William the III King of England Scot Fran. and Ireland Prince of Orange c. Aetatis suae 38 HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE AN Historical Account OF THE MEMORABLE ACTIONS Of the most Glorious Monarch WILLIAM III. KING of England Scotland France and Ireland Prince of Orange c. Giving a true Relation of all that hapned of consequence since his glorious Expedition into England from time to time as also the happy Arrival of his Royal Consort Queen Mary and their being Proclaimed and Crowned King and Queen of these Realms The whole containing a Summary from his Birth to this day Together with the Names of several of those worthy Persons upon whom he has conferred Honours and places of Trust since his being Proclaimed LONDON Printed and are to be sold by H. Rhodes next door to the Swan Tavern near Bride-lane in Fleet-Street 1689. LICENSED April 24 1689. THE PREFACE TO THE READER THE weight of this illustrious Subject might have required a greater Vndertaker and made me have kept at an awfull distance whilst the most celebrated Pens of Europe had interwoven and enamell'd the Birth and Rising Glories of so great a Prince with all the Rhetorical and Heroick Accents and Expressions that are capable of giving Life and Fire to the Minds of Men and raising their Souls to a highth capable of knowing the Centre of true Greatness but with humble submission not finding any forward in so invaluable an Enterprize I though unworthy have presumed to make this Essay hoping it will not be taken ill since this at least is the Ground-work upon which the most aspiring Historian must build when he consults the Golden Rolls of Fame to raise a Pyramid of lasting Honour to the Memories of the World 's undoubted Worthies In this Book though small to appearance you may find things as vast in Extent as Virtue and Valour can enlarge them and when I tell you it is the Compendium of the Birth and Actions of the Great and Renowned Prince of the House of Orange with what more especially relates to his Redeeming us from Popery and Slavery by his generous Expedition Valour and Conduct I might be silent since the World is sufficiently sensible of what I farther intend yet that Posterity may not forget so great a Deliverance it is fit that it should be Recorded till Time is swallowed up in Eternity You have Reader in this Book an Account of the illustrious Birth of a Prince born to be the Protectour of the true Religion and the Support next the Almighty Arm of Christianity coming nearest to its primitive Purity with his Advancement to early Honours and his memorable Actions from time to time with the various dangers and hazards to which he has exposed himself for the Repose of Christendom but more especially for the securing and promoting the Protestant Religion You have likewise a Discovery of Popish Cruelties in the wretched State and Condition of the Protestants in France under the late Persecution from which you may gather what we might have expected and suffered had not this great Prince at so much Cost hazard of his Person and indefatigable Labour and Industry dispell'd with the Rays of his early and glorious Success the cloudy Tempest that was breaking over our Heads and to be brief you have an Account of all that has memorably passed from his Birth to this day and that more particularly in England upon the ever-to-be-remembered Occasion of his coming over as our Protectour and Deliverer with the indefatigable Industry he has successfully used to infatuate and defeat the Designs of our Enemies and the Returns he has found from a sensible and gratefull People and especially the Wisdom of the Nation Assembled in Parliament in Proclaiming and Crowning him together with his Royal Consort King and Queen of England c. with the manner of the performance and what else can be required to set forth so illustrious an History the Subject of which may some Angel sound with a golden Trumpet to the utmost Kingdoms of the Earth which is the Wish of Your humble Servant S. J. An Historical Account of the Life and memorable Actions of the most Illustrious William Henry King of Great Britain France and Ireland Prince of Orange c. WHen we undertake to Write of illustrious Persons whose great Actions are sufficiently known to the World and whose Vertues and Candour have placed them upon a Pinacle of Fame it is then that Rhetorical Strains or flattering Applause is altogether to be laid aside as vain and useless for true Diamonds require not the Art to set them off like Counterfeits but relying upon their proper Lustre make their value known and shine in a kind of careless Glory wherefore considering the Illustrious Subject I am here to handle waving elaborate Circumstances and Expressions not greatly pertinent to History or Matters of this kind my Care and Endeavour shall be to keep to Truth and Fact and as much as in me lies to give a satisfactory Account of the Birth and glorious Actions of a Prince whose Fame has travell'd with the Sun. WIlliam Henry of the Illustrious House of Nassau our present Sovereign descended from that renowned German Family that has been ever Famous and to which the Empire and all Christendom has been so much beholden Son to William of Nassau Prince of Orange by the Royal Princess Mary Daughter to Charles I. King of England c. was Born on the 14th of November in the year of our Lord 1650. his Father dying the preceding Month after he had been Married about nine Years and done Actions worthy of his high Birth in the Four and Twentieth year of his Age leaving this hopefull Issue to dispell the Clouds of Sorrow that began to spread themselves over most European Courts upon notice of a Death so unexpected and a Loss so important This great Prince at his Baptism had for Godfathers the Lords States of Holland Zealand and the Cities of Amsterdam Delf and Leyden receiving the Name of William Henry and as he increased in years under the Care of the indulgent Princess and such as were appointed to attend and wait upon him he gave early hope of what hath since been sufficiently manifested At five years of Age he came to visit his Uncle King Charles II who then was at Breda preparing for England to take Possession of the Thrones and Kingdoms so long detained from him where the King expressed his extraordinary satisfaction to see the Prince his Nephew and highly welcomed him and soon after the Estates General having a particular Audience of the King recommending the firmness and fidelity of that Republick to his Interest c. his Majesty in the most obliging Terms replyed That the Interest if no other Motives should induce him to it of two Persons so nearly allied to him as the Princess Royal his Sister and the Prince of Orange his Nephew who live in the Estate as part of it
