FIRST it is to be observed , that the State of Spaine , not content with those ordinary prouisions for the exercise of the Romane Religion , by the Infanta , and her family , ( which other Princes in like case would haue demaunded , and which his Maiesty with great reason , might at the beginning of the Treaty haue conceived they would haue beene contented with : Haue with great vehemency ( upon advantage of having the Princes Person in their possession ) pressed a generall conniuence for all his Maiesties subiects of the Romane Religion ; to the great dishonor of Almighty God , in the sincerity of his seruice in this Realme , and to the great derogation of the Lawes of this Kingdome . And lastly , to the great discouragement , and griefe of all his Maiesties well affected subiects , from whose generall discontent they expect ( as well appeareth ) a consequence of no small mischiefe .

And when the States which had sworne hereunto with an high Oath , then were they presently admitted , that those affaires concerning the Land , which presently in the beginning of the treatie of peace were begunne , but could not be concluded vpon , that they should be dispatched and concluded in the next assembly of the States .

But yet Don Iohn , whose affection burned with a lust and longing desire , by some secret and concealed practice to breake the peace , and to begin the warre againe , casting all these conditions and promises at his heeles , made a way for those complaints which Phillip , and all the former Governours had vsed as a cloake to cover all their intended w●cked imgainations against the Rei-publicke , viz. That the Hollanders and Sealanders neglected and despised the Romish Religion ; and by that meanes the commandement of the King was neglected .

Vpon this Anvile did they hammer night and day ? they assayled the States , and were exceeding troublesome vnto them , counselling them that they altogether should beginne the warres , against Holland , Sealand , and the Prince of Orange , who was the most eminent Champion against the vniust government of the Spaniards , who indeede had beene exceeding beneficiall to the whole Common-wealth .

In this counsell Don Iohn had his eye vpon these two obiects , which should be exceeding profitable and serviceable to further his intent ; that by their Ciuill warres , the substance and treasure of the land might be exhausted , and they being weakned and bruysed by their owne Warre , that then he , with the more ease and conveniency might suppresse them together .

Whereas he still persisting with these desires and intreaties , being as it were dasht against a Rocke 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 Iohn made his complaints , to haue them by a friendly composition decided , and vnited , in the assembly of the States ; and if they could haue imprinted or perswaded him to haue beleeued the same , we had never fallen into the miseries of a Ciuill Warre .

For what is more repugnant to the common good , and to all humane Lawes and Iustice ; then to try by warre , those controversies , which may be decyded by Right and Reason . Arch●damus ( though no Christian King , but of a stately , honourable any provident Nation ) sayd ; That it was vnlawfull to take Armes against those , who were willing to haue the matter tryed by Law . When and iniury had beene offered to the Romanes themselues ; they did not presently begin with wars : but did first send Clarigatum , that is , they caused those things that were stollen or taken away , to be more apparently and manifestly demanded againe .

But how profitable , good , and wel-ordred is the cumstome of the Common-wealth of the Venetians , which I lately saw and observed ; where they will not suffer that the principall Nobles themselues of that flourishing Common-wealth , should contend , chide , or maintaine enmity among themselues , for , or about other mens small and petty affaires . But they bring the same into their Senate , or Councell , and there they desire , pray , and admonish them , that they will remember , and be mindfull , that they are all of them Saint Markes children ( which name they haue given their Rei-publicke ) and that they are brethren , and Burgeses of such a free and happy government , and that it was not beseeming for them , for any particular businesse , to cherish and foster any private dissention or hatred , which might thereafter prooue to be more generall , to the perill and danger of that Rei-publicke .

Which custome aboue all other affaires ought to be vsed in the affaires concerning the Land , and ought to be esteemed of in all wel-ordered Common-wealths . If this were so , we should not see one City so against another ( oftentimes in one Province or Rei-publicke ) or one Noble-man so against another of the contrary party , to threaten warre , murther , destruction , burning and blaking , nor violence to assault each other .

