any Acceptance with their ancient Allies of France to whom they recommended themselves formerly by their Military Services so that at once I shall revenge upon them the Blood of all my Predecessors whom they have murdered and turn the best of their Country into a Hunting Field And herein I doubt not of the Concurrence or at least Connivance of the English Nation because of the ancient Enmity betwixt the two Kingdoms and if once the Scots be subjected I shall with the more Ease bring England under the Yoke CHAP. LI. On the Spanish Ambassador's Proposals for an Vnion betwixt England and Holland and declaring that they must break with England if the same were not accepted The Manifesto of the Dutch to the Parliament of England wherein they appeal to them for the Righteousness of their Cause The Parliament's Endeavours thereupon for a Peace and his Majesty's agreeing to it without including the French King MY Stars seem to threaten me with a Series of bad Influences I can neither have Money from my Subjects of Scotland nor England nor yet the wonted Supplies from France and now the Spaniards are not only become Mediators but threaten me if I continue the War with the Dutch What a mighty Change is this that they who did formerly seek their Destruction should now interpose for their Preservation and treat their formerly Rebel-Subjects with that Respect which is due to the best of their Allies And that his Catholick Majesty whose Predecessors were the greatest Champions for Popery and Absolute Monarchy should now become the Patron of Hereticks and Republicans I may hence observe that Princes pursue different Measures according to their different Interests and support those at one time whom at another they seek to destroy The Spaniard though esteem'd the most bigotted Papist yet prefers his Interest to his Religion and thinks it better to save the Heretical Dutch than to perish with them and to preserve their Commonwealth rather than to lose a Limb of his own Monarchy And seeing all the Neighbouring Monarchs pursue what they think their different Interests and summum bonum by such Methods as they themselves think best I may certainly be allowed to pursue my Pleasures which I reckon my chief Happiness by such Methods as I my self think convenient The Dutch take advantage from the Discontents of my Subjects and labour to foment Jealousies betwixt them and me and according to their Republican Humour would make the Parliament judg of my Actions whereby they would insinuate themselves into my Peoples Favour and blacken my Designs as much as they can Accordingly I do find that they have their Aim and the Commons have declared their Sentiments for a Peace so unhappy a thing it is when the Head and the Members don't agree and that Soveraign and Subjects drive different Designs I must try what Influence a Speech will have upon the Commons when larded with Promises of securing their Religion and Property and tell them that our Enemies place their greatest Hopes in our Divisions and seeing they prepare for a War it will be very dishonourable for the English Nation to be threatned into a Peace especially seeing the best way to procure an honourable Peace is to treat with the Sword in hand and to have a good Fleet ready to oppose them which cannot be effected without a large Supply I have also taken care to inform the House as to my Treaties with France of which they have had hitherto very frightful Representations but cannot prevail with them to believe what I say so far have their Jealousies got the Ascendant over them that Popery and Arbitrary Government are ready to break in upon them wherein the Earl of Shaftsbury proves a very ill Instrument and foments their Jealousies by discovering my Intrigues so mischievous a thing is it when great Courtiers fall off from their Duty so that now the Commons will listen to nothing without a firm Security for their Religion and Property and the better to insinuate to the People the greatness of their Danger they have made application to me to appoint a Fast desire that the Trainbands of London may be raised to suppress the tumultuous Meetings of the Papists and accuse my chief Ministers of Designs against the Nation for which they would have them banish'd my Presence for ever These are woful Circumstances to which I am reduc'd and afford me but a melancholy Subject of Meditation when I consider what Pains and Expence I have been at to deliver the Nations from the Bigotry of Religion by testifying how little I value it in my own Practice and how careful I have been to discourage it in others that now when my Parliament hath concurr'd with me for so many Years to ruine their dissenting Brethren at home and Protestant Neighbours abroad they should at last become refractory and obstinate and from an over-heated Zeal for Religion pursue the same Measures themselves which they have condemned in others I reckon'd that the indulging of a Licentiousness in Practice would at last have extinguish'd all Sense of that which they call Religion but the Event shews that I am mistaken The Phanaticks whom I have prosecuted will say that the Judgment of God hath pursu'd me and created a Difference betwixt me and my Parliament who did so unanimously concur to promote their Ruine and this Cant they will buz and spread about the Nation and value themselves upon their Foresight as having so long ago foretold what is now come to pass and by this Means work upon the present Fears and Ferment of the Nation but I shall fall upon a Method to be even with them afterwards and infallibly turn the Tables upon them In the mean time I must make the best Improvement of my present Circumstances that I can and seeing there is no avoiding of a Peace with the Dutch I must seek for a Pretence to come off with Honour for which the Marquiss de Fresno's Proposals in name of his Catholick Majesty come very opportunely for seeing they are new Proposals I can easily give out that they are more advantagious than the former and by seeming to advise with the Commons whether it be meet for me to accept of them or not I shall both please them and salve my own Reputation for my Allies the French will by this Means see that my concluding of Peace is the Effect of Constraint and not of Choice seeing I can neither have Money nor the Parliament's Consent to carry on the War and if the French King should complain that I act dishonourably in concluding a Peace without him it will be a plausible Answer that I am not Absolute as he is So that having neither Men nor Money at Command without my Parliament's Concurrence I am under a Necessity of discontinuing a War which they are against And seeing he hath fail'd me in his promised Supplies he cannot be angry that I seek for them elsewhere it being every whit as
Subjects And lest the People should not take notice of this Address they have voted another wherein they press that I may be desired to enter into an Alliance with the Emperor King of Spain and Princes of Germany and the Dutch Heu quantum mutatus ab illo What Difference is there betwixt a King newly inthron'd or restor'd and one who has reign'd till his People are weary of him Who would have thought that a Parliament which hath enabled me to trample upon their Brethren the Protestant Dissenters and punish them for their rebellious Practices and Principles should fall into the same Crimes themselves for which they condemn others What Difference is there betwixt the Scots Presbyterian Remonstrances and the Addresses of this Church-of England-House-of-Commons Could any Fanatick libel my Administration with greater Severity than they have done and yet upon the account of their opposing the same things in my Father which they themselves do now oppose in me How have they endeavoured to load them with Reproaches and render them odious to all Posterity as Enemies to Monarchy But seeing the Case is thus I will pursue my own Measures and instead of declaring open War against France assist them with Provision and Ammunition under-hand on pretence of supplying the Isle of Wight c. And by my Interest with the Pope's Nuncio and the Catholick Princes concerned in the Treaty of Nimeguen will labour to have them accept of the French King's Proposals of Peace and that will put an end to the Importunity of my Parliament for declaring a War against France But for an Answer to their Address they