Two very lamentable Relations:  
The one, The grievance for Religion, of those of Stiria, C●rinthia, and Crayne, under FERD●●●ND then Duke of Gratz, now Emperor.  
The other, The now present most humble Supplication, of certain of the States of lower Austria, unto the said Emperor.  
Wherein is showed the most terrible, inhuman, and barbarian tyrannies, committed by the Emperor's Soldiers, specially the C●sockes and Walloons, in the said Country.  
Done out of the Dutch, and Printed.  
1620.   

The grievances for Religion of those inhabiting in the Provinces of Stiria, Carinthia, and Crag●●; not only in their Bodies outwardly, but also in their Consciences inwardly, for the Testimony of the true Gospel; most cruelly persecuted, by the enemies of the Truth, and their Commissaries: Under FERDINAND, now Emperor, than Duke of Gratz etc.  
TO declare to the World the hourly and minutely grief of Conscience and grievances for the Religion which we have had, were almost impossible and also unnecessary, since it is, alas, too well known to this Land, to the Empire, and to a great part of the World; yet nevertheless we will rehearse a few.  
1. First, by privilege, and good will of the illustrious Archduke Charles of Austria, of famous memory, our gracious Lord and Prince, was granted to the professors of the Gospel, many special Ministers in principal Towns as in Gratz, Indenburgk, Clagenfourt, and Labach.  
2. Item, their Colleges and free Schools of learning, for instructing Nobleman's, and others Children, were admitted and granted them, in the foresaid Towns of Gratz, Clagenfourt, and Labach, all which privileges are most violently taken from them.  
3. Item, in the Country of Stiria, were many Cathedral and other Parish Churches also violently taken from them.  
4. Also many privileged Churches, pulled down, and blown up with Gunpowder.  
5. One hundred Preachers and Ministers commanded upon pain of death to departed the province of Stiria.  
6. A great many more Schoolmasters, and Teachers of the Youth, most pitifully banished.  
7. Item, many Churchyards, and resting places for the dead bodies of the faithful, being walled and paled about, were most barbarously pulled down, and made level with the ground.  
8. The bodies of the faithful digged up, and given to be devoured by Dogs and Hogs; as also the Coffins taken and set by the highway side, some burnt with fire; a work both barbarous and inhuman.  
9 Also upon the burial places of the faithful, were erected Gibbets and places for execution of malefactors. Also upon those places where Protestant Churches stood, or where the Pulpit stood, or the Font-stone, were erected always most filthy spectacles most ugly to behold.  
10. Item, many thousand of godly and religious books, among which were many hundred Bibles, the witnesses of Gods most holy Word, utterly burnt with fire.  
11. Moreover, (a grief above all griefs) many thousands that professed the Gospel, were most cruelly and shamefully tormented and tortured, and by the same torments compelled shamefully, to deny and renounce the truth of Christ's Euangell.  
12. Compelling those of the Religion to swear upon their salvation never to renounce that damnable Popish Idolatry, the which they were now forced to by torments.  
13. The poor distressed people, were also compelled to their extreme cost and charges, to uphold and maintain a strong guard of Soldiers, for those cruel Commissaries own obedient mancipia and eùotoria.  
14. The constant Confessors and Professors of Christ's most holy Word and Gospel, together with their Wives, and innocent Babes, were most cruelly compelled to leave their dwellings and habitations (whether it were in Cities, Towns, or Villages) at the pleasure of those barbarous Commissaries; and the longest term of their abode was, six weeks and three days, sometimes but eight days, and sometimes they must be gone before Sunsetting, and sometimes in the coldest time of Winter, in Frost and Snow: although it be manifest by the peace of Religion, granted in the year of God 1555. (as appears by the Formalia) that all Subjects or Tenants under Prince, or Nobleman, who were persecuted for Religion, might freely choose the time of their departure out of the Country.  
