The Introduction.

HIstory, in all Ages, hath not undeservedly been accounted the great Light and Mi­stress of Humane Life; as it both plea­surably instructs, and most efficaciously persuades all Ranks and Degrees of men, to their several respective and proper Offices. For, in lay­ing the Foundation of a Good Mind, Examples have a peculiar force to move men to Virtue, and a much Greater, than any bare Precepts what­soever; since they have this excellence in them, that they prove, what they recommend, possible to be done, and a Precept without an Example ad­joyn'd to it, looks like a good Law never put into Execution. When men read of an Excellent Vir­tue, they still carry away some Tincture from it, whether they will or no, as if they had been in Con­versation with it's Possessor; And when they read of any deformity and vice, they have a na­tural [Page 2] aversion for it, and will take care to avoid in themselves, what looks so ugly in others.

Nor does History tend only to form men's man­ners, in order to an happy Life, but it also exalts and enlarges their minds, while they take a pros­pect of all Generations, that have been upon Earth before them. They seem to give Eternity to them­selves à Parte ante, and to live as many years as they have read in Chronicles. And, by this know­ledge of the time past, they judge of the present, and proceed to the fore-sight of the future: For the best Astrology in the World is to be deriv'd from History, and from the Consideration of those Luminaries, that have mov'd in a Sphere above us, either in point of Time, or of Place.

Which since we see to be the Proper ends and uses of History, without doubt that History is highly to be esteem'd, which does not consist so much of Magnificent and Pompous things, as the Description of Wars, of Great Buildings, and such matters as only bring an empty pleasure to the Reader, but which does exhibit things useful and worthy his Imitation, and that will fill up his mind. Ʋpon this account the Lives of Eminent Men, writ with fidelity and truth, have certain­ly the greatest use; since from thence we learn how to live well, to moderate our passions, and go­vern our selves in the various Circumstances of Life. But whereas we cannot live well, unles [...] we live in Society, and all Societies must have Rulers and Governors over them, or else we must all disband and turn Barabbas's; there is [...] one Higher Degree of History whith we may loo [...] upon, as the most compleat for Estimation, Pro [...] and Ʋse: And that is a Narration of the Live [...] [Page 3] of Princes, representing (withal) every action bearing a Relation and Analogy thereunto. And his kind cannot stand without the fore-mention'd Additionals (as I may Stile them) and not Es­sentials of History, as Arms, and Fortifications, and the like matters: Which though they do concern no man in himself, as to point of Happi­ness, yet together with the great Delight they bring along with them, they are mainly conducive to the well-fare of mankind in general, and the Knowledge of 'em is requisite to many particular men, as immediately ingag'd in them, and is, like­wise, universally Ornamental.

Which things being well weigh'd, I think I have got under my Pen, one of the most profitable, as well as diverting Histories, the Sun ever yet saw acted: It being the Life of a Prince, which may be an Example not only to publick but pri­vate men. For it affords us the knowledge of Heaven, and reads us a Lecture of Piety, Justice, Patience, Fortitude, and Clemency: Which be­ing virtues in a Prince, have a singular Grace with 'em. It is not an account of the Robberies of an Alexander, but a Register of Providential Bounties and Appointments; beautified with the various Scenes and Landskips of Humane Life, to instruct our Judgments, and amuse our Imagi­nation. It teaches us the Arts of Ʋnity and Concord, and draws out the true lines of the Eng­lish Government. It cures those diseases of the mind, Insolence, self-conceit, and Ambition, and shews, that it is the Subjects Interest as well as Duty, to obey.

These are all things but of Yesterdays stand­ing, and very well known and remembred; So [Page 4] that before hand, I need not make any Professions here of my truth and sincerity, in the following Relation, it being not so easy to deceive as to be refell'd in things, not in the least remote from our knowledge. This indeed is all, I have the vanity to fear, that, if this Book should happen to descend to Posterity, they will rather think it the Panegyrick than History of our late admirable Prince, because when I report nothing of him but what was landable, they may ghess, that I have pre­termitted, what was worthy reprehension.

The most renowned and mighty Monarch CHARLES the Second, late King of England, was in greatness of his Royal Descent, Su­periour to all the Princes in Europe, being descended from our Royal Martyr Charles the good and great, and Henrietta de Bourbon, Daughter to Henry the Great, the Fourth of that name, of France; By descending from which two Royal Persons, he was related to all the Princes in Europe, & had some of all the Bloud-Royal of the Christian World concen­ter'd in his Princely Veins. By his Father, he deriv'd in a lineal descent from all the Brittish, Saxon, Danish, Norman, and Scottish Kings of Great Britain, and by his Mother from the Bourbons of France, the Austrians of Spain, the Medi [...]es of Florence, &c. Being al­so allied to all or most of them, by his own, & the Marriages of his Royal Brother our pre­sent most Glorious Monarch, his Aunt, his Sisters, and his two Nieces, their Royal High­ness Mary Princess of Orange, and the Prin­cess Ann of Denmark.

[Page 5] He was born at St. James's, May the 29th, 1630, it being the Birth-day of St. Augustine, who was sent by Gregory the great to our Ancestors the Saxons, and was the first founder of the Arch­bishoprick of Canterbury. At which time a new Star appeared over the Pala [...] where he was born, which seemed from Heaven to congratulate his Birth, by darting its promising Influence upon the place of it, and displaying is officious Beams in the midst of that Air, wherein he first drew breath, notwithstanding the strenuous opposition of the shining Sun▪ which thing was generally lookt upon as an Emblem of his future greatness and glory: The Sun likewise, soon after, suf­fered an Eclipse, which was a sad pre­sage, as some even then divined, that his Glory should be for some time eclipsed. His Royal Father, having in him obtained that blessing which he desired above all things in the World, went to St. Pauls and there in a publique and solemn manner gave thanks to Almighty God from whose bounty he received him.

He was baptized in the 27th of the following June, by Dr. Laud Bishop of London. Abbot, who was then Arch­bishop of Canterbury, being under an [...] [Page] [...] [Page] [...] [Page 2] [...] [Page 3] [...] [Page 4] [...] [Page 5] [Page 6] Irregularity, according to the decent and laudible Custom of the Church of England, whereof he was then made a Son, that so [...]he might hereafter be her Supream Head and Mediator; His Godfathers were his two Uncles Lewis 13. King of France, and Frederick, Prince Elector Palatine of the Rhine, represented by the Dukes of Hamilton and Richmond, who were then the two first Peers of the Realm and his Godmother was the Queen Mother of France, represented by the Dutchess of Richmond.

He was committed in his Infancy to the indulgent Care, and pious Tuition of the Countess of Dorset; and when his growing parts rendred him too mascu­line for a Feminine Conduct, he was de­livered to the Earl of Newcastle, under whose Direction and Government he imbib'd those Principles of Virtue, and desire of Learning, which serv'd as an In­troduction to fit and prepare him for his farther and more liberal Education, un­der the Learned Dr. Duppa, Dean of Christ-Church, and Bishop of Chichester, by whose extraordinary Pains and Indu­stry his Great Soul was first seasoned with those Rudiments of Knowledge and Learning, which afterward by his own [Page 7] observation and experience received so vast an increase, and rendred him that sagacious and politick, as well as good and gracious, King, which the whole series of his Reign discovered him to be.

About this time, by Order, not Crea­tion, he was first called Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwal, and Earl of Chester, the Revenues belonging to each of them being assigned him for the maintenance of his Court, the several Offices whereof were pitcht upon and appointed by the King his Father who, taking great de­light to see his Children about him, or­dered the Prince to attend him in several of his Progresses, and particularly in that to Oxford, where they were entertained with the acting of the Royal Slave, which prov'd too prophetick of both their ap­proaching Calamities. During his abode there, his Discourse with several Learn­ed Doctors was so extraordinary, and above the common capacity of his years, that it administred matter of amazement and wonder to the whole University.

In the Parliament, which was called soon after, he took his place among the Peers, who were now his equals, but were hereafter to become his [Page 8] Subjects, and there he first tryed how a Coronet would fit his Royal Head, before the death of his Father called him to wear the Imperial Crown; and about this time he was with great Solemnity installed Knight of the Garter, toge­ther with divers of the Nobility who were his Attendance, and received the same Honour with him.

But after all this a sad misfortune dampt the publick Joy and threatned the untimely setting of our Rising Sun, for in the year 39 he first brake his Arm and was afterward afflicted with a Vio­lent Fever and a small spice of the Jaun­dice but it was not long before those Clouds of fear were dissipated by the perfect recovery of his health.

Some unhappy misunderstandings beginning now to grow between his Father and the Parliament who, know­ing a King would do no wrong him­self, resolved to call some of his Coun­cil to an account for pretended mis­carriages, among whom the most Emi­nent was the Earl of Strafford, who first led the way, being by no known Law, as that Judicious King, who was pre­sent at the Tryal, declared attainted of Treason, and the King prevailed upon [Page 9] by the Importunity of his People, and a Letter from the Earl himself, (who rather chose to be made a Sa­crifice, than to hazard his Majesties Af­fairs,) to sign a Warrant for his Exe­cution. But the King's tender Con­science, being extreamly checkt and troubled for that unwilling consent, presently sent a Letter to the Peers, which was written with his own Hand, to desire them to forbear, or at least delay, the Execution of his Sentence, and, that it might be the more prevalent with them, he sent it by the Prince, which was the first Publick Business we find him imployed in, which, being a work of Mercy, proved so good an Omen of his own Inclination, that it afterward became so predominant in him, as even to rejoyce over his exactest Justice, al­though he could not then prevail on the behalf of that unfortunate Earl: And not long after we find him en­gaged in another Publick Business, be­ing one of the Chief Assistants in the performing the Solemnities of his Sisters Marriage with the Prince of Orange.

[Page 10] The fatal Breach between the King and Parliament growing still wider, and hastening to an unnatural Rupture, he resolved, notwithstanding many of his Nobles and Faithful Servants proffered their Service to curb any Insolencies that should be attempted on him, to remove himself some time from London, hoping that thereby their Jealousies and Rumours would wast and perish; and therefore commanded the Prince, together with his Queen, and some of his Servants, to attend him at Greenwich, and from thence to Hampton-Court, whither some Commis­sioners being sent to him for a Pacifica­tion, they made their first Application to the Prince, as the most proper Me­diator between the King and his two Houses of Parliament: So early was it, that he began to tread in the steps and labour to imitate his Grandfather, in becoming a Peace-maker, which not succeeding according to expectation, he accompanied his Father, together with the present King to Theobalds, leaving the Rebels to fret themselves at their escape, and from thence into the North, where he beheld a black Cloud begin to gather which, though small [Page 11] in appearance, yet was big with that dismal Storm, that in a short time spread it self over his Father, himself, and three Nations: For the King, re­pairing to Hull, to take a view of that Magazine, which his Treasure had pur­chased, and his Crown claimed as one of its Jura Regalia, the Magistrate thereof bearing a Sword by a Power only derived from him, without which Majesty it self is but a Solemn Trifle, and Authority but a gilded Pageantry, He was by Sir John Hotham, who was sent thither by the Parliament, denied Entrance, and forced to wait with the Prince and the Duke of York at the Gate of that Garrison, and could at last prevail for nothing more, but only his two Sons being admitted as Children, to see the Town; which when they had done, they accompanied their Father to York, whom they now beheld de­prived of that which Gr. Tholosanus calls the chiefest Flower in a Prince's Diadem, and disarmed of that Ma­jesty which of right belonged to him, where the Prince was by his Father made a Captain of a choice Guard of Loyal Nobles and Gentlemen, who there repaired to him: For such was [Page 12] the Indulgent Care he had of his Sub­jects, that he resolved they should hazard themselves no farther in the defence of his Person, than he would hazard himself for the defence of their Laws & Liberties; and that his Eldest Son, who was to succeed him in his Crown & Dignity, should accompany them in all those Dangers to which they should expose themselves. In which Quali­ty he attended his Father, through the several Stages he past, as a Partner with him in his Troubles, the greatest whereof was, as himself declares in his incomparable [...], his unhappy involving his Innocent Off­spring in those Troubles, that deserved to have been born to better For­tune.

At Edghill Fight, notwithstanding the tenderness of his years, he gave such proof of his Valour and Courage, and was so little terrified with the hor­rid noise of Guns, Drums and Trum­pets, the prancing of Horses, and the clashing of Swords, to which he had till then never been used, that the Earl of Lindsey, who observed it, said to those about him, There is a Child born [Page 13] to end that War we now begin. But the Battel being lost, he returned to his Fa­ther at Oxford, where he was commit­ted to the Care of his Kinsman, the Marquess of Hartford, then Chancellor of that University, who provided him several Tutors in each Language, Art and Science, wherein it concerned him as a Prince to be acquainted; and he applied himself to his Studies with as much pain and seriousness as the severest Gown-man in the place, his great Soul entertaining nothing but deep thoughts, profound Max­ims, and Intricate Mysteries, and he would severely rebuke the unsavou­ry Speeches that tortured his chaster Ears, and condemn those Oaths and Curses which were too common among the vainer Scholars; during which time he was visited with the Measels, the danger whereof only serv'd to teach us how to prize him the more for that hazard.

But the War between his Father and the Parliament still growing more fierce, he once more left the University and took the Field, laying aside his Books, that he might handle his Arms, and endeavoured to signalize his Valour by [Page 14] appearing in the Head of some Forces in the North, which were conducted by the Earls of Cumberland and New-castle, wherein he was so successful at first, that Victory seemed to wait on his Banner.

Shortly after he marcht Westward, where by order from the Court he was attended by such a Noble Retinue as was most suitable to the Grandeur of a Prince of Wales, about which time he cast off his Ich Dien, and assum'd his State, setting up his Royal Court, and making choice of such Officers as were most pleasing to him; about which although his Father took some exception, yet he protested that he greatly admired the discretion of his choice in general, having so brave and well ordered a Family that it was se­cond to none, but his Uncle Henrys; and King-ship was first exercised with­in the narrow compass of an Houshold, (saith Selden,) which increasing to Cities, Kings were content to Reign therein until those Cities, swelling in­to Nations, they enlarged the bounds of their Soveraign Rule.

The King of Portugal, about this time, hoping to make an advantage of the [Page 15] Kings necessity, offered several fair Pro­posals, suitable to his present exigencies and troubles, which were ushered in by the offer of a Match between his Daughter and the Prince, but for some reasons of State, his Father thought not fit to accept the offer, but yet re­turned such an answer as held him in suspence, being not willing either to gratifie or displease him.

The Prince, in the mean while, was busily employing himself in endea­vouring to make up a much happier Match between his Father and the Par­liament, by some overtures of Peace which he made to Sir Thom. Fairfax, the Chief Commander of the Parlia­ment-Forces, but was disappointed therein, for Fairfax gave him to un­stand that those Proposals were fitter to be made to the Parliament, than to him, who was only their Servant: Where­fore he, seeing that Fairfax would do nothing himself towards a Peace, being resolved to try all possible means for the setling this distracted Kingdom, de­sired leave for the Lord Hopton and Culpeper to attend the King and media­ate with him for a treaty with the Par­liament, to which Fairfax answered [Page 16] that he would desire the Prince to dis­band his Army, and promised that he would thereupon conduct him with Honour to the Parliament, to which re­quest he commanded the Lord Ca­pel to make the following Answer, viz.

Sir, His Highness did not believe that his overture, in engaging himself in the Mediation of a Blessed Peace for this mise­rable Kingdom, would have brought him an Inhibition to quit his duty to his Father, by dividing his Interest from that of his Majesties, or hereby he should render himself unworthy and un­capable of the fruit of that Peace, which he laboured to obtain, and that of his former propositions might be consented to, he hoped God would so bless his sincere intentions and designs, as to make him a Blessed Instrument to preserve this Kingdom from desolation, but if that were rejected he should give the World no cause to believe that he would forfeit that Honour, which only could preserve him in a capacity of doing that service, and should with patience attend Gods plea­sure, until his endeavours might be ap­plyed, with the preservation of his Inno­cency.

[Page 17] During his abode in the Camp, he shew'd himself to be of such an Heroick Temperature, that he enjoyed an equal Calm and Peace in the midst of all the Confusions of War, and enjoyed his Lear­ned Thoughts as quietly in the Tumults of a Camp, as in the Retirements of a School. In the exercising of his Arms, he did not wholly leave his Books, nor forget his Studies, especially of the Ma­thematicks, which, besides their general usefulness, as Refiners of the Mind, were more than ordinarily necessary to him, to assist him in carrying on the several Stratagems of War in Fortification, Sieges, Battels, &c. wherein he was but little be­low his incomparable Father, in these things the exactest Prince in Christen­dom.

But, not being able to accomplish that Reconciliation between his Father and the Parliament which he designed, he re­turned again to Oxford, where he was more successful in another undertaking of the like nature, viz. the reconciling his two Cousins, Rupert & Maurice, to his Fa­ther, accounting it too hard to entertain inward Broils, when outward Calamities were so heavy and pressing, and that those who had Adversaries enough al­ready, [Page 18] ought not to become each others Enemies: nor did he only use his Interest with his Father, to be reconciled to the two Princes, but even to his open and profest Enemies also, notwithstanding the failure of his late undertakings, as ap­pears by his Letters to the Speaker of the House of Commons of Decemb. 15, 26, & 29. and that of Jan. 25, 17, 24. and several others. But, while he was speak­ing for Peace, some, whose malice and in­terest had made implacable, & guilt ren­dred desperate, were preparing for the Battel, (whilst this Prince of Peace was ne­gotiating for Peace, and in order there­unto prepared to raise the Train'd Bands of his Dukedom of Cornwal, by incou­ragement of his Royal presence,) Fair­fax and Cromwel fall with incredible fu­ry upon his Army, commanded by the Lord Hopton, at Torrington, and van­quisht it: Which news being brought to him at Launceston, he removed from thence to Pendennis, where continually receiving some unhappy news, and un­welcome Messages pursuing each o [...]her, so fast as the Waves do in a Storm, and coming as thick as the Messengers of Jobs calamity, was advised to consult his own safety, and (since he could not by all his [Page 19] suasions procure a pacification either by Art or Arguments, dint of Sword, or strength of Reason,) preserve himself, the Kingdoms growing hope, for happier days, wherein he might with more for­tunate success apply his soveraign Balm to heal the bleeding Breaches of the three dying Nations.

Whereupon he went from thence, at­tended by the Lords Goring and Culpep­per, and Sir Edw. Hide, to the Isle of Scilly, which still remained in the King's hands; where he was no sooner arrived, but he received a solemn Invitation from the Parliament in a seeming tender & dutiful way, to come to them, and remain in such places as they should think convenient, and entertain such Attendants & Coun­sellors only as should be appointed by them. Upon receiving of which Invita­tion, he advised with those about him, what was best to be done in that case, and they returned the following Answer, viz.

That it became not him to do any thing in a matter of that concern, with­out his Fathers privity, advice, and free consent; and therefore, before he could satisfie the Honourable House, he desired a Pass might be granted to the L Capel to go to the King at Oxford, to take his [Page 20] Advice, and hearken to his Royal Plea­sure, and make some overtures to him in order to a Peace. He desired likewise the assistance of the Reverend Father in God, the Arch-Bishop of Armagh, whose de­portment toward the Publick was so mo­derate and inoffensive, that even Jealou­sie it self entertained not the least suspi­cion of him.

But, through the ill Influence some persons had on Publick Councils, there was nothing done in either of those par­ticulars, althô, when Providence was pleased to deprive him of Civil Comfort, and Secular Attendants, it had been but charity to have supplied him with some faithful, good and able Chaplain, by whose Piety, Learning and Prayers, he might be the better enabled to sustain the want of all other Enjoyments. But they not only refused to gratifie him in that reasonable Request, but also by an Ordinance barr'd him from all future converse with such Loyal Attendants, as would otherwise have willingly waited on him there, to deceive the tediousness of that Solitude; so that those, who would now adventure to repair to him, or sup­ply their unhappy absence by the civil correspondence of a Letter, were to die [Page 21] without mercy. During his abode there, he spent a day or two in viewing the Isle of Gernsey, the only remainder of our Rights to Normandy, to try if peradventure the persons, or the place, would furnish him with the knowledge of any thing where­of he was a Stranger before, and which he might observe for the future benefit of his Kingdom: For, as he afterward wrote to the Lord Mayor and Common-Council of London, he neglected not any Maritime observations, which might be useful to English Traffick, the slands commodiousness for Shipping & Trade, from the Eastern parts to the West, in the middle way between St. Malo's, and the River Seine, the capaciousness of its Harbour, together with the smaller Islands, Alderneley, Lerke and Sarnia.

After this, he betook himself to France, to visit his Mother in that Court, where he was received with all imaginable de­monstrations of Joy, where, after having received his Mothers Blessing, and the Complements of that Court, he retired with her to the Louvre. But, his active disposition rendring him soon weary of a tedious and easie Retirement, he desired leave of his Mother to go with the Duke of Orleans into the Field that Summer in [Page 22] the Head of a French Army, which then marcht into Flanders against the Spa­niards. The Queen wrote to the King, to know his pleasure about it, but he abso­lutely refused it, accounting it beneath the Princes of Great Britain to serve any, as those who understood better how to command, than be commanded, in a Field, having formerly had Kings and Emperours in pay under them; & in regard that our homebred miseries afforded Em­ployment so agreeable with his active spirit, that he thought he ought not to spare himself for any dangerous engage­ments in Foreign Quarrels, and there­fore advised him to expect Instructions from him how to dispose of himself more to his Kings, his Fathers, his own, and Countreys Service.

Whereupon, in obedience to his Royal Fathers command, he quitted his own wishes, and waited for farther directions from the King. During which time, the varieties of Airs, he had passed through, distempered his tender body, & brought upon him an Aguish [...]ever, which con­tinued some weeks, until by the good­ness of God, the care of his Loyal Atten­dants, and the skill of his Physicians, he was recovered to so good a temper, as [Page 23] to attend his Fathers Affairs, according to those Instructions he received from him in an inclosed Commission, which was then sent him to be Generalissimo of all the Loyal Forces which had survived those late unhappy defects; that declared to the World, that good and ill success are no infallible demonstrations of Inno­cence or Guilt, since there is a just man that perisheth in his Righteousness, and the wicked sometime prosper in their wickedness.

The Kingdom of Scotland, tender of his Safety, Honour & Conscience, humbly move his Father not to suffer him, who was their present hope and their future happiness, to be exposed in his younger years, to such Foreign Temptations and Dangers, as might have those unhappy Influences upon these Kingdoms that the Child unborn might rue for, since Princes are so publick, that within the Fate of their own single persons are in­volved the concerns of whole Nations, (Rex est publica pars major melior (que) mei.) Whereupon the King wrote to him to wait upon his Mother, and obey her du­tifully in all things, Religion only ex­cepted, and that he should not stir any whither without his particular directions. [Page 24] But, not satisfied therewith, they write to him themselves, by their Committee of Estates, to invite him thither, protesting that none of the present Calamities, ex­cept his Fathers distress and restraint, af­flicted them so much as his absence; and, seeing their Forces had at first entred England, to do their duty to Religion, his Majesty, and himself, they humbly desi­red his Highness to honour and counte­nance their Pious and Loyal Endeavours with his gracious presence, and Royal Person, for whose Safety, Honour and Freedom they engaged the publick Faith of that Kingdom, which Invitation was signed by Craford and Lindsey.

But he had learned, by too sad expe­rience, what faithless Trustees they were of Princes persons, and thought it dan­gerous for the Son to trust himself with those who had betrayed his Father. Li­berty being so much the desire of all men, that it is not reason Princes should hazard Captivity, since all free-born Souls embrace a Freedom, though it be but to wander like forlorn Exiles in a strange Land, rather than a Restraint upon their Persons, their Judgments and their Con­sciences, within the Precincts of their own Palaces; wherefore he intended to wait [Page 25] with patience till Providence might find out some way for his return to his own Country, with more Safety and Honour, and sent the Earl of Lauderdale back with this Answer to the States of Scot­land, That their Civility, which might well become the best Subjects, should, upon the first opportunity, have that return from him, which might become the best of Princes. And, in the mean time, in pur­suance of those Instructions he had re­ceived from his Father, he negotiated his Affairs in the French Court, where, by his Mothers assistance, he prevailed for some thousands of pounds, to be advan­ced by that Court, toward the furtherance of his Majesties Affairs in Ireland, as an Earnest of greater Assistance to be af­forded hereafter.

Some remainders of his Cornish For­ces now geting to a head, and others upon order Marching to him out of Ire­land, he met them in the Isle of Jersey, with such Forces as he had procured be­yond the Seas; where he possest himself of some Vessels which lay in the Island, & joyned them to those which he had brought with him out of France: the news whereof arriving at Westminster a Letter is dispatcht from the Parliament, and de­livered [Page 26] him by Colonel Russel, Govern­our of Guernzey, wherein they humbly desired that, for his Fathers, his own, and for his three more than miserable King­doms sake, he would come among his Fathers Subjects, offering thereupon to afford all that lay in their power to give, or himself could expect to receive. But not daring to trust them, he waved their Complement, and proceeded to manage his affairs by Sea and Land to that ad­vantage, if they had had their desired suc­cess, as might have enabled the King in the approaching treaty, to stand upon such terms as conduced most to his Ho­nour, both as a Man, a Christian and a King. In order whereunto he came at­tended by the Duke of York, Prince Ru­pert, the Lords Hopton, Wilmot, Wil­ [...]oughby, Branford and Ruthen, and Sir Henry Palmer, with twenty Sail of Ships towards Yarmouth, and landed there with 2000 Men, where the divided mul­titude entertained him according to their various Inclinations, some with an Ho­sanna, and others with a Crucifie.

And as himself had taken care of his affairs at Sea, so he sent commissions to several Persons of Honour and Trust, whom he commanded to take care of [Page 27] them by Land, viz. Ormond, Inche­queen and Montgomery in Ireland, the Committee of State and their Officers in Scotland, the Lords Goring and Capel in Essex and Kent; Glenham and Langdale in the North; Hales, Lucas, Langhorn, Poyer, Owen, Buckingham, and the Earls of Holland and Peterborough, in those places where each of them resided; and Letters of correspondence past mutu­ally between him and the Scots, his Fa­ther and the City, in some whereof which were intercepted, the City, the Lords, and some of the Commons declar­ed themselves ready to contribute all pos­sible asistance for the composing of those unhappy differences.

For whose encouragement he was graciously pleased to declare himself ra­ther the asserter of his Peoples Privi­ledges than his own Rights, as though he fought against his Subjects, not to make himself, but them, happy against their wills; for in a Declaration which he then publisht, he Solemnly protes­ted 1. For the Establishment of Reli­gion, according to his Fathers, agreement in the 26th of the preceding December 2. The performance of the said agree­ment and pursuance of the concessions on [Page 28] the Kings part. 3. The restoring of the King to a Personal Treaty. 4. The just Priviledges of Parliament. 5. An Act of Oblivion. 6. The liberty of the Subject, abolishing excise, contribution, forfeit, quarter, &c. 7. Disbanding the Armies and setling of Peace. 8. The Defence of the narrow Seas, the securing of [...]rade, and the support of the Navy and Sea­men, was all he designed in his present undertakings. Which Gracious Decla­ration he seconded with a Letter to the Lords, wherein he required 1▪ That a Per­sonal Treaty might be had in such place and manner as might consist with the Kings Honour, Safety and Freedom, that so it might not be blemished with any Face of restraint, 2. That Scotland might be included. 3. That in the mean time there might be a cessation of Arms, and an orderly moderate subsistance, mutually agreed on for the Forces on both sides to the Souldiers content, and the Subjects ease: But such was their stub­born peevishness, that all his concessions were slighted▪ and his endeavours came to nothing.

Wherefore seeing he could do nothing by fair means, he applyed himself to Force, and made several Honourable, [Page 29] but unsuccessful attempts, to reduce his Rebellious Subjects to the obedience of their Soveraign. Poyer and Langhorn reduce South Wales, raise a Thousand Men, keep Pembroke, Tenby and Chep­stow, beat Fleming and Horton, but soon after received a total rout at St. Fo­gins, Tenby and Pembroke being surren­dred, and Langhorn and Poyer forced to submit to Mercy: in whose behalf he wrote to St. Thomas Fairfax from the Downs, where he then lay with his Fleet, that they might have the usage and terms of Souldiers of War, as those had who were taken by him. To which Letter the General answered with all due respects to his Highness, that it was not in his power to Act further, the Parlia­ment having ordered their Tryals, he dar'd not interpose their Justice; but on­ly pray for Mercy and Peace, subscrib­ing himself his Highness's Humble Servant. Sir John Owen likewise reduced North Wales to as little purpose.

Nor had his affairs much better suc­cess in Surrey, Essex, Kent: And the Ci­ty, who having first petitioned and then fought for their own Peace, the Kings Honour, Safety and Liberty, and the Kingdoms Establishment, were able to [Page 30] accomplish nothing to purpose. The Kentish Men Rendezvouzed at Black-heath under Sir Edw. Hales, who com­manded them as General, Sir Geo. Lis­ley, and others; offering a Parly to Sir Tho. Fairfax, to which he returned this Answer, &c.

SIRS, I received a Message from you for a Pass, for some Gentlemen to come and and Treat, according to an Order of Par­liament, but know of no such Order of theirs, or Authority of yours to appoint Commis­sioners for such a purpose; & finding you & them in Arms against the Parliament, I cannot admit of a Treaty; but if ye shall forthwith lay down your Arms, and return home, I doubt not of the Parliaments mer­cy, to such as have been deluded into this Rebellion, and their Exemplary Justice to the Chief Actors therein. Of which An­swer having satisfied the Prince, they did by directions from him make this Re­ply. 1. That an universal and perpetual Dictate of Nature, even self-preserva­tion, not to invade others Rights, but to secure their own, had drawn them toge­ther. 2. 'Twas an undoubted Power over them ordained of God they did then obey, and so did neither Tumult nor Rebel. 3. That Providence which had [Page 31] given them that opportunity, they dare not neglect, nor could they lay down their Arms without the forfeiture of their Reason, and their Honour; and that, as for the uncertain mercy which he offered to the deluded many, whom he thought knew not why they were come together, & the certain Justice he had threatned their Leaders withal, he might assure himself there was but one Soul in that great Body, which was therefore re­solved to stand or fall together as one Man, being not tempted with any hope, except that of returning to their ancient Rights, Priviledges, Governments and Settlements; and altogether uncapable of any fear, save only that of relapsing into their former slavery: And that the fair managing of their business, was a suffi­cient demonstration of their Inclinations to Peace, entreating him therefore rather to make the Country his Friend than his Enemy.

The General being inexorable, and and they resolved, both Armies met at a barricadoed Bridge, between the Heart [...] and Graves-end, where both sides strenuously disputed the Passage, till the Country-men retired back into their main Body, being over-powered by [Page 32] multitudes, rather than overcome by va­lour; whereupon (notwithstanding they gained another Pass, which was disputed between them and the Parliamentarians) they retired to Maidstone, which they stoutly maintained against the first and second, but yielded upon a third Assault, though with a great slaughter of their Enemies, who obtained that with great loss, which they parted with not without extream regret; whereupon Rochester is quitted, and left to the mercy of the Enemy.

In the mean time their General, the Prince, lay in the Downs with his Fleet in a very good condition, waiting for that supply of Land Forces, which his Brother the Prince of Orange was indus­triously raising for his Service in Hol­land, and seizing several Merchant Ships not to be released under 200000 l. In­tending his Subjects future gain by that present loss, by employing of it in the defence of their Laws and Liberties: But understanding that the Castle of Deale was in danger of being taken, he Land­ed some Forces for its Relief, who were Vanquisht almost as soon as Landed, a Rebellion seeming to have chained the Goddess Fortune, (as the Trojans did of [Page 33] old) to its side. For it was so deplora­bly successful, that whenever it met with Loyalty, it presently vanquisht it.

But, notwithstanding this loss, he would have hazarded himself for the re­lief of Colchester, wherein Sir Charles Lucas and the Lord Capel with their Es­sex-Forces were besieged, had he not been disswaded by those about him, and informed that Coll. Scroop had under­taken the relief of that City, with a great­er number of Men than was there under his Command, whereupon he desisted from his intention and reserved his hi­therto unblemished Reputation, to ex­pect a fairer opportunity: And still con­tinued at Anchor in the Downs.

But Fairfax, whose actions were per­formed as soon as thought, and whose designs did almost prevent his perform­ances, carried on the Siege of Colches­ter with so much strictness and resolu­tion, that he very much striatned those Valiant Worthies, who had somewhat weakly imprisoned themselves within a place where they would be sooner tired than overcome, when it might have been more discretion to have taken the Field, and there have improved their [Page 34] opportunity of performing something to the Honour of their Master, and the good of their Country, by the glean­ing of those Loyal Subjects, who would have been continually resorting to them, and the taking all advantages against their Enemy, or at least they might have died Nobly and revenged. However they resolved gallantly to de­fend the place to the last extremity, their Valour being able to suffer what­soever the Enemy without was able to reduce them to; but Famine within be­came a more prevailing Adversary than Fairfax's Army; and when Courage and Resolution would not yield to the one, Nature was forc'd to stoop to the other. For their want of Provisions were so great, that Dogs and Cats were ac­counted great Rarities, so that the Soul­dier thought it a Relief to be employ­ed where he was most probable to meet with death, as weary of the lingring doom of departing by piece-meals, and dying daily. Yet they yielded not the City, till they were informed of the Scots defeat at Preston, and that the Navy was revolted from the Prince again, it being as unconstant as the Wind, and as unstable as the Water [Page 35] that it sailed upon: And indeed what could be expected, but that those, who were Traitors to their first, should be unfaithful to their second, Master? And then those Desperado's resolved to make a general Sally upon the Enemy; for since there now remained no Calamity unsuffered, which they could possibly fear; they thought it was better to go forth and meet their sudden doom, than wait for it within the Town; but the Souldiers and Towns-men shrinking, they were for­ced to yield themselves to the General, as Prisoners of War.

His brave and War-like Attempts, for his Fathers Restauration, having thus proved unsuccessful, he was for­ced to content himself with being un­happy, since he had approved him­self to be Loyal; and so he retired to the Hague in Holland, where he re­sided with his Sister the Princess of Orange, to avoid the Treachery of Cardinal Mazarine, who was dealt withal to trapan him, and had for that purpose, as himself said, as much from those in England, as would maintain the Queen and Princess, and defray all the incident Charges which they [Page 36] put that Kingdom to: As also to a­void Suspicion, which the Parliament might have of him during the time of the approaching Treaty. About which having heard some uncertain Rumours, he wrote to his Father by the Lord Seymour for better satisfaction, that so he might manage his Designs and Counsels suitable to his Fathers Exigencies, as he exprest in his Letter, which was to this purpose.

SIR, Having no means to come to the knowledge of your Majesties Affairs, but such as I receive from the Prints, or (which is altogether as uncertain) Re­ports, I have sent this Bearer Seymour to wait upon your Majesty, and to bring me an account of it; and that I may also assure your Majesty, that I do not only pray for your Majesty, according to my duty, but shall always be ready to do all which shall be in my power, to deserve that Blessing which I now hum­bly beg of your Majesty, &c.

And being now big with expecta­tion of the joyful News of such a setled Peace, as might be safe and honourable to his Majesty, and advantagious to the Subject, he receives Information that the Treaty was begun, and so far [Page 37] concluded, on such Reasonable Demands of the two Houses, and Royal Con­cessions of his Majesty, as upon three days mature deliberation it was resol­ved, that the King's Answer to the Pro­positions of both Houses, was a ground for them to proceed upon, for the settlement of the Nation, with his Ma­jesties consent; Who was in order there­unto to have been restored to the Freedom, Safety and Honour, that be­came his place, he thereupon assured himself, that his Majesty having now, in order to an accommodation, granted as much as modesty could ask, there would undoubtedly follow a Peace and settle­ment of the Kingdom, with an univer­sal satisfaction, and that the happiness, and not the error of the Government, were some Mens grievances, which proved but too true. For to such a height wa [...] the Malice and Impudence of Cromwe [...] and some other Officers of the Army, now grown, that they resolved to employ their Power against those that gave it them, and to oppose themselves against the wisht for Peace and Settle­ment of the Kingdom; therefore find­ing that all the pretence of Authority now failed them by the Parliaments Re­solution [Page 38] to set the King at Liberty, they now make use of plain Force, and boldly adventure to contradict the Re­solves of the Parliament it self, from whom they had first received their pretended Commissions, and presume without Law first to imprison them in their own House, and then to sequester as many of them as they please from coming thither. Whereby, having patcht a Juncto of their own, which they still ridiculously called by the name of Par­liament, they renewed the Vote of Non-Addresses, declare the Treaty at the Isle of Wight dishonourable and dan­gerous, and therefore protest against it, and then proceeded to disarm the City and Country, that so there might not be a Sword drawn for the good and Peace of the Kingdom. Which ob­stacles being thus removed, the Army encouraged the Juncto with a Re­monstrance, wherein they proposed that the People should agree finally to take away the Government by King, Lords and Commons, whereby they made good those Charges which had formerly been made against the Parliament, and their Army, and from which they had endeavoured by [Page 39] so many Oaths and Protestations to clear themselves. And that they should▪ in the name of the People, proceed against all Malefactors, from the highest to the lowest, wherein they impu­dently included, and chiefly aimed at, the King himself, who was in order thereunto closely imprisoned, and de­prived by them of the comfort of his Loyal Attendants, and of the Honour of that State and Ceremony that was due to him.

But these were but essays toward, and beginnings of, Sorrows to that Pious, though unfortunate King. First, It was moved in the House on the first of the following January, that he might be tryed as a Traytor: Which hor­rible, as well as senseless, Vote was past into an ordinance, and sent to the House of Lords. Upon which the Earl of Man­chester, to his Eternal Honour, did de­clare that, in regard the King was the chief of the three States in Parliament, he could not possibly be a Traytor to the rest, since Treason always goes upward, and the lowest only are capable of being Traytors to the highest. Which Speech the Earl of Northumberland seconded by [Page 40] declaring his opinion, that suppose it was without question, that the King was first in the War, yet they had neither Law, Custom or President, to make that War Treason in his Majesty, and the Lord Say affirmed that he knew not who should to say to Kings, Ye are un­righteous, or to Princes, Ye are ungodly. And Kings (added Pembroke) they say can do no wrong, much less can they be guilty of Treason, whereupon the Ordinance was immediately thrown out of that Honourable House.

But the Juncto mad upon their ungod­ly and destructive project resolved not­withstanding that the Persons, impow­ered therein to try the King, should proceed accordingly, altho the Lords consented not. Which unexpected News being brought the Prince by Seymour, together with the Ordinance for his Fa­thers Tryal, he was thereby surprized with so much Passion and Amazement, to see their Oaths of Allegiance, Cove­nants, Protestations, and Treaties for Peace, conclude in Paricide and Murder, that he knew not how to contain him­self, until he began to consider with him­self, that Passion must not be suffered to [Page 41] disturb reason in such an exigency of af­fairs; wherein its consultations were to be imployed in the weighty business of saving a Father, a King, and three King­doms; and that it became him therefore to give himself rather to discreet Advice and Council, than to sullen grief: It be­ing more Princely and Heroick, to pre­vent the mischief, than either to be an­gry at it, or revenge it when it was done. And in order thereunto he solicits Spain, France, Holland, and the Scots, to in­terpose themselves in his Fathers behalf, who accordingly, by their respective Em­bassadors and Messengers, did mediate for his Life, offering themselves, toge­ther with the English Peers, to be­come Pledges for him. But the Barba­rous Juncto were inexorable, their guilt having made them so desperate, that they thought themselves no otherwise safe from former mischiefs committed by them, but by perpetuating a far greater and unparallel'd wickedness, those Monsters of Men hurrying his Majesty from the Isle of Wight, to bring him to his Tryal, as tho they had designed to explain, to the wandring World, the meaning of that Riddle, which was con­tained in their pretence of defend­ing [Page 42] him, whilst they fought against him.

Being unjustly condemned by the pre­tended high Court of Justice, set up by the Juncto for his Tryal, to lose his sa­cred Head, he did upon the near ap­proach of his death take care, with good Hezekiah, to set his House in order, giving charge concerning the same to the Dutch Embassador, with whom he was as private, as the rudeness of the Souldiers would permit him. For the most part of the Saturday in the After­noon, ordering him to carry his Blessing to his Son, and deliver him such In­structions, as equally declare the great­ness of our loss in him, and our happi­ness in his Successor, whose actions were always steered according to them, wherein he breathed more like an An­gel than a Man, or at least, as one then already entred upon the confines of Eternity, and within view of Immortali­ty and Perfection, as you may perceive by the Instructions themselves, which are as follow.

‘Son, if these Papers with some others, wherein I have set down [Page 43] the private reflections of my Con­science, and my most impartial thoughts, touching the chief pas­sages that have been most remark­able, or disputed, in my late Troubles, come to your hands, to whom they are chiefly designed, they may be so far useful to you, as to state your Judgment aright in what hath pas­sed, whereof a pious use is the best that can be made, and they may give you some Directions how to remedy the present, and prevent fu­ture Distempers.’

This advantage of Wisdom you have above other Princes, that you have begun, and now spent some years of discretion, in the the experience of Trouble, and the exercise of Patience, wherein Piety and all other Virtues, both Moral and Political, are com­monly better planted to a thriving, as Trees set in Winter, than in warmth and serenity of times, or amidst those delights which usually attend Princes Courts in time of Peace and Plenty, which are prone either to root up all Plants of true Virtue and Honour, or to be contented only with some Leaves, [Page 44] or withering Formalities of them, with­out any real Fruit, such as tend to the publick good, for which Princes shall always remember they are born, and by Providence designed. The Evidence of which different Education the Holy Writ affords us in the contemplation of David and Rehoboam, the one prepared by many Afflictions for a flourishing Kingdom, the other softened by the unparallell'd Prosperity of Solomon's Court; and so corrupted both for Peace, Honour and Kingdom, by those Flat­teries which are as inseparable from prosperous Princes, as Flies are from Fruit, whom adversity, like cold Weather, driveth away▪

I had rather you should be Charles Le bon, than Le grand, good, than great: I hope God hath designed you to be both, having so early put you upon that exercise of his Gifts and Graces bestowed upon you, which may best weed out all vicious Inclinations, and dispose you to those princely▪ Endow­ments and Employments which will most gain the love, and intend the wel­fare, of those over whom God shall place you.

[Page 45] With God, the King of Kings, I would have you begin; the best Government, you can attain to, is, to be subject to his Word and Spirit swaying in your heart.

Your Glory will be the advancement of God's Glory in the maintenance of true Religion, and of the Churches good, and in the dispensation of Civil Justice and Honour for the publick good.

Piety will make you prosperous, or at least not miserable, whereby, in the loss of all, you save a Soul, to which, as to a Creature, I see all these black Lines of Affliction drawn.

This Cup we tast is God's Physick, having that in healthfulness, in wants and pleasure.

I would have you, above all, well grounded in your Religion, according to the best Profession of the Church of England, which I wish may be judiciously your Religion, sealed by your Judgment and Reason, persevering i [...] it as the nearest to the Word of Go [...] for Doctrine, and the Primitive Examples for Government, with such amendment as I elsewhere expressed, and often offered, but in vain. A fixation for Rel [...] gion is necessary for your Souls and Kingdoms Peace.

[Page 46] The Devil of Rebellion can turn himself into such an Angel of Reforma­tion, and the Old Serpent can pretend such New Lights, that when some mens Consciences accuse them for Sedi­tion and Faction, they stop their mouth with the name and noise of Religion. When Piety pleads for Peace and Pa­tience, they cry out Zeal; so that you must be settled, or you shall never want Temptations to destroy you and yours. Men are so good at putting the best of Princes for the worst of Designs, especially when Novelty prevails much, attended with Zeal for Religion; and 'tis a good way to hide their own Deformities, by severe cen­sures upon other mens Opinions and Actions.

Abet no publick Faction against your own and the Churches settled judgment, least the advantage you gain in some Mens Hearts (who are prone to be of their Kings Religion) be lost in others, who think themselves and their professi­ons, first dispised and then Persecuted by you.

Either calmly remove the seeming differences and offences by impartiality, or order it so in point of power, that [Page 47] you need not fear, or flatter any, else you are undone, so quickly will the Serpent devour the Dove. There is less Loyalty, Justice, or Humanity in none than in Religious Rebels, whose Ambitious Policies march under the Colours of Piety, with security and applause. You may hear from them Jacobs Voice, but you shall feel they have Esaus Hands.

The Presbyterian Faction in Eng­land, while compliant with publick order, was inconsiderable in Church and S [...]ate: When discontents drove Men to sideing, as ill humors fall to the dis­affected part, so did all that affected Novelty, adhere to that side as the most remarkable note of difference (then) in point of Religion; all lesser Factions (until time and success had discovered to them their several advantages) being officious Servants to Presbytery.

What may seem at first but an hand-breadth in Religion, by Seditious Spirits, as by strong Winds, are soon made to cover and darken the whole Heavens, and therefore must be suppressed or re­formed.

Next to your care for Religion take care for Justice, according to the settled [Page 48] Laws of these Kingdoms, which by an admirable temperament give very much to the Subject, and yet reserve enough for any King, who owns his People as Subjects, and not as Slaves.

Never charge your Head with such a Crown, as may oppress the whole Body, that it cannot return any strength, ho­nour or safety to the head.

Your Prerogative is best exercised in remitting, rather than exacting, the just Vigour of the Laws.

I hope you will never think it safe for a King to gratify any Faction with the perturbation of the Laws, in which is wrapt up the publick interest, and the good of the Community.

My Counsel and charge to you is, that (if it please God to restore you) you seriously consider the former real, or ob­jected miscarriages, which might occasion my troubles, that you may avoid them.

Never repose so much upon any Mans single fidelity, and distraction, (in ma­naging affairs of Religion and Justice,) as to create in your self or others a diffi­dence of your own judgment which will prove more faithful to your own, and the Kingdoms, interest than any Mans.

Exasperate no Faction by the asperity [Page 49] of any Mans Passions, or humors (em­ployed by you) about differences in les­ser matters, wherein a charitable tole­ration dissipates that strength, whom rougher opposition fortifieth; provided the differences amount not to an inso­lent opposition of Laws and Govern­ments, our Religion Established, as to the essentials of them.

Always keep up solid Piety, and those fundamental Truths which mend both the hearts and lives of men, with impartial Favour and Justice.

Take heed that outward Circum­stances of Religion devour not all the Encouragements of Learning, Industry and Piety, but with an equal Eye, and impartial Hand, distribute Favours and Rewards to all men, as you find for their real goodness, both in abilities and fidelity, worthy or capable of them. This will give you the hearts of the best and most too, who, though they be not good themselves, yet are glad to see the severer ways of Vir­tue at any time sweetned with Tem­poral Rewards.

Time will dissipate all Faction, when the rough [...] Designs of some men shall discover themselves, which were at [Page 50] first wrapt up under the smooth pre­tences of Religion, Reformation and Liberty. For, as the Wolf is not less cruel, so he will be more justly hated when he shall appear no better than a Wolf under Sheeps clothing. And, as for the secluded Train of the vulgar, who, in their simplicity, follow those disguises, my charge and counsel to you is, That, as you need no pallia­tions for any Designs; so you study really to exceed (in true and constant demonstrations of Goodness, Piety and Virtue toward the People) even those men that make the greatest noise and ostentation of Religion. So you shall neither fear any detection, as they do who have but the face and mask of good­ness, nor shall you frustrate the just ex­pectation of your People, who cannot in reason promise themselves so much good from any Subjects Novel­ty, as from the goodness of their King. And when Factions are by God's Mercy, and your Virtue, dissipated, the abused vulgar will then learn, that none are greater Oppressors of their Estates, Liberties and Consciences, than those men that entitle themselves, the Pa­trons and Vindicators of them, only [Page 51] under that pretence, to usurp Power over them. Let no passion therefore betray you to any study of revenge up­on those, whose own sense and folly will sufficiently punish in due time. But, as soon as the Forked Arrows of Factious Emulations is drawn out, use all Princely Arts and Clemency to heal the Wounds, that the smart of the Cure may not equal the smart of the Heart.

Where-ever it shall be desired and ac­cepted, offer Indempnity to so great a latitude as may include all that can but suspect themselves to be any way obnoxi­ous to the Laws, as to remove all Jea­lousies, not out of strict Policy or Ne­cessity, but out of Christian Charity and Choice. For, be confident, (as I am) that the most of all sides that have done amiss, have done so, not out of malice, but through a misapprehension of things. And that therefore none will be more Loyal to you, than those, who sensible of their Errours, and our Injuries, will feel in their Souls most vehement mo­tives of Repentance, and earnest desires to make some reparations for their for­mer defects.

As Your Quality sets you above any [Page 52] Duel with a Subject, so the Nobleness of your Mind must raise you above the meditation of any Revenge upon the many that have offended you. The more conscious you shall be to your own Merits upon your People, the more prone you will be to expect all Love and Loyalty from them; and by inflicting no punishment for former miscarriages, you will find more inward complacency in pardoning of one, than in punishing a thousand. This I write to you, not despairing of God's mercy, and my Subjects affections towards you, both which I hope you will study to de­serve, yet we cannot merit of God, but by his own Mercy.

If God should see fit to restore me, and you after me, to those Enjoyments which the Laws should have assigned to us, and no Subject without high de­gree of guilt can divest us of, then may I have better opportunity, when I shall see you in Peace, to let you freely un­derstand the things that belong to God's Glory, your own Honour, and the Kingdom's Peace. But if you ne­ver see my face again, and God will have me buried in such a barbarous Imprisonment and Obscurity, which [Page 53] the perfecting some mens Designs re­quire, where in few mens hearts, that love me, are permitted to exchange a word or look with me, I do require and intreat you, as your Father, and your King, that you never suffer your heart to receive the least check against, or dis­satisfaction from, the true Religion establisht in the Church of England; which upon trial I find to be the best, as Christian and Reformed, keeping the middle way between the pompous Su­perstition of Tyranny, and the meaness of Phanatick Anarchy.

Not but that (the draught being ex­cellent as to the main, both for Do­ctrine and Discipline,) some Lines, as in very good Figures, do peradventure need some sweetning and polishing, which might here have easily been done by a safe and gentle hand, if some mens precipitancy had not vio­lently demanded such rude alterations as would have quite destroyed all the beauty and proportion of the whole.

The Scandal of the late Troubles, which some may object and urge to you against the Protestant Religion establisht in England, is easily an­swered to them, or your own thoughts [Page 52] Duel with a Subject, so the Nobleness of your Mind must raise you above the meditation of any Revenge upon the many that have offended you. The more conscious you shall be to your own Merits upon your People, the more prone you will be to expect all Love and Loyalty from them; and by inflicting no punishment for former miscarriages, you will find more inward complacency in pardoning of one, than in punishing a thousand. This I write to you, not despairing of God's mercy, and my Subjects affections towards you, both which I hope you will study to de­serve, yet we cannot merit of God, but by his own Mercy.

If God should see fit to restore me, and you after me, to those Enjoyments which the Laws should have assigned to us, and no Subject without high de­gree of guilt can divest us of, then may I have better opportunity, when I shall see you in Peace, to let you freely un­derstand the things that belong to God's Glory, your own Honour, and the Kingdom's Peace. But if you ne­ver see my face again, and God will have me buried in such a barbarous Imprisonment and Obscurity, which [Page 53] the perfecting some mens Designs re­quire, where in few mens hearts, that love me, are permitted to exchange a word or look with me, I do require and intreat you, as your Father, and your King, that you never suffer your heart to receive the least check against, or dis­satisfaction from, the true Religion establisht in the Church of England; which upon trial I find to be the best, as Christian and Reformed, keeping the middle way between the pompous Su­perstition of Tyranny, and the meaness of Phanatick Anarchy.

Not but that (the draught being ex­cellent as to the main, both for Do­ctrine and Discipline,) some Lines, as in very good Figures, do peradventure need some sweetning and polishing, which might here have easily been done by a safe and gentle hand, if some mens precipitancy had not vio­lently demanded such rude alterations as would have quite destroyed all the beauty and proportion of the whole.

The Scandal of the late Troubles, which some may object and urge to you against the Protestant Religion establisht in England, is easily an­swered to them, or your own thoughts [Page 54] in this, that scarce any one who has been a beginner, or an active prose­cutor of this late War against the Church, the Laws and me, either was, or is, a true lover, embracer, or practicer of the Protestant Religion establisht in England, which neither gives such Rules, nor ever before gave such Examples.

It's true, some heretofore have had the boldness to present threatning Petitions to their Princes and Parliaments, which others of the same Faction, but worse Spirits, have now put in execution But let no counterfeit and disorderly Zeal abate your value and esteem of true Piety; both of them are to be known by their Fruits. The sweetness of the Vine and Figg-tree, is not to be despi­sed, though the Brambles and Thorns should pretend to bear Figgs and Grapes, thereby to promote their Rule over the Trees. Nor would I have you to entertain any aversation or dis­like of Parliaments, which in their right Constitution with Freedom and Honour, will never injure or diminish your greatness, but rather be as the in­terchanging of Love, Loyalty, and Confidence between the Prince and his People. The sad Effects of the Inso­lence [Page 55] of popular Dictates, and tumultua­ry Impressions, in this Black Parliament, will make all Parliaments after this, more cautious to preserve that Freedom and Honour which belongs to such Assemblies, (when they have once sha­ken off that Yoke of vulgar Encourage­ment,) since the Publick Interest consists in the common good of Prince and People.

Nothing can be more happy for all, than in fair, grave, and honourable ways to contribute their counsels in common, enacting all things by pub­lick consent, without either Tyranny or Tumults. And we must not starve our selves, because some men have surfeited of wholsom food.

If neither I, nor you, be ever resto­red to our Rights, but God in his se­verest Justice will punish my Subjects with continuance in their sin, and suf­fer them to be deluded by the pros­perity of their wickedness, I hope God will give me and you that grace, which will teach and enable us to want, as well as to wear a Crown; which is not worth the taking up or enjoying upon sordid, dishonourable or irreligious terms. Do you always [Page 56] keep firm to the true Principles of Pie­ty, Virtue and Honour, and you shall never want a Kingdom.

It will be your honour to afford all respect, love and protection to your Mother, who hath many ways de­served well of me, especially in being a means to bless me with so many hopeful Children, and being content with incomparable magnanimity to suffer with me and them.

May you be an Anchor of hope to these weather-beaten Kingdoms, & your Wisdom, Justice, Piety and Valour, a re­pairer of what the folly and wicked­ness of some men have so far ruined, as to leave nothing intire to the Crown, Nobility, Clergy or Commons, of Laws, Liberties, Estates, Order, Honour, Con­science or Lives. Let those that love me find me (when I am gone) in your presence and vertues. What good I in­tended, do you perform, when God shall put it into your power. I pray God bless you, and establish your King­dom in Righteousness, your Soul in true Religion, and your Honour in the Love of God, and your People. Farewel till we meet, if not on Earth, yet in Heaven.

[Page 57] The good King, having thus resigned himself, and all his Affairs, into the hand of God, patiently submitted to his Cross; and in a way of renunciation, as it were, and self-disposition of his Go­vernment, transferred and bequeathed the Scepter, together with his Advice and Direction, for his wielding of it. He applied himself wholly to the ma­king preparation for his departing from an earthly to a heavenly Kingdom, be­ing assisted in his Piety and Devotion by Dr. Juxon, Bishop of London. And be­ing upon the fatal 30th of January brought upon a Scaffold, erected be­fore his own Palace of Whitehall, where he was barbarously murdered by his own Rebellious Subjects, he delivered himself in the following Speech.

