Consultation of the ORACLE, by the Great Men of England, and the Potentates of the Earth, to know if the Prince of WALES, (Given of God) Diu dateus, be Suppositious, or Legitimate.
AS soon as the darkness of the Night was dispersed, and the Morning had appeared, the Gates of the Temple of the Divinity opened themselves, and one might see all the Potentates of the Earth hastening thither: Great number of Princes, and mighty Mouarchs, many Heraclit's, and Democrit's, the one sad, and the other merry, for the Birth of this new Messias; the Catholick Princes, were in dispute with the Protestants, the latter did maintain; That the Prince of Wales was Suppositious, and the first the contrary. It was then resolved, by one part, as well as the other, to refer the business to the Oracle, and that the Divine Appollo should decide a Question, whereon the Happiness of Europe depended.
The POPE
Being the first advanced, kneeled to the Earth, and having taken in each hand, a certain Composition, went on foot to the entrance of a little Cavern, as soon as he found himself within, with a great deal of eagerness and haste, he spoke
To the ORACLE.
‘I desire to know four things before my Death.’
‘The First is to see Constantinople purged from Execrable Mahometism, by my good Son Leopold, Emperor of the East and West.’
‘The Second, to see my Eldest Son, the King of France, to repent himself of all those Affronts, that he hath committed during his Reign, against the Holy See, against the other Kings his Brethren, and against his poor people.’
‘The Third, to see my Son Charles the Il. always poor, become sufficient powerful, to revenge himself of his Brother-in-Law, and give to the Throne of Spain a Successor, whether Legitimate, or Suppositious, according to the Example of King James.’
‘The Fourth, to learn if my Son James the Il. he well fixed on his Throne, and if the Young Prince of Wales, shall be Legitimated by the Parliament.’
As soon as the Holy Father had ended, all those Powers that had followed him, were impatient to speak of the Queen of England's Lying-in, and of the Birth of the Young Prince; and altho' the Cardinal of Furstemberg, desired it, and would by all meant speak of his Election, he was ordered to hold his Tongue, and it was resolved, that the Court of England should firsT be allowed to give reasons whereby she pretends to prove, that the Prince of Wales is Legitimate; that the Protestane Princes, who had Arguments to prove the contrary, should be heard next: That the Question should be disputed with mildness, and moderation, and that the Court of France, as well as the Court of England, as Allies, should be desired to occasion no Dispute, but leave it fairly to the decession of Justice.
The KING of E—d
Attended by Father Petres. who followed him step by step, approached the Holy Cavern, and thus spoke to the
DIVINITY.
‘I give God thanks. for giving me a Son, on the 20th day of June, 1688. and that he gave a Happy Delivery to the Queen my Wise, by the Birth of the Prince of Wales.’
His Majesty had scarce made an end of pronouncing these words, but a Protestant Prince interrupted him saying.
‘We all give thanks to God, because we have discovered, that this Young Prince is the Son of the Society of Jesuits, and that he never had any Royal Blood in him.’
These Words were no sooner delivered, but Father P [...] tres advanced, and having sixed his Triangular Cap upon his head, to shew his indignation, thus said to the
ORACLE.
‘The Hereticks do nothing but laugh at the Queens Lying in, as if the Prince of Wales were only a supposited Infant; for my part, who was not a moment absent from the Queen, I know better than any person, and if I do not tell truth, I will call Mrs. Wilks as a Witness.’
It was sc [...]rce observable that Petres had spoke so much; the Priests of the Temple being imployed in furnishing the soul of Wilks, with proper Ideas, to make her Recollect. To the end that she might discover the Intrigue, she made her sTege upon the skin of Sacrifices rubbed with certain Drugs which disturb the Brain, and being present at the Holy Cavern, spoke thus.
‘It is easie to prove, that the Queen was really with Child if one considers that she kept her Bed at her Lyingin for 2 or 3 days, without getting up, and the rather for that she never went abroad, while she was big.’
The ORACLE
Ordered, that she should hold her peace, if she had no better proof.
The Priestess of the Temple conducted the Queen of England, as yet weak, and indisposed, and having given her her hand to lead her into the Sanctuary, she thus said to the
DIVINITY.
‘I prove that I have been with Child of a Young Prince, because I had many pains, for 5 or 6 Months, and I have always heard it reported, that Women with Child are always subject to them.’
Mrs. Cellier, who was near the Queen, had a mind to speak again, desired her Majesty to add the sickness she [Page 2] was speaking of; that she had several times been sensible of the Infants stirring in her Womb, and that these two proofs were convincing.
The PRINCESS of D—k
Being called in her turn, came near and said to the
ORACLE.
‘I find it very difficult to believe, that the Young Prince of Wales is Legitimate; if it be true, what is said, that he was some hours at St. James's, afore the Queen came thither to Lie-in.’
The ORACLE
Answered her.
‘This Proof is strong, have you any Witnesses?’
The PRINCESS
Answered him,
‘Yes.’
The R. Father SMITH, and Father ALIX JESUITS.
Conspiring together in a design to destroy the proof, which the Princess had offered to produce.
Father SMITH
As being the Eldest, spoke first to the
DIVINITY.
‘I maintain, that the Queen hath been with Child, and that the Prince of Wales is Legitimate, by reason the Queen hath resolved, at the present, to have a Daughter, and after that another Daughter, and then another Young Prince, that if it happens the first should die, his Majesty may be provided of a Successor.’
Father ALIX
Took his Turn and said,
‘For my part, I prove that there is nothing suppositious in the Person of the P. of Wales, and that he is the Legitimate Son of the King, because he was informed, that the Child was Baptized on the 15 day of July, 1688. it being St. James's day.’
The Priests went out of the Holy Cavern, and returned before the Queens Ladies of Honour, and having made them drink a Glass of the Water of the River Hircinas, they said:
‘We maintain, that the Queen hath been really with Child, because she was always troubled with a kind of a Gout, which hindred her going, and always obliged her to be carried in a Chair.’
The A. B. of C—attended by his SUFFRAGANS.
Came near to the Divinity, extreamly pleased to have been acquitted in his Tryal, and that innocence had prevailed over Calumny.
The DIVINITY
Made him be informed, by one of his Priests, that he was exhorted to reveal what he knew, or what he had learned, concerning the Queens Lying-In; that there was no degree of power above the Gods, and that he was obliged in Conscience to tell the things as they were, and being approached, he spoke to the
ORACLE.
‘Because you conjure me, by all that is most Holy in your Temple, to discover an Imposture, which the Society of Jesuits takes care to conceal from all Europe; I shall tell you then in two words, That the Prince of Wales, is suppositious, and that they put us in the Tower, at the very time the Queen was in the Straw, to the end that the Bps. of the Kingdom might not be present.’
The KING of E—d
Hearing this Discourse, came forward hastily, and being angry with the A. B. called him Rebel, adding, That he knew how to make him obey.
The ORACLE
Answered the King. ‘That he had forgotten that the place where he Blasphemed, was Holy, and that he ought to be satisfied long since, that the Gods esteem bad Kings no more than silly Shepherds; that he ought to abate his fierceness, and thank the Gods for giving them more good things in this World, oftentimes, than they deserve.’
The KING
Being, desirous to answer, what the A. B. had objected, said, ‘It was true that the Bishops were put in the Tower, before the Queen lay-In; but also, that order was given to release them, and there was nothing to hinder their Visits; besides, I am not willing to argue thus with my Subjects, I am a King and expect to be obeyed, without disputing, and when I say that the Prince of Wales▪ is my Legitimate Son; this ought to suffice, and they ought to believe it.’
The ORACLE
Answered to all this, ‘That he was not well satisfied with his Majesty's Behaviour, and that he ought to have more moderation, and to bring good proofs, because we came thither to know if the Prince of Wales, was legitimate, or Supposititious, and not to dispute his Royal Prerogative.’
The Priestess had order to advance some
MEMBERS of the next PARLIAMENT.
Who spoke thus to the
DIVINITY.
