A letter written by His Highness the Prince Elector of Brandenbourgh unto His Most Serene and Illustrious Highness Richard, Lord Protector of the Common-wealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, with the territories and dominions thereunto belonging : denoting Their Highness's joynt-interest in the protecting and defending of the Reformed Protestant cause ... Friedrich Wilhelm, Elector of Brandenburg, 1620-1688. 1659 Approx. 15 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 5 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2007-10 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A40413 Wing F2110A ESTC R28025 10329854 ocm 10329854 44877 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A40413) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 44877) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1384:45) A letter written by His Highness the Prince Elector of Brandenbourgh unto His Most Serene and Illustrious Highness Richard, Lord Protector of the Common-wealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, with the territories and dominions thereunto belonging : denoting Their Highness's joynt-interest in the protecting and defending of the Reformed Protestant cause ... Friedrich Wilhelm, Elector of Brandenburg, 1620-1688. Cromwell, Richard, 1626-1712. 8 p. s.n.], [London? : 1669 [i.e. 1659] "Translated into English out of the Latine copy printed at Hamborough." At end: "Given at Ripen in Jutland, on the 24 day of the Moneth of December, in the year of our Lord God 1658." Reproduction of original in the Harvard University Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. EEBO-TCP is a partnership between the Universities of Michigan and Oxford and the publisher ProQuest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by ProQuest via their Early English Books Online (EEBO) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). The general aim of EEBO-TCP is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic English-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in EEBO. EEBO-TCP aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the Text Encoding Initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). The EEBO-TCP project was divided into two phases. The 25,363 texts created during Phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 January 2015. Anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. Users should be aware of the process of creating the TCP texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. Text selection was based on the New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature (NCBEL). If an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in NCBEL, then their works are eligible for inclusion. Selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. In general, first editions of a works in English were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably Latin and Welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. Image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. Quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in Oxford and Michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet QA standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. After proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. Any remaining illegibles were encoded as s. Understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of TCP data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. Users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a TCP editor. The texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the TEI in Libraries guidelines. Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Dano-Swedish Wars, 1657-1660. Prussia (Germany) -- History -- Frederick William, the Great Elector, 1640-1688 -- Sources. Prussia (Germany) -- Foreign relations -- Sweden. 2006-12 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2006-12 Aptara Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2007-01 Robyn Anspach Sampled and proofread 2007-01 Robyn Anspach Text and markup reviewed and edited 2007-02 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion A LETTER Written by his Highness The PRINCE ELECTOR of BRANDENBOVRGH , Unto his most Serene and Illustrious HIGHNES RICHARD LORD PROTECTOR Of the Common-wealth of England , Scotland , and Ireland , with the Territories and Dominions thereunto belonging . DENOTING Their Highness's joynt-Interest in the protecting and Defending of the Reformed Protestant Cause ; and the Swedes converting of those Forces , and means which they receive from England , and their other Allyes , for the propagating of the Protestant Cause : towards the compassing of their own ambitious ends , the subverting of the Protestant Churches , and the disturbing of the publike Peace in all parts . Translated into English out of the Latine Copy Printed at Hamborough . In the Year MDCLXIX . Most Serene , and Illuctrious Prince , Lord , and Honoured Friend , EVer since it seemed good to the Almighty to permit the pure Evangelical Doctrine to be profest in England ; the Protestant Churches abroad , especially the Reformed ones , have at all times , in their greatest Adversities and Persecutions , rhere met with a signal Reception , and assistance ; which is manifest to the whole world , and both the French and Netherlandish Nations , do most gratefully acknowledge , and cannot sussiciently praise for the same . Wherefore being fallen into these infortunate times , wherein the Protestant Cause ( as well in relation to the Ecclesiastical as Temporal affairs ) seems not only to be disturbed , but even subverted in these parts , by the Protestant Professors themselves . And pondering upon the remedies necessary towards