DECLARATIO BELLI HUNGARICI, NƲPER EDITA A SERENISSIMO Michaele Apafio, PRINCIPE TRANSYLVANIAE CONTRA S. CAESAREAM MAJESTATEM.
Ad Exemplum Transylvaniense, Anno 1682.
Ʋniversis orbis Christiani Regibus, Principibus, Rebuspublicis Totius S. R. I. Statibus & ordinibus, Gemiscentibus denique sub oppressionum pondere Infoelicis Pannoniae Civibus, Ad sempiternam memoriam. Michael Apafi, Dei Gratia Princeps Transylvaniae, Partium Regnum Hungariae Dominus, & Siculorum Comes. Notum facio testorque veritate pura & fide simplicissima.
LONDINI: Impensis Francisci Smith Sen. apud signum Eliphantisutis Castrophori in vico vulgo dicto Cornhill, 1682.
Declaratio Belli Hungarici, &c.
POstquam indignantibus Fatis, & exitiosa Procerum inter se discordantium socordia, a Principibus Hungarici sangvinis, ad Austriacos (unde vulnerum & malorum omnium scaturigo prosiliit) devoluta fuisset Regiae Dignitatis Purpura; concatenatis & in se quodam orbe redeuntibus consiliis id intentabant, ut labefactata & protrita Libertate, quae ab aliquot seculis intemerata steterat, absolutum sibi in Hungaria & haereditarium pararent stabilirentque Dominatum.
Et licet ex fundamento Liberae Electionis (quae inter Hungaros a primordiis Regni prima & fundamentalis Lex est) juramenti sanctitate obstringerentur, ne in Praejudicium Legum & Privilegiorum Regni quicquam praesumerent; varii tamen praetextus quaesiti, ut convulsis Libertatibus animi Regnicolarum exacerbarentur: Ad hoc congruens & validum Dominationis arcanum reputabant spargere & fovere dissensionum materiem, ut capaciora ingenia, discordi Libertati obnoxia, in transversum agerent, faciliori tandem modo vincenda & supprimenda.
Nec in hoc solum Termino substitit prae postera Dominandi cupiditas, sed per ingentes calamitates, & intolerabilem rigorem, ruptis fidei & jurisjurandi repagulis, in omnes promiscue Status, efflictim grassabatur; [Page 2] idque erat omnium intentionum finis & determinatus conatus, ut lentis & ingeniosis artibus, & si hae non succederent, aperta vi Privilegiorum Regni Legumque praesidia everterentur occulto irati numinis permissu; an quod florenti Regno fatalis periodus immineret, factum; ut qui legitimo nativi sanguinis Principi parere renuerent, alienigenam Dominum inviti paterentur?
Accedebat his malis Procerum Regni Nobilitatisque contemptus, qui dignitatibus & muneribus publicis, contra vim Legum, paulatim exclusi, vel remoti, extraneorum imperio, & insolenti Dominatui subjiciebantur: ita crescentibus in dies injuriis & invalascente potentia, eo praecipitii prolapsus erat Hungariae status, ut antiquae Libertatis vix imago & vestigia amplius cognoscerentur; quicquid illustre videbatur & excelsum, neglectum erat & attritum; ruina & exitium parabatur omni formidolosae virtuti.
Non preces proderant, non lamenta; frustranea ad fidem Regiam & ad Jura publica provocatio. Stabat pro ratione voluntas, imo quicquid libebat & expediebat actum; ad normam praetumidae potestatis, admissae aliquando, sed in speciem & vindictam, querelae, per vana & irrita verba remissae, saepius per ludibrium & exprobrationem elusae.
Ambitus Praefectorum, Officialiumque Regis & eorundem insatiabilis avaritia, atque funestum crudelitatis exercitium, in tantum excreverant, ut suspecti redderentur & in Regem Statumque publicum noxii, [Page 3] qui divitias haberent: hinc extortae per sceleratissimos praetextus opes, distincta & abrasa Bona, ut vel suam ingluviem satiarent hirudines, quibus ruere aut stare Hungarium perinde erat; vel aerarium camerae saginaretur, spoliarium miserorum & atrocium praedarum infame receptaculum. Proscripta pridem erant vera rerum & congrua vocabula, quippe Bona aliena in pretium proditionis largiri, clementia: Exulantium & illegaliter proscriptorum fortunas inter nothos Patriae distribuere, Liberalitas; innocentibus veniam concedere, Titulo misericordiae colorabatur. Leges, jura, judicia: breviter, Divina & humana omnia penes Germanos erant; in Regno, egestas, damna, dedecora & abominanda rerum imago.
His & aliis innumeris propemodum injuriis cum supra modum premerentur vividi & impatientes servitutis animi, tandem versa in vindictam nimia patientia, ad justa & concessa remedia proruperunt, Regemque se liberis suffragiis, non Dominum elegisse recordati, extravagantem indirectamque gubernandi formam ad justum tramitem reducere conabantur.
Remedium igitur ex Bello sumptum, statim festini occursus; & ex communi metu, & jactura Libertatum unanimans societas, bonitas insuper causae animarunt nobilissimam gentem, ut arma necessaria & justa capesseret, funeratamque Libertatem ex Tenore Decreti Andreae Secundi Regis cognomento Hierosolymitani, citra infidelitatis vel rebellionis notam, ad pristinae integritatis [Page 4] splendorem vindicare anniteretur.
Primus qui luxuriantem potentiam aggressus est, erat magnanimus ille Heros Stephanus Bocskai, Vir Excellentis ingenii, sagacitate & virtute bellicâ Illustris, majorque privatô judicatus, dum adhuc privatus esset: is ingentibus exacerbatus injuriis, parvo equidem copiarum numero, sed maximo & imperterrito animo, saevienti violentiae se se opposuit, partemque Caesareani exercitûs, forti & heroo animo aggressus, eundem felici successu fudit, fugavit, primamque persecutus victoriam, Regnum & Orbem admirandis progressibus implevit, communi Hungarorum consensu meritus, ut Hungariae & Transylvaniae Princeps pronunciaretur: vindex Libertatis, quam ex emortuali pulvere resuscitatam cum immortali sua gloria non tantùm restituit, sed & Regi illius temporis, Rudolpho videlicet Secundo, & ejusdem successoribus, ne limitatam & circumscriptam Legibus potestatem ampliùs transgrederentur, regnandi modum praescripsit.
