by an Enacted Law And no leâ—s frankly they Surrendred the Power of the Militia into his Hands of both which Acts being done in haste they had leisure enough afâ—erwards to repent But notwithstanding all the great Kindness of this Parliament and their more than extraordinary Liberality to the King of several Millioâ—s of the Peoples Money which was with the same Profusion wasted upon his Pleasures and the carrying on his Designs for the Introducing of Popery and French not a Penty hardly to the good of the Nation while â—hâ— Sâ—amen were sed with a Bit and a Knock and the Merchants that supplied the Stores of the Navy were Cheated of their Money and never paid to this day with what Scorn and Contempt he â—sed them and how far from that Esteem and Veneration he profesâ—ed to have for them while he was wheedling for his Restauration is apparent to all the Kingdom 'T is true the King continued them till all Men of impartial Knowledge and Judgment thought them Dissolved by Law and â—ill that they were Dissolv'd by himself the 25th of Ianuary 1678. not that they Sat so long but were discontinued and contemptuously spared from Meeting to Meeting many times by the inâ—imated Ordeâ—s and to promote the Designs of the French King and â—ever suffered them to Sir but when the King was in extreâ—m necessity of Money Among the rest oâ— those Prorogaâ—ions there was one at a time when the greatest urgency in Affairs the greaâ—est danger that threatned the Eâ—glish Nation required their Sittlng when they were diving into the Bottom of the Popish Plot and endeavâ—uring to bring to condign Punishment the chief Instruments which the King had made use oâ—â—o compâ—ss his Arbitrary and Popish Design Very remarkable is the Actions of the Preceding Night which was follow'd by the Morning Prorogations the relation of which is so gross that we think to draw a Curtain over it lest common Fame should lead us into an Error in any particular However this is certain that Prince Rupert the next Morning understanding what Resolutions were taken pressed the King with all the vehemency imaginable that Argument and Reason could enforce but at the same time the Duke of York stuck close to his Proâ—her telling him That his Cousin Rav'd c. so that the Duke that advised for the Ruine of the Nation was believed but the Priâ—ce that spoke his Mind freely for the Good of the Kingdom was dismisled for a Mad-man So well did the King Act his Part that when his well-meaning Counsellors lent their assisting hands to prevent the Consequences of French and Popish Dictates they were mistaken in the Man and gave their wholsome Advice to him that was not â—ound to take it During this Sessions of Parliament many foul things came to light for while the King had raised an Army and prâ—ssed the Parliament for Money to maintain them under pretence of making a War with France which was the earnest desire of all the Protestant pâ—rt of the Kingdom The Parliamenâ— were â—ully informed that while the King boasted of the Alliaâ—ces which he had made for the Preservation of Flanders and the Protestant Religion both at home and abroad he was secrâ—tly entred into Treatiâ—s and Alliâ—ncâ—s at the same time with the French King and Mr. Garroway of the House of Commons had gotten a Copy of the private Treâ—ty between the King of England and the French King at the same Instâ—nt that the Secretary and the others of the Court Parâ—y cried out a War iâ—somuch that several that were then in the House of Commons began to blush when they saw the Cheat so palpably discerned It was farther discovered That a great Favoueite of the Dukes had been sent over into France under a pretence oâ— Expostulating and requiring Satisfaction for the Injuries which the English had received from the French but in reality to carry the Project of Articles for the Peace and to the setâ—le and confirm all things fasâ— about the Money that was to come from France and to agree the Methods for Shamming the Conâ—ederates about their expected Alliances They found themselves cheated of all the Pole Bill Money which they had given so little a while before upon the Assurance of a War intended against France â— the greatest part of which they perceiv'd was immediately tho appropriated to the French War only converted to other Uses as the paying of old Debts so that very little was left for paying any Necessaries bought or to be bought towards the pretended War with France Nor were they ignorant of the real Design for which the King had raised his Army and what care the King and his Brother took that there should be no other Officers in that Army than what were fit for the Work in Hand which was to introduce Popery and French Government by main force The greater part being downright Papists or else such as resolved so to be upon the first Inâ—imation The Duke recommending all such as he knew â—it for the Turn and no less than an hundred Commissions were Signed to Irish Papists to raise Forces noâ—withstanding the Act by which means both the Land and Naval Forces were in safe Hands And to compleat the Work hardly a Judge Justice of the Peace or any Officer in England but what was of the Dukes promotion Nor were they ignorant of the private Negotiations of the Duke carried on by the Kings Connivance with the Pope and Cardinal Norfolk who had undertaken to raise Money from the Church sufficient to supply the King's Wants till the Work werd done in case the Parliament should smoke their Design and refuse to give any more Nor was the Parliament ignoranâ— what great Rejoicing there was in Rome it self to hear in what a posture His Majesty was and how well provided of an Army and Money to begin the Business The Parliament also understood while they were labouring the War with France and to resist â—he growth of Popery and Arbitrary Power That the King underthand assisted the French with Mâ—n and Ammunition of all sorts and soon after that a Câ—ssation was concluded both at Nimeguen and Paris That the King had got some Money from France for that Job by which the French King was now sure to hold all his Conquests â—broâ—d which had England been real to the Coâ—â—edâ—rates might have been easily wrested out of his Hands But it seems it was not so muâ—h Money as our King expected which made him Angry so that he began to threaten That if the Fâ—ench King did not perform his Promise of 300000 l. Annuity for Three Years he would undo all thaâ— he had done against the next Parliament But the French King derided those vain Threatâ— menacing in his turn That if the King of England would not be content with his Tâ—rms and do and say to the Parliament according to his Directions he would discover both him and hiâ— Correspondents in betrayiâ—g the Nâ—tion and discover all
were generally indebted to the English and that this might be a fit season and a lucky opportunity to get their Debts easily and cheaply discharged A Proclamation was published enjoyning and requiring That Copper and Brass Money should pâ—sâ— as Current Money within the Realm of Ireland in the Payment of Bills Bondsâ— Debâ—s by Record Mortgages and all other Payments whatsoever By which knack many a poor Protestant was fobb'd out of his Right and compelled to take an heap of Trash for Debt One of the most emineâ—t Silverâ— Smiths of Dublin having sold all his Plate to a Papist who promised to pay him his Price agreed upon in Silver and Gold but no Faith being to be kept with Hereticks the Goldsmith was compelled to take Brass and Copper And soon after this the late King put forth his Savoury and Fruitful Proclamation to make Brass Money pass in Satisfaction of all Debts Signed at Dublin-Castle Feb. 4 th 1689. But I challenge all Histories and Records of Nations to parallel the late shameful usage of the poor Protestâ—nâ—s Prisoners in Gâ—llway upon whom was placed so odious a Cheat so unman-like a Sham thâ—t Posterity will hardly be induced to believe it and I must implore the Charity of the present Age nor to look it as a Fable but it is â—o certain and so sad a Truth that I defie the Subtility and Impudence of a Jusuite to gain say or contradict There was a Stipulation made some time ago between King Iames and the French Tyrant to exchange some Regiments of Auxillaries and about 5000 Men being accordingly sent from France and Landed in Ireland the late King ordered the like number of Irish to be forthwith Embarked and Transported into France among whom the Regiment of Collonel Rob. Fielding was appointed to be one but before he could get his Regiment on Board a great number of the Men run away according to their natural and usual Custom so that he became mightily puzzled what shift to make to recruit his Regiment whereupon this expedient was found out There was in Galloway about 120 English Prisoners who had endured the Misery of close Confinement Cold Hunger and daily Expectation of violent Death for above 14 Months for pretended Treason To them Coll. Fielding applyed himself promising that for every one that would raise â—ight Men and deliver them to him to recruit his Regiment such should not only have their immediate Liberty but an absolute Pardon and to that purpose he produced the lâ—te King's Warrant â—or a General Pardon The poor Genâ—lemen overjoyed wiâ—h the security of their Lives and the Prospect of their Liberties consented readily and in a short time about 14 of the Prisoners with extraordinary Pains and Chargeâ— brought in the number demanded and delivered them to the Conduct of the Collonel whom with his Menâ— was no sooner Shipp'd off but an Order was sent from the late King to seize upon those deluded Gentlemen and to recommit them to their former Prison on pretence that Fielding`s Contract with them was not done with his Allowance The Great Turk would blush to be charged with such an Action and the very Heathâ—n would abhor it An Action fit only for the Monsieur of France and such Princes as are influenced by his Exâ—mple The French had not been Two Days in Dublin when they murdered Two or Three Protestant Cloâ—thiers in a part of the City called Comb for that â—reat Crime of protecting their Wives from being made Prostitutes to the French of which Inhumane Act no Notice was ever taken by the late King or his Government more than if Two Dogs had been shot About the same time some of them took a Country-Maid that came to Market with her Father and defloured her in the open Street at Noon-day A motion was made in Council that the City of Dublin should be fired the Protestants being first shut up in the Churches and Hoâ—pitals and then if they lost the Day at the Boyne â— to set Fire to all Whereupon the Irish Papists Traders in the City and those of the Army that either themselves Relations or Friends own'd Houses in it apply'd themselves to their King and told him They should suffer in that Expedition as well as the Protestants and that they would not draw a Sword in his Defence unless all Thoughts of Burning the City were set aside and declared That as soon as they saw or heard of any Appearance of Fire they would fly from his Service and submit to King William's Mercy of which now they had a good Experiment The World is very sensible that `t is the common Ambition oâ— degraded Princes how just soever Dethroned to endeavour their own Restauration There is a Chance in a Crown and `t is an extraordinary Resignation that can quit the Pâ—etences to Titles so great though never so deservingly forfieâ—ed We do not therefore at all wonder at the Irish and French Army prepared for King Iames`s intended Descent and Invasion of England last Year nor the early Naval Preparations of the French on that Occasion Such Expedition on so important an Attempt carried some little Face of Glory in it His very Enemies could not deny but such an Enterprize had been an Ambition well push'd and had he suceeded he mighty fairly have written himself Iames the Conqueror But as bold and gallant Atchievements in the Uâ—iversal Standard of Honour carry a great Name and which true Greatness possibly has no occasion to be ashamed â—f Nevertheless there may be those poorer Designs that instead of being either Great or Glorious perhaps may carry the Vilest and most abject Face that a much less Character then King Iames ought to blush at As for Example the followiâ—g Commission Iames By the Grace of God of England Scotland and Ireland Kingâ— Defender of the Faiâ—h c. To Our Trusty and Well-Belovd Capt. Patrick Lambeâ—t KNow Ye That we Reposing special Trust in the Approv`d Fidelity and Vaâ—our havâ— Asnâ—â—ed Constituted and Appointed you Commander of the Good Frigate called the Providence and further We give you full Power and Authority to enter into any Port or River of the Kingdoms of England Scotland and Ireland or any Territories thereunto belonging and either there or at Sea to Take and Apprehend and in case of any Opposition or Resistance to Sink Burn or otherways Destroy all Ships and Vessels together with their Goods Loading and Merchandises belonging to the Inhabitants of England Scotland and Ireland or either of them together with the Ships Goods and Merchandizes of the States of the United Provinces or Their Subjects and to bring and send up all such Ships and Goods as they shall take in some Port of France and to procure the same to be Adjudged Lawful Prize in the next Court of Admiralty Established by our Dear Brother the most Christian King And the Tenths and other Dues aâ—ising out of the said Prizes are to be paid to Thomas Stratford or in his Absence
to Iean Nimport of Brest or to such other Persons as shall have Authority from Us to receive the same Signed Melsort Given at Our Court at the Castle of St. Germans Feb. 22. 1691 2. Here you find instead of a more warrantable Ambition of recovering Three Kingdoms he poorly descends to grant his Commissions to Privateers to Rifle and Spoil all the Subjects of England Scotland and Ireland indifferently to Burn Sink and Fire their Vessels c. and all this without respect of Persons Interests or Religion The severest Roâ—anists or most violent Iacobiâ—e without exception is to be swept in the common Doom So that instead of pretending all his former promised Impurity and Tenderness to the People of England or instead of Bravely grappling at his Royal Rival in the Imperial Seat he vilely assumes little less than a common Pyrat Authorizes the Depredations of the Eâ—glish Merchants even by the very Hands of English Men. This last poor Spirited Meanness must either plainly tell us that he has utterly renounced all Hopes of Recovery of his Kingdoms and so under that Despair he resolves to play at a small Game rather than stand out which indeed is the best Title I can give it and consequently like the famous Dyonisius sumed Pedagogue when he can scourge Kingdoms no longer he prepares his lesser Rods for a more Tyrannick Lash or else that forgetting that he ever was a Monarch and therefore blushing at nothing though never so Unprincely he contents himself with being under-Secretary to the French King whilest the little Iames is bâ—t a Subscription to the Great Lewis The French King deputes him as his Emanuensis to Copy Commissions for him and the contented Receiver of that high Favour is paid to officiate in the Trust. It was Remarkt of him that at his first Departure from England upon his Transport from Feversham he uttered this Expression That he had rather be a Captain of Light Horse under the French King than Reign King of England udder the Lâ—sh and Countroul of Parliaments A Captain of a Troop of Horse is no over-high Post But truly of the two 't is much the more Honourable than the Granting of such Commissions But indeed all these tend to the aggradizing of the French King the Poorer the Subjects of England the stronger the Grand Lewis his inviolable Zeal and Fidelity therefore to the most Christinn so titled Nero supercedes all other Considerations and fas aut nesas Right or Wrong Honourably or Infamous nothing comes amiss that carries the least Shadow of Service to that darling Idol One thing is very remarkable in the Ianus Faces of King Iames's Preâ—ences This very Commission found on Board a Prize taken on the West of England the last Summer was dated at St. Germans the 22 th of Febr. 1691 2 which pray observe bearing date before his intended Invasion impowers this Privateer to enter into any Port or River of England Scotland or Ireland and commit all those Hostilities of Fireing Sinking Burning â— Aâ—l Trâ—ders Vessels whatever at the same time that this Declaration prepared for his Reception in England intimated all the Affection and Tenderness imaginable to the Interests Property and what not of his Subjects of England viz. That he was coming only to recover his own Right Establish and Restore their Laws and Liberties and yet at the same time he gave out Commissions to Wastâ—e Ruin and Destroy the most innocent Traders of the Kingdom possibly no wayâ— interested in the Titles and Disputes of Princes in Parties or Causes but on the contrary only endeavouring a peaceable Acquisition of their Bread by their honest Commerce and Industry To conclude From all this Prince's Actions in the whole Series of his Life it is no difficult matter to make a Judgment of what we may justly expect from him if ever Divine Judgment as the Reward of our Ingratitude for so great a Deliverance should permit us to fall again under the heavy Yoke of a Popish Prince whom we have so justly and happily thrown off King Iames is of a Religion that has infamous Council decreed That no Faith is to be kept with Hereticks much less with Subjects that he looks upon us as so many and will not miss to treat them as such when-ever they give him the Opportunity of doing it For his greatest Admirers do not run to the heighth of Idolatry to imagine him so much Angel as norâ— to take all Methods to revenge such an Affront and secure himself at our Cost from such Treatment for the future The Apprehensions of which Resentmentâ— would strike such a Terror in Mens Mind that nothing would be capable to divert them offering up All for an Attonement and Popery and Slavery will be thought a good Bargain if they can but save theâ—r Lives Then we might lament our Miseries when it would be out of our Power to help them for a Prince of Orange is not always ready to rescue us with so vast Expence and hazard of his Person And I must say if ever our Madness should hurry us thus far we should become rather the Objects of Laughter than of Pity In short if there be any of the Prostant Perswasion so strangely infaâ—uated as but to wish his Return I shall entertain them with no other Answer but the recommending to theâ— the Ninth of Ezra v. 13 14. And after all that is come upon us for our evil Deeds and for our great Trespass seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our Iniquiâ—ies deserve and hast given us such a Deliverance as this Should we again break thy Commandments and jâ—â—n in affinity with the People of these Abominations wouldst not thou be angry with us till thou hadst consumed us so that there should be no Remnant nor escaping FINIS
