to make any further demōstratiō or repeticiō Vndoutedly any man that wold open the eyes of his vnderstanding narrowly consider of these counsailes demenures might plainly perceiue that al these drifts tended not to the subduing of the lowe countries who refused no kind of obedience but rather to the laying of a firme foundatiō of the spanish monarchy that they leuel at And indeed the Duke of Alua immediatly vpon his ariual in the low cuntries determined to set vpon the City of Coulogne vnder pretence that she had admitted into the nūber of Burgeses the king of Spayns pretended rebels at the same time sought also to bring into his subiectiō the city of Mūster in Westphaly both which interprises had at one time takē place had not the prince of Orenge who thē had leuied a strong power in Germany interrupted his whol deuises vtterly subuerted the course of his counsel practises which notwithstāding he did not neuertheles forbeare to prescribe cōmand lawes to the inhabittants of Coulogne or with great threts to moue the magistrats to his obedience At the same time also he firste delt with the bishop of Treuers who promised al helpe and fauour in the aduancement of the Kings affairs to the great preiudice of the Palatin elector of hapy memory after grew to debate with him for the chiefe town of his countrie which he affirmed to be vnder the King his maisters protection He also limited to the Duke of Cleue suche counsailours as should no otherwise gouerne his Countrey then as if it had wholy ben vnder the absolute commaunde of the king of Spayne he sought to binde the Earle of Embden vnto him as his vassall vnder colour of protection and safgard He commaunded the inhabitantes of Liege to furnish him of weapons furniture victuals To be brief he exccuted vpon al borderers all absolute authority commandement power And as for the princes that were farther off first he quarrelled with the most high and noble Queene of England vnder colour pretence of entercourse and emprisoned such English merchants as vsually trafiqued in the said prouinces he commaunded her to banish whō he lift whiles himselfe not onely harboured and friendly entreated in the low countries sundry lewd persons which had beene attainted of treason against their soueraigne but also enriched them with giftes and yearly pentions By sundry deuises and driftes did they solicite the Queene of Scots being then prisoner to worke some new trecherous deuise they loded with honor and rewardes the murderers of the regent of Scotland vsing both thē their counsailes and endeuours in sundry their affaires And what not they found means by the Popes bul to pronoūce the Queene of England an heretique and vnlawful inheritour They raysed troubles against her in the hart of her Realme They put her in daunger of her life They did by publication habandon her Realme to the first that woulde or could surprise or seaze vppon it and expressely charged Don Iohn of Auctrich perticularly immediately vpon the quieting of the lowe countries to leauy mortall warre against her to marrye the Queene of Scottes and with her to appropriate to him selfe the Realmes of Englande Scotlande and Irelande These thinges when they coulde not compasse to their mindes by reason of the warres reuiued amonge the Estates of the lowe Countries they sought to bring to passe thorough Irelande whether they transported in outwarde shewe in the Popes name but in trueth by the commaundemente motion and will of the King of Spaine a number of Italians and Spaniardes that they passing through that I le which they hoped to finde wholy at their deuotion into the realme of England might the more commodiously subdue and bring it vnder their power and authoritie And had not the King at the Duke of Aluaes perswasion who wondred at the difficulties and lettes that happened in this enterprise thought it best to referre this matter to a more conuenient time the waight of all this warre had longe since bene transported into Englande in hope that that beeing first gotten the Spaniard thereby being at quiet on that side of the Sea might haue a more readye way to subdue all the whole lowe countries And as for Fraunce whiche by reason of the Kinges noneage was troubled with domesticall dissention they omitted no manner of inuentions or pollicies but emploied their whole industry care and study to wrappe and entangle it more and more in ciuill warres to the end that when the same so florishing and mighty a Realme were with her own weapons almoste subuerted and destroyed they might as their leasure with more opportunitye and as conueniēt time serued with the lesse a do subdue it neither neede I here much to stande vppon those meanes whiche they haue vsed to heape more coales vpon these ciuil flames what helpes