the extent of her dominion both by sea and land likewise of the firmenesse of her establishment for twlue ages entire and of the prudent conduct of so wise a gouernment is without doubt the chiefe Power of Italie next that of the King of Spaine And shee also has been the first Common-wealth that has setled the rules of her conseruation and that has most punctually obserued them in taking for her particular interest that of Italie in generall Moreouer for particular respects shee makes it a maxime to hold a strait intelligence with the Turke and for the same shee spares not any cost Shee belieues also that her interest is to maintaine warre abroad and foment the same with money That which the other Princes of Italie ought also to doe if they had strength and courage to vndertake it Shee looses noe time for to hinder the King of Spaine and the Pope from waxing great The State of Venice seemes extraordinarily jealous of these two Potentates though it be a maxime common to all Princes to hinder the growth of their Neighbours As for the other Princes of Italie shee vpholds them according to her owne benefit OF THE INTEREST OF THE SEA OF ROME THE interest of the Sea of Rome is first to procure by all manner of meanes the diminution of the greatnesse of Spaine because the Church lands ly so fitt for her that if once the King of Spaine come to quitt the specious pretext that he has taken to protect the holie Sea certainly he will easily appropriate all this goodly demaine for to joyne together the two ends which allready belong vnto him The puissance of the Venetians and of the great Duke does much enfeeble that of the Sea of Rome which without these obstacles would commaund the two Gulfes So shee ought to desire that these two Princes remaine at least as they be But all these are but generall maximes There be yet three particular of the Sea of Rome The first is to maintaine her credit throughout by the meanes of Eeclesiasticall personnes as the sinnewes of her greatness whom shee ought to protect against the secular Powers The second is to make Princes dread the thunder-bolt of excommunications But not to vse it too oft for feare they come to contemne it The third is to restraine the Popes as much as may be hindering them from making great their houses at the Churches cost or committing any extrauagance by their passions prejudiciall to the common good of the Ecclesiasticall State It would be to no purpose to touch the interest of the other Princes of Italie for that they are either so little considerable as they can doe nothing of themselues or else so subiected as they dare not make shew of any other interest then that of those on whom they depend OF THE INTEREST OF THE DVKE OF SAVOY IT remaines onely for conclusion to speake of the Duke of Sauoy The Estate of this Prince is in such manner situated that to which side soeuer he turnes he is of great importance to the partie he embraceth CHARLES EMANVEL who was first willing to make knowne that a Duke of Sauoy could make peace and warre in Italie beleeued that the interest of his Estate was to side one while with France another while with Spaine according to the occurrences and good of his affaires which was the sole but of his designes without thinking of Treaties made either with the one or the other But this Prince full of vast thoughts and who could not bound his ambition by the barriers that Nature had set to his Estate was glad that the situation of his Country might serue for a pretext to his disquiet For indeed the true interest of the Duke of Sauoy is to haue allwaies a good correspondence with France because shee can assist him with the whole masse of her forces against one member of the power of Spaine who hath more jealousie of her Estates in Italie then to say in a manner of all the rest together hauing also a vehement desire to joyne Piemont to the Dutchie of Milaine So as the Duke of Sauoy should beleeue that what amitie soeuer he has with Spaine it is most dangerous to him He ought neuerthelesse to entertaine it in so much as it is needfull to gard him from France OF THE INTEREST OF GERMANIE THIS huge masse of Prouinces joyning together inuironned with three Seas and diuided by so many mightie riuers has beene heretofore the terrour of the Romane Empire which at length shee hath transported to her selfe And as before shee had noe other interest but her libertie so since shee has no other designe but to conserue the same For truly if the name of Empire has brought splendour and reputation to Germanie it hath giuen her in recompence much jealousie and distrus Shee presently discouered her Emperours and essayed to limit their power for feare that from Chiefs of this Country they come to be Masters thereof Dominion being such a daintie morcell that the most temperate cannot forbeare it This notwithstanding by the continuance of certaine successions the Empire being established in the house of Austria that of Spaine which is the principall branche thereof knew to manage this beginning of establishment with such dexteritie that now it seemes as hereditarie in that house The maxime of Germanie was to hinder the progresse of this vsurpation And now her interest is to reduce things to their former estate by distributing this honour interchāgeably to the principall houses and restraining the power of the Emperours whose counsell ought to be the generall Diets to consult alltogether of the meanes to conserue the common libertie and to resist the Turke who is the onely force that Germanie should be afraid of The diuersitie of Religion ought not to cause any diuersitie of opinion in things that concerne the common good The interest of all the Princes in generall and of euery one of them in particular is mutually to defend and jointly to hinder that the Emperour make not an attempt vpon the libertie of any vnder what pretext soeuer it be They should likewise take heed that the stronger amongst them oppresse not the weaker whereto the Emperour will allwaies lend a hand for to gaine by the ruine both of the one and the other The Catholicke Princes ought from henceforth to disabuse themselues and to hold for certaine that vnder the colour of Religion they serue the designe of the house of Austria and forge by little and little the irons of their owne bondage being not able to hope for any other aduantage then to be the last ruined The Protestants since they alone cannot withstand so great forces should make it a maxime to be first well vnited at home and afterwards to hold necessarie intelligences abroad for to counterpoise the Catholicke league Their chiefest aime should be to abide streightly conjoind together and to beleeue that their assured ruine lieth in their disunion All the aduantages proposed
vnto them for to disunite them one from another ought to be the bands of their concord and good intelligence This is the true interest of the Princes of Germanie and of the Imperiall townes which they neuer ought to relinquish For without this support they will become the prey of the first Vsurper and their great magazins and stately Arcenalls will serue for a lure to intice those that are Masters of the field There are foure Kingdomes which depend in a manner vpon Germanie and are obliged to follow the fortune of this Country Poland and Hungarie for diuers interrests remaine tyed to the house of Austria Denmarke and Swedeland embrace the partie that maintaines the libertie of Germanie fearing their owne may be in danger after this comes to be oppressed It is requisite that Germanie remaine strictly vnited with both these Realmes But the latter shee can neuer forsake without an eternall blot of ingratitude hauing receiued from thence euen that which was beyond her hopes seeing her selfe allreadie swallowed in the very gulfe of so hard a bondage when this King shewed onely to the world through so many darke clowdes made the Sunne of her deliueraÌ„ce appeare to this desolate Country OF THE INTEREST OF THE SWISSES AND OF THE VNITED PROVINCES of the Low-Countries ON the two sides of Germanie at the entrie of this large Country there are formed two Common-weathes dreadfull amoÌ„gst the other powers of Christendome both for the valour of their people and for the forme of their situation So that very rightly one may call them the two armes of Germanie The right arme is Switzerland the left is the Vnited State of the Low Countries The one is amongst the rockes and precipices the other amongst the Seas and marshes The one domineers in the Alpes and the other in the Ocean The naturall disposition of both these people is so agreeable