shall know that I don't value neither them nor it so much as to answer any thing of that Nature without the concurrent Advice of the other House which may perhaps throw a Bone of Contention betwixt them The Storm increases instead of abating and now they address a second time to alarm the Nation as if they lay under imminent Dangers from the Clandestine Practices of ill Men and urge to have the Duke of Lauderdale removed from my Presence which they back with a Vote that they will give no Money till they be secur'd from Popery and Arbitrary Government a terrible Alarm from the Representatives of a Nation who are look'd upon as the Preservers of their Civil Liberties I know no other way to remedy this Disaster than by proroguing the Parliament to allay their Heat and in the mean time take care to have my Proceedings justified from the Pulpits Nor am I any happier in the French King's Friendship he is far from being punctual or true to his Word and by consequence hath fail'd of giving me the 300000 l. per annum which he promised And I have another Evidence of the Mischief that attends a King's being obliged to his Subjects for Money that the French King does in an inglorious manner threaten to discover our private Treaties to the Parliament and to create a Rupture betwixt me and my People if I press him too hard Had I the Purses and Persons of my Subjects at command as he has his I should as little value his Kindness as he does mine Or could I but have subdued those irregular Passions which have enslav'd my Soul with the Baits of sensual Pleasure I needed not have been oblig'd to him for Money However seeing Fate hath brought me into those Circumstances I must do my best to get out of them as well as I can and order my Ambassadors at Nimeguen to retard the Peace that by the prospect of a War I may draw Money from the Parliament And the better to stop the Peace my Plenipotentiary at Nimeguen shall have Orders to demand the free Exercise of the Catholick Religion throughout the Dominions of the States which I know they will not grant but by this Means I shall recommend my self to the Pope's Nuncio and the zealous Catholicks who seeing my own Forwardness will solicite the Pope and Conclave of Rome to give me Assistance and then perhaps I shall be able to carry on the Design my self without the French King's Concurrence and reap all the Glory alone CHAP. LXIV On his Majesty's acquainting the Parliament that there was a Peace in agitation His Desire to keep up his Army and Navy till it were concluded The Resolve of the Commons for supporting the King in the War against France or provide for disbanding the Army His Majesty's Answer thereupon and the Commons continuing their Resolution to disband the Army though the King desired the contrary THE Treaty of Peace being no longer to be conceal'd I must now acquaint my Parliament with it and because I know they will be for disbanding my Army upon it I will urge for Reasons to the contrary the common Maxim that it 's best treating with Sword in hand and therefore inconvenient for me to disband my Army or lay up my Fleet till the Peace be fully concluded And seeing this cannot be done without Supplies I must press for renewing of the additional Excise and making up the Defect of the Poll-Bill for the more I have of their Money the less they will be able to rebel and to render them as little suspicious as may be of my Designs I will offer it to their choice either to provide for their Subsistence till a Peace be concluded or to furnish Money to disband them with an assurance that whatever ill Men may suggest my Designs were always levelled at the Publick Good But let me take what Measures I can the Jealousies of my Parliament will never be quieted and to my Grief I perceive that they smell my Designs which are only to possess my self of their Money and keep up an Army to render my self absolute They dread that the Souldiers will rather make themselves Work than be idle and therefore have resolved that the Army is burdensom to the Nation that they will support me in maintaining a War against France or otherwise provide for disbanding them Seeing they are so very hot it 's my Interest to cool them which cannot be better effected than by a mild Answer and to offer them as a Reason that seeing hitherto the French King hath only granted a Cessation and not a Peace it 's fit that I should continue my Fleet and Army till the latter be agreed on and in the mean time to press for Money for their Subsistence What a mischievous thing is this horrid Suspicion which causes Men to pry into one another's Secrets and obliges Princes to be on their Guard against their own Subjects And yet though I carry it with all imaginable Secresy it 's impossible for me to avoid being suspected and in a great measure traced they whisper about that I never rais'd this Army with a Design to disband them and being afraid that I should have Money from France to maintain them are resolv'd to furnish me wherewith to discharge them though I have earnestly pressed for their Continuance And thus it is
to give them a Diversion CHAP. LXX On the French King 's seizing several Places in Flanders c. as depending on those which were confirm'd to him by the Peace of Nimeguen His and the Spaniards Vnkindness to the Duke of York at that time in the Netherlands The Address of the Commons to stand by his Majesty and the Protestant Religion Their disbanding of the Army The Discovery of Endeavours to make the Witnesses of the Popish Plot retract their Evidence And the proroguing of the Parliament upon their growing warm about the Trial of the Popish Lords in the Tower THough I be unsuccessful and incumbred at home yet my Allie the French King is fortunate abroad and like a true Politician does order his Affairs so as to make himself a Gainer both by Peace and War Whether he gives Obedience to Mazarine's Dictates as an obedient Son or tractable Scholar I shall not determine but sure I am he puts his Commands in practice and values Treaties no more than as they conduce to his Interest However it 's more politick for him to seize those Towns as granted to him by Agreement under the Notion of Dependancies than under any other Pretence whatsoever And this I rejoice in not only as it contributes to promote the common Design but also because I have the Practice of so great a Monarch as an Argument for my own Conduct and the Authority of so great an Ecclesiastick as Cardinal Mazarine to justify me in point of Principle But however well pleased I am with this Matter I cannot be satisfied with his Treatment of my Brother who is a kind of Exile for following his Dictates and therefore deserved kinder Entertainment at his hand but I smell his Design he is unwilling that his civil Reception abroad should extinguish his Desire of returning home because he knows that his Presence is necessary here to confirm the drooping Catholicks and keep Life in his Party for I know that he is jealous lest I should concur with my Parliament rather than admit of an Interruption of my Pleasures As for the Unkindness of the Spaniard it is no Surprize for whatever Good-will they have to the Advancement of the Catholick Interest yet they are angry at us for promoting that of France in opposition to theirs And seeing the Case is so I am resolved that my Brother shall return home But I must first rid my self of this Session of Parliament the Commons being so much overacted with Zeal that they have presented me with an Address wherein they promise to defend my Person and the Protestant Religion and to revenge any Violence that may be offered to me They exclaim'd formerly against the Scots Covenant for measuring their Endeavours to defend my Father according as he stood up in defence of their Religion and now they themselves run into the same Error though the great Doctors of their Church pretended to teach and believe that Loyalty was an essential Point of their Religion for now they join the Defence of my Person and that of the Protestant Religion together which is as much as to say that if I don't concur with them in the defence of the one they will take no Care for the defence of the other Then as for the revenging of any Violence that may be offered to my Person I know what they aim at but can provide for the defence of my self better than they or at least in a way more agreeable to my Design The