Jam quieti & tranquillitati publicae apprimè videbatur prospectum, sanctis per Tractatum amplissimis conditionibus, quibus cautum erat per fidem & Diploma Regium, Libertatem imposterum tam Ecclesiasticam, quam secularem fore sartam, tectam & securam; sed non multò pòst experti sunt Regnicolae fallacem esse subinde spem, & mortalium vota fundamento niti admodum lubrico: ereptus enim è vivis Serenissimus Bocskai brevi post pacem intervallo, adeoquè praematurâ morte, Hungaris dolorem, ambitui novam occasionem reliquit, dum eodem penè funerali actu & memoriae magni Libertatum [Page 5] vindicis & relabenti Libertati parenret atur, factu ad omnem posteritatem memorando, dùm novo quasi funeri regenitae libertates immergerentur. Illicò quippe occasiones erreptae, pacta recentia, tanquam vi armorum extorta contra fidem & conditiones pacis, quae omninò spontaneae erant & liberae voluntatis, rescindendi.
Quam effraenem licentiam, fideique & juris jurandi rupturam graviter ferentes cordati Patriae Cives, ut renovatis malis novam & efficacem medelam opponerent, ad priscam Regibus oppressoribus resistendi facultatem & Praedecessorum eorum protectionem respiciebant, confugiebantque.
Juvit piarum intentionum Zelum exquisitissimarum oppressionum atrocitas, juriumque Divinorum & humanorum eversio, quibus commoti Antecessores mei, Gabriel Betlin & Georgius Rakocius primus gloriosae reminiscentiae Principes (hìc duplices injurias, totidemque Belli actus in unum compendium concludo, ad evitandam singularium enumerationem) ut vicinum malum, in ipso, quod dicitur, ortu suffocarent & incumbentem onerosamque potentiam propellerent, afflictiones calamitosae gentis suas esse rati iisdem tollendis vel mitigandis omnem curram impenderunt, eo semper fine, ut insolentem & extravagantem Dominationem intra Legum & Privilegiorum Terminos coercerent, ne finale Religionis Libertatisque excidium florentissimum Regnum obrueret, cum damno & praejudicio totius Christianitatis.
[Page 6] Arma iterum sumpta pro defensione justissimae causae, quae divinum Numen tantâ benedictione coronaverat, ut Reges Austriaci incrementis armorum & insperato progressu territi pacem ultrò proposuerint, concluserint, fideque & Diplomate Publico roboraverint, sed & ista pax per gemini Tractatûs immane robur sancita, neque speratam tranquillitatem, neque duraturam Libertatem restituerat Hungaris: occasio potius captata per similes inducias, Regibus, ut in statu imaginariae & infidae pacis, per consvetas & delenificas artes Procerum Nobiliumque inficerent atque dividerent animos, quos per vim bellumvè infringere non valuerunt.
Prolixum esset & supervacaneae operae praecedentium temporum calamitates longâ serie referre, quae cùm historiarum monumentis comprehensae sint, ideò memoriam earundem non repeto. Relictis igitur praeteritis, praesentium gravitatem breviter enumerabo, ut universus Orbis judicet, & cognoscat Hungaros vim & injurias passos, omnique libertate, contra obligationem Regiam fidemque & contenta Diplomatis, Legumque publicarum, exutos, arma concessa & justa sumsisse.
Fatendum sanè est, neque sine intimo doloris sensu recognoscendum, quod & moderna Sacra Caesarea Regiaque Majestas statim ab initio collati ex more & antiqua consuetudine, per libera suffragia regiminis, Praedecessorum suorum vestigiis insistens, à legitimo regnandi modo, ad praegravem & absolutam Dominandi formam deflexerit: Nihil enim toto Regiminis tempore à consuetis & inveteratis contra libertatem moliminibus remissum, parùm & nisi quod [Page 7] placebat, ex publico jure supplicantibus concessum, imago quaedam Libertatis & ostentamenta Regiae Clementiae infensivis servitium portendebant.
In hoc ita pressae jamque exspirantis Libertatis statu non deerant inter Hungaros elevatae generositatis animi, qui insidiosis hisce machinationibus, & exercitis in publicum exitium consiliis indoluerunt, vim & natae fidei rupturam modestè repraesentantes, majori tamen Zelo & conatu quam effectu: sicut enim sua Majestas summum illud Purpurae Decus praecerptum praefloratumque acceperat, ita dum id ipsum ex fide & obligatione ad pristinam integritatem reducere debuisset, per liberam potiùs & insinitam potestatem gessit.
Hinc ex obsequio & respectu Regiae Majestati debito (cujus gens Hungarica semper fuit observantissima) primò precibus & supplicationibus tentatum rigorosi Dominatûs temperamentum: sed cum neque querelae, neque gravaminum toties conscripta & repudiata volumina vim inordinariae potestatis sisterent, medela vulnerum in armis quaesita, quae publica Lex justa pronunciat & legitima, eoque in casu arripienda, quando Regum aliquis, non observatô ordinariae potestatis aequilibrio, ad praeposteram dominandi libidinem contra apertissima jura & privilegia Regni cum injuria & oppressione Regnicolarum progreditur.
Atque utinam meliori ordine & validiori conatu continuata fuissent coepra pro libertatibus armis! multo, enim decentiùs honestiùsque fuisset [Page 8] generosis & constantibus factis renovare obfuscatam libertatis claritudinem, quam subire jugum, dedecorosae servitutis per nimiam credulitatem & fatalem discordiam.
Sed innatum Genti Hungaricae dissidendi studium▪ & quae ad effascinandos animos efficacissima erant, verbum & Promissiones Sacrae Caesareae Regiaeque Mattis, obicem tantis coeptis praeproperè imposuerunt.
Quamprimum enim in Aula Viennensi innotuisset Tredecim Comitatus arma ad vindicandas Libertates induisse, illicò exquisità ad dividendos animos arte, Literas ad praedictos Comitatus exmisit, in quibus gratiam fecit iis omnibus, quicunque defectionis poenitentes à Partibus Rakocianis ad obedientiam Regi debitam redierint: additum insuper, quicquid hactenus delictum esset, nullum forum, nullam Legem vindicaturam, omnes in vita, fama, fortuna, bonorum mobilium & immobilium possessione remansuros illaesos & indemnes. Hanc veniam Regiâ fide publicè sancitam cum cognoscerent, rapti in diversas partes animi ardorem & impetum amiserunt, armisque imprudenter depositis ad quietem scilicet, sed brevem nimis, remigrârunt, existimantes ingentis gratiae locum patere occupantibus, qui sub specie indulgentiae ad securiorem postea vindictam reservabantur; alii enim vitâ, alii fortuniis, alii perpetuis carceribus mulctati. Haec nunquam deplorandae satìs inconstantia, Portam Caesareanis, omnemque occasionem effectuandarum intentionum facilè aperuit, qui omni metu remoto in Hungariam Duce Generali Sporkio ingressi, atque in intima Regni perreptantes, Urbes, Arces, Fortalitia, sine ullo suorum cruore & nece occupâtunt; neque enim amplius erant, [Page 9] qui se vi opponerent, promissa gratia ludificati.
