A LETTER from HOLLAND, TOUCHING Liberty of Conscience,  
Dear SIR,  
I Received yours of the 10th Current (Stilo veteri) and cannot but smile to see you seem so much concerned at the Papers, you say, are frequently transmitted from hence; for I assure myself, you know the World better than to be really startled at such petit efforts: However, since you are pleased to Command (for under that Character I must ever receive the least Intimation of your desires) my mean Sentiments on that Subject, I shall deliver my Thoughts with all the freedom due to our old Friendship, and the Secrecy of a Private Letter, for such I hope your Prudence will make it, as foreseeing how much it may otherwise redound to my Prejudice from some, that will neither speak Truth themselves, nor endure to hear it from others.  
You are not ignorant that the best Princes, and even for their best Actions, have been traduced and scandalised by lavish Tongues, the petulancy of misemployed Wit, and mercenary malicious Pens. Therefore the best advised Statesmen, have always thought such Invectives worthy none of their passions, but scorn and neglect; Augustus never spoke more like himself, than in that Expression to Tiberius— Noli hâc in r● indagare, & nimium Indignari Quempiam esse qui de me loquatur Malé, satis est enim si hoc habemus, ne quis malé facere possit.  
I need not give you the Character of the Instruments that chief contrive and promote the Libels you complain of; What may not be expected from Persons defeated in their Nefarious Attempts? Frustrated of their Ambitious hopes? Acted by Malice, Envy, Want and Despair? I believe you never knew many of them much Celebrated at home for any extraordinary strict Piety or Moral Virtue; and I can assure you, we do not find by their general Conversation here, any great Inclinations they have to live Saints, or die Martyrs. What Notorious false Stories? What gross Forgeries (under the Notion of Intercepted Letters, etc.) have they not Industriously advanced and spread abroad? Nay, some of them have attempted to abuse Heaven itself, and suborn the Stars to Countenance their Impostures, whilst they divert themselves over a full-crowned Rummer, in boasting how many silly Souls in England they have bubled with these fulsome sham's— Yet these are the men that are so wondrously transported with Zeal, for the Preservation of a Religion, which they always were, and continue to be a scandal to.  
But if (overlooking their immodest Reflections, etc.) you consider the main scope and design of these Papers, is it not altogether to support the Penal and Test-Laws, and to prevent the free Exercise of Religion being settled among you? And on what Topics do they proceed, but little Sophisms, adapted only to Amuse and Inflame the Vulgar? And begging the main Question, [viz. Taking it for granted, that if those Laws be removed, there will not, or cannot be other sufficient Security for the Protestant Religion established in their stead] which as it is altogether a mis-stating of the case; so it seems somewhat unaccountable, that the very same Persons, who e'er while complained so much of Oppression for matters of Relion, or at least the fears on't, and were so fond of Liberty of Conscience, that to obtain it, they broke through all the Bounds of Duty and Prudence, and ventured upon a desperate Rebellion (apparently threatening the utter Ruin of their Native Country) should now on a sudden be so extremely averse thereunto, when 'tis freely offered to be settled by Law to all Posterity, under as firm Security as the Wisdom of a Nation can invent?  
Therefore, though I know People's Passions have a strange Bias on their Judgements, yet a Wise Man may be tempted to suspect something more in this case, and that the Humour is fomented and encouraged by the secret Influences of some powerful Interest; for 'tis That commonly moves the Wheels, though Religion may be made the pretence: What's the reason so many cried out against Matchiavel? Not so much perhaps, for the badness of his Maxims (since they are every day practised by such as declaim loudest against 'em) but ill Politicians were angry that he should divulge their Arcana, and make those Mysteries common, which they designed to engross to themselves for the support of their own Grandeur. I intent no more by the comparison, than only to say, That it is no Miracle, if one that finds some Expedient very advantageous to himself, shall endeavour to divert others from the use and benefit of it. Even the Philosophic Adepti, though they pretend to the most Flaming Charity, deliver their Precepts under such perplexing Aenigmas, as if they designed to lead men into Error. and the destruction of their Fortunes, rather than Illuminate them to the Discovery of the boasted Elixir. That Interest will not lie, is as certain as any Problem in Euclid; Nor is the Jealousy of State less violent than that of Love; none enduring a Rival to his Courtship, if he can prevent it.  