But now to returne 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 vnreasonable beasts . And that wee must necessarily avoyde violence , vnlesse the course of Iustice be denyed vs . Therefore we must beleeue that the States farre rather would haue decyded those controversies , by their good and wholesome counsels , by reason and conference ; then to make them greater by Warre and spilling the blood of the Citizens . Contrarily Don Iohn complaineth of the States very publiquely : Hee reprooues and vpbraids them all for Rebels , and then deales with the High-dutch Souldiers no longer by secret dealing in the affaires very prejudiciall to the Common-wealth ( with whom very cunningly hee had long time dealt with all ) but then began he very publickly to deale with them ; so that the whole discovery of that businesse , by divers intercepted letters , was fully come to the knowledge of the States . And many things they dayly saw with their eyes , as first when he removed his Court and family , with his Councell-companions to Bergen in Henegow ( being a very strong Towne , and very fit for his conjurations and complottings ) and commanded that the same should bee provided with a strong Garrison .

Moreover , when as he surprized the Castle of Antwerpe by Treacherie , and did surprize those well provided and fortified Townes of Namen and Charlemont , and put a strong guard into them of his owne souldiers , thinking thereafter by treachery to haue taken in the Towne of Brussels , So that already the principall and chiefe Cities and Townes , by the great number of his Forts and Citadels , where beleagred and oppressed ; and then he wholly beganne to set vp himselfe against the Rei-publick ; and also many other things were then done by his advise and motion : whereas hee according to his oath , ought to haue advised , that all the souldiers should haue layd downe their Armes , 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 tented to the subversion of the Common-wealth ; they thought that they were bound continually to keepe a good counsel-watch ; neither did they turne their eyes aside from the Rei-publick , from that time that he sought to haue all the governement alone , vnto whom they in all officiousnesse ( not being mooved by any distemperature of minde ) sent as Embassadours vnto him , Marolaus and Brusus , charging them that they should present and shew , their full performance , innocency , and integrity , and should free them from all suspition and evill conceit , ( the which they most certainly knew , that he mischievously had dissembled , ) that the faith that was given at Gent should be renued : They should also promise , that the States should make diligent enquirie , and execute seuere punishment vppon those Treacherous murtherers and conspirators , who ( as he sayd ) layd waite for his life , and had conspired against him ; ( making a shewe and dissembling , as if to prevent the same , hee went to Namen : ) They would augment his Guard more then those he had already , to the number of three hundred compleat armed men , who should bee all of them Netherlanders , the which before that time was never offered to any Governour or Ruler . And yet with all these supplications and intreaties they effected nothing ; for there was neither modesty nor reason to be found in Don Iohn . Nay , hee could not bridle nor keepe in his owne evill arrogancy and audacious passion ; but declared the same to Marollaus at the same time of his Embassage , boasting himselfe , that hee now did wholly assure himselfe , and that hee doubted not , but that hee had brought vnder the subjection of his will and command , the Citie of Antwerpe , that hee had no lacke neither of money nor men ; that hee now had all things in a readinesse , for the furnishing of a Warre ; and that hee with his sword , would purchase vnto himselfe 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 Embassadours should report all these things vnto the States , for he would not conceale any thing from them that hee knew to appertaine to this his intent and will . This matter is undoubtedly sure and certaine , and sufficiently knowne before this , so that heere it is not needefull to produce witnesses . And although it be a very miserable thing , not to be able to deny , and very shamefull to be confest ; yet I thinke verily that the Spaniards themselues ( although they be lesse shamelesse then a man would beleeue they are ) cannot deny this at any time . Don Iohn had written vnto Tre-longe , and to his other companions and fellow-workers of his secret trickes and conspiracies , That hee had given as a Cymbrian spoyle the wealth of the Citizens of Antwerpe , for a prey vnto his Souldiers . The souldiers ranged already through the City , as mortall enemies , and forced the Citizens to giue them whatsoever they listed : Many of the principall citizens began to flye out of the City , and as it were banished : by which meanes the traffique and trading of the Marchants by shipping , beganne to cease . And although there were great and manifest tokens of their malignant enmity ; yet neuertheles the States did beare al this very moderatly and modestly , and indeed would haue born yet much more , if that mortall and pittifull proiect which Don Iohn intended , had not beene discouered and made manifest as the day ; euen as if a man at the first sight seemed to perceiue some livelesse and insensible creature , and afterwards by more certain and sure signes and tokens , beginneth to think of what quality that was whereof hee doubted : euen so the States did also very easily vnderstand , by all those things which they had seene , that this prince did cherish in his mind and counsels , an hatred tending to the ruine of the common-wealth : but of what qualitie that he was , and how farre he would extend himselfe ouer the reipublick , that they most euidently discerned and distinguished thereafter , both out of his owne , and by letters from others . For there were many letters intercepted in Gasconie , viz. Two of Don Iohns , written by himselfe vnto the King , and other from him written to Anthonie Perez the chiefe of the Kings Covncell ; Moreover fiue letters from Escouedo to the King , out of which the States might assuredly vnderstand , that there were fed and bred monsters , and strang impostures ; that privat conspiracies were there practised ; that there was great dissention mingled among the Cities and the Nobilitie of the Netherlands ; and by what meanes the same was effected ; and how fit and serviceable it was that tyrany and the Inqvisition , according to that firme resolution of the Spaniards , should bee brought in & established ; and to that end soldiers , armes , and all warlicke preparation very earnestly was required for the King .

