so in Merit else they can hardly escape being undiscovered in their Adversity It 's almost as hard for a Prince to be concealed in a Disguise as for the Sun to be hid with a transparent Cloud I was not long ago at the Mercy of a Butler and must now be obliged to the Fidelity of an Inn-keeper and how dangerous is it to trust to those who must live by Gain when then they might have 1000 l. to discover my Person The tumbling of the Waves resembles the Instability of the Mob who cry Hosanna to day and crucify to morrow When the Sky is serene the Surface is smooth but when Storms arise they threaten both Heaven and Hell What Mountains of Water seem ready to invade the Skies and how do the bottomless Gulphs seem ready to disgorge upon Hell yet had I rather be here than amongst my rebellious Subjects who are swoln by the Winds of Error and Sedition But Thanks to my Guardian Angel I am within sight of Land and almost out of the Limits of my cursed Dominions Now am I arrived in a most Christian Country and under the Protection of the most Christian King This Place though it had not been called so before doth now deserve the Name of Havre du Grace as having indeed afforded a safe Haven to a Monarch who has been tossed by a Tempest of Rebellion Ave Regina Coelorum Ave Domina Angelorum Salve radix salve porta Ex qua mundo lux est orta Gaude Virgo gloriosa Super omnes speciosa Vale O valde decora Et pro nobis Christum exora CHAP. XVI On his Majesty's being conducted to Paris met by his Brother the Duke of York and entertained at the French Court. IT 's true I am now safe from the Fury of my rebellious Subjects but alas I am a King without a People and like a new married Husband deprived of his beloved Bride I had scarcely tasted the Sweets of the Throne when I was deprived of my Soveraignty per Force and instead of giving Laws to my own Subjects am now constrain'd to wander amongst Strangers I had not near obtain'd a plenary Possession when the Sword of an Usurper did serve me with an Ejection and instead of going to Paris in Triumph as did some of my Predecessors I am glad to go thither as a Supplicant and Fugitive And whereas my Ancestors did wear the Crown of France I must now be obliged to that Monarch to preserve me for the Crown of England and court his Endeavours for my Restitution Where my Fore-fathers us'd to command I must obey and am glad to be entertain'd as a Subject where I ought to be a Soveraign The Kings of France have been Prisoners in England and now the Monarch of Great Britain is a Fugitive in France So great is the Difference betwixt a King of England belov'd of his Subjects and one who is at Variance and War with his People for they who would have enabled me to come hither as a Conqueror have now constrain'd me to become a Petitioner But more than enough of this melancholy Theme I must strive to make the best of my present Condition in order to establish my future Repose Here I am safe from the Rage of Rebellion and injoy the Society of my Royal Relations Here I have a Palace instead of a Wood and the Society of Princes in lieu of Clowns I hold not my Life from the Courtesy of Peasants nor am I in hazard of Discovery by tatling Females Here I can despise the Proclamation of the Rebels and am neither in hazard by their Flattery nor Force It behoves me now to re-assume my Spirits and represent my Case to other crown'd Heads and solicite them vigorously to espouse my Cause lest the bad Example should reach themselves I must declaim warmly against all Commonwealths as mortal Enemies to the Name of Kings I must also alarm the Church of Rome and make the Pope understand the Danger of his Tiara and that my Republican Subjects have not only sworn the Destruction of all Crowns but will involve the Mitres in the same Fate CHAP. XVII On his Majesty's offering his Mediation betwixt the Prince of Conde's Faction and that of Cardinal Mazarin supported by the French King and the Odium which he thereby brought upon himself from both Parties MY Friends if divided can't give me that Assistance which I am sure they might do if they were united and therefore it 's my Interest to have that effected Circumstances do specify Actions of which this is a remarkable Instance If I were upon my Throne and in full Prosperity it would be my Advantage to pour Oil into the Flames that by their mutual Divisions I might triumph over both and make good my Title to the Crown of France but now that their Help is my only Refuge I must endeavour an Accommodation But of this I am resolved to take special Care that as much as I can I will side with the Crown which is the common Interest of all Monarchs On his Majesty's being suspected by both Parties The Office of Mediator I find very ungrateful and he that parts Quarrellers must have Blows for his Pains Of all Men alive I am the least obliged to my Stars for their malign Influence blasts all my Designs so that I can neither be in Peace at home nor abroad My direful Fate pursues me every where and not only involves my self but all my Relations in Ruine I thought that Monarchy had been sacred in France and the Persons of Princes not to be approached without Fear I thought that their Monarchs had been successful in making themselves to be look'd upon as Gods on Earth by keeping the greatest part of their Subjects in Ignorance that there was a God in Heaven but now I find that the Contagion of Rebellion hath spread every where and that my Mother though a Princess of the Blood is not secure in France and that that Deference is not paid to the Royal Family in her own Country which she would have extorted from the Subjects in mine O ye Saints if ye have Ears to hear or Hearts to consider have Compassion on a forlorn distressed Prince who can neither be safe at home nor abroad restore me to my Crown that I may restore your Worship or if I cannot restore it that I may at least connive at it If the Catholick Church have any of your Merits in her Treasure let them be made use of to my Advantage Ave Maria. CHAP. XVIII On Mrs. Lane's Arrival in France His Majesty's being disappointed of Mademoiselle d' Orleans and treating with the Duke of Lorrain for the recovering of Ireland HOW inveterate is the Malice of my natural Subjects that not only pursue my self but those who entertain'd me and vent their Rage against a poor Gentlewoman who befriended me I am not in a Capacity of giving her a Royal Reward but shall entertain her with Royal Honour and
ΕΙΚΩ'ΠΒΑΣΙΛΙΚΗ ' ΔΕΥ'ΤΕΡΑ THE POURTRAICTURE OF HIS SACRED MAJESTY King Charles II. With his Reasons for turning Roman Catholick published by K. James Found in the Strong Box. Printed in the Year MDCXCIV The CONTENTS I. ON his Majesty's being converted into the Catholick Church Page 1. II. On his Majesty's accepting of the Scots Proposals and taking the Solemn League and Covenant in Scotland p. 6. III. On his Majesty's Coronation in Scotland upon taking the Covenant and other Oaths to govern according to the Laws of that Kingdom p. 15. IV. On the Divisions amongst the Scots Presbyterians upon his Majesty's bringing his Father 's old Friends into Places of Power and Trust about him p. 18. V. On his Majesty's Defeat at Dumbar p. 20. VI. On the Defeat of his Majesty's Forces at Innerkeithing c. and his raising another Army to march into England p. 22. VII On his Majesty's Defeat at Worcester p. 24. VIII On his Majesty's Escape to Whiteladies from thence to Spring-Coppice and then to Boscobel house where he was conceal'd some time by the Penderels after he left the Royal Oak p. 28. IX On his Majesty's being in the Royal Oak p. 31. X. On his Majesty's being conceal'd at Boscobel house Entertainment there by the Penderels and Journey thence to Mr. Huddleston ' s. p. 34. XI On the Proclamation against entertaining his Majesty and offering 1000 l. to any that would discover him p. 38. XII On his Majesty's leaving Mr. Huddleston ' s and riding before Mrs. Jane Lane to Bristol c. in order to his embarquing for France p. 40. XIII On his Majesty's Journey to Trent and parting with Mrs. Lane there in order to his embarquing at Charmouth a small Village near Lime and his Disappointment by the Skipper's Wife who lock'd her Husband up that he should not carry him p. 45. XIV On his Majesty's Return to Trent and lodging at an Inn in Broad-Windsor in his way amongst Rebel-Souldiers where one of their Women were brought to bed and his Concealment in a Place at Trent where Recusants used to retire p. 47. XV. On his Majesty's imploying my Lord Wilmot to procure Money for his Transportation his hiring a Ship being known by one Smith an Inn-keeper and his Arrival near Havre de Grace in France p. 49. XVI On his Majesty's being conducted to Paris met by his Brother the Duke of York and entertained at the French Court p. 51. XVII On his Majesty's offering his Mediation betwixt the Prince of Conde ' s Faction and that of Cardinal Mazarin supported by the French King and the Odium which he thereby brought upon himself from both Parties p. 53. XVIII On Mrs. Lane ' s Arrival in France His Majesty's being disappointed of Mademoiselled ' Orleans and treating with the Duke of Lorrain for the recovering of Ireland p. 55. XIX On his Majesty's falling in love with one of his own Subjects in France his marrying her and having a young Prince by her who was afterwards created Duke of Monmouth p. 59. XX. On the French King 's concluding a Treaty with Oliver by which his Majesty and the Royal Family were to be excluded France and his going thereupon into the Low-Countries p. 62. XXI On his Majesty's travelling into Germany and the Low-Countries The Duke of Glocester ' s being importun'd and threatned by his Mother to turn Roman Catholick and the Duke of York's being charg'd to depart France p. 64. XXII On his Majesty's being invited into the Spanish Netherlands by Don John of Austria in name of his Catholick Majesty upon the Rupture betwixt Spain and France p. 68. XXIII On the Defeat of the Spanish Army and the Surrender of Dunkirk to the English p. 70. XXIV On Oliver ' s Death Richard ' s being declar'd Protector outed by Lambert and the Army c. p. 72. XXV On his Majesty's being invited to a Treaty on the Frontiers of Spain betwixt the French and Spanish Ministers about a Peace betwixt those Crowns Sir George Booth ' s Defeat The Confusions which the Nations were cast into by Lambert and General Monk ' s carrying on the Designs of restoring his Majesty p. 74. XXVI On General Monk's having brought the Design of his Majesty's Restoration to Perfection His Majesty's Declaration from Breda and Entertainment of the Presbyterian Ministers there who were sent over to him p. 76. XXVII On his Majesty's being proclaim'd by the Parliament His magnificent Entrance into London and injoying the Countess of Castlemain the first Night p. 80. XXVIII On the Parliament's condemning the Regicides and appointing an Anniversary Humiliation on the Day of King Charles I' s Murder p. 83. XXIX On his Majesty's dissolving the Parliament which called him in and summoning another p. 85. XXX On the Presbyterian Plots set on foot Novemb. 