terrible Slaughter and put the rest to the most dreadful Flight that ever was known This Glorious Victory revivâ—d the Courage of the drooping Empire and every body coming again to themselves consider'd which way to make their best advantage of it So that Heaven continuing the blessing of success upon the Christian Arms they prosper'd to their own Wishes The King having beheld this Great Deliverance alterâ—d his Sentiments but not enduring to let his Neighbours be at rest he teizâ—d the Spaniards about the County of Alost considerable for the Extent and Revenue of it which he claim'd as a Dependance upon his Conquests and upon the King of Spains refusing it he Besiegâ—d Luxenburgh and took it in lieu of an Equivalent All people thought that then the War would have broke out again more furiously then ever But the weakness of the Emperors Forces and the Emperors desire to prosecute his Victorys in Hungary were the reason that all their differences were put an end to and laid a sleep by a General Truce concluded in the Year 1685. While these things thus pass'd on Charles the II. King of England dy'd and left the Crown to his Brother the Duke of York who tho generally ill belov'd by the People and a declarâ—d Roman Catholick was nevertheless proclaim'd without any Opposition So happy a Success and perhaps so little expected spread an Universal joy among all the Jesuits who promis'd themselves no less then the entire reducing that Kingdom under their Dominion in three or four Years at most and they had already devour'd in imagination all the Noble Bishopricks and Considerable Benefices in the Realm nor indeed were their hopes so Chimerical but that they might have reason to have some assurance of it they were absolutely Masters of the new Kings Heart and Soul who was wholly govern'd by them as being to speak properly no more then their Prime Minister of State in his own Kingdom Besides they were protected by France extremely Potent and near at hand to pour in thirty thousand men into England when ever he pleas'd 'T is true this could not have been done without a prejudice to the King whose Authority would have been not a little diminish'd thereby but what carâ—d they provided they had got their ends Now as the whole company in general had great reason to be over joy'd at such a promising Event Father la Chaise in particular had more engaging motives of Exultation and Triumph The deceas'd King Charles had willingly listen'd to his Councils and had done several things in complacence to his advice but at the bottom he was a prudent Prince and one who otherwise loving his Pleasures and his Ease did not always do that which was desir'd of him nor was he of a humour to hazard the whole for nothing like his Brother who not having all the foresight imaginable but perswading himself in imitation of Lewis the Great that there needed no more for him to do but to attempt and Prosper blindly and erroniously deliver'd himself up to Evil Counsels Upon which Foundation la Chaise erected his project to set all Europe in a Conflagration of War the most violent that ere was known and hugg'd himself in his design which he lookt upon then as infallible Some prosperous successes as the defeat of the Duke of Monmouth and his Death renderâ—d K. James so vain that he never thought England able to withstand him So that from that time forward he began hardly to observe any Measures wherefore in a short time the Kingdom was full of Monks of all Orders and particularly Jesuits who were become such favourites at Court that there was nothing to be there obtain'd but by application made to them And upon theirs and Father Peters â—s recommendation it was that Tyrconnel was made Deputy of Ireland where he committed extremities of Cruelty against the Protestants of whom he put a great number to Death This Tyrconnel was an Irish-man by Birth and low in Fortune he came young into England where he serv'd as a kind of Page for above ten Years at the end of which time he met with a Catholick who prefer'd him to the Duke of York in the quality of a better sort of Gentle man This was the Rise of his Fortune But to return to King James He receiv'd a Nuncio from the Pope into London which had not been known for above an Age before this was the Abbot Dada since made a Cardinal Some few days after his arrival he was consecrated Bishop of Amasia in St. James's Chapel by the titular Archbishop of Armagh and two other Bishops and in the Afternoon coming to pay his Respects to their Majesties they fell upon their Knees before him to receive his Benediction Hitherto the Nuncio had only appear'd incognito which not satisfying the King who pretended to do nothing in Hugger Mugger he resolv'd that he should make his publick Entry and chose Windsor for the Place To this purpose he orderd the Duke of Somerset first Gentleman of his Chamber to go the next day to waite upon the Prelate at his Lodgings and conduct him to his Audience The Duke would fain have shifted off the Employment by telling the King that it was absolutely contrary to all the Acts of Parliament that had been made upon that Subject but then the King casting an Angry look upon him Do said he as you are commanded I ask not your Advice Nevertheless the Duke continu'd his Excuses declaring to the King that there were several others who would obey his Orders with less Reluctancy and therefore besought his Majesty to lay his Commands upon them rather then upon him Very Good reply'd the King I shall do it but it shall cost you your Employment of First Gentleman and so turning to the Duke of Grafton who was then in the Chamber Duke of Grafton said he go to morrow and fetch Monsieur the Nuncio in my own Coaches of State and be you henceforward first Gentleman instead of the Duke of Somerset Nor did the Kings Wrath against the Duke of Somerset end there he took from him his Regiment of Dragoons and cast him quite out of his Favour The next day the Nuncio made his Entrance in the view of all the People in a Violet Habit his Rochet and * Habit of a Purple Colour resembling a Captains Gorget worn by a Pontifical Bishop above his Rochet and reaching down to the bending of his Arms. Camail All this was done at the instigation of Father Peters who was something more in England then la Chaise was in France And this latter seeing to his great satisfaction King James's weak side is reference to Peters resolv'd to make him serviceable to advance his own Grandeur That ambitious Jesuit la Chaise had been a long time aspiring to a Cardinals Cap but in regard that since the Pontificate of Innocent XI the Holy See had never had a more implacable Enemy then himself he justly question'd whether the Pope
altogether forgot these zealous Sentiments which I have formerly observ'd in him for the Catholick Religion and the Re-establishment of it in England which would be one of the most Glorious and Christian-like Designs that ever were set on Foot In the first place therefore the Pride of the Hollanders must be humbl'd and they themselves disablâ—d from being in a Condition to embroil their Neighbour Kingdoms I see nothing of Difficulty in it that Republick has more of Pride then Strength So that if the King my Brother will but join with me I make no question of Conquest by God's Assistance I flatter my self that he will do me so much Justice as to believe that 't is not my own Interest which makes me thus Importunate He is concern'd at least as much as I to bring 'em down it being certain that while that Commonwealth subsists 〈◊〉 will never suffer any Alteration in England either as to the Government or in Religion and that the Parliament who are well assur'd of it will take all opportunities to set their Feet upon his Neck so that if he does not betimes prevent the Effects of their Independant and Republican Humour he will fâ— himself reduc'd to be no more then the first Gentleman in his Parliament 'T is with a great deal of Sorrow that 〈◊〉 foretell the King my Brother a Misfortâ— of this Nature However I shall have 〈◊〉 least this Satisfaction within my self thâ— I have neglected nothing to let him know it and hinder it from falling upon him As to what remains in regard his Parliament whose Aims are far remote from wheâ— they ought to be will never consent to a Weâ— that will be so ruinous to it and therefore wilâ— never give him Subsidies to maintain it I offer to supply him with all the Money and Ammunition which he shall stand in need of for the setting out of his Fleet. Besides all this that I have said to you Father Carnè will more fully inform you of our Intentions I make no question but you will make use of all the Credit which your Deserts have acquir'd in the good Thoughts of the King my Brother so that I never stopp'd in my Considerations about the choice which it behov'd me to make of the Person fit for this Negotiation Do me then if it lies in your power this Service which I promise my self from your Friendship and leave to me the Care of Acknowledgment God have you in his Keeping Madam Dutchess of Portsmouth Fontainbleau November the 18th 1670. La Chaise's Letter ran thus Madam YOU will understand by the King's Letter the Glorious Distinction which he makes between Your Self and so many Persons whose Devotion and Fidelity for him are Inviolable He relies upon you for a Negotiation upon the Success of which depends the Destiny of Europe A Great Princess was entrusted with the same before you and tho' the Pains she took prov'd Unsuccessful His Majesty has better Hopes in Yours He knows Madam how difficult a thing it will be to refrain from yielding to the Persuasions of a Person whose particular Privilege it is to prevail over all Hearts Besides We are easily enclin'd to believe Thâ—â— a Wit so piercing so solid so insinuating 〈◊〉 Yours will easily find a way to accomply what you undertake and so much the rather because upon this occasion His Majesty proposes nothing to the King of England 〈◊〉 what is for his great Advantage However it be Madam the King expect from you the most important Piece of Service that can be done him by a Subject since 〈◊〉 concerns the most dazling and most magnificent Act of conspicuously glittering Honour that a mighty Prince could ever aim at 〈◊〉 mean the universal Monarchy which it iâ— in your power to facilitate him or rathâ—â— which you will assure him if you prosper 〈◊〉 the Affair which he entrusts in your Hands Judge Madam what Blessings and whâ—â— Honours are reserv'd for You. Make iâ— therefore of all the Power which your Beauty and your rare Endowments have given yâ—â— over the Heart of a Monarch that loves aâ—â— doats upon you You can never do it upon 〈◊〉 juster occasion since it concerns the Honour of your Prince the extirpation of Heresie and the exaltation of our Mother the Holy Church I dare be bold to say That whatever Courses you take of what Nature soever they be will be extreamly meritorious before God provided you direct your Intentions right and will infallibly procure yee eternal Bliss You see Madam that all manner of Reasons both spiritual and temporal oblige yee to leave nothing unomitted and I engage to make the King take notice of the Zeal and Affection wherewith you shall be pleas'd to serve him in this Affair Moreover Madam be convinc'd of my most humble Respects and of the real desire I have to give you Proofs of my profound Esteem by all manner of Services Grant me the Favour to accept my unworthy Offers and by that means rid me of the Trouble which it would be to me to think that I am in vain and unprofitably Yours