ALthough Kinges and Princes Soueraignes , Kinges and Princes Soueraignes , are to yeeld account of their actions onely to almighty God , the King of Kings . owing their homage and seruice onely vnto the Almightie God the king of al kings , are in that respect not bounde to yeeld account or render the reasons of their actions to any others but to God their only Soueraigne Lorde : and that amongst the most ancient and Christian Monarches the same Lorde GOD hath committed to vs the Soueraignetie of this Realme of Englande and other our dominions , which wee holde immediatly of the same Almighty Lord , and so thereby accountable onely to his diuine Maiestie : yet we are notwithstanding this our prerogatiue at this time specially mooued , for diuers reasons hereafter briefly remembred , to publish not onely to our owne naturall louing Subiectes , but also to all others our neighbours , specially to such Princes and States as are our Confederates , or haue for their Subiectes cause of commerce with our Countreis and people , what our intention is at this time , and vpon what iust and reasonable groundes we are mooued to giue aid to our next Neighbours the naturall people of the lowe Countries , being by long warres and persecutions of strange Nations there , lamentablie afflicted , and in present danger to bee brought into a perpetuall seruitude .

First it is to be vnderstoode ( which percase is not perfectly knowen to a great nomber of persons ) that there hath beene , Naturall causes of the Ancient continual traffique betwixt the people of England and them of the lowe countries . time out of minde , euen by the natural situation of those low Countreis and our Realme of Englande , one directly opposite to the other , and by reason of the ready crossing of the Seas , and multitude of large and commodious Hauens respectiuely on both sides , a continuall traffique and commerce betwixt the people of Englande , and the Naturall people of these lowe Countries , and so continued in all ancient times when the seueral Prouinces thereof , as Flanders , Holland , and Zeland , and other Countries to them adioyning , were ruled and possessed by seuerall Lordes , and not vnited together , as of late yeeres they haue beene by entermariages , Confederations both betwixt the Kings of England and Lordes of the low Countries , and also the subiects of both Countries . and at length by concurrences of many and sundrie titles haue also beene reduced to be vnder the gouernment of their Lordes that succeeded to the Dukedome of Burgundie , wherby there hath beene in former ages many speciall alliances and confederations , not onely betwixt the Kinges of England our Progenitours and the Lordes of the said countries of Flanders , Holland , Zeland , and their adherentes : but also betwixt the very naturall subiectes of both Countries , as the Prelates , Noblemen , Citizens , Burgesses , and other Comminalties of the great Cities and porte Townes of either countrie reciproquelie by speciall Obligations and Stipulations vnder their Seales interchangeablie , The people of both the Countries bound by speciall obligations enterchangeablie , for mutuall fauours & friëdly offices . for maintenance both of commerce and entercourse of Marchantes , and also of speciall mutuall amitie to bee obserued betwixt the people and inhabitants of both parties as well Ecclesiasticall as Secular : and very expresse prouision in such Treaties conteined for mutuall fauours , affections , and all other friendly offices to bee vsed and prosecuted by the people of the one Nation towardes the other . By which mutuall Bondes , there hath continued perpetuall vnions of the peoples heartes together , and so by way of continuall entercourses , from age to age the same mutuall loue hath bene inuiolablie kept and exercised , as it had bene by the worke of nature , and neuer vtterly dissolued , nor yet for any long time discontinued , howsoeuer the kinges , and the Lordes of the countries sometimes ( though very rarely ) haue bene at difference by sinister meanes of some other Princes their Neighbours , enuying the felicitie of these two Countries .

And for maintenance and testimonie of these natural vnions of the peoples of these kingdoms and countries in perpetuall amitie , there are extant sundrie autentique Treaties and Transactions for mutuall commerce , Treaties extant of ancient time , betwixt the Kinges of England and the Dukes of Burgundie , for the commerce betwixt their Countries . entercourse and straight amitie of ancient times : as for example , some very solemnely accorded in the times of King Henrie the sixth our progenitour , and Philip the second Duke of Burgundie , and inheritour to the Countie of Flanders by the Ladie Margaret his Grandmother , which was aboue one hundred and fortie yeeres past , and the same also renewed by the noble Duke Charles his sonne , Father to the King of Spaynes Grandmother , and husband to the Ladie Margaret sister to our great Grandfather King Edward the fourth : and after that , of newe oftentimes renewed by our most Noble and sage Grandfather King Henrie the seuenth , and the Archduke Philip Grandfather to the King of Spayne now being : and in later times , often renewed betwixt our Father of Noble memorie King Henrie the eight , and Charles the fifth Emperour of Almaigne , Father also to the present King of Spaine .