quae ut reliqua habet omnia Siveritatem non habet obtinere nomen non Potest THE SECRET HISTORY OF King IAMES I. TIme which puts a period to all things under the Sun began now to sheaâ—â— the Sword of War that had been long disputing the Controversie which Religion and Policy that Princes mix together had for many Years so fiercely maintained The wâ—â—ring out of that old but glorious and most happy Piece of Soveraignty Queen Elizabeth bating the Spaâ—ish Violence and ending with the Irish Rebellion and Submission of the great Earl of Tyrone as if the old Genius of Iron-handed War and a new one Crowned with a Palm of Peace had taken Possession of the English Nation Iames the Sixth King of Scotland was Proclaimed King of England For though Princes that find here a Mortal Felicity love not the noise of a Successor in their Life time yet they are willing for the Peace of their People to have one when they can hear no more of it That which this Blessed Queen could not endure from others She was pleased to express her self and bequeath in her last Will as a Legacy to this then happy Naâ—ion He was Thirty Years of Age when he came to the Crown How dangerous the passage had been from his vâ—ry Infancy to his middle Age is not only written in may Histories but the untamâ—d and untractable Spirits of many of that Nation are a sufficient Witness and Record The wise Queen found many petty Titles but none of that Power any other Hand that should have reacht for the Crown might have caught a Cloud of Confusion and those Supportâ—rs and Props that held up Her Greatness loth to submit to Equals made Scaffolds to his Triumphs In the prosecution of wâ—at I shall remark relating to this Kingâ— I shall avoid all unnecessary Severity and observe moâ—e Duty and Respect than may possibly be thought due by Posterity to the Person of a Prince that after so exact a Pattern as Queen Elizabeth left him did by debauching Parliaments and so often breaking his Word so far irritate no less than impoverish the Subject as his Son was forced to give Concession to one rendâ—red indissolvable but by their own Will A mischief never could have befallen England had King Iames left them in the same blessed Serene temper he found them at the Death of the Queen The News of which was brought him first by Cary after Earl of Monmouth who not able to satisfie such a concourse of Doubâ—s and Questionsâ— as far more resolute Natures than His do oâ—ten muster up on less occasâ—ons the King stood as in a maze being more affected through the fear of Opposition than pleased with the present Report till by a lamer Post He was adverâ—ised of His being joyâ—ully Proclaimed in London by the Lord Mayor and Aldermen and of the unquestioned Recepâ—ion His Title in all Places met with no less than that the Hopes of some and Feâ—rs of the major part assisted by the prudent Carriage of the Treasurer and ranting Protestations of the Earl of Northumberland that in all Places vapoured he would bring Him in by the Sword had stopped their Mouths that desired he might be obliged to Articles Amongst these truly Noble Heroick and Publick Spirits was Sir Walter Rawleigh the Lord Cobham Sir Iohn Fortescue c. Who were all afâ—erwards ruined by the King and the Noble Sir Walter most Barbarously câ—t oâ—f This Prince held his Thoughts so intent upon Ease and Pleasure that to aâ—oid any interruption likely to impede any part of the Felicity he had possessed his imagination with from the Union of these Crowns and to fit an Example for his Neighbours imitation whom he desired to bring into the like Resolution he cast himself as it were blindfold into a Peace with Spain far more destructive to England than a War King Iames throughout his whole Reign contenting himself with the humble thought of being a Terror to his own People not valluing that himself or Nation should make any considerable Figure among Forreign Princes At his first coming he was long detained from Westminster by a Plague looked upon as the greatest till exceeded in that which broke out after his Death taken by the ill boding English for a presage of worse Days than they had already seen The good Government of Queen Elizabeth not being in probability likely to bear the Charges without falling into some destructive commotion of Two such Expensive Princes Succession without having one more popular to intervene After the Peace of too much concernment to his Catholick Majesty to afford him leisure to imagine much less to insert so rugged an Article as the performance of any Promise our King had â—ade â—efore his Reception in case the Papists did not oppose which I have found Registred by many and so high as amounted to a Toleration at least if not an Establishing of Popery he then observed in prudence it could not be conceded by this new King having so many of his Subjects Protestants for one of the Romish Profession and being bâ—sides no more Zealous than other Princes that make use of a Religion only for a Fence to immure their Persons and Prerogatives but â—steem it a meer accident where reason of State drives on a Bargain without it These neglects of the Kings of Spain and England the first remaining as careless of his Faith as the other did of the performance of his Word put the Roman Câ—tholicks for the present into so great a Despairâ— that led them into that damned Conspiraâ—y called the Gun powder Treason the account of which in general is so well known that I need not here â—nlarge only give some hints concerning it which is not common to be met with The French Ambassador then resident at Court affirming to some Persons of Quality his Intimates That the first Intimation of the Powder Tâ—eason came from his Master who received it from the Jesuiâ—s of his Faction to the end he might share in our Ruines The Kingdom of England being in the Pope's own Judgment at that time too great an addition to that of Spain where though it was first coined some say during the days of Queen Elizabeth â— yet the Priests that undertook the promoting of it sought to render it the most beneficial they could to their respective Patrons And here I cannot omit that after this happy Discovery his Majesty sent an Agent on purpose to Cougratulate King Iames's great Preservation A Flattery so palpable as the Pope could not refrain laughing in the Face of Cardinal D' Ossat when he first told it him nor he forbear to inform his King of it as may be found in his Printed Letters it being notorious that at King Iames's first assumption to the Throne of England none sought his Destruction more cordiâ—lly than the Spaniard till a continued Tract of Experience had fully acquaiâ—ted him with his Temper Nor was our King himself backward in â—omenting
this Inuocent Opinion amongst his Neighbours but did as soon as he could possibly by neglecting the Royal Ships and casting Contâ—mpt upon all formerly in Military Imployment the Wingsâ— Nails and Teeth of this Nation to testifie to the World he meant to spoil no People of their Honour Lands Felicity Goods or Laws but only those all Princes celebrated for Wisdom and Gallantry think themselves tied in Nature to preserve by which he entailed Misery upon his Succâ—ssion and without the more Mercy of God Eternal Slavery to c. For by penning up the English Valonr and opening the Fountain of Honour with a Succession of neglect cast upon the Nobility and Commons in their Representatives by denying them their reasonable Demands or deluding them after the Royal assent given by going contrary to what was Enacted these Practises put him upon such low Shifts that he at last having rendered himself uncapable of Trust did send to have the Money given by the Parliament deposited into the hands of Commissioners out of which he did notwithstanding after â—orce it according as his impertinent Expenses demanded Supplies Nor was he more steady faithful or just in his compacts with Foreign Princes who in a small time became so well acquainted with his Complexion that his Promise did not incite them either to Hope or Fear or raise in any of them the Passions of Love or Hatred And this is one of the Reasons thâ—n given why the most Christian King did so far indulge his Prâ—servaâ—ion as to advertise him of tâ—â— former Conspiracy lest he should exchange Herb Iohn for Colâ—quintida Another but in my opinion a very wâ—â—k one for what obligation can restrain a Prince that â—ees an advantage before him was the Fâ—vours received â—rom hence â—uring the Lâ—agâ—e But the most probable was the Advantage Spain was likely to make of it first by reason he had an Army then ready in Flandâ—rs to Land in the huge Mist so black a Cloud must needs have caused over the Nation Nor could his Holiness himâ—elf look upon our Ruine with any affection England being of too great a Consequence to â—all under any other Jurisdiction save her own To conclude whosoever revealâ—d this Conspiracy it cost the King of France his Life not only by questioning the truth of his Conversion but did raise so a high Suspicion of the immense Treasure and mighty Army he had with no less industry than secresie gotten together not one living owning to this day the knowledg of his Design in the Hearts of Spain and Râ—me as they procured his Death His freedom to the King of Great Britain rendring this Silence the more suspected Now to take off the Subjects Eyes from observing the great Indulgency used by King Iames in behalf of the Papists a Quâ—â—rel was revived now â—lmost asleep because it hâ—d long escaped Persecution the Bellows of Schism with a People stiled Puritans who meeting no nearer a definition than the Name of all the Conscientious Men in the Nation shared the Contempt Since under that general term were comprehended not only those as did oppose the Discipline and Ceremonies of the Church but such as out of meer honesty refrainâ—d the Vices of the Times were branded by this Title weaved oâ— such a fashion as it became a covering to the Wicked and no better than a Fools Coat to Men truly Conscientious Neither was any charged with it though in the best Relation thought competent for Preferment in Church or Common-weal which made the Wicked glory in their Impiety and such as had not an extraordinary measure of Grace ashamâ—d of any outward profession of Sanctity Court Sermons were fraught with bitter Invectives against thâ—se People whom they seated in a Class far nearer the conâ—ines of Hell than Papists yet the wisest durst not define them To avoid the imputation of Puritanism a greater rub in the way to Preferment than Vice our Divinesâ— for the generality did sacrifice more time to Bacchus than Minerva and being excellent Company drew the most ingenious Laiety into a like excess And for their ordinary Studies they were School-points and pâ—ssionate Expressions as more conversant with the Friâ—rs than the Fathers scorning in their ordinary Diâ—course at Luther and Calvin but especially at the last so as a certain Bishop of this stamp thank'd God he never tho' a good Poâ—t himself had read a Line in Him or Chaucer The same used this simile at Câ—urt That our Religion like the Kiâ—gs-Arms stood bâ—etween two Beasts the Puritan and Papist Nor did the notorious debauchery of the Episcopal Clergy add a little to the Rent of the Church much augmented by the Scottish Propensity to Prâ—sbitery though the chiefest promoters of it in their Doctrine and Example were the Lecturers Vicars and Parsons of inconsiderable Worth and Livings being the readier to oppose Authority as having little to loose becoming by this means the darlings of the Rabble Nor did the suddain Translation of Bishops from less to greater Sees give time to visit sufficiently their respective Charges being more intent upon the receipt of such Taxer as a long abused Custom had estated them in than upon Reformation I have been the more punctual because from the Pulpit came all our future Miseries God not being served there as he ought The Court Sermons informing the King he might as Christ's Vicegerent command all and that the People if they denied him Supplement or inquired after the disposure of it were presumptuous Peepers into the sacred Ark of the State not to be done but under the severest Curse though it appeared likely to fall through the falshood or folly of those at the Helm But on the contrary the other qualified Preachers did sulminate against Non-residency Prophanation of the Lords Day connivance at Popery Persecutioâ— of Gods People â— Now by this time the Nation grew feeble and over-opprest with Impositions Monopolies Aids Privy Seals Concealments pretermitted Customs c. besides all â—orfeitures on Penal Statutes with a â—â—lcituee of tricks more to cheat the English Subject the most if not all unheard of in Queen Elizabeth's Days which were spent upon the Scots by whom nothing was unasked and to whom nothing was denied who for want of honest Traffick did extract Gold out of the Faults of the English whose Pardons they begged and sold at intollerable Ratâ—â— Murder it self not being excepted Nay I dare boldly say one Man might more safely have killed another than a raskal Deer but if a Stag had been known to have miscarried and the Author fled a Proclamation with the Description of the Party had been presently Penned by the Attorney General and the Penalty of His Majesties high Displeasure by which was understood the English Inquisition the Star-Chamber threatned against all that did abet comfort or relieve him Thus Satyrical or if you please Tragical was this Sylvian Prince against Deer-killers and indulgent to Man-slayers This Star Chamber was a Den to Arbitrary Justice
or Write any other new Laws agaonst Roman Catholicks The great Concessions of King Iames towards the Roman Catholicks brought great swarms of Priests and Jesuits into England who were busie in drawing the People from the Protestant Religion And a titular Bishop of Calcedon privately came to London to Exercise Episcopal Jurisdiction over the Roman Catholicks of this Kingdom 'T is said that the King had now so much confidence of the Match as to say openly in the Courâ— That now all the Devils in Hell could not break it The Spaniards the better to cover their Designs ordered that the Infanta should be stiled the Princess of England and she was kept no longer in her Virgin Retirements The Spanish Match having been long in Treaty and it being suspected now that the Spaniard did juggle with the States in this as they formerly did in a Match with that brave Prince Henry Whether the King suspected any such matter or any whimsie came into the Brains of the great Favourite and Prince to imitate the old Stories of the Knights Errand but agreed it was it should seem that the Prince must go himself very privately into Spain with his Favourite Buckingham under the borrowed Names of Iack and Tom Smith and they had the Ports laid so that none should follow them to give any Notice to the French Court through which they must pass And now many Lords and other Servants flock over that he might appear the Prince of Great Britain Many Treaties were soâ—etimes Hope sometimes Fear sometimes great Assurance then all dasht again At last after many Heats and Cools the Prince wrote a Letter to his Father of a desperate Despair not only of not enjoying his Lady but of never more rerurning Now the folly of this Voyage began to appear many smiling at the Follies that were concerned in it and however the King was a cunning Dissembler and shewed much outward Sorrow as he did for Prince Henry's Death yet the Court believed little Grief came near his Heart for that secret Hatred he had of late bore to Buckingham as being satiated with him and his Adorning the Rising Sun made it generally thought that he would not value the losing his Son so that Buckingham might be lost also Yet Buckingham had so much awe over the King that he durst not make shew to affect any other One great Reason of the King 's Hating of Buckingham was a large Information that he privately received from one Inniosa an Extraordinary Ambassador from Spain of Buckingham's Design on his Person whether by Poyson Pistol Dagger c. he could not tell Buckingham being fully satisfied on several Accounts of the great Hatred the King now bore unto him He turned as great a Hater of the King and though the King had more power to Revenge He had less Courage And however the World did believe the King's Inclinations was out of a Religious ground that he might not Revenge yet it was no other but a Cowardly Disposition that durst not adventure But altho the King lost his opportunity on Buckingham yet the black Plaister and Powder did shew Buckingham lost not his on the King and that it was no Fiction but a Reality that Padro Macestria had formerly told the King And now the Prince returns from Spain and all the fault of the Match not succeeding is laid on Bristol who was Ambassador there And Buckingham from an Accused Man in the former Parliament came to be the Darling of this Parliament And in the Banquetting-House before both Houses of Parliament does Buckingham give an Account at large of his Spanish Voyage and to every full point as a further Aâ—testation he saith How say you Sir To which the Prince answered I Yea or Yes Bristol having some Friends that sent Advice of All into Spain He immediately posts into England makes Buckingham's Relation and Accusation wholly False and Scandalous and becomes a great Favourite to King Iames. I shall now bring the Secret Story of this King's Life to an end He now goes his last Hunting Journey I mean the last of the Year as well as his Life which he ever ended in Lent and was seised on by an extraordinary Tertian Ague yet 't was not the Ague as himself confessed to many of his Servants one of which câ—ying Courage Sir this is but a small Fit the next will be none at all At which he most earnestly looked and said Ah! It is not the Ague afflicteth me but the black Plaister and Powder given me and laid to my Stomach Nor was it fair Dealing if he had fair Play which himself suspected often saying to the Earl of Montgomery whom he trusted above all Men in his Sickness For God's sake look I â—ave fair Play to bring in an Emperick to apply any Medicines whilst those Physicians appointed to attend him were at Dinner nor could any but Buckingham answer it with less than his Life Buckingham visiting the King just as he was at the point of Deathâ— who mournfully fixâ— his Eyes on him as who would have said You are the Man that has ruined me It were worth the knowledge what his Confessions was or what other Expressions he made of himself or any other but that was only known to the Dead Arch-Bishop Abbot and the then living Bishop Williams and the Lord-keeper and it was thought Williams had blabbed something which incensed the King's Anger and Buckingham's Hatred so much against him that the loss of his Place could not be explatory sufficient but his utter ruine must be determined Now have we brought this King who stiled himself the King of Peace and put on Mortality the 27 th of March to rest in all Peace We shall conclude his Remarks with an Appendix shâ—â—ing the particulars of a great manâ— Millions of good English Money even to an almost incredible Sum this King Expended on his Fruitless Embâ—ssies B ng Favourites Beggarly Scots Ant-Suppers Masqueradoes and other Buffoons even to a far greater Sum than his Predecessor Queen Elizabeth of Happy Memory Expended in all Her Wars in Ireland and with Spain c. during her Forty Four Years Reign King IAMES's LETTER TO Pope CLEMENT Most Holy Father HAVING understood by several Reports how diligent the Rivals of our Condition have been that the Sword of your Authority should he unsheathed against us and with what constancy your Prudence hath hitherto refused it we could do no less than return Thanks for such a good turn received especially upon so fair an Occasion when the Bearer of these a Scotch Man by Nation but a Roman by Adoption was returning unto your Dominion We recommend him to your Holiness to whom for his good Parts you have been already Beneficial that you would attentively bear him in those things which he shall deliver in our Name And because we know there is no better Remedy against the Calumnies of Ill Willers who by commemorating our Injuries done to Catholicks procure Envy to
