HAd it pleas'd the supream disposer of all things (who changeth times and seasons, and doth with the Nations of the World as he plea­seth) to have continued the ancient Amity and friendship that hath been between the Commonwealth of England and the Ʋnited Provinces (which on our parts hath always been endeavoured) It would have been matter of great content unto us, to have wanted the opportunity of discourses of this nature, the En­glish Nation having given for almost a century of years toge­ther, the most unparalel'd Testimonies of their affections and love unto those Countreys; but since they seem to chuse War rather then Peace, in bringing their armed Fleets to our bor­ders, and there in a hostile manner assaulting, and endeavou­ring to destroy part of our Navy, whilst the Amity between them and us continued, yea, even when their Ambassadors were treating with us for a strict League and Ʋnion; and not­withstanding the great tenderness of this State to avoid every thing that might lead to a Rupture, saving the undoubted Rights and Dominion of this Nation, and the Justice they ought to administer to their People, thereby enforcing us to some engagement; and seeing how necessary it is in such times as these, that the People be rightly informed in the state of things, I have briefly placed a few things together as the state of the Case, whereby the People of England may know, how much it concerneth them to look about in this present Juncture.

[Page 2] When the Spaniard was likely to have swallowed up the People of the Ʋnited Provinces, their Libertie and Exercise of the Protestant Religion in the days of Queen Elizabeth, and the sad groans of those then distressed States; were by their Publick Ministers breathed forth to the State of England; though the constitution then of this Nation was under Monarchy; Though the Nation had but then abandoned the practise of the Popish Religion professed therein for many hundreds of years before, which greatly dissetled the Peace thereof, and caused many Rebellions; Though this Nation was then engaged in War with Ireland and the Countreys a­bout; Though the chief Government thereof was by a Wo­man, matter of encouragement to Enemies both abroad and at home to designe upon England; Though all these were ve­ry great grounds, wherefore England should have looked to her self, and not empty her Treasures, and weaken her Force for the preservation of others, especially when that thereby she was likely to provoke the Spanish Powers against her self (as it afterwards fell out in 1588) yet so open was the heart of the People of England to receive the cries of the Ʋnited Pro­vinces, so tenderly did they resent their Condition, that as if it were not now the Dutch, but the condition of England; they willingly espoused their Quarrel, undertook their Pro­tection: the Parliament of England advanced Queen Eliza­beth several subsidies for this work, and England enabled her to lend the Dutch eleven hundred thousand Pound Sterling, (which was a great sum of mony in those days, and to them especially, who could then hardly raise any considerable sum for the management of so great an affair in all their Provin­ces) ship'd them over many thousands of English men, when their own Countrey afforded very few Souldiers: and all this when neither League, Amity, or Reciprocall kindness re­quired them thereunto; and which through the goodness of God) put a present stop to the Spaniard, who was breaking in upon them like the breach of the sea; and in time helped them into that condition which hath occasioned them to give themselves the title of High and Mighty States; and assisted their Nation so, not for a year, but for above four score years; [Page 3] not in the beginning of their Wars only, but till the last year, that by Peace there was an end of War; not when their con­dition had a probable dress of advantage upon it, but when it was under the greatest improbabilities: and this not with a thousand mens lives onely, but with the lives of many thousands, whose blood was shed in their Wars. Nor did the necessity of our Engagements with Rebels within, and the neighbour Nations round about, cause us to withdraw our help from them; but so dear were their Liberties and the pro­fession of the Protestant Religion with them to us, that it seem'd to be but one Nation, one Cause and quarrel; being en­tertained by us with the affections of Brethren, the love of Friends, and the respects of Neighbours and Allyes; nor have we envyed at, but rejoyced in their welfare and prosperity.

In process of time when the late King of England, thought fit to put in execution, what had been before contrived in his Father's days; to wit, the enslaving of England; and to that end advanced his prerogative, above the Law, by which he ought to have ruled, both by his oath, and the constitution of this Nation, and his power upon the consciences of his Sub­jects in the Injunction of superstitious Innovations in Religi­ous Services (which with his tolleration of Popery, permitting of many Jesuits, and the Popes Nuntio in England, himself being sometimes seen at Mass) were black symptomes of the Antichristian darkness coming upon us: and to advance this end levied Arms against the Scots, who (then) both saw and opposed those growing mischiefs; when these things answer­ed not his expectation, but rather turned both Nations into union to withstand such proceedings, he countenanced, if not commissionated that horrid, and not to be parallel'd Re­bellion in Ireland, the blood whereof is not stopt to this very day; and yet when he saw the Parliament more resolved to oppose his wicked and Tyrannicall proceedings, and that no­thing would serve them, but Justice on his evil Councellors, and security for their Laws and Liberties, being grieved that he had condiscended to any thing (though it was their due, and what was forced from him) that concern'd their Liberty; and that he might recover all that the People of England had got [Page 4] of their own of him and his Predecessors, at once by the Sword; he set up his Standard at Nottingham, bidding there­by defiance to the Parliament, and the Laws of England; whereupon the flames of War broke forth in every part, and nothing but the levying of Arms, and the sad calamities of War abounded in all parts of this Nation: When the Par­liament were thus enforced to wrastle with the powers of the King, the Malignity and opposition of most of the Nobility and Gentry; the whole Prelaticall and Atheisticall party, the Court, and Monopoly Dependants; the name of a King which had then some awe amongst the people, the Treachery and a­postacy of many of their Members and Officers in Civil and Military Imployments: The War of Ireland, and the Pow­ers of forraign Kingdoms, who in point of Interest might be expected to ingage against them; and that through the blood of the People, and the hazards of War, they were constrain­ed to proceed for the obtaining of that Liberty, which the King was in duty to have preserved From whom could they expect any affections, but from the Dutch? who in point of Interest, being themselves a Commonwealth, but even now torne out of the Jawes of Monarchy through a sea of Blood, and millions of Treasure: In point of preservation, we being the Generations of those, who took their Cause, out of the dust, and set it in the Throne; and who ballanced always the late Kings envy and malice to that State: themselves also ha­ving the designes of the Prince of Orange in their own Bowels, working up towards the height of that Tyranny, which the E­nemies sword would have set up in England. And in point of gratitude to those people, who had chosen the Neatherlan­ders before their own safety, in theirs and the Neatherlanders greatest times of danger, were so deeply engaged. One would think that their affections, their bowels, their money, their force, and their very souls should have been ready, to be powred out for the Parliament, whom God made formerly the very Instruments of their beeing, and upon whom they might write the Foundation under God of their Prosperity, at least that they should not maligne their Cause, or advantage their Enemy. But instead thereof their Envy to our Nation, [Page 5] Malignity to our Cause, assistance to our Enemy, affronts and scorns to us and our friends in the day of our calamity, have exceeded; Shall I say any, nay all our neighbours round a­bout; they became our enemies Treasury for Money, their Magazine for Armes and Ammunition, their Arsenall for Ar­tillery, and warlick provisions both by Sea and Land; their re­fuge and shelter, their place for counsell and advice, and no doubt had publickly asserted our enemies interest, had not the consideration of their great advantage in getting the Trade and Riches of England into their hands by our wars, perswaded a seeming Newtrality.

Nor did these things satisfie them, as if they thought they could never shew respect enough to our enemies, and enmity to us; Borrel and Raynswoold their Ambassadors, in the year 1645. coming into England, upon pretence of recōciling our differen­ces, besides other disservices, in the then House of Commons assi­gned the Justice of the quarrel on the Kings side (an unparaleld affront, and every way unfit to be given by any, especially by Forreigne States, who were not concerned in our civill diffe­rences) and which the Lords and Commons in Parliament then took notice of in their Declaration to the States Generall of those Provinces.

Afterwards Mr. Strickland, our Agent, had the Door of the States Generall shut against him for the space of about one year and a halfe, and never admitted audience; though at the same time Macdowell, Agent for the King of Scots, had admit­tance, to whom when Dr. Dorislans was added, he was assassi­nated in their Provinces, and to this day not so much as a Warrant sent forth by the States General for the apprehending of those murtherers, nor have they proscribed them their Do­minions, nor any thing done by them, whereby their abhor­rency of the Murther of a publick Minister might appear.

Nor have things rested here, but when the Lord Saint Joh [...] and Mr. Strickland were lately sent over Ambassadors after the death of the Prince of Orange (upon whom as a cause some of the former injuries against us were laid) how were they affronted, and endeavoured to be mischieved by Prince Ed­ward, who called them Doggs to their faces; and Apsley who [Page 6] designed to strangle the Lord Saint John in his chamber (to say nothing of all the abuses attempted upon them by the un­governed multitude, & on their followers, and the assaults on their houses) and though they were some days in their pow­er, after complaints and demands of justice made, yet were not secured, and brought to justice, or proscribed to this day; which being added to the former affronts and injuries, and the delayes in the treaty, though it provoked not the Parliament to a demand of present reparation (so tender have they al­wayes been of a breach with them) yet they so ill resented it, that it was one reason wherefore they recalled those Am­bassadors.

It will be too long to reckon up the severall supplies of Offi­cers, Souldiers, Arms, Ammunition, Artillery, Money, Ships, and Provisions, that have been issued from those Countries for the assistance of the late King, and the then King of Scots his son, in their warres against the Parliament of England, in England, Scotland, and Ireland; particularly the 20000 Arms, 26 Field Guns, and 250 Barrels of powder, shipt aboard two ships at Amsterdam for England; when the King of Scots was lately at Worcester with his Army, and at the said Kings desire. Likewise, the many intollerable injuries, depredations and Murthers committed on severall of the English Nation, as in the case of Amboyna, 1622. sufficiently known to the world, & which was perpetrated even when the people were alive that saw what the English had done for them in the dayes of Queen Eliza­beth, and soon after a solemn Treaty and Agreement made of all differences between the Nations in those parts: The many high Insolencies and affronts given this Nation at Sea, in drag­ging the Colours of England under the Sterns of their ships, after they had most injuriously taken their ships and goods from them, and caneing the Seamen for being (as they call'd it) against their King; some of this practised on severall Eng­lish but the last Summer, and the robbing of the English Mer­chants of their ships and goods at Sea to very great values. Such things being fitter for a Volume then a few sheets of paper.

It will take up too much time also to particularize their late [Page 7] securing our ships and goods severall times that were within their coasts, there being no cause given by us for such procee­dings; The marching of their Forces to their frontier Towns, beating up of Drums for Voluntiers to man 150 sail of ships of Warre, which they declared to us they were providing; their people calling for Arms against us, and raging after such a manner, as the English Merchants went not without danger in their streets, and all this when their Ambassadors were trea­ting with us here for a strict League and Union, and when we had no thoughts of engaging against them, or began any pre­parations to reinforce our Navy, though it was high time af­ter such alarms as those, for the Parliament of England to pro­vide for the security of their Seas and Traffick.

