The wicked Plots, and perfidious Practices of the Spaniards, against the 17. Provinces of the Netherlands, before they took up Arms.  
Being gathered out of several Dutch Writers, by a lover of truth, and an unfeigned hater of Oppression and Tyranny, the bane of Commonwealths:  
Gentle Reader,  
I Shall speak so much touching the cruel, inhuman, treacherous, perfidious; yea, unnatural practices of the Spaniards, in these parts, and elsewhere, which may sufficiently delineate him in his deserved colours, that whosoever beholds him may mourn to see this Hazael so to tyrannize over the innocent, & that the Lord should permit, and the earth bear such an unheard of monster: yet notwithstanding much more might be added in sundry other particulars, as the Dutch Chronicles mention, and other Writers have well set out: amongst which, although I myself be a stranger by Nation to them; yet since the time of my abode here, having attained some understanding in the Language, I have thought fit to speak so much, which in my reading I have observed.  
First, thou art to understand, gentle Reader; that the King of Spain was lovingly received here in the 17. Provinces, and a solemn oath was taken on both parts; the King for his part swore to maintain all their Laws & Privileges, and they to him all due homage & allegiance: He presently demanded of them a sum of money, whereupon the States did assemble, and collected for him 40. millions of Florines, of Brabant's money, to be paid in 9 years, and they paid it into the Exchequer, and although it was more than they had paid before to his predecessors, yet upon this he took great displeasure against them, and, as they writ, he for this did hate them to death.  
But he pretended this to be the cause of his wrath, because he saw that there were some among them, that did defy the Pope and all his Religion: but that could not be, for the City of Aelst was as superstitious in that Religion as Rome itself; for they did persecute the Reformed Religion even unto death: and yet for all that both they, and 170. fair Villages that belonged unto them, were by them plundered and spoiled of all their goods, and many of them wounded and tormented for to confess where their money was, and many were killed. Thus much by the way.  
My scope and chief intent, is to show the first and just cause of the wars in the Netherlands; whereby the diligent Reader (not partially affected) may clearly understand, that the Netherlands did not rebelliously take up Arms against a lawful Prince, (as some ignorantly think and speak) but justly and religiously defend themselves against a perfidious Tyrant who sought their ruin, by all possible means he could, and the subversion of the whole State. A long while they patiently underwent his cruel oppressions, and intolerable vexations, as the Histories clearly manifest; till there was no hope, but either they must become slaves in soul and body, worse than that of Israel in Egypt, they and theirs for ever, or else be butchered by merciless executioners of a cruel Tyrant. This Tyrant having a purpose to innovate all things, to root out ancient inhabitants, and to frustrate all the Laws, Customs and Privileges which himself had sworn to maintain; knew not how better to effect his evil ends, then by raising a bloody Inquisition to set over them for their government; 
The Inquisition was there fou●e yearesefore.  which said Inquisition (raised in Spain) concluded and pronounced certain Articles, the tenth of February 1568: which were confirmed by the King, the 26. following. Now because it may appear I do them no wrong in this charge; I will lay down the Articles themselves verbatim.  
The most sacred Office of inquisition, so often attempted in the Netherlands by his Majesty, and hindered until this time, shall be instituted and advanced in this 〈…〉 with 〈…〉 ●hole administration of the Nethe●lands.  
2 That the Emperor with his two sisters, having given over all affairs, leaving the Netherlands, shall retire into Spain unto Us, being assured that they shall never return more to do any harm.  
3 These being dispatched, we must also draw the King to us, and keep him for ever that he part not, and not suffer any Flemings to have access or conference with him.  
4 That the King write unto, and command the Clergy of the Netherlands, that with the Inquisition they should accept of 15 new Bishops, the which should be free from all secular jurisdiction, yea in cases of treason.  
5 The subjects of the Netherlands through their malice & waywardness, will revolt and move seditious and tumults, pleasing to all but our company.  
6 The Princes and Noblemen, heads and authors of those factions, with the subjects, must be taken away, and the others reduced unto reason.  
7 They shall hire at our charge thiefs and spoilers of Churches and Images, whose offences shall be by all the world imputed to Rebels, by some subtle means, and so we shall vanquish them.  