Hereticks and that all good Christians were bound to Associate and Unite for their Extirpation Upon which Account it seems our King and the Duke thought fit to exchange the Appellation of of Gâ—od Protestants for that of Good Christians However from hence it was plain what sort of Good Christians they were since it was evident that their Uniting with France in that War was to desâ—roy the Pâ—otestant Dutch Hereticks These being the real Grounds and Motives that induced the King of England to begin that Impolitick War agâ—inst the Dutch in the year 1665. whatever was openly and publickly pretended How strangely was the Parliament deluded and blinded by the King's Oaths and Protestations of his Zeal for the Protestant Religion What Sums of the Subjects Money they gave this Monarch to defray the Expences of that nnnecessary and baneful War is too well known and yet after all saving one brisk Engagement ill manag'd tho' with some losâ— to the Dutch at length no Fleet was set out and the choicest of their Royal Navy either Burnt or taken in Harbour to save Charges And though the French at lengâ—h joyn'd themselves in assistance with the Dutch against us yet by the Credit he had with the Queen-Mother he so far imposed upon that upon assurance which no Mâ—n of Prudence and Foresight would have believed That the Dutch would have no Fleet at Sea that Year he forbore to make ready and so incurred that ignominious Disgrace at Chatham the like to which the English never suffered since they claim'd the Dominion of the Sea And now we come to the best Act that ever he did in his Life had he pursued it which shewed how happy a Prince he might have been had he been ever faithful to his own and the Interests of his People and that Religion which he outwardly profest For upon Conclusion of that Peace having leisure to look about him and to observe how the French had in the Year 1667. taken their opportunity and while we were embroyled and weakned by the late War had in Violation of all the most Sacred and Solemn Oaths and Treaties Invaded and Taken a great part of the Spanish Netherlands which had always been considered as the natural Frontier oâ— England the King then prompted more by his own Fears then out of any kindness he had for the Nation judg'd it necessary to interpose before the Flames that consumed next Neighbour should throw the Sparks over the Water Thereupon he sent Sir William Temple then his Resident at Brussels to propose a nearer Alliance with the Hollanders and to take joynt Measures against the French which Proposals of Sir William Temple's being entertained with all Compliance by the Dutch within Five days after Two several Treaties were concluded between the King and the States The one a Defensive and stricter Leagâ—e than before between the Two Nations and the other a joynt and reciprocal Engagement to oppose the Conquest of Flandâ—rs and â—o procure either by way of Meditation or by â—orce of Arms a speedy Peace between France and Spain upon the Tâ—rms therein mentioned And because Sweeden came into the same Treaty within a very little while after â—rom the Three Parties concern'd and engag'd it was called the Tripple League In pursuance of which the Treaty of â—ix la Chapelle was also forc'd upon the French and in some measure upon the Spaniards who were unwilling to part with so great a part of their Country by a Solemn Treaty The King of France thus stopped in his Career by the Tripple League and by the Peace of Aix la Chapelle soon after concluded tho' for a while he dissembled his dissatisfaction yet resolved to untye the Tripple League whatsoever it cost him and therefore set his Counsels to work to try all the ways he could possibly think on in order to compass his sad Design To which purpose and as it 's generally thought that which aâ—â—ected it the Dutchess of Orleance was sent over to Dover where if common Fame say true several Chamber Secrets were performed This Treaty was for a long time a work of Darkness and lay long concealed till the King of France to the end the King of England being truly set forth in his Colours out of a despair of ever being trusted or forgiven by his People hereafter might be push'd to go on bare faced and follow his steps in Government most Treacherously and Unking like cauâ—ed it to be printed at Paris though upon Complaint made at the French Court and the Author though he had his Instructions from Colbert to humour the King committed to the Bastile for a short time and then let out again However the Book being Printed some few Copies lit into safe Hands from whence take the Substance of the Mystery of Iniquity as followeth After that Monsieur de Croisy the French Embassador at London had laid before the Eyes of the King of England all the Grounds which his Majesty had of Complaint against Holland c. He told him That the time was come to revenge himself of a Nation that had so little Respect for Kings and that the occasion was never more favourable seeing many of the â—rinces of Germany were already entred into the League and that the King of France was powerful enough to be able to promise to his Allies in the Issue of that War for satisfaction both as to their Honour and Interests whereby he prevailed with that Prince to enter into Secret Alliance with France And for his greater Assurance and the more to confirm him Henrietta Dutchess of Orleance went for England and proposed to her Brother in the Name of the most Christian King that he would assure him an absâ—lute Authority over his Parliament and â—ull power to establish the Cathoâ—ick Religion in his Kingdoms oâ— England Scotland and Ireland But withal she told him that to compass this before all things else iâ— would bâ— necessary to abate the Pride and Power of the Dutch and to reduce them to the sole Province oâ— Holland and that by this means the King of England shâ—â—ld haâ—e Zealâ—nd â—or a Retreat in case of necessity and that the rest of the Law-Countries should remain to the King of France if he could render himself Master of it This is the Sum of that Famous Leage concluded at Dâ—vâ—r framed and entred into on purpose for the Subjugaâ—ion of these Three Nations to Popery and Slâ—very Soon â—fter this the Emperor oâ— Germany the Duke of Lâ—rrain and several other Gâ—rman Princes desired to be admitted into the Tripple League but it was absolutely refused them Nay So soon as the Two Consâ—derate Monarcâ—s haâ— thus made a shift to cut the Gordian Knot the now pitiful but formerly vaunted Trippâ—e Leaguâ— was trampled under foot turned into Ridiâ—niâ— and less valuâ—d than a Ballad Insomuch that to talk of admiâ—ting others into the Tripple League was apprâ—hended in Print as a kind of Fiâ—â—â— of Speech commâ—nly called a
for the punishment of which no Laws can be too severe were encouraged and courted with Rewards Nullus a pâ—na â—â—minum cessariâ— dies dicreta accusaâ—oâ—ibius praâ—â—â—â—â— premia nemine delatorum sides abrogata omne Câ—imen pro Capitali receptum etiam paucorum simpliciumque Verborum No day passed without some Punishment inflicted great Rewards given to Informers no Informer but what was beliâ—v'd all Crimes were adjudged Capital tho' meerly a few idle Words Such a harmony there was between these Times and pernicious Reign of that Master in Cruelty and Dissimulation Tiberius But the Roguery being discovered while Fitz Haris thought to have put Everard upon this Dilemma either to Hang or fix the Libel upon others he came to run himself into the Noose Lord into what an Agony it put the King the Duke his dear Brother and their then Jugling Instruments that the King who a little before was so overjoyed with the accoâ—nt of the contrivance which was given him at Whitehall that he could hardly contain himself from displaying the Raptures of his Soul was now so highly incensed against Fitz Harris that he was heard to say That he should Die if there were no more Men in England But his Confession to the Recorder Sir George Treby so enraged his Employers that he was presently lockt up in the Tower out of the reach of all Men but the Lieâ—tâ— to damn him for spoiling so good a Design But above all things there was such a dread amongst the Conspirators lest the Parliament should come to the knowledge of the depth of the Design that their resolute insisting to have the Cognizance of the Crime within their own Jurisdiction was the occasion of the sudden Dissolution After which a Chief Justice was Exalted on purpose to Hang Fitz-Harris out of the way to prevent his farther Discovery for no sooner was the Parliament Dissolved but Fitz-Harris was Hanged and by that means many a Mystery of Iniquity concealed The Dissolution of this and the forgoing Parliament was justified by a Declaration in the King's Name which being published with all the Severity and Reproach that could be cast upon those Worthy Patriots verified the Report of what the King had been heard to say That he would make the name of Parliaments to be forgotten in England However the Parliament being blown up and the King running away in a pretended pannick Fear from Oxford to colour the ensuing Projects of Plotting and Subordination no sooner was he settled again at London and Fitz-Harris hang'd to the great Joy of those thâ—t Adored him before but the Gazette was cram'd with Addresses from all Parts of the Nation to thank the King for his Expressions and Promises to Govern by Law which was no more than his Duty But those Addresses were only Signed by the unthinking loose and rascally part of the People who were not sensible of the Mischief which was thereby intended which was to make the Nation out of Love with Parliaments thereby to unhinge the Government and to introduce Tyranny and Arbitrary Power And that the Addressors were only the Câ—â—â—ile of the Kingdom with only a Tool of Quality at the Head of them the Con well kâ—ew Some time aâ—â—â—â— Fitz-â—â—â—â—â—â— was Executed a Paper was Published in the name of his Reâ—â—â—â—tion which his Wiâ—â— hearing â—râ—ed 〈…〉 and viewing â—â— â—â—ked 〈…〉 those were her Hâ—â—bands Papers 〈…〉 her They were To whic◠〈…〉 band wâ— Dâ—â—â—ed for tâ—â—t she 〈◊〉 all thâ—◠〈◊〉 to be false However upon the Groâ—â—d-work of this Reâ—â—ntation a Committee of Subordination wâ—sâ—â—ected by whose Directions Tuâ—bervil Dugdale and all the Irish Evidence who had been most conversant with the Earl of Shaftsbury upon the Account of the Irish Plot together with one Booth by whom a full Detection of the whole Villany has since â—een made with a full disclosure of all the Artifices made use of to have corrupted the Integrity of that honest Gentleman Captain Wilkinson And all those Varlets were now lisâ—ed and received into Pay by the said Committee of Subornation and a swearing School being set up according to the directions of the Committee they receive every one their distinct Cues and Lessons to con and get by Heart against occasion should serve by the Settlement of the Committee which was approved as was every thing else they did by his Protestant Majesty Colledge's Tryal is too well known to be here repeated but after Ages will observe how he was removed from London where he had been acquitted to another remote Countrey where his Prosecutors were assured of his Destruction by deluded Ignorance and partial Knavery how he was accused and testified against by Nabâ—â—h's â—vidence the Scandal and Reproach of all Mankind whose Memories stink upon the Eâ—rtâ— and would soon be forgotten but that their Names are made use of to transmit the Infamy of their Employerâ— to Posterity All the severiâ—es used at his Tryal wereâ— palpable Demonstrations of that Innocent Man's being determined to Destruction right or wrong on purpose to lay the Foundation of farther Butcheries so that being fâ—eâ—hed by this Success the next attempt of the King's Justice was upon the â—arl of Shaftsbury for the same preâ—ended Treason for which Colledge had suffered And here Posterity will make the same Observations and Concluâ—ionâ— in general as in Colâ—â—dge's Case But more particularly will after Ages easily conclude from hence That it was not for any contrivance of his Lordship but by a Project of Court and Popish Revenge to destroy a Person who by his Courage Wisdom and good Intelligence had Opposed and Defeated so many of their Designs against the Religion and Welfare of the Nation For that this Plot upon his Lordship was so early communicated to Rome and other Foreign Parts That it was talked of at Paris and in Flanders sometime before his Lordship was imprisoned in England They will observe the Injustice done his Lordship in refusing to let him see or know the Persons that deposed against him which was not denied either to Coleman or the Jesuits and which being so contrary to Law was a plain Demonstration That either the Witnesses were not thought of Credit sufficient to support the Confinement of so great a Peer or else that it was not convenient to trust the general course of their Lives to be scrutined too soon The Motives that induced the Court to begin with this great and eminent Peer will be easily discernable to suâ—ceeding Ages For to what Man of Sense and Reason is it not apparent That it was the Policy of the Court That their Revenge against this Earl should not be Adjourned till they had tryed the Credit of their Witnesses upon other considerable Persons for fear lest by his Lordships Industry and Abilities he should not only have detected and exposed the whole Intrigue but have broken the Engine by which the Two Brothers thought to have made themselves absolute Lords of the Religion Laws and Liberties of the Kingdom
his Aâ—â—urances and Promises to preserve the Government both in Church and State as by Law establish'd and vows to hazzaâ—d his own Person as he had formerly done in dâ—fence of the just Liberties and Properties of the Nation But still the Burden of his Song was More Money Which the Parliament willing to engage him if possible by all the Testimonies of their Duty and Loyalty or at least to shâ—w that nothing should â—e wanting on their part readily granted And in regard that Aâ—gyle was said to be Landed under the Notion of a Rebel in Scotland they declareâ— their Resolutions to â—â—anâ— by and assist him wiâ—â— their Lives and Forâ—â—â—es agâ—inst all his Enâ—mies wâ—aâ—ever No less quick were they to gratifâ—e than he to make thâ—â—e Promises which he nâ—vâ—r intended to perform And indeed under the Constâ—rnation the King was then in upon the Landing of Argâ—le in Scotland and the Duke of Monmouth in Englaâ—d both at the same timâ— pâ—â—haps the Parliament might have bound him uâ—â—o what Conditions they pleased had they no 〈◊〉 their Opportunity But those two Storms bâ—â—â— fortunâ—tely blown over the one by ill Coâ—duâ—â— the other by the Treachery of pretended Friendship and both Argyle and the Duke of Monmouâ—h safe in their Graves the King was so puâ—â— up with a petty Victory over a few Club-Men and so wrapt up with a Conceit That he had now Conquer'd the whole Nation that afâ—er he had got as much as he thought he could in Mâ—desty desire or they part withal unless they saw greatâ—r Occasions than they did which neverthelâ—ss were no small Sums in the heat of their obliging Generosity at the Commencement of a Reign he turn`d them off after he had sold them two or three inconsiderable Acts for all their Money And now being freed from any further thoughts of Parliamâ—nts believing himself Impregnableâ— he resolves to be reveng`d upon the Western People for siding with his Capital Enâ—my Monmouth anâ— to that purpoâ—e sendâ— down his Exâ—cutioner in Oâ—dinary Iefferies not to decimate according to the Heathen way of Mercy but with the Bâ—â—o◠〈◊〉 his Cruelties to sweep the Country before 〈◊〉 and to depopulate instead of Punishment At what time acquaintance or Relation of any thatâ— sell in the Field with a slender Circumstance tack`d to either was a Crime sufficient for the Extirpacion of the Family And Young and Old were hangd in Clusters as if the Chief Justice had designâ—d to raise the Price of Halâ—ers besides the great number of those that upon the bare Suspicion were transported beyond Sea and there sold â—or â—laves anâ— the Purchase-Money given away to satisfie the Hunger of needy Papists After Agâ—s will read with Astonishment the barbarous Usage of those poor people of which among many Instances this one may seem sufficient whereby to take the Dimensions of all the rest That when the Sistâ—r of the two Hewlands hung upon the Chief Iusticâ—`s Coach imploring Mercy on the behalf oâ—â—er Brothers the Merciless Judge to make her let go câ—â—sed his Câ—ach-man to cut her Hands and â—â—â—gers with the lash of his Whip Nor would he â—llâ—w the Respite of the Execution but for two Days though the Sister wiâ—h Tears in her Eyes offered a Hundred Pound for so small a Favâ—ur Aâ—d whoever sheltered any of those sorlorn Creâ—tures were hurried to the Slâ—ughtâ—r-House with the same inâ—xorable ouâ—râ—ge without any Consideration of either Age or Sex Witnâ—ss the Execution of the Lady Lisle at Winchester As for Argy'e and the Duke tho' they might die piâ—ied yet could they not be said to be unjustly put to death in regard they had dâ—clared open â—ostiliâ—y and therefore it was no more than they were to expect upon ill Success However since they were betray'd into the Victor's hands before any great harm was done the Crime was not so great that nothing but a Massâ—cre could atone for it more esecially considering what great Advantage the King made of these Rebellions For it gave him a fair Oppertunity â—o encrease the Numebr of his Standing-Forces under pretence That the Militia was not to be depended upon and of the Reputation he had lost of being so miserably unprovided against so wretched an Attempt as Monmouth's was For which Reason he was resolv'd to be better provided henceforward for the Security of the Nation and to croud in his Popish Officers into Commands under the Notion of Persons of Loyalty and therefore such whose Persons he was neither to expose to Disgrace by a Removal nor himself to suffer the want of Cautions and wary of Removing his Popish Commanders but minding not at all to remove the Fears and Jelousies of the Nation However his plausible Promises and this important Nccessity of augmenting his Standing Forces were urg'd upon the Parliament as undeniable Reasons for more Mony So great a Confidence the King had either in the Awe which he had upon the Parliament or that they were so Blind that they could not see through his Cobweb Pretencâ—s But he soon found that he was deceived in his Expectations and therefore perceiving his gilded Hooks could not take they were decently Dismiss'd after ten Days siâ—ting with a Prorogation from October till February ensâ—ing But it seems King Iames was so confidently assur'd That the Bands of Friendship and Alliance between him and the French King were so Indissoluble That whaâ—ever Assistance the Parliament deny`d him in England he should not sail of from his Dear Friend and Confederate in France That the Parliament being call`d for no other Intent or Purpose than to betray the Nation by Furnishing the King to accomplish his Designs of Popery and Arbitrary Government when they refused to be subservient to those Wicked Designs and thought it more Honourable to be true to the Nation whom they Represented than Serviceable to the Encroachment of his Tyranny he laid them aside as things no longer useful for him And therefore like a man cased with their just demial of his Demands he resolves the utter Subversion of English Parliaments the only Remora`s of his ungodly Projects by compleating the Disfranchising of all the Cities and Corporations throughout the Nation so fairly begun in his Brother`s Reign to make way for the Introduction of a French Parliament That should at once have surrender`d all the Ancient Liberty of the Kingdom and the whole Power of the Government into his hands And this to terrifie men into flavish Complyance with his Tyrannical Will and Pleasure the Names of all such Persons as out of Honour and Conscience refused to Coâ—operate with his Popish Ministers towards the Publick Ruin of Liberty and Religion and prostitute their own and the Freedoms of their Posterity to his Arbitrary subiection were Threatned to be return`d up to the Attorney-General to the end of their Persons and Estates might be undone by Illegal Prosecutions In the next place to set himself Paramoumt above all the Controul of Law out of a vain Opinion
justifies the Duke of Buckingham The Commons in Answer present an high Remonstrance and justifie themselves To which the King sends them Answer by Finch their Speaker That if they did not pass the Bill of Subsidy by the end of the week following it would enforce him to take other Resolutions c. Before the Commons sent an Answer they Petitioned His Majesty That he would be pleased to remove from all Places of Trust and Authority all such Persons as were either Recusants or suspected to be such And the Commons then drew up another Declaration of Grievances against the Duke of Buckingham who being thereat Incensed Dissolved the Parliament the very next day Iune 15. 