MOTIVES TO INDUCE THE Protestant Princes To mind the work of peace Ecclesiastical amongst themselves.  
LONDON, Printed for William Hope, and are to be sold at the Unicorn in Cornhill, 1641.   

MOTIVES TO INDUCE THE PROTESTANT PRINCES to mind the work of peace Ecclesiastical amongst themselves:  
1. THe first is, If Protestants be not reconciled together, it will be impossible to prevent the utter ruin of their Churches, and overthrow of their States in Germany: For the maxim of States which Christ teacheth is infallible; Every kingdom (saith he) divided against itself, is brought to nought; and every city (or house) divided against itself, shall not stand.  
Whence then the Apostles inference followeth, and is found by experience dolefully true, That when we by't and devour one another, we shall (if we take not heed) be consumed one of another. Therefore we must lay this for a fundamental conclusion, Except the ground of evil (which is the distance of men's spirits, either opposite, or estrangered one from another for matters of Religion) be taken away from amongst Protestants, that their affections will be always divided, their intentions will never be brought together, their counsels will never either fundamentally or effectually concur, and consequently, no confederation nor conjunction in real endeavours will ever be brought to any purpose amongst them. And without this, I may freely say, that there is no humane appearance of any safety for the state of Protestants in Germany.  
2. In the second place, it is evidently known, That the house of Austria, doth settle a form of government in the Empire conformable to the Spanish Maxims of State, which will introduce a most absolute and unlimited power of the Emperor over all the free States and Princes in Germany; that when he shall be able to command the strength of that vast body at his own will, he may be able by it to conquer the rest of the Europian States, and so erect his intended Monarchy.  
Which because nothing can so much hinder, as the public profession of the Protestant religion; therefore they have concluded a total extirpation thereof, together with the impoverishing and desolation of the Protestant States: To which effect these means have been, and are still practised:  

1. All is done that can be done, to keep the Protestant Princes, and great houses in perpetual divisions one against another within the Empire.  
2. The State of Religion sub utraque in Bohemia hath been persecuted, together with the strength of the Protector thereof, the Prince Elector Palatine.  
3. The Schism of the Churches amongst the other Protestants hath been carefully fomented, not only by the practice of unconscionable Divines, who have been hired to maintain the pretences of a fundamental difference betwixt the Reformed and the Lutheran Religion, which in substance are but all one; but also by the establishment of privileges and promises made unto the Lutherans alone, that the Reformed being excluded from the same, the occasion of envy and disputes, should never be wanting amongst them, no less for worldly, then for spiritual causes.  
4. Lastly all possible endeavours, have been used to keep off a real concurrence of intentions, betwixt foreign States and the Princes of Germany, lest they should be supported with military assistance, as in a common cause they ought to be.  
5. These being the means, by which Protestants are now extremely weakened, the Austrians will be able in process of time to overthrow the same quite, and gain all their own ends, if no course be taken to work against them.   
And to do this, no way will ever be effectual, either to stop their proceed, and to preserve these remnants, and recover the losses, but that which is most fit to unite the spirits of Protestants amongst themselves: And nothing so fit to do this as the composition of their differences about Religion, which have occasioned all these distractions, for which the house of Austria hath hitherto prevailed.  
3. The first ground and fundamental occasion of this war is the matter of Religion, in respect it is different from Popery: for we know that hereupon the quarrel did first arise, and now we see that the Austrians re-establish the same in all places which they conquer; Hence than it followeth, that the cause will be quitel oft, and in effect given over, if once the first intention of maintaining the state of Religion be laid aside: If the work of Ecclesiastical reconcilement (without which the public profession of religion cannot well stand) be not aimed at and prosecuted as it ought to be.  
4. Seeing God hath honoured most of the Protestant Princes, and chief the Palatine house, to suffer thus much, and to be brought thus low, for the cause of Religion, which is most put at; therefore we may firmly conclude that he will raise again the Palatine house, and the other Princes which have suffered for his Church's sake, if they leave not the cause; for it is certain that he will at last raise his Church, because it is impossible that she should fall so, as to lie for ever. Now when this shall come to pass, than he will also re-establish those that have suffered for the same, and have remained faithful unto him constantly unto the end: and although they should fail him, yet he cannot deny himself; or be failing to his own cause.  
