sollicitous for the support of his allies and to that end he had sent into England Maximilian de Rohan his chief Treasurer and a Privy-counsellor At last this Medium was found That whatever moneys the French should lay out in behalf of the Hollanders the third part thereof should be charged to the English and all accounts to be discharged wherein France impoverished by her Warrs was indebted to Britain The States were content herewith although they were offered by Sir Ralph Winwood the King of great Britain's Orator to be comprehended in the Articles of the Treaty if they pleased which they refused with great thanks The rest of the year King James spent in performing and receiving the Solemnities of the Kingdome and in viewing his new Dominion of England giving audience at Intervalls to the Embassadors of other Kings and the gratulations of his own subjects Tyrone himself the great Captain of the Irish Rebells coming and upon his humble submission obtaining pardon Concerning Religion several complaints were offered by two sorts of people The one in England are called Puritans being a people that do not esteem the Ecclesiastical State or Church-government there to be sufficiently orthodox and sincere but requiring therein more purity from whence sprung the original of that hated name of Separation These find fault with many Ceremonies retained from custome and antiquity as the Orders of Bishops some Ceremonies added as they say in the Sacrament of Baptisme and others things more tending to Discipline then Doctrine A change or at least an amendment of all which they now hoped from hence because the Scots had already rejected the same On the other side the Catholicks with high applauses magnifying the antiquity of their Religion as well in Britain as elsewhere and setting forth their fidelity both to the King himself at present and heretofore to his Mother petitioned that if he would not give them publick allowance which yet in France the King allowed to dissenters that at least they might privately and without fear of punishment worship God according to the custome of their Fathers But the King rejected both these suits suspecting the Catholicks for no other cause but that the Pope claims power over Kings but the King was offended at the Puritans because by men of the same Faction under pretence of Ecclesiastical authority he had irreverently been used in Scotland Whereupon also he accused their perverseness and obstinacy publickly set forth in Print for he would have each Nation be free to use their own Rites which were not contradictory to the Divine Law but the supreme Authority even in matters Ecclesiastical should continue in the King Yet something was setled according to the desire of the Catholicks viz. That the Sacrament of Baptisme should not be administred by women or private persons that many Ecclesiastical promotions should not be accumulated upon one person and that Church-censures should be strict and severe both in the inquisition and punishment of errors either in the life or doctrine of the Priesthood But the words of the Puritans became so offensive that many of their non-conforming Ministers were punished by Imprisonments Banishment and abjuration of the Realm Notwithstanding which some of the Romanists associating others with them who were desirous of novelty conspired to set up to the Government the Lady Arabella a Virgin sprung from the bloud Royal dividing among themselves the chief places of honor and preferment through the Kingdome The authors of this Treason were punished with the losse of their heads the accessories thereto and such as had concealed the same were cast into prison and the fear of imminent death was reckoned to them for a sufficient punishment the King being prone to win repute to his new Government by the fame of his Clemency While these things were doing in England Enno Count of Friesland beyond Eems having really learned that he might easily obtain from the Emperor both words and threats against the City but that he could not give him a power to put the same in execution he resolved to try the favour of them that were most potent among the Hollanders and to that purpose he went to the Hague urging many things both privately and publickly in his own defence and objecting many things against the Embdoners as being of a wavering temper in their fidelity not well knowing either to govern or be governed At the same time were present some Deputies from Embden behaving themselves with much obstinacy and notable irreverence towards their Prince then present At length after many long debates the United States not doubting the fidelity of the City towards them bent all their resolutions for the security thereof and it was concluded that the Delphzilian agreements should be observed whereto besides were added That for the future there be an Edict of Indemnity and Oblivion for all things already done nor should the Count exact the Penalties set by the Emperor's Decree That both should be restored to their houses and lands all prisoners be released and all instruments of war and other received profits be accounted for And that Enno should endeavor to set free all strangers being really such nor should deny his safe conduct in writing to all Ships going from the City That the Tributes imposed upon the City the third and the fifth year before should all be made null and that there should be a consultation had in the Senate of the Transamasians for the settlement of new the right of summoning which should be in the Count but if he neglected to doe it then they might meet by themselves and consult of their common affairs That it should not be lawfull to denounce a War or levy souldiers without the decree of that Councel onely the Count might retain as many as should be sufficient for the guarding his Castles and strong holds and likewise that the City might raise seven hundred souldiers for the defence thereof and maintaining their works That the Transamasians should maintain the souldiers the charge of the works should be born by the Townsmen and what goods were within a Town should be equally distributed and whatever was inclosed within any fortifications should enjoy the same priviledges with the City it self That the Magistrates of Embden should be created by the Senate of the City and that the Count to that creation should adde his authority When therefore the Count and the Deputies of the City had agreed upon these conditions it remained that the whole Magistracy of the City and the States of the Transamasians should allow of and ratify the same which was very likely to have been done the Nobility being afraid of War as that which would wast their Lands and some being sent by the United States to enforce force such as should offer to delay the same the greatest part of the garrison also was withdrawn that the fade of affairs might appear more peaceable But new hopes from the Emperor changed Enno absolutely insomuch that
never intended a Peace And Arguments of their Hostile Dâ—signs and Warlike Preparations every day broke out clearer and clearer until at last the so long feared Flâ—et set an end to the one sides hope and the other sides dissimulation But Dissention and Factions with By-names went not out of Holland with the Earl of Leicester but under this pretence the Garrison Souldiers both of Cities and Castles made Disturbances robbing and pilling every where especially they that by ill-ordering of the Treasury were behind in their Pay for fear of Peace hasted by Rapine to repay their Labour in the War At which time some were pleased that the third part of Pay should be offer'd which by the Custom of the Netherlands is always in Bank and never used to be disbursed but upon very good occasions Which because it could not speedily be obtained in regard it was the Remains of many Years and to be demanded of many they forthwith every one took to himself what Liberty or Licentiousness he pleased being defended a while by some English the Queen had sent As if the Name of English would have made these Crimes pass more currant The Souldiery of Geertruydenburg upon the receiving a great Sum of Money seemed cotented but into what an unâ—â—ly Baseness and Tâ—eachery they afterwards backe on I wâ—liâ—m its proper place relate Sonoi in the City of Medem like â—cituate on the Western Shore of the Frizian Gulph by the Rebellion of his Souldiers against him suffer'd the punishment of denying Obedience to Superiours Prince Maurice by Siege reduced these to the Obedience of himself and the States â—â—ssel also Governour of the Garrison in Flushing hoping to command in Chief all the Souldiers in Zeland and drawing to his Party Veren and Armuyden Towns in the sle of Wâ—lcheren with an Ambition of Rule was at length 〈◊〉 Queen's Commands who understood heâ—â—â— things a 〈◊〉 Renunciation of the Earl of Leicester which now 〈…〉 heard of forced to desist In other places the Seditions were appeased with less danger but every where with great Expence of Money These things though not bursting out till the following year I have mention'd in this place because they are coherent with the matter But before I settle my self to proceed in my impartial Relation of the following Troubles I think it will be a digression both satisfactory and pleasant to the Reader if I take a short View chiefly of such Domestick Affairs of our own as is necessary for other Nations to come to the knowledge such as was that War when a few People and they living in a narrow compass of Land and shaken with many grievous Slaughters should yet raise it self to such a Greatness against so mighty a Power as that of Spain Therefore I will compare what Bounds what Form of Commonwealth what Number of Forces and what Natural Dispositions and Inclinations were in this middle Time most usual with both these People After the Liberty confirmed by the League at Gaunt Don John of Austria had Conquer'd Namur Lutzenburg and Limburge The Duke of Parma gained by particular Agreements Artois and Henault by Treachery he obtained Flanders and Brabant and Mechlin he subdued by Famine excepting that in Flanders the Town of Ostend in Brabant Bergeâ—op-Zoom and Williamstedt so called from the Prince of Aurange together with some Castles all lying upon the Sea-Coast or by the sides of Rivers Frizeland and Over-Issell were in the power of the Vnited States onely the Spaniard had Groningen The rest Steanwic and Daventry excepted with as many other Fortresses were divided with the Enemy And they wanted not many Towns in Gelderland besides Arnheim Geldres Niâ—umegen Zutphen principal Cities and some less Carrisons held by the Spaniard Prince Maurice did wholly govern and Zeland after the rest there came under his Command beyond the Frizons the Dominion of the Sea and all other places which continued faithful to the States in the Enemies Country They took away every where the great President of having proper and peculiar Governours in Cities suffering none such but in the very uttermost Borders Nor must I omit to say something of their Neighbors Beyond the River Eomes is the County of East-Frizeland commonly called Embden-Land By the Maes and Rhine the Bishopricks of Colen and Leige the Governour whereof a Bavarian a Kinsman of King Philips who encompassing almost all the Belgike Provinces by divers Names of Ecclesiasticall Dignities possesseth most large Territories and although the Court of the Prince of Cleves and Juilliers had not yet been claimed by War yet either by infused Dread together with the pretence of the Burgundian Alliances it seems to incline towards the Spaniard and then if any of those Cities should fall to the like Religion as the Hollanders they had an Enemy close by them that would be no less implacable than theirs But Cambray which after the Defection of the Neighbour Cities being clogg'd and annoy'd with its own Garrison Valois had by his last Directions commended to the Kingdom of France his Protection Baligny who was appointed Governour thereof by the King's Mother Catharine kept after both their Deaths and he now joyning himself to the Guisian Faction while the Duke of Parma rejoyced at the prolonging of the War thereby to recover satisfaction for the wasting of the Country and King Henry driven out of his own Cities had no peace nor vacant time to mind these beginnings took to himself an Authority though he knew it could be of no long continuance These were their Bounds and Limits Now let us consider their Polity the Vnited States among whom the Prince of Aurange for a long time had the chief Authority in the King's Name and then in his own afterwards both his and the States Power sliding into the Earl of Leicester's Dominion were taught by Experience that the strength of the Empire divided into many Hands though it may suit better with Liberty yet is it more subject to discord if the fear of the publick Enemy be but abated but the Government it self lost nothing for what was substracted by any means from its power was doubly regained in the benevolence and affection of the People for Honours and Licences were wholly granted by it whereas Impositions of Taxes and Subsidies and other burthens were laid upon the People by another hand And besides such is the nature of the common People that they will generally lay the fault of all miscarriages upon those who are most active in the Common-wealth and yet for Victories they will only acknowledge one The Nobles and more potent men were wont by an antient Custom according to the hereditary right of their Possessions to govern the Country and the Inhabitants therein but Towns were left to be ruled by selected and choyce Citizens and the Reason was because the People imploying themselves in multiplicity of Affairs did not desire to be called together and assembled upon every occasion of electing Officers or making Laws
of Authority was equally ridiculous both to his own Souldiers and his Enemies they had changed an old feeble man for a person of great Nobility and therefore they gloried at once of that Honour and their restored Laws that according to the antient Custom one was sent to govern them that was of Royal Blood and by Kinred allyed to the King They remembred that Alva and Requescuse had stirred up the War by their forraign Authority And the Duke of Parma though otherwise we I enough liked was maligned for his Country sake That Don John who had attained Royal Blood by all wayes both of Birth and Vertue wanted rather the moderation than the affection of the Nobles and People But that now there was truly come the off-spring of Emperours with a German uprightness neither infected with hatred or malice and consequently more prone to concord He had governed in behalf of his Brother the Emperour both the Panâ—â—nia's or Hungary beloved by the Subjects for his mildness in the taking care of them and the blandishments of his leisure time not much provoking the Enemy nor himself by them often provoked Not averse from fighting when the Barbarians urged him by disturbing his peace and it may seem that he was the rather chosen as one who might compose the Netherlandish Affairs the Citizens being even tyred with War and the King well knowing that it would be in the Conquerours power to make what Laws he pleased for the settlement of peace This Duke Ernestus was of such gravity in Conversation that the Netherlanders interpreted it to pride But which is proper to his Countrymen being not Superiour in his Affairs he was easily ruled either by Counsel or Command With this mediocrity of disposition he had so pleased Philip that he intended to have married him to his Daughter and strongly argued in the French Counsel by Embassadors 〈◊〉 confer upon him the Kingdom of France fearing perchance that if he should marry her to any Frenchman and at any time after his Issue male should fail that Spain by accessâ—â—â— to the Crown of France would become a Province thereâ—â— But Providence provided otherwise in that affair 〈◊〉 brought Henry of Burbon through divers variety of Fortune and setled him in the Kingdom for he being grieved â— himself that being born to a Kingdom he should onely â— depelled for the oretext of Religion Many of the Princes protesting they resisted him for 〈◊〉 other causes and by that means alone could not submit their Fortunes to him seeing his Forces almost consumed and 〈◊〉 other things that were the main supports of his hope He â—â—gan to grow unsetled in his mind between some of his Friends applauding his noble constancy and others persuading for most advantage At length either that he believed nothing more sacred than the Peace of a Kingdom or that he had embraced his former kind of living more out of Form than Judgement he was Reconciled to the Church of Rome which thing was not of so much disadvantage to the Spaniard but that for many years after be continued his hatted and War against him neither till of late by the strong endeavours of Anmarle were the Cities of Picardy adjoyning to the Borders of the Netherlands reduced unto his obedience Nay at Rome a great while he incensed Pope Clement and the most powerfull in the conclave by threats and force least they should open or propose a way for the Kings Repentance and Reconciliation calling him a Renegado from Religion and a dissembler of novel Piety But at the first being had in suspicion by both Parties as well that he departed from as that he came over to afterwards by a sweet and well-constituted moderation by giving to these the chiefest Power to those Safety in the Exercise of their Religion and some Honour he exceeded both their 〈◊〉 and made a Harmony between them among whom before there was nothing but Discord So that now all were pleased except a few ignorant how great a benefit they had receiv'd whom no Felicity could ever please no Revenge saâ— In short Trade and Commerce beginning in this Cessation of Arms and the People well pleas'd with this Quiet it came to pass that the strongest and most potent Cities with the Metropolis of them all Paris and the chief Heads of the Faction and Revolt submitted to him caused either by private â—â—scords among themselves or the fear of a Forreign Authority The Spaniard hereupon when the Duke de Mayn came to â—â—xels were of opinion to restrain him as one that was averse to their Design but the Regent Ernestus having more regard to his Fame hindred it although it were known he was the chief Instigator of the chief Leader of the Faction to go in to the King and merit thereby his Pardon yet there were some who detain'd by their own Covetousness or the Spaniard's Policy did all they could to hinder Peace delaying by the same the performance of their Expectations Picardy chiefly and the parts thereabouts near Henalt and Artots were molested and perturbed by the Spanish Forces And the first Spring Charles Mansfeldt who made War in those parts had forced Capelle a free City there having assaulted the Rampires when the Trench was dry to surrender before King Henry could send thither any Succours Shortly after the King himself being conducted with some Troops to Laudune staying upon those Confines Towards the end of Summer Mansfeldt being driven away who had indeavour'd to raise the Siege the Town came again into the King's Power The Confederate States about this time had given a Summe of Money to King Henry upon condition That he should turn his Force upon the Netherlands But that Queen Elizabeth would not hear of who fore-saw that together with the War all use of him and respect to him would cease This Defection of the King from the New-Religion was variously reported both in England and Holland so as hardly any thing had bin further examined and discoursed with more variety of Language and freeness of Judgment Others look'd upon it with Hatred and Detestation The Catholikes hereby conceiv'd a hope that in time that other differing Religion Rites though at present receiv'd in publike might at last reunite and that as France had follow'd the Rule of German so the rest would follow the Pattern of France But all Leagues and Alliances with Neighbors were by the King inviolably observ'd And now the States being 〈◊〉 by what private Policies the Enemy gain'd upon them ordered very diligent Care to be taken That no sort of Writing that might prove dangerous to the Publike might be foisted 〈◊〉 the People And that Masters which instructed Youth in Leaning should not instill into their Minds evill Opinions Which done they turned all their Counsel to the carrying on of the war while the Enemy would seem to seek after a peace And because Ernestus having recruited the Army was reported to have enhanced the Fame and Terrour of his
