I.

O thou suprem Deity that presi­dest in these lower Regions, after having rendred most hearty thanks for my promotion to the Popedom, I'm come to represent to you [Page 2] with profound respect how much I am surprized, that during the time of my Predecessor, the Rights of the Holy See have been violated, the Sanctuary prophaned, the Papal authority threat­ned with rude assaults, by the Schism which the French have caused in the Church, the eldest Son thereof having lifted up his hand against his most Ho­ly Mother, and against our infallible Power; Nevertheless at a time when the Holy See had reason to fear these menaces, our Son is returned to his Father's House, and we have seen him lying prostrate at our feet, and with a great shew of repentance professing to restore all that he had violently taken away, having assur'd us by his Ambassador of his entire submission to our Paternal correction, promising alwaies to maintain for the future a very good correspondence with the Holy See, and as a testimony of the sincerity of his intentions, to restore the City of Avignon and the whole County; to oblige all the Bishops of his Kingdom that were present in the General Assembly of the Clergy in the [Page 3] year 1682. to renounce the faith of that Conventicle; and to rase out of the Register of his Parliament all Acts derogatory from the Reverence, Ho­nour and Respect due to my Prede­cessor, provided that I would use my utmost endeavours to procure a Peace between him and the Catholic Princes. Being amazed at such a suddain fit of repentance, I betook my self to this place that I might be inform'd from your sacred mouth of the cause of this great Revolution, and to whom I am beholding for this unexpected ad­vantage.

Afterwards all the Sacred Trumpets were hear'd to sound in the Temple in like manner as at the gaining of a great Battel: The Pope being extre­mely surpriz'd at this answer could not forbear expressing his astonishment to the Priestess that conducted him to [Page 4] the Shrines; she replied that the good Father ought not to wonder at this answer, since it belonged only to the Gods to unravel the most hidden my­steries; that mortal men should know in process of time the truth of that which at present appear'd obscure, and that his Holiness need only to make a serious reflection on what he had seen with his eyes this day. But Alexander VIII. having already been too forward in attributing these won­derful successes to his own Politic contrivances, was not very well satis­fied; However, fearing lest the an­swer of the Oracle might be divulg'd, he took no notice of any thing, not being willing that it should be known to the World that he was oblig'd to an Heretical Prince for his repose. The good Father not being able to recollect himself from this consterna­tion, was very desirous to add a few words before he went out of the Tem­ple, but a suddain qualm that insen­sibly seiz'd on his spirits put an end to his Interrogatories.

II.

As soon as the Pope was recover'd from his indisposition, and whilst his Holiness's Humanity took a nap, his Nephews with the Princess Donna Maria, who very seldom leave him, and came to accompany him to the Temple, were very glad to lay hold on this oppertunity to consult the Ora­cle; but there arose a great contest be­tween the Father, Prince Don Anto­nio Ottoboni and Cardinal Patron his Son: His Eminency insisted that he ought to have the precedency as being a Prince of the Church, fearing lest in yielding it, he might incur the indignation of the Pope and of all the Cardinals his Collegues; insomuch that there could be no means found out to decide this Controversy, how­ever, Donna Maria, the Wife and Mother of the coatending parties thought that she had invented an ex­pedient which should not derogate from the Quality of a Father, nor from the Dignity of a Cardinal, by imitating the ordinary disposition of [Page 6] her Sex; whereupon she proposed that they should speak both together, being confident that the Deity would under­stand every thing that was propounded thô never so confus'dly; but this de­vice tended rather to laughter than an accommodation, and gave no sa­tisfaction to either party, neither in­deed was it in any wise agreable to the reverence and respect due to so sacred a place; at last, they unanimously re­solv'd to submit to the Pope's deter­mination, who not being willing to overcharge his conscience, refer'd the matter to a select congregation of Cardinals that follow'd him; and whil'st these Judges of the Quorum were employ'd in hearing and parti­cularly examining the several preten­sions of Cardinal Patron, who in a very large and eloquent Oration ex­press'd his zeal in defence of the rights of the Church: Prince Don Antonio being tyr'd with waiting, and soon perceiving that the Judges were fa­vourable to him, thought fit to play an Italian trick, and taking the ad­ventage of his Son's long speech, stept [Page 7] into the Temple and interrogated the Oracle, saying;

The Holy Father, my good Un­cle, being promoted to the Papal digni­ty in a ripe age, and having found the Nepotism or Pontifical Offspring extinct, hath by a very generous ef­fort wrought a miracle at his entring into the Church, by reviving it in fa­vour of my Family, which in a mo­ment appears laden with wealth and honour, invested with Principalities, dignities and authority, and abounding with great riches; but forasmuch as Lay-men were heretofore prohibited by the Law from medling with any Sacred things, and the Goods of the Church are appropriated to pious and charitable uses, I come to discharge my Conscience, and to consult thee to know whether it be lawful for us to enrich ourselves with the treasures of our Holy Mother, the Church, and freely to partake thereof during the life of our good Uncle, especially since so fair an opportunity is offer'd at this Conjuncture.

III.

His Eminency Cardinal Patron ha­ving finish'd his harangue, by which he thought he had well establish'd his rights and privileges, departed in a great heat from the Congregation to cause Prince Antonio his Father to appear there; but he found that he had supplanted him, and was gone before. The Cardinal immediately making his protestation, went to the Temple, and said;

Our Holy Father the Pope ad­vanc'd me in my youth to the Purple Robes under the name of Cardinal Patron, ever since which time I have been endow'd with abundance of wealth, and if his Holiness shall con­tinue to live some years longer, I shall get up to the top of the pinnacle, and shall be in a fair way to become great and rich, since the Pope heaps up treasures only to leave us in a happy condition after his death, and althô [Page 9] it be done with the goods of the Church, nevertheless he is the dis­penser of them; for in asmuch as he is infallible he cannot err, and he that absolves others can also absolve him­self first, therefore without any scruple and with extended arms: I receive all that comes from the Pope's hands, who alone can make the rest of my life happy; wherefore I'm come to know whether this bright star shall ever at­tend upon me.

IV.

The Prince Don Marco Ottoboni, who had joined hands with Donna Maria, thinking that it was his turn advanc'd, but the Princess cried out to him, Principe honore a la Signora, give place to the Lady: Wherupon Don Marco retiring made a very low obeisance to the Lady, and let her en­ter into the Temple to be inform'd of what she most desir'd, and having entreated the Priestess to place her in [Page 10] a decent posture, she mutter'd certain Litanies with a low voice, and then said:

O thou Deity! that fillest this place with thy glory, forasmuch as nothing is unknown to thee, I'm come to im­plore an answer from thy sacred mouth, to know how many years the life of our good Uncle the Pope shall conti­nue, to the end that we may be able to pursue our advantage, and to ad­vance our fortunes by making hay while the Sun shines lest the night of his Death overtake us sooner than we should desire; For according to the Proverb Passato la Festa, Gabbato il Santo. When the Feast is past, the Saint is mock't.

V.

Afterwards the Prince Don Marco Ottoboni succeeded in her place, and made his address to the Oracle.

The promotion of the Pope, my Uncle, hath been very advantageous to us, the lowness of my stature caus'd me to be but little regarded amongst the Ladies, but since I am become the Nephew of a Pope, they enquire after me, and as little as I am, his Holiness hath made choice of me to propagate the Family of the Ottoboni; but since I'm not one of the most vigorous, I'm come to consult you to know whether I shall be so happy as to have any issue.

