joyfully received
by the people. The clergy alone, who never neglected an opportunity
of vexing their prince, made opposition to the queen's coronation,
on account of the ceremony of anointing her, which, they alleged, was
either a Jewish or a Popish rite, and therefore utterly antichristian
and unlawful. But James was as much bent on the ceremony as they
were averse to it: and after much controversy and many intrigues, his
authority, which had not often happened, at last prevailed over their
opposition.[**]

* Melvil, p. 180.

** Spotswood, p. 381.

CHAPTER XLIII.

ELIZABETH.

{1590.} After a state of great anxiety and many difficulties, Elizabeth
had at length reached a situation where, though her affairs still
required attention, and found employment for her active spirit, she was
removed from all danger of any immediate revolution, and might regard
the efforts of her enemies with some degree of confidence and security.
Her successful and prudent administration had gained her, together with
the admiration of foreigners, the affections of her own subjects; and,
after the death of the queen of Scots, even the Catholics, however
discontented, pretended not to dispute her title, or adhere to any other
person as her competitor. James, curbed by his factious nobility
and ecclesiastics, possessed at home very little authority; and was
solicitous to remain on good terms with Elizabeth and the English
nation, in hopes that time, aided by his patient tranquillity, would
secure him that rich succession to which his birth entitled him. The
Hollanders, though overmatched in their contest with Spain, still made
an obstinate resistance; and such was their unconquerable antipathy to
their old masters, and such the prudent conduct of young Maurice, their
governor, that the subduing of that small territory, if at all possible,
must be the work of years, and the result of many and great successes.
Philip, who, in his powerful effort against England, had been
transported by resentment and ambition beyond his usual cautious maxims,
was now disabled, and still more discouraged, from adventuring again
on such hazardous enterprises. The situation also of affairs in France
began chiefly to employ his attention; but notwithstanding all his
artifice, and force, and expense, the events in that kingdom proved
every day more contrary to his expectations, and more favorable to the
friends and confederates of England.