WEe cannot Coniecture, except it please you to enlarge your selfe, wher­in any aspect of ours hath bene male­uolent toward you, or occasion rai­sed it selfe to such an height, that you thinke it meete, either with a rough hand to keepe it vnder, or forcible arme to bring it to humiliation.

As for the particulars of the Kingdome, & all our suffrages in this so well contriued Election, I hope you expect not more at our hands now, then you haue re­ceiued diuers times by priuate Letters, or daily read out of iustifiable Treatises: As for the secret of preser­uation, which comes from instinct of nature, and glo­rious manumition of distracted subiects; I hope you make no question of the lawfulnes, & necessitie of our well begun Courses. As for the grieuances of the Commons, and convulsions of the Prouinces, wherin no man liued secure, while the tyrannie of our Gouer­nours lasted: The opening of our graues, the disqui­eting of buried soules, the displacing of setled offices, the teares of Widowes, the cryes of Orphanes, the wringing hands of Matrons, the rauishing of Virgins, the outrages in euery Citie; and in a worde, the com­plaints of rich and poore haue long before this, Ec­choed in your Eares, & drawne commiseration from your Hart.

As for the secrets of Gouernment, what can be more implyed out of all prescription, then the glory of God, 2. The honor of a Kingdome, 3. The good of the People, 4. And the renowne of the Prince. In [Page] all which, it is well knowne our Princes haue fayled; As 1. dishonouring God by a manifest approbation of thinges contrary to his worde, 2. Disgracing the Kingdome, by violating her Lawes, abrogating her Priuiledges, threatning her Peace, subiecting her to strangers, and tying her as it were to the whipping-Poasts of crueltie and injustice, 3. Abusing the Peo­ple, by affrighting them with the rages of exorbitant actions, and suffring no man in the securitie & benefit of his owne possessions, 4. As defaming themselues, by the scandalous Imperiousnesse of wicked Coun­sellors, and weaknes of Iudgement to be ouer-awed in all their actions, by the passionate wilfulnes of such as were enemies to God and men.

As for the cause of Religion, Remember I pray you what the Statist Steephen King of Poland was wont to say, That he was a King of men, but not of Conscien­ces; A Commaunder of bodies, but not of soules: And what vnheard-of mischiefs haue the Iesuites bred, the Inquisition procured, the Pope contriued, the Em­perors continued; and all long of that terrible Vow the Iesuites caused him to make; rather to loose the Dignitie of his Tytle, the benefit of his Diademe, and the comfort of his Life, then a Protestant should enioy the liberty of his Conscience, or a Church publiquly opened for the exercise of true Religion.

As for the Emperor himselfe, if your Loue were neuer so great, or your passion transported beyond limitation; what gouernment did euer admit of the Vsurpation of strangers? and how dangerously haue the hartes of all Kingdomes beene eaten vpon by [Page] the hungry teeth of mercinary Souldiers?

Were not the Gothes and Vandales brought in as auxiliary to the Emperors of the East, and when they learn'd their Discipline, and had possession of their Armes, they learn'd also to turne their Pikes into the brests of the weaker side, and so was Europe subiected? Thus againe was Brittany diuers times Conquered, Spayne ouer-runne by the Mores, and the rest brought vnto all vnrest by this course.

For what can we expect lesse then desolation and dissolution of Gouernment & Religion? If either the Emperors had continued in their former outragious­nes, or Ferdinand who doth now attempt to fill your free Cities with Garisond Spanyards, or allow of the vsurpation of such as would deride our miseries, and tryumph to see vs feed vpon one an others bowels, with a rauening desire of confusion.

As for reputing vs Rebels, or the diminution of the Emperors Tytles and glory of the Austrian Famely, we haue only from being slaues, made our selues sub­jects of a Lawfull Prince, wherein the proofes are ex­tant from all times and authoritie; and neither that, nor any thing heere spoken, need illustration from the Lawes of our Country, or the credit of Authors, who haue diuers times seene a King of Hungary, a King of Bohemia, and an Emperor of Germany, in seuerall dist­inct Persons: Nor doe we see why Austrias few yeares of possession, should debarre all other Famelies from the Empire it selfe, especially damme vp our encloa­sures, that we shall not giue libertie to our owne im­munities and Priuiledges.

[Page]And therfore is there neither such cause of repining in you, nor cruelty in him. For alas, what must be the end of these dissentions, but the pulling of Germaines peace & prosperity in peeces, and the filling our fields with the slaughtered Carkasses of Innocents, whose Fatherlesse Children will crye for vengeance, till the heauens powre it downe vpon the heads of the delin­quents.

As for any thing else, which either you haue, or can obiect; it hath bene long since answered: and al­though Princes neede not giue an account of their actions, yet haue wee published our iustifications, and written both to your selfe, the Emperour, and Ba­uaria: So that if the warre continue, God knowes, we are meere defendants, and our King is his substitute for Religion and the Common-wealth, and would bee loath to see you bring fuell to the flames of this disturbance, or make the tyranny and ambition of an­other a pitt to praecipitate your selfe in without re­couery.

Therefore (Most Illustrious Prince) seeing these thinges are so, and autentically approued by all suffi­ciency; why should your disallowance either mani­fest a willingnes to infringe the amity, and Confede­ration with the Bohemian State: or show a tumor of some priuate passion against an immaculate Prince, and louing Neighbour, or the Vnion of other Prin­ces, who haue combined themselues to withstand a publicke Enemy.

So that if neither the generall cause of the Empires peace; the blessed worke of the Propagation of the [Page] Gospell; the priuate respect of our grieuances; the auncient combination of the Prouinces; the extraor­dinary worth of our King; nor any other motiue bee the threed, to leade you out of the Laberinth of this disquiet, yea manifest seduction to eternal confusion: Remember your owne Ancestors, and the glorious actions, whereby they haue shined like faire mouing Planets in perspicuous Orbes, from whose influence could proceed nothing but sweet presages.

O what a Story is registred of your FREDERICKE Duke of Saxony, about the yeare 1520. for Luthers se­curity and defence against the then malicious aduer­saries of the Ghospell! euen when the Popes indulgen­ces and Pardons brought remission of sinnes, and ple­nary freedome out of Purgatory! when the Dragon watched the woman, that her birth might bee de­uoured! when fire and vengeance was threatned a­gainst the Heretickes, and the Emperour himselfe pro­ued the Churches Champion, and tooke vpon him for Romes sake, to Curse and fulminate against Zealous professors, or any innouators of the Papisticall Hie­rarchy.

