justifies the Duke of Buckingham The Commons in Answer present an high Remonstrance and justifie themselves To which the King sends them Answer by Finch their Speaker That if they did not pass the Bill of Subsidy by the end of the week following it would enforce him to take other Resolutions c. Before the Commons sent an Answer they Petitioned His Majesty That he would be pleased to remove from all Places of Trust and Authority all such Persons as were either Recusants or suspected to be such And the Commons then drew up another Declaration of Grievances against the Duke of Buckingham who being thereat Incensed Dissolved the Parliament the very next day Iune 15. 1626. Then the King's Cabal Council resolved on several ways for advancing the King's Revenue First Levying of Customs and Imposts on all Merchandize Privy Seals were Issued out and Benevolences proposed and at length a Commission for a general Loan was resolved on But the Assessment of the Loan was generally opposed whereupon the People of the lower Rank were ordered to appear in the Military-Yard next St. Martins in the Fields before the Lieutenant of the Tower to be Listed for Soldiers it being then thought necessary for the better security of the Liberty of the Subject That those which refused to assist with their Purses should be forced to Serve in their Persons Others of betteâ— Quality were committed Prisoners to the Fleet Marshalsea Gate-House c. And among others Sir I. Elliot who Petitioned his Majesty and repeated many Precedents That all manner of Taxes in former Kings Reigns were never Levied but by consent of Parliament However he was Committed and Sir P. Hayman was forced to serve the King in the Palatinate Dr. Sybthorp and Maynwaring Two Court Preacâ—ers about this time preached up the Necessity and Duty of the Loan one of them asserting That the Prince had Power to direct his Council and make Laws himself The other affirmed That the King 's Royal Command in imposing of Laws and Taxes though without consâ—nt in Parliament did oblige the Subjects Conscience upon pain of Eternal Damnation Which Position was entertained with such great Aâ—plause aâ— Court that Abbot was suspended his Archiâ—piscopal Sea for refusing to License the Sermon wherein it was contained In 1627â— being the Third Year of the King's Reign the Exchequer being very low and several late Enterprises having miscarried a Parliament was called and on the 27th of March they Aâ—sembled and the King and Lord Kâ—epers in Two Speeches earnestly pressed them to consider of some speedy wâ—y for supplying his Majesties Necessities The first thing taken into Coâ—sidâ—ration by the Commons was the Grievances of the Kingdom And the firâ—t thing insisted on was the Case of those Gentlmeâ—n for refusing the Loan and who notwithstanding their Habeas Corpus were remâ—nded to Prison and it was Resolved in the House Nemine Contradicente That no man ought to be Bâ—strained by the King or Privy-Council without some Cause of the Commitment Secondly That the Wâ—it of Habeas Corpus ought to be granted to every Man upon Request that is Restrained on which he ought to be Bayled if cause of Commitment be not Declaâ—ed Then the Parliament petitioned against Popish Recusants to which the King gave them a satisfactory Answer Afâ—â—r which five Subsidies were granted to the King which gave him so great Satisfaction that he sent them word He would deny them nothing of their Liberties which any of his Predecessâ—rs had Granted Whereupon the Commons fâ—ll upon the Memorable Petition of Right And when it was prâ—sented the Answer the King gave to it was not judged Satisfactory by the Commonsâ— and therefore upon their Petition the King gave them this short but full Answer Let it be done according to your desire Which Answer mightily pleased both Houses And his Majesty for further Satisfaction suffered the Commission for Loan and Excise to be Cancelled and received Abbot and Williams into his Favour again so thâ—t all Discontents on every side seemed to be banished In 1628. the Fourth year of the King's Reign the Parliament drew up a Remonstrance against Buckingham Bishop Neal and Laud which they presented to the King with the Bill of Subsidies His Majesty told them That he expected not such a Return for his favourable Answer to the Petition of Right and as for the Grievances he would take time to Consider An Information being likewise Exhibited against the Duke in the Star-Chamber The King by his express Will and Pleasure Ordered that it should be taken off the File and the King resolving to hold up the Duke Adjâ—urned the Parliament to the 20 th of October following But soon after the Duke was summoned to Answer at a Higher Tribunal by the means of one Felton a Lieutenant who stabbed him to the Heart with a Dagger The Parliament were further Adjourned to Ianuary 20. in which time the Merchants refusing to pay Custom had their Goods seized Complaints thereof being made to the Parliament the King requires them to pass the promis'd Bill for Tunnage and Poundage but the Commons answered That God's Cause was to be preferred before the King 's and that they would therefore in the first place Consult about Religion One Committee being for Religion and another for Civil Matters At the last was a Complaint about the Customs and the Farmers of the Customs were Challenged But the King vindicated them and the Parliament being upon proceeding against them as Delinquents the King Adjourned them till the 10 th of March The Commons enraged thereat blamed their Speaker for admitting the Mesâ—age and Ordered Sir I. Elliot to draw up their Remonstrance which was in very high Terms about Tunnage and Poundage c. The substance was as followeth I. VVhosoever shall indeavour to Introduce Popery Arminiauism or other than Orthodox Opinion shall be reputed a Capital Enemy to the Kingdom II. VVhosoever shall Counsel the taking of Tunnage and Poundage or shall yield Voluntary or pay the same without being granted by Parliament shall be deemed a Betrayer of and Enemy to the Liberties of England These things were so much disliked by the King that he sent the Usher of the Black Rod to Dissolve them who was not admitted in Whereupon the King with his Guard of Pensioners were resolv'd to force their Entrance which the Commons having notice of it they suddenly went out of the House And this was the end of that Parliament Some considering that neither this nor the Two former Parliaments complied with the Humour of the King or Ministers of State advised the King never to Call another And to that end the Famous Book of Protects was Published and Addrest to the King proposing some Methods to prevent the Impertinency of Parliaments as he calls them from time to time by the Example of Lewis XI of France who pretending that the Commons did encroach too much on the Nobility and Clergy Dissolv'd it and never after suffered the
deteriora sequar for he indeed made the worst choice it could not be thought but such an Imployment was much better to him to have accepted than to be confined to a loaâ—hsome Prison Having him now fast in Prison Herodias by pleasing her Herod must also ask and have his Life for Perscelus ad sceleâ—â— tutiâ—r est via to that end they preferred Emposides to be Servant to Sir Gervase Elway's then Lieutenant of the Tower and a very Wise Religious Gentleman he was so ignorant of the Plâ—t as he never Dreamt of any such matter until one day as it should seem Weston being told Eâ—â—ays did know wherefore he was preferred unto him to wait on Overbury he aâ—ked the Lieutenant whether he should now do iâ— Elways replied What Weston at that being somewhat abashed which Elways quickly apprehended replied No not yet for he did believe there was something known to Weston instantly he hasted away being a little before Dinner and went into his Study and Weston being come he exaâ—iâ—ed him the meaning of that Question at last between fair means and threatning perswaded him to conâ—ess the â—ruth then Elways as he well could laid before Weston the horridness of the Fact the torments of Hell c. At last made him so sensible that he gave the Lieutenant humble thanks for that he had been instrumental in saving his Soul by putting him off from so soul intentions and faithfully promised never to be concerned in so foul at Act and for a long time as faithfully performed The Lieutenant ordered Weston to bring him such things as were sent to give Overbury which he accordingly did the Lieutenant ever gave them to Doggs and Catts some of which died presently others lingred some time During this time the Earl continued sending to visit Overbury wheedling him with an assurance that he did not forget his Release At last the Countess growing impatient sent for Weston reviling him saying he was a Treacherous Villain on which he promised her Fidelity to the future yet the Countess would not trust him alone any more but joined one Franklin to him a greater Villain than himself Some time after these Two Villains had carried Overbury the Tarts they went to his Chamber and found him in great Torment with Contention between strength of Nature and working of the Poyson and they fearing Nature would have gotten the better and that it might come upon the judgment of Physicians that foul Play had been offered him they immediately stifled him between Two Pillows and so ended his miserable Life with the assurance of the Conspirators that he dyed by Poyson none thinking otherwise but the Two Murtherers Now this grand obstacle being removed the Adulterous Marriage must be brought about and for the more easie effecting of it they did without much trouble make the King a Party in this Bawdy business and the Bishops likewise must be principal Actors in bringing this Bawdery to a Marriage of whom Bilson Bishop of Winchester was chief for which the King Knighted his Son The Bishops had many Meetings in which there wanted no Bribes from the Lord and Lady to hâ—ve this Nullity brought to pass wherein the Discourse would have better befitted the Mouths of Bawds and Ruffians than grave Divines Arch-bishop Abbot opposed and protested against all their Proceedings for which the King held him in disgrace to his Dying day To make up the full measure of Bawdry and to justifie the Nullity a search must be made into the Lady to find whether there had been a Penetration and a Jury of grave Matrons were found fit for that purpose who with their Spectacles ground to lessen not to make the Letter larger after their Inspection into the Premises gave Verdict she was Intacta Virgo which was thought very strange for the World took notice that her way was very common before ever Somerset trod in it besides they two having lived so long in Adultery together The Plot was contrived thus The Lady of Essex pretending Modesty makes humble Suit to the Bawdy Bishops who were all concerned in this Stratagem that she might come Vailed into the Court which they all readily granted One Mrs. Turner was dressed in the Countesses Cloaths and at that time too young to be other than Virgo Intacta Now is the Nullity pronounced and the Marriage with Somerset speedily Solemnized but sweet Meat must have sowr Sâ—wce For not long after Thrumbal Agent at Bruxels had by one Reeve an Apothecaries Prentice in London that was come there on some Occasions gotten hold of this Poysoning Business on which he presently wrote to Secretary Wynwood that he had business of great consequence to discover but would not send iâ— therefore desired License to come over which after some time the King granted and now had they good Testimony by the Apothecary who revealed Weston Mrs. Turner and Francklin to be the Principal Agents yet it being the time of the King's Progress nothing was done in it till his Return Secretary Wynwood having been affronted and much abused by Somerset in his Secretaryship does now carry himself in a kind of braving way against him being struck in with the Faction of Viller's who was now the risiâ—g Sun and King Iames's darling Favourites King Iames being returned from his Summers Progress returns to Windsor from thence to Hampton-Court then to White-Hall and shoâ—tly after to Royston to begin his Winter Journey And now begins the Game to be plaid in which the Earl and Countess of Somerset must be Losers the Lord Chief Justice Coke and Secretary Wynwood the managers against them The day the King went from VVhite-Hall to Theobald's and so to Royston he sent for all the Judges his Lords and Servants encircling him where kneeling down in the midst he spoke to them as followeth My Lords the Iudges It is lately come to my hearing that you have now in Examinatiâ—n a Business of Poâ—soning Lord in what a most miserable Conditiâ—n shall this Kingdom be the only famous Nation for Hospitality in the World if our Tables should become such a Sâ—are as none could Eâ—t without daâ—ger of Life and the Italian Custom be introduced among us Therefore my Lords I Charge you as you will answer it at the great and dreadful day of Iudgment that you will examine it strictly without Fâ—vâ—â—â— Affection or Partiality and if you shall spare any that are found Guilty of this Crime God's Curse light on you and your Posterity And if I spare any God's Curse light on Me and my Posterity for ever But how this dreadful Thunder Curse or Imprecation was performed the following account will shew The King goes to Roâ—ston accompanied with the Earl of Sâ—merset the next day the Earl being to go to London went to kiss the King's Hand who hanged about his Neck slabberiâ—g his Cheeks saying When shall I see you again On my Soul I shall neitheâ— Eat nor Sleep until you come again The Earl told him
or Write any other new Laws agaonst Roman Catholicks The great Concessions of King Iames towards the Roman Catholicks brought great swarms of Priests and Jesuits into England who were busie in drawing the People from the Protestant Religion And a titular Bishop of Calcedon privately came to London to Exercise Episcopal Jurisdiction over the Roman Catholicks of this Kingdom 'T is said that the King had now so much confidence of the Match as to say openly in the Courâ— That now all the Devils in Hell could not break it The Spaniards the better to cover their Designs ordered that the Infanta should be stiled the Princess of England and she was kept no longer in her Virgin Retirements The Spanish Match having been long in Treaty and it being suspected now that the Spaniard did juggle with the States in this as they formerly did in a Match with that brave Prince Henry Whether the King suspected any such matter or any whimsie came into the Brains of the great Favourite and Prince to imitate the old Stories of the Knights Errand but agreed it was it should seem that the Prince must go himself very privately into Spain with his Favourite Buckingham under the borrowed Names of Iack and Tom Smith and they had the Ports laid so that none should follow them to give any Notice to the French Court through which they must pass And now many Lords and other Servants flock over that he might appear the Prince of Great Britain Many Treaties were soâ—etimes Hope sometimes Fear sometimes great Assurance then all dasht again At last after many Heats and Cools the Prince wrote a Letter to his Father of a desperate Despair not only of not enjoying his Lady but of never more rerurning Now the folly of this Voyage began to appear many smiling at the Follies that were concerned in it and however the King was a cunning Dissembler and shewed much outward Sorrow as he did for Prince Henry's Death yet the Court believed little Grief came near his Heart for that secret Hatred he had of late bore to Buckingham as being satiated with him and his Adorning the Rising Sun made it generally thought that he would not value the losing his Son so that Buckingham might be lost also Yet Buckingham had so much awe over the King that he durst not make shew to affect any other One great Reason of the King 's Hating of Buckingham was a large Information that he privately received from one Inniosa an Extraordinary Ambassador from Spain of