Being not likely to be much heard, I could be silent, did not silence intimate a submission to the guilt as well as to the punishment charged upon me. But in my duty to my God and Country, to clear my self an Honest Man, a good King, and a good Christian, I protest before God, to whom I must instantly give an account, that (as may appear from the date of their Commissions and mine) I begun not the War against the [Page 58] Parliament, nor intended I any incroach­ment upon their Priviledges, they be­gan with me and the Militia, which they confest was mine, but thought it fit to have it from me, yet I charge not the guilt of these unhappy troubles upon the two Houses, for I believe ill instruments betwixt us was the cause of all this Bloodshed, however this Sentence is just upon me, for an unjust Sentence permit­ted by me. What Christian I am this good Man, (pointing to Dr. Juxon) and others that have been inwardly familiar with me, and know me as well as my self, may bear witness. I die in Communion with the Professors of the Reformed Religion, that hath been Establisht in the Church of England, in Queen Eliz. and my Fa­thers time of Blessed Memory, and in Charity with all the World, forgiving the worst of mine Enemies, and praying God that this be not laid to their Charge.

As a good King I advise my Subjects, not to ground your selves in Conquests without a good cause, that you would give God, the King, and the People their dues. You may give God his due, by the advice of a national Synod, freely chosen and freely debating among them­selves. How you may give the King his [Page 49] due, the Law will instruct you, and the People have their due, when they have that Government and those Laws, whereby their Lives and Goods are most their own. I have delivered my Consci­ence. I pray God you take those cour­ses that may be for the Kingdoms and your own good.

Having finisht this Speech and pour­ed forth his Divine Soul to God in Pray­er, it was sent by death to him that gave it, where the great Assembly in Heaven joyfully welcomed that Martyred King, and made room for Charles of Great Brit­tain.

The Life and Reign of Charles the first, being thus determined by this un­timely and fatal stroak, his Eldest Son, who likewise bore his Name, immedi­ately Succeeded him by the Title of Charles the Second; Who was the Law­ful and undoubted Heir, not only of all his Dominions, but also of his admira­ble and Heavenly Vertues, being endow­ed with all those Qualifications, which are requisite to, or could possibly be de­sired in a Prince, and under the influ­ence of whose happy Reign, these Nati­ons might have enjoyed as much happi­ness and felicity as their Hearts would [Page 60] wish, had not their own folly and mad­ness for a time prevented it. For no soon­er had the Fatal Ax severed England and her Liberties, by cutting off the Head of her King, but the Parliament (as the Juncto still presumed to call themselves) the better to crush Monar­chy, and maintain what they had now so far prosecuted, issued forth a Procla­mation that none, under penalty of be­ing deemed guilty of High Treason, should presume to Proclaim, declare, publish or any way promote the Prince of Wales, Son to the late King, or any other Person whatsoever to be King, or Chief Magistrate of England, or of any part of the Dominions, or any part thereof, by Colour of Inheritance, Suc­cession or Election, or any other claim or pretence whatsoever without the free consent of the People in Parliament, and which Proclamation, altho not publisht till the 2 of February, yet was in part Proclaimed on the very day of the Kings Murder.

And for the more ensuring and the better carrying on their Government with the more plausibility, they pub­lish an Act of State, for the alteration of Writs wherein instead of King, the [Page 61] Name, Stile and Test, and Custodes Liber­tatis Angliae Anthoritate Parliamenti, should be used and no other: All Writs being ordered to run so, and those con­cerned in the Law required to take no­tice thereof, yet they provided that all Patents, granted by the late King, should still stand in full force and vertue.

And having cast off the chief of those three Estates, by which the Nation had been so long Governed, they think like­wise of abolishing the second, that so they might usurp the whole power into their own hands, in order whereunto having first Voted that they would make no farther Addresses to them nor receive any from them, they made an Ordinance for abolishing the House of Lords, as dangerous and useless. And then having abolished the Ancient Go­vernments of this Kingdom they pro­ceeded to the consideration of Establish­ing another, but found it a work of so much intricacy that they could come to no resolution, but only agreed in a Negative Voice that there should, for the future, be no Government in Eng­land, either by King or House of Lords: and thereupon ordered the old Great Seal to be broken, and a new one to be [Page 62] made, which was delivered to the keep­ing of three Commissioners, viz Keeble, Whitlock and Lisly, and considered of new Oaths to be adminstred to the Judges, who thereupon met and upon debate six of them were contented to continue in their Employments, provid­ed the Fundamental Laws of the King­dom were not altered. For whose satis­faction the Juncto, by their Declaration of the Ninth of February, did assure them that they were fully resolved to main­tain, and would uphold, preserve and keep, the Fundamental Laws of this Na­tion, for and concerning the preservati­on of the Laws, Properties and Liber­ties of the People, with all things incident thereunto.

They proceeded likewise to appoint such Persons, as they thought would be most firm to their Interest, to exercise the Offices of Justices of the Peace throughout the Nation, and constituted a Council of State, consisting of about forty in number, whereof five might be Lords. And finally, to secure all, where­as they had before onely repealed, they now abolish and make void, the Oath of Allegiance and Supremacy.

But, notwithstanding all their endea­vours [Page 63] to render themselves secure and firm in their Government, yet the People began now to be generally dis­contented: And those who had former­ly affected them, growing sensible of the Inconveniencies that were like to ensue upon the cutting off of their Prince; beginning to abhor their practi­ces, there was a general Plot carried on against them in all the Counties of England: Which obliged them to send Forces into most parts, to awe them, and thereby the better to keep them in order. Notwithstanding which Con­trivances of theirs, to bar up the way to that Imperial Throne, which they had impudently invaded, and parted into shares amongst themselves, there were some who had Courage and Loyalty enough left them to assert the King's Right, and their own Duty, in a Printed Proclamation thrown about the Streets. And to convince the Juncto at Westminster, that all men would not be wheedled to run a gadding after their Calves at Bethel, but that there were some still left, who would tread in the old Path, and beaten Tract of Go­vernment, in the succession of Charles the Second to the Crown of England, [Page 64] which Proclamation was as fol­lows.

We the Noblemen, Judges, Knights, Lawyers, Gentlemen, Ministers, Free-holders, Merchants, Citizens, &c. and other Freemen of England, do, according to our Allegiance and Covenant, by these presents, heartily, joyfully and unani­mously, acknowledge and proclaim the Illustrious Charles Prince of Wales next Heir of the Blood Royal to his Father King Charles (whose late wick­ed and traiterous Murder we do from our Souls abominate, and all Parties and Consenters thereunto,) to be by heredi­tary Birthright, and lawful Succession; Rightful and undoubted King of Great Brittain, France and Ireland, and the Dominions thereunto belonging. And that we will faithfully, constantly and sincerely, in our several places and cal­lings, defend and maintain His Royal Person, Crown and Dignity, with our Estates, Lives, and last drop of our Blood, against all Opposers thereof▪ whom we do hereby declare to be Trai­tors, and Enemies to His Majesty, and His Kingdoms. In testimony whereof we have ordered, and caused to be published, [Page 65] and proclaimed throughout all Countrys and Corporations of this Realm, the first day of February, and the first year of His Majesties Reign. God save King Charles the Second.

Which Proclamation, although with­out any Solemnity, or indeed open Ap­pearance, met with the same chearful Reception, and inward Loyal Resolu­tions, as if Vent had been given to a publick manifestation of Duty and Joy by His Majesties present ascending the Throne: For it revived the hearts of his mourning and disconsolate Sub­jects, to see the sure and certain Suc­cession thereof asserted and continued in the same most beloved and darling Name, the Eldest Branch, and descend­ed of their martyr'd Soveraign, in whose Ruins the Regicides thought to have rak'd up, and buried all Claims and Just Titles to the Imperial Diadem of these Kingdoms.

The said Out-cries and lamentable Groans sent forth by all Loyal Sub­jects, at the Loss of their Head, toge­ther with the Martyrs Instructions and his George, (which were according to his Fathers desire sent him by the Dutch [Page 66] Embassador,) found him at the Hague in Holland, where he then kept his Court, and was first saluted King; and the horrour thereof so seized his great Soul with wonder and astonishment, that it had certainly sunk under the weight of it, had not the Religious Con­sideration, that he ought not to sorrow as one without hope, buoyed up his Spi­rit; and Reason forbid him to cast away himself with grief, who was then be­come the only hope of three Kingdoms. Generous Rage prompting Princes to Revenge, rather than Despair, which was not to be accomplisht by weeping Eyes, but by wise Counsels, and valiant Performances.

Wherefore he bravely cheered up, and reassumed his wonted Courage, Comfort, State and Majesty. And for the better managing of his Affairs, went soon after to Paris, to solicit that Court to em­brace his Interest, and afford him some Assistance for the recovery of his Right, and the redressing his Subjects miseries, by discountenancing the English Rebels, and furnishing him with that compe­tency of Money, Men, Arms and Ammu­nition, which might enable him not to Invade his Country, but to encourage his [Page 67] own Subjects to rescue themselves from a forced Slavery. But the French King being under Age, and Cardinal Mazarine, who then governed the great Affairs of that Kingdom, being no Friend to this ba­nisht and distressed King, but holding a correspondence with his rebellious Sub­jects, he was able to procure no Assi­stance from thence. Whereupon he next applied himself to Spain, whither he sent the Lord Cottington as his Embassador, who upon his arrival there, was con­fronted by a Competitor, viz. Ascham, who called himself an Embassador from the then New Majesties of England, un­til he was dispatcht by some Switz. Af­ter which Cottington was dismist with this Answer; That were it any thing in the King of Spain's own Dominion, which his Master of Great Brittain had desired, it should have been no sooner requested than granted: But being a Forreign Quarrel, he could not interest himself therein, in regard it was not rea­sonable he should busie himself in other mens matters, who had so many Irons in the fire himself.

But in the mean time, the Emperor, the Princes of Germany, the Kings of Denmark and Sweden, being acquainted [Page 68] with the present circumstance of his Af­fairs, by his several Embassadors sent to each of them, they highly resented his deplorable condition, and resolved his speedy assistance and supply. And Hol­land, upon his Account, and the Interest of his Sister the Princess of Orange, did upon terms agreed on between the late King and their Embassador, two days before his death, resolve not to vail to this younger Sisters State, as they had been wont to do to the Kings of Eng­land; but by the Forlorn of some pri­vate acts of Hostility begin that diffe­rence, which soon after brake out into an open War. Nor was he altogether void of Assistance from England, being underhand supplied with some Moneys by his Loyal Friends from thence.

But Scotland was more entirely at his Devotion, who having shewed their sad Resentment of his Fathers Death, by ob­serving a Publick Fast on that occasion, on the 19th of February, and chearfully promoted his Succession, by the Estates of Parliament there assembled, a Procla­mation was issued out for the solemn proclaiming and declaring him to be their lawful King and Governour, which was as follows.

[Page 69] His late Majesty being, contrary to the consent and protestation of this King­dom, removed by violent Death, we the Estates of the Parliament of the King­dom of Scotland, do unanimously, in Re­cognition of his Just Rights, proclaim his Eldest Son Prince Charles, by the Pro­vidence of God, and undoubted Succession, King of Great Britain, France and Ire­land, whom we are bound by the National and Solemn League and Covenant to obey, maintain and defend with our Lives and Goods, against all his Enemies. But be­fore he be admitted to the exercise of his Royal Power, he shall give satisfaction to these Kingdoms touching the Security of Religion, the Ʋnity o [...] the two King­doms, and the Good and Peace of this Kingdom, according to the National and Solemn League and Covenant. God save the King.

Which Proclamation was for the bet­ter assuring the truth of their designed Allegiance to the Crown, made in a most solemn manner at Edinburgh Cross, which was hung with Tapestry, all the Parliament-Lords attending there in their Robes, and the Chancellor him­self reading the said Proclamation, and [Page 70] reciting the Murder of his late Majesty to the King at Arms; the night being concluded with all usual demonstrations of Joy and Gladness. Which being over, they sent an Expostulatory Letter to those at Westminster, to give them an Account of their proceedings, and re­quire their concurrence therewith. In answer whereunto they received Letters stuft with flattery, and protestations of Amity and Friendship, if they would de­sist from acting any farther therein, and acquiesce and concur with their pro­ceedings in England. But they, know­ing that their Countrys Honour had been lost by the same Traiterous prof­fers, refused to hearken to their over­tures, protesting in their messages di­rected to Lenthal, the Speaker, that they would not enter into any Treaty with them, nor own them, unless they were a free Parliament consisting of both houses without any force upon or seclu­sion of their members.

Wherefore having hereby made the English Parliament implacably their Enemies, they endeavor to assure his Majesty to be their Friend, ordring Jo­seph Douglas to repair forthwith to him at the Hague, and acquaint him with [Page 71] what they had done, and were preparing to do. And presently after, sent several Commissioners to treat with him, about his repairing to them, and entring upon the exercise of his Kingly Office: Where­upon their Commissioners at London, ha­ving sent a peremptory Paper to the Juncto, withdrew themselves privately from London, intending to pass by Sea, for Scotland, but were intercepted at Graves-end, and by a Guard conveyed thither by Land; an Envoy going like­wise with them to the Scottish Parlia­ment, to know if they would justifie the aforesaid Paper; who beginning now to be more than ever enraged a­gainst the Rump, dismist him without any Answer, but prepared themselves for defence, intending to levy 17000 Foot, and 6000 Horse, against the return of their Commissioners, who landing about the middle of the Summer, though they did not bring with them a confirmation of the Agreement, yet gave certain hopes of it by a Treaty, presently to be commenced, the King offering to per­form whatsoever his Father had promi­sed for the settlement of Presbytery.

Upon which Encouragement the Lord Liberton was presently dispatcht [Page 72] to wait upon the King, who was then preparing for his return from the Hague, through Flanders, into France, which he did on June 15 in company with his Sister, and her Husband, the Prince of Orange in their Coach, and came early to Rotterdam, where he was received by the B [...]rghers in their Arms and salut­ed in his passing the Gates with the Ar­tillery, Ringing of Bells and all other signs of Joy and Honour, and Noblely treated by them. From whence he went to Dort, where he was received in the same manner, and then to Breda, and then to Antwerp, where, by order of the Arch-Duke of Austria, he was met and entertained, with all possible state and splendor, being presented likewise with a rich Chariot, with eight Horses, suita­ble thereunto, and particularly welcom­ed by his former Tutor, the Marquess of Newcastle (who had then fixt his Re­sidence there, out of respect to the great Civility which he received from that People, who had made him Excise-free, and given him several other Immunities and Priviledges.) And from thence con­ducted to Brussels, where he was as roy­ally entertained, & with as much gran­deur, as if he had been the King of Spain [Page 73] himself. And the King did afterward acknowledge that Entertainment for the most sumptuous and magnificent, and to have in it the most pleasing variety of any that he ever met withal, during the whole time of his Exile. Which Am­plitudes were observed throughout his whole passage: For at his departure thence, the Duke of Lorrayn gave him the like Entertainment, and conducted him on his way toward France, where in Compaign, the French King, accom­panied with the most and choicest of his Nobility, did receive and welcom him with all the Testimonies of Affection and Honour that became such a Prince, and afterward conveyed him in State to St. Germains, where the Queen his Mo­ther then resided.

So that although he was banisht from his Throne, yet he wanted not a King­dom all men whereever he came, being so taken with his Virtues, that they seemed willing to become his Sub­jects. Nor was his Court much infe­riour in numbers and splendor, to those of other Princes, who were in the actual possession of their Crowns. Toward the maintenance whereof, his Aunt the Dutchess of Savoy assigned him fifty [Page 74] thousand Crowns per Annum; several others contributing likewise thereunto, according to their abilities.

He was very much solicited about this time by the Scottish Commissioners, to repair to that Kingdom; but finding that the Conditions, upon which they were willing to admit him, were such as he could not in honour accept of, espe­cially the parting with Montross, he re­solved to steer another course, and there­fore grants a Commission to Montross to Levy what Forces he could beyond the Sea, and with them go and joyn the Lord Seworth, Major Straughan, and others, who had got to Head for the King without the Kirk, in the North of Scot­land. But they being routed before he came by Lisley, and himself, not long after his Arrival, defeated by a Party of the Kirks Forces, and taken Prisoner, & most ignominiously hanged at Edinburgh; he was, as it were, forced by the necessity of his Affairs, to comply with their de­mands, which was so much the easier done, in regard, that, about that time Montross was removed by an unfor­tunate death. Wherefore he sent Sir Will. Fleming beforehand to complement the States; he returned them his An­swer [Page 75] in the following Letter, which he sent back by Liberton.

We have received your Letter by Mr. Windram of Liberton, and graciously ac­cept your good affections towards us, your Resentment of our Condition, and our Fa­thers Murder. And out of a gracious desire of a good understanding between us and our Subjects of Scotland, for their Peace, Happiness and Comfort, we command and desire you to send us Commissioners, suffi­ciently Authorized, to treat and agree with us, about those things which concern the Interest of our Subjects of Scotland, and our Interest in England, Scotland and Ire­land, at Breda, on the 5th of March. That all the World may know how sincerely we desire Agreement, we have addressed these to you, under the Name and Title of Com­mitteee of Estates of our Kingdom of Scot­land, and do expect you use this Grace no otherwise for the prejudice of us and our Affairs, than for the Treaty; and in order to it, Given at our Court in Jersey, Jan. 6. 1649. Charles Rex. Another Letter to the same purpose, being likewise directed by him to the Committee of the Kirk.

The Scots gladly received those Let­ters, and presently made choice of Com­missioners to repair to Holland, suffici­ently [Page 76] instructed for the concluding of a Treaty with the King, who arrived at Breda on the 16th of March, and were on the 19th conducted by the L. Wentworth, Master of the Ceremonies, to their Au­dience, when they delivered to His Ma­jesty the following Propositions. 1. That the Excommunicated should be forbid the Covenant. 2. That all the Acts of Parliament be ratified, the Covenant ta­ken, the Presbyterian Government esta­blisht and practised in His Majesties Fa­mily, and elsewhere; and that he himself swear to it. 3. That all Civill matters might be determined by subsequent Par­liaments, and all Ecclesiastical matters by the general Kirk assembled. Which Pro­positions of theirs being delivered, he di­stinguisht the Civil part of their Propo­sals, from those that concerned Ecclesia­stical matters, and told them, that as to what concerned Civil Affairs, he would confirm all the Acts and Ordinances of the last Session of their Parliament: And that all Affairs concerning that Kingdom should be transacted in a Parliamentary way, as they had been in his Royal Fa­ther and Grandfathers time. And that, as long as any person did stand excommuni­cated, he should be uncapable of any Of­fice [Page 77] or place of trust in that Nation. And, as to what concerned the Ecclesiastical matters, he told them, That the Cove­nant seemed more proper for Subjects, than for a King, in regard Allegiance un­to Soveraignty was a considerable part of it. And that as to those parts of it, wherein he thought himself concerned, he would, upon the word of a Prince, with the limitation allowed in the Cove­nant, viz. as far as he did, or might in his Conscience, according to the Word of God, endeavour in his place the Refor­mation in Religion and Worship, in Eng­land, Scotland and Ireland. Assuring them moreover, that he would allow the Scottish Nation a Liberty as large as he enjoyed himself; And that in case the generality of the Scottish Nation assem­bled in Parliament, would propose unto him the Presbyterian Government as the way wherein that Nation would walk in fellowship with God, he would confirm and establish it by his Royal Authority. And finally, That in order to his making good those particulars, he would, with all convenient speed, repair to his Ancient Kingdom of Scotland, desiring to be ex­cused, if his Fathers, and his own ancient and faithful Friends, who had constantly [Page 78] attended on him in all his sufferings, should come along with him thither, since he could not, in point of gratitude, discharge those from the Advantages of Loyalty, whose faithfulness to him was so great, that no hazards whatsoever, could discharge them from the Services, Em­ployments and Dangers of it; telling them, he should be a King in vain, if Allegiance in his Court were esteemed a fault that deserved cashiering.

These Proposals and Answers were ra­tionally debated by Commissioners on both sides, the Scots standing very stifly to their Principles, and the Kings Com­missioners resolved not to yield to all their demands, whereupon by an influ­ence which the English had upon some of the Commsssioners (for they had their Active Agents both their and in Scotland, streneously endeavouring to countermine the honest endeavours of all sides for pacification) the treaty was like to break off as unhappily as by them it was thought to be begun, but by the mediation of the States General, the Queen of Bohemia and the Prince of O­range, it was reassumed, and brought to a Conclusion, upon the Covenant Terms on the Kings part, with the forementi­oned [Page 79] limitation, it was the Religious part of the Treaty which kept them at the greatest distance, and was the most difficult to be agreed upon, controversies of that nature being ever the most irre­concileable, the civil part ever quickly dispatcht in regard he was of such a con­descending temper that conld content­edly quit much of his interest for the Peace, and welfare of his People, but was unwilling to quit any of his con­science, which he knew to be a far more weighty and sacred matter.

On the Scots side it was agreed that his Majesty should be admitted to the Throne of Scotland, and his just Rights in that Kingdoms recovered by Parlia­ment, from the hands of those who had usurpt them, and that they should assist his Majesty in bringing the Murderers of his Royal Father, to condign punish­ment, restore him to the Kingdom of England, and the vindicating his Right thereunto against the present Usurp­ers, &c.

The Treaty being thus finisht, the Commissioners both of the Kirk and the State were splendidly treated by the Prince of Orange, and highly honoured by his Majesty, after which they re­turned [Page 80] into Scotland, exceedingly satis­fied in their success and entertainment.

Nor were the Scots alone in their En­deavours at this time, to restore His Ma­jesty to his lost Dominions: For many of the Presbyterians in England, did likewise, by their Agents at B [...]da, en­gage all their Interest for the promotion thereof. But Cromwel's Emissaries be­ing so thick, that three could scarcely meet together, but one of them would, in the end, prove his Spie, they were betrayed, and their Designs came to no­thing. Many eminent persons, especial­ly of their Ministers, being taken and brought to Tryal, as Case, Jenkins, Jack­son, Love, and others; some whereof were executed, (upon the importunity of Cromwel, who protested to the Juncto, that if they did not Justice in England, he would not fight in Scotland,) viz. Love and Gibbons.

The Juncto were very much allarum­ed when they understood, that notwith­standing all their Endeavours to the con­trary, the Treaty at Breda is concluded. And that among other things, the Scots had engaged to assist His Majesty to bring them, and the Rebels of their Conspiracy, to condign pnnishment, and [Page 81] [...]o recover those Rights, which none but such Monsters as themselves would un­justly detain from so great, and so good a Prince. Wherefore being deeply sensible of their danger, they prepare for War, but whether it should be Offensive or Defen­sive, was yet a question among them. But at last considering that, if there must be a War, it had ever been a Maxim among the greatest Politicians, that it was most prudent to make the Enemies Country the Seat of it. They resolved upon an Offensive War, hoping that Scotland would quickly be weary of maintaining two Armies, since it had so much ado to keep one. And that since they were informed their Levies went on flowly, they thought that their Forces, which were already on Foot, might easily go and surprize them, before they lookt for them, or were half ready to entertain them.

In order whereunto, Cromwel being called out of Ireland, was in great state made Captain General of all their For­ces, raised, or to be raised in England, Scotland and Ireland. The Lord Fair­fax, who had in him some sparks of Loyalty, waving at once that Employ­ment, [Page 82] and his own Commission; not as some imagine, to avoid the hazard of that Expedition; for he was one that never turned his back upon danger, but because he was unwilling any longer to be subservient to those base and vile Designs, which he now began to ab­hor.

Whilst these preparations were ma­king in England, the King removed from the Hague to Diep in Normandy, and from thence to Scheveling; from whence, after a dangerous Storm, and narrow escape of some English Vessels, which lay in wait for him, he arrived safe at the Spey in the North of Scot­land, which the Parliament being in­formed of, they sent some Lords to re­ceive and attend him from thence to Edinburgh, where he is received by the Parliament and Committee of Estates and Kirk, with infinite expres­sions of Fidelity and Affection; the common people like so many Echoes to their Superiors; and the whole Ci­ty sounding nothing but Vive le Roy. But Cromwel, being advanced with his Army into Scotland, and having been successful in some smaller Encoun­ters, and given them a total overthrow [Page 83] at Dunbar, they found themselves in a sad and perplexed condition, having not only the Enemy raging in the bowels of that Kingdom; but being extreamly divided also amongst them­selves; wherefore they now thought it high time to unite among themselves. In order whereunto a general meeting was appointed at St. Johnstons, which should consist of King, Lords and Com­mons, and the Assembly of the Mini­sters, in which Assembly several Lords formerly in favour with the Kirk, were admitted to Commands in the Army, and a Liberty to sit in Parlia­ment, as Hamilton, Lauderdale, and others. And Major General Massey, formerly Governour of Glocester for the Parliament, but afterward reconci­led to the King, was admitted to a Command in the Army. And as the perfection of all the Kings Coronation was there resolved upon, so that now their wounds began to heal, and their breaches to be made up again; and it was generally hoped, that these Clouds of Division being blown over, a serene Sky would immediately follow, and the Sun of Prosperity shine on their fu­ture proceedings.

[Page 84] The Parliament of Scotland, in pursu­ance of those resolutions at St. Johnstons, having dissolved themselves in order to the Kings Coronation, it was perform­ed on the first of January at Schone in as Solemn and Splendid manner, as the exigency of the time could bear; his Majesty with a great Train of his Nobles and others went first to the Kirk, where a Sermon was Preacht by a Scotch Mi­nister whose name was Duglass, upon those words, then they brought out the Kings Son, and put upon him the Crown, and gave him the Testimony, and made him King, and Jehojadah and his Son Anointed him, saying, God save the King. 2 Chron. 23, 11. Joined to these words, and Jehojadah made a Covenant between all the People, and between the King, that they should be the Lords People, v. 16. Which Sermon being ended he was con­ducted from his Chair of State, which was placed in the Kirk, to that erected for his Coronation, by the Lord High Constable, and the Earl Marshal, where being placed he was Proclaimed King by Herald King at Arms; and then clad with a Robe of State by the Lord Cham­berlain, and the Lord Steward. After which sitting he consented to the Natio­nal [Page 85] Covenant, the Solemn League, Co­venant, Directory, and the Catechisms, and promised upon his Royal word to perform them (so far as he understood them to be agreeable to the Word of God,) in his own Family in his King­dom of Scotland, and in all his other Dominions, as soon as it should please God to restore him thereunto: Which being done, the Coronation Oath was next read, which was Enacted in the first Parliament of King James, and is as follows.

‘That His Majesty shall maintain that Religion, Discipline and Worship, that is most agreeable to the Word of God, to the best Patrons of Reforma­tion, and is against all Heresy, Schism, Idolatry, Superstition and Prophane­ness, that he should govern the King­dom by Law and Equity, and that he should maintain the just Rights of the Crown, and Priviledges of the People.’

After the reading of which Oath he declared with an audible Voice, that he did promise, in the name of the great God who Lives for ever, that he would to the uttermost of his Power, [Page 86] endeavour to do the things contained in that Oath. Which done, Herald King at Arms went to the four corners of the Stage, and demanded of the Peo­ple four times, whether they were wil­ling that Charles the Second, Son and Heir of Charles the First, should be King over them, to which the People an­swered, Long live King Charles, God Save the King. Then the Marquess of Argile Presented him with the Royal Scepter, the Earl of Eglington put on the Spurs, the Lord High Constable set the Crown upon his Head, and the Earl Marshal having unsheathed the Sword, put it into his hand to defend the Faith withal, which having held a while, he delivered it to the Earl of Glencarn to be carried before him.

Then the Nobility, Gentry and Com­mons of the Kingdom, did as in the pre­sence of the Great God that Lives for ever swear Allegiance, Fealty and Obedience, to him as to their Liege and Soveraign Lord; and the whole Cere­mony was concluded, by an Exhorta­tion of the Minister to his Majesty, to the Nobility, to the Clergy, and to the Commons, the sum and substance whereof, was in reference to the Co­venant, [Page 87] which they then lookt upon as the Center from which every Line, both of Soveraignty, and the Subjects Duty, was to be drawn in their respec­tive Circumstances. And for a power to perform what he then exhorted them to, the assistance of God is in­voked by prayer; who being Alpha and Omega, they made him the first with whom they began, and the last with whom they finished. So soon as the Crown was set upon his Head, he made a short, but pithy Speech to the People, telling them, that he did esteem the Affections of his good People, more than the Crowns of many Kingdoms, and should be ready, by God's Assi­stance, to bestow his Life for their de­fence, wishing to live no longer than he saw Religion and that Kingdom to flourish in all Happiness; with many other expressions of like Love and Affe­ction toward them.

The Ceremonies of the Coronation being ended, and a plentiful Entertain­ment prepared, he sate down at one Table, and the Lords at another, ma­ny Caresses and Testimonies of Joy re­ciprocally passing between them. And Dinner being ended, they all returned [Page 88] to St. Johnstons, in the same Order and Pomp as they came from thence to Schone [...] Bonfires, Ringing of Bells, and the loud Acclamations of the Peo­ple, were sufficient demonstrations of the Publick Joy which the Scots were filled withall; and the great expecta­tions they had of Happiness and Fe­licity under the Influence of his mild and easie Government.

Having now obtained the actual possession of one of his Kingdoms; and being reconciled to that Parlia­ment, he was not in the least daunted by the late Miscarriages, but as if he had been encouraged by his former Unhappiness, and raised in mind like Anteus by his Fall, he proceeded to the raising of such an Army, as might then have been rather wisht for by the Affectionate, than expected by the Reasonable. And indeed such was the Confluence of Faithful Subjects, that continually resorted to him, and were resolved to carry on, and, if possible, maintain an endangered, and an endan­gering Cause against the most success­ful, and hitherto prevailing Interest, that he was in a little time Master [Page 89] of a greater Army in the Field, than either his own hope, or his Enemies guilty fear, could suspect. Wherefore he bravely appears himself in the management of his own Affairs, as Generalissimo of that Army, which consisted of two and twenty thousand fighting Men.

Nor was his care less employed about his Garrisons, than it was about those Forces he had in the Field, knowing that it was prudence to provide for a Retreat, though he ex­pected a Conquest, and not neglect the providing a Refuge in the worst of Dangers; whilst, according to Rea­son, he need to think of nothing but Safety in the best of Victories. Wherefore to hasten the work, for every minute of delay was then fatal, and cherish the dejected Vulgar, (who were now somewhat discouraged by lying under the burden of a double Army,) with the honour and plea­sure of his gracious presence: He took a progress to view the most considerable of them, and see them well fortified and furnisht with all [Page 90] necessary Provisions, encouraging the Engineers by his Bounty, and directing and guiding them by his Skill.

But those vast Preparations were too formidable to his Enemies for them to suffer 'em to go on without an Attempt, at least, to hinder and de­feat them. Wherefore, before the Le­vies were well compleated, Cromwel makes hard toward him, thinking each minute tedious that past with­out some Action. But the King pru­dently declined joyning Battel with him, until he might, if possible, draw him, (who had a greedy desire of Fighting,) into some disadvantage, which he was in a probability of do­ing soon after. For Cromwel, having commanded two Regiments to pass over into a narrrow Island, hoping thereby to intercept his passage, he sent against them five or six Regi­ments, under the Command of Major General Brown, who had certainly cut them all in pieces, had not Cromwel hastened thither with a supply in the very last minute of opportunity, whereby he rescued his own Forces, [Page 91] and beat back Brown, although not without a considerable loss on both sides. And, being flusht with those successful beginnings, pursued his Ad­vantage; and transporting his Army over Fife, marcht immediately unto St. Johnstons, which he took almost up­on the first Summons.

Whereupon the King, who was not able to beat them back, thought it high time to look about him. And, since Cromwel, that successful Rebel, had now gained all on the other side Fife, took the Earl of Eglington Pri­soner, possest himself of St. Johnstons, and grew every day more powerful, he resolved, with all imaginable speed, to advance into England, expecting that the Justice and Equity of his Cause, together with the long Tyranny exercised over them by the Juncto, would incite his English Subjects to return to their Allegiance, and joyn with him against theirs, as well as his Enemies. And knowing by expe­rience, that the Scots always exprest their Valour better in other Countries, than at home, in their own; where­upon [Page 92] Cromwel re-crosses Frith, and sends Lambert with a select Party of Horse and Dragoons, to fall upon the King's Reer, himself following pre­sently after with the Body of his Army. The King entred England by the way of Carlisle; the Royal Army march­ing through the Country with that Ci­vility, and exact Obedience to Military Discipline, that, as some affirm, the Country was not damaged six-pence by them. But whether it were, that their former Villanies had left such a deep impression in the hearts of the People; or that they were now dull'd and besotted with Slavery, and with Issachar's Ass, were content to couch under their Burdens, or that they were over-awed by an Armed Power, which is the most probable, few or none came in to his Assistance, save only the Lord Howard's Son of Escrick, with one Troop of Horse, notwith­standing his earnest Invitation.

The Juncto at Westminster hearing of the King's March, were exceed­ingly terrified therewith, and present­ly raised all the Countries against [Page 93] him, and declared it High Trea­son for any to assist him either with Men, or Money.

But the Earl of Darby, who was always Loyal both to him and his Father, not fearing their Bug-Bear Threatning, brought him a supply of Two hundred and fifty Foot, and Sixty Horse, out of the Isle of Man. He met with no opposition till he came at Warrington in Lancashire, where some considerable Forces of the Parliament were ready to cut down that Bridge, and dispute his Passage: But the Scots falling on them, before they were aware, prevented the break­ing down of the Bridge, and by their Valour, forced their way over the Planks, and put the Adversary to such a confused Retreat, that had it been pursued, as himself would have had it, but was opposed by Lesly, it might have proved the Conquest of all England; and that unhappy and miserable War might thereby have been ended much sooner than it was.

[Page 94] From thence he marched toward Worcester, in such excellent Order, and with so little Damage to the Country, that it lookt more like a Progress with his Nobles, than a March with an Army; which was a great demon­stration of the powerful Influence of his goodness and care, which could so easily frame Rudeness it self to so smooth and even a temper, and form an unruly Camp into a well ma­naged and orderly Court.

In his way to Worcester he sum­moned Shrewsbury, by a Letter direct­ed to Collonel Mackworth, Governour thereof, which was wholly composed of bowels, compassion and clemency, signifying to him, that being sensible of the injury done; and now, for a long time, continued to him in the unjust Usurpation of his Rights, and to his People, in the frequent and horrid breaches of their Priviledges, he was willing to do himself and them so much Right, as to endeavour the Re­covery of his and their Rights, which he, both by his peculiar Inclination, [Page 95] and his Interest, was more willing to do by Peace and Reason, than by War and Force, and therefore willed and re­quired him to deliver up his Charge, and thereby prevent all Violence, which he conjured him to do as he was a Subject, a Christian, and a Gentleman. To which the Governour in a Reply, di­rected by him to the Commander in Chief of the Scottish Forces then in England, answered, That he could not, as a Christian, Gentleman, or Subject, betray the Trust his Superiors had put him in, so far as to deliver that place to any person without their con­sent.

Being come to Worcester, he made a a halt, and marcht his Army into that City, which was certainly a very great oversight, and proceeded from his suf­fering himself to be unhappily prevail­ed upon (as his Father had too often been,) by the light Reasons of others, more than by those that were far more weighty of his own. For if he had marcht directly to London, he had certainly been successful, and would have sur­prized that great City, before they had been in a condition to have defended [Page 96] themselves. On which, the whole King­dom would consequently have submit­ted to him. So that those, who advised him to stay at Worcester, seem to have accounted a few days March too great a purchase for three Kingdoms.

The Earl of Darby, who was left in Lancashire, to raise more Men in that, and the adjacent Countries, being en­countred by Lilburn, with his own, and the General's Regiment, was over­thrown and routed: So that he nar­rowly escaped with some few only to the King at Worcester, who was now as closely coopt up in that City, by a company of fortunate Rebels, as the King of France was at Agincourt, by our brave King Henry; the whole Na­tion being about him, rather to swallow him up by their multitudes, than con­quer him by their Valour. To whom Cromwel at last comes, as a Genius to quicken them to action, who had hi­therto done nothing but look on, and spirit their grave and slow ap­proach into a fierce Assault, and fa­tal Storm. The King, however, re­solved to defend the City as long as possible against his powerful Attaques. [Page 97] The first whereof was the disputing of a Postage over the Severne, called Ʋp­ton-Bridge, by Lambert, which had been utterly impossible for him to have gained, had not either Negligence or Treachery, in those appointed by the King, to break it down, left one Plank behind, which reach'd from Arch, to Arch, a small Party of Horse and Foot, sent by him, under the Command of Fleetwood, to judge of the feasibleness of the Attempt, finding a Plank left upon the Bridge, immediately dis­mounted, and ventured over, securing themselves in a Church, on the other side; which Mosley (who lay in Ʋpton, with about Two Hundred Horse, and Sixty Dragoons, in abundance of Secu­rity, and without the least dread of an enemy) alarumed with assaults, whilst in the mean time Lambert pass'd over a con­siderable Party of Horse to their relief; upon which Mosley finding it was then in vain to fight, made an honourable Retreat toward Worcester, himself still bringing up the Rear, in which Service he was wounded by a shot in the head.

The Bridge being thus gain'd, was immediately repaired, and Lamberts Army past all over, whilst Cromwell [Page 98] upon a Bridge of Boats, which he caused to be made over the Severne, on the other side, march'd over with the Ar­my under his Command, whereby the City of Worcester was very much strait'ned. There happened, for a day or two after this, several small Engagements with very doubtful success, until Victory hovering, as it were, between the equal rivals, doubtful which head to Crown with Conquest, until Cromwell, rowsing up his accustomed Spirit of dispatch, appeared at Red-Hill, and resolved to attack the City on all sides, com­manded Fleetwood to make the Attack on one side, whilst he himself under­took to manage it on the other: Which the King perceiving, from the top of the Church Steeple, where he then held a Council of War, the better to discern the Posture of the Enemy; ordered some to draw out from St. John's, to oppose Fleetwood, others be­ing sent in the mean time to line the hedges in Cromwell's way, who play'd their part so bravely, that Cromwell's Red-coats were at first glad to retire, until reinforc'd with fresh Soldiers. But then they were forc'd to retire, Whereupon the King himself march'd [Page 99] with incredible Resolution out of Sud­bury Gate, with a good Train of horse and foot to oppose Cromwell, whose invincible Life-guard, which was there­fore called Iron-sides, because it was customary to them to conquer, were very much disordered, the King per­forming such wonders as were almost above belief; exercising the part both of a couragious General and a valiant Soldier, having his horse twice shot under him, and rallying the disorder­ly Infantry, in his own Person, till they were utterly lost by the negli­gence of Lesley, who sordidly suffered a brave body of Horse to stand still, and look on the ruin of their King and Country-men, unrevenged, and as it were, patiently wait for their own.

The Field being now lost, he was forced to Retreat into the City, with the loss of Duke Hamilton, Sir John Douglass, and several other persons of note; being observed that he, like Caesar, did that day never bid his Soldiers go, but come, and that as he went first into Field, so he returned the last from it; being not without some difficulty, per­suaded to retire, whereby it appeared [Page 100] he was not Conquered, but Over­powered.

In vain did he ride among the de­jected Soldiers, with his hat in his hand, intreating them to stand to their Arms, and telling them, when he could not prevail, that he had rather they would Shoot him, than keep him alive to see the sad effects of that fatal day; for the Conquerors pursued the dis­orderly Scots to the Town, with such fu­ry, that they even tired themselves with Slaughter and Execution, and became weary of Conquering, fighting now, not so much against any other, as against the King himself, who was now be­come the only care both of his Friends and Enemies: the one crying, Save the King, for whom they were more concerned than for themselves, and the other crying out with as much earnest­ness, Where is the King? as if he had been the only prize they fought for.

About six in the Evening, seeing all irrecoverably lost, he March'd out at St. Martin's Gate, leaving all things be­hind as a Prey to the Enemy; and in­deed they were well lost, since by their loss he redeemed himself: for he was no sooner got out on one side, but the [Page 101] Enemy prest in on the other to look for him, and had certainly pursued and overtaken him, had they not been stop'd by the Royal spoil which was left be­hind, to the same purpose that Hippo­dame left behind her the Golden Apples to tempt the Pursuer to stay the gather­ing them up, and thereby save herself. And the Valour of some that still kept the Royal Fort, to reduce whom, Crom­well commanded out some Cheshire For­ces, who most of them perished in the attempt, that County having never before lost so many lives in such an un­worthy Service; but having at last made himself Master of it, the Defen­dants were all put to the Sword: whereupon the remainder of the Soldi­ery craved Quarter, and had it rea [...]ily granted them, the Rebels being as wea­ry of killing as the Royalists were of being killed.

From this unfortunate Battel not above 300 Horse, and scarce any of the Infantry, escaped, who were most of them either slain or taken, near 100 Prisoners of Quality; of which, the chief were Duke Hamilton, the Earls of Shrewsbury, Darby, Cleveland, La [...] ­derdale, Rothes, Carnwath, Killy, and [Page 102] many more: the number of the Prison­ers in the whole, being said to be 10000, together with whom, was taken the King's Standard, Coach and Horses, Collar of SS's and Star-Cloth. Major General Massey, who escaped the Bat­tel, not knowing where to shelter him­self, being grievously wounded, was forced to surrender himself a Prisoner likewise to the Countess of Stamford, being secured by the Lord Grey of Gro­by, her Son, by whom he was, after the recovery of his Wounds, sent up to London, from whence, not long after, he made his escape. The news of this Victory extreamly rejoyced the Juncto, but the joy for their Victory was some, what allayed by the King's escape.

Before he was got as far as Barbone's Bridg, which was not above half a Mile from Worcester, he made several stands, facing about▪ and desiring the Duke of Buckingham, the Lord Wilmot, and other of his Commanders, that they might rally with those few Forces that were yet left him, and once more try the fortune of War. But being come to the Bridg, a serious Consultation was held about it; when perceiving many of the Troopers throwing off their [Page 103] Arms, and shifting for themselves, their opinion was, that the day was so irre­coverably lost, that his only business now, was to endeavour the saving of himself from those ravenous Wolves and Regicides; whereupon he resolved, by the advice of his Council, to March back again for Scotland: and in order thereunto, the Duke of Buckingham demanded of the Lord Talbot, who was of that Country, if he could not Con­duct them in their way Northward, who thereupon answered, that he had in his Troop one Walker, formerly a Scout-Master in those Parts, that knew the way very well; who being accor­dingly called to be their Guide, he per­formed that duty well enough for some Miles: but coming to Kinven Heath, not far from Kiderminster, he was at a loss, and knew not which way to go. Whereupon the King made a stand, and consulted with the Lords, whither he might with most safety March to take some hours rest, being almost quite worn out and spent: The Earl of Darby told him that, in his flight from Wiggan to Worcester▪ he had met with a per­fect honest Man, and a great conveni­ency of concealment at Boscobel House; [Page 104] whereupon he resolved to repair thi­ther, and Mr. Charles Gifford, who ve­ry well knew the way, was appointed to conduct him thither. When they came near Stunbrigde, it was debated by them, whether they should march through the Town or not; and being concluded in the affirmative, they re­solved, that those about the King's Per­son should speak nothing but French, thereby the better to prevent the Disco­very of his being there: Lesley having, with the Scotch Horse, in the close of the Evening, taken a more direct way Northward by New-Port, he was now left attended only by Buckingham, Dar­by, Lauderdale, Talbot, Wilmot, and a few other Gentlemen, being in all not above sixty Horse. At a House about a Mile beyond Stunbridge, he refresh'd himself a little with some small Beer and a crust of Bread, the House afford­ing no better Provision; and as he rode forward, he discoursed with Colonel Roscarrock, about the conveniency of Boscobel House, and the means of secu­rity, which he and the Earl of Darby had found there. Gifford humbly pro­posing to carry him first to White-La­dies, a House about half a Mile beyond [Page 105] Boscobel, belonging to one Fitz-Herbert, where he might repose himself a while, and then take such farther resolution as he and his Council should think fit: which was accordingly resolved on. And being come thither, and knocking at the Door, George Penderill, the youngest Brother of five, who were all severally instrumental in Conducting and Preserving his Majesty; hearing some body knock at the Gate so early, opened the Window, and seeing there Mr. Gifford and Francis Yates, who was his Brother-in-law, he ask'd his Brother what news he brought from Worcester, he replied, the King was defeated, and the Enemy in pursuit of him, and there­fore bid him make haste and let them in: But before he could get down, the King, with most of the Lords, had en­tred the House, and got into the Hall, whither the King's Horse was likewise brought. And having that night rode from Worcester thither, which was about twenty six Miles, he was extream hungry, and very much tired with his long and hasty March: whereupon Gifford presently sent for Richard Pen­derill, who lived near hand, at Hobbal-Grange, and William Penderill from [Page 106] Boscobel. Richard came first, who was immediately sent back to bring a sute of his Cloaths for the King; and by that time he came with them, Willi­am was come likewise, and both car­ried in to the King by the Earl of Dar­by, who told William, that was the King, pointing to him, and that he must have a care of him, and preserve him as he had done him; Gifford laying the same charge on his Brother, which was exactly obeyed by both.

The King was advised, whil'st the two Brothers were sent for, to rub his Hands and Face with the Soot of the Chimney, the better to disguise him; and some persons likewise disorderly cut off his locks of hair: and having taken off his blue Ribbond, Buff-Coat, and other Princely Ornaments, and di­stributed what Gold he had in his Pockets amongst his Servants, put on a course Canvas Shirt, (which was borrowed of one Martyn,) which done he was to take upon him the Name and Employment of a Woodman; and having, after the Company was dismiss'd, a Bill brought him, he and Richard went out into the Wood: William went home, and Humphry and [Page 107] George went out to scout, the better to discover if any of the Parliament Forces approach'd that way: And it was not above an hour, that the King had been in the Wood, before a Troop of the Enemies Horse came to White-ladies, inquiring for the King. But being told by the Towns-folks, that there was, about three hours before, a party of Horse come thither, and, as they imagin'd, the King with them, but had made no stay; whereupon, inquiring which way they went, they were so eager upon the pursuit, that they made no farther search. The King had notice of this, by the two Brothers, who were often straggling into the Town for Intelligence: how­ever he staid all that day in the Wood, sometimes lying on the Ground, and sometimes walking, it being so rainy, that the thickest Tree therein was not able to keep him dry; and being about Noon very hungry, Richard ordered his Sister, the Wife of the aforesaid Yates, to provide him something to eat, and bring it into the Wood, which was done accordingly; which was a Mess of Milk, mix'd with Eggs and Sugar, in a black earthen Dish: [Page 108] The King guessing it to be Milk and Apples, and saying, that he loved it very well.

In the Evening he left the Wood, and went with Richard, Humphry, and George, and Yates, to Richard's House, under the Name of William Jones, a Wood-cutter, newly come thither for work; being forced to content himself with a Supper of Bacon and Eggs, of which, after he had eaten a little, he ask'd Richard, if he would not eat? who replying, Yes, Sir: he said, then you have a better stomach than I; for you have eaten five times to day al­ready. Being resolved to depart that Night to Mrs. Woolf's House, at Made­ley, Jane Penderil, the Mother of the five Brethren came to see him; blessing God, that her Children were honoured to be the Instruments, as she hoped, of his safe-guard and deliverance. At his departure, they all took their leaves of him, (except Richard, who was to conduct him thither) beseeching God to guide and bless him; and Yates free­ly offered him Thirty Shillings, which was all he had; whereof he took Ten, and bid him put up the rest.

[Page 109] As he went toward Madeley, he met with an ill favour'd Encounter at Eve­lin-Mill, about two Miles from that place: The Miller (as it afterward appear'd, a Loyal Man, though they knew it not) had then in his House some considerable persons of the King's Army, that had just then taken shelter there, in their flight from Worcester; and being alarm'd, by Richard's un­happily permitting a Gate to clap, through which they pass'd, was upon his watch, to spy if there was any dan­ger, and boldly demanding, Who was there? Richard fearing he had pur­sued them, quitted the usual way, in some hast, and waded through a little Brook, the King thereupon doing the like, fol­lowing him only by the ratling of his Leather Breeches, whereby they escap'd the Innocent Miller, who not knowing but that they were Enemies, was as glad that he was rid of them.

When they came to Madeley, they found Mr.. Woolf's Family all in bed; but Richard having knock'd them up, and acquainted Mr. Woolf's Daughter, who came first to the door, that the King was there, she immediately re­ceiv'd them into the House, where he re­fresh'd [Page 110] himself for some time, but understanding the Rebels kept several Guards upon the Severn, and fearing that some of their Party (because ma­ny of them pass'd frequently through that Town) might Quarter at the house, as he understood they had often done, he thought it unsafe to lodge there, since they had no secret place for his concealment, but rather chose to retire into a Barn near adjoining, as a place less liable to the danger of a surprise, where he continu'd all the day follow­ing.

During his stay in that Place, he con­ferr'd with Mr. Woolf, about his in­tended Journey into Wales, who sent a trusty Servant of his, to learn more particularly the strength and number of those Guards upon the Severn; who brought them word, that not only all the Bridges were secur'd, but the Passage-Boats likewise seiz'd on; so that it would not be safe for him to prosecute his designed Journey into Wales: So that Woolf advised him rather to repair to Boscobel-house, which he assur'd him was the most retir'd place, and the fittest for his conceal­ment in all those parts, and there stay [Page 111] till an opportunity of a safer convey­ance could be found out. According to which advice he resolved to repair thither the night following; and in the mean time, his Hands and Face not appearing sufficiently discoloured, a­greeable to his other disguises, Woolf provided Walnut-tree Leaves, as the readiest expedient for that purpose; and having boiled them, bathed his Hands and Face in the Water.

Toward the Evening he adventured to return again into the House, and having refresh'd himself, and being furnish'd with conveniencies for his Journey, which was conceived to be safest on foot, he departed about Ele­ven in the Night, with Richard, who was his faithful Guide toward Boscobel, where they arrived about Three next Morning: Being come near the House, Richard left him in the Wood, whil'st he went in to see that there were no Soldiers there, or any other appearance of danger, where he found Col. Car­less, who was one of the last that fled from Worcester; whereby it was not without incredible difficulty that he made his escape; and having conceal'd himself in Boscobel-Wood for some [Page 112] time, was just then come thither, to get some relief of William Penderil, his old acquaintance: And being told by Richard, that the King was with­out, he presently went with him, where they found him sitting on the root of a Tree; but being extraordi­nary glad to see the Colonel safe, came with him into the House, where he fed very heartily on course Bread and Cheese, and a Posset, which, as a rarity, was made for him by William's Wife, of thin Milk and small Beer; And his Feet being extream dirty, and very much galled with travel, he was forced to wash them, and for want of Shoes to wear, whil'st his own were dried, they were forced to put some hot Em­bers into his own, to dry them a little, whil'st his Feet were a washing.

Being a little refresh'd, he was per­swaded by the Colonel, to go back into the Wood, which he supposed was safer than the House, where the Colo­nel made choice of a thick-leaved Oak, into which William and Richard help'd them both up, and brought them such Provisions as they could get, and a Cushion for the King to sit on, whom the Colonel intreated, in regard that [Page 113] he had taken little or no rest the two preceding nights, to seat himself as easily as he could, and then rest his Royal head in his Lap, assuring him, that he would be so watchful, that he need not fear the danger of falling; which he willingly accepted of, and slumbred away some part of that day, bearing all these harships and afflictions with a most incomparable patience. In the evening he returned to the House, and was Conducted, by William, to the same place wherein Darby had for­merly been secured, which he liked so well, that he resolved, during his stay there, to trust only to it, and go no more into the Royal Oak, as it was thenceforward called, where he could not so much as sit at ease. And now, supposing himself possest of a hopeful security, he desired William to shave him, and cut the hair of his head, as short on the top of his crown as the Ci­zers would do it, only leaving some about the ears, according to the Coun­try mode; Carless, who stood by, told him, William was but a mean Barber: to which he replied, he was no compe­tent Judg of that, in regard he was never shaved before. He bad William [Page 114] burn the hair, which was the only Com­mand he was disobedient to, during his whole attendance upon the King: for he reserved a good part of it, and kept it as a civil Relick, with some whereof he afterwards pleasured seve­ral persons of Quality.

Humphry Penderil being, on the Sa­turday following, at Shefnil, whither he went to pay some Taxes, to one Captain Broadeway; at whose House he met with a certain Colonel of the Rebels, who was then newly come from Wor­cester in pursuit of the King: and being informed that he had been at White-Ladies, and that Humphry was a near Neighbour to the place, and had some Relations lived in the House, he examin­ed him strictly, laying before him the penalty of concealing him, which was death without mercy, and the reward promised for the discovering of him, which was 1000 l. certain pay. But so fixt was his Loyalty, that neither fear of Punishment, nor hope of Reward, was able to tempt him to a breach of that trust which the King had placed in him and his Relations; but he pleaded ignorance, and so was dismiss'd: And at night acquainted the King with the [Page 115] whole passage; at the relating where­of, and considering the price set upon his head, he look'd somewhat dismay'd, as having trusted his Life in the hands of such poor men, who might perad­venture, for such a Sum as that, be per­verted from their fidelity; which Hum­phry perceiving, was extreamly grie­ved with his rashness, in acquainting the King so unadvisedly therewith: But Carless assuring him, that altho' it was 100000 l. yet he would engage his Soul for their honesty; and Hum­phry backing it with several solemn Pro­testations, he was pretty well satisfied. That night Richard's Wife, whom he was pleased to call his Dame Joan, pro­vided some Chickens for his Supper, (a Dainty he had not lately been ac­quainted with) and a little Bed put into the secret place for him to lye on, some of the Brothers being by turns continually upon duty, watching the several Avenues of the House, and the Road-way, thereby to prevent the dan­ger of a surprise.

After Supper, the Colonel ask'd him, What Meat he would please to have provided for the Morrow, being Sun­day? He told him, That he could wish [Page 116] they had some Mutton, if it might be had; which was somewhat difficult, in regard it was thought dangerous for William to go to any Market to buy it, since his Neighbours all knew he used not to buy any such Meat for his own Diet, and so it might have begot a suspicion in them, of his having strangers in his House; But the Colo­nel, willing to satisfie his Sovereign's desire, early, on Sunday-Morning, re­pair'd to Mr. William Stanton's Sheep-Coat, who ren [...]ed some of Boscobel-Ground, and having chosen out one of the best Sheep, struck him with his Dagger, and ordered William to carry him home.

His Dormitory being none of the best, nor his Bed the easiest, he got up pretty early on Sunday-Morning, and having, near the secret place where he lay, the conveniency of a Gallery to walk in, he was observed to spend some time in his Devotions; and after his coming down into the Parlour, his Nose fell a bleeding, which put them all into a great fright, till they were pacified by his telling them, it often did so.

[Page 117] As soon as the Mutton was well cold, William cut it up, and bringing a Legg of it into the Parlour, the King call'd for a Knife and a Trencher, and having cut some of it into [...]ollops, and prick'd them with a Knive's point, call'd for a Frying Pan, and very artifi­cially cook'd them himself, of which, when they were ready, he eat very heartily; the Colonel in the mean time officiating as the Under-Cook, (which he look'd upon as a great Honour too,) making the Fire, and turning the Col­lops in the Pan: Which Passage being, after their safe arrival in France, call'd to mind, and merrily reflected upon, he proposed it as a Problemetical Que­stion, Whether Himself, or the Colo­nel, were the Master-Cook at Boscobel? And the supremacy was judg'd of right to belong to him. The other Brothers were, in the mean time▪ applied in their several stations, either scouting abroad, to learn Intelligence, or upon some other necessary Service; But it so plea­sed God, that, although the Soldiers had some Intelligence of his Majesty's having been at White-ladies, and knew that he was gone thence▪ yet they never search'd the House, nor that of Boscobel.