to the nature of the Countries which they inhabite as that the Swisses seeme made for the Mountaines and the Mountaines for the Swisses The Sea for the Hollanders and the Hollanders for the Sea In Switzer-land euery Canton in the Low-Countries euery Prouince is a Commonwealth The Swisses sell the libertie of their bodies to others and doe guard the libertie of their country the HollaÌ„ders gaâ—d their owne libertie intire Long peace hath enriched those but these flourish by the continuation of warre The interest of the Swisses is Peace but the Hollanders should hold for an assured maxime to be alwaies in Armes These two Republikes cannot make better alliance for their subsistence then with France who to oppose Spaine does enrich the Suisses with her money and supports the Hollanders with her Counsell and Armes These two Powers should neuer be diuided betwixt themselues either through iealousie or Religion since these are the sole maladies that may extinguish them OF THE INTEREST OF ENGLAND ENgland which is as a little world apart had not any thing to doe with other Princes but onely so far as the necessitie of commerce did oblige her which was then her true interest For thereby shee gained great riches which together with her situation haue made her of very great account But since that vnder the shadow of that misterious mariage betweene PHILIP and MARIE the practises of Spaine are insensibly slipped in England which before had maximes conformable to her owne selfe is by litle and litle accommodated sometimes to the interest of France and sometimes to the interest of Spaine Queene ELIZABETH who by her prudent gouernment has equall'd the greatest Kings of Christendome shee knowing well the disposition of her State beleeued that the true interest thereof consisted First in holding a firme vnion in it selfe atcheiuing to smother the reliques of precedent factions deeming as it is most true that England is a mightie Animal which can neuer dye except it kill it selfe Shee grounded this fundamentall maxime to banish thence the exercise of the Romane ReligioÌ„ as the onely meanes to breake all the plots of the Spaniards who vnder this pretext did there foment RebellioÌ„ And allthough shee professed her selfe very much obliged to Philip towards whoÌ„ shee bare euer a speciall regard neuerthelesse shee had so carefull a consideration of the interest of her State that shee beleeued it was neuer fitt to conclude a peace with him for three very euident reasons The first was for to weaken the power that shee suspected in the Indies The second for to enrich her Realme by depredations The third thereby to make her Subjects warlike and keep them in perpetuall exercise for Sea-fight which is the defence of the Kingdome Shee beleeued that the interest of her Estate was to aide France and releeue it least that by the fall thereof shee suffer those to waxe great from whom shee had cause to defend her selfe By the same maxime Shee supported the springing libertie of the Vnited-Prouinces whose protection against the puissance of Spaine is one of the principall points of Englands interest as well because shee thereby weakens a too powerfull Neighbour as for that Protection serues sometimes for a step to reach some higher matter Shee held most strait intelligences with the Protestants of France for reasons alltogether peculiar to England Shee did the same though for other respects with the Protestants of Germanie By all these maximes this wise Princesse has very well made knowne to her Successours that besides the Interest which the King of England has common with all Princes he has yet one particular which is that He ought throughly to acquire the aduaÌ„cement of the Protestant Religion euen with as much zeale as the King of Spaine appeares Protectour of the Catholike For this effect England should haue intelligences throughout where soeuer it is fitting and take part in all the Treaties that are made with Protestant Princes Shee should likewise be allwaies armed to become thereby considerable Here is the true interest of England which being well followed will establish a third Puissance in Christendome THE SECOND PART OF THE INTEREST OF THE PRINCES AND STATES of Christendome AFTER the stablishing of the true interest of each Prince and State it ought to be made appeare by the recitall of the principall affaires agitated in Christendome for the space of fifth yeares past how the ill successes that haue therein happened proceeded not from any other cause then the neglecting of the said interest For to teach vs that in matter of State one ought not to suffer himselfe to be led by inordinate desires which carrie vs oftentimes to vndertake things beyond our strength nor by violent passions which doe diuersly trouble vs according as wee are possessed therewith nor by superstitious opinions whereby ill-conceiued scruples are ministred vnto vs but rather by our proper interest guided by reason aloÌ„e which ought to be the rule of our actions to the end that by such examples wee seeing as in a mirrour the faultes of others may thereby benefit our selues THE FIRST
DISCOVRSE VPON THE AFFAIRE of the League VNDER the Raignes of Francis the second and Charles the ninth France was exceedingly molested with ciuill warres the youth of these two Princes was the principall cause thereof Each would haue the managing of affaires A contestation was betwixt Queene Catherine their mother and the Princes of the blood and vnder them the houses wich had most power were those of Guise and Montmorancy which had quietly ruled Henry the second their Father Francis of Lorraine Duke of Guise bore the partie of Catherine Annas Duke of Montmorancy tooke part with the Princes of the blood Likewise there was amongst them difference of Religion The warres about Religion were great and bloodie and lasted euen to the death of Charles the ninth and his brother Henry the third succeeded him He was of age capable to gouerne he had goodly qualities and gaue hopes of a happy Reigne At his comming to the Crowne Henry testified a desire to lead a peaceable life but it was rather for to plunge himselfe in idlenesse and pleasures then to reigne well Henry Duke of Guise sonne of Francis a Prince endowed with great qualities and full of loftie thoughts seeing the King and his Brother without children and the first Princes of the blood to make profession of the Protestant Religion is bold to aspire vnto the Royaltie and to gett thither makes himselfe Protecteur of the Catholikes and the Persecutour of the Protestāts against whom he stirred vp diuers warres Henry of Bourbon King of Nauarre first Prince of the blood Chief of the Protestant partie and a Prince adorned with an heroïque vertue successfully waged diuers warres in fauour of the Protestants Here be three Henry's Chiefs of three seueral parties in France who haue euery one their interest The King to maintaine his lawfull authoritie The Duke of Guise to possesse the Kings place and the King of Nauarre to hinder the King of France his ruine which was indeed his owne and of his partie which made him subsist in reputation The first of these through weakenesse lets himselfe be induced to make warre vpon the King of Nauarre The second makes himselfe Head of the Catholike partie The third becomes Protectour of the Protestāts So that as he who ought to haue commaunded others is very happie to haue place onely in the partie of the Duke of Guise who therein came so farre with him that when he was kill'd in the yeare 1588. he was vpon the point to make him be declared to the States of the Realme incapable to reigne and the Princes of the blood to succeed him Philipp King of Spaine who had allwaies an eye open to his great designe foments this businesse fauours the Duke of Guise at Rome helps him with money in France le ts him not want for any thing and euen after his death continues his assistance to his Brother Charles Duke of Mayne The King seeing himselfe abandonn'd of all the great Townes of his Realme and of the most part of his Nobilitie casts himselfe into the armes of the King of Nauarre who by his assistance retireth him almost from the hands of his enemies which held him besieged within Tours he brings him as triumphant before his Capitall Cittie of Paris where by the stab of a knife he dyed and left the Kingdome to the King of Nauarre in the yeare 1589. This Prince seeing himselfe eleuated to so high a dignitie was inuited by the change of his condition to make change of his interest and quitting that which he had held euen till then he embraced that of France He had