THe Authors of this Declaration are the same men; who having acted that execrable parricide upon the King assumed the name of Parliament, which they had abolished. Their beginning and growth hath beene formerly published, how a few lurking Sectaries being at first Members of Parliament, and consorting in prodigious opinions in Religion and policy with the illi­terate rabble, became usefull to the prime projectors, that under the maske of securing Religion and Lawes, sought to gaine the power of the State into their hands, being assisted in their votes in the Lower House, and applauded abroad for their proceedings by this busy crew, who got into places in the Army, and at last gave law to their old Ma­sters, and having renounced faith and obedience to their King, with more ease scorned the bonds of association to their guides & consorts in the same impieties; And it cannot seem strange to any that look on their Actions, to reade their shamelesse Declarations, nor that they should proceede with like injury to strangers, as they have used to their King, Companions and Countreymen.

They say, the returns which the people of the Ʋnited Provinces, made toward this Commonwealth will hardly be believed, if their sufferings and deliverance, and the principles and spirit that acted in them then be re­membred, and the help they had from this Nation with the expence of English blood and treasure. The people of these Provinces have with gratitude acknowledged the assistance they received from the Crown of England, and the affection and readines of the English Nation; And it were a just reproach if they should make returnes for those benefits to the Usurpers of the regal power, destroyers of the Monar­chy, and Oppressors of this Nation. Can Nationall obligations be transferred to the Enemies of the Nation? And because a Traiterous Army hath gotten power over the Nation, shall the Friends and Allies of the Nation assist the Usurpers? This will hardly be believed, but easily that these Declarers have the impudence to pretend a right to all that which was due to the Crown that they have abjured.

Though their boasting of successes be a principle part in all their pa­pers and so in this, Yet it is not intended (they say) to be very particular in mentioning the State of the affairs of this Commonwealth, as it stood when, oppressed by a Tyrant, they were necessitated to fly to Armes, for defence of their Lives and Estates, because in Parliament they did but assert, and desire the setling of their just and Native liberties. When over particulars are mentioned of the State of [Page 3]affaires in England in the time of the late King, their Faithlesse and bloody proceedings must more cleerly be manifest. And its proofe to all reasonable men of a resolved continuance in wicked undertakings, that they call the King a Tyrant, when not onely the mildnesse of his nature, and Moderation of his privat and publique Actions, but the Peace and Prosperity of the People was so universally knowne to strangers, and when in all that peevish discontent, or Traiterous ma­lice could offer against him, there was no one Act in its nature and substance Oppression, but such only, as were pretended might not be done by the King out of Parliament, and no one of these was done by the King, Regiâ manu, (with the Kingly power) but left to the ordi­nary Ministers of Law, and Justice to decide in point of right, and exe­cute accordingly; but these men knowing how odious their Actions are, seeke a cover from reproachfull appellations upon the King, as if any could entertaine a prejudice by misnaming persons, or Actions, and if it were Tyranny for the King to do an Action out of Parliament, which he was advised by the Judges of law he justly might: how impudent are these men to reduce it? For where is the Parliament Authority for their vast levies of mony, Murder of the King, and the imposing Lawes upon the people? Can a few persons of the Lower House, scarce the tenth part of the whole, by violence totally abolish both Houses, and doe all Acts that belonged to the whole? And yet they perswade the world they are beleeved in such extravagant untruths. There need nothing be more said how causelesly the Rebells of England tooke Armes against the King. And if Rebells may pretend defence of their persons against Soveraigne power, Malefactors will never want a justi­fication, when force is used to bring them to Justice. And is it one of the just and native liberties of the English nation, that the members of Parliament in the Lower House being five hundred, forty of these may drive out the rest, and doe what they please? this is the present case. But if we looke back, is it the liberty of England to be without a King, or to be subject to the power of one another, & have no recourse to their Prince for redresse! Is it the liberty of England, that a rabble of the City of London or an Army shall oppresse the Parliament and pro­pound laws to oblige the whol Kingdom? Is it the liberty of England to exclude the King from making of laws, or governing the Militia? But they that are not ashamed to act, yet seeme loath to speak the things they doe. The seizing the Kings forts and navy, raising force against him and both Houses of Parliament, punishing Judges for doing their [Page 4]duty, and delivering their opinions in open Courts, against sedition, licencing all lewd sectaries and disturbers of Government are only as­serting and desire of setling just and native liberties. Thus they call their murders Justice, their robberies Reparation of Wrongs; And their per­secution of the King from one end of the Kingdome to the other, the defence of their lives and Estates. Its well seene, that those men are the God of Gods anger upon the three Kingdoms, but they vainly flatter themselvs to think that any beleeve it a blessing of God as they assume it, or that these wonders in so many signal battells, or that series of providence was either in favour to them or their cause, and such presumptuous pre­tences declare of what spirit men are, that they take up the language of Senacharib, who came not without God against Jerusalem, and of the Turk, that attributes all his successes against the Christians to the power of his false Prophet. And those men that in their writings a­gainst the King, used the name of the whole Kingdom on their part, and the small strength of the King, now tells us of an handfull of men that were faithfull to the cause, even so faithfull, that they first brake al­legeance to their King, and then all fidelity to men. What they said in this clause they say, was not intended to be mentioned, and indeed it no way concerned their present controversie with the United Provinces, unlesse they thought to scare all men by recounting their own Actions. But they proceed to say, neither is that indeavour to divide them in the memorable yeare of forty eight to be omitted. Surely the one might have been omitted as well as the other was not intended, for it hath nothing proper to their Declaration, unlesse they meant to make their owne story; And they very unseasonably mention the endeavour to divide them, when they were formerly divided, and the division still conti­nued, and themselves not onely endeavoured, but effected it, rej [...]cting both Scots and Presbyterian; Was not the new modell and change of the Generall their Act? And was not their division further acted by purging the House, and change of the Government?