they haue ministered to the nourishing of these discordes with what affection they haue trauailed in it what actions among parties clokinges leagues and conspiracies they haue inuented wherwith to maintein and vpholde this miserable kindling For the most Christian king doth euidently wel know that diuers times they haue procured his subiects to rebel and sought means again to bring them to take armes yea and least any man should thinke they did it for zeale to their Catholique religion they haue with promises of greate summes of ready monie sought to seduce the heartes of the Princes defenders of the reformed religion neither is he ignorant how often he hath ben informed that sundry times they haue endeuoured to corrupt seduce and winne from their sworne allegiaunce the particuler gouernours of townes fortresses and hauens on the sea costes how they haue with great diligence laboured euen the King of Nauai promising him great summes of money in case he would break the peace last concluded yea howe they haue proceeded euen to his highnes perswading him to take armes to the subuersion of the King his brother and the desolation of his whole kingdome whome when they perceyued nothing prone to serue their mischieuous tournes they haue sought to make away with poyson and sworde hauing to that ende hired expresse murderers who since haue by law ben executed I wil not here speake what number of pentioners the King of Spaine hath bounde to his deuotion not onely in the priuie councel of the King of France but also of all other Christian Kinges Princes and potentates through whom he doth at his pleasure trouble the estates of some procure the rising of others subiects ouerthrow and supplant whatsoeuer counsails are holden against him and to be briefe make them determine and like of all that he thinketh commodious to himself This is manifestly and well knowen to all Kinges and Princes to whose detriment these thinges are put in practise none dare the while speak any worde of al these matters or once open his lips against them so greatly are all mens mindes ouertaken with feare and astonied at
destroyed more confederate Cities with their garisons then enemies townes with their armies intollerable to all men yet beeing compared with the pride cruelty and ouetousnes of the Spaniards may by reason of sundry most excellent vertues wherewith it was endewed be both termed and accounted in liew of bondage liberty and in stead of a forced obedience a iust and lawful commandement but howsoeuer that case stādeth al the world doth plainely perceaue that vnlesse in time it be looked vnto and by some general consent and vnion of the counsail and force of al other Kings princes the Spanish purposes be preuented and subuerted it wil shortly so come to passe that their strength being growne to perfection thorough the common negligence and want of consideration in all those men shall ouer late begin to resist him which now at pleasure and ease beholding the fire consuming the lowe countries doe not thinke that the flame thereof doeth anye whit touch them either consider that through their owe slouth and simple forecast the coales of Spanishe ambition will in shorte space so kindle and take holde that they will reduce both their owne territories and the dominions of al other states and Princes into ashes Neither are they to suppose that this Fire of Spanish ambition is to bee termined with the Prouinces of Barbant Holand and Zealand sith that already not onely the flakes and sparckles but also the very firy flames thereof are flowen into Italy France England Scotland and Germanie Yea and haue taken holde of almost al the habitable lande And which is more euen the Spaniards themselues do not forbeare to rereporte that by a certaine celestiall constitution the monarchie of the whole worlde is due vnto them hauing as an earnest peny thereof through their owne power and might conquered a new world to our auncesters heretofore vnknowen which they haue beautified with lawes and customes polished with maners and discipline and indued and instructed in the Romish Catholique religion thinking it to be their bounden duetie also that they ought hauing established their Monarchie to endeuour them selues to force all other people and nations vnto their Religion and discipline and thorough the onely terrour of their armies and power of their Empire to determine all controuersies in al places causes concerning Christian religion These thinges doe they not onely dayly in familiar speech giue out but also in deedes whiche are the assured tokens and in al their actions counsails and enterpises aswel past as present confirme for their onely study and the marke wherat they continually leuel is how they may when they haue subdued the low