Catholicks are not such Fools as to cut me off now for that were the way to ruine their Affairs seeing my Brother's Interest is not yet establish'd so that I have no Fears on that Head yet Neither have I any reason to trust their fair Promises now that they have deprived me of the Defence of an Army which was modelled to my Mind Besides it 's below a Monarch to own that he needs the Defence of any one part of his Subjects against another when he himself is born to defend the whole However I must submit to the Humour of the Multitude and seeing I can neither have Money from France nor them to maintain my Army I can the more easily dispense with having them disbanded And by conceding this Point I shall put some stop to the Jealousies of the Nation and my proroguing the Parliament to save the Popish Lords whose Trial the Commons do so earnestly demand will be of so much the easier Digestion And by this Favour to the Catholicks I shall engage them more firmly on my side for the Interest of those Lords whose Preservation depends on mine will prevent Assassinations from the Bigots of their Party and during the Recess of Parliament we shall have leisure to recover our lost Ground and find out Expedients for taking off the Evidence of the Popish Plot that may not be so obnoxious to a Discovery as those which have been made use of hitherto which have rather confirm'd than discredited the Belief of the Plot. CHAP. LXXI On the Insurrection at Bothwell-bridg in Scotland The sending the Duke of Monmouth thither to suppress it which he effected The Execution of several Presbyterian Ministers upon it and the Execution of several Jesuits for the Popish Plot and Endeavours to stifle the same by the Meal-tub-Plot which prov'd abortive HAD my Subjects of the Episcopal Communion in England been as true to my Interest as their Brethren in Scotland my Affairs would have appeared e're now in a better Posture The former are nothing so steady to the Interest of Monarchy and Episcopacy as the latter which may easily be evinc'd from the Endeavours which the English Parliaments have used both to establish Liberty to Dissenters by a Law and to limit the Succession and Administration of their Kings My Episcopal Subjects in Scotland do on the contrary make no scruple to put my Commands in execution though against the Letter of the Law and by a just Severity upon their Brethren the Presbyterians beyond what the Laws in their strictest Interpretation will allow they have procured this Insurrection which happen'd very opportunely for my Affairs By this means I have not only humbled the Presbyterians there and suppressed their rebellious Field-Conventicles but have a plausible Pretence for making the Laws still more severe against them forfeiting their Estates to gratify my hungry Courtiers cutting off such of their Preachers as I have in my hands and ridding the Country of so many rebellious Fellows as I have taken Prisoners so that I shall be sufficiently reveng'd on the pestilent Hereticks for the Lives of so many of my Friends the Catholicks as they have cut off on account of the Plot which I was obliged to give way to to prevent being suspected thereof my self I shall also gain this by the Scots Insurrection that the Duke of Monmouth whom I imployed as General to suppress it will be thereby rendred the less popular amongst the Presbyterians in that Nation and their Friends the Dissenters
Their Address against Papists His Majesty's Proclamation on that Head The Prosecution of Protestant Dissenters Declaration of War against Denmark The Insurrection in Scotland in 1666. The burning of his Majesty's Ships at Chattam by the Dutch c. p. 119. XLII On the murmuring of the People at the Consumption of the Treasure His Majesty's granting leave to the Parliament's Commissioners to take the Publick Accounts His raising an Army of 30000 Men and disbanding them On the Parliament's being displeased with it The Sessions of Parliament in July October and February 1667. His Majesty's Speeches to them Proclamation against Papists Displacing of Chancellor Hide and League with the Dutch c. p. 124. XLIII On the Proclamation against Dissenters in 1669. Inviting the Dutch and Swedes into a League with us proposing a nearer Alliance with the Dutch and forcing the Treaty of Aix La Chappelle upon the Spaniards and the French p. 128. XLIV On the Interview betwixt his Majesty and his Sister the Dutchess of Orleans at Dover and her Advice to him to break the Triple League and concur with the French King to destroy the Dutch and the Protestant Religion and render himself absolute in England Her leaving one of her Maids of Honour created afterwards Dutchess of Portsmouth behind her and her own Death speedily after her Return into France p. 131. XLV On Colonel Blood ' s Attempt to steal the Crown A Proclamation against Papists to please the Parliament The second War with the Dutch The shutting up of the Exchequer The falling upon the Dutch Smyrna Fleet before War was declared and the Declaration of War thereupon p. 141. XLVI On the Dutch's surprizing our Fleet in Southwold-bay the Duke of York being Admiral His Majesty's Declaration to the Dutch The Progress of the French in the Vnited Provinces His Majesty's and the French King's Proposals to the Dutch and their rejecting them and making the Prince of Orange Stadtholder p. 148. XLVII On his Majesty's suffering the Parliament to meet Novemb. 1673. His Speech to them concerning the Indulgence and the Dispensing Power and the Necessity of raising more Forces for carrying on the Dutch War Several unsuccessful Fights with the Hollanders The Letter from the Dutch to influence the Parliament who addressed against the Match betwixt the Duke of York and Dutchess of Modena The Prorogation which ensued thereupon A Proclamation against Papists and the Consummation of the Marriage p. 154. XLVIII On his Majesty's Speech to the House of Lords upon the Address of the Commons against his Declaration of Indulgence The Answer of the Lords thereunto The Vote of the Commons for Ease to Protestant Dissenters and that part of their Address which desired that all in Places of Power and Trust should take the Sacrament according to the Church of England p. 163. XLIX Vpon the Complaints of the Commons that Ireland was like to be over-run with Popery because of his Majesty's Proclamation allowing Papists to live in Corporations and giving them equal Liberties to the English Their Address concerning the Danger of the Protestant Interest there and that Mr. Richard Talbot should be remov'd from all Publick Imployment and denied Access to Court And their Address concerning English Grievances with Reflections on the Miscarriages of his Majesty's former Designs of being impower'd to raise Money without Parliament on extraordinary Occasions and having an Vniversal Excise settled on the Crown p. 166. L. On his Majesty's making Application to the Parliament of Scotland upon his failing of Money from the Parliament of England the Scots insisting first upon the Redress of their Grievances and sending Duke Hamilton and others to London for that end p. 172. LI. On the Spanish Ambassador's Proposals for an Vnion betwixt England and Holland and declaring that they must break with England if the same were not accepted The Manifesto of the Dutch to the Parliament of England wherein they appeal to them for the Righteousness of their Cause The Parliament's Endeavours thereupon for a Peace and his Majesty's agreeing to it without including the French King p. 178. LII On his Majesty's proroguing the Parliament because of their impeaching his Ministers forming Bills against Popery and for the marrying of those of the Royal Family with Protestants and educating their Children in that Religion Clamours rais'd in the Nation that we were running back to 41. The Court's mediating a Peace betwixt France and Holland and sending 10000 of their own Subjects into the French King's Service p. 185. LIII On the meeting of the Parliament again April 1675. Their falling upon Bills for the Benefit of the Nation and being diverted by the sudden bringing in of a Test into the House of Lords to be imposed upon all in Places of Power or Trust Civil Military or Ecclesiastical obliging them to declare their Abhorrence of taking up Arms against the King or any commissionated by him and to swear that they would not at any time