Then did the Noble Fredericke guard Luther to Wormes, and in the presence of the Emperour demaun­ded of Erasmus, whether his reasons and arguments were consonant to the word of Truth? and they might (as the Bereans did) try the Doctrine by the Scriptures. Then were the Prophesies of Hierom of Prague, & Iohn Hus remembred and Disputed vpon, as if euen now they had their time of expiration. Then was Iohn Hilton a Monck imprisoned for discouering the abuses [Page] of the Roman Clergie, and released againe for conti­nuing constant in the case of the reformed Religion, both against the will of the Pope and Emperour, and all by a Duke of Saxony. Then was Veselus, Picus Miran­dula, Laurentius Valla, Erasmus of Roterdam, and many others acceptable to your Ancesters, and they glori­ed in nothing more, then the protection and patroni­zing of such Saints of God. Then could that worthy Prince hearing of a storme, that strucke the Angell on the top of the Popes Pallace to the ground, praesage, it was an ominous signe of the fall of Babilon, and de­cay of the Popes glory; and when not long after hee heard of 31. Cardinals made at a time, yea in such a time, when a Lightning & Thunder struck the Childe out of the Virgins armes, and the Keyes out of Peters handes, being both Images in the Church, his Zeale and deuotion burst out, that sure God was offended with them, and would reduce their ambition, and prophane Ceremonies to a better humiliation and conformity: And this was Fredericke of Saxony.

After him succeeded Iohn Fredericke, of whom the Emperour was as suspitious as the other: and there­fore as it were to serue him into the amity and league of Spaine and Austria, they contriued to marry him to Lady Katherine the Emperours sister, and so thought themselues secure of him: Notwithstanding when he was sent for to beare the Sword before the Empe­rour at Masse, he would not goe, till hee was resolued of diuers Diuines, whether hee might or no with a safe Conscience: I will not (saith he) make a presi­dent of immitation of Naamans the Syrians going in­to [Page] the Temple of Rimmon with the King, to pollute my selfe with an vnlawfull mixture: whereupon they resolued him, that he might goe, because he was sent for, but not endure Masse, because it was so grosse a sinne, and filthy an Idoll.

I will not name the release of the Lantsgraue of Hesse, nor other disceptations against the Emperour, and all wrought by the House of Saxony, euen to make sad a­gaine the hearts of elated men, who at last grew disaf­fected with their owne glory: So that when Charles the 5. saw their resolutions to deny him a succession in the Empire for his Sonne Phillip, he tooke a calmer course, and left his Brother Ferdinand to wrastle with the Germane Protestant Princes, and went himselfe di­rectly into a Monastery.

With what a faire and euen course were the affaires of Rodulphus Emperour carryed, as aduised by your Princes to proclayme the Confession of Auspurg, which they had bought out with great summes of money of Maximilian and Ferdinand his predecessors? whereby the Protestants had many sweet entercourses to heare the worde of God, and thought no pleasure of the world comparable to the blessed society of Gods peo­ple; but to neerer times.

How carefull was your Brother Christian the 2. late Elector of Saxony, of the peace of the Empire, and in a manner iealious of the liberty of the Protestants, least it might fall into the handes of Violence? This made him write to Mathias King of Hungary, concerning the eleuation of the House of Austria, that sure hee tooke a wrong course both with the Church and Common-welth, [Page] especially our selues, whome he found startling frō the obedience of a tyrannous Gouernment, and affrigh­tings of vnconscionable Vsurpation. For said he, what will you get by your Spanish Garisons, and Spanish fa­ctions in those Kingdomes, but an vnwilling & enfor­ced obedience to your present Authority, and vtter rejection to your future Posterity? what will the ty­ranny of the Inquisitiue Iesuites come to, but a plaine infatuating and imposturing of your Zeale and De­uotion, and the peoples manifestation of murmurings and grudges against so fearefull a worke? what will the bringing in of the Inquisition it selfe contriue, but in the beginning, cursses and repinings from euery mans mouth, and in the end hate and rebellion in e­uery mans heart?

To this effect were your Brothers Letters, and what hath followed, I neede not enlarge; seeing now the clamours of Warre on euery side eccho out the same, and our iustifications haue beene as a Bonarges, or the sound of many waters.

Nay, did not Duke Iohn Ernestus not long a goe send to his owne Vniuersitie of Iena, and then they of Iena to the Vniuersitie of Wittenberg, and therein to persons of name Iohn Maior Superintendent, and Iohn Gerrard, Doctors of Diuinitie for the sollution of cer­taine difficulties in [...] Designes, especially the waging of [...] of Forces? who re­turned answers, that [...] to the worde of God, either to assist the Papists against the Protestants and professors of true Religion, or according to your owne State positions (which you would now haue the [Page] busines of the Empire) to bring in Strangers to tyran­nize ouer the peace of contracted Neighbours, wher­in the Law of Nations haue beene alwayes so preua­lent, and the Customes of Germany so powerfull, that euen opposite Princes haue laide aside for the time all ill will and vnkindnes, to vnite their Forces against a common Enemy, or propulse vnusuall innouation. This act was played by the Triumuiri at Ierusalem a­gainst the Romans, by the dissentious Brittons against Caesar, by your owne Prouinces against the Gothes and Vandalls, till they were quite driuen into Italy and Spaine.

And what vnkinde hand hath now throwne filthi­nes or durt into the pure streame of your former reso­lutions? or what fearefull incantation hath vnbound you from the mast of constancy, to hearken to the Sy­rens song of ambitious deceiuers, who are resolued to shed the blood of Innocents, and vnder the colour of reuenging the wrongs, wherein wee are supposed de­linquents, and foraging the Palatinate with pretence to diuert the Warre thither, as by Spinola's formida­ble approaches may appeare, lye in waite for nothing, but the generall diminution of Germaines happines, and particular pollution of Gods altar with the trum­peries of mens inuentions?

