much abused the worthy Minister of Tylehurston stripping his Rings off his Fingers with the Skin and Flesh threatning his Wife in Bed and undoubtedly had murder'd the whole Family if so be the Maid had not leap'd out of a Window and call'd the Neighbours speedily to assist them for they broke open the Door with on Iron made for the same purpose which they forgot and left behind them with their Dark Lanthorn both which I saw They swore divers times by St. Patrick they would cut them all into pieces if they would not give them Mony for they must shortly be gone and the late King had not paid them So hearing the Neighbours coming they took their Horses and rode away having above thirty Pounds in Mony Plate and Rings for they took the old Gentlewomans Rings off her Fingers December the 18th his Highness parted from Windsor dined at Sion-House and came that Evening to St. James's amidst the loud Acclamations of a vast number of People of all Sorts and Ranks the Bells every-where ringing the Evening concluded with vast Bonsires and such general Joy as can scarce be parallel'd The next day the late King James seeing the Scene of Affairs altered parted from Whitehal went down the River to Rochester and from thence took Shipping for Brest whither the Queen and supposed Prince of Wales was gone before and himself soon after where I 'le leave him Most of the Nobility congratulated his Highness's safe arrival at St James's and on the 20th the Aldermen and Common Couucil of the City of London attended his Highness upon the same account and the Lord Mayor being disabled by Sickness Sir George Treby Kt. Recorder of the Honourable City of London made an Oration to his Highness to this effect Great Sir WHen we look back to the last Month and contemplate the swiftness and fulness of our present Deliverance astonish'd we think it miraculous Your Highness led by the Hand of Heaven and call'd by the Voice of the People has preserved our dearest Interest the Protestant Religion which is Primitive Christianity restored Our Laws which are our ancient Title to our Lives Liberties and Estates and without which this World were a Wilderness But what Retribution can we make to your Highness Our Thoughts are full charged with Gratitude Your Highness has a lasting Monument in the Hearts in the Prayers in the Praises of all good Men amongst us And late Posterity will celebrate your ever-glorious Name till Time shall be no more December the 25th the Lords Spiritual and Temporal asssembled at the House of Lords Westminster and there ageeed upon and signed an Address wherein they humbly desired his Highness in this Conjuncture to take upon him the Administration of Publick Affairs both Civil and Military and the Disposal of the Publick Revenue for the preservation of our Religion Rights Laws Liberties and Properties and of the Peace of the Nation and that his Highness would take into his Care the Condition of Ireland and endeavour by the most speedy and effectual Means to prevent the Dangers threatning that Kingdom All which the Lords Spiritual and Temporal make their Requests to his Highness to undertake and exercise till the Meeting of the intended Convention Jan 22. next Moreover the Lords Spiritual and Temporal assembled at Westminster in this Extraordinary Conjuncture did humbly desire his Highness to cause Letters to be written subscribed by Himself to the Lords Spiritual and Temporal being Protestants and to the several Counties Universities Cities Boroughs and Cinque-Ports of England Wales and Town of Berwick Upon Tweed containing Directions for the choosing in all such Counties Cities Universities Boroughs and Cinque-Ports within Ten days after the receipt of the said respective Letters such a number of Persons to represent them as are of right to be sent to Parliament And the Persons so chosen to Meet and Sit at Westminster on the Two and Twentieth day of January Both which were signed by all the Lords Spiritual and Temporal then Assembled and presented to his Highness the Prince of Orange the same day at St James's All which his Highness was pleased to Do according to their Desires Now the Lords and Commons being Met at Westminster the Two and Twentieth of January 1688 According to the Direction of his Highness's Letters They agreed upon and Ordered That the Thanks of both Houses should be returned to his Highness in the behalf of the whole Nation for his Highness happy Deliverance of this Kingdom from Popery Slavery and Despotick Power and for the Preservation of the Protestant Religion and the Laws Rights Priviledges and Customs of our Land c. And moreover to beseech his Highness to continue the Administration of publick Affairs Civil and Military and the Disposal of the publick Revenue until such time as farther Application be made to his Highness All which his Highness was pleased to do and exercise according to their desire And with all expedition on the 12th of February the Lords and Commons consulted about the Settlement of our Government And agreed that the late King James the Second having endeavour'd to subvert and extirpate the Protestant Religion c. and having abdicated the Government the Throne was thereby become Vacant They did resolve that William and Mary Prince and Princess of Orange be and be declared King and Queen of England France and Ireland and the Dominions thereunto belonging c. On the 12th of February Her Royal Highness the Princess of Orange arrived at Whitehall the welcome news whereof was received with Ringing of Bells Bonfires and other publick Demonstrations of Joy. The next day the Lords and Commons assembled at Westminster attended their Highnesses at the Banqueting-house with their Resolve and received their Consent thereto and about 11 of the Clock proclaimed William and Mary Prince and Princess of Orange King and Queen of England France and Ireland and the Dominions thereunto belonging After that their Majesties were Proclaim'd before Whitehall And the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of the Famous City of London together with the Sheriffs met the Lords and Heralds at Arms at Temple-Bar and there Proclaimed their Majesties King William and Queen Mary c. And so proceeded to the Royal Exchange where the same was done a third time The day concluding with Ringing of Bells and Bonfires to the General Satisfaction of all After their most excellent Majesties were proclaimed all over England there was great preparation made in order to their Majesties Coronation The Day being come viz. April 11 1689. Their Majesties came from Whitehall to Westminster and the Nobility being put in Order by the Heralds They came down in State into Westminster-Hall where the Swords and Spurs were presented to them Their Majesties being at Westminster-Abby the Right Reverend Father in God the Lord Bishop of Sarum preached the Sermon his Text being 2 Sam. 23 3 4. And after the Ceremonies of the Coronation were finished about four of the Clock the Crowns were put upon their Royal Heads by the Right Reverend Father in God the Lord Bishop of London assisted by several other Bishops At the sight whereof the People shouted the Drums and Trumpets sounded the great Guns at the Tower c. were discharged and the Peers and Peeresses put on their Coronets Their Majesties being Crowned returned to Westminster-Hall And Dinner being ended and the whole Solemnity perform'd with great Splendour and Magnificence about Eight in the evening their Majesties return'd to White-Hall Where I most humbly leave them heartily beseeching Almighty God to bless and preserve their most excellent Majesties that they may long Live and Flourish together To the advancement of his Glory the Good of his Church the Safety Honour and Welfare of their Majesties Kingdoms and the exceeding Joy and Comfort of all Good Protestants As for all their Enemies let then O God be daily discover'd and brought to Shame and Confusion But upon their Sacred and Royal Heads let the Crowns of England Scotland France and Ireland long Flourish FINIS