In all which Treaties , Conuentions for the subiectes of either side , to shewe mutuall fauours one to the other . Transactions , and Confederations of amitie and mutuall commerce , it was also at all times specially and principally contained in expresse wordes , by conuentions , concordes and conclusions , that the naturall people and subiects of either side , should shewe mutuall fauours and dueties one to the other , and should safely , freely and securely commerce together in euery their countries , & so hath the same mutuall and naturall concourse and commerce bene without interruption continued in many ages , farre aboue the like example of any other countries in Christendome , to the honour and strength of the Princes , and to the singular great benefite and enriching of their people , vntill of late yeeres that the King of Spayne departing out of his lowe countries into Spayne , hath beene ( as it is to be thought ) counselled by his counsellers of Spayne , to appoynt Spaniardes , Spanyards and strangers lately appoynted gouerners in the lowe Countries , to the violation of the liberties of the Countrie . forreners and strangers of strange blood , men more exercised in warres then in peaceable gouernment , & some of thē notably delighted in blood , as hath appeared by their actions , to be the chiefest gouernours of all his sayde lowe countries , contrary to the ancient lawes & customes thereof , hauing great plentie of noble , valiant and faithfull persons naturally borne , and such as the Emperour Charles , and the King himselfe had to their great honours vsed in their seruice , able to haue bene employed in the rule of those countries . But these Spaniardes , being meere strangers , hauing no naturall regarde in their gouernement to the maintenance of those countries and people in their ancient and natural maner of peaceable liuing , as the most noble and wise Emperour Charles , yea , & as his sonne king Philip himselfe had , whilest he remained in those countries , and vsed the counsels of the States & natural of the countries , not violating the ancient liberties of the countries : but contrarywise , these Spaniardes being exalted to absolute gouernment , by ambition , and for priuate lucre haue violently broken the ancient lawes and liberties of all the countries , The destruction of the Nobilitie , and the people of the Countries by the Spanish gouetnment . and in a tyrannous sort haue banished , killed and destroyed without order of lawe within the space of a fewe monethes , many of the most ancient and principall persons of the naturall nobilitie that were most worthie of gouernement . And howe so euer in the beginning of these cruell persecutions , the pretence thereof was for maintenance of the Romish religion , yet they spared not to depriue very many Catholiques and Ecclesiasticall persons of their franchises and priuiledges : and of the chiefest that were executed of the Nobilitie , none was in the whole countrie more affected to that religion then was the noble and valiant Countie of Egmond , The lamentable violent death of the Countie of Egmond , the glory of those Countries . the very glorie of that countrie , who neither for his singular victories in the seruice of the king of Spaine can be forgotten in the true histories , nor yet for the crueltie vsed for his destruction , to bee but for euer lamented in the heartes of the naturall people of that countrie . And furthermore , to bring these whole countries in seruitude to Spaine , these forreine gouernours haue by long intestine warre , with multitude of Spaniardes , and with some fewe Italians and Almains , made the greater part of the said countries ( which with their riches by common estimation , answered the Emperour Charles equally to his Indias ) in a maner desolate , and haue also lamentably destroyed by sworde , The riche townes and strengthes with the wealth thereof possessed by the Spaniardes . famine , and other cruell maners of death , a great part of the naturall people , and nowe the rich townes and strong places being desolate of their naturall inhabitants , are held & kept chiefly with force by the Spanyardes .