His factis, processum ad omnis generis afflictiones, rapinas, turpitudinesque, quas effraenis & licentiosus miles passim exercuit contra tenorem dictarum literarum & assecurationem Regiam: desoedata & direpta Templa, Castella diruta, eversae nobilitares Curiae, incaptivati raptique ad Tribunal Posoniense nobiles, promissae Amnistiae incaute fidentes: Multi tamen & cautiores, qui sub larva Regiae Gratiae fraudulènta molimina occultari praeviderant, paratas insidias evitarunt, in hanc Provinciam, meamque sub Protectionem confugientes.
Exhorrui ad nuncium dirae calamitatis & improvisae metamorphoseos: & quia turbinem hunc in rempestates gravissimas orbique Christiano praejudiciosas erupturum facile praevideram, statim Ablegatum meum ad Sacram Caesaream Regiamque Mattem ex bona & sincera intentione emisi, repraesentando Majestati suae periculum, quod enasci poterit, si in sanando hoc morbo, asperioribus remediis uteretur: miti & remissa medicina agendum, ut in spem & fiduciam Regiae Clementiae conciarentur animi, ne ad desperationem redacti, in eas prolaberentur extremitates, quae aliquando Hungariae & toti Christianitati possent esse periculosae. Sed haec mea propositio, & rectum, sincerumque pro Publico commodo studium, quod iterum atque iterum reiterari difficulter auditum fuit, & sine decenti, desideratoque responso remissum: profundiores enim radices egerat absolute dominandi cupiditas, quam ut verbis & persuasionibus evelli quiret.
Omnes actiones, totusque in Regno Processus perfectam vim, non Regium gubernium redolebat. Nihil quod ex jure & Legibus postulabatur, impetratum: nullius status certus: crimen, ubi opes, neque jam sensim sed praecipiti rigore ad omnia afflictionum genera progressum, ut appareret occasionem [Page 10] diu quaesitam avidissime arripi, qua Regnum liberum in haereditarium converteretur; statim vis illata, libertatibus sublatus honor, Legum depressi Proceres, Nobiles a patriis Penatibus in exilium acti & proscripti, Bonis omnibus Fisco adjudicatis. Dignitates, Honores, & munia publica in praejudicium Jurium Regni Extraneis collata; institutum praeterea rigorosissimae inquisitionis concilium contra vindices Libertatis, aliosque, quos illicitis conatibus contradicturos existimabant. Judicati illegitimo processu, caesique funestis carnificum manibus tres Comites, ut sisterent toto orbe memorandum atrocitatis documentum; sed neque hoc sufficiebat ad explendam vindictam: augebantur orbitatis injuriae, dum posteri proscriptis vel interfectis Parentibus, alio insuper dolore, redacti ad mendicitatem, afficerentur.
Accedebat ad hanc Tragoediam Templorum Evangelicorum occupatio: ubi furor & vesania cum tanto impetu desaeviebat, ut bellum cum sacris Aedibus geri, & muros rebelles existimares. Subito Parochiis exturbari Ecclesiarum Ministri, missique in Exilium, alii per vim & minas, extortis reversalibus ne amplius concionarentur, vitam & licentiam recedendi a Patria obtinebant: plurimi veluti piaculares victimae condemnati, relegatique ad Triremes, (horribili prorsus & detestando exemplo) ut ibidem duram & anxiam agentes vitam, luctu, squalore laboribus, & inedia consumerentur.
Instabat praeterea vis persecutionum, & execrabile in conscientias Dominium: neque matrimonia, neque infantes baptisandi facultas concessa, nisi administris Catholicis: homines passim ad Missam & Processiones vi & armis pulsi, qui renitebantur, ingentibus poenis, & pecuniaria mucta affecti.
[Page 11] Ne foeminae quidem exsortes periculi, quae, quia criminis laesae Majestatis argui non poterant, ob lacrimas incusabantur; nesas erat & periculosum ingemiscere malis, interdictumque, ne capite damnatos propinqui deflerent.
Pecuniae per varias artes & excogitata nomina a misera plebe publice & privatim extortae: praesidia deducta atque imposita, Leges ex libidine imperatae, ubique rapinae, depopulationes, calamitatumque & oppressionum numerus innumerus.
His & aliis inexplicandis injuriis atrocitatibusque concitati Domini Exules, cum per extremam violentiam in ultimum vitae, Libertatis, & fortunarum exitium praecipitati fuissent, & cum ab omni ope Christianorum destituti, nullam amplius spem mitigandae severitatis superesse cernerent; sumpta tantis in necessitatibus resolutione, ut Regno & tot innocentium ruinae subvenirent, ad gratiam fulgidae Portae Otthomanicae confugerunt, protectionem ejusdem contra injustissimam violentiam implorantes. Neque frustraneum erat propositum, facile admissae preces, & quos praedura sors & nimia austeritas Patria extorres reddiderat, iis Otthomanica propensio refugium, securitatem, & media ad sustinendam sustentandamque vitam benigne concessit. Ita saepe divinitatis opera ea sunt, ut furias in ipso jam successu securas, subita ultio excipiat, ne vel unquam improbis terror; vel spes calamitosae virtuti.
Scio equidem plurimos esse, qui hoc extremae necessitatis factum male interpretantur, gentemque Hungaricam praepostere suggillant, & tanquam degenerem a Christiano nomine criminantur: sed illi vel libertates Hungaricas in suis fundamentis ignorant, vel Partibus austriacis nimium velificantur.
Sciendum enim est, & probe notandum, Reges in Hungaria austriacae familiae per suffragia liberae electionis (id quod in hoc Regno aequissimum juxta & antiquissimum imperii genus est) ad sceptrum & coronam [Page 12] pervenisse, fide & jurejurando, (quod sub aperto coelo, antequam coronarentur, deponere moris erat) ad conservandas Libertates obstrictos.
