or Write any other new Laws agaonst Roman Catholicks The great Concessions of King Iames towards the Roman Catholicks brought great swarms of Priests and Jesuits into England who were busie in drawing the People from the Protestant Religion And a titular Bishop of Calcedon privately came to London to Exercise Episcopal Jurisdiction over the Roman Catholicks of this Kingdom 'T is said that the King had now so much confidence of the Match as to say openly in the Courâ— That now all the Devils in Hell could not break it The Spaniards the better to cover their Designs ordered that the Infanta should be stiled the Princess of England and she was kept no longer in her Virgin Retirements The Spanish Match having been long in Treaty and it being suspected now that the Spaniard did juggle with the States in this as they formerly did in a Match with that brave Prince Henry Whether the King suspected any such matter or any whimsie came into the Brains of the great Favourite and Prince to imitate the old Stories of the Knights Errand but agreed it was it should seem that the Prince must go himself very privately into Spain with his Favourite Buckingham under the borrowed Names of Iack and Tom Smith and they had the Ports laid so that none should follow them to give any Notice to the French Court through which they must pass And now many Lords and other Servants flock over that he might appear the Prince of Great Britain Many Treaties were soâ—etimes Hope sometimes Fear sometimes great Assurance then all dasht again At last after many Heats and Cools the Prince wrote a Letter to his Father of a desperate Despair not only of not enjoying his Lady but of never more rerurning Now the folly of this Voyage began to appear many smiling at the Follies that were concerned in it and however the King was a cunning Dissembler and shewed much outward Sorrow as he did for Prince Henry's Death yet the Court believed little Grief came near his Heart for that secret Hatred he had of late bore to Buckingham as being satiated with him and his Adorning the Rising Sun made it generally thought that he would not value the losing his Son so that Buckingham might be lost also Yet Buckingham had so much awe over the King that he durst not make shew to affect any other One great Reason of the King 's Hating of Buckingham was a large Information that he privately received from one Inniosa an Extraordinary Ambassador from Spain of Buckingham's Design on his Person whether by Poyson Pistol Dagger c. he could not tell Buckingham being fully satisfied on several Accounts of the great Hatred the King now bore unto him He turned as great a Hater of the King and though the King had more power to Revenge He had less Courage And however the World did believe the King's Inclinations was out of a Religious ground that he might not Revenge yet it was no other but a Cowardly Disposition that durst not adventure But altho the King lost his opportunity on Buckingham yet the black Plaister and Powder did shew Buckingham lost not his on the King and that it was no Fiction but a Reality that Padro Macestria had formerly told the King And now the Prince returns from Spain and all the fault of the Match not succeeding is laid on Bristol who was Ambassador there And Buckingham from an Accused Man in the former Parliament came to be the Darling of this Parliament And in the Banquetting-House before both Houses of Parliament does Buckingham give an Account at large of his Spanish Voyage and to every full point as a further Aâ—testation he saith How say you Sir To which the Prince answered I Yea or Yes Bristol having some Friends that sent Advice of All into Spain He immediately posts into England makes Buckingham's Relation and Accusation wholly False and Scandalous and becomes a great Favourite to King Iames. I shall now bring the Secret Story of this King's Life to an end He now goes his last Hunting Journey I mean the last of the Year as well as his Life which he ever ended in Lent and was seised on by an extraordinary Tertian Ague yet 't was not the Ague as himself confessed to many of his Servants one of which câ—ying Courage Sir this is but a small Fit the next will be none at all At which he most earnestly looked and said Ah! It is not the Ague afflicteth me but the black Plaister and Powder given me and laid to my Stomach Nor was it fair Dealing if he had fair Play which himself suspected often saying to the Earl of Montgomery whom he trusted above all Men in his Sickness For God's sake look I â—ave fair Play to bring in an Emperick to apply any Medicines whilst those Physicians appointed to attend him were at Dinner nor could any but Buckingham answer it with less than his Life Buckingham visiting the King just as he was at the point of Deathâ— who mournfully fixâ— his Eyes on him as who would have said You are the Man that has ruined me It were worth the knowledge what his Confessions was or what other Expressions he made of himself or any other but that was only known to the Dead Arch-Bishop Abbot and the then living Bishop Williams and the Lord-keeper and it was thought Williams had blabbed something which incensed the King's Anger and Buckingham's Hatred so much against him that the loss of his Place could not be explatory sufficient but his utter ruine must be determined Now have we brought this King who stiled himself the King of Peace and put on Mortality the 27 th of March to rest in all Peace We shall conclude his Remarks with an Appendix shâ—â—ing the particulars of a great manâ— Millions of good English Money even to an almost incredible Sum this King Expended on his Fruitless Embâ—ssies B ng Favourites Beggarly Scots Ant-Suppers Masqueradoes and other Buffoons even to a far greater Sum than his Predecessor Queen Elizabeth of Happy Memory Expended in all Her Wars in Ireland and with Spain c. during her Forty Four Years Reign King IAMES's LETTER TO Pope CLEMENT Most Holy Father HAVING understood by several Reports how diligent the Rivals of our Condition have been that the Sword of your Authority should he unsheathed against us and with what constancy your Prudence hath hitherto refused it we could do no less than return Thanks for such a good turn received especially upon so fair an Occasion when the Bearer of these a Scotch Man by Nation but a Roman by Adoption was returning unto your Dominion We recommend him to your Holiness to whom for his good Parts you have been already Beneficial that you would attentively bear him in those things which he shall deliver in our Name And because we know there is no better Remedy against the Calumnies of Ill Willers who by commemorating our Injuries done to Catholicks procure Envy to
day the King writes a Letâ—er to the House to excuse his not Signing Strafford's Execution But the Commons would not be satisfied until the Bill was signed The Fall of this great Mâ—n startled many other Officers of State and occasioned the resigning their Places August 6. Both the English and Scotâ—h Armiâ—s were Disbanded and Four Days after the King went towards Scotland and was entertained with great Demonstrations of Affection by that Nation and conferred several Places of Honour and Power upon divers of them He confirm'd likewise the Treaty between the Two Nations by Act of Parliament Octob. 23. 1641. The Horrid and Notorious Massacre and Reâ—â—llion broke out in Ireland At which time the Irish to dishearten the English from any Resistance asserted That the Queen was with their A mâ— That the King would come amongst them also anâ— assist them That they did but maintain his Câ—use agaiâ—st the Puritans That they had the King's Commâ—ssiâ—n for what they did Whether these Assertions wâ—re true or falseâ— we shall not pretend to determine but leave it to the Readers own Senâ—imentsâ— only we beg leâ—ve to incert here by way of Parenthesis a Letter sent to the Popâ— by order of Charles the II. when he had taken the Câ—venâ—nt and was professing the Presbyterian Religion in Scotland it was carried thither and pressed forward by one Dallie an Irish Priest and Confessor to the then Queen â—f Portugal under the Title of Propositions and Motives for and on the behalf of the most iâ—vincible King of Great Britain France and Ireland to Pope Innocent the X. in the Year of Jubilee 1650. which Dallie taking France in his way spake with the Queen Mother and received her Directions for the better management of the Affair Most Blessed Father OUR Agent at present Residing at Rome with all Humility shews your Holiness That the principal Cause and Occasion of that Regicide Tyranically perpetrated upon the Person of Charles the First Father of the aforesaid Charles the Second by his Rebels and cruel Subjects the like whereof was never heard of â—rom the beginning of the World not only among Civil Nations but even among the most Barbarous themselves have been the Graces Favours and Concessions so often and so many ways extended to the Catholick Religion and the Asserters and Professors thereof in the Kingdom both of England and Ireland The Truth of which appears in that the aforesaid Charles the First gave Authority to the Marquiss of Ormond by several Commissions for the Establishing and Perfecting all Conditions with the Confederate Catholicks of the Kingdom of Ireland of sufficient Security for the Catholick Faith Furthermore the said Charles the First fearing lest the said Ormond being an Heretick should not satisfie the said Confederates in all things He sent thither the Marquiss of Worcester a Man truly and wholly Catholick with a more ample Commission in which Commission the said Marquiss of VVorcester had fâ—ll Authority of concluding a Peace with the said Confederate Catholicks and of giving them Conditions altogether satisfactory as well concerning Liberty of Religion as also as to other Injuries that had been done unto them which the said Marquiss of VVorcester making with them an abâ—olute Peace did abuâ—dantly fulfil Further This appeareth in that the said Charles the First even in England it