Secondly , of the enemies against whom I went : An insolent , cruell , and vsurping nation , that disturb●d the common peace , aspired to the conquest of my countrey , and was a generall enemie to the libertie of Christendome .

Thirdly , of the cause in which I went : to deliuer the oppressed out of the handes of the oppressors , and by giuing the Spaniard his handfull at home , to free both mine owne countrey , and our confederats , from the feare and daunger of his attempts .

And lastly , of the time in which I went . A time when mine eyes full of disdaine , had so lately seene their falsly called inuincible Armado saile by our shores , when all the braue heartes of this kingdome boyled , till they sawe that insolent enemie taught both to knowe himselfe , and to value vs . And when my heart was perswaded by both these circumstances , I engaged my meanes , kinsfolkes , friendes , and followers , else neither the aduenture had beene made vp , nor the iourney perfourmed , It being no allowed action of her Maiesties , but a mere aduenture of priuate men . And when I was so farre in , I confesse I was not of their humour , that loue to wager vpon other mens hances , or sit at home like merchants , whilst their hopes and goodes are ventured abroad .

For my going without charge , or leaue , I must auowe , the one , as out of counsell and excuse , the other , as by necessity . I chose to goe without charge , that I might bee free to execute the lesse : I commanded not , that I might not be obnoxious to the successe , and because I had ouerthrowne the vioage , If I had stood vpon the commission . And I could take no second place , hauing before the same time and in the same army had place aboue the generall . But though I had no chardge , yet I made my brother generall of the horse , and my faithfull friend Syr Roger William ▪ s colonell generall of the infantry , 7. or 8 of my fast friendes colonels , and 20. at the least of my domestickes , captaines , so as I might haue authoritie and party enough when I would . For my want of leaue I must plead necessitie , her Maiestie hauing resolued to sende none of my qualitie , and many at home shewing enuie inough to those poore gent ▪ that were named , which made me foresee with what successe I should haue sued for leaue .

For my conducting her Maiesties forces to the French King in 92. I must alledge , that the sending of the succours was resolued on before my name was in question . And if I had not offered myselfe to the iourney , some other noble man that neuer had place in the warres , might ( as the phrase is in the common law ) haue beene promoted p●● Salium : and so I that neuer had her Maiesties commission to commaunde in chiefe , should haue seene my puis●●● leape ouer my head . Also I felt that my fortune had bred mee enuie , and that enuie procured mee strong and dangerous opposition , and this opposition would not be ouer-caryed , but by her Maiesties great fauour , and that the greatnesse of her Maiesties fauour , must growe out of the greatnesse of her seruantes merite : and I sawe no way of merite lie so open to me , as by my seruice in the warres , the times themselues and my owne beginning fitting vnto it , and at that time none of my countrey , of my rancke disposing himselfe that way : If besides all this it be con●idered that I went to a king , who for his admirable valour , and often fighting with his owne handes , was not onely the most famous king , but also the most redoubted Captaine of all Christendome . That the inte●ded seruice was to free the maritine partes of Normandy , from the handes of the league or power of the Spaniard : that therby the common enemie should finde lesse succour or fauour in these Seas If these thinges be well considered , I doubt not but my French iourney will be thought sufficiently iustified .

But perhaps in these actions , wherein either I had no charge at all , or was commaunded by others , or offered myselfe to the seruice , when the imploiment was before resolued on , I hauing no parte or interest in that counsell , my Apologie will be the better allowed of , then in my two last Sea iourneyes , wherein I am charged to bee the authour of the counsell , aswell as the executor of the seruice , wherefore first for the first .

For the counsell of going into Spaine , I protest I had no more parte in that , then my L. Treasurer , my L. Admirall , and master Secretary , who were all priuie from the beginning , and did assent , and aduice to the iourney as much as I did , her Maiestie did first moue for the defensiue , vppon intelligence that the king of Spaine did both purpose and prepare to assaile her , finding that she did strengthen the low countries , and fortisie against him , molested him in his Indies , choaked him by Sea : So that his counsell resolued that to be the shortest and easiest way to all his ends , to begin with England . And when her Maiestie was armed , and able to take the starte , it was thought both a wise and safe counsell , not to lease so great , and so faire an opportunitie . For the proiect of going to Cadz I haue euer confessed it was my Lord Admirals my colleagues . If any man will single me out to chardge me alone with any thing , it must needs be that whè all the charg of preparation was past the armie leauied & marching to the Randeuous , and the low countrey fleete that was to ioine with vs in the way , that then I was as constant in the iourney , as I had bin all the while before when I might haue sold the honour of my Soueraigne , the securitie of my countrey , the contentment of our confederates , the hopes and almost whole fortunes of hundreds of my friendes that I had drawne into that iourney , for some priuate gaine vnto myselfe . If any man will vse so base a speach , as that wee offended the kinge of Spaine so deepely in that iourney , as that he is nowe implacable , and further from peace : I answere vana sine viribus ira , wee brought away and burnt his shipping , and destroyed his Sea prouision● ▪ yea , we put him to such chardge and losse , as he shorte●● after played banckrupte with all his creditours . Let mee euer see his strength decrease , though his malice increase ●ather then beleeue in his faith and good nature , when his strength is great . If any man will on the other side obiect , that though ●e had good hap , yet our designement was naught , for it drew the warre to no end , I must confesse , I neither performed what I purposed , nor thought that which was done sufficient : I purposed to dwell in a port of the enemies , and so to make a continual diuersion of the warres : witnesse my letters to the Lordes of the counsell ▪ dated from Plymouth the first of Iune 96 and deliuered by my Secretory Rainolds at Greenewitch the 6. of the same moneth . And when I was possessed of Cadz , I offered to stay with 3. or 4000. men , if that whole fleete could haue furnished vs but with three moneths victuals , witnesse the whole counsell of warre . And by these means I doubted not to haue brought the warres in those partes to a shorte ende , and also to haue made the king of Spaine weary of seeking to dislodg me : But my letters was neyther answered nor liked here , nor I at Cadz able to feede my selfe , and the men of warre , till a supply might haue come . So that except to bee of that minde my fellowes were , that were called to councel , or to haue ioyned with my Lord Admirall when he offered to take an equall commission of commaundement with me , both by Sea , and by land , to haue sought ●s we could to weaken him , that by all meanes he can , seeketh to destroy and conquer vs : And if to haue failed in doing that which I had no warrant nor meanes to ●●e , be a fault in ▪ my iourney in 96. I committed no fault .