endeavour the Alteration of the Government either in Church or State p. 190. LIV. On the Debate betwixt the Lords and Commons about the Lords hearing of Appeals from any Court of Equity with the Behaviour of the Bishops in that Affair and the Opposition which they met with from the Earl of Shaftsbury c. p. 199. LV. On the meeting of the Parliament after the Prorogation His Majesty's Demand of Money to build Ships The Commons insisting upon the Bill for a Habeas Corpus Against sending Men Prisoners beyond Sea Raising Money without Consent of Parliament Against Papists sitting in either House For the speedier convicting of Papists and recalling his Majesty's Subjects from the French Service and the Duke of Buckingham ' s Speech for Indulgence to Dissenters p. 202. LVI On the Motion for an Address by the House of Lords for dissolving the Parliament The Address's being cast out by the Majority and the Protestation of the Country Lords thereupon p. 205. LVII On the filling of the Benches with durante beneplacito Judges The publishing of some Books in favour of the Papists and Prerogative The French King 's letting loose his Privateers amongst the English Merchants And the sending of Ammunition from his Majesty's Stores to the French King p. 211. LVIII On the meeting of the Parliament after the long Prorogation Febr. 1676. His Majesty's Demand of Money recommending a good Correspondence to the two Houses The Question whether the Parliament was not dissolv'd by that unprecedented Prorogation Sending some Lords to the Tower for insisting on it The granting of Money by the Commons p. 218. LIX On the Commons throwing out the Bill intituled An Act for securing the Protestant Religion and another for the more effectual Convicting and Prosecution of Popish Recusants p. 224. LX. On the Address of the Commons concerning the Danger from the Power of France and their Progress in the Netherlands His Majesty's Answer It s not being thought satisfactory by the Commons who presented a second to which his
to be a Soveraign by halves However it not being safe to controvert the Matter too far I am resolv'd to pass the disbanding Act but will observe it no further than sutes my Measures I am pretty well accustomed to Violation of Oaths which have a degree of Solemnity beyond mere Acts of Parliament The Money which they give to disband them will serve for some time to maintain them and then I may be otherwise provided or make them at least provide for themselves and earn their Bread before they eat it It 's strange that I may not adventure upon that which Oliver the Usurper did before me He was so far from being check'd by his Parliaments that he gave Laws to them by his Army and why may not I attempt the like And though I be sworn to the contrary yet may defend it as he did by Reasons of State until such time as I arrive at that height of Power as to make my Will pass for a Law But this is more easily hop'd for than effected However if I can handsomly weather out this Storm it 's not impossible to be brought to pass CHAP. LXV On the relieving of Mons by the Prince of Orange with the Assistance of the Duke of Monmouth and the English Forces The Defeat given to the French at that time and their King's Complaint that it was contrary to his Majesty's private Articles The concluding of the Peace Recalling our Forces Quartering them in the Country His Majesty's being in a Consult with the Duke of York Lord Clifford c. which was over-heard and the Person who listened kick'd down Stairs by the said Lord. IT 's some Comfort to have Fellows though it be but in Affliction The French King who hath for a long time been on the top of the Wheel is also liable to be turn'd downward having lately receiv'd a considerable Check by the Defeat at Mons. This is a sensible Diminution of his Glory But though at another time it would have been a joyful Hearing to the Kings of England it is not so to me now because it 's a considerable Balk to our common Design There is also this mortifying Circumstance in it that the Laurels which are pulled off from his Head are planted on that of the Prince of Orange who though my Nephew both by Birth and Marriage yet I cannot cordially love him because he pursues Measures so contrary to mine And though I cannot but in some measure be satisfied to hear of what may tend to the Honour of my own Child whom I cannot but love by the Instinct of Nature yet I could have wish'd he had been otherwise imployed and that his Valour had been signaliz'd at this time as well as at others on the contrary side Two such promising Princes embarquing in the Protestant Cause may prove fatal to the Interest of Popery and Absolute Monarchy if they be bless'd with a few more such Victories as this and that I must in compliance with my own Inclinations endeavour to hinder lest my stubborn Subjects should make choice of the Son to chastise the Father as it happened to my Predecessor King James III. of Scotland whose rebellious States made his Son Generalissimo against him I am also pressed with another Difficulty which is how to excuse this to the French King who upbraids me with it as a Breach of the private Treaty that my Son and Subjects should fight against him I can truly say that neither the Duke nor they did engage in that Action with my Consent and that the thing is wholly owing to the Prince of Orange whose Conduct and Courage I have reason to dread will mar all the Designs which Lewis XIV and I have so long concerted This Disaster makes it necessary to conclude a Peace and then we may contrive at leisure how to retrieve it The Peace being concluded I must recal my Forces which now I perceive become grievous to the Spaniards and I hope to imploy them to better purpose at home than ever they were abroad Let the Phanaticks murmur and belch out their seditious Reflections upon my violating the Act for disbanding the Forces I am Proof against such Tongue-shot as theirs I can find out a Pretence for keeping them still on foot as being necessary to over-awe the French who being now at Peace with every body else may reasonably be thought to have Designs against me as having first obliged them to the Treaty of Aix la Chapelle and now by my Forces have contributed to bring them to a Peace These Regiments being brought over from Flanders will restrain the Tumnlts which I have reason to fear from the mutinous Humour in which my Subjects are at present and in a little time I can augment my Army if I had but Money It 's true that in the late Consult divers Expedients were proposed for obtaining it either from the French King the City of London or the Parliament But to have it from the former can never be relied on and if he supply me once I am not sure that he will do it a second time his own ambitious Designs having carv'd him out Ways enough for his Money Neither is it safe for me to be so much obliged to him lest he should at some time or other improve it against me as he did lately threaten to discover our secret Intrigues to the Parliament when we charg'd him with being worse than his Word and failing in the Money which he had promised for the common Design I know the Ambition of his Heart inclines him to aspire to the Universal Monarchy and therefore I must be on my Guard against him The Proposal of borrowing Money from the City of London I know impracticable they have already denied me Credit and it 's nothing but to render my self too mean to desire Money of them again The Project of bringing them to it by Force were no more than what they merit but the Consequences may prove fatal to my Designs The City of London being the Head of the Nation has a natural Influence on the whole Body Politick and if the City be once enraged I must not expect to have the Kingdom long in quiet And I have the more reason to be cautious on this Head because the Loss of the City was the Loss of my Father's Life It 's true that my Lord Clifford's Advice of declaring my self bare-fac'd and out-braving all Difficulties were a thing very beseeming a Monarch but my Experience is greater than his Dulce Bellum inexpertum War is sweet till it be tried Had he three Crowns to lose as I have his Courage would not be so great for he that never enjoyed the Sweets of Life does not know how to value them but I have had Experience both what it is to want and possess them I know that this Nation though very well prepar'd by that which Phanaticks and Men of their Kidney call Profanity is not yet ripe enough to imbrace
