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.

Another Letter from the foresaid Counsellors, to the trayned Souldiers of Engern, and to some of the Cities & Townes in the Electoral Prin∣cipalitie of Saxonie.

RIght Honourable, Worshipfull, and our most louing friends, we greet you wel. We doubt not but you haue already heard, that not long since, in the name and behalfe of our Country of Bohemia, we sent our Ambassadours to his Ele∣ctorall Highnesse of Saxonie, to desire of his High∣nesse, by commission from the Kings Maiestie of Bohemia, the renewing and confirmation of the an∣cient league and friendship, which on both sides (time out of mind) hath so long continued between them; and in this dangerous and most troublesome time, to strengthen and renew the same, crauing his Highnesse present resolution therein. Since when, by the relation of our sayd Ambassadours, we haue beene certified, that his Electorall Maiesty is other∣wise disswaded and carried away by our Aduersa∣ries; and the true intent of this Kingdome and the confederate Kingdomes and Countries with the same, wrested and construed to a wrong sence and contrary meaning; and that his Highnesse desire is, that we should restore and yeeld this Kingdome to the Emperour Ferdinand, and againe become his subiects; withall signifying, that he in regard there∣of had taken vpon him to put the Imperiall Com∣mission (concerning this Kingdome and the incor∣porated Prouinces of the same) in execution, as by

his Highnesse preparation for warre, more then ma∣nifestly appeareth; which his proceedings are very strange to vs, yet we leaue it to the prouidence of God, & with patience attend the issue thereof, when it shall please him to effect the same.

And we, together with these Countries, haue al∣ready sufficiently declared, and by these presents declare before God and men, that whatsoeuer we haue done in our owne defence, or the abdication of the Emperour Ferdinand, and the election of our King that now reigneth, we haue so good grounds and reasons to warrant the same, that we are ready at all times to iustifie our proceedings both before God and man, being in conscience assured of the e∣quitie of our cause. And in the name of God are therefore fully resolued to defend and protect our King, whom we and these incorporate Countries (by vertue of our most ancient priuiledges) haue freely and voluntarily elected, crowned, and sacred; and by the helpe of God, and the vnited forces of our Confederates, will preserue and free his Maie∣sties person and Countries, according to his Maie∣sties contract touching Religion, and other our pri∣uiledges (which with life and goods he hath pro∣mised to maintaine, ratifie, and confirme) from all inuasion and oppression whatsoeuer; and cannot chuse but in conscience seeke to preserue both our selues and our posteritie from the vnsupportable Spanish yoake and slauery, whereat they and their adherents onely and specially ayme. And to that end determine to vse the ayde and assistance of the

rest of the Protestant Princes. But at this present, these confederated Kingdomes and Countries, that alwaies haue continued in true amitie and friend∣ship with the House and Electorall Principalitie of Saxonie, are not a little grieued that they should in hostile manner be inuaded by them; and yet doe not any wayes attribute the cause thereof to proceede from the true and peaceable Inhabitants of the same, but rather from diuers fugitiues of our owne Country, now at this present residing in the sayd Princes Electorall Court, and other wicked Patri∣ots and counsellers wholly addicted vnto euill. Therefore, that the Inhabitants and Cities of the Electorate Principality of Saxonie, may well and truely vnderstand their owne and our good and true meanings and desires vnto peace and vnitie, & how vnwilling we are to breake off or to abandon the peace, loue, and amitie long since made, and to en∣ter into hostile termes with them: We haue hereby aduertised, and in friendly manner aduise and coun∣sell them, to seeke by all meanes possible they may and can, to withdraw and diuert his Electoral High∣nesse from such extremes; and not to enter into any breach of ancient league and amitie with our King, his incorporated Prouinces and Confederate King∣domes and Countries, that neuer in any manner whatsoeuer haue giuen and offered his Highnesse or his Country any cause to the contrarie; but can iust∣ly proue that the said States of Bohemia, from the beginning of their defensiue warres, haue so much honoured and respected his Hignesse, that in regard

thereof, they haue rather omitted and neglected ma∣ny good occasions to them offered, which they might well haue imbraced for their owne auaile. But (if to the contrary) we must be forced to doe that which we are loath to doe, and which the fruits and effects of warre afford, (although wholly against our wils) for the defence of our most gracious King and and Country, our wiues, children, lands, goods, free∣domes, and priuiledges; we will not spare to do our vttermost therein, referring the issue thereof vnto Almighty God.

Therefore once againe we request and desire our friends and allies, with whom we haue been so long time in good correspondence, friendship, and amity; to be pleased for the loue, zeale, and preseruation of the true Religion, the withstanding of the intolle∣rable Spanish yoake, and the diuerting of the same from our posterity, with many other calamities that may ensue; earnestly and heartily to be the meanes to withdraw his electorall Highnesse from all ho∣stile proceedings: and herewith commit them to the protection of the Almightie God. Dated in Prague the 4. of September, 1620.

Subscribed, The Counsellers and Officers to the Kings Maiestie and Crowne of BOHEMIA.

FINIS.