Nor can they admit the great preparation against this Nation in the yeare, 1650. And what is all this to the United Provinces? And can they think any man believs, that preparations to assi [...]t the King, dis­possesse them of their usurpation, and restore the Nation to its just Rights, are preparations against the Nation? but this is the common stile of them Declarations.

This (they say) necessitated their proceedings in Scotland, being re­fused satisfaction for forepast wrongs, and denyed assurance of peace from [Page 5]them, who had received the declared Enemy of the Commonwealth from the Ʋnited provinces. Their guilt, and malice necessitated their pro­ceedings; for the Scots were obliged to receive their lawfull King, and will any accuse Subject, for fidelity and obedience to their King, but such as hate all piety and truth? but what were those forepast wrongs? They had agreed with the Scots after the engagement of forty eight, which was the wrong pretended, and nothing can be assu­rance of peace to them, but a totall abdication of Loyalty, and sub­mission to the new Republican power of England. And it is their pretence of invasion to have satisfaction upon mens estates, and secu­rity by enslaving their persons. The Scots were unhappily m [...]sled in in their connection with the English in their Rebellion against the King, and found the reward of it from those they assi [...]ted; And yet after they discerned the mischievous consequents of their undertaking upon their owne Nation, continued yet jealousies of one another, and while they feared that, which might never happen, they suffered that, which they saw was unavoidably falling on them, the power of the English Rebells; And while some would act alone, and had feare of the event of a victory if they got it, betrayed all to the common Enemy. And what if they received the King from those Provinces? Did he not come through the Dominions of the Kings of France & Spaine? And what was the mischievous contrivement, that was hatched there against England? Doubtlesse if the contrivement were to bring in the King, it had been happy for England if it had taken effect But what is this to the United Provinces, if Strangers and Allies passe through their Countrey? But they say, their Enemies had much open and secret assistance by the Interest of the Prince of Orange; and others. And what law, or convention was there against it? had the United Provinces any League with England besides what was made with the late King? and when their Ally dyes, must they quit all friendship to his heire?