Buckingham's Design on his Person whether by Poyson Pistol Dagger c. he could not tell Buckingham being fully satisfied on several Accounts of the great Hatred the King now bore unto him He turned as great a Hater of the King and though the King had more power to Revenge He had less Courage And however the World did believe the King's Inclinations was out of a Religious ground that he might not Revenge yet it was no other but a Cowardly Disposition that durst not adventure But altho the King lost his opportunity on Buckingham yet the black Plaister and Powder did shew Buckingham lost not his on the King and that it was no Fiction but a Reality that Padro Macestria had formerly told the King And now the Prince returns from Spain and all the fault of the Match not succeeding is laid on Bristol who was Ambassador there And Buckingham from an Accused Man in the former Parliament came to be the Darling of this Parliament And in the Banquetting-House before both Houses of Parliament does Buckingham give an Account at large of his Spanish Voyage and to every full point as a further Aâ—testation he saith How say you Sir To which the Prince answered I Yea or Yes Bristol having some Friends that sent Advice of All into Spain He immediately posts into England makes Buckingham's Relation and Accusation wholly False and Scandalous and becomes a great Favourite to King Iames. I shall now bring the Secret Story of this King's Life to an end He now goes his last Hunting Journey I mean the last of the Year as well as his Life which he ever ended in Lent and was seised on by an extraordinary Tertian Ague yet 't was not the Ague as himself confessed to many of his Servants one of which câ—ying Courage Sir this is but a small Fit the next will be none at all At which he most earnestly looked and said Ah! It is not the Ague afflicteth me but the black Plaister and Powder given me and laid to my Stomach Nor was it fair Dealing if he had fair Play which himself suspected often saying to the Earl of Montgomery whom he trusted above all Men in his Sickness For God's sake look I â—ave fair Play to bring in an Emperick to apply any Medicines whilst those Physicians appointed to attend him were at Dinner nor could any but Buckingham answer it with less than his Life Buckingham visiting the King just as he was at the point of Deathâ— who mournfully fixâ— his Eyes on him as who would have said You are the Man that has ruined me It were worth the knowledge what his Confessions was or what other Expressions he made of himself or any other but that was only known to the Dead Arch-Bishop Abbot and the then living Bishop Williams and the Lord-keeper and it was thought Williams had blabbed something which incensed the King's Anger and Buckingham's Hatred so much against him that the loss of his Place could not be explatory sufficient but his utter ruine must be determined Now have we brought this King who stiled himself the King of Peace and put on Mortality the 27 th of March to rest in all Peace We shall conclude his Remarks with an Appendix shâ—â—ing the particulars of a great manâ— Millions of good English Money even to an almost incredible Sum this King Expended on his Fruitless Embâ—ssies B ng Favourites Beggarly Scots Ant-Suppers Masqueradoes and other Buffoons even to a far greater Sum than his Predecessor Queen Elizabeth of Happy Memory Expended in all Her Wars in Ireland and with Spain c. during her Forty Four Years Reign King IAMES's LETTER TO Pope CLEMENT Most Holy Father HAVING understood by several Reports how diligent the Rivals of our Condition have been that the Sword of your Authority should he unsheathed against us and with what constancy your Prudence hath hitherto refused it we could do no less than return Thanks for such a good turn received especially upon so fair an Occasion when the Bearer of these a Scotch Man by Nation but a Roman by Adoption was returning unto your Dominion We recommend him to your Holiness to whom for his good Parts you have been already Beneficial that you would attentively bear him in those things which he shall deliver in our Name And because we know there is no better Remedy against the Calumnies of Ill Willers who by commemorating our Injuries done to Catholicks procure Envy to
his intriguing Reign there can be nothing sharp enough to penetrate the stupid and besoâ—ted Bigortry of those that stand in his Justification But notwithstanding the willful blindness of such People it is to be hoped that other Men less byassed and having the same just pretences to common Understanding have a greater value for their Reason than to forfeit it to prejudice and an Interest now exploded by all the sober part of the World And having once disintangled their Judgments from the Incumbrances of Iure Divino Nonsense they will then find That the whole course of his Reign was no more than what this Memorial discovers and that the frequent Breaches of his Word and Promises both to his Parliaments and People were but the Effects of the Religion he Professed and owned in his Ambassadors Memorial one of the chief Principles of which it is Not to keep Faith with Hereticks and by which he was obliged to be more faithful to the King of Poland than the King of Heaven Hence it was that notwithstanding his Declaration at Breda design'd and penn'd to obtrude a seeming appearance of Truth and specious Face of Integrity upon the Nation after he came to be restored and settled we found our selves deceiv'd in all that we expected from the Faith and Credit of his Royal Word To which we may subjoin that other Famous Declaration upon shutting up the Exchequer Wherein tho his Sacred Word and Royal Faith were in plain and emphatical Terms laid to pledge for Repayment yet the Events in the Ruine and Impoverishing of so many Families did no way consist with his Gracious and Solemn Promises As for the Covenant whatever the Oath were it matters not here to dispute but they who were Witnesses of his taking it observed that if ever he seemed sincere in what he did it was in binding his Soul by that Soâ—emn Oath and yet he not only openly and avowedly broke it but câ—used it to be burnt in all the Three Nations by the hands of the Common-Hang-man Where can we find a more matchless piece of Dissimulation than in his Signing that Declaration in Scotland which he published under the Title of A Declaration of the King's Majesty to his Subjects of the Kingdom of Scotland England and Ireland Charles the II. having long trifled with the Papists his beloved Friends and indeed had so carried himself that neither Papist nor Protestant could tell what to make of him yet the Papists resolved they would be no longer dallied with by him And therefore so soon as he had made all Things ready for his Brother's Exaltation after he had prevented his Exclusion from the Thrâ—ne and put all the Power of his Dominions into his hands to give way for him that truly Reigned while he but only wore the Name of King he was struck with an Appoplexy as it was given out for let the true â—ause be what it will a Prince always dies of some Disease or other in the Physicians Catalogue but such were the Circumstances of his Death that Men began to discover their Suspitions freely to the World before he was cold However it were certain it is that he was Absolved from all his Sins by his great Friend John Huddleston and that the Priests gave him Extream Vnction At what time one of his Relations forcing his way into the Room and seeing them at it could not forbear saying That now they had Oyl`d and Greas'd his Boots they had made him fit for his Journey And this is yet more remarkable That all the while he lay upon his Death-Bed he never spoke to his Brother to put him in mind of preserving the Laws and Religion of his People but only recommended to him the Charitable Care of his Two Câ—ncubines Portsmouth and poor Nelly Nor was it a small Aggravation of the general Suspition to find him hurried to his Grave with such â—n Vngrateful Secrecy in the dead of the Night as if they had feared the Arresting of his Corps for Debt not so much as the mean pomp of the Blue-Coat Bâ—yst Sâ—ng him to Heaven Insomuch that he was hurried by his Brother whom he had so highly obliged with far less decency then was perrmitted for the Funeral of his Father by his Capital Enemies that had beheaded him But that perhaps might be so ordered by Providence to signiâ—ie that he was not worth the publick Lamentation of the People whose Religion and Liberties he had been always designing to subvert THE SECRET HISTORY OF King IAMES II. TO him succeeded Iames the II. not more pernitiously desining but more eagerly bent in the Chase of National Ruine and Destruction He came into England full freighted with his Mothers Religion and her Malice to the People of the Nation but wore at first the same Vizard Mask of Protestantism which his Brother did But tho he were fitter for the Business they both designed yet he understood not how to manage it so well so that had he been the Elder Brother we may undoubtedly presume to say he would have been much sooner thrown out of the Saddle greatly to the saving both the Honour and Treasure of the Nation and the Life of many a worthy Gentleman and true Lover of his Country 'T is well known and a thing confirmed by Two Letters yet to be seen wherein one of the Kings own Chaplains then upon the spot when it was done imparâ—s and laments it to a Bishop That the Duke of York while he was yet but very young made a solemn Renunciation of the Protestant Religiâ—n and was reconciled to the Church of Rome while he sojourned with his Mother in France in hopes by the assistance of the Papists to have defeated his Eldeâ— Brother of his Right of Inheritance tho he had all the Indulgence imaginable to conceal his Convulsion where it might be for his private Advantage and the general good of the Cause And so eaâ—ly was this Ambition of his to supplant his Elder Brother that when â—he Scots were treating with the exil'd King to restore him to the Throne of Scotland That he was at that very time practising with such as remained faithful to the King's Title here that they would renounce his Elder Brother and chuse him for their Sovereign And for that Reasoâ— it was that the Duke forsook him at Bruxels and withdrew into Holland so that the King was necessitated not only to command him upon his Allegiance to return but was constrained to send the Duke of Ormond and some other Pesons of Quality as well to threaten as persuade him before he would go back And as he was an early Traytor to his Brother ' so he did no less treacherously attempt the disowning of his first Wife For finding her extraordinary Chastity to be such that he could not be admitted to her Bed but upon the lawful score of Matrimony he was at last Married to her but so very privately that only the King and some very few
us and Thanks to themselves then that some of our Countrey-Men Zealous of the Truth though differing from the Religiin which we have sucked from our Infancy should have an Hâ—nourable Occasion of making their abode in the Court of Rome from whom your Holiness may be certainly insormed of the state of our Affairs In this regard We recommend to you the Bishop of Vazion who as he dâ—th impute whatsoever increase of his condition to your Holyness alone so We are earnest Suitors that for our sake especially the Hâ—nour of the Cardinals Cap may be added to his former Advantages By this means the Calumny of our Enemies will cease when such are present with you who may be able to assert the truth of our doing We do not desire any of our Actions should be concealed from just Arbitrators for though We have been bred up in the Truth of that Religion which we now profess yet We have always determined That there is nothing better and safer than piously and without ostentation to endeavour the promoting of those things which really belong to the Gloâ—y of God's Name and laying aside the Goads of Envy and applying the warmth and fomentation of Charity diligently to consider what belongeth not to the empty Name of Religion but to the Holy Symbol of true Piety But because we have discoursed more at large of these things with the Bearer hereof a Man not Vnlâ—arned and indifferently well conversant in our Affairs We have thought best to be no more tedious by a long Letter From Holy Rood Septemb. 24. 1599. Your Holiness's Most Dutiful Son James Rex This Letter was conveyed by Edward Drummond the Lawyer whom the King sent to the Pope the Duke of Tuskany the Duke of Savoy and other Princes and Cardinals First You shall most respectively Salute in Our Namâ— the Pope and those other Prinâ—es and Cardinals and having delivered our Letters of Credence shall signifie That we exceedingly desire to reserve with them the measure of Love and Good VVill which is fitting to remove not only all suspicion but any thing that may be the cause of suspicion That altho we persist in the Religion which we sucked from our Iâ—fancy yet we are not so void of Charity but to think well of all Christians if so be they continue in their Duty first towards God and then towards the Magistrate whose Sâ—bjects they are That we never exercised any Cruelâ—y against the Catholicks for their Religion And because it doth very much concern us that we may be able to assert the Truth by our Friends and Subjects with the same diligence that Slanderers Lye therefore you shall endeavour to the utmost to perswade the Pope aâ— well at our Entreaty as for the desire of thâ—se mâ—st illustrious Princes whom in our Letters we have solicited on our behalf to make the Bishop of Vazion Cardinal wherein if you be successful as soâ—n as we shall be certified thereof we will proceed further You must be cautious not to proceed any farther in this businessâ— either with the Pope or thâ— most Illustrious Cardinals â—â—less there be a certain hope of our wished event THE SECRET HISTORY OF King CHARLES I. THE Misfortunes of this Monarch Son to King Iames with the uncouth dismal and unexpressable Calamities that happened thereupon was in a great measure caused by the imprudent Commissions and voluntary Omissions of King Iames As it may justly be said He like Adam by bringing the Crown into so great a Necessity through profuse Prodigality became the Original of his Sons Fall who was in a manner compell'd to stretch out his Hands towards such Gatherings and Taxes as were contrary to Law by which He fell from the Paradice of a Prince to wit The Hearts of his People though thâ— best Politicians exâ—ant might Miscarry in their Calculation of a Civil-War immediately to follow upon the Death of Queen Elizabeth in Vindication of the numerous Titles and Opinions then current Yet the Beggarly Rabble attending King Iames not only at his first coming out of Scotland but through his whole Reign like a fluent Spring found still câ—ossing the River Tweed did so far justifie the former conjecture as it was only thought mistaken in relation to time The fiâ—st thing this King did after the performing his Father's Funeral Rights was the consummating the Marriâ—ge withâ— Henrietta Maria a Daughter of Fâ—ance whom he had formerly seen in his Journey through that Countrey into Spain The King then call'd a Parliament who met the 11th of Iune following to whom he represented in a short Speech The urgent necessity of raising a Subsidy to â—aâ—ry on the VVar with Spain But the Parliament presented first their Two Petitions concerning Reasâ—ns of Religion and Complaint of their Suffâ—rings which points had been offered to his Father King Iames In both which they at present received Satiâ—faction Upon which the King obtained two Subsidies to be paid by Protestants and four by Papist Laiety and three from the Clergy On the 11th of Iuly 1629. the Parliament was Adjourned â—ill August the 1st when the King declared to them the necessity of setting forâ—h a Fleet for the Recovery of the Palatinate The Lord Treasurer insâ—anced the several Sums of Money King Iames died Indebted to the City of London this occasioned very warm Debates in the House of Commons who alleadged That Evil Councils guided the King's Designs That the Treasury was misimployed That it would be necessary to Petition the King for Honester and Abler Councilâ— Thaâ— it was not usual to grant Subsidies upon Suâ—sidies in one Parliament and no Grievances Redressed with many other of the like nature And being incensed against the Duke of Buckingham they began to think of divesting him â—f his Office and to require an account of the publick Money c. To prevent whichâ— the King Dissolved the Parliament And now the King 's put upon taking up Money upon Loan of such Persons as were thought of Ability to Lend To whom Letters were Issued out in the King's Name to exâ—ite them to it But this not answering the King Summons a Parliament to Siâ— Feb. 6. and being Meâ— they â—ell immediately â—pon Debate of the publick Grievances much the same as the former Then the House of Commons were very busie in searching the Signet Office for the Original of a Leâ—ter under the Signet written to the Mayor of York for Reprieving divers Priests and Jesuits This was Reported by Pim Chair-Man to the Committee for Religion but the King immediately demanded a supply for the English and Irish Forces This was highly resented by the Commons and several sharp Speeches were made in the House But notwiâ—hâ—â—anding the Commons aâ— last Voted Three Subsidies and Three Fifteenâ— and the Bill shall be brought in as soon as the Grievances which were Represented were Redressed But the King observing they did not make the hasâ—e he expectâ—d sends a sharp Message to them complains against their Grievances and
