A REMONSTRANCE PRESENTED To the High and Mighty Lords the States of ZEALAND By the Deputies of the four Classes of ZEALAND.  
Concerning the Welfare of the Church of ENGLAND.  
Sent over by Walter Strickland Esquire, now in Holland, Employed for the Affairs of the Parliament.  
Wherein the Christian Affection of the Ministers of ZEALAND, to the Prosperity of their Protestan Brethren in England, and their zeal to the maintenance of the true Protestant reform Religion;  
And the good hand of God in moving the hearts of the Professors of the same Religion in Foreign Parts is manifested.  
Published, even according to the intent of this Order.  
Die Mercurii 24. Maii 1643.  
It is this day Ordered by the Commons now assembled in Parliament, That the Declaration of the States of Zealand concerning the affairs of England, this day presented to the House, be referred to the perusal and consideration of Mr. Rous Mr Reynolds and Mr. Pym, who have power to give Order for the Printing of it, if they shall hold it fitting  H. Elsing. Cler. Parl. D. Com. 
May 29. London, Printed by R. Oulton, Anno Dem. 1643.   

A REMONSTRANCE presented to the mighty Lords the States of ZEALAND, By the Deputies of the four Classes of Zealand, concerning the welfare of the Church of England: Sent over by Walter Strickland Esquire, now in Holland employed for the affairs of the Parliament, wherein the Christian affection to their Protestant Brethren, and zeal to the true reformed Religion is manifested.  
THe Churches of Zealand having observed some while since, with sorrow and great grief of heart, the great troubles, perils, and fears, which are befallen the Churches of England, Scotland, and Ireland, through the dangerous differences and misunderstandings between the King and his great Council the Parliament, which (as all good men observe) threaten the disturbance of the Reformed Religion, and of that flourishing Church, and the restoring again of that cursed Papistry in those Lands, that so there might be brought in again that abomination of desolation, the Kingdom of Antichrist, which in former time cost so much blood of holy Martyrs, so much trouble and spoil of the inhabitants, and so much labour, charges and pains of the godly, before it could be driven out again: And seeing that hitherto, by the grace of God, and the wise government of their Majesties, the Queen Elizabeth and King james of happy memory, the same hath been kept out, and the true and pure worship and Religion (which all the godly in those kingdoms esteem more dear and precious than their own lives and temporal prosperity) hath been hitherto continued, notwithstanding all the fearful attempts, conspiracies, and murders, which those of the Popish faction have undertaken against the sacred persons of the aforesaid King and Queen, and against the peace and prosperity of the bodies and souls of their subjects. And because the Churches of Zealand stand bound & obliged together with the Churches of England in one Faith, in one Baptism, and in one holy Communion, being all of the household of Faith, having one Father, one Inheritance, one common Worship and salvation: As also the Churches of England have taken greatly to heart the welfare of our Churches in the first times of the first Reformation, and also the establishing of the Church of God in these Lands, in the time of heavy contentions against the Faction of the Remonstrants in the year 1618. And moreover, there have been, and yet are, many exceeding godly Lights in England, which by their godly Labours and Writings have greatly edified other Reformed Churches in Doctrine, and especially in the practice of piety, or practic Theology: And in regard also of the bond of mutual love in the holy Communion of the body of Christ (so that when one member suffers the other member suffers also, and we must mourn with them that mourn) therefore the Churches of Zealand could not neglect to pour out their complaints and grief there, where they hope, or see any help, or means of help is to be found, for that perplexed and troubled State of the Church of England: This doing, not only out of conscience of the duty we own to our Brethren, but also that we may escape the curse which God hath pronounced against those which sit still, and are not troubled at the afflictions of joseph, and seek not the prosperity of the Israel of God in the time of need. Curse ye Meroz (saith the Angel of the Lord) yea curse the inhabitants because they came not out to help the Lord against the mighty. And that we may on the other side obtain the blessing of God which cometh upon all those who seek the welfare of Israel: O pray for the peace of jerusalem, let them prosper that love her, Psa 122.6. It is with such a respect and spirit that we your humble Subjects, and yet Ministers of the Church of Christ, and in the name of Christ pray and entreat, First, that your Lordships will be pleased to appoint in our Province of Zealand, (for an example to other States and Kingdoms) to publish a public day of fasting and prayer, to be first and solemnly kept by special command, and after to be kept and held weekly or monthly, as shall be appointed, until that the heavy troubles in England be ceased and stilled; and also that by your Lordship's intercession in the Assembly of the States general, the same may be obtained in all other the united Provinces: That so we may seek to God by prayer and humiliation, for the prosperity, rest, and peace of the troubled Churches in England, and for the removing of Papistry out of the Churches of that Kingdom, and out of all other Lands and Towns, and that the pure and true worship of God, which is according to God's Word may be exercised. To this end is it that we present to your Lordships these following moving considerations.  
