A RELATION OF A NEW LEAGVE MADE BY THE EMPEROR of GERMANY, with other Princes, Potentates and States Catholic, against the Enemies of the Roman CATHOLICK-RELIGION, WITH The Names of those Princes. AS ALSO, The true Numbers, both of Horse and Foot, which every one of them offereth to set forward so great a Design. Unto which is added the Copy of a Letter sent by the King of Spain to Pope URBINE the 8. Printed according the Spanish Copy set forth at Madrill. Unto all which is likewise added: The Discovery of a New Spanish Armado, threatening with Fire and Sword to Invade ENGLAND.  
Printed for Mercurius Britannicus. 1626.   

A RELATION OF THE League, made by the Emperor of Germany, with other Princes, Potentates, and States Catholic, against the Enemies of the Roman-Catholick-Religion.  
A Novelty of so high a nature as this is, (in which all Christendom, or the greatest part of it, standeth interessed) should not Present itself to the world, without the Noble attendance of Probability and Possibility, the one to confirm the Truth, the other to enable the Action: Both which (to clear understanding eyes) are Waiters upon this.  
For if we consider the Hate which the Spaniard and his Colleagues bear to our Kingdom; It is a likelihood sufficient to persuades us, that he is preparing Forces: and if we look, but upon his Indian treasure, his Command over several Kingdoms, his Armies in several places, and the desires which his Subjects have to set footing in our Country, we may find strong arguments of his Possibility, to begin an Invasion, or any attempt else.  
But because our Nation, are not apt to fear any Spanish danger (how loud soever it speaks) unless they hear it roaring at their doors; It will be no great loss of time, to listen to this short Story, which the Spaniard relates (to this purpose) in his own haughty Language.  

The Spanish Relation.  
BLessings from Heaven, and good wishes on Earth, be ever attendant on All those, who are zealous in the service of GOD, and the Christian Common-good: as also, on this League United together by the Emperor, and celebrated with all the Rites in Brussels before the most Excellent INFANTA, both in regard of the Authority, which her Altezza (or Highness) hath in that City, as also, for the Situation, honour, and commodity of the place.  
And albeit, I am well assured, that his Imperial Majesty, hath with much deliberation and wisdom, made trial in his judgement of all those things which are comprehended in this League; yet notwithstanding (as well to satisfy myself as to discharge the duty belonging to my place, which I hold under his Catholic Majesty) I will briefly set down my knowledge in this great Business, because happily, some may gather the fruit of experience from it, as the Bee sucks Honey out of a bitter Flower.  
First then, it hath been held a matter of great importance, that in this League should be comprehended, his Holiness, the Majesty's Imperial and Catholic, all the Princes of the House of Austria, the Catholic Electors, all the chief Princes, Potentates, and republics Catholic, in Germany, Italy, Flaunders, etc. well affected to the Sea Apostolical, and to their Majesties. Herein showing a desire to sow Peace, Quietness and justice, amongst all those States, over which God hath placed them, thereby to establish a new League everlasting and hereditary, as Friends to Friends, and Enemies to Enemies, with Penal clauses and other necessary Particulars.  
Secondly, that this League should be published and declared by Ambassadors or Agents, (Ordinary or Extraordinary) to all other Kings, Princes, Potentates, and States, which are Friends, albeit not well affected, or being of another Religion. For this must work one of these two Things; either they must send to this Diet (or Assembly) and enter as the rest do into the League upon the same Conditions; or if they refuse so to do, then are they to be excluded and barred from any benefit which by the League may arise, and so be branded with the Notes, marks, and blemishes of Obstinacy, and evil Hearts, they of the League hereby having just cause given them, to beware of such people.  
Concerning Trade and Commerce, betwixt those of the League, their Friends, Subjects and Vassals; the same liberty shall be given them which heretofore they have had without Exception, and without any new Customs, Impositions or other Duties, than those necessary Payments which must be dispended to fight against Rebels and known Enemies.  
What Occurrent, fact, or difference soever shall happen between any of the Colleagued Princes, or any of their Subjects; it shall be ended and taken up by the Sovereign Prince to whom the acknowledgement thereof doth appertain, or by him, who with consent of the rest of the League, or the major part, shall be held fit to decide it: and what sentence he sets down shall peremptorily stand, upon pain of being Expulsed from the Society of the League, or to feel the sharpness of their Indignation.  