Subverted and altered the Fundamental Constitution in making English Men liable to be turned at the Arbitrary Pleasure of the King And as an addiâ—ion to this those Mercinary Members by the Orders and Directions of their most Pious and Protestant Pay-Master the King past another Law which was styled The Act for Corporations by which Men of Principles and Integrity were debarred all Offices of Magistracy in Cities and Corporate Towns the woful effects of which the Kingdom not long after both saw and felt in the Surrender of Charters and Betraying of Franchises by Persons upon whom the Government of â—he Corporations came to be delivered by Vertue of that Act which excluded so many Honest Able and Vertuous Men the Persons whom the King for his by-ends nominated for fit and Loyal Men would never have risen above the Offices of Scavengers Headboroughs or Constables at the highest To this as mainly contributed to the King's Design of Enslaving us we may subjoyn their passing an Act whereby they did boâ—h limit and confine those that were to present Petitions to the King not to exceed Ten Persons Let the Matter to be represented be ne're so Important or the Grievance to be redress'd never so Illegal or Oppressive yet it was made no less than a Riot if above Ten Persons Address'd themselves to the King to crave the bâ—nefit of the Law A Trouble which the King câ—reâ—ully provided against knowing how many Laâ—s he had to break and how Burthensome and Oppressive he must be to the People bâ—fore â—e could compleat the Fabrick of Slavery and â—â—pâ—ry which he was Erecting Nor was this all For the King being Conscious â—f his own saâ—â—ing and finding that through his own 〈◊〉 and the Importunities of his consuming Misâ—es he could not depend on any definiâ—e Suâ—m for accomplishing his Promises to his Holy Father the Pope and his Trusty Confederate the French King got Two Bills prepared and carried into the House the passing of which had compleated the Nations Misery and made him Absolute The one was To Empower His Majesty upon extraordinary Occasions of which he would not have failed to have been the Judge as often as he pleased to raise Money without a Parliament And the other was For settling an Vniversal Excise upon the Crown The Passing either of which the King well knew would have been soon enabled him to have Govern'd by Basha's and Ianizaries and redeem'd him from having any further need of Parliaments But what the King had so finely projected to enslave the Nation and obtain whatever he had a mind to prov'd the Ground of their Disappointment and the occasion oâ— the Nations escape from the snare that was laid for it For the Mercenary Members fore-seeing That the passing these Bills would have put an end to these Pensions by rendring them useless for the time to come consulting their Gain and preferring it above what the Court called their Loyalty fell in with the honest Party and so became assistant in throwing out the Bills However Piouâ— AEneas finding the Nation grew sensible of his covert Intentions and Encroachments upon their Laws and Liberties and desparing of getting any more Acts passed in Parliament toward the promoting his Desings resolved to Husband the Laws he had already obtain'd as much as he could to the Ruin of the Nâ—tion and where they failed of being Serviceable to his Ends to betake himself to other Methods and Means And therefore besides the daily Impoverishing Confining and destroying of infinite numbers of Honest and Peaceable People Under pretence of Executing the Laws he made it his business to invent new Projects to tear up the Rights and Liberties of the People by ways and means which had not the least shadow of a Law to countenance them Having made this fair Progress towards the enslaving both the Souls and Bodies of his own Subjects at home let us take a view of his Zeal to the Protestant Religion abroad And first for the Protestants of France When Monsieur Rohan came into England to acquaint his Pious Majesty with the Resolutions taken at Paris to persecute and if possible to root out the Reformed in France and proposed Overtures to the King as would have been greatly for his Glory and Interest yet no way contrary to the Allegiance of that poor People he remitted the Monsieur to his Brother the D. of York who not only inform'd the French Ambassador of the Gentleman's Errand but placed him behind the Hangings to hear what Monsieur Rohan had to represent and propose to him Which although the Ambassador to could not but abhor in the Two â—rothers and was asham'd of in himself yet he could do no less than inform his Master of what he had seen and heard Upon which the poor Gentleman on his Return out of England was so narrowly watched that being Apprehended upon the Borders of Switzerland he was carried back to Paris and there broken upon the Wheel Nor did it satisfie â—he King and his dear Brother the Duke to have thus Betray'd as well as Abandoned the Protestants in France but with the utmost Malice that Popery could inspire into them they sought the Destruction of the Seven Uniâ—ed Provinces upon no other Account but their being Protestant States and for giving Shelter to those who being Persecuted by himself and his Confederate the French Tyrant for their Religion fled thither for Protection and Safety For knowing what in due time they intended to bring upon the Protestants at home they thought it most requisite to destroy those Protestant States in the first place that there might remain no Sanctuary for their Persecuted Subâ—ects And indeed abaring this and one more Ground of their Quarrel with those Stateâ— never was a War undertaken upon more â—rivilous Pretences than those Two which the King engaged in against the Seven Provinces in the Year 1667. and 1672. Nor can any thing justifie the Discretion and Wisdom of the Wars had they not been undertaken meerly in Subserviency to the promoting Popery and Slavery seeing that upon all other Grounds that Reason and Prudence can suggest it was the Interest of England as still it is to preserve the Government of Holland entire Nor can we have a true Account of the Grounds upon which the Two Monarchs of England and France agreed the War against Holland in the Year 1672. than by the Representation which the French Ambassador made of it both at Rome and Vienna For tho' his Publick Declaration pretended no more but that it was to seek Reparation for the Diminution of his Glory yet the Account he gave to the Pope of his Masters and consequently of our Protestant Monâ—rch his first Confederate undertaking that War was That he did it in order to the extirpation of Heresie And in the same manner they sought to justifie the Piety of that Enterprize to his Imperial Majesty by alledging That the Hollanders were a People that had forsaken God â— and were
Hereticks and that all good Christians were bound to Associate and Unite for their Extirpation Upon which Account it seems our King and the Duke thought fit to exchange the Appellation of of Gâ—od Protestants for that of Good Christians However from hence it was plain what sort of Good Christians they were since it was evident that their Uniting with France in that War was to desâ—roy the Pâ—otestant Dutch Hereticks These being the real Grounds and Motives that induced the King of England to begin that Impolitick War agâ—inst the Dutch in the year 1665. whatever was openly and publickly pretended How strangely was the Parliament deluded and blinded by the King's Oaths and Protestations of his Zeal for the Protestant Religion What Sums of the Subjects Money they gave this Monarch to defray the Expences of that nnnecessary and baneful War is too well known and yet after all saving one brisk Engagement ill manag'd tho' with some losâ— to the Dutch at length no Fleet was set out and the choicest of their Royal Navy either Burnt or taken in Harbour to save Charges And though the French at lengâ—h joyn'd themselves in assistance with the Dutch against us yet by the Credit he had with the Queen-Mother he so far imposed upon that upon assurance which no Mâ—n of Prudence and Foresight would have believed That the Dutch would have no Fleet at Sea that Year he forbore to make ready and so incurred that ignominious Disgrace at Chatham the like to which the English never suffered since they claim'd the Dominion of the Sea And now we come to the best Act that ever he did in his Life had he pursued it which shewed how happy a Prince he might have been had he been ever faithful to his own and the Interests of his People and that Religion which he outwardly profest For upon Conclusion of that Peace having leisure to look about him and to observe how the French had in the Year 1667. taken their opportunity and while we were embroyled and weakned by the late War had in Violation of all the most Sacred and Solemn Oaths and Treaties Invaded and Taken a great part of the Spanish Netherlands which had always been considered as the natural Frontier oâ— England the King then prompted more by his own Fears then out of any kindness he had for the Nation judg'd it necessary to interpose before the Flames that consumed next Neighbour should throw the Sparks over the Water Thereupon he sent Sir William Temple then his Resident at Brussels to propose a nearer Alliance with the Hollanders and to take joynt Measures against the French which Proposals of Sir William Temple's being entertained with all Compliance by the Dutch within Five days after Two several Treaties were concluded between the King and the States The one a Defensive and stricter Leagâ—e than before between the Two Nations and the other a joynt and reciprocal Engagement to oppose the Conquest of Flandâ—rs and â—o procure either by way of Meditation or by â—orce of Arms a speedy Peace between France and Spain upon the Tâ—rms therein mentioned And because Sweeden came into the same Treaty within a very little while after â—rom the Three Parties concern'd and engag'd it was called the Tripple League In pursuance of which the Treaty of â—ix la Chapelle was also forc'd upon the French and in some measure upon the Spaniards who were unwilling to part with so great a part of their Country by a Solemn Treaty The King of France thus stopped in his Career by the Tripple League and by the Peace of Aix la Chapelle soon after concluded tho' for a while he dissembled his dissatisfaction yet resolved to untye the Tripple League whatsoever it cost him and therefore set his Counsels to work to try all the ways he could possibly think on in order to compass his sad Design To which purpose and as it 's generally thought that which aâ—â—ected it the Dutchess of Orleance was sent over to Dover where if common Fame say true several Chamber Secrets were performed This Treaty was for a long time a work of Darkness and lay long concealed till the King of France to the end the King of England being truly set forth in his Colours out of a despair of ever being trusted or forgiven by his People hereafter might be push'd to go on bare faced and follow his steps in Government most Treacherously and Unking like cauâ—ed it to be printed at Paris though upon Complaint made at the French Court and the Author though he had his Instructions from Colbert to humour the King committed to the Bastile for a short time and then let out again However the Book being Printed some few Copies lit into safe Hands from whence take the Substance of the Mystery of Iniquity as followeth After that Monsieur de Croisy the French Embassador at London had laid before the Eyes of the King of England all the Grounds which his Majesty had of Complaint against Holland c. He told him That the time was come to revenge himself of a Nation that had so little Respect for Kings and that the occasion was never more favourable seeing many of the â—rinces of Germany were already entred into the League and that the King of France was powerful enough to be able to promise to his Allies in the Issue of that War for satisfaction both as to their Honour and Interests whereby he prevailed with that Prince to enter into Secret Alliance with France And for his greater Assurance and the more to confirm him Henrietta Dutchess of Orleance went for England and proposed to her Brother in the Name of the most Christian King that he would assure him an absâ—lute Authority over his Parliament and â—ull power to establish the Cathoâ—ick Religion in his Kingdoms oâ— England Scotland and Ireland But withal she told him that to compass this before all things else iâ— would bâ— necessary to abate the Pride and Power of the Dutch and to reduce them to the sole Province oâ— Holland and that by this means the King of England shâ—â—ld haâ—e Zealâ—nd â—or a Retreat in case of necessity and that the rest of the Law-Countries should remain to the King of France if he could render himself Master of it This is the Sum of that Famous Leage concluded at Dâ—vâ—r framed and entred into on purpose for the Subjugaâ—ion of these Three Nations to Popery and Slâ—very Soon â—fter this the Emperor oâ— Germany the Duke of Lâ—rrain and several other Gâ—rman Princes desired to be admitted into the Tripple League but it was absolutely refused them Nay So soon as the Two Consâ—derate Monarcâ—s haâ— thus made a shift to cut the Gordian Knot the now pitiful but formerly vaunted Trippâ—e Leaguâ— was trampled under foot turned into Ridiâ—niâ— and less valuâ—d than a Ballad Insomuch that to talk of admiâ—ting others into the Tripple League was apprâ—hended in Print as a kind of Fiâ—â—â— of Speech commâ—nly called a