Ex hac fide & jurejurando nata est vera & propria obligatio, quae non solum ad Imperium recte & ex praescripto Legum Regiique Diplomatis exercendum necessaria erat, sed & insuper facultatem tribuit Palatino Regni, tanquam custodi libertatum, ut Regi, a concessa & ordinaria potestate ad saevitiam & injustam dominandi licentiam degenerantis, una cum Regnicolis contradiceret & resisteret: non igitur praescissa erat Libertas, in casu desperatae ad legitimum gubernium reductionis facultas, protectionem cujuscunque etiam Otthomanni, tanquam vicini Monarchae, impetrandi.
Plurimi jam anni elapsi sunt, a quo infelicissimum Regnum, inter duas Potentias positum, ab una discerptum, ab altera pressum in toto orbe miserabilem Tragoediam repraesentavit: illa nunquam aut movit contra Hungariam arma, aut deposuit, sine Imperii sui augmento, antemuralis autem hujus imminutione: unde factum, ut paene tota in dominatum potentissimi vicini concesserit, proinde cum Regnum hoc Potentissimo Monarchae ubique confine, primos ejusdem impetus sustinere necesse habeat, ipsa vero Domus austriaca in regimine suo, praeter depressionem Hungarorum & eversionem Libertatum, nihil unquam aliud quaesiverit & intenderit; maxime vero moderna Caesarea Regiaque Majestas, Cives sponte aequissimos, ad dedecorosam Lenitatem statumque miserabilem adegerit, eosdem armavit, quae fortissima est in periculosis desperatio; cumque per tempus undecennalis exilii moderamen oppressionum nullum viderent, neque sperarent, consultius videbatur ad potentissimi Principis Protectionem confugere, ejusdemque auxiliis in summae & inevitabilis necessitatis causa, ob respectum boni communis, uti, quam vel lugubri in exilio consenescere, vel illud exiguum Regni, quod adhuc superest, in manifestum discrimen praecipitare.
[Page 13] Neque primi sunt Hungari, qui in sui Desensionem, Protectionem Otthomannicam implorarunt.
Henricus & Fridericus fratres Regis Castiliani sedente Pontifice Clemente quarto, cum socios haberent Conradinos, evocarunt Terra Marique Saracenos, non ut Provinciam tutarentur, sed ut Gallos Italia ejicerent. Maximilianus Austriacus, ut & vim illatam arceret, & quae praecipua ejusdem intentio erat, Rempublicam Venetorum everteret, laboravit Turcam in subsidium provocare. Franciscus primus Rex Galliae cum animadeverteret Car. V. ambitionem & formidolosam potentiam, non dubitavit auxillia Turcarum adsciscere; sed neque nostris temporibus dedecorosum erat Inclytae Reip. Poloniae Tartaros contra Christianos, ut se defenderet, evocare.
Praemissis igitur ex rationibus & causis, judicet Christianus orbis, an gens Hungarica liberrimae constitutionis, quae ex fundamento Jurium & Privilegiorum suorum non tantum partem summi Imperii habebat, sed & in delatione Coronae naturalem Libertatem exemptamque Regio Imperio (ut videlicet certo eventu Regi resisteret) sibi reservaverat, inique egerit, quod se se protectioni fulgidae Portae, restitutionem Libertatis, securitatemque Religionis, vitae, honorum, & manutentionem omnium Jurium, Caesarea fide promittentis, submiserit.
Ego vero, qui communi cum hac Gente origine, Hunnorum ex sangvine descendi, & a Deo omnium Regnorum fundatore ad solium principale Hungariae Dominationis ideo me erectum agnosco, ut veluti in specula positus Libertatem religiosam quam civilem defendere, injuriasque praeter ullam causae justae probationem populo liberrimo illatas, in quantum possem, propellere conarer.
Hi respectus & causoe me impulerunt, ut arma justa & necessaria capesserem ad vindicandum Libertatem, & reducendos Exules [Page 14] atque oppressos. Idcirco nullus sapiens & rectus mirabitur, neque Zelum & institutum meum carpet, quando causae justissimae, Gentis inclytae & nobilis, & quod summum est, sanguinis mei defensionem suscepi. Meus unicus scopus est, ut divina adspirante elementia, florentissimum quondam Regnum in desideratam tranquillitatem, & liberrima natio adavi [...] Libertatis immortalitatem vindicetur. Aequum est & rationi conveniens, violatam contra fidem Libertatem, concesso per manifesta privilegia jure, defendere: justum est pro amicis & cognatis, vim injustam passis, Bellum defensivum suscipere: hominum quippe inter se conjunctio latissime patens est, quae vel sola ad opem ferendam sufficit: neque praecluditur jus humanae societatis, quando Reges oppressores, eas in liberos subditos exercent injurias, quae nulli aequo & recte sentienti probentur.
Quod superest, hortor & admoneo, imo rogo & obtestor omnes status Hungariae, ut mecum justa & pia arma sociantes, annitantur per fortia facta & concordem unionem reducere ad pristinum splendorem, protritae Libertatis gloriam. Redeat in praecordia praedecessorum virtus, qui sanguine, qui vita Libertates tutati sunt. Alacri in re tantae consequentiae & constanti opus est proposito, caetera divino Numini committenda, qui praeteritos, pro vindicanda Libertare, conatus, actionesque felicissimis eventibus cumulavit.
Non hic de privato res est, non de Religione Catholica disceptatio, quae Communibus cum Evangelica nititur privilegiorum fundamentis. Pro Patria, pro vita, pro fortunis, pro honore, pro gloria totius Gentis agitur. Illi injustum Dominatum, sangvinem & fortunam petunt, Vos Libertatem quaerite, quam nemo bonus, nemo honestus, nemo Nobilis, nisi cum vita simul amittit.
Quod ad me attinet, & humanae infirmitatis memini, & vim fortunae reputo, & omnia, quaecunque agam, subjecta esse mille [Page 15] casibus non inficior: Caeterum quemadmodum in conscientia mea securus sum, eaque intentione ex securo & pacato statu, ad defensionem vestram, Deo Duce & Auxiliatore armatus proficiscor, quod nihil aliud in tendam, nisi emolumentum publicae salutis, ita evertum finemque prosperum indubitato spero.
