CHRISTIAN the Fourth, by the Grace of God, of Denmarke, Norway of the Gothes and Vandals, King; Duke of Holstein, Shleswigk, Stormarn and Ditmars, Count of Oldenburg and Delmenhorst &c. To his Roman Imperiall Ma­jestie, all Christian Kings and Princes; as also to all and every one, of what quality, degree and dignitie soever hee bee Greeting: Making withall knowne, how and in what manner Wee (by an unexpected hostile invasion of the Swedish Army, under the command and conduct of Fieldmarshall Leonhard Tostensohn, first into our Principalities of Shleswigk, Hol­stein and Dominions belonging thereunto, and thereupon into our Province of Iutland immediately belonging to our Crowne of Den­marke) inevitably are compelled to put to the view of all and every one by this Manifestoe, the Injustnesse of this wrong and action, and to the better manifestation hereof, to draw in briefe hither those Agree­ments, that have beene made betwixt our Kingdome and the Crowne [Page 2]of Sweden, whereby not onely all Controversies are fully laid up, a perpetuall peace concluded, but also, how in future time, if any nigh­bourly errours should come to passe it should be carried, was provided and agreed upon. Whereas now in the yeare 1560. when Ericus King of Sweden, the 13^th. of that Name, sought all manner of pretences a­gainst our Father King Frederick the Second of happy memory, and thereby gave occasion to a long during bloody Warre, b [...] the same by the mediation of the Emperour Maximilian, of the Kings of France and Poland, as also of the Elector of Saxony in the yeare 1570. being composed, by their mediation the aforesaid perpetuall Peace was con­cluded, which both Kings, and their Successours and Heires, together with their Kingdomes, by their Royall Honour Faith and troth should be bound to keep upon paine and forfeiture of a million of gold. It was also agreed upon namely that, if so any errours should come to passe, the decision thereof by the appointed Counsellers of State of both sides, and if so be they could not agree upon a finall certaine conclusion, be­cause that one side had as many voyces as the other, it should be put to an Arbitratour; But if so be that one of the Kings would not stand to all what was concluded, in such a case the Counsell of State and the Subjects should be discharged of their Oath and dutie, and should not be bound to follow and obey the King so long till he hath consented to it, as appeareth at lage by the Copie Lit. A. And the same agre­ment have beene confirmed againe anew betwixt Us and the deceased King Gustavus Adolphus Lit.B. of happy memorie in the yeare 1612. and in the yeare 1624. some errours, which then would arise, by the appointed Counsellers of State were compounded and laid by. Wee have also thereupon kept and maintained good and neighbourly cor­respondence with the aforesaid King Gustavus Adolphus all the dayes of his life, and afterwards with the moderne Queene and State, and We had no other opinion of the Crowne of Sweden, but that it would doe the like. And it appeareth most clearly by that, that for those ma­ny yeares together we have endeavoured with much zeale and care to take off from the same the heavie burden of warre in the Roman Em­pire, and to settle the same in Peace and tranquility; Whereas, if any bad talentum or mistrust had beene in our heart against that Crowne, We had justly suffered the same to ly under such burden, and [Page 3]according to common practise Per vicinorum discordias & bella, sought peace and security of our Kingdome and Dominions. But being no contrary intention against the same, as also no ill suspition of the same sticked with us; So therefore no such Counsells could find place with Us, but rather strived, to procure for the same a true and firme Peace as Wee can testifie with God and a pure conscience, that there­by we sought with an upright heart and minde no prejudice to the same, but the good and welfare of both contending and fighting par­ties. To which end also in the yeare 1629. presently after the agree­ment betwixt the Roman Imperiall Majesty and Us, Wee desired His Imperiall Majesties consent of an amiable Treatie betwixt Him and the King of Sweden, and how we have received thereupon a desired answer; and the King of Sweden also thereupon accepted our interpo­sition, and appointed a Dyet at Dantzigk in the beginning of the year 1630. where the Roman Imperiall Majestie had his Ambassadour, a Burgrave of Donaw but no Treatie was taken in hand, because no body appeared there in the name of the Crown of Sweden: However wee did therefore not suffer our good intention to sinke, but caused presently after the King of Swedens death the reassumption of so com­mendable work further to be sollicited, and desired of the Counsell of State, or rather of the Rixchancellour Oxenstern, who was at that time Plenipotentiaerius in Germanie, who also according to his letter (Lit.C.) to our Counsell of State, bearing date Collen on the Spree the fourth of Febr. 1633. accepted it with much thankes, and that therefore the Crowne and Princesse was much obliged to us for it, but especially at that time was faine to confesse, that Our peaceable minde about for­mer commendable actions was more then enough