The present state of the affaires betwixt the Emperor and King of Bohemia, and their confederates as it hath beene very truely related, by certaine letters sent by persons of extraordinary qualitie, &c. Together vvith the occurrents lately happened in the armies of Generall Veere, and the princes of the Union, and Spinola. Translated out of the French, and High Dutch coppies.

The true Copie of a Letter, written by the Princi∣pall Counsellors and Officers of the Kingdome of Bohemia, &c. To the Illustrious Prince Elector of Saxonie, &c. Desiring and ad∣monishing his Highnesse, not to attempt any thing against the Kings Maiestie of Bohe∣mia, and the incorporated Countries thereun∣to annexed, neyther to send any forces out of his Territories, to the seruice of the Pope and the Spaniards, to the preiudice of the Prote∣stant Princes, and whole Empire.

ALSO, The Copie of another Letter from the foresaid Counsellors and Officers of Bohemia, to the trayned Souldiers in Engernn, and other Townes in the Electors Countrie of Saxonie: Dated at Prague the fourth of September, 1620.

MOst Illustrious Prince, our humble seruices remembred, wishing your Highnesse all health and happinesse; These are to let you know, that being at this present enformed by Adolff, Baron of Gerstorff, Counsellor and Go∣uernour in Vpper Lusatia for his Maiestie of Bo∣hemia, that your Highnesse wisheth him to sum∣mon

the people of that Countrie to assemble in Counsell together, and to insinuate an Imperiall Commission vnto them: as also that the said Gouer∣nour certifieth vs, that your Highnesse forces are marching forward towards the borders of the said Countrie, whereby wee may easily and euidently perswade our selues to what purpose the said Com∣mission tendeth; for that our Ambassadours beeing lately with your Highnesse at Dresden, (contrarie to our expectations) found your Graces minde to bee wholly alienated from vs, and that now you are of another opinion then at the beginning your Highnesse made shew of: as also that your High∣nesse hath neuer beene truely enformed, touching our Apologie and Deductions sent out, and manife∣sted to all Christendome; otherwise it were impos∣sible that your Highnesse, beeing a Protestant Prince-Elector, (whose famous Predecessours, for vpholding and maintenance of the Gospel, and their ancient freedome, haue not spared to hazzard their Lands, Liues, and Goods, in the defence there∣of, against the Spanish and Iesuiticall tyrannie; as also, that your Highnesse holdeth and enioyeth so large a Territorie and Possession of this Crowne:) If these things were truely related and represented vnto you, would euer haue embraced the execution of such an Imperiall Commission, wrested and wrung by papisticall and Spanish counsels from his Imperiall Maiestie: by your Highnesse meanes (af∣ter so long atime) casilier to enforce the execution of the Articles of the Councell of Trent, made a∣gainst

all the true professors of the Gospell in the Empire, then euer it could haue beene done before: which their designe hath manifestly and oftentimes beene published and set forth in Print by diuers pa∣pisticall Authors, declaring Sectarios Sectariorum auxilijs opprimendos esse: which Paulus Windec, in his Book entituled, Deliberatio de Haeresibus extirpandis, plainely expresseth: and the daily practises and pro∣ceedings of the Papists more then sufficiently wit∣nessing their secret intents. And the examples of their proceedings and dealing with the Townes of Wesell, and Donawert, whose miseries are ma∣nifest to our eyes; as also the late most bloudie Mas∣sacre (made by the Spaniards in the Popes name at Veltlin) where (to the horror of posteritie) be∣ing at a Sermon, they most cruelly murthered and hewed both Men, Women, and innocent Chil∣dren in pieces, (thereby manifestly discouering their pretence touching the finall suppression of that free Nation,) plainely shew what wee are to expect from them by these dealings. And the Pa∣pists in all places bragge and boast thereof in such manner, that it is certainely written from Rome, that those of the League in the Empire (touching matters of Bohemia) should not proceede openly therein as they doe, till they had first wonne your Highnesse to agree and consent to be on their side. And therein haue now proceeded so farre, that your Highnesse is content to yeeld in all things to the Spirituall Electors, and so to accommodate your selfe to the will and pleasure of the Pope, and

his adherents. But howsoeuer it shall please God to bring the issue of these things to passe, your High∣nesse must be well aduised, and consider, that if you enter into Armes against those of the Religion, the innocent bloud that shall be shed therein, will (by God) one day be required at your Highnesse hands. Withall, we cannot by any meanes see nor find, that such like Imperiall Commissions giuen out and thundred against this Kingdome, and the Prouin∣ces incorporated thereunto, can with equitie and iustice be any wayes iustified: not onely in respect of the manifest exemption thereof, but also ob noto∣rium defectum Iurisdictionis: and likewise that all the sayd proceedings (although no such considera∣tions were made) directly, è diametro, are contra∣rie to all godly and humane Lawes, and especially a∣gainst the capitulations of the Roman Empire, and the fundamentall Lawes and Constitutions of this Kingdome.

