The Reasons For which the most Jllustrious and most potent Prince, and LORD, LORD Gustavus Adolphus,  
King of the Swethens, Goths and Vandals, great Prince of Finland, Duke of Esthonia and Carelia, and Lord of Ingria, was at length Forced to March with an army into Germany.  
Printed according to the copy of Stralsound. Anno 1630.   

IT is an ancient proverb, that no man is able to enjoy peace, any longer, than it pleaseth his neighbour: how true this is his Ma: off Swethen hath, to his great dammadg proved, in these years, and doth yet daily: for hombeit, it was his cheefecare and endeavour, in all the time of his Reign, to keep inviolable Friendship with all his neighbours, and especially, with the States of Germany; that peace and tranquillity might flourish on every side, and that trade, Commerce, and all oath repeaceable endeavours, might be exercised, to the mutual good off all Nations: yet could he obtain nothing more, then that, by some haters of the public peace, after that they had wasted almost all Germany with fire and sword, greater snares were laid, from year to year, against his security. his Ma: was advertised long ago, and that, not of a few States of Germany, to provide for himself more maturely, while this flame was yet spreading itself in Germany, and that he should not think, they would be more favourable or friendly to him, if they were admitted to approach nearer; but that he would then, presently, take Arms, come into Germany, and with common forces, quench the common burning, being assured, that his own cause was then in hand, when his neighbour's house was a burning. neither was there then wanting to his Ma: either excellent occasion, his subjects inviting him, or just cause, his oppressed friends and Allies so earnestly requiring aid and secure. but still hoping, that at length, they would prove more equitable, then so impotently to insult, over their harmless Neighbours, measuring their manners, according to his own nature, he chose rather to commit his own security for a while, to the goodness of god and an innocent Conscience, then rashly therein to attempt any thing.  
But when in the year 1626. by reason of his own war, which passed between him and the King and common wealth of Pole, he was marching into Prussia, a Province of the Kingdom off Pole, perceiving more narrowly, what he might promise himself, of those foresaid wasters and spoilers of Germany, he found his friends admonitions to be so far, from being vain, that the nearer his enemies approached to these Baltic provinces of Germany, so many the more and greater occasions of war he perceived to be sown by them daily, even against him: for in the first place, violating the law of Nations, they intercepted his Ma. letters sent to the Prince of Transilvania, opened them, and of malice against his Ma. published them with a feigned interpretation, casting withal his messenger into prison; then also, howbeit there was oftentimes no small hope, of redressing and, composing of the long continued controversy, betwixt Swethen and Polland, by friendly treaties, the Commissaries of both kingdom's meeting from year to year, yet these enemies of common peace, caused, by their reiterated messengers and letters to Polland, that no peace should be made with Swethen, until such time, as they had accomplished their determinations in the Roman empire; putting the Polonians in hope, the States of Germany being once ranged in order, they should then have them no slow aiders and assisters to subdue Swethen.  
And to the end they might effectuate, in deed, what by word they promised: and that so far as in them lay, they might both deprive Swethen of all means, and strengthen the Pole, they did not only prohibit all exportation of Soldiers and Arms, out of Germany, to the King off Swethen, leaving withal the same free unto the Polonians, than his enemies; but also, when this seemed a small matter, and they perceived, notwithstanding hereof, that abundance off soldiers did flock, to the most illustrious King off Sweth. not only from other parts, but also (and that against their wills) out of Germany itself, the year next following, 1627. they sent the Duke off Holsatia against his Ma. with ● great Army, into Prussia, and that not, under his own, or under the Poles; but under the Colours off the Emperor of Rome himself.  
Neither content with this kostility; but that also they might utterly seclude the kingdom off Sweth: from all League of society with mankind: they did not only wrongfully spoil the innocent subjects of his Ma. arriving at the coast off Germ. for Commerce, taking their goods by for●e, and confiscating their schipps: but also, they did mainly effectuate that, at Lubick and the rest of the towns off the vandalls, by their Scouts, sent out, in show, that they might restrain trading to these towns only; but in very deed, that they might withdraw the same, from the subjects off the kingdom of Swethen, and that by this occasion, they might gather together schipps, and a Navy, by which, they might belch out this venom, conceived in their minds, upon the Baltic sea itself; as in the year next following, they ●id manifestly show, by the monstrows titles off Generality off the sea coasts, and by taking in possession, as well the Land places and Fortifications, as the Coasts, and havens of Mechlinburgh and Pomer, with the acts ensuing thereon.  