Quod si autem aliqui invenirentur, qui in publicum Patriae exitium partes contrarias sequantur, illorum contumaciam, si merita subsequatur poena, non mihi, sed suae propriae culpae & temerario errori imputabunt; spero tamen & confido omnes ordines, consilia, cogitationes, facta, intentionesque suas ad salutem Patriae & ejusdem amplitudinem emolumentumque directuros. Sanguine majorum nostrorum parta est libertas, hactenus sanguine desensa; sanguine quoque; ab oppressione & interitu vindicanda.
Sat proemiorum, sat honoris erit, si vel defensam Patriam liber adfpiciat spiritus, vel ea collapsa vindex libertatis dextra, & insons animus inter cadavera suorum ad meliorem patriam migret.
Jehova, Deus Exercituum, Deus Justus & fortis, benedicat ex alto sanctis & licitis conatibus; ipse sit moderator omnium & actionum & consiliorum: disponat & deducat ad sinceram concordiam diversos & dissidentes animos: corroboret sortes, animet pusillanimes, faciatque ut omnia suscipiantur, terminenturque ad sempiternam sui nominis Gloriam: eversarum Libertatum restitutionem: afflictae gentis quietem tranquillitatemque: omnium & singulorum publicam & privatam felicitatem, Amen.
THE DECLARATION OF THE Hungarian War, Lately set out by the most Illustrious MICHAEL APAFI, Prince of Transilvania, Against the Emperour's S. Majesty.
According to the Transylvanian Copy, Anno 1682.
To all Kings, Princes, and Common-wealths, of the Christian World, to the Estates and Orders of the whole S. Roman Empire: Lastly, to the miserable People of Pannonia, that groan under the burthen of their Oppressions: For everlasting Memory, Michael Apafi, by the grace of God Prince of Transylvania, Lord of (several) Parts of the Kingdom of Hungaria and Count of the Siculians, I do declare and testifie in sincere Truth and unfeigned Faith.
LONDON: Printed for Francis Smith, Sen. at the Elephant and Castle in Cornhill, 1682.
The Declaration of the Hungarian War, &c.
AFter that by the indignation of Heaven, and the pernicious negligence of the Nobles at discord among themselves, the royal purple and Dignity was dissolved from the Princes of the Hungarian Blood upon the Austrian Princes (whence all our Evils and Miseries have taken rise and flowed forth) they have with combined and a continued Series of Councils endeavoured to impair and tread under that Liberty, which from some Ages had remained untouch'd, so to get and establish for themselves an absolute and hereditary Domination in Hungary.
And although upon the foundation of a free Election (which among the Hungarians even from the very beginning of the Kingdoms is the chief and fundamental Law) they were bound by the Sacredness of an Oath, that they should not attempt any thing in prejudice of the Laws and Priviledges of the Kingdom, yet sought they various Pretexts to violate Liberties, that thereby the Minds of the Inhabitants might be exasperated; to this end they counted it an agreeable and mighty Secret of Domination, to spread and foment Matters of Discord, that they might drive the greater Wits (apt to abuse Liberty by dissention) into Confusion, the more easily at length to be overcome and suppress'd.
Neither in these bounds only stayed this preposterous Lust of Domination, but by huge Calamities and intolerable Rigors, having broken the Bars of Faith and Oath, they rushed violently upon all States promiscuously, [Page 2] and this was the End and Scope of all their Intentions, that by smooth and cunning Arts, but if these succeeded not, by open force, (the offended God secretly permitting) to overthrow the Safeguards of the Laws and Priviledges of the Kingdom, or that it was done because the fatal period of a flourishing Kingdom was now at hand, that they who refused to obey the Lawful Prince of native blood, might against their will endure a stranger for their Lord.
To these Evils was added the Contempt of the Nobility and Chief Men of the Kingdom; who, maugre the power of Laws, were by little and little excluded or removed from Dignities and Publick Offices, and subjected to the Command and Insolent Domination of Foreigners: thus Injuries daily increasing, and Power growing strong, the state of Hungary was fallen so deeply that scarce the image and footsteps of ancient Liberty could be any longer known; whatsoever seemed illustrious and high, was neglected and born down, ruine and destruction was prepared for every formidable Courage or Virtue.
Petitions profited not, nor Lamentations; in vain were Appeals made to the King's Faith and Publick Rights; will stood for reason, yea, whatever they listed and thought fit was done according to the measure of over-grown Power; Complaints were sometime admitted but for a shew and revenge, by vain and fruitless words sent back, more often were they eluded by upbraiding and mockery.
The ambition of Governours and Officers of the King, with their insatiable Covetousness and deadly exercise of Cruelty, were grown to such a heighth, that the having of Riches rendered Men suspected and [Page 3] obnoxious to the King and Publick State: hence, by most wicked pretences, Riches were extorted, Goods sequestred and taken away, that either the Leaches (to whom it was all one whether Hungary stood or fell) might satiate their greedy Maws, or the Exchequer (the ruine of the miserable, and infamous receptacle of horrible plunders) be cram'd. The true and genuine appellation of things were long since banish'd; for to bestow other Mens Estates for a Reward to Traitors, was called Clemency; to distribute the Fortunes of others (in exile and illegally banish'd) among the Bastards of their Country, Liberality; to pardon the Innocent, was coloured with a title of Mercy, Laws, Rights, Judgments: In short, all, both Divine and Civil Affairs, were in the hands of the Germans, but in the Kingdom, Poverty and Oppression, with a shameful and abominable face of things.
With these and other almost innumerable Injuries, when the vigorous minds, and such as were impatient of slavery, were above measure oppress'd, at last their too long Patience being turned into Revenge, they betook themselves to just and lawful Remedies, and calling to mind, that by their free Suffrages they had chosen a King, not an absolute Lord, they endeavoured to reduce that extravagant and indirect Form of Government to its due course.
For remedy therefore they betook themselves to War, for with sudden Conferences, and by reason of common Fears, and loss of Liberty, an unanimating Society: moreover, the goodness of the Cause incourage the noble Nation to take up just and necessary Arms, thereby to endeavour the restoration of their buried Liberty to the splendour of its former Integrity, according to the tenor of [Page 4] the Decree of King Andrew the Second, surnamed of Jerusalem, and that without any mark of unfaithfulness or rebellion.
The first that attack'd Luxuriant Power, was the Magnanimous Hero, Stephen Botskai, a Man of excellent Wit, and famous for Prudence and Warlike Vertue, and esteemed greater than a private man: whilst yet private, this Man being exasperated by great Injuries, opposed himself to the raging Violence with small Forces indeed, but with a great and undaunted Courage, and with a valiant and heroic Mind, falling upon a part of the Emperour's Army, did happily overthrow it, and put them to flight; and following on his first Victory, he filled both the Kingdom and the World with his wonderful Successes, having justly deserved by the unanimous consent of the Hungarians, to be declared the Prince of Hungary and Transilvania, being the restorer of Liberty; which, to his immortal glory, he not only raised from the dust, but also prescribed the manner of Governing to the then King (vid.) Rodolph the Second and his Successors, that they might no longer transgress their Power limited and bounded by Law.
