AN ANSWER TO THE DECLARATION Of the Imaginary Parliament of the unknown Commonwealth of England, concerning the Affairs passed betwixt Them of England, and the High and Mighty Lords the State's General of the United Provinces: Wherein their Frivolous Reasons are clearly refuted; and their injust proceed in the Treaty of the aforesaid Affairs, as in all their Actions, Manifestly discovered.   printer's device of John Pieterson 
At Rotterdam, by John Pieterson. 1652.   

THe Authors of this Declaration are the same men; who having acted that execrable parricide upon the King assumed the name of Parliament, which they had abolished. Their beginning and growth hath been formerly published, how a few lurking Sectaries being at first Members of Parliament, and consorting in prodigious opinions in Religion and policy with the illiterate rabble, became useful to the prime projectors, that under the mask of securing Religion and Laws, sought to gain the power of the State into their hands, being assisted in their votes in the Lower House, and applauded abroad for their proceed by this busy crew, who got into places in the Army, and at last gave law to their old Masters, and having renounced faith and obedience to their King, with more ease scorned the bonds of association to their guides & consorts in the same impieties; And it cannot seem strange to any that look on their Actions, to read their shameless Declarations, nor that they should proceed with like injury to strangers, as they have used to their King, Companions and Countrymen.  
They say, the returns which the people of the United Provinces, made toward this Commonwealth will hardly be believed, if their sufferings and deliverance, and the principles and spirit that acted in them then be remembered, and the help they had from this Nation with the expense of English blood and treasure. The people of these Provinces have with gratitude acknowledged the assistance they received from the Crown of England, and the affection and readiness of the English Nation; And it were a just reproach if they should make returns for those benefits to the Usurpers of the regal power, destroyers of the Monarchy, and Oppressors of this Nation. Can Nationall obligations be transferred to the Enemies of the Nation? And because a Traitorous Army hath gotten power over the Nation, shall the Friends and Allies of the Nation assist the Usurpers? This will hardly be believed, but easily that these Declarers have the impudence to pretend a right to all that which was due to the Crown that they have abjured.  
Though their boasting of successes be a principle part in all their papers and so in this, Yet it is not intended (they say) to be very particular in mentioning the State of the affairs of this Commonwealth, as it stood when, oppressed by a Tyrant, they were necessitated to fly to Arms, for defence of their Lives and Estates, because in Parliament they did but assert, and desire the settling of their just and Native liberties. When over particulars are mentioned of the State of affairs in England in the time of the late King, their Faithless and bloody proceed must more clearly be manifest. And its proof to all reasonable men of a resolved continuance in wicked undertake, that they call the King a Tyrant, when not only the mildness of his nature, and Moderation of his private and public Actions, but the Peace and Prosperity of the People was so universally known to strangers, and when in all that peevish discontent, or Traitorous malice could offer against him, there was no one Act in its nature and substance Oppression, but such only, as were pretended might not be done by the King out of Parliament, and no one of these was done by the King, Regiâ manu, (with the Kingly power) but left to the ordinary Ministers of Law, and Justice to decide in point of right, and execute accordingly; but these men knowing how odious their Actions are, seek a cover from reproachful appellations upon the King, as if any could entertain a prejudice by misnaming persons, or Actions, and if it were Tyranny for the King to do an Action out of Parliament, which he was advised by the Judges of law he justly might: how impudent are these men to reduce it? For where is the Parliament Authority for their vast levies of money, Murder of the King, and the imposing Laws upon the people? Can a few persons of the Lower House, scarce the tenth part of the whole, by violence totally abolish both Houses, and do all Acts that belonged to the whole? And yet they persuade the world they are believed in such extravagant untruths. There need nothing be more said how causelessly the Rebels of England took Arms against the King. And if Rebels may pretend defence of their persons against Sovereign power, Malefactors will never want a justification, when force is used to bring them to Justice. And is it one of the just and native liberties of the English nation, that the members of Parliament in the Lower House being five hundred, forty of these may drive out the rest, and do what they please? this is the present case. But if we look back, is it the liberty of England to be without a King, or to be subject to the power of one