VI.

The Emperor Leopoldus semper Au­gustus, being inform'd that the Tem­ple of the Oracle was open: was glad of an opportunity to consult it on oc­casion of the two Wars, in which he is engag'd against his two most potent and most cruel enemies, to know the success of which, his Imperial Majesty spake thus:

The Conquests that I have obtain'd over the Infidels, and the fame of my Victories have procur'd me a second War and a new enemy; for the King of France being jealous of the prospe­rity of my Arms, hath join'd with the Turk, and declared War against me without a cause, to the end that he might compel me to divide my Forces, and to give my first enemy time and means to take respite, and with more ease to recover what he hath lost, and that in weakening me, he might make use of this Conjuncture to satisfye the ambition which he hath alwaies had to seize on my Empire, and to cause the Imperial Crown to pass into his family. But by the means of these violent proceedings he hath cooperated in the Election of my Son to be King of the Romans, who was thereupon constituted my Successor; and I am so­far from being oppress'd, as this new enemy hop'd, that I find myself in a condition vigorously to oppose the as­saults of these two Potentates; and the Reverend Fathers the Jesuits give me reason to hope that if I continue the [Page 13] War against the Infidels, I shall be able to set up the Cross in the City of Constantinople; but on the other hand, all my Allies represent to me the deva­stations and calamities that the French have caus'd in Germany, and that to conquer certain barren Lands in Bul­garia, several fair Provinces on the Rhine are ruin'd; What measures then are most expedient to be taken by me in such an exigence, being urg'd on one side by the the desire of destroy­ing the Infidels, and incited on the other by the cruelties and outragious combustions of the French.

VII.

The King of the Romans, having ac­companied the Emperor to the Tem­ple, his Imperial Majesty advis'd him to consult the Oracle, who said:

I have been (contrary to the ex­pectation of the enemies of the Em­peror my Father) elected King of the Romans, and appointed Successor of [Page 14] the Empire in a time of trouble and in the midst of War, and all the means that France hath us'd to avoid this blow, in favour of the Dauphin, could not hinder my Election from being made without any opposition; all the promises and efforts of my Competitor have prov'd vain and ineffectual; and the just reputation and good Reign of the Emperor my Lord and Father hath prevail'd over all the intrigues and artifices of the French Emissaries: This is such a happiness that I could not expect so soon, for which I'm come to render thanks to Heaven, as the principal cause, and to be inform'd of the second.

VIII.

All the Electoral Princes having accompanied the Emperor and the King of the Romans, the Elector of Mentz advanc'd near the sacred Den, and spake to this effect:

I have been tormented, and my Territories have been taken as a prey, relying to much on the illusory pro­mises that were made to me on behalf of the King of France: moreover, as an addition to my misfortunes, I found out the cheat only with the loss of my Country, and receiv'd not a penny of all the money that was promis'd to me; and if the Emperor, at length, had not had more consideration for me, than I had at the beginning, fi­delity to him, or regard to the welfare of the Empire (thô my Quality of Elector and Prince of the Empire obli­ged me thereto) I should have utter­ly perish'd: I stood on the brink of a dangerous precipice where my head began to turn, but thanks to his Im­perial Majesty, who hath extended his gracious hand to me, and hath as it were snacht me out of the abyss of destructions, wherein the Emissaries of France had almost plung'd me, con­trary to my own peculiar Interest. But forasmuch as in adversity and perils, we are most apt to reflect on our former errors and miscarriages, [Page 16] I'm come to make a solemn protesta­tion in this Temple, that I will never depart from the true interest of the Empire, and that I am resolv'd for the future either to overcome or to perish together with it.

IX.

The Elector of Triers, approach'd, and said:

I have fought the good fight for the Empire, and have remained faith­ful to the Emperor; neither promises nor threats have been able to move me, nor to separate me from the Em­pire, which is my true interest. I confess my Tertitories have suffer'd, but I take comfort in this, that it was for a good cause, and that I have per­sever'd in all the parts of my duty and fidelity, and I patiently expect the deliverance of my Country by the hand of my Allies, and the consola­tion of my People, that groan under the oppression of the Usurper.

X.

The Elector of Colen, not having obtain'd an oppertunity to consult the Oracle since the death of his Uncle, was ravish'd with joy at this, it being the first that happen'd since his ele­ction to the Electorate, and said: The Negociation of my friends hath prevail'd over the pretensions of the Coadjutor, that was chosen by the Chapter; and all the machinations of France are frustrated. Since my e­lection all the great designs of Lewis XIV. begin to fail, and the Crown of the King of the Romans hath prov'd only imaginary to the Dauphin his Son: My election hath serv'd as a bridle to restrain his ambition: Colen hath limited his conquests: Rhinberg, Keiserwert and Bonne have been such hard morsels that the Cardinal of Fur­stemberg could not digest them; not­withstanding [Page 18] his taking a dose of Spiri­tus Gall. he was oblig'd to disgorge them at the first emetic potion given him by the Allies; not being any longer able to bear the Quality of Arch-Bishop of Colen; however for his consolation I consent that he may please himself with that title during the War. Lastly, my election hath been an eclipse of this French Sun, that was about to set the whole World in a flame; but thanks be to my good Allies the States Gene­ral of the United Provinces, and to the care of his Highness the Prince of Orange, now King of Great Bri­tain, to whom my election hath serv'd as the first step to ascend the Throne. Thus am I now become the peaceable possessor of my Uncle's Arch-Bishopric, who was indeed blinded by France to deprive the thereof, on the simple pro­mise of the Cardinal to give me the Coadjutorship; But this was least in the thoughts of Lewsi XIV. his in­terest obliging him to keep this Electo­rate in the hands of his Creatures; therefore it hath been preserv'd by Divine Providence that extracts sweet [Page 19] out of bitter, and I may justly affirm that the treachery of France hath o­pen'd to me a passage into the Electo­rate. The People of my Jurisdiction passionately desire my presence, by rea­son of the Calamities in which many of them are now involv'd; but I comfort them rather at a distance, since during my minority I leave the Reve­nues to satisfye the debts of my Coun­trey. However, I hope that the War being ended the Pope will grant me a dispensation to exercise the Spiritual function, and then I shall go and take possession of both at once. In the mean time what ought I to do for the good of my People and for that of Christendom.

XI.

When the Ecclesiastical Electors had finish'd their addresses, the Ele­ctor of Bavaria (who had done ho­nour to the Robe) drew near, and said:

Neither the promises of France, nor my Alliance with that Crown, nor even the life of the Dauphiness, my dear Sister, were able to draw me off from the interest of the Empire; The glory of vanquishing the Infidels hath often caus'd me to hazard my life for the defence of Christendom: My zeal for the good cause aswell as my valour hath attracted the envy of the mali­cious, but heaven hath thought fit that I should survive some of them, and I hope that Christendom will recover by me what it hath lost by my com­petitor. I will give a reason to Europe no longer to resent the loss of the brave Duke of Lorrain, and to France the marks of my just indignation: I will make it appear that the Bavarian blood still flows in my veins, and I remember the scorn put on my Al­liance by their protection of the Car­dinal of Furstemberg, and affronts that they have offer'd to the Dauphiness ever since I resus'd to enter into the French interosts, and to become their King's Son in law.

XII.