is made a Praise in the Earth and who are in truth as good as God hath made them great and modestly and justly as far excel all others in Virtue and true Piety as they are above them in Sphere or Station Now his Illustrious Highness the Prince of Orange knowing that the Enemies of the Lord had broken down the Walls of Jerusalem and raz'd them even to the ground in France because the publick and solemn Worship of God in Spirit and in Truth is not to be found in any part of that Kingdom now And seeing that those Engines of Satan were at work in the Kingdoms of England Scotland and Ireland Kingdoms unto which this great Prince had such a Right and Title not only by Affinity or Marriage of her Royal Highness his most entirely beloved Consort but also by Consanguinity or Birth his Royal Mother deceased being Daughter to K. Charles I. of blessed Memory for such was the Arrogance and Haughtiness of all Papists now in England Scotland and Ireland but especially of the Jesuits and Priests that they consulted how to destroy the Protestants and extirpate the Lord's Inheritance that they should be no more a People here and that their Name should be rooted out Nay so far had they proceeded in this Diabolical Design that even the Popish Kings of the Earth begun now to set themselves and the Rulers took counsel together against the Lord and against his Anointed and the purchase of his Bloud therefore now they began to say of our Sion here Down with it down with it raze it to the ground and suffer not so much as one Heretical Branch to remain But he that sitteth in the Heavens did laugh the Lord had them in derision for he knew well their Fall was at hand and that the Righteous should have cause to rejoyce Nay as if 't were not enough for these Priests and Jesuits to insult over mens Bodies they pretend Authority over mens Souls and frequently would rush into what House they listed in a very impudent manner and molest the dying person with their destructive and pernicious Discourses torment poor Souls departing this life and where they could they forc'd the Breaden or Wafer-God to be received And which was no small aggravation to our misery or addition to our sorrow no part of our Nation was now free from these Ravening Wolves which went about in Sheeps cloathing These Serpents had now crept into every little hole or creek about the Land. And all this came to pass by the great encouragement and protection of the late K. James and Q. Mary persons every man can tell that made it their principal business to abet and protect the Priests and Jesuits enlarge the Kingdom of Antichrist and promote the Interest of Babylon the great Harlot and Mother of all Abomination and Wickedness therefore without all controversie their minds were blinded by the God of this World because of their unbelief lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ who is the Image of God should shine unto them Hence they were wholly given over to a reprobate mind to believe Lyes and Fables and Traditions of men before the pure Word of God and more sure Word of Prophesie which is Truth as Christ himself testifies Therefore they mightily encouraged the Evil and discouraged the Good abetted and protected them who said the Bible was false as Father Peters his Brother publickly preacht against our Bible averring there was several hundred Faults and Contradictions in it c. but suspended and disanimated our Reverend Pious and Learned Clergy who did not walk in Craftiness nor handle the Word of God deceitfully but by manifestation of the Truth commended themselves to every man's Conscience in the sight of God for the Doctrine taught and maintain'd in our Church is sound and uncorrupt and grounded purely on the sacred Scriptures Take but a glimpse of the irregular Zeal of the late K. James to promote the Mother-Church when he said to Father Peters in his Chamber who soon communicated it unto those at Antwerp Keulen and Liege of his own Society and commended his great and fervent Zeal I had much rather reign but one year to an end and then die a Martyr with the Conversion of England Scotland and Ireland to the Roman Faith than reign thirty years prosperously and leave them at my death in Heresie as I found them when I came to the Crown And I presume we may guess readily what would have been our Lot and was intended for us had not the Lord God Omnipotent shew'd himself Elehim in our behalf and remembred us when we were in trouble by that saying of the late Q. Mary unto the Pope's Nuncio I hope to dine all the Hereticks in the Kingdom by such a day naming the day for one Half-crown for even now they know not what to do and are at their Wits end God is always stronger than Men and greater is the Spirit that is in the Children of God than the Spirit that is in the World for when they concluded the Day was their own then were they on the top of the Precipice and all their evil Devices soon confounded Was it then any wonder at all to have our ancient English Laws sacrificed our Rights Liberties and Priviledges destroyed our ancient Charters wrested from us by violence of a Quo Warranto our Colledgians at Oxford turn'd out by a superstitious Mandamus and a Crew of Impostures placed therein The Law of God in effect made void and Popish Legends set up in the place when the late K. James and Q. Mary were fed with corrupt and unsound Food nay when they abetted and protected those who taught them Doctrines of Devils for such is the Doctrine taught and maintain'd in the Church of Rome in these days if we may credit St. Paul's words instead of the sincere Milk of the Word of God and wholsome Food of the Holy Scriptures What could our Nation expect from the hands of Bloud-thirsty Papists and especially Irish had they not been prevented by the goodness of God and the unparallel'd Resolution of the Prince of Orange but Fire and Faggot Wrack and Gibbet when many of them judg'd that to be the only way for to merit the Kingdom of Heaven by breaking Faith with Hereticks and destroying them in such a manner How many pious Lords and virtuous good men have lost their lives by the Papists Subtilty and Juggles thô pretensively by Law when unrighteous Popish Judges tryed and condemned them who had no fear of God before their eyes and whom the righteous Judge will accuse no doubt at the day of Judgment But there is one step higher to ascend and then we have done What was likely to befal us who destroyed Idols and burnt the Groves and sometime since drove out the Priests of Baal when one of that Communion did reign over us and one that thought himself cloathed with a Despotick and Arbitrary Power exercising the same