[Page 118] He spent some part of that Lord's day in reading in a pleasant Arbour, he met withal in Boscobel-Garden, planted upon a Mount, wherein there was a stone Table, and Seats about it, which he very much commended for its reti­redness: And having understood by John Penderil, that the Lord Wilmot was at Mr. Whitgrave's House, he sent him thither, to let him know, he was well, and would come himself to Mosely that night: But when John came to Mosely, he was removed from thence to Bently; at which he was very much troubled: but, however, ac­quainted Whitgrave, and Mr. Huddle­ston, who was then there, that the King was returned to Boscobel, and with the ill accommodation he had there; whereupon they both resolved to go with him to Bently, where the Lord Wilmot appointed to meet them and the King, in a little Grove of Trees, not far from Whitgrave's House, about Twelve or One of the Clock that Night; and ordered John to return again to Boscobel, and acquaint the King therewith: who having not yet recovered his late foot Journey to Madeley, was not able, without a [Page 119] Horse, to Travel to Mosely; where­fore it was concluded, that he should ride upon Humphry's Mill-horse, (he being the Miller of White-ladies Mill) which was taken up from grass, and not accoutred with rich Trappings, or such gaudy Furniture as would have becom'd so great a King, but with a sorry old Saddle, and a worse Bridle.

When he was ready to mount, Car­less being so well known in that Coun­try, that his attendance would in all probability have proved rather a dis­service than any advantage to him, he humbly took his leave of him, heartily praying for his constant preservation; with which excuse he was so well p [...]eas'd, that he afterward gave him, by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of England, by the Name of William Carlos, which in Spanish signifies, Charles, an honourable Coat of Arms, bearing an Oak proper, in a Field Or; a Fess-Gules, charged with Three Re­gal Crowns of the Second; and for his Crest, a Civice Crown, with a Sword and Scepter cross Saltier-wise; with this Motto, Subditus fidelis Regis & Reg­ni salus.

[Page 120] Having parted with the Colonel, he rode toward Mosely, being led thither through By-ways, altho' it was Mid­night, by the five Brothers, who at­tended at a convenient distance, each of them having a Pike-staff, or a Bill, on their shoulders, and some of them Pistols in their Pockets; resolving, if they should have been questioned, or encountred, by five or six Troopers only, to have shewed their Valour, in defend­ing him, as well as their Fidelity, in concealing of him: He had not rid far, before he began to complain of the Horse, being never used to ride such kind of Beasts as that was, That it was the heaviest, dull Jade, that he ever rode on: whereupon the owner re­plied, somewhat beyond the usual no­tion of a Miller, My Liege, can you blame the Horse for going heavily, when he had no less than the weight of thr [...]e Kingdoms on his back? When they were come to Penford-Mill, which was within two Miles of Whitgrave's House, his Guides desired him to alight, and walk the rest of the way, the foot­path being more secure and much nea­rer, which he consented too; and Hum­phry and George being to return with [Page 121] the Horse; the rest waited on him, to his Journey's end, but having forgot, upon parting, to take his leave of those that went back, he hastily turned, and called them to him again, and said, My Troubles make me forget my self; I thank you all: And so having given them his Hand to kiss, he proceeded on his Jour­ney.

Wilmot, according to his appoint­ment; came to the meeting-place, at his hour, and was received by Whit­grave, and conveyed to his old Cham­ber, but was extreamly troubled, when he found the King was not there at his prefixed time; which made him suspect the worst, and fear that some misfor­tune had befallen him; wherefore he desired Whitgrave to repair again to the place of meeting, where they had left Huddleston to attend the King's coming; who appearing there about two hours after his appointed time was expired, they conducted him to the House, where that disconsolate Lord had long expected him with great soli­citude: so soon as he saw him enter, he kneeled down, and embraced his Knees; and in requital, the King kiss'd him on the Cheek, and demanded somewhat [Page 122] earnestly of him, what was become of Buckingham, Cleveland, and others? to which he answered, that he could give him no account, but hoped in general, that they were safe. Then the Lord addressing himself to Whitgrave and Huddleston, said, Tho' I have hi­therto concealed the Name of my Friend, yet now I adventure to tell you, That it is my Master, your Master, and the Master of us all: Whereupon the King gave them his Hand to kiss, and told them, that he had received such an account, from Wilmot, of their Fidelity, that he should never forget it, desiring to see the secret place where he was to be concealed; which having viewed, he liked it very well. And then returning into Wilmot's Chamber, he sate down on the Beds side, and his Nose bleed­ing, he pluck'd out of his Pocket a Handkerchief course and dirty, being suitable to the rest of his Apparel, which was a Leather Doublet, a pair of green Breeches, and a Jump-Coat, (as the Country call'd it) of the same green, a pair of his own Stockings, with the tops cut off, because they were embroidered, a pair of old Shooes, cut and slash'd, to give ease to his Feet, an [Page 123] old, gray, greasie Hat, without a lining, and a noggen Shirt, of the coursest Linnen; his Face and Hands likewise being answerable thereunto, made of a rusty complexion, by the help of the Walnut-leaves. Huddle­ston observing the courseness of his Shirt was very troublesom to him, and hindred his rest, desired know, if he would change it? which he being willing to do, he furnish'd him with a flaxen one; and pulling off his Shooes and Stockings, carefully dried his Feet, where he found that some-body had innocently put white Paper next his Feet, which, with going on foot from the place where he alight, to the house, was so roul'd between his Stock­ings and his Skin, that it served rather to increase than asswage their former soreness.

Whitgrave had by this time brought up some Bisket, and a Bottle of Sack, whereof the King having eat of the one, and drank of the other, and find­ing himself a little refresh'd, said mer­rily, I am now ready for another march; and if it should please God once more, to place me in the head of but Eight or Ten Thousand Men, of one mind, and resol­ved [Page 124] to fight, I should not doubt my being able to drive those Rogues out of my Kingdoms. It being now toward break of day, he was desirous to take a little sleep, in order whereunto a Pallate was carried into one of the secret pla­ces, where he lay down and compos'd himself to rest, but slept not so well as his Host wish'd he might, in regard the place was close and inconvenient; after he had lain some time in his hole, he got up, and was pleas'd to take no­tice of, and very familiarly salute, Mrs. Whitgrave, Mother to him who was the owner of the house; and ha­ving his place of retreat still ready, he diverted himself now and then in a Closet over the Porch, from whence he could see those who pass'd by on the Road.

Not thinking it convenient to con­tinue long there, he dispatch'd John Penderil to Col. Lane at Bently, with directions for him to send, or bring, the Lord Wilmot's Horses that night, about Twelve or One of the Clock, to a Field near adjoining to Whitgrave's House, in order to his putting in execution a Resolution he had taken up, of going Westward, under the protection of [Page 125] Mrs. Jane Lane's Pass, which she had procured for her self and her man, to Bristol, it being most probable that the Rebels would pursue him only North­ward, and not at all suspect his going into the West.

In the Afternoon, on Munday, Whit­grave having notice, that some Soldiers were in the neighbourhood, intending to apprehend him, upon information that he had been at Worcester-Fight; he first secured the King, who was then lain down upon Huddleston's Bed, into his place of retreat; and then, leaving open all the Chamber-doors, he went boldly down to the Soldiers, assuring them that he had not been from home in a Fortnight before, with which As­severation, and the Testimony of his Neighbours, the Soldiers were so well satisfied, that they departed without going up the stairs at all. The old Gentlewoman being told that After­noon, by a Country-man, who came to her house, that he heard the King had, upon his retreat, beaten his Enemies at Warrington Bridge, and that there were three Kings come in to his as­sistance: As soon as he was gon, she went up, and related the story to his [Page 126] Majesty for his divertisement; who smi­ling answered, surely they were the three Kings of Cullen come down from Heaven, for he could not imagine what other Kings they should be; at which time, looking out at the Closet Window, he saw two Soldiers passing by on the Road, telling Huddleston that he knew one of them to be a Highlander, and of his own Regiment, who little imagined his King and Colonel to be so near: and thereupon entred into some discourse with him, about the particulars of the Battel at Worcester, who told him, that his Counsels had been sooner dis­covered to the Rebels than executed by his Loyal Subjects.

On Wednesday, about one in the morn­ing, Lane himself brought the Horses to conduct him to Wilmot, who went the day before to Lanes House at Bently. At his departure from Whitgrave's, he ac­knowledged his gratuity by returning them many thanks, giving them dire­ctions to repair to a Merchant in Lon­don, who should have order to furnish them with Mony and means to convey them beyond the Sea, if their entertain­ing of him should happen to be disco­vered; promising moreover, that if [Page 127] ever God should restore him to his Crown, he would not be unmindful of their civilities. And so being furnish'd with a Cloak and Boots, he went to a corner of the Orchard where Lane at­tended him, and went with him to Bently, where, according to his intenti­on, he took the opportunity of her Pass, and rode before her to Bristol, the Lord Lord Wilmot attending him at a di­stance. The King being somewhat in­disposed in body, complained to Mistris Lane that his Cloak wearied him; whereupon she desired her Father, who likewise rode with them, to carry it for him: but she had not rode far, before she met her Brother-in-law, who de­manded, if her Father must carry her man's Cloak; she replied, to wipe off all suspicion, that it was so big, that it often endangered the throwing her down, or otherwise she would not have been so uncivil. And no sooner was they rid of this danger, but they met with one far greater; for being to pass through a Town, where a Troop of Horse was drawn up, as if on purpose to oppose their passage, he began to fear the worst; but the Captain was very ci­vil, and taking them for honest Travel­lers, [Page 128] (as indeed they were,) comman­ded his Troop to open to the Right and Left and give them free and quiet pas­sage.

To intermix so many Tragical stories with a little mirth, I cannot pass by an accident which happened to him at Leigh, which, although surrounded with so many misfortunes, made him laugh at the conceit of it. For being left there in the Kitchin, under the notion of a Serving-man, the Maid entred into di­scourse with him, inquiring where he was born, what trade he was, how long he had lived with Mistris Lane, and seve­ral such Question, suitable to a Kitchin Maids curiosity; to which he replied, he was born at Brumingham and was a N [...]ylors Son. But the Jack being down, she desired him to wind it up; which task he willingly undertook, but being unskilful therein, went the wrong way about it, and was like to have spoiled the Jack: whereupon the Maid highly incensed, (it being usual with Cooks to be of cholerick dispositions,) ven­ted her passion in Billingsgate terms, asking him, Where he was bred? and telling him, he was the most ignorant fellow she ever saw in her life, that [Page 129] could not tell how to wind up a Jack, with other such kind of Language as came uppermost, which being uttered with much vehemence, made him, not­withstanding his present condition, walk out of the Room smiling.

This Gentleman having great resort to his House, he feared it might occasi­on a discovery of his Person; he seign­ed himself sick of an Ague, and under that pretence, kept his Chamber all day, and came down only at nights: and that his Disease might appear real, he desired of the Butler a Glass of Wine, who courteously invited him into the Cellar, and there forced him to drink two or three Healths, one to his Majesty, and another to his Mother. But at length, by something he observed in him, notwithstanding his Disguise, he suspected him to be the King; and thereupon falling on his knees, begged his Pardon, and assured him he would be faithful to him in whatsoever he should command him: of which he took little or no notice, but having drunk off his Wine went away. Where­upon the Butler's suspicion increasing, he went up and inquired of M. Lassel, who though angry at the Butler's in­quisitiveness, [Page 130] yet he demanded the rea­son of it; and the Butler, whispering him in the ear, told him, he believed it was the King: upon which unexpect­ed accident, he sent for him up, and acquainted him with the Butlers suspi­cion, who though he was displeased with his not having acquainted him first with it, yet putting confidence in him, denied it not, and afterward found him very instrumental in his con­veyance through the Country.

Being desirous to free himself from all dangers of discovery, he was desi­rous to hasten his putting out to Sea; but though there lay a little Bark there, deemed very fit for that purpose, yet the Master would for no reward be pre­vailed upon to transport a single Per­son: whereupon, unwilling to tempt Providence too far, he resolved to go farther West, to a Noble Gentlemans House whom he knew to be a trusty friend, being accompanied thither by Mr. Lassell and Mrs. Lane, where he was concealed for about a week, and at last preparation was made for his passage. But coming to the place where it was provided, he chanced to dine with a Colonel of the Parliament Army; [Page 131] whereupon, fearing that his embarking singly might raise some suspicion in him, he rather chose to lose the benefit of his passage, than after so many Storms and Tempests to split upon a Rock within sight of Harbour, and therefore returned to the place from whence he came: from whence, after about three weeks longer concealment, he was conveyed through by-ways to a Gentlemans House in Sussex, where ha­ving continued some few days, and the heat of the search after him being now pretty well over, he was at last furnish'd with a small Vessel which took him in at Sharrem, a little Creek in that Coun­ty, and Landed him near Havre-de­grace in Normandy. When the Skipper saw him he was a little daunted, for he presently knew him, having seen him divers times before; but having some­what collected himself, he said, since he had undertaken so good a work, he was resolved to venture hanging rather than not perform it: to which the King re­plied, he need not put himself upon that hazard, for, if he pleased, he should go along with him, where he should not want as long as he was able to provide for him.

[Page 132] Hamilton, Darby, Lauderdale, Gif­ford and the rest, having thus disposed of the King in a way of security, march'd from White-Ladies Northward, by the way of Newport, in hope to overtake or meet General Lesley with the main Body of the Scotch Horse; but assoon as they were got into the Road, the Lord Levi­ston, who commanded his Majesties Life-Guard, overtook them, being pur­sued by a Party of Rebels: whereupon the Lords, with their followers, faced about and repelled them. But when they were got a little beyond Newport, some of Lilburn's Regiment meeting them in the Front, and other Rebels from Worcester pursuing them in the Rear, themselves and Horses being very much beaten out and tired, Darby, Lauderdale, Gifford and some others, were taken and carri­ed Prisoners first to Whit-Church, and then to an Inn in Banbury, from whence Gifford found means to escape. But Dar­by was conveyed to Westchester, and there tryed by a pretended Court Mar­shal, held by a Commission from Crom­wel, grounded on an execrable Rump Act, which traiterously pretended to prohibit all correspondence with Charles Stuart, under penalty of High-Treason, [Page 133] loss of Life and Estate; by which he was condemned to lose his Life, not­withstanding his just Plea, that he had Quarter granted him by Captain Edge, who took him Prisoner: and was short­ly after Executed at Bolton in Lanca­shire, in a most Barbarous and unhuman manner.

Lauderdale and others were conveyed first to the Tower, and afterward to Windsor Castle, where they continued divers years.

But whilst the Rebels were plunder­ing those Noble Persons whom they had taken Prisoners, the Duke, with Levi­ston, Blague, Darcey May and others, for­sook the Road, and betaking themselves to a by-way, got into Cessardine Woods, not far from Newport, where they recei­ved some refreshment at a little obscure House; and afterward by two honest Labourers, whom they met withal in an adjoyning Wood, and to whom they communicated the misery and distress which the fortune of War had reduced them to, were directed to places of safe­ty. The Duke, in imitation of his Roy­al Master, quitting his Horse, and deli­vering his George, which was given him by the Queen Mother, to Mr. May, who [Page 134] having preserved it in several eminent dangers, restored it to him again in Hol­land; and changing habit with one of the Workmen, he was, in that disguise, conveyed to the House of one Mr. Haley, at Bistrop in Nottinghamshire: Leviston and the rest, all quitted their Horses likewise, and severally shifted for them­selves.

The King being safely Landed in Normandy, he went forthwith to Diepe, where he provided himself with such necessaries as might serve him until he came to his Mother in the French Court; who, so soon as they heard of his safe arrival, sent several Persons of Quality to meet him with great Pomp, as be­came his Person, who received him with much gladness, and very much rejoyced at his safety, conveying him to Paris in the Duke of Orleans his own Coach; where he found such a welcom as his Person and Worth deserved, and as great as that Court could express for the safety of their best Allie: and by his Mother and the two Dukes, with as great a joy as became them upon the receiving of him whom they once thought had been lost and perished.

[Page 135] These Complements being once over, he pursued his interest in Holland, by the mediation of his Sister the Princess of Orange, and his Aunt the Queen of Bohemia, indeavouring to prevail with them, according to their former pro­mises, to undertake a War against the English Parliament, which they accor­dingly did: but being not able to cope with the Valour of the English, nor prevail against that success which seem­ed to be entailed to the Rump in all their undertakings, they were unsuc­cessful therein, and it contributed very little toward the promoting of his de­signs.

The King being once again excluded out of all his Dominions, they quickly after reduced Corn-Castle in the Isle of Guernsey, the Isle of Man, and all other places both in England, Scotland and Ireland, which stood out for him.

Which was no sooner done, but there happened a strange alteration in the Scene of affairs in England; for Cromwel, whose ambition was now ripe, knowing that he could not expect a fairer opportunity to Usurp that su­preme Power which he had so long been aspiring too, in regard every one [Page 136] began now to grow weary of the base actions of the Rump, whose dilatory proceedings, and apparent intentions of perpetuating themselves, rendred them hateful to all Mankind: he entred into their House, attended by some of his principal Officers, where having de­livered divers reasons why, he thought, that Parliament ought to be Dissolved, and a period put to its sitting: He commanded them, (notwithstanding they were his Masters, and from whom he derived his Commission,) immedi­ately to depart, which was done accor­dingly; for how unwilling soever they were to obey, yet it was now out of their Power to dispute his Authority: so that those who had murthered one King, and refused to restore a second, were turned out of door, and deprived of all Authority and Power, by their own Servant. Whereat the whole Nation rejoyced, and scarce a Man grieved for their Dissolution but them­selves, every one believing, that though the Nation might not peradventure be bettered by that change, yet it was al­most impossible it should be worse: but however, Cromwel fearing that some might be discontented with his Pro­ceedings, [Page 137] Published a large and speci­ous Declaration, shewing his Reasons for his Dissolving of them.

But his design being only to make himself great, he did not intend to give relief, by taking away the tyran­ny, but by changing of it only; and therefore instead of that Juncto which he pulled down, set up another of his own arbitrary election, who knowing before-hand what they had to do, after having sate a while, resigned up their power to him, who resolving to make the best of that resignation, pretended that the whole Supream Power and Authority of the three Kingdoms, both Civil and Military, was thereby in course devolved upon him, and there­upon calling a Councel of Officers, to consult about setling the Government; they resolved, after several debates, to have a Common-wealth in a single per­son, and that person should be Oliver Cromwel, by the name and style of Lord Protector, &c. He at first seemingly re­fused the Dignity, altho' it was the only thing he aimed at; but being press'd by the Officers of the Army, he con­sented to accept of it, and was install'd with great pomp in the Chancery-Court [Page 138] at Westminster-hall, and shortly after concluded a Peace with the Dutch: He was afterward importuned by his Parliament, to exchange his Title of Lord Protector, for that of King; which he refused, and chose rather to continue the old.

The King, when he came into France, found that Court very much embroil'd, on the account of some mis-understand­ings between the Prince of Conde, and other Princes of the Blood, and the Cardinal Mazarine, which he under­took to compose, urging his own dan­ger to the King, and advising him to beware how he provok'd his Subjects; and urging the King's power to the Princes of the Blood, whereby he un­happily drew upon himself the jealou­sies of both parties; being suspected by the Cardinal, to be for the Princes; and by them, to take part with him, against their interest; which they were the more induced to believe, because he withdrew the Lorrain Forces from their Service, and imployed them to reduce Ireland; knowing, that the winning that was the most probable way for the obtaining of England; and promising, in recompence, to make [Page 139] that Duke, Duke of Ireland; but they thought he only aimed at their disap­pointment: upon the account of which misinterpretations of his peaceable design, in his endeavours to reconcile them, he was forced to retire, for some time, to St. Germans, his Mother being scarce able to stay at the Louvre, for the unreasonable and causless clamours of the mistaken multitude; but when their heat and fury was over, he return­ed thither again, where he staid for some time longer in great esteem with that Court, until the subtle Cardinal began under-hand to make a Peace with Cromwel; and when he could not, by all the means he used, prevent its taking effect, he retired toward Ger­many, knowing that the issue of it would be a fair complementing of him out of their Dominions, and banish­ing of him out of his very exile.

Upon his arrival in Germany, he is entertained by the Elector of Cologn; and during his stay in that Court, he had an interview with the Queen of Sweden, whom, as the Report went, he was to have married, had he not disliked her light and Frenchified De­portment: In the interview, he thank'd [Page 140] her for all those civilities which she had for his sake shewed to any of his Friends, and particularly to Montross; to which she replied, their own and his worth deserved no less. There was present at this interview, the King's two Brothers, the Dukes of York and Glocester; the latter whereof was sent for by him from Paris, upon informa­tion, that his Mother had a design to put him into the Jesuits Colledge, and breed him up in the Popish Religion, to which he was always an irrecon­cileable Enemy, and therefore would not permit his Brother to be brought up in it.

And so pregnant an instance of his intire love to, and resolution to defend, the Protestant Religion, profess'd in the Church of England, was his pro­ceedings in this Affair, even in those days when there was so little hopes to see it ever restored again, that I think it worthy of a perpetual remembrance, and therefore shall here insert the chief circumstances relating to it.

Having designed to take the Duke of Glocester with him into Germany, he was prevail'd upon, by the Queen, to leave him with her at Paris, promising, [Page 141] that she would not permit any force to be put upon him, for the prevailing with him to change his Religion, but that he should be attended by those Protestant Servants which himself had placed about him, and have free liberty to resort to the Publick Service of the Church of England, at the King's Chap­pel, which was then at Sir Richard Brown's house, whom he left as his Re­sident in Paris.

But not long after his departure, the Duke, under pretence of weaning him from the company of some young French Gallants, who being in the same Academy, were grown into a more familiar conversation with him than was thought convenient, was removed to Abbot Mountague's house, at his Abby near Pontoise, and after he had been there a few days, Mr. Lovel, who was his Tutor, going to Paris for one day only upon business designedly contri­ved, as was suspected, by the Abbot; during his absence, he was vehemently press'd, by the Abbot, with all the strongest Motives, Spiritual or Tem­poral, that he thought might prevail upon him, to turn Roman Catholick; and having no Protestant near him at [Page 142] that time to advise withal, but Mr. Griffin of his Bed-Chamber, a Gentleman about his own age, both of them not being able to make much more than Thirty, he doubted not but to prevail.

But notwithstanding the greenness of his years, such was his zeal for his Religion, that after having made inge­nious Replies to all the Abbots Argu­ments, he told him, that he very much admired how he durst make that at­tempt upon him, knowing that the Queen had engaged her word to the King, that no change of his Religion should be endeavoured; And telling him, that for his own part he was re­solved not to incurr the King's displea­sure, by neglecting to observe his Royal Command, whereby he ex­presly forbid him to listen to any Argu­ments which should be used with him for the change of his Religion; And that as to the specious Pretences of making him a Cardinal, or procuring of him to be advanced to the English Throne, he did with indignation and contempt, deride and reject them, complaining withal of his being disin­geniously dealt with, by his being thus [Page 143] assaulted in the absence of his Tutor, whom the King had placed over him, and who, he believed, could easily re­fute the strongest of his Arguments: Which, upon his return, he did so fully, that it was thought convenient to re­move the Duke back again to Paris, where he was permitted to resort to the King's Chappel, and enjoy the free exercise of his Religion for the present, though it was not long that he did so; for after some little time, the Queen own'd the attempt done on him, to be with her own approbation, declaring, that she could not but endeavour (not­withstanding her Promise to the King, that he should not be forced) to have her Son shewed the right way to Hea­ven, and to have that way proposed to him, which she thought most requisite for the guiding him thereunto: And that she might, notwithstanding that repulse, prevail upon him by degrees, his Protestant Tutor was put from him, and himself hurried out of Paris in great hast, thereby to deprive him of the assistance of any Protestant, and con­veyed to Mr. Croft's house, but under the care of Abbot Mountague, none of his Servants, but Griffin, being permit­ted to attend him.

[Page 144] The News whereof did deeply affect all the Loyal Protestant Exiles then in Paris, but especially the Lord Hatton, who understanding how violently that young Prince was persecuted for his Religion, he consulted with that famous Confessor, for the Church of England, Dr. Cousins, then Dean of Peterborough and Chaplain to his Majesty, and since the King's Restauration, Bishop of Dur­ham, who thereupon drew up what Arguments and Instructions he thought convenient, to fortifie the Duke in that violent assault: And knowing how strictly he was guarded from the access of any Protestant, he being by his Lady related to the Abbot, went to give him a visit; but his design was soon guessed at, and tho' he obtain'd, for that time, access to the Duke, yet he was so carefully watch'd, that it was not without much difficulty, that he un­perceived, conveyed to him the In­structions that he had prepared for him, and was forced, for the future, to vary his stratagems, to procure far­ther Advices to be from time to time delivered to him.

[Page 145] And so narrowly was the Duke eyed, by the Popish Spies set over him, and the Priests, who were uncessantly tor­turing of him with their pressures to change his Religion, that he had no opportunity to peruse any of those Papers sent him; so that he was con­strained to deliver them to Griffin, who in the Night, as he lay in his Bed-Chamber, acquainted him what the scope and tendency of them was; by the advantage whereof, through the assistance of almighty God, he did so resolutely withstand all the violent shocks of his Persecutors, that they thereupon resolved not only to remove Griffin, but to shut up the Duke in the Jesuits Colledge.

The King being informed of all those Proceedings, immediately used all pos­sible endeavours for his relief, and sent an expostulatory Letter to the Queen his Mother, and laid his Commands on all the most eminent of his Pro­testant Subjects there, to be to the utmost of their power aiding and assisting to him in that great Di­stress; and sending another Letter [Page 146] likewise to the Duke himself, which was attempted some days before he was removed to the Jesuits Col­ledge, to be delivered to him by Sir George Ratcliff; but though he was admitted to his presence, yet he could find no opportunity to de­liver him the Letter with privacy, therefore left it with Griffin, to be con­veyed to him.

In which Letter he reminded him of the strict Command that he had left with him at his departure, to continue firm in his Religion; as also the vanity of their Motives, the emptiness of their Promises, to­gether with the last Charge of their dead Father, which he solemn­ly gave him with the entail of his Blessing annex'd thereunto; telling him withal, that if he suffered him­self to be perverted in his Reli­gion by any inticements whatsoever, or put himself into the Jesuits Col­ledge, he had then the last Let­ter, that ever he should receive from him, and must never look to see his Face again.

[Page 147] As soon as the young Duke had, with an unexpressible joy, received this Letter, he first, with all possible hast, transcribed a Copy of it, and and sent it immediately to the Queen, begging her leave to repair to Paris, both upon the account of those Com­mands of the King and the Duke of York's being then returned from the French Army. But the Queen, un­willing to desist from the prose­cuting what she had began, sent him word, she could not cease wishing his so great and eternal good, as to change his Religion would be, to which she would not force him; but yet advised him however, to hearken to what the Abbot should farther deliver to him; which was, that he should at least be willing to go to the Jesuits Colledge, where he should have as much liberty in all things, as himself could desire. It being still their resolution to have forced him thither, if he refused, had it not been prevented by the arrival of the Duke of Ormond, whom the King dispatch'd thither from Germany, with [Page 148] Letters and Instructions, for the rescuing of him from his Popish adversaries; and had he staid but four days longer, before his arrival at Paris, he had come too late, in regard the Duke had certainly been within that time shut up in the Colledge, from whence there had been no possibility of retrieving him; For the French Court had so zea­lously espoused that Affair, that he found himself necessitated to make use of all the Prudence and Poli­cy he was Master of, before he could accomplish the business that he came about: but finding that it was not altogether too late, he so effectually pursued those Instru­ctions he received from the King, that he procured the Duke's re­turn to Paris, and liberty to enjoy the free Exercise of his Religion: But no sooner did he come to the French Court, to pay his respects to the Queen, but the Queen-Mother of France, and Cardinal Mazarine, press'd him with all the Allurements imagin­able, to turn Roman Catholick; tel­ling him, that they look'd upon him [Page 149] as a Child of France, and that it was for his advantage, and the opportu­nity they should thereby have of do­ing him the greater good, that in­duced them to move him thereunto; adding, that since his Father was dead, he ought to obey his Mother's Commands in all things. To which, observing the King's Instructions, not to engage in any Dispute with them, he replied only in general terms, That he resolved to obey his Mother as much as any Son could, or ought to do, and thereby dissengaged him­self from any farther pursuit at that time.

But all the allurements of the French Court, and the utmost severities used toward him by his Mother, were not able in the least to shake his firmness in his Religion; which the Queen with great indignation perceiving, some few days after took him apart: and having, first, with all the sweet­ness imaginable, declared to him, how great and tender those affections she had for him were, and how much it grieved her, that very love it self should [Page 150] compel her to proceed toward him with some seeming severity. She told him that, for his ease sake, she would shorten the time of his Tryal; and therefore, proposing to him, all the good she aimed at in that design, the duty he owed her, and the disability of the King to maintain him, she com­manded him immediately to withdraw into his Lodgings, and there give one hearing more to Abbot Mountague, and after, having sequestred himself, for a while, from all manner of diversion, to ponder seriously upon what she and he said to him, and that night either bring or send her a full and final an­swer.

Whereupon the Duke, taking the advantage of the little interim of clea­ring the Room, sent Griffin to the Mar­quess of Ormond, desiring him to re­pair to him immediately, that he might advise with him, how he ought to deport himself, as occasion should serve, in that intended privacy with his Mother and the Abbot. But Griffin not presently finding the Marquess, the Abbot was there before him, who ha­ving [Page 151] expaciated upon what the Queen had but briefly hinted, he prest the Duke for his final answer, which he refused to give, 'till he had first con­sulted with the Marquess: whereup­on the Abbot for the present with­drew, desiring to be sent for so soon as he was come, telling him, that if it were not in an hours time, he would return again, whether sent for or not. But it was not long after his being withdrawn, that the Marquess came; and the Duke having acquain­ted him with their Proposals, and de­manded his advice and directions therein, was quickly resolved what answer to make, but having been so long harrassed, was desirous to take a little breath, and therefore neglected to send presently to the Abbot, and went out of his Lodging, into the Court, to divert himself: but no soon­er was he gone than the Abbot came, and missing him, sought up and down the Court for him, and having at last found him, severely rebuked him for neglecting his Mothers command, and his instructions, which was, seriously to ponderate what he had said, [...] [Page 152] for neglecting to send for him according to appointment.

Well, Sir, said the Duke, I have seriously considered of all that hath been said to me, and my final answer thereunto is, I am resolved to con­tinue firm in my Religion. Then, re­plied the Abbot, I am commanded, from the Queen your Mother, to tell you, that she charges you to see her face no more. At which dismal expression, the Duke being not a little moved, begged with great earnestness, that he might be permitted, at least, to im­plore her parting blessing, till he could in time prevail for her pardon, but could not obtain it, though he indea­voured it again the next morning, (being Sunday, before she went to her Devotions,) by the intercession of his Brother, the Duke of York, who did, with great tenderness, compassionate his condition, and with great earnest­ness move on his behalf. But the Queen proved inexorable, not only to him, but to all others who spoke on his behalf; nor would she intimate her pleasure to him by any other Per­son [Page 153] than the Abbot, who solicited him again, aggravating the peril of his Mo­thers displeasure: and advising him, at that instant, being the most proper time, as she was going to Mass at her Monastery, to apply himself to her, assuring him, that she had those Pro­posals to make to him, which would set his heart at rest, though, he said, he could not name them. To which the Duke replied, if it were so, I could apply my self to her well enough, for my heart can have no rest, except in the free exercise of my Religion, but I fear her Propositions will not, I am sure yours never tended to give me any ease or quiet; at which very instant, the Queen passed by in her Coach to­ward her Nunnery: whereupon the Duke approached toward her, and at­tempted to begg her Blessing, but was with great indignation rejected. Where­at shewing himself very much discom­posed, the Abbot came up to him, de­manding what it was her Majesty had said to him, that had put him into so great disorder; to which he briskly replied, what she said I may thank you for, Sir, and therefore it is but reason, [Page 154] that what my Mother said to me, I should say to you, Be sure I see your face no more, and so turned about and left him: whereupon the Abbot call­ing after him, said, Whither are you going, good Sir? To whom, looking over his shoulder, he answered, to Church, whither he immediately re­paired, with a sad and dejected coun­tenance, which did much abate the joy of the Congregation, who were much pleased to see him accompany his Bro­ther the Duke of York thither; but they partook with him in his sorrow, when they understood that, after Ser­mon, he was to seek where to get a Dinner, for which he must send to the Cooks, or fast, for there was a very strict Prohibition given to all the Offi­cers in his Mothers Court, that they should not furnish him with any Pro­visions or necessaries.

That night, after Evening Prayer, he had hopes to enjoy one moment of satisfaction, by conversing with his Si­ster the Princess Henrietta, afterward Dutchess of Orleans, during his Mo­thers absence; but as soon as the [Page 155] young Princess heard the news of his designed adventure, she was so fright­ed into shrieks and tears, that she cryed out, Oh God, my Brother! Oh me, my Mother! What? I am undone for ever: What shall I do?

Which as soon as the Duke heard, he retired, not being willing his dear Sister should, by her kindness to him, purchase her Mothers displeasure. In this disconsolate condition he went to his Lodging; when it was nine a Clock at night, his Groom came to know what he should do with his Horses, for the Queens Comptroller was come to him, with a charge, to remove them instantly: whereupon the Groom plea­ded, it was then too late, and that on the morrow it would be time enough, but the Comptroller replied, he should then be put out of his place e'er the morning.

The next day the Sheets were taken off his Bed, finding therefore that he could not be permitted to stay at the Palace-Royal, he thought, until he [Page 156] could provide necessaries for his Jour­ney into Germany, to retire to the House of Mr. Crofts, (afterward Lord Crofts, near Paris; whereof the Queen hearing, she check'd Mr. Crofts for be­ing willing to receive him, with which he acquainted the Duke, but submits however to his pleasure.

In this strait the Duke betook him­self to the advice of that faithful Ser­vant to his Family, and zealous Prote­stant, the Lord Hatton, by whose ju­dicious instructions, he had received much satisfaction in this his distres­sed condition; who, so soon as the Duke had made known to him, that he was not only turned out of his Mothers House, but that all persons, who had any dependency upon her, were for­bidden to receive or assist him: his Lordship told him, if his Highness would please to honour his House with his presence, he should there be received with all the dutiful re­gard that could be paid to him by so ancient and faithfully devoted Ser­vant of his Royal Family; And with [Page 157] an Entertainment as suitable to his Quality, as the remains of that For­tune he had spent in his Father's Ser­vice would afford.

But this the Duke, out of great mo­desty, at first declined, alledging the great hazard, which he knew he would thereby run, of having his Estate again sequestred in England, as well as by incurring the displea­sure of the French Court, endan­ger his being exil'd that Kingdom, for his kindness to him, as he had been that of England, for his Ser­vice to his Father; and, perhaps, be endangered in his person too, by the fury of the Rabble, who might, per­adventure, be animated by some en­raged Papist, for thus disappoint­ing them, of making a Proselyte of him as they boasted they had done, and given Publick Thanks for it in diverse of their Churches.

But his Lordship assur'd him, that as he had hitherto spent the greatest part of his Life and Fortune in the [Page 158] Service of his Royal Family, and the defence of the Protestant Religion, so he would willingly sacrifice the re­mainder of both on so honourable an occasion as that; with which hearty invitation, he was so pleas'd, that he took no farther thoughts whither to go, but concluded to remain with him.

Being thus gone from the Palace-Royal, the Queen-Mother of France came immediately thither, to try once more, if she could prevail with him, to change his Religion; and as soon as she came, sent her Son, the Duke of Anjou, to visit him; who return'd with the News, that he was not to be found: but as soon as it was known where he was, she sent the Marquess of Plessis, to perswade him to com­ply with his Mother's advice; For the effecting whereof, he exercised all his Parts and Elocution, with the greatest earnestness; and affirming, that since the death of his Father, the Queen his Mother, had sole Power and Authority over him; disputing, [Page 159] whether the King his Brother, as his Sovereign, had an equal right to dispose of him.

And the Discourse growing some­what publick, the Marquess of Or­mond, and the Lord Hatton, who were then likewise present, arguing in the Duke's defence; the French Marquess finding himself over-match'd by their Reasons, in great passion re­turn'd, without the success suspected at the Palace-Royal, where the French Queen stayed very late, till he came back: whose Report, when both Queens heard, they were then so fully satisfied in the Duke's firmness to his Religion, that after that time, no considerable attempt was made on him, altho' he continued for near two Months there; being nobly en­tertained all that time by the Lord Hatton, until, through his and the Marquess of Ormond's interest, Neces­saries were provided for his going into Germany, to the King.

[Page 160] From the interview of the Queen of Sweden, which was held at a small Village near Frankford, (at the same time when the Fair was there) he returned, with great satisfaction, to Cologn, where he was welcomed with all imaginable demonstrations of Joy, by the Magistrates and the whole City; where he had not staid long, before the Duke of York came to him, being complemented away from France, upon the conclusion of the Treaty with Cromwel, notwithstand­ing his incomparable worth, disco­vered in the Court, and in the Camp; where he behaved himself so well, that the Duke of Longueville was wil­ling to have match'd his Daughter to him, altho' he was in exile; and the Marshal Turein commended him, in the time of his sickness, to the French King, as the fittest person to be Commander in chief of all his Forces.

[Page 161] And so desirable was his company [...]ong all Princes, that Don Lewis de [...], and Don John of Austria migh­ [...]y importun'd him to come over to [...]em in Flanders, which invitation he [...]cepted of, and he repaired thither, [...] to promote his own cause, and [...] King of Spains affairs; in order [...]reunto he commanded all his [...]glish, Scotch and Irish Subjects in those [...]rts to be listed for his Service, which [...]ounted to about three or four thou­ [...]d, besides the two Regiments of [...] and Glocester, and maintained a [...]nstant correspondence with his [...]iends in England, which Cromwel sus­ [...]cted, but had no certain knowledge [...]ereof, having now no Mannings in the [...]ngs Court to betray his Majesties se­ [...]ets, wherefore he contrived a Plot, [...]o which by his Emissaries he ensna­ [...]d the reverend Dr. Huet, Sir Henry [...] and others, and had them tryed [...]fore a High Court of Justice, and [...]ndemned and executed for that pre­ [...]ded Conspiracy. But though he [...]as represented to the City by Cromwel [...] be twenty thousand strong, when he [...]as acquainting them with the preten­ [...]nded Plot against him; yet he was [Page 162] not able to attempt any thing upon [...] own account, in regard his Forces we [...] but inconsiderable for number, [...] therefore he joyned them with t [...] Spaniards, and at one attempt to [...] the Siege of Dunkirk were defeate▪ and almost all slain, being deserted [...] the Spaniards, who were not able to e [...] ­dure the hot charge that Cromwels S [...] ­diers gave them, notwithstanding [...] endeavours of the undaunted York [...] rally them, who did Wond [...] with his own Regiment, putting [...] whole French and English Army o [...] to a disorder, and twice to a stand [...] his own Guard only, and some [...] remnant of his overthrown Forces: [...] which defeat the Kings whole desi [...] being disappointed, he betook him [...] from his Arms to his Prayers, and a [...] ­pealed from Earth to Heaven. Ho [...] ­ever he still remained in Flanders, [...] kept his Court in Bruges, about [...] Leagues from Brussels. About this [...] Cromwel being resolved to continue [...] Protectorship in his own Family, [...] the matter so that his Parliam [...] should earnestly Petition, solemnly [...] ­vise him to name his Successor, [...] was the thing he chiefly desired, not­withstanding [Page 163] all his former Oaths and Protestations against suffering the Nati­on to be rul'd by any single Person, which, when the King heard, he said to a Person of quality, who was then by him, that Cromwell had certainly lay'd the best Foundation that a short and troublesom reign could possibly admit of, at once to deprive him of his just and rightful Dominions, and to settle his own Posteri­ty in his unjust and usurpt Authority. And when he receiv'd the news of his death, he shew'd an admirable calmness and serenity of Spirit; Reason, Religion and Discretion having such a powerful command over his passions, that though it seem'd in all probability to be a conside­rable step toward his Restauration, in re­gard his most implacable as well as suc­cessful Enemy was now gone, yet he did not discover any extraordinary symp­toms of Joy.

But as that great alteration in England did change all the publick Councels of Europe in general, so did it likewise somewhat alter his: for, he now set up new negotiations in most of the forraign Courts, that so he might not be wan­ting to himself, whilst there were the most hopeful designs that had ever yet [Page 164] been on foot in England for the pro­moting his Journeys. The new Prote­ctor being look't upon as one weary of that power which was then desolv'd upon him, in regard he knew himself to have as little ability to manage it, as he had right to enjoy it; and was sup­pos'd not to have that implacable a­versation to the Royal Family, which his Father had always discover'd. How­ever, it was not long before the Army thrust him from his Throne, and set up the Rump again, which his Father had pull'd down; after which there were so many alterations and new forms of Government, that it is almost impossible to give the World a particular account of them, every Week almost producing some new Model or other; and there springing up some new Heads of that Hy­dra-Common-Wealth.

The King was not in the mean time idle, but laid out all his Interest and Policy for the promoting his designs, and the procuring such supplies as might encourage those Loyal Subjects that incessantly endeavour'd, by his Restauration to restore their Native Countrey from the Paws of those Lions into which it was fallen, and them­selves to the Glorious Liberty of being [Page 165] [...]bject to so great and good a Prince [...] although Holland offered fairly, [...] some Princes with the Emperor of [...]rmany began now to pity forlorn [...]d exiled Majesty, especially dwelling [...] a Prince of that worth, as he was ac­ [...]unted to be, by all those who had [...] happiness to know him; yet the [...]eatest hope and expectation from any [...] those Forraign Affairs was, the peace [...]at was then mediating by the Pope, be­ [...]een the two Kingdoms of France and [...]ain, managed by the two great Fa­ [...]urites of each Kingdom, the Cardi­ [...]l Mazarine and the Count de Olivarez [...]on the Borders of St. Jean de Luz, [...]hich if it succeed, must in all proba­ [...]lity prove advantageous to his affairs, [...] regard both Crowns could not upon [...]e conclusion of peace between them, [...]estow their Forces upon any service [...]at would render more to their honour [...]an that, of endeavouring his Restau­ [...]tion; although he rather desired to [...]mploy their Interest than their Arms, [...] intended to let England know what [...]ey might do for him, rather then to [...]ake them feel the effects of any thing [...]one by them: And although he expected [...] should have an Army ready to [Page 166] good the agreement; yet he intende [...] they should prevail more by their Rea­sons than their Forces.

The managing of this Treaty be­tween the two Kingdoms, being a bu­siness that so much concerned him [...] particular, as well as Europe in genera [...] he condescended to negotiate there [...] in his own person, notwithstanding [...] had Residents in most Christian King­doms. And in order thereunto betoo [...] himself first to one Court, and then [...] another, (the Duke of York acco [...] panying him) incognito, being sensib [...] of the danger which might accrue [...] to his cause and Person, upon the scr [...] ­ples of a solid interview, it being gen [...] ­rally observed, the interviews of Pri [...] ­ces are unhappy. And by the way, [...] he passed through France, he gave a [...] sit to his Mother, intending before [...] had undertook the negotiation of [...] publick reconciliation between [...] two Kingdoms, to practice a priva [...] one between himself and her, who ha [...] declar'd herself very much disple [...] with him, upon the account of his pr [...] ­ceedings in the business of the Duke [...] Glocester; which having accomplishe [...] and finding that that Court did [...] [Page 167] give him the honour due to his Person, nor an entertainment suitable to his ex­pectations; He return'd with his Bro­ther to Diep in Normandy, going thither by Post, with such hast and privacy, that some mens hopes and others fears imagin'd they were gone over into En­gland; an attempt at that time too dangerous for so wise and politick a Prince to adventure on. From Diep he remov'd toward the Frontiers of Spain, by the way of Roan, where he was nobly treated by Mr. Scot an English Merchant, and entertain'd with a Ser­mon suitable to his present condition; and from thence he went by post to Ba­jonne, accompany'd by the Marquess of Ormond, and so towards the two Ministers of State that were negotia­ting the Peace between the two Crowns at St. Jon de Luz. The news of this ap­proach did no sooner reach Don Lew­is's Lodgings, but he prepares to meet him with as much splendour, as if our Soveraign had been his Majesty of Spain, or himself an English Subject; for when he met him, he immediately alighting from his Horse, and kneeling (though in a very dirty and inconvenient place) embrac'd and kiss'd his Majesties [Page 168] Knees, and walk'd before him bare­headed to the place he had order'd to be made ready for him, which was the best Lodging the Town afforded; where the next day he received a formal visit from that sly, close and reserv'd Po­litician Cardinal Mazarine, whom he entertain'd with such a discreet wari­ness, as if he design'd to let him know (and those that saw him under­stood well enough thereby) that he understood the walking Cabala almost as well as he did himself.

Never were any of his great affairs so well carried on as that was, which he manag'd himself; for by the advantage of his own incomparable Prudence and sage Experience, together with his powerful Majesty and Presence, he so far prevail'd in his negotiations there, that notwithstanding Lockharts close ap­plications in behalf of his Masters, he not only prevented any article that was offer'd and prest in favour of his rebellious adversaries of England, but also procur'd himself to be included by Spain, as the most honourable Ally in the intended Peace, and obtain'd a promise from both those Favourites, that they would in pursuance of their [Page 169] Masters friendship with him, descended as soon as possible, to treat of such particu­lars that might be proposed, as the most sutable to the promoting of his Re­stauration, and consult what Counsels ought to be taken, what Men, Money and other supplys their respective Ma­sters should afford, and how each should be employed for the greatest usefulness to his Service. After which he was dis­mist with as much Respect and Honour as he was received.

Whilst this Treaty was managing by the two Favourites; the Duke of York was, in consideration of his great worth, and the Service he had done for Spain, offered the honour of being made Constable of Castile, and Lord high Admiral of Spain, which he handsomly refused; that Prince having a peculiar way of denying requests as pleasantly to some, as he grants them to others. And indeed it was at that time prudence in him to wave any courtesie that might be prof­fered by Spain, or any other Popish Court, least it might somewhat have retarded his Brothers affairs in England, by ren­dring him suspected of too near com­pliance with the Catholick Interest, and have rendred the attempts of those [Page 170] who were there, endeavouring to clear both his and the Kings Integrity, and Constancy to the reformed Religion? the better to prepare the way for their Re-establishment, vain and fruitless, especially since their [...]mplacable Enemies made it their chief design and business to abuse the Credulous with false surmi­zings, and unjust suspicions of their faithfulness to the Protestant Religion and Interest, to which they had adhered with so much resolution and constancy that neither smiles nor frowns, the pro­spect of the greatest enjoyments, nor the fear of the heaviest sufferings; the high­est Favours from Rome, nor the basest Affronts from England, could tempt them to the least thought of disloyalty to it.

The King having finisht his negotiati­ons at the Treaty of St. Jan de Luz to his great satisfaction, returned with his Brother the Duke of York through France to Brussels, only staying some short time at Carentia and Paris with the Queen his Mother. And to make his advantage of these stirs and continual alterations in the Government of En­gland, sine the death of Cromwel, which naturally tended towards the promoting [Page 171] his Restauration (whereby the Nation could only be setled) notwithstanding they were all design'd to prevent and hinder it; he sent over diverse Com­missions to diverse worthy and loyal Persons, to raise Forces on his behalf, and otherwise to act as they saw conve­nient for the promoting that grand de­sign; by virtue of which Commissions, a general Plot was laid for the raising of Forces in all the Countyes in England, to declare for him. But some part of that business being intrusted to the man­agement of the Lady Howard, Daughter to the Earl of Barkshire, (who, though loyal enough, yet being in regard of her Sex, incapable of secrecy) it was soon discovered; and so London, which was the main place, secured, and the most considerable Persons that were to have done any thing therein, were disabled by imprisonment or otherwise; several Troops of Horse likewise commanded into Kent and Surrey, and the raisi [...]g the Militia, hastned in every County, so that no considerable party was able to appear any where, except in Cheshire, where most of the Nobility and Gentry of that County and Lancashire were up, under the command of Sir George Booth [Page 172] with whom and General Monk from Scotland was to have joyned, if they had not been so suddainly supprest. And in North Wales were most of the Inhabi­tants assembled together under the command of Sir John Owen and Sir Tho­mas Midleton, who declared their just sence of the grievances of that Com­monwealth, whereof they were Mem­bers; and their resolution to have the Laws, Liberties and Properties of the People establisht by a free Parliament, which was all that was intended at that time by those commissioned by his Maje­sty, in regard designs were to be discover'd gradually, and by peice meals only, as oc­casion and opportunity should require.

Notwithstanding the Rump had pre­vented most of those designed insurre­ctions, yet that of Sir George Booth, who was one of their secluded Members, ap­peared very formidable, wherefore they resolve with all imaginable Speed to sup­press it; and in order thereunto, ha­ving first proclaimed Sir Thomas Booth, Sir Thomas Middleton, Coll. Warren, and Major General Egerton, and all the rest of their Adherents, Traytors to the Commonwealth, they commanded Lam­bert to march with three Regiments of [Page 166] Horse, the like number of Foot, and some Dragoons to reduce him and his Forces to their obedience, ordering some militia Forces and some Regiments out of Ire­land, under Zaachy and Axtell to joyn with him for his assistance therein. Coll. Desbrough being likewise sent by them with the same command, and some For­ces into the West, to redeem Midleton, and a Proclamation issued out against Mordant the Earl of Lichfield, Major General Brown, and William Compton, Sir Thomas Levinthorp, and Mr. Fensher, the three last wherof surrendring them­selves within the time prefixt therein, the two first fled, and the major Gene­ral waiting another opportunity abscon­ded himself at Stationers Hall, where he was preserved by the faithful Secrecy of Captain Barrough. And the Earl of Samford, who was likewise engaged in that business was taken at his own house in Arms, and carryed Prisoner to Lester, which was at that time the con­dition of many other Loyal Gentlemen, the Earle of Oxford being committed Prisoner to the Serjeant at Arms, the Lords Faulkland and Dellaneer to the Tower, whither not long after was brought the Lords Faulconbridge, Bella­sis, [Page 164] Chesterfield, Castleton and Howard.

Lambert in his march toward the con­fines of Chester made no very great haste, being desirous to make a lasting war of it, whereby he hoped to settle himself the better in the affections of the Soldiers, and thereby tread the step that Cromwel had done before him; however such methods were taken by his Masters, that very few accessions of Strength came in to Sir George, more then what were at first numbred, who nevertheless bravely resolved to abide the fortune of battel, and justifie the equity of their cause by the dint of Sword. In order thereunto they drew up near Nantwich, (whether Lambert was advancing) in the adjoyning mea­dows, having the Rivers before them, and the Bridges strongly guarded; but Lamberts Horse and Foot resolutely fal­ing on together at the Bridge, the post was soon gained, and the fight as quick­ly over, the chief defence being made by Memorgan, a loyal and valiant Gen­tleman (who with some Horse of his Troop) who presently died of his wounds. There were in the flight about 3 hundred killed, and five hundred taken prisoners, among whom was most of [Page 175] the Gentlemen and Officers. Lambert having obtained this victory, presently advanced with his Army to Cheshire, (where Collonel Croxton still held out the Castle) and had it presently deli­vered; from whence he advanced to Liverpool which was yielded likewise by Coll Ireland, and so was Chink and Har­ding Castles, whereby that whole design perished and came to nothing.

Sir George himself had made his escape out of the Field, and got away, accom­panied with four of his Servants only in disguise, but being discovered at his Inn in Newport-pannel, was taken, and secu­red. One Gibbons who immediately posted away to give the Rump an ac­count of it, was highly rewarded for that acceptable news, and so were two or three others, who were sent before from Lambert with the particulars of the Cheshire defeat; when he was brought up to London, Fleetwood was or­dered to meet him with a guard at High-gate, & secure him to the Tower, where he was the next day examined by Vane and Haz [...]erick as to his design and accompli­ces, b [...]t such was his reservedness and resolution, that notwithstanding their suspicion, that the restoring of the [Page 176] King was at the bottom of it, in re­gard Monk was said to be privately en­gaged with him in the same design. Or­mond being reported to have been seen about that time at his House at Dal­keith, that they could get nothing out of him.

When this design was about to be put in execution, the King withdrew himself privately from Brussels, and lay privately upon the coast of Brittany about St. Malloes, to take shipping for England, upon the first good event of those loyal undertakings of his faithful Friends and Subjects; Kent or Essex being designed for the place of his lan­ding, one Turene the French General having engaged to wait upon him, if he would command it; but the news of this unhappy defeat reaching his Royal Ears, which had been too long accustomed to such unfortunate and unsuccesful stories, he returned again to Brussels; resolving for the present to give over the prosecuting of his Right by the sword, and attend the good effects of the Treaty between France and Spain.

But being informed that affairs in England were as unsetled as before, and [Page 177] that the Rump, and the Army wholly applied themselves to undermine and subvert each other; he would not wholly desist from attempting to carry on his interest there, by the help and assistance of his Friends. And therefore wisely considering that Monk, who was then General in Scotland, had formerly been in his Fathers Service, wherein he was taken Prisoner, and was thought to embrace the Parliament interest, only be­cause his Ransom was neglected, and that during the whole time of his serving un­der them and the Protector, he had not discovered any particular Spleen or Malice to his Person, but had in all things carried himself as a Soldier of For­tune only, who fought for his pay; he conceived there might be some proba­ble hopes of gaining him to his side, if a dexterous application was made to him, in regard he had not that guilt which others had contracted, ei­ther by murdering of his Father, or the malignity they had discovered a­gainst himself, to render him jealous and suspicious of him. And therefore resolving as near as possible to make use of the most peaceable and bloodless means to recover his lost Dominions, [Page 178] he ordered Sir John Greenvile, who was one of those Commissioners that resided at London for his service, to find out some way to treat secretly with him. But before Sir John would proceed therein, he thought it convenient to inform him by whom, and in what manner he had designed to do it, which he did in a Letter written in Cyphers, and directed to Sir Edward Hide at Brus­sels, with whom only he was by the Kings order to correspond; wherein he proposed the sending of Mr. Nicholas Monk who was Minister of his own Par­rish of Kelkhampton in Cornwell, a living of about three hundred pound per Annum, which he had freely bestowed on him, without any other design there­in, than only to oblige him to serve his King and Country whenever he had occasion to employ him in any thing that might tend to both their Good, having even then an eye to the General in Scotland, to whom he was Brother, which contrivance the King very well approved of, and left the whole management of the business to his secresie and discretion. Where­upon he sent for Monk out of Cornwel [...] and having first obliged him to secre­sie, [Page 179] accquainted him with the Kings Commission, to treat with his Brother, the General, and his design of sending him into Scotland, to manage that treaty on the Kings behalf, and gave him a Commission according to the Kings di­rections (to offer his Brother, in case he would undertake that commendable and glorious work of restoring the King to his Crown and Dignity) leave to set down his own conditions, and assure him that the King had promised upon his Royal word to perform them.