Now Peace and Publick Tranquility seemed to be well provided, for most ample Articles being establish'd by the Treaty, in which by the Faith and Publick Deed of the King, provision was made, that both Ecclesiastic and Civil Liberty should remain safe and secure: but, not long after, the Inhabitants found by experience their hope deceived them, and that the expectations of Mortals have but a slippery foundation: for the most Illustrious Botskai being snatched away, a little after the Peace, and so by immature death leaving Grief to the Hungarians, and a new occasion to the ambitious, whilst almost [Page 5] at the same time Funeral Solemnities were performed both to the great vindication of Liberty, and relapsing Liberty it self, a matter to be remembred by all Posterity that the newly recovered Liberties should have as it were new Funeral, for presently the opportunity was laid hold of, to annul the new made Articles, as if they had been extorted by force of Arms against the Faith and Conditions of Peace, whereas indeed they were voluntary and free.
Which unbridled License, and breach of Faith and Oath, the truehearted People of the Country grievously resenting, that they might obviate renewed Mischiefs with a new and efficacious Remedy look'd back upon and betook themselves to that ancient Power and Protection of my Predecessors, ( viz.) of resisting oppressing Kings.
The Zeal of pious Intentions was helped forward by the outrage of exquisite Oppressions, and the overthrow of Divine and Humane Laws, whereby my Ancestours, Gabriel Betlen and George Rakocie, the first Princes of Glorious Memory, being provoked, (here I comprise in one Abridgment double Injuries, and as many Acts of War, to avoid the Enumeration of Particulars) that they might (as they say) strangle a neighbouring Evil in the very birth, and repel incumbent and burthensome Power, and reckoning the Afflictions of a Calamitous Nation their own, imployed all care to remove or mitigate them, but always with that intent, to restrain an insolent and extravagant Domination within legal Bounds and Priviledges, lest otherwise the final destruction of Religion and Liberty should overwhelm a most flourishing Kingdom, with the damage and prejudice of whole Christianity.
[Page 6] Arms being again resumed for defence of a most just Cause, which the Divine Power crowned with so great blessing, that the Austrian Kings being affrighted with increase of Arms, and unexpected Success, of their own accord offer'd Peace, concluded and confirmed it by Faith, and publick Royal Decree, but this Peace also, ratified by the vast strength of a double Treaty, did neither restore the hoped for Tranquillity, nor lasting Liberty; the Kings took occasion rather by such Truces, in a state of imaginary, and faithless Peace, by wonted and smooth Artifices, to infect and divide the Minds of the great Men and Nobles, whom by Force or War they could not break in pieces.
It would be too long, and a needless labour, to relate in a long course, the Calamities of former times, which since they are contained in the Monuments of History, I therefore repeat not the Memory of them. Leaving then things that are past, I will briefly enumerate the grievousness of those that are present, that the whole World may judge, and know, that the Hungarians having suffered Violence, and Injuries, and being contrary to the King's Obligation, and Faith, and the Contents of Royal Sanction, and Publick Laws, deprived of all Liberty, have taken up lawful, and just Arms.
It is to be confess'd indeed, neither can it be recognized without deep sence of sorrow, that even his present Sacred, Imperial, and Kingly Majesty, soon from the beginning of the Government, conferred upon him, according to the manner, and ancient Custom, by free Voices, treading in the steps of his Predecessours, declined from the lawful way of Governing, to the grievous and absolute form of Domineering: for nothing in the whole time of his [Page 7] Reign was omitted of the usual and inveterate Endeavours against Liberty; little, and but what he listed, was granted to Supplicants, according to publick right; a certain Image of Liberty, and shews of Kingly Clemency, portended Servitude to the defenceless.
In this state of liberty, so oppress'd, and even expiring, there were not wanting, among the Hungarians, Generous and Elevated Minds, who laid to heart these deceitful Machinations and expert Counsels for publick Destruction, and humbly represented the Violence, and breach of pledg'd Faith, but with greater Zeal and Earnestness, than Effect: for as his Majesty had received that highest Royal Honour cropt and defloured, so whilest, according to Faith and Obligation, he ought to have reduced the same to former Integrity, he Governed rather by Arbitrary and boundless Power.
Hereupon, from kind dutifulness, and respect to Kingly Majesty, (of which the Hungarian-Nation was always most observant) It was first tried by Petitions and Supplications, to moderate a rigorous Domination: but when neither Complaints nor Volumns so often written, and rejected, could stay the Violence of inordinate Power, a Remedy was sought for those Wounds, by Arms, which publick Law pronounces just, and lawful, and to be laid hold of in such a case, when any King not observing the equal ballance of ordinary Power, proceeds to a preposterous Arbitrariness of Lording, contrary to the most manifest Rights and Priviledges of the Kingdom, with Injury and Oppression of the Inhabitants.
And would to God the Arms taken up for Liberties, had been continued in better Order, and more earnest Endeavour: for it had been more [Page 8] becoming and honest, to have renewed the brightness of obscured Liberty, by generous and constant Deeds, than to undergo the Yoak of shameful Slavery, through too much credulity and fatal discord.
But the innate Inclination of the Hungarian-People to dissension, and the Word and Promises of the Sacred, Imperial, and Royal Majesty, which had a mighty bewitching power upon their minds, put a too hasty stop to so great Undertakings.
For as soon as it was known in the Court at Vienna, that thirteen Counties had put on Arms to vindicate their Liberties, forthwith he sent Letters to the said Counties, composed with exquisite Art, to divide their Minds, in which he offer'd Grace to all those, that repenting them of their defection, should return from the Rakotcian-Party, to due Obedience to the King: It was added further, that what Offence had hitherto been committed, no Court, no Law should punish it; all should remain, as to Life, Fame, Fortune, the possession of Goods movable and immovable untouch'd and indempnified. When they understood that this Pardon was publickly ratified by the King's Faith, their Minds being hurried diverse ways, they lost their Heat and Vigour, and Imprudently laying down their Arms, went back to their repose indeed; but for a short time, they imagined that a place of great favour was open to those that would first occupy it, who (truly) under the shew of Indulgence were reserved to a securer Revenge afterward: for some paid it with their Lives, others with their Fortunes, others with perpetual Imprisonment; this never enough to be deplored Inconstancy did easily open a Gate to the Emperour's Forces, and gave them all Opportunities to effectuate their [Page 9] intentions, who, now all fear being removed, entred into Hungary, conducted by General Spork, and crawling into the Bowels of the Kingdom, possessed their Cities, Towers, and Fortresses, without incurring any Wound, or Death, for there were no longer any to oppose them by force, being beguiled by promise of Grace.
