FRANCE sets her self against all the World; and therefore it is but just that all the World should declare against Her. She it is that makes the first Onset, and we can do no less than defend our selves. Since the Germans in a little Treatise en­titled the French Herald, have so successfully refell'd the De­clarations of War made by he most Christian King against the Emperour and the Pope, the Flemings are no less oblig'd to their Sovereign, and the Marquess of Gastannaga their Gover­nour. Nor are they in a worse condition powerfully to re­fute all the weak and pitiful Arguments, with which the most Christian King endeavour'd to support his Pretensions. After he had declar'd War against the Emperour, and at the same time against the Empire (for he seeks the utter extirpation of the House of Austria) he has also declar'd War against the Catholick King by an Act of the fifteenth of this present year 1689. and at the same instant, has exercis'd all man­ner of Hostility upon his Dominions, as well in Flanders and the Low-Countreys, as in Catalonia. 'Tis very true, that be­fore he fell to work, there was no Stone which the Court of [Page 4] France left unturn'd to corrupt the Spanish Council, on pur­pose to draw them from their own Interests, and divide them from the Emperour. For She well knows that while the House of Austria continues firmly united in the two Branches of Spain and Germany, she need not be afraid of any other Power: and therefore it is, that she has attempted to divide them. So that after she had declar'd War against Spain by the Exercise of most dismal Hostilities, she has labour'd to the utmost of her Power, to prevent the King of Spain from sending succour to his own Bloud and his own Family. This is absolutely to tie one Arm to hinder the relief of the other which they are maiming at the same time. But be sure that after Spain has sat quietly to see the Empire devour'd, France them will turn her Arms upon him and perfect his destruction. 'Tis true, that Lewis XIV. finding himself burthen'd with King James of England, who has thrown himself into his Arms, and drawn upon him a terrible War through the Union of the Forces of England and Holland, would fain lull Spain asleep, and cajole the Emperor with vain hopes of peace, and by motives of Religion. His Ministers have spared no Flatteries at the Court of Spain. He has offer'd the King of Spain to make him Arbitrator and Mediator of the Peace between him and the Empire. He has caus'd his Ministers to lay before the King of Spain, that it is the Interest of the Catholick Religion before all things, to see the King of England re-establish'd in his Dominions, be­sides that it would be a work of infinite Charity. That the differences between the Emperour and him might be easily de­termin'd by way of Negotiation, upon which Heaven would never fail to shed down a Blessing, so soon as their Interests were link'd together, by so pious a work, as would be that of restoring a Catholick King, dispossess'd for the sake of his Religion. The Ministers of France at the cost of Spain made use of all their Engins which were employ'd in Germany to dis­unite the Princes of the Empire. They laid before them, ‘That it was a real War for the sake of Religion; That there was [Page 5]a League between the Lutheran Princes of Germany, the Hol­landers and the English revolted from their lawful Sovereign, and that they menac'd no less the ruin of all the Catholick States, than of the Catholick Religion it self.’

And besides all this, they made use of all those persons who had the nearest Access to his Catholick Majesty, to insi­nuate into him the great Advantages that would accrew to Both, if he and the Emperour should join their Forces to those of France against the Common Enemy. They farther whisper'd him in the Ear, ‘That the Hollanders were not al­ter'd in their Inclinations by the Treaties of the Truce and Peace that had been brought to pass since their Rebellion: That after all, they were but Rebellious Subjects, and that it always became him to make it his business to reduce them under their former Yoke: that their Master offer'd his Ma­jesty the Assistance of his Forces to tame and bring them un­der subjection and their old Obedience. That England and Holland made a Union formidable to all such Princes who had any Territories bordering upon the Sea: That the King of Spain had great reason to fear the loss of the Nether­lands: That the English who had been in possession of Dunkirk, not long since, would not be wanting to make themselves Masters of Newport and Ostend, which when it should come to pass, they should soon be Lords of Brussels and Antwerp: that there would be no security for Spain it self. That her Coasts lay naked and open as well upon the Ocean as the Mediter­ranean Sea, and that she would be always expos'd to the In­vasions of the fierce and haughty English; and the Attempts of Holland always covetous, and seeking after nothing but Gain: That the two faithless Nations being Mistresses of the Sea, would make an Eternal separation between the Do­minions of the King of Spain in the new discover'd VVorld, and those which he has in Europe: That his Gallions would import no more Bullion into his Territories, but be snap'd by the way to gratifie the Luxury of the English, who never [Page 6]think they have enough to supply their Debaucheries and Ef­feminacy: or else to asswage the Avarice of the Hollanders, who never believe they have Gold and Silver sufficient in their Coffers: That they would never content themselves with putting a stop to the flowing Rivolets, but would suddenly go to the Fountain it self, and that the two Insatiable and faithless Nations would wrest even Peru it self from the King of Spain.’ But luckily for us, all these great Engins were broken to pieces by the constancy of the Spanish Council. Thereupon the Court of France being incensed by the ill suc­cess of their Intrigues, has declar'd War against the King of Spain, and grounded their Declaration upon ridiculous Rea­sons, not much more solid than those contain'd in their Ma­nifesto against the Emperour, to justifie their taking Arms a second time.

Let us a little examin this Declaration, and the better to discover the vanity of it, let us compare it with the Counter-Declaration of Monsieur the Marquess of Gastannaga our Go­vernour.

