on made no scruple
of attending the established church. Had Elizabeth gratified her own
inclinations, the exterior appearance, which is the chief circumstance
with the people, would have been still more similar between the new and
the ancient form of worship. Her love of state and magnificence, which
she affected in every thing, inspired her with an inclination towards
the pomp of the Catholic religion; and it was merely in compliance with
the prejudices of her party, that she gave up either images, or the
addresses to saints, or prayers for the dead.[**] Some foreign princes
interposed to procure the Romanists the privilege of separate assemblies
in particular cities, but the queen would not comply with their request;
and she represented the manifest danger of disturbing the national peace
by a toleration of different religions.[***]

* Heylin, p. 111.

** Burnet, vol. ii. p. 376, 397. Camden, p. 371.

*** Camden, p. 378. Strype, vol. i. p. 150, 370.

While the queen and parliament were employed in settling the public
religion, the negotiations for a peace were still conducted, first at
Cercamp, then at Chateau-Cambresis, between the ministers of France,
Spain, and England; and Elizabeth, though equally prudent, was not
equally successful in this transaction. Philip employed his utmost
efforts to procure the restitution of Calais, both as bound in honor to
indemnify England which merely on his account had been drawn into the
war; and as engaged in interest to remove France to a distance from
his frontiers in the Low Countries. So long as he entertained hopes of
espousing the queen, he delayed concluding a peace with Henry; and even
after the change of religion in England deprived him of all such
views, his ministers hinted to her a proposal which may be regarded
as reasonable and honorable. Though all his own terms with France were
settled, he seemed willing to continue the war till she should obtain
satisfaction; provided she would stipulate to adhere to the Spanish
alliance, and continue hostilities against Henry during the course
of six years:[*]* but Elizabeth, after consulting with her ministers,
wisely rejected this proposal. She was sensible of the low state of her
finances; the great debts contracted by her father, brother, and sister;
the disorders introduced into every part of the administration; the
divisions by which her people were agitated; and she was convinced that
nothing but tranqui