These things done, they proceed to all manner of Afflictions, Rapines, and Villanies, which the unbridled and licentious Souldier did every where commit against the tenour of the aforesaid Patents, and Royal Security: Temples were defiled, and taken away, Castles demolish'd, Noble Mens Courts overthrown, and Noble Men made Prisoners, and hal'd to the Tribunal at Posvonia, having unwarily given credit to a promised Oblivion: but many being more cautious, and foreseeing that under the mask of Kingly Grace, were hidden fraudulent Enterprises, they shunn'd the prepared Snares, and fled into this Province under my Protection.
I was taken with horrour at the tidings of this dire calamity and unlooked for Metamorphis: and because I easily foresaw that this Whirlwind would break forth into most grievous tempests, prejudicial to the Christian World, I presently, from a good and sincere intention, sent my Envoy to his Sacred, Imperial and Kingly Majesty, representing to his Majesty, the danger that might ensue, if in curing this Disease, he should use the rougher Remedies: that mild and gentle Medicines should be administred, whereby the Minds of Men might be induc'd, to hope in, and trust to his Royal Clemency, and not, that being brought into desperation, they might fall into those Extremities, which might sometime be dangerous to Hungery, and whole Christendom. But this my Proposal and upright and sincere Endeavour for publick good, which was reitterated again, and again, though difficultly getting Audience, was sent back without a becoming and desired Answer; for the lust of a absolute Domination, had taken deeper root, than that it could be pulled up by Words and Perswasions.
All actions, and the whole procedure in the Kingdom smell'd rank of perfect Force, not Kingly Governance. Nothing that was required of Law and Right was obtained; No Man's Condition was certain, there was a Crime, where there was Wealth; and not by degrees, but with headlong Rigour they [Page 10] proceeded to all sorts of Afflictions, that it might appear, the occasion long sought for, was now greedily laid hold on, whereby a Free Kingdom might be turned into an Hereditary Possession; presently Violence was used, the Honour of Liberties taken away, the Supporters of Laws depress'd, the Nobles driven from their Inheritances and Houses into Banishment and proscribed, all their Goods being confiscated. Dignities, Honours, and Publick Offices, were bestowed upon Foreigners, in prejudice of the Rights of the Kingdom. Moreover, a Councel of most rigorous Inquisition was instituted against the Vindicators of Liberty, and others, who they thought would contradict their unlawful attempts. Three Counts, by unlawful Proceedings, were condemn'd, and slain by the detestable hands of Common Executioners, to give a memorable Instance of Cruelty to the whole World: but neither did this suffice to fill up Revenge, the Injuries of this Bereaving were augmented, whilest Children, after their Parents kill'd, or banished, were afflicted with yet another Sorrow, being reduced to Beggary.
To this Tragedy was added the seizing of the Protestants Temples, wherein fury and madness raged with such fierceness, that one would have thought they had waged War with the Sacred Edifices, and that the Walls were Rebels; on a sudden the Ministers of the Churches were thrust out of the Parishes, and sent to exile; from others Promises of never returning being extorted by force and threatnings, that so they might Preach no more, they saved their Lives, and had liberty to depart out of their Countrey; many as it were peculiar Sacrifices were condemned and sent away to the Galleys, (horrible and detestable the Example!) that there leading a hard and sorrowful Life, they might be worn out with mourning, filthiness, toil, and fasting.
Besides the Violence of Persecutions, the execrable Domination over Conscience was persisted in: neither were Men allowed to be married, nor Infants to be baptized, but by a Catholic Administrator; Men were every where driven to Mass and Processions, by Force and Arms, and they that strove against it, suffered great Punishment and Fines.
[Page 11] Neither indeed were the Women free from danger, who, because they could not be charged with Treason, were yet accused for Weeping; 'twas nefarious and dangerous to mourn under their Miseries, and forbidding them to bewail their Kindred condemned to dye.
Moneys were by various Arts and devised Names publickly and privately extorted from the miserable Common People; Garrisons drawn off, and [others] imposed, Laws given from Lust; every where Rapins, Spoils, and an innumerable number of Calamities and Oppressions.
By these and other unexpressable Injuries and Cruelties, the banished Lords were provoked, having been precipitated by extreme Violence to the utmost loss of Life, Liberty and Fortunes, and being destitute of all succour from Christians, they saw no further hope of mitigating this Severity, taking therefore resolution under so great Necessities for the relief of the Kingdom and so many Innocents exposed to ruine, they fled to the Favour of the Resplendant Othoman Port, imploring the Protection of the same, against most unjust Violence. And their Proposal was not in vain; their Requests were easily admitted, for those whom extreme hard Fortune and too much Austerity had expelled out of their Country, to those the Othoman favourableness graciously granted refuge, security and means to sustain and support Life. Such oftentimes are the Works of the Divine Being, that when Furies are even in the midd'st of success secure, then suddain Vengeance overtakes them; that Terrour may never be wanting to the wicked, nor Hope to calamitous virtue.
I know indeed there are many that put an ill construction upon this act of extreme necessity, and preposterously reproach the Hungarian Nation, and blame them as degenerate from the Christian Name, but these People are either ignorant of the fundamental Liberties of Hungary, or too favourable to the Austrian Party.
For they should know and well observe, that the Kings of the Austrian Family in Hungary obtain the Sceptre and Crown by Suffrages of free Election, (the same which in this Kingdom is both the most equal and [Page 12] most ancient kind of Government) and are bound by Faith and Oath, which under the open Canopy of Heaven they are wont to depose to preserve the Liberties.
From this Faith and Oath there arose a true and proper Obligation, which was necessary not only for exercising Government rightly and according to the Prescript of the Law and Royal Charter, but moreover gave power to the Palatine of the Kingdom, as to the Keeper of the Liberties, that he might, together with the People, contradict and resist the King, when degenerating from the allowed and ordinary Power, to Cruelty and an unjust License of Lording: Liberty therefore was not cut off, nor in case of reduction to due governance dispaired of, a power of procuring the Protection of any one, even the Ottaman, as being a neighbour Monarch.