c. Fontainbleau November the 18th 1670. When this Letter came to my Hands could not forbear laughing at the pleasant Method which Father La Chaise preâ—crib'd the Dutchess to gain Paradise 〈◊〉 know no body but would easily purâ—ue it could they confide in the Father's Assurances or could they believe that the Morals of this worthy Casuist were true The Dutchess who has a world of Wit â—ould not choose but be sensible of it but in regard that every body loves 〈◊〉 flatter themselves she took but little notice of it Certain it is that withouâ— making the least semblance of it to Father Carnè who would by no means have relish'd the least Jesting upon this particular she testify'd an extraordinary Satisfaction for the Honour which the King had done her and promis'd him largely whether the thing were feasible or whether it would be to her Honour or no. This Dutchess of Portsmouth was thâ— Daughter of the Marquiss of Kerouel 〈◊〉 of the most considerable Gentlemen 〈◊〉 the Province of Bretaigne whose Anâ—â—stors possess'd a large Estate in Lanâ— But as there are few Families that staâ— for many Ages together this was also 〈◊〉 much sunk in Reputation and Authority But for all that the Marquis had 1500 good Livres a Year when he present his Daughter to serve the Princess Herietta Stuart 'T is true he ow'd as 〈◊〉 as he was worth but he liv'd ne'er a wiâ—â— the less at his Ease for all that it being â— natural to the Bretaigne Gentlemen nâ— to pay what they owe that 't is a commâ— Proverb among the People of the Couâ—trey What a Gentleman of Bretaigne a Pay his Debts But to return to the Dutchess of Portsmouth She was put to wait upon Madame as I said before where the King of England first saw her and lov'd her ever after So that when he came to be restor'd to
he could not avoid concluding the Peace by reason of the Importunitie of his Subjects I could produce several Copies of the Letters written upon this occasion but because I would not be Prolix this shall suffice from the Dutchess of Portsmouth to Father La Chaise Reverend Father 'T IS but some few Days agoe That the King of England was constrain'd to Sign a Peace full sore against his Will I cannot tell what his Majesty of France may think of it but I cannot forbear telling you That in truth he has no Reason to take it Ill considering how long it was before he came to a final Resolution He stav'd it off to the very last and without doubt had never consented had he not had certain Intelligence that the Prince of Orange finding Holland free and quitted began to listen to the Proposals of the Parlament who as your Reverence knows had invited him into the Kingdom We were perswaded till now That his youthful Years which seem'd not to be ripe for great Enterprizes together with his natural moderation and averseness to Broils and Quarrels would not have permitted him to give ear on that side but since we understand That if he were not fully resolv'd yet his Wavering was enough to continue the King's Jealousies and that the States did no way disapprove his making a Descent which indeed would be the most advantagious Course they could take The News therefore of his Hesitation put the King of England upon coming to an absolute Determination who could not in prudence venture the Invading of his Kingdom by the only Enemy that he had most reason to fear A Revolution like that would have engag'd the King to a Diversion that must have been much to his Prejudice whereas now he may interpose as a Mediator and procure his Majesty an advantagious Peace if he thinks it convenient or if not he may be in a condition to do him all possible Services under-hand and of this your Reverence may assure his Majesty His Britannick Majesty having order'd me to send you word that notwithstanding the forc'd Peace which he has made he will never depart from that Alliance which he has contracted with him nâ— from his Interests which he looks upon as his own He has given a convincing Proof of his Constancy in rejecting the Addresses that were made him to repeal the Act which was made sometime since at your Request in favour of the Nonconformists under which Pretence he also protects the Catholicks and their Meetings He will do it for the future as much as he can of which your Reverence may be confidently assur'd I am c. The King who could not have had a more favourable Mediator then his Britannick Majesty willingly consented to referr his Interests to him and Sir William Temple was sent to the States to propose his Mediation which they presently accepted Spain and the Empire were more Nice and the Prince of Orange who had no kindness for a Treacherous Peace started all the Difficulties that could be thought of which was the Reason that the Thing was procrastinated for some time Afterwards he fought that famous Battel of Seneff against the Prince of Condè whom he had challeng'd to a fair Field for Fifteen Days together while Condè somewhat Inferiour in number kept himself within his Trenches till at length the Prince of Orange seeing it was impossible to follow him Decamp'd Condè who well knew that the ways were very narrow through which he was to pass let him go till he thought his Van-guard and main Body were out of reach and then came out of his Hole fell upon the Rear-guard and utterly defeated it and had he been so much Master of himself to have stopt there the Honour of the Victory had been solely his But he had too long withstood that martial Heat that importun'd him to be doing and as a Torrent stopt for a few Days by some certain Mound becomes more terrible and violent when once it makes way so Condè's Warlike Ardour that had been bounded by his Prudence for Fifteen Days was no sooner at Liberty but bearing now predominant Sway it made him lose the greatest part of the Advantage which he had won before For having pass'd the narrow Lanes and being got into the Plain he found the whole Dutch Army drawn up in good order which receiv'd him so coâ—ragiously that he lost about 15000 Men and was constrain'd to retire in great Danger to have been pursu'd but that Night coming on secur'd him The next Year Turenne was kill'd at a time that he thought he had had Montecuculi so fast that he could not have escap'd him Condè left the Army in Flanders to supply his room leaving the Command of the Army to Luxemburgh who so well order'd his Business that the Prince of Orange could not force him to a Battel only he took Binch and demolish'd it Toward the end of the Year 1676. the Commissioners met at Nimeghen to negotiate the Treaty of Peace Thither came the Plenipotentiaries from the Emperor from the Electors from the Duke of Lorrain from Hanover from Sweden from Danemark from France and Holland and England was Mediatrix which made one of the most noble Assemblies that had been known Nevertheless whole Years were spent in regulating the Preliminaries all which time the War was carry'd on vigorously and always to the King's Advantage For he took Condè Bouchain Valenciennes Cambrai and won the Battel of Cassel which was attended with the Taking of St. Omer This prosperous Success alarm'd the Parlament of England and forc'd 'em to desire his Brittanick Majesty to enter into a War and that with so much Importunity as gave him to understand that he must resolve upon it To that purpose they presented Two Addresses to him laying before him the Necessity of opposing such a Torrent of Victory more especially in Flanders beseeching him to make an offensive League with the Hollanders 1677. These Importunities very much displeas'd the King who fear'd nothing so much as that he should be constrain'd to it But at last the Marriage of the Prince of Orange with his Niece being consummated there was a Necessity for him to make a fair shew the best he could so that after long Conferences with him concerning the Peace he consented to the Addresses of his Parlament and promis'd to declare War against France if she stood too high upon her Terms Thereupon Commissions were given out for the raising of 20000 Men and Soldiers came in so fast that in Six Weeks the Levies were compleat so eager were the English for a War with France In the mean time the Dutchess of Portsmouth gave a punctual Account of all things to Father La Chaise who not knowing what other Remedy to apply told the King That now was the time if ever to set his Exchequer at work 1678. in regard his dazling Louidores had a strange Operation upon the King of England
had got ready his own Fleet as the Hollanders advanc'd in their Marisine Preparations is it not true that the Hollanders being obligâ—d to look after their own defence would never have permitted the sending away their Army by Sea For t is in vain to object that the King of Sweden had lent 'em Men and that the Elector of Brandenburgh had a considerable force ready to march Fifteen or Twenty thousand Men would never have been sufficient to stop the Army of France the sole approach of which would have utterly disappointed the great and brave design which they had upon England and which was so fortunately accomplish'd But instead of this the King allurd by the certain hopes of taking two or three Places not able to make any resistance snapt at that Bait and sent away the Dauphin with a mighty Preparation to conquer a pitiful Nook of Land while on the other side the Prince of Orange call'd in by the English and assisted by the Hollanders made sure of three powerful Kingdoms the preservation of which was of such vast importance to his Majesty and King James his Confederate In the name of God was ever such a sottish clumsie mistake committed or was the like ever seen or heard of since Kings first reign'd and wagâ—d War one upon another For my my part I must in this acknowledge the effects of an unknown and superiour Providence By what I have said 't is apparent that the end of that year was fatal to two Kings nevertheless when the Dauphin return'd to Court he was overwhelm'd with Congratulations All men cry'd out Victory Victory the Soveraign Courts The Magistracy of the City harangu'd him the Poets squeezâ—d their Braines for Panegyricks and the King himself spoke his Elogy several times in publick before all the World and he mist but little of having a Tryumph design'd him For my own part who was an eye-witness of all this and knew what it behov'd me to think of it I sighâ—d in private to behold the weakness of men that oftimes Laugh and Feast and Daunce when they have much more cause to Weep I could not think they had so much reason to be merry for winning three Towns the on side and loosing three Kingdoms on the other But the French are of this Humour they look upon all things through prospective Glasses and those things that are to their disadvantage they behold with that end which lessens the Objects but those things that please 'em they view through the other end that magnifies whatever they see and brings it close to the sight However it were the Prince of Orange embark'd his men and set Sail. 