WHEN with our Pens we approach Majesty, and undertake to Write the Actions of Illustrious Persons, who deservedly command a Character suitable to their Great­ness, we ought to move with such caution and care, that hast and un­advisedness will not permit of: There is a kind of Veneration due, & therefore the Ballance ought to be [Page 2]poifed with all the justness and even­ness imaginable; or like those that raise a stately Fabrick, lay a Foun­dation suitable to the intended Su­perstructure, Express it in such Words and Truths, as may put gain­sayers to Silence, or convince preju­diced Persons (if any such there be) of their Errors: And if ever a de­serving History, of a sublime Nature, prest the Pens of Men, to Celebrate a Memory worthy to be Character'd in Gold and Crown'd with Stars, we here (though in Sorrow for the Worlds enestimable loss) have found it; and with humble submission ap­proach, with willingness, however weak and defficient our endeavours may prove; and labour to pay a Tribute due to one, whose high De­serts and wonderous Excellencies, express themselves in a liveliness be­yond the Eloquence of the smoothest Oratory, or the frame of Words can utter: Though Tears or Grief, after such a Loss, would let them flow [Page 3]with all the Sweetness Rhetoritions can model or contrive.

THE Queen! That very Name gives scope to thoughts, and delates them like expanded Gold: But when with that Name, Her Virtues are consider'd, we find them bound­less or unlimited; and our selves at a loss to bring them to Center in suitable expressions.

THIS Great Princess, so long the Joy of Three Kingdoms, and the Peoples Blessing, Descended by the Fathers side, from a long Race of Princes, that sway'd the Brittish Scepter; Memorable in History for great Actions; and Renown'd at Home and Abroad. She was Eldest Daughter to the Late King James, by his first Wife Ann, Dutchess of York, Daughter to the Earl of Clar­endon. She was Born at the Royal Pallace of St. James's, on the 30th. of April, 1662. when the Nations Joy was arriv'd at an Extraordinary height, for the Settlement and Hap­piness [Page 4]it found under the easie Government of a Restor'd King, (viz. King Charles the Second.) Which Joy was yet more encreased. by the Birth of an Illustrious Princess, that in her Infancy gave hopes of those great and Glorious things, that have been since manifested to the World.

THIS happy News being soon spread through the three King­doms, great were the Congratulati­ons and Joy, Bells Ringing every where, and Bonfires and Illumina­tions were in all Remarkable Places; and many Rich Presents, by the Nobles and Ladys at Court, were made to the Royal Infant. And She was Christened according to the Ceremonies of the Church of England; and, after her Royal Grand­mother, Named MARY. Tended and Nurs'd she was with great care, in the most Royal manner. And as God gave her a Beautiful Shape and Countinance, to which were added, [Page 5]a Pomp of winning Graces, even in her tender Years, so he was pleased to continue towards her, a Health­ful Constitution of Body, for the most part; and Endowed her with an Aire and Livelyness beyond those of her Years.

BUT not to insist upon her In­fancy, when she was in her Cradle; we find she was no sooner capable of Education, but King Charles her Uncle, (of Blessed Memory) took care she should be Educated in the Protestant Religion, as Established in the Church of England. Which Royal Care, suited extreamly with her Own Inclination; and having Tutors appointed to Instruct her in all that is good and Princely, so far as the Capacity of her Years would admit, She was Grounded in that Religion and those Virtues, that have rendred her a Blessing to these Nations, and made her a Pattern to all suc­ceeding Ages; and Her Loss for­ever to be Deplor'd and Lamented.

HER Abhorrence of the Romish Superstitions, and the Cruelties of that Bloody Church, was very early Imbibed; which made Her not only keep at a distance Her Self, but labour to prevent others from Wading into those Errors, by her Perswasions and Favours.

THE Scripture, as soon as She had Learn'd well to Read, She made Her Delight. She Frequent­ed the Chappel upon all Opportuni­tys, and Solemn Occasions that Offered; and was Extraordinary Attentive to the Prayers and Ser­mons, and very Fervent in her own Devotions: Heeding but little the Pastimes and Pleasures that then were at Height in the Court. And though being a Princess of Gran­deur, and in a station of Eminency, yet She carry'd Her Self with that Courteous Obliging Modesty, to­wards Her Inferious, that Won Her a Place in their Hearts, that could not be taken up by any other, or ever Obliterated.

THIS Early Sprouting of Pie­ty, in the best of Princesses, was only as a Prodrom or Forerunner of an enlargement of Excellent things; as the Eastern Streaks of Light, foretelling the Rising of the Sun, to Refresh the World with Kindly Heat; and Render it Gay and Love­ly, in its Fragrancy and Fruitful­ness.

THIS made Queen Catharine, her Royal Aunt, highly Love and Esteem her, as a Jewel in Nature, Admiring her Virtue, (though she differed from her in Opinion, as to Religion.) And indeed, seeing that King Charles had not any Issue by his Queen, the Eyes of the Na­tion were upon this Illustrious Princess, as a Flourishing Branch, proceeding from the Royal Stem. Under whose Shaddowing Protect­ion, we have since sat secure, till our Grief disturbed us, by Her Changing this Life for One more Glorious.

HER Charity, even in Her ten­der Years, was not only great to the Poor, in hard and necessitous Times, but she stired up others, by her In­citements, to Imitate her Pious Ex­ample, which is so great an Ornament to the Christian Religion; and Stu­died how she might best dispose of her Royal Bounties, to those that stood most in need of them. Caus­ing Enquiry to be made for Poor, Decay'd, Suffering Houskeepers and Orphans, that were by the Death of their Parents, expos'd to a desperate Fortune; and there her seasonable Relief came. Which made the Souls of the Hungry Bless her; and send up Prayers to Almighty God for so worthy a Benefactoress.

SHE was about Nine Years of Age when the first Afflicting Sor­row came near her Heart, for the Death of her Illustrious Mother, Ann Dutchess of York: Who, after a long Indisposition, at her Pallace of St James's, in the County of Mid­dlesex, [Page 9]Dyed on the 31st. of March, Greatly Lamented of the whole Nation, but Especially of this Pious Princess, whose Tender Heart found then the first touches of Sorrow, for the Loss of so Kind and Indulgent a Mother: And in­deed, this Great Dutchess was a Happy Providence to these King­doms, whose Fruitful Womb Blest us with Two Protestant Princesses, Matchless for Piety and Virtue; and those Excellent Graces that Adorn the Sex. To one of which, next to God, and our Gracious Soveraign, we are Beholden to for our Pre­servation, from an Inundation of many Miseries, that Threaten'd us from a Party that have all along Labour'd to Undermine the Esta­blished Church and Government.

THE Court upon the Death of this Great Lady, went into Deep Mourning, and the Funeral Solemni­tys, were performed with all the Decency, and Solemn Pomp, that [Page 10]suited her High Degree, after she had brought into the World Three Princes, and Three Princesses, Viz.

I. Charles her First Son, who was Created Duke of Cambridge, Born the First of January, 1660. Who Dyed at Richmond the 20th. of June, 1667.

II. The Princess MARY, after­ward our Gracious Queen, the Principal Subject of this History, the Time and Place of whose Birth, is already mentioned.

III. A Second Son, Born on the 12th of January, 1663, and Christ­ned James on the 22d. of the same Month, and Created Duke of Ken­dale. Who Dyed at St. James's the 26th of May, 1667.

IV. Of a Third Son, on July the 4th. 1666.

V. Of a Second Daughter, on the 13th of January 1668. Who was on the 15th of that Month Christned Heneretta, and Dyed, at [Page 11]St. James's on the 15th of Novem­ber, 1669.

VI. Of another Daughter, after­wards Named Ann, now Her Roy­al Highness, the Princess of Den­mark.

AND here though we take a Sad and Melancholy Survey of the Loss of so many Princes &c. in their Infancy, yet God was aboundant in his Mercys, in preserving the Glo­ry and Lustre of the Royal Family, to make the Nation Amends, for those Happy Souls he had so timely taken to himself, from a Trouble­some World to a more Happy State, in Joys that far Transcend the Value of all Earthly Crowns.

FROM this sadness that Afflict­ed the Spirits of a Young Princess, that she might be averted, and draw in Comforts to Chear and Enliven her Drooping Spirits, she was pre­sent at Divers Masques, and Balls, held at Court, so soon as the time of the General Mourning was con­veniently [Page 12]over, and would Decent­ly admit of Mirth to Dissipate the Clouds of Sadness that hung about it. And not long after, the Duke after the Loss of his Dutchess, be­thought himself of a Second Marri­age, and Pitched upon Mary, the Duke of Modena's Daughter, which Negotiation, was opposed by the Parliament, then sitting. Yet, not­withstanding all their endeavours to avert it, and place his Mind on a Protestant Princess, The Marriage by Proxie was concluded, and on the 21st of November, 1673, She and her Mother Arrived at Dover, On Board the Ship appointed for their Equipage; and soon after the Marriage was Solemnized, with little Pomp, because it seemed not greatly pleasing to the Nation.

THE Illustrious Princess Marys Resentments on this Match, we do not undertake to determine; tho' we do not think, a Lady of a con­trary Religion, and different In­terest, [Page 13]could be much pleasing to her, yet such was her Generous Temper, that she chose rather to keep her thoughts in the Sacred Cabinet of her Pious Breast, than to utter them, and when on the 10th of January 1675, the New Dutchess was brought to Bed of a Daughter, at St. James's, at the Splendid Christening of this Infant, the Princess Mary, and her Sister, the Princess Ann, were to stand Godmothers, and the Duke of Mon­mouth was Godfather. The Child was Christned, Catharina Laura, but Lived not any considerable time after.

And now our Pious Princess, con­sidering the Institutions of the Church she was Baptised into, and that after being Baptised, Confirma­tion, when we come to more Ma­ture Years, is requisite, She and the Lady Ann were Confirmed at Whitehall, by the Dean of the Chap­pel, with the usual Ceremonies, and [Page 14]all the Devotions that is appoint­ed on so Solemn Occasion.

KING Charles soon after this, desirous to prefer his Illustrious Neices to Protestant Princes, for the security of our Religion, and the welfare of the Kingdom; seeing he had no Issue by Donna Catharina his Queen: Refusing all others pitch'd upon the Illustrious Prince of Orange. A Prince Descended from one of the Greatest, and most Noblest Houses in Europe; whose Ancestors have Signaliz'd their Conduct and Courage like Heroes and Worthys; and thereby Riveted their Names to Eternity, and lest a grateful Me­mory to all Posterity; as being the Liberators of the Opressed, and the often Confirmers of the Peace of Europe: Setling the most thriving and prosperous States in the World; and what is more, Mantained it, from its Infancy, against Opressors. But, as if all their Virtues and Cou­rage had centered in this Prince, (our [Page 15]most Gracious Soveraign) the Wonders He has done, comprize, and in a higher measure do exceed, their many Great Exploits. But to come nearer to our purpose.

The Fair and Virtuous Princess having been seen by this Illustrious Prince, when he was in England, to Visit his Royal Relations, Land­ing on the 30th of October, 1670 So much Virtue and Innocent Good­ness, no doubt made some impres­sions on his Mind, to consider, and esteem her above all other Princesses in Europe, as were not Obliterated, by the spaces of time, that inter­ven'd between that and the hap­py joining of their Hands, in the Sacred Marriage Ties, that brought so great a Blessing to these King­doms, and to show what high e­steem the Nation had then of a Prince, whose Virtues early Flou­rished, and whose Fame was Loud in Courts and Camps, for Prudent [Page 16]Councils and Martial Deeds.