Oh hearken not to su [...]: nor giue way to a contamination, [...] wiped off: For though you could bee [...] to forget Vs, yet re­member your selfe: Though you could giue way to the desertion of Bohemians amity, yet there is no for­saking of mercy, nor the loue of God and heauen: [Page] Though you could reioyce in the sincking and bea­ting downe of an enemy, yet be not an enemy to your owne soule, nor hazard the losse of eternall reward: For it is now Gods cause, and the people will liue and dye in the defence of their Religion: Oh that the Em­perour himselfe would hearken to the voyce, that told Saul, there was no kicking against the pricke! and if a Lightning from Heauen strucke him from his horse and made him blinde, what shall the armies of Gods Angels doe, when hee meanes to deliuer his people? Be not therefore transported to fight against God, or with the olde Gyants to begin a new warre, and throw the mountaines against Heauen. For I am fully per­swaded, that you thinke, how Antechrist is not onely discouered, but know, he shall be punished, yea laide open in this world to the hissing of all the passengers; and then woe to the Princes of the earth, that haue worshipped the Beast, and drunke of the Cup of the Strumpet, that rideth vpon the Beast.

But leauing Religion, which yet will not be left out of Gods account, What stumbling blocke of offence hath bene further laide, or who hath cast these rubs in your smooth walke to amity & former combination?

Is it the person of our King you maligne? Oh say not so: For if euer Titus was called Deliciae generis huma­ni, He may well be proclaymed the Prince of happines and Peace, as a man composed by Nature, ordayned of God, selected by Prophesie, confirmed by Miracle, and established by all our suffrages, as if the Dignity belonged vnto him, as a Prince, and other blessings, as a happy man.

[Page]Is it our reuoltings you disalow of, as if either the rejection of Ferdinand were not lawfull, or ratification of this our choyse suspencible? Why, wee haue an­swerd it to the whole world, that when Mathias had his owne endes in the adoption and inauguration of this man to the Kingdome of Bohemia, for which he left him a pledge of his loue the Towne of Budwis: It was absolutely contrary to his owne Oath, and our immunities and Priuiledges. For neither did the in­corporated Prouinces know of it, nor wee our selues condiscended to the agreement: but onely certain Ie­suites the firebrands of Hell, ran vp and downe to set all in combustion, and with Meleagers mother tooke the torch of his Life in a rage, and held it downeward, till the flame was extinguished, and other traytors of our owne, molded to another Impression by the warming handes of Spanish Papists, and all to let out the blood of their Mother, I meane their Countrey and Com­mon-wealth, to see her languish and perish before their faces for priuate respects, or some praedestinated vengeance to fall vpon their owne heads.

Is it the obseruation of the Emperour himselfe, or respect to his Family? wherein hath he deserued bet­ter of reputation, then your selfe, or other Princes of Germany? or what hath beene done these 100. yeares for the good of Christendome? or why shall this glow­ing meteor or exhalation darken the light of truer starres, and more radiant Planets? Hath he not abu­sed the trust committed vnto him, by betraying all your Princely liberties into the handes of Strangers, and setting vp the Spaniards Monarchy in the Westerne [Page] world to the terrifying of all Christian Princes? For what Nation haue they not beene tampering withall, euen to the placing of Soldiers and garisons amongst them. I hope Italy hath knowne them, and the Ilands of those Seas. Ireland hath had them, and felt some endurances for them. France bin tormented by them; the Grisons haue still their forte Fuentes: The passages of some Mountaines are kept by them. Sauoy is full of them. Hungary is not yet freed of them. Austria swarms with them: our selues are but newly ridde of them, some Imperiall townes, as Wesell and others possessed by them, and euen at this instant is hee calling in of greater troopes amongst you.

Is it the care of the Empire you shoot at? how can that be? when by these Warres all Gouernment must be turmoyled, and that natiue beauty of our peace and prosperity made adulterate by Iesabels paintings and the thicke laide colours of wicked pollicy, when the slaughtered Armies of Christians shall pollute your fields & Cities, and fill your swolne eyes with tears for the losse of Parents, Husbands, Children, friends, &c.

Is it the Popes Curse you are afraide of? Why thats impossible, considering that hee now resembles a fire in a painted cloath, which neither yeeldeth warmth nor lustre. For his Fulminations are now made ridi­culous, and his Cursings proue like Balaams corrup­tion, who for all the King of Moabs promises, sang a Parable of blessings to Ifraell: nay you may be assured, that the time of his desolation is comming faster on then the winde, and the Prouinces are falling away like vntempered Morter from a wall.

[Page]Is it Spaines mightines you stand in awe of? Be not amated! He hath many Territories indeed; but may thanke the endeauours of other Princes, as also the slacknes of some, who gaue way to his owne seruitors, whē they had first offred the West Indyes to themselues: He is rich indeed, but hath much to doe with his mo­ney, and greater charges to defray, then present reue­nues can supply! He is strong indeed, but is behol­ding to the Peace of other Kingdomes, and the hone­sty of such Nations, as make a conscience in infringing of an Oath.

Is it the Marquesse Spinola's Army which terrifies you? I answer briefly with Elisha to his seruant, there are more with vs then with them: and it is but the o­pening of eyes to see Chariots and the horsmen of Heauen on the mountaine tops: But I could say thus much further, that you haue the more cause to adhaere to the Princes of the Vnion, and propulse a common enemy, of whom I will onely apply that, which Count Meloun assured the English in the later time of King Iohn, that if Lewis of France had preuailed, hee was re­solued to destroy all such first, as prooued Traytors to their Countrey, and led him by the Arme to trample on the bruised body of England: So say wee euen to the Catholicke Bishops themselues, whether Warre or Peace, they will repent this hard bargaine with distur­bance, and when they see their exaltation depressed, or liberty vsurped, cry out vpon the first cause of their troubles, and name the Iesuites, as so many Incendiaries of a Common-wealth.

For had they not bene better to haue continued in [Page] their Electiue powers for the choyse of their Empe­rours, and let the Confession of Auspurg alone to the freedome of mens Consciences, and the quieting of free Citties? Then now to bee assured, that the Pro­testants will neuer be reclaymed, nor taught other les­son then to Fight for their Religion, and the glory of the Gospell; yea to hazard their owne Liues and Dig­nities: So that whether wee, or strangers preuaile, it lyes in the will and choyse of the Victors, to deale with the vanquished at their pleasures.

