CERTAIN OBSERVATIONS 



A LIBEL PUBLISHED THIS PRESENT YEAR, 1592. 



INTlrLED, 



A DECLARATION OF THE TRUE CAUSES OF THE GREAT TROUBLES PRE 

 SUPPOSED TO BE INTENDED AGAINST THE REALM OF ENGLAND. 



IT were just and honourable for princes being in 

 wars together, that howsoever they prosecute their 

 quarrels and debates by arms and acts of hostility ; 

 yea, though the wars be such, as they pretend the 

 utter ruin and overthrow of the forces and states 

 one of another, yet they so limit their passions as 

 they preserve two things sacred and inviolable ; that 

 is, the life and good name each of other. For the 

 wars are no massacres and confusions ; but they are 

 the highest trials of right ; when princes and states, 

 that acknowledge no superior upon earth, shall put 

 themselves upon the justice of God for the deciding 

 of their controversies by such success, as it shall 

 please him to give on either side. And as in the 

 process of particular pleas between private men, all 

 things ought to be ordered by the rules of civil laws ; 

 so in the proceedings of the war, nothing ought to 

 be done against the law of nations, or the law of 

 honour ; which laws have ever pronounced these two 

 sorts of men, the one, conspirators against the 

 persons of princes ; the other, libellers against their 



