AN ORATION OR SPEECH APPROPRIATED unto THE MOST mighty AND Illustrious Princes of Christendom.  
WHEREIN THE RIGHT AND LAWFVLNESSE OF THE NETHERlandish war, against Phillip King of Spain is approved and demonstrated.  
COMPOSED BY A NETHERLANDISH GENTLEman, and faithfully translated out of divers Languages into Dutch,  
And now Englished by THOMAS WOOD.  
According to the printed copy at Amsterdam, by Michael Collyne Stationer, dwelling upon the Water at the corner of the old Bridge street, Anno 1608.  
Printed Anno 1624.   
PROVERB. 16. 12. It is an abomination to Kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness. Ibid. CHAP. 20. 28. Mercy and Truth preserve the King, and his throne is upholden by mercy.  

AN ORATION OR SPEECH OF THE RIGHT AND LAWFVLNES of the Netherlandish war, against Phil●ip King of spain: unto the most mighty and illustrious Princes of christendom.  
Illustrious Princes of christendom,  
GReat and Mighty are the Kingdoms in your possession, which extend far and wide, throughout all the world: but much mo●● great, and far more excellent are the virtues and knowledge, by which you hold, preserve and govern the same righteously, even to the uttermost extent of felicity. Among which I esteem these two more especial and remark●able, which support the huge weight of Kingdoms, as great Atlas the world, or the giants with their shoulders, viz. Iustice and Benevolence. The first being the excelling bright-shining mother of all laws, and dominatrix over all public Governments ot Reipublicks, by which you judge your Citizens and Subjects, according to right and equity; unto which, both you and your subjects wils, power, counsel and desire, most willingly do yield, submit, and are obedient unto; and which with the self same bands of Law, doth unite and annex together both you and your subjects alike. For this occasion, the ancient Philosophers in old time did feign, that justice continually did attend and wait upon their god Jupiter, and that jupiter did receive his instructions and precepts from Iustice, to the end he might govern and rule all the kingdoms of the earth in good order, and that all his conclusions might be just and equal: Not that he did conclude and command after such a manner( as that wicked flatterer Anaxarchus did, who would make King Alexander beleeeue, that he had done very well in killing clytus, for whom Alexander made exceeding great lamentation:) but because Iustice which attended on him had concluded and commanded the same. For the wisest men in former times haue been of opinion, that for the enjoying of justice, there must be good and gentle Kings set over the people.  
Now although this virtue and knowledge doth so extend and spread itself abroad, through the understanding, manners, and lives of all men; that without the same, there can be no worthy act performed; neither can men live honestly without the same: Yet is she of far greater power( o Princes) in this your great and illustrious office: for she requires, and will haue of you, that those laws which haue been given and left unto posterity, so many yeares ago, by so many several men your Predecessors, which you see and find to be fitting and agreeable, to the understanding, condition, and manners of your people: that you( I say) do hold and maintain the same, sacred, and unviolable: For if you abolish them, you abolish your kingdoms, and precipitate them into a miserable destruction. For one and the same Law is not fitting for all people, like as the sword at Delphos was serviceable for many things: They neither will, nor can they all be ruled and governed with one and the same government. But your Predecessors, in their observation of the laws, which each of you enjoy, haue prescribed unto you a lawful, sure, and permanent government, which is the foundation and prop of your highest and godliest dignity.  
Although you be not ignorant, what the other which I name Benevolence, is powerful, and addeth to a fit and permanent government, I mean that inclination, love, will and affection, to do good unto your subjects, and to provide for, and to augment them to the profit and commodity, as well of the general, as of the particular; for whose commodity you aclowledge that all your counsels and actions must be measured and squared unto.  
This Benevolence make●h you your subjects fathers, and not their Lords; their Pastors, and not their Butchers; their Kings, and not tyrants( nor cruel dominators). Out of this fountain do you led the currants of your other virtues, as mercy, lenity, familiarity, moderation, and liberality. Finally, this is the true desire and lust for the continuance of the common prosperity, for which cause Kingdoms are given and distributed unto you of the immortal God. Observing that subjects are not created and born for your sakes, to serve you: but you are ordained for the subjects sake, to the end that you should take care and provide for them, to be profitable unto them, to shelter and defend them, with your countenance, virtues and providence.  
Vpon these two virtues subsisteth all the knowledge of government; the greatness and power of all Princes, and the prosperity of all subjects: and that Prince which shall neglect and despise the same, possesseth a weak and impotent kingdom, and is indeed a very Tyrant, whose will and arrogancy is not to be obeied.  
Hereby you may easily understand, O most mighty and illustrious Princes of christendom, in what manner we must esteem of Phillip king of spain.  
And whereas the Lords, the States of the united Netherlands, do oppose his violence and unjust government; I haue thought it good, to set down by way of discourse, and to touch a little the right or lawfulness of this war, desiring that you, as good and righteous mediators, laying aside all secret hate, evil affection, and partial partaking, will take notice and judge hereof, with an upright, round, and pure conscience, out of that which I, in a true and short relation and history( of those things which haue been performed in the time of King Phillip, by his arrogancy, and licentious government) shall declare unto you.  
When I intend to acquaint you herewith, the superfluity of matter doth impoverish my counsel and skill, so that I cannot tell what special order and course I must use and observe herein. I see that I must deal herein as Painters do, who upon a little piece or tablet are to paint a great number of persons: for like as they do demonstrate of some, but the face; of others, onely the top or crown of the head, all the other parts of their bodies being shadowed. In like manner will it be needful that I, of so many things which haue been done in the Netherlands, undertake the relation of some few, and observe the chief, eminent and principal points very roundly and briefly. From which you shall perceive, that the beginning of our war at the first, had great and just occasion, and that in the course and progression thereof, they are become greater and more just. But o you Illustrious Princes at this present, be attentive to hear so great and weighty a business with well-affected ears and minds, so many of you as there be, who for so many ages haue enjoyed your lawful and happy government, and seek for the common good and prosperity of your subjects. For I protest and swear unto you, with precious and holy words upon the altar of truth, that I will not add any thing hereunto, but that which is grounded and proceedeth from reason itself; neither in my relation will digress or stray one fingers breadth from the truth.  
That great Emperour Charles before he had pacified and quieted those great jar●es and troubles of the Empire, and had augmented the same with almost innumerable countries and kingdoms; he performed almost endless and incredible journeys and expeditions; nine in Germany, six in spain, seven in Italy, ten in the Netherlands, four in peace and war in France; Two expeditions he performed in Africa, at what time he meant to leave off and to end the warres in high Germany, the success thereof seeming to be very uncertain and doubtful: And being over-cloid with age and glory, leaving his government, departed into spain, and there in peace and quietness, yea in the greatest and happiest tranquilitie to finish and end his blessed age. Then did this most victorious Emperour disinherit and estrange himself from all his kingdoms, countries and provinces: And by this means, all the labours and cares of all the affairs of his father by inheritance descended unto his son Philip.  
unto whom he often before( but more especially when( as I haue said) preparing himself the last time to go for spain, and to leave his life and the Netherlands) did exhort:( like as all good Princes do that haue an especial care for the will, virtue, care and affection of those that succeed them in their government,) and that very earnestly in the presence of the Prince of Orange, and the aged Bossu, and other Nobles: He did admonish him( I say) that he above all other his kingdoms and countries, should haue an especial care and regard unto those Netherlandish Provinces; That he should carefully remember, that these people were not used to bee governed with any hard or tyrannicall kind of government, And that they had an abomination& a detestation of the severity, pride, and arrogancy of the Spaniards; And that they were exceedingly inclined to their own laws and liberties: unto which if his son Philip had not due regard, and thereunto endeavoured himself, that he with all benevolence, and( as equity requireth) with a just and righteous upholding of his laws, did not maintain this people; that the time would come, that his government in the Netherlands would be weakened.  
This good Father and Patriot, and yet the most mighty Emperour, was mindful how often he had been faithfully assisted and holpen both with counsel and deeds in all his so many crosses and extremities, by his Netherlands: He knew well, when as he revolving all the former times in his remembrance, that the government of all the Kings and Princes of spain were ever very severe, proud, and cruel; not onely against their subjects, but even against all other nations, and that there was already planted and settled in the Spaniards an natural and old inveterate hate of the Netherlanders, which oftentimes very manifestly had appeared: He had also in especial consideration, that his son Philip was born and brought up in spain, and that he there with the milk of his nurses had sucked in those great defects both of mind and manners, and that he consenting thereunto, intended very advisedly to prosecute the same; and that he in all his manners and behaviours was like an absolute Spaniard; so that he could speak nothing but Spanish, and onely would bee served of none but Spaniards: And like as one piece of wood is bowed and made crooked by the art of man, and others grow even so: in like maner hath Philip both had and held from his birth and education, many defects which are not fitting for such Princes.  
For as soon as the Emperour had left the Netherlands, even so soon left Philip the wholesome and provident counsels of his good father. And like as by the light of the sun, the light of a candle is obscured: And like as one drop of brine is amnihilated by the wideness of the great and spacious sea which devideth Asia from christendom; even so were all those most excellent admonitions of the Emperour,( which like the voice of a dying swan, a● his departing, he song unto his son) swallowed up in the exceeding spacious and bottomless gulf of the Spanish ambition and hate which they bear unto our Nation; which so totally possessed the mind of Philip and all Spaniards, that they would not permit, that the Netherlanders should be obedient unto their lawful and paternal laws, but that they should be obedient unto their arrogancy, as well as other nations of India, Italy, and Arragon. From whence you may understand( that which yourselves, to your great loss and damage haue oftentimes proved to be true, since that time that Philip came to the government of his kingdoms) that his proud arrogancy and ambition is intolerable and incredible, that he seeketh to purchase to himself over all men,( through his extreme greediness, and by means of all his treasures and oppression) an unlawful power and means of government.  
The warres in France which the Emperour by a truce had quieted, was by king Philip renewed: And whereas he for the maintenance thereof, had desired a special taxation of the States of the Netherlands; the same was willingly, and with one consent of all the States granted: although that they before( as is aforesaid) had furnished the Emperour with many great sums of money in so many warres. For whereas according to the use and custom of their predecessors, all the States were assembled, and the voice of every State required( for such matters might not be done without a general consent, the consent could not be without a preceding assembly of the States) where was concluded to bring up a great sum of money for Philip for the term of nine yeares, the which was called Subsidium novennale, or a nine yeares subsidy; which was very serviceable for that war: But much more, the far famous, and many yeares valour of the Netherlandish Champions, wherein they as well also in many other warres, as in this, had effected so much, that Phillip in two prosperous battles, having overcome and driven out of the field, the most mighty King of France, who afterward desiring peace, did prescribe unto him such laws and conditions, which tended to his singular honor and profit. And certainly all men, but especially the conquered French, and ill-repining Spaniard, attributed the honor of this victory unto the valour and valiantness o● the Netherlanders.  
And this one onely matter then was of such importance, that if King Philip by so many benefits done to his father, and unto himself, could not be induced to Benevolence( yet above all, that most excellent testimony of the Queen of Hungary, being added thereunto; who leaving the government of the Netherlands, d●d assure the King, that the fidelity and valour of the Netherlanders, was more then sufficiently known. To whom both the Emperour and the King were especially beholden) yet notwithstanding by this alike-minded and uniform consent, by this their fidelity, by this their valour, and that of the chiefest of them, he ought to haue been kindled and inflamed to their love, and to Benevolence.  
But Philip rejected and cast at his heels all these testimonies, and despised the benefits and valiant deeds of the Netherlanders. What do I say despised? He hath recompensed them with most extreme hate, and most cruel and tyrannical deeds. For when the peace was concluded in France, it seemed he took in very ill part, that the States a little before, in the conclusion of the 9 yeares subsidy, did not presently, when he had but scarce opened his mouth; and as soon as it did but please him, did not presently open unto him their whole treasury, and cast down before him at one instant, all their treasury; that they were not presently obedient unto his command; But that first, they, according to their custom and law, having held as it were a Parliament or convocation of the States being gathered together, and having taken counsel thereupon, to the end that the business might be granted by a general consent; and that there might be ordained what manner of persons should chiefly be appointed, into whose hands that money might be delivered, and how the same might be distributed most conveniently for the kings ●se. For these occasions did he( who oppresseth our liberty, and abbrogating the laws of our Fathers, seeking to himself the government alone, which indeed is more tyranny, or cruel government) adjudge the bringing up of that money not as a benefit, but for Crimen l●se maiestatis; And ever bea●ing a jealous eye toward the States, as being enemies and refractory unto his government and dominion. For this was for Philip, and for all Spaniards, a sufficient and lawful occasion enough to begin to declare themselves enemy unto the Netherlanders; and violently to suppress both their laws, liberty and privileges.  
This we know is the custom of all tyrants, that seek and hunt after the very least occasions, masking the same with certain shows of right, for the annihilating of the laws of the subjects, and the pulling of them down under foot.  
After such a manner in former time did the son of Sixtus Tarquinus, who having the chief government of the city of the Gabians, by treachery and false accusations, slay and banished all the council, to the end that he by that means might bring the city under the tyranny of his father. We also find written of Iulius Caesar, that he intruding himself( against the laws and privileges) into a perpetual government; that all those who opposed his doings, that he with some kind of show or appearance of truth, or else by some concealed treachery, made them away.  
The Spaniards themselves, haue even out of this haven of just complaints, and righteous accusations, put out to sea with full sails, intending long ago, their cruel, sole, and chief government over the Netherlanders. And surely there wanted no inhabitants, who with their oars of most pestilent counsel, did row this ship to the Spanish tyranny. For there was one or two of the nobility unworthy their generation, and unworthy of their country; who being not able to make satisfaction for their dealings, and thought they could not stand fast and permanent, unless they overthrew the state of the common government, Among whom that great usurer Barlemont extolled and set up himself, and vomited out of his deadly mouth, all manner of wicked and poisoned counsel into the bosom of the king: whereby the devotions of the Spaniards were provoked and stirred up to a greater violence, deceit, and to all evil proceedings. For the matter itself was come to that effect, that the king intended to haue executed the earl of Lalaine, and all the States, being very wise and provident men, and certain others who were Patriots of our Reipublick and State. These men( I say) who a little before had heaped so many benefits upon the King, and had set their lives in the balance, and hazarded their estate for his good and government. What cruelty was ever greater then this? what sin or offence of ingratitude was ever greater then this which hath been spoken of? But yet moreover and above, o Princes, hear what licentiousness and selfe-wil Philip, before his intended journey into spain, had resolved by himself. he desired that they should take in Souldiers into all their chief cities, and out of their own means to pay them monthly: And that all the Burgesses and subjects should bring up their arms. They denied not the command of their supreme Lord, but desired that those souldiers which should be levied, might be of the inhabitants, and no Spaniards. The king persisted, that by all means they must be Spaniards, which should be raised, as upon whom he established the foundation of his cruel government. He commanded them that they should keep good watch and ward in all the chief Castles and fortifications of the Provinces; who not restraining the hellish outrages of their enmity and inveterate malice in the injuring and murdering of the Netherlanders; but presently gave the reins thereto at antwerp, Atrecht, and Camerick all chief cities of the Netherlands.  
Moreover, that which was altogether opposite to our laws, and was very convenient for the effecting of his oppression, and for the establishing of his licentious government, Philip ordained and adjoined certain Spanish Counsellors to the States, having made choice of such who naturally were prove and inclined for treacheries, deceits, tyranny, or cruel government, as were the Earls of Feres, Verges, and Eras, who in their bosoms should haue all the will, government and counsel of king Philip, unto whom he commanded that the States should give place, and that they should, not do any thing whatsoever, but what these great Catoes did approve.  
Now when as the chief way of all the lands affairs was in their power, then must our people( the prudent wise-men and lovers of their country, and those that sought the welfare of the land) go up and down like shadows and were but a cipher among the figures, and were held for statues of ston, who participated of the government, nothing but the bare name, and neither could nor might effect any thing that tended to the common good.  
Then began our liberty and lives to be very uncertain, and to be set to sale, for this is the very truth, o Princes; king Philip and the Spaniards whose service he most used for his lascivious government, laboured all of them thereunto, like as in former times the ancient romans did with their Decem-viri, or ten men, who required of the Grecians the observing of the new law of the twelve Tables( as they called it:) That we even so, rejecting and desp●sing our liberty by those exceeding too-too cruel Three-men, should desire a new government, and the most proudest laws of the Spanish counsel, which should proceed from those counsellors, which I haue name: And as ye now perceive, o Princes, that they by the authority from their king Philip, will give the law, and govern all people of the earth; even so would they load( with the same yoke of servitude and bondage) the backs of all the Netherlanders, with the burden of the most cruel government. They intended wholly to overthrow and overwhelm our wel-setled Reipublick, to the end, that their own pleasures, licentiousness, and arrogancy might be used in stead of our laws. This was that which they called perfect and absolute obedience: but we may better call it tyranny: that is, a violent doing government, which resisteth and opposeth our good laws and customs; with the which many yeares ago they haue overwhelmd and distressed them of India, Sicilia, Calabria, Milaen, Arragon, and Portugall. The Spaniard suffereth none of these countries to live after the pecul●ar laws of their own Reipublick: but they haue sent unto them out of spain( as out of Rome) histories, Governors, legates, and Counsellors, who are all of them Spaniards.  
Wherefore may they do thus? Because the worthiness and majesty of the Spanish Monarchy( as they imagine) ●equireth the same.  