very sweetly in their Pee or Campagne Coats The Souldiers here fetch'd some old Hedges and Gates to make their Officers and themselves some Fire as they had done the Night before else would have perished in the Cold being all over in a Froth with Sweat in marching And the old Hedges and Gates not being enough they fetch'd away the new Ones for the Weather was not only raw and cold but we our selves were so too having nothing to eat or drink after so bad a days Journey The Souldiers had some good Holland's Beef in their Snap-sacks which they brought and their Officers were very glad to get part with them so they broil'd it at the Fire some had bought Chickens by the way but raw which they broil'd and eat as a most delicate Dish Sundry Captains offer'd any Mony for a Guide to bring them to a House thereabout where they might have some Provision for their Mony but no Guide could be found it was exceeding dark and being all Strangers and unacquainted with the Country we could not tell where to find one House for those few that were scattering here and there were either in some little grove of Trees and so hid from our Eyes or else in a bottom amongst the Hills and so could not be seen These Quarters did not content our Minds for tho we got as near to the Hedges as we could possible with our Fires yet we could not be warm Many of the Souldiers slept with their Feet in the Ditch and their Heads on the side thereof We thought this Night almost as long as that in the Storm at Sea and judged it to be the dawn of the Day some hours before it was The Morning appearing rejoiced our very Hearts for we thought now we should march presently and we were sure of this that worse Quarters we could never meet with but much better we hoped to find A private Souldier therefore going in the next Croft for to seek a convenient place he found it to be an Inclosure with Turnips so bringing his Burden away with him he came to the Fire and gave those there some telling his Comrades of the Place who soon hastned thereto and brought enow with them Some roasted them and others eat them raw and made a brave Banquet The Souldiers were busy in discharging their Musquets after the Wet and Rain for they drust not trust to that Charge and about 11 of the Clock the Army received Orders to march The Prince of Orange with the Lords Gentlemen rode from this place unto Sir William Courtney's within a Mile of Newton-Abbot the first Line being about Newton and the last on their march thither The Place where we encamped was troden to Dirt and stuck to our Shoes wretchedly Now the Regiments marched sundry Roads of which we were right glad hoping to meet with better Quarters than the Marl and Clay Crofts The People came in flocks unto the Cross-ways to see the Army but especially the Prince We met with much civility on the Road now they began to give us Applause and pray for our Success sundry Persons enquired for the Declaration of his Highness Now being on their march to Newton-Abbot a certain Divine went before the Army and finding that 't was their Market-day he went unto the Cross or Town-Hall where pulling out the Declaration of the Prince of Orange with undaunted Resolution he began with a loud and audible Voice to read as follows William Henry by the Grace of God Prince of Orange c. of the Reasons inducing him to appear in Arms in the Kingdom of England for preserving of the Protestant Religion and restoring the Laws and Liberties of England Scotland and Ireland c. When the People heard the Prince of Orange's Name mentioned they immediately crowded about him in a prodigious manner to hear him insomuch that some jeoparded their Lives The Declaration being ended he said God bless and preserve the Prince of Orange To which the People with one Heart and Voice answered Amen Amen and forthwith shouted for Joy and made the Town ring with their ecchoing Huzza's The Minister nolens volens was carried into a Chamber near the Place the Windows were shut the Doors lock'd and bolted to prevent the Crowd from rushing in The People of the House and others very kindly asked him Sir What will you be pleased to eat or What shall we provide for you Name what you love best it shall be had The Minister answered What you please give me what you will. So they brought forth such as was ready and having eaten and drunk well they desired him to spare them but one Declaration Yes says he for I have enow in my Pocket and pulling them out he gave Three because they were of distinct Parishes He told the People he would go and visit their Minister and cause their Bells to ring because the Prince of Orange was come into the Parish at Sir Will. Courtney's tho not into the Town and says he this being the first Market-Town I cannot but think it much the more proper and expedient Whereupon he went to the Minister's House and enquiring for him he was courteously invited in and disired to sit down The Reverend Minister of the Parish coming presently to him they saluted each other and after some Communications passed between them this Divine from the Army desired the Keys of his Church-doors for to welcome the Prince of Orange into England with a Peal that being the first Market-Town they came to The Minister answered Six for my own part I am ready to serve his Highness any way but of my own accord cannot give the Keys but you know you may command them or any thing else in my House in the Name of the Prince of Orange and then I will readily grant it So the Divine said Sir I demand your Keys of the Church Door only for an hour to give his Highness a Peal and then I will return them safely unto you The Minister presently directed him to the Clerk's house and desired him to come and take a Glass of Wine with him after the Peal was ended but the Ringers coming together they rung sundry Peals and he returned the Keys to the Minister The People of the Town were exceeding joyful and began to drink the Prince of Orange's Health The Country People in the Town were well inclin'd towards us and here was the first favour we met with worth mentioning His Highness was most kindly receiv'd and entertain'd at Sir Will. Courtney's the Souldiers generally well treated by the Vulgar Now the Reverend Dr. Burnet and another old Gentleman rode unto Exeter to prepare Quarters for the Prince of Orange The Bishop's Palace and Deanery being both viewed the Deanery was thought to be the more convenient Place and so concluded upon The Army moved toward Exeter some Regiments being at one Town and some in another And as they were marching over the Heath or Common between Newton-Abbot
and Exeter about five miles off the City sundry Companies of young Men met them with each a Club in his Hand and as they approched near they gave sundry Shouts and Huzza's saying God bless the Prince of Orange and grant him victory over all his Enemies We are his true Servants and came to fight for him as long as we are able So we all bid them welcome Here the Army passed by a Popish Lady's House which was cruel to all her Protestant Tenants she forced some to turn Papists or Apostates But had the French King's Army passed thus by a Protestant House it should soon have been fired the People put to the Sword or burnt But we have not so learn'd Christ nor been thus taught by his Ministers in our Land for no Man molested this House nor did any visit it unless a Captain and some Gentlemen which would have bought themselves Horses there having lost their own at Sea and so constrained to walk on foot till they could supply themselves with more It must needs be acknowledged by all People that his Highness took special care in marching of the Army that no Disorders should be committed and never better Order could be kept in any Army than in this as all sorts of Men confess Nay they told us at Exeter that when we were there the City was more quiet in the Night and freer from debauch'd and disorderly Persons than 't was before The poor Souldiers began now to grow lame and so marched slip-shod which was irksome After the Prince of Orange had tarried two or three Nights at Sir Will. Courtney's he with a brave Train of Nobles Knights and Gentlemen to attend him rode unto Exeter they long'd much for his coming It was a very wet and rainy Day when he came into Exeter