lay the Peace and Security of the Cities of London and Westminster by taking care to disarm all Papists and secure all Jesuits and Romish Priests and in all things endeavour to promote his Highness's generous Intentions This Declaration they ordered to be presented to his Highness by the Earl of Pembrook the Lord Viscount Weymouth the Lord Bishop of Ely the Lord Culpeper The same Day the Lieutenancy of the City of London met there also and agreed upon and signed an humble Address to be presented to his Highness by a Committee appointed viz. Sir Robert Clayton Sir William Russel Sir Basil Firebrass Kts. and Charles Duncome Esq The substance of which Address was to acknowledg the great Danger his Illustrious Highness had expos'd himself to both by Sea and land for the Preservation of the Protestant Religion and the Laws and Liberties of this Kingdom and the happy Relief he had brought to us and therefore they humbly desired that his Highness would be pleased to repair unto the City of London with all the convenient speed he could for perfecting the great Work He had so happily begun to the general Joy and Satisfaction of all The same day the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Commons of the City of London in Common Council assembled agreed on and signed an Address to be presented to his Highness the Prince of Orange the Contents whereof was To acknowledg the peril his Highness had exposed himself to both by Sea and Land and the happy Deliverance he had brought to our Nation and therefore they in the name of their Capital City did implore his Highness's Protection and did humbly beseech his Highness to vouchsafe to repair to the City where his Highness should be received with universal Joy and Satisfaction All which Addresses were presented to his Highness the Prince of Orange by the Persons appointed the 14th of December at Henly being accompanied with a great number of Citizens c. But whilst all this was transacting the late King was surprised at Feversham in Kent in a small Vessel his Guards and Coach was sent for him and he returned to Whitehal Sunday Dec. 16. about six of the Clock in the Afternoon which was some surprise to the Prince of Orange however he pursued his Journey to London and from Henley went to Windsor and set up his Standard where we shall humbly crave the liberty to leave his Highness at this famous Castle with all the Nobility and Gentry attending him and proceed with his Highness's Puissant Army for a while The Rear Regiments coming up some were quartered in one Village and some in another at Tylehurston the Regiment of the Right Honourable Colonel Sidney commanded by the Honourable Colonel Cutts was now alarm'd that the Irish were coming and had burnt Kingston upon Thames putting Man Woman and Child to the Sword and that part of these Tories were gone unto Basing-stoke to do the fame there insomuch that a certain Person who was an Inhabitant of that Town was constrained to keep away from the Place and come to the Regiments There was now riding and posting from one Town to another all the Night long and People every where in a kind of confusion As part of our Regiments of Horse were coming to Reading the Irish Souldiers gave out great swelling Words and lofty Speeehes how they would hack them to pieces there and how they would defend the seven Bridges This was on the Lord's Day and as we were informed there by divers Persons of Credit they designed to massacre the People at their Worship had they not been prevented which obliged the Inhabitants to send to the advanc'd part of the Prince's Army then a few miles distant who readily came to their Assistance being conducted a by-way into the Town and fought so courathat in a few minutes they put the Irish to flight took some and kill'd about 20 upon the place with the loss only of the Officer that led them and the Guide that conducted them into the Town At Maidenhead there was such another Action performed by the Irish as we heard there from a Worthy Divine The Irish perceiving the Army of the Prince of Orange advanced so fast and with such speed towards London perswaded the late King James to fortify Maidenhead-Bridg it being the ready Road and a difficult Post to be taken Therefore in a new Brick House which is built between the Bridg and Town they made sundry Port-holes for their great Guns and put new Pales to blind them and sundry places above to shoot with Musquets And on the middle of the Bridg they planted a great Gun or two and here they were resolved to maul the Prince's Army as they said Indeed those that understand Fortification well have presumed that the Passage there might be so fortified that thousands of Men should not win it because the Water ran in the Road-way a considerable length or some hundred Yards and the Bridg is so narrow that a Man can hardly go along without falling except he hold by the Rails the Water too being up to a Man's middle here in the Road at