A DECLARATION OF THE CAUSES, FOR THE WHICH, WE FREDERICK, BY THE GRACE OF GOD KING OF BOHEMIA, COUNT PALATINE OF THE RHINE, ELECTOR OF THE SACRED EMPIRE, & C.  
have ACCEPTED OF THE CROWN OF BOHEMIA, AND OF THE COUNTRIES THEREUNTO annexed.  
〈…〉  
CAESAR AUGUSTUS  
MIDDLEBURG. Printed by Abraham Schilders. M. D.C.xx.   

FREDERICK, By the Grace of GOD, King of BOHEMIA, Count Palatine of the RHINE, Elector of the Sacred EMPIRE, Duke of BAVARIA, Marquis of MORAVIA, Duke of SILESIA and LUXEMEURG, Marquis of the Higher and Lower LUSASIA, etc. TO ALL Potentates, Electors, Princes, and States of Christendom, happy Greeting.  
WE make no doubt, but all in general, residing either within or without the Empire, do now sufficiently understand the miserable and most perilous estate, into which the Kingdom of BOHEMIA is reduced, being so Famous for Antiquity, and a principal member of the Sacred Empire, as also the Countries thereunto annexed and Incorporated, with other bordering Provinces. Neither can they be ignorant of such actions of Oppression, hostility, and violence, which have been practised within a little time, through continual Rapines, Murders, Combustions, Devastations, plentiful effusion of Innocent blood, violation and ravishing, both of Wives and honest Virgins, dismembering of little sucking Children, with many other inhuman, most Cruel, and Barbarous insolences. In like manner the true source and original of all these evils, of what afterwards ensued, or may in future time accrue, most evidently appeareth and is as clear as day, both by experience, and the ample Relations that have been diverse times made thereof; that they who by their depraved Counsels, and suggestions, have been the means to precipitate the mightier sort, into present danger and loss, are now themselves convinced, even within their own consciences. And notwithstanding the success of these latter times, wherein sundry opinions have been hatched, about the subject of Religion, may make one clearly discern with his eye, and (as it were) touch with his finger, that according to the verity of holy Scripture, and a Maxim heretofore, held and maintained, by the ancient Doctors of the Church, that men's Consciences, aught in no sort to be violated, urged, or constrained; and whensoever men have attempted any thing by this violent course, whether openly, or by secret means, the issue hath been pernicious, and the cause of great and wonderful innovations, in the principallest and mightiest Kingdoms, and Countries of all Christendom: Yet so it is, 
The jesuits.  that a certain extravagant, and strange kind of people, having dispersed themselves over Christendom, but especially within the Empire, and other Kingdoms and Countries, bordering and depending thereupon, and having there brought in, and planted a new Doctrine, absolutely funestall and obnoxious, to all Potentates, and Magistrates: nay and further, having not only obtained favour and access to great men, but also drawn to their own bent, both their Counsellors, and Officers, and generally the most Honourable, and opulent of every place, through the false charm, of a counterfeit and masked Sanctity, an implaceable desire and thirst, did marvelously grow and increase, of persecuting all those, who were separated from the Roman Church, yea and totally to extirpate them, if they did not yield, and come under that jurisdiction. Whereupon, it came to pass, that notwithstanding all the good endeavours, that precedent Princes, and Governors have bestowed both in the Empire, and more especially in the Kingdom of BOHEMIA, for preservation of common Peace, and carrying an even hand between the adherents of the one, and th'other Church, conformable to the Concessions, and Edicts of pacification, granted in favour of Religion: their Successors for all this (more through others instigation, questionless, then of their own proper disposition) have been urged so far, as to give a large field of leave and Liberty to these pestiferous kind of people and their complices, who entering hereupon into a full and main Careir, they presumed sometimes to innovate one thing, than another, and not only by public writing to draw into doubt and controversy, but also really to annihilate and make frustrate the said Concessions, liberties of Religion, Pacts, Obligations and Oaths, solemnly assumed for their confirmation.  
But we will not here set down in particulars, what hath been practised for many years since, and attempted in all parts of the Empire, upon the purchase of this Licence and Lliberty; neither in how weak and instable manner, affairs still continue and stand: referring ourselves herein, to that, which Time shall further manifest by sufficient trials and proofs, in whatsoever shall be requisite and convenient.  
