by the preuailing of mighty armies , and the stronger euer shouldred aside the weaker . I could adde , that the corruptions of peace in all ages , haue like standing pooles increased durt and slime ; that is , pleasures and impieties : which haue growne to that outragiousnesse , that men haue forgot their first benefactor , and with a luciferion rebellion continually defied God in his Maiesty , liuing as if we should neuer die , and dying as if there were no after account to be made ; And yet we dote on peace . And I am afraid , will rather lep on shore to be destroyed by the incantations of the daughters of Achelous , then tie our selues to the mast of Vlisses ship , to be secured from the temptation .

But I purpose no such discourses , onely a small encheridion , to proue that warre was a blessing , and hath beene allowed from heauen : and that a corrupted peace hath increased sinnes , and sin brought Gods vengeance vpon such tainted Kingdomes . There was a warre in Rebeccas wombe betweene her children : and Iacobs blessings proceeded from wrastling with God . There was a warre in deliuering the Church out of bondage , or else Israel had beene still moyling in the brick-kills of Egipt , but at last Canaan was subiected , and Gods people made glorious for euer . It was a warre that charactered Salomon the Prince of peace : or else why are Dauids worthies , and their actions set downe by name . It was a warre that finished Octauius troubles , and surnamed him Augustus . And in many places you shall reade , that God did fight from heauen against his peoples enemies ; What shall warre come from heauen , and shall we be afraid of it on earth : God forbid . Considering that in the times of peace , when the warres had set the people of Israel downe in the chaire of tranquillity , euen then forgat they both God and themselues , stretching out their limbs on beds of iuory , carowsing in goblets of gold , and killing the fat lambs of the flocke : but no man remembred the affliction of Ioseph ; may I not well then conclude , that warre was a blessing . And thus much for warre before Christ .

Now you shall see what warre and peace haue both done , since Christianity tooke a fairer progresse , and God had determined that his Church should florish through the dissention of the Nations ; For although by the first persecutions it had a feareful dishartning , and by the augmentation the pompous Papacy , a more fearefull suppression and martirdome : yet such was the will of God . That as Siria , Edom , Moab , Egipt , and the Iland Gentiles , one were their owne enemies , and Gods instruments to destroy one another . So in the beginning of Christianity , the barbarous nations that possessed Europe , although they made themselues fortunate by the warres : yet in the end they consumed themselues ; and from their ruines the Popes of Rome became great , and from their greatnesse , through the swelling prosperity of peace , the true Church of God by little and little dispelled the clouds of their contempt , and deiected : and so at last obtained that faire sunshine , which is now so translatent .

Some 300 yeere after Christ , or there about , you shall reade that in Goteland , and those northen regions now called Finmarck , Norway and Sweden , the peace had so multiplied the people , and those remote healthfull Countries affoorded them so long liues , that they could not liue one by another : so that the aged , impotent , and beggers swarmed in euery place ; at which time one Stenio was the principall Monarch , who called a councell to redresse these inconueniences , and they concluded to take them all that were so vnprofitable to the Common-wealth , and tying them backe to backe , throw them into the sea . But when the Queene whose name was Iuditha , heard of so cruell and vnmercifull a doome , she could not containe her selfe , but at the Kings returne kneeled before him , desiring to haue it reuersed : for she had found a better way of preuention and effect of cha●itie : which was to ship the people , and let them try their fortune in other places : which was both nobly apprehended , and effectually practised ; and so in processe of time they possessed those Countries which you now call Seruia , Bulgaria , Moldunia , Pedolia : and at last became famous Nations of Gotes and Lombards , infesting Italy and Spaine , and dispossessing the Emperours , who had called them into their succours ; thus the warres made them famous , till by the warres of Christian Emperours they were dispelled and extirped againe . Afterward the Othoman family , comming out of that Countrey you once called Scithia , augmented their reputation by the warres of Asia . So did Tamberlaine conquer Persia , and claimed renowne to his Actions by famous battell . So did the Turks come into Europe . And all the beggerly Nations of the world became rich and potent by raysing of warre , and were diminished and consumed to nothing by the corruption of peace , and bewitching of pleasure .