the lowest Ebb So the Irish bravadoing here at this Post what they would do certain worthy Persons there consulted together how to disperse the Irish or cause them to go away for they perceived well the Hearts of all Protestants were set upon his Highness their Deliverer under God and by his Blessing and the End of their Consultation was this Sundry Persons of Courage and Resolution should go in the Dark about Midnight having each of them an old Barrel or an old Kettle standing at a certain equal distance from each other they should beat the Dutch March Which Stratagem took goodeffect for these Men being got within a small distance of the Irish began to beat a Dutch March they no sooner heard it but were prodigiously surprized crying Hark Hark and another presently made answer God damn my Blood if it be not the Dutch come upon us and forthwith they began to run and hasten away without minding their great Guns or taking away any thing nay happy was that Man that could get before his Comrade and whither they went no Man could tell So the Souldiers belonging to his Highness coming to Maiden-head hearing of this Exploit highly commended both the Contrivers and Actors in it brought away the Guns and all that was left to Windsor-Castle And so I have done with both the Armies in relation to Skirmishes or Actions His Highness being now at Windsor with all his Nobility and Gentry about him the Citizens of London flock'd mightily to visit Him and congratulate his safe Arrival so far The Army being now all about Windsor and the adjacent Towns and Villages the Souldiers through the perswasions of the Country People kill'd and destroy'd hundreds of Deer in the Forest and hundreds more had been destroy'd if so be his Highness had not given out his Royal Order to the contrary The Irish Tories
his Highness the Prince of Orange was inform'd thereof who suddenly gave order for all the smaller Vessels to come into Habour The Men of War weighed their Anchors and sail'd to a far more safe and commodious place for anchorage in case of a Storm for every man saw the Weather was unsetled and the Air very troublesom The second place where they rode at Anchor was between Holland and Zeeland about two or three leagues from the shore or coast In this place they did ride at Anchor certain days but while they were here the Weather grew stormy and one night the Winds were so very high and the Air so tempestuous and stormy shaking the very Houses and People in their Beds insomuch that many judged it to be a Earthquake the whole Fleet was in great peril and after this various false Reports were spread all over the Netherlands without all doubt broach'd by the Enemies to this Expedition who trumpetted it about for to amuse the vulgar People That the Anchors and Cables of the Men of War were broken in the Storm as if they had been a needleful of Thread so that all the Ships were driven here and there some to one shore and some on another Coast and as yet they were not heard of Which Fables did startle the poor ignorant sort and they knew not what to judge or say others who were more discreet and understood better the Holland manner of Ships and the Art of Navigation soon made answer to this Sham of the Papists That there was no question by the blessing of God but that the Men of War were all well and safe because they were able to ride the Storm out having good new Anchors and Cables and if any Anchor or Cable should happen to break these Ships could live well enough in the greatest Tempest provided they have but sufficient Sea-room And such was God's good providence that all the Ships receiv'd very little or no dammage only a certain old Fire-Ship which was soon chang'd for another that being sent to be mended The common thing every morning which was most us'd was first to go and see how the Wind sate and if there were any probability of a change When any person came unto a house in the heart of their City concerning any manner of business the very first Question by all was Sir I pray how is the Wind to day Are we likely to get an Easterly Wind ere long Pray God send it and such like The Ministers themselves pray'd That God would be pleas'd for to grant an East wind Others a favourable Wind that might bring his Illustrious Highness the Prince of Orange with his whole Fleet which now attended him unto the desired Haven for nothing could possibly be more desired than a fair Wind for the Navy by all sorts and conditions of men except Papists There was a Report here that the Jesuits had promised the late K. James that the Westerly Wind should continue until Christmas but this was false every man knows After some time that the Weather had been so tempestuous it began for to settle and God sent us an East Wind to the exceeding great joy of all our hearts in Holland and the Vnited Provinces nay it blew a fresh Gale day by day and continued favourable that quarter of the Moon which caused our people to work