trifles, though in the fundamentals of faith most cordially agreeing. With inculcating and perswading these things, we shall never be wearied; beyond that, there is nothing allowed to human force or counsels: God will accomplish his own work in his own time. In the mean while, you, most Serene Prince, have left behind ye a noble testimony of your affection to the churches, an eternal monument becoming the vertue of your ancestors, and an exemplar worthy to be followed by all princes. It only then remains for us to implore the merciful and great God to crown your highness with all the prosperity in other things which you can wish for; but not to change your mind, then which you cannot have a better, since a better cannot be, nor more piously devoted to his glory.

"Westminster, March, 1656."

"OLIVER, Protector of the Commonwealth of ENGLAND, &c. To the most Serene and Potent Prince, CHARLES GUSTAVUs, king of the SWEDES, GOTHS, and VANDALS, &c.

"MOST SERENE AND POTENT KING, OUR DEAREST FRIEND AND CONFEDERATE,

"The most honourable William Jep

son, Collonel of Horse, and a senator in our par

liament, who will have the honour to deliver these letters to your Majesty, will make known to your Majesty, with what disturbance and grief of mind we received the news of the fatal war broke out between your Majesty and the king of Danemark, and how much it is our cordial and real endeavour, not to neglect any labour or duty of ours, as far as God enables us, that some speedy remedy may be applied to this growing mischief, and those calamities averted, which of necessity this war will bring upon the common cause of religion; more especially at this time, now that our adversaries unite their forces and pernicious counsels against the profession and professors of the orthodox faith. These and some other considerations of great importance to the benefit and publick interests of both nations, have induced us to send this gentleman to your Majesty under the character of our extraordinary envoy. Whom we therefore desire your Majesty kindly to receive, and to give credit to him in all things which he shall have to impart to your Majesty in our name; as being a person in whose fidelity and prudence we very much confide. We also farther request, that your Majesty will be pleased fully to assure yourself of our good-will and most undoubted zeal, as well toward your Majesty, as for the prosperity of your affairs. Of which we shall be readily prepared with all

S

imaginable willingness of mind to give unquestionable testimonies upon all occasions.

"Your Majesty's Friend, and most strictly co-united Confederate, OLIVER, Protector of the Commonwealth of England, &c.

"From our Court at Westminster, August, 1656.”

OLIVER, Protector of the Commonwealth of ENGLAND, &c. To the most. Serene Prince, FREDERICK, heir of NORWAY, Duke of SLESWICK, HOLSATIA, and DITMARSH, Count in OLDENBURGH and DELMENHORST.

"MOST SERENE PRINCE, OUR DEAREST FRIEND,

"Collonel William Jepson, a person truly noble in his countrey, and a senator in our parlament, is sent by us, as our envoy extraordinary to the most Serene king of Sweden; and may it prove happy and prosperous for the common peace and interests of Christendome. We have given him instructions, among other things, that in his journey, after he has kissed your Serenities hands in our name, and declared our former good-will and constant zeal for your welfare, to request of your Serenity also, that being guarded with your authority, he may travel

with safety and convenience through your territories. By which kind act of civility your highness will in a greater measure oblige us to returns of answerable kindness.

"From our Court at Westminster, August, 1657.”

"OLIVER, Protector of the Commonwealth of. ENGLAND, &c. To the most Serene Prince, the Lord FREDERICK WILLIAM, Marquis of BRANDENBURGH, &c.

"MOST SERENE PRINCE, OUR MOST DEAR FRIEND AND CONFEDERATE,

"By our last letters to your highness, either already or shortly to be delivered by our embassador William Jepson, we have imparted the substance of our embassy to your highness; which we could not do without some mention of your great vertues, and demonstration of our own good will and affection. Nevertheless, that we may not seem too superficially to have glided over your transcending deservings of the Protestent interests, we thought it proper to resume the same subject, and pay our respect and veneration, not more willingly, or with a greater fervency of mind, but somewhat more at large, to

your highness. And truly most deservedly, when daily information reaches our eyes, that your faith and conscience, by all manner of artifices tempted and assailed, by all manner of arts and devices solicited, yet cannot be shaken, or by any violence be rent from your friendship and alliance with a most magnanimous Prince and your Confederate and this, when the affairs of the Swedes are now reduced to that condition, that in adhering to their alliance, 'tis manifest that your highness rather consults the common cause of the Reformed religion, then your own advantage. And when your highness is almost surrounded and besieged by enemies, either privately lurking, or almost at your gates; yet such is your constancy and resolution of mind, such your conduct and prowess becoming a great general, that the burthen and massy bulk of the whole affair, and the event of this important war, seems to rest and depend upon your sole determination. Wherefore your highness has no reason to question but that you may rely upon our friendship and unfeigned affection; who should think ourselves worthy to be forsaken of all men's good word, should we seem careless in the least of your unblemished fidelity, your constancy, and the rest of your applauded vertues, or should we pay less respect to your highness upon the common score of religion. As to those matters pro