That great and ponderous Axioma and discipline of the stoics, doth prescribe unto them the same: for which they haue not gone to school to learn, nor haue studied for; but of their own nature and understanding faculty, they seem to haue swallowed up, and now of late to haue renewed the same, viz. In regard they do hold and report that all nations of the earth, to be in respect of them, but their servants and bondslaves, yea for dumb, foolish, dishononourable, miserable, and for very beasts: and contrarily do esteem themselves for Kings, onely-wise, onely-rich, onely-happy, and onely-men. Among whom Phillip, as the onely Chrysippus, seemeth to under-prop and sustain the gallery or walking place of these supercilious Philosophers. And to prove this, they affirm, that it is lawful for them, by the law of arms to domineer over strange nations, considering that it is allowed for currant, by the Law of Nations, and custom; that conquerors must give the Law to the conquered, according to their own pleasure.  
If that we must( o Princes) like as indeed we must, allow of this, as being an ancient custom of all Nations; wherefore then do the Spaniards attribute this lawfulness unto themselves here in the Netherlands, in regard the land descended to Phillip by inheritance, and not by force of arms, nor violence, nor by any Spani●h treachery? But the Tyrant had far rather that all things had been turned topsey-turvy, with warres and with fire, to bring all things to a desolate destruction, and to mingle heaven and earth together, then to leave the privileges of the Netherlanders, which is descended unto them from their predecessors, which he hath well perceived by the home-bred inhabitants, to be more precious and dear unto them, then their own lives and blood: And therfore he thought that this was the course he must take: First, to attempt the same( as enemy) by force of arms, and after to d●priue them of the laws of their fore-fathers; and he then being conqueror, might give new Tables or laws to the conquered: the which indeed Duke d'Alva himself long ago confessed, who having established already a civill war, and having by more then a Tyrannicall war surprised many Cities, he then said; and publicly made his boast: that the King no longer had the laws or Rights of a Prince in the Netherlands, but of a conqueror; and therefore he put in execution his cruel tyrannising, no otherwise, then as if long since he had effected the same, by giving the most licentious laws, by making forfeited both the lives and goods of the chief end best ablest of the burghers, by selling their goods at a common out-cry, and by delivering their bodies over unto the hang-man. What? Did ever any tyrant or enemy attempt the like? Did ever Gelo or Hiere of Sicilia the like? Or did ever Pisistratus the son of Hipocrates the like? We read of them, that although they by force of arms, and against the laws, had purchased the Kingdom and sovereignty; that they nevertheless governed moderately, and according to the laws of the conquered country, and by their government bettered and brought the Reipublique of Sicilia into greater prosperity. What shall I say also of Lydiades that Tyrant? Who in the end holding in abomination his unjust, pampered, and voluptuous tyrannizing in the city of Megalopolis, restored to them their laws again, and afterwards, fighting very valiantly with the common enemy for the maintenance of their prosperity, was slain in the battle.  
When the romans at any time had taken a Province by force of arms; they commanded and governed the same with absolute moderation, stateliness, providence and equity: But thou o Phillip, dost not with-hold thyself from unjust dealing, from violence, from our deaths, nor from the subversion of our laws and privileges: whereas we being descended unto thee, neither by war, nor by tyranny; but by a lawful inheritance, and by right of marriage. And therfore if thou wilt play the part of a Tyrant, o Phillip, do that in Italy, which many yeares since by right of war is brought into thy obedience. Wilt thou be esteemed for a King? Then be a King in Spain, or rather in jerusalem. But wilt thou be a Monarch( to which end thy Spanish gainsayer long ago haue made unto thee many a goodly prophesy?) Be it where thou mayst mingle thy fire and sword together. Wilt thou be a great Dominator, or violent governor, Be it in Asia, be it in Africa. For, so much as concerneth us, we do not aclowledge that proud name of thy Soyeraignty; neither do we entertain thy most unjust laws into our free government. We haue no fellowship at all with Tyrants: but we are even to the uttermost extent, separated, and estranged from them. We haue a Duke and Prince, and such a one lawfully, limited by the most just limits of the laws. Thou hast sworn that thou wast such a one, and for ever wouldst be, when thou with exceeding joy, and hope of every man didst make thy joyful entrance into our Cities: when thou camest into our Towns to the great rejoicing and hope of every man, when every man did entertain and embrace thee with the highest honour and officiousness. Then didst thou, according to the custom, even before all all the people, bind thyself with an holy oath upon the most blessed Evangelists, that thou wouldst hold the laws of our predecessors for good, and that thou wouldst not alter nor change any one of those laws.  
Yet to the end, that not without occasion I seem so often to make mention thereof, and to nominate our liberty so often, I will tell you what our liberty is, and what it requireth. For I beleeue most Illustrious and mighty Princes, that Phillip hath put the remembrance of them long ago out of his mind, and that he thinketh that it is the character of the whore Tanegrea( which Claudius called the liberty of the wicked Roman Citizens,) and that he and his Spaniards, haue not onely the image of licentiousness and admittance, but that they altogether do honour and worship the same, a●●he Goddesse and Venus of their Avariciousnesse. Yet because I am persuaded, that our liberty consisteth in the Rights, laws, customs and Manners of our Predecessors, I will repeat the same, if it please you, and will bring some of them into your remembrance, to the end that ye, o Princes, may understand what manner of laws they be, for which we( as for our welfare) do fight, without fearing any kind of death.  

The Oath of the Netherlandish Princes.  
I THat they may not make any process against any man, neither contrary to the laws of the Cities, nor of the public Courts, but must give leave to every man to defend himself by an attorney.  
II They shall suffer no stranger nor forreyner to administer in any public office.  
III They shall place no man in the chief and highest dignity and authority over the Provinces, which are not of their blood and kindred.  
IIII They may not alter the State of the Reipublick, by giving out their Letters Patents or Placcates, upon their own authority, neither may they bring any novelties therein.  
V Neither may they demand any Taxation, without the public consent and grant of the States; they must haue their ordinary Revenues, and must be content therwith.  
VI They may not without consent of the States of the Provinces, bring any Souldiers into the Provinces and Cities therof.  
VII They may never advance, nor cry-down the value of money, without the permission of the States.  
VIII A disobedient and culpable Burger, they may not constrain him, neither by Amercements, Bands nor blows, before the Magistrate shall haue made enquiry concerning him, and also given judgement therof.  
IX A malefactor, whatsoever trespass he shall haue committed, that is condemned by the judge, they may not take him out of the Provinces to bring him to any other place of execution.  
X The prosperity of the people shall be their chiefest Law.  
XI If any Prince at his departure hath disturbed the state of the Reipublique, either by violence, wrong-dealing, or treachery, then all the States and burghers may deny him obedience, and shall be free and discharged of their oaths: they shall appoint a chief in his place, until he be reduced unto a better mind, and more easy government.   
These are the chief laws( although there be yet others much like unto these) by which even to this present, the liberty of the Netherlands, very long, and very exceeding well, and most flourishingly haue been maintained.  
Behold and consider now o Princes, I pray you, what I haue said and shall say of that violent, and most wrongful Government of Phillip, how directly he hath opposed our liberty; yea, and Iustice itself.  
It is not very needful that I by many demonstrations prove that which already I haue proved; that Phillip hath violated the laws of the Netherlands, and that by mere force he seeketh to overwhelm and to turn the whole Netherlands topsie-turvie: considering that every man may see and read out of the intercepted letters of Alana, the ambassador of Phillip; That this is known for sure and certain; who in his letters written out of France unto the princess of Parma, then governess of the Netherlands, affirmeth: That it was certainly concluded by his King, to abrogate and quiter abolish all the privileges of the Netherlanders; and that he would prescribe such a Law unto them, that no other Law should be of any force, then that which should be given them by his command, and with his counsel. And therfore he called for the Popes Authority to assist him; who acquitting and discharging him of his faith-keeping, of his sworn promises, and of his so high and sacred an oath, which he had sworn to maintain the Netherlandish laws, to the end he might afterwards( with the wind of this vain dispensation) with full set sails, bravely rush himself into the sea of the Spanish tyranny; and that under pretext of the Romish Religion and Holinesse, such like cruelties and tyranny which he useth to al good Princes and Nations of the earth, might under the same be sheltered and defended.  
O injustice not to be concealed, o too too unprovident and unworthy Prince to govern: For what could he haue done more rashly, or more unprovident in his government, then to get himself freed from the oath which he had sworn to his subjects? So ignorant in the land affairs was Phillip, that he understood not what a fast and firm obligation, and band of the conscience, wils, and all other affairs, is effected betwixt him and his subjects, by that mutual and reciprocal fidelity, and the respect to oaths: That he understood not of what force the bonds of the Law and fidelity is, which annex and bind together the offices of all Princes, of Counseliours and of Subjects, of Lords and Vassals: For, for the very selfsame occasion that the Farmer or Tenant looseth the right of his farm; the owner also by the same right is deprived of the propriety of the same: The Tenant or Farmer is not bound to keep faith and promise with the owner, nor to be obedient unto him; if he deny to keep faith and promise with him, and to keep the rights of the Farm from him also.  
Domitius the orator in times past said, wherefore should I acknowledge you for a Prince, since you do not aclowledge me for a counsellor; To which end Lucius Crassus said very well: Shall I aclowledge you for a Burgermaster, when you do not aclowledge me for a counsellor? wherefore then should not wee with one uniform voice, say we aclowledge Philllip for no King who doth not aclowledge us for his burghers? but holds us for particular and common enemies.  
Therfore this persiduousnesse was hurtful for Phillip when he endeavoured to discharge the States of the promise and Oath which they had made to him: So that they no more now need to esteem, nor be obedient unto him, as their Lord or Prince, but may by all right reject and defy him as a Tyrant, and as a common enemy to the country. For as some men by sickness, or by defect of the senses, do not taste the daintiness of the meat; even so now, such a mischievous lust and desire to effect all things whatsoever his heart imagineth, hath captivated Phillip,& other Tyrants, that they can neither see nor perceive what is profitable or hurtful for themselves, in this their mischievous desire of unjust sovereignty; but are by the cruelty of their natures transported and driven to all kind of mischiefs and crimes worrhy of punishment.  
But with what conscience, with what will, with what affection, o Phillip, hast thou got such an abominable detestation of our laws, and dost so far digress from them, that for them thou shouldst so shamefully violate, break and make shipwreck of thy faith and truth, which all good Princes are accustomend to keep holy and unviolable, even as the ground-work and foundation of all justice? Were they unjust? Were they not comform to equity? Or did they any wise injury thy dignity and Spanish majesty? The Emperours, Kings and Princes thy predecessors( who undoubtedly are to be preferred and accounted before thee in the worthiness of their government in lustre, glory and excellency) they haue made and prescribed them themselves, and in such manner so prescribed them, that they were sitting, just, and beseeming for a good Prince; by which the common welfare of the Netherlands might be supported and established,& the prosperity& perpetuity of our Reipublick, might remain settled and grounded in good order: For the making of them, hath that great& mighty Emperor thy father,& all thy Predecessors more applied all their endeavours, diligence, care, ability and vigilancy, then thou o Phillip, hast done for the overthrowing of them, and for the destruction of the whole Reipublick with thy tyranny and violent oppression. For those good Princes understood very well( that which thou and all other Tyrants are used to deny and resist) that the onely office of good Princes is, to be always mindful, not onely of what is committed to their charge, but also in what manner the same is committed to their charge: They were always mindful that they represented the body of the Common-wealth, and that they ought to maintain the dignity and the prosperity of the same; to maintain the laws in their vigour, and to defend their Rights and customs; and to haue in mind that superexcellent and most royal speech of King Theohadades, When all things are in our power, then we simply beleeue that all commendable things are lawful. Therfore Antigonus, the third King of the Macedomans wrote unto his Cities, that if peradventure he had commanded or published any thing by letter or decree, that seemed to oppose their laws, that therein they should not be obedient; but should persuade themselves, that he either by ignorance, or by error was mistaken. Surely, this was a great and most excellent King, this King by chance, hearing one say, That all things without any difference were lawful and beseeming Kings, He thereunto, both as well honourably, as providently, made reply: Yes, for the Barbarian Kings, but unto us, lawful things are onely lawful, and just things are onely just.  
In like manner Themistocles, being required of Symonides, that for his advantage in the Court he would pronounce an unjust sentence, who answered: As thou couldst not be a good Poet, if thou shouldst transgress measure in Poetry: So should not I be a good Prince, if I should conclude any thing contrary to the laws.  
Dost not thou now see thyself, o Phillip, in such like Actions, and in all the things which thou hast done, convinced of the Heathens and worldly Kings: whereas thou wilt be esteemed for a King; yea, and the catholic King? Dost not thou see plainly that thou art convinced by their testimony, who were onely led by nature to maintain Iustice and equity? Dost not thou see evidently by the testimony of every one, that thou art enforced to aclowledge that thou hast endeavoured and stil endevourest thyself to tyranny? And to the end that I may now pass unto other matters, yet I must not forget this proof of his tyranny: that Phillip, from the time that he first took upon him the government of the Netherlands, would haue had, that the Convocation and the Assembly of the States should haue been holden in strange Countries; and that he many times, forbade, dispersed and hindered the meetings of the Lords of the council; when they according to their manner and custom in their Assemblies of State, did treat and deal in the behalf of the common good of the Lands. For this council of the States was ordained, as a Protector of the laws, a Preserver, a surveyor, and Defender of the Reipublick, and of all common affairs, and was the haven and refuge of the oppressed.  
He to whom the charge was committed to see that the Reipublick should not be endamaged; even him hath Phillip not permitted to come into the Assembly of the States. He concluded that he must haue another council; that he with that council could not effect his own counsel and tyranny. For he had learned that of Tarquinus Superbus, who in the Roman government( which was left unto him of his Predecessors) used to dispose and order all things with counsel and advice, he took that clean away; and administered and served the Comonaltie with the counsel of his own opinion: And after him Iulius Caesar, who oppressed the Reipublicks, made himself perpetual dictatory or President, and prohibited the Assemblies. The which Reipublicks afterward by Augustus being pacified and quieted were reduced into their former integrity. Which Assemblies Nero, that infamous Tyrant, in the beginning of his reign, did again prohibit. For Phillip not onely hated, troubled and separated, the Assemblies and Convocations of the States, but also of the Nobles and Burgesses, their Colleges, Assemblies, and Convocations; whereas contrarily he ought to haue been a good Father, and a faithful Administrator of all good laws and customs; but more especially and above all, of the stately office of the States.  
And therefore, o Princes, if I should proceed to make relation of all the injuries which haue been committed by Philip in the Netherlands, you might manifestly see and perceive, that he intended a most unjust and intolerable government, and that he is driven and pressed to such an intent, by his ambitious desire and extreme hate towards the Netherlanders. I know well that I speak of things which are sufficiently known to the world, and reported of by all men, And that those things which I declare, are better known to every one, then I am able to conceive in my mind, or to express with my pen. Yet I will give you to understand some particulars, although my delivery and ability is not any wise able to satisfy your capacity and knowledge therein. For I cannot remember that there hath ever been in this world a more wicked and vile act heard of then this which Philip did, when he not onely intended the separation and dispersion of the noblest of the States: but also to kill and to haue murdered them: And even at that very time( as I haue said already) when they had brought up unto him the nine yeares subsidy, not onely with an especial and singular good will, but with a far greater officiousness. As also when he first in a secret counsel had concluded utterly to haue extirpated and eradicated all the Netherlanders, which by him and his unjust inquisitors were suspected to be altered in religion.  
Now to the end I pass not by that in silence; Before Philip had accused the States of rebellion, contumacy, and Crimen lase Maiestatis, Duke d'Alva made declaration unto henry the second, King of France, that Philips intent was not onely to put to execution the Nobles and Gentlemen, but also all those subjects which were suspected to bee of the reformed and pure religion. Philip would haue murdered so many thousand people, and would haue butchered them like innocent lambs, which never had given him so much as an ill word; yea who always with an especial Benevolence and officiousness, had most willingly been obedient to his command, over whom he( after the Emperours departure) had scarcely ruled and governed one year. So that if in case he from that time to this present( and according to that cruel and tyrannical beginning) might haue run out the course of his tyranny, we had been choked and butted long ago in our own blood.  
Which of you, o Princes, is there that maketh any doubt of the truth hereof, in regard that the King of France whom I even now name, did not spare to advertise the Prince of Orange( when he with other Princes was concluding the peace of Passowe●, in the behalf of King Philip) that such an exceeding evil act was intended by the wicked counsels of King Philip? But I pray you, o Princes, do not think that Philip undertook this for religion. This was his religion, that he thought it a sin to let any man live, who did not hold and esteem for good; yea, and to eat up as sugar, all his counsels and intents. This did his religion permit, and therefore he made no conscience nor sin, to haue murdered so many thousand innocent burghers, to the end that at once all the nobility and chief of the Netherlands might haue been made away.  
He accounted that for no sin at all, in the warres of the Moriscoes to apprehended an hundred marchants of Granado, and in one night in a tumult to out all their throats and to murder them. Not that they were any way suspected for their religion( for they had been always of the Romish catholic belief) but for their money and great riches: For he that was of the least ability among them, was worth fifty thousand ducats, which treasure Philip presently appoynted to be brought into his treasure and Exchequer.  
