THE RESOLUTION OF THE ELECTORS, AND THE PRINCES of the EMPIRE, February the 11th, 1689. CONTAINING The REASONS of their Declaring War against FRANCE: Together with the EMPEROR's Concurrence with them in it, and approving the same.  

licenced, May 28. 1689.  
J. Fraser.   
LONDON: Printed for Ric. Chiswell, at the Rose and Crown in St. Paul's Church-Yard. MDCLXXXIX.   

THE RESOLUTION OF THE Electors, and the Princes of the Empire, February the 11th, 1689. CONTAINING The REASONS of their Declaring War against FRANCE, &c.  
THE Hostile Invasions of France upon the Empire, as also those Matters which concern the other Contraventions, and particularly the two Decrees of the Imperial Commission about the same thing, which were dated November the 1st and 13th, 1688. and afterwards the Memorials of the Circles and States which are oppressed, having been duly debated in the two Upper Colleges, by which, as well as other ways, it has appeared, That it is now sufficiently evident, how little the French have hitherto kept, not only the Truce which was concluded Aug. 15. 1688. notwithstanding all those Requests and Remonstrances which were then made; but that they have actually broken it, and have by force seized upon one place after another in the Empire, and have without leave built Fortifications upon the Ground which unquestionably belonged to the Empire; and cast Bridges over the Rhine, destroyed Forests, have appropriated whole Countreys to themselves by force, under colour of pretended Reunions, against the clear expressions of the Instruments of the Peace between the Emperour and the King of Sweden, and between the Emperour and the King of France: §. Cum etiam, &c. and the 8th Article of the Truce. They have also undertook, as well in these which they call the reunited Countreys, as in o●hers which they have oppressed, to establish Reformations against all Right, as well in Ecclesiastical, as in Political Matters, to the great charge both of them, and of their States; and besides, to the prejudice of all their Spiritual and Temporal Rights, and of the Treaties of Peace of Westphalia and Nimeghen, which were so dearly gotten, and ratified, and also of the above-mentioned Truce, besides so many Royal Promises so often repeated. Yet however, besides all these, and several other barbarous Hostilities, they have broken the Peace, and set upon the sacred Empire of the sudden, ravished the Imperial Fortress of Philipsburgh from the Emperor and the Empire, invaded the Territories, Towns, and Forts of the Elector Palatine, and the Electors of Triers and Ments, with the Neighbouring Principalities; entred upon the States of the Empire on both sides of the Rhine, have put the Circles of Frankenland, Schwaben, and the Upper Rhine under Contribution; plundered, burnt and spoiled every thing; and have committed in those Countreys other Scandalous Abuses, and have proceeded by horrible methods; destroyed the Imperial Chamber, by taking away the Money which was appointed for the salary of the Officers, and even that which belonged to the Poor: and lastly, by carrying away with them the Records of the Chamber. Besides all this, They have, against the caconical and lawful Election of his Electoral Highness of Cologne, which was confirmed by the Holy See, arrogated to themselves a power of intruding the Cardinal of Furstemburgh by force into the Electorship, and they have filled the Electorate, the duchies, and neighbouring Countreys with Troops; and they have exacted, and still demand from those Countreys exorbitant Contributions, threatening them with Fire and Sword, by Military Executions, to the absolute desolation of those Countreys. They have also arrested and seized upon the innocent Vassals of the Empire, and they still continue on all hands to proceed against the poor Subjects of the Empire, in a deplorable and unchristian manner, so that they have left nothing undone which might contribute to the total destruction of the Eastates which are faithful to the Empire, and to the overthrowing of their Liberties. For which Reasons it has been thought fit, That in the first place, his Imperial Majesty should have their most humble thanks for his Imperial and Paternal Care, which he has shown with respect to the danger in which the Empire is at present, and for his endeavours to preserve it from that bondage which is threatened from France, by sending for its protection and defence several Regiments of Horse and Foot, besides other Evidences of his concern; he having particularly assured the Empire, That although, contrary to the common Opinion, he could not conclude a Peace with the Ottoman Port, yet he would sand however more than 30000 men for the defence of the Empire; and therefore he shall be humbly desired to continue in the same Opinion, and to give the same powerful assistance, and his further protection to the oppressed Estates of the Empire. In pursuit whereof, it is concluded, That this commendable Intention of His Imperial Majesty in this present rapture, shall be seconded vigorously by the Empire: And therefore, because the Crown of France hath by its innumerable Contraventions and Infractions( as well in Ecclesiastical as in Political Matters) of the Truce made therewith, which was so sacredly promised to be observed; And because the Treaties of Munster, Osnabrugh, and Nimmeghen, have now lately by the hostile Invasions into the Empire, without giving them the least just occasion, and by so many more than unchristian Hostilities been broken, so that they have incurred both rightfully and actually the penalties of breaking the Peace, according to the express words of the Instrument of Peace which was made between the Emperor and the