Monk being fraught with hopes and instructions, willingly undertook the happy Embassy, embarquing himself immediately for Scotland, and having a prosperous gale, arrived in a few days at Leith, and from thence to Dul­keith, where his Brother the General resided. And that he might remove all suspition of the design of his coming, from those about the General, he pre­tended that the intent of his voyage was only to fetch away his Daughter Mary, who at that time lived there in the Generals Family, in order to the bestowing her in marriage to her ad­vantage, hoping that his Brother would make some con [...]iderable addition to [Page 180] her Fortune. But the General being at his first arrival engaged in business, could not entertain him himself, and therefore sent him under the conduct of an highland Foot-Boy, to his Chaplains Chamber, which was Dr. Price, who received him with that Courtesie that became him, in regard of his relation to his Master, and so soon as he had made him sit down, began to enquire what news he had brought from Eng­land about Sir George Booth, and the rest of those loyal Gentlemen that were en­gaged with him, to whom Monk made such replies as were suitable to his se­veral questions, and then having been assured before he left England of the Dr's. faithfulness and loyalty, he adven­tured to acquaint him with the design of his coming thither at that time, and desired his directions how he might, to be with the greatest advantage to the Kings affairs, break that business, and open his message from Sir John to the General, who thereupon told him that his Brother would expect to be satisfied of his Secresie, as well as of his Fidelity, before he would engage him­self in such a hazardous affair as that was, since it was necessary that a busi­ness [Page 181] of that importance, should sleep in as few Breasts as possible, and he might put himself, the General and his whole negotiation into a very great hazard, should he rely too much upon the Characters given him in England of the secret loyalty of any persons amongst them, advising him therefore to make no more such rude and unadvised com­munications of his Embassy, and to acquaint his Brother with his having related it to him, assuring [...]him for his encouragement, that he verily be­lieved that his Brother would willingly embrace any fair overture for the redee­ming of his Country from the slavery of the Army. His Wife who had al­ways a great love and veneration for the King, having prepared him to ap­pear in his behalf, when the first op­portunity should offer it self, and the Soldiers, who troubled not their heads much about Religion, and abbetting of parties, but only fought for their pay, having a general love and esteem for him, as looking upon him to be a good Soldier, and a discreet Commander, under whom they might safely engage; he might at any time make himself a good party amongst them, when he [Page 182] should judge it fit and safe to apppear.

Mr. Monk having in the Evening an oppportunity to keep private with his Brother, acquainted him with the end of his coming, and the encouragement proposed by Sir John, if he would un­dertake the work, assuring him that he had seen the Kings Commission dire­cted to Sir John for the impowring of him, to make those offers, wherein he promised, upon the word of a King, to perform them: Which upon mature deliberation he highly approved of, and the more, because he understood that the Presbyterians and the Lord Fairfax would be engaged with him; with whom he ever after maintained a private correspondence; and therefore from that time took up a resolution to endeavour his Masters Restauration; relying upon the Faith and Integrity of Sir John Greenvile, and confiding in the Kings Word, as much as if he had actu­ally received a Commission from him, for he soon after told his Chaplain that he was resolved to Commission the whole Scatch Nation against the English Parliament and Army, rather than suffer himself to be taken or displaced by them; although he had at time no o­ther [Page 183] authority to do it by, then that airy commission conveyed unto him by word of mouth from Sir John Greenvile, who had it in writing from the King: And the happy success of that resolu­tion was a great demonstration of the Kings extraordinary prudence and dis­cretion in pitching upon Monk as the fittest person to bring about that bles­sed and glorious revolution; and the wisdom of Sir John Greenvile in employ­ing his Brother, rather than any other Person, to manage that great and weigh­ty Intreague.

And being informed that there was a supplication presented to the Rump by Lambert, in the name of the Army under his command, for the bringing those to punishment who had been a­ctually engaged in, or offered any assi­stance to Booth's Conspiracy, and for ap­pointing a General over all their Forces in the three Kingdoms; which inquisi­tion had it been made, and a sequestra­tion past upon it, accrding to their ex­pectation, would have yielded them more Wealth, then all the former sales of Crown and Church Lands: He be­gan to conclude with himself, that he should have a fairer opportunity to put [...] [Page 180] [...] [Page 181] [...] [Page 182] [...] [Page 183] [Page 184] his resolutions in practice, then he could have reasonably expected; for he easi­ly foresaw what was the design and in­tent of that supplication, and was so well pleased with it, that he plea­santly told his Chaplain, that he perceived he should shortly have a better Game to play, than he lookt for when he first engaged himself in the design; and that he knew Lambert to be of such a restless and aspiring temper that he would not long suffer the Rump to sit in quiet at Westminster.

And therefore that he might the bet­ter make preparations for his future de­signs, he immediately dispatcht away his Brother to London in character of an Envoy, to assure the Rump of his faithfulness and fidelity to them, and that he was resolved to stand firm to their Interest and Authority against all op­position whatsoever: And for the bet­ter wipeing away all suspicion of the true intent and design of his Brothers coming, he sent his Daughter away with him likewise.

No sooner had the General dismist his Bother, but he received a visit from a Scotch Noble Man, viz. the Earl of Nitsdale, who after some private dis­course [Page 185] with him, assured him that the King would be restored within the compass of a very few months, with­out the shedding of one drop of Bloud, or the hazard of a cut Finger in the accomplishment thereof; and that he lookt upon him as the principle Instru­ment, by whose Wisdom and Conduct it was to be effected; which prophet­tick discourse contributed very much toward his encouragment, to push the business forward with the greater earnestness and speed.

Mr. Monk being safely arrived at London, repaired privately to Sir John Greenvile, and gave him an account that he had delivered his message to the General and imparted it to none else except his Chaplain only, but told him as to the success of it, he could give him no account, being under an Oath of secresie. However Sir John thought that was sufficient, and therefore imme­diately acquainted the King with it, who was so well satisfied therewith, that he ordered him to wait an oppor­tunity as soon as possible, to treat per­sonally with him, which he did not long after, and received a more full and satisfactory account from him [Page 186] how, and in what manner he in­tended to proceed therein. And for the discharging of this new Embassy to the Rump, he repaired to Dr. Cler­gies, who was Brother in Law to him and the General, and Agent for the Scotch and Irish Armies, to whom he was orde­red by the General to impart his mes­sage, to be delivered by him to the Parliament, wherewith they were so highly pleased, that out of a Sence of the Generals supposed Fidelity, and to require his offered kindness, (they made as it were an expiring vote of revenge, when they saw they must be forced to yield to Lamberts ambition, and have their usurpt Authority suffer a second Rape) wherein they constituted him about the seventh part of a Generalissi­mo, which fell out very happily for the promoting his great and generous design; for it was by Virtue of that power that he seemed afterwards to act and give forth Commissions.

And having received on the 7th of October the certain news that Lambert had by the assistance of the Army, once more unhoused the Rump, he publick­ly protested that he would not endure that unjust and arbitrary proceding, and [Page 187] was resolved therefore to reduce the Military power to the obedience of the Civil; and in order thereunto presently entred the Stage against Lam­bert and his Armies proceedings, (dis­patching away the trusty adjutant Jere­my Smith, who was afterwards Knigh­ted for his Fidelity) that afternoon to Edenburgh and Leith, to secure those places, and under the march of such Troops of Horse on whose Captains he could most rely; and having stopt the Packquet, which should have gone that Night for England, he followed him the next day to Edenburgh, where he reformed his Army, making Captain Morgan Lieftenant Collonel, and Cap­tain Nichols Major of his own Regiment, and the next day sent a party of Horse, commanded by Captain Johnson, to se­cure Barwick, which he knew to be a place of great importance to his new designs; which was done in the very nick of time, for the Governour had no sooner clapt up his dissenting Officers, according to the Generals directions, but Collonel Cobbit entred the Town, with instructions and Authority to assert and defend their Interest, who being brought by Johnson to the General, he sent him [Page 188] Prisoner to Edenburgh Castle; and ha­ving assured the Soldiers to him, he dis­patched three Letters into England, dire­cted to Fleetwood, Lambert and Lenthal, wherein he acquainted them with his resolution, to restore these Kingdoms to the free exercise of their Laws and Liberties; which expression had more included than was exprest in it, which was well enough understood by the Lord Fairfax and some others, who were privy to the design.

These Letters gave some intimation of hope to the Rump, that they should be a second time restored to their Au­thority, and infinitely surprised Lam­bert and the other Grandees of the Army, who did not expect to meet with any such opposition, believing it diversly opposite to the interest of the Army in general, for any one part of it to be divided against, and op­pose the proceedings of the rest; and that although there should be any amongst the Souldiers who should love their Country better then their pay, and that Monk should undertake to back them; yet they were assured by some of his Officers, who were then at London, that his interest was [Page 189] too weak in Scotland, to make head against them, however to make all sure, they sent Dr. Clergies and Collonel Talbut to him, whom they intreated and conjured to use their utmost en­deavors to allay those suddain heats of his, which they affirmed had been kindled by some unhappy mistakes of their proceedings; and assure him that he and his army should suddainly re­ceive a satisfactory account about them. But that attempt signified little, for Talbut could not perswade him of the sincerity of Lamberts Friendship, nor the reallity of his offered advantages; and Clergies did but prevaricate with them that sent him, and informed the General of the true state and condition of the English Army, who had but little Money, and no means left of raising more, when that was spent, in regard the Rump, who saw their doom hastning, had before they were turned out by Lambert, voted it high Treason, to raise money out of Parliament, there­by covering their spite and revenge, with the shadow of a pretended tender­ness for their Countrys freedom. These were soon after followed by Captain Dean, Treasurer to the English Army, [Page 190] who was sent by Fleetwood as a special messenger of his own, with a very kind letter to the General, and an offer of what preferment in the Army he would please to accept of, if he would concur with them, which he refused. This messenger in his pas­sage into Scotland, dispersed divers papers, where he endeavoured to se­duce Monk's Soldiers, by accusing their General of a design to bring in Charles Stuart upon them, by his di­viding the Army, and told the General to his Face, as he sat at dinner with him, that Charles Stuart was at the bot­tom of his design, upon which Dr. Price replyed, no Mr. Treasurer, it is you that will bring him in, for by your late acti­ons you have more then justified the late King, who demanded only the Members of the House of Commons, but ye have dissolved a Parliament. And passing by one morning, as a Com­pany of Foot was drawing up, he told them them that Lord Lambert was co­ming upon them, and that all Monks Army would suffice him for a Break­fast; to which he received as blunt an answer, That Lambert had certainly a very good Stomack, if he could eat Pikes and swallow Bullets.

[Page 191] Lambert who waited not for the re­turn of the messenger, but advanced presently towards the North, met with Monks Commissioners at York, and would have spared a farther Journey, by as­suring them that he had power from the Committee of safety, and the general Councel of Officers, to treat and con­clude with them; but they resisting upon the restauration of the Parlia­ment to their former power, they were dismist, and so past forward to London, whereupon Major General Morgan, who was secretly a well wish­er to Monks designs but openly profest a dislike of them, told Lambert; if he would send him into Scotland, he did not doubt but he should be able to gain the General for him; which offer he gladly accepted of, in hope that he would either by his friendship with Monk, create a better understan­ding between them, or by his power and interest draw off a part of the Scotch Army for himself, which he could have easily done, had his dislike of the Generals declarations against the Ar­mies proceedings, been as real as it was feigned, his command there being next to Monks.

[Page 192] Morgan being arrived in Scotland, had the message slighted, but his Per­son joyfully received of the General, who much wanted him, and soon em­ployed him in the most difficult ser­vice that yet remained unattempted, which was the reforming of his Horse, dismounting dissaffected Troopers, and setting divers Foot Soldiers, of whose Fidelity they were well assured, on Horseback. In the performance whereof, some prevented their being unhorst, by running from their Colours, and others by conveying them over to the Enemy. So that having now pre­pared all things in readiness, he orde­red several of his Troops to march to­ward the South of Scotland, intending to follow them himself with the Body of his Army.

But before he left Edenburgh, he called a Convention of the Nobility and Burghers, and laid before them the ground of his quarrel, requiring their peaceable deportment, during his absence, and the payment of what they were in arrear to him for his Army, which they readily consented to, and appointed some of their number after­wards to wait upon him at Barwick, to [Page 193] desire him to furnish them with Arms, whereby they might be in a capacity to assist him in opposing Lamberts in­vasion, which seemed equally to threaten both him and them; but he wisely declined that request, and yet thinking it not safe to send them away discon­tented, granted them some things which might contribute toward a publick peace without prejudice to his designs.

When he was got as far as Haddington, he received information that his Com­missioners, somewhat exceeding the [...]imits of their Commissions, had con­cluded a treaty with the Officers at Lon­don, upon conditions very unwelcom and displeasing to him: The two chief whereof was, that the Kings Title should be renounced, and a conven­tion of Officers on both sides to meet by compact at New-castle, to settle the Army, and advise about the modelling of a new Government; whereupon [...] immediately posted back to Eden­ [...]urgh to consult with his Counsellors, [...]nd the Officers of his Army, and re­quire their sence about that agreement; the result whereof was, that they should refuse to ratifie that agreement, and demand a new treaty, upon pretence [Page 194] that some of those Articles required a farther explanation; which being once known in London, the Members of the Rump began to take heart again, and meet in secret Caballs, to continue their own Restitution, in regard the General had engaged with mighty protestations to adhere to them; so that the Committee of safety percei­ving themselves in a very unsafe and desolate condition; did with great sub­mission send for Lenthal the Speaker, and desire him with the rest of the Members to return to the exercise of their trust, which they willingly ac­cepted of. The news whereof reaching Lambert at New-castle, he privately slipt away from his Soldiers, and ab­sconded himself; Collonel Wetham Go­vernour of Portsmouth having as well in respect to the General, as the Rump [...] opened the Gates of the Town to Ha­zelrick, Morley and Walton; three o [...] the seven Commissioners appointed by them for governing the Army. And the Fleet under Lawson, and the Forces i [...] Ireland having likewise declared for them, and had the recovery of their pow­er congratulated, and promises of de­fending it to the utmost of his power [Page 195] made by Monk, who having thus re­stored them, they desired speedily to march for London, foreseeing that he was otherwise resolved to come with­out bidding; whereupon he advanced toward them, and was in his way thi­ther bravely entertained by the Lord Fairfax and several others, and at Mor­peth received a Letter from the Lord Mayor and common Councel of London sent by their Sword-Bearer, to which he returned a pleasing though doubtful answer.

But notwithstanding all his solemn protestations of adhering to the Par­liaments interest, and the many com­plements he had thereupon received from them, yet they were not well sa­tisfied in the reality of his Intentions, suspecting still that there was something else at the bottom of his undertaking, and therefore sent Scot and Robinson to meet him at Harbrough, that under pretence of congratulating with him, for the good success God had given to his endeavours; they might the better prie into his Actions, and discover some­what if possible, of his future intenti­ons, putting forth a declaration at the same time, for the better setling them­selves [Page 196] in the Favour of the People, wherein they promised to perfect what they had begun, for the setling of the Nation. But they being now too long used to their fair pretences, would be deluded by them no longer, but seeing they fell to their old tyrannies, under a pretence of restoring them to their lost liberties; began to rouse up them­selves, and shew their universal hatred and detestation of their wicked and arbitrary proceedings, by a general ap­plication to Monk, whom they looked upon as a person of a more free and English Spirit, beseeching him in divers addresses, which were presented to him in almost all the Towns he past through, to assert their liberties, either by pro­curing a full and free Parliament, or else the Restauration of the secluded Members of that which was then sit­ting, and promising to stand by him in the maintenance and defence of their freedom.

Being come to St. Albans, which was his last Stage, he sent Collonel Lidcot without consulting Scot and Ro­binson (who had all along upon the Road, taken upon them to give answers [Page 197] to the addresses presented to him, and for the better observing his actions, and prying into his affairs, lodged in the same Inn with him) to the Speaker, to desire that the Regiments who at­ended as Guards to the Parliament, might be distributed into Country Quarters, to make way for his coming to London; which was not without some difficulty obtained, although he had hitherto carried himself with so much evenness, that he had given them no reason to distrust him; and the whole Army, with which he was to enter the Town, was somewhat inferior in number, to that which was to march out, and leave their quarters to him: He entred the Town at Grayes Inn-Lane, the Bells ringing every where for Joy, and as he past through Chancery Lane, [...]he stopt at the Rolls, before the Spea­kers Door, who being not returned from the House, he marcht forward to­ward White Hall, where his quarters were appointed to be, and meeting the Speaker in the Strand, he allighted and complemented him after the Sol­diers Fashion. But before he had bin two days at his quarters, which were [Page 198] the Princes Lodgings, he was enter­tained with a secret information that a Son of Secretary Scot, who lodged at the House of one Sturdy in Russel-Sreet, had upon discovery about the Gene­ral, assured him that his power of com­manding the Army should be taken from him within a few days, and that he should be sent to the Tower, and questioned for his Life; the only fact whereof was, to make him the more circumspect and careful.

The next day he went to wait upon the House, and received their Solemn thanks by their Speaker, for the great service he had done in restoring of them, but because he took upon him to mind them of some thing, which he judged to be for the publick good, and ac­quaint them with the Addresses he re­ceived in every place, on his way to­wards London for a free Parliament, or the Re-admission of the seclud­ed Members, they Reflected upon him, as if he endeavoured to impose his own sence upon the parliament; but however they easily passed it over, and seemed to be content, to impute it rather to his affection to their ser­vice, than his distaste of their procee­dings, [Page 199] and made him one of their Coun­cel of State, who was to order and dis­pose of all their publick affairs; but before he was to take his place amongst them, he was to have, as well as the rest, an Oath imposed upon him, to abjure the Royal Family; but that being absolutely contrary to the Noble and Generous Designs of that brave Patriot of the Royal Cause, and bold Adventurer for the interest of his injured Soveraign; he opposed it as a thing altogether unrea­sonable, and by his influence upon Col­lonel Morley procured it to be so warmly debated, that it fell to the ground, and came to nothing.

The General resolving now to draw his business toward a conclusion, of­fered himself to Scot, who had several times complained to him of the malig­nity of the City of London, to abate their pride, and curb their insolency, as he termed it; the Lord Mayor, Al­dermen and Common Council of that City, having by a publick Vote declared, that they would pay no more Taxes and Contributions, till the Parliament was filled up with equal Representa­tives of the People. A few popular tumults from thence, had formely [Page 200] given the Government some distur­bances; but now the whole City en­couraged by their hopes and expecta­tions from Monk, rebelled against their power, and Scot who was his greatest Enemy, and had plotted his ruine, not being able to fadom the depth of his design in that offer, and hoping at once to ruine both him and the City, prevailed with a Parliament to send him thither, as well to bring the Citizens into subjection, as to create a hatred and jealousie between him and the General, by his executing that odious and detestable work, wherein they designed to employ him; where­fore being on Tuseday night detained at the Council of State till two in the Morning; he there received orders to march the next morning into the City, to execute what was there re­resolved on, which although contrary to his quiet and peaceable disposition, yet having a direct tendency to pro­mote his great design, he willingly undertook it; and therefore in see­ming obedience to their commands, early in the Morning marcht his Army into the City, and having ceased on divers of their Common Council and [Page 201] others who had rendred themselves obnoxious to the Rump, and sent them to the Tower; he commanded his Soldiers to dig up their posts, and break down their Gates and Port-Cullies, which the amazed Citizens, who flockt about him, supposing it had been done to gratifie the Rump, durst not complain of, but with sighs and nods only, bid an eternal farewel to their departing Liberty, as they sup­posed. And that the men at Westminster might the better curb him, when they had thus made use of him to curb the City, they past a bill for the Army to be governed by five Com­missioners, viz. Monk, Hazelrick, Mor­ley, Walton and Allured, three whereof were to be a Quorum.

Having thus performed the Task imposed on him in the City, he re­turned again to White-Hall, notwith­standing he was to have stayed for farder order from the Rump, who had more business for him to have done there, and took it ill that he tar­ried not till he had performed it; wherefore having assured the Tower [Page 202] by means of Coll. Morley, who was then Lieutenant of it, and had offered to give him the possession thereof; he sent a Letter to the Rump, first subscribed by himself, and then by all the Officers of his Army in their order, the tenour whereof was very peremptory, com­manding them that they should by the Friday following send forth Writs, to fill up all the vacant places in the House, and when that was done, fix a time to terminate their own sitting, and give place to another Parliament to succed them. Cromwel had outwitted and unhoused them by a power at first derived from them; but Monk forced them to unhouse themselves, and be­come their own executioners. And compelled them, by passing an Act for their own dissolution, and the calling a new Parliament: He set the first con­siderable, and the most discernable step toward the recalling their banish­ed Soveraign, whom they had for so many Years unjustly excluded from his Throne. The Letter was sent by two Collonels, Coleberry and Lidcot; but the General without staying for an Answer, immediately put himself in­to [Page 203] the Head of his Army, and marcht away into Finsbury Fields, requiring the Mayor to provide him quarters for his Soldiers within the City, who know­ing not the Breach between Him and the Parliament, was somewhat asto­nisht with the message, but being soon informed of the end of his coming, by some Citizens, who had learnt that news sooner than himself, he gladly complyed with that demand, and in­vited him to dinner at Guild-Hall, where, in the afternoon were such a conference held between him and the Mayor and Aldermen, that when he entred toward the evening, at the head of his Army, he was welcomed by the Citizens as the Restorer of his Countrys Freedom, with ringing of Bells, the blazing of Bonefires, and the distribu­ting of Wine, and Money among his Soldiers; the loud Shouts and Accla­mations of the People, discovering their publick joy, and the Fume of roasted Rumps, which were burnt in every Bonefire, prognosticating the downfall of their Legislative power.

[Page 204] The men at Westminster having close­ly debated on the Letter sent them by Monk, thought it wisdom to dissemble the indignation they conceived for that Affront, and gave him thanks for his joynt care with them, for the good of the Common-Wealth; and to content him if possible, ordered a Committee to consider what Lands were fitting to be conferred upon him; issuing out a Proclamation likewise against Lambert, wherein he was required to surrender himself within forty days on forfeiture of his Estate; and promising with all imaginable Speed to send out Writs for a new Parliament; but resolved to tye up their hands by previous en­gagements against the King, the House of Lords, and whatsoever else they thought might prove injurious to them. And the Council of State invited him afresh to take his place amongst them, urging that the necessity of affairs re­quired his presence there, and em­ploying such means as they thought had the greatest influence upon him, to perswade him to comply therewith: Nor did he at first absolutely deny their request, but only denied the [Page 205] performance thereof, that so he might keep them in suspence, the better to fix his Army, and prepare them hearti­ly to engage in his new designs, which he thought could not be brought in one day to part with all their former Principles and Prejudices. But al­though they still courted his return, yet fearing that he had designed nothing less, they began to court those who who had formerly appeared against them, and employed their adgitators in that Army; which was by Monks suc­cesful Artifice, dispersed into divers parts of the Country, to whisper his Treason against the Parliament, and his design to bring in Charles Stuart. Ha­lzerick was taxt by the General as the principle Author of that device; but he denyed it, and durst not adventure to Randesvouz his Country Army against Monks City Forces. And the pres­ses in the mean time were not idle, but produced many infamous Libels against the King, wherein he was impudently abused, and charged with many unjust Falsities, thereby to prevent the Peoples entertaining any desires of his Restauration, but all would [Page 206] not do, the Country being now too sensible of the gross abuses and cheats that had been been put upon the Nation by such kind of Articles.

But however the General being willing to overcome them by Argu­ment, as well as force, easily consen­sented to a proposition presented by the Rump; that some of them might meet a like number of the seclu­ded Members, and argue the business in his presence; which they did at Alderman Whale's his House, which was then his head Quarters; and they having nothing to alledge against the Re-admission (besides their love of Power) but their own safety, the sale of publick Lands, and such like things, which they feared would be disturbed by their introduction. But the secluded Members having suffici­ently answered these objections, by protesting that they would disturb the properties and pretences of no Man, but amicably sit, and act for the good of their Country, till by their dissolution they had made way for another Parliament. And the [Page 207] General being fully satisfied in the justness of their Cause, left the City, and returned again to White-Hall, where those of the secluded Members, who were then in Town, resorted to him, and after a short Speech made by him, were conducted to Westminster, where they took their former places in the House of Commons; some of the sitting Members, immediately upon their entrance, rising up, and depar­ting in discontent, crying out, Monk had betrayed them.

The General having now forced the Rump to admit the secluded Mem­bers, which had been ever since forty eight forceably kept out of the House; they were no sooner seated therein, but they immediately applied themselves to such kind of work, as plainly discovered to all In­telligent and discerning Men, where those things, which were then trans­acting, would terminate; for they presently enlarged Monks Commission, making him General of all their Land Forces, and constituted him joint General at Sea with Mountague, discharged Sir George Booth, and others Committed [Page 208] on account of his rising, ordering the examination of him and his Lady to be taken off the File and given to them; and released all such as had been Imprisoned for Petitioning for a free Parliament, together with the Mem­bers of the Common Councel of Lon­don. And then having appointed a free Parliament to meet in the April following, they Dissolved themselves, appointing a Council of State to go­vern in the mean while, which consi­sted for the most part of Honest and Loyal Gentlemen, viz. Arthur Annesly Lord President, Peirpoint, Crew, Knight­ly, Popham, Morley, Cooper, Gerrard, St. John, Widrington, Evelin, Waller, Onslow, Maynard, Lewis, Mountague, Handly, Norton, Hollis, Temple, Tom­son, Trevers, Holland, Poltis, Birch, Grimston, Swinton, Weaver, Fairfax, Rossi­ter, and the Lord General, which Council was so influenced by the General, that all their Proposals ran directly towards, and naturally tended to swell the Royal Stream, and make Soveraignty, which had suffered so long and fatal an Ebb, flow with that irresistable, but yet inno­cent and harmless force, that like a swel­ling Sea, it bore down all before it.

[Page 209] But Sir John Grinvile being (in regard he was a known Cavalier,) unable to procure any private conference with Monk, who was so extraordinary wary and cautious, that when Sr. John had spun out his Visit to an extraordinary length, in expectation of the Room be­ing clear, by the breaking up of the Company, yet then knowing the reason of his long Attendance, he would imme­diately rise up from his Chair, and say, Good night, Couzen, 'tis late; or by some such like pretence, excuse himself, and leave the Room. He was not able to give the King any farther account of the General's Intentions, and therefore growing impatient of so many delays, he bethought himself at last of making his Application to Mr. Morrice, one of the [...]ecluded Members, who was somewhat related to the General; and had a more than ordinary Intimacy with him, that [...]o he might by his Mediation obtain the favour to discourse a little with him in private, concerning something of great importance to him and the Nation. Mor­rice was easily prevail'd upon to under­take the business, and immediately re­paired to the General, and acquainted him with Greenvil's desire; but he still [Page 210] refused to have any secret converse with him, for fear notice should be taken of it; yet ordered Morrice to wait upon him, and try if he could inform himself of the nature and quality of the business, giving him leave to assure him, that he was authorized by him to receive his Message, how weighty and secret soever it might be, and promise to return the Generals speedy Answer thereunto. But Greevile resolving to treat with none but himself, refused the Proposal, without giving him the least intimation of his business, telling him, that it concerned none but the General himself, and that so nearly, that it would admit of no lon­ger delay. And if he still persisted in an obstinate refusing to admit him a pri­vate Conference, he must then be neces­sitated to acquaint him with it, where­ever he met with him. Upon the Re­port whereof by Morrice, he was infinite­ly pleased, and therefore ordered Mor­rice to give him notice, that he would meet him at his Chamber sometime in the Evening of the next day. Greenvile, according to appointment, repaired to Morrice's Chamber, whither the Ge­neral, upon intimation of his being there, came likewise soon after. To [Page 211] whom, after some Complements, Green­vile declared, that he looked upon himself as infinitely obliged to his Ex­cellency for giving him that opportu­nity of discharging himself of a Trust of great importance in relation to the King, the General, and the whole King­dom, which had been long deposited in his hands by his Soveraign, add­ing, that he thought himself more happy in having that good occasion of performing his duty, in obeying the Commands and promoting the Inte­rest of his Soveraign, than in any oc­currence of his whole Life; presenting him at the same time with a Letter directed to him from the King, and producing another sent to himse [...]f, to­gether with a Commission which he had received from the King to treat with him about the business of his Re­stauration. Whereupon the General suddenly stepped back, and holding the Paper in his hand, with a kind of a forced frown, hastily demanded of him how he durst mention a thing of that nature to him, without consider­ing the danger he thereby run himself upon? Greenvile replied, He had long since considered that matter, and duly [Page 212] weighed the danger which attended an attempt of that nature; but the hazard, though great, was not suffi­cient to deter him from the perfor­mance of his duty. And that he was the more encouraged to adventure, by the Message which he was pleased to send him by his Brother, before he left Scotland. Upon the mention thereof, without making any reply, he pre­sently approached towards him with a more pleasing aspect, and embracing him in his Arms, said, Dear Couzen, I return you my hearty thanks for the Prudence, Fidelity, Care and Constancy wherewith you have managed this great Affair, and your resolute Secrecy therein. For, could I have informed my self, that you had ever revealed it to any person living, since you first acquainted my Brother therewith, I would never have consented to treat with you about it, which now I shall most willingly do, and with you, ra­ther than any other, in regard you are so nearly related to me, and I have received so many obligations both from you and your Family. And then, having read the King's Letter, and the Commission, he added, that [Page 213] he hoped the King would forgive what was past, according to the Contents of his gracious Letter, assuring him, that his heart was ever faithful to him, although he had never been in a condition to serve him until then, de­siring Sir John, that he would in his name assure His Majesty, that he was now not only ready to obey his Com­mands, but to sacrifice his Life and Fortune in his Service, calling Morrice, who stood without as Door-keeper, to bear witness of that his solemn Prote­station. Sir John desired him to send some Confident of his own to the King, to treat and advise with him what was fit to be done for the better carrying on their Design; to which he [...]asily consented, but told him, that that Confident must be himself, for he would not, as yet, adventure to send any Letters to the King, for fear of the worst. And that, without them, the King had no reason to give any Credit to a Messenger sent from him, but might very well believe one whom himself had employed; where­fore at the next Conference he recei­ved Instructions, with a Charge not to commit them to Writing, till he came [Page 214] to the King at Brussels, and there to communicate them to none but him­self.

Greenvile managed this Negotiation with such Secrecy, and his Journey to Brussels was so speedy and fortunate, that few knew of it before his arrival there; and those who did, nay, that went in compan [...] with him thither, had not so much as the lea [...] suspicion what Errand it was he went on. The King having intimation of his Arrival, went privately to his Lodgings, to whom Greenvile related the Instru­ctions he had received from Monk, which were readily believed, although he brought nothing under the Gene­ral's hand. The News whereof was very acceptable, and highly welcom to the King, whose joy upon that account was so much the greater, be­cause the General required no Condi­tions of Restraint to his Royal Power, and had left the Reward of his Service wholly to his goodness, as appeared by what himself declared to Green­vile, upon the receipt of a Letter sent him by some of his Friends in Eng­land, to acquaint him with the great [Page 215] Service they had done His Majesty in prevailing with Monk, (notwith­standing his being so absolute a Com­mon-wealths-man, they knowing no­thing of his being pre-engaged by the King,) not to oppose his Return upon his Fathers Concessions in the Isle of Wight; which Terms, though hard, and consented to by his Father only in consideration of his necessity, yet they be [...]ought His Majesty not to think hard of them now, lest his refusal might exclude him longer from the Crown.

Little do they think in England, said the King, that the General and I are upon so good Terms; and the truth is, I could hardly believe it my self, until your Arrival with the happy News, The General's resolution to re­store me to my Crown and Kingdom, without Conditions, beyond our expe­ctations here, or the belief of all our Friends in England, except your self, who was employed in it.

The King having been informed by Greenvile, that Monk had declared he would not tie him to any Terms of [...] [Page 212] [...] [Page 213] [...] [Page 214] [...] [Page 215] [Page 216] Reward, affirming, that he took more content in doing His Majesty and his Country Service, than in the expectation of greatness, pressed Greenvile to know what he should do for himself. But he, according to the General's Example, nobly refused all Proposals of Reward for that Service, in which he had been so eminently successful, till he should have the happiness to see him at his Palace of Whitehall. But the King re­solving nor to send him back without a mark of his Royal Favour, secretly put into his Pocket a Warrant under his Hand and Seal, for an English Earldom; and the assurance of three thousand pounds per Annum, to be settled upon him and his Heirs for ever, to support that Honour, with a promise moreover, to pay those Debts which either he or his Father had contracted, by engaging themselves in the Royal Cause.

The King, upon his receiving this Message from Monk, consulted with Sir Edward Hide, whom he had then no­minated for the Lord Chancellor, the Marquess of Ormond, Secretary Ni­chols, and some others of his Confi­dents, Greenvile likewise being present, [Page 217] what return he should make thereun­to. In which Privy Council there was a Commission drawn up and sign­ed by the King, for the constituting Monk Captain General of all his Land-Forces in the three Kingdoms, and Publick Di [...]patches framed and signed according to those Directions Green­vile had brought from him. But the King, not thinking that place conve­nient for the Treaty, removed with great speed and privacy to Breda, a Town belonging to his Sister the Prin­cess of Orange, being complemented at his departure from Flanders by the Spanish Governour, and honourably conveyed on his way way as far as Antwerp, from whence his Publick Dispatches into England, were dated. Greenvile, upon his return, besides the Generals Commission to be Captain Ge­neral of all the Forces then raised, or to be raised, brought him the King's Seals and Signet, by which he was em­powered to make a Secretary of State, which Honour he conferred upon Mor­rice, who was after the King's return Knighted, and confirmed therein, in consideration of the Service he had done in introducing Greenvile to the [Page 218] General's presence. And besides those Publick Letters, which he was to re­serve to be communicated in due time, he brought a Private one, directed to the General himself, written with the King's own Hand, to which he return­ed an Answer by Mr. Bernard Green­vile, in regard his Brother could not then be spared, the Parliament being just ready to fit, when he was to pre­sent to both the Houses the King's Let­ters and Declaration; which Answer was very welcom to the King, for that it brought him an assurance under the General's own Hand, of his Resolution to adhere to him against all opposition whatsoever.

About this time Lambert made his escape from the Tower, and endeavoured to make Parties, and draw Forces toge­ther, to oppose his Loyal and Generous Designs, which he being informed of, acquainted the Council of State there­with, and managed the business with so great Prudence, that timely [...]care was taken to suppress him, and that Attempt, which in it self threatned the contrary, was made by his Wisdom to advance the King's Interest, and hasten his happy [Page 219] Restauration. For Coll. Ingoldsby being sent against him and his Forces, which [...]e had got together, forsaking him upon the Collonels approach, he betook him­self to flight, but being upon plowed Land, his Horse failed him; and notwith­standing he had by his valour in many former Battels obtained the name of Stout, he presently yielded himself, with­out drawing his Sword, or making any other Defence, than only crying out twice, Pray my Lord, let me escape; for what good will my Life or perpetual Imprisonment do you?

The time being now come for the meeting of a new Parliament, both Hou­ses repaired to St. Margarets Church, where Dr. Reynolds preached before them, and after Sermon they repaired to their Houses: The Lords making choice of the Earl of Manchester for their Speaker: And the Commons of Sir Harbottle Grimstone. And having set­tled their Committees, and thereby pre­pared for their entrance upon business, adjourned for some few days; in the in­terim whereof Greenvile con [...]lted with the General, at what time, and in what manner he should deliver his Messages [Page 220] from the King to the several parties to whom they were directed. That which was superscribed to the General himself, to be communicated by him to the Army and Council of State, he thought fit to have delivered to him at the Door of the Council Chamber. In order where­unto Greenvile repaired thither, when the Council were sitting, and told Coll. Birch, who was one of the Members, that he desired to speak with the Gene­ral; who upon Birch's Intimation came to the Door; and in the view of his Guards, who attended there, received the Letters from Greenvile, without shewing any other respect either to his Person, or his Business, than only de­manding of him if he would stay for an Answer, and telling him, otherwise his Guards should secure him. And having commanded them to look to him, went in to the Council, and communicated to them the Letters; whereupon Birch be­ing examined whether he knew any thing of the matter, & protesting he was altogether ignorant both of the Gentle­man, and his Business, Greenvile was sent for i [...] and examined by the Presi­dent, from whence those Letters came, whose they were, and how he came by [Page 221] them, (for they had not yet proceeded to open and read them,) he answered, that [...]he King His Master gave them to him with his own Hand at Breda. Having [...]hereby informed themselves whence [...]he Letters came, they deferred the open­ [...]ng of them until the Parliament sate [...]gain, and would have committed Green­ [...]ile, had not the General told them, that [...] knew him very well, and would an­ [...]wer for his appearance before the Par­ [...]ament; which were no sooner sate, [...] he delivered his Letters, with inclo­ [...]d Declarations to both Houses, where­ [...] the King expressed abundance of [...]mpassion and tenderness to the Na­ [...]on, which had been so long harassed [...] a bloody and unnatural War, and pro­ [...]ised a free and general Pardon to all, [...] should in forty days after the pub­ [...]ation thereof, lay hold upon that Grace, [...]less such whom the Parliament should [...]ink fit to be excepted from the benefit [...]ereof. And that he would preserve [...] to the uttermost of his power, [...] from all manner of Injuries in their [...]es and Estates, and grant Liberty for [...]der Consciences, for such as dissented [...] the Established Religion, provided [...]ey did not disturb the Peace of the Na­tion. [Page 222] That as to Sales and Purchases, [...] would refer himself in all matters to th [...] Determinations of Parliament, and co [...] ­sent to any Act or Acts, for the satisfyin [...] the Arrears of the Army and Navy which should thenceforward be receive [...] into his Service, upon as good Pay an [...] Conditions as they then enjoyed. Th [...] like Letters and Declarations being [...] sent by the King, and delivered to Gen [...]ral Mon [...]ague, to be by him communi [...] ­ted to the Fleet, and to the Lord May [...] and Common Council of London.

The King's Letters and Declarati [...] were received by the Parliament [...] such an extraordinary Joy and Ven [...]tion, that I want words wherewith [...] express it; for, as if some strange [...] had suddenly seized upon their min [...] every man, at the Speaker's naming [...] King, rose up, and uncovering him [...] desired they might be immediately [...] which was no sooner done, but in an [...]tasie of joy, they suddenly drew the [...]tain, and exposed the beautiful and [...]rious Scene to the open view of [...]longing Spectators, wherein every [...] might plainly behold the happy Issu [...] all those various Transactions which [...] [Page 223] till then been Riddles too mysterious for vulgar understandings to unfold, or once imagine to what they tended, or where they would terminate. By the House of Lords resolving that they did own and declare, that, according to the Ancient and Fundamental Laws of England, the Government was, and ought to be by Kings; and that a Committee of eight Lords should forthwith joyn with a Committee of the Commons to consider of an Answer to the King's Letter and Declaration. And by the House of Com­mons resolving likewise to appoint a Committee to prepare an Answer to the King's Letter, and therein express their great and joyful sense of his gracious of­fers, and to return him their humble and hearty thanks for the same, and to assure him of their Loyalty and Duty. And that they would give him a speedy An­swer to his gracious Proposals. Resol­ving moreover, that the sum of 50000 l. should be presented him from that House, and 10000 l. to each of his Royal Brothers, the Dukes of York and Glo­cester. Which Resolves were no sooner re­ported in London, then the Citizens were extreamly transported with Joy. The harmony of Bells, and the flaming Piles, [Page 224] which enlighted every Street, surround­ed with incredible Shouts and Acclama­tions, being sufficient demonstrations of the infinite Pleasure and Satisfaction which every one took, in that no less strange than happy Revolution. And the several Countries taking Allarm from London, contended which should outvy the other in expressions of Loy­alty and Joy. And General Mountague having communicated to the Fleet the Letters he received from the King and the Duke of York, together with those directed to the Parliament, they unani­mously declared their Resolution, to ad­here to him, and to live and die in his defence, humbly desiring the Generals to present the same to the King; where­upon Mountague himself immediately fired a Gun, crying, God bless His Ma­jesty and the whole Fleet. Thereupon pre­sently appeared in its pride and glory with Pendants loose, Guns roaring, Caps flying, and Vive le Roys loudly ecchoing from one Ships Company to another, which were answered by the great Guns from Dale and Sandwich Castles; nor was this Joy confined to England, but spread it self into Scotland and Ireland also.

[Page 225] And now the Parliament, longing for the King's presence amongst them, as the Israelites did for the return of King David, drew up a Letter in answer to that which they had receiv'd from him, superscribing it to the King's Most Excel­lent Majesty; wherein they requested his speedy return to the exercise of his Kingly Office, appointing Commissio­ners to go over to Holland, and attend him during his stay there, and in his Voyage for England. There being six appointed for the House of Lords, and twelve for the House of Commons, to which, upon the Request of the Lord Mayor and Common-Council of Lon­don, was added twenty on the behalf of that City, who, having receiv'd their Instructions, set sail for Holland, with several Frigots appointed by the Par­liament to attend them; the whole Fleet being likewise committed to the King's pleasure, the General whereof had Or­ders from the Parliament to obey such Orders and Directions as he should receive from His Majesty.

The Commissioners, upon their arri­val at Breda, delivered their respective Messages, with all imaginable reverence [Page 226] and veneration, according to the Instru­ctions they had received from their Principals, beseeching His Majesty, in the name of his Parliament and People, to return to his Inheritance, and re-as­sume his Crown and Scepter, assuring him, that he should be infinitely wel­come to them without any Tearms, which Invitation was gladly accepted, and the Commissioners were received by him with a Grace and Port like him­self, and entertain'd with extraordinary Magnificence and Bounty.

The Parliament in the mean time proceeded to the Proclaiming of him, which was perform'd with all that Joy, Splendor and Magnificence, that their Loyalty could inspire; the Lord General, attended by all the Peers, the most Emi­nent of the Commons, the Lord Mayor and Aldermen, with the Trained Bands of London assisting at the Ceremony: The Proclamation being, as followeth, viz.

‘Although it can no way be doubted, but that his Majesties Right and Title to these Crowns and Kingdoms, is and was every way compleat by the Death of his Most Royal Father of Glorious Memory, without the Ceremony or So­lemnity [Page 227] of a Proclamation, yet since Pro­clamations in such cases have been always used, to the end that all good Subjects might upon this occasion testify their Duty and Respect; and since the Armed violence and other Calamities of many years last past, have hitherto deprived us of any opportunity, where­in we might express our Loyalty and Allegiance to his Majesty: We there­fore the Lords and Commons now As­sembled in Parliament, together with the Lord Mayor, Aldermen and Com­mon-Council of the City of London, and other Freemen of this Kingdom now present, do according to our Du­ty and Allegiance, heartily, joyfully and Unanimously acknowledge and Proclaim, that immediately upon the Decease of our late Soveraign King Charles the First, the Imperial Crown of the Realm of England, and all the Kingdoms, Dominions and Rights be­longing to the same, did by Inherent Birth-right, and Lawful undoubted Succession, Descend and come to his Most Excellent Majesty, King Charles the Second, as being Lineally, Justly and Lawfully, next Heir of the Blood Royal of this Realm. And that by the [Page 228] Goodness and Providence of Almighty God, he is of England, Scotland and Ireland, the Most Potent, Mighty and Undoubted King, and thereunto we Most Humbly and Faithfully do submit and oblige our selves, our Heirs and Posterities for ever.’

At the reading whereof, the whole City rang with the Sound of God Save, and God Bless King Charles the Second; the Shouts and Acclamations of the crowding multitudes being so extraordi­nary, that although all the Bells through­out the City and Suburbs, were then Ringing, their Noise was not to be heard.

The King having now by his extraor­dinary Wisdom and Conduct, thus hap­pily contriv'd his return to his Crown and Kingdom, without the spilling of his Subjects Blood, and having brought his Affairs to their desired Issue, prepa­red to leave Holland, and after so long and tedious an Exile, returned to his Harass'd and almost ruined Realms, be­ing upon his departure, Splendidly Treated by the Dutch for a Fortnight to­gether, with all the Pomp and Magnifi­cence imaginable, and presented with the Richest Bed and Furniture, together [Page 229] with Tapestry for Hangings, Embossed with Gold and Silver, and adorned with Pictures, that could be procured, and Highly Complemented by all the For­reign Ministers then Resident there. For these Noble Entertainments, which to­gether with the Present of the Dutch, about one hundred Thousand Pounds, he gave the States General and those of Holland, his Hearty Thanks in their Publick Assemblies, whither he went on Foot; and having taken his leave of them, and commended to them the interest of his Sister, and his Nephew the Prince of Orange, they delivered their sence of the present circumstance of Affairs, and declared the greatness of that joy they conceived for his Miraculous Restauration, in the following Speech.

‘If one may judge of the content which we have to see your Majesty depart from our Province, by the satisfaction we had to possess you, we shall have no great trouble to make it known to you; your Majesty might have observed in the countenance of all our People, the Joy they had in their Hearts, to see a Prince cherished of God, a Prince wholly miraculous, and a Prince that is probable to make a part of their [Page 230] quietness and felicity, your Majesty shall see presently all the Streets filled, all the ways covered, and all the Hills loaden with People, which will fol­low you even to the place of your Em­barquement, and would not leave you, if they had wherewith to pass them to your Kingdom. Our Joy is common un­to us with that of our Subjects, but as we know better than they the inesti­mable value of the Treasure we possess, so we are more sensible of this sad se­paration. It would be insupportable to us, Sir, if we re-entred not into our selves, and consider not that it is the thing of the World we most desir'd, and the greatest advantage also that we could wish to your Majesty. We acqui­ess therein, because we know that this removal is no less necessary for us, than glorious to your Majesty, and that 'tis not in your Kingdom, that we must find the accomplishment of the Prayers we have made, and make still for you and us, so shall we not fail to profit thence as well as from the assu­rances which it hath pleased you to give us of an immutable affection toward this Republique. We render most humble thanks to your Majesty for them, and [Page 231] particularly for the illustrious proof which it hath pleased you to give us thereof, by the Glorious visit where­with you honour'd our Assembly. We shall conserve the memory of it most dearly, and make the marks of that goodness to pass to our last Posteri­ty, to the end they may acknowledge it with the same respect, with which we have received it. The appointment, wherein we see your Majesty ready to take Horse for the pursuit of your Jour­ney, forbids us to enlarge our selves up­on a subject which would never wea­ry us, if we had words conformable to our respectful sentiments: but we have no mind to encrease the just impati­ence which your Majesty shall have to see your self return'd into your King­dom. We pray God, Sir, that it be qui­et and happy, and that as he hath dis­posed the Hearts and Affections of your Subjects to acknowledge their Sove­raign and Lawful Prince, it will please him also to command the Winds and Seas to expedite your Voyage; and that after you have arriv'd on your own Coast, the same Prayers which we shall reiterate, you may enjoy in your Royal Person, and in your Posterity [Page 232] for ever, all the Felicity and Prosperi­ty, which your Humble Servants shall wish unto your Majesty.’

Having now taken his leave of his Friends in Holland. He set forward to­wards England, in the midst of his two Brothers the Dukes of York & Gloucester on Horseback, accompanied by Prince William of Nassau, the Admiral of Hol­land, the Prince of Orange, and many Ladies of Quality in their Coaches, who attended him all the way to the place where he Embarqu'd, the Horse and the Regiments of the Guards standing in Battalia, and the thundering of the Can­non being answer'd with Peals of Mu­sick, conveyed the like mirth to the En­glish Fleet, then riding at Scheveling, the amazed Inhabitants flocking from all the adjacent parts, and crowding to behold the unusual sight, whilst others posted themselves more commodiously upon the Downs and Sand-Hills, from whence they might view the Fleet, see the King Embarquing, and please themselves with beholding how he was Entertained by the General at his first going on Board the Charles, which had formerly been cal­led the Naseby. so that it was a difficult thing to determine, whether the Wonder [Page 233] of the Dutch, or the Joy of the English exceeded: He was attended by his Aunt, his Sister, and some other Illustrious Persons on Board in a Boat prepared for him by the States, whose Streamers and Flags had this impress, Quo fas et fata, alluding to, Dieu et mon droit; but upon the approach of a Brigandine sent from General Mountague to receive him, he entred therein, and so went on Board the Charles, the Sea-men at his Entrance seeming to be in an extasie, for their be­ing now actually possess'd of their Be­loved Prince. After he had been some lit­tle while Entertain'd by the General, he returned to the Poop, to view again, and take his last Farewel of those almost innu­merable multitudes that crowded on the Downs and Sand Hills of Scheveling, say­ing merrily that he thought his own Sub­jects could scarce have more tenderness and veneration for him, than those Stran­gers, in whose Affections he believed he Reigned no less, than he was going to Reign in the Wills of the English. Much ado he had to part with the Princess of Orange, whom many other considerations besides that of Birch, had rendreth most dear to him, till at last the General ha­ving all the Kings Retinue on Ship-board, [Page 234] caused the Anchors to be weighed, and the Sails to be spread, and then with Tears and Embraces she left him, and Rowed back again with the same Company to the Dutch Shore, and there lost sight of her Brother and the Royal Fleet about the Evening.

No sooner was the Fleet under Sail, but the Cannon began to roar, giving no­tice that the Lord of the Sea was in his Rightful Possession, which thunder­ing continued till Night. Next day they had little wind, but so much as on Friday Morning they came within sight of Do­ver; whereupon an Express was sent to the▪ General then at Canterbury, to hasten to Dover, which he did accordingly; and about One of the Clock with a gal­lant Train came thither: About three of the Clock in the Afternoon his Maje­sty landed at the Beach near the Peer of Dover, with the Dukes and his Nobles. Every man now put themselves into a po­sture to observe the meeting of the best of Kings and the most deserving of all the Brittish Subjects, then the King dig­nified him with a George, which he put about his Necks with his own Hand, & the Garter was tyed on by the two Dukes: which Solemn and unexampled meeting, [Page 235] did together with the joy thereof infuse a kind of fear, least the King and the General Congress should fail in one part or other in affection or Ceremony; but when they met, their Interview dispen­sed with all punctillio's, except the Ge­neral, kneeling, and the Kings kissing and embracing of him, to the most pleasing Satisfaction both of Nobility and peo­ple.

These complements being over, he walkt upon foot with the General under a Canopy, a Chair of State being like­wise carryed by his Coach-side. The Mayor and Aldermen of Dover, great numbers of Gentry, met him without the Town; and after a short Speech presented him a rich Bible with Gold Clasps. Yet he stay'd not long there, but took Coach for Canterbury; and when he was got about two Miles out of Town he left his Coach and Mounted on horse-back, the Dukes riding on his Right hand, and the General on the left. Bare, followed by Buckingham and the rest of the Nobility and Gentry, and uncovered. In which posture they came to Canterbury, where he was met and complemented by the Mayor, Aldermen and Recorder of that City, who having [Page 236] presented him with a Gold Tankard, conducted him to the Pallace, where he stayed Saturday and Sunday, and depart­ed early on Munday morning for Roche­ster. And arriving there early that after­noon went to Chattam, to see the Sove­raign and other Ships of the Royal Navy, and returned again in the evening to his Lodgings, where he was welcomed by an Address from Gib. his Regiment deliver'd to him by the Collonel himself, which was graciously accepted; and the next Morning being the 29th of May, which was his Birth-day, he set forward from Rochester, the Militia forces of Kent lining the wayes and the Maidens strowing herbs and Flowers, and adorn­ing the houses through all the streets he pass'd. And being come to Dartford, the Officers of the Regiments of Horse pre­sented him with an humble Address, wherein they declared their readiness to Sacrifice their Lives in defence of his per­son & Government: the Army being drawn up at Black-Heath he there took a view of them, and us'd many gracious expressi­ons towards them, which were answered by them with loud and joyful Acclama­tions; and the several Regiments being placed in order, he advanced toward [Page 237] London, and came about one of the Clock to St. Georges Fields, where the Lord May­or and Aldermen who waited there in a Tent to receive him, delivered him their Sword, which he re-delivered, and Knighted Sir Thomas Allen who was then Mayor. After a short repast, he proceed­ed into London through Southwark, and so from the Bridge to Temple Barr, the Streets being Railed on one side with standings for the Liveries, and on the o­ther with the Trained bands, through which he passed in a splendid and Trium­phant manner to White-hall. A Troop of about 300 Gentlemen in Doublets of Cloth of Silver, led by Major General Brown marcht first, brandishing their Swords in token of Triumph, being follow'd by another of the like number in Velvet Coats, with their Foot-men and Lacquies, in Purple Liveries: then marcht the Troop led by Coll. Robinson in Buff-Coats with Cloth of Silver sleeves and green Scarves, followed by another in blew Liveryes and Silver Lace, their Colours being Red fringed with Silver. Then marcht a Troop with six Trumpets and seven Foot-men before them in Sea-green and Silver, their Colours being pinck fringed with Silver; followed [Page 238] by another Troop whose Liveries were gray and blew, under the Earl of Nor­thampton, having 30 Foot-men & Trum­pets four, their Colours being Sky, with Silver fringed. Then marcht a Troop in Gray Liveries of about an hundred and five, led by the Lord Goring, having six Trumpets and Colours of Sky and Silver; followed by another of about Se­venty. After these marcht a Troop of about three hundred Noble-men and Gentry led by Cleveland, followed by a­nother of about one hundred with black Colours, and after them marcht a Troop of about three hundred Horse, led by the Lord Mordant.

These being all past, two Trumpets with his Majesties Arms advanced with the Sheriffs Men, being about Seventy-two in number, in red Cloaks and Silver-Lace, and carrying half Pikes. Then fol­lowed the Gentlemen that rode out of the several Companies of London, with their respective Streamers, in Velvet Coats and Gold Chains, every Company ha­ing its Footmen with different Liveries, being about six hundred. After them came a Kettle Drum and five Trumpets, followed by twelve Ministers, then his Majesties Life-Guard advanced, being [Page 239] led by Sir Gilbert Gerrard, and Major Rascarrock, who were followed by the City Marshal with eight Foot-men, and the City Waits and Officers in order, and they by the two Sheriffs, and all the Al­dermen of London in their Scarlet Gowns and Rich Trappings, attended with great numbers of Footmen in Red Coats la­ced with Silver and Cloth of Gold. Then followed the Maces and Heralds in their Rich Coats, the Lord Mayor bare, car­rying the Sword, and the General and the Duke of Buckingham bare also, after whom as the chiefest Ray of Lustre to all this Splendid Triumph, rode the King him­self, between his two Royal Brothers, having observed that order all along from the very first overture of his return. After them marcht a Troop bare with white Colours, then the Generals Life-Guard, and another Troop of Gentry, and last of all marcht five Regiments of the Army Horse, with Back, Breast and Head-Pieces, which diversified the shew with delight & terror. This was the man­ner of his passing through London, for it is impossible for the most florid and Ingenious Pen, to express those loud Musical and Ravishing Notes of Accla­mations, and Vive-le-Roy's which then [Page 240] filled the Mouths and charmed the Ears of all his transported Subjects.

Being in this manner brought to White-hall, and the Lord Mayor and Ci­tizens having taken their leave of him, he went to the Banqueting House, where both Houses of Parliament waited his Arrival, and received him with those demonstrations of joy and expressions of Reverence & humility that became them. The Speakers of each House in elegant Speeches acquainting him with the feli­city and happiness they conceived in that happy revolution, and the pleasure they took to behold his return in safety, and thereby putting an end to that Tyran­ny and Slavery which his Kingdoms had so long endured.

He thankt them for their expressions of love and Loyalty, and told them that he was so disorder'd by his Journey, and with the noise still sounding in his ears, which he nevertheless confest to be plea­sing to him, in regard it exprest the affec­tions of his People, that he was thereby unfit to make them such a Reply as he de­sired; adding, that the greatest Satisfacti­on he took in that change, was the find­ing his heart fully set to endeavour by all means the Restoring the Nation to its [Page 241] freedom and happiness, which he hop'd by the advice of his Parliament to effect; assuring them that next to the honour of God from whom principally he deriv'd his restoration to his Crown, he would study the well-fare of his people, and not only approve himself a true Defender of the Faith, but also a just Assertor of the Laws and Liberties of his Subjects. And having taken leave of them, he retir'd to Supper, and soon after to his rest, where it was time for him to find a sweet and sedate repose free from the confus'd noise and clamours of War, wherewith he had been for twenty years together strangely toss'd upon the boistrous Waves of fickle and unconstant Fortune.

