in the way of his Judgments which he hath brought forth Ought or can with a Salvo to their Duty and a due regard to the presence of God with them in pursuing Right and the Reputation hee hath put upon them permit the People of England to be so grossely injur'd No no should they which I trust never will be the Lord will finde a way to preserve his Cause amongst Us and right Us on our Enemies for it is God that manageth our Cause and Interest whose wonted Presence as we found it upon your late Assault So we doubt no but that he will Signally manifest that he is with Us upon our future Engagements In the humble confidence of which we go forth and wait upon him for a Blessing on our Undertakings I had thought here to have concluded but sithence the States of the United Provinces and their Abettors talk so much of the Reformed Protestant Religion and of Liberty and endeavour to insinuate some Indearment upon the hearts of many upon that account It seems to mee to bee worth the while and very necessary a little to discourse how far those States have by their Actions appeared considerable at to those two grand and noble Interests and those things being well weighed together with the Cause now on foot in England their Carriage to other States in point of Leagues Treaties and Amity and particularly with this Nation how far it is safe for England to enter into a strict League and Union with those People Interest is the true Zenith of every State and Person according to which they may certainly be understood though cloathed never so much with the most specious disguise of Religion Justice and Necessity And Actions are the effects of Interests from whom they proceed and to whom they tend naturally as the stone doth downward So that unless it be in some things seemingly contrary Acted now and then the better to work about the grand End for the Devil himself mostly deceives when he appears as an Angel of Light and in cases of necessity where force and power constrain another Course which will return into the old Channel the first opportunity thereby the measure of every state and person may be taken and determined Therefore it will be requisite to instance in some of the practises of the United Provinces in reference to the things proposed where by some Judgment may be given therein And if such Presidents be not according to what they do pretend yet it is but their own Picture by which if they would not have themselves known they should have forborn by such Practises to have set it forth to the world or by their late Actions to necessitate Us in point of our safety and intimate concernment to set forth any thing of that nature for a warning to England It being so farre from us to delight in the uncovering of their nakednesse that we wish if the Lord had pleased that there had been no such things done or any occasions offered us to take notice thereof since we have wished so well to and done so much for their advantage First concerning the Interest of the Protestant Religion True it is that it hath been there for many years professed and exercised and with the fruit of the power of Godliness in many afore time and wee hope at this present that some are there eminent for the profession thereof and they have been a place of Refuge to many precious Saints from the bitter persecutions of the Enemies of God and true Religion which God hath always taken well even of Moab and hath rewarded it with long and many kindnesses and for his peoples sake and the hiding of his out-casts hath lengthned the tranquillity of places who otherwise have been the people of his wrath And if any thing prevail with God to save them from destruction certainly this will be a chief one but withall it is to be considered 1. That all other Religions have had their professions there as well as the Protestant and the Exiles thereof received and protected even of what is most contrary to the Doctrine of the Gospel of Christ and the Scriptures 2. The Exercise and Protection aforesaid is upon a State principle of advantage not upon a principle of true Religion whereby they not only keep quiet at home but draw all such people to their quarters It being the only place of such priviledge in the world and thereby have been possessors of their Vertues Ingenuities Friends Occupations Persons and Estates 3. In the 36 Articles that themselves proposed to England as the matter of a Treaty for a strict Union formerly and in their late Treaties here they have neither mentioned nor proposed any thing concerning Religion 4. In point of gain they have not only deserted the opportunities of effecting the liberty of the true Protestant Religion in other places which they might have done by their power and interest and particularly their own flesh and bloud Contrary to their holy and perpetual Union as it is styled but have assisted Popish Princes against the poor Protestants when they have been contending in bloud for their Religion and Liberty as by the following instances may appear In the 13 Article of the Union of Vtricht in the year 1579. it is said That what concerneth the point of Religion Those of Holland and Zealand shall dispose of it according to their pleasure and the other Provinces of this Union may regulate themselves according to the intention of the Treaty of Peace about Religion made between Archduke Matthias Governour and Captain