1626. Then the King's Cabal Council resolved on several ways for advancing the King's Revenue First Levying of Customs and Imposts on all Merchandize Privy Seals were Issued out and Benevolences proposed and at length a Commission for a general Loan was resolved on But the Assessment of the Loan was generally opposed whereupon the People of the lower Rank were ordered to appear in the Military-Yard next St. Martins in the Fields before the Lieutenant of the Tower to be Listed for Soldiers it being then thought necessary for the better security of the Liberty of the Subject That those which refused to assist with their Purses should be forced to Serve in their Persons Others of betteâ— Quality were committed Prisoners to the Fleet Marshalsea Gate-House c. And among others Sir I. Elliot who Petitioned his Majesty and repeated many Precedents That all manner of Taxes in former Kings Reigns were never Levied but by consent of Parliament However he was Committed and Sir P. Hayman was forced to serve the King in the Palatinate Dr. Sybthorp and Maynwaring Two Court Preacâ—ers about this time preached up the Necessity and Duty of the Loan one of them asserting That the Prince had Power to direct his Council and make Laws himself The other affirmed That the King 's Royal Command in imposing of Laws and Taxes though without consâ—nt in Parliament did oblige the Subjects Conscience upon pain of Eternal Damnation Which Position was entertained with such great Aâ—plause aâ— Court that Abbot was suspended his Archiâ—piscopal Sea for refusing to License the Sermon wherein it was contained In 1627â— being the Third Year of the King's Reign the Exchequer being very low and several late Enterprises having miscarried a Parliament was called and on the 27th of March they Aâ—sembled and the King and Lord Kâ—epers in Two Speeches earnestly pressed them to consider of some speedy wâ—y for supplying his Majesties Necessities The first thing taken into Coâ—sidâ—ration by the Commons was the Grievances of the Kingdom And the firâ—t thing insisted on was the Case of those Gentlmeâ—n for refusing the Loan and who notwithstanding their Habeas Corpus were remâ—nded to Prison and it was Resolved in the House Nemine Contradicente That no man ought to be Bâ—strained by the King or Privy-Council without some Cause of the Commitment Secondly That the Wâ—it of Habeas Corpus ought to be granted to every Man upon Request that is Restrained on which he ought to be Bayled if cause of Commitment be not Declaâ—ed Then the Parliament petitioned against Popish Recusants to which the King gave them a satisfactory Answer Afâ—â—r which five Subsidies were granted to the King which gave him so great Satisfaction that he sent them word He would deny them nothing of their Liberties which any of his Predecessâ—rs had Granted Whereupon the Commons fâ—ll upon the Memorable Petition of Right And when it was prâ—sented the Answer the King gave to it was not judged Satisfactory by the Commonsâ— and therefore upon their Petition the King gave them this short but full Answer Let it be done according to your desire Which Answer mightily pleased both Houses And his Majesty for further Satisfaction suffered the Commission for Loan and Excise to be Cancelled and received Abbot and Williams into his Favour again so thâ—t all Discontents on every side seemed to be banished In 1628. the Fourth year of the King's Reign the Parliament drew up a Remonstrance against Buckingham Bishop Neal and Laud which they presented to the King with the Bill of Subsidies His Majesty told them That he expected not such a Return for his favourable Answer to the Petition of Right and as for the Grievances he would take time to Consider An Information being likewise Exhibited against the Duke in the Star-Chamber The King by his express Will and Pleasure Ordered that it should be taken off the File and the King resolving to hold up the Duke Adjâ—urned the Parliament to the 20 th of October following But soon after the Duke was summoned to Answer at a Higher Tribunal by the means of one Felton a Lieutenant who stabbed him to the Heart with a Dagger The Parliament were further Adjourned to Ianuary 20. in which time the Merchants refusing to pay Custom had their Goods seized Complaints thereof being made to the Parliament the King requires them to pass the promis'd Bill for Tunnage and Poundage but the Commons answered That God's Cause was to be preferred before the King 's and that they would therefore in the first place Consult about Religion One Committee being for Religion and another for Civil Matters At the last was a Complaint about the Customs and the Farmers of the Customs were Challenged But the King vindicated them and the Parliament being upon proceeding against them as Delinquents the King Adjourned them till the 10 th of March The Commons enraged thereat blamed their Speaker for admitting the Mesâ—age and Ordered Sir I. Elliot to draw up their Remonstrance which was in very high Terms about Tunnage and Poundage c. The substance was as followeth I. VVhosoever shall indeavour to Introduce Popery Arminiauism or other than Orthodox Opinion shall be reputed a Capital Enemy to the Kingdom II. VVhosoever shall Counsel the taking of Tunnage and Poundage or shall yield Voluntary or pay the same without being granted by Parliament shall be deemed a Betrayer of and Enemy to the Liberties of England These things were so much disliked by the King that he sent the Usher of the Black Rod to Dissolve them who was not admitted in Whereupon the King with his Guard of Pensioners were resolv'd to force their Entrance which the Commons having notice of it they suddenly went out of the House And this was the end of that Parliament Some considering that neither this nor the Two former Parliaments complied with the Humour of the King or Ministers of State advised the King never to Call another And to that end the Famous Book of Protects was Published and Addrest to the King proposing some Methods to prevent the Impertinency of Parliaments as he calls them from time to time by the Example of Lewis XI of France who pretending that the Commons did encroach too much on the Nobility and Clergy Dissolv'd it and never after suffered the
People freely to Elect their Representatives In the Year 1634. The Design of Ship-Money was first set on Foot and Attorney General Noâ— being consulted about he pretends out of some Musty Records to find an Ancient President of raising a Tax on the Nation by the Authority of the King alone for setting out a Navy in case of danger which was thereupon put in Execution though noâ— without great Discontent both among the Clergy and Laiety Discontents in Scotland likewise began to increase and a Book was Printed and Published charging the King with indirect Proceedings and having a tendency to the Rtmish Belief And now to blow up these Scotch Sparks to a Flame C. Richeliâ— sent over his Chaplain and another Gentleman to heighten their Differences And some time aâ—ter viz. the latter end of the Year 1653. great Differences arose about Church-Matters in England chiefly occasioned by A. B. Laud's strict enjoyning many new Ceremonies not formerly insisted on and now vehemently opposed by those called Puritans to whom adhered many of the Episcopal Party Several Gentlemen of Quality had refused to pay the Ship-Money and among the rest Esquire Hambden of Bucks upon which the King refers the whole Business to the Twelve Judges in Michdelmas Term 1636. Ten of whom gave their Judgments against Hambden but Hutton and Cook refused it The King 1637. Issuing out a Proclamation in Scotland Commanding the Use of the Liturgy Surplice Altar c. There occasioned great Disorders and Tumults among the Common People who sometime after with the Genâ—ry entred into a Solemn League and Covenant to preserve the Religion then profest The Covenant the Scots were resolved to maintain and to that purpose they sent privately for General Lesley and other great Officers from beyond Sea providing themselves likewise with Arms c. After this they Elect Commissioners for the general Assembly whom they cite to move the Arch Bishops and Bishops to appear there as guilty Persons which being refused the People present a Bill of Complaint against them to the Presbitery at Edenburg who accordingly warned them to appear at the next General Assembly At their Meeting the Bishops sent in a Protestation against their Assembly which the Covenanters thought not fit to Read And soon after they abolished Episcopacy and then prepared for a War On which the King prepares an Army against them with which Anno. 1639. He Marches in Person into the North but by the Mediation of some Persons a Treaâ—ise of Peace was begun but soon broken off The King therefore confiders how to make Provisions for Men and Money and calling a Secret Cabinet Council consisting only of Lauâ— Strafford and Hamilton it was concluded That for the Kingâ—s Supply a Parliament must be Called in England and another in Ireland The Scots fore-seeing the Storm prepared for their own Defence making Treaties in Swedeâ— Denmark Holland and Poland And the Jesuits who are never â—dle endeavoured to Foment In the Year 1640. and the Sixteenth of the Kings Reign a Parliament was Called in which the King prâ—sses theâ—â—or a speedy Supply to Suppress what he calls the Violences of the Scots buâ— this Parliament not complying with the Kings desire were by the advice of the Iuncto Dissolved having only sate Twenty Two Days Laud by his violent Proceedings against those called Puritans and by his strict enjoyning of old un-observed Ceremonies which by many were thought Popish procured to himself much Hatred from the generality of People That upon May 9. 1640. a Paper was fixt on the Royal Exchange inciting the Prentices to go and Sack his House at Lambeth the Monday aâ—ter but the Arch-Bishop had notice of their Design and provided accordingly that at the time when they came endeavouring to enter his House they were repulsed The King calls a select Juncto to consult about the Scots where the Earl of Strafford delivered his Mind in such terms as afterwards proved his ruine War against them was resolved on and Money was to be procured one way or other The City was invited to Lend but absolutely reâ—used Some of the Gentry contributed indifferent freely So that with their assistance the Army was compleated the King himself being Generalissimo marches his Army into the North where was some Action in which the Scots had the better A Treaty is then set on foot and at last concluded the chief Conditions for the calling a Parliament in England who accordingly Met Nov. 3. 1640. And the King in his Speech tells them That the Scotish Troubles were the cause of their Meetingâ— and therefore requires them to consider of the most expedient means for câ—sting them out and desired a Supply from them for maintaining of his Army The Commons began with the Voting down all Monopolies and all such Members as had any benefit by them were voted out of the House They then voted down Ship-Money with the Opinion of the Judges thereupon to be Illegal and a charge of High Treason was ordered to be drawn up against Eight of them and they begun with the Keeper Finch Decemb. 11. Alderman Pennington and some Hundreds of Citizens presented a Petition subscribed by 15000 Hands against Church Discipline and Ceremonies and then the Commons Voted That the Clergy in a Convocation have no power to make Canons or Laws without Parliaments and that the Canons are against the Fundamental Laws of the Realm the King's Prerogative and the Property of the Subject the Right of Parliaments and tend to Faâ—tion and Sedition In pursuance hereof a Charge was ordered to be drawn up against Arch-Bishop Laud and others and after voted Guilty of High Treason and sent to the Tower The Scâ—ts likewise preferred a Charge against the Arch-Bishop and the Earl of Strafford requiring Justice against them both as the great Incendiaries and Disturbers both of Church and Stâ—te On Monday March 25. 1640. the Earl of Sâ—rafford's Tryal began in Westminâ—ter Hall the King Queen and Prince being present and the Commons being there likewise as a Committee at the managing their Accusation the chief of whom was Pym. The Earl made a long defence but the Commons were resolved to prosecute him to Death and to proceed against him by Bill of Attainder which they proceeded to dispatch And upon the 25th of Apâ—il they passed the Bill and a few days after the Lords did likewise The Bill being finished and the King willing to save the Earl May 21. makes a Speech to both Houses in the Earl's behalf and so Dismissed them to their great Discontent Which was propagated so far that May 23. weâ—e 1000. Citizens most of them Armed came thronging to Westminster crying out for Justice against the Earl of Strafford On Sunday following the King consulted the Judges and several Bishops Mâ—nday May 10. The King gives Commission to several Lords to Pass Two Billsâ— One the Bill of Attainder against Strafford the Other for continuing the Parliament during the Pleasure of Both Houses The next
day the King writes a Letâ—er to the House to excuse his not Signing Strafford's Execution But the Commons would not be satisfied until the Bill was signed The Fall of this great Mâ—n startled many other Officers of State and occasioned the resigning their Places August 6. Both the English and Scotâ—h Armiâ—s were Disbanded and Four Days after the King went towards Scotland and was entertained with great Demonstrations of Affection by that Nation and conferred several Places of Honour and Power upon divers of them He confirm'd likewise the Treaty between the Two Nations by Act of Parliament Octob. 23. 1641. The Horrid and Notorious Massacre and Reâ—â—llion broke out in Ireland At which time the Irish to dishearten the English from any Resistance asserted That the Queen was with their A mâ— That the King would come amongst them also anâ— assist them That they did but maintain his Câ—use agaiâ—st the Puritans That they had the King's Commâ—ssiâ—n for what they did Whether these Assertions wâ—re true or falseâ— we shall not pretend to determine but leave it to the Readers own Senâ—imentsâ— only we beg leâ—ve to incert here by way of Parenthesis a Letter sent to the Popâ— by order of Charles the II. when he had taken the Câ—venâ—nt and was professing the Presbyterian Religion in Scotland it was carried thither and pressed forward by one Dallie an Irish Priest and Confessor to the then Queen â—f Portugal under the Title of Propositions and Motives for and on the behalf of the most iâ—vincible King of Great Britain France and Ireland to Pope Innocent the X. in the Year of Jubilee 1650. which Dallie taking France in his way spake with the Queen Mother and received her Directions for the better management of the Affair Most Blessed Father OUR Agent at present Residing at Rome with all Humility shews your Holiness That the principal Cause and Occasion of that Regicide Tyranically perpetrated upon the Person of Charles the First Father of the aforesaid Charles the Second by his Rebels and cruel Subjects the like whereof was never heard of â—rom the beginning of the World not only among Civil Nations but even among the most Barbarous themselves have been the Graces Favours and Concessions so often and so many ways extended to the Catholick Religion and the Asserters and Professors thereof in the Kingdom both of England and Ireland The Truth of which appears in that the aforesaid Charles the First gave Authority to the Marquiss of Ormond by several Commissions for the Establishing and Perfecting all Conditions with the Confederate Catholicks of the Kingdom of Ireland of sufficient Security for the Catholick Faith Furthermore the said Charles the First fearing lest the said Ormond being an Heretick should not satisfie the said Confederates in all things He sent thither the Marquiss of Worcester a Man truly and wholly Catholick with a more ample Commission in which Commission the said Marquiss of VVorcester had fâ—ll Authority of concluding a Peace with the said Confederate Catholicks and of giving them Conditions altogether satisfactory as well concerning Liberty of Religion as also as to other Injuries that had been done unto them which the said Marquiss of VVorcester making with them an abâ—olute Peace did abuâ—dantly fulfil Further This appeareth in that the said Charles the First even in England it self did by Commissions set the Catholicks namely the said Marquiss of VVorcester Sir Arthur Ashton and many others over his Armies and made them Governours of Cities Castles and Strong Holds notwithstanding the Clamour of the People against it and which was not a slight motive of the Regicide committed upon him wheâ—eby it appears that although the said King Charles the First dyed not a Catholick yet he died for them Again most Blessed Father the same Agent most humbly â—epresents That the present King Charles II. the true and undoubted Heir of the foresâ—id Charles I. and of all his Kingdoms to whom the said Kingdoms belong of Right according to that of Christ Give to Caesar the thing that are Caesars while his Father yet lived was known to have good and true Inclinations to the Cathâ—lick Faith following which and going on in his Fathers steps he did not only râ—commend it to the Marquiss of Ormond but gave it him in Express Command to satisfie in all things the Confederate Caâ—holicks in Ireland namely That he shouâ—d grant them the â—ree Exercise of their Religion That he should abrogate the Penal Laws made against them and that he should restore to the said â—atholicks whether Laicks or Ecclesiâ—sticks their Lands Estates Possessions or what other Rights did at any time belong unto them and by the said Laws had been unjustly taken away In Obedience to which Commands the said Marquiss in the Name and by the Authority of the said two Kings namely Charles the First and Second made and concluded a firm Peace with the said Confederate Catholicks By the Conclusion of which Peace the said present Kingâ— and all his Dominions hath involved himself with the Catholicks in an irreconcileable War against the Parliamentarâ—an Regicides of England whose Blood therefore the said Cruel Tyranâ—s insatiably thirst after as they did after his Fathers The said Agent further offers to your Holiness That the inhumane Regicides do wickedly Usurp to themselves in the Dominions aforementioned all the Authority of the King do most cruelly Persecute all the Catholicks both in England and Ireland pâ—rtly by condemning them to Banishment partly by putting them into Prisons and otherwise corporally punishing them and lastly by putting them to Death a Witness of the Truth hereof is that great Slaughter made by Cromwel in the taking of the two Cities of Droghedah and VVexâ—oâ—d and other Places where all the Catholicks without Distinction of either Sex or Age were Slaughtered Witness hereof also the raging Persecution and Death of Catholicks in England by all which and by their Parliamentarian Decrees themselves and their Covenant with God as they call it it is evident even beyond the clearness of the light of the shining Sun That these Tyrannical Regicides do ultimately intend and put forth all their Power for the utter Destruction of all Catholicks and to â—xtirpate by the Root and wholly to extinguish the Catholick Faith throughout the World openly asserting and boasting with great Glory that these things being once finished in those Dominions they will then invade France and after that run through Germany Italy and all Europe throwing down Kings and Monarchs whose very Titles are most odious and abhorrent unto them Briefly they have no other thing in their Aim than these Two Namely The extirpation of the Catholick Religion and the destruction of Monarchy To which wicked Machination of theirs forasmuch as it could never have any the least Hopes that either the King or his Father should at any time in the least Assent they have put the one to Death and the other to Exile And these Rebels now with a neâ—arious boldness
have lately called themselves a Common-wealth To meet with and prevent the infernal Endeavours of such Rebels our Agent most humbly offers to your Holiness the following Propositions 1. That your Holiness would make an annual Supply out of your own Treasury unto the said Charles the Second of considerable Sums of Money suitable to the maintaining the War against those Rebels against God the Church and Monarchy 2. That you would cause and compel the whole Beneficed Clergy in the World of whatsoever Dignity Degree State and Conditions soever to contribute the Third or the Fourth part of all their Fruits Rents Revenues or Emoluments to the said War as being Universal and Catholick And that the said Contribution may be paid every three Months or otherwise as shall seem most expedient to your Holyness 3. That by your Apostolick Nuncio's your Holyness would most insâ—antly endeavour with all Princes Common-wealths and Catholick States that the said Princes Common-wealths and States may be admonished in the Bowels of Jesus Christ and induced to enter into and conclude an Universal Peace and that they will unitedly supply the said King And that they will by no means acknowledge the said Regicides and Tyrants for a Common-wealth or State nor enter into or have any Commerce with them 4. That by the said Nuncio's or any other way all and every the Monarchs of all Europe may be timely admonished and made sensible in this Cause wherein beside the detriment of the Faith their own proper Interest is concerned The foresaid Tyrants being Sworn Enemies to all Monarchy as they themselves do openly assert both by Word and Writing and to that end both in Germany Spain France Poland â— c. and in the very Dominions of the great Turk they have raised dangerous Insurrections being raised they foment them and to that purpose they supply the Charge and make large Contributions to it 5. That yoâ—r Holyness would Command under pain of Excommunication Ipso facto all and singular Catholicks that neither they nor anâ— of them directly nor indirectly by Land or by Sea do serve them in Arms or assist them by any Counsel or to help to favour or supply them any way under whatsoever pretext Holy Father the premised Remedies are timely to be applied by which the Catholick Faith now exposed to extream and eminent Hazzard may be conserved and infinite number of Catholicks may be preserved from Destruction Monarchy may be established and the most invincible King of Great Britain restor'd to his Rights All which things will bear your Holyness to Heaven with their Praises whom God long conserve in safety c. The Propositions and Motives abovesaid if occasion be our Agent will more largely set forth Viva voce This Letter as it seems to clear a great portion of Doubts and Suspitions of Charles the Second's Integrity to the Protâ—stant Religion so it is a shrewd Argument that all that glistered in this King and his Father was not Gold But I must beg the Readers Pardon for this long digression The Lords Justices sent Sir H. Spotswood from Dublin to the King then in Scotland with an Account of all that happened He dispatched Sir I. Stuart with Inâ—tructions to the Lords of the Privy Council in Ireland He applied himself to the Parliament of Scotland as being near for their Assistance And an Express was sent to the Parliament of England The King being returned out of Scotland December 2 d. Summoned both Houses together and tells them That he had staid in Scotland longer than he expected yet not fruitlessly for he had given full Satisfaction to the Nation but cannot chuse but take Notice of and wonder at the unexpected Distractions he finds at Home and then Commends to them the State of Ireland After which the Commons ordered a Select Committee to draw up a Petition and Remonstrance to the King The one was against Bishops and Oppressures in Church Government and for Punishing the Authors of it And the other contained all the Miscarriages and Misfortunes since the beginning of the King's Reign Not long after happened the Tumults of the London Apprentices at Whitehall and Westminster December 28. The King sends a Message to the Lords That he would raise Ten Thousand Voluntiers for Ireland provided the Commons would pay them Some time after the King upon Information that the Lord Kimbolton and five of the House of Commons viz. Hollis Sir A. Hasâ—erig Mr. Pym Hambden and Stroud had Correspondence with the Scots and Countenanced the late City Tumults He thereupon ordered their Trunks Studies and Chambers to be Sealed up and their Persons seized the former of which was done but they having timely Notice they went aside Upon which the Commons the same day Voted high against these Actions of the King Hereupon the King Charges Kimbolton and the five Members with several Articles and â—cquaints both Houses That he did intend to Prosecute them for High Treason and required that their Persons might be secured And the next day the King attendâ—d with his Guard of Pensioners and some Hundreds of Gentleman went to the House of Commons and the Guard staying without the King with the Palsgrave entred the House at whose Entrance the Speaker rises out of the Chair aâ—d the King sitting down therein views the Housesâ—round and perceives the Birds he aimed at were flown whereupon He tells them That he came to look for those five Members whom he had Accused of High Treason and was râ—solved to have them where ever He found them and expected to have them sent to Him as soon as they should come to the House but would not have them think that this Act of His was any Violation of Parliament This Act of the King was highly Resented by the House that the next day Ianuary 5. the Commons Voted it a Breach of Priviledge And it it was said in the City that the King intended Violence against the House of Commons and came thither with Force to Murther several Members and used threatning Speeches against the Parliament The next day the Londoners came thronging to Westminster with Petitions envying bitterly against some of the Peers but especially the Bishops as the Authors of all these Disturbances Upon which they were so affrighted that Twelve Bishops absented themselves from the House of Lords drawing up a Protestation against all Laws Orders Votes Resolutions and Determinations as in themselves Null and of none Effect which had Passed or should Pass during their Absence Presently after which at a Conference between both Houses it was agreed That this Protestation of the Twelve Bishops did extend to the deep intrenching on the Fundamental Priviledges and Being of Parliaments And in a short time they were Accused of High Treason Seised and brought on their Knees at the Lord's Bar Ten of whom were Comitted to the Tower and the other Twoâ— in regard of their Age to the Blackâ—Rod And now such Numbers of ordinary People daily gathered about Westminster
