THe States Generall of the United Netherlands unto all, which may see or hear this read, send greeting. Whereas all lawfull Magistrates (as being ordained by God Al­mighty to take care of the welfare of their subjects) are bound, not only to govern the same with discretion, and to maintain them in good order and lawfull policy; and further, wisely and prudently to prevent and suppresse all outward occa­sions, whereby the rest and tranquility of their said subjects might be disturbed, or they undergo losses or oppression: and to that end it be esteemed both honourable and profitable with good and due offices to have all, especially their Neighbouring States and Countries obligued to them, whereby they may retain a wel-grounded and assured confidence of each others fidelity, and when any distemper is befalne, may with the most easie and peaceable means compose the same in all love and friendship. But moreover it be required of them, when the cause is so exi­gent, and no other means can prevail, to use the power and strength given them of God Almighty, and consequently their weapons, and therewith manly and couragiously to oppose and suppresse all violence and injury done to their said dear subjects, and cause them to obtain satisfaction and repairation for all wrongs and damages which unjustly were inflicted upon them. And we with a compleat, upright, and good intention endeavou­ring alike the performance of both, do thank God, that he hath so blessed our rule, love, and care to and for the good of our subjects, that they have requited the same with manifest expres­sions of their reall love and ready obedience, tending both to their and our welfare, strength and conservation. And in respect of the English Nation, have ever, not only with all unfainedness and holiness on our parts maintained all friendship and good correspondency, which of old used to be observed between them and us: but moreover the said English Nation now of late be­ing disturbed within her own bowells, and rent in factions, and the people highly exasperated one against the other, we have not only with sorrow and sadnesse of heart beheld the same, and [Page 2] abstained from all partiall actions, whereby we might incur the just displeasure or dis [...]ffaction of either side: and moreover, as much as possibly we could, prevented and stopped all succour from us to either of them, whereby the fire which was kindled might be fomented, the breach made larger, and the cure more difficult and perillous; but also when the aforesaid destractions had in some parts of their Country occasioned wast, desolation, poverty, want of food; and we, by both Houses of Parliament at that time being, were earnestly intreated to admit of a pub­like collection in our Churches for the consolation and sustenance of many impoverished and needy people in the said parts: the representation of the said calamities did so work upon our hearts and the hearts of our good subjects with tender pity and Christi­an compassion, that upon the said intreaty a considerable sum of money, to the value of certain Tonnes of gold, was gathered in, and to the said end exported out of this Country, insomuch that the said Houses of Parliament did cause their Letters of Thanks­giving to be dispatched unto us, and to be exhibited and con­firmed by the mouth of their publique Minister, with externall demonstrations of great affection. With all which, finding our selfs not fully satisfied, but being deeply touched with a longing zeale and fervent desire, to see an end put to all these said misun­derstandings, and thence arising troubles, and to have a true, up­right, and innerly reconciliation made between these two so much each against the other incensed and exasperated parties; trusting we had given such manifest demonstrations of our true intentions herein, that we had hoped we might prove acceptable, and thereby also fitting instruments to help the furtherance of so good and great a work: to that purpose did undertake to make a tryall thereof, by sending to the King and both Houses of Parliament an Embassage Extraordinary imposed upon the Lords William Boreel and Johan van Rheede, Lord of Renswoude, &c. But God Almighty in his incomprehensible judgement not seeing good to put an end to the said distractions by appeasing the same, but by other means having setled the state of that Go­vernment upon another ground then formerly it was maintain­ed by; and the said Government offering unto us a treaty of mu­tuall Union and neerer Alliance; we believing the same was [Page 3] presented in all sincerity and uprightness, and considering that thereby might be obtained security of Navigation and Com­merce, not only for us, but also for all Trading Kingdomes and Countries, especially the Neighbouring, which otherwise in re­gard of divers common Interests, through misunderstandings ari­sing between us and the said Government, inevitably would be disturbed; we have not only shewed our selfs most willing and ready to accept of the said motion, but the said Government to that purpose having sent over unto us the Lords, Oliver S. John, and Walter Strickland their Embassadors Extraordinary: we have also endeavoured in all manner to comply with them, and to fa­cilitate the means to bring the said treaty to a happy conclusion, as far as the constitution of our present Government was able to suffer. So that the said Lords Embassadors being entred into conference with our Lords the Committee ordained out of the midst of us to that purpose; and having made unto them a ge­nerall and unlimited