known unto Him; And repeated that same also afterwards upon another occasion (as ap­peareth out of the Extract (Lit.D.) to Us his Letters bearing Date at Franckeford the 17. of May, in the same yeare. Afterwards also Wee have sent Our Ambassadour at great charges to Breslaw, which Em­bassage hath likewise been in vain and fruitlesse: Then We urged stil further the propounded Treatie for a happy Peace, till at last after ma­ny teadious, long during and many times fruitlesse employed paines and endeavour, Wee by Gods gracious permission brought it so farre, that the Potentates and Princes, that have interest in this so long con­tinuing [Page 4]bloody war in Germany, after a long and teadious Treatie ful­ly agreed in Praeliminaribus, and therupon with the consent of all sides, a meeting for the treaty of a generall Peace was appointed to bee at Osnabrugge. When the Imperiall and Swedish Ambassadours had al­ready met there with Our Ambssadours, the King of France also had given notice of the comming of His Ambassadours, And the King of Spaine also were neere at hand, so that every one stood in good hope, that now at last the long desired Treatie would goe on, and produce some prosperitie and happinesse by the reduction of a generall Peace, and Wee in a speciall manner directed onely Our thoughts and Coun­sell that way▪ how by Gods gracious assistance this worke so well be­gun we might further and thereby deserve thankes of whole Christen­dome, as Oxenstern himselfe in the above said Extracts declares: Not­withstanding Wee were faine to see and heare with our griefe and sorrow, that upon a sudden the Swedes had all things overthrowne a­gaine. For when Wee, by reason of the alledged Agreement and Con­federacie, could expect no ill from them and to Our knowledge also have not offended them, or if so be they had to pretend any of­fence, they should have turned it over to the aforesaid, and oftentimes repeated, confirmed, and practised Decisions and agreements; yea, when they shewed all love and amitie towards Us, and had our ordi­nary Resident with them, and theirs againe with Vs, and then further their Ambassadour appointed for the treatie of Peace, conferred al­most daily with Our Ambassadours as appointed Mediatours, and pretended every where nothing else but neighbourly love, peace and concord. Then they cause by their Generalls (in a hostile manner) Our Countries and Dominions about 60 leagues at length from the utmost Frontiers of our Principalities to be invaded and taken, till they may come into our Kingdome▪ which they then easily could performe, be­cause Wee feared no Hostility, but under the pretence of amitie, with any foregoing (being usuall with all honest Nations) denouncing of warre upon a sudden surprised the Countries, that the Subjects saw them in the midst of them▪ before they could heare any thing of their comming, so that for 30. leagues together they found no man in armes excepting 50. men in a Fort neere the East Sea, which by night time they skaled, and tooke it, imprisoned the Governour and detaine him [Page 5]still. Yet in the meane time our Rix-Marshall in our absence guarded our Frontiers with some horse, and for their defence began to raise a Sconce, and withall sent a Letter to the above-said Swedish Generall to learne and know the reasons and motives of such an invasion, & what further We had to expect from him, as the Copie Sub Lit. E. shewes more largely. But the aforesaid Generall kept the Trumpeter that was sent with him, and left the Letter unanswered, till he fell againe upon a sudden without any forewarning with his whole strength of horse and foot, and Artillerie upon Our horse, and drove them, (their number being much lesse then his) into the aforesaid Sconce, where he presently begun to batter with his Cannon, the aforesaid Sconce be­ing not yet finished, and continued it for 4. dayes together. But when the rest of his Infantry and the great Cannons that he expected came to him, he answered the aforementioned Letter▪ wherein hee imputed the reasons of his taking quarters in Holstein and other neighbou ing Countries, to necessitie, but that he pursued the gathered troopes, and without summoned the aforesaid Sconce; Hee pretended to be for his owne securitie, as sub Lit. F. is to be seene. And being they lay onely in garrison there some of the Trained Bands, and the same also as a­foresaid, was brought to no perfection, hee tooke it presently, forced the souldiers to lay downe their armes, insomuch that whole Iutland he ruinated, and wasted the Principalities with intollearable Contri­bution and Plundering, and to passe by other enormites, Our Officers of the State and Gentry hee caused to be detained prisoners and shew­ed themselves farre worse then Christian enemies: And it is easie, what of the aforesaid most prejudiciall and proud Letter may be jud­ged and concluded; and moreover that by this so hostile invasion and proceedings he aimed not meerely at some Provinces, nor at a meere recruting of the Armie, which however he ought not to seeke in our Countries without Our consent, but rather that it is intended meere­ly out of a hostile proud and haughtie purpose and hope, to destroy Vs▪ our Kingdomes, Countries and People.

