THE CAUSES FOR WHICH The most high and mighty Prince and Lo: LORD GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS Of the Swedes, Goths, and Vandals King, Great Prince of Finland, Duke of Esthonia and Carelia, and Lord of Ingria, Is at length constrained to move with an Army into Germany.  
Translated out of the Latin Copy.  
LONDON: Printed for Nath. Butter, and Nicholas Bourne. 1631.   

The Causes for which the most high and mighty Prince and Lord, LORD GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS Of the Swedes, Goths, and Vandals King, Great Prince of Finland, Duke of Esthonia and Carelia, and Lord of Ingria, Is at length constrained to move with an Army into Germany.  
'tIs an old saying, No man has peace longer than he please his enemy. How true it is, his Majesty of Swedeland these late years hath had experience, and yet daily has, to his great damage. For although since his reign, he has not been more careful of any thing, than to conserve love & amity with all his neighbours, and specially the States of Germany, whereby peace and tranquillity might flourish every where, commerce and other Trades in time of peace be put in use for the benefit of each Nation, yet could he not obtain any thing, but that greater treacheries were plotted against him year by year, by those disturbers of the common Peace, which had with fire and sword wasted almost all Germany. His Majesty indeed was long since advised, and that not by a few of the States of Germany, that he should look to himself betimes, while the fire was yet burning in high Germany; and should not expect they would be ere a whit more friendly to him if they came nearer: but that he should presently take arms, come into Germany, and by a joint power help to quench the flame: being assured, his own house was in danger, if his neighbours were on fire. Neither did his Majesty want then, either a good occasion; the imitation of the inhabitants, the instigation of foreigners: or a just cause; his friends and confederates oppressed, who so earnestly required his aid and secure. Yet because he always hoped, they would at length be more moderate, than so madly to insult on his poor harmless neighbourhood; measuring their actions by his own disposition, he chose rather to commend his own welfare awhile to God's goodness, and the uprightness of his own conscience, than to do any thing rashly or unadvisedly.  
But when Anno 1626. in those wars between him and the King and Kingdom of Polonia, he went into Prusia a province of that Kingdom, and began more nearly to observe, what he might promise himself of those Incendiaries of Germany: he than found the advice of his friends was true, and the nearer his enemies came to the provinces bordering on the Baltique Sea, the more and greater every day occasions of quarrel were still picked against him. For first the same year against the law of Nations, they intercepted and broke open his Majesty's packet to the Prince of Transylvania, put the Messenger in prison, and to get his Majesty's ill will, published his Letters in a forged translation. Then, when there was good hope of composing those long controversies between Sweden and Poland by friendly treaties; Commissioners of each Kingdom meeting year by year: yet those turbulent spirits so wrought by their Letters and Messengers, again and again into Poland, that there should be no peace with Swedeland, till they had worked their own ends in the Empire; hoping that the Princes of Germany being brought in subjection, the Pole would entreat their help for the subduing of Swedeland. And that they might be as good as their words, and by all means possible, weaken Swedeland and strengthen the Pole, they did not only hinder his Majesty of bringing men and munition out of Germany, and yet gave way to the Pole for the same, being his enemy: but also, when this seemed too little (for elsewhere and out of Germany itself in despite of them his Majesty had soldiers enough) presently the next year 1627. they sent the Duke of Holsteyn with a great Army against him into Prusia: and that not under his own or the Poles, but under the Emperor's Standard.  
Nor yet were they content with this hostitity, but to deprive the Kingdom of Sweden of all commerce with men, they not only unjustly spoilt his Majesty's poor subjects coming on the Germane shore to trade, taking away their commodities, and confiscating their Ships: but also did the same too by their agents at Lubeck and the other Hans-townes, under colour indeed to reserve those commodities for them only; but indeed, that they might take them from the subjects of the Kingdom of Swedeland, and so by this means get a Navy together, whereby they might belch out their venom upon the Baltique Sea: as the next year following they more openly made known under those monstrous titles of General of the Seas, and by possessing themselves as well of the inland places of strength, as of the Sea coast and ports of all Mechleburg and Pomerania.  
All which let a man, that can, think should have been put up, and to avoid meddling in other men's matters, might have been passed over, as long as they kept themselves in the Continent: but after that they made choice of the Soundt for harbour of their Piracy, and spread themselves upon the Sea: by how much 'twas a greater prejudice to all States that any way traded in those parts, by so much the less was it to be endured by the Kings of Swedeland: specially since the guard of those Seas have anciently belonged to those Kings.  