And this is briefly what Philip himself hath done, as being the head and chief Architecture of our miseries. Let us now descend unto the times which followed, after that he had left the Netherlands, and was gone into spain. O these were heavy( and by reason of the abundance of calamities) most deadly times. Times? The remembrance thereof bringeth a deadly fear, horror, and an extreme detestable abhorring, unto the souls and bodies of all good Patriots and lovers of their country. O is not this a miserable case, that the Spaniards, Moriscoes, and Semi-moriscoes, should haue had so much right, or far rather so much violence, over us? who notwithstanding were ready and prepared not onely to haue left and lost our goods, but even our we●fare, wives, children, and our lives, in the service of the most high God and the King. That we, I say, so suddenly were proclaimed for rebels, and repugnant godless heretics: And after so many provocations, instigations and injuries, being dejected and thrown down to the ground, not by one champion, nor by one blow, but by many and grievous wounds, could scarcely beg and preserve our lives and souls of our pestilent enemy.  
Let us now a little observe these champions one after another, according as the ensuing times shall declare and manifest the same, which Philip sent out of spain to be supreme Lords of the Netherlands; not that they should be as wholesome and medicinable restoratives to our wounds: but that they as biting corrisiues( sent from the shop and store-house of all deceit and wickedness) might bite open, and make them greater and more dangerous.  
Now if that be true which politicians affirm, that a man may know and discern the nature and affection of the Prince, by the condition and manners of his friends, and of those which he useth for counsel and service; Then let us consider and see of what quality and condition the King of spain is, by those governors and rulers which haue been sent from him into the Netherlands. For when Phillip had laid the fast foundation and ground-work of his cruel and tyrannical government, he concluded to return again into spain, to the end that the Netherlanders might endure and suffer all kind of misery at the hands of such as were their fellow-servants; And that the King as being himself absent, might pretend and hold himself as ignorant thereof.  
And first Margaret the princess of Parma, had the government of these lands. She was a crafty quean, and exceeding desirous to further the Spanish tyranny, who by her manifold and continual complaints and accusations, aggravated the kings hatred more and more: The king had joined in commission with her the Cardinal Gran-velle( a man far exceeding and surpassing her in perverseness, deceit, contention, in understanding and courage) to be her coadjutor and companion in this passage of Spanish tyranny.  
These two were the Princes and Architectures of so many commotions. All the civil warres were hatched, effected and begun by these two. And like as Helena was unto the Troiancs, even so were these two to our Reipublick, the occasion of war, the occasion of plagues and spoil.  
For that which before was very hard for Philip to effect by vehement force and violence, that effected these two, by deceit, by trappings and underminings. For when they at the first did perceive that they could not effect their intent, but under a shadow and colour of religion to do all things contrary to our laws and privileges. Then they erected new Bishops by a new trick which was unusual in the Netherlands. And these were set as spies in the great and principal cities, both in all general and particular affairs. They espied and revealed what every man intended and practised. Those that were but suspected of neglecting the Romish religion, they presently haled and cast them into prisons or dungeons, and thence to most cruel punishments; and finally, brought them to death, confiscating their lands and goods to the Exchequer. And this was the chief occasion, that the greatest part of all those that employed all their endeavours and diligence to stand for the common good, and seemed to prefer, as also to place and exalt the public liberty and just laws before the vile and contemptible enterprises of the Spaniards; these men were made away.  
This was that holy intent of Philip and his Spaniards; This was that holy Inquisition, which so called and nominated their most vile deeds, and cruel robberies, which never before had been heard of, nor used in the Netherlands, which directly as water doth contend and strive with the condition and nature of fire, did that oppugn our laws: because that no man by such means might be enforced thereunto, neither by violence nor death; yet by these bloody judgments of the Spanish tyranny, even the principal and chief defenders of our native country( by false accusations) even with their wives and children, were brought to public punishments of fire and sword.  
The like used Tarquinus Superbus that tyrant( whereof wee spake before) most vehemently to do in such like affairs; whose customs, manners, and deeds, Philip not onely seemeth carefully to aim at; but even by imitation to do the like. For that Roman tyrant, to the end he might make himself feared and respected of all men, took onely notice of the matters of life& death, without any counsel. And under that pretext, he killed, burnt and executed the bodies, and confiscated all the goods of those whom he either hated, or had in any suspicion; or else from whom he expected any good booty. And this very same did Philip seek to do, and all the other his counsellors of mischief in the Netherlands; because they persuaded themselves that there was nothing more available nor fitter to cover their wicked designs, and to discover our intendments and actions( as well in the general as particular affairs) as was this new care of maintaining and manumising of their religion, which they seemed to entertain with exceeding great care and diligence.  
For there is nothing worse nor more dangerous, there is nothing which usually bringeth unto men more inconveniences and damages, then that which is pretended and effected under the show and pretext of some great commodity and profit. But before I will proceed to demonstrate how exceeding far the institutions and the laws of the Inquisition, opposed our laws; How exceedingly they weakened our privileges, and the good estate and welfare of our country; I will freely confess that the Emperour before that time, being moved by the counsel of many, would haue brought that most cruel Spanish Inquisition into the Netherlands, and would haue instituted certain new rigorous laws concerning the matter of religion: but when he perceived that those things could not be accomplished without the greatest alteration of our Reipublick and government; And that he understood that all the currant of our laws were against the same, and made flat opposition: then that good father and preserver of our country, desisted from his intended purpose; and by the good and wholesome advice of the States( who had oftentimes demonstrated unto him wherefore those things could not be established without the great damage and subversion of our laws and privileges) he left the same undone.  
So that every one may clearly see and perceive, that the diligence that this good Prince used therein, and that great care he took therfore, that the same should far rather be for our preservation, and furthering to the common good, then to the hurt of the same.  
But the Emperour being dead, Philip again erected and established that first intention and counsel of the Inquisition, as a fast foundation and sure fortification of his deceits, and treacherous trappings, which so long before had been cast off and rejected by the Emperour. So that it seemed, that he by a violent and strong attempt, would quiter subvert the state of our Reipublick, with his most pestilent laws. For he having despised the advice, counsels, reasons and the petitions of our States and of our laws, he willed and commanded that it should be so. That new Bishops should be instituted and ordained over the great cities. These having diminished the revenues of many Abbots, as also the laws and privileges of the principal of the clergy, but more especially having weakened and deposed the Bishop of Camerick, and the Bishop of liege, they lived more sumptuosly and gorgeously then they. He ordained that there should be nine Canons adjoined unto them, that should be of the same stuff, and of the same condition and nature as the others were. Out of these nine especially should there be three sought out, of the most severe and cruelest of them all; who daily with great earnestness should look into the affairs of the Inquisition. And that which was far worse, and more intolerable for our liberty, these Bishops should not onely be members in the Assembly of the States; but even there should haue the most voices.  
By this means these confusers and disturbers of the Netherlandish peace and tranquilitie, did easily oppose the best and profitablest laws and counsels of the States, and did weaken and debilitate the same even as it pleased King Philip. They were able and ready to inform the Spaniards( who were enemies to our country) all what the States intended. For the meaning and intention of Philip when he ordained them, and admitted them into the Assembly of the States; was, that they should not consent to their wholesome and good counsels; neither if that they could advice or counsel any thing of themselves to the welfare of the common good; that they should do it; But that he by them, might confuse, destroy, and break the unity of our States, and their uniformity of voices in counseling; And to bring such a kind of counseling in treyne, which might be most serviceable for his tyranny.  
Hence you may sufficiently understand, O most peaceful and illustrious Princes, the reasons that the States had, and were enforced to deny and detest that new intent and meaning of Philip, and how the same opposed our laws. Yea and were it for no other, but for this onely cause, yet it must needs distaste and utterly dislike them; That strange Spaniards and Italians might be chosen for such Bishops.  
We saw and heard daily in our Assemblies and counsel of State the filth and dregs of these strange fellowes, who were exceeding far estranged from the nature of the Netherlanders: whereas our laws had concluded and commanded( as we haue said before) that at no time ever in the Netherlands it should happen, that it was lawful for the Prince to admit any stranger into the Assembly of the lands affairs or counsels. By this subtlety and deceit Philip sought to bring in other laws, which might annihilate our laws, and set up his in their place. and to haue a new council in the assembly of the States: for he could not make use of the counsel of the States for the furthering of his tyranny. Moreover I do not intend to pass by the incredible cruelty and severity of this new institution of these three inquisitors, or under-questors, which daily they practised.  
We saw daily these three hellish Iudges keep cruel courts of Iustice by themselves, which was differing from the courts of the Cities, and of the Provinces. They despising the common authority of the Magistrates, prosecuted after a new manner of law against the offenders, as they termed them; and therein did accuse and condemn, without admitting any, yea the least means for them to answer for themselves, without suffering any appeal or challenge to the higher powers, but used their own authority and their own advice, and so proceeded as it pleased their own liking and fantasy, and used( to please their own appetite) such un-heard-of and unaccustomed punishments, upon the bodies and lives of such persons, whereof they did but dream that they had violated or vilified the Romish religion: or else they themselves by their most villainous deceits, and treacherous tricks, had induced and set on others to do something, by which means they might be suspected to haue been altered in their religion. For they had a custom to set out daily certain stationers with books and writings which did oppose the Romish Religion, and sent these fellowes to the Nobles and chief of the provinces, to the end, that if they did but buy any of the same, that then presently, as being offenders, for heresy, and of a false religion, they might accuse them and condemn them. Like as it is reporred of that cruel and blood-thirsty beast Hyana, who for to entice the people, or such as kept the cattle, to come out of the woods or sheltering places to them, made great mourning and lamentation, to the end she might deveure them.  
Is not this, most illustrious Princes, to abuse religion, godliness and piety to tyranny? Is not this to alter and change the State of the Reipublick, and to bring in any novelties which might oppose the laws or the authority of the States in them, according to the will and pleasure of Philip? Is not this to punish a culpable Citizen with amercements, bands, o● blows, contrary to the laws of the land, and contrary to the authority and respect of the magistrate? Finally, is not this to prosecute the offenders by a course of justice contrary to the laws and customs of the cities, or of the public courts, and to deny a man the liberty to make his own defence.  
If then we must consent unto Philip, and to the Pope( which I utterly deny) that for the altering of religion in the Netherlands, such cruelty and bitterness must be used. Yet we say( that which many with us will testisie) that many Netherlanders were most cruelly butchered, which knew no other religion, nor made confession of no other religion but the Romish religion, and these that knew not wherefore they were condemned to death: in regard also they never had trespassed against the laws of the Inquisition.  
And considering, o Princes, that all the complaints and accusations which Philip maketh against us, do for the most part, consist chiefly herein, that he acknowledgeth and confesseth to haue used, not onely this bringing in of the Inquisition, but also this longduring war, burnings, fierings, butcherings, and the like, as a sure medicine and help, for the rooting out of heresy, and for a special care that he taketh for the Romish religion, and the maintenance thereof. Yet hearken I pray you with attention to that which I more amply shall declare unto you of this matter, by which very clearly you may see and perceive how exceedingly his excessive great subtleties, policies, dissimulations and hypocrisies do mask themselves, and lurk under this name of the Romish religion, and how providently and subtly Philip abuseth his religion.  
You know that in former time the Roman Emperours, when the Roman Empire began to decline, used and took unto themselves, in their titles the Name, and in their deeds the Authority& Dignity of the greatest Pontifices or chief Priests: And now you see Philip, who for the enlarging and establishing of his Government, sets up all his sails to sail withal, and roweth with all manner of oars: For though he attributeth not unto himself the vain and bare name of the Pope of Rome? yet for all that he defineth and limiteth the Popes will and authority, with his will and pleasure; yea, with his desires and endeavours: So that which once that famous and most excellent Poet Virgil said; That the Emperour Augustus possessed a divided kingdom with jupiter their chief god: we may with more right and reason say of Phillp; That he with that great government of the Pope of Rome, hath so fast bound and annexed his thereunto, and hath so established and under-propt his intents, counsel, and will, with his will and suffrages; that the Pope must hold for good, consent and command, all what he will. In such manner, that we may well affirm; that this power and dignity of the Pope of Rome, in very dead is nothing else, but the Oracle of Delphos which always Phllippeth. For when Phillip is desirous of any great Kingdom, or mighty Lands of other Princes, which might be serviceable unto him; let him but make the Pope therwith acquainted, and writ unto the Pope and his counsels of Cardinals, willing and commanding, that for the neglect or violating of Religion, the King of France, or the Queen of England be no longer tolerated in their kingdoms; that the laws and privileges of the Netherlanders may be subverted; that they themselves might be afflicted with grievous punishments; that they may be executed, and their goods may belong to them that cease upon them; that is, that they may be mine: this great jupiter shall presently consent, and as it were with this godly rod of correction, give unto this plaintiff Phillip the possessions of all the other. And this they think to be a sufficient and lawful occasion for the making of a war, and for the exercising of all cruelty; and for the swallowing up of yours, the next-adjacent mighty kingdoms; and our laws and privileges.  
And think not that the Pope, or his Cardinals, may, will, or dare deny, or gainsay Phillip in that, in regard, that the Cardinals, for the most part, are made upon that condition, that they may seldom or never gain-say or oppose; but always are to condescend to the intent and desires of Phillip.  
I speak the truth, o Princes, and you know that it is so indeed, that Phillip ruleth, not simply with words in the council at Rome, but he hath brought such manner of men into the same, who haue assuredly promised to assist his Government, and intention, both in word and dead: that he giveth and sendeth unto many of the Cardinals( though I will not say that he yearly doth maintain them) exceeding great gifts: that he oftentimes threateneth the Pope and the Cardinals with his displeasure and indignation, and publicly saith, That he will make trial of, and repair unto other defenders of the Romish Religion, if in case they deny him that which he desireth for the establishing of his tyranny: For he will haue all his most wicked enterprises, surprizings, oppressions, murders& tyrannies, shal be published, esteemed& held for good works by the Pope of Rome. He thinketh it is an injury done unto him, that any man, in what case soever, should speak against him, in regard he so highly esteemeth his own Authority, majesty, and Dignity in such manner, that the prosperity of all Christendom; yea, the welfare, life, liberty, house and home, the means and good fortune of all men, of belief and power, must be concredited and attributed unto his holinesse.  
These Popes Sixtus Quintus, and gregory the fourteenth, thundered out of their Mausolaeum of Trajanus, their impotent flashings and lightnings, against the person, kingdom, and possession of the King of France, Phillip made use of these occasions for a future war: When Pope Sixtus the fifth( who was wiser and of a liberal disposition) being afterwards ware of his gins, traps and deceits, revoked the excommunications, envies, hatred and enmity. He hereby seemed exceedingly to favour the King of France against Phillip, by which means he not onely purchased the evil will and the extreme hatred of all Spaniards, but also thereby brought his own life to an end, Two yeares before, Phillip had effected and brought to pass by means of this Pope, that all Christians, that should pray an hour or two every day upon their knees in the Churches before the Altar, for the peace of France, that they therfore should haue and obtain, certain thousand yeares remission of all their sins? And yet for al this, he was not ashamed in the mean while to hinder, let; yea, and to forbid, that the Pope should give no audience unto the Legacies or ambassage of the Cardinal Gondius, with the Marshal of Pisa, and the Duke of Nevers, who were dispatched and sent thither about the peace in France. Beside this, he commanded that his ambassadors should presently depart as enemy out of Rome, as soon as those ambassadors of peace should be admitted and tolerated in the city of Rome. But what a mischievous work, and most wicked and impudent counsel was that of Phillip, which he after so many secret conspiracies, privy intrappings, or rather concealed treacherous covenants, gave himself in France to public robbery and parricide, as the murdering of a kinsman; Who by his and other mens counsel and help, under the promise of an oath, procured to Popish Priest or friar, being suited in the habit of a spiritual person, with a very friendly countenance and familiar courage, without any anger or show of impatiency, without being aba●hed by reason of any fear, did sheathe his knife in the body of that great King of France, who was of the blood and kindred of the King of Spain? Neither haue these Spanish parasites and flatterers, feared to nominate and call this abominable dead, with that fair and goodly name, saying, That it was a stab given from heaven. This parricide and murderer of the King is accounted and reckoned among the number of Saints. His friends and kindred( as out of dust and dirt, even from their vile, base, and contemptible estate,) by the recommendation, command, and assistance of Phillip, are advanced to great estate, and to a Cardinals dignity.  
Those secret and lurking traps of treachery, and those public combustious flames of Christendom, which he cannot clear, uphold and maintain, by human or public justice; those, his pestilent dominion seeketh to clear, free and acquit, with the vizard and colourable deceit of Religion, and the catholic name. And therfore will I by your patience, o Princes( having no desire to revile, calumniate nor traduce, but out of an ardent desire of piety, and a longing desire to confess the truth) declare unto you, how many evil parts, paracides, and lascivious lustfulness do lurk in Phillips own family, which altogether are veiled, shrouded, masked and covered, with the catholic name and Religion, and are accounted for holy and pious deeds.  
To the end that he might leave a son, and a lawful inheritance to all his great kingdoms; He, by an holy and pious dispensation, had so much leave, that he might tyrannically murder or make away his own lawful wise, being the daughter and sister of the kings 
Note here the tyrants cruelty.  of France; and in her place to mary his own niece, unto whom he was uncle.  
By the Popes dispensation it was lawful for Philip( and that forsooth for an holy intention) to make away his own son Charles the Prince of Spain; because he seemed to be favourable and wellaffected to the laws and Liberties of the Netherlanders: because also he did not altogether seem to consent to the deaths and murtherings of many Princes; and because that he said that the Netherlandish Provinces were his, and that they were given him at his Baptism.  