8 That all Commerce, Negotiation, Liberties, and Privileges, shall be rooted out, & that all be reduced to extreme poverty, whereby the realm shall be permanent for Vs.  
9 No man of all those Countries (except he be of our faction) shall be held worthy to live; and finally all to be rooted out: and all Goods, Possessions, Arts, and Trades, and all Orders to be taken away, until there may be a new Realm, and a new people.  
10 In this action the wise and valiant Duke Alva shall be employed in person; whereas any other, were he of the blood Royal, or a Prince, shall be of no esteem: so as being suspect yea in the smallest matters, they must be dispatched.  
11 No Contracts, Rights, Promises, Donations, Oaths, Privileges, and solemn Assertions of the Netherlands, shall be of any force for the inhabitants, as being guilty of high treason.  
12 But above all we must have an especial care that in these matters of so great weight and moment, we proceed not violently, but by means, by degrees, and that discreetly, to the end the Princes, Nobility, and inferior subjects may mutiny amongst themselves, so that one may persecute, yea execute the other until at last the hang man be executed himself. For in all Christendom is there not a Nation more foolish and indiscreet, and whose levity and inconstancy may sooner be deceived then these Netherlanders, and God punisheth them accordingly.  
There were other Articles found in precedent Vergaes' chamber at Antwerp and there printed; and those are more cruel than these, but not more subtle.  
By these Articles & unlimited power of these lawless inquisitors, no man had any assurance of life or goods for a day, but were endanger continually to be called into question, either for the Law of their God, or for some work of mercy, which either religion, moral equity, or the bond of nature called for: or else if they had colour for none of these, they would impose such unreasonable taxations, which if the Cormorants had not their gorges crambed full, they would make prey of all, whether by right or wrong it mattered not. But my purpose being to avoid prolixity, and to pass by impertinences and needless repetitions, I will come to that 〈◊〉 intended.  
In the year 1565. a match was concluded for the Prince of Parma, and the nuptials were solemnised at Brussels, whither all the Nobility and Gentry of the country were invited, and accordingly there met of them about 400. who like faithful Moses being grieved to see the daily oppression of their brethren by the hard taskmasters of the Inquisition, who not only rob them of their goods, but also by inhuman cruelty, and unnatural butchery, deprived them of their lives, who daily led them as sheep unto the slaughter: The consideration hereof they jointly laid to heart, and hereupon (being met upon this occasion) they resolved to present a petition to the Princess of Parma, which they did the 5. of April next following. The E. of Breedrod delivering the Petition, 
The substance of this relation is not unsuitable to these times.  humbly requested a favourable answer. Three days after they received this answer, viz. they should send two of their Nolbemen to the King, by whom she would write in their behalf. The Lord of Barlamont being present, after their departure said (like a flattering Courtier) they were a company of Rascals and Beggars.  
It was concluded that the marquis of Bargain, and the Lord of Mountigny should go into Spain, who humbly presented their suit to the K●ng, but could get no answer in 16. months after.  
The 26. of August Anno 1566. the Princess of Parma sent for the Gentry, telling them she had received Letters from the King, containing promise that all should be well, and that the inquisition should cease. And for the Proclamations they should not be of force, but his Majesty would take such order as they and the States should well like of. The Princess also gave them toleration for their Religion, on condition they should not deface, nor break down the ornaments of the Churches: for, there had been before this time vile and lewd persons that frequented the meetings of the Reformed; these went into the Papists Churches, stole their silver and what was worth carrying away, and broke down their Images: but the reform suspected that this was done by the appointment of the Princes, neither was their suspicion without good ground, for it is to be seen in the King's letter, Art. 7. that she had order to hire this rascal company to do this villainy, 
Emanuel de Mitre saith, that in Flanders they took 50. of them at one time, and hanged 22. and whipped the rest.  which fact was imputed to the Protestants, to the end that they might not only be odions there, but also seem guilty, even in the judgement of other Nations, howbeit the offenders were punished with imprisonment, yea, with death, even by the reformed themselves, who jointly confessed the action unlawful, and were so far from giving occasion of offence in this nature; that Papist burghers themselves offered good security, that no such thing should be attempted by them. Who then can make any doubt that they were free from having any hand in those outrages laid to them? the very opposites in Religion being judges, who as appears were willing to undertake for them; now as their faithfulness brought so good effect for their persons, so did the Lord work that the truth of religion found many friends likewise, the Lord wondrously prospering the course of reformation, in so much that in short space they had in Flanders 60. Assemblies, some Churches they themselves builded, but were by Duke d Alva soon cast down, who erected Gallows of them, and hanged them upon them,  
The Princess of Parma also began to entertain soldiers with pretence to apprehend the Church-robbers, but intended indeed to take away the ancient liberties and privileges of the Netherlanders, wherefore sending certain Companies to Valencyn, the inhabitants denied them entertainment, who for that were proclaimed Rebels the 14. of December, soon after they were besieged, sacked, and many of them put to death.  