another, & have no recourse to their Prince for redress! Is it the liberty of England, that a rabble of the City of London or an Army shall oppress the Parliament and propound laws to oblige the whole Kingdom? Is it the liberty of England to exclude the King from making of laws, or governing the Militia? But they that are not ashamed to act, yet seem loath to speak the things they do. The seizing the King's forts and navy, raising force against him and both Houses of Parliament, punishing Judges for doing their duty, and delivering their opinions in open Courts, against sedition, licensing all lewd sectaries and disturbers of Government are only asserting and desire of settling just and native liberties. Thus they call their murder's Justice, their robberies Reparation of Wrongs; And their persecution of the King from one end of the Kingdom to the other, the defence of their lives and Estates. It's well seen, that those men are the God of God's anger upon the three Kingdoms, but they vainly flatter themselves to think that any believe it a blessing of God as they assume it, or that these wonders in so many signal battles, or that series of providence was either in favour to them or their cause, and such presumptuous pretences declare of what spirit men are, that they take up the language of Senacharib, who came not without God against Jerusalem, and of the Turk, that attributes all his successes against the Christians to the power of his false Prophet. And those men that in their writings against the King, used the name of the whole Kingdom on their part, and the small strength of the King, now tells us of an handful of men that were faithful to the cause, even so faithful, that they first broke allegiance to their King, and then all fidelity to men. What they said in this clause they say, was not intended to be mentioned, and indeed it no way concerned their present controversy with the United Provinces, unless they thought to scare all men by recounting their own Actions. But they proceed to say, neither is that endeavour to divide them in the memorable year of forty eight to be omitted. Surely the one might have been omitted as well as the other was not intended, for it hath nothing proper to their Declaration, unless they meant to make their own story; And they very unseasonably mention the endeavour to divide them, when they were formerly divided, and the division still continued, and themselves not only endeavoured, but effected it, rejecting both Scots and Presbyterian; Was not the new model and change of the General their Act? And was not their division further acted by purging the House, and change of the Government?  
Nor can they admit the great preparation against this Nation in the year, 1650. And what is all this to the United Provinces? And can they think any man belieus, that preparations to assist the King, dispossess them of their usurpation, and restore the Nation to its just Rights, are preparations against the Nation? but this is the common stile of them Declarations.  
This (they say) necessitated their proceed in Scotland, being refused satisfaction for forepast wrongs, and denied assurance of peace from them, who had received the declared Enemy of the Commonwealth from the United provinces. Their guilt, and malice necessitated their proceed; for the Scots were obliged to receive their lawful King, and will any accuse Subject, for fidelity and obedience to their King, but such as hate all piety and truth? but what were those forepast wrongs? They had agreed with the Scots after the engagement of forty eight, which was the wrong pretended, and nothing can be assurance of peace to them, but a total abdication of Loyalty, and submission to the new Republican power of England. And it is their pretence of invasion to have satisfaction upon men's estates, and security by enslaving their persons. The Scots were unhappily misled in in their connection with the English in their Rebellion against the King, and found the reward of it from those they assisted; And yet after they discerned the mischievous consequents of their undertaking upon their own Nation, continued yet jealousies of one another, and while they feared that, which might never happen, they suffered that, which they saw was unavoidably falling on them, the power of the English Rebels; And while some would act alone, and had fear of the event of a victory if they got it, betrayed all to the common Enemy. And what if they received the King from those Provinces? Did he not come through the Dominions of the Kings of France & Spain? And what was the mischievous contrivement, that was hatched there against England? Doubtless if the contrivement were to bring in the King, it had been happy for England if it had taken effect But what is this to the United Provinces, if Strangers and Allies pass through their Country? But they say, their Enemies had much open and secret assistance by the Interest of the Prince of Orange; and others. And what law, or convention was there against it? had the United Provinces any League with England besides what was made with the late King? and when their Ally dies, must they quit all friendship to his heir?  