On the Friday following, he went by Water in the Brigandine, which brought him on board the Charles from Holland, to the house of Lords, the Yeomen of the guard making a lane for him to pass through, and the Heraulds at Arms in their Rich Coats, the Maces and the Lord Gene­ral bare-headed going before him. As soon as he was seated, he commanded the Commons to attend him, and having in a short, but elegant speech, prest them to hasten the Act of oblivion, he sign'd several Bills which they had made ready [Page 242] against that time for the Royal assent; the First whereof was an Act for the con­firmation of that Parliament; a second for a Tax of seventy thousand pound per mensem for 3 Months, and a third for the continuance of Process and Judicial pro­ceedings. And then he return'd to White-Hall, where he chose the Lords of his Privy Council, amongst whom were several of the long Parliament, that had given sufficient, Testimony of their sin­cere repentance, and their resolution to be Loyal for the future, and he appointed Judges for the Benches and Courts of Judicature. Several Addresses were likewise made to him from the Nobility and Gentry of all the Coun­treys in England, wherein they con­gratulated his Restitution to his Crown and Kingdom, assuring him of their exceeding Joy and willingness to main­tain his Royal Person and Authority. Divers persons that had been eminent for their service and affection to him, were about that time also dignified with the honour of Knighthood. And several men guilty of his Fathers murder, ha­ving made their escape beyond-Sea, a Proclamation was Issued forth, wherein all those persons who had [...]ate, gave [Page 243] Judgment, or any way assisted in that horrid and detestable fact, were commanded to surrender themselves within fourteen days to the Speaker or Speakers of Parliament, to the Lord Ma­yor of London, or the Sheriff of that County, wherein they then resided, for­bidding all persons to conceal or harbour them, under misprision of Treason; whereupon divers submitted themselves, and were secur'd in the Tower.

The Commons in drawing up the Act of Oblivion, order'd, that some others besides those who had actually sate in Judgment upon the late King, should be excepted out of it, viz. Broughton, Phelps, Cook, D [...]nby, and Hugh Peters, which so affrighted others who had a hand in that execrable murder, that Col. John Hutch­inson, a Member of that Parliament, and Coll. Fr [...]. Lussels presented their Peti­tion to them, wherein they confest their guilt, and declar'd the artifices which were us'd to draw them in, by which sub­mission they obtain'd pardon upon some small forfeitures only. But Peters being shortly after taken in Southwark, was clapt up into the Tower. And the Parlia­ment not looking upon themselves, nor [Page 244] the people of England, free from the guilt, nor safe from the punishment which in those unhappy times they had contracted, unless they laid hold of the Kings offer of Grace in his Declaration from Breda, did therefore resolv'd in a full house, that they did in the name of themselves, and of all the Commons of England, lay hold on the gracious pardon mention'd in that Declaration, with reference to the ex­clusion of such as should be excepted in an Act of Pardon; and they order'd a Declaration, that their Resolution should be drawn up, which was done accordingly, and presented to the King by Denzell afterward Lord Hollis; some of the most eminent in Office under the late Usurpers, having in the mean while, to make sure of that Grace, gotten their particular pardons exemplified under the great Seal of England: To prevent which trouble the King was more than ordinary pressing for the speedy passing the Act of Oblivion; taking care to ex­press his grateful sentiments of the Loy­alty, and services of several Illustrious personages, that were principally instru­mental in accomplishing his Restaura­tion, by dignifying them with Places and Titles of honour. And to shew how [Page 245] highly the Generals Loyalty had advanc'd him in his good Opinion, he was dignifi'd by him with the Titles of Duke of Al­bemarle, Earl of Torrington, and Baron of Potheridge Beauchamp & Teyes, & had his Temples deserv'dly incircl'd with a Du­cal Coronet by the hand of his Majesty, being thereby invested with the right of Peerage in all the three Kingdoms: whose equal Felicity, and Honour▪ he had preferr'd before his own, and therefore now most deservingly shar'd with them therein by his Investure in those Digni­ties, which were compleated on the 13th of the following July, by his taking his place in the House of Lords, being atten­ded by the Commons, and introduc'd by the Duke of Buckingham. Montague was made Earl of Sandwich, Ormond Earl of Brecknock, and Lord Steward of the Kings Houshold, the Earl of Lindsey, Lord High Chamberlain, Manchester, L. Cham­berlain of the Kings Houshold, Southhampton, Lord High Treasurer, Greenvile, Earl of Bath, and Groom of the Stole, Sir Frederick Cornwallis, Treasurer of the Kings Houshold, by an old grant, and Sir John Berkley Controller.

Divers rich Presents were now made to him from the several Cities and [Page 246] Burroughs of the Kingdom in Gold and Plate, and the resignation of several Feefarm Rents, which had been purchas'd from the Usurpers, the City of London among the rest, with a Complement of their good Stewardship, rendred their grant of new Perk in Surrey, and all the Rents accruing at Michaelmas Day, were now secured from the late Purchasers of Crown and Church Laws, to the utter disappointing of their unjust and covetous expectations from such base and unwar­rantable Penny-worths.

A Peace was now made & Proclaim'd between us and Spain, and a Splendid Embassy dispatcht from Denmark to con­gratulate his happy Restauratian. The Court of Soissons, who had Married Cardinal Mazarines Neece, being sent from the French King on the same Er­rand, entring London with all the sump­tuous, and extraordinary Magnificence imaginable; and there was no Prince nor State in Europe, but what sent an Em­bassador thither to congratulate him upon that happy and wonderful occasion.

And the Parliament having after ma­ny debates and disputes, alterations and insertions, at last finish'd the long desir'd Act of Oblivion, which was extraordi­nary [Page 247] comprehensive, and indulgent, (even to the regret of many injur'd Loyalists, who found no better Argument to per­swade their acquiescing therein, than their unchangeable Loyalty to the King, whose special Act that was▪) There were no more excepted out of it, but only the Re­gicides and Murderers of the late King, only Lambert, Vane, and twenty more were thereby reserv'd to such forfeitures, as should be afterward declar'd by Par­liament, the principal whereof was Ha­zelrick, St. John Lenthal, the Speaker, Philip Nye, Burton of Tarmouth, and some Sequestrators Officers, and Major Generals of the Army, among whom was Desbrough, Pine, Butler, Ireton, &c. They likewise past an Act for the per­petual Anniversary Thanksgiving on the 29 of May, which was the day both of his Birth and Restauration, and therefore deserv'd a perpetual memori­al, and to be made by a Parliamentary Canonization, the most auspicious in the English Kallender: to both which he gave his Royal assent, and shortly after, at their adjournment to another, for disbanding the Army, and paying off the Navy; which, although they once threatned us with a perpetuating [Page 248] our slavery, yet were now forc'd by the happy conjunction of his Fortune, with his Wisdom and Goodness, after many models, to submit to its last deso­lation. And the Commons having after the passing of their Bills, acquainted him that they had nothing more to ask or offer at that time, but that if his Ma­jesties occasions would permit, they might adjourn and go into their own Countries, where they should endeavour to make his subjects sensible of their extraordinary happiness in having such a King to Rule and Govern them; He consented to it, telling them, that no man had long'd with more impati­ence, to have those Bills past, than he had done to pass them; in regard he look't upon them as the Foundation of the Nations Peace and Security, and that he did very willingly pardon all that were pardoned in the Act of Indempnity; but assuring them withal, that for the time to come the same discretion and conscience which had disposed him to the clemency that he had therein exprest, and was most agreeable to his nature, would oblige him to all Rigour and Se­verity how contrary soever it were to his Disposition, towards those who should [Page 249] not now acquiesce, but continue to mani­fest their Sedition and dislike of the Go­vernment, not knowing any more pro­bable way to assure himself of his peoples affections, than by rendring himself just, as well as kind to all.

The confluence of his felicities were about this time somewhat abated, and the Joy of his Restauration somewhat allay'd by the immature and much la­mented Death of his younger Brother Henry Duke of Gloucester, a Prince of such extraordinary hopes, that my silence will be his best Commendation, since his vertues far transcend the highest ex­pressions of my Pen. He dyed of the small-Pox, and was privately buryed in Henry the 7th's Chappel: The Princess of Orange soon after dispelling the grief which had been conceiv'd upon the ac­count of his death by her Arrival from Holland, to Joy and Felicitate her Brothers in the Recovery of their Rights.

About this time the King knowing that the Common wealth never thrives so well, as when the Church and State are equally Interested in the Princes care, ap­plied himself to settle the Miter as wel as the Crown, and provide for the wel [Page 250] ordering of Ecclesiastical affairs, as well as he had done for the Civil, by reestablish­ing Episcopcay, and restoring the Bishops to their ancient Rights and Priviledges. So that the Ecclesiastical Regiment by Bishops recover'd its self by the Kings piety and prudence, near as soon, and in almost as Triumphant a manner, as Monarchy it self, appointing Dr. Juxon, that ancient and excellent Prelate, that had been in his Fathers Reign Bishop of London, and had assisted him at the time of his death on the Scaffold, to the Arch-Bishopprick of Canterbury, whose Tran­slation was perform'd with great So­lemnity. And not long after several new Bishops chosen from among the eminent and valiant asserters of the Church and Law [...] of England, were consecrated in the Abby at Westminster, and all the Vacant Diocesses fill'd up with men of the greatest Learning and Piety.

And now divine vengeance having with a sure, though a slow foot, trac'd the Murderers of the Royal Martyr through several Mazes, at last overtake them. For the Parliament having in detestati­on of their Crime, and to wipe away the stain of that most accursed Pollution, giv'n them up as Sacrifices to the Law, and the [Page 251] Honour of their Country, the King or­der'd their Tryal by a Commission of Oyer and Terminer, to begin on the Ninth of October, that so his Justice might appear equally as Respondent in the pu­nishment of their Parricide, as his Cle­mency, had done in the pardon of all other Crimes. They were all of them con­victed according to Law, the full benefit whereof was allow'd them, (being try­ed by a Jury of their Peers, against whom they had the liberty of excepting) and Condemn'd to be Drawn, Hang'd and Quarter'd: and Harrison, Carew, Scot, Clement, Scrope, Jones, Peters, Hacker, Axtell, and Cook, were Executed accord­ingly. The last of whom acknowledg'd, that the Person of the Prince they had Murder'd, was beyond any Paral­lel, being most Virtuous, most Innocent, most Religious; and that his Judges were for the most part mean and despa­rate Persons, whose Hands were lifted up by Ambition, Sacriledge, Cove­tousness, and success against the Life of that incomparable Prince, whose lamen­ted and barbarous death God would not suffer to go unrevenged. Their quarters were dispos'd of to the several Gates, and most of their Heads set on Poles up­on [Page 252] the Bridge: but the rest of the Pri­soners that had surrendred themselves on Proclamation, were respited from Execution till the farther pleasure of the Parliament was known, and after Sen­tence past upon them, remanded to the Tower, from whence they came.

And, having now in some measure reveng'd his Fathers Death, his next respects were due to his Mother, who being about that time come over from France, he could not better welcome her to his Kingdoms, than by rendring his Entertainments of her Innocent, and free from that horrible guilt which had Divorc'd her from her Husband, and for so long a Tract of time estrang'd her from his People, since he could nei­ther with Justice nor civility have re­ceiv'd her here without satisfaction, and expectation of those Crimes, which had so rudely driven her to seek her safety abroad. He brought her back to his Pal­lace at Whitehall on the Second of No­vember, after she had been nineteen Years absent from them, together with his Sister the Princess Henretta, who had not been suffered to breath in Eng­lish Air above two years after her Birth. [Page 253] This meeting, after so tedious and de­sperate an absence, was very joyous, and the Entertainment highly Magni­ficent.

The Marquess of Argile, upon the Kings Restauration, had the confidence, [notwithstanding all the base Treasons he had covertly acted in that Kingdom, since the Kings departure thence] to come up from Scotland, in hopes, by his fair and specious pretences, to ob­tain his pardon; and that the King, according to his Gracious Inclination, would have past by those many undu­tiful and Irreverend usages he had re­ceiv'd from him, and the rest of his Associates whilst he was there amongst them. But such was the general ha­tred and detestation of that People (and especially the Nobility) against him, that he was committed to the Tower, and from thence by Sea con­vey'd to Edenborough, where his pro­cess was making ready. The Earl of Middleton, the Kings great Com­missioner for that Kingdom, fol­lowing him thither about the end of December, in order to his Tryal, where he was convicted and Executed for [Page 254] those many Treasons he had perpetra­ted against both Kings.

Death having tasted of the Bloud-Royal, by cutting off the Duke of Glo­cester, as though there were a circulation of the very same in every individual, and it naturally ran in the same distemper, through a whole Family; the Infection by a kind of Sympathy, in the same dis­ease of the Small-Pox, seized the vitals of the Princess of Orange, and in spite of all art and remedy, hurried her to the grave, leaving her Brother and the whole Court, fill'd with grief and sadness, and her Son the young Prince, not above ten years and a month old, she was privately bu­ried by her Brother, in Henry the 7th [...] Chappel.

And now the happy Parliament, which rendred it self deservedly Famous by re­building the glorious structure of the English, Ancient and Renowned Go­vernment, and assured the Foundation thereof, in the establishing the Throne of their rightful Soveraign, came to its final period: But that no revolution of time might obliterate or blot out the memo­ry of those worthy and excellent things [Page 255] done by it. The King, at the time of his dissolution, honour'd it by his Royal Mouth, with the Epithite of the Heal­ing Parliament, which will undoubtedly recommend it to posterity, and ought al­waies to provoke that great assembly to an imitation of them, in their endea­vour to heal and close the breaches of the Nation.

On the 30th of January, the day on which his Father was murder'd, he com­manded Cromwel, Ireton and Bradshaw, to be taken out of those sumptuous monu­ments, which they had usurpt in their Death, as they had done the Throne in their Life-time, and drawn in a Cart from Westminster, to the Red Lyon in Holborn, and from thence on Sledges to Tyburn, where they were hanged, from ten of the Clock till Sun set, and then cut down, and their Bodies buried in a deep hole under the Gallows, their heads being cut off, and plac'd upon Westmin­ster [...]Hall, where they will continue the brand-marks of their posterity▪ and the expiatory remains of their horrid and abominable Crimes.

About this time also, notwithstanding [Page 256] Overton, Courtney and other Fifth Mo­narchy-men had been taken up and secu­red, yet those mad and hair-brain'd Peo­ple, still persisted in their design'd In­surrection, which strange and unheard of action, will afford the truest fight, and judgment of that Brainsick Crew, since a handful of those wild People, presum'd to attempt the whole City of London. For having arm'd themselves, they came to St. Paul's in the dusk of the evening, and having order'd and muster'd their small party, plac'd Centi­nels, one whereof kill'd an innocent Person, as he was accidentally passing by, for saying upon their demanding of him, who he was for, that he was for God and King Charles; and having created great disturbance, they kill'd some of the City Watch, and repulst a par­ty of the Train-bands, that were sent to charge them, and marcht through Aldersgate, (which they forc'd the Constable to open) to Cane-wood, where they lurkt for some time, with a resolution to make another Insurrection in the City, till they were routed by a party of Horse and Foot, and about thirty of them taken Prisoners, who being carried [Page 257] before the General, (the King being at that time from London) was sent by him to the Gate-House; Notwithstand­ing which defeat, those who escaped, af­ter they had quitted the Wood, return­ed for London, with assurance of success in their Hellish Enterprize. Venner, who was a Wine-Cooper by Trade, tel­ling them in his Sermon, which he Preacht to stir them up, and encou­rage them therein; That he was as­sured, No Weapon fram'd against them should prosper, nor a hair of their heads perish; which their Impunity in their first attempt deluded them to believe: And therefore, so soon as the Watches & Guards were removed: On Wednes­day morning they reinforced their first enterprize, appearing at Thread-needle-Street, and giving an Alarum to the Trained-Bands, which was appointed to watch all that day: A party of whom being sent against them, were forced to retreat to their main Guard. Whereupon the whole Company marching in a body towards them, they fled into Bishops-gate-Street, where happened a sharp dispute between them, wherein two were killed, and as many taken; the like number be­ing [Page 258] killed and wounded of the Train'd-Bands. Their next appearance was at Colledg-Hill, from whence they March't up into Cheap-side, and so into Wood-street: Venner himself with a Murrion on his head, and a Halbird in his hand, being their chief Leader, where there was the fiercest action that hap­pened during the whole Insurrection; for they fought it out stoutly with two Companies of the Trayned-Bands, and some of the Life-Guards Commanded by the Duke of York, and the Gene­ral, in very good Order and Discipline, putting them at first to the retreat; till being over-power'd, and Venner knockt down and wounded, and Tuf­ney and Cragg, two more of their prin­cipal Teachers; they began to give ground, and soon after fled in great Confusion, dispersing themselves se­veral wayes; but the greater of them went down Wood street towards Cripple-gate, firing in their retreat at the Trained-Bands of Yellow, who follow­ed them in close pursuit; ten of them took into the Blew-Anchor Ale House by the Postern, which they briskly maintained for some time; and when some of the Yellow, having pos­sest [Page 259] themselves of the next adjoyning House, broke down some part of it, and fired in upon them, they notwith­standing desperately refused to accept of Quarter: And when another File of Musqueteers, firing their way up stayrs, had shot down the door, and entred the Room upon them, six of them being kill'd before, and one upon re­fusing quarter then knockt down and afterward shot with a Musquet, the rest being demanded, why they craved not Quarter before, answered, That it was because they durst not, for fear lest their own fellows would have shot them; to such a prodigious height had their resolution and desperation car­ried them.

The whole number of those who made this last Insurrection amounted not to about fifty Persons, twenty whereof were taken (besides those killed) who were soon after brought to their Tryal; at which it was prov­ed, that Venner, Tufney and Crag, had several times perswaded their Congregation, to take up Armes for King JESUS against the Powers of the Earth, meaning thereby, the King, the Duke of York, and the General; [Page 260] and that they were to have killed all that opposed them; sixteen of them were found guilty, and Condemned to be drawn, hanged and quartered; and eleven of them were executed accord­ingly, the other five being repreived by the Kings Mercy.

And now, lest any of the scattered Rayes of the Imperial Brightness and Glory that belong to him, as a Mo­narch of Great Britain, France and Ireland, should suffer a diminution, or be obscured by too long an interval, greater preparations were made for the setling the Crown, (which a­lone of all the Ensigns of Majesty had escapt the Usurpation of Cromwell, when he had impudently assumed all the other Regalities of his Rightful King and Soveraign, but could no way fit this Sacred Symbol of Ma­jesty to his impious and aspiring de­signation; although he had made the most holiest things, and even Scrip­ture it self to truckle thereunto) with all imaginable splendor, upon his head; a Ceremony that serves not so much for an excess of Pomp, as a boundary of Government, and was contrived at first, more out of pro­foundness [Page 261] of State-Reason, than for the transient Glory of the Ceremony it self. In order whereunto, the City of London Erected four Magnifi­cent and tryumphal Arches; the first whereof was in Leaden-hall-Street, after the Dorick order; on the North side whereof on a Pedestal before the Arch, was placed a Woman perso­nating Rebellion, Mounted on a Hy­dra in a Crimson Robe torn in several places, Snakes crawling on her habit, and in her hair; her Loynes girt with Serpents, a Crown of Fire on her head, a bloody Sword in one hand, and a charming Rod in the other; being at­tended on by Confusion, represented in a deformed shape, having on a Garment of severall ill-matcht Colours, put on the wrong way; on her Head Ruines of Castles and torn Crowns, and in her Hand, broken and shattered Scepters. On the South Pedestal was a Representation of Britains Monar­chy, supported by Loyalty, with Wo­men; Monarchy arayed in a large Purple Robe, adorned with Dia­dems and Scepters, and over that a loose Mantle edged with blew and silver Fringe resembling Water; the [Page 262] Mapp of Great Britain being drawn on it: Upon her head was the City of London; in her right hand Eden­burgh; in her left Dublin. Loyalty was all in white, with three Scepters in her right hand, and three Crowns in her left.

The first Painting on the South side was a prospect of His Land­ing at Dover, Ships at Sea, great Guns going off, one kneeling and kissing the Kings hand, attended by many Souldiers both Horse and Foot, and great numbers of People gazing above; and beneath this Motto, In Solido Rursus Fortuna Locavit, allude­ing to that of Virgil, thus Rendred.

Above the Arch on the North and South-Sides, stood the Statues of James and Charles the first, and be­tween them somewhat higher, and just over the Arch, that of the Restored King, with this Inscription.

The Second, which was a Naval Representation, was erected in Cornhill near the Royal-Exchange; on the East side whereof two Stages were erected, on each side of the Street one; in that on the South side, a person re­presenting the River of Thames; and on that on the North side, which was made like the upper deck of a Ship, were three Seamen, whereof one was habited like a Boat-Swayn, and upon the Shield or Table on the front of the Arch a Latine Inscription: the first painting on the North side over the City Arms represented Neptune, with his Trident advanced, with this Inscription:

[Page 264] On the South side opposite to Nep­tune, was Mars represented with his Spear Inverted, having his Sheild charged with a Gorgon, and by his knees this Motto,

Over the Arch, the Marriage of Thame and Isis. The painting in the North side over Neptune, represented the Ex­change, with this Motto:

The uppermost great Table in the fore ground represented Charles the first, with the Prince his Son, who was the then Restored King, in his hand, viewing the Soveraign of the Sea; the Prince Leaning [...]n a Canon with this Inscription,

[Page 265] The third, which represented an Arti­ficial building of two Stories, the one after the Corinthian way of Architec­ture, the other after the Composit, with a Latin Inscription upon a Shield, was Erected near Wood-street end, not far from the place where the Cross formerly stood: In the spande­rills of which Arch, two Figures in Female habit, and a leaning posture, represented Peace; whose Shield was charged with a Helmet, and Bees [...]ssuing forth and going into it, with this Motto:

And Truth cloathed in a thin ha­bit; on her Shield, Times bringing Truth out of a Cave, with this Mot­to:

Over the great Painting upon the Arch of the Cupula, was Represent­ed a large Geryon with three heads Crowned: In his three right hands, a Lance, a Sword, and a Scepter; in his [...]hree left, the Escutcheons of Eng­land, Scotland and Ireland, having be­fore [Page 266] him the Kings Arms with three Imperial Crowns, and beneath him in great Letters Concordia Insuperabi­lis.

The fourth Triumphant Arch, which represented the Garden of Plenty, and was of two Stories, one after the Dorick Order, the other of the Jonick, was Erected in Fleet-street near the turning into White-Friers, and had upon the great Sheild over the Arch, in Large Capitals, this In­scription,

Over the Postern on the South side of the entrance, was represented Bac­chus drawn in a Chariot by Leopards; his Mantle a Panthers skin, a Crown of Grapes on his head, a Thyrsis with Ivy in his left hand, and underneath, Liber Pater.

The Painting over this represented a Vineyard, with Silenus▪ on his Ass, with Satyrs dancing round about him in drunken and antick Postures▪ [Page 267] And on the North side opposite to Bacchus, was represented Ceres drawn in a Chariot by winged Dragons, and Crowned with Eares of Corne; having in her left hand Poppyes, and in her right a blazing Torch; the Painting over her, being the descrip­tion of Harvest.

And the King having created six Earles, as many Barons, and Sixty Eight Knights of the Bath, to assist at that Ceremony, and appointed the 23d. of April, which was St. Georges day, for the Consummating thereof, the Glo­ry and Splendor of it commenced the day before, when he past through the City to White-Hall, in a most Magni­ficent and Tryumphant manner; For the Streets being all gravelled, and filled with a vast multitude of won­dring Spectators, as well out of the Country as the City, and some For­raigners who acknowledg themselves never to have seen amongst all the great Magnificencies of the World, any that came near, or equal'd that; and even the Vaunting French were [Page 268] forced to confess, that their Pomp of the late Marriage with the Infanta of Spain, upon their Majesties en­trance into Paris, was far inferior in its State, Gallantry, and Riches, unto that most Illustrious and dazel­ling Cavalcade, which proceeded af­ter this manner.

First went the Horse Guard of His Illustrious Brother the Duke of York, the Messengers of the Kings Bed-Chamber, the Esquires and Knights of the Bath, being One Hundred and thirty Six in number; The Knight Harbinger, the Serjeant Porters, the Sewers of the Chamber, the Quarter Waiters, the Six Clerks of the Chancery, the Clerks of the Sig­net, the Clerks of the Privy Seal, the Clerks of the Council, the Clerks of the Parliament, the Clerks of the Crown, the Chaplains in Ordinary bearing Dignities ten in number; the Kings Advocate and the Remembrancer, the Kings Councel at Law, the Master of Chancery, the King Puisne Ser­jeants, the Kings Attorney and Sol­licitors, the Kings Eldest Serjeants, the Secretaries of the French and La­tin Tongues, the Gentlemen Ushers [Page 269] dayly Waiters, the Sewers, Carvers, and Cup-bearers in Ordinary, the Masters of standing Officers being no Councellors, viz. Of the Tents, Re­vels, Ceremonies, Armory, Wardrobe, Ordinance, the Master of Requests, Chamberlain of the Exchecquer, Ba­rons of the Exchecquer, and Judges of the Law according to their seve­ral Dignities, Trumpets, Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber, Knights of the Bath, the Knights Marshal, the Trea­surer of the Chamber, the Master of the Jewel House, the Knights of the Privy Councel, the Comptrollor, and the Treasurer of the Kings-House­hold, two Trumpets and Serjeants; Trumpets, two Pursivants at Arms, Barons Eldest Sons, Earls Youngest Sons, Viscounts Eldest Sons, Mar­quesses Youngest Sons, Earls Eldest Sons; two Pursivants at Armes, Vis­counts and Dukes Eldest Sons, Mar­quesses Eldest Sons; two Heralds, Earls, Earl Marshal, and Lord Chamberlain of the Houshold, Dukes Eldest Sons, Serjeants at Armes on both sides; the Nobility, Clarencieux and Norroy, Lord Treasurer, Lord Chancellor, Lord High-Steward, the Duke of Ormond, [Page 270] and two persons representing the Duke [...] of Normandy and Aquitain, Gentleman Usher, Garter, Lord Mayor, (His Roy­al Highness, the Duke of York alone) the Lord High Constable of England, which was the Earl of Northumber­land, the Lord Great Chamberlain of England, which was then the Earl Lindsey, and the Sword carryed by the Duke of Richmond.

Equeries and Footmen followed next, and about the King himself, Gentlemen and Pensioners; without them, Master of the Horse, which was the Duke of Albemarle leading a Spare Horse, the Vice-Chamberlain to the King, the Captain of the Pen­sioners, the Captain of the Guard, the Guard, the Kings Life Guard, Commanded by the Lord Gerrard, the Generals Life Guard by Sir Phil­lip Howard, a Troop of Voluntiers, Troop, and a Company of Foot by Sir John Robinson.

The way from the Tower to Ald­gate, was guarded by the Hamblets, from thence to Temple-Bar by the Train-Bands on the one side, and by the Livery on the other, with the Banners of each Company; the Win­dows [Page 271] were all along laid with Car­pets and the best Tapistry, Bands of Musick in several places, and the Conduits running with Wine. In St. Pauls Church-Yard stood the Blew­coat-Boyes of Christ-Church Hospital, one whereof in the Name of the rest, declared their joy for his Majesties wonderful Preservation and Restaura­tion, Humbly beseeching his Gracious Favour and Indulgence, according to the example of His Royal Ancestors, and his Father of Blessed Memory. With which Speech he was well pleased, and testi­fied his being so, by his rewarding the Boy that spoke it.

In the Strand, and through Westmin­ster, the wayes were likewise gravel­led and railed, and guarded on both sides with the Trained-Bands of that City, and the Kings two Regiments of Foot under the Command of Al­bemarl, and Collonel Russel, and the Houses adorned with Carpets and Tapestry like those in London: When he came through Temple-Bar, the Head Bayliffe and High-Constable in Scar­let, met and received him with loud Musick, and alighting off their Hor­ses, and kneeling down, the Head [Page 272] Bayliff on behalf of the Dean and Chapter, City and Liberty, signified their Joyful Reception of His Roy­al Person into that Liberty; Declar­ing how much their happiness exceed­ed any other part of the Nations in that their Soveraign Lord and King was come among them, and hum­bly desiring His Majesty to continue his Grace and Favour to them, whereby they might still be enabled to do His Majesty service.

Infinite and Innumerable were the Shouts and Acclamations from all parts as he past along, to the no less Joy, than amazement of the Specta­tors: And the Pomp of this Solemnity was so great, that it is vain to at­tempt the describing it; it being not only unutterable, but almost Incon­ceivable; and many outlandish Persons, who beheld it, admired how it was possible for the English, after such horrible confusions, to appear in so rich and stately a manner. It is in­credible to think what costly Robes were worn that day, it being scarce­ly discernable what their Cloaks were made of, for the Gold and Silver Laces and Imbroidery that was laid [Page 273] on them, besides the inestimable trea­sures of Diamonds, Pearles, and other Jewels, and the Rich Liveries of their Pages and Footmen, some suits where­of were so very rich, that they a­mounted to near 1500 l.

In this order he arrived at White-Hall, where having retired himself to supper, and so to Rest; he came the next day, (which being St. Georges day, was to consummate the Coro­nation,) from his privy Staires to the Old Pallace; where in a Room be­hind the House of Lords, called the Prince's Lodgings, he stayed till the Lords and the rest of his Train had Robed and Ranked themselves in Westminster-Hall, and, so soon as they were ready, descended the Stairs, that went down into the Hall, and placed himself in a Throne, in the upper end thereof; Then came the Dean and Prebends of Westminster in their Rich Copes, each of them having a part of the Regalia, and delivered them to the Lord High Constable; who delivered them to the Lord Great Chamberlain, and being by him set [Page 274] on a Table, the King immediately distributed them, St. Edwards Staff to the Earl of Sandwich, the Spurrs to Pembr [...]ke, the Sword called Curtana to Oxford, the pointed Sword carryed on the Right Hand of it to Shrewsbury, that carryed on the left to Derby, and the Sword of State to Manchester, the Scepter with the Dove to Albemarle, the Orb with the Cross to Bucking­ham, St. Edwards Crown to Ormond; and the Pattina and Challice to the Bishops of London and Exeter: And having thus bestowed the Regalia, he set forward on foot much after the same order, which was observed the day before, upon blew Cloath spread on the ground from the Hall to his Chair in the Abby, supported by the Bishops of Bath and Durham, and having his Trayn carried up by the Lords Mandevill, Cavendish, Ossery and Piercy, assisted by the Lord Viscount Mansfield Master of the Robes; All the Peers with their Coronets in their hands, went up along with him till he was placed in the Chair of State: Then the Bishop of London, on behalf of the Lord Arch-Bishop of [Page 275] Canterbury told the People, he did there present them King Charles the Second, the Rightful Inheritor of the Crown of this Realm, and demanded of all those that came thither that day to do their Homage, Service and Bounden Duty, whether they were willing to do the same? Whereupon all the Peers in their Parliament Robes, and People gave a shout testi­fying their willingness: Then the King rising from his Chair, turned himself to the four sides of the Throne, and speaking to the People, who again with loud Acclamations signified their consent, all in one voice: After which the Choire sung an Anthem; in the interim whereof, he went supported by the Bishops of Bath and Durham, attended by the Dean of Westminster, to the steps before the Communion Table; where upon Carpets and Cushi­ons he offered a Pall and a piece of Gold, and then removing to the right hand kneelled down during a short Collect; then the Sermon began, be­ing Preacht by the Bishop of Wor­cester; which ended, the Bishop of Lon­don on behalf of the Lord Arch-Bishop [...] [Page 274] [...] [Page 275] [Page 276] of Canterbury, ask't Him, If He would be pleased to take the Oath, that was wont to be taken by his Predecessors? Whereupon rising out of the Chair, He was led by His two Supporters to the Communion Table, where he made a solemn Oath, to observe those things he had before promised; and then returning to his Chair again, kneeled at the Footstool, while the Hymn of the Holy Ghost was Sing­ing.

Then he arose from his Devo­tion, and disrobed himself of his up­per Garment; and his under Garment being so contrived, that the Places to be Anointed might be opened by undoing certain Loops: The Arch Bi­shop proceeded to that Ceremony; after which the Coife was put on his head, and the Dalmatica, the Super-Tunica, of Cloath of Gold, and the Tis­sue Buskins and Sandals of the same; And the Spurrs being put on by the Peer that carried them; the Arch-Bishop took the Kings Sword, and laid it on the Communion Table, which after Prayer was restored to him a­gain, [Page 277] and girt on him by the Lord Great Chamberlain; then the Armil and the Mantle or Open Pall was put on; after which the Arch-Bishop taking the Crown into his hands laid it on the Communion Table, and hav­ing prayed took it up again, and set it on the Kings head; whereupon all the Peers put on their Coronets and Caps, and the Choire Sung an Anthem; Then the Arch-Bishop took the Kings Ring, and having prayed put it on the fourth finger of the Kings hand; after which the King took off his Sword, and offered it up, which the Lord Great Chamberlain having redeemed, drew it out, and carried it naked before him: Then the Arch-Bishop delivered the Scep­ter with the Cross into his Right, and the Rod with the Dove into his Left hand, and the King kneeling blessed him; after which the King ascended His Throne Royal, attended by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, where after Te Deum Sang, all the Peers did their Homage Kissing his le [...]t Cheek, and afterward standing all round about him, they every one in their order [Page 278] toucht the Crown upon his head, promising their readiness to support it to the utmost of their Power; and then proceeding to the Communion, the King having received and offered, returned to his Throne till Commu­nion was ended; after which he went into St. Edwards Chappel, and taking his Crown from his head, delivered it to the Bishop of London; who having laid it upon the Communion Table, the King withdrew into a Traverse, where the Lord Great Cham­berlain disrobed him of St. Edwards Robes delivering them to the Dean of Westminster, and arrayed him with those prepared for that day; and then being conducted to the Communion Table in St. Edwards Chappel, the Crown Imperial, provided for him to wear, was set up [...]n his head: After which, taking the Scepter and the Rod, and his Train being set in or­der before him, he went up to the Throne, and so through the Choire and Body of the Church, out at the West door to the Pallace at Westmin­ster, the Peers according to their Rank going before him with their Coro­nets [Page 279] on, and in the great Hall, (at the upper end whereof was a Table and Chair of State, raised upon an ascent for the King, and below Tables for the Nobility, the Lord Mayor and Citizens, the Officers at Arms, &c.) they were entertained with a Noble and Magnificent dinner; after which he returned in his Barge to White-Hall.

It is very observable, that altho [...] it had rained for about a month before, yet it pleased God, that not one drop fell upon this Splen­did Triumph, which appeared in its full Lustre and Grandeur; but was no sooner over, and the King and his Traine sat down to Dinner, but it fell a Thundering, Lightning and Raining, with the greatest Force, Ve­hemency and Noise, that was ever known at that season of the Year; the Thunder and Lightning seeming, as it were, to imitate the Fire and Noise of the Cannon, which then plaid from the Tower; it being observ­ed, that they exactly kept time with that loud Musick; so that they were [Page 280] easily distinguishable from each other; the Thunder and lightning still inter­mitting between each firing of the Canons, as if they had waited to re­ceive and answer the Reciprocated and ecchoed Boation and Clashes of the Guns; which was taken by the most Judicious and discerning part of Mankind for a very auspicious and promising Omen, notwithstanding the mad Remnant of the Rebellion would have had it paralled to Sauls Inaugu­ration, without reflecting upon the Season, or the Different case between the Ancient Kingly Right and De­scent in Christendom; and that new Title and Government in Jewry, which in regard of the peculiar presence of God amongst them before, was a kind of casting him off, and declaring they would not have him to Reign over them.

There was not only in London, but through the whole Kingdom great rejoycing for the Kings Coronation, which was manifested by Feasting, and other Publick shews; as Trayn­ing the several Bands of the Coun­tryes [Page 281] with the additional Voluntary Gentry, in a new and gallant Caval­ry; And so there was in Scotland and Ireland, in each whereof there was likewise the same kind of Try­umphs, in resemblance of this Magnifi­cence.

And having with as much Brevity as possible glided through this Sphere of Glory, in which the Ancient ho­nour of the Government and Kingdom was refixt, and given the World the full and compleat View of that wonderful Revolution, which will un­doubtedly be the amazement of all succeeding Ages, each Luminary be­ing thereby placed and shining in their proper Orbs and degrees, the Sove­raign, Nobility, Clergy, Gentry and Commonalty, having by that blessed change recovered their former and distinct Lustre, and from being the scorn and deris [...]on, were once again become the Envy of the World: I shall proceed to shew by what Rules and Methods, he managed the Government throughout his whole Raign, and therein shall begin; First with his Call­ing [Page 282] a Parliament, with whom he de­sired to meet and consult for the more effectual healing the Breaches, uniting the Differences, and redintegrating the mutual Affections and Endearments, which the unnaturalness and perverse malignity and divisions of the late times had abrupted and hitherto dis­continued.

When he dissolved that Parliament or Convention, which was sitting when he came in; He promised the calling of a new one, and according­ly Issued out His Writs soon after for their sitting down the Eighth of May; a little before which several Musters had been made in England of the Mi­litia, and a General Train in Hide-Park, of all the Forces about London, both Horse and Foot; Fifteen Regi­ments whereof he there took a view of. The chief Stickling in the Electi­on of Members for this Parliament, was between the Episcopal and Presby­terian Parties; the Latter whereof notwithstanding their Numbers, found themselves greatly mistaken in the suffrages of the Kingdom, when un­der [Page 283] no Awe, nor distempered with a Frenzy, and a misguided Zeal; For altho several Letters were dispatcht by the chief Ministers of that Perswasi­on to their Correspondents, where­in they exhorted them to do their ut­most in procuring such persons to be Elected for Members of that Parlia­ment, as were known to favour their Discipline; yet that no part of the Government might be left unjustifi­ed and unreared, the greater part of those, chosen for Members of the House of Commons, were as well af­fected to the Restoration and Settle­ment of the Church, as the former had been to the Restoration and Set­tlement of the Crown.

The Eighth of May being come, when they were to sit, according to the Splendid Custome of opening those great Assemblies, He rode in State and Tryumph from White-Hall to Westminster, being arrayed in his Roy­al Robes, and his Crown on his head; and having placed himself on His Throne in the House of Peeres, com­manded the Commons to attend him [Page 284] there, and in a most pleasant and ob­liging manner, declared his great Content in meeting them, Telling them, that he was very confident, that it would prove a happy Parliament, and acquainting them with his de­sign of his Marrying the Infanta of Portugal, which Match having been proposed to his Privy Council, and highly approved of by them, he thought none there present would willingly have him live and die a Batchellor: In confidence whereof he had newly made and signed a Treaty with that King by his Embas­sadour Don Francisco de Mello, who was then ready to depart with the said Treaty, in which the Article of Marriage was inserted. The Kings Speech being ended, and the Lord Chancellor Hide having given them a further account of the Reasons, why they were called, and the hap­py Effects his Master expected from their Sitting: The Commons made Choice of Sir Edward Turner the Dukes Attorney General for their Speaker; who in his Speech upon his being presented to, and accept [...] [Page 285] of by the King, exprest the hopes of that House: That as His Majesty had manifested his great Indulgence to their former, which was but his Adopted, So he had a fuller Blessing for that pre­sent, which was his Natural Parlia­ment, being called by His immediate Writ. The Convocation of the English Clergy, being all Eminent, Learned, and Pious Persons, met likewise on the Sixteenth of that Month at West­minster; and a Parliament began a­bout the same time in Ireland.

The Parliament at the special in­stance, and desire of the King, who was willing to give the highest de­monstration of his Care and Resolu­tion, for the assuring to his Subjects whatsoever was contained and pro­mised in His Declaration from Bre­da, and the Act of Pardon, first began with an Act for the Confirmation of the Act of Oblivion, which being done by the Free Parliament not called by the Kings Writ, was thought by the Guilty not to be valid▪ and secure enough to them; and that they might by a wise provision before [Page 286] hand, prevent all Objections and Scruples which might otherwise have been raised upon that account; They Ratified and Confirmed all the other Laws made therein, and then pro­ceeded to frame such new ones as were necessary for the better setling and maintaining the Publick Peace; wherein that for Regulating Corpo­rations, as the most necessary, had the Precedency, wherein Commissi­oners were Impowered to displace all such as bore Offices, and were any way suspected to be ill-willers to the Go­vernment and the Kings Authority, or should refuse the Oath of Allegiance and Supremacy, or the Oath of Abjura­tion; which was indeed at that time the only, or at least the chief Test of Loyalty, in regard they were therein to renounce the Solemn League and Covenant, as unlawful in it self and illegally imposed. But during the Houses Debate about that Bill, Mr. Prin, who had alwayes indulged him­self the liberty of Quarrelling with every thing that any way ran coun­ter to his inclinations, could not re­frain against the Priviledge of the [Page 287] House, whereof he was a Member, from publishing his Reasons against the said Bill, affirming it was contrary to Magna Charta; but the Commons having Commanded their Serjeant at Arms, to Seize the Printer, and Prin owning himself to be the Author; he was brought to the Barr, and severely rebuked by the Speaker; but upon his humble submission, and the House's fa­vourable reflection upon his great En­deavours for the Restitution of the King; he was remitted the Censure and Punishment which he had incur­red by that over-sight. And that they might shew their respect and veneration to the Prelacy, by reliev­ing it from the Oppressions, and justi­fying of it from the Calumnies and Reproaches of the late times, they Repealed the Act of the 1 Caroli. 7. which forbid the Bishops medling in Civil affaires and debarred them from their Priviledg of Peerage in the House of Lords; to all which Honours they were by this Repeal restored as fully as ever they had been before.

The free Parliament, having before [Page 288] their desolution, respitted the punish­ment of several of the Regicides; the Parliament next reassumed the Conside­ration of that matter, and having caused the Lord Manson, Sir Henry Mildmay and Mr. Robert Wallop, to be brought to the Bar, declared their Estates to be confiscated, and their Persons and Posterity degraded from all Titles and Armes of Gentility; and that they should be carried back again to the Tower, and from thence be drawn through the City of London to Ty­burn on the 30th. of the following January, and so back again with hal­ters about their necks upon Sledges, and after that, to suffer perpetual im­prisonment. And having now done as much as could be expected from them for the present, they were ad­journed by the King, who declared his great satisfaction in what they had done; and that his confidence i [...] them had not in the least deceived [...] him. About which time the Duke o [...] York having been chosen Captain to the Artillery Company in London▪ honoured them with his Presence and led them in their Ground: And [Page 289] in the August following, the Kings Sollicitor, Sir Heneage Finch, being chosen Reader of the Inner-Tem­ple, he was pleased to indulge him a Favour, never granted before by any of his Royal Progenitors, to any of those famous Societies, accepting of an invitation to dine with him in that Hall.

These endeavours of the Parliament to settle the Nation upon the Foun­dation of a well-grounded and lasting Peace, by excluding from all Offices, as well Sacred as Civil and Military, those that refused to take the afore­said Oaths, did highly urge the Dis­contented of the late Anarchy; whose anger suggested to them some hopes of undoing all again: In order where­unto, they laid new designs and Con­spiracies, and had several meetings to consult about them; but their de­signes proved Abortive, by a timely discovery, Barbone, Moyer, Salmon, Wildman, Haynes, Ireton, and others were seized and Committed to safe custody.

[Page 290] The King out of a Noble and ge­nerous inclination to shew Respect and Veneration to the Memory of his Friends, when it was out of his power to reward their Persons, and considering likewise that the Living are usually very much taken with kindnesses exprest to the dead; did about this time give order for the Re-interring those two Loyal Com­manders Sir Charles Lucas, and Sir George Lisle, which was performed with abundance of splendor at Col­chester; the place which they had bravely defended for him, and where they were at its Reduction basely shot to death; all the Gentry of those Parts, together with the Townes­men in Armes and Mourning attend­ing their Hearses: As he had done a little before for the Earl of Montross in Scotland.

Count Coningsmark, who was sent hither from the Young King and Queen of Sweden, being upon his departure, another more splendid Em­bassy was sent from thence, at whose Reception near the Tower, a Fray or [Page 291] Conflict happened between the French and Spanish Ambassadors, upon a Quarrel for Precedency, whose Coach should follow next after that wherein the Swedish Ambassador rode: Both Parties came prepared for the Encounter, but the French were base­ly worsted, and seven or eight of them slain, which was like to have proved the ground of a new War be­tween those Crowns; the French King sending a Messenger to Madrid to demand satisfaction: But at the entreaty of the new married Queen, and the Spanish King consenting, that the French Ambassador should for the time to come have the Preceden­cy upon such occasions; the differ­ence was composed: Now also seve­ral Prisoners in the Tower, Regicides and others, were by reason of the un­wearied Practices of their Parties a­broad, sent to several remote Castles and Islands for securing the Peace.

The adjournment being expired, the Parliament met again, on the 20th. of November, when the Lords Spiritual the Bishops, by vertue [Page 292] of the Act of Repeal made in the former Session, took their places a­gain in Parliament; which the King was very much pleased to behold; and in his Speech to both Houses, did Congratulate with them for their enjoyment of their former priviledges, as a Felicity he had much desired, to see accomplisht in that goodly re­stored and re-establisht Fabrick of the Government; and the Regicides that came in upon Proclamation, and were upon that account respited after Sentence to the Pleasure of the Parliament, being brought to the Bar of the House of Lords, and de­manded what they had to say, Why Judgment should not pass upon them, according to Sentence? pleaded the Proclamation: Harry Martyn adding, that he never obeyed any Procla­mation before; and therefore hoped he should not be then hanged for taking the Kings word; whereupon they were remanded back again to the Tower, till further Order. Ireland having been hitherto governed by three Lords Justices: The Duke of Ormond having been a faithful Ser­vant, [Page 293] and constant Attender upon the King in all his Troubles, was now nominated Deputy of that Kingdom; and Episcopacy, after it had been so long banished out of Scotland, and so many Miseries and Confusions had befallen that Kingdom through the Fury and Zeal of the Kirke, was reduced with all gladness and suffici­ent testimonies, of a welcome recep­tion, the four Bishops that had been a little before Consecrated at Lambeth; restored, whereof Dr. James Sharpe Arch-Bishop of St. Andrews, and Metro­politan of Scotland was one, who Con­secrated others in that Kingdom, the whole Order being defunct by the long Usurpation of the Presbyterian Discipline.

A Fleet was at this time sent to fetch home the Queen from Portugal, and carry Forces to Garrison Tangier, which being part of the Queens Dowry, was delivered by them to Sir Richard Stayner, who with Five Hundred Men had taken possession of it in his Masters behalf; and was to maintain it till the Earl of [Page 294] Peterborough, who was nominated for Governour, should arrive; and the King supposing her to be by this time at Sea, on her way for England, acquainted the Parliament there­with, and desired that as a Comple­ment to her, they would cause the Streets and High-wayes of London, to be fitted and cleansed against Her Reception.

This Royal Bride seems to have been fitted and predisposed by Hea­ven, for his Princely Embraces; for besides being designed for him by her Father in the beginning of the late Troubles, her Family had suf­fered a long Eclipse by the interpo­sition of the Spanish Monarchy for the space of near one hundred Years, and had now newly recovered its Splendor by her Fathers assuming the Crown, which was almost as miraculous a Revolution, and as strange a turn of Providence, as that of our Captivity, by his recovery of his Dominions. On the 14th. of May, She arrived safe at Portsmouth, (in the Charles, which had brought [Page 295] the King over to England) after a tedious and dangerous Voyage; the joy whereof served to alleviate the grief, and wipe away the Tears oc­casioned by the death of his Aunt, the Queen of Bohemia, who died a little before; having lived to sur­vive all the Misfortunes of her Fa­mily, which almost from the very time of Her Marriage, in the Year One Thousand Six Hundred and Twelve, had fallen very thick upon it. Her death was followed with a most vi­olent and Tempestuous Wind, where­by divers Persons were killed, and much damage done, as well in For­raign parts as in these Kingdoms, as if Heaven had designed thereby to intimate to the World, that those Troubles and Calamities, suffered by that Princess and the Royal Family, and by which most parts of Europe had been tempested, were now all blown over, and was like her to rest in a perpetual Repose. Several Bills which were ready for His Royal Assent detained him at White-Hall, somewhat longer then he was wil­ling, had their weight and tenden­cy [Page 296] been of less importance, but in regard their being past into Acts, would set the Nation right, where it was before the Troubles began, by providing remedies against those mischiefs which had then unhinged the Kingdoms happiness; such as the Forbidding armed or tumultuary Peti­tions, and ordering that not above Twelve shall resort together at any time, to deliver Petitions to the King, whereby they provided so far as Hu­mane Wisdom could foresee against the like dangers, by insensible de­grees brought upon the Nation in the late Confusions:

But having once signed those Acts, and thereby furnisht his Subjects with so many good and wholsome Laws, as no Age of our fore-Fa­thers could ever boast of, he posted away to Portsmouth, having sent the Bishop of London thither before Him, who was to consummate the Sacred Rights of Marriage, which was per­formed in private; and the Queen Conducted soon after by Him to Hampton-Court; and from thence to [Page 297] London in great Pomp and Splen­dour. The Parliament of Ireland, having about that time, for the bet­ter defraying his necessary Charge giv­en him a subsidy of One Hundred and Twenty Thousand Pounds to be raised in two Years.

The Affrican Potentates, alarum­ed by the Arrival of the English, and terrified by the Fame of those Warlike and Martial Atchievements, began to fear, that if they suffered them quietly to possess Tangier, they should thereby give them incourage­ment to incroach farther upon them; which consideration drew thither Gayland, a War-like Prince, but then a Rebel against the Emperour of Fez and Morocco, having usurpt part of his Dominions, who continued there about for some time upon pre­tence of entring into a League of Friendship with them; but meeting of a sudden, as he was ranging with his Horse (who are accounted the swiftest in the World) with some of our Forces, who were forraging for Provisions and Horse-meat; he [Page 298] surprized and defeated them; their man­ner of Fighting being to take and leave as they find advantage, which they do with very active and quick Force and Resolution; but the English were not long before they requi [...]ed him, and revenged the injury upon some of his adventurous Stragglers; after which he freely entred into, and fi­nished a Treaty of Peace with them: And the King not long after made it a free Port; and indowed it with all the Priviledges of a Merchant City, being very conveniently Scitu­ated for Commerce and Trade, es­pecially in regard of the Security thereof.

The great discourse and expecta­tion at this time was, what the Presbyterians would do after the Act of Uniformity was past; which provided, that by St. Bartholomews day, their Ministers should renounce the Covenant, read Divine Service and Common-Prayer in Church Vestments, as the Surplise, which was the main thing they pretended to [Page 299] [...]cruple, or else forsake their Liv­ [...]gs.

Many endeavours there had been [...]ed before to prevail with the Par­ [...]ament for some Tolleration; but [...]ot being able to carry it there, they afterward applyed themselves to the King and His Council; but upon [...] full Debate of their Petition, and [...]s full a hearing of what they had [...]o say; the business was laid aside, [...]n regard there was none present, who could answer and dispute their pretences, for the Superseding the express meaning of that Act. But the Bishop of London, by his Pru­dence and foresight had provided Pious and able Ministers to succeed them in their Cures; and for the better security of the publick Peace for times to come, the Commissioners for regulating Corporations, besides the displacing such Officers as were [...]ill affected, ordered the Walls of such Townes and Cities, as had been the reception of, and maintained the late Rebellion, to be demolished as examples and security to succeeding [Page 300] Ages, viz. Glocester, Coventry, Nor­thampton, Taunton, and Leicester, which was done accordingly.

And the Town of Dunkirk, which was taken from the Spaniards by Cromwell, and had ever since been kept at a vast charge; was now al­so by the Advice of His Council, in regard it had never been An­next by Act of Parliament to the Crown of England, returned to the French King, upon the valuable Con­sideration of Five Hundred Thousand Pounds.

And there having been great talk, and long suspicion of a Plot, secretly carryed on against the Go­vernment, insomuch that the most part of that Summer the Trained-Bands had watcht every night; the design now appeared, being carryed on by Ludlow, Danvers, Lockyer, Strange, and others, for the over­throwing of the Government; in order whereunto they were to have seized the Tower, Deal-Castle, and other places of Strength; and were [Page 301] [...]o have had the word given them [...]he night they were to have fallen [...]n, which was the last of October, by George Phillips a Serjeant in the Col­ [...]onels Company of the White Re­giment. But being discovered by [...]ne of their number, they were [...]any of them taken, and by suf­ficient Witnesses Convicted of the Conspiracy, four whereof, viz. Phil­ [...]ips, Tongue, Gibbs and Stubbs were Executed according to Sentence, and [...]he rest pardoned by the King, who [...]lwayes loved to mix Mercy with his Executions.

The Emperour of Russia about this [...]ime sent hither a very Splendid Embassy, by three of his Chief Princes, one whereof came some time before the other, and had Audience of the King in Private at Hamp­ [...]on-Court; they were received in greater State, than any Ambassadors [...]ad been, that Arrived before them; [...]he whole Military Force of the City being in Arms, and several of the Companies in their Liveries, [...]nd the Aldermen with their Gold [Page 302] Chaines, riding before them. They had about thirty Servants, that rode on Horseback with Hawks on their fists, as Presents.

And being Conducted on the New-Years-Day following, to their Audi­ence at White-Hall, they delivered their Presents, which were very rich, consisting of Furs, Beavers, Ermins, and the like, together with Persian Carpets, three Persian Horses, Arg [...] ­marick, and other Commodities of that Country, as Damasks, Silks, and Embroderies, and a whole Ship load of Hemp; there were likewise of the same nature, sent from the Empress to the Queen, and from the Prince of Russia; all which were received with that affection and kindness, which the King discovered upon all occasions toward that great and Potent Monarch.

The King having ordered the Earl of Rothes to succeed Middleton, as Chief Commissioner in Scotland▪ went in the Vacation time on Pro­gress Westward from London to [Page 303] Bath, and from thence through Glocester-Shire to Oxford, being presen­ted at Reading, and Newbury with Purses of Gold, and receiving where­ever he came, very high and Splen­did Entertainments.

At Oxford, He was met half a Mile from the City, by the Doctors and Schollars in their Formalities: and upon His entring the Sub­burbs by the Militia of that City, through which he passed to his Lodg­ings.

During his stay there, he visited the Schollars, and was Nobly En­rertained: But not long after His return, notwithstanding all those Provisions for peace, he was informed of a Plot discovered in the North, to involve his Subjects in a War a­gain, which was to have begun first in Ireland, and so to have been brought into England, and several of the Conspirators being taken, he sent down a Commission to York in the midst of Winter to try them; Fif­teen whereof were found Guilty, [Page 304] the Chief of them was Captain Oates; and shortly after divers more were arraigned, the chief whereof were Cotton, Denham, and Atkins; some of them were executed at York, some at Leeds, and some at other places; nor wanted they some in London, to abett and favour their designes, by Libels and such like Methods, for which a Printer was Apprehended, Tryed and Execu­ed, and others pilloryed and Fin­ed.

The Dutch having notwithstand­ing all their great pretences of Love and Friendship to the King, been guilty of many Injuries, and depre­dations to the English Nation; the King and Parliament in the follow­ing Spring, took into their Conside­ration, the many Complaints that were made against them; and both Houses Petitioned the King to take a speedy and effectual course for the redressing thereof, promising to assist him therein with their Lives and Fortunes. But he alwayes preferring Peace before War, when it may be [Page 305] had upon Honourable Conditions re­solv'd to see what he could do with them by fair means, before he let things come to extremity, and there­fore by his Agent there demanded sa­tisfaction for the injuries done by them: But that subtle people not willing to return a speedy answer, resolved to send their own Embassa­dour into England; which, as it was a way of answering more Magni­ficent, so it occasioned the greater delay of time, which was the thing they chiefly aim'd at, that so they might be the better able to enter­tain War, when they had made provisions for it: And he being sensible of their drift therein, thought it not convenient for him to be altogether idle, and therefore resolved so to order his Affairs, as to be in as good a readiness as they, whensoever the War should commence. To which end he re­quired the City, to lend him One Hundred Thousand Pound, referring them to the Lord Treasurer for Terms of Repayment; which Re­quest was receiv'd with such a [Page 306] dutiful compliance by the Common-Council, that it was presently grant­ed, thereby acquitting themselves at once, both in point of Loyalty and Prudence, by serving the KINGS present Necessity, and providing for their own future Safety. This Mo­ney he imploy'd in fitting out two considerable Fleets: and intending to employ Sir John Lawson, who then blockt up Argier, and some of the Ships under his Command therein, he commanded his Return for Eng­land; Captain Allen being ordered to succeed him there; who brought these Pirates into such distress, that shortly after they were forc'd to ac­cept of Peace upon terms advantageous enough for England.