‘His Majesty hath sollicited us, by his chief Almoner, Father Peters, to legitimate his Son the Prince of Wales, when we shall meet in Parliament; and all the people cry in London, that it is a Supposititious Child, that his Father is a poor Citizen, and that his Mothers a poor Woman, which the Jesuits, have perswaded by money, to keep this secret.’ The
ORACLE
Orders the Priestess to conduct in the
[Page 3]Earl of S—L—D
To see what he had to answer, to what was proposed. S—L—D having order to enter, the holy Cavern, desired, before that to abjure his Religion, and to assist at the Holy Office, in the Kings Chappel, and to give a proof of a profound respect. After which he said,
‘The Prince of Wales, is so much the more Legitimate, and the supposition of which they accuse her Majesty, is the rather a Callumny, by how much the big Belly of the Queen hath been accompanied, with many wonders, viz. As the Queen stept, an Angel appeared to her several times, and said to her, Have Courage you shall bring forth a Son, and his Name shall be called WALES: The Queen awaking, started, and saw that this Angel, was like to him, that appeared long since to Mary the Mother of God.’
The ORACLE
Asked him how he knew it to be an Angel?
S—L—D
Answered, that Father Peters had told him so.
The Lawyer P—n, one that pleaded for the Bishops,
Hearing that the Earl of Sunder land would prove the Prince of Wales to be legitimate, by the greatest Imposture that ever was, could not forbear speaking into the Holy Cavern, as loud as if he had pleaded in Westminster-Hall, and said openly, that it was a shame, that such a man as he, whom his majesty had Honoured with his charge of Secretary of State, should have so mean and low thoughts, and so unworthy of a man of Honour; he ought to have known, that this Angel, of whom he was speaking of, was one of the Queens Foot-men, who had been instructed by the Jesuits to play this part: And that the King, having surprised him, with his Sword wounded him in his Arm.
The ORACLE
Ordered the Priests, to turn out S—L—D, and bring the
Lord CHANCELLOR.
Who spoke to this purpose, to the
DIVINITY.
‘The greatest proof that I can offer, to justifie that there is no supposition in the Birth of this Young Prince, is the coming of so many Ministers from all the Courts of Europe to Congratulate his Majesty, and pay their homage to this Young Prince. As to the rest, his Majesty was transacted at his Council of Conscience, with Father Peters, and he forbids to inquire into what passeth there: So if there be any supposition, it is a secret, that very few persons know at Court. And the King hath order'd us, to compel the people to believe the Prince of Wales to be legitimate. And this is enough, and we ought as much as in us lies, to adore these great mysteries, and by no means pry into them.’
As soon as my Lord Chancellor had spoken, the Lawyers,
L—s, F—n, S—r, T—y, F—b, S—s
Were ordered, to answer what my Lord Chancellor had said; they all unanimously said, ‘That having gained the Cause for the Bishops, they would do their endeavour to get that for the people also: and to maintain, by an authentick Discourse, which they would publish concerning a supposititious Birth, that the Prince of Wales was supposited, but they prayed the Divinity to grant them some time, the’
ORACLE
Answered them, that it was granted, and that in the mean time the Priests should be examined of such as are to appear.
The Priests had order to introduce the
JESUITS of the College of the SAVOY.
The most ancient of them, having taken off his Triangular Cap, said,
‘That the greatest proof that they had (that the Prince of Wales was the lawful Son of the King) was, that his Majesty had promised on the day of his Coronation, that he intended to give a Successor to the Crown, and that the King had now performed his Royal Word, in giving them this Young Prince, who they should always acknowledge as Legitimate, since they being Roman Catholicks, it was much for the advantage of their Society. The’
ORACLE
Answered, ‘That these Reasons proved that the King had a Successor, but the Question now, was to know, if this Successor were of the blood Royal.’ The Priestess had order to cause them to go out, and to introduce the
NON CONFORMISTS, the QUAKERS and PRESBYTERIANS.
The Quakers being come in, ‘said they had presented many Addresses to his Majesty, for to thank him for the Liberty of Conscience he had granted them, but that they acknowledged now by experience, that he would not keep his word, and that he would break his word, as often as it tendeth to make him absolute; that they think the Prince of Wales is suppositious, and that they will give their proofs in Writing.’
The Nonconformists say, ‘That his Majesty is full of designs, which he hath to advance the Papists, in all charges, and that his Favours are chiefly reserved for the Jesuits, and that at last, he will repent, for having assisted at the making so many Innovations, and as to the Prince of Wales, it was easie to suppose it supposititious, because it was a Month before the Queen lay in.’
The Presbyterians say in their turn, ‘That what hath passed at the Birth of this Young Prince, where Father Peters, and Cellier, only assistants, is a convincing proof, that there was a manifest supposition, and that one only ought to examine the Circumstances of this Birth to make it appear.’
The ORACLE
Ordered a Priest to take in Writing, all these Depositions, and omit nothing.
The Preists had order to introduce the Forreign Princes, and their Embassadors.
The KING of FRANCE
Before the entred the Holy Cavern, according to the Example of the Emperor Heraclitus, made his Army be purged of the Dragoons for three days, who came from the hunting the new Converts, and having opened the Holy Evangalist, said to the
DIVINITY.
‘I maintain, at the peril of my life, that the Young Prince of Wales is Legitimate, and if I ought to transport my Armies, by my Bombs, and my Carcasses, I would [Page 4] reduce the World in to Ashes, and chastife and the Rebellious Nation, that oppose the Design of King James my Cousin.’
The ORACLE
Answered him, ‘That no one ought to enter into this Holy Caveru, to make French Rhodomantades, that the business in hand was to prove he was legitimate, or supposititiou.’
Father La CHASE
Hearing them speak of a supposititious Child, came forward, the Preists stopped him, pulling him by the arm, and told him, ‘That he knew very well, there was no safety within the Cavern, for such as came not with good intentions’ so that being drawn near, he made many Bows, killed the Statue of Trophanius, and said to the
ORACLE.
‘I hold the Prince of Wales is legitimate, for two strong Reasons.’
‘The First, Because my Master is his Godfather.’
‘And Secondly, Because my Master hath sent him his Spirit, to inspire him in the Cradle, with the love for our Society, and with a hatred to Heresie.’
The ORACLE
Answered, ‘That this would not signifie any thing, and if he had no other reason, he might retire, as soon as he could’ The Priests took his Cap, and threw it out of the Cavern, and having pushed him out, gave their hands to the
DAVPHIN.
Who came from Hunting the Wolf, and having conducted him into the Cavero, made him shut his eyes, and asked him the number, and the name of the things he came to consult about; and after retired into a little Grotto, and having taken the water of a Spring that is hid there, the Divinity ordered him to speak, which he did thus.
‘I do not intermeddle in other mens affairs, and it little concerns me, whether the Prince of Wales be legitimate or not; I only complain that my Father doth all for himself, but nothing for me: The Arch-Duke Joseph is made King of Hungary at 12 years of age; and I am but Dauphin at 15.’
The ORACLE
Answered, ‘That there was no business concerning the Arch-Duke Joseph the Emperor's Son: but of the Prince of Wales, Son of King James, to know if he were legitimate, or nor.’
The Priests introduced
Madam La DAPHINE
Who appeared with much respect and Veneration, having made many Sacrifices to Appollo of Clarot, she spake thus, to the
DIVINITY.
‘Praised be God, that he hath given me Children, even more than I desired, I complain of the misfortune of some poor Queens, who do whatever is possible, to have some, and yet can have none, but are at length forc'd to supposite them, and to make them pass for their own; however it be, since I am in this Holy place, for to say what I think, the greatest proofs I can offer, are the great publick Rejoycings, and the Te Dewn Landamus sung in all Churches of France.’
The ORACLE
Seeing that Madam the Dauphine, spoke with a great freedom and naturalness, ordered the Priestess to accompany her, and made her a present of some Reliques.
The Priestess re-entred immediately, followed by the Young
QUEEN of P—L.
Who after having performed the usual Ceremonies, spoke in this manner to the
DIVINITY.
‘The Elector Palatine hath Married me to Don Pedro, upon condition that I bring him Legitimate Children, and by consequence a lawful Successor, and not an Infant supposited: The truth is, he had a mind to such a fertile House as ours is, in comparison of the House of Modena, of which the World hath spoken variously: But since I am here, to speak my thoughts concerning the Prince of Wales, I will prove it to be a legitimate Child, because it came into the World by the Prayers made to our Lady of Lorette.’