and White-Hall that the King fearing their Intentions thought fit to withdraw to Hampton-Court The next day the Five Members were Triumphantly guarded to Westminster by a great number of Citizens and Sea-men with Hundreds of Boats and Barques About this time the Parliament had notice that the Lord Digby and Coll. Lunsford were raising Troops of Horse at Kingston where the Country Magazine was lodged Whereupon they Order That the Country Sheriffs Justices of the Peace and the Trained Bands shall take care to Secure the Countries and their Magazines Lunsford was Seised and sent to the Tower but Digby escaped beyond Sea The King removed to Royston and Ianuary 20. He sends a Message to the Parliament proposing the Securiâ—y of his own Rights and Prerogative and as to matter of their Grievances He would equal or excâ—ed the most Indulgent Princes in Compliance with them After this the House of Commons importune the King to put the Militia and Command of the Tower inâ—o their Hands as the only available Means for the removal of their Fears and Jealousies But the King not willing to Comply with their desire signified to them that He thought the Militia to be lawfully subject to no Command but his own and therefore would not let it go out of his Hands it being derived to Him from his Ancestors by the Fundamental Laws of the Kingdom The King bâ—ing now at Hamptonâ—Câ—urt sent for the Earl of Essex aâ—d Holland and other Membâ—rs of both Houses that were his Domesticks but they refused to come In the mean time Mr. Pym at a Conferâ—nce complaining of the general sâ—ocking of Papists into Iâ—elâ—nd affirmed That since the Lieutenant had ordeâ—ed a stop upon the Ports against all Irish Papists many of the chiâ—f Commanders now at the Hâ—â—d of the Râ—bels had been Licensed to pass thither by the King 's immediate Warrant The King was highlyâ— offended at this Speech which he signified to thâ— House wâ—o in their Answâ—r to his Messageâ— justifie Mr. Pym's words to be the sence of the Houseâ— and that they had yet in safe Custody the Lord Delvin Sir G. Hamilton Collonel Butler and Mr. Nettervil To which the King replys That the afore-mentioned Persons had their Passages granted before He knew of the Parliaments Order of Restraint therefore expected their Declaration for his Vindication from that odious Calumny of Conniving or under-hand Favouring that horrid Rebellion But the King's Desire proved fruitless for they next moved to have Sir I. Byron tnrned out from being Lieutenant of the Tower and at their nomination Sir I. Coniers succeeded They then proceed to Name fit Persons sor Trust of the Militia of the several Counties particularly that for the Defence of the City of London the Parliament the Tower to be Commanded by Major General Skipton The King had deferred His Answer to their Petition for settling the Miâ—itia of the Counties according to the Nomination till his Return from Dover where he took leave of his Wife and Daughter and so returned to Greenwich where he being Arrived sends his Answer to the Petition about the Militia That He was willing to divest Himself of the Power of the County Militia for a limited time but not of London and other Cities and Corporations This Answer did not in the least satisfie so that the Breach growing every day wider the King declined these Parts and the Parliament and moved to Theobald's About the beginning of March He receives a Petition from the Parliament wherein they require the Militia more fervently than before affirming That in ease of denial the eminent dangers would câ—nstrain them to dispose of it by the Authority of Parliament desiring also That He wnuld make his Abode near London and the Parliament for the better carrying on of Affairs and preventing the Peoples Jealousies and Fears All which being refused they presently oâ—der That the Nation be put into a posture of Defence in such a way as was agreed upon by Parliament and a Committee to prepare a publick Declaration from these Heads 1. The just Causes of the Fears and Jealousies given to the Parliamentâ— at the same time clearing themselves from any Jealousies conceived against Himself 2. To consider of all Matters arising from His Majesties Message and what was fit to be done And now began our Troubles and all the Miseries of a Civil War The Parliament every day entertaining new Jealousies and Suspitions of the King's Actions They now proceed on a sudden to make great Preparations both by Sea and Land And the Earl of Northumberland Admiral of England is commanded to Rig the Kings Ships and fit them for Sea And likewise all Masters and Owners of Ships were perswaded to do the like The Beacons were prepared Sea-marks set up and extraordinary Postings up and down with Pacquets All sad Prognosticks of the Calamities ensuing August 22. 1642. The King comes to Nottingham and there erects his Standard to which some Numbers resorted but â—ar shot of what was expected And three days after the King sends a Message to the Parliament to propose a Treaty which was accepted but quickly broke off again The War being now begun the New raised Soldiers committed many Outrages upon the Country People which both King and Parliament upon complaint began to Rectifie The King himself was now Generalissimo over his own and the Earl of Essex for the Parliament The King's Forces received the first Repulse at Hull by Sir I. Hotham and Sir I. Meldram and the King takes up his Quarters at Shrewsbury Portsmouth was next Surrendered to the Parliament and presently after Sir I. Biron takes Worcester for the King In September the two Princes Palatines Rupert and Maurice Arrived in England who were presently Entertained and put into Command by the King This uncivil Civil-War was carried on in general with all the Ruines and Desolations immaginable wherein all Bonds of Religion Alliance and Friendship were utterly destroyed Wherein Fathers and Children Kindred and Acquaintances became unnatural Enemies to each other In which miserable Condition this Nation continued for near Four Years viz. From August the 22. 1642. the time the King set up his Standrrd at Nottingham to May the 6. 1646. the time when the King quitting all Hopes put himself into the Protection of the Scotch Army at Newark During this Process of time several Mâ—ssagâ—s past divers Treaties set on Foot and other Overtures of Accommodation but all came to no effect The War in England being now aâ—ter so much Bloodshed and â—uine brought to some end the Parliament were at leisure to dispute with the Scots concerning the keeping of the King who fâ—aring least Fairfax should fall upon them and compel them to deliver him up Retreated further Noâ—thwaâ—dâ— towards New-Castle The Parliament sent an Invitation to the Prince of Wales to come to â—ondon with Promise of Honour and Safety but he did not think fiâ— to venture The King sends from New-Casâ—le to the Army about a Treaty
and the House of Commons Vote That the Kings Person should be dâ—manded of the Scots and that their whole Army return home upon Receiâ—â— of part of thâ—ir Arrears the rest to be sent after them And a Committee is appointed to Treat with the Scotch Commissioners about drawing up Propositions to be sent to the King wherein much time was spent in wrangling whilst the English deny the Scots to have any Right in the Disposal of the King of England and the Scots as stifly alledged He was their King as much as of the English and they had as good Right to dispose of the King in England as the English could Challenge in Scotland But at last they agreed on Sixteen General Propositions which were presented to the King at New-Castle Iuly 27. 1646. But these Propositions were such that the King did not think fit to comply withal The Scots general Assembly sent a Remonstrance to the King desiring him to settle Matters in England according to the Covenants c. But all this did not do and therefore the Scots who had hiâ—herto so sharply disputed about the Disposal of the Kings Person are content upon the Receipt of Two Hundred Thousand Pounds to depart home and leave the King in the Power of the Parliament who Voted him to Holmby-House and sent their Commissioners to receive him from the Scots at New-Castle to whom Feb. 8. 1646. He was accordingly delivered and the Scots returned home Some Petitions from Essex and other Places are presented to the Parliament inveighing against the Proceedings of the Army which much vexed the Soldiers who sharply Apologize for themselves And now the Army to the great Terror of the Parliament march towards London and came as far as St. Alban's notwiâ—hstanding a Message from Both Houses not to come within Twenty Five Miles of the City which the General excused saying That he Army was come thither before they received the Parliaments Desire And here he obtains a Months Pay The Parliament then drew up Propositions of Peace to be sent to the King at Hampton-Court the same in substance with those offered at New Castle and had the like effect The Business of Episcopacy being always the main Objection which the Parliament were resolved to Abolish And the King preferring that before all other Respects would rather loose All than consent thereunto The Scots Commissioners send a Letter Novemb. 6. 1647. to the Speaker of the House of Commons aâ—d require That the King may be admitted to a Personal Treaty or at least That he should not be carried from Hampton-Court violently but that Commissioners of both Parliaments may â—reely pass to and from Him to Treat for the Settlement of the Kingdom After which divers Mesâ—ages past between the King and the Parliament and several Conferrences were set on Foot particularly that of Henderson's but they proving â—ruitless the Parliament with most of the Officers of the Army that joyned with them brought the King to a Tryal by a Judicature of their own setting up which proved his Ruine THE SECRET HISTORY OF King CHARLES II. WHEN Charles the Second was restored to the Thrones of England Scotland and Iroland never any Monarch in the World came to the Possession of so large a Dominion with more Advantages to have done good sor Himself to his Subjects at Home and to his Allies Abroad The People all experienced in Maâ—tial Discipline as having but newly sheathed the Sword of Civil War and Foreign Conquest so that their Valour was dreaded abroad where-ever he should have menaced an Enlargement of his Territories Besides all this he had the Love of his Subjects Equal if not Superior to any Prince that ever Reigned before him And he had the Affection of his Parliament to the highest degree But after all this he was no sooner settled in his Throne but through the Influence of Evil Counsellors upon a Disposition naturally Vitious and easily corrupted with Esseminate Pleasures he abandoned himself to all manner of Softness and Voluptuous Enjoyments and harbouring in his â—osome the worst of Vices base ingratitude betraâ—ed Himself that he might betray his People for where the Constitution of a Nation is such That the Laws of the Land are the Measures both of the Soveraign's Commands and the Obedience of the Subjects whereby it is provided That as the one is not to invade what by Concessions and Stipulâ—tions is granted to the Ruler so the other is not to deprive them of their lawful and determined Rights and Liberties There the Prince who strives to Subvert the Fundamental Laws of the Society is the Traytor and the Rebel and not the People who endeavour to Preserve and Defend their own Nor must we ascribe the Miscarriages of his Reign altogether to the Remissness of his Nature but to a Principle of Revenge which his Mother had infused into him not so much for the loss of her Hâ—sband but out of her inbred Malice to the Protestant Religion which no where flourished in that Splendor as in England fostered and cherished by the vow'd Enemy of this Nation his Brother the Duke of York who had been openly heard to declare in his Bed-Chamber at St. Iames's That he was resolved to be revenged upon the English Nation for the Death of his Father and what an Ascendant this Brother had over over him the whole Kingdom has felt by sad and woful Experience For indeed the King had all along an Affection for him so entire and baneful to the Nation that he could only be said to Reign while his Brother Ruled With all these Royal Vertues and imbred and fomented Animosisies to render him at his Return a Gracious Soveraign to this Kingdom let us trace him from his Cradle to find out those Princely Endowments which invisibly encreasing with him as he grew in Years dazzled in such a manner the Eyes of doâ—ing Politicians of that Age to recal him against that known and vulgar Maxim of Common Prudence Regnabit sanguine multo Ad Regâ—um quisquis unit â—b eilioâ— When he was but very young he had a very strange and unaccountable Fondness to a Wooden Biâ—let without which in his Arms he would never go abroad nor lie down in his Bed From which the more observing sort of People gathered that when he came to years of Maturity either Oppresâ—ors and Blockheads would be his greatest Favourites or else that when he came to Reign he would either be like Iupiter's Log for every Body to deride and contemn or that he would rather chuse to command his People with a Club than Rule them with a Scepter And indeed They that made the first and last conjectures found in due time they were not altogether in the wrong For the Throne was no sooner empty by the Death of his Father before he could be permitted to sâ—at himself in it but he gave the World a plain Discovery what sort of People they were who when he came to Reign were most
Subverted and altered the Fundamental Constitution in making English Men liable to be turned at the Arbitrary Pleasure of the King And as an addiâ—ion to this those Mercinary Members by the Orders and Directions of their most Pious and Protestant Pay-Master the King past another Law which was styled The Act for Corporations by which Men of Principles and Integrity were debarred all Offices of Magistracy in Cities and Corporate Towns the woful effects of which the Kingdom not long after both saw and felt in the Surrender of Charters and Betraying of Franchises by Persons upon whom the Government of â—he Corporations came to be delivered by Vertue of that Act which excluded so many Honest Able and Vertuous Men the Persons whom the King for his by-ends nominated for fit and Loyal Men would never have risen above the Offices of Scavengers Headboroughs or Constables at the highest To this as mainly contributed to the King's Design of Enslaving us we may subjoyn their passing an Act whereby they did boâ—h limit and confine those that were to present Petitions to the King not to exceed Ten Persons Let the Matter to be represented be ne're so Important or the Grievance to be redress'd never so Illegal or Oppressive yet it was made no less than a Riot if above Ten Persons Address'd themselves to the King to crave the bâ—nefit of the Law A Trouble which the King câ—reâ—ully provided against knowing how many Laâ—s he had to break and how Burthensome and Oppressive he must be to the People bâ—fore â—e could compleat the Fabrick of Slavery and â—â—pâ—ry which he was Erecting Nor was this all For the King being Conscious â—f his own saâ—â—ing and finding that through his own 〈◊〉 and the Importunities of his consuming Misâ—es he could not depend on any definiâ—e Suâ—m for accomplishing his Promises to his Holy Father the Pope and his Trusty Confederate the French King got Two Bills prepared and carried into the House the passing of which had compleated the Nations Misery and made him Absolute The one was To Empower His Majesty upon extraordinary Occasions of which he would not have failed to have been the Judge as often as he pleased to raise Money without a Parliament And the other was For settling an Vniversal Excise upon the Crown The Passing either of which the King well knew would have been soon enabled him to have Govern'd by Basha's and Ianizaries and redeem'd him from having any further need of Parliaments But what the King had so finely projected to enslave the Nation and obtain whatever he had a mind to prov'd the Ground of their Disappointment and the occasion oâ— the Nations escape from the snare that was laid for it For the Mercenary Members fore-seeing That the passing these Bills would have put an end to these Pensions by rendring them useless for the time to come consulting their Gain and preferring it above what the Court called their Loyalty fell in with the honest Party and so became assistant in throwing out the Bills However Piouâ— AEneas finding the Nation grew sensible of his covert Intentions and Encroachments upon their Laws and Liberties and desparing of getting any more Acts passed in Parliament toward the promoting his Desings resolved to Husband the Laws he had already obtain'd as much as he could to the Ruin of the Nâ—tion and where they failed of being Serviceable to his Ends to betake himself to other Methods and Means And therefore besides the daily Impoverishing Confining and destroying of infinite numbers of Honest and Peaceable People Under pretence of Executing the Laws he made it his business to invent new Projects to tear up the Rights and Liberties of the People by ways and means which had not the least shadow of a Law to countenance them Having made this fair Progress towards the enslaving both the Souls and Bodies of his own Subjects at home let us take a view of his Zeal to the Protestant Religion abroad And first for the Protestants of France When Monsieur Rohan came into England to acquaint his Pious Majesty with the Resolutions taken at Paris to persecute and if possible to root out the Reformed in France and proposed Overtures to the King as would have been greatly for his Glory and Interest yet no way contrary to the Allegiance of that poor People he remitted the Monsieur to his Brother the D. of York who not only inform'd the French Ambassador of the Gentleman's Errand but placed him behind the Hangings to hear what Monsieur Rohan had to represent and propose to him Which although the Ambassador to could not but abhor in the Two â—rothers and was asham'd of in himself yet he could do no less than inform his Master of what he had seen and heard Upon which the poor Gentleman on his Return out of England was so narrowly watched that being Apprehended upon the Borders of Switzerland he was carried back to Paris and there broken upon the Wheel Nor did it satisfie â—he King and his dear Brother the Duke to have thus Betray'd as well as Abandoned the Protestants in France but with the utmost Malice that Popery could inspire into them they sought the Destruction of the Seven Uniâ—ed Provinces upon no other Account but their being Protestant States and for giving Shelter to those who being Persecuted by himself and his Confederate the French Tyrant for their Religion fled thither for Protection and Safety For knowing what in due time they intended to bring upon the Protestants at home they thought it most requisite to destroy those Protestant States in the first place that there might remain no Sanctuary for their Persecuted Subâ—ects And indeed abaring this and one more Ground of their Quarrel with those Stateâ— never was a War undertaken upon more â—rivilous Pretences than those Two which the King engaged in against the Seven Provinces in the Year 1667. and 1672. Nor can any thing justifie the Discretion and Wisdom of the Wars had they not been undertaken meerly in Subserviency to the promoting Popery and Slavery seeing that upon all other Grounds that Reason and Prudence can suggest it was the Interest of England as still it is to preserve the Government of Holland entire Nor can we have a true Account of the Grounds upon which the Two Monarchs of England and France agreed the War against Holland in the Year 1672. than by the Representation which the French Ambassador made of it both at Rome and Vienna For tho' his Publick Declaration pretended no more but that it was to seek Reparation for the Diminution of his Glory yet the Account he gave to the Pope of his Masters and consequently of our Protestant Monâ—rch his first Confederate undertaking that War was That he did it in order to the extirpation of Heresie And in the same manner they sought to justifie the Piety of that Enterprize to his Imperial Majesty by alledging That the Hollanders were a People that had forsaken God â— and were