Now when his Majesty grew so much the warier, aswell by the consideration of these injuries, as the former advices of his friends, and the next spring again passed over into Prusia, thinking of nothing more, than to accommodate these inconveniences in a fair course: It happened that there came Ambassadors to his Majesty into Prusia from the Town of Stralsund, who grievously complained, that although their poor Town had committed nothing either against the Emperor, or Empire, or any State of the Empire, for which it was so fare from being ever cited or accused, or convicted, or condemned, that it was declared innocent by the Imperial decree, and assured of the raising of the Army that lay before it, notwithstanding such was the villainy of the enemy's army, that in derision of its innocence, in despite of the Imperial constitutions and privileges, in contempt of Arnheimbius truce made with those of Pomerland, in neglect of many other treaties of former times (by all which they thought they were most safely provided for) nor yet considering the unjust exaction and payment of so much money, gifts and presents, nor the breach of both religious and politic peace: notwithstanding all these, the said Army principally wasted the Country adjoining, built forts about the Town, surprised the Island Dehnholm lying over against the harbour, without any denouncing of hostility, and fortified it to their prejudice; blocked up all the passages forward and backward from the Continent into Rugia, from the Town into the continent; deluded the Citizens with many mock-treaties, commanded them Garrisons when they had been exhausted with huge payments, required their harbour and Ships and Ordnance: and when at length they were denied all these by the free City, they closely besieged the Town, and most unworthily persecuted it with fire and sword even to the last.  
When as then the Emperor's edicts took no place, the Duke of Pomerland forsook them, and they were given for lost by the Hans-townes: by the law of Nations, by virtue of their liberties, and after the example of their Ancestors, they being forced to entreat help from a foreign power, till this sudden tempest was overpast, they entertained, and but a while, the troops of the King of Denmark, being ready at hand, for the withstanding the furiousness of this first assault. And lest this afterward might prove prejudicial to them, as if they had joined with the Emperor's enemies, they had no other fairer or readier course, than to put their liberties under protection of the King of Swedeland as an indifferent and confederate Prince.  
His Maje. therefore of Swedeland, considering specially, that his friends could not now promise any good to themselves from the vast projects of so hostile an Army: with all observing that the request of this afflicted Town was grounded both on God and man's Law; and upon that bond of observance and neighbourhood, of the same religion and liberty, and free trade, wherein they were always devoted as to his predecessors the Kings and Kingdom of Swedeland, so unto himself: and lastly, in what danger not only himself, and the Kingdom of Swedeland, but all the neighbouring States be, if any private man's ambition should set up a Rendezvous for Pirates in this harbour: He could not by any mean refuse, but send aid to the oppressed, that so earnestly desired his helping hand, both for his friends and neighbour's sake, as also for his own safeguard and the public peace.  
By which resolution of his, though it came to pass, that both Caesar's edicts had their full authority; and the Baltique Sea was yet safe for all Nations that had any commerce with it; and the Town of Stralsund by means of Majesty's friendly mediation, was freed from the Garrisons of the King of Denmark (at that time being enemies) and was restored both to his own liberty and the Roman Empire (as those treaties with the City concerning this matter do plainly manifest) yet was it so fare from obtaining that these disturbers of the Peace would remit any thing of their hostile attempts and designs, that they were the more afterward enraged, & set upon its utter ruin both by Sea and land. For when they saw themselves put beside that harbour, they set upon Wismar and other ports: nor were they content with their own, but called a Navy from Dantz enemies of Swedeland, to join with them, and began so to rob on that Sea, that his Majesty at last was forced, if he would have his Sea and trading safe, to block them up there with his own Navy at his great cost and damage, until that year were safely passed.  
And that his Majesty of Swedeland might not remit any of his care and study of the peace and quiet of these nations, but try all means to bring them to a friendly agreement: as soon as he heard of a meeting appointed at Lubeck in the beginning of the year 1629. for treating a peace between the Emperor and the King of Denmark, he thought fit also to send his Ambassadors thither, who might both accommodate this business of the Town of Stralsund, and compose other jealousies hence arisen; and withal what they could by their mediation bring the treaty itself to a good end. For he thought with himself, that since most of those jealousies grew by occasion of the war between the Emperor & the king of Denmark, there could be no peace concluded with the King of Denmark, if Stralsund were excluded, nor yet that City bound to any conditions, if itself were not comprehended; by reason of mutual treaties with that town of that matter.  
