which the horrible inquisition most flourished: and as Philip evinced the most ardent desire to promote what he was pleased to consider the cause of religion, there can be little doubt that he would, if circumstances had been favourable, have made the attempt to introduce that odious tribunal into this country. One of the exiles remarks, "Had not our godly, wise, learned, and merciful Queen Elizabeth stood in the gap to restore the everlasting word of God unto us, we had been bondslaves unto the proud, vicious Spaniard *.".

Philip was most unwilling to lose his influence in England: and to secure it he contemplated a marriage with Elizabeth. It is indeed said that the preservation of the life of Elizabeth, during the reign of Mary, was owing to Philip, who, perceiving the delicate state of his wife's health, deemed a marriage with her younger sister a possible event at a subsequent period. At all events, it is certain that Philip was anxious to secure his influence in England by a marriage with Elizabeth, who, however, was too wise to be caught in such a trap. It is worthy of observation, that Philip's desire to form a matrimonial alliance with the Queen was graciously overruled for good. As long as he could indulge the hope of prevailing on Elizabeth to become his wife, he abstained from making any attempt to deprive her of her crown: and when his hopes on this subject had expired, he was occupied with other matters, which did not permit him to turn

* STRYPE'S Memorials, vol. iii., part ii., p. 164.

his attention towards England. Elizabeth, therefore, had time to consolidate her power: whereas, had Philip declared himself her enemy, at the commencement of her reign, she would have been placed in circumstances of great difficulty.

By the gracious providence of God, King Philip was prevented from undertaking an invasion of England for several years, first by his wish to marry the Queen, and secondly by the war with Portugal. The Invincible Armada was not sent forth until thirty years after Elizabeth's accession to the throne. The year 1588 was looked forward to by many as a year of wonders: and so it proved, though in a different sense from what was contemplated by those who were interested in the Armada. It was confidently expected by many Romanists that the English Church would not survive this eventful year. Though many unsuccessful attempts had been made on the life of the Queen, yet the Papists, both in Spain and at Rome, looked with confidence to the year 1588. There were on the continent several English fugitives, who constantly endeavoured to excite Philip to invade their native country. The design of the conquest of England was frequently entertained during the ten years previous to 1588. Various reasons were urged with Philip, who, however, needed no spur to promote his own aggrandisement. It was argued, that, as God had blessed his arms with great success in Portugal and the East Indies, he should do some great

work, which would be acceptable to the Most High. England was a land of heresy: her Queen was the patron of heretics all over the continent; and it was argued that no act would be so meritorious as the extirpation of heresy in England, and the establishment of what was termed the Catholic religion. It was said that the Church could not be more gloriously extended than by the conquest of England, by putting down heresy, and setting up Popery. It was remarked, that as the war was undertaken for the maintenance of Christ's religion, it must be just*. But the advisers of the King pleaded also for the justice of the invasion: they reminded him that the Queen was excommunicated by the Pope, and that it was lawful to seize her kingdom.

It is clear therefore that the projected invasion, like the Gunpowder Treason, had its origin in the principles of the Church of Rome, and that that Church is answerable for the consequences. Dr. Lingard, indeed, attempts a justification of Philip, on the ground of the insults offered to him by some of the English seamen, such as Drake and Hawkins. The doctor enters fully into the feelings of the English fugitives, who constantly plotted treason against Elizabeth. Alluding to the losses which Spain sustained previous to the year 1588, he remarks: "When Philip complained of these depredations, they were feebly vindicated on the ground of his having secretly aided the

* Camden in Kennet, 543.

Queen's enemies, and sought to excite rebellion in her dominions*. Thus Dr. Lingard insinuates that Philip was not concerned in any of those plots which were formed against the Queen's life: and yet no fact in history is better authenticated, than the implication of that sovereign in many of the treasons devised against this country. When he approaches the year 1588, Dr. Lingard observes: "We are now arrived at the most interesting and memorable epoch in the reign of Elizabeth. The reader must have noticed the injuries, which the Queen had almost annually offered to the King of Spain. She had intercepted his treasure, had given aid to his rebels, had hired foreign mercenaries to fight against his armies, and had suffered her mariners to plunder and massacre his defenceless subjects on the high seas, and in his American dominions. Policy taught him to dissemble: he covered his feelings with an affectation of disdain; and the monarch, so haughty to every other power, appeared to bear the provocations given by Elizabeth with the most stoical indifference. But the constant repetition of insult, the sophisms with which his complaints had formerly been answered, and the recollection that the Queen, under the reign of her sister, had owed her liberty, perhaps her life, to his protection, sharpened the edge of his resentment and if he hesitated to strike, it was only that he might take more sure and ample vengeance+" It would be + Ibid. 487, 488.

* LINGARD, vol. v., p. 479.

difficult to find a more dishonest passage than this within the whole compass of English history. The writer's object is to shift the odium from his Church, and to attempt to prove that Philip was compelled, in self-defence, to undertake the enterprise against England. Every circumstance connected with the Armada, proves, however, that the expedition was undertaken on a religious account: it was so stated in the Pope's bull, and in Allen's Admonition, and Dr. Lingard knows that such a course was strictly in accordance with the acknowledged principles of the Church of Rome. But he is anxious to induce the belief that religion had nothing to do with the matter: and that the invasion was contemplated merely for the purpose of avenging the insults offered to Philip by Elizabeth. According to this writer, the Armada was fitted out, not to progagate the faith, but for self-defence. Dr. Lingard is well aware that Philip intended, in the event of conquest, to add this country to his own empire. He knows that the plea set up was that of religion. The Queen was declared to be a heretic, and, therefore, was to be deposed: and the Pope gave her kingdom to Philip. Such was the view taken of the matter at the time: the expedition was also gloried in, as being directed against heretics and it is only of late years, when much odium has been reflected on Popery by the faithful pages of history, that Popish writers have resorted to sophistry and falsehood, for the purpose of clearing