The sincere desire, says the Declaration, which the King has had to observe the Truce concluded in the year 1684. has in­clin'd his Majesty to take no notice of the behaviour of the Spanish Ministers in all the Courts of the Princes of Europe. It is apparent, that when a Man renounces all other Vertues, he abjures also all Shame and Modesty. Of which if France had preserv'd but the least part in the World, she would never have had the Confidence to say, That the King had a sincere desire to observe the Truce concluded in the Year 1684. Who is it then that has broken this Truce for which France had such a profound Regard? VVas it the Emperour, who had nothing else in his thoughts, but onely vigorously to carry on his Affairs and Advantages a­gainst the common Enemy of Christendom? VVas it the King of Spain, who never stirred since, nor committed the least Act of Hostility against France? And now at this [Page 7]present Juncture, who is it that declares the War, is it France or Spain? Is it not she that declares the War who also brake the Truce? There needs no more but to call to mind what was said in the Fecialis Gallus; and we shall easily find with what sincerity the Court of France could affirm, That the King had a sincere desire to preserve the Truce of 1684. There we shall observe, after the Conclu­sion of the Truce, a continued train of offer'd Violences, which were all of them so many Breaches. There are no manner of wranglings, Menaces, or Intrigues which the Court of France has not made use of, to force the States of the Empire to consent to this Truce; that is to say, to oblige them to renounce the Provinces of the Empire which the Violences and Invasions of France had ravish'd from them, on purpose to annex them to that Crown. It is the Marquess of Gastannaga who has most right to boast of the Fidelity of his King, and to say as he does, ‘That all the Treaties of Peace and Truce have been religiously observ'd, on the King our Master's part, and broken upon slight oc­casions, and rashly violated by France.’ If it were lawful at any time to violate Treaties of Peace, it would be when the Peace was unjust, when they were made by the con­straint of Force and Violence, or that they had been ob­tain'd by fraud and circumvention. Private Persons have a right to seek redress of the bad Contracts they have made, when they have been losers very never the full moiety. In truth, if Spain had not been sincere; if she had not had more respect to the Faith of Treaties than France, she would have had just reason to seek her own relief, considering the enor­mous losses which she had sustain'd. Being abandon'd by her Allies, she was constrain'd to lose and let go three large Provinces, Franche Conte, Luxemburg, and almost all Flan­ders. What Claim could France lay to those spacious Coun­treys? She had won them by Conquest. But can right of Conquest take place in an unjust VVar? He has then no [Page 8]more to do but to quarrel with his Neighbours, and to seize upon all their Estates for his own use by right of Conquest; and after all to restore them a small portion, and detain the greatest part to himself, and then to say, That he has a just Title to what he possesses, because he has won it by the Sword, and that he was very kind in restoring a part of what he had Conquer'd. Between private Persons such sort of dealings would be look'd upon as perfect Robbery: and in­deed between Kingdom and Kingdom it is no less than ab­solute Highway-Felony, and meer Usurpation: and Spain being constrain'd by force to submit to Treaties so unjust, might have had grounds sufficient to look upon them as null and void.

The most Christian King says, That the Ministers of Spain in the Courts of Europe, made it their sole business to excite them, to take up Arms against France, and that his Majesty was not ignorant of the part which they had in the Negotiation of the League of Auspur4gh. Once more, supposing this to be true, it was impossible to attribute this to Spain for a Crime: She did not concede that large and considerable Part of her Territo­ries to France till constrain'd by Force: Now Force has no­thing to do with Right. She had not parted with those spa­cious Provinces, but onely because the Princes of Europe, be­ing swayed by various Motives, and carried away by other Interests and Affairs, abandon'd her Party. Was it a Crime in Spain to labour the reknitting of an Association together, which ought never to have been broken, till they had reduc'd France to Reason, and brought down her Pride?

But besides this, all that France speaks to this purpose is meer supposition. Monsieur our Governour has much more reason to understand the conduct of Spain in forein Courts, than the Ministers of France. He averrs and is ready to prove that the Catholick King has religiously observ'd the Treaties. The Ministers of Spain have maintain'd in the Courts of Europe, that it behoves them to be jealous of the [Page 9]Grandeur of France. This they could not do, without having a design to break the Truce, but 'twas onely upon the consi­deration of preserving the Peace. This was that which was aim'd at by the League of Auspurgh: By this League they intended to bridle France, oblige her to live in peace; and to preserve a Right in the Empire of re-demanding what had been dismember'd from it; when the Truce for twenty years should come to be expir'd. Now in the language of the Court of France this is said to be a Violation of the Peace and Truce: for whatever sets bounds and limits to her unruly Ambition violates all Divine and humane Laws. Lastly, in a word, that we may understand who speaks most Truth, whether the most Christian King, in saying, That he had a sincere Intention to preserve the Truce, or the Marquess of Gastannaga, who asterts hove us to consider who it was, that after the Peace of Ni­meghen first began to wrangle with his Neighbours, who is­su'd forth his Processes concerning the Limits; who demanded Compensations for the Territories included with in the Spanish Flanders; who set up his Gallowses at the Gates of Namur; who asserted his Right, by the burning and sacking of all the Country: who threw in his Bombs into Oudenard, in a time of setled Peace; who it was that caus'd the Chamber of Metz to adjudg him the two Thirds or three Fourths of the Dependences of Luxenburgh. If the King of Spain had acted any such thing, they had done him wrong, who said, That he had religiously observ'd the Treaties. But if it were the King of France who was the Author of all those Violences, it is a most unjust thing in him to Assert in the face of the World, That he has always had a sincere desire to observe the Treaties.

But it is not enough for the Court of France to have ac­cus'd in general all the Ministers and Governours of the Ca­tholick King of having violated the Treaty, unless our Gover­nour Monsieur the Marquess of Gastannaga be charg'd in parti­cular. His Majesty says, the Declaration has been also inform'd [Page 10]of the part which the Governour of the Low-Countries had in the Enterprize which the Prince of Orange undertook against England.

By this it appears, that his most Christian Majesty had very good Eyes to see what no body else but himself could discover. But I would fain understand what part the Marquess of Gastannaga had in the Enterprize of the Prince of Orange; Did he righ out any of his Masters Ships to join the Holland Fleet? Did he levy any Soldiers in the Netherlands, or send any Forces aboard to land in England? Did he lend any Money to the Prince of Orange or the Hollanders toward their getting ready their Fleet? Did he sollicit the English to re­volt and favour that pretended Invasion? In my opinion these are the only Acts, by which it may be presum'd that he had any part in the Enterprize. Now it is as clear as Daylight, and notorious to all Europe, that the Governour of the Netherlands was never guilty of any of these Charges, and that he cannot be upbraided with any false step that ever he made either directly or indirectly to the ruine of King James: but I will tell ye the truth how it was.