Proposition, after that we had made mani­fest unto them our sincere inclination and true love to Peace and Unity, they were in our behalf requested, that the said generall Proposition by a neerer Exposition might be opened might be o­pened and distinguished in cleare and near points, that thereby upon sure and firm grounds things might be brought to a good conclusion; and although severall well-grounded reasons were alledged, and by severall contra-propositions good way was made for an agreement: Neverthelesse at that time we could ad­vance nothing, but that the said Lords Embassadors, when a short time was expired after their first audience, the substance it selfe not once yet being touched, gave countenance that they were to depart. But through sundry perswasions, at last admitting of a willingness to prolong their time of staying, and having since exhibited neerer Propositions, we have with all speed approved our selfs so, that the said Lords Embassadors, upon the said neer­er Propositions (which themselfs declared to be of greatest con­cernment, and of such consequence, that when once we should come to be of one resolution concerning the same, there would be little difficulty in the other) have received from us such refle­ction, that in the substance there remained no difference, or if any, but very small; and we of our parts moreover revealed all [Page 4] that we found conducing further to the good of both Nations, that might be agreed upon with maintenance of the alliances we have with other Kings, Republiques, Princes and States, and so all that was needfull for the consummating of the said trea­ty; whereunto expecting the neerer Declaration of the said Lords Embassadors, they declined the same by their suddain de­parture, intimating, that the time granted unto them for their staying was expired, and consequently that they could not possi­bly proceed to an answer unto that which was propounded by us, to the end aforesaid. And although the said manner of pro­ceeding might afford matter of severall suspitions, concerning the intention of the said Government, in relation to the said treaty: because the intercurrence of a short time, which had made no alteration in the cause it selfe, ought not to have alte­red the good inteutions, and consequently ought not to have made any such interruption in the progress of the treaty: we notwithstanding on our parts (preferring the dignity and accep­tablenesse of the cause it self before all outward ceremonies, and considering the protestation made by their said Lords Embassa­dors at their departure from hence, of the sincere inclination of the said Government towards peace, and of their confidence, that although their endeavours had not been so successive, as to attain to a happy period, the same notwithstanding might not prove unfruitfull, when time should come, that we with a con­tra-visit should please to resort unto them) have not omitted to decree a considerable Embassage to the said Government, and ac­cordingly in December last year sent thither the Lords Jacob Cats, Gerard Schaep, and Paulus van de Par, our Embassadors Extraordinary, with full power and instructions for a Treaty. Although since the departure from hence of the said Lords S. Iohn and Strickland, by a certain discourteous and unneighbourly Act, published by the said Government, whereby the usuall liberty of Trade was manifestly restrained, the good corresdondency be­tween both Nations (whereby true friendship and fidelity were wont best to increase and be confirmed) was in that part evi­dently cut off, and severall of our Ships surprised, all which gave more and more suspitions, that the intentions of the said Government was no way answerable to our unfained open­heartedness, [Page 5] which afterward did most evidently appeare to be so. For after that our said Embassadors Extraordinary were ar­rived in England, and there had made an earnest and upright De­claration, of our sincere affection towards the consummating of the afore-mentioned inchoated treaty, with serious Requests, that the same might speedily and happily be brought to a perfe­ction, and to that end all things might stand in the same posture, wherein they were left at that time, when the said Lords St. Iohn and Strickland departed from us; at least till the event of that Treaty might be known: and to that purpose the said Act (by which the life and being of the said Treaty would be infringed) might be repealed, or at least the execution thereof suspended, and the surprised Ships and goods restored: The same hath not only not been taken into consideration by the said Government, as was fitting it should according to reason and equity; but con­trarily (during the said Treaty for the renewing and confirming of old Covenants and Amity, and of the entrance into neerer confederacy and compliance of Love and Union) the said Act was put in Execution, and moreover under severall unreason­able pretenses, as partly with Letters of Mart, granted by the said Government without cause (in respect we never denied or delaid Justice to any of their offended subjects, being therefore contrary to the Laws and practises of all civilized Governments, and to all former Covenancs erected betwixt both Nations) partly with Commissions given against the French, the Ships of our said Subjects have been assaulted at Sea, entered, surprised, and brought up into their Havens in a most hostile manner, the Goods plundered, the Masters and Mariners roughly used, as well by their publike Ministers, as by those which were inabled by the said Letters