They say, it was a time, when the Prince, and his adherents were contriving as is most probable, to erect a Tyranny upon these Countryes, of which he missed but narrowly, especially in his attempt upon Amsterdam, which things they say are better knowne there then heere, and are not the purpose of this Declaration. But it was pur­posely set in to scatter jealousi [...]s in their Provinces, and divide th [...]ir af­fections, & endeavours against the malitious attempts of this common Enemy. The differences arising touching the attempt upon Amster­dam were prudently composed and buryed by the States Pro­vinces, [Page 6]and no man will measure intentions by the malitious invectives of an Enemy, that contrives to effect that, which he saies another in­rended. Tyrany is judged by the sence, not by the fancy. But wisemen will not by the apprehonsion of past or remote dangers make way for present. They say it is not pleasant to remember the cruel and bloudy busi­ness of Amboina, for which no satisfaction hath bin given though often de­manded. But never by them, when they sent their Agents Ambassadors to treat, whereof they speak afterwards; And if it were not pleasant to them, they would rather have endeavoured satisfaction when they treated, then repetition when they were in hostility.

Now they come to unkindnesses received, that the Parliament sent a Resident to the States General, who refused to receive him. The reason is very apparent. The Parliament never had sent any Resident, neither was any such Authority acknowledged by forreign States; And its a known Treason for the persons in Parliament to doe such an Act. Besides the United Provinces were in league and amity with the King. The Par­liament, or such, as called themselves so, had not then renounced the Kingly Title, and still allowed the Oaths of Allegeance, and Supre­macy to the King, and therefore their Resident was ill sent, and justly refused. But they think this amounts to an unkindness, since it proceeded from their affection to the Ʋnited Provinces, the establishment of liberty & advantage of traffique, and strength to both. Their affections are doubtles such, as are usuall between neer and potent Republiques, especially where the advantages of traffique are the common aim of both, which not only creates emulations, but necessarily makes continued diffe­rences till one be destroyed; and thence proceeded the Judgement of Qu. Elizabeth, who concluded that the United Provinces must in wis­dome desire the stability of the English Monarchy, where by these rup­tures might be prevented, & the Crown of England had greater assu­rance of these Provinces in the Government they were under, then if they had bin under a Prince, when new Alliances and engagements would continually change the affections and Councels of the Prince, but when these men sent their Resident, their affections were to their own interest, and they sought to gain reputation by having a Resident received, and to diminish the Kingly power abroad

But the reason above al (they say) was the advancement of the true Prote­stant Religion, which both profess, and which in humane probability would receive the greatest growth by their friendship. The State of the United Provinces did not think, that England professed not the true Protestant [Page 7]Religion in the time of Queen Elizabeth, and the Kings since, but the Religion those new Governours professe, no true Protestant will own for his, no one Church established in any estate concurring with them; And as one chief Article in their Religion is upon their own private Authority to rob their neighbours and kill their Kings: so their doctrine and practice hath been a great scandall to the Protestant Religion, wherof they pretend to be. Their professed opinions are destructive to humane society, disclaiming all subjection to Civil Governors, or Eccle­siasticall Synods, further then their private opinions concur with them, and maintaine not onely the reproaches of Rulers, but violence against them, if in their judgement they deserve punishment to death, and this those men would have to be the true Protestant Religion, and their affection to the Protestant Religion is seene in their cruelty to the Protestants of England.