The QUEEN of S—N
Hearing them speak of Children, made haste to come in, and prayed the Priestess to introduce her quickly, adding, that she had somewhat of consequence to say, being entred, she began thus, to the
ORACLE.
‘All the Queens of Europe have Children, except me, notwithstanding I am Young, and Handsom, Why cannot I have one, as well as the Queen of England?’
The ORACLE
Answered her, ‘That he did not concern himself with the getting of Children, nor examined the causes of Barrenness, or Fertility, but only to know if the Child of the Queen of England, was legitimate, or not.’
The QUEEN of S—N
Reply'd, ‘That she knew nothing, but that it was reported legitimate.’
The Priestess conducted the
Three Sisters of Father PETERS.
At the rise of the River, and after having made them drink of two sorts of Water, viz. that of Lethe, which blots out of the Soul all profane thoughts, and that of Ninemosine, which hath the virtue to make one remember whatever is seen in the Holy Cavern.
The ORACLE
Asked them, and said to them, ‘That they ought to declare all that they knew concerning the Prince of Wales, how he came into the World, who was his Father, and who his Mother, that there had been already taken the Depositions of many Princes and Princestes; but that the Oracle was not yet satisfied, that there yet remained some obscurity in all that was said; that in the mean time, they should be shut up in a Grote, until they did reveal this Mystery.’
After appeared,
[Page 5]A Troop of Priests, and Prophets, of Poets, of Interpreters, of Prelates, and Sacrificers.
‘The Pretress came before them, and told them then, That they were informed, that the Epicureans were banished from that holy place, and those that were in the Fields had order to pass no farther.’
The Temple of the Oracle bring near to Parnassus, one might see the Muses composing by the sweet harmony of their Instruments and Voices, a Quire, in which was sung the Triumph of the Prince of Wales.
After this one might see the Young Prince carried into the Temple by fourscore Jesuits, (as yet afore Jupiter Hammon was by 80 Priests) in a kind of Goudolo of Gold, from whence hung knobs of Silver, followed by a great number of Monks of all Orders, singing with a loud voice holy Hymns to his Glory: As soon as the little Prince was within the Temple all the Priests and Priestesses of Apollo incompassed him, and having examined and considered the features of his face, said aloud (contrary to the custom of our modern Gossips) That he was not at all like his Father. The
DIVINITY
Ordered, That such should be introduced, as had not yet appeared. The Pretress came before
Mr. SKELTON Embassador of his Britannick Majesty to the King of France,
And being brought to the entry of the Holy Cave, thus spoke.
‘I prove the Prince of Wales to be Legitimate; because the King his Father had wrote to me, to spare no charge in making Fire-works and splendid Feastings.’
The Author of the Triumph of Liberty
Being come up, answered to Mr. Skelton, That if his Excellency had no other proof to give, he ought to expect to see himself very speedily censured, and condemned; and that having already proved in his Book, That King James the It. had not been lawfully called to the Crown of England, but that he had Usurped it, since the Laws of the Land have Excluded all Romand Catholick Princes; he had resolved to prove to him presently, That the Prince of Wales was never of Royal Blood; That this is a suppositition, believing the Society contrived it to deceive Fools.
The ORACLE
Ordered, That they should cause to come in
The Author of Parliamentum Pacificum
To see what he had to answer thereto.
The Pretress conducted him to the Cavern, and made the Author of the Triumph of Liberty retire some paces back, for fear lest a noise should arise between these two different Spirits; the Author of Parliamentum Pacificum said thus to the
DIVINITY.
‘I cannot for bear the admiring the Divine Wisdom, for giving a Child to his Majesty in his old years; and at a time when we were near seeing a second Queen Elizabeth to Reign; and the greatest proof that I have that this young Infant is Legitimate, is the ill opinion his Majesty hath of all the Hereticks. The’
ORACLE
Answered him, That he had not in the least satisfied the Question which the Author of the Triumph had proposed, viz. That his Majesty had Usurped the Crown of England; he ought to prove the contrary afore he came to the suppositition. The
Earl of AVAUX Ambassador of FRANCE
Took his time, and the Pretress having received some Louis which he presented her with, he was immediately introduced, and brought the affair into a few words. The
ORACLE
Asked him then, How that he pretended to prove the Prince of Wales to be Legitimate; his Excellency said;
The greatest proof he had, was a Magnificent Treat, the Monsieur Albeville gave in the Prince Maurice his Pallace to all the Ministers of Forreign Courts, where we were near 300 persons that he invited.
After Mr. D'Avaux,
Mr. St. DISDIER
Advanced, and as he knew the History to the bottom, and is knowing in all things; he said to the
DIVINITY.
That it was not difficult to prove that the Queen of England had really been with Child, if one consider that the Queen Mother lay-in with Louis the XIV. after she had been barren twenty two years, which is the reason they call the King Given of God; and at this day the Prince of Wales hath the same Name, because he certainly came into the World by the gift of Heaven.
Mr. MOREAV Envoy Extraordinary from POLAND
Entred without Ceremony, and dispatched his business with a laughing air; the relish of a glass of certain delicate Wine he drank at the Pallace of Prince Maurice made him not want matter or words in speaking to the
DIVINITY.
For my part I shall prove the Prince of Wales is not supposititiou; because Mr. Albeville rose from the Table several times to fill us out to drink of a most excellent wine, and he did it with so graceful a mein, that I have reason to say, he hath not forgot his first imployment, [a Buler, or Footman.]
[Page 6]Mr. ALBEVILLE's Steward
Slipped into the Cavern without taking notice of the Pretress; and spoke thus to the
DIVINITY.
The PRETRESS
Bid him hold his Tongue, for here was nothing to do about Religion, but only to know how the Prince of Wales was Born.
The STEWARD
Answered, ‘That he had resolved to tell all that he knew; but that he was only concerned in performing the Commission he had from the Embassador the day of the Fire-works; which was to search out some English (or other unknown persons) to borrow for them white Perriwigs, a Gentiel Dress, fine Linen, Cravats, and Cuffs of French Point; and to procure them Footmen to follow, as if they had been my Lords, or other of considerable Quality, that I had order to seat them at the Table to make a figure, and fill seven or eight places, because that some of the States had no mind to come.’
The PRETRESS
(Perceiving that this Discourse displeased Monsieur Albeville who was present, who was concerned to do things honourably on such occasions; besides that what the Steward said, did more make known what was done on the day of rejoycing for the young Prince, than to prove that he was of the Blood Royal) made him retire.
As soon as the Steward had done, the Pretress introduced Monsieur D' Albeville.
The DIVINITY
Told him, ‘That all the World was surprised to see what passed at this day, and that it was a thing that all people spoke of, that one would make a supposited Child for a legitimate.’
Monsieur ALBEVILLE
Cryed out in the Discourse, calling Heaven and Earth to Witness; saying, ‘That it was a pure scandal that he had caus'd from the day that he had notice of the Birth of the Young Prince to make Fire works, which had surprised the 7 Provinces with their Beauty and Magnificence, where was to be seen the Young Prince upon a Globe, in the midst of a Triumphal Arch where these Words were written, which contain the year of his Birth.’
‘aVgVsta eX IaCobo Magno proLes DIV VIVat. M. DC. LXXXVIII.’ Which is, ‘That the Son of Great JAMES Live long.’
Upon this Triumphal Arch you might see St. George, who represented the King, trampling under his feet the Dragon of Rebellion, and abolishing the Test and Penal Laws: There one might see the good Conscience of the Jesuits, represented by the Woman that was near the Dragon, firm, and unmoved, notwithstanding the rigours of the Penal Laws. There was to be seen two Guardian Angels near the person of the Prince, to deliver him from the Ambuscades of the Quakers, Conformists, and Nonconformists, from the Presbyterians, the Arminian Bishops, the Calvinists, Lutherans, Anabaptists, and other Seets. There the Dragon was to be seen, devoured by its own proper Flames, while the Crown, and all other Figures were intire, which was a Prognostick, That his Majesty should bring about his great designs. After this, ought the Hereticks to maintain that the Young Prince is not legitimate? And that all this hath been done for a supposited Child?
