232 REIGN OF ELIZABE 777. [CH. 43. Majesty. The Queen's Majesty will never agree to so much of this request, neither in form nor substance, as with the noble gentleman already named. If you will take him she will cause inquisition to be made of your Sovereign's rights ; and as far as shall stand with justice and her own surety, she will abase such titles as shall be proved unjust and prejudicial to her sister's interest. You know very well that all the Queen's Majesty mind- eth to do must be directed by the laws and by the con- sent of the three Estates ; she can promise no more but what she can with their assent do.. The Queen of Eng- land, if trusted as a friend, may and will do what she will never contract or bargain to do or submit to be pressed to do. It is a tickle matter to provoke sove- reigns to determine their succession. ' Wherefore, good my Lords/ Cecil concluded, ' think hereof, and let not this your negotiation, which is full of terms of friendship, be converted into a bargain or purchase ; so as while in the outward face it appears a design to conciliate these two Queens and countries by a perpetual amity, in the unwrapping thereof there be not found any other intention but to compass at my Sovereign's hands a kingdom and a crown, which if sought for may be sooner lost than gotten, and not being craved may be as soon offered as reason can require. Almighty Grod assist you with His spirit in your de- liberation upon this matter to make choice of that which shall increase His glory and fortify the truth of the gospel in this isle.' 1 ' Cecil to Maitland and Murray, December 16 : Scotch MSS. Rolls House.