And that they might indeed shew their good will to this Commonwealth, after much time had bin spent in treating for a more strict Union, and things were drawing to some conclusi­on, is it not manifest that they meant nothing lesse then a peaceable accommodation, and intended their treaties as the disguised Ushers of treachery and warre; in that Trump on the 19 of May 1652. with 42 ships of warre, came up to the Downs, and there assaulted our Generall Blake, who riding neer Foulstone with fourteen ships only, was enforced for some time by himself and afterwards with the rest of his Fleet, to maintain four hours sharp fight till night parted them. In which the providence of God mightily appeared, in preserving our Fleet, and repelling the enemy to his losse & dishonor and therby delivered this Island at that time from the design, trea­chery, domination and cruelty of those people, who when their tongues were smoother then oyl, prepared war in their hearts, and with their hands put it in execution. Nor can it be other­wise understood then a designed engagement, if so be his an­choring in Dover Road with his Fleet, when extremity of weather did not enforce him; his refusing to strike, when Do­ver Castle by their shot summoned him thereto: the denying the Merchanrs of Dover the night before the fight, to perform their accustomed civility to visit their Fleet; his sending two of his ships to Major Bourn, who lay there onely with eight sail of ships, the striking of those ships, and their endeavours [Page 8] seemingly to excuse Van Trumps coming so neer, and alledge­ing the reason why he came no neerer, (viz.) to avoid giving offence, in regard of the controversie (as he called it) of the Flag; and that he intended no injury to the English Nation: which made Major Bourn jealous that they intended some mischiefe; therefore he commanded out two ships to attend their motions, and sent Generall Blake notice of their being there: His moving the next day towards the French Coasts when Generall Blake came in sight of him, and upon speaking with a Dutch Vessell, which made all the sail she could to him, and wafted her Flag to signifie as much; his comming up presently with full wind and sail to Generall Blake, who rode alone from his other ships; his refusing to strike (the ancient and undoubted acknowledgement of the English right and soveraignty in the adjacent Seas) when Generall Blake sum­moned him thereunto by a Gun without a Ball, another with a Ball, his fiering through Generall Blakes Colours, and fal­ling upon him with a broad side immediatly without any parly, before Generall Blake gave him a broad side; his setting up presently a red Flag, which being the signe before given; the rest of his ships fel on our General, and maintained with him & his other ships, a very hot fight, as aforesaid, and as by the nar­rative of the engagement, and the examinations of his own Of­ficers, and letters relating thereunto, printed by order of Par­liament, and ordered to be given unto their Ambassadors, as an answer to their Papers and Desires for the proceed of the Treaty doth appear. Together with his being angry with one of the said Captains in Holland, because he struck sail to our Friggats, as he came from the Streights, as the said Captain and the Lieutenant now taken prisoners, upon their examina­tions acknowledge; besides what other accounts we have re­ceived of their debates, and preparations to engage our Fleet.

Now what hath England done to these people, that might occasion any such disingenuous and hostile proceedings? Oh, that they would produce their cause, that we might answer thereunto, and leave it to the world to judge! Certainly had they any reall cause to assign, that might bear weight in the [Page 9] ballance we should have heard thereof ere now; for they are a people that are seldom wanting in things of that Nature.

Only we heard that the granting of Letters of Mart by us, hath been made use of to incense those people against this State, and by making of them mad, under that pretence to shed their blood in an unjust war, and to hasten their own and the destruction of their Countrey. There is nothing more clear then that the granting of Letters of Mart, in cases where Justice is denied to be done, after it hath been duely sought (as is our case) is a necessary, lawfull, and just way, accor­ding to Reason; and the Laws of Nations, practised through­out the world, and by themselves; and that such Letters of Re­prisall are so far from being the occasion of War, that they are in such cases the ultimate Preservatives against Nationall Engagements (otherwise for Injuries done to the Subjects of any Nation by a Forraign People, War must effect the satis­faction, or it may be lawfull for any to rob and spoyl on the Seas, that are enabled with power so to do) it might occasion some discourse of that nature at large, and the quoting of their own, as well as the practises of other Nations for Instances: but thus hath been the case with us, that for very great Inju­ries and Blood, and after above twenty years waiting in some cases for Justice of them, which being denyed, the Justice of this State renewed but one Letter of Reprisall upon them in the case of Mistriss Paulet, granted by the late King for re­cōpence of 20000 l. principal, besides charges, of 20 years stan­ding, her self and Family being brought thereby to a morsell of bread; yet when that was understood to be made use of by some Malignant spirits, to prevent that Union, which was said to be endeavouring by their Ambassadors in their Treaty, that all occasion might be taken from those that sought occa­sion of difference, this State suspended that Act, before it was fully satisfied; and not only so, but all Letters of Reprisall upon the French, who had so notoriously, and to very great damages injur'd the Merchants of England; notwithstanding that these wronged men had been at a great deal of costs to set out ships for recompence, and had not accomplish'd it, being thereby enforc'd to sit down by the loss of those charges also. [Page 10] And all this to remove any occasion of clamour, that might unduely happen upon the searching of Dutch Ships for French Goods; though it is a known thing that the French covered their Goods in Flemish bottoms, to avoid giving the English satisfaction: and this we did, notwithstanding that we paid the Dutch for the fraught of the French Goods found aboard them, without taking any of their goods at any time: the con­trary whereof our Merchants have found, when as the Dutch have taken not only the Portugall Goods found aboard the English, but such English Ships and Goods also, without ma­king of satisfaction to this day, of which we have pregnant testimonie; yet the searching for French Goods aboard their Vessels, is so equitable and necessary, that it is impossi­ble (unless we land Armies in France) to have any reparation, so long as the French may wholly manage their Trade in Dutch Vessels.

But to any rationall man, this cannot be the cause of the late transactions of those people to us; for first a long time be­fore any Letters of Reprizall were granted, they performed all those evil Offices aforementioned in the generall; and since those Letters of Reprizall both on themselves and French for their sakes, have been suspended: their Admiral with his Fleet came to our Borders; and whilst we lay securely, in a time of friendship and Treaty, came upon and assaulted part of our Navy, as is formerly mentioned at large; whereby it appears, that as they formerly helped on our destruction so far as it concerned their profit, and to lay us, and our Liber­ties at the feet of a bloudy Tyrant, so it is now their resoluti­on, as they are able, to bring down this Nation to serve their Lusts and Cruelty; and this as a reward for our saving of them from the sword of Spain, and spilling our blood and mo­ney on the ground to lay the Foundation, and secure the structure of their Riches and Prosperity. The Blood of Am­boyna shewed formerly how such things relished their Pallats; and the clapping Captain Green and his men in Chains of late: together with the outrages committed on our Ambassadors, and several English people in their Territories: their severall Arrests on our Ships and goods in their Ports, and the late [Page 11] Engagement of Van Trump do now clearly demonstrate.

Though every weeks occurrences fild our ears with the noise of their preparations, and the ranting and vile expressions a­gainst this State: the abuse of the English there, and their Ambassadors giving our Councell of State and Parliament, Papers of their Resolutions of setting forth one hundred and fifty ships of War, extraordinary (which we might then very well conclude, and have cause now to be assured, were inten­ded against us) yet till those Papers came, the Parliament mo­ved not at all, in any extraordinary preparations: and then how requisit it was for this State to prepare, for the secu­rity of their Seas, and of that part of the ancient and undoubt­ed Dominion of England, let the world judge. Yet, so did they prepare, as only to secure their own Right, and what high time it was so to do, the forementioned insolent and ho­stile behaviour of some of their ships to Captain Young, for which the States gave one of the Captains a chain of gold, and of Van Trump, to our Navy, whom they continue still in his Imployment, thereby owning his late action is evident to all men.

It is worthy observation to consider unto what a height of Ingratitude, Injustice and forgetfulness, the pride of these men hath lifted them up; It is not unknown to the world, and to themselves, though they would willingly forget it, what was their condition, when England first undertook their protection, and what England hath done for them; how they have permitted them to pass through their Seas, to manage their Merchandise, and required only their striking to our ships and Castles in acknowledgement of our Soveraignty. And to fish in our Seas, sometimes upon the requiring of a certain Tax, sometimes freely, and yet so bold are they upon our for­mer Indulgence, and condiscentions as to come up to our ve­ry dores, and by treachery and force endeavour to snatch the Dominion thereof out of our hands, though they cannot as­signe one particular, wherein the English hath designed or at­tempted any incroachment upon their Rights and Priviledges; but have maintained them against all their opposers. And no doubt but those men, who with so much impudence and wick­edness [Page 12] have attempted, to dispoyle us of so antient and Indu­bitable a Right, whereby our very defence (for those Seas, and our Ships, are the outwalls and Bulwarks of this Island) is endeanoured to be broken; will also as they have oportu­nity labour to dispossess us of our Land Inheritance.

But as the former Kings of England took a severe course to chastise and cut off such luxuriant Exorbitances, and as the Providence of God hath in their late Engagements given them a very great check, so we doubt not but the Wisdom and Justice of the State (through the assistance of God) will so effectually proceed in the vindication of such wrongs, as shall let them know, what Right of ours they have encroached up­on, and by effectual ways perswading them from attempting such usurpations for the future. What high time it is to take order with such men, and reduce them to their proper bounds, let the World judge; and if that hereafter this State exercis­eth a more strict Command over their own Jurisdiction, in letting those men know at what rate they shall buy their In­trenchment on our Liberties, they may thank themselves for such experience.

It is not the bare Complement of striking the Flag, that hath been the occasion of these late contests, as they would seem to pretend, to gull and cheat well minded people, as if so be for such a slight thing, as the putting off a mans hat, or the not putting it off, were the ground of the late engagement, or of what shall ensue thereupon; In vain is such a snare as this set in the sight of England; But it is the absolute and substantial Soveraignty of the narrow Seas, which on our parts by such a deportment as the striking of the Flag, or Topsail to our ships on those seas, is required to be acknowledged, and so hath been for many hundred years, understood, agreed unto, and acknowledged by the Nations of Eruope, which the Dutch by refusing to strike would deny. O d. Lords and Commons in in Par­liament, April 5. 1643. A thing of such high impor­tance, that the former Kings would never endure, but in their Commissions to their Captains at Sea, commanded them to require obedience thereto by all, or to fire, sink, or destroy them; and which both Houses of Parliament in their Ordi­nance to that purpose, commanded their Maritin Officers.

[Page 13] Now the Dutch refusing to strike, do deny our Title, and by their armed Fleets endeavour to take possession of our In­heritance: therefore though to extenuate their hostility, and cover their designes, they would fain make the striking of the Flag a frivolous thing; yet it is of as much concernment to us, as the Dominion of those Seas, and therin of our defence, and the commodity of Fishing, which those Seas yeeld in abun­dance; and which themseves have found to be of so vast an advantage, as that they know it to be the great staple of their Trade and Merchandize, and the food of many Families; the sweetness whereof they having tasted through our former Li­cences, and our late neglect by reason of our Warres, would now to settle it upon themselves, force into their own hands.

And this together with the managing of our Trade for our best advantage, held forth in the Act for Navigation; and what else may be found convenient for such an end, may be strongly presumed to be the true grounds of their quarrell a­gainst us, and of the late engagement, though the assignment of the latter is too grosse for them to hold forth to the world: for that is as much as to take upon them to give law to England.

The truth is, what through the negligence of former Kings, and the corruption of their Ministers of State, the overlooking the subtilties and encroachments of these people, the ties of gratitude and friendship that were supposed to be upon them, and the confusion of our late warres, they had not only got a Staple of Trade as aforesaid; but had almost ingrost all our Trade, and thereby spoyled us of our Navigation and Maritin Defence. Our long voyages about the world, which carried the reputation of England through all the parts thereof, being curted to their borders, and mostly in their own ships, to fetch from their stores at the second hand, and to retail it in Eng­land; by reason of which, our gallant ships being drawn up and neglected, in a little time, we might insensibly have those locks of ours cut off, and be fallen upon by them, when we were not in a capacity to resist.