Is there any thing else! you make a scruple of? Oh that there were nothing else, then might these Obiecti­ons bee easily answered, and a iudicious man soone sa­tisfied: Yet if you conceale the same, it must prooue like the Oyntments shut vp in boxes, which seldome are smelt to the refreshing of the sences, till they bee vncouered or powred out: Oh doe not therefore Ex­aestuate your griefes by suppression, but let the wounds be opened, and gently searched, least they grow vlce­rous, ranckle and proue incurable! And if any impu­tation lye vpon vs, wee will be bolde to say (sauing the Dignity of our King) wee will easily descend to ac­knowledgement, and you shall quickly finde the bene­fit of satisfaction.

Therefore for Gods sake, for Religions sake, for your owne sake, for your Ancestors sake, for your Countries sake, let there bee a better reposednes, and recollection of those contracts of amity, which euer were betweene your House and Bohemia, yea with fa­ster bindings, and more reciprocall obseruation, then with any other Prouinciall Prince. Oh let the Liberty [Page] of the Germaines, and the glory of their Citties be ex­posed vnto you; which must otherwise feele a kinde of torture by the racking handes of compulsion and hostility! Oh let the beauty of Concord (if it be possi­ble) shine, that beginneth to hide her head vnder the thickning cloudes of trouble, and mischiefes! I spare instances of moderne times, I spare examples of olde times, I spare precepts of all times, I spare your owne relations from the rending a sunder, by disagreement; nay I spare to put you in minde of the present necessi­ty, concerning the good of all Christendome.

For although hee that holdeth the Windes in his handes, hath also held the rages of the Turke from those formidable extentions of ambition and tyranny, which haue formerly beene displayed in the Coun­tries of Asia, and Greece; in the fieldes of Hungary; be­fore the walles of Vienna; at the siedge of Malta; and many other obsessions: Yet you heare, how he hath of late visited Italy; brought 80. Gallies into the gulph of Venice, landed 2000. Ianisaries, sacked the Towne of Manfredonio in Brutia, and carryed away the inhabi­tants; so that while poore Christians looke vpon one another, with longing hearts for the pacification of these affrightings, hee ouerlookes Vs all with polli­ticke eyes to pry into our weaknesse, and take ad­uantage of our dissentions. Yea, for all his League with Bethelem Gabor Prince of Transiluania, and praefix­ed day to Crowne him King of Hungary, yet with­out controuersie doth hee make vse of the troubles of Germany, and is not to be trusted in his best recon­ciliation.

[Page]I could name and set downe the very manner of gratefying our King, with animating him in his best prosecutions, as if he had bene distasted with the Em­perours vaine-glorious insulting ouer vs; but they be thinges beyond our C [...]mmission, and so impertinent to our purpose in hand?

For we onely come to moue your Princelines to the renouation of former Leagues, and combination of a perpetuall Amity, or manifestation of some cause for this your desertion in the time of such expecta­tion. Nay, wee are ready to attend you, though you exemplifie no reason at all, but a glorious Spirit to manifest your Greatnes, or wilfulnes to prepare your liberty to support whom you please? For if it be so, there may be some hope of the compassion which will follow, when necessity shall whisper preseruation in your eares, and draw commiseration from your heart to preuent the slaughters of so many Christians, and peraduenture the captiuity of your freest Citties: Whereas now there is not so much as a thought of prouidence, nor a worde of preuention, nor any Posi­tions of State, among whome this is Autenticall, that weake beginnings, and the worst sort of men may be instruments to set mischiefe on worke, but troubles are not pacified without iudgement, and men of ap­proued wisdome.

Therefore once againe (most Illustrious Prince) we beseech you, let vs returne to our King, as the explo­rators of Canaan did to the Israelites: For although tenne of them did talke of Enakims and Giants of iron gates and high walles; of strong Cities & formidable [Page] passages; yet did Caleb and Iosua assure them of a plen­tifull Country and Vberant Vineyards, of sweete in­creases and many blessings; of well erected Citties and rich Terretories; of pleasant Fields and excellent Fruites: of all which they came to a diuision, and a the fulnes of time glorified God for their exaltation.

Now the same God worke vpon your heart to ad­mit of some lenatiue impression, and send vs home with a happy message, that the publicke good of Chri­stendome hath ouer-wrought you, not onely to wish well to Zion, or peace to Ierusalem, but to endeauour a pacification of these miseries, and some Noble prosecution, whereby the Emperour may bee cooled in the heate of his reuenges.

according to the reciprocall contract between vs of Writing to one another, concerning such thinges as may pleasure either, I thought good once againe to acquaint you with something worthy of your acceptation, and my report, which is the Coppy of a Letter written from the Pope to the Emperour, concerning the pacification of the troubles of Europe: For although the counterchangeable oppositions of these great Princes, haue made Report flowe like a sea with the Accidents of the times, as in all Countries and Languages is apparant: yet for any thing wee either heare or see in Vienna, neither are the Pope, Emperour, nor angry Iesuites, so confident of successe, but if they could per­swade their polliticke Honours, aswell as their affrighted Soules, they would bee glad to hide their eyes from effusion of Blood, & keepe their harts within the bounds of some Charity and humaine affection, as by this Letter may appeare, which I wish with all my heart were published. For I am resolued the true hearted Christian will make vse of it to Gods glory, and his owne comfort: And so I referre it and my selfe to your kinde admission of my indissolluble Loue, which sen­deth you greeting from Vienna, this 26^th. of October: and from your assured Friend,