But as for the Crown of BOHEMIA, and the Countries thereunto annexed, we must no ways dissemble it, and it is very well known, that according as the light of the holy Gospel spread his beams more and more from time to time, the lustre and repute of the Roman Catholic Religion, hath there been wonderfully eclipsed, not without procuring much trouble and strife: so that finally, it most necessarily behoved to provide for the maintenance of common Peace and tranquillity within the Realm, and this was effected by certain permissions and Licences, to prevent, that diversity of Religion might not wholly alter or disturb a general and peaceable humane Society. So long as things remained in these indifferent terms, both one and other party held themselves well contented.  
But those turbulent Spirits, of whom we formerly spoke, having no will to consent to public repose and peace, they rather chose to hazard and reduce things to an utter extremity, then to diminish the least tittle of that intention which was so deeply graven in their hearts; which was, that all things might come under the Pope's spiritual jurisdiction, and at last, under the secular Dominion of some strange and foreign government. All which added more and more aggrievances and molestations to Religion. And above all the rest, many plots were laid to frustrate the Royal Letters and Concessions of his Majesty, to dimolish, or at least shut up, the Euangelical Churches, and Temples newly built, to raise up thunderings, and threatenings amongst the Estates, to interdict, and actually prohibit their lawful defence, horribly to persecute the poor Subjects, with comminations of more terrible Oppression, Insults, with loss of body, Life, and goods, besides sundry other injustices, perpetrated against men of every several condition. And on the other side, when natural and just resistance, opposed these insolences, or any other means which necessity urged unto, as those Manifests published by the said Estates can testify, they of the contrary party, in stead of referring their cause to reason and equal hearing, proceeded further, by open hostility, and force of Arms to such a point, that a good part of the said Kingdom of BOHEMIA, and the Provinces Incorporate, remaineth now dismembered by Fire, and Sword, being (as it were) turned into Blood, and Ashes. Whereunto, we might also add, that whereas many years since, and especially the last past, the said Kingdom, and Countries, have exposed their lives, and substance, for the Defence and maintenance of the Crown of HUNGARY, but above all other, of the Frontier Fortifications, against the Forces of the Turk, a puissant, and dreadful enemy to Christendom; quite contrary, and as it were, for an accumulation of all evils, the said places were unfurnished both of Men, Artillery, and warlike munition, that the same might be employed against the Bohemian Nation, which was appointed, and ordained against the Turk.  
Moreover, they have in the Empire, not only exacted that which remained yet unpayed of the old Contributions against the Turk: but also under a special pretext of the preservation and defence of the said places, in certain Precincts and Provinces of the Empire, they have imposed new Subsidies, which being obtained and Collected in a great part, it was no ways employed to the pretended use, and end, but rather to the ruin and desolation of the members of the Empire, and their dependences. By means whereof, one may see the Vauntmure, and Bulwark of Christendom full of holes, and breaches, ready to tumble and fall down. And this gave the HUNGARIAN Nation, sufficient warning, to look to their own security & Defence.  
We also suppose it is no less generally known, with what care, affection, and love, how we and other Electors and Princes (yea and some foreign Potentates likewise) by our exhortations and intercessions, have procured all the best Offices possible, to quench and extinguish that fire, which daily spread itself more and more in the said Kingdom, and to devose some means how to prevent a greater disaster. And in truth, nothing would have been more pleasing to us then to see those differences and oppositions accrueing between Princes and Subjects, soon appeased and ended by an Admission of the Estates of the same Countries, to hear and determine therein, as heretofore the laudable and commendable Custom was, and by us out of sincere and viscerall affection in due time Urged and moved: by reason that the Intermission of remote Princes and Potentates procured great loss of time, and very often augmented suspicion & distrust.  
But all present circumstances clearly manifest, what fruit or effect the said advertisements brought forth, seeing under, colour of a suspension of Arms, there hath not only many Months passed over head, during which time, the enemy hath not ceased to forage and spoil; But moreover under shadow of deferring it, to such an interposition, there hath also a long space of time slipped away: whereas in such dangerous and imminent cases, and when hostile Actions are daily reinforced, we ought effectually to make use of other more expedite means to work a cessation, for it had been impossible profitably to have treated of any Accommodation, by way of Interposition, without first stopping the course of the forementioned Hostilities, and setting down a prevalent, and validius security.  
