THe States generall of the vnited Prouinces with all dutifulnesse , haue giuen eare vnto the proposition made by the Honourable Pawle Van Dyialyn in the name of the most excellent and puissant King of Polonia and Sweden . And vppon communication had concerning the same with the most excellent Prince and Councell of estate : Haue concluded to answere thereunto in briefe . Viz. That they verie willingly doe vnderstand that his most excellent Maiestie , so graciously wisheth all good from God , vnto these vnited Prouinces . And for the same they in like manner by their prayer do wish vnto the said most excellent and puissant King , long life , faithfull Councell & prosperous successe , against the generall enemie of him and of all Christendome .

And as for that which the saide Honourable Lord Ambassadour furthermore did declare at large , touching the cruell warres of the Turke , howbeit the States here before by their many euident signes and other witnesses haue had vnderstanding thereof , yet his forces and the perilous dangers of Christendome being now so manifestly represented before their eyes , doe make them exceeding much agrieued .

Also the States be wholy of the same opinion and meaning with the saide most excellent and puissant King . That if ( all debate being set aside ) the Kings and Princes did conioyne their weapons and forces in one , ( which in the deepest dangers of Christendome hetherto yet neuer could be brought to passe . ) That then Christendom might lightly be freed from these mischiefes .

But it exceedingly grieueth the states : That the saide most excellent King of Polonia and Sweden is so preposterously incensed by the euill-willers of these Countries . That his Maiestie should thinke , that these warres which the sayde States ( being thereunto of necessitie forced ) do maintain . Be the cause that the King of Spaine conuerteth not his Souldiours and Treasures , for the suppressing of the Turke & of the other enemies of Christendome . For insomuch as concerneth the States , the cause why they maintaine these lamentable wars which already haue continued so many yeares : Hath beene long since more then sufficiently vnto all Christendome knowne , neither thinke they it now to be needfull nor do meane to set down here in many wordes , what the power is of Kings ouer or aboue their Subiects .

But do ( Signifie . ) That these Low Countries ( as publickly it is knowne ) neuer had any Kings but onely Princes , as namely Dukes & Earles , who haue beene tide and Lyable vnto Lawes , certaine , no lesse then the people and subiects .

Wherefore insomuch as the K. of Spaine , these many yeares with intollerable tyrany , hath oppressed these Countries , contrary to their auncient lawes and priueledges , by his owne oth confirmed . And hath also without any iust cause , caused many hundred thousandes of people to bee destroyed , and kept in hold , yea afterwards ( contrary to the lawes of all Nations ) executed the Messengers of these countreyes that were men noble and of honor , sent ouer into Spaine to intreat for an end of his cruelties , to be made . And moreouer afterwardes without consent of the States , hath brought in new Taxations neuer harde of before , and banished out of the Countrey an innumerable multitude of people of all manner of conditions and degrees . It is not to bee wondred at , that ( all Pariens being ouercome ) in fine our God hath furnished weapons , whereby vnder conduct of the right puissant Regent the noble Prince of Orenge : First Holland and Seal●nd , and then afterwardes the other Prouinces did rescue , or franchised themselues , which they haue taken in hande much latter then the continuall cruelties and tiranny of these Spaniards merited , and then the Princes and States of any other Prouinces woulde . Who woulde not for the shortest while haue suffered the hundreth part of those mischiefes and euils , which the inhabitants of these prouinces so many years since haue endured ?

And how be it that the States of their naturall loue towardes their Lordes , haue tryed all things that might tend to the auoyding of wars , and in like manner haue intended all meanes for peace , not onely by themselues , but also that euen the Emperour , the Queenes Maiesty of England , the King of Fraunce , and also the Germain Princes haue beene mediators therein . Yet neuer the neerer could the same be brought to passe . Which is the cause that they perceyuing no more hope of any lawfull peace , and hauing to the grieuous losse of the Countries , learned that the king of Spayne vnder the cloake of intreaty for peace , did pretende to rent in sunder the vnion of the countries , and to surprise the Townes , haue after the destruction of many men in wars , and the ouerthrow of many Towns , and after many maner of calamities suffred , beene constrained to betake them to some other Counsell .

And so what at all times hath beene free for all Nations , that they may cast off from their neckes the insupportable burthens yea of the Kinges themselues , as many examples can make manifest . The same euer hath beene permitted and free for the free nation of the Lowe Dutch Countries , in proceeding to make a lawfull and necessary declaration , that the Lord of the countrey is fallen from all his right , the which thing many yeares since hath beene not onely permitted and concluded , but also by Edict or Placat published . After the which many of the Prouinces condescended vnto the Duke of Alenson brother to the King of Fraunce to be their Lord , and did after his decease ( as also theretofore ) vnder the gouernment of the said right excellent Prince of Orenge , agaynst the Spaniardes followe or prosecute the warres , and he being in villanous manner after the president of barbarous nations ( through publike rewardes propounded by the Spaniardes ) brought to his ende trayterously not in publike battell but at home . Also the enemie they hauing recouered hope , that the affaires of these Countries woulde not onely come to lamentable commotion , but also fall to vtter ruine and decay : Yet the same notwithstanding these Prouinces by the helpe of God Almighty ) on whome alone the States depend ) haue vnder conduct of his most worthy sonne Prince Maurice beene not onely protected , but also with his years encreased , growen , & in their bounds enlarged .

Now in that concerneth the King of Spaine , and his intent and hart ( which best by his works may be knowne . ) It is notorious that he intendeth nothing lesse , then to warre against the Turke , but that he vnder colour of vpholding the Romish Religion , seeketh to raigne ouer all Christian Princes : For what els is or euer hath beene the cause of his warres against the most excellent Queene of England ? What els hath moued him to step into the French warres , and to seeke after the Kingdome of Fraunce ? and to endeuour to withdraw or turne the Dukedome of Guylik and cleaue from their right Lordes and successors , wherein he fewe Monthes since amongst other his affaires tending to the same , hath delt with the Emperour by the Admirall of Arragon ? beside the subtill snares by him wrought against those of Aken and Wesell , and more other Rijks estates and places , ( if truth may be spoken : ) But onely for to become ouer all thinges of Christendome the vniuersall Lorde ? And for to attayne thereunto the onely drift of the king of Spayne is , that he vnder externall shewe of entreatie for peace might bring these Countreyes vnder his power with oppression of their auncient lawes and priueledges , and set or place downe the seate of his warres against the Princes of all kingdomes there . Where he should find forces both by water and land and also money in a readinesse .

Which thing being by the Queenes most excellent Maiestie of England discretly considered of , she as a defendor of true Religion many yeare since , is entred into League with these Countries .

And wher in respect hereof lately , also is made a League betweene the King of Fraunce and the said Queene of England : The saide vnited Prouinces are also accepted in and vnto the same .

Wherevpon the said Lord Ambassador may easily vnderstand , how inconuenient it is for the States in this constitution and shape of causes , to giue admonition of that which his Lordshippe doth propound , eyther vnto the foresaide Prince , or to the particuler States of the seuerall Prouinces aforesaid .

Especially considering that they are instructed by so manifold examples , that the enemy intendeth or practiseth nothing but vnder the sweet name of entreaty for peace , to cloake the after-claps of warre , and to entrappe them vnwarily with deceat : Of the which the States hope his most excellent Maiestie wil earnestly take consideration and not so much accompt of his affinitie with the K. of Spain , but that he rather wil awaken vp & endeuour for the vantage and welfare of whole Christendome .