THE Lord-Mayor, and Court of Aldermen, on the 10th of Novem­ber, (after his Arival, and having been Caressed by the Court, and Obliged with all the Splendid Enter­tainment it could afford) Waited upon him, to Welcome him to England, and on the 6th of De­cember, he did them the Honour to Dine with them at Drapers-Hall, where he was highly Congratulated, and splendidly Entertained, and by the Shouts and Acclamations of the people, the Citys Genious seem'd then to Bend to him, as a Fortunate presage of the deliverance she might expect from him in her greatest distresses, and after found Accom­plished.

THE City having expressed their Joy to be Honoured in the presence of so Illustrious a Prince, of the Roy­al Stem, the Vniversity of Oxford (the Seed-Plat of Learning, and Virtuous Education, from whence [Page 17]chiefly streams, those Pious Pastors of the Church, that by their unwearied endeavours, make Religion Flourish among us) was Graced by his pre­sence. For going from the Court to Windsor, he took his way from thence, and was received by the Heads of the Colledges in their For­malities, and, being highly Treated, took a view of all that is Rare and Curious, in that Antient City. &c. And was pleased (as a mark of the Satisfaction he received) to ac­cept of a Degree; and so returning to London, on the 23d of December, he there kept his Christmass, in the nighest Splendor the Court was ca­pable of performing. And on the 13th of February took his leave of the King, Duke, and Princesses, in order to his Return to Holland, where he happily Ariv'd, with a Fair Wind, in a few days.

HE was Congratulated upon his Return by the States General, and thief Nobility and Gentry of His Na­tion.

AS we have before hinted, after this happy interview, King Charles bending his mind to bring about a Match, which proved grateful to the greatest part of Christendom, he sent Divers English Noblemen, to Invite him over a second time, who found him in Arms amidst his Vic­tories, repelling the Armys of the Invader, and Disturber of his Coun­trey.

AND having delivered their Welcome Message, finding, without great disadvantage, he could not oblige the French to a Battle, he drew near with his Army to Brussels, and leaving the charge of it (as­ter necessary Orders were given') to Count Waldeck, went to the Hague; and having received the thanks of the States, for his Prudent Conduct of their Army, he Em­barqued for England, with those Nobles that had attended him by the Kings Order, and divers of his own Nation, in the Yatches that [Page 19]were sent to attend him, with Three Men of War, and a Squadron of Dutch Ships, Order­ed him by the States, commanded by Admiral Evertson.

SETTING out with a Prosperous Gale, they Arived at Harwich on the 19 of October, 1677. Where the Duke of Albermarle sent by the King to that intent, waited upon him to Congratulate his Arival; as did livers of the Kings Coaches: And so he proceeded to Ipswich, where the King and Duke, attended with [...] Splendid Train of Nobility, re­ceived him; and Congratulated, not only his Arival, but Glorious Successes abroad. And so, in the most Magnificent Manner, they proceeded to London; and was re­ceived at Whitehall, with unexpres­ [...]able demonstrations of Joy; and [...]ad the pleasure again, to see the Fairest Flower in Englands Garden; which now appeared more Beauti­ful and Lovely, no doubt, not on­ly [Page 20]by reason of her more Matur [...] Years, but because Heaven ha [...] Destin'd her to be his Royal Con­sort, to make him a partner in [...] Faithful and Transcendant Love that exceeded what before or sine has been known, or exampled o [...] Earth.

NO sooner was this intende [...] match spread abroad by Fame, bu [...] the Nations joy swelled to an un­expressible height, and over-flowe [...] the Bounds of Moderation: Th [...] willing and wishing People though [...] that time moved too flow, till th [...] happy day of its appointed Con­sumation Dawn'd, to Bless th [...] Land with its Welcome Light.

THE King, on the First of N [...] ­vember, having declared his inten­tions to the Council, the Lords we [...] extreamly pleased and satisfied wit [...] them, as well in the Merrits of [...] Worthy and Just a Prince, as in th [...] security they expected (from so agreeable a Marriage) of the Pro­testant [Page 21]Religion. And to testify how well they resented it, delay­ed not to go in a Body, and Con­gratulate the Princess, upon the hap­py occasion of her being about to enter into a State of Matrimony, with so Illustrious a Husband: As by their Example did most of the No­bility of England, and Ministers of State: Declaring the high satis­faction they conceived in it, and expected from it; who had very Gratious and Obliging returns of thanks for their kindness, and good opinion of it.

ALL things being agreed on, in order to this Blessed Ʋnion; the Prince by Express, sent the States General of the Ʋnited Provinces, an account of his Proceedings, the Substance of it being to this pur­pose, Viz.

THAT in Consideration it had been their earnest desires, and request to him, to see him Marryed, when he had well weighed the reasons that in­duced [Page 22]him to it, in a Conformity t [...] their Wishes and Desires; and th [...] Tranquility of their State, he had con­ceived he could not do better, than [...] Address himself to the Princes [...] MARY, Eldest Daughter to th [...] Duke of York: That he had made it his Request to have her in Marriage both of the King and the Duke, who had not refused, but condescended to his request, and proposals; and there­fore thought it requisite, to give their Lordships an account of it; expect­ing in Return, their speedy Approbation, that he might the sooner return to them, &c.

THEY had no sooner received this Advice, with the Highest sa­tisfaction imaginable, but they im­mediately assembled to consult a­bout, and consider the weighty rea­sons that obliged the Prince to make so agreeable a choice, to make them happy, in placing his affections on the most Virtuous and Celebrated Princess, in Europe; approving it [Page 23]with Congratulation and joy, and made the high satisfaction they con­ceived known by a publick Edict, declaring their good opinion and esteem of so great an Alliance; promising not only to respect, but to observe it to the utmost: And further, to testify their consent, they sent their Approbation on the Fourth of November, to the Prince.

THINGS being Happily brought to this pass, and all things being prepared for the Celebra­tion of the Marriage, it was perfor­med the Day the States Approbation Arived, being the Prince's Birth-Day: The Bishop of London Tying this Happy Knot of Wedlock, ac­cording to the apointed Ceremonies of the Church of England, the King presenting the Royal Bride.

THE News of this Ʋnion was sounded aloud, through the Three Kingdoms, by Ringing of Bells, and Joyful Acclamations of the People, with Bonfires, and other Illumina­tions: [Page 24]The Gentry and Nobility gi­ving very plentifully to the Poor. And the Royal Pair received the Congratulations of the most emi­nent persons of the Nation; having been before entertained in the Ci­ty, at the Annual Investure of the Lord-Mayor, on his being Sworn before the Barrons of the Exchequer, at Westminster. Divers Congratu­latory Poems were made by the best hands, Illustrating upon a Subject that was before very Glorious in the Eyes of the Nation.

AFTER some few Days spent at Court, in Feasting and Royal Treatments, of Balls and Musick, and Songs of Triumph; having farther re­ceived the Complements of the No­bility, and Chief Ministers of State, the Royal Pair, on the 29th, in­tending for Holland, took their leave, attended with a Train of Noblemen and Ladies, Embarqued in the Yatches, and waited on by divers Men of War, order'd to that [Page 25]purpose, Sailed with a Prosperous Gail, and Landed at Ter-Hyde: pas­sing from thence to Hounslery-Dyke, where they continued for some time, and received private visits, till things could be prepared for a Reception suitable to their Cha­racters at the Hague.

THINGS being prepared in the most Splendid manner, upon their approach they were met by Divers Nobles; and found the Bridge Crowned with Garlands, and Twelve Companys of Burghers drawn up in Arms, ranged in or­der to receive them. The People every where expressing the highest Satisfaction imaginable, in their Ge­eneral Acclamations and Shouts of Joy; and upon the passage of the Bridge, they were met by Twenty Four Virgins, Singing Songs of Joy suitable to the occasion; who go­ing before the Cavelcade, strowed the way with Fragrant Herbs & Flow­ers; & on their Approaching to the [Page 26] Town-House, they found a Trium­phal Arch fixed very Magnificent, with Land-Skips, and Sylvian Sceens, with Two Hands on the Top, Clasping each other, Hierogliphically signifying Amity: And over the Market-Place, in the High-Street, another Arch was Erected, with Devices, and a Motto suitable to that occasion. During this En­trance, the Burghers made divers Volly's of Shot, and the Loud Thunderings of the Cannon spread their Approach yet wider, the Con­gress being very Great and Nume­rous.

THERE were likewise divers Curious Fire-Works, imitating Foun­tains and Trees of Fire, Golden-Hair, Stars and Ciphers of Flame. At Night the Streets were Illuminated, and Bonefires Blazed in all the no­ted Towns of the Provinces, and the Entertainments were very Splendid and Magnificent. The French continuing their unjust En­croachment, [Page 27]King Charles upon this Alliance? dispatch'd his Commission, Impowring the Lord Hyde, his Am­bassador at the Hague, to make and confirm a strict Alliance with the States General, mutualy to assist, stand by and defend each other, till they should oblige the French King to reason, by putting a stop and bounds to his Ambitious De­signs; and the Parliament of England, at that time, declar'd very earnest in the business; offering to raise divers great Sums of Money, for promoting this affair, & for the recovering Sa­tisfaction for injurys done, by such means as should be thought most expedient and agreenble; so that the King sent the Lord Montague his Ambassador to France, to press for a speedy Restitution of such places as were taken, and Detain­ed from his Confederates and Allies, and upon the triflings and delays of that Court, to come to any result as to the Satisfaction demanded: [Page 28]An Army was raised, and the King of England recalled his Forces, that were in the French Service, who were partly sent home, but with­out any payment of their Arrears, which was very considerable: And so early an effect had this Happy Marriage, in the Alliance it made with England, and that the French King was in a great Measure put to a stand, how to proceed: The Duke of Monmouth being sent over with about 3000 English, Horse and Foot; and the Prince by these and other Auxillary Troops, did give a great Defeat to the Duke of Luxemburg, who Commanded the French Army, near Mons in Han­nault; had thereupon News, that Pursuant to a former Treaty set on foot, a Peace was concluded, between the States General of the Ʋnited Provinces, and the Crown of France; upon the latter deliver­ing several Towns, that he had, with great Expence of Blood and [Page 29] Treasure, taken from the Former: So the War by this means being at an end on this side, he returned to the Hague, where he was received by the People with the usual Joy, but from his Illustrious Princess in­expressible; seeing his pretious Life had been protected by Providence, in so Eminent a Danger, as his Roy­al Person was expos'd unto: For in the Fight, a French Captain being in full Career to Charge him at a disadvantage, Monsieur Overkirk, in a happy moment, Shot that Ene­my, who was reaching at the most Pretious Life in the World; for which good service, as a grateful acknowledgment, the States present­ed him with a Sword, whose Hilt was Massy Gold; a Golden Pair of Horse-Buckles, and a Pair of Pistols, Inlayed with Gold. And thus we see, this Happy Ʋnion in a great measure, brought very early, an unexpected Peace to the Waring Nations.

THE French King having made a Peace with the States General, it was not long after the rest of the Confederates accorded the like: So that the Prince retired from the toils of War, had now again the Pincess's Company and Convesation, which was so Winning and Attractive, that nothing but mighty affairs, where Fame and Glory call'd him forth, to stop the impetuous Tor­rent, and support a Tottering State, could have made so long a Sepa­ration, or Distance.

AS for the Joy the Court con­ceived at this happy Return of a Prince, whose presence (like the Sun, coming on this side the Aequi­noctial, to revive the Earth with Vernal Rays of kindly heat, after it had been Bound in Icey Chains by the Winters Tyranny) made them forget their former apprehen­sion of Danger, and rendred them Airy and Lively, in hopes of many Happy Days under such a Benign [Page 31]Influence) it is beyound our ex­pression, and so we leave it to the imagination of the Reader.

