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NOw let vs see vpon the consideration had of either of the persons, and of the match, and of the present state, what likelyhoode there is of continuance of Religion, and safetie to our So∣ueraigne. And first let vs resort to the conside∣ration had of her person, & begin with religion.
Is it likely that the Gospe•••• shall all haue conti∣nuance by her, who is enemie to the Gospell, and ioyned in league and confederacie with the coniu∣red repugners of the same?
It may be said, that in Religion by perswa∣sion she may be altered. It may well be answered that it is onelye Gods office to incline hartes to true religion, and that otherwise to thinke pro∣ceedeth of vaine presumption. Surely, if we way her inclination by the experiēce had of the frutes of her behauiour, we shall see small cause to hope that sincere religion can dwell in so corruptible a vessell: Then in reason consider further how vn∣likely it is that vpon consideration of the present state, she finding two partes of this Realme in∣clining to her religion, where shee thinketh to haue a great partie, will alter the same, to ioyne with the fewer in number.
Now as touching our Soueraignes safetie, is it like that our Soueraignes safety should be groū¦ded and depended vpon her, who hath disciphred her selfe to be our competitor of this Realme? I speake of things publikely knowen. I leaue other secret prastises tending to the same end.
It may be said, that so that the Q. can be brought to like of the match, and to restore her to her kingdome, and stablish her in the succes∣sion, she will by othe and subscription confirme any thing that may tend to the Queenes safety.
If she falsifie her faith, no pleading will serue, the sword must be the remedie.
But how like is it, that one ambitious, a borne Scot, a defamed person, who hath made shipwracke of all honour and reputation, & last∣ly a braunch of the house of Guise, whose professiō is to kepe none Edict neuer so solemnly promised, will kepe faith? I leaue it to the consideration of those that iudge without affection.
Now hauing shewed how vnlikely it is that any safetie to our Soueraigne, or continuance in religion can grow by her person in this match, let vs see whether the desertes in her are likely to be supplied by the consideration of his person. And first wil we come to the weighing of his religion▪ which hauing shewed to bee vnsetled by sandrye reasons of good moment, let vs now see, whether by this match there is not like to ensue an euident and vndoubted daunger of his reuolt. And for proofe hereof, let the onelye example of Salomon teache vs so to thinke. Did not he by matching with an idolatresse Aegyptian, become an idola∣ter, wherby ensued to him Gods high displeasure, to the great plague of his kin and posteritie?
If wisedome might haue stayed hym, hee was likest to haue bene stayed, for he was of all that euer was the wisest. But when wysedome passeth the bondes of Gods commaundementes, it turneth to folly. That lawe which forbad Sa∣lomon
to marry with the Aegyptian idolatresse, standeth in force stil, & forbiddeth the Duke to mary with the Scottish idolatresse, least that pu∣nishment which fell vpon Salomons kinne, teach the Duke to beware of like punishment. But let vs go further in applying.
Salomon maried one meaner witted then him selfe: but the Duke woulde marry one equall in wit, and in subtiltie superior. To conclude, if Sa∣lomon marying one in degree his inferior, and in wit meaner, became an idolater: what shall we then looke for of him, that in degree is inferior, and in wit rather meaner then equall with hur, whom he seeketh to mary? But well, suppose he will continue constant: is all the daunger gone? No: For if either she mislike him, which is like∣ly, for that she can hardly loue him, hauyng to delicate an eye: or if that she ouerrule him, for that he is her inferior, whilke is not vnlikely, con∣sidering her courage: or if he die, a thing to bee thought of, for that hee is mortall: or if his lyfe be taken from him by indirect meanes, a practise wherwith she is right well acquainted, and by a Pope may be dispenced withall: what shall then become of the continuance in Religion?
Now let vs see further what safety may grow to our Soueraigne by his matching with her. Be∣fore in the consideration of his person, I shewed how that by calling in birth hee was honorable,
and of credite great, with both Nobility & com∣mons, which two qualities as they are good gifts of God, and such as being well emplode by hym whom God hath indued withall, yelde no small benefite to the common wealth and Prince wher he liueth, so on the other side, beyng abused tho∣row ambition, they brede to the Prince daunger▪ and to the common wealth disquietnes.