The true and proper cause of this so hostile resolution against us, is as yet unknowne unto us, but wee can easely guesse, that the hate against us and the envy to the florishing peaceable condition of our Kingdomes and Countries together with the moderne occasion of [Page 6]their having in their hands a brave German Army, and our security wee have put in thire friendship, hath principally moved them there­unto: And we are assured▪ that not any other cause, that according to all Divine and humane right is sufficient to such an unforwarned hostility, can iustly be produced. And though there were some, that might have given them occasion to this spilling of blood, yet modus procedendi can never bee iustified neither before God nor men. For the most high God hath no delight in the iustest and most necessary warre. How should hee then approve of such unnecessary warres, whereunto no cause was given. And as he hath sworne by his truth, that he will bring the Covenant, upon which he hath given his hand, and afterwards broken it, upon his owne head: So without all doubt will revenge in due time this uniustnesse and wrong, that hath beene done to confederats and fellow members of the same saith under the pretence of Friendship, contrary to e [...]ected contracts, covenants and agreement; Neither will it bee approved by any man▪ that ever hath loved honesty and vertue; because according to the Lawes and customes of all Nations, to a lawfull warre not onely weighty rea­sons, but also that the same, before they come to extremities, be made kowne to the Adversary party are required. Which is counted also so much seeming to the naturall right and common equity, that the adversary party hath allwayes beene held dishonest and injust; espe­cially when by publicke contracts it is provided, that otherwise ought not bee done. It may bee there will be pretended, that on the Swedish side, that what hath passed with thire ships in the sound, is alledged to bee a lawfull cause of this warre against us. But wee doe not doubt, when all impartiall men doe first know, how to the arresting of the Swedish Ships by reason of so manifold kowne and discovered deceitfullnesses, wee have beene compelled, and how farre wee have procceded with particular merchants not de facto, but meere­ly secundum justitiae norman, that if there hath beene made complaint of the first sentence that was given in the first instance, wee our selfe (to testifie the more our desire to impartiall iustice, together with our Counsell of state) have reassumed the hearing of the cause, that then no man for using our right will condemne us; especially when by us in such a hearing, more was seene upon the preservation of neighbour­ly [Page 7]friendship, then what the law required. Where now for the staying and arresting of three, or at most foure ships, so bloody a warre may presently begin amongst Christians, wee let the whole world judge. And principally by the rising of any grievances there; should have beene followed the way that is prescribed in the con­tracts and agreements; then, if the matter had not beene remedied, the way to extremities had yet still beene open: to which end our Counsell of State have sufficiently declared themselves, and offered nothing else, but a firme peaceable intention, and that in the like dif­ferences that should happen, the aforementioned ancient contracts and agreements should be followed: albeit the aforesaid Swedish Government hath no weighty cause to complaine: For no man al­most in Europe is to be found that hath burned so much the Com­merce with Tolls and customes and yet without right and equity, which our Subjects by thire customes, which heretofore they have laid at Dantzgik, in the Pillaw, and as yet take upon the east sea at Rostock and in whole Pomerania have heavily felt, And though they had not the least right to it, yet so sharpe was therewith proceeded, that neither our owne proper goods, nor our Sonnes, though thire passes have beene produced, have beene free of it. Which though it cannot be excused with any right, hath become a farre greater and heavier grievance, which hath dured these many yeares; however for all that, we intended not to disturbe further the Common-Weale not to occasion the spilling of more Christian blood; But in case the Swedes should thinke, that by the proceeding in the sound against some few of thire Ships, though not without right and equity, they had yet sufficient cause to this warre, surely every one would the more perceive our uprightnesse towards them, considering that though in that way a farre greater, and a farre more inexcusable cause to warre by the aforenamed proceedings hath beene given to us, and that the like opportunity, as they apprehended now, nor the brave pro­fers of those, that highly laboured to draw us also into the play, wee