himself at his Country Palace when in the mean while the Duke of Monmouth and Earl of Argile going from Holland with an inconsiderable number of Men the former to invade England and the latter Scotland their Expeditions proved altogether successless for being severally routed and taken by the King's Forces they suffered Death together with divers others of their Adherents and Abettors In July 1687. his Highness returning from Hounstyrdyke to the Hague he there gave Audience to several foreign Ministers and then parted thence to visit the Garisons of Maestricht Boisleduck and others belonging to the States and in his Return was met by Her Royal Highness at Loo he having in his Progress given necessary Orders for the well governing and strengthening of those Places In December the Marquess d' Albeville Envoy extraordinary from his Majesty of Great Britain had Audience of his Highness the Prince of Orange and the States of Holland but they adjourning to the 7th of January great preparations of Fire-works were made in the mean while to entertain Her Royal Highness the Princess of Orange on New-years-day representing a Battel with four lines ranged with several Batteries lively expressing the manner of an Engagement Now the foreign Priests coming again into remembrance and being looked upon as Enemies to the Common-wealth notwithstanding the intercession that had been made on their behalf the Court of Justice at the Hague drew up a Decree commanding them to retire out of the Country and never to return again promising a Reward of 100 Ducatoons to any that should make discovery and settling a penalty of 600 Florins upon those that should harbour and conceal any of them for the first time 1200 for the second and corporal punishment for the third Offence whereupon a great many of them fled into England where indeed there was but too many before And now the Spring coming on the Prince and Princess of Orange went to their Palace at Loo The King of England for private Reasons of State being about this time desirous to call home the English Regiments in the Service of the States-General the Marquess d' Albeville made it known immediately to their Lordships but they not willing to part with those Forces he proceeded to put in his Memorials representing not only his Resentment of that Refusal but the danger of Officers and Soldiers might incurr but the States having before-hand disbanded them and listed them under their own Command as many as would enter themselves which was the greatest Part of them as well Officers as Soldiers this business came to nothing and although his Majesty had ordered the Masters and Captains of Ships and Vessels to give such as would return free Passage with promise of Advancement yet not many came over In May the Elector of Saxony was splendidly entertained by his Highness the Prince of Orange at Hounslaerdyke and the next day his Highness accompanied him to Scheveling where they went on Board a small Vessel that carried them to a Squadron of 17 Men of War arrived from Schonevelt under the Command of Vice-Admiral Allemond who sent upon their Approach two light Frigats and a Shallop to meet them and were saluted with the Cannon of all the Ships when having Dined on board the Vice-Admiral they returned to Scheveling and from thence his Electoral Highness of Saxony went to visit Delf Rotterdam Dort Maestricht Leige Aix and Cologne and so returned home by the way of Francfort when in the mean while the Heer Van Diest acquainted the Prince of Orange and the States with the Death of the Elector of Brandenburgh a person most firm to the Protestant Interest and whose Death was regretted by the Protestant Princes and States so that both the Prince and the States of Holland immediately nominated a fit person to go and make their Complement of Condolence to the present Elector The next month the Marquess d' Albeville acquainted the Prince and Princess of Orange as also the States with the News of the Queen of England's being delivered of a Son at their Royal Palace of St. James's on Sunday the 10th of June and soon after the News by sundry Expresses was likewise made known to the King's Ministers in all the Courts of Christendom who at a vast Expence and Magnificence proclaimed it and the Conduits in London were commanded to run with Wine and a Thanksgiving day was likewise held for the Queens safe Delivery Congratulations were made upon this occasion by all the Foreign Ministers and the Infant soon after ordered to be prayed for in the publick Prayers of the Church Some Addresses were likewise presented upon that occasion and the Romanists flattered themselves with a lasting Tranquillity and so sure they thought they were of gaining the point that the Lord Arch-Bishop of Canterbury the Lord Bishops of Ely Peterborough St. Asaph Chichester Bath and Wells and Bristol who had been committed by an Order of Council to the Tower for humbly beseeching his Majesty by Petition to remit his Commands of enjoyning his Declaration for Liberty of Conscience to be read in the Churches in time of Divine Service were brought to their Tryalls at the King's-Bench Court Westminster where notwithstanding all that was alledged against them and the pressing Arguments of a Popish Judge then upon the Bench their Candour and Innocence so fairly and plainly appeared that instead of their Adversaries proving that Petition a Libel it was evidently demonstrated that they had done nothing but their The Papists to leave no stone unturned that they might secure themselves for the future as well as the present used many Arts and Insinuations to sound the Intentions and thoughts of their Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Orange whereupon Mr. James Stewart took upon him that not without the King's knowledge and approbation as appears by the Letter writ to Minn Heer Fagel Pentionary of Holland and West-Friezeland upon the King 's publishing his Declaration for Liberty of Conscience and intention to take away the Test and Penal Laws which occasioned his Answer in substance this though little to the satisfaction of the Roman Catholicks viz. That their Highnesses have often declared as they did more particularly to the Marquess Albeville his Majesties Envoy extraordinary to the States That it is their Opinion that no Christian ought to be persecuted for his Conscience or be ill used because he differs from the publick and established Religion and therefore they could be content that even the Papists in England Scotland and Ireland might be suffered to continue in their Religion with as much Liberty as is allowed them by the States of the Vnited Provinces and as for the Protestant Dissenters their Highnesses did not only consent but heartily approved of their having an entire Liberty for the full Exercise of their Religion without any trouble or hindrance c. That their Highnesses were ready in case his Majesty of England should desire it to declare their willingness to concurr
