Considerations vpon the treaty of marriage between England and Spain

The Answer

The meanest of the houshould of faith are much greater then those that are without, for they are borne to a great inheritance: these are their promises.

First God is their God, and with them hath he made a covenant: nor ought it to be forgotten that the house of Spayn is stained with incest in the match with the last King & his owne sisters daughter, which cannot be but very loathsome to every true Christians hart: and yet to speake according to the world, the estate of England is great enough of it selfe match it where it will, as it hath done in times past, and as other great Monarkes haue led the way. And the alliance of France is neere, and hath no ill aspect upon England, and is as honourable as that of Spain; that of France will not proue so beneficiall, and so neither so dangerous or prejudiciall.

Secōdly, mony wil be soon wasted and melted away, but the price of it will abide still: and let not any flat∣er themselues, Spayn giveth nothing but for some∣thing, and where he giveth much he looketh for a great returne: Examine well their actions and pro∣ceedings and make use of experience: whether can or ought mony to be an essentiall consideration to sway the weight of so important an Alliance.

Thirdly, is not England stronger at this time and Spain weaker then heretofore? where then is any cause of feare? But alow that the state of England stood in feare of any danger of Spayn? will this al∣liance secure them? the feare is idle and the remedy more idle, unlesse any could make it good that the

love of Spayne unto England (the match going for∣ward) would proue the predominant humor in him, that should sway his ambission, whereof the world hath so much experience to the contrary.

Charles the fift gaue his owne sister in mariage to Francis the first: was Francis ever a whit the safer for such an alliance?

Savoy hath married Spaines sister, who nevertheles doth what he can to swalow him up.

France and Spaine haue lastly made a double match, ler it be examined whether Spaine hath laboured more to quench or kindle the fier in France; and yet they are both of one and the same religion.

They erre who thinke there is any thinge to be had from a Papist for love rather then for feare, or that Spaine will ever dessist from aspiring to the universal Monarchy of Christondome, and particularly the re∣covery of the uuited provinces: for though he often strike saile and put into the harbour in fowle weather yet doth he not neglect to weigh anchour againe, and follow his intended course when the season is fit for it. England doth hinder his designes; and therefore would he match with England to haue the fitter pas∣sage for him: and if he were in quiet posession of all the seventeene Provinces, then would they be made a stable or store-house for all things necessary, in so plentifull and well fitted a situation, for the invading the parts neare adioyning, whereof the plots are not new, if England give way unto him, then (disapoin∣ted of their defences and Bulwarkes) they will stand (as it were) at his mercy and ly open to all manner of batteries: as on the other side if he be crossed, then will things be but where they vvere, both for conti∣nuance

and assurance against fear of invasion; nay ra∣ther in so much the worse termes, because he shall faile of his expectation, which commonly breeds much harshnes even amongst the dearest freinds. Let not any cast a mist in others eyes: though Spain had left aside his wonted ambition (which none can suf∣ficiently assure) yet will he never loose his hope, or relent in his resolution of recovering the united Pro∣vinces, wherein his honour and his reputation are so deeply interessed: nor can such a great scattered bo∣dy that hath so many irons in the fier be but conti∣nually armed, and still in action to the danger both of freinds and foes, as he shall finde his best advanta∣ges and oportunities.

If England fear Spain, their safety will rather stand in keeping him at the staves end then in receaving such an ambitious and new reconciled enemy and doubtfull frend into their bosom, where he shall vvithout blovves be able to doe them much more hurt by his daily practice and corrupting of the sub∣iects, then he can otherwise by open hostility, which he will be wary enough not to attempt, lest they ioyning their foarces by sea with those of the united Provinces, should giue him too great a shake. Strange intelligence, and corespondence with neighbour friends and allies will alwayes proue a safer refuge for England against Spain. And because all haue a com∣mon quarrell to his Ambition and greatnes, which in him will never giue way to any other consideration whatsoever: for there hath ever been and will still continue in Spain an endlesse ambitious desire of the obtayning the westerne Monarchy vvhere of a greate parte of Christendome doth yet beare the scarre, and

feele the stripes.