day and night that we might be under sail The Prince of Orange order'd every Officer now for to go on board the Ships with their Men and expedited every thing to the Fleet with as much speed as men could make but so many things were to be done it was not possible we could be making sail such great Bodies always moving very slowly according to the Saying Some Regiments were expected down the River and those being come every thing was sent to the Fleet as Provision for one month the Artillery Magazine Powder Ball Match Tents Tent-polls Stocking-axes Spades and all sorts of Utensils convenient in War and then Hay and Provender for the Horses Fresh Water and a hundred things more which do not now occur to my memory The Wind continuing East the Horses began to be shipp'd at Rotterdam which was a sign they were almost ready So his Highness the Prince of Orange was pleased to take his leave of the High and Mighty Lords the States of Holland and West Friezland who most heartily desired that God would preserve him and bless him with Victory over his Enemies and give him joyful Success in his great Undertaking for the good of the Protestant Church in general but more especially those in England Scotland and Ireland The people every-where began to be exceeding sorrowful for the loss of so Vertuous and so Religious a Prince from among them and very many would weep bitterly at the thoughts of his departure because all honest good men loved him extraordinarily and now his Health is drank by every Gentleman and Schipper Mate and Boy and his prosperous Voyage The Horses being most of shipped the Guards began to come So upon Friday-night all things were ready on board and the Fleet prepared to sail only it waited for the coming of his Highness The number of our Capital Ships or Men of War was about Fifty which were very well rig'd mann'd and provided with all things requisite the number of our Fire-Ships was about Five and twenty lesser Men of War or Frigats about Six and twenty the number of Merchant Ships Pinks Flyboats and others was about Three hundred and odd so the total number of the Fleet as they sailed from the Brill was about Four hundred and odd Ships But at our setting out the second time at Hellevoot-Sluys there were near an hundred Vessels more which were Schievelingers or Boats which the Fisher-men of Schieveling went to Sea in as we shall shew by and by But to proceed The Prince of Orange having taken his Farewel of the States assembled at the Hague went unto Houslaerdyke where he dined with many of his Lords and after Dinner on Saturday Oct. 19. old stile Oct 29. new stile being unwilling for to lose this fair Easterly Wind which did blow all the week so freshly attended with Mareschal Schomberg Count Nassau Count Solms the Heer Van Zulustein the Heer Bentink the Heer Overkirk the Earl of Shrewsbury Viscount Mordant the Lord Wiltshire Earl of Macclessield Earl of Argyle with many other English and Scotch Dutch and French Lords Knights and Gentlemen he went in a very rich Yacht unto Moseland Sluys Her Royal Highness the Princess of Orange came in another attended with her Ladies of Honour Here his Illustrious Highness took his Farewel of his most entirely beloved Consort the Princess who was not a little troubled and grieved for to part with her dearest Lord and Prince which caused the Tears to distil from her precious Eyes like so many Pearls so she return'd with her Maids of Honour unto Houslaerdyke again but the Prince sail'd unto the
and Exeter about five miles off the City sundry Companies of young Men met them with each a Club in his Hand and as they approched near they gave sundry Shouts and Huzza's saying God bless the Prince of Orange and grant him victory over all his Enemies We are his true Servants and came to fight for him as long as we are able So we all bid them welcome Here the Army passed by a Popish Lady's House which was cruel to all her Protestant Tenants she forced some to turn Papists or Apostates But had the French King's Army passed thus by a Protestant House it should soon have been fired the People put to the Sword or burnt But we have not so learn'd Christ nor been thus taught by his Ministers in our Land for no Man molested this House nor did any visit it unless a Captain and some Gentlemen which would have bought themselves Horses there having lost their own at Sea and so constrained to walk on foot till they could supply themselves with more It must needs be acknowledged by all People that his Highness took special care in marching of the Army that no Disorders should be committed and never better Order could be kept in any Army than in this as all sorts of Men confess Nay they told us at Exeter that when we were there the City was more quiet in the Night and freer from debauch'd and disorderly Persons than 't was before The poor Souldiers began now to grow lame and so marched slip-shod which was irksome After the Prince of Orange had