great oppositions caused by Philip as well by his practises at Rome as by his assistance to the League of France allwaies vnder pretext of his great zeale for the Catholike Religion During the time that Henry is a Protestant Philip maintaines that he cannot reigne causeth him to be excommunicated his Subjects to be dispensed from the oath of allegeance setteth his kingdome in prey that by this meanes he might gett it as easily as Ferdinand got the Kingdome of Nauarre from his Predecessour When he giues hope to turne Catholike Philip declareth that he is an Hypocrite and that hauing beene relapsed he can neuer lawfully reigne he aideth his enemies with money and armes sufficient to weaken both parties but not to ruine the one in such sort as that the other might subsist without him willing to wearie them whom he maintained to the end that they should be constrained to giue themselues vp to him Henry on his part shewes vnto Queene ELIZABETH and the Vnited Prouinces with the Protestants of Germanie and the Swisses what interest they had all in the cause He receiued great assistance from them all and euen secretly from Ferdinand great Duke of Tuscanie a Prince of great vnderstanding and who judged that the acquisition of France to the King of Spaine was to subject all the other Princes But the Republike of Venice onely amongst all the Catholike States did without delay acknowledge him King of France after the death of his Predecessour So wellas with all these aides and his owne valour he resisted in the very beginning and afterwards hauing obtained diuers victories and his affaires beginning to prosper he was considered as a great Prince From thence forward the People wearie of their miseries beganne to disabuse themselues and to giue no more such credence as they had done to their Preachers the Nobilitie to thinke vpon the side that prosper'd the Gouernours of Townes to assure their affaires with the strongest and the Principalls of the partie to conserue what dignitie soeuer they had beene raised vnto All these commotions caused the Leaguers to assemble the States Philip takes occasion from such an extremitie for to perswade them that the onely remedie to restablish their affaires was to choose a King and offers his daughter to him whom they chose This was the apple of discord The Duke of Mayne principall Commaunder could not pretend to haue her he being allreadie married nor would suffer that another should lest himselfe from being Master should become a Seruant His Nephew the Duke of Guise was inticed with this daintie bit The Duke of Nemours his Vnkle had as good an appetite as he The Duke of Mercueur pretended the Dutchie of Britanie to belong to him by his Wife The eldest sonne of the Duke of Lorraine as head of the familie was also mentioned So that Philip thought by this discord to draw them to make choice of him While these things were a doing Henry turnes Catholike This change made some of the principall Townes and Gouernours to declare themselues on his parte and the other beganne to treate in the Court of Rome Philip neglects nothing no more then the chiefest Leaguers for to impeache that Henry be not acknowledged a good Catholike and a long time hindered his Ambassadour from hauing Audience At the length Clement VIII then Pope seeing well that he was establishing
whereupon they first joyned themselues vnto him This same hath caused in this State so many Republikes as there be Townes amongst whom in a generall decree pluralitie of voices has noe place because that if any one Towne approue it not shee is not bound to obserue it So as he deuised rather to flatter them in their libertie that he might wholly take off their desire to complie with Philip then to propound vnto them good Lawes for to maintaine them in the time of Peace His sonne Maurice brought vp from his infancie in Armes thought principally of the establishing of militarie discipline as the thing then most necessarie to vphold the State wherein he surpassed all the Captaines of his time Insomuch as this State beeing exceeding well grounded for to subsist by warre and as ill to maintaine it selfe in Peace it is euident that the true interest thereof is to continue the Warre According to the interest of each Prince their Ambassadours being assembled at the Hague did worke about The Spaniards make a great difficultie to ratifie the declaration of the Archdukes who acknowledged the States free and soueraigne to the intent to make them better relish the same and that in yeelding they might obtaine of them conditions that would worke their ruine As the graunt of libertie of conscience to Catholikes thereby to make diuisions among them The priuation of trafficke in the Indies and so to make a mutinie by the Marchands the most considerable corporation amongst them Besides the exchange of certaine places most aduantageous to the King of Spaine and most prejudiciall to the said States Maurice earnestly opposed such conditions Bernaueld durst not countenance them France and England perceiuing the venome hidden vnder the same could not digest them In such wise as all Treatie of peace being broken they renew that of a Truce for many yeares Maurice doth his best to hinder it but Bernaueld backed by France and England is the cause they did hearken to it The worke beginnes anew and the Spaniards seeing they could not obtaine the conditions which they desired imagining also their repose to be very necessarie at length they gaue ouer sauing that the Article wich declared the States free and that of trafficke in the Indies were couched so obscurely as they might saue their reputation and interpret them to their owne aduantage as occasion should serue On the other side the French for to induce the States to conclude make a league with them wherein they oblige themselues to giue them pay for tenne thousand Souldiers Specially for to make them keepe the Truce in case it should be broken on the Spaniards side whereupon the Spaniards complaining they were answered that whatsoeuer was done was for their good and that without doing the same nothing could be obtained Maurice for his part yeelds vnto that which he could not hinder conditionally that the Armie might be maintained for the securitie of the State Henry approueth this condition and contributeth to the maintenance of 4000 Foote and 200. Horse So as the Truce was concluded for twelue yeares the States acknowledged free and Soueraigne and their Ambassadours receiued in this qualitie by Princes Thus ended this negociation which lasted two yeares where each one endeauours to deceiue the other and also flatters himselfe with the perswasion of hauing gotten that which he had desired In effect Henry had the most honour in this affaire and the States by his meanes the most profit But he being dead and Louys vpon the Throne at nine yeares of age there was an vniuersall alteration in France For Marie had obtain'd the Regencie and willing to strengthen her authoritie against the Princes of the blood and great ones of the Realme shee procured a disunion amongst them and cast herselfe into the armes of Rome and Spaine beleeuing that shee had then need of the former Power and allwaies of the later insomuch as during the time of her gouernment the true interest of France being abandonned there was taken the contrarie course The Spaniards lost not so good an occasion especially vpon the Low-Countries in the businesse of the Arminians the which Bernaueld seeing himselfe vpheld by France through the practises of Spaine vndertooke to maintaine against the Prince of Orange in such wise as that from a dispute of Religion there was made an affaire of State so pernicious that it was like to ruine this Commonweath Here it was where the Spaniard displayed all his cunning for to make Marie worke in this Country according to his interests He perswaded her that her disunion was aduantageous to her to maintaine her authoritie To the end that shee might not assist the Princes of the blood disontented with her nor the Protestants of France which might joyne with the said Princes He makes her to act a superstitious zeale which is an euill counsellour to those that entertaine it So as the Ambassadours of France vnder the pretēce of zeale to Religion become sollicitours of the affaires of Spaine in Holland They fauour the cause of Bernaueld they foment the diuision within the State they bring it vpon the very brinke of its downefall and had it not beene for the patience and constant courage of Maurice assisted by the souldiers this Republike had runne the hazard to seeme as sonne extinct as