That we and our Churches in these Lands have enjoyed this help of other Reform Churches in the time of our troubles. The Churches of Scotland, in the year 1618. held their public Fasts and prayers in our behalf; and the godly in England also held their particular days of Fasting and Prayer in regard of our troubles and have celebrated the same together in private because they could not do the same in public by reason of the Tyranny of the Bishops: unthankful should we then be, if we shown not the same zeal, grief, and affection about their welfare, which they have showed to us. It is a laudable use with your Lordships and by the whole government of our State approved and practised, that days of prayer are published and kept when there is any Town on our side by besieging to be won or lost: for example, behold in the time of the siege of Breda! Bosch. and Mastricht, in which Towns there was as well the exercise of the Popish idolatry, and superstitious worship as the exercise of the true Religion: How much more laudable is the exercise of fasting and prayer for a whole kingdom planted with the true worship of God. and out of which all public exercise of idolatrous worship was rooted out, that so they might the freer keepe and exercise their Religion without trouble free from the public exercise of Popish Religion, which bringeth in and erects the Kingdom of Antichrist  
There is not one godly soul, which hath sighed for the prosperity of the kingdom of Jesus Christ his Saviour, and love to an holy peace, which desires not that unity and peace between his Majesty of England and his Parliament, (who together, as the body, make the constitution of that high power of Government in England) and their people, might be attained, and that by contentions between them Papistry may not be tolerated in that Kingdom; What more sovereign remedy can there be to procure the same, then to set apart days of humiliation, and with zealous prayer to seek the favour and help of God, who only hath the heart of Kings in his hand, and turneth them as the Rivers of waters; who must also touch the hearts of the people, that they may follow their Kings and Governors, who likewise by the breath of his mouth shall destroy the Kingdom of Antichrist, that so he may not exalt himself against the Kingdom of his Son. How laudably and fruitfully hath our State used days of fasting and prayer in times of trouble and distractions in Religion, and confusions of our Land, in the year 1618. Every godly man rejoiced in that God heard them, and gave such a good success thereunto. The distrastions of England are our brethren's, yea by consequence and reflection are our own, and all which our enemy (the Kingdom of Antichrist) wins therein by these contentions, the same he wins from us. We pray therefore that God will move the hearts of your Lordships to use the means which hath been found so profitable and fruitful in our State, in such distractions, for redress of the same. For this every good soul longs, sighs, and desires: All the Ministers of the Churches under your Lordship's command, long that they may exercise this work of devotion and humiliation in public, to the preventing of God's wrath, and the reconciliation of the Kingdom of England. It is so that in cases of God's worship your Lordships have not used to oppress your trusty and faithful subjects, the Churches of the Reformed religion, or to hinder them, but rather to approve and favour their zeal, and satisfy their desires.  
How richly shall the faithful and godly in England reward us with their prayers and exercises of humiliation in time of our need, when God shall be wrathfully displeased with us, then will they also set themselves in the breach, even as we do now desire to do for them. And seeing we are pressed by our own consciences, (which is only known to God) and constrained in secret to mourn and sigh, and with our own families and friends to keep days of fasting and prayer apart, so rewarding our brethren in England, the same they have done for us there in time of our troubles, which in public they could not do, because of the oppression of the Bishops; knowing that we so doing discharge the duty of our consciences get praise and approbation before God, and free ourselves of all fault and blame, which by our neglect in this case might otherwise redound unto us. Therefore we beseech your Lordships, that it may be granted unto us, that we may by your Lordship's authority do it, and that the people of your Lordship's Province by your authority may be called together, and so holy a service performed.  
