390 OBSERVATIONS ON A LIBEL. 



baseness and obscurity of the author ; so nevertheless, 

 according to the moderation which his lordship useth 

 in all things, never claiming the privilege of his 

 authority, when it is question of satisfying the 

 world, he hath been content that they be not passed 

 over altogether in silence ; whereupon I have, in 

 particular duty to his lordship, amongst others that 

 do honour and love his lordship, and that have 

 diligently observed his actions, and in zeal of truth, 

 collected, upon the reading of the said libel, certain 

 observations, not in form of a just answer, lest I 

 should fall into the error whereof Solomon speaketh 

 thus, &quot; Answer not a fool in his own kind, lest 

 &quot; thou also be like him ;&quot; but only to discover the 

 malice, and to reprove and convict the untruths 

 thereof. 



The points, that I have observed upon the 

 reading of this libel, are these following : 



I. Of the scope or drift of the libeller. 



II. Of the present estate of this realm of England, 

 whether it may be truly avouched to be prosperous 

 or afflicted. 



III. Of the proceedings against the pretended 

 catholics, whether they have been violent, or mode 

 rate, and necessary. 



IV. Of the disturbance of the quiet of Christen 

 dom, and to what causes it may be justly imputed. 



V. Of the cunning of the libeller, in palliation 

 of his malicious invective against her majesty and 

 the state, with pretence of taxing only the actions 

 of the lord Burleigh. 



