There are some notable incidental matters in this tract. First in
matters of State. As
The spaniardes are Iewes and they bragge that Marie of England is the
roote of Iesse. p. 46.
That most important testimony that the Reformation under EDWARD VI was
mainly the work of the King and his court; as it had been in the days
of his father HENRY VIII.
For albeit thou diddest not cease to heape benefit vpon benefit, during
the reigne of an innocent and tendre king, yet no man did acknowledge
thy potent hand and meruelouse working. The stoute courage of
capitaines, the witte and policie of counselers, the learning of
bishoppes[1], did robbe the of thy glorie and honor. For what then was
heard, as concerning religion, but the kinges procedinges, the kinges
procedinges must be obeyed? It is enacted by parliament: therefore it
is treason to speake in the contrarie. p. 30.
The political shrewdness of the Writer on the entanglement of England
in the Spanish War against France, whereby we lost Calais on the 6th
January 1558.
They see their owne destruction, and yet they haue no grace to auoide
it. Yea they are becomen so blinde, that knowing the pit, they headlong
cast them selues into the same, as the nobilitie[2] of England, do this
day, fighting in the defense of their mortall ennemie the Spaniard.
Finallie they are so destitute of vnderstanding and iudgement, that
althogh they knowe that there is a libertie and fredome, the whiche
their predecessors haue inioyed; yet are they compelled to bowe their
neckes vnder the yoke of Satan, and of his proude ministres, pestilent
papistes and proude spaniardes. And yet can they not consider that
where a woman reigneth and papistes beare authoritie, that there must
nedes Satan be president of the counsel, p. 31.
The absence of any specific allusion to Calais shows that this book was
wholly written before its capture.
Next, in the imagery with which he expresses his insight into the
nature of things. As
It is a thing verie difficile to a man, (be he neuer so constant)
promoted to honors, not to be tickled some what with pride (for the
winde of vaine glorie doth easelie carie vp the, drie dust of the
earth). p. 19.
The wise, politic, and quiet spirites of this world, p. 8.
The veritie of God[3] is of that nature, that at one time or at other,
it will pourchace to it selfe audience. It is an odour and smell, that
can not be suppressed, yea it is a trumpet that will sound in despite
of the adversarie.