And it is most strange, and a thing neuer hereto∣fore heard of, that an Emperour of Rome, (in his owne priuate quarrell touching the House of Au∣stria, and no wayes concerning the Empire,) should be Plaintife, Iudge, and Executioner; as also, that some others of the States (no Imperiall Assembly being formerly called, nor any lawfull proceeding before the same being made, nor processe Imperiall sent forth) should of malice take part with him in his priuate Austrian pretences, and ayde and assist him therein. But if it were a thing that concerned the Empire it selfe, then in duety euery man were

bound to lay his helping hand thereunto, for that, Quod omnes tangit ab omnibus tractari debeat. There∣fore men must of necessitie make their account, that whatsoeuer hapneth to the Crowne of Bohemia by these proceedings of the House of Austria, will in like manner fall vppon the Romane Empire it selfe, and in fine bring them also into the subiection and succession of the Spaniard, as it appeareth ma∣nifestly by their proceedings now in hand. There∣fore in this constraint and necessitie, we must submit our selues to the will and pleasure of our most iust God, and patiently expect and attend his ayde and deliuerance: Assuring our selues that God knoweth, that the Kings Maiestie of Bohemia, our most gra∣cious Lord and Prince, and the States of this King∣dome, together with the incorporated Countries thereunto, and the confederated Kingdomes with the same (notwithstanding they knew well that your Highnesse was diuerted and disswaded from him, by the Imperiall Councell; and that his Ma∣iestie hauing his Sword in Hand, and armed so long time before to oppose the enemie, and could also haue well preuented their proceedings,) he ne∣uer gaue nor offered cause of dislike in any manner whatsoeuer vnto your Highnesse; but to the contra∣ry, euer honoured, respected, and loued you, alwaies holding good correspondence with your Country: in the meane time omitting many good offers, and thereby hath done himselfe wrong.

Touching our established Confederation, and our compulsiue Abdication of the Emperour Fer∣dinand

from this Crowne, and the election of our Kings Maiestie that now is; as also, of our continu∣ed defence, together with the deliberation, and of the incorporated Prouinces thereunto annexed: Wee haue had more then iust right and euident cause to proceede and continue therein; constantly perswading our selues, that we may well answer it both before God, and all other impartiall Princes and Potentates whatsoeuer, both within and with∣out the Empire, if we might obtaine any iust and lawfull audience in our cause.

Likewise, to our great griefe, we are enformed, in what manner our Aduersaries, both within and without the Empire, most shamefully slaunder vs and our confederates: and as in former times the true professors of Christian Religion were vsed by Heathen Tyrants, so there can be no vntruths nor slanders deuised nor inuented, but the same are im∣posed and layed vpon vs.

And it is most vntruly giuen forth and reported, That we, by our Ambassadours, haue made a league with the Turke, haue correspondence, and promi∣sed and offered him free passage through this King∣dome of Bohemia into the Empire; which is a most false and vntrue calumniation, for that neuer any such thing entered into our thoughts: as also that ours, and our Confederates Ambassadours, are yet but vpon their way towards the Portt or the Turks Court, and haue no other Commission nor Instru∣ctions giuen vnto them, but onely to intreat vpon a good and friendly peace with them, as other

Princes and Potentates of Christendome haue here∣tofore done, and haue found great benefit hereby. And by this meanes the Empire of Rome shall by vs be better secured then euer it was heretofore by the House of Austria, who when it pleased them, without the knowledge and consent of any of the Princes-Electors, or this Kingdome, made warre with the Turke; and then againe intreated of peace, onely for their owne priuate commoditie and be∣nefit; which, when occasion serueth, is manifestly to be proued.