1661. Sir J. P' s forging treasonable Letters to that effect His Majesty's appointing a Conference at the Savoy betwixt the Conformists and Nonconformists and influencing the House of Commons to offer Reasons against any Toleration p. 89. XXXI On his Majesty's selling of Dunkirk to the French King for 500000 l. p. 92. XXXII On the Parliament's beginning to grow sensible of the Incouragement given to the Catholick Religion by his Majesty's Declaration Decemb. 1662. Their Petition on that head and his Majesty's publishing a Proclamation against Papists thereupon p. 94. XXXIII On the News of some more Plots by the Phanaticks against his Majesty both in England Scotland and Ireland The Execution of the Earl of Argyle Lord Wariston c. in Scotland and some of those concerned in the Plots in England and Ireland p. 96. XXXIV On his Majesty's making War upon the Dutch Anno 1664. p. 99. XXXV On the Parliament's voting to stand by his Majesty till he had a Redress for the Injuries done to his Subjects by the Dutch The King 's great Care to have his Fleet ready before theirs putting them off by fair Promises seizing their Bourdeaux Fleet without declaring War c. p. 101. XXXVI On the French King 's making Peace with the States Several Skirmishes with various Success The Victory at Sea by the Duke of York and the Plague which broke out in London in 1665. p. 103. XXXVII On the meeting of the Parliament at Oxford because of the Plague at London The King's Speech to them about the Dutch War and Supplies The Chancellor's Enlargement on it The Act for banishing Nonconformists five Miles from Corporations p. 107. XXXVIII On the Dutch's recalling their Ambassador from England The King's Letter by him to the States and the French King and his Majesty's Declarations of War against each other p. 111. XXXIX Vpon the Sea-fights with the Dutch May and July 1666. both sides pretending to the Victory And the French's lying by though they came as if they design'd to assist the Dutch p. 113. XL. On the firing of London p. 114. XLI On the Parliament's meeting at Westminster after the Fire His Majesty's Demand of more Money
against those who shall declare me a Papist or that I have a Design to introduce Popery And though those who are sharp-sighted may laugh at such a Provision as rather giving than taking away Cause of Suspicion yet when it dare not be openly talk'd of amongst the Vulgar it will not obtain a common Belief And the Church of England whom I support against the Phanaticks will certainly support me against their Censures And thus when I have made one Party of Protestants to bait the other sufficiently if the Church of England prove refractory afterwards to my Designs then I shall endeavour by remitting the Rigour of the Law to ingage the Dissenters on my side to favour an universal Toleration by which my Friends the Papists may have ease if the Episcopal Party begin to grudg at my Favours towards them or to fear that at last they may dispossess themselves CHAP. XXXI On his Majesty's selling of Dunkirk to the French King for 500000 l. THis I know will be censured as an impolitick Action and the shutting my self out of the Continent whereunto this Town opened a Door by which I might have invaded France and the Netherlands when I pleased It 's true that it was a Monument of England's Glory but such an one as being erected under the Conduct of an Usurper is not for the Credit of me nor my Family and therefore lest it should be an Allurement to re-intice my People to a Commonwealth I will make it a Sacrifice to my Cousin the French King Not that I owe so much to his Kindness but that he may supply my present Necessities with his Money And to testify my farther Resentments of that impious Rebellion the Citadels which Oliver built shall be raz'd throughout my Dominions and the Towns which held out against my Father dismantled and if it were not that the Consequence would be fatal to my self every one of them should be sowed with Salt their Inhabitants made to pass under Saws of Iron and have their Flesh torn with the Briars and Thorns of the Wilderness But I must pretend other Causes to the People lest they should be enraged as that I won't keep up Garisons amongst them when there is no need to disturb their Commerce nor leave it in the Power of other Kings to do it when the Places which are capable of being garison'd are dismantled though in reality it is to prevent the Rebels from nestling there or having recourse to them to favour their Rebellion the best way to be rid of the Harpies being to destroy their Nests And that I may free my self at once as much as is possible from that viperous Brood as I have already disbanded the Army under pretence that I would not keep up one in time of Peace but in reality because I would not have such a Body of well-disciplin'd Troops of their Principles together lest at any time they should make head against me as against their former Masters the Parliament Richard c. So now I 'll forbid their old Officers to stay within 20 Miles of London and the Remainders of the Troops I 'll send to fight against the Spaniards in my Wife's Quarrel and if they never return as I hope few of them will I can very well bear the Loss CHAP. XXXII On the Parliament's beginning to grow sensible of the Incouragement given to the Catholick Religion by his Majesty's Declaration Decemb 1662. Their Petition on that head and his Majesty's publishing a Proclamation against Papists thereupon IT 's a mischievous thing for a Soveraign to be limited and to be obliged to act the King only by halves How happy is my Brother of France who is not troubled with such Fetters but his Will does pass for an uncontroulable Law I abhor those Parliaments for they are nothing else but Spies upon Kings and dive into their most reserved and hidden Intrigues I find they begin to suspect my Religion and grudg at the Favours which I show to the Papists and therefore I must proceed slowly and surely Their Zeal to my Prerogative is regulated by their own Interest which makes them oppose my Dispensing Power So that I find I am only absolute against Phanaticks and Republicans but when I come to meddle with the Church of England my Power is limited and the Parliament must then be Sharers of the Soveraignty Their Petitions against my Administration may issue in Remonstrances against my Government as it happened in my Father's time and therefore it is my Interest to flatter them a little and by a Proclamation against the Papists to create an Opinion of my Firmness to the Protestant Religion in the Publick draw Money from the Purses of the Commons and so to recoil to give the stronger and heavier Blow CHAP. XXXIII On the News of some more Plots by the Phanaticks against his Majesty both in England Scotland and Ireland The Execution of the Earl of Argyle Lord Wariston c. in Scotland and some of those concerned in the Plots in England and Ireland I Find that I shall bring my Designs about by Degrees and under the Notion of Plotters execute Vengeance upon mine Enemies without incurring the Censure of being bloody or cruel It 's true that it may seem hard that I should take the Earl of Argyle's Head who was the Person that set the Crown upon my own But during this Extacy of Loyalty in which the Nations are at present the Method of such Proceedings will be the less taken notice of and it 's absolutely necessary for my purpose that the Earl of Argyle should be taken out of the way the Greatness of his Power and his Zeal for his Religion may otherwise prove great Impediments to my Designs I have Pretences enough against him because of his Activity in the Parliament's Rebellion and his Death will be acceptable to the Church of England because he was Head of the Presbyterians and the Friends of the late Marquiss of Montrosse and all the Cavaliers will concur with my Design against him and though there is no doubt but that he will profess his Innocence on the Scaffold yet the Authority of a publick Sentence will be of greater Weight or at least restrain the People from open Murmurings By his Death I shall have also this farther Advantage that the Power of his Clan will be thereby reduced and neither be formidable to my self nor Successors it being the Interest of all Crowns to guard against too potent Subjects As to Sir Archibald Johnston of Wariston though he be not so great in Power yet he is nothing inferiour to the other in Policy but indeed far above him and as the Trojans ow'd their Destruction more to Vlysses's Counsels than Achilles's Arms it 's my Interest to rid my self of a Politician who is my Enemy as soon as of one who is greater in Power and Quality And though it be reckon'd no great Policy for a Monarch newly re-establish'd to cement his Throne with