They say, it was a time, when the Prince, and his adherents were contriving as is most probable, to erect a Tyranny upon these Countries, of which he miss but narrowly, especially in his attempt upon Amsterdam, which things they say are better known there then here, and are not the purpose of this Declaration. But it was purposely set in to scatter jealousies in their Provinces, and divide th●ir affections, & endeavours against the malicious attempts of this common Enemy. The differences arising touching the attempt upon Amsterdam were prudently composed and buried by the State's Provinces, and no man will measure intentions by the malicious invectives of an Enemy, that contrives to effect that, which he says another inrended. Tyranny is judged by the sense, not by the fancy. But wisemen will not by the apprehonsion of past or remote dangers make way for present. They say it is not pleasant to remember the cruel and bloody business of Amboina, for which no satisfaction hath been given though often demanded. But never by them, when they sent their Agents Ambassadors to treat, whereof they speak afterwards; And if it were not pleasant to them, they would rather have endeavoured satisfaction when they treated, than repetition when they were in hostility.  
Now they come to unkindnesses received, that the Parliament sent a Resident to the State's General, who refused to receive him. The reason is very apparent. The Parliament never had sent any Resident, neither was any such Authority acknowledged by foreign States; And it's a known Treason for the persons in Parliament to do such an Act. Besides the United Provinces were in league and amity with the King. The Parliament, or such, as called themselves so, had not then renounced the Kingly Title, and still allowed the Oaths of Allegiance, and Supremacy to the King, and therefore their Resident was ill sent, and justly refused. But they think this amounts to an unkindness, since it proceeded from their affection to the United Provinces, the establishment of liberty & advantage of traffic, and strength to both. Their affections are doubtless such, as are usual between near and potent Republics, especially where the advantages of traffic are the common aim of both, which not only creates emulations, but necessarily makes continued differences till one be destroyed; and thence proceeded the Judgement of Qu. Elizabeth, who concluded that the United Provinces must in wisdom desire the stability of the English Monarchy, where by these ruptures might be prevented, & the Crown of England had greater assurance of these Provinces in the Government they were under, then if they had been under a Prince, when new Alliances and engagements would continually change the affections and Counsels of the Prince, but when these men sent their Resident, their affections were to their own interest, and they sought to gain reputation by having a Resident received, and to diminish the Kingly power abroad  
But the reason above all (they say) was the advancement of the true Protestant Religion, which both profess, and which in humane probability would receive the greatest growth by their friendship. The State of the United Provinces did not think, that England professed not the true Protestant Religion in the time of Queen Elizabeth, and the Kings since, but the Religion those new Governors profess, no true Protestant will own for his, no one Church established in any estate concurring with them; And as one chief Article in their Religion is upon their own private Authority to rob their neighbours and kill their Kings: so their doctrine and practice hath been a great scandal to the Protestant Religion, whereof they pretend to be. Their professed opinions are destructive to humane society, disclaiming all subjection to Civil Governors, or Ecclesiastical Synods, further than their private opinions concur with them, and maintain not only the reproaches of Rulers, but violence against them, if in their judgement they deserve punishment to death, and this those men would have to be the true Protestant Religion, and their affection to the Protestant Religion is seen in their cruelty to the Protestants of England.  
