OF THE STATE OF EUROPE. 429 



The reasons be these : he seeth the King of 

 Spain already in years, and worn with labour and 

 troubles, that there is little hope in him of long life. 

 And he failing, there were likely to ensue great 

 alterations of state in all his dominions, the which 

 should be joined with the like in religion, especially 

 in this divided time, and in Spain, already so for 

 ward, as the fury of the inquisition can scarce 

 keep in. 



In France, the state of that church seemeth to 

 depend on the sole life of the king now reigning, 

 being of a weak constitution, full of infirmities, not 

 likely to have long life, and quite out of hope of any 

 issue. Of the Duke of Anjou he doth not assure 

 himself; besides the opinion conceived of the weak 

 ness of the complexion of all that race, giving neither 

 hope of length of life nor of children. And the next 

 to the succession make already profession of the 

 reformed religion, besides the increase thereof daily 

 in France ; England and Scotland are already, God 

 be thanked, quite reformed, with the better part of 

 Germany. And because the queen s majesty hath 

 that reputation to be the defender of the true reli 

 gion and faith ; against her majesty, as the head of 

 the faithful, is the drift of all their mischiefs. 



The King of Spain having erected, in his con 

 ceit, a monarchy, wherein seeking reputation in the 

 protection of religion, this conjunction with the pope 

 is as necessary to him for the furtherance of his 

 purposes, as to the pope behoveful for the advancing 

 of his house, and for his authority; the King of 