But though the K. of Denmark willingly admitted of this Ambassage, and the other party was as friendly desired to do the same, yet was his Majesty's fair carriage so requited, that his solemn Ambassage was not only received, or vouchsafe any answer so much as by letters, but withal had the repulse with a strange affront: and was commanded upon peril of what might befall them, to forbear not only Lubeck, but the whole continent of Germany also.  
Which one affront, though it has ever been esteemed by all nations worthy of the highest revenge, and there was no cause but that the sharpest remedies should be used: yet seeing the Emperor's Commissioners, in March after, the King of Swedens' were called home, took notice of his Majesty's letters of Embassage by other letters, wherein by way of excuse they seemed to mollify the harshness of their former sentence his Majesty also was willing to think it proceeded rather from some bad Counselors than a public resolution: and would not yet think it sufficient, though laid to the former, to put two States in a combustion of war. Specially since the Commissioners withal signified that they had no commission to treat with any but the King of Denmark: although they certainly knew, that if the matter might be referred to the Emperor or Duke of Fridland, they should receive such an answer as would give satisfaction.  
And now his Majesty thought it not fit to let his patience so many ways wronged, he farther abused by such scornful proceed; withal considered whether or no, and how the party injured might refer the business to the Emperor (between whom & the Emperor there was not formerly wont to be any such correspondence) all the passages in the Empire being stopped, and the meeting at Lubeck now drawing to an end. Yet lest any labour might be spared, or difficulty hinder the public good, all considerations to the contrary laid aside, his Majesty was at length so fare persuaded by the Parliament of Swedeland, that presently in April he should not only write to the College of Electors, (the main pillar of the Roman Empire, whom such proceed with foreign Princes was thought much to displease) and wish them to advise of some convenient remedies, but should also consent, that there should be one sent from the same Parliament to the General of the Army, to try whether those controversies which were risen between the two Armies might not be taken up by a meeting of both. Presently there was dispatched his Majesty's Chamberlain the Lord Steno Bielke, Lord Baron in Krokenem, with Commission that if he found the adverse party inclined to peace, he should cause a cessation of Arms for the City of Stralsund, until further preparatives for a treaty being dispatched more Commissioners should follow, which should make a final end of the whole matter.  
But when at the beginning of the Spring he came to Stralsund, and found all things worse: former hostilities not only not laid aside, but daily increased with new ones: Stralsund oftimes since assaulted, all the Ports ready provided to rob the Sweden Sea: and that which is most detestable, a complete Army, without any denouncing of war sent a second time into Prusia, and that under the conduct of Arnhembius, the Emperor's Marshal of the field. This sudden change as 'twas fit, stopped his farther proceed. Yet that he would not altogether neglect his instructions, he wrote to the Duke of Fridland, for what cause he was dispatched, protested against the injury of the Army, and required both it and other hostilities might be stopped, if the answer of the Commissioners of Lubeck should go for honest.  
But the Duke of Fridland was so far from recalling his Army, or showing any readiness to treat; that for greater scorn, he made it good that the answers of his under-commissioners were but plain mockings: contending that he could not call back his Army, chief because the Emperor had so many soldiers, that he was fain to disburden himself by this Army of Arnhembius, & therefore sent him not without cause to his friend the King of Poland against Swedeland. Neither beside this would he answer any thing more to the purpose to the iterated demands of the Ambassador: But made the said Army hasten their journey, who fought so eagerly all the last Summer in Prusia against his Majesty and kingdom of Sweden, that except God the just avenger of all villainy, had turned their wicked designs on their own heads, his Majesty and kingdom of Swedeland with all their friends had been in no small danger.  
Can yet any man doubt whether his Majesty had cause enough to lay aside all thoughts of peace, and take up Arms, and prepare himself for battle in his own and his confederates defence?  
There is one thing yet which might seem a little to hinder the hastening of this war, and that was the expecting an answer from the College of Electors to the King's letters, & also the mediation of the King of Denmark (upon his Majesty's intimation) who had already begun as soon as Winter was past to press this matter for a treaty. For as long as by treating their could be any satisfaction made for injuries past, or caution had for the future safeguard of the neighbouring territories: his Majesty was never so thirsty after revenge, but that out of his zeal to the common good and public peace, he would willingly suffer the cause to be ended by Treaty rather than by Arms.  
