regard the evil they had done him that so the King by the example of the sonne of God by whom he shall raigne God assisting may make grace abound where sinne abounds and in observance of the King his Fathers sage and Christian advice brought him by some that attended at his death which were to pardon his people and with a general Oblivion prevent their cries and lamentations But the other Obstacle stands yet and is of more importance that is the Calumny taken upon trust from hand to hand that the King is of the Roman Religion and will soon make it appear when he gets the raines of the Realme in his hands Sir Upon this point I must tell you that some yeares since this slander sprung from Hell I have made it my work to know the truth have us'd all sorts of means to discover what his heart was as towards God and if he were such as he was represented to me For this cause I followed him with a vigilant eye all the time he stayed in France after the battel he lost against Cromwell and again after he retired to Bruxells And that which drew me to this curiosity was not the tenents of those who hold that if the King prove not of the Protestant Religion we are not onely to abandon his Interests but with our power to oppose his return to the Crown for I have not so learned Christ nor can I be perswaded that because a man is not of our opinion in matter of Religion it is a sufficient title to deprive him of his Right and I willingly leave those deformed opinions that overturn the foundations of States and render Chhristian Religion incompatable with all the Polices of the Universe to such extravagant brains as hold the earth belongs properly to the Saints such as they take themselves to be and that the portion which every one who is not of the fraternity of these fanatick spirits enjoys is detain'd by injustice and absolute usurpation And by Consequence I cannot imagine the people of England were well principalled to cast their naturall Prince out of his Kingdom under colour that he was of a religion contrary to theirs For I know amongst the people of God there was never any such practice And that under all the legall dispensation since the state of the Jewes was devolv'd into the hands of Kings the people never rose against their Prince for his Idolatry but when oblig'd by expresse command from God As that given to Jehu And since Jesus Christ came upon earth the Christians that first embrac'd his Doctrine never esteem'd Idolatry wherewith their Soveraigns were infected sufficient to discharge them from their obedience The example of Julian the Apostate is in this decisive who revolting from Christianisme and becoming an Apostate and plunng'd in Pagan Idolatries and by this means had return'd the Empire which by a singular providence of God was fallen into the hands of Christians to the enemies of Christ an Religion yet receiv'd still homage from the Christians of those times who bore their yoke with humility because 't was God that laid it on them And it clearly appear'd this submission of the Church was acceptable to God by his timely releasing them from the persecution of this powerfull and malicious enemy for this change was but like a storm that soon is over and as a cloud as an Ancient calls it which for a time ecclips'd the glory of the Christian Church but by the good providence of God was dispersed in the turning of a hand and the Empire restor'd to Christian Princes who set the Church in her luster again 'T is true that in our age that unfortunate faction call'd the League stirred up by that spirit well known to all insolently publish'd that pernicious heresy that a Prince no sooner with Rome but he loses his Rights to his Crown and that the greater part of France poyson'd with this pernicious beleif us'd their utmost endeavours to have hinder'd Henry the great from ascending the Throne which he and his Posterity have since so gloriously enjoy'd But this doctrine went against the haire with all the good people of those times both of the one and the other Religion and numbers of honest men set their tongues their pens and their swords to work to maintain the Justice of that glorious Monarch and beat back this dangerous Maxime down to Hell where doubtlesse 't was first contriv'd 'T was not then Sir for that I had the least thought the Re-establishment of the King of England in his Paternall inheritance ought to depend on his Religion and that if I found he were imbu'd with the errours of the Roman Church I should have judg'd him incapable of that high dignity but for satisfaction of my self and all good people to the end that if according to the forejudgment I had allready in favour of his Religion which he deriv'd by tradition from his father of blessed memory to the constant profession whereof he exhorted him at his death I found him according to my hopes my joy might be accomplisht and I might spread the rumour every way where I thought the welcom news might conduce to the procuring Justice for the best cause on earth and that if amongst his subjects that differ in this poynt from the common sense of our Churches which allmost unanimously will have us give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar to Caesar I say as to Caesar only and not for that he is a Protestant Caesar they may learn that their King is doubly the Annoynted of the Lord and persectly of the quality they wish him and so there is nothing why they should not joyn with all other good subjects in the designe they appear to have of rein-throning him since not only there is no reason to oppose it but more there is not any pretence for it with the least colour of Justice To proceed I learn for certain he adher'd in his heart to the Protestant Religion for as much as man can judge of the profundity of that part I had it from such as have the honour to be near his person I am assur'd of it by the testimony of Mr. Long who had a share in the weighty affayres of the late Charles the first and of this likewise and who was one of those attended him in his voyage to Scotland A gentleman of an Excellent spirit not easily to be tax'd with any thing but a person of great integrity and who for those many yeares he liv'd amongst us was an exceeding help to our Church by his constant frequenting of Sermons and all acts of Piety can be required of a man fearing God and who for my particular highly oblig'd me not thinking me unworthy of his conversation nor the honour of his friendship He in the privacy of our most intimate communications hath a hundred times protested to me that the King of England in the bottom of his heart is of our Religion