Let any man, who is able, judge, that all these things perhaps ought to have been tolerated, and for avoiding off curiosity in other men's affairs, to have been passed by in patience, while they kept them-selves as yet, upon the Continent, opposite to Sweth: yet certainly, after they were extended to the sea itself, by choosing the Haven off the Sound for a receipt of their Piracy; by how much the more this was done, to the great prejudice off all the States, who, by any necessity what soever, did depend upon this Sea; so much the les ought it to have been tolerated by his Ma. off Sweth: especially, seeing the just protection off this sea was off old, peculiar, to the Kings off Sweth.  
Therefore, so manny injuries also being added to the former advertizement off Friends, when his Ma. (being now so much the more wary) in the spring off the year, 1628. was again passing over to Prussia, being careful off nothing, more, then that he might remedy these incommodities, by some honest means; it fell out that the Ambassadors off the town off Stralsound did come unto his Ma. in Prussia; who did heavily complain, that, although their harmless city, had committed nothing, either against the Roman Imperour, or against the empire itself, nor against any State off the empire, for which it was so far, that it was at any time Cited, or Accused, or convicted, or condemned; that even by an Imperial decree, it was declared innocent, and secured off withdrawing off the Army, which besieged it: yet such was ye iniquity off that noisome army; that, vilipending their innocency, neglecting the laws and constitutions, off the Empire, contemning the Contract, made, with those off Pomer at, Arnhem, and not regarding many other Covenants, made at diverse times, (by all which it might seem, they were sincerely secured) neither considering the great sums off money, unjustly exacted, and paid; with gifts and presents; violating the very sanctity, both off religious and common peace: it did first, wast the Neighbouring villages off the City, it did build diverse forts, upon the territories off the town, it did fortify the I'll of Benholm, lying near upon the haven, to the prejudice of the town; after it had taken it, by treachery, without any denunciation of enmity: it seized upon all passages; from the continent, to the I'll off Rugg, and from the town to the continent, and back, from the continent to the town, it did vex the Citticens', with diverse ridiculous treaties, and having exhausted them by great tribute, it charged them also with Garrisons, and so, demanded the haven itself, with their schipps and munition: and at length, all these being denied them, by their privileged liberty, it did press the town itself with a straight Siege, and did persecute it, most unworthily, to the very last, with fire and sword. Whenas therefore, the Emperor's decrees, did here effectuate nothing; the most Illustrious Duke off Pomer, would not help them; when they were esteemed, as left of all the society off the Hanse towns: according to the Law, and custom off Nations, by favour off their privileges, by example off their Ancestors, being compelled, to implore the aid off a Foreign Power, until that sudden tempest off war, should leave raging; they did accept, for a while, the Garrisons off the most Illustrious King off Denmark, as most ready to repel the suddenness off the first assault: yet, lest that schould turn to their future prejudice, as if they had associated themselves, with the Emperor's enemies; at last they found no more equitable, and present remedy, then to commit their oppressed liberty, to the tuition, off the most Illustrious King off Swethen, as to a neutral, and friendly King.  