For my last iourney in 97. let it be remembred howe I was brought into it , with what counsell and designes I went out , and what was the true causes of the want of such successe , as in our owne hopes wee promised to our selues , and that If I vndertooke more then dutie laid vpon me , or aduised any thing that reason made not probable , or failed of any thing , that any possibilitie inabled m● vnto , I will thinke the hardest censurer of me do● me no wrong . But first it is well knowne that her Maiestie had armed and victualed 10. of her owne shippes , and caused the states of the lowe countries to prepare the like number , before euer I was spoken of to goe to Sea . And when my Lord Thomas Howard , and Syr Walter Raulegh , who should haue beene sent foorth with this fo●ce , thought their hopes of doing any great seruice weake and vncertaine . And the newes of the Adelantadoes preparation at Farroll and the Groine were newly confi●med : a new counsell was called , in which her Maiestie resolued that this force prepared , was to great for a discouerie , and too litle for an attempt . That a fleet inferiour to that the Adelantado commaunded , might light vpon some merchants , o● take fishermen to learne newes , but should neuer be in possibilitie to take any of the king of Spaine● treasure , or should safely li● on the coastes of Spaine and Portugall , being able to commaund no port , nor daring to fight with the enemies fleete , when it should come out . And lastly that a fleete without an armie to land , might ●ayle from Cape to Cape , and returne when their victuals were spent without doing other seruice : For the Adilantado would not come foorth , if he liked not his match , and the Indian fleete might be stayed at the Ilands , or by the aduise●s direction , so alter their course as they should hardly be intercepted , then a newe consideration was had , what might be done by a sufficient force by Sea and land . It was resolued that not onely Farroll , where the Adelantado lay , but any port of Spaine might be entred , and the ●orces of the king , that should be found in it beaten and destroyed : Or any Port or Iland of the enemie taken and fortified , besides the commaunding of any fleete of warre , or of treasure that should be met with at Sea , if 6. ships of her Maiesties and 5000. land souldiers , with 500. Sayle●s to transporte them were added to the former preparation . All which conditions being agreed vnto , and my Lord Admirall ●●cusing himselfe from the iourney , by the indisposition of his body ▪ I had warning to prepare my selfe to take the charge . When I went ●oorth , my first designe was vppon Farroll , both by her Maiesties commaundment , and mine owne choise , for when I hadde defeated that force , I might go● after whether I listed , and doe almost what I listed , ( I meane ) vpon any places vpon that coast . And of doing what I would vpon that fleete and army at Farr●● ▪ I had little cause to doubt , if God had giuen me a fauo●rable passage and season , to land the armie , and enter the Porte , their preparation to resist being all knowne , and litle moouing any distrust of the possibilitie , or facilitie of this kinde of enterprize . I thinke I haue satisfied you i● some of my former papers , especially in my discourse , written as I came home from Cadz , and I will satisfie ●n● reasonable man , that will speake with me of it . The aduan●●ges that would haue growne by it are manifest : H●● Maiesties dominion for a long time , from any inuasion from Spaine had beene secured . The king of Spaine hi● fleete both going foorth , and comming home , vtterly vngarded , the taking of the Spanish and Portugall Iles more easie , the enterprise vpon the East and West Indies warranted from two of the greatest daungers , an encounter by Sea , and an inuasion by land , whilst her Maiesties forces were absent : To conclude her Maiestie had beene such an absolute Queene of the Ocean , and her enemie so disarmed by Sea , as shee might eyther enforce him to any conditions of peac● or make warre to her infinite aduantage , and his vtter ruine , I had also thought vppon some places which I might haue holden for the diuersion of the warres , and if euer the taking of the Indian fleete were likely , I know I should haue beene in a faire way for it : though I confesse these hopes were so vncertaine , as I reckoned them but by chaunce . My first , chiefest , and maine designe being to assayle the Adelantado in Farroll : Farroll was the Randeuous I gaue , to Farroll I directly shaped my course : and at Farroll I had mastered the fleet , that lay there whole yeares threatning my countrey , or driuen that armie into the hils , or sacrificed my selfe . The causes frustrating this designe , were first the violent long tempest , which tooke vs in the height of 46. scattered our fleete , disinabled and almost drowned most of our principall shippes , And when we could no longer beate it vp against the winde , draue vs backe vppon our owne coast : Next that vnreasonable stormie weather , which kept vs a moneth after we were put backe from attempting to goe foorth againe : and lastly our wantes , which forced vs to discharge our whole land armie sauing 1000. men , for mine owne excuse how long I dured ere I turned backe , and to what desperate case I brought my shippes , there bee witnesses enough . Also her Maiestie and her counsell know , what proffer of seruice I made her , when I came vp post from Plymouth , accompanied with Syr Walter Rawleigh , if shee would but haue let me gone , but with halfe the fleete , and lesse then half the land armie to such place as my selfe and the counsell of warre had chosen for to be . sure the enemie and not her Maiestie should feele the waight and charge of the iourney . And when her Maiestie accepted not of that offer , euen a little before my last going foorth , I went to her Maiestie to offer the attempting of the fleete in Farroll , if she would giue me leaue to hazard the 1000. land souldiers , with some number of the flie boates , and merchantes ships , and the Saint Mathew and the Saint Andrew for my selfe , and one other commaunder to goe in , as a guard for the rest , as ●it ships to beare the greatest of the Gallions , leauing al the queen● shippes and the other principall commaunders , without in the Bay , till we had tryed our fortune . Of this letter I receiued answere , tying me to hazard none but these , and yet with some limitations : But I lost the Saint Mathew by breaking the fore mast , and I lost company first of the S. Andrew ere I came to the opening of the Groine : and then the same night while I was faine to lie by the lee , for stopping of a desperate leeke , I lost the company of my Lord the vice admirall , by a mischaunce that fell to his shippe , and 30. sayle amongst which were many of the companies of the souldiers , so that in effect I wanted all those meanes that were allotted for my attempt . And then I houered vp and downe those coastes , in which I had directed such as should lose company to seeke me in , and sent out Pinnaces euery way till the Admirall of the squadron that was missing , sent me word , when I was in the height of 40 that the Adelantado was gone foorth with his fleete , and gone straight to the Terceras to wast home the Indian fleete , then I resolued after I had called a counsell to goe foorth to seeke him , and though I fayled of him , because he neuer offered to come foorth , till long after , yet I missed very narrowly and vnfortunately , of the west Indian fleete , if I had met them before they got to the Terceras , there could none of them haue escaped : And meete with them I had , if a false intelligence had not made me stand one night a contrary way . But it was the wil of God there should bee ino blowe strooken at Sea that yeare , else when at the same time I returned from the Ilandes , and the Adelantado bare for the coast of England , we had not so narrowly missed the one the other as we did .