countries in the middest of the same establish an ordinary resorte for the warres from whence they may at al times at their pleasure and ease passe their armies in to England France or Germany and so first with al rigour to entreate these whom they haue found most contrary to their enterprises and afterward to prescribe vnto all other Christian Kings Princes and nations whatsoeuer shal come in their heads and thus excluding each from al help of other and compassing them with their armies to reduce vnder their yoke all those which willingly wil not yeelde vnto them al ready and perfect obedience This is the marke whereat they alwaies haue shot To this ende haue al their counsailes practises and deuises tended as appeareth in that hauing with their armies oppressed Italy they sence not only extended their power into Germanie vnder colour of restoring religion but also haue endeuoured to subdue the whole estate and monarchie of Christiandome vnto their subiection And that I may the more plainely open this matter vnto you moste mighty Kinges Princes and Magistrates It is expedient orderly to set downe a briefe and manifest discourse of all the counsayles dealinges and practises of the Spaniards euen from the original of their enterprises vnto this time to the end their purposes driftes and deuises beeing detected and layde open to the whole worlde we may in time apply and minister al conuenient and meete medicines to that mischiefe which is so knowen to the whole christian common wealth Wherein I will not vndoubtedly rehearse any thing but that which haue bene done in the face of the whole worlde and as it were in so publique a theatre that no man can be ignorant thereof which thing whilest I do discourse and set before your eyes I beseech you noble Princes vouchsafe to be attentiue and turning your affections from all opinions preiuditially conceaued diligently to apply your mindes to consider and vnderstand the assured and liuely truth of the whole affaires The Spaniarde therefore through the valiauncy of King Ferdinando deliuered out of the bondage of the Moores and by continuall exercise in Warres growne so perfect and skilfull in armes that he had conceiued a certaine opinion of himselfe that he had either surmounted all other nations in warlike knowledge and fame or at the least boorded the moste excellent did immediatly cast his view vpon Italy and in his heart deuised to attempt to subdue the same to his obedience being thereunto especially moued and allured by reason of the great plenty and aboundance of all thinges in the saide Countrie which they had found and tried at such time as the Arragons by nation Spaniards and then ruling in Naples had craued their helpe against the French armies they had before encroched vpō the French the I le of Sicil being a very cōmodious place for passage of their munition armyes souldiours and very conuenient for the prouision of whatsoeuer were requisite necessary either to the making of warre or relieuing the wantes of their men Giuing ouer therefore the defence of the posterity of Alfonce who had craued their helpe they entred communication of accord with the French and so agreed to part betweene them al that prouince But perceiuing the French to be slacke in their busines slow in prosecuting this warre taking occasiō of some cōtrouersie arising about their bounds they renued the warres against them with all extremitie and yet so that shortly after propounding on bothe sides certaine conditions of peace the same was through the helpe of Archduke Philip the king of Castiles neuew concluded By which policie being in very good time put in vse for the staying of the French succour which being leauied was ready to march it fel out that the remaynder of the French Armies whom Gonsalue surprised neere the riuer of Garillan was quite ouerthrown and as it were vtterly rooted out So as the French beeing by this meanes cleane expelled out of the Realme of Naples it was an easie matter for the Spaniardes there at their pleasure to build Forts and Castles and the same to fortefie with strong Garrisons and so to establish a cōmodious seat from whence they might afterwarde easely commaund ouer the rest of all Italy About the same time also the Bishop of Rome hauing by his aucthoritie made partition of