Now because the Commonwealth of England is through the mercy of God, brought out of its war & blood; & through dear [Page 14] experiences taught to mind its own concernment, and to fore­see and avoid such snares as these. And because the Dutch see themselves prevented of [...]aking our Markets, emptying our Pockets, and fishing in our troubled waters, as they had done for many years before, therefore are they offended, and would now by force, if they could, conclude us under that & a worse necessity, and rather then fail, embroyl us and their people in a bloody warre, which themselves have already begun, And this is the true reason wherefore they have all along assisted the late: King and his son in all our warres, and have been troubled at the late rout at Worcester, and our other successes, as much as the Gavalier; because they knew that a Commonwealth would deprive them of those sweet Bits, and might be expected to pursue things for their own advantage.

Besides, they had large experience what their gold could do at Court, which in a Commonwealth well ordered would be of little effect: & no doubt these things had prevailed with them openly, to have asserted the Kings interest, had not (as I have said before) the advantage of trading to all our ports during our warrs, blinded them into a seeming Newtrality.

'Tis true, Nature hath shut them up from all Merchandize, if our passage through the North and South Seas were denied them; therefore hath this Nation made their Seas so far open, as to give them liberty through them to passe unto their traf­fick; and that they may safely passe, have been at the vast costs of strong Navies: but must they therefore deny our do­minion thereof, and to make such acknowledgement as ought to be, and hath been time out of mind agreed upon, and sub­mit [...]ed to by all Nations? Or must therefore the Riches in those Seas be as much theirs as ours? This, were it in their own case, would be said by them to be an inference very forraign, & would not be indured, nor indeed ought it so to be. Because a man permits a thorough-fare through his ground for the ac­commodation of Travellers, or the Countrey, shall the pas­senger therefore refuse to acknowledge the propriety of the owner to his land? Shall he refuse to perform such a thing, as he shall require for the acknowledgement of his propriety, lest in time it become common through prescription? shall [Page 15] the Herbage, Corn, Wood, or whatsoever grows upon it, or the Mines under it, be by him claimed with as equall a right as the Proprietor? Or will it be good manners or honesty for such a passenger with armed force, to deny the acknowledge­ment of the right of the owner, and to endeavour the making common the said land, and what growes upon it, or within it? If the Proprietor hereupon shall to such persons shut up his passage, and with armed force secure the growth of his Land from such intrusion, and blood should be drawn thereupon; whom will you judge in such a case to be the occasion thereof, the Proprietor, or such an ungrateful and injurious passenger? This, upon due consideration, wil appear to be much our pre­sent case, and which I should be more large in; but that a lear­ned Treatise on that subject, will be shortly brought forth to common understanding in the English tongue.

Nor ought the specious and gilded Covering of a Treaty for a more strict union to have any influence at all, to [...]harm the English Nation into the least parting with any thing of their undoubted Rights, or losse of time in prosecuting their op­portunities for satisfaction and security: in regard that both by former & later experience, we have not found such sincerity as may lay a Foundation for us to pitch upon in that particular, & where we cannot be assured of that, as a Foundation; to what advantage wil the conclusion of any thing bee, or what encou­ragement is there for any proceeds in things of that nature? For though Leagues are confirmed with all the sacredness that man knowes of to bind the performance, yet if advantage be Paramount to such stipulations, when a fair opportu­nity is presented, no bonds be they never so high and intrinsecall, will be able to preserve those Leagues from doing Homage to the supream Deity of Gain & Profit. Principles that center not in the performance of Leagues and Covenants fur­ther then are for advantage, what differ they from that Tri­dentine one, That Faith is not to be kept with Hereticks. And upon such Quick-sands, the Foundation of true Peace cannot be laid. And indeed the English Nation have by experience found, that some States have not retained that simplicity in poynt of Treaties, which England hath held forth to them on all occa­sions.

[Page 16] I wish that our Neighbours of the Ʋnited Provinces had administred nothing of this nature to us, whereby we may be rationally put to a losse in this particular. Certainly their carriage in the businesse of Amboyna, within a year or two after the conclusion of the Treaty in the year 1619. and their not making satisfaction to this day, though it should have been by the year 1625. their chusing Arms rather then satis­faction for other injuries done by them to us, and the late as­sault of Trump on our Fleet upon our Borders, whilst we were in Amity, treating for, and neer a conclusion of a strict Union, gives us just ground so to understand them: and we wish that the serious reflects on what their carriage hath been to other States in this particular, mentioned in the later end of this discourse at large, besides our own experience, to say no more, gave us not fair warning how we trust those, who when they speak of Peace, have War in their hearts; If their former ill Offices to this State had been reflected on, as they did de­serve, there would have been occasion enough wherefore this State should have refused any treaty with them, til satisfaction had been first given, and security. But notwithstanding all, the Parliament hoping that their own former actions had re­proved them, and being willing to take all opportunities to continue friendship between them and us, as they had alwayes done heretofore, past over all other considerations, and having given their Ambassadors honorable and friendly Entertain­ment, ordered the Councel of State to treat with them; in which there was an uninterrupted proceeding, till by the late hostile assault of our Navy by Van Trump, themselves cut the Cords thereof, and gave us to understand what dealing we were to expect at their hands.

Notwithstanding, when a little after the said assault, the Lord Pauw came over to England as an extraordinary Ambas­sador, pretending that he had full power to accommodate all things. The Parliament gave his Lordship honorable Enter­tainment, and the Councell of State, notwithstanding their o­ther great occasions, were rather before hand, then otherwise, in the management of the Treaty, desiring if it might have been rather an accommodation then a warre; Yet during the [Page 17] space of almost three weeks, the time that he was here, he neither agreed with the Parliament in the matter of Fact of the late Assault, nor proposed any thing in way of satisfa­ction, nor in compliance with that one Demand of the Parliament viz. To have satisfaction for their extraor­dinary charge they had been put to by their late Preparations and Assault. Nor produced full power to conclude what should be agreed upon; But desired that the matter of the Assault might be past over, or put into examination: And that there might be a cessation of Arms whilst those things were treated on; though when the Spanish Plenipotentiaries at Munster did earnestly desire a cessation of acts of Hosti­lity both by Sea and Land, whilst the late Treaty was at Munster: The States Plenipotentiaries, particularly, the Lord Pauw himselfe answered, That it was not usuall for States to make any Cessation of Arms during a Treaty, and was utterly against it. Though that cessation was desired by the King of Spain, whose Government the States had sha­ken off, and the war was on that Foot: And the cessation which the Lord Pauw desired of us, was in the name of that State, whose Navy in the time of Amity and Treaty had en­deavoured to have surprized our Fleet at our doors.

And when he heard that our Fleet was set sail, June 26. It staying in the Downs all that time he had been here, expecting what conclusion should be made, the next day he desired a Passe and safe convoy for himselfe and the rest of the Lords States Ambassadors, because as he said a cessation of Armes was not granted; though the Parliament put the cessation one­ly upon the paying or giving them security for the extraordi­nary charge they had been put to by them as aforesaid, as the Parliament Declaration mentions at large. And having ta­ken their leave of the Parliament on the Wednesday after, they departed towards Gravesend, and so for Holland.

Now let all Europe judge between us and the Neatherlan­ders; what could we have done more for them, then we have done? or hath any Nation done so much for a Forraign people! The Loan of hundreds of thousand pounds, the Blood of thousands of English, men, Love, Tenderness, Bowels, Af­fections, [Page 18] the Espousing their Quarrels, undertaking their Pro­tection, when they were at the lowest, and like to be swallow­ed up quick; even then when our outward condition was seemingly weak, being newly come out of Papacy torne with intestine tumults, engaged in War with other Nations, go­vern'd chiefly by a Woman; and all this when no tye of League, or Friendship required any such thing, or former Ci­vilities: This hath been the dealing of England towards them, not for a year, but for a score of years, not with the af­fections of Friends only, but with the love of Brethren, not for our advantage to give Law to them, possess their Towns, and Riches, or to add them to the Territories of England; but to enable them to give Law in their own Borders, to pos­sess their Habitations, and Estates in safety, and to make them not only distinct from their Enemie; but entire, strong, and absolute in their own Jurisdiction: we picked no Quarrels, or made pretences to keep their Cautionary Towns, no, we de­livered them; though all our money is not paid to this very day. We made not our selves a third party to serve our selves upon them, or have we joyned with their Enemie. We en­vied not their Prosperity or Riches, but rejoyced in their good condition. We wished not them broken, that we might be replenished; nor hath so much as a thought to destroy them, come into our hearts: we have not beat the Drum, or soun­ded first the Alarm of War to them, or made the first prepa­rations thereunto, though we have been thus ill requited by them, for all our Love, Money, our powring forth of our Blood for them, and hazarding thereby our own beeing, though we have been thus maligned and hated, even beyond the measure of the Cavaliers hatred, Envy and Malignity. Thus endeavoured with the exercise of our Religion, Lives, Liber­ties, Wives, Children, Estates, and all that's pretious and dear to us, in the world, to be delivered into the bloudy power of that Tyrannicall King, who had wanted not a will to betray even themselves to the Spaniard, as he did those Nobles of Flanders, who had sent to him for protection, and whose heads the King of Spain cut off? Thus affronted in Parlia­ment by their Ambassadors in the year 1645. who to their [Page 19] faces gave the Justice on the Kings side. Thus shut out of dores, when our Agent Strickland could not have audience with the States General, though he waited for it a year and a half. Thus murthered barbarously when our Resident Do­rislaus was assassinated in their Territories. Thus scorned, abused and assaulted by the uncommanded Rabble; cursed by Prince Edward to our Ambassadors faces, and designed to be strangled by that vile Apsley, when our Ambassadors were last there. And this notwithstanding all our former Injuries, we were treating with them for a more strict Union Thus slighted in that slow Treaty to no purpose; and the plain De­claration of their looking for a Scotch line to measure our Ruins, before they would measure our Peace: Thus tortur'd and barbariz'd in those of Amboyna; kick'd out of dores in being dispossest of those Islands contrary to League and A­greement. Plundred and robb'd in the taking of our ships and goods, that traded that way, and to other places, to great values; Trod underfoot in their disgracefull dragging our English Colours after their Sterns, when they had robb'd our ships.

Thus dared by the Commonaltie beyond measure, in their belching out of Oaths, Curses, Slanders; and by their Ma­sters in preparing Fleets to infest our Coasts: beating up of Drums for Voluntiers; and endeavoured to be destroyed in Trump's late assaulting our Fleet in the time of Treaty, and whilst there was Amity between us: Greater Love and Assi­stance then by the English to them hath not been shown to a People Never was love so ill requited and abused, never was patience so much provoked, nor ever had people a juster ground, to look them in the face in case of Engagement, which they have now forced, the righteous God will judge between them and us.

