essness of
consequences and an obstinate perseverance in a course which she
believed to be right were the principal features in Mary's character.
He wrote to her while she was still at Framlingham, using every
argument which ought, as he considered, to prevail. He reminded her of
the long and unavailing struggle of the emperor to bring back Germany
out of heresy, where the obstinacy of the Romanists had been as
mischievous to him as the fanaticism of the Lutherans. "Her duty to
God was of course the first thing to be considered; but at such a time
prudence was a part of that duty. The Protestant heresies had taken a
hold deep and powerful upon her subjects. In London alone there were
fifteen thousand French, Flemish, and German refugees, most of them
headstrong and ungovernable enthusiasts. The country dreaded any fresh
convulsions, and her majesty should remember that she had instructed
him to tell the council that she was suspected unjustly, and had no
thought of interfering with the existing settlement of the realm."[64]

[Footnote 64: Renard to Queen Mary, copy enclosed
to Charles V.: _Rolls House MSS._]

With all his efforts, however, Renard could but bring the queen to
consent to a few days' delay; and fearing that she would return to her
purpose, he sent to the emperor a copy of his letter, which he urged
him to follow up. Charles on the 29th replied again, lauding the
ambassador's caution, and suggesting an argument more likely to weigh
with his cousin than the soundest considerations of public policy.
Edward had lived and died in heresy, and the Catholic services were
intended only for the faithful sons of the Church.[65] He desired
{p.027} Renard to remind her that those who had been her most
valuable friends were known to hold opinions far from orthodox; and he
once more implored her to be guided by parliament, and to take care
that the parliament was free. She had asked whether she should imitate
Northumberland and nominate the members of the House of Commons. He
cautioned her against so dangerous an example; he advised her to let
the counties and towns send deputies of their own choice; and if the
writs were sent into Cornwall and the northern counties, which had
remained most constant to the Catholic religion, these places might be
expected to return persons who would support her own sentiments.[66]

[Footnote 65: Vous avez tres bien faict de