Bull. And this iâ— is plain Thâ—t the Tâ—iâ—ple Leaâ—ue was 〈…〉 to the Ends of the French King to ruine the Dutch and to bring the Three Kingdoms of England Scotland and Ireland under the Yokes of Arâ—itrary Power and Roman Catholick Idolatry after a Total Abolition of the Name of Parliaments and Subversion of the Fundamental Laws Gratias tibi piissime atque invictissime Rex Carole Secunde And that he might not as much as in him lay meet with after rubs Mr. H. C. was dispatched into Sweeden to dissolve the Tripple League in that Kingdom which he did so effectually by co-operating with the French Ministers in that Court that the Swede aâ—ter it came to Rupture never assisâ—ed to any purpose â—r prosecuted the â—nds of the said Alliance only by Arming himsâ—lf at the expence of the League first under a disguised Mediation acted the French Interest and at last threw off his Vizard and drew his Sword on the French side in the Quarreâ— And at home when the Project repined and grew hopeful the Lord-Keeper was discharged from his Office and both he the Duke of Ormâ—nd Prinâ—e Rupert and Secretary Trevor were discarded out of the Committee for Forreign Affairs as being too honest to comply with the Intreagues thâ—n on Foot The Exchequer for some Years bâ—fore by the Bâ—it of more than ordinary Gain hâ—d deâ—â—y'd in the greatest part of the most Weaâ—thy Goldsmiths and they the rest of the Money'd Peâ—ple of the Nâ—tion by the due Payment of Interest till the King was run in Debt upon what Account no Bodâ— knew above Two Millions Stâ—rling which served for one of the Pretences in the Lord-Keepâ—rs Speech at the opening of tâ—e Parliamenâ— to demand and obtain a Grant of the fore-menâ—ioned Supplies and might plentifully have sufficed to dis-engage the King with Peace and any tolerable good Husbandry But as if it had been perfidious to have applied them to any of the Purpâ—ses declared instead of Payment it was privately resolvâ—d upon to shat up the Exchequer lest any pâ—rt of the Money should have been legally expâ—nded but that all might be appropriated to the Holy War in prospect and those fâ—r more Pious uses to which the â—ing had Dedicated it This Affair was carried on with â—â—l the Secresie imaginable lest the unseasonble venting of it should â—ave spoiled the Wit and Mâ—lice of the Design So that all on a sudden uâ—â— the first of Iaâ—uary 1671. to the great Astonishment Ruin and Despair of so many Interest Peâ—sons and to the Terror of the whole Nation by so Arbitrary a Fact the Proclamation Issued forth in the midst of the Confluence of so many vast Aids and so great a Revenue whereby the Crown published it self Bankrupt made Prize of the Subject and broke all Faith and Contract at Home in order to the breaking of both Abroad with more Advantage What was this but a Robbery committed upon the People under the Bond and Security of the Royal Faith By which many Hundreds were as really impoverished and undone as if he had violently broken into their Houses and taken their Money out of their Coffers Nay that would have lookâ—d Generous and Great whereas the other was Base and Sneaking Only it seem'd more agreeable to His Majesty's Temper to Rob his Subjects by a Tâ—ick than to Plunder them by direct and open Force There remained nothing now but that the King after this Famous â—xploit upon his own Subjâ—cts should manifest his Impartiality to Foreigâ—ers and assert the Justice of his intended Quarrel with the Hâ—llanders Thereupon the Dispute about the Flag upon occasion of the Fansan Yatch was started a fresh and a great noise was made of Infamous Libels horrid Pictures Pillars set up and Medals Coined to the infinite dishonour of his Majesty's Peâ—son his Crown and Dignity though not one of the Libels or Pictures could be produced and as for the Pillars they never had any Being but in the imagination of those that made it their business to raise Jealousies between the Two Nations 'T is true there was a Medal coin'd which might have been spared but so soon as it was known in Holland that Exceptions were takâ—â— as it the Stamp was broken to pâ—eces Some time after the French King seeing the English after the Affair of Sir R. H. on the Smirna Fleet engaged past all Retreaâ— comes in with his Fleet not to Fight but only to sound our Seas to spy our Ports to learn our Building to learn our way of Fighting and to consume ours â—and preserve his own Navy For no sooner had the Duke of York as the Design was laid suâ—â—ered himself to be shamefully surprized but the Vice-Admiral â— the Earl oâ— Sandwich was Sacrificed and the rest of the Eâ—glish Fleet so torn â—nd mangled that the English Honour was laid not in the Dust buâ— in the Mud while his Royal Highness did all that was expectâ—d from him and Monsieur D' Estreâ—s who Commanded the French did all that he was sent for There was Three other several Engagemâ—nts oâ— ours with the Dutch the next Summer But while nothing was tenable at Land against the Fâ—ench so it seem'd that to the English every thing was impregnable at Sea which was not to be arâ—riâ—â—ted to the want of Courage or Conduct oâ— the then Commanders but rather to the unlucky Conjuâ—ction of the Engiâ—sh to the French like the Disasters that happen to Men by being in â—ll Company In the mean time the hopes of the Spanish and Smâ—rna Fleet being vanished the slender Allowance from the French not sufficing to defray farther Charges and the ordinary Revenue of His Majesty with all the former Aids being in less than one Years time exhausted the Parliament with the King 's most Gracious leave was permitted to Siâ— again at the time appointed At what time at the King 's and the Lord-Keepers usual daubing way the War was first Communicated to them and the Causes the Necessity and Danger so well pointed out that upon the King 's earnest Suit the Commons though in a War begun without their Advice readily Voâ—ed no less than One Million Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Pounds Steoling though they would not say it was â—or the War but for the King 's extraordinary Occasions And now the King having got the Money into his Hâ—nds a new Project was set on â—ooâ— to set up an Army in â—ngland for the introducing of Slavery and Poperâ— under the pretence of Landing in Holland which was raised with all the expedition imaginable over which was Coll. Fitz Geâ—ald an Irish Papist made Major-General so were the greatest number of the Captains and otâ—er Officers of the same stamp And because that pretence was soon blown over it was afterwards still continued on foot undâ—r the more plausible Colour of a War wiâ—h France But after all these cunning Contrivances to do with them what he pleased whereas before theâ— hâ—d Power to Aâ—semble every Three Years
Friends were privy to it After which perceiving that his Brother's Restauration was fully determined in England under pretence that it would be more for his own and the Honour and Interest of his Brother to Marry with some great Princess that would both enrich and strengthen them by the largeness of her Dowry and the graatness of her Relations he would have taken an Occasion from the privacy of the Nuptials to deny her being his Wife` and disavow all Contracts and Ceremonies of Marriage between them But the King detesting so much buseness as being himself a witness of the Marriage would not suffer the Lady to be so heinously abused but constrained him after great reluctancy to declare it publickly to all the World A happy Providence for England which by that ' Conjunction blest us with two Pâ—otestant Princâ—sses matchless in Virtue and Prety and all those other Graces that adorn their Sex to the eldest of which we are beholden â—or our Deliverance from an Inundation of Slavery and Popery under the Auspicious Conduâ—â— oâ— a Sovereign truly meriting the Noble and Ancient Titles of King of Men and Shepherd of the People and the yet more dignified Addition of Defender of the Faith And from the youngest of which we have already the earnest of a hopeful Issue to guard us from the like Invasions Such is the Provision of Providence that many times it happens the most venemous Creatures carry about them the particular Antidote against thier own Poysons Certain it is that the Duke of York would never have pulled off his Protestant Vizard nor have declared himself of the Roman Communion so soon had he not been thereto necessitated by a Stratagem of the King his Brother for the Papists having a long time waited for the Accomplishment of the King's Oathes and Promises for restoring their Religion and having annually contributed large Sums of Money towards the effecting of it at length grew impatiently sullen and would advance no more unless the King or the Duke would openly declare themselves for Popery Which the King thinking no way seasonable for him to do and not being able by all his Arguments and Importunities to prevail with his Brother to do it he at length bethought himself of this Project which was To get the Queen to write a Letter intimating her Intention to withdraw into a Monastery which Letter was to be left upon her Closet-Table that her Priests as it was concerted before-hand might there seize it and seeing the Contents of it carry it forthwith to the Duke Upon which the Duke being Jealous left the King upon the Queens relinquishing her Husband might be induced to marry again and thereby deprive him of the hopes of succeeding than which there was nothing which he thirsted after more upon obtaining a previous Assurance that in case he declared himself a Papist she would not withdraw immediately pulled oâ—f his Mask and renounced Communion with the Church of England Being thus quit of his fears from the King his next work was to did himself of all his Jealousies of the Duke of Monmouth To which purpose he lay day and night at the King to require him to turn Roman Catholick Which the King out of his Tenderness to the Romish Cause as well as to gratifie his Brother undertook to do and accordingly sent him into France with an express Command to reconcile himself to the Church oâ— Rome However the Duke of Monmouth out of an aversion to â—he Fopperies of that Religion failed in his Performance which so incenseâ— the Duke of York that from that time â—orward he studied all the ways imaginable to bring him to Destruction In the mean time having by his publickly declâ—ring himself a Papist engaged all those of the same Religion to his Person and Interest he resolved to drive on Iehu like and to promote the Catholick Cause with all the vigour and swiftness he was able and to make the utmost use of his Brothers good Intentions And such was his Bigottry to the Romish Church That according to the Principles of that Religion he stuck at nothing per fas nefaâ— to bring about his Popish Designs I shall not here dilaâ—e upon his secret Negotiâ—tions at Rome his Correspondencies with Foreign Priests and Jesuites or his private Intrigues with the French King which have been all sufficiently exposed already in Print as for thaâ— whatever has been already said of the King is also to be said of him in general while he was Duke in regard they both drew in the same Yoak for the Ruine of the Nation For this is as certain as the rest that he had a most eager desire to Rule and Rule dispotically which was the Reason he was frequently heard to say He had rather Reign one Month as the King of France than Twenty Years as his Brother the King of England did And besides it was as plain That he had a mortal Autipathy against the Protestant Religion and more particularly against the Professors of it in England but more especially the Dissenters upon the score of revenging his Fathers Death An imbittered hatred which he derived from his Mother who mortally malliced England upon the same Account and which he acknowledged in his Bed-Chamber at St. Iames's where he openly declared That he was resolved to be revenged upon the English Nation â—or his Fathers Death Which if those unthinking People who are so eager to have him agaiâ— would but consider they would not be so forward for his Return For it is in vain for the Church of England â— Men of what degree soever to think that their refusing to swear Allegiance to King VVilliam and Queen Mary would excuse them from that Universal Revenge which he would take upon the Nation were it ever again in his Power Only here was the Difference between the Two Brothers That the King thought to ruine his Enemy by main force and the fair hand of Victory but the Duke hoping to kill two Birds with one Stone made it his business at the same time to ruine the Enemy by force and his own Country by treachery Thus when he had engaged his Brother in the first Holy Dutch War of the Extirpaâ—ion of Hereticks he permits the English at â—irst to exercise all the Bravery of their Skill and Couâ—age to a great probability of Success but then falls asleep in the height of his Conduct to the end the Dutch for want of Orders might have â—n opportunity to wrest the Victory out of the hands of the English on purpose to keep the balâ—â—nce of Destruction on both sides even Thus he â—â—rmitted himself to be surpriz'd at Soul-Bay knowing there were enoâ—gh to maul the Enemy but not enough to preserve those that sought on our ride So that the Dutch may be said to be well â—hrashed and the Eâ—glish to be well sacrificed And as a farther Demonstration oâ— his perâ—idious Soul when he found the Contest would be too tedious between
case he succeeded to the Crown And being told of the Terms that the King had offered to the Parliament of England tho` much harder and more dishonourable than any which they required he replied That the King never intended any such Limitations should pass nor did he offer them but when he knew they would not be accepted And farther to demonstrate his imbitter`d hatred of the Protesâ—ants and with what Rage and Fury he intended to prosecure them he told several Members of the Parliament when they were endeavouring to get some Bills to pass for the Security of their Religion in case of a Popish Successor That whatever they intended or prepared against the Papists should light upon others Which tho` it stopt him from taking the Advantage of any new Bills yet he was so just to his Word in behalf of the Papists that he pour`d all the Rigour of the Penal Laws against the Papists upon the Protestants in that Kingdom under the Name of Dissenters whom he Persecuted with that insatiable Violence as if according to his own Expression he had fully concluded That it would never be well with Scotland till all the South-side of Ferth were made a Hunting Field For indeed that was the true intent and drift of all his envenom`d Prosecutions of those People as well in England as in Scotland in hopes by so severe an Exasperation they would have broken out into open Rebellion and so have given him a fair opportunity to have rooted them from the Earth by the Sword Which was evident from another Saying of his for that having one day given his Opinion of sober Dissenters and setting them forth as he thought in their Colours he concluded That if he might have his VVish he would have them all turn Rebels and betake themselves to Arms. Which tho` it shewed his good Will yet whether it were so prudently spoken by a Person that had so little either of Courage or Conduct as himself is a question unless he thought he cou'd subdue them with the Spiritual Weapons of the Popes Excommunications and Curses Nor did he at the same time remember that the heavy Oppressions of the Spanish Inquisition tore from the Dominions of the Spaniard all the Seven United Provinces notwithstanding all that D` Aâ—va Parma and Spinola could do thoâ—gh their Military Fame far exceeded his Thus we have seen the extent of his Christianity which we find cooped up within the narrow bounds of Popery Nów for his Morality which if it signalize it self in my Virtue that celebrates a Great and Glorious Prince it must be in those two of Justice and Mercy which God appropriates most nearly to himself as the brightest Ornaments of his Divinity But whether the Duke were either Just or Merciful to the E. of Argyle will be the Questionâ— This Gentleman was one of the most Ancient and one of the most eminent Noble-men in Scotland and a Person of extraordinary Endowments and as such a one had â—erved the King with his Parts his Person and Estate beyond what most Men of any Degree in the Nation either had done or were able to pâ—rform but because he would not so far comply with and oblige the Duke as to fall in with his Councils for the Establishment of Popery and yield himself an Instrument to carry on his Designs of Popery and Arbitrary Power his Head must be brought to the Block the antient Honour of his Family must be attainted and his ample Fortunes be confiscated To which purpose a certain Test being fram`d for all the Nobility and Gentry of Scotland to take not excepting all others who were capable of any Office or Employment in the Kingdom easie enough for the Papists to swallow as being Calculated for their peculiar Advantage but difficult for the Protestants as being thaâ— which strangely confused and intangled their Consciences However the Earl was not so scrupulous neither to avoid all Occasions possible of incurring his Highness's Displeasure but offered to take it with this Proviso That he might declare in what sence he was willing to be Sworn Accordingly he did draw up an Explanation of his own meaning and tho` he were allow`d to take the Oath according to that Explanation which was also conformable to an Explâ—nation which themselves were forced to make for the satisfaction of the greatest pâ—rt of the Kiâ—gdom that was dissatisfied in the Oath as well as the Earl nay tho` his Lordship did take it according to his own allowed Interpretation which was so far accepted that he was admitted to take his place in the Council yet upon a Caprico of the Duke`s Justice the matter was call`d in question again but then such a horrid Treasons were pick`d out of the Earl`s Interpretation that he was Arraign'd and Condemn'd to lose his Head and Execution had been certainly done had he not made his escape in his Sister 's Habiâ— but a â—ew hours before the Express Arrived from England â— with Orders for his immediate Executionâ— Nevertheless his whole Estate was seiz`d he was divested of all his Titles and Dignities and contrary to the Custom of the Kingdom his Coat of Arms was despitefully torn at the Publick Market Cross of Eâ—inburgh and his Person hunted afâ—er in all places whether they thought he might be withdrawn even as far as Hamburgh And yet aftâ—r all the scrutinies which sober Men have made the chiefest of the Scâ—ts Lawyers that were of unbiassed Principles could never find any thing in the Earlâ—s Interpretation but whaâ— his indispensible Duty obliged him to both as a Christian a Subject of Scotland and a Privy-Coâ—nsellor to the King But the D. was resolved to destroy him right or wrong And therefore being told whaâ— the E. of Argyle had said or done which could 〈◊〉 made a Crime by the â—aw of the Land his Highnâ—ss out of the grâ—â—t Affâ—ction which he boâ—e â—o so true a Protestaâ—t Peer was pleas'd to reply But may it not be wrested to Treason Which was such an Incouragement that when his Mind was once understood he wanted not Instruments that labour'd Day and Night to make the Question subservient to the D.'s impatient Thrist of Revenge and their own Advantage or else it might be to signalize his Resolution to overâ—rule the Lawyers in Scotland had they denied their Submission to his good Will and Pleasure By the same Justice it was that Blackwood was Condemn`d upon a pretence of having entertain'd upon his Ground certain Persons who were reported and said to have beâ—n at Bothwell-Bridge â— Aâ—d this although there had been no notice given of their beiâ—g Criminals or any ways Offenders nor any Proclamations were issued out against them by which Blackwood could be obliged to take Cognizance of the Circumstances they lay undâ—r and that which aggravated the Iâ—justice was this That the Gentleman suffered after a General Act of Indemnity granted and that it was after the Council themselves had for Four Years pass'd them by that