'T is true he was a little delay'd by a Tempest that did him some damage but that being soon repaird he set sail again and fortunately continu'd his voyage The news of it arriv'd in France and according to custom the general report was that the greatest part 〈◊〉 the Ships were cast away and tha the Prince of Orange was drown'd and this rumour was supported by the following Staâ—â—a of Nostredamus which then made a great noise En mil six cent Octante huit Albion sera deliveree D'une Emprise mal digeree Qui ne produira aucun fruit Et par un Accident estrange Poissons se nourriro'nt d' Orange In thousand one six hunder'd eighty Eight Endangerâ—d Albion shall deliverâ—d be From a Contrivance layâ—d but sillilee The fruit of which shall blasted be by Fate And through an accident by Heav'n decreed The hungry Fishes shall on an Orange feed This was shewn me by an Advocate in a most Triumphant manner who told me that I was no longer to complain of the Fortune of France for whose prosperity all the Elements fought I knew not what answer to give him for I had never studyâ—d Nostredamus but the next day I went to visit my old Friend Cousinet a Counseller in the Parliament of Bretagne a person of Learning and good Sence to whom I shewâ—d my Prophesie In answer to which my worthy friend said he I have read the Centuries of this Astrologer several times from one end to the other and I assure you this Stanza is not there 't is a piece made at random and with that he told me a Story how that in the time of Mazarin's troubles he being engagâ—d in the contrary Party and the Cardinal doing all he could to ruin him he made a Stanza which he inserted among the rest and had 'em reprinted on purpose He repeated it to me but I have forgot all but the last Line which I remember concluded thus Les Rouges Rouges le Rouge assommeront The Red Red the Red shall knock oth Head By the Red Red he meant the Parliament and by the Red the Cardinal Nevertheless it prov'd as false as that of the Prince of Orange After which I suspected all the Centuries that were produc'd upon the present Affairs So soon as the Prince was ready to set Sail he put forth a Declaration wherein he declar'd that being several times earnestly solicited by a great many Lords both Spiritual and Temporal and by many Gentlemen of the English Nation to deliver 'em from a Despotick Power under which they were ready to be subjected to the destruction of their Priviledges and the Laws of the Realm and at the same time to free the Church of England from the Persecution which it suffer'd mov'd therefore with the misfortunes and the seveâ—â— Captivity which both Religion and the State were likely to fall under he could not refuse 'em the Succour which they desir'd That his intentions were not to invâ—â—â— the Crown as his Enemies gave out 〈◊〉 to make any alteration in the Legitimâ—â—â— order of the Succession but on the other side that he came to facilitate and procure the Meeting of a Free Parliament wherin every Member might speak his own Sentiments without Constraint and all together labour the restoration of the Laws and Libertie of the Kingdom to their Primitive vigor and the nesetling Religion in a flourishing condition as it was before the Kings unjust Attempts which tended only to the entire Destruction of it That the King of Englands Designs were sufficiently visiâ—â—â— by his strict Alliance with the Most Christian King and the intimate Vnion the was between 'em tho the King of France had long profest himself the declar'd Enemy of the Kingdom England the United Provinces and particularly of the Protestant Religion which he persecuted even to Rage and Frenzie That it was clear that King James was govern'd wholly by his Counsels that his Politicks were regulated by his and that he aim'd at the same ends And therefore seeing it was the interest of the People of England not to endure any longer such terrible Innovations he hop'd they would receive him as a Friend who only came to succour and protect 'em and concur with 'em in restoring Peace to the Church and Repose and Freedom to every Private Person This Manifesto
that which I expected from yee reply'd the Father but if this be all that withholds yee I find I shall fix your Resolutions before you go out of this Garden You must know then that there is no Society of Men in the World that plunge themselves into Business more then we do or where Men of Wit and Merit more easily advance themselves such Men as these are sought after with all the care imaginable and you would wonder at the end of five or six Years to see 'em Heads of a Party Good Luck and Preferment are so frequent among us and so Prodigious as passes Imagination Peter Gerard our Assistant-General is the Son of a Cobler of Reims and Father Creps the present Emperor's Confessor is the Son of a Hat-maker and as for our present Provincial as great a Lord as he is I knew my self that when he came first to the College he had not Shoes to his Feet yet now he is grown a Considerable Man takes State upon him and gives all the World occasion to talk of him Were you one of the Ordinary one of those Petty Genius's that are to be won by Reasons that carry a General Vogue I could tell ye That there is no Society in the World more Holy then the Society of Jesus which every day sacrifices her dearest Children for the Conversion of Turks and Pagans among whom they are continually sent and that 't is a sign that God accepts the Blood of his Martyrs since he permits so many Millions of Souls even whole Kingdoms to be Converted to the Faith by this Means I could give you a List of all the famous Doctors that our Order has produc'd of several Kings and Princes that have desir'd Admittance into it and of the Favours that God has bestow'd upon us through the Intercession of our Saints and blessed Members But in regard you are my Friend and a Man of Sence I shall tickle your Fancy another way and bait my Hook to catch such Dolphins as you with your own Worldly Interest which ought upon all Occasions to be your principal Aim For as for your Salvation you may look after that as well in a King's Palace as in an Anchoret's Cell And to this purpose I shall give you a True and Natural Idea of the Congregation in general Set before your Eyes a Little but Potent Republick from whence Poverty and Misery are absolutely banish'd where the least Happy and the least Considerable have enough to stop their Mouths from complaining of Fortune and largely to supply all the Necessities of Humane Life without being oblig'd to work and tyre themselves A State wherein you never hear any Discourse of Wars Torments Taxes or Imposts where for want of Payment you are never expos'd to the Taunts and Threats of a Creditor or to the Affronts of Bailiffs a Country where you may live in Peace and Gladness without fearing lest a Knave of a Debtor should Break in your Debt or that an Enemy should set fire to your Barns without being disturb'd in Mind because the last Harvest was not so good as the former But imagine That in these Fortunate Islands you have your Corn ready Thrash'd in your Barns your Wine ready Tunn'd up in your Cellars and your Table regularly spread without taking any Care and carking where you shall Dine Nor is this all the Government of this State is purely Democratical every particular Person has a share in it more or less and that which is the chiefest thing of all there is no Injustice done to any Body The most considerable Employments are distributed and proportion'd according to Merit without any Respect to precedency of Birth so that Wit and Ability are sufficient to entitle a Man to the Highest Dignities to which when a Man has once attain'd he enjoys 'em for Life he knows no such Thing as Ranversement of Fortune Now tell me seriously do's not this faithful Description move yee and would not you be glad to be admitted into such a Government However what I have told ye already is but a Trifle to what I am going to tell ye and yet as true as the rest This Petty Republick by her wise Laws and prudent Constitutions is arriv'd at the Universal Monarchy to which so many Kings and Emperors have in vain aspir'd and all this too without drawing a Sword or shedding so much as one drop of Blood or making use of any other means but only Perswasion Bu◠in regard it would signifie little to hav◠attain'd to so high a Degree of Glory and not be able to support it for that reason she has divided her self into severa◠particular Communities which she ha◠dispers'd over all the Kingdoms and Provinces of the World to the end she may be every where at one and the same time and always within reach to prevent th◠doing of any thing to her Prejudice 〈◊〉 it not to be admir'd that she has so successfully accomplish'd all this without Armies and Soldiers and that she has so easily upheld her self True it is that this Wise and wonderfull Government has not been always exempted from Misfortunes we have seen that certain People have revolted from her and with Ignominy have expell'd some of her Communities But these were Tempests that have been soon allay'd by the prudent Conduct of those that steer the Helm of Affairs so that they have return'd Victorious into those Places from whence they have been ejected with Disgrace You laugh continu'd the Father looking upon La Chaise however I tell ye no Fables and if you do but consider you will find that I have told yee nothing but what is certain and that I have given yee a True Emblem of our Order For in short it must be agreed that it is at this Day the Primum Mobile of all the Potentates of Europe we form not only a State in a State but a State in several States and a Regnant Republick in the Universal Republick and therein consists our great Advantage for if by Misfortune we lose on the one side we are always certain to gain on the other And how indeed is it possible we should miscarry since we play sure There is not any Secret in the Cabinets of Kings or Princes but we can fish it out We have People every where that inform us of every Thing and who suffer not any Resolutions to be taken contrary to our Interests Which being so do you not see that we are the Persons that Reign and Govern tho' indirectly 'T is something that cannot but choose to be very tickling to a Jesuit to be employ'd in great Affairs and to see himself caress'd by a Prince who thinks him a convenient Instrument to carry on his Designs You have then a fair Field to expatiate in and if you do but never so little know how to manage Fortune there are no Grandeurs to which you may not aspire But said La Chaise 't is a Thing would be known whether