the preventing of such eminent Evils ; We could not chuse but reflect upon your Highness , whose Father of glorious Memory , having imparted unto us by his Publike Minister , the share he bore , joyntly with us , in the concernments of the Protestant Professors , and Churches , not doubting but your Highness retains the same inclinations and thoughts , We have the more confidently adventured , during these Publike Calamities , to treat with you theron , and as well joyntly by the Envoy , which we have designed towards your Highness , as by these our Letters , to impart our minde unto you , lest by the retardment of the one or the other , the Pubilke good might be prejudiced . Your Highness cannot be ignorant , that this present King of Sweden entred upon a war , some 3 years since , against the Polanders ; with a pretence , and under a colour ( amongst other things ) to promote the Protestant Cause in those parts ; though the success thereof proved no other , save The reducing of some hundreds of Protestant Churhes into ashes ; The destroying of an infinite number of Protestant Families ; the dispersing and dissolving of several Protestant Congregations , and the exposing of the Professors of the Divine Gospel Truths , to all kinde of Ignominie and Infamie . Insomuch , as since the memory of man , the Protestant concernments in those parts , never met with a greater destruction , and desolation ; no not under the Papistical Governments , as under that pretended Patron , and Defender of the Protestant Cause . Neither did these Evils terminate within the Confines of Poland ; but the aforesaid King , did ( among others ) involve the Prince of Transilvania in the like Calamities , and reduced that most zealous Prince for the true Protestant Cause , unto such a pass , as that he was in danger to lose his whole Country , as well as his good Subjects , their Livelyhoods , and Subsistances , for the Liberty of their Consciences . And that it may more evidently appear , t he said King aims not et Heaven , but the World , coveting to have the Dominion of the Land , as well as to Lord it at Sea ; He did finally set upon the King of Denmark , contrary to the Faith which was plighted , and the Peace which was made by the Interposition , Endeavours , and Authority of your Highness's Father , without any foregoing Declaration , or Warning ; a thing which is observed even amongst the Heathens ; assailing a Prince who is a strict Professor and observer of the Protestant Faith , at such an unexspected time , when he was deprived of all his Guarrisons and strong Holds , and did not in the least suspect , much less dream of such a kinde of proceeding , by reason of the immediate proceeding peace , procured by the endeavours of so many Friends , and at so great a disadvantage to the King of Denmark . In like manner the Duke of Curland , did sadly experiment the effects of these like proceedings ; One who is a Lutheran , of the same Confession , which the King of Sweden professeth , and by his solemn Oath , will only tollerate in his Dominions ; Yet nevertheless after the said Duke had conferred so great Benefits on the Swedes , as that he thereby became suspected to his Lord , the King of Poland ; even after he had made his Capitulations for his Neutrality with them , he was by an unheard of example , and by a stratagem cast out of his habitation , and together with his most Illustrious Lady Dutchess , ann seven Children , carried away Captives to Riga . And as he cannot by the Holy Writ warrant the not sparing of those of his own Profession , when he sees an opportunity to seize their Lands and Goods ; in like manner his Zeal , and Vehemency moves him , to impose Laws on the Protestant Reformed Professors , in matters of their belief , and to force their Consciences in Divine concernments , by his Proceedings against them ; an evident Testimony whereof is most apparent at Elbing , wherein we the rather instance , because it may best be known in England ; in which place those of the Reformed profession , at their being under a Papist King , did enjoy the free exercise of their Religion ; But at present , the Lutheran Supravisor , being placed there as a wrack to the Consciences of those who are minded to take the Ministry upon themselues , doth enforce them by an unheard of example , to approve his Confession , and to obey him in matters of Religion ; depriving likewise the Civil Magistrate , ( who are all for the most part of the Reformed profession ) of the Right and Priviledg which is due to them in the like Cases ; especially in the ordaining of Ministers : Not permitting the Administration of the Communion , according to the Form of the Reformed Protestant Churches , save unto strangers of the English Nation , at the request of the English Resident . Moreover his vehemency is so great against the rest of the Reformed professors , as that to the prejudice of Men , and Gods glory , The psalms of David , which for several years were sung in their Churches ( and ought not only to be free unto , but enjoyned all Men ) are totally expunged out of the Church . These things being maturely considered ; we cannot be induced to believe , that your Highness , ( as the Swedes do boast will afford them relief , and assist them to carry on their unlawful designes , since they abound and proceed with so much violence , and injustice ; converting their own Means , and Forces , and the assistances which they receive from others , to the prejudice , Ruine , and utter detriment of the Church ; and to the disturbing of the publike peace in all parts . And as we have been informed , these implacable Enemies of the Protestant Religion , make use of the pretence of Religion , and urge , that