People which came to see his Highness some placing themselves in Seats by eight in the Morning When his Highness came he was pleased for to sit in the Bishop's Seat in the Body of the Church as he had done in the Quire before Sundry Sentinels stood just behind him two just before him and many more in the Church-Isle the Doctor 's Text was Psalm 107. 43. Whose is wise and will observe those things even they shall understand the loving Kindness of the Lord. The Doctor very accurately shewed the loving Kindness of the Lord unto the Price of Orange and his Fleet how he caused the Winds to turn at Tor-Bay where the whole Fleet was to tack about to come into the Bay and then shew'd the upright Design of the Prince to promote the Glory of God and good of his Church in England Scotland and Ireland having ended his Sermon he read the Prayer for the Expedition and so concluded with the Blessing c. Some time was passed here before the Gentlemen of the West joyned his Highness but when once they did begin to come in then they came daily The Mayor and Aldermen of the City came to visit the Prince and were busie in their Consultations among themselves The late King James we heard now was advanc'd as far towards us as Salisbury with a very brave Army of about thirty five thousand Men and a prodigious great Train of Artillery which made the poor Country People tremble Moreover we heard that he was fully resolved to encamp his Army about Sarum in the Plain where he intended to fight us Some of our Men being of the Van-guard were advanc'd as far as Wincaunton to provide Carriage at which place there was a small Skirmish or Action between 26 of our Souldiers and about 150 of the late King's Party which you shall have a particular account of by and by We soon receiv'd information of this Skirmish at Exeter Order was now given to get Waggons to carry the Magazine and Baggage of the whole Army together with all sorts of Utensils fit and convenient for War and Horses to draw the Artillery and for the Country People round to bring in their Horses to be sold at Exeter that so the loss of our Horses might be made up here According to which Order the Country People came daily in with their Horses to sell and the Officers gave great Prices for them because they must have them there or now here The Souldiers were ordered to keep themselves and their Arms in good order and to get every thing here which they wanted Much Mony was laid out in this City for all sorts of Commodities which the Officers or Souldiers lacked Here at first the People were scrupulous about the Dutch Mony and many Country People refused it but were forc'd to take it because all the Army had little else but Guineas and Dutch Mony. The People of the City began now to be more and more inclin'd towards our Army and all fear almost of the other Army was banish'd out of their Thoughts so that they would discourse more freely now than at the first The Drums beat for Volunteers and every Regiment of English or Scotch which wanted any Men was now compleated The Regiment of Sir John Guyes and Sir Robert Peyton fill'd up very fast for Men came into the City daily from all Parts to list themselves insomuch that many Captains pick'd and chose their Souldiers Very great crowding was here at the Deanary it being the Prince of Orange's Court by all sorts of People Many coming 20 Miles on purpose to see him and all the People of the adjacent Places were waiting there daily insomuch that the Sentinels could hardly keep them out The Guard was before the entrance into the Deanary and sundry Sentinels two at each Door Now his Highness received Information That the late King James was gone back from Sarum towards London with his whole Army by reason of the false Report of some Tumult in the City made by the Apprentices which News did not in the least discompose us The Weather being somewhat favourable the Prince of Orange with all his Lords and Gentlemen attending him was pleased to ride and view the City and Castle and this Day the Deanary was embroider'd with the Officers in their Gold and Silver-Lace Coats The Country People brought all sorts of Provisions in abundance because it yielded them Money and went off well We heard here that our Friends were up in the North of England as the Lord Delamere Earl of Devonshire Earl of Stamford Earl of Danby Sir Scroop How Sir William Russel with divers others By this time the Gentlemen of Somersetshire and Dorsetshire were coming in to join his Highness and on Thursday November 15 they waited on him at Exeter upon which he was pleased to speak to them as follows Tho we know not all your Persons yet we have a Catalogue of your Names and remember the Character of your Worth and Interest in your Country You see we are come according to your Invitation and our Promise Our Duty to God obliges us to protect the Protestant Religion and our Love to Mankind your Liberties and Properties We expected you that dwelt so near the place of our Landing would have join'd us sooner not