But in a case of their falling away (as Mordecai said to Esther, 4.13, 14.) Deliverance will be wrought another way, because God's work depends not upon the counsels and endeavours of men, but such as he pleaseth to make use of; for his service depends upon the issue of his work. Therefore if ever he raiseth the house Palatine, and other Princes again, he will certainly use no other means to do it, but the matter of Religion, for which they have suffered: And indeed, in all humane appearance, it is impossible that the house Palatine can henceforth be in any safety and splendour, without the re-establishment of Religion. For, to speak rationally, there is no humane appearance of possibility, that it should receive any powerful support from any, nor can it expect credit or estimation by any, but from, and by those that are now in the same case with itself, who by reason of their opposition to the house of Austria's power, and prevailing intentions, must resolve to stand and fall together with it.  
Therefore if the Protestant Princes intent their own restitution and preservation, they must needs also intent the re-establishment and conservation of the reformed Churches in Germany; and aught, as I suppose, to make this intention no less a fundamental reason of State in all their conjoint or several proceed, than the house of Austria maketh the opposite intention fundamental unto itself.  
And to do this, there is none other way so likely, or so sure to do good, or so safe without danger, or so lawful and laudable before. God and man, as this is, of procuring a reconcilement of differences in Religion, that the body and cases of all Protestants being made one and the same, their unity may be their strength, and their Religion may be their preservation: because God hath promised, that when we shall seek first his kingdom, and the righteousness thereof, that then all other things shall be added unto us.  
5 The leaders of a weak party, cannot be otherwise supported, then in making themselves considerable by winning the affections and hearts of the Common people: And to do this, nothing is more fit in its own nature, or at this time more seasonable, then to undertake and follow out the cause of Religion, in a way which is unblameable, tending to brotherly love and reconciliation.  
6 A general peace is sued for, but, except this unity of Protestants amongst themselves be really taken to heart, it is not like that ever it will be obtained, or being granted, safely and inviolably kept.  
But if this business can once be brought unto some perfection, no doubt but it will daunt the Austrians more, than any thing which can be attempted, and consequently will be a greater means of peace than any thing else.  
7 To oppose the Austrian and Papal designs against Protestants, no course more rational and effectual can be devised, then to cross the intentions of those counsels, whereby they get their greatest advantages. Seeing therefore that it is most clear, that their chiefest advantages arise from the division of Protestants amongst themselves for matters of Religion, it followeth, that no course can be taken in hand more fit to oppose them, then to heal these breaches whereby they have prevailed.  
8 Lastly God doth require those whom he hath established in places of eminent authority, that they should be careful to employ themselves and make use of their eminency in his service: Now his service is nothing else, but to do good to the mystical body of his Son Jesus Christ, which is his Church. For all the dignity which is bestowed upon men, is given to this end, that God's kingdom may be advanced in their greatness.  
Therefore this duty is to be taken to heart, not only for worldly reasons, but also for conscience sake, as being an obligation laid by God upon the places of great men: For such as are honoured by God with the first places above all other men, are obliged reciprocally to honour him in the first places of their thoughts; which if they do, he hath promised to add more honour unto them.  
Those that honour me (saith the Lord) I will honour, and he that despiseth me shall be lightly esteemed. To this purpose then, the words of the Prophet Azariah, 2 Chron. 15.2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. spoken to King Asah, may be at this time fitly applied to all Protestant Princes: Hear me (saith he) Asah and all Judah and Benjamin: The Lord is with you while ye be with him, and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; if ye forsake him, he will forsake you: Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, and without a teaching Priest, and without Law: But when they in their trouble did turn unto the Lord God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them. And in those days there was no peace to him that went out, nor to him that came in, but great vexations were upon all the inhabitants of the Country, and Nation was destroyed of nation, and City of city, for God did vex them with all adversities: Be strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.  
These are the words of the Prophet: From whence we observe, that when the afflictions of the Church are greatest, than the opportunity of working, and gaining a full reward is most seasonable.  