in the settling and confirming this Liberty as far as it lay in them and were ready if desired to concurr in the Repealing the Laws provided always that those Laws remain still in their full vigor by which the Roman Chatholicks are shut out of both Houses of Parliament out of all Employments Ecclesiastical Civil and Military as likewise all those other Laws which confirm the Protestant Religion and which secure it against all the Attempts of the Roman Catholicks But that their Highnesses could not agree to the Repealing of the Test or those Penal Laws that tend to the security of the Protestant Religion since the Roman Catholicks receive no more prejudice from these than the being excluded from Parliaments or from publick Employments and that by them the Protestant Religion is covered from all the Designs of the Roman Catholicks against it or against the publick safety and neither the Tests nor those other Laws can be said to carry in them any Severity against the Roman Catholicks upon Account of their Consciences they being only Provisions qualifying Men to be Members of Parliament or to be capable of bearing Offices by which they must declare before God and Men that they are for the Protestant Religion so that all this amounts to no more than a securing the Protestant Religion from any prejudice that it may receive from Roman Catholicks That their Highnesses have thought and do still think that more than this ought not to be asked or expected from them since by this means the Roman Catholick and their Posterity would be for ever secured from all troubles in their Persons or Estates or in the Exercise of their Religion and that the Roman Catholicks ought to be satisfied with this and not to disquiet the Kingdom because they cannot be admitted to sit in Parliament or to be in Employment or because those Laws in which the security of the Protestant Religion does chiefly consist are not repealed by which they may be put in a condition to over-turn it That their Highnesses also believed that Dissenters would be for ever satisfied when they should be for ever covered from all danger of being disturbed or punished for the free Exercise of their Religion upon any sort of pretence what soever These things we find in the Letter of that great Minister of State as the just Sentiments of their Highnesses which did not at all please the Court and perceiving the Wind averse in that quarter Mr. Stewart in his other Letter tells the Pensioner a while after That the Court was quite beyond it and had taken other measures c. About this time an account being given by the persons who had it in charge and for that intent made it their Business to visit the most considerable places in England and Wales how the people stood affected in relation to the taking off the Penal Laws and Tests if they should be chosen Members of Parliament or were qualified for chusing The King being at Windsor the 24th of August he declared in Council That pursuant to his Declaration he resolved to call a Parliament to meet the 27th of November following and ordered the Lord Chancellor to issue out Writs on that behalf the 18th of September after the sitting of that Council and accordingly Writs were prepared but were stopped and recalled upon certain notice that his Highness the Prince of Orange was preparing for England more of which I shall have occasion to mention hereafter About the beginning of September the Prince went to meet the Elector of Brandenburgh going from Loo on the 5th for Minden as also to meet some other Princes and Noble-men of Germany which so allarm'd the French King that the Count d' Avanx the French Ambassadour presented a Memorial to the Sates-General by the Order of his master who mistaking the measures the Prince intended at that time to take complained therein That the King his Master being informed of the motions and Coferences that were made and held towards the Frontiers of Cologne against the Cardinal of Fustemburgh and that Chapter he was resolved to maintain the Cardinal and the Privileges against all those that should go about to trouble them c. No sooner did his Highness return from that Conference to Loo but Orders were taken to draw the Forces together in order to the Encampment upon the Mooker Hyde and the Forces of the other Princes had Orders to be upon their march as those of Brandenburgh Hesse Cassel c. and on the 16th of September the States assembled at the Hague where his Highness the Prince of Orange was present continuing in debating several matters of great weight and consequence but as to the particulars we are wanting however it was generally suspected that the King had Intelligence that the great preparatons of Naval and Land Forces were intended for England when contrary to expectation His Majesty in his Declaration bearing Date the 20th of September relating to the Regulating Elections has this Clause viz We are willing the Roman Catholicks shall remain incapable to be Members of the House of Commons c. and on the 26th an Order was published to restore the Deputy-Lieutenants and such Gentlemen as had been put out of their Offices and Commissions and the next publick account we had was the King's Proclamation bearing Date the 25th of September giving a large Account of his Highness's Intentions to pass the Seas and land in England and the Marquess d' Albeville presented a Memorial to the Deputies of the States-General upon that Subject yet the preparations went on and whilst the Marquess expected an Answer to his Memorial the Troups embarked and her Highness and the Mareschal de Scomberg came to the Hague And so far wrought the News of these preparations that Magdalen College in Oxford was ordered to be restored and settled settled London was likewise restored her antient Charter other Corporations were restored to their Charters and Magistrates and the Church of England had immediately the right hand of Fellowship which made many wonder to see things so suddenly changed the suffering Bishops were received into favour and had leave to make their proposals for the good settlement and constitution of the Government and the Popish Party that was so lately Paramount began to droop so wonderfully wrought the terrour of his Highness's Approach On the 15th of October the Infant who had before been privately Christened was publickly named amidst the Ceremonies and Rites of Baptism in the Chapel at St. James's by the Name James Francis Edward the Pope being God father by his Nuncio and the Queen Dowager God mother the King and Queen with many others assisting And now great preparations were made to take the Field and Sutlers encouraged to attend the Army with more Freedom and Advantage than formerly for News came on the 23d of October that the Troups were all on Ship-board and that his Highness the Prince of Orange would embark so soon as the Ships in