with his Army The manner of his coming into this City being so glorious was long since published so that I shall not speak much about it The Guards rode some before and some behind him with their Swords drawn their Colours flying Kettle-Drums beating and Trumpets sounding joyfully their Officers courteously bowing unto the People all sorts and conditions of Men thronging on each side the Streets making great Acclamations and Huzza's as the Prince passed by The Windows of every House were extreamly crowded and beautified the Bells ringing The Foot Souldiers did not appear well because they were sorely weather-beaten and much dabled in marching in the Dirt and Rain and look'd very pale and thin after such a hard days march which made some People conjecture that they were dull sluggish Men. As the Prince of Orange was riding thus towards the Deanary through the City attended with Mareschal Schomberg Count Solms Count Nassau Heer Zulustein Heer Bentein the Earl of Shrewsbury the Earl of Macclesfield Lord Viscount Mordant Lord Wiltshire Earl of Argile Colonel Sidney Sir Rowland Guyn and divers other Lords Knights and Gentlemen Such was the Resolution and Desire of an old Woman to seé the Prince that she throng'd in amongst the Horse Guards and tho she was divers times in Jeopardy of her Life yet for all says she I will see him tho it cost me my Life so coming at length to him she touched his Hand and said I pray God bless you Sir and so was thrust away by the Guards but as she was going from him she put her Hand to her Heart and spake out aloud Now my very Soul within me is the better for seeing him at which Speech and Humour of this Woman his Highness himself seem'd to smile After the Prince was come unto the Deanary and had refresh'd himself with all his Lords and Gentlemen then was he pleased to go and render his hearty Thanks to Almighty God in the Cathedral Church for his safe Arrival and the whole Fleet. The People thronged the Streets to see him as he went and crouded the Quire where he was to come very much Now there were sundry Men with Holbards who cleared the way besides Sentinels So being conducted to the Bishop's Seat he sat down with about six of his Life-Guar-dMen on his Right-hand and many more before him and about him in the Quire. As he came all along the Body of the Church the Organs played very sweetly tho 't was not the right Organist himself he being gone aside on purpose as I was inform'd there And being sat the Quire began and sung Te Deum for the safe Arrival of the Prince of Orange and his Army in England as also for his whole Fleet After the Collects were ended the Reverend Dr. Burnet began to read the Declaration of his Highness William Henry by the Grace of God Prince of Orange c. Of the Reasons inducing him to appear in Arms in the Kingdom of England for preserving of the Protestant Religion and for the restoring the Laws and Liberties of England Scotland and Ireland c. At the very beginning of which Declaration the Ministers of the Church there present rushed immediately out of their Seats and busled through all the Croud going out of the Church the People remained and were very attentive to the Doctor 's reading and the Declaration being ended he said God save the Prince of Orange unto which the major part of the Multitude answered Amen So his Highness return'd to the Deanary the People ecchoing forth Huzza's as he went along Another Evening at Service one of the Ministers reading that Prayer for the pretended Prince of Wales a certain Noble-Man or two being present stood up at the same and put on their Hats Kneeling down to all the other Collects and this they did to demonstrate their Abhorrence of it The Right Reverend Bishop of this place and Diocess as soon as he had learn'd for certain that the Prince of Orange was-landed with an Army at Tor-Bay in Devonshire took his Coach and came up to give the late King James Information thereof for which he gave him the Bishoprick of York The Reverend Dean likewise took his Coach and went about six or seven Miles in the Country where he remain'd some days but returned unto his own House or Deanary before the Prince came away for we tarried at Exeter many days to refresh the Army after it had been so long on Ship-board and to recover the Horses to their former Strength as also for the Gentlemen of the Country thereabout to come and joyn his Highness there The Train of Artillery Magazine and the whole Baggage of the Army was brought hither by Water there were one and twenty good Brass Pieces for the Field divers of which were too heavy for those Roads and more than sixteen Horses could draw Arms for sundry thousand Men were now given out here which we brought with us out of Holland The first Sunday after the Prince was come unto Exeter being Novemb. 11. the Reverend Dr. Burnet preached before him at the Cathedral Church in the Morning the Quire and Body thereof being extreamly throng'd with
in Scotland beginning here to do the like And hence he told our Right Reverend Bishops when they waited on him about the reading of his illegal Declaration in the Churches I will make you to know that I am your King and that I must nay I will be obeyed be it at your peril Althô this command was contrary to the holy Word of God the Canons of our Church and the ancient Laws and Statutes of our Kingdom therefore our Right Reverend Bishops were hurried into the Tower. Now when the Priests and Jesuits saw plainly that they could not possibly get such a Parliament which would ease them of the Test and Penal Laws those two intolerable Yoaks as they forsooth called them thô the late K. James himself and all the Romanists within our Land had done their very uttermost using corrupt and unlawful means in order thereunto Then they thought to force us to take away the Test and Penal Laws therefore the late K. James sent out Mandamus after Mandamus but our brave English hearts would not be driven thô they might be won therefore they refused his Mandamus because it was contrary to Law Custom and Priviledge Then he commanded his Declaration to be read in every Church by the Minister after Divine Service and before Sermon and this not taking effect they knew not what to do for very few read his Declaration except some double minded men about our Church which are unstable in all their ways Now those Soul-deceivers about the Court advis'd the late K. James for to send unto Holland and try the inclination of the Prince of Orange and the Princess and desire their assent concerning the taking off the Test and Penal Laws which accordingly was done by his Envoy M. D' Abbeville But these two being like Zacharias and Elizabeth righteous before God and walking in all the Commandments and Ordinances of the Lord blamless not only refused to grant their royal Assent hereunto but even sign'd their Abhorrence of such a wicked Fact as appears apparently by the Lord Fagel's defence of himself against some implacable Papists in our Kingdom For which deed they immediately set themselves on work against the very best of Princes and broached the late Queens being with Child and it would certainly be a Prince of Wales But the All-seeing Eye being upon them soon brought to light their hidden work of darkness and raised up a good Josiah to break the power of Idolatry here For his illustrious Highness the Prince of Orance by his most accurate eye and with his profound sagacity soon espy'd the Popish Mystery of Iniquity which was so gloss'd over with equivocation prevarication and mental reservation and saw very plain thrô all the mists of their Roman and Italian Shams and thrô the clouds of their specious