The most illustrious King off Sweth: therefore, Considering, in the first place, that they could promise themselves, no more favour, from so unsatiable attempts, off an army, noted with so many hostilities; and next, marking, that the desires off this afflicted city, were grounded, upon divine and humane laws; as also, considering that bond off observance, vicinity, common religion, liberty and commerce, by which that City was alway addicted, both to his Ancestors, the most Illustrious Kings, and Kingdom of Sweth: and to himselff: and lastly, what danger it should breed, not only to himself and the kingdom off Sweth) but also, to all his neighbours, if in this haven, any nest of Piratical excursion were settled, by the private ambition of any whatsoever: he could no longer refuse, by any, either means or equity, for the benefit off his Neighbours and friends, as also, off his own, and off the public and common security (in the mean time) to secure and releve the oppressed, who so earnestly entreated his help, comfort and Council. By which his intention, Though this was effectuated, that the Imperial Injunctions did keep their own authority, and the Baltic sea should be made secure for all Nations, who have any interest therein, and that the town of Stralsound, by reason of the friendly intervention of his Ma. being freed from the Garrisons, off the most illustrious King off Denmark (as then hostile) should be kept, both to its own liberty, and to the Empire of Rome, as the League, made with the town concerning the same, doth yet clearly demonstrate: Notwithstanding, it was never a whit the more obtained, that those perturbers of peace, should yet remit any thing of their hostile attempts and purposes, but by occasion thereof they waxed more hot, in seeking the destruction thereof, both by Land and Sea: for finding themselves to be frustrate of that haven, they set upon the haven of Wissmar and others: neither being content with their own ships, they called from Danswijck, the Navy of the enimies of the kingdom of Sweth: into their society, and they began, so to annoy the sea near adjoining, that his Ma. was at length forced (if he would have the sea, and Commerce safe) to keep them also enclosed there by his Navy (and that, not without great expense and dammadg) until that, that year should at length be expired securely in some kind.  
Yet notwithstanding, that the most Illustrious king off Sweth: might not herefore in any kind remit his constant and perpetual care for the peace, and common quietness of these Nations; but rather that he might try all ways and means, to come to a friendly transaction: when he understood that a treaty of peace was instituted at Lubeck betwixt the Roman Emperor and the king of Denmark, in the beginning of the year 1629. he thought it expedient, to send his Ambassadors also thither in opportune time, that they might both accommodat this matter of the town of Stralsound, and compose all other jealousies, which were bred in these years, and that also (iff they could help any thing therein) by their mediation they might promove the treaty itself to the wished end: for thus he made account with himself, seeing that by occasion off that war, which passed between the Roman Emperor, and the king off Denmark, many suchlike jealousies seemed to have been bred, that neither peace could be concluded with the king off Sweth: Stralsound being excluded, neither could that town be bound to any Conditions, itself not being comprehended in the Treaty, by reason of the mutual contracts, agreed upon with that City concerning that matter.  
But howbeit the most Illustrious king off Denmark did thankfully admit the Coming of the said Ambassage; neither was the same with less courtesy and decency desired by letters from the other party; yet such was the humanity, wherewith he was requited, that his solemn Ambassage was not only not admitted, or at least thought worthy off any answer, by letter; but also with great indignity repulsed, and commanded, to keep not only from the town off Lubeck, but also from the whole territory of Germany, upon hazard and threatening of extremity.  
Which only indignity, though in the Account off all Nations, it be alway esteemed worthy of most just revenge, and there seemed no cause to remain, why more rough remedies, should be any longer abstained from: yet seeing the Deputies of the Emperor did at Length (in March, after that they of Sweth: were recaled into the Kingdom again) acknowledge the letters of the king's Ambassadg, by an Answer by letter, by which, as by way of excuse, they would seem to mollify the iniquity of the former sentence; his Ma. also, in the mean time, esteemed the same to have proceeded rather from some evil Councillors, then from public Council; neither did he yet suffer it to be such, as might seem to be sufficient, yea even joined with the rest, to Commit his mutual States to a just war, especially seeing the said deputies did withal signify, that they had no power to treat with any other than the king of Denmark, yet they knew certainly, that if the matter were yet referred, either to the Emperor himself, or to the Duke of Fridland, they should receive an answer, which might give them content.  
