’6.  They have been so harried and so worried that they hate the heretics worse than they hate the Turks.

’Should any of them fear the introduction of a Spanish army as dangerous to their national liberties, there is an easy way to satisfy their scruples.  Let it be openly declared that the enterprise is undertaken in the name of the Pope, and there will be no more hesitation.  We have ourselves prepared a book for their instruction, to be issued at the right moment.  If his Holiness desires to see it we will have it translated into Latin for his use.

’Before the enterprise is undertaken the sentence of excommunication and deposition ought to be reissued, with special clauses.

’It must be published in all adjoining Catholic countries; all Catholic kings and princes must be admonished to forbid every description of intercourse with the pretended Queen and her heretic subjects, and themselves especially to make or observe no treaties with her, to send no embassies to her and admit none; to render no help to her of any sort or kind.

’Besides those who will be our friends for religion’s sake we shall have others with us—­neutrals or heretics of milder sort, or atheists, with whom England now abounds, who will join us in the interest of the Queen of Scots.  Among them are the Marquis of Winchester, the Earls of Shrewsbury, Derby, Oxford, Rutland, and several other peers.  The Queen of Scots herself will be of infinite assistance to us in securing these.  She knows who are her secret friends.  She has been able so far, and we trust will always be able, to communicate with them.  She will see that they are ready at the right time.  She has often written to me to say that she hopes that she will be able to escape when the time comes.  In her last letter she urges me to be vehement with his Holiness in pushing on the enterprise, and bids him have no concern for her own safety.  She believes that she can care for herself.  If not, she says she will lose her life willingly in a cause so sacred.

’The enemies that we shall have to deal with are the more determined heretics whom we call Puritans, and certain creatures of the Queen, the Earls of Leicester and Huntingdon, and a few others.  They will have an advantage in the money in the Treasury, the public arms and stores, and the army and navy, but none of them have ever seen a camp.  The leaders have been nuzzled in love-making and Court pleasures, and they will all fly at the first shock of war.  They have not a man who can command in the field.  In the whole realm there are but two fortresses which could stand a three days’ siege.  The people are enervated by long peace, and, except a few who have served with the heretics in Flanders, cannot bear their arms.  Of those few some are dead and some have deserted to the Prince of Parma, a clear proof of the real disposition to revolt.  There is abundance of food and cattle in the country, all of which will