ΕΙΚΩ'ΠΒΑΣΙΛΙΚΗ ' ΔΕΥ'ΤΕΡΑ THE POURTRAICTURE OF HIS SACRED MAJESTY King Charles II. With his Reasons for turning Roman Catholick published by K. James Found in the Strong Box. Printed in the Year MDCXCIV The CONTENTS I. ON his Majesty's being converted into the Catholick Church Page 1. II. On his Majesty's accepting of the Scots Proposals and taking the Solemn League and Covenant in Scotland p. 6. III. On his Majesty's Coronation in Scotland upon taking the Covenant and other Oaths to govern according to the Laws of that Kingdom p. 15. IV. On the Divisions amongst the Scots Presbyterians upon his Majesty's bringing his Father 's old Friends into Places of Power and Trust about him p. 18. V. On his Majesty's Defeat at Dumbar p. 20. VI. On the Defeat of his Majesty's Forces at Innerkeithing c. and his raising another Army to march into England p. 22. VII On his Majesty's Defeat at Worcester p. 24. VIII On his Majesty's Escape to Whiteladies from thence to Spring-Coppice and then to Boscobel house where he was conceal'd some time by the Penderels after he left the Royal Oak p. 28. IX On his Majesty's being in the Royal Oak p. 31. X. On his Majesty's being conceal'd at Boscobel house Entertainment there by the Penderels and Journey thence to Mr. Huddleston ' s. p. 34. XI On the Proclamation against entertaining his Majesty and offering 1000 l. to any that would discover him p. 38. XII On his Majesty's leaving Mr. Huddleston ' s and riding before Mrs. Jane Lane to Bristol c. in order to his embarquing for France p. 40. XIII On his Majesty's Journey to Trent and parting with Mrs. Lane there in order to his embarquing at Charmouth a small Village near Lime and his Disappointment by the Skipper's Wife who lock'd her Husband up that he should not carry him p. 45. XIV On his Majesty's Return to Trent and lodging at an Inn in Broad-Windsor in his way amongst Rebel-Souldiers where one of their Women were brought to bed and his Concealment in a Place at Trent where Recusants used to retire p. 47. XV. On his Majesty's imploying my Lord Wilmot to procure Money for his Transportation his hiring a Ship being known by one Smith an Inn-keeper and his Arrival near Havre de Grace in France p. 49. XVI On his Majesty's being conducted to Paris met by his Brother the Duke of York and entertained at the French Court p. 51. XVII On his Majesty's offering his Mediation betwixt the Prince of Conde ' s Faction and that of Cardinal Mazarin supported by the French King and the Odium which he thereby brought upon himself from both Parties p. 53. XVIII On Mrs. Lane ' s Arrival in France His Majesty's being disappointed of Mademoiselled ' Orleans and treating with the Duke of Lorrain for the recovering of Ireland p. 55. XIX On his Majesty's falling in love with one of his own Subjects in France his marrying her and having a young Prince by her who was afterwards created Duke of Monmouth p. 59. XX. On the French King 's concluding a Treaty with Oliver by which his Majesty and the Royal Family were to be excluded France and his going thereupon into the Low-Countries p. 62. XXI On his Majesty's travelling into Germany and the Low-Countries The Duke of Glocester ' s being importun'd and threatned by his Mother to turn Roman Catholick and the Duke of York's being charg'd to depart France p. 64. XXII On his Majesty's being invited into the Spanish Netherlands by Don John of Austria in name of his Catholick Majesty upon the Rupture betwixt Spain and France p. 68. XXIII On the Defeat of the Spanish Army and the Surrender of Dunkirk to the English p. 70. XXIV On Oliver ' s Death Richard ' s being declar'd Protector outed by Lambert and the Army c. p. 72. XXV On his Majesty's being invited to a Treaty on the Frontiers of Spain betwixt the French and Spanish Ministers about a Peace betwixt those Crowns Sir George Booth ' s Defeat The Confusions which the Nations were cast into by Lambert and General Monk ' s carrying on the Designs of restoring his Majesty p. 74. XXVI On General Monk's having brought the Design of his Majesty's Restoration to Perfection His Majesty's Declaration from Breda and Entertainment of the Presbyterian Ministers there who were sent over to him p. 76. XXVII On his Majesty's being proclaim'd by the Parliament His magnificent Entrance into London and injoying the Countess of Castlemain the first Night p. 80. XXVIII On the Parliament's condemning the Regicides and appointing an Anniversary Humiliation on the Day of King Charles I' s Murder p. 83. XXIX On his Majesty's dissolving the Parliament which called him in and summoning another p. 85. XXX On the Presbyterian Plots set on foot Novemb. 1661. Sir J. P' s forging treasonable Letters to that effect His Majesty's appointing a Conference at the Savoy betwixt the Conformists and Nonconformists and influencing the House of Commons to offer Reasons against any Toleration p. 89. XXXI On his Majesty's selling of Dunkirk to the French King for 500000 l. p. 92. XXXII On the Parliament's beginning to grow sensible of the Incouragement given to the Catholick Religion by his Majesty's Declaration Decemb. 1662. Their Petition on that head and his Majesty's publishing a Proclamation against Papists thereupon p. 94. XXXIII On the News of some more Plots by the Phanaticks against his Majesty both in England Scotland and Ireland The Execution of the Earl of Argyle Lord Wariston c. in Scotland and some of those concerned in the Plots in England and Ireland p. 96. XXXIV On his Majesty's making War upon the Dutch Anno 1664. p. 99. XXXV On the Parliament's voting to stand by his Majesty till he had a Redress for the Injuries done to his Subjects by the Dutch The King 's great Care to have his Fleet ready before theirs putting them off by fair Promises seizing their Bourdeaux Fleet without declaring War c. p. 101. XXXVI On the French King 's making Peace with the States Several Skirmishes with various Success The Victory at Sea by the Duke of York and the Plague which broke out in London in 1665. p. 103. XXXVII On the meeting of the Parliament at Oxford because of the Plague at London The King's Speech to them about the Dutch War and Supplies The Chancellor's Enlargement on it The Act for banishing Nonconformists five Miles from Corporations p. 107. XXXVIII On the Dutch's recalling their Ambassador from England The King's Letter by him to the States and the French King and his Majesty's Declarations of War against each other p. 111. XXXIX Vpon the Sea-fights with the Dutch May and July 1666. both sides pretending to the Victory And the French's lying by though they came as if they design'd to assist the Dutch p. 113. XL. On the firing of London p. 114. XLI On the Parliament's meeting at Westminster after the Fire His Majesty's Demand of more Money
Majesty delay'd giving Answer and the Cause why His demanding of Money when he did answer Their giving 200000 l. and Adjournment with the Cause of it p. 227. LXI Vpon the Duke of Crequis ' s arriving from France with a great Train and meeting his Majesty at New-market The Affairs treated of there The meeting of the Parliament again Their insisting upon a League with Holland and his Majesty's Answer p. 231. LXII Vpon the Prince of Orange ' s Arrival at Whitehall and Marriage with the Lady Mary eldest Daughter to the Duke of York The Address of the Commons thereupon and their insisting upon the Alliance with the Dutch and War against France p. 238. LXIII On the raising an Army on pretence of a War with France The modelling of them The sending of Duke Lauderdale to Scotland to bring down an Highland-Army upon those Parts of the Low-lands which were most Presbyterian The private Treaty with France The Discovery of it by the Commons Their Address to his Majesty to dismiss the French Ambassador Their Vote in May 1678. That the King be desired to enter into Alliance with the Emperor King of Spain and Princes of Germany His Majesty's Answer Their second Address against Duke Lauderdale and other Ministers and Vote to give no Money till they were secured from Popery and Arbitrary Government The Treaty of Nimeguen and the Behaviour of his Majesty's Plenipotentiaries there p. 241. LXIV On his Majesty's acquainting the Parliament that there was a Peace in agitation His Desire to keep up his Army and Navy