I Remember a speech of Tacitus, that it was a signe of Treason, or trayterous disposition, when a Generall meant onely to write to his Enemy, when with like facillity hee might haue repulsed him by force of Armes: so may you obiect against me, that you won­der at a Letter, when you expected both men and mo­ney: But then you must wonder at the alteration of times too, and peraduenture the necessity of our For­tune: For it fareth not now with vs, as when the Em­pire it selfe came as it were from our donation, and the Diadems of Princes were the Vtensels of our Hou­shold, as when Charles the Great dissipated the cloude of Vengeance, with the Gothes and Lombards, thickned against the shining sunne of our Prelacie, as when the Prouinces and Kingdomes of Europe were affraid of our Curse, and Excommunication of our Church: as when Religion was locked vp in our Conclaue, and not opened without Peters Keyes, as when a Sonne for our sakes would chastice the rebellion of a Father, and one Nation scourge another at the intercession of a Le­gat: The examples are so plentifull, that euen Here­tickes, haue gotten them in their mouthes to spit in our faces: It fareth not with vs, as when true deuotion tyed the Consciences of men to the obseruation of [Page] our pleasure, and no vpstart Familist durst broach a strange Doctrine to our preiudice: When Faith was predominant in our hearts, and honest simplicity liued out our liues and actions, beleeuing onely what the Church did teach, and practising nothing but with modesty and obedience: then were the Halcion dayes of our glory, and how euer Heretickes haue characterd them with ignorance and superstition, yet question­les as in Martiall discipline Soldiers must not bee ac­quainted with euery secret, but simply yeeld obedi­ence to their Commanders: so in the matters of the Church, men were neuer at so much peace of Consci­ence, as when they knew not how to trouble their soules beyond their vnderstandings: In a word, it fa­reth not with vs, as when the Vnity of Church and Common-wealths resembled a sheaue of Arrowes, strongly bound together, which was that way indissol­luble, but diuided a sunder they were easily snapped in peeces one by one; then were the Kingdomes of Eu­rope of one vnanimity, and if any vpstart Heretickes brake out, or furious Scismatickes approached to the holy Altar with violence, they were quickly enforced backe, and taught a lesson of obedience, either by ge­nerall Councels, whereat many times 400. Bishops were gathered together, or the power of an Army, which came at our becke from all the quarters of Christendome.

But now, and in your owne particular Most deare Sonne, 1. The times are altered, 2. Religion is confoun­ded, 3. And the Prouinces are deuided.

1 First concerning the times, you see, that Princes [Page] are so iealious one of anothers Greatnes, that neither law of Marriage or Conscience can detaine them within the limites of humanity, especially Charity, as reioycing in the good one of another, but they will confederate euen with those, they hate, to cast blocks and hinderances in the way of one another, if there be but a suspition, that he runneth on too fast to Great­nes: This began (for our moderne times) in the time of Charles the Fift, with whome England and many o­ther Prouinces ioyned against the French: but no soo­ner was the King taken Prisoner at Pauy, but they fell backe againe to a commiseration of his affliction, and began to assist him in a new recouery. This hath con­tinued against your House of Austria, and my Sonne of Spaine: For euer since Burgundy and yee haue beene Vnited, whereby Charles left the Empire to his youn­ger Brother, you see the world hath cryed out, that Spaine would bee the Monarch of the West, and the Ie­suites by his assistance vsurpe the dignity of the Church, and by a new superintendency ouertop the Authority of the Papacy. This hath made seuerall Kinges op­pose themselues against Spaine, and now seueral Prouin­ces fall from your obedience, as if the Angels prophe­sie against Ismael, were verified; That his hand should be against euery man, & euery mans hand against him. Yea this will end against the Low-Countries them­selues, who fill the Seas with formidable Nauies, and haue such strong Citties, Ramparts, and Armies, that already they begin to be feared, and already fall vnder the hand of watching and ouerlooking. Beleeue it then, that in this point alone of suspition of your [Page] Greatnes, not naming other collaterall causes of hate, Cruelty, oppression, defending our Supremacy, en­riching your selfe and such like, there will euer re­maine a tricke of pollicy, if not to trip vp your heeles for running at all, yet to pull you backe as it were by the sleeue from making too much hast, so that I see no remedy, but that you must be contented to yeeld to the time, and rather to keepe somthing, then loose all: For howeuer the greatnes of your Spirit may com­maund obedience, and the goodnes of the cause plead possession; yet necessity is a predominant mischiefe, and they are fooles that will perish in an obstinacy, re­pugnant to Fortune: Remember that Hanniball had possession of Italy 17. yeares, and might haue tryum­phed in Rome, if he had taken his time: but when Scipio diuerted the Warre, Carthage was besieged, and Car­thage knew not, how to bee relieued, till Hanniball was recalled: so the great Captaine was disapointed in his Proiects, and compelled to yeeld to the Roman glory. I speake not by way of Prophesie but precept, that in all extremities the law of preseruation comes from instinct of Nature, and to preuent a greater mischiefe, men must, and may endure some inconuenience; and so much for the time.

2 Concerning Religion, which yet is not the Em­perours plea, nor the Empires cause, you see the alte­ration: many good Mothers bring forth bad Daugh­ters, Truth begets hatred, Familiarity contempt, Charity idlenes, and Knowledge presumption, with such like. For euer since the common people haue beene licenced to reade the Scriptures, and make [Page] their owne interpretations, they haue startled from the obedience of the Church, and cryed out vpon li­berty, as though their Consciences like vntam'd Hey­fers were let loose, and they tyed vnto no rules and Lawes but of their owne deuising: this hath made so many mechanicke men presumptuous, and silenced women audacious; that a poore ignorant Cobler dare compare with a Father of the Church, and a tatling woman instead of being instructed by her Husband, take vpon her to rule both husband and family: This hath set on worke certaine strange spirits to rayle vp­on order and conformity, euen in the Churches of Heretickes themselues, that they haue denyed them to be Churches, but the vnswept roomes of Antechrist, because of some enormities, and imperfections in men and Gouernment, which are, were, and shall be in this militant Church, till the comming of Christ to Iudge­ment. This hath deuided the Countries of Europe, and taught hipocrites and foolish Libertines a glori­ous lesson of defending the Gospell of CHRIST and his Saincts, whereby they haue vaine-gloriously taken vp Armes against the Church, and their Prnces; so that if successe haue not smoothly looked vpon them, but Iustice submitted them to the punishment of Impie­ty, they haue confounded Treason and Martyrdome together, and taught their blasphemous tongues to cry out, Sanguis Martirium semen Ecclesiae, as though e­uery rebell and raging pesant, punished for transgres­sion, must bee therefore Charactered a Saint of God; so that this Gangren is spreading ouer the whole body, and for any thing I see remediles, vnlesse wee could [Page] cut off that poysoned ioynt where it began. Againe, if their commotions and Convulsions of the Empire it selfe haue thriued with aduantages of victory, and preuailing; then haue they dared to publish the right of their Cause, and exclaime against Rome for Babilon, against our Holines for the man of Sinne, against our Church for Antechristian, against our Sonnes the Catho­licke Princes for the Kinges that haue drunke of the Cup of abhomination, and against your Imperiall Ma­iesty, as the Beast with 10. hornes spoken of in the aenig­maticall Prophesie of St. Iohn: nay these thinges are so imprinted in the mindes of most men and Nations, that euery man is almost so farre from retraction, or a seeming sorrow of doing amisse, that (so they may haue the name of Religion in their mouthes) they are ready to take vp Armes against their natiue Lords, and thinke it a glory to colour their hipocriticall dis­obedience, with maintaining the cause of the Gos­pell, and taking part (as a new deuise of Rebellion) with the Princes of the Vnion: And so much for Re­ligion.