that it is now too late nor that we want your Military Assistance so much as your Countenance and Presence to justify our declar'd Pretentions in order to accomplish our good and gracious Design Tho we have brought both a good Fleet and a good Army to render these Kingdoms happy by rescuing all Protestants from Popery Slavery and Arbitrary Power by restoring them to their Rights and Properties established by Law and by promoting of Peace and Trade which is the Soul of Government and the very Life-Blood of a Nation yet we rely more on the Goodness of God and the Justice of our Cause than on any Humane Force and Power whatever Yet since God is pleased we shall make use of Humane means and not expect Miracles for our Preservation and Happiness let us not neglect making use of this gracious Opportunity but with Prudence and Courage put in Execution our so honourable Purposes Therefore Gentlemen Friends and Fellow-Protestants we bid you and all your Followers most heartily Welcome to our Court and Camp. Let the whole World now judg if our Pretentions are not Just Generous Sincere and above Price since we might have even a Bridg of Gold to Return back But it is our Principle and Resolution rather to dye in a Good Cause than live in a Bad one well knowing that Vertue and True Honour is its own Reward and the Happiness of Mankind Our Great and Only Design The late King James coming up towards London the Regiment of Dragoons belonging to the Lord Cornbury came away from him to join the Prince of Orange and the Lord Cornbury with many other Lords Knights and Gentlemen came unto Exeter and attended
in Scotland beginning here to do the like And hence he told our Right Reverend Bishops when they waited on him about the reading of his illegal Declaration in the Churches I will make you to know that I am your King and that I must nay I will be obeyed be it at your peril Althô this command was contrary to the holy Word of God the Canons of our Church and the ancient Laws and Statutes of our Kingdom therefore our Right Reverend Bishops were hurried into the Tower. Now when the Priests and Jesuits saw plainly that they could not possibly get such a Parliament which would ease them of the Test and Penal Laws those two intolerable Yoaks as they forsooth called them thô the late K. James himself and all the Romanists within our Land had done their very uttermost using corrupt and unlawful means in order thereunto Then they thought to force us to take away the Test and Penal Laws therefore the late K. James sent out Mandamus after Mandamus but our brave English hearts would not be driven thô they might be won therefore they refused his Mandamus because it was contrary to Law Custom and Priviledge Then he commanded his Declaration to be read in every Church by the Minister after Divine Service and before Sermon and this not taking effect they knew not what to do for very few read his Declaration except some double minded men about our Church which are unstable in all their ways Now those Soul-deceivers about the Court advis'd the late K. James for to send unto Holland and try the inclination of the Prince of Orange and the Princess and desire their assent concerning the taking off the Test and Penal Laws which accordingly was done by his Envoy M. D' Abbeville But these two being like Zacharias and Elizabeth righteous before God and walking in all the Commandments and Ordinances of the Lord blamless not only refused to grant their royal Assent hereunto but even sign'd their Abhorrence of such a wicked Fact as appears apparently by the Lord Fagel's defence of himself against some implacable Papists in our Kingdom For which deed they immediately set themselves on work against the very best of Princes and broached the late Queens being with Child and it would certainly be a Prince of Wales But the All-seeing Eye being upon them soon brought to light their hidden work of darkness and raised up a good Josiah to break the power of Idolatry here For his illustrious Highness the Prince of Orance by his most accurate eye and with his profound sagacity soon espy'd the Popish Mystery of Iniquity which was so gloss'd over with equivocation prevarication and mental reservation and saw very plain thrô all the mists of their Roman and Italian Shams and thrô the clouds of their specious Pretences the inevitable ruin and destruction of England Scotland and Ireland if that this suspected Child was not timely prevented Nay he saw in the bottom of this Plot by the Sons of the Kingdom of Darkness the total Subversion of the true Reform'd Church of Christ therefore he judged it high time for the Lord 's peculiar People now to stand up for his Cause for the defence of his Truth and Gospel to resist the Devil and all his Imps now our necks being under oppression by Popish Governours our Inheritance turn'd to Strangers and our Houses to Aliens I mean unto these Soul-deceivers wherewith our Nation did swarm For the Jesuits and Priests of Baal Anti-christ did now feed on the best