Cabala, mysteries of state,: in letters of the great ministers of K. James and K. Charles. Wherein much of the publique manage of affaires is related. / Faithfully collected by a noble hand.

The Lord Brook to the Duke, 11. November, 1623.

May it please your Grace,

OUt of Spain we hear, the world comes so fast after you (since your departure,) as we assure our selves this great work is at a good end, with contentment to our blessed Prince, and like a Prince∣ly treaty, with addition of honour to the Monarchie, he intends to match with.

But Sir, we hear of a new treaty sprung up between the Palsegraves Eldest son and the Emperours youngest Daughter. A Labrynth in∣to which, what hope soever leades us, I fear no one thread will be able to guide us well out. Because in the passages between these far distant Princes education of children seemes like to be demand∣ed,

Ballancing of Councels to the jelousie of friends, Question whether the Palatinate shall be delivered in the Nonage before mar∣riage, or after. Then whether sequestred into a Catholique, or Pro∣testants hands. If into a Catholique, a probable argument that both it, and the Valtoline are equally reserved free to fall with associated forces upon our antient Bulwark the Nether-Lands at pleasure. Lastly whether the Myter, and these Scepters thus united, with their advan∣tage in number of swords, and Deskes abroad, their new springing partie at home, strengthes by sea and land, Constant ambition of adding Crown, to Crown, and perfect Auditt of their neighbours powers, and humors (even while the second Heire male of this Kingdom shall live in the hands of enemies, and strangers) I say whe∣ther these will not prove fearful in equalities, casual to the lives of our King and Prince, dangerous to the Crown by changing successive rights into tenures of Courtesie, and charging of the peoples con∣sciences with visions of confusion or bondage.

Again (Sir) admit this new project should vanish into smoak as undigested vapours use to do, yet give me leave to question, whe∣ther to your Grace you have overtlie protested against the intricate Courses of the Spaniard, even the specious issue of the Palatinates delivery before consummation of marraiage, but not like to prove Mother of many Colourable and unavoydable delayes. Because, suppose the proposition should be granted, yet who sees not that the effecting of it will prove an act of so many parts. Viz: the Pope, Emperour, King of Spain, Duke of of Bavaria &c. and of so great con∣sequence joyntlie, and severally to them all, and must of necessity re∣quire divers assemblies, commissions, perchance Dietts &c. And then what time the execution of the Minutes under these Heads will demand, he that knowes the divers natures of Nations in treating may easily conceive.

To begin with the least; what mony or other conditions can be offered like to satisfie the honour, humour, and huge expence of the Bavarian, for quitting his Conquest to so unreconcileable a nei∣ghbour: and if there be possibility, yet out of whose estate or treasury are these conditions, or large proportions of Dowrie probably to be expected? touching the Emperour; Is there any forraign alliance able to perswade this Prince, who having by an untimely war, changed all tenures of Election into succession, and thereby shaken the antient freedom of our Germany Princes, what I say can in like∣lihood winn him to restore these dead forces of his Enemies, to the

prejudice of all he injoyes, or aspires. Besides what shall move this Emperour to take away the Bann from the Palsegraves person, who hath so desparately hazarded not only his own private Kingdomes, and Provinces, but by his undertaking, waved the main ambition of of the Austrian familie. For the Spanish King if he be prest, his answer will be ready and fair, that he hath no right in him (but me∣diation) as appeares by the divisions already made. Notwithstand∣ing how little right soever pretends, yet his Councel, his instruments, his charge, by diversion, Overt Ayde, insensible succours (the world sees) have been used in all these wars; so as this together with his right by strong hand gotten (and kept by arts of depositing) upon the Voltaline may lead us to discern clearly, that he finds the passage of his forces through them, equal, and so resolves both, to over-run the Low countries when he please. Against which little State (whether out of revenge, or ambition of greater conquests by them, he will constantly carry a warchfull and Griping enemies hand.

Concerning the Pope, who knowes not that his universal affected supremacie (howsoever dissembled) yet hath, doth and ever will urge his Holinesse to stir up colourable Warres of Religion. Since Warres, Contentions, and tumults among Princes have been his old way of adding more wealth, and power to his sanctified Sea. How I say this new fashion'd Monarch, shallbe won to suf∣fer Heidelberg (the most dangerous nest of Heretiques after Ge∣neva) to return to her former strength is a poynt beyond my Ca∣pacity.

By these short, hastie and imperfect images your Grace may yet judg, that except the restitution of the Palatinate be instantly pres∣sed (and like a work of Faeries either furnished, or broken off at once) we may easily be over-shot in our own bowes, by having the strengths and free Councels of England, Scotland, and Ireland during this treaty kept under a kind of Covert-baron, and so long made a forge for other Princes ends, as my Blessed Soveraigns trust may perchance find it self compelled to play an After-Game, amongst discouraged friends, and combination of powerful enemies, such as under cha∣racters of Allyance will think they have won one great Step towards their inveterate Ambition of a Westerne Monarchie.

Noble Duke, If you find me lifted above my earth, in handling a subject to which I am utterly a stranger, yet bear with a Monks hu∣mour, in a man that is prisoner to old age. Hide my follie from the

eyes of Critiques. And pardon my freedom that hath wearied you, with a mind ever to remain

Your Graces loving Grandchild and humble servant, Tho. Brook.