AN EXACT SURVEY OF THE AFFAIRS Of the United NETHERLANDS.  
Comprehending more fully than any thing yet extant, all the Particulars of that Subject.  
In Twelve HEADS, mentioned in the Address to the READER.  
Ictus Piscator sapit.  
LONDON, Printed by Tho● Mabb, for Thomas Johnson, at the Golden Key in Cannon-Alley, over against the great North-door of Saint Paul's Church, Anno 1665.   

The Preface to the READER.  
THese discourses now in hand, are published with no further care of their reception and entertainment, than the consequence of them may deserve; (whereof the Readers not the Publishers must be Judges.)  
And we need not be moved with the common Passions of such as make Epistles and Prefaces, conceiving our trust very well discharged, when we have given the Reader the useful Contents of the Book; which contains  
I. An exact History of the Dutch, since they inhabited that Country, An. 700, to this present year 1665, with a continued and close succession, p. 1.  
II. A very particular account of their Revolt from the King of Spain's subjection, and their being declared a Free-state at the Hague 1608, and confirmed so at Munster 1648.  
III. An impartial view of the assistances by Councils, countenance, 60000 men, and 3 m●llions of Money afforded by Q Elizabeth, K. James, K. Charles the first, of Famous memory, upon their humble Petition when the Distressed States, that they might live under our Protection.  
iv A faithful Narration of such affronts and injuries as they have offered us in Europe, Asia, Africa, and America; particularlarly in Amboyna.  
V A complete Recapitulation of the seven Advantages they make of our Fishing, and Royal favours of his most Sacred Majesty; 1. In their shipping. and their Mariners. 2. In Trade. 3. In Towns and Fortifications. 4. In their Power abroad. 5. In public Revenue. 6. In private wealth. 7. In all manner of Provisions, and store of things necessary, amounting to 24 Millions yearly, by His Majesty's gracious permission at home and abroad.  
VI How unable they are, in that and 16 other respects to engage with England; and that point made out.  
VII. In a very punctual relation of the last Dutch War, from its rise when it began, 1650, 1651, throughout its whole management, to the years 1652, 1653, when it was ended; with the virtues of that Peace.  
VIII. A prudential survey of the present State of the united Netherlands, in regard of the S●i●uation of their Country, and in respect of their Neighbours.  
IX. A satisfactory consideration of their present State, in point of Interest throughout the World, and their deal with every Prince particularly.  
X. Very curious reflections on their present State in point of Government, and that not only in the States. General, but in every one of the 7 Provinces, and the Towns belonging to them apart.  
XI. Choice Observations on the present state of the Dutch, 1. In point of Government▪ 2. In matters of Religion. 3. In the particulars of their strength by Sea and Land.  
XII. An exact account of the state of the present▪ Controversy between England and the United Netherlands in the three great points; 1. Of Trade. 2. Of Fshing. 3. Of Pretensions, Claims, affronts, and Wrongs.  
And all this directed to no other end, than the framing of right, and clear Apprehensions touching the present affairs in those men's minds [who are very many] that are therein concerned in point of Interest; or in those [who are almost all] who concern themselves therein in point of Discourse, Consideration, and Observation; for whose accommodation these Discourses are contrived Close, and not Tedious; Real, and not Wordy; justly entered in the List of those Writings that express more than they promise, and Intimate more, than they do Express.   

Books lately Printed.  
A Dissuasive from Popery: By the Right Revereud Father in God, Jeremy Taylor, L. Bishop of Down and ●onner.  
A Vindication of the Lords Prayer, as a formal Prayer, to be used by Christians as a Prayer: By Meric Casaubon, D. D.  
The History of the French Academy, erected at Paris: By Card▪ Richleiu, consisting of the most refined Wits of that Nation.  
The lives of the two most Illustrious Princes, Henry Duke of Gloucester, and Mary, Princess of Orange.  
Sir Walter Raleighs Maxims and Aphorisms of State; published by John Milton Esquire.  
The Mystery and Iniquity of Non-coaformity;— In an Historical account of the Designs and Practices of the Non-conformists against Church and State.  
Instructions for Jurymen on the Commission of Sewers: Delivered in three several Charges, at several session's of Sewers, at Spalding in Lincolnshire.  
A Treatise of Spiritual Infatuations, the Present visible distemper of the English Nation: By Dr. William Stamp.  
Trigonometry, or the Doctrine of Triangles;— ●y the Famous Mr. William Oughtred, both in Latin and English, either with the Tables of Logarithms, or without.  
And there is now in the Press ready to be published, ●n ingenuous Discourse●, written by a Pers●● of quality, Entitled,  
Europae Modernae Speculum: Or a view of the Empires, Kingdoms, Principalities, Signories, and ●ommon wealths of EUROPE; in their Present State, their Government, Policy, different Interest, and mutual Aspect one towards another, from the Treaty at Munster, Anno 1648. to this present 1665.  
All to be sold by Thomas Johnson at the Golden▪ Key in Cannon-Alley, over against the great North door of Saint Paul's Church.   


The Original, and whole History of the Hollanders: In an exact Succession, from the year 700, to this present year 1665.  
CHAP. I.  
SECT. 1.  
THE Hollanders being a People that seemed born to fill the last Age of the World with Disturbance, and this with Noise. I was as restless as they are, till I could find the Original of those Bustlers' Power, whereof, as old as I am, I am likely to see an end.  
The men are the old Hirmodures, that were lodged by Nature in no more benign an Habitation, than the dreadful distance between the Hercy●ian-Forest, ●nd S●ythia; and they retain this of their Wilderness, that they would have still all things in Common; whence upon a quarrel about the Salt-pits of Sala, (as unreasonable as that since about the salt waters of the Ocean) the Caths, Cerusie●s, and Ligiens chased those troublesome Neighbours to Cat senel boggen, a Port of Fessen (an Earldom which the House of Nassau claims, but that of Fessen enjoyeth,) and thence Battus, and Zelandus, the two Principals of the Nation falling out, 〈◊〉 came with his Train to Holland, called from him Batavia, and Zealand to Zealand, called so from him; (Holland and Zealand it seems were divided in their Founders,) the one building Bata v●durum, or Wychterduyrstede, a famous Town 800 years ago, of three mile's compass, some three Leagues from Vtrecht, now a small Village, and the other Arm Viden and Gumpuere; but both subject to the Gauls or French, who thereupon have a Right to Holland.  
§. 2. For Charles the bald King of France 863, at a general Assembly of his Princes and Barons at Bladell in Brabant, of Champeigni, upon some Lord's motion, bestowed upon Thierry Duke of Aquitain, Holland, and that part of East-Friezland from Dockum to La●vin, to defend and protect them from the Invasions and Devastations of the Danes and Normans, who notwithstanding their general opposition at his entrance (for they were then impatient of Government) their joint Conspiracy against him six years after his settlement, when the Pope intimating how he should govern them, by cutting the top of his Garden-Plants, as he walked there with his Ambassadors, bestowed that Country upon him a second time by a breve; as Lewis of Germany did Zealand, by a Royal constitution, left it to his son Thierry the Second, who subdued the Frizons after two rebellions in behalf of their Liberties, granted them as they pretended, by Charti magni, to entire obedience in such sort, as he constrained them to make their doors and entries so low, that they must bend their backs, and stoop very much in sign of humility before they could enter, and committed them upon his death to his second Son Arnold, as he did Holland and Zealand to his eldest Son Egbert: having entered to a Monestery at Triars, by whom a Revolt was made from his bounden duty to the French to a submission to the Empire; of whom he would needs hold his Earldom in Fee, which lost him his life in a Battle against the Friezlanders, who opposed that dishonourable submission, and with the assistance of the French, and the conduct of their Protestat, or Governor, defeated him in open field; whose Son and Successor, Thiery the 3d, dissembling the affront a while, until ●he had conquered the stout Bishop of Vtrecht, who would needs maintain that Holland belonged to his Bishopric (his Vtrecht being in old time as he urged, what with his Army, and what with his Reason, the Capital City of Holland:) and relieved the Germane Auxilianies, revenged his Father's death, and settled the Country on his younger son Floris; who his elder Brother Thiery being slain at a Tournament at Liege say some 1048, or as others, by the marquis of Bradenburgh's Forces, who came to revenge the Germans disgrace at that Tournament as far as Dort, which by Treason, or a Popular Tumult he surprised and kept, till Earl Floris hearing of the League between the marquis of Bradenburgh, Count Albert of Louvain, Wickard Advocate General of Gelder's, and Hermar Earl of Curike, gathered the whole Country to Dort to make Ditches, and Pitfalls along South-Holland, wherein the Enemies fell in heaps, submitting at last to his mercy, whose Family yet he leaving, an Infant behind him was despoiled of the Earldom of Holland by the Bishop of Dort's application to the Emperor H. 4, who resenting the late Onslaught of the Germans, gave the Reverend Father his claimed Earldom, which he colluted on Godfrey the 9th Earl thereof; who yet lost it to Thierry the 5th, whom the Friezlanders helped to his Predecessors honour in Holland, as he did afterwards himself, when they would neither acknolwedge him, nor obey the Bishop to be Seigneory over them, as his Heir Thoris the Second and the Earl did, when they would needs bid him Battle, to try, as they said, for their Liberties; to whose Son and Successor Thierry the 6th, Lothiar the Emperor restored Oastergoe, and Westergoe in Friezland, formerly given 1080. by H. 4: to Conrade Bishop of Vtrecht, notwithstanding the rebellious attempts of the Frizons against it, and the fatal Divisions made by that unhappy people between him and his Brother; whom at last, after six bloody Battles, the Emperor reconciled, settling Friezland and Holland anew upon his Son Floris the 3d, who married Ada, Daughter to the King of Scotland, and had the Isle of Wal●●rin, where they built Dur by accord, with Philip Earl of Flanders, for the Land of Waes'; in whose Reign the Hollanders set up the first Herring-fishing in the Maze, and the Brittish-Seas along the Coast of Holland, Zealand, and Friezland, in small Barks called Subards, those of Zerexes being the first that did fish and pack them up in Barrels.  
Those of Bieruliel, a small Isle on the Coast of Flanders, the better to preserve them, being salted, invented the way to Gill them, and pull out the Garbage.  
Thierry the 7th his Son succeeded him, and brought the Flemings to an accord about Trade, and the Frizons to Reason, when they were in the mood to acknowledge no Sovereign but the Emperor; and being reconciled to the Earl of Gelder's, joined with him against the troublesome Bishop of Vtrech; and his Brother William, Earl of Friezland succeeded him likewise, deposing his Daughter from Holland, and reducing the Zealanders; both which Provinces he left to his Son Floris the 4th, whose Daughter Margaret Countess of Hennebergh, had 365 Children at a Birth, that is to say, for so many days in the year.  
After him was William the Second Earl of Holland of that name, and King of the Romans, who enlarged his Earldom towards ●landers, in a Quarrel with Margaret Countess of Flanders, who in vain sought the Pope and St. Lewis of France his aid, while Earl William was alive, who died unfortunately in Ice, in an onset upon his restless Subjects of Friezland, which was reduced by Flori● 5th; who after the allaying of the Factions raised in Holland during his minority, built four Castles that utterly subdued that Country, made a League with Flanders, that brought within his Earldom Amstel and Worden, threatened a War with Scotland, in right of his Grandmother Ada, that with King Edward of England mediation was accorded, in a marriage between his son john, and Elizabeth the Daughter of that Kingdom; whence arose a great friendship between England, Scotland, and Holland: And the Flemings suddenly breaking their League, by a Surprise of Zealand, by the Isle of Welchrin, he subdued them so far, with the loss of so many Knights, that he made 40 to possess and maintain his Conquests; which yet prospered not, when he for deflowering Count Gerund's Lady, was murdered in a Ditch, and the Frizons sent to the King of Denmark to be their Protector; especially when upon Count John's absence in England (Floris his son, and now the 20th Earl of Holland reigning) the Government of Holland was divided between the Faction of Count Hedier of Clevis, who governed North-Holland; of Guy, the Earl of Henaul's Brother, who possessed South-Holland; and of Berfold, Surrogate to Zirich, Bishop of utrich, who revived the old Quarrel about Holland, till King john with a mighty Fleet of his Father in Laws, the King of England's 1297, defeated the Frizons twice with the Bishop, that had preached a 1000 years Pardon to every Person, that could kill a Hollander, razed Mour Mount, and settled the Faction at Dort: But dying suddenly 1300, and leaving his Wife childless, who returned to England, and married the Earl of Oxford, Gillis Brecht of Amstel seized and fortified Amsherdam: The Factions of Scheirlingen, and Venus Coopen broke out in▪ Friezland, and both maintained their Franckises and Liberties against the Emperor's Lieutenant, Albert, D. of Saxony, who came to compose their differences, and in the Inter regnum to settle their Government, the Male Line of Thierry of Aquitane failing in Floris the fifth's son john, the Government fell to john Earl of Henaut, Nephew to William King of the Romans, and Earl of Holland by Alix his Sister; who now the 2 d Earl of Holland gave to his Brother Guy the Signories of Amsterdam, upon which he conferred many Freedoms, Rights, and Privileges, with design to reduce Signior Rhenez of Zealand to Reason with its assistance and (this is the first time that Amsterdam gave Law to Zealand;) who presumed upon the Flemish and Imperial assistance so far, as to overrun Holland; till William the 22th, Earl of Holland, john of Henault's son, with the Lord of Humpstead's assistance reduced them, and with 320 Ships of France, confined Guy of Flanders to his own Bruges.  
This good Earl William, as they called him, having married Charles de valois his Daughter's Niece, to Philip the Fair of France, settled his Brother john of Beaumond in Goud and Schoonborn, and strengthened his Uncle Guy Bishop of Vtrech, by a Fort he raised at Skellingwerf, to bridle the unquiet Frizons; adding to Holland the Signories of Amstel and Woerden (while Charles the Fair of France was bu●ie with the Flemish, and the Emperor Lewis of Bavaria as busy with the Pope) which he left to his son William the 23th Earl of Holland and Zealand; who being allied to Edward the 3d King of England, troubled France, and brought the troublesome West-Frizons 1345 to Reason; and dying without lawful Issue, returned his Government to his Sister Margaret, than Empress and Wife to Lewis of ●avaria; who being confirmed in the Earldom by her Husband, in a full Diet solemnly taking the Earldoms Homage, depute her son William under her Governor of Holland; who being defeated by the Bishop of Vtrech, and instigated by the Holland Faction of Cabillaux and Hoecks, falls out with his Mother, who (her Husband being dead) returned to the Government; and after various successes in four Battles with her son, gave it him, upon condition he should reduce Vtrech and its Bishopric, which had troubled Holland with its pretensions for 260 years together as he did; but dying childless, left all to his Brother Albert of Bavaria, who put the Towns and Castles in good hands, reduced Delf and Gelder's, built Gildenburgh-Castle to secure the Sluices: Weakened the Frizons, reduced Vtrech, defeated the Frizons again, brought the Groeningeois to do Homage and Fealty: Forced the rebellious Lord of Arleche to an accord, married his 3d Daughter Margaret, to john Duke of Burgundy, Earl of Flanders and Artois, by whom she had Philip, the good Duke of Burgundy, Earl of Holland and Flanders; and among many other children, Joan, Duchess of Austria, by whom came these Earldoms to the Emperor and the King of Spain  
After his death, William of Bavaria his son, and the 27th Earl of Holland and Zealand succeeded, who was much troubled with the Lords of Arguel father and son, and the Duke of Gelder's, to whom they had resigned their Interest, until the Lord of Arguel being taken, discovered all the Conspirators, and particularly Count Egmond, who thereupon yielded up his strong Fort Iselstein, and retired, till Jaqueline of Bavaria succeeded her father Albert, the Factions called home Egmond, contrived to displace Jaqueline, and put in john of Bavaria, and Bishop of Liege in her place, till the Pope dispensing with it, she is married to john Duke of Brabant; by whose assistance she recovereth Gornchom of Count Egmond, persuades the Hollanders and Zealanders to refuse john of Bavaria, and his pretended Grant from the (Emperor; (insomuch that he was glad to come to terms with her Husband, to hold some Lordships in Fee, and quit all his Titles and Pretensions;) who after his death, is declared Earl of Holland, in right of his Wife; in whose right he subdueth the old Faction of Cabillans and Hoeckins, strengtheneth Harlem, takes Schoonhooens, and brings the unhappy woman (who had married now four times) to declare Philip Duke of Burgundy Governor of Holland; and after her death Earl; which Earldom she resigned to him in her life time, to ransom her 5th wellbeloved Husband, the Lord of Borselle from his hand.  
Philip the first, Duke of Burgundy, and 20th Earl of Holland, succeeding as right Heir by father and mother to the Government of Holland, helped the Hollanders and Zealanders to chase the Easterlings, now Lords at Sea; in sign whereof they bear to this day, a little Besom atop of their Mainmast, to show they had swept the Sea of all competitors 1431; and with much ado, composed the Tumults raised in Amsterdam, Harlem, and Leyden, upon an intolerable imposition, by the Faction of the Hooks and Cabellans, whom at last he reconciled and awed, by the institution of a first Precedent (the Earl of Nassau,) by promoting his Bastard David to the Bishopric of Vtrech, by suppressing the factious Family of Brederode: By his League with the English, and seasonable Resignation of his Government to his discontented son, the Earl of Charolois, during his sickness, who subdued the Ligeois, razed Dirvant, succeeded his Father and Margaret, Sister to Edward the 4th, King of England (in whose time printing was first invented at Harlem:) and as he had the name of warlike, so he goes on, bringing the tumultuous Ganthois to his mercy, the mutinous Town of Macklyn to a Ransom, the Leigeoix to a submission, notwithstanding that it was the French Kings Ambassador that had incited them to rebel, upon a promise of 30000 men at a mouths warning; for which neighbourly part, he was even with that King, by assisting the Duke of Britain against him, and taking him Prisoner.  
He resolves to ruin the House of Brederode, to which purpose he brings many of them to the Rack: He makes the sullen Frizons bring him white Paper, wherein he should write his own terms: He refuseth to answer King Lewis the 11th of France his Citation, 1470 to Paris: He brings that King to a Truce gets the Dukedom of Gelder's resigned to him, defies the Emperor Sigismond at Nevis, and brought h●m to an advantageous Peace, prospering in all his undertaking; but that against the pitiful Swi●●●, whose whole Country he said, was not worth the Bits of his Bridle, nor the spurs of his Army.  
After which he was slain at Nantes, leaving all his Dukedoms, Earldoms, and Lordships to his Daughter Mary, who, the King of France neglecting the marriage of the Dalphin to her, was Contracted according to former Treaties in her Father's life time to Maximilian of Austria, the Emperor Frederick's Son; by whom she had Philip, Archduke of Austria; who undertaking the Government in her Right, after an Assembly held at Bruges reduced the revolted Gelder's, settled such Governors in Harlem, Rotterdam, Leyden, and elsewhere, as might over-awe Egmond, and the ancient Factions of Hoecks and Cabillaux, subdued Vtrech; and the trajectings as Guardian to his son, Philip of Austria; with whom he goeth, being chosen King of the Romans to Hungary 1411; leaving Engelbert Earl of Nassau, 4th Governor of the Netherlands, whom the Emperor assists in the settlement of the Government, the Pope seconding his Temporal Power, with his own Spiritual; who being hired by the distractions between Holland and Flanders about the Sea, resigned his Charge to Albert Duke of Saxony; who with his Master Maximilian, the K. of the Romans went into Holland, settling the Towns as they passed, making a Peace between them and the Flemins, and punishing the Mutineers at Harlem, and Al●mar,: Ruining the Factions by their own fears and jealousies, keeping under the Frizons and Gelder's by a new Protestate, sent thither by the Emperor Maximilian, until Philip the 2d Archduke of Austria, was by his Father Maximilian possessed of the Netherlands 1494, under whom the Duke of Saxony defeated the Factions of Friezland by pretended kindnesses; whereby he set them one against the other, while both delivered to him their strong Holds, which he made so good use of, that they appeal from him and his Son George, to the Emperor; who yet stood by his Governor, who in return for his Master's kindness, brought them of Friezland (after some redress of grievances, by their Commissioners) to pay his Master the 21th penny of all their Estates, putting 6 men to govern there, while he reduced the Groningois, notwithstanding the Protection of the Earl of Embden, and the followers of Col. Vyll (about which time a child spoke in Holland in the Mother's belly) and Philip of Austria being now King of Castille, died, and left Charles the 2d of that name the 35th Earl of Holland and Zealand, Lord of Friezland, Duke of Burgundy and Lemburgh Luxemburgh, Shiia, Corinthia, Earl of Flanders, Artois, with many other Marquisates and Principalities; to which he added Milan, Overyssel, Gruningen, Cambray, and Cambresis: his Grandfather Maximilian, the Emperor being his Guardian, and his Aunt Margaret Dowager of Savoy his Governess; under whom Ann of Burgundy, that had recovered and walled in many lost Islands in Zealand dying; Budwyen was taken, and razed, the Geldrois, Groeningois, with the Earl of Embden, are conquered: Prince Charles taking the Netherlands into his own hands from the Duchess of Savoy, and the Duke of Saxony, by the assistance of the Lord of Iselsteen; under whom he constituted 7 Governors of Justice in Friezland, when he went to Spain for that Crown upon Ferdinand, of Arragon his Grandfather, by his Mother side death, and to Germany, for that Empire upon his Grandfather Maximilian●s decease; settling Margaret of Austria, Widow of Castille, and Dowager of Savoy the 37th Governess of the Low Countries; whose Herring-busses being seized by the Danes, they mutiny; seize Newport distract Friezland, pretend Religion, and fly to the Duke of Gelder's, until the Imperial Forces came down and awed them; insomuch that Groningen yields to the Emperor, as did Dam, Weddra, Coevoelden, Huttem; Megen, Vtrecht, and most other places, the Gelder's being not able to hold out against the Power of Spain and Germany.  
Upon the Dowager of Savoy's death, Marry, Dowager of Hungary, and Sister to Charles the 5th, is the 40th Governess of the Low-Countries; under whom the new Channel was made between Brussels and Antwerp: the Anabaptists were discovered and banished; the War betwixt the Lubeckers and the Hollanders was managed by Vander-burch van Comper; and the new Haven at Middleburgh was begun 1536; and the notable surprise upon the French ships was acted in this manner:  
There being a War between the Hollanders and the French, some French ships rid along their shore, snapping up their Vessels, and themselves sometimes in bed; whereupon 50 tall Dutchmen well Armed, hearing of these ships, went in a Hoy, lying under Hatches, and covered with Sacks of Wool out of the Maze towards them, who boarded it; but when they were busy about the Sacks of Wool, they were entertained so rudely by those 50 men, with Fireworks and Granades, that they all fled, and left 6 ships Prizes to one Hoy, to be carried to Delft and sold.  
Now likewise the Emperor brought the Geldrois to a mutiny, that dismantled their Towns, razed their Forts, and laid the Faction open to their Sovereign's Power; who spoilt the Abetters Abe●ters of their Conspiracies, the French at Sea, and brought this unquiet People that rebelled every year for 527 years together to so good a temper, that they presented him at Genoa with 15000 Florins of Gold a Province, and quietly submitted to the Resignation he made of those Provinces to his Son at Brussels; who now by the name of Philip the 2d of Spain, and Lord of Austria, by Emanuel Philibert, Duke of Savoy his Viceroy, demanded of the Netherlands Supplies, for the payment of his Father's debts; who would allow him none, unless forsooth he allowed a Convocation of their general States; and then but a moiety neither of what he demanded, and was necessary for his settlement.  
And not only so, but notwithstanding that he honoured their chief Nobility; as the Lord Horn, William of Nassau, the Earl of Egmont, with the order of the Golden Fleece at Brussels, they created such fears and jealousies between the King and the Noblemen, that it was reported who were upon the refusal of the Tax designed for the Block, who for the Rack, and who for perpetual Imprisonment; insomuch as that there was a perpetual Feud between the Court and the Nobility, till the Government was dissolved, all things being represented to the worst; especially the Earls of Egmont, and Lorne's carriage at the Truce between France and Spain, at Bruges, and at the Treaty between the same two Crowns at Cambray  
Their King was yet so intent upon obliging them, that he appointed them a Council of State for matters of importance, as Peace, War, and Treaties with foreign Princes: A Privy-Council for Laws, Pardons, Justice, etc. and a third Council for the Treasury; of which Councils they themselves were the major part, their most eminent Nobility being advanced, as the Earl of Egmo●●, Governor of Flanders, and Artois: The Prince of Orange, Governor of Holland Zealand, Vtrech; and afterwards of Burgundy, Jo. de ligni Earl of Arenbergh, Governor of Friezland, Overyssel, Groaning, and Leagen; Charles de Bunen, Governor of Gelderland; and Zuphten the M●●morencies, and Horns of their respective Provinces; all subject to Margaret of Austria, Duchess of Parma, and Sister to the King of Spain; when the very first instance of the ungrateful men's Power, is a Petition to their Sovereign a Spaniard, himself to remove all Spaniards from the Netherlands.  
A Petition the good King easily granted, though to the displeasure of many of his Courtiers, that had quitted their whole fortunes for employments, there diverting his very Army, which should have kept them in better obedience to his War in Barbary.  
And when they had prevailed in that, they give out that the Spanish Courtiers would be revenged of them, and that the chief Nobility of the Netherlands, the Subscribers to that Petition, were designed to ruin a Counsellor of Spain (it should seem a Pensioner of Holland) coming in great haste to the Earl of Egmont, th● Lord Horn, and others at Chest in Gaunt, with news, that all those that consented to the Petition, for the removal of the Spaniard, the great Patron of the people's Liberty, should be put to Death; when yet his Majesty parted from them friendly, 26 Aug. 1357. recommending to them the maintenance of Religion, that general stay of Government; the finishing of the new River from Antwerp to Brussels, for the conveniency of Trade; the erection of Douai University, for the propagation of Orthodox Learning; and the impression of the Complutensian Bible, for the advancement of Religion; four excellent Designs; but so far envied by these undutiful people, that they suspected▪ the last as a Plot (as if the Printing of the Bible were a stratagem against Religion,) and cried out against the third, as a breach of their Liberties.   