The Secretary of Monsieur D' Albeville
Came forwards with all speed, and softly put his Excellency in mind to add something of a number of incomparable flying Squibs, Fire-pots, Rackets, Wheels, &c. which filled the air full of Stars, and Serpents, which proved that the Prince was legitimate, because they produced the effect that was designed.
The ORACLE
Ordered the Jesuits to enter, together with the Pricits that framed these Fire-works.
He that composed the Inscription came first, saying,
Non si commencia bene se non dal Cielo.
I have my self Composed,
Veritas & Justitia fulcimentum Throni Patris, & erunt mei: As Virtue and Justice are the support of my Father's Throne, so also shall they be of mine. I have moreover composed this fine device;
Religio & libertas, amplexatae sunt:
Liberty and Religion are united. Adding, That this was convincing, and that he had not composed this for an Insant supposited.
The Almoner of the Embassador of France
Came in his turn, and said, That he himself had Composed a short Prayer, which begun. Ad Deum Optimum Maximum pro Rege, Principe, & Gente Britanica Procuto brevis: To the Great God, for the King, Prince, and Brittish Nation, a short Prayer. After this, one ought not to question, that the Prince of Wales was not legitimate.
[Page 7]A Jesuit of the S—sh Ambassador
Pressed hard, and being come in, said, ‘That he had distributed a General Alms that Morning, and given to the poor several Shillings, and a Pint of Wine to every one to drink the Health of the Young Prince, that all this might serve to prove and disabuse the vulgar incredulity.’
All the Domesticks of Monsieur Albeville,
Came in their turn and said, That they had laboured more than 15 days to put things in order, and prepare a most sumptuous Feast: Adding, That there could not remain any doubt of the Young Princes legitimacy, since the Ambassador had been at so great expence.
All the Musicians came also, and said, That they had sung that day a very fine Te Deum, with excellent Musick, and an incomparable Symphony, composed by Monsieur Hacquart, and that this alone was fully convincing.
The Players on the Violins came also and said, that they were carried in a Boat during the time of the Feast, and that they had played the Follies of Spain, the Descent of Mars, and many other fine pieces, proper to the occasion, for to divert the Embassadors who were in the Pallace of Prince Maurice; and that all this could not be done for a supposited Child.
Those that had discharged the Cannon which came from England on purpose for this day, came and said▪ It was not reasonable to suppose so much noise made for nothing.
Those that had pierced several Tuns of Wine came also and said, That the Street was overflowed by six Fountains of excellent Wine, part Claret, and part White-wine of France and Spain; and one ought to believe that this was made for an Illegitimate Child.
An Unknown POET
Desired the Pretress to permit him to enter into the holy Cavern, to repeat some Verses which he had composed for the Glory of the Young Prince, on the day of his Triumph; he being come in said,
Some Protestant LORDS
Sliding in in the Crowd, desired the Divinity to give them Audience; one of them said, That this Young Prince had let fall his Sceptre while he was upon the ‘Globe, and that this was an ill presage. Another said, That they had given the Hydra but 6 Heads, because it was said, they would not represent by it the 7 Provinces.’
Another said, ‘That St. George was devoured by the Monster, instead of the Monster being devoured by St. George, and that all this proves manifestly, that the Child was supposited.’
The ORACLE
Ordered the Pretress to introduce
Monsieur the PRINCE, Madam la Princess d' O— & Messieurs Le ESTATS,
To see what they had to answer to so many Witnesses, who had maintained the Kings side.
The Pretress went out of the Holy Cavern, and was humbly desired, that she would dispense with them, for a great many reasons, which was granted them.
The Pretress had order to call
Dr. B—t.
Who being entred, said to the
DIVINITY.
Who desired her, That she would dispense with him from speaking of the Affairs of England, for fear of saying too much: The
DIVINITY
Ordered him to tell his thoughts of the Queens lying-in, and of the Birth of the Prince of Wales.
Dr. B—t
Answered, ‘That supposing the Prince of Wales was legitimate, and that the Queen was truly his Mother, as they would maintain. It is to be presumed, that it was extreamly the interest of the King, at a time, when his people did with difficulty obey him, to contrive, that the Queens lying-in should be made according to the forms, by calling thither all the Peers of the Realm, as was always practised in the Court of England, because it is known, that the people are naturally very difficult to perswade, they scarce believing the things they see.’
Author of the Book, whose Title is, The Mischiefs that threaten the Protestants of England.
Seeing that every one endeavoured to speak, desired the Pretress to permit him to recite a History of Puffendorfe, which proves, marvelous well, that it is easie to supposit a Young Prince, since we have in Histories many Examples of it. The
ORACLE
Ordered him to recite the said History.
Poffendorfe, a Celebrated Historian, speaking of the Kings of Spain, saith, ‘After John the II. his Son Henry the IV. the disgrace and infamy of that Crown succeeded to the Kingdom of Casteile, for since he was esteemed impotent to remove that conceit from the people, he made one Berrand Curva, lye with the Queen, and for a recompence of that service, he made him Earl of Desina; this Adultery produced a Daughter, named Jane, which Henry proclaimed Successor to the Crown. This action is the more likely to be true, because this Queen had sometime after a Bastard by another. But in fine, to discover this cheat, and to exclude Jane from succeding: They united together, and carried things so high, that they exposed upon a Theatre, the Figure of Henry dressed in all his Royal Ornaments, and after having made a Process against him, and brought an Accusation against him, they stripped him of all his Cloaths, and threw him from top to bottom. After they proclaimed Alphonsus King, Brother of Henry. But this Farce caused terrible Shocks, and furious Agitations in the Kingdom, which came to bloody Battels; at last Alphonsus died, during these Troubles, in the year 1468.’
The DIVINITY
Ordered the three Sisters of Father Peters, to be brought out of the Grote they were shut in.
The Pretress conducted them into the Holy Cavern, being veiled.
[Page 8]The ORACLE
Told, ‘That it was no longer time now to dissemble; that wanting nothing but their Depositions, they ought seriously to reflect, and to speak to him the plain truth, that all the World did with impatience expect the revealing this Mystery.’
She that stayed in London, said, ‘That she had seen one Peters her Brother, go often into three diffirent Houses where there liv'd big-belly'd Women, viz. a Baker's House, a Sword Cutlers, and a Millers, that she had followed him step by step several times, and she had observed, that he stopped oftnest at the Miller's, and that she had observed, that this Woman had been brought to Bed without any body knowing what became of the Child.’
APOLLO
Seeing that the Question had been long enough debated, made all the Powers be informed, that he was about to pronounce the Divine Oracle.
After the Divine Cavern was shut of a sudden, and the Pretress had ordered, That they ought to wash themselves in the River Hercinas; after which, to make a Sacrifice to Trophonius, and all the Family, to Apollo, to Jupiter, to Saturn, to Ceres, Europa Nurse to Trophonius, and not to eat during the three days of the Sacrificing, but of the Flesh Sacrificed, and then appeared the last time, the
DIVINITY
Accompanied with her Pretress, and there was heard throughout the Cavern many Voices saying, The Child Supposited, the Monk reigning.
The Commissioners of the High-Court of JUSTICE
Established by the Parliament, to try Charles Stuart, came in a body from the other World, causing a Sword of Justice, and the Mace to be carried before them.
The President BRADSHAW
Being placed in a Chair of Crimson Velvet, thus spoke to the
DIVINITY.
‘We have made an Unjust Process against C. Stuart, when shall we form a Just one against James II. his Son?’
The ORACLE
When the Patiance of the good English shall be weary of suffering a false Prince of Wales to be put upon them.
CROMWELL one of the Members of the High-Court
‘Advanced for a moment, out of the Crowd, and said, Jesu my God! What is it they say of James the II. all all the World cries out, and complains against him.’
ORACLE
Answers him, ‘That King James the II. is a good Jesuit, and pretends to die a Martyr of that Society.’
DUKE of MONMOVTH.