so horrid a Fact and from thenceforth banish'd the Jesuits For to these chiefly both the English Hollanders and French did impute the fostring of such Doctrines on purpose breeding Youth whom under the Notions of Piety and Magnanimity they inflame and incouraging them with Old and Neâ— Examples how often Tyrants who are Enemies to the Publike have been destroy'd by the Fortunate Darings of private Hands Concerning this Order because Opportunity presents it self and others have spoken little concerning them I intend succinctly to Discourse The first Founder of that Order was Ignatius Loyala who being much weakned by a Wound received in the Ward Navarre at Pumpeiopolis withdrew his Mind being yet Warlike and full of Courage unto Businesses of a more peaceable Concern Among the rest he grew ambitious of Erecting a New Order To which in hope of its future Greatness he would not according to Custom give it the Name from some more famous Man or Woman but even from JESUS himself Being Assembled by Authority of them who can License such Novelties they reverenced with incredible study two Things chiefly to wit the Pope's Power and the Spaniard's Wealth And at their beginning they were main and eminent Props to the decaying Cause inducing in defence thereof what had hitherto been neglected Manners unblameable and sound Learning they exercised themselves in frequent Disputes against divers Religions which in those times had insulted over the Romane Name They augmented their Glory both in America and the Indus where among Barbarous Nations by the Teaching of Christianity they adde mightily to Philip's Empire yea and many famous Miracles have been done by them as is believed with great facility from confident Asseverations for that the Longinquity of places excludes further Tryals however they are in abundance whether in real Truth or but pretended They are the persons in whom thou may'st require fidelity and modesty Their Authority with the Vulgar is very great by reason of their Sanctity of Life and because they instruct Youth in Learning and the Precepts of Wisdom without taking any Reward for their pains They have their Provincials in every City and Nation and there is one Superiour over all the rest throughout the World who is for the most part a Spaniard They command with great Wisdom and obey with equal Fidelity They follow not the common Custom of other Orders to live all together It seemed too poor to include within Walls their growing Society They Baptize and solemnize Matrimony and the first thing they are taught is To lay aside all Humane Affections and to cast away the fear of Death They chiefly take into their Society none but such as are very eminent either for Ingenuity Bloud or Riches and they reap a great benefit from all those things For first they distinguish Ingenuity no less prudently than they chuse it pitching always upon such whom they hope will grow famous either for Eloquence or digesting pious Meditations into Writing By their Nobility they are admitted into the greatest Councils being of an incomparable Sagacity in making Searches and Experiments and because there is no Engine so strong as Religion for the laying open of Secrets And their Wealth fits them for Embassies and all other publike Employments By which Policies though they are the youngest of all other Orders yet they have far surpassed all the rest in a short time both in Reputation and Wealth and therefore are hated by them and their manner of Life upbraided as contrary to Rule But they being above the Envy of their Emulators even rule Prince's Houses by a laudable moderation for they observe a mean between sordid submission and severe arrogant neither totally eschewing nor following other mens Vices These are the main Wheel whereon the Spanish Greatness and Empire moves by which they maintain Peace at Home and sow Trouble and Sedition abroad For those Catholikes have receiv'd a portion of these mens Spirit which through France and England yea and Holland it self do in the former maintain the Rights of a Kingdom and in the last dispute against it And although they are banish'd all those places upon pain of Death yet is that Danger no Obstacle to them nor doth impede either their Confidence or Policy But the Emperour did not forbear again to motion the making of Peace although before refused and stain'd with such monstrous Actions as we before related upon the common pretence of Germany viz. the Care of his Brother's Honour Not did he seem onely to admonish them to it but calling a Diet at Ratisbone of the Princes and Cities of the Empire he had caused it to be concluded That they should be compelled therâ— by Arms for that they dampnified both themselves and theâ— Neighbours by the perpetual miseries of War But these things as they made onely a Noise never proceeding further than Words and Threats so they were accordingly taken notice of for the Turk then chiefly being ready to fall upon the Cities of Hungary as well the Care as the Forces of Germany was taken up and could not have leisure to mind the Affairs of such as belonged not to them This year also the States of the United Provinces received a very great and most honourable Signal of Affection from James King of Scotland as well as the Kings of France England and Denmark who were invited to the Baptizing of his Eldest Son born by his Wife who was the King of Denmark's Daughter And their Liberality was correspondent to the Honour done to them as witnessed their most rich Presents given to the Princely Infant who was named Henry Frederick They renewed their antient Amity with the Scots and restored all the Rights of Trade and Commerce and all other matters formerly concluded with the Princes of the Netherlands and particularly with the last Charles But a Partnership in Arms was in vain wished for by the Scot and the Dane and that the Princes of Germany should be ingaged to the same Affinity for their Peace was safe and unmolested and there was no reason why they should go to thrust themselves into other Folks Troubles 'T is thought there was some hope gather'd from Scotland not without cause offended with the Spaniard who had for many years disturbed the Peace of that Kingdom by Factions From hence proceeded many of those sharp and severe Laws against Catholikes and hence by increasing hatred came those who would transfer the most just Hope and Title of James to the Kingdom of England upon the Spaniard's Dâ—ughter but surely by most absurd and incongruous Arguments but nevertheless such as discover'd a mind ready to do him any injury But as well the Scot as the rest of the Princes cast off from one to another the beginning to thwart a Power so formidable to all The Embassadors that had been sent into Scotland returning by England the chief whereof Waldgrave Brâ—derode whose Noble Birth advanced the Honour and Worth of the Common-wealth together with James Count
Commonwealth being now degraded from that was put afterwards to write the Annals of his Country and had therefore an Annual Pension not so much for any great hopes of his Labour as that the Leisure of the Man being of a great Ingenuity and well Learned but of an active and restless Spirit might seem to be employ'd in some Noble Affair The Fourth BOOK of the History of the Dutch AFFAIRES AT the beginning of the Year Ernestus called a Council at Bruxels wherein he discoursed before hand of the great Things he was wont to undertake which at a glance were excellent Matters as if he had intended to confirm their Antient Laws and Customs But power was not given to the States according to the Old Custom of judging concerning the Weal-publike Onely the Bishops and Nobles were summon'd to meet because the Nobility are an Ornament and Authority to Soveraignty and the Clergy are bound to be faithful by the Tye of Religion The Commons are staggering and unconstant being greedy of any kind of Peace and therefore except in the case of Tributes are not to be hearkned to As soon as he had gravely declared the great pains he had taken for the making Peace in all other Things he desired their Counsel Whereupon Areschot a Noble-man of the first Rank in the Netherlands is Reported to have made a Speech in these words Our Fore-Fathers in precedent times not in any manner byassed with Hatred but onely because they were commanded took up Arms against most valiant Nations but chiefly the French nor were they ever frighted at the Dangers or started at the Evils that follow Warre while they fought in Defence of their Princes Greatness And therefore they brought to pass the most difficult Matters by their Valour and Wisdom But now our Arms and Counsels are at little use our Miseries and Calamities are the things wherewith we are best acquainted And this War which is nick-named Civil certainly cannot be believed such especially in the contemplation of the Mortall Jars between Fellow-Citizens and Countrey-men What then Do we desire Peace Certainly it had behoved us long since to have cared for that while those things we would have had preserved had yet remained in being before our Cities were burned our Fields wasted and a generall want had surprized our Families which is like for ought I see otherwise to lye upon them even to Futurity But if yet after thirty years continual slaughters we have not deserved rest yet at least free us from another War Must we go against the French first let us secure our Backs from the Hollanders But if it seem more convenient to take Vengeance on those first and that surely is very necessary let us not blow up our hopes with too much self-conceitedness lest while we court what belongs to another we endanger what is our own But you will say Peace is now offered to us I answer It is so indeed But pray consider what cause of War hath the French And how do the Hollanders drive of Peace No surely I rather believe they are sensibly displeased as well at ours as their own sufferings They cry out let the Forreign Souldiers be all sent away for they are full of cruelty and pride and utterly discordant to our Customs who have no shew of Modesty nor more Fidelity or Conscience than to serve their occasions We say these things are spoken maliciously and by Enemies true yet those things we suffer by them is little else than what Enemies use Ask the people of Artois Inquire of those of Henalt and other Provinces near thereby to whom the Proprietors impute the Dearth of such Fertile Countries They will tell you 't is true the French took away a little but the Spaniards robb'd us of all and the like may be said of all other Forreigners who however they disagree among themselves yet unite to ruine the Netherlanders Thus under the Names of War and Sedition we 〈◊〉 made a Prey but the Injury done to us leaves not off here but we must be delivered to the Rule of Forreigners so stupid 〈◊〉 we our selves accounted by them while our voluntary patience â—kes us become their Laughing-stock whose Lusts and Pleasure if they still prevail above our Complaints and it be thought 〈◊〉 to incourage wickedness by conniving at it we shall at last be forced to do that which the necessity thereof will sufficiently excuse both to the Christian World and to our Soveraign the best of Kings While he was yet speaking the chief of every Degree once round about him with a general Consent and rejoycing That there was one found amongst them that durst publikely speak the Troubles of their Minds But the Spaniards were even mad against him with Fury for divers of them were present Fontain had avoided to be at the Assembly because he was out of hope to be preferred before Areschot and his Pride was too great to follow him So really did he thirst after a real potency that he would not slight the appearances thereof I have observed this very Areschot through all the storms of this War to have adhered to the Spaniard with great candor of heart being such as bearing an unspotted Fidelity to his Prince yet would not make his Honour subservient to the Lusts and Pride of Strangers and being sensible of his own Authority was accustomed ever to use his freedom without check mocking at the King's Ministers because their Arrogance was hated by all but himself was never feared beyond words Wherefore now secured by the greatness of his old Age he cast out those Words which were looked upon as Oracles so highly did they please the Peoples minds Without doubt the Netherlander's Hatred to the Spaniards was never greater since the Peace made at Gaunt and some believed that the Hollanders as much as they could heighthen'd it if as formerly under the old Prince of Aurange So now the Government was not in many hands but one Single Person managed the whole Frame of Authority and all the Secrets of Leagues and Amity The too great power of the Spaniards and the Reciprocal Hatred for the difference of their several Customs were the first causes that inflamed the Netherlander's miseries Fontayne given much to sleep and gluttony and also being taken in the very act of Adultery at Antwerp was Reported to have very narrowly escaped Ruine Stephen Ibarra was a Man of a more approved Ingenuity and Diligence but all his good Qualities were sullied by Pride which also was the cause of an irreconcilable difference between him and Charles Mansfeldt insomuch that Charles had very nigh kill'd Stephen And the Spanish Souldiers took hold of this Pretence to cry out They would be commanded by no other Officers than those of their own Nation Christopher More was a good Counsellour and together with Idiaques ruled Spain but he uâ—urped also the Right of Domestick Power Yet Didaco Ibarra a man of so bold a Spirit that he complained
King's Council was there present who went and recommended the Embassadors to the King who after he had received their Saluâ—e very pleasingly and without any pride Olden-Barnevalie in a grave and composed stile according to his Custom began First to applaud the hopes of his Alliance to urge their laâ—e made League and to require his faithful performance thereof which would be much to the advancement both of the King's Honour and Authority and advised him to take heed of the Peace that was offer'd him Adding in the Name of the States many Promises of Assistance and Money for the future both by Sea and Land which way soever the King would please to command them that the War might in some manner be again renewed against the Spaniard urging also many other things that might inflame their Minds to resolve anew to fall to Arms. And among the choice of the King's Council it was debated how much more safe and honourable would it be to make an Example to Posterity of this Enemy whose Treasury was drained and Mind perplexed with the wavering Obedience of his Subjects witnessed by his seeking for Peace as well his fear as the inconveniences he suffer'd out of this League of ours to deter for the future any from thirsting after the Dominions that are belonging to another There were present at this time the English who now more freely commemorating the many Benefits they had done him and how unworthy an Act it was to lay aside his sworn Faith for present Utility helped forward the Speech made by the Dutch sometimes by their Silence and sometimes by applauding Speeches not forbearing to demand the Money which had been lent to him The King on the other side dealt plainly confessing his Necessities to be such as would not bear slow Remedy And that he doubted for all this Noise of Peace whether the Spaniard would deliver up to him either Calais or Blavette which if he did not he assured them he would continue the War giving them Thanks that they had so freely offer'd their Assistance The States Embassadors replyed That if the King rested in that Judgment yet they hoped their coming and Offers would be advantagious to France and cause the Enemy to make larger Concessions than perhaps otherwise he would And therefore they pray'd on behalf of their Masters that if a Peace were concluded yet the Alliance might continue between them by which the Hollanders might mâ—ke use thereof to their private benefit and to the security of the French in the manâ—gery of the War in Holland The King answer'd That he would be willing not onely to continue his own Friendship with them but that they should likewise enjoy the benefit of the Friendship he was to have with others Those things at present being onely removed whereby the Commerce of several Nations was hindred and how much might be wrought thereby was learned by Experience in the future Times when the King no less intent to keep than to get Money gave so much scope to the defence of Liberty as the Kings of old would hardly have afforded to any People unless with a Design to intrench upon it The first Liberality given to him was two hundred and forty thousand Florens which after in the Years following was increased according as his Necessities required For now remembring the Monies he had received from his Allies and at what time he resolved how he might repay the same that it might not seem altogether as the payment of a Debt but as if it carryed along with it the grateful shew of a Remuneration Here the King carefully excusing his own highly applauded the Counsel of the States that they would stand upon their Defence since which few Kings could boast of they could upon occasion be on a suddain in a readiness in regard any new Necessity would forthwith put the idle Multitude into Arms. For maintaining this Friendship with the King because Levinus Calward dyed there in performing the same Francis Arsen was left in France whose Father Cornelius wrote the Chronology of the States And now it appear'd that the Spaniard had by many Arguments perswaded the French to lay down Arms being contented rather to have the English still their Enemies than to make a Peace with them upon equal Terms And this was the cause why the Holland Embassadors in France Justire Nassau and Olden Barnevelt went thence into England neglecting thereby a while their former Embassie and assuming a boldness till that time dreaded where they deliver'd themselves in Terms to this effect That if the Queen would follow the French there should be no hazards of Peace so great to the Hollanders that they would not rather hazard than singly to undergo the unsupportable Burden of the War And these Dissemblers thus used their Art as believing that the English would yet disturb the Pacification if they supposed the Hollanders could be drawn to it But they offer'd the Queen all manner of Assistance if she would Resolve to continue the War and the hope of perfecting the same with Expedition though she had hitherto for a time surceased as being moved rather to incline to Peace In this mean while at Vâ—rbin for thither was the Meeting upon the Treaty adjourned from St. Quintins by the endeavour of the Embassadors a Peace was concluded between those two eminent and great Princes of Christendom containing the same Articles which formerly had been concluded on 29 Years before between the same Philip and King Henry the Second of France onely there was a small Addition of some others which to insert here in words at length I think to be altogether unfit for him who professeth himself to write onely the Dutch Affairs However in brief take them thus That there should be a free Trade between the People That all Prisoners should be set at liberty and at their going away should be restored to what they had lost or had been detained from them That the Spaniard received into the County of Charlois should in the Name thereof owe to the French Faith and Homage That Calais and other places in Picardy and last of all Blavette as they Were then should be deliver'd up to the French all other places which the Spaniard had fortified being dismantled These were the Articles agreed to and accordingly having given Pledges on both sides they were within Three Moneths after performed But for the Oblivion of Injuries and continuance of mutual Concord for the future that if War were made upon either of them the other should neither help against him himself nor suffer any belonging to him to interest themselves and if any thing of doubt arose between them that it should be argued neither by Violence or Fraud but referred to indifferent Judges But these things were agreed more for shew than that such equal Greatness should leave any Thing out that might seem to secure Friendship Both of Them comprehended their Allies by Leagues whether Kings Princes or People especially