All which pitifull miseries and horrible calamities of these most rich countries and people , are of all their neighboures at this day , euen of such as in auncient tyme haue bene at frequent discord with them , thorowe naturall compassion very greatly pitied , which appeared specially this present yeere , when the Frenche king pretended to haue receiued them to his protection , had not ( as the States of the countrey and their deputies were answered ) that certayne vntimely and vnlooked for complottes of the house of Guyse , stirred and maintained by money out of Spayne , disturbed the good and generall peace of Fraunce , and thereby vrged the king to forbeare from the resolution hee had made , not onely to ayde the oppressed people of the lowe countries against the Spanyardes , The French kings offers to haue aided & receiued to his subiection the oppressed people of the lowe Countries . but also to haue accepted them as his owne subiectes . But in verie trueth , howsoeuer they were pitied , and in a sort for a tyme comforted and kept in hope in Fraunce by the Frenche king , who also hath oftentymes earnestly solicited vs as Queene of Englande , both by message and writing to bee carefull of their defence : yet in respect that they were otherwise more straightly knitte in auncient friendship to this realme then to any other countrie , wee are sure that they could bee pitied of none for this long tyme with more cause and griefe generally , then of our subiects of this our realme of England , being their most ancient allies and familiar neighbours , and that in such maner , as this our realme of England and those countries haue bene by common language of long time resembled and termed as man and wife . The Queene of Englandes continuall frendly aduices to the king of Spaine for restraining of the tyrannie of his gouernours . And for these vrgent causes and many others , we haue by many friendly messages and Ambassadours , by many letters and writings to the said king of Spayne our brother and allie , declared our compassion of this so euill and cruel vsage of his naturall and loyall people by sundrie his martiall gouernoures and other his men of warre , all strangers to these his countries . And furthermore , as a good louing sister to him , and a natural good neighbour to his lowe countries and people , wee haue often , and often againe most friendly warned him , that if hee did not otherwise by his wisedome and princely clemencie restraine the tyranny of his gouernours and crueltie of his men of warre , wee feared that the people of his countries shoulde bee forced for safetie of their liues , and for continuance of their natiue countrie in their former state of their liberties , to seeke the protection of some other forreyne Lord , or rather to yeelde themselues wholy to the soueraigntie of some mightie Prince , as by the ancient lawes of their countries , and by speciall priuiledges graunted by some of the Lordes and Dukes of the countries to the people , they doe pretend and affirme , that in such cases of general iniustice , and vpon such violent breaking of their priuiledges they are free from their former homages , and at libertie to make choise of any other prince to bee their prince & Head . The proofe whereof , by examples past is to be seene & read in the ancient histories of diuers alterations , of the lordes and ladies of the countries of Brabant , Flanders , Holland , and Zeland , and other countries to them vnited by the States & people of the countries , and that by some such alterations , as the stories doe testifie , Philip the Duke of Burgundy came to his tytle , from which the king of Spaynes interest is deriued : but the further discussion hereof , we leaue to the viewe of the monuments and recordes of the countries . The Queene of Englandes meanes vsed to staie the States of the lowe countries from yeelding their subiection to any other forreine Prince . And now for the purposes to stay them from yeelding themselues in any like sort to the soueraigntie of any other strange Prince , certaine yeeres past , vpon the earnest request of sundrie of the greatest persons of degree in those countries , and most obedient subiects to the King , such as were the Duke of Ascot , and the Marques of Hauery yet liuing , and of such others as had principall offices in those countreis in the time of the Emperour Charles , wee yeelded at their importunate requests , to graunt them prests of money , onely to continue them as his subiects , and to maintaine themselues in their iust defence against the violence and cruelties of the Spaniards their oppressours , thereby staying them from yeelding their subiection to any other Prince from the said king of Spayne : and during the time of that our aide giuen to them , and their stay in their obedience to the king of Spaine , wee did freely acquainte the same king with our actions , and did still continue our friendly aduices to him , to moue him to commaund his gouernours and men of warre , not to vse such insolent cruelties against his people , as might make them to despayre of his fauours , and seeke some other Lorde .

And in these kinde of perswasions and actions wee continued many yeeres , not onely for compassion of the miserable state of the countries , but of a naturall disposition to haue the ancient conditions of straight amitie and commerce for our kingdomes and people to continue with the States & the people of the saide Dukedome of Burgundie and the appendants , and namely with our next neyghbours the countries of Flanders , Holland and Zeland . For wee did manifestly see , if the nation of Spayne shoulde make a conquest of those countries , as was and yet is apparantly intended , and plant themselues there as they haue done in Naples and other countries , adding thereto the late examples of the violent hostile enterprise of a power of Spanyardes , The enterprise of the Spaniardes in Ireland sent by the king of Spayne and the Pope . being sent within these fewe yeeres by the king of Spayne and the Pope into our Realme of Ireland , with an intent manifestly confessed by the captaines , that those nombers were sent aforehand to sease vpon some strength there , to the intent with other greater forces to pursue a conquest thereof : wee did we say againe , manifestly see in what danger our selfe , our countries and people might shortly bee , if in conuenient time wee did not speedily otherwise regard to preuent or stay the same . And yet notwithstanding our sayde often requests and aduises giuen to the King of Spayne , manifestly for his owne weale & honour , wee founde him by his counsell of Spayne so vnwilling in any sort to encline to our friendly counsell , that his gouernours and chiefetaines in his lowe countries increased their cruelties towardes his owne afflicted people , and his officers in Spayne offered dayly greater iniuries to ours , resorting thither for traffique : yea , The refusall of the Queenes messenger , and her letters to the King of Spayne . they of his counsell in Spayne , woulde not permit our expresse messenger with our letters to come to the King their masters presence : a matter very strange , and against the lawe of nations .