have not wanted: notwithstanding wee would neither this, not that, suffer to move us, for to undertake any thing against Cons­cience Religion, Contracts and agreements: whether also all that, what was lawfull to the Swedes contrary to the word of God and the [Page 8]naturall equity, be not also permited to us, we would faine know, wherein hath sinned the raigning Duke of Holstein and the other Dukes of the Sonderburgish line, which also neither the nigh consan­guinity with the Queene nor Communia Sacra could save. All this we must commit to God, who is an enemy to all bloodthirsty and false hearts, but wee doubt not at all but that the whole impartiall world will now easily judge, and cleerly conclude out of these inexcusable proceedings against us of the Swedish intention and designe of the moderne warre how falsely the defence and preservation of the Pro­testant Religion as a finall cause of thire taking up of armes, hath hi­terto beene pretended; when they make no conscience to fall out with us as a Protestant Potentate without any neceessity, right and cause, and to ruinate wholly our poore Subjects, that in whole Europe no Protestant King, Electour or Prince may bee free of mine. Whether now in such a way the Protestant Religion be defended, or whether there be holpen to the ruine thereof, I feare that all Protestants will feele to late with thire owne ruine and griefe, yea that this warre is begune only for the ruine and perdition of the Protestants, whereas hereby the neighbouring Protestant Cities, Commons and Subjects are highly prejudiced in trade and traffique, the already ruinated neighbours, which hitherto have provided themselves againe out of our Country with all necessaries which had thire onely refuge thither, will not little grieve. To passe by▪ what hurt and dammage this warre by the totall desolation of Germany will bring to the Pro­testant Churches and Schooles; In so much that Gods Holy name al­so must be to the Swedes a cover for their falsehood and ill inten­tions. But being our innocency appeareth sufficiently out of that, which hath beene said above, and the Swedish Modus procedendi a­gainst us stands thus, that every one of the neighbours may take an example thereof and provide in time for his security, much lesse, these that afe in alliance with the said Crowne, aide or assist them as tru­ly is said Adinjusta bella nulla est obligatio. For confedracies admit al­wayes this exception, when a lawfull cause is forced upon▪ and first no faire accord findes place then not afore they take their effect, which both on the Swedish side is put aside, and they rather meerely audendo & bella ex bellis serendo thinke to grow great: And therefore thire [Page 9]confederates ought to take the more heed, and not permit them, nor trust them too much, lest forgetting all faithfulnesse and respect to Confederates, they may not shew them the same unfaithfull and un­neighbourly part, that they have shewed to Us and divers others, especially being by such destructions of Treaties of Peace not Wee a­lone, but also all Potentates and Princes, that helpe to further them seriously, yea in generall all Christian hearts, that have abhorred the cruell spilling of blood, and miserable ruines of Countries, which for so many yeares together have so miserably overwhelmed a great part of Europe, and on the other side sought heartily and earnestly the re-establishing of a happy generall Peace, have beene offended and hindered in their commendable purpose. For now it is as cleare as day-light, with what earnestnesse & mind, the Crown of Sweden hath hitherto desired a peace in Germany, whereas not onely themselves have disturbed the ensuing Treatie, but besides began also a new war, without any just cause meerely as haters of peace, as also, that the Commerce and Trafficque, that hitherto in some manner hath yet beene used in the East and West Sea▪ by these troubles and distracti­ons, is stopped and brought to confusion is onely to bee imputed and ascribed to them as unruly and shamelesse authours thereof. Wee hope therefore, that every one will seriously take to heart this unchri­stian and heathen-like attempt, and bee jealous of the blo d thirstie; and on the other side afford to Us, (that have not onely beene hindered against Our will in the wholsome purpose to turne off further shed­ding of Christian blood as also destruction and desolation of Coun­tries, but also without any forewarning have beene in a hostile man­ner subdued, surprised▪ and beene robbed of Our owne,) a helpfull hand, and their best assistance to recover the same againe. And espe­cially Wee trust firmely, that the just and omnipotent God, who ab­horres all Actions breaking Covenants and Peace, will fatherly pro­tect Us, and yet powerfully maintaine Us in that, what graciously He hath bestowed upon Us.

