Certain sermons preached before the Queens Majesty, and at Pauls crossCertaine sermons preached before the Queenes Maiestie, and at Paules crosse

This kingdom of ours, the mightiest, the noblest, the richest, the blessedest land that is, or ever was under heaven, could never yet be conquered by any enemy, but only at such time, as the people were at variance within themselves. Then was Julius Caesar with a small number, then were the English Saxons, then were the Danes, then was the Duke of Normandy able to overrun us, and to possess our country.

This kingdome of ours, the mightiest, ye noblest, the richest, ye blessedest lande that is, or euer was vnder heauen, coulde neuer yet be conquered by any enemie, but onely at such time, as the people were at variāce within thēmselues. Thē was Iulius Caesar with a smal number, then were the English Saxons, then were the Danes, then was ye Duke of Normandie able to ouerrunne vs, and to possesse our countrie.

Therefore the prince that desireth to be a conqueror, laboureth not so much to furnish his own men, and to make himself strong, as to set discord among his enemies. For that is a manifest token of their undoing, & that Gods vengeance ⟨image 100⟩is at hand. And for that cause, Herodian an old writer pronounceth, y• as much as war is worse then peace: so much is civill sedition worse then war. And Titus Livius in his storie saieth, haec res sola facit, ut magna imperia sint mortalia: Dissension only, saith he, causeth that great Empires can not continue but have an end. For, if the one part conquer, and have the victory, it is even as if a man with his right hand would maim himself, and chop off the left. This example Christ useth to confound the malice of the Pharisees.

Therefore the prince that desireth to be a conquerour, laboureth not so muche to furnishe his owne men, and to make himselfe strong, as to set discord among his enemies. For that is a manifest token of their vndoing, & that Gods vengeance ⟨image 100⟩