Thus receiued the Papacy the fulnesse of her progression by the warres of the Countries , especially after the German Eagle had affoorded her some feathers of her wings : then tooke she a flight beyond reach , and at last stradles ouer Rome , making Rome haue roome of precidency before other Kingdomes . So that I may well say , the barren soile of their potency was watred and manured with the blood of Souldiers , as the Prouinces of Europe gathered together the scattered bodies of Pelops , and made a more perfect body then the first . Thus did the Popes florish by forreigne warres , and setting Emperours on worke to destroy one another .

But now what became of their owne peace and established greatnesse ? they fell to pride , gurmundize , and riot , they supplanted one another , they proued incendiaries to Christendome , they intertained newmantict spells , with diuelish and exoptick Artes : they practised murther , whoredome and incests , they deposed one another , they attempted the humiliation of Emperours , and made a sport at the inauguration of Kings and Princes , as if it lay in their power with a Prophets hand , to tumble aside their fastest Diadems . In a word , they grew proud with peace and plenty , and as warre had caused their greatnesse , they caused their sinnes to be more great through the corruption of prosperity : so that from mortified Preachers and Ministers of Gods word , they grow Statists , and diuelish Pollititians : then from Schollers , they proued proficients in Villanie ; raysing Quarrells against Princes , and exciting Princes one against another ; So that I may well say according to their owne computation , that warre was a blessing . And if the Nations had maintained their pristinate quietnesse and idolatry , they had neuer florished in such outward brauery , and visibility as they now boast of . And thus you see how the warres haue beene beneficiall to the Papacy .

Now it remaines to proue , how the true Church of God hath receiued her best florishes by warres ; It is but superfluous to repeate what other men haue written in the defence of our Church , prouing directly , that from the Primitiue Church to this houre , God euer had a remnant of people : and in most Countries there were such as professed the truth in despight of fire . But I referre you to the History of the Church , and other learned tractate composed by religious men .

I come to the dayes of wickliffe , after whom followed the Bohemian warres : whith were the first apparant warres for the Gospell that I reade of . For the great Zisea proued a conqueror ; and although Iohn Huss , and Hierome of Prague sacrificed themselues , and were exposed to the fire for Christs sake ; which might haue deterred men from taking their parts , and professing the truth : yet did the Gospell increase ouer Europe , and the warres taught thousands of people a song of constancy : and a burning zeale made their hands fight for the liberty of their consciences .

But when Luther came to act his part , the warres of Germany made way to the peace of the Protestants ; And as you reade of many , that hearing Platos discourse of the immortallity of the soule , longed for the same , and wished , yea , procured to die . So whole multitudes exposed themselues to torture for Christs sake : and as the warres and persecutions augmented their punishments , they augmented their ioy for being so persecuted , and tooke a pleasure in the displeasure of princes against them for Gods sake . France became a rare president , and very quickly the Protestants multiplied so fast : that with the Iewes they forgat the ceremonies of the Saboth , and applied the Law of preservation , whereby nature taught them to take vp Armes in their owne defences ; then stood Geneua on their guard : then Denmarke , Norway , Sweden , England , Scotland , and diuers Ilands and Townes from being slaues to the conclaue of Cardinalls , sent defiance to Rome , and breake the yoakes of their captiuity : from impouerishing their Countrie , enriching their owne treasures , to the augmentation of the dignity of Common-wealths : from prostituting their wiues and daughters to the libidinous lusts of Priests clensed themselues with the water of chastety , and tooke a pleasure in vndefiled beds : from the terror of the Cardinalls , and thundring of excommunication , they went with peace and contrition of foule to Gods alter , obtaining so remission of sinnes , and assurance of saluation . So that I may well say , the hand that stretched to pul the Prophet by the throat , is whithered and dried vp : yea , except the Prophet pray to God , Iereboham shall not recover , not be able to lift it vp againe . If it be thus , was not warre a blessing ? and hath not Religion beene propagated by that meanes .

But because you looke for more moderne particulars , let vs come neerer home , and obserue how Religion hath prospered , and the Nations bin enriched by the warres and contentions with Spaine , Austria , and the Papacy , 1. in Germany , 2. France , 3. the Low Countries , 4. and England it selfe : and how peace , or if you will dissembling contracts of peace , haue abused vs at all times .