Since therefore the bottom of your Enquiry seems to reach at thi●, what advantages a secure Establishment of Liberty for Tender Consciences in England may be attended with, in respect of the Trade and Civil Happiness of that Nation? And how far it may probably on that account Affect some of its Neighbours? I shall apply myself to give you the best satisfáction I can, wherein that I may not run into Notions merely speculative; I shall insist on matter of Fact; for what effects it has produced, it may do again (caeteris paribus) and much greater, if accompanied with other more advantageous Circumstances; Nor need I step out of my present Lodging for an Instance.  
'Tis well known, that the free Exercise of Religion was the best Swadling-Band of this Infant Commonwealth; for by their Original Constitution, the Union of Vtrecht 1579, it was provided, That every man should remain free in his Religion, and none be examined or entrapped for that Cause. And the steady adherence to that Maxim has mainly contributed to cherish and support them under all difficulties ever since, so that 'tis one of the Fundamental Principles of our Policy; the firmest Pile that bovys up our Magnificent Stadt-House. 'Tis That to which we own our Populousness, and consequently our Trade, Riches and Strength; the Engine whereby we have at once Drained other Nations, and mounted ourselves to such an Ascendent of Opulency and Power, as to vie with the most plentiful Kingdoms and tallest Monarches.  
And the Reasons thereof are no less Evident than Universal: For,  
1. As Persecution tends to depopulate; so Liberty of Conscience naturally draws a vast Conflux of People; for as nothing can be more grievous to Honest Men, than to be restrained in this World from what they believe conductive to their Eternal Happiness in the next; so though all have not the Fortitude actually to suffer in such cases, yet few want the Prudence, if they have the opportunity, to remove to a place of shelter, where they may freely enjoy those Privileges which they are denied at home; and for sake thereof, prefer Wildernesses and Bogs, before the most fertile Soils, or pleasantest Climates. Hence these Provinces (though little befriended by Nature) are so full of People, that they are Calculated to have at least six Souls for every Acre of Land.  
2. The People thus kept at home, or invited from abroad, by public permission of Liberty of Conscience, are not idle Drones or Spendthrifts, but generally the most Sober and Industrious of any Country: None being more diligent in their Calling, or careful to husband their Time and Parts for public Benefit and Improvement, than such as make Conscience of their Duty towards God; as knowing that Sloth, Gluttony, Drunkenness, Debauchery, Vain-pastimes, or Trifling Divertisements, are no less inconsistent with their Profession, than prejudicial to the Interest of any Nation.  
3. Hence 'tis observed, That the most part of those Refugies consist of Merchants, Artifficers, or Laborious Tradesmen, that like Bees, wherever they come, bring in Honey to the common Hive, by Teaching New, or improving Old Manufactures amongst those where they reside. How often has the grand staple of Trade been Transplanted from one place to another merely on this occasion? The French and English Persecutions about 130 years ago, carried it to Antwerp; the Fury of the Duke of Alva forced it into these parts, whereby Amsterdam from a poor Fishing Dorp, is raised to one of the Richest Cities, in the Universe; the severity of some of your Clergy, about half a Century past, adding not a little thereunto.  
Nor want there Instances of a fresher Date; 'tis not above four of five years since several Families from the West and other parts of England, harrassed and wearied out with Excommunications and Forfeitures of 20 l. per Month, for Nonconformity, etc. came and planted themselves amongst us at Lewarden in Friezland, and others went higher unto Lunenburgh, offering to set up the English Manufactory for Cloth, Stuffs, Sarges, etc. At both places they were entertained with all the Kindness imaginable; having Houses allotted them Gratis, and great Privileges granted for their Encouragement. And more of their Countrymen after Monmouths Rebellion (a main ground of which, as we heard here, was pretended to be for Liberty of Conscience) flying over, and joining with them, they became considerable; forty Looms at least, being daily kept going at Lewarden, and a Fund of 20 or 30 thousand Pounds proposed to be advanced for carrying on the work: whereby we promised ourselves no small advantages; for what with Wool privately Stolen from England, and what with another sort of some of our Upland Neighbours, and the plenty of Spanish Wool which we have here. They had got a knack of mixing it to as great advantage as yours; which skill our People would soon have been Masters of; and that could not fail of giving a fatal Blow to your Clothing Trade; and your Hamburgh Company began to sear, if not to feel the Consequences, especially from Lunenburgh, by reason of its Commodious Situation to Intercept their Markets.  