by an Enacted Law And no leâ—s frankly they Surrendred the Power of the Militia into his Hands of both which Acts being done in haste they had leisure enough afâ—erwards to repent But notwithstanding all the great Kindness of this Parliament and their more than extraordinary Liberality to the King of several Millioâ—s of the Peoples Money which was with the same Profusion wasted upon his Pleasures and the carrying on his Designs for the Introducing of Popery and French not a Penty hardly to the good of the Nation while â—hâ— Sâ—amen were sed with a Bit and a Knock and the Merchants that supplied the Stores of the Navy were Cheated of their Money and never paid to this day with what Scorn and Contempt he â—sed them and how far from that Esteem and Veneration he profesâ—ed to have for them while he was wheedling for his Restauration is apparent to all the Kingdom 'T is true the King continued them till all Men of impartial Knowledge and Judgment thought them Dissolved by Law and â—ill that they were Dissolv'd by himself the 25th of Ianuary 1678. not that they Sat so long but were discontinued and contemptuously spared from Meeting to Meeting many times by the inâ—imated Ordeâ—s and to promote the Designs of the French King and â—ever suffered them to Sir but when the King was in extreâ—m necessity of Money Among the rest oâ— those Prorogaâ—ions there was one at a time when the greatest urgency in Affairs the greaâ—est danger that threatned the Eâ—glish Nation required their Sittlng when they were diving into the Bottom of the Popish Plot and endeavâ—uring to bring to condign Punishment the chief Instruments which the King had made use oâ—â—o compâ—ss his Arbitrary and Popish Design Very remarkable is the Actions of the Preceding Night which was follow'd by the Morning Prorogations the relation of which is so gross that we think to draw a Curtain over it lest common Fame should lead us into an Error in any particular However this is certain that Prince Rupert the next Morning understanding what Resolutions were taken pressed the King with all the vehemency imaginable that Argument and Reason could enforce but at the same time the Duke of York stuck close to his Proâ—her telling him That his Cousin Rav'd c. so that the Duke that advised for the Ruine of the Nation was believed but the Priâ—ce that spoke his Mind freely for the Good of the Kingdom was dismisled for a Mad-man So well did the King Act his Part that when his well-meaning Counsellors lent their assisting hands to prevent the Consequences of French and Popish Dictates they were mistaken in the Man and gave their wholsome Advice to him that was not â—ound to take it During this Sessions of Parliament many foul things came to light for while the King had raised an Army and prâ—ssed the Parliament for Money to maintain them under pretence of making a War with France which was the earnest desire of all the Protestant pâ—rt of the Kingdom The Parliamenâ— were â—ully informed that while the King boasted of the Alliaâ—ces which he had made for the Preservation of Flanders and the Protestant Religion both at home and abroad he was secrâ—tly entred into Treatiâ—s and Alliâ—ncâ—s at the same time with the French King and Mr. Garroway of the House of Commons had gotten a Copy of the private Treâ—ty between the King of England and the French King at the same Instâ—nt that the Secretary and the others of the Court Parâ—y cried out a War iâ—somuch that several that were then in the House of Commons began to blush when they saw the Cheat so palpably discerned It was farther discovered That a great Favoueite of the Dukes had been sent over into France under a pretence oâ— Expostulating and requiring Satisfaction for the Injuries which the English had received from the French but in reality to carry the Project of Articles for the Peace and to the setâ—le and confirm all things fasâ— about the Money that was to come from France and to agree the Methods for Shamming the Conâ—ederates about their expected Alliances They found themselves cheated of all the Pole Bill Money which they had given so little a while before upon the Assurance of a War intended against France â— the greatest part of which they perceiv'd was immediately tho appropriated to the French War only converted to other Uses as the paying of old Debts so that very little was left for paying any Necessaries bought or to be bought towards the pretended War with France Nor were they ignorant of the real Design for which the King had raised his Army and what care the King and his Brother took that there should be no other Officers in that Army than what were fit for the Work in Hand which was to introduce Popery and French Government by main force The greater part being downright Papists or else such as resolved so to be upon the first Inâ—imation The Duke recommending all such as he knew â—it for the Turn and no less than an hundred Commissions were Signed to Irish Papists to raise Forces noâ—withstanding the Act by which means both the Land and Naval Forces were in safe Hands And to compleat the Work hardly a Judge Justice of the Peace or any Officer in England but what was of the Dukes promotion Nor were they ignorant of the private Negotiations of the Duke carried on by the Kings Connivance with the Pope and Cardinal Norfolk who had undertaken to raise Money from the Church sufficient to supply the King's Wants till the Work werd done in case the Parliament should smoke their Design and refuse to give any more Nor was the Parliament ignoranâ— what great Rejoicing there was in Rome it self to hear in what a posture His Majesty was and how well provided of an Army and Money to begin the Business The Parliament also understood while they were labouring the War with France and to resist â—he growth of Popery and Arbitrary Power That the King underthand assisted the French with Mâ—n and Ammunition of all sorts and soon after that a Câ—ssation was concluded both at Nimeguen and Paris That the King had got some Money from France for that Job by which the French King was now sure to hold all his Conquests â—broâ—d which had England been real to the Coâ—â—edâ—rates might have been easily wrested out of his Hands But it seems it was not so muâ—h Money as our King expected which made him Angry so that he began to threaten That if the Fâ—ench King did not perform his Promise of 300000 l. Annuity for Three Years he would undo all thaâ— he had done against the next Parliament But the French King derided those vain Threatâ— menacing in his turn That if the King of England would not be content with his Tâ—rms and do and say to the Parliament according to his Directions he would discover both him and hiâ— Correspondents in betrayiâ—g the Nâ—tion and discover all
his Secret Conâ—rivances against the Kingdom as afterwards he Published the Dover Treaty at Paris which was the reason that aâ—ter â—hâ—t His Maiesty of England never durst disoblige the French Mounsâ—â—eur but became a perfect Slave to his Interest a Bondage he never needed to have undeagone had he been but half as sincere to his English Parliament But to them he was never true with them he always broke his Faith and Royal Word So that now all things running on the Papistical side to their Hearts desire what with the Popish Soldiers Popish Officers Popish Councils Popish Priests and Jesuits swarming about the Town and Country and France at leisure to help them who had helped him to be more a Conqueror by the Peace than he could have expected by a War The Duke of York was for the King 's pulling off his Vizard and for setting up Alamode of France according to what had been so often debated at Wâ—ite-Hall and St. Iameâ—'s But while the King and his Brother were thus riding Post to ruine the Laws and Religion of the Kingdom the Discovery of the Popish Plot by Dr. Oats broke all their Measures for a time by laying open their Secret Contrivances for the introducing of Popery and Arbitrary Governmentâ— This Plot was no sooner made known to the King but he imparts it to the Duke not the knowledge of the Plot â—or that he knew before but the News of the Plots being discovered Upon which they set themselves with all the Care they could to stop the further Progress of the Discovery To which purpose the Duke gives notice of it to his trusty Secretary Coleman and the Priests and Jesuits in the Savâ—y by which means what Popery and Persons were to be concealed and conveyed away was carefully look'd after All this while by this seasonable Detection of the King and his Brother to the Priests and Jesuits Oates himself narrowly escaped being Massacred Oates finding himself thus Betrayed and abandoned by the King applies himself to Sir Edmundbury Godfrey with a Scheme of the Plot fairly drawn up by that means to be introduced before the Council to have the Business there unfolded which with much ado was done and Oates sent for to be Examined at White-Hall where he managed himself with that Courage that tho he were Brow-beaten and opposed most strenuously tho there were many that studied by all the ways and means imaginable to dash and confound him yet it was impossible he stood as firm as a Rock and gave such pregnant Reasons for what he said that the Council how unwilling soever to meddle or stir in his behalf yet at last were constrained by the clearness of the Evidence to grant Warrants for the seisure of several Priests that Night who were taken and sent to Prison Upon this followed the Assassination and Murther of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey perpetrated by the Countenance and Contrivance nay express Command of the Duke For proof of which a little opening of the Cause and Occasion and a short Relation of the Effects Consequences and Events which ensued upon it will both enlighten us to the Truth of Matters and confirm our Belief who were the Authors of and Accâ—ssors to it For as has been already said That Gentleman had received an Information upon Oath from Dr Oates about a Plot against our Laws Lives and Religian but finding something in the Deposition that reflected upon Mr. Coleman with whom he had an intimate Acquaintance he thereupon took an opportunity to let him understand what Information he had received and to tell him That the only way to justifie his own Innocency was To contribute all his Endeavours and Assistance to prevent so bloody a Design But Coleman instead of denying the Truth of those things which Sir Edmund related or offering his endeavours to obstruct the Progress of it or to defeat the Success of that Plot not only acknowledged That there was a Conspiracy against our Laws Liberties and Religion but it was advanced so far and seconded by Persons of that Quality in the Nation and Figure in the Government there was no possibility to give a Lett or Disâ—ppointment to it And more particularly he told him That the King was a Promoter himself of the Design of Overthrowing the Protestant Religion and altering the Government which Coleman calling to Mind after his being committed to New-Gate and considering That by that means Sir Edmund was enabled to coâ—e in a second Witness against him He therefore ordered it so as not only to get the Duke acquainâ—ed with his own Danger but that his Highness and Others whom he had mentioned in his Conversation with Sir Edmund were in the same Predicament and would certainly be brought upon the Stage To which he received this Answer from the Duke That he should not be apprehensive of any danger from Sir Eâ—mund in regard there would be a way found out to prevent his hurting of Coleman or any body else Now that he was thereupon most Barbarously Murthered is a thing too well known and then who were concerned the Circumstances make it plain First The Circumstance of the Place viz. Sâ—merset-House leading to the Savoy in some of the Apartments of which said House the Murthered Body was also concealed for several days The next Circumstance was The Guarding of the Gaâ—e and Avenues of the Palace so strictly all that time and denying the People their wonted Liberty of Access â—o the House and Passage through which could not have been done but by the King's Authority Nor would some great Ladies have adventured to have gone and viewed the Body while it lay there concealed by which they involved themâ—elves in the Guilt of the Crime but that they knew they could hardly be called to an Account for it considering by whose Connivance and Command the Fact was committed Nay some severe Censâ—res were passed on the Account and others which were Charged with that Murther were protected from Justice Add to this That when we consider the Motives that urged the necessity of this Murther which was Coleman's having acknowledged to Sir Edmund That the King as well as the Duke was in that part of the Conspiracy to alter the Government and overturn our Religion And no body at that time was more â—â—rry for the Detection of the Plot than the King neither did any body labour afterwards to baâ—â—le the belief of it more than he did Nor had he any thing in the World to excuse himself for so doing but that he was concerned in that part of the Popish Plot which related to the overthrow of the Religion and Laws of the Nation and the destruction of the Chief and most Zea'ous Protestants of the Kingdom as was sufficiently acknowledged by Coleman not only to Sir Edmundbury Goâ—frey but to the Committâ—e of Pâ—rliâ—ment that Examined him at Newgate Which was so plain that nothing influenced those Gentlemen to conceal â—hat part of his Confession in their Râ—porâ— to the House
but their pity and compassion â—o thâ— King which would not permit them to expose him so black tho it was as certain that they frequently imported their knowledge to their Friends Noâ— did it a litâ—le add to confirm the Truth of what is here related That Emislariâ—s should be sâ—nt from the Court to deal under-hand with the Coroner and the Jury to have gotten a Verdict of Felo de se â— But the Proofs of his being murthered were so apparent such as his Neck being broke and the cleanness of his Shoâ—s that nothing could corrupt the Jury from bringing it in otherwise than it was Under these distresses did the King and Duke labour terribly afraid of the approaching Parliament for the sake of their Popish Minions and Instruments whose utmost Care and Industry could not prevent itâ— but that several of Coleman's Letters and Papers were found which detected the Negotiations of the King and Duke for all the World can never separate them by maintaining that the Duke durst ever have transacted such Treasons abroad being then no more than another Subject without his Brother's consent so that they were in an extraordinary quandary whether the Parliament should Sit or not But the King 's extream necessity for Money prevailed upon him to let them Sit Besides that the King who had all along acted under his Protestant Mask was sensible that the Kingdom would have cry'd out Shameâ— had he put off the Parliament at such a conjuncture of Combuâ—tion and Distraction as that was But when the Parliament met according to the usual wont how many Stories and Shams was there endeavoured to be put upon them For in the interval of the Session notwithstanding that the Parliament had givâ—n him Money to Disband the New-raised Army He to try an Experiment how the Nation would brook his wrigling iâ—to that Arbitrary Power which he aimed at all along had spent the Money upon his other Occasions and kept up the Army still Nevertheless to excuse the Fraud which he had put upon the disgusted Nâ—tion he tells the Parliament That he had been obliged â—o keep up his Troops to keep his Neighbours from absolute Despair and that he had bâ—en sollicitâ—d from abroad not to Disband them Now was ever such a Story told by a Prince and vouched in the Face of the Nation by a bred Lawyer viz. his Chancellor to justifie the Breach of a Law of the Three Estaâ—es of the Kingdom as soon as made and then to â—â—im the Parliament off with Christendom and the Worlds commending us for the breaking our own Laws to patch up a Peace which tended to nothing but the ruine of those for whom it was made The Sum of which was in short that the King to serve his own Arbitrary Ends had run himself into an Inconvenience by defrauding the Nation however the Parliament was to be contented with it and to pay for it to boot that is to pay double for the keeping up a Popish Army to secure the Protestant Religion But the Parliament taking little notice of these fine Stories fell to the main Business which was to sound the depth of the Plot. Upon Examination of which notwithstanding that many Papers of great Importance had with a more than ordinary Industry been conveyed away â—et by those that were sound so much appeared that the House Voâ—â—d it to be a Damnable Plot to root up and desâ—â—â—y the Religion and Government of the Kingdom and privately got the Lord Chief Justice Scroggs to Sign Warrants for the Apprehending the Popish Lords which was done accordingly Anâ— for their further Security they prepared a