The People and Cause of God in this Nation is Holy­nesse to the Lord,All that devour it, shall offend, Evill shall come upon them. Jer. 2. 3. Scotland hath found it so with a witness: Even the People of God amongst them, who endeavoured its destruction. Ireland is yet paying dear for it, and upon France are the Vials powring out; those of [Page 20] our own Nation that assisted this Cause, in the beginning, and were eminent therein in Godliness and honesty, falling upon this stone, afterwards have been broken in pieces, so ten­der hath it been in the sight of God, Zach. 2. 8 Even as the apple of his Eye. Oh, thou Belgia! what will become of thee in the day, when thy rage, thy cruelty, they malice, thy scorne, thy ingratitude, thy opposition to this hallowed thing, shall come into remembrance, and is not that day already begun? When every crying Eze. 25 3. 26. 2. aha, every Eze. 25 6. clapping of thy hands, every stamping with thy feet: Every re­joycing in thy heart, with despight; every of thy taking Eze. 25 12, 15. 35. 5. venge­ance, and revenge for the old hatred; every of thy saying she is Eze. 26 2 broken, she is turned unto me, I shall be replenished, she is laid waste; Every of thy taking them up on the Eze. 36 3. Lips of talkers, and making them the infamy of the People; Every of thy Eze. 35 12. Blas­phemies, in saying, they are laid waste, they are given us to con­sume, Eze. 35 10. when as the Lord was there. Every of their Zeph. 2. 8 Reproach­es and Revilings shall be remembred, and carry with it a weight of vengeance for Recompence: Every Jer. 12. 14 evil neighbour will be visited in the day that God doth Jer. 46 10. Isa. 63. 4. avenge the Controversie of his Cause; what then will become of you, that have done more a­gainst it then all the ill Neighbours? He hath begun it alrea­dy, the Kings, and great ones ofEngland, Scotland, and Ire­land, have drunk deeply of the Jer. 46. 15, 16, 18 22, 27, 28, 29. Cup; they are become a desolati­on, and their Cities shall not return; The People have wallow­ed in their blood, have Isa 8. 21. cursed their God and their King, and looked upwards. Even Godly men that have walked in this Psalme 125. 5 craoked Path, God hath led them forth with the workers of Ini­quity: God hath been Zac. 8. 2 jealous for it, with a great jealousie, and out of the 1 Sam 17. 37 mouth of the Lyon and the jaw of the mighty hath he pluck'd it, and set it up on Deut. 28. 1. high; He hath lift up his Is. 13. 2 Gant. 2. 4. Ban­ner, upon it, and advanced it as a Isa. 55. 13. Zac. 9. 16 signe to the Kingdoms of the Earth, whoever will not bow down unto it, we may ratio­nally expect, according to the precedent series of divine Pro­vidence, must be broken in pieces. And who are you, oh ye Neatherlanders, that dare to set your selves against the Lord, against what he hath done, and is doing in these Nations; to endeavour to strike out all the glorious Characters of his foot­steps and presence, what his Arm hath brought to pass for [Page 21] him, and his mighty Power establish'd in these Dominions? Who are you that dare to think, that you can root out this Cause, and give the lye to all the appearances of God, the Prayer, the Faith, the Prayses of his Saints in these Nations? Who are you that say their 1 Kings 20. 23 Gods, are Gods of the Hills, therefore we will fight with them in the Valleys. They stood against their own Forces, but they shall not against ours: The Land is given them in possession, but the deep is ours, and we will swallow them up as in the belly of Hell? Our God is the same, and so is our Cause on the Sea, as well as the Land; Spain found it so in the year 1588. and All others have since our late Wars and Troubles.

Take heed least Divine Power work revengeingly there, as it hath begun upon you already, and burie your Carcasses in the mighty waters: and take heed, least that though we would pass by, yet God will not pardon what you have done against his Cause and us. What is it that hath turned your hearts a­gainst your friends, and set you to so ill requite their Love, their bloud, their hardships for you? What is it that hath made you to affect and assist that cursed thing of Monarchy in these Nations, which you before us, saw to be a Plague, and adventured your All to be rid of it, and which hath con­founded all its supporters; and which God hath made to ap­pear to be an accursed thing as clear as the Sun at noon day? What is it that makes you retrograde to your Principles of a Free State, that having known the benefit of Freedom, through the Bloud of England, you should endeavour the slavery of England?

Why should you be angry, that we stand upon our Legs, and honestly proceed, to serve the advantage of our impove­rish'd Countery, and to improve, what God in nature, Pro­vidence, and by the dreadfulness of War, hath handed to us? Why should you covet our Trade, and Riches, and not rather be contented with what God gives you, though it were with a sparing hand? Why should you rather delight to see us in our Blood; our Cities and Habitations laid waste; Our Bo­dies, Wives, Virgins, prostituted to the mercy of the Bloody Enemies of God and us: and rather then fail, endeavour it [Page 22] with your own hands, then that you should be disappointed of the sweetness of that gain, you got by our Losses and Ru­ines? Why should you be grieved at the heart, that you did not fully assert the King of Scots interest, when as you see God is against him, and against his bloudy House; And the Lord knows how much you are under vengeance, for what you have done for him, already? Would you be thus measured to your selves?

Doe you think that the Cause here which hath in its weak­est condition born down all before it like a mighty Torrent, will not quit it self against your unrighteous Attempts?

Think you that this State, who to do their People Right, have not spared King, nor Constitution, Friend or Brother; but have travelled through ten years bloudy Wars; waiting upon God for such a day as this, Even in the way of his Judg­ments, which he hath brought forth; Ought or can with a Salvo to their Duty, and a due regard to the presence of God, with them in pursuing Right, and the Reputation hee hath put upon them, permit the People of England to be so grossely injur'd? No, no, should they, which I trust never will be; the Lord will finde a way, to preserve his Cause amongst Us, and right Us on our Enemies; for it is God that ma­nageth our Cause and Interest, whose wonted Presence as we found it upon your late Assault; So we doubt no, but that he will Signally manifest that he is with Us upon our future Engagements.

In the humble confidence of which, we go forth, and wait upon him for a Blessing on our Undertakings.

I had thought here to have concluded; but sithence the States of the United Provinces, and their Abettors talk so much, of the Reformed Protestant Religion, and of Liber­ty, and endeavour to insinuate some Indearment upon the hearts of many, upon that account: It seems to mee to bee worth the while, and very necessary a little to discourse, how far those States, have by their Actions appeared considerable, at to those two grand and noble Interests, and those things being well weighed, together with the Cause now on foot in England, their Carriage to other States in point of Leagues, [Page 23] Treaties and Amity, and particularly with this Nation, how far it is safe for England to enter into a strict League and U­nion with those People.

Interest is the true Zenith of every State and Person, accor­ding to which they may certainly be understood, though cloa­thed never so much with the most specious disguise of Religi­on, Justice and Necessity: And Actions are the effects of In­terests, from whom they proceed, and to whom they tend naturally as the stone doth downward. So that unless it be in some things seemingly contrary Acted, now and then, the better to work about the grand End: (for the Devil himself mostly deceives, when he appears as an Angel of Light) and in cases of necessity where force and power constrain another Course, (which will return into the old Channel, the first opportunity) thereby the measure of every state and person may be taken and determined. Therefore it will be requisite to instance in some of the practises of the United Provinces in reference to the things proposed; where by some Judgment may be given therein; And if such Presidents be not accor­ding to what they do pretend, yet it is but their own Picture, by which if they would not have themselves known, they should have forborn by such Practises, to have set it forth to the world, or by their late Actions to necessitate Us in point of our safety and intimate concernment, to set forth any thing of that nature, for a warning to England: It being so farre from us to delight in the uncovering of their nakednesse, that we wish (if the Lord had pleased) that there had been no such things done, or any occasions offered us, to take notice thereof, since we have wished so well to, and done so much for their advantage.

First, concerning the Interest of the Protestant Religion: True it is, that it hath been there for many years professed, and exercised; and with the fruit of the power of Godliness, in many afore time, and wee hope at this present that some are there eminent for the profession thereof: and they have been a place of Refuge to many precious Saints, from the bitter persecutions of the Enemies of God, and true Religi­on, Isay. 16. 4. which God hath always taken well even of Moab, and [Page 24] hath rewarded it with long and many kindnesses, and for his peoples sake, and the hiding of his out-casts, hath lengthned the tranquillity of places, who otherwise have been the peo­ple of his wrath: And if any thing prevail with God to save them from destruction, certainly this will be a chief one: but withall it is to be considered,

1. That all other Religions, have had their professions there as well as the Protestant, and the Exiles thereof recei­ved and protected, even of what is most contrary to the Do­ctrine of the Gospel of Christ, and the Scriptures.

2. The Exercise and Protection aforesaid is upon a State principle of advantage, not upon a principle of true Religi­on, whereby they not only keep quiet at home, but draw all such people to their quarters. (It being the only place of such priviledge in the world) and thereby have been possessors of their Vertues, Ingenuities, Friends, Occupations, Persons, and Estates.

3. In the 36 Articles that themselves proposed to England, as the matter of a Treaty for a strict Union formerly, and in their late Treaties here, they have neither mentioned, nor proposed any thing concerning Religion.

4. In point of gain, they have not only deserted the oppor­tunities of effecting the liberty of the true Protestant Religi­on in other places, which they might have done by their pow­er and interest; and particularly their own flesh and bloud. Contrary to their holy and perpetual Union (as it is styled) but have assisted Popish Princes against the poor Protestants; when they have been contending in bloud for their Religion and Liberty, as by the following instances may appear.

In the 13 Article of the Union of Ʋtricht, in the year 1579. it is said; That what concerneth the point of Religi­on, Those of Holland and Zealand shall dispose of it accor­ding to their pleasure, and the other Provinces of this U­nion, may regulate themselves according to the intention of the Treaty of Peace about Religion made between Archduke Matthias, Governour and Captain General then of these Lands, with those of his Councel of the States General in the year 1558.

[Page 25] In the first Article of the said Union is promised an Eternal Union, and never to separate, (consequently never to for­sake the members that have signed the said Union; Amongst those that signed the said Union, are also those of Antwerp, those of Gant, and those of Bruges.

Contrary to this Union those of Holland and Zealand, made a Truce with the Spaniard in the year 1609. for 12 years, and a peace in the year 1648. and left out the said Towns of Antwerp, &c. notwithstanding that there was all likelihood, that they might have delivered those Towns, from the yoak of the Spaniard, and have obtained freedome, if they would for those of the Protestant Religion in those Towns, especial­ly for Antwerp, as by what follows may appear. For the Town of Antwerp, 'tis true it was taken by the Duke of Par­ma, and in the Spaniards possession; but how easily it might have been re-taken, will appear, when as it is considered, that upon a new League and Agreement made with Lewis 14. King of France, and the States of the United Provinces to pursue the War against the Spaniard conjointly: the said King drew 20000 Foot, and 4000 Horse into the Field in Flanders, ac­cording to the third Article of the said League, infesting the Spaniard on the one hand, whilst the Prince of Orange drew his Army forth towards Antwerp, upon the same Article, to assist the taking in of which, the French over & above the for­mer agreement of men and money, lent them 3000 horse and 3000 foot, which also were shipped and landed, as desired, ready to join in performance of that exploit. The Prince of Orange having taken in the Castle of Teemche, lying by the Scheld beyond Autwerp; The French the Town of Dunkerk, might easily have made himself Master of the Town of Ant­werp; they within having as good as tendred themselves up to him; yet the Prince of Orange neither besieged nor assaul­ted the said Town: but having left the Castle of Teemche, assoon as he had taken it, in a manner, the design pretended against Antwerp vanisht, to the great discontent of the French, whose 6000 supplies were not made use of, and committed many outrages, in the County of Waes, and the leaving that Town in the hands of the Spaniard, and the poor Protestants [Page 26] there, their owne flesh and blood (called in dirision Brothers) to the oppression of the Catholiques, and other mischiefes to this very day; contrary to the Union aforesaid, whereby they were obliged to redeem them (if taken) out of the hand of the Spaniard.