Consider and vnderstand , illustrious Princes , the secret and privie conspiracies of this man : Heare the words which this man vseth in his letters written to the King , which ( as I said before ) were intercepted . In regard that this bodie ( saith he ) is so vnhealthful , that it cannot be cured any otherwise , but by cutting off of the vnsound members , you must now carefully obserue this occasion which is presented . And Escouedo adds thereunto the rest very amply , as a good interpreter of his meaning , who might very well write that which Don Iohn himselfe would not giue to vnderstand . This Escouedo was the right minion and seruant of Audacitie and Treacherie , whom I thinke by reason of his nature and manners , was named Escouedo , because that hee knew by his deceit to bring the miserable Netherlanders into his net . He wrot that vnto the King which Don Iohn would haue him to write , viz. That it possibly could not be , that the Netherlanders should be brought vnder the pure and perfect obedience and will of the King , vnlesse that first they were tamed and constrained thereunto with fire and sword . That therfore both men and armes were very needfull , and that the same must be effected by warre . By the which as a good architecture of the Spanish tyranny , he gaue them to vnderstand , that the crueltie and rigour which Alua and Requisenius had abused , must not continually be put in practise , but that the Netherlanders must bee ensnared by a greater deceit and hypocrisie . Like as in Nauigation , it is a point of knowledge to see before hand the storme , that although men cannot attaine the hauen , yet ( if altering the course ) you may attaine thereinto , then it is a foolish deed to keepe that course which before was taken with great perill and danger , rather then that you altering the same , might attaine to the wish for haven . For so was his opinion , that the first raging and madnesse of the Spaniards must bee somewhat mollified , and now must go to worke with dissembled faith and promises . That Don Iohn who had an incredible moderation , and an indifferent minde betwixt Ambition and Crueltie , might very fortunately effect the same . Hee aduised by his owne and his masters counsell , that England should be first surprised and conquered by warre , and then it would be easie to svrprize the Netherlandish prouinces .

In those letters which Don Iohn sent vnto Anthony Perez his speciall friend ; He gaue him to vnderstand that he was of such a nature and condition , that he could not liue still in idlenesse , nor could away with the lawes of peace ; and that his mind and conscience could not indure that he should wholly submit himselfe to the priuiledges and lawes of the Netherlanders , but that he farre rather by force of Armes would obtaine and effect for the King , a whole absolute , and vnlimited government over the Netherlands .

And if now you do not sufficiently see and perceiue , that Don Iohn first broak the pacification of Gent , where the same by so many and cleare proofes doth appeare . Then remember ( by the Eternall God ) remember , I say , what reasons he vsed to the Embassadours of our States at Marche and Famines , when he sayd , that he would keepe the contracts and conditions of peace so long , vntill that covenant which was begun , should repent him , that is , vntill hee by his sweet entisings , and hypocriticall lenitie , hauing rockt the States asleepe , at the last might destroy them ; and with them suppresse the whole Reipublick . For after the death of Iohn , Philip shewed very manifestly that that same in very deed should haue befallen vs , like as he at Mechlen by the Lord of Selles certified and gaue them to vnderstand , that he would breake the lawes of the peace , and that hee no longer would be bound to keepe them . But I pray you for what occasion ? was it for neglecting the Romish Religion ? Assuredly it had neuer beene more vsed nor reuerenced with the like deuotion , care and diligence , nor neuer was the zeale of our people so greatly affected thereunto as then . The Bishops of the Churches were then receiued ; the Schooles and Colleges were partly instituted , partly renewed and augmented . Finally , there was not any thing omitted that serued for the maintaining of the customes and ceremonies of the Romish Church . So that our Netherland might well haue compared , matched and strouen with Italy and with Rome the chiefe seate and Metropolitane of that Religion . The which the Popes Nuncius , ( or spirituall Embassadour ) who in his behalfe was sent vnto vs , shal not deny the same . For hee writing himselfe vnto the Pope concerning this , saith , that he did much admire , and was therefore exceeding ioyfull , that those prescriptions and duties ( or seruices ) of the Romish Church , were exceeding well maintained by the Netherlanders in great devotion and pietie .