It might now seem an unworthy thing, to expose his patience any longer to such ridiculous proceed, it having already been wronged so many ways: it being also very doubtful, whither, or how, the matter might be related by the party offended, to the imperour (with whom heretofore, no such like communication had been usual, to his Ma.) all ways being prohibited in the whole Roman Empire, and the treaty of Lubec drawing so near an end: yet notwithstanding, that no labour might be omitted for the desired public tranquillity, and that no difficulty might be any hindrance thereunto, all contrary considerations being laid aside, when the matter could not be related to the Emperor himself, his Ma. was at length, by the illustrious counsel of the Kingdom off Swethen induced, presently in the month off April, not only to write to the Electoral convention, as being the chief prop off the Roman Empire, to which, these proceed with foreign kings, were thought to be most displeasing, and to sue for opportune remedies; but also to give consent, that a deputy, should be withal sent from the counsel, to the general of the troops himself, who by his presence might try, whither those controversies, which seemed to be bred betwixt the mutual armies, might not be taken away by the Convention of the same; whereupon his Mas. Chamberlain the Illustrious L. Steno Bielke L. Baron, was presently sent to Kroker, with adjoined power, that, if he found the minds of the contrary party inclinable to peace, he should constitute a stilstand of arms for Stralsound, while that farther preparatories of treating being made, more commissioners might Fellow, who might refer the whole business to a full transaction. But, when he, in the beginning of the spring aryved at Stralsound, and found the minds of the adverse party, and the whole face of the matter changed to the worse, and that the former hostilities, were not only not taken away, but also augmented with fresh hostilities from day to day; as also Stralsound again to be assaulted, with diverse onsets, all the havens of the coast to be armed, for to pray upon the Swetian sea; and which is the greatest of all iniquities, that a complete army was again privily sent to Prussia, without any denunciation of war, and that under the Emperors own Marchall off the forces of Arnheimbia. this change did indeed, stay him from proceeding any farther, as it was fit; yet notwithstanding, that he might in some measure discharge his commission; he wrote to the Duke of Fridland, for what causes he was dispatched, and having protested against the iniquity of that army, that was sent over, he desired that both it, and all other hostilities might be stayed, if the answer off the deputies of Lubec might other ways seem to be sincere: But the Duke of Fridland was so far, aither from recalling the army, or showing any readiness to treat: with greater mocking, he confirmed his subdeputies answers to be merely scoffing, contending, that for this cause chiefly these soldiers could not be recalled, because the Emperor had so many forces, that off necessity he behoved, to disburden himselff off that army off arnheimbia, and therefore, he, not without cause, sent it to his friend the King of Pole, against Swethen; as the authentic letters do yet show; neither would he again answer any thing else to any purpose, to the reiterated desires off the Ambassador; but caused the said army to hasten its journey; which also, the whole last summer, did use such bitterness off fight in Prussia, against the King and Kingdom off Swethen; that, vules God, the Just revenger off iniquity, had made the recompense, off the attempts off their wicked intention to light upon their own heads, no small danger was like to have happened, both to the most Illustrious King, and Kingdom off Swethen, and to all his Mas. Friends.  
Can any man doubt therefore any longer, whither the most Illustrious King off Swethen had sufficient cause, to move him, (all cogitations off peace laid aside) long ago to have taken arms, and prepared himself for war, for the defence, off him, and his. But there was yet one thing restand, which seemed yet a little to hinder the speedy taking off arms (to wit) the expectation of an answer to the King's letters, from the Electoral convention, and the intervention off the most Illustrious King off Denmarck, who, at the persuasion off his Royal Ma. had from the last winter, even till now, begun to urge the matter to treaties: for certanly, so long as any sufficient reparation off damages and injuries, and provision for the security off his neighbours might be wrought by treaty, his Ma. was never so covetous off revenge, but that, for the zeal he bears to the common cause, and public quietness, he would willingly have suffered the matter to have been ended, rather by treaty, than arms.  
But seeing, that, from the beginning of April, in this year 1630. when there was a day appointed for a convention at Dantsik in Prussia, unto this very month of june, there is no signification of treaty made, by the party offender, to the Commissary of the party offended, there present, and declaring by letters to Dantsik, his readiness and power to ●reate; how sincerely the public peace is desired, it is easy hereby to be judged, especially seeing, their scoffings, not only of former times, but also after they had dispatched their Commissaries to Dantsik (by possessing themselves of all fortified places and passages in Pomer, and preparing themselves more eagerly to war, than heretofore) do plainly advertise, with what security, any confidence may be put in such like treaties.  