General then of these Lands with those of his Councel of the States General in the year 1558. In the first Article of the said Union is promised an Eternal Union and never to separate consequently never to forsake the members that have signed the said Union Amongst those that signed the said Union are also those of Antwerp those of Gant and those of Bruges Contrary to this Union those of Holland and Zealand made a Truce with the Spaniard in the year 1609. for 12 years and a peace in the year 1648. and left out the said Towns of Antwerp c. notwithstanding that there was all likelihood that they might have delivered those Towns from the yoak of the Spaniard and have obtained freedome if they would for those of the Protestant Religion in those Towns especially for Antwerp as by what follows may appear For the Town of Antwerp 't is true it was taken by the Duke of Parma and in the Spaniards possession but how easily it might have been re-taken will appear when as it is considered that upon a new League and Agreement made with Lewis 14. King of France and the States of the United Provinces to pursue the War against the Spaniard conjointly the said King drew 20000 Foot and 4000 Horse into the Field in Flanders according to the third Article of the said League infesting the Spaniard on the one hand
that the Negotiation of Peace shall continually march hand in hand and that no Peace shall be agreed upon but by joint consent of both parties that for the farther manifesting thereof he had sent many particulars to his Ambassador Extraordinary to communicate to them on his behalf at that conjuacture of businesse of so great consequence to whom hee conjur'd them to give full credit Signed Lewis and then De Lomeine Paris 14. Februar 1648. The 3 March afterward Monsieur La Thuillerie had audience given him in the Assembly of the States where he made great complaints against their irregular proceedings in the Treaty of Peace with Spain against their own solemn Treaties with France That the King his Master did think himself highly injured by their breaking of their Vowes and Covenants which they had mutually promised viz. That they would never lay down their arms till they had wholly beaten the Spaniard out of the Low-Countries and not then neither but with the consent of both parties that the King his Master could not choose but protest against their unworthy dealing in forsaking them now on whom the French had built their strongest hopes and from whom they did expect in the like conjuncture in which they now were the reciprocal assistance which the French had given to the Dutch in their affairs both of Money and Men which they had spent to curb the ambition of Spain with whom the French were good friends but by their sollicitations the French had entred into that chargeable War whereby the burthen of the Dutch hath been lighter and those that were the Dutch's they had made their Enemies That they could not be ignorant in what state and condition the French were in the year 1634. how generously they declared War against the Spaniard in the year 1635 In which year was made that solemn Treaty never to make any Peace with Spain but with the mutual consents of both parties he called the world to judge how careful France had been to observe those Treaties and that the Plenipotentiaries of France were such Religious Observers of their promises that they staid twenty one moneths at Munster expecting the coming of the States Ambassadors before they would receive any one proposition from any Publique Minister whatsoever and withall if it were lawful for him to tell them that this one Action of theirs did very much eclipse the candor which that Commonwealth did profess That the King his Master could not believe that what was done was according to their Orders and that so many honest and Noble persons that did compose that body of State would break their solemn Leagues and Covenants which they had formerly made with the King of France therefore the King his Master did hope that they would not break so just and necessary a League I dare not say said he if you deal thus by us what other Princes will think of you that may have to deal with you Your Ratifications are not yet exchanged and you may refuse to deliver them to the Plenipotentiaries of Spain you are our Allies therefore more obliged to us then by words wherefore I doe maintain said he that you can goe no farther and that you and we have our hands tyed If so bee wee doe any thing that concerneth a peace with Spain if we doe it not with the consent of both parties Made at the Hague 3 March 1648. Signed De La Thuillerie Monsieur de la Thuillerie receiving no answer to this upon the 17 of March following demanded Audience where hee made another Proposition much like the former being resolved not to give over propounding till he had gotten an answer Who at length gave him this for answer That they were heartily sorry there could not bee the like Treaty of peace concluded on between the two Crowns of Spainand France as they had made with Spain That they had commanded their Plenipotentiaries to use their utmost endeavours to bring those two Crowns to a good agreement but all what they had done was labour lost to the great grief of the States That it was in vain to insist any longer on this point at Munster both parties being so unwilling to be reconciled And this was