Means I shall not now be pestered with Returns of Precisians and Republicans for Members of Parliament nor can they have any share in the managing of the Government And as for the other Party they are so much taken up with the Discipline and Rituals of their Church that they are not very sollicitous what Innovations be made in her Doctrine And I have always found that their Harmony with the Church of Rome in the outward part hath engendred in them a better Opinion of the Papists than Presbyterians And thus at once I strike at the Protestant Interest at home and abroad It 's true that the delivering up of that French Gentleman and our placing the French Ambassador behind the Curtain to hear his Complaints and Proposals for Redress may seem inglorious and a thing below a Crowned Head But as it will confirm my Friends the Papists in their good Opinion of me it must needs be an Engagement upon the French King though I am but little obliged to his Care of my Reputation that suffered the Criminal to be examin'd as to his Converse with me while they were breaking him upon the Wheel but I perceive he thinks it his Interest to keep me low in the good Opinion of my Subjects lest I should put a stop to the Career of his Ambition which is his Predominant as Sensuality is mine but he is mistaken in his Measures I am as zealous for promoting of the Catholick Religion as he can be nor do I care how or by what Methods it is effected so it be but accomplished But I shall not trouble my self neither to enlarge my own nor stop the Course of his Conquests for I am as much concern'd to gratify my predominant Passion which requires Ease as he is to gratify his which is constantly attended with Hurry and Trouble CHAP. XXXVIII On the Dutch's recalling their Ambassador from England The King's Letter by him to the States and the French King and his Majesty's Declarations of War against each other THE Dutch having recall'd their Ambassador imports that they have no Hopes of obtaining a Peace however to dazle the Eyes of the World a little further I 'll send a Letter by him with an Offer of Proposals to the States wherein I will charge them as the Beginners of the War and testify my own Inclination to bring it to an end which though it is plain will never obtain Belief yet will serve for a Pretence that the Continuance of the War is not my choice and consequently free me a little from the Odium of the Havock which the Bishop of Munster with his Popish Forces makes in a Protestant Country and furnish Arguments to my Friends of the Church of England against those who suggest that my Design at bottom is to promote a Popish Interest The mutual Declarations of War by my self and the French King against each other will very much contribute to a Concealment of our Designs and give us an opportunity of destroying the Dutch more advantagiously for I am very well assured that the French Troops which march to the Assistance of the Hollanders will annoy them as much as those of their Enemies and make them quickly repent the calling in of such Auxiliaries but however there is this which will be gain'd by it that it cannot well be thought that my Design is against the Protestant Religion when a Monarch who is a professed Papist and the eldest Son of the Church of Rome does seemingly oppose me though by the Message which he lately sent to my Mother he hath sufficiently inform'd me as to his secret Intensions so that betwixt us I doubt not but we shall ruine that Knot of Hereticks And as I have brought their Friends here in England under the Lash of the Law I will take care to undo their Brethren in Scotland where by the Concurrence of their new Bishops and the Zeal of my Privy Council I can do what I please seeing all the Presbyterians are excluded the Government And thus while I set one Party of Protestants against another at home and dash the Protestants of England against those of Holland abroad I shall advance the Church of Rome and my own Prerogative apace CHAP. XXXIX Vpon the Sea-fights with the Dutch May and July 1666. both sides pretending to the Victory And the French's lying by though they came as if they design'd to assist the Dutch I Cannot always chain Success to the Wheels of my Chariot nor promise my self Happiness in every Undertaking I obtain'd one Victory over the Dutch and therefore may the better bear with my present Loss though at the same time I must conceal it to prevent the Grumblings of the People and order all the publick Tokens of Joy for a Victory How true were the French to their Promise of deceiving the Dutch and making them rely on their Assistance yet afforded them none so that though I have not obtain'd a Victory by this Procedure of theirs yet it hath considerably diminish'd my Loss for if the Dutch had not been deceiv'd by relying on the French they would have been better provided of themselves and in a Capacity to pursue the Blow further home And in truth I must needs applaud the French King's Conduct in letting the English and Dutch Hereticks fight it out and save his Catholick Subjects for a better Time and Service From their lying by I shall also reap this Advantage that though the Dutch proclaim their Victory it will be the less credible and my Pretensions to the same will be the better believed but the Mischief on 't is that their appearing so speedily at Sea after the Noise of my pretended Victories gives the People occasion to suspect my Veracity CHAP. XL. On the Firing of London THE Sword Pestilence and Fire are three of the heaviest Plagues that can befal a People and of late I and mine have had our Shares of them This dreadful Conflagration would be as pleasant to me as that of Rome was to Nero when he took his Harp in hand and triumph'd over its Flames if it were not that I am liable to the Suspicion of favouring it because my Brother and my Guards are so foolish and imprudent as to rescue those who are taken in the Fact and that some Catholicks who are not fit to be intrusted with Secrets have talk'd too openly of the Design a great while before it was put in Execution However this is a good Expedient to clear both the City and the Air about it from all manner of contagious Infection for that I could not set any Bounds unto but this I can limit That was the Hand of God This the Hand of Man That did promiscuously cut off my Friends and Foes but This I can order so as to make it fall upon the latter and after all if I cannot as Nero did with the Christians fasten the Plot of firing the City upon the Dissenters which the Jesuits have strenuously endeavoured
Their Address against Papists His Majesty's Proclamation on that Head The Prosecution of Protestant Dissenters Declaration of War against Denmark The Insurrection in Scotland in 1666. The burning of his Majesty's Ships at Chattam by the Dutch c. p. 119. XLII On the murmuring of the People at the Consumption of the Treasure His Majesty's granting leave to the Parliament's Commissioners to take the Publick Accounts His raising an Army of 30000 Men and disbanding them On the Parliament's being displeased with it The Sessions of Parliament in July October and February 1667. His Majesty's Speeches to them Proclamation against Papists Displacing of Chancellor Hide and League with the Dutch c. p. 124. XLIII On the Proclamation against Dissenters in 1669. Inviting the Dutch and Swedes into a League with us proposing a nearer Alliance with the Dutch and forcing the Treaty of Aix La Chappelle upon the Spaniards and the French p. 128. XLIV On the Interview betwixt his Majesty and his Sister the Dutchess of Orleans at Dover and her Advice to him to break the Triple League and concur with the French King to destroy the Dutch and the Protestant Religion and render himself absolute in England Her leaving one of her Maids of Honour created afterwards Dutchess of Portsmouth behind her and her own Death speedily after her Return into France p. 131. XLV On Colonel Blood ' s Attempt to steal the Crown A Proclamation against Papists to please the Parliament The second War with the Dutch The shutting up of the Exchequer The falling upon the Dutch Smyrna Fleet before War was declared and the Declaration of War thereupon p. 141. XLVI On the Dutch's surprizing our Fleet in Southwold-bay the Duke of York being Admiral His Majesty's Declaration to the Dutch The Progress of the French in the Vnited Provinces His Majesty's and the French King's Proposals to the Dutch and their rejecting them and making the Prince of Orange Stadtholder p. 148. XLVII On his Majesty's suffering the Parliament to meet Novemb. 1673. His Speech to them concerning the Indulgence and the Dispensing Power and the Necessity of raising more Forces for carrying on the Dutch War Several unsuccessful Fights with the Hollanders The Letter from the Dutch to influence the Parliament who addressed against the Match betwixt the Duke of York and Dutchess of Modena The Prorogation which ensued thereupon A Proclamation against Papists and the Consummation of the Marriage p. 154. XLVIII On his Majesty's Speech to the House of Lords upon the Address of the Commons against his Declaration of Indulgence The Answer of the Lords thereunto The Vote of the Commons for Ease to Protestant Dissenters and that part of their Address which desired that all in Places of Power and Trust should take the Sacrament according to the Church of England p. 163. XLIX Vpon the Complaints of the Commons that Ireland was like to be over-run with Popery because of his Majesty's Proclamation allowing Papists to live in Corporations and giving them equal Liberties to the English Their Address concerning the Danger of the Protestant Interest there and that Mr. Richard Talbot should be remov'd from all Publick Imployment and denied Access to Court And their Address concerning English Grievances with Reflections on the Miscarriages of his Majesty's former Designs of being impower'd to raise Money without Parliament on extraordinary Occasions and having an Vniversal Excise settled on the Crown p. 166. L. On his Majesty's making Application to the Parliament of Scotland upon his failing of Money from the Parliament