15. They were not admitted time and leisure, to make sale of their Lands and Goods, but (as may appear by that cruel Edict specialis) they were constrained shamefully to sell them, to their unspeakable loss, yea, and sometimes compelled to give them; notwithstanding, that it most manifestly appears also, by the foresaid peace of Religion, that there should be no compulsion, in selling or giving of Goods or Lands, excepting only, in amore Christianae Religionis.  
And if they did sell their Goods or Lands, they were compelled to give the tenth Penny thereof, as by way of taxation; alleging that in Electoral Princes and States Lands of the Empire they did the like. But, as it appears plainly by the aforesaid peace of Religion, it is said, those Countries shall pay the tenth Penny, who formerly did do the same; but these our Countries have ever been free of those taxations. We omit to remember that those jews who were justly expelled not long since, were freely pardoned this taxation.  
16. Notwithstanding, those jews were bound by bond, to pay the tenth Penny, at their departure out of the Land per modum Compensationis; but those poor Christian Exiles must be banished & troubled, and forced not only to quit their Country, Friends, alliance & acquaintance; not only debarred the fruits of their labours, but also must be bereft of that little money appointed for their maintenance, in this their woeful banishment.  
17. And this was not a banishment with moderation to those devout and most faithful Christians and our beloved Patriots, but they were exiled under pain of death never to return. A banishment most infamous and most lamentable, that a man must be constrained never to return to the place of his nativity, there, where so many years he had dwelled with honour and respect; there where are the sepulchres of his dead predecessors. Although it be expressly set down in the often spoken of peace of Religion, that it shall not be prejudicial for any man, freely to visit his Country, and friends, from whom he is banished for Religion.  
18. Also the Noblemen, and others of those Provinces being Protestants, were not exempted this infamy, but were put by their hereditary offices of State, only because they were of the Religion; and others were placed in their offices, being men of no quality or merit, and only because they were of Romish Religion. Our Protestant Noblemen, were also hindered from being Administrators, or executors to their friends or their children, although they deal never so faithfully: Which shows most plainly, that these wrongs done unto them, was not for the insufficiency of their persons, births, or qualities, but only because they were Protestants.  
19 Also the Noblemen and Gentry of those Provinces being Protestants, were most grievously taxed and caused to pay great and grievous sums of money, over & above the tenth penny; notwithstanding that they had quitted their Churches, Schools, Preachers, and Schoolmasters: yea, even those that willingly would sometimes go out of the Country for devotion, to hear a Sermon, or communicate, were constrained to pay the tenth penny, being out of his Highness' Countries; although it be manifest de iure, that nemo extra territorium suum can punish any man. All these injuries are directly against his Highness (now Emperor) own Edict, given to those of the Religion the last of April, 1599  
20. These great and grievous troubles and tyrannical vexations, which we have been and are plagued withal, were not so much to be pitied, if there were any hope of our ease, or relief. But alas! the unmerciful answer and resolution of his Highness (now Emperor) given to the Protestants the eighth of December 1609. which was plainly told those of the religion, That he would never yield to their demands, and that he would continue in this his resolution even till his grave; and that before he would yield for any of the least of their demands, concerning their Religion, he would rather adventure the loss of all that ever he had of God, and with a white Staff, go barefooted out of all his Countries. Also his Highness (now Emperor) did threaten mightily the Protestant Estates, vowing that he would be revenged on them, for seeking any toleration; alleging that it was against his princely Authority.  