Besides all this (no doubt rather by the suggestions of some persons, who having lost all hope of attaining their ends and scopes by lenity and mildness, aspired thereunto by way of Arms) they were negligent and careless, to lay hold of the just & opportune occasion of re-establishing the Peace, which after the death of the Emperor MATHIAS deceased, of laudable memory, presented itself; in that they would by no means lend their ears, to the wholesome counsel of good Patriots, nay of persons constituted in high place and Dignity, to recover (as was most fit and requisite) alienated hearts, and affections: but rather they made choice, to follow the directions of some unnatural and disloyal Bohemians, and of others, either wholly strangers or relying and hanging merely upon them. From hence it succeeded, that in stead of real satisfaction and security, for that, where now they were so strictly bound and obliged, nothing was offered more than promises, and Confirmations in papers and writings. And by the same course, they laboured to possess themselves of the Kingdom by Arms, to overthrow the foundamentall Laws and Privileges of the Country, to enervate the observance of them, (though this should be the only platform of all other obligations) to prostitute those Countries, which have a prerogative of free Election, to the yoke of governments Hereditary, and to conclude (at what rate soever) to compass effects, conformable to their designs, and under colour of punishing some few nocents, to extirpate and destroy many thousands of Innocents'. Wherein also, they employed the assistance of strange Nations, very ill affected to all evangelical professors; of whom, a great number, and many thousands both Foot and Horse, yea whole Regiments at a time, have marched through the Countries of the Empire, (although, without consent of the Electors, the Emperor himself, hath no Authority nor power) to conduct them against the Estates of BOHEMIA, & the Provinces annexed, for the wreaking of their evil affection, & to enrich themselves, with their spoil.  
But chose, if too manifest a true intention to Peace, they had deposed Arms from the beginning, removed the Authors of these troubles, provided for the government of the Estate, by the advice and cooperation of the Provinces, remidyed so many aggrievances, restored the violated privileges, and taken order for their observance, by means of a sufficient security, (without which all other courses had been but vain) they might easily have wrought a Peace, and diverted greater alterations and changes. So far they were, from choosing so expedient and requisite a way, that on the contrary, by extreme violence they enforced the Countries to have recourse, to such a lawful and speedy defence, as GOD and Nature alloweth them, to be their own deliverers out of these extremities; And to this effect, they erected a general Confederacy amongst them, (but not without Royal permission for what passed) making hereupon a new Election, for reducing the Estate, to a better order and Government. Of all which things, the Estates of our Crown of BOHEMIA, and the Country's incorporate, having presented the foundamentall causes and reasons, to the eye and view of the whole world, by Deductions so ample and clear, any one not transported with passion, but impartially weighing all the reasons, and Circumstances, he may herein, easily and equally be able to yield a true judgement and censure.  
Yet in this place, we mean not to charge ourself with such Inferences, much less also in this respect, here to insert the rights and immunities of the Realm, aswell in the point of Free Election, as otherwise: but in this case, we refer all men, to the Information and justification, which the Estates, have diuulged and published.  
True it is, that the Election of a King of Romans made not long since at Franckfort, fell out at the same time. But so likewise, we very perfectly carry in mind, that then we persuaded, what possibly we could, not to make too much haste therein, but before all things, to take counsel, for the cessation of Arms, and to appease the War, which now was kindled in so many parts: causing our Counsellors to intimate, how it was not reasonable, therein to reject (as they did) the Deputies of the said States of Bohemia, but rather so to sway and contrive in those Consulations, that by their means, the way might be clear of the Interposition, which then had been propounded to them. Though our good intentions therefore took no place, and that we were driven to let the then present affairs to run their course: Yet in all our Acts and Decrees, we expressly by our said Counsellors reserved to every one, the privilege to him appertaining, with solemn protestation that in nothing we would prejudice the Estates of this Kingdom, causing a special care to be had, of all that, which (according to the judgement of our own Consciences) concerneth the Liberty, and good of the Empire; Not as being hereunto invited by any hope of particular profit, seeing then we had not the least apprehension of such things as afterwards ensued: but only in that we foresaw such an alteration and change, as events have now made manifest and so greatly desiring, that it might have been avoided and shunned.  