CHAP. II.  
The Revolt of the Hollanders from their natural Allegiance 1564, and the management of that Revolt, till they became a Free State.  
FOr you must know, that about this time these good People weary of their ancient Government, began to search for their old Charters, Privileges, Bulls of favour, Customs; of which they pretended one was, That no Popish Seminaries, such as Douai was, should be built upon their Frontiers; another, That they should suffer no violence, forsooth their Kings must wear a Sword in vain; a third, That no persons should be admitted to Office, unless he swore to be faithful to the Prince and people; and a fourth, That they might meet and act without their King, but he could do nothing without them; and that if he presumed to do any thing otherwise, they were discharged of their Allegiance.  
These, and other Moth-eaten Liberties belonging to the Duchy of ●rabant, if to any at all since the Contract with Maximilian, May 16. An. 1488, together with the jealousies about Religion, and the murmur about the tenth Penny, when their King was only intent upon the settling of their Government by that Tax, and the prevention of Anabaptistical outrages, such as that in Munster, by his Proclamation against turbulent Innovaters, were alleged first against the Inquisition, which yet Mary, Dowager of Hungary, lately regent graciously suspended upon their Petition at Antwerp, That she should not spoil their Trade, by her overmuch zeal for Religion.  
And now they had got that surmise of the Inquisition into the multitudes heads, every thing the King did, was termed the introducing it; for his Majesty no sooner (observing that the four Bishops of Cambrey, Arras, Tournay, and Vtrecht were unable to oversee effectually the 17 large Provinces of Belgium:) set up 14 new Bishops by the Pope (Paul the Fourth's) Order, and Cardinal Granvill's solicitations, than they declaim against them as so many new Inquisitors, and their respective prebend's, as so many assistants in Persecutions; insomuch that the Earl of Egmont their Admiral, finds out another Charter, wherein it was declared, That the Ecclesiastical estate could not be enlarged without their consent, and dispatcheth some Burgemasters, with complaints against dead Trade, and new Bishops to Spain; where observing the King's resolution to assert his Government against these popular surmizes, they remonstrate that his Majesty did ill to act without the concurrence of the Lords, the States; and at their return home raised such Tumults and discontents, as might give opportunity to the Lords to meet; an opportunity they embraced, wherein they unanimously agreed to a manifesto of the state of the Country, to be delivered to Margaret Duchess of Parma their Governess, containing first, That the King was misled by ill Councillors. Secondly, That Cardinal Granvill the principal Person the King relied on, should be removed; as their Declarations sent by Montigni and others, Aug. 16. 1562. March 11. 1563. into Spain: out of their Assemblies, which the Tumults made necessary for the good Governess to call too frequently; out of which some Lords, to palliate their Ambition, desired to be dismissed; to which his Majesty returns gracious Answers, whereat they pretended dutiful submission, while they made their combination effectual; which they had no sooner done, than they tire the Governess with her Assistant the Cardinal, with their debates and divisions in all Meetings, that he retires to Spain; and they raise Tumults at Harlem, stop the Courts of Justice at Antwerp, make a breach with England 1564, that made to the great prejudice of their poor people, who improved the Commotions, for a whole year together.  
In a word, such was the apprehensions and fears that were wrought in the people, that Groningen, Leeur-warden, Duenter, and Ruremond, do violence to their Bishops and Clergy; Ourwexgen Abbey is rob; all the Clergies Power and Jurisdiction is questioned; matters are aggravated on both sides to dangerous debates, notwithstanding the gracious Answer his Majesty vouchsafed Count Egmont, Count Horn, the Lord of Brederode, and others upon their respective addresses to the Court of Spain, in behalf of that unquiet people.  
Whereupon his Majesty thought good to settle Religion, as he did by his own and the Duchess of Parmaes' Letters; which the Grandees opposed, with the bare consideration of the present Commotions, though all the World knew they were the Authors of those Commotions; as appeared upon the very first publication of the King's Letters, touching the Council of Trent; when there were Libels (the forerunners of Sedition) contrived by a great Lord, containing Complaints and Exhortations, in the name of the people to the Noblemen, about their Privilege; and the King's breach of promise scattered up and down in three or four streets of Antwerp. wherein (amongst other things) they directed the Grandees, to cite the King to the Imperial Chamber about breach of Promise, and the infringement of their Liberties.  
This bold Libel, and other false reports (of which this one, to incense and injealous the Nobility was most malicious, viz.: That the King of Spain should say, that it was but folly to busy themselves with Frogs, they must first fish for the great Salmos; meaning Horn and Egmont) brought the Netherlanders to an expostulation with their Sovereign, why he should decree any thing concerning them, without their consent.  
And a popular Tumult against these four Points, The Inquisition, The new Bishops, The entertainment of the Council of Trent, and The decay of Trade: Insomuch that most of the chief Noblemen, the Prince of Orange, the Marquis of Bergen, the Earls of Egmont, Horn, Hockstrate, the Lord of Brederode, met with the Malcontent Princes of France and Germany, under the pretence of an entertainment at Breda and Hockstrate, where they heightened one another's animosities to that degree of discontent, as produced a private League among themselves, and a Public Manifesto of the state of the Provinces, by Francis Baldwyn an Outlawed, but cunning Person; they sent for (and consulted) out of France: wherein, among other matters, it was expressed,  
1. That the Mind could not be forced, and that the Conscience should be free.  
2. That Religion consisted not in outward Ceremony, but in the inward Persuasion.  
3. That the King should hear every man's persuasion, and endeavour to convince them.  
4. That the Scripture should decide Controversies.  
5. That every peaceable man should be allowed free exercise of Religion, whatsoever might be his persuasion; because all the World could not hinder a Religion that is of God.  
6. That several abuses in the Church, whereat the people were offended, should be reform.  
7. That the King should think none could be true to him, that was not faithful to God.  
8. That the Masters of the most useful Trades, and most large Stocks in the Nation, would desert it upon the first settlement of the Ecclesiastical Government, to enjoy the Liberty of their Consciences; and go to Embden, France, and England, with whom likewise ●the best Soldiers and Gentlemen would take this occasion to withdraw.  
9 That the strength of Kings, is the love of their Subjects; whereof the most considerable are they of the Religion, for Birth, Interest, Parts, Estates, Prudence, and Learning.  
10. That it is no new thing to tolerate divers Religions, the danger of a Country proceeding not from private Opinions, but from secret Passions and Interests; which together with the noise made of trouble and War, which they pretended most to fear, who most promoted them, put the discontented Nobility assembled at the Prince of Parmai's marriage at Brussels: And afterward at St. Tradon, after a Declaration how much pity it was, that so populous a Country should be ruined by evil Counsellors, upon a resolution to Petition his Majesty, in the name of the people, for their ancient Rights and Liberties, and for the further prosecution of the affairs; to enter to mutual Oaths, to stand by one another, that what wrong was done to any one, should be done unto all; a Confederacy that gratified the Hopes of many, improved the Fears of more, and disturbed the Minds of all men, altering the very Face of the Government, the King and Church being awaked to a resolution and Rigour on the one hand, and the People to a Fury and Madness on the other; it being among other matters bruited abroad, that the Duke of Brunswich should Levy 10000 Germane Horse, to reduce them to subjection; which, together with the French suggestion of their approaching desolation, and the Germane Prince's aggravation of their Slavery, when all their neighbour Countries were free, and they were themselves Members of the Empire, and so should enjoy the privileges of the Pacification at Passau; adding, that their Kingdom was Elective, and that upon six such Articles as their King had broken: That by the Feodau Law, that King, their Lord, had forfeited his Right to his Fee, by felonious actings on their goods and lives, and many more unseemly allegations in Private discourse, and Public Pasquil's, encouraged the Contrivers of this disturbance, to Commissionate Agents to remonstrate the case of the Provinces in the Imperial Diet, then at Ausburch, before Maximilian the Emperor; and when the Governess had offered so much reasonable moderation, as prevailed with the more modest part of the Knights of the Order, and other Noblemen; interceding likewise very zealously with his Majesty of Spain, for the confirmation of it, the People are taught to protest against their Governors proceed, as to compliance with the Governess and his Majesty, in their four seditious Petitions to the King and State▪ which were no more than so many saucy Menaces what would follow, if they were not gratified in their Propositions, that were not so much vouchsafed the honour of a perusal; as were not the other unmannerly Remonstrances of Gaunt, Bruges, Ypre, Hondschoon, about the decay of Trades and Handicrafts; and those of Flanders about Liberty of Religion, carried on in a most Tumultuous and Riotous manner, by a Rabble of Geux or Beggars, as my Lord Barlement called them; upon which appellation they coined Medals with the King's Picture, on the one hand a Wallet, and a Dish on the other, with this Inscription, Faithful to God and the King, even to bear the Wallet; and presented a rebellious Petition by the Lord of Brederode, to which the unquiet people would take no answer, but an allowance for all their factious Assemblies for the time past, and a full Liberty to their Consciences for the time to come; with security that all matters should be hereafter transacted, with the consent of the Estates. Yea, and notwithstanding as can did and satisfactory a return as could be expected; the Gentlemen of the Confederacy, as they were called, fearful of the consequences of their Seditions and Mutinies, exasperated the people with strange Letters, bearing Date An. 1615, which they discovered; threatening them and their Adherents with extremities, intimating the mighty Sea and Land preparations; which inflamed the Country into a general sedition and combustion, that provoked the Government to Rigour on the one hand, and incensed the Populacy to Tumults on the other: The chief Conspirators judge the humour so high, that they might work upon it; and to that purpose order an Assembly amongst themselves for the Government: An Assembly, I know not whether more ridiculous, as wherein some were attired in Friars Grey, others carried Foxes-tailes in their Hats, others carried Dishes and goods like Beggars, their servants crying God save the Beggars: Or more dreadful, all being rude and unruly; which yet the Princess invited civilly to Arschor and Duffel, the one 6 Leagues, the other 3 from Antwerp; where a daring Petition is delivered to the Earl of Egmont and other Grandees; who under pretence of acting for the Governess, betrayed her, insisting on the very same things in their Harangues, that the Rabble did in their Petitions; yea and enrolling underhand formidable Levies, under pretence of their securities about Villevoord, while Antwerp was in a Combustion, by the Faction of Brederode; who raised Forces for the Liberty of the Subject, on the one hand, as the Earls of Megen and Arembergh drew up Forces for the King's Prerogative on the other: The Prince of Orange taking this opportunity to seize the Government of the Place, as Seditious Preachers did to usurp the Pulpits of it; the Magistrates being jealous and distrustful of the Populacy, and the Populacy of the Magistracy; and all afraid of the 1200 newly levied there.  
Which general distemper, being not a little improved, by the approaches of the Duke of Brunswick's Army to the Borders; they rescue some Prisoners in a Mutiny, and create such fears and jealousies touching the Confederate Gentlemen (as they were termed,) that they insist upon Assurance and Security:  
The Ministers dissensions and disputes come to Tumults, the Sectaries (under which name all discontents were shrouded) preach and hear in Arms, upon pretence of Letters intercepted, that the Droissard had 3000 men enrolled, with Cartloads of Arms, to Massacre all those of the Reformation, upon the Ringing of a Bell: A suggestion that enraged the Multitude to cast off the Princes and the Earl of Egmont's Government (who indeed underhand encouraged them) to break Images, and all Church Utensils to counterfeit, and act the Preachers; to disturb all Church-meetings with their Tumultuous cry Vive le Gueux; which so lighted the Governess to deal plainly with his Majesty, That the Prince of Orange, the Earls of Egmont, Horn, and Hoochstrate, had betrayed the Government, which nothing but his Presence, and an Army could settle: Though in the mean time she was so much a woman, as to dissemble her fears, and enter to a ●●●emn promise of Protection of the Confederates; which had accorded the differences for the present, but that the Prince of Conde, Admiral Coligni, and other noble Protestants of France interposed their jealousies of that accord, with fair overtures of assistance: Whereupon the Seditious keep in, and engage some of the King's Forces; whom the Earl of Egmont sent on purpose to widen the difference to an irreconcilableness, to provoke them upon pretence of secret Instructions, they said were given to the King's Officers, to murder them at the League, and turn the Provinces to an absolute Monarchy, in two most bitter Letters of Francisco de Allanas' the Spanish Agent in the Court of France, to the Lady Governess; directing the cutting off of the King's leaders of the Sedition; meaning Orange, Egmont, etc. one by one very privately, and so examplarily, that the Rebellion itself may be odious to all Christendom: And concluding that the Riot could not be without the Intelligence and Supports of some Great men, and namely of those three that carries so good a show, meaning Orange, Egmont, and Horn.  
Passages dated Aug. 1566; which with the intimation of seizing the Marquis of Berghes, and the Baron of Montigny in Spain, of choosing De Alva Governor; and many more sent to Egmont from his Brother Montigny then in Spain, amazed the Nobility into an Assembly Oct. 3. at Duremond, where the Resolutions were so high for a Defensive War, and the natural way of opposing Force with Force, that they break up in discontent, Arm themselves, seize several strong Holds, and upon assurance of the Warlike Preparations in Spain, Alarm the excellent Governess to Arms.   

