IT is an ancient proverbe , that no man is able to inioy peace , any longer , then it pleaseth his neighbour : how true this is his Ma: off Swethen hath , to his great dammadg proved , in these yeares , and doth yet daily : for hombeit , it was his cheefecare and indevour , in all the time of his Raigne , to keepe inviolable Frindship with all his neighbours , and especially , with the States of Germany ; that peace and tranquillity might florish on every side , and that trade , Comerce , and all oth repeaceable indevours , might be exercized , to the mutuall good off all Nations : yet could he obtaine nothing more , then that , by some haters of the publick peace , after that thay had wasted almost all Germany with fire and sworde , greater snares were laid , from yeare to yeare , against his security . his Ma: was advertised long ago , and that , not of a few States of Germany , to provide for himself more maturely , while this flame was yet spreading it self in Germany , and that he should not think , thay would be more favourable or frindly to him , if thay were admitted to aproach nearer ; but that he would then , presently , take Armes , come into Germany , and with common forces , quench the common burning , being assured , that his owne cause was then in hand , when his neighbours howse was a burning . neither was there then wanting to his Ma: either excellent occasion , his subiects inviting him , or iust cause , his oppressed friends and Allies so earnestly requiring aide and succour . but still hoping , that at lenth , thay would prove more equitable , then so impotently to insult , over their harmles Neighbours , measuring their manners , according to his own nature , he chose rather to committ his own security for a while , to the goodnes of god and an innocent Conscience , then rashly therin to attempt any thing .

But when in the yeare 1626. by reason of his own warr , which passed betweene him and the King and common wealth of Pole , he was marching into Prussia , a Province of the Kingdom off Pole , perceiving more narrowly , what he might promise himself , of those foresaid wasters and spoilers of Germany , he found his friends admonitions to be so farr , from being vaine , that the nearer his enimyes approached to these Baltick provinces of Germany , so manny the more and greater occasions of warre he perceived to be sowen by them dayly , even against him : for in the first place , violating the law of Nations , thay intercepted his Ma. letters sent to the Prince of Transilvania , opened them , and of malice against his Ma. published them with a fained interpretation , casting withall his messenger into prison ; then also , howbeit there was oftentimes no small hope , of redressing and , composing of the long continued controversy , betwixt Swethen and Polland , by frindly treaties , the Commissaries of both kingdomes meeting from yeare to yeare , yet these enimyes of common peace , caused , by their reiterated messengers and letters to Polland , that no peace should be made with Swethen , vntill such time , as thay had accomplished their determinations in the Romane Impire ; putting the Polonians in hope , the States of Germany being once ranged in order , thay should then haue them no slow aiders and assisters to subdue Swethen .

And to the end thay might effectuat , in deede , what by word thay promised : and that so farr as in them lay , thay might both deprive Swethen of all meanes , and strengthen the Pole , thay did not only prohibit all exportation of Souldiers and Armes , out of Germany , to the King off Swethen , leaving withall the same free vnto the Polonians , then his enimyes ; but also , when this seemed a small matter , and thay perceived , notwithstanding hereof , that abundance off souldiers did flock , to the most illustrious King off Sweth . not only from other parts , but also ( and that against their wills ) out of Germany it Self , the yeare next following , 1627 thay sent the Duke off Holsatia against his Ma. with ● great Army , into Prussia , and that not , vnder his own , or vnder the Poles ; but vnder the Colours off the Emperour of Rome himselff .

Neither content with this kostility ; but that also thay might vtterly seclude the kingdom off Sweth : from all League of society with mankinde : thay did not only wrongfully spoile the innocent subiects of his Ma. arriving at the coast off Germ. for Commerce , taking their goods by for●e , and confiscating their schipps : but also , thay did mainely effectuat that , at Lubick and the rest of the townes off the vandalls , by their Scouts , sent out , in shew , that thay might restraine trading to these townes only ; but in very deede , that thay might withdraw the same , from the subiects off the kingdom of Swethen , and that by this occasion , thay might gather together schipps , and a Navie , by which , thay might belch out this venom , conceaved in their minds , upon the Baltick sea it self ; as in the yeare next following , thay ●id manifestly schew , by the monstrows titles off Generality off the sea coasts , and by taking in possession , as well the Land places and Fortifications , as the Coasts , and havens of Mechlinburgh and Pomer , with the acts ensewing theron .