Next they observed in some of the Governors, and people of those Countries an affection to this cause, and expressed by them in their free contribution for the poor Protestants in Ireland. It is far from a probability, that any affected their cause, because they contributed to the poor Protestants of Ireland. Themselves well know, that very many contributed to the poor Protestants of Ireland, that hated the Rebellion, that occasioned it; & if any man hated the Irish Rebellion, he must from the same grounds have detestation of a greater and more guilty, which followed in England; And the suffering Protestants in England are more in number, and for quality more eminent than those in Ireland, and that of England hath had more barbarous effects, and is more incapable of excuse, that of Ireland pretending difference of Nation and Religion, this of England pretending the same Religion, as they were of the same Nation; And it's too well known both at home, & abroad how many those in England have rob of their Estates, that not only contributed to the relief of the poor Protestants of Ireland, but hazarded their lives in that cause. And such, as in the beginning of the troubles in England extended compassion to the poor Protestants of Ireland, discerned not the merciless disposition of those men, that then governed affairs in England, who never did one Act in order to their relief, but made use of their sufferings to reproach the King; And by hypocritical motions of other men to Charity sought an opinion of Zeal to themselves, and means to carry on the war in England against the King; And those great sums, that were given to the relief of Ireland they converted to the maintenance of their own Rebellion in England; and as many in these Provinces find the error they were in touching the integrity of the Reformers in England: So their Actions for the relief of the poor Protestents in Ireland will not prove, that they hated Rebellion less in those, that profess the Protestant Religion then the Popish.  
They joined (they say) with their Resident a worthy person Dr. Dorislaus, who was barbarously, and openly murdered at the Hague the place of residence of the State's General, of whose assassination the world will judge as of an Action most abhorred against all Rules of national intercourse, and humanity, and how little was done to attach the murderers must here be remembered. The quality of Dr. Dorislaus is chief known by their employment of him in forming their proceed against their King to a stile of law and this negotiation they mention, which latter they might out of foresight, knowing how odious the man was to the world abroad, have forborn, and have sent one not so deeply died in that blood, for what care soever-states take to restrain, and punish outward Actions, they cannot take away the universal indignation of a people against unnatural and barbarous villainies. But Dorislaus was killed in an house suddenly, which, though in the place of residence of the State's General, those complainers cannot pretend it in the power of the State's General to have prevented, and they cannot intent the breach of all Rules of intercourse, or humanity in that Act by the States, though they display the fact with such colours. They need not be told, that the Rules of intercourse, and humanity allow no protection to common robbers, and enemies of humane society; And those men, that think the world so ready to make the Judgement they like, of this fact upon Dorislaus, see not the Judgement themselves given of their own assassination, and therein the Crime of Dorislaus in the murder of the King: was not every man as much a Magistrate to execute Dorislaus as they their King? And the Messengers of common destroyers cannot be accounted public Ministers, but by whom they are acknowledged for such. But if such, as did the fact were unknown to the State's General, how could they attach them, or if they were gone out of their Territories though they were often called on? And why this must be here remembered as a national Injury is not visible to any, but to show the resolution of these Governors to quarrel with the United Provinces, there having never been a denial of Justice, and legal proceed?  
The States (they say) sent the Lords Borele, Renzwo, and Joachimi Ambassadors in the time of the late troubles, pretending all good offices, which proved a correspondence with the Enemy, and a means of assisting them against those, to whom they were sent, this with reproaches by them cast upon the Parliament was the work of these Ambassadors. It was a friendly and worthy Action of the States of these Provinces to seek the composing of the troubles in England, and to interpose their Council, and mediation in a work so becoming their Alliance; And it was no more than Justice to the King to correspond with him, and these men of Westminster must be remembered, that at this time they had not declared the King an Enemy, but they fought against evil Counsellors, and they took up Arms for King, and Parliament, their party was not impudent enough then to avow the Titles they have since taken up. They well know these Ambassadors were sent to the King and though thy interceded with them, that called themselves Parliament, it was in that manner as Ambassadors address themselves to treat with the Ministers of Princes, to whom they are sent; And these Ambassadors then found what was doubtful to many before, that the men then in hostility under the name of Parliament had abused the world with a pretence of necessity to take Arms for defence of Religion and laws, seeking only power to themselves, and an alteration of Religion and law, and that they had obstinately refused all the gracious offers of the King, and his desires of peace, and these Ambassadors were bound in honour and fidelity to deal uprightly in their negotiation, & to declare where the binderances of peace lay; And if the actions of the then pretended Parliament were reproachful to themselves, they cannot blame the Ambassador ours for a faithful report of them, & this was very far from making them liable by the practice of nations to punishment, or reproof; and it stood not with the affairs of the then Rebels in England to offer incivility to those Ambassadors, though they wanted not an inclination to it; & those Ambassadors need not be careful to answer for such an Action, wherein they had clear reason, and the warrant of their superiors, to whom the complainers discovered the iniquity of their cause by so unjust an exception.  