the fire of the Almighties wrath All the world knows King Charles protested before that were present when he renderd his soul to God that he dyed of the Religion authoriz'd by the laws of England nor is there any one dares deny a truth so universally attested But such ridiculous miscreants there are who have impudence to say this protestation was but a fiction and suggested by the emissaries of the Pope That 't was done for policy and that the Popes Indulgencies allow so far But these impertinents tell not what was the politick end the Partizans of the Pope aym'd at nor what advantage could redound to their religion that the King of England even dying should openly and firmly protest he was a protestant But admit such an odde dissimulation was maintaind for some reasons to us unknown who is it these people can perswade that this Prince who during his life had ever given testimony of his singular piety should take pleasure to damne himself by counterfeiting before God man to favour the Interests of the Roman Religion I do not know that the Pope ever gave indulgence for sinnes to be committed Every one neverthelesse knowes the History of the great Bullisle Texel the first that publish'd such sophisticated stuff in Germany But I perswade my self there is no one can authorize future Hypocrisie and false Oathes when we stand so near the Throne of God before whom we go to appear And though Rome should grant things of this nature which I believe it do's not is it credible he would confide and rely more upon the Pope who calls Bad Good and justifies so prophane an hypocrisie than on God who assignes the portion of them who take his name in vain and of Lyars and Hypocrites to be in the lake of fire and Brimstone Sir 'T is then most evident the King of England lived and dyed a Protestant and by consequence the allegation is most impudent to say he imbu'd the King his sonne in the Roman Faith The second objection they make to the Religion of this Prince is that while he was at Paris he frequented not the Sermons If they could say while he was there he made no profession of his Religion the accusation were of force and considerable but that no man dares pretend for 't is well known the King of England had the exercises of his Religion which is ours in his Palace and there had the Word of God preached and the Sacraments administred after the manner of Charenton I should certainly have been glad he had been there and 't is to be wished those who were then about him had brought him thither So great an example had brought joy and consolation to our Churches and confusion to our enemies who thereby had been depriv'd of their most specious pretext to abuse the Religion of this Prince But there is no honest man excuses not this failing permit me so to call it for so in effect I judge it and I believe the edification might have been given to the Church of God ought to have carried him beyond all reasons could be alledged for doing as they did if they consider the many untoward conjunctures that hindered those who attended the Prince from giving him the advice I speak of which certainly was and the most sure and safe It proceeded Sir from this They who were next his person after his disasters were of different humours There were many who though they favoured the Hierarchy setled in England under the raigns of Edward Elizabeth and the two Kings who succeeded thought neverthelesse that this distinction of degrees in Ecclesiasticall functions was a government so necessary to the Church of England that it might not be omitted or chang'd into that they call the Presbyterian judging that this distinction of degrees in Ecclesiasticall functions is grounded onely upon a positive Law These are peaceable people that heartily joyne with forraign Churches who though they live not after the same discipline as they yet agree in all other doctrine and I know divers Bishops whom their books and repute testifie to be of this temper and they who were the more rationall and more knowing could have been content the King should have been at Charenton But there were others near him more passionate and rigid for the Hierarchicall Order who though they justify'd our Religion as to the Doctrine could not allow of the Order This sort of people are Antipodes to the Presbyterians both of England and Scotland Who hold they must absolutely break with the Churches that consent to Hierarchical Order and who are governed by Bishops and discover in this government something of pomp which they hold incompatible with the simplicity of the Christian Church The others on the contrary hold the Hierarchicall Order so necessary to the Church especially to that of England they can endure no government but that and have difficulty to communicate in our Churches though in matter of Doctrine they acknowledge them Orthodox Now of these was the greater number about the Prince who prevailed upon his spirit and hinder'd his coming to the preachings at Charenton to which I have been told he had a great inclination But you may observe if you please two occasions whereof these Hierarchicall Gentlemen made use to divert the intention of the King the one was that after this horrid revolution of the affairs in England both in Church and State and that Cromwell had invested himself in the Soveraign Authority whereof he had despoyl'd his Master the Agents of this Usurper possessed at Charenton the Seat of the Embassadours of the Kings of England And you will judge that since the King our Soveraign admitted them in the function of their Commission near his person 't was not for the Consistory or any Protestant to dispute with these people concerning the Seat they possessed at Charenton Now the party I speak of fayl'd not to take hold on this occasion and told the Prince 't were imprudence to go where he should have the grief to see his enemies in the place due to his Embassadours This reason touch'd the young King and he was easily perswaded I believe many others were guided by the same resentment But howsoever it appears the reason he came not to Charenton was not any aversion to the Doctrine preach'd there but because he could not resolve himself against an object so provoking and horrid and which he judged so injurious to his Majesty The other occasion these Hierarchical Gent made use of to divert the Kings inclination from his designe of giving testimony to our Churches of his spiritual communion with us was that the Pastours of the Church at Paris who assembled at Charenton went not to visit him whereupon they sayl'd not to intimate to this Prince that this was an evident proof of the aversion of those Churches both to him and his interests since those of Paris who make the most considerable part gave no testimony of any share in