of England the Scots insisting first upon the Redress of their Grievances and sending Duke Hamilton and others to London for that end p. 172. LI. On the Spanish Ambassador's Proposals for an Vnion betwixt England and Holland and declaring that they must break with England if the same were not accepted The Manifesto of the Dutch to the Parliament of England wherein they appeal to them for the Righteousness of their Cause The Parliament's Endeavours thereupon for a Peace and his Majesty's agreeing to it without including the French King p. 178. LII On his Majesty's proroguing the Parliament because of their impeaching his Ministers forming Bills against Popery and for the marrying of those of the Royal Family with Protestants and educating their Children in that Religion Clamours rais'd in the Nation that we were running back to 41. The Court's mediating a Peace betwixt France and Holland and sending 10000 of their own Subjects into the French King's Service p. 185. LIII On the meeting of the Parliament again April 1675. Their falling upon Bills for the Benefit of the Nation and being diverted by the sudden bringing in of a Test into the House of Lords to be imposed upon all in Places of Power or Trust Civil Military or Ecclesiastical obliging them to declare their Abhorrence of taking up Arms against the King or any commissionated by him and to swear that they would not at any time endeavour the Alteration of the Government either in Church or State p. 190. LIV. On the Debate betwixt the Lords and Commons about the Lords hearing of Appeals from any Court of Equity with the Behaviour of the Bishops in that Affair and the Opposition which they met with from the Earl of Shaftsbury c. p. 199. LV. On the meeting of the Parliament after the Prorogation His Majesty's Demand of Money to build Ships The Commons insisting upon the Bill for a Habeas Corpus Against sending Men Prisoners beyond Sea Raising Money without Consent of Parliament Against Papists sitting in either House For the speedier convicting of Papists and recalling his Majesty's Subjects from the French Service and the Duke of Buckingham ' s Speech for Indulgence to Dissenters p. 202. LVI On the Motion for an Address by the House of Lords for dissolving the Parliament The Address's being cast out by the Majority and the Protestation of the Country Lords thereupon p. 205. LVII On the filling of the Benches with durante beneplacito Judges The publishing of some Books in favour of the Papists and Prerogative The French King 's letting loose his Privateers amongst the English Merchants And the sending of Ammunition from his Majesty's Stores to the French King p. 211. LVIII On the meeting of the Parliament after the long Prorogation Febr. 1676. His Majesty's Demand of Money recommending a good Correspondence to the two Houses The Question whether the Parliament was not dissolv'd by that unprecedented Prorogation Sending some Lords to the Tower for insisting on it The granting of Money by the Commons p. 218. LIX On the Commons throwing out the Bill intituled An Act for securing the Protestant Religion and another for the more effectual Convicting and Prosecution of Popish Recusants p. 224. LX. On the Address of the Commons concerning the Danger from the Power of France and their Progress in the Netherlands His Majesty's Answer It s not being thought satisfactory by the Commons who presented a second to which his
by tricking some silly Fifth-Monarchy-men into a Plot yet if I give it only a little finer turn and alledg that it 's the Vengeance of Heaven upon this City for their being so instrumental in the late Ruine both of Church and State and not preventing my Father's Murder the Pretext will be plausible and taking with the Church for their great Patrons such as Heylin and others have oftentimes declared their Dislike of the Bulk and Populousness of the City and hate it because inclinable to the Puritanical Side so that these things being prudently insisted upon and the Clergy's Dislike of the City encouraged its Desolation and Ruines will be the less regarded and the Odium wear off from the Papists by degrees though at the same time they have wisely destroyed that which was look'd upon as the great Bulwark of the Protestant Religion And I have also reason to be very well satisfied that hereby they have exhausted the great Treasure of Rebellion But the main Danger is lest the Committee of Parliament appointed to dive into the Causes of the Fire should trace it as far as St. James's and Whitehall and then it will lie upon me and my Brother but if this should be the case I know of a Remedy viz. to call it a Forgery of the Dissenters to bring a Calumny upon the Royal Family and the Church of England who are their Adherents then to be sure though the Matter be as clear as Sunshine the Bishops and their Clergy who know they must stand and fall with me will maintain my Credit for their own Interest lest they should be utterly overthrown as in my Father's time And the better to cover my Design I must renew all my former Protestations of Zeal for the Protestant Religion and advise the Citizens in the first place to rebuild their Churches where they may worship God and mourn for their Sins which have brought on such desolating Judgments and this together with contributing something towards the Re-edification of the City and bewailing their Losses on all publick Occasions will conciliate their Respect and beget a good Opinion of me which will be sufficient to obviate all the Misrepresentations which the greatest of my Enemies can make of me and thus shall the Protestant Interest languish as by a Consumption in the Vitals while I smite it secretly under the fifth Rib. I know that the censorious Phanaticks will say that this Fire was carried on by the same Hand that manages the War against the Dutch and that the City is justly punish'd thereby for not opposing but rather concurring with me and that I have repaid them as I have done all my other Friends the Dutch the Spaniards and the English and Scots Presbyterians so that for their assisting me with their Treasure to carry on the War against the Dutch I and my Party have consumed their Substance But having taken care to have that Faction look'd upon as my Enemies whatever they say against me will be reckoned Spite and therefore though it be true it won't be much credited And for any Improvement which the Dutch may make of it as that I am punish'd by Fire in my own Capital City for endeavouring to bring Fire and Sword upon them I can easily hear them and laugh at their Folly for ascribing that to Providence which is my own Action and looking upon that as my Punishment which I esteem my Advantage and so far from being their Gain that it is their irreparable Loss for the Puritanical Citizens were their true Friends It 's indeed no small Cause of Triumph to the Roman Catholicks that instead of the Fall of Babylon as the Hereticks call Rome which they expected in 1666. the greatest City of the Reformation should lie in Ashes with 89 of their Churches which were polluted with Heresy 13200 of their Houses 150000 l's Worth of their Books and in the whole to the Value of betwixt nine and ten Millions of their Goods so that for once the Catholicks have put the Writ de Haeretico comburendo very effectually in execution upon their Houses the Fire or Plague of God having not long before consum'd above a Million of their Persons And if there be any such thing as a Deity the Catholicks might very well say now as in their Letter to my Lord Mounteagle which discovered the Powder-plot in my Grandfather's time that God and Man had agreed to punish this Heretical Generation CHAP. XLI On the Parliament's meeting at Westminster after the Fire His Majesty's Demand of more Money Their Address against Papists His Majesty's Proclamation on that Head The Prosecution of Protestant Dissenters Declaration of War against Denmark The Insurrection in Scotland in 1666. The burning of his Majesty's Ships at Chattam by the Dutch c. THough the Catholicks have not been able to blow up the Houses of Parliament with all the Lords and Commons yet they have consum'd the City which was both the Fountain of the Hereticks Treasure and Strength And to disable the Party further I have conveen'd the Parliament who I doubt not will dive to the bottom of their Purses and supply me with Money to ruine their Brethren the Heretical Dutch Though the Parliament hath been liberal enough in parting with their Money yet I find they are alarm'd at the Increase and Growth of Popery and accordingly have importun'd me with an Address It is not time for me yet to pull off my Vizard and therefore I must grant a Proclamation to please them but the Priests and Jesuits shall still have Protection as Attendants belonging to my Consort the Queen Their Brethren the Dissenters shall pay for this Animosity of theirs against the Papists and I will take care that the Laws shall be put in execution against them Let them remind me of my Declaration from Breda promising Ease to tender Consciences as much as they please I am at liberty to change my Measures according to my Interest The Presbyterians of Scotland have been condignly punish'd by Fines Free-quarter and Military Execution which hath happily procur'd an Insurrection according to my Desire So that now the greatest of my Rigour will be justified and when they pretend to be Sufferes for Religion I can accuse them of Rebellion This furnishes me with a justifiable Pretence to cut off some of their Ringleaders at present and endeavour the Extirpation of the rest by degrees And this I am sure to have approved by the Church of England because the Presbyterians obliged themselves to the Extirpation of Prelacy by their Covenant This will also serve to heighten the Resentments of the Episcopal Party against the Dutch when I represent how the Phanaticks act in concert with them and do manifestly favour their Designs by beginning an intestine War when I am engaged with them abroad Whence they will easily be perswaded of the necessity of complying with my Measures against both especially when I insinuate the Danger that there is to the Church
