o retreat or call back any
principal point or proposition of the same." But he is surprised that
subject of offence should be found in it by her for whose accession he
renders thanks to God, declaring himself willing to be judged by
moderate and indifferent men which of the parties do most harm to the
liberty of England, he who affirms that no woman may be exalted above
any realm to make the liberty of the same thrall to any stranger nation,
"or they that approve whatsoever pleaseth Princes for the time." Leaving
thus the ticklish argument which he cannot withdraw, but finds it
impolitic to bring forward, he turns to the Queen's individual behaviour
in her position as being the thing most important at the present moment,
now that she has effectively attained her unlawful elevation.

"Therefore, Madam, the only way to retain and keep those benefits of
God abundantly poured now of late days upon you and upon your realm,
is unfeignedly to render unto God, to His mercy and undeserved
grace, the glory of your exaltation. Forget your birth, and all
title which thereupon doth hing: and consider deeply how for fear of
your life ye did decline from God and bow till idolatrie. Let it not
appear ane small offence in your eyes that ye have declined from
Christ in the day of His battle. Neither would I that you should
esteem that mercy to be vulgar and common which ye have received: to
wit that God hath covered your former offence, hath preserved you
when you were most unthankful, and in the end hath exalted and
raised you up, not only from the dust, but also from the ports of
death, to rule above His people for the comfort of His kirk. It
appertaineth to you, therefore, to ground the justice of your
authority, not upon that law which from year to year doth change,
but upon the eternal providence of Him who contraire to nature and
without your deserving hath thus exalted your head. If then, in
God's presence ye humble yourself, as in my heart I glorify God for
that rest granted to His afflicted flock within England under you a
weik instrument: so will I with tongue and pen justify your
authority and regiment as the Holy Ghost hath justified the same in
Debora that blessed mother in Israel. But if the premisses (as God
forbid) neglected, ye shall begin to brag of your birth and to build
your authority and regiment upon your own law, flatter