Bill for putting the Nation into a posture of Defence and for raising the Miâ—iâ—ia throuâ— hour the Kingdom to be in Aâ—ms for so many days which passed both Houses without â—ny difficulty but the King out of his Zeal to the Protestant Religion refused to Pass it And then it was that the Parliament found too late the Complement which they had pasâ—ed upon him in returning him the Power of the Militia which he made use of keeping up standing Armies for their Destruction but refused for the Security of the Nation This therefore not prevailing they began to provide against Papists Sitting in either House and â—ram'd a Bill with a Test to be taken by every Member of both Houses â— or else to losse thâ—ir Seat This though his Protestant Majesty did not openly oppose himself yet after a close Consulâ—ation held at St. Iames's He ordered all his Instruments in the Lords House to witâ—stand the passing of it thereâ— which though â—hey could not Effect yet they prevailed so far that they got a Proviso in it â—or the D. of York whereby they did him the kindness as to declare him a Papist to all the World After this the Parliament proceeded to the Impeachâ—ng of such Persons as they had found to be dâ—epest in the Contrivance of all our Mischiefs but That his Majesty lookt upon 't as a Business that so â—early concerned his own Honour that like his Father when the Duke oâ— Bâ—ckingham was accused of poysoning Iames I he would not endâ—re the Parliament in such a Iehu-like Chase after the Popish Conspirators but Foot baâ—â—ed them again with a Prorogation for several Months So careful was his Proâ—estant Majesty to stiâ—e as much as in him lay and to prevent the Prosecution of an Inâ—ernal Plot which he knew was so deeply laid like the Axe of Popary to the Root of all his Protestant Dominions Nor was this all for so soon as he had dismissed the Parliament and had secured his Accomplices he took all the Care imaginable to discredit Oates and Bedlow's Evidence Forty One was again inculcâ—ted into all the ignorant Paâ—es about the Town and Merry â— Andrew Roger had his Pension out of the Gazette coutinued to ridicule the Plot which he did in a most leud and shameless manner and Money given to set up a new Divinity Academy in a publick Coffee-House to Act the Protestant Whore of Babylon and give about his Revelation Cup to the Raw Inferior Clergy and instract them in beâ—â—er Doctrine than ever they learnt in the University Nor did he stop at the endeavouring to discredit the Testimonies of those Witnesses but sent his Head Emissaâ—ies to corrupt them to a denial and retracting what they had discovered and when that would not do Knâ—x and Lane were sub-armed to accuse Oates of Buggery thereby to have taken him Add to this his Dissolving of this Enquiring Parliament at the Solicitation of the Duke and the extraordinary diligence of his Protestant Majesty to get the next Parliament fit for his Turn which was suddenly to be called to stop the Mouths of the People To which purpose all the Money that could possibly be spared out of the Exchequer was Issued out to divers Persons to manage the Elections all ovâ—r the Kingdom under the old notion of Secreâ— Service in one Article 1500 l. in another
2000 l. and the Guineas flew about the Country far and near to the Corporations to Hire Places and get fit Men the Heads of the Counties and Corporations were sent for and told what Men would be serviceable and acceptable to the Kingâ— and particularly the Gentlemen of Eâ—sex were sent to by the Chief Justice Scroggs and Cauâ—ions that they should not chuse Mildmay whatever they did And new Charters were obtained for some Corporations with new Priviledges and sent them down to be hung out at the Windows to animate the People to chuse such Men as they were directed What more could have been done by a Protestant Prince to destroy his Protestant Subjects and advance the Roman Catholick Cause When this Parliament Sate the King pursued his old Method of Speaking with his Lips what was farthest from his Heart and being in the House of Lords he there tells Both Houses a plausible Story how he had consented to the Exclusion of the Popish Lords from their Seats in Parliament to the Execution of several Criminals both upon the Score of the Ploâ— and the Murder of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey but above all how he had Commanded his Brother to absent himself from him because he would not leave the most Malicious Men room to say he had not removed all Causes which could be pretended to Influence him to Popish Counsels In all which there was not one word of Truth as to the Motives that engaged him to do what he did For as to the Exclusion of the Popish Lords he knew it was what he could not avoid unless he would have absolutely thrown off his Protestant Mask which he was sensible it was not seasonable for him so to do As for the Jesuits that were Hanged for the Plot he pleased himself as well as the People by Sacrificing a few Inconsiderable Miscreants to his own Revenge for ungrateâ—ully Plotting against his Life who had all along been so faithful to their Cause and indeed it was but â—ust they should dye like Knaves and Traytors who â—ad been such Fools to mistrust so true a Protestant Prince As to the Murther of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey what could he have done less except he would have exposâ—d himself to the Clamour of the whole Nation That would have been the greatest Folly in the World for a Prince that loved to Sleep in a whole Skin as he did for the Preservation of Three or Four Rascals Convicted of a Bloody Murther to have Sacrificed His Honour and His Safety to Publickâ—Scandal and Resentment And then as for the Removal of his dear Brother it was done after a long and deep Consultation upon these Considerations First That the Duke being out of the way might stop the â—arther Examination of the Plot in Relation to himself and thereby one of the chiâ—f Conspirators be preserved safe And Secondly For a shew that the King was such an Enemy to Popery and Popish Counsels that he would not suffer so much as the Breath of a Brother near him for fear oâ— Infection For in these Gracious Protestant Acts lay all his hopes of making the Parliament give Credit to his Words and getting Money from them at a time when the French King most Treacherously failed him Notwithstanding these things the Parliament not being to be deluded by all those seeming Acts of Protestant Grace took little notice of those Gâ—â—dy Trappings of the Kings Discourse but fell briskly to work upon the Plot and the Murther of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey â— to which purpose they made choice of a Secret Committee to pursue that Business and laid all other Considerations aside but those of securing the Nation against Popery and Arbitrary Government in order whereunto they began to think of bringing the Lords and others in the Tower to their Tryals And upon a Report of their Committee of the Duke of York's Letters wherein it appeared what great Joy had been conceived at Rome for the Dukes Conversion even to draw Tears from his Holynesses Eyes with several other Papers discovering much of the Court Intreague with Rome They Voted the Hopes of his coming to the Crown to be one of the chief Causes of the Popish Plot and ordered a Bill to disinable him to Inherit the Imperial Crown of the Realm These Proceedings were of so high a Nature and so directly tending to the overthrow of that Structure which the King and the Duke had been so long erecting that it was thought requisite to Treat them wiâ—h all the Art and Subtilty imaginable which produced Two of the greatest Master pieces that ever were acted by the Conspirators ever since their first designing Popery and French Tyranny The first was To blind and couzen the House of Commons by seeming to shew an utter dislike of all former Councils that had brought the Nation to the Condition it was in In pursuance of which the old Council was Dissolved and the greatast Sticklers against the Plot and for the Protestant Religion chosen in their room to the end that if any Miscarriages happened they might be all laid to their Charge or thâ—t Miscarriages might receive a more Candid Interpretation as being done by such good Men against whose Fidelity the Nation had no exception The next Device was To turn the whole Plot and the Odium of it upon the Protestants under the Notion of Presbyterian and Phanaticks which is so well known needs no repeating But in the midst of thâ—se Court Intrigues to run down the Plot the House of Commons went on vigorously boâ—â— against the Plot and Popish Delinquents which grated so hard upon the Popish Party and was such an Obstruction to their Designs That the King compassionating their Grievances more than those of his Protestant Subje As give way to the Dissolution of the Parliament yet with promise of another to meet towards the latter end of the Year under pretence of frequent Parliaments but in reality to try if he could get another fitter for his turn Ane now the King having laid aside the Parliament and freed his Instruments â—rom the Terror of it was so far from not permitting himself to be influenced by Popish Counsellors that he began to play the Old Game and first of all the popular Protestant Lords of the Council were by degrees decently laid aside and the Duke was sent for home The Lord Shaftsbury for opposing it was severely Reprimanded in Council with a Wonder How any Person that sate at that Board durst so bolply affront his Royol Highness For the Face of Affairs was changed and the King was now swimming in his own Element again Only it was strange that he was no more concerned to see the strain of the whole Kingdom run against him For notwithstanding all his Industry to have brought in his Band of Pensioners again it was found the new Chosen Parliament which was by this timâ— ready to Sir was likely to prove woâ—se for his turn than any of the former which made him have recourse
to his old Shifts of Proroguing which was done by Proclamation to gain a little time for the acquitting of Sir Geâ—rge Wakeman So kind was his Protestant Majesty to help out his desponding Friends at a dead lift in order to the Shaâ— Plot which he was afterwards designing For now the Parliament being cut off He was at leisure to advise with his Popish Instruments who were no less sedulous to give their Advice to the utmost that their active Brainsâ— could reach By this sedulity it was That the Meal Tub Anti-Plot was contrived and hatched Only Tools were wanâ—ing to manage and carry on the Treachâ—rous Design Therefore not knowing where else to find Miscreaâ—ts fit for such Diabolical Enterprises all the Goals about the Town were raked for needy Profligates It will be needless to give Hâ—stery of that which has been so sufficiently discovered for an abominable Imposture The Miscarriage of this Blessed Design caused a second Prorogation of the Parliament upon hopes of 200000 l. from France which was dexterously prevented by the Duke of Buckingham which the King so ill resented That his Attorney General had Orders in Council to Indict him of Buggery with a design to have taken away his Life and repair the French Disapointment by the Confiscation of his Estate had the Project taken Never so much Villany in Contrivance never so much Money ill spent and never worse luck The like Success happened in that damned Sham Plot Intrigue between Fitz Harris Nell Wall with the French Dutchess c. Nor must it be omitted aâ— an Argument of His Maâ—esties great Zeal for the Protestâ—â—â— Reâ—igion That when one Sâ—rgeant a Priestâ— made a Discovery of the Popish Plot from Hâ—lland wâ—ich he caused to be transmitted to the Court with an Intention to have discovered sâ—veral othersâ— he was first bribed off and then sent fór into England slightly and slily examined had his Pardon given him and sent back with Five pound a Week to say no moreâ— Nor was it a thing less astonishing to the Nation to see the Parliament prorogued from time to time to less than seven timeâ— before permitted to Siâ— on purpose to get time for the Popish Duke to settle the Protestant Religion in Scotland and to the end the Conspirators might get heart and footing again and retrieve their Losses in England and in this Interval it was That Messâ—ngers were sent to their Friends at Rome and others their Associates for Money to strike while the Iron was hot in regard that Scotland by this time was secured and all things in such a forwardness that now or never was the time but the Pope had such an ill Opinion of our Sovereigns Fidelity that he slipt his Neck out of the Collarâ— and in imitation of him the rest excused themselves upon the Score of their poverty Thus missiâ—g Money from Rome and the rest of their Popish Associates and the King of France refusing to part with any more Cash there was no way but one at a forc'd put which was to let â—he Parliament Sit and to make them more willing to give Money to undo the Nation The King in a framed Speech told them of the wonderful advantagious Alliances for the Kingdoms good he had made with Foreign Princes and particularly with Holland and how necessary it was to preserve Tangâ—er which had already run him in Debt Upon which Considerations the Burthen of his Song wasâ— Mâ—re Money But the Parliament Incensed at the frequent prâ—râ—gations fell upon Considerations more profiâ—able for the Kingdom such as were the bringing to condign punishment the Obstructers of their Sitting The Impeachment of North for drawing the Proclamation against petitioning and Three of the Judges for dismissing the Grand Jury before whom the Duke was Indicted of Recusancy before they could make their presenâ—ments the prosecution of the Popish Plot and the Examination of the Meal Tub Sham all which they looked upon to be of greater Moment than the Kings Arguments for his Want For it was well known That by his perâ—idious Dealings abroad he had so impared his Credit with all the Foreign Princes to whom he sent that they slighted his Applications as one upon whose Word they could never Rely And as for the preservation of Tangier there was nothing less in his Thoughts A fine Credit for a Prince and an excellent Character to recommend him to poâ—terity That he had no other than his own sinister Ends upon the Grand Council of his Kingdom nor no other way to work them to those Ends unless by forging Untruths to make him accessary to the betraying of the people that had entrusted them The Parliament therefore bent all their Cares to secure the Kingdom from Popery concluding that the Dâ—kes Apostaâ—izing from his Religion was the sole Evil under which the Nations in a more particular manner groâ—medâ— and consequently that he was to be Disinherited But the King being resolved not to forsake his Brother whatever became of the Kingdom took such a high Resentment against these honest and just procâ—edings of the Houses that after he had Sacrificed the Lord Stafford to his hopes of obtaining Money upon the Dukes uâ—dertaking to furnish him he Dissolved this Parliament too with promise of another at Oxford to sweeten the bitter pill which he had made the Nation to swallow In the mean time all the Care imaginable waâ— taken to bring the Protestant Plot to perfection preparative to which Judges were selected with Dispositions Thoughts and Minds as Scarlet as their Gowns And the choice of Sheriffs was wrested by force from the people that they might pick out Juries without Conscience or Honesty A Plot contrived by perfidiousness and treachery beyoâ—d the parallel of History A Plot with Parisian Massacre in the Belly of it designing no less an Innundation of Innocent Protestant Blood under the colour and forms of Justice and yet who but he who in his last wheedling Speech to pick the Nations pocket had promised to consent to any Laws against Popery And the better to carry on this damned Design What a Crew of Devils in the Shape of Men a Regiment of Miscreâ—nts in whom all the Transgressions of the Law and Morality were mustered together I say what a Band of such Caâ—tiffs were Rendezvouzed and with that Money which Parliaments give to promote the Security of the Kingdom caressed and pampered even to Excess for the destruction of the Innocent And all this at the Expence of him that bore the Stile and Character of our Gracious Sovereign For full proofs of which there needs no more than to look into the Tryal of Fitz Harris himself therefore to recite the particulars of a Design already so well known and publickly exposed to all the World would be a repetition altogether needless This however was observable That we were come to the height of Tyberius's Reign when informers and false Accusers a sort of Men found out for the Ruine of the publick And