Therefore this is a duty unto which all Protestant Princes and Statesmen are bound, not only for reasons of State, but also by reason of conscience; for this is the only thing that God doth regard in all men, namely what they intent to do for conscience unto him: For if we serve God for other end, then for himself, although we do his work, yet it is not thanks worthy; neither can a blessing upon any other undertaking be hoped for, except this business also be hearty intended.  
For God that seethe the hearts, doth bless men according to their secret intentions towards himself, which he knoweth best. God is just and as we deal with him, so he deals with us, with the pure, he showeth himself pure, and with the froward, he showeth himself froward, and doth reward every man according to the cleanness of his hands in his eyesight. Let us look to David; he did prosper, because God was with him: And why was God with him? Because his heart was with God in uprightness: He testifieth himself that this was the cause of his deliverances, Psal. 18.16. to 27.  
And afterwards, when he was come to the kingdom, What care had he to bring God's Ark into his City? Nay, what zeal had he for the house of God, that it might be built, when he made a solemn vow never to rest, till he knew the place which God would appoint for the building of it? And this was that which God regarded in him, and rewarded. For he had no sooner intended to build an house unto God, but God revealeth his intention towards him, that he would establish his throne and house for ever.  
Thus than God is a faithful master to faithful servants, and rewardeth carefully all good endeavours taken up for his Name sake: Therefore it is certain, he will be mindful of those that mind his Church, he will honour those that honour his cause, he will have good intentions towards those, that mean uprightly with him, and he will invincibly maintain such as, by suffering for him, have maintained the truth of the Gospel: From all which considerations we may thus conclude, that except the work of Ecclesiastical reconcilement be seriously intended, all these evils will follow:  

First, the Protestant Churches and States overthrow will be inevitable in Germany.  
Secondly, the Austrian absolute government will take effect over it.  
Thirdly, the true cause for which the war was undertaken will be quite deserted.  
Fourthly, the sufferings of the Protestant Princes will be (which God forbidden) remediless, and the State thereof irrecoverable.  
Fiftly, the affections of all men will decay, and be lost from the Leaders of the cause.  
Sixtly, a general peace will never either be obtained, or kept inviolable.  
Seventhly, the Austrian, and Papal designs will not be directly opposed.  
Eighthly and lastly, the chief duty to which all Protestant Princes are bound in conscience towards God, will be wholly neglected, for which cause greater judgements will seize upon them.   
But to prevent all those evils, the establishment of Religion in Germany, by the composure of Ecclesiastical differences, will be a means useful and sufficient.  

An Extract out of the 27. book of the History of Thuanus, Tom. 2. pa. 28. Edit. Gen.  
ABout this time came Ambassadors from Kings and Princes, who (according to the usual Style and Ceremonies due to Princes) after they had condoled the death of King Francis, congratulated the succession of King Charles to the Crown. Amongst these was George Glukus the Ambassador of Frederick King of Denmark, who had been oftentimes before sent into France, and long remained there: He, being invited to dinner by the King of Navarre, (induced thereunto by his wife's advice) and (as it is reported) put in hope by him, that, before the year should go about, he should see Gods purer worship celebrated through all that kingdom, and therefore desired by him, that he would assure his King as much: having first returned thanks to God, and then approved the resolutions of the King therein, desired of him again, that he would use his best endeavours that calvin's doctrine (which the Swissers then professed) might not be entertained there, but rather that the Augustane Confession, drawn from Luther's Jenets, might be introduced: By which means he assured him, he should gain no small respect from the King of Swede and Denmark, and all the German Protestants, the extent of whose Dominions came not short of all those Countries which acknowledged obedience to the Pope. To which the King made answer thus, That Luther and Calvin both dissented from the Pope in forty points, in thirty eight whereof they both agreed; thus there were only two remained in controversy then betwixt them, and that, in his opinion, both parts should unite their means and forces to suppress the Common Enemy, and that once done, the reconciling of the two points yet in question, and restoring of the Church of God to the ancient purity and splendour of it, would with far less difficulty be effected.   
FINIS.