Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 9.djvu/240

 226 REIGN OF ELIZABETH. [CH. 54. Christendom, challenging universal and sole superiority, should condemn the English princes for refusing to recognize that superiority, Elizabeth said she would be ready, in any free and general assembly, where such potentate should not be only judge in his own cause, to make such an answer in her defence as should in reason satisfy the universality of good and faithful Christians; or, if she failed to satisfy them, as the humble servant and handmaid of Christ, she would be willing to con- form herself and her policy to that which truth should guide her into for the advancement of the Christian faith and concord of Christendom : she would admit as truth however only that which Almighty God should please to reveal by ordinary means in peaceable manner, and not that which should be obtruded upon her by threat- enings of bloodshed and motions of war and rebellion, or by curses, fulminations, or other worldly tyrannous vio- lences or cruel practices. ' With this general statement her subjects ought to be contented. She had done nothing which could justly offend them, and she intended to do nothing. Inasmuch however as some kinds of her people had been en- couraged in disobedience by an opinion evil conceived of her lenity, she must and would, for the future, make use of the sword of justice against the obstinately dis- affected. There should be no inquisition, no examina- tion, no violence done to conscience in matters of faith ; and those who would outwardly conform should enjoy the fruits of her former accustomed mildness; but sedition and rebellion should be speedily and promptly repressed/