The Pope, Emperor, every King, Prince, Potentate, and State, which enters into this League, shall give the Number of such Forces (Horse and Foot) which willingly they intent to furnish; aswell those which they have already raised, and paid in their own Kingdoms and Territories, as of any other Troops, which they are to raise with all expedition and at their proper Charges, upon any occasion whatsoever, to the due observance of the League, which is confederated together for Three special ends.  
1 The first, to Conserve Peace, Justice and Amity, amongst the Colleagues, and to Chastise any one that falls off, and doth not accomplish what he promiseth.  
2 The second, to prevent, curb and bridle any other Prince, (albeit not one of the League) whensoever he offers to Invade, directly or indirectly, any of the Confederate Princes.  
3 Thirdly, to make quick War upon the Common Enemy, as Rebels, Turks, Moors, Tartars, etc. Provided there be a general Consent so to have it done.  
Now, to show, that for every Prince to deliver up the Number of all such men, as he hath already levied and paid, (or the greater part of them) can be to him no danger or loss, but rather a most assured safety and profit. And it is first to be considered, that none of them can receive any harm, seeing they have the like interest whether they maintain their men within or without their State. Secondly, concerning the peril, it is certain that levying in their ordinary Garrisons, for the time that may be necessary some expert Commanders, and diverse skilful Soldiers, which ever any Prince used to have without pay only for his defence, they cannot therefore run into any peril or danger.  
Now, for the third point which is Safety, It is plain, that whensoever any Stranger shall attempt to wrong any of the Confederated Princes, who punctually have delivered all or part of such Forces as by them are levied; It is most certain (and so resolved upon) that All the rest shall take his part, and defend him by such means, as in their best judgements shall be held fit.  
Hereupon it is inferred, that if in the beginning of those troubles and Calamities, which set Germany, Flaunders, Italy, and France on fire, there had been such another League with a ready and faithful Intelligence passing between those Christian Princes, which were truly just, and religiously given; Then, it had kept the Germans from Revolting, the Bohemians, Transilvanians, Hollanders, and Palatinate from Rebelling; neither, had the Venetians ever so much as dreamt of an Invasion to be made upon the Emperor's Towns; no, nor had the Savoyans and French, put on Arms first against Mantua, and then against Genoa, wounding (in both these times) the Subjects of his Catholic Majesty; Neither, had the French and Venetians, spotted their Names with such infamous reproaches, for Tearing from his Holiness the Valtoline, which upon the Accord, and engagement of the Christian King himself, was delivered up in trust to the hands of his Holiness: Nay more, those other infinite Insolences, Sacrileges, and Inhumanities' (which for modesty's sake I bury in silence) had never been so barbarously committed, to the shedding of so much Innocent blood, the loss of so much wealth, and utter ruin of so much noble Reputation.  
Great hope therefore there is, that such a number of Christian Princes, entering together into this Holy League, there will follow not only an amendment of Abuses past, but a prevention of many Evils to come. It being held for certain, that when this League is fully published and made known, all the Opposites against it, shall never be able to beget a second Combination (amongst themselves) of sufficient Power to contest or contend against the Fourth part of this.  

Here followeth the Number both of the Foot and Horse, (Infantry and cavalry) levied and set forth by the under-named Princes.  
THe Pope in regard of the Church's Estate, doth offer 1000 Horse, and 8000. Foot.  
The Emperor, in regard of all his States 4000 Horse, and 20000 Foot.  
The Catholic King of Spain, in regard of all his Command in Spain, Italy, and Flanders, 8000. Horse, 20000. Foot.  
The King of Poland, 2000 Horse, and 4000 Foot.  
The Archduke Leopold, 500 Horse, and 3000. Foot.  
The Elector of Colleyne, 500 horse, and 3000 foot.  
The Elector of Mentz, 500 horse, and 400. foot.  
The Elector of Trever, 500 horse, and 3000. foot.  
The Duke of Baviere, 400. horse, and 3000. foot.  
The Duke of Saxony (who is a Friend) 400. Horse, and 3000. Foot.  
The Archbishop of Sarzburg, 300. horse and 1000 foot.  
The Duke of Newburg, 500 horse, and 2000 foot.  
