THE PROMOTION OF The Protestant Cause IN POLAND, BY The arms of his Majesty THE KING of SWEDEN.  
Faithfully Translated.  
LONDON, Printed in the Year 1659.   

A Quae  
Whether the King of Sweden hath taken up arms against the Kingdom of Poland for no other cause, then to propagate the Protestant Religion, and to unite the Reformed and Lutheran Churches?  

The Answer.  
TRue it is, that the Swedes, as well in all their former undertakings, as in this their war against Poland, have endeavoured to make all the world, but especially England, believe, they aimed at nothing, save the welfare of the two Evangelicall Professions; to wit, the Lutheran, and the Reformed Protestants; the defending of them against the papacy, and the augmenting and settling of them in a most Christianly order and decency.  
But it is as apparent, as the light at noon-tide, that this was never the intention of the said pretenders, nor the interest of the Swedish Nation, which could not be hoped, far less believed, by any men of sound judgement and understanding.  
For not to repeat former passages during the preceding long German war, which was carried on under the pretence of Religion; the Swedes did not so much as gain one sole Church for the Reformed Protestants, but lost and destroyed many.  
In like manner after at the meeting at Heilbron, they had enforced the Prince Elector Palatine, to build and erect Churches at Heidelberg, and other places, for the Lutherans; the King of Sweden Gustavus a little before his death, did( at Franckfort, in the presence and hearing of several persons of worth, some of which may at this very time be name and produced) say, That he would rather have his own sword pierce his heart, then to make use of his Forces in the behalf of the Calvinists our Protestants; whereon we shall not farther dilate: But whether or no the Swedes, by this their undertaken war, have either a will or power to protect and defend the general Protestant Cause, as well the Lutherans, as the Reformed Churches, hath been sufficiently demonstrated, not only by the Divines of Dantsick, who 〈◇〉 a public Instrument in writing have clearly manifested, That as from the beginning the gospel was not propagated by force, but by the preaching of the Word of God; not by might and power, but by sufferings and afflictions; so likewise that the increase of the Protestant Cause was never more impeded, then by war; which is apparent by the sequel of that unfortunate League which was made between those of the Protestant Profession at Smacalde, whereby the greatest power of the Reformed Churches was broken asunder and destroyed; the House of saxony was thereby divided, and the chiefest branch thereof, on that conjuncture so linked to the House of Austria, that it durst never after appear, or speak in the behalf of the Protestant Relations, against the interest of the House of Austria; that it never durst be aiding in the carrying on of the work of the so called Reservatum Ecclesiasticum, or the Reformed Churches; and that by the last warres, none were greater losers then the Reformed Protestant Professors; none greater gainers then the Romish Party: the whole Upper Palatinate, having been given away to the House of Bavaria; Bohemia, Silesia and Moravia to the House of Austria; the good Town of eager surrendered for a trifle; and God knows how many millions of souls given over to to the cruel persecutions of those, who obtained a power over them, by the disposing of other mens Estates to strangers: not omitting how that the Persecutions of the Protestants in the North, ceased not before the Prince Elector of Brandenburg was constrained to part with his Inheritance, the best part of his Estates, to wit, Pomerania unto the Swedes; so likewise is the same evidently manifested, by the sad condition whereinto the very Lutheran Churches themselves in Lithuania, Poland, Prussia, Holstein, Bremen, Denmark, and several others are fallen, by reason of this new Swedish undertaken war.  
For although the Papists had retained their Power in all the said parts, and had proceeded against the Reformed Protestants even by the Spanish Inquisition, they could not possibly, in so short a time, have straightened, famished and destroyed( no not by the sword and fire itself) so many of the Reformed Protestant Christians, both young and old, men and women, Nobility and Commonalty, as have perished during this pretended Swedish Protestant war. Nor shall I specify, that through the papistical Persecutions, those of Reformed Churches died as Martyrs: whenas at present, several were put to death under the notion of being Rebels, in most horrid manners, first slandering and calumniating of them, and afterwards plundering and ruining them.  
secondly, That the Swedes should endeavour particularly the propagation and settlement of the Reformed Protestant Churches, against the papacy; or the uniting of them with the Lutherans( as they report in England,) a man may more justly doubt hereof then of the former. For in the first place, in the Swedish Dominions, especially in Pomerania, they do not only in their Pulpits preach damnation against the Protestant Professors; but also they pray and specify particularly, That it may please God to root out the Calvinist Protestant Doctrine, in like manner, as the papistical. And whereas in former times it was at the liberty of any Teacher in Pomerania, either to use or omit the like Prayer according as he pleased, or was affencted; at present it is inserted in the Swedish liturgy, or Church Ordinances, as appertaining to the Divine Service, and as it were canonised therein.  