Pretences the inevitable ruin and destruction of England Scotland and Ireland if that this suspected Child was not timely prevented Nay he saw in the bottom of this Plot by the Sons of the Kingdom of Darkness the total Subversion of the true Reform'd Church of Christ therefore he judged it high time for the Lord 's peculiar People now to stand up for his Cause for the defence of his Truth and Gospel to resist the Devil and all his Imps now our necks being under oppression by Popish Governours our Inheritance turn'd to Strangers and our Houses to Aliens I mean unto these Soul-deceivers wherewith our Nation did swarm For the Jesuits and Priests of Baal Anti-christ did now feed on the best of the Flock and devour the Fruit of our Land while many able Ministers of the Gospel had scarce Bread left for to put in their mouths I mean those that were suspended by the Bishop of Durham insomuch that the Protestants hang'd down their Heads like a Bulrush and were not a little concerned to see the partial proceedings of the Court and being unable for to bear any longer their most unjust and abominable Actions it pleased our heavenly Father so to rule and guide the Hearts and Minds of the Nobility Gentry and some others of our Land that they join'd together and with one accord earnestly invited and desired his most illustrious Highness the Prince of Orange as being the only Person under Heaven capable of doing it for to give himself the trouble and charge of coming over with an Army here to deliver our Land and Nation out of the hands of all those implacable and blood-thirsty Enemies who long'd now to destroy us as also to free us from a Despotick and Arbitrary Power Therefore the renown'd Prince of Orange who was ever forward to hazard his own Person and venture his Life for the Life of the Gospel to preserve and maintain the Truth and Purity of it against all seducers and opposers did not delay answering their earnest Invitation nor defer fulfilling their cordial Desires Therefore he consulted with the High and Mighty Lords the States of Holland and West-Friezland assembled now at the Hague concerning this great Work and the most proper Methods to be used by him that the glorious deliverance of our Nation thrô the blessing of Almighty God upon his Endeavours might effectually be wrought And the first step thereunto was to make choice of fit Instruments because God works in these days by Means Miracles being long since ceased Hence he commands all the Dutch Forces for to Muster and Encamp about Nimeghen not very far from the Brandenburghers Camp the famous Duke of Brandenburgh being alli'd unto his illustrious Highness The Regiments being all incamp'd according to his Princely Order he was pleased to view them one by one and make choice of the very flower of the Army to serve him in this glorious Expedition He thought it very requisite to carry over into England such a Force with him as might thrô God's assistance and the Protestants concurrence make the enemies of the Lord to flee before him and drive out all the Priests of Baal and cleanse Judah and Jerusalem of Idolatry as good Josiah did for now the Altars of Baal were set up by those cursed Vipers in most places of our Realm as divers were set up in our Metropolitan City of London that renown'd ancient Protestant City to the exceeding great sorrow of our Reverend Clergy and discouragement of our holy Reform'd Church Having now made choice of what Officers and Soldiers he thought most fit here he went unto the great Duke of Brandenburgh's Camp and made choice of what Regiments he pleased there for to take with him into England and then with all the speed that might be he return'd to the Hague It 's certain that very many people thought he took too much trouble upon him to ride thus from one City to another nay to fly as some express'd it because he made such haste and all was for to deliver the true Reform'd Church of Christ out of all her enemies hands and to make the people of God enjoy rest and peace
that every man might sit peaceably under his own Vine and drink the Wine out of his own Cistern Therefore order was sent unto every City in Holland for to make clean their Men of War and fit them out for Sea with all speed that they might be mann'd victuall'd stored with Powder and Ball and all sorts of Utensils for War and be ready to serve his Highness the Prince of Orange in his glorious design for the good of the Protestant Churches of Christ but especially those in England Scotland and Ireland Now according to the Order every City very willingly and indeed with more than an ordinary cheerfulness set their men to work and rigg their Ships paying them double Wages that they might labour day and night until it was done because they now shewed their zeal and did strive which should be soonest prepared with their Vessels for to go out to Sea and serve his Highness the Prince of Orange From Amsterdam were fifteen good Vessels well rigg'd and every thing in compleat order set out to Sea the first Wind that serv'd because every Wind will not bring them out of the Texel it must be an Easterly Wind or else they are block'd up and they would not be hindred or backwards now for never so much so they rode at anchor in the Sea. And from the City of Rotterdam Dort Delph Leyden Harlem and all other Cities were many Vessels fitted out to Sea according to each City's proportion in War and their wonted Custom which Ships join'd the other Ships from Amsterdam Then in Zealand a considerable number of brave Vessels were set out with all things necessary for War As from Middleburgh Vlissingen Vere Tertol c. and these sail'd to the Hollands Men of War and joined them riding at anchor so the Fleet began to compleat Now the Navy rode at anchor about some two or three Leagues from the Brill and there remain'd some days It 's worthy of any man's observation to consider what an universal consent there was unto this glorious Undertaking and Expedition of the Prince of Orange for the welfare of England Scotland and Ireland for this consent and accord was not only generally among the high and mighty Lords the States of Holland and West-Friezland but even among all sorts and conditions of men there was not one person in the Land heard to murmur or speak the least word against it Papists only excepted but all with one accord and one mind and heart endeavoured to forward and expedite this glorious Undertaking nay the very Women Maidens and Children were lifting up their Prayers unto the God of Heaven for to bless the Prince of Orange and crown his designs in hand for the good of the true reform'd Church with success according to the desire of his own heart which thing I duly observ'd and therefore was somewhat confirm'd in my opinion concerning this great Work in hand which caused me to declare publickly That the great Jehovah or living and true God had not only put it into the heart of the Prince of Orange a Prince whom he had raised up to advance his Glory and the Interest of his Church and People and therefore made him so strong for himself so great a terrour to the evil as well as praise to those that do well but that the Lord had also stirr'd up the hearts of all his people to join together as one man and hereupon I could not but judge that God had a delight in this Work and would certainly bring it to pass in his due time not when our silly fancies urg'd it And made it now my work to endeavour for to keep our people that they did not tempt God or limit the holy One of Israel of a truth the Reverend Clergy of the Netherlands are not to be forgotten because they did wrestle with God in their Prayers