BUT this Peace to the Protest­ants, under Jurisdiction of the French King, was not so Grateful, for that Restless Monarch too Prone to violence having a Cessation of Arms abroad, turned wonted Cruelty upon his own Subjects of the Reformed Re­ligion, though upon his Accession to the Throne, they had been the greatest sticklers for him, and the chiefest means that placed him there, but their Loyalty, nor Protestations of a continued Fidelity, availed lit­tle, when it was resolved their E­states and Effects should flow into his Coffers.

UNDER pretence of having but one Religion in his Kindom, he sent his Dragoons and Bald-Pa­ted Priests into all the Provinces, to Convert them with Plunder, Fire, Sword, Racks, and many New in­vented Tortures; the Sufferings of [Page 32]those Poor people, being more then space will allow to be enumerated in this History; especially being somewhat forreign to the intended subject matter. Let it suffice then that their Sufferings moved all the Princes in Christendom to pitty, but their own, who ought to have had the greatest concern for them. The Pope, and we believe we might have said, the Turk, detested this Cruelty, that Ruined near 100000 Families, under the Specious pre­tence of Religion.

MANY of these distressed peo­ple, fled to England, others to Hol­land, &c. where they gave Her Highness, a new opportunity of ex­ercising of her Virtuous inclination, to the performance of Charitable Deeds, so naturally inherent to her goodness in disposition, and tender Compassion to the Distres­sed: So that by her Liberal Ex­ample, others Were incited and stir­red up, in the Bowels of Commi­seration, [Page 33]to relieve those Fugative People; who had left their Coun­trey, Estates, and substance, for the sake of a good Conscience; for would they have turned their Backs upon that Religion they had received, and Embraced the Romish Idolatry, and Superstitions, they had been permitted to live in some quiet at home; but with what part of their Goods or Estate those that were compelled to A­postatize, can by their severe treat­ment, or kind, best Testify.

AND because, as may be sup­posed, their Highnesses Charity ex­tended in a great measure to the Relief and Shelter, of these poor Protestants. So much Monsieur was inraged, that contrary to the Trea­ty of Nimeg uen, he in full Peace, and the height of Security, Com­manded Monsieur Moran, Superin­tendant of Provence, to March 2000 Men into His Highnesses Princi­pality of Orange; which was done [Page 34]under the Command of his Liev­tenan General, of Languedock; where he threw down the Walls of that City; Plunder'd the Inhabitants, and used divers Crueltys, to make many of them turn Roman-Catho­licks; but in that they could little prevail, yet for all the just com­plaints, made by the States Gene­ral, upon the occasion of this vi­olation of the Treaty; at the com­plaint of his Highness to them, of the wrong he and his Subjects had sustained. No satisfactory answer could be obtained, but the French King unjustly and ungenerously de­tains it till a Juster Sword shall Reeve it from, and put it again in the Hands of the Rightful Posses­sor.

AND thus we see the different tempers of Princes, the one La­bouring to Succour and Relieve the Subjects of his Enemy, flying to him for Refuge and Protection; whilst the other is only pleased [Page 35]with violence and oppression, and labouring to destroy his and his own Subjects. Let these Nations consider then, in what a Fair Line their Lot is fallen under, the Au­spicious Influence of so Mild and Gracious a Prince. When the Poor Distressed Subjects of France Groan beneath the weight of his Burden, whose Will is his Law, whilst their Lives and Estates de­pend, in a manner, upon his plea­sure.

WHILST things were carry­ed on in this manner, the Princess had cause of Sorrow, in the Sur­prising News she received of the Death of her Uncle, King Charles the Second, who after Five or Six Days Indisposition, of a grie­vous Appoplexie, Dyed at Whitehall, February the 6th, 1684. And al­though the setting of this Great and Prudent Monarch, gave her Father Accession to the Brittish Throne, yet his Love and Ten­der [Page 36]Care of Her Welfare, and Prosperity, all along had made so deep an impression in her Princely Heart, that it Melted her Eyes in Pearls of unfeigned Sorrow, and threw a Cloud of Sadness over the Livelyness of her Active Spi­rits, nor was her Royal Consort, wanting, as in her Joys, so to share with her in her Grief; for never any Royal Pair, were ob­served to Simpathize so nearly with each other, in the passions of the Mind; as these Illustrious Per­sons, which showed the Quintis­cential perfection of Love in its Brightest Mortal Refinement.

UPON this Sadness, as well that Court, as the Court of England, went into the Deepest Mourning; and on the 14th of February, the Royal Corps in a Private Funeral, was Buried in King Henry the 7ths Chappel, in a Vault, under the East End of the South-Isle.

THE Prince to divert his Me­lancholy [Page 37]on this sad occasion, went to visit several Towns, to take a view how they stood in Repair, as to their Fortifications, as also to settle the Military affairs; and upon Returning from Hounslyr-dyke to the Hague; gave Audience to divers Forreign Ministers, and ha­ving visited some other Towns, he was Met at Loo by her Highness, where there were splendid Enter­tainments and Rejoycings; and King James, after the Death of King Charles, having been Proclaim'd, and on the 23d of April, 1685, Crown'd at Westminster, Sent the Marquess D' Alberville, his Ambas­sador to Holland; who in Decem­ber, had Audience of the Prince, and States, whereupon they Ad­journed, till the Seventh of Janu­ary.

IN the mean while, on the first of that Month, the Princess with preparations of Curious Fire-Works, Representing a Battel, Ranged in [Page 38]Four Lines, and Furnished out with several Batterys, in a very Lively manner, expressing the Actions of a Fight.

AND now, King James having Declar'd himself a Roman Catholick; and upon the Defeat and Cutting off the Duke of Monmouth in England, and the Earl of Argyle in Scotland, and gotten him a Standing Army (though the Parliament design'd it should be Disbanded) things began to run high, and Rome drave on Je­hue like, to gain her End. And, after a time, other practices failing, she began openly to push at the Church of England. Swarms of Priests, and others of the Romish Order, daily flocking into this Kingdom like Swarms of Locusts: And attempt­ing, with the same boldness, in Hol­land, and especially about the Princes Court, notwithstanding the Inter­cession that had been made on their behalf, by some Minesters Residing there, the Court of Justice at the [Page 39] Hague, by a Decree, Commanded them to Retire out of that Country, not any more to Return, Being Unhing'd there, they, for the great­est part, return'd to England: Where they were welcome to the Court, but not to the generality of the People. Who seeing Affairs Sicken, and the Distemper they per­ceived in Government, began to wish for a Physitian, to apply Healing Medicines to the Disease, e're it grew Dangerous, and beyond all Cure.

AND among other Sinister Practices, Managed and Suggested by Evil Counsellors and Priests, who bore the greatest sway in the Court and Kingdom, they lay'd hold on the Pillars of the Established Church; and at one bold push, thrust Seven of the Bishops into Prison; and soon after Baited them, at a Tryal, with (in a manner) Bear-garden treatment, only for Petitioning that they might not be forced to do what was contrary to their Oaths and Consciences.

THEN the Startled Nation; (oppressed with many grievous in­jurys) perceiving all that was Pre­tious and Dear to it, going to be swallow'd in an Abiss of Popery; and the many Miserys that usually attend a Change of Government, (and the Abolishing of the Fun­damental Laws) began to stretch out her hand in earnest, for help and succour. And having cast her Eyes round about, at last stedfast­ly fixed them, upon an Illustrious Prince, and Princess, always com­passionate to the Distressed; and to whom succeding Generations are bound, for the so Wonderful a De­liverance, wrought in our Days.

THE Court party here in En­gland, had been Tampering, but in vain, to bring their Highnesses to some agreeableness with their proceedings, as is evident by the Answer, Minheer Fagel, (that great States-man, Pentionary of Holland, and West-Frieze-Land) Returned [Page 41]to Mr. Stewart, who wrote to him, to have their Highnesses o­pinion, or rather Approbation, a­bout Liberty of Conscience, taking a­way the Penal Laws and Test, which was not done upon his own head as a Private Person, but by Com­mand. The which take Briefly, thus.

BY this means the good Inten­tions of their Highnesses, to main­tain and secure the Protestant Re­ligion, being known to the Adverse Party, they began to take other [Page 45]mea­sures; and posted so fast in their course, to push on our Mi­serys, that they not only Run their Policys out of Breath, but them­selves at last out of the Kingdom; for the chief Nobility and Gentry, seeing all at Stake, that the weigh­ty affairs were managed by Priests and Jesuits, or such as for interest or prejudice were no Friends to the Protestant Religion.

They Addressed themselves to their Highnesses, to save a Coun­trey, in which they might justly Claim so great an Interest.

TO this they gave an Atten­tive ear, saw us at the Brink of Ruine, and came (as sent by Hea­ven,) in a happy time, to pre­vent our Falling into it: For when those that were labouring to o­verturn our Religion, Laws, and Chain (at least) our Liberties much shorter; thought themselves sure of Gaining the Point; and that though their weak rea­sons [Page 46]could not work any thing upon the Generality of the people, yet relying on that confidence, that mostly failed them, Viz. That they were Backed, and would be supported by a very considerable Army, which had been kept up in Summer Campaigns, several Years, at Hounslow-Heath, and in Win­ter-Quarters so Posted, that they might the better Awe the Nation: They found themselves on a sud­den Deceived, and so over whel­med with fears, that the Chain of all the measures they had long been Linking, with much Labour and Cost, instantly snapt in sunder.

UPON News that the Prince was preparing to be our Delive­rer, all that had been done by the Court party, was untwisted, Char­ters were Surrendred, Justices, and other Magistrates and Officers that had been outed to make room for Roman-Catholicks, restored, as also was Magdalen Colledge, and the [Page 47]Bishop of Londons Suspension ta­ken off: The Seven Bishops, that had been Imprisoned and Tryed, were sent for to Court, and not only received into Favour, but Car­ressed and Advised withal. Father Peter, the Jesuit, dismist the Council, and the King declar'd, he was willing that Roman Catholicks should remain uncapable to be Members of the House of Commons. Oh the wonderful Conversions of Fear! what the Prayers and Intreaties of the Nobles, Bishops, and the desires of all the good Protestants in En­gland could not do, the very name of their Highnesses preparation, brought to pass. But not to Dwell too long on this Mat­ter.

THE Prince, whose actions are swift in Execution as his purposes, delayed not, though it was in the dead of Winter, and his Fleet was put back in the Harbour, by con­trary Winds, and suffer'd some [Page 48]little damage, resolved on this great Work, on the Fifth of No­vember, (a day whereon another great deliverance happened to this Nation, and tho' long since, yet fresh in our minds) He came with his whole Fleet before Torbay, in the County of Devon, not having met wih any Opposition from the English Fleet, though he passed by within Cannon Shot, insomuch that this gave a happy Presage that God had Bowd the Hearts of the People to be at their Highnesses De­votion; and what more confirmed it was, when the first Men were put on Shoar, Viz. about 500, to put themselves in a Posture for the better securing the Landing of the rest, so far were the Coun­trey people from Flying their Ha­bitations, or any Consternation, that on the contrary, they came Flock­ing to Welcome them on Shoar, bringing them a supply of such Provisions as they had; and when [Page 49]the Prince Landed such were the Shouts and Applaudities, that these Western Countreys never Rung with the like Melody.

THE Fleet consisting of 635 Men of War, Flyboats, Pinks and Fireships; and the Forces that Land­ed 14352, a great many of them being Brandenburgers, Hess Casselers, Sweeds &c. And with them divers great Commanders, with some En­glish Noblemen, and a great ma­ny others.