How easie it was for them to have possessed Antwerp, the forementioned particulars do evince; and the whole Army of the Prince of Orange that were there know, and the world is not ignorant thereof: And all this for no other reason, as can be imagined, but that the Town of Antwerp being thus reduced, would have drawn to its selfe its ancient and great Trade, which Holland and Zealand enjoyes, whilst Ant­werp continues in the hand of the Spaniard, and the Scheld shut up.

In the year 1624. presently after the Treaty of Campeigne, made between Lewis 13. King of France, and the States of the Ʋnited Provinces, concerning a Subsidie against Spain; another little Treaty was at the Hague, between the King of France, and the States, wherein the States agreed to furnish the King of France with 20 ships under the command of Ad­miral Haultaine in a design to shut up Genoa by water, whilst the Constable Lesdigueries should besiege it by land.

The War between the Protestants of France, of which Ra­chel was the chief, and the King of France falling out in the mean time, the said King agreed also by his Ambassador Mon­sieur de Belluion with the said States for 20 ships against the Protestants of France, whereof having received 8. the French King by his Ambassador Monsieur d'Espesses at the Hague, moved the States, that in regard he had present need of the other twelve ships, which were not yet ready, that the States should let him have twelve of the twenty that were designed for Genoa, to be commanded by French Officers, though the Lords States judged it better, that they should be commanded by their own. And these ships were to be imploy­ed against the Duke of Sonbize principally, who was tending to England for reliefe: Whereupon the Lords States deputed the Lords of Essen, Noortwyck, and Bootelar, to enter into conference with the said Ambassador; who after many de­bates [Page 27] the 12. of Aprill 1625. at the Hague, did finally agree and conclude, First, That the 20 ships should he forthwith sent to Sea, and that the Admiral Haultain, that should com­mand them, being come to the height of Callice and Dover, shall give advice thereof to his Majesties Troops being at Haure de Grace, That they may there imbarque themselves, and that they then doe joyn with the Fleet, and conjunctly steer their course to the Isle of Wight; where being informed where the Duke of Soubize did keep himself, and what For­ces he might have: And having first resolved how they might set upon him, then they should put aboard the French Foot into 12 of those ships, which afterwards should be commanded by French Officers, under the conduct of the Admirall Haul­tain, and this notwithstanding without removing out of the ships, the Dutch Captains, Officers, or Mariners: but in case they should be informed, That the Duke of Sonbize was re­duced to obedience, or that the 12 ships of Supplies were ar­rived, then the said 20 ships shall remain under the conduct of their Captains; and the last 12 arrived ships shall be com­manded by French Captains; and then the 20 according to Treaty, might passe, as it was agreed on.

These ships were imployed against the Duke of Soubize, and the charge defrayed by the French King; and if any of the said ships came to miscarry in the French service, the loss was to be made good by the French King.

Whilst the Admirall Haultain was at Sea in the Design a­foresaid, a Gentleman came to give his wife a visit; who as­king her how she did, she told him, That she was very much perplext, and troubled in herself, not being able to satisfie her own Conscience: For if she prayed for the prosperity of her hus­band, then she should pray against her owne Religion: For her hus­band served against the Protestants: And on the other side, if she prayed for the Protestants, then she should pray against her Hus­band.

Yet it is observable, how God crost the Dutch in point of advantage in this business: For though the ships performed very great service for the King of France, and the poor Prote­stants were utterly subdued; yet the King of France, or the [Page 28] Cardinal Richelieua little after ordered a great number of their Merchant ships to be kept by force in the French Harbours, and altogether, some with their Cables, Anchors, Lading, and what else belonged to them, were sunk in the Channell of Ro­chell; for which great losse and charge, the Dutch were not paid in many years after. And when they were paid, it was by piecemeals, being enforced to give great Bribes and Presents for the accomplishing thereof.

And to all this I might add, what they have done in assisting the late King of England and his son against the truly godly of this Nation. But this is already discoursed.

When a people come to be bold on God, 5. and in presumption of his favour, upon some good act or other of theirs; take li­berty to commit all manner of wickednesse, even to the put­ting out the face of Religion, supposing that God is engaged to passe by their iniquity, because of some acts of righteousnes, and make such use of his patience and long-suffering, which should lead them unto repentance, 2 Pet. 3. 9. as to think he delayes his coming, and therefore fall on beating their fellow-servants, and eat and drink with the drunken, and of his holding of his peace, and permitting of them success, that he is one like unto themselves, and approves of their falsness and wickedness. Here what the Scripture saith in this particular, Psal. 50. 21, 22. These things hast thou done, and I kept silence, thou thoughtest that I was altogether such a man as thy selfe: But I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes. Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deli­ver you.Isai. 61. 8. I the Lord hate robbery for Burnt-offering.Jerem. 7. 4, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16. Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The Temple of the Lord, the Temple of the Lord: the Temple of the Lord are these, Behold, you trust in lying words that cannot profit. Will you steale, murther, and commit adultery, and swear falsly, and burn Incense unto Baal, and walk after other Gods whom you know not, and come and stand before me in this House, that is called by my Name, and say, We are delivered to commit all these abominations. Behold, even I have seen it. Go to Shiloh, where I set my Name at the first, see what I did to it, for the wickedness of my people Israel.

[Page 29] And now because you have done all these works saith the Lord, and I spake to you rising up early and speaking, but you heard not, and I called you, but you answered not: therefore will I doe to this House as to Shiloh, and I will cast you out of my sight, as I have done your Brethren. Therefore pray not thou for this peo­ple, neither lift thou up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me, for I will not hear thee.Matth. 24. 48, 49, 50, 51. But and if that evill servant shall say in his heart, My Lord delayeth his coming, and shall begin to smite his fellow-ser­vants, and to eat and drink with the drunken: The Lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an houre that he is not aware of, and shall cut him asunder, and ap­point him his portion with the Hypocrites: There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

2. For the Interests of Libertie, it is true, they are in a condi­tion of a Free State; but so far from establishing others in the same condition, who have groaned under the sad oppression of Tyrants; that it is known to Europe, how their great designe hath been to be Free Men themselves, and to make the world (as far as they are able) their slaves and vassals. So far have they been from the true Principles of Freedom, which is ready to make others as free as it self.

We need not run far for Instances of this nature, nor mul­tiply them: Our own late experience will be enough to e­vince this particular. The kindness, blood, and money afor­ded by the Parliament of England in the days of Queen Eli­zabeth, 1575 put them into the condition of Liberty from the Sword of Spain: The power and interposition of England in the days of King James, caused them to be declared a Free State. 1609 The Valour and Arms of English men hath stood by them, to seucure their Freedom. Yet when the Parliament of England were enforced to contend in blood for Libertie and Religion, against the Armies of our late Tyrant, and his son, who sought to destroy both, and had the influence of the same designes, upon themselves by the Prince of Orange. Yet none contributed more assistance to that King and his son, then the United Provinces: and none more scorned, abused, and in­jured the Parliament and their Friends, then the Neatherlan­ders. [Page 30] In so much that they appeared as one body, and carry­ing on the same designe as members thereof, and that the same soul possessed them, appears in what they have lately at­tempted upon this Nation, as hath been at large mentioned in the former part of this discourse.

Much might be also said concerning their endeavour to mo­nopolize all Trade into their own hands; having by their League with the King of Denmark, begun in the year 1649. and ratified in the year 1651. which was managed by Ʋlefeld, Ambassador for that King, agreed with the said King for the passage of the Sound at 140000 Pattacoons, or Dolors per annam for certain years to come, and that the said King should not (during those certain years) let it at the same rate to any other Nation: whereby they have in effect excluded all other Nations from the Baltick Trade; The Eastland Trade. The Trade of Sweden, Lyfeland, Prussia, Poland, Pomerania, Silesia, &c. in regard they have the passage of the Sound at so low a rate, and that others must not only pay the King of Denmark's old Toll: shew their Pass to the Dutch Commissary; but pay the same Toll over again, if they come to Holland: also all other ships, that formerly used from Hol­land to Trade through the Sound, or return through the Sound to Holland, or other places. And in effect have forced the Merchandize of the Baltick Sea (viz) Masts, Pitch, Ca­bles, Iron, Copper, Brass, Clapboard, Tar, and other Stable Commodities, to their own Markets, where they put their own prices upon them, and it is at their choice, whether they will part with them or no.

Also by their denying all Nations to sail or trade to Grave­ling, Dunkirk, Newport, Ostend, Blackenbergh; they have ta­ken to themselves all the Commerce of Flanders and those parts; during their war with Spain, and in the mean time themselves did furnish those of Brabant, Flanders, Consen, Dunkirk, and Graveling: And by their treacherous, cruel, and inhumane dealing with the English in Amboyna in the year 1622, and dispossessing of them out of those Islands; have monopolized the Trade of Nutmegs, &c. from all the world, and wickedly have ravished, and detained it from the [Page 31] English; but I shall forbear further discoursing hereof; it being besides my purpose largely to treat concerning these things; onely this may be taken notice of; that where they have seen any thing of advantage, if by cunning, force, or fraud, they have been able; no consideration of Right, Friendship, Leagues, Humanity, or Religion, have held them from the en­deavouring the accomplishing of the same.

For their carriage in point of Leagues, and Treaties, I shall onely give some instances, of latter years, for proof of which we shall not be enforced to history; but to the living Testimo­nies of the present times, in which I shall be necessitated to be a little large. My first shall be of France.

In the year 1627 a Treaty of Confederacy or Alliance was agreed on at Paris, August 28. between Lewis the 13th. King of France, and the States of the United Provinces, to relieve each other, and to secure the Trade and Commerce of each other; but this was not ratified, till the yeer 1630. At this Treaty it was agreed on, likewise,

‘That if the King of France did enter into a war with Spain the Dutch were to as­sist him; and the King of France was to do the like: as long as the Dutch continued the war with the Spaniard; also both parties coming to break; they were not afterwards to make Peace with Spain directly or indirectly, but conjoyntly, and with the consent of both parties, and that under the word Peace was comprehended also, a Truce or suspension of Arms, as by the third Article thereof doth at large appear.’

This was concluded on the thirtieth of June 1630. between Monsieur de Beangy, Ambassador of the King of France: and the Commissioners of the Lords States of the United Provinces; and ratified to continue for the space of seven years; being occasioned by several offers of the King of France; both of men and money; in case the Dutch should continue the War with Spain; and not to make a Peace or Truce without the consent of the King of France: 100000. l. Sterling. (viz.) 1

and [Page 32] should make on their side a powerful onset, on the place a­greed on, with 30000. Foot and 4000. Horse. 3. That if good Considerations move the States to continue the war; that he would give them a greater sum of money then a milli­on, as long as the war should last.

The Lords Commissioners of the States in answer, propo­sed that the King of France should break with Spain, and fall into the Country of Artois and Henault with 40000 men; and that they would then fall upon him with all the power they could make.