till it were concluded The Resolve of the Commons for supporting the King in the War against France or provide for disbanding the Army His Majesty's Answer thereupon and the Commons continuing their Resolution to disband the Army though the King desired the contrary p. 249. LXV On the relieving of Mons by the Prince of Orange with the Assistance of the Duke of Monmouth and the English Forces The Defeat given to the French at that time and their King's Complaint that it was contrary to his Majesty's private Articles The concluding of the Peace Recalling our Forces Quartering them in the Country His Majesty's being in a Consult with the Duke of York Lord Clifford c. which was over-heard and the Person who listened kick'd down Stairs by the said Lord. p. 252. LXVI On the Discovery of the Popish Plot in August 1678. by Dr. Oates and others The Design of the Jesuits against his Majesty's Life Sir Edmundbury Godfrey ' s taking Dr. Oates his Depositions The seizing of Coleman Secretary to the Dutchess of York and his Papers and the murdering of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey thereupon p. 258. LXVII On his Majesty's Apology to the Parliament October 21 1678. for keeping up his Army His demanding of Money and acquainting them with the Plot and Danger from Popery The Vote of the Commons upon the Plot and Orders to apprehend the Earl of Powis and four other Popish Lords Their passing of the Bill for raising the Militia and his Majesty's refusing it The Execution of Coleman and some other Plotters of less note p. 263. LXVIII On the Bill for excluding Papists from both Houses of Parliament with a Clause excepting the Duke of York The Dissolution of the Parliament as prosecuting the Popish Plot. The calling of another and ordering the Duke of York to withdraw out of the Kingdom before they met His Majesty's Speech to them and Declaration confessing his Error in governing by Cabals His dissolving of his Privy-Council and chusing another whence the popular Members did quickly desire to be discharged p. 268. LXX On the French King 's seizing several Places in Flanders c. as depending on those which were confirm'd to him by the Peace of Nimeguen His and the Spaniards Vnkindness to the Duke of York at that time in the Netherlands The Address of the Commons to stand by his Majesty and the Protestant Religion Their disbanding of the Army The Discovery of Endeavours to make the Witnesses of the Popish Plot retract their Evidence And the proroguing of the Parliament upon their growing warm about the Trial of the Popish Lords in the Tower p. 273. LXXI On the Insurrection at Bothwel-bridg in Scotland The sending the Duke of Monmouth thither to suppress it which he effected The Execution of several Presbyterian Ministers upon it and the Execution of several Jesuits for the Popish Plot and Endeavours to stifle the same by the Meal-tub-Plot which prov'd abortive p. 277. LXXII On the dissolving of the Parliament July 12. 1679. and calling another against October 7. The Return of the Duke of York in the mean time and his being sent to Scotland The proroguing of the Parliament after their being chosen The acquitting of Sir George Wakeman and others of the Plotters by the then Lord Chief Justice The burning of the Pope c. in effigie The presenting of a Petition by the Citizens for the sitting of the Parliament and Abhorrence of Petitions presented by others p. 281. LXXIII On the Court 's being disappointed of receiving Money from Rome and France The meeting of the Parliament October 22 1680. The Proceedings of the Commons against such Justices as obstructed Petitions for the sitting of the Parliament The passing of the Bill of Exclusion against the Duke of York in the House of Commons nemine contradicente The rejecting of it by the Lords The Trial and Execution of the Lord Stafford The impeaching of the Judges Their Denial of a Supply to the King His Majesty's Message to them and dissolving them because of their Obstinacy p. 285. LXXIV On the calling of another Parliament to meet at Oxford Febr. 1680. The seizing of Fitz-Harris with seditious Libels designed to have been lodged with Protestant Peers and Commons The seditious manner of the London Members going to Oxford His Majesty's Speech to the Parliament when they met there Their Impeachment of Fitz-Harris and Dissolution p. 289. LXXV On his Majesty's Declaration that the Duke of Monmouth was not lawfully begotten p. 295. LXXVI On the Protestant Plot. The Trial and Execution of Stephen Colledge The Commitment of the Lord Howard of Escrick and the Earl of Shaftsbury with his Trial and Acquitment The Quo Warranto against the Charter of London and other Corporations The imposing of Sheriffs upon the City of London The Commitment of Sir Thomas Pilkington and Mr. Shute then Sheriffs for opposing it The calling of a Parliament in Scotland where the Duke of York represented his Majesty as Commissioner The Test enacted there and the Act for settling the Succession upon the Duke The Trial and Condemnation of the Earl of Argyle for explaining the Test and his Escape p. 298. LXXVII On the finding of my Lord Grey Alderman Cornish and other Citizens guilty of a Riot for countenancing the Election of the City-Magistrates The Discovery of the Conspiracy to assassinate his Majesty and the Duke of York at Ry-house and the Council of six to
Blood yet it is not only good Policy but absolutely needful in my case to sacrifice the Ring-leaders of the Presbyterians while they are at present under a Consternation before they have time to recollect their Spirits and make head against me and therefore I am resolv'd on a Victim of each sort viz. of their Nobility Gentry and Clergy and so Mr. James Guthry who hath appeared so stout for the Privileges of their Church as being supreme Judg themselves in Ecclesiastical Affairs shall smart for his Opinion And thus I will pave my way to the Enjoyment of my Prerogative both in Affairs of Church and State over the Bellies of my Enemies Nor must it be in Scotland alone where the Effects of my Resentments shall be felt but in both my other Kingdoms for I must take care to have the Apprehensions of a discontented Party continued in all the three Nations of which I shall make these Advantages that they will serve for a Ballance against the Church of England if she grow stubborn and always serve for a Pretence of a Necessity of keeping up Forces and the sacrificing of them to the Fury of the Episcopal Party will be at all times an effectual Means of draining their Pockets and making them concur to the raising of Money in Parliament and when at any time I am minded to amuse the People with the Noise of a Plot it will be the more easily believed seeing there is a Party who being exasperated with Oppression it may be reasonably thought that they will endeavour to procure their own Liberty CHAP. XXXIV On his Majesty's making War upon the Dutch Anno 1664. LEST the Nation should grow luxuriant with too long Peace it 's sit that I should engage them in War abroad to prevent their having leisure to tumultuate at home Had my Father done so he might have prevented his Disaster I have Pretences enough of quarrelling with the Dutch but if they be not thought weighty I must endeavour to make them appear so My Pensioners which I have in the House of Commons will easily be influenc'd to find justifying Causes And seeing the Nation are jealous of their Trade as their principal Support to give out that the Dutch have incroach'd upon that will be most plausible and taking and the natural Hatred which the Episcopal Party have against the Dutch Presbytery and Form of Government will render them easy to believe the Crimes charged upon them and make them concur with Zeal enough in their Destruction And for the other Party who will certainly murmur and guess at that which is the real Cause of the War it will afford me an Opportunity to treat them the more severely and justify the Rigour which shall be used towards them And in the mean time I shall carry on the common Design of restoring the Church of Rome under such Colours as will not be easily discerned it being indeed fit to raze out the Memory of that People from under Heaven and not to leave such a Monument of successful Rebellion against Monarchy and the Catholick Church in Being It 's true that my Design may be tax'd with Ingratitude considering the kind