Some years since there was a Tribunal erected at Versailles altogether resembling the Judgment-Seat of God; where men were to answer for their Thoughts as well as their Acti­ons. In this Tribunal, which understood the hearts of Men, it was, that they found that the Marquess of Gastannaga, was at the bottom of his heart very glad, that the King of England had work enough to do at home, since he minded so little those Affairs abroad that most concern'd him. For King James was Garrantee for the Peace of Nimeghen, for the obtaining of which his Brother had been the Mediatour. It behov'd him also to be Garantee for the Truce that follow'd: and yet he sat still without ever concerning himself, while the King of France both openly broke the Truce and invaded the Empire. It is natural not to close too far with the In­terests of those, who do not close with ours; especially when [Page 11]they are obliged thereto. It may be that the Marque4ss of Ga­stannaga, who is deeply engaged in the Interests of the Em­pire, not a little perplex'd that the King of England so strange­ly neglected the peace of Europe, was nothing at all troubl'd to see him depriv'd of that Peace himself, which he would not preserve to others. This was a Thing divin'd in France, as it was divin'd that the Emperour would make a Peace with the Turk, to make War upon the Rhine. And this was the great Crime of the Governour of the Low-Countreys. He was a Friend to the Prince of Orange before the enterprize of Eng­land, nor has he yet abandon'd his Friendship, but has al­ways preserv'd the good Correspondence which was between the Prince and Him. This was another of his Crimes. For from this time forward the World is to be inform'd, that France is not onely the Arbitratour and judg of the general conclusions of Peace, but she is also the Mistress of private and particular tyes and Obligations of Friendship: People of honesty and Integrity are no longer to have any other Friends but those whom she will allow them. Otherwise he must be a Criminal, a Violator of Treaties, and an Infringer of Alli­ances. It may be that the Marquess of Gastannaga, at what time there was no news in Holland of what pass'd in England, gave advice to the Spanish Minister residing at the Hague of what Intelligence he had by the way of Newport, and that the News was carry'd to the Princess of Orange and the States. And this was having a part in the Enterprize of the Prince of Orange according to the Interpretation of France: for that without this Intelligence the Prince of Orange's Enterprize could never have succeeded: this was that which terrify'd King James: this was that which caus'd him to abdicate his Kingdom: this was that which had such an influence upon his Army that they refus'd to fight; in a word, this was that which did the work.

Thus it is, that France derides and laughs at all the World, and takes us all for a company of Beasts: Nevertheless these specious Pretences are the Ingredients of a Delcaration of War, and make up the principal Grounds and foundati­ons of it.

Now let us listen to the following part of the Declaration: ‘His Majesty not being able to believe that the conduct of the Governour of the Low-Countries in this particular Af­fair, was every by the Directions of Order of the King of Spain, who by so many ties of Religion, Bloud, and assu­rance of all Kings one toward another, was oblig'd to op­pose a Usurpation of that nature; His Majesty was in hopes that he might have been able to persuade his most Christian Majesty to a Union for the Re-establishment of the lawful King in England and the preservation of the Catholick Re­ligion against the Protestant League, &c. His Majesty was inform'd at the same time, that the Spanish Ambassadour in England, was every day with the Prince of Orange, &c. And bad Counsels prevailing, his Majesty had intelligence that a resolution was taken to favour the Usurper of England, and to join with the Protestant Prince.’

Behold another most pious and most Catholick Article of the Declaration: and now after this who can ever accuse the King of France of not behaving himself answerable to his Title of Most Christian? It is clear from hence that the King of Spain is no longer to be accounted Catholick, since he is be­come a Friend and favourer of the Protestants. He refuses to succour a Catholick Prince dispossess'd by an Usurper: he joins his Forces with those of the Enemies of the Church. Nevertheless, the Marquess of Gastannaga does not relish this specious Article. And therefore he finds himself oblig'd to tell the VVorld in his Counter Declaration, ‘That that same piece of the most Christian King is injurious to the Devotion and Piety of his Master, as being labour'd with all the Art imaginable to render his Alliances wih the [Page 13]Princes and States his Neighbours, scandalous to the World.’

In the Declaration of the most Christian King, of which we have already repeated the words, it appears that his Ma­jesty seems to have a peculiar abhorrence of Usurpers, and would by no means be thought a friend to Usurpations, but altogether a Zealot for the Rights and Priviledges of lawful Sovereigns. For he calls the Prince of Orange a Ʋsurper, and would have all the World to be his Enemy. King James he calls the Lawful King of England, and would have all the World to succour him. But it is an easie thing to look through all these feigned shews of his good Nature; for if they be real, 'tis to be hop'd that the consideration of these things will bring him to look homeward, consult his own Actions, and that then he will suddenly make satisfaction to the Princes his Neighbours, for so many Provinces of theirs which he himself has usurp'd: He will restore Franche Conté, the Dutchy of Luxenburgh, and all Flanders to the Catho­lick King. He will surrender Strasburgh, Friburgh, the Pa­latinate, and all the Rhine to the Empire, and Lorain to it's own natural and lawful Prince and Duke. For how is it possible that the declared Enemy of Usurpers and Usurpati­ons should himself continue to be the greatest Usurper of all? King James, he says, was lawful King of England; — it may be so — Neither do we concern our selves whether he were or no. — But was not the Catholick King as much the Lawful Sovereign of both the Burgundies? Is it because that Flanders which was wrested from him during the Cam­paignes of 1667. and the rest that follow'd, was not his by all manner of Right and Title? Is it because he was not the true and lawful Duke of Luxenburgh? which was came the Duke of Lorain to forfeit his Dutchy? What right had the French to ravish Strasburgh for the Empire?