4. Trade will be allowed to continue and as safely without the Alliance of Marriage as with it: for Spayn doth not only reape a benefit by it; but also will be afrayde to scare or discontent England by the evill usage of the Marchants. Else why haue they so basely and abjectly begged a peace: whēsoever he shall se his opportunity and finde a greater aduantage to break then to continue in good termes with England, the Alliance vvill secure the merchants no more, then if it were not at all.

5. The states may in time grow great, and their greatnes may grow dangerous; but Spayn is both the one and the other already; and this Alliance will ad much unto it: there may also grow yealousy and un∣kindnes and thence open emnity betwixt England and them, and so on the other side may the matter be so discreetly caried, as they two may entertaine good amity and correspōdency one with the other for common defence: for they both professe one religion and their estate and condition seemes to unite them together in a necessity of putting out their hands one to another for mutuall preservation.

Doe they carry themselves now unkindly or some∣what unrespectiuly? It doth not so urgently prove that they may become enemies hereafter, as there upon to ground a necessity of making an Alliance with a known enemy, which were no other but to run into a present mischeif for fear of a future incon∣venience. They take an Allarum at Englands ioyning with Spayn to their hurt; which though it be not so ment by England, yet it is the scope that Spayn aymes at and that may make them perhaps somewhat to

neglect England, but remoue the cause, and the effect will cease, let them be assured of their freindship and they will prove respectfull freinds: if they prosper and grow great, who knoweth whether it be not of God, by such weake meanes to pull downe the loftines of Spayn? and then to withstand them were to run a∣gainst a rock: the very first occasion of their liberty was driving them to dispaire; which made them to take hart and resolution to resist the violence that was offered: wherein being incoraged with good suc∣cesse, and feeling their owne strength, they haue in time made such further progresse as is this day to be seene: better it were for England to make use of a ne∣cessary evill, and run a course with them whereby they may haue their part in their well speeding, then to ioyne with Spayn (a religion and state enimy) who Allieth him selfe to England but for his ovvne ends, and must needes draw after them the over∣throw of the cause of religion and ruine the state: and will never proue but a secrett Enimy and doubtfull frend. And it must not in this place be forgotten that if true professors be justly reproved for going to law before heathen Iudges, much lesse may they side themselves with any of those that are without, to the hinderance and hurt one of an other.

6. If England and Fraunce should match to∣gether, it doth not therefore consequently follow that the French should become burthensome to the State by reason of their nearnesse. The lawes of England allow no offices or preferments of ali∣ens. The french will haue more hope in their owne Cuntry where there is without comparison more to be given then in England; the English seeke

not to make any fortune in Scotland.

But if the French should be importunate they are also impatient: let them finde Visage de Boyes, and your couldnes should weare out their earnestnes.

7. That the French with the Scottish faction may gather strength by the Alliance of France is but a par∣ticular consideration: against which may be opposed the greatnes the Spanish faction will grovv unto by a match vvith Spayn to the danger of the state: this doth greatly lay open the value of such advantages as England doth promise it selfe by matching with Spain vvhich how dearely they vvould notvvithstanding be bought will more perfectly appeare, if knowledg be also taken of the inconveniences and mischeifes that vvould follovv: for the better conceiving vvhere of, his ends are to be considered, and seriously examined; for it is not likely that Spain a Religion and State Ca∣tholique, vvho hath both religion and state quarrels against England, vvill yeald to giue his Daughter in Mariage to England: nay rather doth offer great sums of mony for composing there of; but that he looks for a great returne,

Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes.

