On the other hand, the authorities whom thou hast set in our fatherland, the blessed Netherlands, that are at present free from the constraint of conscience, free from domineering over the most holy faith, and above all, free from the blood of thy servants and saints, be pleased to bless them, out of thy heavenly habitation, with the abundance of thy wisdom and grace, a foretaste of which thou hast permitted them to have already, many years ago.
Let thy church, which is without external armor shield, sword, or arms, rest under their protection, as under a shady vine or fig tree, in honesty and godliness; so that thy people may be multiplied, and many that are still in error, be guided into the true, right, and only way that leads to life.
Guide us so into thy ways, that we may not in any wise be a stumbling-block or offense for them; so that the liberty which they grant us in the practice of our religion, which we owe to thee, may not be taken from us because of an improper walk on our part.
Be pleased to let our children and descendants (if it be best for their salvation), enjoy this pleasant peace which we receive under their protection.
O, Lord God, grant that none of these authorities, or of those that are ruled by them, perish; but that they may all be kept and eternally saved, through Jesus Christ thy beloved Son, to whom be praise, now and forever. Amen.
Remember me, O my God, for good. Neh. 13:31.
Into thine hand I commit my spirit; thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth. Ps. 31:5.
ADVERTISEMENT.
When this book had been printed and fully concluded, we unexpectedly received several things pertaining to the last Swiss persecution in the confines of Zurich and Berne; principally concerning, however, the Berne edict of the 9th of August, in the year 1659, and what was graciously effected and accomplished by the E. E. honorable Lords Burgomasters of the city of Amsterdam, for mitigation of the same, as also for the release of our already imprisoned friends, and of their goods.
Concerning the edict, it must be stated, that what we shall place here is not the whole, but only the first part of the same, being really a preparation for the extract of the edict shown page 1070, col. 2; for this, when added to that which is placed there, constitutes the whole edict.