Who shall endure the Gracchi complaining of Sedition?

In good truth it is a thing altogether insupportable, that a prince usurping with so much Violence and Injustice the Estates of all the World, should complain so loudly of Usur­pers, and of our being so strictly united with them. Never­theless the Prince of Orange is a Prince of the Bloud of Eng­land, he marry'd the next Heiress; and he was called in by the Nation in General. He was declared King by the Three Estates of the Kingdom. Now had the French King any Veil like this to cover his Usurpation of several Provinces, which being join'd together, are as good as a Kingdom? Our Eyes are not yet sufficiently open to see the difference between the King of France and a Usurper. He wrested those Countries from Spain, from the Empire, from the Duke of Lorrain, in open War and by the dint of Sword? VVhat other way did Crowwel, the most Infamous of all Usurpers, ascend the Throne of England? Was it not by the force of open VVar, and with his Arms in his hand? By what means did the Turks usurp the Estates of the Chri­stian Princes? Was it not by main force? Therefore they are no Usupers. And Excellent Definition of an Usurper. If fraud be requir'd to make a Usurper, was there ever known a more wicked piece of Treachery than that by which he got Strasburgh, and all the re-united Countries? But some will say, the King of France is too Conscientious; he would not have despoil'd a King, he would not have de­thron'd the King of England. A most apparent piece of Truth! It was the niceness of his Conscience, I warrant ye, that hin­der'd hi from taking Brussels and Antwerp as he did Gaunt; or as if he would not have taken Madrid, if it had been in his power, as well as Messina. While we see him devour, we see that he is Insatiable; let him but alone till his hunger is asswaged, and you shall see how far he will eat on. If Castile had call'd him, and made him King, he would have gone thither f possible he could, and would have conquer'd [Page 15]it was he conquer'd Sicily. After all this, you may, if you please, give ear to the most Christian King, when he talks so like a Christian against Usurpers.

Nevertheless, we ought not to refuse him the Honour of being an Enemy to Protestant Usurpers. For that is a double Crime in a Catholick King to favour a Usurper and a Pro­testant Usurper: that's very bad indeed. Yet we see that the most Christian King has chang'd his Principles, and that we need not to be afraid, for the future, of his doing what he has done formerly. We might very well set before his Eyes tekely, the Usurper of Hungary, who obtain'd that Title to be given him by the Ottoman Port, and who has done his utmost endeavour to get possession of it. That Usurper is a Protestant, for he is a Lutheran. Nevertheless the most Christian King must not disown but that he has acknowledg'd him for one of his best Friends. Had France no other Veil to hide her Miscarriages than a Cobweb, yet she is so brazen-fat'd, that she would deny what she did be­hind that Curtain, with the same confidence as if she had had a wall of a hundred foot thick to conceal her. And therefore it is that you will find her perhaps denying all her strict ties of Friendship and Treaty with Tekely and the Turk. But what will she say to her Union with Cromwel? Here is an Example that nearly concerns England, where now the Dispute lies. Henry William of Nassau, Prince of Orange, Prince of the Bloud of England, marry'd to Mary of Eng­land, Eldest Daughter of James, call'd in by the English, Crown'd King by the three Estates is a Usurper. He is a Protestant; Let every Catholick be anathematiz'd that ad­heres to him.

But Cromwel, a Person of mean Extraction, yet a Prote­stant; but the Abomination of all of his own Religion, the Murtherer of his King, whose Head he had cut off upon a publick Scaffold; The Tyrant of England, and sworn Enemy of all Catholicks, is no Usurper. It is lawful for a most [Page 16]Christian King to make a League Offensive and Defensive with him, to give him Entrance into Flanders, to invite him to invade the Countries of a Catholick Prince, to deliver Dunkirk into his Hands, and give it to that same English Usur­per. At that time the Motives and Inducements of Religion, Bloud, and safety of all Sovereign Princes were but Chime­ra's: never any such tings really known in the World till the most Christian King begins to be afraid of England under the Government of the Prince of Orange. 'Tis a Crime for a Catholick King to have any Alliance with such a Person. In good truth, it is apparent that the most Christian King derides Religion and Christianity; and laughs at all Europe beside.

Let us suppose the Catholick King to be at a loss: behold him between two Usurpers; between the King of France; a Usurper without the least shadow of Pretence, of two Dutchies, two great Provinces, and several Cities and Ter­ritories, and between Henry William of Nassau, Usurper of England, as France pretends. The most Christian King in­vites him, by all the Motives of Religion, Bloud, and safety of Kings, to unite with him in a War against the Ʋsurper of England: at least if the Condition of his Affairs will not per­mit him to engage in such a Ʋnion, to observe and exact Neu­trality. On the other side, King William of England pro­mises him great Advantages, if he will join with Him. What shall the Catholick King do? In my Opinion, between one Usurper and t' other, his Interest requires him to declare for the Ʋsurper, that never took any thing from him, against the Ʋsurper that has wrested from him by force so considerable a part of his Dominions. VVhat can France say to This?

But to say no more of the pretended Usurpation of Eng­land; who has told France that the Catholick King has join'd with a Usurper? He has united with the Emperor his Kinsman and Ally; He has join'd with the Pope, the Head of the Church: Against whom? Against the common Enemy of the [Page 17]Empire, against the general Enemy of Europe, against the de­clar'd Enemy of the Holy Empire. Where is the Scandal? The Prince of Orange, lawful Elected, King of England by the Three Estates of the Kingdom, is upon his March the same way. What sort of Morals has the Court of France found out to prove, that it is not lawful for the Catholick King to make an Alliance with him in defence of the Common Liberty of Europe? Is it for us to dispute the Rights of the People and Kings of England? We should take it very ill that the English should intermeddle with the Government of Castile or Ar­ragon. If there be any wrong done, 'tis done by all the Na­tion: Now I cannot find that the whole Body of a Nation is answerable for its Conduct to any other than God him­self. If King James have any right on his side, we will not take it ill, that he defend his Title. But this is a Quar­rel to be disputed between the People and Him, wherein no body has to do to concern himself; much less the Catho­lick King, who never receiv'd any Kindness, but all the dam­mage that might be from the late Kings of England, as be­ing always in League with France to the ruine of the House of Austria. This is the first time for these two hundred years past, that the House of Austria has found England in a condition to be advantageous to their Interests: and France is mighty unwilling that they should lay hold of the Lucky Conjuncture. 'Tis very unjust: and the Accusation which the most Christian King raises thereupon, is a Pretence with­out any ground.