self did by Commissions set the Catholicks namely the said Marquiss of VVorcester Sir Arthur Ashton and many others over his Armies and made them Governours of Cities Castles and Strong Holds notwithstanding the Clamour of the People against it and which was not a slight motive of the Regicide committed upon him wheâ—eby it appears that although the said King Charles the First dyed not a Catholick yet he died for them Again most Blessed Father the same Agent most humbly â—epresents That the present King Charles II. the true and undoubted Heir of the foresâ—id Charles I. and of all his Kingdoms to whom the said Kingdoms belong of Right according to that of Christ Give to Caesar the thing that are Caesars while his Father yet lived was known to have good and true Inclinations to the Cathâ—lick Faith following which and going on in his Fathers steps he did not only râ—commend it to the Marquiss of Ormond but gave it him in Express Command to satisfie in all things the Confederate Caâ—holicks in Ireland namely That he shouâ—d grant them the â—ree Exercise of their Religion That he should abrogate the Penal Laws made against them and that he should restore to the said â—atholicks whether Laicks or Ecclesiâ—sticks their Lands Estates Possessions or what other Rights did at any time belong unto them and by the said Laws had been unjustly taken away In Obedience to which Commands the said Marquiss in the Name and by the Authority of the said two Kings namely Charles the First and Second made and concluded a firm Peace with the said Confederate Catholicks By the Conclusion of which Peace the said present Kingâ— and all his Dominions hath involved himself with the Catholicks in an irreconcileable War against the Parliamentarâ—an Regicides of England whose Blood therefore the said Cruel Tyranâ—s insatiably thirst after as they did after his Fathers The said Agent further offers to your Holiness That the inhumane Regicides do wickedly Usurp to themselves in the Dominions aforementioned all the Authority of the King do most cruelly Persecute all the Catholicks both in England and Ireland pâ—rtly by condemning them to Banishment partly by putting them into Prisons and otherwise corporally punishing them and lastly by putting them to Death a Witness of the Truth hereof is that great Slaughter made by Cromwel in the taking of the two Cities of Droghedah and VVexâ—oâ—d and other Places where all the Catholicks without Distinction of either Sex or Age were Slaughtered Witness hereof also the raging Persecution and Death of Catholicks in England by all which and by their Parliamentarian Decrees themselves and their Covenant with God as they call it it is evident even beyond the clearness of the light of the shining Sun That these Tyrannical Regicides do ultimately intend and put forth all their Power for the utter Destruction of all Catholicks and to â—xtirpate by the Root and wholly to extinguish the Catholick Faith throughout the World openly asserting and boasting with great Glory that these things being once finished in those Dominions they will then invade France and after that run through Germany Italy and all Europe throwing down Kings and Monarchs whose very Titles are most odious and abhorrent unto them Briefly they have no other thing in their Aim than these Two Namely The extirpation of the Catholick Religion and the destruction of Monarchy To which wicked Machination of theirs forasmuch as it could never have any the least Hopes that either the King or his Father should at any time in the least Assent they have put the one to Death and the other to Exile And these Rebels now with a neâ—arious boldness
and White-Hall that the King fearing their Intentions thought fit to withdraw to Hampton-Court The next day the Five Members were Triumphantly guarded to Westminster by a great number of Citizens and Sea-men with Hundreds of Boats and Barques About this time the Parliament had notice that the Lord Digby and Coll. Lunsford were raising Troops of Horse at Kingston where the Country Magazine was lodged Whereupon they Order That the Country Sheriffs Justices of the Peace and the Trained Bands shall take care to Secure the Countries and their Magazines Lunsford was Seised and sent to the Tower but Digby escaped beyond Sea The King removed to Royston and Ianuary 20. He sends a Message to the Parliament proposing the Securiâ—y of his own Rights and Prerogative and as to matter of their Grievances He would equal or excâ—ed the most Indulgent Princes in Compliance with them After this the House of Commons importune the King to put the Militia and Command of the Tower inâ—o their Hands as the only available Means for the removal of their Fears and Jealousies But the King not willing to Comply with their desire signified to them that He thought the Militia to be lawfully subject to no Command but his own and therefore would not let it go out of his Hands it being derived to Him from his Ancestors by the Fundamental Laws of the Kingdom The King bâ—ing now at Hamptonâ—Câ—urt sent for the Earl of Essex aâ—d Holland and other Membâ—rs of both Houses that were his Domesticks but they refused to come In the mean time Mr. Pym at a Conferâ—nce complaining of the general sâ—ocking of Papists into Iâ—elâ—nd affirmed That since the Lieutenant had ordeâ—ed a stop upon the Ports against all Irish Papists many of the chiâ—f Commanders now at the Hâ—â—d of the Râ—bels had been Licensed to pass thither by the King 's immediate Warrant The King was highlyâ— offended at this Speech which he signified to thâ— House wâ—o in their Answâ—r to his Messageâ— justifie Mr. Pym's words to be the sence of the Houseâ— and that they had yet in safe Custody the Lord Delvin Sir G. Hamilton Collonel Butler and Mr. Nettervil To which the King replys That the afore-mentioned Persons had their Passages granted before He knew of the Parliaments Order of Restraint therefore expected their Declaration for his Vindication from that odious Calumny of Conniving or under-hand Favouring that horrid Rebellion But the King's Desire proved fruitless for they next moved to have Sir I. Byron tnrned out from being Lieutenant of the Tower and at their nomination Sir I. Coniers succeeded They then proceed to Name fit Persons sor Trust of the Militia of the several Counties particularly that for the Defence of the City of London the Parliament the Tower to be Commanded by Major General Skipton The King had deferred His Answer to their Petition for settling the Miâ—itia of the Counties according to the Nomination till his Return from Dover where he took leave of his Wife and Daughter and so returned to Greenwich where he being Arrived sends his Answer to the Petition about the Militia That He was willing to divest Himself of the Power of the County Militia for a limited time but not of London and other Cities and Corporations This Answer did not in the least satisfie so that the Breach growing every day wider the King declined these Parts and the Parliament and moved to Theobald's About the beginning of March He receives a Petition from the Parliament wherein they require the Militia more fervently than before affirming That in ease of denial the eminent dangers would câ—nstrain them to dispose of it by the Authority of Parliament desiring also That He wnuld make his Abode near London and the Parliament for the better carrying on of Affairs and preventing the Peoples Jealousies and Fears All which being refused they presently oâ—der That the Nation be put into a posture of Defence in such a way as was agreed upon by Parliament and a Committee to prepare a publick Declaration from these Heads 1. The just Causes of the Fears and Jealousies given to the Parliamentâ— at the same time clearing themselves from any Jealousies conceived against Himself 2. To consider of all Matters arising from His Majesties Message and what was fit to be done And now began our Troubles and all the Miseries of a Civil War The Parliament every day entertaining new Jealousies and Suspitions of the King's Actions They now proceed on a sudden to make great Preparations both by Sea and Land And the Earl of Northumberland Admiral of England is commanded to Rig the Kings Ships and fit them for Sea And likewise all Masters and Owners of Ships were perswaded to do the like The Beacons were prepared Sea-marks set up and extraordinary Postings up and down with Pacquets All sad Prognosticks of the Calamities ensuing August 22. 1642. The King comes to Nottingham and there erects his Standard to which some Numbers resorted but â—ar shot of what was expected And three days after the King sends a Message to the Parliament to propose a Treaty which was accepted but quickly broke off again The War being now begun the New raised Soldiers committed many Outrages upon the Country People which both King and Parliament upon complaint began to Rectifie The King himself was now Generalissimo over his own and the Earl of Essex for the Parliament The King's Forces received the first Repulse at Hull by Sir I. Hotham and Sir I. Meldram and the King takes up his Quarters at Shrewsbury Portsmouth was next Surrendered to the Parliament and presently after Sir I. Biron takes Worcester for the King In September the two Princes Palatines Rupert and Maurice Arrived in England who were presently Entertained and put into Command by the King This uncivil Civil-War was carried on in general with all the Ruines and Desolations immaginable wherein all Bonds of Religion Alliance and Friendship were utterly destroyed Wherein Fathers and Children Kindred and Acquaintances became unnatural Enemies to each other In which miserable Condition this Nation continued for near Four Years viz. From August the 22. 1642. the time the King set up his Standrrd at Nottingham to May the 6. 1646. the time when the King quitting all Hopes put himself into the Protection of the Scotch Army at Newark During this Process of time several Mâ—ssagâ—s past divers Treaties set on Foot and other Overtures of Accommodation but all came to no effect The War in England being now aâ—ter so much Bloodshed and â—uine brought to some end the Parliament were at leisure to dispute with the Scots concerning the keeping of the King who fâ—aring least Fairfax should fall upon them and compel them to deliver him up Retreated further Noâ—thwaâ—dâ— towards New-Castle The Parliament sent an Invitation to the Prince of Wales to come to â—ondon with Promise of Honour and Safety but he did not think fiâ— to venture The King sends from New-Casâ—le to the Army about a Treaty