How and after what manner the affections , wils , and devotions of all our States , and of all the Netherlanders were affected to the king , I need not to make repetition ; neither is it needfvll to proove , that they delighted or loved any thing so mvch as to fvlfill the kings commands , and to shew obedience therevnto . The Trophaes , Pyramedes and Pageants which were made and prepared so svmptvous and costly to the honor , and at the entrance of Iohn , can testifie this . How did all the Nobles with svch exceeding ioy , wishing him good luck , receiue him ? How did all the people with great mirth and reioycings receive him ? What bankets and sumptuous feasts at the lands charge , were then with mvch delight made for ioy thereof , that this peace was made and concluded ? And what great triumphs all the Netherlanders made and demonstrated vpon all their Theaters when this peace was made , is yet testified by all the inhabiting strangers , who were thereat exceedingly droven to admiration , yea were euen 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 Chiefe , or Gouernour . Yea , thou thy selfe Iohn , if thou wilt but enter into thine owne heart and conscience , shalt not be able to deny the same , That the Netherlanders did fully keep and obserue all the contracts and conditions of the peace , which they were bound to keep ; and neuer denied obedience vnto the commandement of the king , if they were not more vile then the commandements of Manlius , if they did not to too much oppugne the lawes and priviledges .

But to the end that I may produce one instance which farre exceeds all mens admiration ; and which shall perfect this our disputation : you must for a certainty acknowledge , that the states had vndertaken with force of Armes to haue forced the Hollanders and Zealanders to haue done those things which you most desired , which was the induction , and as it were the ground-worke 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 remaine 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 knowne vnto all men , not onely to Netherlanders , but also to all strangers , who either saw the whole businesse as it was carried , or else haue heard the same reported : That the Hollanders and Zealanders haue alwayes 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 neuer were carelesse nor negligent in their offices or duties which by the law of Nature they were owing to their Prince . Yet this I will freely confesse , ( which I will attribute and consecrate to their immortall 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 maintaine 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 dishonorable man ; to your vertues , valours , and abilities . Should I so sleightly passe by the worthinesse and valiant deeds , and manly courage , whereof every mans mouth is full : and for which euery one so highly commendeth , loveth , and honoreth you for .

You haue evermore with a valiant , constant and persevering courage , resisted and rejected that most intolerable and most cruell seruitude and thraldome of the Inquisition , or Faith-presse . And if they now say , that the authoritie , respect and commandement of the King consisted therein ; and that you in respect thereof , would not giue way , nor be obedient vnto the same ; wherein indeed consisteth your glory , and whereof you may justly boast ; Yet you confesse , to your great commendation , that you haue given these occasions vnto the accusations of Don Iohn : 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 especiall providence and wisedome , haue carefully watched and kept your selues , so that at no time , neither by any of these , nor any other Spanish trecheries , periuries , tricks , or traps , you haue been cousoned , debaucht , nor insnared : that you were the first which were inflamed with a singular constancie and courage , to deliuer the Reipublicke from the grievous yoake of tyranny and cruell government . That you with the toarch of your libertie , haue been a light to enlighten all the other Provinces . And that you had farre rather , by these long-during warres , be spent , die , and indure all kinds of misery and adversitie : then to forsake your customes , lawes and priviledges . I beseech the Lord God , by whose only conduct , grace and assistance , you haue atchived such admirable things , that you may prosperously continue & perseuere therin from henceforth perpetually . Now will I turne me againe vnto that from which I haue digressed , and recommend vnto your judgment and arbittrement , Oh Christian Princes , all what I haue spoken of the deeds of Don Iohn . Take notice , iudge , and speake what you thinke thereof . Considering that of all the States parts , there is nothing omitted , which by the law and contract they had promised to doe : 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 hee ought . And hereby you may see , with what justice and equity we vndertook this businesse , and how we ( having vndertaken the same ) haue dealt and proceeded therein .