and was assur'd the Church of God would ackowledge him and the time should come she would hold him her most precious Ornament 'T is true this Gentleman hath his soul transfixt with the love of his King but I am certain he hath a greater love to Truth and would not affirm a falshood so constantly with such affeveration for all the Crowns on earth I know likewise what he appear'd in this Town which was one of his first retreats after his defeat at Worcester and that all his discourse with those who had the honour to converse with him came from a heart sanctifi'd with the truth of the Gospel He spoke the very Language of Canaan he reprov'd such as murmur'd with David he conceal'd his deplorable condition Because 't was God that did it To some pious persons friends of mine he shew'd divers excellent prayers for his divine entertainments accommodated to the present estate he was reduc'd to All his discourses were season'd with nothing but faith humility patience and absolute resignation to the will of God who thrones and dethrones Kings as it pleases him who girds them with the sword but when he pleases to manifest his judgements cryes over their Crowne Subversion Subversion But by these discourses it appears that he gather'd great hopes of unexpected recovery in the mercies of God who when he will can raise with as great celerity as throw down and when he pleases changes our Desarts into Carmel In a word all that came near him observ'd a great soul not to be dejected by affliction who with a spirit perfectly noble Christian fustain'd himself in God to whom he resign'd his person and all his interests and who with the same devotion kiss'd the hand of God that came to take off his Crown with his Fathers head as hereafter he will kisse it again when he shall please to restore it Now Sir 't is not unknown to you that none but the true Religion gives this temper and none but the pure Gold stands the tryal of this teste And as in Daniel he who walked in the midst of the Furnace was known by his gate to be the sonne of God certainly he hath little skill in men that could not observe his carriage in these times of tryal to be the carriage of a true child of God and say of him Thou art a Galilean for thy language shews it Afterwards I am assur'd he testified great affection to such Pastors as had the honour to salute him in France and by the Lady Isabella daughter to the Earle of Holland when she took her leave of him at Amiens he sent to me to remember him in my prayers which must not be attributed to any converse I have had with this Prince for I protest before God I never had any that I never saw nor spake to him and that I have no engagement with him neither real nor verbal nor of personal hope and though I wish him all happenesse imaginable I neverthelesse expect not any thing from him But I believe some accidental occasion brought may name to his eare and hearing I was Pastor of a populous Church he was pleased to testifie by this obliging request he was of the same Communion with me Again I know him to be as you and I wish him out of the attests of his own Ministers Doctor Cosins amongst the rest a person venerable both for Doctrine and Piety And by the testimony of the Messieurs Breuins and Durel both eminent Pastours really native subjects of the King of England and who are honour'd with a share in his favours But I have so thorough a knowledge of them and so well know the candour and love they bear the Truth which they teach with such happy successe one with the Prince of Turenne the other with the Duke De la Force that I admire with as great acquiescence as a thing I had seen with my eyes or touch'd with my hands what they have oftentimes affirm'd to me that the King of England is a Protestant and of the best sort and that 't is not meerly secular interests engage him on this party but that he is so at the heart and that he makes the Religion he professes his Treasure of which they could not well be ignorant having attentively observed his wayes and carriage from his Infancy I suppose 't will not be amisse to tell you that of these two Gentlemen Breuins and Durel the King hath chosen the first for one of his Chaplains that is his Ministers in ordinary by reason this choyce confirmes the proof we endeavour to make of the Kings Religion and since he made election of one of the most zealous Professours of the Protestant Religion most capable to defend it and shew the beauty of it for one of the Directors of his conscience 't is an evident testimony he consents with him in Religion and will persevere under his example and conduct Which is likewise confirm'd by what I learn from all parts that he frequented oâ—r Sermons at Rochelie and other parts of France but particularly at this Town where with the Marquesse of Ormond who attended him without sitting down he heard the Sermon of Mounsieur Jansse my Colleague and told one to whom he discovered himself he had received greated fication And 't is observable he came incognito to these Assemblies and by consequence for no other reason then Devotion If he had been known to every one and had come in a publick way out of the violent inclination of his enemies to a sinister interpretation of this unfortunate Princes actions they would have said this was but a designe and he did it to regain credit with his people but since he was concealed 't is an assured testimony he had no other aime than his particular benefit Then the testimony of a Noble-man of note of the reformed Religion that is the Count of Suze is very considerable to me I saw him lately and intreated him seriously to tell me what he thought of the King of Englands Religion I address'd my self to him for satisfaction herein because he was diverse years at Bruxels with Monsieur the Prince whose cause he had espous'd and I knew moreover that the King of England was often with the Prince and that there was a great familiarity betwixt them The answer he made me was but what I knew before that the King of England while he was at Bruxels made high profession of our Religion and that every Sunday he diligently was very carefull to celebrate the duties thereof in his lodgings that to his knowledge his pulse had been often felt but he had made them understand he was not that way to be taken and that he knew in whom he believed and that his conscience was not like lands unknown at the mercy of the first comer I acknowledge I make great account of this testimony because I know he that gave it is a person of integrity that he was ever