A DECLARATION OR PROFFER OF THE Archdukes of Brabant, concerning a truce between them and the States of the Free united Netherlandish Provinces, tending to the treaty for a perpetual Peace between them: or for a surceasance of Arms for certain years. Contained in a Letter sent unto the said States.  
Also the Answer and Acceptance of the States of the united Provinces unto the Archdukes.  
Translated out of Netherlandish Printed copy.  
LONDON Printed by R. R. for William Ferebrand, and are to be sold at his shop in Popes-head Alley. 1607.   

❧ TO THE RIGHT Honourable the Earl of Exeter, Knight of the most Honourable order of the Garter: and one of the Lords of his Majesty's most Honourable privy Counsel. R. P. wisheth all increase of Honour and endless happiness.  
MAy it please your Hon.  
The observation which this world begets, may teach experience truly to report, that Love and Charity are for the most part grown so cold, even in the hottest Sunshine of our Profession, as that despised Poverty, though addicted to the Religious exercise of endeavours commendable, is in the best employment (which seems with greatest favour to smile upon his Hope) so coldly recompensed, as that poor unpitied dejected miserable Poverty knows neither Means nor Place how or where to warm itself.  
Unhappy I, in this best time of greatest happiness, who being as I am a Poor despised, hated, scorned, and unrespected Soldier so unfortunate as no commended means, though many used, with confirmation both of love and Loyalty, can be of power from despairs Gulf, to raise a Spirit drowned, in worst of misery: but were I not endeared unto those by heaven made mine, who are indeed, to me, then life, more dear from whom there is no way to run, unless in me, self being be dissolved, I would assuredly by heavens assistance in some honest War with use of Arms, give to my life so long as I should live, a living maintenance: but now Immured in my native home, unseparably Yoked with leane-faced poverty. I have experience to conclude that as it is most certain Pax procreate Bellum, so is it no less true, that a coufirmed Peace, Non amat Fillios belli, until she hath need of them.  
In this estate not knowing how to mend myself, Religions Law shall make my resolution honest, & though Rerum conditionem mutare non possum, yet I will have power to say Hoc possum magnum sumere animam et viro forti dignum, with patience therefore shall my grieved thoughts joyfully be thrown upon my maker's providence by whose assistance I will still resolve with a constant bosom to persist in the prosecution of commended deeds, for this I know Spes mea, Christo vivens, Est vivere ut semper vivam.  
And thus, my Honourable Lord, having breathed forth a sight unto the grace of your compassionate respect: I humbly crave your Honour will vouchsafe, to patronize in this little book (by me collected) not my own but the words of that reverend and learned Judge, the Lord Coke, who at his coming to Norwich, did at the Assizes there upon the bench, deliver a charge so excellent as that it worthily deserves to be continued in perpetual memory, which being thus prodused to a public view, I hope it shall unto our Publickeweale remain a worthy president, wherein Rome's champions may with shame decern their long continued shameful practices, Puritans & Sismatickes learn to know with what Injustice they disturb the happiness of our most happy peace, our justices, inferior officers, jurors, and Commons generally, may in this book find out commended documents, and instructions profitable as well directing how to govern as to be governed: all which particulars the learned judge hath wisely handled with such plausible Oratorical wisdoms eloquence, as that when I heard him speak, I though the Poet had just cause to say, Prospera lux orritur linguisque animisque favete: Nam dicendà bono sunt bona verba die. If therefore in this following work my Memory hath given a true instruction to my pen, I hope my labour shallbe accounted profitable, when it administers a public benefit.  
Thus Right Hon. Earl, what I have herein performed, together with my most unworthy self, I humbly refer unto your Honoured wisdoms consideration, remaining as I will always rest,  
Your Honours in all humbleness of Duty. R. P ….   

❧ The Letter of the archdukes, sent unto the States of the united Provinces.  