I may be so happy to be admitted of the Number Never doubt it reply'd the Father you have a smooth insinuating flattering Wit and a little Knavish withall nor do you want a quick and fiery Imagination which however destroys not the Solidity of your Judgment These are the People that we want and with such Talents as these you can never fail of Success Believe me then be one of Us and you will find your self no loser by the Bargain Nevertheless I would not have you take up this Resolution before you understand us rightly and therefore come and see me every day and I will discover to yee the most Hidden Maxims of our Secret Doctrine After this he carry'd him into the Library and gave him Escobar Diana Matchivel c. Here said he are Books worth Gold read 'em and pick what you can out of 'em to morrow you shall give me an Account of what you have observ'd and we will discourse together After this they took their Leaves and La Chaise went home The next day he return'd to the Convent at what time Father de Vaux no sooner saw him but he ask'd him whether he had read any Thing Yes said La Chaise I began with Matchiavel because he treats of Politicks which is a Study that I relish very well 't is a very good Book and I assure yee I read on with a great deal of Pleasure Oh said Father de Vaux interrupting him he is a most wonderfull Man and one whose Decisions we admit in Matter of Probability with as much satisfaction as those of Escobar himself Truly said La Chaise to speak in general they are very excellent but there are some that are also very bold as for Example he asserts That one or more Persons tho' People of Worth and Probity tho' they have done the State important Services may be sacrific'd when the Publick Good is concern'd and that upon such an occasion Prince ought not to scruple the violating of his Word and Promise nor the most sacred Treaties This is a little too Ranâ— How cry'd the Father what do you find there contrary to Reason and right Equity is not the Publick Welfare infinitely to be preferr'd before the Consideration of any Private Person and would it be just that for the Preservation of some few Persons who at most have done no more then their Duty a Hunderd others no less worthy should perish Thus yoâ— see the Absurdity of this Proposition and it is the same in respect of the Faith of Treaties which as you pretend should be inviolably preserv'd for you must consider my Dear that a Prince is to have no other Prospect in his Eye then the Wellfare of his Kingdom that is to be the Center of all his Actions and 〈◊〉 Politicks from which he is not to stir 〈◊〉 Inch for the sake of his Conscience Anâ— as it is only for the Good of his Kingdom that he makes Treaties they are to be look'd upon no otherwise then as the Means to attain that End But so soon as through the Revolution of things here below and the Conjuncture of Times those Means become Obstacles 't is evident That from that very time those Treaties are dissolv'd because they no longer concurr to the End for which they were made I know this very well reply'd La Chaise but after all of necessity this Doctrine trails after it very evil Consequences and gives a very fair and large Liberty to Princes to break all manner of Allyances the most solemnly sworn and to invade their Neighbours when they think themselves the most secure No question of it reply'd the Father and it is one of the most Noble Prerogatives of Sovereigns Certainly a Prince would be a very miserable Creature if he were so ty'd to his Word that he could never unloose himself from it Every time you argue upon this Subject never wag from the Principle which is the only Foundation upon which you are to build viz. A Prince is to have no other Prospect in his Eye then the Good and Glory of his Kingdom So then he may do any thing to procure it provided he be a Catholick and if he has a sufficient Strength to Conquer all the World we give him free Liberty to do it 'T is true that in so doing he will Dethrone several Kings and Princes that for several Ages enjoy'd the Inheritance of the Sovereignty he will strike Dread and Terrour where-ever hâ— marches he will shed Rivers of Blood and he will reduce infinite numbers oâ— Widows and Orphans to Despair Buâ— all these Calamities are but slight and in considerable in Comparison of the Gooâ— that will accrue thereby For first of all the Victor will ascertain Peace to all the Earth which without Contradiction in this Mortal Life is the greatest of a Blessings in regard that no body will bâ— in a Condition to raise Combustion oâ— withstand the Conqueror he will maâ—â— wise and just Laws which will contribuâ—â—on the one side to Universal Feliciâ— and Tranquillity he will procure with out any Obstruction the Advancemeâ—â— of the Catholick Faith and the Churcâ— of God he will take care thâ— Arts Sciences and Trade shall flourish among his Subjects And lastly we shall see another Golden Age upon Earth If this be the only way to bring it back reply'd La Chaise interrupting him we are not very like to see it again That 's my fear too reply'd the Father however I speak this at present only by way of Supposition to make yee sensible and to shew yee as with a Fescue That when the Mischief is less then the Good which is propos'd there never ought any scruple to be made of committing the Lesser Mischief to attain the Greater Good This is our grand Maxim and the Foundation of the Secret Doctrine which we receiv'd from the Divine Escobar our Master and of which we shall give him a good Account Did you never observe that Noble and Magnificent Sentence which is set up in Capital Letters in most of our Churches and Colleges AD MAJOREM GLORIAM DEI Few People understand the mysterious Sence of those words they are put up for an Eternal Admonition to the Faithful to have only that same GLORY â—â—â—ore their Eyes to procure it at any â—ate and to that end boldly to sacrifice Parents Friends Duty Honour nay and Prince himself too if there be a necessity Every thing is to be thought Just and Reasonable at the Moment that you propose it to your self Let Heaven and Earth and all the Creatures therein perish provided that God be Glorify'd thereby This is the Spirit of our Society wherewith Garnet Orcoln and so many other Great Men of our Order were inspir'd when they out-dar'd both Fires and Wheels to assassinate those Heretick Princes that oppress'd the Church of God Reverend Father reply'd La Chaise methinks you run a little too far in thâ— Transports of your Zeal but to speaâ— sincerely this Doctrine is
his Crown he begg'd her of the King of France and his Sister who could not deny him so small a Favour Presently the King sent a Yatch and a Frigate to Brest to bring her from thence into England Where her Wit and her Beauty and her medling with State-Affairs rais'd her a great number of Enemies some in the Parliament some among the People and others among the Court-Ladies among whom there were few that equall'd her in Beauty But for all this the Love which she had for the King or her own Good Fortune which was the most likely enabl'd her to surmount all these Difficulties with an extraordinary Courage The chief Maxim of her Politicks was to keep in with the Duke of York and side with France and by that means she so well order'd her Business that she held on a Ruling Favourite till the Death of King Charles II and should I say till the Advancement of King WILLIAM I should not tell an Untruth She is moderately Tall well-Shap'd having the Air Gate of a Queen She has the loveliest Mouth and Teeth in the world and her Smiles penetrate to the bottom of the Heart When she has a mind to be Complaisant she is altogether lovely but the mischief is that she will not be Complaisant to All. And this is that which has procur'd her such a world of Envy and Ill-will She has a Wit so piercing that 't is impossible to disguize any thing from her Her prevailing Passion or rather her Idol is Ambition to which she sacrifices her Repose her Pleasures her Honour and all things in the World Now in regard she pants after nothing but Honour and that for several Years she has made a Considerable Figure in the World she has assum'd such an Air of Grandeur and Business which she will never leave off as long as she lives There is no Woman living so Proud as this Woman but the last Revolution in England by which she lost above Fifty thousand Crowns a Year caus'd a great Alteration in her Affairs However she put a good Face upon the Matter in hopes the Times would change again or else that the King of France would give her a Considerable Pension for the Service she did him But that sort of Gratitude is no longer in Fashion the Partridge must be plum'd while you have her in your Hands for if once you let her go 't is in vain to expect she will ever return The Dutchess of Portsmouth is a fair Example of this She defy'd all England to serve her French King and Countrey and for that reason was thrown out of all Since that she has been reduc'd to that necessity as to sell her Coaches Horses Moveables and to turn off three fourth Parts of her Servants no body offering her so much as a Pension of a Thousand Pistoles So that when all her Hopes fail'd her and that there was no likelihood of King James's Return she sent her Son into England where he became a Protestant and marry'd the Lord Bellasis's Widow with whom he had a great Fortune By which means he is upon as sure Grounds as before and I think he has done very well But leaving this Digression the Dutchess of Portsmouth was so over-joy'd that she was become so necessarily Instrumental to the Designs of a Great Monarch that in the Evening she return'd this Answer to the King SIR THE Honour which Your Majesty do's me surpasses far my Hopes and my Ambition I shall have henceforward some good Opinion of my self since my King has not thought me unworthy to do him the utmost of my most humble Services upon an Occasion of so high Importance But I dare be bold to say That Your Majesty did me ample Justice when you thought that my Zeal and my Fâ—delity would be inviolable Though I am remov'd into a Foreign Countrey yet I have not forgot the Advantage I enjoy to be bâ—â—â— your Subject nor that my Mother my Brother and all my Relations are still in your Kingdom And lastly That I am beholding to you for my good Fortune since it was your Majesty your self that gave me to the King by whom I have the Honour to be belov'd Thâ—â— Love Sir however it may Charm me dis never as yet render me so Glorious as now that it has procur'd me the Means to be serviceable to your Majesty and that you wâ—â— find by my extraordinary Diligence in performing your Commands But in regard the King has not hitherto appear'd to me so we inclin'd I beg your Majesty to give me a little Time and to afford me Leisure to take my Opportunities 'T is certain That many good Designs are ruin'd by too much Precipitation that might have been brought to a good Conclusion by Temporising a little And I am apt to think Sir that this is a Design of the same nature Should I open the Business to the King at an unseasonable minute and he should absolutely forbid me never to speak of it more to him should I not fall into a Misfortune to be unprofitable to your Majesty Which would be a Grief past Consolation to me Not but that I believe he will be brought to Reason But your Majesty your self acknowledges That the deceas'd Madam of Glorious Memory fail'd in her Attempt And therefore if you please to give me leave I will proceed gently in this Affair which by the Blessing of God will have a happy Issue at least I will not be sparing of my Endeavours to bring it about I am with a most profound Respect SIR Your Majesty's most humble c. London Decemb. 14. 1670. Afterwards she wrote the following Letter to Father La Chaise Most Reverend Father NEver complain more of the slender Occasions which have made me take the liberty to beg Favours of you That which you have now done me in perswading his Majesty to honour me with his Commands is so great that I shall be oblig'd to you as long as I live And it would be a violent Trouble to me not to be able to discharge the Obligations you have laid upon me did I not know that 't is alway your desire I should be beholding to you upon that account I consent then since it must be so but know Most Reverend Father That if it were in my power to repay you as great Services as that which you have now done me by an extreme Acknowledgment or an earnest Desire to do my Utmost for them from wheâ— I have receiv'd 'em I should owe you nothing There is no need Most Reverend Father of proposing me magnificent Rewards to engage me to do my Duty in the Negotiation wherewith you have entrusted me You will faâ— by the exact Account which I shall give you of all my Proceedings that I shall leave nothing omitted to bring it to a good Issue upon no other Motive then my Obedience to the King and to do him faithful Service But in regard this Affair requires a