It was also lawful for Philip to haue two wives' at one time alive, in one and the same bonds of Matrimony, viz. the Queen of Portugal, and the Lady Isabella Osoria. And what work of proper and peculiar dishonesty was not branded upon his life? What shameful reproach and slain of immodesty is there, which doth not cleave and adhere unto his name? Yet for all these, he knows how to arm, and how to defend and patronage the same, with that honourable and pious title of the catholic King. Is this the man that will invoke, enforce, and oblige others to piety, and to the exercising of Religion? Dare he for his Religion, undertake and prosecute a war against the Religion of all men? Can he by most cruel, and the like not heard-of punishments, purge and absolve, the Religion of all France, England, Netherland, and all christendom, whereas he himself is spotted and tainted with so many ill properties?  
I think now, o Princes, that you do sufficiently understand that Phillip at no time, ever resolved nor concluded to defend, reverence and obey the Romish Religion; but it was to serve his own turn, under the show and pretence of some piety, for the defending of some of his notorious and vile abuses, and for all accidental matters and occasions, which might befall his unjust and ambitious government.  
What think you then, that the Netherlanders could any longer tolerate and endure such like cruelties? By the which all sorts of people; yea, even the very noblest and chief of the Nobles and gentry( as if they had been beasts, without either reason or speech) by false accusations of neglecting the Religion( even to the great rejoicing of all Spaniards) should be da●ly butchered, to the end that our privileges, to the end that our laws, to the end that our liberty should perish and be lost, and that with their lives, all those that sought to descend or maintain the same, should die and perish? Was it possible that we could endure this tyranny any longer, o Princes? Was this to maintain Religion? Was this vizard and coulourable deceit of piety, even to the subversion of our liberty and lives, longer to be maintained and to be accepted for good? I do not think that any man will say so. Therfore mere necessity, and the welfare of all the Netherlanders at the long-last required, that the States in these grievous accidents, should begin to assist their Reipublick, thus tending to ruin; and to resist the most cruel intentions of the most barbarous men. Neither do the States think, as yet, upon any violence, arms or war: but being more patient in suffering wrong, then it is possible for any man to beleeue, they go that way, and take the course; that is, of right and reason: and with the greatest modesty that possible might be, they desire in a request or petition to the duchess of Parma, and do admonish her; that if she will not utterly destroy the Reipublik, that she must leave off that new and uncredible rigour and severity of the Inquisition; and to moderate and slacken a little that extreme raging fury: but they were despised of her, and opposed with up-braidings and revilings: they were called Geuses, that is, beggars? What people were these? Such people( or else I would I might not live) who for the liberty of the Reipublick, and for the Law of our Country, desired nothing else, but that which in all equity and good right they were bound to do. By what maner of people were they thus reviled? By such men indeed, which neither did excel them in Nobility of birth, nor in the abundance of Riches; but in the ability of their minds, in counsel and valour, far unworthier then these excellent men and defenders of their native country were. Peradventure you will allege that they were subjects. What then? Did ever good Prince set at nought the petitions and desires of his subjects? Assuredly King Artaxerxes Minemon the brother of Cyrus, did not onely take leisure, and attend, to hear all those that desired any thing of him, but commanded also his Queen, that wheresoever she should be, to take away the curtains or tapestry of her Coach or Chariot of State, to the end that all those that would, might the more conveniently speak unto her. Titus Vespasion said, That he had lost a day, when he had not daily bestowed some benefit or other upon some of his subjects. But yet let us give way and assent unto this abuse and revilings of the disdainful and shamefully pufft-up-proud Spaniard: Let us far rather consider into what danger our Reipublick is brought; As also that neither the long continued patience, nor those most modest petitions of the States, could any whit mitigate or mollify that arrogancy and Contumacy.  
The chief and best Lovers of our Liberty; the principal of the Lords do persevere; they make suit almost to every Spaniard that that was at Court, that was of any special respect or note, and giveth them to understand the distressed estate of the Common-weal, praying and entreating them, that they would give the duchess and the King to understand in their counsel and by letters, what a dark and smoking show of civil-broiles and dissensions, threatened the most flourishing Reipublick with great miseries and calamities; if he did not moderate and slacken those cruelties, bloud-sheddings, banishments, and that robbing of their goods. But when as they after a long time, by this means could effect nothing, they sent the earl of Egmond, as ambassador unto the King, who with letters from the States, and by word of mouth, might relate unto the King, the state of the Reipublick. The King granted and promised unto him, that he would make that all things should go well, according to the wish of all the Netherlanders: but in the letters that he gave this ambassador, he threatened the States with more grievous punishments. And afterward, when the Emperour Maximilian the second, and all the Princes of the Empire, being moved& entreated by the Netherlanders, to do them this benefit, that they would intercede, intervein, and speak for them unto King Phillip, and the Spaniards; to knit up, and to establish the peace. They got for their answer; they should take care for their own affairs, the King knew well enough how, and in what manner he must rule over his Subjects.  
Yet let us omit these light matters, if it be a light matter, after such a peremptory and puffed-up manner to answer an Emperour so, and to disdain the Authority( or respect) and the Recommendation of such Princes. If it be a light matter to disdain a Prince, the ambassador of the Netherlands; and with vain pretences to salve up his mouth. And let us far rather speak of those matters, whose viciousness maketh them heavy.  
All this while the States perceiving that Phillips cruel tyrannizing increased, and came to an unmeasurable greatness; they entreated the duchess, that with her will, authority and respect, they might for the second time sand ambassadors unto the King, viz. the Marquis of Berghen, and the Baron of Montigney; to the end that they by their Orations, Intercessions, and entreaties might mollify and mitigate the exceeding great obdurateness of the Kings cruel mind, which made him altogether unfencible.  
But what became of these ambassadors? Were they( as the manner is) presented with any gifts, or otherwise honoured? Were they answered? Were their desires granted; or, that which cannot be denied by no Law, were they at least honourably discharged? O no; the Marquis was made away with poison; and Montigney was carried away by La Motto and Medina, and was publicly beheaded: and after this manner were the ambassadors of the Netherlands; after this manner were these illustrious persons, and after this manner were those good Patriots made away, and executed.  
Now the Spaniards do not any longer rend and tear the Civil laws; but the Law of Nature; the Law of Nations is by them violated, scandalised and broken. What need I say more? To what end should I proceed further to demonstrate and prove that our war is lawful and holy against Phillip? Considering that this one wicked act; this dead worthy to be punished, doth sufficiently deserve and merit, not onely to defend ourselves, but that we ourselves once may hope to suppress that Tyrant himself in his own Kingdom of Spain. For this our manner of dealing, this lawfulness of our war doth shine unto all Nations of the earth, even from nature itself, yea, it is tolerated even of the immortal God himself.  
If any ambassador of the romans by any manner of means were endamaged( if he were not publicly satisfied) the custom of the romans was to proclaim war against that city; and because that their ambassadors were proudly resisted in the city of Corinth, they razed the city topsey-turvey. Because that their Fidenish ambassador, by the command of Laertes Tolumnius King of Viento was executed, they set up the pictures of them, and promised great sums of money to them that could apprehended of them; and finally they be g●●t the city and people of Viento with a siege, and with bloody war. The same city haue the Tarentines, by a cruel war brought under the yoke of their government, because that they had handled their ambassadors somewhat too saucily. But we pass by those things which haue happened near at hand, and go to matters which haue been done far from us.  
Because that in our time Fregosius and Rinas ambassadors of the King of France were put to death, the Emperour using connivance, or rather annuence in the acting of that inhuman dead, almost all Christendom was set on fire by that war. For the romans had shewed by their example or fore-act, and by their most provident deeds in former times, what the Emperor in such an horrible matter ought to haue done; for they delivered Manlium and Minutium over to the enemy, because they somewhat too lewdly had abused their ambassadors, the which by the Fecial, or Law of Arms was forbidden.  
And that Law for abusing ambassadors is not onely established by human Laws, but also by the Law of God, like as the holy Scripture testifieth unto us. For assuredly I know, that never any Prince, with greater severity, did revenge the death, or the abuse of his ambassadors more then did King David( the godly Prophet of the most high God) against Hanun King of the Ammonites; Because that they abusing his ambassadors, had shaved off the half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle. O how many plagues? O how much bloodshed? What cruel and unheard-ost deeds happened for this abuse? But the day would fa●le me if I should repeat all the acts of such like deeds. As of Aulius Varrus( who was accounted for a very severe judge) had wont to say, when witnesses were produced, and also others name: These Witnesses( saith he) are sufficient, or else I know not what may be sufficient. So haue I produced examples or fore-deeds sufficiently to prove, how horrible ill it is for a Prince, as also for all men to put to death the ambassador of a commonalty; and that such an evil dead ought to be punished with war and with death. Certainly the name of an ambassador ought to bee so respected, and of such dignity, that those who bear the name thereof, ought to be free, not onely within the jurisdiction of their confederates, but even in the midst of the arrows, swords, pikes, and shot of their enemies.  
Verily if ever, or at any time it happened, that any barbarous man or Prince, were moved either by necessity, or by any other occasion, to put to death the Ambassadors of their enemies, they haue done the same then either privately or covertly by some secret plotting; but Philip, that inhuman tyrant of all christendom( I can no longer refrain myself from giving him that name) Philip( I say) at what time the ambassador of his subjects, an obedient people, and no enemies, came unto him, is by sentence of the Iudges, publicly condemned, and caused openly to be beheaded by the Executioner. Wherefore? Because he was come unto him with a supplication or request for the welfare of his native country; with a legacy or ambassage, as ambassador of the Netherlands.  
Could the Netherlanders then affect, love, and be obedient unto his government? Alas, alas, yes, as if they had quiter forgotten all those injuries, they longed and wished daily for his coming, for to enjoy his presence was all their vehement and earnest desire. For both by letters and by Ambassadors the king at divers times most earnestly was sought unto; that he would once again return into the Netherlands; and that he himself might see and perceive, with what good will and affection every one was ready to entertain, and to observe his honest and reasonable precepts and commandements. So that if there were any thing, that either the cruelty, or the malevolence of those great commanding Lords, could not perform nor dispatch, then he himself might order and redress the same. Finally, if there were any thing, which either by the negligence or carelessness of his subjects was decayed; that he by his moderation and Benevolence might re-establish and bring into a better course.  
At the long-last it was verily believed that the States by their entreaty had alured the king thereunto, that he promised to return into the Netherlands, and to perform all this. O what joy, mirth, and rejoicing was then abundantly powred into the minds of all the Netherlanders? With what great good will and desire did they look for their king and Prince? How great and exceeding costly was all the preparation and provision of the nobility? How did the hearts of the commonalty then leap and dance in their bellies for joy? And who is able to reckon up the super-abounding charges which the whole Reipublik by their especial bounty and love, did free-willingly poure out, for the furnishing and sumptuous provision of two Fleets, the one fleet to fetch the King himself with his Nobles that accompanied him, and his servants and guard that attended him; which fleet was exceedingly provided, and furnished abundantly with all delicate provision; and road at anchor in Spain, attending to receive the king, when it should please him, and to bring him over. The other Fleet was in Zealand, ready prepared for the greater security and magnificent state, to haue met the King at sea, as soon as he should haue gone aboard the other fleet in Spain.  
The affections, good-wils, and the especial love of the Netherlanders unto the King, was so great, that although they had been disturbed, moved, and affrighted with his government, with so many evils and injuries; and by his precepts and commandements were brought into so many and great perils and dangers; that yet for all these they wished for him( whom in his continual absence they did reverence with all officiousness) to see him in their native country, in their Reipublick, that they might behold, receive, and embrace him with the arms of their benefits.  
I haue according to my ability made relation of most of those things which happened under the government of Margaret duchess of Parma. Now there remaineth to declare some things which happened under the Duke of Alva. And first, this I will say of him, That like as it is said of Hannibal of Carthage, that he as yet being but a child of nine yeares of age, made an oath unto his father before the altar, that he for ever would be enemy unto the romans; even so it seemeth that naturally this Alva was born and brought up to hate us, to spol us, and to be our destruction. For he came not into our country as others did, to be viceroy, or the Kings Lieutenant; but came praunsing into our confines, as an enemy with a great host of armed Spaniards, and other old Souldiers, out of the kingdoms and garrisons of Sicilia, Naples, and milan. The King had given him in charge, that he with all earnestness should go on and proceed to disturb, pervert, and confounded the order, and institution of our government. And that he both privately and publicly, should execute every one which resisted his government, and should make away all those who in the least ceremony, omitted, or neglected the Romish religion. The King placed this General in such authority over the Netherlands, although he were not of his blood nor kindred, although that our laws require that the governor( as is before said) must be of the blood and kindred of the Prince. Yet for all this, the Netherlanders receive him, with the greatest respect and dignity, and admitted him with the greatest obedience and submission into their Reipublick and cities, as soon as they understood, that the care and charge of their defence was given and committed unto him, by their King, Prince, or chief Lord. But as soon as the Duke of Alva came into the cities of the Netherlands, intending to bring us into all kind of misery and calamity; He took an other course, after another maner and fashion then the former did to effect and bring to pass the kings will& command. For first, he presently banished, dispersed,& drove away al the chiefs, the principal of the Nobles, out of all the Provinces of the Netherlands, who had subscribed their names in that request or petition, or those that had banded themselves in that covenant to maintain the liberty of their native country, not unlike those who had suffered themselves to be shot up in the Trojane horse.  
And although during the government of the governante of Parma, an innumerable company of people were executed for religion with fire, water, sword, and other shameful deaths; yet he thought that way and means not to be good enough, but thought that there was another way to be found out by which many more might be executed. And therefore he ordained another counsel which should haue the authoriti● to condemn, and to execute all those which either seemed to be suspected of religion, of rebellion, or contumacy. This counsel they name with its proper name, The bloody counsel. And although that by this counsel he had cut the throats and lives of so many men; that it seemed, they would almost fill the Netherlands with the blood of the most innocent men; yet could not that most cruel and unsatiable mind of Alva be satisfied; neither could all this great blood-shed quench his long-during blood-thirsty mind, For he thought that there was not half enough blood spilled, when as he boasted himself, that onely with bands, blows, swords, and all kind of cruel punishment used by the hang-man, he had executed eighteen thousand men. So that I am verily persuaded, that Alva thought to make his name famous by cruelty, in regard he accounted cruelty for such honor and commendation. Like as we red of Lucius Sulla, who boasted himself in the Trium-virat, that he had caused four legions of the other side to be executed, which had yielded up themselves in a common field upon his promise; and that he had done other cruel deeds.  
But among all the acts which are most remarkable that were done by the help and conduction of the Duke of Alva, whereof he most boasteth, and for which he most vaunteth himself, was, that he by false accusation, for rebellion and contumacy, had condemned two of the most noblest Lords, viz. the earls of Egmond and horn, and certain other Nobles of great houses, and had caused them publicly to be executed by the hang-man at Brussels, O how bitter were these executions to our native country! How grievous were they to all honest and true-hearted people! Yet all that whatsoever I shal speak of Alva, and of all the other commanders of the Netherlanders; or haue spoken of them, you must, o Princes, so understand the same,& persuade yourselves, that they neither attempted, nor performed any thing which was not onely according to the will and knowledge of Philip, but was also by his counseling put in execution. For the posts and messengers of this counsel road stil to and fro. And if all these things had not been done by the will and counsel of the King, which these commanders and counsellors did; he would not indeed so haue honoured, advanced,& rewarded them, with honors, offices, and rewards, as signs and tokens of their good carriage, when he called them home out of the Netherlands. The Cardinal Gran-velle he made vice-roy, or Lieutenant of Neples; Alva he appointed over the kingdom of Portugall, and reverenced him as his father.  
So that I assuredly persuade myself, that Alva confesseth himself that he by the command and commission of his King Philip, by violence, and most unjustly by force of arms, sought to get from us the tenth and twentieth penny. By which dealing he not onely digressed from the will of the States, their consent and pleasure, but even from the laws themselves, and reason; when he presently did punish both by Amercements and death, all those, who against his intolerable taxation spake but any one word of the liberty and laws of the Reipublick. One business he did without the knowledge of his Philip, by his own authority and power, when as he taxing an Alderman of Amsterdam, by his most unjust Taxation, drew from him twelve thousand and six hundred guldens. But Alva confesseth himself, that this must be registered under his co●●enages. Let us now proceed to greater and weightier matters.  
Mark, I pray you, this mans cruelty, or that I may the better express it, this most raging beast. Alva before, had but tasted of the Citizens blood; now he was desirous to drink of the same in full carrowses, to quench his blood-thirstinesse; and that end he made 
Emanuel de Maer off●●me●h 70 Citizens, and Mr. Guilielmus in his Morning Wacker. confirms it.  choice of 17 of the chiefest Citizens of Brussels; which citizens, because they had but onely in words opposed his most unjust and ●ver-great taxation; he commanded that all of them in one night should be strangled. But harken, I pray you, what diligence, consideration and leisure Alva used to invent and to appoint this manner of punishment; and consider that he as a good iustructer and master of the hangman, prescribed unto them what provision should best serve to execute them withal, and how the same must be used and applied. For he had  told the hangman( master Charles by name) that he must be provided of seventeen ropes to strangle those Citizens whereof we haue spoken. He should also make ready so many ladders of ten or twelve foot long, for in that night he would dispatch that work.  
Yet Alva proceeded not in this matter, for when all things were ready, and when( for their greater security) the soldier stood ready in their arms to do this; there came just at that same t●me, a me●●enger, who brought news, that our men had won and taken in the Brill again. Very shortly after, as if he had had to do with enemies, he began a most cruel war, and besieged the chief cities, surprised them, and with the most lamentable burnings, robberies, and most abominable murders, he destroyed, subverted, and extirpated them. Those cities which he took in by composition, by accord, upon condition and promise, and upon his faith, surrendered themselves, yet all this could not defend them, nor divert him from his most cruel violations, and un-heard-of wicked and inhuman deeds.  