21. To conclude, this last is the worst of all, that his Highness (now Emperor) will not hear his Nobility & Gentry, nor one of those of the Religion, but he oftentimes commanded them upon pain of their lives to keep perpetual silence: as in Anno 1598. the thirtieth of September; the fifth of May 1599 the fifth of March 1601. and this last time, the eighth of December 1609. Also it is most manifest in that Edict, in the year 1599 he absolutely forbids under the pain of death, that no man of what degree or quality whatsoever, should entertain any Preacher or Minister of the Gospel; vowing also that he will not hear any more of their grievances: Which is, dura & acerbavox regnantis, non velle audire & scripta accipere, contrà quàm Vetula illa obijciebat Regi Macedonum Philippo audientiam recusanti: Si non vis audire, noli ergo Regnare. The abuses in Religion is no new thing, especially of the spiritual sort, but if the Spirituality did commit any excess, or gave any evil example, it was to be seen into by their temporal Princes and Lords, as we have a fine example in the History of Stiria (fol. 81,) in the year of God 1518. When Doctor Luther had gotten the upper hand, he gave in a long Catalogue of Complaints and abuses of the Clergy to the Emperor Maximilian, complaining of the abuses of their Benefices, their neglect of God's Service, the insolences committed in their Diocese, the carelessness of their salvation, of the evil governing of Church liuings, and of the too many idle persons, that were maintained to the heavy burden of the Country, as sundry sorts of Abbots, Canonicats, Prebends, Commendats, and many others: his Imperial Majesty graciously did promise a redress, giving command to all Dukes and Lords, to see a reformation. But at this time there is greater cause of redress of abuses, since it is to be plainly seen, that wickedness hath gotten the upper hand, and alas! there is no hope of help, or redress.  
If this Prince deals so hardly with his own, much more cruelty is to be looked for at his hands, if he can have the upper hand of others.   

The most humble Supplication of certain of the States of lower Austria made unto the Emperor: Wherein is showed the most terrible, inhuman, and barbarian tyrannies, committed by the Emperor's Soldiers, by the Casockes and Walloons in the said Country.  
MOst gracious Prince, the unspeakable spoiling, destruction, misery, trouble, calamity, and subjection of these countries, wrought and effected by the accursed Cosackes and others your Majesty's Soldiers brought into the same, together with the robbings, murthering, sackings, burnings, massacring, and other barbarian cruelties used and committed therein, moveth and provoketh us in the name and behalf of our principal Lords & the whole Country, to take and have our recourse, next unto God, to your Imperial Majesty, with sighs and tears to renew our former complaints. In regard that the same (in the least degree) are not yet redressed, neither hath your Imperial Majesty, nor you Generals granted any message, nor Mandate in writing for their safe conducts; and to obtain some relief therein for your poor subjects. For although your Majesty hath heretofore oftentimes been certified and advised, how and in what manner the Country in general is spoilt and destroyed, both the Gentlemen and Commons robbed and ransacked, some of the Peasants killed, and some of them driven from house & home into the Woods, and Mountains; Vines and earable Lands spoilt and laid waste, humanity set aside; virtue, modesty, honesty, policy, law and right hindered and neglected, and an innumerable company of sins, and shameful and horrible actions are daily committed, and cruelly exercised by the Soldiers. Your Majesty having most graciously granted and promised, to take speedy order for the redressing and prevention thereof; and to that end vouchsafed your Gracious Commission to the General of your army, for the ceasing and stay of the same: being compelled thereunto by mere necessity and force, your poor and humble Subjects are again united to renew their said complaints, and to let your Majesty know, that the said insolences are not by any means ceased, nor yet lessened, but rather from day to day, and continually, are still committed, and more and more increased and wax stronger, yea, and in such barbarian, , and inhuman manner, that we are astonished and abashed to think thereon, and in a manner have a detestation to name them to certify your Majesty thereof. Therefore sith the unruly Soldiers, specially the Cosackes, still persist in such their strange, fearful, and detestable actions, and that there is no forbearance nor distaste thereof in any sort, as also being certified, that the same is to be continued and practised by others of your Majesty's troops. We, being upon more than a sure ground, for that we are certainly persuaded in our consciences, that it cannot be answered before God, together with the States, whose Officers are respectively to maintain the Country, moved with no small grief and inward vexation of mind to behold the miserable state of the countrypeople, & being governors and fathers of the same, (as the duty of every Gowernor and Statesman bindeth him) most hearty and earnestly desiring and wishing to see a remedy therein. Hoping that your Imperial Majesty, will not in any wise be offended, nor take it in evil part, that in some sort we make the same known unto your Majesty, only to the end, that your said Majesty, as a Christian Potentate, and a most gracious Prince of the house of Austria, may the rather with all speed seek to remedy, and take aid for the diverting of these great, most enorm, and mischievous proceed.  