Let any man , who is able , Iudg , that all these things perhaps ought to haue bin tollerated , and for avoyding off curiosity in other mens affaires , to haue bin passed by in patience , while thay kept them-selves as yet , vpon the Continent , opposit to Sweth : yet certainly , after thay were extended to the sea it selff , by choosing the Haven off the Sound for a receipt of their Piracy ; by how much the more this was done , to the great preiudice off all the States , who , by any necessity what soever , did depend vpon this Sea ; so much the les ought it to haue bin tollerated by his Ma. off Sweth : especially , seing the iust protection off this sea was off ould , peculiar , to the Kings off Sweth .

Therfore , so manny iniuries also being added to the former advertizement off Friends , when his Ma. ( being now so much the more wary ) in the spring off the yeare , 1628. was againe passing over to Prussia , being carefull off nothing , more , then that he might remedy these incommodities , by some honest meanes ; it fell out that the Ambassadors off the towne off Stralsound did come vnto his Ma. in Prussia ; who did heavily complaine , that , allthough their harmless citty , had committed nothing , either against the Roman Imperour , or against the Impire it selff , nor against any State off the Impire , for which it was so farr , that it was at any time Cited , or Accused , or convicted , or condemned ; that even by an Emperial decree , it was declared innocent , and secured off withdrawing off the Army , which besiedged it : yet such was ye iniquity off that noisom army ; that , vilipending their innocency , neglecting the laws and constitutions , off the Empire , contemning the Contract , made , with those off Pomer at , Arnhem , and not regarding manny other Covenants , made at divers times , ( by all which it might seeme , thay were sinceerely secured ) neither considering the great sommes off mony , vniustly exacted , and paid ; with gifts and presents ; violating the very sanctity , both off religious and common peace : it did first , wast the Neighbouring villages off the Citty , it did build divers fortes , vpon the territories off the towne , it did fortify the I le of Benholm , lying neare vpon the haven , to the preiudice of the towne ; after it had taken it , by treachery , without any denunciation of enmity : it seased vpon all passages ; from the continent , to the I le off Rugg , and from the towne to the continent , and back , from the continent to the towne , it did vex the Citticens , with divers ridiculous treaties , and having exhausted them by great tribute , it chardged them also with Garrisons , and so , demanded the haven it self , with their schipps and munition : and at lenth , all these being denied them , by their priviledged liberty , it did press the towne it selff with a strait Siedge , and did persecute it , most vnworthily , to the very last , with fire and sword . Whenas therfore , the Emperours decrees , did here effectuat nothing ; the most Illustrious Duke off Pomer , would not help them ; when thay were esteemed , as left of all the society off the Hanse townes : according to the Law , and custom off Nations , by favour off their priviledges , by example off their Ancestors , being compelled , to implore the aide off a Forrain Power , vntill that suddain tempest off warr , should leave raging ; thay did accept , for a while , the Garrisons off the most Illustrious King off Denmark , as most ready to repell the suddennes off the first assault : yet , least that schould turn to their future preiudice , as if thay had associated themselves , with the Emperours enimies ; at last thay found no more equitable , and present remedy , then to commit their oppressed liberty , to the tuition , off the most Illustrious King off Swethen , as to a newtrall , and friendly King .