As for the Electoral convention; it might indeed have ●one much in that matter, and his Royal Ma. persuaded himself, it would so have done, if the States of the Empire, ●ad obtained the freedom of their ancient liberty, and if the ●ower of evil willers had not taken such root therein, that ●t seemed, to reject all internal remedy. they of the convention did also, in their answer (which was in the late month of April conveyed to Stocholme) praise the peaceable intentions, and proffered transaction of the most Illustrious King of Swethen, offering Withal reciprocal frendschip on their part. but seeing they did not so much as ●n a word, touch the remedies of the injuries done, which the King's letters, did chiefly requires did they not leave it necessary for his Ma. to provide opportune remedies for himself.  
Wherefore seeing so many, and weighty injuries are really done to his Royal Ma. his letters intercepted, and opened: his subjects, servants and soudiers spoilt, and carried away into sclavery; trade, naturally common, interdicted; the pole, his Mas. enemy, so often dissuaded from peace; and a reasonable army led out into Prussia, for the ruinating of his Mas. Kingdom off Swethen. again also not granting the King off Swethen, so much, as safe passage, yea, his Friends, neighbours, and kindred (for malice towards him) oppressed, spoiled off their dominions, and only not altogether extirpated, the suers for peace (contrary to the custom off barbarians) ignominiously rejected; and at last, a hostile army twice sent against his Ma. and that without any cause, or pretext? Do not all these, yea each off them (by consent off all Nations, by persuasion off reason, nature itself instigating thereto) deserve a most due revenge, except due reparation do interceded. seeing so many threatenings, so great preparations, so many divices, are as yet manifested, to the reproach off all the balthike havens, and off the very sea itself, by which, all both designs, deeds and determinations, seem every where, both by sea and land, to conspire for his Mas. ruin? do they not cast upon him (though uwilling) the right of defence, that at least, according to the custom of war, and by the law off all nations, he may procure the moderation off a blameless protection? seeing, he having tried all the ways off law, no more equitable remedies are granted? yea seeing hostility is every where offered; doth not the very law of nature require, that force be repelled by force.  
Since therefore there rests no other mean to procure safety, then that his Ma. according to God, do help the security off himself and his, by arms; he thought good by these, tot let the Christian world judge, by what merit of himself, and how sore against his will, he is redacted to these extremities. it is true, the defence only of the city of Stralsound, is pretended for the ambition of most avaricious men: but how they themselves, by inferring off so many former hostilities, and how, afterward (as it is said) love off the common security, and so many reasons, have provoked his Royal Ma. these have expressed, to the good off the Roman Empire itself.  
Iff at any other time, he had aided the enemies off the Emperor, or the Roman Empire, or made any leauge with their enemies against them, or at least put any other advice or counsel in execution to their prejudice; no man might wonder at their diffidence, and retaliation of some kind of revenge flowing from hence? Now, seeing such hath always be●e the constancy off his peaceable determination, that he ●ath not only kept inviolated Friendship and neutrality during all this Germane war; but hath neither before, nor after the same, given any Just pretext, of offence; he can ●ot, but, with most just greeff complain before all the word●e, off so great an indignity.  
Wherefore, as his Royal Ma. doth ptotest, that these his ●rmes, are not as yet prepared, to any prejudice off the Roman ●mpire (with which he hath no enmity) but only to the protection off himself, and his, until such time, as his Friends ●nd neighbours be put in the same case, in the which all ●he neighbourhood, hath before this war, peaceably flourished so long time; and until chiefly the city off Stralsound, the balthik sea, and the Kingdom of Swethen may promise unto themselves hereafter, more certan security: so he maketh no doubt, but that the impartial reader, or ●he very safety of Nations, will improve and detest so inquitable proceed off the contrary party, as they have ●eserved; and he doth certanly hope, that all equitable Germans and all the Christian world, will favour this his innocence, and Just cause of taking arms, aiming at the lawful staying off so  persecution.  
FINIS.