borne By that which is aforesaid and by the sequele of affaires one may judge that the true interests of the State of the vnited Prouinces are to maintaine warre against Spaine otherwise it would be ruined of it selfe The interests of France and England are to assist the said State for to giue Spaine this bone to picke The interests of the Germane Princes are to foment the same to the end that by the fall of this burden they likewise be not ouerthrowne And the interests of Spaine are to keepe all the other in broiles amongst themselues or else set them one against another least they should all accord against her Therefore so soone as any of them haue abandonned these maximes their affaires fall to the ground THE FIFTH DISCOVRSE VPON THE affaire about the succession of Cleues and Iulliers SINCE the time of Charles the Fifth Germanie liued very happie so long as shee kept her true interest and whil'st that the Emperour did containe himselfe within the bounds of the lawes of the Empire which ballancing the power thereof with that of the Princes and Republikes of Germanie suffered them not to vsurpe one vpon another The first that forsooke this interest were the Princes Electors in hauing continued the Imperial dignitie without interruption to many of one and the same familie who in tract of time haue raised the same to the prejudice of the Imperiall Lawes the which hath chiefly happened to the house of Austria specially since this house and that of Spaine haue beene both the selfe same thing For seeing her selfe established in so high a dignitie and supported by such a Power shee was willing to be there
should come off with honour enough to diuide this spoyle with the King of Spaine without exposing any thing to danger Is is now easie to judge that the ruine of the Princes which were in the possession proceeded from hence viz. Because that Newbourg forsaking his true interest to follow his passion cast himselfe into the armes of Spaine Because the Protestant Princes of Germanie not considering their true interest did not stirre at all likewise because France embracing not the interest of Maurice forsooke her owne and for that England did the like with France On the other side the aduantage that Spaine and the Low-Countries haue gotten in this conquest proceeded hence for that both the one and the other were entirely fixed vpon their true interest THE SIXT DISCOVRSE VPON THE Election of the Count Palatine to the Kingdome of Bohemia IF the quantitie of set battailes or the number of the personnes slaine or the reuolution of sundrie States or the qualitie of the Princes interessed or the length of the time might make a Warre memorable then that which Germanie now suffers is in the highest degree since that there are giuen already more then fifteene battailes three hundred thousand men haue lost their liues in the same almost all the States of Germanie haue thereby changed their condition and their Masters all the Princes of Europe haue taken an interest therein and it is now fourteene yeares since the warre begunne without being yet ended The occasion thereof happened through the rejection of Ferdinand of Austria from the Kingdome of Bohemia and the Election of the said Kingdome conferred on the personne of Frederic Count Palatine of Rheine The first would establish himselfe in a dignitie which he beleeued was vnjustly taken fron him The second would maintaine himselfe in the Kingdome as being justly chosen thereunto The first would make it a businesse of Religion thereby to interest all the Catholike Princes of Europe in the same The second would shew that it was nothing else but a State-warre that he might interest in the same all those by whom the greatnesse of Spaine was suspected But for to judge well of this great commotion one ought to remount a little higher It is certaine that since the warre which happened about the succession of Cleues and Iulliers Germanie was as it were deuided in two factions and in imitation of the Catholikes the Protestants also had made a League whereof the Prince Elector Palatine was chosen Chiefe as the Duke of Bauaria had beene of the other The pretence which euery one tooke for the defence of his Religion did agrrauate the matter amongst them And the secure peace which this nation had enjoyed a long time did not permir her following the reuolution of this world to abide thus any longer There wanted onely an occasion to make her bandie against her selfe The Bohemians present this occasion whether it were by reason of their naturall ficklenesse or for being ill treated in the libertie of their consciences or else through some discontentment of the principall men amongst them or for all these reasons together they reject Ferdinand their King and choose Frederick in his place And for to render themselues so much the more irreconcilable with him in the full assembly of the States they cast those of his partie out of the windowes This action arriued in the yeare 1619. after which euery one tooke armes The Protestants were the forwardest for they were alreadie prepared to it and attended onely the bruit of this Election to beginne the game Amongst those who tooke part with Frederick he that brought the most powerfull assistance was Betheleem Gabor who from an ordinarie Gentleman being made Prince of Transiluania and fearing the house of Austria which had alwaies endeauored to appropriate this State he put himselfe into the protection of the Turk for to secure the same and finding so faire an opportunitie to depresse this House his interest suffered him not to loose it The vnited Prouinces not to be wanting to their interest doe here contribute on their part The King of Denmarke for the same reason and also for his honour and reputation assisteth his Nephew King Iames more interessed then he forgetteth his interest concerning his Sonne in law The King of France likewise drawes backe and stands newter At this beginning Ferdinand is ill handled and reduced to great extremities Here Spaine seeing that shee must venture her share to or else loose both her hopes and reputation shee spares nothing but vseth all manner of meanes In Germanie shee vrgeth the Elector of Saxonie against the Palatine in point of honour shee remonstrates vnto him that he holds his Electorship of the house of Austria and that he cannot maintaine it without her At Rome shee perswades the Pope that her losse is the ruine of the Catholike Religion and the meanes to make all Christendome a prey to the Turk insomuch as the Pope abandonning his true interest takes part with her fournisheth both men and money and laboureth to declare the other Catholike Princes for her defence In England shee easily entertaines King Iames in his peaceable inclination In France by the Nuntio's helpe shee gaineth the Duke de Luine who hauing vsurped neere Loüys the authoritie that Marie had there possessed he tooke also the same maximes supporting himselfe by Spaine which neuer faileth in such occasions to maintaine those who distrusting their owne worth seeke their securitie out of the Realme So as the interest of a Fauorite being preferred before that of the State they assist Spaine But to the end that it might be with more profit and lesse noise they vndertake an agreement they send Embassadours to both parties they amuse the Protestants with faire hopes they make them loose the opportunitie of a victorie which they had in hand and they induce them to disarme In the meane while the Catholikes hauing this time for respite strengthen themselues on all sides take their aduantage prosecute their former designes and by gaining the battaile of Prague wholly ruine their ennemies In this reuolution of affaires Spaine makes good vse of the victorie continues her intelligences amongst her Neighbours that shee might not be diuerted in her conquests and joynes her forces of Flanders to those of Italie for to become absolute Mistresse of the Empire Feare and corruption interpose amongst the Princes of Germanie and the Imperiall Townes Euery one hasteth to submit himselfe to the yoake distrusting least he should not be time enough receiued there The Counsellours of Princes and Magistrates of Common-wealthes are corrupted by money and all contribute to forge the irons of their owne bondage This kind of proceeding makes the King of Denmarke feare least the firing of Germanie consume him he takes the defence thereof and goes into the field but is vanquished looseth part of his dominions and for to recouer it againe is constrained to make a dishonourable peace The Transiluanian seeing this disorder maketh his