of the Flock and devour the Fruit of our Land while many able Ministers of the Gospel had scarce Bread left for to put in their mouths I mean those that were suspended by the Bishop of Durham insomuch that the Protestants hang'd down their Heads like a Bulrush and were not a little concerned to see the partial proceedings of the Court and being unable for to bear any longer their most unjust and abominable Actions it pleased our heavenly Father so to rule and guide the Hearts and Minds of the Nobility Gentry and some others of our Land that they join'd together and with one accord earnestly invited and desired his most illustrious Highness the Prince of Orange as being the only Person under Heaven capable of doing it for to give himself the trouble and charge of coming over with an Army here to deliver our Land and Nation out of the hands of all those implacable and blood-thirsty Enemies who long'd now to destroy us as also to free us from a Despotick and Arbitrary Power Therefore the renown'd Prince of Orange who was ever forward to hazard his own Person and venture his Life for the Life of the Gospel to preserve and maintain the Truth and Purity of it against all seducers and opposers did not delay answering their earnest Invitation nor defer fulfilling their cordial Desires Therefore he consulted with the High and Mighty Lords the States of Holland and West-Friezland assembled now at the Hague concerning this great Work and the most proper Methods to be used by him that the glorious deliverance of our Nation thrô the blessing of Almighty God upon his Endeavours might effectually be wrought And the first step thereunto was to make choice of fit Instruments because God works in these days by Means Miracles being long since ceased Hence he commands all the Dutch Forces for to Muster and Encamp about Nimeghen not very far from the Brandenburghers Camp the famous Duke of Brandenburgh being alli'd unto his illustrious Highness The Regiments being all incamp'd according to his Princely Order he was pleased to view them one by one and make choice of the very flower of the Army to serve him in this glorious Expedition He thought it very requisite to carry over into England such a Force with him as might thrô God's assistance and the Protestants concurrence make the enemies of the Lord to flee before him and drive out all the Priests of Baal and cleanse Judah and Jerusalem of Idolatry as good Josiah did for now the Altars of Baal were set up by those cursed Vipers in most places of our Realm as divers were set up in our Metropolitan City of London that renown'd ancient Protestant City to the exceeding great sorrow of our Reverend Clergy and discouragement of our holy Reform'd Church Having now made choice of what Officers and Soldiers he thought most fit here he went unto the great Duke of Brandenburgh's Camp and made choice of what Regiments he pleased there for to take with him into England and then with all the speed that might be he return'd to the Hague It 's certain that very many people thought he took too much trouble upon him to ride thus from one City to another nay to fly as some express'd it because he made such haste and all was for to deliver the true Reform'd Church of Christ out of all her enemies hands and to make the people of God enjoy rest and peace
that every man might sit peaceably under his own Vine and drink the Wine out of his own Cistern Therefore order was sent unto every City in Holland for to make clean their Men of War and fit them out for Sea with all speed that they might be mann'd victuall'd stored with Powder and Ball and all sorts of Utensils for War and be ready to serve his Highness the Prince of Orange in his glorious design for the good of the Protestant Churches of Christ but especially those in England Scotland and Ireland Now according to the Order every City very willingly and indeed with more than an ordinary cheerfulness set their men to work and rigg their Ships paying them double Wages that they might labour day and night until it was done because they now shewed their zeal and did strive which should be soonest prepared with their Vessels for to go out to Sea and serve his Highness the Prince of Orange From Amsterdam were fifteen good Vessels well rigg'd and every thing in compleat order set out to Sea the first Wind that serv'd because every Wind will not bring them out of the Texel it must be an Easterly Wind or else they are block'd up and they would not be hindred or backwards now for never so much so they rode at anchor in the Sea. And from the City of Rotterdam Dort Delph Leyden Harlem and all other Cities were many Vessels fitted out to Sea according to each City's proportion in War and their wonted Custom which Ships join'd the other Ships from Amsterdam Then in Zealand a considerable number of brave Vessels were set out with all things necessary for War As from Middleburgh Vlissingen Vere Tertol c. and these sail'd to the Hollands Men of War and joined them riding at anchor so the