But if ever year deserve to be famous in English Chronicles, it is this year, I cannot tell whether I should say 1602, or 1603: wherein, whether Gods anger was more, in taking from us such a Queen (as for ought I read) the world never had: or his mercy, in giving us such a King, as England never had, I leave it to better heads to be determined. How is the name of our God to be magnified, by whose mercy so great a loss is made no loss, but a gain unto us? for who seeth not, that all her Princely virtues, do not only live in him, but are also in him (being a man) more perfect and accomplished. She is dead, but her Heroical zeal and love to Religion is alive; she bequeathed it with her kingdom to his Highness, who doubtless will make both her Religion, and her Kingdom, to flourish as much more, as a man doth excel a woman. And who knoweth not, that the enemies of our Religion, and our peace, (notwithstanding all their politic dissembled brags to the contrary) do find his Majesty so little for their purpose, that now they would sing a thousand Masses to have her alive again, against whom they thundered ⟨image 3⟩outb so many Curses and Excommunications, and after whose blood they so thirsted whilst she lived: what straights are they driven into? who would wish her alive again, at whose hands (though a woman) they never gained, nor got one inch of ground in 44 years;2 though nine or ten Popes, and 10000 of their slaves, wrestled with her all the while, with all the power, and policy, craft, and treachery, which the Devil could lend them. Nay, her end was as glorious as her beginning, and her last Proclamation against them, was more to their shame, and less to their comfort, then ever any, in her life before: and so far was she, from allowing them a Toleration, of their intolerable religion, in her old, and therefore weakest age, as that it never entered into her royal heart: nor ever thought she it worthy to be made a question, whether it should be or no. No, she halted not betwixt two religions: but to her Baal was Belial:3 & therefore she banished him; and God was the Lord, and therefore she served him. She was resolved that Dagon must down,4 if Gods Ark stand; or else if Dagon stand, the Ark must away. For both together cannot stand upright.
But if euer yeare deserue to be famous in English Chronicles, it is this yeare, I cannot tell whether I should say 1602, or 1603: wherein, whether Gods anger was more, in taking from vs such a Queene (as for ought I reade) the world neuer had: or his mercie, in giuing vs such a King, as England neuer had, I leaue it to better heads to be determined. How is the name of our God to be magnified, by whose mercie so great a losse is made no losse, but a gaine vnto vs? for who seeth not, that all her Princely vertues, doe not only liue in him, but are also in him (beeing a man) more perfect and accomplisht. Shee is dead, but her Heroicall zeale and loue to Religion is aliue; shee bequeathed it with her kingdome to his Highnesse, who doubtlesse will make both her Religion, and her Kingdome, to flourish as much more, as a man doth excell a womā. And who knoweth not, that the enemies of our Religion, and our peace, (notwithstanding all their politik dissembled brags to the contrarie) doe finde his Maiestie so little for their purpose, that now they would sing a thousand Masses to haue her aliue againe, against whom they thundred ⟨image 3⟩outb so many Curses and Excommunications, and after whose blood they so thirsted whilst shee liued: what straights are they driuen into? who would wish her aliue againe, at whose hands (though a woman) they neuer gained, nor got one inch of ground in 44 yeares;2 though nine or ten Popes, and 10000 of their slaues, wrastled with her all the while, with all the power, and policie, craft, and trecherie, which the Deuill could lend them. Nay, her end was as glorious as her beginning, and her last Proclamation against them, was more to their shame, and lesse to their comfort, then euer any, in her life before: and so farre was shee, from allowing them a Toleration, of their intolerable religion, in her old, and therefore weakest age, as that it neuer entred into her royall heart: nor euer thought shee it worthie to be made a question, whether it should be or no. No, shee halted not betwixt two religions: but to her Baal was Belial:3 & therfore shee banisht him; and God was the Lord, and therefore shee serued him. Shee was resolued that Dagon must downe,4 if Gods Arke stand; or els if Dagon stand, the Arke must away. For both together cannot stand vpright.
- bPius Grego•• Sixtus •
- 2Paulus •ius 4. Pius 5. Gregor Sixtus 5 Urbanu• Gregor. Innocen ClementPaulus •ius 4. Pius 5. Gregor Sixtus 5 Vrbanu• Gregor. Innocen Clement
- 31. King. 18▪
- 41. Sam. 5. 2▪