That till such time that as the King of France did fall into open war into Artois, &c. the Lords States should be free to make a Truce or Peace with Spain; but after they are joynt­ly entred into a war, neither shall make Peace or Truce with­out they other.

That if the Lords States shall not think fit to yeeld to a Peace with Spain; the King of France shall give them two millions French money to be paid at London or Venice. 200000. l. Sterling. But the States having a minde to continue war with Spain; struck up immediately into an Alliance, as aforesaid. Notwit­standing which, the States did endeavour to make a Peace or Truce with Spain, and the States of Flanders, without the advice or consent of France; as appears by several passages, of the underhand dealing of the Dutch with the Spaniards, in a Complaint made by the French Ambassador to the States:

It is true, this Treaty with the Spaniard took no effect, be­cause they could not get their ends of the Spaniard, and the State of Flanders, though they had been contriving to make a Peace with Spain two years together.

When the said Treaty was broken off, the States of the U­nited Provinces began presently to treat with Monsieur Char­nasse, Ambassador for France, about a League Offensive and Defensive; which though the Province of Holland liked not, because being rid of the Spaniard, they expected the French as a more powerful Enemy; and therefore protested against it; yet that prevailed not; but at the Hague, April 15. 1634. an Offensive and Defensive League was concluded [Page 33] on; wherein no Peace was to be made with Spain, entring upon war conjoyntly. And that the present Treaty shall no waies prejudice that which was made the 17th. of June 1630. but to remain in full force and power in all things. And this Treaty was made for the space of seven years; to begin from the day agreed on, as also the preceding Treaty of the year 1630. shall continue for the time that is therein agreed on; and that this Treaty shal be renewed at the end of seven years, if both parties were willing to it, as by the 6, 7, and 10th. Ar­ticle of the said Treaty doth appear: Signed and sealed by Charnasse, and the Lords Commissioners of the States.

In the year 1635. February 8. A League Offensive and Defensive was concluded and ratified by Lewis the 13th, and the States General of the United Provinces; where the ninth Article saith expresly: That in case after the signing, sealing, and ratifying of this Treaty for a breach with Spain; either Party should come to make a Peace, Truce, or Suspension of Arms, that then this shall not be done, but by a conjoynt consent of the King of France, and the Lords States of the Ʋnited Provinces: likewise both Parties are obliged to break con­joyntly, and to enter into a War against the Spaniards, and their Adherents; as often as they happen to break or to violate any of the Conditions agreed on in the Treaty of Peace, or Truce, which shall be made; without which neither Party can afterwards make any new Treaty of Peace or Truce, then con­joyntly, or by common consent, conditionally that if it come to be violated, his Majesty and the Lords Estates shall enter con­joyntly into open war, against those that are the brekers thereof;An in the 14. Article it is agreed on both sides: That this pre­sent Treaty shall no waies derogate from any thing that was a­greed on in the former Treaties of the 15.April, 1634. ma [...]e at theHague, which shall remain in full power, and entire to be executed in all points.

Presently after this Treaty both Armies joyned hard by Maestricht, and took Tienen, and besieged Loven; and the State lost Schenchen Schans; to recover which both Armies came and incamped; and it was retook afterwards by the Dutch.

[Page 34] Notwithstanding all this, presently after the ratifying of this solemn Treaty; and that the war was already begun with Spain, and the French had entred into it partly for their sakes; there were more Overtures made by the Spanish side concer­ning a Peace with the Dutch; who presently began to enquire after them so far; as that the Prince of Orange and the States General, sent their Atturney General Musch to Craneberg to speak with Don Martín Axpe, Secretary to the King of Spain about it, and this without the consent of the French, who coming there found that this Secretary had no sufficient pro­curation from the King to Treat; besides the Spaniards were too strange and exorbitant in their demands, that there was no hope of gaining any thing; whereupon Musch returns, and makes report of it to the Prince of Orange, and the States Ge­neral; whereupon this Treaty was broken, and the war carri­ed on very fiercely, but the Dutch would never confess any of this to the French Ambassador Charnasse, when he told them of it, but denied it, saying, there was no such thing; and this was told the Lord Pauw, who presently after went Ambassador into France, by the King of France; who likewise denied it; there the King told him plainly, That these secret proceedings did contradict their solemn Treaty; and how much it did differ from the justice his Majesty had used towards them. The Dutch, to excuse themselves, said, That they had communica­ted it to Charnasse; but it was after they had notice given them, that their design would not take, and that the Spaniard stood too much on Tipto.

This League Offensive and Defensive concluded in the year 1635. was renewed in the year 1636. where in the tenth Article it is expresly set down that this present Treaty shall no waies derogate from the former Treaties made beween the King of France and the said States, dated at the Hagne Sep­tember 6. 1636.

In the year 1637, there was another Treaty, where the 7 ^th, Article saith, that it shall not derogate from the former Treaties but shall all remain in force and vigour, to be Religiously obser­ved, and effected on both sides.

In the year 1639, where in the 7 ^th Article it is expressed, [Page 35] that it shall no ways derogate from the things concluded on in the former Treaties; but shall remain in their full force and vigour to be religiously kept on both sides.Made at St Germains, 26 April, 1639.

Nevertheless the Dutch Treat again with the Spaniard; whereupon in the year 1640. Monsieur de la Thuillerie was sent Ambassador into Holland to let the States know, that they could not conclude a Peace with Spain, but conjoyntly; His Commission being to hinder a Peace or Truce without France: to tell them, that they were not capable to make a Peace or Truce without his consent: that it would be quite contrary to their Treaties, Honour, and Interest: and that if he perceived any such inclination in them, to protest against them for breach of Leagues and Covenants.

Whereupon in the year 1641, was made another Treaty: the 6 Article of which saith, that it shall no ways derogate from any thing that hath been formerly agreed on: all which shall remain in their full force and vigour to de Religiously observed on both sides. Made at Paris, Feb. 14. 1641.

In the year 1642. there was another Treaty made, where in the 6 ^th Article you have the same as is mentioned before in the sixt Article, 1641. made at St Germains, Jan. 7. 1642.

In the year 1643 there was another Treaty, in the sixt Ar­ticle of which is expresly set down as in the forementioned 1642. made at Paris, March 3: 1643.

The King hapning to die in May following, his son Lewis 14 ^th succeeding him, this Treaty was reconfirmed by him, August 30. 1643.

In this year 1643, the Lords States of Holland began to con­sult of sending to Munster, to treat of a Peace with Spain with­out the consent of France: at which the other States were offended; and Monsieur de la Thuillerie was no ways back­ward to perswade them from making a Peace, but pari passu, according to the Treaties.

Therefore whilst the Lords States were busie in sending Plenipotentiaries to Munster, there was a Treaty made in the year 1644. called Ligue Guarantie. In the third Article of which Treaty are expresly the words of the ninth Article of [Page 36] the Treaty made with Lewis thirteenth, and the sixth Article saith, that this Treaty shall no ways derogate from any thing that hath been concluded on, in former Treaties, which are to be vigo­rously and religiously observed by both parties. made at the Hague March 1. 1644. and the 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7. Articles speak ex­presly, that no Peace shall be made directly or indirectly, without the consent of both, in very full and Emphaticall expressions, which I forbear to mention, because of brevity.

In the year 1645. another Treaty was made for the carry­ing on of the War conjoyntly, and not to make any peace without the consent of each other: abrogating nothing that concern'd for­mer Treaties; but all those things remaining in full force and vertue.

The King of France understanding that the States of the United Provinces were resolved to make a Peace with Spain, in the year 1646. offered the Dutch a greater summ of mony, and more men then ever was agreed on formerly; in case the Dutch would stick to their Treatie of Ligue guarantie in the year 1644. and that neither party should make peace without the consent of the other: conformable to these Articles.

1. That the King should assist during that year the States General with 1200000 livers, sterling. 120000l. for no other use then to maintain an extraordinary supply of Souldiers, whereupon the States do promise faithfully and Religiously to assault their Enemies with all their force and power. 2. That the King of France shall give assignations for the said money, to be paid all of it before the end of October following. 3. In consideration whereof the States do oblige themselves, to raise a strong Army, and to bring them in the field; and to make some considerable enterprize: the King of France also promiseth the same in the Low Countreys, to disadvantage his enemies as much as lyes in his power. 5. This Treaty shall no ways derogate from the former Treaties, which shall be faithfully and religiously observed and effected. Signed and Sealed at Paris, April 6. 1646.

In explanation of the third Article, the King of France was to bring an Army into the field of 18 or 20000 foot, and 4 or 5000 horse, by the fourth of May following. The States [Page 37] obliged to set to sea 30 men of war of 2, 3, 4, and 500 tuns to hinder the enemy from entring into Flanders by Sea, and to invest such Towns by sea, as the King of France shall besiege by land, hindring relief to such Towns, either from the King of Spain or any other: also to keep their Armie in the field, so long as the good of the common Cause shall require it, and the season of the year will permit. According hereunto both armies drew into the field: but the Dutch held the French in suspence, appearing well in the field with their armie; but when they were desired to undertake some notable Enterprize, they put the French off with delays, of which the French King complains, but to little purpose; for not long after, the Dutch begin to treat with the Spaniard without the consent or advise of the French, which was chiefly set on by Holland.

Then comes the Marquiss de Castel Rodrigo from Brussels to the States with a full power to treat, the same was confir­med from Munster: the Earl Penneranda sends word of it by his Secretary to the States Ambassadors at Munster, and Mon­sieur Le Brun, the King of Spains Ambassador came personal­ly to the Hagte, and shewed the Originall Copie of the said power to the States, dated June 7.

This stir'd up many to conclude the Peace suddenly.

The French Ambassador made several complaints hereof to the States, also that the Catholick Religion was not permitted at Hulst, according to the Treaty in the year 1635. desired their resolution in writing for the tolleration of the Catho­lick Religion in those Towns that should be taken that Sum­mer.

Then Monsieur le Thuillerie went to Breda to consult about marching of the armies, which was carried on but coldly, though there seemed great advantage to offer it self, and all likelyhood to carry Antwerp, which France urged very much. The Prince of Orange replyed, That they had not men enough; secondly, he knew not, in case the Town should be taken, how to satisfie France in point of Religion; France willing to give them any content, thereby to take them off from making Peace with Spain, freely offered them a supernumerarie of 3000 horse, provided that upon reducement of Antwerp, the Ca­tholique [Page 38] Religion might there be tolerated. Signed D' E­strades at Breda, June 22.

The Lords Commissioners accepted with all humble ac­knowledgement the tender of 3000 Horse, but withal desired the loan of 3000 Foot, June 29 following. The Duke of Orleans by Captain Remond sent this answer, wherein he gran­ted their desire both of 3000 Horse and 3000 Foot, provided that the Catholick Religion be allowed as aforesaid. Made at Breda, July 4. 1646. Signed Remond.

Whereupon the Lords Commissioners promised to the King of France and Queen Regent, that the Town of Antwerp falling into their hands, they would leave there the exercise of the Catholick Religion free and publick. Made at Breda, the 11 July, 1646. and signed by the Commissioners, and in expli­cation of the said agreement, the Churches left for that pur­pose shall be four.