great deal of Precaution I think it the best way to proceed slowly and dexterously to lay hold of Time and Opportunity This is the Course that I have resolv'd to take till I receive new Orders London Decemb. 14. 1670. I am c. These Dispatches finish'd she sent away a Courier immediately giving him other Letters for the Pretence of his Journey but sow'd up her Answers with her own Hand within the Lining of his Coat under his Badge In the mean time she sounded every day the King's Inclinations to the Proposal she had made him and not finding him so averse as she thought he would have been she expected with Impatience an Opportunity to speak to him in plain English Nor was it long before she met with one for the King having demanded a Summ of Money of the Parlament which they would not grant him the King complain'd of this Refusal and told the Duke of Buckingham That they us'd him like a Boy whose Parents deny'd to give him Money for fear he should mis-spend it But this was nothing to an Affront which he receiv'd a few Days after There is a Custom at London which has been time out of mind and which tho' abusive and insolent is very much in use among the Vulgar Sort. This is a certain Liberty the People take to abuse all those that go by Water let their Condition or Quality be what it will not excepting the King and Queen themselves who are often forc'd to hear themselves miscall'd and abus'd without being able to help themselves But this is only in Sport and lasts no longer then they are upon the Water for as soon as they land those Injuries cease and every body has that Respect given 'em which belongs to ' em This is a thing so delightful to the English that many times the Court Ladies and Lords will go by Water in an Eveing to provoke the Water-men and Basket-people to call 'em all to naught and so return back again as content as Queens Now it happen'd one Evening that the King went in his Barge with the Dutchess of Portsmouth Presently the Canaille having espy'd her cry'd out A Whore A Whore and ask'd 'em whether they were coming from a Bawdy-house or going to one and whether they were not the Persons that they saw Dressing at such a Surgeons All this the King lik'd well enough But when they came to ask the King how much Money the Parlament had given him to build his Palace and where he intended to erect it whether at London or at Windsor with a thousand other Impertinencies of the same nature he could no longer contain his Passion Par-bleu said he Would any but an unhappy King as I am endure these Insolencies I could find in my heart to put 'em all to the Sword Then the Dutchess put in seasonably and told him That he was not to exert his Anger against those pitiful Scoundrels but against the Parlament that were the Occasion of all this and who visibly went about to keep him under Pupillage She repeated the same thing to him when she came home At what time the King answer'd her That 't was true and that he began to be sensible of it and that he would take another Course He told her farther That he intended to Dissolve the Parlament and Call another that should better understand their Duty Sir said the Dutchess Your Majesty seems not to have rightly consider'd the Greatness of the Evil since you go about to apply such Feeble Remedies All England of which the Parlament makes but one part is animated with the same Spirit that will prevail no less in another Parlament when you have Call'd it then in this But you must go to the Bottom of the Mischief and pull it up by the Root otherwise you do nothing Afterwards she laid it before him That so long as the Parlament found themselves supported by the Hollanders they would be still playing the Masters more and more till they had confin'd his Authority within such narrow Bounds that when he would it should not be in his power to help himself The King who was then in the lucky Minute of Perswasion jump'd with the Dutchess in her Sentiments and told her He was very much afraid it would come to that at length and that he was very sorry he did not heark'n to the Proposals that were made him by the King of France Certain it is answer'd the Dutchess that he is the Prince of the World whose Alliance would be most advantagious for your Majesty He loves you and is much concern'd for your Honour He is Potent and the only Prince in a Condition to bring down and sink the Hollanders into Perdition upon whom you are to look as the only Obstacles of your Majesty's Grandeur The King gave ear to the Dutchess in such a manner as to make her think that he was no way displeas'd with her Discourse So that the Dutchess after a great deal more to the same Tune and still finding he took all patiently told him at length That Father De Carnè who was arriv'd in the Kingdom in the Quality of a Missionary had declar'd to her That the King his Master was extreme sorry that his Majesty would not accept of his Alliance That he foresaw to his great Grief the unavoidable Mischiefs which this Refusal would draw upon him and that the said Father had Orders to engage her to speak of it to his Majesty but that for fear of Displeasing him she had always kept her self upon the Reserve though with a great deal of Reluctancy because she knew the thing to be of great Importance Upon that the King interrupting her ask'd her where the Father was telling her withal That he should be glad to see him The next day she sent for him and the King discours'd with him a long while She also presented him to the Duke of York who made very much of him and promis'd to do his Utmost with the King So that in short the Dutchess of Portsmouth had leave to write to the King That his Majesty was enclin'd to negotiate with him a firm and good Alliance so soon as he should send any Person to that purpose And the Treaty was concluded in the Lodgings belonging to the Dutchess of Portsmouth who had the greatest share in it The Conditions were That the King of France should defray the Expences of the Fleet of which an Accompt should be drawn up and pay down Four millions before-hand That for defraying the other Expences the King of England should begin the War by setting upon the Smyrna Fleet Homeward-bound by which he would be a Gainer several Millions and that at the same time the King of France should enter Holland at the Head of 100000 Men. The Project was put in Execution Point by Point and the Hollanders seeing the King was making great Preparations for the Sea and not doubting but it would be against them for that in
that Assembly and loudly teach 'em in your Schools as the Decrees of an Oecumenic Council Among you the Holy Father is no longer the Vicar of Jesus Christ assisted by his particular Graces and enlighten'd with Divine Illuminations but a man of the vulgar sort subject to all manner of Errors and Failings to whose decisions there is no credit to be given What new Doctrine is this and how is it possible that a Jesuit should be the Author of it Have you forgot the Thesis's maintain'd in the College of Clermont in the Month of Decem. 1661 which upheld that the Pope had the same Infallibility in Fact and Right as Christ himself and therefore it was a matter of Divine Faith to believe that Jansenius's five Propositions were rightly condemn'd Since that time you have strangely chang'd your note but I know the reason Lewis is become Potent and you expect only from him vast Wealth high Dignities and Honours Now speak your Conscience Father and tell me do you fear God or no and that same specious Title which you bear of being a companion of Jesus does it not sometimes put you in mind of the duty which you owe him If you have forgot it Father tremble and dread his judgments that will fall upon your head These are the Apostolick exhortations and Admonitions which his Holiness was willing to give you make use of 'em Father and do not enforce him to a necessary of acting severely with you I am c. Rome August 25. 1632. Monsieur Arnault also wrote him the following Letter upon the same Subject Reverend Father I Began to hope something favourably of you after my having so long sufferâ— your Persecutions since you begin to retract so publickly some things which you have acted against me Formerly I was a Heretick 〈◊〉 for nothing but Fire and Fagot not because I justifiâ—d the five condemn'd Propositions but because that having read Jansenius from one end to the other I could not find any such things there Which was the same thing said you as to deny the Papal Infallibility directly in fact and consequently a Heresie equal to that of Calvin This is that which you maintain'd in your Thesis's and which you order'd to be decided against me in the Sorbonne but now thanks be to the Regale I am pronounc'd to be Orthodox by a solemn decree of all the assembl'd Clergy which it cost you as little trouble to obtain as the censure of the Sorbonne I flatter my self most Reverend Father that after this restoring of me to my former abilities which you your self have sollicited for me you will no longer be my Enemy nor of M. de Pompone my Nephew who both of us suffer in cruel Exilement all the effects of your unjust Malice You may put an end to 'em when you please Most Reverend Father and you will find me always ready to stile my self and be c. Father la Chaise however was not so taken up with the Affairs of the Regale but that he had a hand in several other concerns More especially that of the Huguenots he made his business and ever since his being Confessor he has bent all his endeavours to destroy 'em without mercy However in this respect I cannot believe that he was truly mov'd by the Kings interests for it is visible that he impoverish'd the Kingdom furnish'd his Enemies with Soldiers fomented an intestine War and lastly rais'd an obstruction not to be surmounted to impede the great design of the King upon the liberty of Europe I should therefore be rather inclin'd to think that the Huguenots being without question the most formidable Enemies the Jesuits have they would fain at any rate be rid of these troublesome Overseers who pry so narrowly into 'em and never let 'em be at rest either as to their Morals or their other Irregularities However it be this is most certain that those most unfortunate people are to look upon him as the Author of all their miseries It was he who together with the Archbishop of Paris the Marquis of Louvois and others of the same Gang set forth those terrible Declarations that appearâ—d from the year 1679 to 1685 and which were the Preliminaries to their total ruin for all this ended in that fatal blow which they so much fear'd that is to say the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes which was annull'd the 18th of October 1685. 'T is true that la Chaise two years before had found a much shorter way to exterminate 'em and to which by an Enchantment not to be imagin'd he had obtain'd the King's consent from whom he had extorted an express Order for the Massacre of all those of that Religion and thus the thing was to have been put in execution There was an Order for the marching of four or five Regiments and dispersing 'em into those places where the Huguenots liv'd under pretence of keeping them within the bounds of their duty After which Orders for the Massacre were to be sent to all the Bishops who were to have caus'd the Soldiers to have been drawn together upon a certain day appointed which was to have been the same over all parts of France and after they had made a Speech to 'em to encourage 'em against Hereticks they were to have signifi'd the Kings pleasure to 'em and at the same time to have deliver'd the King's Letters seal'd with his Signet into their hands But Monsieur the Prince who was a man of Honour and besides had a greater love for the Soldiers then to suffer 'em to embrue their hands in so detestable an Action prevented the execution of that Enterprise I have already set forth how la Chaise had always oppos'd him ever since his being made Confessor and of the League that M. de Louvois and the Father had enter'd into to remove him from the publick management of Affairs They had left nothing unattempted during the Life of the Prince and they beheld with an extraordinary jealousie the Honour which he had acquir'd in the year 1668 by the Conquest of Franche-Contè which he subdu'd in less than two Months During the War of 1672 he had signaliz'd himself at the Battle of Seneff and the next he perform'd as much as could be expected from so great a Captain The King also judg'd no body so fit to supply the Roome of Mareschal Turenne who was slain in Germany All this extremely perplex'd the Confessor who was afraid of nothing so much as that the Prince should be again admitted into Favour From which he had always found the knack to debar him till then Therefore to prevent it he redoubl'd his Efforts and prepossess'd the King in such a manner that after that Campain he never was any more entrusted with any Command He laid before the King without Intermission that the Prince being extremely Ambitious it concern'd his Majesty not to put such opportunities into his hands for the aquisition of Glory nor to permit him by that