After all, what would be the benefit of that plausible Al­liance into which his most Christian Majesty tells us, that he has labour'd so much to persuade the Catholick King for the restoring King James? It would produce a bloudy War. Eng­land environ'd with the Sea, united to Holland, and in Alli­ance with other Protestant Princes is able to maintain a War against all the other Princes of Europe. And in this War Spain would be a loser, the Empire would get nothing, and France [Page 18]would win all. For when the Allies were weaken'd by extra­vagant Expences and a tedious War with England, then would France fall upon them and level all before him. This is a true Prospect of the Designs of France, so Religious, so Catholick, so Zealous for the Rights of lawful Sovereigns.

And now, has not the Marquess of Gastannaga just reason to publish, That the most Christian King's Declaration is in­jurious to his Catholick Majesty, while it labours to render all his Alliances with the Princes and States his Neighbours scan­dalous to all the World, whose glorious Aim is onely the repose of Christendom, and the reciprocal Grandeur of each others Domini­ons. The Scandal then being wip'd away, as it is clear there is none in this case, it is as apparent that his Catholick Ma­jesty cannot dispence with his entring into an Alliance with all the Enemies of France, let them be of what Religion they will. For this Union tends to the glorious End, which is the safety and repose of Europe, of which the most Christian King has been the Disturber for several years. His Ambition is boundless, nor will it admit of any Limits: and therefore it is requisite that Bounds should be set him in spite of his teeth, it being necessary, as the Marquess of Gastannaga says, for the reciprocal Grandeur of each others Dominions. Not that the Em­perour or the King of Spain, or their Allies have any design of Conquest upon those Princes that acknowledge and wor­ship Jesus Christ. That Honour is left for the most Christian King, to pillage and devour the Children of the Church. The Emperour is contented with conquering the Countries of the Christians out of the hands of Infidels. And as for his Ca­tholick Majesty, all that he desires, is but to regain what has been so unjustly ravish'd from him. Nor does it appear that the Protestant States, the English and Hollanders either have or can have any prospect of Conquest, nor any other Interest than that of the publick safety and the preservation of the Li­berty of Europe. But to be an Enemy of France, to go about to stop the Career of her Fury, is to declare War against Hea­ven, [Page 19]if you will believe the Ministers and Council of Versailles.

His Majesty was inform'd at the same time, that the Spanish Embassadonr in England was continually with the Prince of Orange. And thus for the future the Court of France it seems will take upon her to regulate the Visits and motions of For­reign Embassadours in Foreign Courts, so that they shall not dare to pay common Civilities without her permission. Where­fore should the Catholick King forbear holding that good Cor­respondence with the Prince of Orange which he had always observ'd while he was at the Hague: Had the Prince of Orange given the King any occasion to order his Ministers not to see him any more? 'Tis very true, the behaviour of the Prince was quite different toward Monsieur Barillon, the most Chri­stian King's Embassadour; for he sent him away packing with ignominy: and he had good reason so to do. For that Em­bassadour was sent into England for nothing else but to engage King James in a Conduct entirely opposite to the Interests of Europe and the publick peace. 'Twas his business to cheat England, and to tie he Hands that she might not oppose the Ambitious designs of the most Christian King: and aster the flight of King James, he staid behind for nothing else but to be a Spy and a Firebrand of Sedition. But the Spanish Embassa­dour was there to engage England to do her duty, by suppres­sing the Attempts of France. The Prince of Orange comes in­to England, and by the flight of King James becomes Master of Affairs, and turns the Tide, so that the Revolution proves altogether favourable to the Interests of his Catholick Majesty and of all Europe. What reason has the most Christian King to take it ill that we should lay hold of such a lucky Circum­stance, for the restoring Christendom to peace, and that flou­rishing Condition which it formerly enjoy'd?

One of the King of France's Reasons for declaring War against the Catholick King is, That the Governour of the Spanish Ne­therlands we very busie in raising new Forces. Is not this very fine, that the King of France shall cover Land and Sea with [Page 20]Armies and Fleets, shall declare War against the Pope and the Emperor, threaten the Universe, make preparations as if he were to conquer all the East, and that he Princes of Christendom and their Governours must not dare to make moderate Levies for their own security, but that the King of France must take from thence and occasion to declare War against them? The Method of this Ambitious Prince is to strike without giving notice, and to take, and burn Cities and Towns without any Declaration, as was apparent by the burning of Genoa, and the seizing of Strasburgh and Philipsburgh which he has wrested from the Empire. However it behoves us to trust to his Ho­nesty, we must neither stir, nor make any Levies in the Spanish Netherlands, because that at the Court of Madrid he is endea­vouring to lull the People asleep with Proposals of Peace and Neutrality. It was also a very great Crime in the Governour of the Low-Countries to let in the Dutch and Brandenburgh Forces into the principal Spanish Cities of Flanders. Is it not a wonderful thing that we should be so Cautious against a faith­less Enemy? 'Tis true, that since there was no War declar'd between France and Spain, it behov'd our Governour to live and sleep at his ease, upon the Faith and security of the Treaties, since there was no necessity for him, to put Forein Forces in­to his fortify'd Cities. But who is there that does not know that there is no Faith or Trust in France; That Treaties of Truce and Peace, Capitulations and Promises are but Ropes of Chaff, which she breaks in the first fits of her Fury and Ambition, without giving warning to any body.