The Elector of Brandenbourg, after having paid his last respects to the memory of the Elector his late Father, and having receiv'd the homage of his Subjects, came nigh the sacred Den, and said:

I shall endeavour not to diminish the reputation and glory that the E­lector my Father hath acquir'd in the World: The pipe through which the infectious poison of France pass'd into my Countrey being cut off by the spe­cial favour of Heaven, I will hearken to no proposition on that side, and shall alwaies embrace the common Cause: I will purge (if it be possi­ble) my Court from the French cor­ruption, and none of their Emissaries shall be admitted therein: I will fol­low the good counsels of the King of great Britain, my Kinsman and Ally; And if nature hath prov'd an unkind [Page 22] Step-mother to me in some particulars; I will strive to repair that loss by a great and glorious name, and by the considerable Forces that I shall alwaies maintain; nevertheless my Artillery cannot march but on silver wheels: Moreover with the help of certain subsidies allow'd me by the Allies I shall essay to make myself formidable to my enemies; but without money the Machine cannot be mov'd.

XIII.

The Elector of Saxony, having re­ceiv'd but little satisfaction in his last Winter-quarters, and having delibe­rated in his Council what measures ought to be taken this Campagne, since the Emperor had already ack­nowledg'd the justice of his complaints, and had indemnifi'd him as to part of his pretensions, was resolv'd to cause his troops to march for the de­fense of the common cause, and to go [Page 23] and declare his mind in the Temple, which he did after this manner:

As to my particular, I have enter'd into no engagement with France; but have adher'd to the common Cause of Europe, for the maintaining whereof I was only oblig'd to furnish my quota in the Forces of the Empire, but at the perswasion of my Allies, I have exceeded this obligation; nevertheless, the French understanding that my ex­pectation was not answer'd; that no regard was had to my troops; and that I had carried on the War at my own charge, made great offers to me only to remain neuter; but I would not hearken to any of these Emissaries:

Therefore the King of France can ex­pect nothing but blows from me, pro­vided that my troops be treated after a better manner than formerly, other­wise I shall remayn neuter the next Campain, and nothing shall be able to excite me, nor to cause me to march, nor even so much as to perswade me to any thing except—

XIV.

The Elector Palatin came near, and said:

Ever since my promotion to the E­lectorate I have been as it were a victi­me sacrific'd for the safety of the Em­pire: my Countrey and People have been offer'd up to the rage and fury of the French; the King of France hath honour'd me so far as to set me in the rank of his greatest enemies, and hath give an apparent testimony there­of to the World, by the conflagrations that he hath caus'd in the Palatinate; but Heaven cannot better avenge me of this cruel enemy, than by making the Queen of Spain, my Daughter fruitful, and by Crowning William III. King of Great Britain, with victorious Laurels, to the end that after the Con­quest of Ireland, he may advance to the relief of the oppressed Princes, to compel mine enemy to retire within his own just bounds, and to restore peace to Europe that is harrass'd with calamities on all sides. But alass! when shall this happy time come?

XV.

After the Emperor and the Princes of the Empire, William III. King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, Defendor of the Faith, &c. carrying the second Imperial Crown in Europe, came to the Temple to consult the Oracle, concerning the important af­fairs, in which he is at present en­gag'd; all Christendom having their eyes fix'd on him, as the deliverer of the afflicted, the hope of the oppress'd Princes, and the Restorer of Europe, which would have fallen into perpe­tual slavery if England had not broken its fetters: Being arriv'd at the sacred Den, he said:

The People of Great Britain have sent for me for their deliverance: My Valour hath put the Scepter into my hands, and Heaven hath Crown'd me, after I had deliver'd the Nation from oppression that march'd on with a swift pace, and from those calami­ties [Page 26] that hung over their heads Veni, vidi, vici, I came, I saw and I over­came; for the Agents whom the King of France employ'd to enslave this Nation, and to bring it under the yoak of a despotic and arbitrary Power gave place at my approach. I was Anointed King as another David, in the room of my Father in Law, who chose rather to abandon the King­dom, than to stand and justify the proceedings of his Reign, and the birth of his pretended Prince of Wales before a free Parliament, Lawfully conven'd without any sinister courses or corruption; thus he left to me the Kingdom and the Crown, and Heaven having design'd me for great and glo­rious enterprizes, hath not put the Royal Sword into my hands in vain; and thus as it were unto another Her­cules, Ireland becomes one of my la­bours; my Competitor is fled, and durst not appear in the Battel before me, thinking it more expedient to save himself by flying to his dear Ally, than to run the hazard of another Combat, thô a King ought not to lose [Page] his Crown but with his life: but I had rather see him running away, than in my own possession; his little courage is not capable of creating any fear of farther trouble on his behalf, and all the treasons that he stirs up in my Kingdom, are but as so many va­pours coming from France, which are soon dispers'd by my presence: Seve­ral of my Subjects abuse my generosi­ty, but some of the Chief being pu­nish'd, as an example to the rest, shall make it appear that I know how to Reign, and that Justice and Mercy are the Basis on which my Throne is e­rected. I am come to consult the Ora­cle, that I may know to what side I ought to turn the force of my Arms.

XVI.

The Queen of Great Britain, having accompanied the King, her Royal Consort to the Temple, had a mind also to be inform'd of future events; [Page] and the Priestess having render'd to her Majesty, all the honours due to her Sex and Royal Person, she spake thus:

I was born to Reign: The enemies of my glory are dispers'd as the streams of water, those Owls the wicked Counsellors of my Father, have taken their flight at the approach of the King my Husband: Heaven hath frustrated their flagitious designs: truth hath triumph'd over falshood: the counterfeit Heir hath follow'd his suppos'd Father and Mother, and Heaven hath secur'd for me the Crown of my Ancestors, which a Mother in Law, with the assistance of her Owls, would have caus'd to pass into ano­ther family: the King's valour hath preserv'd my People from falling into this misfortune; but to make both them and me happy, there wants noth­ing but an heir to support my Crown.

XVII.

The King of Spain, having been a great while employ'd in solemnizing his second Marriage, and in making preparations for the reception of his new Spouse, and the Council having made several resolutions and debates relating to determine to what place his Majesty should go; their Majesties came both together to the Temple to consult the Oracle, and the King spake first (as of right he ought) and said:

Heaven hath deliver'd me from one that was a great friend and adherent to the King of France, who is the de­clar'd enemy of the House of Austria. Marriages with France are so many gins and snares that are laid for me on that side; I have at last open'd my eyes thô somewhat late, and therefore I have dispos'd of my Daughters on the side of Germany, and I hope that being no longer spy'd even in my very Bed-chamber, I shall soon find myself in a capacity to oppose my enemy, and to pursue him with the [Page 30] assistance of my Allies. Moreover if the deceas'd Queen had not compell'd me to restore to the French, the money that was brought from my Indies, on their account for prohibited Goods, I should have been furnish'd with ready cash to prosecute the War with suc­cess; my Wife, given to me by France, perswaded me to do this act against the opinion of my Privy Coun­cil, but the business is done and there is no remedy. Wherefore I come to know whether I shall get the Victory over my enemies, now that I am within the armes of a Queen, who is oblig'd by her interest to assist me with her wholsome counsels for the advantage of the good Party.

XVIII.