tarried two or three Nights at Sir Will. Courtney's he with a brave Train of Nobles Knights and Gentlemen to attend him rode unto Exeter they long'd much for his coming It was a very wet and rainy Day when he came into Exeter with his Army The manner of his coming into this City being so glorious was long since published so that I shall not speak much about it The Guards rode some before and some behind him with their Swords drawn their Colours flying Kettle-Drums beating and Trumpets sounding joyfully their Officers courteously bowing unto the People all sorts and conditions of Men thronging on each side the Streets making great Acclamations and Huzza's as the Prince passed by The Windows of every House were extreamly crowded and beautified the Bells ringing The Foot Souldiers did not appear well because they were sorely weather-beaten and much dabled in marching in the Dirt and Rain and look'd very pale and thin after such a hard days march which made some People conjecture that they were dull sluggish Men. As the Prince of Orange was riding thus towards the Deanary through the City attended with Mareschal Schomberg Count Solms Count Nassau Heer Zulustein Heer Bentein the Earl of Shrewsbury the Earl of Macclesfield Lord Viscount Mordant Lord Wiltshire Earl of Argile Colonel Sidney Sir Rowland Guyn and divers other Lords Knights and Gentlemen Such was the Resolution and Desire of an old Woman to seé the Prince that she throng'd in amongst the Horse Guards and tho she was divers times in Jeopardy of her Life yet for all says she I will see him tho it cost me my Life so coming at length to him she touched his Hand and said I pray God bless you Sir and so was thrust away by the Guards but as she was going from him she put her Hand to her Heart and spake out aloud Now my very Soul within me is the better for seeing him at which Speech and Humour of this Woman his Highness himself seem'd to smile After the Prince was come unto the Deanary and had refresh'd himself with all his Lords and Gentlemen then was he pleased to go and render his hearty Thanks to Almighty God in the Cathedral Church for his safe Arrival and the whole Fleet. The People thronged the Streets to see him as he went and crouded the Quire where he was to come very much Now there were sundry Men with Holbards who cleared the way besides Sentinels So being conducted to the Bishop's Seat he sat down with about six of his Life-Guar-dMen on his Right-hand and many more before him and about him in the Quire. As he came all along the Body of the Church the Organs played very sweetly tho 't was not the right Organist himself he being gone aside on purpose as I was inform'd there And being sat the Quire began and sung Te Deum for the safe Arrival of the Prince of Orange and his Army in England as also for his whole Fleet After the Collects were ended the Reverend Dr. Burnet began to read the Declaration of his Highness William Henry by the Grace of God Prince of Orange c. Of the Reasons inducing him to appear in Arms in the Kingdom of England for preserving of the Protestant Religion and for the restoring the Laws and Liberties of England Scotland and Ireland c. At the very beginning of which Declaration the Ministers of the Church there present rushed immediately out of their Seats and busled through all the Croud going out of the Church the People remained and were very attentive to the Doctor 's reading and the Declaration being ended he said God save the Prince of Orange unto which the major part of the Multitude answered Amen So his Highness return'd to the Deanary the People ecchoing forth Huzza's as he went along Another Evening at Service one of the Ministers reading that Prayer for the pretended Prince of Wales a certain Noble-Man or two being present stood up at the same and put on their Hats Kneeling down to all the other Collects and this they did to demonstrate their Abhorrence of it The Right Reverend Bishop of this place and Diocess as soon as he had learn'd for certain that the Prince of Orange was-landed with an Army at Tor-Bay in Devonshire took his Coach and came up to give the late King James Information thereof for which he gave him the Bishoprick of York The Reverend Dean likewise took his Coach and went about six or seven Miles in the Country where he remain'd some days but returned unto his own House or Deanary before the Prince came away for we tarried at Exeter many days to refresh the Army after it had been so long on Ship-board and to recover the Horses to their former Strength as also for the Gentlemen of the Country thereabout to come and joyn his Highness there The Train of Artillery Magazine and the whole Baggage of the Army was brought hither by Water there were one and twenty good Brass Pieces for the Field divers of which were too heavy for those Roads and more than sixteen Horses could draw Arms for sundry thousand Men were now given out here which we brought with us out of Holland The first Sunday after the Prince was come unto Exeter being Novemb. 11. the Reverend Dr. Burnet preached before him at the Cathedral Church in the Morning the Quire and Body thereof being extreamly throng'd with