Concerning Germany and the Empire ; when Carolus quintus perceiued the sunny splendor of Protestantisme to be more and more radiant , for all he had interposed divers clouds and misty vapours , and became suspitious of sundry Princes greatnesse , after the Duke of Saxonies protecting of Luther , as obseruing that the warres would not onely make them factious , which appeared by the imprisonment of the Lantsgraue of Hesse , but teach them a way both of defence and opposition ; he tooke another course to corroborate his owne greatnesse , and extenuate the strength of Religion , and this was by making a peace , and withdrawing himselfe from the troublesomnesse of State : wherein , as it often happeneth with cowardly polliticians , who by seeking to hide their feare , discouer more the same . So played this Emperour , after many famous exploits and flatteries of fortune , he made the Germaines beleeue he was so indulgent ouer the Common-wealth , that he would affright or trouble them no further , but leaue them in peace and libertie of conscience : when yet they knew he departed in a rage , as disappointed in his pretences , that he could not incorporate the Empire to his Family . Vnderstand then , that in his latter times he had some checks , and his peace shewed not so beautifull a face as his warres . So that he plainely saw , that if other blocks and hindrances were not cast into the smoother walks , to hinder Religion from her handsome progresse , and debarre the Protestant Princes from vniting , the Maiesty of Austria would be diminished , and their potencie frustrated ; yea his owne renowne obscured with malignitie of time , and cloudy threatnings of a fatall end ; which though it came not to such a misery as Pompeys losing his head : yet might proue as bitter a receit as Scipios confining himselfe to a countrey grange , who had in his life obtained the surname of Africanus , and in his actions the renowne of a remarkable vertue . All which came to passe in the haruest of this Emperours husbandry . So that now you shall haue some particulars concerning his discontents and obseruations , which he himselfe proposed for the establishing the house of Austria in the Empire .

Touching his discontents ; First , Though he kept correspondency with the Duke of Saxons humors , yet he much repined at his audaciousnesse , that durst maintaine a Frier against the Pope and himselfe , as by Luthers comming to Wormes was apparant . Secondly , It amazed him to see a greater neglect of the princes toward● him ( for all the uniting of Spaine , Burgundy , and Austria ) then was before , and that the declaring himselfe an eneny to the Protestants , declared them the firme friends of the Gospell of Iesus Christ . Thirdly , Hee thought there was no proceedings in the high projects of Germany . For questionlesse King Henry of England would take the Protestants parts , and prouide that the Empire should be still Electiue . Fourthly , That when the Princes had denied the Diadem , and investure to Phillip his sonne , as discovering that he went about to make it hereditary , and so kept all Europe in awe by his treasure and dominions , he stomacked their repugnancy , and would peraduenture haue threatned , if his power hand kept correspondency with his willingnesse to reuenge . Fiftly . That when the Pope and the conclaue of Cardinalls would by no meanes consent , to haue him sit in such a chaire of greatnesse , as Spaine , the Indies , the Empire , and the Low Countries ; he wreaked his rage from Rome ; and Burbon in his behalfe sacked the Citty , imprisoned the Prelates , and set the Pope at a ransome ; whereupon followed the excommunication both of himselfe and Phillip his sonne , and the election of his yong brother Ferdinand Emperour ; all which augmented his discontents . Sixtly , That hauing heard of the losse of his Nauy at Algier , he suspected a change of fortune , and grew so disquieted and melancholy , that comming to Millaine , he forgat the state of an Emperour , and they forgat the duty of obseruation ; For when the people perceiued that he was carelesse to satisfie their expectation , they were as carelesse to gratifie or glorifie him as a Magnificent prince ; for in the Citty they left him all alone in his blacke Spanish cape cloake , and would not attend him downe to his Galsies . Last of all , Comming into Spaine , he found the Clergie humorous against him for his ransomming Pope Clement , and other contumaces against the Church : whereupon perceiuiug his peace to thriue worse then his warres , he left all his honors to his sonne and brother , and retired himselfe to the Monastrey of Saint Laurance , or Escuriall : where within three yeares he finished his life : and yet he liued to say , that warre was to him a blessing , farre beyond his peace .