my self of this Trouble was because I perceived that all things happened alike to those who are called Good and those who are called Bad. But if there are any Beings superiour to Men I think that the Notion of the ancient Heathens who were for a Plurality of Gods has very much Reason in it and the Roman Catholick Church seems to own the same thing though under a different Name when they have so many Saints and Angels to whom they address themselves according to the Diversity of their Occasions which does necessarily imply that they believe a Plurality of Omnipotent and Omniscient Beings Then seeing the Case is thus it cannot be amiss for me that in imitation of their Example I betake my self to Patrons sutable to my present Necessities And it being Priapus and Venus whose Assistance I do most stand in need of it 's reasonable that I should make Application to them both conjunctly but chiefly to the first Nor can I see why it should be culpable in me to make Requests to them in my Prosperity seeing my Father is said to have made use of a Prayer taken from an amorous Romance in the Height of his Adversity though it had been consecrated before-hand to an Heathen Deity And whereas he whom Christians look upon as the Omnipotent hath commanded us in his Word to increase and multiply without any manner of Restriction it ought not to be offensive to them if I obey him in this Particular But thou O Priapus seeing the Female Deity Venus hath cast a favourable Aspect towards me as Monarch of the Britains who are the lineal Descendants of her beloved Trojans insomuch that the fair Sex have hitherto received my Addresses very kindly as becomes those who would be obsequious to that beautiful Goddess be not thou less propitious to me than she but assist me to the utmost of thy Power that I may be capable of a grateful Retribution to the fair Nymphs who bless me with their Favours I have a stubborn and rebellious People who are more addicted to War than Love but do thou inspire them with amorous Inclinations and wound them with the Darts of Cupid that they may grow out of Conceit with those of Mars They are fond of Parliaments because created by themselves but if thou wilt be pleased to vouchsafe me thy Favour I may govern them in time by a Parliament begotten by my self My Sons shall quickly over-ballance the Lords and their Interests and mine will have no little Influence upon the Commons amongst whom I can also bestow some of my Daughters Then shall I erect Altars to the God of Love and make his Conquests as large as my Dominions Let those who call themselves Christians admire their own Chastity and boast of their Temperance as loud as they can I don't find but their Patron was very favourable to the Adultress and Nicholas one of the first of their Sect maintain'd a Community of Wives Do thou assist me and I doubt not but to make thy Religion triumph over theirs for I am sure that the Number of those who are led by the Flesh is greater than the Number of them that are led by the Spirit Nor is it from me alone that thou art to expect Returns of Thanks but from Venus her self and her beautiful Train and particularly those Ladies who have now devoted themselves to my Service To Hymen I have twice perform'd solemn Adoration but to thee I vow perpetual Worship and will extend my Amours as far as my Prerogative Do not thou O Goddess of Beauty withdraw thy Kindness but as thou hast favoured my Conquests hitherto be pleased to enlarge them that I may become Father of my Country in Deed as well as in Name I have sometimes been apt to blame the Phanaticks for their long Prayers but if they be as intent on the obtaining of their Desires as I am for the obtaining of mine I find there 's no great Reason for it I am sure that this is the longest Prayer that ever I made in my Life and accordingly as I find your Answers I shall proportion my Praises and repay my Thank-offerings on the Altars of Bacchus you being the only Trinity whom I adore and the Eleusina Sacra my beloved Worship CHAP. XLV On Colonel Blood 's Attempt to steal the Crown A Proclamation against Papists to please the Parliament The second War with the Dutch The shutting up of the Exchequer The falling upon the Dutch Smyrna Fleet before War was declared and the Declaration of War thereupon THis is a very bold and daring Attempt and such as may excite Wonder sooner than Belief If there be many such daring Spirits among the Phanaticks it is not Policy to provoke them too much lest some attempt my Life as others have done the Crown However seeing the Design hath miscarried it 's fit that I should improve it which may be done several ways It will serve as an Argument to heighten my Resentments against the Dissenters and justify my dealing severely with them It will also serve for a Subject of Clamour against them to those of the Church of England and animate them to prosecute the Puritans to the utmost and at the same time countenance my Pretences of a necessity to dispense with the Laws against them while I am engaged with a foreign Enemy lest they should be provok'd to attempt something more dangerous though nothing can be more disgraceful than this would have been had it succeeded The better to cover the Treaty at Dover and to prevent the Suspicion of my Sister 's having engag'd me to do any thing in favour of the Catholicks I must emit a Proclamation against them as usual and though I never intend to put it in execution the Neglect will be easily fastned upon the inferiour Magistrates I cannot but wonder at this repeated Zeal of the Parliament against the Growth of Popery when at the same time they are so zealous for a Popish Form of Church-Government and Ceremonies and concur to make such severe Laws against their Brethren the Dissenters This must proceed from some Political but not Religious Considerations They are without doubt unwilling to part with their Church-Lands to have the old Tax of Peter-Pence renewed and be obliged to submit their Necks to the Pope's Usurpation These I don't question are the Grievances of the Laity and the Loss of their Benefices and Wives have no less Influence upon the Clergy Nor indeed is this particular Aversion to Popery to be very much wondred at in the Church of England seeing Popery in all its Pretensions is not admitted by the Church of France which has no good liking to the Pope's Supremacy nor did ever admit the Council of Trent As to the War with the Dutch I must urge all the Arguments to have it effectuated which my own Invention and those of the Cabal are able to furnish Their Encroachments on Trade being that which will be most plausible with
the Populace the several Companies must be influenc'd to make Complaints on that Head against them or if they won't yet I can assert it boldly in my Declaration It 's true that the Phanatical Part of my Subjects perceive my Design and mutter it where they dare do it with Safety but a Royal Declaration will be sufficient to weigh down the Clamours of such And though they complain of the Injuries done to my Subjects in the Foreign Plantations by the French yet all these must be buried in Oblivion so that I shall order such Complaints to be received but the Grievances shall never be redressed I must also represent the Dishonour done to the Nation by the Dutch's refusing to strike to the English Flag and the Affronts put upon my self by scandalous Medals and Pictures which my Pensioners and Friends in the House of Commons will take care to aggravate to the Height It will be a meritorious piece of Service at this time to find occasion of Quarrel with the Dutch now when they are out in pursuance of the Triple League to prevent the Progress of the French in the Netherlands It is not to be supposed that they will be guilty of such a manifest Breach as to refuse to strike to my Fleet or any of my Men of War in my own Seas and therefore I will order a small Yatch to sail through their Navy on their own Coast and upon their not striking as in such a case they will scarcely think themselves oblig'd to do I shall have Ground enough to found a Quarrel My next Care must be to prevent the Dutch's coming to a Treaty or offering Satisfaction and to declare War when they come near a Conclusion that so the French may have Opportunity of over-running their Country and they and I shall divide the Spoil But this being a Design of great Importance I must take care to keep it secret and therefore it 's fit that I should put out of the Council all those that are disaffected to the Intrigue on the pretence of its being contrary to the Interest of England and the Protestant Religion A War with the Dutch being resolved on my next Care must be to provide Money which are its Sinews The pursuit of my Pleasures which are the chiefest Good that my Soul desires have drain'd my Treasury so that I must think of some Method to fill it again My Subjects are averse to this War against their Fellow-Protestants and will not easily be brought to contribute for carrying it on but having decoyed abundance of the wealthiest of them to bring their Money into the Exchequer upon hopes of great Gain I am resolv'd to shut it up and apply the Money found there to the Use of the War This will be an effectual Means to drain the Purses of my Heretical Subjects and if they murmur I shall make use of their own Money to chastise them but I am in no hazard of a Rebellion upon this account for although the Loss will affect the whole Nation yet immediately it reaches only to few None put in Money into the Exchequer but those who have enough left behind and for such they 'l be loth to hazard the Loss of the rest by any Tumult or Sedition especially when Passive Obedience is preach'd to them daily from the Pulpits that their Lives and Fortunes ought all to be at the Service of their Prince