The Interest Of these United Provinces. Being a Defence of the Zeelanders Choice. Wherein is shewne, I. That we ought unanimously to defend our selves. II. That if we cannot, it is better to be under England than France, in regard of Religion, Liberty...

Middleburg: : Printed by Thomas Berry, according to the Dutch Copie, 1673 Book. Fine. Hardcover. First edition of the English translation, preceded by a Dutch edition printed at Amsterdam the same year. Octavo. 20.5x15 cm. Pp. [ff. 60]. A few woodcut initials, printer's woodcut device on title. Later plain gray wrappers. Circular stain to front wrapper. Leaves lightly toned, lower corner of first 15 leaves curled. A very good copy. The Third Anglo-Dutch War was a military conflict between England and the Dutch Republic, that lasted between April 1672 and early 1674. It was part of the larger Franco-Dutch War. Finally, the Parliament of England, fearful that the alliance wth France was part of a plot to make England Roman Catholic, forced the king to abandon the costly and fruitless war. Hill was at the time pastor of the Scottish church at Middleburg, Zeeland, and was paid a stipend by the Provincial States. On publication of the present work, in which he advocates the English alliance, and vindicates Charles II from suspicion of popery, he was ordered to leave Zeeland, with permission to return at the close of the war. Charles rewarded him for his pamphlet with a sinecure of eighty pounds a year and the offer of a bishopric, which Hill declined. He returned to Holland in 1678 and became minister of the English Presbyterian church at Haringvliet, Rotterdam. [Wing: H-2000]. Full title: The Interest Of these United Provinces. Being a Defence of the Zeelanders Choice. Wherein is shewne, I. That we ought unanimously to defend our selves. II. That if we cannot, it is better to be under England than France, in regard of Religion, Liberty, Estates, and Trade. III. That we are not yet come to that extremity, but we may remaine a Republick. And that our Compliance with England is the onely meanes for this. Together with Severall Remarkes upon the present, and Conjectujres on the future state of Affaires in Europe, especially as relating to this Republick.. (Inventory #: 8296)