admired by her neighbours but courted by Embassadours even from the Moors and Sarmatians No man hitherto doubted but that great Commotions would have arisen in England upon the death of the Queen who had never declared any certain Successor for it was believed that although James King of Scotland was the next in bloud yet the ancient hatred of the inhabitants and the private fear of those that had consented to his Mother's death would be an obstacle to him there being several ready in England who boasted themselves to be descended of Royal bloud Then also the power of the English Catholicks was feared lest they should hope for that by Troubles which they could never expect while the setled Authority of the Queen remained the Pope also instigating them as unwilling that a King of the new Religion should be admitted although he were next in bloud Nor was that hope onely grown in the Spaniards who lay at watch for the peoples commotions but the Hollanders also although they had by many good offices before-hand pre-engaged King James upon the connexion of Religion yet by tacite wishes did guess that the imputation of their alliance with him would transferre part of the Warre into Britain But it happened beyond hope and expectation that presently after the decease of Queen Elizabeth the old Councel of the Queen and as many of the Bishops and Magistrates of London as were at present at hand and in readiness proclaimed King James not waiting for the authority of a Parliament for the danger of delay and because Interregnum's do many times in the future by new Laws and Covenants diminish the grandeur and power of Authority Thus without any contradiction the King of Scotland got the possession of England and was the first that within the known Records of any Annals enjoyed the whole Island of Great Britain in one entire and undivided Government The United States did not omit forthwith to send an Embassy to congratulate him for his new access of magnitude having first sent some gratulatory Letters The Embassadours sent by them to the King were Count Henry of Nassau Prince Maurice's brother then a Member of the Councel of the States and General of the Horse next to him was Walrave Brederode thirdly John Olden Barneveldt and lastly Jacob Valcken who died before he returned from this Embassy When they were admitted to audience they spake in this manner We are come hither Great King divided in our selves between Grief And Joy for we have lost Her whose goodness and benefits to us we are not able to express in words but we have found You as the Heir of Her Kingdome so the Imitator of Her Vertues That which formerly we desired and since that by publick supplications decreed to the most happy Messengers of Your new-begun Dominion that now in Your own presence with hearts and voices we beseech and begge of God that this Your reign may be happy and prosperous to Your Self to Posterity to Great Britain and to Vs We begge of You Sacred Sir one thing That You would not suffer the insulting Spaniard to trample upon the necks of the Netherlanders and from thence by degrees to incroach upon the Dominions of others his Neighbours It suits with Your Religion to save so many Assemblies of pious men from that Kingdome of sanguinary Superstition it agrees with Your Justice to defend a Cause allowed of by so many Kings and it is an act becoming Your Prudence to drive away those underminers of Kingdomes and supporters of the Papacy by whose judgement all that You now possess is given to them as a Prey Your Predecessor Queen Elizabeth did this and so we hope will You and that with the greater ease by how much You are in the prime of Your age have a more man-like Authority a more ample Power and a House well setled upon the happy foundation of a hopeful Issue Our fidelity shall in part supply Your Work and Charge by whose prosperity and adversity it hath been made evident that the Spaniards could be conquered 'T is true Peace is a most excellent Jewel and worthy of high estimation among Christians but that that is made with Tyrants and treacherous people is little better then Warre If all they that are joyned in the Cause would unite their wealth he would be deprived of the Netherlands and if that punishment would not yet make him wise he should be driven out of the Sea and all his maritime Dominions which would be no hard matter for the Hollanders and English to effect and this certainly would make him glad to come to a true Peace the best maintainer whereof was equality of Forces Now is the siege of Ostend protracted unto the third year so that having endured so long a misery we humbly intreat You to aid us with supplies for relief thereof for which purpose you may make use of those ships which by the Queen 's command were furnished and instructed with Armes and provisions by us being eleven in number and now wait for nothing but your Royal command Hereto the King very courteously answered as to the matter of friendship but as to the rest he excused himself by the infancy of his Dominion but in time he would see what was best to be done in the interim not concealing that as much as he could he would prefer all counsells tending to Peace for hitherto he had had no difference with the Spaniard and also Philip had voluntarily offered him his assistence if any dispute should have arisen concerning his Kingdome and himself being of a mild disposition and well grounded in all kind of Literature had spent his time in studies rather inclinable to Peace then War And the Archduke being supposed to have made war with the Queen not with the Realm had by Edict forbidden any damage to be done to the English sending home besides all Prisoners they had that were that Countrey-men and soon after he sent Charles Prince of Arenberg Embassador to the King as also the Spaniard sent Don John Baptista Taxis to the same for the promoting a Peace concerning which the year following there was an agreement When the Embassadors of Holland saw they could not prevent it they endeavored to delay it and to give the King some hopes that they likewise might obtain Peace together with their Liberty if the King by procrastinations or delay would suffer the Spanish counsells which yet depended upon the event of a few years to grow towards perfection And this was the discovery of Olden Barneveldt who was throughly versed in all the secrets of the United Provinces producing the Duke of Brunswick's hand whom the Emperor Rudolphus had acquainted with that affair But King James his hast was not at all slackened in making that Peace whereupon the Hollanders onely contended that if they could not obtain a shew of assistence yet that they might not be denied right These their desires were seconded by the French King who was very
he requires the Hollanders not to prohibit the Britans to come out of the Sea into the Scheld to pass to Antwerp paying Customes equal to their Subjects But they excused it by shewing that they had good reason for their Decree that none should goe to the Enemy unless they first changed their Ships that so they might the more certainly have knowledge of all things Nor ought he to take it ill that they imposed Laws upon a River within their own Jurisdiction when the Spaniards durst deny the passage of the Seas even to their friends And so that he might convert the English who were accused as infamous for Piracy to innocent gain he forbad any to fight at Sea under a forein command but conniving at any that went hither or thither to a land Warre By another Edict the Jesuites and all other Ecclesiastical persons that received not sacred Orders according to the custome of the Kingdome of Britain were banished thence setting out for cause that that sort of men taught that the Pope might absolve Subjects from their obedience to Kings of another Religion then which there is not any opinion more dangerous to Government But at the same time the same Jesuites were restored in France upon some conditions from whence they had formerly been banished when by their instructions a young man fought to murther the King But now the monument was destroyed which kept the memory of that fact fresh together with the Jesuites infamy the Parliament of Paris crying out that by that one work the authority of the most honourable Order and the security of France were subverted together But the King with his own great danger as many ominously feared unterrified merely to gratifie the Pope admitted and favoured these stout defenders of his power Between this King and the Spaniard arose some new causes of hatred upon old discontents Monsieur Villeroy a person highly entrusted and favoured by King Henry had a servant named Hostius whose industry and ingenuity himself being much imployed otherwise he used in the decyphering and reading of Letters and private Characters This man being hired gave intelligence of all the greatest affairs of State to one Monsieur Raffee a French-man but banished and living in Spain who discovered them to King Philip's Counsellors by which having such insight into all the private counsels of France it was easie for them to guess at all things else Some things also being discovered to the King of Britain had ingendred animosities and jealousies This Treason being detected by Raffee Hostius first by flight and afterwards by a sudden death prevented further inquisition There was also at this time another matter stirred up by a Woman which was this Henrica the daughter of Monsieur Interaque was esteemed among the first for her beauty and pleasantness of wit wherewith the King being allured to whom there was hardly any other crime to be objected then these loose Affections the better to compass the end of his unlawful desires had promised her marriage if she bare him a Son and this promise he confirmed to her by writing After Medices was preferred before her in marriage she was compelled to pacifie the Queen to deliver up this writing of the King 's Whereupon dissembling higher designs under the pretence of solitude and Religion she aimed to compass forein wealth wherewith she might secure her Son against the Queen's anger and malice and not onely so as she publickly declared and as others interpreted it but also that he might therewith assert his right and claim to the Kingdome The King of Britain refused to give any ear to them for the disturbance of another's Kingdome but the Spaniard approved her cause and promised largely to assist her therein When these things first became known the Lady her self her Father and Brother the Count of Auvergne were taken but King Henry pardoned them acknowledging his own misdemeanour in their crime But Philip fearing lest Henry enraged with these things should from thence take a cause to make Warre he ended the quarrel begun about the Customes which he had lately raised by Edict and turning his fury against the Hollanders commanded all of that Nation to depart out of his Dominions and all Merchandise afterwards brought in to be forfeited This year was celebrated in the Netherlands a solemn Funeral pomp for Count Peter Mansfelde who for fourty years had faithfully served the Spaniard in the highest Commands being then President of Lutzenburg who though all his life conversant in Warre had yet by rare fortune lived even to the extremity of old age And among the Hollanders died Lewis of Nassau being but a young man yet emulous of the glory of his Ancestors and in whom there appeared great hopes of a noble and circumspect Vertue The Fourteenth BOOK of the History of the Dutch AFFAIRES THE charges of the now superannuated Warre increasing every year and that great demonstration of their equal Forces appearing at Ostend restored to some that hope which they had a long time laid aside to wit that the extreme fury of the Warre would at length conclude in a Peace hence every one as their hopes or desires led them delivered their opinions both in discourses and Books Such of the Netherlanders as affected the Austrian Government believed and so said having great emulation to the Cities of Holland and malicious inclinations that they would fall under the weight of that Greatness they had drawn upon themselves or else would become a prey to forein Princes unless they returned to their old obedience whereof for so many ages they had had experience onely with these additions to the old Laws That the Netherlandish Government should not revolve to the Spaniard That the right of Commerce should be free and indefinite That Religion should not be forcibly or with punishments urged in hope of making a more united Concord That as well the forein Souldiers as that plague of mankinde the Jesuites faction should be expelled That the chief honours should remain in the Citizens and all affairs of greatest concernment should be handled in the General Councel of the Provinces which liberty would continue more substantial if it were used with moderation On the other side some in France persuaded the Netherlanders to separate themselves from the House of Austria That the name of Archduke was but a vanity without power without authority his Forces being consumed by the Enemy his Authority swallowed or devoured by the Spaniard and when the Netherlands should be exhausted and Spain impoverished what hopes had they of protracting the Warre certainly onely this one the wealth of the Indies which also in time would fail them and become a propriety to him that is most prevalent at Sea That the twenty several Mutinies and Seditions of the Souldiers have made Albertus his Government infamous and if while those jealousies and hatreds encreased among them the French should have stirred they might have lain upon the Country and
Ships under the conduct of Captain Matelifen one of the Governors of the Indian Company In the interim Carden whom we mentioned before to be sent to Brasile returned with a very great booty Among the Neighbors although the name of Peace yet continued yet many fierce commotions were believed to tend towards War for the Citizens of Aquisgrane the City having alwaies been coveted by the Dukes of Brabant had new Governors put upon them Imperial Decrees made against them and which then was buried in silence but afterwards was manifested by the confidence of a private League with Albertus all the Ceremonies of the Reformed Religion were both publickly and privately forbidden they who had before born the Office of Magistrates were not onely accused as guilty of Sedition but as being illegally chosen were contumeliously used and fined their Accusers were of the choicest sort and whoever undertook their defence were joyned with them in punishment The Bishop of Colen's Legates to whom the Emperor had given that in command under pretext of Reconciliation publickly declared that profession faulty upon their bended knees and afterwards laied pecuniary mulcts upon all they denounced guilty in the name of costs and charges and upon most the fine exceeded their ability yet if it were not paid part were thrown into Prison others removed their habitations whose Banishment was followed with care and hatred of the Commons against the Great men and pity towards the poor But by how much at the present they were oppressed by so much the more violently they would in the future break out In France besides the rest of the Spaniard's treacheries it was discovered that Monsieur Merarges sent from Narbon to exhibite the desires of that Province to the King had agreed with Don Balthazar Zunica King Philip's Embassador privately for the delivery of Marseilles concerning which he and one Brunelle a Netherlander Secretary to the Embassador were apprehended and with them were taken palpable demonstrations of their Treason When the Embassador required his servant according to the Law of Nations the King on the other side set forth the unworthiness of the fact and how the right belonging to Embassadors was by himself violated The Embassador replied If any thing had been done contrary to friendship that ought not to be attributed to him for the French King contrary to the Peace made at Verbin had openly given assistance to Rebells and the Enemies of the true Religion nor had he onely tempted to corrupt the Counts Heremberg and others in the Netherlands but had stirred up the Moors to invade Spain With which reproof the King being more enraged answered That the Roman Religion was more indebted to him and his ancestors then the Spaniard that being untruly reported to be the cause of the War in the Netherlands because in truth that contest was about Dominion And if he either would pay what money was due to the Hollanders or the French who are a people impatient of ease would in these parts make War under a famous General as in the farther Hungary and with the Archduke how much would that resemble so many treacherous designes intended against Cities and the tempted fidelity of so many great men Then he repeated particulars protesting those things spoken concerning the Moors to be false and confessions extorted by force And if it were unlawfull for him to allure the Count Heremberg and others who were not Low-country-men but Germans to unworthy actions what did they merit who by large promises had drawn away Terral not onely a Subject but a Member of his House and family But these were small matters But if haply an Embassador dived into the secrets of State-affairs by politick means it ought mutually to be dissembled and pardoned but counsells of cruelty and such as tended to the hazard of lives ought by him to be refelled Zunica praising the King of great Britain that although he differed in Religion yet he observed the Peace with great reverence the French King answered Their friendship with the Spaniards was but of a new date but a short time would make appear what it would come to But at last the Embassador was glad to pacify the King's anger which began to break out into threats saying there should be no need thereof as well the vertues as the wisedome of Henry the Fourth being generally known to most men But at last Merarges being brought to condigne punishment the Secretary was restored to the Embassador his Master it being proved to the King that it would be better to repay subtlety with policy then to seek to revenge it by War About this time a horrible Conspiracy was discovered in Britain contrived by some who valued their own safety and fidelity and all Laws both divine and humane less then their Zeal to the Roman Religion for because they could not by Petition obtain liberty for the exercise of their Rites hiding a great quantity of Gunpowder under the Parliament-house they decreed at the first assembling of the Parliament to blow up the King the Prince and the Peers of the Kingdome And the chief Fathers of the Jesuites being consulted with by the authors of the Plot whether it were lawfull in so great a number of guilty persons to destroy some innocent ones they answered that for the great good of the Church some wel-deserving persons might suffer confirming their opinion by an argument of besieged Cities But one of the more consciencious of them admonishing his friend that he should not come to the Parliament at the appointed day the Letter of advice being mistakenly delivered first gave notice of the designe and afterwards the place being found out both the Treason and the Traitor himself were found out Upon knowledge whereof the Conspirators in the farthest parts of Britain broke out into open Rebellion one Oldcorne a Jesuite incouraging those that were afraid lest they judged of the goodness of the cause by one unprosperous event That God did many times deny success to undertakings well approved by himself that he might make trial by adversity of his servants constancy and perseverance But at the very beginning of the same they were apprehended brought to trial and executed Father Garnet also who had formerly attempted many things against Queen Elizabeth being wont highly to extoll the Pope's authority over Kings and Kingdomes that no faith or obedience was due to Princes by him interdicted averring that subjects if they were commanded ought to oppose them with Armes even to the hazard of their lives From whence all in power and authority may learn who neither stand in awe of the Roman Religion nor Fleets nor Armies that they are by Ecclesiastical authority most violent inciters of the common people to Rebellion They added also another pestilent opinion That one might answer to any questions proposed by the Magistrate evasively ambiguously and with mental reservations to that purpose setting forth Books in print which in defence of a lie they inscribed with