The great Duke of Florence, 1000 horse and 3000. foot.  
The Duke of Parma, 300. horse, and 1000 foot.  
The Duke of Mantua, 300. horse, and 1000 foot.  
The Duke of Modena, 300. horse, and 1000 foot.  
The Duke of Urbine, 300. horse, and 1000 foot.  
The State of Genoa, 1000 horse, and 4000 foot.  
The State of Luca, 300. horse, and 1000 foot.  
The Cantons Catholic of the Swissers, 2000 Horse.  
Which in all amount to 22100. Horse, and 87000. Foot: a number sufficient to work all the Effects before treated.   
But if at any time, occasion should call for a greater Army, every Prince is to bring in his proportionable number, according to the former agreement.  
So that upon any just cause, every Prince must send in his quantity of Artillery, Munition, & all other things necessary fitting those numbers, which he furnisheth.  
Then, that his Holiness, with those Kings and Princes, who are furnished with Galleys, Ships, or other Defences by Sea, shall be ready with them upon any occasion offered, according to that Rate to which they bind themselves.  
Also, that the Princes of the League shall with one consent (advisedly to be taken) Elect a General out of all this assembly, who shall be a man of Quality, Valour, and Experience sufficient.  
By this means, the divine Majesty will assist and Crown this holy Enterprise, It tending only to his glory and the Exaltation of his holy Name; as also, for the general Peace and Concord, of the whole Christian world, and withal to Bridle and Confound all malicious, turbulent, and ill-affected Spirits.   

Printed at Seville with Authority, by Simon Fajardo, etc.    

The Copy of a Letter from the Catholic Majesty of our Lord the King, to our holy Father the Pope, VRBANE the VIII.  
HOly Father: I received your Letters of the 12. of the last Month, which your Holiness sent me by the Post who came from Urbine and Poland to Milan. In answer of which, I say, that before I received them, I was well advertised & sufficiently informed, of all the Novelties therein set down, and of all those things which are comprehended in the League; for they have been many days about it, to mould it, and reduce it into Form, (as in my writings dated the 6. of November,) I have made it appear to your Holiness. Let them perform the best of their power, & do what they can, yet your Holiness knows, that God is able to effect much more: and I for my part (his divine Arm assisting me) will (as I am bound) do my utmost in defence of the Catholic Faith, as my Forefathers have done before me.  
In Milan and Naples, I have commanded my Governors to join their Forces, to divert the Intentions of those Heretics which live there, and to appoint the Rendezvous in the State of Milan.  
Be your Holiness assured, that if you have occasion to use them, you may; for albeit, I give no Cause to have war made upon me, yet (though their numbers be but small) they have good hearts, so that God in behalf of the Church, will be on their side and assist them.  
The Horse and Foot amount to 80000. men, and if this be not sufficient, I have given order to the Duke of Feria, to Advise me with speed, who instantly and personally shall hasten to mend it; albeit it be done with a small number of Men, part of them to be levied out of these Kingdoms of Spain, which shall rise to 80000. more.  
By this means your Holiness may both see & know the Obedience of such a Son, and I the way to serve so holy a Father, whom God prosper, and guard, for the Augmentation of the Holy Faith as the Catholic Church hath need, and I desire.  
Madrid, etc.   

THus fare our warlike News, of Confederations and Vnitings so many Princes in a Holy League (as themselves christian it) has betrayed itself to you in English, which so perfectly and boastingly before spoke nothing but Spanish.  
And to strengthen this Report, here is another Confirmation sent by a friend out of Spain, to his acquaintance in London, in this manner.  
Sir, albeit I make no doubt but that the extraordinary preparations of the Spanish Fleet, are by Letters arrived in England, yet by reason of the frequent hover of the Spanish here in Marseilles, I presume, you cannot meet a more exact knowledge of the Particulars, than these which I send you, holding myself bound to acquaint you with the Truth.  
The certain place of their intended Invasion, is not published; but common muttering whispers in our Ears, that it is for England, Ireland, and the Netherlands, yet some suspect, it is against the Venetians. But leaving that, be pleased to cast your Eye on these Particulars following, which are accounted here for truths, and so we receive them.  