The price of this Alliance therefore vvill be the breaking of the match vvith France, to the vveakning of both England ane Fraunce, vvhereby he may have the greater footing in eyther, and the deviding Eng∣land from his alices, especially from the States of the united Porovinces, the making vvay for an other match for his second sonne (vvhom he hath a plot to settle in the lovv Cuntries, and from thence to promote him (if he can) to the Crovvne Imperiall)

vvith an other daughter of France, vvhich vvould giue so great an Allarum to the vvhole state of those of the religion, if the pretended match vvith Eng∣land come not betvveen, altering in time the state of Religion, vvhereof if he had no hope, neither vvould he harken to the match: for none must thinke he vvould treat such an Alliance vvithout the privacy and consent of his divines, or that they vvill giue their consents to that but upon great probability that it shall tend to the furtherance of their catholique faith. The supposed Catholique religion is knovvne to be in Spain one of the fundamentall Lavves of their estate: and no doubt Spain is a very right Romish Catholique, the further therefore that he spreadeth his religion, the greater satisfaction it is to his consci∣ence, and the more doth he underprop and increase his greatnes, namely because those of that religion that are most deuout, but especially the greatest part of the Clergy throughout Christendom haue their eyes fixed on him, as upon the greatest stay and piller of their catholique faith: vvho therefore if he should match vvith an heritique (for so they terme us Eng∣lish) but vvith a setled purpose by such meanes to root out heresy, vvould both vvrong his ovvne con∣science, and loose his reputation amongst all those of his beleefe, to the over great vveakning of his estate: vvhich error none of sound judgment that knovves Spayn, vvill easily beleve that he vvill commit.

That a change or tolleration should happen in England by meanes of the intended match, is more to be feared then any can vvarrant to be impossible: vvherin it vvere vvell vvorth the laboure to find out vvhat hope Spayn doth ground upon, and vvhat pos∣sibility

there is that the same may be disapoynted; in the mean time very likely it is in generall that there vvill be no meanes unattempted, or left on his side, to bring his purpose to passe. And then it must in this place be remembred, first that vvhatsoever is not of fayth is sin, and that sin hath no promise of blessing; nor is this a vvork of fayth. And next that England hath but too much experience of Popery, vvith in these fevv yeares, for vvant of due executi∣on of the Lavves; vvhich hath bread exceeding great bouldnes in the papists, asvvell at home as abroad.

If the mariage goe forvvard they vvill take the more hart and greater encouragement, no small number of subiects want teaching, and so are the more easily shaken, many waver, and many are newfangled the more prepared for a chaunge: & therefore will accor∣dingly be wrought upon. The ould serpent will se∣duce many Eves, and pistols will have free passage e∣very where. The worst is yet, that there will be par∣ty children: for the mother will give herselfe noe rest till she have nusled some of them in her owne religiō, which would make the way very playn & easy for a chaunge, because the head once corrupted, the infection will in short time spread it selfe over the whole body, and true religion is unsociable to sort it selfe with false worship, and will soone forsake his dwelling place.

If Spayn can procure a tolleration of religion (vvhich must needs be follovved vvith ruine of the State) he may then assure himselfe of sides that vvill alvvayes be able either directly or indirectly to divert the state from hindering his designes▪ as vvell in the lovv Cuntryes, as vvheresoever else, and although he

should not prevayle at the first by practis, or procure a tolleration of religion, vvhich neverthelesse the in∣creacing number of Papists will of it selfe in processe of time effect, yet when he hath once a faction on foote and that many of the subjects are perverted in religion, he will notwithstanding be in good hope that the state may be stayed, & hindered frō opposing it self against his designes by the working of his factiō & the ielousy that will be cōceaved of the Papists with∣in the Relme: and whether his hopes will fayll him or no, yet if he should upon such ground make any attempt against those of the united Provinses, that could not but fale out to the great troble annoyance and danger of the state, especially if he send his forses by sea; for then must England upon any such occati∣on either rig out there Navy to sea to se that he keep his course, which will allwayes be a matter of great burthen and charge, or otherwayes abide the danger of his landing upon their owne cousts, if he have intelligence with the Papists: wherefore it will be allwayes safer in such cases to be somewhat iealous then too secure.

