No man
can be ignorant, that knows matters of former ages--and all history
makes it plain--that there was never any traitor heard of that
durst directly attempt the seat of his liege prince but he always
coloured his practices with some plausible pretence. For God hath
imprinted such a majesty in the face of a prince that no private
man dare approach the person of his sovereign with a traitorous
intent. And therefore they run another side course, _oblique et a
latere_: some to reform corruptions of the State and religion; some
to reduce the ancient liberties and customs pretended to be lost
and worn out; some to remove those persons that being in high
places make themselves subject to envy; but all of them aim at the
overthrow of the State and destruction of the present rulers. And
this likewise is the use of those that work mischief of another
quality; as Cain, that first murderer, took up an excuse for his
fact, shaming to outface it with impudency, thus the Earl made his
colour the severing some great men and councillors from her
Majesty's favour, and the fear he stood in of his pretended enemies
lest they should murder him in his house.
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