Next they observed in some of the Governors, and people of those Coun­tries an affection to this cause, and expressed by them in their free contribu­tion for the poore Protestants in Ireland. It is far from a probability, that any affected their cause, because they contributed to the poore Prote­stants of Ireland. Themselves well know, that very many contributed to the poore Protestants of Ireland, that hated the Rebellion, that occasi­oned it; & if any man hated the Irish Rebellion, he must from the same grounds have detestation of a greater and more guilty, which followed in England; And the suffering Protestants in England are more in number, and for quality more eminent then those in Ireland, and that of England hath had more barbarous effects, and is more incapable of excuse, that of Ireland pretending difference of Nation and Religion, this of England pretending the same Religion, as they were of the same Nation; And its too well knowne both at home, & abroad how many those in England have robbed of their Estates, that not only contri­buted to the reliefe of the poor Protestants of Ireland, but hazarded their lives in that cause. And such, as in the beginning of the troubles in England extended compassion to the poor Protestants of Ireland, discerned not the mercilesse disposition of those men, that then go­verned affaires in England, who never did one Act in order to their relief, but made use of their sufferings to reproach the King; And by hypocriticall motions of other men to Charity sought an opinion of Zeal to themselves, and means to carry on the war in England against the King; And those great summes, that were given to the reliefe of Ireland they converted to the maintenance of their own Rebellion in [Page 8]England; and as many in these Provinces find the error they were in touching the integrity of the Reformers in England: So their Actions for the reliefe of the poor Protestents in Ireland will not prove, that they hated Rebellion lesse in those, that professe the Protestant Reli­gion then the Popish.

They joyned (they say) with their Resident a worthy person Dr. Dorislaus, who was barbarously, and openly murthered at the Hague the place of resi­dence of the States General, of whose assassination the world will judge as of an Action most abhorred against all Rules of nationall intercourse, and hu­manity, and how little was done to attach the murtherers must here be remembred. The quality of Dr. Dorislaus is chiefly known by their im­ployment of him in forming their proceedings against their King to a stile of law and this negotiation they mention, which latter they might out of foresight, knowing how odious the man was to the world a­broad, have forborne, and have sent one not so deeply died in that bloud, for what care soever-states take to restrain, and punish outward Actions, they cannot take away the universall indignation of a people against unnaturall and barbarous villanies. But Dorislaus was killed in an house suddenly, which, though in the place of residence of the States Generall, those complainers cannot pretend it in the power of the States Generall to have prevented, and they cannot intend the breach of all Rules of intercourse, or humanity in that Act by the States, though they display the fact with such colours. They need not be told, that the Rules of intercourse, and humanity allow no protection to common rob­bers, and enemies of humane society; And those men, that think the world so ready to make the Judgement they like, of this fact upon Dorislaus, see not the Judgement themselves given of their own assassi­nation, and therein the Crime of Dorislaus in the murder of the King: was not every man as much a Magistrate to execute Dorislaus as they their King? And the Messengers of common destroyers cannot be ac­counted publique Ministers, but by whom they are acknowledged for such. But if such, as did the fact were unknown to the States General, how could they attach them, or if they were gone out of their Ter­ritories though they were often called on? And why this must be here remembred as a nationall Injury is not visible to any, but to shew the resolution of these Governours to quarrel with the United Provinces, there having never bin a deniall of Justice, and legall proceedings?

The States (they say) sent the Lords Borele, Renzwo, and Joachimi Ambas­sadours in the time of the late troubles, pretending all good offices, which [Page 9]proved a correspondence with the Enemy, and a means of assisting them a­gainst those, to whom they were sent, this with reproaches by them cast upon the Parliament was the work of these Embassadours. It was a friendly and worthy Action of the States of these Provinces to seek the composing of the troubles in England, and to interpose their Councel, and medi­ation in a work so becomming their Alliance; And it was no more then Justice to the King to correspond with him, and these men of West­minster must be remembred, that at this time they had not declared the King an Enemy, but they fought against evil Councellours, and they took up Arms for King, and Parliament, their party was not impudent enough then to avow the Titles they have since taken up. They well know these Embassadours were sent to the King and though thye interceded with them, that called themselves Parliament, it was in that manner as Embassadours addresse themselves to treat with the Ministers of Princes, to whom they are sent; And these Embassadours then found what was doubtfull to many before, that the men then in hostility under the name of Parliament had abused the world with a pretence of necessity to take Armes for defence of Religion and lawes, seeking only power to themselues, and an alteration of Religion and law, and that they had obstinately refused all the gracious offers of the King, and his desires of peace, and these Embassadours were bound in honour and fidelity to deal uprightly in their negotiation, & to declare where the binderances of peace lay; And if the actions of the then pretended Parliament were reproachfull to themselves, they cannot blame the Embassad ours for a faithfull report of them, & this was very far from making them lyable by the practice of nations to punishment, or reproof; and it stood not with the affairs of the then Rebels in England to offer incivility to those Embassadours, though they wanted not an inclination to it; & those Embassadours need not be carefull to answer for such an Action, wherein they had cleere reason, and the warrant of their superiours, to whom the complainers discovered the iniquity of their cause by so unjust an exception.