France also has found out another great Motive to declare War against Spain, for that she has discover'd, That the Agent of the Prince of Orange have receiv'd considerable sums at Cas diz and Madrid. In good truth we are become very happy-and now the Credit of the Crown of Spain is again restor'd. The pretended weakness of the Catholick King, the Poverty of is exhausted Treasuries, and the slowness of his Returns for the Low-Countries were the subjects of the Scoffs and Raillery [Page 21]of France. Now, thanks be to Heaven, Spain is in a condi­tion to furnish Foreiners with considerable Sums. And what is this to the King of France? Who ever heard it said, that when Men pay their Debts, or borrow money of their Friends, that they incur the Crime of Infidelity toward those with whom they are otherwise at Peace. This very Act of Spain in pay­ing money to the Prince of Orange, is a sufficient proof that she never intended to break the Truce first. For upon Emer­gent occasions every body has need of his own.

In short, France has found out that the Catholick King de­serv'd the utmost of her Indignation, and that he should be proceeded against with Fire and Sword, because at least, He would not oblige himself to observe and exact Neutrality, and not promise to succour-her Enemies either directly or indirectly.

'Tis a very strange thing that France will take upon her to bind up other States by Treaties upon Treaties, and observe none her self. What need was there of a Treaty of Neutra­lity, since the Truce of 1684. was still in force in respect of the Catholick King? And if France intended to make any satisfaction to the Empire for the dismal Invasion of Germany, would not things be in their former condition without any need of a Neutrality? But France refusing to give the Emperour and the Pope satisfaction; was not this an uncivil, dishonest and ridiculous Demand, that the King of Spain should look on quietly and without stirring while France push'd forward her furious Attempts against the Emperour and the Pope, a­gainst whom the most Christian King had declar'd War? Can this be any occasion to break a Treaty of Peace, because France would not stay to see which way the Catholick King intended? For seeing France had Enemies enough to deal with, tho the Catholick King had forborn to meddle in the Affair, and that he had waited to see the end of the Quarrel and the success of the War without having any hand in it, the most Christian. King had what he could desire. The Truce had been in force, and the Neutrality by consequence. If his Catholic Majesty [Page 22]had at length declar'd War against France, he had had time e­nough then to think of defending him himself. So that this Declaration of VVar against Spain had not engag'd the most Christian King in new Expences: seeing that having a War with Holland he was oblig'd to have an Army in the Nether­lands. But the King of France thought to perform an Act of great courage and boldness, by being beforehand with the Male contents, and foremost in declaring a War against all the States which he foresaw could give him any trouble, as in the gaiety of his Heart, he declar'd War at one time both against the Pope and the Emperour, fearing they would make a Peace with the Turk to fall upon him. Presently after he declar'd War against the Hollanders, who were busie about their own affairs, because he foresaw, that in the conclusion, it would not a little perplex him, should they engage in the Interests of the Empire. And at length he declar'd War against his Catho­lick Majesty at a time when he observ'd the Truce, because he thought he could not prevent his assisting the Emperour, his Kinsman and Ally. 'Tis a wonder that this Magnificent Braggard suffer'd England to get the start of him. and that he let King William be the first that declar'd the War. We shall see how this Hectoring and Bouncing will thrive with the most Christian King. He has had the pleasure of declaring VVar a­gainst all Europe, and to give the first Blows; we shall know shortly who will strike hardest and continue longest in breath. And thus much for the reasons upon which the King of France grounds his Declaration of VVar. There are others but I omit them, because they are so very weak, that they are not worth repeating.

Our Governour in his Counter-Declaration does not bring so many; but they are much better and more satisfactory. He grounds his Counter-Declaration only upon two Arguments:

The first, That the Arms of France inhumanly and with all manner of cruelties and unheard of Barbarisms lay desolate all the States of the Empire, without any regard to the Laws of Religion or War, or the sacred Right of Capitulations.

The Second, That the Ministers of France make use of all the tricks and slights of Negotiation, and of all other means to disturb the Harmony of Christendom, and to bring in the whole Ottoman Power to the Destruction of Hungary, and at the same time to ranverse the Peace concluded between his Imperial Majesty, his Il­lustrious Allies and the Ottoman Port. Upon this second Rea­son we could enlarge very much, if all had not been said alrea­dy that is to be spoken; that is to say, how justly and how truly we have Reason to complain of the Infamous Alliances between the Court of France and the Turk, to the Ruin of Christendom. We are convinc'd of it by Letters intercepted, and undeniable proofs of the private Correspondence, which they have always held with the Rebels of Hungary; and their furnishing them with the Assistance both of Men and Money, and all this, since the General Peace of Nimeghen. We know that it was France that sollicited the Port to invade the Empe­ror's Dominions, and to undertake the Siege of Vienna. We know that it was France that practised whatever could be de­vis'd to break the Peace between the Emperor and the Turk. All this is so notorious, that there is no necessity to prove it: the Court of France moreover makes her brags of it. We accuse her, and she glories in it. We agree the matter of Fact; the dispute is onely concerning the Nature of it: Let the World judge whether it be just and honest for a Christian Prince that would be thought so zealous a Catholick, to sollicit the Forces of Infidels to overthrow and extirpate Christiani­ty; and whether the Emperor and the King of Spain have not more than sufficient reason to abhor Peace with a Prince that declares War against Jesus Christ, by uniting with the profess'd Enemies of the Cross.