Fleet began to compleat Now the Navy rode at anchor about some two or three Leagues from the Brill and there remain'd some days It 's worthy of any man's observation to consider what an universal consent there was unto this glorious Undertaking and Expedition of the Prince of Orange for the welfare of England Scotland and Ireland for this consent and accord was not only generally among the high and mighty Lords the States of Holland and West-Friezland but even among all sorts and conditions of men there was not one person in the Land heard to murmur or speak the least word against it Papists only excepted but all with one accord and one mind and heart endeavoured to forward and expedite this glorious Undertaking nay the very Women Maidens and Children were lifting up their Prayers unto the God of Heaven for to bless the Prince of Orange and crown his designs in hand for the good of the true reform'd Church with success according to the desire of his own heart which thing I duly observ'd and therefore was somewhat confirm'd in my opinion concerning this great Work in hand which caused me to declare publickly That the great Jehovah or living and true God had not only put it into the heart of the Prince of Orange a Prince whom he had raised up to advance his Glory and the Interest of his Church and People and therefore made him so strong for himself so great a terrour to the evil as well as praise to those that do well but that the Lord had also stirr'd up the hearts of all his people to join together as one man and hereupon I could not but judge that God had a delight in this Work and would certainly bring it to pass in his due time not when our silly fancies urg'd it And made it now my work to endeavour for to keep our people that they did not tempt God or limit the holy One of Israel of a truth the Reverend Clergy of the Netherlands are not to be forgotten because they did wrestle with God in their Prayers in the great Congregations and Solemn Assemblies after a most servent manner with Sighs and Tears in the behalf of our Churches in England Scotland and Ireland and mightily encouraged all the Soldiers to shew their courage for the Cause of God against the Children of Babylon and Enemies of his Church and peculiar People So that they have obliged our Nation as the Reverend Dr. Burnet in his Sermon at Exeter-Cathedral said to be kind to the Netherlands for sundry weighty Reasons and amongst others their kindness to us and towards our Land in this happy Expedition The Men of War were riding at anchor in the forementioned place waiting for his Highness the Prince of Orange's Orders what to do or where to go sundry hundred of Merchants Ships Pinks Fly-boats and others were hired for this Service and many immediately sent to the Fleet others went for Men here and there according as they receiv'd order some were to carry Soldiers others to carry Horses some Hay others Artillery or Ammunition and all sorts of Necessaries convenient for the War Many Martscutes and flat-bottom'd Boats which belong to the River only to transport Goods and People from City to City were hired now to transport the Soldiers from Nimighen unto the Men of War and Merchant-Ships Pinks and Fly-boats riding at anchor ready to receive them or any thing that was order'd them to receive by our great Master I shall not retard the candid and ingenuous Reader with an ample Discourse concerning the manner of their coming down the Rhine and Mose or Maze how the Burghers at every City with their Wives Children and whole Houshold came crouding unto the great Head which is without the Ports towards the River a place made purposely for convenience of taking in or shipping off Goods or for commodious lading or unlading Vessels and took their solemn leave most Praying and some Crying for them The Soldiers were some of them playing on the Hoeboys Dutch Flute and other Instruments others were beating the Drums and some sounding their Trumpets which I must confess made no discord in the harmony as they were sailing down the River There are divers pleasant Cities upon the Rhine and Mose between Nimighen and the Brill as all those who have travell'd in the Netherlands know very well Being come unto the Fleet all the Soldiers were presently set on board some to the Men of War some to the Merchant-Ships some to the Pinks and some to the Fly-boats And the Schippers with their Martscutes and flat-bottom'd Boats return'd home The Wind was now Northerly or North-West which is the very worst Wind that can blow for the Coasts of Holland and the Weather waxed daily worse and worse the Winds growing stronger and stronger insomuch that the Seas grew very rough the Waves swell'd and lifted their proud tops towards the Clouds and the poor smaller-Ships were ready to be overwhelm'd shaking their Heads as if they would shake their Sails off and being unable for to endure such Weather long so far in the Sea as they now did ride at anchor without very great hazard and danger