He pretended it for Religion, but his aim was to get their lands & goods.  But before they of Valencyn denied entertainment to the soldiers, the Nobility had received letters out of Spain, from the marquis of Bargain, showing, that the King was exceedingly incensed against the Netherlanders, that he had in he presence of many vowed to be fully revenged of them, though it were with the hazard of all his Countries; that he would make them an example to all the World, and would invite the Pope and Emperor to assist him in this quarrel. Upon the receipt of the Letters the Nobility assembled at Dortmond to consult what were best to be done, but concluded not any thing, some judging it safest to join, and make head to resist his tyrannical fury, others seeking rather to escape by flight.  

As the Grau of Egmond, and the Grau of Horn, and many of the Gentry at Brussels, 1568.  The cruelty of this Inquisition did notwithstanding increase, and many soldiers came into the Country, that some of the Country forsook their houses, and resorted towards Freezeland, and some did stay at home, and went to meet Duke Alva, and welcomed him into the Country, and shown him all the kindness that they could, but he very shortly took off most of their heads, so that he did so terrify the inhabitants, that there fled out of the countries more than 100000. householders, besides many that were taken in flying, were taken and hanged, and all these had their goods confiscated to the King.  
Now the D. of Alva did command all the inhabitants to pay the hundreth penny of all their goods, and of all that was bought and sold, the which some of the States did yield unto: And then he commanded them to pay the twentieth penny: and then he commanded the tenth penny of all things that were bought and sold, 
The like taxations, though in another manner, have been practised here before the Parl.  so often as they should be sold. Some of the States did make their humble Petition to the Duke, and to the Princes, showing them that it would drive all trading out of the land. The Duke of Alva told them that he would have it, though it did ruinated all the land: but if he saw them to do their best to pay it, he would deal favourably with them. But he said that it was against the King's honour if they should not pay it, seeing it was his pleasure to require it. And now did the Inquisition imprison and execute many of the richer sort, as well Papists as of the reformed Church: and if they were rich there was no escaping for them. And whosoever was found to have any hand in way of suit and petition to have the tenth penny to be remitted, 
All the prisons were filled, insomuch as they were forced to prepare more, and filled them also.  they were adjudged to have committed high treason against God and the King; and all these must forfeit life and goods to the King, and not any of their children to enjoy one penny worth of the same: but (poor Orphans) they must beg their bread. And somewhat had been buried certain months, they caused to be digged up, and hanged on the gallows, and some to be burned, because they had not the sacrament, and confessed before their death; but it was because he would confiscate their goods to the King: yea when these insatiable gold-thirsty and bloodthirsty wretches wanted colour to cover their injustice and cruelty, they had their officious imps (false witnesses) suborned by Jesabel, to get Naboths vineyard; witness Martin Hutton, who was one of the Inquisitors Clarks, and (being committed to prison) did acknowledge that he had made many false testimonies against sundry rich persons, some were of the reformed Church. Here might fitly be brought in the hundred Merchants of Granado, who were of the Roman Religion, and were never other; what pretence had he to cause them to be murdered all in one night, and then presently to command all their goods to be brought to his treasury or Exchequer, whose estate was worth more than 28. hundred thousand pound sterling? Now as this tyrant was a devourer and destroyer of the lives of men, so he did presume to usurp further not only upon civil ordinances, but upon the things of God; so that those that were married in the reformed Church, he forced to be married again: and if they were rich, he took them from th●ir husbands, and gave them to his soldiers to make prize of them: those that were babtized in the reformed Church, be compelled to be baptised again, contrary to God's word, and to the decree of the ancient counsels, so intolerable were the burdens that this cruel Pharaoh laid, so excessive was his cruelty, that he filled all places with blood, blood touching blood, as the Prophet speaks. For in small towns he executed 50. and in great towns 200. and 300. or 400. And in places as men traveled from one town to another, they might see many that his Soldiers had hung up in trees to death, and some were worth 80. thousand guldens, and some less: yea this tyrant did confiscate so much lands and goods, as by his account sent into Spain, did amount yearly to 8. tun of money sterling, besides the many thousands that he and his soldiers had. All the money that he did exact out of this land in 6. years, did amount to more than 50. millions of gold. And if any were known to have any thing that did belong to any that were put to death, and had not brought it to the knowledge of the Inquisition, they did lose both life and goods: yea the 16 of February 1566. 