And the bringing in of so many stranger-Soul∣diers of diuers Nations, to ouerthrow and subiect these Countries bordering vpon the Turke, as they intend, will be no small meanes and occasion to moue and stirre the Turke to conceiue a iealousie against the Houses of Austria and Spaine; and so causing him to suspect their proceedings, he may peraduenture be moued in this dangerous time to attempt some great matter; it being done at the ve∣ry same time when the Ambassadours of these Countries and Prouinces are gone towards the Portt to intreat of Peace with him. Which if it should so happen, and fall out, (as God forbid it should) we protest before God and all the World, that we are not the procurers, but rather the hinde∣rers thereof. And it is truely to be auouched, what great and large offers the Emperours Ministers haue made at the Portt, to moue and prouoke the Turke to make warre vppon the King of Hungarie that now is.

As also, that they haue oftentimes boasted what intelligence and practises they haue in the Turkish Court, whereby they meane to preuaile against the confederated Countries, which in conuenient and due time shall manifestly appeare.

Therefore in all humility, we beseech and intreat your Highnesse, as a prouident Protestant Prince, to be pleased wisely to consider of these things, and not in hostile manner to beginne warre with this Kingdome of Bohemia, and the incorporated Pro∣uinces thereof, but rather to consider and thinke vpon the poore innocent bloud which thereby might in these Countries, on both sides, be shedde; as also, that vpon extremity strange souldiers might be brought into the same, not onely to the vtter ru∣ine and subvertion of those Countries, but also thereby to prouoke and stirre vp the wrath of God for the same against the wilfull offenders therein: Beseeching your Highnesse, rather to hold good correspondence and amitie with the Kings Maie∣stie our most gracious Lord, and those incorporated Countries; and to be perswaded what contentment you shall thereby giue vnto those Countries and their Inhabitants, and procure them to loue and ho∣nour you while they liue for the same.

But if (contrary to our expectation) your High∣nesse in hostile manner should attempt any thing a∣gainst vs, or our Confederates in High or Low Lu∣satia, your Highnesse must know, that we are bound by the Lawes of the Land, and our Confederacie, with our bodies, liues, and goods, against all men

whatsoeuer, that shall in hostile manner inuade this Country and the incorporated Prouinces thereof, to defend the same; and protest, That our intent and meaning is not therein to doe or attempt any other thing, but onely with a full resolution (as the Lawes of God and Nature affords vs) to procure our owne defence, together with that of our Kings Maiestie, (and our auncient purchased freedomes and priuiledges) by vs and the incorporate Prouin∣ces orderly chosen and crowned, together with our natiue country and friends: protesting before God, that neyther our Kings Maiestie, or any of vs, haue euer giuen and offered your Highnesse any iust cause of dislike. In respect whereof, we doe the confi∣dentlier trust in the helpe and assistance of God, for the furtherance of our iust and lawfull cause, which wee will defend with our liues and goods, by the ayde of the new elected King of Hungaria, and the States of Hungaria, and Transiluania, our true Con∣federates: and thereby hope to free our selues from the oppression, seruitude, and slauerie which the Protestants bordering vpon the Riuer of Ense, part∣ly by faire promises, and partly by treacherous pra∣ctises, and violent force of armes, are now constray∣ned to vndergoe, and are become subiect vnto the Duke of Bauaria; and bereauing themselues of their priuiledges, haue submitted their neckes vnder the mercie of the Emperour to rest at his deuotion; and hauing referred the libertie of their consciences and profession of true Religion to bare intercession and hopes, are forced and compelled to restore the ru∣iners

of their Country, and to entertaine and pay the Garrisons (or rather their cut-throats) therein placed, as a most intollerable yoake not to be borne, nor answerable before God and our posteritie; and by vs and ours, to the vttermost of our powers, by the ayde and assistance of God, to be reiected and withstood: leauing and committing the issue there∣of to almightie God, most iust and most mercifull. To whom the sighs and teares of many thousand distressed soules are directed, & piercing the clouds, ascend vnto his heauenly presence. And although men will neyther heare nor take pittie on them, we doubt not but that at the last, the Lord will cause and moue the stones in the streetes, and posts in the walls, to heare and answer them.

Yet we cannot be perswaded, by any meanes, that your Electorall Highnesse wisheth or desireth that any of these euils should fall vpon vs, much lesse vpon your selfe. Wherewith beseeching almigh∣ty God to graunt your Highnesse a good counsell, with all health and happinesse both of bodie and soule; we euer remaine your Electorall Highnesse most bounden friends, and seruants to our power.

N. N. the Priuie Counsel∣lors, Officers and Iustices of the Kings Maiesty and Crowne of Bohemia.

Prague the fourth, September 1620.