who has Power to make use of them as he thinks fit according to the several Exigencies of State This being one certain Method of procuring Money to carry on the War at the Charge of my Heretical Subjects I have another in view to make the Dutch contribute toward it themselves and that is by seizing their Smyrna Fleet before War be declared This it 's true will look ill but the Catholick Maxim that Faith is not to be kept with Hereticks absolves me from all Guilt and if I be successful in the War as I have very great Reason to hope then I can justify the Action by the Event as I did formerly when I fell upon their Fleet before Cadiz and yet I have weather'd out all the Storms of Reproach which were impending over me upon that Account To blind my Subjects still further I must pretend that nothing but unavoidable Necessity could have prevail'd with me to have shut up the Exchequer but that the Welfare and Advantage of particular Persons must always give way to that of the Publick that it 's better to seize the Money of a few to make use of it in Defence of the whole than suffer Foreigners to invade us and hazard our All that seeing all my Neighbours are preparing for War it 's not fit that I should lay my self open to Surprize and my Treasure being spent and my Revenues anticipated it 's but reasonable that I should take the first Money that comes to hand for defence of the Publick Then as to my attacking the Dutch I must justify it by charging them with Ingratitude to this Nation notwithstanding of the many Favours conferred upon them by my self and Predecessors and I am sure of having the Clergy on my side because of the Hatred which they have against the Dutch both upon the account of their Government in Church and State and they together with the Court-Party will raise a Clamour sufficient to drown the Murmurs of the Phanaticks whom I have also endeavoured to take off by dispensing with the Laws which are in being against them CHAP. XLVI On the Dutch's surprizing our Fleet in Southwold-bay the Duke of York being Admiral His Majesty's Declaration to the Dutch The Progress of the French in the Vnited Provinces His Majesty's and the French King's Proposals to the Dutch and their rejecting them and making the Prince of Orange Stadtholder THE Dutch by their Diligence have ballanced my Dissimulation and surprized me instead of my surprizing of them This is a remarkable Disgrace to my Brother and me and will strengthen the former Reflections that have been made on our Conduct confirm the World in the belief of the Unsuccessfulness of our Arms and make my Subjects curse our Amours as the fatal Causes of all their Ruine It 's true that his Carriage in this Affair is highly to be blamed that he should be so intent on the satisfying of his Passion for a Woman when his chief Passion ought to have been the acquiring of immortal Honour for me and himself by executing Vengeance on the Heretical Dutch But why should I upbraid him with it seeing this Temper is hereditary to him and me both I must excuse it to the People as the Fortune of War and in the mean time comfort my self with the Success of my Allies the French who have well nigh over-run them by Land though they have had the better of me by Sea and that Element does now triumph over their Country upon which they so lately triumph'd over me they being under a necessity of drowning
their Territories as having no other way to save them from their Enemies That I may the better accomplish my Designs upon them I must take care if possible to divide them and for that end will publish a Declaration inviting such of them as are either well affected to me or weary of the Oppression which they groan under at home to come hither with their Effects and Ships to England where they shall enjoy the Privileges of my natural Subjects And as this will create a Jealousy amongst themselves and occasion a general and mutual Distrust so it will in some measure take off the bad Opinion which my Subjects may have conceiv'd of me for engaging in this War against their Protestant Neighbours And to prevent the Fanatical Murmurs which have a tendency that way I will issue a Proclamation forbidding all publick Discourse amongst the People on that Subject And to consummate their Ruine I 'll send over new Plenipotentiaries to the States under a pretence of concerting Measures to stop the Progress of the French Conquests but really to assure them in what they have got and to prevent their depriving me of my due share lest Lewis XIV treat me as Aesop's Lion treated his Fellow-Hunters who would be satisfied with no less Dividend than the whole By this Means I shall still bring some of the weaker sort to have a good Opinion of me and in the mean time shall have the Opportunity to attempt the bringing off of the Prince of Orange from the States by putting him in hopes of enjoying the Soveraignty while my Plenipotentiaries shall have Instructions to take care that my Interest be assured with the French King and then when both of us insist upon high Terms the Dutch must either submit or be undone Though Plots be well laid they don't always hold for the Dutch continue refractory let us do what we can I thought that my Interest and Authority might have prevail'd with my young Nephew the Prince of Orange especially when tempted with the Proffer of Soveraignty but I find he is Proof against all such Allurements the Blood of the Family of Nassau has got the Ascendant in him so that I am afraid there 's not a sufficient Alloy of mine I doubt that the Consequence will prove that my Mother's Present of her eldest Daughter instead of being serviceable to her Design will utterly ruine it for that Family seems to be destin'd for the Bane of unlimited Prerogative and they have for a long time been the invincible Champions of the Northern Heresy I do also foresee an impending Storm from the House of Austria upon me and France as if the Fates had resolv'd to turn the World upside down and make that Family which did propagate the Catholick Religion with so much Zeal a Bulwark now for the Defence of Heresy It 's strange that the Emperor after he had intimation that the Design of this War was to root out Heresy from the Western World should yet oppose me and my Brother of France but let the greatest of the Bigots pretend what they will I find that their Interest is their chief Religion and that confirms me in the Opinion that the whole of Religion is a Cheat. However I resolve to go on with my Proposals and back my Brother the French King in his Demands of a full Liberty to the Roman Catholicks not only to profess their Religion openly but also to enjoy the Publick Churches And that this may be the better effected I must stand by him till he have the best of the Towns which he hath taken from the Dutch ascertained to him and a yearly Gratuity the Payment of which may reduce them to Poverty For my own part I resolve to insist upon having the Flag and that they shall strike to me on their own Coasts that so I may assure my self of the Dominion of the Seas and some of their best Towns I will demand for Security that they shall faithfully perform their Contracts with me to pay me a Million for by-past Damages and 10000 l. per annum for their fishing on my Coasts By this Means I doubt not but a fatal Blow may be given to those Heretical Republicans and the Family of Orange quite destroy'd to the great Satisfaction of all good Catholicks to whom they have been irreconcileable Enemies and I can easily wipe off the Odium by charging the Prince with Ingratitude for the Royal Favours bestowed on him by my Family But I find that the stubborn Dutch are neither to be frightned nor flattered now that they have declared the Prince of Orange their Stadtholder Nor could they give a greater Instance of their bidding Defiance to France than by massacring the De Witts who were thought to be its Pensioners There 's no doubt but that they will look upon themselves as betrayed by me when I sent over Plenipotentiaries on pretence to favour them and that yet I should enter into a new Alliance with France against them and they will exclaim against my Unkindness to my Kinsman the Prince of Orange but they may remember that the French Massacre was carried on under pretence of an Alliance with the head of the Protestants and that it can be no Crime for so near Descendants of the Royal Family of France as I and my Mother to follow so great an Example of our Predecessors The matching of my Sister with the Family of Orange was design'd as a Kindness to our selves and not to them So that if they do not answer our Design on their part it 's but reasonable that there should be a Breach on ours And seeing the Dutch by their Example and Incouragement bid defiance to my Arms in so contemptuous a manner it 's but reasonable that I should chastise them for their Insolence and not sit down patiently under such a Diminution of my Glory and I doubt not but my Brother of France and I shall find Means to stir up the Bishops of Cologne and Munster who are Neighbours to the Dutch and consequently the greatest Haters of them both because of their Form of Government and Heresy to take part with us against the House of Austria And to prevent the Protestants Belief that the chief Design is against their Religion we shall influence the Duke of Hanover by our Gold to join with us and he being a Protestant it will make our Design the less perceptible CHAP. XLVII On his Majesty's suffering the Parliament to meet Novemb. 1673. His Speech to them concerning the Indulgence and the Dispensing Power and the Necessity of raising more Forces for carrying on the Dutch War Several unsuccessful Fights with the Hollanders The Letter from the Dutch to influence the Parliament who addressed against the Match betwixt the Duke of York and Dutchess of Modena The Prorogation which ensued thereupon A Proclamation against Papists and the Consummation of the Marriage HOW uncomfortable is it for a Monarch to be limited and not to have