Before he presented himself to the Divinity, the Pretr [...]ss made him kiss the Statue of Apollo of Claros, and made him at the same time drink a Glas [...] of Water, called Lethe, to make him forget his shameful death, and said,
‘I made too much haste to Death, and I have lost by it. O would to God I were now living! What afair occasion should I have to secure the Libarties of the English Nation.’
The ORACLE
‘It is long since you have been predestinated by the Society, to go reign in another World.’
The Q. D—r to the ORACLE.
‘Since the death of the King my Husband, I have had no satisfaction at Court, where nothing rules out Jesuitism: And as the Society is full of fury and rage when it atracks Heresie, I have resolved to go into Portugal, to avoid the Storm that is rising: They have so moved the people, that one is obliged to suffer the Supposititiousness of the Prince of Wales.’
The ORACLE
‘The Lightnings have flashed, and the Thunder grumbled, if you love peace, and repose, stay not until the Bolts fall.’
The EMPEROR.
The same Pretresses that yet afore conducted Alexander, and V [...]spasian, into the Sanctuary of Hammon, came to introduce the Emperor Leopold, and having made him a present of a Crown of Lawrels, conducted him into the Holy Cavern, and said to the
DIVINITY.
‘I have already filled the Universe, with the News of my Victories, extended the Frontiers of my Empire even to Belgrade: Planted Christianity in all the Mosques of Mahomet: Delivered the Electors of my Empire from the Ottoman fury; snatched off the Crescent, and planted the Standard of the Roman Eagle on all the Towers of Hungary; made Rome to Triumph, and the Cross of Jesus Christ, in the midst of the terrors of War: my Generals being tired with so many labours, sollicit me to make peace: What ought I to do?’
The ORACLE.
‘Leopold, Leopold, if thou wilt believe me, hearken no more to Loyola, make Peace with the Crescent, (Turks) and War against the Sun. (France)’
Arch-Duke JOSEPH King of Hungary
Having heard of the Surrender of that Important place of Alba Regalis, came on, and said, to the
DIVINITY.
‘The Emperor my Father, hath gained on one side, and lost on the other. France hath promised not to break the Truce, and notwithstanding he every day advanceth on the Rhine, on the other side, the Jesuits promise him the Universal Monarchy, if he continues the War. I beg you to discover the mystery.’
ORACLE.
‘The Jesuits are Traytors to the Empire, banish them the Court. The’
EMPRESS
After she had ended her short Devotions at St. Stevens, where Te Deum was sung for the Prosperity of the Imperial Arms, she came and said to the
ORACLE
‘The House of Aushia hath triumphed over its greatest Enemies, and if the Emperor my Husband, would believe me, we should spill no more Ottoman blood.’
The ORACLE.
‘When the Emperor shall have shed as much French as he hath of the Ottoman Blood, he shall secure his Conquests, and have no more to fear.’
[Page 9]The GRAND SEIGNIOR, Emperour of the Turks.
Seeing afar off the Prophetick Temple, he approached the Holy Cavern, the entrance of which, was covered with Leaves of Lawrel, which bespake the Success of the Christian Arms, and making several Sighs, said to the
DIVINITY.
La illa alha Mahomet rasoul alha.
The Great God, and our great Prophet Mahomet, my Brother Sultan, is Dethroned, to raise me upon his Throne, and in despite of the Rage of my Janisaries, and of his Party, I have extinguished the Fire that burned in the heart of my Empire: Being unskilful in the Art of War, I propose a Peace, to the Christian Emperor, and I yield him all his Conquests, adding thereto, even Belgrade, fearing that my Bassaw should betray me; and that the Uncircumcised Army do not advance to Constantinople, I have ordered my Treasury to be carried into Asia, Day and Night my Priests go to the Holy Temple of Sophia, where the Alcoran is kept, and I send my Dervices to Meccha, and Medina, to Pray our Great Prophet, to have pity on the true Musselmen, and to desire the State of Venice to make Peace. The ORACLE
Notredame Cent. 3. Quat. II.
The KING of S—n, CHARLES the Second.
Afore the descended into the Divine Cavern, he was ordered, to spend a certain number of Days in a little Chappel, which is named Good Fortune, or Good Genius, after which being Introduced, he said to the
ORACLE.
All other Princes, reap Lawrels, in the Art of War, and extend the Frontiers of their Kingdoms; they become the Terror of their Subjects, and do a Thousand Famous Exploits, to Eternalize their Names; for my part I am always the same, and instead of becoming great, I diminish, I Sow in Ungrateful and Barren Earth, which produceth nothing but Brambles. The Queen my Wife, gives me no Heir, notwithstanding, the pains I take, to get her with Child. Oh! how happy is King J. the Second my Cousin, to have a Son? Oh! that the Queen my Wife had been heard, by the Lady of Loretto. I desire you to tell me, what can make my Wife to have Children?
ORACLE.
You must have at hand a good Father, such as Father Peters.
KING of P—d
Having received Orders, from the Pretress to make a confession of all the Secrets of his Life, approached, and said to the
DIVINITY.
‘I repent, to have made so much noise of my Victories gotten over the Infidels, and to have called the Emperor, and the Princes of the Empire, ungrateful. I repent me, of having Amused the Czar of Muscovy, my Allies, in promising them a great many things, I have not performed; I repent my self also, for having had more concern, for Love of France, then for Poland; I repent my self, for having suffered the Emperour to take Hungary, since I might have partaken with him, of the Plunder, of the common Enemy, I repent my not taking Caminieck, the last Compagn when its Doors were opened to me, if France had not whispered in my Ear, stay, stay. I only Ask the Crown of Poland for my Son.’
The ORACLE.
The King of France is a Fox, and if you follow his Councels, you will Live in the Hatred of your People, and your Son shall never be King.
The GRAND VISIER,
After having saluted the Oracle of Tyophonius, and drank a Glass of the Water of Hircinas, descended into the Holy Cavern, and said,
La illa alha Mahomet rasoul alha.
The new Sultan my Master would honour me with the Charge of Grand Visier, I beseech you inform me, what shall be my Fate?
The ORACLE.
Take care of your self, for the Neck of a Grand Visier draws to it the Bowstring, as naturally, as Amber doth a Straw.
The KING of D—k to the ORACLE.
I am the Spie of the Northern Crowns, and when any thing remarkable happens amongst my Neighbours, I inform the King of France of it, and the King of England; they promise me, so long as we continue Friends, we shall keep the Ballance equal, between the Emperor and the other Princes of Europe. I Answer, that I am content, so far, but I doubt France will always play the same play:
The ORACLE.
The King of France is often guilty of Deceits, take care of your self.
The ELECTOR of S—y
Making his Prayers, passed by Holland, and after having saluted the Prince of Orange, entred into the Temple, and said to the
DIVINITY.
‘I love the French Wine, but not the French, but I like better the Rhenish Wine, and I am of opinion, that I ought to drink no other, although the King of France Cries Day and Night in my Ears, my Lewisses, and my good Champagn Wine. I beseech you tell me what side I shall take.’
The ORACLE.
The Emperor's side, and that of Holland.
[Page 10] After all Ceremonies were ended, and the Lot was going to be cast, with much Respect and Veneration,
The Cardinal of FURSTENBERG
Being entred in the Holy Cavern, in haste, overturned the Lots and Urns.
The Pretress being disturbed, ordered him to speak, and he said to the
ORACLE.
‘Was there ever a Pope seen so wilfull, and stubborn, as ours now is? To have a Red Cap, I have endeavoured above Five Years, without interruption, and do so at this Day, to become Elector, and what way have I not tried? And I am not nearer it now than I was the first Year; if the King my Patron would have believed me, he should have abandoned the affair of the Franchises at the beginning, without making so much noise about it, since the advantage of being Master of the Rhine, and by that to intercept the Communication of the Empire with Flanders, and so in few Years promise himself the Conquest of Holland; It had been better to have made an Exchange, of a Bull, with his Right of the Franchises, which is only,—without endeavouring to vex the Holy Father in his Old Age.’
The ORACLE.