in a short time all things bow either for Reward or fear of Punishment and he is ready to destroy the Force of their promiscuous Liberty by an extraordinary Act of Authority according to the French Exemplar For every several Nation hath his own Senate appointed him but all were to attend the Common Justice of Mâ—cklin by which means they more easily represented the Form of one City A Colledge also or Fraternity by the Name of the Golden Fleece was Erected whereby he obliged the Princes admitted into the same that were famous both for their Extract and Merits to be to him both an Honour and a Safeguard Among all these Policies the States maintained the Peoples Right whom out of the several Nations he called to meet in one Common-Councel as oft as the Common Treasury was drained by his Wars or other Necessity required the same Being sent thither they oft-times did great things for the Common-Wealth and that which added to their Courage was that they might speak what they had in Commission There was not a Castle nor in time of Peace a Souldier except a few Garrisons upon the uttermost Borders suspected from the frequent Motions of the French together with Three Thousand Horsemen the Flower of all the Nobility yet Commanded by the Chief of the Popularity and were in readiness against any sudden Incursions and such a Number of private Ships ready upon my unexpected Occasion as would over-â—umber a good Fleet. This great Accumulation of Fortune being transposed unto the Austrian Family though it made the Power of Spain greatly to increase yet the mild Natures of those in Authority by their Moderation augmented their Power and certainly sooner by this Act is Liberty overthrown and conquered than by Force For Fierceness grows into Fury while it resists Compulsion when Meekness and Courteries will even hand men into Obedience untill accustomed Duties being commanded the long License of Evil Habits makes that Obedience seem to be Slavery In the mean time to the Commons who meddle not with Arms the Benefits of Merchandizing and Trades is frequently shewn whereby the Customes and Tributes are encreased and that private men grown rich if they would be innocent must with Care shun publike Imployments This Spanish Conjunction was a very great Augmentation But now as if grown more wise as the Wealth of those in Superiority over them mightily increased they began to suspect with a kind of Dread from the Spaniards Behaviour which they had Opportunity enough to look into in the time of their Service together in the Wars as also from the Difference between them a Change of their Common-Wealth For while Bordering Nations have from a like Stock by the same Endeavours increased they easily agree between themselves engaged thereunto by a kind of Brotherly Relation But the Spaniard and Dutch differ in many nay in most things and in those they agree they meet with too much vehemency Both have been famous in Martial Exploits for many Ages unless that these have disused those by Italian and other Forreign Expeditions are encouraged through long Discipline and Rewards The Dutch are very sedulous and diligent and for the hope of gain willing to undergo any labour do by that means acquire both Trade and Peace yet do they not use to take and put up Injuries and as they are greedy after other mens goods so in defence of their own they will contend to the uttermost which hath been the cause that in this single Region there are so many Cities and those that are scituate near the Sea or any other River strongly fortified and every where else so replenished by their own and a mixt multitude of persons from other Countries Thus since those monstrous Incursions from the Northern Parts of the Earth were blown over have they for Eight Ages continued unconquered and free from the spoyls of forreign Armies But Spain after it had contracted from the variety of its Victors many of their Customes and great diversity in their manners at last was forced to yield her Neck to the Gothish Servitude by which mixt cohabitation and intermingled breeding they came even to unite in nature and disposition of whom both Ancient and Modern Authors have given us this Character That they were of invincible spirits to undergo all manner of hardships and dangers whereby it was scrupled by the rest of the World Whether they were more greedy of Honour or Wealth They are proud and arrogant beyond meaure even to the contempt of all others they are very great honourers of things Sacred having Religion in high esteem which makes them neither unmindful of nor ungrateful for benefits received but in revenge so furious is their heat and in victory so barbarous their cruelty that they think nothing in such case done to an enemy either unlawful or dishonourable Theâ—e things are quite contrary to the Dutch a Nation innocently crafty and after the manner of their scituation which is between France and Germany they are moderate both in their Customes and Conditions in some measure participating of the Vices of both yet not altogether without some of their Vertues You cannot easily deceive them you must nor unadvisedly insult over them Nor in matters of Divine Worship in former time did they in ought come behind the Spaniard being unanimous eveâ— since they first put on Christianity not so terrified by the Norman Arms as to change their profession nor yet ever infected with any damnable errour They bestowed so much upon Religion that the very Priests themselves were necessiated to prescribe bounds to what they might possess They learnt from both between whom they seemed engrafted to honour and reverence their Princes But the Dutch thought the Law ever above them from which pretence sprung many troubles The Castilians love to govern somewhat more strictly than other Nations and yet what liberty soever they usurp to themselves they will not allow the like to others Hence arose very great danger because as in two divided Empires neither for Fear or Love to prevent the trouble or win the favour of their Princes would the Dutch enâ—ure any superior nor the Spaniards an equall Al People hâ—â— labour with the thirst and ambition of Rule if their first actions thrive into a Success their next Work is to draw the Nations with whom they converse or hold correspondence under the subjection of their Law to appoint Juâ—gâ— and Governours to assess and impose Tributes and Taxeâ— that it may be at their option and pleasure to use and command the common strength Thus the Spaniards accustomed to domineer in Italy and at their will to lay waste and destroy in America sought either the same power or else for denyall thereof a cause of Quarrell with the Dutch who by a long succession of Princes were even united in an indissoluble league Neither did Adrian shortly after Pope a holy and just man and yet a Hollander forget the hateful authority of the Spaniard the
affairs both of Warre and Peace the Law and the Sword but Lamoral Count of Egmond governed Flanders and Artoyes a man of a more open nature and like a Souldier somewhat fierce trusting much to his wealth and strength much to his fame and the truth is had he not too much blamed others in those two famous Victories obtained against the French at St. Quintius and Gravelin he merited an immortal wreath of Honour and Renown These two far outwent all the rest both in the greatness of their charges and honour for Brabant being a common part of the Empire had no proper Governour the rest of the Provinces are mentioned hereafter The Command of the Sea which in it self is most honourable rested advantaged in Mommorency Count of Horn sprung from a noble Family in France These great men thus qualified the Spaniard found he must remove before he should enjoy the Netherlands according to his aym and it seemed the more easie to be done because while they wholly endeavour to attain estimation and Authority and to that end cavel at the Spaniards haughtiness and pride they had already made a breach in friendship in liâ—e manner the rest of the Nobles in no manner though but comparatively wealthy made factions and most of the meaner sort had shipwrack't their credit either by luxury or among a wanting and necessitated Souldiery In which streights they were not continually thrust out of their power as their enemies expected but they used all their industry and diligence by all wayes and meanes to maintain their dignity many in these publick distempers seeking either to hide or amend their own the vulgar rout were ready for mischief and would commit spoyls on others as they were led thereunto either by their hope or desperation These bickerings among the Belgick Peers and Nobility discording in affection did in some manner for a while put a stop to the careere of the audacious Spaniard while part take part with the Prince of Aurange and the others before named others follow the factions of severall great Houses But neither the hatted of Warre the suffering and undergoing its evills the love of peace nor the loss of honours no whit moved the Commons whose whole study was Merchandizing and feasting by the first to get money and by the second prodigally to spend it But they took it heavily to heart that men should be tormented or killed for any manner of worship of God and this was irksome even to those that were not within the fear or danger of that cruelty Long did grief stand wavering between sighes and teares before the incitements of good could make it burst out Of this matter because to some it gave cause to others onely pretence I will discover it fully from the very beginning Christian Religion that of old was reverenced for its naked simplicity was shortly after set out with the various flourisheâ— of congregated Philosophers by the additions of each according to their severall fancies among whom also Jewes Greeks and others cast in the severall Ceremonies of their particular Countries that so the Majesty of their Religion might the more splendidly appear nor indeed was it without reason but these continuing long free to be used or left at last admitted by the Opinions of some private Families or the advice and judgment of some Churches by little and little encreased by use till the Eloquence of the Learned and the suffrages and Decrees of Counsels changed them into necessity and Law which through the ignorance of succeeding times and by subtle and dark disputations and circumloquutions have been ever since defended In which Interim the Bishops of Rome men of an unlimited Authority emulous Constantinople being removed as also the Cities of Asia and Aegypt established a kind of Ecclesiastical Kingdom wherein the Cardinalls being as Judges Laterall they have assumed the height of Empire and have continued in a long Series of Dominion none in any manner contradicting them because most of the European Nations had received their Christianity from instructors sent from Rome Hence it was that the Rites and Ceremonies of the Latine Church were all received and the Latine Tongue onely used in all acts of devotion by the Church But they after they had thus brought all things Sacred within their own reach set forth new Decrees interpret the old take the holy Scripture out of the hands of the vulgar protesting it a most pernicious thing if an unlearned curiosity should dive into the understanding of so great a Mystery Thus turning all things â—o their own honour and profit and so great a liberty is given by the Priests that vice is come to that pitch as they themselves confess it wants correcting But by a sudden breaking forth of Learning which dispelled by a new way of preaching the darkness of that age there did appear some who promised as well to reform Religion as the arts and to call all things relating to Religion to the Test of the holy Scripture This was well pleasing to the People who weary of the charges and injuries they underwent did exceedingly rejoyce that now they should no longer serve God and seek for Heaven with anxious dread and in blind obedience but with a more firm and setled confidence and with fewer Precepts Neither were some Princes backward in breaking in upon this Priestly Power which had now almost subjected unto it self the Kingly Diadem But here the Proverb was truly manifested the hand alwayes followes the hurt certain people of troublesome natures that could not endure any quiet what was publickly to be desired they will though private persons extort and now they fall together by the ears about the manner nor will they admit any to compose the differences But it was no easie matter to pull asunder those joynts which for so many Ages had grown together And the discomposed face of Affairs was very displeasing the peoples minds being set a madding and no apparent way to bring them into order again for here were revived the opinions of Husse in Germany of Wicliffe in England of the Waldenses in France whence by the meetings of their severall Inhabitants by the company of the forreign Souldiers and by commerce and Trading they were transpersed over the Netherlands and grew common And liberty being allowed of once changing brought in many impious and nefarious Sects Nor would any one believe that here was any Land more fertile in the producing such kinds of Monsters in those times than the Netherlands if he should but throughly look over the villanous and reproachful Speeches of David George of Delph and the seditious sayings of John Bucoldus of Leyden 〈◊〉 of these people but rather slighted all convenience that were offered him for the survey and knowledg of their Regions He was indeed an equal Judge of Vertues and shares of Honours behaving himself as one and the 〈◊〉 Prince to all his People not suffering such daily 〈◊〉 〈…〉 Spaniards were 〈◊〉 to in
their 〈…〉 〈…〉 endeavouring to be present in these his Netherlands if his Affairs would bear it and is hindred not his taking care for his more immediate 〈◊〉 He that was here the Princes Lieutenant had a 〈◊〉 Glassâ— of Counsellors To the first of whom was the care and managery of Peace and Warr. To the second the distribution of Justice according to Law with the moderation thereof by equity as also the power of judging and determining the publick Controversies of those Regions The third supervised the Treasury and therein took care of the 〈◊〉 Wealth or to supply his Necessities That first Councell or Assembly customarily made up of the most noble of the Dutch and eminent and famous for the many great and weighty Affairs there frequently handled we will call by a proper name The Senate To which Philip between the greatness of his Kingdoms and the informations of such who flattered the actions of his Youth forming himself to the Spanish Mode and using no other language used to come with an assumed aâ—stere gravity few words and eschewing of much company And when his Father had withdrawn himself that he might spend his old age in a private retirement they presently urge him to raise new Imposts in whom the old ambition and thirst of Rule not yet repressed by experiments was such as would scarcely suffer either measure or bounds Nor is it to be doubted but that most beautiful order of Government gave credit to the faith and vertue of the Spaniards How great a desire harboured in the Breasts of Princes to subvert the Law which kept under the violent abullitions of their power the notable ruines both of Princes and People have left us too many both new and old pregnant examples Of this endeavour and intention of Philip some of the Spaniards themselves were afterwards sensible but the Netherlanders for so for the greater part of them are they to be called being now mastered into obedience but yet not willing to bear an arbitrary Government though they would seem to bear the yoke the better from a long use so that hence were hoped many great and seasonable opportunities against Neighbour Kingdome both by Sea and Land Nor was there wanting the seeds of future discord for when Philip had undertaken the French Warr invited thereto rather by their Civill Discords than the Peoples will or assistance after many delayes and controvertings a Tax was granted by the States but so as if they had had a power to have denyed it ordaining That the very Collectors Receivers thereof should pay towards the same This was charged upon them as an unaccustomed thing and a crime by them committed against their Liberty which indeed then was but small Hereupon the meeting of the States being interpreted as a Meeting of confederacy was strictly forbidden Nor did the Spaniards doubt to make the offence seem greater some of them affecting honour others minding only rapine which while the Lawes stood they knew would not admit them How necessary it is for wise Princes to keep in possession since by their presence not only the Netherlands formerly but even Spain it self had been kept in good order yet notwithstanding Phillip is perswaded the Peace with France being concluded to take a Journey into Spain or other parts of his Dominions as well because he feared some Troubles in that Kingdom and the encrease of the Turks power at Sea as also because he