on his Highness which made all the Army to rejoice The Prince rode about five Miles out of Exeter to view some new Regiments of Horse which were just come into his Service He gave the Officers and Souldiers a courteous Reception and made a Speech unto them upon which the whole Regiments shouted and Huzza'd for Joy. I preached at St. Carion's Church in Exeter November 18. My Text being in Isa 8. 12 13 14. Neither fear ye their fear nor be afraid Sanctify the Lord of Hosts himself and let him be your fear and let him be your dread And he shall be for a Sanctuary Now the Church-Wardens of this Parish altho there was no Minister to preach were unwilling to give the Keys because they were no true Friends of our good Cause insomuch that I was forc'd to threaten them for their great rudeness The Clerk of the Parish going along with me the Day before for the Key one of the Church-Wardens very rudely broke his Head in sundry places for which intolerable Action I immediately had him brought before the Honourable Colonel Cutts for this bold Fact who upon a due submission and acknowledgment of his Faults dismissed him with a sharp Reprehension For Modesty-sake I conceal his Name hoping that he 's reformed with the Times The late K. James finding his Army begin to moulder away was very much at a stand however he thought to give us Battel with the remaining part whereupon he hasten'd to Sarum a second time which we had notice of before we left Exeter The Army being now well refresh'd and one Man as good as two when we were at Torbay Order was given for the Army to march in three Lines The first Line march'd out of the City as far as St. Mary Ottrie and were Quarter'd in and near that Place The next day the second Line march'd forth of Exeter to the same place and the first Line advanc'd to Axminster The third Day the last Line march'd as before to St. Mary Ottrie the first Line advancing some to Beminster and some to Crookhorn the second to Axminster and the adjacent Towns and the Regiments march'd some one Road and some another as the first Line advanced so the whole Army moved which was always according to the Motion of our great Master For when he remained any where then did the whole Army abide in the same Quarters The City of Exeter was now freed of all its Souldiers only the Regiment of Sir John Guyes which was new raised was order'd to keep this City and he made Governour thereof Now many Oxen being brought into this Town to draw the Artillery and many Horses being come to carry the Ammunition and all things necessary for War appertaining to our whole Army We then were soon on the March A Captain with some other Officers and about a hundred Men came along with it to guard it Here at Exeter was a certain Person kept in Custody some Days for speaking very threatning Words against his Highnese the Prince of Orange but within a while was released Another was apprehended for a Spy because he said he had a Commission from the late K. James to go into any Mans House to search for Goods This Man was also accused for stealing about ten pound from the People of the House where he lodged but no Money could be found about him whereupon he also was dismissed in few Days I suppose our Army was now in Circumference between 20 and 30 Miles The Prince with all his Lords Knights and Gentlemen attending him rode from Exeter unto St. Mary Ottrie the Weather was very Rainy and the Roads bad for Marching however we had time enough for our Stages were not far distant one from the other The places where we Quarter'd were scarce able to receive us insomuch that every House was crowded Our Van-Guard was advanc'd as faras Sherborn who coming into this Townat at one end and a party of Horse belonging to the late King James coming in at the other but hearing of our Men retreated back towards Sarum Our first Line being advanced from Axminster to Crookhorn and Beminster the second to Axminster and Lime and the third Line according to the others Stage before them Then the Prince of Orange rode to Crookhorn with all his Noble Attendance The Country People were exceeding desirous to see the Prince and ran in great numbers from one Town to another when they heard for certain which way he came Here at Crookhorn his Highnese remained the Lord's Day Novemb. 