Deduction Concerning the Free Exercise of the Augsburg Confession in Silesia

First and foremost, and especially because His Electoral Highness of S[axony] Johann Georg I, Elector of Saxony, who was a key mediator between the Emperor and the Protestant estates—regardless of the Accord, and his more than once repeated promise—is and remains [bound] to the entire body and all its members without distinction original: corpori, & omnibus ejus membris indistinctè, and thus to the [Hereditary] Principalities as well as the other Lords, Princes, and Estates in Silesi[a]. Their Lords’ Ambassadors also accepted or further received the Imperial Resolution in no other way than that it should only be reported and brought back to His Electoral Highness for his knowledge. However, His Electoral Highness likewise [could] not [accept] the same, but rather on all occasions—both by citing moving [reasons] and motives of the late Emperor of blessed memory Ferdinand II, as well as the currently reigning Imperial and Royal Majesty Ferdinand III—humbly represented that they could not be satisfied with His Electoral hand and seal, nor could they leave the Estates in Silesia [behind], contrary to the given word original: parola provided under Imperial power original: potenz and the subsequent Imperial Ratification. Thus, it would truly be unbecoming of them if they did not further [show] their faithful hand, highly laudable zeal, and care for all the Protestant original: Evangelische Princes and Estates, and especially now, persistently, during such a grand and desired opportunity. Otherwise, it is greatly to be feared that if this occasion were let slip from their hands, and thereby our beloved Fatherland—which among the Protestant provinces has not been the least—should be passed over, that both the present and future posterity original: posteritet would, albeit too late, regret and lament it, and what was neglected would be difficult to recover original: recuperiren.

Into what great distress, misery and wretchedness, poverty, desolation and [oppression] the whole land of Silesia—and especially the [Hereditary] Principalities—have unfortunately fallen and sunk during this, beyond all human expectation, so very incessantly continued and unfortunate war, and the highly damaging and almost [unbearable] pressures and tribulations original: Transfalen that occurred therein; so much so, that it has reached the point of total downfall and ruin, and therefore the remaining inhabitants, nobility and commoners, must lead their lives in the highest wretchedness—this cannot be sufficiently recounted, much less lamented, bewailed, and wept over. Yet they would gladly leave everything to the faithful God—whose righteous wrath has been kindled against us because of our [many] sins—with patient and quiet hearts, and apply themselves, as much as is humanly possible, to how their economies and livelihoods might be restored for the best of His Imperial and Royal Majesty and the common good; if only they, alongside the land’s [peace] so heartily and longingly sighed for, could be comforted and assured of the peace and freedom of the Church, Religion, Faith, and Conscience. On the other hand, if they were to be [left] by the whole E[mpire?] likely Reich (Empire) without counsel and comfort, and thus nothing remained for them but the mournful right of emigration original: flebile emigrandi beneficium; the legal right under the Peace of Augsburg for subjects to move if they did not share the religion of their ruler, especially since the same is [coupled] with such hard conditions i...