should be nearer to take a care of and secure his American Treasures At this time also the antient and magnificent Nobles appeared glorious in their Dignities but were mean in their Estates either by their own Luxury or the Prince's Policy who under pretence of Honours had by extraordinary Charges exhausted every honourable Person Among all whom William by succession of the Cabellonian Family Prince of Aurange within Province of France did excell the rest in diligence curtesie and policy but originally descended from the ancient Family of Nassau in Germany which formerly having contested with the Austrian Family for the Imperiall Wreath afterwards submitted himself under the Patronage of the more fortunate overcomer He was from his tenderest Infancy separated and taken from his Father who professed the German Religion he was the Courts foster-Child and by Charles admitted into his Councells became not only skilled and imployed in the conduct of Warre but in very great Embassies he was renowned by an antient stock of Nobility had many large and rich Possessions in the Netherlands of a great Spirit which embellished it self his wisdom and Prudence equalling his height of Spirit so that he was capable even of the greatest Fortune cruelty and covetousness were absolute strangers with him Valiant in the search of the remorest matters and when found a memory so faithful as ever is retain them by most pleasing allurements growing potent with the People He had the Government of Holland Zealand and Vtrecht and within those bounds his care and power managed all the affairs both of Warre and Peace the Law and the Sword but Lamoral Count of Egmond governed Flanders and Artoyes a man of a more open nature and like a Souldier somewhat fierce trusting much to his wealth and strength much to his fame and the truth is had he not too much blamed others in those two famous Victories obtained against the French at St. Quintius and Gravelin he merited an immortal wreath of Honour and Renown These two far outwent all the rest both in the greatness of their charges and honour for Brabant being a common part of the Empire had no proper Governour the rest of the Provinces are mentioned hereafter The Command of the Sea which in it self is most honourable rested advantaged in Mommorency Court of Horn sprung from a noble Family in France These great men thus qualified the Spaniard found he must remove before he should enjoy the Netherlands according to his aymâ— and it seemed the more easie to be done because while they wholly endeavour to attain estimation and Authority and to that end cavel at the Spaniards haughtiness and pride they had already made a breach in friendship in liâ—â— manner the rest of the Nobles in no manner though but comparatively wealthy made factions and most of the meaner sort had shipwrack't their credit either by luxury or among a wanting and necessitated Souldiery In which streights they were not continually thrust out of their power as their enemies expected but they used all their industry and diligence by all wayes and meanes to maintain their dignity many in these publick distempers seeking either to hide or amend their own the vulgar tout were ready for mischief and would commit spoyls on others as they were led thereunto either by their hope or desperation These bickerings among the Belgick Peeâ—s and Nobility discording in affection did in some manner for a while put a stop to the careere of the audacious Spaniard while part take part with the Prince of Aurange
since and these chose to be assistant unto whom they pleased who had Authority to examine upon Oath any person whatsoever wheresoever or under whose Obedience soever he lived And by these subtle Dealings they not onely did wind themselves into the Secrets of Families but dived into the Closet of Mens Hearts for as any one was more or less Conscientiously fearful of Perjury so did he accordingly more or less by closer or more open Discoveries betray himself But if this were not yet were it a hard matter for men to conceal themselves there where it is accounted Religion to fall down before the Shrines of Saints their Host exposed in the Churches or else when it is openly carryed about Suspicion sends a man to Prison but the meanest Discovery is enough to commit him to Torture Nor is it permitted for the Accused Person Guiltless or Guilty to hear or refute the Witness as if such Allowance would be dangerous to the Witnesses and destructive to Truth it self The Temporal Judges are commanded to punish all that are condemned although it onely proceed from Ecclesiastical Cenâ—ure in the cruel executing whereof many strive to shew their Zeal and Piety Others there were who did foresee these manner of Judgments to be subject not onely to Scandal and Hatred but Covetousness because when Goods happened not to be Confiscate they would not suffer them to be taken out of their Cognizance and Power to the use of the Parties untill they had satisfied the Charge of the Complaint But the Spanish Inquisition for Sharpness and Cruelty exceeds all other for the management whereof some Monks of the Order of St. Dominike are chosen and it was of old and originally instituted against the Jews and Moors who being by their Kings compelled to own and profess Christianity did yet clandestinely relapse into the abjâ—â—â—d Errours This at first was not unworthily made use of against those Barbarous Nations though with their Hatred but afterwards it was by a wondrous Sagacity of Inquiry laid premiscuously as a Burden upon all For the most wary speeches nay silence it self Decoles and Treacheries in Friendship nay sideling and oblique Accusations were admitted so that it was plainly evident no man could behave himself with Innocency as could preserve his Safety and Honour if they were minded to question it which makes me think that they are not to be mistrusted for Forging who say onely the real Truth not out of Envy that they have heard in Spain it self and almost all over Italy most grievous Complaint of this Inquisition made by Romanists themselves in the very City of Rome In the Netherlands the Emperour Charles first set out aâ— Edict concerning Religion after he had condemned Luther upon a full Hearing before the Synod of Wormes in Germany and here it began from pecuniary Mults and other Corporeal Sufferings to punish with Death and by reason of the Lenity of the Judges the laws were site ched and seveâ— times proclaimed There was likewise great Care taken that no Books should be published but what had the Approbation of the Doctors of Lonvayne They who would Preach or argue out of the Scriptures were fain to meet â— private Assemblies Death by the Sword was threatâ— unto Men and to Women Inhumation or Burial alive together with the Confiscation of their Goods yet so that the â—ight first come in and acknowledge their Errour for the Obstinate were to be burned Also if any detected ◠〈◊〉 false Opinions and innocent in the rest woâ—â—â— repeat he should be degraded from all his Dignities They who harboured such and did not bring them forth should be lyable to the same punishments as the guilty themselves but Rewards and Impurity to all Accusess Many severe Edicts were set forth against suspected Persons and such as fled but most terrible against Relapsers And the very Judges though terrified by Penalties yet least under the pretence of Pitty they should moderate the Laws had Inquisitors fully instructed by Caesar himself joyned to them Onely the City of Antwerp whom a moderate Liberty together with extraordinary Obedience had mightily enriched daring to complain to the Germans and English that the Severity of that Edict had driven away the best part of her Commerce obtained that Strangers should be a little more kindly used and that that part of the Decree whereby Alienations and Testaments of Delinquents even before Judgment should be rescinded an evident Ruine of all Merchandising should not in that City be of any force These Laws being Dictated by a Disposition or Nature in it self otherwise not at all cruel we may the less wonder that the strength of Religion made them being impatient of any Dissentors which as in it self should rather mollifie and unite mens minds yet is by the wickedness of Humane Frailty made the main Cause of most bitter Discords and Factions Most of the Princes made it their Business to bind up the United Body of the Commonwealth in one Religion as in one Heart and to be as well fixt and well satisfied in the Reason of Sacred and of Profane Laws which might certainly if they were not so commonly admitted to vulgar handling whereby Caesar also was the more easily perswaded after the German Method that they might not with the Despised Reverence of the Clergy cast off the Bond of their Obedience to him by some few Penalties to take away the strength of that Poyson which had its only Aliment from Liberty But the Event proved quite contrary for though many suffered and perished by putting this in effect yet instead of a Decrease from thence they infinitely multiplyed and the Reason hereof might be because those things which we corporally act onely by the Fear and Threatning of Death and Torments are obnoxious to Authority and Power But the Mind as it is free and not to be limited or bound up if it receive any Principles or Documents into it self it will not be evinced either by Fire or Sword but rather incites and scores danger accounting it a Blessed and Glorious thing to suffer Ignominies and Cruelty not being Conscious to themselves of having committed Evil which they learnt not onely from the Primitive Christians but many Examples of these very Times For after the Butchery of no less than One Hundred Thousand Men to make a Triall if this Fire were to be quenched with Bloud such vast Multitudes made Insurrections all over the Netherlands that sometimes the publike Executions especially if upon any more eminent Criminal or Exemplary Torments were hindred and impeded by Seditions And this moved the Queen of Hungary that had the Government of these Netherlands under her Brother Charles to go to him while he yet staid in Germany and to let him know how great a slaughter those things which were pretended for Remedies had made But Philip not at all moved or frighted with these things did more earnestly press what his Father had begun by sharp and threatning Edicts and
and for the pacifying of those that were fallen off But no man was ever so wise whom Fortune at one time or other hath not deceived For the Prince of Aurange had before this by under-hand Policies and insinuating Intelligence gain'd the Hearts of the Brabanders declaring That he desired nothing that might singly tend to his own particular advantage but wholly minded the Publike Good And they again of their own accord consented while Requesens was busie abroad with his Forces or dissembled Lenity with intent to raise his Authority higher than he had ever abated it For the Regent himself very indiscreâ—tly commanded the Countreymen to take Arms to repress the Tumultuous Mutinies of the Souldiers which very thing was the first beginning of their Liberty in thoâ—e Parts For now the Names imposed by Alva being forgotten the Laws and the Rights of the States were cryed up by the Voyces of all Men Flanders also from hence learned Wit a People very unquiet and hardly able of old to endure their Princes when they were onely Princes These confidently denied Tribute to Don Requesens because there was exacted from them more than was necessary But as there were in that Senate some Spaniards so were there also many Netherlanders from whom the Prince of Aurange hoped that he might desire that they would rather bestow those Monies to defend their Country than betray it And this Counsel so full of sound Care did greatly help forward in that Case For this War had so extreamly drained the Spanish Wealth though very great that the King being greatly indebted was fain to take by force his Possessions from the Vsurers under the pretence of a general Discharge by common Authority of all Debts and Bonds before that time without any payment or satisfaction for the same And by chance the Turks whose Power hath ever grown greater by the Christians Discords while Philip turns all his strength against the Netherlands enjoying the Kingdom of Tunis fell violently into all the rest of Africa both by Sea and Land which the Spaniards held By means of which straits it came to pass that the Spanish Souldiers in the Low-Countries had no Pay for many Moneths who thereupon according to Custom by them long received casting off Obedience become Licentious and wish for nothing more than for Pillage Wherefore Bruxels the Metropolis of those Dominions was destined for Plunder and so had been if the common People mindful of former Villanies and almost astonished at the greatness of the imminent Danger had not betaken them to Arms and advertised the Magistrates and those who had the Management of the Laws thereof These presently summoned the Senate to whom we told you before the Administration of the Government was fallen to condemn these impudent Souldiers as Enemies to the Prince and Country which being openly done the Sedition was believed to be privily fomented by the Counsels of a few whose Wealth grew from Forreign Tyranny But when the Confederate Regiments turning out their Commanders had forcibly entred Alost a Town in that part of Flanders which of old stuck to the German Empire and was never as the rest subject to France and thence had wasted the Country round about them there being none to take Vengeance of them some of the Nobles of Brabant not by any publike Advice but struck with the Fear and Memory of the Example of Antwerp sent some who should keep together the Senate that is the Head of the Commonwealth in their Court and Session Anon least the Government should fail for want of a lawful Authority they discriminated the Innocent from such as were Suspicious restraining all whose Treachery or Sluggishness would produce the effect that no Strength should be made ready against the insulting Envy and Malice of the Spaniards And not onely so but the Natives that were Souldiers were as much as might be picked out and sent into several parts and then joyned in League with Flanders and other Cities against them as against a Common Enemy Nor did they onely think of these new Disturbances of the Publike Peace but called also to 〈◊〉 the Oppressions in Alva's time such as the Tenths Inquisition Punishments of the Guiltless Robbing them of that by Force and War which they laboured for in Times of Peace and their frequent Slaughters and Executions by colour of the Edicts And now Matters began to seem not onely to take notice of such as had traduced the Government but of the whole Spanish Nation Whereupon one Rode made himself Captain of certain Companies of Spaniards that now went out of Holland never to return thither again part of the Senate before and which then was gone over to the Souldiers usuâ—ping to themselves all Right of Government But now â—he whole Colledge as it were re-uniting The German Souldiers too joyned themselvs hoping to do what they listed 〈◊〉 thus joyned together they sacked Vtrecht by he Maze â— most noble City and not long after powering themselves out of the Castle into the City of Antwerp where for some days having beaten out the Defendants they glutted their Wrath and Avarice with the Slaughter oâ— the Townsmen the burning of Houses and an exceeding great Booty Among all which Mâ—series the Netherlanders durst not rely upon the strength and valour of their new and unexperienced Souldiers against those Weather-beaten and old ones who had also Fortifications and Castles not knowing well therefore what to do and considering that it would be too tedious to â—ove oâ—her Princes to aid them they resolved at last to accept of the next Forces which belonged to the Prince of Aurange were by him freely offered them being conscious to themselves that they should be looked upon however as guilty of the like Crimes and that they must either purge themselves together by Force or suffer together Wherefore resuming the Treaty of Peace which was broken off at Breda as is before related and as Fellow-Citizens consulting against a Common Enemy they easily agree and it was provided that for the obliterating the Memory of former Differences no one should be questioned concerning Religion nor that any Judgments should be confirmed which were given concerning the same but that all things confiscated should be restored to their Owners or if they were sold certain select Apprizers should set a value both upon Possessions and other things wrongfully detained and to restore to the one the thing it self to wit the Possessions to the other the value or price thereof that every one for the future might use what Religion he pleased and so as to those things which they of Holland and Zealand took detained in the time of the War which belonged to the King and they also agreed That what Money the Prince of Aurange had expended in his two Expeditions or so much thereof as belonged to him the rest of the Provinces should be equally contributary to the re-imbursing after the Commonwealth was freed from Forreigners according to the