They come now to the solemn Embassy they sent the States, which (they say) was in a time when there was much less cause to apply to the States for any need the Parliament had of their assistance, for that England was wholly in their power, most of the Towns & Cities in Ireland, the affairs of Scotland not unprosperous. But whoever took notice of the affairs then, knew very well they had neede of the forbearance of the United Pro­vinces [Page 10]from engaging against them which had they then acted, its probably they had prevented the progress of their victories, and ren­dred them liable to their demerits; And what the men of Westminster did in that Embassy was in order to their own affairs, not out of any priciples of affection to the Protystant Interest or common good. They endeavoured to draw the United Provinces into their own guilt by the league they propounded, so as these Provinces must have supported their usurpation, and have drawn on them the infamy of Murdering the King and all the former Actions, whereby that usurpation was ef­fected. Though Princes and States for the peace of their people some­times enter into leagues for comerce, with such, who by wicked at­tempts have obteined the power of States, yet neither Religion nor civill Justice permit defence of unjust power; And when those Embas­sadours discerned that the United Provinces could not be drawn into a scandalous league, then they deserted the prosecution; And these tenders, which their Embassadours were impowered to make, that would have demonstrated the affection of these in England to the good People of the United Provinces the same as to themselves, sufficiently demonstrate their affection to the people of these Provinces to be only for themselves; And the Priviledges they tendred to them were to divide them from their own State to a dependance on a forreign kindness, and was of the same stamp with this hypocriticall profession to the good people of these Provinces, these good people being in their sense such, as would be seduced against their Country by their at­tempts, such being their dealing with Scots pretending rather private enmity against some persons, then Dominion over all, which was so apparently their Design, as it will be the shame of any, that shall here­after pretend ignorance of it. They say the Embassy was rendred of no effect because the Embassadours were unheartily, and dilatorily dealt with. But the true reason was, that these Masters had instructed their Embas­sadours to make no agreement without the absolute submission of these Provinces to them. If their Embassadours were unsafe in their persons, it was not by any neglect of the States of the United Provinces, who placed a sufficient guard about them, & punished such as offered indignities to them, and if their Embassadours concealed it, they dealt unfaithfully with their superiours, and unjustly with them they were sent to: And when it appeared the States of the United Provinces would not partake in the guilt of that blood, and usurpation with these Masters in England, the Embassadours were recalled home.

That the States Generall sent not an Embassy till after the defeat at Wor­cester is true, and the willingness and affectection with which it was re­ceived, doth testifie for the English part, they stood fixed to their former Principles, which were to serve themselves of the power, and Interest of the vinced Provinces; for to prepare for the Embassadours entertain­ment, they had made an Act as they call it, that no commodities should be brought into England by any forraign vessels, but such as were of the growth of that Country, to which such vessell belonged, which tooke away that traffique, and intercourse, which was in all ages continued betweene the nations, and had no other scope but to interrupt the trade of these Provinces: And as this Act test [...]fies what principles they went in to destroy the trade, and navall strength of the United Provinces, so they being the same they had in their former proceedings, and sending their Embassy, they vainly pretend affection to Religion, Liberty, or amity with this Country, while they expresse a malicious Design to enslave, or destroy it from their first Treaty with them.