in the great Congregations and Solemn Assemblies after a most servent manner with Sighs and Tears in the behalf of our Churches in England Scotland and Ireland and mightily encouraged all the Soldiers to shew their courage for the Cause of God against the Children of Babylon and Enemies of his Church and peculiar People So that they have obliged our Nation as the Reverend Dr. Burnet in his Sermon at Exeter-Cathedral said to be kind to the Netherlands for sundry weighty Reasons and amongst others their kindness to us and towards our Land in this happy Expedition The Men of War were riding at anchor in the forementioned place waiting for his Highness the Prince of Orange's Orders what to do or where to go sundry hundred of Merchants Ships Pinks Fly-boats and others were hired for this Service and many immediately sent to the Fleet others went for Men here and there according as they receiv'd order some were to carry Soldiers others to carry Horses some Hay others Artillery or Ammunition and all sorts of Necessaries convenient for the War Many Martscutes and flat-bottom'd Boats which belong to the River only to transport Goods and People from City to City were hired now to transport the Soldiers from Nimighen unto the Men of War and Merchant-Ships Pinks and Fly-boats riding at anchor ready to receive them or any thing that was order'd them to receive by our great Master I shall not retard the candid and ingenuous Reader with an ample Discourse concerning the manner of their coming down the Rhine and Mose or Maze how the Burghers at every City with their Wives Children and whole Houshold came crouding unto the great Head which is without the Ports towards the River a place made purposely for convenience of taking in or shipping off Goods or for commodious lading or unlading Vessels and took their solemn leave most Praying and some Crying for them The Soldiers were some of them playing on the Hoeboys Dutch Flute and other Instruments others were beating the Drums and some sounding their Trumpets which I must confess made no discord in the harmony as they were sailing down the River There are divers pleasant Cities upon the Rhine and Mose between Nimighen and the Brill as all those who have travell'd in the Netherlands know very well Being come unto the Fleet all the Soldiers were presently set on board some to the Men of War some to the Merchant-Ships some to the Pinks and some to the Fly-boats And the Schippers with their Martscutes and flat-bottom'd Boats return'd home The Wind was now Northerly or North-West which is the very worst Wind that can blow for the Coasts of Holland and the Weather waxed daily worse and worse the Winds growing stronger and stronger insomuch that the Seas grew very rough the Waves swell'd and lifted their proud tops towards the Clouds and the poor smaller-Ships were ready to be overwhelm'd shaking their Heads as if they would shake their Sails off and being unable for to endure such Weather long so far in the Sea as they now did ride at anchor without very great hazard and danger
his Highness the Prince of Orange was inform'd thereof who suddenly gave order for all the smaller Vessels to come into Habour The Men of War weighed their Anchors and sail'd to a far more safe and commodious place for anchorage in case of a Storm for every man saw the Weather was unsetled and the Air very troublesom The second place where they rode at Anchor was between Holland and Zeeland about two or three leagues from the shore or coast In this place they did ride at Anchor certain days but while they were here the Weather grew stormy and one night the Winds were so very high and the Air so tempestuous and stormy shaking the very Houses and People in their Beds insomuch that many judged it to be a Earthquake the whole Fleet was in great peril and after this various false Reports were spread all over the Netherlands without all doubt broach'd by the Enemies to this Expedition who trumpetted it about for to amuse the vulgar People That the Anchors and Cables of the Men of War were broken in the Storm as if they had been a needleful of Thread so that all the Ships were driven here and there some to one shore and some on another Coast and as yet they were not heard of Which Fables did startle the poor ignorant sort and they knew not what to judge or say others who were more discreet and understood better the Holland manner of Ships and the Art of Navigation soon made answer to this Sham of the Papists That there was no question by the blessing of God but that the Men of War were all well and safe because they were able to ride the Storm out having good new Anchors and Cables and if any Anchor or Cable should happen to break these Ships could live well enough in the greatest Tempest provided they have but sufficient Sea-room And such was God's good providence that all the Ships receiv'd very little or no dammage only a certain old Fire-Ship which was soon chang'd for another that being sent to be mended The common thing every morning which was most us'd was first to go and see how the Wind sate and if there were any probability of a change When any person came unto a house in the heart of their City concerning any manner of business the very first Question by all was Sir I pray how is the Wind to day Are we likely to get an Easterly Wind ere long Pray God send it and such like The Ministers themselves pray'd That God would be pleas'd for to grant an East wind Others a favourable Wind that might bring his Illustrious Highness the Prince of Orange with his whole Fleet which now attended him unto the desired Haven for nothing could possibly be more desired than a fair Wind for the Navy by all sorts and conditions of men except Papists There was a Report here that the Jesuits had promised the late K. James that the Westerly Wind should continue until Christmas but this was false every man knows After some time that the Weather had been so tempestuous it began for to settle and God sent us an East Wind to the exceeding great joy of all our hearts in Holland and the Vnited Provinces nay it blew a fresh Gale day by day and continued favourable that quarter of the Moon which caused our people to work day and night that we might be under sail The Prince of Orange order'd every Officer now for to go on board the Ships with their Men and expedited every thing to the Fleet with as much speed as men could make but so many things were to be done it was not possible we could be making sail such great Bodies always moving very slowly according to the Saying Some Regiments were expected down the River and those being come every thing was sent to the Fleet as Provision for one month the Artillery Magazine Powder Ball Match Tents Tent-polls Stocking-axes Spades and all sorts of Utensils convenient in War and then Hay and Provender for the Horses Fresh Water and a hundred things more which do not now occur to my memory The Wind continuing East the Horses began to be shipp'd at Rotterdam which was a sign they were almost ready So his Highness the Prince of Orange was pleased to take his leave of the High and Mighty Lords the States of Holland and West Friezland who most heartily desired that God would preserve him and bless him with Victory over his Enemies and give him joyful Success in his great Undertaking for the good of the Protestant Church in general but more especially those in England Scotland and Ireland The people every-where began to be exceeding sorrowful for the loss of so Vertuous and so Religious a Prince from among them and very many would weep bitterly at the thoughts of his departure because all honest good men loved him