A declaration or proffer of the Archdukes of Brabant concerning a truce betweene them and the States of the Free vnited Netherlandish Prouinces, tending to the treatie for a perpetuall peace betweene them: or for a surceasance of armes for certaine yeares. Contained in a letter sent vnto the said states. Also the ansvver and acceptance of the states of the vnited prouinces vnto the arch-dukes. Translated out of Netherlandish printed copie.

A DECLARATION OR PROFFER OF THE Archdukes of Brabant , concerning a truce betweene them and the States of the Free vnited Netherlandish Prouinces , tending to the treatie for a perpetuall Peace betweene them : or for a surceasance of Armes for certaine yeares . Contained in a Letter sent vnto the said States .

Also the Answer and Acceptance of the States of the vnited Prouinces vnto the Arch-dukes .

Translated out of Netherlandish Printed copie .

LONDON Printed by R. R. for William Ferebrand , and are to be sold at his shop in Popes-head Alley . 1607.

❧ TO THE RIGHT Honourable the Earle of Exceter , Knight of the most Honorable order of the Garter : and one of the Lordes of his Majesties most Honorable priuie Counsel . R. P. wisheth all encrease of Honor and endlesse happinesse . MAy it please your Hon.

The obseruation which this world begets , may teach experience truly to report , that Loue and Charity are for the most part growne so cold , euen in the hotest Sun-shine of our Profession , as that despised Pouertie , though addicted to the Religious exercise of endeuors commendable , is in the best employment ( which seemes with greatest Fauor to smile vpon his Hope ) so coldly recompenced , as that poore vnpitied deiected miserable Pouertie knowes neither Meanes nor Place how or where to warme it selfe .

Vnhappie I , in this best time of greatest happines , who being as I am a Poore dispised , hated , scorned , and vnrespected Souldier so vnfortunate as no commended meanes , though many vsed , with confirmation both of loue and Loyaltie , can bee of power from dispayres Gulfe , to raise a Spirit drowned , in worst of misery : but were I not indeered vnto those by heauen made mine , who are indeed , to me , then life , more deare from whom there is no way to run , vnlesse in me , selfe being be disolued , I would assuredly by heauens assistance in some honest War with vse of Armes , giue to my life so long as I should liue , a liuing maintenance : but now Immured in my natiue home , vnseperably Yoakt with leane-fac't pouertie . I haue experience to conclude that as it is most certaine Pax procreat Bellum , so is it no lesse true , that a coufirmed Peace , Non amat Fillios belli , vntill she hath need of them .

In this estate not knowing how to mend my selfe , Religions Lawe shall make my resolution honest , & though Rerum conditionem mutare non possum , yet I will haue power to say Hoc possum magnum sumere animam et viro forti dignum , with patience therefore shal my grieued thoghts ioyfully be thrown vpon my makers prouidence by whose assistance I will still resolue with a constant Bosome to persist in the prosecution of commended deedes , for this I know Spes mea , Christo viuens , Est viuere vt semper viuam .

And thus , my Honorable Lord , hauing breathed forth a sight vnto the grace of your compassionate respect : I humbly craue your Honor will vouchsafe , to patronize in this little booke ( by me collected ) not my owne but the words of that reuerend and learned Judge , the Lord Coke , who at his coming to Norwich , did at the Assises there vpon the bench , deliuer a charge so exelent as that it worthyly deserues to bee continued in perpetuall memorie , which being thus prodused to a publique view , I hope it shall vnto our Publickeweale remaine a worthy presedent , wherein Romes champions may with shame decerne their long continued shamefull practices , Puritans & Sismatickes learne to knowe with what Iniustice they disturbe the happinesse of our most happie peace , our Iustices , inferior officers , Iurors , and Commons generally , may in this booke find out commended documents , and instructions profitable as wel directing how to gouern as to be gouerned : all which particulars the learned Iudge hath wisely handled with such plausible Oratorical wisedomes eloquence , as that when I heard him speake , I though the Poet had iust cause to say , Prospera lux orritur linguisque animisque fauete : Nam dicendà bono sunt bona verba die . If therefore in this following worke my Memory hath giuen a true instruction to my pen , I hope my labour shal be accounted profitable , when it administers a publique benefit .

Thus Right Hon. Earle , what I haue herein performed , together with my most vnworthy selfe , I humbly referre vnto your Honoured wisedomes consideration , remaining as I will alwayes rest ,

Your Honours in all humblenesse of Dutie . R. P … .

