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 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 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 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 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 â— 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 unexpresâ—able demonstrations of Joy and â—ad the pleasure again to see the Fairest Flower in Englands Garden which now appeared more Beautiful and Lovely no doubt not only by reason of her more Maturâ— Years but because Heaven haâ— 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 oâ— Earth NO sooner was this intendeâ— match spread abroad by Fame buâ— the Nations joy swelled to an unexpressible height and over-floweâ— the Bounds of Moderation Thâ— willing and wishing People thoughâ— that time moved too flow till thâ— happy day of its appointed Consumation Dawn'd to Bless thâ— Land with its Welcome Light THE King on the First of Nâ—vember having declared his intentions to the Council the Lords weâ—â— extreamly pleased and satisfied witâ— them as well in the Merrits of 〈◊〉 Worthy and Just a Prince as in thâ— security they expected from so agreeable a Marriage of the Protestant 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 Vnion the Prince by Express sent the States General of the Vnited 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 him to it in a Conformity tâ— their Wishes and Desires and thâ— Tranquility of their State he had conceived he could not do better than 〈◊〉 Address himself to the Princesâ— MARY Eldest Daughter to thâ— Duke of York That he
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 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 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. I A. B. Do sincerely Promise and Swear that I will be Faithful and bear True Allegiance to Their Majestys King WILLIAM and Queen MARY So Help me GOD. I A. B. do Sincerely Promise and Swear that I do from my Heart abhor Detest and Abjure as Impious Heretical the Damnable Doctrine and Position that Princes Excomunicated 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 Forreign Prince Person Prelate State or Potentate hath or ought to have any Jurisdiction Power Superiority Preheminence or Authority Ecclesiastical or Spiritual withthis Realm So Help me GOD. 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 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 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 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 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. THE Arch-Bishop or Bishop shall say Will you Solemnly Promise and Swear to Govern the People of this Kingdom of England and the Dominions thereto belonging according to the Statutes in Parliament agree'd on and the Laws and Customs of the same The King and Queen shall say I Solemnly Promise so to do Arch-Bishop or Bishop Will you to your Power cause Law and Justice in Mercy to be Executed in all your Judgments King and Queen I will Arch-Bishop or Bishop Will you to the utmost of your Power Maintain the Law of God the True Profession of the Gospel and the Protestant Reform'd Religion Established by Law and will you preserve unto the Bishops and Clergy of this Realm and unto Churches Committed to their Charge all such Rights and Priviledges as by Law do or shall appertain to any of them King and Queen
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 Vndertaking 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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
and Commons of the City of London in Common Council Assembled out of a Deep Sense of the Infinite Goodness of God to this Nation in the Signal Deliverance of His Sacred Majesty from those Dangers for which he hath so lately for our Sakes exposed his Royal Person even to the Admiration of his Enemys Do Heartily and Vnfeignedly in the first place return to Almighty God our most Humble Thanks and in the next in all Humility Congratulate Your Majesty upon soâ—â—ensible a Providence as the Preservation of that Prince in whose Life not only our Laws and Religion but the Liberty of Europe is so entirely wrap'd up AND Your Majesty having been so Graciously Pleased by the Lord Keeper to signifie the Deep Sense of the great Losses at Sea which have befallen the Traders of this City and Kingdom And the Directions Your Majesty has given to the Committee of Your Majesty's Most Honour able Privy Council as well to Examine into the Causes of such Misfortunes as to take Effectual Care to prevent the like for the future by encouraging Your Majesty's Subjects to make their Application to the said Committee We do with all Chearfulness Render Our Hearty Thanks to Your Most Gracious Majesty for so great a Consideration in no wise Doubting but Your Majesty will continue to give such Good and Seasonable Directions that the Trade of this Your Kingdom in which the Prosperity of it doth so much depend may be better Supported for the future AND as we have hitherto from a Sense of our Duty Demonstrated to the World our Great Zeal for Your Majesty's Service we having now a fresh Opportunity of shewing the same by the Chearful and Vnanimous advancing of Money for the Present Emergencies of Your Majesty's affairs Humbly Beg Leave to Assure Your Majesty of our firm Resolution to continue our Hearty Endeavours upon all Occasions to support Your Majesty's Royal Authority and Government against all Persons to the utmost of our Power 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 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 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 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 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 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 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
J. Drapentier Sculpeit HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE Mary Queen of England Scotland France Ireland Defender of the Faith c Obit Dece 28 1694 Etate Sua 32. A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE Pious and Glorious LIFE and ACTIONS OF THE Most Illustrious Princess MARY Queen of England Scotland France and Ireland c. CONTAINING The most Memorable Things and Matters relating to Her Royal Self c. from Her BIRTH till the most Deplorable time of Her ever to be Lamented DEATH on the 28th of December 1694. Faithfully Done by J. S. LONDON Printed for John Gwillim in Bishopsgate-street and Sold by most Booksellers 1695. TO THE READER WHEN we undertake a Work of this Nature the weight of so Illustrious a Subject ought to strike us not only with awe and reverence but make us Consider in the most serious manner how we proceed in it when indeed the most Celebrated Pens in Europe may come short of the Worth and Lustre of so Pious and Renowned a Princess whose Fame may be said to have Travelled with the Sun and whose Virtues shall stand a living Monument to all Ages when Tombs of Marble and stately Piramids are eaten by time or