The like cruelties may justly be feared to be among us, if the Parl. should be subdued.  he gave sentence in his court at Madrill, that they were all traitors against God and himself. At Vtrecht he beheaded a widow that was 84. years old, because she had before lodged a preacher one night, whose living was worth four thousand guldens yearly. And at Mastricht a father for lodging his son that he had not seen in a long time, that was fled for religion, was put to death. And at that place there was one put to death for giving a widow a peck of corn for an alms, whose husband this bloody court had put to death. And many women were put to death, because they received their husbands in the night that were fled for religion; yea they have killed women great with child, and ripped up their bellies, and taken out the child and killed it, and some they have flayed alive, and covered drums heads with their skins, and some they have tied to a post, and made a small fire round about them, and so roasted them to death.  

The like cruelty they did at Oudwater.  At Naerden they received the Spaniards friendly into the town, who promised them both their lives and goods; and as soon as they came in, they commanded them to come to the Statehouse without their Arms, the which they did, and the Spaniards gave fire upon them and murdered them all: and then they ran about in the town and ravished the women, 
Take heed of such treachery here.  and after Killed them and fired the town. The young children that lay in the Cradle, they quartered them, and took them upon their pikes, and so went up and down the town rejoicing in their cruelty.  
Such savage cruelty is scarcely to be found in any history, what Christian heart can hear it, and not be affected with deep sorrow? yet behold some monsters herein have been found, that have been so far from humanity herein, (for he that hath humanity in him will commiserate others calamities) that they have applauded it, as if he had in all these outrages done God good service. Amongst the rest, I shall content myself at this present, but to name the holy Father the Pope, and one of his chief sons in this business. The Pope sends his Legate to commend these so rare exploits, and calls this cruel Duke Alva his beloved son, sends him a costly sword, the hilts whereof were of gold, and a hat wrought with gold, and beset with rich and costly stones, thanking him for his good service in maintaining the Romish Religion and subverting of heretics. Howbeit that his chief son I mentioned (exceeding this man of sin, in the sin of cruelty, as if he would verify himself to be ten fold more the child of Satan, than his father the Pope) thinks not so well of it, his name is Vergas, the Precedent of this bloody Inquisition; for going shortly a●ter into Spain, he told the King, that he & Duke d Alva, did mar all in the Netherlands, by showing so much mercy to those people.  
Concerning this Duke d Alva, of whose outrage and cruelty so many have felt, and perfidious dealing which many have found by lamentable experience, whereby may easily appear of what stamp his excessive mercies are, even such as the Wise man speaks of, 
These words he spoke at a banquet as he sat at the table, rejoicing bee had done the King so good service.  Pro: 12.10, the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. In which he prides himself, boasting he had slaughtered eighteen thousand and six hundred, in form of justice, in six year's time, and ten tunes so many he and his Soldiers murdered otherways. And many more would he doubtless have murdered, had not the Lord restrained and limited him, for his desire herein was as hell, that cannot be satisfied: Witness the purpose of his proceeding against the Magistrates of Brussels, because they did not collect the tenth penny so as he desired. He 'ttwere that he would have it, and before he would let it fall or remit it, the Sun and Moon should leave their shining, so he went to Brussels, and commanded the executioner to prepare ladders and ropes to hang up that night in their doors 70 of the citizens, and gave them his warrant in writing what they should be: But God in his providence prevented this his cruel purpose, 
Anno 1573. April. 1.  in that there came news that the Grave of Mark had taken in the Brill; so the tyrant did not go forward with his bloody enterprises.  