3 Concerning the Prouinces: I cannot now com­pare them better, then to a Wall set vp with vntempe­red morter, ready to fall a sunder for lacke of cemen­ting. For alas such is the impetuosity of rumor at this houre against you, that it is more fearefull and terrible, then the winde that shooke the foure corners of Iobs houses, and threw them downe on the heads of his Children. To begin with the North, if we name Saxony and his neighbour Bishops to assist you: they counterprize Denmarke, Sweden, Branden­burg, [Page] Brunswick, and many of that side: If we talke of Poland, they tell you, that all that way, there is Lusatia, Silesia, Morauia, as a hedge betweene Bohemia and it; nay they drawe a longer shaft, and a stronger bowe of Hungary, Transiluania, and the Turkes confederacy and combination: If wee mention your Vnckle the Arch-Duke, or more familiarly the Marquesse Spinola his Liefetenant, they stop the gap with the Truce, with the Peace with England, or else with the Armies of the States, the affinity of the Prince of Orenge, and the in­dissoluble loue of a King to his Daughter,King Iames. which I onely feare is vnanswerable, and must needes say vn­possible to be resisted, if hee either remember what a Sonne in Law he hath, or what Subiects proportiona­ble to his Greatnes, that without imposition (if hee giue them leaue) long to be tampering with the Indyes themselues: If wee expect Collen, and the Bishops belonging to our obedience, they present vs the Lants­graue of Hesse, Franconia, and the Palatinate it selfe: If we relye vpon Bauaria, they neighbour him with Wit­tenberg, and other Protestant Princes: If wee resolue vpon Austria, they cry alas what is that to Bohemia, and the deuided Countries of your inheritance? If wee boast of money, they answer directly, there is no want in their Army, but your Soldiers repine for lacke of pay: If we whisper of France, they talke aloude, there is enough to doe to answer their owne proportions. For Queene, King, and Princes gaze vpon one ano­ther in the behalfe of Fauorites, factions, and people: If wee reioyce for Spaine, they depresse the insulting, with alas, what can Spaine doe? Spaine is too remote, [Page] Spaine can spare no men: Spaine hath many Garisons to tend, as so many Nurse Children to pay for: Spaine hath many yrons in the fire, but as fast as one heates, another cooles: Spaine is tyred with the multiplicity of busines, and must be more then tyr'd, if hee could come ouer the Alpes: Spaine is in hazard of loue, and good opinion in the world, as rather enuyed, then fea­red, and maligned then obserued: In a word, Spaine hath many millions and great Treasure: but I may well compare him to a glorious Steward of a House, who must defray the charge of a 1000.l. a yeare ex­pences, but the Lord will but allow his seruant 800. toward it. If we recken vp our own Prouinces, I cannot liken them better, then to Argos his eyes, whereof the one halfe wakes, while the other sleepes. For Sauoy neither dares trust Spaine, nor truly loue vs: must keepe his Frontiers, and watch Geneua, lookes vpon the Mar­quisate of Salusse with soare eyes, and vpon Prouince with a hungry heart; dares not speake aloude against France, though he whisper for some indignities recei­ued: but either to succour you, or our selues, he is both vnwilling and vnprouided. Mantua and Mode­na runne the same course, but with slower pace, and indeed because no body regards them, as able to doe either hurt or good, they are made the wiser to looke to themselues, and not to meddle with other folkes busines. Millaine is like a bird in a golden Cage, that may sing to answer proportion with nature, but if the casement be open, shee will take the benefit of her li­berty: so that howeuer they seeme Religious, yet hath Spaine much adoe to ouer-watch them. Genoa is not [Page] worth the naming for your busines, for if it were as rich againe, it hath much a doe to pay the Marchants debts. Venice is a fearefull and polliticke State, ma­keth vse of our Religion, but loueth her owne Great­nes so well, that shee is both jealious of Spaine, and loathsome to Vs: for wee feare her reuolt dayly, and because she is got into the number of the Princes of the Vnion, will not number a man, nor a peece of Gold for your reliefe. Florence and Leuca, will lend you what money they can, but alas they haue neither men nor Gallyes, and if they had, the Venetian is so dog­ged he will not let them passe into the Gulph. Naples and Sicilia, could spare you men, though they want money, and many of their Nobles are willing to assist you, but to come through the Grison passages it is a long and terrible iourney, and to passe into Histria, puls the Venetian Dust into their eyes. The Swisse are very indifferent, and for money will serue either par­ty, but considering their combination, and confede­racy with the Protestants, I doe not see, how they are to be trusted, or relyed vpon. In a word wee our selues are yours, and yee shall haue our Men, if we knewe which way; our Money as it comes euery way; our Prayers as true deuotion inciteth; our Curses against your enemies, as their Contentions increaseth; our Priests amongst your Subiects, as their affection de­cayeth; our Pardons for your sinnes, as holy Church instituteth; and our Benediction for your busines, as your affaires concurreth: Onely bee patient and o­uercome your disasters with wisdome. For to that end were Vertues framed, or else why doe we name Forti­tude, [Page] Magnanimity, Patience, Temperance, and such like Concomitants of glory and blessednes.

Seeing then your case so stands, and that Bohemia hath put a tricke of reuolt vpon you. First groun­ding vpon some fundamentall positions of an Electiue Prouince, making the world beleeue they haue a pur­pose to reduce it to her pristinate Gouernment.

Secondly relying vpon Hungarias examples, whose vnconstancy hath yet as it were dilacerated her King­dome, and shewed the Turke a way to prey vpon her prosperity, as you shall read of Prometheus on Mount Caucasus, on whose entrals a Vulture continually gna­weth, so that he is euer dying, and euer liuing.