Imprimatur Prid. Id. Jul. M.DC.XL Tho. Broun A TREATISE OF THE INTEREST OF THE PRINCES AND STATES OF CHRISTENDOME Written in French by the most noble and illustrious Prince the Duke of Rohan Translated into English By H. H. Printed at Paris M. DC.XXXX TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE JOHN LORD FINCHE BARON OF FORDWICH Lord Keeper of the great Seale of England and one of his Majesties most honorable Privie Councell c. MY LORD THis little Booke being written by so excellent a person as the Duke of Rohan and treating of so weighty a Subject as the Interest of the Princes and States of Christendome being received also with good esteeme by some judicious men I thought it not amisse to communicate the same imploying the advantage of so many spare minutes during my abode in France as to make it speake English Then being invited to expose it to the light to the publike view the publike voyce taught it to implore your Lordships protection whether be considered the quality of the Author the gravity of the Matter or Knowledge in the Originall wherein it was penned For as the Author was noble and eminent in his place in like manner is your Honour shining in your orb as a starre of the first Magnitude lending a most benigne and gracious influence to the just causes of the oppressed distressed fatherlesse and widow The Matter is of politick maximes and divers remarkable occurrences in sundry Republikes and to whom now can this be more aptly addressed then to a principall Minister of State in whom Prudence Science and Integrity in a sweet harmony doe all concurre to make a perfect conduct of affaires for the glory of God the honour of the King and the good of this Church and Common-wealth Lastly the Originall from whence it was derived being French your admired knowledge and unparallell'd expressions in the same language may speake you as well a patterne in the originall as a Patron in this translation For my owne part if it may be permitted to say any thing of my selfe I speak confidently My Lord with your permission that albeit I had not so much vanity as to perswade my selfe that any thing could proceed from me worthy your reception or advantagious to your Honour since that my act herein shewed more of duty then merit and its insufficiencie demanded rather pardon then remuneration yet had I some kinde of assurance that a favourable acceptation would entertaine what I most humbly present seeing the most heroick minde disdaines not the meanest services but like the Sunne that nobler Planet spreads his indifferent rayes upon all as well on abject as glorious objects These and such like considerations made me adventure but with all reverence and humility to prefix here your most Honorable Name that thereby this Book might live and withall incessantly beseeching him whose name is I AM to preserve and continue Yours in perpetuall being in all honour and prosperity and to write your name in a larger volume the Book of life For which end the Lord be still your Keeper and Seale you with that great Seale the holy Spirit of promise to the day of redemption So prayeth My Lord Your Lordships most humbly devoted HENR HUNT THE CONTENTS OF THE INTEREST OF THE Princes and States of Christendome THe preface pag. 1. Of the interest of Spaine pag. 4. Of the interest of France p. 13. Of the interest of the Princes of Italie pag. 18. Of the interest of the sea of Rome p. 22. Of the interest of the Duke of Sauoy pag. 24. Of the interest of Germanie p. 26. Of the interest of the Suisses and of the vnited Prouinces of the Low-Countries p. 31. Of the interest of England p. 34. THE SECOND PART OF The interest of the Princes and States of Christendome the Preface p. 38. THe first discourse vpon the affaire of the League p. 40. The Second discourse vpon the warre of Sauoy p. 58. The Third discourse vpon the difference that happened betvveen Pope Paul V. and the Republike of Venice the yeare 1605. p. 64. The Fourth discourse concerning the Truce of the Low-Countries with the King of Spaine pag. 81. The Fifth discourse vpon the affaire about the succession of Cleues and Iulliers p. 93. The sixt discourse vpon the Election of the Count Palatine to the Kingdome of Bohemia pag. 103. The Seuenth descourse vpon the commotions that happened in Italie for the succession of the Dutchies of Mantua and Montferrat p. 117. FINIS OF THE INTEREST OF THE PRINCES AND STATES OF CHRISTENDOME THE PRINCES commaund the People and the Interest commaunds The Princes The knowledge of this Interest is as much more raised aboue that of Princes actions as they themselues are aboue the People The Prince may deceiue himselfe his Counsell may be corrupted but the interest alone can neuer faile According as it is well or ill vnderstood it maketh States to liue or die And as it allwaies aimeth at the augmentation or at leastwise the conseruation of a State so likewise to get thither it ought to varie according to the times So that to consider well the interest of the Princes of this time wee need not remount very high but onely take the standing of the present affaires For this purpose one ought to lay for a ground that there be two Powers in Christendome which are as the two Poles from whence descend the influences of peace and warre vpon the other states to wit the howses of France and Spaine This of Spaine finding it selfe augmented all at once hath not beene able to conceale the designe shee had to make her selfe Mistresse and cause the Sunne of a new Monarchie to rise in the West That of France is forthwith carried to make a counterpoise The other Princes are annexed to the one or the other according to their interest But forsomuch as this interest as it hath beene well or ill followed hath caused the ruine of some or the greatnesse of others I haue purposed to publish in this present Treatise First what was the true interest of these two mightie Powers and then of the other which seeme in some manner to depend on their protection Next of all I shall shew how much has beene the digression from this true interest either because the Prince hath not well vnderstood it or else for that he was disguised by the corruption of his Ministers OF THE INTEREST OF SPAINE SPAINE is at the head of Europe where the Ocean serues her for bounds vpon the entrance of the Mediterranean sea which separates the same from Affricke hauing the Pyrenean mountaines for barriers against Frāce On this great Country so well situated do depend many States spread in diuerse parts of the world Philip King of Spaine who attempted to extend this vast power to the top of all greatnesse finding himselfe lesse sitt for warre then ciuill businesses judged that Monarchies got as it were in post by the valour of warlike Princes are not of
dexteritie knowing how to aduantage herselfe in Treaties inuites her inferiours to enter more forwardly in league with her and to set themselues vnder her shade The estate of her armes allwaies on foote consumes those that are suspicious of her and assures others that depend on her protection From all these things results the reputation of Spaine Her interest is to manage well this pietie And though all Princes hold for a generall maxime that they should carefully conserue their reputation Spaine ought to be so much the more jealous thereof as her designes are greater then those of other States This huge frame composed of so many parts and as it were incumbered with its owne weight moues by its secret springs which loose their force euen as they are discouered OF THE INTEREST OF FRANCE FRANCE being seated betweene the Alpes and the Pyrenean mountaines and flanked by two seas seemes to be inuited by nature to oppose it selfe against the proceeding of this puissant Neighbourhood For shee appeares like a banke against this torrent and the opportunitie of her situation is such that shee may hinder the distribution of the head to the members of the Monarchie which does oppugne her But this being not sufficient to crosse the proceedings of Spaine the interest of France is to take all the counter-course to impeach all shee may her designes by maximes which wee come now deliuer vnto you Henry the fourth vpon whom the actiuitie of all these subtilties has been exercised euen to the vtmost point hauing better vnderstood them then any other before him for that he proued them more he first confirmed the true interest of France which is to thwart or counterpoint Spaine in all these points In such wise that if the first maxime of the interest of Spaine be to persecute the Protestants for to growe by their spoyles the first