for the punishment of which no Laws can be too severe were encouraged and courted with Rewards Nullus a pâ—na â—â—minum cessariâ— dies dicreta accusaâ—oâ—ibius praâ—â—â—â—â— premia nemine delatorum sides abrogata omne Câ—imen pro Capitali receptum etiam paucorum simpliciumque Verborum No day passed without some Punishment inflicted great Rewards given to Informers no Informer but what was beliâ—v'd all Crimes were adjudged Capital tho' meerly a few idle Words Such a harmony there was between these Times and pernicious Reign of that Master in Cruelty and Dissimulation Tiberius But the Roguery being discovered while Fitz Haris thought to have put Everard upon this Dilemma either to Hang or fix the Libel upon others he came to run himself into the Noose Lord into what an Agony it put the King the Duke his dear Brother and their then Jugling Instruments that the King who a little before was so overjoyed with the accoâ—nt of the contrivance which was given him at Whitehall that he could hardly contain himself from displaying the Raptures of his Soul was now so highly incensed against Fitz Harris that he was heard to say That he should Die if there were no more Men in England But his Confession to the Recorder Sir George Treby so enraged his Employers that he was presently lockt up in the Tower out of the reach of all Men but the Lieâ—tâ— to damn him for spoiling so good a Design But above all things there was such a dread amongst the Conspirators lest the Parliament should come to the knowledge of the depth of the Design that their resolute insisting to have the Cognizance of the Crime within their own Jurisdiction was the occasion of the sudden Dissolution After which a Chief Justice was Exalted on purpose to Hang Fitz-Harris out of the way to prevent his farther Discovery for no sooner was the Parliament Dissolved but Fitz-Harris was Hanged and by that means many a Mystery of Iniquity concealed The Dissolution of this and the forgoing Parliament was justified by a Declaration in the King's Name which being published with all the Severity and Reproach that could be cast upon those Worthy Patriots verified the Report of what the King had been heard to say That he would make the name of Parliaments to be forgotten in England However the Parliament being blown up and the King running away in a pretended pannick Fear from Oxford to colour the ensuing Projects of Plotting and Subordination no sooner was he settled again at London and Fitz-Harris hang'd to the great Joy of those thâ—t Adored him before but the Gazette was cram'd with Addresses from all Parts of the Nation to thank the King for his Expressions and Promises to Govern by Law which was no more than his Duty But those Addresses were only Signed by the unthinking loose and rascally part of the People who were not sensible of the Mischief which was thereby intended which was to make the Nation out of Love with Parliaments thereby to unhinge the Government and to introduce Tyranny and Arbitrary Power And that the Addressors were only the Câ—â—â—ile of the Kingdom with only a Tool of Quality at the Head of them the Con well kâ—ew Some time aâ—â—â—â— Fitz-â—â—â—â—â—â— was Executed a Paper was Published in the name of his Reâ—â—â—â—tion which his Wiâ—â— hearing â—râ—ed 〈…〉 and viewing â—â— â—â—ked 〈…〉 those were her Hâ—â—bands Papers 〈…〉 her They were To whic◠〈…〉 band wâ— Dâ—â—â—ed for tâ—â—t she 〈◊〉 all thâ—◠〈◊〉 to be false However upon the Groâ—â—d-work of this Reâ—â—ntation a Committee of Subordination wâ—sâ—â—ected by whose Directions Tuâ—bervil Dugdale and all the Irish Evidence who had been most conversant with the Earl of Shaftsbury upon the Account of the Irish Plot together with one Booth by whom a full Detection of the whole Villany has since â—een made with a full disclosure of all the Artifices made use of to have corrupted the Integrity of that honest Gentleman Captain Wilkinson And all those Varlets were now lisâ—ed and received into Pay by the said Committee of Subornation and a swearing School being set up according to the directions of the Committee they receive every one their distinct Cues and Lessons to con and get by Heart against occasion should serve by the Settlement of the Committee which was approved as was every thing else they did by his Protestant Majesty Colledge's Tryal is too well known to be here repeated but after Ages will observe how he was removed from London where he had been acquitted to another remote Countrey where his Prosecutors were assured of his Destruction by deluded Ignorance and partial Knavery how he was accused and testified against by Nabâ—â—h's â—vidence the Scandal and Reproach of all Mankind whose Memories stink upon the Eâ—rtâ— and would soon be forgotten but that their Names are made use of to transmit the Infamy of their Employerâ— to Posterity All the severiâ—es used at his Tryal wereâ— palpable Demonstrations of that Innocent Man's being determined to Destruction right or wrong on purpose to lay the Foundation of farther Butcheries so that being fâ—eâ—hed by this Success the next attempt of the King's Justice was upon the â—arl of Shaftsbury for the same preâ—ended Treason for which Colledge had suffered And here Posterity will make the same Observations and Concluâ—ionâ— in general as in Colâ—â—dge's Case But more particularly will after Ages easily conclude from hence That it was not for any contrivance of his Lordship but by a Project of Court and Popish Revenge to destroy a Person who by his Courage Wisdom and good Intelligence had Opposed and Defeated so many of their Designs against the Religion and Welfare of the Nation For that this Plot upon his Lordship was so early communicated to Rome and other Foreign Parts That it was talked of at Paris and in Flanders sometime before his Lordship was imprisoned in England They will observe the Injustice done his Lordship in refusing to let him see or know the Persons that deposed against him which was not denied either to Coleman or the Jesuits and which being so contrary to Law was a plain Demonstration That either the Witnesses were not thought of Credit sufficient to support the Confinement of so great a Peer or else that it was not convenient to trust the general course of their Lives to be scrutined too soon The Motives that induced the Court to begin with this great and eminent Peer will be easily discernable to suâ—ceeding Ages For to what Man of Sense and Reason is it not apparent That it was the Policy of the Court That their Revenge against this Earl should not be Adjourned till they had tryed the Credit of their Witnesses upon other considerable Persons for fear lest by his Lordships Industry and Abilities he should not only have detected and exposed the whole Intrigue but have broken the Engine by which the Two Brothers thought to have made themselves absolute Lords of the Religion Laws and Liberties of the Kingdom
Friends were privy to it After which perceiving that his Brother's Restauration was fully determined in England under pretence that it would be more for his own and the Honour and Interest of his Brother to Marry with some great Princess that would both enrich and strengthen them by the largeness of her Dowry and the graatness of her Relations he would have taken an Occasion from the privacy of the Nuptials to deny her being his Wife` and disavow all Contracts and Ceremonies of Marriage between them But the King detesting so much buseness as being himself a witness of the Marriage would not suffer the Lady to be so heinously abused but constrained him after great reluctancy to declare it publickly to all the World A happy Providence for England which by that ' Conjunction blest us with two Pâ—otestant Princâ—sses matchless in Virtue and Prety and all those other Graces that adorn their Sex to the eldest of which we are beholden â—or our Deliverance from an Inundation of Slavery and Popery under the Auspicious Conduâ—â— oâ— a Sovereign truly meriting the Noble and Ancient Titles of King of Men and Shepherd of the People and the yet more dignified Addition of Defender of the Faith And from the youngest of which we have already the earnest of a hopeful Issue to guard us from the like Invasions Such is the Provision of Providence that many times it happens the most venemous Creatures carry about them the particular Antidote against thier own Poysons Certain it is that the Duke of York would never have pulled off his Protestant Vizard nor have declared himself of the Roman Communion so soon had he not been thereto necessitated by a Stratagem of the King his Brother for the Papists having a long time waited for the Accomplishment of the King's Oathes and Promises for restoring their Religion and having annually contributed large Sums of Money towards the effecting of it at length grew impatiently sullen and would advance no more unless the King or the Duke would openly declare themselves for Popery Which the King thinking no way seasonable for him to do and not being able by all his Arguments and Importunities to prevail with his Brother to do it he at length bethought himself of this Project which was To get the Queen to write a Letter intimating her Intention to withdraw into a Monastery which Letter was to be left upon her Closet-Table that her Priests as it was concerted before-hand might there seize it and seeing the Contents of it carry it forthwith to the Duke Upon which the Duke being Jealous left the King upon the Queens relinquishing her Husband might be induced to marry again and thereby deprive him of the hopes of succeeding than which there was nothing which he thirsted after more upon obtaining a previous Assurance that in case he declared himself a Papist she would not withdraw immediately pulled oâ—f his Mask and renounced Communion with the Church of England Being thus quit of his fears from the King his next work was to did himself of all his Jealousies of the Duke of Monmouth To which purpose he lay day and night at the King to require him to turn Roman Catholick Which the King out of his Tenderness to the Romish Cause as well as to gratifie his Brother undertook to do and accordingly sent him into France with an express Command to reconcile himself to the Church oâ— Rome However the Duke of Monmouth out of an aversion to â—he Fopperies of that Religion failed in his Performance which so incenseâ— the Duke of York that from that time â—orward he studied all the ways imaginable to bring him to Destruction In the mean time having by his publickly declâ—ring himself a Papist engaged all those of the same Religion to his Person and Interest he resolved to drive on Iehu like and to promote the Catholick Cause with all the vigour and swiftness he was able and to make the utmost use of his Brothers good Intentions And such was his Bigottry to the Romish Church That according to the Principles of that Religion he stuck at nothing per fas nefaâ— to bring about his Popish Designs I shall not here dilaâ—e upon his secret Negotiâ—tions at Rome his Correspondencies with Foreign Priests and Jesuites or his private Intrigues with the French King which have been all sufficiently exposed already in Print as for thaâ— whatever has been already said of the King is also to be said of him in general while he was Duke in regard they both drew in the same Yoak for the Ruine of the Nation For this is as certain as the rest that he had a most eager desire to Rule and Rule dispotically which was the Reason he was frequently heard to say He had rather Reign one Month as the King of France than Twenty Years as his Brother the King of England did And besides it was as plain That he had a mortal Autipathy against the Protestant Religion and more particularly against the Professors of it in England but more especially the Dissenters upon the score of revenging his Fathers Death An imbittered hatred which he derived from his Mother who mortally malliced England upon the same Account and which he acknowledged in his Bed-Chamber at St. Iames's where he openly declared That he was resolved to be revenged upon the English Nation â—or his Fathers Death Which if those unthinking People who are so eager to have him agaiâ— would but consider they would not be so forward for his Return For it is in vain for the Church of England â— Men of what degree soever to think that their refusing to swear Allegiance to King VVilliam and Queen Mary would excuse them from that Universal Revenge which he would take upon the Nation were it ever again in his Power Only here was the Difference between the Two Brothers That the King thought to ruine his Enemy by main force and the fair hand of Victory but the Duke hoping to kill two Birds with one Stone made it his business at the same time to ruine the Enemy by force and his own Country by treachery Thus when he had engaged his Brother in the first Holy Dutch War of the Extirpaâ—ion of Hereticks he permits the English at â—irst to exercise all the Bravery of their Skill and Couâ—age to a great probability of Success but then falls asleep in the height of his Conduct to the end the Dutch for want of Orders might have â—n opportunity to wrest the Victory out of the hands of the English on purpose to keep the balâ—â—nce of Destruction on both sides even Thus he â—â—rmitted himself to be surpriz'd at Soul-Bay knowing there were enoâ—gh to maul the Enemy but not enough to preserve those that sought on our ride So that the Dutch may be said to be well â—hrashed and the Eâ—glish to be well sacrificed And as a farther Demonstration oâ— his perâ—idious Soul when he found the Contest would be too tedious between