When he had taken in the the town of Naerden, he then first sent for four hundred of the Citizens, out of their houses to come to the Towne-hall, as if there he would haue published some thing unto them; that every one of them, because they were agreed with their enemies, and reposed themselves upon his faith and promises, that they should be kept safe and harmless both in body and goods: There were they all of them pitifully murdered. From thence the Spanish Souldiers ranged up and down as if hell had been broken loose, to the performance of all vicious attempts, and filthy violations; And first, they ravished and deflowered all the modest and honest women, widows and virgins, and afterwards murdered them. The children and most innocent sucking babes, who with their innocent cries ought to haue mollified the raging fury of their cruelty, were broached upon pikes, rent and cut in pieces: which things haue ever been so abominable and detestable unto all reasonable souls, that they, even yet unto this day, and daily are abashed and amazed when they but hear these things spoken of.  
And I pray you what manner of cruelty and fury used he when he had taken in Haerlem and other towns, to their extreme oppression and spilling of blood? Come hither all you Philarides, Accurre hither Busirides, Sullae, Neroes, Domitians, Caligulaes, behold and view, be astonished with admiration, be amazed at the cruelty of Alva; was not his cruelty and oppression great, who had not one onely joint of his body free from mischief? His tongue was full of deceit and perjury, his hands defiled with innocent blood, his feet were swift to the subversion and destruction of the common-wealth: and those members which in modesty may not be name, were above measure ignominio●s.  
Yet among many other deeds that Alva achieved, let not this our discourse forget not turn over one, which is very remarkable; And first let me ask him this question. What joyfuller day canst thou remember, o Alva,, which was so joyful and delightsome unto thee, as when thou( with unaccustomed and invented punishments and tortures, hadst executed so many thousands of most innocent people; when thou hadst so possessed all the Netherlanders with such an amazement of thy cruel tyranny; when thou hadst scattered and dispersed the accession of all the Nobles and Gentlemen, who intended to haue gone to the Prince of Orange) hadst passed by shipping the maze, and wast returned into antwerp, and hadst erected that Trophae( or image of victo●●) of thine, and all the Spaniards cruel tyranny?  
Behold, I pray you, o Princes, mark and take notice of this mans arrogancy and insolency. Alva erected unto himself an image in the middle of the castle of antwerp. The figure or representation was this: He stood uprig 〈…〉 with his feet upon the backs of the States, and of the Netherlanders, who lay stretched out along upon the ground. This representation, this Trophae, did this frantic conqueror erect unto h●mselfe, because no man else did or would attribute the same unto him. What was then yet wanting more, but that he always might triumph and brag as he was worthy, with such triumphant and victorious honor? That he sitting with a s●●rt of male, d●●d with the blood of the Citizens, should be drawn forwa●ds: That a page. should present unto him a crown yet w●t and dropping with the blood that was newly spilled. Before his Chariot should be lead the Netherlandish widows and orphans? Before him should be born the tender bodies of sucking babes, and the heads of so many innocent people stickt upon picks. The representation of the burnings, destructions, and of his cruel slaughters and murders, should also bee represented. This triumphant chariot should be drawn by the dead bodies of our States, and of the best Patriots. And after this so victorious a conqueror should many thousands follow of Sergeants, Hangmen, Torturers and murtherers, with naked swords, rods, ropes, clogs, clubs, bands, and other torturing provision.  
All the States of the provinces then being irritated and provoked by so many injuries and calamities, resolved with such a valiant disposition and general consent of voices( as I haue said already) to spend their lives, means and goods for the delivering of the Netherlanders, and for the prosperity thereof. Although that they did as every wise man and good Citizen ought to do, and unwillingly prepares for a civil war, and not to prosecute all things to the uttermost) very difficulty, and by compulsion undertook the war. For they saw that there was no other means left to escape the shamefullest death, and the most detestable slavery of the Spaniards. They saw that their letters, supplications and Embassages helped them not. That your mediation, O most illustrious Emperour. nor your intercession and intervention, ●●st mighty and most peaceful Princes, availed them not; That there was nothing left unto them, but onely to take arms, wherewith they might cast off that yoke of bondage from their necks. Like unto one that being in a ship, and chased by pirates, and one should say unto him, leap out of the ship, for there is a Dolphin which will carry thee upon his back, as once he did Arion of Methiranum, as the Poets do feign. Or as the horses of the Heathens sea-god Neptune, as it is reported in old time, drew the hanging wagon. So shall you unawares by some body be drawn forward, and brought whither you desire, like as he( being a heathen) should lay aside all fear; even so, so many terrible, rigorous and infinite ctosses and calamities, oppressing the Netherlands; the States relying upon God, do take arms; and trusting in him, as their onely hope, to obtain again their liberty. This hope hath the high God, even from the beginning, stirred up and augmented in them, when they saw the town of Brill, Vlissing, and other forti●ications of the Netherlands to be taken in again, and other worthy acts and deeds, which were done with a valorous and warlike courage; so that the Spaniards then began to run more slowly in their paths and beaten way of tyranny; and procured certain in their behalf, which promised peace to the Netherlanders, if they very humbly would pray and entreat the same of the King. The States also seeing that their native country was much weakened by the cruelty and rigor of war, ceased not to counsel and advice to peace and unity. Oh that this counsel and advice to the Spanish peace, had never entred into the mindes and thoughts of the States: but that all their affections had much rather been united everlastingly, always and without ceasing, to haue assaulted, opposed, and by war to haue attempted against the Spaniard. Our Reipublick had then stood& flourished,& the enemy with all his wicked imaginations and treacheries, with shane and dishonour had fallen.  
For whereas in the affections of our Netherlands remained yet certain sparks of the former love and inclination, to the King of their Reipublick? so they, with an especial and careful modesty, and mild meekness, desired and propounded the most lawful and just conditions of peace, which the Spaniard promised always to keep and maintain unviolably. But they had promised that upon a false and dissembling ground, to the end that they might take some ease, and might rest by that means from the war; and afterwards might with the greater violence and force renew and begin the war again. For in that same year did this most cruel enemy run over the whole Netherlands with his arms: The Souldiers were enforced to setire into the distressed towns; all the good Citizens and burghers, were robbed and spoyled of all their gold, silver, and all their other means: and antwerp was so wholly, so miserable, and so pitifully spoyled, burnt and destroyed: that even the description of this one act of theirs, maketh a whole volume or book in our Chronicle or book of Remembrances. Leyden was for the second time belegred, to the great danger and hindrance of their best and ablest Citizens. Afterward was utrecht( a great and mighty city situate upon the Rhyne) used with the like cruelty as antwerp had been. Our people then adding and applying to their great heart-griefe, this calamity, to their former calamities; could nor were able any longer to endure this cruel government: but like men revived, began their former war with a valiant Resolution, and so carried the business, that every one had hope and courage that the Reipublick,( the Land and Comonalty) would be brought to good effect.  
But the Spaniards the second time, laid the hand of their deceit upon our hope, and offered peace again unto the Netherlanders; whereunto they were the more easily induced, in regard that all honest and good men haue a loathing and detestation of all those bloud-sheddings and out-rages, which war occasioneth. The remembrance of the former rest, caused them the more earnestly to attend to their peace-counselling, which they very faithfully intended& entertained; persuading themselves, that therein was no hypocrisy nor deceit: For the more honest a man is, the less suspicion hath he of another mans dishonesty. So that by the interposing of the Emperour Maximilian the second, there was a new peace made and concluded at Breda; which peace by the Spaniards had the like beginning, and the like event as the former had. For they provided and fortified themselves in the mean while for war, whose eyes were still gazing upon us for our destruction. And that same year they surprised the towns of Buerin, Leerdam, and O●de-water; they beleagred Zirieck-sea, and in the end they turn again to the former robbing and roving, burning and firing, and to the most cruel tortering of Citizens that could be invented.  
All these, and many more the like, betyded us in the time that Requisenius ruled and commanded the Reipublick, whom the King thought most fitting and worthy to succeed Alva in the government, and in the dealing which he had used, as we haue said before, whom a sudden and unexpected death surprised, cutting asunder the threads of the first desires and endevourings of this great Commander, whilst he was praunsing and galloping through the treacheries of the Spanish tyranny.  
That which the King of Spain could not bring to pass by this tyrant, that he assayed to effect by new inventions, and shameful tricks and treacheries of Hieronymus de Rhoda. This man was presently after the death of Requesenius, appointed by the King to be of the council of State at Brussels, to the end, that he with them, might rule and govern in one consent, over the Reipublick and common affairs, and that he should correct and punish the mutinies, seditions, and uproars of the Spanish Souldiers, who had destroyed Aelst, Mastricht, antwerp, and the other Cities, with their cruel murders, burnings, robbings and rovings, the like hath not been heard off. And this business was brought to that pass, that these destroyers were presently published, declared and banished, as being rebels, contemners, and enemies to the King. But not long after Rhoda, by his Spanish treacheries became himself the head of those Rebels. He used the Kings Seal, and despising the States, would publicly be held for their governor or Ruler.  
By this his perfidious dealing were the States exceedingly troubled and offended; so that they all at once did combine themselves, with the Prince of Orange, and with the Hollanders and Sea-landers, concluding, that they must drive all the Spaniards out of the Netherlands, and that they must always resist and oppose them with warres and weapons to their uttermost endeavours.  
In the mean time, nevertheless, the States forget not their dutiful obedience unto the King: but contrarily do pray and entreat him very often, most earnestly; that he would sand for those Spanish destroyers, out of the Land; and that he would punish them for their cruelties and insolences, by which they had distressed the chief Cities of the Netherlands. But what do they get( I pray you) by their entreaties? The King commends Rhoda, and testifieth, that his service is very acceptable unto him; and promiseth unto him, and to the rest of the Spaniards, such rewards as their deeds should deserve. From whence it manifestly appeareth; that all things which formerly haue been spoken off, haue been first undertaken and attempted by the kings counsel and approbation.  
Yet when the King perceived that by this means nothing could be effected, and that the Netherlanders were ware of such treacheries, in such manner, that they seriously prepared themselves for war: he thought it fitting to take another course with them, and in stead of the lions, puts on the Foxes skin and offereth them peace. The States very faithfully accepted the Peace again, and thought not that other Serpents of Spanish perfiduousness did lurk in that green grass of peace. For this peace was maintained and kept firm and sure; and was afterward confirmed and ratified by the oath of John of Austria,( who presently after came into the country) and was so providently, and in such manner determined and limited by the States, that all the Netherlanders, at the longlast, seemed by these able and worthy good men, to be delivered: And every one then wiped and washed off the tears of Civill war from their cheeks. This was that pacification or Treaty of peace made at Gent, of the which now I will speak of, and relate unto you the deeds of this John of Austria, whom the king at that time, had sent as a governor, or chief Lord over the Netherlands out of Spain.  
In the mean time let me entreat you, o most peaceful Princes, that you will hear me with a friendly and well-affected mind, the sequel hereof, like as you haue heard me from the beginning; and fundamentally will understand wherefore the Spaniards do most falsely accuse us; That this peace was violated and broken by us: which accusation I hold to be very grievous.  
Among other Conditions, laws and Contracts of this peace, this was one of the chiefest and weightiest: That Don John should not admit any Spaniard or stranger, nor any of them; by whose counsel and advice it was evidently known, that the Provinces were brought into that extreme spoil, into the council: And contrarily, he called, and sent for them to him, kept them in his Court, and in his most secret chambers; That Baptista Taxis, a most notable spy, and enemy of our common affairs, who a little before had been Secretary unto Duke d'Alva, who was not onely adjoined to his privy council, but also was made and set over them. Besides him one Octavius Gonzago an Italian, as also he took unto him one Escovedo, a crafty Spanish Fox, unto whom he adjoined certain Netherlanders. But what Netherlanders I pray you? Those who partly had been the st●rrers up and favourers of so many miseries; who were both hated of their native country, and of all good men; viz. Barlemont, Megan, Hierge, Flojon, Hautepenny, Assonville, and other plagues of their country, who having ordained the Law of Lentulus, catiline and Cassius, established the same with their counsels and deeds, viz. That all those that by preserving the Common-wealth would be preserved, should be declared for enemies.  
By this counsel and advice, the Spaniards presently, even at the beginning of this peace, should haue surprised the Town of Gent, if the good and profitable counsel, and also the valiant deeds of the States, had not hindered the same; For don John himself could not refrain nor keep in his hatred and enmity any longer, which he bore to the Netherlanders, but had quickly forgot that sacred oath, which he had sworn, upon the Evangelists, before the Bishop of Shertogenbosch, and the Popes nuntius, or spiritual ambassador.  
He had promised and sworn; that he would deal with all the souldiers in the Netherlands, who were 15000, about their Arrearages, to the end, that they thereupon might be discharged; like as in the agreement of the peace had been concluded. And contrarily thereunto, he promised the Souldiers, in the Kings behalf, anew, to haue greater means, honours, offices and rewards: and held a most mischievous counsel with Fronsberghen and Focker, colonels of the German souldiers; part of whose wicked counsel he effected, and the ●est being hindered by the States he could not effect.  
But yet to the end, that you may see and know the ground of this business, I will in few words declare unto you how the matter fell out: For under these two conditions or covenants, viz. in maintaining of the Romish Religion; and in yielding lawful obedience to the King, did the whole treaty of the peace consist.  
And when the States which had sworn hereunto with an high Oath, then were they presently admitted, that those affairs concerning the Land, which presently in the beginning of the treaty of peace were begun, but could not be concluded upon, that they should be dispatched and concluded in the next assembly of the States.  
But yet Don John, whose affection burned with a lust and longing desire, by some secret and concealed practise to break the peace, and to begin the war again, casting all these conditions and promises at his heels, made a way for those complaints which Philip, and all the former Governours had used as a cloak to cover all their intended wicked imaginations against the Reipublick, viz. That the Hollanders and Sealanders neglected and despised the Romish Religion; and by that means the commandement of the King was neglected.  
Vpon this Anvyle did they hammer night and day? they assailed the States, and were exceeding troublesone unto them, counseling them that they altogether should begin the warres, against Holland, Sealand, and the Prince of Orange, who was the most eminent Champion against the unjust government of the Spaniards, who indeed had been exceeding beneficial to the whole Common-wealth.  
In this counsel Don John had his eye upon these two objects, which should be exceeding profitable and serviceable to further his intent; that by their Civill warres, the substance and treasure of the land might be exhausted, and they being weakened and bruyied by their own war, that then he, with the more ease and convemency might suppress them together.  
whereas he stil persisting with these desires and entreaties, being as it were dashed against a Rock by a Tempest: The States answered him; that it were better and more profitable for the Common-wealth, That concerning all those matters whereof Don John made his complaints, to haue them by a friendly composition decided, and united, in the assembly of the States; and if they could haue imprinted or persuaded him to haue believed the same, we had never fallen into the miseries of a Civil War.  
For what is more repugnant to the common good, and to all human laws and Iustice; then to try by war, those controversies, which may be decided by Right and Reason. Archidamus( though no Christian King, but of a stately, honourable and provident Nation) said; That it was unlawful to take arms against those, who were willing to haue the matter tried by Law. When any injury had been offered to the romans themselves; they did not presently begin with warres: but did first sand Clarigatum, that is, they caused those things that were stolen or taken away, to be more apparently and manifestly demanded again.  
But how profitable, good, and wel-ordred is the custom of the Common-wealth of the Venetians, which I lately saw and observed; where they will not suffer that the principal Nobles themselves of that flourishing Common-wealth, should contend, chide, or maintain enmity among themselves, for, or about other mens small and petty affairs. But they bring the same into their Senate, or council, and there they desire, pray, and admonish them, that they will remember, and be mindful, that they are all of them Saint marks children( which name they haue given their Reipublick) and that they are brethren, and burgesses of such a free and happy government, and that it was not beseeming for them, for any particular business, to cherish and foster any private dissension or hatred, which might thereafter prove to be more general, to the peril and danger of that Reipublick.  
Which custom above all other affairs ought to be used in the affairs concerning the Land, and ought to be esteemed of in all wel-ordered Common-wealths. If this were so, we should not se● one city so against another( oftentimes in one Province or Reipublick) or one Noble-man so against another of the contrary party, to threaten war, murder, destruction, burning and blaking, nor violence to assault each other.  
But now to return to our former purpose, in respect that there are two sorts of warres: the one with words by way of Iustice; the other with violence. The first being proper to men, the second to unseasonable beasts. And that we m●st necessary avoid violence, unless the course of justice be denied us. Therfore we must beleeue that the States far rather would haue decided those controversies, by their good and wholesome counsels, by reason and conference; then to make them greater by war and spilling the blood of the Citizens. Contrarily Don John complaineth of the States very publicly: He attacks and upbraids them all for Rebels, and then deals with the High-dutch Souldiers no longer by secret dealing in the affairs very prejudicial to the Common-wealth( with whom very cunningly he had long time dealt with all) but then began he very publicly to deal with them; so that the whole discovery of that business, by divers intercepted letters, was fully come to the knowledge of the States. And many things they daily saw with their eyes, as first when he removed his Court and family, with his Councel-companions to Bergen in Henegow( being a very strong Town, and very fit for his conjurations and complottings) and commanded that the same should be provided with a strong Garrison.  