2. Touching those fruits of pollicy , it is well knowne . First , That he not onely proiected himselfe , but instructed his sonne Phillip to make the Empire hereditary to the house of Austria , and all Europe to depend vpon Spaines Monarchy ; as by the subsequent actions of King Phillip was apparant . Secondly , That Ferdinando Emperour , be especially carefull to firme and contract vnto himselfe by one meanes or other ( especially consanguinity ) the King of Poland , Saxony , and Bauaria : as within short time after came to passe . Thirdly , That of all other things a peace be ratefied with the Gran Signeur , and correspondency kept betweene them . Fourthly , That a iealous eye be had ouer Prague , Presburg , and Glatz . For Prague was the absolute commander of Bohemia : and the Prouinces durst not start , if the other Citties were Garisond with Spaniards . Fiftly , That the Iesuites be countenanced in their designes ; For although the Pope and conclaue of Cardinalls might repine at their intrusion , and intermedling with matters of State : yet by their meanes , and sanctified religious deuotion , such businesses might be effected , as should euer tend to the augmentation of Spaines greatnesse . Sixtly , That an Imperiall faction be ever nourished in Lusatia , Silesia , and Morauia : especially that the Catholick Bishops be maintained in the suppression of the Protestants : who else will follow the former Bohemians , in taking vp Armes against their Princes ; and therefore the safest way were , to disarme them by one meanes or other . Seuenthly , That the Gouernour of Millaine in his due time labour to get a footing in Swittzerland , by building some fort or fortresse to secure the passages : that so the Armies in Italy might march in peace , or without preiudice ouer the Alpes into Germany . Last of all , That the Grizons escape not without visitation , although it cost pentions , reward , and flattery ; and if the protectors , which must be either Imperiall or French , name it an intrusion : meanes must be wrought , that neither of both haue leisure to preuent it .

Thus ended this great Proiector his dayes ; but then began his Family : their Phaetons florish of mightinesse , which questionlesse had runne ouer the bancks of Europe like an inundation , had not that miror of mankinde , ( I meane Queene Elizabeth ) with the States of Holland , kept King Phillip and his sonne play 50. yeares at least ; whereby they were hindred from either sending forces into Germany ; or growing to fast , like broade spredding burrs , which are not onely noysome in themselues , but spoile the sweeter grasse which neighbours them . Notwithstanding Ferdinando , Rodulphus , and Mathias , proceed in the affaires of the Empire , with the former cautions , and outward lenatiue courses , laying aside all forcible Armes , and imperious ouerruling the Princes : whereby by in lesse then forty yeares many things are effected , tending to combustion of gouernment , and ouerthrow of true religion : which may be contracted to these heads , and serue to proue , that Warre was a blessing : and peace a meere enemy to their proceedings .

First , Certaine marriages augment the incests of Spaine , and reconcile Poland and Saxony to the house of Austria . Secondly , Vnder the colour of securing the confines of Hungary and Poland , against the incursions of the Turke , Spanish Garisons are admitted into Rab , Camora , Presburge , Camisia , Glatz , Vienna , and Prague it selfe . Thirdly , The free Citties of Germany put vp a 100 grieuances against the Papists , and neuer desisted , vntill they had obtained their owne manustions , to haue the excercise of religion . Fourthly , The Protestants increasing both in Prague and Vienna , a certaine tricke of the Popes is discouered by admission of the Iesuites and Priests into Poland , Hungary , and Germany : whereby Saxony was poysoned with the infections of Popery : as diuers other Prouinces . Last of all , The Inquisitors and Catholike Bishops grew so presumptuous of their papall authoritie , and potent adherents , that they began to tyrannizr ouer the Protestants . And when Mathias had ouercome the iealousie betweene his Brother and himselfe , whereby he was inuested King of Hungary in Rodulphus life time , and within a while after absolute Emperour ; they fell from threatnings to bloudy executions , not sparing the liues of men , women and children ; nor desisting from opening the graues of the reuerend defunct , and burning their bones ; yea the variety of tortures , and exasperating displeasures was so forcible : that all sortes exclamed on their cossening peace and prosperitie : confessing , warre was rather a blessing unto them .