They come now to the solemn Embassy they sent the States, which (they say) was in a time when there was much less cause to apply to the States for any need the Parliament had of their assistance, for that England was wholly in their power, most of the Towns & Cities in Ireland, the affairs of Scotland not unprosperous. But whoever took notice of the affairs then, knew very well they had need of the forbearance of the United Provinces from engaging against them which had they then acted, it's probably they had prevented the progress of their victories, and rendered them liable to their demerits; And what the men of Westminster did in that Embassy was in order to their own affairs, not out of any principles of affection to the Protystant Interest or common good. They endeavoured to draw the United Provinces into their own guilt by the league they propounded, so as these Provinces must have supported their usurpation, and have drawn on them the infamy of Murdering the King and all the former Actions, whereby that usurpation was effected. Though Princes and States for the peace of their people sometimes enter into leagues for commerce, with such, who by wicked attempts have obtained the power of States, yet neither Religion nor civil Justice permit defence of unjust power; And when those Ambassadors discerned that the United Provinces could not be drawn into a scandalous league, than they deserted the prosecution; And these tenders, which their Ambassadors were impowered to make, that would have demonstrated the affection of these in England to the good People of the United Provinces the same as to themselves, sufficiently demonstrate their affection to the people of these Provinces to be only for themselves; And the Privileges they tendered to them were to divide them from their own State to a dependence on a foreign kindness, and was of the same stamp with this hypocritical profession to the good people of these Provinces, these good people being in their sense such, as would be seduced against their Country by their attempts, such being their dealing with Scots pretending rather private enmity against some persons, than Dominion over all, which was so apparently their Design, as it will be the shame of any, that shall hereafter pretend ignorance of it. They say the Embassy was rendered of no effect because the Ambassadors were unheartily, and dilatorily dealt with. But the true reason was, that these Masters had instructed their Ambassadors to make no agreement without the absolute submission of these Provinces to them. If their Ambassadors were unsafe in their persons, it was not by any neglect of the States of the United Provinces, who placed a sufficient guard about them, & punished such as offered indignities to them, and if their Ambassadors concealed it, they dealt unfaithfully with their superiors, and unjustly with them they were sent to: And when it appeared the States of the United Provinces would not partake in the guilt of that blood, and usurpation with these Masters in England, the Ambassadors were recalled home.  
That the State's General sent not an Embassy till after the defeat at Worcester is true, and the willingness and affectection with which it was received, doth testify for the English part, they stood fixed to their former Principles, which were to serve themselves of the power, and Interest of the vinced Provinces; for to prepare for the Ambassador's entertainment, they had made an Act as they call it, that no commodities should be brought into England by any foreign vessels, but such as were of the growth of that Country, to which such vessel belonged, which took away that traffic, and intercourse, which was in all ages continued between the nations, and had no other scope but to interrupt the trade of these Provinces: And as this Act test●fies what principles they went in to destroy the trade, and naval strength of the United Provinces, so they being the same they had in their former proceed, and sending their Embassy, they vainly pretend affection to Religion, Liberty, or amity with this Country, while they express a malicious Design to enslave, or destroy it from their first Treaty with them.  