The second, that we in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, desire most humbly with Prayer and sighs, is, that your Lordships will be pleased to use the Power, Authority, Honour, and means which GOD hath put into your Lordship's hands, and approve to that end; that the true and pure Reformed Religion, and exercise of the same in the Kingdom of England, may suffer no damage or detriment, and the Popish Religion get no advantage in the exercise of it; but that the same with remainders in doctrine, Divine Worship, and spiritual Government of the Church, may be destroyed and rooted out of that Church. To move your Lordships hereunto, we give you to consider. The Kingdom of England hath in the Years 1617. and 1618. used great endeavour to maintain the pure and upright truth of the Christian Reformed Religion amongst us. It is not unknown unto the Members of this Noble and mighty Assembly the writings and famous endeavours of King james in the Cause of Conradus I'orstius. The Office and zealous labour of that Noble and no less excellent Learned Carleton, Ambassador of that Kingdom, concerning the case of Religion, against the Innovators of the same: the manifold advices, exhortations, (etc.) which by the King, the Parliament, Archbishops, and Bishops (etc.) were sent unto our States and Church, and the great weight which the Divines of the Church of England, in the Synod of Dort, got to the maintaining of the true and pure Religion, and suppressing of errors; this burning love and zeal of the Church of England toward our State and Religion manifested in that time, requires also the same of us towards them in these times. The King in his Letter the 20 March 1617., to the Lords the State's general, desired and conjured them in the name of GOD, which you (saith he) hitherto so happily have maintained, to suppress errors and factions which the Devil by the subtlety of your enemies hath brought in among you, and already so advanced among you, that in regard thereof, destruction of your State is at hand, if you do not with all expedition, speedily prevent it; and hold you wholly close and fast to your old, and true doctrine, whereof you have always made profession and which is approved and received among you, by the common consent of all the Reformed Churches, and of which there is a general confession, as the first and chiefest foundation, and also a strong and the only fast cement which held and maintatined the strait friendship, and intelligence, that hath been so long time maintained between our Crown and your Provinces. These endeavours his Majesty in the same Letters testifieth he hath taken for the stopping of the ruin of our Religion and State, being moved through the zeal he had to the Church of God, and out of his especial affection which his Majesty bore to the welfare of our State. Oh that our State would now recompense that good which England by their King hath done to our Religion, and pure worship in those times of our troubles.  
This State hath more ground and Reason to do it, seeing that their zeal and care should be not only against the errors of the Remonstrants, which simply concern Religion and faith, but also against Idolatry, Superstition, and seditious Papistry, which concerneth the security of the Civil State, and the life of the Sovereign power. For albeit some Papists, moved by morality and considerations of an honest life, or by an imbred disposition of nature, or by fear of temporal punishment, seem to manifest obedience to the Ordinances and Laws of the Magistrate yet notwithstanding it is certain, that those of the Reformed Religion, hold and maintain the Ordinances and Laws of the Magistrate for Conscience sake. But the Papists defend and maintain these wicked and damnable positions, as 1. That the Pope hath power to excommunicate all Christian Kings in the whole World. 2. That he hath power to absolve and to discharge all Subjects of their faithful obedience. 3. That the Pope hath power to depose Kings and Princes from their Crowns, and Thrones, and to give them unto others. 4. That they are not bound to keep their Faith and Troth with Heretics. 5. That whoever is not in communion with the Romish Church is an Heretic. 6. That no spiritual person can commit any Treason against any Earthly Prince or King because he is not the King's Subject, but the Popes, and the like, etc. Which Maxims being maintained, that it is impossible to govern the Civil State in Peace and Tranquillity under the natural and lawful Governors thereof, (as we think) the experience in France, Venice, and England, hath sufficiently taught, and your Lordships out of natural Reason can easily conclude. To keep the Kingdom of England from such a subjection under the Romish Sea; we think it to be a work becoming the care of all Reformed Potentates, and chief the care of our State: The rather because we esteem the destruction and weakening of the Reformed Churches in England, to be the beginning of the ruin of all the Reformed Churches in whole Europe. Scotland notwithstanding its conjunction with the Kingdom of England, under one Sovereign, equality of Privileges and Laws, and it's so near Neighbourhood if not communion, shall not possibly escape the same state of Religion with England, and will also be forced to forsake and lose the same freedom and Reformation of Church and Policy, which they with such honour and glory by their Arms, lately have