Given at our Citie of Ottensea the 30. of Ian. 1644.

CHRISTINA by the grace of God constituted Queene and hereditary Princesse of the Swedes, Gothes and Vandalls, Great Princesse of Finland, Duchesse of Ehe­sten and Careliae, Countesse of Ingarmanlend &c. To all our trusty and well beloved Nobility Gentry and Clergy, to all and every one in particular of our trusty and well beloved Subjects and inhabitants in our Kingdome of Swe­den, Principalities of Finland, Liefland and Ingermanland Greeting. These are to give you and all and every one of you graciously to un­derstand, that for those many years past we have seen, and could plain­ly perceive, how & in what manner our, Neighbour the King of Den­marck in these heavy times contrary to our friendly trust and confi­dence we put in him, hath sought all occasions and opportunities to hinder not onely our expedition in Germany against our and the Kingdomes professed enemies, and to stop the way for the attainng unto a good, true and firme peace (albeit he hath tryed and offered sometimes both in words and writing to perswade us the contrary,) but also especially hath strived to throw into our way many other roubles, in practising our and our Native Countries worst, as much as possibly he could doe. For first during this German warre he hath troubled both secretly and openly our Armies and out landish affaires and alwayes made our burden to us more heavy and troublesome, and sometimes often with good words, sometimes also by force sought to put us out of all our advantages, neither hath omitted also to despise and defame us and our Kingdome as much as possibly he could. Afterwards in these latter times he hath openly stop't many of our Subjects, espepcially those, that used to have shipping and trade through the Sound, and by unlawfull staying and arresting of of the Swedish shpis hindered thire living and trade, and besides al­so against all equity imposed and charged our Subjects, in Liefland [Page 11]and Narva, that trade in the West sea, with double, yea triple cu­stome; But also upon some, especially upon the transportation of such Swedish commodites, which he saw and perceived, would encrease the Trade and Merchandize, and make our Subjects to prosper as namely ordnances, Lead, Armes, and the like; he hath laid a prohi­bition to take away thereby the workemanship here in our Native Country, and to keepe us and you under his subiection, Wherefore we truly perceiving a secret warre had iust cause, according to our duty, wherewith in our high and Royall office to our loyall Subjects for their defence and protection wee are bound to take upon us this unsufferable oppression, and thire grivance; But considering the dan­gerous times and seasons of this age, wee rather bore the like injury and wrong, then that wee should enter into any quarrell, or take up armes against the King of Denmarck, perswading our selves, of two evill and troublesome occasions; to be the best to suffer and beare it with silence, to hope a good alteration, and meane while to seeke that all misunderstandings and grievances may be removed by friendly and peaceable meanes. And therefore some few yeares past by way of our letters memoriall, which we sent to Servant and agent now resident in Denmarck have sought to prevent and remove the afore said grievances, but in stead thereof for those three yeares together, we had returned unto us from him, nothing else but scornefull words, and a denying answer. Now in this last yeare past he went therewith so farre and made it so grosse, that directly contrary to all neighbourly friendship, and confidence, usuall custome, and cleare accords and de­cisions of the Kingdomes, as also contrary to all Lawes, Rights, and naturall course and property of Trade, without giving any war­ning to us and our Subiects, the Swedish ships and goods, which arrived in the sound, and had their usuall Certificats, as hereto­fore was aggreed upon, not only two or three, but as many there have beene of one and the same value and were laden with costly wares, which (after that they were forced to pay custome and Accyse of the Sweedish Goods contrary to the said decisions and agreements of the Kingdomes. By the deanish serchers have beene search't with a number of indiscreete souldiers guarded, & carryed up to Coppenhagen, where afterwards the letters and writings have beene opened, torne [Page 12]in peeces, and partly taken away; Chests and packs, broken and ope­ned, and the goods taken out and unladen; and when all that was done, the King of Denmarke made himselfe not onely Judge over the Decisions and agreements of the Kingdomes, but also appointed and put his other Servants to judge over it which heretofore was neither usuall, nor in any way agreeable with the aforesaid inland agree­ments and Decisions much lesse ought Wee in our Royall Highnesse and Kingdomes Right to, suffer and endure it, without the utter ruine and destruction of you and all Our loyall Subjects.

