The Interest of These United Provinces, Section 8
Sect. 8. Several other Arguments and enducements to incline us rather for England, briefly mentioned. With an inference from the whole preceding diſcourſe, that the friendſhip of England is to be prefered before that of France.
ALthough what is ſaid of Religion, Liberty, Eſtates, and Trade, be ſufficient to prove this hypothetical problem? yet I ſhall give as over meaſure ſome other enducements for England briefly.
1. The different humor and genious of the French and Dutch: which is well known to thoſe that know them both, to be far greater than between us and the Engliſh. Which makes not only a ſt…ang…neſs, but alienation of affection; begets a diſguſt and nauſeating of each other; brings forth many conteſts and quarrels; and nouriſhes a continual diſcontent, uneaſineſs, and unquietneſs of life.
2. The affection which the generallity of the Engliſh and Dutch Nation have for each other. So that if the Controverſies of late years, and at this preſent between us, had been or were refered to the body of the people in both Nations (although I well know what both their Repreſentatives have done) I dare ſay, upon reaſonable ſatisfaction for the mutual miſcarriages, which cannot but ſome times happen towards each other; there never had been, nor would be War betwixt us more. And that his Majeſty, and the Prince of Orange would have more Voluntiers in one day to fight the French, than they have in twenty to fight each other.
3. The way of France is only Gentry and Paiſantry, the former lording it over the latter, which have allways lived more miſerably, than any common people in Europe. In Caeſars time there was nibil plebe contemptius, as he tells us, and hath continued ſo as Bodin acknowledges, and is ſo at this day we all know.C. 1. C. 10. Whereas in England and theſe Countries, there is a middle ſort of people, that live freely and independently, on their own Lands and Farmes, that will never endure the inſolency of ſuch Lords much leſs to be their ſlaves, and leaſt of all to be ruined by them.
4. Now that the Prince of Orange is advanced, and his party upmoſt, ſo that the Crown of England may confide more in our friendſhip; it is not to be doubted but through his Highneſs intereſt in his Uncles, we ſhall better accord hereafter, when theſe unhappy differences are once ended.
And thus I have done with this great Queſtion of the times. Sufficiently, I thinke, to ſatisfie any rational man; though nothing is ſufficient, nor will ſatisfie I know, ſuch as are either ſo reſolvedly prejudiced againſt the Engliſh or Princes intereſt that if they can but ruin them, they matter not though they ruin both themſelves and the Nation; or ſo partially paſſionate for the French, that they deſire them, though it be to their own deſtruction. For all the Arguments in the World, will never prevail againſt paſſion and prejudice: It is only experience that can convince ſuch of their error, and make them with Damocles, when the drawn Sword is over them, deſire to depart, finding they were deceived in their opinion of Happineſs.
I ſhall therefore conclude, with a brief reflection upon ſome of theſe Arguments, and the Corollary which naturally flows from them.
That ſeeing England and We are of the ſame Religion; Both free people and affectionated to each other; Both imbarqued in the ſame Intereſt of Trade, though in different bottoms; It not only becomes us, but is our mutual concernment, that we take heed, we daſh not one another to pieces, but fairly and Chriſtianly comply with each other, for the ſafeguard of our Religion, preſervation of the Proteſtant Intereſt, our own and others alſo Liberties, and the juſt and equitable courſe of Commerce; that ſo each Nation may happily enjoy their Religion, Liberty, Eſtates, and Trade, with Gods bleſſing on them all.