The Dutch Embassadour propound­ing such conditions as were not to be accepted, he sent back Sir George Downing thither, with full Instructi­ons how to behave himself towards them; who had upon his Arrival several Conferences with the States, about Satisfaction for Damages re­ceived but could not prevail with [Page 307] them to return a positive An­swer to any thing he propounded, nor come to any terms of Agree­ment: which they were the more willing to delay, in regard they expected the speedy Arrival of a vast Treasure in several great Fleets of Merchants Ships. But this being not unknown to him, and he being a Prince that well enough understood, how strong the Nerve of War, Money, was, resolv­ed to way-lay those vast Masses of Wealth as they past home­ward through his own Channel, especially being informed by se­cret Intelligence, that they were resolved in contempt of his Pow­er to send their Guiney Preparati­ons by Sea, and that Opdam should convey them through the Channel. To which end and pur­pose, that he might be before­hand with them in their prepa­rations, he endeavoured with all imaginable speed and diligence to make his Navy ready, not sparing to oversee and order things with indefatigable paines and [Page 308] industry in his own Royal Per­son, which was abundantly an­swered by the success. For such was the Alacrity of his Subjects when they saw him continually Travelling from place to place, to forward the work, and see all things effectually and speedily performed, encouraging them by his Presence; that the City at the very first mention of it by the Earl of Manchester, [Cham­berlain of His Household,] sup­plyed him with a second Loan of One Hundred Thousand Pounds.

By which means, while the Dutch flattered themselves with suppositions of his want of Men and Money, and his being brok­en with the Calamities of the Raging Pestilence (which hap­ned about this time, and was the severest that ever was known in England,) they were only forced to look on and with Envy behold his Vigorous preparations, and see the Sea covered with such a Magnificent Navy, as the Ocean had scarcely ever supported in [Page 309] any former Age. However having duely considered the dangers of the Northern passage, they seemingly laid aside all thoughts of going about by Scotland, and continu­ed firm to their former Reso­lution of forcing their passage though the Channel. In order whereunto, having Re-victualled Opdams Fleet, they commanded him to hasten to Sea, with the first Wind, and conduct the Guiney-Succors through the Channel, having or­dered some other Ships from the Ʋlie and Texel to Joyn with him, and sent a Galliot before to give notice to their Director General, in Guinea of their Proceedings therein. Which Resolution taken and carryed on with so much Vigour, most men Imagin'd to have been extorted from them by the exigency of their present condition; for they had scatter­ed many base contempts upon the King and Subjects of England. Nor was the Issue of that Bra­vado, other than what their Fears presented: For about the [Page 310] middle of October, Prince Rupert appeared at the Spitt-Head with sixteen Saile of Ships, who was not long after joyned by the Duke, then Lord High Admi­ral of England, and the Earl of Sandwich; so that it was a mat­ter of the greatest difficulty and hazard for them to unlock the narrow Seas. And great dispute there was amongst them, whe­ther Opdam, who lay with his Fleet in the Gore, should ad­venture out or no; but the Wind continuing cross put an end to that dispute, and furnisht them with a plausible excuse for their not appearing at Sea upon so great disadvantages as they would in all probability have met withall: However Prince Ru­pert kept the Sea with the Eng­lish Fleet to attend their Motion, and was rewarded by all or most of their Bourdeaux Fleet falling in­to his hands, which with other Prizes taken that Year by the Eng­lish, amounted to about One Hun­dred Thirty Five.

[Page 311] There having been as yet no Publick Declaration of War on either side; the King still con­tinued to Treat for Peace, with His Arms in His Hand, and or­dered Sir George Downing to press, in the heat of all that preparati­on and action, for satisfaction of Damages: And finding that they were not like to be brought to such terms as he expected, and knowing that it would mightily advance his Credit, and strike Terror into his Enemies to be alway before hand with them, he caused an Embargo to be laid upon their Ships, with so much Secrecy, that His Embassadour there had notice of it, at least eight dayes before the States, that so he might give secret In­telligence to the English, and hasten their departure; by which means, when their Embargo came, it found only two small inconsi­derable Vessels, and an Oyster Boat to seize. And the King acquaint­ing the Parliament (which met [Page 312] in November,) how unkindly he had been Treated by the Dutch, and what preparations he had thereupon made for War, and telling them he had out of his own Cre­dit set forth a Navy, which he was sure would not decline meet­ing with all the Power of the Dutch; for the Finishing where of, he had borrowed so liberal­ly out of his own stores, and of the City of London, that to dis­charge the one, and replenish the other, would require little less then Eight Hundred Thousand Pounds; They to demonstrate their Love and Affection to their Soveraign, and how hearty they were in their Resolutions to support His Honour, and their Countries Rights against Forreign Encroachments; gave him more then thrice that Summ in an Act Entituled, An Act for granting a Royal Aide of Twenty four Thousand Threescore and Seventeen Thousand and Five Hundred Pounds. And finding that the Dutch did but trifle with him, in hopes of gaining time, he re­solved [Page 313] to forbear them no lon­ger, and therefore in the Februa­ry following denounc'd War a­gainst them by a Publick Decla­ration, prohibiting all Manufactu­res coming from thence, and granting Letters of Reprizal to divers of his injured Subjects. And to increase his Fleet, a Peace be­ing now made, both with Gayland and the Algerines, he command­ed his Ships in those parts to re­turn home, and with most inde­fatigable diligence Journeying him­self from Port to Port, to hasten his preparations and encourage the Seamen by his presence, he got his Fleet ready to take the Sea by the 25th. of March, which did not a little terrifie the Hollander, who had been the Week before put in­to a very great disorder and con­sternation upon the appearance on­ly of a small part of the English Navy under the Earl of Sand­wich.

That his preparations for War might meet with their desired suc­cess, [Page 314] the blessing of God, who is the Lord of Navies as well as of Hosts, was implored by a general Fast enjoyned by Proclamation, and observed with Reverence suitable to the Solemnity of the occasion, which was answered with the happy Omens of future Victory, from the fair success of smaller enterprises, three of their Men of War being shortly after ta­ken.

His Royal Highness the Duke of York, who as Lord High Ad­miral of England commanded that Fleet, growing impatient of the Hollanders stay, resolved to give them a visit upon their own Coast, and One Hundred and Four­teen Saile of Ships made for the Texel, within five Leagues of which place he came to an An­chor, where he took a full view of their Fleet, some of the smallest of his Ships running within two Leagues of the Shore: and some few dayes after, he shewed himself before the Mouth of their Har­bour; [Page 315] which gave them so great an Allarum that they presently erected Beacons all along the Coasts to give notice if he should make any attempt to Land. He stayd somewhat longer then he intended, in hope to provoke them to come out and engage; but not suceeding therein, he commanded seven of his Ships to saile in quest of a Fleet of Merchant-men, who were then coming home from Bourdeaux, and had certainly fal­len into their hands, had not a great fogg which arose about that time prevented it: however, ten of them were taken, and as ma­ny more at several times after­ward.

However the Dutch finding their Embassadors in Swedeland and Den­mark able to effect little, meeting with Ceremonious entertainments, but no Assistance, resolved to shew their own strength; and their Navy appeared upon the Ocean in all its Glory and Splendor, di­vided into seven Squadrons, being [Page 316] in all about One Hundred and Three Men of War, Eleven Fire-Ships, and seven Yatches: About which time the English suffered some loss; for their Hamburgh Fleet desiring a Convoy of the Duke, when he lay before the Texel, he sent them some Ships for their Conduct and Security, with a Caution, that if they were not ready to Saile within ten dayes, they should not after that time adventure to Sea; but the ten dayes being over before they could get ready, and the Ketch ordered by him to give them notice of his removal from the Texel missing them, they ad­ventured to Sea, contrary to his Instructions and Orders, and so fell into the Enemies hands. But that loss was abundantly com­pensated by the Victory which soon after ensued, wherein the Dutch lost eighteen of their best Ships which were taken by the English, besides ten more which were sunk and burnt. Which ill success caused many disorders and complaints among the Common [Page 317] People in Holland; for the appeas­ing whereof, and the revenging themselves upon their Officers, that were accus'd of Cowardise, or ill management in that Engagement, they questioned several of them for their Lives, and caused three of their Captains to be Executed at the Helder, two to have their Swords broken over their heads, and the Vice-Admiral Cortinaer to stand upon a Scaffold with a Halter about his neck.

But the Joy of this Victory was somewhat allayed by the Sick­ness which now began to grow very hot in London and its Sub­burbs; insomuch that the Queen Mother, to avoid its Fury return­ed to France, being attended to the Kentish Coast by the King, who having taken his leave of her, went on board the Royal Charles, where he Knighted se­veral Captaines, that behaved themselves Valiantly against the Dutch, and afterward visited most of the Flagg Ships, giving all ne­cessary [Page 318] directions for the repair­ing and refitting out the Fleet, and so returned by Water to Green­wich; from thence to Hampton Court, and afterward to Salisbury: But the Plague increasing in Lon­don, so that it was dangerous re­turning thither, he repaired to Ox­ford, which proved so happy a Receptacle for him, that notwith­standing the vast concourse of People which resorted to his Court the approaching Parliament, and the Term which was likewise kept there; the place Continued in health, and was not in the least visited with that Distemper that then raged in London, and some other parts of the Kingdom. At this place was made that Law which is commonly known by the name of the Five-Mile Act, forbidding all such Dissenting Mi­nisters as would not take the Oath, and make the Declaration and Abhorrency therein provided, to live within five Miles of any Corporation, thereby the better to prevent the spreading of their In­fection, [Page 319] and encrea [...]ing the number of their Proselites. The Oath and Declaration, being as follows, viz.

J. A. B. Do Declare, That it is not Lawful upon any pretence whatsoever to take up Arms against the King: And that I do abhor that Traiterous position of ta­king Arms by his Authority against His Person by His Commission. Or those that are Commissioned by Him in persuance of such Commissi­on. And I do swear that I will not at any time endea­vour any alteration of Go­aernment either in Church or State.

But tho during the time of that Visitation, he remov'd His Court to Oxford, yet for the security of that City, and that he might not be thought [Page 320] wholly to withdraw his beams from her disconsolate Walls; He left there the Duke of Albemarle, who in all the heat of the Distemper continued at White-Hall, with a Courage equal to his Dignity. And knowing that as the Affliction came from the hand of Heaven, so none but the Almighty was able to mittigate or remove it, He commanded by Proclamation a general Fast to be observ'd through­out the whole Kingdom, for the con­fessing and bewailing those sins that had brought that heavy Judgment upon the City, and by Prayers and Supplications implore the Divine Goodness for the removal thereof; commanding his Bishops to direct and Publish such forms of Prayer, as were most suitable not only for the Service of that Particular day, but likewise of all the succeeding Wednesdays, so long as the Contagi­on should last; having commanded that day in every week to be ob­served as a Fast for the removal of that desolating distemper, according to the Apostle's Rule, praying alwayes and with all manner of Prayer.

[Page 321] The English Fleet having now re­paired their Dammages, and several of the Dutch Prizes being fitted for Ser­vice, put to Sea again, and stood over for the Holland-Coast; the alarum whereof brought back Bankert, who had been about three Weeks at Sea with some of their Ships, and caused them to make de Ruyter, after his long expected arrival from the West, Admiral of their Fleet. But the Bishop of Munster's Drums (who then like­wise threatned them with a War) sounding in their Ears, almost as ter­ribly as the English Cannon, made them order a flying Army to the Frontiers, tho' with little satisfaction to the fear­ful Inhabitants, who daily fled to the fortified Towns for their security.

In the mean while, the English Fleet, in three Squadrons, sailed to­wards Norway; and the Earl of Sand­wich having notice, that fifty Hollan­ders had sheltred themselves in Berghen, sent a Squadron of twenty two Men of War, under the Command of Tydde­man, to attack and fire them in the Harbour; which Enterprise had proved very fatal, had not the Wind befriended them, and the Dane permitted them [Page 322] to plant their Guns on shore, against the resolute English; however, they received very great dammages, and had many of their best Ships in that Harbour dissabled; And the Earl him­self meeting with a Convoy of theirs, who had several Merchants, and some East-India men in his Company, at­tacked them with so much resolution, that notwithstanding the storminess of the Weather did much favour them, yet he took Eight of their Men of War, two of their best East-India Ships, and twenty Sail of their Mer­chants; and some few days after, the Fleet encountering with eighteen Sail of the Enemy, took the greatest part of them, with above one thousand Pri­soners. However, the French King, supposing the Ballance of Affairs not yet even enough, and affecting a Sove­reignty in the Mediterranean-Sea, not only continued his friendship to them, but, in their behalf, declared War like­wise against England, upon pretence of succouring them, according to the Conditions of the Treaty in 1662; which Declaration the King, who, altho? he was as great a lover of Peace, as any Prince in the World, yet being [Page 323] provoked, would not be behind hand with his Enemies, soon returned with the like denunciation of War against him; protesting, that he was resolved to prosecute that War against France, with his utmost force by Land and Sea: And it was admirable to behold the cheerfulness and alacrity where­with the Maritine Countreys offered him their Service, upon their first re­ceiving his Orders to put themselves into a posture of defence; but being unwilling to continue them under the trouble and charge of a needless Duty, he dismiss'd them for the present, and only ordered them to be ready, if there was occasion.

The Pestilence being now pretty well abated, he returned again to Lon­don, where he was joyfully recei­ved and welcomed by the Lord Mayor and Aldermen; about which time eight persons, formerly Officers or Sol­diers in the Rebellion, were Indicted at the Old-Bayly, for conspiring the Death of the King, and the Alteration of the Government; having, in his absence from the City, plotted the surprisal of the Tower, killing the General, Robinson and Brown; and [Page 324] then, according to their old levelling humour, to have declared for an equal division of Lands: The better to effect which Design of theirs, the City was to have been fired, the Portcullices to have been let down, to keep out all assistance, and the Horse-guards to have been surprised in their Quarters; the Tower having been viewed by them, and its surprisal ordered by Boats over the Moat, and so to scale the Wall. One Alexander was the chief Conspirator, having distributed seve­ral Sums of Money amongst them; and he told them, for their encourage­ment, of several great ones, that sat continually in London, and issued out all necessary Orders; which Counsel, he said, received their Directions from another in Holland, who sat with the States: The third of September being found, by a Scheme erected for that purpose, a lucky Day, a Planet then ruling, whose direful effects, portended the downfal of Monarchy, was pitch'd upon for the Attempt: They were found guilty of High Treason, and exe­cuted at Tyburn.

Prince Rupert, and the Duke of Al­bemarle, being made joynt Generals at [Page 325] Sea, for that Summer's Expedition, di­vided the Fleet; the Prince command­ing the blew Squadron, wherewith he sailed toward France, upon intimation that the French were hasting to joyn the Dutch Fleet, and the Duke the other two, who meeting the Hollanders, on Friday, about 4 or 5 Leagues from the North Foreland, couragiously attacked them, notwithstanding he had not above half their number, bravely main­taining the Fight two days, and part of the third, when he had been hardly put to it, had not the Prince, hearing the Guns, tacked about, and made to­wards him. Upon his approach, de Ruy­ter sent out 30 stout Ships, to intercept him, and prevent his joyning the Duke; but avoiding them, he hastened for­ward, and sent Albemarle word, that if he liked the design, he would keep the wind of them, and engage the 30 Ships de Ruyter had sent against him; but the Duke not liking his purpose, advi­sed him rather to joyn the Fleet, which he did, and the approaching night, soon after put an end to their farther pro­ceedings. And the next morning, so soon as it grew light, they perceived the Dutch to be fled, and gotten almost [Page 326] out of sight, St. Georges Chanel having proved too dangerous and stormy for them; but making all the sail they could, they pursued them, and the Prince with his fresh Squadron, falling in with them, with an undaunted courage and bravery, pass'd five several times through the whole Body of their Fleet; so that not able longer to endure it, with all the sail they could make, they began to run, and sheltred themselves in their shallows. But both Fleets ha­ving repaired their dammages, got out to Sea again, and meeting soon after, begun a second Engagement, no less bloody than the former, both sides fighting with all the Courage and Va­lour, that could be expected from the most inveterate and enraged Enemies, de Ruyter resolving to revenge his lost disgrace, and recover, if possible, his lost honour; and the Prince, to main­tain his former, by obtaining a se­cond Victory; They began to fight about Nine in the Morning, pouring Broad-sides upon each other, with such fury, that the roaring Canon seemed to outvy the Thunder, and the Smoak clouded the Sun, and ren­dred the Air more dark and dismal, [Page 327] than was black Munday. There might have been seen the Heads of some, the Arms, Leggs and Thighs, of others, shot off; some divided in the middle with Chain-shot, breathing out their last in anguish and pain, or burning in Fired Ships: whilst others, exposed to the mercy of the Liquid Element, im­plored pity from their very Enemies, whom they intreated to save their Lives, although with the loss of their Liberties. But in the midst of all those deplorable miseries, the survivers fought with as much resolution and fury as ever; their Courage and Valour being rather heightned than daunted there­by: For which Victories, a solemn thanks giving was observed throughout the whole Nation.

But to abate the joy of the English, London which had flourished through­out so many Ages, and been accounted one of the goodliest Cities in the World, was about this time destroyed, and burnt down to the ground, by a most dread­ful fire; which began on Sunday, Sep­tember the [...]econd, about two in the morning, 1666. a Year that, in regard of its agreement with the number of the Beast mentioned in the Revelations, [Page 328] had filled all Men with great expectati­ons of some memorable accident that would fall out therein: many eminent Writers having, with more confidence than truth, Predicted the fall of Anti­christ, and the utter ruin and desolation of Rome, which they affirmed to be the Apocalyptical Babylon. It began at a Bakers House, in Pudding-Lane near new Fishstreet, a place very close, and for the most part consisting of old Tim­ber Houses, which burned like so many pitch'd Barrels; whereby it spread it self with such an impetuous and irresi­stable fury, that notwithstanding all endeavours to extinguish it, it exten­ded it self to all the several quarters of the City, and by Wednesday night con­sumed that goodly Pile: The King and the Duke, during all that time, riding from place to place, and by their perso­nal care and labour, encouraging all Men to attempt the putting a stop to its fury and rage, which was at last hap­pily performed at the Temple-Church, Pye-Corner, Holborn-Bridg, Aldersgate, Cripplegate, at the Church in Fenchurch-street, at Cloathworkers-Hall in Mincing-Lane, in the middle of Mark-Lane, the lower end of Coleman-street, the [Page 329] upper end of Bishopsgate-street, and at the Tower-Dock. But on Thursday in the evening, it unfortunately broke out again at the Temple, by the accidental falling of some sparks upon a Pile of Timber Buildings, and might have done much more harm, had not the Duke, who watch'd there in Person all that night, and so encouraged the People with his presence, that by blowing up the Houses about it, it was extinguish'd before day. It consumed, acc [...]ing to the best computation of Surveyers▪ em­ployed by the King for that purpose, 373 Acres of Buildings within the Walls, and more than 63 Acres without the Walls, 87 Parish-Churches, six Consecrated Chappels, the Royal Ex­change, the Guild-Hall, and many other stately Buildings belonging to the seve­ral Companies, and, according to the best account, about 13000 and 200 Houses: the total sum, of which loss, was valued at nine Millions, and nine hundred thousand pound Sterling.

In so deplorable and amazing an ac­cident, it is not difficult to imagine how many Persons were constrained, in hast and confusion, to remove their Goods into the Fields, and take up their Lodg­ings [Page 330] in the open Air; which gave the King (whose heart was ever open to compassionate the distress and miseries of his Subjects) an opportunity of ex­ercising his commiseration, by com­manding the Justices of the Peace to send Provisions into the Markets, and opening his Sea-stores for the sup­plying of the poor and necessitous.

The Fire, happening at a time when England was engaged in a War with France and Holland, was thought, by many, to be a treacherous Act contriv'd and perpetrated by the French, which some were the more in­duc'd to believe, in regard one Hubert, a melancholly Frenchman, confest he did the fact, by putting a Fire-ball into the House of the Baker where it began. And Oates, the Discoverer of the Sala­manca Plot, lays the guilt of that action, upon a knot of Jesuites and Irish-men; who having laid the project long before, could not put it in execution 'till that time: notwithstanding which [for we are not to believe all that the Doctor has been pleas'd to swear] it is uncertain, to this day, whether some casual accident, or the malice of those who envied the happiness and grandeur of that City, [Page 331] were the immediate occasions of it. But however it were, it was permitted by Heaven for a Punishment, of its Pride, Luxury and Rebellion.

London being thus consumed and laid in Ashes, the grieved Inhabitants look'd upon its Rebuilding as so weighty and ponderous an undertaking, that they despaired of ever living to see it begun, much less finished, and therefore took Houses, in the out-parts, at vast Rents and Fines, and for a long term of Years. Nor might their fears have been altoge­ther groundless, had it happened in a time less happy and fortunate: but liv­ing in a Reign of Wonders, they found, contrary to all mens expectations, that it suddenly started up rather than was gradually built, in far more splendour and beauty than ever it was before. And that fire, wherein all their happi­ness seemed to have been for ever buri­ed, proved a real advantage, by reason of that provident care which was thereupon taken by the King, to pre­vent such fatal accidents for the future, by commanding all the buildings, which were for the most part before of Tim­ber, to be now made of Brick or Stone; and so contrived, that if a Fire happen­ed [Page 332] in any of them, it might be hem'd in, within the Walls of that particular House, without indangering the adjoyn­ing Buildings, by putting the Inhabi­tants of each Parish, and divers prin­cipal Merchants and Gentlemen, that live in that City, upon providing greater plenty of large and hand Engines, Buckets, and other such like things necessary for the quench­ing of Fires; And by making Men more expert in the methods of stopping the progress of any Fires that shall hap­pen for the future; and finally, by put­ting several ingenious Persons upon contriving and setting up an Office, for the Ensuring of Houses from being de­stroyed by fire for thirty one years, at five pence per pound for Brick Houses, and ten pence per pound for Timber Houses, which is to be discounted by way of purchase, and five years only paid down for eight; seven for twelve; nine and one half for twenty one; ele­ven for thirty one years Insurance: so that it is in reality but little more than three pence per pound for Brick Houses, and six pence per pound for Timber Houses, only requiring ten pounds in Mony to be paid to the Insurers toward [Page 333] the defraying of their Charges in Re-building the House so often as it shall happen to be burnt down, within the term ensured. And because many Persons take Leases of Houses for diffe­rent terms of Years, they do not tye any Person to Insure for thirty one, but so many Years only as themselves please, setling several Ground Rents, and mak­ing other sufficient Provisions for the security of the Subscribers. This Of­fice they setled in Thredneedle-street, in the back-side of the Royal Exchange, and it is certainly one of the greatest designs that any Age hath ever produ­ced, and will prove more universally advantagious than was at first believed, the severe stroaks falling more light on par [...]icular Persons now, than in former Ages, in regard they are, by vertue of this contrivance, supported by a publick stock, & those whose houses escape, made by that means, to contribute toward the repairing of those that are burned.

In order to the re-building London, the King, according to his accustomed Wisdom, foreseeing it would other­wise be impossible to have it uniform, and decide the Controversies which would arise about dividing the Ground [Page 334] belonging to each House, and oblige the Repairers to build with Brick or Stone, provided an Act of Parlia­ment, for the setling all things in re­lation thereunto, and the erecting a Court of Judicature, to judge and determin all Differences that might arise between Party and Party; pro­hibiting in the mean time the hasty building any publick Edifices, and proclaiming a general Fast through England and Wales, ordering the di­stresses of those who were ruined thereby to be then recommended to the Charity of all well-disposed per­sons; and the Money so gathered, to be afterward distributed by the hands of the Lord Mayor. The Act was pass'd in the approaching Parliament; wherein, besides the provision for the building the Houses of Brick or Stone, it was enacted, That the most emi­nent Streets should be of a conside­rable breadth; and those toward the Water-sides, wide enough to render Passages convenient; that a fair Wharf should be left all along the River's-side, and no Houses built thereon, but at a convenient distance appointed therein; none whereof were [Page 335] to be inhabited by Dyers, Brewers, or Sugar-Bakers: And that an exact Survey should be made of the Ruins, for the satisfaction of particular In­terests, and a Model framed of the whole Building, the better to under­stand if it were convenient for them to appoint any alterations therein.

And to shew his Pious Care for the Rebuilding of the Churches for the Service of God, as well as Houses for his Subjects to dwell in, he re­commended that Work to the Cha­rity and magnanimous Bounty of pub­lick spirited Persons; and for an encouragement to others, promised to Rebuild the Custom-house, and Enlarge it for the Benefit of Mer­chants, at his own Charge, which he afterward performed, engaging to part with all his Right and Be­nefit arising from his own Lands within the City; for the Publick Good, and to remit the Duties ari­sing from Hearth-Money, to those who should Erect any New Build­ings, according to his Declaration, for Seven Years: And to demon­strate his Resolution to perform what­soever he had promised in his De­claration, [Page 336] commanded one Knight to be committed to Prison, for presuming to Print certain Propositions for the Rebuilding the City, with consi­derable Advantages to the Crown, which were repugnant to his gracious Offers in that Declaration.

So that London being ashamed to lye longer smothered under Ashes, when all those Provisions were made for its Resurrection, was by Sir Jonas Moore, according to the appointed Model, first roused in Fleet-street; and from that beginning, grew so hastily towards a perfection, that within the compass of a few years, it outvyed all its ancient Glory and Splendour, and appeared far more beautiful in its rise, than its fall had rendred it abject and desolate.

But the burning of London was not the only unhappy Accident that fell out in that Year of Wonders; for the Fire, which had laid the City in Ashes, threatned the Court with the like dissolation; for having, by the misfortune of a Candle fal­ling into the straw, violently seized upon the Horse-Guard, in the Tilt-Yard, over against White-Hall, it burned [Page 337] down the North-West part of that Building, but being so close under the King's own eye, it was by timely help in a little time mastered: And at a place called Welbourn, in Lincoln-shire, after a prodigious Thunder, with Hail-stones of a more than ordinary bigness, there followed such a Storm and Tempest, that its violence threw down most of the Houses to the ground, tore up Trees by the Roots, and dispersing several Ricks of Corn and Hay, passed to the next Village, called Willington, where it threw down firm Houses, and going forward to Nanby, it fell so violently upon the Church, that it dash'd the Spire in pieces, and so tore and rent the Body of the Church, that it almost levelled it with the ground. And that Scot­land might likewise bear a share in that Year's Calamities, a Seditious Zeal, having inspired some Malecon­tents, with revenge against Sir James Turner, for executing (too vigorously, as they pretended) the Laws against them, they committed an insolent Ryot upon his person, taking him out of his Bed, and carrying him naked into the Market-place, where [Page 338] they were hardly restrained from cut­ting him in pieces, which Tumult was first raised by a small and an in­considerable Rabble, but in a short time increased to a Body of One thou­sand six hundred Men, who march­ing toward Edenburgh, were encoun­tred and defeated near Glencarn, many of them being slain, and more taken; the Ring-leaders whereof were executed, and most of the rest pardoned.

But in the midst of all these un­happy Distractions, he did not neg­lect the making all necessary Prepa­rations for carrying on and maintain­ing his War with Holland, France, and Denmark; the latter whereof was now entered into a League offensive and defensive with the States of the Ʋnited Provinces, upon pretence of the Assault made upon the Dutch, in his Port of Berghen, although he had the freedom of that Port frankly offered him by the King of Denmark himself, at a time when he thought nothing of it; and that in order to the doing those very Acts of Hostility, wherewith he was then unjustly re­proach'd by that King, as he declared [Page 339] in his Declaration of War against Denmark, published about that time; And for a good Omen of his future success, he not long after his De­claration of War, received News, that the Vice-Admiral of Denmark was taken by some of his Frigots, upon the Coast of Scotland.

However, the King of Sweden ha­ving become a Mediator for Peace, be­tween him, and the States-General, and prevailed with him to condescend thereunto, and appoint Breda for the place of Treaty; the Dutch, notwith­standing, busied themselves in making Preparations for continuing the War, resolving to treat of Peace, in a po­sture and condition to fight, if it suc­ceeded not, and (he not being ig­norant of their intentions) to make him spend that Summer in needless Expences for War, and only keep him­self upon his own guard. But we having therefore but a small Fleet abroad, the Dutch, upon intimation thereof, got out to Sea betimes, and finding no Ene­my to resist them, made an attempt on Burnt Island, but being beaten off with loss, they next attempted the Fort of Sheerness, which being then a [Page 340] place of small force, was after a short, but stout resistance, abandoned by Sir Edward Spragg, and so the Mouth of that narrow River was left open to them: And being encouraged by this success, they landed about three thousand men near Felton-Cliff, and with two thousand of them adven­tured to make two Assaults upon Lan­guard-Fort, but were beaten off, and forced to retire in such haste, that they left their Scaling-Ladders behind them, and had about one hundred and fifty slain upon the place; the other thou­sand, which were left behind the Cliff, to secure their retreat, being encoun­tered by the Trained-bands, under the Command of the Earl of Suffolk, a smart Skirmish pass'd between them, and continued till Ten at Night, when it was renewed again by the return of the beaten Companies from the Fort; but the English Horse not being able to come up, there was not that execution done upon them, which otherwise might have been. However, the Dutch lik'd not that hot Service well enough, to abide their coming, but as soon as their Boats were afloat, embarqued with [Page 341] all haste, and returned to their Ships, and sailing for the Humber, they engaged a Squadron of the English, which they found there; but being worsted, shewed themselves before Portsmouth, and made some slight Attempts in Devonshire, and Cornwall: And after de Ruyter, their Admiral had been civily treated in the West, by the Earl of Bath, and Sir Jonathan Trelawney, and re­ceived advice, that the Peace was concluded, they sailed back for Hol­land.

This Peace was concluded at Breda, upon the twenty first of June, in the Year 1667. when the Articles were signed by the several Plenipotentiaries, and upon the fourteenth of the follow­ing August, the Ratifications thereof interchanged, the Mediators first bring­ing the Ratifications and other Instru­struments of the Dutch, French and Danes, into the English Embassadors Lodgings, and received theirs in ex­change: which done, the English Em­bassadors went into the apartments of the Dutch and their Allies, where they made and received the Comple­ments usual in such cases, and the Peace [Page 342] was thereupon immediately Proclaimed before the Doors of the several Pleni­potentiaries; and on the twenty fourth of that Month at the Exchange, which was then kept at Gresham Colledge, and other places in London. But the Foun­dation of the Royal Exchange, in Cornhil, being about that time appointed to be laid, the King was pleased to shew his readiness to countenance that Work, by being present at, and assisting in the so­lemnity thereof, with his own Royal hands; as his Brother, the Duke of York, did, shortly after, who laid the first stone of the second Pillar: which Edifice was in a short time finished, and is now the most curious Fabrick of that kind in the whole World.

About this time, that wise and useful States-man and Privy-Counsellor, Ed­ward Hide, Earl of Clarendon, and Lord High-Chancellor of England, who had always behaved himself with abun­dance of Loyalty and Faithfulness to his Master, as well before, as after his Re­stauration, falling into disgrace with the Parliament, was forced to abscond; and leaving that Office, which he had so long managed, with advantage to the King, and honour to himself, reti­red [Page 343] into France, where he lived in a vo­luntary Exile 'till he died.

A sort of idle and licentious Persons, getting together in the Holy-days at Easter, and pretending former custom, took the liberty to pull down some Houses of bad repute, about the Su­burbs of London, under the notion of Apprentices; yet others being found guilty of it, four of them were appre­hended, Tryed, Condemned and Exe­cuted, and two of their Heads set up­on the Bridge for a terror to others.

Having dispatch'd the Earl of Car­lile, as his Embassador Extraordinary to the Court of Sweden, with which King he always maintained a friendly correspondence, he directed a Letter for the Earl, when he was at Copenha­gen, on his way to Sweden, to be by him delivered to the King of Denmark, in an­swer to an obliging Letter he had a lit­tle before received from him; which Letter of the King's, was so acceptable to the Dane, that upon the Earl's re­quest, he immediately dispatch'd orders to all his Ports and Towns of com­merce, especially those in Norway, for restoring the English to the same Free­dom and Priviledges in Trading thi­ther, [Page 344] as they had before the War. And the Earl, upon his arrival in Sweden, presented that King with the George worn by the Knights of the Garter; and after his having been entertained in that Court with all imaginable respect, upon his Masters account, and dismiss'd with particular marks of the King of Sweden's favour, and testimonies of the acceptableness of his Embassie, he was, upon his return home, solemnly In­stalled in that Order at Windsor.

While the King was diverting him­self this Summer, with the Duke and others of his Nobles, in the new For­rest in Hampshire, he received the dole­ful tidings of his Mothers death at Co­lumbe, the thirty first of August, she be­ing nobly buried, in the December fol­lowing, at St. Dennis. And to close the publick affairs of this Year, the resto­rer of the Crown to the King, and hap­piness to the Kingdom, George Duke of Albemarle, and Lord General of all the Kings Land Forces, exchanged his temporary Coronet for an Eternal Crown; and the King, as a mark of Gratitude to the Father, sent his Gar­ter to his Son and Successor, the pre­sent Duke of Albemarle, whom he con­tinued [Page 345] in many of his Honours and Preferments, promising withall, that himself would take care of his Fathers Funeral which he accordingly did: and after he had publickly lain in State at Somerset-House for some time, caused his Funeral to be solemnized with that Pomp and Splendor, that, it is verily believed, no Subject was ever honou­red with the like.

In the following Spring, the King having a great desire to unite Scot­land and England into one Kingdom, endeavoured to have it accomplish'd, by procuring an Act of Parliament, in order thereunto, and nominating Com­missioners for each Kingdom, to meet and treat about it: But they not being able to agree, it was wholly laid aside, and came to nothing.

The King's Wisdom and Conduct being famed throughout all parts of the World, like a second Solomon, drew to his Court several Foreign Princes, to see and admire him; And about this time the Prince of Tus­cany came upon the same Errand, and was by him treated both at Lon­don and Windsor, with great Respect and Splendour, and by several of his [Page 346] Nobles, in his Progress through Eng­land, the chief Cities whereof he was desirous to take a view of; after which he departed for Holland, and so returned into his own Countrey: where, not long after, besides his splendid Entertainment of the Earl of Northumberland, in acknowledgment of the King's Kindness and Affection express'd to him, when in England, he built, and gave to the King, two very stout Galleys, for a guard of the Coast about Tangier, which were of great importance to his Service in those parts. But altho' the King was well pleased with this Princes visit, yet he shortly after received a more welcome one from his Sister, the Dutchess of Orleans, who came to Dover, to pay him her last Visit, and was there entertained by him with as much Affection and Bounty, as the time of her stay (which was but short) would permit. Nor was her stay in this World much longer; for soon after her return, she died suddenly, to his unexpressible grief.

[Page 347] The King being now at peace at home, employed his Naval Forces against the Algerines, a People that never keep Peace longer than till they can have an opportunity to break it: and they having taken some of our Merchants Ships, Sir Thomas Allen was sent to revenge the Injury, who coming before the Town, they de­sired a Treaty, offering to make restitution of what Money they had taken from an English Ship, bound for the East-Indies; but not agree­ing to some other Demands, he re­solved to beat them into a comply­ance; and having seized a Barque, loaden with Corn, and a Brigantine, which rowed in the Harbour, in view of the Town, departed to Tripoly; the Bassa of which place, sent him an assurance of his readi­ness and resolution to preserve a Peace, and continue a good Corre­spondence with his Master: And the Hampshire, Portsmouth, Jersey, and Centurion Frigots, under the Com­mand of Captain Beach, not long after meeting with Seven of the Al­gerines, notwithstanding the least of them had Thirty eight Guns, and [Page 348] were all full of Men, forced them to run their Ships on shore, which were all burned, two by themselves, and the rest by the English: in which Action most of their Men were lost, and Two hundred and fifty Christian Captives redeemed. But Sir Thomas Allen, after having made many At­tempts upon those Pyrates, whose Cowardize still shun the Fight, re­turned home, and left Sir Edward Spragg to Command in his room; who meeting with Nine of their Men of War, and three Merchantmen, near Bugia, they retired, upon his appear­ance, under the shelter of the Castle, and put themselves into the best posture of defence; but Spragg in the mean time attacked them with so much Va­lour and Success, that he set most of them on fire; and those which escaped the flame, fell into his hands, and were made Prizes of: And to compleat the Victory, Captain Beach brought him another Ship, which he had newly taken, of Forty Guns, and Three hun­dred and fifty men. So that Spragg believing that this Loss might dispose the Algerines to accept of Terms of Peace, made a speedy return to his [Page 349] station, before that Port; whereupon, constrained by necessity, they conclu­ded a Peace, as honourable and advan­tagious as any we ever had with those Rovers.

About this time a strange and odd kind of Action happened, which for its unusualness, was the matter of much wonder and discourse: For one Thomas Bloud, commonly called Cap­tain Bloud, being discontented, upon pretence of an Estate, detained from him in Ireland, and having a little be­fore, with five persons in his com­pany, armed and mounted, seized the Duke of Ormond, as he was going home, between St. James's and Claren­don-house, forcing him out of his Coach, and attempting to have car­ried him away, had he not been rescued by others coming in to his assistance, (a Fact which rendred him not more bold in the undertaking, than the Duke memorable in forgiving:) But not being able to carry off the Duke, he next adventured to attempt the Crown; In order whereunto, he coming to the Keeper of the Jewel-house, and desiring to see the Crown and Jewels; which being shewed him, [Page 350] he gratified the Keeper more liberally than it was usual for others to do in such cases; telling him, that he had some Friends who were very desirous to see them, and that he would bring them the next Morning. Accordingly he came with three others with him; and the old Gentleman, being prepared by Bloud's liberality, gave them a ready admittance into the Jewel-house; but their design being to take, and not to see, they gagg'd and secured the Keeper; and then putting the Crown and Ball into two Baggs, which they brought with them for that purpose, fairly walked away, and had certainly carried them off, (having pass'd most of the Centinels with them) had not the Keeper's Son-in-law accidentally came by, and seeing the condition his Father lay in, run out hastily, and cryed to the Guards, to stop them. Whereupon fear making them to mend their pace, they became the means of their own discovery; and being thereupon suspected, and commanded to stand, they fired a Pistol at the Centinel; but others coming in to his assistance, two of them were seized, and carried to [Page 351] White-Hall, and after examination, sent Prisoners to the Tower, where they had committed that bold At­tempt.

The King now finding himself at leisure, resolved to look after the condition of his Western Sea-port Towns, and spend the Summer in a kind of Sea-Progress; For going first to Portsmouth, he went in his Yacht to the Isle of Wight, and took a view of most of the consi­derable Ports in that Island; from whence he returned to Hurst-Castle, and from thence to Corfe-Castle, and having viewed, and taken order for the furnishing those places with all necessary Provisions, returned again to Portsmouth; and from thence, attended with five Frigots, sailed to Dartmouth, Plymouth, and other places in those parts, knowing that according to the ancient Proverb, the Master's eye quickens the Servant's di­ligence.

Notwithstanding the many Losses sustained by the Dutch in their former War with England, and the diffi­culty they met withal in attaining a Peace, yet they took no care to pre­serve [Page 352] it, but by new Affronts laid a foundation for a second War; and therefore the King having long con­cealed his just Displeasure against them, resolved now to let them know his ill Resentments of their unworthy Dealings towards him; Pursuant to which he declared in the following Spring, That seeing his Neighbours were making great Prepa­rations, both by Sea and Land, He thought himself obliged to appear in such a posture as might best se­cure his own Government, and his Peoples peace; to make such Prepara­tions as should be answerable to the preservation of both, which could not be done, without fitting out a conside­rable Fleet against the approaching Spring; In order whereunto, Money being at that time wanting, he was for­ced to put a stop to the payment of any Money then brought in, or to be brought into the Exchequer, for the space of one whole Year, declaring that nothing could have moved him thereunto, but the looking upon his Government as unsafe, under the threatening Prepa­rations of the States General, and other neighbouring Princes, without appear­ing [Page 353] in the same posture: And that therefore seeing the necessity was inevi­table, some extraordinary course must be taken, until Money could be other­wise procured.

However, before he would enter into War with them, he endeavoured to bring them to terms of Peace by the threatning of it; and therefore ordered Sir George Downing, who was his Em­bassador to the States, to be very ur­gent with them on the Affair of the Flagg: which, notwithstanding it had ever been accounted a Ceremony due to the Kings of England, as an acknow­ledgment of their Sovereignty in the narrow Seas, had been for some time denied by them. But having, by seve­ral Instances and Memorials, pressed for an Answer to his Demands; and finding nothing but delays, and several personal affronts to him, he returned, without Orders, for England, and was, for so doing, after a private Examina­tion by some Lords of the Council, and Report thereof made to the King, Com­mitted to the Tower for not observing the Orders sent him. At which Pro­ceedings of the States, the King being [...]ustly enraged, resolved to trifle with [Page 354] them no longer, but make them feel the effects of his Indignation. And knowing that whilst he had Wars abroad, it was necessary to have Peace and Union at home, he put forth a De­claration of Indulgence to all Dissent­ing Persons, promising, notwithstand­ing that Indulgence, to maintain the Doctrine and Discipline of the Church of England as it was then establish­ed.

Sir Robert Holmes Cruising with five of the King's Frigots near the Isle of Wight, about the middle of March met with the Dutch Smyrna and Streight Fleet, Convoyed by six of their men of War, and standing with them, gave them a Gun to strike and lower their Flag; which they refusing, he poured a Broad-side upon them: whereupon, their Convoy coming up, the Fight be­gan about two in the afternoon, and continued until night, and the next morning was again renewed, five of their richest Merchant-men being taken, their Reer-Admiral sunk, and the rest made their escape for want of more assistance.

The first blow being thus given, the King denounced open War against [Page 355] them, by Publishing his Declaration, wherein he gave the World an account of the Grounds and Reasons of his Quarrel with them; which, together with the French Kings preparations and proceedings towards them, in laying great Impositions upon their Manufa­cture, which they foresaw tended to a rupture with them, they fortifiing them­selves with all imaginable speed and di­ligence, endeavoured to procure Allies abroad, and made the Prince of Orange their Captain-General at Land, and Admiral at Sea: And looking upon Mae­stricht, as the first place that would in all probability be attacked by the French King, they repaired the Fortifi­cations thereof, and re-inforced that City with Men and Provisions.

The King resolving to prosecute the War with all imaginable resolution and vigour, provided for the security of his own Subjects, by allowing them sufficient Convoys, and giving them liberty to make use of what Foreign Mariners they could procure. And his Fleet being now ready to put to Sea, he went to Rye to see them joyn with a Squadron of French Ships, which that King, according to agreement, was to [Page 356] furnish him with, under the Command of the Count d' Estree, Vice-Admiral of France. And so soon as he was re­turned, the two Fleets being now joyn­ed, stood over for the Coast of Holland, Commanded by His present Majesty, then Duke of York, whose very name was terrible to the Dutch. And on the twenty eighth of May meeting with the Enemies Fleet, about five Leagues off the Wheelings, there ensued a very fierce and bloody Engagement, both sides being emulous for Honour, and desirous of Victory, fighting with ex­traordinary eagerness: But the night coming on, and the Dutch finding them­selves unable to bear up against the Va­lour of the English, stood towards their own Coasts, and were pursued by the Duke, who resolved to have renewed the Engagement the next morning, had not a Fog prevented, and favoured their securing themselves in their Shal­lows: The loss on the Dutch side was very great, both as to Men and Ships, but on the part of the English, there was little Dammage, beside the loss of the Earl of Sandwich and the Royal James.

[Page 357] This loss at Sea was attended with many more on Land, the French King having taken several of their Frontier Towns, which possessed them with such a Consternation, that many of the wealthy Inhabitants forsook their Ha­bitations, resolving not to hazard their Persons and Estates in a Countrey fal­ling into the hands of a Victorious Fo­reigner; And the States not thinking themselves secure enough at the Hague, removed to Amsterdam: and to impede the French King's approach, cause [...] the Sluces to be opened, and the Country be put under Water, to the incredible Prejudice and Dammage of the misera­ble Inhabitants. Which Distraction of theirs, the King of England wisely im­proved, to the strengthening himself and the weakening of them, by put­ting forth a seasonable Declaration; wherein he promised, ‘That if any of their Subjects, out of affection to him or his Government, or to avoid the oppression they met with at home, would take refuge in his Kingdom, they should be protected in their Per­sons and Estates, and have an Act pass for their Naturalization, and that such Ships as they brought with [Page 358] them should be accounted as English Built, and enjoy the same Priviledges and Immunities, as to Trade, Navi­gation and Customs, as those of his own Subjects.’

Yet, commiserating the deplorable condition into which the States were re­duced, and supposing their misfortunes had rendred them more humble, he sent the Duke of Buckingham, and the Earl of Arlington, to try if they would at length offer any reasonable terms of Peace; who were received, by the Common People, with great joy and satisfaction, crying out, God bless the King of England, and God bless the Prince of Orange, but the Devil take the States. But their Pride being not sufficiently abated, the Embassadors returned without bringing them to any Conclusion; which, together with the French King's taking Nimeguen, and the English Fleets appearing upon their Coasts, so enraged the People, that they brake out into tumultuous Insur­rections: and there was scarce a Town in Holland, where they were not ma­sterless. And therefore the States, that they might appease them, commanded their Fleet to go out and beat the English [Page 359] from their Harbours; which De Ruyter attempted with all the force that Cou­rage and Resolution could inspire him with: but finding himself overmatch­ed, was forced to retire with conside­rable loss. The Fleets having both re­paired the Dammages of this Fight, hastened to try their fortune in a second Engagement: which being as unsuc­cessful to the Dutch as the former, De Ruyter stole away in the night: But having increased his Fleet, was not long before he got to Sea again, and meeting about the middle of Au­gust with the English Fleet, endeavour­ed to get the Wind of them, which then blew North-East, resolving, if possible, to redeem his lost reputation: but night coming on, both Fleets came to an Anchor. The next day., the Fight began with the morning; where­in the Dutch sustained a very great loss, and the greatest part of their Fleet had in all probability been destroy'd, and the contest about the Dominion of the Narrow-Seas ended, had not the Cowardly French, who were then Ma­sters of the Wind, behaved themselves as though they had been sent thither only to be spectators of the Bravery and [Page 360] Valour of the English: Whereupon, the States-General, finding they could no longer withstand the successful Arms of that fortunate King, sued for Peace by their Embassador, and had it gran­ted, as well out of Pity to them, as Jea­lousie of the French King's too growing greatness, whose Progress they were now at leisure to oppose.

The King having now consented to admit the Hollanders to terms of Peace, became a Mediator for the like ac­commodation between the Crown of France and Spain, endeavouring by his Embassador, the Lord Lockhart, to compose the differences between them; and resolving, whether he succeeded in that Mediation or not, to be no parta­ker with them in their Quarrels: and Commanded, by Proclamation, that none of his Subjects should enter into the Service of any Foreign Prince. And for the better securing of Trade to and from his Ports (which was much disturbed by the Insolency of se­veral Dutch, Spanish and French Pri­vateers, betwixt whom the War still continued) he Publish'd a Proclamation, wherein he declared, That all Ships, to what Party soever they belonged, [Page 361] should be under his Protection, du­ring their stay in any of his Ports or Harbours; Commanding the Officers of his Navy, to use their utmost en­deavours, to hinder the Roving of any Private Men so near his Coast, as to give apprehension of danger to Mer­chants. And that if a Man of War, of either Party, and one or more Mer­chant-Men of another, should come into any of his Ports, the Merchant-Men should sail out two Tides before the Man of War should be permitted to stirr; forbidding his Sea-men to List themselves on Board any Foreign Man of War, or other Ship designed for Traffick, or the Fishing-Trade with­out his Licence: laying down several other Rules in Relation to the security of Trade, and the Maintaining his Sovereignty in those Seas, which were punctually observed, and thereby ma­ny Merchants and Traders preserved from being made prize of by their Ene­mies. And that he might secure the Peace of his Kingdom for the future, as well as for the present, he procured the Parliament to give him the sum of five hundred eighty four thousand nine hundred and seventy eight Pounds, for [Page 362] the speedy building thirty Ships of War, which he caused to be built so large and substantial, that they cost him one hundred thousand Pounds more than they gave him.

And now beginning to reflect upon the success of the French King's Arms; and fearing lest the growing Greatness of that Monarch might too much ob­scure his own Glory, and threaten the future Peace of his Kingdom, resolved with himself, by entring into an Alli­ance with some Princes and States abroad, to put a stop to his further Conquests in Flanders: And that the French might not think him in jest only, he immediately applied himself to the raising of Forces, and in a short time had a brave Army on Foot, ready to be transported into Flanders, and Mar­ried his Niece, the Lady Mary (eldest Daughter to his only Brother the Duke of York) to the Prince of Orange.

The Parliament having, at their last sitting, desired him to hasten his en­tering into such Councils and Alliances as might save what remained of Flan­ders from being devoured by the French; he acquainted them, at their next Meeting, with what he had done, [Page 363] telling them, that he had made such an agreement with Holland, and the rest of the Confederates, that if se­conded by plentiful supplies from them, and due care from the Spaniards for their own Preservation, he doubted not but to restore such an Honourable Peace to Christendom, as might not be in the Power of one Prince alone to di­sturb, which he had endeavoured by a fair Treaty: And was resolved, if that succeeded not, to enter into an actual War with France, laying before them the expences he had been at already, and what sums of Money such a War would necessarily require. And to remove all sorts of Jealousies, he had Married his Niece to the Prince of Orange, thereby giving full assurance, never to suffer that Prince's Interest to be ruined, if assisted by them as he ought to be to preserve it.

To Alarm the French King the more with a noise of War, the Parlia­ment, made several Addresses to the King; wherein they intreated him to enter into an Actual War with that Crown, promising to stand by him with their Lives and Fortunes to that [Page 364] end: And a Book was Published, In­tituled, Christianissimus Christianandus, wherein reasons were given for redu­cing the most Christian King to a more Christian state in Europe. And find­ing that the French King still went on in his Conquests, he sent some Regi­ments of his new raised Forces over into Flanders, to secure the places of greatest consequence there, and Com­manded a Fast, on Wednesday the tenth of April, to be kept in London, and on that day fortnight throughout the whole Kingdom, to implore the bles­sings of Heaven on his undertakings. And the Parliament to assist him with Money, which is the sinews of War, raised him a liberal sum by a Pole-Bill; and that they might weaken the French as well as strengthen him, Prohibited French Wines, and other things of the Growth and Manufactury of that Country, a contrivance that would certainly have reduced him to terms of Moderation and Peace, had the rest of the Confederates done the like, but for want of that, the design of the Pro­hibition fell, and he received little or no dammage thereby. However, re­membring [Page 365] how fatal the Arms of Eng­land had formerly been to France; and being Thunder-strook with the Fame of the King's having in forty days rai­sed an Army of thirty thousand Men, and fitted out a Navy of ninety Ships, he durst not adventure (notwithstand­ing his success in Flanders) to run the hazard of a War with that Nation. To prevent which, he resolved to con­sent to a Peace with some of the Con­federates, hoping thereby to break the measures already taken by King Charles, and therefore presently offered a sepa­rate Treaty with Holland; which Peo­ple, according to their usual (though unjust and base Custom, of serving themselves and leaving their Confede­rates in the lurch) without acquain­ting the King of England therewith, accepted of, and afterwards concluded, upon condition that he would give up Maestricht, and other places which he had taken from them during the War. But besides their usual custom of wait­ing the first opportunity of slipping their own necks out of the Coller, they being informed, that the League Offensive and Defensive, which the [Page 366] King of England had entred into with them, was not well understood at home, and had met with some un­fitting and very undeserv'd Refle­ctions, and that the Parliament had taken up a Resolution of giving no Money, till satisfaction was first had in some Matters of Religion, and those Jealousies removed, which they had without all ground taken up of his Proceedings, very much influenced their entrance into that Treaty; con­cluding, that it was now vain to rely any longer upon England, since England was no longer it self, by reason of those Divisions and Mis­understandings between the King and his Parliament.

But the King, who was not igno­rant of what the Dutch were doing, resolving to save Flanders either by a War or Peace, perswaded the King of Spain, and the rest of the Confe­rates to accept of the same Treaty with them, endeavouring to procure a Cessation of Arms on all sides, du­ring the time of the Treaty, the better to make way for the desired Peace. However, considering the influence that [Page 367] Peace would have upon England, was altogether uncertain, and knowing that by his late Preparations and Al­liances, he had provoked a mighty and a warlike King, he thought it con­venient to provide for his own secu­rity, if the worst should happen, by keeping up his Army, and continuing his Fleet at Sea; especially since that was the most probable means to make the French King account it his interest to hasten the Peace, and procure to himself the more advantagious Terms therein, telling his Parliament, which met soon after, That although they would peradventure account the Peace he was endeavouring to procure, as ill a bargain as War, because it cost them Money; yet if they seriously considered, that Flanders might have, perhaps, been lost by that time, he believed, they would give much greater Sums than all the Charge he he had been at, amounted to, rather than the single Town of Ostend should be in the French King's hands, and Forty or Fifty of his Ships of War in so good a Haven, over against the Rivers mouth: adding, That he [Page 368] could not but be very well pleased, to understand the Reputation he had gained abroad, by having in so short a time rais'd so great an Army, and fitted out so brave a Fleet; and hoped that they were so too, since it so much redounded to the Honour of the English Nation, desiring them therefore, if they had any respect to their own Welfare, and the Peace of Europe, or were willing he should pass any part of his Life in quiet, and all the rest in confidence and quiet­ness with them and other future Parliaments, to take care for the maintaining Peace and Union at home, and the setling the same Revenue he had the Christmass before, (some of it being then fallen off) upon him for Life, and add 300000 l. per Annum thereunto, to enable him to maintain the Navy and Ord'nance, and keep his Word with the Prince of Orange, in the payment of 40000 l. as his Nieces Portion; the first Payment whereof was then become due, and demanded by that Prince.

[Page 369] But the French King, notwithstand­ing the Cessation of Arms, endea­vouring to enlarge his Conquests, and possess himself of several considerable Towns, he resolved to prevent him; and therefore commanded the Duke of Monmouth, who was at that time General of all his Land Forces, and the Earl of Ossery to joyn the Prince of Orange, and attempt the beating of him from the Siege of Mons, which was then very much straitned by him, and would in all probabi­lity have been lost within a few days: The French, who lay encamp'd be­tween two Woods, the right Wing posted at St. Dennis, and their left at Mamoy St. Pierre, with such advan­tage, that besides the Woods, there was only a Precipice led to them, which made them almost inaccessable, thought themselves secure; but the Cannon playing briskly upon St. Den­nis, and the valiant English, com­manded by the Earl of Ossery, fal [...]ing on with their accustomed Courage and Fury, soon forced the Abbey, and compell'd the French, post­ed there, to fly in great disorder to their main body, many of them [Page 370] being slain in the dispute, which was very hot: And the Duke of Luxenburgh, who was Commander there, as the French King's General, notwithstanding he had upon their first approach, (on a presumption that he lay encamp'd in a place which was impregnable) laught at, and derided the vain Attempt, as he imagined, of forcing his Camp; finding he had now to do with the resolute English, and not the timerous Spaniards, or wary Germans, dislodg'd in great confusion, leaving his slain and many wounded Men behind, and the Tents standing as they were, to the Plunder of his victo­rious Enemies; whereby the relieving of Mons, a work thought little less then impossible, was easily performed, and the French King disappointed of his hopes: And had that succeess been followed and improv'd, the French King would in all probability have been reduced to great extremities, and have been glad to have accepted of Peace upon any Conditions he could have gotten; but the Peace which he had, upon the march of the English, hastily concluded a few days before at Neme­guen, put a stop to all farther hostilities.