of the interest of France is to make the Catholickes perceiue the venome hidden vndes the same Especially to let the Court of Rome vnderstand that the hopes which Spaine giues her to augment her treasures by the ruine of Protestants is not but to further her designe towards the Monarchie where shee can no sooner arriue but the Pope must become her Seruant whereas his authoritie neuer has more lustre then when the power of Christian Princes and States is ballanced Moreouer France should make shew to the Protestant Princes and States that allthough shee be of a diuerse Religion to theirs yet shee would rather their conuersion then their destruction assuring them that this shall not at all hinder her that shee contribute not of her owne to conserue them and to aide them freely against all those that would trouble or change any thing in their States and liberties Likewise as the second maxime of the interest of Spaine is to aduantage her designe through intelligences The second of the interest of France is not to sleepe at all in hers Nor to spare money in spies and pensioners to the end to know what passeth amongst her neighbours and that as occasion serues shee strengthen the weake assure the fearefull stop the engagement of those that are moued to decline retire those that are allready engaged and that shee crosse in all places and by all meanes the intelligences of Spaine To the third maxime which concerns negociation It ought not to be suffered that Spaine meddle in any Treatie but that France also step between on her part Especially in Italie where shee would be sole judge and vmpire That which shee will be if France were not assured of one port to enter there which shee ought to keepe euen so long as shee will oppose the others greatnesse and be considered as the bullwarke of the Christian libertie Moreouer flegmaticke personnes ought to be made choice of for to treate with Spaine and such as haue not any impatient humour whereof the French nation is accused to the end to take away their hope of profiting by delaies wherewith Spaine has been accustomed to wearie all the world To the fourth Maxime There ought to be opposed force to force For neither perswasions nor the Iustice of armes will awe him that 's armed So as that France ought to cutt off all vnnecessarie expences and be allwaies powerfully armed hauing sufficiently to doe the same without borrowing elsewhere soldiers munition and money If so be that the aboue named maximes be well obserued the reputation of Spaine whereby shee doth so aduantageously preuaile will be abated that of France eleuated and the other Christian Princes and States seeing such a counterpoise to affaires will againe take courage and without apprehension of future danger will voluntarily embrace the cause of their conseruation OF THE INTEREST OF THE PRINCES OF ITALIE ITALIE which is enuironned with the Alpes and the Mediterranean sea after the deluge of those barbarous nations that so long time afflicted it seemed as if shee ought to thinke of nothing more then to benefit herselfe by the opportunitie of her situation to keep her selfe close and secret being as well separated by the interest of Prouinces as diuided by her situation And truly it was then the maxime which shee ought to hold For these little Princes might liue preaceably vnder the shadow of the greater when hauing amongst themselues their just counterpoise they cannot attempt any thing vpon their inferiours And the principall Powers sharing amongst themselues the dominion of such a Countrey had reason to exclude their neighbours from the Knowledge of their affaires But since that the King of Spaine hath set footing in Italie and that finding himselfe Maister of both ends thereof he has made the ballance incline on his owne side the true interest in generall of the Italian Princes has beene to keep euer one gate at least open to guard themselues from the oppression which such a formidable Power might make them feare And although that for this effect they ought to hold intelligences with other Princes it behooues them notwithstanding to doe it cheifely with the King of France for three reasons First for the neerenesse and opportunitie of being able to succour them either by sea or land Secondly for the great forces that this great Realme can set on foote And lastly by this bridle to restraine the Spainard who otherwise would carrie himselfe towards them with lesse moderation The other maxime which Italie ought to obserue is to conserue her selfe in peace First because there can be noe warre but the Kings of France and Spaine will there take part either as fauouring one of the parties or else as Arbitrators Besides it ought to be considered that warre cannot be enkindled in this Country without great danger of stirring vp diuerse humours which doe now lie still These are the two points wherein lieth the interest of Italie in generall And although that euery Prince ought to haue the same aime there are notwithstanding certaine particular interests in each State The Common-wealth of Venice in regard of
meanes he kept the Catholikes that followed him thereby also he gained newe ones from the partie of the Leaguers and he lost not the Protestants who he well knew could neuer be taken in the number of his enemies without destroying the pretext of Religion which alone maintained them So as that this Prince complying with the time knew how to take his aduantages so fitly that he had good successe in his affaires Philipp who had a designe to the Christian Monarchie and imagining that the maine obstacle which he should therein meet with was the puissance of France he embraces the occasion offer'd vnto him for to ruine the same He aptly serues his purpose by the ill gouernment of the King and by the ambition of the Duke of Guise He inciteth the first to expell the Protestants out of his Kingdome by which way so euer giueth him his owne example offereth him his assistance publisheth his great zeale at Rome exhorts the Pope to ioyne with him in such a pursuite On the other side he vnderhand exciteth the second to continue courageously his designe assists him with money and Counsell And by such deuises he makes himselfe esteemed in France as the chiefest prop of their Religion He makes a diuision betwixt the King and the Protestants of Europe he authoriseth the Duke of Guise amongst the Catholikes of France he incenceth the people against the Princes of the blood and remoueth so much as he can the the children of the Familie from the gouernment of the Realme for to introduce Strangers there No other consideration diuerteth him from his profound designe he holds that allwaies couered vnder the vaile of Pietie and of his great zeale to the Catholike Religion He trauelles there step by step without being impatient through the length of the way or precipitated through any accident After the Duke of Guise his death in stead of leauing off the worke he became more resolute He assists his Brother and the whole partie so much the more vigorously as he beleeued there was more need and euen thought assuredly that it would be more easie for him now to make an aduantageous gaine thereby then in the life time of the said Duke Because that the whole faction hauing more need of him he could more easily reduce them to his owne will In so much as he aduanced the businesse so forward that the Kingdome of France escaped not his hands but by miracle And if he had beene content onely to dissipate it in stead of getting it intirely he had therein obtain'd his ends And this is the onely fault that he committed against his interest in this Affaire For had he considered the affection this Nation beares towards her Kings the detestation shee has of the Spanish dominion besides her naturall sicklenesse as also the reputation of the clemencie of Henry IIII. he would not haue beene so obstinate as to goe about to surmount things impossible and would haue contented himselfe to part the Realme among seuerall personnes And aftewards vpon the differences that are wont to happen betweene vsurpers it would haue beene farre more easie for him to gett by peece-meale what he would haue carried all at once Howsoeuer it would haue beene a gaine great enough to him to diuide this mightie Kingdome the which being Vnited does euery where impeach the amplification of Spaine THE SECOND DISCOVRSE VPON THE WARRE OF SAVOY IT seemed that the Peace of Veruins had restabished a solid tranquillitie to Christendome and that these two mightie Powers of France and Spaine wearied of troubling each other had beene glad to tast of rest