278 OF A WAR WITH SPAIN. 



of this point, I will not meddle with any personal 

 comparisons of the princes, counsellors, and com 

 manders by sea or land, that were then, and that are 

 now, in both kingdoms, Spain and England ; but 

 only rest upon real points, for the true balancing of 

 the state of the forces and affairs of both times. 

 And yet these personal comparisons I omit not, but 

 that I could evidently shew, that even in these per 

 sonal respects the balance sways on our part ; but 

 because I would say nothing that may savour of a 

 spirit of flattery or censure of the present govern 

 ment. 



First, therefore it is certain, that Spain hath not 

 now one foot of ground in quiet possession more 

 than it had in eighty-eight. As for the Valtoline 

 and the Palatinate, it is a maxim in state, that all 

 countries of new acquest, till they be settled, are 

 rather matters of burden than of strength. On the 

 other side, England hath Scotland united, and Ireland 

 reduced to obedience, and planted ; which are mighty 

 augmentations. 



Secondly, in eighty-eight, the kingdom of France, 

 able alone to counterpoise Spain itself, much more 

 in conjunction, was torn with the party of the league, 

 which gave law to their king, and depended wholly 

 upon Spain. Now France is united under a valiant 

 young king, generally obeyed if he will, kimself 

 king of Navarre as well as of France ; and that is 

 no ways taken prisoner, though he be tied in a 

 double chain of alliance with Spain. 



Thirdly, in eighty-eight, there sat in the see of 