Seeing therefore the Estates of BOHEMIA, and of the Countries annexed, in their general Assembly, unanimously, and with one consent, have conferred their Suffrages and Election upon our Person; We protest before GOD, and with a clear Conscience, that we ever having lived content, with the Electoral Dignity, and such Principalities, and Countries hereditary, as God imparted to us, we never of ourselves aspired to this said Crown: and much less attained we thereunto, by any seductions, or stratagems, even as those Estates which Elected us, may yield undoubted witness and testimony.  
As likewise we had no reason, considering the tempestuous, and lamentable Estate, of present affairs, but surely it had been far more acceptable to us, to have seen the Peace of that Kingdom established, and withal, the Imperial tranquillity, preserved, and advanced. For we duly weigh and foresee, the Charge, Peril, and Care which will redound unto us, by the continuation of Arms, devastation of Countries, and other Warlike Incommodities. And there's no question but those of riper judgement will readily conceive, that to accept the offer of a Kingdom, standing in such like terms, required a far more constant resolution, then to refuse a peaceable Kingdom for which notwithstanding, some have been so highly extolled by Historiographers.  
Moreover we boldly aver, upon the sincerity of our Conscience, that if we could have found out any other assured means, which by our refusal thereof, might incontinently have extinguished the heat of so disastrous a Narre, and entertained and reduced the Peace public to his true State and existence, so that the whole Empire might have been sufficiently assured and secured thereof: the Honours and interests of this world, should little have prevailed with us, but most cheerfully in this case, we had refused the offer to us made, and freely employed our whole endeavour and power, to obtain the said mean, of a general Peace. Neither did we precipitantly intrude ourselves, unto this so weighty and important an affair. For first, it was after an humble invocation of the King of Kings, who gives and takes away Crowns to, & from whom he thinks best, with zealous Supplication & Prayer (in all this) to direct and govern our Spirit and understanding: And upon this, after having communicated with our nearest & dearest Friends, maturely weighing & considering all the circumstances; we sensibly felt and perceived in all this proceeding, the miraculous assistance and providence of God, who, thereto put his helping and omnipotent hand. Behold now therefore, why we neither could nor ought to oppose herein, his divine & holy will: And so much the less ought we to refuse this Imposition, by reason we are absolutely persuaded in our own judgement and understanding, that the said Estates of the Crown of BOHEMIA, and of the Countries thereto incorporate, had just cause and reason to attempt this mutation, for the re-establishment of their liberty and most ancient right of Election, which others went about absolutely to disannul and abolish, by diverse stratagems & devices. And therefore this occasion is no less just, pious, & commendable, then easy to be intimated and proved by plentiful examples of Histories, both sacred and profane. In like manner, we seek not to detain, or take away from any other, that which properly belongs to him, but rather to maintain and defend those, which defend the right of Liberty, of Privileges, of royal Grants & Letters Patents, for a free exercise of the religion of the Gospel, and other observances, against an unjust & violent oppression: and to Protect these noble Countries, and so many thousands of innocent Persons from total ruin, so far as God shall strengthen our arm, and enlarge upon us his Graces and benedictions: having vndouted hope, that whereas our simple intentions aim in all this, neither at Voluptuonsnes, nor pleasures, at Honours, or worldly riches; but only at the glory of God, the comfort of the afflicted, the release of the oppressed, and at the consolation of so many desolate hearts, whose deep sighs, sobs and tears, urged us to a feeling compassion, that God our high and sovereign Conductor will never forsake, and abandon us, but that rejecting all vain thoughts and cogitations of men, he will send down unto us from above, his benign assistance and aid, with fit and requisite means herein, to execute the Arrest, and Decree, of his sacred will, providence, and inexhaustible wisdom: wherein, if we should come short of our duty, our conscience would not only be inwardly wounded, but further we should wilfully draw upon our selves Gods Divine wrath, and punishment.  