AND now the Nations Geni­ous bends low, to Welcome and to Complement a Heroe who brought her Safety with him; for as well the Nobles, as others, came Crouding in, and only a March was made, and not a War, for those who had boasted such mighty things before, Fled and Scatter'd at the Martial Noise of his Drums and Trumpets; that very Army on which they had so much Rely'd, coming in a great measure over to him; [Page 50]and to be brief, he with little o [...] no Effusion of Blood, King (Jame [...] being retir'd) took a quiet pos­session of the Kingdom, amidst the Loud Shouts and Acclamations o [...] the People, being every where Ad­dressed, and Congratulated.

THIS News Flying into Hol­land, caused not only Excess of Joy in the Princess, for the Safety o [...] her Illustrious Consort, whose grea [...] undertaking, had Subjected He [...] Spirits to Doubts and Fears, o [...] the Hazards that might attend such an Enterprize; but with her tha [...] whole Nation Simpathiz'd, by ex­pressing the high Satisfaction the [...] conceived upon his Success and Prosperous Fortune: And whe [...] he had here, at the earnest request of the States Assembled in Con­vention, taken the Administration of the Publick affairs of Govern­ment into his Hands, and after King James's leaving the Kingdom, and going to France, the Citizens of [Page 51] London, and Westminster, went in a great Body to the Parliament-house where they delivered two Petiti­ons, the Substance of them being to this Effect. Viz.

‘THAT they most Humbly and Earnestly Desired, that His Most Illustrious Highness, the Prince of Orange, might be speed­ily setled in the Throne, by whose Conduct, Courage, and Reputa­tion the Nation and Protestant Re­ligion might be Secured and De­fended, from it's Enemys at home and abroad. That Ireland (which was then in Rebellion) might be rescued from its deplorable con­dition; and to conclude, the King­doms setled on a lasting Foun­dation and Security, in Peace, and Liberty.’

UPON this, Her Highness ha­ving been Complemented at the Hague, by all the Persons of Qua­lity, that on purpose Resorted to the Court, and among others their [Page 52] Electorl Highnesses of Brandenburg, & She having made to the Latter a very Splendid Entertainment; it was concluded here, that the Illustrious Princess should be sent for over, to be Partner in those Crowns the Wisdom of the Nation had con­cluded to lay at the Pincess's Feet, to which she consenting: And be­ing on her Departure for England, the States of Holland, the States Ge­neral, the Courts of Justice, the Council of State, and the Colledges, either in Bodys or by their De­putys, attended her, and made their Complements and Congratulations on the happy occasion; and in this the Forreign Ministers residing at Court, had a share, and the Persons of Quality of both Sexes. The Majestrates made it their Request, that the Burghers might wait on her in Arms, but she modestly refused it, as being too tedious a Cerimo­ny for the intended Expeditness: however, the States of Holland, [Page 53]Deputed Three of their Body to Wait upon her, till she should be Embarqued, and gave Orders to the Sieur Allemond, with Divers Men of War, to Joyn Admiral Herbert, who attended with a Squadron and several Yatches, to Transport her for England.

THE people at her Departure, scarce refraining expressing their Sor­rows in Tears, that so much Vir­tue and Goodness had left their Shoar, to inrich another Land. They had seen her worth, and valued it at such a Rate, that though she went as it were in Triumph, to possess Crowns and Kingdoms, they Grudged to be Deprived of such a Blessing, or spare it to any other: Like the People of Mittelene, when Cornelia the Wife of Pompey the Great, was to go with her Lord after the Pharsalian War, left their Shoars, tho' in a different State and Circumstance; they all crouded on the Rocks, and Sands, and fixed their [Page 54]eager eyes on the Ship She was in, till the distance of space had removed it from their sight. For setting sail with a Prosperous Wind, She soon reached the shoars She was distined by Providence to Crown with blessings, where Her Welcome was Proclaimed by the Guns from the Ships in the Road, and from the Forts, and after them, by the Ringing of Bells, and the Joyful Acclamations of the People; and as She came up the River, the Tower, on which the Royal Ban­ner was Display'd, made London Sensible in a Language of Fire, breathed from its Thundering Cannons, that its Beloved Darling approached to Croud upon it great­er advantages than it had long time participated.

ON the 12th of February in the Evening, the Princess Arived at White-hall, where she was received according to her Royal Character, by the Nobles and great Ladys of [Page 55]the Court; and by the Prince with all the Tender endearments and Expressions of kindness and affecti­on: The same Night she received the Complements of the Nobility at Court, whilst the Streets every where Shined with Bonfires, and Illuminations, and the Bells charm­ed the Air into a stilness, by the Harmony of their desired Musick; and, to be Brief, a general Joy spread it self through the King­doms, for her presence, of which so long an absence had deprived it.

THE Lords and Commons, up­on the Arival of the Princess, ha­ving had the consent of the Prince, and his Royal Consort, to accept of the Kingly Dignity, delayed not in their Resolves to have them Pro­claim'd King and Queen, of England, France, and Ireland: Scotland being an Independant Kingdom, and not within the Jurisdiction of a Par­liament of England. Whose Crown [Page 56]however, was soon after Present­ed by the States, in like manner; of the Proceedings, in which we shall have occasion to speak here­after.

THE Resolves in Order to the Proclaiming, being on these consi­derations, That WILLIAM and MARY, Prince and Princess of Orange, be Declared King and Queen, of England, France, and Ireland, with all the Dominions and Dependencys, thereunto belonging, to hold the Crown and Royal Dignity of those Kingdoms and Dominions during their Lives, and the Life of the Surviver of them; and that the Sole and Full Exercise of the Kingly Power be only in, and Ex­ecuted by his Highness, in the Name of Himself and the Princess, for the Term of their Lives, and after their Decease, the Crown and Dignitys Royal of the Kingdoms and Domi­nions, to be left to the Heirs of the Body of the Princess, and for default of such Issue, to the Princess Ann [Page 57] of Denmark, and the Heirs of her Body, and for default of such Issue, to the Heirs of the Body of the Prince.

AND then an Oath of Alle­giance and Supremacy, was Enacted, Viz.

THIS and other Proceedings, preceding the Happy Proclaiming, the Wish of the Nation Ensued; for the Officers at Arms, Sergeants at Arms, Trumpets, and others, whose Office it was to attend in this Important Occasion, being in a Readiness, by the Order His Grace the Duke of Norfolk, Earl Marshal of England, at White-hall-gate, and Sir The­mas St. George, Garter Principal King at Arms, receiving a Proclamati­on, was Ordered by the Lords forth­with to Proclaim it: And York He­rauld, after the Third Sounding of the Trumpets, Proclaim'd it: Garter King at Arms, Reading it by Pe­riods, whilst he repeated in the presence of the Lords and Commons and a vast number of Gentry, and others, who by their Acclamati­tions [Page 59]of Joy, expressed their high satisfaction in what was done; and so, in Excellent Order, they pro­ceeded through Temple-Bar, and be­tween the Two Temple-Gates, made the Like Proclamation, and twice more Repeated it, Viz. At Wood­street-End in Cheapside; and before the Royal-Exchange, in Cornhill; being in all these places concluded with Joyful Shouts and Acclama­tions; and soon after they were, with the same desire of a willing people, Proclaimed in the Cities, and chief Borroughs and Towns of England, and in the Dominion of Wales, &c.

AND now our Epethite, by their advancement to the Royal Dignity, must be changed. The King on the 25th of February for himself, and on the behalf of the Queen, was pleased to express to both Houses, in Answer to their Declaration, his high Satisfaction in what they had done, and graciously Promi­sed [Page 60]them the Utmost of his Care and Protection, for the Security and Preservation of their Laws, Li­berties, and Religion, and was ex­treamly willing to Concur with them in any thing that might be for the Good and Advancement of the Kingdom, and to do all that in him lay, to promote the Glory and Welfare of the Nation. And soon after the Lord Bishop of Lon­don, went with the Body of the Clergy of that City, to pay their Majesties an Humble Tender of their Duty and Fidelity, Expres­sing the great Satisfaction they con­ceived upon Their Majesties Acces­sion to the Throne; and being ad­mitted to Kiss the King and Queens Hands, His Majesty at the same time giving them a Satisfactory Assurance of his Extraordinary Af­fection to the Church of England, and of his utmost protection and encouragement to them, concluding I assure you, you shall find it so, and [Page 61]may depend upon it. And in this indeed, (as it is promised in Holy Writ) we have found in the care and protection of a King & Queen, the truly Nursing Father, and Nur­sing Mother of the Church.

THE Convention having resol­ved it self unto a Free Parliament, an Act was Passed, Entituled, An Act for removing and preventing all Questions and Disputes about the As­sembling and sitting of the present Parliament; and preparations were making for the Relies of the o­pressed Protestants in Ireland, whom the Irish Papists, countenanced by the Earl of Tyrconnel, who had de­clared for the Late King James, Miserably Murthered, Plundered, & Harassed, in most parts of that Kingdom. But Scotland had got the upper hand of those that stood out for the Abdicated King; And it their Convention, upon the Re­ceipt of a Letter from his Majesty of England, they, after a few De­bates, [Page 62] Declar'd the Throne Vacant, and soon after concluded to lay their Crown, as England had done, at thee Feet of King WILLIAM, and Queen MARY: That they should be Crowned King and Queen, of Scotland, and the Crown, with an Instrument to Rugulate and set­tle particulars, Offered them.

WHILST the Genious of Scot­land Bowed thus Low to the best of Princes, a Proclamation was Issued out here by the King and Queen, to Inform the Peers, and such as claimed by Tenure or Offices, that the Solemnitie of the Coronation, was to be performed on the Eleventh of April, 1689, and accordingly Magnificent preparations were made against that happy day, and on the Ninth of April, in order to it, An Act Passed, Entituled, An Act for Establishing the Coronation Oath. The form of it being in the man­ner following viz.

AND by Virtue of the same Act this Oath is to be Administred to the Kings and Queens, that shall hereaf­ter succeed to the Crown.

THE Nations Jubilie (as we may term it) being now come: The King and Queen came from White-Hall to Westminster, whilst the He­raulds and other Officers at Arms were ordering the Procedings, after a litle stay, about Eleven in the Morning the whole Proceeding passed into the Great Hall, from the Lords House and Painted Chamber, at the upper end whereof a Throne, was Erected, and on it Their Majesties took Their Seats under a Canopy of State, whilst the Mas­ter of the Jewel-House brought and presented the Swords to the Lord High Constable, viz. That of State, [Page 65]that called Curtana, and the Two Pointed Swords, in their proper Order, who delivered them in the same Order, to the Lord Great Chamberlain, who having Drawn them, Presented them on the Table, before the King and Queen; as al­so the Spurs.

UPON this the Dean and Pre­bendaries of Westminster, brought and Presented the Crowns, and the other Regalia, in their proper manner: and these again were delivered to those whose Claim it was to bear them.

THINGS being thus fixed, the Proceeding passed from West­minster-Hall to the Abby, in Ex­cellent Order; and every one pla­ced in their Station and Degree: Silence being made, the Recogniti­on was begun, by the Lord Bishop of London; at the end of which there was a General Shout, and Accla­mation, of high Satisfaction among the People. The King and Queen then Offered, and the Noblemen that [Page 64] [...] [Page 65] [...] [Page 66]carry'd the Regalia, Offered them severally at the Altar; there to be disposed of: Then the Bishops of St. Asaph and Bangor, Sung the Littany; after which the Communi­on Service begun. The Epistle was Read by the Bishop of Carlisle, and the Gospel by the Bishop of St. Asaph: After this, the Nicene Creed was Read, and by this time the Bishop of Salisbury being in the Pulpit, Preach'd an Excellent Sermon on the Occasion; from these Words, Viz.