I have instanced but 4. or 5. towns, but there were scarce any town escaped their cruel pillaging, except they had bribed their Commanders with exceeding large gifts.  Thus having given you a t ste of some of those many things I have observed concerning the intolerable oppression, & worse than savage cruelty of the Spaniards, exercised upon the people, which they endured and laboured under the space of sixteen years; I will now leave these cruel tyrants to the Lord for judgement, and address myself to speak somewhat further concerning this Earl of Mark, who had those Gentlemen with him that fled. Before this he had laid with his shipping in England, but the King of Spain sending his Ambassador to our Queen (who was then in peace with him) to desire her that she would not suffer his subjects to have their harbour in her land, and that she would not give them or suffer them to have any relief whereby they should make head against him: and hereupon the Queen sent and commanded them out of her harbour, and she commanded that they should not be suffered to have any provision in her coasts, so that now they had no other means but only God, who did in his mercy provide for them better than they expected. For they were purposed to have gone for the Tassel, and to have taken some town about that part; but when they came near that part, they had the wind contrary that they could not come there, so they went for the Maise, and came with their ships before the Brill, and there they went presently & took it; yet the Duke of Alva had his forces in the town, near so m ny as they were, whom they presently killed and chased out of the town, and out of the Island. The Prince of Orange being in France, and hearing what had happened, he sent them soldiers with as much speed as could be out of France. And within one month after Duke Alva sent certain companies to Vlishing to keep that place strong for himself, and many of the commanders were come into the town: So the Magistrates commanded the citizens to come presently upon the Statehouse, so they told them they must lodge Spaniards in their houses; and they knowing how they had used the citizens in all places where they came, they told the magistrates they would not have the Spaniards in their town, the Magistrates asked them which of them it was that did refuse to receive them. They said, All of them. So the Magistrates seeing them so earnest against the Spaniards, they jointly took their Arms, and killed and took prisoners all them that were in the town, and with their Ordnance they shot at his ships where the Spaniards were, and they made away. And of those that were taken, there were the names of about 80 that they had in writing from Duke Alva that dwelled in the Island, that they should put to death. So those of the Bril sent their Soldiers with speed to help them. 
He had appointed those to be executed because they were the chief that stood against the pryment of the tenth penny.  And shortly the Prince of Orange came with forces and defended them; and some other towns seeing the cruelty of the Spaniards, forsook the Spaniard, and joined with them, and took the Prince of Orange to be their Protector, yet the States notwithstanding did remain in obedience to the King some seven years after.  
Again it is further worthy to be noted that these Provinces did three times send to the King their Noblemen, but could obtain no mercy, and many more times they went to the Princess of Parma, and made their humble petition for redress of their oppression, but could not obtain any favour, than they made friends to the renowned Queen of England, and to the Princes of Germany, and to the Emperor, who did earnestly entreat by their Ambassadors for them. The King of Spain answered their Ambassadors with these words; he bade them tell their Masters, That they should meddle with their own subjects, and not with his, for he knew well enough how to rule his subjects without their Counsel. 
Anno 1575.  Now when our Queen's Majesty found his unreasonableness and cruelty, then and not before, she assisted them with Arms.  
His owen son Prince Charles did entreat for them, th●t it would please him to let them have their Laws and Privileges, and that they might not be so oppressed; and withal he told his father that those Countries did belong to him, 
Marplam in his Chronicle. Anno 1567. Pray the like may not be he●e in England.  and that they were given him at his Baptism, for the which his father sent him to prison, and he never came out again. If the Lord would not have forgot what Amalek did, long after, for smiting the weakest and hindmost of his people, how may we in equity forget the infinite murders, and spoils, this cruel Tyrant hath executed wherever he hath prevailed? And who can forget in special that bloody attempt against ourselves, in the year 1588.  