Sovereign Igniâ— fatuus to misguide them into all the Snares of Ruine and Perdition Execrable Oathes were the chief Court-Acknowledgments of a Deity Fornications and Adulteriâ—â— the Principal Tests of the Peoples Loyalty and Obedience Certain it is That the Kingdom was never in a better Posture for the King to work upon it than at the time of his return into England For such were the Contests for Superioriâ—y among those who had taken upon them the Government after the Death of Oliver such the Confusions and Disorders that from thence arose that no body could probably see where would be the end of the general Distraction unless it were by reducing all things to their primitive Condition under a Prince whose Title was so fair to the Crown For which all Parties were the more inflamed by the King 's reiterated Oathes Promises and Declaâ—ations to those of the Church of England to maintain the Protestant Religion to the Dissenters That he would Indulge their Tender Consciences with all the Liberty they could rationally desire And so inâ—atuated they were with these Ingratiating Wheedles that should all that knew him beyond-Sea both at Colen and in Flanders have spoken their Discoveries with the Voices of Angels nay should the Letter which he Wrote with his own Hand in the Year Sixty Two to the Pope have been shewn them in Capital Letters they would have been all looked upon but as Fictious and Inventions to obstruct the Happiness of the Nation The king was not ignorant that in order to bring his intended Designs about he was furnished already with a Stock of Gâ—ntlâ—men who being forced to share the misfortunes of his Exiles and consequently no less imbitteted against those whom they looked upon as their Oppressors he had moulded many of them to his own Religion and Interest by Corrupting them in their Banishment with them insomuch that a certain Gentleman offered to prove one day in the Pensionary House of Commons That of all tâ—e Pâ—râ—ons yet Persons of all Ranks and Qualities who sojourned with the King Abroad there were scarce any then alive except Prince Rupert Lord M. and Mr. H. Coventry who had not been prevailed upon by His Majesty to Nor could their being restored to their â—states at his Return separate them from their Master's Interest for that besides the future expectations with which the King continually fed them they had bound themselves by all the Oaths and Promises that could be expected from them to assist and co-operate with him in all his Dâ—signs though they were dispensed with from appearing bare-fac'd So soon therefore as the Parliament that gave him Admittance into the the Kingdom was Dissolved the King call another the first of his own Calling and so ordered the matter that the greatest part of the Masked Revolters got in among the real Protestants By which means all things went Trim and Trixy on the King's sideâ— They restored him the Milltia which the Long Parliament took from his Fatherâ— They Sacrificed the Treasure of the Nation to his Profuseness and Prodigality They offered up the Righâ—s and Liberties of the People by advancing â—is Prâ—rogative and what was most conducing to the King's P. Designs they made him by private Instructions those Penal Statutes which divided the Two prevailing Protestant Parties and set them together by the Ears by Arming one Party of the Protestants against the rest such a darl-advantage to the Papists and upon the obtaining of which he set so high a value that neither the necessity of his Aâ—â—airs at any time afterwards nor the Application and Interposure of several Parliaments for removing the Grounds of our Differences and Animosities by an Indulgence to be past into Law could prevail upon him to forego the Advantages he had got of keeping the Protestants at mutual Enemy one with another and making them useful to his own Designs Nor was this all But that he might carry on his Popish Designs the more saâ—ely and covertly under the cursed Masque of Hypocrisie he procured the passing of an Act in his Pensionary Parliament 1662. whereby it was made Forfeiture of Estate and Imprisonment for any to say The King was a Papist or An Introducer to Pâ—pery Nevertheless notwithstanding he was thus become a Protestant by the Law of the Laâ—d to repeat how he exerted the Power given him by the Parliament how he Persecuted and Prosecuted the Protestant Nonconformists throughout the Kingdom how he caused to be Excommunicated Imprisoned and Harrased when not a Papist in the Three Kingdoms was so much as Troubled or Moleâ—ted is a thing that would be altogether needless as being so well known to the World I had almost forgot another great kindness which the Parliament did him which was at the private Instance of the King to Abrogate the Trienial Act by which the Sitting of a Parliament once in Three Years was infallibly secured to the Kingdom So well did this Monarch know where the Shoe pinched him and so crafty was he to take his Advantage from the Delirium and Frensâ—e the Nation was in upon his Restoration to obtain the repealing of the Principal Laws by which his wrigling into Arbitrary Government would have often been curbed and restrained But whether it were that the prodigall Zeal of those Members began to cool conscious perhaps that they had already opened too large a Gap to Tyrannous Invasion upon the Liberties of the People which they had so Treacherously laid at the King's Mercy or whether it were that the King resolved to quicken his to Arbitrary Rule to the end he might see Popery flourish in his own days certain it is that the next attempt was to make Parliaments themselves the Ministers and Instruments of his own Popish Ambition and our Slavery In order hereunto He falls a Buying and Purchasing at certain and Annual Rates the Vote of the Members at what time the greatness of the Number of those that stood ready for Sale as well as their Indigencies and Lusts made the Price at which they were to be bought so much the easier Now being thus hired by His Majesty with their own free Offerings of the Nations Money How many Bills did they pass into Acts for Enslâ—ving and Ruining a Third part of the Kingdom under the Notion of Phanaticks and Dissenters And all this in graritude of their Sallaries and to accomplish the Will and Pleasure of their Lord and Master the King whose Bought and Purchas'd Vassals and Slaves they were All this while what can we say or think other but that the Purchaser as well as the Sellers were guilty of betraying the People who had intrusted them And then to make a President by Law for Tyranny these Hirelings empowered the Justices of the Peace to disleize Men of their Estates without being Convicted and found Guilty by Legal Juries of the Transgressions whereof they stood Accused By which they not only overthrew all the Commons and Stature Law of the Land but they
Hereticks and that all good Christians were bound to Associate and Unite for their Extirpation Upon which Account it seems our King and the Duke thought fit to exchange the Appellation of of Gâ—od Protestants for that of Good Christians However from hence it was plain what sort of Good Christians they were since it was evident that their Uniting with France in that War was to desâ—roy the Pâ—otestant Dutch Hereticks These being the real Grounds and Motives that induced the King of England to begin that Impolitick War agâ—inst the Dutch in the year 1665. whatever was openly and publickly pretended How strangely was the Parliament deluded and blinded by the King's Oaths and Protestations of his Zeal for the Protestant Religion What Sums of the Subjects Money they gave this Monarch to defray the Expences of that nnnecessary and baneful War is too well known and yet after all saving one brisk Engagement ill manag'd tho' with some losâ— to the Dutch at length no Fleet was set out and the choicest of their Royal Navy either Burnt or taken in Harbour to save Charges And though the French at lengâ—h joyn'd themselves in assistance with the Dutch against us yet by the Credit he had with the Queen-Mother he so far imposed upon that upon assurance which no Mâ—n of Prudence and Foresight would have believed That the Dutch would have no Fleet at Sea that Year he forbore to make ready and so incurred that ignominious Disgrace at Chatham the like to which the English never suffered since they claim'd the Dominion of the Sea And now we come to the best Act that ever he did in his Life had he pursued it which shewed how happy a Prince he might have been had he been ever faithful to his own and the Interests of his People and that Religion which he outwardly profest For upon Conclusion of that Peace having leisure to look about him and to observe how the French had in the Year 1667. taken their opportunity and while we were embroyled and weakned by the late War had in Violation of all the most Sacred and Solemn Oaths and Treaties Invaded and Taken a great part of the Spanish Netherlands which had always been considered as the natural Frontier oâ— England the King then prompted more by his own Fears then out of any kindness he had for the Nation judg'd it necessary to interpose before the Flames that consumed next Neighbour should throw the Sparks over the Water Thereupon he sent Sir William Temple then his Resident at Brussels to propose a nearer Alliance with the Hollanders and to take joynt Measures against the French which Proposals of Sir William Temple's being entertained with all Compliance by the Dutch within Five