I haue nowe shewed you ( worthy Maister Bacon ) with what minde I vndertooke these forraine imploimens and actions of the warre . A word for my friendshippe to the chiefe men of action , and fauour generall to the men of warre : and then I come to the maine obiection , which is the crossing of the treatie in hande . For most of them which are accounted the chiefe men of action , I doe intirely loue them : they haue beene my companions both abroad and at home : Some of them began the wars with me , most of them haue had place vnder me , and many of them had me a witnesse of their rising , from Captaynes , Lieuetenants , and priuate men , to these charges which since by their vertues they haue obtayned . Now I knowe their vertue I would chuse them for friends , if I had them not , but before I had tryed them , God in his prouidence chose them for me : I loue them for my owne sake , for I finde sweetenesse in their conuersation , strong assistance in their imployment with mee , and happinesse in their friendshippe , I loue them for their vertues sake , for their greatnesse of minde : For little mindes though neuer so full of vertue , can be but a little vertuous . For their vnderstanding : For to vnderstand little or thinges not in vse , is little better then to vnderstand nothing at all . For their affection : For soft lo●ing men , loue ease pleasure and profit . But they that loue paines , daunger , and fame , shewe they loue the publique profite more then themselues . I loue them for my countries sake , for they are Englands best armour of defence , and weapons of offence . If we may haue peace , they haue purchased it , if we must haue warre , they must manadge 〈◊〉 , yet whilst we are doubtfull , and in treatie , we must value our selues by what may be done , and our enemie will value vs by what hath beene done , by our chiefe men of action . That generally I am affected to the men of warre , it should not seeme strange to any reasonable man : Euery man loueth those of his owne profession : the graue iudge fauours the student of the lawe , the reuerend Bishoppes the labourers of the ministerie , And I , since her Maiestie hath yeerely vsed my seruice in her late actions , must reckon my selfe to the number of her men of warre . Before action , prouidence makes me cherish them , for the seruice they can doe , and after action , experience and thankefulnesse makes me loue them for the seruice they haue done . I know great scandal lieth vpon the profession of Armes , as if it were a schole of dissolutenesse : but that groweth by commandement & charg giuen to dissolute chiefs , & it is a fault of the professors not of the profession . For a campe ought to be , ( and if it be well go●●●ned ) is the b●st schoole , to make religion truely felt , and piety and honestie to be duly practised . For my selfe I am sure , they that loue me least , ( if thou know any thing of my gouernment when I am abroad ) wil taxe me rather for being to be too seuere , then charg me for being to remisse & popular . But I long to leaue these disputations , which are but skirmishes , and will come to ioyne with my aduers●●ies in that encounter , wherein they labour both to ouerthrowe my credite , with my Soueraigne , and my country . They say that England cannot stand without peace , peace cannot growe but by treatie , treatie cannot bee had , but when the enemie offers it , and now when the enemie offers to treate , the doubtes I cast , and argumentes I frame , doe shew I would not haue her Maiesties commissione● sent ouer . I answere in a word : that if I saw them to build vpon any true principle , I should not so much dissent from them as I doe : but if they will promise themselues , they may haue peace without ground , or thinke that peace may be good for vs without reason , or leape blind folded into a treatie , without due circumstances , I say then I do● not suspect too much , but rather they too little . For a ground that we may haue peace , it is alledged , that a commission is come to the Cardinall out of Spaine , and that by vertue of that commission he offers to send his deputy , to meet with her Maiesties . What is the conclusion therfore ? The enemie desires and intends peace : Allow this for a good syllogisme , and you may put to schoole al the L●gicians in Christendome . It were well concluded , this shewes that he meaneth to treate : But remember howe heretofore the Spanish kings Lieuetenant , and other ministers haue pretended commission when they had none : yea haue drawne vs to treatie , before they had there power from Spaine : to conclude , Remember also howe that king hath sent a commission from Spaine , to bee openly shewed that treatie might be entertained , when it is notorious to the world , he neuer meant to conclude any peace , witnesse of all this the Duke of Parma , his want of commission , when by his letters , he drew my Lord of Darbie , Cobham , and other commissioners to the treatie of Berborch . And afterwardes that comming of a commission , when their great Nauie did presently appeare vpon our coastes , for the conquest of England . But doe they offer to treate , and meane no peace ? What is then their meaning ? If you will haue me to interprete , I will tell you ▪ Their first maine attempt against England , was in 88. from that time to this present is full tenne yeares , the iust time of the siege of Troy , An● now they see open force cannot preuaile , they in shewe retire and giue ouer armes , but they haue prepared a Sinons horse , which cannot enter if we ●ast not downe our walles . But because we are thought more credulous then the Tro●an were , the bare letter of a base beggerly traiterous fugitiue , assuring vs that good faith is meant , is the vttermost stratagem they vse to deceiue vs with : but though some beleeue it , yet I say , Time● Dan●●s & dona serentes , If they appeale from my exposition , let their actions expound themselues : will they charge vs at Berborch with fayling to agree to peace , or wil they haue vs to allow that the Duke of Medina came with that huge fleete and armie onely to be witnesse to the contract : O● if they had rather their owne wo●ds should expound their meaning , then their actions , Here Emanuell Lewes the Portugal , that brought Lopu● and Stephano Ferrara assurance of the 50000. Crownes , to be paid so soone as their diuelish conspiracy , against the life of our precious soueraigne , should t●ke effect : heare him I say , who at his arraignement in Guild hall London confessed at the bar , that in their Cipher and Targon when they wrote of peace , they intended the murther and death of her Maiestie . Or if the peace must not be condemned to be insidious , but vnder two witnesses , here also Anthonie Rowles nowe prisoner in the tower of London who comming hither out of Spain● with a pretence of making a nouerture of peace , and for better colour bringing letters to her Maiestie , to your self and me , from Teswell the Iesuite , to that end confessed vpon his examination taken by maister Secretarie , and my selfe , that his true etrand giuen him by some of the king of Spaines chiefest ministers , was , to discouer the state of our preparations , to assure the Papistes of England , that they might shortly expect their deliuerance , to win some counsellors about her Maiestie , or noblemen in this kingdome to fauour their case , and to offer me from the Spanish king , what euer portion or summe of money I would desire , so as I would be wonne to take their part . Nowe iudge ( worthy maister Bacon ) out of the clearenesse of your owne iudgement , how I should vnderstand their offer and speach of peace : and thinke ●ut of the worthine● of your owne heart , what peace my heart could take with them , that haue attempted to conquer my countrey , practized to murder my Soueraigne , and sought out me a● a fitte man to be tempted to betray both my Queene and countrey . But if God had not put me backe , and arrested by contrary winds this last sommer , I should haue taught that proud king what effect his offers had wrought in me : And that the longer the will of God , and my Soueraigne doe restraine me , with the greater interest I hope to pay him in the ende . But our peacemakers may alleadge that times are chaunged , and with the times the humours of princes and affaires do commonly chaunge : So although heretofore their were no trust to be giuen to the enemies word , or faire shewes ; yet now his humour , or the consideration of his owne affaires may dispose him to make peace : For my part erel can beleeue that he is of a peace able humour , I must know how his ambitious and reuengfull humours are satisfied , and quenched . Satisfied they cannot be : for he hath receiued ouerthrowe in encounters , ill successe in all attemptes , and losse and scorne in all the warre h● hath had with our Maiestie . Quenched they are not like to be , for if apprehension of death would haue quenched them , he would not the last yeare , when he came newly out of that traunce , which was thought would had been his dead sound , had asked the first worde that he spake , whether the Adelaniado were gone for England : Or if remorse of conscience would haue quenched them , he would not in his deuotions being at masse , haue vowed to be reuenged on England , though he sould all the candlestickes vpon the altar before him Of the first of these speaches , my selfe , and some of my fellow commissioners haue seene very credible aduertisement out of Spaine . And the second was deliuered both to you and to me by the mouth of a principall Iesulte , newly come out of Spaine . But we may well conclude that his humour is not like to be chaunged , for he will neuer thinke he hath sufficient parte of the earth , till his mouth ●e full of earth ▪ And some of his ghostly fathers the Iesuites , will as well perswade that the inuasion of other princes kingdomes is a worke of pietie : as they , doe teach desperate conspirators , that to murder princes is the way to heauen ; And if he should die to morrow his sonnes bloud is hotter , and his humour of ambition is like to be greater , he hath bin breede in domo Regnatri●i , and his minde shewes to be already swollen , veteri atque insita Austriacae samiliae superbia . So as in their peaceable humours there being no hope , let vs see what is the present state of their affaites . Princes and states when they do enter into consideration of their owne affaires , may dispose themselues to peace , for vtilitie , conueniencie , or necessitie . For vtilitie if they can get aduantage . For conueniencie . if peace be sittest to conserue them in the state they are . For necessitie : when they haue no longer meanes to make warre . That it is like the king of Spaine will make peace with vs , because he shall get aduantage , our peacemakers will not agree , and if they doe , it is their owne fault : if we fall into the pitte ▪ which they shew vs so plainely . That he should not be inclined to peace with England for conueniencie , if neither aduantage intice him , nor necessiue inforce him , I reason thus : All states doe stand as much by reputation , a● by strength , especially where there dominions are deuided farre , and where a fewe of one nation giue the law to great multitudes of many : Now let the Indies , the lowe countries , Naples , Milla●ne , see that Spaine that hath so long tirannized ouer them , is gladde after so many ouerthrowes , disgraces , and losses to make peace with England , vpon equall termes , and they will know that the Spanish are Hombros commo losotos , and that it hath bin basenes in them all this while , Seruitutem suam quotidié emere , quotidié pas●●●e : so as I conclude , by such a peace , the Spanish shuld loose all reputation of his Armes , and honour of his greatnes , and his countreyes would not be kept from reuolting l●y any possibility . And therefore conuenienty cannot moue him to any peace with vs . That necessity or want of meanes shuld driue him to it , I thinke it , both improbable , and impossible , improbable : that he that so lately assailed England , Fraunce and the lowe countries at once , hauing nowe brooken the bande of league , and deuided Fraunce from the other two , should thinke himselfe vnable to make warre with vs . Impossible : that heè shouldé l●cke meanes . Wants he treasure ▪ his Partido to pay his armie , is made with the Genowaies for a great time to come : And as his enterprises are his obtides , to make his treasure tunne low , so his Indian retou●nes are his floudes to fill the bankes againe . Wantes he men ? why besides all his new allies , he hath those forces , that were imployed in Fraunce free to be vsed against vs . Wantes he ships ▪ he buildes euery day , and may embarge in Spaine as many as he list , and is now both combining himselfe with the Easterlinges , and conspiring with them against vs Wantes he victuals ? besides the helpes he was woont to haue , he shall now by the peace in Fraunce haue asmuch as hee list . So as I conclude , which way soeuer I turne my selfe I see no likelihood of his disposing himselfe to peace with vs ▪ and if no peace be to be had , them no treatie is to be entred into For from him by intertayning treatie , we can draw nothing , nor succour any body , and he may make vs and our onely confederats so iealous one of the other , as in striuiug to take the start , we should striue who should lose them selues first . But if I allow our peacemakers their assurance of peace , let me see what is their purchase , if they can make any peace with Spaine good for vs , it must be by including our confederates in the low countries , or excluding them , but I suspect neyther of these can be good or safe for vs , therfore I iudge they can make no good peace at all . To include the low countries in our peace it is impossible , except they acknowledge the king of Spaine or him that shall claime vnder him for their Soueraigne , as the Duke of Burgu●die which if they doe all thinges else , which should giue power to the enemie , and bringes slauerie vpon the Netherlandes , and danger vpon , will necessarily follow . The reason is manifest , for when the authoritie of the generall states , and the present forme of gouernment , of the vnited prouinces shall bee broaken and diss●lued , a monarchie set vp and a prince acknowledged , there shall nothing limit the princes absolutenesse , but his owne will The strength of a contract cannot limit it , for neither will he keepe faith with those whome he accounteth Heretiques , and calleth rebels , neither will they make any longer delay to betray themselues , for prouince will striue with prouince , towne with towne , and man with man who shall be obsequious , and shew themselues most seruile , all care of defence neglected by minds bewitched with the name of peace , all memorie of former tirannie blotted out of their heartes , resolued to accept a Soueraigne . Some will seeke for charge of souldiers , some for magistracie in townes , some for gathering of custome , and handling of money , some for offices of iustice , some for benifices , and spirituall liuinges , all for trade into Spaine and into the Inides , euery man for