CHAP. III  
The Hollanders War against their own Sovereign gins.  
VAlenciens of Henault, a place very Zealous for the free exercise of Religion, Cambresa, Haysel, Mastricht, and many other Towns, refused the King's Garrisons; till forced by a greater Power, after the Decollation of the Herlins' Father and Son, with other Ringleaders of the Revolt, the reducing whereof, staggered the Faction to humble supplications to his Majesty; who by the mediation of some Princes of Germany for liberty of Conscience, for which, fears and jealousies upon their late defeats having divided their Leaders they offered three Millions of Florins, an ostentation of their riches, as the Spanish Council judged it, rather than an Argument of their submission: But in vain, the Duchess forbidding the Confederates any approach to her Court, and attaching all Passes, Forts, strong Holds, while the Reformers spend 6 Months in Petitions, Remonstrances, Replies, and Protestations, watching a fair opportunity to appear; (especially against the new Oath upon that occasion introduced) which they had upon the Edict; That the Confederates, and all their Adherents, should appear before the Governess within ●0 days, upon pain of being declared Rebels: when those that fled not to England, took the Field in Troops, now desperate, under the Signior of Tholouse, who hovered about Antwerp; but disowned by the Prince of Orange, till he was surprised at Austerweel; where 1590. were slain, and excluded the Town of Antwerp, being itself in an uproar for two days; but with so▪ little success, that the Confederacy seemed to be broken; the Lord of Brederode and his followers, being commanded 5 miles out of Amsterdam, with a severe injunction to behave himself there so, as to give the Governess or his Majesty no further cause of discontent; an injunction the Burgemasters of Amsterdam took so ill, that they guarded their dear Lord by Hundreds, protested against the present proceed; especially when the Prince of Orange, with a formidable retinue of Gentlemen, retired in discontent; first to besiege his Town of Breda, and then to his County of Nassau, advertising the confederate Gentlemen, to prepare themselves for ●light or resistance; and leaving this with the Earl of Egmont, who met him to take his leave at Willebrouke; viz: That seeing he would not resolve with him and others, to stop the entry of the Duke of Alva into the Netherlands, as it had been propounded in their Assembly at Druremond, he should be the Bridge whereon the Spaniards would first march, to plant their Tyranny in these parts.  
With which words, Brederode, whose word was, God save my soul and my Honour, with the other Confederates retired into foreign Parts, save that a Party made Head at Vianen two or three days; where they, and all their Confederates were defeated, Antwerp, Amsterdam, and all other places yielding to Mansfield and his Walloons, who Leveled their Gates, and reduced them to an absolute subjection to the King of Spain, and Ferdinando de Alvarez, Duke of Alva; not a Confederate appearing, but either in Prison, on the Scaffold, or in Beggar's habit, truly Geux now: so dreadful a thing it is to meddle with them that are given to change, for sudden is the ruane of them both.  
He that is of a rebellious spirit, a cruel Messenger shall be sent to him: And such was the Duke of Alva, with 8638 Foot, and 1200 Horse, mustered June 2. 1567., at a place called Rhethees in Piedmont, between Germany, France, and Spain, and Marched in three Squadrons into Holland; where the report of them no sooner arrived, than the French, the Switz, and the Genevians, were by the Confederates alarmed to a dreadful posture of defence: Especially considering that the Duke advanced his Power and his March both together, improving his 8000 to 32000 men and as the Confederates gave out, looked sternly on all, even moderate Persons, saying (upon the approach of Egmont) as they reported, Behold that great Lutheran: A word that was laid hold of to enjealous the whole Nation, quartering his Soldiers round about him, as one that designed that disorder: a fair occasion to make the Netherlands an absolute Monarchy: setting up a Council of Twelve, instead of the Council of State, and acting with a full power to dispose of all places, Civil, and Military; to judge of all Cases, Public, or Private; no respect being had to the Privileges, Customs, Laws, Jurisdictions, or Appeals of that Country in former times; which he managed so severely, that Executions and Banishments swept away half the Country; the Keys of most Towns were taken, the Gates of several Cities were taken down, the Earls of Egmont and Horn (the most eminent subscribers of the late undutiful Petition) were Imprisoned, Count Charles of Mansfield, and many others escaped, the former Garrisons were displaced.  
New Citadels were built, whereof the most eminent at Antwerp, on the one side of the Suburb called Kiel, along the River, compassed in with five mighty Bulwarks, and every one defended by a Cavalier or Mount; and all things were settled so well, that there was a Monument set up for the Duke with this Inscription, Ferdinando Alvarez de Toledo, Albae Duci Philippi ●di, Hispan regis apud Belgas Praefecto, quod extinctâ seditione, rebellibus pulsis, Religione procuratâ, justitiâ cultâ, Provincias pace firmavit, Regis optimi fidelissimo ministro politum— jongelingi opus ex aere Captivo.  
That the Duke spared half his Forces under the Earl of Aremberge, for the Guise's assistance against the Reformers, that ●e seized the Prince of Orange, his eldest son; the Earl of Herren at LoLovain; whence he was sent to Spain, till 1575.  
He cited the Prince himself, who answered his Citation at large.  
He sentenced the Netherlands in the Inquisition for seditious Heresies 1568, and had his Sentence confirmed in Spain the same year he razed the place of Culenberge, where the Council of State used to meet; setting up a Pillar in the midst of the Ruin with this Inscription, Regnante Philippo 2do, Cath. Hisp. Rege in his suis inferioribus Germaniae regionibus, Gubernanti Vero Ferdinando Alvar. de Toledo Albae Deuce, etc. Florenti, de Palant quondam domum solo aequaris, sancitum est, ob execrandam memoriam repetitae, in eâ conjurationis adversus Religionem Eccl▪ Cath. Rom. regiam Majestatem, & ipsas regiones Anno 1568. 5. Cal. Junii.  
He proceeded in the Process against the Prince of Orange; in the midst of which great actions, some fugitive Gentlemen that had taken refuge in Cloisters, designed with some Horse and Foot, they corresponded with, to surprise the Duke at his devotion, between Brussels, and the Cloister of Groenendale in Somen wood: The Prince of Orange Prints his Justification against Slanderers, The Earl of Hoochstraten produced Five Articles, drawn out of the Privileges of Brabant, either belonging to the Golden-fleece, or contained in the Joyous entry, to impeach the proceed against him and the Prince of Orange.  
The Elector Palatine of the Rhine stops the Duke of Alvarez's money, under pretence, that the Merchants that conveyed it, paid not the accustomed duties.  
The Emperor and the Princes interpose in the behalf of Orange a Prince of the Empire.  
That Prince, and his Brother, Lodowick of Nassau, arm with this Motto, Recuperari aut mori; resolving to distract the Duke de Alva, with several attempts upon many places at once; but unsuccessfully; the Lord of Villers, with his 3000 French Protestant's being defeated in their design upon Ruremond in Gelderland, upon the Maze, as Seignor Coquevil with his 1100 Fugitives was at St Valiers, in the mouth of the River Some; only Count Lodowick vanquished, Count Aremberge, with the overthrow of 3000 men, May 24, 1568, whom the Governor revenged on the best Gentlemen of the Revolt that came to his hands, not sparing the Earls of Horn and Egmont; who after a due Process against them, were beheaded June 5th, 1568.  
The Barons, Montigni and Berghen, who died in Spain, attainted for their lives and goods in the Netherlands; a severity imparalleled, yet not able to repress the Insolences of the Factious Dutch, who now pretend themselves desperate, and cry, No man was safe, and so madly join with Count Lodowick of Nassau's, Germans, (till they were becalmed with the Imperial Interdict) to besiege Groningen; whence De Alva quickly forced them, with their shattered Colours: in some of whom, they carried Pelicans, in others, the Roses of England; from whose Queen they looked for all their succour: In others this device, Pro Lege, Rege, & Grege, along the Maze; about which they took in some small Garrisons, and might have taken more; yea, and overthrown Don Fred. the Duke's sons, 4000 Harquebusiers, had not the Landtskneghts (as before) when they should fight cried Ghelt, Ghelt: till the Duke himself (who was strongly entrenched every night) pursued them by day into France; where (the French King promises failing, and the Rebels mutyning among themselves; now they were already weary of the war) they resolve for Germany now out of order too; the discontented French Nobility joining with them, and the Prince of Orange, declaring, That such undutiful persons as set on any Designs, save the Liberty of the Country, and their Consciences, of what persuasion soever they were, should be enroled among his mortal Enemies.  
In Germany they lodge themselves, till the Queen of England being disobliged by the Duke of Alva, about money she had taken of some Merchants (though the Duke pretended it his,) for her private use upon Interest, interdicted all trade with Holland, making Hamburgh the Staple for Cloth; when the Prince of Orange, with his unquiet followers, assisted the French Protestants, as De Alva (with his well disciplined Regiments) did the French King; both Parties so translating the Wars out of their own Country: The Garrison at Valencianes' mutiny against the Earl of Lodron, an Italian; but being drawn out by fair words and pay, are cut off by two Regiments of Spanish Horse, that surrounded them at their Muster in Bourgethout near Antwerp.  
Such as could not escape out of the Netherlands, drew together in the Woods by Land; and those that did, took to Piracies at Sea: Both these took Briel a convenient Harbour on the Hollanders side, and agreed for Dover, as fit a place on the English, and improved themselves incredibly upon the discontents in the Country, at the New-floud on All Saint's day 1570, that swept away their Towns: And the new Taxes (the 10th, 20th, and 100th penny levied by Soldiers upon the very Clergy themselves) that carried away their Estates, especially at Vtrecht, where many Orders, Answers, Replies, Duplies, and Writings passed; but all decided by a Garrison of Veteranes, sent thither, that made a shift to persuade the troublesome Town, that they had forfeited all their Estates, by their connivance at the Image-breakers, with other Incendiaries and their Adherents; and at Brussels, where neither Bakers, nor Brewers would either bake or brew upon the new Impost; insomuch, that all Hollanders turning Pirates under Will. Earl vander Alarch, and forbidden Harbour on the English Coast, with 40 Sail, most Fly-boats, sailed from Dover towards North-Holland:  
In their way whither, they took 2 rich Ships, the one of Antwerp, the other of Biscay; and spoilt other men of War before Amsterd. Enchuesen, and in the Maze; drowning Boslules Forces before the Briel, who came to encounter them: they deal underhand with the Flushingers, inhabiting the next Sea Town to Briel (notwithstanding the Duke's Agents cunning, who made a Breach in their Wall, under pretence of fortifying it, cloyed their Cannon, opened their Sluices, and counterfeited their Keys) to keep out the Spaniards, as they did with the Villages of Coukirke, the Inhabitants of Daventer; and that not unsuccessfully, since Zealand prospered in its Piracies so well, that their Captain Worst, with seven ships, had beaten the Spaniards with 30; and being assisted from England and France, entered Lavere, chased 7 Spanish ships thence to Tergoes, and with one ship, kept 6 Middleburgh boyer's (or little ships) in their Harbour; Count Lodowick of Oraney prospering no less with his French Malcontents by Land, surprising many in Henault (in this manner: Twelve of his men as Merchant's lodging in Town, and finding that the Porter would open the Gates for money at any time of Night, went out at 1. a Clock in the Morning, killed the Porter, seized the Keys, let the Prince (who attended without) into Town, crying out Liberty, liberty is given you by the P. of Orange, to free you from the 10th penny, and from all the D of Alva's exactions;) shutting up Middleburgh; taking 30 Boats at Broome-Creek; forcing the Island Zuytbeacland; attempting most of the great Towns of Flanders; seizing all ships whatever: Especially the Duke of Medina Celie's great Navy, wherein he came to assist and succeed the Duke De Alva, working upon the humours of the Seafaring men of Enchueses (a well-peopled, and a conveniently situated Town, belonging to West-Friezland upon the South Sea) to withstand the Spaniards, and defend their Town by their own Burghers; where Johnson and Peterson were so stubborn and troublesome, that they said it should cost them their black heads, before any Spaniard (there become a hated name) should enter there with his Ten penny Order; and one Bieriche a Brewer did the feat, beating a Drum so long in the King of Spain's name, that they had got strength enough to exclude him, the pretence of opposing Spanish Garrisons, took in the Towns of Al●mor, Horn, Edam, and Medembly, and in a manner all Holland possessed by the Earl of March, Dotkom, Dousburgh, and all Zuphten, by the Earl of Sheerenbergh, with Hard●rwicke, Elbruch, and Hattem in Gelder's, Good, Oldeel, and Campen in Overysel, Speuke, Bolswort, and Franeker in Friezland; and the jealice raised between De Alva, and the Duke of Medina Coeli weakened all undertake, only the Government had this advantage, that the Seditious were raw and undisciplined, the Multitude fickle and unsettled, the French succours heady and in controllable, Mons, and other places were untenable; wherefore notwithstanding the Prince of Orange his plausible Declaration for the natural necessity of self-defence, in the preservation of their Religion and Liberty.  
His Army mouldereth away in discontent. 1200 Landtskneghts, 500 Reisters', 2500 Burghers only resolving to stand by him, in the defence of Mechlin, the Prince being afraid every minute of being delivered up by his Followers.  
Mons yields upon Articles, Maklyn is sacked, and ransomed, as was Zuphten, Nairden, Parendam, and Harlem; all deserted by the Confederates, now amazed, and retiring to Germany and other places, upon the Duke D' Alvae's success at Mons, and his severity in other places; only at Sea they did great mischief, burning ships in Middleburgh, and most other Havens, and blocking up the Spanish Power within their Land; his Sea-Forces being so battered, that he was forced to lie at Anchor before Antwerp most part of the year 1573, and look on his undutiful Subjects, Lording no less at Sea, than he himself at Land; spoiling many passages with sunk Boats full of Stones; building strong Holds upon the Mear of Harlem; whereabout sailed an 100 sail of ships, borrowed by the Prince of Orange from England, France, Sweden, and Holland, to three and thirty men of War; and three Galliass, the Amsterdam men had equipped for the King of Spain: Which going to strengthen Middleburgh, were sorely battered between the Ramkins and Flushing, at the same time that the Zealanders made 1300 men to surprise and burn the Castle of S●abergh, between Flushing and Middleburgh, with the Island and Town of Tolon, by the intelligence conveyed by two ●ame Pigeons: A success that las●ed not long, the Princes mixed Fleet being defeated the 28th of May, with the loss of one and twenty ships; and the Sluice, Mase, Harlem, Mere▪ and all the Coast being so entirely subject to the Spanish Navy, that it gave Law to all English, French, and Dutch ships on that Coast.  
Till free Trade being Proclaimed by the Prince of Orange, for French, English, Scottish, Germans, and Easterling Merchants; and the Flushingers being told that they must fetch their pay out of the Spanish Prizes in the Road of Armuyden, several Biscay ships and Convoys between Amsterdam and Vtrech were seized; the Artillery on the Dike of Ramekins was surprised; and the Dike itself between Flushing and Ramekins (being of great conveniency) was fortified; while alas Ramekins likewise being taken, in the 〈◊〉 time the Prince his long-promised 〈◊〉 are 〈◊〉, and the Harlo●●, after 31 week's hardship, yield to the mercy of their Besiegers; against whom, these Watermen were most fortunate at Sea, being better acquainted with those untoward Coasts than their Enemies; and likewise more vigilant, active, and industrious, and much assisted from Germany, France, and England, and the Merchants of Holland; whence the Proverb, That the Duke of Alva, during his Government, had made the Merchants and Mariners of Holland Soldiers; The Neatheards of Spain, Hidalgos, i. e. Gentlemen; The Germane Soldiers, Bribers; The Walloons Thiefs; (who were wont to be good men) Gentlewomen, and honest Virgins, Strumpets, and Whores; and Bawds, Ladies and Gentlewomen.  
Insomuch, that refusing the Emperor's mediation for peace, they surprised Geertruydenbergh, Rally the ships of West-Friezland, Enchuysen, Monykindam, and the Waterlands; to defeat the thirty ships of Amsterdam, and lodge some French and English▪ between Delft, rotterdam, the Hague, and Leyden, to secure those places and the Maseland sluice; to countenance the erection of a Fort at the Head of the Channel of Middleburgh, and take in Komerswael.  
Which Particulars, with the Mutinies (begot by the Hollanders, the best at it in the World) in his Army, forced the D. Alva and his Son to Spain; Do● Lewis de Requiescens succeeding in his charge and misfortunes: and seeing Middleburgh and the great Fleet appointed to relieve it, vanquished before his eyes; being then upon the great Dike of Berghen, by the miscarriage of his Letters and directions; which yet was recompensed with the overthrow of Count Lodowick of Nassau, and his motley Troops of English, French, and Germane malcontents; among whom was Christopher the Elector Palatine's Son at Monkerbeyd, after they had raised the Siege of Leyden.  
Which was no sooner over, than Champigni, with some other Dutchmen, raised a mutiny among the Spaniards, which neither Priests nor Jesuits could pacify; they crying, as the Landtskneghts used to do, That they would have Ghelt, Ghelt, and no Preachment upon the Electors Interest; and Todo, Todo Dineros, y non Pulabras, That is, Money (they meant their Arrears for the dead and living) and not words.  
And Dineros Todo, i. e. Money, and at a Mutiny, that cost Antwerp 400000 Gilders; while the Zealanders took 15 men of War before their very faces, while the Spaniards were intent upon the two Forts they designed upon either Bank of the River Mase, beneath Gorrechom; and lost in the Watery and Marsh-Countrey, about After, Delf, Wormer, Ryp, Graft, Purmerend, and Vlpendam in West-Friezland, and Waterland; insomuch that the Spaniards seemed very inclinable to a peace; as seemed by their overtures to the Prince of Orange.  
Which yet the States refused, as appears by their saucy Petition, becoming Subjects that submitted only with their swords in their hands; and their cutting the Dike, and raising all the Sluices, saying that they had rather have a spoiled Country, than have lost one, to prevent the taking of Leyden; after which, many other Towns had followed, with their resolution to live and die with the Prince of Orange.  
With which resolution, they kept Leyden (in so great extremity, as to coin Paper-money; upon which was inscribed, Haec Libertatis ergo) for 11 months, defeating the Spaniards ships about Leyde● with stratagems and wiles, and keeping the Passages open for Supplies, till Octob● 3d.  
It was after a month's famine strangely relieved, and quitted by the Spanirds; and the Prince coming thither himself to see it fortified, charitably recruited it by the Neighbour's collections, as a place that had cost the Hollanders a Million of Gold, the Prince of Orange's two Brothers, and a Cousin, all three Princes of the Empire.  
Whereupon their Sovereign offered (with the intercession of the Emperor Maximilian) very gracious Propositions of peace, which could not be accepted; in regard (as the Earl of Switzenburgh observed at Breda where they traded) the Rebels could not trust their Sovereign; as indeed no security can satisfy men guilty of Treason against their Prince; and therefore he that draweth his sword against his Prince, must throw away the scabbard, and never be reconciled to him; it being reasonable that a disloyal Person, should not think his Sovereign would be true to him, when he hath been so perfidious to his Sovereign.  
But the Treaty at Breda 1575., was not a little reputation to the men of the Revolt; who being hitherto esteemed but turbulent Boulfeus', are now respected as just Enemies; in which capacity, to preserve their Lives, Wives, Children, Goods, and what was dearer than all these, their Religion (they are their own words;) they bethink themselves of a Protector, and  
1. They propound the Empire, which they laid aside as too much divided in itself.  
2. France, which yet they waved as perfidious to them of the Religion, in the Massacre at Paris, and exhausted by their own civil Wars.  
In this extremity the distressed States by five Commissioners humbly submit themselves unto the Q of England's Protection: Or if necessity so required, to acknowledge her for their Princess and Sovereign; issued from the Earls of Holland and Zealand, by the Lady Philippe, Daughter to William the third of that name, Earl of Henault and Holland, etc.  
Which the wise Queen entertained not immediately, to prevent the jealousies of Neighbour Princes; but  
1. Received their Exiles to her Harbour and Country.  
2. Mediated for peace, with a Protestation, that upon refusal she would secure them.  
3. Gave them leave to levy men, and buy Ammunition in England. And  
4. Supplied them with money upon security, while the Spaniards mutiny for want of it.  
The King of Spain breaks in the Merchant's debts 14 Millions of Ducats, the Pope dispensing with, and nulling all his Bonds and Obligations.  
The chief Commander, Don Lewis, with his Marshal Vitells, die.  
All the Country is up against the King of Spain's intolerable Impositions surprising the Council of State, he erected upon his Governors' death, the hatred of the Spaniards being by the Dutch Artifices become universal, and all places petitioning against strangers, meaning Spaniards.  
The Queen of England being somewhat cold and indifferent, the Provinces invite the Duke of Anjou, the King of France his only Brother to their Protection; who dealing in the late mentioned Mutinies, surprised the Citadel of Cambray; and upon Don John of Austria, the next Governors unpleasing carriage, made up of stratagems and threats, joined Braba●t in a strict League with Holland and Zealand against the Spaniards and their Tyranny; joining his Interest with the Prince of Orange for levies in Germany, and assistance from England.  
From the last of which, upon their promise to maintain their Religion and Allegiance, they are assured of men and money by their Orator the Lord of Swevenghen, and Captain Horsley (it being her Interest rather to engage the Papists there, than in her own Dominions;) with whom Secretary Wilson, and Mr Wendebank went and paid the money, receiving the State's Obligation, with the security of Brussels Gaunt, Bruges, Dunkirk, Newport, and Middleburgh; where (with free passages were made by raising the Sluices according to the Queen's direction, in several places of the Country, for fear the Spaniards might prevail at Sea.  
And the union was effected (upon the Mutinies of Groninghen and Zuphten) between the States, for the expulsion of Spaniards; with an acknowledgement of their Allegiance to the King of Spain:  
By virtue of which, Colonel Bal●our, and his English, having brushed the Spaniards, the States capitulated with Don of Austria; whose vain conceits of Conquering England, lost the netherlands, and would have agreed with him, could they have had any assurances for performance of Articles, at the great conferences between his Deputies and the Prince of Orange at Gertrudenbergh May 22, 1577; which failing, his practices were discovered in setting the Provinces at variance among themselves, that he might govern them all; by his Letters to Spain intercepted, and his vain attempt upon Antwerp.  
Which made all the Provinces revolt from Don John, some to the States-General at Brussels, that declared only for Liberty and Privileges, and others to the Prince of Orange, with the States of Holland and Friezland, that declared also for Religion.   

CHAP. IU.  
How the English assisted the Hollanders, and made them a Free State.  
ESpecially, when her Majesty the Queen of England, the only succour of the distressed States, declared for them by Mr Wilkes; whereupon Leeuwarden mutined, and yielded to them: Antwerp is dismantled, Germany sends in Aides, ●reda is delivered up, Groninghen is Tumultuous, the Prince of Orange is invited to be Rovard, or Governor of Flanders, Don John of Austria is declared Enemy to the States, notwithstanding his Army of 16000 Foot, and 2000 Horse.  
The Nobility revolt, Amsterdam asserts its Liberty, the pacification at Gaunt so much insisted on by the Queen, is confirmed, the Duke of Anjou offereth his assistance, and marcheth to distress Henault.  
The case of the afflicted Netherlands, is taken into consideration, upon St. Aldegon's motion, at the Imperial Assembly at Worms, whence the Duke of Anjou had 12000 men towards his relief of the Low-countrieses, under the notion of the Defenders of the Liberty of the Provinces against the Spaniards and their Adherents.  
Colonel Norris, Stuart; Captain Bingham, and Candish, saved the States whole Army, by a brave Retreat they maintained for four miles, with three Regiments in their shirts, by Rymenant: The Queen seasonably assisted them with 30000l, when their Army was so likely to moulder away for want of pay, that she thought fit to intercede for the distressed States with his Majesty of Spain and Don John, by the Lord Cobham, and Sir Fraces Walsingham; and when that failed, a Religious Peace (as they called it) which the States-General consented to, was settled; which bred great jealousies in the Provinces; where many were still stiff for Popery, especially at Gaunt, till the Queen of England declared against them, and promised notwithstanding that Duke Casimer, and the D. of Anjou retired in discontent, to stand by the Protestant States to the utmost, as she did effectually; having brought the Estates first to stricter Union and Alliance at Vtrech 1579, than that before at Gaunt; and afterwards to erect a Council of State, for the management of affairs: whose very first debate, was a Consultation about the alteration of Government, to shorten the War, and engage some Person in their defence.  
The next, was the taking and demolishing of several strong Holds, that had been too serviceable to the King of Spain  
But their affairs not prospering, they resolve upon the Duke of Anjou as their Sovereign, upon 27 Articles signed on both sides, with Medals coined, whereon were these devices; Leonem loris mus li erat: Liber revinciri Leo pernegat: Pro Christo grege & lege: Religione & justitià reduce vocato ex Gulliâ pacatâ duce Andegariensi, ●elgiae Libertatis vindice vos terrâ ●go excubo ponto 1580: Si non nobis saltem posteris.  
And that being dispatched, they agree upon Martial Discipline, and relieve Steenwich, under the conduct of Sir John Norris; who victualled it, and raised the Siege; having given notice of it in Letters, which he shot in his Bullets: The States-General in the mean time answering the King of Spain's Proscription against the Prince of Orange, and providing against the insolences of the Papists, by a restraint upon the exercise of their Religion at Brussels and Antwerp declare thus,  
The State's General of the United Provinces, Gelder's, Holland, Zealand, Zuphten, Friezland, Overysel, and ●roeninghen, having declared Prince Philip of Austria, second of that name, King of Spain, fallen from the Signiory of the said Provinces, by reason of his extraordinary and too violent Government against their Freedom and Privileges solemnly sworn by him; having by the way of Right and Arms taken upon us the Government of the public State, and of the Religion in the said Provinces, An 1581.; having by an Edict renounced the Government of the K. of Spain, breaking his Seals, Counter-seals, Privy-signets, for new ones made by them in their stead; and entertaining the Duke of Anjou, nobly attended from England by the Lord Willoughby, Sheffield, Windsor, Sir Philip Sidney, Shirley, Parrot, Drury, and the Lord Howard's son, and recommended by the Queen; who avowed, That what service was done him, she esteemed as done to herself, and commended to him this one good Rule, to be sure of the hearts of the People, who invested him Duke of Brabant, and Earl of Flanders; wherein Dunkirk did import him much to keep a Passage open from Flanders into France, as the refusal his Brother made of succour, and his entertainment of French Nobility, to the discouragement of the Netherlands did him much harm; especially since most of his Followers were either men of Spoil, or secret Pensioners to the King of Spain, and he by their advice, lost himself in his Enterprise upon Antwerp so far, that had not her Majesty's Authority reconciled them, the States and he had broken irrecoverably; though indeed they never after pieced.  
For the Duke thereupon delivers all the Towns he had taken to the States, retiring himself to Dunkirk, while the Ganthoes, and other troublesome men of the Innovation declared against him, and for Duke Casimir  
And all the Estates humbly beseeched the Queen of England, by General Norris, to have mercy upon them in this woeful juncture; especially when the wise Prince of Orange was murdered (by a fellow recommended to him by Count Mansfield, and serving him three years to await this opportunity,) having time to say no more, but Lord have mercy upon my soul, and this poor People. And the Spaniards, during the State's differences, and the youth of Grave Maurice of Nassau, who succeeded his Father, carrying all before them; insomuch that the King of France was so afraid to take the Netherlands into his Protection, that he sent Ambassadors to the Duke of Parma, to remove the very suspicion of it.  
Especially when the Guisian League broke out upon him, and the poor States had now none to trust to but the Queen of England; who during their Treaty with France, had made them gracious promises by Secretary Davison by whom, by the Respective Deputies of their Provinces, June 9 1585., they absolutely resigned the Government to her Majesty; who upon sundry great considerations of State, refused that; yet graciously sent them 4000 men under General Norris 184600 Guilders, upon the security of either Ostend, or Sluice, and promised 5000 Foot, and 4000 Horse, under a General and other Officers of her own with pay:  
For which the States stood bound, giving Flushing, Ramekins, Briel, and the two Sconces thereunto belonging, into her hand for security, and taking in her Commander in chief, with two persons of Quality more of her Subjects, by her appointment into their Council of State.  
According to which Contract, Robert Dudley Earl of Leicester, is made Governor of the Low-countrieses for the High and Mighty Princess Elizabeth, Queen of England; to whom the whole Country did Homage, receiving him as their absolute Governor (though the Queen disavowed that, as being likely to engage her too far in the Quarrel, and the States humbly submitted to her pleasure) in which capacity he set out Edicts for Discipline, for the Treaty, and Traffic: which these troublesome people, upon pretence of Liberty and Privilege, mutinied against, to the great hindrance of the Earls proceed; insomuch that after he had born up their Interest as his entrance into the Government, just ready to sink; and taken Daventer, Zuphten, and other places; he resigned his Government to the Council of State, leaving a Meddal behind him on the one side whereof was engraven his Picture with these words, Robertus ●omes Leicestriae, & in Belgia Gubernator, 1587.  
And on the other side, a flock of sheep scattered, and before them an English Dog, with these words; Non gregem, sed Ingratos invitus desero.  
Whereupon Deputies of Estates attended him with a Present, a Cup as big as a Man, and an humble supplication to the Queens most Excellent Majesty, not to forsake them now in their low Estate, so low, that the King of Denmark thought fit to intercede for them to their own Liege, the King of Spain; while they in extremity devolve their affairs upon young Grave Maurice: and declaring against the Earl of Leicesser's proceed, incensed the Queen so far, that she called home General Norr is; though yet Sluice had been lost, had not Sir William Russel supplied it with Provision, when all the seven Provinces could not do it.  
Being now intent upon the settlement of their State-General, out of the Particular Deputies of the several Provinces; the Earl of Leicester being called home, and they hearing of a Spanish Armado, knowing not what to do, but to importune her Majesty of England, that she should make no peace without them.  
Now she was in treaty with the Prince of Parma, which she waves, though privately willing enough to reconcile their private differences, which was the greatest Motive she had to abandon them: It being not likely they should do any good themselves, especially since there was such jealousies and mistrusts among their chief Officers, who could never have been united, but by the vast Armado of the common Enemy; which awed both sides to so much moderation, that they settle the Government in the States, reduce all Parties into one Oath and submission, reconcile Vtrech to Holland, pay their Soldiers very punctually, establish Prince Maurice in the Admiralty, and Prince William in the Government of Friezland.  
They defeat the Marquis of Varumbon with Sir Francis Vere's assistance, take the Antwerp Convoy, raise jealousies between the Inhabitants of Groening and their Governor, maintain Liberty of Conscience, nourish the French differences, get 125 26l. a month of the Queen of England.  
They surprise Breda, engage the Electors, and get the Prince of Parma off to the siege of Paris: Blackinbergh, Collenbergh, the Fort before Zuphten, Holt, Nymighen, Grumbergh, Geertrudenbergh, Seenwye, and other places are recovered by the Valour and Conduct of the English; particularly, Sir John Norris, Sir Roger Williams, and Sir Henry Vere.  
An Edict is made concerning Printing, a War is contrived between France and Spain, the United Provinces and the Estates under the King of Spain treat for peace.  
Philip William, eldest son to William Prince of Orange, is released from his 35 years' Imprisonment; whereto he was confined since he was taken in Leyden, as we have formerly intimated.  
Prince Maurice, and Sir Francis Vere Sir Robert Sidney's overthrow, Cardinal Albertus his Army, Wan. 1577; whereupon Ambassadors are sent to the States from the Empire from Peland, and from other parts, whom they remitted to the Queen of England, as being able to do nothing without her.  
In the mean time, they prevailing under her protection, set up the India trade, assisting their Merchants with Artillery and Ammunition so as four ships were set forth to destroy the Country, and bring away some Inhabitants against another Voyage; where 8 ships ventured that way from Amsterdam, as did many more from other places in the East and West Indies, to Guine, besides others to Syria and Greece, 1578.  
But the poor States being left out of the peace between France and Spain, are at a loss; till the Queen of England sends to them, that if they resolved for a War, they should inform her what provisions they had towards it, and rest assured of her utmost assistance.  
So they forbade Traffic with Spain, and entertained some overture afresh in order to an offensive war; towards which, she sent 2000 soldiers more under Sir Th. Knowles, besides 6000 men she procured from the Circles of the Empire; several Forts are set up by her directions, the Contributions are mitigated in Zealand, now ready to mutiny; by her Order the offensive War in Flanders began by her intimation; 2800 sail of ships Rendesvouzed in the the Sea-towns of Holland, Zealand, and Friezland; Grave, Oastend, and Newport are besieged, and the Archduke's Army is defeated; Chimney-money and Excise is imposed; the United States, and the States-General Treat:  
In the mean time the Arch Duke Albertus his Forces mutiny, and are entertained by the United Provinces.  
The Hollanders and the English engage the Spaniards at Sea, the King of England that succeeded the Queen, March 24. 1603. promising them fair in general terms; whereupon Oastend and Sluice are taken, and the States refuse all intercessions for peace; especially since they defeated Spinola by Land, and the Spanish Galleys by Sea.  
After which, the Archduke Albert, and his Wife Isabel, in the name of the King of Spain, declared them Free-states, and in that capacity offered to Treat with them upon peace; all the Princes of Christendom offering their Mediation, only the King of Spain's Aggreation (as they call it) was not clear, and the 62 Articles containing their Privileges, were not moderate enough to be the ground either of a Treaty of peace, or a Truce.  
In fine, These people being very intent upon the preservation of their Liberties, and most prone to jealousy, motion, and surprises, being agitated by others passion and their own, for those two great Diana's, Privileges, and Liberty of Conscience, highflown upon the Battle of Newport, gotten by Sir Francis Vere, refused Reason.  
Notwithstanding the peace at Verven, between the King of France and Spain, which cut off half their assistance; the difference between Embden and the Governor of Friezland, that disturbed their Union; the taking of Oastend, Rhainbergh Grelen, after three years' siege, and Sir Francis Vere's great endeavours to preserve it; that weakened their Interest; being grown great with the private Alliance of France, and that more open of England; their Trade to the Indies, and their Piracies upon Spain, until Spinola humbled; John May the Provincial of the Franciscans persuaded; and what is more than all this, the King of England's inclination to a good understanding with Spain, frighted them into a twelve years' Truce, in a Treaty begun at Antwerp, 1607.  
No sooner are they at peace without, but having recovered the Cautionary Towns from the English, by old Barnavel's cunning, who (as King Henry the 4th said) was the ablest Statesman in Europe as far as his money went; but their humours began to work among themselves (Rebels are as troublesome to themselves, when they have defeated their Sovereign, as they were to him before;) their Predestination Points, and the niceties of Privileges engaging them, to the great danger of the whole Government; had not King James by his Ambassador, Sir Ralph Wenwood very effectually interposed.  
The King of Spain finding the observation of a great Lord upon the Truce true, That assoon as the common Enemy was over, they would fall by themselves; set the Archduke upon offering them the confirmation of the Truce into a Peace, in case they would accept of his Sovereignty.  
An overture they scorned so far, that the Ambassador in his way through Delft was almost stoned by the dregs of the people; and assoon as the Truce was over, utterly denying the prolongation of it, they besieged Gulicke, spoiled Brabant, invited Mantsfield into East-Friezland, and shrouded themselves in a League against the house of Austria, with France, England, and Denmark, etc. (making the Interest of Europe their security) in defence of the lower Circle of the Empire, took the Plate-fleet, and what promised Wonders, (there being men in it that could dive under water, and fly in the Air) the Fleet of Shallops, 1631.  
And now Gustavus Adolphus held the house of Austria in play, and Cardinal Richlieu set all Europe together by the ears; especially engaged Spain their Enemy, with the power of France.  
Now Catalonia and Portugal begin to revolt, and the French fall into Flanders; notwithstanding the loss of Crun and Schenke: and their defeat of Hulst being healed by the taking of Breda, and the success at Lentz, never harkened to peace, till they were acknowledged a Free-state at Munster, 1648, where the peace was concluded, Jan 8. which was confirmed at the Hague, March 26, and published throughout this Republic, June 5. 1648.   