days after Two several Treaties were concluded between the King and the States The one a Defensive and stricter Leagâ—e than before between the Two Nations and the other a joynt and reciprocal Engagement to oppose the Conquest of Flandâ—rs and â—o procure either by way of Meditation or by â—orce of Arms a speedy Peace between France and Spain upon the Tâ—rms therein mentioned And because Sweeden came into the same Treaty within a very little while after â—rom the Three Parties concern'd and engag'd it was called the Tripple League In pursuance of which the Treaty of â—ix la Chapelle was also forc'd upon the French and in some measure upon the Spaniards who were unwilling to part with so great a part of their Country by a Solemn Treaty The King of France thus stopped in his Career by the Tripple League and by the Peace of Aix la Chapelle soon after concluded tho' for a while he dissembled his dissatisfaction yet resolved to untye the Tripple League whatsoever it cost him and therefore set his Counsels to work to try all the ways he could possibly think on in order to compass his sad Design To which purpose and as it 's generally thought that which aâ—â—ected it the Dutchess of Orleance was sent over to Dover where if common Fame say true several Chamber Secrets were performed This Treaty was for a long time a work of Darkness and lay long concealed till the King of France to the end the King of England being truly set forth in his Colours out of a despair of ever being trusted or forgiven by his People hereafter might be push'd to go on bare faced and follow his steps in Government most Treacherously and Unking like cauâ—ed it to be printed at Paris though upon Complaint made at the French Court and the Author though he had his Instructions from Colbert to humour the King committed to the Bastile for a short time and then let out again However the Book being Printed some few Copies lit into safe Hands from whence take the Substance of the Mystery of Iniquity as followeth After that Monsieur de Croisy the French Embassador at London had laid before the Eyes of the King of England all the Grounds which his Majesty had of Complaint against Holland c. He told him That the time was come to revenge himself of a Nation that had so little Respect for Kings and that the occasion was never more favourable seeing many of the â—rinces of Germany were already entred into the League and that the King of France was powerful enough to be able to promise to his Allies in the Issue of that War for satisfaction both as to their Honour and Interests whereby he prevailed with that Prince to enter into Secret Alliance with France And for his greater Assurance and the more to confirm him Henrietta Dutchess of Orleance went for England and proposed to her Brother in the Name of the most Christian King that he would assure him an absâ—lute Authority over his Parliament and â—ull power to establish the Cathoâ—ick Religion in his Kingdoms oâ— England Scotland and Ireland But withal she told him that to compass this before all things else iâ— would bâ— necessary to abate the Pride and Power of the Dutch and to reduce them to the sole Province oâ— Holland and that by this means the King of England shâ—â—ld haâ—e Zealâ—nd â—or a Retreat in case of necessity and that the rest of the Law-Countries should remain to the King of France if he could render himself Master of it This is the Sum of that Famous Leage concluded at Dâ—vâ—r framed and entred into on purpose for the Subjugaâ—ion of these Three Nations to Popery and Slâ—very Soon â—fter this the Emperor oâ— Germany the Duke of Lâ—rrain and several other Gâ—rman Princes desired to be admitted into the Tripple League but it was absolutely refused them Nay So soon as the Two Consâ—derate Monarcâ—s haâ— thus made a shift to cut the Gordian Knot the now pitiful but formerly vaunted Trippâ—e Leaguâ— was trampled under foot turned into Ridiâ—niâ— and less valuâ—d than a Ballad Insomuch that to talk of admiâ—ting others into the Tripple League was apprâ—hended in Print as a kind of Fiâ—â—â— of Speech commâ—nly called a
his intriguing Reign there can be nothing sharp enough to penetrate the stupid and besoâ—ted Bigortry of those that stand in his Justification But notwithstanding the willful blindness of such People it is to be hoped that other Men less byassed and having the same just pretences to common Understanding have a greater value for their Reason than to forfeit it to prejudice and an Interest now exploded by all the sober part of the World And having once disintangled their Judgments from the Incumbrances of Iure Divino Nonsense they will then find That the whole course of his Reign was no more than what this Memorial discovers and that the frequent Breaches of his Word and Promises both to his Parliaments and People were but the Effects of the Religion he Professed and owned in his Ambassadors Memorial one of the chief Principles of which it is Not to keep Faith with Hereticks and by which he was obliged to be more faithful to the King of Poland than the King of Heaven Hence it was that notwithstanding his Declaration at Breda design'd and penn'd to obtrude a seeming appearance of Truth and specious Face of Integrity upon the Nation after he came to be restored and settled we found our selves deceiv'd in all that we expected from the Faith and Credit of his Royal Word To which we may subjoin that other Famous Declaration upon shutting up the Exchequer Wherein tho his Sacred Word and Royal Faith were in plain and emphatical Terms laid to pledge for Repayment yet the Events in the Ruine and Impoverishing of so many Families did no way consist with his Gracious and Solemn Promises As for the Covenant whatever the Oath were it matters not here to dispute but they who were Witnesses of his taking it observed that if ever he seemed sincere in what he did it was in binding his Soul by that Soâ—emn Oath and yet he not only openly and avowedly broke it but câ—used it to be burnt in all the Three Nations by the hands of the Common-Hang-man Where can we find a more matchless piece of Dissimulation than in his Signing that Declaration in Scotland which he published under the Title of A Declaration of the King's Majesty to his Subjects of the Kingdom of Scotland England and Ireland Charles the II. having long trifled with the Papists his beloved Friends and indeed had so carried himself that neither Papist nor Protestant could tell what to make of him yet the Papists resolved they would be no longer dallied with by him And therefore so soon as he had made all Things ready for his Brother's Exaltation after he had prevented his Exclusion from the Thrâ—ne and put all the Power of his Dominions into his hands to give way for him that truly Reigned while he but only wore the Name of King he was struck with an Appoplexy as it was given out for let the true â—ause be what it will a Prince always dies of some Disease or other in the Physicians Catalogue but such were the Circumstances of his Death that Men began to discover their Suspitions freely to the World before he was cold However it were certain it is that he was Absolved from all his Sins by his great Friend John Huddleston and that the Priests gave him Extream Vnction At what time one of his Relations forcing his way into the Room and seeing them at it could not forbear saying That now they had Oyl`d and Greas'd his Boots they had made him fit for his Journey And this is yet more remarkable That all the while he lay upon his Death-Bed he never spoke to his Brother to put him in mind of preserving the Laws and Religion of his People but only recommended to him the Charitable Care of his Two Câ—ncubines Portsmouth and poor Nelly Nor was it a small Aggravation of the general Suspition to find him hurried to his Grave with such â—n Vngrateful Secrecy in the dead of the Night as if they had feared the Arresting of his Corps for Debt not so much as the mean pomp of the Blue-Coat Bâ—yst Sâ—ng him to Heaven Insomuch that he was hurried by his Brother whom he had so highly obliged with far less decency then was perrmitted for the Funeral of his Father by his Capital Enemies that had beheaded him But that perhaps might be so ordered by Providence to signiâ—ie that he was not worth the publick Lamentation of the People whose Religion and Liberties he had been always designing to subvert THE SECRET HISTORY OF King IAMES II. TO him succeeded Iames the II. not more pernitiously desining but more eagerly bent in the Chase of National Ruine and Destruction He came into England full freighted with his Mothers Religion and her Malice to the People of the Nation but wore at first the same Vizard Mask of Protestantism which his Brother did But tho he were fitter for the Business they both designed yet he understood not how to manage it so well so that had he been the Elder Brother we may undoubtedly presume to say he would have been much sooner thrown out of the Saddle greatly to the saving both the Honour and Treasure of the Nation and the Life of many a worthy Gentleman and true Lover of his Country 'T is well known and a thing confirmed by Two Letters yet to be seen wherein one of the Kings own Chaplains then upon the spot when it was done imparâ—s and laments it to a Bishop That the Duke of York while he was yet but very young made a solemn Renunciation of the Protestant Religiâ—n and was reconciled to the Church of Rome while he sojourned with his Mother in France in hopes by the assistance of the Papists to have defeated his Eldeâ— Brother of his Right of Inheritance tho he had all the Indulgence imaginable to conceal his Convulsion where it might be for his private Advantage and the general good of the Cause And so eaâ—ly was this Ambition of his to supplant his Elder Brother that when â—he Scots were treating with the exil'd King to restore him to the Throne of Scotland That he was at that very time practising with such as remained faithful to the King's Title here that they would renounce his Elder Brother and chuse him for their Sovereign And for that Reasoâ— it was that the Duke forsook him at Bruxels and withdrew into Holland so that the King was necessitated not only to command him upon his Allegiance to return but was constrained to send the Duke of Ormond and some other Pesons of Quality as well to threaten as persuade him before he would go back And as he was an early Traytor to his Brother ' so he did no less treacherously attempt the disowning of his first Wife For finding her extraordinary Chastity to be such that he could not be admitted to her Bed but upon the lawful score of Matrimony he was at last Married to her but so very privately that only the King and some very few