who eat his last Meal with the Duke and wrote the same on his Death Bed as it seems to be confirmed by this Saying of Iefferies so it was by many concluded to be the occasion of hastning the King`s Death Concerning which the Opinions of the World are various and some severe and bearing hard enough upon his Successor But in regard it is a Mystery as the Embrio of Conjâ—cture which is only to be matur`d in the Womb of Time and to be Midwiv`d into the World by future Discovery we leave it to higher Scrutiny The Justice of Heaven perhaps not minding a present Revenge of his Death who had not only prevented the Prosecution of Noble and Innocent Essex`s Blood but so severely punished the Industrious Enquiry after it only this is further to be mark`d that the Irish Papists could for some time before fix upon the utmost Period of his Reign and the Duke was sent for in haste out of Scotland without any apparent Reason for it besides that the King's Permission was obtain'd with some difficulty However by the violent and tremendous Death of his â—rotâ—er he at length arrived at the long long wished â—â—r Heaven of his Ambitious Desires and beholds himself mounted upon the Pinicle of Roâ—alty only that his Fall might be more conspicuous He was no sooner Proclaimed but he declâ—red his Religion openly to his Privy Council however he began with a mild and caressing Declaration which he afterwards broke in every Line of it A meer Trap baited with Indulgence to Tender Consciences on purpose to catch the Dissenting Mice to deliver them when caught into the Paws of his ravenous Popish Cats but no sooner was he Crown`d but as if his Coronation-Oath and all his Promises so lately made had been no more â—han so many Pills of Opium and believing himself environed with Power sufficient to maintain his Tyranny and Oprâ—ssion he invades Property by Expulsion of the right Owners tramples upon the Laws by his pretended Prerogative of suspending Power and goes about to pull down the stately Structure of the Protestant Religion by the Suspension of one and imprisoning and Arraigning at his Criminal Bar no less than seven of the most Eminent Fathers of the English Church And by a strange alteration of the Face of Government Treason over-rules the Law and Traytors impeached are fetch'd out of Jayl to sit Triumphantly domineering at the Helm of State and Iefferies the Daniel that in some measure might be said to be taken out of the Lyons Dens for the Cruelty of his Nature is advanced in open Hostility to Justice to wage War with the Fundamental Constitutions of the Kingdom A mean Spirit insulting over his Inferiors but a Spaniel to his Superiors who though he knew himself no more than a Tool in the Hand of a Popish Artificer the Shadow of Grandieur lofty under Contempt and domineering only in Publick yet having pawn'd his Soul for the hopes of an Embroidered Purse rather than decoil to Goodness careers on in Mischief and as if his Robes had not been Scarlet enough dies them deep in Innocent Blood and becomes his Master's Vassal to enâ—lave the Nation Such Counsellors as these hurried on the new Crowned King with such a Rapidness to accomplish the great Work of introducing Tyranny and Popery to which his own Fears of leaving the Papists worse than he found them as furiously carried him that he threw his Brother into his Grave as if he had not had leisure to Bury him or as if he had deem'd him not worth a Funeral whom he thought not worth a longer Life Unless perhaps he thought the Hypocrisie of pompous Obsequies would have but provoked his Brother`s injur`d Manes with which as common Fame had spread it he was already too much pestred I will not here dispute the Truth of Apparitions nor insist upon the vulgar Censures about the Town upon the Priests for not detaining him in the half-way-Prison but singing him out of Purgatory to make his Brother melancholy by facing him several times and giving him an astonishing stâ—oke upon the back as he was going down a pair of Staiâ—s in White-Hall yet this may be asserted That Guilt accompanied with Terror forms thoâ—e Apparitions in the Mind which work the same effect and obtain the same belief when once divulg'd among the Credulous as if they were real However it were it shewed he thought himself but little beholding to him for living so long and consequently no way oblig'd to retaliate a Succession so late in the year with so much loss of time And now the first influences of his Tyranny and Fury against the Protestants flew into Scotland where whatever Indulgence he shewed in England he issued forth a dreadful Proclamation against the Dissenters under the Notion of Enemies to the King and Government and Destroyers of the British Monarchy sufficient to have given a more early Alarm to the Dissenters in England had they not been â—ulâ—ed asleep by the softness of a present Repose and the Charms of their Decoy-Duke Penn the effect rather of their Simplicity than their Policy But the first Act of his Revenge in England brake forth uâ—on Dr. Oates He could not forget the Doctor 's Detecâ—ion of his Conspiracies against the Kingdom And because he could not â—ind ouâ— a way to hang him his Chief-Justice Iefferies found out a punishment to gratifie his Royal Fury worse than Death it self and till then unknown among Châ—istians in Imâ—tation of the Roman â—â—stuarium by whiâ—h the Roman Soldiers were often drubb'd to death or if they escap'd sent into perpetual Banishment As the Doctor was first of all Scourged by the common Executioner beyond all Precedent and then Condemn'd to perpetual Imprisonment A Sentence of void of all Christian Compassion that only a Iefferies could have invented A goodly sight to see Protestant Judges condemning a Protestant and the Deâ—ector of a most horrid Popish Plot upon the Evidence of known Papists and some of them nearly related to the Executed Traytors and this for Perâ—ury too upon the Testimony of Witnesses already â—alsified As if Justice were a thing that never had been Naturaliz'd in Heaven but only depended upon the Will of the Prince a kind of Tool to â—e used by his Bene-placito Slaves at his or their Discretion or the grand Poppet of the World to be shewed in various Dresâ—es and Disguises as the force of Judicature requiredâ— But as for Dangerfield he had been once â—is Darling frequently admitted to kiss his Hand while he was in Conspiracy with him to suck the Blood of the Innocent But there was no Attonement for his Revolting and Revealing the hidden Mystery of Iniquity Therefore he must dance the same Dance that Oates had done only the King did the World this small piece of Justice to throw away an inconsiderable Roman Cathotlick to satisfie the general Discontent upon his being Murder'd In the next place he calls a Parliament and renews
that Kings are accountable to none but God A set of Judges are pickt out to overturn the very Fundamentals of Humane Society and Annihilate the very ends of Goveroment This the King knew must be done by Judges that had abandoned all â—igh Opinon of God and Nature and had quitted all sence of Conscience and True Honour and had wholly given up their Judgments to the foolish Enticements of Ambition and Flattery And when he had found out such it was easie for him to say with â—is Grandfather of the same Name Let me make what Iudges I please and I will easily have what I please to be Law No wonder then these Judges having Instruments drawn up by Brent which pass'd the Great Seal to Indemnifie them for whatever they did or said Illegally affirm`d it to the King for Law That the King was an Independent Prince That the Laws of the Kingdom were the Kings Laws That the Kings of England might Dispence with all Laws that regarded Penalties and Punishments as oft as necessity required That they were Iudges and Arbitrators who have Power to Iudge of the Necessity which may induce them to make use of these Dispensations And Lastly That the King of England could not Ronounce a Prerogative annexed to the Crown By Vertue of which Concessions and Opinions of the Judges all the Laws in England made in the Reigns of our four several Princes for the security of the Natinn against Popery and Arbitrary Government were rendered of no Effect By Vertue of these Concessions Arundel of Warder was made Lord Privy Seal Alibon a Judge and Castlemain was sent with great Pomp an Embassador to Rome to be there contemn`d and dispis`d by his Holiness for the bad name which his Master had among all the Princes of Europe and the ill Opinion the Pope himself had of him By Vertue of these Concessions it was that the greatest part of the Kingdom`s Military Safety and Defence was put into the hands of persons incapable to be intrusted with them by the Express Laws of the Kingdom and that the Execution of the Ancient Laws and Statutes of the Realm against divers sorts of Treasons and other hainous Crimes was stopt By Vertue of these Concessions Sir Eâ— Hale`s waâ— made Lieutenant of the Tower to Terrifie the City with his Morter-pieces and level his Great Guns to the Destruction of the Metropolis of the Kingdom when the Word should be given him By Vertue of these Concessions it was that Peters was made a Privy Counsellor to outbrave the Arch-Bishop râ— Canterbury and the Bishop of London that he had his four Provincial Bishops and that the Priests and Jesuites swarm`d in all parts of the Kingdom Built themselves Convents hired Mass-Houses made open Profession of their Foppish Religion in the Chief City of the Nation and in several of the Great Cities and Towns of the Kingdom and publickly Ridicul`d the Scripture in their Pulpits All which Transgressions of all the Laws of the Land both Civil and Ecclesiastick are so fully Represented in the Memorial of the Protestants to their Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Orange That they cannot be more fully nor more sensibly repeated But the Inundation stopt not here it was to be a general Deluge or nothing at all To which purpose all Obstructions that oppos`d the Torrent were to be level`d or remov`d out of the way for effecting of which there could be no Engine thought sufficient but that of the Ecclesiastical Commission so Arbitrary in its Original that it had nothing but the Pillars of the Prerogative to support it and mana`d with that Arbitrary Fury by Iefferies That he look`d like a Monstrous Titan Warring against the Heaven of Law and Justice For he had no way to carry Illegality with a high hand but by arrogant Domineering and surely Incivility while he had nothing to offer to any Person that offerâ—d Law to him but Sic Volo Sic Iubeo To tell a Peer of England and the Bishop oâ— London so much his Superior only that he sate upon the Throne of his Commission he that was not to be mentioned with the Bishop in the same day was such a foul piece of Exeâ—berance of his Guild-Hall Eloquence which only could have dropt from the Lips of insulting Barbarism All that can be said for him is this That as many Men commit Absurdities when loaden with Wine this was one of his Extravagancies in his Drink of Honour And indeed after he had tasted of that potent Charm the whole Course of his Behaviour seemed to be a meer Intoxication which made him afterwards make use of the same Receipt to drown both his Life and his Dishonour together However the Suspending this Noble Peer and â—ishop contrary to all pretence of Law for reâ—using to â—bey the Kings unjust and illegal Command was no such Advantage to the King 's Causâ— that he had so much reason to â—hank the Chancellor or Peters either for putting him upon committing a greater Aâ—t of Injustice to justifie a less The Bishop was too wâ—ll and â—oo generally beloved among all the Professors of Prâ—testantism for the Papists to put such an Affront upon â—o Eminent a Father of the Proâ—estant Church for them not to refent it even the more prudent Papistâ— thought it a Proceeding too harsh and unreasonable and the more moderate look'd upon it as too base and unworthy so that the Hot-spurs of the King's Council were losers on every side And besides it was such a stabbing Contradiction to the King's Speech in Council upon his Brother's Death That since it had pleased God he should succeed so good and gracious a Prince as his dear Brother he was resolved to â—ollow his Example more especially in that of Clemency and Tenderness to his People That the Barbarous suspending this Bishop was one of Royal Word Which though he had falsified already in his severity to Oates and Dangerfield yet the Person of a Peer and Bishop and a Star of the first Magnitude in the Church of England rendered much more conspicuous But the King was under a necessity he had declared one thing to the Protestants but he had bound himself to do another for the Papists If he falsified with the Protestants the Papists could absolve him if he proved unfaithâ—ul to the Papists they would never forgive him And in this Dilemma he resolved to â—ollow the Maxim of his Profession Not to keep Faiâ—h with Hereticks Neither were the steps he made the steps of Stateâ—convenience now and then upon an exigency but all in a huddle out of his Zeal to make large steps for fear he should die and leave the Papists worse than he found them These severe Proceedings against the Bishop of London werd the Violation of that part of his Declaration wherein he promised the Preservation of the Ecclesiastical Government as Established by Law But the Barbarous usage of the Gentlemen of both Maudlin Colledges was an unsanctified breach of
about him and expose the English to the usual Dangers of sâ—oad-beaâ—ers Which together with their ununwillingness to Engage the Deliverers of their Country so alienaâ—ed their Hearts from him that they deserted him by Troops and Regiments Despoâ—ding at this and more terrified with a little bleeding at the Nose than he had been with all the innocent Blood which he had caused to be spilt â—e returns back to London and having sent his Queen and her Babe beâ—ore which was sufficient Warning for Dada Peters and the rest to provide for themselves he withdrew from the City but being taken rifled and seized by the Country People near Feversham before they knew him he was brought back to White-hall where having his Choice given him to stay in England or to go beyond Sea he rather chose by a voluntary departure to abâ—icate the Realm To which he was advis`d by his Council that assured him The Distractions of the Kingdom would make way for his Return in a little time Which God forbid And thus to the surprize of all Men came to pass a Revolution so Sudden so Great and Unexpected that History cannot parallel It seem`d a Laybyrinth of Providence to which the Belov`d of Heaven WILLIAM HENRY only had the Clue while Prudence and Fortitude were the Araidnes that gave him their Assistance to subdue the Minotaur that devoured our Religion and Liberties Two conspicuous Examples at once of Heaven`s Indignation and the Almightyâ—s Favour the one pursuing to his downfal an Apostate from God and an Oppressor of his People and exposing him among unbelieving Bâ—g-Trotters upon the lingring Death-bed of his gasping Glory the fettered Vassal of the once fawning Confederate The other prospering with Miracles of Success the Generous Redeemer of the True Reformed Religion from the devouring Jaws of that double headed Monster Popery and Slavery By whose Auspicious Conduct two late languishing Kingdoms groaning under the heavy weight of Misery and Tyranny enjoy a Jubilee of Peace and Tranquility and freed from the dâ—ily fears of Masâ—acre and Destruction in the fair way to recover their Pristine Glory have now no more to do but to repay their Praises to Heaven and their due acknowledgments to them that have approv'd themselves the truly indulging Father and Mother of their Country A Prince the wonder of His Age a Princess the Miracle of Her Sex in whom all Virtues as in their proper Centre meet rendring the Nation happy in Two in One as the whole World is blest in Three in One and upon whom next under Heaven depend â—he Hopes of all that cordially desire the Welfare and Prosperity of Christendom Here ends the Secret History of the Four Last Monarchs of Great-Britain AN APPENDIX Containing the Secret History OF King IAMES the II. Since his Abdication of England Continued to this present November 1692 3. Being an Account of his Transactions in Ireland and France With a more particular Respect to the Inhabitants of Great-Brittain WHen one looks back and reflects upon the continued Conduct of our late Monarch both before and after his Accession to the Crown and the dismal Consequences thereof to these Three Kingdoms and at last to himself I cannot but regret the Fate of those Princes that abondon their true Interest Reason Conscience and Honour to Iesuitick Councils and enslave themselves to a Party justly abominated by the better part of the Romish Church it self for their gross Encroachments upon Religion Morality and all that 's Sacred among Men. When I look back to the many Tragedies acted by that Fraternity both in this and the last Age scarce a Kingdom or State in Europe where their Villanies have not come up to the utmost reach of depraved Nature When I call to mind the horrid Desolations Murders and Wars they have been instrumental of in the most remote parts of the World witness some Millions of Souls in Iapan and other parts of Asia Sacrific`d not many Years ago to their Ambition and Intrigues under the Notion of propagating the Catholick Faith I say when I consider all these things I am the less surprized with the dismal Effects of their Councils in England since the same Fate attends them every where But I must confess that among all the Martyrs to Loâ—ala`s Principles the late King Iames is the Subject of Admiration To see a Prince imposed upon by these jealous Bigots to trample upon the Religion and Liberties of his People contrary to the Fundamental Laws and the most solemn Promises and Oaths under the false Mask of Piety and Zeal to the Catholick Faith and at length to find him seduced to abandon his Kingdoms and thereby an absolute necessity put upon the Representatives of the People to fill up his Throne vacated by his own Fault is a Subject that naturally displays the Vanity of humane Greatness And I may add That the unaccountable Doctrine of Passive Obedience as it was the Source of a great many Mischiefs among our selves so what has bâ—â—allen thâ—â— King may be partly imputed to it for the bâ—â—â—â—ing That without controul he might do what he pleased encouraged him to take such â—easures as have brought upon him all his Misfortunes Soon after the late King Iames's Abdicating of England and retiring to France it was judged by him and his doubly Deputy Fyrconnel the â—ittest time to put the long contrived Designs of Subâ—erting the Protestant Religion and iâ—troducing Popery into full Execution in the Kingdom of Irelâ—nd â—otwiâ—hstanding the ill Success the like Attempt had met with in England upon which in December 1689 there was a Moâ—ion made in Couâ—cil for disarming all the Prâ—testants of that Kingdom that had any Arms left them which being known and most concluding that as soon as their â—rms were taken there being then a hot discourse of a general Massâ—cre 't was only to leave them more naked and exposed so as that it might have its full Effects more easily and with less opposition upon them which alarm'd the Protestants so that many Thousands came flocking over to avoid that fatal stroke Now were the few Protestants who liv`d disperst left to shift for themselves In the mean time the Lord Tyrconnel who still had the Sword undemanded and undisposed of to any other issues new Commissions not only to the Roman Catholicks who had some Estates bnt to all who were willing to stand up for the Cause that were Men of broken Fortunes and worse Fame that could influence the Rabble and raise Companies only with this Salvo that they should maintain them for three Months at their own Cost and Charges and then they should have their Commissions given them by which it was adjudged in regard there was but little Money in the Treasury they should be fitted for Service against King Iames should come or send them Money or that if the Deputy found an Army ready to Land out of England what Money was there would be little enough to bear his Charges and
