Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 11.djvu/551

 1584-] THE BOND OF ASSOCIATION. 53$ It is difficult to see on what ground, either political or personal, the Queen could have resisted an arrange- ment so carefully considered. The temptation to kill her arose from the confusion which her death would cause. The example of the Prince of Orange showed what the fanatics would dare. ' Those devils,' said Burghley, ' were persuaded that her life was the only let why their tyranny was not planted again ; and while that hope remained, her life was in great peril ; no laws, no association, no fear of torment, could remedy it ; the damnable sect of the Jesuits persuaded men in con- science that such acts would merit heaven.' l For her- self, as well as for the country, the best security was a provision for the stability of the Government in the event of her death ; yet, for some cause, it did not please her ; a successor, even in so vague and shadowy a form, was more than her imagination could endure. As usual, her chief desire was to huddle over the session, to induce Parliament simply to sanction the association, and to consent to be prorogued in three weeks. At the opening, the Houses were told briefly that they were called together for the furthering of religion, the preservation of her Majesty, and the welfare of the commonwealth ; and on the i6th of December a bill was introduced by Sir Francis Knowles, embodying the Queen's wishes. Some one who was present reported ' that it was heard and read in sad silence and little said.' 2 There was evidently a feeling of profound dis- 1 Lord Burghley's Notes : MSS. I 2 Dangers which may ensue from Dotmstic. I the Oath of Association, if it be not