❧ The Letter of the Arch-Dukes , sent vnto the States of the vnited Prouinces .

THe Archdukes , whose heartes most seruent and earnest desires endeuour nothing more , then to see the Netherlandes , and all the good Inhabitants thereof at peace , and free from the miseries of these continuall warres , vpon good considerate deliberation , declare and signifie by these presents , that they are contented to treat with the States of the said vnited Netherlandes in the selfe same qualitie , as houlding and reputing them to be free Countries , Prouinces , and States .

Vpon the which , their Highnesses not clayming or pretending any thing . Bee it by way of a perpetuall peace , truce , or surceasance of armes , for twelue , fifteene , or twentie yeares , euen to the free choyse and acceptance of the aforesaid States , the whole depending vpon reasonable conditions . Amongst which conditions , couenants and agreements , also shall be admitted , aswell to the conclusion of a perpetual peace , as to a truce , or surcease of Armes : That each one shall continue to haue and remaine possessed of all that which he now inioyeth , vnlesse that by common consent it be conueniently otherwise agreed vpon , for the better accommodation of their Highnesses , and the said Stats , togither respectiuely with the Netherlands , in the exchange of some Citties , or any other places . As also vpon the good order and security of the common trade , traffique , commerce , & conuersation , with whatsoeuer belongeth thereunto , togither with the Interuentions , confirmation , and furtherance of what shall be concluded . And their Highnesses hauing thus maturely considered vpon the estate of the vnited Prouinces , and desiring to treat with them no otherwise herein then faithfully , without fraud & deceit : as also to grant vnto the said States a time of deliberation to consider and determine what shall be most needfullest for the common good and benefit publique .

And are therefore contented , that those persons that they shall appoint for the saide Truce ( which shal be born Netherlanders ) shall assemble themselues togither with the said States in like number at the time and place appointed , to be chosen and limmitted by the said States .

And to the end that whatsoeuer is formerly rehearsed , may haue the better proceeding , be it for a perpetual peace , or the said surcesse their Highnesses are contented , that for the next ensuing eight monethes , there shall be a general surcease of armes , all seiges and surprisings of Citties or Fortresses , all Incursions , and deuastations whatsoeuer in the prouinces and quarters , togither with a surceasing to build any new fortresses , or proceeding in any other Hostile action either by sea or land , in all the Netherlands , or at Sea , in Spaine , or elsewhere , as well in respect of the King , as of their Highnesses , from the day of Anno 1607.

And vpon condition prouided , that if within the aforesaid time of day and moneth , limitted any of the parties ignorantly , without taking knowledge hereof , should surprise or intercept any thing from the other partie , that the same shall then bee dewly repaired , and restitution made , so farre forth as the said States on their partes doe allowe and approue the said prouisionall truce , within eight dayes after the presentation of these . And before the first of September next comming , they shal declare and signifie vnto their Highnesses , ( vppon the aforesaid treatie ) which is proffered touching peace , truce , or surceasance of armes , togither with the time and place by them to make choise of , to that effect .

Done in Brussels the 13. of March 1607. was Paragrafied Richardot V t : Signed Albert , Isabell , and vnderneath By order of their Highnesse Verreyken and sealed with the Signet of their Highnesses .

The States Generall of the vnited Prouinces , together with his Excellencie , hauing considered vpon the Proffers , declarations , and presentations of the Arch-dukes , returne their Answer as followeth .

THat in the qualitie as States of Free countries and Prouinces , on the which the High and Mightie Arch-dukes pretend nothing they haue vpon good deliberation , and with aduise of his Excellencie , and counsell of Estate , decreed and declare by these presents , That they for their parts , no lesse than the other partie , heartely wish nothing more , than to see the Netherlands deliuered , by meanes of some godly , honourable , and secure ende , from the miseries of these warres . And hoping that the Arch-dukes , both in the behalfe of the King of Spaine , & for themselues , haue made these proffers , declarations , and presentations , sincerely and faithfully .

The said States Generall in the qualitie as aforesaid , haue accepted and accept by these presents , the declaration , and prouisionall Truce aforesaid , for 8. moneths , beginning the 20. of Aprill next comming , from all sieges , surprists of cities , and foretresses , inuasions or incursions of Prouinces and Quarters : together with the making of any newe Fortes or Sconces . As also wee receiue their farther proffers and presentations , to communicate & relate vnto those to whom shall belong thereby to make their declarations before the first day of September next comming , with full assurance that God Almightie will blesse and guide the busines for the best .