They finde fault that in the Treaty the States Ambassadours evaded pos­sitive demands in things not of hardest resolution with allegations of want of power, though their Commission shewed no such restraint. The age of these mens rule in England may be read in these frivolous objections. Though Embassadors have an absolut commission, are they not tyed to instructi­ons? And are there not particular laws, & customes in States, that limit Embassadours, and yet not expressed in their Commission? But whence comes the Allegation of want of power to be an evasion? And because the Provincial States must be assembled before answers could be had, it gave small grounds of any real intendment of a firm peace, and amity. It was a firm ground of aversion to peace in those of England, that they were positive in such demands, as must enforce the meeting of the Provinciall States to give a resolution. Upon the comming of the Embassadours of the States General into England, its well knowne what licence was taken by mean people to abuse them: And to let them know what they must trust to, a Treatise is composed, & published of the business of Amboina, which had rested for so many years, and till then unmen­tioned by those affectionate seekers of amity with the United Pro­vinces. Herein they provoke the people to assume an hatred of these Provinces, & to seek revenge for an Act so long passed. If they had intended amity, or thought a strict Alliance with these Provinces ne­cessary, why would they renew the memory of old differences, or fix an aversion in the people to those, with whom they treated for peace? [Page 12]This might have bin a proper work after a treaty broken, but to make such a narration the Prologue to a Treaty, is a sure ground, that no peace was intended, but such, as force and terrour could extort; And that such propsitions must be granted to obtein it as a conquered people only must submit to, and they must needs give way to the exercise of the peoples licence, and hatred that used the means to work it in them. And this designe of the Rulers being known it was soon prosecuted, their ordinary Agents, the Preachers and composers of Gazetts, and Almanacks published it to the world, and from thence came these predictions of their South sayers of the destruction of Holland; And these discuourses of their Politiques of subjecting such powers, as might be prejudiciall to the new Babell they had raised in England, and therefore the United Provinces being able to do them harm, they must have these Countries in such a Chaine, as may draw them that way onely where those new Rulers shall move, and like formes of Govenment are no more to them then the brotherhood of Scotland. It cannot be presumed, that the servants speak other than their Masters sense; And if it had bin contrary, it would have appeared in their restraint, or punishment; And these Rulers vainely offer an exception of dilatorinesse on the part of the United Provinces when there were so many of their ships continually taken, and made prize during the Teraty, and the danger of those Provinces must be increased by delay, the seasons of their Trade, and return of their ships being known, and unsafe while the Treaty was unconluded.

And its will known the preparation of Shipe in England proceded those of Holland; And though they speak of preparations upon the notice the Embassadours of the States General gave them of setting out a hundred, and fifty sail of ships besides the men of war abroad▪ all men know the pre­parations in England, and affronts received necessarily occasioned that care in the States Generall. But those of England were offended that the States Generall should defend their Merchants, which they meant to make prize of; And besides the exercise of reprisals on the ships of the United Provinces, the grounds, on which their Commissions of Reprisall were granted, shewed it no other then an open hostility, as that, which was to repair one, that was intercepted by the States ships carrying supplies out of England into Flanders before the peace be­tweene those Countries, and the King of Spain, and others of lesse colour. It is easily believed, they altered not their resolutions upon no­tice of the States prepations; But that they made Justice, honour, and mutuall good the Rule to steere their Actions by, is incredible to any [Page 13]that knew their former, or present Actions: For is it Justice to grant, letters of Reprisall upon a particular case, unlesse Justice be first de­manded for the fact and denyed? And can it stand with honour, Justice, and mutual good to require unequal conditions, & an absolute submis­sion for peace? And the happy close of the Treaty, which these: Rulers were willing to come to, appears no other but to have the United Pro­vinces under their command: For the Accidents touching Captaine Young, and Admirall Tromp by the narrative, which the Usurpers of England, have published, the world will judge, that they sought an oc­casion against the United Provinces, and to renounce all amity with them; And their aggravation adds not weight of Argument for what they offer, for if the middest of a Treaty be considerable, why did those men of peace continue Reprisalls in the middest of the same Treaty? But it is ridiculous to affirme, that the Dutch Admiral sought out their Shipps in their own seas, when the trade way of those seas is such, as a meeting of shipps is not easily avoided; Besides the peaceable demeanour of the Admirall Tromp, till he received the shots from Blake. But this is their accustomed language, their Declarations against the King being fraught with such stuffe of making a bloudy war upon the Parliament rejecting their humble desires, and of dangerous plots against the City of London, and Kingdom. But the truth of this fact is fully known, and the vanity of these declarers aggravation. And it bears full proof in it self, that the Fleet under the command of Tromp came not purposely into the Roade of England unto their Fleet, and by all the attestations produced, he shewed no inclination to hostillity; And those men that make al cleer on their part, like not a way of equall examination because long & intricate, but would kave a submission to their own allegations, and a satisfaction for the wroags they pretended; And they believe, that men understand not, that they could make their demands for satisfaction such, as would take up longer debate, then that examination, and in the mean time proceed with all hostillity, which they would not for­bear till that demand were satisfied; And when could the States Em­bassadors assure themselves that they would determine their demands?