of Orange having taken upon him at the request of the Lords and Commons the farther Administration of Government in Civil and Military Affairs proceeded to the most effectual meanes for the better setling the Army and taking care for their Payment and the better to assure them and encourage men of worth and true Valour the sale of Offices or Military Employments are laid aside And now the Wisdom of the Nation having thought it as we head necessary to have the presence of her Royal Highness the Princess of Orange in England upon this great juncture of Affairs thereupon a Convoy of Men of War as well English as Dutch was ordered to wait upon her till her Equipage could be got in a readiness and the Wind served to bring over her Highness c. During the Joy of the People in expectation or the Arrival of her Royal Highness and the preparations for her Reception we had News from France that the King and Queen of England were frequently visited by the French Nobility and entertained with the accustomed Grandeur and that the French King gave out that he would have extraordinary Forces in the Field early in the Spring to oppose the gathering Armies of the Confederate Princes and States of Holland promising to himself those advantages which only Time can make out or determine In opposition to which and to disable him in the lessening his Revenues an Address was agreed on by the honourable Convention Assembled at Westminster upon the great emergency of Affairs to desire and intreat his Highness the Prince of Orange to issue out his Proclamation for the prohibiting the Importation of French Commodities and the going out of any Ships hence for France farther recommending the State of Ireland as its present Condition requires to his Care. On Wednesday the 30th of January being the anniversary Solemnity for the Murther of King Charles I. Dr. Sharp Dean of Norwich Preached before the House at St. Margarets Westminster and on Thursday the 31th of January the day appointed for Thanksgiving in the City of London and Ten miles round it for the success of his Highness the Prince of Orange in the miraculous Deliverance he brought this Kingdom c. Dr. Gilbert Burnet now Bishop of Salisbury according to the desire of the House Preached before them in the same Church there being a numerous Assembly who at the close of that Sermon expressed an extraordinary satisfaction the whole course of it being managed with much Learning and Prudence in every respect suitable to the occasion of the day and the Prayers appointed were read in the other Churches with the same acceptation And because the sixth of February was at hand to prevent the Thanksgiving formerly appointed to be held on that day an Order of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal bearing date the second of the same Month was made publick in these words Ordered by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal assembled at Westminster that the Day of Thanksgiving on the 6th of February Instant on which Day the late King James II. came to the Throne shall not be observed in this Kingdom Things being in this forwardness a great many Citizens of London and Westminster appeared in the Court of Requests with two Petitions one to the Lords and another to the Commons both to this Effect viz. That they most humbly desired that his most Illustrious Highness the Prince of Orange might be speedily setled in the Throne by whose Courage Conduct and Reputation the Nation and the Protestant Religion might be defended from Enemies abroad and at home That Ireland might be rescued from its deplorable Condition and finally the Kingdoms setled on a lasting foundation in Peace and Liberty These being received and many weighty Considerations urging it her Royal Highness's Coming over was hastened and being on her Departure for England the States General the States of Holland the Council of State the Courts of Justice and all other Colleges either in Body or by their Deputies made their Complements to her on the Occasion and the like was done by foreign Ministers and all other Persons of Quality and at her Leaving the Hague the Magistrates entreated that the Burghers might attend her in Arms but She excused it however the States of Holland appointed three of their Body to wait upon her Royal Highness to the place of her Embarquing sending Orders to the Sieur d' Allemonde and the Ships under his Command to joyn Admiral Herbert who from England attended her with a Squadron of Men of war and sundry Yatches for the better conveniency of Transportation and having a prosperous Gale on the 12th of February in the afternoon She safely arrived at White-Hall having been saluted by the Guns of the Forts Ships in the road and those of the Tower where the Royal Banner was displayed and by that Example the Ships likewise had put out their Flags and Streamers Great was the Joy upon the safe Landing of her Royal Highness as appeared by the repeated Acclamations of the People and other publick Demonstrations and that Night She received the Complements of the chief Persons of Quality And now the Two Houses thought it no longer necessary to delay Proclaiming the Prince and Princess King and Queen of England so that having at large declared the Reasons for the Abdication of James II. laying down therein the Illegalities in former Proceedings and Miscarriages in Government c. they came to a Resolve That William and Mary Prince and Princess of Orange should be Declared King and Queen of England France and Ireland with all the Dominions thereunto belonging to hold the Crown and Royal Dignity of the said Kingdoms Dominions to them during their Lives and the Life of the Survivor of them and that the sole and full Exercise of the Regal Power be only in and executed by the Prince in the Name of Himself and the Princess during their joynt Lives and after their Deceases the Crown and Royal Dignities of the Kingdoms and Dominions to be to the Heirs of the Body of the Princess and for default of such Issue to the Princess Ann of Denmark and the Heirs of her Body and for default of such Issue to the Heirs of the Body of the Prince of Orange And praying the Prince and Princess to accept this accordingly the following Oaths were appointed to be taken by such Persons of whom the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy might be required by Law and farther that the former Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy be Abrogated After which the Oaths were Enacted viz. I A. B. do sincerely Promise and Swear That I will be faithfull and bear true Allegiance to their Majesties King William and Queen Mary So help me God. I A. B. do Swear That I do from my Heart Abhor Detest and Abjure as Impious and Heretical this damnable Doctrine and Position that Princes Excommunicated or deprived by the Pope or any Authority of the See of Rome may be Deposed or