CHAP. V.  
Their deal towards the English.  
BUt assoon as these ungrateful people had made an end of their War, by the Truce 1607, and Commenced their Sovereignty, they forgot their Protectors, and did so much wrong to the English in the Indies (where yet they had never traded, had not we assisted them against the power of Spain (than Lord of that Country in right of the first Discoverers of it) amounted in the estimate of English Parliament 1606, to 1500000l. sterling) and had drawn out King James his sword; which they painted nailed to a scabbard, and provoke that Parliaments Resolve and Vote for a War or a Reprisal, had not the High and Mighty humbled themselves, and by all their Allies begged a Treaty, that began to no other purpose, but to bustle and elude us at London, 1613, ending a year after to as little purpose, as it was begun; had not their humble Petition renewed it 1615 at Lond●n, 1616 at the Hague, 1619 at London; where it was concluded with a general amnesty, upon equal balance of allowance for what was past, and an exact Method of Trade for the time to come.  
But how sincerely they observed either these Terms, or their former Obligations to us, is too evident from their Hostile attempts on Lantore, Polleroon, and other places in our possession, by accord which they took, razing our Forts there, and behaving themselves Barbarously towards our people there, both living and dead; over whom they usurped Authority in all Controversies, which they exercised most cruelly, in Whipping, Fining, Imprisoning, Sequestering, and torturing them: Besides that, they forced them in Partnerships, to be contented with their Accounts; laying to their Bills, what had been disbursed upon their private occasions; it being indeed their business (while we as the Subjects of a Noble Monarch, contented with his own Dominions, traded fairly there) to invade Islands, take and build Forts, acquire Dominion, and exclude all Partners.  
Especially at Amboyna, an Island forty Leagues round, near Surat; where we traded for Cloves, maintaining five Factors.  
But these people setting up there four Forts, with four Bulwarks belonging to each Fort, and six great pieces of Ordinances mounted upon each Bulwark, guarded by Dutch ships, in the Sea round it did what they pleased a great while; and at last torturing the poor Natives, to allure the English of a pretended Plot, and the English to charge the Natives; (where its not probable either would attempt so strong a place and people) insomuch that—   

CHAP. VI  
Their Cruelty at Amboyna, and the Judgement of God upon it.  
FIrst, 
* The Tortures at Amboyna.  They hoist them up by the hands with Cords over a large Door made fast with two Staples of Iron, at the top of the Door-posts, as wide as they could stretch; as they did their Legs too: then binding a cloth about their necks, and faces so close, that little or no water could go by, they poured the water softly on their heads, till the cloth was full to the mouth and nostrils: Insomuch that in drawing their breath, they must of necessity suck in the water; which with long continuance, forced all their inward parts out of their Nose, Ears, and Eyes, till they were almost stifled and choked; then would they take them down till they vomited the water, and hoist them up again, till their bodies swelled, to double their own proportion, their eyes stand out of their heads, setting burning Candles in the bottom of their Feet, while they thus hung, till many times the fat dropped out the Candles; as also under their Elbows, in the palms of their Hands, and under their Armpits, till their very Inwards might be seen; making the English believe the Japovers had accused them, and the Japoners, that the English had testified against them; the poor Heathens crying, O English, where did we see you? The English answered, Why then did you accuse us? And they replied, If a Stone were thus burnt, would it not change its Nature? How much more we, who are but flesh and blood  
A cruelty unparallelled among Christians, or indeed among men; which therefore the God of both pursued with vengeance.  
1. In that King James and King Charles excepted the murders from the Indemnities that passed in their time between us and the Hollanders.  
2. In that a sudden Hurricane almost destroyed the Dutch ships in the Haven of Ambayna, at the very hour of this ●orrid execution.  
3. In that the first Informer against the English, fell down dead upon the very place where these men are buried, rising again distr●cted; in which condition he continued to his dying day.  
4. In that An. 1630, 18 Dutchmen (whereof three were guilty of the Massacre at Amboyna) supping at Frankford, in their way to Strasburgh, boasted how they served our Nation in this place (glorying in their shame;) which one in the Company noting, and relating to two English Captains, then in the German Wars, whose Kindred had suffered there: These two waylay the Hollanders in a Wood, with a Troop of Horse, bid them stand, willing them to prepare for death, for they must die.  
The Dutch answered, They hoped not so, for all their money was at their dispose.  
We seek not your money said the Captains, but your lives, for our Country men and Allies you murdered at Amboyna: And so hanging up Johnson, the chief Amboynist, and giving the rest leave to throw Dice which of them should escape to bring the news of this to Holland; they trussed up all but Jobs Messenger, the odd man sent home to tell his Countrymen, that Doubtless there is a God that judgeth in the Earth.  
Cruelty not to be paralleled among the Barbarous, much less among Christians; and especially between the Netherlanders and the English: who when newly recovered from Popery, and unsettled, when engaged in Ireland and the countries' about, when governed by a Woman; when threatened from Spain, relieved the distressed Estates, espoused their quarrel, spent their lives and fortunes in their behalf.  
So dear were those poor people to us, that they seemed to be one Nation with us, and their Cause and quarrel the same with ours; being entertained by us with the affection of Brethren, the love of Friends, and the respects of Neighbours and Allies.  
For which, though they promised it before the year 1625, they never made any suitable satisfaction, nor returned to us any of those Islands of Spices that they had taken from us; but added to their Insolences there, their strict Orders against all free Trade to Flanders, which they Monopolised to themselves, even during their War in that Country; and indeed, where ever they have seen any advantage, as by Cunning, Force, or Fraud they have been able, no consideration of Right, Friendship, Leagues, Humanity, or Religion have held them from endeavouring the accomplishing of the same.   

CHAP. VII.  
Their Perfidiousness to all Nations.  
FOr they are observed by all Nations to be a wretched sort of people, not to be trusted in any Leagues or Treaties; they being the sad souls that entered into a League Offensive, and Defensive with Lewis the 13th of France, 1630; upon condition he made no peace with Spain without them: notwithstanding which, they endeavoured a Peace or Truce with Spain, without either his advice or consent; as appeared by several passages of under hand dealing of the Dutch with the Spaniards, in a complaint made by the French Ambassador to the States.  
Yea, when another League Offensive and Defensive was concluded, Feb. 8. 1635 between France and Holland, and a War with Spain commenced thereupon, these Posterity of Judas (that will sell their God for three pieces of Silver, denying their Religion as familiarly in Heathen Countrey● for Trade, as they do their words in their own for Interest;) went so far underhand in their overtures of Peace with the Spaniards, that their Attorney General Musch was dispatched to Don Martin Axpe the King of Spain, Secretary about them, though they denied it to the King of France, who told my Lord Paw their Ambassador, that these secret proceed did contradict their solemn Treaty, and differed much from the justice his Majesty had used towards them.  
The same League being continued from 1636, to 1642, in the year 1640, they treat again with the Spaniard against the French Declaration; that intimated their Non-ability to Treat with pain, without the concurence of his Majesty of France  
Yea, a peace was negotiated by several Letters intercepted, to the Conned Pinneranda, and shown the States by the French Ambassador at the Hague, at the very same time, when 12000 French ventured their lives and fortunes for them against Dunkirk and Flanders: which peace was concluded at Munster, though confessed by Her van Nederhurst, one of the Plenipotentiaries there, to be contrary to the agreement between France and them, and declared so by a Manifesto of the King of France.  
They that durst deal thus with the French deal worse with the Portugals; with whom, when they revolted from Spain, as they had done before; they entered into a firm League at Lisbon, and the Hague 1640, with mutual clearness (as to outward appearance) on both sides.  
But see the craft of these people! They insert in their Articles of peace, that it should not begin beyond the Line, till a year after: In the mean time, adsing their men at Brazile and elsewhere, to take all they could get from the Portugoze, as they did A●gola, Mallacca, and Brazile.  
Ambassadors were sent from Portugal to demand these places: the Hollanders produced the said clause of the Truce, which was all the Portugez could get of the Hollander; for said they, There is no wrong done, in regard that in that clause its said, That each side should hold and keep what he can take, and in such a time.  
Whereupou the Portugal Ambassador said to them very well, That that must be understood Bonâfide, viz: That which should be taken, without having any knowledge of the Truce.  
Neither have they been more faithful to the swede, whom they engaged to assist them against the Dane; and in the midst of that service deserted him, making conditions of peace for themselves, and retiring.  
Not much unlike their dealing with the King of Great Britain, 1664, whose aid they craved against the Algiers men; which was no sooner granted, Sir John Lawson attending their service, and the Interest of Christendom; then they diserted him, without any notice of their departure, and made as fast as they can to Guinny, to fight against His Majesty's Subjects there, while His Subjects assisted them in the straits.   

CHAP. VIII.  
How unable they are to deal with us.  
A Man would think that these hogen's had a vast Power, that durst indulge themselves these practices against great Monarchies and Kingdoms; when alas, if we consider their humours, how mutinous are they, and uncertain! If we reflect upon their Country, A little Marsh, consisting of 7 Provinces, viz: The Duchy of Gelderland, the Countries of Holland and Zealand, the Lordships of Vtrecht, Friezland, Overystel, and Groninghen, threatened every day from Germany Eastward, alarmed by the ea Northward, and watched by Brabant, Flanders, and the other 10 Provinces Southward.  
If we regard the Situation of it, it may be drowned by 2000 men (as Count Mansfield offered) in a wet Winter; so easy a thing it is to overthrow their Earth, Ramports, and Banks, which are but 25 els broad, and 10 long, in the most remarkable places, and yields very often to the strength of the Sea itself; it may be overrun by 6000 men in a frosty Winter, the great frost, 1607, being the great reason they would hearken to a Truce that year.  
If we look upon their Rivers: 1. The Maze, running from Lorraine to Bred●. 2 The shield flowing from Picardy, a little above Antwerp. And the Rhine, arising in the Alps, and falling to Amsterdam, also easily blocked up, and so usually frozen.  
If we observe their Taxes upon every thing that a man eats, drinks, or enjoyeth, so burdensome to the Commonalty.  
If we weigh their Interest abroad, which through their ungratefulness, infidelity with Spain, Portugal, France, Germany, and Sweden, and usurpations, is so inconsiderable.  
If we respect their people, so diminished by a sad Plague, that they are not able to inhabit and people their Country.  
If we cast our eye on their Trade, all Nations having learned their Methods and Inventions now dead.  
If we mind their shipping, upon their misunderstanding with the Northern Kingdoms that supplied them with Timber and Cordage now decayed.  
If we animadvert the condition of Eriel, Flushing, and other Port Towns, that command the passage to Delft, Rotterdam, Dort, Gertenburgh, and the capacious Bay of the Texel, now weak.  
If we survey their Government (their Statholder mistrusting them, and they him, the Provinces being all absolute and Independent, one drawing one way, and another another, and every one forgetting the Public good in pursuit of a Private Interest; Holland being ambitious over the rest and the rest envious at it: Their Military Power invested in the Prince of Orange, being disobliged by the Civil; and their Civil Power afraid of the Military:) now much shattered, nothing more unseasonable than a War with England; especially if we add to all this their Fortune in the last War: Viz:  
Holland was united by its own Interest and His Majesties, and England was nothing else but the poor remainders of a Civil War and a Faction; when the Dutch were flush with a Ten years free Trade, and we spent with as many years' Rebellion; when we were the odium of Mankind, and they at least (upon the account of that Quarrel) the Darlings of Europe, a handful of our mean●st and most inconsiderable of our People durst Vote, That no Goods should be Imported, or Exported into, or out of England, but in English Bottoms: And when the Lords States forsooth took that in Dudgeon, our bold fellows (the King, Lords, and Commons standing by and not concerned) Vote their Ambassador the Lord Joachim away out of England, Octob 6. 1650, within a month at his peril; at whose return, the High and Mighty draw in their Money, sink their Bank, mistrust one another, break all to pieces, raise Fortifications, cast Ordinances, provide new Artilleries, Yards, Rendezvouz Militiaes', and withdraw 200 Families at least to Hamburgh, and the other Hans-Towns of Germany.  
Yet so much Courage they had left, as to scorn the pretended Ambassadors our Mock-Governours sent thither; insomuch that one Dorisla by name, lost his life there, and another Strickland was weary of it; & strike to his Majesties concerns, as he was King of Great Britain, in most of their Treaties with France, Portugal, Denmark, Sweden, etc. though yet in their General Meetings, Jan. 20. 1651. they Voted our Tom Thombs a free State forsooth, and Commonwealth, and that they would transact with their new-coined Honours about a Truce, and that too by old Joachim, who was sent packing (but two Months before) the Province of Holland, having cast the charges of a War; and considered that half the money might advance it to a signory over its Sister Provinces.  
And all the Provinces being amazed at the Tempest that broke the two Dikes, St. Anthony's, and the Harlem-Dike, to the ruin almost of Gelder's, Zuphten, Overystel, Friezland, and Holland.  
Upon the least suspicion of War, up came Chimney-money, Poll-money, Excise on Salt, Beer, Vinegar, Wines, Butter, Oil, Candles; all Grains, Seeds, Turf, Coals, Led, Brick, Stone, Wood, Linen and Woollen, Clothes, Silks, Silver, Gilt; Wagons, Coaches, Ships, and other Vessels; Lands, Pastures, Gardens, Nurseries; Houses, Servants, Immovable Goods, all Seals.  
They forbidden all affronts to their Lordships forsooth, Strickland and St. John  
They drink (and that was a great Argument of the High and Mighty States good affection) in continuationem & prosperitatem Reip: Angliae.  
Notwithstanding all which compliance, the paltry thing called Our Parliament, stayed a Fleet of theirs in the Downs forsooth, till further Pleasure; because there was Cordage, Powder, and Ammunition in them under the Corn. Whereupon His Majesty prospering in Scotland, and a Peace being made with France, the Mighty make bold to tell Sir John, That they cannot answer his Proposition, touching a League Offensive and Defensive, under four Months; for that they must send to all the Provinces for their advice and consent in a business of so high a concernment; and our High and Mighties take snuff, and call their Messengers home, to the no little trouble of their Brothers, who beseech and entreat their stay; but to no purpose, the young Usurpers being intolerable, when ever entreated to be kind; and when that would not do, pass this Vote:  
The State's General of the Netherlands, having heard the Report of their Commissioners, having had a Conference the day before with the Lords Ambassadors of the Commonwealth of England, do Declare, That for their better satisfaction, they do wholly and fully condescend and agree unto the 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 Propositions of the Lords Ambassadors; as also to the 1, 2, 3, 4, and 8 Articles of the year 1575., made between H. 7th, and Philip Duke of Burgundy: Therefore the States do expect in the same manner as full and clear an Answer from the Lords Ambassadors, upon the 36 Articles delivered by their Commissioners, 24th of June, 1651.  
And not only so, But they nominate the Heer Beaver of Dort, and the Here Well of Zealand, with old Joachimi for Agents to the Commonwealth (forsooth) of England remembering the old Motto in Queen Elizabeth's time, Si Col●idimur frangimur.  
Especially when the men at Westminster gave Letters of Mart to several Merchants, to make themselves satisfaction for the losses they had suffered by Pickeroons, belonging to the Netherlands.  
Whereupon they filled up their Embassy with min Here Schaep, delaying the matter till the King's Majesty's business was decided.  
Their 11 East-India ships worth a Million, were put to sale; an 160 sail arrived from Bourdeaux; monsieur Borreel could not prevail in France; and the bold ones at Westminster make an Act (as they called it) for Increase of shipping, the improvement of Trade, the encouragement of Fishing and Navigation, so prejudicial to the Cities of the Rind; which together with the surprise of so many Amsterdamers, awaked them so far, that Van Tromp with 36 sail in three Squadrons, was ordered to Sea, first to the straits, and then to the Downs, to secure their Monopoly of Wine and Currans, and Agents dispatched to Denmark, Sweden, Portugal and France, to strengthen the War in behalf of it, altering their Ambassadors for England; whither they send the cunning Headpieces, mine Heer Catz, and min Heer Scaep; the last whereof in the mean time treats with France about Dunkirk, and with Sweden about Neutrality.  
The English men discourse of 100000 for Amboyna, the Herring-fishing, free passage through the she'll, and the cautionary Towns frighting them to a resolution with 152 sail, to commence a War; eight Dutch ships being taken by the English, as they came from New found-land; and the Swedish Ambassador Speering, dealing underhand with the English; insomuch that they forbidden any ship to stir from either the Maze or Texel; and Amsterdam offereth an no sail, as Zealand doth 40, on condition its Petition be granted about Letters of Mart, the States fortifying Briel and Flushing, prohibiting the Exportation of any Warlike Provisions, and making a stay of all English ships.  
In the mean time a certain Faction crept in, that disturbed their Public Peace at Middleburgh and Dort, because they mentioned not the Prince of Orange in levying Soldiers; till Trump departed in July, with resolution to find out the English: Yet espying Sir George Aiscue in the Downs with a Squadron, was not able to bear up with him, because of a Calm; wherefore he addresseth himself against Blake in the North, attending some Indian Vessels, and taking the Dutch Herringbusses; from whom a Tempest parted him to his loss, as the night did De Ruyter from Aiscue; only he met with Captain Badileyes' 4 ships in the straits, and took the Phoenix, which was regained by Captain Cox in Portologn, upon a Dutch festival night; when during the heat of the Holland Carouses, he stole upon it in a Boat, in the habit of a Dutchman; which success was indeed allayed by Captain Appleton's weighing Anchor out of Legorn Mole sooner than he should, and so falling into the hands of 22 Dutchmen of War, before Captain Badiley could come at him.  
A while after, General Blake discovered the Dutch Fleet on the backside of Godwyn-sands, being about 60 men of War, under Vice Admiral Witti Wittison; against whom (Captain Young, Reynolds, and Chapman having humbled the Legorn Merchants, and their Convoy) he bore up, and notwithstanding he was on a dangerous Sand, called Kentish Knock, where the water was not three fathoms deep, assuring his Soldiers vast encouragements, he stayed by the Dutch Fleet till night parted them.  
And next day, though the wind was low boar North and by West up to them, being then two ●eagues North-east of the English; who coming with much ado within shot of them, made them so afraid they should get within them, that they run for it, 10 Frigates chase them till 6 a clock at night, June 18; excusing themselves to Captain Bourn, that cross Winds had blown them upon our Coasts against their wills.  
Yet having with fair words collogued with our Dons so far, that they laid up half their Fleet in Harbour, upon the loss of their Plate-Fleet, which they pretended was the King of Spain's, but really was theirs, they appear before Dover with 70 men of War, and 10 Fireships, forcing Blake with but 42 men of War, and them ill manned, and worse commanded, to engage to an unavoidable loss.  
Which yet was quickly recompensed, when withdrawing to the Harbour, and in spite of the Hollanders industry to hinder all Nations from bringing any Tar, Pitch, or Masts into England; equipping 80 sail against the 18th day of Feb. 1653; upon which day, the Dutch Fleet, in number about 80 sail, with an 150 Merchant ships from Rovan, Nants, and Bourdeaux were discovered between the Isle of Wight and Portland, and about 8 in the morning, the Headmost of the Enlish Fleet came up and engaged them, I mean the Triumph (wherein Blake and Dean were) with 3 or 4 more (the rest not being able to get up) holding 30 Dutch ships in play till two a clock in the afternoon, when half the Fleet came up and fought the Hollanders till night.  
And next morning Feb. 17, chased them to the Leeward, having 60 Merchants, and 9 men of War in our hands, and 2000 men dead on the shore; insomuch that the hogen's entreat a Peace by a new Ambassador, the Lord Paw, and their Merchants are forced the long and perilous Voyage round the North by Ireland and Scotland, and before Norway; as did the Rochel and East-India Fleet, that belonged to the Baltic Sea, not daring else to stir out of the Fly.  
For though the Spanish, the Italian, the Levant and Indian Merchants, 145 sail in number, attended by 90 men of War for their Convoy; yet the English Fleet, consisting only of 65 men of War, being at Anchor on the South side of the Gober, discovering them about two Leagues to Leeward, being about 100 sail together, weighed, and bore sail to them, with so furious a charge that night and next morning, that they tore quite away as fast as they could, only the wind freshing Westward.  
The English bore in so hard among them, that 12 of our men of War sunk 6 of theirs; and had done the whole Fleet, had not night surprised them, so near the Godwyn-sands, where the Dutch decoyed them, that they were forced to weigh Anchor, while the shattered Dutch got into the Texel, the Wieling, and the Fly; the English resolving to pursue them to their own Coast as near as they durst, where they took Prizes in a manner every day, and as it were blocked them up.  
Till beating up Drums first in their own name, and (when the people fell to a Tumult at Enchuysen because it was not in the Prince's name) in the young Prince of Orange his name, they reinforced another Fleet pro aris & for is, to relieve their Coasts and themselves, both imprisoned by an English Power, quartering a great Body of Horse in the mean time for fear they should land, and sending four Commissioners to England, with most humble Propositions of Peace.  
During which Treaty, July 27, the English Scouts discovered a Dutch Fleet from the Wi●lings, of about 75 men of War:  
Upon notice whereof, the English Fleet made what sail they could after them; which the Dutch discerning, stood away; yet by five a clock that evening, were Engaged by 30 English Frigates so resolutely, that they sent away some torn ships in the night, and stole themselves too undiscerned by the English, into a designed conjunction with 25 sail of stout men they expected out of the Texel; with whom they fell furiously on the English next morning.  
When after some success against the Garland, the Triumph, and the Andrew by their Fire ships, they observing the declining of their fortune, bore away towards the Texel, whither the English durst not follow them, for fear a cross wind should meet with them at that shore; where they saw the Dutch led to Harbour, having lost their Admiral Va● Tromp, thirty men of War, and 6000 men.  
A defeat, that set the Hague, Alchmuer, and many other places in Holland in an up roar; and being added to their loss of seven Braziel ships on Calais Road, taken by Captain Reynolds, Moullon, and Cran●ley, and of Braziel itself recovered, during this War, by the Portugez.  
The taking of 9 ships upon the coast of France, by Captain Pack, Wright, and Jordan, in spite of the French Protection.  
The jealousies between Van Tromp and De Wit, since the first knock on the Godwyn-sands, after their ranting in one Pamphlet of their Lion and his Prey; in another, of England's being possessed with a Devil; and in a third, That Hollanders are Angels (a Dutch man in his double Jugg proportion, with a box of Butter in the one hand, and a pickled Herring in the other, is a Pretty Cherubin) and English men Devils.  
Notwithstanding their Threats of combining with the World against us, that brought them on their knees in reiterated Messages of Peace, not scrupling the perliminary Points of satisfaction formerly so much boggled at in former Treaties.  
And shall these unhappy people, that were baffled by a poor Remnant of a Rebellion, undertake the Generous, Honesty, and full Power of a Monarchy? That they, who withstood not the distracted ambition of a few Outlaws, that were almost lost in the pursuit of other men's Estates and Powers, presume against the settled authority of a Prince, whose only business is to preserve his own; who frights none, and is afraid of none; having no Enemies, because owning no undoing thought against any, but such, for whose ruin a true and satisfactory Reason may be given to the World.  
In vain do they vapour against a Nation, whose Government is fixed; since they fell before it, when it was lose; alteration of Interests was their Hope, than the sixedness of it must be their Fear now: Then they had to do with many Factions, now with one Interest: Then with a Power that mistrusted itself, whence they knew how to cajole the Council of State against a Parliament, as they called it, and a General with his Army against both; now the Military Power is all one with the Civil, the Council with the Parliament, the Lords with the Commons, the Temporality with the Spirituality, because all influenced by one Head, and acted by one Interest, the Honour of His Majestly, the freedom of Trade, together with the Rights and Privileges of three great Nations, to be generously asse●ed against all Usurpations whatsoever.  
Did they stoop to a self-seeking Rabble, and dare they look in the face of a  Prince? Did they yield to oppressed and cross Crestfallen, and will they engage a Freeborn and Magnanimous People? Did they submit to a dissolute Faction, and will they contest with a well-regulated Power? Will they Conquer us, fight against our Freedoms and Liberties, when they were Conquered by us in fight for them? Were they humbled when the Vote of the most and best of the Nation was for them, and do they now swell, when the Universal Vote is against them? And we can scarce agree so well in the acknowledgement of a God, as in an inclination to a Dutch War; the only Point to which there are no Non conformists.  
It's to little purpose to attempt a Nation restored to its Virtues, Severities, Orders, and Laws, since they failed against it, when sunk in Licentiousness and Barbarisms; will they venture a War that is the People's own act and choice, after that unsuccesful one, which was but their necessity and Fate?  
Were the English so valiant in serving others Lusts, and will they be less in carrying on their own Interest?  
Did they Wonders when ruined with ten years woeful War, and can they do less when refreshed with five years' blessed Peace?  
Did the English prosper when they engaged for other men's Ambition, and will they not succeed, when obliged by their own Country?  
Did they Conquer when they dreaded their Victory, as likely to be overcome themselves, as soon as they overcame their Enemies; and can they be Conquered, when they passionately wish it, as the security of their livelihood and and liberty, and where Defeats raise not Despair, Tumults, and Riots, as in pretended Free-States, where the people think their Governors are accountable to them, but just resentments and resolutions, as in Monarchies, where Princes are accountable only to their Reason and Honour.  
The Dutch would do well to consider that they have not to do now with the confusion of Levellers, but the Order of Government; not with the Raw undertake of Mechanics, but with the stayed and sage Experience of Statesmen; nor with the Tumultuous Discontents and Divisions surviving a Civil War; but the calm sedateness, and tranquillity attending a well settled Peace: Not with those Free-State jealousies that made it dangerous for any man to be Eminent, but with those Royal magnificent confidences, that make it shameful to be mean.  
England is not now a Wilderness of wild, unconstant, and ungrateful Creatures, but a Kingdom of Sober men.   