priuate gaine , and no man for pubelique safetie . The magistrates and gouernours cannot limit it , for the chiefe men which now bare rule in martiall and ciuill gouernment , will prouide by flight for their owne safetiz , for if the braue Count Edmoundes bought his trust and confidence in his Maiestie with the price of his head , what shall any lowe countrey subiect hope in , when his many memorable seruices , especially those two memorable battles of Graneline and S. Quintin● , and his putting himselfe into the Spaniards handes , could not ouerweigh the suspition of the combining with the reuolters , what hope of future merit shall weigh downe the offence of those , which haue by counsell or action , maintained the state of the lowe countries against Spaines garrisons . Nor troopes of souldiers cannot limit it , for there will be nothing to pay them , when any thing aboue the kings ordinarie is demanded of the people , it will be answered , is not he our enemie ? Why doe wee acknowledge him as our prince ? Is he our prince ? Why doe we stand out against him as against an enemie ? besides all low strangers besides , and the enemie will oppresse vpon any sodaine by force , for his meanes depend vpon himselfe , the others vpon the will of a people that will be glad to spaie the purse , when they see present wars , and the enemies number will be farre greater then the States , banish straungers on both sides , yet the enemie shall be strengthened with espaniolized Netherlandes , and the states defended but by such as shall take oathe to the enemie . Stipulation of other princes cannot limit it , for the state wil be oppressed on the suddaine , when their helpes will come too late , and those princes that were glad to make peace , when the enemie was weake themselues vnited , and the low countries flourishing , will not begin a new quarrell , when the enemies strength is recouered , themselues deuided , and the lowe countries lost . Yet those that I haue named are the least assurances , that either our peace makers can pro pound , or the vnited prouinces receiue , I wil adde further , that as it is certaine , no peace is to be had with the vnited prouinces , except a Soueraigne be acknowledged : so is it with out all doubt that there can be no peace concluded , except popish religion , be either vniuersally established , or else freely exercised in the townes and prouinces where nowe it is banished , Allowe the first , that they banish Gods true seruice , to bring in idolatrie , the leaue truth to receiue faslhood , they refuse the protection of the most merciful god in heauen , to win the fauour of the most tirannical prince in the erth , Allowe the second you bring in a pluralitie of religions , which is no lesse crime , and which is against the pollicie of all states , because where there is not vnitie in the Church , there can be no vnitie nor order in the state , for as the mingling of poyson with wholesome liquor in one vessell , doth not corrupt that which is Letheal , but corrupteth that which is wholesome , so the poysoned doctrine of these espaniolized Iesuites once brought in , will quickly leaue no one professour in al the vnited prouinces . So that I conclude it were both folly and impietie , for them to make any such peace , or for vs to drawe them to it , yea more folly in vs , then euer was committed in any state . For what will not the enemie be able to doe vpon vs , when besides the forces he now hath , he shall haue a countrey in his handes able to find him 60000. or 80000. souldiers , 500. shippes of warre , besides insinite numbers of transporting vessels , and commodious Portes that are but a dayes sayling from the very heart of England . But the low countries shall be giuen to the Infant , shee marryed to the Archduke Albert , and so that state deuided from the crowne of Spaine in a farre safer hand . For the disuniting of them , I answere , the Infant is ( if the Prince of Spaine haue no children ) to be heire to her brother , and her brother in like case to her , and then are the states vnited , the onely likelihood of their remayning seuered is if they both haue children , and yet since none of that house doe marry farther of then cosen Germaines , I see n●t why we shuld not suspect their coniunction by such a match . But allowe them seuered , is not Albert sonne in lawe to the late king , and brother in lawe to the present● is he not to be backed by the force of Spaine , and maintained by the purse of Spaine● will hee not serue the Spanish kings turne aswell to ioyne in warre against England , as the Duke of Sauoy that marryed the other sister did in war against Fraunce ? Nay hath he not a suspected streng●● of his owne , by being brother to the present Emperor , and in no vnlikely hope , to bee Emperour himselfe hereafter 〈◊〉 Nay is not the Infant , the person whose title to the cro●● of England , Parsons so laboured to prooue ? Is not the lowe countries the rise by which hee must leape into England Is not such a peace as this in hande , the meanes to assure her of all the lowe Countries , Is not the armie which is nowe vnder her newe husbande , the force on which the enemie for his enterprize of England must set his rest ? yes yes this cohaerence is manifest , and their designe clearely discouered . And it is too plaine what is to be expected of our peace if we include the lowe countries . Now let vs consider how good it may be if we abandon them , I haue euer thought that such a peace might bee good for vs , if they that perswade vnto it , c●● prooue three thinges . First , that they of the lowe Countries will haue both will and strength to maintaine th● warre , though we make peace and forsake them . Secondly , so we leaue them wee may haue good conditions 〈◊〉 our selues . And thirdly , that as our affaires nowe stand a neutralitie can be possible kept by vs , while the vnited prouinces and the enemie are in warre . In the will of 〈◊〉 lowe Countries to continue warre , and to refuse all conditions that the enemie shall offer , I vnderstande the resolution and counsell of the gouernours of the state , 〈◊〉 the conformitie of the people to such a resolution ( In t●● strength I meane aswell the strength of the gouernours to force the people if they bee aduerse , as the strength and sufficiencie of their meanes to endure so great and so sharpe a warre , as will fall vppon them . ) Of the chiefe gouernours resoluing there , may be these doubtes , that they shall be tempted by the enemies offers , who if he can wil purchase the seuerally , that he may reduce them vniuersally . And that they shall be terrified with the danger of counsell , for it soundes both harshly aforehand , and is ●●e to fal out vnsuccessinely at the first , the enemie being so much maister of the fields as some place will be caried . I know they doe pretend to be resolute one way , and protest against giuing eare to treatie , but that may be eyther to moue vs by example or to make vs to leaue pressing of them to a treatie , or to seeme to hold out to the last that we may seeme rather to haue vndone them , then they to vndoe themselues . But if they vpon mature deliberation should chuse the continuance of the warres as the lesse of the two euils , yet that they people will be like affected it is not probable , for when a people that hath been long ●yted with the miserie of the war , shall heare the pleasing name of peace , when they that had two mightie Princes ioyned with them in a straight defensiue and offensiue league , shall see themselues abandoned first by Fraunce , and then by England , when