25. And the Gentlemen of the West came and joyn'd him now almost at every Stage On Monday Morning the whole Army March'd The first Line advanced from Sherborn to Wincanton the second to Sherborn and the third to Yetminster The Prince of Orange with all his Nobles and Gentlemen came to Sherborn and lodged at the Castle The two Armies were near each other by this time the late King James lay at Salisbury with his Army and the Prince of Orange's lay about Sherborn advancing towards him with all possible speed The late King James seeing his Army moulder thus away and that Prince George was gone to his Brother with the Duke of Ormond was in such a streight that he knew not well what to do And coming to the Market-place at Sarum he made an Oration to the Citizens telling them that he would spend his Blood for the Protestant Religion whenas he had been seen at Mass all the Morning by many of his Auditors who thereupon derided him in their Hearts No sooner had he ended his Speech but immediately falls to bleeding at his Nostrils very violently as many observed there-about him and his Blood could not be stopp'd any manner of way The Citizens hearing the Army of the Prince of Orange was advanced within a few Miles of their City some Persons coming in at one end of the Town said they saw them not far off which Report being noised about so Alarm'd the late King James and his Army That in the midst of his Bleeding he commanded his Coach to be made ready and drive away towards Windsor with all possible speed which was accordingly done The Foot-Soldiers were ready to desert the late King and many did some left their Baggage and Snapsacks behind them And the Horse likewise being in such a hurry to get away that they were ready to spoil their Comrades and the whole Army was in such a confused manner and marched so disorderly and in such haste that the Country seeing them judged they had been routed in a Battel The late King James began to bleed at Sarum and was observ'd to continue bleeding some days and coming thus hastily to Windsor the Towns-People that saw him judged that he had been overthrown in Battel So coming from Windsor to London he turn'd out Sir Edw. Hales who was Governor of the Tower for he had threatned to Bomb this famous Ancient City and put Mr. Skelton his late Ambassador in
much abused the worthy Minister of Tylehurston stripping his Rings off his Fingers with the Skin and Flesh threatning his Wife in Bed and undoubtedly had murder'd the whole Family if so be the Maid had not leap'd out of a Window and call'd the Neighbours speedily to assist them for they broke open the Door with on Iron made for the same purpose which they forgot and left behind them with their Dark Lanthorn both which I saw They swore divers times by St. Patrick they would cut them all into pieces if they would not give them Mony for they must shortly be gone and the late King had not paid them So hearing the Neighbours coming they took their Horses and rode away having above thirty Pounds in Mony Plate and Rings for they took the old Gentlewomans Rings off her Fingers December the 18th his Highness parted from Windsor dined at Sion-House and came that Evening to St. James's amidst the loud Acclamations of a vast number of People of all Sorts and Ranks the Bells every-where ringing the Evening concluded with vast Bonsires and such general Joy as can scarce be parallel'd The next day the late King James seeing the Scene of Affairs altered parted from Whitehal went down the River to Rochester and from thence took Shipping for Brest whither the Queen and supposed Prince of Wales was gone before and himself soon after where I 'le leave him Most of the Nobility congratulated his Highness's safe arrival at St James's and on the 20th the Aldermen and Common Couucil of the City of London attended his Highness upon the same account and the Lord Mayor being disabled by Sickness Sir George Treby Kt. Recorder of the Honourable City of London made an Oration to his Highness to this effect Great Sir WHen we look back to the last Month and contemplate the swiftness and fulness of our present Deliverance astonish'd we think it miraculous Your Highness led by the Hand of Heaven and call'd by the Voice of the People has preserved our dearest Interest the Protestant Religion which is Primitive Christianity restored Our Laws which are our ancient Title to our Lives Liberties and Estates and without which this World were a Wilderness But what Retribution can we make to your Highness Our Thoughts are full charged with Gratitude Your Highness has a lasting Monument in the Hearts in the Prayers in the Praises of all good Men amongst us And late Posterity will celebrate your ever-glorious Name till Time shall be no more December the 25th the Lords Spiritual and Temporal asssembled at the House of Lords Westminster and there ageeed upon and signed an Address wherein they humbly desired his Highness in this Conjuncture to take upon him the Administration of Publick Affairs both Civil and Military and the Disposal of the Publick Revenue for the preservation of our Religion Rights Laws Liberties and Properties and of the Peace of the Nation and that his Highness would take into his Care the Condition of Ireland and endeavour by the most speedy and effectual Means to prevent the Dangers threatning that Kingdom All which the Lords Spiritual and Temporal make