Friends were privy to it After which perceiving that his Brother's Restauration was fully determined in England under pretence that it would be more for his own and the Honour and Interest of his Brother to Marry with some great Princess that would both enrich and strengthen them by the largeness of her Dowry and the graatness of her Relations he would have taken an Occasion from the privacy of the Nuptials to deny her being his Wife` and disavow all Contracts and Ceremonies of Marriage between them But the King detesting so much buseness as being himself a witness of the Marriage would not suffer the Lady to be so heinously abused but constrained him after great reluctancy to declare it publickly to all the World A happy Providence for England which by that ' Conjunction blest us with two Pâ—otestant Princâ—sses matchless in Virtue and Prety and all those other Graces that adorn their Sex to the eldest of which we are beholden â—or our Deliverance from an Inundation of Slavery and Popery under the Auspicious Conduâ—â— oâ— a Sovereign truly meriting the Noble and Ancient Titles of King of Men and Shepherd of the People and the yet more dignified Addition of Defender of the Faith And from the youngest of which we have already the earnest of a hopeful Issue to guard us from the like Invasions Such is the Provision of Providence that many times it happens the most venemous Creatures carry about them the particular Antidote against thier own Poysons Certain it is that the Duke of York would never have pulled off his Protestant Vizard nor have declared himself of the Roman Communion so soon had he not been thereto necessitated by a Stratagem of the King his Brother for the Papists having a long time waited for the Accomplishment of the King's Oathes and Promises for restoring their Religion and having annually contributed large Sums of Money towards the effecting of it at length grew impatiently sullen and would advance no more unless the King or the Duke would openly declare themselves for Popery Which the King thinking no way seasonable for him to do and not being able by all his Arguments and Importunities to prevail with his Brother to do it he at length bethought himself of this Project which was To get the Queen to write a Letter intimating her Intention to withdraw into a Monastery which Letter was to be left upon her Closet-Table that her Priests as it was concerted before-hand might there seize it and seeing the Contents of it carry it forthwith to the Duke Upon which the Duke being Jealous left the King upon the Queens relinquishing her Husband might be induced to marry again and thereby deprive him of the hopes of succeeding than which there was nothing which he thirsted after more upon obtaining a previous Assurance that in case he declared himself a Papist she would not withdraw immediately pulled oâ—f his Mask and renounced Communion with the Church of England Being thus quit of his fears from the King his next work was to did himself of all his Jealousies of the Duke of Monmouth To which purpose he lay day and night at the King to require him to turn Roman Catholick Which the King out of his Tenderness to the Romish Cause as well as to gratifie his Brother undertook to do and accordingly sent him into France with an express Command to reconcile himself to the Church oâ— Rome However the Duke of Monmouth out of an aversion to â—he Fopperies of that Religion failed in his Performance which so incenseâ— the Duke of York that from that time â—orward he studied all the ways imaginable to bring him to Destruction In the mean time having by his publickly declâ—ring himself a Papist engaged all those of the same Religion to his Person and Interest he resolved to drive on Iehu like and to promote the Catholick Cause with all the vigour and swiftness he was able and to make the utmost use of his Brothers good Intentions And such was his Bigottry to the Romish Church That according to the Principles of that Religion he stuck at nothing per fas nefaâ— to bring about his Popish Designs I shall not here dilaâ—e upon his secret Negotiâ—tions at Rome his Correspondencies with Foreign Priests and Jesuites or his private Intrigues with the French King which have been all sufficiently exposed already in Print as for thaâ— whatever has been already said of the King is also to be said of him in general while he was Duke in regard they both drew in the same Yoak for the Ruine of the Nation For this is as certain as the rest that he had a most eager desire to Rule and Rule dispotically which was the Reason he was frequently heard to say He had rather Reign one Month as the King of France than Twenty Years as his Brother the King of England did And besides it was as plain That he had a mortal Autipathy against the Protestant Religion and more particularly against the Professors of it in England but more especially the Dissenters upon the score of revenging his Fathers Death An imbittered hatred which he derived from his Mother who mortally malliced England upon the same Account and which he acknowledged in his Bed-Chamber at St. Iames's where he openly declared That he was resolved to be revenged upon the English Nation â—or his Fathers Death Which if those unthinking People who are so eager to have him agaiâ— would but consider they would not be so forward for his Return For it is in vain for the Church of England â— Men of what degree soever to think that their refusing to swear Allegiance to King VVilliam and Queen Mary would excuse them from that Universal Revenge which he would take upon the Nation were it ever again in his Power Only here was the Difference between the Two Brothers That the King thought to ruine his Enemy by main force and the fair hand of Victory but the Duke hoping to kill two Birds with one Stone made it his business at the same time to ruine the Enemy by force and his own Country by treachery Thus when he had engaged his Brother in the first Holy Dutch War of the Extirpaâ—ion of Hereticks he permits the English at â—irst to exercise all the Bravery of their Skill and Couâ—age to a great probability of Success but then falls asleep in the height of his Conduct to the end the Dutch for want of Orders might have â—n opportunity to wrest the Victory out of the hands of the English on purpose to keep the balâ—â—nce of Destruction on both sides even Thus he â—â—rmitted himself to be surpriz'd at Soul-Bay knowing there were enoâ—gh to maul the Enemy but not enough to preserve those that sought on our ride So that the Dutch may be said to be well â—hrashed and the Eâ—glish to be well sacrificed And as a farther Demonstration oâ— his perâ—idious Soul when he found the Contest would be too tedious between
about him and expose the English to the usual Dangers of sâ—oad-beaâ—ers Which together with their ununwillingness to Engage the Deliverers of their Country so alienaâ—ed their Hearts from him that they deserted him by Troops and Regiments Despoâ—ding at this and more terrified with a little bleeding at the Nose than he had been with all the innocent Blood which he had caused to be spilt â—e returns back to London and having sent his Queen and her Babe beâ—ore which was sufficient Warning for Dada Peters and the rest to provide for themselves he withdrew from the City but being taken rifled and seized by the Country People near Feversham before they knew him he was brought back to White-hall where having his Choice given him to stay in England or to go beyond Sea he rather chose by a voluntary departure to abâ—icate the Realm To which he was advis`d by his Council that assured him The Distractions of the Kingdom would make way for his Return in a little time Which God forbid And thus to the surprize of all Men came to pass a Revolution so Sudden so Great and Unexpected that History cannot parallel It seem`d a Laybyrinth of Providence to which the Belov`d of Heaven WILLIAM HENRY only had the Clue while Prudence and Fortitude were the Araidnes that gave him their Assistance to subdue the Minotaur that devoured our Religion and Liberties Two conspicuous Examples at once of Heaven`s Indignation and the Almightyâ—s Favour the one pursuing to his downfal an Apostate from God and an Oppressor of his People and exposing him among unbelieving Bâ—g-Trotters upon the lingring Death-bed of his gasping Glory the fettered Vassal of the once fawning Confederate The other prospering with Miracles of Success the Generous Redeemer of the True Reformed Religion from the devouring Jaws of that double headed Monster Popery and Slavery By whose Auspicious Conduct two late languishing Kingdoms groaning under the heavy weight of Misery and Tyranny enjoy a Jubilee of Peace and Tranquility and freed from the dâ—ily fears of Masâ—acre and Destruction in the fair way to recover their Pristine Glory have now no more to do but to repay their Praises to Heaven and their due acknowledgments to them that have approv'd themselves the truly indulging Father and Mother of their Country A Prince the wonder of His Age a Princess the Miracle of Her Sex in whom all Virtues as in their proper Centre meet rendring the Nation happy in Two in One as the whole World is blest in Three in One and upon whom next under Heaven depend â—he Hopes of all that cordially desire the Welfare and Prosperity of Christendom Here ends the Secret