428 OBSERVATIONS ON A LIBEL. 



still work in the Indian mines, the Jesuits most play 

 the pioneers, and mine into the Spaniards purses ; 

 and, under the colour of a ghostly exhortation, con 

 trive the greatest exaction that ever was in any 

 realm. 



Thus much, in answer of these calumniations, I 

 have thought good to note touching the present 

 state of England ; which state is such, that who 

 soever hath been an architect in the frame thereof, 

 under the blessing of God, and the virtues of our 

 sovereign, needed not to be ashamed of his work. 



III. Of the proceedings against the pretended 

 catholics, whether they have been violent, or 

 moderate and necessary. 



I find her majesty s proceedings generally to have 

 been grounded upon two principles : the one, 



That consciences are not to be forced, but to be 

 won and reduced by the force of truth, by the aid of 

 time, and the use of all good means of instruction or 

 persuasion : the other, 



That causes of conscience when they exceed their 

 bounds, and prove to be matter of faction, lose their 

 nature ; and that sovereign princes ought distinctly 

 to punish the practice or contempt, though coloured 

 with the pretences of conscience and religion. 



According to these two principles, her majesty, 

 at her coming to the crown, utterly disliking of the 

 tyranny of the church of Rome, which had used by 

 terror and rigour to seek commandment over men s 

 faiths and consciences ; although, as a prince of 