But seeing from the beginning of April 1630. what time a day was appointed at Dantz in Prusia▪ even to this month of June, there has been no signification of a treaty made by the party injuring to the Commissioner of the party injured (who was there present, & sent his readiness & commission to treat as far as Dantz by letters) how truly the public peace is desired, may hence undoubtedly be gathered. Specially, since the affronts of former times & these which they have offered since the sending of their Commissioners to Dantz (by possessing the strongest places and passages in Germany, and more fiercely providing themselves to war than afore times) do plainly tell us, with what safety such a treaty is to be trusted.  
As for the College of Electors, it might have done very much in this cause, & his Majesty is persuaded it would have done, had the ancient liberty of the States of the Empire been preserved, and the power of some Malcontents not taken so deep root, that it seems willing to refuse all remedy at home. It commended indeed in their late answer (which was intimated at Stockholm this last April) the peaceable designs of his Majesty of Swedeland, and his offering a dispatch of the cause, and they for their part offered the like friendship. But when they did not so much as in a word touch at the remedies of those injuries, which his Majesty's Letters specially required, did they not leave a necessity on his Majesty to provide fit remedies for himself? Wherefore since so many and so great indignities have been really offered his Majesty, his packets intercepted & broke open: his Subjects, Ministers, & soldiers spoilt and taken captive: common natural commerce interdicted: the Pole his enemy so oft dissuaded from peace: a full Army conducted into Prusia for his Majesty's overthrow: On the other side; No passage granted his Majesty, though he did no hurt nay his friends, his neighbours and Allies for his sake have been oppressed, turned out of their Dominions only not quite rooted out: his Ambassadors for peace have more than barbarously been scornfully rejected: and lastly, a furious Army twice sent against him, and that without the least cause or colour. Are not all these, nay any of them by the consent of Nations, by the rule of reason, and instinct of Nature sufficient enough to take just revenge, except full satisfaction be made? Since in contempt of all the Baltique ports, yea and sea itself, so many threats, such stirs, such preparations, are yet on foot, whereby all counsels actions, designs, both by sea and land seem to have been wholly laid for his ruin. Do they not force men though unwilling to a just defence: at least that by the law of Arms and all Nations he should in some measure provide for his own safety?  
Since after so much trial of fair means, there is now no legal remedy left, nay nothing but hostility offered: Does not nature itself require to try it out by the Sword? Since therefore there is no other way for his Majesty to provide for his own safety, but in God's name to capitulate his own and his Allies security by Arms, he would hereby leave it to the whole Christian world to judge into what straits he is brought, both without desert and unwillingly. That which is objected chief by covetous and ambitious men, is the protecting of the Town of Stralsund: Our defence whereof yet they themselves caused by so many former hostile incursions: & which afterward both in point of Honour & for many other reasons his Majesty was persuaded would be much for the common peace of Germany, and the good of the Empire also, as has been said.  
Had indeed his Majesty any way aided either the Emperors or the Empire's enemies, had he made any truce with their foes, without just respect to them, or had he put in execution any design tending to their prejudice, no man could have wondered at their suspicion, if happily it should have occasioned the retaliation of any such revenge. But now seeing his Majesty has been always so constant to his intentions of Peace, that not only during the wars in Germany he has inviolably kept friendship and stood Neutral: but neither before not since has given any just colour of offence, no not in the least matters, he cannot but with grief complain to the whole world of so great indignities.  
Wherefore seeing his Majesty protests he enters not upon this war for any prejudice of the Empire, (between whom and his Majesty there is no enmity) but only for the maintaining of his own and his Allies, and the common liberty, until such time as his friends and neighbouring confederates shallbe in the same state, wherein before this war they peaceably and of along time flourished, and that the City of Stralsund, the Baltique Sea and Kingdom of Swedeland may for hereafter promise themselves more security So he doubts not but the indifferent Reader, nay the safety only of these Nations, will abhor and detest the unjust proceed of the adverse party, as they truly deserve and is confident, that the more indifferent of the Germane Nation, yea all Christendom will favour his upright & just way of proceeding by Arms, directed only for a fair suppressing of so unjust a persecution.  
FINIS.