crumbled into Ruins Her Renown shall be fresh in the minds of Men whilst the world lasts and then passing beyond time shall have Eternety in store till then Like a guiding Star Her Great Example may direct our Lives in ways of Piety and be held truly to deserve that part oâ— her Royal Title that stiled heâ— Defender of the Faith THAT She was the best oâ— Queen's the Mourning Nationâ— Tears do sadly express in Hâ—â— Loss And the Royal Sorrow of a Grieving Monarch declareâ— Her the best of Wives Therefore as her worth was exceedinâ— great so her loss is unexpressiblâ— to us though to her past aâ— Peradveuture the Gain is as Excellent and Glorious in a happy State as Changing an Earthly for a Heavenly Crown can render it BUT to come some what nearer to the purpose of our intended History The Reader may find in it all that is Excellent and worthy in the Person and Character of a Queen who made it her endeavour through the Series of her Life to give a worthy Example to her People and leave a Fame behind Her of being Her Sex's Glory and Wonder Who ' like the Renowned Elizabeth Industriously laboured for the Nations good especially in the support and encouragement of that best part of Government which procures Gods Favours and Blessings on all the other parts viz. The true Religion in the Purity of Worship as She found it Established and had persevered in from her Infancy Rejoycing only in doing good and promoting those that made Piety their brightest Ornament so that Her Pallace seem'd a Temple where Virtue unfeigned Devotion flourished Her Closet a place fit for Angels to Visit and Admire with Holy Joy and Respect So that Her Actions leave no room for Flattery being all Centered in that Merrit which Transcends such meanness that might attend on other Women and flow from Mercinary Pens to set them off with borrowed Luster BUT not to Detain you longer from that which may prove yet more pleasing to all True English Spirits we shall only add That what is Inserted in this small Vollum is Grounded upon the most Exact and Certain Truths Carefully Collected and Comprized in a Method suitable to so Illustrious a Theme VALE A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE Pious and Glorious LIFE and ACTIONS OF THE Most Illustrious Princess MARY Queen of England c. 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 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 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 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 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
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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
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 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 THAT their Highnesses have often Declared as they more particularly did to the Marquess D' Albeville Ambassador Extraordinary from England to the States General That it is their Opinion that no Christian ought to be Persecuted for his Conscience or Opinion in Religion or be the worse used because he differs from the Publick Established Church and Religion and therefore they could be content that even the Papists might be sussered to continue in their Religion with as much Liberty as is alowed them by the States of the United Provinces And as for the Protestant Dissenters their Highnesses did not only Consent but Heartily Approve of their Entire Priviledge for the Full and Free Exercise of their Liberty without any Trouble or Hindrance c. That their Highnesses in case the King desired it were willing to Declare their willingness to concur in thâ— Confirming and Setling this Liberty as far as lay in them and were ready upon the like desire to concur in repealing the Laws always provideâ— those Laws remain still in Force anâ— full Vigour whereby Roman-Catholicks are Excluded both Houses oâ— Parliament out of all Employment Eccleslastical Civil and Militaryâ— and also all those other Laws whicâ— confirm the Protestant Religion anâ— secure it against the Attempts of Roman Catholicks But that their Highnesses could nâ—â— by any means agree to the Repealinâ— the Tests or those Penal Laws thâ—â— tend to the Securitie of the Protestaâ—â— Religion since the Roman-Catholicks received no more Prejudice from those then that being Excluded from Parliaments or from Publick Employments and by them the Protestant Religion is sheltered and Cover'd from all the Designs of the Roman-Catholicks against it or against the Publick safety and that neither the Test nor those Laws can be said to carry in them any Severity upon the account of Conscience they being only Pernicious Qualifing persons to be Members of Parliament or of bearing Offices by which they must declare themselves before God and Man to be Protestants So that all this amounts to no more than securing the Protestant Religion from any prejudice it may receive from Roman-Catholicks That their Hignesses have thought and still are of the Opinion that more than this ought not to be required or expected from them since by this means of the Roman Catholicks and their Posterity would be always secured from every Manner of Trouble in their Persons and Estates or in the Fxercise of their Religion and that they ought to be satisfied with this and not disquiet the Kingdom because they are not admitted to sit in Parliament or bear publick Offices or because those Laws in which the Security of the Protestant Religion doth chiefly consist are not Repealed by which they may be put in a Condition to Overturn it THAT their Highnesses believed likewise that the Dissenters would be for ever satisfied when they should be for ever Cover'd from all Danger of being disturbed or Punished for the free Exercise of their Religion upon any pretence or condition of their Religion whatsoever c. 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 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 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 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
Guns and the Fort of Eighty Guns with two Frigates and three of lesser rank The Prisoners 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 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 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 â—â—â—served and Confirmed in the Settlement of their Government Trade and Liberties c. BUT long he Stayed not after 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 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 Vshant were they 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 the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common Council in the following Words Viz. To the QVEENS Most Excellent Majesty WE Your Majesty's Most Dutiful and Loyal Subjects the Mayor Aldermen
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 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 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 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 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 FINIS