to the War in regard it was so near Neighbour to Antwerp In the mean time also were some small Skirmishes with little Advantage to either side and not a few English turning Renegades and being contemned by the Spaniard were a good Example to teach others to be faithful to that Party under whom they first served Anon Verdugo was forced to leave Lochem a little Toâ— in Geldars not far from Zutphen which he endeavoured â— win by starving because while he was about it it was thâ—i relieved with fresh Provisions but presently won Steâ— which before had cost so many Lives without any danger by the help of Night and the Townsmens Folly At the time Philip having Valois his Opposit thought he now waâ—ed more strength and care than heretofore and therefore sends to Parma a Recruit of Spanish and Italian Souldiers nor durst any be so bold as to contradict the same notwithstanding the Artoysian Treaty and Agreements averring Thâ— in that Treaty the Obedience of the whole Netherlands was intended of which hope he being defrauded the Bond of the Obligation ceased together with the Cause The Summe of this Army upon Muster was Threescore Thousand Foot Four Thousand of whom would make good Horsemen and these Number remain or rather are increased to this very time whâ—â— Monthly Pay amounted to or rather was supposed to exceâ— Seven Hundred Thousand Florens and that the other Charge of the War came to no less than half as much That therefore Philip sent thither every year over and above the Tributes there raised above Twenty Hundred Thousand so much was consumed by the Spaniard upon the Netherlanders And that no more Money should be carryed over thither they who feared bad Success by the ill Carriage of Affairs there were believed to have hindred it On the other side the States that they might win fame to their new Commonwealth by great and noble beginnings advanced their Yearly Pensions and Tributes which were at present but Four and Twenty to Fourty Hundred Thousand with which Money they raised Souldiers and then had in Arms under the Conduct of Francis of Valois besides Netherlanders French Germans English and Scots The Forces on both sides were very strong but the greatest part of them lay in Garrisons because there being no determined Bounds they were as the Fortune of War required put into Towns which many times even joyned one to another but still kept their Opposition Hitherto Valois hoped for Succours from his Brother for the wasting of those Riches against or for which the Kings of France had for the space of Two Hundred years contested by War to suffering of much hardship yes to the loss of their Bloud and now by Conditions of Peace had made their Enemy equal to themselves But the King himself had no mind openly to denounce War nor privily to send the expected Forces although his Mother Medices had assailed and disturbed the possession of the Portugal Sea And the truth is Philip had prevented him having purchased a means to make Debate wherewith he might perturb the then peaceable Estate of France The stronger Party therefore did openly possess the King with fear advising withall That he should turn his strength against none but the Enemies of the Romane Religion another Party being politickly deceitful under pretence of more wise Counsel denyed that it was â—ther just or profitable for the King who was yet not satisfied iâ— his Successor to exhaust and consume his Treasure for the use of strangers but that he should rather leave both the Netherlanders and the Duke himself too to their poverty untill being drawn dry they would fall from their Capitulations and Contests for Government and submit themselves to the Laws as for the Spaniard though he could not be conquered by others yet he might in good time be overcome by a Neighbour Kingdom These were the Counsels but indeed the King was of his own nature averse to his Brother not that he was offended by him but rather had offended him and mindfull that he had once committed him to hard and close Custody more out of suspition than for any Crimes This cast the Duke head-long upon Counsels dangerous and full of desperation and fatall both to himself and the Netherlanders for when he perceived that they would easily set him at naught since he could not perform with them in the promised ayds and that he was burdened with an 〈◊〉 profitable Principality not forgetting that he ruled onely â— pleasure and that afterward that he was restrained and kept under by the Laws and Authorities of others which is very grievous to them that have been bred in a Kingdom having divers times desired an alteration of the same but not obtaining it he resolves to erect a peculiar power by force and to that end assigns the Towns of Flanders to be possessed and held by the most trusty Garrisons of his Captains Anwerp he takes to himself as the biggest City and that which most favoured the Prince of Aurange to whom he knew he did owe a part of his power by an implicit agreement and where the Deputies of the States were present who were the impediments of his greatness 1583. It is probable the main inciters to this rashness were not onely some secret spies that held Intelligence with the Enemy having their Faith corrupted by moâ—â—â— who offered to the Duke an unquestionable right of Dominion by a Spanish Marriage but also the Frenchmen who pâ—oposed to themselves the ransacking of Cities or greâ—â— Booty Honours which by the Laws they were cebarred â— of which covetousness there are as many Nations found guilty as the Netherlanders had Allyes or Confederates The success answered the Design where the French Garrisons were prevalent and Veward Dendremunde Dixmayâ— and Dunkirk a Sea-cost Town of Flanders excellently seated for French Trassique were taken At Bruges bâ—â— the old and new Governours were outwitted by the extraordinary and most politick ingenuity of the Magistrates wâ— desiring under pretence of consultation the Captains and Leaders to go to the Town-house there kept and detaineâ— them till they had by their Letters Commanded the Souldiers to march out from thence which they for fear of the Armed multitude without grudging did accordingly The danger of Antwerp was greater though some Signs of the bloody event burst forth and with a dissembled suspition of somewhat he did as much as he could hide the concourse of his People from the Prince of Aurange and the Governours of the Town There was the Army both of French and Switzers assembled that the Fort of Endouen being left and the Enemy fled the whole possession of Brabant might be regained To these the Duke going out under the very Walls as if to number them with his Customary Retinue onely about him he Commands the Watches immediately to be killed and the Ports to be set up and seized that so the rest of his Army might have the easier entrance And now seventeen
but out of them forty or sometimes fewer were picked who afterwards meeting together did consult and deliberate of all things that concerned the Commonwealth and these were called The wise and sober men And if death or banishment took any one or more of them away others are forthwith chosen into the vacant places who are eminent for their Prudence and Riches and the Laws and Ordinances made by this Assembly or Common-Council are by the Consent of the whole City obliging to all so that it is hardly found in an Age that any People gainsay them but are ready rather to fight in defence of the Authority of their Governours These every year nominate severall out of whom are chosen Praefects this Power formerly belonged to the Prince who are to maintain and defend the publick Peace and are called by the People Masters and these at most were four There are seven others that are called by the name of Eschevins do passe Judgment in all differences of private concernment as likewise in criminall matters These Offices are undertaken and performed as a duty incumbent upon them in behalf of their Country with little or no Reward or Salary And to these mens Power and the Counsel of some that are their Assistants who must be well read in the Civill Law all the business of Towns and Cities is referred and by them dispatched with this additional Power allowed to them of making Laws and raising moderate Sums of mony within the verge of their own Jurisdiction from hence the whole Empire as it were assembling these Chiefs together in one Body they who before singly governed the Parts thus associated and conjunct do praeside and rule the whole Nation For three or four times in the year or oftner as the Emergencies of Affairs require there is a Council summoned out of both degrees of the People which is called the Convention of the States But the Nobility because they cannot easily meet from their several Remote Habitations have conferred their Power and Authority upon some few whose Riches and Honour is greater than the rest and they meet in that Great Council in the behalf of all To these in respect of their Quality is only given the priority of suffrage for every one of the meaner Ranks have a Vote equall to them When therefore the Common-Council of any Town hath deliberated at home concerning matters there proposed the Magistrates and some of the Assistants are sent to the great Convention to give them account of what they have so done and thereupon to obtain their permission all other things that may happen either by accident or conveniency are left to their Prudence and Fidelity Wherefore in this great Assembly as all things are discussed which formerly the Princes used to take care and Cognizance of so they assess what Taxes Assesments or other Customs are necessary every year for the bearing and carrying on the Burthen and Charge of the War which is proportionably rated upon every Province according 〈◊〉 their Forces But because this Great Convention is ag◠quickly dissolved the Nobility and chief Magistrates of great Cities may chuse fit men out of themselves that they sitting at the Helm of Government may put in execution the Ed◠and Decrees of the States and oversee all other quotid◠business and in sudden Cases to provide remedy and ◠any thing happen that requires a greater care they may by a Proclamation in Writing summon the Great Assembly of the States This Honour doth generally continue but for time limited But the Dignity of Advocate of Holland is perpetuall He in the times of the Princes was the only assertor of the Publick Liberty and as then is dangers so now the form of the Commonwealth being changed he is in the Convertion of the States and in the meetings of the Deputies he demands their Advice and Judgment he by perswasive Speeches draws points to a head and composeth any difference like to fall out among them This Office was executed very prayse-worthily from the beginning of the War by Paul Busius and after him John Olden Barnevelt had the same and much honoured the same by his proper vertues whereof he gave a most excellent Testimony against the Earl of Leicesters Threats and Policies manifesting himself both a faithfull Counsellor and a person of an invincible Spirit This is in effect the Form of the Government in Holland from whence the Customs of other of the Provinces are not much different Every place hath its proper Overseers of all penalties and forfeitures belonging to the publick Treasury and Judges who are men well skilled in the Laws to whom Appeals might be made from the inferiour Courts of the Town These are they who obtain all lasting and continuall Dignities out of whose number a Prefect is chosen and these are always nominated by the States only But now the Senate takes Cognizance of all things relating to the confederated Union and provides all-things necessary for the War and all that are admitted into it do swear That without any respect of them from whom they are sent they shall advise what shall be most advantagious to the Publick good Now it is to be observed that hither are sent from every Province some particularly from Holland three from Zeland two from Frizeland the like and from every one of the rest one Hithet when there is any more grave and serious matter to be debated the Governours of Provinces are sent for and admitted But because matters of the greatest concornment were from all Antiquity never dispatched without the consent of every severall Province and that was found by reason of the infinite multitude of business and the hazard of long delays to be inconvenient therefore it was agreed that Deputies should be sent with free Commission who should always attend the chief business of State and if any thing hapned there that required more deliberate Consultation and merited maturer judgement that forthwith every one should consult the States of his own Province Every Province which now according to the League sends out of their chief Cities some hath an equall right of suffrage And by turns they successively come to be Presidents And at that time these were the Provinces Guelderland Holland Zeland Vtreche Frizeland within the Vlye and the Lecke and Over-Issel This Deputation hath by little and little assumed to it self the nature of a perpetual Assembly resembling the Confederate or United States and doth frequently use that name And the Power here included and vested in the Deputies for a prelimited time is not prolonged unless by the pleasure and Authority of their Superiours by whom they were intrusted In like manner others of an inferiour Rank are chosen for Sea-Ports and other Towns lying on the Sea-Coast who are by their Judgments and Counsels to order and settle all Navall matters This in brief is the Method and Form of that Common-wealth nor is it congruous only to mind the meaner sort which means
as the Government grows famous being â— bounded among a few Families so neither is altogether popular as to be made up out of the multitude The Authority of the Nobles being left to themselves and all our power residing in the chief Citizens of the more Noble Cities Hence as it were by certain steps were they elected who were to govern the Provinces and to look after all other publike business not as in a meer Democratical form by promiscuous and accidentall choyce but by having a regaâ— to their descent and Progenitors the acquisition of their Wealth and their other laudable dispositions and vertuous qualities Nor was the Provision for securing liberty herein any whit mistaken while things of greatest difficulty and concernment were ordered by the judgment of many and the chiefest Authority passeth from hand to hand which â—s the cause that many without the hope of continuing their greatness have made it their study to learn and put in practice the true manner of well governing I have found it an experimented truth even when Wars were maintained against the Romans that the People both of France Germany and Britain were wont to examine and discuss their more weighty matters by the Peers of the Land and such choyces made by the Cities and that some remainders thereof appear even where Kingdoms have been since long setled But if we may dive into Records of greater Antiquity in Greece we shall find the like settlement among them under the name of Amphyctiones by whose unanimity the almost incredible power of the Median Monarch was both resisted and conquered And so in Achaja whose strength at first though inconsiderable yet by an harmonious Agreement waxed formidable But to proceed though every Province hath a Metropolitical City of its own yet now the chief and common Seat of Empire is among the Hollanders who as they far out vye the rest of their Confederates in Wealth so they do not a little go beyond them in Authority The Hague is a Village and the Seat of Prince Maurice exceedingly and choycely pleasant with delightful Woods and Groves and its neighbouring Bank The State of the Commonwealth in the Provinces under the Kings Command differeth not much from the other but that the great Assembly of the States for those parts are seldom called together except it be for setling of Taxes and raising Mony some few are selected to manage the private Affairs of every Province but the Senate with the Regent and the rest assistant thereunto as the Judges of Law and Treasury have the whole Government of all things and whoever is admitted into any Office he continues therein without alteration or change The Revenues of the United Provinces what they were is before declared afterward when they had shaken off all fear of Tyranny they began to settle Tributes for their own Commonwealth and when their Trading and Merchandizing encreased by the decay of Brabant their Spirits were augmented as their Riches and their undertakings were attended with success their confidence boldly venturing upon the greatest attempts enlarged their charges and expences their Fields Houses Victuals Cloaths nay their very Heads were not free but made lyable for payments of Mony They had the Sea open to bring them most certain Customs which not lyable to the hazard of War as other things though it was the endeavour of those in Power not to hinder Trassique if possible least Commodities of great value might by incertainty and hazards be carryed elsewhere But the Wealth of the Spanish Provinces though consisted much of Taxes very hardly and with an ill will gotten â— by the accession of great Sums of Mony from the King of exceed very far the other but that the multitude of â— who were interested in the receiving and payment of the same and the easiness of fraudulent dealing therein intercepted and devoured the greatest part thereof before it caâ—â— to the uses for which it was designed while some of theâ— would keep it as their own and others as profusely and prodigally wast it The Souldiery of the Hollanders consisting of Citizens Allyes and strangers besides the Auxiliary English Forces did not at this time exceed eighteen thousand Foot with a indifferent Cavallery the greatest part of whom lay in Gaâ—risons and were far short of their Enemies in multitude before France had made him divide his strength But the Earl of Leicester's neglect and their other many Seditions had taught them that it was better and more safe for them to defend themselves with small Armies than by exceeding their Treasure under the name of Souldiers to raise themselves enemies And now every day they brought their Discipline to be more strict that those Citizens and neighbouring Provinces and others that redeemed their Lands lying partly in the Enemies Country from spoil and pillage by paying mony for Composition might not be injuriously veâ—ed and when the Souldiers were drawn into Winter Quarters they were not to take any mony under-hand while they were there but the Commonwealth did defray all charges during their stay by this equality a wonderfull thing was brought to passe that every house was glad and willing to entertain them All the Infantry was divided into Regiments for so we will call them every Regiment containing ten Ensigns and seldom more Under every Ensign were to march an hundred men 't is true some Companies were at first greater but if you will look upon them generally what with Death and running away and what with the Captains false Musters they hardly arose to that Number Every Troop likewise was to contain so many Horsemen and three of these Troops as it were a Wing had but one common Commander And that all these might with the more ease be paid every Province took to themselves certain Companies of Foot and Troops of Horse to whom out of their proper Treasure they constantly gave their Pay And as every Province thus answer'd his proportion so they began a new Custom which was That they would in Vacancies name the Captains and other inferiour Officers under their Pay The Captains themselves managed the meaner Services but they who governed the Commonwealth either for their Vertue or out of Favour would appear in such as were more eminent The Forces of the Enemy were much more numerous than the other whereby they kept in awe what or whosoever they suspected and guarded their Borders though of a very great Extent The Common Souldiers Pay was alike on both sides but they had greater and more extraordinary Advantages with the Spaniard with whom also there were a great number of persons who had double Pay yet were they not less burthensome either to Towns or Countries whether in the Camp or in Garrison so that they were more than doubly destructive to the Treasury And their Military Discipline was much neglected by their private Emulations On the contrary Prince Maurice upon whom chiefly the whole Care and Weight of the War lay pretermitted none of