Entertainment that I found amongst them during my Exile but as I have been happy in palliating my Treatment of the Spaniards and the Scots Presbyterians both of whom were very kind to me I doubt not also to find Excuses for this which will in some measure satisfy the Publick CHAP. XXXV On the Parliament's voting to stand by his Majesty till he had a Redress for the Injuries done to his Subjects by the Dutch The King 's great Care to have his Fleet ready before theirs putting them off by fair Promises seizing their Bourdeaux Fleet without declaring War c. MY Parliament I do find are made to my purpose partly by Pension and partly by Principle and having them on my side I am safe enough If any of the Phanaticks shall be so bold as to mutter that Popery is at the bottom of this War or if the Dutch should give it out so to possess the Minds of Foreign Protestant Princes with prejudice against me the Parliament's being on my side will knock all their Suggestions on the head for who will believe that the Protestant Representatives of a Protestant Nation will concur in a Design to destroy their own Religion But at the same time I 'll take care to have it truly represented to the Pope and the House of Austria and they together with the French King who is in the Design with me will be too strong for all Opposers and what by their Strength and my own Policy we shall be able to carry the Design on to perfection But considering the ill Fate which attended the Spaniards in their Designs against that cautelous People I must proceed very warily and hide my Intentions as much as I can till I find sufficient Advantage against them and accordingly my Envoy shall have Instructions to assure them of my good Intentions until such time as I can entrap their Bourdeaux and Smyrna Fleets which will enable me to manage the War against them at their own Charge And tho such Practices might be esteem'd dishonest amongst private Men yet it will pass for justifiable Policy with Princes and in the mean time I will order it so as to have my Fleet ready before theirs and begin Hostilities without declaring War My Brother the Duke of York shall be my Admiral of whose Zeal against that Heretical Republick I have no reason to doubt and this will besides render him popular to the Nation if he happen to be successful and pave his way to the Crown if he outlive me and that I have no Issue and by consequence secure the Interest of the Church of Rome in these Nations I must magnify the Zeal of my Parliament and thank them for espousing my Quarrel so kindly which will keep them still in a good Humour and make them justify my whole Conduct in the Affair and whet their Zeal to enact severe Laws against the Nonconformists who are Men of the same Principles with the Dutch So that during this Ferment against the Puritans I shall provide for the Security of my Friends the Papists which will be the more easily overlook'd I have also receiv'd Assurance of the French King's Concurrence who will demand Reparation from the Dutch for his two East-India-Ships which they have taken and together we shall destroy that Bulwark of Heresy CHAP. XXXVI On the French King 's making Peace with the States Several Skirmishes with various Success The Victory at Sea by the Duke of York and the Plague which broke out in London in 1665. MY Brother of France hath fail'd of his Promise so that I find that I hâ—â—â— the same Measure dealt to me which I deâ—â—â— to others and he indeavours to take the Advantage of the Dutch and me both However I 'll let him know that I can go on without him And
Means I shall not now be pestered with Returns of Precisians and Republicans for Members of Parliament nor can they have any share in the managing of the Government And as for the other Party they are so much taken up with the Discipline and Rituals of their Church that they are not very sollicitous what Innovations be made in her Doctrine And I have always found that their Harmony with the Church of Rome in the outward part hath engendred in them a better Opinion of the Papists than Presbyterians And thus at once I strike at the Protestant Interest at home and abroad It 's true that the delivering up of that French Gentleman and our placing the French Ambassador behind the Curtain to hear his Complaints and Proposals for Redress may seem inglorious and a thing below a Crowned Head But as it will confirm my Friends the Papists in their good Opinion of me it must needs be an Engagement upon the French King though I am but little obliged to his Care of my Reputation that suffered the Criminal to be examin'd as to his Converse with me while they were breaking him upon the Wheel but I perceive he thinks it his Interest to keep me low in the good Opinion of my Subjects lest I should put a stop to the Career of his Ambition which is his Predominant as Sensuality is mine but he is mistaken in his Measures I am as zealous for promoting of the Catholick Religion as he can be nor do I care how or by what Methods it is effected so it be but accomplished But I shall not trouble my self neither to enlarge my own nor stop the Course of his Conquests for I am as much concern'd to gratify my predominant Passion which requires Ease as he is to gratify his which is constantly attended with Hurry and Trouble CHAP. XXXVIII On the Dutch's recalling their Ambassador from England The King's Letter by him to the States and the French King and his Majesty's Declarations of War against each other THE Dutch having recall'd their Ambassador imports that they have no Hopes of obtaining a Peace however to dazle the Eyes of the World a little further I 'll send a Letter by him with an Offer of Proposals to the States wherein I will charge them as the Beginners of the War and testify my own Inclination to bring it to an end which though it is plain will never obtain Belief yet will serve for a Pretence that the Continuance of the War is not my choice and consequently free me a little from the Odium of the Havock which the Bishop of Munster with his Popish Forces makes in a Protestant Country and furnish Arguments to my Friends of the Church of England against those who suggest that my Design at bottom is to promote a Popish Interest The mutual Declarations of War by my self and the French King against each other will very much contribute to a Concealment of our Designs and give us an opportunity of destroying the Dutch more advantagiously for I am very well assured that the French Troops which march to the Assistance of the Hollanders will annoy them as much as those of their Enemies and make them quickly repent the calling in of such Auxiliaries but however there is this which will be gain'd by it that it cannot well be thought that my Design is against the Protestant Religion when a Monarch who is a professed Papist and the eldest Son of the Church of Rome does seemingly oppose me though by the Message which he lately sent to my Mother he hath sufficiently inform'd me as to his secret Intensions so that betwixt us I doubt not but we shall ruine that Knot of Hereticks And as I have brought their Friends here in England under the Lash of the Law I will take care to undo their Brethren in Scotland where by the Concurrence of their new Bishops and the Zeal of my Privy Council I can do what I please seeing all the Presbyterians are excluded the Government And thus while I set one Party of Protestants against another at home and dash the Protestants of England against those of Holland abroad I shall advance the Church of Rome and my own Prerogative apace CHAP. XXXIX Vpon the Sea-fights with the Dutch May and July 1666. both sides pretending to the Victory And the French's lying by though they came as if they design'd to assist the Dutch I Cannot always chain Success to the Wheels of my Chariot nor promise my self Happiness in every Undertaking I obtain'd one Victory over the Dutch and therefore may the better bear with my present Loss though at the same time I must conceal it to prevent the Grumblings of the People and order all the publick Tokens of Joy for a Victory How true were the French to their Promise of deceiving the Dutch and making them rely on their Assistance yet afforded them none so that though I have not obtain'd a Victory by this Procedure of theirs yet it hath considerably diminish'd my Loss for if the Dutch had not been deceiv'd by relying on the