But as it is ordinarie that in all accords which are made between Princes and Soueraigne States there men leaue vndecided the Claimes about Which they cannot agree So likewise in this Peace the restitution of the Marquisate of Saluces was remitted to another season in such wise as Henry afther hauing imployed some yeares to setle againe the affaires of his Realme in good order he resolued to question the Duke of Sauoy for the inuasion of the said Marquisate insomuch as he made him plainly vnderstād that he would haue it restored This peece although little is of very great importance It is the Port of Italie whereby the French might passe either to assault or succour it Those that feared their power had reason to withstand the designe of Henry but those that feared any other fauoured him So the interests of Italie were diuided Emanuel Duke of Sauoy as the most interessed of all in the businesse vses all meanes to diuert this Tempest He solliciteth the King of Spaine not to forsake him and gaineth the Popes Nephew Cardinal Aldobrandin to procure the Popes fauour But being exceedingly confident of his dexteritie and adresse he resolued to goe into France to the end that vnder the pretence of treating this affaire he might gaine some of the principall Ministers of Henry and raise a broile within the Kingdome herein he was at great cost and vsed such sleights that he failed but very little of his purpose Neuerthelesse being too confident of a thing vncertaine and hauing too much neglected the meanes of his true assurance he became so surprised that within three Moneths he was dispoyled of all Bresse and Sauoy This rude beginning awak'd him He continues his practises in France he hasteth the succour of Spaine and seekes the intercession of the Pope who to this effect sendeth the Cardinall Aldobrandin towards Henry for to treate the same In the meane while euery one armeth some to assault Piemont others to defend it but the mediation of the Peace was the strongest For it was concluded in the yeare 1600. wherein Sauoy was render'd to the Duke and Bresse remained to Henry for exchange of the Marquisdome of Saluces That which made Henry commit this errour against his interest was the desire he had to tast of repose it being a thing certaine that a man ordinarily flatters himselfe in that whereunto his fancie carries him This Prince naturally loued his pleasures and the necessitie of his affaires allwaies engaged him to labour So as now seeing himselfe at peace in his Relme and beleeuing he had done enough for his honour he chose rather to take a recompence for the said Marquisate then to imbarke himselfe in a long warre This Peace touched Ferdinand great Duke of Tuscanie so much to the heart for the prejudice that it brought to the libertie of the Princes of the Italie that he offered to breake it by the meanes of 200000. crownes wherewith He and the States of Venice should furnish the Cardinall Aldobrandin But Henry would not hearken to it In this affaire and the sequele thereof there are two things remarkable Viz. The losse which France hath sustained by leauing the Marquisate of Saluces and the aduantage that one gets by gaining the Nephewes of the Pope By the first the French-man has lost all credit in the affaires of Italie and the Spaniard remaines Master
which they endeauour'd to doe by the meanes of the Turk as on the contrary it became aduantageous to the Republike For though the Marquesse de Saint-Croy hauing ransacked Duras beleeued that the Turks to take reuenge would turne against the Republike as being neerest or at least enter within the Gulfe Yet it happened that the Turk perceiuing the Spanish wiles commaunded the Admirall of his Fleet to aide the Venetians against the Pope and the Spainards But the Republike judging it not fit to make vse of such a helpe for feare the remedie should be worse then the dissease it selfe shee put it off so handsomely that the Grand Signior receiued not any distast thereby Neuerthelesse making the Pope vnderstand that in case of necessitie shee well knew whither to haue recourse The Spaniards out of season offer'd a whole entire Armie to the Pope Some beleeued that it was for to reclaime the Venetians by this way but it was nothing lesse For all whatsoeuer the Spaniards did then for the Pope proceeded onely because the Duke of Lerma was tickled with vaine-glorie for that the Pope in his Briefs had giuen him the title of Excellence Lastly they perceiued in Spaine that this businesse would be ended by treatie and that France was to haue all the honour thereof This made them about to send extraordinaire Embassadours from one side to the other but it was too late the negociation being so farre aduanced by the French that t was impossible to get it out of their hands Insomuch as whatsoeuer the Spaniards could doe to crosse the Treatie the honour thereof remained full and wholly to Henry who ended the businesse by the dexteritie and prudence of the Cardinall de Ioyeuse and of Frenes-Canaye ordinarie Embassadour at Venice The Prisonners were deliuered into the hands of the Embassadour The Lawes of the Republike continued without alteration and the Pope was forced to take off the Interdict without any token of submission from the said Republike This has beene a warre of Negociation wherein the Venetians full and wholly carried the victorie Likewise one must acknowledge they were ingaged to deale in that part wherein they were most able They followed therein all the maximes of their true interest The Pope did quite contrary Spaine was amusing after Chymeraes and France had the scope which shee ought to haue wherefore shee likewise had the glorie THE FOVRTH DISCOVRSE CONCERNING the Truce of the Low Countries vvith the King of Spaine THE Truce of the Low-Countries with the King of Spaine is an infallible proofe of the excellence of the Spaniards in matter of Negociation The King of Spaine seeing that in fortie yeares Space the warre had augmented and enriched this State in stead of ouerthrowing it and that it would greatly diminish his reputation to treate of Peace with those whom euen till then he had treated as Rebells he therefore resolued to doe his vtmost to enter into their Country and to make them feele euen within their intrailes the discommoditie of Warre For which purpose he employed the two last Summers vnder the commaund of Marquesse Spinola one of the renownedst Captaines of the time Who with powerfull Armies endeauoured to enter the first yeare into Frisland and the second into Holland Neuerthelesse Maurice Prince of Orange a Captaine to whom wee owe the restauration of the auncient militarie discipline all though he was much inferiour to the forces of Spinola yet he made so good vse of the situation of his Country that he frustrated all his endeauours This hauing depriued the King of Spaine of all hope to conquer by force he resolued at last to make triall of a Treatie at the cost euen of his reputation But his end herein was 1. to secure the trafficke of the Indies where he was endammaged by them 2. to diuide them in the time of peace and lastly to beare armes more aduantageously against people lesse trained in warre and more easie to subdue being confident that any good successe in some affaire would make him recouer that reputation which he then hazarded and whereof he has beene euer jealous A Monke did first lay open the matter to a Holland Marchant The hope giuen to the States that in this Accord the King of Spaine would acknowledge them for free States made them giue eare whereupon followed a suspension of Armes for to treate more at large This intermission awaked the interessed and neighbour Princes Henry's mind was troubled with the true intererest of his Estate which he best of all knew and also by his particular affections The States by reason of their interest had succoured him in his necessitie He for the same reason powerfully assisted them in his prosperitie He willingly would haue them continue The warre prouided that he augmēted not his assistance They offered to continue the same on cōdition that he would double the money which he gaue them yearely The desire of doing thriftily made him seeme to incline and not alltogether abādon his true interest thinking it should be a great aduantage for him to remoue from his frontiers such good Armes which a Peace or long Truce might dissipate and that it should be a great honour for him to cause the Low Countries to be declared a free State Insomuch as He bent his thoughts to become Arbitratour of this negociation and to make it succeed aduantageously for the