If I should trace this Tyrant from place to place, I should run in infinitum, having made the name of Christianity hateful, by his cruelty, amongst the Heathens that know not God further than the light of nature: for it is confessed by the Spaniards themselves, that some of the chief of the Indians, who were to be burnt to death, 
They were exhorted by a popish priest to 〈◊〉 mind, that after this life there was one place for joy, & another for torment.  being told of heaven and hell, they asked whither the Spaniards went when they died? It was answered to heaven, Oh then said they we will never come where the Spaniards are. But not to run so far, I will rest content to keep me within the bounds I chief intended concerning these Country's. When the Citizens of Leyden were in great extremity, by reason of a long siege, the Spaniards proffering conditions of peace, if so be they would yield up the City and themselves to them, they returned answer; Not while they had a right hand to hold the sword, or a left to eat, but if they should be driven to fall into their hands, they would rather burn the City and drown themselves, then to submit to them, of whose perfidiousness they had had so lamentable experience: and when some of the Citizens pressed a yielding, in respect of the extremity of famine, a Burgermaster, called Peter Adrianson, said; Loving friends I confess the famine is great, and that some do die for want of food: yet rather let us agree to eat up on● another, as it shall fall by lot, begin with me first, and divide me amongst you.  
At Antwerp, the Spaniards by the appointment of their Governor did come into the City in battle order, and marched up and down their streets, and shot into their houses, and made a tumultuous noise, as if they had been so many devils, for one day and two nights, and took the keys from the Magistrates, and set watch at the Ports; 
No sort excepted.  whereby they put the Citizens in so great fear, that many women with child fell in travel, and some died with fear: and they went by 12 or 20, into the best houses, & commanded them to prepare them the best cheer, as boiled and roast, & other dainty dishes, as they list to call for; and besides beer, they would have at least two sorts of wine. 
They did offer them two parts in money, and the 3. in cloth, but they cried all for money.  And all the chiefest Citizens houses had at least ten of these guests. And they all cried out for money, and said that they would have 15. month's pay before they went out of the City, of them; and the Magistrates told them that they would procure them in cloth, and apparel, and money the sum; but they all cried out for money, and that money they would have before they went away; so at the last, the Magistrates got the money, which did amount to 400. thousand Guldens. And the charge they were at, which these companions did cost the Citizens, 
There stands in the Chronicle a choir of paper of their cruelty against this City.  was 600. pound sterling the day, and thus they were oppressed with them 28. days, in which time they had made them all rich suits, some of satin and velvet, and some of cloth of gold: and one of them had a cushion of velvet, with these words in letters of gold, I am the Dutchmans' Bridewell Master. And thus they got rid of them for the present. And about two years after they came again, and then they used the Citizens much more cruelly, for these devils did bring straw, and set on fire, & put it into the houses, whereby they set nine rich streets on fire, and burned them with many rich and costly goods, and rifled the Citizens of all their rich and costly jewels, and silver-works, with their money, and three days did they torment the inhabitants for money: and in this time there was murdered of the citizens above four thousand. The money they took at that time is reckoned for more than 40. tun of gold, beside the jewels and the loss they had by fire, was as much as the rest. And thus was the best city of Merchants in Europe ruinated.  

In the year 1580. the States proclaimed K. Philip to have lost his right, by reason he violated his oath.  Divers things being manifested of the Spaniards cruelty, I will add one instance of their treachery, and that of a famous person to his nearest familiars; yea when he pretended sweetest familiarity and friendship, Pope Alexander the 6. a Spaniard by birth, invited divers Nobles and Cardinals to a banquet, with a purpose to poison them all, The meetest instrument he made choice of to effect this, was a Spaniard, one Caesar Burgia, his sworn servant. The Pope shown himself wonderful pleasant to avoid suspicion, and drank a carouse to them all; willing that his trusty servant to fill from such a bottle he knew well: which he did very effectually to the Pope himself as well as to the rest. 
A Spaniards kindness to his friends.  After the company was departed, the Pope perceiving by an alteration in himself, what was done, and that he must die now also, said to Burgia, This is a right Spanish trick. It is written of them that they are so expert in these exploits, that if Judas himself were alive, he might go to them to School.  
FINIS.