by the neighbouring powers: who yet were a in writing that he neither was a Christian nor retained any Christians in his family; Melchior à Santvoort, and Vincentius Romeyn, subscribed themselves, that they were Hollanders: most impiously, for lucre's sake, declining that profession of Christianity to which Christ and his apostles oblige them "."—" We do complain," says he, in another place," that these. Netherlanders, who do so highly pretend to piety and protestantcy, should violate all divine and humane rules of civility; that they rail instead of fighting; that they attack us with contumelious language; and aggravate their unjust enmity with an insolence that is not to be endured. I am as much perplexed to find out the rules of their politicks herein, as I am elsewhere to seek for those of their religion; seeing that this deportment must needs exasperate all mankind against them, and common humanity obligeth every one to endeavour their extirpation. Provocations of this kind, injuries of this nature, admit of no composition, and render the most bloody wars to be most just. The indignities done to our king do extend untó all princes, and become examples of what they universally must expect in time to suffer from the continuance of their High and Mighties. But these affronts particularly and most sensibly touch the subjects of the king of Great Britain, and turn their just anger into implacable fury """ As to their religion, we could never be convinced that the Hollanders did regard any. Their first revolt was not founded on any such principles: they patiently endured the suppres b * Justification of the War against the United Netherlands, p. 2. 4to. Lond. 1672. D Id. p. 5. in a manner forced to aggrandize France, sion of their churches and ministers: the country did not stir thereat; nor upon the execution of so many thousand protestants. It is notorious, that the exaction of the tenth penny, by the d. of Alva, did more exasperate them than the inquisition.-If we look upon them in their more flourishing condition; all religions are tolerated there as well as protestants, even such as are most repugnant to the Deity and gospel of Christ. Their actions are regulated by principles of state; and upon those grounds do they invite and encourage all sects to live in their territories. When their interest doth sway them, they desert or fight against protestants 2. -It is very amazing that all this should fall from the pen of a learned, unbigotted, if not sceptical man! But, it seems, that there were then, as well as now, authors, by profession, who, for the sake of gain, would undertake to vindicate any cause. "For the compiling of these two books," says Wood," the author was allowed the use of the Paper Office at Whitehall; and when they were both finished, he had given him 2007. out of his majesty's exchequer; and obtained a great deal of credit from all people, especially from the courtiers, and all that belonged to the king's court "." a " b A poor reward, however, for such infamous service! Another writer, engaged on the same side of the question, averred, "That his majesty of Great Britain, and the most Christian king, of all princes in Europe, have most studied and endeavoured (for the good of their subjects) to advance trade and commerce; yet Further Justification, p. 75. 4to. Lond. 1675. £,567. b Athenæ, vol. II. by the cessions made at the treaty of their subjects cry out, they have no trade: and well they may, when the Hollanders are the great supplanters of trade, and obstructors of commerce (to all others but themselves) in the world. And no wonder; for it is a prime principle of their state, that they must not be the joc-caul, which provides food for the lyon; but they must imitate the prudent cat, who mouses only for itself. Nothing can be more becoming the majesty of two such potent kings, not only out of charity to deliver the distressed Dutch (an industrious and well-meaning people of themselves) from the tyranny and oppression of those insolent States; but out of piety towards God, to settle peace in Christendom (which is only by the power of these two great kings to be effected); and to which all kings and princes are obliged to contribute their assistance. For let it be soberly considered, if these men (if we may so call them), since the revolt from their prince, have not made greater distempers and confusions, and caused more effusion of blood, and expence of treasure, in Europe, than the great Turk hath done for these 500 years. And as they are more powerful by sea, so they are much more dangerous in their practice. For the Turk is a prince who, with all potentates, doth exactly observe his leagues and keep his faith: but it's an apophthegm in their state, that it's for kings and merchants to keep their word and faith; but for states, no longer than it's subservient to their interest. And how exactly they make this good in their actions, I appeal to all the kings and princes in Europe, if ever they kept one article, or their faith, in any thing where it was their interest to break it. Certainly these men live, as if great sins would merit heaven, by an anti Nimeguen, carried on under the mediation -But peristasis and it's very well becoming the gravest judgments to consider, if these men may not prove in a short time a greater terror and plague to Christendom than the Turk himself: insomuch as his arms are át a great distance, and only land-forces; but these men are seated in the centre of Europe, and being so potent at sea, and rich in treasure, may cast an army, and, with that, blood and confusion into any princes dominion whom they please to disquiet (especially being first reduced to poverty, which they labour to effect in all their territories by obstructing trade); and they can more speedily and powerfully offend any kingdom by sea in one month, than the most puissant army is able to march through in a year.". all this had no effect on the nation, who abhorred the war, and dreaded more their ally than their enemy. This abundantly appears from the writings of these times, as well as from Grey's Parliamentary Debates; from the latter of which I will transcribe some paragraphs, which will enable the reader to form some judgment of the disposition of the nation.In a grand committee, Oct. 31, 1673, when the subject to be debated was money for carrying on the war, many very bold truths were uttered, and reflexions made on the authors of it, as well as the manner in which it had been conducted." The war at the first," said Mr. Boscawen, "was against the advice of the whole body of the merchants, only some particular men that had losses. Thinks the peace a good peace, and the Triple League much for the satisfaction of the nation. Some trifling injuries were done to the mer • The Dutch Usurpation, by William de Britaine, p. 32. 4to. Lond. 1672. of Charles, who greatly favoured her views chants at Surinam; as if a man, with a flea on his forehead, would strike it off with a beetle.-Would make use of that vote, that we might have a peace." Sir William Coventry observed, "That it is said, that the king cannot go off with honour from his alliance with France; and what then shall we say of the triple. alliance, that the peace of Christendom was so much concerned in, so solemn as to be sworn to by the king of France, and registered in the parliament of Paris by that kings command; but yet renounced by him, because not consistent with the good of his people. Munster made a war with our money; it was not for the good of his subjects, it seems, and he made peace with Holland. The same did Brandenburgh. The king of France, by the Pyrenean treaty, was not to assist the king of Portugal; it was not for the good of his people, and he broke that treaty. Princes have ever done it for the good of their people; and if we live by an other rule than they do, we shall have the worst of it, Now has the king of France kept treaty with us, as is said? Knows not what the private articles were; but surely they were made unfortunately, that we should have no share in this conquest.-Has he kept his word with us? He was to send thirty ships for our sixty; had that conjunction been as it should be, they would have fought. Has heard but of two captains killed in the French fleet, and one died of an unfortunate disease (the pox).-Thinks we had no advantage by their company. One unfortunate gentleman did fight (Martel); and because that gentleman said (as he has heard) that the French did not their duty, he is clapped up into the Bastile. His own squadron, he said, deserted him; his captains said, upon secret orders |