Can it therefore possibly be imagined or believed, that the Swedes should endeavour the welfare of those of the Reformed Protestant Churches, whom they pray to God to root out and destroy?  
The first King of Sweden did at his Coronation promise and swear, That as formerly, those of the Reformed Protestant profession, were prohibited and hindered, to use their Divine Service, even in their private assemblies; so likewise he would not suffer any of the Reformed Churches to exercise their Religion in Sweden nay, that he would not admit or advance any of the Reformed Protestant profession, to any Office or dignity; nor make use of them, any otherwise save in his Armies.;  
Whereby it also appears, what a difference there is between the King of Polands capitulations and the Swedes.  
The King of Poland, he promiseth, dissidentes in Religione manutenebo; That he will maintain and protect those who differ in matters of Religion.  
The King of Sweden on the contrary, he saith; Reformatos ad officia, neque adhibebo, neque eorum Ecclesias tolerabo: I will neither admit those of the Reformed Protestant Profession to any Offices, neither will I tolerate their Churches.  
Thirdly, when the Swedes entred Poland, and the better to gain the peoples affections, did give each one good words; as then doubtless those of the Reformed Protestant profession, did also receive good and comfortable promises; but as soon as the Swedes became victorious, and thought to have remained Masters of Poland, the Reformed Protestants were so horribly dealt withall, as that they were constrained to sand an humble supplication to his electoral Highness of Brandenburg, dated from Lissais on the 21th. of March 1656. and subscribed by the generality; wherein they complained, that they had just cause to apprehended they should suffer intolerable oppressions: In regard whereof they beseeched his electoral Highness to intercede for them with the King of Sweden, to the end they might enjoy the same privileges as the Lutherans did at the intercession of the Elector of saxony.  
Fourthly, when the Dukedom of Prussia, was for a certain space of time, changed into a member of Sweden they used those of the Reformed Protestant profession, far worse then ever the Poles did.  
For although the Protestant Earls, Barons, Gentry and Citizens, did incessantly supplicate, That in regard their Forefathers as well as the Papists and Lutherans, had with their blood and substances, won the Dominions of Prussia; and did suffer and bear equal pressures and hazards in the concernments of their native country; they might as well as others, be admitted to offices, charges and places of trust, enjoy the privileges and rights as Citizens, and not be excluded, or put by the same, by reason, of their Protestant profession, as infamous persons.  
And moreover, although the Electress of Brandenburg, did her self very wisely and compassionately en●ercede hereon with the King of Sweden; yet it was to no purpose at all.  
And to the end that those of the Reformed Protestant Religion might be the more straightened, and excluded from those immunities which were granted by the Confession of Ausburg, formerly enacted and consented unto; the preaching of the said confession of Ausburg was only appropriated to the Lutherans; and which was never heard of before, in the Polish privileges and Grants, they added thereunto the word invariatae, or unalterable; whereas it cannot be proved to all eternity, that those of the Reformed Protestant profession, do deny any Article of the Confession of Ausburg, wherein the words, sieve variata, sieve invariata, either altered, or unaltered, are contained.  
Fifthly, The Syacretismus or Community, which was observed in the Divine Service and political Government, betwixt the Lutherans and those of the Reformed Protestant profession, at Elbing and other places, and the which was hearty sought for and desired by our Protestant Churches, from the very beginning of the Reformation at the Assembly at Marpurg, in the year 1527; as also on other Convocation dayes, and at several meetings: To which end also so many Scripta Irenica, or Treaties of Unity were penned; and to be short, the which hath not only been endeavoured by several Princes of the Empire, but is to this very day desired by the Renowned Prince Elector of Brandenburg, and was also earnestly insisted on by the late Lord Protector of England, by the means of Mr Dureus:  
And without which said Syncretismus or Community, it is impossible for the Evangelicall Churches( according to our human capacity) to effect any thing to the purpose, or of moment, against the papacy in matters of Religion.  
This said Syncretismus or Community, as aforesaid, which was admitted of and continued at Elbing, beyond the memory of man;( and whereby it appears, that such a Community or Church toleration is both possible and practicable) hath been disturbed, and dissolved by the Swedes; partly, by their having protected and animated the seditious party, who began the dissension concerning the not singing Psalms of David in the Church; and doubtless by the instigation of the Swedes, did on that account oppose themselves against the Magistrates of Elbing; Partly also, by their choosing and declaring the Lutheran Ministers( who did take upon themselves to condemn the Reformed Protestant Churches as heretics) to be the true observers of the Confession of Ausburg; by their admitting and protecting of them, and by their excluding out of the Great or Mother Church Mr Tirabent, because he was a moderate Lutheran.  
