Invictissimi Rudolphi II. Electi Romanor. Imperatoris, et In Hungaria Boemiaque Regis, pro libero exercitio religionis Augustanae confessionis in Silesia, clementissima confirmatio

In the name of the Sacrosanct and Indivisible Trinity, GOD the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, etc.

Decorative drop cap HHODAY, WITH PRIOR ARDENT and most humble invocation of GOD for the help of His Holy Spirit, through CHRIST, His only-begotten Son, the Mediator between GOD and Men, the three most praiseworthy Evangelical Estates in the Kingdom of Bohemia, together with the Princes, Orders, and Estates of the Augsburg Confession in Upper and Lower Silesia, have established the following pious communal work of DEFENSE in the cause of Religion, aimed solely at the exaltation of Divine honor, the propagation and defense of pure and uncorrupted Religion, and indeed for the preservation of our souls and those of our entire Posterity, and the attainment of eternal salvation and blessedness. They concluded this with unanimous consent, and from there, with an indissoluble bond, they joined themselves to one another now and for all eternity, in the following manner.

Since the Province of Silesia, from the entire time that it was inserted into and united with the Kingdom of Bohemia, has persisted in constant fidelity and faithful constancy; and since it has directed everything toward the preservation and defense of the Kingdom of Bohemia, just as the Kingdom of Bohemia, conversely, has directed everything toward the preservation and defense of Silesia: therefore there is no doubt that that Confederation and Union, out of a great and singular confidence, benevolence, bond of neighborhood, conjunction of spirits, and mutual affection (all of which flowed abundantly from there), will take increments daily; so that it may be faithfully preserved, perpetuated, increased, and propagated to the entire Posterity in the future, and in this way an indissoluble bond may be constituted for all eternity. For all these things, GOD Almighty must be asked and entreated daily on both sides with serious invocation: especially since both the Kingdom of Bohemia and the Province of Silesia have long since perceived and endured, with a heavy and difficult burden and almost extreme patience, the clandestine and public machinations and plots which the bitter enemies of GOD and the Divine Word, and turbulent and bilious men in the Ecclesiastical and Political order, and indeed certain ill-advised and unlearned Counselors, have fostered and brought into the open field, to this end: that they might induce suspicion in the minds of men, dissension among those who are in agreement, and a certain dissipation in the confederated Regions; and by this way, they would not only suppress the CHRISTIAN religion and the truth, but would also, if it were within human power, completely extirpate and eradicate it; caring nothing if, in such a discord of affairs, most flourishing kingdoms and most ample provinces are utterly destroyed and reduced to ashes.