the Indies between the Portingâ—les and the Castillians and by meanes thereof as it had beene by some heauenly decree they had with vnspeakable cruelty ransacked and wasted an incredible extent of Land and so subdued to their gouernment all America togeather with that great coÌ„passe of the west Indies also that at the same tyme they had ioyned to their Dominion that parte of Gaule which is called Belgica by meanes of aliance contracted by the mariage of the sayde Archduke Philips thinking them selues furnished with a sufficient and fit treasure for the conduct of the warres as well by reason of the Golde and spice which yearely they brought verye plentifully out of the Indies as also through the great profit that dayly did arise of the ordinarie nauigations and tranfique of the Flemish Marchants in Spaine a matter of great encrease vnto their reuenues and ordinarie customes they cast in their mindes no longer to forbeare the inuasion and subduing of the rest of Italy according to which determination vnder pretence to ayde the Sforces against the French they firste entred into Lombardia a very ritch and fruitfull countrie There hauing first expelled the French and then subdued and oppressed the Sforces they strengthened it to their owne vse with fortresses and strong Garrisons They altred also the estate of Florence Siene Pise and all Thuscane in giuing them such a Duke as they knew to depend of them selues and in all things to sauour their attempts and hauing confirmed the aucthority of the Doryes in the city of Genes which beeing a verye commodious Hauen was at that time molested with ciuil dissentions they assured bouÌ„d it to their owne deuotions Finally vnder the fauour of the prouinces of the Lowe Countries finding oportunity after that Charles was by the voyce of the electors chosen emperor making way through the sayde prouinces they did diuersly molest the realme of France Also vnder pretence of establishing the popish religion they gaue a notable gird euen into the bowels of Germany yea and that with so good successe that hauing ouercomen and in battail taken the protestant princes they bent their whole minds assuredly to bring the same into subiection and so to appropriate it to their own inheritance to that intent placed their spanish garisons in sundry Fortes euen in the centre thereof Howbeit seeing that the naturall moderation and equitye of Charles coulde not be alured to satisfie their so ambitious interprises Also considering that they were not long able to defend keepe the places where their garrisons were lodged as well for that they were to far from Spaine as also because they were inuyroned with such warlicke people and nations And with all seeing them selues by Duke Maurice his armies expelled and so dryuen oute of all high Germany besides that not sinding such successe as they hoped for in the wars which sundry times they had renewed against the French beeing wonderfullye chased and much bewayling the taking of so notable and ritche a praye oute of theire handes they did of necessitye stay the course of their purposes and so proceeded no further in the pursuite of their enterprize Thus refrayned they them selues vntill such tyme as the Emperour being returned into Spaine the ambitious haughty and meere Spanish mind of King Philip was found meete to satisfie their desire and that thereby they tooke fit occasion to reenter althogh an other way into that path which before they were forced to forsake For they considered that they could not safely at their pleasures conduct any army into France or Germany Also that if they brought any yet shoulde they want both munition and all other meanes wherewith to prosecute the warres euen the first day vnlesse before they had possession of the Hauens of Holland and Zealand withall had established good and sufficient Spanish garrisons throughout the Prouinces of the low Countries that they had raysed new tributes and impostes for their payes To be briefe that they had chosen a conuenient seate from whence they might at ease continue and prosecute the war But perceiuing that they coulde not well compasse any of all these pointes so long as the priuiledges of the Countrie which doth exclude all straungers from the administration of their estate and admitteth no other then home born parsons therein continued in force Also that they might not leauy any subsidy or new tribute neither put Garrison in any place without the counsell of the estates they concluded among them selues before they prosecuted the inlarging of their limites that necessarily they must restrayne and brydle this the ouer large liberty of the estates of the Country and depriue them of their priuiledges freedomes and ancient customes To be breefe that they must debarre them from all such meanes help and succour as time out of minde had stoode them in steade for the maintenaunce of the dignity and assuraunce of those Prouinces to the ende that thus wresting and getting into their owne hands the commoditie to erect Castles fortresses at their pleasures and to leauy new tributes taxes as they liste also to chose within these florishing prouinces such a seate as in their opinioÌ„s might seem most coÌ„modious for the wars so the whole being