‘THE GOD of IsrAel said, The rock of Israel spake to Me: He that Ruleth over Men, must be Just, Ruling in the Fear of GOD: And he shall be as the Light of the Morning, when the Sun Riseth, even a Morning without Clouds, as the Tender Grass Springeth out of the Earth by Clear Shining af­ter Rain. 2 Sam. 23.3, 4.’

To which the Pious Queen, [Page 67]was all the while observed to be very Attentive. The Charms of Power and Greatness, with all the Splendid Pomp and Cerimony, could not avert her thoughts from the more Serious Contemplation of Ho­ly things.

(BUT not to Digress in the midst of this Cerimony) The Sermon ended, Their Majesties took the beforementioned Oath, and Voni Creator being Sung, and the Anointing Oyl Consecrated, Their Majesties were Conducted to the Chairs placedon a Theatre, Dis­robed of their Crimson Mantles and Solemnly Anointed; then present­ed with the Spurs and Sword, which were Offer'd up and Redeemed by the Right Honourable the Earl of Portland.

UPON this the King and Queen were Clad, and Invested with the Imperial Robes, and the Orbs de­livered to them; and after that the Rings and Scepters, &c. And [Page 68]about Four in the Afternoon, the Royal Diadems were placed on Their Heads, by the Lord Bishop of London, Assisted by the Bishop of Rochester. Then the Trumpets Sounded, the Drums Beat; the Thundering of the Great Guns, with the Peoples Shouts Proclaim­ed the News. The Peers and Peer­esses hereupon put on their Coronets; and the BIBLE was presented to the King and Queen; after this they Kissed the Bishops, and then Te Deum was Sung, and thereupon they Ascended the Throne; The Arch-Bishop and Bishops doing their Homage, and Kissed Their Majes­ties Left Cheeks, and then the Temporal Peers did the like; whilst the Treasurer of the Hous­hold cast the Meddals among the people: and after this, began the Communion, and the King and Queen made their second Offering, and Receiving the Holy Sacrament, they Entred in their Robes of State, to [Page 69]St. Edwards Chappel, where they were Divested of the Imperial Pall, &c. And having Robes of Purple Velvet put on them, they returned with their Crowns on their Heads in the same Order they came, the Peers and Peeresses now wearing their Coronets, and Entring the Great Hall at Westminster a Royal Entertainment was provided, of all that is Rare and Costly, several Tables being Furnished out in the most Delicious manner, and Charles Dymock Esq Their Majesties Cham­pion, between the First and Second Course, came Riding Compleatly Armed into the Hall, Conducted by the Lord High Constable, and the Earl Marshal, on Horse-back likewise, and his Challenge pro­nounced by York Herauld, Viz.

After this Their Majesties Royal Stiles were Proclaim'd in Latin and English, and every thing was per­formed with the Exactest Order and Decency, concluding about Eight of the Clock, when Their Majesties returned to Whitehall; and the rest of the Evening was spent in Bonfires, Ringing of Bells, and o­ther Demonstrations of Joy.

THIS happy Corronation ush­er'd in the King and Queens being Proclaim'd in Scotland; for after the States had passed the Vote to that purpose, in the Convention of that Kingdom, they Assisted by the [Page 71] Magistrates, Lord Provost, and Coun­cil of the City of Edinborough, went to the Market Cross, where Lyon King at Arms, assisted by the He­raulds and Pursuvants, Proclaimed them King and Queen of Scotland, &c. The Trumpets Sounding and the Peoples Shoutings expressing the Joy conceived on this Occasi­on: And soon after they were Proclaimed in all the Citys and principal Boroughs of that King­dom.

ON the 18th of April, 1689, the Sieur Shemettan Extraordinary En­voy from the Duke of Brandenburg Complement Their Majesties in his first Audience, upon their Accessi­on to the Throne. Nor was the Scots Nation slow in presenting their Crown. The States Depu­ting the Earl of Argyle, Sir James Montgomery, and Sir John Dalrimple their Commissioners to that purpose. At the same time causing a Day of Thanksgiving to be set apart for [Page 72]their Deliverance from Popery, &c.

ON the 11th of May the Scots Commissioners waited on the King and Queen in the Banquetting-House at Whitehall, and presented a Letter from the States of Scotland, and after that an Instrument of Go­vernment, then a Writing Con­taining divers grievances, which they Humbly Pray'd might be re­dress'd; upon the Reading of which, His Majesty was pleased to return this Gracious and Satisfactory An­swer. Viz.

‘WHEN I Engaged in this Ʋn­dertaking, I had particular Regard and Consideration for the Kingdom of Scotland, and therefore I did E­mit a Declaration in Relation to that as well as this Kingdom, which I intend to make Good and Effectual to them. I take it very Kindly, that Scotland hath Expressed so much Confidence in, & Affection to me. They shall find the willing to Assist them [Page 73]in every thing that concerns the Weal and Interest of that Kingdom, for making what Laws shall be Necessary for the Security of their Religion, Pro­perty, and Liberty, and to ease them, of what may be justly grievous to them.’

The Coronation Oath was here­upon Tendred to Their Majesties, the Earl of Argyle as chief Com­missioner Reading it by periods, and the King and Queen holding up their Hands, as is the manner of Scotland in this matter of taking Oaths, repeated it till they came to the Clause where the Rooting out of Hereticks is mentioned in that Oath, at which his Majesty declared, ‘That He did not mean by those words, that he was under any Obligation to become a Perse­cutor.’ To which the Commissi­oners answered, ‘That neither the meaning of the Oath, neither did the Laws of Scotland Import it; and that the States of Scotland had Authorized them, to represent to [Page 74]Their Majesties, that that Clause did not Import the Destroying of Hereticks; for by the Laws of Scotland, no man was to be perse­cuted for his private Opinion; and tht Obstinate and Convicted Heriticks only, were to be De­nounced Rebels, and Outlaw'd; whereby their Moveable Estates were to be Confiscated.’ Whereup­on on the King Ordering the Commis­sioners to witness he took the Oath in that sense. The Words of the whole Tenour of it being repeat­ed, Their Majesties Sign'd it, and so the Commissioners departed with Joy and Thankfulness: And on the 6th of June ensuing, the States met, and being Assembled, it was signi­fy'd to them, by His Grace the Duke of Hamilton, that the King had sent him a Commission, to Re­present his Person in the ensuing Parliament, and that he had recei­ved instructions to turn the Con­vention into a Free Parliament: [Page 75]whereupon they proceeded to pass an Act for that purpose, and made it High Treason to Question or Disown the Authority of its be­ing such. Upon which the Duke of Gowrdon who had a long time held the Castle of Edinborough, upon the account of the Interest of King James, Articling for the safety of those that were with him, threw himself wholly upon Their Majesties Mercy, and Clemency, saying, That he had so much Respect for all the Princes of the Line of King James the 6th, that he would make no Conditions with them as to his own particular Interest, but Render himself entirely to their own Discretion: And thereupon delivered up that Strong Place to Sir John Lanier, Deputed to receive it at his hands, and although the Viscount Dundee made Head for a time, yet upon the Entry of the English Forces under the Command of Major General Mack­ay, he was Killed in a Battel near [Page 76]the Blare of Athol; and soon af­ter, the whole Kingdom of Scot­land was Reduced to Their Ma­jesties Obedience,

THUS Heaven as it prosper'd their other affairs, so in this gave Success to their Arms, and brought fear where Love and Obedience was deny'd, under whose Auspici­ous Fortune the Protestants of Ire­land, having shaken off their first fears, took Courage, Fortifying Lon­don-Derry and other places, and making a very considerable head, not without great success in the Field, till such Reliefs and Succours were brought them as Reduced that Kingdom to its Obedience, and settle them in their former Tran­quility, of which more hereaf­ter.

THE Worthy Sir Thomas Pil­kington being Sworn Lord-Mayor of London, before the Barrons at Westminster, on the 29th of October, 1689. Their Majesties did the [Page 77]City the Honour to Dine with him at their Guild-Hall, where the sight, as well as the Entertainment at a Dinner, was very Magnificent, to the high Satisfaction of all Par­tys; and as a farther Mark of His Royal Favour, the King was pleas­ed at the Humble Request of the Grocers Company, to permit him­self to be Chose Soveraign Master of it; and was Presented with an Instrument of his Election, and a Copy of his Freedom in a Box of Gold; for which he was pleased to return them his thanks, and Con­fer'd the Honour of Knighthood on Ralph Box, their Upper-Warden; and in the Evening, upon Their Majesties Return, the Windows were every where as they passed filled with Illuminations, and the Shouts of the people Proclaimed their Resentments of the Royal Fa­vour done them.

WHILST these things passed in England, the Joyful News came, [Page 78]that the Enemy had been Beaten off, or obliged to Raise the Siege of London-Derry, after it had been hard pressed a long time by a Nu­merous Army, in which the Late King was to encourage them with his presence, but it availed not, for though the Besieged en­dured the greatest extremitys of Famine, yet by their own Valour and the Indefatigable Industry of Mr. Walker, whom they had Cho­sen their Governour they secured that Important place, for the In­terest of the Crown of England, when the Papists had possessed them­selves of almost all the other pla­ces in the Kingdom, and with French, Irish and others, had composed a very Numerous Army in the Field; but god who always takes Care for the Protection of Good Princes, and their Interests, gave this as a happy presage, what wonders His Providence was about to bring to pass.

THE Pious Queen was not a little concerned at the Miseries of the Poor Distressed Protestants, who fled as they could find Op­portunity, into England, from the Outrages of the Papists in Ireland, as fearing a Cloud of Blood hung over them, ready to break on them in another Massacre, and by Her Bountiful Example, and Encourage­ment, they were very much Re­lieved and Succoured, for indeed many of the better as well as the lower condition of People, being Strip'd and Plunder'd of all they had, were become fit Objects to move compassion and charity to­wards them; nor failed they of Publick as well as Private Collecti­ons, to support their Necessitys, till they could be restored to what they were Divested of in their own Countrey, for Adhering to their Religion, and Their Majesties Inte­rests, which upon the going over of the Duke of Schomberg, with [Page 80]an Army, soon Encreased, and those that had beeen good at Plundring proved but very indifferent at Fighting; so that a great many Towns were quickly recovered, and upon the Winter Encampment, of Their Majesties Forces on the Plains of Dundalk &c. The Ene­mys Fury Abated, and their pro­ceedings were altogether at a stand; and so at this Time stood Af­fairs.

AND now, for the Blessings that had been showered on these King­doms in a plentiful manner, and for the further Imploring the Almightys Assistance, to prosper the finishing of a Work so well begun, Their Ma­jesties Proclamation was Issued forth for the Religious Observing of a Fast, on the 12th. of March, and every third Wednesday in the Month till his Majesty, who now purposed to go for Ireland, Return'd. And the first Parliament being Desolved, another met, on the 20th. of March, [Page 81]1690. And the King signifying to them, that intending to pass the Seas, where his Prescence was nece­ssary for the Reducing of Ireland, he thought it Necessary to leave the Government, during his absence, in the Queens Hands: Then an Act was passed to Impower Her to Man­nage the Affairs of Government till his Return. And on the 14th. of June, 1690. the King Landed, with a Royal Army, at Carickfergus in Ireland, which brought such a terror upon the Enemy, that they began to Retire in all parts of the Frontiers, but were closely followed, and pres­sed to an Engagement, which they declined as much as possible.