The new Queen young and vigorous approaching, spake thus with a gallant

To so many Kingdomes lately be­stow'd on my by Heaven, the addition of an Heir seems to be altogether ne­cessary, without which my present possessions and enjoyments can be esteem'd but as lame and imperfect, since all at last must devolve upon a­nother Family. Therefore I am come to this place to know whether Heaven will vouchsafe to grant a Successor to the King, my Husband; as for my part, I shall use all possible means, but—

XIX.

Lewes XIV. King of France and Navar [...]e, being employ'd day and night in debating in his Council con­cerning the most effectual means to withstand so many powerful enemies, that had declar'd War against him, could not well spare time to go and consult the Oracle. However at last [Page 32] he resolved to set forward in his jour­ney; but being inform'd that King William intended to be there, and un­derstanding that he walks in the mid'st of fire, and that he is even Canon-proof, he was not willing to meet him, wherefore he sent Madame de Maintenon before, as a Scout, in the habit of a Friar, with a purse full of Louys d'Ors, to observe the avenues, and to enquire of the Priestess Pytho­nissa what might happen; This faith­ful messinger being return'd, and ha­ving made a report to the King that the danger which he fear'd was past, his Majesty had much ado to take up a resolution, for fear of some trea­chery or ambuscade: Nevertheless to prevent all disasters and for a greater precaution, he commanded all his Dragoons to serve as an Avant-guard, giving them orders to surround the Temple, and a strict charge to keep a strong guard at the Gate, during the time that he remain'd within; lest he should be taken away for a Saint. He took also along with him the most able Fathers among the Jesuits, that [Page 33] he might be preserv'd by the merit of their holy Prayers: and for his Life­guard, the Ban and Arriere-Ban of the City of Paris, which the Marshal de la Feuillade undertook to command, swearing by the Statue of the mighty Monarch erected in the Place des Vi­ctoires, that for his Masters greater secu­rity, he would put all Strangers that he should meet on the road to the edge of the Sword, and would carry fire and destruction wheresoever he pass'd, for fear of an Ambush. Thus his most Christian Majesty being accom­panied with so valiant a Champion, enter'd into the Temple, but he was not able to forbear casting an eye on all sides for fear of a surprize: at last his spake very devoutly after this manner:

I thought that after I had extirpated all the Hugenots of my Kingdom, the Catholic Princes according to the e­xample of my Ally, the King of En­gland, would have joyn'd with me and assisted in subduing the Hollanders, and after them all the Heretical Po­tentates, that I might be able to esta­blish [Page 34] the Catholick Doctrine throughout all my Conquests, but very far from that, the whole World, Catholicks and Hugonots have combin'd together against me, and by a strange revolu­tion, have suffer'd my only Ally to be driven from his Countrey by the Prince of Orange. Wherefore I have been constrain'd contrary to the Ca­tholick Faith, to enter into leagues for my own defence, with the Grand Signior and the Corsairs of Algier, and compell'd to engage at the Otto­man Port, to send the Dauphin with a great Army to the frontiers of Germa­ny, to harass the Emperor, and to give his Highness my Collegue, an opportunity by dividing the Forces of the Empire, to respite and to gather his Forces together, to invade Leopold; lest the whole burden of the War should fall on my shoulders. I flat­ter'd myself with the expectation of great succours from Rome, after the general extirpation that I had caused of the Hugonots in my Kingdom, and the submissions that I had made to the Holy See, since the exaltation of this [Page 35] present Pope, who was pleas'd more over to promise that by his Pastoral authority he would procure a recon­ciliation with the Catholick Princes, on the account of some small restitution, to the end that I might be in a capa­city to oppose the Hugenot Potentates, to which effect I had bent my chiefest forces: nevertheless with an intent to restore all afterwards to the Catholicks, which I would have readily granted to them for the accommodation of my affairs: But the Venetian Policy is an impenetrable mystery to my Ministers of State, they bawl'd aloud at Rome, that the Prince of Orange, is an Usur­per, and a more dangerous and formi­dable Heretick than Calvin himself, who advanc'd his Conquests only with the tongue and the pen, whereas this Prince makes use of his Sword; and that a remedy ought to be provided in time: but all my zeal for the Catho­lick Religion hath hitherto produc'd no effect, and it is alledg'd to me, that it is not a War maintain'd for the cause of Religion, but for that of Am­bition. In the mean time thou know'st [Page 36] Oh Deity! that presidest in this Place, that I labour to reestablish the King of England on his Throne, and that I have almost exhausted my treasury to preserve Ireland for him; but in­stead of a recompense, it hath been objected to me, that it is my own in­terest that obligeth me to act; and the Catholicks are so far from assisting me with Croisades, that they sing Te Deum when the Hugenots are victo­rious; this causeth me often to deli­berate, whether I ought to recall the later into my Kingdom to enrage my Catholic enemies; but the mischief is, they will give no credit to my word, nor I to their.

The Union of the Allies is more closely knit together than the Gordian Knot, and requires another Alex­ander to untie it; but it is a Clock that always goes and never strikes, it is a Lute on which some strings are always jarring, or out of tune. I have devis'd an Expedient to defend my self, and not to fear them, for I find them to be better Travellers than Soldiers; I hope, that if they always [Page 37] March as they have begun, they will soon be ready to return into their Winter-quarters, and then I shall have no longer any cause of Fear on the side of Germany. My Cousin of Luxemburgh, who is as subtil as a Fox, hath promis'd to deceive the Prince of Waldeck once more. I have drain'd my Subjects and Churches of all their Money, be­cause I knew it is the sinews of War, and with this familiar Spirit all things may be effected, with the help there­of I penetrate every where, even in­to the most secret Counsels, and it is my only Refuge, my Life-guard, and the best Ally that I have at this time: It often performs the function of a General, by gaining the Victo­ry for me, as well as that of an Ora­tor amongst the Ladies, and by its Vertue I subdue many Obstinate Ene­mies: But alas! it is my sad misfor­tune, that this familiar Spirit could ne­ver tame the Prince of Orange, who is the Enemy that I most dread above all others, and I am very much a­fraid, lest he should have a powerful [Page 38] party in my Kingdom, as he hath had in England; moreover, I have been assur'd, that he is Cannon-proof, and that he fears no danger; what course then shall I take to defend my self against him?

XX.

MADAM de Maintonon who had accompanied the King into the Temple, afterwards entreated the Priestess to conduct her to a conveni­ent place, and to set her in a decent posture, that she might interrogate the Oracle, which being accordingly done, she said,

By the favour and assistance of the Reverend Father La Chaise, I have quieted my Conscience, and secur'd my Honour, against all Obloquy and Slander; never any poor Lady in France ascended to that high degree of Glory to which I have arriv'd, [Page 39] only by my Intrigues: I have re­fus'd the chief Honours of the Court, but I have exercis'd in a manner all the functions of a Queen. I had a re­spect for Madam the late Dauphiness, because she preceeded me at Court, but when another shall come, I do not intend to give her the same Ho­nour, or Deference, since I am at present the first in right: Shall it be said, that I who have attain'd to so great Intimacy and Familiarity with the King and his Female Counsellors, should give place to an upstart; this I confess would be a very great vexati­on to me; therefore I come hither to consult thee on this occasion.

XXI.

