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tydings of Alexander's birth, and the conquest of the Illyrians. For we make no question, but the wresting of the kingdom of Poland from Papal subjection, as it were a horn dismembered from the head of the Beast, and the peace so much desired by all good men, concluded with the Duke of Brandenburgh, will be most highly conducing to the tranquillity and advantage of the church. Heaven grant a conclusion correspondent to such signal beginnings; and may the son be like the father in vertue, piety, and renown, obtained by great atchievments. Which is that we wish may luckily come to pass, and which we beg of the Almighty, so propitious hitherto to your affairs.

"Your Majesty's most affectionate, OLIVER, Protector of the Commonwealth of ENGLAND, &c.

"Westminster, February, 1655.”

"OLIVER, Protector of the Commonwealth of ENGLAND, &c. to the most High and Mighty Lords, the States of the UNITED PROVINCES. "MOST HIGH AND MIGHTY LORDS, OUR DEAR FRIENDS AND CONFEDERATES,

"We make no doubt, but that all men will bear us this testimony, That no considera

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tions, in contracting foreign alliances, ever swayed us beyond those of defending the truths of religion, or that we accounted any thing more sacred, than to unite the minds of all the friends and protectors of the Protestants, and of all others, who at least were not their enemies. Whence it comes to pass, that we are touched with so much the more grief of mind, to hear that the Protestant princes and cities, whom it so much behoves to live in friendship and concord together, should begin to be so jealous of each other, and so ill disposed to mutual affection; more especially, that your lordships and the king of Sweden, then whom the orthodox faith has not more magnanimous and couragious defenders, nor our republick confederates more strictly conjoyned in interests, should seem to remit of your confidence in each other; or rather, that there should appear some too signs of tottering friendship and growing discord between ye. What the causes are, and what progress this alienation of your affection has made, we protest ourselves to be altogether ignorant. However, we cannot but conceive an extraordinary trouble of mind for these beginnings of the least dissention arisen among brethren, which infallibly must greatly endanger the Protestant interests. Which if they should gather strength, how prejudicial it would prove to the Protestant churches, what an occa

sion of triumph it would afford our enemies, and more especially the Spaniards, cannot be unknown to your prudence, and most industrious experience of affairs. As for the Spaniards, it has already so enlivened their confidence, and raised their courage, that they made no scruple by their embassador residing in your territories, boldly to obtrude their counsels upon your lordships, and that in reference to the highest concerns of your republick; presuming partly with threats of renewing the war, to terrifie, and partly with a false prospect of advantage, to solicit your lordships to forsake your ancient and most faithful friends the English, French, and Danes, and enter into a strict confederacy with your old enemy, and once your domineering tyrant, now seemingly attoned, but what is most to be feared, only at present treacherously fawning to advance his own designs. Certainly he, who of an inveterate enemy, lays hold of so slight an occasion of a sudden to become your counsellor, what is it that he would not take upon him? Where would his insolency stop, if once he could but see with his eyes, what now he onely ruminates and labours in his thoughts; that is to say, division and a civil war among the Protestants? We are not ignorant, that your lordships, out of your deep wisdom, frequently revolve in your minds what the posture of all Europe is, and what more

especially the condition of the Protestants: that the cantons of Switzerland adhering to the orthodox faith, are in daily expectation of new troubles to be raised by their countreymen embracing the popish ceremonies; scarcely recovered from that war which for the sake of religion was kindled and blown up by the Spaniards, who supplied their enemies both with commanders and money that the councils of the Spaniards are still contriving to continue the slaughter and destruction of the Piemontois, which was cruelly put in execution the last year: that the Protestants under the jurisdiction of the emperor are most grievously harassed, having much ado to keep possession of their native homes: that the king of Sweden, whom God, as we hope, has raised up to be a most stout defender of the orthodox faith, is at present waging with all the force of his kingdom a doubtful and bloody war with the most potent enemies of the reformed religion that your own provinces are threatened with hostile confederacies of the princes your neighbours, headed by the Spaniards; and lastly, that we ourselves are busied in a war proclaimed against the king of Spain. In this posture of affairs, if any contest should happen between your lordships and the king of Sweden, how miserable would be the condition of all the reformed churches over all Europe, exposed to

the cruelty and fury of unsanctified enemies. These cares not slightly seize us; and we hope your sentiments to be the same; and that out of your continued zeal for the common cause of the Protestants, and to the end the present peace between brethren professing the same faith, the same hope of eternity, may be preserved inviolable, your lordships will accommodate your counsels to these considerations, which are to be preferred before all others; and that you will leave nothing neglected that may conduce to the establishing tranquillity and union between your lordships and the king of Sweden. Wherein if we can any way be useful, as far as our authority, and the favour you bear us will sway with your lordships, we freely offer our utmost assistance, prepared in like manner to be no less serviceable to the king of Sweden, to whom we design a speedy embassie, to the end we may declare our sentiments at large concerning these matters. We hope, moreover, that God will bend your minds on both sides to moderate counsels, and so restrain your animosities, that no provocation may be given either by the one or the other, to fester your differences to extremity but that on the other side both parties will remove whatever may give offence, or occasion of jealousie to the other. Which if you shall vouchsafe to do, you will disappoint your enemies, prove the consola

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