two Nations so well matched it was the Dukes Contrivance to Suborn and Bribe two indigenâ— and desperate Vilâ—ains to go over and Fire the 〈◊〉 Shipâ— as they lay in their â—arbours â—nd when he had done thatâ— it was the same Treachery that with a sham story lulled his â—rother â—â—lâ—ep and prâ—cured the Firing of our Ships at â—â—â—â—ham The burning of London was such a marâ—hless piece as could not have entered into the Breast of any but a bejesuited Herostratus in hopes to purchase the infamous immortality of a Popish Saintship by reducing to Ashes the graetest Bulwark and Magazine of the Protestant Religion in Europe Rome was set on Fire by Nero to have re-built it again more Gloriousâ— and that he might have space enough for one of the most sumptuous Pallaces so designed under the Sun thereby to have made the Mistress of the Earth the Wonder of the World But London was Fired not only to destroy the Wealth and Habitations of the City never to have risen more but with an intention to extirpate the Inhabitants themselves to boot and to have turned the Venerable and Spacious Pile into a depopulated Wilderness by a general Massacre of the People under the Consternation of the spreading Flames The standing Sâ—reets provided and furnished with Incendiaries with fresh Materials to revive and restore the weary Conâ—â—â—gration and when taken in the Act resâ—ued out of the Hands of those that seized them and sent to St. Iames's to be there secured from the Rage of the Mulâ—itude and then dismissed without Persecution An excellent way to have made all sure by mixing the Blood of the Inhabitants with the Ashes of their Dwellings the only Cement which the Papists believed would fasten and bind the Fabrick of the Romish Church and what greater piece of Persidy could there be than while the Duke was riding about the Streets under Pretence of Assisting to quench the Fire that his Guards were at the same time employed to prevent the People from remâ—ving their Goods and his Palace made the Refuâ—e of such as were taken in the very â—act of cherisâ—ing and fomenting the Flames This the Committee of Parliament trac'd so far that it cost the Life of the poor Gentleman that gave the Information of these Things to the Chair man of the Committee to prevent any further Discovery and secure the D. from the Danger of his Life Coleman's crying out There was no Faith in Man was a most undeniable Testimony of the Treachery of his Master notwithstanding all the faithful Service he had done him and was it not a Magnanimous and generous Act of a Prince to betray as he did to the Gallows not only his most trusty Servant but his Fellow Partner in the Conspiracy More Inhumane still was the barbarous Murder actually contriv'd and brought to perfection by the encourag'd Instruments of the Duke For he it was that sent word to Coleman to bid him â—ake no care for that Sir Edmundbury Godfrey should be remov'd out of the way and at the same time took the like care that his Servant Coleman should follow him For it was Detection that he feared and the Dâ—ke well knew that the Dead could never tell Tales The Particulars of the Murder and how far the Circumstances of it reached the Dâ—ke are too fresh in Memory â—o be here inserted and Disâ—ensation for Deeds of the blackest hew were so easily obtaiâ—ed that it was no wonder the Duke so little boggled at a single Murder to conceal the Designs of general Masâ—acres wherein he was engag'd In pursuance of which he was no lesâ— industrious to bring the Presbyterians and all the Dissenting Protestants within the Snare of his Sham-Plot in order to the Destruction of Thousands of innocent Persons This Dangerfield discovered to the World and his Information taken upon Oath before Sir William Roberts and Sir William Poultney are extant wherein he gives an Accounâ— of his being introduced several times into the Duke of York's Prefence Particâ—larly that being once among the rest admitted to the Duke of York ' Closet at White-Hall he kissed his Hand upon his Knees Aâ—d then being taken up by the Duke he gave him a little Book containing the whole Scheme of the Presbyterian Plot for which the Duke thank'd him as also for his diligence to the Catholick Cause and wishing good Success to his Undertakings added these words That the Presbyterian Plot was a thing of most mighty Consequence and I do not question but the Effects of it will answer our Expectation especially in the Northern Parts where I am well assured the Major part of the Gentry aâ—e my Friends and have given sufficient Demonstrations to me as also of their Intentions to prosecute this Prescyterian Plot for they are no Strangers to the Design At the same time he ordered Dangerfield to be very careful of what he communicated to the Persons who were to be Witnesses in that new Plot lest he should be caught in the Subordination and so bring a terrible Odium upon the Catholicks and make himself uncapable of any further Service Then for Encouragement in the Prosecution of the Sham Plot the Duke promised that he would take Care that Money should not be wanting and ordered him with all the Expedition the Thing would allow to make a Discovery to the King At the same time the Duke also made divers Vows and bitteâ— Execrations to stand by him in the Thing and engaged upon his Honour to be his Rewarder and in earnest give him Twenty Guineas with his own Hand and telling him withal what a great Reputation he had gained among the Catholicks and that in a short time he should see the Catholick Religion flourish in these Kingdoms with a great deal more to the same purpose Of the truth of which among many others there could not be a more convincing Proof than the bitter Enmity which the Duke bore to Dangerfield after his Discovery and the severe Usage which he received from Iefferies the Duke`s Creature and the Rhadamantine Dispenser of his Revenges In Scotland he Rul`d or rather Reign`d though in his Brother's Life-time with a more Arbitrary and Lawless Controul And there it was that he breath`d forâ—h his Venome against the Protestants utterâ—d his Tyrannous Maximes with more â—reedom and exercised his Tyranny with a more boundleâ—s and exorbiâ—ant Extravagance For there it was that he first undertook to exercise the power of Soveraign Rule reâ—using to take the Oath of High Commissioner which the Law of the Counâ—râ— required as here he had dâ—nied to take the â—est and to shew how he intended to Govern England when it came to his turn there it was that in the hearing of Persons of great Credit he had this worthy Apothegm That tho` in England the Lawyers ruled the Court yet in Scotland he would rule the Lawyers There is was that he positively denied to give the Parliament any security for the Preservation of their Religion in
case he succeeded to the Crown And being told of the Terms that the King had offered to the Parliament of England tho` much harder and more dishonourable than any which they required he replied That the King never intended any such Limitations should pass nor did he offer them but when he knew they would not be accepted And farther to demonstrate his imbitter`d hatred of the Protesâ—ants and with what Rage and Fury he intended to prosecure them he told several Members of the Parliament when they were endeavouring to get some Bills to pass for the Security of their Religion in case of a Popish Successor That whatever they intended or prepared against the Papists should light upon others Which tho` it stopt him from taking the Advantage of any new Bills yet he was so just to his Word in behalf of the Papists that he pour`d all the Rigour of the Penal Laws against the Papists upon the Protestants in that Kingdom under the Name of Dissenters whom he Persecuted with that insatiable Violence as if according to his own Expression he had fully concluded That it would never be well with Scotland till all the South-side of Ferth were made a Hunting Field For indeed that was the true intent and drift of all his envenom`d Prosecutions of those People as well in England as in Scotland in hopes by so severe an Exasperation they would have broken out into open Rebellion and so have given him a fair opportunity to have rooted them from the Earth by the Sword Which was evident from another Saying of his for that having one day given his Opinion of sober Dissenters and setting them forth as he thought in their Colours he concluded That if he might have his VVish he would have them all turn Rebels and betake themselves to Arms. Which tho` it shewed his good Will yet whether it were so prudently spoken by a Person that had so little either of Courage or Conduct as himself is a question unless he thought he cou'd subdue them with the Spiritual Weapons of the Popes Excommunications and Curses Nor did he at the same time remember that the heavy Oppressions of the Spanish Inquisition tore from the Dominions of the Spaniard all the Seven United Provinces notwithstanding all that D` Aâ—va Parma and Spinola could do thoâ—gh their Military Fame far exceeded his Thus we have seen the extent of his Christianity which we find cooped up within the narrow bounds of Popery Nów for his Morality which if it signalize it self in my Virtue that celebrates a Great and Glorious Prince it must be in those two of Justice and Mercy which God appropriates most nearly to himself as the brightest Ornaments of his Divinity But whether the Duke were either Just or Merciful to the E. of Argyle will be the Questionâ— This Gentleman was one of the most Ancient and one of the most eminent Noble-men in Scotland and a Person of extraordinary Endowments and as such a one had â—erved the King with his Parts his Person and Estate beyond what most Men of any Degree in the Nation either had done or were able to pâ—rform but because he would not so far comply with and oblige the Duke as to fall in with his Councils for the Establishment of Popery and yield himself an Instrument to carry on his Designs of Popery and Arbitrary Power his Head must be brought to the Block the antient Honour of his Family must be attainted and his ample Fortunes be confiscated To which purpose a certain Test being fram`d for all the Nobility and Gentry of Scotland to take not excepting all others who were capable of any Office or Employment in the Kingdom easie enough for the Papists to swallow as being Calculated for their peculiar Advantage but difficult for the Protestants as being thaâ— which strangely confused and intangled their Consciences However the Earl was not so scrupulous neither to avoid all Occasions possible of incurring his Highness's Displeasure but offered to take it with this Proviso That he might declare in what sence he was willing to be Sworn Accordingly he did draw up an Explanation of his own meaning and tho` he were allow`d to take the Oath according to that Explanation which was also conformable to an Explâ—nation which themselves were forced to make for the satisfaction of the greatest pâ—rt of the Kiâ—gdom that was dissatisfied in the Oath as well as the Earl nay tho` his Lordship did take it according to his own allowed Interpretation which was so far accepted that he was admitted to take his place in the Council yet upon a Caprico of the Duke`s Justice the matter was call`d in question again but then such a horrid Treasons were pick`d out of the Earl`s Interpretation that he was Arraign'd and Condemn'd to lose his Head and Execution had been certainly done had he not made his escape in his Sister 's Habiâ— but a â—ew hours before the Express Arrived from England â— with Orders for his immediate Executionâ— Nevertheless his whole Estate was seiz`d he was divested of all his Titles and Dignities and contrary to the Custom of the Kingdom his Coat of Arms was despitefully torn at the Publick Market Cross of Eâ—inburgh and his Person hunted afâ—er in all places whether they thought he might be withdrawn even as far as Hamburgh And yet aftâ—r all the scrutinies which sober Men have made the chiefest of the Scâ—ts Lawyers that were of unbiassed Principles could never find any thing in the Earlâ—s Interpretation but whaâ— his indispensible Duty obliged him to both as a Christian a Subject of Scotland and a Privy-Coâ—nsellor to the King But the D. was resolved to destroy him right or wrong And therefore being told whaâ— the E. of Argyle had said or done which could 〈◊〉 made a Crime by the â—aw of the Land his Highnâ—ss out of the grâ—â—t Affâ—ction which he boâ—e â—o so true a Protestaâ—t Peer was pleas'd to reply But may it not be wrested to Treason Which was such an Incouragement that when his Mind was once understood he wanted not Instruments that labour'd Day and Night to make the Question subservient to the D.'s impatient Thrist of Revenge and their own Advantage or else it might be to signalize his Resolution to overâ—rule the Lawyers in Scotland had they denied their Submission to his good Will and Pleasure By the same Justice it was that Blackwood was Condemn`d upon a pretence of having entertain'd upon his Ground certain Persons who were reported and said to have beâ—n at Bothwell-Bridge â— Aâ—d this although there had been no notice given of their beiâ—g Criminals or any ways Offenders nor any Proclamations were issued out against them by which Blackwood could be obliged to take Cognizance of the Circumstances they lay undâ—r and that which aggravated the Iâ—justice was this That the Gentleman suffered after a General Act of Indemnity granted and that it was after the Council themselves had for Four Years pass'd them by that
who eat his last Meal with the Duke and wrote the same on his Death Bed as it seems to be confirmed by this Saying of Iefferies so it was by many concluded to be the occasion of hastning the King`s Death Concerning which the Opinions of the World are various and some severe and bearing hard enough upon his Successor But in regard it is a Mystery as the Embrio of Conjâ—cture which is only to be matur`d in the Womb of Time and to be Midwiv`d into the World by future Discovery we leave it to higher Scrutiny The Justice of Heaven perhaps not minding a present Revenge of his Death who had not only prevented the Prosecution of Noble and Innocent Essex`s Blood but so severely punished the Industrious Enquiry after it only this is further to be mark`d that the Irish Papists could for some time before fix upon the utmost Period of his Reign and the Duke was sent for in haste out of Scotland without any apparent Reason for it besides that the King's Permission was obtain'd with some difficulty However by the violent and tremendous Death of his â—rotâ—er he at length arrived at the long long wished â—â—r Heaven of his Ambitious Desires and beholds himself mounted upon the Pinicle of Roâ—alty only that his Fall might be more conspicuous He was no sooner Proclaimed but he declâ—red his Religion openly to his Privy Council however he began with a mild and caressing Declaration which he afterwards broke in every Line of it A meer Trap baited with Indulgence to Tender Consciences on purpose to catch the Dissenting Mice to deliver them when caught into the Paws of his ravenous Popish Cats but no sooner was he Crown`d but as if his Coronation-Oath and all his Promises so lately made had been no more â—han so many Pills of Opium and believing himself environed with Power sufficient to maintain his Tyranny and Oprâ—ssion he invades Property by Expulsion of the right Owners tramples upon the Laws by his pretended Prerogative of suspending Power and goes about to pull down the stately Structure of the Protestant Religion by the Suspension of one and imprisoning and Arraigning at his Criminal Bar no less than seven of the most Eminent Fathers of the English Church And by a strange alteration of the Face of Government Treason over-rules the Law and Traytors impeached are fetch'd out of Jayl to sit Triumphantly domineering at the Helm of State and Iefferies the Daniel that in some measure might be said to be taken out of the Lyons Dens for the Cruelty of his Nature is advanced in open Hostility to Justice to wage War with the Fundamental Constitutions of the Kingdom A mean Spirit insulting over his Inferiors but a Spaniel to his Superiors who though he knew himself no more than a Tool in the Hand of a Popish Artificer the Shadow of Grandieur lofty under Contempt and domineering only in Publick yet having pawn'd his Soul for the hopes of an Embroidered Purse rather than decoil to Goodness careers on in Mischief and as if his Robes had not been Scarlet enough dies them deep in Innocent Blood and becomes his Master's Vassal to enâ—lave the Nation Such Counsellors as these hurried on the new Crowned King with such a Rapidness to accomplish the great Work of introducing Tyranny and Popery to which his own Fears of leaving the Papists worse than he found them as furiously carried him that he threw his Brother into his Grave as if he had not had leisure to Bury him or as if he had deem'd him not worth a Funeral whom he thought not worth a longer Life Unless perhaps he thought the Hypocrisie of pompous Obsequies would have but provoked his Brother`s injur`d Manes with which as common Fame had spread it he was already too much pestred I will not here dispute the Truth of Apparitions nor insist upon the vulgar Censures about the Town upon the Priests for not detaining him in the half-way-Prison but singing him out of Purgatory to make his Brother melancholy by facing him several times and giving him an astonishing stâ—oke upon the back as he was going down a pair of Staiâ—s in White-Hall yet this may be asserted That Guilt accompanied with Terror forms thoâ—e Apparitions in the Mind which work the same effect and obtain the same belief when once divulg'd among the Credulous as if they were real However it were it shewed he thought himself but little beholding to him for living so long and