Shall I follow now with Bohemias story their distastings of Mathias government , the repinings at the inauguration of his cousin Ferdinand , now Emperour ; their resolution to reduct the government to electiue Suffrages , their apprehension of the Palsgraves worthinesse , their presumption of Englands coadjutement , and at last their raising of severall forces vnder the government of the Protectors of Prague : in all which , Warre was a blessing indeed , and the dissimuled peace of the Provinces with the confederate Princes tripped downe ( as it were ) the standing or rather staggering glorie of Bohemias proceedings . For while Englands embacies and slender preparations made Vienna smile at the protraction , Bauaria enters the Palatinate on the East , Leopoldus of Elsac Saueren on the South , and Spinola with Gonzales de Cordua on the North : yea before the reuolt and taking of Prague , the mystery of warre was not searched , and the hope of peace ouerclouded King Fredercks good parts with parcemonie and neglect of execution of discipline , whereby the Citie of Prague grew factious , and the inhabitants suspected themselues , yea were angrie with their former iudgements , that had elected a man , who staggered in his opinion betweene peace and warre , and committed a great sollecisme in State , as leauing his country vnfurnished , and Heidelberg in a manner vnfortified ; when yet there was nothing but warre , either to support him standing still , or further him aduancing forward . But there is no reuiuing of fearfull accidents , and vnsauory contingents to deiected Princes . Yet come to Mansfields coming into the Palatinate , and Prince Fredericks returne with Brunswicks heroike and noble opposition : all the while the armies lay watching one another , there was hope of recouery , and the enemy seemed so farre from insulting , that he feared their incursions into his owne countrey of Bauaria . Yea Vienna knew not what to say to the dangers threatning her triumphs : and although the souldiers played the fiery meteors on euery side with mischiefe and terror , with afflicting the townes , with exacting disbursements , and other inconueniences of a cruell misery , yet did the warre keep Bauaria , Tilley , Leopoldus , and the Catholike Bishops in awe , and might haue procured a blessing to the much humbled Prince Palatine , if the Fox had not brought the Lion into a trance , or if you will , a labourinth . For no sooner were the armies recalled , and the Princes remoued , but Bauaria for himselfe , and Tilley for Bauaria ranne in fury to extinguish his brand of light , and put out the glory of the Palatine . So that I may well conclude , Warre was a blessing ; and the dissemblings of peace haue with Iacobs subtiltie preuented Esau from Isacks benediction , who once thought it meete that the first borne should haue the preheminence of being fortunate . And thus for Germany .

Shall we step into France , and that with easie paces , to take the better suruey of those times and actions . Beleeue it then , the crueltie of persecution and variety of turmoiles haue dragged Religion by the haire , and brought her out as forlorne and contemptible before the people , of purpose to stone her , as if Susanna had committed folly in Israel : but those eyes that burned with reuenge , vpon her approued innocencie were turned to compassion ; those hearts which murmured at her hypocrisie , were leniated with a more iustifiable triable ; and those hands which had stones ready to dash out her braines , returned them vpon her accusers , and made them repent the warres , and curse Spaine , whose trechery and ambition onely weakned France by intestine combustions , that France might not weaken Spaine by publicke hostilitie .

I will not deale with the French inventory , nor make the long shadowes of story make you beleeue , there is some ill lucke behinde you : but that you may see how many worthy men have taken vp perspectives , to shew the true harted French man a far off , upon surmises of Spaines coadjutement , or augmentation of his owne territories . For the Spaniards would serve him , as they once did the Duke of Calabria against Charles the fift , to forsake him in his extremitie . And when Francis the first sent an army to recover Nauarre , and Fonteraby upon Spanish instigation , in the tumultuous times of divers insurrections in Arragon and Castile , the troubles were soone appeased , and the French driven out of the Land .

