With a tumultuary army of near twenty thousand men, he invaded her territories, and met with weak resistance.

The land forces of the states were as feeble and ill governed, as their fleets were gallant and formidable.

But after his committing great ravages in several of the provinces, a stop was put to the progress of this warlike prelate.
He had not military skill sufficient to improve the advantages which fortune had put into his hands: the king of France sent a body of six thousand men to oppose him: subsidies were not regularly remitted him from England; and many of his troops deserted for want of pay: the elector of Brandenburgh threatened him with an invasion in his own state; and on the whole, he was glad to conclude a peace under the mediation of France.

On the first surmise of his intentions, Sir William Temple was sent from London with money to fix him in his former alliance; but found that he arrived too late.
The Dutch, encouraged by all these favorable circumstances, continued resolute to exert themselves to the utmost in their own defence.

De Ruyter, their great admiral, was arrived from his expedition to Guinea: their Indian fleet was come home in safety: their harbors were crowded with merchant ships: faction at home was appeased: the young prince of Orange had put himself under the tuition of the states of Holland, and of De Wit, their pensionary, who executed his trust with honor and fidelity; and the animosity which the Hollanders entertained against the attack of the English, so unprovoked, as they thought it, made them thirst for revenge, and hope for better success in their next enterprise.