And after that Our Subjects in such a manner have been detained and burdened with unusuall courses of law, the custome first of all was taken of them, and afterwards both Ship and Goods from them, and those, whom their own was adjudged and declared free, have beene arrested again anew, & guarded wi [...]h the watch, yea at last also both their ships and goods were taken by force from them. And albeit Wee (having seene him more and more to proceed with all manner of enmitie and hatred, together with new plots in his unjust purpose and designe, misusing the dangerous times of this age and especially the heavie warres, where with Wee and our Native Countrie have beene burdened, and that all this is nothing else but an open wrong and in­jurie) tooke to heart our loyall Subjects wrong and their complaints, which they have made to Us about it, and this last Summer past cau­sed our loving Rix-Counsellours to dispatch severall Letters, as is u­suall to the Rix-Counsellours of Denmarke, and therein cleerely shew­ed them and intimated unto him the unjustnesse of the matter, and that the like unjustnesse and wrong is contrary to the League, Deci­sions and agreements of the Kingdomes, hoping and desiring that they would ponder and consider rightly our reasons, and the nature of the cause it selfe, prevaile so farre with their Master the King, and pro­cure that to our innocent Subjects which have suffered and endured such like considerable hinderances, and intollerable losses, their Ships and goods might be restored without any dammage, Merchandizing and trading be reduced to its former course; as also the Decisions of the Kingdomes according to former custome, and as it ought to bee, may be inviolably kept, and maintained. But they returned Us not onely a number of vaine excuses and groundlesse remonstrances, but [Page 13]besides also contrary to all friendly neighbourly confidence, as also such pressing friendly visitation with Letters▪ Wee were faine to per­ceive, and to understand really and indeed, that the King of Denmark was not onely not in the least way altered and changed in his set thoughts▪ and evill designe, to destroy and ruinate Us and our Sub­jects but rather was hardned in his purpose, and augmented the grie­vances and burdens more and more, dealt with Vs and our Subjects in a more despightfull and hostile way▪ as before, and thus actually dissolved all neighbourly friendship league and agreements, which in antient times have been made betwixt the Kingdomes, which mean­while ought to be observed, and Hee not less▪ then Wee to maintaine the same inviolably, seeking thereby to make unto Us shipping and trading betwixt the East and West Sea so heavie and intricate, that the same must fall of it selfe, to separate Us thereby from Commerce, and Communication with the other Nations in the world, which God and Nature by way of shipping hath granted to Us, and to our deare native Countrie and Kingdome: But principally to deprive Vs and Crown the of our meanes, and our Subjects of their living and encrease, and to force Us and You to pay Tribute and Custome to him, and that not according to equitie, but as much as himselfe pleaseth, as it hath happened in these later yeares, seeking thereby to bring Us in­to such a state and condition, that Wee may not enjoy the good, wherewith God hath blessed Us in our Kingdome, or make use of it for our [...] and our native Countries defence and encrease. And if this should be longer suffered, not only shipping and trading (without which our Kingdome cannot subsist) will be cut off from Us, but also all Fishing, which Our Subjects use for their maintenance▪ by raising of the Salt would be quite spoyled and brought to nothinng: As also all sorts of Mines, Smiths forges, and many other trades, which have beene erected with our and the Crownes, as also many of Our Sub­jects, great and considerable charges and costs, and are now in full use and practise, would perish and lay wast. So many thousand men, that have undertaken it, and ventured all their estates in it, thinking to seeke thereby their trade and living, would be brought to their ut­ter ruine and destruction. Moreover, also Wee are certainly