WHEN the King was gone out of the Temple, the Dauphin succeed­ed in his place, and said,

I fear, lest being as yet Dauphin, I should become greater than my Fa­ther, [Page 40] which is a thing without a pre­sident in France, but Woe to him that is to be the first Example. Ma­dam the late Dauphiness often re­proach'd me, by reason of the little share that I had in managing the Af­fairs of the Kingdom, to whom it chiefly belong'd, and because very often the pleasure of a Minister of State hath prevail'd over mine; in­deed it is their Conduit through which I have frequently receiv'd favours from the King, who hath too much Ambition to suffer me to Rule during his Life, and (after the example of Charles the Fifth,) to put the Royal Authority into my hands: Tho' the People have much inclination to me ever since the Troubles in which they are involv'd; the Catholicks are de­sirous of me, and the Hugenots wait for me with great Devotion, not­withstanding that the Dauphiness, (as many others were,) to make her self to be regarded, was accessary in tor­menting them; but they are per­swaded, that I was not engag'd in causing the Vexations that were of­fer'd [Page 41] to them, and that the good Pre­cepts of the Duke of Montausier my Governour, were prevalent in me; neither indeed could I ever approve of all the violent proceedings that have been promoted with respect to them, because I well fore-saw, that they would be attended by mischievous Conse­quences, and would partly kindle all those Combustions that we see at this Day inflam'd in the Kingdom, which cannot but produce most dangerous effects. The King's Evil Council hath rais'd up this vast number of E­nemies with whom we are now to contend, and who are resolv'd not to hearken to any Peace till France be abased, but it is my misfortune, that in this abasement I shall find my own. The King will not give Ear to my Counsel, and perhaps when he shall have a mind to take my Advice, it may then be too late: He always thinks that he hath strength enough to break thro' the multitude of his Ene­mies, and to make way for a favour­able Peace; but this account is very different from that of the Confede­rates, [Page 42] who advance on all sides to en­ter into France: Peradventure if I were Master, and should make pro­positions to them, they would heark­en to me, but the King will never consent to this till the last extremity. Therefore I come hither to know to which Party I ought to adhere, in case the Enemies should invade the Kingdom.

XXII.

THE Duke of Orleans tir'd with doing nothing, and vex'd to see himself rejected and despis'd, went to consult the Oracle, saying,

I have always very well discharg'd my Trust whensoever the King hath thought fit to require my Service, witness the Battel and Taking of St. Omer, and altho' his Majesty hath been pleas'd to express the satisfaction he receiv'd from the Glory that I had there obtain'd; nevertheless I re­main [Page 43] without Employment, and the King neither talks, nor takes no more notice of me, than if there were no such Person in the World; Whence does this proceed?

XXIII.

THE King of Sweden having declar'd that he is very willing to as­sist his Allies, but withal to keep a Neutrality with France, that he might thereby promote the Com­merce of his Subjects, whilst the most part of other Nations were en­gag'd in a tedious War, went to con­sult the Oracle, saying,

The King of France offers great advantages to hinder me from afford­ing any Supplies to the Confederates, and to induce me to stand Neuter: He hath propounded an Expedient to stop the Vessels that I am oblig'd to [Page 44] send to the Hollanders by vertue of a Treaty made with the States General, and if I have a mind to enter into Po­merania, he will not only pay all ar­rears and summ's of money due to me; but will also restore the Dutchy of Deux ponts, and defray the charge of the War; moreover, he promiseth that the King of Denmark shall make no attempt upon my Countrey, but shall likewise remayn neuter on my account, and that we shall both enter into a Treaty of Commerce with France, and make a league together to oppose all that shall endeavour to incommode or disturb us therein. Whereas on the one side I am allur'd by the advantage of Traffic; on the other, the treachery and ill usage that I have receiv'd from France de­ters me: all these fair propositions being only the product of that ne­cessity with which he finds him­self urg'd: what then shall I do?

XXIV.

The King of Denmark being solli­cited on the one side by the fair offers of France, and detain'd on the other by the interest of Prince George, who stands in need of King William's as­sistance to establish the Crown in the Family; and knowing not what to determine to preserve both, came to consult the Oracle on this occasion, saying:

The present offers of the King of France are fair and good, but they are not to be compar'd with the ad­vantages that will hereafter accrue to my Countrey, by a strict union with England; for if the Princess of Den­mark should ascend the Throne, there would be a great and indissoluble band of unity between England and my Dominions; besides that the assu­rances which the King of Great Bri­tain, now reigning, hath given me at present of his amity, and the sincerity that I have always found in the word of this Prince, have oblig'd me to send Forces to assist him in finishing [Page 46] the Conquest of Ireland; my own in­terest also exciteth me to afford him this supply against King James, since the later design'd to exclude the Prin­cesses his Daughters and their off-spring from the Crown, to transfer it to a stranger whose extraction is unknown; but I would willingly assist the King of England, without leaving the King of France, who considering his present circumstances will not be offended as he would have been heretofore at the aid that I have sent into Ireland, since he is now as Meek as he was haughty in times past.

XXV.

The King of Poland, being suffi­ciently disgusted at France, when he had caus'd the Sieur Granville to de­part out of his Dominions, and having declar'd to the Queen that after the marriage of the Royal Prince his Son, [Page 47] with the Princess of Nieubourg, he would no longer hearken to the Mi­nisters of France, thô they were able even to bestow on him the same fa­culty as Midas had heretofore of turn­ing every thing he should touch into Gold; came in this resolution to con­sult the Oracle, saying:

The French baits have caus'd me to lose the high reputation that I had acquir'd before Vienna. I confess my weakness, hitherto in placing my Sum­mum bonum in a little yellow clay, which I have kept more carefully than holy Relicks; and I have often look'd on the effigies of the Louys d'Ors as a Tutelary God and the object of my happiness. However I now begin to understand, that these material goods are but froth in comparison of the worth of real glory, which alone can set my Son on the Throne. I know that the taking of Caminiec can at pre­sent contribute more thereto, than all the treasure of France; but on this occasion my Allies have at least this consolation, that I have taken more from the French than from the Turks, [Page 48] and that to exhaust is to weaken. That War can be but of little moment, where the danger and the honour are not great; therefore for the future after the example of Hannibal, I shall turn to the side of glory, as soon as the mar­riage of the Royal Prince with the Princess of Nieubourg shall be accom­plish'd; and to that end I have stopt my ears against all the Syrens of France, since I observe that their King will have enough to do to preserve his Crown for his own Son, and that the Emperor alone can establish mine on the head of my heir: I am come hither to receive your wholsom Coun­sel.

XXVI.

The King of Portugal, after his Alliance with the House of Nieubourg, thought himself also oblig'd to im­brace the interest of the Empire, and [Page 49] the common cause of his Allies, but the French (who are alwais pregnant of politic contrivances) forseeing that this marriage especially at this present juncture of affairs, might alienate that Kingdom from their interests, to amuse the Portuguese Court propoun­ded another between their Infanta and the Dauphin, and that the issue of that Bed should succeed to the Crown of Portugal, on condition neverthe­less that the King of Portugal should declare War against Spain, and that France should bear a part of the charge; wherefore his Portuguese Ma­jesty in this perplexity went to con­sult the Oracle, and spake thus:

The Ministers of France continually represent to me how much both my Predecessor and my self have been oblig'd to them on the account of the Pyrenean peace, insinuating that the Grandeur of Spain might here­after produce my abasement, but they would furnish me with means in this conjuncture whereby to deliver my self from all pretensions that that Court might make to my Countrey [Page 50] for the future. Now since I have an oppertunity to serve France with my Commerce, to remain neuter, and to procure the Traffic of the other Princes engaged in War; why should I not improve it to the enriching of my Subjects by furnishing the French with all manner of ammunitions that they shall want in this present War?