But let vs come to the tripping Pheries of all times , whereby Princes are seduced to flattery and priuate respect ; How hath Spaine delt with all Kings and their Minions , ever since the Duke of Guises tyrannous Massacree at Vasti , and that unfortunate marriage of Navarre , and the cunning baites of the King of Spaines Pensioners in the Court of France : which I am afraid are still so venemous to all Nations , that they will corrupt the soundest hearts , let there be never so great pollicy or conveniency at their admission . What say you to the house of Loraine , the Cardinall , and Dukes of Guise ? What thinke you of the Duke De Maine , and the Holy League ? Shall I name Hespernon , and the advancing of his Family ? Shall I recount the fearefull story of Birone ? The life and death of the Marquis De Ancre . The falls of Luisnes and Cadinet his Brother ; With divers other , whose lives made France afraid : and actions were so many tortures to the hearts of sollid Christians , and loyall Protestants . Were not all these the instruments of Spaines , to keep France busied at home : though fortune geered at the temerarious proceedings of the Princes against their owne subjects , and divert the severall Kings from looking toward Navarre , Millane , Naples , the succoring of the Switzers , Grizons , and those territories : yea if you will , the patronizing of the Palatinate it selfe : which was once under the covert of the French confedracy . Thus hath the cannon battered their owne townes , and the mis-led Kings unsheathed their owne swords of vengeance , to sheath them in the bowells of naturall and loyall subjects ; wherein yet they have prevailed no further , then to increase an internall hate and jealousie against Rome , Spaine , the Inquisition , Iesuites , Priests , and all the rablement of Locusts , who like vermine in a standing stincking water , infect the aire with fulsome and ill vapours .

If you reade the life of Henry the fourth , you shall see how famous were his actions , and remarkeable his renowne all the while the warres lasted , insomuch that the attribute of greatnesse was made a Trophe of his everlasting fame : and yet stood like an impregnable rocke , against which the waues did rush impetuously , but to the breaking of themselues in peeces ; but when peace was contracted , his honour was distracted , his Countrey defiled , his Townes vitiated , his faith violated , his Preachers shed teares , and Molines wept over him for temporizing : his great officer Biron fell into the snare of perfidiousnesse , the Protestants hung their heads for his luke-warmenesse , the Papists gnashed their teeth for his pollices , the newters feared him , the Atheists abhored him , his Wife dissembled , and an Italian vpstart contrived his destruction : as for his Sonne and his unlimited youthfulnesse , that must needs cast a chain over the necks of Rochell , Monpelier , Montalbon , Nismes , Chartres , and other Protestants Provinces and townes ; what did those attemps beget but the faire birth of increase of religion , and firme opposition against unprincely cruelty , and unnaturall enforcement ? and he went away affrighted at his owne handiworke , and cursing the motives and setters on of his presumption : which abated his malice , and taught him to know there was a God aboue princes , which could make the warre as a blessing to propagate trve Religion , and augment the glory of the Church . So that I may well say , that peace to France proved like the Aspes of Ethiopea , who doe not sting at all , but by licking and tickling breake their bladders of poyson , which from itches grow to ranckle the flesh , til at last it exaestuates and by burning heates proves incurable . Why then should we be afraid of warre ; or for any cause temporize with Gods enemies , and a dangerous Nation : for whose sake we have suffered the Palatinate to be lost , and seene a Noble Prince dejected , as if we were glad , that by such courses there should no enuy be raised for his thriving in greatnesse , or going to fast in his race of Soveraignitie and powerfull Majesty . But I dare say that the Angel did cursse Meros for not assisting of Israel .