or Commissions, and thereby given occasion to all sorts of Robbers under the same pretences, to exercise their pira­cy, not giving regard to the constant solicitings of our said Em­bassadors to the said Government, that they would please to cause such actions to cease; much lesse making restitution to our good Subjects of their surprised and plundered ships and goods. And although by these unneighbourly actions we had just cause given us to manifest our resent, and by retortion to seek repaira­tion of the dammages, which our Subjects susteined, from and [Page 6] upon the ships and goods of the Subjects of that Government, [...] being thereunto highly provoked through an unsufferable out­rage: Neverthelesse hoping the said Government would once give place to reason, and that by way of treaty, according to ju­stice and equity, all differences might be composed; we have absteined from all manner of fact; yea though earnestly intrea­ted, have refused to give our Letters of Mart or Commissions to our wronged Subjects for reasons afore-mentioned; and of our side through our Embassadors Extra-ordinary with all earnest­nesse sought the accomplishing of the said treaty in generall, and of the afore-mentioned surprised ships and goods in particular: and on the other side to prevent all piracy and robbery for the future, and to free our Subjects from further losses, and the gene­rall commerce from a totall ruine and spoile; we resolved to set out at sea a considerable fleet of ships, and to prevent jealou­sies, and that the said Government might not mis-apprehend of this our doing (as we did like wise to other our friends and neigh­bouring countries) by our Embassadors extra-ordinary we gave notice unto them in all sincerity of this our resolution, with o­pen and upright manifestations, that the said ships should not at the least be imployed to inflict any hurt upon our friends and confederates, and namely also not upon the Subjects of their Government: but that we were of a setled resolution to main­tain all good compliance and friendship with them in sincerity, as was becoming two such neighbouring Nations. And although we expected that this notice given, ought also to have been accep­ted of by them, as a token of our unfainednesse, especially because the said Government a little time before had manifested their distaste, that a small number of our ships, not giving them time­ly notice aforehand, had shewed themselfs neare unto some Islands, which then our ships knew not to be under their com­mand: Notwithstanding we observed, that the said Govern­ment daily aiming at nothing more, then to gather pretences, whereby to give a colour to the execution of their long threatened designes, have also looked upon the said notificati­on with the same glance: insomuch that our Embassadors were necessitated in our behalf to bring more proofs where­by to make the truth thereof more apparent unto them. [Page 7] And in the meane time, that the said treaty was seriously followed by our said Embassadors, who endeavoured to bring the same into such a posture, that the said Government should be induced to de­clare themselves, and no longer to conceale their secret designes, tending to the destruction of our commerce, and the disabling of the strength of our state, under seeming pretenses of friendship, and feeding us with the hopes and appearances of a treaty: as we have most evident proofs of this their doing: Our Lieutenant Ad­mirall Tromp, whom we made Generall of our said Navy, was by them encountred with a full broad side in an hostile manner, and severall of the men of his ship miserably wounded, because he did not strike the flagge according to their fancy, though neverthelesse according to divers unanimous Declarations and evidences taken of neutrall and unpartiall men, he was busie with haling in of his Mars-sayle, and causing of his boat to be haled on, whereby to send one of his Officers aboard of the Admirall of the said Government to congratulate him with all due respects; by which encounter our said Lieutenant Admirall, and the rest of the ships under his commande, were necessitated to defend themselves, and did moderate their defence so irreprehensibly, in regard of the English Navy, that whereas ours were farre stronger in number of ships, and able to have wholly ruinated their invaders, they refrain­ed themselves and rested satisfied with their onely defence. Which discretion notwithstanding by the adverse party was so little re­spected, that, comming up with a second Esquadron of ships, they did likewise in their former hostile manner assault the hindermost of our ships, which were seperated from the body of our fleete, overcame two of them, and tooke one away. And to make this encounter serve them for a pretense, to break the aforesaid treaty, they gave out and published amongst their people, and have endea­voured to make the whole world beleeve, that the first assault in the said encounter was made by our side, and thence pretend to be wronged and affronted in the highest degree, and set themselves in a posture of open warre against us, before they once made the least complaint thereof unto us, much lesse damanding reparation for the said trespasse, which they pretend to be committed, which reason and respect to the treaty in hand, if ever their intention to­wards the same had been reall, might have perswaded them. On the [Page 8] contrary we on our sides endeavouring with true and upright hearts and mindes to reduce into a due Frame and Order, what might be displaced and out of order; our