one the one side for the maintenance of the warres , they shall haue newe and great contributions demaunded of them , and one the other side they shall be offered all plausible conditions of peace , nay when they shall see England by making peace , get the trade of Spaine from them , and they alone by standing out , shall be barred of that Nauigation which hath made them so mightie in shipping , and so encreased in wealth and riches , what then the multitude is like to chuse , is it not easie to iudge ? And if the people be not conformable of themselues , how by the authoritie of the gouernours of the state ( which are called the generall states ) they may be forced I doe not see , First because it is not an absolutē and necessary , but a limited and voluntarie obedience which they yeelde . Secondly because the state hath not ( as the state of Rome had , and the state of Venice hath ) one place that as the head doth commaund and direct all the partes of the body , but is compounded of equal parts ▪ Zealand is as absolute as Holland , Friseland as eyther of them , yea not onely the least prouince , but the least town holdes it selfe to haue a kinde of Soueraigntie , and will haue as free a voyce as the greatest . Thirdly because of the former manner of proceedinges , which hath not byn to send commaundementes to binde , but deputies to perswade : not to resolue and conclude in the greatest causes in any one counsell , or assembly , but to sound and feele the disposition of euery prouince , and so to winne them to like of that they haue deuised of . And l●stly because that euen amongst themselues , they are for the time generall states , there is not like to be vnanimitie in opinion , and then though they that dissent ( being sewe ) will not beare the enuie to stande in counsell against the greater parte , yet it is easie for them , when they come home to worke in the particular prouinces and townes , such a distrust of that which shall be generally propounded to all , as the resolution will sticke , and the whole businesse bee ouerthrowne , it being vnsafe for them to denie libertie of voyce to any , such libertie being the true cause of their taking armes , and standing out against the common enemie . But admit both by the gouernours of state and people , it were resolued that the low Countries alone should remaine in war , how are their meanes , or is their strength like to maintayne warre . Of all forraine helpe they are vtterly destitute , Fraunce makes no diuersion , England can yeeld no succours , and in all Christendome their is no other prince or state likely or able to back them . Their owne meanes and abilitie grow either by the fruit of the earth , or by traffique and merchandise , for the fruites of the earth , that meanes is like to be but small , for the enemy being maister of the fields , and able to deuide his forces into diuerse places , will euery day eyther winne from them , part of that they hould , or at the least , so infecte those partes that are already in the States obedience , as except it bee in Holland , or Zealand , which the enimie cannot yet come vnto , the husbandrie will bee ill followed , and yealde little profitte . And as for their meanes by traffique , it is vnlikely that merchauntes , that may remoue their dwellinge , to peaceable places nere hande , where they may haue safe and free trade , will remayne in the Low Countreies , which onely is in warre , of all these partes of Christendome : and if they keepe their dwelling , yet will the Spaniarde without doubt banish them the trade into Spaine , when both Fraunce , and England , and the Easterlinges shall supply him , and will seeke both to banish and impeach them of other trade , as much as hee can , pretending that they are now the onely perturbe●s of the peace of Christendome . So as I conclude , when I thinke with myselfe what the gouernours of the state of the vnited prouinces are like to resolue , what the people in generall will be like to desire , howe hardly the multitude will be forced against their liking , or the meanes of the Low Countries make them subsist to themselues , I see nothing but danger that the enemie will shortly and suddély be master of all the country : which how it importeth vs to preuent , it hath bin before made plain . I will now consider what conditions we are like to haue for our selues , so we wil forsake our confederats , restitution of places we can not demand , as Fraunce did , for the enemie holds none of ours . Reparation of damage we can as little seeke for , for from him we haue sustained no losse . And trade into the Indies our zealous peacemakers wil not stand for , least the enemie offended wil grant no peace . Traf●ique into Spaine and Portugall we shall haue , and that is the onely condition that carries any shewe of aduantage to vs . But if we consider howe greedie our merchantes will be of such a trade at first , and how easie it will be for a faith breaking enemie to confiscate all our countrimens goodes , and to embarge and vse English shipping against England , wee would not bragge to much of this aduantage . But on the other side he will require alteration in our gouernment , or in the execution of our lawes for matters of religion , deliuering vp the townes her Maiestie hath in the Loue Countries , and reparation of all the damages susteyned in the wars . The first is a condition only for a conquerour to impose , and vnfitte for a braue state ( that in all the wars heretofore hath had the better ) once to heare mentioned . The second should neuer be asked of a Queene so iust , as shee will not yeald vp the keyes of a countrey , deliuered by her best confederates , into the handes of her greatest enemies , nor of a prince so wise , as shee will not adde strength to him , whose strength alreadie shee holdeth so much suspected , nor inable him to inuade , whose ambition and malice thirsteth after inuasion and conquest . The third condition is vnpossiblè to be graunted , for the losse the king of Spaine hath receiued in these wars , amounteth to a greater summe then the treasure of al the kings in Christendome . If It be asked how I knowe that these conditions will be demaunded , I answere , I learne Albertus mind of Albertus himselfe , and the Spaniards conditions out of the instruction giuen to the Spanish commissioners If it be sayd though in the intercepted letters and instructions , such conditions were to bee asked but neuer meant , they should be insisted vpon , I answere , that in the instruction to the Spanish commissioners , it is expresly set downe in the first and third condition : the lega●e shall be pressed to vrge the French king , to stand with them in obtayning them : and for the second , if the English commissioners doe cut of all hope of deliuering the townes , that then the treatie shall instantly breake of , which is as much as if he should say , except England will giue vs the keyes of the Low Countries , whereby we may reduce them , and let vs haue the Port of Flushing in which our Galleys may winter , and from which we may set out our fleete for the conquest of England whensoeuer we will breake , wee will haue no peace with England at this time . But if it be graunted that the Low Countries wil maintaine the wars alone , and that Spaine will grant vs good conditions so we wil abandon the states , how wil it appear that it is possible for vs betwixt these two to hold a neutralitie . If we do not the vnited prouinces some fauour vnderhand , at least by letting them be serued by such of our nation , as will voluntarily offer themselues