furnish him with necessaries on his flight But these Commissions or rather Encouragements being very many for every one that could get about Sixty Kearns or Country Fellows to joyn with them and own him as their Captain immediately strutted and looked very big and was honoured by the Name of Captain so that it was nothing strange to have 20 or 30 Companies in a County and these the noted Vagabonds and Cow-stealers so that presently the Captains many of which had not Three Cows of their own had several Hundreds of Cattle driven into Nookes and By-corners and all that were branded were sure to go to Pot in regard the Horn as they called it spoke English The rest were sent into other remote Counties to the Officers there and those again sent there stolen Cattle in exchange for the other which was done to elude a Proclamation from the Lord-Deputy on the many and daily Complaints he received on the Account of the stolen Cattle requiring all Officers as well as others to be aiding and assisting to recover the stolen Cattle and to punish the Offenders which passed for Currant For it was well if a Protestant could go safe to the next Gâ—rrison who sometimes would be so civil especially if a Sum of Money were given his Men to assist in the search as to send Eight or Ten Miles but besure the Cattle must be far enough from the place searched and sometimes when 30 or 40 far Bullocks came to be made a Prey that about a Third or Fourth part muâ—t be laid aside for the Pott the rest for a Bribe of 5 or 6 l would be got by some of the Soldiers who would swear lustily they were forced to promise much to the Spy yet no sooner on the delivery of the greater part of the Cattle and the Money received but besure in a Night or Two the Cattle were again stolen Thus the merry Drovers as they called themselves valued not to joyn about 60 or 80 or an 100 in one Party and force away what Cattle they had a mind to So that sometimes an Hundred Sheep would scarce seed the Drivers and their Families and Friends and a Purchase of an Hundred was only fit to be divided among them and their Crew into Lors and Parts And now these new raised Forces were almost half Armed out of the Stores the rest were pretty well fitted for Pikes made in the Country and the Priests and Fryars Commanded on Obedience to the Holy See that no Person whatsoever should appear at Mass without his long Skeene and half-Pike which accordingly was performed and one Person who had not ore Foot of Land but what he Farmed from an English Gentleman had 12 Dozen of each made for himself and Tenants an Account whereof was sent to the Government but no notice taken And now it was thought fit that these new raised Forces should betake themselves to Garrisons which was sâ—ddainly done And not only were the King's Garrisons Forts and Castles well stored with them but in many Gentlemen's Houses that were any thing or whose Owners were â—udged disaffected to them weâ—e likewise filled with their Numbers and the Proprieters or Possessors turned out and the Provision Seized and as it was an extraordinary Favour to get off any Goods that were of any Value or pretence that they were for the King`s Use and that he would make Saâ—isfaction when how and in what manner he thought fit and that was not the least thing done by his Command Now was it plain that this Army was not design'd to fight with Butter-flies and that the Lives of all the Protestants that stayed were in apparent danger On which an humble Requâ—st was made to one or two Persons of greatest Quality and Station to stand up for the â—rotestant Religion and English Interest But others through a mistaken Zeal for Loyalty or judging the scattered and dispersed Protestants too weak to withstand their shock much less to disarm the Party design`d `twas thereâ—ore declined and judged unfit to attempt as they proposed seizing the Sword Lord Deputy and Dublin Now Tyrconnel having by King Iames's exprâ—ss Command disarm'd the Protestants in gâ—neral throughout Ireland the Irish Cut-Throats Sons and Grand-Sons of the Massaker of Forty One being Armed in their room the Act of Settlement broken throughout Ireland the Irish Clergy having re assumed their Bishopricks and Livings committing great Abuses on the Protestant Clergy as has been already hinted at Advice came to Dublin of King Iames`s being Landed at Kinsale and that he was on his way for the City At this Princeâ— first Arriveâ— in Ireland to ingroriateâ— himself with the Protestants and to â—eget an Opinion of his great Clemency among the People he very Graciously condescended to grant a general Pardon to the Inhabitants of the Town of Bandon amusing them with an assurance of an absolute Indâ—mnity â—or their Transgressions but soon after he remitted them to the Severity of the Law and exposed them â—o a Tryal for their Lives upon which they were â—ll found guilty of High-Treason and no otther Consequence could rationally be expected when both Judges and Jury were composed of inexâ—â—rable Papists And in the mean time this mighty Crime was no more than that the Inhabitants of the place observing thâ—ir Neighbours to be openly Robbed and Piâ—aged and from Clandestine Thievery to proceed to violent Depradation they â—hought it prudent to shut their Gates and avoid Plunder by a necessary Defence and self-Preseâ—vation This was the first Eâ—â—ay of the Gracious Indulgence of a Popish King to his Protestant Subjects This was a plain Specimen of what is to be expected from him who will Mortgage his Reason to the Humour of his Priests Soon after this King Iames to ingâ—atiote himself with the People of England sends over a specious Paper which was privately disperst by his Friends in London under the Title of King Iames His Declaration to all His Loving Subjects in the Kingdom of England which was in Substance as followeth Although the many Calumnies and dismal Stâ—ries by which Our Enemies have endeavouâ—ed to render Vt and Our Government odious to the World do now appear to have been advanced bâ— them not only without any Grouâ—d but against Their own certain Knowledge as is â—vident by their not daring to attempt thâ—se Charges to the Woâ—ld which we cannot but hope hath opened the Eyes of Our good Subjects to see how they have been imposed upon by desâ—â—ging Men who to promote their own Ambitiâ—us Ends care â—â—t what Slavâ—râ—â—hâ—â— reduce Our Kingdomâ— to That since Hiâ— Arâ—iâ—al in Ireland the Defence of His Pâ—otestant Subjects as he calls them theâ—r Religion Privilodges and Properties is especially His Care with the Recovery of his own Rights And to this end he haâ— preferred such of them of whose Loyalty and Affection he is satisfied to Places both of the highest Honour and Trust about his Person as well as in his Army That by
granting his Royal Pâ—otection in Ireland to such whose Minds were shaken by the Arts of His Rebellious Subjects has dispelled their Apprehensions and eâ—â—ectually secur`d them against the Attempts even of their private Enemies And then adds His Ears have been alwas open to their just Complaints And so far has His Royal Mercy been extended to those that were in Arms against Him that he has actually pardoned several Hundreds of them and most notorious Criminals are swept in an easie Conâ—inement Then he goes on with his wonted Professions of kindness to the Protestant Religion Church of England and Protestant Dissenters c. It seems King Iames continues in His wonted Road of taking wrong Measures both of Persons and Actions which has been the occasion of all His Misfortunes When he talks of His Enemies thâ—â— have rendred Him and His Government odious to the World He mistakes himself if he means those worthy Patriots that being weary of his insupportable Encroachments upon the Religions and civil Liberties of these Nations did lend a Hand to deliver themselves and fellow-Subjects â—rom a Ruin that seemed almost inevitable The reading those Lines wherein he makes great pretensions of Defending the Protestant Subjects in Ireland puts me in mind of the Parallel so exactâ—â— observed betwixt the French King and Kinâ— Iames in all their Conduct and particularly in both there way of asserting the calm Methods used by them towâ—â—ds their Protestant Subjects When that Common Enemy of the Christian part of Europe as a late Pope was pleased to call him had out-done â—ll the Neroes and Iulians of old in the Art of Persecution and had rendered himself abominated to the World by the Cruelties committed by his Dragoon Missionaries upon those very People that had done him the best Offices and preserved the Crown upon his Head in his Minority yet at the very same time Lewis the Xâ—V and his Ministers have had the Impudâ—nce to affirm That no other Methods were used to convert those poor Victims but those of a fair Perswasion and Calmness Just so King Iames that he may follow as near his Corps as possible having since his Arrival in Ireland abandoned the Protestants of that Country to the Merciless Rage of an Enemy irreconcileable from both a Principle of Religion and civil Interest who within his View have laid desolate whole Counties and acted Barbarities proper only to themselves and their French Confederates and by which they forced away a great many Thousands from their Country at the point of starving having sav'd nothing of their Fortunes from so universal a Calamity Yet notwithstanding all this appears in the Face of the Sun King Iames that he may nor come short of his Patron boldly affirms That the Religion Priviledges and Propâ—rties of his Protestant Subjects as he names theâ— are his chieâ—est Care over and above and so much for the Declarations It is a Matter not unworthy the Observation how dexterously the Government in Ireland could prevaricate in their Dealings with the poor enslaved Protestants for upon any Apprehensions of Succours arriving from England or other preâ—ext to fleece and squeeze them an Information was presently given how numerous the Protestants were and what danger may rise from thence and then they were forthwith conâ—ined and hurried away to Prison and their Houses and Goods exposed to the Rapine of the Irish and French At another time when it might be subâ—evient to their Designs to lessen the number and under-value the Strength of the Protestants then they give out that their number was but small and their Interest inconsiderable And this is very remarkable in a late Passage at the City of Lymerick where the Cabal of the Papists projecting to get the Churches there into their Hands represented to the King and Council that the Protestants in that place were so very few that there was no need to assign them any more than one Church for their Meeting If at any time an Information was given to the Government of any Money Plate or other things valuable in the Hands of a Protestant though guarded by the Solemnity of a Protecâ—ion this was soon seconded by the Suspition of some Plot against the Government and immediately a Party was sent to seize their Persons to search and Plunder thâ—ir Houses and so after the Infliction oâ— all sorts of Misery and Distress they are admitted to Liberty under the Caution of Bonds for good Behaviour but nothing left to sâ—â—â—â—in them or to prevent the Calamiâ—ous Assaults of Poverty and Famine At another time they proceed with more Jesuitical fierceness for having in their Eye a concealed Purchase of Money or good Moveables in the Hands of a Protestant immediately an Order was secretly granted to seize the Persons and secure their Goods and then to amuse the World with an Opinion of their Justice and Lenity a Proclamation was contrived with a plausible promise of Indemnity to all Protestants under their Protection and an Invitation to all Men to rest secure under the Benignity of it But in the mean time the Matter is so orderedâ— that the Proclamation shall not be Published or delivered into the Sheriffs Hands or other Officers tho` antidated before the issuing such Order till a certain Advertisement be receivedâ— that the Order is executed and the Work done What a miserable an unexpected Oppression is it that the poor Subjects shall be compelled to parâ— with their Goods and Merchandize for a contemptibâ—e Lump of Brass and Pewter Yet such hath been the constâ—nt proceeding of the late King towards his Subjectâ— in Ireland whose Goods and Commodities he rather Seized than Bought and becoming the grand Merchant of the Kingdom he was the general Ingrossâ—r of all Trade which he Vends and Expoâ—ts to his dear Correspondent in France Bargaining with the Owner at such a rate as the Buyer is pleased to make aâ—d discharging his Contract in Bills of Copper Pewter and Brass which can in no way avail the poor Seller or support him in the Circulation of his Trade I will only present the Reader with one instance among innumerablâ— others and give him an Autâ—enâ—ick Account of what Goods were taken up in Dublin at one time â—or the King's Use i. e. were Seized by Armed force and a Price set upon them at the pleasure oâ— the Taker Seized in the City of Dublin for the king`s use Feb. 6 th 1689. Of Tâ—nâ—ed Hides 18771. Of Raw Hides 14687. Of Stâ—nes of Wooll 61105. Of Tunâ— of Tallaw 389. Of Stones of Butter 40. The like Methods were put Execution in all parts of the Country Seizing and carrying away what the Protestants had in order to be sent after the former After the King had made Brass-Money currant in Ireland it was at first pretended to pass only in Payment between Man and Man in their daily Commerce and Dealings and in publick Payment in Debts to the Exchequer But soon after the Irish beginning to consider that they
two Nations so well matched it was the Dukes Contrivance to Suborn and Bribe two indigenâ— and desperate Vilâ—ains to go over and Fire the 〈◊〉 Shipâ— as they lay in their â—arbours â—nd when he had done thatâ— it was the same Treachery that with a sham story lulled his â—rother â—â—lâ—ep and prâ—cured the Firing of our Ships at â—â—â—â—ham The burning of London was such a marâ—hless piece as could not have entered into the Breast of any but a bejesuited Herostratus in hopes to purchase the infamous immortality of a Popish Saintship by reducing to Ashes the graetest Bulwark and Magazine of the Protestant Religion in Europe Rome was set on Fire by Nero to have re-built it again more Gloriousâ— and that he might have space enough for one of the most sumptuous Pallaces so designed under the Sun thereby to have made the Mistress of the Earth the Wonder of the World But London was Fired not only to destroy the Wealth and Habitations of the City never to have risen more but with an intention to extirpate the Inhabitants themselves to boot and to have turned the Venerable and Spacious Pile into a depopulated Wilderness by a general Massacre of the People under the Consternation of the spreading Flames The standing Sâ—reets provided and furnished with Incendiaries with fresh Materials to revive and restore the weary Conâ—â—â—gration and when taken in the Act resâ—ued out of the Hands of those that seized them and sent to St. Iames's to be there secured from the Rage of the Mulâ—itude and then dismissed without Persecution An excellent way to have made all sure by mixing the Blood of the Inhabitants with the Ashes of their Dwellings the only Cement which the Papists believed would fasten and bind the Fabrick of the Romish Church and what greater piece of Persidy could there be than while the Duke was riding about the Streets under Pretence of Assisting to quench the Fire that his Guards were at the same time employed to prevent the People from remâ—ving their Goods and his Palace made the Refuâ—e of such as were taken in the very â—act of cherisâ—ing and fomenting the Flames This the Committee of Parliament trac'd so far that it cost the Life of the poor Gentleman that gave the Information of these Things to the Chair man of the Committee to prevent any further Discovery and secure the D. from the Danger of his Life Coleman's crying out There was no Faith in Man was a most undeniable Testimony of the Treachery of his Master notwithstanding all the faithful Service he had done him and was it not a Magnanimous and generous Act of a Prince to betray as he did to the Gallows not only his most trusty Servant but his Fellow Partner in the Conspiracy More Inhumane still was the barbarous Murder actually contriv'd and brought to perfection by the encourag'd Instruments of the Duke For he it was that sent word to Coleman to bid him â—ake no care for that Sir Edmundbury Godfrey should be remov'd out of the way and at the same time took the like care that his Servant Coleman should follow him For it was Detection that he feared and the Dâ—ke well knew that the Dead could never tell Tales The Particulars of the Murder and how far the Circumstances of it reached the Dâ—ke are too fresh in Memory â—o be here inserted and Disâ—ensation for Deeds of the blackest hew were so easily obtaiâ—ed that it was no wonder the Duke so little boggled at a single Murder to conceal the Designs of general Masâ—acres wherein he was engag'd In pursuance of which he was no lesâ— industrious to bring the Presbyterians and all the Dissenting Protestants within the Snare of his Sham-Plot in order to the Destruction of Thousands of innocent Persons This Dangerfield discovered to the World and his Information taken upon Oath before Sir William Roberts and Sir William Poultney are extant wherein he gives an Accounâ— of his being introduced several times into the Duke of York's Prefence Particâ—larly that being once among the rest admitted to the Duke of York ' Closet at White-Hall he kissed his Hand upon his Knees Aâ—d then being taken up by the Duke he gave him a little Book containing the whole Scheme of the Presbyterian Plot for which the Duke thank'd him as also for his diligence to the Catholick Cause and wishing good Success to his Undertakings added these words That the Presbyterian Plot was a thing of most mighty Consequence and I do not question but the Effects of it will answer our Expectation especially in the Northern Parts where I am well assured the Major part of the Gentry aâ—e my Friends and have given sufficient Demonstrations to me as also of their Intentions to prosecute this Prescyterian Plot for they are no Strangers to the Design At the same time he ordered Dangerfield to be very careful of what he communicated to the Persons who were to be Witnesses in that new Plot lest he should be caught in the Subordination and so bring a terrible Odium upon the Catholicks and make himself uncapable of any further Service Then for Encouragement in the Prosecution of the Sham Plot the Duke promised that he would take Care that Money should not be wanting and ordered him with all the Expedition the Thing would allow to make a Discovery to the King At the same time the Duke also made divers Vows and bitteâ— Execrations to stand by him in the Thing and engaged upon his Honour to be his Rewarder and in earnest give him Twenty Guineas with his own Hand and telling him withal what a great Reputation he had gained among the Catholicks and that in a short time he should see the Catholick Religion flourish in these Kingdoms with a great deal more to the same purpose Of the truth of which among many others there could not be a more convincing Proof than the bitter Enmity which the Duke bore to Dangerfield after his Discovery and the severe Usage which he received from Iefferies the Duke`s Creature and the Rhadamantine Dispenser of his Revenges In Scotland he Rul`d or rather Reign`d though in his Brother's Life-time with a more Arbitrary and Lawless Controul And there it was that he breath`d forâ—h his Venome against the Protestants utterâ—d his Tyrannous Maximes with more â—reedom and exercised his Tyranny with a more boundleâ—s and exorbiâ—ant Extravagance For there it was that he first undertook to exercise the power of Soveraign Rule reâ—using to take the Oath of High Commissioner which the Law of the Counâ—râ— required as here he had dâ—nied to take the â—est and to shew how he intended to Govern England when it came to his turn there it was that in the hearing of Persons of great Credit he had this worthy Apothegm That tho` in England the Lawyers ruled the Court yet in Scotland he would rule the Lawyers There is was that he positively denied to give the Parliament any security for the Preservation of their Religion in