But the Truth is, the King of Great Britain was no sooner advertised hereof, but he dispatched necessary Orders to his Ambassador, then at the Hague; by whose Directions, one Everart (or some such Name) was employed, to Treat with the Principal Undertakers, and by assuring them, of an entire Liberty of Conscience at home, and Free Pardon to such as wanted it, prevailed with them to withdraw their Stocks: And so the Design at both Places fell to the ground; which though we may in Interest resent, yet none can but in-Justice, applaud His Majesty's Conduct therein, as a Testimony of his Prudent Watchful Care, for the Welfare of his Kingdoms and People; who otherwise might have felt, the Ruinating Effects of this Accident, to after Generations.  
On the other side, whereas till of late, we bought vast Quantities of Druggets, Gawzes, and other lesser Manufactures and Knick-knacks from France; since such Numbers of Protestants have been forced into these Provinces, from thence: We have made them here so plentifully, as to furnish the Markets, where there is Occasion: Nor is it probable, that France will ever recover that Trade again, whereby it got, perhaps more than a Million per Annum.  
4. A Fourth Advantage of this Religious Liberty, is, That it incourages the Inhabitants of any Country, to be more Industrious, and more freely to venture their Stocks in Trade, being freed from Vexatious Prosecutions, Imprisonments, etc. And as (I have heard that) most of your Corporations in England, did not a little decline from their flourishing Condition some years since, when many of the sobrest, and most, public-spirited Inhabitants, were by the Imposition of Oaths and Tests, debarred from all share in the Government; and by severe Prosecutions, forced to give over Trading: So the Influence thereof, we Apprehended, would have quickly affected the whole Nation, had not His Majesty's Wisdom interposed his late Declaration for Liberty; of which, (whatever Sentiments our Ministers of State may have of it) I doubt not, but you do already feel the Happy Effects, and would to a far greater Degree, if the same were once Established by Law; and the Fears, Jealousies, and Distractions of People's Minds, fully Cured: For which, That seems to be the Sovereign Remedy, and only means, to make your King the Great Arbitrer of Europe. For,  
5. Granting Liberty of Conscience secures the Government, and renders it easy; takes away all Colour for Faction or Rebellion: Nothing binds more firmly than Interest, and no Interest is more strongly obliging, or more beloved than this Freedom; and therefore ties all the Inhabitants where they have it, into a strict Fidelity to that Power which grants it, and brings every part to an entire Dependence thereon; whereas, when only One Persuasion is Caressed, and others (altogether as good and useful Subjects) Exposed to Losses and Punishments, for their Religion; such a Government is seldom Quiet, and never Safe: Nor does it less appease Feuds and Animosities, between the different Sects, amongst themselves; no man having Cause to be offended, at another Man's Liberty, because he enjoys the same himself.  
The Happiness of these Provinces, in this Respect, I have seen Elegantly Expressed, by an Eminent Statesman of yours, formerly Ambassador here.— In this Commonwealth (says he) no Man having Reason to complain of Oppression in Conscience, nor any Hopes, by advancing his Religion to form a Party, or break into the State, The Differences in Opinions, make none in Affections, and little in Conversation, where it serves but for Entertainment and Variety: They argue, without Interest or Anger; They differ, without Enmity or Scorn; and they agree without Confederacy: Men live together like Citizens of the World, associated by the common Ties of Humanity, and Bonds of Peace, under the Impartial Protection of indifferent Laws; with equal Encouragement of all Art and Endustry, and equal Freedom of Speculation and Inquiry: The Power of Religion, where it is, lies in every Man's Heart; and where there is only the Appearance, it has not however so much of the Hypocrite, and nothing at all of that Fierceness, as elsewhere. But rather, is like a piece of Humanity, by which every one falls most into the Company, or Conversation of those, whose Customs and Humours, whose Talk and Disposition they like best. And as in other places, 'tis in every man's choice, with whom he will Eat or Lodge, with whom to go to Market, or to Court; so 'tis here, with whom he will Pray, or go to Church, or Associate in the Service and Worship of God; nor is any more Notice taken, or more Censure past, of what every one chooses in these Cases, than in the other.  