extraordinarily and now his Health is drank by every Gentleman and Schipper Mate and Boy and his prosperous Voyage The Horses being most of shipped the Guards began to come So upon Friday-night all things were ready on board and the Fleet prepared to sail only it waited for the coming of his Highness The number of our Capital Ships or Men of War was about Fifty which were very well rig'd mann'd and provided with all things requisite the number of our Fire-Ships was about Five and twenty lesser Men of War or Frigats about Six and twenty the number of Merchant Ships Pinks Flyboats and others was about Three hundred and odd so the total number of the Fleet as they sailed from the Brill was about Four hundred and odd Ships But at our setting out the second time at Hellevoot-Sluys there were near an hundred Vessels more which were Schievelingers or Boats which the Fisher-men of Schieveling went to Sea in as we shall shew by and by But to proceed The Prince of Orange having taken his Farewel of the States assembled at the Hague went unto Houslaerdyke where he dined with many of his Lords and after Dinner on Saturday Oct. 19. old stile Oct 29. new stile being unwilling for to lose this fair Easterly Wind which did blow all the week so freshly attended with Mareschal Schomberg Count Nassau Count Solms the Heer Van Zulustein the Heer Bentink the Heer Overkirk the Earl of Shrewsbury Viscount Mordant the Lord Wiltshire Earl of Macclessield Earl of Argyle with many other English and Scotch Dutch and French Lords Knights and Gentlemen he went in a very rich Yacht unto Moseland Sluys Her Royal Highness the Princess of Orange came in another attended with her Ladies of Honour Here his Illustrious Highness took his Farewel of his most entirely beloved Consort the Princess who was not a little troubled and grieved for to part with her dearest Lord and Prince which caused the Tears to distil from her precious Eyes like so many Pearls so she return'd with her Maids of Honour unto Houslaerdyke again but the Prince sail'd unto the
Fleet which made the heart of every man glad because the wind was still East So his Highness went on board a Man of War with Admiral Herbert but that Vessel proving leakie he soon changed and went on board another At this time there was very great resorting unto the Brill from every City and Town in Holland for to see this glorious yet formidable Fleet set out but especially to behold his Highness the Prince of Orange committing himself unto the mercy of the merciless Seas and the courtesie of the unnatural Waves so freely and willingly for the sake of the true Reform'd Churches of Christ but especially those of England Scotland and Ireland The top of the Brill-Church and Steeple was extreamly throng'd and the Beam or place made on purpose to view Ships was almost broken down with the great crowd upon it and every man's Eye was unsatisfied with seeing for the more they looked upon the Navie the more they desired to look His Highness being come on board every Ship weighed Anchor with all the speed possible and made sail the Trumpets sounded Hooboys played and the Souldiers gave a Shout for joy So when the Spectators perceived that the Fleet was under sail they could no longer refrain their Eyes from weeping nor their Cheeks from running down with affectionate Tears and many very fervent Prayers were poured for us all but in an especial manner for the Prince of Orange When we were sail'd so far that they could not see us well any longer then they made use of Perspective-Glasses and sent their hearts and well wishes with us and so each departed to his own Habitation Thus was our Great Prince crossing the proud Waves with all his Fleet round him enjoying a very favourable Wind for England if it had but continued so for some days together It was about four a Clock in the Afternoon on Saturday when the Fleet first weighed their Anchors and made sail upon the coming of the Prince of Orange on board The Evening draw'd on us very fast the days being short and the nights long so when the darkness seized us and night was shutting upon us every Vessel set up a Light in the Lanthorn The Men of War set up two and the Ship wherein the Prince was had three for a mark or distinction After night the Wind began to arise high and the Seas wax'd rough the Waves began to roar and swell lifting up their head aloft and many now began to suspect the Weather as well they might for within a while the Winds turn'd and blew a very dreadful Storm insomuch that all thought we should never see Land more for there were sundry circumstances which did add to the peril of the Storm as many skilful Mariners said The darkness of the night the matter of Carriage Horses which will rowl from side to side if they break their Stays our Pipes of Water Barrels of Powder and Ball and the vast number of Ships together which was worst of all for while the Schipper intended to escape one on his Starboard then is he in no small peril of running against the other on his Larboard-side nay behind and before and all round there were Ships throwing themselves from side to side after an exceeding fearful manner so that no Steer-man knew which way to steer The Winds blew as if they would have blown the very Elements away before them the Seas raged and foam'd being all in white forth for anger the Waves rowl'd one upon the back of another as so many great Mountains the Ships threw themselves and the people in them from side to side and from the fore-part of the Vessel unto the hinder part as if they would have beaten themselves all to pieces and if it had not been the good providence of the Almighty we had most certainly dash'd against each other and so perish one by the other The men of War were better able to live than the rest for they did not shake themselves half so terribly as the Merchantmen and Pinks but especially the poor Flyboats these strain'd their Ribs and hurt their Backs very much because of their hard lading The Wind was now North-West and every Mariner did strive to bear up with that Ship wherein the Prince was but it was impossible for all the smaller Vessels in such a Tempest there 's a huge difference between Ships one will bear a vast Storm another an ordinary Storm endangers nay many can live in the greatest Tempest having but Sea-room enough when some can hardly live in a rough Sea. Now the people being thus toss'd and tumbl'd about the Ship many wax'd exceeding sick and vomitted continually after a dreadful rate you could hear the men groan after a pitiful manner others were sighing and not a few praying and committing their Souls unto God for they thought their Bodies must be Meat for the Fish of the Sea. The Sea-men that did belong to each Ship were almost kill'd in working so hard for to preserve their own and our Lives but now and then they would refresh themselves with a dram of the Brandy-bottle According as the Sea and the Waves roar'd so most Mens Hearts now fail'd them for fear at the apprehension of approaching Destruction A Holy Conscience at this time was a Magazine of Joy and as good as a thousand Witnesses Thus did we tumble and rowl about the Seas and among the unnatural Waves all this Night How desirable was the Day-light which Solomon says is sweet And what a pleasant thing would it have been for our Eyes but to behold the Sun though in the midst of such a dreadful Storm A worse hath not happened for many years as our ancient Ship-Masters and Mariners conclude for Darkness adds terrour to terrour and therefore the fear of death unto many at this time was almost as bad as death it self some Nabal like were dead with fear and their hearts as a stone Many Ships had their Sails blown off others had their Masts broken with the violence of the Storm the Waves often-times rowling themselves over the labouring Ships some had their Main-yards broken the Pipes of Water often-times bursting open the Barrels of Powder and Ball stav'd it cannot be conceiv'd what a dreadful thing it was as also what a strange kind of rattling the Bullets running about the Decks made therefore sundry Souldiers cried out I am sure I can feel the Hole where the Sea comes in at when as in truth it was the Water and Beer together flashing within the Ship for you must know we were most of us all in darkness no Candle being permitted to come under Deck because of the Magazine After we had made our Supplications for our selves and his Highness the Prince of Orange unto the God of Heaven we submitted our Wills to his blessed Will and I am perswaded that many now were willing to die after the thoughts of Death had possessed their mind so long and been impress'd in their