Concerning the Low Countries , I cannot compare them better , then to Camomile , which the more it is troden , the more it springeth . For whether warre hath been a blessing unto them , iudge your selues , considering they haue augmented their fame and renown abroad , and increased their wealth and territories at home . Abroad , the West Indies haue been frequented with their Navies ; and the stormes at seas are not so formidable to the mariners , as their approches to the Spaniard ; insomuch that his plate Fleets are many times detained in harbour from their ordinary courses , to the disappointing of his Garrisons in Europe , which hath caused many mutinies and innouations amongst the souldiers . The East Indies haue been visited by them , and so visited , that they haue planted Colonies in the Ilands in despight of opposition ; they haue dared the Portingals , and ouertopped the English ; their ships exceed in number , and their Merchants in industrie and husbandry : their labours haue made way vnto continual thriuing ; and the seuerall Kings of the nations haue reputed them greater then the English . The Philippines and Molunes haue been searched by them , and neither Iland nor harbour but reioyced at their trade and traffique . The South seas with the streights of Magellane haue been adventured on , and their voyages set the pens of learned Chronologers on worke . Both the Guincies and the coasts of Afrik are explored by them ; and if there be no more in the satisfaction of expectation , then knowledge , experience , and augmentation of wealth : they attained to all by their nauall encounters and adventures . The Leuant is stored with their shippes , and the Streights of Gibraster are not so straight , but in their defiances with Spaine they rushed them open to giue them passage : so that both Turkey and Italy have admitted their factories , and opened the lapps of their plenty , to bid them take the blessings by shippes full . If you step into France , you shall finde , they not onely stepped thether , but visited every towne of importance , yeelding an honest account of their traueles . What thinke you of the fishing in Newland , of Whales in Greeneland , of the commodities of Island , Freezland , of the Herings of Scotland , Ireland , and England , of the coasts of America , and all those Nations which are accessable , yeelding either pleasure or profit , they haue euery where suckt the hony with the Bee , and extended their trauaile with the Ant , so that the summers labour hath fed and cloathed them in winter , and the winter it selfe never had such fearefull blasts , but the winde either breathed good vpon them , or draue them to seeke it in all the corners of the earth . If you are not afraid of the Easterne violence and mountanous ice of Russia , you shall finde that they are not afraid of winters snow , nor summers contagion : but visit Norway , Sweden , Goteland , the sound of Denmarke , the Haus Townes , Prussia , Poland , Muscouia , and all maritime coastes ; Insomuch , that like the honest explorators of the land of Canaan , they not onely returne with clusters of grapes , but continue undaunted . So that I may well say , warre hath beene a blessing unto them , and the God of all blessings hath multiplied Israel euen vnder their grieuances .

But now if they kindly let you within their doores , you will be amazed at the furniture of their houses : I meane the successe of their affaires , and the noble proceedings of the warres , which hath made them famous in the successe , and left their honest defences exemplary to all posterity . They haue expulsed the Spaniard out of Zealand , & Holland , and as it were exprobrated great Princes for not being content to insult ouer the obedienc of their subjects , but they must tyranize their soules , either by Inquisition or change of religion ; is it any other then the working of slumbring patience , which being abused turneth to fury & disobedience ; They haue not onely preserued their virgin prouinces from the rauishings of Burgundy , but reuenged the vsurpation , which challenged their captiuitie by hereditary birthright : yea , besides their owne ordinary walkes to visit Vtreck , Gelderland , and many fortified Townes , they haue made larger steps vpon their enemies Countries , and by maine force shouldred open the Castillian gates , and throwne the Portcullis on the ground which boasted of Austrias fasting , and the Popes Benediction ; so they entred Hamlers , and still keepe Sluice and the adiacent places to depend vpon their garrisons ; they possesse Breda ; diuers Bergens the fort of Lillo : and aboue 20 forts and fortresses in Brabant . What haue they done in Cleue , Munster , Westphalia , the Land of Luke , and those places of Freezland , wherein the Spaniards are now politicke intruders ?

For what Papist or Hispanolized temporiser , can yeeld an accou●t of any thriuing action , or preuailing successe against them these 50 yeares ; yet the Pope curseth and excommunicateth , the Emperor threats , the Archdutches proscribes them , Spaine assembles armies , the Iesuites coniure , the Priests imposture : and all the practises which pollicies , mightinesse , treasure , or friends haue hatched and brought forth , was but to amaze them with some monstrous birth of treason , and perfidious reuenge ; yea , those strange hindrances of diuers reuolts and couert supplantations , haue proued their owne shame .

Thus by the corruption of Spanish rewards , haue diuers English themselues proued traitors to Holland , and onely abused their honors and loyalty by such inconstancy : which yet ended with Spaines scornes , and their Countries eternall hate and banishment . Yet for all this haue the Low Countries thriued by such exasperating difficulties , and the following warrs haue beene a blessing vnto them : insomuch that the Spaniard hath not onely admired theirs , and Englands happy estate : but blasphemed heauen , to suppose we had a pulling hooke to bring prosperity vnto vs .