Murthered by their Subjects or any other whatsoever And I do declare That no Foreign Prince Person Prelate State or Potentate hath or ought to have any Jurisdiction Power Superiority Preeminence or Authority Ecclesiastical or Spiritual within this Realm So help me God. These and others too many to be here inserted being the Proceedings in order to the Proclaiming on the 13th of February the Two Houses went to acquaint the Prince and Princess of Orange in the Banqueting-House with what they had done and having received Their Consent thereto the Lords and Commons about Eleven of the Clock went down to White-Hall Gate where the Officers at Arms Serjeants at Arms Trumpets and other Persons concerned in the Solemnity being assembled by order of the Duke of Norfolk Earl Marshal of England St. Thomas St. George Knight Garter Principal King at Arms having received a Proclamation and the Officers at Arms being Ordered by the House of Lords forthwith to Proclaim it York Herauld after the Trumpets had thrice Sounded Proclaimed it at White-Hall Gate Garter Reading it to him by Periods in the Presence of the Lords and Commons and a great Concourse of People c. and at the end of the Proclamation the Palace and all the adjacent Places resounded with the Eccho of a general Joy and loud Satisfaction and from thence in Excellent Order they proceeded to Temple-Bar where as the Ceremony is in this Case according to Custome finding the Gates shut two of the Officers at Arms attended by a Serjeant at Arms and two Trumpets knocked and thereupon the Sheriffs of London and Middlesex being informed of the Occasion of their Coming Ordered them to be opened and the whole Proceeding entered except the Bailiff of Westminster and his Men who returned as being obliged not to pass the Bounds of their Liberty and here the Lord Mayor Recorder and Aldermen received them in their Formalities and a second Proclamation was made between the two Temple-Gates in the same manner and order and the Lord Mayor Sheriffs Aldermen c. falling into the Proceding they passed to Wood-street-end in Cheapside and there made a third Proclamation and a fourth before the Royal Exchange in Cornhill every time concluding with Shouts and Acclamations of the People who filled the Streets Balconies and Windows in great multitudes and to prevent any Disorder such an Excess of Joy might occasion four Regiments of the City Militia were in Arms to line the Way for the better conveniency of Passage The Pomp of the Solemnity being over and night coming on the Bells and Bonfires made a second Proclamation of the Peoples Satisfaction and the news by the Thundering of the Cannon was in a short time carried by taking the fire of the Guns from one Ship to another beyond the Island it self nor were their curious Fire-works and Devices wanting on this Occasion and the Solemnity was more especially concluded with Magnificent Entertainments at Court and soon after their Majesties with the like Demonstration of Joy were Proclaimed in all the Cities and Principal Burghs Towns of England and Dominion of Wales On the 15th of February His Majesty returned both Houses a very Gracious Answer to their Declaration wherein he expressed Himself highly satisfied with what they had done and was pleased to promised them the utmost of his Care and Protection for the preservation of their Religion Laws and Liberties and that He would be willing to concurr with them in any thing that should be for the Good of the Kingdom and to doe all that in him lay to advance the Glory and Welfare of the Nation About this time a Complaint was made that divers disorderly Persons notwithstanding a former Declaration strictly enjoyning the contrary continued to destroy the Deer Timber and Underwoods in divers Chases and Forrests Farther Notice was published Commanding all Mayors Sheriffs Justices of the Peace and others whom it might concern to seize or cause Persons found offending therein to be seized and proceeded against according to Law without expectation of Pardon if found guilty And farther considering that divers had attempted to escape to Tyrconnel in Ireland to aid him in oppressing the Protestants of that Kingdom Orders were taken for stopping the Ports of Chester Beaumaris and Holy-head and other Ports and Creeks on the Irish Sea and not to susser any Person or Persons whatsoever to go for Ireland unless those by whom a Pass was produced from his Majesty or one of his Principal Secretaries of State. The Recorder Sheriffs and Common Serjeant of London having been to wait on their Majesties by Order of the Lord Mayor and Common Council to beg leave from them to attend their Majesties to Congratulate their happy Accession to the Throne the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Commons went in a Body and had the favour of Waiting upon their Majesties in the Banqueting-House and were Graciously received being admitted to Kiss their Majesties Hands And now we received continual Relations of the Joy that was conceived throughout the whole Shires of England c. Upon the several Proclaimings of King William and Queen Mary Expressed by Ringing of Bells making of Bonfires and drinking their Healths On the 18th of February in the morning the King went from White-Hall in his Barge of State to the Parliament-Stairs where he was received by several of the great Officers and others the Yeomen of the Guards and Gentlemen Pentioners making a Lane from the Water-side to the Door going up into the Prince's Lodgings the Proceedings being in this manner First went the Officers at Arms then the Noble-men bearing white Staves and after them Serjeants at Arms the Garter King at Arms between two Gentlemen-Ushers immediately before the Sword of State which was born by the Duke of Somerset having on the Left hand the Duke of Norfolk Earl Marshal of England with his Marshal's Staff next went the Marquess of Winchester bearing the Cup of State then the King followed by an Officer of the Guards and other Persons of Quality the Gentlemen Pentioners closing the Rear and his Majesty being come into the Prince's Lodging was invested with his Sur-coat and Mantle of Crimson Velvet bordered with Gold-Lace and furred with Ermins as also with the Collar of the Order of the Garter and as soon as the Crown was placed upon His Head the Officers at Arms and the Serjeants at Arms entered the House of Lords and the Noblemen who preceded his Majesty having placed themselves on each side of the Throne and his Majesty whose Train was born up by Noble-mens Eldest Sons being-seated on the Throne the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod was commanded to summon up the Commons who being accordingly introduced into the House of Peers and their Speaker conducted to the Bar with the usual Formalities and the Lords being in their Robes His Majesty made a most Gracious speech in which he was pleased to let them know how sensible he was of their Kindness and how much he valued the