Galleasses 200. Ships built after the English fashion 120. Hulks 020. Pinks 020. Catches 020. In all 330. Land Soldiers 60000. Noblemen and Gentlemen being 8000. Voluntaries 8000. Sailors 13000. Great Pieces of Ordnance 70. Poisoned Bullets for Ordnance 47000. Hollow Bullets filled with wildfire 20000. Muskets and Caleevers 12000. Partisans 1000  
Besides double Cannons, field Pieces: dry-fats filled with old Nails, and broken Iron, store of Carriages: necessaries for Sea and Land, without number, three thousand Spears, Armours of Musket-proofe, Wines, Biscuits, Bacon, Cheese, Beef, Rice, Beanes, Pease, Oil, Lamps, Pipes for fresh water, Torch's, Candles, Lanterns, Hides, large Hogsheads, Wheelbarrows, Wheels, Spades, Mattocks, Shovels, Galthrops, Baskets, Boygh-ropes innumerable, and thirty thousand Pikes pointed with Iron.  
The Commanders of this Fleet are to meet with Spinola, who is to be General of the Forces.  
With Spinola, come Tyrone, and the Earl of Argile, with a great number of Horses, and are to be transported in flat Boats.  
The Duke of Savoy his Son is Admiral of the Spanish, Sir Robert Dudley Rear Admiral: Sir Griffin Markham, and Sir William Stanley Colonels of the Regiments, and one Nevil who terms himself Earl of Westmoreland, hath likewise a great command.  
There are lately arrived at Lisbon twenty armed Elephants from Persia, for what employment 'tis incertain.  
And this is the most remarkable News of this Fleet; of which the Turk is so jealous, that he stands upon his guard.  
With so much does a Letter sent from Marseilles acquaint us, but from Malaga come these tidings. That there was never such warlike provision and preparation as is now in Spain: Wine, Oil, and Vinegar to a great quantity, being made ready with ten thousand barrels of small shot, a thousand Kintals, six thousand Breames, or Bottles, six thousand Baskets for pioneers, with an incredible number of Spades, Shovels, Scoops, and Mattocks, with powder and wildfire.  
From Dunkirk and other places in the Net herlands under the King of Spain, are expected eighty ships to be aiders in this great Expedition.  

Of Spanish Ships, these are provided.  In Avero 20. In Valencia 20. In Lisbon 20. In Guinny 50. In Cales and Avero Poole 20. In Saint Sebastian's 20. In Naples 40. In Barcelon 50.  240.  
Malaga thus (as Marseilles did before) having thundered out her story of uproars and threatened devastation: Here steps in a third Trumpeter, and proclaims other news, sounding as harshly as the former.  
Don Frederick of Toledo is general of the Army by Sea, and the marquis by land, who hath vowed to lay his bones in England.  
The General of the Cavalry, is Don Carolo of Columbo: Commissions being granted to levy three thousand Horse, aswell Burgonians, as Lorrainers, and some out of Luremberg.  
If the Peace be made in Italy, the greatest part of these Forces, are to go by Sea, and so to fall into the Spanish Army, which is to set forth on the first of july.  

Spanish Leaders and their Companies.  Don john of Fuentes hath a Regiment of ten Companies. Don Ferdinando of Arragon 10. Don Diego of 10. Colonel Bayard 10. marquis of Beluedore 10.  
Three hundred men being in every Company, which in the five Regiments, amount to 15000. besides two other Regiments, the names of whose Colonels, I have forgotten; so that the whole Army consisteth of one and twenty thousand.  

Italian Leaders.  Pedro Aldobrandino Companies 10. marquis of Gonzales 10. Pedro of Gonzales 10. Don Carolo Spinola commands all the Italians.  
The common rumour is, that they intent their course for Ireland; but the most knowing, say for England, the Dunkirk (as it is reported) having sownded all the Sea-coast, and assuring them an entrance free from all danger.  
Amongst all the Engines and warlike furniture, which comes alongwith them, they also bring store of Ovens, and Mils made of Iron or Brass, and will make their issue by the motion of wheels, on which they are mounted.  
Thus this great Archer of the World (whose Bow reacheth from the East to the West Indies, and whose string is twisted together by the Hands and Hearts of Confederated Kings and Princes) shoots his Arrows at this our Kingdom of England, making account to come and clean the glory of it, and then to march back into Spain as a Triumphant Conqueror.  