And the cause of this our writing and sending to the King , The iust causes of dismissing of Bernardin Mendoza out of England . proceeded of matter that was worthy to be knowen to the King , and not vnmeete nowe also to be declared to the worlde , to shewe both our good disposition towardes the King in imparting to him our grieues , and to let it appeare howe euill we haue beene vsed by his ministers , as in some part may appeare by this that followeth . Although wee coulde not haue these many yeeres past any of our seruaunts whome we sent at sundrie times as our Ambassadours to the King our good brother as was meete , suffered to continue there without many iniuries and indignities offered to their families , and diuers times to their owne persons by the greatest of his Counsellours , so as they were constrained to leaue their places , and some expelled and in a sort banished the Countrey , without cause giuen by them , or notified to vs : yet we , minding to continue very good friendship with the king , as his good Sister , did of long time and many yeeres giue fauourable allowance to all that came as his Ambassadours to vs , sauing onely vpon manifest daungerous practises attempted by two of them to trouble our estate , whereof the one was Girald Despes , a very turbulent spirited person , and altogether vnskilfull & vnapt to deale in Princes affaires being in amitie , as at his retourne into Spayne hee was so there also reputed : The other and last was Bernardin de Mendoza , one whome we did accept and vse with great fauour a long time , as was manifestly seene in our Court , and we thinke cannot be denied by himselfe , but yet of late yeeres ( we know not by what direction ) we found him to be a secret great fauourer to sundrie our euill disposed and seditious subiectes , not onely to such as lurked in our Realme , but also to such as fled the same being notoriously condemned as open Rebelles and Traitours , with whome by his letters , messages and secret counsels hee did in the ende deuise howe with a power of men , partly to come out of Spayne , partly out of the low Countries , wherof hee gaue them great comfort in the Kinges name , an inuasion might bee made into our Realme , setting downe in writing the manner howe the same should be done , with what numbers of men and shippes , and vpon what coastes , portes & places of our Realme by special name , and who the persons should be in our Realme of no small account , that should fauour this Inuasion and take part with the Inuadours , with many other circumstances declaring his full set purpose and labours taken , to trouble vs and our Realme very dangerously , as hath beene most clearely proued and confessed by such as were in that confederacie with him , whereof some are fled & now do frequent his companie in France , and some were taken , who confessed at great length by writing the whole course herein helde by the saide Ambassadour , as was manifestly of late time published to the worlde vppon Francis Throgmortons a principall Traitours examination . And when we found manifestly this Ambassadour so dangerous an instrument , or rather a Head to a rebellion and Inuasion , and that for a yeere or more together hee neuer brought to vs any letter from the King his Master , notwithstanding our often request made to him that hee woulde by some letter from the King to vs , let it appeare that it was the Kings will that he should deale with vs in his Masters name in sundrie thinges that he propounded to vs as his Ambassadour , which wee did iudge to be contrary to the Kinge his Masters will : wee did finally cause him to be charged with these damgerous practises , & made it patent to him how , & by whom , with many other circumstances we knew it , & therfore caused him in very gentle sort to be content within some resonable time to depart out of our realme , the rather for his own safety , as one in very deed mortally hated of our people : for the which , we graunted him fauorable conduct , Barnardin Mendoza fauourably licensed to depart the Realme . both to the sea & ouer the sea : & thereupon we did speedily send a seruant of ours into Spaine with our letters to the king , only to certify him of this accident , & to make the whole matter apparant vnto him : & this was the messenger afore mencioned , that might not be suffred to deliuer our message or our letters to the king .