Crown of France. § qui vero, S. 113. and forfeited all the benefits and advantages which might have accrued to them by the said Treaty; so that they declare themselves Enemies of the Empire, and therefore they, and those who assist their Confederates, shall be now formally declared to be such; and the War to which the Empire is forced at present, shall be held a common War of the Empire, and shall be here published: and over and above all this, rejecting all those Reports which are maliciously invented to divide Mens minds, and to distracted them by false impressions, as if there was any danger in our Religion; these things shall be all prevented, by a cordial, vigorous, ready, and indissoluble Union amongst those Forces which God has permitted to join, according to the laudable Example of the Electors, Princes and States; who in their faithful Intention, Zeal and Love for the common Cause,( until there can be a greater concurrence of the Empire in Arms) have already begun the defence of their country, not without good success, and stopped the violence of the Enemy, and hindered their further progress into the Circles; that so they might regain what has been already taken from them, and endeavour to comfort those oppressed States, and restore all those things which have been altered, as well in Ecclesiastical as in Political Matters, and put all things again into their former condition, according to the fundamental Constitutions and Treaties of Peace, and oblige their Enemies to refund, and give satisfaction for the harm which they have done, as also to give real security for the future. And to carry on this Design the better, No neutrality upon any pretence whatever, nor any correspondence with France, or any of his Ministers or Adherents, shall be allowed or tolerated. But all States shall be obliged to take up Arms against France; so that those States which by Neutrality, or by any other way, would draw themselves off the common Assistance, or would assist the Enemies of the Empire with Men, Horses, Ammunition or Provisions, or by any other way which can be found out, shall for that Reason be looked upon as Common Enemies to the whole Empire, until they shall have acquitted themselves of their Duty, and have reconciled themselves in right manner: So that all these foreign Powers, which either under colour of assisting the Crown of France, or upon any other pretence or shadow whatever, to make a diversion, shall set upon any Member or Ally of the Empire in a Hostile manner, shall be looked upon as equal Enemies with France itself. It has also been thought convenient to exhort the Princes and republics of Italy, and particularly to admonish those who hold any thing in fee of the Empire, upon pain of loss of their Fees, not to make any advances of Money, Soldiers, or any thing else directly or indirectly for the Crown of France, but rather for the Empire; so that it shall be left to the disposal of His Imperial Majesty, to writ in the name of himself, and of the Empire, not only to those above-mentioned, but also to other Foreign Crowns, Potentates, and republics, particularly to the republic of Switzerland, to exhort them to keep up a good understanding as good Neighbours, that so their Assistance may be withdrawn from the Crown of France, which has broken the Peace, and may rather be employed for the Service of the Empire; as also to dissuade both the one and the other, who may have siuister Intentions towards the Empire. And afterwards, That His Imperial Majesty be desired with all humility, to endeavour to conclude a sure and honourable Peace with the Turks,( the hereditary Enemy of the Christian Name, who is at present so much weakened through the Grace of God, by the victorious Arms of His Imperial Majesty) that so they may the better begin and carry on the War by the united Forces of the Emperor, Electors, Princes and States of the Empire; and that by the Divine Assistance they may entirely preserve the Liberty of Germany from those Oppressions with which it is at present threatened; being firmly persuaded that the Just God will protect His Imperial Majesty, and the Empire, against those Invasions and Infractions that have been made by the Crown of France, which has forgot all Faith in public Treaties; and that he will suggest such Counsel and Assistance as may confounded the Enemies of the Empire. Last of all, It will be very necessary, the sooner the better, to come to a common Agreement, in what manner the Levies which shall be raised to carry on the War against France, shall be disposed; And also they shall not omit to propose to His Imperial Majesty with all possible humility, how far the Avocatoria's already published, can be extended, by threatening of more rigorous Penalties, and particularly( according to that commendable Edict made in the Kingdoms and hereditary Countreys of His Imperial Majesty) That the Commodities and Manufactures of France shall be absolutely prohibited throughout the Empire, as all other Contraband Goods; and that the Courts of Justice, and of the Customs, shall be strictly commanded to use all possible care and inspection, to hinder their importation into the Empire upon any other pretences; And that all Passes be forbidden through the Neighbouring and Neutral Countreys. And that fixed and convenient Edicts and Orders be issued forth against all Frenchmen who shall be found in one place or other, upon any manner of pretence whatever, and against all other Spies and Traytors who shall contravene the Avocatoria's, that so they may be exemplarily chastised and executed; and that Processes may be made against them by the Fiscalls, and otherwise, according to the Constitutions of the Empire.  