aforesaid Embassadors Extraor­dinary, no sooner had received intelligence of the said accident, but with most seriousnesse protested and declared before the Coun­cell of State of the said Government, that if things had beene acted, as they related the same, that we were wholly ignorant there­of, and to be done quite contrary to our exprrsse order, which they confirmed by exhibiting the originall letter written unto them by the aforesaid our Admiral concerning the said subject, comprehend­ing a perfect relation of the commission we gave him, and solemn­ly attesting of our intimate desires, and hearty inclinations to have and maintaine peace and unity with the said Government by a firme alliance, and indissoluble amity: and with great zeale and earnest instances beseeched them, that there might a nearer search be made into the truth of passages befallen in the said encounter, and thereupon communicated unto them the evidences taken there, to be sent over unto us: and desired that in the meane time the treaty, which they supposed was brought so far, that in a short time it might receive its happy period, might not be retarded by an un­expected casualty, beyond and against will, surely of us, through in­consideratenesse and rashnesse of one of the two parties officers, who were to give accompt of their actions, and that the same might not put the cause in a farther distance. And although this propo­sition was of great consequence & highest importance for the com­mon good of both nations, the said government notwithstanding in a long time have not dained our Embassadors, nor us, in whose behalfe the same was propounded, with their answer: being how­ever by our speciall command a second time put in minde thereof by our said Embassadors, who again delivered over the said renewed proposition, and afterwards reiterated it once more, with further confirmations of our upright intention & hearty displeasure against the said unexpected and unhappy encouneer of the said Fleets. Yea on the contrary laid hold upon all Ships of traffick and men of warre, which they could light on at Sea, belonging to these Pro­vinces, taking or sinking some with violence, misleading others un­der shew, and sending them up into their harbours, also plundring and misusing the Seamen and Souldiers, and imprisoning divers, as [Page 9] if we were in open warres with each other, without a forgoing pub­lick deniall of their Friendship towards us, which hath occasioned the losse of much innocent blood, and the utter undoing of severall of our subjects in their estates. All which extreame provocations we have with patience undergone to justifie before the world our peaceable mindes, and the uprightnesse and lawfulnesse of our pro­ceedings, as shewing that nothing is more deare unto us then the accomplishment, preservation and augmentation of good union, true confidence, faithfulnesse and amity with our neighbours; and contrarywise nothing more detestable then the horrible fruits of a consuming war, and direfull wasting of innocent Christian blood: And in consideration thereof besides our aforesaid three Embassa­dors which we had sent to the aforesaid Government for the ma­king and establishing of the abovesaid alliance, we have moreover resolved upon a second Embassage Extraordinary to be sent to the said Government, and therefore dispatched unto them the Lord Adrian Pauw, Lord of Heemstede, our Pensionary Counsellor of Holland and Westfricsland, especially upon the subject of the said late encounter and its influences, and with more serious expressions of our upright meaning and desire to pacifie the matter. And the said Government having in the meane time given out their answer to the aforesaid proposition and iterative representation of the same made unto them by our former Embassadors, in which answer having bended their affections to imbrace a bad & sinister impressi­on, which they wittily fitted and framed for a colour to their unjust and ungodly designes, as if we had set out and managed our said fleete, for to make war against them, and to destroy their Na­vy, or to shew other actions of hostility, violence or oppression a­gainst their subjects, without any regard to all former serious atte­stations and protestations to the contrary, have declared, that they found themselves obliged to endeavour, with Gods assistance, as they shall have opportunity, to seeke repairation of the wrongs (as they say) already suffered and security that the like be not attempt­ed for the future. And thereby shewed they had neither will nor inclination, to bring the matter to an accommodation, but were minded to goe on with matters of fact: The abovesaid Lord of Heemstede, both before the Parliament of England, as likewise af­terwards before the Councell of State, with strong and most cleare [Page 10] arguments disproving the truth of the said impression, and calling God almighty, the searcher of all hearts, to witnesse (he having perfect cognizance of all our affaires, because, in regard of his pub­licke charge, he had been present in all our consultations, held both in our assemblies and in the assemblies of the States of Holland and Westfrisland) could and did holily protest and depose for the assur­ed truth, that never any deliberation was held, nor resolution ta­ken, much lesse any power or commission given directly or indirect­ly, to give any the least cause of offence to the said Government, which is farre from an intention to of doing any injury to the said Fleet, or any ships belonging to the same, but surely to the con­trary, that they had