obtained; What weight and consequence it hath concerning our Religion and State, we leave it to your Lordship's wise and provident judgement to consider, to whom the mutual combination and conjunction of both Governments is better known then to us, knowing this only from the fore-related words of King james, that the general confession of faith, is the first and chiefest foundation, and the only strong and fast cement which hath maintained the strait friendship and Intelligence which hath been of a long time between the Crowns of England and Scotland, and our Provinces. And what hath the Church of France to expect from such an example, which is now stripped of all defence, only rests on the favour which by their friends, or by their enemies, they can get from the King. The Lord preserve his Church from such a blow, that their judgement and destruction proceed not from England, from whence in former times came, the advancement and prosperity, and preservation of the purity of Religion, and yet is to be expected in the time of trouble. Hence it is, that it was so laudably practised in the time of the first Reformation, that the Potentates and Ruler of those Lands in which the Reformation of Religion was set up, have used such a mutual correspondence, advise, and Counsel, which have given to others such faithful warnings and admonitions, and helps to the furtherance, and maintenance of the begun Reformation of Religion here, in following the holy examples (by God himself approved) of the Kings of juda, Ezekias, and josiah, which in their Government were not content only to raise up the ruins of the decayed Church of juda, but also invited the Israelites though captivated under the power of the Assyrians, to the maintenance of the pure Worship of God. For we must not think that we are to set the same limits to our Lands, and to our duties, for the enlarging of God's glory. Therefore Christian Princes, who have great power, and much means in their hands, must not think they have well and faithfully performed their Office, when they only take care for the Churches, and Religion which is under their Government, and go no further, not regarding what befalls their oppressed Brethren and Religious friends, but must be Nurses to the Church of God in all Lands, where they may or can prevail with their Authority and Power.  
Since than that the love and friendship between the united Netherlands and the Kingdom of England are so firmly and naturally joined together, by so many civil respects, and mutual interresses, that the respect of this State may prevail very much with the King and Parliament to the defence of our holy Religion. Therefore know (Noble and Mighty Lords) that in regard of God as a duty, this lieth upon your Consciences, namely to employ in England all your power for the maintenance of the true Religion and Worship of GOD, that Religion we say which is reverend and full of Majesty, in regard of the good Laws, and righteous Ordinances; in regard of the Truth, Power, and Virtue of it, unreprovable in respect of the Doctrine leading to all Godliness and Virtue, dissuading from all evil and sin; a Religion approved of GOD himself, revealed by his own Wisdom, confirmed by his spirit, written in the holy Scriptures, Sealed with the blood of many hundred Martyrs, constantly confessed by all the holy Professors, defended by the first Christian Emperor, loved of all the Primitive Fathers; which giveth to God that which is Gods, and to Cesar that which is Caesar's; which to defend is godly, even in an Idiot, but zeal in wise and understanding people: And in a Prince and Ruler a Kingly and Godly Magnanimity. That help and profit which this Religion shall obtain in her feared danger, by this great Assembly before other Provinces, Republics, and Kingdoms shall be your glory, and Crown, and an everlasting blessing and praise shall be upon your Lordship's persons and Government. Therefore we your Lordship's faithful Subjects, entreat your Lordship's most humbly, with all subjection; Yea we desire and beseech you in the name of God and our Saviour, that your Lordships will not strengthen the hands of the ungodly, of the Popish Faction, by the power and blessing of your Land, against the faithful Protestants and professors of the Religion: remaining still by the laudable resolutions of Neutrality, which your Lordships lately have made. But rather weaken and debilitate all those which endeavour to weaken our Faith and Religion, and Worship. And come and help the crying necessity of the afflicted Church in England, by such means as the fear of God, the holy Wisdom, and good providence of your Lordships shall teach you. We desire your Lordships to take this our zeal in good part, and to interpret it as pleasing to God, being expressed through our love to our holy Religion and Worship, and proceeding from such of your Subjects, as are of intentions, so upright and sincere, in such humble obedience and unspotted faithfulness to serve your Lordships, as the faithfullest Israelite ever showed unto King David: trusting that your Lordships will always remain constant defenders of the true reformed Religion, and who will empoly always your godly care for the rooting out of all Idolatry.  
Your Lordship's most faithful Servants, the Ministers of the word of God in the Province of Zealand, and in their Names. 

Gulielmus Apollonij.  
Johannes Rogiers.  
Philippus Lansbergius.    
FINIS.