OF THE STATE OF EUROPE. [WRITTEN ABOUT THE YEA.R 1580.] IN the consideration of the present state of Christendom, depending on the inclinations and qualities of the princes, governors of the same, first the person of the pope, acknowledged for supreme of the princes catholic, may be brought forth. Gregory XIII., of the age of seventy years, by surname Boncompagno, born in Bolonia, of the meanest state of the people, his father a shoe maker by occupation ; of no great learning nor understanding, busy rather in practice, than de sirous of wars, and that rather to further the ad vancement of his son and his house, a respect highly regarded of all the popes, than of any in clination of nature, the which, yet in these years, abhorreth not his secret pleasures. Howbeit, two things especially have set so sharp edge to him, whereby he doth bend himself so vehemently against religion. The one is a mere necessity, the other the solicitation of the King of Spain. For if we consider duly the estate of the present time, we shall find that he is not so much carried with the desire to suppress our religion, as driven with the fear of the downfall of his own, if in time it be not upheld and restored. The reasons be these : He seeth the King of Spain already in years, and worn with labour and troubles, that there is little hope in him of long life. And he failing, there were likely to ensue great alterations of state in all his dominions, the which should be joined with the like in reli gion, especially in this divided time, and in Spain, already so forward, as the fury of the Inquisition can scarce keep in. In France, the state of that church seemeth to depend on the sole life of the king now reigning, being of a weak constitution, full of infirmities, not likely to have long life, and quite out of hope of any issue. Of the Duke of Anjou he doth not assure himself; besides the opinion conceived of the weakness of the complexion of all that race, giving neither hope of length of life nor of child ren. And the next to the succession make al ready profession of the reformed religion, besides Mie increase thereof daily in France ; England and Scotland are already, God be thanked, quite re formed, with the better part of Germany. And because the queen s majesty hath that reputation to be the defender of the true religion and faith ; against her majesty, as the head of the faithful, s the drift of all their mischiefs. The King of Spain having erected, in his con ceit, a monarchy, wherein seeking reputation in the protection of religion, this conjunction with the pope is as necessary to him for the furtherance of his purposes, as to the pope behoveful for the advancing of his house, and for his authority ; the King of Spain having already bestowed on the pope s son, degree of title and of office, with great revenues. To encourage the pope herein, being head of the church, they set before him the analogy of the name Gregory, saying, that we were first under a Gregory brought to the faith, and by a Gregory are again to be reduced to the obedience of Rome. A prophecy likewise is found out, that foretell- eth, "the dragon sitting in the chair of Peter, great things should be brought to pass." Thus is the King of France solicited against those of the religion in France; the emperor against those in his dominions ; divisions set in Germany ; the Low Countries miserably oppress ed ; and daily attempts against her majesty, both by force and practice ; hereto serve the semina ries, where none are now admitted, but those who take the oath against her majesty. The sect of the Jesuits are special instruments to alienate the people from her majesty, sow fac tion, and to absolve them of the oath of obedi ence, and prepare the way to rebellion and revolt. Besides, for confirmation of their own religion, they have used some reformation of the clergy, and brought in catechizing. To go forth with the Princes of Italy, next in situation. The great Duke of Tuscany, Francisco de Me dici, son to Cosmo, and the third duke of that family and province; of the age of forty years ; of