Fleet which made the heart of every man glad because the wind was still East So his Highness went on board a Man of War with Admiral Herbert but that Vessel proving leakie he soon changed and went on board another At this time there was very great resorting unto the Brill from every City and Town in Holland for to see this glorious yet formidable Fleet set out but especially to behold his Highness the Prince of Orange committing himself unto the mercy of the merciless Seas and the courtesie of the unnatural Waves so freely and willingly for the sake of the true Reform'd Churches of Christ but especially those of England Scotland and Ireland The top of the Brill-Church and Steeple was extreamly throng'd and the Beam or place made on purpose to view Ships was almost broken down with the great crowd upon it and every man's Eye was unsatisfied with seeing for the more they looked upon the Navie the more they desired to look His Highness being come on board every Ship weighed Anchor with all the speed possible and made sail the Trumpets sounded Hooboys played and the Souldiers gave a Shout for joy So when the Spectators perceived that the Fleet was under sail they could no longer refrain their Eyes from weeping nor their Cheeks from running down with affectionate Tears and many very fervent Prayers were poured for us all but in an especial manner for the Prince of Orange When we were sail'd so far that they could not see us well any longer then they made use of Perspective-Glasses and sent their hearts and well wishes with us and so each departed to his own Habitation Thus was our Great Prince crossing the proud Waves with all his Fleet round him enjoying a very favourable Wind for England if it had but continued so for some days together It was about four a Clock in the Afternoon on Saturday when the Fleet first weighed their Anchors and made sail upon the coming of the Prince of Orange on board The Evening draw'd on us very fast the days being short and the nights long so when the darkness seized us and night was shutting upon us every Vessel set up a Light in the Lanthorn The Men of War set up two and the Ship wherein the Prince was had three for a mark or distinction After night the Wind began to arise high and the Seas wax'd rough the Waves began to roar and swell lifting up their head aloft and many now began to suspect the Weather as well they might for within a while the Winds turn'd and blew a very dreadful Storm insomuch that all thought we should never see Land more for there were sundry circumstances which did add to the peril of the Storm as many skilful Mariners said The darkness of the night the matter of Carriage Horses which will rowl from side to side if they break their Stays our Pipes of Water Barrels of Powder and Ball and the vast number of Ships together which was worst of all for while the Schipper intended to escape one on his Starboard then is he in no small peril of running against the other on his Larboard-side nay behind and before and all round there were Ships throwing themselves from side to side after an exceeding fearful manner so that no Steer-man knew which way to steer The Winds blew as if they would have blown the very Elements away before them the Seas raged and foam'd being all in white forth for anger the Waves rowl'd one upon the back of another as so many great Mountains the Ships threw themselves and the people in them from side to side and from the fore-part of the Vessel unto the hinder part as if they would have beaten themselves all to pieces and if it had not been the good providence of the Almighty we had most certainly dash'd against each other and so perish one by the other The men of War were better able to live than the rest for they did not shake themselves half so terribly as the Merchantmen and Pinks but especially the poor Flyboats these strain'd their Ribs and hurt their Backs very much because of their hard lading The Wind was now North-West and every Mariner did strive to bear up with that Ship wherein the Prince was but it was impossible for all the smaller Vessels in such a Tempest there 's a huge difference between Ships one will bear a vast Storm another an ordinary Storm endangers nay many can live in the greatest Tempest having but Sea-room enough when some can hardly live in a rough Sea. Now the people being thus toss'd and tumbl'd about the Ship many wax'd exceeding sick and vomitted continually after a dreadful rate you could hear the men groan after a pitiful manner others were sighing and not a few praying and committing their Souls unto God for they thought their Bodies must be Meat for the Fish of the Sea. The Sea-men that did belong to each Ship were almost kill'd in working so hard for to preserve their own and our Lives but now and then they would refresh themselves with a dram of the Brandy-bottle According as the Sea and the Waves roar'd so most Mens Hearts now fail'd them for fear at the apprehension of approaching Destruction A Holy Conscience at this time was a Magazine of Joy and as