THE Queen Mannaging Affairs at home, with all that Conduct which became a Wise and Virtuous Princess. The Navy Royal being at Sea, under the Command of the Earl of Torringion, Admiral, the French King, hoping some great Ad­vantage from the Kings Absence, or [Page 82]to Encourage the Irish Army, whose little Courage began to droop, set forth a very considerable Fleet, the greatest we may say that has been seen of that Nation on the Seas. But the English Sea-men disdaining to Fear, being, on the contrary, full of Courage: On the 30th. of June the two Navys drew up in Lines, off of Beachy; and about Nine in the Morn­ing, the Dutch having the Van-Guard gained the Weather-Gage of the Ene­my; and falling on Fought very bravely for three Hours, which made those they Engaged with hear away with all the Tack they could make. But about One a Clam hap­pening, prevented the Dutch from pursuing the Advantage they had gained, and the French, hindred by that Calm, were constrained to be­gin the Fight again, which, with Extraordinary Fury, continued till Five in the Afternoon. But for what Reason the English Admiral not com­ing up to Second them, as they ex­pected, [Page 83]we determin not, for but a few English Ships, who were car­ryed on by the Courage of their Captains Engaging the Main Body of the French falling into the Rear of the Dutch, they were so Batter'd that they sound themselves constrai­ned to make their way thorough the French Fleet, and stand for the Coast of England, between Beversire and Farly, loosing divers Officers of Note, and several of their Ships Burnt by the Enemy; and al­tho' the French Fleet consisted of 82 Men of War, besides Fireships, and Tenders, and ours was Inferi­our to them in Number; has we had a Drake to our Admiral, they had no doubt run the same Risque, as the Spanish Armado did, in 1588 but what was done could not then be recalled, yet was soon after re­payed with such a stroak, as made all France tremble at the unwelcome Bonfires that were made on their Coasts, by the Renowned Admiral Russel, as will appear in the Sequel. [Page 84]For this Defect Admiral Torrington was sent to the Tower, and afterward Tryed on Board the Kent in the River Medway, but had the Fortune to be Acquitted, and the French upon the retiring of our Fleet having Burnt a few Fishers Cottages at Tinmouth, and there hearing the Militia of the counties of England, were for the most part in Arms, they durst Adventure no further, but returned to their Ships; and after a little Hovering about the Coast, and Stealing a few Sheep out of the Marshes went home, making a mighty boast of a Victory that they had not Gain­ed.

THIS however little availed their Confederates in Ireland, for the King (though as he was view­ing the Enemies Camp having re­ceived a Wound on the Shoulder with a great Shot) passing the River Boyne, fell upon their Army with such Bravery that Notwith­standing [Page 85]they far out numbred him he put them to the Rout in all parts in less than three Hours, whole Regiments running away without being charged, as appeared by their Arms found on the Ground in Re­gimental Order; whereupon the Late King James within a Day or two took Shipping, and Sailed for France upon this Dublin Opened her Gates, and most of the consi­derable Towns in those parts soon after Surrendred, and the Countys that had been long Hazarded, were setled and found Ease and Peace.

THIS News caused rejoycings in England, whilst the Queen with great Conduct and Prudence, mana­ged in the Kings Absence, the weighty affairs of the Kingdom, carrying her self with such a Cou­rage and Constancy as Daunted the boldest repiner at her Vir­tues. The Militia was raised, the Coast Guarded, and a strict Eye had [Page 86]over those suspected to be dissaffect­ed to the Government, and care every where taken by Her Majes­tys Order, for the Security of the Peace and Quiet of the Kingdom, so that the people were not only free from all consternations and ap­prehensions of Danger, but on the contrary full of Courage, and Smi­led with Disdain, on the weak at­tempts and bravado's of our Ene­mys. The Trained Bands of London with much Gallantry, Chearfulness, and Resolution, March'd into Hide Par, and Drew up in a Splendid Appearance, to the number of 10000 Effectual Men, compleatly Armed, and Appointed, and there Her Ma­jesty was pleased to be present, ta­king a view of them whilst they ex­ercised, approving of their ready­ness and Loyalty at such a junct­ure; and by her presence gave them the highest satisfaction Ima­ginable, which they expressed in their Resolves, To Live and Dye, [Page 87]in her Defence, against all Invaders or Clandestine Enemies, but there being to further occasion at that time, they returned home in the same Excellent Order they had Mar­ched thither, and all things remain­ed still and quiet; and both ours and the Dutch Fleet, were Recruit­ed Gallantly in a little time.

SOON after this Her Majesty received News that the English had Beaten the French in America, Land­ed on St. Christophers, and Siezed the greatest part of the Booty in the Island, and Divers French Merchant Ships of considerable Burthen and Richly Laden, were taken by our Privateers and Men of War, for the Fleet was again at Sea, and soon after to repair what had before happened, set Sail for Ireland, and was mainly assisting in the taking of Cork and Kingsail: and the Kings Returning after His Glorious Suc­cess created great Joy and thanks, for the wonderful Mercy and Pro­vidence [Page 88]in preserving his Pretious Life from the Dangers that Threat­ned it, and restoring to us him in health and safety. Upon His Majestys Happy Arival, after his Glorious Enterprise, having by his wonted Courage and Conduct in a great Measure Secured a Kingdom, that was at the Point of being over-run by an Enemy, who made their chief boast in resolves to Root out the Protestant Religion, so long setled and Flourishing there: The Joy was not only great in the Queen and Court, but all over England, as appeared by the many Addresses to Congratulate his Safety, and Happy Return, & Encomiums made on the Welcome Occasion.

THIS Joy spread wider than the narrow bounds of our Island, being Lively expressed in almost all the Courts of Christendom. And the Duke of Savoy finding that the French King, by large (though unjust) ad­vances, encroached upon his Coun­try, [Page 89]thinking it high time to provide for the Liberty and Safety of his Subjects, before they were brought to that Distress that others had fallen into, by delay, and too much Relyance on French Flatery, and desembled protestations of good meaning towards them. Being wil­ling to come into the Alyance, sent his Envoys or Ambassadors to the Courts of the Confederate Princes, whose Negotiations Concluded very Prosperously, Averting from him the Fate of Lorrain and Burgundy, &c. that had been so Treacherously taken from their Rightful Owners, whilst they were held in hand with specious pretences, that no such thing was intended. And that it may, with reason be held, that the Court of Savoy is looked on as one of the Politick Courts of Europe, The Expressions of the Sieur De­la-Tour (Baron of Burdeaux, Coun­cellour of State to the Duke, Pre­sident of the Finaces of Savoy, and [Page 90] Intendant of his Royal Highnesses Houshold) delivered when he had his Audience of the King and Queen, as Envoy Extraordinary here, from the Duke, which for the Elegance of the Stile, gaining a General Approbation, may be well Inserted here.

TO the King, He Addressed Himself in the Following Words,

BY this Speech, we see how a Good Prince, gains not only the Love and Entire Affections of his own Subjects, but even that of all Generous Princes and Good Men; and Raises to himself Trophies in their Hearts, that shall stand as Lasting Monuments of his Worth and Renown.

AFTER this Eloquent Speech made to the King, the Envoy Ad­dressed himself to the Queen, in the Following Words. Viz.

HERE we find the best of Queens, Admired almost to Ado­ration, by those who in a manner had only heard of her Virtues, Pi­ety, and Prudent Conduct in the ma­naging the Great and Weighty affair of the Kingdom, in the Kings Absence, when the French were on the Coast, and in other matters as has been shewed before. Her Mer­cys and Tender Compassions to the Oppressed, have been Worthily, but can never sufficiently be ex­tolled. [Page 95]The Wisdom of the Na­tion were sensible of this, and the Commons Assembled in Parliament having Addressed the King to con­gratulate his Success, and Happy Preservation; Addressed the Queen in this Humble Tender of their Affections to her Royal Person, Viz.

SO much the Goodness and Sweetness of Temper in the Queen, had wound her into the Hearts of Her People, that no Expressions of Gratitude could be wanting to make an Acknowledgment of the Tranquility we enjoyed under her Auspicious Government and Pro­tection [Page 97]so Mild and secure, that it appeared a Halcyon Calm to other Reigns, in which the Blustring Storms of State proved very Tur­bulent and uneasy to a great part of the Nation, so that the People shewed a Ready willingness in all the Sums that were given by Par­liament in Freely parting with their Money for the Support of the Royal Dignity, and carrying on a War, against our Professed E­nemys. Provision was likewise made with the greatest Celerity Imagi­nable for Building Ships of War, Raising Forces, and what ever be­sides was Requisite, for Agrandi­zing the Fame and Reputation of Their Majesties, and their King­doms: So that a Greater Harmo­ny in the minds of the Generality of Men, was never observed in this Nation.

AND now the Princes abroad in Alliance, and Confederated in the War against France, resolving [Page 98]on a General Congress at the Hague, to Concert Affairs, and settle mat­ters for the Vigorous Prosecution of their enterprize, and His Ma­jesty finding his Presence very Ne­cessary in that Grand Assembly, min­ded the Parliament of it in a Gra­cious Speech, and Desired them to hasten the matters before them, which accordingly they did with all con­venient speed, and divers Acts pas­sed the Royal Assent, very much conducing to the Advantage of the Government. And so both Houses having Adjourned for some time, the King took leave of the Queen, and Court, and with some Difficulty, by reason of the Ice, he notwithstanding all Difficulty be­ing Landed Safe, Attended by His Grace the Duke of Ormond, the Lord Steward, Lord Chamberlain, the Earls of Portland and Monmouth, Sieurs Overkirk, and Zulestein; and going from Oram-Haak, near Mase-Landsluys, the place where they came [Page 99]on Shoar to Hounslyr-Dyke; the Deputys of the States Ordered to that Purpose, Attended on His Ma­jesty to Welcome him, and Con­gratulate his Happy Arival, and so passing to the Hague, the States of Holland, and Council of State, with the Heads of the Colledges, made their Complements to him.

AND here a Grateful Nations Joy appeared in the most Magnifi­cent Manner; Divers Stately Arch­es of Triumph being placed in the chief parts of the Town, with Motto's and Devices, suitable to the great Occasion. And the Evening concluded with Fire-Works, Illumi­nations, and all the Demonstrations that might Render it Acceptable. And divers Princes of the Confe­derates being there, they Proceed­ed to Consult of the Weighty Af­fairs, that concerned the Good and Interest of all Christendom, which was then setled in the best man­ner, as the Product and Issue of [Page 100]those happy Councils have since manifested to the World.

THE Queen having again the Government in her Hands, du­ring the Kings Absence, manag'd it with that Prudence and Discre­tion, which made the Nation see, how much it was beholden to so Excellent a Princess: Our Secret and Forreign Enemys, who labour­ed to take Advantages on all oc­casions, found their Designs frus­trated, and all their Dark Pollicys countermined, and those mischiefs they designed others, turned upon themselves, though in their Extre­mity, some of them found Mercy beyond their Expectations, from those who prefer it to Justice, from a Queen who was all Mercy and Compassion, and a King whose Virtues and Heroick Spirit moved him to Compassionute even his E­nemys, who had Causlesly made themselves to their Detriment and Hazzard of their Lives; but pas­sing [Page 101]this over, we proceed to mat­ters of more weight and mo­ment.

THE King returning from the Congress, after the Happy setling of Affairs, was received with Univer­sal Rejoycings of the People: And by the Pious Queen with such Joy, that is beyond our Expression. And having setled Affairs, with Wonderful Prudence here; the English Forces passing over to Flan­ders, he delayed not to be at the Head of them, and with his pre­sence, so Encouraged and Refresh­ed the Spirits of the Army, that all things Succeeded beyond what many Expected. So that the Cam­paign ended Successfully, and gave us an earnest of what have been since Evident to the World; and the Queen had the Grateful thanks and acknowledgment of her Na­tion, for her Prudence and Con­duct in the Management of Af­fairs, and in Her Royal Conde­scending [Page 102]Goodness and Modesty, expressed Her Self Glad, that She had done any thing that Pleased Her People. &c.