Moreover also considering, that if we had refused this divine Vocation & Dignity, we could not possibly have avoided (especially, with all those that make profession of the Gospel) the imputation and blame, of so much blood consequently shed, and of all the spoil and waste made in the same Countries: As also if they of the contrary party, had attained to the end of their designs (which was to suppress the Bohemian Nation) it would further mightily have encouraged them, to employ both against ourselves, and all the other evangelical Estates of the Empire, the Arms they had in hand, to effect that, whereunto the boiling malice of their hearts, hath hitherto excited them, both covertly and openly, nay by written impressions, divulged and published, not sparing little Infants, no not their own sometimes, nor illustrious Families, with their Countries & Subjects, as their comminations have threatened in diverse parts: Adding further, that if there had not been present provision made, and that by a prevalent means, for the Kingdom of Bohemia, and the Countries thereunto annexed, which are one of the principal members of the Empire, and as it were a rampart against all external Nations: they had been in great danger to have fallen into a Stranger's hand, and finally to have been entirely cut off, from the body of the German Empire, or at least reduced to such a Condition, that they must needs have been the Authors of great Inconveniences, directly prejudicial to the Electors, Princes, and States evangelical adjacent: These circumstances, I say considered, we could find out no other more convenient way, than the present resolution we have undertaken. Whereunto we were likewise obliged more nearly, by the Faith, and fidelity which we owe to the sacred Empire, through the peculiar interest of our Electoral Family, and Principality of the superior Palatinate, and by the hereditary Alliances, which the said Principality from all Antiquity, hath held with the Crown of Bohemia: for Protection and preservation whereof, the forementioned reasons to watch the more circumspectly, hoping that every man well informed of the Truth, and free from all passion, will rightly judge of our Actions, and no ways sinisterly interpret them.  
And this was the reason, why in God's name, for the advancement of his Glory, for the Comfort of the poor afflicted, for the preservation of common prosperity, and Liberty, and other very important occasions, at the humble, and instant request of the Estates of the Kingdom of BOHEMIA and the Country's incorporate, diverse times reiterated, both by writing and Embassies directed to us, as also by serious remonstrances to us intimated: that at last we approved of the Election of our person unanimously made, and accepted the Crown, and Government of the Kingdom of BOHEMIA, and of the Countries annexed. And to this end, we together with the Princess of great BRITAIN, our dear Spouse, have transplanted ourselves unto this City of PRAGVE, where with the common Consent and Assistance of the said Estates, we have been solemnly Crowned, and with great popular applause, collocated in the Royal Throne, which God by his omnipent arm, graciously confirm, and grant us this favour, so to begin and continue our Reign, that the Kingdom of jesus Christ, may still more and more, be augmented in us, and our Subjects, and they happily, and long time, maintained in true Peace and felicity.  
So that once more we protest before God and the whole world, that from this time forward, we are firmly resolved, not to persecute or molest, or suffer to be persecuted, or molested any person whosoever, for matter of Religion, no not they, which profess themselves to be of the Roman Church, neither to trouble, or disturb them in the exercise of their Religion, so they live conformably to the Laws of the States, Edicts of Pacification, Royal Letters, and to former public Grants passed in favour of Religion. As to speak truth, a good number of the said Roman Catholics within the Kingdom of Bohemia and the Provinces annexed, have voluntarily exposed and offered themselves by Oath, and Subscription, to that common defensive Confederation Instituted between the said Kingdom, and Countries, and by yielding us their due homage, inclusively have approved of our Election and Coronation.  
We in like manner are determined, to device all expedient and possible means, not only in short time, to recover by the grace of God, tranquillity and Peace, in our Kingdom of Bohemia and the Countries annexed; but further entertain, & plant, some better correspondicie between the Estates and the Empire, and to prevent all other juconueniences, so that the said Estates, each one in his particular, be mutually hereunto affected, and that no obstacle be interposed, nor occasion given of greater troubles.  
And that the sincerity of our intentions, may more manifestly appear, we will ever have a care, by all possible means, to embrace Amity, correspondency, and friendly Intelligence with all Potentates, Electors, Princes, and Estates of Christendom, but more especially with those that border and confine upon us: We presuming no less of them, that they will reciprocally testify the like to us, assisting us with their Counsels, and performances, against all those who out of some contrary Design, would hostilely attempt against us, our Kingdom and Country.  
And therefore we request them, out of the same affection and love, which we are ready to acknowledge towards every one of them, in all Offices possible within our power, and upon all occasions, they may be presented: We finding it fit and necessary, in the times wherein we live, to manifest and make known the same to all men, by this our public Declaration.  
Given in our Royal Castle at Prague the 7. day of November. 1619.