means to become more considerable in the Kingdom than he was already that it behov'd him to remember the trouble he had put him to during his Minority when his designs made such a noise that the Queen Mother was constrain'd to seize his Person and with what Animosity from his Enlargment in 1651 to 1659 he had made War against his Majesty who was forc'd by Treaty to receive him tho without advancing him to those high Places and Dignities which he had before that if at that time he thought it good Policy to keep him in a midling Condition to prevent him from attempting any thing to his prejudice the same reasons obliged his Majesty to look more narrowly after him That the Prince's Vexation and Discontents were visible and that maugre all the care which he took to conceal it he could not forbear to display his dissatisfactions upon several occasions by comparing his present condition with what he had been formerly So that his Majesty had all the reason in the world to be assur'd that his Great Heart and his Ambition importun'd him without ceasing to extraordinary Attempts and that all things being well consider'd he was the only Prince in a condition to oppose if not to stop the Career of his Majesties Glorious Designs that he ought to consider seriously the incumbrances he would meet with if the Prince should go about to Head the Huguenots of his Kingdom and at the same time make an Alliance with Holland that would not only be able to stop his Progress but also to introduce the Enemy into the Heart of his Kingdom and then the least mischief that could befall him would be to make an ignominious Peace and restore the Huguenots their Antient Privileges All these Reasons being urg'd by la Chaise and seconded by Louvois made the King resolve to confer no more Employments upon the Prince who on the other side perceiving the suspitions which the Court had of him and how he was lookt upon with an evil Eye retir'd to his Palace of Chantilli where he was in hopes to live and dye quietly without pretending any more to publick business But it was ordain'd that his Generosity and his great Heart should always be the cause of his misfortune For about the end of the year 1683 being inform'd by M. Montauzier of a Cruel Order which la Chaise had obtain'd of the King and which he was preparing to put in excution he could not endure such Barbarities without declaring his Mind Thereupon he went to the Court and throwing himself at the Kings Fleet laid before him how great a stain such a foul Action would be to his Honour that he himself had several times oblig'd himself by promise never to make use of Violent Courses and sanguinary Ways but tho he had never engag'd his Royal Word yet that the Interest of his Honour and his Fame were sufficient to divert him from so black an Eterprize and so misbecoming a most Christian King as that was that there were other ways for his Majesty to reduce the Protestants that they were already in so low a condition that they were not able to make Head against him and if the worst came to the worst he might banish 'em out of his Kingdom These Remonstrances of the Prince wrought so effectually upon the King that he revok'd his Order and la Chaise was disappointed But his Animosity upon this redoubling he made use of this occasion to let the King understand that the reason why the Prince of Conde oppos'd with so much heat the destruction of the Huguenots was only because it would utterly ruin those designs which he was meditating to put into their Heads and the Cunning Priest made use of several kindnesses which afterwards the Prince desir'd in favour of the Huguenots to render him odious to the King and cast him absolutely but of his Favour wherein he succeeded but too well it being certain that after that the King could hardly endure to see him 1686. At length this Great Prince dy'd the 16th of December 1686 at Fontain Bleau whither he went to see his Grandaughter the Dutchess of Bourbon who lay sick of the Small Pox and many People were of Opinion that the Jesuits did not a little contribute to hasten his Death He wrote a very Pathetick Letter to the King wherein he exprest his sorrow for having born Arms against his Majesty protesting withal that since his return he had never had any other than Sentiments of Respect and Affection for his Person and Fidelity to his Service whatever suspitions had been infus'd into him to the contrary as in regard he had been in part the cause of the Prince of Conti's misfortune he begg'd his pardon with an extraordinary submission in that Letter assuring the King that the Prince was as good and faithful a Subject as his Majesty could wish or desire adding withal that Father la Chaisè knew well what he said to be truth if he would vouchsafe to testifie the Truth Cardinal Camus also had incurr'd the Confessors displeasure much upon the same account and for the same Reason as the Prince He wrote to the King a Letter wherein he lai'd it before him that it was neither for his Honour nor did it become his Justice to use violent means that for his part he could not approve of 'em and therefore besought his Majesty not to take it amiss if within his own Diocess he qualifi'd and soften'd such boistrous proceedings as much as lay in his Power At which the King being provok'd wrote a threatning Letter to the Intendant of the Diocess against the Cardinal with orders to shew it him There upon the Cardinal wrote to the Intendant that Famous Letter wherein he proves that Rigorous and Bloody means are not to be made use of to reduce People to the Religion they have forsaken and that there is no other way to deal with the Conscience but by perswasion Our Jesuit therefore who is a sworn Enemy to all those who concur not blindly with his designs incens'd the King against him withal his might and obtain'd a Warrant also to send him to the Bastile which was revok'd soon after at the intercession of the Duke of Montauzier However afterwards this worthy Prelate was haunted with a thousand vexations tho the only person that we have in France that lives a life so exemplary and so like a true Bishop He was formerly a Courtier and one that had very far engag'd himself in vanity and a luxurious Life but at length retiring from the world leading a very Vertuous and Pious Life the King made him Bishop of Grenoble For which when he went to return thanks to his Majesty he took his leave of him for all his Life after where upon the King demanding the Reason why he bid him so long a farwell he answer'd that residence was of Divine Right and that he thought himself oblig'd to reside in his Diocess as he had
Gallys who arriv'd in a short time after and I know not how many Lords that resorted to him from all parts of Italy More then this he kept five hundred Men in Pay to whom he gave a Julio a day and these Soldiers guarded his Palace a Foot and a Horseback and went the Patroll every Night in his Quarter Upon the day of his Entrance the Pope caus'd the Bull which he had set forth before against the Franchises to be fix'd up a new forbidding all People to acknowledge Lavardin for Ambassador who had no sooner notice of it but in opposition and to be even with the pope he caus'd Placarts to be pasted up in all the Corners of the Streets forbidding the Sbirri to presume to approach within five hundred Paces of his Quarter threatning to put all to the Sword that should be met within that compass The next day he sent again to demand Audience of the Pope who return'd him for answer by Cardinal Coloâ—â—â— That it was a vanity for him to demand Audience as Ambassador from the Most Christian King that he never would acknowledge him under that Character so far from that that if he continud to act with the same rashness and indiscretion he should look upon him as no other then an Enemy of Jesus Christ and his Vicar upon Earth whom he was come to Affront and Persecute even in the Sacred Chair and that he should find a way to tame his audaciousness and his impiety by those Arâ—â— which God had put into his hands iâ— he did not prevent him by a filial anâ— Christian Submission But Lavardin laugh'd at all these threats and within an hour after dispatchâ—d away a Courrier to the King his Master to give him an account of all these passages He also wrote to Father la Chaise observing to him all along what haâ— been said to him by Cardinal Coloâ—â—â— To which the Father answer'd him witâ— a Congratulation for having so punctâ—ally acquitted himself in the discharge oâ— his duty and exhorting him to continue stedfast without fearing the Arms of his Holiness which could do him no harm In regard that the King having given him his Letters of Credence had invested him with a Cuirace proof against all the Cuts and Slashes of Apostolical Weapons A noble Sentence and becoming the Author of it In the mean time when the Queen of Sweden and the Marquis of Cogolludo the Spanish Ambassador saw that Lavardin made good the Right of the Franchises by dint of ample Authority they began to repent of their having so easily submitted and represented to his Holiness that so long as they believ'd that the French would have surrendr'd to his Paternal Remonstrances they were willing to contribute toward an accommodation and to be the first that should quit their Rights of Soveraigns to the end the Most Christian King might have no pretence to alledge from their Example but since it was visible by the proceeding of his Ambassadâ—â— that he would not abate the least Tittle of his Claim they besought his Holiness to give way that they might resume their Rights since it was not to be thought that the King of France had any Priviledge above them protesting that they would ever be ready to give his Holinesâ— any satisfaction when ever they saâ— France willing to comply Things stood at this stay till the neâ— month at what time Lavardin going one Christmas night to perform his Devotions at St. Lewis's Church the Pope lookt upon that action as a new affroâ— to his Bull by which he had Excommunicated all those who abetted the Priviledge of the Franchises so that the neâ— day there appeard a Brief of Excommunication fix'd upon the Church of Saint Lewis under the name of the Cardinal Vicar Which because it is very short I shall here insert By vertue of the Apostolical Authority and by the special Command 〈◊〉 our most Holy Lord the Pope 〈◊〉 pronounce that the Parish Church oâ— St. Lewis is subjected to Ecclesiasticaâ— Interdiction because the Rector thâ— Official and the Ministers of the saiâ— Church have presum'd upon the laâ— night of the Nativity of our Lord to admit to Divine Offices and the Participation of the Sacrament Henry de Beâ—manoir Marquis of Lavardin who 〈◊〉 notoriously Excommunicated Given at Rome in our Palace December 26. 