The reason they give for their Counsel is that time being gained an ad­dition of strength might therwith be provided by the Dutch & from hence the resolved hostility of the Rulers is evident, & that they had provided to take the Dutch unprepared, & were offended that they had a fl [...]et. It cannot be conceived that these Engl. Masters having propounded to have satisfaction for wrongs upon their own Allegations only without respect to what was offred to the contrary, that they would treat with such [Page 14]moderation, as such, as treated with them should Judge reasonable, but would be sole Judges of the satisfaction, as they made themselves of the cause, for which they demanded it; and if they would not heare all proofes in the one case, they were not likely to admit any reason in the other; And they might very well offer a cessation of hostility upon their owne termes. They projected their satisfaction for their pre­parations because the Dutch had prepared a fleete, and yet never excepted to it when notice was given them, and they enlarge this satisfaction to losses of all kinde, in the dammage of the shipps, losse of men, and the poverty of persons thereby, and under those heads who could con­jecture the quantity of the satisfaction, they would thinke a fit pro­portion, and in the meane time no cessation, and all Accidents succeeding must be cast into the account, which might be prolonged at the pleasure of those, that got by the delay; And yet those confident men thinke it strange, that the Lord Embassadour Paw did not pursue his d [...]sire of cessation, when by their answer they shewed their resolution to keep it in their own power to set the time to it, and was no more then if they had answered, it should be at their pleasure, and yet they are not ashamed to say, it was in his own power to accomplish it. Can any man think it was in his power to accomplish what they would demand? And is it not a desperate compliance for any State to continue treat­ing, while hostillity is avowe [...], and terms only propounded of absolute submission to avoid it? Thus the Embassadours were forced to de­part to preserve the honour, and safety of themselves, and their Country. It seems those Declarers think they merited by giving respect and accommodation to the Ambassadours: And considering their other actions, and disposition, worse might have been expected, but they found it not for their present advantage, nor doth the mention of their yeilding to respect and accommodation tend to their honour, as if it were questionable whither they should have performed it, and du­ring their abode they neither expected, nor found better usage then the Ministers of these Rulers found from the States of the United Provinces; and they had not merited that aversion of the people, which was univesally expressed to the Ministers of those Rulers.