And moreover, to the end they might the better perplex and prejudice the Reformed Protestant Profession, they changed the whole Church Government.  
They appointed a Consistory, choosing thereunto incensed and rude persons, and when they could not obtain of Dr Dorscheus( that great enemy of the Reformed Protestant Churches) to side with them, they sent for another out of the dukedom of Prussia, arming him with these their instructions and desires; That he should uphold the Lutheran profession in its purity at Elbing That he should out thence those of the Reformed Protestant Profession: That he should d●sturd the former Union:; and that he should so● sedition and discord amongst them; which was accordingly performed by continual defamations, & the like.  
And can it be imagined, That those should endeavour to imite the Evangelicall Professors in all parts? whenas they separate and cast them out from those places, where they had lived in a conformity together, for the space of threescore and ten years and more, to endeavour the procuring of the salvation of heir souls?  
Sixthly, Whenas a certain Lutheran Divine, by name Henricus Nicholai, had published a Treatise against his Antagonists at wittenberg, and had dedicated the same to the Magistrates of Elbing, bewailing, in few words, by the Preface thereof, the present disturbing of the peace, quietness and uniformity of the Church of Elbing,( which had been enjoyed time out of mind) to the prejudice and detriment of several good Christians. The Swedish Magistrates did thereupon so highly resent the said matter, as that they caused the sale of the said Book to be forbidden, upon the penalty of severe punishment, and a mulct to boot, although the same contained nothing against their Religion or Government; and by a public Decree, hereunto annexed, they prohibited the reading, or having of the said Book.  
Can it therefore possibly be imagined or believed, That those mean well unto the Reformed Protestant Churches, who cannot endure a Lutheran Divine, nor his Writings, because they are somewhat moderate? and doth not condemn and damn the Calvinists, but exhort them to peace and unity, and doth account and hold the Toleration and uniformity, to be both possible and Christian like?  
And in case it be urged, That the Reformed Protestants have during the Swedish Government at Elbing, several times received the Communion among selves in the English their houses and dwellings; yet however this was not permitted unto them out of any good will, which the Swedes did bear unto them; but only, pro tempore, & ratione status; for a time, and out of policy; as it will appear by the ensuing particulars.  
For in the first place, the Swedes did never permit the same, save at the earnest reiterated instance and request of the Holland Ambassadors.  
Secondly, Th●y immediatey limited the said liberty; at the very beginning excluding the natives, and only permitting it to the English, Scotch, and the Hollanders.  
Thirdly, The said permission hath not hindered them from excluding and banishing those of the Reformed Protestant Profession, out of the Churches of the old and new Town; and only suffering them once a year to meet in a private house.  
Fourthly, The Sewdes only endeavour to draw the common Lutheran people to their party; sub pretextu Religionis, under the pretence of Religion; and on the contrary, they oppress, burden, prejudice, and finally totally exclude from all offices and dignities, the ancient Families and good Patriots, who for the most part are of the Reformed Protestant Profession, and good peaceable Christians; a thing which, as all the world knows, is now become a common practise amongst them.  
Moreover, In the fortifying of the old Town, and in the demolishing of the suburbs; they do purposely ruin and pull down the known Calvinists houses, more then the necessity and rules of Architecture requires; which they effect by way of a public derision.  
So likewise, those who are only suspected to be Calvinists, or are known to haunt and frequent them, at the time of their deaths, are refused a burial place in the Lutheaan Church-yard, but are sent back to the friars Church-yard, not without a great deal of infamy.  
Finally, At the choosing of the Magistracy by the Comonalty( as it is the custom in those Towns) they will not so much as nominate any of the Calvinists by them excluded and disheartened; but call to places of dignity, their new kind of generation, who are but good Swedes, or affencted to the Swedish party; and so root out and extirpate the Reformed Protestant Professors, as if they were Antichristians.  
Nor doth all this neither, proceed out of any zeal or strong Motives in them towards the propagating of the Lutheran Doctrine; since it's apparent, that they only aim to endear the greatest party to themselves; and at all times it hath sufficiently been evidenced, whensoever the Swedes were Masters and had the over hand, how little they troubled themselves, or took to heart the concernments of the Lutheran Profession.  
So when they thought to have obtained the Crown of Poland, they were ready by Oath to have promised the Estates of Poland, that they would not cause any alteration in matters of Religion.  