Thirdly, emboldened by Bethelem Gabor Prince of Transiluania, with whome you see the Turke hath con­tracted a Truce and couenant of Peace, that he might the better make Warre against any disturbers of his friends and confederates: For when at first the Bohemi­ans cast themselues into his embraces, he would not close his armes, but gaue them leaue to returne to fast­er holdings, and in amanner nominated the Palatinate for their Prince.

Fourthly pretending some grieuances from your selfe, and Mathias, not onely that you tooke a wrong course with their obedience, playing the vnskilfull Surgeon with them, to feare, cut, and Cauterize their wounds, which might haue bene fairely healed with lenatiue Cataplasmes, but also that you ouer-stretched your owne stringes to a higher tune then the instru­ment would beare, and so presuming to command all, you came at last to enioy nothing, according to our [Page] Italian prouerb, Chitutto a braccia nessuno strenge.

Last of all, proiecting the youth, brauery, and alli­ance of this man (especially that the King of great Brittaine, a nominated Prince in all Prophesie, and con­ference for the enemie to Papistrie) would neuer stand still, and looke vpon those rude hands, which should pull downe the frame of so goodly a building, they came at last to this maine point of reiection of you; which must needes be their fault, and electing him, which cannot chuse but be his fortune: so that in a word considering what I haue said, Beleeue it, they that dared once to conceit the starting aside frō your authority, were not so barren of vnderstanding, but to consider what might happen, either war or peace, and so haue prepared both to shut you out of their walks of their loue and submission, & to keepe you off as far as they can by a steely arme and forcible detention, wherat you cannot be dismayed, for this maine reason, that they which wil confesse themselues aduersaries to God, care not to professe themselues enemies to men.

Now in this point alone all our hopes are disap­pointed: For first, they haue traced our supremacy af­ter Luthers owne steps, and placed the stout Hereticks: that though with Hercules in his Cradle they did not strangle the Serpents, yet with Hercules in the Trage­die, that killed his owne children, they haue like re­fractary delinquents set vpon their father & their mo­ther. Me their father the supreame Bishop, and the Church their mother, the blessed spouse of Christ. 2. Secondly, they haue denied our indulgences, and scorned our Pardons, not caring for their sicke soules, [Page] but willing to dye in desperation, as a frantick man in a Feauer, that striketh his Phisician, and casteth the Potion on the ground. 3. Thirdly, they haue pulled downe our Images, and abrogated that constitution of the Church, as if they meant to be Anathemataes, and enemies to Religion, by taking away all the meanes of deuotion. 4. Fourthly, they haue banished the Ie­suites. It may be they are suspected amongst our owne Priests, and haue imputation rather of pollicie, then piety: but what is that to the cure of soules? and the estate of Lay men? I pray God I may not say by them, as Demosthenes tale is betweene the Sheepe and the Wolues, who were offended at the Sheepes en­tertaining great dogges amongst them, whereby they liued secured from their ruine: but when they had be­trayed them to their dimission, then did these cruell Wolues, more cruell by the aduantage of exasperati­on, returne to their former prey and violence. Last of all, they haue bewitched the foster spirited men with manswetude and good vsage, whereby the Priests themselues are growne to commend their gouern­ment, & the Catholickes in generall to shew their obedi­ence: so that they, which in former times repined to pay our Officers the tribute of the Church, disburse both money and Armes to the sustentation of our ene­mies: and whereas we had euer much adoe to worke vpon their soules, these Bohemians (though of a con­trary Religion) haue brought both soules and bodies to their beck, and authority.

Thus (Deare sonne) for any thing I see, the matter is remedilesse, and to complaine against God, men, for­tune, [Page] treasons, and such like, will rather discouer a distemperature of passion, then magnanimity of spirit: nay, though there were hope of reformation. There­fore be aduised by me, though patience in some things be a poore vertue, and onely fit to draw on heauier burthens: yet in other businesse, and most occasions it reduceth the minde to consideration, and setleth the iudgement for the preuention of greater mischiefe. It bringeth the sences to order, and keeps both soule and body in temperature: as for imputation of cowardise, and basenesse, when high and glorious designes pro­pose themselues to prosecution, remember the story of Fabius, and Minutius, against Hanniball. The Senate indeede gaue eare to the aspersions of his retraction and delay, as if either he durst not fight, or knew not how to proceede, and so deuided the Generalship be­tweene them, but that diuided the successe of the bu­sinesse: for Minutius fayling in the heat of his forward­nesse, was glad to retire vnder the shadow of Fabius his moderation: For as sometimes the doltishnesse of an aduersary doth animate weake troupes to giue the on­set: so at all times the wisedome, and discipline of an enemie, doth keepe in awe euen equall forces for ad­uenturing too farre, and being too forward.

This is your case, and my feare: your case, For what can you now get by this warre, considering the mightinesse of your foe, and the diuision of your peo­ple; but in the preuailing an eternall hate against your house and family? and in the failing, such contumely and disgrace, that how euer you are sure of me and my Bishops, yet the name of Emperour shall be but a titular [Page] dignity, and the obumbration of your glory bring for­ward at last obliuion of your greatnesse; nay, perad­uenture the losse of that Character of Emperor it selfe: For it fareth with the fortune of vnfortunate Princes, as with ruinous walls; when a man perceiues their de­cay and weaknesse, euery one runnes aside for mistrust of falling vpon them: or else they are compared to a mans tumbling downe a paire of staires, who if hee once loose his first footing, commonly neuer stayes himselfe, till hee come to the bottome. Againe say, your aduersary be subiect to a defeat, as his friends en­crease, his forces will be renued, and then hee returnes with greater violence, as in those dayes the Souldiers were wont to doe with their machinations, who pul­led backe their rammes and engines, of purpose to run forward with the greater fury, and more impetuosity. But if you (which God forbid) should be subiect to the inconstancy of Fortune, or if you will (as many good men haue beene) to the chastisement of diuine proui­dence, and suffer dissolution of your Army: how will you renue the same, considering the remotenesse of your friends, the weaknesse of confederates, the con­vulsion of your people, the infection of your Subiects with Lutheranisme, the repining of Stiria, Curniola, and Carinthia: the murmuring of the Swisse and Grisons; and in a word, the shaking of the whole frame of your gouernment, as you see a high and heauy topped tree loosened in the root, and standing on vnfirme ground wauering, and ready to fall, & so much for your selfe.