For to have a Bull, and to make the Holy Father agree with his Eldest Son, it is necessary that Marshal D'Estree quit the Barbarous Algeirs, to come and Bombard the Holy See at Rome.
Dr. MOLINOS, the Cardinal PETRUCCI, the Cardinal CICERO DON LIVIO DUCK DE CICERI, Nephew of the Pope, and other Quietists.
Doctor Molinos, slepping forwards, said to the
ORACLE.
‘Praised be God, the Holy Father hath made us accounted Hereticks, and he is one himself, if it is true, that he is a Quierest, as it is reported; the Inquisition having examined him, were about shutting him up in the Minerva, if the Cardinal D'Estre, (who betrayed me, as Judas did our Saviour) had not prevailed with him, that he ought to dissemble, which saved him. I beseech you to inform me, How long this Intrigue shall last.’
The ORACLE.
In our Age the Power of the holy See is a Tyranny, which Sacrifices all to its Interests.
Madam of MONTESPAN.
After much Ceremony she whispered the God in the Ear, and asked him what she would, at last she stopped her Ears with her Hands, and went out, coming in again, and said to the
ORACLE.
‘I have endured a great many difficulties since my Affairs went backwards at Court, the Good Man loves me no more, and the Old Hag Maintenon hath done me the good office, she hath so buzzed the Ears of the King with the Merit of Mounsieur Scarron, that it hath made him have a mind to turn Poet. For my part not knowing to what Saint to pay my Vows, after having lost the Great Louis, I am resolved to imitate La Valliere.’
The ORACLE.
To learn to string Pater Nosters is a poor Life for Montespan.
Madam of MAINTENON
Took the way of the Temple accompanied by Father La Chese, who entertained her with the new Converts of France, and the hopes he had to see England in the same State, by the Care the Society took to provide a Successor to the Crown; Maintenon being come near said to the
DIVINITY.
‘That Father La Chese had informed her, that his Penitent by many repeated Confessions, that he always had a Passion for the Fair Sex, that neither Age, nor the Severities of Pennance, could ever reclaim him, we have a mind to Marry together, to the end that we may lead a good Life, and that there be no more discourse in the Royal Family of a Divorce. I beseech you tell me, if I, being 60 Years Old, may yet be able to bring forth a Brother to the Dauphin; His Majesty saith, he will keep only to me.’
The ORACLE.
‘The Fathers of Loyola have excellent Secrets, you being a Daughter of the Society, I would have Father Peters inform you how the Prince of W. came into the World.’
The Mareschal of ESTRES, Vice-Admiral of France, To the ORACLE.
‘I have two great Designs to Execute, the first obligeth me to destroy Algiers, and totally to burn that Barbarous People out of their Nests, and on the Ashes of this Rebellious Place I ought to Erect a Statue to His Majesty, like to that which the Duke of Tuillade hath put up in the place of Victory, to the end that the Name of Great Louis may become the Terror of all Africa, as it is of all Europe, and that the Report of his great Victories may be conveyed by the Waters of the Mediterranean to the Ocean, and by the Ocean to the Four Extremities of the World. And in the second place, I have Orders to go as soon as I can to the Coast of England to make that Rebellious Nation tremble at the Will of King James, and to oblige the House of Lords and Commons to Revoke the Tests and Penal Laws.’
The ORACLE.
These Barbarians are turbulent, and resolved to fight well. And the English expect only a contrary Wind to [Page 11] prove to King J. and to Peters his Almoner, that the Prince of W. is Supposited.
The SWISSES to the ORACLE.
‘The King of France our Uncle is at length tired with ingaging us to the Germans in Wars. And we have managed the Affair so well, that he hath left poor Geneva in Peace. He is contented to see if we are afraid, but seeing the Swisses have always a good Stomach, and Drink well, his Counsel of Conscience have not judged it proper to Bleed them; so that he is retired from us without bidding us farewel. We beseech you to inform us, if he will ever return again.’
The ORACLE.
The King your Uncle often makes such Braggings.
GENEVA to the ORACLE.
The King of France, hath at last, granted us a Truce, for some Months, because his Affairs press him a little too hard, on the Rhine, his Pretensions on the Palatmate, his Franchises at Rome, the Stubborness of the Holy Father, the Election of Furstenberg, have so imployed him, during the Spring, that he hath desired us, by his Resident, to excuse him, if he defers the Business to a fitter Opportunity. Besides, That the new Converts cut him out so much Work, that he knows not which way to turn him: In the mean time Father La Chese, makes him believe, that before he dies, he shall enter with his Coach and Horses into the greatest Church of Geneva, adding, That he ought to keep fair, and expect until his Brother King J. hath equipped his Fleet.
The ORACLE.
Watch and pray, for you know not the Hour when the Thief will come.
The ALGERINES to the ORACLE.
The King of France is a terrible Champion; after having purged the Hereticks out of his Kingdom, he imagines to purge the Sea of Pyrates, and to make the Coasts of Barbary a Desert: This is a great Design, and worthy of a great Monarch; but the Algerines have already passed so many times through the Fire of their Bombs and Carcasses, that they are become half Devils, that Hell-Fire cannot burn them. If our Houses were built so as his Versai'les is, it had been long since reduced to Ashes, and the Pallace of M'ezemorto had been nothing but a Tomb; but they are built of a certain Cement, which the Fire cannot hurt; and the Three thousand Bombs which the Marthal of Estres discharged against us, have done no more harm, than Bullets shot into the Air. Barbarian against Barbarian; he that is the most barbarous shall conquer: All the French that are in our Power shall be put in the Mouth of a Cannon; we have shot them the Consul already, expecting to send them their King, if ever he fall into our Hands.
The ORACLE.
You ought to keep him Prisoner.
All the ELECTORS of the EMPIRE.
We are incompassed with the Claws of the Eagle, and the Paws of the Fox: The great Leopold on the side ingrosses Villages, Provinces, and Kingdoms. The great Louis on the other side ravages amongst us, sometimes as a Lion, and sometimes as a Fox, making his Bombs thunder amongst us; making a thousand fair Promises, to one, to oblige him to sell his best places to them for their Liberty; to others, for to truck, exchange, or engage their Soveraignty. The great Leopold seeing all these Contrivances, adviseth us, under hand, to have a care of such delusive Promises: The great Louis, on his side, whispers us by his Spies, Take care of your selves, Leopold becomes too powerful for you; you will shortly become Slaves of the House of Austria: We beseech thee tell us which is our true Interest.
The ORACLE.
Your true Interest is, to joyn with the Emperor and the Empire, and to be of Opinion always, That the Fox will do his Endeavour to catch the Eagle and her Eagless.
The Arch-bishop of PARIS to the ORACLE.
‘I have hitherto done all the Good, and all the Ill, I could unto the Hugonots, in order to get a Cardinals Cap, and I have only a Mitre: The Bishop of Camus, that is reputed a Heretick, and is really so in his Heart as well as the Cardinal of Furstenberg, who is a very Libertine, given up to his Pleasures, and hath got a Cap with ease: And I who daily sing Vespers, and assist at the holy Offices, with the Piety and Zeal of greatest Prelate, is it possible that I should have nothing to cover my Ears in my old Age?’
The ORACLE.
It is true indeed, you are a great Mimmick, but the holy Father doth not reward Grimaces.
All the CANNONS of the Chapter of COLLOIGNE
Came in a Body, and after having drank a Glass of the Water of the River Hircinas, and made a Sacrifice to the God Trophonius, they entered into the holy Cavern, and said to the
ORACLE.
‘The Cardinal of Furstenberg is not worthy to wear the Electoral Bonnet, since the holy Father is not willing he should: If we had the Power, neither should the Prince of Bavaria, for we have received nothing from him; as to Furstenburg we very much fear.’
The ORACLE.
For fear, lest they strangle you, for the sure Charge is great, Qualitas bona, Quantitas mala, aiunt medici, The Physitians say the Quality is good, but the Quantity is ill.
All the Monks of FRANCE.
Were carried by the Pretress into the Chappel of good Genius, and being first laid on the Earth, they entred the holy Cavern, after which the
[Page 12]DIVINITY.
Ordered them to sing some Exaudions in Musick, with a loud Voice.
