THE ANSWER made by the Noble Lords the States, unto the Ambassador of Polonia.  
Imprinted at Amsterdam by Peter Gevaerts, dwelling in Lynbaeus Pat. Anno. 1597.   decorative design 
LONDON. Imprinted by John Windet. 1597.   

Sigismundus the third by the grace of God King of Polonia. Great prince of Letawen, Duke of the Russians, Prussians, Massawes, Samayts and Liefland, and King of Sweden and Wenden.  
WOrthy, Honourable, noble, esteemed, famous, beloved and especial.  
We being moved by many and true causes and especially by the consideration of that present estate of Christendom: Do send to you the Honourable Pawel Van Dyialyn our Courtier. To the end you should courteously & willingly hear him in that which on your own behalfs he is to propound. Which thing how be it we assure ourselves you will perform of your own accord, yet nevertheless we earnestly require you thereunto, and do offer unto you every way our Inclination and goodwill.  
Given at Warsaw the 19 of May, Anno 1597 in the tenth year of our Reign in Polonia, and in our fourth year in Sweden. Subscribed Sigismundus Rex.  
The direction is. To the worthy Honourable Noble esteemed and famous the States of the united Provinces in the Low Countries, our beloved and especial.   

THE ANSWER made by the Noble Lords and States, unto the Ambassador of Polonia.  
THe States general of the united Provinces with all dutifulness, have given ear unto the proposition made by the Honourable paul Van Dyialyn in the name of the most excellent and puissant King of Polonia and Sweden. And upon communication had concerning the same with the most excellent Prince and Council of estate: Have concluded to answer thereunto in brief. Viz. That they very willingly do understand that his most excellent Majesty, so graciously wisheth all good from God, unto these united Provinces. And for the same they in like manner by their prayer do wish unto the said most excellent and puissant King, long life, faithful Council & prosperous success, against the general enemy of him and of all Christendom.  
And as for that which the said Honourable Lord Ambassador furthermore did declare at large, touching the cruel wars of the Turk, howbeit the States here before by their many evident signs and other witnesses have had understanding thereof, yet his forces and the perilous dangers of Christendom being now so manifestly represented before their eyes, do make them exceeding much aggrieved.  
Also the States be wholly of the same opinion and meaning with the said most excellent and puissant King. That if (all debate being set aside) the Kings and Princes did conjoin their weapons and forces in one, (which in the deepest dangers of Christendom hitherto yet never could be brought to pass.) That then Christendom might lightly be freed from these mischiefs.  
But it exceedingly grieveth the states: That the said most excellent King of Polonia and Sweden is so preposterously incensed by the evill-willers of these Countries. That his Majesty should think, that these wars which the said States (being thereunto of necessity forced) do maintain. Be the cause that the King of Spain converteth not his Soldiers and Treasures, for the suppressing of the Turk & of the other enemies of Christendom. For insomuch as concerneth the States, the cause why they maintain these lamentable wars which already have continued so many years: Hath been long since more then sufficiently unto all Christendom known, neither think they it now to be needful nor do mean to set down here in many words, what the power is of Kings over or above their Subjects.  
But do (Signify.) That these Low Countries (as publicly it is known) never had any Kings but only Princes, as namely Dukes & Earls, who have been tide and Liable unto Laws, certain, no less than the people and subjects.  
Wherefore insomuch as the K. of Spain, these many years with intolerable tyranny, hath oppressed these Countries, contrary to their ancient laws and privileges, by his own oath confirmed. And hath also without any just cause, caused many hundred thousands of people to be destroyed, and kept in hold, yea afterwards (contrary to the laws of all Nations) executed the Messengers of these countries that were men noble and of honour, sent over into Spain to entreat for an end of his cruelties, to be made. And moreover afterwards without consent of the States, hath brought in new Taxations never hard of before, and banished out of the Country an innumerable multitude of people of all manner of conditions and degrees. It is not to be wondered at, that (all Pariens being overcome) in fine our God hath furnished weapons, whereby under conduct of the right puissant Regent the noble Prince of Orange: First Holland and Seal●nd, and then afterwards the other Provinces did rescue, or franchised themselves, which they have taken in hand much latter than the continual cruelties and tyranny of these Spaniards merited, and then the Princes and States of any other Provinces would. Who would not for the shortest while have suffered the hundredth part of those mischiefs and evils, which the inhabitants of these provinces so many years since have endured?  