People which came to see his Highness some placing themselves in Seats by eight in the Morning When his Highness came he was pleased for to sit in the Bishop's Seat in the Body of the Church as he had done in the Quire before Sundry Sentinels stood just behind him two just before him and many more in the Church-Isle the Doctor 's Text was Psalm 107. 43. Whose is wise and will observe those things even they shall understand the loving Kindness of the Lord. The Doctor very accurately shewed the loving Kindness of the Lord unto the Price of Orange and his Fleet how he caused the Winds to turn at Tor-Bay where the whole Fleet was to tack about to come into the Bay and then shew'd the upright Design of the Prince to promote the Glory of God and good of his Church in England Scotland and Ireland having ended his Sermon he read the Prayer for the Expedition and so concluded with the Blessing c. Some time was passed here before the Gentlemen of the West joyned his Highness but when once they did begin to come in then they came daily The Mayor and Aldermen of the City came to visit the Prince and were busie in their Consultations among themselves The late King James we heard now was advanc'd as far towards us as Salisbury with a very brave Army of about thirty five thousand Men and a prodigious great Train of Artillery which made the poor Country People tremble Moreover we heard that he was fully resolved to encamp his Army about Sarum in the Plain where he intended to fight us Some of our Men being of the Van-guard were advanc'd as far as Wincaunton to provide Carriage at which place there was a small Skirmish or Action between 26 of our Souldiers and about 150 of the late King's Party which you shall have a particular account of by and by We soon receiv'd information of this Skirmish at Exeter Order was now given to get Waggons to carry the Magazine and Baggage of the whole Army together with all sorts of Utensils fit and convenient for War and Horses to draw the Artillery and for the Country People round to bring in their Horses to be sold at Exeter that so the loss of our Horses might be made up here According to which Order the Country People came daily in with their Horses to sell and the Officers gave great Prices for them because they must have them there or now here The Souldiers were ordered to keep themselves and their Arms in good order and to get every thing here which they wanted Much Mony was laid out in this City for all sorts of Commodities which the Officers or Souldiers lacked Here at first the People were scrupulous about the Dutch Mony and many Country People refused it but were forc'd to take it because all the Army had little else but Guineas and Dutch Mony. The People of the City began now to be more and more inclin'd towards our Army and all fear almost of the other Army was banish'd out of their Thoughts so that they would discourse more freely now than at the first The Drums beat for Volunteers and every Regiment of English or Scotch which wanted any Men was now compleated The Regiment of Sir John Guyes and Sir Robert Peyton fill'd up very fast for Men came into the City daily from all Parts to list themselves insomuch that many Captains pick'd and chose their Souldiers Very great crowding was here at the Deanary it being the Prince of Orange's Court by all sorts of People Many coming 20 Miles on purpose to see him and all the People of the adjacent Places were waiting there daily insomuch that the Sentinels could hardly keep them out The Guard was before the entrance into the Deanary and sundry Sentinels two at each Door Now his Highness received Information That the late King James was gone back from Sarum towards London with his whole Army by reason of the false Report of some Tumult in the City made by the Apprentices which News did not in the least discompose us The Weather being somewhat favourable the Prince of Orange with all his Lords and Gentlemen attending him was pleased to ride and view the City and Castle and this Day the Deanary was embroider'd with the Officers in their Gold and Silver-Lace Coats The Country People brought all sorts of Provisions in abundance because it yielded them Money and went off well We heard here that our Friends were up in the North of England as the Lord Delamere Earl of Devonshire Earl of Stamford Earl of Danby Sir Scroop How Sir William Russel with divers others By this time the Gentlemen of Somersetshire and Dorsetshire were coming in to join his Highness and on Thursday November 15 they waited on him at Exeter upon which he was pleased to speak to them as follows Tho we know not all your Persons yet we have a Catalogue of your Names and remember the Character of your Worth and Interest in your Country You see we are come according to your Invitation and our Promise Our Duty to God obliges us to protect the Protestant Religion and our Love to Mankind your Liberties and Properties We expected you that dwelt so near the place of our Landing would have join'd us sooner not that it is now too late nor that we want your Military Assistance so much as your Countenance and Presence to justify our declar'd Pretentions in order to accomplish our good and gracious Design Tho we have brought both a good Fleet and a good Army to render these Kingdoms happy by rescuing all Protestants from Popery Slavery and Arbitrary Power by restoring them to their Rights and Properties established by Law and by promoting of Peace and Trade which is the Soul of Government and the very Life-Blood of a Nation yet we rely more on the Goodness of God and the Justice of our Cause than on any Humane Force and Power whatever Yet since God is pleased we shall make use of Humane means and not expect Miracles for our Preservation and Happiness let us not neglect making use of this gracious Opportunity but with Prudence and Courage put in Execution our so honourable Purposes Therefore Gentlemen Friends and Fellow-Protestants we bid you and all your Followers most heartily Welcome to our Court and Camp. Let the whole World now judg if our Pretentions are not Just Generous Sincere and above Price since we might have even a Bridg of Gold to Return back But it is our Principle and Resolution rather to dye in a Good Cause than live in a Bad one well knowing that Vertue and True Honour is its own Reward and the Happiness of Mankind Our Great and Only Design The late King James coming up towards London the Regiment of Dragoons belonging to the Lord Cornbury came away from him to join the Prince of Orange and the Lord Cornbury with many other Lords Knights and Gentlemen came unto Exeter and attended