[Page 371] Things being brought to this happy conclusion abroad, new Stirs and Com­motions begin to appear at home; For one Titus Oates, who had receiv'd Educa­tion & Orders in the Church of England, and was afterward (seemingly, or God knows how) reconcil'd to the Church of Rome, going first into Flanders, and then into Spain, ingratiated himself with the Jesuits and Priests in those parts, with a design, as he afterward pretended, to discover what they were plotting against England, returning about this time, inform'd the King of a Plot, carried on by the Jesuits, and others of the Roman Catholick Religion, against his Person and Life, the Protestant Religion, and the Government of the Kingdom; And that his Information might appear the more plausible, and be the more readily believed, he named divers Persons of Quality engaged in the Design, and what Instruments had been provided for his Assassination; affirming, that when he was once taken off, the remaining part of the Work, was to have been carried on by Arms, Foreign Assistance, and such other Expedients as they should have judged necessary for the success of their Enterprise. Whether there was [Page 372] any truth at all in this Relation, or how much there was, or whether the King at all believed it, is none of my business to determine, since I design as an Hi­storian, only to relate matter of Fact; but certain it is, that many Troubles and Combustions were occasioned thereby, and several great and threat­ning Mischiefs have since fallen so thick upon these Kingdoms, that one hath ever trod upon the heels of another.

Upon this Information the Privy-Councel sate twice a day, to consider and examin that Plot, and Sir George Wakeman, one of the Queen's Physi­cians, Mr. Coleman, the Dutchess of York's Secretary, Mr. Langhorn of the Temple, and several others were com­mitted close Prisoners; and the Lords Bellassis, Powis, Peters, Arundel of Warder, Castlemain, and Stafford, were secured in the Tower. And the Parliament sitting soon after, the King told them in his Speech, That he had been informed of a Design against his Person, carried on by the Papists, whereof he should for­bear to give his opinion, lest he should seem to say too much, or too little, but would leave the matter wholly to the decision of the Law, without prejudging [Page 373] the persons accused: But the strict in­quiry into that Matter having discover­ed many unwarrantable Practices of theirs, he thought he had reason to look to 'em. Altho' this Plot, in all the parts of it, was a complication of My­steries, yet the greatest mystery of all seems to be the business of Sir Edmond­bury Godfrey, who being a Justice of the Peace for Middlesex, and a severe ene­my to the Papists, as was generally supposed, took the Depositions of Oates and Tongue, and was soon after found dead in a Ditch, not far from Hampsted, with his Sword run through him, ap­pearing to the Coroners Inquest, to have been first strangled, before he was brought thither; which was sworn by Bedloe, who came in upon the King's offer, in his Proclamation, of 500 l. to any that would discover the manner of his death; and Prance, who was appre­hended by him, as he was attending in the Lobby of the Lords House, to be done by the Papists.

The examination of this Plot, and the Murder of Godfrey, which they look'd upon as a sufficient confirmation of its truth and reality, employed the Com­mons so assiduously, that they sat whole [Page 374] days to consult about it, without stir­ring from Morning till it was late at Night; the product whereof was, a Fast enjoined by Proclamation, through­out the Nation; the Minutes of that House, forbid to be divulged; a Reso­lution entred by them in their Journal, That it was their Opinion, upon the Evidence that had already appeared to that House, there had been and was an execrable and hellish Design, contrived and carried on by the Papists for assassi­nating the King, subverting the Go­vernment, and destroying the Protestant Religion; a Proclamation, which ba­nish'd all the reputed Papists ten Miles from London and Westminster, except Housholders, who were obliged like­wise to take the Oaths, or suffer the Penalties inflicted by Law upon the re­fusers of them; and another for the turning all Roman Catholicks out of the Horse and Foot-Guards, wherein 20 l. was promised to those who should discover any Officer or Soldier who had formerly taken the Oaths and Test, and had since turned Papist.

But the Commons not yet satisfied, it was moved in that House, That an Address should be made to the King, [Page 375] to remove the Duke of York from his Presence and Councels, but he being informed of their intention, resolved to prevent them, and endeavour to take them off from their unseasonable heat, by assuring them of his stedfast Resolu­tion to defend them in their just Rights and Priviledges, and comply with any reasonable offer they should make for the security of the Protestant Religion; in order whereunto, he went the next day in his Robes to the House of Peers, and having commanded the Commons to attend him, in a Speech to both Houses, he gave them his hearty thanks for their extraordinary care, for the preservation of his Life in that time of danger; telling them, that he was as ready to joyn with them in all ways and means that might conduce to the establishment and security of the Pro­testant Religion, as their own hearts could wish, and that not only during his Life, but in future Ages, even to the end of the World; and therefore was come thither at that time, to assure them that whatsoever reasonable Bills they should at any time present to him, to be pass'd into Laws, for the rendring them safe in the Reign of his Successor, [Page 376] so as they tended not to impeach the Right of Succession, nor the Descent of the Crown in the true Line, and so also as they did not restrain and limit the just Rights and Power of the Throne, should find from him a ready concur­rence: And to demonstrate his reality therein, when he had about the latter end of that Month a Bill presented to him, for the dissabling all Popish Mem­bers to sit in either House of Parlia­ment, he gave his Royal Assent there­unto, tho' at the same time he refused another, which was for raising a third part of the Militia to be in constant Arms for a time; telling them, that that were to put the Militia out of his own power, which thing he would not do, no not for one hour; but promised, if they would assist him with Money for that purpose, to raise such a part of the Militia, as should secure the Peace of the Government and his own Person.

And now several of those accused by Oates, and others, (for the Witnesses were by this time increased) were brought to Tryal before Sir William Scroggs, then Lord Chief Justice of the Kings bench; And those that gave evi­dence against them, being very positive [Page 377] in their Depositions, Coleman, Ireland, Pickering, Groves, Whitebread, Fenwick, Langhorn, and divers more, were at se­veral times condemned and executed; and so was William Staley, a Gold­smith's Son in Covent-Garden, for speak­ing dangerous words against the King's Life; and three more, whose Names were Green, Berry, and Hill, upon the evidence of Bedloe and Prance, for the Murder of Sir Edmondbury Godfrey, Prance affirming, he was murdred in Somerset-house, and that himself assisted in the murdring of him: They every one died, denying what they were charged withal, and asserting their in­nocency with all the Solemn Protesta­tions imaginable, which was credited, or disbelieved, according to peoples va­rious inclinations. And now some Mem­bers of Parliament began to accuse each other; Mr. Mountague, who had been a little before Embassador to the French King, carried up five Articles against the Treasurer Danby; and Sir John Ern­ly, another of the Commons, accused Mountague, of holding a correspondency with the Popes Nuncio at Paris, but for his good service, in accusing Danby, that was overlook'd, and a resolution taken to [Page 378] proceed with severity against the Trea­surer.

This Parliament, which first began on the 8th of May, in the year 1661. and had now been continued, by several Pro­rogations and Adjournments, for 17 Years, 8 Months, and 17 Days, began to grow so presumptuous, that upon an In­formation, that Sir Joseph William­son, then Secretary of State, had counter-signed several Commissions for Officers, who were Roman Recusants, with a Non obstante to the Oaths and Test, they took the boldness to commit him prisoner to the Tower; whereupon the King commanding them the next day to attend him in the Banquetting-house, briskly told them, That tho' they had committed his Servant, with­out acquainting him, yet he would deal more freely with them, in acquainting them with his intentions to release his Secretary; which he immediately or­dered to be done, and finding there was but little good to be expected from their proceedings, he prorogued them on the 30th of Decemb. and on the 24th of the following January, dissolved them by Proclamation, and called a new one, to sit on the 6th of the next March, issuing [Page 379] out Writs for the speedy chusing of them.

From the Counsels and Debates of this new Parliament which met at the time appointed, the King expected more felicity than he had met with from those of the former; and therefore to prevent all occasions of disgust, and hinder them from falling with the like heat upon his Brother, desired the Duke to retire for some time beyond the Seas: for the Rea­sons exprest in the following Letter.

[Page 382] and their advantage: Telling them moreover, that since his Neighbours were making Naval Preparations, he thought it necessary still to maintain a Fleet at Sea, and that it highly concern­ed them to provide a constant establish­ment for the Navy: And concluding his Speech, with his earnest desires to have that Parliament prove a Healing one, assuring them, that it was his con­stant resolution to defend with his Life the Protestant Religion, and the Laws of the Kingdom: and that he expected, in so doing, to be by them defended from the Calumny, as well as danger, of those worst of Men, who endeavour­ed to render both Him and his Govern­ment odious to his People. Advising them likewise by his Chancellor, the Earl of Nottingham, not to suffer their Zeal to out-run their Discretion, lest by being too far transported with the fears of Po­pery, they over-did their business, and by neglecting the opportunities of making sober and lasting Provisions against it, render themselves the unhap­py occasion of making their own Coun­sels abortive.

The Commons, as soon as they were returned to their House, made choice of [Page 383] Mr. Seymour for their Speaker, whom they lookt upon as the fittest Person for that employment, in regard he had of­ficiated therein in the former Parlia­ment; but the King refusing to admit him, they chose Serjeant Gregory. And to convince the World that they were Leavened with the same Principles, and resolved to thwart the King's Designs for setling the Nations as much as the former had done, begun where they end­ed, ordering a Committee to inquire in­to the manner how Danby had sued out his Pardon which was granted him by the King, to secure the Earl, for whom he had a particular affection, having al­ways found him faithful to his Interest, from all fear of Punishment for any pre­tended Crimes, supposing, as well he might, that they would not dispute his Power of Pardoning, since it was by the Law invested on him as one of the chief­est Jewels of his Crown. But finding, upon search, that the Pardon was not entred after its passing at the Secretaries Office, in any other Office, 'till it came to the Lord Chancellor, and so dispatcht in a private manner; They Resolve upon an Address to the King, to represent to his Majesty the illegality and the dan­gerous [Page 384] consequence of granting Pardons to any Persons who lay under an Im­peachment of the Commons, and desi­red the Lords, that he might be seque­stred from their House, and put into safe Custody: who accordingly ordered the Usher of the Black Rod to take him, which he had done, had he not absented himself. Whereupon, a Bill was order­ed to be brought in, to Command his surrendring himself by a certain day, or in default thereof, to stand attainted. And the Lords having in the mean while pass'd a Bill for Banishing and disabling of him, and sent it down to the Com­mons for their concurrence, it was reje­cted as a Censure too favourable; and a Vote pass'd for an Address to the King, that he would not permit him to reside in any of his Pallaces of White-Hall, So­merset-House or St. James's: and another Address to be made for a Proclamation to apprehend him, and forbid all the King's Subjects to harbour or conceal him. In the mean while, the Bill of At­tainder was highly canvassed, at several conferences, between the two Houses, 'till at length the Earl saved them the labour of passing a Bill for his Attain­der, by surrendring himself to the Usher of the Black-Rod.

[Page 385] The Lords in the Tower were, at their first Imprisonment, found Guilty upon special [...]dictments, by the Grand Jury of Middlesex, before special Commissioners sitting at Westminster. But that way of proceeding being for some Reasons waved, they were seve­rally impeacht by the Commons, and their Impeachment carried up to the Peers by Five Members of the House of Commons; to which they gave in their Answers in person, all but Bellafis, who being ill of the Gout, sent his in writing.

The King, to content the Faction, if possible, on the 2d of April declared his pleasure to dissolve his Privy Council (with which they had shew­ed themselves displeased), and consti­tute a new one; which for the time to come should consist of Thirty persons, Fifteen whereof were to be certain, viz. the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Bishop of London, the Lord Chan­cellor, one of the Chief Justices, the Admiral, the Master of the Ordinance, the Treasurer, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Privy Seal, the Master of the Horse, the Lord Steward, the Lord Chamberlain of the Houshold, [Page 386] the Groom of the Stool, and the Two Secretaries: And the rest to be Elective at his pleasure; Ten out of the Nobili­ty, and Five Commoners, besides such Princes of the Blood as should be at Court, A Lord President, and a Se­cretary of Scotland. And according to that new Model, as many of them as were in Court, met the next morn­ing in the Council-Chamber, and were sworn Privy Councellors: The King going the same day to the Parliament, acquainted the Two Houses with what he had done; and assured them he was resolved in all weighty and important Affairs, next to his great Council in Parliament, to be advised by that Privy Council. And it being his custom, as it had been his Fathers before him, to take off some hot Spirits, whose Parts and Abilities he judged might be im­proved to his own and the Publicks advantage, by promoting them to some Place or Office of Trust, or otherwise winning them to his Friendship, un­less they were such whose Natures, cor­rupted by their designs, had rendred obstinate and implacable, as the Earl of Shaftsbury afterward appeared to be; he for the most part chose the o­ther [Page 387] Fifteen, which were to compleat his Council, out of their number, and made Shaftsbury Lord President of it.

The Parliament resolving to hasten the Trial of the Lords, Danby and Bellaasis, appeared in person at the Bar of the Lords House; where the for­mer put in his Plea, and the other his Answer. And the next day Stafford, Arundel and Powis, appeared there like­wise; and having retracted their for­mer Pleas, which appeared insufficient to the Commons, they put in their fur­ther Answers.

And the King commanding the Com­mons to attend him in the House of Lords, renewed the Assurances he had formerly given them, of his being ready to assent to any Laws they should pro­vide for the security of the Protestant Religion, so that the Descent of the Crown in the Right Line, were not thereby defeated: And that he was wil­ling a provision should be made to di­stinguish a Popish from a Protestant Successor; and limit the Authority of the former, if any such should be, by providing that all Church-preferments should be conferred on Pious and [Page 388] Learned Protestants: That the Parlia­ment which should happen to be in be­ing at his own Death; or if none, the last that sate, should thereupon assemble without any new Summons or Election: That during the Reign of any Popish Successor, no Privy Councellor, or Judg of the Common Law, or Chan­cery, should be put in, or displaced, but by consent of Parliament: That none should be Justices of Peace but Protestants; and that the Lord Lieu­tenants, and Deputy Lieutenants of Counties, and Officers in the Navy, should not be put in, nor removed, but by the Authority of Parliament: Tel­ling them, he conceived it hard to in­vent any other Restraint to be put on a Popish Successor; Yet if any thing did occur to their Wisdom, whereby their Religion and Liberties might be better secured, he was ready to consent to it.

Whereupon the Commons, after they had several times adjourned the consi­deration of this Speech, on the 11th of May, resolved, That they would stand by His Majesty with their Lives and Fortunes: And that if he should come by any violent Death, which they [Page 389] prayed God to avert, they would re­venge it to the utmost upon the Papists; According to which Vote an Address was drawn up, and presented by them to the King, with this Variation in the form of words, We shall be ready to revenge upon the Papists any violence offered by them to your Sacred Majesty; which words were neither exprest nor intimated in their Vote, altho abso­lutely necessary and essential to the Justice of their designed Revenge.

And without taking the least notice of the Resolution exprest in his Speech, Not to suffer any alteration in the De­scent to the Throne, brought in a Bill to disable his Royal Highness to inherit the Imperial Crown of England; which being put to the Vote, was carried in the Affirmative by One and Twenty Voices; but being pro­rogued soon after, it proceeded no further.

In the mean while the Two Houses were very earnest in debating the me­thods, whereby they should bring the Lords in the Tower to their Trials: And Danby being demanded at the Bar of the Lords House, Whether he would rely on, and abide by the Plea of his [Page 390] Pardon, returned for answer; That having been advised by his Council, his Pardon was good in Law, he would insist upon his Plea; and requested his Council might be heard: And the Lords acquainting the Commons with his de­sire, instead of granting it, they in the Names of the Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses in Parliament, and all the Commons of England, demanded Judgment against him upon the Im­peachment, affirming his Pardon to be illegal and void. However, the Lords appointed him a day to argue his Plea, and ordered the Five Lords to be tried the Week after, and an Address to be made to the King for the appointing a Lord Steward for their Trials. But the Commons not satisfied with their proceedings, desired a Committee of both Houses might consider of the most proper methods of proceeding upon Impeachments, according to the usage of Parliament; but the Lords refused it, as contrary to the known Rules and Orders of their House, which ever was, and ought to be tender in matters rela­ting to their Judicature. Whereupon the Commons resolved, That no Com­moner should presume to maintain the [Page 391] Validity of the Pardon pleaded by Danby, without the leave of that House: And that the persons so doing, should be accounted Betrayers of the Liberties of the Commons of England. Upon which the Lords, to take away all occasion of disgust between the Two Houses, receded from their former re­solution, and appointed a Committee to treat with them: but a difference ari­sing in that joynt Committee, about the Bishops Right to be present at Tri­als in capital cases; the Lords affirming, they might stay till the Court pro­ceeded to the Vote of Guilty, or Not Guilty; and the Commons denying it, the Bishops endeavour'd to find out a Medium which might satisfie both; and therefore desired leave of the Lords to withdraw themselves from the Trials, with liberty of entring their usual pro­testations. But this not satisfying the Commons, they resolved not to pro­ceed to the Trial of the Five Lords, before Judgment given on Danby's Pardon; and to insist upon the Bishops having no Right of Voting in capital Offences; which made the King, who saw that these heats took up their whole time, and prevented their entring up­on [Page 392] such Debates as more nearly con­cerned them, and would have condu­ced more toward the setling of the Nation, thought it best to prorogue them, in hopes that in their next meet­ing their Debates might be more happy and unanimous.

About this time the Faction ran higher in Scotland, and boiled into an open R [...]bellion, which took its first beginning from the barbarous Murder of Dr. Sharp, Archbishop of St. An­drews, and Primate of that Kindom, on the 3d of May, 1679. by a com­pany of inve [...]ate Covenanters, as he was travelling from Edenborough to his own Residence; who had born him an immor [...]al hatred, because having for­merly been one of their Party, he had revolted, as they termed his honest Reformation: But appeared more visi­ble toward the latter end of that Month in the Western parts of Scotland, when a party of Rebels, well mounted and armed, coming to Rugland, pro­claimed the Covenant, burnt the fol­lowing Acts of Parliament, viz. Those which concerned the King's Suprema­cy, the E [...]blishment of Episcopacy, the appointing the Anniversary of the [Page 393] 29th of May, and the Recissory Act; by which all the Mock-Laws made in the late Anarchy, were repealed: And publisht an insolent Declaration, full of Treason, and stuft with the very Spirit and Quintescence of Rebel­lion, inviting others to joyn with them; which the Covenanters (commonly there called WHIGS; from whence the Name was afterward brought into England, and applied to all the Dissent­ing Party) accepted of, and flockt so fast to them, that their Army increased daily to such a considerable number, that they became formidable. Where­upon the King hastned away the Duke of Monmouth, as his Generalissimo, to suppress them; which with the Assi­stance of the Loyal Gentry and Herri­tors of that Nation, he easily per­formed in one Battel at Bothwell-Bridg: For having forced his passage over the Bridg, and seized the only piece of Cannon they had, they fled toward Hamilton-Park: And altho they after­ward rallied again, and Faced about, upon the advantage of a rising ground, yet so soon as the Cannon began to play on them, they all fled in disorder and confusion; Robert Hamilton, who [Page 394] was their chief Commander, being one of the first. There were many of the Rebels kill'd in the place, and several hundreds taken Prisoners, whereof some few were Executed.

The King, who was willing to try all means to please and satisfie his people, fearing the Animosities of that Parli­ament were too great to admit of a Reconciliation, and would prevent their doing any thing which would tend to his, or the Kingdoms benefit, on the 10th of July dissolved it by Proclamation, and declared his Reso­lution to call a new one, which should sit on the 17th of the following Octo­ber.

In the mean while Sir George Wake­man, with Marshall, Rumley and Cork­er, three Benedictine Monks, were try­ed before the Lord Chief Justice Scroggs, for High Treason, relating to the Plot: But the Evidence of Oates and Bedlow, beginning now to be less credited than formerly, and the fer­ment of peoples fury being somewhat abated, the Jury brought them in Not Guilty; and Wakeman was there­upon discharged from his Imprison­ment, as the other Three had like­wise [Page 395] been, had they not in their Defence upon their Trials, acknowledged them­selves to be Priests.

Wakeman's being thus acquitted, startled the Mobille, who expected all that were accused of that Plot, should have been condemned of course, with­out respect to the Truth or Falshood of the Accusation. And the Faction endeavoured to improve their dissatis­faction into Rage and Sedition, by se­veral scurrilous Libels, wherein they accuse Scroggs of perverting Justice, and taking a Bribe of several thousand Guinneas from the Spanish Embassador, to save Wakeman's Life; from which Aspersions he sufficiently cleared himself in a Speech which he made in the Kings-Bench-Court, on the first day of the ensuing Michaelmas-Term.

During this interval of Parliament, the King was violently taken ill of an Ague at Windsor, insomuch, that his Life was thought to be in some danger: Whereupon the Duke (as well to de­monstrate his Affection to his Brother, as to prevent the danger which, as things then stood, might peradventure have happen'd to him in case the King should have died in his absence) came [Page 396] Post from Flanders to Windsor. But Heaven designing to lengthen out his Life, till he had reduced the great Affairs of the Nation to a better Set­tlement, and could leave his Succession more safe and secure; it pleased God that he recovered his Health soon af­ter to the great Joy of all the whole Nation. And the City to express the pleasure they took therein, sent the Lord Mayor, and the Court of Alder­men, with a Train of thirty Coaches, and about a hundred Horse, to Con­gratulate him upon his Recovery; and when he returned soon after to White-Hall, many Bonefires were made throughout the whole City, attended with great Acclamations of Joy, and Expressions of Loyalty.

Whilst he lay Sick at Windsor, the Duke of Monmouth, who had been by the Kings favour raised to as high a Station as a Subject was well capable of (being then Lord General of all His Majesties Land Forces, Master of the Horse, and Captain of the Kings Life-Guards) not content with the Honours already heaped upon him; but aspiring, as was thought (altho without all Reason, in regard of his Illegitimacy) [Page 397] to the Crown it self; endeavoured to prevail with some great Men at Court, to take part with his Interest; which being made known to the King by the Earl of Oxford, who having for his eminent Loyalty, a considerable party of Horse under his Command, commonly called the Lord of Oxfords Troop; was importuned by Sir Tho­mas Armstrong (as was reported, ei­ther in direct terms, or so as his mean­ing might easily be understood) to declare himself for Monmouth, in case the King should dye. He conceived a just Indignation against him for that bold and audacious Attempt, and dis­covered his incensed Majesty, by ta­king away his Commission of Lord General, and soon after of his remain­ing places of Captain of the Life-Guard, Master of the Horse, Gover­nor of Hull, &c. And to prevent Peoples being deluded by his Chime­ [...]ical Fictions, publisht a Declaration, wherein having first taken notice of the great Industry and Malice where­with men of seditious and restless Spi­rits spread abroad a most false and scandalous Report of a Marriage or Contract of Marriage at least, between [Page 398] Mrs. Walters (who was that Dukes Mother) and him; designing thereby to fill the minds of his loving Subjects with doubts and fears, and divide them if possible into Parties, by bring­ing into question the clear and un­doubted Right of his true and lawful Heirs and Successors to the Crown; he did, to obviate the fatal consequences▪ so dangerous and malicious a report might have in future times upon the Peace of his Kingdoms, assure them, That having found a former Rumor that there was a writing yet extant, and lately produced before several Persons▪ whereby that Marriage or Contrac [...] at least would appear, was not only revived again, but improved also wit [...] new Additions, by insinuating tha [...] several Lords and others were yet li­ving, who were pretended to b [...] present at the Marriage; h [...] had (notwithstanding, he knew fu [...] well it was impossible there should b [...] any truth in this Report, since no [...] thing in the World could be mor [...] false and groundless, than the pretenc [...] of such a Marriage or Contract b [...]tween him and the said Mrs. Walter [...] alias Barlow) called before him, an [...] [Page 399] caused to be Interogated in Council such Lords and other Persons, as the common rumour surmised to have been present at the pretended Marriage, or to know something of it, or of the said writing. And that, tho it then ap­peared to all his Council upon their hearing the said Persons severally In­terrogated, and their denial to have been ever present at any such Marri­age, or to know any thing of it, or of any such writing; that the raising and spreading that Report, which was so inconsistent with it self, was the effect of deep malice in some few, and of loose and idle discourse in others; yet he thought it requisite for the satisfying all in general, to publish a Declaration he had made in the January was Twelvemonth, written with his own Hand, in the following words.

There being a false and malicious Re­port, industriously spread abroad by some who are neither Friends to me, or the Duke of Monmouth; as if I should have been either Contracted or Married to his Mother; and tho I am confident that this idle Story cannot have any ef­fect in this Age; yet I thought it my [Page 400] Duty in relation to the true Succession of this Crown, and that future Ages may not have any pretence to give disturbance upon that Score, or any other of this na­ture, to declare, as I do here Declare in the Presence of Almighty God, That I never was Married, nor gave any Con­tract to any Woman whatsoever, but to my Wife Queen Katharine, to whom I am now Married. In Witness where­of he had set his Hand at White-Hall, the 6th of January, 1678-79. In the Pre­sence of the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the two Secretaries, Coventry and Williamson.

And assured them, that to strengthen that Declaration, he had in the March following, made a more publick and solemn Declaration to the same purpose in his Privy Council written, like­wise, with his own Hand, and had caused a true Transcript thereof to be entred into the Council Book, which for the better Confirmation he Signed with his own hand, and caused the Lords of the Privy Council then present, to do so too, and had ordered the Original to be kept in the Council Chest, where it still remains.

[Page 401] This Declaration was likewise in­serted, as it was entred in the Coun­cil Books, and was as follows.

For the avoiding of any Dispute which may happen in time to come, con­cerning the Succession of the Crown; I do here Declare in the Presence of Al­mighty God, That I never gave nor made any Contract of Marriage, nor was Married to any Woman whatsoever, but to my present Wife Queen Katharine. White Hall the 3d day of March, 167 [...]/ [...]. CHARLES R.

And that no [...]e might still remain doubtful, or question the Truth of his former Declaration, he concluded that Declaration with the following Protestation.

And we do again upon this occasion call Almighty God to Witness, and de­clare upon the Faith of a Christian, and the Word of a King, That there was never any Marriage had or made between us, and the said Mrs. Walters, alias Barlow, the Duke of Monmouths Mo­ther, nor between Ʋs and any Woman whatsever, our Royal Consort Queen Katharine, that is, only excepted. Requi­ring and Commanding all his Subjects of what degree soever, that they should [Page 402] not presume to utter or publish any thing contrary to the Tenor of that Declaration at their Peril, and upon pain of being proceeded against ac­cording to the utmost Severity and Ri­gor of the Law.

Whereby all the groundless hopes of that Duke, and the idle and ridi­culous Expectations of many factious and designing Persons were wholly disappointed. And he was moreover commanded by the King to depart the Land, which he did on the 23d of September, and went over to Ʋtrecbt, but returned again privately and with­out order, about the latter end of the next month.

About this time there was much discourse of a new Plot, and several Narratives publisht about it, wherein the Papists, as was affirmed, had con­trived to charge the Presbyterians with a conspiracy against the Govern­ment; the chief Discoverer whereof was one Dangerfield, who had former­ly been a vile and profligate Fellow, and was then newly got out of New­gate. Several Persons were accused by him as Conspirators therein, the chief whereof was the Countess o [...] [Page 403] Powis, Sir Robert Payton, Gadbury, and one Cellier, a Widwife, in whose house Sir William Waller pretended to find some Papers that related to the Conspiracy, from whence it was called the Meal-Tub Plot, and the Effigies of the Pope in all his Pontificalibus, was on the Birth-day of Queen Elizabeth, which is the 17th of November, Burned with much more Pomp and Splendor than it had been in former years (it having been a custom for several late years so to do.) The Effigies of Sir Edmondbury Godfrey was carried on a Horse, with a Bell-man to mind the people of his Murder; several Priests in Copes, with a large silver Cross, six Jesuits, divers Bishops, some in thin Lawn Sleeves, and others with their Copes and Miters on, and six Cardinals going in procession before him.

The King having according to his pro­mise, called a new Parliament to meet on the 17th of October, Prorogues it to the 26th of the following January; and toward the latter end of Novem­ber, the Duke of York went into Scotland, where his Presence was very acceptable, and all Persons declared [Page 404] the great satisfaction they took in ha­ving him amongst them.

The appointed time of the Parlia­ments sitting drawing near, great en­deavours were used for the procuring a multitude of Hands to Pe [...]itio [...]s, which were to be presented to the King for his permitting the Parliament to Sit on the 26th of January, according to the last pro [...]ogation; which petitio­ning being unwarrantable and tumul­tuous, he order'd the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen to take care for the preservation of his Honour, and the Peace and safety of the City, and not suffer such Persons that should [...]ign such Petitions, or go about to get hands to them, to escape unpunished; and issued out a Proclamation to forbid all such kind of petitioning; and a­nother to declare his Resolution for the farther prorogation to the 11th of November; notwithstanding which, some resolutely went on with their petitioning; and not long after, one from London, subscribed with many Thousand hands, and others from York, Essex, Surrey, and Wiltshire, were pre­sented to Him, which he received in­deed; but knowing that such kind of [Page 405] Petitions were rather Commands than Requests, resolved not to gratifie the unruly Petitioners, and therefore on the 26th of January, when those Mem­bers who were in Town, met according to custom at the Parliament-House, he acquainted them, That when he declared in Council his Intention of putting off the Parliament to a time so remote as November, it was not with­out mature Consideration; and that he saw nothing which had hapned since in reference to the Affairs within the Kingdom, which gave him occasion to alter or repent that Resolution; and that altho he would in regard to the present danger which threatned some of his Neighbours and Allies, appoint a day for their meeting again in April, yet the Distractions and Jealousies at Home were of such a nature, and had been so heightned and improved by the malice and industry of ill men, that he was unalterably of an opinion, that a longer interval would be abso­lutely necessary for compo [...]ing mens minds, in order to which he feared the most proper Remedies would prove ineffectual without the assistance of some farther time; and therefore resol­ved, [Page 406] that at their meeting in April, there should be a farther prorogation unless the condition of his Allies a­broad, did then require their immedi­ate assistance.

In the mean while Articles of high Misdemeanor were offered by way of complaint to the King and Council against the Chief Justice Scroggs, by Oates and Bedlow, to which he return­ed his Answer, and so the business fell. And in Hillary Term Sir Thomas Gas­coigne a Yorkshire Gentleman of 85 Years of Age was arraigned at the Kings Bench Bar, on an Information of High Treason; the Witnesses against him, being Balron, and Mowberry two of his own Servants; but their Evidence being somewhat doubtful and improbable, he was acquitted.

The King opened the Year 80, (which was remarkable for many re­volutions, though all in the end con­cluded peaceable and well) with cal­ling the Duke out of Scotland, who was upon his arrival complemented by the Mayor, Aldermen, Recorder, and Common-Council of London: About which time also, Secretary Coventry ha­ving [Page 407] resigned his office, the King made choice of Sir Lionel Jenkins to succeed him, and on the 15th of April the King being absent at Newmarket, order­ed his Chancellor Finch by vertue of a Commission under the great Seal to prorogue the Parliament to the 17th of May, from whence it was afterwards prorogued to the first of July.

And now several Countrys which had been active in promoting petitions, began to be ashamed and recant their Actions; the City of Westminster lea­ding the way, their Grand-Jury by a publick and formal act disowning the Action, and charging it on certain facti­ous persons unknown to them, which they desire Mr. Withins, Steward of that Court, to represent in their Names to the King, which he accordingly did, and received the Honour of Knight­hood as a Reward of his Loyalty. After which several such like addresses were directed from many of the Counties; and that from Norfolk had a farther acknowledgment of their humble thanks to the King for calling home the Duke. And the Lord Shandois having been elected by the Turky Company to go Embassador to Constantinople, and [Page 408] desiring the Kings approbation; the King [...] him, that having been con­cerned in promoting petitions, which were [...]rogatory to his Prerogative, and tended to sedition, he could not think him fit for his Favour; whereup­on he humbly acknowledged his fault to the King in Council, protesting [...]at he had been misled and drawn into it, by being perswaded it was for his M [...]je­sties Service; but being now better informed, he abhorred and disowned all such Practices, and humbly begging his Pardon, he as freely obtained it.

Upon the 18th of May so great a Storm of Hail fell in London and the adjacent parts, that the like had not been seen in many Years before, the Stones being of an extraordinary big­ness, and very hard till they had lain a while, many of them being as large as Pullets Eggs. One which I saw measured was somewhat more than Nine Inches about; several Rooks in the Temple Garden being beaten down and killed with them, and the Glass of many Sky-lights battered and broken to pieces.

[Page 409] And now the Parliament which had been several times this Summer pro­rogued, met on the 21st of October, according to [...]he King's Declaration to them at their meeting in April; to whom he declared, in a Speech to both Houses, That he had, during that long prorogation, made Alliances with Hol­land and Spain, and desired money of them for the relieving Tangier, the de­fence whereof had very much exhau­sted his Treasure; and advising them not to meddle with the Succession of the Crown, but proceed to the disco­very of the Plot, and the Trial of the Lords.

The Commons having chosen Mr. Williams, a Barrester of Grays Inn, and Recorder of Chester, for their Speaker, to convince the World, that the King had not without Reason deferred their sitting so long; and that neither he, nor the Nation would have been lo­sers if they had not sate then, fell to purging their house, expelling Sir Ro­bert Can, a Burgess for Bristol, for ha­ving said, there was no other Plot but a Presbyterian one; and Sir Francis Withins, for having declared himself an Abhorrer of the late tumultuous Peti­tions [Page 410] for the Parliaments sitting. The former was committed by them to the Tower, and both ordered to receive their Censure on their knees from the Speaker: Several other Members were likewise declared guilty of the same Of­fence with Sir Francis Withins. And not content with punishing their own Members, they take notice of others, who were without their Walls, amongst whom Sir George Jeffries, Recorder of London, one of the King's Serjeants at Law, and Chief Justice of Chester, became the Object of their displeasure, and was Voted a Betrayer of the Sub­jects Rights; and an Address was made to the King to remove him from all publick Affairs: and Impeachments Voted and drawn up against Sir Francis North, Chief Justice of the Common-Pleas, Sir William Scrogs, Chief Justice of the Kings-Bench, Sir Thomas Jones, one of the puisny Judges of that Court, and Sir Richard Weston, one of the Barons of the Exchequer, for several pretended misdemeanors; that of Sir Francis North being the advising and drawing up of the Proclamation against Petitions.

[Page 411] But not contenting themselves to deal with Subjects, they proceeded next to a matter of a far greater con­cern: For on the 11th of November, notwithstanding the King's desire at their opening, That they would not meddle with the Succession; a Bill past in the House of Commons, intituled, An Act for securing the Protestant Re­ligion, by disabling James Duke of York from inheriting the Imperial Crown of England and Ireland, and the Terri­tories thereunto belonging: which not­withstanding all the opposition made against it by the unbiassed and Judi­cious Loyalists (who tho their Reasons were strongest, yet their number were fewest) was carried up to the Peers by the Lord Russel, attended by almost all the Commons, who gave a Hum at the delivery of it. The Lords having ordered it, upon their departure, to be read, put it to the Vote, whether it should be read a second time; which being carried in the Affirmative by Two Voices only, after the second reading it was debated till Eleven a Clock at night, the King being present all the while; and then thrown out of the House by a Majority of about [Page 412] Thirty Voices; in which number were all the Bishops then present, to shew how careful the Prelacy is to promote Monarchy.

Soon after the Parliament proceeded to the Trial of William Lord Viscount Stafford, which began in Westminster-Hall on Tuesday the 30th of No­vember; and the Impeachment and E­vidence upon the same were managed by a Committee of the Commons; and the Witnesses against him were Oates, Turberville, and Dugdale. The Lord Chancellor Finch was created Lord High Steward for the solemnity of his Trial, which lasted a whole week; and being found Guilty by the Majority of Four and Twenty Voices, he received Sentence on the 17th of December; and on the 29th of that Month was be­headed on Tower-Hill, protesting his Innocency with his last breath; as all those had done who died for the Plot before him. Some were so bold as to question the King's power to dispence with the Rigor of the Sentence; and the unhappy Lord Russel was said to be one of them.

[Page 413] During these publick Transactions, a large and prodigious flame of Light appeared in the West: The Star from which the Blaze proceeded, was but small; and when first discovered, seemed to be not much above the Hori­zon; but every night after appeared somewhat higher in the beginning of the night, and consequently set later, its lustre and magnitude decreasing by degrees. Whether this finger of the Almighty so visibly seen in the Heavens, portended good or bad Events to the World in general, or England in par­ticular, is a matter too mysterious for me to unfold; and therefore shall I leave it till made more plain by the Effects, which will be the best Commentatary thereon.

The King finding the Commons ta­ken up with other business, without taking the least care of providing him Money for the supplying his pressing wants, and the relieving Tangier, then besieged by the Emperor of Morocco, recommended the matter more serious­ly to them, in his Speech on the 15th of December: But all the Answer he could obtain from them, was an Address, complaining of several pretended [Page 414] Grievances, and refusing all supplies of Money for the Relief of Tangier, or any other use, unless he would pass a Bill for the Exclusion of the Duke; and to enable all Protestants to associ­ate themselves for the security of the Protestant Religion: which Address he answered by a message to the Commons, wherein he let them know, That he had received their Address with all the disposition they could wish to comply with their reasonable desires; but up­on perusal of it, he was sorry to see their thoughts so fixt on the Bill of Exclusion, as to determine all other Remedies for the suppressing of it, to be ineffectual; telling them, That he was confirmed in his Opinion against the Bill by the Judgment of the Lords, in their rejecting it; advising them to consider of all other means for preser­vation of the Protestant Religion, to which they should have no Reason to doubt his concurrence; and urging them again to make some speedy pro­vision for the preservation of Tan­gier.

Upon the consideration of which Speech, they were so far from com­plying with his reasonable desires, that [Page 415] they Resolved, as the Opinion of the House, That there was no security for the Protestant Religion, the King's Life, or the well Constituted and Esta­blished Government of this Kingdom, without the Bill of Exclusion; and that to rely upon any other Remedy, were insufficient and dangerous: That till such a Bill was past, they could give the King no supply without danger to his Person, hazard to the Protestant Religion, and unfaithfulness to those by whom they were trusted: And that all persons who advised him in that Message to insist upon an Opinion a­gainst the Exclusion-Bill, had given him pernicious Counsel, and were promoters of Popery, and Enemies both to him and the Kingdom; naming Hallifax, Worcester, Clarendon, Fever­sham, and Laurence Hide, Esq against whom they Voted an Address to the King, to remove them from all Offices of honour and profit, and from his Councils and presence forever: Voting moreover, That whosoever shall Lend, or cause to be Lent by way of Advance, any Money upon the branches of the King's Revenue, arising by Custom, Excise, or Hearth-Money, should be [Page 416] adjudged to hinder the sitting of Par­liaments, and should be responsible for the same. But their presumption run­ning so high, the King resolved, by a Prorogation, to give them time to cool themselves, which he did on the Mon­day following, being the 10th of July; when he past Two Bills, one about Irish Cattel, and the other for burying in Woollen; the latter whereof proved very advantageous to the Nation by the advance of Wool, which is ac­counted the most staple Commodity of this Kingdom. The Commons, by some means or other, were informed of the King's design of proroguing them; and therefore so soon as they were set that morning, the very first thing they did, was to thunder out their Threat­ning Votes, That whosoever advised the King to prorogue that Parliament, to any other purpose than in order to the passing the Bill of Exclusion, should be lookt upon as a Betrayer of the King, the Protestant Religion, and the Kingdom of England, a promoter of the French Interest, and a Pensioner to France.

[Page 417] And in a Common-Council, assembled bout Two or Three days after in London, a Petition was ordered to be drawn up, and presented to the King, wherein they set forth, That the Par­lia [...]t having convicted One of the Po [...]ish Lords, and being about to con­vict the other Four; and having im­peacht the Chief Justice, and being about to impeach other Judges, and all in order to the preservation of his Life, &c. they were much surprised to see it prorogued in the height of their business: and that their only hope was, its being done with a design to bring such Affairs about again, as were necessary to the setling the Nati­on: Praying that they might there­fore sit at the day appointed, and so continue till they had effected the great Affairs before them. But before the 20th of January arrived, to which they had been prorogued, the King de­clared them dissolved by Proclamation, and intimated his pleasure to call ano­ther, to sit on the 24th of March, at Oxford. After which a Petition was delivered him by Essex, and some others of the popular Lords, for the altering his Resolution for the Parliaments sit­ting [Page 418] at Oxford, upon pretence, That neither himself nor they could be in safety there, but would be daily ex­posed to the Swords of the Papists and their Adherents; whereby their Li­berty of Speech would be destroyed, and the Validity of their Acts and Pro­ceedings left disputable. Urging like­wise the straitness of the place, which they affirmed was altogether unfit for the entertaining such a concourse of persons as now followed every Parlia­ment: And that the Witnesses which were to give Evidence upon the Com­mons Impeachment, were unable to bear the charges of that Journey, and unwilling to trust themselves under the protection of a Parliament, which was it self under the power of Guards and Soldiers; praying it might therefore sit at Westminster.

The Parliament which met at Ox­ford, was for the most part made up o [...] Old Members, which were chosen again for the same places for which they had served before: And contrary to the ancient custom of their Treating th [...] Country, the Country now in many places Treated them; or at least, every man bore his own charges. Abou [...] [Page 419] Eight days before their sitting, the King having appointed certain Compa­nies of Foot, and several Troops of Horse to keep Guard in the Mews du­ring his absence, removed to Oxford, where he was received and presented by the Mayor and Body of that City, at the East-Gate, and from thence at­tended with great Acclamations, and all other demonstrations of Joy; and was the next day waited on and com­plemented by the body of the Univer­sity, who presented him with a large Oxford-Bible, and the Queen with the Cuts belonging to the History and An­tiquity of the Ʋniversity; both richly bound.

Most of the Members, as well Com­mons as Lords, went thither, attended with a numerous Train of Friends. At the opening of the Sessions, the King told them, That the unwarranta­ble proceedings of the last House of Commons, was the only Reason why he had dissolved them: And that [...]s he would never use Arbitrary Government himself, so he was Resolved never to suffer it in others. That whosoever should calmly consider the proceedings in the last Parliament, might perhaps [Page 420] wonder at his patience so long, rather than that he grew weary at last. That it was as much his interest and care as theirs, to preserve the Liberty of the Subject, since the Crown could not be safe when that was in danger: And that neither Liberty nor Property could long subsist, when the just Pre­rogatives of the Crown were invaded, or the Honour of the Government brought low, and into disreputation: Assuring them, That he had called them so soon, to shew that the Irregularities of Parliaments should never make him out of love with them: And that he thought the just care they ought to have of Religion, should not be so managed and improved into unneces­sary Fears, as to be made a pretence for changing the Foundation of the Government: and therefore hoped the Example of the former ill success which had attended such kind of Heats, would dispose them to a better Tem­per, and prevent their laying so much weight upon any One Expedient, as to refuse all others as ineffectual and to no purpose; advising them to remember, that without the Safety and Dignity of the Monarchy, neither Religion nor [Page 421] Property could be preserved, which was the Reason why he had not, nor could not depart from what he had formerly so often declared touching the Succession. But to remove all reason­able Fears which might arise from the possibility of a Popish Successor's com­ing to the Crown, if means could be found out, that in such a case the Ad­ministration of the Government might remain in Protestant hands, he should be ready to hearken to any such Expe­dient, whereby Religion might be pre­served, and Monarchy not destroyed; wishing them to provide for both, be­cause they supported each other. And that they would make the known E­stablisht Laws of the Land the Rules and Measures of all their Votes; as­suring them, that he wonld ever make them the Rules of his Acti­ons.

After the Speech, the Commons re­paired to their House, and chose for [...]heir Speaker, Williams, who had [...]een Speaker of the last Westminster-Parliament. And being informed up­on the 26th, That the Lords had refu­sed to proceed upon the Impeachment of Edward Fitz-Harris (who having [Page 422] been seized upon the Information of Everard, one of the Evidences about the Po [...]sh Plot, and Sir William Wall­er, for having framed an Impudent and Damnable Libel against the King and Government, had in hopes of sa­ving his Life by that means, confest himself Guilty of what he was charg­ed with; and had the confidence to say, he was imployed by the King: pretending moreover to make several considerable Discoveries about the Popish Plot; and accusing the Earl of Danby of having a hand in the Murder of Godfrey; whereupon he was impeacht by the Commons of High Treason, upon a pretence, that there were mat­ters of too high a Nature in his Trial to be managed in an Inferior Court)▪ and had directed, that he should be proceeded against at the Common Law. They with the usual Hea [...] wherewith the Affairs of that Hous [...] had been for some time managed, Vo [...]ted that Refusal of the Lords, to be [...] Denial of Justice, a Violation of th [...] Constitution of Parliaments, an Ob [...]struction to the Discovery of th [...] Plot, and of great danger to His Ma [...]jesties Person, and the Protestant Reli [...]gion; [Page 423] And that for any Inferior Court to proceed against him, or any other person impeacht by Parliament, was an high Breach of the priviledges of Parliaments. And notwithstand­ing the many mischiefs that had always followed upon, and were the Natural Consequences of such Attempts, on Monday following a Bill was brought likewise into that Parliament against the Duke's Succession: And having been read once, was ordered a second reading. Whereupon the King per­ceiving it would be impossible for them to do any thing that might tend to the Honour and Settlement of the Nation, whilst the Two Houses were so divided with Heats and Animosi­ties; and the Commons time wholly taken up in debating a matter that no way concerned them, resolved to in­terpose his power for deciding the quarrel, and convince them, That he would no longer endure to be trifled with and affronted: And therefore ha­ving sent for the Commons to the House of Lords, he told them, That to prevent the ill Effects he foresaw would follow upon the Heats between them and the Lords, he had ordered [Page 424] the Chancellor to dissolve them, which was done immediately, and the King returned the same night to Windsor, and the next morning to White-Hall. And knowing how industrious some ill minded persons would be to improve that Dissolution for the misrepresent­ing his Actions; to prevent his Subjects being deluded by their fair pretences, and bold, tho false Affirmations, he publisht a Declaration, wherein he ac­quainted them with the Reasons which induced him to dissolve both that and the last Westminster-Parliament: and assured them, That he was not however out of love with Parliaments, not­withstanding the unwarrantable pro­ceedings of the Two former; but would frequently advise with them, as his great Council, in hopes ere long to find his people in a better Tem­per.

As the dissolution of this Parliament was accounted by the more Intelligent a very wise and politick Act, from whence he might expect many good effects; so the consequence answered the Expectation: for now all the Weekly Intelligences, and the factiou [...] and scurrilous Libels, which the Pres [...] [Page 425] had vomited out in great Numbers whilst they expected impunity from the Parliament, were supprest, and ea­sily busht into silence by an Order of Council.

Sir Francis Pemberton succeeding Scroggs in the Chief Justiceship, great Expectation there was to see what would be done in the case of Fitz-Harris; but all the Judges of England having met about it in the Exchequer-Chamber, they resolved that they might notwithstanding the Impeach­ment and the Commons Vote, proceed to try him: And the next day a Bill was preferred and found by the Grand-Jury of Middlesex, and thereupon he was on the last day of the Term ar­raigned at the Bar of the Kings-Bench. But being Three several Times bid to hold up his hand, he refused, insisting upon his impeachment in Parliament, and his right to be tried before them; but being at last prevailed upon to hold up his hand, and hear his Indict­ment read, which was for High Treason, exprest in a certain Writing, call'd, The True English Man, full of most horrid Expressions against the King, as if he had been a Conspirator in the [Page 426] Plot against himself, and thereupon exciting the Nation to rise against him as one man; he put in a dilatory Plea against the Jurisdiction of the Court; alledging, that having been impeached by the Commons in Parliament, he could not be tried there; but the Plea being not under Councils Hand, was refused. However he had Time given him to consider whether he would stand by such a Plea, in regard it might prove fatal to him, in case it should be over­ruled; and Winnington, Williams, Pollix­fen and Wallop were assigned him for Council according to his desire, to ar­gue the said point of Judicature the next Wednesday, if he resolved to per­sist in his Plea; which he resolving to do on Wednesday, was brought again to the Bar, attended with his Council, when the Attorney-General entred a Demur­rer to his Plea, and Saturday Morning was appointed for his Council to maintain his Plea by Argument, if they could; and the Court having then heard what could be said on both sides, declared that they meddled not at all with the Priviledg of the House of Commons, or the Jurisdiction of the Lords in Parliament, but only with the Form [Page 427] of the Plea; and after the debate was over, the Chief Justice declared they would take a convenient time to consi­der, before they would give their Judg­ment.

On the Wednesday following being brought again to the Bar, the Court de­clared they had considered the Plea, and consulted with other Judges about it; and were of opinion, it was insufficient; and was therefore overruled, and the Prisoner ordered to plead over; Where­upon he pleaded Not guilty, and had till the first Thursday in the next Term allowed him for his Tryal.

In the mean while many Loyal Ad­dresses flowed from all parts of the Nation full of Congratulations and Thanks to the King for his late Declara­tion. And in Trinity-Term, Dr. Oliver Plunket was Try'd for High-Treason, the Evidence against him being all pro­fest Papists, affirmed he was made Pri­mate of Ireland by the Pope at the French Kings Recommendation; and that he having thereupon engaged to do that King all the Service he could, had actually levied amongst his Popish Clergy great Sums of Money to intro­duce [Page 428] the French Dominion, and extir­pate the Protestants out of that King­dom; upon which evidence he was found Guilty, and was together with Fitz-harris, who received his Tryal the next day, executed at Tyburn on the first of the following July, pro­testing his innocency, and praying for the King, Queen, and Duke.

Presently after the Tryal of Fitz-Harris, his Wife and Maid accused the Lord Howard of Escrick of contriving the Treasonable Libel for which he was convicted, who was thereupon committed to the Tower: And in a Paper delivered at his Execution to Dr. Haukins Minister of the Tower, for his Wife, he confirmed that accusa­tion, denying what he had formerly confest about Danby and the Plot; affir­ming he was drawn into that confessi­on only through hopes of saving his Life thereby. But a Bill of Indict­ment against Howard being delivered on the last day of the Term to the Grand-Jury of Edmunton Hundred, sworn to by Fitz-harris's Wife, and Maid, and by some others, that Jury pretend­ing to be unsatisfied with the Evidence, would have indorsed it with an Igno­ramus, [Page 429] had not one of the Clerks of the Crown, who attended them, withdrawn it from them, for which notwithstand­ing they were told by the Court, the Kings Attorney might stop such pro­ceedings as he saw occasion; they pre­ferred a Bill of Indictment against the Clerk to the Jury of Oswelston Hun­dred there attending, for that pre­tended Misdemeanor.

The Reason why some Persons went so well attended to the Oxford Parlia­ment began now to appear; for about this time there was discovery made of a design of seizing the Kings Person whilst he was there, and several factious People were thereupon committed to the Tower, viz. Rouse, Haynes, White, Colledg, and the Earl of Shaftsbury, whose Papers were likewise seiz'd. At the Sessions which began soon after, he and Howard moved to be bailed, but the Judges told them, it lay not in their power to bail out of the Tower.

At this Sessions, and Indictment of High Treason was preferred to the Grand-Jury of London against one of those lately committed to the Tower, whose Name was Colledg: But in re­gard he was a busie factious Fellow, [Page 430] and ever loved to meddle most with that he least understood, and pass his ignorant censures upon the great Affairs of State, He was the more commonly known by the Name of the Protestant Joyner. But notwithstanding the Evi­dence against him was full and clear, they returned an Ignoramus upon the Bill; whereupon part of the Treaso­nable Words and Matters, for which he was there Indicted, being transacted at Oxford whilst the Parliament sate there, the Cause was removed to that Assizes; where he was before the Lord Chief Justice North tryed upon the same Evidence, and condemned and executed.

In a Parliament held at this time in Scotland, the Duke of York presided as the Kings High Commissioner, and an Act was past which asserted the Right of Succession to the Imperial Crown of Scotland; asserting it to be by inherent right, and that the nature of the Monarchy was such, that by the fundamental and unalterable Law of the Realm it transmitted and devolved by Lineal Succession according to proximity of Blood; and that no diffe­rence in Religion, no Law, nor Act of [Page 431] Parliament could alter or divert the Right of Succession of the Crown to the nearest and lawful Heirs, and de­claring it High Treason either by Writing, Speaking, or any other way to endeavour the least Alteration therein.

The French Protestants being greatly opprest and persecuted by that King, flockt into England in great multitudes, and were received by the King of England with abundance of Kindness and affection, ordering that his Officers and Magistrates should give them the same Countenance and Favour with his own Subjects; assuring them he would take them into his Royal Pro­tection, and grant 'em his Letters of Dennization; and promising to procure in the next Parliament an Act for their Naturalization.

A special Commission of Oyer and Terminer being granted by him for the Tryal of Shaftsbury and others at the Old Bayly, the Bill of High Treason preferred against Shaftsbury, notwith­standing the Evidence swore very full to the Treason, was returned by the Grand-Jury (the Foreman whereof was Sir Samuel Barnardiston) Ignora­mus, [Page 432] as a former Jury had done that of Colledg. Whereupon the people, whose Idol he was, gave a great Shout, and assaulted those who were Witnesses against him with that violence, that the Sheriffs to prevent mischief, were forced to guard them as far as the Savoy homeward. Bonfires were that Night made by the Rabble almost in every Street; at one whereof Capt. Griffith was knockt down, and wounded in the Head, for endeavouring to put it out: And a rout of people marching down Warwick-lane, one whereof had his Sword drawn, sometimes cryed, No York, no Popish Successor, and then bawl'd out, a Monmouth, a Shaftsbury, a Buckingham, till they were stopt by the Watch at Ludgate.

But tho the factious Rabble were thus overjoyed at the acquittal of their Idol; yet the sober and Loyal part of the Nation, had other sentiments about it, and declared their Indignation in several Loyal Addresses against the most Execrable and Traiterous designed Association, which was discovered in Shaftsburys Closet, amongst his other papers, which threatned not the King alone, but Monarchy it self.

[Page 433] In February, 1682, there hapned a strange and Barbarous Murder, which for the boldness of the Attempt, and the baseness of the manner wherein it was perpetrated, is scarcely to be parel­lel'd in any History. For Thomas Thin of Long-Leat Esq, a Gentleman of an Estate of about 10000 l. per annum; having privately married Eli­zabeth, Daughter and sole Heir of Jocelin Earl of Northumberland, and Relict to Henry Earl of Ogle, Son and Heir apparent to the Duke of Newcastle. And some of her Friends, who were not so well satisfied with the Match as her Grand-mother was, by whose means it was said to be made up, having perswa­ded her, before ever her New Husband had bedded her, to withdraw her self secretly into Holland, the Town was thereupon alarumed with the ap­proach of a mighty Suit in Law con­cerning the Validity of the Match, the best Civilians being engaged on the one side or the other: And Count Conings­ [...]ark, a German Lord, who had formerly endeavoured to obtain her, came over again to London in disguise, and one [...]ratz, who had formerly been a Cap­tain [Page 434] under him, sent a Challenge to Thinn, with a Threat, That in case he refused to meet him at the Time and Place appointed, he should be pistol'd. And finding, that notwithstanding that Threat, he still slighted his Challenge, and refused to hazard his Life against (he knew not whom, nor upon what ground of quarrel); he with two more well mounted and armed, rode up to his Coach as he was passing homeward near the Hay-market, and having stopt the Horses, another of those desperate Villains, whose Name was George Bo­rosky, a Polander, discharged a Blunder­buss, or Musketoon at him, charged with six Bullets, which were all lodged in his Belly; and then they setting Spurs to their Horses made their escape; but the next Morning they were so closely sought after that they were all three ta­ken, and being brought to a Trial Tryal before the Lord-Chief-Justice Pemberton, were all three condemned and executed upon a Gibbet erected near the place where they committed the Murder; and Borasky to terrifi [...] others from such barbarous Attempts [...] was hung up in Chains between [...] and London. The Count was likewis [...] [Page 435] tryed the same time as an accessary to the Murder; but for want of suffi­cient Evidence was acquitted by the Jury.