History of the Four Last Monarchs of Great-Britain AN APPENDIX Containing the Secret History OF King IAMES the II. Since his Abdication of England Continued to this present November 1692 3. Being an Account of his Transactions in Ireland and France With a more particular Respect to the Inhabitants of Great-Brittain WHen one looks back and reflects upon the continued Conduct of our late Monarch both before and after his Accession to the Crown and the dismal Consequences thereof to these Three Kingdoms and at last to himself I cannot but regret the Fate of those Princes that abondon their true Interest Reason Conscience and Honour to Iesuitick Councils and enslave themselves to a Party justly abominated by the better part of the Romish Church it self for their gross Encroachments upon Religion Morality and all that 's Sacred among Men. When I look back to the many Tragedies acted by that Fraternity both in this and the last Age scarce a Kingdom or State in Europe where their Villanies have not come up to the utmost reach of depraved Nature When I call to mind the horrid Desolations Murders and Wars they have been instrumental of in the most remote parts of the World witness some Millions of Souls in Iapan and other parts of Asia Sacrific`d not many Years ago to their Ambition and Intrigues under the Notion of propagating the Catholick Faith I say when I consider all these things I am the less surprized with the dismal Effects of their Councils in England since the same Fate attends them every where But I must confess that among all the Martyrs to Loâ—ala`s Principles the late King Iames is the Subject of Admiration To see a Prince imposed upon by these jealous Bigots to trample upon the Religion and Liberties of his People contrary to the Fundamental Laws and the most solemn Promises and Oaths under the false Mask of Piety and Zeal to the Catholick Faith and at length to find him seduced to abandon his Kingdoms and thereby an absolute necessity put upon the Representatives of the People to fill up his Throne vacated by his own Fault is a Subject that naturally displays the Vanity of humane Greatness And I may add That the unaccountable Doctrine of Passive Obedience as it was the Source of a great many Mischiefs among our selves so what has bâ—â—allen thâ—â— King may be partly imputed to it for the bâ—â—â—â—ing That without controul he might do what he pleased encouraged him to take such â—easures as have brought upon him all his Misfortunes Soon after the late King Iames's Abdicating of England and retiring to France it was judged by him and his doubly Deputy Fyrconnel the â—ittest time to put the long contrived Designs of Subâ—erting the Protestant Religion and iâ—troducing Popery into full Execution in the Kingdom of Irelâ—nd â—otwiâ—hstanding the ill Success the like Attempt had met with in England upon which in December 1689 there was a Moâ—ion made in Couâ—cil for disarming all the Prâ—testants of that Kingdom that had any Arms left them which being known and most concluding that as soon as their â—rms were taken there being then a hot discourse of a general Massâ—cre 't was only to leave them more naked and exposed so as that it might have its full Effects more easily and with less opposition upon them which alarm'd the Protestants so that many Thousands came flocking over to avoid that fatal stroke Now were the few Protestants who liv`d disperst left to shift for themselves In the mean time the Lord Tyrconnel who still had the Sword undemanded and undisposed of to any other issues new Commissions not only to the Roman Catholicks who had some Estates bnt to all who were willing to stand up for the Cause that were Men of broken Fortunes and worse Fame that could influence the Rabble and raise Companies only with this Salvo that they should maintain them for three Months at their own Cost and Charges and then they should have their Commissions given them by which it was adjudged in regard there was but little Money in the Treasury they should be fitted for Service against King Iames should come or send them Money or that if the Deputy found an Army ready to Land out of England what Money was there would be little enough to bear his Charges and
quae ut reliqua habet omnia Siveritatem non habet obtinere nomen non Potest THE SECRET HISTORY OF King IAMES I. TIme which puts a period to all things under the Sun began now to sheaâ—â— the Sword of War that had been long disputing the Controversie which Religion and Policy that Princes mix together had for many Years so fiercely maintained The wâ—â—ring out of that old but glorious and most happy Piece of Soveraignty Queen Elizabeth bating the Spaâ—ish Violence and ending with the Irish Rebellion and Submission of the great Earl of Tyrone as if the old Genius of Iron-handed War and a new one Crowned with a Palm of Peace had taken Possession of the English Nation Iames the Sixth King of Scotland was Proclaimed King of England For though Princes that find here a Mortal Felicity love not the noise of a Successor in their Life time yet they are willing for the Peace of their People to have one when they can hear no more of it That which this Blessed Queen could not endure from others She was pleased to express her self and bequeath in her last Will as a Legacy to this then happy Naâ—ion He was Thirty Years of Age when he came to the Crown How dangerous the passage had been from his vâ—ry Infancy to his middle Age is not only written in may Histories but the untamâ—d and untractable Spirits of many of that Nation are a sufficient Witness and Record The wise Queen found many petty Titles but none of that Power any other Hand that should have reacht for the Crown might have caught a Cloud of Confusion and those Supportâ—rs and Props that held up Her Greatness loth to submit to Equals made Scaffolds to his Triumphs In the prosecution of wâ—at I shall remark relating to this Kingâ— I shall avoid all unnecessary Severity and observe moâ—e Duty and Respect than may possibly be thought due by Posterity to the Person of a Prince that after so exact a Pattern as Queen Elizabeth left him did by debauching Parliaments and so often breaking his Word so far irritate no less than impoverish the Subject as his Son was forced to give Concession to one rendâ—red indissolvable but by their own Will A mischief never could have befallen England had King Iames left them in the same blessed Serene temper he found them at the Death of the Queen The News of which was brought him first by Cary after Earl of Monmouth who not able to satisfie such a concourse of Doubâ—s and Questionsâ— as far more resolute Natures than His do oâ—ten muster up on less occasâ—ons the King stood as in a maze being more affected through the fear of Opposition than pleased with the present Report till by a lamer Post He was adverâ—ised of His being joyâ—ully Proclaimed in London by the Lord Mayor and Aldermen and of the unquestioned Recepâ—ion His Title in all Places met with no less than that the Hopes of some and Feâ—rs of the major part assisted by the prudent Carriage of the Treasurer and ranting Protestations of the Earl of Northumberland that in all Places vapoured he would bring Him in by the Sword had stopped their Mouths that desired he might be obliged to Articles Amongst these truly Noble Heroick and Publick Spirits was Sir Walter Rawleigh the Lord Cobham Sir Iohn Fortescue c. Who were all afâ—erwards ruined by the King and the Noble Sir Walter most Barbarously câ—t oâ—f This Prince held his Thoughts so intent upon Ease and Pleasure that to aâ—oid any interruption likely to impede any part of the Felicity he had possessed his imagination with from the Union of these Crowns and to fit an Example for his Neighbours imitation whom he desired to bring into the like Resolution he cast himself as it were blindfold into a Peace with Spain far more destructive to England than a War King Iames throughout his whole Reign contenting himself with the humble thought of being a Terror to his own People not valluing that himself or Nation should make any considerable Figure among Forreign Princes At his first coming he was long detained from Westminster by a Plague looked upon as the greatest till exceeded in that which broke out after his Death taken by the ill boding English for a presage of worse Days than they had already seen The good Government of Queen Elizabeth not being in probability likely to bear the Charges without falling into some destructive commotion of Two such Expensive Princes Succession without having one more popular to intervene After the Peace of too much concernment to his Catholick Majesty to afford him leisure to imagine much less to insert so rugged an Article as the performance of any Promise our King had â—ade â—efore his Reception in case the Papists did not oppose which I have found Registred by many and so high as amounted to a Toleration at least if not an Establishing of Popery he then observed in prudence it could not be conceded by this new King having so many of his Subjects Protestants for one of the Romish Profession and being bâ—sides no more Zealous than other Princes that make use of a Religion only for a Fence to immure their Persons and Prerogatives but â—steem it a meer accident where reason of State drives on a Bargain without it These neglects of the Kings of Spain and England the first remaining as careless of his Faith as the other did of the performance of his Word put the Roman Câ—tholicks for the present into so great a Despairâ— that led them into that damned Conspiraâ—y called the Gun powder Treason the account of which in general is so well known that I need not here â—nlarge only give some hints concerning it which is not common to be met with The French Ambassador then resident at Court affirming to some Persons of Quality his Intimates That the first Intimation of the Powder Tâ—eason came from his Master who received it from the Jesuiâ—s of his Faction to the end he might share in our Ruines The Kingdom of England being in the Pope's own Judgment at that time too great an addition to that of Spain where though it was first coined some say during the days of Queen Elizabeth â— yet the Priests that undertook the promoting of it sought to render it the most beneficial they could to their respective Patrons And here I cannot omit that after this happy Discovery his Majesty sent an Agent on purpose to Cougratulate King Iames's great Preservation A Flattery so palpable as the Pope could not refrain laughing in the Face of Cardinal D' Ossat when he first told it him nor he forbear to inform his King of it as may be found in his Printed Letters it being notorious that at King Iames's first assumption to the Throne of England none sought his Destruction more cordiâ—lly than the Spaniard till a continued Tract of Experience had fully acquaiâ—ted him with his Temper Nor was our King himself backward in â—omenting