Concerning my feare: say that successe (for it is a wisedome to presuppose the worst) should bring them [Page] forward into the walke of preuayling, would they not runne thinke you without interception? Nay could the Alpes Barricado the way, or the Venetian Gulph deny them transportation, the high Hilles and white Cliffes of Ancona would be a Sea marke to bring them directly to Rome, & the Appenine is but a poore moun­taine in respect of those they haue passed: But you will say, our Friends about the Mediterranian Sea, will come in apace to preuent this mischiefe, and a 1000. Ships and Gallies will keepe the Ostia of Tiber, after they haue landed our Friends in our behalfe; I thinke and hope so too; yet I would be loath to put it to such an aduenture. For the straights of Gibralter are wi­der, then the Gates of the Citty that Sampson carryed on his shoulders, and they that cannot bee detained from going to the Indyes, will not be denyed to come into the Leuant: Our enemies haue more Shipping then our selues, and our Friends are far fewer then our Opposites, they that know the way for traficke, and commutation of Marchandize, will know the way to spoile and getting of riches so easily: Againe, our ad­uersaries are constant, sure and exasperated with zeale and fury against Vs: They march like Iohn the Sonne of Nimshi, and cry aloude to cast Iesabell out of the window: our Friends are wauering, vnconstant, and fearefull of alteration, so that to relye vpon them is but to trust Egiptian reedes, or a broken staffe: In a word; they haue Prophesies and calculations in their mouthes, wishes of reuenge, and eternall hate in their hearts, fury and bloody executions in their actions, and all against Rome.

[Page]Some talke of the Scriptures, and compare the vo­miting of the Priests at their tables spoken of in the Prophets to the feasts of Cardinals, and banquettings in our Court: some tell a tale of Bell and the Dragon, and when they come to the deuouring of so much meate, they say, that Daniel sifted Ashes in the place, and discouerd the footsteps of the Priests, their Wiues and their Children, and all against Rome: some con­iecture of Pauls Epistles to Timothy and Titus, concer­ning the Doctrine of Deuils, the man of sinne, Ante­christ and Idolatry: some descant of the Apocalips, and dare name Iesabell, Babilon, Rome in Italy, the Whore vpon the Beast; the Cup of Abhomination, & all against Rome: some repeate the Prophesies of the Sybels, the Praedictions of Moncks and Fryers, the praedil;sages of Nunnes and Saincts, the foretelling of Martyrs, and the persecuted vnder Tyrants, and all against Rome: Which though it end with blasphemous inuectiues, yet hath made such impressions in the hearts of Here­tickes, that as they haue set their blacke mouthes on worke with contagious rayling, so they long to set their soule handes on worke, with our vncharitable destruction, and is not this a iust cause of our feare?

Therefore (Deare Sonne) for Gods sake, for my sake, for the Churches sake, for your owne sake, for our Friends sake, and in a word, for the generall cause sake both of Peters Chayre, and Caesars Throne, Be conten­ted to mingle a little water with your Wine, and coole the heate of your passion with some sweeter compounds, then rage and reuenge: Hearken to a Treatise of pacification, though it sound not such a [Page] Diapason of musicke, as will answer proportion, and satisfie the cares of your Maiesticke greatnes, Admit of a Peace in this case of extremity, and remember how Abimelech though a Heathen idolater, when hee saw Abraham so prosper in his enterprises, descended to contracts of amity, and came so lowe, as to allow him for a Prince amongst them.

As for the Aspersions of disparagement, and extenu­ating the worthines of so great a Monarch, let all bee wiped away with the hand of Charity, and the auoy­ding effusion of Christian blood: blot out the exagge­ration of your enemies mischiefe against you, or the conceit of their trayterous reuolts amongst them­selues: Bee wise in your owne harmes, and for your owne good: Let Spaine and your kindreds example induce you to immitation: they haue pollitickly kept their distances, and for aduantage made Truce with their owne rebels, I meane the Low-Countries, and contracted Peace with them, whom not long agoe they thought to swallow vp: I meane England it selfe, which now to shoot against, will returne their Ar­rowes in their owne bosomes.

If this be harsh and vnpleasant, as curbing the He­roycknes of your Spirit by descending so lowe, as ma­king the first proffer, wee will goe another way to worke, and rather then faile of this Blessing of peace, put on Esaus hairy necke, & rough hands, and bring to Isaac his Venison, though the voyce bee Iacobs: I will send a Legate: Spaine an Embassador: France an Inter­cessor: England a Mediator, yea it shall bee so contri­ued, that all the States of Christend [...]me shall make you beleeue at least, they wish you prosperity, and their [Page] owne good, and how euer the Children of Edom will cry downe with it, downe with it, yet shall the Na­tiues of Iudea speake peace to Zion, and wish Ioy to the gates of Ierusalem. You shall reade amongst the Pro­phets in a certaine Vision, that there was a great Thun­der and noyse, but the Lord was not in it; a great Lightning and earthquake, but the Lord was not in it; a great winde and shaking of the Trees, but the Lord was not in it: A soft and gentle murmuring of the Leaues, and the Lord was in that; so when you heare of Warres, of the marching of Soldiers, of the raising of Armies, of the thundring of Canons, of the sound of Trumpets, of the demolution of Cities, rauishment of women, & the murthering of men, with thousand of other outrages vnnamed: Beleeue it the Lord is not in, or among them; but when they mention Peace, quietnes, loue, charity, remitting of iniuries, pacifi­cation of troubles, and such like, the Lord is and will be there. As for the swelling tumour of Greatnes, losse of renowne, disgraces, giuing way to rebellion, diminution of honour and such like, It resembles but the Imposturing incantation of Sathan to Eua, that made her taste of the forbidden Fruit, to the vtter sub­uersion of all Mankinde; so that I will say no more, but if God doe come with this murmuring sweetnes of Peace vnto you, hearken to his voyce, that tuneth such pleasant notes to your soules and Consciences. But if Sathan wish you to bee vnderstanding men, and like God himselfe to know good and euill, hearken not vnto him; your first Mother was deceiued, and your last ruine is a contriuing.