They find fault that in the Treaty the State's Ambassadors evaded positive demands in things not of hardest resolution with allegations of want of power, though their Commission shown no such restraint. The age of these men's rule in England may be read in these frivolous objections. Though Ambassadors have an absolute commission, are they not tied to instructions? And are there not particular laws, & customs in States, that limit Ambassadors, and yet not expressed in their Commission? But whence comes the Allegation of want of power to be an evasion? And because the Provincial States must be assembled before answers could be had, it gave small grounds of any real intendment of a firm peace, and amity. It was a firm ground of aversion to peace in those of England, that they were positive in such demands, as must enforce the meeting of the Provincial States to give a resolution. Upon the coming of the Ambassadors of the State's General into England, it's well known what licence was taken by mean people to abuse them: And to let them know what they must trust to, a Treatise is composed, & published of the business of Amboina, which had rested for so many years, and till then unmentioned by those affectionate seekers of amity with the United Provinces. Herein they provoke the people to assume an hatred of these Provinces, & to seek revenge for an Act so long passed. If they had intended amity, or thought a strict Alliance with these Provinces necessary, why would they renew the memory of old differences, or fix an aversion in the people to those, with whom they treated for peace? This might have been a proper work after a treaty broken, but to make such a narration the Prologue to a Treaty, is a sure ground, that no peace was intended, but such, as force and terror could extort; And that such propsitions must be granted to obtain it as a conquered people only must submit to, and they must needs give way to the exercise of the people's licence, and hatred that used the means to work it in them. And this design of the Rulers being known it was soon prosecuted, their ordinary Agents, the Preachers and composers of Gazettes, and Almanacs published it to the world, and from thence came these predictions of their South sayers of the destruction of Holland; And these discuourses of their Politics of subjecting such powers, as might be prejudicial to the new Babel they had raised in England, and therefore the United Provinces being able to do them harm, they must have these Countries in such a Chain, as may draw them that way only where those new Rulers shall move, and like forms of Govenment are no more to them then the brotherhood of Scotland. It cannot be presumed, that the servants speak other than their Master's sense; And if it had been contrary, it would have appeared in their restraint, or punishment; And these Rulers vainly offer an exception of dilatorinesse on the part of the United Provinces when there were so many of their ships continually taken, and made prize during the Teraty, and the danger of those Provinces must be increased by delay, the seasons of their Trade, and return of their ships being known, and unsafe while the Treaty was unconluded.  
And its will known the preparation of Shipe in England proceeded those of Holland; And though they speak of preparations upon the notice the Ambassadors of the State's General gave them of setting out a hundred, and fifty sail of ships besides the men of war abroad▪ all men know the preparations in England, and affronts received necessarily occasioned that care in the State's General. But those of England were offended that the State's General should defend their Merchants, which they meant to make prize of; And besides the exercise of reprisals on the ships of the United Provinces, the grounds, on which their Commissions of reprisal were granted, shown it no other than an open hostility, as that, which was to repair one, that was intercepted by the State's ships carrying supplies out of England into Flanders before the peace between those Countries, and the King of Spain, and others of less colour. It is easily believed, they altered not their resolutions upon notice of the States prepations; But that they made Justice, honour, and mutual good the Rule to steer their Actions by, is incredible to any that knew their former, or present Actions: For is it Justice to grant, letters of reprisal upon a particular case, unless Justice be first demanded for the fact and denied? And can it stand with honour, Justice, and mutual good to require unequal conditions, & an absolute submission for peace? And the happy close of the Treaty, which these: Rulers were willing to come to, appears no other but to have the United Provinces under their command: For the Accidents touching Captain Young, and Admiral Tromp by the narrative, which the Usurpers of England, have published, the world will judge, that they sought an occasion against the United Provinces, and to renounce all amity with them; And their aggravation adds not weight of Argument for what they offer, for if the midst of a Treaty be considerable, why did those men of peace continue reprisals in the midst of the same Treaty? But it is ridiculous to affirm, that the Dutch Admiral sought out their Ships in their own seas, when the trade way of those seas is such, as a meeting of ships is not easily avoided; Besides the peaceable demeanour of the Admiral Tromp, till he received the shots from Blake. But this is their accustomed language, their Declarations against the King being fraught with such stuff of making a bloody war upon the Parliament rejecting their humble desires, and of dangerous plots against the City of London, and Kingdom. But the truth of this fact is fully known, and the vanity of these declarers aggravation. And it bears full proof in itself, that the Fleet under the command of Tromp came not purposely into the Road of England unto their Fleet, and by all the attestations produced, he shown no inclination to hostility; And those men that make all clear on their part, like not a way of equal examination because long & intricate, but would kave a submission to their own allegations, and a satisfaction for the wroags they pretended; And they believe, that men understand not, that they could make their demands for satisfaction such, as would take up longer debate, than that examination, and in the mean time proceed with all hostility, which they would not forbear till that demand were satisfied; And when could the State's Ambassadors assure themselves that they would determine their demands?  