WINTER being Come, Great Preparations at Home and Abroad were made, against the Opening the Campaign, for the Year 1692. The Fleet was Equip'd very early; The Honourable Admiral Russel, Commanding it, under whose con­duct, the Seamen were very much Revived, in their Courage and Resolution. Nor did the Dutch delay to Joyn ours, with a very Gallant Squadron of Ships of War, Resolute to Revenge the Injurys they had Sustained the preceding Year: And all things here went Successfully on. Whilst the King was preparing to Pursue his Vict­ories Abroad, Scotland had entire­ly gained the upper hand of its Enemys; and Ireland, under the Conduct of Lievtenant General Ginkle, and other Brave Command­ers, [Page 103]was Reduced, and Owned its Rightful Soveraign; of which Proceedings we shall give a further Account hereafter.

THE Nation at this time was full of Spirit, and that antient Cour­age revived in it, that has for many Ages been renowned through the World. Providence concurring with our desires, to make us a Prosperous and Happy People in spight of all Oposers, either open or clandestine. The best of Queens, by her influence, adding new Life and Vigour to her Loyal and deservedly affected Sub­jects; and like a guiding Star, lead­ing or directing them to their hap­piness. She Arose like another Debora, a Mother in our IsrAel, to relieve her Kingdoms from Opres­sion, and make them flourish; that after our Calamities, we might hear of Joy and Rejoycing, That the Rains being over, and the Winter past, the fragrant Flowers of pros­perity might appear in our Land: [Page 104]Whilst the noyse of the Turtle pro­mised us the Springing up from the Field of War, a Blessed Crop of a continued and lasting Peace; when those that have Disturb'd it shall be compelled to do reason; and like a Cormorant be constrained to disgorge in a little time, what he has been so long a swallowing. Providence to this Nation has been always kind; and that watchful Fate that Guards the Virtuous will, no doubt, gain the Ascendant over their Enemys.

THE Fleet, as we have said, be­ing bravely Equiped, and the Sea­men full of Courage, nothing was wanting but on whom to express their Valour; and shew the World that the Kings of England have not their Epethite, of Lords of the Ocean, in vain; and indeed there was not an Enemy long wanting, for the French, either being deceived in the number of our Ships, or in hopes only our sinall Frigats were abroad, or that being otherways gulled by [Page 105]false Intelligence, that there might be a Defect in our Fleet, tending to a Revolt of some part of it: They put to Sea, under Monsieur Tourville their Admiral, in Search of ours, who were very desirous of finding them; and in Conclusion gave them such a welcome, as they had never before received on the Brittish Ocean.

A Dreadful Scene of War en­suing, which Scattered the Tossing Billows with the Wracks of our Opposers, and made the Watery Fry, Tremble at the Repeated Vol­lies of our Terrestial Thunder. Our Guardian Angel now Commissioned by Omnipotence, Scatter'd Death and Destruction Round him, and Crimson'd the Rumpled Waves with Bloud; but not to Elaborate on this Great and Glorious Acti­on, which otherwise expresses it self in a Gloomy Terror to our Foes, we shall procceed to give the Reader an Account of the [Page 106]most Material Matters that happen­ed on this great Occasion, on which the Ballance of Europe, so mainly Depended. Viz.

THE French Thinking to do great Matters at Sea this Summer, got their Fleet out somewhat soo­ner than they were wont, appear­ing more numerous and daring than they did the last Summer; so that on the 9th of May, their whole Fleet, was, about Noon, seen off of Dartmouth, at a great Distance, viz. three Leagues from the Start, and continued turning to the Eastward, the Wind at East and by North; and the next Day, they were again seen from the same place, when, by their sailing, they seemed as if they intended to stand to their own Coast: And our Fleet being now well mann'd, and in a very good Readiness on the 14th of May, in the Afternoon, Admiral Russel weighed Anchor out of Rye Bay, [Page 107]and about eleven the next Morning joyned Sir Ralph Delaval, and Rear Admiral Carter at St. Helens, and soon after divers Dutch Men of War joyn'd him, so that the whole Fleet consisted of about Ninety Sail of Ships for the Line of Battel, the Officers and Seamen being very hearty and full of Courage, and every thing gave a happy Presage of the Glorious Success that soon after ensued, as appears by the Loyal Address, humbly presented to Her Majesty by the Chief Com­manders of her Fleet; which for the Satisfaction of the Reader, it may not be amiss to Insert, as an Introduction to so glorious an Enterprize. viz.

THE Queen being informed of a scandalous and malitious Report that was spread abroad, as if some of the Officers of their Majesties Fleet were disaffected, or not hear­ty in their Service, and that her Majesty had thereupon ordered the [Page 108]Discharge of many of them from their Employments; Her Majesty was pleased to command the Earl of Nottingham to write to Admiral Russel, and let him know, that Her Majesty was satisfied that this Re­port was raised by the Enemies of the Govenment, and that she repo­sed so entire a Confidence in their Fidelity, that she had resolved not to displace any one of them; which being by the Admiral communica­ted to them, they made and sent up the following Address.

THIS was signed by Sir John Ashby, Admiral of the Red, Mr. Rook, vice Admiral of the Blew, Sir Clously Shovel, Rear-Admiral of the Red; Mr. Carter, Rear-Admiral of the Blew; upon receiving which, her Majesty was pleased to say, That she had always this Opinion of the Com­manders, but was glad this was come to satisfie others.

THE Dutch and English Fleets being Joyned on the 18 of May the Admirals Scout, gave the signe for seeing the Enemy about the grey or opening of the Morning, our Fleet made the French Fleet in a Line of Battel, about two Leagues to the Windward; and they then having the weather-gage, bore down very boldly and closely upon our Fleet; [Page 111]at Eleven the Engagement began, and continued very hot and furious till almost four in the Afternoon, at what time the French Eleet bore away. The Wind at West, and South and by East, and North North East, Sir Clously Shovel, and Sir John Ashby, having the weather-gage, fell bravely on, maintaining the Engage­ment till almost ten at Night; the French all that while bearing away, and the English pursuing them, some Ships were seen in the Night-time in flames, about nine of the Clock;

UPON this News, and ever to be wish'd for Success, as well by Land as Sea, of which heaven has given us already so great an Ear­nest of future Improvement against the Common Enemy, not only the Joy of all Good Subjects Abound­ed, but the Bells, in all Places where it came, were Rung out; the Tower Guns, and those in o­ther places, were discharged, and the Streets at Night, filled with [Page 112] Bonfires and Illuminations, to the great Contentment and Rejoycing of the Nation.

Captain Killingsworth, Command­er of the Fox Fire-Ship, made his way to Portsmouth in his Boat; and gave an Account, that he had Burnt his Fire-ship on Board the French Rear-Admiral, but was put off with a great deal of difficulty; and that he saw a French Man of War, of about Seventy Guns, Blow up, and another Three-Deck'd Ship on Fire.

ON the Twenty-first, about Nine of the Clock in the Morning, our Fleet set Sail again; as like­wise did the French: Admiral Rus­sel took his Course towards Bar­fleur, having got sight of Divers Ships under the Shoar: Admiral Allemond, of the Dutch, and the Admiral of the Blew, Sailed to the Westward. The First of these En­deavoured to get up with Sixteen of the Enemies Ships, which he Discovered, Supposing them to be [Page 113]coming from France to Joyn the French Fleet. Sir John Ashby pur­sued the rest of the French Fleet, who in much confusion laboured to get into the Rase of Ornay. Ad­miral Allemond lost Sight of the Aforementioned Sixteen Ships in the Night, they having (as he sup­posed) got in among the Rocks; and because he found it not Safe, nor Convenient to Follow them there, he Sailed Eastward again to Rejoyn Admiral Russel.

ON the Twenty-Second in the Morning, Vice-Admiral Delaval Burnt, near to the Shoar, under Cape de Wike, a great Ship, called the Rising Sun, of France, being the Ship of Count De Tourville, the French Admiral, carrying a Hundred and Four Guns; as likewise the Admiral commanded by his Second, Monsieur Beaujeu, a Ship carrying a Hundred and two Guns; and the Fort of Eighty Guns; with two Frigates, and three of lesser rank. The Priso­ners [Page 114]who were taken from the burnt Ships, declared, That during the time of the Battle, Four or Five of their biggest Ships were destroyed. Reer-Admiral Carter, and Collonel Hastings, after much Bravery and Resolution, were both killed in the Fight. Admiral Russell, before La­bogue, the 23d of May, ordered Vice-Admiral Rook, with a Squadron of Ships, being the smaller Men of War, and Fire-Ships, and all the Boats in the Fleet mann'd with Sea­men, with Fire-Arms, to set fire to those French Ships which lay before them, penn'd up by our great Men of War: It pleased God to bless their enterprize so well, that that Night, Six of their Ships were set on Fire, and utterly Destroyed; and the next Morning Six more Run the same Fate; with one that Overset, and was Entirely lost; Six of these being Capitals of Three Decks, from Seventy to Ninety Guns, and upwards; the others, [Page 115]from Sixty to Seventy: Our Men in the Boats behaving themselves so Bravely, that they Boarded them, and made their own Guns Fire up­on their Platforms on Shoar, Beat­ing the Enemys therefrom, where they were in great Confusion, be­holding their Ruin, in the Destuct­ion of their Ships. Thus it has Pleased God, of his Infinite Mercy, so to Bless the Arms of Their Sa­cred Majesties, that those that Threatned England with an Inva­sion, and utter Ruin, may be con­vinc'd of their Mistake, and feel the Effect themselves; of which, we hope, this is an Happy Omen. Thus have we given you an Ac­count of the Destruction of their Principal Men of War. For which we ought to Bless God, that hath brought their Great Designs to Naught, and Confounded their En­terprize, and Preserv'd England, as he hath done heretofore in 1588. in Queen Elizabeths days of famous me­mory.

THESE Blazing Fires on the Coast of France, proved very un­welcome, not only Affrighting those who were Spectators from the Shoar, but made even Paris Trem­ble, and Drew a Curtain of Me­lancholy over the Pleasures at the Court of Versalies, when they con­templated how much their once un­bounded hopes had been set back, or frustrated, this and the Prece­ding Year: How they had altoge­ther lost their Footing in Ireland: For the King of Englands intent upon the Great Affairs in Flanders, having appointed the Barron D' Ginkle, his Lievtenant General, in the before mentioned Kingdom; Ballymore with little resistance Sur­rendred; Athlone was taken by Storm; and a Formidable Army, Composed of French and Irish, ut­terly Routed and Dispersed, at Agbrim, St. Ruth the French Gene­ral being Kill'd in the beginning of the Battle; Galloway soon after was [Page 117]gained; and lastly Lymerick when it had endured a Considerable Siege, Vigorously carry'd on, Capitulated upon Articles, and upon the Sur­render of it, all the Irish according to that Capitulation, returned to their Obedience, except such as were Decoy'd to France. And as a Tro­phey of this Success, restoring a Kingdom to its Trade, and Flou­rishing State; the Banners and En­signs taken at Aghrim, were placed for some time in St. James's Park, by Whitehall, to show Heavens Pro­vidence in the Justness of Their Ma­jesties Arms, and the Swiftness of the Victorys obtained, for which, and the Great Defeat at Sea, En­gland expressed her Joy in all suit­able demonstrations.

AND that we might make due Returns to Almighty God, whose Hand had so Signally appeared in all our Proceedings, Prayers and Praises, were put up for his won­derful Mercys and Deliverances.