Many Years are now pass'd, since this most unhappy Kingdom, being placed between two Powers, torn by the one, and press'd by the other, represented to the whole World a miserable Tragidy, the former never took up Arms against Hungary, or laid them down, without an increase of his Empire, but with the diminution of the home Borders of the latter: whence it is come to pass, that almost the whole is fallen under the Dominion of a most potent Neighbour, wherefore since this Kingdom every where bordering upon a most mighty Monarch, must of necessity sustain his first Assaults, but the House of Austria in their Government, hath never sought or intended any thing, beside the depression of the Hungarians and the subversion of their Liberties, and especially the modern Cesarian and Kingly Majesty hath forced the People of their own nature most plain an equal, to a disgraceful lowness and a miserable state, whilst desparation, which is most mighty in great perils, has armed them, and since by the space of eleven years exile, they neither saw nor could hope for any moderating of Oppressions, it seemed more advisable to fly to the Protection of a most Potent Prince, and to use his help in a Cause of the highest and inevitable Necessity, in respect to the common good, than either to grow old in mournful Banishment, or to precipitate that small part of the Kingdom yet remaining into manifest peril.
[Page 13] Neither are the Hungarians tho first, that have implored the Ottaman Protection in their own defence.
Henry and Frederick, Brothers to the King of Castile, Pope Clement the Fourth in the Chair, when they had the Conrades their Associates, called out the Sarazens by Sea and Land, not to defend their Province, but to eject the French out of Italy. Maximilian of Austria, that he might repel the Violence offered, and which was his chief intention, that he might overthrow the Venetian Common-Wealth, laboured to provoke the Turk to his assistance. Francis the first, King of France, carefully observing the Ambition and Formidable Power of Charles the fifth, made no scruple to call in help from the Turks; neither was it disgraceful in our times for the renowned Common-Wealth of Poland to call out the Tartars against Christians, for the Defence of themselves.
Let the Christian World therefore judge from the Reasons and Causes aforesaid, whether the Hungarian Nation, being of a most free Constitution, which by its Fundamental Rights and Priviledges, had not only part of the Sovereign Power, but also in bestowing the Crown, had reserved to it self a natural Liberty, exempt from Kingly Government. (To wit in a certain Case [if it should happen] to resist the King) Judge [I say whether] they have done perversly, in submitting themselves to the Protection of the fulgent Port, that promises upon the Faith of an Emperour, the restitution of Liberties, and security of Religion, Life and Honour, with the maintainance of all Rights.
I now who am descended of the same common root with this Nation, of the Blood of the Huns, and acknowledge my self therefore raised up by God the Founder of all Kingdoms, to the principal Throne of Government of Hungary, that placed as it were in a Watch-Tower, I might endeavour to defend Religious and Civil Liberties, and as much as in me lies repel the Injuries done to a most free People, without any proof of Just Cause.
These Respects and Causes have impelled me to take up Arms just and necessary for the vindication of Liberty and bringing back [Page 14] the banished and oppress'd, therefore no wise and upright Man will wonder at, nor blame my Zeal and Enterprise, since I have undertaken the defence of a most just Cause, of a Famous and Noble Nation, and which is the chief of my own Blood. My only aim is, that Divine Mercy assisting a Kingdom, in time past most flourishing, may be redeemed to its desired tranquility, and a most free Nation to an everlasting [Enjoyment] of their Ancestours Liberty, it is equal and agreeable to reason, to defend Liberty violated contrary to Faith, when that Right is allowed by manifest Priviledges, It is just to undertake a defensive War for Friends and Kindred, that suffer unjust Violence; yea, the Bond of Men [as such] one with another, is most extensive, which even alone sufficeth for the bringing of Succour; neither is the right of Humane Society shut up, when oppressing Kings exercise such Injuries towards their free Subjects, as cannot be allowed by any equal and considerate Person.
For what remains, I exhort and warn, yea, I pray and beseech all the States of Hungary, that associating with me in Just and Pious Arms, they Endeavour by mighty Deeds, and a hearty Union, to bring back the Glory of worn out Liberty, to its former Splendour, let the Virtue of their Predecessours, who defended Liberty with their Blood and Life, return into their Breasts in a Matter of so great consequence, there is need of a sprightly and constant resolution, the rest are to be committed to Divine Providence, which prosper'd past Endeavours and Actions for vindication of Liberties with most happy Events.
The Controversie is not here about a private Concern, nor the dispute about Catholick Religion, which is founded upon the same common Priviledges with the Protestant [or Evangelical] we contend for our Country, for Life, for Fortunes, for the Honour, for the Glory of the whole Nation, they seek an unjust Domination, [your] Blood and Fortunes: Do ye seek Liberty, which no good Men, no honest Men, no generous Man will lose, but together with his Life.
As for me, I am both mindful of Humane Infirmity, and I consider the Power of Fortune, neither do I deny that all things [Page 15] that I do are subject to a thousand Casualties, but yet as I am secure in my Conscience, and go forth in Arms, God guiding and assisting from a secure and quiet state with such purpose for your Defence, that I intend nothing else, but the Advantage of Publick Safety, so I undoubtedly hope for a prosperous end and event.
But if any be found to follow the contrary part, to the publick ruine of their Country, if their countumacy meet with deserved punishment, they shall not impute it to me, but to their own fault and rash error; yet I hope and trust, that all Orders will direct their Counsels, Considerations, Deeds and Intentions, to the Weal of their Country, and to the Greatness and Advantage thereof: Liberty was gotten by the Blood of our Ancestours; it has hitherto been defended by Blood; by Blood also must it be vindicated from Oppression and Destruction.
It shall be to me Reward enough, and Honour enough, if either my free Spirit may see my Country defended; or if that be ruined, that my right Hand in vindication of Liberty, and my innocent Soul among the dead Bodies of such shall depart to a better Country.
Jehovah, the God of Hosts, the just and mighty God, bless from on high all righteous and lawful Endeavours, be he the Governour of all both Actions and Counsels; Let him dispose and bring to a sincere concord, contrary and disagreeing Minds; Let him strengthen the strong, animate the weak, and cause that all things may be undertaken and ended to the everlasting Glory of his own Name; the Restitution of overthrown Liberties; the Quiet and Tranquility of an afflicted Nation; the publick and private Happiness of all and singular. Amen.