A strange Accident hapned not long after this, which had like to have pro­ved fatal to these Nations, by depriving them of the Inestimable Blessing which they now enjoy; for his Royal High­ness, the Duke of York, our Present Sovereign, going about the beginning of May into Scotland to fetch home his Dutchess, whom he had left there at his last return, the Glocester Frigot, in which he sailed, unfortunately striking on the Lemon-ore in Yarmoth Road, was lost with about an hundred men, and some Treasure. But Heaven de­signing the Royal Passenger to be the occasion of many future Blessings to these Kingdoms, and reserving him for a more honourable Funeral, he was miraculously preserved by going off into a Yatch, which came up to his re­lief just before the Ship sunk: And returning toward the latter end of that month with his Dutchess and the Lady Ann to Whitehall, the King and Queen came from VVindsor to con­gratulate his safe arrival, and express [Page 436] their Joy for his miraculous preserva­tion.

And the King, who went back again that Night to VVindsor, was the next Day taken very ill, occasioned as it was generally thought, by some cold taken the day before; but upon bleed­ing, and the use of some other proper means, he recovered his former health within a few days, to the great joy of his Subjects.

Sir John Moor, an Honest Loyal Gentleman, and an Addresser, coming this Year to be Lord Mayor of London, which City was then somewhat distem­pered by reason the Chair had for the Two preceding Years been enjoyed by Sir Robert Claton, and Sir Pa­tience Ward, who inclining to the Fanatick Party, had promoted such Sheriffs and other Officers in that City, as were no way pleasing to the King, (as appeared by the Answer he returned to the Message from Sir John to him, to invite his Majesty to dine with him, and the City, on the day of his Inau­guration, viz. That he liked the Mes­sage, but not the Messengers, who were the two Sheriffs, Pilkinton and Shute); and therefore having now the [Page 437] Power in his Hand, as Chief Magistrate, he resolved to restore London to its Loyalty, and leave it in a condition more to the Kings content, than he found it. And in order thereunto, it being an ancient Custom for the Lord Mayor at a Feast kept Yearly at the Bridg-house, to drink to him whom he design­ed to be one of the Sheriff [...] for the Year ensuing, he drank to Mr. Dudly North, Brother to the Lord Keeper, and since Knighted. And on the 24th of June, which being Midsummer-day, was customary for the Electing the Sheri [...]f of London; he summoned the several Companies to appear at Guild-hall, and confirm North, and cause another She [...]iff; but instead of proceeding according to the Anci­ent c [...]stom and method of the City, ther [...] appeared two parties; the Lord Mayor and his Party, and the two Sheriffs and their Party, who refused to confirm North, and would have both Sheriffs elected by Vote. After some co [...]test, it was agreed to be decided by pol: But those who polled for the co [...]firmation of North, and th [...] Electi­on of Box, a Drugster in Cheapside, who was proposed by Moor for the o­ther [Page 438] Sheriff, being refused, and several mens Names entred for Papillion and Dubois, that were put up by the Two Sheriffs, and their Party, who had no Right to Vote; the Lord Mayor ad­journed the Court by Proclamation, till the 27th; and so departed out of the Hall, altho not without some abuses by the disaffected party.

However, the Sheriffs would not obey the Adjournment, but upon pre­tence that the business belonged pro­perly to them, and not at all to the Mayor, went on with their Poll till night. The next day being Sunday, admitted of no Action; but on Mon­day morning, the King, who had been informed of all those Tumutuous Proceedings, ordered the Lord Mayor, the Court of Aldermen, and the Two Sheriffs to attend him at the Council-Chamber; and after a full Examin [...]tion and Hearing of all that could be said on both sides, committed the Sheriffs to the Tower, for their Riotous Pro­ceeding; whither they were car [...]ied through the City in their own Coac [...]es. But having obtained a Habeas Cor [...]us, to be brought up to the Kings-Be [...]ch-Bar, they were admitted Bail, ha­ving [Page 439] first pleaded Not Guilty to an In­formation exhibited against them for a Tumultuous and Riotous Assembly, in holding the Common-Hall after it had been adjourned, and the Assembly discharged.

The Sheriffs having thus obtained their Liberty, met again on the 5th of July; and notwithstanding the Mayor, who was then sick, sent the Recorder to adjourn the Common-Hall to the 7th; yet they and the Multitude proceeded in the Election, and declared their Choice of Papillion and Duboise. But some Disputes arising when the Mayor and his party met on the 7th, according to the Adjournment, about the Legali­ty of that Adjournment, Four Lawyers were sent for to the Court of Alder­men, to argue the Validity of the thing; but coming to no Resolution, the Court was adjourned to the 14th of that Month. When the King, de­signing, if possible, to set all things to rights, issued out an Order of Council, wherein he commanded them, since all their Proceedings hitherto had been irregular, to begin all Proceedings a­new, and carry them on in the usual manner, as they ought to have been [Page 440] upon Midsummerday. This Order was read in the Common-Hall; but opposed by the adverse Party with Noise and Clamor. However, Moor declared North duly elected by him; and that he would Poll for the other Three; viz. Box, Papillion, and Duboise: and thereupon caused Books to be fitted with Three Columns only: But Pil­kinton and Shute refusing to joyn with him therein, went on by themselves, and poll'd for Four Heads, with a Salvo Jure to their former Election. The next day the Mayor having caused his Books to be cast up, and finding the Majority of Voices to be for Box, he declared North and him to be Sheriffs. But Box refusing to serve, and paying in his Fine according to Custom, the Mayor call'd another Common-Hall on the 19th of September, and proposed Peter Rich, Esq to be chosen in his stead, who having the Majority of Voices, and being declared Sheriff, the Mayor dissolved the Court, and re­turned home. But the Two She [...]iffs, notwithstanding the Mayor's dissolu­tion, continued this Assembly as they had done the former; and demanding of their own Party (the rest being de­parted [Page 441] with the Mayor), whether they would abide by their former Choice for Papillion and Duboise, proceeded likewise to a Poll; and having cast up their Books, declared them to be She­riffs Elect. Whereupon the Mayor acquainting the King with their Pro­ceedings, he commanded them to attend him in Council, where they were se­verely checkt, and not dismist without giving sufficient Bail to answer to an Information which should be exhibited against them for their unwarrantable proceedings.

But notwithstanding this ill success, they were not so discouraged as to de­sist from the like practices for the future: For on Michaelmas-day, when the Ci­tizens met for the Election of a Mayor, they mustered up their utmost strength, and appeared with as much Violence a­gainst Sir William Pritchard, the next in course, as they had done against North and Box, setting up Gold and Cornish against them, altho Cornish had been Sheriff but the very year before. However, Pritchard carried it by the Majority of Voices.

[Page 442] In this year died the Illustrious Prince Rupert, in the 63d year of his Age: The Constableship of Windsor-Castle, which had been enjoyed by him for many years, being after his Death con­ferred by the King on the Earl of A­rundel. And on the 18th of Decem­ber died Hen [...]eage Earl of Nottingham, and Lord High Chancellor of Eng­land, who had enjoyed that place ever since it was taken from Shaftsbury, in the year—73. and was succeeded by Sir Francis North, Lord Chief Justice of the Common-Pleas.

This year was very remarkable also for the Arrival of Two Extraordinary and Famous Embassages from Two Princes never known to have sent any into England before, one from the Emperor of Fez and Morocco (who in his Letter exprest much Kindness, and a great Veneration to the King): His Name was Hamet Benhamet Benhaddu Otter; a man of a Majestick Presence, and great Wisdom: His business was a­bout setling a Peace in relation to Tan­gier; and his Person and Conversation was so pleasant and taking, that he was received and caressed with more Ho­nour and Respect, both by the King [Page 443] and his Nobles, than any Embassador I ever knew at Court: And so he was by both Universities, which he visited; seeming to have an equal Esteem and Valuation for our Nation. Nor was there ever any Embassador before him so much admired by the common peo­ple, great multitudes always attending before his House, which was near Ka­therine-street in the Strand, to gaze upon, and wonder at the strange Garb worn by him and his Attendants, one whereof was an English Renegado, formerly a Barber somewhere about Temple bar; but being afterward a Soldier in Tangier, he ran away from that Garison to the Moors, and was by them highly advanced for his perfidious directing them in their Wars against that Town.

The other Embassage was from the King of Bantham, in the East-Indies, whose business was about the East-In­dia Trade, who would have been as much admired as the former, if he had come another time; but all mens Eyes were so generally fixt upon the Moroc­co, that they were less minded than otherwise they would have been. They brought the King several rich [Page 444] presents of Diamonds, and other things of great value. But not long after their return, we received ill news when we least expected it; For the Dutch having under pretence of assi­sting the Rebel Prince, who was com­monly called, The Young King of Ban­tham, against his Father, the Old King, seized upon that Town, turn'd out the English whom they found there, and seized on their Factory, to the great damage of the English Na­tion.

On the 24th of April hapned one of the most famous and extraordinary Exploits that was ever known in Lon­don: For one Broome, Clerk of Skin­ners-Hall, and Coroner of Landon, ha­ving a Latitat out of the Kings-Bench, in an Action upon the Case, at the Suit of Papillion and Duboise, agai [...]st the Lord Mayor, Sheriff North, and several Loyal Aldermen; Upon ac­quainting them therewith, they all submitted to his Arrest, and went with him, as Prisoners to Skinners-Hall, where they remained till about midnight; Eight Companies of the Trained Bands being raised by order of the Lieutenancy, upon that altogether new [Page 445] and unusual attempt, to prevent Tu­mults. But one Fletcher, a Serjeant of the Poultrey-Compter, having an Action of Debt, upon a Bond of 400. l. agaiust Broome, who had the Week before promised to give Bail to it; but neglecting it, and seeing him act so imperiously against the Chief Magi­strate of the City, took him into cu­stody, and carried him forthwith to the Compter. The Mayor, and his Fellow-prisoners, seeing Broome carried away by a Serjeant, demanded if there were any in the house who had Orders to detain them; which being answered in the Negative, they all peaceably de­parted to their several homes.

In the next Month was tried at Guild-Hall, before the Lord Chief Justice Saunders (Pemberton having been removed to the Common-Pleas upon North's receiving the Seal), the great Riot committed the year before at the Election of Sheriffs, Fourteen being found Guilty thereof, and Fi­ned.

And the better part of the City, both for Number and Quality, Resol­ved at a Common-Council, held on the 22d of that Month, That notwith­standing [Page 446] the Action in which the May­or was Arrested at the Suit of Papillion and Duboise, was said to be prosecuted at the Instance of the Citizens of Lon­don, yet they to deliver themselves and the said Citizens from that false impu­tation, did declare, they were no way privy or consenting to that Action; and therefore did disown and disapprove the same.

But the City having in the Judgment of Lawyers, forfeited their Charter by several illegal proceedings, the King thought the best way to prevent such kind of Tumults, which might be of ill consequence to the Nation in gene­ral for the future, would be the taking that Forfeiture, that so by having the Charter delivered up into his hands, they might by a more absolute depend­ance upon his Goodness, be obliged to a stricter performance of their Allegi­ance, and take the greater care to preserve the publick peace and quiet. Whereupon he ordered a Writ of Quo Warranto to go out against their Char­ter, which was grounded chiefly on their illegal exacting of Tolls in their Markets, and their having framed and printed a scandalous Petition, wherein [Page 447] the King is charged with obstructing the Justice of the Nation by proroguing the last Parliament.

Whether these were sufficient grounds of seizing their Liberties, were argued Pro & Con, first by the Solicitor Ge­neral and the Recorder of the City, and then by the Attorney General and Mr. Pollixfen. And Judg Jones (the Lord Chief Justice being then sick) having summ'd up all the proceedings in a very significant and solid Speech, gave Judgment upon it; and declared it to be the unanimous Opinion of that Court, That the Liberties and Franchises of the City of London should be seized into the King's hands. But Judgment was not entred up, in regard the King had expresly commanded that should not be done till his pleasure was further known.

The City now finding the King was in earnest, and that their Charter was condemned by Law, began to think of humbling themselves at his feet, and sue for Mercy: And therefore at a Common-Council call'd for that pur­pose, a Petition was ordered to be drawn up and presented to him at Windsor, where he then was; in which [Page 448] they acknowledg their hearty and un­feigned sorrow for the misgovernment of that City, which had occasioned the Quo Warranto to be brought against them, and Judgment to be past there­upon: And thankfully acknowledged his great Favour in not requiring Judg­ment to be immediately entred thereon; in which distressed condition they hum­bly cast themselves at his Royal Feet, imploring his Princely Compassion and Grace; begging his pardon for all Of­fences, with most solemn promises and assurances of constant Loyalty and O­bedience to him and his Successors, and of a Regular Administration of his Government in that City for the fu­ture; humbly begging his Commands and Directions therein. This Petition was carried and presented by the May­or, and several Loyal Aldermen and Citizens. Upon the Receipt whereof, the Lord Keeper, by the King's Com­mand, declared, That for the sakes of so many of the present Magistrates, and other Eminent Citizens, who were of undoubted Loyalty and Affection to his Service, he would show the City all the Favour they could reasonably desire, if they would submit to such [Page 449] Regulations as he thought necessary forthe assuring the Loyalty, and pre­serving the Peace of that City; viz. That no person should be admitted to be Mayor, Sheriff, Recorder, Com­mon Serjeant, Town-Clerk, or Coro­ner of London, or Steward of South­wark, before they were approved by him under his Sign Manual: And that after he had Twice disapproved the Mayor whom they should present to him, he might, if he pleased, nominate one himself: and so also for the Sheriff; the Election being nevertheless to be still continued according to the ancient Customs and Usages of the City, with some small Restrictions only then spe­cified: which gracious Offer was ac­cepted by a Common-Council assem­bled on the 20th of June; where the Question being propounded, it was carried in the Affirmative by the Majo­rity of Eighteen Voices.

And now came to light one of the basest and vilest pieces of Treachery that was ever hatcht in the World; which seemed to point out and explain whereto the Bill of Exclusion, and the Treacherous Association tended: For those Factious and Designing [Page 450] Wretches having failed of accomplish­ing their Designs by those specious pretences, resolved to attempt that by force which they now found they could not effect by Fraud: and there­fore entred into a Damnable Plot and Conspiracy to Murder the King and His Brother, and alter the Govern­ment. To effect which, they had at several Treasonable Consultations, re­solved to Levy men, and make an In­surrection. For the management where­of they made choice of a Council of Six, that were to direct and order the chief matters relating thereunto; viz. the Duke of Monmouth, the Earl of Essex, the Lord Howard, the Lord Russel, Mr. Hambden, and Collonel Sidney: Besides which, there was ano­ther Council of more Inferior persons, whose business was to consult chiefly about the Assassination of the King and the Duke.

The King and the Duke being both at Newmarket, they resolved to pre­vent their ever coming to London again, by cutting them both off in their re­turn: To which end, West, by the appointment of the rest, had provided several Musquets, and other Arms▪ [Page 451] which were to have been sent down to a House call'd the Rye, inhabited by one Rumball, about three Miles be­yond Hodsden, which was lookt upon as the most convenient place for that monstrous and hellish design, in regard therewas by the house a narrow passage, through which the King usually came, when he went to and from Newmarket; so that it would have been hard for him to have escaped: But Heaven having preserved him from the many former Attempts of Men of the like Principles, and disdaining that Hell should fru­strate its designed blessings to these Nations as well in the remainder of his Reign, as in his next Successors, by cut­ting off its Principal Favourite, re­solved to render former Mercies the more compleat and full, by adding a new one to their Number, no less apparent and visible than his Preser­vation in the Oak had been: And there­fore a Fire which hapned there, and consumed the greatest part of the Town, forced him to return sooner than they expected, and before they were ready for him; whereby they were disappointed of their Barbarous Purpose, and not a little confounded [Page 452] at the Strangeness of the Thing, which altho it appeared at first sight to be pure­ly accidental, yet afterward was general­ly lookt upon to fall out by the special designation of Divine Providence.

But notwithstanding this remarkable disappointment, and the consternation which at first seized them upon the news of it, they still went on with their Plot, and consulted about some other Time and Place for their Assassi­nation: But before they could bring their distracted Counsels to any con­clusion, Providence spoiled their Plot: For, one of the Conspirators, whose Name was Keeling, being convinced of the Wickedness of the design, through the care of Heaven to prevent it, by the remarkable Fire at Newmarket, was so terrified, that he could not rest till he had made a discovery of it: Where­upon West, a Councellor of the Tem­ple, was apprehended, and a Proclama­tion issued out for the declaring Rum­sey, Rumball, Nelthrop, Wade, Good­enough, Wallcot, Thompson, Burton, and Hone, Traytors; offering 100 re­ward to any that should discover them; and another against Monmouth, Grey, Armstrong, and Ferguson; Rum­sey, [Page 453] the Lord Russel, Essex, Collonel Sidney, Mr. Hambden, the Lord Howard, Walcot, Rouse, Hone, and some others were taken, but the rest made their escape beyond the Seas: The Lord Grey indeed was taken, but being af­ter Examination by the King and Council committed to the Tower, he found means to make his escape out of the Coach, just as he came almost at the Tower Gate, having made Deer­ing the Messenger who had him in Charge, so drunk, (as it was reported) that he fell fast asleep, and left him wholly unguarded.

The Lord Russel, and Collonel Sidney were beheaded; and Walcot, Rouse, and Hone executed at Tyburn for this Plot. The Earl of Essex prevented the Hand of Justice by cutting his own Throat; Mr. Hambden against whom there was but one Evidence, was on­ly indicted, and found guilty of a high Trespass and Misdemeanor, and con­demned in a Fine of 40000 l. to the King, to find Sureties for his Good Behaviour during Life, and to stand committed till that was paid and done. The Lord Brandon, Major Wildman, Mr. Charlton, Mr. Trenchard, and some [Page 454] others for want of sufficient Evidence, were first admitted to bail, and after­ward discharged: Mr. Wade and Sir Thomas Armstrong being both taken beyond the Seas; the first at Mevis, and the other in Holland, were brought into England, and condemned and exe­cuted upon an Outlawry.

The King to shew his Sense of the Divine Goodness for his wonderful and Gracious Preservation from that horrid Plot and Conspiracy, publisht a Declaration for a solemn Day of Thanksgiving to Almighty God, to be celebrated throughout the Kingdom on Sunday the 9th of Septemb. command­ing that Declaration, which contained a short Narration of the Treasonable Conspiracy, and the Persons concerned therein (some whereof were not men­tioned in either of the Proclamations) to be read on Sunday the 2d of Sep­tember, as well as on the Day of Thanksgiving, which was observed with great Seriousness and Devotion throughout the whole Kingdom, every one looking upon himself to have a particular Interest in the Benefit of that Preservation.

[Page 455] It is observable, that there was this remarkable difference between the two Plots; all those who died for the first, protested their Innocency with their last breath, denying that they had any knowledg of a Plot or Conspiracy car­ried on against the King or the Go­vernment; and all those who died for the Second did acknowledg something, tho they denied the greater part of what they were accused of.

About this time the Lady Ann, Se­cond Daughter to his Royal Highness the Duke of York, was married to Prince George, Brother to the King of Denmark, the Ceremony being per­formed by the Bishop of London in the Presence of the King, Queen, Duke and Dutchess, with most of the Great Persons about the Court; and that Night was observed with great Joy and Splendor; and the next, [...] Bells proclaimed the publick Joy▪ which every one took for her being so happily bestowed upon a Protestant and Religious Prince, who was after­ward installed Knight of the Garter at Windsor.

The Day for the Election of She­riffs for London and Middlesex, which [Page 456] of course used to be the 24th of June, was this Year adjourned to the 5th of September, when the Livery-Men assem­bled at Guild-Hall, without the least Hesitation confirmed the Mayors choice of Peter Daniel, and chose to serve with him, Francis Dashwood, Electing like­wise Mr. Deputy Aleworth into the Office of Chamberlain in the Room of Sir Thomas Player, who being one of the Rioters in the last Years Pro­ceedings, was then removed; and per­forming all the other Elections of Bridg-master, Ale conner, &c. with the ancient Gravity and Moderation; and a Choice of Mayor on Michaelmas-day was likewise adjourned for six Days. But in the mean time, the King being high­ly displeased with the Cities delays in signing the particulars formerly accept­ed of, and promised by the Common-Council, in Relation to the Charter, caused his Attorney to enter up Judg­ment against it, and thereupon gave his commission to Sir William Prit [...]hard to execute the Office of Lord Mayor of that City during pleasure; granting the like Commissions also to the two New Sheriffs, Daniel and Dashwood, who were thereupon sworn with the [Page 457] usual Oaths, and Mr. Jenner of the Inner Temple, knighted at the same time by the Name of Sir Thomas Jenner, the Kings Recorder of London.

On Sunday the 7th of October, the Mayor and Sheriffs appeared at Guild-hall Chappel as formerly in their Gowns and Chains, but the Aldermen only in their ordinary habits, being by vertue of that new Commission, only made Justices of the Peace; eight of the Factious ones being left out, and their Number supplied by as many Worthy and Loyal Gentlemen; viz. Sir Benjamin Newland, Sir Benjamin Bathurst, Sir John Buckworth, Sheriff Dashwood, Charles Duncomb, Jacob Lu­cy, Peter Palavazine, and Benjamin Thoroughgood. But on the 13th of that Month the King sent them a new Commission, wherein he impowered them to act as Aldermen in their seve­ral Wards, and accordingly divers of them attended the Mayor the next day to Chappel after their usual man­ner in Gowns and Chains; and the next Week assembled a Court of Al­dermen as formerly: And upon the 29th of October, which is the Annual Day for swearing the Lord Mayor of [Page 458] London, the King having appointed Sir Henry Tulse to execute that Office by Commission during his pleasure; he was after the usual manner attended to Westminster by the Companies, per­forming the accustomed Ceremonies in Westminster-Hall, and making the usual Cavalcade through London, but with­out any Pageants.

The Duke of Monmouth being ac­cused as one of the Conspirators in the late Plot, absconded, and lay concea­led for some time; so as he could not be found by all the search that was made for him: But having privately made his Application to the King in an humble and submissive Letter, wherein he intirely resigned himself to his Majesties Disposal; the Duke thereupon went down to Secretary Jenkins his Office, to whom he had vo­luntarily surrendred himself, and upon shewing himself very sensible of his Crime in suffering himself to be drawn into a Conspiracy against the King and Government, and making a full Declaration of it, and a particular Submission to his Royal Highness for his misbehaviour toward him, he did upon the request and Mediation of the [Page 459] Duke obtain his Pardon, and the At­torny-General was ordered to stop all further Proceedings against him; But refusing afterwards to make the promised Discovery, or to sign what he had confest, he fell again into the Kings High Displeasure, and was there­upon banisht the Court, and expelled the Royal Presence.

About the middle of December this Year, began a very extraordinary Frost, which lasted till the 5th of February; during which time the Thames was fro­zen over with solid and contiguous Ice, with thousands of People walk­ing thereon, and whole streets of Booths built quite a cross, and shops of almost all manner of Trades on each side, as in the high streets of London, and Coaches running almost as thick as in Fleetstreet. The extremity of the Weather was such, that great numbers of poor and indigent People, who at other times could but just live, were now (in regard they could not follow their imployment) brought into great necessities, and many of them must have starved if the charity of others had not relieved 'em; whereupon the King, who always loved to take all op­portunities [Page 460] to express his charity and affection to his Subjects, especially those that were poor and indigent among them, granted his Letters Mandatory to the Bishop of London to make a Collection in all Parishes in the City and Suburbs for the Relief of many Thousand miserable Wretches, who would otherwise have perished; and to encourage others to so needful a charity by his own example, ordered several great Sums of Money to be issued out of his Treasury for that Purpose. On the 23d of January, being the first day of Hillary Term, the Lawyers went over the Ice to Westminster, and back again as famili­arly as on the Land, some on Foot, and others in Coaches; and there was for above a fortnight together a Fair or Mart kept between the Temple, and that part of Southwark which is oppo­site to it.

This Year Vienna the Imperial City of Germany, was closely besieged, and greatly distressed by the Turks, who brought it to the very last extremity, but were then beaten off, and forced to raise their siege, by the Blessing of God, upon the Valour of the King of [Page 461] Poland, and the Duke of Lorrain; in which Action, the Lord Landsdown, Eldest Son to the Earl of Bath, beha­ved himself with so much Valour, that he was afterward, as a Reward of his Courage, created a Count of the Sacred Empire.

And Tangier, having cost the King abundance of Treasure to defend it against the Moors, and make the Mole there, he now resolved in regard the charges were so very great, and the Expectation of Advantage very uncer­tain, to relinquish it; and therefore or­dered the Lord Dartmouth to repair thither wih about 20 sail of Ships, and demolish the Town, Castle, and Mole, choak up the Haven (to render it use­less to any who might otherwise have thought the Town worth rebuilding) and bring off the Inhabitants, which was done accordingly.

About the middle of February, 1684. was the Earl of Danby, after a long and tedious Imprisonment, admit­ted to Bail, by the Eminent and Loyal Sir George Jeffrys, who succeeded Sir Edward Sanders in the Lord Chief Justiceship of England, all the Judges of the Kings-Bench having first given [Page 462] their several opinions about it, and de­livered their Reasons why he ought to be bailed; and the other four Lords (one of them, viz. Peters, being dead sometime before, having just before his Death, in a Letter to the King, denied upon his Salvation, his being any way Guilty of what he stood accused of) being within the like Reasons, were admitted to the like advantage; and so was the Earl of Tyrone, who had been almost as long a Prisoner in the Gate-house, as they had been in the Tower.

The King having about the Year 81 appointed under him certain Depu­ties or Commissioners of Ecclesiastical Offices; viz. The Arch-Bishop of Can­terbury, the Bishop of London, the Lord Radnor, Hallifax, Hide, and Mr. Seymor; to whom he delegated his Power to dispose of all such Ecclesia­stical Preferments as were within his immediate Patronage, was pleased this Year to revoke their Commission, and take those preferments again into his own immediate disposal; as like­wise a commission formerly granted to several Persons to execute the Office of Lord High Admiral of Eugland, which was now again fully enjoyed [Page 463] and exercised by his Royal Highness.

Acts of Hostility being this Spring-fiercely pursued between the French and Spaniards by Sea and Land, he commanded by Proclamation, that being at Amity with both those Nati­ons▪ the Peace should be kept inviola­bly by them, whilst they were in any Roads, Creeks, and Ports of his Domi­nions, and that his Commanders and Officers should oppose themselves a­gainst those who should presume to as­sault any of the Ships of his Allies in any of his Roads or Places under his Protection.

Oates the Salamanca Doctor, and Plot-Master-General, not content with having falsly charged his Roy­al Highness, the Kings only Bro­ther and Heir, with divers base and improbable Stories, as tho he had plotted with the Papists against the King his Brother, suffered his Spleen to boil to such an exorbitant degree, that he saucily and impudently abused him with base and scurrilous Language; cal­ling him Traytor, declaring, That he ho­ped to see him hang'd, with divers horrid devilish, and abominable Expressions; The Dukes patience not being easily [Page 464] provoked, bore long with him; but finding that forbearance did but ren­der him more bold, and increase his malignity, at last he brought his Action of Scandalnm Magnatum against him, upon which he was arrested at the Am­sterdam Coffee-house on the back-side of the Royal Exchange, and carried to Woodstreet Compter, and from thence removed by Habeas Corpus to the Kings Bench; and having let Judgment go in the next Term by default, a Writ of Enquiry was issued out and executed before the Lord Chief Justice in the Kings-Bench Court, when the Jury upon hearing the Evidence, to shew their detestation of such an unheard of impudence, gave 100000 Damages.

The Hambrough Company out of Gratitude for some great Favour re­ceived from the King, did this Spring erect a most elaborate and curious Statue of him in Gray Marble, in the very middle or Center of the Royal Exchange; cut by Mr. Grinlin Gib­bons (the most Famous Statuary that England ever produc'd; and equal, if not superior to the best at this Time in Europe) in the Garb and Habit of a Roman Caesar: It was placed upon a [Page 465] curious Pedestal made of the same Marble; upon which was the follow­ing Inscription.

The Council sitting on the 28th of May, at Hampton Court, as it used frequently to do when he was at Wind­sor, as the most convenient place for his coming to it, he told them that he thought it fit, and did intend his Bro­ther should be present at the Meetings of the Council, who accordingly took [Page 466] his Seat that Day, and ever after during his Brothers Life.

And in October following, the King made a Review or Muster of his Land-Forces upon Putney Heath, where there was a most gallant Military Appearance, the Horse consisting of the Three Troops of Guards, the Granadeers, the Earl of Oxford's Regiment of Horse, and the Lord Churchels Regi­ment of Dragoons, and the Foot of two Battalians formed, and the Regi­ment of Guards, with their Grana­deers, one from the Coldstream Regi­ment of Guards and Granadeers, one from the Earl of Dumbartons Regiment, and another from the Admiral Regi­ment with their Granadeers; the whole Number of Horse and Foot, between 4000 and 5000, being all exactly trained, and well cloath'd, most of the Horse march'd in the morn­ing in Gallant Order through the Streets of London, and so over the Bridg to Putney.

This Michaelmas Terms, several Facti­ous Persons were convicted of speak­ing scandalous and seditious Words against the Government; for which one Best, commonly call'd the Prote­stant [Page 467] Hop-Merchant was fined 1000 l. and ordered to stand in the Pillory thrice, and find security for his Good Behavi­our during Life: And one Butler of Northamptonshire, for Presenting and Reading to the Knights of the Shire (at the last Election for that Coun­ty), a seditious Paper of Address, was fined 500 Marks, and order'd to find Sureties for his Good Behaviour during Life: And Dalby and Nicholson, two Retainers to the Salamanca Doctor, were ordered to stand in the Pillory for several false and scandalous Speech­es utter'd by them: But the most re­markable of all, was the Business of one Roswell a Conventicle-Prea­cher, about Redriff, who was this Term tryed and convicted of High Treason, in certain treasonable words spoken b [...] him in his Preachment, on the 14th of September: But some question arising about the Form of his Indictment, which was argued by Coun­cil on both sides, the Court took time to consider of their Judgment till the next Term, before which time Roswel obtained the Kings Gracious Pardon, who ever loved to endear his Subjects by Acts of Kindness, rather than to [Page 468] terrifie them by Examples of Justice.

In this Term also was Oates indicted for Perjury, in relation to Irelands being in London at the time sworn to by him at Irelands Tryal; and being brought up to the Kings Bench-Bar to hear his Indictment read, and pleading Not guilty, his Tryal was appointed the next Term; and at the Sessions, which followed soon after at the Old-baily, he was again Indicted upon a second Indictment for Perjury, and up­on pleading, Not Guilty, that was also appointed to be Tryed the next Term at the Kings Bench Court.

The Roads being now exrteamly in­fested with Robbers, the King order'd, for the ease and safety of his Subjects, that all his Officers of Justice, and others, should with their utmost diligence en­deavour the apprehending of High­way men and other Robbers, promi­sing, That those who should apprehend any of them, should have a reward of Ten Pounds for every Offender taken by them, and delivered into Custody.

A little before Christmas, when the minds of men, in regard they were then to celebrate the Commemoration [Page 469] of the Incarnation and Nativity of the Prince of Peace, shou'd have been wholly taken up with thoughts of Peace, the restless and implacable Spi­rits of the factious and designing crew, that were not yet so deprest as to be deprived of all hopes of reviving their Game, were notwithstanding, otherwise employ'd; for about this time, they dispers'd in a secret and clandestine manner, a most wicked, false and treasonable Libel, relating to the Death of the late Earl of Essex: Where­in they would have born the World in hand, that he did not murder him­self: Strict enquiry was made after the Author, and several of the Books sei­z'd, but the Author could not be dis­covered; only Henry Danvers, common­ly called Collonel Danvers, an Anabap­tist by Profession, and a Principal Of­ficer in the late Rebellious Army, was found to be the Author of a certain Sheet, which was an abstract of that Libel, wherein the very Q [...]intescence and Venom of it was crowded into a smaller Compass; and a Warrant thereupon was sent out for his Appre­hension; but being an old cunning Fox, he fled upon the discovery, whereup­on [Page 470] the King gave Publick Notice in the Gazette, That whosoever should apprehend him, and cause him to be deliver'd into safe Custody, that he might be proceeded against according to Law, for those dangerous and trea­sonable Practices, should have a reward of 100l. to be immediately paid by the Lords of the Treasury.

In the beginning of this Hillary Term, Sir Scroop How, one of the Knights of the Shire for the County of Nottingham in the late Parliaments, appearing in the Kings Bench to an­swer to an Information exhibited a­gainst him for Words spoken against the King and his Brother, pleaded Guilty, confessing his Offence, and with much sorrow cast himself upon the Kings and the Dukes Mercy; where­upon being the next day introduc'd to them, he was after his humble sub­mission to them, and promises of fu­ture Loyalty and Obedience, receiv'd to Grace; and being deeply affected with that unmerited favour, acknow­ledg'd that he did in point of Grati­tude for the Kings Goodness therein, owe him his Life and Estate, and would for the future dedicate Both to the [Page 471] service of him, and the Royal Fa­mily.

But Englands Glorious Sun of Hap­piness and Tranquility, which had shined bright and resplendent for near Five and Twenty Years together, must now suffer a fatal Eclipse, and be for some few days wrapt up in Black and Mournful Clouds, and have it's Glory totally, tho not finally obscur'd by the Lamented and much Deplored Death of this happy and wonderful Monarch; for upon Monday the second of Febru­ary, he was suddenly taken with an Apoplectick Fit, which was so violent, that in all probability he would never have reviv'd again, had not Doctor King, (who being one of his Physicians, was then present, having been that morning with some others of the Kings Physicians to look upon a sore Heel which he had for some time) im­mediately let him blood; by which and other proper means afterward used he seemed to be in so fair a way of re­covery, that the Lords of the Coun­cil thought fit, for the preventing of false Reports, to publish on Thursd [...]y, That some Hours after the Kings being first taken, an amendment [Page 472] appeared, which wlth the Blessing of God improved by the Application of proper and seasonable Remedies, was then so far advanc'd, that the Physicians conceiv'd him to be in a condition of safety, and that he would in a few days be freed from his Distemper.

The People in divers Places of the Country where it had been positively reported he was dead, receiv'd this news of his Recovery with incredible joy, exprest by the Ringing of Bells, and Bonfires; but in few days all was dampt again by the certain and unwel­come news of his Death; For when neither the endeavours of men, nor the invocations of Heaven could pre­vail, he expired on Friday the Sixth of February, having lain all that time in abundance of pain and misery, which he endur'd with incredible Pa­tience, often lifting up his hands and eyes to Heaven, and breathing forth the fervent desires o [...] his Holy and Pious Soul, in several Short but sweet and Pathetick Ejaculations. Kings in respect of their Office are stiled Gods in the Sacred Writ, and are, like him, immortal, and therefore can never die; but their Persons being made of [Page 473] the same mouldring Principles with the meanest of their Subjects, they must die like men; and when the time ap­pointed for their dissolution is come, it is impossible either for men or Angels, Physick or Physicians to detain them longer here; for they may with as much ease dissolve the Covenant of the Night and Day, keep the Sea from flowing, and the Sun from shining, as preserve Kings from being hurried, as well as the rest of mankind, to the place appointed for all Living.

As no King was ever better beloved by his Subjects whilst living, so none ever died more lamented than he; for an Universal grief possest the minds of all men, and like a Cloud suddenly spread it self over the whole Nation, upon the arrival of that doleful Tidings. He died in the Fifty fourth Year of his Age, after he had reigned Thirty six Years and some few days; leaving his Kingdom, which he found almost ruin'd with a bloody and un­natural War, in a state of Tranquility and Peace; Which as it magnifies the happiness of his Subjects by comparing their present felicity with their past Troubles, so it lays the highest obligati­on [Page 474] imaginable upon them for ever to entertain the sacred Memory of his Name with the greatest Love and Veneration▪ His red [...]cing a People plnnged, and almost [...]wallowed up in confusion, into a quiet not to be expect­ed, and scarcely to be hoped for, and as­swaging by his incomparable Prudence a Faction blown up into atempestuous flame more violent and deaf than either the Winds or the Seas, rendred him the most Glorious and Admired Prince, and his Subjects the most happy People in Christendom; and therefore in what Words, or rather with what Deeds can they ever expect to express a Gratitude any way equal to his merits? Statues of Marble, and try­umphal Arches may indeed be an ac­knowledgment of our Veneration, but these are Trifles too mean to discharge our debt, and therefore all true English­men shall raise him a more lasting Mo­nument, by entombing him in their Hearts, and expressing their love to their Dead Sovereign, by their un­feigned Loyalty to their Living One, our present Gracious King and Governour James the Second; who immediately upon his Death succeeded [Page 475] to his Throne. For Nature is not more careful to prevent a Dissolution of being, than the Constitution of Eng­land to prevent an Inter-Regnum of Government; so that the same minute which seems to threaten the involving our Isle in Darkness and Confusion, by the setting of one, really revives our dying-hopes, and dispels our sable Clouds by the rising of another Sun, for whom I shall pray as the Israelites did for King Solomon, That God, by whom alone Kings reign, and have their Governments Crown'd with Peace and Felicity, may pour upon him the Blessings of Heaven in as great a measure as upon his Royal Predeces­sor, and make his Throne greater than the Throne of our late Sovereign Lord King Charles, and grant him long to Live and Reign over us in Peace and Tranquility.

His Funeral was privately Solemniz'd on the 14th of February, with as much Decency and Splendor, as the greatness of the Sorrow for his Death would per­mit; His Corps being convey'd some­time before to the Painted Chamber in the Palace at Westminster, was carried from thence to the Abby-Church, un­der [Page 476] a Velvet Canopy, born by Gentle­men of the Privy-Chamber, the Pall being supported by six Earls. The proceedings begun with the Servants of the Nobility, Their Royal High­nesses, the King and Queen, the Queen Dowager and His own, after whom followd the Barons, Bishops, and others of the Nobility, according to their respective Degrees, together with the great Officers, and the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury: His Royal Highness the Prince of Denmark was chief Mourner, supported by the Dukes of Somerset and Beaufort, in the Collors of the Order, as were all the rest of the Knights of the Garter then present; and his Train born by the Lord Cornbury. The Assistants to the chief Mourner, were sixteen Earls. The Crown and Cushion was carry'd by one of the Kings of Arms: The rest of the Heraulds and their Officers At­tending and Directing the Ceremony, which was clos'd with His Majesties Band of Gentelmen-Pensioners, and the Yeomen of the Guard.

As soon as they entred the Church, the Dean and Prebends of Westminster, with the whole Quire met the Body, [Page 477] and went before it to Henry the Se­venths Chappel, where it was interr'd in a Vault, under the East end of the South Isle.

THUS have I endea­vour'd to present the World with a Brief draught of the Life of this most Excellent King, from the Time of his Birt [...], to the ne­ver-enough lamented and most deplorable Murder of his Royal Father, and of his Reign from that Time until the hour of His Death. And having now traced him through all the stupendious Labyrinths, and wonderful Revolutions of His Life, to his exchanging a Crown of Gold for one of Glory; I shall close my History with his [Page 478] Character. A Character, which were I able therein to represent him to the Life, and give him his Just and deserved Praise, would not be parallel'd in Ancient, and remain a Wonder to all suc­ceeding Generations. But his Perfections were so sub­lime and rare, that my Re­presentatious of him will no more bear Proportion to his real worth, than the twinkling Figure of the Sun shining in the Water (wherein he views him­self as in a Looking-Glass) is adequate to the Greatness of that real body of Fire and Light, whereby he claims the Regency of Heaven.

This Monarch as to his Per­son, [Page 481] was of a tall and goodly Stature, and so exactly form'd, that the most curious and pe­netrating Eye, after the exact­est Scrutiny, could not discern the least Error in his Shape; his Countenance ve­ry Majestical, His Person. and the Visage of his Face, rather Grave than Severe, being very much softned when­ever he spake. His Complection somewhat dark, but much enlighten'd by the brightness of his Eyes, that were quick and sparkling. His Hair, which before he wore a Peruke, in great plenty, was of a shining black, not frizled, but natural­ly Curling into large Rings, and very Ornamental. But as the Jewel is more valuable than the Casket that contains it, so [Page 482] the perfections of his Mind did much exceed those of his Body (if we can allow the same Man any Preheminence o­ver himself) in respect where­of he seemed to be a perfect Miracle of Art and Nature, ha­ving in the Mysteries of Both, a most capacious and profound Knowledg, or one of the best sort of Wonders, both in respect of his Virtues and his Fortune; a Wonder to Wise men, who ad­mired his vast Parts; a Wonder to His Enemies, who admir'd at His Preservation from their Snares; a Wonder to his Friends, that admired at the Adversity of his Fortune, and the Patience wherewith he en­dur'd it; a Wonder to the World, which admired the strange­ness of His Restoration, and [Page 483] were astonish'd to see him, (notwithstanding there was at that Time an Army on Foot, to keep him out, which had been flush'd with so many Victories, and (as it were) by Prescription was able to beat the World, or at least had Courage and Con­fidence enough to attempt it) return without spilling one drop of Blood, or having an Hand held up against him to oppose his Entrance.

He had been himself a Suffe­rer, and had thereby learnt to Govern his Subjects with Mo­deration. He had been in Mi­sery, and that taught him to be Merciful. He had been unjustly dealt with, and that made him the more careful to see right done to all men,His Justice. and [Page 484] measure his own Prerogative, and his Peoples Properties by the just Dimension of his Laws; so that Justice was impartially administred throughout his whole Reign, unless where himself was party, and there he would rather lose his own Cause, than have his Subjects seem oppressed; nor was there ever known so few Executions in so long a Reign. And truly when we (especially for the first Eighteen Years after the Interregnum) consider his great. Mercy to Traytors, it looks as if he design'd not to spare him­self, provided he could but people again, or at least keep as full as possibly, a Nation, which had been so monstrous­ly emptied of men, by a long unnatural and sanguinary War. [Page 485] For he was ever unwilling to inflict the least Severities upon his offending Subjects, unless when necessity of State, or the nature of the Crime did bind the hand of Mercy, and ren­der Severity absolutely necessa­ry, rather for the publick, than his own Secuirty.

He always professed to love and seek Peace, and prefer it be­fore the Troubles and Hazards of War; wherein he was like Solomon rather than David, and imitated our Blessed Saviour, who stiles himself the Prince of Peace, ever bearing it in his Princely mind, that when Christ came into the World, Peace was sang by the Holy Angels, and when he made his Exit, Peace was the Legacy he bequeathed. Nor can it be imagined, That [Page 486] his desire of Peace was the ef­fect of softness or fear; for he was both Active and Valiant: but he had a Conduct peculiar to himself in bringing about his Purposes, His peaceable dis­position. and accomplishing his designs by the most easie and gentle means, and would do that by Peace which others could not perform by War, and effect more by shewing his Sword, than others could do by using it: He knew the way to preserve and obtain Peace, was sometimes to pretend an inclination to embrace War, and therefore would, when provok'd, make offers of the latter, till he had mended the Conditions of the former. By which means he was more absolutely, and with [Page 487] far less charge to his Subjects, the Arbitrator of Europe, than any of his Predecessors had ever been, and could at his Pleasure dispence War and Peace, where, and to whom, he pleas'd; which makes it the greater Wonder, That He who was so great a Lover of Peace, should be so successful in War: for his Arms were always fortu­nate, nor did he ever after his Restauration, know what a miscarriage meant. The Two Rebellions in Scotland were en­ded by Victory, as if raised in­dustriously to encrease the Fame of his Arms, which after so long an interval of Peace, wanted exercising; and in his Wars with Holland, France, Spain and Denmark, he was al­ways sued to for peace, before [Page 488] he granted it; and the French King did ever fear his Threat­nings more than other Princes performances.

In the exercising his Sove­reignty, he consulted his own Judgment rather than other mens Affections or Interests, and always reserv'd the disposal of his Royal Favours to his own Will and Pleasure; and to a­void the fate of too many Prin­ces, who are ruled by their Favourites, and Govern'd by those whom they themselves have raised, he never admitted any of his Nobles to so familiar an intimacy with him,His care to main­tain the Preroga­tives of the Crown. as to give others occasion to account them his Favourites: For al­tho he had many Noblemen a­bout [Page 489] him, whom he greatly loved, and upon whose Advice and Counsel he much rely'd, as Clarendon, Buckingham, Lau­derdale, Danby, and others; yet none of them could be pro­perly called his Favourites, as Gaveston and Spencer were the Favourites of Edward the Se­cond; or the Duke of Norfolk of Richard the Second: And altho he would frequently ac­quaint his Parliaments with his Intentions, and require their ad­vice and assistance for the exe­cuting of them, yet he would not endure they should be too positive or peremptory therein, accounting that too great an Invasion of his Prerogative; and would tell them, The Right of making and managing War and Peace, was invested [Page 490] in Him, and if they thought he would depart from any part of that Right, they would find themselves mistaken; for ha­ving the Reins of Government in his own hands, he would have the same care to maintain them there, as he would have to preserve his own Person.

His Prudence and Conduct in managing the great Affairs of his Kingdom was so admi­rable and successful, that it is rather to be wondred at, than believed, and he made so many good and wholsome Laws, every one whereof was grounded upon the most searching Max­ims of State for the Welfare and security of His Subjects and the maintaining the prero­gatives of the Crown, as no Age before him could ever [Page 491] boast of, which begot in all men the greater Awe and Vene­ration of him; and yet there is nothing more certain, than that his Reputati­on was as great (if not greater) abroad than at home,His Prudence and Conduct. tho perhaps not so well grounded: for Forreigners could not see at that distance the passages of Affairs, nor dis­cern by what Secret Councils he always attained his own ends and disappointed the Expecta­tion of his Enemies abroad, and the Factions at Home, and were therefore forced to make their Judgment upon the Issues and Success of them: No Prince ever had a Wiser Council than He, and yet no Prince ever needed it less, for he was Himself a Counsellor to his [Page 492] Council, and was able to direct those of whom he asked advice. For he was as well skilled in the Art of Kingship (as His Royal Grandfather was wont to term it), and had as great an insight into, and understood as well the best Rules and Me­thods of Government, as any Prince that ever sway'd a Scep­ter; which rendred him more capable of exercising his King­ly Office to the greatest advan­tage of Himself, his Kingdom, and the Protestant Religion, and enabled Him to govern His Subjects for so long a Tract of Time with so much exactness, that by his Wise and Prudent Management he so poized all jarring and different Interests, as to preserve the pub­lick Peace and Tranquility of [Page 493] his Kingdom to the very last Minute of His Life, notwith­standing the many restless At­tempts of unruly and design­ing Men, to disturb it; and left things in so good a posture at his Death, that his most Illu­strious Brother, and Royal and Lawful Successor, ascended his Imperial Throne with as much Facility and Applause as any of his Predecessors.

He loved so well to see his Subjects thrive, that he coveted not so much to fill his Exche­quer, as to reign over a Rich and Wealthy People; and thought Money as well bestowed, when laid up in their Coffers, as when it filled his own.

He was Religious toward God, as well as just towards man, and took care to promote [Page 494] the Interest of the Church as well as the State. At His Re­storation he found the Church involved in Trouble, but left her possessed of Peace; he found her robbed and spoiled, but left her Wealthy and Rich. Her Prelates He restored to their Ancient Rights and Dig­nities, and filled Her Converts with Joy and Gladness.His Religion and Piety. He did not, like most Princes, make Religion an Artifice of State only, but accounted it the Glory and Comfort of his Life: His Soul in His private Devotion soared so high, that he seemed to be wholly swal­lowed up with the Contempla­tion of the Holiness and Ma­jesty of the God whom he a­dored, and with whom he [Page 495] would plead in Prayer so ear­nestly, and with such Affection, as tho he were resolved to take no denial. And one of the Presbyterian Ministers, who attended the Commissioners (sent over by the Parliament) at Breda passing accidentally by, when he was private in his Closet, he was so astonished at the Ardency and Zeal where­with he offered up his Sacrifices of Prayer and Praises to Al­mighty God, that he sudden­ly clapt his hand upon his Heart, and with a kind of E­motion of Spirit, cried out to those that were with him, We are not worthy of such a King. And that which was the perfe­ction of all, his piety and zeal proceeded not so much from a desire to seem Religious, as [Page 496] from a solemn Dedication of his great Soul to the Honour and Glory of his God, by whom a­lone he knew Kings reign, and Princes decree Justice: Ac­counting himself (like Theo­dosius the Emperor) more happy in being a servant of Christ than in his being King of great Brittain and Ireland. He was from his Infancy Edu­ducated in the Protestant Reli­gion, and Instructed by the Royal Martyr in the Doctrine and Discipline of the Church of England. And yet he was not a Protestant so much by Educa­tion as Choice, as appeared by his constant adhering to the Church of England in the time of his unhappy Exile, when he was absolutely free to have profess'd what Religion he [Page 497] pleased, and had so many Temptations (from the baseness and villany of his own Sub­jects, and the kindness of those Popish Princes by whom he was entertained, and from whose Assistance he expect­ed relief against the un­just Oppression of those that had Ʋsurp'd his Throne) to embrace the Doctrine of the Church of Rome. And the rea­son why he so strenuously endea­voured to promote and main­tain an Ʋniformity in Religion through all his Dominions, was not so much to Justifie his own Supremacy in Ecclesiastical Causes, as thereby to strength­en the Protestant Interest, know­ing that the safety of England consisted chiefly in the Ʋnion of her Inhabitants. So that [Page 498] his knowledg in the sacred My­steries of Religion, was the Crown and Glory of all his o­ther Perfections; and the great end and design whereat He aimed in all his other Studies, was the improving them to the Glory of God, and the in­creasing in Himself the know­ledg of more sublime and hea­venly things, wherein He so much excelled, that He might have said with King David, I am wiser than all my Teachers. Knowing likewise that no­thing obstructed the growth of Piety, and the power of Godli­ness, more than the wasting those parts, and spending that time in disputing about Forms, which ought wholly to be employed in promoting Holiness of Life, and Sincerity of Heart.

[Page 499] He had, during his Exile, visited the Courts, and Tra­velled through the Countrys of the three great­est and most Potent Monarchs of Christendom, His Travels. viz. Germany, France, and Spain; and had by his Observation made him­self Master of what was excel­lent and worth learning in their Forms and Methods of Government, and exactly in­form'd himself what were the Excellencies, and what the de­fects of each of them: And to the Admiration of those who had the Happiness to converse with him, had by that means obtained an universal insight into all the great and weighty Affairs of Europe, and under­stood by what Principles they [Page 500] were first moved, and by what Counsels, and to what ends they vvere aftervvards carried on; vvhich tho he chiefly learned from themselves, yet vvhat he gathered from them all in General, vvas strange and surprizing to every one of them in particular, who greatly won­dred at the Comprehensiveness of his Knowledg: So that as he had by right of Nature, a Power of Empire over the Bo­dies of one Part of Europe, He might seem by a Natural and acquired right, to claim an Ʋ ­niversal Monarchy over the In­tellectual Powers, the Minds and Wills of Mankind, in all the Parts of it besides.

He understood Spanish and Italian, and spake and wrote French correctedly; was well [Page 501] versed in Ancient and Modern History, and had read the choicest Pieces of Politicks and Divinity, and understood the fundamental Laws of England so well,His skill in Arts and Sciences. that he could readily an­swer the most dif­ficult Queries, and resolve the greatest Mysteries and Critical Niceties that were at any time started about them; and had his mind so well furnished with the knowledg of Nature, and the Reasons of Things, that He comprehended almost all kind of Arts which contributed a­ny Thing either to the Delight or Service of Mankind.

He understood the truest and best Method for Building of Ships; and could, better than those who pretended [Page 502] themselves the greatest Crafts­masters therein, direct the ma­king them far more useful both for Strength and Sailing, than any which had been formerly built; and was as well acquaint­ed with Rigging and Fitting forth a Fleet for Sea: He had great Skill in Guns, knew all that belonged to their casting; and could tell upon first view, whether they were mounted to do Execution, or not.

He was a great Lover of stately Buildings, and several Curious Edifices were either built or repaired by Him: But his greatest Cost and Care in that kind was laid out in Wind­sor-Castle, which he took more delight in, than in any other of His Palaces. Nor were His Buildings all for Pomp, but [Page 503] some for Charity; witness that Curious and Stately Fabrick of Chelsey-Colledg for the En­tertainment of decayed Sol­diers. He understood Naviga­tion, Astronomy, and all the parts of the Mathematicks to such a Degree that he is suppo­sed to have attained a greater Perfection therein, than any Prince ever did before Him; and took so much delight in those Pleasant and Useful Stu­dies, that he endeavoured, as much as possible, the promo­ting them in others; Witness His Worthy Gift to the Hos­pital of Christ-Church for the Annual breeding up a certain Number of the most Inge­nuous of their Children in the Mathematical Studies; and the Liberal Rewards which were [Page 504] frequently bestowed by Him upon Ingenious Men, that had any way contributed to­ward the making those Stu­dies more easie and delightful, or had been imployed by him in any thing relating thereun­to.

His Recreations, for the most part, were very stirring, and such as tended to the making his Body more Robust and strong,His Recreations. and maintaining it in Health (which he enjoyed to as great a degree as any Prince in the World ever did), such as Riding, Hunting, Fishing, Tennis, and the like. He lo­ved Walking extreamly, which he would do so fast, that his Courtiers were sometimes for­ced to run, that so they might [Page 505] keep pace with him: It being his constant Custom every morn­ing when he was in Town, to Walk an hour or more in St. James's Park; and he designed to have done so that very morn­ing he fell into his Fit. He took great pleasure likewise in Swimming, which he could do incomparably well to the Plea­sure and Admiration of those, that beheld him. And indeed all his Recreations, as well as those publick and private Acti­ons, which had a more direct tendency to the great concerns of his Life, as a King, gave delight and satisfaction to those who communicated in the sight of them: And his very Diversions were so serious and pleasing, that every part of his time was thought to be well [Page 506] spent, and to deserve Commen­dation.

Never was Prince more lo­ving and affectionate to his Queen than he; for he ever re­sented Affronts offer­ed to her,His Love and Affection to his Queen. as ill as if they had been of­fered to himself; And was as tender of her Honour as of his own. He was observed by the Courtiers to be more Rich and Splendid upon her Birth-day than upon his own, and to keep it with greater Joy and Solemnity.

The vast Treasure of Learn­ing and Knowledg which he had acquired by his long Stu­dy and Experience, was richly set off and adorned by a curi­ous, smooth, and charming Eloquence, whereby he could [Page 507] readily express his Sentiments of things in so good a Lan­guage, as that with a pleasing kind of Magick, it enchanted the listning Ears of those that heard him, as sufficiently ap­peared by his Letters, Declara­tions and Speeches.

And to conclude all, He was every way fitted, and made for Government, as well as born to be a King; and was possessed of all those excellent Qualifications, which were we to have had a liberty of choice, would certainly have constrain­ed us to have pitched upon him for our Sovereign. For the valour of Edward the 3d, The Conduct of Henry the 5th, the Wisdom of the Seventh Henry, the Majesty of his Great Son, the Learning of James the 1st, [Page 508] and the Justice and Piety of the Royal Martyr, and (I had al­most said) the Mercy of God himself, all met and were con­spicuous in him.