good as a thousand Witnesses Thus did we tumble and rowl about the Seas and among the unnatural Waves all this Night How desirable was the Day-light which Solomon says is sweet And what a pleasant thing would it have been for our Eyes but to behold the Sun though in the midst of such a dreadful Storm A worse hath not happened for many years as our ancient Ship-Masters and Mariners conclude for Darkness adds terrour to terrour and therefore the fear of death unto many at this time was almost as bad as death it self some Nabal like were dead with fear and their hearts as a stone Many Ships had their Sails blown off others had their Masts broken with the violence of the Storm the Waves often-times rowling themselves over the labouring Ships some had their Main-yards broken the Pipes of Water often-times bursting open the Barrels of Powder and Ball stav'd it cannot be conceiv'd what a dreadful thing it was as also what a strange kind of rattling the Bullets running about the Decks made therefore sundry Souldiers cried out I am sure I can feel the Hole where the Sea comes in at when as in truth it was the Water and Beer together flashing within the Ship for you must know we were most of us all in darkness no Candle being permitted to come under Deck because of the Magazine After we had made our Supplications for our selves and his Highness the Prince of Orange unto the God of Heaven we submitted our Wills to his blessed Will and I am perswaded that many now were willing to die after the thoughts of Death had possessed their mind so long and been impress'd in their
where they might most perfectly see him and pulling a Bible out of his Pocket he opened it and held it so in his right Hand making many flourishes with it unto the People whose Eyes were fix'd on him and duly observ'd him thereby signifying to the People the flourishing of the Holy Gospel by God's Blessing upon the Prince of Orange's Endeavours and calling out as loud as he was able faid unto them on the top of the Rock For the Protestant Religion and maintaining of the Gospel in the Truth and Purity thereof are we all by the Goodness and Providence of God come hither after so many Storms and Tempests Moreover said he It is the Prince of Orange that 's come a zealous Defender of that Faith which is truly Ancient Catholick and Apostolical who is the Supream Governonr of this very great and formidable Fleet. Whereupon all the People shouted for Joy and Huzza's did now eccho into the Air many amongst them throwing up their Hats and all making Signs with their Hands So after the Minister had given them some Salutations and they returned him the same again he came down from off the upper Deck unto the vulgar one among his Acquaintance who spoke to him about the People on the brow or side of the Mountain 'T is methinks impossible for any Man to be so blinded as not to discern the Finger of God in this Expedition from the beginning to the end thereof for a very favourable Wind now fill'd our Sails and brought us unto the long-desired Haven to the Joy of our Hearts and comfort of England and that the Wind should turn about from East to West when we came to the very place where we were to tack about is not to be forgotten It is in effect as if the living and true God should say unto the Prince of Orange our Joshua As I was with Moses so will I be with thee I will not fail thee nor forsake thee There shall not any Man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy Life I have prov'd thee and thou art not faithless I have weighed thee in the Ballance and thou art not found wanting Behold now will I make the Heavens to rejoice and smile upon thee Now will I turn the Hearts of this great and strong Nation unto thee I will bless thee with my right and left-hand Blessings Enter therefore and possess this good Land and be thou Ruler among my People Israel The Prince of Orange being come into the middle of the Bay called Torbay attended with three or four Men of War only that is to say one or two failing before his Vessel and one on each side the Ship in which he was and all the Merchant Ships Pinks and Fly-boats coming round him as near as they durst for safety the rest of the Men of War being out in the Rear to secure all the little Pinks and Fly-boats and withal to prevent the English Fleet from disturbing us in our Landing Here we all rode at Anchor for a little while before we landed At the upper end of Torbay there is a fair House belonging to one Mr. Carey a very rigid Papist who entertained a Priest in his House This Priest going to recreate himself on the Leads on the top thereof it being a most delightsome day as he was walking there he happended to cast his Eyes towards the Sea and espying the Fleet at a distance withal being pur-blind in his Eyes as well as blinded by Satan in his Mind he presently concludes that 't was the French Navy because he saw divers white Flags come to land the Sons of Belial which should cut off the Children of God or as they call us the Hereticks