The Advantages that the Duchy make, by Fishing on the Coasts of Great Britain, which by the War they are like to lose.  
THe British Seas, especially towards our own Coasts, are so exceedingly productive of Multitudes, or great shoals of good, substantial, and useful Fish, as Ling, ●od, Herrings, Pilchers, &c as that it would seem incredible, should I relate what vast quantities of them are yearly taken by the Dutch, and sometimes with what ease and speed: But the continual experience and testimony of Eye-witnesses, is ground sufficient to confirm the truth thereof.  
And hereby they not only supply themselves with the greatest part of their subsistence and food, but reap such other General and National advantages, as are equal to the Revenue of a Crown; and may Rationally be assigned as the chief and principal Cause (next to the favour and assistance of the English in their Infancy) of their present strength and Mightiness  
Which the better to evince, I shall both use the Authority, and follow the Method of that knowing and curious Observer, Sir John Burroughs; who in a small Tract of his, written 1633, hath judiciously disposed those foresaid Advantages into seven Heads or Particulars; viz:  
1. Increase of Shipping and Seamen. 2. Traffic. 3. Strong Holds, and Fortifications. 4. Power abroad. 5. Public Revenue. 6. Private, or particular Estates. 7. Provisions, and store of all things conducing either to their Subsistance or Greatness.  

1. Increase of hipping and Seamen  
ANd here this ingenious Gentleman hath by clear evidence demonstrated, That Holland, which is not above 28 Dutch miles long, and three broad (nothing so large as one single County of England;) a Country, that hath of its own growth, and within itself nothing considerable, either of Materials, Victuals, or Merchandise; for setting forth of ships, doth yearly employ and maintain by Fishing upon our Coasts (besides 3000 Vessels employed in fishing on their own Coasts) 7 or 8 thousand ships, Herringbusses, and other Fishing-boats, wherein are set at work above 140000 Fishermen and Mariners; who are hereby bred and enured to the Sea, and fitted for manning and sailing their other shipping into remote Parts, and other services; besides the many thousands of Tradesmen, Women, and Children, which have their dependence on, and subsistence from this Trade: and all this by the indulgence, favour, and sufferance of the English.   

2. The increase of Trade.  
The Dutch being by this Fishing-trade (as it were) born and bred upon the Sea, cannot (or hardly do) live elsewhere; but disperse themselves in trading Voyages throughout the whole World: And our Fish, especially our Herring, being approved, and of general use for food throughout Europe, is the only Commodity whereby they furnish themselves with the richest Merchandizes (yea and Coin to boot) of all other countries'. Nay 'tis no small sum of money that they yearly carry out of England itself, for this its own Commodity; a thing shameful to the English Nation, and not to be excused. That when God and Nature hath offered them so great a Treasure, even at their own door, they notwithstanding, for want of Industry (to say no worse) neglect the benefit thereof; and by paying money to strangers for the Fish of their own Seas, impoverish themselves to make them rich, and so the more dangerous Neighbours.   

3. Strong Holds and Fortifications.  
By this their greatness of Trade, and the dependency of the whole people upon that only, their Cities and Towns (which are for the most part Maritine, and conveniently seated for Commerce) are by a continual Concourse exceedingly populated, and (which is consequent) much enlarged, and beautified in their Buildings, and (as all great moneyed men's houses) strongly fortified, for the defence of themselves, and substance from the violence of Neighbours. This we find confirmed by the late enlargement of Leyden, Middleburgh, and Amsterdam, by the Strength, Conveniency, and Costliness of their Ports and Havens, by the strong and regular Fortifications of all their Towns; but especially by the late Magnificent and Sumptuous Piles at Amsterdam.   

4. Increase of Power abroad.  
Nor is it only at home that they thus strengthen themselves, but being by their largeness of Traffic (as it were) Citizens of the World, and having so great number both of Ships and Mariners, they Plant and strongly Fortify themselves in other more remote parts of the World. Nay they have by this means extended their Power so far in the East-Indies, as that in many places they keep both King and People at their devotion: And 'tis by some conceived, that they are in that part of the World as considerable as they are at home, both for their own defence, and for offending their Enemies.   

5. Publich Revenue.  
What enlargement of the Public Revenue by their Fishing trade, may easily be calculated, by the quantity of the Fish by them taken: and it appears upon Records for that end kept, that they have taken in one year between 40 and 50 thousand last of Herrings only, (besides Ling, ●od, and other Fish;) which after the usual Rate they are sold at, comes to 10000000l. the Custom and other Duties arising from them to the State in their Exportations, amounting to between 500 and 600 Thousand pounds; besides the Revenue arising from the Merchandizes Imported in exchange of these Fish.   

6. Private Estates.  
And it must necessarily follow, That where the Trade is so large, and the Commodity of so certain sale and general use (necessity I may say to some Countries) and purchased at so easy Rates, and Private men, or the people in general exercise this Trade, those Private men so trading, must (I say) needs grow rich and wealthy, and we know they are so: Whereunto I shall add the great benefit arising from the Employment this Trade affords to all sorts of Tradesmen and Artificers, with their Families, that have any relation to shipping, or the Sea; which comprehends almost all Trades whatever.  
And equal to this do I esteem the commendable advantage of setting all sorts of poor people at work; not only the strong and healthy, but even the most impotent, the Lame and the Blind, Old and the Young; insomuch that 'tis a rare thing to see a Beggar in Holland.   

7. Store of Provisions.  
And Lastly, We find by Experience, that though the Hollander be but little beholding to their own Country for the production of any thing considerable for their support; yet do they in return for their Fish, furnish themselves (even to abundance) with all sorts of Provisions necessary for life, conducing to Luxury and Appetite, or requifite for War and Defen●e.  
The Premises considered, I cannot understand the sullen perverseness of that People, in provoking and quarrelling with the King of Great Britain; in whose Power it is, if not wholly to dam and choke up this the Fountain, yet strongly to interrupt the Steams and Current; not only of their Greatness, but of their very Being.  
But if for their ingratitude to their best friends, who made them what they are, their Treachery and False-heartedness to all their Confederates and Allies, without any regard to their solemn Engagements; their Barbarous and inhuman Cruelties to all (both Friends and Enemies) where they have gotten Advantage; Divine Justice think it time to call them to account.— Jupiter quos vult perdere dementat prius.    

The present state of the United Provinces.  
Country Gentleman.  
SIR, I can find little or no satisfaction in the Pamphlets you sent me concerning the present condition of Holland and England; shall I entreat your Observations concerning both, where the one boasts Your ●irth, the other Your Education.  Traveller. 
The Pamphlets I sent, pretended not your satisfaction, but your Pleasure; as designed rather with their variety to Entertain, than with their exactness to Inform you.  
And I am as hearty glad we have in the retirements of our Country, such exact Judgements, as rest not in superficial Accounts of things, as sorry I am not in this particular more able to answer their expectation or yours.  
However being (as your Worship knows by many instances) more willing to betray a Weakness, than an Vndutifulness: your Curiosity shall not sully to that particular on these two Subjects, wherein my Observations shall not attend it.  Gent. 
The first particular that offers itself to consideration, is the 
* Their condition in regard of Situation.  present condition of Holland, in regard of its Situation.  Trau. 
And that very Rationally, the Interest of all countries' depending on their Position, and their Estate arising from the mutual aspect of their Neighbours towards them, and theirs toward their Neighbours; wherein to proceed with a clearness agreeable to my Temper and Subject.  
I need not inform you, That of 17 Provinces formerly belonging to the House of Burgundy, and in Right of that House, to the House of Austria; there are seven united in a free State among themselves, under the notion of the united Netherlands; the Situation of each whereof in particular, will resolve your first Question.  
1. Holland the chief of them, and the Province that designs the enslaving of the rest, ever since it enjoyed freedom; for itself is awed on the N and W with the German-Sea, and whosoever is Master of it: On the E. bounded with Vtrecht, on the South, lying over to Brabant, the Maze only parting them  Gent. 
It must needs be sad with that Country, when so mighty a Prince by Sea threatneth it on the one hand, as the King of Great Britain is in the German-Sea; and such a Neighbour watcheth it, as the King of Spain is in Brabant; unless they are wonderfully fortified on all sides.  Trau. 
Three places there are, upon which depend the Fate of Holland:  
1. Encheusen, on the very point of Zuider-zee, standing most conveniently to command the Posts of Amsterdam.  
2. Edam, upon the very same Gulf, their great Cha●tam or Arsenal of ships; and  
3. Briell, in the Island Voorn, formerly one of the Cautionary Towns, chosen by the English; in regard of the great command it hath upon the passage to Gertrudenburgh, and the rest of Brabant; as also to Delft, Dort, Rotterdam, the greatest Towns of trade in South Holland.  Gent. 
Since we unhappily parted with this Town, such are the Dikes and Channels round it, Hoorn, and most of their strong Holds, that it is impossible to possess ourselves of them.  Trau. 
When you remember how ordinarily they were bought, sold, and surprised in the Spanish War, you will not despair of them: Besides that, the whole Country lieth so low, that it is but dispatching a few Pick-axes against the Mudwall, Banks, Ramparts, and Dikes; whereby, with much ado, they confine the Sea, and the Rivers, and the whole Country shall lie in Pickle, as their Herrings do.  Gent. 
It's the greatest Bogg of Europe, and Quagmire of Christendom, that's flat, of which it was formerly more strain, than it will be upon this War true; That having no Corn of their own, they had the Granary of Europe; no Wine they drank, more than any Country besides; no Wool or Flax they made more Cloth of both sorts, than any people, besides the French and English; and no Timber, yet spending more than any Nation.  Trau. 
1. A Power that confines them at home, starves them; and one years stop on their Trade overthrows them.  Gent. 
I look upon the Dutch in this Quarrel with England, like the Belly in its Controversy with the Members which fed them; or like the Rebellion of Paris, which (saith the Historian) was starved, rather than Conquered. But Sir the next Province.  Trau. 
2. Zealand (consisting of 7 Islands, the remainder of 18) hath no more to secure it from Flanders, than the left Branch of the River Scheld, or Hont; or from Brabant Eastward, but the right Branch of the said River; nor on the West from England, but the Sea; whereof the whole World knows who is Master.  
A Province that is so ill provided with Wood, that without a supply of Coals from Newcastle; and Scotland hath no other remedy now, but to dig Turffs out of the Banks, too much weakened already thereby in the late English War; and that is to be drowned, for fear of being starved; whose Fate depends upon ●lushing (another cautionary Town, formerly a poor one, since, the very Key of the Netherlands; without whose Licence, no ship could pass formerly, either to or from Antwerp:) and the most capacious Haven Ram, or Armynygden.  Gent. 
3. West Friezland Sir.  Trau. 
West-Friezland, That hath no Fire but Cowdung, no Air but foggy, no water, but Marshy; lieth Eastward obnoxious to Westphalen in High-Germany, N. and W. to the main Ocean.  Gent. 
Where lieth the strength of that place?  Trau. 
1. In the strong Castles, that overlooks Harlingen-Haven, and Staverens, in that part of it called Westergoe. 2. Leuwarden, in that called Oastergoe:— The rest of the Country being the seven Forests, called Seven-Wolden:— In an Isle whereof called Schelink, to divert you, you may observe the taking of Dogfish in this manner:  
The men of the Island attire themselves with Beasts-skins, and then fall to dancing; with which sport the fish being much delighted, makes out of the waters towards them, Nets being pitched presently between them and the water; which done, the men put off their disguises, and the frighted fish hastening towards the Sea, are caught in their Toils.  Gent. 
But if it please you, the Situation of Vtrecht.  Trau. 
4. Vtrecht lieth safe enough, being surrounded by Holland and Gelderland; East, West, North, and South, as doth  
5. Overyssel; only West phalen casts a scurvy Aspect towards it Eastward.  Gent. 
Where lieth the advantage against this Country?  Trau. 
In several parts of the Isle, which is secured only by Daventer and Campen, as they are only by the adjoining Marshes; which yet are rendered utterly unserviceable in one month of Frost; as appears An. 1527, when the Imperialists were let into both these Provinces.  Gent. 
Please you Sir to go on.  Trau. 
6. Gelderland, which bred a Bull 1570, that weighed 3200 pound, must watch the Elector of Bradenburgh Eastward, whereon it's bounded with Cleveland; whereof the States have got half into their hands, and the Brabanters, who shut it up .  Gent. 
Where lie the passages into this Country?  Trau. 
At the confluence of the Maze and the Wael, where Duke Albert erected, and the States maintain the Fort St. Andrews to command that Passage; and Gelder's, the only place in the Province, that would never submit to the States.  Gent. 
Zuphten Sir.  Trau. 
6. Zuphten, lieth at the mercy of Westphalen on the East, and Cleveland on the South.  Gent. 
Where is this place usually attached?  Trau. 
Over the old Yssel, from Westphalen, only Zuphten, Groll, and Doesburgh secure it; which yet every year of the last War shifered their Masters, so liable they were both to surprise and Corruption.  
7. To which I may add Groaning, enclosed by the Friezlands on all sides, save the North, that lieth open to the main Ocean; succoured only by Old Haven and Groaning.  Gent. 
But have the States no holding in Flanders or Prabant?  Trav 
Yes, they have the Sluyes, the Isle of Castandt in Flanders, with such places of Importance in Bra●ant, as may tempt their watchful Neighbours to improve this juncture of their breach with England, to recover all the World; knowing that when they are so mightily engaged by Sea, they will have but a very poor defence by Land; and it being obvious to themselves (but that Fate infatuates them it would punish) that a breach with England may lose what amity with it hath gotten them.  Gent. 
I pray how big may this United State be?  Trau. 
It's Circuit is some 300 miles, its walled Towns 71; whereof 23 belong to Holland, 8 to Zealand, 11 to West-Friezland, 5 to Vtrecht, 11 to Overyssel, 16 to Geld●rland, 8 to Zuphten:— And its Villages, 1560; whereof 400 are in Holland, and 300 in Zealand, ●45 in West-Friezland, 70 in Vtrecht, an 100 in Over●sse●, 300 in Gelderland, 145 in Groaning, besides the Towns in Brabant, ●landers, and Cleveland.  Gent. 
I pray how stand all these Neighbours affected towards their United Province?  Trau. 
Westphaliae, and the Bishop of Munster is disobliged about the Eyler-Sconce; the Elector of Bradenburgh is not well pleased with some Passages in Cleveland; the Emperor and Spain strengthen themselves in Flanders: neither is the King of France without preparations in Picarty and Artois, and all this while the King of Great Britain hath made the most dreadful preparations against them that any Age can remember.  Gent. 
This is so sad, that it must needs sink any other people but the Dutch, who are so much given to hope, that like St Clemens, though drowned, they have an Anchor about their necks.  Trau. 
Yet this is not all, for the Hollanders, under pretence of Liberty of Trade, which the Duke of Rhoan saith is their Interest; having engrossed a Monopoly of it, which all the World decrees as their Usurpation.  
The industrious Portugeze, whom they have wormed almost out of all their discoveries in Asia and Africa upon the least Truce with Spain, would set up Repriz●ls, as well for their Trade, as their Goods on either side of the Line.  
The incensed Swede is ready to revenge Modern affronts, and former unkindnesses; besides his design for free Trade in the Balticc-sea.  
The concerned Dane must secure his Sound, or quit his Kingdom.  
The generous French meditate a free Trade, and an Universal Commerce, equally suitable to the inclinations and necessities of Mankind; in order whereunto, (as Sir George Downing observes) he hath permitted his Subjects the recovery of some places in the Dutch hands with Honour, the loss whereof his Predecessors connived at, not without some disgrace.  
What the Duke of Muscovy may do when disabused, is obvious to discerning men; who know that those Northern (and indeed all rude) people are never more implacable, than when imposed upon; never knowing upon what ground to trust, when once deceived.  
Neither is Christendom only offended by this unhappy people, who when put on by an Heathen Prince that forbade Christian's Trade, to the sad choi●e, to renounce either their Trade, or their Religion, made this untoward Answer; That they were not Christians, but Hollanders: But even the Pagan World near hand here in Africa, and further off in Asia and America, watches the first fair opportunity to rid their Ports, as the Ghinois; their Islands as the Indians, and their Coasts, as the Negroes of Guinee of their insulting Usurpers, that know as little how to command moderately abroad, as how to obey dutifully at home; outdoing Barbarism itself in uncivility, and Heathenism in cruelty; both which are ashamed of themselves as acted by Dutchmen.  Gent. 
Yet they are very strong (they say) in the Indies, and at Guinee.  Trau. 
It's very true, and no more than needs, that they who have a peculiar unhappiness of disobliging all mankind, should have a considerable Power to awe them, and that the miserable people that are not loved, should be feared.  
Yet when what they have gained in Trade, by their adventure to Guinee, is compared with what they have lost in Reputation, the great support of Government by the surprise of it (unworthily assaulting a Christian Prince there, when he was engaged in their assistance against an Infidel elsewhere) when Nova Battavia is weighed with Amboyna; when Surat and the Coast of China ballanceth the Mollacco Islands; when the unexpressable losses of their West-India Company by miscarriages, repulses, surprises, shipwrecks, strike tallies with the advantages of the East India; when they have reckoned as well what they can bring home, as what they have there, they will have as little reason to boast of their Interest on the other side of the Line a year hence, as they have to do so on this side of it now.  Gent. 
I doubt you are now a little partial, therefore waving all reflections, I pray give me an exact account of their state in those remote parts.  Trau. 
Although the Improsperous Netherlanders have done themselves so much wrong, that to relate their condition, looks as if it were to reflect upon them; and bare Narratives that concern them, seem little less than Invectives; yet with the impartiality you always expect, in the freedom of our private Discourses, take their state in Asia, Africa, and America in this clear Account.   