confidence they had reposed in him Assuring them that he would never do any thing that might lessen their good Opinion of him putting them in mind of the Allies abroad and the hazard they may run especially Holland unless some speedy Care were taken That a good Settlement was necessary at Home particularly recommending to them the dangerous State of Ireland and the Methods to their spedy consideration On the 2d of February the Lord Bishop on London with the Clergy of the City to the number of an 100 waited on their Majesties with an humble Tender of their Fidelity and Duty and being Graciously received were admitted to kiss their Majesties Hands the King at the same time being pleased to give them a full Assurance of of his great Affection to the Church of England and of all the Protection and Encouragement to them for which he gave them his Royal Word concluding with Assuring them that they should ever find it so and they might depend upon it the Houses resolved into a free Parliament His Majesty went on the 23d of February by Water to the House of Lords attended with the usual Solemnity and being in his Royal Robes with the Crown on his Head seated on the Throne and the Commons being sent for His Majesty gave the Royal Assent to an Act for removing and preventing all Questions and Disputes about the Assembling and Sitting of the present Parliament And having disrobed himself he was attended to the Water-side with the like Ceremony as before and in the afternoon their Majesties went to Hampton-Court On the 28th of February two Proclamations were issued forth by the King and Queen the one at the Request of the Honourable House of Commons to apprehend Robert Brent Gentleman late of the Inner Temple charged with High Treason who procuring himself to be Bailed had left them and fled from Justice with the Reward of 200 l. to any person that should discover or apprehend him and those that should conceal or further his Escape to be proceeded against with the utmost severity according to Law. The other for the bringing in and restoring of Arms that had been Embezled or Lost during the Disorders and Disbandings amongst the Soldiers that had been in pay under the late King James and upon advice that the Earl of Tyrconnel laboured to draw the Irish more and more to his Party and confirm those that were already in Arms with him by laying before them the Danger already incurr'd their Majesties to leave them that should obstinately persist without excuse issued forth a Proclamation offering amongst other things Pardon and Indemnity for all things by those of the Earl's Party if they laid down their Arms and retired themselves to their respective Habitations and Places of Abode and there peaceably behaved themselves as good Subjects ought to doe as likewise that they should upon this ondition enjoy in full freedom their Estates according to Law and those of the Roman Church upon such Consideration to have all the Favour for the private Exercise of their Religion that the Law allows with a promise speedily to call a Parliament in that Kingdom but on the Contrary declaring them Rebels and Traytors c. and their Lands and Possessions forfeited and to be disposed and distributed to those that should be Aiding and Assisting in reducing the Kingdom to its due Obedience This Proclamation 't is thought whether hindred by Tyrconnel's violence from coming to the knowledge of the Vulgar or creating a fear in his followers made him fly to his Last refuge of more strictly disarming the Protestants as well those in Cities that fell into his hands as Gentlemen who were retired to their Houses where his Soldiers committed sundry Outrages of an high Nature Robbing and Pillaging without remorse or pity though under a colour excused himself by giving directions to the Magistrates to see that no wrong should be done however when Complaints were made he urged necessity compell'd his Men to doe what they did yet the Protestants especially in the North stood to their Arms and repelled force by force getting some supplies of Ammunition out of Scotland keeping the Town of Sligo and other places of strength with a Longing expectation of the Arrival of the Forces and necessary Provisions from England to be thereby enable to carry on the War and recover what has been taken from them by the Irish Papists And now the duty of Hearth mony being looked upon by the Commons as a grievance to the Subjects and represented as such to his Majesty the King was pleased to send a message that he left it to their considerations either to regulate it or to take it away which was received with great satisfaction and forthwith the thanks of the House were ordered to be returned his Majesty for his gracious Message and on the 1st of March in the Afternoon the Knights Citizens and Burgesses in Parliament assembled Waited upon his Majesty in the Banqueting-house and and there presented an Address of thanks wherein they expressed the Joy and Satisfaction they conceived at so unpresidented an offer humbly craving leave to present their Assurance that they-would make such gratefull and affectionate returns as were suitable to his Majesties most Gracious Intentions and be so carefull of the Support of the Crown that the World should see to the discouraging his Enemies that his Majesty reigns in the Hearts of his People c. The Lords Spiritual and Temporal and Commons Assembled in Parliament made likewise and Address to his Majesty expressing therein how highly they were sensible of their great and Signal deliverance c. And that being fully convinced of the restless Spirits and continued Endeavours of his Majesties and the Nations Enemies for the Extirpation of the Protestant Religion and the Subversion of the Laws and Liberties they unanimously declared that they would Stand by and Assist his Majesty with their Lives and Fortunes in Supporting his Allies abroad in reducing Ireland and in defence of the Protestant Religion of the Kingdom To this his Majesty was pleased to return them a very Gracious Answer expressing therein the valuable Esteem he had for Parliaments and especially for this expressing his Satisfaction of the Confidence and Trust they had reposed in him and that it should be his Care never to give any Parliament cause of distrust and withall recommending to them the care of the Allies abroad and minding them of the greate Expence the States of Holland had been at in the Expedition and Zeal they had to promote it and to second his Majesties Endeavours even with a neglect of their own Safety not doubting but their Generosity would not only enable him to make good his treaty with those States and repay what they actually layd out and of which an account should be given but support them to their utmost Ability against the power of their Enemies considering both Interests were upon one and the same Bottom As to safety his