1687. The Cardinal Vicar And below the Brief was written The present Sentence is forbid to be pull'd down under the Penalty of Excommunication reserv'd to our Holy Lord. De Rubris Notarie The Marquis of Lavardin on the other side delay'd no longer then the next day before he publish'd a large Protestation against the said Breef wherein after he had muster'd together a great number of reasons to prove that the Pope did very much amiss to proceed in that manner and that the Franchises of Rome were a Right that belongâ—d to the King not to becontested or controulâ—d he concluded his Protestation with these words that without summing up so many reasons as had already been alledg'd against the Bull in Caena domini against which the whole Assembl'd Gallican Church had always exclaim'd as being of no efficacy in respect of France and publish'd by a Pope that had declar'd himself a Capital Enemy of that Crown without entring said he either into those reasons or such as might be objected against the other Bulls that serv'd for a foundation for that which is now pretended to be set forth by his Holiness which caâ— never be publish'd in the Kingdom for the reasons before receited 't is sufficient to say that he the said of Marquiss Lavardin is the Most Christian Kings Ambassador and by consequence exempted from all Ecclesiastical Censures so long as he is invested with that Character and that he will execute the Orders of the King his Master Therefore the said of Marquiss Lavardin deems it not necessary to appeal from this pretended Excommunication not well examined by his Holiness when he shall be disabus'd sâ— soon as he shall grant an Audience for the removing those false impressions that restless and turbulent people the Enemies of France have imprinted in his mind such as labour to break off the good intelligence between the Holy Father and his Majesty He believes it also needless to appeal to a future Lawful Council nevertheless at present as much as is or shall be requisite he protests the Nullity of all that is done or shall be done for the future declaring that if any one of any Quality whatever fails of that respect and due regard which ought to be paid to his Character he shall be responsible before God and Man for all the mischiefs he may draw upon himself through the offence committed against his Majesty in violating the Law of Nations in the Person of his Ambassadors Given at Rome December 27. 1687. Lavardin sent a Copy of this Protestation to the King who approvâ—d it and order'd M. Harlay the Proctor General in the Parliament at
design pleas'd the King and Father la haise was order'd to write a Letter to Conâ—â—ance congratulating his Conversion and withall to send him a Prayer Book â—ichly bound Good God! how was Constance over joyâ—d when he saw himself prevented and sought to by a Great King He answer'd the Kings kindness with all the marks of Protection that he was able to afford the French and besides that he wrote to his Majesty to â—ffer him his most humble Service proâ—esting withall that he should be always â—ady to undertake any thing in order â—hereunto He did the same to M. la Chaise with whom he engaâ—d himself â—â—om that time forward to hold a most â—â—timate Correspondence and to shew â—im that he intended to be as good as â—is word he insinuated the Jesuits into â—â—e Kings favour by means of the Maâ—â—ematicks which won him to that degree that he suffer'd 'em to Convert his Subjects in his very Court and more then that he bid 'em not be out of hopes of Converting himself And upon these hopes it was that Father Couplet a Dutchman born was sent into France with two men who styl'd themselves Mandarins to hear what was become of their Ambassadors tho the King of Siam never dreamt of any such thing This was so concerted to tempt his Majesty to send an Embassy thither which no body could take an oceasion to comment upon or tax him from thence for having beg'd the Friendship and Alliance of the Indian Prince Father Couplet had long and frequent Conferences with la Chaise concerning this Enterprize and shew'd him the great advantages that would redound to the Society which could hope no less then to engross the greatest part of the Immense Wealth which lies in the Pagods of those Countries And as for his Majesty not to speak of the great Honour it would be to him to have procur'd the Conversion of a Kingdom so far distant he had all the probabilities imaginable to make himself Master of it in time if the King of Siam could be once perswaded to admit French Forces into his Country upon pretence of defending him against the Hollanders after they had once perswaded him that they were his mortal Enemies who only sought an occasion to poure themselves into his Country and compleat the Conquest of it the business of Bantam very much assisting 'em to make him give credit to their Story The Father added that this design would be so much the more easie to the King in regard the Indians being nothing near so well train'd in War as the Europians they could not make any formidable resistance unless they were first instructed and exerciz'd by the French who were perfectly skill'd in military Discipline But in regard the King was a Prince extremely Generous and who made renown the only mark of all his great designs it might be readily believâ—d that he would not be sparing of Commanders and Officers This said Father Couplet is the Posture of Affairs which seem to me to be in such a very good condition as not to be neglected For in short altho there be no great likelihood of subduing this Empire so soon yet the King will have always one great advantage by this means viz. to be a perpetual Thorn in the Hollanders sides and so settle a good Trade for his own Subiects However certain it is that if the King undertakes this business he will prove more successful then I dare promise to my self M. Constance may be safely rely'd upon for he is a man who is already at our beck and a few more Caâ—esses and Marks of Distinction from he King will bring him entirely to his Devotion â—â—ther la Chaise being thus convinc'd himself easily overrul'd the King who appointed the Chevalier de Chaumont for â—is Ambassador and gave him six Jesuits learned in the Mathematicks to accompany him Father la Chaise wrote also to Father Verbiest at Pâ—quin to recommend 'em to him and that Letter was made publick however there is no credit to be given to it for it was a counterfeit Peice to hide from the Eyes of the World their old Practises and designs In the mean time the Hollanders who suspected the worst engag'd Sultan Agni King of Bantam to refuse the French Ambassador all manner of Audience Relief or Harbour in his Ports and to send him Orders to depart his Roads so that he was constrain'd to continue his Voyage for Siam where he was well receiv'd and when he went away he left the foremention'd Chevalier de Fourbin whom the King desir'd to have for his Lord High Admiral and in the Presence of the Ambassador gave him a Magnificent Scimitar which is the Present which he makes to all his Generals At the same time he sent Ambassadors to our Monarch who were receiv'd with extraordinary Magnificence and who were carriâ—d over all the Conquer'd Countries to imprint in 'em a high Idea of France They concluded a Treaty of Alliance with his Majesty and carry'd away with 'em a great number of Officers and Souldiers of the Kings Guards for the King their Master who had but a very ill time of it For the then King of Siam coming to dye and his Successor not enduring to be a King only in shadow while the French who were Masters of all his most considerable places were the real and substantial Kings caus'd his Subjects to fall upon 'em pell mell and put em all to the Sword especially the Jesuits 'T is true some few of the French escap'd and fled to the Hollanders who were so generous as to Protect 'em tho but a little before they had been with their Men of War to attack Paramaribo with a design to have made themselves Masters of Surinam from whence however they were repulsâ—d and forc'd to retire with loss Thus unfortunately ended the business of Siam which had been carriâ—d on by the Jesuits and undertaken by the Counsel and Advice of la Chaise which cost the King above three Millions and the Lives of above two thousand Men. Now then let us return to Europe again The King of England being resolv'd to abolish the Test and Penal Laws set forth a Declaration for Liberty of Consâ—ience and order'd the Archbishop of Canterbury and the rest of the Bishops to cause the said Declaration to be read in all Churches of their Diocesses at the end of Divine Service but the Bishops refusing to give obedience to the Kings Commands several of 'em who alleadgâ—d that it was contrary to the Laws of the Land and their own Consciences were sent to the Tower and orders given to proceed against 'em according to Law The King therefore finding he could not compass his ends this way took another course which was to send Commissioners all over England in order to perswade the people and Magistrates to admit of this new Imposition But they returning and declaring to the King the little inclination which they found in the People to so great a