Moreover, when as he surprised the Castle of antwerp by treachery, and did surprise those well provided and fortified towns of Namen and Charlemont, and put a strong guard into them of his own souldiers, thinking thereafter by treachery to haue taken in the Town of Brussels, So that already the principal and chief Cities and towns, by the great number of his Forts and Citadels, were beleagred and oppressed; and then he wholly began to set up himself against the Reipublick; and also many other things were then done by his advice and motion: whereas he according to his oath, ought to haue advised, that all the souldiers should haue laid down their arms, and presently to haue departed out of the Country.  
All which things appearing manifestly to the eyes of the States, who adjudged that the same tended to the subversion of the Common-wealth; they thought that they were bound continually to keep a good counsel-watch; neither did they turn their eyes aside from the Reipublick, from that time that he sought to haue all the government alone, unto whom they in all officiousness( not being moved by any distemperature of mind) sent as ambassadors unto him, Marolaeus and Brusus, charging them that they should present and show, their full performance, innocency, and integrity, and should free them from all suspicion and evil conceit,( the which they most certainly knew, that he mischievously had dissembled,) that the faith that was given at Gent should be renewed: they should also promise, that the States should make diligent enquiry, and execute severe punishment upon those treacherous murtherers and conspirators, who( as he said) laid wait for his life, and had conspired against him;( making a show and dissembling, as if to prevent the same, he went to Namen:) They would augment his Guard more then those he had already, to the number of three hundred complete armed men, who should be all of them Netherlanders, the which before that time was never offered to any governor or Ruler. And yet with all these supplications and entreaties they effected nothing; for there was neither modesty nor reason to be found in Don John. Nay, he could not bridle nor keep in his own evil arrogancy and audacious passion; but declared the same to Marollaeus at the same time of his ambassage, boasting himself, that he now did wholly assure himself, and that he doubted not, but that he had brought under the subjection of his will and command, the city of antwerp; that he had no lack neither of money nor men; that he now had all things in a readiness, for the furnishing of a war; and that he with his sword, would purchase unto himself a greater authority, power, command and government; then the States had promised and granted him in the pacification of Gent; and that it was his will, that these ambassadors should report all these things unto the States, for he would not conceal any thing from them that he knew to appertain to this his intent and will. This matter is undoubtedly sure and certain, and sufficiently known before this, so that here it is not needful to produce witnesses. And although it be a very miserable thing, not to be able to deny, and very shameful to be confessed; yet I think verily that the Spaniards themselves( although they be less shameless then a man would beleeue they are) cannot deny this at any time. Don John had written unto Tre-longe, and to his other companions and fellow-workers of his secret tricks and conspiracies, That he had given as a Cymbrian spoil the wealth of the citizens of antwerp, for a prey unto his souldiers. The souldiers ranged already through the city, as mortal enemies, and forced the citizens to give them whatsoever they listed. Many of the principal citizens began to fly out of the city, and as it were banished: by which means the traffic and trading of the Marchants by shipping, began to cease. And although there were great and manifest tokens of their malignant enmity; yet nevertheless the States did bear all this very moderately and modestly, and indeed would haue born yet much more, if that mortal and pitiful project which Don John intended, had not been discovered and made manifest as the day; even as if a man at the first sight seemed to perceive some lifeless and insensible creature, and afterwards by more certain and sure signs and tokens, beginneth to think of what quality that was whereof he doubted: even so the States did also very easily understand, by all those things which they had seen, that this prince did cherish in his mind and counsels, an hatred tending to the ruin of the common-wealth: but of what quality that he was, and how far he would extend himself over the reipublick, that they most evidently discerned and distinguished thereafter, both out of his own, and by letters from others. For there were many letters intercepted in Gasconie, viz. Two of Don Iohns, written by himself unto the King, and other from him written to anthony Perez the chirfe of the Kings council; Moreover five letters from Escovedo to the King, out of which the States might assuredly understand, that there were fed and bread monsters, and strange impostures; that private conspiracies were there practised; that there was great dissension mingled among the Cities and the nobility of the Netherlands; and by what means the same was effected; and how fit and serviceable it was that tyranny and the Inquisition, according to that firm resolution of the Spaniards, should be brought in& established; and to that end soldiers, arms, and all warlike preparation very earnestly was required for the king.  
Consider and understand, illustrious Princes, the secret and privy conspiracies of this man: hear the words which this man useth in his letters written to the King, which( as I said before) were intercepted. In regard that this body( saith he) is so unhealthful, that it cannot be cured any otherwise, but by the cutting off of the unsound members, you must now carefully observe this occasion which is presented. And Escovedo adds the unto the rest very amply, as a good interpreter of his meaning, who might very well writ that which Don John himself would not give to understand. This Escovedo was the right minion and servant of audacity and treachery, whom I think by reason of his nature and manners, was name Escovedo, because that he knew by his deceit to bring, the miserable Netherlanders into his net. He wrote that unto the King which Don John would haue him to writ, viz. That it possibly could not be, that the Netherlanders should bee brought under the pure and perfect obedience and will of the King, unless that first they were tamed and constrained thereunto with fire and sword. That therefore both men and arms were very needful, and that the same must be effected by war. By the which as a good architecture of the Spanish tyranny, he gave them to understand, that the cruelty and rigour which Alva and Requisenius had abused, must not continually be put in practise, but that the Netherlanders must be ensnared by a greater deceit and hypocrisy. Like as in Navigation, it is a point of knowledge to see before hand the storm, that although men cannot attain the haven, yet( if altering the course) you may attain thereinto, then it is a foolish dead to keep that course which before was taken with great peril and danger, rather then that you altering the same, might attain to the wished for haven. For so was his opinion, that the first raging and madness of the Spaniards must bee somewhat mollified, and now must go to work with dissembled faith and promises. That Don John who had an incredible moderation, and an indifferent mind betwixt Ambition and cruelty, might very fortunately effect the same. He advised by his own and his masters counsel, that England should be first surprised and conquered by war, and then it would be very easy to surprise the Netherlandish provinces.  
In those letters which Don John sent unto anthony Perez his special friend; He gave him to understand that he was of such a nature and condition, that he could not live still in idleness, nor could away with the laws of peace; and that his mind& conscience could not endure that he should wholly submit himself to the privileges and laws of the Netherlanders, but that he far rather by force of arms would obtain and effect for the king, a whole, absolute, and unlimited government over the Netherlands.  
And if now you do not sufficiently see and perceive, that Don John first broken the pacification of Gent, where the same by so many and clear proofs doth appear. Then remember( by the eternal God) remember, I say, what reasons he used to the ambassadors of our States at march and Famines, when he said, that he would keep the contracts and conditions of peace so long, until that covenant which was begun, should repent him, that is, until he by his sweet entisings, and hypocritical lenity, having rocked the States asleep, at the last might destroy them, and with them suppress the whole Reipublick. For after the death of John, Philip shewed very manifestly that that same in very dead should haue befallen us, like as he at Mechlen by the Lord of skulls certified and gave them to understand, that he would break the laws of the peace, and that he no longer would be bound to keep them But I pray you for what occasion? was it for neglecting the Romish Religion? Assuredly it had never been more used nor reverenced with the like devotion, care, and diligence, nor never was the zeal of our people so greatly affencted thereunto as then. The Bishops of the Churches were then received; the schools and Colleges were partly instituted, partly renewed and augmented. Finally, there was not any thing omitted that served for the maintaining of the customs and ceremonies of the Romish Church. So that our Netherland might well haue compared, matched and stroven with Italy and with Rome the chief seat and metropolitan of that Religion. The which the Popes nuntius,( or spiritual ambassador) who in his behalf was sent unto us, shal not deny the same. For he writing himself unto the Pope concerning this, saith, that he did much admire, and was therefore exceeding joyful, that those prescriptions and duties( or services) of the Romish Church, were exceeding well maintained by the Netherlanders in great devotion and piety.  
How and after what manner the affections, wils, and devotions of all our States, and of all the Netherlanders were affencted to the king, I need not to make repetition; neither is it needful to prove, that they delighted or loved any thing so much as to fulfil the kings commands, and to show obedience thereunto. The Trophaes, Pyramedes and Pageants which were made and prepared so sumptuous and costly to the honor, and at the entrance of John, can testify this. How did all the Nobles with such exceeding joy, wishing him good luck, receive him? How did all the people with great mirth and rejoicings receive him? What banquets and sumptuous feasts at the lands charge, were then with much delight made for joy thereof, that this peace was made and concluded? And what great triumphs all the Netherlanders made and demonstrated upon all their theatres when this peace was made, is yet testified by all the inhabiting strangers, who were thereat exceedingly droven to admiration, yea were even astonished.  
It was no otherwise then, but as if the Netherlanders had then found the beginning and principles of a wel-governed Common-wealth in the person of this their chief, or Governor. Yea, thou thyself John, if thou wilt but enter into thine own heart and conscience, shalt not be able to deny the same, That the Netherlanders did fully keep and observe all the contracts and conditions of the peace, which they were bound to keep; and never denied obedience unto the commandement of the king, if they were not more vile then the commandements of Manlius, if they did not too too much oppugn the laws and privileges.  
But to the end that I may produce one instance which far exceeds all mens admiration; and which shall perfect this our disputation: you must for a certainty aclowledge, that the states had undertaken with force of arms to haue forced the Hollanders and Zealanders to haue done those things which you most desired, which was the induct on, and as it were the ground-work of your accusations and complaints, if in case they by right, reason, and conference, could not be brought thereunto: which things you altogether scorned and rejected, and to the end that this one pretext, this onely pretence might remain for matter for your false accusations; And that this might be a just occasion for your conjurations: yet this occasion was not sufficient thereunto, neither could it be sufficient enough, in regard the same is manifestly known unto all men, not onely to Netherlanders, but also to all strangers, who either saw the whole business as it was carried, or else haue heard the same rereported. That the Hollanders and Zealanders haue always entertained, received, and accomplished the precepts and commandements of the King, no otherwise then if they had been the Oracles or commandements of God: That they never were careless nor negligent in their offices or duties which by the law of Nature they were owing to their Prince. Yet this I will freely confess,( which I will attribute and consecrate to their immortal and most high commendations) that the Hollanders and Zealanders were the first counsellors, and shewed the way first to the other Provinces, to free and to maintain the common liberty. For I will at the last, O you most provident men, you most mighty States of Holland and Zealand, convert and turn my speech and oration from those wicked and horrible dealings of that dishonourable man; to your virtues, valours, and abilities. Should I so slightly pass by the worthiness and valiant deeds, and manly courage, whereof every mans mouth is full: and for which every one so highly commendeth, loveth, and honoureth you for.  
You haue evermore with a valiant, constant and persevering courage, resisted and rejected that most intolerable and most cruel servitude and thraldom of the Inquisition, or Faith-presse. And if they now say, that the authority, respect and commandement of the King consisted therein; and that you in respect thereof, would not give way, nor be obedient unto the same; wherein indeed consisteth your glory, and whereof you may justly boast; Yet you confess, to your great commendation, that you haue given these occasions unto the accusations of Don John: That you, being free from all faults, yet in this you are and will be faulty. And herein you may boast, That you with an especial providence and wisdom, haue carefully watched and kept yourselves, so that at no time, neither by any of these, nor any other Spanish treacheries, perjuries, tricks, or traps, you haue been cousoned, debauched, nor ensnared: that you were the first which were inflamed with a singular constancy and courage, to deliver the Reipublick from the grievous yoke of tyranny and cruel government. That you with the toarch of your liberty, haue been a light to enlighten all the other Provinces. And that you had far rather, by these long-during warres, be spent, die, and endure all kinds of misery and adversity: then to forsake your customs, laws and privileges. I beseech the Lord God, by whose onely conduct, grace and assistance, you haue achieved such admirable things, that you may prosperously continue& persevere therein from henceforth perpetually. Now will I turn me again unto that from which I haue digressed, and recommend unto your judgement and arbittrement, O Christian Princes, all what I haue spoken of the deeds of Don John. Take notice, judge, and speak what you think thereof. Considering that of all the States parts, there is nothing omitted, which by the law and contract they had promised to do: and contrarily for Don Iohns part, of the ten parts of the agreement or composition, which wholly he ought to haue performed, he hath not discharged any one point thereof well nor honestly as he ought. And hereby you may see, with what justice and equity we undertook this business, and how we( having undertaken the same) haue dealt and proceeded therein.  
For when the States perceived, that all their hope and trust for the cashiering of those great numbers of the german souldiers was frustrate, and that they were laid in the cities, towns, and mouths of the frontier garrisons, and that they kept Namen& Charlemont, being Cities and Castles that were very well provided; to the end that Don John that way, might receive and bring into the Netherlands that great army which he had desired of the King in his letters; and moreover they perceiving that the hate and envy of all the souldiers was turned upon them, and that they with an exceeding greedy desire longed for the pilaging of the greatest Cities, And that they attended onely but for the least sign and token of their Prince, to haue fallen ravenously and furiously, as raging beasts, and to haue ceized upon the lives, goods, and means of the Netherlanders. That Don John himself, and other naughty people daily threatened the ruin and subversion of our native country. That they by the demonstrations, hand-writings, mouths and letters of their confederates, were themselves convinced. That they all had agreed to set the cities and towns on fire, and to haue slain al the Nobles and chief of the Citizens, to haue destroyed the Netherlands, and to haue rooted out the Reipublick. Who is he then that would not be awaked and stirred up for the defence and preservation of the common good? Who is he that with good counsel would not prevent the treacheries of John? Who would be so unprovident, and such a coward, that would not defend and maintain his own life with weapons and war? Assuredly reason hath taught the learned; necessity the Barbarians; custom the heathens; and nature itself the unreasonable beasts, to repel violence with violence, even to their uttermost ability.  
You yourselves, O great and gracious Princes, which possess kingdoms freely and in prosperity; may easily know and understand this; and know also that even so it must be done. But what do I say, that you must know it? All the Spaniards our enemies do know it, and will freely confess the same. For they demonstrate it in their deeds, that the same hath been just, and is so yet. For considering that Henricus Castellanus( being a bastard) and the great Grand-father of King Philip, did expel Peter his lawful brother and right heir, out of the kingdom, because he seemed to use tyrannical dealing: and because he seemed to dominicre contrary to the laws and customs of his kingdom; And, that King Philip upon the same conditions that he inherited spain, did inherit the Netherlands,( viz. that he should maintain and religiously observe the laws and customs.) Wherefore then may not we, as the Spaniards did reject Peter, even as well reject Philip( who oppresseth his subjects with an unjust and unlawful government) and expel him with our arms for ever out of our Provinces.  
But I fear, O Princes, that I haue too much abused your patience, and that my oration seemeth to haue run such a course, that I need not add any thing more thereunto. Yet I entreat your leave, that you be pleased to suffer me, though very briefly to continue in that which Philip sought to effect after the government of John, by the deceit of an hypocritical and dissembled peace; to the end that you may clearly see and perceive, wherefore that we, so long as the world stands, may never make any peace with Philip, but now and for ever without ceasing, are bound to war against him. The very name of peace( I confess) is exceeding sweet, a peace that is good& sound: But between peace and that bondage which is cloaked, covered, and falsely folded up in a concealed peace, is indeed a very great difference. Peace is a stil and quiet liberty: but that bondage, or all manner of fear thereof, is the extreme of all evils and thieves. Such was the peace,( if a man may call that peace) which induced, or rather seduced the Netherlanders even unto colen.  
When as the States by their ambassadors and letters unto you and your predecessors, O all you Princes of christendom, had again entreated; that you by your authorities, respect, and exhortations, should ratify, establish, confirm, and look unto that peace which Philip after a new cozening manner should make, that the same should not be deceitful: Like as he certainly and most maliciously by his deceit over-threw the same. For the Spaniards then made no delay, but presently brought in new dissensions into Artois and Henegowe, causing them to fall away from the other Provinces, over the which they even unto this present haue dominiered. Afterwards by force of arms, violently they surprised Mastricht, and moreover and above they, partly by violence, and partly by great promises, haue sought to get into their power many other cities and provinces.  
And finally is that Vlisses-like-wit Alexander Farnesius Duke of Parma, brought out of italy, who like unto a most crafty and cunning bird-catcher, with the song of his len●tie, and promises of great rewards, ensnared and captivated all the Cities and towns of Brabant and flanders.  
Of this Prince I could say very much, which I am constrained to omit: Yet this one matter I cannot pass by in silence; That, although in the time of his government he effected many things very great and eminent for Philip, yet could he not escape of being suspected, as if he would haue undermined the King in the government, because that through his gentleness, lenity and amity; he had drawn unto him the affections of all the Netherlanders, and that he also seemed perspicuously to haue looked into, and also to bear a hatred to the wickedness and fraudulent treacheries and deceits of the Spaniards. Therefore Philip gave him fungos, or Toads-bread to eat, which Agrippina had so commended to the Emperour, to the end that by the power and operation thereof, he might be admitted, counted and received into the number of the gods.  