And being transported with Joy he hastned to inform his own Disciples of the House and forthwith they sung Te Deum This was second grand Mistake the third time will fall to our Lot to sing Te Deum for our safe Landing as the Prince had it done at Exeter Cathedral in the Quire And because false Reports were spread abroad that the People of this House had shot several of the Prince of Orange's Souldiers and thereupon they had burnt down the House I must inform the candid Reader that there was nothing at all in it for our People did not give them one reviling word nor they us some lodged there while we were at Torbay The major part of the Fleet being come into the Bay Boats were ordered to carry the Prince on Shore with his Guards and passing towards the Land with sundry Lords the Admiral of Rotterdam gave divers Guns at his Landing the Boat was held length-ways until he was on Shore So after he had set his Feet on Land then came all the Lords and Guards some going before his Sacred Person and some coming after There are sundry little Houses which belong unto Fisher-men between the two Hills at Tor-Bay where we landed The People of these Houses came running out at their Doors to see this happy Sight So the Prince with Mareschal Schomberg and divers Lords Knights and Gentlemen marched up the Hill which all the Fleet could see over the Houses the Colours flying and flourishing before his Highness the Trumpets sounding the Hoitboys played the Drums beat and the Lords Knights Gentlemen and Guards shouted and sundry Huzza's did now eccho in the Fleet from off the Hill insomuch that our very Hearts below on the Water were even ravished for Joy thereof On this Hill you could see all the Fleet most perfectly and the Men of War sailing up and down the Seas to clear them of all Enemies the Ships in the Rear making all the fail and speed they could The Navy was like a little City the Masts appearing like so many Spires The People were like Bees swarming all over the Bay and now all the Schievelingers are set to work to carry the Men and Horses unto Shore with speed for as yet they had done nothing The Officers and Souldiers crowded the Boats extreamly many being ready to sink under the Weight happy was that Man which could get to Land soonest And such was the eagerness of both Officers and Souldiers that divers jeoparded their Lives for haste sundry Oars were broken in rowing because too many laid hands on them some jump'd up to their Knees in Water and one or two were over Head and Ears Extraordinary pains was now taken by all sorts of Men to get their necessary things to Shore every one minding his own Concern The Night was now as the Day for Labour and all this was done left the Enemy should come before we were all in a readiness to receive them The Country Harmony was ringing of Bells for our arrival The Officers and Souldiers were continually marching up the Hill after the manner of the Guards with their Colours flying and flourishing Hoitboyes playing Drums beating and all shouting and ecchoing forth Huzza's As soon as the Prince had viewed well 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
House they concluded 't was their best course to call and drink there because it shew'd well to the Eye and People all along were very kind to the Souldiers and would make them drink and in many Places eat Hereupon these Straglers went to the House and asked for some Beer and the People there made them eat and drink freely saying Their Master had provided for them After they had eat and drank they hastned towards their Regiments lest the Enemies Party should happen to meet them Being come a little more than a quarter of a mile from the House they grew suddenly so weak and faint that they were not able to go any farther so they lay down under a Tree not suspecting what was the matter As they were in this desperate condition by meer Providence there came a Surgeon-Major that way who espying some Souldiers supposed they were some of the Prince of Orange's Men he went to speak with them and seeing them look so fearfully their Eyes being prodigiously swell'd he ask'd presently What was the matter with them or what did ail them they told him they knew not only they had eat and drank at the Gentleman's House behind pointing to the House The Surgeon having heard of their evil Preparations prepared immediately an Antidote and gave directions what they must do whereupon they presently began to vomit and after some time they waxed a little better and made shift to get to the Waggons which carried sick Souldiers and were under the Surgeon-Major's Hands for some time At the very next Town called Yetminster one Souldier died in the Night and none could tell what was the matter with him being very well when he went to bed which Souldier I buried there according to our Liturgy The others that were poisoned were strangely altered their Eyes being swell'd after an odd manner Now the Army being advanced near Sarum and the first Line being in the City the second at