THe Archdukes, whose hearts most servant and earnest desires endeavour nothing more, then to see the Netherlandes, and all the good Inhabitants thereof at peace, and free from the miseries of these continual wars, upon good considerate deliberation, declare and signify by these presents, that they are contented to treat with the States of the said united Netherlandes in the self same quality, as holding and reputing them to be free Countries, Provinces, and States.  
Upon the which, their Highnesses not claiming or pretending any thing. Be it by way of a perpetual peace, truce, or surceasance of arms, for twelve, fifteen, or twenty years, even to the free choice and acceptance of the aforesaid States, the whole depending upon reasonable conditions. Amongst which conditions, covenants and agreements, also shall be admitted, aswell to the conclusion of a perpetual peace, as to a truce, or surcease of Arms: That each one shall continue to have and remain possessed of all that which he now enjoyeth, unless that by common consent it be conveniently otherwise agreed upon, for the better accommodation of their Highnesses, and the said Stats, together respectively with the Netherlands, in the exchange of some Cities, or any other places. As also upon the good order and security of the common trade, traffic, commerce, & conversation, with whatsoever belongeth thereunto, together with the Interuentions, confirmation, and furtherance of what shall be concluded. And their Highnesses having thus maturely considered upon the estate of the united Provinces, and desiring to treat with them no otherwise herein then faithfully, without fraud & deceit: as also to grant unto the said States a time of deliberation to consider and determine what shall be most needfullest for the common good and benefit public.  
And are therefore contented, that those persons that they shall appoint for the said Truce (which shall be born Netherlanders) shall assemble themselves together with the said States in like number at the time and place appointed, to be chosen and limited by the said States.  
And to the end that whatsoever is formerly rehearsed, may have the better proceeding, be it for a perpetual peace, or the said surcease their Highnesses are contented, that for the next ensuing eight months, there shall be a general surcease of arms, all sieges and surprisings of Cities or Fortresses, all Incursions, and devastations whatsoever in the provinces and quarters, together with a surceasing to build any new fortresses, or proceeding in any other Hostile action either by sea or land, in all the Netherlands, or at Sea, in Spain, or elsewhere, as well in respect of the King, as of their Highnesses, from the day of Anno 1607.  
And upon condition provided, that if within the aforesaid time of day and month, limited any of the parties ignorantly, without taking knowledge hereof, should surprise or intercept any thing from the other party, that the same shall then be duly repaired, and restitution made, so far forth as the said States on their parts do allow and approve the said provisional truce, within eight days after the presentation of these. And before the first of September next coming, they shall declare and signify unto their Highnesses, (upon the aforesaid treaty) which is proffered touching peace, truce, or surceasance of arms, together with the time and place by them to make choice of, to that effect.  
Done in Brussels the 13. of March 1607. was Paragrafied Richardot V t: Signed Albert, Isabella, and underneath 
 By order of their Highness Verreyken and sealed with the Signet of their Highnesses.   

The State's General of the united Provinces, together with his Excellency, having considered upon the Proffers, declarations, and presentations of the Archdukes, return their Answer as followeth.  
THat in the quality as States of Free countries and Provinces, on the which the High and Mighty Archdukes pretend nothing they have upon good deliberation, and with advise of his Excellency, and counsel of Estate, decreed and declare by these presents, That they for their parts, no less than the other party, heartily wish nothing more, than to see the Netherlands delivered, by means of some godly, honourable, and secure end, from the miseries of these wars. And hoping that the Archdukes, both in the behalf of the King of Spain, & for themselves, have made these proffers, declarations, and presentations, sincerely and faithfully.  
The said State's General in the quality as aforesaid, have accepted and accept by these presents, the declaration, and provisional Truce aforesaid, for 8. months, beginning the 20. of April next coming, from all sieges, surprists of cities, and foretresses, invasions or incursions of Provinces and Quarters: together with the making of any new Forts or Sconces. As also we receive their farther proffers and presentations, to communicate & relate unto those to whom shall belong thereby to make their declarations before the first day of September next coming, with full assurance that God Almighty will bless and guide the business for the best.  