For when the States perceiued , that all their hope and trust for the cashiering of those great numbers of the Germane souldiers was frustrate , and that they were laid in the cities , townes , and mouthes of the frontier garrisons , and that they kept Namen & Charlemont , being Cities and Castles that were very well provided ; to the end that Don Iohn that way , might receiue and bring into the Netherlands that great army which hee had desired of the King in his letters ; and moreover they perceiving that the hate and enuy of all the souldiers was turned vpon 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 signe and token of their Prince , to have falne rauenously and furiously , as raging beasts , and to haue ceized vpon the liues , goods , and meanes of the Netherlanders . That Don Iohn himselfe , and other naughty people daily threatned the ruine and subversion of our natiue Countrey . That they by the demostrations , hand-writings , mouthes and letters of their confederates , were themselues conuinced . That they all had agreed to set the cities and towns on fire , and to haue slaine all the Nobles and chiefe of the Citizens , to haue destroyed the Netherlands , and to have rooted out the Reipublick . Who is he then that would not be awaked and stirred vp for the defence and preseruation of the common good ? Who is he that with good counsell would not prevent the trecheries of Iohn : Who would be so vnprovident , and such a coward , that would not defend and maintaine his owne life , with weapons and warre ? Assuredly reason hath taught the learned ; necessitie the Barbarians ; custome the heathens ; and nature it selfe the vnreasonable beasts , to repell violence with violence , euen to their vttermost ability .

You your selues , Oh great and gracious Princes , which possesse kingdomes freely and in prosperitie ; may easily know and vnderstand 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 confesse 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 Phillip , did expell Peter his lawfull brother and right heire , out of the kingdome , because he seemed to vse tyrannicall dealing : and because he seemed to dominiere contrary to the lawes and customes of his kingdome ; And , that King Phillip vpon the same conditions that he inherited Spaine , did inherit the Netherlands , ( viz. that he should maintaine and religiously obserue the lawes and customes . ) Wherefore then may not we , as the Spaniards did reject Peter , even as wel reject Phillip ( who oppresseth his subjects with an vnjust and vnlawfull government ) and expel him with our armes for euer out of our Provinces .

But I feare , O Princes , that I haue too much abused your patience , and that my oration seemeth to haue run such a course , that I neede not adde any thing more thereunto . Yet I intreat your leaue , that you be pleased to suffer me , though very briefly to continue in that which Phillip sought to effect after the government of Iohn , by the deceit of an hypocriticall and dissembled peace ; to the end that you may clearely see and perceiue , wherfore that we , so long as the world stands , may neuer make any peace with Phillip , but now and for euer without ceasing , are bound to Warre against him . The very name of peace ( I confesse ) is exceeding sweete , a peace that is good and sound : But betweene peace and that bondage which is cloaked , covered , and falsly folded vp in a concealed peace , is indeede a very great difference . Peace is a still and quiet liberty : but that bondage , or all manner of feare thereof , is the extreame of all euils and mischieues . Such was the peace , ( if a man may call that peace ) which induced , or rather seduced the Netherlanders even vnto Collen .

When at the States by their Embassadours and letters vnto you and your predecessors , Oh all you Princes of Christendome , had againe intreated ; that you by your authorities , respect , and exhortations , should ratifie , establish , confirme , and looke vnto that peace which Phillip after a new cousening manner should make , that the same should not be deceitfull : Like as he certainely and most maliciously by his deceit ouer-threw the fame . For the Spaniards then made no delay , but presently brought in new dissentions into Artois and Henego●e , causing them to fall away from the other Provinces , over the which they euen vnto this present haue dominiered . Afterwards by force of Armes , violently they surprised Mastricht , and moreouer and aboue they , partly by violence , and partly by great promises , haue sovght to get into their power many other cities and prouinces .

And finally is that Vlisses-like-wit Alexander Farnesius Duke of Parma , brought out of Italie , who like vnto a most craftie and cunning bird-catcher , with the song of his lenitie , and promises of great rewards , insnared and captiuated all the Cities and Townes of Brabant and Flaunders .