But I pray you, what was that at last for a peace, which as a Comet or bright shining star, shined unto us out of the firmament of the Spanish treacheries unto which the Duke of Parma counseled us, at what time the Arch-enemy stood, as it were, over our heads, and that the incredible great Spanish Fleet filled and covered the great Ocean or main Sea? A Fleet which was so terrible to behold, that I can hardly judge, whether the Fleet that Xerxes had, which covered the Sea called mere Ponticum had a greater number of ships, more Souldiers, or greater warlike preparation. With this Fleet Phillip had thought totally to haue suppressed us: who were at that time ravished, as it were, with that pleasant and delightful sound of peace. Yet when this Fleet, by the onely power of the Almighty God, was wonderfully destroyed and brought to nought; then presently by the Emperours ambassadors he offered these Provinces a new treaty of Peace, to the end, that he thereby might transport all his Army and power of war out of the Netherlands into France. The treacheries which many yeares before he had plotted against that Kingdom, began then to haue a wonderful good progression: For his natural kinsman Henry being made away by parricide,( or his murdering of a kinsman,) and the state of all that kingdom, being utterly confused with Civill war; then the matter, and the present occasion required, that he with arms and a mighty host, should prosecute his design, in that flourishing and famous great Kingdom of France, which Kingdom he by violence having taken in and conquered, he might thereafter, without any trouble at all, haue subjugated those Netherlandish Provinces, and all the other kingdoms of Christendom.  
What? Is it yet lawful for me, or may I yet speak any more of Arrereges, or residue of the dangers of this Reipublick? Yes, it is lawful for me, and it shal be lawful for me always to stand for the dignity of my native Country, and to confess the truth. Like as al good Orators, or eloquent speakers, do ever keep some of their most forcible and ponderous Arguments to the last. And like as experienced Generals use to place their best souldiers in the last ranks; even so Phillip in these latter yeares presented a peace unto these Netherlands, which should be adorned and confirmed with notable fidelity; the whole foundation and chief ground work therof, lay and consisted in the virtues, mercy, endeavours, diligence, and in the love of the Arch-duke Ernestus his sisters son; who, after the Duke of Parma, was placed in the government of these Provinces: He promised these Provinces a peace; not such a peace as should be limited with any grievous or heavy conditions and contracts, like as the former was; but such a peace as they themselves would wish or desire. In the mean time Phillip sent his great and huge Armies into France, and his secret murtherers into Holland, to haue murdered the Illustrious Prince Mauritts, earl of Nassow, a famous and notable imitator of the virtues and valour of his father, and a singular defender of our Liberty; and by such an odious and treacherous villainy, to haue made him away; like as they, but a little before, by a most cruel and treacherous hand, had murdered his most worthy and valiant father, the Prince of Orange.  
And finally Phillip concluded many more mischievous, and more wicked purposes against these Provinces, then ever before he could haue bethought himself of. I do not speak any thing unadvisedly, o Princes, but that which thousands besides me of good reputation, can restifie in faith and verity, and that which Phillips own letters do make good.  
What then? Meaneth the king of Spain, that our States by any propositions of peace, can be diverted from their enterprises and designments? Doth he not yet know and understand, that all our affections are so obdurate and hardened, that we will far rather yield and give place to arms and war, then to any kind of new invented peace-treacheries, after what manner soever the same might be propounded? Or, thinketh he peradventure, that the affections of our States every day, lie open to his desire and appetite? What? Is he yet ignorant, that the counsels of all our people, with a general consent and uniformity of voices, are long ago united and knit fast together in this point; and that they will far rather honourably in war and arms live and die, for their laws, and for their native Country; then from henceforth shamefully to sink or quail, under his treacheries and deceits? What, do I say sink or quail? Nay, to come into the extremest evils of tyranny; to be bound with untolerable and inhuman bonds of slavery, and to be reckoned and accounted among those slaves that are bought and sold. We haue prepared, made ready and sharpened, a perpetual and an everlasting war and arms against him: we neither haue, nor may cast our eyes upon any other peace, then upon such a peace as is grounded, confirmed, and may be maintained with force and arms.  
But in regard that a little before I began to speak of France, and to prove that our war partly was joined with that same; therfore I will proceed to add some other matters hereunto, by the which you may evidently see and perceive, how many treacheries, traps and deceits that Phillip hath laid for them.  
He hath a long time since, as you know, o Princes, laboured and endeavoured to assail France, with all the violence and force of his war; to the end that he by the occasion of the Civil dissensions in France, might effect so much by his warres and charges: that if he could not swallow and devour the whole Kingdom; yet that at the least he might get a great part therof. For he had made his full reckoning and account beforehand, by preparing of that cruel Fleet, that both France and England had been a prey unto their enemies: whereas those good Princes, notwithstanding had nothing at all endamaged him, neither was he by any injustice provoked to that war: unless peradventure it be, that he thought this occasion sufficient; that the Pope, at the will and desire of Phillip had excommunicated those two flourishing Kingdoms, for their exercising and ministry of the Reformed Religion; who for the extirpation and eradication of that Religion; Phillip as a Cato mayor, with the pvissance of the Romish Censores( or correction masters) useth to haue regard unto all the Kings and people of the earth, and therfore to correct and punish them, which is indeed a matter known unto you all; for which no man can sufficiently wonder at the shamefulness thereof, and might now neither be passed by nor omitted. And that Phillip in these warres of France dealt most earnestly, and with the greatest diligence and alacrity, with the Duke of Feres, and other Spaniards of the League, whom he as companions, had assisted in that war, to haue estranged the Right and Title of the Crown of France, not onely from the succession or descent of the Kings blood and kindred, but even from all Frenchmen, and to haue drawn the same to Spain.  
These things are so certain, o Princes, that there is no man which doubteth of the truth hereof. But to what end do I bring these into your Remembrances; What is this to maintain the purpose I haue in hand; For this end it serveth; thereby to prove how exceeding great the ambition is of this most cruel Tyrant; and to the end you may perceive and see how greatly, not onely we, but even all of you together, must keep good watch and look unto it. For like as the nature of the Vine, is to extend the branches, as the arms therof far and wide, and therwith embraceth and layeth hold upon every thing that is near it, if it be not lopped and pruned: Even so shal Phillip, if you do not all at once make resistance, at the last destroy and devour all Christendom, with most cruel and bloody war.  
Moreover, he by his Bribery, and secret conspiracy had lately effected so much in Scotland, that some of the chief of that Kingdom, should haue received and taken in twenty thousand Spaniards, if they had not been punished( after the matter was known and revealed) according as their treason deserved. I need not to think with myself, that I can sufficiently express with words, what treasons, what perils, what dangers, he, so oftentimes hath attempted against the Queen and Kingdom of England. Can ambition and violence proceed yet any further? Yes truly. For the like treacheries practised he a little before against the principality of colen, the dukedoms of Gelders, Gulich, cleave; the County of Berghe, and that ancient imperial Town of Aken: All which is most manifestly and apparently known by good testimony, and by his own letters. And who knoweth in what lurking hole and corner of hypocrisy and dissimulation, he hideth and sheltreth his most mortal hate against the most mighty Princes of Italy; whom( as soon as the wind of the first opportunity shal blow) very suddenly, shal be turned into coals and ashes, by his unquenchable and fearful great flames of war.  
do ye not yet see and perceive enough, o Princes, what treacheries and deceits that Phillip prepareth, for your most happy kingdoms and Provinces, which are your patrimony? Considering there is no man so blind nor senseless, who seeth not; and understandeth not that the ambition of Phillip never resteth, but daily draweth him from land to land, and raiseth a new war out of war; So that he by warres, sin, mischief, and mere villainous deceits and treacheries, under the pretence of a seeming-peace, seeketh to deject and detrude every one of you from the seat of your Government. For this his desire is unsatiable and immoderate, and cannot be included nor shut up, neither in Heaven nor in Earth. If that all Phillips Kingdoms which he useth commonly in that long train or tail of his most proud Titles and terms of honour were put or laid into one of the Scales of Critolaes balance, and in the other scoale his Ambition or greedy desire of Honour; all his kingdom would scarcely weigh the quantity of one grain, in comparison of his Ambition.  
Alexander the Great looked about for more worlds, when he had conquered the whole world; but Philip would, if he could, with the giants assault the heavens. And therefore, o Princes, and you most peaceful Princes, I entreat you, and I would admonish you, that you judge no more of the occasion and lawfulness of our war; but in your judgments and opinions to hold it for good: and I exhort you most earnestly again and again, that you by all means, both in your understandings, and with all your powers, will take heed of the treacheries, robberies, and mischievous practices of Phillips deceits.  
In former times, when as the Athenians, partly with war, and partly with deceits and treacheries, sought to get unto themselves certain near adjacent places, as the Cities of Syracusa, lacedaemon, Messena and Catina: they by their immoderate Ambition, and desire of others Rights, drew such an hatred upon their own heads, that Darius the most mighty King of Persia, with the whole Country of Grecia, voluntarily undertook and prosecuted war against them, unto which every man ran and hasted, as to quench a public flamme. But you, o most illustrious Princes, ought long ago to haue expelled Phillip( with your conjoined forces from you, and from your prosperous States) that seeketh continually your lives and Kingdoms, by most unjust war, and by most wicked enterprises.  
And it concerns, and is fitting, not onely for you, who for a long time since, haue been provoked, spurred, and stirred up thereunto, by the many injuries and ambition of Phillip, but even you altogether, who see and perceive, that he incroacheth with violence upon the limits of your neighbours; and with an easy and slow place creepeth and incroacheth towards your Countries. It standeth you upon in time to look unto it; to the end, that your neighbouring Countries, being conquered and brought under his slavery and bondage; tyranny, when you least think upon it, do not encroach upon you.  
When as Phillip of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great, after the battle with the Tribaldes, had entertained a long dissembling war against the Athenians, the Thebeans assembled themselves for this occasion; fearing, lest when the Athenians had been conquered, the fire of their neighbouring-warre might haue flown unto them. And a little before, there being a confederacie made betwixt two of the mightiest Cities; who, before had been at extreme enmity with each other, terrified thereby, and by their ambassadors, all the Country of Grecia: esteeming it so, that a common enemy ought and must be repelled with common force; so that if the first invasion of Phillip of Macedon, had had good succcsse; he would not haue held up, nor restend until he had conquered and subjugated the whole country of Grecia. The romans in former time, perceiving that the power of the Carthaginians increased and grew great, they had an especial care that the Carthagenians should not grow so great as to over-master them: And for that end they sent their souldiers to relieve the Mamertines from the beleagring, and to relieve Spain from the servitude of the Africanes.  
Although that the Venetians are not very lightly incited to war, but when the matter of necessity constraineth them: Yet they never refused to sand their warlike power for the succour of others that were under them, when they perceived that their neighbours contended with each other, with an unreasonable and an immoderate-violent ambition.  
These, and the like, even to an innumerable examples( or foredeeds) do teach you, how carefully you must take heed of that most pestilent evil, of the Spanish ambition; and do show; or prove, that it is a righteous and just cause, that even all of you with one consent with us, prosecute a war against that Tyrant.  
For our States do know, that the occasion of their war against Phillip, is not onely exceeding just and righteous, and ever was: but also, that they at no time, now nor never, may cease their war, that they may make no peace with Phillip, but always must maintain war against that Tyrant. For we are taught by our friends, how we must take heed of our enemies: For if Phillip do gape and long so earnestly, and with such diligence for your kingdoms; like as you see he daily doth: how then shal we speed? For assured●y he will never lay aside arms before that he hath subjugated all the Netherlands under him, because it is a country so fit for his purpose; who, out of them may attempt many enterprises upon your Kingdoms, and daily may begin to raise new warres against you, and draw out of them Souldiers, arms, and all manner of warlike provision against your adjacent Countries. And therfore he would far rather cast the greatest part of christendom for a prey to the Turks; then to cease these warres.  
At the last Parlement in Germany, he would not consent to furnish the Emperor with any souldiers, nor assistance against the turk; and the reason was, because he might the better vex Christendom with war.  
do ye yet doubt of this, o ye Princes, which you yourselves haue seen, that Phillip in the beginning of our Civil Commotions, had far rather loost two Kingdoms, Tunis and Goulet, which the Turkes, under their General Sinam Bascha, then recovered from him, then that he would for a while cease his warres with us; or would remove his Souldiers out of these Provinces, against the most deadly and mortal enemy of all christendom.  
And you know how many Souldiers, how much arms, and what charges Phillip hath been at, and wasted, to maintain this war against us: So that if you would but reckon up the same, you shal find that he might haue bought and purchased two Netherlands with that money: although notwithstanding they be very great, rich, and exceeding copious. So that there is no doubt of this, but Phillip would far rather endure the greatest loss that might betide him then that he would leave Belgium without bellum, or the Low-countries without long-encountrings of war, without strife, without souldiers, that they might live in peace and quietness, freely and wholly according to their laws and privileges. For by this war, and with the conquest of our Provinces, he will lay and establish the strongest foundation and surest ground-work of his Monarchy, Sole-dominion, tyranny, and cruel Government. For when he saw and perceived that these Countries were so singularly fitting for his cruel treacheries and designments, and that our laws and Liberties contrarily did wholly oppose the same: therfore sought he first of all with war, with force and violence, to pluck up, tear in sunder, and with violence to oppress the same, to the end, that his subjects of other Kingdoms, which at this present he hath subjugated, or else might subjugate hereafter; from this our concording, and general defence of our laws and Liberty, might take no example or instance, with the greater courage and alacrity to stand for, and maintain their liberty.  
What do you then judge, o you most peaceful Princes? Or, what is your conclusion that our States ought to do, who chiefly seek for the common good of their native country? verily it cannot be with them, as it is under the Government of a cruel Tyrant, and as it usually is in ill-governed Reipublicks: they are not used to be led, and to submit themselves at any time, with cap and knee, as flatterers do; to the wills, desires, and lusts of their superior Lords, nor to be dealt with all as hired slaves? considering that they never would admit nor suffer, that their laws, Liberties, nor their Reipublick, should bow or submit under the yoke of unjust and unlawful Government: But haue as good fathers of their natiue-Countrey; as good fighters for their freedom, and defenders of their laws,( like as it must be in a Reipublick which is moderately and civilly governed by their Prince) directed their designs, wils, and government of their super●our Lord; according to their laws, and the preservation of their Liberty.  
Do you think that the Spaniards shal spoil and cruelly vex and torment our Reipublick, and that we with shane will leave and quit the same? Shal we neglect our dear country and liberty? Must we despise the laws of our predecessors? And shall they pervert& turn topsie-turvie our civil orders and policy into tyranny? And shal we with wringing hands look upon the coarse, and behold the exequies or funeral of our patriae and native country? Shal they rend& tear in pieces the body of our common-wealth, and like most ravenous beasts devour the same? And shal we like slaves, with praying and entreating, hardly preserve our own lives, goods, and means? Or do ye not far rather laud and extol with the highest commendation of honor, this will& affection of our States, for their manumising and preserving of their dear and native country? incite and exhort you them to proceed as they are best able, and to the uttermost of their powers, for the preservation and manumising of their own lives& liberty? Come not these things daily into your remembrances, when you think of the Netherlandish war, or discourse thereof, which I haue now demonstrated, and with sure and infallible and uncontrollable reasons proved unto you, viz. that our States,& all the Netherders, being drenched and soaked in misery, and oppressed with the cruelty of the Spaniards; and being expelled out of their native country, of more necessity were constrained to take Arms against Philip. And that now all the other treacheries, infidelities& injuries which the Spaniards during the time of these wars haue done unto the Netherlanders, being so great, so inhuman, and so incredible, that they themselves( so to speak) do earnestly exhort, do require& command, that the States with a constant courage, should keep and maintain their arms, and neither now, nor never, to lay them out of their hands; but to show unto the other subjects of Philip( those of Sicilia, Calabria, Lombardie, Arragon, Castile, India and Portugal) yea even unto yourselves, O illustrious Princes, I say to show,& with valiant deeds to prove, that not onely we, but all of you together, yea and all men upon the face of the earth, far rather ought to die, then to behold or look upon the face of that tyrant.  
Do ye yet think, or can you imagine with yourselves, that Philip, with the limits of our country, hath limited in his tyranny? Do ye not yet see and perceive, that the high ascending and mortal flames of the Spanish tyranny, devoureth and swalloweth up the tresholds, doors, and turrets of your kingdoms? Arise and at the last awake out of this your sleep and carelessness; come hither with speed, and in all hast fly hereinto, for to quench these universal fire-flames. Wherefore do ye seek unto us against our wils, by your counsels, authorities, and respects, to induce us to make peace with Philip; whereas it had been more fitting, that you yourselves long ago, with war and force of arms should haue expelled Philip, and with an especial force and power to haue suppressed him?  
And to the end I may speak unto you all one after another, you most mighty Princes of germany, be sensible, that Philip in your Dutchland doth not hunt after a cruel and unjust government; but( so to speak) doth possess the same already. For he having once conquered these Netherlandish provinces; when you will not bow and submit to his government: he will haue all the havens of the sea, and the mouths of all the german rivers at his own will, and in his own power; thereby afterwards to impose such grievous tolles and taxations upon your navigation and trading, or else wholly will hinder the same, even as it shall please himself. And this is that for which, and in behalf whereof, one or two of the provinces do appear in your assemblies and consultations: you hear him publicly speak his mind, and you esteem and prefer his tyrannical advice and counsel, before your own prosperity and tranquilitie. You haue him, the Bishop of Frisinghen and Hildeshem preferred before; and you haue seen them made Princes and Prince-Electors of the Empire; The Bishop of colen, Liege, and Magdeborgh: and you haue seen that the most ambitious Duke of Bavaria hath laid snares for you all.  
And to the end that I may turn my speech unto you, O you illustrious and mighty powerful Princes of Poland, hath not Philip brought a great number of that generation of mankind,( I ●ay Iesuites) into your country, by whose religion and policy they haue brought almost the whole world into an up-rore, to the end that he by their means, with Sun-shine-like deceits, might propound unto you what his will and counsel is.  