This Nimrod is a mighty Hunter, and by his good will, would strike down none but whole Nations: Havoc he cries what Park so ever he comes into; and the goodlier the Herds are, the more cruelly does he scatter them. Millions of poor murdered Indians being the Trophies of his bloody Shambles.  
But as the beginning of the first Nimrods' Kingdom, was Babel, so the end of this second (Gods Almighty Arm tumbling down the buildings of his Ambition) shall be Confusion.  
What though five King's complot, combine, and incorporate their Forces in One, to fight against josua? Let not us fear, but send up our Cries to Heaven, as the Men of Gibeon (a great and Royal City) sent theirs to josua, even to the Host at Gilgall, and as they to Him, so let us call to God, and say, Withdraw not thy Hand from thy Servants; Come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us; for all the Kings of the Amorites (Spinolized and Spaniolized Tyrants) thine and our Enemies, which dwell in the Mountains, are gathered together against us.  
We must shake off our sins when we do thus, and not cry with a faint and distrusting voice that he will not hear us, for if we speak to him as we ought to do, He himself will say thus to our joshua; Fear them not, for I have given them into thine hand: None of them shall stand against thee.  
And as the Lord kept his Word with Him, so will he with us: He will smite these Colleagued Enemies to his Truth and Gospel, even to Azekah, and Makkedah, (their Gibraltars and Magellanes) and as they are chased to Beth-horon (into Spain) he will (for their poisoned Bullets prepared to shoot at us) cast down great stones from Heaven upon them, until more dye by that hail, then by the sword.  
Then shall these Confederated Kings of jerusalem, Hebron, jarmuth, Lachish and Eglon, fly to their Caves (their Spanish Dens) until the Chief Men of this our Israel by our Ioshua's command, fetch them forth to set their feet upon the necks of such insolent Insulter's.  
Shall I read to you, another story of comfort? Harken then to it.  
When Benhadad the King of Aram, had assembled all his Army, with two and thirty Kings to assist him, having great numbers both of Horses and warlike Chariots, he besieged Samaria; and sending a disdainful message to Ahab King of Israel, thus he commanded those that went to terrify him, Tell Ahab (quoth he) that thy gold is Mine, also thy women and thy fair Children are Mine; or else, I will send my servants unto thee (as the King of Spain would now his janissaries into England) and they shall search thine House, and the Houses of thy Servants, and whatsoever is pleasing in thine eyes, they shall take it in their hands, and bring it away.  
But Ahab taking Counsel of the Elders, did at the second sending, refuse to part from any thing.  
Hereupon Benhadad in a rage fell a raving, and said, The Gods do so to me, and more also, if the dust of Samaria, be enough to all the people that follow me, for every man a handful.  
Poor Samaria was now in a terrible fear, Benhadad roared, Israel trembled: but God casting an Eye of Compassion upon their Calamities, and an Eye of Scorn on the others tyrannies, sent a Prophet to Ahab, who told him this good tidings (after one Army overthrown by Ahab the year before) I will deliver this great multitude into thy hands again, and ye shall know that I am the Lord.  
His word was true, the children of Israel stood in the field in the day of Battle like two little flocks of Kids, but the Aramites covered the whole Country: yet the poor Handful had the victory: the Sheep beat the Lions, and slew in that day a hundred thousand Aramites (all footmen.)  
It is not Number that prevails, but goodness of the Cause. When justice guards the Standard, Safety is General of the Field.  
No matter what proud defiance, a daring Philistine throws into our faces, there is an Arm Omnipotent can direct a Pebble-stone (being but put into a Sling) to stick in the Giant's forehead, both to strike him dead, and confound the whole Army that comes along with him.  
Regard not the Braves of a blaspheming Rabshecay sent from Senacherib King of Ashur, to the Cities of juda, For a voice from the mouth of the God of Hosts, shall come to an Hezekiah, saying thus much. As for Ashur, He shall not enter into this City, nor shoot an Arrow at it, nor come before it with a Shield, nor cast a Mount against it; but he shall return the way he came, and shall not come into this City. What followed upon this comfortable promise? The same night, the Angel went out, and smote in the Camp of Ashur, one hundred fourscore and five thousand men.  
Senacherib escaped from the slaughter, but not from God's vengeance; for afterwards, as in his Temple be was worshipping Nisrech (his God) Adramelech, and Sharezer his own Sons, slew him with the sword.  