And beside these indignities , it is most manifest how his ministers also haue both heretofore many times , & now lately practised here in England by meanes of certaine rebelles , to haue procured sundry inuasions of our Realme , by their forces out of Spayne & the low Countries : very hard recompences ( we may say ) for so many our good offices . Hereupon we hope no reasonable person can blame vs , if we haue disposed our selues to change this our former course , & more carefully to look to the safety of our selfe & our people : & finding our owne dangers in deed very great & imminent , we haue bene the more vrgently prouoked to attempt & accelerate some good remedy , for that besides many other aduices giuen vs both at home and from abrode , in due time to withstand these dangers , we haue found the general disposition of al our own faithful people very ready in this case , & earnest in offring to vs both in Parliaments & otherwise , their seruices with their bodies & blood , & their aides with their lands & goods , to withstand & preuent this present common danger to our Realme & themselues , euidently seene & feared by the subuerting & rooting vp of the ancient nation of these low countries , & by planting the Spanish nation & men of warre , enemies to our countries , there so nere vnto vs. And besides these occasions & considerations , we did also cal to our remembrance our former fortunate proceeding by Gods special fauor , in the beginning of our reigne , The Queene of Englandes proceeding for the deliuerie of Scotland from the seruitude wherein the House of Guyse meant to haue brought it . in remedying of a like mischief that was intended against vs in Scotland by certaine French men , who then were directed only by the house of Guise , by colour of the mariage of their Neece the Queene of Scots with the Dolphin of France , in like maner as the ofsprings of the said house haue euen now lately sought to attaine to the like vnordinate power in France : a matter of some consequence for our selues to consider , although we hope the king our good brother professing sincere frendship towards vs , as we professe the like to him , will moderate this aspiring greatnes of that house , that neither himselfe nor the Princes of his bloud be ouerruled , nor wee ( minding to continue perfect frendship with the king & his bloud ) be by the said house of Guise and their faction disquieted or disturbed in our Countries . But nowe to returne to this like example of Scotlande aforesaide , when the French had in like maner ( as the Spanyardes haue nowe of long time attempted in the lowe Countries ) sought by force to haue subdued the people there , and brought them into a seruitude to the Crowne of France , and also by the ambitious desires of the saide house of Guise , to haue proceeded to a warre by way of Scotland , for the conquest of our crowne for their Neece the Queene of Scottes ( a matter most manifest to the common knowledge of the worlde : ) it pleased Almightie God , as it remaineth in good memorie to our honour and comfort , to further our intention and honourable and iust actions at that time in such sort , as by our aiding then of the nation of Scotland being sore oppressed with the French , and vniuersally requiring our aide , wee procured to that Realme ( though to our great cost ) a full deliuerance of the force of strangers and danger of feruitude , & restored peace to the whole Countrie , which hath continued there euer since many yeeres , sauing that at some time of parcialities of certaine of the Noble men , as hath beene vsuall in that Countrie , in the mynoritie of the yong King there hath risen some inward troubles , The Realme of Scotlande restored to the ancient freedome , and so possessed by the present King by the meanes onely of the Queene of England . which for the most part we haue in fauour of the King and his Gouernours vsed meanes to pacifie : so as at this day such is the quietnes in Scotland , as the King our deare brother and cousin , by name , Iames the sixth , a Prince of great hope for many good Princely respectes , raigneth there in honour and loue of his people , and in very good and perfect amitie with vs and our Countrie . And so our actions at that time came to so good successe by the goodnes of God , as both our owne Realme , and that of Scotland , hath euer since remained in better amitie and peace then can bee remembred these manie hundred yeeres before , and yet nothing heereby done by vs , nor any cause iustly giuen , but that also the French kinges that haue since succeeded , which haue bene three in number , and all brethren , haue made and concluded diuers treaties for good peace with vs , which presently continue in force on both parties , notwithstanding our foresaide actions attempted for remoouing out of Scotland of the saide French forces , so transported by the onely direction of the house of Guyse .