The reason they give for their Counsel is that time being gained an addition of strength might therewith be provided by the Dutch & from hence the resolved hostility of the Rulers is evident, & that they had provided to take the Dutch unprepared, & were offended that they had a fl●et. It cannot be conceived that these Engl. Master's having propounded to have satisfaction for wrongs upon their own Allegations only without respect to what was offered to the contrary, that they would treat with such moderation, as such, as treated with them should Judge reasonable, but would be sole Judges of the satisfaction, as they made themselves of the cause, for which they demanded it; and if they would not hear all proofs in the one case, they were not likely to admit any reason in the other; And they might very well offer a cessation of hostility upon their own terms. They projected their satisfaction for their preparations because the Dutch had prepared a fleet, and yet never excepted to it when notice was given them, and they enlarge this satisfaction to losses of all kind, in the damage of the ships, loss of men, and the poverty of persons thereby, and under those heads who could conjecture the quantity of the satisfaction, they would think a fit proportion, and in the mean time no cessation, and all Accidents succeeding must be cast into the account, which might be prolonged at the pleasure of those, that got by the delay; And yet those confident men think it strange, that the Lord Ambassador Paw did not pursue his desire of cessation, when by their answer they shown their resolution to keep it in their own power to set the time to it, and was no more than if they had answered, it should be at their pleasure, and yet they are not ashamed to say, it was in his own power to accomplish it. Can any man think it was in his power to accomplish what they would demand? And is it not a desperate compliance for any State to continue treating, while hostility is avowe●, and terms only propounded of absolute submission to avoid it? Thus the Ambassadors were forced to departed to preserve the honour, and safety of themselves, and their Country. It seems those Declarers think they merited by giving respect and accommodation to the Ambassadors: And considering their other actions, and disposition, worse might have been expected, but they found it not for their present advantage, nor doth the mention of their yielding to respect and accommodation tend to their honour, as if it were questionable whither they should have performed it, and during their abode they neither expected, nor found better usage than the Ministers of these Rulers found from the States of the United Provinces; and they had not merited that aversion of the people, which was univesally expressed to the Ministers of those Rulers.  