any Acceptance with their ancient Allies of France to whom they recommended themselves formerly by their Military Services so that at once I shall revenge upon them the Blood of all my Predecessors whom they have murdered and turn the best of their Country into a Hunting Field And herein I doubt not of the Concurrence or at least Connivance of the English Nation because of the ancient Enmity betwixt the two Kingdoms and if once the Scots be subjected I shall with the more Ease bring England under the Yoke CHAP. LI. On the Spanish Ambassador's Proposals for an Vnion betwixt England and Holland and declaring that they must break with England if the same were not accepted The Manifesto of the Dutch to the Parliament of England wherein they appeal to them for the Righteousness of their Cause The Parliament's Endeavours thereupon for a Peace and his Majesty's agreeing to it without including the French King MY Stars seem to threaten me with a Series of bad Influences I can neither have Money from my Subjects of Scotland nor England nor yet the wonted Supplies from France and now the Spaniards are not only become Mediators but threaten me if I continue the War with the Dutch What a mighty Change is this that they who did formerly seek their Destruction should now interpose for their Preservation and treat their formerly Rebel-Subjects with that Respect which is due to the best of their Allies And that his Catholick Majesty whose Predecessors were the greatest Champions for Popery and Absolute Monarchy should now become the Patron of Hereticks and Republicans I may hence observe that Princes pursue different Measures according to their different Interests and support those at one time whom at another they seek to destroy The Spaniard though esteem'd the most bigotted Papist yet prefers his Interest to his Religion and thinks it better to save the Heretical Dutch than to perish with them and to preserve their Commonwealth rather than to lose a Limb of his own Monarchy And seeing all the Neighbouring Monarchs pursue what they think their different Interests and summum bonum by such Methods as they themselves think best I may certainly be allowed to pursue my Pleasures which I reckon my chief Happiness by such Methods as I my self think convenient The Dutch take advantage from the Discontents of my Subjects and labour to foment Jealousies betwixt them and me and according to their Republican Humour would make the Parliament judg of my Actions whereby they would insinuate themselves into my Peoples Favour and blacken my Designs as much as they can Accordingly I do find that they have their Aim and the Commons have declared their Sentiments for a Peace so unhappy a thing it is when the Head and the Members don't agree and that Soveraign and Subjects drive different Designs I must try what Influence a Speech will have upon the Commons when larded with Promises of securing their Religion and Property and tell them that our Enemies place their greatest Hopes in our Divisions and seeing they prepare for a War it will be very dishonourable for the English Nation to be threatned into a Peace especially seeing the best way to procure an honourable Peace is to treat with the Sword in hand and to have a good Fleet ready to oppose them which cannot be effected without a large Supply I have also taken care to inform the House as to my Treaties with France of which they have had hitherto very frightful Representations but cannot prevail with them to believe what I say so far have their Jealousies got the Ascendant over them that Popery and Arbitrary Government are ready to break in upon them wherein the Earl of Shaftsbury proves a very ill Instrument and foments their Jealousies by discovering my Intrigues so mischievous a thing is it when great Courtiers fall off from their Duty so that now the Commons will listen to nothing without a firm Security for their Religion and Property and the better to insinuate to the People the greatness of their Danger they have made application to me to appoint a Fast desire that the Trainbands of London may be raised to suppress the tumultuous Meetings of the Papists and accuse my chief Ministers of Designs against the Nation for which they would have them banish'd my Presence for ever These are woful Circumstances to which I am reduc'd and afford me but a melancholy Subject of Meditation when I consider what Pains and Expence I have been at to deliver the Nations from the Bigotry of Religion by testifying how little I value it in my own Practice and how careful I have been to discourage it in others that now when my Parliament hath concurr'd with me for so many Years to ruine their dissenting Brethren at home and Protestant Neighbours abroad they should at last become refractory and obstinate and from an over-heated Zeal for Religion pursue the same Measures themselves which they have condemned in others I reckon'd that the indulging of a Licentiousness in Practice would at last have extinguish'd all Sense of that which they call Religion but the Event shews that I am mistaken The Phanaticks whom I have prosecuted will say that the Judgment of God hath pursu'd me and created a Difference betwixt me and my Parliament who did so unanimously concur to promote their Ruine and this Cant they will buz and spread about the Nation and value themselves upon their Foresight as having so long ago foretold what is now come to pass and by this Means work upon the present Fears and Ferment of the Nation but I shall fall upon a Method to be even with them afterwards and infallibly turn the Tables upon them In the mean time I must make the best Improvement of my present Circumstances that I can and seeing there is no avoiding of a Peace with the Dutch I must seek for a Pretence to come off with Honour for which the Marquiss de Fresno's Proposals in name of his Catholick Majesty come very opportunely for seeing they are new Proposals I can easily give out that they are more advantagious than the former and by seeming to advise with the Commons whether it be meet for me to accept of them or not I shall both please them and salve my own Reputation for my Allies the French will by this Means see that my concluding of Peace is the Effect of Constraint and not of Choice seeing I can neither have Money nor the Parliament's Consent to carry on the War and if the French King should complain that I act dishonourably in concluding a Peace without him it will be a plausible Answer that I am not Absolute as he is So that having neither Men nor Money at Command without my Parliament's Concurrence I am under a Necessity of discontinuing a War which they are against And seeing he hath fail'd me in his promised Supplies he cannot be angry that I seek for them elsewhere it being every whit as
and injur'd Prince might afford me a safe Retreat in this Kingdom yet I find that I cannot be safe from Insults because I advis'd that the Cardinal should be remov'd On the Consummation of the Marriage and the young Prince's Birth Hymen I have found exorable but Mars continues obstinate I have been successful in my Love though not by my Sword My next great Care must be to keep the thing secret else it will rejoice my Enemies and disgust my Friends the former that I have so much degraded my self and rid them from the Fear of my Foreign Allies and the latter that I have thus put my self out of a Condition of relieving them from the Yoak of a tyrannous Usurper so that the Sweets which I enjoy are mix'd with sowr and my Stars have still a malign Influence The same Precautions must be us'd as to my Brother and we must weather this Point as well as we can As my Comforts increase so do my Cares I have a Queen and a Prince but cannot provide for them as I ought However there 's Vengeance entail'd upon my Enemies for here 's one more of the Line to revenge his Grandfather's Blood CHAP. XX. On the French King 's concluding a Treaty with Oliver by which his Majesty and the Royal Family were to be excluded France and his going thereupon into the Low-Countries SInce the Kingdoms to which I have a natural and hereditary Right would not entertain me it 's no wonder that this to which I have only a Title should refuse it so that my unlucky Fate hath now stripp'd me of all my Possessions both Real and Titular I have no reason to complain of France's dealing thus with Princes of the Blood when Britain and Ireland have done so by their natural Soveraign Bless me how strange a thing is it that the Arms of a traiterous Subject should be able not only to expel me from my own Dominions but disturb my Repose in those of others and how dishonourable and unnatural is it for one Monarch to countenance Rebellion against another But why should I say thus it is just with Princes as it is with the Pope he would impose his Infallibility upon others when he does not believe one word of it himself So we would have our own Subjects to obey us without Reserve as being obliged by God so to do and yet we countenance the Rebellions of one another's Subjects Thus did my Father make a shew at least of countenancing the French Hugonots against their natural Soveraign My Grandfather King James though a great Admirer of Kingcraft did in some sort espouse the Elector Palatine's Quarrel against his Soveraign the Emperor And my Predecessor Queen Elizabeth supported the Netherlands in their Rebellion against the King of Spain So that in short my Church-of England-Subjects may boast of their Loyalty what they please but I think they have very small Reason for they that make no Scruple to countenance the Rebellion of others will make no Conscience of rebelling themselves if ever they have occasion And thus if there be any thing like Divine Justice I am punished for the Sin of my Forefathers and as they countenanc'd the Rebellions of other Princes Subjects against them now others countenance the Rebellion of mine against me so that amongst us we shall expose the Dignity of Monarchy and make