XXVII.

The Grand Signior after so many losses, notwithstanding his affiance in Mehemet Rasoul, and after the return of his Dervishes from Mecca, not knowing any longer to which Saint of the Alcoran to make his addresses, determin'd to go and consult the Ora­cle, and to try if he could there find any hopes of deliverance: Being ar­riv'd at the Sacred cave, he spake after this manner:

I have offer'd to the Emperor of the Christians, my enemy, all that my [Page 51] Law allows me to give (notwith­standing the perswasions of France) without being able to obtain any thing. I have lost my best Janizaries in bat­tel, and my Dervishes are weary with crying throughout all the Mosques; my Treasures are exhausted, and my People raise commotions in divers Places, demanding Peace: The Wo­men with Child miscarry at the ap­proach of the uncircumcised; and I durst not venture to return to Con­stantinople with out a peace. The Cham of Tartary indeed hath pro­mis'd to come to my assistance, and the great Sultan of France to pay him, and that he will send the young Sultan, his Son, to the River Rhine, to compel the Christians to depart out of my Dominions, but especially he that will never make Peace till all my Territo­ries that I have lost in Hungary be restor'd to me, provided that I maintain the War as long as he; But my Forces are broken, the enemy stands at my gates, and I am continually terrified with great alarms, being doubtful whether I ought to give credit to this [Page 52] Sultant that bears the name of Christian. He hath often abus'd me, and the necessity of my affairs hath hitherto forc'd me to hearken to him. He proffers to swear by my Alcoran that he will keep his word; but since all his promises have had no effect, what resolution shall I take, and on whom shall I relye?

XXVIII.

The Deputies of the States General of the United Provinces, being come to consult the Oracle, said:

It was necessary for the security of our State, to set the Prince of Orange on the Throne of Great Britain, to secure us from the threats of France; and the assurance that the count d'A­vaux gave us of a strict alliance be­tween the two Kings, hath open'd our eyes, to the end that we might take away from the King of France the means of being able to hurt us. We have by our own aid disengag'd our­selves [Page 53] from a very great incumbrance and perplexity, and by placing the Prince on the Throne, we have well provided for our safety for the future, by that indissoluble Union that will alwaies be maintain'd between the two States; but since all things in this sublunary World are subject to va­riety of changes and revolutions, what course must we take to preserve that high reputation which we have ac­quir'd to our selves in Europe.

XXIX.

The most Serene Doge of Venice, being ready to return laden with the Laurels and Trophies of his Victories, was extremely glad of an oppertunity to consult the Oracle, and said:

The most Serene Republic having been hitherto the terror of the Infidels, hath compell'd her haughty enemy to sue for a Peace, but the advantage of [Page 54] have a Pope descended from her own loins, obliges her to continue the War, and not to separate from her Allies, thô Poland stands as an idle Spectator; therefore it is time to think of a Peace, and so much the rather, by reason that a great fire is kindl'd in the neighbourhood of this Republic, that is capable of inflaming all Italy, if it be not soon prevented. What is most requisite to be done on this occa­sion?

XXX.

The Duke of Savoy, having for some time amus'd the King of France, who only sought to seize on his Countrey, and having thoroughly penetrated into the subtil intreagues as well as the danger in which he was involv'd by confiding in the French, remembred the example of the Duke of Lorrain, and resolv'd to take new measures contrary to the interest of [Page 55] France, and such as were only able to secure his preservation; for the better pursuing of which he thought fit to consult the Oracle, and coming to the Temple, spake thus:

It was generally believ'd that I was so strictly united to Franc [...] ▪ that I durst not separate my self, nor under­take any thing without the consent of their King, but the event hath shewn the contrary, and that I knew my own true interest as well as the King's in­tentions; but if I have dissembl'd for some time, it was only that I might seek myown advantage and to engage my Allies; neither the tears of the Royal Dutchess, nor the fair promises of the Duke of Orleans▪ could prevail with me to alter my resolution, nor never shall; the bowl is cast and can­not return again, for if I had receiv'd the French troops into the Citadel of Turin, I should have had nothing else to do but to go and keep my Country-house in France with the Prince of Utopia; but not being willing for the future to depend on any but God and my Sword, I have made it appear to [Page 56] the whole World that I'm Master with­in my own Dominions, by the return of my Subjects of Piedmont into their Valleys; and without delay I have embrac'd the common cause of the Emperor and his Allies, who will not abandon me, nor invade my Terri­tories: And if the Cantons of Switzer­land would do the same, and shake off the yoak of France, we should find employment for their Monarch on the side of Dauphine. I am come hither to know what success will at­tend me.

XXXI.

The Cantons of Switzerland being amaz'd at the suddain change that hap­pen'd in their neighbourhood, deputed soveral persons on the behalf of the Helvetian States to be inform'd by the Oracle of future contingencies, who being arriv'd at the Sacred Den, spake to this effect:

We have seen a great light in our Neighbourhood, and have rejoyc'd in the brightness thereof: The recalling of the Vaudois, and the Declaration of the Duke of Savoye in favour of the Emperor and his Allies, hath caus'd our heart to leap for joy; moreover, we never receiv'd so many caresses from France, only to perswade us to remayn neuter, but they do not as yet offer to demolish the Fortress of Hunninguen; however if they do not set about it speedily, we shall open a passage for the Germans, thô as yet we divide a little spot of ground with the King of France; but forasmuch as there is nothing now to be fear'd, and since he can no longer bite; if he do not himself begin to dismantle this Place, we will apply our Batteries thereto: We are in good earnest brave Switzers, and will not be mock't for the future, they must now deal plainly with us and set their hand to the work: their Louys d'Ors are good, but somewhat more must be done at this time, since ours are now more currant money, for by the vertue of [Page 58] hocus pocus Monsieur Amelot takes us for Block-heads, and thinks to gull us as he hath done heretofore, but we have no mind to let slip this opportu­nity, and we will act our part before the Farce be ended: We are heavy and corpulent, therefore we march stowly. In the mean time what shall we do?

XXXII.

The Republic of Genoa, being very glad to see so many dogs set on the wolf, and all the Powers of Europe combin'd against France, the most formidable enemy that she ever had; sent to consult the Oracle to know what ought to be done in this con­juncture, saying:

The whole World hath seen the submission that we have been forc'd to make to the King of France, after he had bombarded our City: we have been constrain'd to kiss the rod with which we were scourg'd without mur­muring; [Page 59] and the Senate hath been o­blig'd to go in a body to Versailles, to thank the King for his great justice; but we hope that the time is now come wherein Heaven will avenge us on them, and that the Allies will cause reparation to be made for the Dam­mage that we have sustain'd. What means shall we now use to take some satisfaction our selves of our conceal'd enemy?

XXXIII.

