184 THE CECILS
to flatter a man in power. " Raleigh used no such flatteries to Northampton ; though he well knew that Northampton, in 1603, had exhausted neither his venom nor his power to sting." l
James entered upon his reign with the intention of being as tolerant in religious matters as was consistent with his own prerogatives. He pro- mised not to persecute any Catholics who would give an outward obedience to the law, and he remitted the recusancy fines " so long as they behaved as loyal subjects." He made his position perfectly clear to Cecil before his accession. " I did ever hold persecution as one of the infallible notes of a false Church," he writes ; and again " I will never allow in my conscience that the blood of any man shall be shed for diversity of opinion in religion, but I would be sorry that Catholics should so multiply as that they might be able to practise their old principles upon us." As far as laymen are concerned, that is to say, they should be tolerated so far as was consistent with the peace and safety of the realm. As to the priests and Jesuits (" venomed wasps and fire-brands of sedition "), he urged Cecil to put the edict of banishment into execution, that they might be " safely transported beyond seas, where they may freely glut themselves upon their imaginated gods."
Unfortunately the Catholics increased to such an extent in " number, courage, and insolence," during the first months of James's reign that he
1 .Edwards, I. 503.
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