the Judgement of the Lords Mediators and others that have knowledge thereof Or else the States Generall would not have sent for their Ministers home That notwithstanding they were resolved to use all possible means to bring those two Crowns of Spain and France to an agreement and that there be a fair correspondence kept between the Crown ofFrance and the States of the Vnited Provinces and that they would send to their Plenipotentiaries to farther with all faithfulness an accommodation between Spain and France Monsieur de la Thuillerie perceiving the Dutch to be resolved to conclude the peace at Munster sent in this Proposition to the Assembly to let them understand how highly discontented the King his Master was with their proceedings in making a peace with Spain without his consent quoting their Leagues and that if they proceeded on in that Treaty as they had begun his Master would be inforced to let the world know how unhandsomely the Lords States have dealt with him and that he was obliged to take notice how they had dealt with the Spaniard to his prejudice contrary to the Treaty 1635. renewed 1644. where they were to proceed pari passu both in war and peace That if the Dutch had a mind to conclude a peace that they would communicate to the French Plenipotentiaries at Munster how farre they had proceeded in their Treaty with Spain which they had not performed all the while they had been at Munster according to agreement for the Treaty doth say expresly in one of the Articles That they shall communicate their proceedings conjointly if they enter into a Treaty of peace at any time with Spain which must be also with the consent of France Therefore he humbly desired them to write to their Plenipotentiaries to communicate their proceedings in writing to the French Plenipotentiaries as their loving friends and allies and also that his Master did desire them to desist from Treating according to former agreement aforementioned till both parties agree to carry on the Treaty again conjointly which the Lords Ambassadors of France had done being sent to by the Spaniard to Treat which they refused to doe because the Dutch had minded them of the agreement therefore his Master desired them to do the like by him All this said he was laid open to the Plenipotentiaries of this State at Munster by the French Plenipotentiaries notwithstanding the said Plenipotentiares came confidently the next day to the Plenipotentiaries of my Master and told them that they would proceed very speedily to the conclusion of their Treaty with the Spaniard whereupon the French Plenipotentiaries could do no less then protest against their proceedings who have formally declared at Munster that the Dutch have broken the Treaties made between them and
In the year 1637 there was another Treaty where the 7th Article saith that it shall not derogate from the former Treaties but shall all remain in force and vigour to be Religiously observed and effected on both sides In the year 1639 where in the 7th Article it is expressed that it shall no ways derogate from the things concluded on in the former Treaties but shall remain in their full force and vigour to be religiously kept on both sides Made at St Germains 26 April 1639. Nevertheless the Dutch Treat again with the Spaniard whereupon in the year 1640. Monsieur de la Thuillerie was sent Ambassador into Holland to let the States know that they could not conclude a Peace with Spain but conjoyntly His Commission being to hinder a Peace or Truce without France to tell them that they were not capable to make a Peace or Truce without his consent that it would be quite contrary to their Treaties Honour and Interest and that if he perceived any such inclination in them to protest against them for breach of Leagues and Covenants Whereupon in the year 1641 was made another Treaty the 6 Article of which saith that it shall no ways derogate from any thing that hath been formerly agreed on all which shall remain in their full force and vigour to de Religiously observed on both sides Made at Paris Feb. 14. 1641. In the year 1642. there was another Treaty made where in the 6th Article you have the same as is mentioned before in the sixt Article 1641. made at St Germains Jan. 7. 1642. In the year 1643 there was another Treaty in the sixt Article of which is expresly set down as in the forementioned 1642. made at Paris March 3 1643. The King hapning to die in May following his son Lewis 14th succeeding him this Treaty was reconfirmed by him August 30. 1643. In this year 1643 the Lords States of Holland began to consult of sending to Munster to treat of a Peace with Spain without the consent of France at which the other States were offended and Monsieur de la Thuillerie was no ways backward to perswade them from making a Peace but pari passu according to the Treaties Therefore whilst the Lords States were busie in sending Plenipotentiaries to Munster there was a Treaty made in the year 1644. called Ligue Guarantie In the third Article of which Treaty are expresly the words of the ninth Article of the Treaty made with Lewis thirteenth and the sixth Article saith that this Treaty shall no ways derogate from any thing that hath been concluded on in former Treaties which are to be vigorously and religiously observed by both parties made at the Hague March 1. 