The next Reason which the Marquess of Gastannage alledges is founded upon the unheard of Inhumanities, Cruelties and Bar­barisms, perpetrated in the States of the Empire by the French Forces, by the peculiar Order of the most Christian King. This was a sound Argument, when our Governour produc'd it: but [Page 24]it is very much improv'd since that time, in regard those Cruel­ties are multiply'd since at a strange rate. There was enough then to priviledge our Governor to speak what he said. But what might he not now have said, had he seen what since has befall'n us? The fair Cities of Wormes, Spire, and Oppenheim, and all those other Towns that lie upon the Rhine, from Phi­lipsburg to Mayence, have undergone the same Fate. That love­ly Canton of Germany, the Delight of the Earth, and true Ter­restrial Paradise, is now a dreadful Desert; where there is no­thing to be seen but smoaking Ruins, the Crys of which mount up to Heaven. Spire, the Seat of Imperial Justice, where God voic'd forth his Oracles to determine the differen­ces between Man and Man, and preserve the Peace of private Families, is at present a heap of Ashes. The very Names of con­siderable Lineages are annihilated, the Seeds of Eternal Discord are sown in the Ground, and the effects of the French Fury have extended themselves even to future Ages, by the Destru­ction of so many German Families. Wormes, a spatious and re­nowned City, is now become an Object that terrifies the Sight. Nothing but Ruins are there to be seen, which bespeak the most execrable Cruelty that ever was committed. The whole Country round about presents nothing to your view but Desolation, not to be imagined. Neither Trees, nor Vineyards; no planted Orchards or Gardens: no Corn, no verdant Fields or Meadows, nor any hope of Harvest. All is become one dread­ful Object all alike: Conflagration, Fire and Ashes: Depo­pulation, intermix'd with smoaking heaps of Ruin and Rubbish. And what occasion'd these Extravagant Outrages? Perhaps they might be done upon the first motions of an Indignation, not easily master'd. Perhaps it might be the effect of sudden Rage, upon the Sacking of a City taken by Storm, where the Soldiers incens'd by the dangers they have escaped, and greedy of Plunder, put all to the Sword. No— it was in cold blood that these horrid Inhumanities were exercis'd; and upon Cities and Provinces, of which they had been in Possession for several [Page 25]Months; upon People that endur'd their slavery with Patience, and of whom they had not the least reason in the World to com­plain. It was done after mature Deliberations and Resolutions taken in the Cabinet and Cabal at Versailles, consisting of the King, Louvay, and de Croissy. Did ever the whole Senate of De­vils fix upon Resolutions so horrid and Infernal? Lucifer and his Angels never imagin'd or executed any thing so dismal, to the Destruction of Mankind. Suppose you saw the Inhabitants of that spacious and lovely Country hurrying out of the midst of Fire and Flames; Mothers with their Infants in their Arms, bathing their Cheeks with Tears, and sending up their piercing Crys to Heaven; disconsolate Husbands dragging their Wives and Children after them; old Men slowly creeping from the danger, tottering at every step, and bewailing the Loss and Desolation of a Country, where they had enjoy'd Tranquillity and Pleasure for so many years together; young Men abandon­ing the hopes of those Fortunes and Estates they were just ready to inherit by the Death of their Parents, whom old Age was about to dispose to a better Life. Set before your Eyes this numerous Multitude dispers'd among the Woods, wan­dring over the Mountains, laden with those small remains of that same fatal Shipwreck which every one could save; con­sum'd with Weariness, over-whelm'd with Grief, surrounded with Affliction, and making the Banks of the River eccho with the Plaints and Lamentations.

Lastly consider, that as an Accumulation of Cruelty, they refus'd these miserable Creatures the Consolation of seeking Sanctuary and Relief among their fellow Country-men beyond the Rhine. All that they desir'd was to die Freemen, and to breath forth their last gasp in the Arms of their Friends and Relations. But they constrain'd them only to change the Place of their Captivity, and to retire into the Cities, which the French as yet are Masters of upon the Rhine; on purpose to redouble their Affliction, in seeing their abodes newly assign'd them, destin'd to the same Desolation as their native Soil.

In these firs of general Fury there was nothing spar'd. Things the most Sacred were prophan'd. The Bishops and they that officiated at the Altars were dragg'd about the Streets in Pomp and Triumph. They were constrain'd to save those sorry Remnants which the Soldiers left, and what they could res­cue out of their Churches, among the Rocks and Forests. The Religious Orders were hal'd from their Solitudes, and the Spouses of Christ were expos'd to the Insolencies of the Vi­ctorious Soldiers. Those Churches that were formerly the Sanctuaries of the unfortunate, were laid level with the Earth; the Devotion of our Ancestors that rear'd them, not being able to preserve them.

Who would have thought or Age could have produced such dreadful Extravagancies? And yet for all this, we are Debtors to the King of France. There needs no more to di­stinguish him from all the Princes in the World. Tho he was well enough known before by his new Law, while he pre­tended, that whatever had belonged, or had formerly been annex'd to the Countries which had been conceded to him by the Treaties of Munster and Nimeghen, ought to return to him. Observe a Maxim of War, which is no less new, but very terrible: That there is a necessity of burning, de­stroying, and annihilating whatever cannot be kept, lest the Ene­my should make any benefit of it. Never was any concep­tion of Hell so dreadful. What would have become of the world if this Maxim had been in force two Ages ago? What would have become of Germany, during a War of fifty Years, from the unfortunate Overthrow of Frederick Elector Pala­tine, who aspir'd to the Crown of Bohemia, to the Peace of Munster. There is not a City in Germany that was not sub­jected several times to the change of various Masters. If a War were made upon their foundation, that nothing is to be left for the Enemy to make a benefit of, all the Cities in the World would be reduced to Ashes.

The Hollanders are happy in this, that that same Devil which now possesses France, did not enter her sooner: For then the great City of Ʋtrecht, the Cities of Arnheim, Ni­meghen, Campen, Zwoll, Deventer, Doesburgh, Bommel, Thiel, and in a word, all the Towns of Guelders, Overyssel, and the Province of Ʋtrecht which France abandon'd, had been ut­terly destroyed; the famous City of Messina had been like the top of Mount Gibello, not far distant from it.