in about three days For God's sake let me said the King Shall I shall I Then lolled about his Neck slabbering his Cheeks as formerly the Earl was scarcely in his Coach when the King used these very Words I shall never see his Face more Let the Reader judge whether this Motto of Qui nescit dissimilare nescit regnare was not as well performed in this Passage as his Beati Pacifici in the whole course of his Life But before Somerset's approach to London his Countess was apprehended at his Arrival himself Now are in Hold the Earl his Countess Sir Thomas Monson Mrs. Turner Weston and Franklin with some others of less Note the three last Named were immediately Arraigned Tryed and Executed The next that came on the Stage was the Countess and Sir T. Monson but the King being informed that the latter would discover some Secrets of Prince Henry's Death and other Court Intreagues He immediately dispatched an Order to Coke to stop Prosecution And now for the last Act enters Somerset himself on the Stage about whom many Sâ—ratagems were used and the King was put in great Fear before they could get him froâ— the Tower to Westminster to take his Tryal but it was at last affected by a Stratagem of Sir George Moor Lieutenant of the Tower but yet for fear he should flie out into some strange Discovery against the King he had two Servants placed on each side of him with a Cloak on their Arms giving them a peremptory Order if that Somerset did any way stie out on the King they should instantly Hoodwink him with that Cloak and take him violenâ—ly from the Bar But the Earl finding himself thus over-reached recollected a better Temper and went on calmly in his Tryal where he held the Company till Seven at Night But whoever hâ—d seen the King 's resâ—less motion all that Day sending to every Boat he see Landing at Greenwich-Bridge Cursing all that came without Tydings would have easily judged all was not right and there had been some grounds of his Fears of Somerset's Boldness But at last one brings him word he was Condemned and the Passages all was quiet And there were other strong Inducements to believe Somâ—rset knew that by him he desired none other should be partaker of and that all was not Peace within in the Peaceâ—maker himsâ—lf for he ever courâ—ed Somerset to his dying Day and gave him Four Thousand Pounds per Annum for Fee Farm Rents after he was Condemned and the King kept Correspondence Weekly with him by Letters to his Death Some are of Opinion that his Countess and he would both have suffered had it not been for an unhappy Expression of Chief Justice Coke who in a vain glorious Spâ—ech to shew his Vigilancy enters into a Rapture as he sate on the Bench saying God knows what become of that sweet Babâ— Prince Henry But I know somewhat And surely in seâ—rching the Cabinets he lighted on some Papers that spoke plain in that which was ever whispered which had he gone on in a gentle way would have fall'n in of themselves not to have been prevented but this solly of hit Tongue stopt the breath of the Discovery of that so foul a Murther And now begins Villers the new Favorite to Reign without any controulment now he rises in Honour as well as Pride being broken out of the modest bounds that formerly had impailed him to the High-way of Pride and Scorn turning out and putting in all he pleased First he gets the Lord-Admiral turned out and himself made Lord High Admiral Next He procured the Seal to be taken from Egerton Lord â—eeper and procures the place for Bacon who was to pay him a large Pension out of it Heath Attorney General paid a Pension Bargrave Dean paid a Pension with multitudes of otherâ— Foâ—herhy made Bishop of Salisbury paid down 3500 l. for his Bishoprick There were Books of Rates on all Offices Bishopricks Deaneries in England that could tell you what Fines what Pensions all which went to maintain his numerous Beggarly Kindred which otherwise it had been almost impossible to have maintained them with Three Kingdoms Revenue Then must these Women Kindred be Married to Earls and Earls Eldest Sons Barons or chief Gentlemen of greatest Estâ—tes insomuch that the very Female Kindred were so numerous as sufficient to have Peopled any Plantation Nay the very Kitchin-Wenches were Married to Knights Eldest Sons Proposals being made for a Match with the Infanta of Spain and some Progress being made therein it was resolved That Sir John Digby by Commission under the great Seal was authorized to treat and conclude the Marriage and because the matter of Religion was in chief Debate those qualified Articles that were brought out of Spain were sent backâ— signed with the King's Hand They were to this Effect That the Pope's Dispensation be first obtained by the meer Act of the King of Spain That the Children of this Marriage be not constrained to be brought up Protestants nor their Titles to the Crown prejudiced in case they prove Catholicks That the Infanta's Family may be Catholicks and shall have places appointed for their Divine Service according to the Vse of the Church of Rome and that the Iesuits and other Ecclesiasticks and Priests may walk in their proper Habits That she shall have a competent number of Iesuits Priests and Chaplains and a Confessor always attending Her one whereof shall have Power to govern the Family in Religious Matters The People of England having in Memory the intended Cruelty of 88. and hating the Popish Religion generally hated this Match and loathed the thoughts of having the Romish Priests to walk about the Streets in their Habits and would have bought it off at the dearest Rate and what they durst oppos'd it by Speeches Counsels Wishes Prayers but if any one speak louder than his Fellows he was soon put to silence disgraced and crossed in Court Preferments The Roman Catholicks desired the Match above Measure hoping for a Toleration yea a total Restauration of their Religion For besides the publick Articles these following private ones in Favour of the Roman Catholicks were subsrcribed and sworn to by the King they were in substance as followeth I. That particulâ—r Laws made against Roman Catholicks as likewise general Laws under which all are equally comprised if so be they are such which are Repugnant to the Romish Religion shall not hereafter on any Account or Means be put in Execution against them II. That no other Laws shall hereafter be made anew against the said Roman Catholicks but that there shall be a perpetual Toleration of the Roman Catholick Religion III. That We and the Prince of Wales will interpose our Authority and will do as much as in us shall lie That the Parliament shall Approve Corfirm and Ratifie all and singular Articles in Favour of the Roman Catholicks And that hereafter we will not consent that the said Parliament should ever at any time Enact
two Nations so well matched it was the Dukes Contrivance to Suborn and Bribe two indigenâ— and desperate Vilâ—ains to go over and Fire the 〈◊〉 Shipâ— as they lay in their â—arbours â—nd when he had done thatâ— it was the same Treachery that with a sham story lulled his â—rother â—â—lâ—ep and prâ—cured the Firing of our Ships at â—â—â—â—ham The burning of London was such a marâ—hless piece as could not have entered into the Breast of any but a bejesuited Herostratus in hopes to purchase the infamous immortality of a Popish Saintship by reducing to Ashes the graetest Bulwark and Magazine of the Protestant Religion in Europe Rome was set on Fire by Nero to have re-built it again more Gloriousâ— and that he might have space enough for one of the most sumptuous Pallaces so designed under the Sun thereby to have made the Mistress of the Earth the Wonder of the World But London was Fired not only to destroy the Wealth and Habitations of the City never to have risen more but with an intention to extirpate the Inhabitants themselves to boot and to have turned the Venerable and Spacious Pile into a depopulated Wilderness by a general Massacre of the People under the Consternation of the spreading Flames The standing Sâ—reets provided and furnished with Incendiaries with fresh Materials to revive and restore the weary Conâ—â—â—gration and when taken in the Act resâ—ued out of the Hands of those that seized them and sent to St. Iames's to be there secured from the Rage of the Mulâ—itude and then dismissed without Persecution An excellent way to have made all sure by mixing the Blood of the Inhabitants with the Ashes of their Dwellings the only Cement which the Papists believed would fasten and bind the Fabrick of the Romish Church and what greater piece of Persidy could there be than while the Duke was riding about the Streets under Pretence of Assisting to quench the Fire that his Guards were at the same time employed to prevent the People from remâ—ving their Goods and his Palace made the Refuâ—e of such as were taken in the very â—act of cherisâ—ing and fomenting the Flames This the Committee of Parliament trac'd so far that it cost the Life of the poor Gentleman that gave the Information of these Things to the Chair man of the Committee to prevent any further Discovery and secure the D. from the Danger of his Life