1644. and the 1 2 3 4 6 7. Articles speak expresly that no Peace shall be made directly or indirectly without the consent of both in very full and Emphaticall expressions which I forbear to mention because of brevity In the year 1645. another Treaty was made for the carrying on of the War conjoyntly and not to make any peace without the consent of each other abrogating nothing that concern'd former Treaties but all those things remaining in full force and vertue The King of France understanding that the States of the United Provinces were resolved to make a Peace with Spain in the year 1646. offered the Dutch a greater summ of mony and more men then ever was agreed on formerly in case the Dutch would stick to their Treatie of Ligue guarantie in the year 1644. and that neither party should make peace without the consent of the other conformable to these Articles 1. That the King should assist during that year the States General with 1200000 livers for no other use then to maintain an extraordinary supply of Souldiers whereupon the States do promise faithfully and Religiously to assault their Enemies with all their force and power 2. That the King of France shall give assignations for the said money to be paid all of it before the end of October following 3. In consideration whereof the States do oblige themselves to raise a strong Army and to bring them in the field and to make some considerable enterprize the King of France also promiseth the same in the Low Countreys to disadvantage his enemies as much as lyes in his power 5. This Treaty shall no ways derogate from the former Treaties which shall be faithfully and religiously observed and effected Signed and Sealed at Paris April 6. 1646. In explanation of the third Article the King of France was to bring an Army into the field of 18 or 20000 foot and 4 or 5000 horse by the fourth of May following The States obliged to set to sea 30 men of war of 2 3 4 and 500 tuns to hinder the enemy from entring into Flanders by Sea and to invest such Towns by sea as the King of France shall besiege by land hindring relief to such Towns either from the King of Spain or any other also to keep their Armie in the field so long as the good of the common Cause shall require it and the season of the year will permit According hereunto both armies drew into the field but the Dutch held the French in suspence appearing well in the field with their armie but when they were desired to undertake some notable Enterprize they put the French off with delays of which the French King complains but to little purpose for not long after the Dutch begin to treat with the Spaniard without the consent or advise of the French which was chiefly set on by Holland Then comes the Marquiss de Castel Rodrigo from Brussels to the States with a full power to treat the same was confirmed from Munster the Earl Penneranda sends word of it by his Secretary to the States Ambassadors at Munster and Monsieur Le Brun the King of Spains Ambassador came personally to the Hagte and shewed the Originall Copie of the said power to the States dated June 7. This stir'd up many to conclude the Peace suddenly The French Ambassador made several complaints hereof to the States also that the Catholick Religion was not permitted at Hulst according to the Treaty in the year 1635. desired their resolution in writing for the tolleration of the Catholick Religion in those Towns that should be taken that Summer Then Monsieur le Thuillerie went to Breda to consult about marching of the armies which was carried on but coldly though there seemed great advantage to offer it self and all likelyhood to carry Antwerp which France urged very much The Prince of Orange replyed That they had not men enough secondly he knew not in case the Town should be taken how to satisfie France in point of Religion France willing to give them any content thereby to take them off from making Peace with Spain freely offered them a supernumerarie of 3000 horse provided that upon reducement of Antwerp the Catholique Religion might there be tolerated Signed D' Estrades at Breda
whilst the Prince of Orange drew his Army forth towards Antwerp upon the same Article to assist the taking in of which the French over above the former agreement of men and money lent them 3000 horse and 3000 foot which also were shipped and landed as desired ready to join in performance of that exploit The Prince of Orange having taken in the Castle of Teemche lying by the Scheld beyond Autwerp The French the Town of Dunkerk might easily have made himself Master of the Town of Antwerp they within having as good as tendred themselves up to him yet the Prince of Orange neither besieged nor assaulted the said Town but having left the Castle of Teemche assoon as he had taken it in a manner the design pretended against Antwerp vanisht to the great discontent of the French whose 6000 supplies were not made use of and committed many outrages in the County of Waes and the leaving that Town in the hands of the Spaniard and the poor Protestants there their owne flesh and blood called in dirision Brothers to the oppression of the Catholiques and other mischiefes to this very day contrary to the Union aforesaid whereby they were obliged to redeem them if taken out of the hand of the Spaniard How easie it was for them to have possessed Antwerp the forementioned particulars do evince and the whole Army of the Prince