obedience in their coming together,
her Majesty hath great cause to rejoice that the good God hath
preserved our country from all apparent harms, and principally from
the contagious sickness of the plague, which spread itself in divers
places the last autumn, but at present is ceased, so that we may
meet together in all safety. Her Majesty rejoiceth in the good
health of her faithful subjects; and this obligeth us not only to
return humble thanks to our good God, but the more to supplicate Him
for the future to avert his fatherly chastisements from us.

"Also her Majesty understands with great joy, that the scarcity and
dearth in the late years is now changed into fruitfulness and
abundance, so that the last year there was not only very great
abundance of all things which the earth produceth, but further,
thanks be to God, we have cause, according to appearances, to hope
this year will be no less fruitful; the which great blessing of God
to this country clearly shows us the great obligations which we have
to Him.

"Also her Majesty calls to mind, that which she graciously mentions
to her faithful subjects, how the country, within the limits
thereof, is at present in a good and peaceable condition, and so
hath been kept by Divine Providence, and the faithful care of her
Majesty, in times of danger; and when war, and the imminent perils
accompanying the same roundabout us, had the sway, yet we always
continued in quiet without taking part in others' quarrels, and for
this end hath always endeavoured to entertain a sincere friendship
and good correspondence with her neighbours and allies.

"And as to the neighbourhood of Denmark, her Majesty hath nothing to
fear, since she hath given no occasion in anything but of sincere
friendship and firm peace.

"In like manner, with all possible care, by her Commissioners, hath
composed the differences touching the limits between her and the
Great Duke of Muscovy; and although the said Duke hath signified to
her Majesty by divers envoys that he would justify the expedition of
war newly made by him against the Polanders, with all the reasons
thereof, yet since that is a business which can no way involve her
Majesty and the Crown of Sweden, there is no cause to fear it;
provided their actions be watched, and{7} that, by little and
little