Has not our Governour reason enough to say, That the French have no regard to the Laws of Religion or War? We know that the Laws of War do authorize many Acts, which in Peace are look'd upon to be wicked and villainous. when we quit a City that we cannot keep, we carry away what­ever may render it formidable to those that are forc'd to leave it: We demand Ransom, and take the chief Inhabi­tants for Hostages. Nor were the French ignorant how to make the best Advantage of these Priviledges during the Dutch War. Thus also when we abandon any strong Gar­risons, we take care to ruin the principal Fortifications. Last­ly, when we are sorely prest upon by the Enemy, Necessity constrains us to destroy whatever may be serviceable in the Country to the Enemies Army; VVe burn up the Hay, car­ry away the Corn, set on fire what we cannot carry away, and destroy all the Mills. But to fall without mercy upon Cities and Houses, and to burn them and lay them in Ashes, is a monstruous and unparallel'd Extravagance, contrary to all the Laws of VVar: And then consider the time, at the beginning of a VVar, before any Brush or Defeat received. So that it could be no fear of urging Mischief that occasion'd these Madnesses. And now to what purposs is all this? Would the Germans and their Horses have eaten the Walls of the magnificent Castle of Heydelbergh, or the Houses of so many Cities, had they been left standing? Are these the Provision and Amunition that maintain Armies? What tho the French had left the Cities of Heydelbergh, Manheim, [Page 28]Frankendale, Spire, Worms, and Oppenheim, with their Hou­ses entire, but empty however, without Corn, Wine, or Cattle, would the Enemy have been a whit the better; or at least, would not they themselves have been though to have some moderation in their Anger. But these Stones and these Houses will remain eternal Witnesses, that the Spirit of the French Cabal is a thousand times worse than that of the Turks, since the Infidels were never guilty of the like. 'Tis such a reproach to the Christian Name, that when the News of it shall reach the Ottaman Port, there is no doubt but all the Divan will lift up their hands to Heaven, and give God thanks for revenging them upon the Christians by the Christians themselves, who commit those heinous Im­pieties which their Janisaries and Spahi's would be afraid to do. And therefore, I wish that all Europe would make the following Reflections upon these enormous Irregularities of France.

The first is, That France neither desires, nor hopes for Peace, as Affairs stand: For she leaves no room either to hope for, or to ask. Can we make a Peace with France with­out reparation of our Damages? What satisfaction can she give us for so many Wrongs? The Revenue of France for ten Years together, will never come near what we have reason to demand for above forty or fifty Cities burnt, and thirty Leagues of a fruitful and populous Country laid waste and desolate. Therefore France never desires any Peace. 'Tis true, she complains as if we intended to perpetuate the War by Alliances, wherein we engage our selves not to lay down Arms, till France be reduced to that condition wherein she was after the Peace of Munster. But indeed it is she that would perpetuate the War, and render Peace impossible, by such dismal Desolations. And then, since Peace is not the desire of France, it behoves us never to give over till we have subdu'd her by War.

The second Reflection is, That since France is thus dis­pos'd, all the Allies must resolve upon this, either to dye or vanquish, for there is no Medium. Therefore Generous Ger­mans, be assured, that whatever Cities you suffer her no take, will be only a Prey to her devouring Flames; and for that reason defend them to the last extremity. If you are be­sieg'd, bury your selves under your own Ruins, and perish nobly.

As for you Hollanders, whose Cities are the VVonders of the VVorld: Consider likewise that if you are too sparing of your selves, you will become a Prey to an Enemy that will not be sparing of You, but lay your goodly Palaces all in Ashes.

And thou, the conquer'd Part of Flanders, and you Cam­bray, Valenciennes, S. Omer, Lisle, Tournay, and Douay, and the rest that groan under the Bondage of France, behold in the Mirror of others Sufferings your own approaching Fate. For if the French are constrained to draw out their Garri­sons to reinforce their Armies, be assured they will set ye all on Fire, to the end you may be useless to their Enemies: Therefore take your opportunity betimes, to shake off so terrible a Yoke, and prevent so dreadful a Misfortune.

And you the Cities of Brabant and Flanders, still remain­ing under the Dominion of your Lawful Sovereign, and make up one of the most lovely Ornaments of the Christian VVorld be afraid of the same Fate, and be ascertain'd that you will not escape it, if you fall into the hands of the French; and therefore be not Niggards either of your Money or Lives to answer the Expectations of that illustrious Governour, who is your Tutelar Angel.

But as for you French. Men, accustom'd to Servitude for so many Years, in whose Breasts there is nothing remaining of the old Generosity of the Ancient Franks, do you believe your selves secure from these Outrages? Assure your selves you live under a Monarch who looks upon himself to be [Page 30]All in All, and all the VVorld to be nothing. At this time he burns and ransacks Germany. He tells you, 'Tis to save the State. But know, that he looks upon himself alone to be the State: And therefore, for his own preservation he will burn you as he now burns his Neighbors. When the Germans shall be entered into Lorrain, be assur'd he will reduce Cham­paigne to the same condition with the Countries upon the Rhine; if they enter through Picardy, he will burn that also to secure himself; if we land an Army, he will burn Nor­mandy to secure Versailles. Neither are these Conjectures, for we have good Intelligence, and are well assur'd of it. Consider therefore how to prevent the Crew of Firebrands, set your selves at Liberty, and lend your hands to those that are ready to set you free.

My last Reflection is, that as he makes War without giv­ing any Quarter, so we ought to use as little Mercy in mak­ing War upon him. Not that we would counsel the Allies to deal by France, as the French have dealt by Germany (God forbid) We ought not to punish the Innocent for the Crimes of the guilty. We ought to spare the People, to deliver them from the Thraldom under which they groan, and to gain them by all manner of gentle Usage. But as for those that shall be found in Arms, those Firebrands in pay under the most de­structive Burner in the World, by no means have any pity up­on them, but burn all those Incendiaries without compassion. Let us not forbear chasing them, till we come to the very Gates of that bloody cruel and fiery Cabal; that so those detestable Counsellors may be forced to pay the full Penalty for all those Calamities which their accursed Counsels have brought upon all Europe. By this means we may be service­able to the most Christian King himself; by delivering him out of the infamous Clutches of those that tarnish his Glory, and render him the common Enemy of all the Earth.