And how be it that the States of their natural love towards their Lords, have tried all things that might tend to the avoiding of wars, and in like manner have intended all means for peace, not only by themselves, but also that even the Emperor, the Queen's Majesty of England, the King of France, and also the  Princes have been mediators therein. Yet never the nearer could the same be brought to pass. Which is the cause that they perceiving no more hope of any lawful peace, and having to the grievous loss of the Countries, learned that the king of Spain under the cloak of entreaty for peace, did pretend to rend in sunder the union of the countries, and to surprise the Towns, have after the destruction of many men in wars, and the overthrow of many Towns, and after many manner of calamities suffered, been constrained to betake them to some other Counsel.  
And so what at all times hath been free for all Nations, that they may cast off from their necks the insupportable burdens yea of the Kings themselves, as many examples can make manifest. The same ever hath been permitted and free for the free nation of the Low Dutch Countries, in proceeding to make a lawful and necessary declaration, that the Lord of the country is fallen from all his right, the which thing many years since hath been not only permitted and concluded, but also by Edict or Placat published. After the which many of the Provinces condescended unto the Duke of Alenson brother to the King of France to be their Lord, and did after his decease (as also theretofore) under the government of the said right excellent Prince of Orange, against the Spaniards follow or prosecute the wars, and he being in villainous manner after the precedent of barbarous nations (through public rewards propounded by the Spaniards) brought to his end traitorously not in public battle but at home. Also the enemy they having recovered hope, that the affairs of these Countries would not only come to lamentable commotion, but also fall to utter ruin and decay: Yet the same notwithstanding these Provinces by the help of God Almighty) on whom alone the States depend) have under conduct of his most worthy son Prince Maurice been not only protected, but also with his years increased, grown, & in their bounds enlarged.  
Now in that concerneth the King of Spain, and his intent and heart (which best by his works may be known.) It is notorious that he intendeth nothing less, then to war against the Turk, but that he under colour of upholding the Romish Religion, seeketh to reign over all Christian Princes: For what else is or ever hath been the cause of his wars against the most excellent Queen of England? What else hath moved him to step into the French wars, and to seek after the Kingdom of France? and to endeavour to withdraw or turn the Dukedom of Guylik and cleave from their right Lords and successors, wherein he few Months since amongst other his affairs tending to the same, hath dealt with the Emperor by the Admiral of Arragon? beside the subtle snares by him wrought against those of Aken and Wesell, and more other Rijks estates and places, (if truth may be spoken:) But only for to become over all things of Christendom the universal Lord? And for to attain thereunto the only drift of the king of Spain is, that he under external show of entreaty for peace might bring these Countries under his power with oppression of their ancient laws and privileges, and set or place down the seat of his wars against the Princes of all kingdoms there. Where he should find forces both by water and land and also money in a readiness.  
Which thing being by the Queen's most excellent Majesty of England discretely considered of, she as a defender of true Religion many year since, is entered into League with these Countries.  
And where in respect hereof lately, also is made a League between the King of France and the said Queen of England: The said united Provinces are also accepted in and unto the same.  
Whereupon the said Lord Ambassador may easily understand, how inconvenient it is for the States in this constitution and shape of causes, to give admonition of that which his Lordship doth propound, either unto the foresaid Prince, or to the particular States of the several Provinces aforesaid.  
Especially considering that they are instructed by so manifold examples, that the enemy intendeth or practiseth nothing but under the sweet name of entreaty for peace, to cloak the afterclaps of war, and to entrap them unwarily with deceat: Of the which the States hope his most excellent Majesty will earnestly take consideration and not so much account of his affinity with the K. of Spain, but that he rather will awaken up & endeavour for the vantage and welfare of whole Christendom.  
And in that the Lord Ambassador made mention of the letters of the most excellent King Steven his majesties predicessor. The same hath been right acceptable, declaring very honourably that King's Council in the government of his people and Subjects.  
And for so much as the State's mind in heart nothing more, then to satisfy all Kings touching the causes of these wars and other their proceed. Therefore they diligently have answered the same letters to the end they jointly might make manifest, how earnestly they always have endeavoured to continue the good will and love of the King of Poland towards these Countries.  
In which earnest desire and will, they always will persevere towards his most excellent Majesty, not doubting but that his Majesty will infringeably uphold the mutable traffic & trade which cannot be impeached so long as the common laws of all Nations in reason shall take place.  
For the rest the said States do right humbly commend unto his most excellent Majesty, the welfare and estate of these Provinces and will again most earnestly endeavour, that they may not only deserve his majesties good will but also increase the same towards them.  
The States also do beseech the said Honourable Lord Ambassador, earnestly to signify the same unto his most excellent Majesty and lovingly to prefer these Countries, on which kindness and service the states will have respect when occasion shall so require.  
Given in Sgraven Hage the 22. of july. 1597.