The Narrative by them published, they hold a sufficient justification of Acts of hostility, and detaining ships brought into their Ports without any precedent Declaration, or notice to the Ambassadors then in Treaty. The Narrative is of one side only giving no answer to contrary attestations; and though it be evident to all reasonable men, that the fact was accident all and undesignet by Tromp, yet this Narrative is all the reason they will give for a present hostility, neither could any prosecution be looked for before the case were fully examined, where friendship was so confidenly professed. Neither had their forbearance been laying down of themselves at the feet of any. But the speedy fierce pursuit shows not a sudden passion, but a long premeditated Counsel for the oppression of the United Provinces, and destroying their trade, and strength by sea, and yet so shameless are they to call this proceeding their own defence, and if they had done contrary, it had been against the trust reposed in them, few men think the Actions of these Declarers agreeable to any rules, whereby nations or single persons are governed, and breach of trust is of no regard with them, for there was not any trust reposed in them by King, or people, but what they have most perfidiously broken; that trust, which was reposed in them as subjects, whereto they were bound by Religion, Law, and nature, they have falsified to their King and Country. They were called by the King's writ, and by law incapable of any place in Parliament, till they had taken the oaths of Allegiance, and Supremacy. They were trusted to petition the King, and offer their Council, they destroy the King instead of petitioning, make laws, and change the Government in despite of the trust they pretend to regard. If we examine their Doctrines, they maintai●●● themselves not bound to oaths longer than they think fit. If we look upon their proceed, they have acted accordingly, breaking all oaths, and promises, the trust, whereon depends humane society, asserting falsehood and abjuring truths. There are numerous Testimonies of all these in the Declarations and Treaties with the King, that they would make him a glorious King; that it never entered into their thought to depose him; that if they should charge the King with any evil Action, it were contrary to the law, and the Testimony of their own Conscience; That providing for the prosperity of his Majesty who protest in the presence of all seeing Deity to be the end of all our Counsels; That they have nothing in their thoughts more precious next to the honour and immediate service of God, than their just and faithful performance of their duty to his Majesty. This being compared with their actions who can repose trust in them; Besides, they are not trusted by the Kingdom, and those few of them that were depuzed by particular places were not trusted to rule, but they now tyrannize, and trample on such, as at first trusted them; and comparing their Actions towards the united Provinces, and their words we may Judge they are not changed in their principles, for they say by those proceed it will be more than evident with what affection, and constancy the Parliament have laboured for the friend should of he United Provinces, how carefully they avoided all differences, and occasions of a war between the nations, though all such overtures of amity, and nearest alliance having been rejected. In the beginning of the wicked Rebellion in England, not only the common people at home, but strangers were much mistaken of the condition and intention of those, that made themselves a party against the King, ma●y persuading themselves, that the prevalent party in Parliament had the same sincerity in their purposes, which they professed in their speeches, and papers. But such, as were then deceived, see the discovery of their error, and that those pretences of Religion, Law, and Loyalty were only snares, whereby they were seduced to their own ruin: And though the fi●st loss lighted on the King, and his Loyal subjects, the whole Kingdom hath felt the scourge of that credulity: And while some were misled, and others rested secure, as unconcerned, not foreseeing the consequents of popular contests with Sovereignty, the whole are brought under the Tyrannical power of a few contemptible persons: And such, as with dry eyes beheld the sufferings of the King and his party, find the same since at their own doors: And such, as acted under the name of Parliament against the King are now oppressed under the same pretence, which themselves used, they persuading men they were the Parliament, though the King and the greatest part of the Lords, and a great number of the Commons were forced away, and the remaining party overawed by the City Tumults and Army, now groan under this new power, that call themselves a Parliament, though the King be murdered, the Lords house shut up, the greatest part of the Commons imprisoned, and expelled. And only a few persons sit, as a Lower House without any colour of Law. The neglect of opposition to growing evils is often too late repent, and such, as doubted not what hath happened in England, may now see, that wickedness puts no bounds to itself. It must be resistance, from without, not the inward inclination that must restrain it; And where men have success, and an opinion of strength, they rest not at a stay especially new gained powers, and the Example of th●se persons is no less dangerous, than their power. Princes and States are chiefly concerned in suppressing such pernicious Monsters, whose opinions and Designs are the subversion of Rulers, and draw with them the misery of the people, who must fall into confusion and slavery. If their design take upon the United Provinces, it may be easily conjectured what their attempts will be next. And affection to an oppressed King, and Ally, amity to the English nation, security to Religion and commerce, call for a conjunction of the hearts and hands of all Christian Kings and States against those common Enemies of mankind.  
FINIS.