all our Pretensions be look'd upon as a Cheat. But it 's in vain to dispute the Fates have decreed it and I must obey so that rather than be sent from this Kingdom with Disgrace or any publick Remark I 'l abandon it willingly of my own Accord and save my Honour as much as I can CHAP. XXI On his Majesty's travelling into Germany and the Low Countries The Duke of Glocester's being importun'd and threatned by his Mother to turn Roman Catholick and the Duke of York's being charg'd to depart France INstead of being a Monarch of three potent Kingdoms I am now become a Citizen of the World and must be content to reside where I can find Reception It 's hard that Lewis XIV should have dealt thus with me and that the Advice of a Priest should take place to the Disadvantage of a Prince of the Blood Royal of France that he who covets the Title of the most Christian King should not be more hospitable to a Prince who suffers for the most Christian Cause that France should make a League with the Murderers of my Father and yet erect a Monument to render the Jesuits eternally infamous for stabbing of Henry IV my Grandfather that the French King who pretends to be Absolute himself should so far approve of my Subjects Rebellion against me appears with a very bad Aspect He 's not so much afraid of the Influence of the bad Example as willing to keep the King of Great Britain humble for fear I should pursue my Title to France and knowing that Republicks are unfit for Conquest he is rather inclinable to favour the New Commonwealth and prefer his Interest to his Reputation Nor is it the French King alone who opposes my Designs but my Mother I perceive has a hand in the pie though I suppose she is misled by an Overcharge of Zeal It 's not my Interest that any of my Brethren should openly profess the Romish Religion for that were a way to obstruct our Return and yet she not only sollicites but threatens my youngest Brother if he do not openly profess himself of that Church an Evidence that she had but little regard to my Father while alive when she tramples so avowedly upon his Commands now that he 's dead if the Εικον Βασιλικε was truly his wherein he not only advises me against any Change of my Religion but all the rest of his Children and though it 's true that I have changed mine in Obedience to a higher Command viz. that of Christ's Successor upon Earth and for the advancing of my own Interest yet it is not publickly known and by Consequence is not scandalous but for my Mother thus openly to scandalize the World by influencing my Brother to an avowed Breach of my Father's Commands is no sutable Return for that last Message which he sent her that his Thoughts had never strayed from her So that either she must not believe that Book to be his or is very impolitick to take such Measures However I will make the best Improvement of it I can and send for him away from under her Conduct which will be a good Argument for my Friends in England to prove that I am firm in my Religion and I will endeavour to perswade her that I do it out of Policy because I would not come to a Rupture with her My Brother James's being commanded out of France does justify the Policy of my former Conduct in not staying till I was sent away which though disgraceful enough to him would have been much more so to me Having had such slender Entertainment amongst Papists it
will make our Friends in England believe that we are still good Protestants especially now that I make Application for Assistance from Protestant States so that I must turn every thing to my Advantage as near as I can though I am not like to do much with the Republican States of Holland who being jealous already of the Family of Orange will be afraid lest I support their Interest Yet it will strengthen my Cause if I get but a favourable Answer because it will be an Argument in the Mouths of my Friends to prove that the Proceedings against me are dislik'd by Foreign Protestants CHAP. XXII On his Majesty's being invited into the Spanish Netherlands by Don John of Austria in name of his Catholick Majesty upon the Rupture betwixt Spain and France INstead of being able to serve my self every one would serve their turn of me the Spaniards who refused my Father a Wife do now proffer me their Assistance to regain my Crown that they may the better preserve their own Dominions My Presence they judg may be serviceable in Flanders to withdraw my Subjects who have join'd the French and now that I may be useful they condescend to court me and my Circumstances oblige me to try my Fate perhaps my being present in Person may draw over some of my Subjects from the Enemy and my being so near England may animate my Friends there to some brave Attempt and seeing Fortune favours the Bold I 'm resolved to adventure perhaps she may be sated with my past Miseries and instead of her usual Frowns vouchsafe me some Smiles The malign Influences of my Stars are it may be exhausted and the Aspect of the Heavens become more propitious The Tyrant's Oppression does fret my Subjects at home and if Victory should crown my Head with Laurels abroad I may soon return with Triumph to my Throne The Usurper having disobliged the Nobility by the height of Contempt abolishing the House of Lords and squeezing the Commons may perhaps incline them to witness their Resentments when they hear that I 'm at the Head of a numerous Army If the Church-of England-men act their Part as the Presbyterians have done theirs though I confess they are infinitely less obliged they might quickly give the Usurper such a Diversion as would oblige him to recal his Troops for his own Defence But alas the Miscarriage of all my Designs in England and the renewed Attempts of my Friends in Scotland give me reason to fear that the same ill Fate attends me abroad and therefore I think it best not to be with the Army in Person but send my two Brothers and what Men I have lest my former ill Fortune should give the Spaniards occasion to say that it had also an Influence on their Affairs in case their Army should be defeated CHAP. XXIII On the Defeat of the Spanish Army and the Surrender of Dunkirk to the English HOW are all my Hopes vanish'd in a Moment and my towering Designs brought down to the Dust My ill Fate not only pursues my self but involves my Allies in the same Destiny Those who flatter this fortunate Usurper will doubtless say now O nimium dilecte Deo for nothing can stand before him The Loss of this Battel does mightily affect me so many of my best Friends having done their utmost to retrieve our lost Cause in it but in vain and my two Brethren commanding in Person have also been made sensible of the Frowns of Fortune so that the whole Family will be henceforth esteem'd unsuccessful and what dangerous Consequences attend such an Opinion of Generals Experience hath taught in all Ages There happened nothing favourable in this Rencounter but that my Brother James being taken had the good Fortune to escape Whence I have some ground to hope that we are preserved for better Times and though Fortune at present favours Oliver so that neither Scots Dutch nor Spaniards can stand before him the Case will not always continue thus but the Wheel may turn upon him or his My Subjects begin already to be weary of the Anarchy in the State and the Presbyterians themselves of the Confusion in the Church The Nobility and Gentry are angry to be trod under-foot by his Officers who are Fellows of inferiour Quality And by their desiring him to take upon him the Title of King it shows that they have no Dislike to the Office and being sensible of his Breach of his Oath by taking the Government upon himself though a single Person modelling their Parliaments as he pleases though he was sworn to maintain their Privileges and governing them by an Army though he would not allow my Father the Militia they 'l quickly come to draw such Inferences that seeing we must be tyranniz'd over it were as good to be so by those who have a long time been in possession of the Throne and will take care to leave something worth the Enjoyment of their Posterity seeing they believe the Divine Right of a Lineal Succession whereas they who have no such Principle nor Pretence do only take care for themselves and make Hay while the Sun shines The giving up of Dunkirk to the English is a very strange and impolitick Act of France if they have not some more than ordinary Assurance of Oliver Had my Predecessor Queen Mary been possess'd of such a Post on the Continent the Loss of Calais would never have broke her Heart And if ever it happen that a warlike King injoy the British Diadem and Dunkirk at the same time the Kingdom of France may have Cause to repent of this Folly but as I said before they are not so afraid of a Republick CHAP. XXIV On Oliver's Death Richard's being declar'd Protector outed by Lambert and the Army c. DEath hath effected what my Arms could not and rid me of my greatest Enemy If there be any such thing as a Supreme Being the Saints and He have certainly heard my Prayers and on that very Day of the Month when Oliver triumph'd over me at Dumbar and Worcester Fate hath triumph'd over him so that now I may begin to pluck up my Spirits and hope that Fortune will favour me at length This Man being dead whom my Enemies did idolize they have not such another to fill up his room and by his nominating his Son Richard to succeed him he hath at once discovered his Folly and Hypocrisy his Folly in naming such an one who is unfit for the Charge and his Hypocrisy in claiming a Lineal Succession which he did all along so strenuously impugn Richard is deposed by the same Power that set up his Father which is a very remarkable piece of Justice the Divine Nemesis hath made them destroy their own Creature and they will at last destroy themselves Oliver raised himself by concurring with Enthusiasts and advancing the Power of the Army over the Parliament and by the same Method the Frame of his own Government is pulled in pieces CHAP. XXV