Coleman's crying out There was no Faith in Man was a most undeniable Testimony of the Treachery of his Master notwithstanding all the faithful Service he had done him and was it not a Magnanimous and generous Act of a Prince to betray as he did to the Gallows not only his most trusty Servant but his Fellow Partner in the Conspiracy More Inhumane still was the barbarous Murder actually contriv'd and brought to perfection by the encourag'd Instruments of the Duke For he it was that sent word to Coleman to bid him â—ake no care for that Sir Edmundbury Godfrey should be remov'd out of the way and at the same time took the like care that his Servant Coleman should follow him For it was Detection that he feared and the Dâ—ke well knew that the Dead could never tell Tales The Particulars of the Murder and how far the Circumstances of it reached the Dâ—ke are too fresh in Memory â—o be here inserted and Disâ—ensation for Deeds of the blackest hew were so easily obtaiâ—ed that it was no wonder the Duke so little boggled at a single Murder to conceal the Designs of general Masâ—acres wherein he was engag'd In pursuance of which he was no lesâ— industrious to bring the Presbyterians and all the Dissenting Protestants within the Snare of his Sham-Plot in order to the Destruction of Thousands of innocent Persons This Dangerfield discovered to the World and his Information taken upon Oath before Sir William Roberts and Sir William Poultney are extant wherein he gives an Accounâ— of his being introduced several times into the Duke of York's Prefence Particâ—larly that being once among the rest admitted to the Duke of York ' Closet at White-Hall he kissed his Hand upon his Knees Aâ—d then being taken up by the Duke he gave him a little Book containing the whole Scheme of the Presbyterian Plot for which the Duke thank'd him as also for his diligence to the Catholick Cause and wishing good Success to his Undertakings added these words That the Presbyterian Plot was a thing of most mighty Consequence and I do not question but the Effects of it will answer our Expectation especially in the Northern Parts where I am well assured the Major part of the Gentry aâ—e my Friends and have given sufficient Demonstrations to me as also of their Intentions to prosecute this Prescyterian Plot for they are no Strangers to the Design At the same time he ordered Dangerfield to be very careful of what he communicated to the Persons who were to be Witnesses in that new Plot lest he should be caught in the Subordination and so bring a terrible Odium upon the Catholicks and make himself uncapable of any further Service Then for Encouragement in the Prosecution of the Sham Plot the Duke promised that he would take Care that Money should not be wanting and ordered him with all the Expedition the Thing would allow to make a Discovery to the King At the same time the Duke also made divers Vows and bitteâ— Execrations to stand by him in the Thing and engaged upon his Honour to be his Rewarder and in earnest give him Twenty Guineas with his own Hand and telling him withal what a great Reputation he had gained among the Catholicks and that in a short time he should see the Catholick Religion flourish in these Kingdoms with a great deal more to the same purpose Of the truth of which among many others there could not be a more convincing Proof than the bitter Enmity which the Duke bore to Dangerfield after his Discovery and the severe Usage which he received from Iefferies the Duke`s Creature and the Rhadamantine Dispenser of his Revenges In Scotland he Rul`d or rather Reign`d though in his Brother's Life-time with a more Arbitrary and Lawless Controul And there it was that he breath`d forâ—h his Venome against the Protestants utterâ—d his Tyrannous Maximes with more â—reedom and exercised his Tyranny with a more boundleâ—s and exorbiâ—ant Extravagance For there it was that he first undertook to exercise the power of Soveraign Rule reâ—using to take the Oath of High Commissioner which the Law of the Counâ—râ— required as here he had dâ—nied to take the â—est and to shew how he intended to Govern England when it came to his turn there it was that in the hearing of Persons of great Credit he had this worthy Apothegm That tho` in England the Lawyers ruled the Court yet in Scotland he would rule the Lawyers There is was that he positively denied to give the Parliament any security for the Preservation of their Religion in
to Iean Nimport of Brest or to such other Persons as shall have Authority from Us to receive the same Signed Melsort Given at Our Court at the Castle of St. Germans Feb. 22. 1691 2. Here you find instead of a more warrantable Ambition of recovering Three Kingdoms he poorly descends to grant his Commissions to Privateers to Rifle and Spoil all the Subjects of England Scotland and Ireland indifferently to Burn Sink and Fire their Vessels c. and all this without respect of Persons Interests or Religion The severest Roâ—anists or most violent Iacobiâ—e without exception is to be swept in the common Doom So that instead of pretending all his former promised Impurity and Tenderness to the People of England or instead of Bravely grappling at his Royal Rival in the Imperial Seat he vilely assumes little less than a common Pyrat Authorizes the Depredations of the Eâ—glish Merchants even by the very Hands of English Men. This last poor Spirited Meanness must either plainly tell us that he has utterly renounced all Hopes of Recovery of his Kingdoms and so under that Despair he resolves to play at a small Game rather than stand out which indeed is the best Title I can give it and consequently like the famous Dyonisius sumed Pedagogue when he can scourge Kingdoms no longer he prepares his lesser Rods for a more Tyrannick Lash or else that forgetting that he ever was a Monarch and therefore blushing at nothing though never so Unprincely he contents himself with being under-Secretary to the French King whilest the little Iames is bâ—t a Subscription to the Great Lewis The French King deputes him as his Emanuensis to Copy Commissions for him and the contented Receiver of that high Favour is paid to officiate in the Trust. It was Remarkt of him that at his first Departure from England upon his Transport from Feversham he uttered this Expression That he had rather be a Captain of Light Horse under the French King than Reign King of England udder the Lâ—sh and Countroul of Parliaments A Captain of a Troop of Horse is no over-high Post But truly of the two 't is much the more Honourable than the Granting of such Commissions But indeed all these tend to the aggradizing of the French King the Poorer the Subjects of England the stronger the Grand Lewis his inviolable Zeal and Fidelity therefore to the most Christinn so titled Nero supercedes all other Considerations and fas aut nesas Right or Wrong Honourably or Infamous nothing comes amiss that carries the least Shadow of Service to that darling Idol One thing is very remarkable in the Ianus Faces of King Iames's Preâ—ences This very Commission found on Board a Prize taken on the West of England the last Summer was dated at St. Germans the 22 th of Febr. 1691 2 which pray observe bearing date before his intended Invasion impowers this Privateer to enter into any Port or River of England Scotland or Ireland and commit all those Hostilities of Fireing Sinking Burning â— Aâ—l Trâ—ders Vessels whatever at the same time that this Declaration prepared for his Reception in England intimated all the Affection and Tenderness imaginable to the Interests Property and what not of his Subjects of England viz. That he was coming only to recover his own Right Establish and Restore their Laws and Liberties and yet at the same time he gave out Commissions to Wastâ—e Ruin and Destroy the most innocent Traders of the Kingdom possibly no wayâ— interested in the Titles and Disputes of Princes in Parties or Causes but on the contrary only endeavouring a peaceable Acquisition of their Bread by their honest Commerce and Industry To conclude From all this Prince's Actions in the whole Series of his Life it is no difficult matter to make a Judgment of what we may justly expect from him if ever Divine Judgment as the Reward of our Ingratitude for so great a Deliverance should permit us to fall again under the heavy Yoke of a Popish Prince whom we have so justly and happily thrown off King Iames is of a Religion that has infamous Council decreed That no Faith is to be kept with Hereticks much less with Subjects that he looks upon us as so many and will not miss to treat them as such when-ever they give him the Opportunity of doing it For his greatest Admirers do not run to the heighth of Idolatry to imagine him so much Angel as norâ— to take all Methods to revenge such an Affront and secure himself at our Cost from such Treatment for the future The Apprehensions of which Resentmentâ— would strike such a Terror in Mens Mind that nothing would be capable to divert them offering up All for an Attonement and Popery and Slavery will be thought a good Bargain if they can but save theâ—r Lives Then we might lament our Miseries when it would be out of our Power to help them for a Prince of Orange is not always ready to rescue us with so vast Expence and hazard of his Person And I must say if ever our Madness should hurry us thus far we should become rather the Objects of Laughter than of Pity In short if there be any of the Prostant Perswasion so strangely infaâ—uated as but to wish his Return I shall entertain them with no other Answer but the recommending to theâ— the Ninth of Ezra v. 13 14. And after all that is come upon us for our evil Deeds and for our great Trespass seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our Iniquiâ—ies deserve and hast given us such a Deliverance as this Should we again break thy Commandments and jâ—â—n in affinity with the People of these Abominations wouldst not thou be angry with us till thou hadst consumed us so that there should be no Remnant nor escaping FINIS