And when they endeavoured to conquer Pomerania, Verden, and Bremen, to prepare the way to attain unto the Dominion of the Eastern Sea; the Calvinian Profession was not then thought so ill, but it could be comprehended by the Agreements at Munster, in the general Treaties of peace, although the Lutherans exclaimed never so much against the same. And why should not the Crown of Poland be worth a Mass to them? True, They might say, as well as the Tartar did, who formerly pretended to that Crown, Tuus Lutherus, meus Lutherus; tuus Pontifex, meus Pontifex: Your Luther shall be my Luther, your Pope shall be my Pope,  
And they have often seriously debated among themselves, Whether they ought not to have changed off Parties, to have sided with the house of Austria, and to have fallen upon the ungrateful Protestant Princes? And in case it hath pleased the house of Austria to have assented thereunto, Pole and Germany had long since been shared, in despite either of France or England itself.  
Hereby it doth sufficiently appear, That the Swedes do only make use of the whole body of the Evangelical Religion, as a cloak and pretence to advance their Conquests; and chiefly of the Reformed Protestant Profession, only out of policy, to abuse the Commonwealth of England and others; to make them believe strange stories, and to give them good encouragements; to drill them on, till they shall have settled their Northern monarchy; whenas they will then explain themselves, and us they have already let slip in private conferences. It will be, Unus Rex, una Lex, una Fides, una Religio: One King, one Law, one Faith, one Religion.  
And the Northern Crowns being set upon one head, will either cause all others to be silent, or to submit as the Goths did.  
Whenas formerly the germans had made Gustavus great with their own bloods and Estates, he at length said, he would take the one by the legs, to beat our the others brains.  
Although the Lords the States General did bestir themselves, and engaged with the Swedes against Denmark. in the year 1645. yet they only sought ever since to strangle their Defenders and Assistants.  
Wherefore those who deride not the Almighty, who have any resentments of honour left, who love themselves and their native Country; let them pass by the Swedes faults, and forgive them, taking a fair warning at their Neighbours losses, and not suffer themselves to be inveigled and cheated by the crafty and subtle Projects of the pleading and over-reaching a Nation.  

The annexed Ordinance specified in the foregoing Resolution or Answer.  
We Adolph John, by the Grace of God, palgrave of the Rhyne, Duke of Bavaria, Gulick, Cleve, and Berge: Earl of Veldentz, Spanheim de mark, and Raventberg: Lord of Ravenstein, and Generalissimo of the King of Swedens Armies, and chief Director of the three Kingly Palatinates of Prussia.  
Do hereby make known and give to understand, unto all the Inhabitants of this Kingly Port of Prussia, of what quality or condition soever they be: That after his Kingly Majesty, our Gracious and highly Honoured Lord and Brother, immediately at the beginning, and as soon as it pleased the Almighty to deliver these Dominions into his hands, did take into his serious consideration, how and by what means, the decayed and almost disordered Church-Government, as well in the Towns as abroad throughout the country, might be set on foot again, and be reduced to a more assured and better order: To which purpose there was of late a superintendant appointed, in the Name of God, in the Palatinate of Mariensburg, who did publicly officiate in the Mother Church at Elbing; and accordingly caused a Consistory to be there called and opened: But whereas some dayes since, a certain person name Henricus Nicholai, who was formerly a Professor of the college at Elbing, hath emancipated himself, to publish a Treatise in the latin tongue, entitled, Quadrigatus expensus, &c. which said Book was printed at Stettin by N. Go●sen, at the Authors charges, in this present year 1657. by the neglect and oversight of the Licenser of the Press; being Dedicated by the Author to the Magistracy and Commonalty of the City of Elbing: which said Treatise doth repugn the said Kingly design, and the said Christian defence; as also doth contradict the Government of the Prussian Churches, and maketh voided the same; Moreover, doth disturb and trouble the Inhabitants and common p●●●le, who are willing to comform themselves to this his said Majesties will and Ordinances, according to their obligations; and doth endeavour to dispose and move the Magistracy and this Commonalty, to continue( against the said Kingly Ordinances) some irregular Church Ceremonies and Orders, which were altogether unusual to be observed by the Evangelical Churches, and formerly only winked at in these parts, by way of toleration. We do therefore hereby in the name and on the behalf of his aforesaid Majesty, order and give a charge unto all and every one of the Inhabitants of this Country, and those who have obliged themselves to be true and faithful to his said Majesty; but particularly, to all Burgraves, Burgemasters and Magistrates, as well of the great and small Towns: That all the said Treaties of controversal Writings, wheresoever they shall or may be found in these parts, may be taken away, and confiscated by the Magistrate of such places; and not to permit the same to be brought into these parts, either by Water or by Land, nor there to be sold, upon the penalty of severe punishment; that so all Men may behave themselves accordingly, and avoid the penalties prescribed.  
Given at the Kingly palace at Marienburg on the first of September, 1657. Subscribed thus, Adolp. Johan.    
FINIS.