order to manifest unto them all tokens of friendship and propitious affection: and once more from the bot­tome of heart with all uprightnesse protested, that the above said Sea-fight, between the two Fleets happened without our know­ledge or order, to our great sorrowfulnesse and astonishment. And considering that neverthelesse the said Government made another construction of that sad accident, then in truth it could afford, ma­king the said conflict a rock of offence, and in their aforesaid an­swer spake of reparation of the wrongs and security for the future: the said Lord of Heemstede, according to instructions which he had received from us, confessing, that the said rock of offence ought ac­cordingly to be removed, and all matter of diffidence taken away, and that he to that purpose and for the compassing thereof especi­al [...]y was delegated and sent over unto them, and to facillitate the meanes thereunto, he laboured diligently to have the said inchoated and already far brought treaty in hand to goe on, and that further to the contentation of both States good instructions and orders might be framed and given to the said Fleets on both sides, which might be to them a rule for the future how to carry themselves to each other, assuring them also, that we never was minded to call in question the honour and respect, which in former times by this state was wont to be deferred unto them: Requesting further, that the said Government in the meane time, whilst they might be busie in treating upon so good a matter, would once at length prudently give order, that all further ways of fact so long continued in respect of the aforementioned sad accident, might cease, whereas otherwise the evill was like to grow incurable. And after that in divers parti­cular [Page 11] conferences held with the Lords of the Committee of the said Councell of State, further declaring himselfe in our behalfe re­quested and presented, that a more narrow search might be made into the evidences given in by both parties concerning the said en­counter by committees appointed on both sides, and the same being examined and the naked truth found out, which side made the first atach, and thereby gave occasion for the further disorder and distemper thence arising; and if it should appeare that our Admirall made the first attach, he not onely should undergoe re­proofe, and his action be dissallowed, but also, as having gone be­yond his Commission, be punished according as the fact should seeme to have deserved: provided that the said Government finding the case to be otherwise, that their Admirall by the evidences being found to have given the first hostile attach, he in like manner under­goe punishment according as his act may have deserved: Re­newing his and our other Embassadours their former and so oft reiterated request, that at least whilst this proposition might be taken into consideration, the former treaty in points of most con­cernment might be insisted upon and furthered, the Ships and goods of our subjects, taken with violence, and brought up into their Harbours, restored, our Captaines, Ship-masters and Marri­ners relaxed and set free, and all further acts of hostility cease. And although this proposition was of such nature, that no reaso­nable soule, in which is but remaining any sparke of inclination to peace, ought to reject the same: and that all this was illustrated with sundry examples observed in like cases betweene other nations, and was confirmed by divers solemne alledged treaties; notwithstan­ding the said Councell of State, being convicted in their hearts, that their declaration concerning what happened in and about the said Sea-fight could not endure the light, & therefore having no mind to search into the truth (the concealing whereof ought to be counted sacriledge to every man though in a particular case) they have ab­solutely cast off the said examination, stopped the progresse and con­tinuance of the aforesaid principall treaty, and moreover declared, that in the present constitution of things we might not expect from them, but that they would persevere in the prosecution mentioned in their former answer given to the propositions of the aforesaid Lords Cats, Schaep and van de Par, to such end as was there exprs­sed. [Page 12] Which last answer being tarter than the former, and more unreasonable, full of injustice and violence in respect of our honest presentation: and such as gave cause sufficient to us to desist from all our friendly endeavours, especially and the more because they made no end of taking, robbing, plundering of ships and goods, per­taining to our good subjects: neverthelesse the said Lord of Heem­stede, for to shew our most constant inclination and earnest desire that all to the contentation of both sides with friendship might be brought to a good and wished conclusion, and to that end only set­ting aside all that otherwise in point of honour and respect might have been considerable, that the treaty might not wholy be broken off desired, that in regard the endeavours on our part could not at­taine to the honour of an happy issue: the aforesaid Government would please to think upon som other propositions for a peaceable agreement, trusting that once reason might finde place with them, and credit be given to our upright and unfeined protestations, and the sweet influences of a desire to peace consume the turbulent thoughts of war, and the good God laying open unto us such means, the present and further threatned calamities might be averted. But the said Government, as it appeared, mis-using