And therefore , The conclusion of the causes of sending of certaine companies of english souldiers to the desence of the oppressed people of the low countries , and to withstand the attemptes against this Realme . to conclude for the declaration of our present intention at this time , wee hope it shall of all persons abroad be well interpreted , as wee knowe it will be of such as are not ledde by parciallitie , that vpon the often & continuall lamentable requests made to vs by the vniuersall States of the countries of Holland , Zeland , Guelders & other prouinces with them vnited ( beeing desperate of the king of Spaynes fauours ) for our succours to bee yeelded to them , onely for their defence against the Spaniards and other strangers , and therewith finding manifestlie by our often and importunate requests and aduices giuen to the king of Spaine , no hope of reliefe of these their miseries , but rather an increase therof by dayly conquests of their townes and slaughter of their people , ( though in very trueth wee cannot impute the increase of any late cruelties to the person of him that now hath the tytle of generall gouernour , shewing his naturall disposition more inclynable to mercie and clemencie , then it seemeth hee can direct the heartes of the Spaniardes vnder him , that haue bene so long trayned in shedding of blood vnder the former Spanish gouernors : ) And ioyning thereunto our owne danger at hand , by the ouerthrow & destruction of our neighbours , and accesse & planting of the great forces of the Spanyards so neere to our countries , with precedent arguments of many troublesome attemptes against our Realme : we did therfore by good aduice and after long deliberation determine , to sende certaine companies of souldiers to ayde the naturall people of those countries , English power sent onely to defende . onely to defende them and their townes from sacking and desolation , and thereby to procure them safetie , to the honour of God , whome they desire to serue sincerely as christian people according to his holy word , and to enioye their ancient liberties for them and their posteritie , and so consequently to preserue and contynue the lawful and ancient commerce betwixt our people and those countries and ours .

And so , we hope our intention herein , & our subsequent actions will be by Gods fauour both honorably and charitably interpreted of all persons ( sauing of the oppressors themselues , & their partizans ) in that wee meane not heereby , either for ambition or malice , ( the two rootes of al iniustice ) to make any particular profit hereof to our selfe or to our people ,

Three special things reasonably desired by the Queene of England .

1. The ende of wars with Restitution of the low Countries to their ancient liberties .

2. Suretie from inuasion of her owne Realme .

3. And renewing of the mutual Traffique betweene the Countries .

And though our further intention also is or may be to take into our garde , The causes of taking some Townes into her Maiesties custodie . some fewe townes vpon the sea side next opposite to our realme , which otherwise might be in danger to be taken by the strangers , enemies of the country : yet therein considering we haue no meaning at this tyme to take and retaine the same to our owne proper vse , we hope that al persons wil thinke it agreeable with good reason & princely policie , that we should haue the gard & vse of some such places for sure accesse & recesse of our people & soldiers in safety , & for furniture of them with victuals & other things requisite and necessary , whilest it shall be needful for them to continue in those countries for the aiding therof in these their great calamities , miseries , and imminent daunger , and vntill the countries may be deliuered of such strange forces as do now oppresse them , and recouer their ancient lawfull liberties and maner of gouernement to liue in peace as they haue heeretofore done , and doe nowe most earnestly in lamentable manner desire to doe , which are the very onely true endes of all our actions nowe intended , howsoeuer malitious tongues may vtter their cankred conceits to the contrary , as at this day the worlde aboundeth with such blasphemous reportes in writings and infamous libels , as in no age the Deuill hath more abounded with notable spirites replenished with all wickednesse to vtter his rage against professours of Christian Religion . But thereof we leaue the reuenge to God the searcher of hearts , hoping that he beholding the sinceritie of our heart , wil graunt good successe to our intentions , whereby a Christian peace may ensue to his diuine honour , and comfort to al them that loue peace truely , and wil seeke it sincerely .

AFter we had finished our declaration , there came to our hands a Pamphlet written in Italian , printed at Milan , entituled Nuouo aduiso , directed to the Archbishop of Milan , conteyning a report of the expugnation of Anwerpe by the Prince of Parma : by the which we found our selfe most maliciously charged with two notable crimes , no lesse hatefull to the worlde , then most repugnant and contrary to our owne naturall inclination . The one , with ingratitude towards the King of Spaine , who ( as the authour saith ) saued our life being iustly by sentence adiudged to death in our sisters time : The other , that there were some persons procured to be corrupted with great promises , and that with our intelligence as the reporter addeth in a parenthesis in these wordes ( as it was said ) that the life of the Prince of Parma should be taken away : and for the better proouing and countenancing of this horrible lie , it is further added in the saide Pamphlet , that it pleased the Lorde God to discouer this , and bring two of the wicked persons to iustice . Now , knowing howe men are maliciously bent in this declining age of the world , both to iudge , speake and write maliciously , falsly and vnreuerently of Princes : and holding nothing so deare vnto vs , as the conseruation of our reputation and honour to be blamelesse : we found it verie expedient , not to suffer two such horrible imputations to passe vnder silence , least for lacke of answere , it might argue a kinde of guiltinesse , and did therefore thinke , that what might be alledged by vs for our iustification in that behalfe , might most aptly be ioyned vnto this former Declaration nowe to be published , to lay open before the worlde the maner and ground of our proceeding in the causes of the lowe Countreyes .