consequently no way oblig'd to retaliate a Succession so late in the year with so much loss of time And now the first influences of his Tyranny and Fury against the Protestants flew into Scotland where whatever Indulgence he shewed in England he issued forth a dreadful Proclamation against the Dissenters under the Notion of Enemies to the King and Government and Destroyers of the British Monarchy sufficient to have given a more early Alarm to the Dissenters in England had they not been â—ulâ—ed asleep by the softness of a present Repose and the Charms of their decoy-Decoy-Duke Penn the effect rather of their Simplicity than their Policy But the first Act of his Revenge in England brake forth uâ—on Dr. Oates He could not forget the Doctor 's Detecâ—ion of his Conspiracies against the Kingdom And because he could not â—ind ouâ— a way to hang him his Chief-Justice Iefferies found out a punishment to gratifie his Royal Fury worse than Death it self and till then unknown among Châ—istians in Imâ—tation of the Roman â—â—stuarium by whiâ—h the Roman Soldiers were often drubb'd to death or if they escap'd sent into perpetual Banishment As the Doctor was first of all Scourged by the common Executioner beyond all Precedent and then Condemn'd to perpetual Imprisonment A Sentence of void of all Christian Compassion that only a Iefferies could have invented A goodly sight to see Protestant Judges condemning a Protestant and the Deâ—ector of a most horrid Popish Plot upon the Evidence of known Papists and some of them nearly related to the Executed Traytors and this for Perâ—ury too upon the Testimony of Witnesses already â—alsified As if Justice were a thing that never had been Naturaliz'd in Heaven but only depended upon the Will of the Prince a kind of Tool to â—e used by his Bene-placito Slaves at his or their Discretion or the grand Poppet of the World to be shewed in various Dresâ—es and Disguises as the force of Judicature requiredâ— But as for Dangerfield he had been once â—is Darling frequently admitted to kiss his Hand while he was in Conspiracy with him to suck the Blood of the Innocent But there was no Attonement for his Revolting and Revealing the hidden Mystery of Iniquity Therefore he must dance the same Dance that Oates had done only the King did the World this small piece of Justice to throw away an inconsiderable Roman Cathotlick to satisfie the general Discontent upon his being Murder'd In the next place he calls a Parliament and renews
his Aâ—â—urances and Promises to preserve the Government both in Church and State as by Law establish'd and vows to hazzaâ—d his own Person as he had formerly done in dâ—fence of the just Liberties and Properties of the Nation But still the Burden of his Song was More Money Which the Parliament willing to engage him if possible by all the Testimonies of their Duty and Loyalty or at least to shâ—w that nothing should â—e wanting on their part readily granted And in regard that Aâ—gyle was said to be Landed under the Notion of a Rebel in Scotland they declareâ— their Resolutions to â—â—anâ— by and assist him wiâ—â— their Lives and Forâ—â—â—es agâ—inst all his Enâ—mies wâ—aâ—ever No less quick were they to gratifâ—e than he to make thâ—â—e Promises which he nâ—vâ—r intended to perform And indeed under the Constâ—rnation the King was then in upon the Landing of Argâ—le in Scotland and the Duke of Monmouth in Englaâ—d both at the same timâ— pâ—â—haps the Parliament might have bound him uâ—â—o what Conditions they pleased had they no 〈◊〉 their Opportunity But those two Storms bâ—â—â— fortunâ—tely blown over the one by ill Coâ—duâ—â— the other by the Treachery of pretended Friendship and both Argyle and the Duke of Monmouâ—h safe in their Graves the King was so puâ—â— up with a petty Victory over a few Club-Men and so wrapt up with a Conceit That he had now Conquer'd the whole Nation that afâ—er he had got as much as he thought he could in Mâ—desty desire or they part withal unless they saw greatâ—r Occasions than they did which neverthelâ—ss were no small Sums in the heat of their obliging Generosity at the Commencement of a Reign he turn`d them off after he had sold them two or three inconsiderable Acts for all their Money And now being freed from any further thoughts of Parliamâ—nts believing himself Impregnableâ— he resolves to be reveng`d upon the Western People for siding with his Capital Enâ—my Monmouth anâ— to that purpoâ—e sendâ— down his Exâ—cutioner in Oâ—dinary Iefferies not to decimate according to the Heathen way of Mercy but with the Bâ—â—o◠〈◊〉 his Cruelties to sweep the Country before 〈◊〉 and to depopulate instead of Punishment At what time acquaintance or Relation of any thatâ— sell in the Field with a slender Circumstance tack`d to either was a Crime sufficient for the Extirpacion of the Family And Young and Old were hangd in Clusters as if the Chief Justice had designâ—d to raise the Price of Halâ—ers besides the great number of those that upon the bare Suspicion were transported beyond Sea and there sold â—or â—laves anâ— the Purchase-Money given away to satisfie the Hunger of needy Papists After Agâ—s will read with Astonishment the barbarous Usage of those poor people of which among many Instances this one may seem sufficient whereby to take the Dimensions of all the rest That when the Sistâ—r of the two Hewlands hung upon the Chief Iusticâ—`s Coach imploring Mercy on the behalf oâ—â—er Brothers the Merciless Judge to make her let go câ—â—sed his Câ—ach-man to cut her Hands and â—â—â—gers with the lash of his Whip Nor would he â—llâ—w the Respite of the Execution but for two Days though the Sister wiâ—h Tears in her Eyes offered a Hundred Pound for so small a Favâ—ur Aâ—d whoever sheltered any of those sorlorn Creâ—tures were hurried to the Slâ—ughtâ—r-House with the same inâ—xorable ouâ—râ—ge without any Consideration of either Age or Sex Witnâ—ss the Execution of the Lady Lisle at Winchester As for Argy'e and the Duke tho' they might die piâ—ied yet could they not be said to be unjustly put to death in regard they had dâ—clared open â—ostiliâ—y and therefore it was no more than they were to expect upon ill Success However since they were betray'd into the Victor's hands before any great harm was done the Crime was not so great that nothing but a Massâ—cre could atone for it more esecially considering what great Advantage the King made of these Rebellions For it gave him a fair Oppertunity â—o encrease the Numebr of his Standing-Forces under pretence That the Militia was not to be depended upon and of the Reputation he had lost of being so miserably unprovided against so wretched an Attempt as Monmouth's was For which Reason he was resolv'd to be better provided henceforward for the Security of the Nation and to croud in his Popish Officers into Commands under the Notion of Persons of Loyalty and therefore such whose Persons he was neither to expose to Disgrace by a Removal nor himself to suffer the want of Cautions and wary of Removing his Popish Commanders but minding not at all to remove the Fears and Jelousies of the Nation However his plausible Promises and this important Nccessity of augmenting his Standing Forces were urg'd upon the Parliament as undeniable Reasons for more Mony So great a Confidence the King had either in the Awe which he had upon the Parliament or that they were so Blind that they could not see through his Cobweb Pretencâ—s But he soon found that he was deceived in his Expectations and therefore perceiving his gilded Hooks could not take they were decently Dismiss'd after ten Days siâ—ting with a Prorogation from October till February ensâ—ing But it seems King Iames was so confidently assur'd That the Bands of Friendship and Alliance between him and the French King were so Indissoluble That whaâ—ever Assistance the Parliament deny`d him in England he should not sail of from his Dear Friend and Confederate in France That the Parliament being call`d for no other Intent or Purpose than to betray the Nation by Furnishing the King to accomplish his Designs of Popery and Arbitrary Government when they refused to be subservient to those Wicked Designs and thought it more Honourable to be true to the Nation whom they Represented than Serviceable to the Encroachment of his Tyranny he laid them aside as things no longer useful for him And therefore like a man cased with their just demial of his Demands he resolves the utter Subversion of English Parliaments the only Remora`s of his ungodly Projects by compleating the Disfranchising of all the Cities and Corporations throughout the Nation so fairly begun in his Brother`s Reign to make way for the Introduction of a French Parliament That should at once have surrender`d all the Ancient Liberty of the Kingdom and the whole Power of the Government into his hands And this to terrifie men into flavish Complyance with his Tyrannical Will and Pleasure the Names of all such Persons as out of Honour and Conscience refused to Coâ—operate with his Popish Ministers towards the Publick Ruin of Liberty and Religion and prostitute their own and the Freedoms of their Posterity to his Arbitrary subiection were Threatned to be return`d up to the Attorney-General to the end of their Persons and Estates might be undone by Illegal Prosecutions In the next place to set himself Paramoumt above all the Controul of Law out of a vain Opinion
A Truth so conspicuous as stands in defiance of the Ridiculing Pen of R. L` Estrange to sham it over with the Buffoonry of his bantering Acquirements iâ— cannot be imagined but that so black a Deed of Darkness was carried on by the Contrivâ—rs with all the Secresie that could â—e studied by Humane Wit But never yet was Humane Wit so circumspective but that the most conceal'd of Villanies have been detected by sâ—range and little Accidents which all the Foresight of Humane Sagacity could never prevent More especially after such a curious Inqâ—isition and so much Labour and Industry pursuing the Cry of this innocent Noble-man's Blood Both the Circumstances and Depositions besides the Declarations of others ready to depose are made publick at large to the World and therefore to omit the long-since sifted â—nd winnoed Contradictions of the Witnesses that were made use of to prove the Earl a Felo de se there are three things since discovered that carry a strong Conviction with them of another sort of Murder in the new Deposition of Dorothy Smith detecting the Motives the Author and Contriver the Resolution taken to murder a Noble Protestant Earl the manner concluded and the joy of those Infatuated Bigots when the Deed was penetrated and all this over-heard by the Maid at the Meeting of one Lovet and several other Persons privy to the Plot in the House of one Holmes whom she then served a Trusty Papist seated in a by-corner of the Town and where they thoughi themselves for that Reason in the greatest safety in the World This Meeting was Nine Days before the Earl's Deâ—th where after they had vomitted out their Malice against the Earl in the opprobrious Terms of Villany and Dog and laden him with Curses it was said That he knew so much of their Designs and was so very averse to their Interest that unless he were taken off they should never carry them on Inducements which as they had carried off Sir Edmundbury Godfrey before might be as easily admitted for the Destruction of a more considerable Obstacle more especially harboured in the Breasts of Men that make it pâ—culiar propagate their Religion by Blood and Massacre Therefore to remove this great Obstruction out of the way their grâ—at Oracle the Duke of York was consulted who after some Meditations was for Poysoning the Earl But his Highness being told that manner of Death would not look well There was another who proposed to his Highness that he might be stabbed but that not being approved of neither at length his Highness concluded and ordered his Throat should be cut and promised to be there when it was done To all which there needs no other Comment but that the Earl's Throat was cut soon after and that the Duke was in the Tower separated from the Kingâ— and close by the Earl's Lodging when the Murder was committed After this the Maid goes on and deposes That three days after the same Persons met in the same House and declared That the Cutting the Earl's Throat was concluded on but that it was to be given out that he had done it â—imself and that if any should deny it they would take them up and punish them for it All which being spoken as a thing contriv'd before the Fact was done and verified in every particular after it was committed are Circumstances that would hardly be wrestled with before Impaâ—tial Judges at an Old-Baily Sessions where it would be also considered that the terrible Prosecution of Braddon for making Enquiry into the Murder came all â—rom White-Hall under the Management of Court-Injustice and Corruption But lastly the Maid swears That the same day the Earl died the same Pesons met again at hâ—r Masters House and fell a Caparing about the Room for Ioy at which time one of them striking her Master upon the Back cry'd The Feat was done upon which Holmes demanding whether the Earl's Throat was cut the other answered Yes and added withal That he could not but laugh to think how like a Fool the Earl look'd when they came to cut his Throat Whereupon Holmes asking whether his Highness was there the other replied Yes With which agreed the Informations of several Soldiers that about a quarter of an Hour before the Earl's Death was discovered observed the Duke to separate from the King at what time he beckned to two Persons who coming to him he seâ—t them to the Earl's Lodging from whence they returned smiling in less than a quarter of an hour and told him the business was done as one of them more particularly declared for which particular knowledge of his he was afterward sent out of the World Nor was the Informaâ—ion of the Woman less to be heeded who inâ—orms That as she was walking a little before the Earls Death before the Chamber Window she heard a very great trampling and bustling in the Earl`s Chamber saw three or four Heads move close together and heard a loud and doleful cry of Murder And whereas Floyd the Sentinâ—l denied at Braddon`s Tryal the letting of any Men into the Earlâ—s Lodgings before his Death yet afâ—erwards with great remorse of Conscience he confessed that he did let in Two or Three Men by the Special Order of Hawlâ—y the Warder It will be an un-accountable thing to Posterity that the E. of S. should so readily part with his Money to Holland suspected to be one of the Bloody Rusâ—ians whenâ— ever he went or sent for it though a profâ—â—igate at the same time convicted in Newgate for Robbery upon the High-way It will also seem as strange that Webster an Under Bayliff of St. Katherines and an indigent Ale Draper should of a sudden be Master of Five Hundred Pounds at such an unlucky nick of Time as immediately after the Earl`s Murder But I forbear to enlarge any further upon a Theme already â—o labouriously discussed and Publick to the World Only this is to be added That it might seem strange that after the Murder was done such Care should be taken and such strict Command given for the conveying the News to the Old-Baily till we hear to what end it was done by the King`s Counsel snapping so quickly at it as if they had had their Lesson before and improving it with all their Eloquence to the Destruction of the Lord Russell Nor is it unlikely that Iefferies might be either privy to the Design in some measure at that time or else be more fully acquainâ—ed with it in order to Bâ—addon`s Tryal More especially if it be true which is confidently reported That his Lordship being at some publick Place where he took an occasion to speak largely in praise of the deceased King when he had done However said he whispering a Gentlemâ—n in the Ear Had he liv`d Six Months longer we had been all Hang`d notwithstanding my Encomiums The Discovery of which Alteration of the King by a severe Expression which droâ—t from his Lips upon reading a Letter from a Lord