The late King James, being o­blig'd to abandon his Kingdoms a second time, and to depart out of Ireland; and not knowing what Saint to invocate, nor of what mate­rials to make weapons in France, where the unfortunate are not at all welcome, went very mournfully to consult the Oracle, and said:

I now acknowledge my fault, and that my misfortunes have had their [Page 60] original only from the wicked instiga­tions of the Queen my Wife, and her pernicious Counsels, that induc'd me to seek for means to make my self ab­solute by vertue of an Arbitrary power independant of the Statutes of the Realm and authority of Parliaments; and to abolish the Test and Penal Laws: This model came from France, and hath lead me to the precipice and to this unhappy Labyrinth: My Peo­ple could not endure neither an alte­ration in Religion, nor in the Succes­sion of the Crown, but sent for a Competitor, who easily got possession of my Kingdoms, without hopes that I shall ever be able to reenter therein as long as he shall live. The greatest part of my Subjects have forsaken me, and my Friends durst not so much as lift up their head: My Forces have abandon'd me, and they of my own Family have turn'd their backs on me. Thus am I left destitute in the hands of the French, reduc'd to the necessity of imploring their aid, and of making a most lamentable figure; not know­ing whither to betake my self when [Page 61] the King of France shall be weary of me. Alass! will my banishment from my Kingdoms continue much longer?

XXXIV.

The Queen Jacomina, having seen with much consternation the return of the King, her Husband, to Saint Germain, went accompanied with Father Peters and the little Urchin, her Son, to the Temple of the Oracle to know the reason thereof, and spake thus:

I have been alwaies very exact in my devotions to our Lady of Loretto, and have made many vowes to her, to the end that I might re-enter into my Kingdom; nevertheless we are so far from approaching it, by the way of Ireland, as the King of France vainly promis'd, that we are now driven back farther than ever, by the retreat of the King, who hath been totally de­feated [Page] feated with his Army at the first shock of our enemies. Whence to so many misfortunes proceed that have happen'd to us in this World?

XXXV.

Father Peters, having entreated the Queen to permit him to speak in his turn, said:

I have incessantly labour'd day and night for the good of the Society, and considering that a Prince of Wales created by our hand, might hereafter be a very powerful instrument for the propagation of the Catholic Faith, and the encreasing of our Revenues in England, our good Lady of Loretto hath by a miracle brought this Prince to light, which was very necessary to protect us after the King's death; none but the Society know the depth of this Mystery; but in the mean time some spiteful person dis-affected to our interest, having discover'd the mine, brought the storm on the King's per­son [Page] and all the Royal Family, and at the same time on our Holy Society; thus to avoid exposing our selves to the mercy of the Conqueror, we were compell'd to follow the fortune of the King and Royal Family, by retiring into a place of safety, to the end that by our Prayers we might be able to merit our return into England, as soon as possibly it can be effected, for the consolation of the party that we have left there, and which impatiently ex­pects our coming. Shall we be spee­dily re-establish'd? for we are all ready to repass the Sea.

XXXVI.

The Cardinal of Fustemberg, having lost all hopes of obtaining the Electo­rate, and having turn'd that Arch-Bi­shopric into an Abbacy; went full of despair to consult the Oracle, and said:

I have foolishly neglected the op­portunity [Page 64] of advancing my fortune, ha­ving voluntarily renounc'd my right of Coadjutorship to the Arch-Bishopric of Colen; I have converted the money that I receiv'd from France to procure me friends to a very different use, and not doubting but that I should cer­tainly accomplish my design, I spent it in treating my dear Niece, who by her fond caresses caus'd me to imitate the Crow in the Fable, and that which torments me most of all is, that the matter is irrecoverable, since the Holy See hath again ratified all that was done in this affair, and that my Competitor is younger than I: Thus my fortune is limitted within the nar­row bounds of the Abbey of Saint Germain, However, the King gives me hopes of obtaining an Arch-Bi­shopric in his Kingdom, to sweeten the remorse that I might have for betraying my own lawful Soveraign; but I cannot relye upon it. The fear of some foul and unexpected chastise­ment caus'd me to withdraw from Rome incognito, to take shelter under the Culverins of the great Lewes; but [Page 65] in regard that the unfortunate are never welcome at the French Court, I can make but a sorry figure, and it will be yet so much the worse, if the Emperor and his Allies should gain any considerable advantages over France, for then I might serve as a Victime to a Peace, not knowing whither to flye, since all Europe only desires my ruin. Thus on whatsoever side I turn, I can see nothing but crosses and tribulation ready to attend me. I am come therefore to know my destiny.

XXXVII.

The King of Siam, being disen­gag'd from the French and the Jesuits went to consult the Oracle, and said:

my Predecessor was much addicted to the French that were brought to Siam by the Jesuits, who having [Page 66] made themselves in a manner necessa­ry by the profession of the Mathema­tics and Astrology, with the study whereof they had amus'd him, soon insinuated themselves into his favour, and by that means got possession of the most principal Places in his Domi­nions, with a prospect of becoming at length Masters of the whole King­dom; designing to set one of their own Creatures on the Throne, and to seize on our Golden Gods that attract all their admiration, neither would they have preach'd there Reli­gion here, but to that end; however having perceiv'd their subtilty with the advice of my chief Mandarins I got rid of them, as also of their principal abetters and adherents. After the King's Death I took possession of the Kingdom, lest it should fall to­gether with our Gods into the hands of the French; I am not ignorant that their King will make preten­sions against me, but I fear him not as long as I can maintain an Alliance and good correspondence with the Hollanders, my neighbours; at least [Page 67] if they do not come to demand the presents that they gave to my Prede­cessor, and to Constantius his chief Minister of State, who was the instru­ment of all their designs, and the wheel that set the engine of the Je­suits on motion; but the first that shall presume to enter into my King­dom, I will deliver as a prey to the wild Beasts; for I can no longer suffer such vermin in my Dominions.

XXXVIII.

The Republic of Geneva, being deliver'd from those terrible alarms that the King of France continually caus'd in their neighbourhood, on the occasion of the marching of that vast number of the enemies against whom he is now engag'd, and of the great War in which he is involv'd; sent two Syndics to consult the Oracle in the name of the whole City, who spake after this manner:

Our condition being alter'd, and the tempestuous Storm having pass'd over our Heads, he that so lately threatn'd us, begins now to caress us; thus we breath in a clear and wholsom air, and we may certainly affirm that King William is a great Physitian, and that his most efficacious remedies operate at a very great distance; but for asmuch as in all distempers, relapses are very dangerous, by what means shall we preserve the good health that we now enjoy?

XXXIX.

The City of Hambourgh, being oblig'd to publish the Emperor's Avo­catoria, was not a little disgusted, and in this perplexity sent two Licenciats to consult the Oracle, who spake in the name of their Principals, saying:

We hoped that all our neighbours being engag'd in War, we might have monopoliz'd the greatest part of [Page 69] their Traffic by the means of a neu­trality; but since jealousy often creates violence, insomuch that we have found an embrago laid on all our Vessels in England. with the Emperor's consent, we have been compell'd to submit to the Avocatoria, and to cause the French Resident to depart from our Tertitories; but the King may clearly see that we have been constrain'd thereto to avoid the ruin of our inha­bitants; for the King of England who knows not how to dally, persists in obligng us to observe the Avocato­ria. Thus we are perplex'd being depriv'd of our Commerce with France, and not knowing what party to adhere unto in this Conjuncture.

XL.

The Princes of the House of Lu­nembourg spake thus to the Oracle.

We have had no regard to all the offers of France, and they could not [Page 70] hinder us from cleving to the in­terest of the common Cause of Eu­rope, and from furnishing our Allies with Troops, notwithstanding the vast summes of money offer'd to us by the most Christian King to prevent it, but we have no mind to be har­rass'd; we would act as we think fit, and be Masters of our own Forces; we would willingly assist our Allies, and especially the King of England, for whose valour we have a particu­lar esteem, as our Friend and true Ally, and we are ready to concur in any thing to the utmost of our Power that may tend to his satisfaction.