their Requests to his Highness to undertake and exercise till the Meeting of the intended Convention Jan 22. next Moreover the Lords Spiritual and Temporal assembled at Westminster in this Extraordinary Conjuncture did humbly desire his Highness to cause Letters to be written subscribed by Himself to the Lords Spiritual and Temporal being Protestants and to the several Counties Universities Cities Boroughs and Cinque-Ports of England Wales and Town of Berwick Upon Tweed containing Directions for the choosing in all such Counties Cities Universities Boroughs and Cinque-Ports within Ten days after the receipt of the said respective Letters such a number of Persons to represent them as are of right to be sent to Parliament And the Persons so chosen to Meet and Sit at Westminster on the Two and Twentieth day of January Both which were signed by all the Lords Spiritual and Temporal then Assembled and presented to his Highness the Prince of Orange the same day at St James's All which his Highness was pleased to Do according to their Desires Now the Lords and Commons being Met at Westminster the Two and Twentieth of January 1688 According to the Direction of his Highness's Letters They agreed upon and Ordered That the Thanks of both Houses should be returned to his Highness in the behalf of the whole Nation for his Highness happy Deliverance of this Kingdom from Popery Slavery and Despotick Power and for the Preservation of the Protestant Religion and the Laws Rights Priviledges and Customs of our Land c. And moreover to beseech his Highness to continue the Administration of publick Affairs Civil and Military and the Disposal of the publick Revenue until such time as farther Application be made to his Highness All which his Highness was pleased to do and exercise according to their desire And with all expedition on the 12th of February the Lords and Commons consulted about the Settlement of our Government And agreed that the late King James the Second having endeavour'd to subvert and extirpate the Protestant Religion c. and having abdicated the Government the Throne was thereby become Vacant They did resolve that William and Mary Prince and Princess of Orange be and be declared King and Queen of England France and Ireland and the Dominions thereunto belonging c. On the 12th of February Her Royal Highness the Princess of Orange arrived at Whitehall the welcome news whereof was received with Ringing of Bells Bonfires and other publick Demonstrations of Joy. The next day the Lords and Commons assembled at Westminster attended their Highnesses at the Banqueting-house with their Resolve and received their Consent thereto and about 11 of the Clock proclaimed William and Mary Prince and Princess of Orange King and Queen of England France and Ireland and the Dominions thereunto belonging After that their Majesties were Proclaim'd before Whitehall And the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of the Famous City of London together with the Sheriffs met the Lords and Heralds at Arms at Temple-Bar and there Proclaimed their Majesties King William and Queen Mary c. And so proceeded to the Royal Exchange where the same was done a third time The day concluding with Ringing of Bells and Bonfires to the General Satisfaction of all After their most excellent Majesties were proclaimed all over England there was great preparation made in order to their Majesties Coronation The Day being come viz. April 11 1689. Their Majesties came from Whitehall to Westminster and the Nobility being put in Order by the Heralds They came down in State into Westminster-Hall where the Swords and Spurs were presented to them Their Majesties being at Westminster-Abby the Right Reverend Father in God the Lord Bishop of Sarum preached the Sermon his Text being 2 Sam. 23 3 4. And after the Ceremonies of the Coronation were finished about four of the Clock the Crowns were put upon their Royal Heads by the Right Reverend Father in God the Lord Bishop of London assisted by several other Bishops At the sight whereof the People shouted the Drums and Trumpets sounded the great Guns at the Tower c. were discharged and the Peers and Peeresses put on their Coronets Their Majesties being Crowned returned to Westminster-Hall And Dinner being ended and the whole Solemnity perform'd with great Splendour and Magnificence about Eight in the evening their Majesties return'd to White-Hall Where I most humbly leave them heartily beseeching Almighty God to bless and preserve their most excellent Majesties that they may long Live and Flourish together To the advancement of his Glory the Good of his Church the Safety Honour and Welfare of their Majesties Kingdoms and the exceeding Joy and Comfort of all Good Protestants As for all their Enemies let then O God be daily discover'd and brought to Shame and Confusion But upon their Sacred and Royal Heads let the Crowns of England Scotland France and Ireland long Flourish FINIS