THE Campaign for this Year, concluding in Flanders, His Majestys Return was Congratulated with all the Demonstrations a Loyal Nation was capable of expressing in Grati­tude to a Prince, who had Hazzarded so much for their Safety, and Pre­servation. And Affairs being set­led, and in an Almost unexpected quiet, throughout the Three King­doms, by Their Majesties Prudence and Conduct, the Alliance abroad being firmly fixed. The King de­parted again from Whitehall, and with a Prosperous Gail, passed over to Holland, where he was Recei­ved with the usual Expressions of Joy, and all the Tender Respect of a Willing and Grateful People, whose Safety his Ancestors, and his own Heroick Virtues, Courage and Conduct, had [...]served and Con­firmed in the Settlement of their Government, Trade, and Liberties &c.

BUT long he Stayed not, after [Page 119]he had Received the Complements and Congratulations of Holland, before he passed to the Camp in Flanders, to give what Orders were Necessary for Opposing the De­signs of the Common Enemy.

During these Transactions the Affairs in England were in a Pros­perous Condition; the Queens Pru­dence in all her management of Af­fairs, scarcely admitting of a Pre­sident in her Sex. The Fleet was Equiped and all things Ordered in the most Excellent manner: The Courage of the Seamen, was as great as ever, and our Land For­ces being Drawn out of Ireland, and that Kingdom being entirely Re­duced, as has been already mention­ed, were the better at Leisure, to give the French King a Diversion nearer Home, who had sent his Troops so far, to Disturb a Coun­trey to which he had not the least Pretension or Claim; and accor­dingly, the Confederate Army ap­peared [Page 120]so Formidable, that Lewis the 14th. (tho' we had some News told us he design'd it) upon more Mature Advisement, Ventured not into the Field, concluding the Cham­ber-Musick to be more Pleasant and Secure, than the Noise of Drums and Trumpets, or Wedging into the Grim Ridges of such a War, in Person, by which we perceive the difference in Princes, and ought to know how to esteem a Blessing di­rected by the Hand of Heaven, as a Sheltring Shield to Protect us, with so much Undaunted Bravery and Resolution.

The Merchants so encouraged, set out a great many Gallant Ships, to Trade in divers parts of the Trading World; and amongst o­thers, the Turkey Fleet, with a considerable Convoy of Men of War, under the Command of Sir George Rook, Sailed; our Main Fleet stand­ing with them about Fifty Leagues W. S. W. off of Ʋshant, were they [Page 121]parted with Sir George, on the 6th of June, not having seen or heard of the Enemys Fleet; yet in the Streights they unexpectedly fell in with them, not having before any certain Advice where they were. However, such was the Courage and Prudence of ours, and the Dutch Commanders, as well Merchantmen as Men of War, that the Enemy lost their expected advantage, very few of the Ships falling into their hands, though their whole Naval Force had in a manner encompassed them, most of the Merchants Ships getting into safe and friendly Ports; and the Men of War, (after they had given them that opportunity) ma­king a Brave Retreat with divers of the rest.

AND now the City of London to express the true sense they had of the Queens Prudent Conduct, in the management of weighty affairs, and kindness to them, made their Address to her, by the Hands of [Page 122]the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council, in the following Words, Viz.

THIS was received by the Queen with very Gracious Expressions, highly Satisfactory to those that Presented it, who as a farther mark of Her Favour had the Honour of Kissing Her Hand.

SOON after a Proclamation was Published, for Preventing the Export­ation of Corn to France, and Ruis­ing the Price of it at home, and for the setling Poor People on Work. For indeed, the French Provinces, by reason of the Scarcity of Corn, [Page 125]were in great straits, and the French King used all possible means to draw it out of other Kingdoms, to prevent the Encroaching Famine; notwithstanding which, and the dis­appointments he met withal a great many of his Subjects Misera­bly perished by Hunger, whilst that King exacted by an Arbitrary way, their Corn and other Provisions from them, to lay up his Stores, and Supply his Magazines on the Fron­tiers.

AND the King (after the close of the Campaign, and his having Escaped very great Dangers, and Signalized his Courage to his Im­mortal Glory, at the Battle of Lan­den in Flanders) returning to England that God might still continue his Mercys and Favours towards us: A Day of Publick Thanksgiving was set apart by Their Majestys Procla­mation, bearing Date the Second of November, 1693. Which was very Religiously and Devoutly Observed, [Page 126]through the Kingdom on the Ap­pointed Days. And the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen, waited on Their Majesties to Congratulate His Majesty's Happy Return, and His Wonderful Preservation in that Signal Providence, that had pro­tected him in the greatest of Dan­gers, to which he had exposed his Royal Person for our safety; and all the Nation Sympathiz'd with them, in their Joy.

THE Winter was chiefly passed o­ver in great Preparations by Sea & Land, the Parliament chearfully gi­ving Their Majesties those Supplys that were Necessary for the carrying on a War, promising Success & Safety, to the most Significant Kingdoms & states of Europe: And early in the Spring, the Turkey and Streights Fleet again set forward on their Voyage, but met with some disappointments in the Streights, by Stress of Weather: And now Admiral Russel, taking a Second time his Commission which the [Page 127]the last Year was in the the Hands of 3 Admirals joyntly. The Fleet hastned to Sea, and got out so Early, that the French found a main disappoint­ment in the repeated losses they sus­tained: A great many of their Corn Ships, & those with Noval Stores be­ing taken by ours. And the Kings intent upon the great Affairs abroad the 3d of May 1694 left Witehall, ac­company'd by the Queen, who having taken her leave of him, soon after em­barqued for Holland, and after receiv­ing the usual Complements, passed to the Campaign, finding all things in a very early readiness, and a posture promising Success.

THE Navy Royal having been out some time in the Narrow Seas, & no Enemy daring to appear, Admiral Russel with the greater part of ours, and the Dutch Squadron, had Orders to Sail to the Streights, and in Con­junction with the Spanish Ships of War and Gallys, prevent the Designs the French had on the Coasts of Catolonia, [Page 128]whose unexpected coming put Mon­sieur Tourville, the French Admiral, in­to such apprehensions of danger, that instead of adventuring to Engage us, or Besiege Barcelonia by Sea, or inter­cept our Streights & Turkey Fleet, he ordered his Ships into the Harbour before Toulon, barring up as well as he could the Haven, and making Platforms on Shoar to defend it; and at last Disarmed his Capital Men of War, and sent a great part of the Seamen over land to Brest.

WHILST these Successes happen­ed further off, a Terrour and Con­sternation was brought on the Coast of France, opposite to our Shoar, for the Lord Berkly keeping the Narrow Seas, with a strong Squadron Entred the Port of Diep, Bomb'd that Im­portant Town, and lay'd it in Ruins, and afterward, had almost the like Success at Havre de Grace; putting a great many Stately Buildings in Elames, which brought such a terror on the people, that many on the [Page 129] Coast left their Habitations: And Dunkirk was likewise Attempted, but by reason of the badness of the Harbour for Entrance and Weather, we could not there have the like ad­vantage.

THE Confederates during these Transactions, pressed the French Ar­mys in Savoy, upon the Rhine, and in Flanders: The Turks were for­ced to a shameful Retreat in Hunga­ry; and the Tartars that came to Relieve Caminick, were Routed by the Poles: Huy in Flanders was ta­ken from the French; and their Boasted Resolutions appeared every where, to be in the Declining Scale, so that the Campaign success­fully ending on the part of the Con­federates by Land, & our Grand Fleet still keeping their station, for Win­tering in the Spanish Ports. The King having received the Complements and Thanks of the States General &c. Land­ing in England, was met by the Queen, with Unexpressible Joy; [Page 130]and the Cities of London & West­minster, in the Evening, as they came to Town, were filled with Illuminations, Bonfires were made, and the Bells Tuned to the Musick of the Peoples Joyful Acclamation; and through these Demonstrations of Gratitude & Loyalty, the Royal Pair passed to Kensington, where they were waited on by the Nobility, with a Tender of their Humbly Duty, and soon after the King was Gra­ciously Pleased to tell the Parlia­ment in his Speech, Of the stop that had been this Year put to the Torrent of the French Proceedings, which had altogether put them to a stand and was a Happy Omen of future success; and that nothing might be wanting on his part, to Oblige his Loving Subjects. An Act was passed for the Frequent meeting of Parliaments, to the high Satisfaction of the Kingdom.

BUT whilst these Occasions of Joy Brightned in the Countenance of all the Well Affected People of these [Page 131] Kingdoms. A Sad and Melancholy Cloud of Sorrow too sudainly over­shadowed our Rejoycings with Grief and Fear, upon the News of the Queens Illness, which begun on the 22d of December; and in a little time Her Distemper was known to be the Small Pox, an Inexorable and Pittyless Distemper, too to Fatal to the Royal Family. And upon this occasion, that God in his Infinite Mercy would be pleased to Preserve her Life, and Restore her Health Publick and Private Prayers were put up.

BUT what shall we say, for our Sins, our Sighs and Tears had not an expected return of our fervent wishes and desires; the Blessing was too great for us, and Heaven be­reaved us of it, to change her Earth­ly Diadem into a Crown of Stars and Glory: For notwithstanding all that Art, and the Prayers of a Mourning Nation could do, the pre­vailing Distemper put a Period to [Page 132]her pretious Life, on the 28th. of December, in the 33d. Year of her Age, at her Pallace of Kensington; where she Dyed amidst the Sighs and Tears of those that were about her, with that Pious Courage and Constancy that had attended all the Actions of her Life. For whose In­estimable loss, no valuable things, on this side Heaven, can suffice to allay our Sorrows, in being depriv'd of the best of Queens, and of Women, in the bloom of her Beauty, excel­lency of Virtue, and prime of her Years.

AND whilst preparations, of solemn Pomp and State, were mak­ing, for the disposing of her Body in the repository of the Grave, amongst her Royal Ancestors, till in the bright Morning of the Resurrection, it shall re-unite with her Angelick Soul in endless felicity, the Nations Grief swell'd in its highest Tide. No Loss ever came so near the Hearts of an Afflicted People, to transport them [Page 133]beyond moderation in Sorrow.

THE Nations Genious, upon this great Blow, put on the deepest of Melancholly; and things appeared as if all Nature Sighed for our Ir­reperable and Inestimable Loss, such a one as even Posterity and Ages to come must in sadness and regret deplore.

HIS Grace the Duke of Norfolk, Earl Marshal of England, pursuant to an Order of Council, hereupon put forth his Order, Requiring, as it was expected, all Persons to go into the deepest Mourning; and that the Nobility, &c. should cover their Coaches with Black Cloath, and their Liverys to be of the same; which was readily, and with all i­maginable complying willingness, O­beyed and Observed. The Peers and Commons in Parliament, weight­ed on the King, at Kensington to con­dole this great Loss, in two Addres­ses, seting forth extraordinary Expressions of their Sorrow, and [Page 134]the deep sense they had of the Death of the most Pious and Best of Queens; and to Entreat His Majesty to moderate his Grief, &c. With protestations to stand by him against all his Enemys abroad and at home.

THE Loyal City of London, in the like manner, express'd its sadness, in a Condolement of so general a loss, as did many other chief places in England in their Addresses, which were received with very Gracious Answers. And Mourning Scotland besides its other Demonstrations of a deep sense of Sorrow Ordered a Day of Humiliation, and Fasting on the Occasion,

Into the Closet of the Royal Mourner, Awe and Distance Commands us not to Pry, no Pen or Words being capable of uttering or framing so much as an Idea of the unexpressi­ble grief that resided there, and therefore all we can do, is to pass it over in Duteous si­lence, and only add our Earnest Prayers and Wish, That God of His Infinite Mercy would Support Him with Comforts and Blessings, under so Weighty Affliction, to be the Protector, Blessing, & Comfort of his Sorrowful Kingdoms.