infor­med, [Page 15]and know it sufficiently, in what manner hee hath had, and hath yet daily in hand many Plots and Conspiracies to stirre up and entice more enemies against Us and our native Countrie. Whereas now by these Designes and Plots of the King of Denmarke that have beene laid by him, and are here rehearsed and alledged, it doth clearely ap­peare, what he intended against Us and ous deare native Country; So Wee (Hee having actually in such manner, and otherwise in many other wayes affronted Us, laid aside all respect to Us, to all Friend­ship, League and Decisions of the Kingdomes, and Wee hereafter having nothing more certaine to expect from him then an open war) have beene highly forced and necessitated to let fall the respect and peaceable confidence, which hitherto Wee have put in him, to com­mit our just cause to God, and to prosecute the same against him, to take up armes for the maintenance of our Royall Highnesse, for the defence of our native Country, and protection of Our Subjects, and to use them with the helpe of the most high God, so long against him and the Kingdome of Denmarke, till he doe accommodate himselfe to equity, and Wee can be secured gainst further wrong, and Wee will not stay, that He according to his former custome shall draw warre upon suddenly and unawares. And therefore to the furtherance of this our Christian and peaceable intention. Wee were faine to cause Our and the Kingdomes Counsellour, Fieldmarshall, Our trustie and welbeloved Leonhard Torstenson, with our Armie in Germanie to come into His Country and Principalitie of Holstein, and to take his Winter quarter there, and to keepe a watchfull eye to his plots, hostile designes, and Wee on this side with our Domestick Armie to put our selves into such a Militarie posture for the defence of the Kingdome, as the danger of the present times require, and Wee could doe, leaving all to God and complaining that Wee are forced and necessitated to this quarrell, withall wishing, that God Almightie would turne off from Us and you all misfortune, looke upon our in­nocencie, and most graciously maintaine and assist Our just cause.

And whereas Wee cannot thinke otherwise, but that this will bee strange to many, especially to those that heretofore heard either little or nothing of it, or also are informed thereof perversly by some [Page 15]Adversaries; Wherefore Wee thought it needfull to disclose unto you Our loyall Subjects in generall, the condition and na­ture of the businesse by these Our gracious Lettets, and to make it knowne unto you, withall graciously desiring, that yee as lo all Subjects, and lovers of your native Countrie will rightly consider the abovesaid and other reasons, and ponder them well, what hath moved Us hereunto, and Wee enevitably were forced to resolve to all that, against all perverse persons, interpret them with a good opinion, and judge thereof rightly and justly. And moreover, that you your selves will be plea­sed to take care for your welfare and safetie, that with an una­nimous concord, and faithfull assistance, you doe deprive Our enemies and Adversaries, which plot and practise Our and your ruine, of all their courage and haughtinesse, and cause them to let fall their conceited hope, and scornfull minde in seeking to hate Us farther, and at last quite to oppresse Us.

And whereas Wee make no doubt of God goodnesse, and liberall assistance; So Wee will hope also, that if you (as Wee graciously expect from you) doe faithfully support Us in the Expedition of this great Cause, with all your strength, valour and Concord, that Wee then with Gods gracious as­sistance shall so much the sooner, and speedier, secure and free not onely our native Countrie, but also Us and you, all and every one of you from further unjust extortion, wrong and injury of Our neighbours, which Wee strive highly for, and spare no labour, care, paines and trouble for to attaine there­unto; And your faithfulnesse towards Us upon all occasions, Wee shall reward and recompence you all, and every one of you, with all Royall graces and affections; And thus Wee commit you, all and every one of you, into the gracious pro­tection of God Almightie. [Page 16]of Sweden.