A LETTER OUT OF HOLLAND, Dated April 30. STILO NOVA, Wherein is shown the Desperate and Distracted Condition of those COUNTRIES and PEOPLE.  
WITH A PROPHECY enclosed, Made by one of their own Astrologers; Who Predicts many Strange and Wonderful Things that will happen amongst The STATES OF THE UNITED PROVINCES.  
London, Printed by J. C. for R. Robinson, near Grays-Inn-Gate in Holborn, 1672.   

A LETTER Out of HOLLAND, Dated April 30. Stilo Nova.  
SIR;  
I Have endeavoured, according to my promise, and your desire, to give an Account (in some kind) of the present Constitution of this Country and People, and what happened since you left this place: You having so well informed yourself of things before, as it will be in me but a vain repetition to speak of what you know and understand better then by any new Relation that I can give. Here are great and heavy Taxes laid upon all conditions of men, especially the poor people's Industry and Labours, which hath caused many in a sad and lamentable manner to Petition the Lords for a Relief and Ease from these Unsupportable Burdens; but can have no other Redress, then that they must endure all. I must confess the necessity of this War, and the present danger of this Country, require more than our Abilities can supply; notwithstanding the vain Reports of our great Banks and rich Treasures we endeavour to cheat the World with, only as a Political means to draw in Seamen and Soldiers to fight for the Injustice of a War brought justly upon ourselves by our Infidelity and Ingratitude.  
All our seeming Encouragements, and large proffers of Pay, on purpose to animate our own people to take up Arms, will not do; but on the contrary, finds so great an unwillingness and coldness in the affections and hearts of our Subjects, as we already begin to despair of a good Success, and fear a Revolution within ourselves, that may cause such a Subversion, as will either bring us to a Confession of our Crimes, or under the Subjection of the King of Great Britain.  
It is not possible for us to hold out long, if this War continue▪ I am well assured, that the Consequences of our Animosities, and Intestine Troubles, must needs be dangerous to this Country; and that little hope we have left, solely depends upon the Good or Bad Event of the first Sea-Fight: If we are beaten, our own people will make way for a further Conquest, and by our Civil Dissensions open a Gap to let in a Foreign Enemy.  
Sir; I have sent enclosed a Prophecy of one of our own Astrologers, which adds not a little to our present Troubles: It hath not been publicly made known, for fear of the Author's prejudice. I have, as near as I could, rendered it English verbatim to the Original: The knowledge you have in that Science, is better able to judge of the Order of the Heavens than I am, and so give a more Judicial Account of their Effects.  
I desire you would be pleased to assist me in the securing and settling of my Estate with you: I am resolved to put myself under the protection of your Great and Generous Prince, and to render myself one of his Faithful and Obedient Subjects. I am not of this Opinion alone, but many more of my own Countrymen; and would gladly, if they could get their Estates into England, live under your Government. Perhaps some may wonder why we are thus so unnatural to our Country: we must tell them, that the Injustice of our Great Statesmen doth not only set our Estates and Consciences upon the Rack, but makes our Country so unnatural to us, that we are no longer able to dispense with this Irregularity, but will rather submit ourselves to a Just, though Foreign Prince: And that we hope, by this means, to expiate for that part of our Ingratitude we have been ignorantly guilty of, by living honestly under Him who hath offered us Protection.   

The Prophecy.  
THat the Planets and Fixed Stars have an Influence upon all Sublunary Bodies, is a general Approved Truth; and opposed by none, but such as are Ignorant of their various and Mysterious Motions: But that these Influences are Coercive, or have in them an Inevitable Fate, I dare not Assert; Nam Astra inclinant, sed non Cogunt And though 'tis true, that the Almighty Creator doth many times signify Future Events (by these His Creatures) upon Kingdoms and States; yet as true is Deus Astra Regit: For which cause I could have wished, that these my Predictions might have comed to a more Public View; that so foreseeing the Danger, we might have endeavoured to prevent it. But I durst not be too bold in its Open Publication, but only Communicate it to some Private Trusty Friends.  
In the year 1654. January 16. happened an Opposition of the two Superior Planets, Saturn and Jupiter, Saturn being 24 Degrees and 43 Minutes in Leo, and Retrograde; Jupiter being in Aquarius 24-43, where I begun my Observations.  
My second Observation was January 15. 1671/ 2, Saturn in 17 Degrees of Pisces, and Jupiter in 17 of Virgo Retrograde.  
My third and last Observation was upon the Sun's Ingress into Aries, the 9th of March following: The positure of the Heavens, at that instant, seeming to accomplish what the other two malevolent Aspects did threaten upon these places; Viz near the Maze, the Texel, and particularly the Province of Zealand; in the year 1672.  
That near the Maze shall be great Effusion of Blood, that a Foreign Fleet shall appear, and not only stop the Trade of these parts, but threatens us with Great and Imminent Dangers. Some Great Persons shall be in danger of losing their Heads; the Common People shall rise in a Tumultuous manner; and threaten the Ruin of some States men: It will be likely to fall heavy upon one Ancient Person, and he will be much troubled to quell their Fury, though it be with the hazard of his own Life; notwithstanding, the People will not be so satisfied, until they Drink his Blood, or he Banish himself for the expiation of those Evils they imagine him to be Guilty of.  
The Texel seems to be threatened with Fire, and Fights both by Sea and Land.  
Amsterdam will have a great share in these Troubles, and appear to be most sensible, when they shall find a want of Provision will be the cause of a great Mortality, not only there, but the Country round about. If they should chance to escape this, it will fall with greater violence upon some other part of their Provinces, which will be of as great consequence towards their Ruin, as if immediately on themselves.  
Zealand must have its share, and to be feared, most of all: Their Great Preparations will be to little purpose; and if they hold out for a time, it will be well, so they make good Conditions. Inundations of Seas, and Eruption of Banks, will add much to their Miserable Condition; and,  it be long, shall be Subject to a Prince, whose Government shall be more Just than their Own; and shall live (if they be truly obedient) with far greater satisfaction, though at first somewhat strange; and fewer Taxes, than heretofore they have done.  
Religion here will be most safe; and though she lapse for a while, yet will quickly recover of her Distemper, and Shine with as clear a Light of Truth, as ever.  
That there shall be loss of Towns by a Land-Army, especially upon the Frontiers of Brabant: Great Endeavours for the raising of Men for Sea and Land; but will find greater Difficulties than they expect. Fears and Jealousies will possess the Hearts of the Generality; that many will not only leave their Habitations, but Fly their Country for their own Safety.  
FINIS.