The most illustrious King off Sweth : therfore , Considering , in the first place , that thay could promise themselves , no more favour , from so vnsatiable attemps , off an army , noted with so many hostilities ; and next , marking , that the desires off this afflicted citty , were grounded , vpon divine and humane laws ; as also , considering that bond off observance , vicinity , common religion , liberty and commerce , by which that Citty was allway adicted , both to his Ancestors , the most Illustrious Kings , and Kingdom of Sweth : and to himselff : and lastly , what danger it should breede , not only to himselff and the kingdom off Sweth ) but also , to all his neighbours , if in this haven , any nest of Piraticall excursion were setled , by the privat ambition of any whatsoever : he could no longer refuse , by any , either meanes or equity , for the benefit off his Neighbours and friends , as also , off his own , and off the publick and common security ( in the meane time ) to succour and releve the oppressed , who so earnestly intreated his help , comfort and Councell . By which his intention , Though this was effectuated , that the Emperiall Iniunctions did keepe their own authority , and the Baltick sea should be made secure for all Nations , who haue any interest therin , and that the towne of Stralsovnd , by reason of the friendly intervention of his Ma. being freed from the Garrisons , off the most illustrious King off Denmark ( as then hostile ) should be kept , both to its own liberty , and to the Empire of Rome , as the League , made with the towne concerning the same , doth yet clearly demonstrate : Notwithstanding , it was never a whit the more obtayned , that those perturbers of peace , should yet remit any thing of their hostile attempts and purposes , but by occasion theroff thay waxed more hot , in seeking the destruction therof , both by Lande and Sea : for finding themselves to be frustrate of that haven , thay sett vpon the haven of Wissmar and others : neither being content with their own shipps , thay called from Danswijck , the Navie of the enimys of the kingdom of Sweth : into their society , and thay began , so to annoy the sea neare adioining , that his Ma. was at length forced ( if he would have the sea , and Commerce safe ) to keepe them also inclosed there by his Navie ( and that , not without great expence and dammadg ) vntill that , that yeare should at length be expired securely in som kinde .

Yet notwithstanding , that the most Illustrious king off Sweth : might not herefore in any kinde remit his constant and perpetual care for the peace , and common quietnes of these Nations ; but rather that he might try all waies and meanes , to com to a friendly transaction : when he vnderstood that a treaty of peace was instituted at Lubeck betwixt the Roman Emperour and the king of Denmark , in the beginning of the yeare 1629. he thought it expedient , to send his Ambassadors also thither in opportune time , that thay might both accommodat this matter of the towne of Stralsound , and compose all other Ielousies , which were bred in these yeares , and that also ( iff thay could help any thing therin ) by their mediation thay might promove the treaty it selff to the wished end : for thus he made account with himself , seeing that by occasion off that warr , which passed between the Romane Emperour , and the king off Denmark , many suchlike Iealousies seemed to haue bin bredd , that neither peace could be concluded with the king off Sweth : Stralsound being excluded , neither could that towne be bound to any Conditions , it self not being comprehended in the Treaty , by reason of the mutuall contracts , agreed vpon with that Citie concerning that matter .

But howbeit the most Illustrious king off Denmark did thankfully admitt the Comming of the said Ambassage ; neither was the same with less courtesie and decencie desired by letters from the other party ; yet such was the humanity , wherwith he was requited , that his solemn Ambassage was not only not admitted , or at least thought worthy off any answer , by letter ; but also with great indignity repulsed , and commanded , to keepe not only from the towne off Lubeck , but also from the whole territory of Germany , vpon hazard and threatning of extremity .

Which only indignity , though in the Account off all Nations , it be allway esteemed worthy of most iust revenge , and there seemed no cause to remaine , why more rough remedies , should be any longer abstayned from : yet seeing the Deputies of the Emperour did at Length ( in March , after that thay of Sweth : were recaled into the Kingdom againe ) acknowledg the letters of the kings Ambassadg , by an Answer by letter , by which , as by way of excuse , thay would seem to mollify the iniquity of the former sentence ; his Ma. also , in the meane time , esteemed the same to have proceeded rather from some evill Councellers , then from publick Councell ; neither did he yet suffer it to be such , as might seem to be sufficient , yea even ioyned with the rest , to Committ his mutuall States to a iust warr , especially seeing the said deputies did withall signify , that thay had no power to treate with any other then the king of Denmark , yet thay knew certainly , that if the matter were yet referred , either to the Emperour himselff , or to the Duke of Fridland , thay should receiue an answer , which might give them content .