Dated at Ratisbon. Feb. 12. 1689.   

The Emperor's Answer.  
THE most Serene Prince and Lord, Herman marquis of Baden and Hochberg, &c. Chief Commissioner and Plenipotentiary of his Imperial Majesty at this present Diet, has sent to his Imperial Majesty, the humble Sense of the Empire, which was presented to his most Serene Highness, concerning the unexpected Breach of the Peace from France; in which his Imperial Majesty has found, to his satisfaction, how, and with what judgement, the Electors, Princes, and States of the Empire; and on that part, their Councellors, Ambassadors and Envoys, have examined this Important Affair, and how commmendably they have shown their Love, Care and Zeal for their country, and for those necessary things wherein they have given their Advice: But as to the particular Matters therein contained, they have in the first place found it just, that since the Court of France, by their unjust Invasion of the Empire, and their Hostilities committed there in so various, and so astonisting a manner, have shown themselves to be the Enemies of the Empire, they ought to be so held, and formally declared to be such: and therefore His Imperial Majesty agrees to it so much the rather, because it is notorious, that this Crown has not only for several years last past supported the Rebels in Hungary, and with Money, and all other sorts of helps; but that they have also raised up the Hereditary Enemies of the Christian Name against His Imperial Majesty, and the Empire: And further( as we have been lately informed out of turkey, in such a manner as that we can for certain rely upon it) that they still offer effectually to make an off●nsive Alliance with the Ottoman Port, to continue along with them the War jointly,( which they begun for their own advantage) so as not to make Peace without them: for which Reasons this Crown has not only deserved to be looked upon as the Enemies of the Empire, but also to be no less declared the public Enemies of Christendom, than it was by the unanimous Resolution of the Empire declared so at Spires in the year 1544. His Imperial Majesty does also confirm their Resolutions, as well in this, as in all the other Points and Clauses, by which the Empire holds the Crown of France, and its Confederates, and those who assist its Confederates, to be Enemies of the Empire; and he will make Provision that all those Edicts which they have so humbly desired for the good of the Empire, shall be preserved; and he will intercede with Foreign Princes, Potentates and republics, particularly those of Italy and Switzerland, and reciprocally impart their Resolutions to the States of the Empire; and he will omit nothing on his part, which may at any time contribute to the Defence and Advantage of the Empire. And last of all, because his Imperial Majesty is of the same Opinion with the Electors, Princes and States, That it would be very necessary to come to one common Agreement, to begin and carry on the War; therefore his Imperial Majesty will expect the most humble Opinions of their Councellors, Ambassadors and Envoys in these things; as also in all those other Points which were left to a further Debate: that is to say, how far the Avocatoria's which are already issued out, can be extended, and made more rigorous; and how the Prohibition of all French Commodities and Manufactures to be Imported into the Empire, can be established and observed; in all which things his most Serene Highness, the Principal Commissioner of his Imperial Majesty, shall be always ready to assure them of all the friendship and good will possible from his Imperial Majesty.  
Signed at Ratisbon, March 4. 1689. L. S.  
FINIS.   

Books lately Printed for Richard Chiswell.  
THE Case of Allegiance in our present Circumstances considered, in a Letter from a Minister in the City to a Minister in the Country.  
A Sermon preached at Fulham, in the chapel of the Palace, upon Easter-Day 1689. at the Consecration of the Right Reverend Father in God Gilbere Lord Bishop of Sarum: By Anthony Horneck, D. D.  
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The Case of Oaths Stated. 4to.  
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An Apology for the Protestants of Ireland, in a brief Narrative of the late Revolutions in that Kingdom; and an Account of the present State thereof: By a Gentleman of Quality. 4to.  
A Letter from a French Lawyer to an English Gentleman, upon the Present Revolution. 4to.  
Mr. Wake's Sermon before the King and Queen at Hampton-Court.  
— H●s Fast-Sermon before the House of Commons, June 5. 1689.  
Dr. Tenison's Sermon against Self-love, before the House of Commons, June 5 1689.  
Mr. Tully's Sermon of Moderation before the Lord Mayor, May 12. 1689.