SECT. 1.  
An account of the Hollanders state, in Asia, Africa, and America.  
1. IN Asia, 1. The Sultan of Persia (since the assistance we afforded him in removing the Trade of Ormuz to Lar) hath had so great a respect for the English Nation, that their Agent, who resideth at Gambroon, takes Custom of all Strangers that Traffic thither; and the Dutch are as much at our mercy in those Coasts, as they should and may be in good time on our own.  
Neither are they more subject to us about Ormuz, than they are to the Muscovites (I suppose our very good friends) upon Mare de Bochu in Hyrcania; from whom they must take all their Silks at second hand every year, during the season of Trade, i. e. from March, when they go thither, to July, when they return.  
And to say no more, They that have traveled the large Coast of Persia know, That as the Portuguez. (none of the Dutch ●est friends) manage the Trade of the Southern Ocean, so the Muscovite likely, upon a Trepan upon him, to be none of their mildest Foes, hath Engrossed the Commerce of the Caspian Sea.  
In Tartary, 1. Capha, that flourishing Empory, and capacious Haven, not far from the Straight Stretto de Cuffu, sivi Germanum, never allowed the Hollanders any Trade, but what they must be beholding for to the Genoese their Competitors (who commanded that Trade, and indeed all upon the Euxine) or the Turk● their Enemies; who under Mahomet the Great 1475, give Law to that place: Nor  
2. Tanus, without the favour of those Nations, bordering on the Euxine Coast; and what entertainment they have among the Circastians', whose capacious Bays, and commodious Havens Synda Brata, etc. are most fitly seated for Trade and Merchandise, this last years Gazet hath informed us; wherein 18 ships are said to be lost to the fury of the insenced Inhabitants, as they had done 11 a little before, not far from Bolgar, on the River Volga: Nor  
3. Cathay, where they are forced to take their Rye, Hemp, Ruburb, Silk, and Musk on the second hand of the Chinois: Nor  
4. Cascur, on the N W. of China, in whose Royal City Hiachum they pay toll for their Merchandise: Nor  
5. Cainu, where they must accept of the women's Veil, the great Commodities of those Ports from the Dantzikers: Nor  
6. Theby Musche, without Custom to the English.  
3. Of the fifteen Provinces of China, 6 the most open and rich for Trade, in Wheat, Barley, Rye, Wool, Cotton, Olives, Vines, Flax, Silks, Metals, Fruits, Sugar, Honey, Ruburb, Camphire, Ginger, Musk, all Spices▪ China-dishes, and Manufactures, will as soon trade with a Dutchman, as they would with a Tartar; the difference they say between them being this, viz: That the Tartars are Hollanders without, and the Hollanders Tartars within.  
4. What frequent eruptions are made by the Indians upon their Trade into those places; where they having nothing but what they have usurped from the Portuguez, who first by Vasques de Gama 1477; and then by Alphonso de Pagua, Bartholomew Diaz after discovered the way of Commerce with this Country, by the new way of the Cape de bua● Sperance; what surprises in their passages to and fro upon the River Labour; what a check from Diw the strong Portuguez Garrison; what a stop from Goa, where lives a Portuguez Viceroy; what discouragements from the Portugueze Sea-Towns in Canara; wh●t frights are they put to by the Citadel of Cononor; what Tributes do they pay the King of Calicute; and yet how suspected by him? What interruption from the Portugals in the great Haven of Chochee; what changes have they been subject to in Bengula; what overtures there have been made by the Inhabitants to K. J. to undermine them; what hard meats they are held to by the Portuguez at Colmuchi; what subjection to the English (who are very much beloved there) at Bantham, the chief English Factory in that Country? What Losses they have suffered since they have engrossed the whole trade of the Moluccoes? What Customs they pay the Portuguez at Japan, the Empory of the Chinois, who unwilling to trade in their own Countries, bring their Traffic thither? To say no more, how  they are in the Isles where the Slaves were set free, on condition they could cut them off, and bring in the English; who are more acceptable for their honesty and civility than these haughty men, who kerbed the Natives some years with three Forts, the people of Lantora voluntarily submitting themselves to the Protection of K. James, and to his use giving possession of their Country to Capt, Hage, Nou. 24. 1620. as the Inhabitants of Warne and Rosengen did a little after.  Gent. 
But is it not possible for these Dutch, notwithstanding the prejudice they now seem to lie under to tack about, and make an Interest yet in the divisions of Europe?  Trau. 
It's possible, but very improbable, since they have lost their Reputation, which is the bottom of their Interest, and you will fide none will hearty close with them; because none can really trust them.  Gent. 
Potentates without Integrity, are the same thing with Tradesmen without Credit, for suspicion is irreconcilable; and it's said of Rome, that Favendo piet ati fideique ad tantum fastigii per venerit: And if you can make this good, the Low-countrieses have seen their best days.  Trau. 
I wish them no more harm, than that your inference be not as fatally just, as the premises are irrefragably true; and easily evidenced to be so, by as notorious an Induction, as is this day Registered in Europe.  Gent. 
As how?  Trau. 
1. In reference to Spain.  
Then they petition against strangers, declare for Liberty and Religion, when they had newly taken the Oath of Allegiance, made their Sovereign a Present of 120000l. and insinuated their chief Demagogues to the places of greatest Honour and Trust in the Country: Then they surprise Mecklenburgh, Enchusen, etc. when they treated at Brussels: Then they subscribed themselves Vassals to Fran●e, when they had senta Petition to Spain: In a word, Whatever was the ground of these men's revolt from that Kingdom, their conduct in it had nothing of Honour or clearness, as wholly suiting a Popular and Plebeian humour.  
2. In reference to France.  
Not to mention the affront they put upon monsieur, 1578; when they entertained him for Protector, yet obliged themselves to; whence upon his exclusion Q. Eliz from Amsterd. the Hieroglyphic that represented them, was a Cow, fed by Q. Eliz. stroaked by the Prince of Orauge, and held by the tail by D. Francis, till it bewrayed him, or any other sleights before they came to a consistency which may be reckoned as their necessity, rather than their fault.  
1627. When they were High and Mighty, a strictly mutual Confederacy and Alkance Defensive and Offensive for 17 years, with a mutual Engagement not to treat with Spain on either side, without consent was agreed on Aug. 28. between L●wis 13th of France, and the States of the United Provinces, ratified June. 30, 1630, and pursued on the French side, with a Million of Lieurs, i. e. 100000l. sterling, besides 10000 Foot, and 1500 Horse fallen into Artois and Henault; notwithstanding all which particulars, they endeavoured a Truce with Spain and the States of Flanders, without the advice or consent of France; as appears by several underhand dealing of the Dutch with the Spaniards, couched in the French Ambassadors memorial to the States 1634.  
With whom I mean monsieur de Charness by name (when their treaties with Spain proved fruitless) Feb 8. 1635. they renewed the former League upon the very same terms of No peace with Spain, without mutual consent, and in pursuit of it, fell with joint forces upon Tienen, Loven, Skinchen-Schons; yet (the Province of Holland suspecting France no less than Spain, in the very heat of this War, wherein the French were engaged on their account (so good are these Watermen at Rowing one way, and Looking another) their Attorney General Musch is secretly dispatched to Don Martin Axpe, Secretary to the King of ●pain about a Treaty; which the States solemnly denied to Carnasse; and yet their Ambassador Paw (when the French King told him, That these secret proceed, did contradict their solemn Treaty; and how much it differed from the justice his Majesty used towards them, said they had communicated it to Charnesse 1641, 1642, 1643.  
Yea, though Anno 1635, 1636, 1637, 1638, there were notwithstanding these underminding several ratifications passed of these Treaties; and 1644 a League Guarantin entered into: Yet as monsieur de la Thuiller●es averred to their Faces, not a Month in these years passed without overtures between them and the Spaniards; which brought on the Treaty at Munster without, and against the French Kings consent, even when he was in the field on their behalf, at Dunkirk, Stechen, Loqueren, &c at the rate of 18 or 20000 Foot, and four or 5000 Horse to no purpose, the Dutch slurring him in most undertake; as particularly at Antwerp, which did as good as offer up itself to their Army.  
Nay (which was more) the intercepted Letters of Count de Pennerand●● made it evident, That The peace (at Munster) was agreed on without any regard to the French Interest; which was not so much as named by the Dutch: And though the other Provinces were against it, yet because Holland was for it, they would soon bring the other Provinces to a compliance: Only honest Here van Nederhurst refused to sign so perfldious a Treaty, against not only the Honour, but the very Interest of his Country; of which I may say as the Greek Orators of Sparta, No League, no subsistence; no Faith no League.  
3. Should I recapitulate their strange deal with England, how they solicited our Queen, and yet dealt with the French King: How they promised us free Trade, yet stopped our ships: How they borrowed our money, to buy a peace with Spain: How they admitted our Ambassadors to their supreme Senate, yet because he should not understand all Debates, they presently set up a secret Council: How they entreated the Q. to send over the Earl of Leicester, yet abused him so far, that he left behind him a Meddal, whereon there was engraven a Dog and a flock of Sheep, with this Inscription; Non Oves sed Ingratos:  
How they depended on our Field. Officers, and yet enjealousied them one against the other. How they delivered us the Caution. Towns we had taken, yet were never quiet till they had trucked for them: How they owned King James their Protector, yet set up a blasphemous Reader (I mean Vorstius) in competition with him: What earnestness they used to dissuade him from. Alliance with Spain, when they had a correspondent there! How they complemented King Charles the first (of blessed memory) when they disputed his Right to his own Seas: How they protest their Obligations to him, yet cheat us of the Impost upon their Herring fishing, and presume to fight with Oquendo the Spanish Admiral, in our very Havens: How they had their Agents here, during our Civil War, under pretence of mediating our Peace, observing the advantages they might make of our War: How affectionately they there embraced the King's Interest, and yet how suspiciously their Ambassador faultered about his death: How zealously they espoused his Majesty's Interest that now is, while hopeful 1649, 1650, 1651, 1652, (for a pretence to hid their design of quitting the Homage they owed to England, and engrossing its Trade) and when that was done, how like themselves (that is Cunningly) they deserted it, from 1653, to 1660: How eager they were to entertain His Majesty, (though not till they had assurance of his Restauration) and yet how unkind to his Excellent Sister and her Son: How instant for Peace at Whitehall, and yet how unreasonable in their Usurpations, Piracies, Depredations, and Surprises in Africa and America?  
How ready to deliver the Pepper Islands, and what pretences from year to year to keep it: How earnest in soliciting a War with the Turks in Algiers, yet how treacherous in deserting it: How importunate in their addresses for peace, yet how diligent in their preparations for War! How ready to make satisfaction for old injuries, when the mean time they offer new ones: How respectful of His Majesly in their Embassies, yet how abusive of his Person, Government, and Relations in their licenced Libels and Pictures: What Civility, what Kindness pretended! yet how barbarous to our Prisoners at home! How severe to our Merchants abroad!  
Should I (I say) recollect more particularly their several Transactions with England, from the year 1665, to the year 1665, that is for an Hundred years together, it might be interpreted my Spleen, rather than my History; and the gratification of my own Interest, than the information of your Judgement.  
4. With Denmark they made a League, wherein among other things it was provided, they should pay a Rose-Noble for every ship that passed the Sound; which yet they paid or denied (as the King of Denmark Remonstrated) only according as their Convoys were either weak or strong, sometimes ●●●p●ting his very Dominion in the 〈◊〉 and threatening the ●rade of the Baltick-Sea.  
5. Yet when Swedeland upon their instance 1640, 1643, 1644, 1645 entered into a League Guarantine, and in pursuance thereof began a War in Denmark, the very same point of time they sent 50 ships to the Sound, and three Ambassadors to Copenhagen, representing the formid able Power of the Swedes in the East-Sea, and entering into a League Defensive with the Dane, not only without the Queen of wedens consent, but with a promise of 4000 men against her; yea and an Article, wherein she is obliged to pay Toll to the Dutch for the Sound; they having hired it during some years for 140000 Pattacoons, or Dollars per annum: Of which matters the Swedish Ministers have made loud Remonstrances to the State's General, and to the World.  
6. Neither have they any more Credit with the Portuguez, with whom they ordered a Cessation of Hostility, upon the alteration there 1640, conducing so much to the Spaniards weakening, and their own establishment; yet cunningly inserting this Clause, viz: That the Truce should not begin in the East-Indies, till within a year; nor in Braziel, till within half a year after the ratification thereof; and as cunningly by virtue thereof, giving order to their men, to take what they could in the mean time; as they did at Angola, Marinsan, and St. Thome; which they surprised, being admitted by the innocent Portuguez to them, under the colour of that League and Truce the Mighty States making this unworthy Allegation to the Portuguez Ambassador, in behalf of that action, viz: That there was no wrong done, in regard that in that Clause its said, That each side should hold and keep what it can take in such a time.  
Whereunto the Ambassador generously replied; That That must be understood Bonâfide, viz: That which should be taken, without having any knowledge of the Truce.  
7. Nay, in the 11th Article of the Union at Vtrecht, An. 1579. it's promised, That no Member thereof should be neglected in fu●ure Treaties; and proceed yet, how Antwerp, Gaunt, and Brussels, though involved therein, were deserted in the Truce 1607, and the peace 1648, as well as in the War 1625, when the Prince having taken the Castle of Teemche, and the French Dunkirk, Antwerp might have been easily rescued, is as well known to the World, as the Reason of it; viz: because Antwerp being reduced, would have drawn to itself its ancient and great Trade, which Holland and Zealand enjoyed as long as Antwerp, and the Shilds' were dammed up.  Gent. 
These passages with 1. The Amboyna action, within two years after a solemn Treaty begun at London 1613, continued at the Hague 1617., and finished at London 1619.  
2. The 20 ships lent against their ancient friends, the French Protestants, 1625.  
3. The little satisfaction we have for our losses at Amboyna, notwithstanding the special promise of Reparation before the year 1625, together with the 326 particular injuries done our Merchants and Country within these 145 years, amounting to 958646l. where it's not unknown to the World, nor to themselves, though they would willingly forget it, what their condition was, when England first undertook their Protection; what kindness Blood, and Treasure from England set them up in Queen Elizabeth's days; what Power and interposition from Great Britain had them declared a free State in King James his time; what Indulgence and condescension to let them pass, trade, and fish on our Seas, upon the civil condition only of striking sail to our ships and Castles, in acknowledgement of our Sovereignty, have satisfied me, That the Dutch having been so careless of that Grand thing Reparation, that they are as unlikely to make an Interest in Europe for the future, as they are unable for the present: And now they are to stand upon their own bottom; will you vouchsafe to show me their Strength, and that first in point of Money, the Sinews of War?   

The Dutch present Condition in reference to Money and Treasure.  Trau. 
HAving of late years Engrossed most of the Trade in the Baltic sea, i. e. the East-land Trade, the Trade of Sweden, liefland, Prusia, Poland, Pomerania, Silesia, for Masts, Pitch, Cables, Iron, Copper, Brass, Clapboard, Tar, etc. the Sound being let them 1651, at so low a rate, as 140000 Pattacoons or Dollars: Monopolixed the Spice, Gold, Pearl, and other Trades in the East and South, so that all the World traded upon second-hand from Holland; then the Emporium of it passed, and fished without control upon our Coast these 30 years.  
It's not unlikely but that they have amassed a considerable Treasure; but now the French King, and all Europe pursue so vigorously the design of free Trade; now the King of Denmark prepares so considerably for the maintenance of the Sound; now the Swedes have a mighty Navy to restore their Northern Trade; now the Portuguez devolve their Interest upon the King of Great Britain; and that mighty Prince checks their Usurpations and Monopolies abroad, and forbids their Trade and Fishing at home: that Bank must sink, and their great Charge and little Trade, must eat out the principal Stock, beyond all recruit amongst themselves; whose 7 Provinces, not so big as 7 of our Shires, (the great Quagmire of the South) cannot maintain the 7th part of their Inhabitants at the rate of a Chelsey-Prisoner; who lived always upon Neighbours, eat their Bread, wear their Cloth, grow rich on their pay, and starve at their displeasure.  Gent. 
I but they have infinite Methods of Imposts and Taxes.  Trau. 
They have more ways indeed to raise Money, than to earn it: But in their Taxes, there are two things that portend their Ruin.  Gent. 
I pray what are they?  Trau. 
The first is, That the very grounds of their Taxes fail them.  
The second is, That the Measure of them, breaks their People.  Gent. 
As how?  Trau. 
Thus: Their Taxes are either  
Those by Sea,  
or  
Those by Land.  
1. Those by Sea must needs fall to the ground in this manner,— 400000l. a year, besides the tenth fish, and the wastage of what was spent in Holland, or transported to any other Country; which, together with the benefit of allaying the Coin taken in those countries', amounted to an infinite Treasure for Herring, and other saltfish now forbidden them on our Coasts, is lost, or at least much diminished.  
2. Licenses, Passports, Customs; since Trade is much deadened by their late Sickness, and more by their present War; wherein their Merchants lose their Principal, and therefore Rationally they cannot expect their Interest.  
3. Their Prizes and Auxiliary Aides, reckoned in the Spanish War, a part of their revenue fall within a narrow compass.  
4. Their Imposts upon French Wines, Vinegar, Coals, will be very short, till they have cleared the Coast between Bordeaux and New castle; and the like Judgement is to be made of their Tribute. 1. Of assurance of Westlebank and Factorien in this great stop of Trade.  
2. Those by Land, if it be possible to raise them in these Islands without free trade at Sea, are so grievous, that the third part of them cost the King of Spain his Dominion; and these (with the least defeat to improve the discontent of the people) may cost the States the Republic.  
Hear them, and bless God hearty that you are an Englishman born.—  
1. Polt-money, i. e. 4s. for every Head, called by them Hooft-ghelt.  
2. Chimney-money, called Scoorsteen-ghelt, 1s. 6d. a Chimney.  
3. De twee Honderste Penningh, i. e. The 200l. penny of every man's Estate.  
4. Sout-ghelt, or the Tribute for Salt, 6d. a Bushel.  
5. Tribute on Ale and Beer, 3s. a Barrel strong Beer, and 12s. small.  
6. Tribute on Victuallers, a half penny a Meal.  
7. Tribute of Butter and Candles, 1d. a Pound.  
8. Den Impost van de ronde Maeten, or an Impost on whatever is measured with a round Measure.  
9 The Impost on Turffs, Wood,  sowed, Grounds, Wagons, Boats, Houses, Pictures, Books, Ships, and all  Goods.  
10. Four shillings for every Manservant, and Maid servant; with many more that would tire the patience of a better humoured people.  Gent. 
Indeed when I consider that the two Supports of that Country are 1. Merchandise. 2. Manufacture. And withal reflect what little freedom there is for the trade of the one, and how little vent for the Workmanship the other; I am very apt to believe their Counsel of the Treasury have, as in that for Trad: though I admire not so much their buses are so low now, as that ever they could be so high.  Trau. 
Indeed, 1. The Situation of their Rivers, running through each part of their Country, and conveying thither the Wealth of the Germane, the British, and the Meditaranian-Sea.  
2. Their Excise rising with their charge; the most idle, slothful, and improvident Soldier, that selleth his blood for drink, and his flesh for bread, serves at his own charge; for every payday he payeth his Father, and he the Common purse.  
3. The Coin of Nations hoarded in their Banks for their Commodities, which, as the Carriars of Christendom, they convey from one Nation to the other.  
4. Their trading every where upon the freest Conditions.  
5. Their encouraging of Merchants and Artists, 1. By freedom from Imposts. 2. By due limits of every one in his own way; as the Hamburgh and Danzig Merchants in their way, the East-Indians in theirs, and the West Indians in theirs. 3. By their Respects towards them, and the Privileges allowed them. 4. By taking care that neither Merchant nor Artisan, that is expert in the secrets and Mysteries of his Profession, go out of their Dominions.  
6. The concernment of each Person in the state of the Public.  
7. Their prudence in committing all Accounts to Merchant-— Commissioners.  
8. Their fundamental constitution for a yearly estimate of all Estates and Persons.  
9 The very necessity of being industrious in a Country, where Nature can do nothing without Art.  
10. The People's humour to maintain their Liberty, which cannot be without Arms, as Arms cannot be supported without Stipends, nor Stipends without Impositions; which are the easier raised, the more lively apprehensions those people have of Danger; and the easier paid, because they appoint 40 days to every Soldier's month.  Gent. 
Besides, there is a world of money raised, under pretence of Repairing the Public Banks, and maintaining the common Cause, called Quota insensibly from this free State: But are you able to make out how much their Treasure falls short by reason of this War?  Trau. 
Besides the  Argument on that Subject, I shall add another by way of Instance in particular Provinces.  
1. Holland (which ballanceth the rest of the Provinces in Expenses and Counsels) depends in its Revenue on 1. Weaving and making of Cloth; as at Harlem and Leyden, which a restraint on Spanish and English Wool (besides our skill therein) stoppeth. 2. on Merchandise and Navigation; as at Amsterdam and Rotterdam, which this War baffleth. 3. In the vent of Cheese, Butter, French-Wines, and Beer; as at Delft and Dort, which this Quarrel forbids. 4. The sale of Salt and Saltfish throughout the Country, which they owed to our Indulgence.  
2. Zealand on the Wines of France, the Wines and Alum of Spain, the Spices and Gold of India, hitherto with our leave only carried to Prusia, Liefland, Denmark, and other Northern Ports.  
3. Friezland on Horses, Bulls, Turf, and Onions; commodities sold among themselves, not likely to support so vast a charge as a War with Great Britain and Ireland may amount; only Embden Port must not expect its usual confluence of English, Danish, Nind, Norway ships, nor its wont vent for Milk, Barley, and Beans to Cermany.— To say no more, A War with a potent Nation at Sea, doth what they complained of in Spain; Imprison them in a poor home, that hath only Air (and that none of the best) to breathe in.   