if he would continue still a Neuter 1690. to put into his hands for the assurance of his Word the Citadel of Turin Verue and Verceil To which the Duke had no mind to consent because he knew it would have visibly subjected him under the power of a Master who has not the Reputation of being very tractable Constrain'd therefore to resolve one thing or other he chose the best course I mean the least evil of the two For in that Conjuncture he had no choice to make that was positively good And in the short time of his entring into the War he had experimentally found by the loss of Savoy how unfortunate a weak Prince is whose Territories serve as a Barrier between two potent Monarchs Till then all things succeeded the best that could be for the King He had been victorious at Sea against the Hollanders who were reduc'd to such an unhappy Condition that hardly a Ship had escap'd had not the Night favor'd their Retreat 'T is true that tho' in that Engagement the French Pleet had all the Advantage the Dutch won all the Honour For I believe 't was never known that Two and twenty Men of War should fight so long and so furiously against a Fleet of above Fourscore Sail while the English Fleet under the Lord Torrington lookt on all the while and did nothing In Flanders the Duke of Luxemburgh had defeated Prince Waldeck at which time the Confederates lost above 5000 Men not counting in the Prisoners of which there were a great Number But in the Conclusion what use did the French make of these Victories Did they take one Town in Flanders Did they make any Attempt upon England Nothing of all this only the Chevalier Tourville burnt two or three Fishermens Cottages and then as proud as an Ass of a new Packsaddle return'd for Brest to be Complimented for it King William taught 'em another Lesson He knew better how to make His Advantage of His Victory over K. James or rather over Tyrcennel and Lauzun For as for K. James he had packt up his Baggage so soon as he saw the Combat grow warm He 's not so improvident to thrust himself into an Army in the heat of a Fight 't is a little too much for common Nature to endure However it were King William having pass'd the Boyne in despite of His Enemies and which was worse having put 'em to the Rout made Himself Master of Drogheda Dundalk Dublin Waterford c. And had not foul weather come on too fast had taken Limerick their last Retreat But the Conquest of that City was reserv'd till the next Year for the Earl of Athlone who took it Octob. 3. 1691. and granted the Governor Mr. Boesselot very honourable Conditions This last Misfortune threw K. James into utmost Consternation so that he knew not what measures to take He often bewail'd himself to Father la Chaise whom he could not chuse but look upon as one of the principal Artificers of his Misfortune tho' he would not seem to take notice of it What shall I do and what will become of me said he to him one day transported with grief unfortunate Prince as I am Chac'd from my Kingdoms hated by my Subjects abandon'd by all the World and pity'd by No Body Oh! how dear has my Easiness cost me added he casting a wistful Look upon the Father wherein there was much to be read It has cost me my Crown my Honour and the Repose of my Life The compassionate Father who shar'd in his grief as much as his Nature would give him leave promis'd him to set all the most hidden Springs of the Jesuitical Engine at work and that the whole Society should burn their Books or restore him to his Throne Only said he 't is your Majesties business to be willing to be serv'd do but concur never so little with us and you shall see a sudden Turn of your Affairs We have more then one String to our Bow And if hitherto the Lyon's Skin has not been sufficient to cover us we must sowe the Fox's Skin to it And indeed he kept so effectually to his word that if Providence that watches over things below had not disappointed the pernicious designs of his Cabal we had seen another Revolution at least as strange as the former The Jesuits therefore were order'd to take the Field and furnish'd with good Letters of Exchange away they hurry'd into England where joining with those that still lay lurking in that Kingdom and who intreagu'd them with the principal Jacobites they hatch'd that terrible Conspiracy wherein 't was said so many Lords and Persons of all Conditions were deeply concern'd and which tended only to introduce the French into England and into London and so restore K. James to his Throne which had that been all perhaps it had been excusable in such as thought they ow'd their Allegiance to no other Soveraign but they had suborn'd a Company of Hell-born Ruffians who were to have assassinated King WILLIAM while others at the same time were to have seiz'd the Person of the QVEEN to whom perhaps they would have given no better Quarter When this Conspiracy was brought to perfection and that the Jesuits were assur'd of their People Father la Chaise gave advice to K James and told him That now it was his time to act I wouâ—d be willing to believe that the King at first had an utter Abhorrency of so black an Enterprize and that he had as great an Aversion as could be to engage himself in it and it is to me the greatest Astonishment imaginable that he should be capable of closing with it Nevertheless 't is too true that he did consent at last and that he persuaded the King of France to consent also notwithstanding his declar'd abomination of Parricides But perhaps they might conceal that Circumstance from him tho' it renderâ—d the Success most probable for 't was afterwards known that they had much ado to over-rule him to grant K. James that new Succor which he demanded He told 'em There was nothing more uncertain then the Success of their Design and that he had Employment enough for his Men to guard his own Dominions But F. la Chaise and Lausun giving him to understand that it was the surest way to stop King WILLIAM and hinder the Descent with which he threaten'd France he submitted to their Importunities and after that there was nothing discours'd of in France but of the great Fleet that was setting out for K. James True it is it was considerable enough to have giv'n King WILLIAM some trouble and to have let the Confederates have known that France was not in so low a condition as many People believ'd she was Four hunder'd Transport Ships were taken up for the embarking of 20000 Men as well Horse as Foot together with all sorts of warlike Ammunition as Powder Bullets Cannon Mortars Bombs Pickaxes Ladders c. This Fleet was to have been guarded
Lady of her condition was not to be so rudely dealt with and that assuredly the least mischief that could befall her House would be this that she would dishonour the Convent by some Foppish Trick or other to prevent which the best way would be to marry her privately and send her to her Mother till the Duke could be brought to hear reason which he would undertake himself to do After which he propos'd the Marquiss of Richlieu which the Abbes at first did not think a suitable match nevertheless she submitted to his Reasons What do you find a miss in the Marquiss said he is he not descended from a Wedlock equal to that of the Duke of Mazarin It may be he is not so rich but good Cousin be pleas'd to consider that the Riches of this World are but Vanities â—nd when the eternal salvation of a â—oul is the thing in question as it is â—ow the case of Mademoiselle de Mazarin we are not in the least to insist upon Wealth Thus the business was concluded between the Father and the Abbes and the Bishop of St. Malo's was in the Plot. For that Bishop who has actually a Wife and Children living many times busies himself with other matters besides saying his Breviary and was one of the Principal Actors in that Comedy Thereâ—pon the Marquiss of Richlieâ— was presenâ—ed to the fair Lady and the marriage discours'd of at the same time 'T is true likewise at first his Meeâ— and his want of Wit did somewhat disrelish her but at length she rather chose to accept him than to live all her days in a Cloyster Presently she was marriâ—d in the Convent it self and the Prelate before mention'd perform'd the Ceremony Which done they procur'd a Man's Habit for the new Marchioness and in that dress she went into her Husbands Coach They drove directly to Cours la Rheme where they found one of the Bishops travalling Coacheâ— ready which carry'd 'em to St Deâ— where they took laid Horses rode Poâ— to Callies and thence got over intâ— England But some scrupulous persons that would have an Author give 'em an account of every thing he sees will ask me perhaps how Father la Chaise came to intrigue himself so far in this Affair I can say nothing as to that unless it were perchance out of his Affection for Madam de Mazarin who was his Patron and his Benefactors Neice It might be also that the fifty thousand Livres which the Marquis of Richlieu charg'd upon the Banker Grusle for his Brother M. la Chaise might contribute something toward the matter For he knew not well other wise how to raise the money which he was to pay for Captain of the Guards of the Gate which he had purchas'd of the Marquiss of St. Vaâ—ier for four hundred thousand Livers which was a cheap penny worth considering it had been sold for five hunder'd However 't was too much for a Begger as he was to raise and if beside the fifty thousand Livres the Confessor had not made a shift to sell some Benefices in hugger mugger he had never had as now he has the Keys of the Louvre in his Custody But let us leave these trifles and proceed to Affairs of greater consequence About this time Monsieur Sebret Envoy Extraordinary to Siam return'd home and with him came Father Tachart a Jesuit Ambassador from the New Convert to his Holiness and his Most Christian Majesty He was accompani'd by eight Mandarins who attended him as his Gentlemen This Father brought to the King the Ratification of the Treaty of Alliance made with the King of Siam by virtue of which that Prince surrender'd into his hands several Places of great Importance The Chevalier Fourbin return'd also in the same Vessel whose too great favour had render'd him odious to M. Constance who was afraid of being thrown out of the Saddle by him and therefore could no longer suffer him in Place So that Fourbin was forc'd to give way to the strongest and be gone But this giving way did not satisfie the others Ambitious and Revengeful spirit He wrote therefore to Father la Chaise upon this Subject complaining highly of Fourbin calling him Braggadochio and Boutefeu who setting a high value upon himself yet having a very small Fortune was more like to spoyle then accomodate Affairs However fearing he should not be believ'd upon his word and that his Majesty should resent the ill usage of the Chevalier he engag'd Father de Fontenay Superiour of the House of Siam to write in the same stile wherein he serv'd Constance so well that the poor Chevalier tho Nepew to the Bishop of Beauvais was glad of a Fregate of twelve Guns after he had been Admiral of the Siam Seas More then this they seizâ—d all his Baggage in Britagn under pretence of goods that were lyable to pay Custom nor could he get 'em again without a great deal of trouble after they had been search'd and detain'd above six month But 't was no wonder they were so kind to the Sieur Constance in regard he was the Man to whom the King was beholding for all the Power which he has in Siam This Man was a Grecian by Birth born at Cephalonia an Island belonging to the Venetians of very mean extraction tho Father Trachart will have him to be the Son of the Governour wherein he is much deceivâ—d for I have been at Cephalonia my self and know his Family His name is Constance Queralcky and not Phancon as the same Father asserts or if he assum'd that name it was only the better to conceal himself Now in regard he was reduc'd so low as to beg Alms his Mother got him to be a Ship-Boy in an English Vessel where he was instructed in the Protestant Religion Afterwards he came to be a common Seaman and as such a one went to the East Indies where it was no difficult thing for a young fellow that had wit to get money with which he traded for himself and in process of time was Consul for the English By that means he became known at Court and particularly at that of the Baccalon or Prime Minister of Siam who at the end of his Consulship took him for his Secretary In that Employment he won the very heart of the Boccalon and he the Affection of the King by his Secretaries management so that offering to undertake an Ambassy at half the expence which the Moors requir'd he was sent and upon his return the Boccalon being dead he was preferr'd in his Room At that time it was that the Jesuits perceiving how useful he might be to 'em ceas'd not to haunt him till they had over rul'd him to quit the Protestant Religion which he abjur'd before Father Thomas and Father Maldonnar who immediately wrote to la Chaise joyntly with Father Verbiest and then propos'd to him the Project of settling the French in that Kingdom and by consequence the ruin of the Dutch Trade in that Country This