So it is, and it pleased your Imperial Majesty, that for as much, as the Walloons, and other strange Soldiers, brought into this Country, cease not continually, to make a common practice to waste, spoil, burn, murder, and massacre the Country and the Commons thereof, whereby there is not any fearful, unspeakable, and inhuman action whatsoever, which they, and other of your Majesty's soldiers with all cruelty, and bloodthirstiness, have not effected, exercised, and committed; sparing not to burn whole Villages, Hamlets, and Market-towns, and in them Storehouses for the provision of Widows and Orphans, (among the which we also that are Ambassadors, and have a special protection from your Majesty for our defence against all oppressions, are not spared) seized upon, spoilt, and burned their Castles, houses, and their provision for their houses, being taken from them; the poor subjects that are employed about necessary defences, cannot get a bit of bread to relieve themselves withal, but are constrained to starve and die for hunger. Boys and Women being fearfully violated & ravished, are carried prisoners away, both young and old men and women, most cruelly and terribly martyred, torterd, pressed, their flesh pinched, and pulled from their bodies with burning tongues, hanged up by the necks, hands, feet, and their privy-members; women, gentlewomen, and young wenches under years ravished till they die, women great with child, laid so long upon the fire, until which time as that men may see the fruit in their bodies, and so both mother and child die together, old and young, high and low states, spiritual and temporal persons, without any difference, oppressed, and many thousands of innocent people fearfully murdered. Some in their castles (and yet such as have deserved well at your Majesties and the house of Austria's hands, as being old & good friends to the same) notwithstanding their Letters Patents of assurance and protection, (because they profess the Lutheran Religion) pitifully murdered. Some of them with their wives and children being brought forth in their shirts and smocks, and wholly bereft of all relief, and such as fly out into the fields, not suffered there to be free from their cruelties, but running after them, have been most pitifully slain, and hewed to pieces. And many men of great account have been glad to take Passports from their own servants, with many other such like unspeakable and inhuman insolences, and horrible, and cruel actions that are practised; which although, now (as loath to make them known unto your Majesty) we forbear to write it as much as in conscience we can, and will answer for the same before God, we will hereafter not spare to declare.  
Therefore, sith we know, that your Majesty takes no pleasure in these fearful and horrible excesses, and intolerable abuses, & much more in respect of your Christian charity & Princely mind, cannot but conceive a great disliking thereof; and that it is to be feared, that your Majesty hath not yet, or may for a long time refrain from resolving upon an answer to be made, & order to be taken touching these our obedient & humble supplications, and therefore the same will have no end nor be restrained, whereby the whole Country will be in danger to be laid waste, the Lords and subjects of the same brought and reduced into extreme misery and affliction, to the great prejudice, not only of your Majesty, but also of the whole famous and worthy house of Austria, and an unrecoverable damage unto the Empire. We most humbly, once again beseech your Majesty, in the name of our principal States, for the mercy of God, in the bleeding wounds of our Lord and Saviour jesus Christ, that you would be pleased, according to your natural commendable Austrian, and Imperial clemency, to have compassion upon the necessity, misery, and pitiful estates of your faithful States, Subjects, and inhabitants, whereby your Majesty shall not only be a furtherance to your own desiring of peace, quietness, and prosperity, and procure your most gracious satisfaction, but also obtain immortal commendation of all posterity. Which your faithful and bounden subjects will endeavour with all duty and obedience to deserve at your Majesty's gracious hands, wherewith we refer ourselves to your most Princely pleasure and disposition.  
The true neither Austrian Evangelicall Committees and Ambassadors.