vnto them , their state cannot be maintained , nor they kept our friendes whom we suffer to perish . On the other side , if we doe them in this kinde or any other , any fauour which shall keepe them from perishing , we giue the Spaniard and the Archduke a newe quarrell , and so make them of new become our enemies . Besides her Maiestie hath bestowed in the action in the Low Countries at the least 4 millions of crownes , and shee hath in pawne for the debt which the states owen her , the townes of Flushing and the Brill : to reimburse that which is due , and to maintaine the warres the states are vnable , to deliuer the townes without reimbursement were vtterly to loose all the treasure spent , and the authoritie and bridle which her Maiestie hath vpon that people , which is one of the greatest securities of her state : to keepe them ( especially Flushing ) and to remaine in new treatie in my vnderstanding seems altogether vnpossible , for when the enemie shall see that neither by treatie , nor offer of his large conditions , the states will be wonne , he will assayle them by force , yea he will take that way which will bee shortest and easiest for the reduction of the whole , which will be to bring his Galleys into the riuers , and to transport men into the Ilandes , for so by peircing into zeland , he shall make his way into Holland , and if hee haue once good sooting in these 2. prouinces , he is straight master of the whole state , If Flushing which is the onely bulwarke against the Ilandes and the Castle of Ramnekins , which commaundeth the riuer of Stoad shall notimpeach nor offend the enemie , he will carrie all the rost of the Iland of ●aterezen , and so consequently all Zeland : if after he is become her Maiesties friend , he be vsed as an enemie , by that places she holdes the peace is broaken , but though it were proued neuer so fully , that the peace which we might haue ( if we may haue any at all ) is full of dangers & inconueniences , yet som are so zelous of it that they will say it is the misery of our state , that we neither haue a good peace , nor a good warre , and of the two euils it is better to haue a practised peace , then an insupportable warre . But iniurious are these to the men of warre that fight for them , and defend them , in thinking our Armes which haue euer done honour to our countrey , stricken terrour to the heartes of our enemies , lesse able to defend our countrey , then their treaties which haue neuer beene free from scorne and disaduantage . Iniurious are they to the countrey which bredde them , which being one of the brauest , strongest , and happiest states of Christ endome , is iudged by these men as weak as their owne weake hearts , Iniurious they are to her Maiestie who hath ruled them , who being so great , so glorious , so victorious a Queene , shall be iudged vnable to maintaine warre , when she cannot haue peace but at the pleasure of her enemie . Iniurious and moste vnthankfull to God himselfe are they that hitherto fought for them , in that for an vnsase peace with an Idolatrous and irreligious nation they would leaue an honourable and iust warre : when they haue done all that they can , it the enemie will not conclude peace , we must haue warre . And shall not reasonable men then aswell be perswaded by necessitie of reason , as by necessity of fortune . But wherein doe they find such insufficienci● to maintayne the warres ? our Nauy , as also that of the confederats was neuer stronger : nor the enemy in shipping halfe so weake : our nation generally was neuer so martiall , nor neuer had so many able leaders . Our confederates in the Low Counteies who being firmely knit vnto vs , are of more vse then all the friendes in Christendome , ( that euer we had or can haue ) they I say were neuer more resolute , Fraunce hath left vs , we are cased of many chardges , and shall make warre in fewer places , Ireland is chargeable , that charge may wel be borne , when it is almost the sole burthen that lieth vpon vs , yet if there be any weakenes in our meanes to make warre , it is in our treasure . But if it be considered howe for this present yeare Spaine hath no abilitie to assayle vs , howe the next yeare the yearely subsidies will beginne to be paid , how in Fraunce we haue an end of all chardges , and are to receiue reinbursement of that is due , how in the Low Countries her Maiesties expence may alsocease , and shee receiue some helpe towardes her other chardges , yea , though her Maiesties treasure be drawne deepe into , and the poore husbandmen by these late hard yeres , hath now scant means to liue , yet if our sumptuous buildings , surfeiting dyet , our prodigalitie in garmentes , our infinite plate , and costly furniture of houses be considered , England cannot bee thought to be poore . Can we exceed all nations in Christendome in expencefull vanities ? and can we not arme our selues against one nation which we haue alwaies beaten for our necessary defence ? was Rome so braue a state as the very Ladies to supply the common treasure to maintaine the warres , spoyled themselues of their iewels and rich ornamentes ? And is England so base a state , that the men in it wil not bestow some of their supersluous expences , to keepe themselues from conquest and slauerie ? did the kinges and religious people of the old Testament to maintaine the warres against the enemies of God , sell the ornamentes of the Temple , and thinges consecrated to holy vses ? and shall not we which haue as holy a warre , spare those thinges which we haue dedicated to our idle and sensuall pleasures ? and could our nation in those former g●llant ages , when our countrey was farre poorer , then it is now , leauie armes , make warre , atchieue great conquests in Fraunce , & make our powerful arms known as farre as the holy land ? and is this such a degenerate age , as we shall not be able to defend England ? no , no , there is some seede yet left of the auncient vertue . Remember with what spirit and alacrity , the Gentlemen of England haue put themselues into our late actions , There will euer be found some Valerij that so the state may stand and flourish , care not though they leaue not where with all to bury themselues , though other bury their money not caring what case they leaue the state . We haue thankes be to God a Queene , who neuer hath beene wastfull in her priuate expences , yet will sell her plate and iewels in the tower , ere her people shall be vndefended . We are a people that will turne our silken coates into iron iackets , and our siluer plate to coates of plate , rather then our Soueraigne shall be vnserued , but why should eyther prniceor people be put to that extremity : If her Maiestie will but bestow 60000 , pound a yeare which the Low Countries doe cost her , and 20000. pound a yeare which the States doe offer her , and 20000 pound more which I doubt not may be drawn , by way of reimbursement from the French king , this 100000. pound a yeare , with halfe as much more bestowed by the States , who to engage her Maiestie in mainteinance of the warre , will neuer shrinke for their portion , this summe I say of a 100000. pound put into the handes of an honest and sufficient treasurer for the wars , and to bee issued by warrant of a counsell of warre , well chosen , will fully and sufficiently maintaine the war with Spaine , yea , if this be doubted , it shall be made plaine that with 250000. such a force shall be maintained , that her Maiestie hauing a conuenient number of her ships , and furnishing them as she yearly doth , the enemie shall bring no fleete