churches where their fathers had worshipped for centuries.  They petitioned the Council of Trent for permission to use the English Prayer Book; and had the Council consented, religious dissension would have dissolved at last into an innocent difference of opinion.  But the Council and the Pope had determined that there should be no compromise with heresy, and the request was refused, though it was backed by Philip’s ambassador in London.  The action of the Papacy obliged the Queen to leave the Administration in the hands of Protestants, on whose loyalty she could rely.  As the struggle with the Reformation spread and deepened she was compelled to assist indirectly the Protestant party in France and Scotland.  But she still adhered to her own principle; she refused to put herself at the head of a Protestant League.  She took no step without keeping open a line of retreat on a contrary policy.  She had Catholics in her Privy Council who were pensioners of Spain.  She filled her household with Catholics, and many a time drove Burghley distracted by listening to them at critical moments.  Her constant effort was to disarm the antagonism of the adherents of the old belief, by admitting them to her confidence, and showing them that one part of her subjects was as dear to her as another.

For ten years she went on struggling.  For ten years she was proudly able to say that during all that time no Catholic had suffered for his belief either in purse or person.  The advanced section of the Catholic clergy was in despair.  They saw the consciences of their flocks benumbed and their faith growing lukewarm.  They stirred up the rebellion of the North.  They persuaded Pius V. to force them to a sense of their duties by declaring Elizabeth excommunicated.  They sent their missionaries through the English counties to recover sheep that were straying, and teach the sin of submission to a sovereign whom the Pope had deposed.  Then had followed the Ridolfi plot, deliberately encouraged by the Pope and Spain, which had compelled the Government to tighten the reins.  One conspiracy had followed another.  Any means were held legitimate to rid the world of an enemy of God.  The Queen’s character was murdered by the foulest slanders, and a hundred daggers were sharpened to murder her person.  The King of Spain had not advised the excommunication, because he knew that he would be expected to execute it, and he had other things to do.  When called on to act, he and Alva said that if the English Catholics wanted Spanish help they must do something for themselves.  To do the priests justice, they were brave enough.  What they did, and how far they had succeeded in making the country disaffected, Father Parsons has told you in the paper which I read to you in a former lecture.  Elizabeth refused to take care of herself.  She would show no distrust.  She would not dismiss the Catholic ladies and gentlemen from the household.  She would allow no penal laws to be enforced against