throghly brought vnder their subiection and by spanish legions assured vnto theÌ„ they might in time to come vse the same for the assaulting of any whoÌ„soeuer they listed To this ende haue they euer since directed their whole studies counsailes and actions namely either by hooke or crooke to find means to distribute in the prouinces of the low couÌ„tries a garisoÌ„ of ten thousaÌ„d souldiers of the old bands to the end that ioining therto the choice of the footmen of Aâ—tors Hencult strengthning theÌ„ with the ordinary bands whome the king according to the maner of the ancient Lords of the sayd countries doth vsually intertain hauing also the frendship or aliance of some Germain prince euen by oth bounde vnto them or if possibly it might bee getting the possession of some neighbour city of Germany they may so ofteÌ„ as occasioÌ„ shal serue reenforce the said power with a good nuÌ„ber of Germayn horsemen so vpon euery occurrence haue a coÌ„pleat armyredy For this inteÌ„t was Duke Eric of Brunswik at the first chosen whom the king with an annual pentioÌ„ reteined the same time also took they couÌ„sel to take Coulogue Munster but as the estats of the low couÌ„trys did obstinatly refuse al spanish garisoÌ„s therwith in staÌ„tly required the reuoking of those out of the couÌ„try which yet remained of the french wars vtterly refusing in case this were not performed the aid of money which was required at their hands it fell out that by reason of the ouerthrow taken at Felbes in Affrica wherin the spanish legioÌ„s were almost quit consumed the king who very vnpatieÌ„tly bare this demaÌ„d at the hands of the states was alredy resolued to punish it as a treazoÌ„ being
the same is willingly deceiued flattring himself hath no care of his own honor liberty or life For first the desire of gouernmēt is vn satiable like to a flaming fire which the more stuf mater that it findeth the further it doth stretch and extend it selfe wasting all as it goeth Againe who seeth not that by this manifest vsurping of Portingale euē in the face of the whol world the king of Spaine meaneth not to submit himselfe to any lawes rytes or capitulations whatsoeuer For if he had thought himself to haue had any right in the sayde succession why did he by force preuent the lawes or by fire and sworde the holy decree of the ludges wherfore hath he abused King Antony the Queene mother to the most christian King the Duke of Bragrance euen the Prince of Parmats sonne and to be briefe all those that pretended any title to the sayd kingdome Shall we then yet thinke that either conscience iustice or equitie can take place in him who so euidently hath declared that in matter of gouerment he will not take or measure his right other then with the power and force of his armies that hee who with his money hath armed the Turke against the Venetians so turned that storm from himselfe vnto his confederates in Ciprus can thinke himselfe bound vnto any couenants treaties or agreements whatsoeuer That that mans fierie ambition who hath not kept any couenants with the inhabitaunts of Grenado the Indians or Flemings any longer then he founde them profitable to himselfe cā be stayed by any bonde of league or confederacie of aliance Either what conscience right or lawe can binde him who by the principles or precepts of his religion together with the Byshopp of Romes authoritie thinketh himselfe released from all bondes of fayth or promise shall we hope that he who coulde not by any bonds of mariage be restrayned frō Incest for any loue or duetie of matrimony absteine frō adultery for any naturall loue forbeare parricide or for any sworne fayth refrayne from periurie being besides so ambitious as all men know so desirous to enlarge the bounds of his Empire so far transported with pursuit of reuenge may by any proposition of equitie right lawe or Iustice be cooled and brought to reasonable order in whatsoeuer matter As if it were not as lawful for the Bis of Rome to dispēse by his Bul as wel with the lawes bounds and limits of kingdomes and Prouinces as with the bands of matrimony and faith so solemnly sworne But to what purpose is it for vs to think vnder pretence of law iustice to moderate that mans ambitiō who hath bene long resolued that he hath lawfull and iust title to inuade other mens kingdomes and if he may to bring the same into his subiection For among all princes potentates and Christian common wealthes who is there against whō he thinketh not him selfe long since to haue had sufficient and iust cause to moue warres He will accuse the King of Fraunce that he did not onely not hinder his brothers attempts in Flanders but also ayded him with men money and Weapons and so beganne the warres That in the behoofe of the Queen his mother he hath in