into the Seas , for England , Ireland , and the 〈◊〉 Countries , but it shall be beaten , nor seeke to gather any in Spaine , but the partes of it shall be defeated , before the whole be assembled , yea , those seruices shall be done vpon the enimy , that the poorest Prince and state in Christendome shall haue little cause to feare his malice . But of this question , whether we should think the peace good for vs , which the peacemakers wil procure I haue stood long innough . I come now to the last question of all , whether they doe enter into the treatie of it with due circumstances . My purpose is not to deale with complementall circumstances , or the Pantilios of honour ( though I iudge them in their proper time and place worthy of good consideration ) but the materiall circumstances which any prince or state should waigh before they enter into treatie , I iudge to be these . The time of treating , whether it yeald most aduantage for peace or warre . The persons of the treators , whether or no the enemy with whom we treate may make aduantage by pretence , if nothing be concluded . The assurance of the treatie , or strength of the knette which is tyed , and the state and condition wee are like to be in , whensoeuer it breakes and dis●●olues . The onely reason which they that would haue peace do vse to proue that this season is fittest , and yealds most aduantage for peace , is , that now the king of Spaine is so weake and poore , that he will be brought to that , which he neyther would heretofore , nor will hereafter euer agree vnto . Therefore say they this is the onely time for peace , but sure except they were better Logicians or could frame better arguments , I would scarse wish them to be trusted with arguing for a treatie . The conclusion is directly contradictory to their owne proposition : for is he now vnablest of all times to encounter vs in warre ? then is this of all times the fittest season to make warre . Is this the season he chuseth to recouer himselfe by peace ? then of all times peace now should least be granted . Now , now is the fittest time to make warre vpon the Spaniard , his losses are not recouered , his coffers are not filled , his fleete not made , his Sea prouisions not supplied , his Indies not quiet , his sonne in law in new Soueraignty not setled . But her Maiesties late batteries haue made way to her greater and higher attemptes : Terror accompanies the powerfulnesse of her Armies , feare possesseth the heartes of her enimies , and God himselfe by the successe hath iudged her cause : All the world hath seene what hath happened , and the actions past . The common conclusion is , Victrix causa , quia dijs placuit . So on the other side , now of all times is the vnfittest season to make peace , when the state of our best confederates is so vndetermined by practise , threatned by force , and sollicited to their owne vndoing by forrayne princes , as except● wee both incourage them , and cleaue fast to them , their ruine is at hand . Now it is no time to make peace with the chiefe enimy of our religion , when a conspiracy is in hand , against all the professors of it The newes is too rise , and too credible , that this vndertaking Pope , after his victories so glorious in Ferrara , and his powerfull reconciling of two great kinges , in the heate of so greate a war : that now he will not leaue , till he make a generall league against all such , as doe not , or will not acknowledge the omnipotency of his Bulles . Now if we shew our selues so weake , that wee follow not the aduantage we haue , wee shall hereafter be thought so weak , as we may haue any condicions bee inforced vpon vs Now if we refuse the condicions , which our friendes will offer to purchase in our constancy , wee must resolue , hereafter to take such condicions as the enimy will giue , though it bee to our losse . But if wee will needes slatter ourselues , that our agreeing to peace , when the enimy desires it , can make any sounde and durable league betwixt vs : wee shall vndoubtedly finde when it is too late to say , Inter victos victoresque nunquam solida fides coaliscit . And vnto the circumstance of time the circumstance of persons , and it will appeare that the pretence and beginuing to treate of peace , without concluding , is like to be very gainefull to the enemie , and preiudiciall to vs : for if he , which now is not able to guard his Indian fleete , may but while we are talking , haue one or two returnes in safetie , if he which neuer feeles the strength of England and the Low Countries ; as they are vnited , can for the present seuer them in counsell and affoction , as he may here after more easily deuide them in partes , If he that neuer wantes mallice , but now wantes strength , can sing vs a s●eepe with the name of peace , till hee may rouse vs from sleepe by a thundering warre , his gaine , and our losse by this bare pretence will quickly appeare . Then for assuring , wee giue the enimy as good as he can desire , in forbearing him when hee is weakest , and letting goe our aduantage , when it is greatest , wee shew , that nothing can draw vs to warre , if wee may haue peace . On the other side , if a nation that yet neuer treated with vs , but to deceiue vs , and thinkes our religion but heresie , our church schismaticall , our Queene excommunicated , so as by their owne principles , they are neither to keepe faith with vs , nor let vs receiue good by a contract with them : what assurance , I say , can wee haue of such an enemie , and in such a bargaine ? First to deceiue vs , and serue their owne turne , by making peace and then breaking of it , they hold it no fault . Next if they did purpose to keepe it , the Popes dispensation would take it away . And lastly if the Spaniard will keepe a shewe of good forme , and not voluntarily breake faith when his turne is serued : the Pope may to chardge him to breake with vs ▪ as conscience and obedience shal couer his malice and pe●fidiousnesse . Last of all let vs consider , what our state and condition is like to be , whensoeuer that running , knot , or vnsure contract doth breake or dissolue . Are wee the breakers ? that say that we discouer how grossely wee haue beene cosened , and howe farre the enemies proud and mischieuous designes are aduanced : doth the enemy breake it ? then thinke that his iniuries to our state are all made vp . And when he makes them play , he will quickly after giue the assault : his fleete that now is weake , shal be supplyed but with those Gallions he buildes , and with all the good ships of Christendome that will be bought or hired , his coffers that now are emptyed , wil be so full of treasure , as he will be ●ble not onely to trouble kingdomes by warre , but also to purchase them with money , his ministers and best instrumentes for practise , that dare not venture themselues to come ouer , shall then haue free accesse , and our hollow hearted malecontents , if we haue any that now want traffique , will be then ready and confident to intertaine any practise , the Low Countries that now are his strong enemies , either vniuersally by treatie , or in part by conquest shall be reduced to bee his obedient subiects , our victories wil be forgotten , these men of warre we haue shall either be driuen to seeke new countries and new fortunes , or to be consumed in a miserable beggerly Irish war , our nation generally grow vnwarlicke , in loue with the name , and bewitched with the delight of peace , and the Spaniard courage will bee recouered togither with their strength , which is the naturall roote of all confidence .