of Orange that were there know and the world is not ignorant thereof And all this for no other reason as can be imagined but that the Town of Antwerp being thus reduced would have drawn to its selfe its ancient and great Trade which Holland and Zealand enjoyes whilst Antwerp continues in the hand of the Spaniard and the Scheld shut up In the year 1624. presently after the Treaty of Campeigne made between Lewis 13. King of France and the States of the Vnited Provinces concerning a Subsidie against Spain another little Treaty was at the Hague between the King of France and the States wherein the States agreed to furnish the King of France with 20 ships under the command of Admiral Haultaine in a design to shut up Genoa by water whilst the Constable Lesdigueries should besiege it by land The War between the Protestants of France of which Rachel was the chief and the King of France falling out in the mean time the said King agreed also by his Ambassador Monsieur de Belluion with the said States for 20 ships against the Protestants of France whereof having received 8. the French King by his Ambassador Monsieur d'Espesses at the Hague moved the States that in regard he had present need of the other twelve ships which were not yet ready that the States should let him have twelve of the twenty that were designed for Genoa to be commanded by French Officers though the Lords States judged it better that they should be commanded by their own And these ships were to be imployed against the Duke of Sonbize principally who was tending to England for reliefe Whereupon the Lords States deputed the Lords of Essen Noortwyck and Bootelar to enter into conference with the said Ambassador who after many debates the 12. of Aprill 1625. at the Hague did finally agree and conclude First That the 20 ships should he forthwith sent to Sea and that the Admiral Haultain that should command them being come to the height of Callice and Dover shall give advice thereof to his Majesties Troops being at Haure de Grace That they may there imbarque themselves and that they then doe joyn with the Fleet and conjunctly steer their course to the Isle of Wight where being informed where the Duke of Soubize did keep himself and what Forces he might have And having first resolved how they might set upon him then they should put aboard the French Foot into 12 of those ships which afterwards should be commanded by French Officers under the conduct of the Admirall Haultain and this notwithstanding without removing out of the ships the Dutch Captains Officers or Mariners but in case they should be informed That the Duke of Sonbize was reduced to obedience or that the 12 ships of Supplies were arrived then the said 20 ships shall remain under the conduct of their Captains and the last 12 arrived ships shall be commanded by French Captains and then the 20 according to Treaty might passe as it was agreed on These ships were imployed against the Duke of Soubize and the charge defrayed by the French King and if any of the said ships came to miscarry in the French service the loss was to be made good by the French King Whilst the Admirall Haultain was at Sea in the Design aforesaid a Gentleman came to give his wife a visit who asking her how she did she told him That she was very much perplext and troubled in herself not being able to satisfie her own Conscience For if she prayed for the prosperity of her husband then she should pray against her owne Religion For her husband served against the Protestants And on the other side if she prayed for the Protestants then she should pray against her Husband Yet it is observable how God crost the Dutch in point of advantage in this business For though the ships performed very great service for the King of France and the poor Protestants were utterly subdued yet the King of France or the Cardinal Richelieua little after ordered a great number of their Merchant ships to be kept by force in the French Harbours and altogether some with their Cables Anchors Lading and what else belonged to them were sunk in the Channell of Rochell for which great losse and charge the Dutch were not paid in many years after And when they were paid it was by piecemeals being enforced to give great Bribes and Presents for the accomplishing thereof And to all this I might add what they have done in assisting the late King of England and his son against the truly godly of this Nation But this is already discoursed When a people come to be bold on God and in presumption of his favour upon some good act or other of theirs take liberty to commit all manner of wickednesse even to the putting out the face of Religion supposing that God is engaged to passe by their iniquity because of some acts of righteousnes and make such use of his patience and long-suffering which should lead them unto repentance as to think he delayes his coming and therefore fall on beating their fellow-servants and eat and drink with the drunken and of his holding of his peace and permitting of them success that he is one like unto themselves and approves of their falsness and wickedness Here what the Scripture saith in this particular Psal. 50. 21 22. These things hast thou done and I kept silence thou thoughtest that I was altogether such a man as thy selfe But I will reprove thee and set them in order before thine eyes Now consider this ye that forget