warlike maner assaulted the Ilandes apperteining to his obedience fought with his nauie and not onely receiued harboured Don Anthony his enemy supposed rebel in his kingdome but also aided and assisted him both with men and money also that he succoured the low countries asmuch as possibly he could To the Queene of England he will alleage that first by the Popes Bulles she is denounced an heretique and therevpon excommunicated then that in diuerse dealinges both by Sea and by land she hath shewed herselfe to be his enemie that in her dominions she hath harboured and ayded his enemies with men munition money and shippes that she hath fauoured Don Anthony in all his enterprises and that vppon euery opportunity she hath intercepted his nauie and treasure comming from the Indyes Amongest the Germaine Princes some he wil accuse for succouring the Prince of Orenge and others for their parsonal presence in the Flemish wars Against some he wil raise controuersies in respect of their territories by means of the Bishop of Frisenguen against others for the preeminence of the electorate generally he wil accuse al to be either heretikes or to be confederate with those that haue shaken of the Bishop of Romes obediēce whome altogether the Pope will as heretofore he hath done command to be by force reduced to their dueties And I pray you is not al this sufficient to serue for a very good colour to make him who accounteth of all the Popes precepts as of heauenly reuelations And of his excommunications as of celestiall thunderboltes to assaile them Who of him selfe is a sworne enemy to religion abhorring it as the plague of the worlde who in all his counsailes purposes practises and leagues that euer he made hath no other meaning but to roote it out and quight to suppresse it and who being the most ambitious prince aliue doth yet protest that he had rather lose all his dominions and dignities then leaue any sparke of this religion vnquēched And to be brief who maketh no more accounte of the Germaines then if they were Turkes Sarazens or Moores Yea will not the Pone thinke himselfe to haue as full power after his thunderbolts of excommunication to exhibite Germany as a pray to king Philip as had his predecessours to giue it to his Father the Emperour Charles Pope Paule the thirde and his predecessour Clement the feuenth did threaten Charles the fifth with excommunications because hee thought it requisite to pacifie the trouble arising in Germany for matter of religion rather by the aucthoritie of a general councell then by proceedinge by force of armes yea in the ende with their thonderboltes of excommunication they droue that good prince for still he relented to them to such an exigent that as an extreame remedie he was forced to make wars with al extremitie And shall we now think that the Pope do want means to perswade the king of Spaine who of himselfe is sufficiently inclyned that way that he hath iust cause by meere strength to reduce them to the faith of the Romishe Church If any man thinke that the feare hereof toucheth no more but the protestant princes also that they which still haue perseuered in Popery need not doubt or mistrust any thing Let him call to mind that the Henries Ottoes Frederickes and other most mightye and in all commendable vertues most excellēt Emperors your predecessors most noble princes did in their daies professe the same faith religion with the popes and yet coulde not escape their thonderbolts and most wrongfull excommunications But that some of them see their Empyres translated and gyuen to forraine princes Others came bare footed and bare headed to aske them forgyuenesse and submitting them selues to
be troden vnder the Popes feete could not neuerthelesse mollifie their mindes without suffering great iniuries tollerating notable abuses Let him suppose that the Pope wanteth no occasions to arme the Spaniard to the destruction of the Germaines seeing that they which be of his owne religion do not onely not oppose them selues against the protestantes but also daily enter a legue amity and firme alyaunce with them Let him coniecture that the spanierds not beeing able to subdue Germany to their own dominiō neither to reduce it to the Popes obedience vnlesse to that end they contract amity with the rest eyther in respect of ancient allance or by right of protection or for feare of their armies it is necessary for the Germains to stande to one of these conditions namely either to ioyn with the spaniardes in the conquest of their fellow cuntry me or els vniting their whole forces together to take armes against thē for the deliuery of an Germany out of their bondage This vnles they doe spedely take in hād so vsing the occasiō of the affairs of the low coūtries doe cutte off the encrease