And for answere of the first point wherewith wee are charged touching our ingratitude towardes the King of Spaine , as we do most willingly acknowledge that we were beholding vnto him in the time of our late sister , which we then did acknowledge very thankefully , and haue sought many wayes since in like sort to requite , as in our former Declaration by our actions may appeare : so doe wee vtterly denie as a most manifest vntrueth , that euer he was the cause of the sauing of our life as a person by course of Iustice sentenced vnto death , who euer carried our selfe towardes our said sister in duetifull sort , as our loyaltie was neuer called in question , much lesse any sentence of death pronounced against vs : a matter such , as in respect of the ordinarie course of proceeding , as by processe in Lawe , by place of triall , by the Iudge that should pronounce such sentence , and other necessary circumstances in like cases vsuall , especially against one of our qualitie , as it coulde not but haue bene publiquely knowen , if any such thing had bene put in execution . This then being true , wee leaue to the worlde to iudge howe maliciously and iniuriously the authour of the saide Pamphlet dealeth with vs , in charging vs by so notable an vntrueth with a vice that of all others we doe most hate and abhorre . And therefore by the manifest vntrueth of this imputation , men not transported with passion may easely discerne what vntrueth is conteined in the second , by the which wee are charged to haue bene acquainted with an intended attempt against the life of the said Prince : a matter if any such thing should haue bene by vs intended , must haue proceeded either of a mislyking wee had of his person , or that the prosecution of the warres in the lowe Countreyes was so committed vnto him , as no other might prosecute the same but he .

And first for his person , we could neuer learne that he hath at any time , by acte or speache , done any thing that might iustly breede a mislike in vs towards him , much lesse a hatred against his person in so high a degree , as to bee either priuie or assenting to the taking away of his life : Besides , he is one of whom we haue euer had an honourable conceite , in respect of those singular rare partes we alwaies haue noted in him , which hath wonne vnto him as great reputation , as any man this day liuing carrieth of his degree and qualitie : and so haue we alwayes deliuered out by speache vnto the world , when any occasion hath bene offered to make mention of him . Nowe , touching the prosecution committed vnto him of the warres in the lowe Countreys , as all men of iudgement knowe that the taking away of his life carrieth no likelyhood that the same shall worke any ende of the said prosecution : so is it manifestly knowen , that no man hath dealt more honourablie then the saide Prince , either in duely obseruing of his promise , or extending grace and mercie where merite and deserte hath craued the same : and therefore no greater impietie by any coulde bee wrought , nor nothing more preiudiciall to our selfe , ( so long as the King shall continue the prosecution of the cause in that forcible sort he now doeth ) then to be an instrument to take him away from thence by such violent meanes , that hath dealt in a more honourable and gracious sort in the charge committed vnto him , then any other that hath euer gone before him , or is likely to succeede after him .

Nowe therefore how vnlikely it is , that we hauing neither cause to mislike of his person , nor that the prosecution of the warres shoulde cease by losse of him , should be either authour , or any way assenting to so horrible a fact , wee referre to the iudgement of such as looke into causes , nor with the eyes of their affection , but doe measure and weigh things according to honour and reason . Besides , it is likely if it had bene true that we had bene any way chargeable , ( as the author reporteth ) the confessions of the parties executed , ( importing such matter , as by him is alledged ) would haue bene both produced and published : for malice leaueth nothing vnsearched , that may nourish the venime of that humour .

The best course therefore that both we and all other Princes can holde in this vnfortunate age that ouerfloweth with nombers of malignant spirits , is through the grace and goodnesse of Almightie God , to direct our course in such sort , as they may rather shewe their willes through malice , then with iust cause by desert , to say ill , or deface Princes either by speach or writing : assuring our selues , that besides the punishment that such wicked and infamous libellours shall receiue at the handes of the Almightie for deprauing of Princes and lawfull Magistrates who are Gods ministers , they both are and alwayes shall be thought by all good men , vnworthie to liue vpon the face of the earth .