Etext editor’s bookmarks: 

     Act of Uniformity required Papists to assist
     As lieve see the Spanish as the Calvinistic inquisition
     Elizabeth (had not) the faintest idea of religious freedom
     God, whose cause it was, would be pleased to give good weather
     Heretics to the English Church were persecuted
     Look for a sharp war, or a miserable peace
     Loving only the persons who flattered him
     Not many more than two hundred Catholics were executed
     Only citadel against a tyrant and a conqueror was distrust
     Stake or gallows (for) heretics to transubstantiation
     States were justified in their almost unlimited distrust
     Undue anxiety for impartiality
     Wealthy Papists could obtain immunity by an enormous fine

HISTORY OF THE UNITED NETHERLANDS

From the Death of William the Silent to the Twelve Year’s Truce—­1609

By John Lothrop Motley

History United Netherlands, Volume 55, 1588

CHAPTER XVIII.  Part 1.

Prophecies as to the Year 1588—­Distracted Condition of the Dutch Republic—­Willoughby reluctantly takes Command—­English Commissioners come to Ostend—­Secretary Gamier and Robert Cecil—­ Cecil accompanies Dale to Ghent—­And finds the Desolation complete—­ Interview of Dale and Cecil with Parma—­His fervent Expressions in favour of Peace—­Cecil makes a Tour in Flanders—­And sees much that is remarkable—­Interviews of Dr. Rogers with Parma—­Wonderful Harangues of the Envoy—­Extraordinary Amenity of Alexander—­With which Rogers is much touched—­The Queen not pleased with her Envoy—­ Credulity of the English Commissioners—­Ceremonious Meeting of all the Envoys—­Consummate Art in wasting Time—­Long Disputes about Commissions—­The Spanish Commissions meant to deceive—­Disputes about Cessation of Arms—­Spanish Duplicity and Procrastination—­ Pedantry and Credulity of Dr. Dale—­The Papal Bull and Dr. Allen’s Pamphlet—­Dale sent to ask Explanations—­Parma denies all Knowledge of either—­Croft believes to the last in Alexander.

The year 1588 had at last arrived—­that fatal year concerning which the German astrologers—­more than a century before had prognosticated such dire events.  As the epoch approached it was firmly believed by many that the end of the world was at hand, while the least superstitious could not doubt that great calamities were impending over the nations.  Portents observed during the winter and in various parts of Europe came to increase the prevailing panic.  It rained blood in Sweden, monstrous births occurred in France, and at Weimar it was gravely reported by eminent chroniclers that the sun had appeared at mid-day holding a drawn sword in his mouth—­a warlike portent whose meaning could not be mistaken.