there was remarkable between the King 's first with-drawing himself and his return which considering people are apt to conclude might be designed for a general Notice for the Papists to have risen in Arms and fell upon the Protestants in their Houses had not his Highness's Prudent Conduct broken their Measures and rendred their Purpose insignificant and that was a general Allarm given in the dead of the Night at almost one and the same time in the most considerable Cities and Towns in England upon pretence the Irish were killing burning and destroying all before them which appeared to be carried on industriously by persons set on purpose to spread that false Allarm or it could not other ways have been done in so many distant places at once which put people into a great Hurry and Consternation till day appeared and convinced them of the Fallacy so that whatever was intended God prevented its taking effect And now the satisfaction of the longing People drew near for on the day the King left White-Hall His Highness the Prince of Orange with a very splendid Equipage entered the Town about three in the Afternoon and came to he Palace of St. James's where he received the Complements of all the Nobility and other persons of the chiefest Quality in Town and at Night the Streets were enlightened with Bonfires the Bells every where ringing and all places filled with a large demonstration of unfeigned Joy so that the Face of things were visibly changed insomuch that even the Rabble that a little before â—ould know no Order were now calm â—nd in a thorow quiet Upon the Arrival of His Highness the Common Council of the City of London assembled and unanimously agreed and ordered That all the Aldermen of that City and their Deputies with two Common Council Men for each Ward should wait upon and congratulate His Highness upon his happy Arrival at such a time and place as his Highness should appoint and that the two Sheriffs and Mr. Common Serjeant should wait upon him to know his pleasure when he would be attended by that Committee and accordingly the next day they attended His Highness at St. James's and on the 20th the Lord Mayor being indisposed the Aldermen and their respective Deputies with some of the Common Council-men of each Ward waited on the Prince to congratulate him on his happy Arrival which was performed by Sir George Treby in a Florid Speech The High Sheriff Nobility and Gentry of the County of Cambridge about this time drew up and signed an Address to his Highness wherein they not only beg his Protection and implore his aid to restore these Kingdoms from Popery and Slavery but also assure his Highness that they will contribute their utmost endeavours in perfecting so Glorious a Work and return his Highness their unfeigned thanks for the Progress he has made already with great Cost Labour and Hazard both by Sea and Land c. which was presented to his Highness and received with particular marks of his Favour And now the King's Forces that were disbanded not having any certain Stations or places of gathering Quarters were appointed the respective Troups and Regiments whither the Officers and Soldiers were commanded forth-with to repair and seeing many had embezzled their Arms and Order was put forth signed by his Highness commanding those that had them in custody to re-deliver them to the Soldiers the Officers of the Ordinance or common Stores of the Tower c. Whilst these things happened the King after several days continuance at Rochester withdrew himself with a slender Train about twelve of the Clock in the Night on the 22d of December making a back way with great secrecy and caution to the Sea-Port where he embarked and was afterward known to be landed in France and favourably received by the French King having left a Paper behind him given out to contain his Reasons for withdrawing himself And Portsmouth that held out with some Obstinacy under the Duke of Barwick and Sir Edward Scot Deputy Governour submitted and received a Garison sent thither by the Prince's Order On the Twenty Fifth of December the Lords Spiritual and Temporal assembled at the House of Lords at Westminster humbly proposed and requested of his Highness To take upon him the Administration of publick Affairs both Civil and Military and the Disposal of the Publick Revenue for the Preservation of the Protestant Religion Rights Laws Liberties and Properties and of the Peace of the Nation and that he would take into his particular Care the present Condition of Ireland and endeavour by the most speedy and effectual means to prevent the danger threatening that Kingdom all which they requested his Highness to undertake and exercise till the meeting of the intended Convention 22d of January c. At the same time this great and honourable Assembly made their request to his Highness desiring him that he would cause his Letters to be Written subscribed by himself to be sent to the Lords Spiritual and Temporal being Protestants and for Election to the several Counties Universities Cities Boroughs and Cinque Ports of England Wales and Town of Berwick upon Tweed for Electing Persons fitly qualified so that being duly chosen for Knights of the Shire and Burgesses they might meet and sit at Westminster the Twenty Second of January ensuing And these were signed by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal then assembled On the 26th divers of the Members of Parliament in the Reign of the late King Charles II. and the Aldermen and Common Council of the City of London pursuant to his Highness the Prince of Orange's Desire met at St. James's to whom his Highness made a gracious Speech in the following words YOV Gentlemen that have been Members of the late Parliaments I have desired you to meet me here to advise the best manner how to pursue the Ends of my Declaration in calling a free Parliament for the preservation of the Protestant Religion the restoring of the Rights and Liberties of the Kingdom and settling the same that they may not be in danger of being again subverted And you the Aldermen and Members the Common Council of the City of London I desire the same of you and in regard your numbers are like to be great you may if you think fit divided your selves and sit in several places Upon which they immediately agreed to go to the Commons House at Westminster where being sate they chose Henry Powle Esq their Chair-man and upon Debate they resolved upon Heads for an Address to be made to his Highness and appointed Persons to draw up and prepare the same and in the Afternoon it was done accordingly read and approv'd and his Highness having appointed to receive it the next day he was attended by them and the Address read by Mr. Powle much to the same effect as what had been before proposed by the Lord viz. Returning his Highness their hearty and unfeigned Thanks and expressing their extraordinary