To you also, most peaceful Princes of italy, I haue already said, and say again, that the sword of the Spanish tyranny hangeth by a very small thread over your heads, already naked and drawn out of the scabbard.  
And for you, O most illustrious Senators( or privy Counsellors) of Venice, you yourselves haue seen and beholded the tyranny of Philip in your own State and government, when he sent money to arm the turk against you; and diverted the power and force of the Turk from his own dominions upon Cypris; although that he by the equity and right of the covenant, had been exceedingly obliged and beholding unto you.  
Therefore O Princes of christendom, yet even now, at the longlast, be careful of your own estates and affairs, of your own lives and prosperity; mark and consider it well, that Philip is enemy and tyrant to you all, and suffer him to live no longer in the world: but resist and impeach his ambition to reign; and that his pestilent and mortal government proceed no further. And like as some certain members are cut off when they begin to be without life and blood, and are hurtful to all the other parts of the body; even so must you also esteem, that this inhuman cruelty in human shape, must( so to speak) be separated and cut from the common body of men. Verily the dead of the Persians is much to be commended, and ought to be well thought upon of you all; who when comets and Oropastes, two of their Magicians( or wise men) by the like tyranny and murder of Smerdis, king of Persia, possessed the kingdom: they were slain by the valour of seven of the ablest Princes of Persia, all of them running with a singular affection, diligence, and burning zeal to kill and to destroy those tyrants with their swords, one of the magicians clasped about the neck of one of the Princes whose name was Gobrias, which made his companions to linger the more, because they would not kill him in stead of the magician( for this was done in a dark place) who commanded the Magician to thrust his sword through his body. Yet in the end the Magician was slain, and this valiant Gobrias( who had rather to haue died, then that the tyrant should haue escaped with life) was saved, and had his life preserved. Such an hate did these men bear to tyrants.  
The Grecians in former times attributed divine honour to those men who had slain a tyrant. And do you think that the Netherlanders shal do evil, or more unjust, that they oppose and resist Philip that inhuman tyrant.  
The romans expelled their king Tarquinus Superbus, because that he, did but in some sort weaken the state of their common-wealth; and shal we suffer or endure Philip in our common-wealth, who not onely with fire and sword would destroy and turn up-side-downe all the Netherlands, but even the whole world? No, by no means. Our States without doubt, will proceed and prepare the way for you to break off, and to expel this tyrant. They will persevere to divert, drive away, and to soil him so far and wide from suppressing and killing of our prosperity, that once, not onely they and theirs, but also even the other provinces of the Netherlands, may be re-established in their former liberty, and may led them out of the straights of the Spanish tyranny, and repossess them in the possession of their predecessors. That finally, they being re-established, and better ordered, and united and bound with the Provinces of the whole Netherlands; they may stop the incursion and invasion of this cruel tyrant, and altogether with one accord may expel him from their prosperity, and from their common liberty. Amen.   

O Thou most high God, which guidest and governest the heaven, the sea, the earth, war and peace: Thou which givest laws and commandements to kings Princes, and to all people upon the earth: Thou that appointest and givest conquests, triumphs, and trophies, the signs of victory: Thou which dost hinder and divert overthhrowes, dangers, and all unjust dealing: Arise, O thou great God, and oppose thyself against the enemy of all justice and peace; against the enemy of thy praise and honour. We beseech thee, that with thy providence and wisdom thou wilt order our endeavours, and relieve thy people, that thy most holy name may be adored and honoured with all perfect piety and true religion. Amen.  
FINIS.   

AN adjoinder OF SVNDRY OTHER PARTICVLAR WICKED PLOTS and cruel, inhuman, perfidious; yea, unnatural practices of the Spaniards: CHIEFLY AGAINST THE SEVENTEEN PROvinces of the Netherlands; yea, before they took up arms.  
GATHERED AND TRANSLATED out OF several Dutch Writers, as that Revered Divine Gulielmus Baudaitius, in his Morghen Wecker, and Emanuel de mitre, by S. O. a lover of truth and equity, and an unfeigned hater of oppression and tyranny, the bane of commonwealths.  EXOD. 1. 8. 9. 10. The new King over Egypt said unto his people, concerning the Israelites, Gods people; Come on let us deal wisely with them, lest they multiply. PSALM. 2. 4. 5. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh, the Lord shall haue them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. 
Printed, Anno 1624.   

To the well-affected indifferent Reader.  
GEntle Reader, there being so much spoken as thou mayst perceive, by the fore-going Treatise, 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 tyramnize over the innocent, and 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 haue 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 haue thought fit to add some further particulars, which in my reading I haue observed, and could add many more; but my purpose being onely to annex a few things, I will not enlarge, lest I add another Treatise. But before I come to what I intend, I haue thought fit having some oversight in the publishing of this Treatise aforegoing, to note by the way, the ill translating of one word, in the 21 folio, it is touching the princess of Parma, the Translator terms her a crafty quean, whereas the word bears no such sense in the Dutch, but signifies one that hath a sharp wit to deceive, as is said of the serpent that beguiled eve. Beside, that 
The Dutch word Ghesante signifieth indifferently ambassador or Messenger.  that is translated ambassador, speaking of such as were sent from the States to the King, I conceive to be more fittingly rendered Messenger.  
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 and privileges, and they to him all due homage and allegance: He presently demanded of them a sum of money. whereupon the States did assemble, and collected for him 40 millions of Florines, of Brabants money, to be paid in nine years, and they paid ●t into his Exchequer; and although it was more then they had paid before to his predecessors, yet upon this he did take 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 persecure the Reformed Religion even unto death: and yet for all that both they, and 170 far villages that belonged unto them, were by them plundered and spoyled 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 warres in the Netherlands; whereby the diligent Reader( not partially affencted) may clearly understand, that the Netherlanders 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 intolierable vexations, as the Histories clearly manifest; till there was no hope, but either they must become slaves in soul and body, worse then 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 the 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; which said Inquisition( raised 
The inquisition was there 4. yeares before.  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 bee instituted and advanced in this manner, which is most expedient.  
1 They must persuade the Emperour, being gone astray, and wickedly confederated with heretics, that he resign his kingdoms unto his son, with the whole administration of the Netherlands.  
2 That the Emperour 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,& keep him for ever that he part not, and not suffer any Flemmings to haue access or conference with him.  
4 That the King writ 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 seditions and tumults, pleasing to all but to our company.  
6 The Princes and Noblemen, heads and authouts of those factions, with the subjects, must be taken away, and the others reduced unto reason.  
7 They shall hire at our charge theeues 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, and 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 bee taken away, until there may bee a new realm, and a new people.  
10 In this action the wise and valiant Duke Alva shal 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 bee of any force for the inhabitants, as being guilty of high treason.  
12 But above al we must haue an especial care that in these matters of so great weight and moment, wee 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 hangman 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 President Vergaes chamber at antwerp, and there Printed; and those are more cruel then these.  
By these articles and unlimited power of these lawless Inquisitors, no man had any assurance of life or goods for a day, but were in danger 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 imp●rtinencies and needless repetitions, I will come to that I intended. In the year 1565 a match was concluded for the Prince of Parma, and the nuptials were solemnized at brussels, whither all the nobility and Gentry of the country were invited, and accordingly there met of them about four hundred, who like faithful Moses being grieved to see the daily oppression of their brethren by the hard task-masters of the Inquisition, who not onely robbed them of their goods, but also by inhuman cruelty, and unnatural butchery, deprived them of their lives, who daily lead 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 al petition to the princess of Parma, which they did the 5 of April next following. The earl of Breedrod delivering the petition, humbly requested a favourable answer. Three dayes after they received this answer, viz. they should sand two of their Noblemen to the king, by whom she would writ in their behalf. The Lord of Barlaymont 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 Bargen, and the Lord of Mountigny should go into Spain, who humbly presented their suite to the King, but could get no answer in 16 monthes 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 State 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 vilde and lewd persons that frequented the meetings of the Reformed; these went into the Papists Churches, stolen their silver and what was worth carrying away, and broke down their Images: but the Reformed suspected that this was done by the appointment of the princess; neither was their suspicion without good ground, for it is to be se●n in the Kings letters, Art. 7, that she had order to hire this rascal company to do this villainy, which fact was imputed to the 
Emanuel de mitre saith, that in Flanders they took 50 of them at one time, and hanged 22 and whipped the rest.  Protestants, to the end that they might not onely be odious 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 Iudges, 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 them 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 souldiers with pretence to apprehended 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.  
But before they of Valencyn denied entertainment to the souldiers, the Nobility had received letters out of Spain, from the marquis 
He pretended it for religion, but his aim was to get their lands and goods.  of Bargen, showing, that the King was exceedingly incensed against the Netherlanders, that he had in the 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 Emperour to assist him in this quarrel. Vpon 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, other seeking rather to escape by flight.  
Now was the Inquisition again brought in contrary to the laws and Liberties of the Country, which the King was sworn to maintain, for execution whereof there were appointed 12 Inquisitors, commanding them to receive the council of Trent, these were called, The bloody council, and so they were indeed, which Rome well knew, refusing it, anno 1559, when as they fel upon the Inquisitors house, set it on fire, wounded the chief of them, broke open the prison, and set at liberty the captives, and would haue burned a cloister that belonged unto them, had they not been by fair means dissuaded by two Lords in the city, viz, Marc. Antonio Colunus, and julio Caesar.  
Likewise Venice, Naples and milan, though they be Papists, would not suffer it; the Marchants of Lisbon who are as superstitious in the Romish Religion as any in the world, yet they did offer the King two millions and a half, that they might not haue it in their parts.  
Yet the cruelty of this Inquisition did here increase, and many souldiers came into the country, that some of the country forsook their houses, and resorted towards Freezland, and some did stay at home, and went to meet Duke Alva, and welcomed him into the country, and shewed him all the kindness they could, but 
As the G 〈…〉 of Egmond,& the Gra● of Horn, and many of 〈◇〉 Gentry at Brussels, 1568.  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 then an hundred thousand houshoulders, besides many that were taken in flying, were taken and hanged, and all these had their goods confiscated to the King.  
The Prince of Orange, and the earl of Bredrod, and five earls, eight Lords, and 50 Gentlemen, and they had some five thousand of Souldiers being in Freesland, but were most over-throwne by the Duke of Alva his forces; so that they were driven to Embden land, and there prepared themselves to the sea.  
Now the Duke 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, 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 haue it, though it did ruinated al 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 kings honour 
All the prisons were filled, insomuch as they were forced to prepare more, and filled them also.  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 haue any hand in way of svit and petition to haue the tenth penny to be remitted, they were adiudged to haue 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 some that had been butted certain months, they caused them 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 blood-thirsty 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 clerks, and( being committed to prison) did aclowledge that he had made many false testimonies against sundry rich persons, some whereof were of the reformed Church. Here might fitly be brought in the hundred Marchants of Granado, who were of the roman Religion, and were never other; what pretence had he to cause them to bee 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 then 28 hundred thousand pound sterling? Now as this tyrant was a devourer and destroyer of the lives of men, so did he presume to usurp further not onely 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 their husbands, and gave them to his souldiers to make prise of them. Those that were baptized in the reformed Church, he compelled to be baptized again, contrary to Gods word, and to the decree of the ancient councils, so that intolerable were the burdens this cruel pharaoh laid, so execssiue 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 souldiers 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 sterlin●, besides the many thousands that he and his souldiers had. All the money that he did exact out of this land in 6 yeares, did amount to more then 50 millions of gold. And if any were known to haue 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 loose both life and goods: yea the 16 of February 1566 he gave sentence in his court at Madrill, that they were all traytors against God and himself. At utrecht he beheaded a widow that was 84 yeares 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 pe●k of coin 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 haue killed women great with child, and ripped up their bellies, and taken out the child and killed it: and some they haue flayed alive, and covered drums heads with their skins, and some they haue tied to a post, and made a small fire round about them, and so roasted them to death.  
At Naerden they received the Spaniards friendly into the town, 
The like cruelty they did at Oudwater  who promised them both their lives and goods; and as soon as they came in, they commanded them to come to the State-house 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, 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 affencted with deep sorrow, yet behold some monsters herein haue been found, that haue been so far from humanity herein,( for he that hath humanity in him will commiserate others calamities) that they haue applauded it, as if he had in all these outrages done God good service. Amongst the rest, I shall content myself at 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 expio●ts, 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, then his father the Pope) thinks not so well of it, his name is Vergas, the President of this bloody Inquisition; for going shortly after into Spain, he  told the King, that he and 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 haue felt, and perfiduous dealing which many haue found by lamentable experience, whereby may easily appear of what stamp his excessive mercies are, even such as the Wiseman speaks of, Pro. 12. 10, the tender-mercies of the wicked are cruel. In which he prides himself, boasting he had slaughtered eighteen thousand and six 
These words he spake at a banquet, as he sate at the Table, rejoicing he had done the King so good service.  hundred, in form of justice, in six yeares times, and ten times so many he and his Souldiers murdered otherways. And many more would he doubtless haue 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 be desired. He swore that he would haue 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, in that 
Anno 1573 April. 1.  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 haue instanced but 4 or 5 towns, but there were scarce any town escaped their cruel fillaging, except they had bribed their Commanders with exceeding largegist●.   
Thus having given you a taste of some of those many things I haue observed concerning the intolerable oppression,& worse then savage cruelty of the Spaniards, exercised upon the people, which they endured and laboured under the space of sixteen yeares; 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 lain 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 subiects to haue their harbour in her land, and that she would not give them or suffer them to haue 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 haue any provision in her coasts, so that now they had no other means but onely God, who did in his mercy provide for them better then they expected. For they were purposed to haue gone for the Tassel, and to haue 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 Ma●se, and came with their ships before the Brill, and there they went presently and took it; yet the Duke of Alva had his forces in the town, near so many 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 souldiers 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 the 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 haue 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 ordinance 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. 
he had appointed those to be executed because they were the chief that stood against the payment of the tenth penny.  So those of the Bril sent their souldiers with speed to help them. 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 yeares after.  
Again it is further worthy to be noted, that these Provinces did three times sand 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 pet●t●on for redress of their oppression, but could not obtain any savour, then they made friends to the renowned Queen of England, and to the Princes of Germany, and to the Emperour, 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. Now when our queens Majesty found his unreasonableness and cruelty, then and 
Ann. 1575.  not before, she assisted them with arms.  
His own son Prince Charles did entreat for them, that it would please him to let them haue their Laws and privileges, and that they might not be so oppressed; and withall he  told his father that those Countries did belong to him, and that they were given him at 
Marplam in his Chronicle an. 1567  his Baptism, for the which his father sent him to prison, and he never came out again. If the Lord would not haue forgot what Amalek did, long after, for smiting the weakest and hind-most 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 then 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 use, there was one place for joy, and an other of torment.  being  told of heaven and hel, they asked whether the Spaniards went when they dyed It was answered to heaven, Oh then said they, we will never come there, for 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 chiefly intended concerning these Countries. When the Citizens of Leyden were in great extremity, by reason of a long sieg, 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 one 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 
They did this as well to the Spiritualty, as to the Temporalty nosort excepted.  the Ports; whereby they put the Citizens in so great fear, that many women with child fell in travail, and some dyed with fear: and they went by 12 or 20, into the best houses, and commanded them to prepare them the best cheer, as boiled and roast, and other dainty dishes, as they list to call for; and besides beer, they would haue at least two sorts of wine. 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 haue 15 moneths pay, before they went out of the 
They did offer them two parts in money, and the third in cloth, but they cried all for money.  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 haue 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, was 600 pound sterling the day, and thus they were oppressed with them 28 daies, 
I do make but a short relation of some of the cruelties they did against this city, yet there stands in the Chronicle, one choir or paper of their further cruelty.  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 Bride-well Master. And thus they got rid of them for the present. And about two yeares after they came again, and then they used the Citizens much more cruelly, for these divels did bring straw, and set on fire, and put it into the houses, whereby they set nine rich streets on fire, and burnt them with many rich and costly goods, and rif●ed the Citizens of all their rich and costly jewels, 
That they are now and haue been this 30 year more quiet, I easily yield it. But why? not that they haue changed their former nature, for they still hold the former principles of the council of Trent, but being more subtle, and finding their Kingdom is more weakened, they dare not so presum as formerly.  and silver-workes, with their money, and three dayes 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 then 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 Marchants in Europe ruinated.  
At R●sell there was a Spaniard would force a rich woman to haue the use of her body, and the woman cried out for help, and her husband came, and two of his neighbours to help his wife, and they thrust the Spaniard away, and he ran into the street and cried Spaynea, Spaynea, and there came many Spanish Souldiers about him, and they rushed into the house, and took the man and his neighbours, and carried them before the magistrates on the towne-house where they were assembled, and there before them he complained of them to be rebelles, and stirrers up of up-rores, and  told the magistrates that if they did not presently put them to death, they would burn their town, and execute them themselves, whereupon they durst do no otherwise, but hanged two, and whipped the other.  
Divers things being manifested of the Spaniards cruelty, I will add 
In the year 1580, the States proclaimed King Phillip to haue lost his right, by reason he violated his bath.  one instance of their treachery,& 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 shewed himself wonderful pleasant to avoid suspicion, and drank a carovie 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. After the company 
A Spaniards kindness to his friends.  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.  
I do beseech the Lord to show mercy to my native Country, that they may never come under the government of the Spaniards, and give them hearts to repent of their transgressions, and that they may sincerely embrace the Gospel of Iesus Christ, to their endless comfort, Amen.  
Yours to command in all services, for the advancement of the truth of Iesus Christ. S. O.