The Dutch present Condition in respect of Government.  Gent 
I Am very well satisfied with respect to the present state of affairs, together with the strict Acts of State in most Kingdoms, against the Exportation of Coin and Bullion; in what condition our Neighbours are in point of Treasure, will you be pleased to proceed to the point of Government?  Trau. 
Their Government, to use a Fellow-Travellors words, is a Democracy (and there had need be many to rule such a Rabble of rude ones; tell them of a King in jest, and they will cut your throat in earnest; the very name carrieth in it more Odium than Image to a Jew, Old Age to a Woman, or a Surplice to a Non-con or missed) made up of these parts, viz:  
1. A Stadt-holder, or General, whose Power is not to decree any thing, but to Advise; not to order any matter, though of the least moment, but see their Orders executed.  
2. The State's General, called Hoegh Moeghend, or High and Mighty; consisting 1. Of Delegates chosen by the seven Provinces sometimes for three years, sometimes for more, never for life. 2. Of a Precedent changed every eighth day. 3. Secretaries removed every three years, all paid by their respective Provinces, a constant stipend; and when sworn not to regard so much the Interest of their particular Provinces, as of the Union trusted, 1. With the choice of Cenerals, not so much to Command, as Oversee. 2. With the Oaths and other Disciplines of War by Sea and Land. 3. With the answering of Ambassadors. 4. With the Accounts of the resective Governors and States of Provinces, and all other affairs: They may be at leisure, for 5. Only all these affairs must be offered first to the States of every Province, and thence imparted to the State's General; by the major part of whom all things are ratified, unless in case of Taxes, War, Peace, etc. And such things as concern the Constitution of the Republic.  
3. A Council of State, called by them Den Raet van Staten, out of the States-General; whose care is the Discipline and Provision, of the Militia, with the Execution of such Orders of the States-General as concern the Union, and the whole Commonwealth.  
4. Upon Extraordinary occasions, a General Assembly of the States, called De general vergadering, made up of more Delegates than ordinary, are convented to treat of Offensive and Defensive Wars of Truce, Leagues, unaccustomed Taxes, etc. Affairs so managed with such unanimous consent, that they cannot proceed, till the dissenting Provinces be by Delegates sent to that purpose from the Assembly satisfied.  
5. The Council of the Admiralty, consisting of Merchants and Seamen; whereunto their Maritine Revenue is brought, with their Deputies changed every year; whereof there are three appointed to reside in Holland, the first at Amsterdam, the second at Rotterdam, and the the third at Hoorn: One in Zealand, and that at Middleburgh; and one in Friezland, and that at Harlem; consisting of seven Senators, one Secretary, and one Treasurer, of the Navy.  
6. The Council of the Treasury, or the Committee of all Accounts, new every 2 years, (to which all their taxes are paid in) consisting of Merchants and Usurers.  Gent. 
I do not clearly apprehend what judgement to make of their present state from their Government; the least light in this particular, will be a very great favour.  Trau. 
Briefly thus:  
1. While a Monarch acts, these great Councils debate; while he is at their door they demur, either the quarrel, as Vtrecht and its Deputies, or the Method, as Zealand; or the charge, as Friezland; or the Command and Conduct, as Holland.  
2. Each State and Province pretending to an equal Power; they are so long in persuading dissenters by Delegates to Reason, that they lose both their Votes, and the very designs of them.  
3. Particular Piques and Animosities shall hazard a Public Interest, and some great ones will choose to betray the State, rather than gratify an Adversary.  
4. Nay, such are the disorders of a Commonwealth, that when they should fight an Enemy, they are scuffling among themselves; and when the people expect effectual Orders in their Defence, they are throwing Ink-horns at one another's heads.  
5. The Deputies of each Provinces are engaged to particular Interests, when the whole lieth at stake; and the Question is, Whether Zealand shall yield to Holland, at that very instant, when it's a question too, Whether both are not swallowed by the first Invader.  
6. The temporary Grandees of a free State have a private fortune, and a Posterity to provide for upon the Public Stock, when the Hereditary Princes of a Kingdom are secured for both; and De Wit shall design only the erection of a Family, when King Alphonso the 4th aims at the free Trade of EUROPE.  
7. And a Pension shall buy the best Vote in the Senate, where is a man but would rather be a Duke under a Sovereign, than Burgemaster among the Rabble.  
8. Besides that, a sudden advancement of a Boor from his shop, to the Senate; not for his Wit, God knoweth, but for his Money, is as much to seek in the affairs of War and Peace, as mine Heer vander Mere; who would needs make his son Admiral, because he had one day ventured in a Caper from the Weiling to Bordeaux.  
9 Among which ignorant and unskilful multitude to be Eminent, is to be dangerous; and to deserve well of the Government and Country, looks like a design to surprise it; an instance whereof is old Barnevelt, who after 40 years incomparable services, was allowed no other Recompense than the loss of that head for out-witting his Country men, which had so often overreached their Enemies, as likely to betray that State which he had so often supported.  
10. Neither is this the only inconvenience of their backwardness and bangling in State-matters (though its very sad that excellent persons dare not oblige their Country, and its safer there to miscarry, than go through an Enterprise;) for besides this, they are forced to keep so many Foreigners in Pension during life, as well when they have occasion to use them, as when not (lest they should be surprised in their ignorance or weakness) as put them to the charge of a War in the calmest and best settled peace.  
11. What a peevish thing a Free-state is, when the people want Trade or Work; and those people are many in a narrow compass, where they with much ease and privacy Meet, Debate, Complain, Contrive, yea and Remonstrate too, is upon no Ground better known, than in Holland and the United Provinces.  
12. And when all this is done, they are so much puzzled about the choice of Officers and Commanders, that to pitch upon a Commander (when all cannot enjoy what every one desires) in Chief, is to hazard a Revolt; and to decide a Competition, is to lose a Province; where however the rejected Party will be able to undo in Private, whatever his Competitor may undertake in Public; not heeding the Quarrel, so much as the men that man●ge it.  
13. Neither is this all the mischief of that Government, the niceties of Privileges and Liberty, Propriety and the Fundamental shall buzz the people in the greatest dangers to Mutinies against any trespassers against these sacred Rules, that are within either their Malice or Revenge.  
14. Nay, to see the ambitious Heads, that aim at Power and Advantage, by the disorders of the Public affairs; engaging 1. The simple and the slothful. 2. The I, and no men, and Blanks. 3. The Contrivers and Speakers. 4. The Sticklers and Dividers by Menaces, Flattery, Pretences, Money, or Preferment, to move, to press, to quit, divert, and put off Debates in such season and order as may best comport with their Design and Advantage; what fair dresses, and cleanly couching of Pro●ects; what suitable ways of working they have, upon the humours of their Fellow- Burgemasters; as their Fear, their Anger, their cloth, their Neglect, their Formality, Vanity, Caution, Inclinations, Profit, or Pleasure, to connive the pinch of Disputes; to scruple nothing; to divert, or neglect the best Vote in nature: What care to oblige the Rabble with Nods, Smiles, and what they most esteem a redress of Grievances, which yet the very Patriots themselves it may be contrived themselves, they being a people that will contrive things a miss, rather than want something that they may mend.  
What generous entertainments to cashiered Officers, broken Merchants, discontented Counsellors and Advocates I What sullen Retirements from the State, with untoward Looks, Garb, and Language! How cunningly the Factious relieve the present necessities, with lasting inconvenience! How slily they engross the Public Treasure, into Private Hoards!  
What correspondents they keep in the Admiralties and Treasuries! What Advocates and Dependants in the particular States and Councils! What irregular and wi●d Resolves! I say, To reflect on these, and other Particulars of that Government, cannot choose but convince a man how deplorable a thing it is to be governed by a Rabble, that are more addicted to Appearances, than capable of comprehending the Reasons of Things; among whom, in all cases determinable by Plurality of Voices, the greater number of Fools, weigheth down the more prudential Councils of fewer Wisemen.  
Nay, which is most ridiculous and miserable, (but that in popular suffrages it must be so) his Vote many times casts a Kingdom, that hath not brains enough to rule his private Family; deciding the Question, without understanding the Debate.  Gent. 
Indeed when I consider how slow their Debates must be, when managed by so many divided Heads; and how low their Treasure, when passed through so many private hands; when I reflect on the several obstructions in their many Admiralties, and the indirect proceed in their numerous Councils for the Treasury; I wonder much how they maintain a War, more how they conduct it: But Sir I observe Religion was their great friend in former Wars.   

SECT. 3.  
Their present state in point of Religion.  Trau. 
IT was so indeed, when Queen Elizabeth pitied, the French Protestants relieved, and the Germane Princes assisted them upon the bare account of their being Professors of the Gospel; besides that, that Notion extraordinarily inspired their Populacy, nothing rendering men more daring in this World than their Engagements for another; when that which restrains and moderates Passions inflames them.  
I. But 1. Since the Dutch have never been esteemed really devout, and now think it not worth their while to pretend it; and are only Jews of the New-Testament, that have changed only the Law for the Gospel, since they are so much Christians as to tolerate Jews, and banish Catholics; and so much Protestants, as to silence Arminians, and indulge twelve sorts of Anabaptists; the common saying being, that A man may be what Devil he will there, so he pusheth not against the States.  
II. Since the Quarrel is not Religion, so much as Trade, so much their Faith, as their Interest; and they can clap a League with the Turk that they may invade an Ally, and the best Protestant Prince in the World.  
III. Since the ve●y variety of their Religions endanger their Countrymen with seditions, than any Enemy yet hath done by Invasions; to instance no further than the Remonstrant and Anti-remonstrant controversy, which if not seasonably allayed, by the grave Councils, and potent Engagement of King James of blessed memory, 1617., 1618., 1619. had taken away their very Place and Nation: Every ambitious or discontented Person, having the opportunity of making himself the Head, or at least of a dissenting Party; into whose Consciences, by the fundamental constitution of the Government, no man dares look, until they grow so prevalent that none can control their Practices, Schism being established there by a Law, and their Government made precarious and contemptible, as exposed to the restless Importunity of every Sect and Opinion; yea, and of every single Person who shall presume to descent from the Public, who finding that by being troublesome to the Government, that they can arrive to an indulgence, will, as their numbers increase, be more troublesome; that so at length they may arrive to a general toleration, and at last cry for an establishment; besides that the variety of Religions, when openly indulged, doth directly distinguish men into Parties, and withal gives them opportunities to count their numbers; which considering the animosities that out of a Religious Pride will be kept on foot by the several Factions, doth tend directly and inevitably to open disturbance, when there is no security that either the Doctrine or the Worship of the several Parties, who are all governed by a several Rule, shall be consistent with the peace of the State,— whereof there are these four degrees; Ministers, Doctors, Elders, and Deacons.  
iv Since the Ministers cannot at all in this, or any other case assist the Government, being 1. Poor, and stipendiary, being allowed seldom above 50l. a year. 2. Chosen and settled with the consent of the people (about which matter, there are not there a few Blast and Factions— about 1. The Right of Presentation. 2. The Examination of the person presented. 3. The Contract between him and his Patron. 4. The time of Presentation. 5. The Orthodoxness and Piety of the man Presented. 6. The Churches Right of refusing their Presented Minister, or to turn him out, etc.) 3. Unlearned, there being no encouragement to be Excellent; the Pedant and the Doctor sitting together at the Ordinary, right at the rate of an Equal Commonwealth, after they have performed their Sermon and Common-place, and with Prayer and fasting are sent abroad, with the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery, and the lifting up of the hands of the people.  
V Since they have such clashings among their Ruling Elders, and such ado with their 1. National Synod. 2. Their Ecclesiastical Senate. 3. Their Provincial Conventions twice a year. And 4. Their Ecclesiastical Conventicles, whereof 16. in a Province once a month.  
VI Since a man knoweth Sunday amongst them by no other Token than by their Playing and Mustering; since God may be more safely offended there than the States-General; their Republic, being to them more than Heaven: Liberty is their God, War their Heaven, Peace their Hell, the Spaniard their Devil, Custom their Law, and their Wills their Reason:— Since when they must in Heathen Kingdoms part with their trade or Religion, they will say they are no Christians, but Hollanders.  
VII. Since its the Protestant States and Princes that they have most disobliged, I mean Sweden, Denmark, and England.  
VIII. Since they have so little regard to Religion, that when the Christian Ministers in Turkey were sent for to consult about Moses his Body, the Dutch Merchants said they had none.  
These Particulars being warily put together, I may conclude that they have lost their Interest in point of Religion.  Gent. 
Nay, when they pretend to no more Religion there, than 1. To Pray. 2. Read. 3. Preach. 4. Expound. 5. Catechise. 6. Baptise. 7. Receive the Communion the first Sundays in April, July, October, and January, after 18. day's warning. 8. To marry a Widow within six months, a Maid at 14, with an Exhortation. 9 To make a sick man's Will. 10. To go before a dead body, without either Prayer, Sermon, or so much as the tinkling of a Bell. 11. To admonish, suspend, excommunicate, 1. By praying for the guilty person. 1. On Sunday, without naming either him or his fault. The 2d. Naming him. The 3d. Naming him and his fault, for which he is excluded, till he confesseth it before the Congregation, and the Pulpit:— And all these things with that indifferency, that if men will, they may use them, and submit to them; if not, they may let them alone: Insomuch as there is not a more ridiculous Meeting in the World, than their Parochial Sunday meetings; where they do what they please indeed for an hour or two, and the people do what they please all the Week:— I think we may wave that Point, and see what is—   

Their present Condition in point of Land-Forces.  Trau. 
VVH●n 1. They are forced to maintain so many thousands in time of Peace, on purpose that they may be ready against a War.  
2. When their Weesvaders for the Orphans of their soldiers, when their Easthuysen for maimed soldiers, when their Aelmoestiniers for old servants and Officers, when their Die huyse sitten, de Armen, and other Wase-houses, Guest-houses, Du houses, and most prudent provisions for those persons that fail in their service, stand them in 364547l. 16s. 4d. Amsterdam alone maintaining 113764. with weekly accommodations.  
3. When at their last year Estimates (as the custom is) of States and Persons, they sunk almost half in half; besides that so many served foreign Princes without leave against the fundamental constitution of their Government,  
4. When in the greatest danger of the Country, they will stand upon this punctilio, of their Magna Charta; that none should be forced to serve out of his own Province.  
5. When so many excellent persons, especially almost all their Commanders, must either quit their service, or their own Allegiance.  
6. When the Coin of each Nation, is by strict Laws kept there, and the States must spend upon the common stock.  
7. When the Lord of the Sea in Right and Power forbids the Importation of any Bullets, Match, Powder, Arms, Ammunition, or any other Contraband Goods from any part of the World into Holland, upon pain of forfeiting the Goods and Vessels too.  
8. When the gross Inhabitants are so unwieldy, that they can do nothing but sit on their Breeches in a ship.  
9 When they are as much at a loss for Men to their Arms, as they may be for Arms to their Men, in a very short compass of time should a mighty Prince, who is Lord of the Sea in Power, as well as Right, continue that severe Edict whereby all Nations are advertised, That what Powder, Ammunition, or other Contraband Goods soever, they shall Import to the Lands, Territories, Plantations, or strong Holds, belonging to the Estates of the United Netherlands, shall be judged prize-good and forseited accordingly.  
And consequently the Dutch stores being likely to supply at least 40000 men by Sea and Land, without any hoped recruit, the Country must needs be lost, as Amsterdam was once for want of Ammunition.  
Besides that, they will be as much to seek for Provision, as for Men; the Pestilence preceding their War not more fatally, sweeping away ●the one, (a third part being miss in Holland) than the Famine following it cuts off the other (the Market is already improved a moiety;) and when the Baltick-sea is commanded by Sweden and Denmark, the Mediterranean awed by the Turk, and French, and the Brittish-coasts overruled by their Sovereign, Holland will not be said so properly to be overcome, as to be starved; it being not likely that the King of England should be guilty of the King of Spain's oversight; (Princes seldom err twice) which cost him those Provinces (and as much money as would have bought as much Land thrice over,) and rendered them as considerable, as it made him despicable; that is, lie pelting at their impregnable Towns, when he may swallow their whole Commonwealth, and take that peddling Country quickly by the Wholesale, that cost others so much by the Retail.  
It's true, their Towns are strong, but Factious; driving at their particular Interests, to the prejudice of the general States, and ready to submit to any new Masters, rather than Truck under Amsterdam Antwerp chose rather trade under Spain, than Liberty under the free States: each Governor pursuing his own design as vigorously as the High and Mighty do theirs: Neither is there a Garrison there, wherein the Governor is not engaged against the Burgemasters, and they inveterate against him; wherein the Townsmen would not betray the Soldiers, or the Soldiers sell away the Townsmen.  
Besides, as an Agent (who doth there more service than an Army) may order the affair, such may the misunderstanding be between the respective Provinces, that they had rather (as the Duke De Alva observed) be ruined by themselves, than saved by one another; though indeed as they are hardly attempted, by reason of the narrowness of their ways, and frequency of their Dikes, so they are more hardly relieved; a 1000 well-encamped men, being not to be attempted there by 10000; to which may be added, That as strong soever their Towns may be by Land, they lie open by Sea, and so no longer tenable against us, than their Masters are Lords of the Brittish-coasts.  
But suppose their Forces by Land most considerable, yet you must suppose withal Commanders to those Forces; who being of necessity Foreigners, men of fortune, and it may be persons of various apprehensions, never likely to close in a common Quarrel or Action unanimously or honestly. Yea let me tell you, their very strong Holds are their weakness; as to which they trust so much, that they could never yet look an Enemy in the face in the Field, nor perform any thing resolute or honourable.  
Not to mention their pay, which must as duly be paid, as the Usurer's Mortgage-money, in the very time and place, or else the Country may be overrun while they lay down their Arms, and cry Ghelt, ghelt; as they did in the very first action of the Prince of Orange towards their freedom, to the loss of 5000 men, and three Counts of the Empire at Steinbocke.  
Neither is it the least consideration, That the Scene of a Land-war, must be the very bowels of their own Country; they not daring to look beyond their Cantons by Land, for fear of their friends, nor by Sea, for fear of their enemies.  
Not to aggravate the affair with this unhappy reflection, That 2000 Horse eats up their Country in Summer, and must be eat up themselves, for want of Butter and Cheese in Winter: Yet the worst is to come, viz: an untoward Oath was put upon so many expert, valiant, and deserving Scots and Eng., which not only forfeits them these excellent Persons service, in the instant they could worst spare them, but likewise assists us with such Experience and Interests in their own Country, as these Gentlemen cannot choose but communicate, to the great prejudice of their Cause and Government.  
Nor needed they have been so Prodigal of the few Gentlemen they had from foreign parts, who have scarce any of their own; for among them a brave Courtly, Gentile, and Noble Person, is like Merlin in the field among Crows after Michaelmas; which they wonder at, envy, but can neither use nor respect.  
Their spirits are sunk as low as their Country,— and their blood runs as thick as their water:— Not an Order passing without a French Secretary, nor a Muster without an English Commander, nor an Embassy managed without an Italian Gentleman.  
Men are like Wine, not good, before the Lees of Clownishness be settled; nor when it's too windy, and will fly out of the Bottle; nor when it's too austere and sour: In a middling clarity and quickness it is best.  Gent. 
Indeed I look for little good in a Land-service, from gross and unweil-Dutchmen: But I hope they are considerable at Sea.  Trau. 
Indeed there's not so Potent a piece of ground for the bigness of it in the World, as Holland at Sea: If  
1. Their Timber were answerable at Land, to their ships at Sea; and they must not fight for their shipping, as well as their trade, being beholden to Swedeland, Denmark, and England for the very strength wherewith they must engage them. If  
2. They had either ships that (according to the Automatical proposal made there last year) could manage themselves, and they were not as much to seek, to let the world see they can furnish an 100 sail, as they have been hitherto in persuading it they can build them; it being one thing in Holland to set out 1000 Merchantmen, and another 160 men of War; their Plantations abroad having swept away those men that would maintain them at home; they, and their old Masters of Spain lying under one misprision and oversight, viz: That they enlarge the borders of their Dominions at the charge of the strength of them. If  
3. They could recruit their ships, as well as man them, and one Battle well followed without mercy or Quarter, overthrew them not beyond recovery. Holland, as well as Spain, were it not for want of men and bread, would do wonders. If  
4. Their people would fight, as well as debate, and maintain a Quarrel, as well as scan it; and they were not the unhappy Commonwealth, where not a man will strike longer than he seethe a Reason for it; every fat Seaman out-staring his Master with a bold Cui ●ono, to what end all this. If  
5. They were not so enured to slavery at home, that they will yield in extremity to a lasting captivity, rather than expire in a bold resistance; laughing in such cases at the English spirit, that prefers an honourable death to a thralled life;— when at best Hollanders are but Prisoners at large. If  
6. Their constant dependence upon, and late Bangs by the English, hath not insinuated to them a Panic fear, that nothing can inspirit but Brandy, and impressed such a disorder upon their spirits, that nothing rallieth them but Rhenish; so dreadful are their apprehensions of England, that when they would express a Momo, they paint a grim Britton rousing with-these words, I am coming, I am coming. If  
7. It were not the humour of most pot pular States, as most common people (of which sort they consist) not to hold out beyond one event, to give all over for lost after the first misfortune, while the generous Members of a Monarchy take courage from defeats, raise a resolution from Despair, adding after an Overthrow, the heat of a brave Revenge to that of a common Enmity;— their Anger quickening their Hatred, and their Shame their Anger. If  
8. Their Losses did not impede their Successes, and every Seaman almost went out with this sad Exclamation for the Herring-fishing, the English Commerce, the Mediterranean and Baltick-trade; Well I am 40l. a year the worse for this foolish War: Those men will do little service against a Prince, that hath their Money in his Purse, their Meat in his own Stores, their Corn in his own Ground, their very Livelihood in his own Sea, and their Estates at his Mercy. If  
9 Their Privateers did not overrule the Public, and while every man would set up for himself, all failed not. If  
10. Their Provinces could agree at Sea, any better than they do at Land; and did not justle for Precedency when the question is their being. If  
11. They durst trust their Commanders with full Commission, and they were neither restrained from their own defence without Order, nor defeated of the best Advantages for want of Authority. If  
12. The proceed of the several Courts of Admiralties, and their respective Debates; with their Particular States, and the States-General spent not that time upon the very Method of Action, till their Adversaries have cut off the very possibility of it. If  
13. They were secure in any neighbouring Harbour, or in their own since the last are so dangerous, and the first are either shut up: by neutens, or blocked by Enemies. If  
14. Antwerp were further off or stopped up; and the blemings dad not an Amsterdam as well as the Dutch. If  
15. Holland were as able to subsist of itself as England, and Dutchmen had homes to go to, when they have lost their Navy: Did a stop of trade put them only to want Spice for Sauce, as in England, and not Meat; Wines, only, and not Bread, Silks, Laces, and not Cloth; Curiosities in fine, and not Necessaries. If  
16. Their Schuttery (as they call them) I mean their Train-bands of Burgemasters, were as good for service, as they are for show. If  
17. They had a Yeomanry to mantain their Seamen in War, as well as they Enrich them in Peace. In a word, If  
18. They could be at once Valiant and sober, and it were not a sad necessity that a Dutchman must be either drunk or fearful, there being no remedy for Cowardice there, but Madness.   