XLI.

The Marquess de Gastanaga, Go­vernor of the Spanish Neitherlands, af­ter the Battel of Fleury, fearing lest the enemies might invade Flanders, went immediately to consult the Oracle, and said:

May the Heavens protect us in this Conjuncture, for if the Hollanders should retreat, my Master's Countrey is lost, and if the French should enter therein, they would spare neither Virgin, nor Saint, nor the most Sa­cred Relicks. I have caus'd several Masses to be celebrated, and have made several vows for the prosperity of the King's A [...]ms, but I hope that when the King of Great Britain shall come, he will defend us from all di­sasters, with the aid of our good Lady of Hal.

XLII.

The Prince of Waldeck, after the same Battel of Fleury, was also very glad of an oppertunity to consult the Oracle on this occasion, saying:

I have been unfortunate in the last Battel, althô at the same time the French have no reason to boast; I [Page 72] did what I could, nevertheless I know that I am not respected by the People. Men give Battel, but the event comes from Heaven, whence then proceeds my misfortune?

XLIII.

The Kingdom of Algers, sent two of their Reys that belong to Sea af­fairs to consult the Oracle, who said:

The French have Bombarded our City, but it hath cost them dear, they are come to demand a Peace, and have appli'd a Golden plaister to our Wound, and if we may believe them, we have no better friend than their King; shall we give them credit?

XLIV.

The Czars of Moscovy, having enter'd upon no considerable Action against the Turks since their Declara­tion of War, notwithstanding all the Assurances given by their Ambassa­dors whom they sent into all the Courts of Europe, came both toge­ther to consult the Oracle, saying:

We have declar'd War against the Turks, and altho' we have demanded Supplies of all the Christian Princes, yet none comes to our Assistance, in­somuch that we are oblig'd to main­tain this great War at our own Charg­es; if this continues we shall be compell'd to make a Peace.

XLV.

The Reverend Society of the Jesu­its deputed Father La Chaise, and a­nother English Father lately come from England, to go and consult the Oracle in the Habit of Cavaliers, lest they should meet with any of King William's Troops on the Road; where they were no sooner arriv'd, but they very confidently enter'd into the Temple, and said:

Our Society is esteem'd as the Pil­lar of the Catholick Church, for with­out it, it would have fallen in seve­ral places, and by our intercession we obtain'd a Catholick Successor in England; nevertheless the Sins of Men have caus'd Heresie to prevail for a time, but we are not discou­rag'd, our Party always subsists there, and another Revolution may put us in possession of what we have lost.

The City of Geneva was very near falling into our hands, and we had already reckon'd it in the number of our Conquests: It hath indeed e­scap'd [Page 75] out of the King's Power, but a fair opportunity pretermitted is not irrecoverable. We have had better success with the Emperor, and have hitherto hinder'd him from making a Peace with the Turks.

The Martyrdoms that our Society hath suffer'd in England and China, caus'd us justly to hope that we should have been regarded by the Holy See, but it seems all our Pains and Zeal for the propagation of the Faith can­not as yet merit the esteem of the Venetians, which hath in all times been of very bad consequence to us, with respect to the Hereticks; but if we can hope for no great matter on that side, we may expect much from the Most Christian King, who pro­miseth to himself a happy Issue of this War, thro' the intercession of the grand Saint Ignatius, and the Prayers of the whole Society. We have en­tirely devoted our selves to France, the King of Spain being a Saint that at present can do us neither good nor harm. We had reason to hope for much, from the King and Queen of [Page 76] England, if Fortune had not been unkind to them; but the whole Soci­ety labours for their Restauration. Wilt thou therefore Re-establish them and us by their means?

XLVI.

The Right Reverend the Clergy of France, being assembled together, intended to depute the Arch-Bishop of Paris to go and consult the Oracle, but when he was enjoin'd to speak the Truth, he desir'd to be excus'd, by reason that the King had promis'd him the first nomination to a Cardi­nal's Cap, and therefore being under such Circumstances he durst not dis­oblige his Majesty, whereupon they soon appointed the Bishop of Greno­ble in his room to discharge that Of­fice, who being arrived at the Sacred Den, spake to this effect,

I am come hither on the behalf of the most considerable Assembly in Europe, I mean the Clergy of France, and of the Gallicane Church, to pour out our just Complaints into your Bo­som. The King in taking away our Revenues draws the most pure Blood out of our Veins by continual Taxes and Gratuities beyond our Ability; and by a prodigious Usurpation, this Monarch hath lately taken from us all the Ornaments of Gold and Silver belonging to the Sanctuary, without the consent of our Holy Father the Pope, under pretence of a War to be prosecuted against the Hereticks, and of the Re-union of the Hugenots of his Kingdom with the Church; insisting moreover, that he hath been oblig'd to disburse vast Sums of Mo­ney in maintaining the Royal Mission that hath brought in great Revenues to the Church: But that which most affects the Conscience of our Prelates is, that they must believe every thing that the King requires them, and ac­commodate their Faith according to the Affairs that intervene between [Page 78] the Court of France and that of Rome. It would be great matter of Joy, if by your wholsome Counsels this Venerable Assembly might be de­liver'd from all these Vexations, that we may peaceable enjoy our Benefi­ces, and not be compell'd to believe any thing but what are commanded by our Holy Mother the Church.

XLVII.

The Catholicks of England in their Exile went to consult the Ora­cle, to know their Destiny, say­ing:

We thought that as soon as our Zealous Monarch had ascended his Brother's Throne, the time of our Restauration was at hand, and that af­ter a tedious Captivity, we should have re-enter'd upon the possession of [Page 79] all our Rights and Prerogatives: The Reverend Fathers the Jesuits gave us great hopes thereof; but by a strange Revolution, we find our selves further off than we were hither­to, and by hoisting our Top-gallant too high, we have overset our Vessel at the first Blast of Wind; the Tem­pest soon dispers'd us on all sides, like scatter'd Sheep, at the Mercy of Foreigners, without any prospect of returning, at least of a New Revoluti­on, which we are forc'd to wait for, without so rouch as being able to fore­see the least Remedy for our Calami­ties. Alass! When shall we meet with a more favourable time.

XLVIII.

The Marshal de la Feuillade, ha­ving for a long time passionately wish­ed for an opportunity, freely to dis­close [Page 80] his Mind, went to the Temple, and said:

I had foretold long ago that the Prince of Orange would at length create us much trouble; but no credit was given to my Word, and for speaking the Truth, I was very near being dis­grac'd by the King, instead of serve­ing Him with my wholesome Advice; He would no longer hearken to me, because I knew not how to flatter, and I was constrain'd to hold my Tongue; but now that this Prince is become King of England, and hath Power in His Hand, He begins to Sing a very different Tune than he did before; and if ever He should pass over into France, we shall see Fine-work, and the Post will find good Employment. My Predictions were always true, that with too much squeezing the Orange, it would at last become bitter, but I was not heard; and when they shall be willing to give Ear, perhaps then it will be too late. Fear hath already seiz'd the Court, and they have sent me to repair the old Forts in Dauphine, lest the Prince [Page 81] marching at the head of the Vau­dois, should recover his Castle. The King hath charg'd me to take great care thereof, but I am very desirous to declare my Opinion to him.