Low-Countries IAMES the first King of England whose strong inclination to peace did not also permit him to follow the true interest of his Realme which was to nourish Warre in the Low-Countries for to consume the forces of Spaine and hinder their entreprise vpon him he contents himselfe to haue part in the Treatie by his Embassadours Diuers Protestant Princes of Germanie imagining well that the Armes of Spaine being no more imployed there might fall vpon them doe likewise send their Embassadours of purpose to diuert this Accord os else to procure the protection of those that intermedled in the businesse Maurice whose particular interest was joyned with the true interest of the States wholly withstood the Accord Bernaueld who had most abilitie in the State-affaires of the Country seeing that his owe credit grew in Peace rather then in Warre he would haue the interests of the State to serue his owne ends Here is the true pourtrait of those that dealed in this affaire But for the better vnderstanding of the true interest of the States we must remount higher and come to the originall William of Nassau Prince of Orange who alone in this Age had the honour to found a State although neither his disgraces receiued nor the endeauours of Philip the most puissant and able Prince of his Time could haue hindred him was constrained to assemble the peeces for to compose a bodie thereof with such conditions as each Towne and Prouince required For hauing met with people that haue euer affected their libertie more then their very liues he could not alter the conditions
peace likewise but so much the better by reason of the Turk's protection Here was the issue of the second reuolution of the affaires of Germanie which proceeded chiefely from this that France prostituted her interest to the greatnesse of Spaine Wee should come now to the third reuolution It is oftentimes more difficult to gouerne ourselues well in great prosperitie then in aduersitie because that the one ingenders neglect and lulles vs in idlenesse but the necessitie of the other keeps vs waking and makes vs search the meanes of our restauration Such was the case of the House of Austria who seeing herselfe from such a heauie blow authorised beyond her hopes absolute Mistresse of Germanie of innumerable armies entertained at the cost of her ennemies France not stirring against her proceedings and besides imbroiled in Ciuill warres England yet forgetting her interest Holland hauing enough to doe to conserue her owne and Italie without appearance of being able to defend it selfe Shee therefore feareth nothing but despiseth all in such wise as without hiding any more her designe vnder the pretence of Religion wherewith shee had so well serued her purpose euen to the present shee openly inuades the Territories of the Duke of Mantua being a great Catholike vaunting shee could not suffer a Prince that was French borne to possesse any State in Italie which is the first remarkable errour that shee committed against her owne interest For this vsurpation gaue all the Princes of Italie to vnderstand that the tempest would come whirling vpon them insomuch as the Duke of Mantua was assisted by the most resolute amongst them Louys cannot digest this affront and being assisted with a Counsell whose prudence and resolution was necessarie in such a perillous conjunction of affaires he fortunately imployed his Armes in his defence Which was the first occasion of importance wherein he recouered the vsage of his true interest But seeing that diuersions in Germanie were needfull for him and not finding the same amongst the Germains being oppressed with the burden of so grieuous a subjection he goes to seeke them in the cold Northerne parts The renowne of Gustavus King of Swede-land had beene carried euen vnto him This Prince his desire of glorie made him easily surmount any difficulties he could imagine likewise his vast and great designes he surpassed as it were by such a courage in execution as made him not dishearken to any enterprise The conquests of Walstein Generall of the Emperour's armie vpon the Balticke sea and the prouisions which he made to render himselfe Master there made the King of Swede-land know that he might well be in suspicion of the House of Austria and that his interest was to oppose the same He therefore allieth himselfe with France and prepares to enter into Germanie for to deliuer it from the thraldome whereunto it was reduced Here is the second fault that Spaine committed against her true interest to wit the contemning of this Prince For whilst that on the one side he enters into Germanie the Emperour at the sollicitation of the King of Spaine sendeth his best troupes into Italie against the Duke of Mantua which welmost all perished there without any great effect And the successe of Gustavus in Germanie was such as that those of the Emperour's side and the Spaniards were faine to conclude a peace in Italie with the French at the expence of what they had gotten and of that reputation whereof they make so great esteeme for to draw back the remainder of their scattered troupes to the succour of Germanie leauing in the hand of the French Cazal for a place of armes in Italie and Pignerol as a port to enter therein So as the desire to conquer Italie before they were well assured of the conquest of Germanie made them loose both the one and the other This happie exploite of Loüys made him acknowledge his former errours and wholly embrace his true interest He deliuers the Grizons from their seruitude diuerteth the vnited States from accepting a Truce maintaineth the Swedish partie notwithstanding the death of Gustavus defendeth the Electour of Trâ—â—â—s against the persecutions of the Spaniards and chastiseth the Duke of Lorraine for adhering to the Emperour In a word he does brauely recouer his place which his ill Counsellours had made him forgoe Pope Vrbâ—n seeing himselfe deliuered from the apprehension of the Spaniards and Germains hauing likewise vnderstood by the inuasion made vpon the Duke of Mantua that they would deale noe otherwise with the Catholike States then with the Protestants he thereupon opposeth them The Republike of Venice that considers better then any other State what belongs to her true interest and which neuer failes but in too much circumspection as ordinarily those Common wealthes doe which are not founded by Armes shee continueth neuerthelesse her assistance to the Duke of Mantua Amedis Duke of Sauoye receiuing instruction by the danger that he and his Father were in to loose their Estates through neglecting their true interest does now rejoyne himselfe to France The other Princes of Italie seeing the aide of France could be noe impeachment to them let goe the apprehension which they had of the Spaniards The Germane Princes and Imperiall Townes seeing themselues supported by the armes of France and Swedeland assisted by the diuersion of their other allies and reassured by the prosperous successe of their affaires they take courage againe England alone as if shee were in another world remaines without medling at all On the other side Spaine failes not to animate her cause takes vp againe the pretence of the Catholike Religion which shee had as it were left off and perceiuing the errour shee committed thereby crieth more then euer against the Protestants exceedingly vrgeth the Pope to haue of him his money and his fulminations maketh much of the Venetians courteth the English intertaineth dissension in the house Royall of France mightily endeuoureth to draw the vnited Prouinces to a Truce laboureth to disengage the Duke of Saxonie from the Swedish partie neither is shee cast off by any repulse And yet notwithstanding shee spares neither men nor money for to raise new armies to oppose her ennemies In briefe necessitie has reduced euery one to follow his true interest which is the reason that in this last reuolution the contestation about these affaires is of longer continuance THE SEVENTH DISCOVRSE VPON THE commotions that happened in Italie for the succession of the Dutchies of Mantua and Montferrat ITALIE enjoyed a profound peace and fouÌ„d it selfe wholly exempt from suspicioÌ„s which are woÌ„t to disturbe the repose of States when on a sudaine happened the death of Francis Duke of Mantua which one may say produced the seeds of all those troubles that haue at seuerall times since disrested this Country For Charles Emanuel Duke of Sauoye quarrelling in right of his grand child Marie for tâ—e Dutchie of Montferrat with Ferdinand so inkindled the fire of warre in Italie as since it was neuer so