GƲstavus Ericson King of Swedeland, having setled the Reformed Religion in Swedeland, and Reign'd Thirty Eight Years, left his Kingdom to his Son Erick, who, for his Cruelty and III Government was De­pos'd, and his whole Line Exhereditated, to make way for John Duke of Finland his Younger Brother.

John had a Son call'd Sigismond, who being secretly Bred up in the Romish Re­ligion by his Mother, who was of the Sagellonian Royal Family of Poland, was in his Fathers time Elected King of Poland.

The said King John had also a Younger Brother, call'd Charles Duke of Suder­mania Nericia, &c. and a Younger Son of his own Name, call'd Duke of Ostrogothia.

King John Dyed in the Year 1592, in the absence of King Sigismond his Eldest Son: During which, Charles Duke of Sudermania his Uncle, at the desire of the States, took upon him the Government: But sent to Invite his Nephew Sigismond, to come and take Possession of his Native Kingdom as soon as might be: Pro­mising in the mean time to keep all quiet, and intimating, that he hop'd his Ma­jesty when in Possession, would Maintain all in the True Religion and Divine Worship, and Preserve the Laws of Swedeland.

At the end of the Year he arriv'd in Swedeland, having in his Company Francesco Malespina the Pope's Legate, who hindred him long from consenting to any Security, either for Religion or Property, but finding the Coronation would be obstructed without that; he gave way, as having yet (as the Historian says) one starting hole remaining, which was, that Faith was not to be kept towards Hereticks. In the mean time, he himself would have Crown'd the King in the Cathedral at Ʋpsal, but was oppos'd by the Arch-Bishop of Ʋpsal, whose Right it was, even if that Kingdom had been Popish.

The Coronation being over, which had been delay'd above a Year, during which time, several secret Attempts had been made upon Charles Duke of Sudermania to make him away. King Sigismond contrary to his Coronation Oath, Erected a Popish Church in the Capital City: Made a Great Man of his Religion Governour of the Castle of Stockholme, in which the Records of the Chancery, and the Arms and Am­munition of the Kingdom were kept, and in the Port were the best part of the Royal Navy under Command of the Castle.

A certain Jesuit call'd Adam Steinhall, obtain'd the Arcentian Temple, and the Queen's Island, with the Vastheman Monastery, which was presently fill'd with Romish Priests.

Sigismond also by his Followers and Attendants, continually affronted the Esta­blished Religion, and was sending into Poland, for a Body of Forces able to subdue the Kingdom, upon which Discontents grew so high, that he hastily withdrew thither himself.

He left Sweden in confusion, having only for Forms sake, writ to his Uncle Charles to assume the Administration jointly with the Senate: But at the same time, leaving others with greater Power both in Swedeland and Finland, as appear'd when he was gone.

Charles Duke of Sudermania, to avoid Discord and Confusion, call'd a Convention at Sudertopia, which was open'd with an Oath of Allegiance to King Sigismond, and did likewise assert the Kingdoms Right, to have the Coronation Oath per­form'd, which having been violated in the tender point of Religion, they redress'd the Grievance, and suppress'd the exercise of the Romish Religion. Banishing all Priests and Preachers of the same, and the Antient Incumbents of the Vastheman Monastery were Restor'd.

Then they desir'd the Duke Charles to accept of the Administratian, for the good of the Kingdom, which he did. Then began a Treaty between Sigismond and the Convention, with Duke Charles at the head of it, which was by Sigismond spun out and obstructed with much Artifice, at length the Convention made several Decrees for security of Religion and Property, and entred into an Association for the Defence of [Page]them, which they desired the King to confirm, and gave six weeks time to all that Dis­sented, to submit, on pain of being declared Enemies to the Publick Peace.

They Invited him home, to return in a peaceable Manner, and settle the other Affairs of his Native Kingdom, but instead [...] that, he Invaded them with an Army of Eight Thousand Horse and Foot, and a hundred Sail, to which seve­ral Sweeds joyn'd themselves, whom he had gained with Mony.

An Agreement was endeavour'd, and after much intercourse of Negotiation, both Armies being near one another, it was consented to on both sides, that twelve of the Nobility of each side, should meet and decide the whole Contro­versie. But by the perswasion of the Jesuits, the Royal Army in the Night, con­ducted by Weyerus, set upon the Ducal Camp; in which onset, several thousands were slain, but at last the King and all his Army had been cut off, had they not call'd out for Peace, which the Duke yet harkened to.

An Agreement followed, in which, the King demanded to be supplyed with a Navy to go to Stockholm, promising there to call an Assembly of the States, but he no sooner had the Shipping, but he Sayl'd away for Calmar, in which place he left a Garrison of Foreigners, and then continued his Voyage to Dantsick.

The King being gone, an Assembly of the States met at Stockholme, where they Declared King Sigismond fallen from the Crown and Government, and were so enclined to continue the Succession, that they offered to receive his Son Prince Vladislaus, provided he might be sent home, bred up a Protestant, and committed to the Guardianship of Duke Charles, but Sigismond refused it.

Afterwards another Parliament met at Lincopia, and there they first did expresly renounce King Sygismond and his Government, as also his Laws.

Then they acknowledged Duke Charles of Sudermania for their Lawful King, and after him, settled the Crown upon his Son Gustavus Adolphus, and his Heirs Male.

Duke John concurred with the Parliament, and renounc'd his pretence to the Crown, and was content to come in after the Line of Duke Charles.

The Daughter and Sister of Sigismond were also rejected.

Then followed the Coronation of King Charles, in the Year 1607. by the Name of Charles the Ninth.

These were the Proceedings in Sweden, whereupon I shall only make these few short Reflections.

I. That the Swedes were desirous to the last Degree, to preserve the Succcession according to one part of the Laws of the Kingdom, provided that might be done without overturning all the rest, they were wise enough to preserve Laws, while Laws preserved the Nation, which is the true end of all Laws, but no longer.

II. That King Sigismond according to the Spirit of his Religion, where ever it is grown up to Bigottry, broke thorow his Oaths, and all Rules of Justice and Morality, when they crossed the Insatiable Ambition of his Priests.

III. That tho' the Swedes, when they found that they could not keep their King, his direct Heirs, their Religion and Liberties all together, resolved to part with the former, but were forced to be very cautious, and endeavour to gain time by Treaties, to unite themselves against Sigismond, who had Poland and several Allies to back him, without which Considerations, the Prudence they shewed on this Affair, may assure us, they would not have suffered the Government in so loose a Posture, so long as they did.

IV. That the Swedes knowing, that it is impossible on any occasion, that all Men should be of the same Minde, wisely ordained, that the Minor part should submit to the Major, or be declared Enemies to the Publick Peace. And sure this Example will be followed, where ever Reasonable and Disinteressed Men meet on the like Occasions, for sure no Body can deny, but that it is better for any Nation, that some Laws should be made and others broken, against the Opinion of the Minor part, than that all Laws, Morality, and Good Nature, should give place to pas­sion, Injustice and Cruelty thorow their obstinancy.

Now may God Almighty open the Eyes of all English-men to see, and their Hearts to Embrace this Truth.