The State of every Province.  Gent. 
GVicciardine, Buxhornius, Adrian Junius, and Emmeius, the first in this Italique description of Belgium the second and third in their Dutch Theatre of Holland, and the last in his large account of Friezland, say, That Holland alone is more powerful at Sea, than all the Princes of Europe put together: What is it then in Conjunction with the rest against one King?  Trau. 
1. As to Holland, particularly so called, when I consider the differences that are between the Delegates of its Nobility, the Die Ridder scap, end Edelen as they call them, and those of its Cities, called Die Steden in most transactions. 2. The Disorders among its Senators, called Vroedt schappen, in most Cities consisting of 20, 30, or 40. 3. The private pikes among its Burgemasters, the popular prejucice against its Schepenen or Judges, and their Raet-Pensionarous, or Advocate. 4. The Factions in their Gecomitteerde Raeden, or the Commissioners at the Hague. 5. The great difficulties in settling the De vergaederinge van de Staeten van Hollandt, end West-Friezland, and the respective Delegates of it. 6. The vast charge that is laid upon the Kamer van Reekeninge, or the two Chambers of Accounts, that overlook their Estates and Tributes. 7. The vast loss upon the stoppage of free Trade and Herring-fishing, and the Blocking up of their Navigable Rivers. 8. The inclinations of the persons that command their strong Holds of Sluice, Berghen op Zoom, Breda, Gertruden●ergh  
I say, when I put these particulars together, with the invidious Aspect cast upon this growing Province by the rest of its Neighbours, I expect not it should be able to perform now, what it did under a happier Government in a more useful League and Confederacy in Guicciardine's time.  
2. First so much given to Tumults are the fierce and rough, Inhabtants of Zealand. 12. So full of awls and Contentions are their Hoosden, or the merry monthly meetings designed to promote friendship and good Neighbourhood. 3. So Lawless and Pyratically given are their Seamen and Mariners. 4. So deceitful, and apt to betray their confederates for an Interest. 5. So sottish, whorish, and licentious. 6. So Impatient of Order, I awes, Rules, or Government. 7. Such the clashing between their Admiral, and the Admiral of the States-General. 8. So little account can their Treasurers at Middleburgh give, of their ancient Revenue by French Wines, Salt, Oils, or Eastern Trades. 9 So weak are their Banks and Rampires, though painfully made, and chargably maintained, being at best but 7. els in height, and 17. in breadth at bottom made of the hardest Clay that can be gotten, in the inside stuffed with Wood and Stone, on the outside covered with Mats; a weak defence God knoweth, against a stroug Enemy, and a stronger Stream. 10. So visible is the decay of the trade of Middleburgh, upon the opening of that of Antwerp. 11. So obnoxious is that, Flushing, the Ramekins, the chargeable Islands Romerswal, Schowen, and Doveland to any Adversaries, that the Zealanders now they cannot Fish, upon which employment depends their chief trade) are more likely to perplex the State General, than to assist them.  
3. Considering 1. That but half Gelderland is under the States-General, lying open in the other half to none of their best friends. 2. That their Governor and Chancellor are of late so much disobliged. 3. That the proceed of their Province, are so dilatory, as depending so much on its particular Cities, as Zuphten, etc. which could never since the Revolt grow towards a settlement; so many irregular hands & heads being concerned in each Vote. 4. That it hath so ill a Neighbour as Brabant, Cleveland, and Bradenburgh; that Province at this juncture in my Opinion, only makes up a number: Notwithstanding it was once so fruitful, that a Gelderland Bull was sold at Antwerp 1570, that weighed 3000 pound weight; and pretendedly so strong, that it boasts of 16 walled Towns; though those upon the Ewer and Maze lie very open to the Lord of the Sea.  
4. Zuphten is so ill befriended by Westphalia, and the Bishop of Munster on the East of it, and by Cleveland on the South; so suspicious is the present Governor of Zuphten, so hardly came the Vote for Subsities out of their 12 Senators, that I may neglect it as much, as Duke Alva did 1573.  
5. The maritine Friezlanders have 1. so little use of their Nets; The Inland Countrymen or Husbandmen judge themselves 2. So little concerned in the Quarrel. 3. So intent they are upon the peaceful arts of Pasturage, and Tillage. 4. So much do they please themselves with their very fancy of Liberty and Privileges. 5. So hardly will they part with their Money. 6. So Modest, Meek, and Quiet they are, and given to hunting and Hawking. 7. So jealous are the Protestants of West-Friezland, who are under the States of the Catholics of West-Friezland, who are under an Earl of their own, that the Frizons are neither very able, nor willing to dance after the East and West-India Companies Pipes in Holland; and the rather, because though surrounded with water, yet not so liable to an Invasion, as the States insinuate (who would make use of their fears, to begin a War; which only their Valour can prosecute) because of the many and cross Dykes, that forbidden any marching throughout the Coast by either Horse or Foot.  
6. The Inhabitants of Groaning are so delicate, lazy, and proud; its Council of 12 called Naetsluyden, and 24, called Geswoeren Raden; their Watched Meesters are so stubborn, refusing at this present affair, bo●h a confederacy with, contribution to, or commands from the United Provinces; being so safe in their rich and strong Groaning, and so contented with their own Domestick-trade, prohibiting all Foreigners upon pain of Confiscation of Goods and Vessels, that they neither know nor fear any Enemy.  
7. Neither is Groynland so secure as Overyssel that low Marsh is fearful; Daventer and Swoll, it's two chief Towns having still impressions of the English Valour, since the fierce assaults made upon them 1576, under the Earl of Leicester, than Governor of the Low-countrieses; as likewise hath the troublesome Bishopric of Vtrecht, which hath been so enured to seditions at home, that it understands not what means a War abroad.  
Besides, some modern disgusts taken by the Precedent, Senators, and the Treasurer at the proceed, upon some appeals at the Hague, make them unwilling to hazard the Rhine to any ordinary undertaker.  Gent. 
It seems then re●lly, that the whole affair of this present War, is against the Interest of this Country.  Trau. 
I leave th●● to you, when you have reflected on these Particulars, which the Duke of Rhoan (writing of the Interest of the States of Europe) makes the peculiar concerns of the United Provinces, viz:  
1. A firm League with England for trade, and a Confederacy against Spain the ancient Sovereign.  
2. A good correspondence with such Princes as are potent in the Mediterranean or the Baltic Sea.  
3. A quiet and easy Government; free from Tumults and Seditions, or the occasions of them, want of Trade, and Impositions.  
4. Free trade.  
5. A care that no one City or Province groweth either so Rich or Potent, that the rest should envy or suspect it.  
6. A quickness to observe, and readiness to buy off all pretensions or allegations of Neighbour-Princes as soon as they are made.  Gent. 
〈◊〉 remember very well that there were 5 things for which Cardinal Bent●voglio presaged the downfall of this Republic, and they are,  
1. That Liberty would come to Licentiousness.  
2. That there would such inequality arise from their pretended equality, as would bring them as it did the Romans, from many Masters, under one Sovereign.  
3. That they must in time trust too much to general Officers, especially their Admiral and General.  
4. That their Expenses must be intolerable.  
5. That Holland would enjealous the rest of the Provinces, or surprise them; all which are now their confessed case.   

Their Case in a War with us, made out from the Causes moving the Queen of England to give A●d to the defence of the pe●ple Afflicted and Oppressed in the Low-countrieses.  
1. THe Natural S●ituation of the Realm ●f England and the Low-countrieses, one directly opposite to the other; and by reason of the ready crossing of the Seas, ●nd multitude of large and Commodious ●avens an our side; a constant Ira ●●ck and Commerce between the people of England, and the Low-countrieses, continued in all ancient times, when the several Provinces were under their respective Lords.  
2. Such hath been the devend●nce of these poor people upon England, that their Prelates, Noblemen, Citizens, Burgesses, and other Commonalties of their Port-towns, entered into Obligations and Stipul●tions under their particular Seals from time to time, to the good people of England for ●avours, Affections, and friendly Offices showed towards them.  
3. Such was the necessity of Commerce between these two People, that they have remonstrated to their Governors at several times, That they could not subsist without a Commerce with England; ●s to Philip Duke of Burgundy, in H▪ the 6th. his time, to his Son Duke Charles, and Archduke Philip, in H. H. 7th. his time, and to Charles the 5th. in King H. the 8th. his time.  
4. Upon the often and continual Lamentable Requests made by the Universal States of the Countries of Holland, Zealand, Gelder's, and other Provinces, for Succours in their Extreamityes, we thought at to Aid those poor and distres-People.  Gent. 
How is it then things being so, that they have been able to do so well hitherto as they have done?   

SECT. 4.  
The things that formerly advanced the Netherlands.  Trau. 
1. EVrope hath been ever s●n●e a most Constantly emb●●●●ed. 2. They have had a Regular w●y by themselves of ●ax, I m●an their Excise; whereby the more they p●y, ●he more they receive; ●or what the soldiers receive in p●y, they pay in ●rink●; the●r ve●y Enemies, though they hate the States, yet love their Liquour, and pay Excise:— Yea, the most ●dle, slothful, and improvident, that selleth his blood for drink, and his flesh for bread, serves at his own charge; for every pay day he reckoneth with his Father, and he with the common Purse. 3. Piracies, whereby they have those Commodities in time of War in Gross, which they have only in time of Peace by Retail. 4. They have formerly checked the Austrian power which is now low. 5. They go out with less charge than other Nations, their ships requiring fewer men, and those men all sharing in the Design, are contented with courser far●; flesh among them being kept hot more days, than a Pig in Pie-corner; it being their own case, they go through all difficulties with patience, so they husband all Expenses with thrift. 6. They eugrossed the Coin of Europe, carrying the Commodities of one Country into another. 7. They have been hitherto allowed in England, Denmark, and Musco●y, to trade upon the best and sreest conditions. 8. They kept in with England, and its Protestant Allies. 9 They have employed all the poor that could work, and provided for those that could not. 10. They have had formerly Lombard's, or Loan houses, where the poor have money upon any Pawn for a Reasonable Rate, viz: 6. in the 100 with Reasonable time of payment. 11. Their Diet was course, and of every man's own providing. 12. They spent money formerly, but now their time in drinking. 13. They Trafficked for others superfluities, but not their own. 14. Their Apparel was plain, and their Ambition only upon Realities and Solidities. 14. Their Laws were strictly executed, and no forfeitures left to the corrupt disposals of an Officer, but all bestowed upon the Public. 15. Usury was a stranger to them, every man laying out his Estate upon the Publick-traffick. 16. No idleness there, and therefore no thievery; a fault more effectually restrained there by Whipping, than here by Hanging. 17. If any man gained there extraordinarily by money, the tenth of his gain was the Commonwealths; Usurers escaping not there as here. 18. One undone by casuality, they set up; one cast to Prison, the Creditor maintains; one troubled with a shifting Adversary, a quick trial relieves. 19 All men debated, and all contributed to the Public affairs, as concerned both by advice and purse. 20. Their Resolutions were secret and sudden. 21. Their Industry hath been great, and their Expenses small; they maintaining it for a Maxim, That a thing lasts longer mended than new. 22. Their Recreation hath been Warlike, and they have been to be soldiers before they were men. 23. They have been a hardy and a headstrong people, and you might sooner convert a Jew to Christianity, turn an old Puritan, than convince a Dutchman of Reason. 24. Not a man of them but might have been a Statesman, for they have all this gift, not to be too nice-conscienced. 25. They were seldom deceived, for they trusted no body, though every body must trust them. 26. They love none but those they profit by. 27. Compliment is an idleness those brutish people were never skilled in; they are half marred being Sailors, and being Soldiers they are quite spoiled; for there (saith my Author) they would let a Jew build a City, where Harlem-Mear is, and after that cozen them of it. 28. They have had a Religion, and a Liberty, of both which they were very zealous formerly, and are as careless now. 29. They have enjoyed the Easterlings trade in the North, and ours in the East. 30. Their watches were seldom of a Nation, so that they could seldom concur to deliver up one Town. 31. They were very strict upon Musters, the list and the pole seldom disagreeing. 32. Their soldiers are well Clothed, Armed, Disciplined, and paid; the soldiers seldom any where committing fewer insolences upon the people, or the Officers fewer deceits upon the soldiers. 33. Their General could not betray them, his Army being composed of many several Nations; his Officers not at his own, but at the State's disposal; and his Commission never Implicitly left to his discretion, but by reason their Country hath no great bounds, he receives daily commands what to do. 34. Discipline was thus, 

Their Military Rules and Orders.  
1. THat no man shall swear or blaspheme, upon pain of 5s. the first offence, five days imprisonment the second, and a disbanding the third.  
2. That they shall pray prayers twice a week.  
3. That they play not at either Cards or Dice, upon pain of two days imprisonment.  
4. That no Women follow the Soldiers, but Wives, Nurses, and Laundresses, upon pain of Whipping.  
5. That none lay violent hands on Women with child, Virgins, Babes, or old Persons without Order.  
6. That Drunkards shall be discharged.  
7. Concealers of Treasons shall be racked.  
8. Correspondents with Enemies shall die.  
9 None shall leave his Rank or File without leave upon pain of death.  
10. He that sleeps at a Watch, or bewrayeth the watchword, must die.  
11. Mutineers, and unlawful Assemblers shall die.  
12. None shall Quarrel with a Soldier, or lift up a sword against an Officer on pain of death.  
13. He that leaves his Post and Breach dieth.  
14. He that deserts his Captain, or serveth under two, shall be imprisoned during pleasure.  
15. He that imbezleth his Armour, Provision, or Furniture, is discharged.  
16. He that steals any Soldier's Furniture, forestalls any Victuals, Exacts on the people, abus●th Tradesmen, shall die.  
17. He that resist; a Proclamation, assists any Malefactor, disturbs any Quarters, sets on fire any Building within the Camp or without, makes any false Alarms knavishly shall die.  
18. No man shall neglect an Alarm, entertain a stranger, converse with Trumpeters or Messengers of the other side, loiter with the Carriages, or Forage abroad without leave, upon pain of suffering what the Marshal or chief Commander pleaseth.  
19 No Captain shall undertake any Enterprise, or be absent from the Watch without Order from the General.  
20. Neither Soldier, nor Captain shall dismiss, sell, or ransom any Prisoner or Booty, be●ore he hath presented him or it unto his immediate Officer.  
21. Every Soldier shall stand by his Ensign day and night, till ordered to departed; and observe and learn the sound of Drums, Fifes, and Trumpets.  
22. No Beast shall be garbaged, no Easement made but at a distance appointed from the Camp.  
23. Whosoever delivereth any place left to his charge or keeping, flieth to the Enemy, or passeth any other way, either in Town or Camp, but at the ordinary Gates without Order, shall die.  
24. No man shall (as they March) make any cry at all at the putting up of any hair, etc. All other offences that may tend to disorders (not comprimised in the foresaid Rules) shall be punished as the chief Commander shall think fit.    
These are the several Particulars, whereby they risen to this Grandeur and opulency, whereof some have failed, and the rest are not able to bear up that Government, which they altogether erected.  Gent 
It being so obvious from these reflections, to conclude their weakness; it were necessary their present Case and Controversy should be favourably sta●ed to their Neighbours, for compassion or assistance.  Trau. 
They are more unhappy in the ground of this present Quarrel, than in any of the  particulars.  Gent. 
As how Sir?  Trau. 
Why first, In reference to trade and Fishing in the narrow Seas.   

The present state and Controversy between us and the Dutch.  
ALl the world know that we have Right to the Narrow-Seas, for the Seas that surround our Island, whither the Scottish, the British, the Irish or Germane were possessed and secured by the Britain's; who fished so much upon them, that they furnished the Hilts of their Swords with such fishes teeth as they took, and traded so considerably; that none came amongst them but Merchants.  
Those Seas were by them transmitted with their countries to the Romans upon the Conquest; who, as they managed the Government of the Land by Precedents, so they did that at the Sea by an Archigubernacy, or chief Governor and Admiral; who secured Commerce, took Prizes, looked on the Coasts of Spain, Italy, and Africa itself. After the Romans, the Saxons succeeded to this Right and Dominion, and comm●nded the Sea under a Count of the Saxon shore; i. e. (whatever Pava ollus saith to the contrary) the Seashore, Octa and Ebista under Vortigerne and Hergist commanding these Seas; the Saxons and Danes keeping a numerous Navy to that purpose, by such Tributes and Duties as they imposed upon their Vassals, particularly Dane-ghelt for the Guard of the Sea; Edgar and Canutus styling themselves Sovereigns of the Sea.  
The Right and Dominion of the Seas passed with this Nation to the Normans, as appears 1. From their Government, the custody of the Seas being under an Admiral, by Commissions from the several Kings maintained by Tributes, paid in consideration of the said custody. 2. From their Right in all the Islands, lying on the Sea before the French shore. 3. From leave asked always and granted to Foreigners by the English, to pass th●se ●ea●. And those that asked leave were the Kings of Denmark and Sweden, the Hans Towns in Quern Elizabeth's time; Hollanders and Zeala●●ers themselves, not daring to fish before they asked leave of Scarborough and K●ng James proclaiming May 6. 1610. That none fish upon the English or the Irish Sea, without leave obtained and every year at least renewed, from the Commissioners appointed for this purpose at London. But 4. Our Right to the Sea, appears from the Limits we set to such Foreigners (as Moderators of the Sea) as 〈◊〉 at enmity with one another, and at amity with the English. 5. From the Public Records, wherein the Dominion of the Sea is ascribed to the Kings of England by the King himself, and the Estates of Parliament, with very great deliberation; and in such express words as these;" Lords of the English Sea on every side, all people accounted us Sovereigns of the Seas: That our Sovereign Lord the King, and his Illustrious Progenitors being Lords of the Seas, would impose a Tribute upon all strangers: the Kings of England have by right of their Dominions been Lords of the Sea (these are the words of all Europe●, by their Commissioners at Paris;) and made Laws, Statutes, and Restraints: of Arms upon them, together with Admirals, that they should preserve their Superiority over the same. 6. From the Laws and most received Customs of England that make the Seas the Patrimony of Eng. and the King by the old custom of Engl. Lord of the Narrow-●eas, and his Sovereignty there so ancient; that they make the four Seas to be equivalent with those words within or without the Kingdom; De mer Apourtenant au R●●d ' Angleterre: The Sea belonging to the King of England 7. From the Coin, called Rose-nobles, of which its said, four things our Nobles showeth to our King; Ship, Sword, power of the Sea. 8. From the custom of striking sail on our Coast time out of mind. 9 From the Licenses granted upon their humble supplications to the French and Flemings, with limited number of Boats to fish upon our Coasts. 10. From the Prerogative, whereby all wrecks and Royal fishes, as Whales, Sturgeons &c taken in our Seas, are due to the King of England only, or unto such, to whom by special Charter he grants the same; Stat. Edw 3. 17.   

The state of the Controversies in point of Injuries and Affronts with the United Netherlands.  Trav 
HOw they forced us to trade at second hand, 1. In Ternata, under their Fort Tabuche. 3 In Motir. 3. In Tidore. 4. In ●alvan, Hillo, Amboyn. 5. At Bunda 6. Poleway 7. The Coast of Cormandel, near their Arsenal at Jacatra 8. Their chief places Bantham, Japan, Jamby; though we directed them to all these places. How they represented us as Pirates there, and when they had done any mischief, said they were Englishmen; until for our safety we were fain to distinguish ourselves from them, by the solemnity of Novemb. 17. and 5.  
How they contrived to blow up our Warehouses, forbade us all Commerce upon Queen Eliz. her death, made all Christians so odious, that the first Question asked in those parts, was Are you Flemings?  
How they seized our Yards, Wharves, etc. giving order to kill every Englishman that would not swear fealty to them, upon the erecting of their Fort at Banna; intending to put all English in an old ship, and blow it up.— How they search, and stop our ships; give out, that they are under a King.— Make us pay them Custom at Bantham  
How they seized our ships at Po●eway, though the Island was given our King; leading our men about streets, with Halters about their necks, and an Hour glass before them; intimating, that after that ran out, they should be hanged. How (though the Mogul would not look on them, till Sir Tho. Roe assured him they were our Friends; they seized our Poleroon 1617., suborning the Slaves to burn our ships; loading our men with Irons, dismembering some, setting others in their wounds in hard Grates; wherein their Legs swelling so, that they could go neither in nor out without a Carpenter; pissing over their heads in Dungeons every morning, and allowing them but a halfpenny loaf, and a pint of water a day.— How it was proved at Jacatra, that the States were seven years a plotting a War between the English and the Dutch at the Indieses; threatening likewise to land 60000 men in 24000 Flat-boats in England. How they carried us in Cages from Port to Port, boasting that our King was their Vassal.  
How though between 1577, when we assisted them first in their Indian trade, and 1625, they got, 1500 Tuns of Gold in Private hands; besides 400 in Common, they used us in Amboyna. They disputed our Right to the Sea, stopped our entrance to, and Trade at Bantham, Scanderoo●, Guinee, Angola, etc. burned ●●ur Factories at Jambee.  
How they surprised us at Guinee, abused us in the restoring of the Island Polaroon, which they have promised from time to time since 1622.  
How they gave us Law in the New Netherlands, a spot of ground they held of us by courtesy.  
How they put our men in nasty Dungeons at Castledelmina, to lie in their own Excrements, having not bread and water enough to sustain Nature; leaving the living and the dead (after exquisite tortures) to lie together. Injuries, these (with Infinite more of the like nature (to the value of 600000l. in goods) being aggravated, with their preparations for War, to maintain them, even when His Majesty for three years together solicited them to justice and peace) that make it evident to the World, that War (which is defined, The state of two Parties contending by public force about right and wrong) is become necessary to us, since equity is denied; and that we must put our affairs to the order of force, when they dare not come to the Test of the Law.  
Insomuch that I conclude, That as few will pity this ill-natured and unhappy People at the end of the War, as encourage them in the beginning of it.   
FINIS.