many intestine discords yet from the hatred of the present Lords it still chose other being ignorant of that good for which Arms are taken away from the people Thus first experimenting the Bishop of Utrecht it fled from them for fear of the Saxons to the protection of some living beyond the Ems then to Gelders and lately devolved to the House of Austria yet the Groeningers kept to themselves a power of chusing all Magistrates one onely excepted who was the Prince's Legate or Deputy who sate as Chief in the Supream Assembly of the Judges that had Cognizance of the Rights of possession in Lands In this Warre wherein all things have been unrivetted being vexed with most horrible Seditions at last it consented to the Spanish Dominion under the pretence of Liberty This was not as other Cities tormented with Disterences in Religion for when the Laws aged most furiously against all the Professors of the New Religion those that fled from all other places found here a Refuge and shelter But because there arose great Discords between them and the Citizens the Confederate Lords either out of a Love to Turth or in favour of the Nobility gave Sentence against the Citizens But the Spaniard being more crafty favoured the City and there upon it submitted to his Government being perswaded by this one thing they rejected Religion and all Leagues to follow Renneberg so prevalent in all men is Thirst of Hatred and Revenge It is to be remembred as we before declared that the Groeningers had refused a Garrison for so they had agreed with the King who also to gratifie them indulged them with the freedom from many Burdens But of the common for of Spaniards they hired Three Thousand The Forreign Souldiers to the number of Nine Hundred kept the Suburbs There was hardly any where to be found so great a quantity of Provisions Guns Gunpowder and other Military Engines as was here The Camp was placed a great distance from the City that the great Artillery might do the less harm to the Houses but was most strongly fortified both against Invaders from within and without A firm and wholesom Plain extended it self between the Rivers Horn and Scuyâ—diep which Rivers beginning in the Marishes of Drente 〈◊〉 through the Trenches of Groeningen and intermingle with the Sea at a place called Reidiep And because all the Army was not sufficient to incompass the City therefore on this side they thought fit to make their Assaults and Approaches being here also able to receive the Enemy if he came that so they might by opening the Rivers overflow all the circumjacent parts And it was found by Experiment that the adjoyning Waters were no less advantageous to the Tows for keeping away the Enemy than it was prejudicial to the inclosed Succours And the Prince also carryed the Rivers so that he might easily bring his great Guns over the Fields against the scattering Forts some whereof being deserted were easily won But the best and noblest of them all named Adoardysel when the Governour had defended it with more Resolution than the present necessity requir'd the Bridges and Ladders being taken it was assaulted by the Souldiers with so great fury mad to revenge the slaughter of their Companions made in the same place the Year before that neither the too late delivery was accepted nor the word of Command how and when to give the Onset was staid for Thus they made a great slaughter which was also increased by an accidental fire then hapning This Fort being taken provisions were more easily brought out of Frizeland into the Camp the people of Embden sending in no small quantity until Verdugo terrified them with Threats bidding them take heed they betrayed not their Affection Some successful Sallies were made both out of the Town and Suburbs the Keepers of the New Works being tyred out with continual showâ—s for those Works out of a Military Ambition were more hastily than warily promoted The next and greatest Care was by little and little to undermine on both sides the Port the one whereof was defended by the Bulwark adjoyning to the Trench the other by an outlying Foâ—t The great Guns on both sides plaid very furiously and however the Rampires â—nd other Works made of Earth resisted the Force of the Attempt yet the Bridges Gates Towers and other Buildings were utterly overthrown And some Letters being taken that were sent to Verdugo it appear'd by them that their store of Gunpowder what between a prodigal Expence thereof and other Accidents was well near consumed They were advised therefore least being left by their Associates some of whom were in France and other continued mutinous and full of Sedition that they would not being thus shut up by the Army rashly and without reason seek their own ruine To this it was answer'd but not as if it came from the Besieged but such as were proud with the Memory of their older and more novel Affairs That they should not be provoked by the greatest of their Commanders without danger although they were not all of one mind but had many causes of difference among them The Assemblies of the Commons whose Authority was greater in the publike Affairs than was necessary had deliver'd all their power to the Magistrates and a little before the Siege they had sent Messengers to get them some Succours But the Netherlandish Cities took no Thought of their so great danger all their Labours and Endeavours being busied about the New Regent they knew so profusely to wast their Money as if they had not known that by the want thereof many times the greatest Affairs are hazarded and Opportunities lost Therefore there were some who proposed that the City should be deliver'd to the Duke of Brunswick Hohenlo was a main stickler in that Advice because if it succeeded he promis'd to himself that he should be his Deputy-Governour But the Siege utterly blew away all those Imaginitions which being once begun there follow'd frequent Treaties between the Besiegers and Besieged sometimes that they might bury their Dead other times that they might exchange Prisoners and upon many the like occasions Sometimes also they made short Truces which at lâ—st the Townsmen desire one to be continued until they could send to Bruxels for a more certain Reply but it was meritedly refused Jorgius who was the principal person among all the Magistrates before that the Coâ—sul and now a Collonel withstanding Peace and confirm'd therein by the incouragement of the Jesuits had drawn unto himself the Rout of the poorer sort of People who had neither any hope or fear in the continuance or change of the Weal-publike These threatned death to all Messengers that should come from the Enemy and likewise to every one else who but spoke well of Peace not abstaining in the interim from committing Murthers and Rapines But now the Ravelins and other nearer places began to preach Ruine among which Evils it was far the most miserible Spectacle
readiness a standing Force to repell any Injuries that should be offer'd to them The Moderators of the Conventions and their Judges who were their Defence against Factions by little and little either through the Discords or Carelesness of the People drew to themselves what they could possible and when sometimes the memory of their Liberty returned to their Thoughts they would fall into Civil Broils among themselves to be revenged one upon another Among these the Imerge of Graithe became most notable by Marriages Inheritances and injoyment of many Lands which from Custom became a Jurisdiction Thus at first the Dorpes of Emâ—den were by him gotten and afterwards growing more hardly from others he took the Government of the Town being yet but mean From this Off-Spring Ulderic in the year 1454. first drawing privily to him others of the nobler sort and under-hand working upon the people from the Emperour Frederick he took upon him the Rule of all that Tract of Land which is stretched from the Eemes to the River Vueser along by the Sea by the Name of Earl or Count together withal Authority belonging thereto as much as the Frizon Liberty would permit And after ten years he published certain Instâ—uments in Writing as Laws but more contractedly that before left the Rights of others who began within those parts to grow ambitious and to get honour by the same means should be damnified He moderated his Government with so much Benignity either leaving or granting many Things to the people of Embden and many Things to the Magistrates and his Son Edsard by adding more grew 〈◊〉 potent in the fidelity and love of his Subjects that by the help he not onely hoped for the Dominion of Groeningen and the Principality of the adjoyning Country but also enjoyed and held the same until the Saxons Arms the Geldrians Rebellion and lastly the Austrian Violence invading 〈◊〉 things beyond the Eemes ejected and threw him out to all This man's Son altogether unlike his Father and so governing that he himself needed to be govern'd by others in short time left both his Life and Dominion At which time when the Christian World began to be shaken with Dissertions about Religion Embden following that Profession which in other Countries was sought after with Fire and Sword by the opportunity of the River invited thither and maintained a great multitude of strangers as well Dutch as French and English The Lady Anne of Oldenburg was then Governess in the name of another Edsard her Son using with great Civility and Moderation the growing Principality and not according to the Custom of German Princes She bore a great Reverence to the study of Religion and the Laws which she judged not so much a safeguard to Liberty as Authority By this place of Refuge together with her mildness and sweet behaviour it is almost incredible how much this City increased containing therein no less than six Thousand Soon after this follow'd all the Vices usual predominant in a flourishing people as among them Pride and Luxury among the Magistrates and those in Authority Envy and Emulation Nor was it yet come to the height of force so long as John a younger Brother of Edsard by counsel or fear being of a mild nature restrained his Brothers more furious Disposition But John being dead Edsard differing in Religion from the Townsmen for he held the Augustane Confession and the Town owned the Discipline of Geneva began more and more to have in Suspition the Townsmens Felicity His Wife descended of the Royal Stock of Sweden and a Regal Inclination increased the Difference and among other things this was related as one câ—uâ—e That she detained to her own use some parcels of Houshold-stuff borrowed of the Townsmen under this pretence that it exceeded the Rank of private men Now by the instigations of those who our of design of novelty either flatter'd the Prince or People a dangerous Contention arose and came to that heighth that the Earl interpreted the Assemblies and places of Meeting devoted to Religious Uses Conventicles of Sedicious persons and with the Collections of Money which the City made out of a pure intent of Charity to relieve the poor he gave out they designed to raise Force against him But on the other side a troublesom sort of Tumultuous persons crying out for Liberty and which is the most violent perswasive of all Religion being ignorant of all Civill Customs and Law onely turbulent under that pretence of Religion oftentimes do pervert a good cause by ill managing The unconquer'd Valour of their Progenitors and the fresh and near Example of the Hollanders with the Frizons were mention'd And what could they do more honourably than to unite themselves into antient Name and League of those most valiant Nations Now the Earl imposed Tributes and Burthens upon Merchandizes now he so minds Affairs that he imposed Magistrates upon them of his own nomination Hitherto the People's Rage and Fury though fierce and obstinate yet vented it self no other ways than in words but when they saw a Garrison in the Castle they threw off both at once Shame and Delay and forthwith unde a private person their Leader run to Arms they assault the Court the Gates and all other strong places in the City Neither did they onely choose Collonels and Captains but by the worst of Presidents they set up new Magistrates deposing them who withdrew themselves from the Troubles in regard of the Oath taken to their Prince The Keepers of the Castle were compelled through Hunger to desert the same and all things being thus forcibly seized they immediatly without any Dispute resolved to court the help of the United Provinces Both Parties dispatch Legates to the Hague to agree with the States Those accused the rude and unruly multitude of Sedition in whose Revenge and Example the States were concerned who flourish'd in Concord and if Authority should thus be despised by the Vulgar it would be to the injury of all Superiours These on the contrary side called to mind the Hatred of sincere Piety violation of the Laws unjust Taxations a Dominion obtain'd by Arms and Faction as if they demanded of the States Whether they thought such Things tollerable And they humbly desired That they would have compassion on their Associats both in Religion and suffering They added further That its Count had endeavoured the Friendship both of the Pope and King Philip by whose assistance he would oppress their Liberty and receiving Possessions other where deliver up the City to the Spaniard as a Gift And they were well informed by Spies that the Enemy placed the main strength of his War therein if he could but attain the River and well-contrived Port and indeed there is hardly any River more desireable than that of the Eemes which running into the Bay of Dullart divides the Territories of Embden from the Jurisdiction of Groeningen and from the midst thereof dischargeth it self into the Ocean with a
large opening capable of Ships of the greatest Burthen and very safe by the interposition of several Islands among which its passage is somewhat incurvated and this would make it easie for the Spaniard to raise a new War in Frizeland and to set forth a Navy to Sea which hitherto in these parts he could never attain to The Vnited States who foresaw as well the Danger as the Envy if they should be resisted dispatch'd away an Embassie with so much policy as should neither cause the Earl to lay aside all fear of them nor the People too confidently hâ—pe their Alliance They commended Peace to boâ—h and if it seem'd convenient they might according to Law decide the matter for their taking up Arms was but a greater cause of Suspition That now they were Enemies to neither party but if further Contentions did arise they would declare themselves such in particular to them that began the War But when News was hastned by speedy Messengers relating That Enno the Son of Edsard had levyed Souldiers and was fortisying Port-Knocken over against Delphezyle straightway the number of Ships which were wont to guard the Eemes was increased and a Regiment of Frizons commanded to match toward the City for the defence thereof and to drive from the Bank those new Undertakers And the City also overjoy'd as if thereby secure deliver'd both it self and its Fortunes to the protection and warlike defence of the Vnited Provinces Neither at that time did any thing advantage Edsard more than to make them Arbitrators of the Quarrel by whose power all things were managed He offer'd them also a League and Alliance in Arms fearing lest the City might anticipate him of that favour But it will not be amiss to commemorate what manner of peace the Arbiters sent by the States to Dâ—lphzyle made and the chief Heads or Articles thereof That as they judged in the Affairs of Embden so Posterity may judge of them The Heads of the said Agrâ—…ment were these That Religion should not be a Net for any one That within the City the same Religious Rites should be used as were accustomed but without the City the Earl was at liberty to use his own Religion That in all Religious Meetings onely matters of Divinity should be handled some one super-intending the same if the Senate please to nominate him as is usual in the Palatinate and among the Hollanders that under pretence thereof no disturbance might be made That the said Religious Assemblies should nominate and ordain all Ministers for Preaching but the Prince's approbation to be required therein that the Possâ—ssions belonging late to Religious persons should be equally divided between the Earl and the People That four of the Burgomasters and nine of the chief Assistants by Lot should have the chief Authority the other by order every year being changed and altered none continuing in power above two years lest they seek to gain the Soveraignty That the Senate should name two in the places of any departing of which the Earl to choose one although he used before according to his own will to create what Magistrates he pleased That all business either relating to the City or Sea should be ordered by these As the incorporating the City into Guilds and Fraternities for the better distinguishing the pâ—ople the keeping the Kâ—yes of the Gates and giving the Watch word to the Guaâ—ds They had likewise the power of giving Judgment in Civil Affairs as also to punish with Death as they saw cause They that were guilty of more heinous Crimes being Strangers were punished by judges appointed by the Prince That the Senate it self which consisteâ— of fourty men should by its own choice and suffrages supply it self and such as were admitted into honourable places should take an Oath of Allegiance to the Prince and likewise for the good Administration of Justice in the City That such Laws and Tributes should be confirmed onely as were agreeable with the antient and municipal Law so as every City separably might have the ordering of its own Revenues But Falder being a new City added to the old and so more conformable in their Duty to the Earl should for the future enjoy the same Priviledges with Embden to take off all occasion of future Discord And that the Citizens might be the better assured of Pardon the Earl should take away the threatning Terrour of his Castle and deliver it to the City and for the future should not keep them in awe by Forts built upon the Banks of the River such as came thither with Merchandize For all which Concessions of the Prince the City would make to him a Compensation with a great Summe of Money Thus were the People's Desires gratified by Security and the Prince's by Greatness Nor did the Covenants displease either though yet they were found fault with by malitious and upstart People However it was concluded That all future Earls and Magistrates should swear to this Peace Things there being in this manner setled The States advised the Earl that he would mollifie and sweeten all jealousies and offences with clemency lest the Spaniard esteeming a counterfeit friendship before a reall fidelity should at once compel him to treacherous actions and engage him in a War with his Neighbours The Citizens of Embden likewise were commanded to apply their endeavours to the pattern of their Neighbours and not by casting off their obedience to encrease their miseries That a civil War was well redeemed with a little servitude for even they themselves the States have suffered and born the more furious natures of their Princes so long as foreign Tyranny was kept away Hereupon the Souldiers on both sides being disbanded quietness might rather be said restored than concord for the wound of dissention was not so perfectly cured but that as it often festered anew so it was fain to seek fresh Remedies This year and the subsequent time for a while all the Affairs of the United Provinces to War proved unsuccesful as if by a short contempt of their plyant fortune The whole Spring and part of the Summer was spent by them in idleness onely some few of their Souldiers warring in France but their own discords hindred the motions of their Forces in Other places though often called upon by Buzenual for Succour For the Frizon Cities being malitious to the Country-man and by the rustick likewise hated complained that the burthens common to them both were not faithfully distributed for that many things of great profit in the Country were either partially remitted or totally omitted And they of Zeland did very sharply quarrel with the Hollanders concerning the Customs for exported Merchandise and by this means a long time deferred to pay their Tribute money into the Treasury of the Union They also of Geldres and Over-Issell excusing themselves by poverty growing from the Enemies continual incursions at last the Hollanders too who bear at least two third parts of the common charge of the