their designe is against the Catholicks , and chiefly against the House of Austria , who should have an intent to master the Ports of the Baltick Sea , as they most malitiously give out ; and do even slander us , in that we should have made a League with the Catholikes against the Protestants . But as all men know , the War is waged between the Danes and the Swedes , both of them , of the Evangelical Profession ; and if the Emperor will not permit the Swedes to deprive the King of Denmark , and himself of Holstein , ( which is an unquestionable part of the German Empire , and whereof he is the Supream Lord ) but by the Forces which he hath sent doth hinder the same , doth he any thing thereby , save what belongs to a good , pious , and Christian Prince ? and should he omit the same , would he not be guilty of deserting the defence of his Territories , and the neglect of that duty which is committed to him by God ? And if we , as a Member , do assist him the Head , herein , in each others defence , do we any thing hereby but our duty ? and might we not be accused of deserting our Countreys defence should we not joyn therein ? These , and no other , are the Austrian , and our Intentions , and Resolutions ; and if happily there chance to be any other Dissentions between the House of Austria , and other Kings , States , and Commonwealths , they relate not at all to this business ; nor do the like contentions , which others may have with the House of Austria , concern the Roman Empire , and its Chief : Nor is it just that any obstacles should be made , on this account , as Impediments to these so pious , honest , and necessary Endeavours . For it is so far from the Intentions of his Imperial Majesty , to deprive any one of their Ports , or Havens , as that he doth not so much as lay claim to the least part of any of them ; He hath sent his Forces to restore unto the right owners , that which belongs unto them ; not to bereave them of their goods , or possessions : An instance whereof may appear by the Isle of Alsen , not so soon taken from the Swedes , as restored to the King of Denmark , its true Lord and owner ; that he might take the Defence thereof upon himself , that so those commodious Ports and Haveus , which are so advantagiously seated on the Baltick Sea ; might only be impowred , and defended by Danish Guarrisons . And what needs there any further contest of words hereon ? come we to the matter it self ; Let the King of Sweden therefore restore that which he hath unjustly and violently taken ; Let him make amends for the Losses which we and others have sustained by his means : Let him give security that he will not henceforth invade others , as he hath lately done the Poles , the Danes , and the Curlander : and we shall in like manner take care , that none of the Emperors , or of the associated Forces shall at any time be brought into the Field , or made use of against any of the Neghbouring , or other ports whatsoever . Nor shall they need to fear the least obstruction in the Trade from these parts ; since it concerns us chiefly , that the Commerce be free , incouraged , and augmented ; Neither do we see how all this can be compassed by any speedier means , save , That all things be restored to the same state and condition as they were before the beginning of all these Danish troubles ; which is the thing we shall mainly endeavour to compasse . But with what impudence can the Swedes blemish us for having entred into a League with the Catholikes ? since they have done the same with the French ; unless they accuse them also of the like Heretical abominations , which they themselves seem to abhor : and I pray , what kinde of Evangelical profession can those boast of , who whilst they inveigh against the Papistical purgatory ( which we know through Gads Grace is not able to hurt any one ) do in the mean while exercise all the unwarrantablest proceedings imaginable against the said protestant Churches , and the Members thereof ? and what part or share of the Gospel , can those appropriate to themselves , who , both with Fire and Sword , have prosecuted , if not well nigh subverted , both Poland , Denmark , and one of the not least contemptiblest parts of Germany ? and who , whilst they condemn those good works , which the Papists account requisite towards the attaining unto Salvation ; do live and act in such a manner , as if Heaven and eternal Glory were only to be acquir'd by sinning , and committing of horrid Actions ? Moreover , what share can they pretend unto the Name of Christians , who commit those things , whereby the Gentiles , and Heathens ( who are most careful in keeping and observing their promises ) may now , as well as formerly , alleadge , to the great dishonor of the Christian appellation ; That they can only boast themselves to be Christians by their Treachery , and perfidiousness . Wherefore it only remains , That we implore , and beseech your Highness , as you have a regard unto the Glory of God , the welfare of the Church , the love of Justice , the common Tye of Friendship , and our joynt protestant reformed profession , that in case you be sollicited , and importuned to allow the Swedes assistance , and relief ; You may be pleased to penetrate into their Actions , and to be moved by these foregoing Holy Inducements , rather to choose to help , and stand by the oppressed ; then the oppressors : whereby , as your Highness cannot put a greater Obligation upon us , and all those who love , and endeavour the welfare of the true Protestant Cause ; so can you not do a more acceptable service to God ; unto whose Proiection we commit you . Given at Ripen in Iutland , on the 24 day of the Moneth of December , in the year of our Lord God 1658 .