Wiltion and the Towns adjacent and the Rear Line at Tevent and Dinton one Line about two or three miles off the City and the other about seven or eight The Prince of Orange with his Highness the Prince of Denmark his Grace the Duke of Ormond Mareschal Schomberg Count Solms Count Nassau Heer Zulustein Heer Benting Heer Overkirk the Earl of Shrewsbury Lord Viscount Mordant the Earl of Macclesfield Lord Wiltshire Lord Cornbury Lord Colchester and sundry other Lords Sir Will. Portman Sir Rowland Gwynn Col. Sidney and many other Knights and Gentlemen rode into the famous City of Salisbury The manner of their Entrance into this City was far more glorious than that of Exeter For here the Mayor and Aldermen met his Highness the Prince of Orange in all their Formalities First of all marched the Regiment of Foot Guards belonging to Count Solms with their Colours flying Drums beating Hoitboys playing the People thronging in the Street and making great Acclamations Next some Troops of Horse with their Kettle-Drums beating Colours flourishing Trumpets sounding the Officers shewing their Courtesy to the People Then came his Highness the Prince of Orange with the Prince of Denmark on his right Hand and the Duke of Ormond on his Left. Never were Windows more crowded with Faces of both Sexes than here never were Bells ringing more melodiously than now at Sarum never were People shouting and ecchoing forth Huzza's in the Air more than now The Bishop's Palace there being the best and most meet place both the Princes rode thither altho afterwards his Highness Prince George went to the Quarters assign'd him The Princess Ann of Denmark was gone into the North with the Ladys Churchil and Berkley and the R. R. Bishop of London to those Forces there in Arms for the Prince of Orange And hearing that the Army was advanced to Sarum she came unto the City of Oxford where Prince George met her Royal Highness and conducted her safe to London having a Dutch Guard appointed them by the Prince of Orange The late King James's Army was now much broken most of the Protestant Officers and Souldiers come away and join'd his Highness's Forces So 't was apparent to all Men there would be no Field Battel Whilst the Prince of Orange remained in this City there was great resort from all the Country round about to see him who was the Nation 's Joy and the Peoples Delight because he had done so great Things for our Land And such was his exceeding wise Conduct that the the effusion of much Blood was prevented After some stay here the Prince of Orange went to Amsbury attended with the Duke of Ormond and many of the English Nobility and Gentry besides Dutch Scotch and French The first Line was advanced towards the most renowned City of London a considerable way the Roads here being good for marching And as the Regiments marched over the Plains they made pleasant Figures sometimes marching in Battalia and sometimes in a Line The Weather now was very favourable and the way very good And being to march near one of the Wonders of the World called Stonehenge most Regiments made an halt to view this strange Sight none that saw it could render any satisfactory Account concerning it Certain Officers ask'd the Minister of Amsbury what was his Opinion because they presumed 't was within the Bounds of his Parish who told them that he supposed it to be a Trophy or Monument erected in token of some notable Victory which was obtain'd there I must confess this is the general Opinion of the greatest Antiquaries of our Nation The Custom of erecting a Trophy or Monument in token of Victory is of great Antiquity and first began among the Greeks who used in that place where the Enemies were vanquish'd to cut down the Boughs of great Trees and in the Stocks or Bodies of them to hang up Armour or other Spoils taken from the Enemy Others argued strongly that these prodigious Stones were brought out of Ireland by Merlin's Magical Art and so curiously fram'd and put together To corroborate this Opinion they assured us that a piece broken off from these Stones and put into the Wall of any Well or cast into the Water shall for certain kill and destroy all the venemous Creatures therein To proceed the Army moved daily according to the Motion of his Highness who rode from Amsbury unto a certain Gentleman's House near Collingburn The late King James being almost past all hopes sent the Marquess of Hallifax Earl of Nottingham and the Lord Godolphin as Commissioners to treat with the Prince of Orange immediately and a Trumpeter was sent down to know his Highness's pleasure Whether he would admit of them as such And his Highness was pleased to grant them leave The place appointed them was Hungerford His Highness with all his Nobles c. went to Littlecott December 8 and remain'd there the Morrow being the Lord's Day for the Army never march'd on that Day but once in case of Necessity that the Souldiers should
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
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