Many Examples to this purpose may be brought into the Field, of infinite Armies, of Idolatrous Nations fight against juda and Israel, and yet were then still (so long as they held in with God) by weak and wasted troops confounded.  
For, God hath still a Red Sea to stand up an end on either side of Moses and the Israelites like a double Brazen wall to guard his people, but to fall down in rough billows, to overwhelm Pharaoh and his Host.  
Yet we must not presume too much upon God's favour, as if we were his only Darlings, and all other Nations, Castaways. No there is no such excellence in us, that he should dote upon our beauty, which is nothing else but a loathsome Deformity.  
We have been scourged lately, with one of David's whips, but the Beating is forgotten, and therefore we were best take heed, lest this second Rod draws blood indeed. Our sins are in our hearts, when our swords are in our hands, and the mustering of the One, frights us from striking with the other. Turn away the first, and God will teach us how to turn the second upon the bosoms of our Enemies.  
It is folly to go into the field to fight, unless God sends out his Priest, to have us serve under his Colours: Let us take his pay and we must needs prove Noble Soldiers: Every Englishman make but peace with his own Conscience, and be careful that it betrays him not, and he needs not fear any Spanish Invasion.  
Spanish Invasion! These Thunderings and Lightnings, may be but Terrors talked of, and not seen: or if seen, not certainly aiming where to do mischief: they may hurt others sooner then Us: These Spanish Canons, happily carry no Bullets in them, but give only a false fire.  
These Rumours and tumors, Whirlwinds, Uproars and Combustions, filling the Christian World with Amazement, and us with expectation of some dreadful Monster to be presented to all wondering eyes, may perchance bring forth only That ridiculous Mouse, of which the Mountains were so long in labour.  
It is well, if it be so: The Beati Pacifici is a string which makes heavenly Music in a Kingdom.  
Yet, if we lift up our heads, to observe what eyes the Spaniard casts at us, and what good Prayers he shoots after us; Wisdom may soon persuade, that he does not love us; if not love us, we are not to trust Him, (albeit he lies still) no more than to trust a sleeping Lion or a Mastiff: and therefore (not to dandle ourselves too much upon the knees of security) let us rouse up our English Spirits, and be armed, against this spotted Beast do come, albeit he be not coming, lest with his paws he tear us in pieces, when we are not provided for his dreadful Encounters.  
Spanish Bulls are fierce at the stake, and worse lose, and although in Madrill, Seville, and others Cities, they bait them for pleasure, in England they would yield no such pastime. If Fame therefore, hath taught her thousand Tongues to tell Truth, and that these Castilian Echoes mock us not with Lies, Is it not high time for every man to gird his loins with the sword, and to fight God's Battle, for this Quarrel is against Him?  
If this holy League be knit together, to tear Anointed Kings, out of their hereditary thrones, and to turn Nations out of their Native Countries; It is not a Holy, but a Devilish League: A Confederacy of unclean Spirits: An Union of Discord, and Hellish Music.  
Let those then, who have commands over Narrow Seas (whose Nursing Arms most lovingly embrace our Kingdom's body, busy themselves in their Navall-military Preparations; whilst they on Land muster together to guard our Kingdom's Heart.  
Let our English Nobles give Heroical Confrontations to the Spanish Grandees and Dons: the Gentry hearten on the Commons, and the Commons go with cheerful faces, against this Enemy, as their Forefathers have done, when they fetched Honour from other Countries.  
Whilst the Divine prays at home, for success abroad: whilst the Lawyer spends some of his Golden Fees, to the maintenance of Soldiers, in so glorious a war: whilst Citizens open bounteous Purses, (though they go not in Person) to defend themselves, and Countrymen: whilst the strong run to fight, and the weak look to their Houses at home: whilst the Rich empty their bags, to maintain the poor Soldiers in good clothes and wholesome diet: Nay, whilst even the very Blind and Lame (when they can do nothing else) send up their hearty wishes to Heaven (night and day) to crown our Land with Conquest, to confound all bloody and execrable Confederations with ruin and shame, and to send home this second Armipotent Armado (if any such there be) in Tempests, Whirlwinds and Wracks, as that was in Eighty eight. To which all true hearted Englishmen will cry Amen.  
FINIS.