And thereupon the writings and bonds of the promised Approbation, and like declaration of the King of Spain's (according to the agreement made between the comitties of their Highnesses and Ours) shall be dispatched on the tenth of April next ensuing. And within two, or at the farthest, three days after, delivered, and exchanged before Lillo. Done in s'Granenhage.   

Gentle Reader,  
AMongst all the temporal blessings that God of his free bounty bestows upon any Kingdom or Nation, there is not any thing more invaluable than that heaven-bred happiness, called Peace and Quietness: it was a harmony from Angelical voices, at the birth of our Saviour, when those divine Ambassadors brought glad tidings of great joy, pronouncing Peace on earth, and unto all men good will: when our Saviour departed from his Disciples, he left Peace with them; when he came amongst them after his resurrection, the doors being shut, he spoke Peace unto them: and Peace is that, without which, all other things are distasteful and unpleasant.  
What is it in this world, either for honour, riches, plenty, alliance, arts, friendship, or any human good, but with Peace it flowrisheth in glorious sunshine?  
We ourselves, of any Nation under the cope of heaven, can evidence this to the whole world, that have had the palm-tree spread over this Kingdom, the long reign of a peaceful Queen, and continueth in flourishing state the present reign of her worthy successor, who is the mirror of Peace to all Nations of the earth. But what we have not feared, others have most grievously felt, especially our near neighbours, (the united Netherlands) whose tragedy begun by rugged war, hath continued in bloody action, many years of terror; thei● calamities and miseries, which of us can be ignorant of? English ears have heard their roaring Canons echo in the air, imitating Ioues thunder, their Trumpets sound the fatal knell of infinite thousands, and their Drums alarms laden the earth with millions of dead carcases.  
English eyes have seen the devastations, spoils, sieges, ransackings, & flaming cities, of those countries: English lives have been liberally spent in their martial business, followed their fortunes, bled in their quarrels, and died in their battles.  
But now, after all these bloody affairs, this supposed endless war, these reputed irrevocable cruelties, behold a strange and admirable alteration, that such implacable adversaries, shall most readily and willingly propound love and amity, offering to sheathe the sword till it rust (even a perpetual Peace,) or a Truce limited, or any indifferency of faithful trial.  
From whence proceedeth the original of these designs? to whom must the efficient cause be attributed? but only to that Almighty Peacemaker, who hath the ruling and ordering of hearts in his own hand, to dispose of them as he pleaseth, be they never so potent, powerful, or opposite.  
For as in justice he hath a severe and cruel whip of three cords, to punish sinners (to wit of Famine, Sword, and Pestilence,) so in his Mercy he hath Plenty, Peace, and Health: freely to bestow on whom his mercy shall please to extend them. It is to be hoped that the Lords wrath will be appeased, towards them that the sword hath destroyed, for such a long continuance of years. And that he will rather power out his wrath and heavy displeasure upon the heathen that have not known him, nor called upon his name. And it is a duty whereunto every Christian man is obliged, to pray unto the great God of Heaven, that he will remove his hand of justice from his poor weak and frail creatures, whom with one angry frown, he can at once destroy from the face of the earth. The Prophet David saith, It is a good and joyful thing, for brethren to dwell in unity. All that profess Christ, are taught by him, in prayer to call him father, and the sons of one father must needs be brethren.  
This motion of Peace and concord (if it be faithful and unfeigned, to prevent effusion of Christian blood) is most honourable, and the acceptance thereof, of as high worthiness: he that made the heart knows it, and hath the dispose of it: he that is called the Lord of Hosts can command angels to fight his battle, with terrible slaughter: and again, can beyond all expectation of human creature, cease stern faced war, with mild embracements of smiling Peace.  
To conclude, let all be referred to his will, who hath power, and whose power no mortal is able to resist, and let our affections join with those heavenly soldiers, that sounded forth Peace on earth, & good will with men.  
FINIS.