Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 11.djvu/83

 1580.] THE JESUIT INVASION, 67 edicts come forth, against us daily ; notwithstanding by good heed and the prayers of good men, we have passed safely through the most part of the island. I find many neglecting their own security to have care of my safety. . . . The persecution rages most cruelly. At the house where I am, is no other talk but of death, flight, prison, or spoil of their friends. Nevertheless they proceed with courage, many even at this present being restored to the Church ; new soldiers give up their names, while the old offer up their blood, by which holy hosts and oblations God will be pleased, and we shall, no question, by him overcome. There will never want in England men that shall have care of their own salvation, nor such as shall advance other men's. Neither shall this Church here ever fail, so long as priests and pastors shall be found for these sheep, rage man or devil never so much/ l It was characteristic of Campian that he failed to discover where the strength of the Reformation lay. It appeared to him to be a question of this or that opinion. into the ministry, you must provide better livings for them. ' To have learned ministers in every parish is, in my judgment, im- possible, quoth my Lord of Canter- bury. Being 13,000 parishes in England, I know not how this realm should yield so many learned preachers. ' Jesus ! quoth the Queen ; 1 3,000 is not to be looked for. I think the time has been, there hath not been four preachers in a diocese. My meaning is not you should make choice of learned preachers only, for they are not to be found, but of honest, sober, and wise men, and such as can read the Scriptures and the Homilies well unto the people.' Brief effect of her Majesty's speech to the bishops, February 27, 1585: MSS. Domestic. 1 Edmund Campian to Everardo Mercuriano : MSS. Domestic, No* vember, 1580.