French they would have been better provided of themselves and in a Capacity to pursue the Blow further home And in truth I must needs applaud the French King's Conduct in letting the English and Dutch Hereticks fight it out and save his Catholick Subjects for a better Time and Service From their lying by I shall also reap this Advantage that though the Dutch proclaim their Victory it will be the less credible and my Pretensions to the same will be the better believed but the Mischief on 't is that their appearing so speedily at Sea after the Noise of my pretended Victories gives the People occasion to suspect my Veracity CHAP. XL. On the Firing of London THE Sword Pestilence and Fire are three of the heaviest Plagues that can befal a People and of late I and mine have had our Shares of them This dreadful Conflagration would be as pleasant to me as that of Rome was to Nero when he took his Harp in hand and triumph'd over its Flames if it were not that I am liable to the Suspicion of favouring it because my Brother and my Guards are so foolish and imprudent as to rescue those who are taken in the Fact and that some Catholicks who are not fit to be intrusted with Secrets have talk'd too openly of the Design a great while before it was put in Execution However this is a good Expedient to clear both the City and the Air about it from all manner of contagious Infection for that I could not set any Bounds unto but this I can limit That was the Hand of God This the Hand of Man That did promiscuously cut off my Friends and Foes but This I can order so as to make it fall upon the latter and after all if I cannot as Nero did with the Christians fasten the Plot of firing the City upon the Dissenters which the Jesuits have strenuously endeavoured
their Fault and not mine if their Security be not provided for By this means I shall amuse the Publick and prevent the general Disgust of the Nation And if I can but preserve my Honour with the People I shall despise the Reflections of particular Men for herein I think Saul acted truly like a Monarch that though Samuel had denounced the Anger of God against him for disobeying his Commands he was not in the least solicitous about that but pray'd that the Prophet would honour him before the People he took care of his Concerns for this Life let it fare with him as it would for what was to come But to what I say my self my Friends shall have Instructions to add the Right of making Peace and War is in me alone that if they with-hold Money I will neither declare War nor make Leagues that I have already exhausted my own Treasury in rigging out 44 Ships of War to preserve their Trade and convoy the Merchants and yet the City of London is so ungrateful as to refuse me Credit for 200000 l. and therefore if my People perish it 's their own Fault Those Suggestions will be readily imbib'd and diligently improv'd by the Courtiers and Clergy and then let my Enemies insist as much as they please upon the Necessity of shutting the Door towards France else our Treasure and Trade will creep out and their Religion and Tyranny creep in I am sure to have the Advantage of them when my Dictates shall be delivered from the Pulpits once per Week as the Oracles of Heaven And thus I shall make void all their Efforts for lessening the Power of France which I perceive they dread as carrying with it the Bane of their Heresy and Republican Principles and therefore it 's as necessary for my Design that the Power of the French King be kept up as it is necessary for theirs that it should be brought low I am unhappy that notwithstanding of all my Pensions an Address for an Alliance with the States c. should be carried in the House and have but two Negatives against it especially considering that they alledg it to be unprecedented to grant any Money till the Wars and Alliances for which they are demanded be signified in Parliament which plainly implies their Distrust of me that though I should have the Money yet I would not answer their Address which is so mischievously composed and so strongly back'd with popular Reasons that it seems to be calculated for possessing the Subjects that I would never suffer the French King to increase his Strength so much to the manifest Hazard of my Kingdoms if I were not engaged in the same Design with him I do also perceive that the Allegations of my Friends in the House of their intrenching upon my Prerogative by directing me with whom to make Alliances is nothing regarded but their Practice defended by former Precedents of Parliaments who have not only advised to Alliances but also confirm'd them as in the Reigns of Edward III. Richard II. and Henry V. c. And though my Pensioners were more serviceable in voting against the Manner and Words of the Address than formerly that there should be one yet they are worsted by a considerable Majority so unhappy is it for a King to depend upon the Humour of his Subjects which is as unconstant as the Waves of the Sea and liable to the Tossings of every Wind for however complaisant they have formerly been yet now they are all on a fire again about Popery and France So that I find my self under a Necessity of cooling them by an Adjournment and checking them by a severe Speech for intrenching on my Prerogative of making Peace and War in such an unprecedented manner while King and Parliament were not at mutual Enmity By which they would seem to claim a Privilege not only of directing me what Alliances to make but also to insinuate that it were not in my Power to make any without their leave so that I shall be look'd on by Foreigners as a King merely in Title I shall also take care that their Proceedings shall not dare to appear in print Whereas my Speech shall publickly proclaim their Disloyalty and the Speaker being made to my purpose I shall hinder the Commons from debating the Adjournment or diving into the Intrigues of the Court for if ever they begin to meddle in it he shall have Orders to quit the Chair by which the House must break up of Course and then the French shall have liberty to pursue their Conquests without Interruption by the Clamours of my Heretical Parliament who as also those that they represent shall be duly chastis'd in time convenient CHAP. LXII Vpon the Prince of Orange's Arrival at Whitehall and Marriage with the Lady Mary eldest Daughter to the Duke of York The Address of the Commons thereupon and their insisting upon the Alliance with the Dutch and War against France THe safest and most secure way of ridding ones self of an Enemy is to smite them under the fifth Rib while they imbrace them on pretence of Kindness And as Charles the IXth of France and Queen Katherine contriv'd the Destruction of the Protestants under the Covert of a Marriage with their Chief the King of Navar I may carry on the like Design by matching my Niece with the Prince of Orange Saul gave his Daughter Michal to David to be a Snare to him Nor is it out of any Kindness to my Nephew the Prince of Orange that I do now marry him upon my Niece He hath not hitherto behaved himself so like a dutiful Nephew as to deserve such a Favour having not only been the chief Support of the War against the French but incouraged the Dutch boldly in their Wars against my self But it may be this Match may take him off or at least will afford me an Opportunity of attempting it with more Vigour and Frequency than hitherto However let the Success as to that be what it will this Advantage I am sure of reaping from it that my Protestant Subjects will be thereby pleased and their Jealousies as to my Design of introducing Popery and Arbitrary Government abated so that being the less suspected I shall go on with the more Success and forward my Purpose My Parliament I perceive are pleas'd with this Alliance and have therefore ordered me an Address of Thanks yet their Fears and Jealousies are not so much quieted as to leave me at freedom from their Solicitations but still they insist on my not admitting any Treaty of Peace by which the French may be left in possession of any thing that they have taken since the Pyrenaean Treaty and confine their Promises of Support to my making a War with France How happy are unlimited Monarchs whose Will is their Law and whom their Subjects dare not controul but my Stars have not yet blessed me with any such Influences I cannot imagine how this phanatical discontented Humour hath