of the Spanish power they shal hereafter in vain each after other endeuour to turne away the force of their tyrannie Certainly most noble princes the King of Spains power is great and yet is it such that as by your sufferance I had almost said slouth the foundations therof haue sprong and growen forward so may it again by your vnion as easily be shaken and finally with small labour by your power and concorde be brought to vtter subuersion For all the Prouinces of his obedience do lie separate a great way each from other whereby their victuals may easily be cut off their forces debarred and their strength vtterly ouerthrowen in case you will but of your selues helpe your selues and not suffer Italy by a list running thorough the middest of Germany to be ioyned with Flaunders A matter so much the easier for you to compasse for that you see euidently how al nations do abhorre their great tyranny and attend no other but opportunitie to free themselues out of their bōdage Neithe are you ignoraunt with how weake a power and with what a handfull of men or smal beginnings the Prince of Orenge hath wasted brought to naught their great enterprises consumed their mighty armies what a while the low countries destitute of al aide and bereaued of succour haue borne the brunt of so mighty a Prince also in what daunger within these fewe yeares Don Iohn of Austrich of late daies the Prince of Parma were of being driuen out of all the said low countries with their whole power yea that at that time had not sundry prouinces by reason of ciuil dissention departed from the general vnion the Duke of Aniow through peruerse counsail let slip his good fortune which he possessed they had not only abādoned Flanders but also peraduēture limited their dominions with the Pirinean mountaines So that as you are not to cōtēne their might suffer it thus to growe on so haue you no cause most noble Princes to fear the greatnes therof or to dant you frō valiant defence of your selues or reuenge of the common liberty The king of Spains power can not greatly hurt you if in time you see to your businesse If you neglect not the warres of the low coūtries if through your authority you vndermine al Billies purposes concerning the riuer of Ems if you represse the fiery ambitiō of the Duke of Bauier togeather with his exceeding affection to the king of Spain if with the most christiā king if with the right excellēt Queen of England al other christian princes and potentats you do earnestly cōsider of some necessary meanes to suppresse this their ouer great power and authority But if contrariwise you suffer the inhabitauntes of the low cuntries your next neighbours through the spanish power almost wasted yet to be cōsumed with the strēgh of Germany if you hould your peaces when you see the inhabitants of Cleueland Iuliers Coulogn euē quake for fear at the precepts of the king of Spain if you force not the inhabitāts of liedge to ayd the cōmō enemy with money munition wepons as hitherto they haue opēly don If you bridle not the vile ambition of the Duke of Bauier but suffer him to ioyne the Archbishoprick of Coulogn electorial dignity to his authority If you restraine him not from ioyning his forces with the spanish to the destruction of Flanders and exclude not the spaniard frō al the hauens of the Ocean sea doubt not but Flāders being brought vnder the yoke Germany deuided into factions France consumed in ciuil wars or with drawn into sundry opiniōs diuers affections the terror of the spanish name waight of his empire wil become a mighty tēpest ineuitable inundation which hauing piersed the causies ditches bāks wil shortly be sufficient through the fury of his ambitiō to incroch al christēdō togither Against which procedings if any man wil thē oppose himself either by force or otherwise he shal though to late finde that which in the beginning of our discourse wee haue set downe namely that fit opportunitie to doe well being once escaped vs which wil neuer be recouered either by intreaty or compulsion wil cry vengeaunce against vs and bring vppon vs that plague which our rechlesnes and negligence doth deserue This prognostication I beseeche God to turne from all Christendom especially from Germanie my sweete countrie most earnestly desiring him in the name of our Sauiour IESVS CHRIST that he will vouchsafe in his holy spirit to assist all your counsails most noble princes of thempire you al other christian Kings Princes and magistrates and therewith so gouerne conduct and frame all your enterprises and determinations that you may conclude vpon and put in execution whatsoeuer shal seem most iust profitable requisite and necessary for the benefite of all Christendome the glory of his holy name and the wealth and saluation of his people FINIS