414 OBSERVATIONS ON A LIBEL. 



least to maintain, that the good estate which we 

 enjoy, is yet made somewhat bitter by reason of 

 many terrors and fears. Whereupon entering into 

 consideration of the security, wherein not by our 

 own policy, but by the good providence and protec 

 tion of God, we stand at this time, I do find it to be 

 a security of that nature and kind, which Iphicrates 

 the Athenian did commend ; who being a com 

 missioner to treat with the state of Sparta upon 

 conditions of peace, and hearing the other side 

 make many propositions touching security, inter 

 rupted them and told them, there was but one 

 manner of security whereupon the Athenians could 

 rest ; which was, if the deputies of the Lacedae 

 monians could make it plain unto them, that, after 

 these and these things parted withal, the Lacedae 

 monians should not be able to hurt them though 

 they would. So it is with us, as we have not justly 

 provoked the hatred or enmity of any other state, so 

 howsoever that be, I know not at this time the 

 enemy that hath the power to offend us though he 

 had the will. 



And whether we have given just cause of quarrel 

 or offence, it shall be afterwards touched in the 

 fourth article, touching the true causes of the dis 

 turbance of the quiet of Christendom, as far as it is 

 fit to justify the actions of so high a prince upon the 

 occasion of such a libel as this. But now concerning 

 the power and forces of any enemy, I do find that 

 England hath sometimes apprehended with jealousy 

 the confederation between Franoe and Scotland ; the 