And thereupon the writings and bonds of the promised Approbation , and like declaration of the King of Spaines ( according to the agreement made betweene the comitties of their Highnesses and Ours ) shal be dispatched on the tenth of Aprill next ensuing . And within two , or at the farthest , three daies after , deliuered , and exchanged before Lillo . Done in s'Granenhage .

Gentle Reader ,

AMongst all the temporall blessings that God of his free bounty bestowes vpon any Kingdome or Nation , there is not any thing more inualuable than that heauen-bred happines , called Peace and Quietnes : it was a harmony from Angelicall voyces , at the birth of our Sauiour , when those diuine Embassadours brought glad tidings of great ioy , pronouncing Peace on earth , and vnto all men good will : when our Sauiour departed from his Disciples , hee left Peace with them ; when hee came amongst them after his resurrection , the doores beeing shut , hee spake Peace vnto them : and Peace is that , without which , all other things are distastfull and vnpleasant .

What is it in this world , either for honour , riches , plenty , aliance , artes , friendship , or any humane good , but with Peace it flowrisheth in glorious sun-shine ?

We our selues , of any Nation vnder the cope of heauen , can euidence this to the whole world , that haue had the Palme-tree spread ouer this Kingdome , the long raigne of a peacefull Queen , and continueth in flowrishing state the present raigne of her worthy successor , who is the mirror of Peace to all Nations of the earth . But what we haue not feared , others haue most grieuously felt , especially our neere neighbours , ( the vnited Netherlands ) whose tragedy begun by rugged warre , hath continued in bloody action , many yeares of terror ; thei● calamities and miseries , which of vs can be ignorant of ? English eares haue heard their roaring Canons eccho in the ayre , imitating Ioues thunder , their Trumpets sound the fatall knell of infinit thousands , and their Drummes allarmes laden the earth with millions of dead carkasses .

English eies haue seene the deuastations , spoiles , sieges , ransackings , & flaming cities , of those countries : English liues haue beene liberally spent in their martiall businesse , followed their fortunes , bled in their quarrels , and died in their battels .

But now , after all these bloody affaires , this supposed endlesse warre , these reputed irreuocable cruelties , behold a strange and admirable alteration , that such implacable aduersaries , shall most readily and willingly propound loue and amitie , offering to sheath the sword till it rust ( euen a perpetuall Peace , ) or a Truce limited , or any indifferency of faithfull triall .

From whence proceedeth the originall of these designes ? to whom must the efficient cause bee attributed ? but onely to that Almightie Peace-maker , who hath the ruling and ordering of hearts in his owne hand , to dispose of them as hee pleaseth , be they neuer so potent , powerfull , or opposite .

For as in Iustice hee hath a seuere and cruell whip of three cordes , to punish sinners ( to wit of Famine , Sword , and Pestilence , ) so in his Mercie he hath Plentie , Peace , and Health : freely to bestow on whome his mercie shall please to extend them . It is to be hoped that the Lords wrath will be appeased , towards them that the sword hath destroyed , for such a long continuance of years . And that he will rather powre out his wrath and heauie displeasure vpon the heathen that haue not knowne him , nor called vpon his name . And it is a dutie wherunto euery Christian man is obliged , to pray vnto the great God of Heauen , that hee will remoue his hand of Iustice from his poore weake and fraile creatures , whom with one angry frown , he can at once destroy from the face of the earth . The Prophet Dauid saith , It is a good and ioyfull thing , for brethren to dwell in vnity . All that professe Christ , are taught by him , in prayer to call him father , and the sonnes of one father must needs be brethren .

This motion of Peace and concord ( if it bee faithfull and vnfained , to preuent effusion of Christian blood ) is most honourable , and the acceptance thereof , of as high worthinesse : he that made the heart knowes it , and hath the dispose of it : hee that is called the Lord of Hosts can command angels to fight his battell , with terrible slaughter : and againe , can beyond all expectation of humane creature , cease stearne fac't warre , with mild imbracements of smiling Peace .

To conclude , let all bee referred to his will , who hath power , and whose power no mortall is able to resist , and let our affections ioyne with those heauenly souldiers , that sounded forth Peace on earth , & good will with men .

FINIS .