Scrinia sacra; secrets of empire, in letters of illustrious persons. A supplement of the Cabala. In which business of the same quality and grandeur is contained: with many famous passages of the late reigns of K. Henry 8. Q. Elizabeth, K. James, and K. Charls.

Conde Olivarez his Answer to the King.

Sir,

COnsidering in what estate we find the Treaty of marriage between Spain and Emgland, and knowing certainly how the Ministers did understanding this business, that treated it in the time of Philip the third, who is now in heaven, that their meaning was never to effect it; but by enlarging the treaties and points of the said marriage, to make use of the friendship of the King of Great Britain, as well in the matter of Germany as those of Flanders; and suspecting likewise that your Majesty is of the same opinion (although the demonstrations do not shew so) joining to those suspitions that it is certain that the Infanta Donna Ma∣ria is resolved to put her self into the Monastery the same day that your Majesty shall press her to make the marriage, I have thought fit to pre∣sent to your Majesty that which my good zeal hath afforded me in this occasion, thinking it a good time to acquaint your Majesty withal, to the end you may resolve of that which you shall find most convenient with the advice of those Ministers that you shall think fit.

The King of Great Britain doth find himself at this time equally in the two businesses, the one is the marriage to the which he is moved by the conveniences which he finds in your Majesties friendship with making an agreement with those Catholiques that he thinks are secretly in his Kingdom, and by this to assure himself of them, as likewise to marry

his son to one of the house of Austria, knowing that the Infanta Don∣na Maria is the best born Lady in the world. Th'other businesse is, the re∣stitution of the Palatinate, in which he is yet more ingaged. For (besides that his reputation is at stake there is added) the love and interest of his Grandchildren, sons of his onely daughter. So that both by the law of Nature, and reason of State, he ought to put them before whatsoever conveniences might follow by dissembling what they suffer. I do not dispute whether the King of Great Britainy be governed in this business of the Palatinate by Art or friendship, I think a man may say he hath used both; but as a thing not precisely necessary to this discourse, I omit it. I hold it for a maxime, that these two Ingagements in which he finds himself, are unseparable: for although the marriage be made, we must fail in that which in any way of understanding is most necessary, which is the restitution of the Palatinate. This being supposed, having made the marriage in the form as it is treated, your Majesty may find your self, together with the King of Great Brirain, engaged in a war against the Emperour, and the Catholique league, so that your Majesty shall be forced to delare your self with your Arms against the Empe∣rour and the Catholique league, a thing which to hear will offend your Majesties godly ears: or declaring your self for the Emperour and the Catholique league as certainly you will, your Majesty will find your self ingaged in a war against the King of England, and your sister married with his son, with the which all whatsoever conveniences that was thought upon with this marriage do cease if your Majesty shall shew your self Newtrall as it may be some will expound —

The first will cause very great scandall, and with just reason, since in matters of lesse opposition then of Catholiques against Heretiques, the Armes of this Crown hath taken the godly against the contrary part. And at this time the French men have taken part with the Hollanders a∣gainst your Majesty, your piety hath been such, that you have sent your Arms against the Rebels of that Crown, leaving all the great considera∣tions of State, only because those men are enemies of the faith and the Church. It wil oblige your Majesty, and good occasion to those of the League, to make use of the King of France, and other Catholique Prin∣ces ill affected to this Crown, for it will be a thing necessary for them to do so, and those even against their own Religion will foment and assist the Heret••ques for hatred to us, without doubt they will follow the contrary part onely to leave your Majesty with that blemish that ne∣ver hath befaln any King of these Dominions.

By the second the King of England will remain offended and disobliged, seeing that neither interesses nor hopes do follow the

Allyance with this Crown, as likewise the pretext of particular resent∣ment: for having suffered his daughter and grand-children to be ruined for respect of the said Allyance. The Emperour, though he be well-affected, and obliged to us in making the translation at this time as busi∣nesses now stand (the Duke of Bavaria being now possessed of all the Dominions) although he would dispose all according to our convenien∣ces, yet it will not be in his power to do it, as you and every body may see: And the memoriall that the Emperours Ambassador gave your Ma∣jesty yesterday, makes it certain, since in the List of the Souldiers, that every on of the League is to pay, he shews your Majesty, that Bavier for himself alone will pay more then all the rest joyned together; the which doth shew his power and his intention, which is not to accommodate matters, but to keep to himself the superiority of all in this broken time. The Emperour is now in the Dyet, and the translation is to be made in it. The opposition in this estate is, by conserving the means for con∣ference, which your Majesties Ministers will do with their capacities, zeal and wisdom, and it is certain they wil all have enough to do; for the difficulty consists to find a way to make the present estate of affairs straight again, which with lingring, as it is said, both the power and time will be lost. I suppose that the Emperour, as your Majesty knows by his Ambassador, desires to marry his daughter with the King of Eng∣lands son, I doubt not but he will be likewise glad to marry his second daughter with the Palatines son.

Then I propound, that these two marriages be made, and that they be set on foot presently, giving the King of England full satisfaction in all his propositions for the more strict union and correspondency that he may agree to it: I hold for certain, that all the conveniences that would have followed the allyance with us, wil be as full in this, it doth accommo∣date the matter of the Palatinate, and the succession of his grand∣children with his honor, & without drawing a sword, or wasting treasure.

After I would reduce the Prince Elector, that was an enemy, to the obedience of the Church, by breeding his sons in the Emperours Court, with Catholique Doctrine.

The business is great, the difficulty greater then perchance have been in any other case, I have found my self obliged to represent to your Ma∣jesty, and to shew (if you please to command me) what I think fit for the disposing of the things, and of the great Ministers that your Majesty hath; I hope with the particular notice of these things, (and all being helped with the good zeal of the Conde de Gondemer) it may be that God wil open a way to it, a thing so much for his and your Majesties ser∣vice.