I know not how relishing this Description may be to your coy English Palates; but as I can assure you, 'tis perfectly true; so to me it seems very inviting, much accommodate to the Civil, Quiet, and Prosperity of any Nation; and (if I mistake not) is one of the greatest Charms, as well as chiefest Supports, of this Flourishing Republic.  
Now, (to turn the Tables) if the free Exercise of Religion, have been able to yield such excellent Effects in These Provinces; who sees not that the same firmly Established in England, must needs there produce far Greater Advantages?  
For not to urge, that this Liberty is advanced amongst you, from a Nobler and more Christian Principle, and so may hope for a greater share of the Divine Blessing: Ours owning its Birth, only to little Accidents and great Necessity, and continued for Poncy and Reasons of State: Whereas, yours is the Child of Election, I mean, the choice of a well-informed National Judgement; drawn Ex puris Naturalibus, from the Limpid Streams of Primitive Christianity, Natural Equity, and Undisturbed Reason; Granted, not as a Conveniency, or an Alms, but a Right; not only, because fit in Prudence, but because requisite in Piety; nor so much for its Advantages, as its Justice: The contrary Practice being declared an Invasion on the Almighty's Prerogative, as well as a Tyranny over the Souls of Men. Omitting, I say, this more refined Consideration, I shall only offer, That you must needs, in mere Civil Advantages, weigh down the Balance.  
Because England is more aptly Scituate, and Accommodated for the same. For (if I may pour a bold Truth into the Bosom of a Friend) your happy Britain, as she is the Queen of Isles, so seems designed by Nature, to be the Sovereign of the Seas, Mistress of Trade, the Grand Magazine of Commerce, and chief Empory of the World, as Enjoying,  
1. A most Excellent Temperate Air, with its Sweetness and Salubrity, inviting Strangers to a Climate, where they shall never need Stoves in the Winter, nor Grotta's in the Summer.  
2. A large and Plentiful Soil, (England alone being Ten times as big as our United Netherlands) affording all things necessary, or commodious, for the Life or Delight of Man, and able to sustain many Hundred Thousands more of Inhabitants, than she has.  
3. Furnished with divers Gallant Navigable River's abundance of safe Commodious Harbours, and bold strong Ports, (therein exceeding all her Neighbours, if not all the Countries in the World.)  
4. Stocked with more plenty of Native Commodities, and fit to be improved, into Useful and Vendible Manufactures; so that none need want Employment, if they do not want Industry.  
5. Extraordinary Plenty of Provisions, and those of the Best, and Heartiest, and most Substantial of your own Product: For I find it asserted, in Notitia Anglica, That there is yearly, as much Flesh and Beer consumed in England, by over-plentiful Tables, as would serve Three-times the Number of People. Whereas, by Computation, these Provinces are not able of themselves, to yield Sustenance for above one Eight part of our Multitudes; which, together with the Heavy Impositions to the State, renders all Necessaries dear, and living here, very uneasy and chargeable; your meanest Boors and Porters, Eating and Drinking better than our Burghers.  
From these, and many other Advantages that might be Enumerated; 'tis easy to foresee, That if Liberty of Conscience should be once firmly settled in England, it cannot fail to Attract a wonderful Concourse of Strangers, thereby greatly advancing the Rents of Lands and Houses, and the Prices of all sorts of Provisions, and consequently, a mighty Increase of Manufactures, Trade and Riches.  
After I have said thus much, I need not add who, or What People in the World, would find themselves losers on the Foot of the Account. It being morally certain, That Liberty of Conscience Established by Law in England, (adding thereto an Act for Naturalisation of Strangers, and a Registry for securing the Titles of Purchases, one of the greatest Defects in your Nation) would more mortify them in seven years' time, than a War so long managed against them, with Success. And if you are pleased to believe, that they have so much Wit, as to understand their own Interest, it will appear no wonder, if they make use of all the Arts they can, to prevent such Consequences.  
Which, without the help of an Oedipus, may bid fair for the Salving the Riddle of your first Enquiry: But having wearied you with a Tedious Letter, 'tis time I beg your Pardon, and entreat you to take the Liberty I have used herein, as a further Argument, that I am altogether  
Amsterdam, April 27. S. N. 1688. Your most Humble, and Affectionate Servant, C. D. W.   

Printed with Allowance, for E. R. 1688.