Now the Alliance with Spayn vvill not onely scarr and discourage in generall, the vvholl side of those of the religion abroad, to the great vveakning of the state of England, but also breed a particuler ielousy in those of the united Provinses, vvhen they shall se that Popery increaseth, or that Spayn hath a faction▪ or party in the Relme: vvhereof one of these tvvo mischeives must consequently follovv, either that they will make their peace vvith Spayn, or keep con∣tinually many shipes of vvar in the narrovv seas if they be able to hould out, especially upon the com∣ming

of any supplyes by sea to the Artch Duke during the Truce: vvhich (as they are a people iealous and suspitious enough by nature) may at one time or o∣ther by occationes happening grovv to some dan∣gerous inconvenience: for betvveen tvvo so neare neighbours both potent at sea, if there be not straight amity kept, things cannot long stand vvithout break∣ing forth into tearmes of open hostility. And for the state of those Provinses, though strong by sea, Alli∣ance, and cituation, yet are not the foundations of it so far sure that England can vvith safety leaue them to themselves▪ for the late sects and questions about matters of religion threaten their disunion; and Spayn that lies continually in wayt for their liberty hath his pencioners and dayly practicers amongst them.

Some doe noyse much the antient amity with the house of Burgundy, but that house is changed and hath not kept strok in the conditions of the Alliance, & so ought the cause to be altered too. It was to weak for France but now it is too strong, and England had then plots against France which now it hath not▪

The greatest use of Leagues and Alliances is to pre∣vent present mischeives, or to further some necessary enterprice: otherwise reason of state and common experience teacheth to sway even with the vveaker, for the brideling of the ambition and greatnes of the stronger. They make an idle distinction vvho to a∣voyd the obiections made against Spayn pretend that mariages are but personall amongst Preinces and not reall: for if there be no reallity, vvhere is then the good of England? if there be any who is so weak as to thinke that Spayn will easily quit his interest in it.

To alledge the exampell of Erance that houldeth

correspondency still vvith his other Allies, and con∣tinues to assist them against Sapyn, (notvvithstanding his match vvith Spayn) is to as litle purpose in the judgment of those vvho doe also knovv hovv much Spayn prevayleth in weakning their sinewes, and frus∣trating the effect of such assistance.

The sum is, that Spayn hopes by reason of this match so to charme England, as it shall give way to him in his courses: and England contrariwise promiseth it selfe the hony of the bee without danger of being stung: whether of both may come short of their rec∣coning is at the least disputable. For Spayn on the one side will spare no travell or charge, will use all the meanes and practises he can, and take the bene∣fit of all occasions, and advantages that shall be offe∣red to bring his purposes to passe: as it may be suppo∣sed that England for his part will stand upon his watch, to prevent a mischeife that shall threaten the state.

Spayn may (by a vigilant care and good foresight) be disapoynted: so may England by the contrary be overtaken: for death will weare away these watch∣men that are now, and others may succeed that will not be so watchfull: nay watchfulnes it selfe over∣watched will in time grow drowsy, and overwearied carefulnes will grow carelesse.

The very best cautions and caveats must needes relent and wax ould in time. In all strife and con∣tentions as well of the body as the mind, if one side get ground the other looseth it. Time will bring forth many accidents which may fall out as to the good, so to the hurt of England: who (that may with good reason be feared) will not be watchfull

nor have his spirits alwayes intent enough to pre∣vent the practises of Spayn after so straite Alliance, that cannot now so much as foresee them, or resolue to keep out Spayn. Whereupon the question ariseth whether it be a sound course for England (not con∣strayned by any urgent necessity) to put the cause of religion, and their owne well doing and safety to so great an adversary, in a matter that stands upon so ma∣ny contingents. For it is no new experience that the things which we think almost impossible, and there∣fore fear them least, doe neverthelesse often come to passe; because neglected, and so not hindered by opposition, they creep unawares upon us as through the mists of security. Well saith the Italian there∣fore Quell che non volete che sia non fate cosa per che avuenga.

To conclude, Spayn who of late was thought to de∣cline, weak in the head, and wounded in reputation by those of the united Provinces; yet having never been more weakly ballanced then at this present, begins now to resume his spirits, and without timely and strong opposition, will take so deep roote, and spread his branches so far, as to overshadow all his neighbours: and deadly dangerouse it will be for any one to sleepe in such a shade.

Finis.