Religion established by Law And will you preserve unto the Bishops and Clergy of this Realm and to the Churches committed to their Charge all such Rights and Privileges as by Law do or shall appertain to any of them King and Queen All this I promise to doe After this the King and Queen laying his and her hand upon the holy Gospel shall say King and Queen These things which I have here before promised I will perform and keep So help me God. Then the King and Queen shall kiss the book And this Oath by the same Act is to be administred to all the Kings and Queens that shall succeed to the Imperial Crown of this Realm at their respective Coronations by one of the Archbishops or Bishops and to be done in publick Thus every thing being in a readiness and the expected day arrived their Majesties being come from White-Hall to Westminster the Heralds began to put the Proceedings in order the Peers in the Lords House and the Peeresses in the painted Chamber so that about eleven in the morning their Majesties and the whole Proceeding were conducted into Westminster-Hall where at the upper end a Throne being erected their Majesties took their Seats under their Cloath of State on the inside the Table which done the Master of the Jewel-house presented to the Lord High Constable the Sword of State also the Sword Curtana and the two pointed Swords in their order who in the like order delivered them to the Lord Great Chamberlain and he having drawn them out of the Scaboards laid them on the Table before their Majesties as likewise the Spurs After which the Dean and Prebendaries of Westminster bring the Crowns and other Regalia presented them severally and then they were delivered to those Lords whose Office or Trust it was to bear them Then the Proceeding began from Westminster Hall to the Abbey where being entered and each seated or placed in order the Lord Bishop of London began with the Recognition which ending with a general Shout and universal Acclamation of Joy their Majesties offered and the Lords who carried the Regalia offered them at the Altar severally to be there disposed after which the Litany was sung by the Bishops of St. Asaph and Bangor which ended the Communion Service began the Epistle taken out of the 1 Pet. 2. ver 13 17. was read by the Bishop of Carlisle and the Gospel out of Mat. 22. 16 22. was read by the Bishop of St. Asaph after which followed the Nicene Creed and by this time the Bishop of Salisbury being in the Pulpit after repeating the Lords Prayers took his Text 2 Sam. 23.3 4. viz. The Lord 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 springing out of the Earth by clear shining after rain The Sermon which lasted half an hour being ended their Majesties took the new established Oath before mentioned and after Veni Creator was sung and the Holy Oil consecrated their Majesties were conducted to their Royal Chairs placed on the Theatre where the Honourable Members of the House of Commons who with their Speaker were seated in the north Cross might have a full prospect and there being disrobed of their Crimson Mantles their Majesties were solemnly annointed and presented with the Spurs and Sword which being offered up and redeemed by the Earl of Portland their Majesties were invested with the Imperial Robes and Orbs after that with the Rings and Sceptres and about four of the Clock the Crowns were placed on their heads by the Lord Bishop of London assisted by the Lord Bishop of Rochester upon which the Drums beat the Trumpets sounded the great Guns were fired yet were drowned in a manner by the loud shouts and joyfull Acclamations of the People and the Peers and Peeresses putting on their Coronets the holy Bible was presented to their Majesties and after the Benediction they vouchsafed to kiss the Bishops and then Te Deum was sung and they ascended the Throne the Archbishop and Bishops doing jointly Homage and kissed their Majesties left Cheeks and after them the Temporal Peers did the like whilest the Medals were cast about by the Treasurer of the Houshold inscribed on one side Ne totus absumatur and on the other Gulielmus Maria Rex Regina After this began the Communion their Majesties making their second Offering and having received the Holy Sacrament they went in State into St. Edward's Chapel where being divested of the Imperial Palls c. and robed in Purple Velvet returned to Westminster-Hall with their Crowns of State on their Heads the Peers and Peeresses wearing their Coronots where a very splendid Entertainment was furnished at sundry Tables and between the first and second course Charles Dymcke Esq their Majesties Champion came on Horseback completely armed between the Lord High Constable and Earl Marshal both on Horseback and made his Chalenge which was pronounced by York Herald in these words viz. If an Person of what degree soever high or low shall deny or gainsay our Sovereign Lord and Lady King William and Queen Mary King and Queen of England France and Ireland Defenders of the Faith to be rightfull King and Queen of this Realm of England or that they ought not to enjoy the Imperial Crown of the same Here is their Champion who saith he lyeth and is a false Traitor being ready in Person to combate with him and in this Quarrel will adventure his Life against him on what day soever be shall be appointed After which their Majesties Styles were proclaimed in Latin French and English and about eight in the evening they returned to White-Hall This caused great Rejoicing in Holland as well as England the States ordering it to be exprest by Bells Bonfires and Fireworks c. The Convention in Scotland declared their Majesties King and Queen in the following manner viz. After the Vote had passed the Estates assisted by the Ld. Provost Magistrates and Council of Edinburgh attended by Lyon King at Arms Heralds Pursuvants and Trumpets went to the Cross on foot proclaimed their Majesties ' King and Queen of Scotland and deputed some of the Estates to offer the Crown with an Instrument of Government for settling that Kingdom A Table of the chief Ministers of State and Officers of Trust newly made by the King and Queen of England The most Honourable Privy-Council HIS Royal Highness Prince George of Denmark Duke of Cumberland c. Lord A. B. Cant. Marquess of Caermarthen E. of Danby and L. President of the Council Marquess of Halifax L. Privy-Seal D. of Norfolk Earl-Marshal of England Duke of Bolton Marquess of Winchester E. of Lindsey L. Great Chamberlain of Engl. E. of Devonshire L. Steward of his Majesties Houshold E. of Dors Midds Ld. Chamberlain of his Majesties Houshold