Palatine are too gross for belief; but when I reflect on the intense
bitterness of these people, when I remember what was done within living
men's memory to the good elector Hans Frederic of Saxony for exactly
the same reasons, to wit, hatred of our religion, and determination to
establish Imperial authority, I have great apprehension. I believe that
the Roman League will use the present occasion to carry out her great
design; holding France incapable of opposition to her, Germany in too
great division, and imagining to themselves that neither the King of
Great Britain nor these States are willing or able to offer effectual and
forcible resistance. Yet his Majesty of Great Britain ought to be able
to imagine how greatly the religious matter in general concerns himself
and the electoral house of the Palatine, as principal heads of the
religion, and that these vast designs should be resisted betimes, and
with all possible means and might. My Lords the States have good will,
but not sufficient strength, to oppose these great forces single-handed.
One must not believe that without great and prompt assistance in force
from his Majesty and other fellow religionists My Lords the States can
undertake so vast an affair. Do your uttermost duty there, in order
that, ere it be too late, this matter be taken to heart by his Majesty,
and that his authority and credit be earnestly used with other kings,
electors, princes, and republics, that they do likewise. The promptest
energy, good will, and affection may be reckoned on from us."

Alas! it was easy for his Majesty to take to heart the matter of Conrad
Vorstius, to spend reams of diplomatic correspondence, to dictate whole
volumes for orations brimming over with theological wrath, for the
edification of the States-General, against that doctor of divinity.
But what were the special interests of his son-in-law, what the danger
to all the other Protestant electors and kings, princes and republics,
what the imperilled condition of the United Provinces, and, by necessary