The Narrative by them published, they hold a sufficient justificati­on of Acts of hostillity, and deteining shipps brought into their Ports without any precedent Declaration, or notice to the Embassadours then in Treaty. The Narrative is of one side onely giving no answer to contrary attestations; and though it be evident to all reasonable [Page 15]men, that the fact was accident all and undesignet by Tromp, yet this Narrative is all the reason they will give for a present hostility, neither could any prosecution be looked for before the case were fully exami­ned, where friendship was so confidenly professed. Neither had their forbearance been laying downe of themselves at the feete of any. But the speedy feirce pursuit shewes not a sudden passion, but a long premedi­tated Counsell for the oppression of the United Provinces, and de­stroying their trade, and strength by sea, and yet so shamelesse are they to call this proceeding their owne defence, and if they had done contrary, it had been against the trust reposed in them, few men thinke the Actions of these Declarers agreeable to any rules, whereby nations or single persons are governed, and breach of trust is of no regard with them, for there was not any trust reposed in them by King, or people, but what they have most perfidiously broken; that trust, which was re­posed in them as subjects, whereto they were bound by Religion, Law, and nature, they have falsified to their King and Countrey. They were called by the Kings writ, and by law incapable of any place in Parlia­ment, till they had taken the oaths of Allegeance, and Supremacy. They were trusted to petition the King, and offer their Councell, they destroy the King insteede of petitioning, make laws, and change the Government in despight of the trust they pretend to regard. If we examine their Doctrines, they maintai [...] themselves not bound to oaths longer then they think fit. If we look upon their proceedings, they have acted accordingly, breaking all oaths, and promises, the trust, whereon depends humane society, asserting falshood and abju­ring truths. There are numerous Testimonies of all these in the De­clarations and Treaties with the King, that they would make him a glorious King; that it never entred into their thought to depose him; that if they should charge the King with any evill Action, it were contrary to the law, and the Testimony of their owne Conscience; That providing for the prosperity of his Majesty who protest in the presence of all seeing Deity to be the end of all our Counsells; That they have nothing in their thoughts more precious next to the honour and immediate service of God, then their just and faithfull performance of their duty to his Majesty. This being compared with their actions who can repose trust in them; Besides, they are not trusted by the Kingdom, and those few of them that were depuzed by particular places were not trusted to rule, but they now tiranize, and trample on such, as at first trusted them; and com­paring their Actions towards the united Provinces, and their words [Page 16]we may Judge they are not changed in their principles, for they say by those proceed­ings it will be more then evident with what affection, and constancy the Parliament have laboured for the friend sh of he United Provinces, how carefully they avoided all differen­ces, and occasions of a warre between the nations, though all such overtures of amity, and neerest alliance having been rejected. In the beginning of the wicked Rebellion in England, not only the common people at home, but strangers were much mistaken of the condition and intention of those, that made themselves a party against the King, ma [...]y perswading themselves, that the prevalent party in Parliament had the same sincerity in their purposes, which they professed in their speeches, and papers. But such, as were then deceived, see the discovery of their e [...]rour, and that those pretences of Religion, Law, and Loyalty were only snares, whereby they were seduced to their owne ruine: And though the fi [...]st losse lighted on the King, and his Loyall subjects, the whole Kingdome hath selt the scourge of that credulity: And while some were misled, and others rested secure, as unconcerned, not fore­seeing the consequents of popular contests with Soveraignty, the whole are brought under the Tyrannicall power of a few contemptible persons: And such, as with dry eyes beheld the sufferings of the King and his party, finde the same fince at their owne doores: And such, as acted under the name of Parliament against the King are now oppressed under the same pretence, which themselves used, they perswading men they were the Parliament, though the King and the greatest part of the Lords, and a great number of the Commons were forced away, and the remaining party overawed by the City Tumults and Army, now groane under this new power, that call themselves a Parliament, though the King be murdered, the Lords house shut up, the greatest part of the Com­mons imprisoned, and expelled. And onely a few persons sit, as a Lower House without any colour of Law. The neglect of opposition to growing evills is often too late repented, and such, as doubted not what hath hapned in England, may now see, that wickednesse puts no bounds to it selfe. It must be resistance, from without, not the inward inclination that must restraine it; And where men have successe, and an opinion of strength, they rest not at a stay especially new gained powers, and the Example of th [...]se persons is no lesse dangerous, then their power. Princes and States are cheifely concerned in suppressing such pernicious Monsters, whose opinions and Designes are the sub­version of Rulers, and draw with them the misery of the people, who must fall into confusion and slavery. If their designe take upon the United Provinces, it may be easily conjectured what their attempts will be next. And affection to an oppressed King, and Ally, amity to the English nation, security to Religion and commerce, call for a conjunction of the hearts and hands of all Christian Kings and States against those common Enemyes of mankind.