Name of King unknown to the Netherlanders being circumscribed by such Limits needs neither to be feared nor opposed The French Greatness indeed if it be necessary to use Examples no otherwise increased than by this that many Collations of Fortune meeting in one no cross Event ever separated or pulled them in sunder whereas on the other part is it not a miserable condition that in Regions involved in and exhausted by Wars in whose Sides lyes a powerful Enemy an envious Neighborhood and Forein Greatness that should be taken away which for a hundred Years had nourish'd it and been as nutriment and the Radical Moysture to a weak and infirm Body We find in History the Emperour Charles when desirous of private Repose by transferring his Worldly Cares on his Son he onely a little anticipated the Gift of the Law himself and his Son both standing in the Great Council of his Nobles that nothing might be wanting of antient Customs But how by a Letter to renounce and by a Letter to assume a Government and by Sight and Speech to seem to set free a People as it were disdained from one Dominion to another and that not virile when it was known from all Antiquity that the Netherlanders accounted it as one of the greatest Mischiefs to be subject to a Woman was an Act of great Rashness Others wished that in good earnest the Netherlanders might in this manner be freed from the Insolence of the Spaniards That if the Council of War were removed the difference of Parties and Factions would easily be reconciled But alas the old Hopes and Arts of Philip were not so easily forgotten as that he would denude both himself and his Posterity of the Netherlands which are the strength of the Spanish Security and serve him as a Castle against Germany France and Brittain But that by laying them a little aside he might diminish his fear he makes use of his Daughters Name to whom is given a precarious Right and a Titulary but naked Profession under a Domestick Trust That by these very Covenants he hath not sufficiently dissembled with these since the Government must relapse onely to his Son proceeding from this Marriage and not to any other Children And although it were not perceived yet it is not to be believed that the Spaniards would have suffer'd this Lady to come from him after a continued Virginity of 32 years unless they had either bâ—lieved or procured her to become barren That it was a shamefull thing that the Netherlanders being a People having Priviledges of their own and by whose Wealth the Austriâ—n Family hath augmented its Greatness in Spain it self and so many other Kingdoms and in a manner laid a Yoke upon the Neck of Mankind should be publikely governed by Forein Laws and deliver'd to the Dominion of such as are subject to the Spanish Power Among all these Discourses other Letters were brought written now from Isabella as Lady Paramount therein Commanding Albertus in her Name to take possession and mutually to take and give an Oath of Obedience and to do all other Things usual in the like Cases for Princes to do This was against the Laws which will That the Entrance into a Government shall be publike Wherefore he not daring according to antient Custom to call a Senate of the Provinces and with them freely to Consult but as if he had had something in private to have said to every one apart on the 15th of August he calls to Bruxels onely the Deputies At the same time there was gather'd about the City a great Multitude of Souldiers to the number of 15000 Foot and 2000 Horse to keep in awe all that would but seem to gainsay thiâ— Design And therefore Richardot in an Oration which he had prepared of purpose for Albertus imputed all the Evils that had befallen to the Netherlanders and the cause thereof to the Prince's Absence Hereupon Masius answer'd for the Brabanters beginning first Rhetorically with such Things as might win the Favour of the New Princes But when he came to the Matter he disputed some Things as if the Antient Commonwealth had yet been in Being desiring such Things to be done as the present Necessity requir'd And it was submitted to by most that Conditions should be prescribed to their Obedience viz. If within three Moneths it appear'd that the Rites of Marriage were performed and that he himself did return into the Netherlands within the Moneth of May in the following Year and that in the mean while nothing was innovated by his Governours or Commanders And that he left as his Deputy-Governour one allied to him by Bloud all should be well And hereupon he Elected as his Deputy the Cardinal Andrew of Austria whose Father was Ferdinand Earl of Tirol the Brother of Maximilian the Fatheâ— of Albertus By the Mothers side he was not so Noble She being Philippa Velsera and descended from a Consular Family in Auspurge a City of Germany Besides all this it was added That all both private and publike Laws and all things use should remain firm by Oath to Philip That the lesser Governments and the Guard and Custody of Castles and Forts and the several degrees of Judges should be new chosen from among the Netherlanders That the King should testifie that in this yielding up of his Right in Fee he had no intent to intrap the Netherlanders That they would take care to pay the German and their own Native Souldiers as far as the Treasury would hear but for the residue and the Forein Souldiers the King should take the Charge thereof upon himself That Albertus should be content with the antient Revenue of the Frinces and should ease the People of their extraordinary Taxes and the constant Service they did in Garrisons and the Charge of quartering Garrison Souldiers And that upon these Terms they should for the time be Obedient But upon the Return of Albertus with his Wife a Solemn Oath should be taken on both sides all the States of the Netherlands being Assembled with whom in the interim Albertus would deal to win them to come to some Conditions with the Hollanders And because this was very earnestly desired and it was thought no absurd Thing to compare like with like in making a Pacification Albertus before his departure who did not think fit out of his Grandezza to send a Princely Embassie writ Letters to the States of Holland and Zeland and their Colleagues wherein he signified unto them his Marriage and the Right of Government translated from the Spaniards to him who was ever studious and willing to make Peace and therefore he hoped there remained nothing on their part which should cause them either to distrust him or the Peace he offer'd them They would therefore do very well and according to their Duty if they would unite themselves to the greater part of the Netherlands having to this purpose left Instructions with the States under his Authority In the same manner did the
Crimes they afresh batter'd and by the Ruine of the Gate not without bloud took Calcar a City of Cleves professing the Roman Religion which had refused to admit Souldiers of its own Jurisdiction but as a Winter Garrison Goch also a Town in the same Jurisdiction was subdued by Force of Battery But Genâ—cy and Santern were permitted to redeem Themselves from their Fear with Money He boasted with so much pertinacy his Hatred to Lutheranism and Calvinism That he commanded the Bishop of Patelborn and others to purge their Lands from such noxious Vermine and if they neglected to do it that his Souldiers should come thither who would neither spare the Lives of the Guilty nor the Estates and Fortunes of the rest This was terrible at first to them of Wesell who were commanded to readmit the Roman Rites by the Counsel of the Duke of Cleves usurping the Princes Right who by the German Laws have free power and authority tO settle Religion The United States had sent to the Senators or Burgomasters declaring that it was an unworthy thing at the beck of a barbarous Nation which had abjured from their actions all sense of piety to change that Religion which was setled by Law and by them received from their Ancestors admonishing the City that in this Cause of God they should not fear the power of man but should couragiously resolve against a storm that would continue but for a short space and that they would not be unmindful of the common Religion nor of any hospitable kindness but their fear being at hand and their hopes at a great distance had so unsetled their minds that they durst not stand the Contest Whereupon they prayed that they might but enjoy the one half of the Churches but that absolutely denyed their Ministers ejected and both the Churches and Schools given to the Jesuites a sort of men by that City generally hated And for the more exact completion thereof Coriblanus Garzadosâ— the Popes Nuntio in Lower Germany made solemn Processions sprinkling the Ground with Holy Water and cleansing the very Pulpits as guilty of impiety afterwards the Commons of the City for fifty years space accustomed to more plain and simple Rites were enforced to behold long Ceremonies of the Mass and all other things fitted for States which part of them beheld with rage others with laughter and contempt The Priests continued in the large recesses of their Temples mutually hating and hated for the People as violently required their own as they detested that strange Religion which enmity continued all the time the Spanish Forces abode in those Quarters but when once they were departed and they also that acted by their Authority the City returned again to her old Liberty and Customs At this time all the Consultations of Germany inclining to revenge Mendosa although he had hitherto pretended that it would be for the Kings profit if they should begin a War which they could not maintain and that he being ignorant of their Right as Romanes had rather deal with them according to Laws of War though in truth he was conscious that all in general were his Enemies yet having by Spyes tryed the affections and Authority of the most eminent Princes as what Allyances they had what the manner of their Leagues he neither spared Gifts nor any kind of Policy to breed a distraction and division among them at their meeting And at last it appeared worth his labour to inquire who supported that so deplorable with Counsel and Advice I know some will admire what they could at that time offer as a pretence in their own justification Wherefore I will in as shoâ—t a method as I can relate those things which Cardinal Andrews Envoy spoke at the Assembly of the Inhabitants about the Rhine within the Jurisdiction of Colen These after they had wasted much time in the inquiring contrary to the Custom of Embassadors of the Names and Instructions of those to whom they came at last as it were inforced to make a sudden defence they said They were much grieved that the enemies of the true Religion and the favourers of Rebels had so filled the Princes ears and the publick Assemblies with false and scandalous Reports as if it was unjust in the common cause of Christendom which the King of Spain defended to remit a few discommodities against particular persons For these Arms were not taken up for the Kings pleasure or ambition but for the repressing of Thieves and Robbers who slighting all power both of God and Man create and believe a right from their succesful villany Where were then those Assemblies and raisings of Souldiers in Germany and terrible decree when the Prince of Aurange actually engaged in a trayterous War but one but by example undermined all the Princes of the Empire All Powers were Armed by God that they might suppress growing evills and have often been punished justly for the neglect of their duty therein but they did not onely dissemble others injuries but their own when the Germane Fields were wasted and their Castles and Cities held by Rebels without any account demanded for the same That they needed no detractors so bitterly to incite them if the Germanes mindful of their duty by whose advice the Spaniard would have been advised had compelled those perpetual Enemies of peace at once to have laid down Arms which are never used without the damage of the Neighbours For what hath not been given by the Kings either the Father or the Son for the peace of Christendom who for the avoiding of envy having given the Netherlands from himself and all the next Summer a great Army at his Command yet had worn it out in the onely hopes of Peace until he oppressed his own Souldiers as well with want as with Winter foâ— his Treasury was most honestly employed in the freeing of France from War and Garrisons Then also how great care he used in the setling a strict Discipline whoever comes to succeed Mendosa in that charge will quickly be sensible how great a care and how difficult a work it was There was no right of Victory claimed in any of the places by them taken they onely desired entertainment therein and the Custody thereof for a short time with select and choyce Garrisons that the Countries round about might be guarded from the excursions of the Hollanders As to those faults objected against the Souldiers which escaped either the providence or punishment of the General notwithstanding the great noyse yet in themselves were but small if compared with the benefits heretofore done by the Emperour Charles and King Philip Let them also call to mind the Leagues for how should the Princes Bishops Cities say that it was free for them to follow neither party in this War who had been antient Allies and Companions of the Burgundians and whom Charles had obliged to himself for a general assistance in defence and support of the Romane Religion How often by that name have
it was publickly said that those Covenants were of no force that should disannull the Emperor's Edict pardon Crimes and grant a power of fortifying Towns and all this without the Emperor's consent whose authority in that City was supreme And soon after Rudolphus being not a little angry that the affairs of Embden should be transacted by a forein power sent Maximilian Count of Cocheine to the States who grievously accusing the Embdeners related the causes which had moved the Emperor long since to declare both to others and to them the United States that they should give no assistence to those Rebells and that nevertheless they had invaded the City with their souldiers begun a War in the Country and taken booties for the repressing and taking away of which injuries the Emperor had sent his Commands by him Which done he recited particularly what things seemed unjust in that last Agreement To these things the United States although they were more proudly reproved yet returned this modest answer That Enno came of his own accord to them and had voluntarily entred into those Covenants and that it is not usual to blame those that had used their endeavors in the composing their neighbors differences Also that they had as little as possibly they could receded from the Delphzilian Covenants which they understood pleased the Emperor and that they had sent their souldiers into the City not to offer an injury to the Emperor but lest the Spaniard who by the Peace made at Verbin had taken to himself all the right of Authority in the Country beyond the Eems should seize it being so convenient to infest the Hollanders and at once withdraw it from the German Empire Thus had he taken formerly Utrecht Gelders and other places beyond the Rhine Thus had he seized Millain and some peculiar appurtenances of the Empire and at last Cambray and all this without contradiction Nor were the Letters and Messengers sent by Enno to the King and other Spanish Commanders without cause suspected by them To these good words they added some gifts to the Embassador however as yet all things at Embden were full of hatred and dissention every one being suspicious of another This also made the Hollanders more incensed against Enno because his brother John as we said before having obtained licence from the Pope to marry with Enno's Daughter to whom he was Uncle promoted the Roman Rites in the Country of Paderborn and did the Bishop's business there breaking into the City upon them who had kept it upon pretence of liberty raging against them with most exquisite torments among whom the Consul of the Town was tormented and afterwards cut in pieces The latter end of Winter the Spaniard suddenly took and lost Wachtendonck For a Fisherman being hired brought into the Castle fifteen souldiers under the command of Matthew Dulken he was the Governor of Stralen not far off which were covered over with straw and upon the approch of the Sentinel that stretched forth his hand to help him up drawing his sword he thrust him through then all the souldiers leaped up and strove to admit their companions that were on the other side of the river Neeres forcing the bridges that were kept against them which they did by that time their fellows who lay in ambush not far off arrived But the garrison of the Town although the Castle and the Governor Rihoven were taken began to raise a mount and battery against it and with speed to bring thither Cannon And by chance it happened that two troups of Hollanders that had been abroad foraging rode by which hearing of the Tumult entred the Town and presently souldiers being sent for to Berck and Moers they begirt the Castle and the sixth day after recovered it being sorely assaulted and withall wanting of provision Not long after Grobbendonâ— laying some ambushes in the Champains of Brabant surprised five troups of Maurician horse and though he were inferior to them in number killed near seventy of them many men and horses were taken and the rest fled But this damage suffered by the horse was doubly recompensed by a more famous naval victory For Frederick Spinola weary of an inglorious idleness and hastning out of the greatness of his spirit to purchase honor and wealth by the wasting of Zeland furnished eight gallies of the bigger sort and four lesser with chosen souldiers out of the Camp before Ostend besides a great number of slaves that rowed and going out of the Haven of Scluys the wind gently seconding his desires he got over the Sands and spying the Enemie's Fleet chose a place to fight with them in upon the open Sea Three Zeland Ships of war had beset the Port over which one Justus Moon had the Command besides two Gallies one of Holland the other of Zeland four of these the fifth for want of wind being very far distant and giving no other assistence to the battel then with its great Guns voluntarily setting forward Spinola set upon close at hand with a great outcry compassing sometimes this sometimes t'other with more violence as hope led him on distressing them with the multitude of his shot and indeed over-powerfull for them as well by the help of the weather as the number of his Ships and souldiers for in the Hollanders Fleet were no more then six and thirty souldiers out of the Town of Flushing who were armed with Muskets but the company of Sea-men being naturally inclinable to war skilled in the use of their Arms and Guns both near at hand and at distance freely gave wounds to their Enemies both with their Swords and Javelins And now the fight grew so hot that the very clouds of smoak had eclipsed the light from their eyes so that it seemed to be a nocturnal fight untill Frederick himself with great valour and confidence assailing one of the Enemies Ships was killed with several wounds and with him above three hundred others beside many hurt but the breaking of the Oares was the first thing that took away all hope of Victory from the Italians hereupon they were surprised with fear lest more Ships coming out of Zeland should encompass them on every side and so in time they retreated to the Fleet. This victory of the Zelanders with so small loss which happened because the ribs of their Ships were more solid and compact and less open to the damage of the bullets made that great terror of those at first unknown Vessels come to nothing for that it was experimentally found that they might be overcome even in the most calm and serene weather There was no War any where untill the midst of Summer but before Ostend because the Hollanders not receiving those aids out of England and Scotland which they hoped had enough to doe to defend their own and the Arch-duke minding to take Berck and to pass the Rhine for the perfecting these new designes he procures new forces out of Spain and Italy under the conduct of