Of this Prince I could say very much , which I am constrained to omit : Yet this one matter I cannot passe by in silence ; That , although in the time of his gouernment hee effected many things very great and eminent for Philip , yet could hee not escape of being suspected , as if hee would haue vndermined the King in the gouernment , because that through his gentlenesse , linitie and amitie ; he had drawne vnto him the affections of all the Netherlanders , and that hee also seemed perspicuously to haue looked into , and also to beare a hatred to the wickednesse and fraudulent treacheries and deceites of the Spaniards . Therefore Philip gaue him fungos , or Toads-bread to eate , which Agrippina had so commended to the Emperour , to the end that by the power and operation thereof , he might be admitted , counted and receiued 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 starre , shined vnto vs out of the firmament of the Spanish trecheries vnto which the Duke of Parma counselled vs , at what time the Arch-enemy stood , as it were , ouer our heads , and that the incredible great Spanish Fleet filled and couered the great Ocean or main Sea ? A Fleet which was so terrible to behold , that I can hardly iudge , whether the Fleet that Xerxus had , which couered the Sea called Mare Ponticum had a greater number of Shippes , more Souldiers , or greater warlike preparation . With this Fleet Phillip had thought totally to haue suppressed vs : who were at that time ravished , as it were , with that pleasant and delightfull sound of peace . Yet when this Fleet , by the onely power of the Almighty God , was wonderfully destroyed and brought to naught ; then presently by the Emperours Embassadours hee offered these Prouinces a new Treatie of Peace , to the end , that he thereby might transport all his Army and power of warre out of the Netherlands into France . The treacheries which many yeeres before he had plotted against that kingdome , beganne then to haue a wonderfull good progression : For his naturall kinsman Henry being made away by paracide , ( or his murthering of a kinsman , ) and the state of all that kingdome , being vtterly confused with Ciuill warre ; then the matter , and the present occasion required , that he with Armes and a mighty Hoast should prosecute his designe , in that flourishing and famous great Kingdome of France , which Kingdome hee by violence hauing taken in and conquered , he might thereafter , without any trouble at all , haue subiugated those Netherlandish Prouinces , and all the other Kingdomes of Christendom .

What ? Is it yet lawfull for me , or may I yet speake any more of Arrereges , or residue of the dangers of this Reipublicke ? Yes , it is lawfull for me , and it shall be lawful for me alwayes to stand for the dignity of my natiue Countrey , and to confesse the truth . Like as all good Orators , or eloquent speakers , doe euer keepe some of their most forcible and ponderous Arguments to the last . And like as experienced Generals vse to place their best souldiers in the last rankes ; euen so Phillip in these latter yeares presented a peace vnto these Netherlands , which should be adorned and confirmed with notable fidelity ; the whole foundation and chiefe ground worke thereof , lay and consisted in the vertues , mercy , endeuors , diligence , and in the loue of the Arch-duke Ernestus his sisters sonne ; who , after the Duke of Parma , was placed in the gouernment of these Prouinces : He promised these Prouinces a peace ; not such a peace as should be limited with any grieuous or heauie conditions and contracts , like as the former was ; but such a peace as they themselues would wish or desire . In the meane time Phillip sent his great and huge Armies into France , and his secret murtherers into Holland , to haue murthered the Illustrious Prince Mauritts , Earle of Nassow , a famous and notable imitator of the vertues 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 cruell and trecherous hand , had murthered his most worthy and valiant father , the Prince of Orange .

And finally Phillip concluded many more mischieuous , and more wicked purposes against these Prouinces , then euer before he could haue bethought himselfe of . I doe not speake any thing vnaduisedly , ô Princes , but that which thousands besides me of good reputation , can testifie in faith and verity , and that which Phillips owne letters doe make good .

What then ? Meaneth the king of Spaine , that our States by any propositions of peace , can bee diuerted from their enterprises and designments ? Doth he not yet know and vnderstand , that all our affections are so abdurate and hardned , that we will far rather yeeld and giue place to Armes and Warre , then to any kind of new inuented peace-treacheries , after what manner soeuer the same might be propounded ? Or , thinketh he peraduenture , that the affections of our States euery day , lie open to his desire and appetite ? What ? Is he yet ignorant , that the counsels of all our people , with a generall consent and vniformity of voices , are long agoe vnited and knit fast together in this point ; and that they will farre rather honourably in warre and Armes liue and die , for their Lawes , and for their natiue Country ; then from henceforth shamefully to sinke or quaile , vnder his treacheries and deceits ? What , doe I say sinke or quaile ? Nay , to come into the extreamest euills of Tyrannie ; to bee bound with vntolerable and inhamane bonds of slauerie , and to bee reckoned and accounted among those slaues that are bought and sould . We haue prepared , made ready and sharpened , a perpetuall and an euerlasting warre and Armes against him : we neither haue , nor may cast our eyes vpon any other peace , then vpon such a peace as is grounded , confirmed , and may bee maintained with force and Armes .