The same hath beene attempted by the Arch Duke of Austria, and in some places, as in their Country of Firoll effected. But in Austria it selfe not so, wherein the num∣ber of Protestants exceedes and is fearefull to their oppo∣sites, though the publike exercies of their religion is restrai∣ned in some of the chiefe Cities, as in vienna; but the most part of the country are of it, so are halfe the nobility. The Duke of Cleves a third Prince, affected the same way, hath shewed himselfe a little more moderate then some other, so advised by neighbourhood. The free Cities which are of very great number and strength, have all (save some very few) freede themselves from the Pope either in whole, or in greater part: the State of the Empire for that point, contai∣ning in it a very huge circuite of territoryes, full of mighty Princes, and well fortified cities: that if it were more strict∣ly vnited vnder one Monarchie, and not rent into facti∣ons with diversity of religions, breeding endlesse iealosies, hart burnings, and hatreds, it needes not other helpe to affront the great Turke, and to repulse his forces to the se∣curity of Christendome.But in this so vnequall proportion of adherents to the Papacie, two things there are which gives them hope of better, if prosperous successe doe second their well contrived proiects. The one is the creating the Emperour alwaies of their owne party, whereof they as∣sure themselves by these considerations; First the is no house in Germany at this day, of that infinite greatnesse as is requisite to withstand the Turke in his incroachments, the house of Austria set aside, who by their alliaunce, or rather neere intirenesse with Spaine, and sundry elective Kingdomes which runne necessarily vppon them, shall be alwaies able to make head against any power in the world. And by their owne state, confining so immedi∣ately with the Turkes, shalbe necessarily inforced to im∣ploy the vttermost droppe of their blood to keepe them off: next, whensoever the matter growes to the Electi∣on 0