Omnes Sancti in C [...]elis, Exaudions, & Orate pro nobis, (All the Holy in Heaven, hear us, and pray for us,) when the Quire began to repeat the Ora pro nobis, the Pretress Ordered the most Ancient and
VENERABLEST
to speak, and they said to the
ORACLE.
‘At this time, we are the most Powerful part of the Government, under the Protection of a great King, we live in Peace, Ease, fatted with the Blood of the People, we fear neither War, nor Peace, and heaping up Riches, we become so powerful, that we give Laws to the Princes of the Earth, and it is by us that Kings Reign; we have secret ways to insinuate our selves, and every one of us endeavours to play his part: We make Rich and Poor when we please; we affect to be counted Men of Estates, and to be Wicked, when we have a mind, and under the Cheating Mask of Vertue and Vice, we seduce the People, Hypocrisie is the highest degree of Perfection, and the Wisest, most Pious, and Honestest, amongst us is a great Hypocrite; we have not made Virtue consist in a severe exercise of good Thoughts, as the Ancient Philosophers did, who not having the true way of injoying this World, have lived in the middle, between Good and Evil, without coming to Extreams; in short, we have so well Sung for Six or Seven Months, that the Queen of England hath at length had a Son.’
The DIVINITY.
Supposited.
Count TECKELY
Came out of this Den, imitating the Savage-Beasts, who suffer themselves to be seen, when the Hunters and Dogs are retired out of the Field.
The PRETRESS
Surprised to see him yet alive, made many Acclamations of Joy, Crying Helas; Helas, and immediately presented him with a Glass of the Water of the River Hercinas, for—and made him sit a Moment to rest himself, after which he was conducted into the Holy Cave, and spake thus to the
DIVINITY.
‘You see here the most Wretched and Unfortunate Prince that ever was, notwithstanding, I am still living, by the Powerful Arm of the great God, who hath always preserved me from the Hatred of the Emperor my capital Enemy; against the King of France who hath betrayed me; against the Cursed Race of the Jesuits, who have tried a Thousand ways to Sacrisice me to their Rage. Against the Grand Seig [...]ior, who cares for me no more than I am serviceable to him; and in fine, against a Thousand and a Thousand Enemies, who are contriving my Death. You see me a Fugitive, and Robbed of a Crown, which the Arch-Duke Joseph wears for the Love of me. Yet notwithstanding I have not lost my Courage▪ and such as you see me, I give a great deal of trouble to my Enemies.’
The ORACLE.
As long as thou livest thou shalt be between the two Rocks, always in danger—the Fathers of Loyola have surrounded thee like so many hungry Wolves seeking to devour thee.
Mounsieur le Cardinal de CAMUS.
Being conducted to the Holy Cavern, one of the Pretress gave him her hand to help him to go down, lest he should fall; being come near, he made a Narration of his History, in an Eloquent manner, and said to the
ORACLE.
‘You see here a Fisherman, like other Men; pardon I beseech you the term which seems to be contrary to the custom, since I have all reason imaginable to praise my self, if I have any regard to that Great and August Dignity the Purple hath raised me to; God be praised, I take a Glory to be Humble, as much as my proper Nature will permit me. You have been informed, without doubt, that it is my Zeal, and that I endeavour to acquit my self of the Duty, to which the Charge of Pastor, engageth me, by the pains I take to gather together the poor Sheep strayed about the Holy Mother-Church. You know that I blame extreamly the ways of Rigor and Tyranny which is exercised, and that on the Consciences of Persons, whose greatest Guilt is, that they pray to God in the purity of their Heart. That I have Preached, and still do so that this harsh way is wholly opposite to the Christian Religion. That I endeavour to prove it by all the Fathers of the Church, who never had any other way, than by Sweetness and Humanity: In short, I have said it, allow'd in the Chair, and shall eternally say it, of the Reverend Fathers of the Society, who Vomit out every Day their Gall and Rage against me; I leave them to their Opinions, and I have acted at present with so much Boldness, that the Holy Father begins to approve of my Conduct, and his Majesty on the other side Orders that I be taken for a Model and Example. In short, you may see what I do, and what I have done hitherto. But one thing goes extreamly to my heart, and if I did dare to tell you, it is, that I am of the Opinion of those poor People whom they Persecute so much. As to what remains to be said, it is delicate, and I beseech you that it may be permitted, that I may be suspected such, but that the truth be never known.’
ORACLE.
Jansenist, take care of your self.
The Duke of BAVARIA.
The Prestress having conducted him into the Cavern, made him drink a Glass of the Water of the River Hercinas, and bid him shut his Eyes, and speak to the
[Page 13]DIVINITY.
‘Since my Marriage with the Daughter of the Empire, I have always got Victories, and gathered Lawrels, and the Ottoman War hath been my Apprentiship. I have abandoned the Interest of France, in quitting a considerable Pension which she gave me, because it blotted my Glory, I have Married my Sister to the Dauphin of France, he hath cost me nothing, and what I have lost on one side, I have gained on the other. I have failed in being Governour of the Spanish Low Countries, by a Grant which the King of Spain would have made me, but it gave a Jealousie to France, and this Affair is put off to another time. I have refused the Alliance of a Bastard, that was offered me, because it did not consist with my Honour, besides it would have made me a Slave to a Crown, that doth nothing but for Interest. At this time they Court me more than ever, the Emperor, my Father in Law, promiseth me that there shall be no more Jealousie between me and Lorrain, and that I shall have the sole Command of all his Arms. The King of France promiseth me that I shall share with him in Spain, in Flanders, in Mallaine, in Perne, and Mexico, and in all the Goods of his Brother in Law, after his Death; what side ought I to take?’
The ORACLE.
The Empires side, in preferring thy own Glory, to that of the Emperor, and all the Electors, to the Castles in Spain, and to the Deceitful Promises of France.
The PRETRESS.
Seeing coming the
PARTISANS of FRANCE,
Came before them by the Chappel of Good Fortune, before they entred into the Holy Cavern.
The PRETRESS.
Ordered, The most antient to sit in the Chair of Mnemosine, and to make a long Discourse; having shut his Eyes, and opened his Mouth, he spoke thus to the
DIVINITY;
‘We are a Race Cursed by God, Bloody to the poor People, Disturbers of the Publick Quiet, and Preservers of the Royal Authority; without us, the Kings would be Soveraigns without Power, of Power without Arms, of Riches without Silver; we grow Fat in the midst of Plenty and Poverty, and we have the Secret to find Money where there is none. In short, great Divinity, St. Louis, yet afore, was only a poor Saint of Wood, and we have made him at this Day a Saint of Gold, and when you shall see the Embassadors of the King of Siam, and of the King of China, Wise Men come from the the East, and powerful Kings send their Embassadors from another World, let not this surprise you: You ought to know, that all the Powers of the Earth are obliged to give him Marks of their Submission, (because this serves for his Glory.) In the mean time, he seems to have forgot from whence he came, that he hath forgot his good Friends, he is become so fierce of late Years. in relation to us, that we dare no more look upon him. And above all, since the Reverend Fathers of the Society have put him in the head, to chase away the Hugonots, without considering, that this doth us wrong; farther he hath taken care to purge us from time to time with good Taxes, for fear, left we growing too Rich, we should be able to make War with him; but the Revenue begins to diminish, and lessens every day more and more by the great number of Refuges, who have quitted, and daily do quit, the Kingdom; who being the fat and strength of the Nation, and Rich, and the best Pay-matters that we had, what shall we do now for Money? The’
ORACLE.
Establish real to Ruin the Nobility.
The Reverend Father TACHART Jesuit and Embassador of the King of SIAM, to the Court of France,
Was no sooner arrived at the Sanctuary of Hammond, but all the Pretresses of the Divinity went out to see his Dress, there was one who would have him Dance, the Reverend Father having lifted up his Triangular Bonnet, saluted him with a Kiss, praying him to excuse him, and to introduce him into the Holy Cavern; the Twelve Mandarines that accompanied them were ordered to stay in the Chappel of Good Genius, the Reverend Father Tachart being come near, said to the
ORACLE.
