They were the sovereigns.

The Earl wished them to content themselves with the power which they exercised under the Emperor's governors.

This was like requesting the Emperor, when in the Netherlands, to consider himself subject to his own governor.

The second obvious reflection was that the Earl, in limiting his authority by a state-council, expected, no doubt, to appoint that body himself--as he had done before--and to allow the members only the right of talking, and of voting,--without the power of enforcing their decisions.

In short, it was very plain that Leicester meant to be more absolute than ever.
As to the flat contradiction given to Buckhurst's proceedings in the matter of peace, that statement could scarcely deceive any one who had seen her Majesty's letters and instructions to her envoy.
It was also a singularly deceitful course to be adopted by Leicester towards Buckhurst and towards the Netherlands, because his own private instructions, drawn up at the same moment, expressly enjoined him to do exactly what Buckhurst had been doing.