But that it may appear, not onely how the Dutch did one while Treat with the French, and make a shew of Friend­ship, and that they would not break their Leagues with the French, yet did deal under-hand with the Spaniard for the conclusion of a Peace, as I have shewed already. I shall now shew you how unhandsomely they served the French, after the grant of these supplies, and how they might have taken Antwerp, if they had pleased. Upon the ratifica­tion of the former things, the Army of the Prince of Orange advanceth towards Antwerp, and he was with his Army the 26 of July at Stechen; then at Loqueren, the French Supplies came according to Promise. Teemche Castle lying by the Schelde, beyond Antwerp, was taken in; the people of Antwerp did as good as offer up the Town to the Prince of Orange The French in the mean time had taken Dunkerk, Antwerp would have followed with ease; But the Prince of Orange left Teemche Castle assoon as he had taken it, though that was the time to have taken Ant­werp, and never besieged or assaulted the said Town; but the design thereof soon vanisht, and the 6000 Auxiliaries not made use of, to the great discontent and dammage of the French; who by sparing such a number, were disinabled to [Page 39] undertake any considerable thing that Summer, and to the ruine of the poor Protestants there, as I said before; and the Treaty of Munster with the Spaniard went on, without the notice or consent of the French. And the French Ambassador told the States, that some of the State-Plenipo­tentiaries at Munster, had been with the Spanish Plenipoten­tiaries, and assured them, that although the Army of the States General should march into the field, yet they should on­ly lie still, and effect nothing to the prejudice of the Spaniards. Also the French Ambassadors shewed the States several Let­ters which they had received from France, making mention of some Letters intercepted of Pennerandas, wherein [...]ee writes, That the Peace was agreed on, without having any regard to the French Interest, which was not so much as na­med by the Dutch; and though the other Provinces should hee against it, yet because Holland was for it, they would soon bring the other Provinces to a compliance, as it did appear af­terwards.

But to proceed, the War being carried on against the Spa­niard conjointly from the year 1635. to the year 1647. It brought the King of Spain very low: Who thereupon sent his Ambassadors; The Lords Conde, De Penneranda, and A Brun, to sollicit the Dutch to a Treaty of peace; who not­withstanding all the forementioned Leagues and Treaties to be faithfully and religiously kept, that no Peace or Truce should be made with Spain without the consent of both par­ties, having entred into a Ligue Guarrantie several times for that purpose; the French being thereby deeply engaged a­gainst the Spaniard; and having begun these Allyances and War upon the desire of the Dutch; yet they entred upon a Treaty of Peace without the consent of the French; and not­withstanding the several speeches of the French Ambassadors; the Letters of the King, and at last the Ambassadors Protest; the 30 Januar, 1648. A Peace was signed, sealed, and rati­fied at Munster▪ between Philip 4. of Spain, and the States of the United Provinces.

I shall only give you a touch of the proceeds of the French Ambassadors, with the States during this Treaty, and the [Page 40] States to him: and so conclude this long, yet necessary and pertinent story.

The States General having taken their final resolution for a Treaty of peace with Spain, Monsieur de Thuillerie the French Ambassador Extraordinary, the 15 November 1647.presented a paper to the said States, wherein hee told them,

The States resolution being once for all confirmed, they an­swered this Paper with silence. The Heer Van Nederhorst, was the only man of the Plenipotentiaries that scrupled the signing of the said Treaty; and his reason was, because their League and Covenants with the French King, were not yet abrogated, and that Oath of Agreement, by which they were tyed to him, not yet taken away; who being one of the Ple­nipotentiaries, feigning himself not well, desired leave of the States for his healths sake to come home; but the true cause why he desired to come away, was to avoid signing, it being against his Conscience for the reasons aforesaid.

[Page 41] The King of France understanding that the Treaty between the Spaniard and the Dutch was agreed on and signed, sent a Letter to the States dated 14 Februar. 1648. wherein hee tells them,

The 3: March afterward, Monsieur La Thuillerie had au­dience given him in the Assembly of the States, where he made great complaints against their irregular proceedings in the Treaty of Peace with Spain, against their own solemn Trea­ties with France,

Monsieur de la Thuillerie, receiving no answer to this, upon the 17 of March following, demanded Audience, where hee [Page 43] made another Proposition much like the former, being resol­ved not to give over propounding, till he had gotten an an­swer: Who at length gave him this for answer.

That they were heartily sorry, Note, Pen­nerands Letter in­tercepted, saith, that the French were not so much as named in the treaty by the Dutch. there could not bee the like Treaty of peace concluded on between the two Crowns of Spain and France, as they had made with Spain. That they had commanded their Plenipotentiaries to use their utmost endea­vours to bring those two Crowns to a good agreement, but all what they had done, was labour lost, to the great grief of the States.

That it was in vain to insist any longer on this point at Mun­ster, both parties being so unwilling to be reconciled. And this was the Judgement of the Lords Mediators and others, that have knowledge thereof: Or else the States Generall would not have sent for their Ministers home. That notwith­standing they were resolved to use all possible means, to bring those two Crowns ofSpain and France to an agreement; and that there be a fair correspondence kept between the Crown ofFrance, and the States of the Ʋnited Provinces; and that they would send to their Plenipotentiaries to farther with all faithfulness an accommodation betweenSpain and France.

Monsieur de la Thuillerie, perceiving the Dutch to be re­solved to conclude the peace at Munster, sent in this Proposi­tion to the Assembly, to let them understand how highly dis­contented the King his Master was, with their proceedings in making a peace with Spain, without his consent, (quoting their Leagues) and that if they proceeded on in that Treaty, as they had begun, his Master would be inforced to let the world know how unhandsomely the Lords States have dealt with him, and that he was obliged to take notice how they had dealt with the Spaniard to his prejudice, contrary to the Treaty 1635. renewed 1644. where they were to proceed pa­ri passu, both in war and peace. That if the Dutch had a mind to conclude a peace, that they would communicate to the French Plenipotentiaries at Munster, how farre they had proceeded in their Treaty with Spain, (which they had not performed all the while they had been at Munster accor­ding to agreement) for the Treaty doth say expresly in [Page 44] one of the Articles,

But this Proposition having taken no effect, the next day Monsieur de la Thuillerie, put in another Paper into the as­sembly,

Thus all along till the treaty at Munster was concluded and ratified, the French Ambassadors at the Hague, and the French Plenipotentiaries at Munster, never gave over pro­pounding to the States, what wrongs the States of the Uni­ted Provinces had done, and the Crown of France had sustai­ned by their breach of Contracts, solemn Leagues and Trea­ties; but none of them prevailed, though France at their desire had begun and prosecuted the Warre against Spain, whereby Spain was brought low; which contrary to their many solemn Contracts, to Ingenuity and Gratitude, was ta­ken up by the States, and made use of to serve their advan­tage, leaving France alone to contend with Spain to this day; refusing to lend the King of France supplies of money, whereof he had occasion, according to the treaty of Cam­peigne, 1624. when the French King supplyed them; and having tyed up their hands from assisting the French against the Spaniard by their League de non offendendo. The Plenipo­tentaries of the States of the United Provinces that transact­ed this affair, were Bartolt, Van Gent. John of Matenesse. Adrian Pauw. I. Knuyt. G. Van Reed. J. V. Donia. Willi­am Ripperda. Adr. Claut. Notwithstanding these proceed­ings with the Spaniard, the King of Spains Ambassador Le Brun, complains that the States have broken 17 Articles of the late treaty at Munster.

I have been the larger in this, because it is so full necessary, [Page 46] and pregnant an Instance, whereby at once the States inside is turned outside exactly; and a rare President and Caution given to this Nation and all Princes, to discern these serpents under all their green and smooth expressions of friendship; and their most solemn stipulations for that purpose; of which in my judgment I could omit nothing: I shall therefore be more brief in the following Instances, and forbear the quoting as many as I intended, least by too much prolixity I might offend.

The next that I shall produce, is Portugal, who whilst under the Command of the Spaniard, were understood and Prose­cuted as Enemies by the Dutch, because one with Spain.

But in the year 1640. the Kingdom of Portugal, making themselves free and distinct from Spain, all good Patriots in the united Provinces did look upon it, as a business of great good and welfare, and an order was made for a cessation of Arms at Sea against the Portugal.

But those of the East and West Indie Companies (true Lu­criones) shewed their regret at this publick joy, foreseeing by this that their Piracies exercised against the Portugals there must come to an end; and the conquests also, that they had promised themselves over the Portugal in the East- Indie and Brazil.

This beginning of friendship in the cessation of Arms plea­sed the Portugal extremely, who sent an Ambassador to the Hague; where there was a truce concluded on between the Portugal and the United Provinces for twelve years:

But the craftiness and cunning of the Dutch, is worthy observation; for because the East Indie and Brazil were so far off, the Hollanders caused this clause to be inserted; That the Truce should not begin in the East Indies, till within a year, and in Brazil till within half a year after the ratification thereof.

In the mean time the Hollander, before, and in the time, gave order and express advice to their men at Brazil and else­where, to do their best to take all they could get from the Portugals, as indeed they did, for they took Angola, St Tomce, [Page 47] and Marinsan; and in the East Indies they took Mallacca: also in Brazil they took and confiscated divers Portugal ships, coming to honest and Cordial friends, as the Dutch.

The Truce being made; and both Parties as well the Por­tugals, as the Hollanders, having ful notice of it; the Portu­gals at Angola relying upon the Truce, admitted the Hollan­ders as friends with a great deal of joy and alacrity into the Castle, but the Dutch being no sooner entred, they took and turned out the Portugals, and having boarded them in an ugly rotten Bark unprovided of provisions, sent them to traverse the sea in a thousand dangers; with the same deceit they en­tred into the Islands of Marinsan and St. Tomce.

Ambassadors were sent from Portugal to demand these pla­ces, the Hollanders produced the said clause of the Truce; which was all the Portugal could get from the Hollander; for said they, There is no wrong done, in regard, that in that clause is said, That each side shall hold and keep, what he can take and in such a time: Whereupon the Portugal Am­bassador said to them very well; That that must be under­stoodBona fide (viz) That which should be taken without ha­ving any knowledge of the Truce.

But those of the West Indie Company, and those that were in their service, had full knowledge of the Peace or Truce, and nevertheless had treacherously faln upon the Portugals, and taken from them those places; who no waies suspected any such cheat, but admitted the Dutch as friends. The Dutch having made the business less suspected, in regard they expressed great love to the Portugal, and ordered a cessation of Arms, before the Portugal had desired them; but for what end the world may judg: which action was the more cruel and treacherous, in regard that the King of Portugal, had but then torn himself from the Spaniard into his own rights, and in this Infancy of his Government was thus dealt withal.

Besides all this, the Government of the Dutch in Brazil hath been so ungodly, unjust, and full of tyranny (the most part that were sent over thither, being broken Merchants, lost and undone men, Roagues and Whores) who must make their [Page 48] fortunes by the Portugal; made the Portugal dispair of ever being well ruled by such a Rabble, and caused them to revolt against the Hollander, having most just cause so to do.

And it is not to be omitted, how justly God hath punished the West Indie Company in Holland, who are brought to no­thing, and what supplies soever (to their infinite great charges) have been sent thither, they have either miscarried, been beaten, or lost one way or other. And the places aforesaid taken from the Portugal by treachery, are in the Portugals hands again; so that God seems to have blown upon that Company and Design.