the superfluity of our pliantnes to the fomentation of their pride and loftinesse; our modesty to kindle their heat towards destruction; our friendly pre­sentations for a ground to worke upon us and demand of us things, which by them with no shew of equity could be demanded, nor by us with honour and reputation granted, and amongst the rest were so unreasonable as to require of us the charges and dammages, which they pretend to have been put upon, and to have suffered by reason of our afoersaid extraordinary preparation of ships, to the value of such a sum as the same might be found to amount unto: & the same being paid or security for it given to their content, then to have all acts of hostility to cease; nor once minding, that our a­foresaid setting forth of ships was to no other end undertaken and effected, then is heretofore declared: and that as soon as the same was resolved upon, and before it was put in action, we gave true and publike intelligence thereof to the said Government; especially see­ing by the same fleet or any other ships belonging to these Provinces, there hath not been given to the said Government, or to any of the subjects thereof, the least token of disaffection, much less of inju­ry; [Page 13] but cantrarily, that ours have beene assaulted by theirs, and some sunk, others (amongst which a great number of merchants ships rich­ly lodened pertaining to these Countries) entred, overmastred, taken and carried up into their harbours, whereby we & our subjects have suffered loss of severall millions of gilders: yea moreover during the said treaty and conference have sent their fleet to Sea, in all rashness hurling on into the breach and dissolution of all friendship and ami­ty between both nations, with an insatiable lust of making the same incurable, and therewith destroying and taking severall of our ships more, enthralling our Government (which by God Almighty for many years hath been preserved in a flourishing condition, and hath given reputation and awsulness with their friends and enemies) into a world of dishonour and losses. All which intollerable and unlaw­full enterprises, and violent proceedings attempted and performed by the said Government, do most perspicuously and palpably de­clare, that their only design is, wholy to infringe our strength at sea, and to ruinate the commerce of these countries, and thereby to set up their long pretended Soveraignty and dominion over the Sea, which shortly they intend to exercise over us, and in time over all other nations, and if possibly they can, to make us and others their tributaries. And having with great patience and meeknesse, but all in vaine▪ improved all convenient meanes and rationall inductions, whereby to move the said Government for the good and happinesse of both their owne and our subjects, to stand off from the said reso­lutions, that the risen distempers might be aswaged and composed, the ships and goods, with violence or otherwise taken and detained from our subjects, restored, the losses, which they have innocently su­steined made good; and by an upright and strict binding treaty the old (but now of late times by that Government enforced and viola­ted) friendship re-setled, and by mutual confiding offices more and more confirmed; but seeing no hope more of prevailing by such means, We (according to the law of nature finding our selves obliged to defend our good subjects against all injury, oppression and vio­lence, to cause them obtain reparation for the losses they have suffe­red, to re-establ [...]sh the former due liberty of commerce, and to op­pose the aforesaid pernitious designes of the said Government, which being drunken with successes within their owne countries, seem to know no measure of their further unsatiable appetites a­broad) [Page 14] as being hereunto by greatest extremity impelled, with ripe, deliberation of councell, have at length resolved and thought good, to use the power and meanes, which God and nature hath given us, and with our weapons by way of retorsion upon and against the a­foresaid Government, and the subjects thereof, to endeavour the obtaining of that, which with reason could not be recovered of them; with a minde and intention not to lay downe the same, as long as the said Government doth steere the course they now are in, and till the aforesaid restitution of Ships and goods, and repara­tion of inferred injuries be obtained. Being confident, that the whole world will approve of this our resolution, forced from us with the utmost violence, and that Almighty God will bless our just cause; trusting also that all Kings, Republikes, Princes and States will take on this our manifest declaration for true, lawfull and requisite, and with us will help to oppose and subdue all such pernicious designes, and in this our constrained and no lesse just and lawfull defence, ever and in all places, as occasion shall offer, will lend their assistance to us and our good subjects. Even as we hereby ordeine all our said subjects to the United Netherland Provinces, to oppose themselves by way of retorsion, as aforesaid, against all the violence and op­pressions, which more and more are threatned against them: and not to suffer themselves further to be deluded by any whatsoever shew of friendship, or willingly to have recourse to any place, where they must be used according to the appetite of the said Go­vernmenti: And so both we and our subjects confiding in the just­ness of our cause, shall hope for the blessing upon the meanes as­sumed for our lawfull defence from God Almighty.