d the project of the Spanish alliance. At the
same time he represented, both to her and the emperor, the necessity of
stopping all further innovations in religion, till the completion of the
marriage. He observed, that the parliament amidst all their compliances
had discovered evident symptoms of jealousy, and seemed at present
determined to grant no further concessions in favor of the Catholic
religion: that though they might make a sacrifice to their sovereign of
some speculative principles which they did not well comprehend, or of
some rites which seemed not of any great moment, they had imbibed such
strong prejudices against the pretended usurpations and exactions of the
court of Rome, that they would with great difficulty be again brought
to submit to its authority: that the danger of resuming the abbey lands
would alarm the nobility and gentry, and induce them to encourage the
prepossessions, which were but too general among the people, against the
doctrine and worship of the Catholic church: that much pains had been
taken to prejudice the nation against the Spanish alliance; and if that
point were urged at the same time with further changes in religion, it
would hazard a general revolt and insurrection: that the marriage being
once completed would give authority to the queen's measures, and enable
her afterwards to forward the pious work in which she was engaged: and
that it was even necessary previously to reconcile the people to
the marriage, by rendering the conditions extremely favorable to the
English, and such as would seem to insure to them their independency,
and the entire possession of their ancient laws and privileges.[*]

The emperor, well acquainted with the prudence and experience of
Gardiner, assented to all these reasons, and he endeavored to temper the
zeal of Mary, by representing the necessity of proceeding gradually in
the great work of converting the nation. Hearing that Cardinal Pole,
more sincere in his religious opinions, and less guided by the maxims
of human policy, after having sent contrary advice to the queen, had
set out on his journey to England, where he was to exercise his legatine
commission, he thought proper to stop him at Dillinghen, a town on the
Danube; and he afterwards obtained Mary's consent for this detention.
The negotiation for the marriage meanwhile proceeded apace; and Mary's
intentions of espousing Philip became generally known to the nation.
The commons, who hoped t