‘I am the Embassador of a great King, and I come from the other World to make an Alliance between Mahomet and the Christians. The Society have chosen me, an Apostle, who ought to plant the Gospel in the Kingdom of Siam. I have perswaded the King of Siam to send his Son to the Court of France, for to learn the Art there of Converting Hereticks, to the end that we may suddenly go to Hunt r e new Converts through all the Indies, I have already introduced into the chief Commands of the Kingdom the principal Members of our Society, and the King of Siam himself is a Zealous Catholick, who hath been a Zealous Idolater. The’
ORACLE.
It much concerns the Society, for the execution of their great Designs, to Transport to the Indies a Naval Army of French Dragoons.
Monsieur Le Marquiss de LOUVOIS, and Monsieur de VAVBAN Ingeneer-General of France,
Having a mind to visit the Frontier places, to see if all be in a good condition on this side of the Rhine, in case the Emperor, and his Allies should openly oppose the Election of the Cardinal of Furstenberg;
The PRETRESS
Seeing then appear,
Mounsieur, the Marques of LOUVOIS
Came on first, and was conducted without loss of time, into the Chappel of good Genius, where he saluted the Apollo of Claros, in passing, and from thence he came into the holy Cavern, and spoke thus to the
ORACLE.
‘His Majesty is for War, and I for Peace, he is resoived to make his Troops enter Cologne, and make Furstenberg Elector, in despite of the Pope and the Empire. and for my part. I am of a contrary opinion; I represent to him the pitiful condition that France is in at this time, its Coffers are empty, its Trade ruined, the new Converts ready to put off the Mask at the first Signal. I represent to him all the Electors of the Empire, and Holland, expecting War with impatience, prudence is my Councel, and as long as we fish in troubled Waters, I shall be always for Peace, fearing to lose in one Campagne what we have gained in six.’
The ORACLE.
So long as the Ottoman War shall last, the Deceitful Promises shall do more than Powerful Enemies.
Mounsieur de VAVBAN
Who was busie in considering the Avenue to the Holy Cave, and had already drawn on his Tablets, all that he saw curious in the Chappel of Good Genius, he was ordered by the Pretress to meddle no more with his Tablets, but to speak his business, and to retire as fast as he could; having shut his Eyes, and opened his Mouth, he spoke to the
[Page 14]ORACLE.
‘We have no rest Day nor Night, and we are in a perpetual Motion, as the Water of a River that runs without ceasing; and we run from Province to Province, from place to place, and from Frontier to Frontier; they may call us Fools. The Glory of our great Monarch, to which we Sacrifice all our Pains and Travels, is at present a great Idol we Adore, which will erect to us eternal Monuments, which all Ages will admire; all the Monks of France, chiefly the Jesuits, say that the Ring is Immortal, and that the Empire, as well as all the other Potentates of Europe, will be obliged to submit to his Yoak, and to rank themselves under his Obedience; we beseech thee inform us, what will be the Destiny of the Great Louis.’
The ORACLE.
The Great Louis hath Enemies without number, who expect only the reverse of the Medal. That he always endeavours for Peace, in making a shew of declaring War, and this is his great Policy.
The Count de RAUNTS,
Embassador of his Having received Order from the Emperor, and Electors of the Empire, to go immediately to the Holy Cavern, came forwards, and said to the
ORACLE,
‘France hath endeavoured, for many Years, by his Money, and his Menaces, to make the Cardinal of Furstenberg Elector of Cologne; the Emperor hath ordered me to represent to the Illustrious and most Reverend Chapter of Cologne, that the said Cardinal, altho' a German by Birth, is gained to be a Slave to the Crown of France: That he hath often times betrayed the Empire, and its Members, that he brought the War within the Diocess, and made it a Bloody Theatre, that he dismembred Strasburgh from the Empire, and delivered the Citadel of Leige to a powerful Stranger; that at this Day he Quarters the French Troops in the strong places of the Diocess; that he Fortifies Bonn with the Leuis of Gold which the King his Protector lends him, in hopes of being reimbursed by him, in resigning Cologne to him.’
The ORACLE.
The Empire is a Machine difficult to manage, and France will Conquer it all, so long as Misunderstandings reigns amongst them.
All the MONKS, and all the PRIESTS, of the Spanish Low Countries, to the ORACLE.
‘Since the Queen of England was brought to Bed, we are ordered, by the Holy Father, and all the Clergy of Spain, to Sing Ora pro nobis, and to Pray our Lady of Loretto, that the Queen of Spain may be with Child also. If the Princess of Orange and her Sister the Princess of Denmark, were not Hereticks, we could at the same time Pray for them, and they should have no cause to complain, if it happen that they remain Barren, while all the other Princes of Europe have reason to rejoice at their Fruitfulness.’
The ORACLE
In Barrenness, Father of Marvelous Effect, as well as the assistance of some good Father:
The most Serene Republick of VENICE came forward, attended by all the Senators; Morosini spoke, in Quality of the Doge, and said to the
DIVINITY.
‘We have purged one part of Greece, the Adriatick Gulph, the Morea, and some of the Islands of the Archipelago, of infamous Mahometism, and we are about placing the Standard of Christians in all the Churches of Constantinople. The Ports of the Holy Sophia are open to us, the Impostor Mahomet shall shortly have no Sanctuary, but the fearful Deserts of Arabia, the Emperour, our Allie, solicites us to make Peace; all Italy represents to us that France makes advantage of our Conquests. If we suffer him to pass the Alps, and if he advance on the Rhine, what ought we to do?’
The ORACLE.
All Europe enjoys Peace in the East, and wish the War were in the West. But since you have gone so far, take Candia to assure the Conquests.
The King of SIAM to the ORACLE.
‘I have sent the Reverend Father Tachart, of the Society of Jesus, in Quality of Embassador Extraordinary, to the Court of France, there to treat of the Means to Convert my People from Idolatry, and to break Commerce with the Hollanders. Part of the Pagods of my Kingdoms are already Consecrated to Christianity, and have purged them of Marmasets; and of False Gods, with which they were filled. The Reverend Father Tachart hath Counselled him to put in their places the Statues of St. Louis, and St. Ignatius. On the other part, I have set out a Fleet, and I have built Fortresses on the Frontiers of my Countries, and the King of France hath sent me Ingineers, and he desires me to send my Son to him, that he may be Taught the Art of Reigning. The Jesuits perswade me to be willing that the Dragoons come, as Missionaries, from France, to Convert my People. I beg of you to inform me what I shall do.’
The ORACLE.
A good Dragoon is a good Apostle, but hath no Faith, Law, or Baptism.
The King of PERSIA to the ORACLE.
‘We are at the end of the World, if it be true that the Evangilest of Jesus Christ is Preached thro' all the Habitable Earth. There is no other Discourse, but of making New Converts, as if the Son of God was come. The King of Siam my Brother hath chosen rather to embrace the Cross than the Alchoran, and a great many open the Port of the East to the Fathers of Loyola, who advance in Troops, and assembles in the Indies like Wild Loupes. If the Prophets accomplish their Prophesies, and my Brother the Sultan is driven out of Europe, Constantinople, and all the Holy Places of our Prophet Mahomet's Repose, will be purged of Mahometism, and I only shall be left in Asia; I beseech you what must I do to continue the Circumcised, that they may spread over the whole World like an Universal Fire. And will not they Reduce to Cinders the Mosques of the Great God, if we do not take hold of this opportunity?’
The ORACLE.
The surest Remedy that can be, is to make a great Rampart Wall from Ispaham to the Frontiers of Persia, which may make a Tower of a Kingdom, to hinder the Fathers of Loyola from entring.
The Canade, or New-France, to the ORACLE.
‘There is no finer Countries in the World for the Chasing the new Converts, than this is, if the Fathers of Loyola will believe us, one passeth whole America, and principally into Canada, where are several great and vast Campagnes, Mountains, and Forrests, where the Land flows with Milk and Honey, where the Taste and Delicateness is to be prefer'd to the best Chicken in France. If the Great Louis was well Counsell'd, he would let them Sing no more in his Kingdom, for fear that France in the end should become a frightful Desert where none but the Society of Jesuits Inhabit.’