It might now seem an vnworthie thing , to expose his patience any longer to such ridiculous proceedings , it having alreadie bene wronged so many wayes : it being also very doubtfull , whither , or how , the matter might be related by the party offended , to the imperour ( with whom heretofore , no such like communication had bene vsuall , to his Ma. ) all wayes being prohibited in the whole Roman Empire , and the treatie of Lubec drawing so neere an end : yet notwithstanding , that no labour might be omitted for the desired publick tranquillitie , and that no difficulty might be any hinderance thervnto , all contrary considerations being laid aside , when the matter could not be related to the Emperour himself , his Ma. was at lenth , by the illustrous counsel of the Kingdom off Swethen induced , presently in the month off April , not only to write to the Electorall convention , as being the cheif prop off the Roman Empire , to which , these proceedings with forrain kings , were thought to be most displeasing , and to sue for opportune remedies ; but also to give consent , that a deputie , should be withall sent from the counsell , to the generall of the troups himself , who by his presence might try , whither those controversies , which seemed to be bred betwixt the mutuall armies , might not be taken away by the Convention of the same ; whervpon his Mas. Chamberlane the Illustrious L. Steno Bielke L. Baron , was presently sent to Kroker , with adjoined power , that , if he found the mynds of the contrary partie inclinable to peace , he should constitute a stilstand of armes for Stralsound , while that farder preparatories of treating being made , more commissioners might Follow , who might refer the whole busines to a full transaction . But , when he , in the beginning of the spring aryved at Stralsound , and found the mynds of the adverse party , and the whole face of the matter changed to the worse , and that the former hostilities , were not only not taken away , but also augmented with fresh hostilities from day to day ; as also Stralsound again to be assaulted , with divers onsets , all the havens of the coast to be armed , for to pray vpon the Swetian sea ; and which is the greatest of all iniquities , that a compleat army was again privilie sent to Prussia , without any denunciation of warr , and that vnder the Emperours owne Marchall off the forces of Arnheimbia . this change did indeed , stay him from proceeding any farder , as it was fit ; yet notwistanding , that he might in some measure discharge his commission ; he wrote to the Duke of Fridland , for what causes he was dispatched , and having protested against the iniquitie of that armie , that was sent over , he desyred that both it , and all other hostilities might be stayed , iff the answere off the deputies of Lubec might other wayes seem to be sincere : But the Duke of Fridland was so far , aither from recalling the army , or shewing any readines to treate : with greater mocking , he confirmed his subdeputies answers to be meerly scoffing , contending , that for this cause cheefly these souldiers could not be recalled , because the Emperour had so many forces , that off necessitie he behooved , to disburden himselff off that army off arnheimbia , and therfore , he , not without cause , sent it to his frend the King of Pole , against Swethen ; as the authentike letters doe yet shew ; neyther would he again answere any thing els to any purpose , to the reiterated desires off the Ambassador ; but caused the said army to hasten its iorney ; which also , the whole last sommer , did vse such bitternes off fight in Prussia , against the King and Kingdom off Swethen ; that , vules God , the Iust revenger off iniquitie , had made the recompence , off the attemps off their wicked intension to light vpon their owne heads , no small daunger was like to have happened , both to the most Illustrious King , and Kingdom off Swethen , and to all his Mas. Frends .

Can any man doubt therfore any longer , whither the most Illustrious King off Swethen had sufficient cause , to move him , ( all cogitations off peace laid aside ) long agoe to have taken armes , and prepared himself for warre , for the defence , off him , and his . But there was yet one thing restand , which seemed yet a litle to hinder the speedy taking off armes ( to wit ) the expectation of an answere to the Kings letters , from the Electorall convention , and the intervention off the most Illustrious King off Denmarck , who , at the perswasion off his Royall Ma. had from the last winter , even till now , begun to vrge the matter to treaties : for certanly , so long as any sufficient reparation off dammages and iniuries , and provision for the securitie off his neighbours might be wrought by treatie , his Ma. was never so covetous off revenge , but that , for the zeale he bears to the common cause , and publict quietnes , he would willingly have suffered the matter to have bene ended , rather by treatie , then arms .