The Portugal Ambassador could never obtain any satisfacti­on, or so much as reason from the Hollanders for what they had done.

My third Instance shall be Sweden.

According to the Treaty between the King of Denmark, and the Emperor Charles the Fifth, as Earl of Holland and Zealand, made at Splers 1554. and according to the ancient custome; the Dutch were to pass the Sound, onely paying a Rosenoble; the ships, being then never known to be visited or searched; and this was paid because of the Lights, Tuns, and marks at sea, preserved by the King of Denmark: which Treaty after the separation of the United Provinces from Spain, the King of Denmark observed not; making what rules and ex­actions he pleased, & breaking them when he would; searching the ships also, through which many came to be confiscated: for having contraband goods, or any commodities that they gave not account of to his Officers in the Sound: and as the Dutch were strong or weak in their Convoyes, the Customes or Toll was increased, or diminished, and sometimes they past free, the Swede alwaies.

The Dutch being no longer able to controle the King of Denmark (being the onely King at Peace then in Europe) they send three Ambassadors to the King of Sweden, who at the onely request of the States General, 1640. made a League of Allyance with the said States in the same year, and confirmed [Page 49] it again in the year 1645. being by them called a League Gua­rantie, purposely to keep the Dane in awe, being besides the League of Commerce.

The Queen of Sweden in the year 1643, and 1644. entred Denmark, and made war against it: The Dutch according to their League (which was to assist one another, in case the Dane should assault either of them, with 4000 men, or ships to the proportion of the charge of so many men) sent relief to the Queen of Sweden, or rather 50 ships into the Sound: and at the same time an Ambassy, (viz) Schaep, Zoneck; Andree; to let the Dane know, si tu non vis, hic faciet.

The Dane not knowing how to turn himself, in dealing with them both, entred into a Treaty, as well with Sweden as the States of the United Provinces.

The Queen of Sweden had full satisfaction given her: but the States of Holland, by reason of the practise of the Prince of Orange, who was allyed to the King of Denmark, by his marriage of the King of Englands daughter, could not ob­tain their full liberty for their passage of their ships through the Sound: nor have the Treaty of Spiers made good to them, though the Queen of Sweden advised them to stand to the Treaty of Spiers, and she would maintain them in it: yet they obtained a reasonable rate, and that their ships should not be visited, shewing their Passes from the Admiralty, and by word of mouth, telling what they had in their ships: with which the Dane was forced to be content, and never could afterward, cause the Dutch ships to be visited: whereby the Hollander had a great advantage, and paid no more then he had a minde unto.

The King of Denmark being by this means brought some­what low, and the Queen of Sweden high, having made peace with him and the Emperor, Ʋlefelt, an Ingenuous man, and a­ble to raise and restore the Kingdom of Denmark, gave the Dunish King direction, that henceforth instead of curbing, and slighting the Hollander, he should court and cajole them, by giving them hopes of gain and profit: whereupon the King of Denmark honoured the four Earls of Nassaw, the Rheyne­grave, and the Lord of Bredero, with the order of the Ele­phant: [Page 50] Ʋlefelt going to Holland about this Errand, cour­ted them much, represented how formidable Sweden was, and that they did endeavour to undoe their trade in the East Sea, (though there was little likelyhood of this in regard the Hol­landers were great husbands, and managers of their affairs, and by their money had known how to set forth Monopolies, Sweden having little trade in comparison.

But notwithstanding all the foresaid respect and love of the Queen of Sweden in entring into a League Defensive a­gainst Denmark, on the Hollanders score, and at their request as aforesaid, whereby the States had their oportunity of making their tearms of advantage for the Sound as afore­said. She wishing them to stand to the Treaty of Spiers and she would mrintain them: and contrary to the League Gua­rantie wherein the States General are bound to assist the Swede against the Dane with 4000. men, & ships proportionable to that charge, and to maintain the Queen of Sweden free of the Sound so far as those men or proportions would reach; she be­ing then free of the Sound, and the League of Commerce; the said States General in the years 1649. and 1651. have made and concluded a League Defensive, and a Treaty of Redemp­tion with the King of Denmark, by which the Dutch are ob­liged to assist the King of Denmark against Sweden, or any o­ther Prince or State so far as 4000 men, or their proportiona­ble charge in Shipping will extend: and whereas the Queen was before free from paying of Toll, she must pay the old Toll, if she trade that way to Holland the Dutch having hired the Sound for some certain years of the Dane at 140000 Pattacoons or Dollors per annum as aforesaid, and is engaged during that time, to let it to none other at that rate: all this expresly against their Leagues with Sweden in the years 1640, and 1645. wherein they promise Sweden the same thing. Ex quibuscunque causis bello involvatur. Of which the Swedish Ministers have made several complaints to the States Generall.

I shall add no more but what our own experience of their carriage to England doth afford us; and that onely in a few [Page 51] words, leaving the full disquisition thereof, and of their carri­age, & horrible cruelties in the East Indies (chiefly under Coene) as extortions, imprisonment, killing, &c. upon the innocent inhabitants, besides the English, to some other Pen, it being so well known to us whom this concerns and I having been neces­sarily so large already in other particulars.

What England hath been to them, and how they have re­quited it, is afore discoursed: Many complaints were made against them in point of Trade in the East Indies, and other parts, which occasioned severall Treaties between them and us, and in the year 1619 all things were concluded. Notwith­standing which in the year 1622. was committed that barba­rous and wicked murther on our English in Amboyna, and the dispossessing us of those Islands of Spices to this day; with­out making any satisfaction for the blood then shed, the spoils then committed, the breach of the Treaty then made, and the Merchandize then and since taken from the English, though it amounts to great sums, and should have been perfected in the year 1625, or before it, to say nothing of any other particu­lar. Certainly the Judgement of God, and the Justice of Man will have a time to purge such blood from the Earth, which it hath defiled, and render unto them according to their deserts.

But paramount to all, was Van Trumps late assault, when we were in Amity, upon their own offers, treating for a more strict Union; as is elsewhere mentioned at large in the Parliaments Declaration: from the mischiefs and sadeffects of which, God alone by his great mercy and providence, hath delivered us.

And to all this let it onely be added, That they are already in a League Defensive and Offensive with France; a League de non offendendo with Spain; a League Defensive with Swe­den against Denmark, and Defensive with Denmark against Sweden, and all other Nations.

To sum up all; If so be by the instances mentioned, and what else may be brought of the same nature; those of the Ʋnited Provinces have made it to appear (as it seems to be ve­ry clear) that they have been so far from asserting, (though [Page 52] they pretend nothing more) the true reformed Protestant Religion, and Liberty, that they have not onely deserted strangers, that have professed and contended for the said Prin­ciples; but their own Flesh and Blood, contrary to their holy and perpetuall League and Union, called the Ʋnion of Ʋtrecht in the year 1579. as in the case of Antwerp, Gant, Bruges; but have assisted the Popish Princes in the warres against their Protestant Subjects, as in the case of Rochell; and tyrannicall Princes in their warres against their Protestant Parliament and People, contrary to the fundamentall Lawes of their King­doms, as in the case of England; and furnisht bloody Rebels with Arms, and Ammunition, and all other provisions, to com­mit the most hellish massacres upon the Protestants, as in the case of Ireland.

If so be that their sole businesse is to be free themselvs, and to have all the world their slaves, as they are able, as is manifest by the whole proceed of their affairs; and to shut up the com­merce of the world from any but themselves, as in the case of the Sound, East Indies, Amboyna, Antwerp, Flanders, &c.

If so be the strongest and most sacred Stipulatious, and Leagues solemnly sworn before God, and oftentimes renewed upon the same sacrednesse, made upon their own desires, and necessity, and grounded upon old and new curtesies and friend­ship, and upon their own interests; others have quitted Peace for their sakes onely, and weltred in blood to effect their re­quests, have been broken as two before the fire, and of no vali­dity, as in the case of France, Sweden, and England; and where they have made shew of tendernesse and affection, to help up a Kingdom rising from the ground, and yet design it onely as a cover, to possesse their strength and riches, as in the case of Portugall.

If so be they can easily swallow down Leagues contrary one to another, as Earth is to Heaven, as in the case of Sweden, Denmark, France and Spain.

If so be that when they seem mostly to desire Peace and strict union, they intend it as a disguise to cover their designs of treachery, and surprize, as in the case of Trumps late assault.

[Page 53] If so be the Basis of their actions Divine and Humane, and the whole of what ever they do attempt, be advantage and profit; and that Religion, Liberty, Principles, Leagues, Trea­ties, Friendships, Assistance, must serv as oft as they judg it fit, and think themselves able to accomplish it, though never so contrary to the being of Humanity, and all the Rules of Honesty and Faithfulnesse in the world, as in the instances a­forementioned.

And lastly, if so be we of this Nation of England, do believe that there is such a Cause of God this day amongst us, that wil take off the Isa. 9. 4. 10. 27. 14. 25. 58. 6. Burthen and the Yoak, and cause Jer. 23. 5, 6. Ezek, 45. 9. Isa. 56. 1. Gen. 18. 19. 2 Sam. 8. 15, Justice to be ad­ministred equally to all, and Isa. 9. 7. 16. 5. 42. 4. Ps, 99 4. Dan. 7. 22. establish Righteousnesse and Judge­ment in the Earth: And that as it hath done much hereof in England already, so it will perfect it, and that God his will herein, will cause to be declared, and to proceed to other Na­tions, till the whole Rom. 8 22. Creation that is now groaning under the exorbitant and wicked lusts of Kings and great ones, whe­ther in Monarchies or States, be delivered into freedom; and that this Cause will Jer. 12. 14. 46. 10. Ezek. 28. 24. Chastise every one that hath opposed it, or born evill will unto it.

Then (I say) let England judge things rightly, and take heed how they make Leagues and Union with such a people. How they forbear to mind what the Mich. 6 9. 1 King. 20. 42. 2 King. 13. 19. voyce of Providence saith to them, or neglect to take the opportunities that such a signall hand of God (as hath lately appeared) hath put be­fore them, to secure themselves, do justice to their people, and maintain the Reputation of that Cause amongst them, which God hath written his Name upon both at Sea and Land, in such unparalleld and glorious Characters.

And let every man take heed how he Jer. 7. 16. 11. 14. 14. 11 Gen. 19. 16. 17. 26 14. 12. 14, 16 1 King. 22. 28. 30. 32. seeks to bind the Hand of God, when he is shaking his Rod over a people, especially when they have upon them the symptoms of Displeasure; and how they stand in the way of Gods designes in the world, and how they expresse more tendernesse to such a people, then to the security, Blood and right of their Countrey-men, and the will of God, which we ought to pray to be done in earth as it is in Heaven.

[Page 54] For when the Lord is moved from his Throne, to doe his great works in the world, in routing Antichrist, making of his name glorious in the relieving the Ps. 103 6. 146. 7. oppressed, delivering the Isa. 61. 1. captive, helping him to Psa. 72. 12 right that hath no helper, throwing down the unrighteous Powers and Kingdoms, appearing as the righteous Judge of all the Earth. And lastly, in setting up his Psal. 2. 6. King on his holy Hill of Syon; which he hath said shall be done, and we believe and expect it to be done in these later times of the world. Let all men, yea the people of God, take heed how they stand in his way: For if his Psal. 2. 12. Wrath kindle but a little, happy are all those that trust in him.